Chapter 14: Voting for Fate
AN: Woah, this story is flying by! Hard to believe that the end of it is in sight ... On a side note, I got the opportunity to watch the Avatar in Concert last night. Wow... Just wow is all I have to say. I'm telling you, my writer's mind is going crazy with inspiration now, and I've got a lot of ideas that I'm wanting to put on paper. Thinking of starting to write some one shots or a smaller story to coincide with this large project. But, that's not the point. If you get the opportunity to see the Avatar in Concert, I highly recommend it. The orchestra was outstanding, and it was really cool to be around a crowd of all Avatar fans as they cheered and reacted to all sorts of things that were happening. Now, moving on to this chapter. We've got quite the predicament, don't we? I think that Hurt/Comfort is going to be my primary category of writing from now on, I think I enjoy writing it a lot more than pure romance. But, don't worry, that Kataang arc is still slowly building ... To all of those who continue to read this story, thank you! Your reviews, follows, favorites are appreciated! I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Chapter 13 Responses:
Madslynx: I'm so glad to hear that you enjoyed the chapter! Ronar is definitely something else, but as I write his character, I do try to write him as logically as possible. More to come in this chapter. And yes, your reviews continue to make me smile, keep it up! Thank you, and continue the good work with your own writing!
The room was heavy with tension as the last of the tribespeople filed out, leaving only Hakoda, Kya, Katara, Sokka, and Aang behind. The earlier uproar still echoed in the air, leaving everyone visibly shaken. Katara, in particular, looked stricken, her fists clenched at her sides as she struggled to contain her emotions.
"They can't do this," Katara finally burst out, her voice trembling with anger and desperation. "We can't let them get rid of Aang! How could you even allow this to happen, Dad? How could you let it get this far?"
Hakoda, who had been deep in thought, looked up at his daughter with a pained expression. "Katara, I—"
"What are we going to do if they actually vote to banish him tomorrow?" Katara interrupted, her voice rising. "We can't just stand by and let that happen!"
Hakoda sighed heavily, rubbing his forehead as he tried to find the right words. "Katara, this isn't what I wanted. But the tribe is scared, and Ronar... he's playing on those fears. If I had shut down the vote, it would have only made things worse. The tribe needs to feel like they have a say, or else they'll never trust us again."
Katara's eyes flashed with frustration. "But what about Aang? He's done nothing but help us, and this is how they repay him? By turning their backs on him when he needs us the most?"
Aang, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up, his voice soft but firm. "Katara, it's okay. I understand why they're afraid. The Fire Nation is after me, and I don't want to put anyone else in danger."
"No, it's not okay!" Katara shot back, her voice cracking with emotion. "You're a part of this tribe now, Aang. You're a part of our family. We can't just let them do this to you."
Sokka, who had been standing quietly to the side, finally stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on Katara's shoulder. "We'll figure something out, Katara. We're not going to let this happen without a fight."
Hakoda nodded, though his face remained troubled. "We'll talk to the tribe again tomorrow, try to reason with them. But for now, we need to stay strong and stick together. We can't let fear tear us apart."
The room fell into a heavy silence, each of them lost in their own thoughts. The weight of the upcoming vote hung over them like a storm cloud, and the uncertainty of what tomorrow would bring was almost unbearable.
The family walked back to their home in silence, the weight of the day's events hanging heavily over them. When they reached the house, Hakoda and Kya began preparing dinner, though the usual warmth and laughter that accompanied their meals were noticeably absent.
Sokka sat down at the table, his expression serious as he mulled over the situation, while Aang took a seat across from him. Katara, however, lingered by the doorway, her eyes downcast and her arms wrapped around herself as if trying to shield herself from the storm of emotions swirling inside her.
"Katara," Kya called gently, placing a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "Come sit down, sweetheart. You need to eat something."
Katara shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm not hungry, Mom."
Kya looked at her with concern but didn't push further, knowing her daughter needed space. Katara moved to sit at the table, but her heart wasn't in it. She stared at the untouched plate in front of her, lost in thought. The usual comforting presence of her family felt distant, overshadowed by the looming threat of losing Aang, a friend who had quickly become like a brother to her.
Aang glanced over at Katara, his own heart heavy with guilt. He knew how much she was hurting, and the thought that he was the cause of it was almost unbearable. He hesitated for a moment, unsure if he should say something, but the sight of Katara's forlorn expression pushed him to speak.
