Avatar Portal's
Avatar Renaissance Championships
AvRen RP: First Mission:
Characters & Team Formation RP
The members of the Air Nomads put forth their characters for this story. The story began with the vision. What will our Seer of the Air Nomads do? How will this team come together? Read on!
CHARACTERS:
Lau
Ban
Roxas
David
Blue
Seijaku
Aeris
Name: Lau
Gender: Female
Age:16
Personality: Kind but has a temper when angry
Nation: air nomads
Bending: Can shoot powerful bursts of air
Weapon(s): Staff
History: Raised by the female monks
Physical Appearance: Short brown hair, grey-green eyes, 5'3"
Name:
Ban
Gender: Male
Age:16
Personality: Cheerful
Nation: Air
Bending: Air
Weapon(s): Steel gloves
Physical Appearance:
Name:
Roxas (The Guru)
Gender: male
Age: Late 40's
Mood: happy, comedic....
Profile: Roxas is a person who troubled Airbenders looked to for help, like a
guidance counselor. Roxas dreamed of helping others and though he is a Master
Airbender, he doesn't believe in violence, just defense.
Gender- Male
Age- 18
Status- airbender of the mountains.
Location- unknown
Bending- Master Airbender
History: as an air nomad I was trained in the Northern Air Temple until the age
of 16. got my tattoos and all. I invented an air bending crafted musical
instrument that I carry with me all the time. My sky bison's name is Goro... my
story is that after my 18th birthday I left the temple to travel on my own. I
wanted to be a healer, I learned a lot of stuff... master airbender, etc.
Appearance: 6ft tall, green/golden eyes. Wears a short sleeves orange robe,
brown boots, etc. I have a necklace with the air symbol... my staff is larger
than Aang's (because it's a larger glider)
I do have the traditional arrow tattoos.
Gender: MALE
Age: 21
Personality: serious
Nation: air nomads
Bending: untrained
Weapon(s): bow and arrow
History: He was born in the southern water tribe and his mom died after giving
birth to him. He grew up with his dad who one day got lost at sea. When he was
15, there was a group of air nomads who visited the south pole and he decided to
seek his fortune in other places and decided to join the nomads. There he met a
beautiful girl called Zuni who unfortunately was a traitor and so is being
hunted by Blue right now
Physical Appearance: lean, 6'1", gray eyes, has hair hehe
Hobbies: farming, telling a joke, laughing at jokes
Gender: Male
Age: 16
Personality: Quiet, one of those strong silent types you hear about, logical and
very calm, is often seen as cold and unfriendly by those who don't know him but
to friends is seen as solid and dependable, he has few friends and does not make
new ones easily, but he can be charming when he wants to.
Nation: Air nomads
Job: Assasin/Spy
Bending: Master in training (has yet to develop his own move)
Weapon(s): Dual kodachi (Japanese short sword) and his glider
History: Did not start talking until he was five so was named Seijaku (silent).
He has a fear of having his head shaved because of an incident when he was
younger where his scalp was cut to the bone and so has let his hair grow ever
since, keeping it short but not so others can see his scalp. His excellent
bending skills were regocnised when he was eight and so his training was
accelerated in the hopes that he would become more friendly with the other
children his age beacause he could show them new bending moves. It partially
worked as he gained a few friends but each were powerful benders themselves and
had little time for socialising either. Because of his bending talents he rarely
asks for help unless he feels he truly needs it and can see no other way around
a problem.
Physical Appearance: six foot tall and fairly muscular, green eyes and black
hair, lightly tanned skin (often mistaken by outsiders as a citizen of one of
the other nations)
Stats (Out of 10)
Bending/Fighting Power: 9
Agility/Speed: 9
Friendliness: 3 (9 when he wants to be)
Intelligence: 8
Loyalty (To The Air Nomads): 8
Gender: girl
Age: 17
Personality: quiet, mysterious, deadly. is able to work very well with other
people, but does just as well solo. hates mooses, but likes to ride them.
Nation: Air Nomad
Job: trained assassin
Bending: master
Weapon(s): air-infused dagger-like swords, give the ability for silent flight.
History: little is known. fled just before the fire nation came and burned down
her village. she was working with a guy named Phane, who she loved, but he
eventually died, killed by the fire nation. she has become cold and desolate
since then, but serves her country willingly. one of the last air assassins.
doesn't know that Phane is still alive and searching for her. she still loves
him.
