Book 1.03: The Southern Air Temple
Water.
Earth.
Fire.
Air.
Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony.
Then, everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked. Only the Avatar and Daimon, masters of all four elements, could stop them, but when the world needed them most, they vanished.
A hundred years passed, and my brother and I discovered the new Avatar and Daimon, an airbender named Aang and an earthbender named Hua.
And although his airbending and her earthbending skills are great they have a lot to learn before they're ready to save anyone.
But I believe Aang and Hua can save the world.
A few days had passed since Aang and Hua were broken free from the iceberg, which had been their prison for 100 of years.
Together with the water tribe siblings Katara and Sokka the Avatar and Daimon had begun their journey to master all four elements to end the long war the Fire Nation had started.
The first main goal was to reach the North Pole to find a waterbend master.
However, it didn't mean they couldn't make some stops.
Aang and Hua had been gone from the world for so long, anything had changed, they needed to see and learn how to move in this new world.
Also, they had important things to check.
So their first stop was the Southern Air Temple, Aang's birthplace, to look for other airbenders and maybe find out what had happened.
The quartetett one flying bison and a Kyuubi had camped yesterday on this tiny piece of island and were making anything ready for their journey to their destination for today.
Hua had a bad feeling in her stomach, as she helped Katara put their luggage in Appa's saddle.
She remembered with clarity how Gran-Gran, Katara and Sokka's grandma, had told them how no one had seen airbenders for 100 years.
She knew it was nearly impossible to meet up again with old friends and mentors, like Monk Gyatso, they were for sure dead, but Kanna's information and its implication, worried Hua.
Deep down she had a feeling if airbenders were still around, they wouldn't be open about it and the other possibility…how Aang and her (even if she was only a quarter airbender) were the only airbenders left gave her a bitter taste in her mouth.
Other than Aang who was so sure to find his old home full of living airbenders, Hua had a strong feeling they would only find one thing there.
Death.
The black-haired girl shuddered.
It felt like yesterday as Monk Gyatso explained to her some only Daimon-related quirks.
Her Daimon spirit was born out of chaos and darkness, it meant she had a kind of radar for darker things more than Aang as Avatar, who flourished in order and light.
Destruction, pain, and even death gave her a thrill but also made her feel sick.
When she heard how no airbender had been seen for 100 years, a voice inside her said: they are dead.
Call it instinct or her weird Daimon Darkness-Radar, she knew it was true.
Hua had tried to warn Aang, to not get his hopes up, but sadly he didn't listen to her.
He was too optimistic.
Typical Avatar.
"Wait 'til you see it, Katara!", Hua heard Aang talk, returning her from her dark thoughts. "The Air Temple is one of the most beautiful places in the world!"
"Aang, I know you're excited, but it's been a hundred years since you've been home.", reminds him Katara cautiously.
The waterbender looked at Hua, who gave her a tiny nod.
Other than her counterpart, Hua didn't get her hopes up.
"That's why I'm so excited!", told Aang giddy.
"It's just that ... a lot can change in all that time."
"Katara is right Aang.", agreed Hua. "I have a really bad feeling about this. You shouldn't get your hopes up."
This made Aang roll his eyes and jump down from Appa's head.
"You and your bad feelings. You need to be more optimistic.", tutted Aang, which angered the Daimon.
She was not a little child!
"It would help you to be more realistic, Mr. Avatar. You can't live with your head in the clouds all the time!"
"I'm an airbender, it's in my nature."
"Yeah, that's your excuse for anything!"
"Children!", got Katara between them.
She had a tired and annoyed look on her face.
No wonder, since she and Sokka joined them, she had to stop the Avatar and Daimon regular from arguing.
"Not this early in the morning, please."
"Sorry, Katara.", they chorused together.
How synchronic they could be, when they didn't want to smash heads with each other, would astonish Katara forever.
Since neither Aang nor Hua wanted to give Katara any grief, they decided to drop the matter, for now.
Hua called for Jaiyi, who had been playing with the waves.
While her Kyuubi joined her and Katara on the saddle, Aang got Sokka out of his sleeping back, pretending there was a prickle snake in it.