"Katara?" Aang's voice was soft, careful, as if he was afraid of adding to her burden. "Do you... do you want to go for a walk? Just to get some fresh air?"
Katara looked up at him, her blue eyes filled with a mix of sadness and weariness. For a moment, she seemed on the verge of declining, but then she sighed, her shoulders slumping as if the weight of everything was too much to bear.
"Yeah," she finally said, her voice subdued. "I think I'd like that."
Aang offered her a small, encouraging smile as he stood up, holding out his hand. Katara took it, her fingers cold against his warm palm. As they stepped outside into the cool evening air, the door creaked shut behind them, leaving the rest of the family inside, silently watching them leave.
Aang and Katara walked side by side, their footsteps crunching softly against the snow-covered ground as they made their way through the village. The air was crisp and cool, with a light breeze that gently tugged at their clothes. The stars above twinkled brightly in the clear night sky, but the beauty of the evening did little to ease the tension between them.
For a while, they walked in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Katara's grip on Aang's hand was firm, almost as if she feared that letting go would cause everything to fall apart. Aang, sensing her distress, knew he had to say something, anything, to help ease her mind.
"Katara," Aang began, his voice soft but steady. "Why do you think Ronar and the others have already won? The vote hasn't even happened yet."
Katara didn't respond immediately. She stared ahead, her expression tight with worry. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she sighed deeply, her shoulders slumping as if the weight of the world was pressing down on her.
"Ronar is a master waterbender, Aang," she said, her voice tinged with resignation. "He's respected, not just because of his skills, but because of his influence. In our tribe, waterbenders are held in high regard. They have a certain authority, a voice that carries more weight. It's partly why my Dad has put up with him for so long."
Aang nodded thoughtfully, considering her words. "That makes sense, but just because he's respected doesn't mean he controls the outcome of the vote. The rest of the tribe still has a say. They'll listen to your dad, to you, and to Sokka. They'll listen to what I have to say, too."
Katara's eyes began to glisten with unshed tears, and she looked away, biting her lip as if trying to hold back the flood of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. But it was too much—everything she'd been holding inside finally broke free.
She stopped walking, her breath hitching as she choked out, "Aang, I'm so sorry…"
Aang's heart clenched at the sight of her tears, and he immediately moved closer, worry etched across his face. "Katara, what's wrong? Did I say something wrong?"
Katara shook her head, tears now streaming down her cheeks. "No, it's not you… It's me. My biggest regret is agreeing to banish you before we went to the Southern Air Temple. I was so scared, and I thought I was doing the right thing, but I hurt you. I hurt you so badly, and now… now all I can think about is that I almost lost you again at Kyoshi Island. And now, with this… this vote…"
Her voice cracked, and she struggled to continue, her words coming out in a desperate whisper. "I don't want to lose you, Aang. The thought of you having to face all of this alone terrifies me."
Aang's heart ached at her words, and without thinking, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a comforting embrace. Katara clung to him, her sobs muffled against his chest as she finally let herself cry. Aang gently stroked her hair, his own eyes stinging with the weight of her pain.
"Katara," he whispered, his voice tender, "you're not going to lose me. I promise. I'm not going anywhere. We'll figure this out together."
Katara's grip on him tightened, as if she was afraid that if she let go, he might disappear. Aang held her close, his heart heavy with a mix of guilt and determination. He couldn't bear to see her like this, to know that he was the cause of her pain. He would do whatever it took to protect her, to protect all of them.
"I'm sorry, too," Aang continued softly, his words barely audible above the sound of the wind. "I'm sorry that you had to go through all of this because of me. But you don't have to be scared. We're in this together, and I won't let anything happen to you."
Katara's sobs gradually subsided, and she pulled back slightly to look up at him, her eyes red and swollen. "I just… I don't want to lose you, Aang. I don't think I could handle it."
Aang's expression softened, and he wiped away the tears from her cheeks with his thumb. "You won't. I promise, Katara. I'm right here, and I'm not going anywhere."
For a long moment, they simply stood there, holding onto each other as if drawing strength from one another. The night was silent around them, save for the occasional rustle of the wind. Finally, Katara took a deep, shuddering breath, and she nodded, a small, tentative smile appearing on her face.
"Thank you, Aang," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.