Physical Appearance: short, dark hair. burned and lean, two scars on her hands
carved in the air symbol. (you can't see em cause of the gloves)
stats: (out of 10)
bending/fighting power: 8.5
agility/speed: 10
friendliness: 6 (meh. it could be better. you gotta get on her good side first
XD)
intelligence: 9.5
loyalty: 10
hobbies: killing people, MUAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! (jk, jk......or does she? xD)
David struggled to wake from his dream, gripping Goro’s fur tight in his fingers. When he was finally free of it and his eyes snapped open, he apologized to his poor sky bison for the fistful of fur he had ripped out in the midst of the vision he had had. He let the wind carry away the loose fur as he sorted through his next course of action. The wind had told him something too important to not be handled immediately. The leader in him seized hold of his spirit. He saddled Goro and they leapt from the mountain’s precipice to speed through the clouds in determined haste.
"What have I just witnessed?" The young nomad asked himself as he dashed through the night sky on his flying bison. The moon was high, and lit the valleys below with a subtle glow. Drops of sweat were dripping down his forehead, even though the breeze cooled the air as they traveled. "This is not normal... the vision... was it a nightmare?" He tightened the ropes, and pushed on as fast as he could. The Southern Air Temple was near from the cliff he just left behind. "I must inform the council of my vision... before it's too late". He carefully took an artifact out of his pouch. It was a strange instrument, that was controlled with airbending. He himself designed it when he was 17. That instrument gained him the rank of Master Airbender a year afterwards. The sound burst from the instrument at great speed, creating a powerful sound that traveled miles around. This was a sign of his return. Within the music was a code that only the monks of highest rank could interpret "I hope they get the message... I must hurry! yip yip Goro!!" The bison growled and plunged downwards to gain an incredible boost in speed. Just then David took a leap and jumped off Goro's back. The bison was left alone, but Goro already knew this trick. His glider opened up just seconds after the jump. Soaring above the forest, he saw a tall shadow emerging from the horizon. *The temple should be very close by now,* he thought.
The Air Temple halls were silent, only small growls of lemurs could be heard throughout the walls. Roxas, the Airbender Guru, lay awake in his cot, gazing at the wall, waiting for morning to come. "Ahh, I'm not excited about my age, 40, but I guess I'm excited for the big party my pupils are doing for me, Keko." The Lemur gazed at him, curiously, wondering what he was even talking about. The guru laughed and finally laid down and went to bed.
A tug was at the Guru's shoulder. He yawn. *Wow! It's already morning?* he thought to himself. "Goo-Woo Woxas, Happy Biwfday!!" A young Airbender with not many teeth yelled, grinning at the Guru.
"Wow, that meant a lot to me, Ejjo!! I'm glad that you were the first to tell me." The Guru patted the boy on the head, as he got up to go outside. "It truly is a beautiful day, Jiba. The Air Bison licked him on the ear, as the Guru chuckled and patted the Air Bison
Lounging some ways near the entrance to the air temple is Blue. He was hidden well from view and was trying to sleep, he was still tired from trying to scale the mountain. His whole body ached as he tried to think of his last failed hunt, and the false lead that started it all. It was a disaster, he almost went past the western borders into the north before finding out that his information wasn't good at all. He came back all the way to the south, to the temple where his father came from, in order to seek guidance. He had been only here once, when he joined the company of air nomads who awakened the adventure inside him. His first visit here was easier, they had their bison to fly them all the way to the top. The view was magnificent as they neared the temple and it certainly didn't change now as Blue looked at its great entrance once again. Reminiscing such things, he began to feel sleep finally overtaking his senses. When suddenly, just as he was about to close his eyes, something caught his attention. Blue immediately crouched and looked up in the sky as he gripped his bow. Not that he was about to attack anyone, it was just instinct and he felt secure gripping the smooth handle of his weapon. But he is wary, it might yet be another one of those Fire Nation's tricks.
What Blue saw was a man gliding towards the entrance. It was a nomad, and it has a tattoo on its bald head. *A master?* Blue thought as he saw the somewhat agitated look on the nomad's face. He wanted to know what might happen next.
Ban was now getting close to the temple. It's been seven long years since he was last here, but still, nothing changed. The closer he went to the temple, the colder he felt. His coat was filled with air and the wind took off his hood. The wind seemed to carry a loud sound with it, automatically, he looked into the sky. A nomad flew on his glider getting closer to the temple, but Ban didn't really pay attention to the man, more to the glider. He already forgot the feeling of flying with a glider... And it was about time to know that feeling once again.
