[EDIT: 11/09/2024]
= Vucen, Kura, and Waten =
12:30 PM
The three young adults carefully maneuvered through the pitch-blackness that blanketed the town. They've used their firebending to try to guide their way through the town's 'cleansing', staying close to each other. Kura was near her husband Vucen, with Vucen looking out for anything that could potentially harm them. Waten was at the front, also looking around to see if anything was following them as well.
They were in a residential area on a road in the northern right part of the island, near the amusement park just a little way on the upper right from the town. They passed houses that were once occupied by the residents here.
This section of the town used to be filled with chatter, laughter, and families here...now it's just a barren wasteland, a husk of its former self.
As Waten used the fire in his hand to guide his brother and sister-in-law, he looked to his right as he passed one particular home.
His home to be precise.
Waten lived alone most of the time. He always tried to follow in his mother's footsteps and learn her teachings just to please her...
But lately, it seemed she was a lot...harsher to Vucen and him...especially as they got older.
She would scold Vucen and Waten at times whenever they did something wrong, even punish them. But Daria, his mother, would often scold and punish Waten even harder. And if he ever got out of line, his punishments...were more severe...
...He still has those burnt marks on his back.
But the only thing that made him feel at ease, was Vucen's brotherly love for him, as well as Kura and Risa. They helped him out plenty of times, with Vucen being the big brother he is, and Kura being almost the big sister as well. Even Kura's younger sister Risa was such a good friend to him...
Waten frowned at the mention of Risa, but for a different reason.
Risa was getting really weird treatment from his mother lately. At first, when she was growing up with them, Daria was...almost partial to her. Now she's just...stiff and stern whenever she would see Risa. Waten never knew why his mother would be so cold towards Risa at times. Even Vucen and Kura didn't particularly know. She doesn't say it vocally, but he definitely notices that his mother's demeanor would be rigid whenever Risa was mentioned. And judging by how she addresses her at times, he can sense the slight disdain in her tone. He really doesn't know why his mother never cut Risa any slack. He always thought Risa was a nice girl, and they often talked together, enjoying each other's company along with Vucen and Kura. He, Risa, Vucen, and Kura always felt more like a family when they were together more than anything...
...Actually, even Risa and Kura's father Maikera have been acting odd towards Risa as of late also.
While Waten was growing up, Maikera seemed to have a decent relationship with his two daughters, even Risa. It was odd, since when they were younger, he was kind towards her as well, but that changed when she got older. When she turned nineteen, he would often get a little testy with her, yelling at her and giving her less attention. He seemed to favor Kura more and more now. Thankfully though, he would just vocally yell at her and that would be it. Waten would never think Maikera would punish Risa (or even Kura) the way that his mother would punish him...at least he hoped not.
Either way, it was still quite odd.
Kura often tells Waten and Vucen that her father does love Risa, even confirming that he had said it one time to her when she asked him about his recent treatment of her younger sister.
If that's true, then...why doesn't he act like the father that he once was with his daughters?
At least...that's what he was also taught by-
"Waten?"
The voice of his brother snapped him out of his thoughts, turning to Vucen. "Yes, brother?"
He noticed that they paused in their trek to retrieve Azula while being in the vast blackness of the 'cleansing' that Daria talked about. Vucen and Kura both looked at him in slight concern.
"You...looked troubled. Are you alright?" Vucen asked.
"Oh, um...yes, I'm fine," Waten assured. "I'm just...thinking about things. You know, one of my usual silly, um...dazes."
Kura frowned. "You don't look too well, though. Like Vucen said, you looked troubled more than anything. Are you sure everything is alright?"
Waten glanced at his sister-in-law and contemplated whether to say anything or not. He didn't want to worry or upset Kura by mentioning her sister, Risa...but he might as well say something about it, just so he wouldn't be bothered by it and not to let them worry. Besides, it's always good to be honest and to tell the people you care about what's going on in their minds...
...Well, that's what she said, at least...
"...I...well, I was just...thinking about Risa and her absence for today," Waten admitted a little timidly.
Thankfully, Kura took that answer fairly well… sort of.
"Oh…" She frowned again, feeling pity for her sister. "Right...Risa..."
Vucen looked at his wife with a concerned frown, before placing a hand on her shoulder. "I'm...I'm sure she won't be yelled at again. I mean, she must've had a good reason to miss...another one of my mother's teachings."
Kura sighed in distress. "Maybe…" her face then looked...bothered. "...She could've been reading again."
"Reading?" Waten asked a little incredulously. "What could she read? Is she reading the same story scrolls she had since childhood?"
"...Actually..." Kura looked conflicted for a moment. "...She might be reading some of the town records," she told them a little hesitantly.
Vucen and Waten's eyes widened in surprise.
"She is?" Vucen asked her.
"Risa is reading the records of our town? How...How did she get access to them? Weren't they locked up in the archives at the museum?" Waten asked.
"...Yes, they were...but...I don't really know how she got to them..." Kura said with uncertainty.
"Actually...wasn't the museum also locked up since the town's parting?" Vucen asked his wife in confusion.
Kura frowned even deeper. "...Yes...it certainly was..."
"Then...who would've opened the doors to the museum?" Waten asked in curiosity. "I mean, we don't have the key to it...I mean, do we? We don't even know where the key could be on this island. It...It was hidden somewhere or...something, right?"
They all fell into an awkward silence as they pondered about this…
"...How long has Risa been reading these records, Kura?" Vucen finally asked.
"...She...well, I found her reading them around last week, after the day she was supposed to go to the shrine for your mother's lesson," Kura said, feeling as if she might've said too much. "...Risa said she wasn't going to read the records anymore next week and would return them to the museum...but...that was, again, a week ago…"
"But...if that's the case, then...Risa might've not returned the records at all," Vucen theorized.
