Chapter 13: Dreams
Zuko faltered in his movements. Staring blankly at the empty space. Aang had surged forward, reaching out for something that was no longer there as Katara had disappeared from their view. At that moment, Zuko felt a tightness in his chest, a sense of loss washing over him.
Aang's anguished cry filled the air, a sound that sent shivers down Zuko's spine. He willed himself to move, he could not just stand there, helpless. But before he could react, a blinding light enveloped Aang, and the world around them seemed to tremble.
The ground shook beneath Zuko's feet as he stumbled back, his eyes wide with shock. The soldiers and earthbenders, who had moments ago been their adversaries, now wore expressions of pure terror. Aang's eyes glowed with an intense, otherworldly light, and the air crackled with energy.
Aang raised his arms, and a powerful shockwave of air emanated from him, sending soldiers and debris flying. Zuko tried to shield himself from the onslaught, his senses overwhelmed by the sheer force of the Avatar State.
"Yes!" General Fong shouted in approval as he stared up at Aang. "Yes, we did it!"
The soldiers around them regrouped, launching their attacks at Aang, but it was like trying to stop a hurricane with a mere gust of wind. Aang effortlessly countered their strikes, redirecting their earthbending with a wave of his hand and repelling their projectiles with bursts of air.
General Fong's face fell, contorting into panic as Zuko watched in awe and fear as Aang's movements became fluid and precise. He seemed like a force of nature, a being of immense power and purpose.
"Avatar Aang." The general called to the avatar, "Can you hear me?" General Fong continued, and moving his hand in an upward motion Katara appeared at his side on the ground, gasping for breath. "You're friend is safe."
But the Avatar paid him no heed, rising into the air on a vortex of wind. Aang's voice, resonating with the wisdom of countless Avatars, echoed through the chaos. "You will leave."
But General Fong, stubborn and deluded, remained defiant. He erected a massive stone wall to shield himself, his soldiers rallying behind him. Zuko could see the desperation in their eyes, but the general was resolute in his pursuit of control.
The ground trembled beneath Zuko's feet as Aang's power intensified. Zuko knew that General Fong had underestimated the true potential of the Avatar State. He watched, his heart heavy with dread, as Aang raised a hand, causing the earth to quake beneath the general's feet.
General Fong attempted to bend the earth to protect himself, but it was too late. The ground shattered beneath him, and he fell along with several soldiers into the chasm the Avatar had opened, vanishing from sight. As Aang's overwhelming display of power continued, the soldiers retreated in disarray.
Zuko, still in shock, watched as they fled. It was then that a cry caught his attention. He turned to see Katara hanging perilously over the edge of the chasm, desperately trying to find a handhold on the uneven ground to pull herself back up. Without a moment's hesitation, Zuko rushed to her side, dropping to his knees, he reached out grabbing hold of her hand. She clasped onto his hand, and Zuko braced himself, his muscles straining as he pulled her up from the brink of the chasm. He breathed a sigh of relief once he had managed to bring her safely back onto solid ground.
Without wasting a second, Zuko pulled her up to standing, his grip still firm on her wrist. With Aang's devastating display of power continuing behind them, he knew they needed to get to safety quickly. He turned and ran, pulling Katara behind him as they moved away from the chaotic battlefield. The earthbending soldiers were disoriented and overwhelmed by the Avatar's onslaught, but they could not risk being caught in the crossfire.
They sprinted across the shattered training grounds, jagged rocks and debris strewn about, hindering their movements. Zuko spotted a partially destroyed wall up ahead and made a beeline for it, all the while keeping Katara close and shielded as much as he could from the ongoing destruction.
Reaching the wall, Zuko pulled Katara behind it, using it as a makeshift barrier to protect her from the Avatar's unleashed power. He kept her huddled there, positioning her so she was sandwiched between him and the wall, low and shielded from the chaotic scene unfolding just beyond their refuge.
In the midst of the Avatar State, Aang was a force of nature. His every gesture commanded the earth and wind, and Zuko could only watch in awe and trepidation as the world itself seemed to bow before him.
As he raised his arms, colossal pillars of earth erupted from the ground, their rocky spires reaching toward the heavens. The ground trembled beneath Zuko's feet, and he could feel the vibrations racing through his bones.
The air itself seemed to respond to Aang's call. Whirlwinds spiraled around him, lifting debris and dust into a frenzied dance, joining the tornado he stood above, obeying his every whim.
And then, as quickly as it had begun, the tempestuous display came to an end. The tornado seemed to collapse in on itself, sending out a shockwave that sent a tidal wave of earth crashing across the ground, knocking down buildings and leaving the compound in ruins.
Aang, drained and trembling, knelt on the ground in the center of the destruction. Zuko released Katara and she stood, running to the Avatar's side to comfort him. Sokka appeared unscathed coming to check on his sister.