Aang smiled back at her, his heart swelling with affection. "Anytime, Katara. Anytime."
Back at the house, the atmosphere was tense. The remnants of dinner lay untouched on the table, the weight of the upcoming vote pressing down on everyone. Katara and Aang were still out on their walk, leaving Sokka, Kya, and Hakoda to wrestle with their thoughts in uneasy silence.
Sokka finally broke the quiet, his frustration bubbling over. "We need a plan for tomorrow," he said, his voice firm as he looked between his parents. "We can't let the Tribe banish Aang. We just can't."
Kya nodded, though worry creased her brow. "But how? Ronar has a lot of influence, and people are listening to him. We have to come up with something strong."
Sokka leaned forward, a determined glint in his eye. "Maybe we should push to banish Ronar instead. If we can make him out to be the real threat, we could turn the Tribe against him."
Hakoda shook his head, his expression serious. "No, Sokka. We're not going to banish anyone. That would only divide the Tribe further."
Sokka huffed in frustration, crossing his arms. "But Dad, Ronar's the one causing all this trouble! If he's gone, we wouldn't even be having this conversation."
Hakoda took a deep breath before speaking, his voice calm but resolute. "I understand how you feel, Sokka. But the truth is, Ronar has a point. Aang is a liability to the Tribe. The Fire Nation is hunting him, and that puts all of us at risk."
Kya's eyes widened, and she shot Hakoda a disbelieving look. "You agree with Ronar? You think Aang is a liability?"
Hakoda didn't flinch. "Yes, Kya, I do. Aang being here makes us a target. We have to acknowledge that, or we'll lose the trust of the Tribe."
Sokka scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief. "So what? We just hand Aang over to the Fire Nation to save ourselves? That's not who we are!"
Kya's voice was sharp, her concern for Aang clear. "How can you even think that? Aang is our friend—he's family."
Hakoda held up his hand to calm them down. "I'm not saying we abandon Aang. But we can't ignore the reality of the situation. Aang's presence here does bring danger, and the Tribe needs to know we're not blind to that."
Sokka was incredulous. "So, what do we do? Just admit that he's a liability and hope the Tribe decides to keep him anyway?"
Hakoda sighed deeply, searching for the right words. "Yes, we admit he's a liability. But we also focus on what he brings to the Tribe—the hope he represents, the strength he gives us. We need to show them that Aang is worth the risk."
Kya looked at Hakoda, her expression softening as she started to understand his perspective. "So, we admit the danger but highlight the good he's done. We remind the Tribe that Aang is more than just a target; he's someone who can help us fight back."
Hakoda nodded. "Exactly. We need to convince the Tribe that keeping Aang here is worth the danger. We've faced adversity before as the Southern Water Tribe, and we've always stood strong. We don't turn our backs on those who need us."
Sokka considered this, his frustration gradually giving way to determination. "Okay… but how do we make them see that Aang is worth the risk?"
Hakoda's gaze was steady as he answered, "We remind them of who we are. We're the Southern Water Tribe—we protect our own. We stand by those who are in need, even when it's difficult."
Kya smiled softly, a flicker of hope returning to her eyes. "And we show them that Aang is one of us now. He's family. And we don't abandon our family."
Sokka finally nodded, his resolve solidifying. "Alright. We'll make them see that Aang is worth fighting for."
Hakoda placed a hand on his son's shoulder, his voice filled with quiet determination. "We will. And tomorrow, we'll show the Tribe exactly what kind of people we are."
Later that night, the family settled into their beds, the weight of the day heavy on their minds. The small home was silent, but tension lingered in the air, each of them grappling with their thoughts and fears about what the next day would bring.
Katara lay beside Aang, who had already fallen into a deep sleep, his breaths slow and even. But sleep eluded her as she stared up at the ceiling, her mind swirling with worry. She couldn't shake the feeling of dread that had settled in her chest since the meeting. The thought of losing Aang, of the tribe turning against him, made her heart ache.
As if seeking some sort of comfort, Katara moved closer to Aang, her body inching towards his. The warmth of his presence was a reminder that he was still there, still with them. She needed that reassurance, needed to feel that he wasn't going anywhere.
Quietly, almost hesitantly, she reached out and lightly grasped his hand. The simple touch, the connection between them, calmed her nerves just a bit. She could feel the steady rise and fall of his chest, the strength that lay beneath his calm exterior.
