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Book 5 Water
Chapter 23 Love Until
The sudden rush of warmth surrounded Katara as she entered the candle lit room of what appeared to be an office. At the head of the table was a man dressed in fine red clothing with striking black armor.
"Ah…You have arrived just on time." The man said with a sly smile creeping along his lips.
Katara remained collected in spite of how she felt internally. Lifting her head up, the waterbender gazed at the supposed leader of the unknown vessel. Her eyes glistened with a dismayed emotion as she recognized him as the same man who spoke to her during her capture a few days before.
Realizing this, Katara gazed firmly at him while she lowered her head.
The man's right eyebrow arched indistinctly as he noticed the woman's strong demeanor.
He then chuckled before rising from his seat.
The scene then focused on the women behind Katara. They bowed to their leader and respectfully dismissed themselves from the room.
Once alone, Katara's uneasiness increased as her fears started to surface. The last time she spoke to this man was of terrible notions. Her fears of his intentions still plagued her mind. There was something very sinister about him. She could feel it in her very soul.
"Let me get right down to the point." The man said in a low and impatient tone.
"You may have certain opportunities, mutually worthwhile arrangements that could be made between us." The man said with an iniquitous grin.
"I have created an organization. A society formed to place order, involving many different procedures that operate mostly below the view of the great court."
"Are you suggesting I join you in whatever you're scheming?" Katara spoke back feeling the man's intent was inauspicious.
With a calm look the man responded nonchalantly, "I am suggesting that we align our powers. Form a pact that could benefit us both. The institute, you see has recently developed a vacancy in its upper station. A man of power has been killed and with his death a new leader must be chosen." The man said with a serious glare.
"I intend to replace him in that role, and I need good people to back me."
Katara's brow furrowed slightly, "And if I refuse your pact?"
The man paused briefly before leaning in from his desk with no hesitation. His features dim darkly.
"Then I will have no choice but to not only overthrow the Fire Lord and bring the Fire Nation to ruin." The man leaned back in his chair as a malicious smile curved his mouth. "I will eliminate his half breed children if you do not agree to my proposition." The man said in a wicked tone with an ending hiss in his voice as Katara's eyes widened.
"You wouldn't dare…" Katara said with a weary dread in her voice as the man closed his eyes.
"I have resources far more advanced than you can ever imagine. I have a score to settle in the land of fire. Don't think I will use it to my advantage." The man said with a stern tone.
The faces of her beloved children entered the waterbender's mind along with her husband. The thought of harm coming to them was enough to crack the surface of her heart and bleed through deep into her pride and submit to this man's devious intentions. Of course with a big price to pay for influence as Fire Lady, still she had no other options in this opposed situation.
Katara's aching love just couldn't be faulted over such matters. Family came first.
Bowing her head ever so slightly, Katara thinned her lips before speaking in a low voice.
"I'll abide by your orders." The native water tribe woman said as the man gave a wide smirk of satisfaction.
"For your civil conformity, I'll in turn give you a reward." The man said in an affront matter.
The man then turned to the table and below him opened a drawer while carefully taking out a slender box.
Placing it neatly in front of him, the leader pushed the box toward Katara and watched as she cautiously stepped forward to retrieve the gift.
Once in her palms, Katara gasped at the odd sensation that pulsed inside the container and vibrated through her fingertips. Something mystical was contained within.
"We will later on discuss your duties and hopefully come to an understanding. In the meantime, I will send you to a room." The man said as Katara placed the box against her chest and nodded slowly.
The scene backed away while focusing on the box held tightly in the waterbender's arms.
The scene of a red cherry wood dresser came into view with a golden hue shining in the dim area. A pale palm pressed against the smooth surface of the furnishing. Next to the hand was an abalone pearl rested besides bottles of perfume and elegant trinkets of feminine items all arranged perfectly along the table.
The hand then reached over and clasped the mottled pearl of silver and blue with tender care. The scene then focused upward of the person holding the precious treasure. Two sad eyes closed as the Fire Lord took a low sigh.
The uncertainty of his wife's well being was flooding the firebender's mind. The distance between them was cutting his heart deeper as he placed his closed fist on his forehead.
Memories flashed in his mind as he clenched his fist tighter recalling the pearl's existence.
The sight of the bright blue skies was seen distorted in the horizon of the sea as waves crashed along the shore.
The scene then focused on a red marquee tent flapping in the breeze with a figure shaded underneath from the harsh rays of the sun. Zuko was seen gazing out as he waited for his wife to return.
It was their first anniversary as a married couple and the second year of peace throughout the land. Vacation time became more frequent in the royal family as the Fire Lord smiled faintly to himself.
The view then focused on the sparkling waters surface shimmering like a river of diamonds as the scene zoomed in under the depths. A vast blue background came into sight with a slender woman diving below the volcanic reef's edge. Gracefully, Katara made her way down the ocean floor. A small swarm of tiger barbs, angel flamebacks and yellow tangs swam passed the waterbender as she searched for the special item buried beneath the sea.
Zuko continued to stare out on the waters surfaced slightly concerned for his wife's return.
She told him she was going for a swim to cool off but it's been some time since she left. Zuko knew Katara was a capable fighter and strong bender. She could easily care for herself in such a familiar habitat. Regardless of her capabilities, the Fire Lord couldn't help but worry for her safety.