They were ready now!
Serenly Appa was flying through the Patola Mountain range.
It's a great day for flying, musses Hua, as she sits beside Sokka and Katara on Appa's saddle, having Jaiyi in her lap.
Her nine-tails currently getting pats from her and Katara, as Sokka's stomach growls loudly.
The three females look at him in a deadpan.
Really?
He was hungry again?
They had breakfast about an hour and a half ago.
How was this possible?
"Hey, stomach? Be quiet, all right? I'm trying to find us some food.", grips Sokka with one hand his growling stomach and with the other reaches for their food bag.
His tongue out of his mouth full of anticipation, as he starts to go through it.
He looks surprised for a moment, but quickly turns the bag upside down to pour the contents into his hand.
Only a few crumbs land on his glove.
"Hey!", the water tribe warrior shouts, pointing an accusing finger in the direction of his companions. " Who ate all of my blubbered seal jerky?!"
"Oh. That was food? I used it to start the campfire last night. Sorry.", tells him Aang happily.
Hua makes a facepalm, Jaiyi just deadpans more and Katara can only shake her head.
Meanwhile Sokka nearly cries and whines about why the flames smelled so good last night.
"The Patola Mountain range! We're almost there!", announces Aang with excitement.
Katara and Hua look at each other, silently agreeing and they crawl towards Aang.
"Aang, we need to talk.", begins Hua.
"About what?"
"About the airbenders."
"What about 'em?"
"Well, we just want you to be prepared for what you might see. The Fire Nation is ruthless.", tells him Katara. Sadly her hand goes to her chocker. "They killed my mother, and they could have done the same to your people."
In compassion the earthbender wraps an arm around Katara's shoulder, giving her a squeeze.
The older girl had told her this a few days ago, when they had bathed in a hot spring together, enjoying some time away from the males. Both had cried together for their dead family and comforted the other.
Still, Hua would always comfort Katara when she needed to, like Katara did with her.
However, this does not have the wished effect on Aang, because he just cheerfully says how the airbender probably escaped and how you can reach only one of the temples with a flying bison and he doubts the Fire Nation had.
So no worries.
For that Hua flicks the back of his head.
"Hey! What was that for?!"
"You are an unsensible brat, you know that?", hisses Hua. "Katara tells you her mother was killed and not even some condolences from you! What a great friend you are."
This makes Aang blush in embarrassment.
"Katara I-"
"Aang, Hua, it's okay, don't start to argue again, alright?"
"But-?"
Suddenly Jaiyi lets out a warning yip, as Appa starts to climb higher and higher the mountain. The only one who isn't screaming in surprise and tightly holding onto the saddle is Aang since he sits on Appa's head and holds the reins tightly.
After a few seconds, they break the cloud and there is it...the Southern Air Temple in its glory.
"Aang, it's amazing!", shouts Katara.
"Ha, I forgot the bumpy ride, but for this visual it's all worth it!", musses Hua, still holding Jaiyi tightly to her chest, as the nine-tails make an agreening sound.
"We're home, buddy! We're home.", says Aang with happy tears in his eyes to Appa.
A while later Appa lands them on one of the landing platforms of the temple and the humans with Jaiyi make their way towards it.
Of course, Aang was in the lead, Hua and Jaiyi behind him, making Katara and Sokka take up the rear.
With only a half ear Hua hears how Sokka wants food and Katara scolds him for it, reminding him how they are the first outsiders at the temple.
Since they touched down, the Daimon feels sick to the stomach.
It's like she can taste the decay in the air.
Hearing screams of pain and plaids of mercy.
This is a graveyard and nothing more.
How she feels bad to think this about the temple.
Her point is only proven when Aang tells the others where he played airball with his friends, where the bison slept and trails off to admit how everything changed and only weed is remaining.
They quickly approach Aang.
To lift his spirits Sokka plays with him airball and gets absulty demolished.
At least the Avatar is again in a good mood.
But poor Sokka who landed hard in the snow.
Hua has Jaiyi in her arms, looking at how Aang lets the airball twirl in his hands, wondering when she will be apply to do this, as Katara calls for them.