To her surprise, even in his sleep, Aang responded. His fingers curled around hers, holding on as if he knew she needed it. The small gesture made her heart swell with emotion, and the tension that had coiled tightly within her began to loosen.
Katara exhaled a long, shaky breath, feeling the anxiety slowly ebb away. With Aang's hand securely in hers, she finally allowed herself to close her eyes. The world outside their little home was uncertain, but in that moment, with Aang's presence grounding her, she felt safe.
As sleep finally began to claim her, one thought lingered in her mind: they would face whatever came next together. And no matter what happened, she wasn't going to let go of Aang—she couldn't. With that comforting resolve, Katara drifted off, the warmth of Aang's hand in hers lulling her into a peaceful sleep.
The next morning in the Fire Nation, the tension in the palace was palpable. General Tairo stood before the grand doors of the palace chamber, his heart pounding in his chest. Captain Shen was beside him, his expression stern but calm. Tairo, on the other hand, was anything but. The weight of his previous failure hung over him like a dark cloud, and he knew that his career, and possibly his life, hinged on the plan he was about to present.
As the doors opened, revealing the vast chamber, Fire Lord Sozin sat on his throne, his piercing gaze fixed on Tairo. The general swallowed hard, his nerves nearly getting the better of him as he and Shen stepped forward to present their plan.
"So, General Tairo," Sozin's voice was smooth, yet laced with a hint of menace. "I trust you've had ample time to devise a plan to capture and eliminate the Avatar. I would hate to think that we've been wasting valuable Fire Nation resources on... failures."
Tairo flinched inwardly at the thinly veiled threat, feeling the weight of Sozin's words. His mind raced, desperately searching for a way to present their plan without sounding weak or uncertain. And then, like a bolt of lightning, an idea struck him.
His demeanor shifted, his nervousness giving way to newfound determination. He straightened his posture and met Sozin's gaze with renewed confidence.
"Fire Lord Sozin," Tairo began, his voice steadying. "I have a new strategy that I believe will ensure the capture and defeat of the Avatar."
Sozin's eyebrow arched slightly, intrigued. "Go on."
Tairo took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "Instead of searching the vast world for the Avatar, where he could easily hide in the Earth Kingdom or even beyond our reach, we should allow him to reveal himself once again, just as he did before. The Avatar will eventually resurface, either to defend his allies or in response to our actions. Rather than wasting our resources on a fruitless search, I propose we focus our efforts here in the Fire Nation."
He glanced at Captain Shen, who gave a small nod of encouragement. Tairo continued, his voice gaining strength. "We will train our soldiers intensively, preparing them for the day when the Avatar reveals himself. I have faced the Avatar in battle, and I know his tactics, his strengths, and his weaknesses. We will use this knowledge to ensure our troops are ready for him. When the time comes, we will strike swiftly and decisively."
The room fell silent as Sozin considered Tairo's words. The Fire Lord's gaze was sharp, but there was a glimmer of approval in his eyes.
"A bold plan, General Tairo," Sozin finally spoke, a hint of a smile curling at the corners of his lips. "And one that shows a measure of intelligence. The Avatar will reveal himself again, of that I have no doubt. When he does, we will be ready."
Tairo felt a surge of relief, though he kept his composure. Sozin's approval meant that he had bought himself more time, and perhaps, a chance at redemption.
"You have my permission to proceed," Sozin declared. "But understand this, General: failure will not be tolerated a second time. I expect results, and I expect them soon."
"Yes, Fire Lord Sozin," Tairo responded, bowing deeply. "I will not fail you."
With that, Sozin waved them away, dismissing the two men from his presence. As Tairo and Shen exited the chamber, Tairo couldn't help but feel a mix of anxiety and determination. The plan had been accepted, but now the real challenge lay ahead. They would need to prepare their soldiers, to harden them for the coming battle. And when the time came, they would have to prove that the Fire Nation was the most powerful force in the world—and that the Avatar was nothing more than a relic of the past.
As they walked away, Tairo couldn't shake the feeling that the stakes had just been raised even higher. But there was no turning back now. He would either rise to the occasion or fall trying.
The family sat in a tense silence, the morning light filtering weakly through the window as they ate breakfast together. The mood was somber, everyone lost in their thoughts about the meeting that would decide Aang's fate. Suddenly, a sharp knock on the door broke the uneasy quiet.