Lost in his thoughts, the firebender didn't hear the soft voice call out his name as a figure hovered in front of his view blocking out the sun's light.
"Happy Anniversary." A female voice said as a slender hand extended out with an open palm revealing a small orb.
Zuko blinked for a moment as he then looked up at his wife. She was smiling ear to ear as water dripped off her body and hair.
"What is it?" Zuko asked as he accepted the gift.
Katara giggled lightly as she leaned in and kissed the man's forehead before seating herself next to him.
"It is said that sea sails are lazy but clever creatures. They would seek warmth during the cooler seasons. But because of their slow bodies, the sea snails couldn't travel long distances. So they attached themselves to the bellies of whales and migrate to the warmer waters. They would create a new home in the new lands and fed on plants 'til there was nothing left. After that they'll start to eat each other before all that remained were their shells. Yet within those shells lays a special treasure. I was fortunate enough to find the rarest of them all." Katara said with a self-satisfied grin.
Zuko chuckled as he turned to her. He always admired his wife's folktales of the sea creatures. There was always something so fascinating about them; so strange yet familiar. The Fire Lord also loved how Katara told each story. Each one had its place in her heart that she expressed so dynamically yet tenderly. It left Zuko wanting to know more.
Zuko then looked down at the pearl again as the flashback faded and the scene then transition back into the present.
The memory of her pained his chest as Zuko placed the pearl back down the dresser.
"Father?"
Zuko's eyes widen as the scene blurred and focused on a boy behind him.
"Kuzon." Zuko said softly as he turned to his son.
The boy lowered his head lightly as he then thinned his lips. "When is mother coming back?"
Zuko's shoulders slacked as he walked toward the young waterbender.
"I am not sure, son." Zuko said truthfully as he kneeled down to the boy's height.
Kuzon sighed as he then looked up at his father. "I miss her." The boy said with a light blush across his cheeks.
The boy never liked to admit his affections as openly as his sister. However he did have them, especially with his mother.
It was something Zuko was grateful for. Yet he struggled to form a strong bond with Kuzon in turn of that relationship from his own childhood past.
Giving a brief smile, Zuko then pulled his son in a small embrace as he tried to comfort him.
"I know son. I miss her too. But I promise she'll come back." Zuko said in a loving tone as Kuzon nodded into his father's chest.
The bond of the waterbenders was strong. That was something Zuko came to realize during Katara's pregnancy with Kuzon.
It was a smooth stage in her motherhood with their son and his birth went well. From the moment he was brought into the world and placed into his mother's arms. He didn't cry, only stared into Katara's tired eyes with wonder and love.
The bond of water…
Will it divide his chance to get closer to his son? Zuko thought to himself as he closed his eyes and held his son tighter.
"Here are some supplies for your journey to the western borders." Guru Pathik said as he handed Toph a wrapped package of dried fruit and nuts.
"Thank you…for everything." Toph said as she accepted the package from the old man
The guru smiled as his wrinkled face deepened against his lips.
Aang was seen preparing the saddle on his bison as he then hopped off and walked over to the two.
Bowing respectfully to the air nomad brother of his people, Aang thanked Pathik.
"Well let's be off then." Aang said as he turned to Toph while she nodded her head with a smile.
The scene then shifted toward the skies as the sight came into view of a flying bison and guru Pathik in the distance waving goodbye to the young benders.
The vast landscape of ridged mountain tops were seen passing by as Appa flew higher into the open sky and across the open sea.
Toph closed her eyes as she enjoyed the cool breeze flow through and the sound of the wind howling pass her ears.
It was nice to return to the skies again. It was like home after during her travels with the avatar and her friends over the years.
Opening her eyes slowly, Toph then looked over at the airbender. Ever since his spiritual battle in the spirit world, he seemed somehow different.
More alert and focused at the tasked at handed.
Not so carefree like he used to be.
Even his eyes seemed different.
Toph closed her eyes as she leaned in resting her forehead on Aang's shoulder.
Holding the reins as he steered Appa, Aang slightly looked back at the earthbender behind him as he narrowed his eyes.
"What's wrong?" Aang asked in a slight monotone voice as Toph gave a dry chuckle.
"I should be asking you."
Aang blinked slowly as he lowered his head.
He wasn't sure what to feel at the moment. He was…content.
Guru Pathik gave him an indication to the strange feeling he was experiencing. Which it both worried yet satisfied him.
Spiritual enlightenment…
He achieved what the monks have taught him. His soul was free.
But does that mean his duty as Avatar been changed? Was he no more than a simple monk?
The feeling he felt was so uplifting in his chest. He didn't want it to leave.
A delicate hand slowly curled over his chest and under his arm wrapping around him tenderly.
Aang exhaled at the weight of the young woman behind him as she pressed against him.
"Please…Don't drift away."
Aang's eyes widen at her words as she held back her tears.
"Toph."
The girl hesitated against the airbender's form as he said her name softly.
"I'm-…"
A loud bellow interrupted Aang as he blinked and Toph pulled back as they noticed in the distance was a vessel at high speed.
The scene then zoomed in on the black metal ship at its stern hung a flag of a black lotus symbol.
What is Huo's evil plans for Katara? Will Aang and Toph find and save her? What will happen next? Stay tune to find out!
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