Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender.
The Fire Temple
Despite common sense! Despite pointing out the obvious! We ended up flying into the Fire Nation. Why? Because of some Avatar mumbo jumbo that would allow Aang to talk to a ghost! I don't like this. My instinct screamed at me to steal Appa's reins from Aang and turn this flying bison around. What would Dad say if he knew I was willingly allowing my little sister to cross enemy lines?
As we traveled, talk was limited. Each of us stuck in our thoughts as we willfully approached danger. What would be waiting for us at this temple? How many firebenders would we have to sneak past for Aang to make the most of this comet? What would happen if we failed?
Kaya watched the clouds. Compared to Katara's nervous hands and my stiff shoulders, Kaya was the most relaxed amongst us. Even Aang's deep focus spoke of his unease. Did Kaya understand? Katara tried to explain. This would be dangerous. We didn't know what we'd be facing. I had tried too. Maybe Kaya could've stayed in the village and make offerings to Hei Bai. Maybe she didn't want to dodge fire and confront the Fire Nation. But everything we said to her was meant with a confused head tilt and a carefully enunciated, "Fire nation bad".
What was I doing? It was one thing to let Aang and Katara pull stunts like this. At least they had their bending. But Kaya… A sling shot wasn't going to stand a chance against a whole temple of monsters.
It was Kaya who spotted the ship. She tugged on my sleeve; pointing to something behind me as the air whipped around us. Pulled from my musings, I looked and balked at the sight of the ship chasing Appa's tail. Large and dark clouds of smoke of plumed from the ship as an indicator of how fast it was traveling. Why hadn't we flown Appa higher? "Aang!" I called; one arm slipping around Kaya's shoulders as my free hand gripped Appa's saddle. "Fire nation and fast approaching!"
Katara looked back at the announcement. Aang didn't bother. Snapping Appa's reins, he urged the bison to go faster with Momo clinging to him for support. "That looks like Zuko's ship", Katara announced; eyes widening as something hurtled from the ship in our direction. "Fireball!" Katara yelled.
She clung to the side of Appa's saddle. Dunking low as Aang swerved; causing Momo to squeak in panic. "Hang on", Aang yelled. A bit late if you ask me.
Still, Kaya clung to me as I pressed her flat against her legs and a close to Appa's saddle as possible. Her eyes grew to a horrified width as a flaming hot stinky ball of death whizzed passed our heads. She turned her head towards me; spewing gibberish as she tried to express some sort of alarm. Perhaps they didn't have fireballs in her alien world.
"Can Appa go faster?" Katara yelled. "We need to get out of range". Her head was still turned in the ship's directions; keeping a weathered eye for anything else Zuko might throw at us.
"Uh…" Aang's answer was not confident and I felt my stomach drop. "There's just one problem about that…"
Giving Kaya an extra tight squeeze, I looked forward with a nervous gulp. In the sea spread before Appa, a row of Fire Nation ships protected their border. Each had a catapult armed and ready with fireballs of their own. Oh, La! I was about to get both my little sister and my fiancé killed in the same day. Worst stand-in chief ever. I never should've taken them out of the South Pole!
With Momo hiding beneath his clothes, making him look like a hunchback, Aang briefly glanced over his shoulder in our direction. "Let's go North. We can go around the blockade".
Except the blockage was fast approaching, and it wasn't like Appa was the easiest thing to turn. "There's not time", Katara argued. Her braid whipped madly behind her.
Gritting my teeth, Aang expressed exactly what I felt as the blockade became closer and closer. "This is exactly why I didn't want you to come! It's not safe!"
Neither myself or Katara responded. We couldn't when facing certain demise. Forcing my lungs to fill with air, I tightened my grip around Kaya as she stared at the blockade with creasing bewilderment. "We'll have to run it". I decided; knowing the end results may not differ no matter what we did.