"Or she might've read more…" Waten added softly.
"...Maybe…" Kura shook her head to clear away any presumptions of that idea. "But, as for how Risa found the key...she…" she then looked bothered. "...She told me that she found it in the cemetery...near our mother's grave."
Vucen stared at his wife in absolute shock, mouth slightly agape. "In the cemetery? N-...Near your mother's grave?"
"...Yes...that's what Risa said. " Kura turned to Vucen in desperation. "Darling, please don't tell your mother that my sister had been to the museum. It was locked up for a reason...granted, we don't particularly know what the reason is, but...I mean, it's probably to retain and not ruin the archives, but Mother Daria said not to go inside it at all costs."
One look at his wife's face, and Vucen's heart grieved for her. "My Love, I…" he took a deep breath. "...I won't tell my mother. Or anyone for that matter."
Kura gave her husband a thankful smile. "Thank you, Sweetheart," before turning to Waten. "Waten, please, I beg of you as well, don't tell your mother about my sister's disobedience. I mean...Risa should know better, but...she's my sister." she pleads to her brother-in-law.
Waten actually looked conflicted for a moment. While he did care about Risa, he also cared for his mother...no matter how harsh his punishments were whenever he disobeyed, he always thought they were well-intentioned. After all, Mother knows best, right? She is the high priestess of this island...the one with the gift from God...she is holy...
But...if his mother is supposed to be well-respected...then what does that make-
"Waten?" Vucen's voice interrupted his train of thought.
Waten snapped out of his daze, looking at his older brother and his sister-in-law, who in turn looked at him with concern.
"...I...I won't tell Mother. I promise. Not even to anyone else," Waten said.
Both husband and wife looked relieved on hearing that.
"Thank you, Brother." Vucen nodded gratefully with a smile.
"Yes, thank you," said Kura with a smile and a nod.
Waten smiled at them as he nodded.
It was then they continued to venture their way to the east side of the town in silence. Despite them not saying anything else, the three of them still had the same, lingering question in mind.
How did Risa get into the museum?
Deciding not to think about that right now, Waten asked the couple, "So, um, are you excited to birth God?"
Kura and Vucen glanced at Walteru, before they smiled with such enthusiasm, with the latter saying, "Oh, yes! I mean, granted, we never, um...well, we never did 'it' before, but...it'll be with someone I'm in love with." Vucen looked at his wife with a loving gaze. "And, if it's to bring forth a powerful Spirit into this world to save us from the wretchedness of the world that will come after our lovemaking, then that's all the more better."
Kura giggled. "You are such a goofball, Vucen."
"But that's why you love me, right? Cause I'm a goofball?" Vucen smirked as he nuzzled her hair.
Kura laughed. "Vucen, stooop, your brother's watching us!"
Waten blushed a little bit. "Oh, uh, heh, sorry. But, yeah, Brother, I think you need to save all that for the time when all the six sacrifices are...well, taken."
Chuckling, Vucen said, "Alright, alright."
They resumed walking in silence for a while, until Vucen asked, "I wonder what these people did to be brought here? I mean, the sacrifices had to have done something horrible, right?"
"Honestly, we've been so isolated here, and been told so much by Mother Daria, that anybody who is outside of this island has to be evil. Well...maybe except Ozai? And Azula?" questioned Kura.
"Hm...I also find it very interesting that the Avatar is here as well." Waten mentioned, "I always thought the Avatar would uphold peace, prosperity, and harmony to the living and the spirits. But...well, I guess he failed to do that. I've heard mother said it was for selfish gains and reasons."
"Hm. That is indeed quite interesting. But maybe when God is born, we can have real peace and harmony..." Vucen then smiled at the thought, his smile looking more and more hopeful. "Yes...it would be most wonderful."
Kura smiled warmly, grabbing her husband's hand. "God will...basically be our son." She said with admiration.
Vucen smiled back at his wife. "I know...I...never been a father before...I...well, Waten and I barely knew our father..."
Kura frowned upon the mention of both Vucen and Waten's father, "Mother Daria said your father died in his sleep. She also said that my mother died of a heart attack..." she frowned at the thought of her own deceased mother, "...They really had an impact on us...father was really saddened when he found out."
Vucen frowned upon remembering his late father and Kuruadia's mother, "I also remembered that well..."
"Hmm..." Kuruadia hummed solemnly.
As the three kept walking through the streets, Vucen then said, "I'm sure you had good memories of your mother, though."
The woman turned her attention with a soft smile, "I did...she was so kind...and she was also intelligent."
"She certainly was...I have some very good memories of my father as well…" Vucen's lips went back to a smile as he remembered something pleasant. "One of my fondest memories was our father reading me bedtime stories when I was three..." He let out a sad chuckle, "He tried to act like the characters he was telling us about. I think he actually did a good job of doing the impersonations...he was such a great storyteller, I can tell you that. Hell, he didn't even have to use the story scrolls, since half the time, he just made up the stories on the fly."
He gave his wife and his brother a sad smile. "...When I become a father, I want to be just like him."
Touched to hear this confession, Kura just smiled warmly and squeezed Vucen's hand. "I also want to be a mother just like mine..."
Looking at his beloved, Vucen smiled back with the same warmth. He then looked at Waten and said, "You would've loved Father, Waten. He was a loving and caring person."
Waten smiled forlornly. "I bet I would. I can also tell he had an effect on you. I was only two at the time when he died..." he looked forward ahead at the path they were walking on as he reflected. "...I wish I could find someone. That way, I could love her just like you love Kura, Vucen. Then, when the time comes, I could be a good father..."
