Chapter Four: "Unearthing Strength"

Two years had passed since Tanya's discovery in the woods. She's now according to her parents, fifteen years old. As Tanya stood in her room, gazing out of the window, her hair cascaded down her back in a wave of golden blonde, catching the light and shimmering with a natural brilliance. She wore it loose, allowing the silky strands to frame her face in a soft halo of gold.

Memories of her first earthbending lessons with her father flooded her mind. The bustling courtyard of their family home seemed to come alive before her eyes, bathed in the warm glow of the morning sun.

"Are you ready, Tanya?" her father's voice echoed in her memory, filled with quiet determination.

Her heart swelled with excitement and anticipation as she nodded eagerly. "Yes, Father," she remembered replying, her voice tinged with anticipation. "I'm ready."

In her mind's eye, she could see her father stepping back, gesturing for her to take her place in the center of the courtyard. His words of wisdom echoed in her ears, reminding her that earthbending was not just about strength, but about patience, focus, and the deep connection with the earth itself.

With a deep breath, Tanya centered herself, feeling the energy coursing through her veins. With a flick of her wrist, she sent a ripple of power through the earth beneath her, feeling it respond to her command with a familiar thrum.

As her concentration deepened, Tanya felt a familiar surge of energy building within her, a sensation that stirred memories buried deep within her mind. It was a feeling of power, of control, it felt like something that she had ever experienced before. With determination etched into her features, she thrust her hands forward, channeling the energy into the earth beneath her feet resulting in a column of earth soaring into the air.

In that moment, a rush of memories flooded Tanya's mind. She remembered a time when she had felt a similar surge of power coursing through her veins. It was a memory shrouded in darkness and chaos, but amidst the turmoil, she had felt a sense of control, of strength that had carried her through the storm.

As Tanya continued to channel her earthbending abilities, the connection with her past grew stronger with each passing moment. Memories flooded her mind, vivid and intense, transporting her back to a time buried deep in her mind.

She remembered the sensation of soaring through the sky, her body weightless and free as the wind rushed past her. It was a feeling of exhilaration unlike anything she had ever experienced before, a sense of liberation that filled her with a profound sense of joy and wonder.

But amidst the euphoria of flight, there were darker memories lurking beneath the surface. Tanya recalled the chaos and destruction of the battlefield, the deafening roar of explosions and the stench of smoke and fire filling the air.

She remembered the trenches, carved deep into the earth like scars upon the land, where soldiers fought and died in a desperate struggle for survival. It was a scene of horror and devastation, etched into her memory with brutal clarity.

"Well done, Tanya," her father's voice stirred her from being overwhelmed by the memories. She heard him say, his voice tinged with admiration. "You're a natural." The memory of her father's astonished expression filled her with pride and warmth. But the sounds of horrible maniacal laughter of a young girl lingered in her ears.

As the memories of that day began to fade, leaving Tanya with a sense of unease and confusion, she couldn't shake the lingering doubt that gnawed at her mind. Were those memories real, or merely fragments of a dream? The sensation of soaring through the sky felt so vivid, so tangible, yet it seemed impossible, inconceivable even.

With furrowed brows, Tanya wrestled with her thoughts, trying to make sense of the jumble of memories and emotions that swirled within her. Was she truly capable of such feats, or was it merely wishful thinking, a figment of her imagination? Why did that horrible laugh sounded like hers?

Before she could dwell on the matter any longer, a familiar voice broke through her reverie. "Tanya, are you ready for a spar?" her father's voice rang out, pulling her back to the present.

Tanya turned to see her father standing in the doorway, a warm smile on his face. Despite the uncertainty swirling within her, she couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement at the prospect of training with him.

With a nod, Tanya pushed aside her doubts and fears, replacing them with determination and resolve. "Yes, Father," she replied, her voice steady and determined. "I'm ready."

Together, father and daughter made their way to the courtyard, the sun shining brightly in the afternoon. As they squared off against each other, Tanya felt her senses heighten. Everything seemed to slow down and her vision gain a sharpness unlike that of a predator stalking its prey.

With a nod of acknowledgment, her father assumed his fighting stance, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. Tanya mirrored his movements, her muscles tensed and ready for action.

As the spar began, Tanya lost herself in the rhythm of the fight, her movements fluid and instinctual. She blocked her father's attacks with ease, countering with swift strikes of her own.

Her father fought like a seasoned warrior, his movements fluid and precise as he unleashed a barrage of earthbending attacks. Tanya met his onslaught head-on, her reflexes sharp as she deflected his blows with ease.

"Come on, Father!" Tanya called out, a grin tugging at the corners of her lips. "Show me what you've got!"

Lao chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement as he launched another wave of attacks. "Careful what you wish for, Tanya," he replied, his voice filled with mock seriousness. "You just might get it."

With a determined expression, Tanya focused her energy, feeling the familiar thrum of power coursing through her veins. With a flick of her wrist, she sent a wave of earth hurtling towards her father, catching him off guard as he struggled to deflect the attack.

As the spar continued, father and daughter traded blows with increasing intensity, each one pushing the other to their limits. Tanya's movements were not just fluid and agile but also unpredictable, reminiscent of a rabbit darting through the underbrush or a sparrow flitting through the air. She leaped and dodged, her earthbending techniques executed with a finesse that kept Lao on his toes.

With each exchange, Tanya's movements became more erratic, her attacks coming from unexpected angles and her defenses shifting seamlessly between offense and defense. Lao found himself constantly adjusting to her unpredictable style, his own earthbending techniques put to the test as he sought to keep pace with his daughter's relentless assault.

While he had experience and skill, Tanya's agility and unpredictability gave her an advantage. She moved with a grace and speed that belied her years, her attacks landing with pinpoint accuracy as she sought to overwhelm her opponent.

With each leap and strike, Tanya felt a surge of exhilaration coursing through her veins. She was in her element, her instincts guiding her every move as she danced across the courtyard with a grace and finesse that left her father struggling to keep up.

But despite her father's best efforts, Tanya gained the upper hand, her attacks growing more powerful and precise with each passing moment. With a swift motion, she unleashed a devastating barrage of earthbending attacks, overwhelming her father's defenses and sending him crashing to the ground.

"Looks like I win this round, Father," Tanya said, her voice tinged with triumph as she offered her hand to help him to his feet. A strange scene if anyone was there to witness it. A petite girl standing at a mere 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm) tall holding out a hand to a full grown man sitting on the ground.

Lao accepted her hand with a grin, his eyes shining with pride. "Well done, Tanya," he said, his voice filled with admiration. "You've truly come into your own as an earthbender."