Fireball after fireball came hurtling towards up. Pressing my weight on top of Kaya's, I pushed her as close to the saddle as possible as Appa turned, swerved, ducked, and lifted to avoid burning death. The stench of sulfur was stifling and quickly became the only thing we could breathe. The air was ripped from my lungs as I screamed; letting the terror rattle my ribcage. Limited to Appa's saddled, no way to fight or escape, it was all I could do. Katara and Aang must've felt the same, because their screams echoed mine. Even Momo was screeching. Kaya, however; was breathless. Maybe because of how I was pinning her down. Or maybe she just wasn't the type to scream.
When the fireballs exploded, clouds of rotting ash consumed us. I could feel it heating my skin and soiling my hair. Appa bore the worst of it. One fireball explodes right in front of him. There was no time to dodge, and he flew straight through. Soon, the scent of rotting ash was mixed with the smell of burning hair.
"Appa!" Aang panicked as the air cleared; revealing bits Appa's coat that sparked as embers The sky becomes threatened to spread. There wasn't much Aang could do as he was in no position to drop the reins. Katara and Momo acted first; climbing and reaching for bits of Appa to pat out the embers with their hands. Leaving Kaya, I did the same. A squeak nearly escaped my throat as I worried for the flying shag rug. Kaya was slower to assist. Needing time to find her bearings after being pressed flat for so long. But when she did, she joined and soon Appa was fire free. He let out a grumble of relief as we continued to fly.
It was only the first wave. More fireballs were released into the sky. Pleting towards us, Appa did what he could to dodge. My stomach flipped and ached from all his acrobatics. Momo clung to Katara and Katara to the saddle. Kaya reached for me, but I grabbed her hands and forced them both to hold on to the Saddle's railing. One of my arms wrapped around her middle as I covered her back. While the other, hung onto Appa's saddle for dear life.
A single catapult launched one more fireball. This one sailed straight for Appa; taking him on face to face. Except Aang wasn't about to let his oldest friend be burned for a second time that day. "Aang!" Katara shouted in fright as he leaped off Appa's head. Propelled by his bending, Aang arched a big sweeping kicking; sending a slash of air into the path of the fireball. It slams into the fireball, reducing the attack to flying rumble and smoky ash.
As Appa flew to catch up, Katara sprang forward. Arms stretched forward, she caught Aang as he fell into Appa's saddle. Momo was nearly dislodged in the process. Looking back, I saw a sight I didn't think we'd get to witness. The blockade was behind us.
"We made it!" Aang celebrated; sounding far to excited for someone who had just gotten a face full of fireball.
Katara sat straight as I released Kaya. Our eyes met and for one brief instance, we momentarily agreed that we should have never left the South Pole. As Aang climbed back to Appa's head to retrieve Appa's reins, Katara kept a weary eye on the blockage disappearing in the distance. "They're not following". She sounded surprise.
I shrugged. "It's hard for big ships to change course". They need time and space to do that.
Kaya was frowning as she took in the soot spots that now littered Appa and his saddle. She frowned and the ash smudged into her clothes and my face. I half expected her to start crying. But I wasn't surprised when she didn't. Instead, Kaya looked at me and said slowly, "Fire Nation…" She pinched her nose when she couldn't find the word; smooshing her nostrils together.
Despite my unease, I snorted. "Smells", I guessed. "The Fire Nation smells".
Kaya nodded in agreement as she repeated my words. "The Fire Nation smells. Badder than-"
"Worse"
"Worse", Kaya corrected. "Worse than Sokka… Dark months".
"The Fire Nation smells worse than me after the dark months", I interpreted; grinning in spite of myself. "And they call the Water Tribe uncivilized. Hard to believe, right?"
The sun was setting when we landed. And Appa… Appa was done. The great beast groaned as he sprawled out on the ground. "You did good, buddy", Aang praised; rubbing the top of Appa's head as he stared at the temple built on top of the mountain. This temple was different from the southern air temple. From the architecture to the ambiance. As sad as the air temple had been, at least we felt a since of welcome. Here there was lava bubbling under a nearby bridge and steam unhung uncomfortably in the air; making it difficult to inhale.