The younger ones walk towards them, only to see how Katara buries Sokka with snow.
"What's up?", ask Hua confused.
"Uh ... Just a new waterbending move I learned."
"Nice one! But enough practising.", exclaims Aang. "We have a whole temple to see!"
The airbender walks away and Hua follows after a second.
She has a feeling about what Katara and Sokka found and wants them to see, Hua tastes and feels it in the air, but maybe, just for a few minutes more, she can lie to herself.
Even if it was for a short time, the Southern Air Temple had been her home, it's already breaking her heart to see it so empty.
Hah, she is such a hypocrite!
Telling Aang he needs to face the truth when she is here trying to ignore it.
Jaiyi licks her cheek, trying to lift her spirits. In thanks, she gives her a kiss on the head.
For a few more minutes she will be just a girl, who returns home, then she will face the truth, she promises herself.
They reach the courtyard where Monk Gyatso statue stands.
"Hey guys!", Aang calls back to the water tribe siblings. "I want you to meet somebody!"
"Who's that?", asked Sokka.
"Monk Gyatso.", answers Hua, a tear slipping down her eye. "When I was brought to the Southern Air Temple he became my guardian. He was already Aang teacher and mentor, so I was his charge also."
"He was also the greatest airbender in the world and taught me anything I know.", adds Aang.
Together Aang and Hua bow before the monk both loved like a father/grandfather, remembering times long ago…
Hua is swinging all alone on a swing in a beautiful courtyard of the Southern Air Temple. She can see some bison calves eating grass and a few flying lemurs are sitting on the tree, where the swing is tied.
Her heart is heavy, but she refuses to cry.
"Of course, you are here.", she hears the gentle voice of Monk Gyatso behind. "You want to tell what happened, Hua?"
She turns her head to the monk, stopping her swinging.
"Aang is an idiot and nothing more. I can't believe he is supposed to be my other half.", she grumbles.
Monk Gyatso frowns, stepping beside her.
He pats her gently on the head.
It helps a little to feel better.
"Talk with me Hua, what happened?"
"I don't even remember anymore, we always are at each other throats for stupid things.", she admits quietly. "The Avatar and the Daimon are supposed to be a team, but Aang and I hate each other guts. It makes me feel like a failure. I'm more and more sure that the monks and the earth priests were wrong about us."
"Now, Hua, the only thing that they did wrong was telling you both your destiny and making you meet now and not at sixteen. But we can't concern ourselves with what was. We must act on what is.", Gyatso tells her calmy.
"I try, but I'm not really good at this. Will I be ever ready? Can Aang and I become friends or are we doomed to hate each other?"
"Your questions will be answered when you're old enough to enter the air temple sanctuary. Inside, you will meet someone who will guide you on your journey. Normally you would be brought to an Earth Temple Sanctuary, but the elders and our priests had to mix up anything.", was the last thing the monk huffed irritated.
A little smile forms on Hua's lips.
"I hope you are right because if not, I will bury Aang alive."
This makes both of them laugh.
"Give it time, little flower.", reassured her Gyatso. "You both were always friends in any of your lifetimes. You will find a common ground."
"Well, if you say so."
"Now, how about a hug? I can see that you need one.", smiles Gyatso grandfatherly at her.
The young girl grins and falls in the comforting embrace of the monk, who was more like a grandfather, than a teacher to her.
Aang and Hua are still bowing before the statue of their shared guardian, as Katara puts a hand on each of their shoulder. On the floor between them is Jaiyi, who snuggles the Avatar and Daimon to her best abilities.
"You must miss him.", says Katara in understanding to her two friends.
They confirm and start walking.
"Where are you going?"
"The air temple sanctuary.", begins Aang and Hua ends the sentence with: "There's someone we are ready to meet."
Aang and Hua enter the hallway, Jaiyi following after them.
Katara looks questioningly at Sokka, who just shrugs.
They both start walking after the Avatar and Diamon.
The round symbol of intertwined air currents, the national symbol of the Air Nomads is largely embedded in the floor, surrounded by two square shapes that form some sort of sun together.