Several of the monks heard the
strange instrument that was David's trademark. It had an urgency in the tone
that brought them out to search the sky with their eyes. Two of the older ones
sat and debated the message that David encoded in his music.
One argued that it was an urgent message about a dream. The other insisted that
is was another Air Nomad joke because it translated to be a recipe for noodle
soup. They argued this as David passed overhead with his glider.
A young novice was letting in the travelers who were tired and weary. The
Southern Air Temple was going to be very busy this week apparently.
Seijaku looked up. Judging by
the position of the sun, he had been meditating for roughly two hours. Good. He
preferred to do his meditation in the forest as there were never any
interruptions. Well, interruptions that were not interesting. Seijaku remembered
the event that had led him to begin meditating in the forest.
It was three years ago. Most of the monks in the temple were meditating so it
was quiet. Normally the young air benders would be playing in the courtyard and
Seijaku should of been with them as most young air benders would play games
involving their bending skills (a particular favorite seemed to be one involving
an air scooter) but today they were not in the courtyard, they were outside
Seijaku's room. With a razor. Seijaku had not shaved his hair in several years,
not since there was an incident that involved an extremely rushed introduction
of his scalp and razor. That was why he didn't shave. Fear. Seijaku was in a
deep state of meditation and so did not feel the slight scratching on his scalp.
As he slowly came out of this state he realized someone was trying to shave his
hair. He waited for the razor to lift off his scalp before he sent a blast of
air in all directions. The week after this had been... interesting.
Seijaku looked up as he heard something, it sounded musical. Perched on his high
branch far above the forest floor, Seijaku could see for miles. He searched for
the source of the sound and sure enough, high above him was a flying bison and
an air bender on a glider flying towards the temple. Seijaku was sure he had
heard a similar musical sound at the temple a year or two ago, then he
remembered, this was the bender that had earn the title of master by creating a
musical instrument that you played by air bending. This was rare, few of the
nomads who left the temple would return so soon and, Seijaku guessed from the
sound this air bender wanted to make it public. Interesting. Perhaps this would
lead to more interesting events. Siejaku smiled as he launched himself off his
branch and began gliding purposefully towards the temple.
"It seems like it has been ages," Ban said as he entered the temple. Not much was new, but the memory of this place was almost gone while he was away. He looked around for a lemur, he couldn't take Chai with him on his journey, it was far too dangerous. Since it was almost impossible to find Chai, Ban decided to ask the Guru, since he knows almost each and every one of the animals around the temple.
"Well, It looks like the celebration is canceled," Guru Roxas said as he heard the sound of David's instrument. "Up-Up, Jiba!!" Guru Roxas called to his Air Bison. Jiba soared through the skies. They soared around the sky for a while, when they came across Goro. Goro was floating in the air but David was not on his back. "David must've jumped, C'mon, Jiba let's go back toward the temple. Jiba flopped his tail down on the hard brick surface, as the Guru jumped from Jiba and ran toward the temple. "I must hurry." Breathing heavily, the Guru threw open the doors to the meeting room and looked for David. "Where could David Be?"
"Lau. Wake up."
Lau opened her eyes and saw Rean, her best friend standing over her. "What's the matter Rean? Its a day off from training."
"You are to go to the Southern Air Temple and help, something big is about to happen!"
Lau rolled off her bed and started to get dressed, she could tell Rean was not playing a joke. "When do I have to be there?"
"As fast as you can, it will happen soon." Rean was concerned.
Lau rolled her eyes. "That helps. Do the nuns already know?" Rean nodded her head and Lau set off in a run, grabbing her staff, and saying her goodbyes as she went. She ran to her sky bison, Teae. "Come on Teae. We are going to the Southeren Air Temple. Hut hut." And so Lau and Teae set off into the sky to a new adventure.
A black clad figure spotted the rushing flight and whispered a few words as his eyes shimmer like black obsidian. A winged shadow darted from his hand and impacted with the bison. Satisfied, the two vanished in shadow amongst the trees. Lau and her bison crashed into the western ocean, swallowed from existence.
Ban walked towards the meditation room. He figured the guru might be there, alas, he was wrong. He asked one of the kids that ran around where the guru might be. "Zhe meetzing room," the kid said and smiled a toothless smile.