As Zuko surveyed the devastation, his eyes took in the chaos and ruin that surrounded them. The once-pristine training grounds were now a landscape of shattered earth, with colossal stone pillars reaching for the sky and debris scattered in every direction on the uneven earth. It was a stark reminder of the immense and raw power the Avatar held within him, a power that could reshape the very world they lived in.
Amidst the desolation, the sound of clapping disrupted the eerie silence. The small group pivoted to find General Fong slowly advancing toward them. This presence was an unsettling contrast to the destruction that lay in the Avatar's wake.
General Fong, with an unsettling smile, spoke as he approached, "Remarkable! That was an awe-inspiring display of power, Aang. If we could only find a way to harness and control it, there's no doubt we could defeat the Fire Lord and bring an end to this war."
Sokka, however, could not believe his ears. "You are out of your mind." He muttered.
As General Fong continued to pontificate about his vision of harnessing the Avatar's strength, Sokka abruptly swung his trusty boomerang through the air, striking the general square in the head. Fong's words turned to an incoherent murmur as he collapsed, unconscious, to the ground.
Sokka, satisfied with his impromptu act of heroics, looked at the group and then at the earthbending soldiers around them. "Anyone have a problem with that?" he asked. All the soldiers watching shook their heads.
Aang reached into his shirt, retrieving a bison whistle, a small yet essential tool for their journey. With a few urgent notes blown into it, the distinct sound resonated through the air, echoing across the ruined landscape. Within moments, the sky above them darkened as the colossal form of Appa emerged, casting a shadow over the group. With a gentle landing, the sky bison touched down, ready to carry them away from the ruins of the military base.
Katara gazed out from her position near Appa's head, her thoughts drifting like the clouds below. The events at the military base had left her with a deep sense of unease. She could not help but replay the images of Zuko in the dungeons, the cruelty of General Fong, and Aang's struggle to control the Avatar State in her mind.
Turning her attention to the practical matters at hand, she knew they needed to stock up on more supplies. What they had been able to secure the night before at the military base had been minimal.
"Aang," she called out. "Let's stop at the next town we come across and stock up on food."
He nodded, his only response that he had heard her. She knew that he was burdened by their recent experiences, and she took it as her responsibility to ensure their basic needs were met.
She glanced back at Zuko, who had taken up the position at the back of the saddle. He was lying on his side, his back to them, so she was not sure if he was sleeping. She grabbed an apple for herself, handed Aang an apple also, and passed some seal jerky to Sokka, which she had saved from the Northern Water Tribe. With the snacks distributed, she made her way to the back of the saddle, intending to offer Zuko something to eat as well, to tide him over until they could land and set up camp, preferably near a town for resupplying their provisions.
Approaching Zuko cautiously, Katara noticed his rigid posture. He was not sleeping; his eyes were open, though he seemed lost in thought. She reached out a hand and gently touched his shoulder.
"Zuko," she said softly, "are you okay?"
He turned his head slightly to acknowledge her presence but did not say anything.
"Aang is going to try and find a town to get some supplies," Katara continued, raising her voice to be heard above the wind. "You should eat something."
Zuko finally nodded, his expression weary. He sat up as Katara retrieved an apple from her bag and handed it to him. He accepted it with a silent thank you and began to eat, albeit slowly. Katara sat beside him making sure he ate the whole apple. Then once he was done, she offered him some of the seal jerky. He took it gratefully and silently chewed on the morsal, lost in thought.
The hours passed by in silence, and each member of the group was lost in their own thoughts. Appa's rhythmic breathing and the gentle swaying of his massive form provided a soothing backdrop to their contemplations. The landscape below changed gradually, from open plains to rolling hills and forests.
Katara could not help but cast occasional glances at Zuko. His profile remained stoic, the apple core discarded by his feet, and his gaze fixed on the horizon. She wished she could find the right words to comfort him, to reassure him that he was among friends now, not enemies. But could she really? She knew Sokka did not like him at all, and loathed that he was coming along with them on this journey. And Aang, was Aang, no real rhyme or reason with him. He was the Avatar and strived to make peace with everyone.
As the sun began its descent toward the western horizon, Katara noticed a cluster of buildings in the distance. It was a small town, to their left. She leaned over to Aang, who was navigating Appa, and gently tapped his shoulder.
"Aang, there's a town over there," she said pointing it out. "Let's land further down the river to make camp and we can get supplies in the morning when the shops should open."
Aang nodded, guiding Appa toward the settlement. Katara hoped that this place would provide them with the chance to regroup and resupply. Aang guided Appa down to flying above the treetops as they got closer to the town, then guided him down over the river so the townspeople would hopefully not see them approaching.
Aang found a clearing, at least a mile or two from the town, tucked into the trees along the river. The group dismounted and Katara immediately set about assigning tasks to each person to get camp set up.
"Sokka, go collect firewood." She ordered. "I will start di-"
Sokka turned to her with a look of pure annoyance. "Seriously Katara, we just landed." He complained. "Why don't you command you little fire slave to go do that?"
"Sokka!" Katara exclaimed casting a glance at Zuko. The Firebender was leveling Sokka with a signature glare. "Is there some reason you can't?" Katara inquired.