"Well, maybe you will someday, brother, whenever we birth God. I would think you'd make a fine father. You have the heart for it," Vucen said with a reassuring smile and a nod.
Waten returned a kind smile to his brother.
And it was then all three of them went forward through the pitch blackness.
= Iroh =
...Papa?
Yes, son?
...Is there such things as...ghosts?
...Ghosts? What brought this question about, my boy?
Well...I heard ghosts are like...people's true self, right? Like when people...die, they either go to the Spirit World or they...stay here in the living world...because they have something they need to do.
Oh...where did you hear this?
From Gran-lah. She was telling me stories again.
…I need to talk to your Grandmother about telling you these stories.
Why? I mean...some stories have to have a little truth in them, right?
Yes...while that may be true, it's just…you really shouldn't be thinking about these things when you're this young.
But...why? Maybe...Maybe someone...hasn't gone to the Spirit World yet, because...they didn't say goodbye to that...that special someone. I mean...both living and...non-living…
...Lu Ten, what is this really about?
...I wanted to...I wanted to know if there was a way to see...Momma...for the first time...
…Oh...I...I see.
...Is there?
...Lu Ten...your mother...she was a wonderful woman...but...you shouldn't delve into these matters for someone your age. You are only ten years old...in fact...you shouldn't think about this. The de-...the departed must be laid to rest.
But, I just...I want to know what she...what she was really like. I want someone to call...my...my own Momma...I want to see what she looked like...especially if a Spirit is supposed to reflect one's true self.
...My boy...I know how you feel...I...I really miss her too, your mother...but...there is...Lu Ten, it's just impossible to bring someone back to the living. Life must go on-
But there's a Spirit World, right? I heard from scholars that you can somehow traverse there without being the Avatar! Someone can be spiritually enlightened and-
Lu Ten! We are not discussing this! Your mother is...she's laid to rest.
...I just want to meet the person you loved very much, Papa. I want to meet...my Momma…
...Oh, my boy...I understand. I really do...but...she wants you to be happy, son.
...I really love Momma, Papa...even though I don't really know her...but you do. Papa.
Lu Ten...just...know that she loved you very much...I remember that...she truly smiled at you when you were born. She was happy that you were born...and so am I. She gave a wonderful gift...to not only me, but to herself...you, my son.
...Okay...I'm sorry, Papa.
No, do not be...it is natural for a child to...miss someone close to them. ...But know that...if your mother was living right now...she would be so proud of you...and she would love you unconditionally...just like I am proud of you...and just like I love you as well.
...Thank you, Papa. I...I love you too.
Hm-hm...but...to answer your question about...about ghosts being real...
Yes, Papa?
...They can be real...when you want them to be.
12:10 PM
...Iroh's eyes slowly opened…
...Everything was pitch dark. Save for the small lights up in the dark sky...stars?
"...What?" muttered the older man as he squinted in the darkness.
Iroh groaned as he got up off of his back, struggling to get up as the blackness surrounded him.
"Is it...nighttime already?" Iroh asked himself.
As he looked around, he could make out shapes...still and solid shapes…
"Where…?" Iroh then used his firebending to conjure up a flame into his hand to light up wherever he was at.
As the flame illuminated in the darkness, he realized he was in front of some sort of machine.
"Wait…" Iroh went a little closer to it.
It was a carnival game, and a very familiar one too.
It read: "World's Strongest Firebender".
"I...remember this game…" Iroh said to himself.
The contraption looked simple enough. Basically, a firebender shoots fire in the hole below and the fire travels up the metal tube, exiting out of the holes as it goes upward, with the highest hole being labeled the strongest if reached.
Iroh remembers playing this game with his brother...and with his son…
"Where…am I?" He then remembered something vital, as his eyes widened in realization. "Zuko! Kids!" Iroh turned around to see with his light in his hand, trying to find out where the rest of the kids and his nephew had gone.
He didn't see anyone...not a soul in sight.
But when he brightened the flame in his hand...he could make out more structures.
There were all sorts of stands around him.
Stands that look like carnival games, food stands, even stands that sell merchandise...with the "Strongest Firebender" game set in front of him.
"Is...Is this..." Iroh looked around the area some more, letting his feet move on their own accord.
As he exited the concession stands and passed the strongest firebender game, he began to walk further, and soon, he stopped to see glimpses of other structures in front of him.
They were all small amusement rides.
"This is an amusement park…" Iroh murmured to himself in slight shock, taken a little aback by this sudden change of scenery.
He remembered back in his day, he was with a younger Lu Ten at an amusement park on Ember Island.
They had a wonderful time, his son and him laughing as they rode along the rides, and having fun at the concession stands, and eating sugary treats...
Iroh frowned.
...That was the past...
Nodding at that fact, he continued through the park in a straight line, passing by certain rides, such as a mechanical twirl-a-whirl, a mechanical pendulum ride, a carousel, and a ferris wheel. There were also attractions and funhouses around the park…
It was all hitting Iroh rather hard…
Nostalgia, fond memories, reminiscing…
The past was a happier time...a more simpler time back then. Back when he thought the war was just. Back when he came back home feeling like a hero, and being embraced by his love. Back when he proposed to her, and she said yes. Back when he used to go on dates with his beloved…
"...Yuli…" Iroh stopped in his tracks as his memories began to overwhelm him.
His precious Yuli died while giving birth to Lu Ten. She was taken away from him, but she at least managed to give him one last gift.
Shaking his head at the sad thoughts, he continued to walk forward, until he spotted a gate up ahead.