Hakoda stood up, moving to answer it. A tribesman stood outside, holding a rolled parchment. "This just arrived, Chief Hakoda. It's urgent."
Hakoda took the message, his expression darkening as he unrolled the parchment and read its contents. His face fell, the color draining from his skin.
Kya was the first to speak, her voice laced with concern. "Hakoda, what is it? What's happened?"
Hakoda hesitated, looking at his family with a mixture of sorrow and dread. "It's from the Fire Nation… Fire Lord Sozin has officially declared war on the Water Tribes and the Earth Kingdom."
The room went cold. Katara's hand flew to her mouth in shock, and Sokka's eyes widened in disbelief. Aang's heart sank, his fears crashing down around him like an avalanche.
"There's more," Hakoda continued, his voice trembling slightly. "Sozin claims… he claims that the Fire Nation has attacked and destroyed all four Air Temples. The Air Nomads… they're gone."
Aang's breath hitched, his worst nightmares realized. He felt the weight of the world press down on him, crushing his chest until he could barely breathe. The destruction had spread beyond what he could have imagined; the Fire Nation had wiped out his entire people.
The silence that followed was heavy, the family grappling with the gravity of the news. Katara's eyes filled with tears as she looked at Aang, her heart breaking for him. She reached out, but Aang didn't seem to notice, his gaze distant and empty.
Sokka, trying to break the unbearable tension, cleared his throat and spoke, his voice wavering. "This… this could be something we use at the meeting today."
Hakoda looked up, confused. "What do you mean, Sokka?"
Sokka swallowed hard, forcing himself to push through his emotions. "The Southern Water Tribe is a target of the Fire Nation whether Aang is here or not. We could argue that sending him away won't make us any safer. In fact, having the Avatar here might be our best chance of survival."
Hakoda nodded slowly, considering his son's words. "That's a good point, Sokka. We need to make the tribe see that Aang is not a liability—he's our greatest asset."
Katara glanced at Aang, who remained silent, his expression unreadable. She wanted to say something, anything to comfort him, but she was at a loss. Instead, she placed a hand on his arm, hoping he could feel her support.
As they sat in silence, the reality of the situation weighing heavily on them, the dread of the impending meeting grew. They knew that today would determine not just Aang's future, but perhaps the future of their tribe as well. The air was thick with tension, and a sense of foreboding settled over them, the knowledge that they were standing on the precipice of something much larger than themselves.
The Southern Water Tribe gathered in the central meeting hall, the tension palpable as the weight of the upcoming vote hung heavy in the air. Aang stood off to the side, his shoulders slumped, eyes fixed on the ground. Katara hovered close by, her heart aching as she watched him. She wanted to comfort him, to tell him that everything would be okay, but she could feel the distance between them growing. No matter what she said or did, it felt like she couldn't reach him.
Hakoda and Sokka stepped to the front of the assembly, their expressions serious yet tinged with a hint of hope. They knew the stakes were high, and the outcome of this vote could change everything.
Hakoda cleared his throat, his voice echoing through the hall. "Thank you all for gathering today. Before we begin, there is something urgent that we need to share with you."
Sokka stepped forward, holding the letter they had received that morning. "Earlier today, we received a message from Fire Lord Sozin himself. He has officially declared war on both the Water Tribes and the Earth Kingdom. And… he claims that the Fire Nation has destroyed all four Air Temples. The Air Nomads are no more."
A murmur spread through the crowd, the gravity of the news sinking in. The faces of the tribespeople were a mix of shock, fear, and sorrow. Sokka glanced at Aang, who was still staring at the ground, unmoving.
Hakoda continued, his voice firm. "This war affects us all, whether Aang is here or not. The Southern Water Tribe is a target. But with the Avatar among us, we have a chance to stand against the Fire Nation. We have a chance to protect our home, our people."
Sokka nodded, adding, "Aang is not a liability—he's our best hope. Sending him away won't stop the Fire Nation from attacking us. In fact, having the Avatar here could be the very thing that deters them."
For a moment, it seemed like the tide was turning in their favor. Some members of the tribe nodded in agreement, their fear of the Fire Nation turning into resolve. But then Ronar, standing tall and defiant, stepped forward.