"I am going to go scout out the town," Sokka stated as he headed off. "Come on Aang."
Aang smiled sheepishly at Katara before turning and following Sokka into the forest. With an exasperated sigh, Katara turned to Zuko. "Looks like it's up to us to gather firewood," she said, a hint of annoyance still in her voice.
Zuko paused for a moment before stating quietly, "That's ok Katara, I can gather the firewood."
Katara glanced at him in surprise at the offer. "Thanks, this way I can get started on dinner so it can cook while we finish setting up camp."
Zuko nodded and headed into the treeline, collecting twigs and branches scattered on the forest floor. He worked in silence, bringing armfuls of firewood and setting them down where she directed. After his fourth load, Katara informed him that it should be sufficient for now and instructed him to build a fire.
While Zuko had been gathering firewood, Katara had been quietly humming to herself as she worked. She expertly sliced up some vegetables and dried meat, adding them to a pot of water. She spiced the mixture before turning her attention to Zuko, instructing him to unfurl their sleeping bags.
They worked in what Katara hoped was a comfortable silence for Zuko, exchanging only occasional words as she guided him through the tasks she had grown accustomed to during their months of travel.
By the time dinner was ready, they had completed setting up the camp, but there was still no sign of Sokka and Aang.
As the sun dipped lower on the horizon, casting a warm orange hue over the campsite, Katara's concern grew. She had expected Sokka and Aang back by now. She glanced at the path leading to the town, her worry etching deeper lines on her face with each passing moment.
Zuko noticed her unease and asked, "Do you think they are all right?"
Katara sighed, her gaze never leaving the forest path. "I'm not sure, Zuko. They have been gone a little while. Maybe I should go look for them."
Before Zuko could argue, they both turned towards the sound of rustling in the trees, and a few moments later, Sokka and Aang emerged from the woods, They looked a bit disheveled but otherwise unharmed.
"Finally, you two are back," Katara exclaimed, her concern turning back into annoyance. "We were getting worried."
"Ya, I am sure you were 'Both' were just so worried about us." Sokka rolled his eyes, emphasizing the word 'both' when he said it. As if Zuko could actually be concerned with their safety. But then Sokka grinned and patted Aang on the back. "We got caught up talking to some locals about getting to Omashu. They were full of stories."
Aang nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we learned a lot about the area. Sorry if we kept you waiting."
Katara could not help but smile back at Aang in relief. "Alright, if you were both safe. Dinner is ready, so let us eat."
They gathered around the campfire, passing around bowls of soup to eat while Aang and Sokka told them about the village. After she had cleaned up the food and washed the dishes Katara climbed into her sleeping bag. The warm glow of the fire and the soothing sounds of the nearby river lulled her into sleep.
Zuko sat beside the fire watching Katara through the flames. He waited to see the evening out of the rise and fall of her chest, signifying that she had fallen asleep before he went to stand. He sank back down to the ground when Sokka suddenly appeared in his way.
"You can set your sleeping bag up over here jerk bender," Sokka said, dropping Zuko's bed roll in his lap.
Zuko raised an eyebrow at Sokka's less-than-friendly tone. He was accustomed to the Water Tribe warrior's jibes now, but this one felt more pointed than usual, as his bed roll had been set up closer to Katara's.
"Thanks," Zuko replied curtly, not in the mood for an argument. He took the sleeping bag and began to lay it out on the ground.
Sokka plopped down beside him, "I do not want you getting close to Katara. Do you understand me?" he asked menacingly. "I get you got this whole life debt thing going on between the two of you. But stay away from her, you got it?"
"Got it," Zuko responded.
"Good," Sokka exclaimed standing up. "Stick to it fire brat, and maybe I won't have to kill you." With that warning, Sokka retreated to his own sleeping bag, leaving Zuko to settle into his own bed. It did not take long for the other two boys to fall asleep, leaving Zuko alone in the conscious world.
The crackling campfire cast flickering shadows across Zuko's face as he lay wide awake, his eyes fixed on the canvas of the night sky. The quiet sounds of the wilderness enveloped him, but his thoughts were far from peaceful. Sleep remained an elusive specter, haunting him each time he dared to close his eyes.
Though he'd never admit it to anyone, every time his eyelids slid shut, the cruel memory of that infernal chair clawed its way back into his mind. Night after night, his nightmares converged into a horrifying mélange, with his father, Fire Lord Ozai, lurking in the shadows, waiting to interrogate him in that wretched contraption with flames licking at his skin. Zuko shuddered, his gaze locked on the stars above. He yearned for rest, for a reprieve from the relentless torment of his own memories. Yet, he could not shake the feeling that those haunting visions reflected the darkness with him, a darkness he could not decide if he should give into or continue trying to overcome.
The hours passed, and he continued to lie there, a solitary sentinel beneath the vast expanse of the night sky, lost in his thoughts and fears, as the campfire dwindled to embers.