It seemed that the whole gate surrounded the perimeter of the park, with the iron railings on the gates looking like it shot up high into the dark sky. From where Iroh was standing and from the minimal lighting the fire in his hand provided, and if he can tell from the blackness of the night (he thinks? What time is it?), it looked like it could be around… fifty feet. So no, he couldn't and probably shouldn't try to fire-propel himself over it.
The oddest thing he observed about the gate was how the iron railings criss crossed into each other horizontally and vertically, leaving only small square openings. He winced at the spikes on each of the interconnecting points of the railings, and how it led all the way to the right and left...and all the way up.
"Goodness," Iron murmured, "it seems that whoever made this didn't want anybody to leave…" He looked around the area to see if there was any other place that led the way out of this place, but so far, he saw nothing of the sort.
"Hmm…" Iroh walked alongside the metal gate, trying to see if there was some kind of gated door around here.
As he walked alongside the gates, he wondered why this whole structure was even here in the first place, and more importantly, what was its purpose?
"I would think an amusement park would give warm and happy feelings, not feelings one akin to a prison," Iroh muttered to himself.
Iroh kept on walking by the neverending barrier until he suddenly froze. His eyes narrowed as he heard something scurrying around him.
Iron turned towards the sound, one hand illuminating the dark atmosphere in front of him, and the other curled into a fist, ready to shoot out a ball of flames in case anything jumped out towards him.
"Hello?" Iroh called out into the darkness.
"Iroh?"
A faint whisper suddenly echoed around him.
Iroh froze, his mind going blank from shock.
"...Y-...Yuli?"
He knew that voice. It was very faint, but he could make out that playful tone that belonged only to his late wife.
"Iroh?"
"Y-Yuli?" Iroh asked out loud.
Now, Iroh was a sensible man. He was a former general in the Fire Nation Army for a reason, and he always kept Zuko's head on his shoulders plenty of times. Maybe it was the place getting to him, maybe he needed to take a break from everything spirit-related, or maybe he was finally losing it, but right now, he could've sworn that he was hearing his dead wife calling out to him.
"Iroh...come to me…"
"...Yuli? Is...Is that you?" Iroh called out cautiously, while at the same time on the inside, he was trying hard not to become emotional. Whoever or whatever this was, it certainly sounded like his late wife, but…
Could she...was her spirit lingering here? On this island? In this town?
He took tentative steps forward to where the voice was calling him.
As Iroh kept up this pace, he heard his wife's voice once more.
"It's okay, Iroh...I'm here...I'm waiting for you."
"Y-Yuli?" Iroh stammered, trying hard not to tear up at the beautiful sound of his late wife.
How...How is this possible? Does...Does this voice really belong to my wife? Is it...Is it really her spirit that's calling out to me?
He didn't know, but he was going to get to the bottom of this. If this was indeed a trick, then he was going to have a stern word with whoever dared to sully his late-wife.
But what if it was her? A small, hopeful part of his mind whispered. Iroh did recall that the island was a sacred place…
There was also no mistaking the letter from Ursa. It has been ages since he's last seen her or even read her letters, but he could never forget her handwriting. There was also the matter of Torubi's gruesome suicide, with his words still haunting him. He rambled something about this place knowing who they were, and he got the feeling that he wasn't being metaphorical.
"Iroh…"
Taking a deep breath, Iroh kept on walking into the darkness, determined to find out who or what was using his wife's voice, whether it was really her, or if it was something more sinister.
"Iroh…"
"Who are you?" Iroh demanded.
"Iroh. It's me...Yuli."
Iroh just kept walking, looking around his surroundings as he readied his fist just in case. "What is our son's name?"
"It's...Lu Ten, Darling."
His frown deepened. "What is your family's name?"
"I...I am the daughter of the noble Mirai family. My father was named Kenchi and my mother was named Rika."
"...What is your favorite color?"
"It's...It's yellow. Iroh, what is wron-"
"What did I give you on our first date at Ember Island?"
"...It was a beautiful hair ornament. It was a panda lily."
Iroh's steps became shorter, his pace slowing down.
He couldn't believe that this was his late wife. He just couldn't. She died. She's gone. She...She had to have gone to the Spirit World…
Right?
"Iroh...it's really me. It's Yuli…"
He stopped walking and just stood there, his flames trembling.
"...Are you really?" Iroh asked softly, his gaze firm but his voice filled with a glimmer of hope.
"...Iroh...are you...are you upset?"
Her voice...it sounded hurt...
"Do...Do you hate me?"
Iroh's eyes widened in shock at the question. "N-...No...I...I just…"
"Then why? Why won't you come to me?"
"It...It's just...you...you died…" Iroh said, head lowered slightly as he winced. He remembered all the blood that was spilled when delivering their son…
"...Yes...that I did, Iroh...I died...but if it was to let our son be born into the world, then so be it."
Iroh raised his head up in surprise.
"Yes...my sweet Lu Ten...I remember you holding our beautiful baby boy when he was born. You let me see him just in time...and I sang him a lullaby to him before I left the living world."
His whole body froze. "...Y-...You remember that?"
"Yes...I did...and...I can only guess why you won't come to me...it's because...you feel responsible don't you?"
"...I…" Iroh began to say, but only faltered as he lowered his head.
"...You...don't want to face me because...you feel responsible for our son's death."
Iroh stands there in silence...
"..."
"...Do you still love me, Iroh?"
Iroh looked up once more, his eyes widened once more. "I...I do..." Iroh simply said, frowning in dejection. "...I still do…"
"Then come...come to me...our son is waiting."
"...What?" Iroh uttered in shock.
Then, he heard footsteps. Small footsteps that were growing louder as it came towards Iroh...
"Yes...he's waiting. Come, my darling Iroh...come to me...come to him. We can all be a family again."
