CHAPTER 1: A new world
"Have compassion for all beings, rich and poor alike - each has their suffering. Some suffer too much, others too little."
Several years had passed since The Hundred Year War.
When The War ended, it was as if the entire world collapsed for a while, exhausted from the constant fear, struggles, enslavement and deaths that had prevailed for over a century.
But as time went on, and peace finally felt as if it was there to stay, the world had started breathing again.
Sighs of relief.
Of love.
Of life.
Families had been reunited. Scars had been healed.
And from the gray ashes left by the scorching flames of the past, lush plants and trees were now growing forth, reaching for the blue skies above as a sign of hope for the future.
Cities and towns that had suffered heavy damage had begun to see restoration, while trade routes had started to reopen, facilitating a wave of exchanging goods, ideas and traditions.
And more importantly, people from different bending backgrounds and ethnicities had slowly begun to open up to each other anew, leaving an unfamiliar yet welcome sense of understanding and cooperation to linger in the hearts of many.
The world was on a path towards healing.
That much was clear.
And it made the young bald monk smile as he nudged at the ropes attached to his flying bison beneath him for it to slow down as he and his group of friends reached over yet another mountain top, revealing a glorious sight that had warmth spread from the pit of his stomach and reach his heart as he took in the sight of it.
The Eastern Air Temple.
Appa growled beneath him as they soared closer towards the mountain that held the middle pagoda.
"I know, buddy," the guy smiled as he reached down his hand to pet the bison lovingly.
A sensation of pride, humility, longing and sadness filled his heart at the same time as he heard the rest of the group sigh out at the beauty of the temple that was nested high atop a series of towering cliffs that seamlessly blended with the surrounding landscape, appearing as though it were an extension of the mountains themselves.
Numerous white buildings, graceful spires and intricate pagodas of different shapes and sizes traveled up the mountain, all decked with gold and green roofs while lush vegetation cascaded down the cliff sides, creating vibrant bursts of lively greenery that seemed to sprout forth wherever possible.
Appa and the group of friends soon landed on the pale stone decking at the foot of the middle temple.
No one said a word, as they all climbed down the bison and took in the marvelous sight before them.
Although the scars of the past were still visible from the scorch marks and deep cracks left by Fire Nation soldiers from long ago, the air was filled with a sense of serenity as the sunlight filtered through the wispy clouds above, casting a warm glow upon the temple grounds.
Shadows played across the intricate carvings adorning the walls, adding depth and texture to the ethereal beauty of the temple.
Only the soft whistles of wind caressing the leaves of a nearby juniper tree broke the almost unearthly silence that hovered, as the group of friends gathered around the young monk that stood with his eyes closed.
As they laid their hands on his shoulders, tears started streaming from his eyes to wet his cheeks.
Aang had been waiting for this moment for a long time now.
They all knew that.
To the young Water Tribe teen of the group, this was one of the most important tasks of the restoration process. She recognized the importance of the Air Temples not only as physical structures but also as sacred spaces that held spiritual significance for Aang and for the Air Nomad culture.
Having witnessed the devastation caused by the war firsthand, she emphasized deeply with the loss and suffering endured by the Air Nomads, and she felt a sense of duty to help heal the wounds inflicted upon their legacy.
As she nudged Aang's shoulder, Katara knew in her heart that her determination did not only stem from a deep and sincere desire to assist him as her dear friend, but also from a personal conviction that rebuilding the Air Temples was a necessary step towards achieving peace and harmony in the world.
This was also true for the Fire bending teen in the group.
As Zuko admired the view in front of him, he knew the importance of helping his friend restore these temples.
His eyes lingered momentarily on an aperture in a wall where once a window nestled, which now resembled a sort of jagged maw, a crude tear in the building's facade. Charred remnants framed the edges, telling a tale of the flames that once danced within.
The hole, once a portal to outside light, now served as a window into the aftermath of desolation.
A silent witness to the fury that once swept through the building.
A stale taste of old shame washed up in his mouth, and he took a deep breath to calm himself, while closing his eyes.
He thought about the scar that covered his own face.
He knew that it was his duty as Fire Lord to aid in the restoration of the Air Temples.
To him this represented more than just a mere task. It was a way to make amends for his past actions, and for the actions of his ancestors, honoring the legacy of the Air Nomads and of his close friend.
He owed it to the world. To Aang.
And to himself.
As for the black haired Earth bender of the group, she was already scanning the surrounding area for weak spots, trying to assess which parts they had to tackle first.
Even though she could easily sense by the beating of the hearts around her the emotional and spiritual significance that the restoration had for Aang and the rest of her group of friends, Toph almost could not wait to clean up the mess left by the old Fire Nation.
As a master earthbender, she knew that she held a significant and very pragmatic role in the restoration efforts.
However, on a deeper level she also felt a profound sense of love for the people around her. They had helped her break free from the invisible prison of her parents' expectations, from hiding her true self behind different masks. The helpless blind girl. The rich Beifong daughter. The Blind Bandit.
Now she was just Toph.
A smile made her lips curl.
Even though she did not say it aloud, restoring the Air Temples was not just about rebuilding structures to her. It was also about them working together as a team to support each other.
It was about using her skills to make a positive impact on the world. And for that she felt immense gratitude.
She knew that this was the beginning of a new chapter in her life, even though she did not know where that would lead her in the future.
A high-pitched chirping sounded out over the group of friends as a winged lemur left the shoulders of the non-bender of the group, who let out a startled sigh.
As Momo excitedly flew upwards in direction of one of the balconies further up the mountain, Sokka let his hand fall from Aang's shoulder, while squinting his eyes to get a better look at the area around them, scouting for stairs that would lead them further up the mountain.
As the prime strategist of Team Avatar, Sokka's involvement in the restoration efforts was fueled by his determination to contribute in any way he could.
He knew that they would need his skills in planning, organization and engineering, and he felt proud knowing that this was yet another way for him to demonstrate his loyalty to his friends and his commitment to their shared mission of bringing balance to the world.
To him, this was not only a mission for the Avatar.
This could only be done as a team effort.
"So, monk Aang. Where'd'ya wanna start?"