"Will Appa be okay on his own?" Katara asked as she assured her water pouch was full.
"Yeah", Aang said as he double-checked his staff. "And he can always fly away if he needs to".
My boomerang was strapped to my back and my dagger was sheathed on my belt. "Kaya, do you have your slingshot?"
The yellow-haired girl nodded; patting where it stuck out of her own belt. Her eyes were focused on the lava as she rubbed at her scarred arms. She seemed both mystified and horrified by the sight. Did they not have lava in her world? Though, at my continued staring, her eyes slowly flickered away and came to rest on my face. "You can't be convinced to stay with Appa, can you?"
As if she understood every word, Kaya shook her head. Yeah, I figured. Sighing, my shoulders dropped. Some man I was turning out to be; letting my family confront danger.
We approached the temple, climbing the mountain, with cautious steps. "I don't see any guards", I said as we pressed against the walls for coverage.
"Maybe the Fire Nation abandoned the temple when Avatar Roku died", Katara hoped; always the optimist. But that was too much to wish for. We were never that lucky. And this temple… It wasn't dusty. There was no sign of decay. It was well kept. Someone had to be here.
As sundown approached, Aang sped us on. On tip-toes, we scurried higher and higher up the mountain; keeping to the walls as we drew near the temple. Kaya kept rubbing her arms; wincing every few steps. "What's wrong?" I whispered as we came to a stone courtyard. "Do your arms hurt?"
Kaya shook her head. "Itches", she mumbled.
That wasn't uncommon for old scars. Especially when the scars came from burns. Gran-gran used to apply a cool compress when Kaya felt an itch. As Katara and Aang wondered where we should look first, I held onto one of Kaya's wrists and pushed up her sleeve. Scratching wouldn't help. Might actually irritate the skin more. But maybe if I… Kaya's scars were glowing like the pale sun during the early morning.
Kaya's breath hitched as I gapped. "That new", she said; sounding startled.
It was her tone that prevented me from jerking my hands away. I could feel Kaya eying me with nerves as I pushed up her other sleeve. She couldn't be blamed. If Kaya had… glowed at home, I'm not sure I would've been able to protect her from the women.
"Yeah, sure", I muttered to myself' studying the swirling scars on Kaya's arms. "My fiancé is an alien from a different world where people have yellow-hair and speak a gibberish language. Why wouldn't sheglow like a star?" Kaya's scars didn't look like damaged splotches of skin any longer. Instead, the glowing scars swirled around her arms and resembled scales. The scars ended at her elbows; spread out like a fan… like tails. And on her palms, the scars began; rounded with one or two pointy bits. As if they depicted heads. "They look like dragons".
"Fang", Kaya said; seeing what I saw. Was that why they were glowing? Because we were here?
"Ah… Hello!" Aang greeted; snapping me out my worried muses. Turning, I saw five men dressed in red robes and tall pointy hats. "We are the Fire Sages. Guardians of the temple of the Avatar", said the one in the middle.
"Great", Aang said as I pushed Kaya behind me. Mystical alien fiancés would have to wait. "I'm the avatar".
If Aang was respecting a warm welcome, we received the opposite. Four out of the five took large, deep inhales; standing straight and chest puffing out. We tensed. Firebenders only breath like that for one reason. "Wait!" yelled the fifth pointy hat. His eyes were on Kaya's glowing flesh. "They possess a mark bearer!"
Four blasts of fire shot towards us. Spring forward, Aang met them half way; using air to deflect all four. "Run", He yelled over shoulder before sweeping air to knock the sages off their feet. I didn't need to be told twice. Turning, I urged Kaya and later Katara to run in front of me as we ducked inside and disappeared down a hallway. Aang followed seconds later.
When no footsteps chased after us, we slowed to a walk; panting against the heavy steam in the air. "It's so dark in here", Katara said as Momo clung to her shoulders.
"That's okay. We have light Á la Kaya", I said; holding one o f Kaya's wrists and stretching it above her head. Causing the glow to wash over us. Kaya yanked her arm free; nervously tugging her sleeves to cover the marks once more.