The older man's heart began beating harder and faster as this...thing began walking closer to him. His flames trembled as he got prepared to fight for his life-
Iroh's eyes widened an inch further.
He...He couldn't believe it…
"Iroh...it's okay...I'm here," Yuli smiled warmly, holding her hands out in surrender.
She was just as beautiful as he remembered her. She passed away so young, being in her mere early thirties when life took her away from him...but here she was now.
His light lit up her exotic and beautiful features, her rouged lips seemingly glowing in the faint light. Her long, beautiful hair covered her right eye as always- just one of the many quirks he loved about her. She had her woman's topknot on, and was still wearing her regal Fire nation attire, with a red dress and a yellow sash around her waist.
His eyes couldn't help but wander down to the bottom of her dress, which was split, showing off her flawless legs, making her look all the more...tantalizing.
But the final thing that truly showed that this woman was, indeed, Yuli, was her eyes. They spoke of pure grace, gentleness, and love. They were warm, beautiful, and...they were hers.
"Y-...Yuli," Iroh's voice quivered as tears were starting to form in his eyes.
Looking at her now, he felt like he was at the prime of his life again. He felt like he was eighteen years old all over again, meeting his soon-to-be wife at the ball.
His mind went back to the days when they met again and got courted, knowing each other throughout. He remembered the dates, their wedding, their intimacy...
"Is...Is it really you?" Iroh croaked. His voice hoarse from shock, grief, and happiness, that he didn't notice how his voice felt a lot smoother and fluid, almost as if his whole voice- no, his whole being was younger again.
"Yes...it's me." Yuli said with a soft smile.
Iroh didn't know if this all was a trap, but her eyes...they showed something...they showed it really was her.
"I…" Iroh took a few steps towards the woman that he called his wife. "Is...Is this real?" he shuddered out.
Yuli kept smiling in such a warm fashion. It didn't have any hint of trickery or deceit. It was...all for him.
"Yes, Iroh...I'm real...and I missed you," Yuli said, her smile never dissipating.
Iroh slowly stepped towards Yuli, and once he was close enough, he reached out his left hand to touch her face. It could've just been the glow of his fire, but Yuli appeared to be glowing. The glow radiated around her, the darkness suddenly lighting up as the golden hue around her brightened. He brushed his hand against the long strand of hair that blocked her right eye, and for the first time since forever, he got to see her face. The very face of his long lost wife.
Palming her right cheek, Iroh looked at her in a mixture of shock, amazement, and relief.
"Spirits...t-this is real," he said as he shuddered out a warm smile. His lips curled up into an even happier smile, his weary eyes showing a serene calm like they've hadn't seen in years. He felt as if everything was at ease, that his mind, his heart, and his soul was finally content.
Had Iroh had paid attention, he would've fully noticed that his hand appeared to be free of any wrinkles and calluses, almost if his body began to look the way he felt.
He didn't care. He was just too focused on his beautiful wife, a woman that died too soon. A mother that perished too soon.
"I'm here, Iroh, I'm here," Yuli softly breathed out as she lifted her delicate hand to reach and touch Iroh's right cheek.
It was a simple touch, but Iroh nearly melted into it. Ah, how long had it been since he had been blessed with her warm touch?
Placing both their hands on each other's faces, they gazed lovingly at each other, affection filled in both of their eyes.
"Yuli...my dear, dear Yuli." Iroh said breathlessly, caressing her cheek with his thumb.
"I missed you, my sweet Iroh…" Yuli murmured. She let her other hand reach the other side of his face, lowering his head down to her level.
Their eyes slowly closed as their lips intertwined with each other, their first kiss since her passing.
It was soft...loving...comforting, even.
Yuli wrapped both of her hands around the back of Iroh's head to deepen the kiss.
Iroh then let his arms down and wrapped them around Yuli's waist, his hands now on her back as he rubbed them through her clothes, feeling her shape.
They kept their passionate kiss going, not wanting to let this moment between them end. Iroh then maneuvered his head to her jawline as he kissed it, slowly going down to her neck, giving it gradual kisses as he trailed them to her shoulder.
"Iroh..." Yuli said with a blissful breath.
"My sweet...sweet dear Yuli," Iroh rasped as he then went back up to her neck, placing more heated kisses onto it.
Yuli breathed out a euphoric sigh. "Iroh...our son..."
Iroh's bombardment of kisses stopped.
"...Our son." This was the thing that broke the spell of love between them. He pulled away from his wife as he smiled at her with joy. "Where is he? Is he here with you?"
"He'll come In due time," Yuli said, a beautiful smile on her lips. "But as of now...come home with us."
Before Iroh could say 'yes' to that offer, he paused. His smile faltered as he asked, "What...What about Zuko?"
Yuli's smile also began to falter. She winced, as if suddenly poked with a hot iron.
Grabbing onto her stomach, she grunted in what sounded like pain.
"Yuli?" Iroh asked, worried.
"Uff...ugh…" Yuli kept grunting, holding onto her stomach as it looked to be...growing.
A large bulge was forming in her stomach.
Iroh looked on in confusion at first, but a second later, his eyes widened in horror as the bulge in her stomach rapidly grew larger.
"Ugh...ugh! Uuuugh-oohhh!" Yuli yelled as she bent over, falling onto her knees.
"Yuli! Wha-What is happening!?" Iroh asked frantically. His heart was pounding as he began to remember the smell of healing herbs and cleaning alcohol, faint screams and orders barking in the background.
"Iroh...he's...he's coming!" Yuli screamed out in pain. She then shoved her hand onto her mouth and retched, bile now seeping through her fingers, and…
Iroh recoiled in horror, stumbling backwards with a horrified gasp.