The quartet and nine-tailed fox have reached the entrance of the air temple sanctuary.
The door supports a combination of metal-coloured pipes and three, blue, rolled-up, pipes that are similar looking and arranged like the symbol for airbending.
The large wooden door is framed by the branches of an old tree standing on the left of it and the hallway is illuminated by sunlight that falls through little, round windows.
"But Aang, Hua no one could have survived in there for a hundred years.", protested Katara sceptically.
"It's not impossible. We survived in the iceberg for that long.", reminds Aang.
"Good point."
"Whoever is in there, will help us to become a fully realized Daimon and Avatar.", explains Hua.
Eagerly Sokka steps forward, with a hungry look in his eyes.
"And whoever's in there might have a medley of delicious cured meats!"
Full of anticipation and longing, Sokka charges at the door, but it will not budge and he simply smacks into it, head first.
Hua, Katara and Jaiyi try not to laugh, but tiny giggles escape them.
The water tribe warrior quickly turns around and puts his back on it, trying to push the giant door open.
When the door does not move, he sighs, slides down to the floor, disappointed, and rests against it.
"I don't suppose you have a key?", he ask towards Aang and Hua.
"The key, Sokka, is airbending.", simply states Aang.
Aang gets in position as he takes a deep breath.
He spreads his arms and thrusts them forward, sending an air current into both of the tubes on the door.
The air follows the path of the right air current as it travels through the pipe. The wind makes one of the blue curled tubes turn around.
When it does, the tube changes colors to purple and the wind blows out like a horn.
The process is repeated for the other two blue tubes as well.
When the three blue tubes have turned and become purple, the door unlocks and it slowly starts to open.
Light penetrates the dark room.
The doors sway open.
"Hello?", calls Aang into the room. Slowly stepping in. "Anyone home?"
The others follow behind him.
Inside the room there are a large amount of statues of people, lined up in a circular pattern.
It's always two statues beside each other, nearly every one of them holds hands, but there are a few who just stand beside each other.
"Statues? That's it? Where's the meat?", groans Sokka in disappointment.
"Who are all these people?", wonders Katara.
Aang and Hua look pensive at the statues around them.
"I'm not sure. But it feels like I know them somehow. ", states Aang.
The Dsimon nods.
"I have the same feeling, hey look!", she points at a female statue. "This one is an earthbender."
"That one's beside the earthbender is an airbender.", says Aang.
"And this one's a waterbender, who holds hands with a firebender. Never thought I would see that.", musses Katara before she realizes. "They're lined up in a pattern: air and earth, water and fire, earth and air, and fire and water!"
"These are the Avatar and Daimon Cycles!", shout Aang and Hua together.
"Of course. They're Avatars and Daimons. All these people are your past lives, Aang and Hua."
"Wow! There are so many!", exclaims Aang.
"They go till the highest point of the room!", notes Hua. "I wonder why some hold hands and others not."
Katara lets out a hum, then snaps her fingers.
"I bet the ones who are holding hands were couples and the ones who don't were friends."
"Huh...makes sense.", mumbled Aang, looking like he bite into a lemon.
He feels deep down that Katara is right.
He so does not like this!
Hua is right behind him making a yucky sound, stating: "I can't believe we were that often a couple! I can see maybe ten or so who were only friends."
However, both start to follow along the circle, looking at the statues.
Meanwhile Sokka of course doesn't believe this reincarnation bullshit and Katara has to make clear how every Avatar and Daimon after they die gets reincarnation in the next nation in their cycle.
Transfixed the Avatar and Diamon stand before the last two statues in the room.
A male Fire Nation Avatar holding hands with a female Water Tribe Daimon.
It's strange, but Hua has a feeling the beautiful aged elderly lady statue is calling for her.
Like she had met an old, dear friend, the presence is calm and comforting.
She hears the whisper of crashing waves, the soft and cold touch of snow ...
"Aang! Hua! Snap out of it!"
Abruptly Hua and Aang get shaken from their daze by a worried Katara.
"Huh?", both chorused intelligently.
"Who are they?", wants Katara to know.
"That's Avatar Roku, the Avatar before me."