Katara's eyes were wide. "What was that? Why were they glowing?"
Kaya scuffed the toe of her boot against the stone floor. "Not Kaya's… flat". She clutched her hands behind her back. As if willing them away.
"Fault", I corrected; frowning at Katara. "The glowing scars are not Kaya's fault".
"It's okay, Kaya", Aang said as he rounded a corner. "Maybe Avatar Roku can tell us more about the mark of dragons".
When we rounded the corner, Aang stood in a fighting stance; his staff clutched tightly in his hands. Gasping, Katara copied him as my hand flew to my dagger. A little stream of water floated from Katara's water pouch. And Kaya pulled out her slingshot; taking aim from behind my shoulder.
The fifth pointy hat, the one who called out, stood in our path. "Wait", he cried; hands raised to his ears. "I want to help".
"You want us dead", I seethed; poising my dagger for attack.
"Wait, Sokka", Aang ordered. His posture loosened as the pointy hat sank to his knees and laid his palms flat on the stone in a reverent bow.
"Please", the sage said; practically kissing the ground. "I have longed for your return, young avatar. Tonight, Avatar Roku awaits you for an audience. Allow me to guide you to him".
Aang perked up considerably. But… "There's no way it'd be this easy", I muttered.
Still, we followed the pointy hat down multiple hallways and through multiple doors. Sometimes, we were shown to secret passageways guarded by firebending. The deeper we went into the temple, the more distrust I felt towards pointy hat. "We must go fast", the sage said. "The others are scouring the temple as we speak".
But that didn't stop the sage from giving us a history lesson. "These passages were formed by the magma wielded by Avatar Roku. Long ago, he called this place his home. My grandfather served him and guarded this temple after he departed for the spirit world. In the generations that followed, we've maintained the temple; waiting for the Avatar's return until… the Fire Lord asked something else from our post". The last part was spoken mournfully. And it made me uncomfortable. Those from the Fire Nation weren't supposed to hearts!
The sage sighed and shook his head as if freeing himself from grief. "I knew times were changing when the eyes of Avatar Roku's mighty statue began to glow. Much like…" The sage cast a wistful stare in Kaya's direction. She tucked herself closer to my back; glaring at the sage from behind my shoulder. "The blessing of dragon fire. Avatar Roku must have called you both home".
"This isn't their home", I argued; fighting the urge to throw my dagger. "Kaya is Water Tribe. And Aang…" It felt too soon to claim Aang as family. "Aang's a nomad. He wanders where he wants".
Katara seemed to agree; placing a protective hand on Aang's shoulder. Aang though, was more interested in what the pointy hat could tell us. "The blessing of dragon fire, what is that?"
As we traveled through another secret passage, the sage explained, "The blessing for dragon fire is gifted to those a dragon has judged as a worthy sacrifice."
A worthy sacrifice? "Kaya, what did you do?" I hissed as we were led deeper and deeper into the temple. Just how big was this place?
Kaya fidgeted anxiously behind me. "Kaya don't… I not understand".
"The mark of dragons is regarded as a good omen. Amongst the Fire Nation, etched in our history, it is a promise of fortune and prosperity. Villages and towns that had their sacrifices returned to them felt guaranteed that their crops would yield heartily and riches would fill their pockets. Some mark bearers have blessed new monarchs; protecting their right to reign".
What was this old man saying? Was Kaya… Sacrificed?
"But as man began to hunt dragons and their numbers dwindled, mark bearers became rare and coveted. It came to be that as soon as one was returned; they were carted off to bring blessings to noble blood. The mark bearers' families were paid handsomely for them. However, as dragons have gone extincted, so has the blessing of dragon fire. So…" The sage's washed over Kaya a second time as reached a pair of ornate doors. "I am very curious how your friend came upon them. Perhaps I could study the marks myself".
"No!" Kaya and I shouted as one. Our voices echoed across the high stone walls; causing Aang and Katara to jerk around. They shushed us anxiously; pressing a finger against their lips.