Blood was pooling out from beneath her legs, a large puddle growing on the ground.
Yuli coughed up more vomit as she cried out, "I-Iroh...he's coming. Our...Our baby!"
"N-...N-No..." Iroh said as he looked on at the scene in sheer terror and revulsion.
"Oh! Oh...Iroh, h-...help...oh, Spirits...Iroh...IROH! IROH! IROOOOOH!" Yuli howled as she leaned back. The bulge in her womb was growing by the second, and then…
Below her, something...something was crawling out...out of Yuli. Something which was morphing and moving in front of his very eyes.
Iroh, horrified beyond belief, couldn't turn his eyes away as this strange thing's bones creaked and groaned. Whatever this thing was, it was growing out of her womb, much to Yuli's agony.
Larger and larger it grew, growing into an imposing height as the ball of flesh and bones began to expand, the sound of bones popping and creaking as it grew into a large bulbous ball. As it did, the top of the flesh ball appeared to be growing five, boney stubs out of its tissue.
The appendages were still poking through, almost as if they were trying to rip open the skin, escaping its fleshly prison. While that happened, another fifth appendage started to grow from the bottom right side of the flesh ball, the bones cracking as it did. All five appendages started to grow longer until they stopped, the whole thing now looking like…
...A giant right hand.
"My...My Agni." Iroh said out loud, eyes still wide as he staggered back, terrified and disgusted at what was occurring in front of him. In an instant, he barely noticed that his voice was back to his older tone.
The giant hand seemed to stretch its fingers outward as if it was relieved to get out of the confined space. After a moment of pause, the hand looked like it was rearing back...
...and proceeded to SLAM itself, palm first, onto the pavement in front of Iroh.
The shockwave impact of the large hand made Iroh stumble a bit. He backed away further as the hand was then dragging its way towards him with its meaty fingers.
"Spirits…" Iroh said in a scared breathless tone.
And if that wasn't enough…
It seemed whatever was trying to come out of Yuli was still struggling to make itself known. Then, as if it found another opening, it shot out another arm and hand as it slithered out of Yuli's womb and up the other arm. The other arm and giant left hand now plopped onto the pavement, the sound of thick flesh hitting the ground. The hands propped onto the ground as the arms bent outward, as if whatever this thing is, it wants to come out of its prison...
Then, as if it was defying all physics, the thing inside of Yuli pulled itself out of her womb. Bones were cracking and popping into place, the creature suddenly morphing out of her, changing and forming its mass into a large flesh-looking rectangular block...with bones poking out on each of its sides.
The bones tore away whatever was left of Yuli, the woman that he called his wife gone and out of view from this...this monstrosity.
It morphed, morphed, and morphed, until it grew into the size of a Fire Nation tank.
In shock and awe at this atrocity that came out of his wife, Iroh now can fully look at this creature.
With its long arms and large hands spread out on each side of it, they were attached to the large flesh block that looked to have a spine tail trailing behind it. There were multiple sharp bones, each of them protruding and placed on and around the edges of the thing's body, surrounding the creature's arms like tank wheels.
The final feature of the monster was that it had some sort of...large mouth. The mouth began to move, it's lips opening up to show its hundreds of disturbing jagged little teeth that was inside.
Once it finally made itself known, it opened its mouth and gave out a shrill shriek, a cross between a banshee and...a baby.
WRRREEEEEEEEEE!
The whole thing looked like...an abomination.
Iroh wasted no time to unleash his firebending. He attacked the monster, shooting fire after fire at the creature, the fire blasts hitting what appeared to be the face of this thing. While the monster did stagger a bit from the force of the fire blasts, its thick skin looked barely burnt from the onslaught. It did, however, roar in pain, obviously feeling the stinging heat. It then began to raise its large right hand, about to blindly slam his hand on wherever its target was.
The monster missed the mark as its hand crashed and knocked over the pendulum ride that was next to them. Metal creaked and groaned as the ride slowly bends from the force and weight of the monster's hand, almost as if it wants the ride to crash down on the person attacking it.
Iroh didn't stay long as he knew what the creature was trying to do, and ran away from where the ride was going to land, before it could crush him.
The monster kept pushing...until the ride collapsed.
CR-CREEEAAK!
KER-CRAAAASH!
The pendulum ride crashed onto the ground, the structure crushing a nearby stand as it fell.
Iroh ran far away from the destruction, further away from the monster. Thanks to the supposed stars that were lighting up his way, he maneuvered his way back to where he was, the very tall spiked wall that was keeping him inside the perimeter of the park.
Taking some hurried breaths to calm himself, Iroh decided to shoot some firebending at the bars to see if he could try to melt them. He shot long streams of fire through the bars, hoping it would work so can escape.
As he shot fire at the bars, the sound of crushed metal, bones popping, and as well as inhuman wailing were heard in the near distance. Iroh kept firing, but it looked like the bars weren't melting off. In fact, they were still intact, the only difference that his firebending even had any effect on them, were that the bars became boiling red from the heat.
Cursing his luck, Iroh turned around quickly to face the approaching monster in the dark. He can hear the popping of bones and sounds of flesh dragging onto pavement getting louder. He conjured up a flame in his palm and readied a stance, waiting for the creature to make itself known once more.
The popping continues...
A small wail...
Dragging noises...
More bones popping…
It sounded more like… a Creaker.
Then, one of its hands came into view, raised in the air until it slammed onto the ground.
Iroh thrust a fist to shoot a powerful stream of fire. It hit the hand and arm of the monster, unleashing another unnatural wail.
Instead of retreating, it only just persisted on going forward towards its prey, the monster dragging itself further to Iroh.
So Iroh just kept going, firing each stream of fire at the creature.
