CHAPTER 7: Not in this world
"My roots run deeply. I am connected to the core of me."
Zuko and Toph stepped into what seemed the heart of the dense, verdant jungle. Hidden amidst the towering trees and lush foliage, their eyes were met by a small village composed of a cluster of makeshift shelters constructed from woven palm fronds, sturdy branches and vines that seemed to blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings.
Some structures were elevated on stilts to protect against flooding during heavy rains, while others were nestled snugly between the roots of ancient trees, their leafy roofs adorned with cascading vines and vibrant blooms.
Paths winded their way through the village, meandering between the huts and a communal space in the middle of the village that was centered around a rather large burning fire. The paths were worn smooth from years of use, their edges softened by encroaching vegetation. Moss-covered stones lined the walkways, adding an almost enchanting atmosphere.
As Zuko and Toph stepped forward, a couple of children ran by them with voices full of laughter, not giving any notice to the weird looking strangers that had just approached their home.
However, it was not long before a gray haired elderly woman noticed the strangers out of the corner of her eyes, and before Zuko could even think about raising his hand as to wave hello, the woman emitted a strange sound from her lips - something that reminded him of an exotic bird call.
The sound echoed through the jungle, reverberating off the ancient trees, snaking its way around the entire village.
Zuko furrowed his brows before he took another step forward towards the woman, finally raising his hand as a polite offering of peace.
"Hello?" he tried with a cautious smile, immediately regretting how nervous he suddenly sounded as the word left his lips.
The old woman narrowed her eyes at him, before letting her gaze fall to Toph.
"Hello," she finally answered in a crispy voice. She let her eyes fall back to Zuko, and he noticed her gaze lingering shortly on the scar across his face. She narrowed her eyes at him once more, and Zuko felt an uneasy shiver run down his spine.
"Fire Nation?" she asked.
A faint expression of surprise danced across Zuko's features, and he parted his lips as if caught off guard by her question.
He was surprised that she did not recognize him.
Most people knew who he was these days.
"No," he heard Toph say next to him. "Earth Kingdom."
Even though Toph was the one to answer her, the gaze of the old woman, however, still remained fixed on Zuko, as if momentarily captivated by something.
A flicker of curiosity and wonder shortly lingered in the air between them, and the Earth and Fire bender soon noticed that several of the villagers had come forth from their huts to look at them.
Zuko swiftly regained his composure.
"Um, yeah…" he voiced. "We're looking for someone. We need help."
He awkwardly shifted the weight from one foot to another as he looked around at the villagers.
They were all dressed in very simple clothes. A blend of woven fibers and animal hides dyed in earthy tones covered only parts of their bodies, while their skin tones varied across a spectrum of earthy hues, ranging from rich light-brown caramel to deep mahoganies, imbued with a warm and almost orange undertone from exposure to the sun.
They all wore adornments crafted from natural materials. Necklaces of polished seeds and shells, bracelets woven from vines and intricately carved wooden ornaments spoke of this people's reverence for the bounty of the jungle.
Their hair was thick and lustrous, varying in texture and color, mirroring the diversity of the jungle itself. Cascading curls, tangled and wild, framed their faces adorned with braids, woven with feathers, beads and vibrant blossoms plucked from the forest floor.
"Help?" the woman intrigued, a wariness still latent in her eyes. "How can we help you?"
Toph sighed out as if she was losing her patience.
"Look," she spat, taking another step forward. "Our friend's hurt, and we're looking for a man called Guru Pathik. Ever heard of him?"
The woman widened her dark chocolate eyes when Toph mentioned the name of Aang's old mentor, and Zuko noticed how a couple of the villagers seemed to scatter around. Some went back to their huts while others disappeared back into the jungle.
"Oh," the woman sighed as her face seemed to relax, a crinkling at the corners of her eyes that reminded Zuko of laughter and wisdom at the same time. His mind momentarily wandered to his uncle.
"No," the woman finally smiled. "Pathik hasn't been here for quite some time now."
Disappointment settled over both Toph and Zuko and their shoulders slumped slightly.
"Dammit," Toph uttered under her breath, only for Zuko to hear.
"But he's been here? You know him? Do you know where he's gone?" Zuko pressed.
He did not wish to give up just yet.
There was a long pause of silence between them, as the woman just smiled.
It seemed like she was contemplating something.
Zuko noticed Toph tap her foot against the ground. He knew that she was getting impatient, and he noticed her brows furrowing slightly, as if they were knitting together in a silent plea for the pace to quicken.
"Yes, I knew him," the woman finally answered, her eyes warm. "But you probably won't find him. Not in this world."
A loud sigh escaped Toph's lips, laden with exasperation.
"Look!" Toph exclaimed in a raised voice, tossing her hands into the air. "Our friend is hurt and he really needs help. Do you have any spirit balderdash energy people around here that might help us?!"
The old woman seemed completely indifferent to Toph's impatience and raised voice. She just stood there with a crooked smile on her lips, her breath calm and rhythmic.
Zuko looked from the woman to Toph, then back at the woman. It was as if they were having some sort of invisible fight between them. Back and forth, back and forth.
"Come," the woman smiled. "I'll take you to our medicine woman."