"And she is Daimon Lixue, my predecessor."
Sokka joins them jokily stating: "Aang was a firebender? No wonder I didn't trust you when we first met."
"I think I heard about Lixue.", mubles Katara. "Just I can't remember all about her."
"She was from the Southern Water Tribe, no wonder you heard about her.", explains Hua.
"You were one of our tribesmen? Really?", say Sokka in disbelief. "Way to return back home and lead firebenders to us."
"Sokka!"
"What Katara?!"
"You know what I mean! Don't play dumb!"
Her brother just gave Katara a big grin.
The waterbender huffs, before she notices something.
"There's no writing. How do you know their names?"
Automatically the current Avatar and Daimon look at each other and shrug their shoulders.
"We just know.", they chorus.
"You two just couldn't get any weirder.", bemoans Sokka with crossed arms.
All this Avatar/Daimon mumbo-jumbo was so not his thing.
He liked a scientific explanation for the world.
The quartet and Jaiyi startle and stare with big eyes in front of them when they hear something.
They turn around.
A blue light on the floor comes in through the door. A long-eared shadow of another being that is approaching moves over it.
Hua hides with Jaiyi behind the statue of Lixue, as the others scatter to a hiding place.
She sees Sokka, who is holding his club ready for everything
The shadow is creeping closer.
"Firebender.", whisper Sokka. "Nobody makes a sound."
"You're making a sound!", grumbles Katara irritated.
For that, all shush her, even Jaiyi!
The shadow has reached the bases of the statues and reveals a small figure standing in the doorway; it chitters.
Eh, what?
Confused Hua and Jaiyi look around their statue, like Aang and Katara, while Sokka has still his club raised, but doesn't use it.
Before them sits a flying lemur.
The animal moves his large ear and blinks at them.
"Lemur!", shouts Aang excitedly.
"Dinner!", shouts Sokka hungrily.
"Don't listen to him. You're going to be my new pet."
"Not if I get him first!"
Sokka stretches his hand while he excitedly lunges himself at the animal from behind the statue.
Aang runs up at the lemur as well.
The lemur arcs his back in fright, his ears, hair and tail standing upright as the snatching hands of the boys draw closer. It startles, quickly turns around and makes a break for it.
The water tribe boy misses the animal and falls down, while Aang nimbly avoids tripping as well by using Sokka's head as a stepping stone. Quickly Sokka gets up and runs behind Aang and the lemur as they exit the sanctuary.
Now only the girls and the kyuubi remain.
Katara and Hua find each other eyes.
"Boys.", they both exclaim tired, as Jaiyi makes an agreeing sound.
"I'm not running after them.", makes Katara clear and steps to Hua and Jaiyi.
"Me neither. Shall we look around more, maybe we find something interesting."
"Sure."
So the girls and Jaiyi look around the room and the statues.
Only a few minutes pass, and as the girls and Jaiyi stand again before Avatar Roku and Daimon Lixue Roku's eyes begin to shine!
"What the?!", shouts Hua surprised.
They look around the room and see how all Avatar statues light up.
"Spirits, this isn't good!"
"Hua, we need to find Aang!"
Immediately Hua lets Jaiyi down and the floor and commands: "Girl, find Aang, fast!"
The kyuubi doesn't need to be told and follow Aang's smell.
Behind her Hua and Katara follow her through the whole temple, as they see a large tornado.
"That must be Aang!", yells the Daimon.
Soon they reach the tornado that Aang has become and Sokka who is holding on to a rock.
"What happened?", yells Katra over the wind, trying to not get blown away.
"He found out firebenders killed Gyatso!", explains Sokka.
"Oh no! It's his Avatar Spirit. He must have triggered it! I'm going to try and calm him down!"
However, she can't even make a step forward as Hua's hand stops her.
"Hua, what?!"
Whatever Katara wants to say, she forgets it the moment she looks back at Hua.
The Daimon's eyes are shining in a burning orange as she speaks with a thousand voices: "Stay down. It's too dangerous. I will calm my other half."
So Hua has entered Daimon State, it was maybe better if she talked to Aang.