He punched, kicked, and swiped fire at the Creaker, hopefully doing his best to injure it at least. The monster was hit in the arms, hands, on its 'face', and went inside its mouth at one point, causing the Creaker to wail loudly.
Although it looked scarred and blemished, with some burn marks having blood seeping through the wounds, Iroh could see that it still wasn't working too well. He decided to bail once more as he went to his right to escape the monster.
This thing isn't letting up! Just...what is that monstrosity!? Is it some sort of Spirit!?
Iroh kept running, maneuvering through rides and concession stands in an effort to lose the Creaker(he decided to call it that now). He could hear the faint popping sounds away from where he is, until he can hear them no more.
However, there lies a different problem; he doesn't know where to go from here. The whole amusement park felt like a maze, and it was still dark out.
He needed to hide somewhere, as much as he didn't want to admit.
But where is the question?
His thoughts went back to Yuli as she probably died from giving birth to that...
He shook his head and gritted his teeth in shame.
That really wasn't Yuli...I...I have been tricked...
But...for what purpose?
Either way, whether it was her or not, his wife died again...
Now's not the time. I have to find a place to hide, or even an exit out of here!
Iroh then kept going, using what little light he can make out of his hand to light his way through. He went around with urgency, but did it ever so quietly and swiftly, so as not to give away his position to the Creaker. He would think this monster would rely on sound instead of sight, since it didn't seem to have any. Maybe even relying on its touch to find its prey. Whether it may be, Iroh wasn't going to find out.
As Iroh kept dashing through the maze of rides and concession stands, he started to feel the sense of understandable dread once more…
It was then he heard a voice.
"Daddy!"
He stopped.
"W-What...?" Iroh stuttered, looking around his surroundings to find the voice.
It sounded so young...it almost sounded like...
He then heard something scurrying behind him.
"Daddy! Hurry! Over here!"
Iroh heard the voice more clearly and turned around quickly.
He saw...a small child's frame running into the vast darkness at his right.
Lu Ten?
The voice, while it may be young, was certainly Lu Ten's. He can remember his son's voice at any age.
"Daddy! Quickly! Before it gets you!"
"Lu Ten?" Iroh said in shock.
...Pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop!
WREEEE!
SLAM! SLAM! SLAM! SLAM! SLAM!
The Creaker!
Looking behind him, Iroh could see the blackness of the night, but…
SLAM! SLAM! SLAM! SLAM!
WRRREEEEE!
Right then, a hand SLAMMED behind Iroh as it emerged from the darkness!
Iroh's eyes in surprise widened at how the monster kept up at this point.
The Creaker let itself drag its body Iroh, squeezing though rides, but nudging them forcefully to get through. It made the effort to push its elbow at the structures, and soon let its hand support its own arm, as the weight and strength of the creature's arm pushed the ferris wheel ride, toppling it over as it shifted its weight to the side.
Soon, the Creaker raised its other arm and its hand was hovering above where Iroh is.
"Daddy! Hurry!"
Iroh didn't waste any time and followed his son's voice. He ran to the direction where this version of Lu Ten went to and just kept running.
The Creaker, with its bones popping, growled as it tried to slam its hand on Iroh, but failed as it missed the target.
Then, as if it had enough, the monster wiggled its body through the structures and concession stands. It raised one of its arms and roughly pushed the stand to the side, destroying it. It also pushed the ferris wheel onto the ground, making a loud CRASH as the pods to the ride came crashing down on it, only upsetting it further.
WRRREEEEERRRREEEEE!
Now, it was mad.
As Iroh ran, the Creaker then sped up its dragging movements, now slamming its own hands as it dragged itself onto the pavement even more rapidly. It pulled itself even more fervently as it gained on the older man, crashing through concession stands and a few rides.
As for Iroh, he kept going straight, not once looking back.
"Daddy! Hurry! Follow me!"
Panting, Iroh ran through the amusement park, following the sound of Lu Ten's voice. He could also hear the Creaker coming its way, destroying anything in its path as it's bones continued to pop, dragging itself to get to the firebender.
At this point, Iroh felt like it had been minutes since he was running away from the monster, but now, he can see a structure…
...as well as the younger-looking Lu Ten entering inside it.
"Lu Ten!" Iroh called out.
As soon as he got close to the structure, he quickly read what it was.
Into the Fire Pit!
A funhouse?
Iroh didn't have time to ponder as he looked back at the approaching bone-popping monster coming at him. It was getting closer.
Deciding to take the risk, Iroh ran inside the funhouse. As soon as he entered inside it, he turned around to see the Creaker advancing towards him. He didn't know if this structure was going to hold when this huge thing was gonna ram it, but if the voice of his son told him to get inside, then...what choice does he have?
The Creaker got closer to where Iroh was, and then…
CRRR-ACK-CRASSH!
The monster's mouth fit into the entrance's frame as soon as its body crashed into the front of the funhouse. The interior of the attraction was rumbling and shaking, small debris falling as Iroh was trapped inside.
The funhouse also looked to be caving in, as the Creaker probably had its hands on the top of the attraction. It then lets its tongue stick out, long and slimy as it scoped for anything that was human and moving. Iroh didn't know if it was hungry or if it was really trying to find him by using its tongue, but he knew not to go near the thing at any cost to find out.
Then, an idea struck him as the Creaker's disgusting tongue was wallowing around.
Wait! I haven't struck it with lightning yet!
And since the monster's mouth was open...it was a little inhumane, but Iroh knows that this thing isn't human. He doesn't even think this creature was an animal!
The funhouse was crumbling further and further, the debris becoming larger as the Creaker was persistent in obtaining the older firebender.