"I understand your reasoning, Hakoda, Sokka," Ronar began, his voice strong and unwavering. "But I must disagree. Yes, the Fire Nation has declared war on us, and yes, they've destroyed the Air Temples. But that only strengthens my argument. If Aang stays here, we are inviting the full force of the Fire Nation to descend upon us. The Avatar is their primary target. With him here, we are putting every man, woman, and child in this tribe at even greater risk."
Some members of the tribe murmured in agreement, and Katara felt a knot tighten in her chest. She glanced at Aang, who remained silent, his expression unreadable.
Ronar continued, his voice rising as he addressed the crowd. "I am not saying we abandon our principles or our people. But we must be realistic. Aang's presence here makes us a target, and we cannot afford to risk the safety of our entire tribe for one boy, even if he is the Avatar."
Hakoda frowned, sensing the shift in the room. "Ronar, we cannot let fear dictate our actions. Aang is more than just a boy. He's our ally, and he can help us defend our home."
"But at what cost?" Ronar shot back. "Are we willing to sacrifice our people? Are we willing to risk everything for this? We must think of the greater good, and right now, that means protecting the Southern Water Tribe at all costs."
The room was divided, tension simmering just beneath the surface. Katara felt her heart pounding in her chest as she looked at Aang, who seemed even smaller and more isolated than before. She wanted to reach out to him, to tell him that everything would be okay, but the words caught in her throat.
Hakoda tried to reason with Ronar, but it was clear that the elder waterbender was not backing down. The arguments swirled around the room, each side becoming more entrenched in their positions.
As the debate raged on, Aang finally lifted his head, his eyes reflecting a deep sadness. Katara's heart broke as she realized that, no matter the outcome, Aang was hurting more than anyone could understand.
The debate grew more heated with every passing moment, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Hakoda and Sokka continued to defend Aang, but Ronar was relentless, his voice booming over the crowd as he made his case against the Avatar's presence in the tribe. The room was divided, the air charged with fear and uncertainty.
Finally, Ronar's voice cut through the noise, his eyes narrowing as he fixed his gaze on Hakoda and Sokka. "If Aang is truly our ally, if he's truly the hope you claim he is, then why isn't he here? Why isn't he standing in front of us, defending himself? What kind of leader hides behind others instead of speaking for himself?"
Hakoda and Sokka exchanged uneasy glances, the truth of Ronar's words sinking in. Sokka hesitated, his eyes searching the crowd, before he finally nodded. "You're right, Ronar. Aang should be the one to speak. Aang!" Sokka turned toward the spot where Aang had been standing just moments ago.
But when he looked, his heart sank. Aang was gone.
A murmur of confusion rippled through the crowd as they realized the Avatar was no longer present. Ronar's eyes gleamed with a mix of satisfaction and triumph as he seized the moment. "So, the Avatar has fled, hasn't he? The great hope of the Southern Water Tribe can't even stand before us and defend himself. And you expect us to trust him with our lives? What chance do we have if we're relying on a coward to protect us from the Fire Nation?"
The room erupted into chaos, voices rising as the crowd reacted to Ronar's accusations. Fear and anger surged through the gathering, the once tenuous balance now shattered.
Katara's heart pounded in her chest as she frantically scanned the room, searching for any sign of Aang. Her mind raced with a mix of worry and dread. She couldn't believe he was gone. Without a second thought, she pushed through the crowd, her breath catching as she ran out of the meeting hall, desperate to find him.
The cold night air hit her as she stepped outside, her eyes darting around in search of Aang. "Aang!" she called, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and urgency. She couldn't lose him—not now, not after everything they'd been through. She needed to find him, to bring him back before it was too late.
Racing toward the edge of the village, Katara's eyes finally locked onto a familiar figure. Aang was standing by Appa, preparing to climb onto his back. Relief washed over her, but it was quickly replaced by a surge of panic. "Aang, wait!" she shouted, running toward him.
He turned to face her, his expression heavy with determination. "Katara..."
"Where are you going?" Katara's voice was frantic, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn't bear the thought of losing him.
Aang looked at her, his eyes filled with a quiet resolve that made her stomach drop. "I'm going to the Fire Nation," he said, his voice steady despite the turmoil in his heart. "I'm going to turn myself in."
Katara's breath caught in her throat, the weight of his words sinking in as the world seemed to tilt around her.