His back to the ornate doors, the sage frowned. "You shouldn't cover the dragon's mark". He spoke directly to Kaya. "They are a sign of honor. You should display them with pride".
It's impossible to know how much Kaya understood, but it was obvious she didn't like the attention. "Not Kaya's fault", she said quietly. Too quiet for anyone else to hear.
"Is… Do we need to go through these doors?" Aang asked.
Mournfully, the sage turned away from Kaya. "Yes", he answered Aang. "Avatar Roku's statue waits for you on the other side. However; opening them will not be easy".
The door could only be opened by five simultaneous fire blasts. Either from five fire sages or one fully trained avatar. "Do you mean we snuck into the Fire Nation for nothing?" I complained studying the doors and taking due diligence to keep myself between Kaya and the pointy hat.
"There has to be a way", Katara said; her voice matched Aang's anguish. Afterall, we had risked a lot to be here and time was running out.
"If we need five fire sages to open the door, maybe they can be tricked to opening it for us", I said.
Aang and Katara exchanged a look. "What are you thinking, Sokka?"
Five bags filled with oil-soaked animal casings were shoved into five slots on the door. Twine kept the bags shot and acted at the fuse. "The blast should send the other sages running", I theorized; hiding behind a pillar with Kaya in between. "And it will leave the door looking singed; making them believe Aang is already inside. To stop him from talking to Avatar Roku, they'll have to open the doors".
"And that's when I'll run for the doors", Aang said for another pillar. Katara crouched down next to him.
With one small spark from his finger, the sage lit the fuses. He had just enough time to duck behind a pillar of his own before the five bags exploded. The force was great enough that the stones under our feet tremored and the air was greatly disturbed. But the doors stood strong. Only the residue from the bags left it marked.
I nodded at the sage; signaling him to move. Which he did; hurrying out from behind the pillar. "Come quickly!" He bellowed. "I've found the avatar. He is already in the sanctuary!"
Footsteps stampeded. The sound of it rumbled off the stone as they drew closer and closer. Katara and Aang didn't dare to move. I held my breath. And Kaya hunched her shoulders; her hand hovering over her slingshot.
"He's inside", our sage yelled as the other pointy hats arrived. "Quickly! We must open the doors. Before he can contact Avatar Roku!"
Five blasts of fire erupted from the sages. Even from safety of the pillars we could feel the heat from their force. With the hand that wasn't over her slingshot, Kaya rubbed at her arm. Did heat make the itchiness worse?
With clinks and clanks, the door started to open. Another time, another place; I'd be wondering about how such a mechanism worked. But right now… Aang sprang forward. Air aided his speed as he slid past the sages and dove into doors.
"Close them, Aang!" I shouted; running out from the pillar to intercept the first sage.
Katara handled another sage; subduing him with water slashing his face. Just as quickly as the doors opened, they started to close. "No!" A pointy hat complained as our sage pinned his arms. Kaya pinged the last sage with a stone from her slingshot. It knocked the hat off his head. A second rock left an angry red mark on his forehead.
"What now?" Katara asked, as he left her Sage on the floor and moved to help Kaya.
"We need to keep them contained", I said; slamming the hilt of my dagger into the soft spot on the back of my opponent's head. "Until Aang's done and we can run away".
Any success was short lived. Kaya yelped. Katara gasped, "Zuko!" And the sages retaliated. Our sage was flipped and slammed into stone floor. The one under my hands rolled and blasted fire until I was forced off balance. He was able to knock my dagger free and detain me after that. Two went after Katara as Momo screeched in the background. With two against one, they were able to use their fire to turn her water into steam. And she was grabbed.
Kaya was left to Zuko's mercy. He threw her slingshot to the other side of the room. The sound of it clattering against the stone floor rung in my ears. She yelled many angry words in her gibberish tongue as her arms were yanked behind her and Zuko made sure she wouldn't be able to kick him. "Hurry. Bind the prisoners and open the doors!" Zuko ordered as Kaya fought him. "Stand still!" he growled at her.