Sokka thinks the same and grips his sister and Jaiyi, holding them protective to his side.
"Well, do it! Before he blows us off the mountain!"
From the Daimon comes only a nod, as she makes her way over to the enraged Avatar.
With ease, she bends away the currents and flying debris.
When she reaches finally Aang she takes his hands in hers.
The Avatar looks full of anger and pain to the Daimon.
"My Yin, don't lose yourself in the pain. I know how you feel. I loved Gyatso and the other airbenders too. They became my family far from home. Your pain is mine. You are not alone. You have me, I will always be by your side!"
"Always, my Yang?", asks the Avatar also with a thousand voices in one.
"Till the last star in the universe dies out. This is our eternal promise."
"I remember."
"We have a family. Katara and Sokka are our family. The loved ones we lost, get reborn in new loved ones."
Finally, the winds calm down and the Avatar descends back to Earth. The two half embrace each other tight and kneel down on the ground.
Slowly their eyes return back to normal, however, they don't let go of each other.
Right now, only their other half can understand their pain and anguish.
The water tribe siblings and Jaiyi join them.
Katara embraces the two young children like a loving mother, while Jaiyi licks their cheeks and Sokka puts each a hand on their shoulder.
"You both are not alone, me and Sokka are your family now.", reassured Katara.
"Katara and I aren't going to let anything happen to you two. Promise.", swerves Sokka.
"I'm sorry.", sniffles Aang.
"It's okay. Don't worry.", mumbles Hua back, rubbing his back in comfort.
"It wasn't your fault.", adds Katara.
"But you girls were right. And if the firebenders found this temple, that means they found the other ones, too. I really am the last airbender."
"Don't forget me.", reminds him Hua gently. "I'm just a quarter airbender, but it still counts."
A little wet laugh escapes Aang and he buries his head deeper into the Daimon shoulder.
For now, the storm was over.
They, Aang and Hua, are back again in the sanctuary, looking one last time at Avatar Roku and Daimon Lixue.
Katara joins them, saying: "Everything's packed. Are you two ready to go?"
"How are Roku and Lixue supposed to help us if we can't talk to them?", wonders Aang.
"No idea.", admins Hua, picking up Jaiyi, and cuddling her to her chest.
"Maybe you'll find a way.", stays Katara optimistic.
They glance at each other when they hear something behind them.
Turning around they see the flying lemur standing on its back legs in the middle of the doorway.
The animal reaches Sokka's feet and drops the load he is carrying: a variety of fruits.
The lemur quickly dashes away as Sokka sits down and starts to stuff his face with the fruit, taking large bites of two different pieces of fruit.
Amused Hua, Jaiyi, Aang and Katara smile at Sokka.
"Looks like you made a new friend Sokka!", tell him Aang smiling.
"Can't talk! Must eat!"
The flying lemur climbs onto Aang and hides behind his head, his tail curled around Aang's neck.
Seems like someone wants to go with them.
The group makes their way back to Appa, with their new lemur friend.
Aang has a hand on Appa, while the lemur is sitting on his arm, as they look back at the Southern Air Temple in the distance.
"You, me and Appa; we're all that's left of this place. We have to stick together.", tells them Aang, before he turns to the others. "Katara, Sokka, Hua and Jaiyi say hello to the newest member of our family."
"What are you going to name him?", asked Katara curious.
Sokka is about to take another bite of the peach he is eating when the lemur jumps to him, stealing the fruit and returning to Aang.
He starts to nibble it with gusto.
Well, this gives Aang an idea for a name.
"Momo!"
Sokka still stands there, mouth open and hand in front of his mouth, ready to take a bite, however, he has no peach anymore.
The others start to laugh upon seeing Sokka's expression.
After that, they mount Appa and fly away from the Southern Air Temple.
Dusk is settling as Aang looks with Momo at how his old home become tinier and tinier.
In silence, Hua with Jaiyi joins them.
The girl pats his shoulder, giving him a little smile, which he returns.
And so the Avatar and Daimon look together at how the Southern Air Temple vanishes behind clouds.
A silent sentinel of a chapter in their lives.