I don't have time to ponder my morality! I need to make this shot count and stop this thing from taking this place down! With me in it!
Calming his whole being down with a deep breath, he created electricity from his fingers, and moved it around. The Creaker thrashed its tongue, as it continued to crush the funhouse.
Make it count...and...NOW!
Iroh, with charged-up lightning in his hands, fired and bend the shot with a thrust of his two fingers aimed at the monster's mouth.
ZZZZRAAACCKK!
The lightning hit the Creaker's tongue and the organ convulsed as the electricity traveled to its mouth and into its body.
WRRRREEEEERRREEEEEERRREEEEEERRREEEEEE!
The monster screeched as its fleshly exterior was also convulsing, the nerves of whatever this creature has reacting to the shocking effect.
I think I can get in one more shot!
And that's what Iroh did as he shot another lightning bolt to the monster's mouth.
ZZZZRAAACCKK!
It hit the Creaker, making his already nerve spazzing body convulse even more.
WRRREEEWRRRREEEERRREEEEERREEEERRREEREREEREREREEEERAAAAAAAAA!
The skin of the monster truly became burnt as the electricity erupted from inside the creature, making the thing's flesh turn even browner. The nerves then cause parts of the skin of the Creaker to explode, letting blood gush out of it as it began to smoke as well.
WRRREEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-AAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaoooooo….
...The Creaker went silent.
Iroh breathed heavily as he stared at the monster…
...It still didn't move.
In fact, it kept laying there, blood from its burnt wounds seeping down through them as it sizzled and popped, its body a smoking mess. There was even blood pooling inside its mouth and coming out of the Creaker. It also stopped from trying to make the funhouse collapse...
...Iroh thinks he killed it.
Letting his shoulders drop and sighing in relief, Iroh shook his head as he placed a hand on his head.
"That...was stressful," he said as he placed a hand on his chest and took one last breath.
"Daddy?"
Iroh jumped at the voice of his son. Turning around to find the source, he called out, "Lu Ten?!"
"Daddy? Follow me! I know how to get out."
"Lu Ten! Where are you?!" Iroh rushed to the sound of his son's voice. He conjured up a flame in his hand to illuminate the dark room.
"I'm here, Dad! Just follow me!
Iroh just kept going, hoping that he could at least find his son's form...or spirit, or…
What exactly is going on?
It was then the retired Fire Nation General stopped as soon as he can make out what he's seeing.
It was...a pit…
A hole...
And it had stairs going down it…
The first step was in front of him, and it continued on as a spiral staircase.
The stairs looked like they were spiraling down...down...down to a seemingly bottomless pit.
There was also a sign stand next to the beginning of the stairs.
[Ready to go down?]
"To go...down?" Iroh questioned in confusion.
"Daddy! Dad! I'm down here!"
...Iroh didn't like this one bit.
"...Lu Ten?" Iroh said in caution.
"Come on, Dad! It's the only way out of here!"
"...O-...Okay...I'm coming, Lu Ten." Iroh told the disembodied voice of his son.
He went over to the staircase that was hugging the wall of the pit.
And took the first step down...
And then another...
And another...
Until he was walking down the spiraling stairway...
"Lu Ten?" called out Iroh.
He didn't know why he had to go down a hole of all things...maybe whatever spirit that was doing all of this resides down there...using his son's voice...and...causing this town to be...cursed…
All Iroh knows though, was that he needs to find Zuko and everyone else.
He's really treading into unknown territory here.
Is this voice his son...or if it was something like a monster impersonating him, just like his wife...
Iroh paused in his step…
"...Dad? What's wrong?"
"...I don't know if you're my son."
"...But...I am, Dad. What are you talking about?"
His son sounded so confused...maybe hurt…
"...I…"
"Dad...I really want to see you again. I can help you get out of here..."
"..."
"...Please, Dad...follow me."
...This...This is a trap…
He knows it is...
...But...
...He loves his son...so, so much.
He wants to maybe...see him again…
Just like he saw Yuli…
"...Dad…"
"...Okay. I'm coming. Don't worry, Lu Ten, I'm coming. Hold on..."
Just...what is this place?
Iroh then continued down...
Down...
Down...
...And further down...
Maybe he'll soon see who or what is causing this...
But as of right now...
He's going further down into this hole…
...Down further into the unknown...
...Little does Iroh know, he's about to go into the depths of his own madness.
End of Chapter 11
Hey all! So, I finally updated this! Hooray! :D But yeah, I was kind of having trouble starting the chapter, as well as trying to figure out how to keep this story going, but now, I seem to have got something going after a lot of careful thinking! So as of now, I got it all planned out, and I'm sticking to that plan! ;) Trust me, y'all, I will finish this, and it will get better. ;D
So, how's the chapter? What did you think of Iroh's Otherworld or the original monster that I created? What do you think it represents? ;D Also, how are the original characters so far, and their backgrounds? 8D
Next time, I WILL get to Zuko's scene. And not only will I get to Zuko, but I will (try) to get to Azula AND Katara again! XD Why Katara again? Well, she will play a big part in Zuko and Azula's time in Sairento Hiruzu(Silent Hills). ;) Then the next chapter after that, I will get to Sokka's and Suki's scenes(which will be a challenge, if I'm being honest. XP ). Then, back to Toph and Aang, which I could squeeze in Zuko and Katara's scenes in the next chapter. Maybe an Iroh-centered chapter in the next one...man, it's hard to keep track of so many characters, LOL! Just bear with me, y'all, okay? ^^;
But yeah, tell me what you think! Give me a review, follow, or a fave! I love to hear what you all think! :D And thanks again to Lucius Walker for betaing! :D
Until then, keep on rocking everybody! :)
-TSP