A knee between my shoulder blades kept me from rising. Kept me from struggling. Across the way, Katara was in a similar state. "Please, my prince!" Our sage cried as his arms were tied behind his back. Already, a giant bruise was forming on his face. "That child bears the mark of dragons".
I was dragged to a pillar. Katara soon joined me and rope wrapped around our arms and torso; binding us to a pillar. "Quiet, traitor!" A sage smacked our sage on the back of his head. "That's impossible!"
But Zuko knew differently. He had seen Kaya's mark. Proclaimed them to be the mark of dragons himself; that day he dragged her from our village. "Go faster!" Zuko barked as Kaya continued to struggle in his grip. "Open the doors!"
Blinding light shined from under the sealed doors. "You're too late", Katara celebrated. But it was muted. Because we were still out here; chained to a pillar and surrounded by firebending scum. And Aang would be too. Once he was done.
A pointy hat must have agreed. He hung his head. "Avatar Roku won't let us inside until he has said his piece".
Zuko snarled in frustration. Steam shot from out of his nose. Still, Kaya fought his hold. She gained no ground. If we ever make it out of her, I'll have to teach her to fight for real. Just a slingshot wasn't going to cut it any more.
"Please Prince Zuko!" Our sage tried again. I wished he'd shut up. "Check her arms. Those how gain favor from mark bearers always prosper. Surely that is enough reason to take care".
Things became worse. "A mark bearer? How intriguing". Zuko was grabbed as more firebenders stomped into the room. "Zhao", Zuko scoffed as if the name was a curse. A man with major sideburns paid Zuko no mind Zuko was wrestled to another pillar.
"Kaya!" I yelled as the hands restraining her changed from Zuko's to Mr. Sideburns. To this Zhao's. My heart beat loudly in my ears as I was forced to watch. What was I thinking? I should have forced her to stay with Appa. Her and Katara!
The man hummed as Zuko was chained. He didn't keep Kaya at an arms distance like Zuko had. "Kaya is a water tribe name. But you do not come from such stock". Zhao only needed one hand to hold Kaya's wrists. He used the other to finger one of her braids. "Such an unusual color", he crooned; causing a shiver to shoot up Kaya's spine. It was so sharp, that I was able to see it even at my distance.
As the blinding light continued to shine from under the door, Zhao dropped Kaya's braid and yanked up her sleeve; revealing the glowing scar on Kaya's left arm. He raised a poised eyebrow. "So, the rumors were true".
Every firebender in the room gasped. Some of the sages tried to drop to their knees. "It shouldn't be possible". One of them breathed.
"Sokka, do you have a plan?" Katara whispered to me as Zuko glared and fought his chains. I bit my lip. Mind racing. Many ideas came to me but none that would work. We needed Aang, a way out, and one mega distraction.
Zhao clicked his tongue in displeasure. "Don't get distracted", he ordered his guards and the pointy hats. Just his voice was enough to force them to straighten up. Though he quickly returned to the creepy musings from before. "My, my. This will be a day for the history books. Two traitors, the mark of dragons, and the avatar. What will Fire Lord Ozai say when I present all four to him? Imagine how he'll reward me".
So much steam was blowing from Zuko's nose that he looked like a tea kettle. The light was still shining under the doors. And Kaya refused to stand still. She tried to stomp on Zhao's toes. Kick his shins. Jab an elbow into his gut. But he held her in such a way that no blow was landed. Streams of gibberish and random words left her mouth. The words bad and smelly were spoken many times. And I realized… I should probably teach her some insults. Even if Gran-gran wouldn't approve.
But Kaya froze as soon as Zhao's free hand came in contact with her neck. His fingers brushed against her throat like how one would stroke a baby polar-bear dog. I felt my muscles flex against our bindings. If there was ever a time to develop super strength, it was now!
"What's this?" Zhao asked. His hand wrapped around the shale carving dangling from Kaya's neck. "How common. That won't do at all". Kaya's betrothal necklace was ripped from her throat. Katara gasped at the insult as my blood boiled. Not that any of our present company understood that. With a distasteful sneer, Zhao discarded the necklace; tossing it to the side as if it were garbage. "I'm sure your new master will desire a prettier collar around your neck", Zhao purred into Kaya's ear.
I wanted to kill him. I was going to kill him! Katara would help me if her growling was anything to go by. When I was freed from this pillar I would-
The light from underneath the door became brighter. Smoke soon followed as the clinking and clanging returned and the door began to open. "Get ready!" Zhao barked as he held Kaya tighter.
The more the door opened, the brighter the light became. Soon we were blinded. Those who didn't look away in time howled as their eyes burned. Still, that wasn't enough for the Zhao's guards to fall into line. They had their hands aimed towards the doors. "Aang!" Katara shouted; trying to warn him.
"Fire!" Zhao roared. Causing his guards to send rounds of fire at a target they couldn't see. Under Zhao's hands, Kaya winced violently at the onslaught of heat. When the fire burnt out, it wasn't Aang standing in the doorway. Instead, an old man with a long beard and glowing eyes stood in his place.
Our sage was amazed. "Avatar Roku", he gasped; almost going slack in his binds.
The old man drew a circle of fire with his foot. With one mighty step, the fire was sent our direction. Like a rogue wave, it swept our enemies off their feet and melted our chains. The wave of fire was so strong that the wall was destroyed.
To save himself, Zhao shoved Kaya as he dove out of the way. "Kaya!" I yelled as I ran to her. Nearly colliding with prince scarface as he made his escape. Kaya was already climbing to her feet when I reached her. She clung onto my hands as fire continued to ruin the temple; the old man unrelenting. "We have to go!" I yelled at Katara as the pointy hats and the Fire Nation guards fled.
"What about Aang?" She yelled back.
But then the old man started blasting the floor. His fire was so hot that it was melting the stone. Soon, the lava under the temple started to become visible. "Katara!" I begged; holding a hand out to her. She ran for me; hair streaming behind her as bits of the floor crumbled in her wake. As soon as I could, I grabbed Katara's outstretched hand. Momo's head peaked out of her shirt as I tucked my small family behind the last remaining pillar. Each of my arms circled around a girl as I used the pillar and my back to shield them. Preparing for the worst, I slammed my eyes shut; cursing our foolishness for ever leaving the South Pole!
Behind my eyelids, I noticed the blinding light start to dim. The heat touching our flesh began to fade. So did the sounds of crumbling rumble. The only thing I could hear were the panicked breathes of the girls and the old man exhaling.
When I opened my eyes and peered out from behind the pillar, the old man was gone. Only Aang resided in his place; kneeling wearily on the floor. "Aang", I said; releasing Katara as she ran from my arms. She raced for him, dropping to her knees to offer support.
Kaya and I approached slower; huddling together and picking our steps as we joined them. "What happened?" Aang mumbled. Barely audible as he leaned his weight on Katara.
"We'll explain later, but we need to leave now", I said; trying to find an exit. But the stairs the others used to flee were gone; destroyed by lava. And the whole in the hole in the wall was too high for us to jump from.
Hand shaking, Kaya pointed to something she was the first to see. "Appa!"
And there was the flying bison coming to our rescue. I had to let go of Kaya to help carry Aang. But she managed on her own; being the first to climb into Appa's saddle and helping drag Aang to safety. Katara climbed aboard bedside them and for the first time since leaving the South Pole, I took Appa's reins; sitting on his head. "As fast as you can, buddy" I told Appa. "Get us out of here!"
We left the destroyed temple and a fleet of Fire Nation ships behind us. As their shapes became less and less distinct, the air became sweeter and I could enjoy a sea breeze once again. "You know", I said; focusing on the others. Katara sat with Aang's head cradled in her lap. While Kaya was hug Momo tight. Her throat looked strange with out my necklace. "We have bad luck with temples. Maybe we shouldn't go anywhere near them".