Ban nodded and headed to the meeting room. *It's probably that sound I've heard. It must've been something important,* Ban thought to himself. "Guru!" Ban yelled as he opened the door to the meeting room.
The Guru, Roxas, waved Ban over. "Ban? Have you seen David? I heard his whistle echo throughout the temple. I searched and searched everywhere for him, in the sky, his room and here. But no David.. Maybe we could split up and look for him in the towers."
"You... You still remember me?" Ban looked at the Guru surprised. "I was only 10 when I left. You seem to have aged as well!" Ban chuckled as he remembered the Guru from 7 years ago. He didn't even pay attention to what the Guru asked, he was just happy to be back. The memories filled him and wherever he looked, he recalled something new. "I need some help," he said suddenly. "But that's after we find David."
"Well Ban, It's my birthday, but finding David is more important. The tower is where I feel his presence... but there is something clouding my vision and I don't know what.. We must act quickly if we are to find David's whereabouts."
Aeris was slinking about the tower, watching the sunrise. She was scarcely the only one at the temple, for many refugees had come this week, far too many people for her liking. She flew up here to get away from the clamor. She let the early breeze ruffle her short hair, thinking of Phane. She thought she saw a glider pass over head, but put it out of her mind. Then she snapped her head back up. It was a glider!
David had landed on a lone
tower after the sunrise. He recognized several monks who were walking towards
the meeting room with a slight hurry. The idea of going after them and asking
for an interview with the masters could wait. First, he had to take care of
another situation.
He jumped down, and walked through a corridor. To the right, several doors lead
to the rooms of the many monks living in the temple. To the left there were
arched windows from were he could see the beautiful landscape rising with the
sun. He didn't want to be noticed yet, so he rushed to the end of the path. At
last, he found the place he was looking for. He opened the wooden doors
abruptly, startling the people who were busy inside. "Did you get the message?"
inquired David with an anxious tone. A big bellied airbender with an apron
laughed.
"Of course! We were expecting you, David!" A smile grew on his face, and greeted the weary airbender with a big hug. "Come on and sit. I hope you like what I prepared for you this time." The cook brought a large pot of noodles soup, and served a bowl on the table. The smell emanating from the bowl was delicious, and delighted the senses of the hungry traveler who had come looking for a warm meal.
Life on the outside wasn't always easy, and food came scarcely for the young master airbender . "Thanks Marlen, what would be of me without your food?" As soon as he finished thanking his cook, the young bender gulped down his soup like he hadn't had a meal in three centuries.
After finishing the bowl in
what appeared to be milliseconds, the cook looked into his eyes and asked: "I
know you just didn't come here for 'tatoes and noodles, David. I know that look
in your eyes. You're hiding something from me". The man in front wasn't lying...
he did know David for a long time from when he was still a little toddler
causing trouble in the kitchen, ever curious to what ingredients were in every
dish he was served. This created a bond between him and the temple's cook,
Marlen. After David had grown, he still went to Marlen for help and advise. He
always seemed to have the right answers, and the best cabbage rolls.
After a pause, David sighed. "It's true... there is something that has been
troubling me. I came here for advise on a strange vision I had, and I don't know
how to interpret what I saw." Marlen looked surprised, he wasn't expecting an
answer of that tone.
"Well, gee, I thought you just missed me," the cooked said with a nervous laugh. "It could have been a dream..."
But before he finished, David interrupted him, "No, this was not a dream. What I saw might be more than a vision. Someone wanted me to see this. I am involved in something larger... something even more dangerous than the previous war with the Fire Nation." David looked down, going through his thoughts. He had avoided having this feeling... he forced himself to forget the fear he felt, but he once again remembered. "I need to talk to the council. They must know what I saw", he said with a determined voice, but suddenly he shuddered. What if it was just a dream? He just couldn't go and make a ridiculous appearance in front of everyone. Maybe he was wrong. He decided a change of plans, the meeting could wait a little longer. "Marlen, wait, I want you to tell everyone that I was here, but tell them that I will come back tomorrow at noon, and that I will come with news." David stood up and grabbed his belongings.
"But where are you going? You just came!" Marlen replied as he stood up too.
"Don't worry, I will be back. I just have to make sure..." David trailed off.
"Make sure of what?" the cook interrupted.
"To make sure the place I saw does exist." And without any other word, Marlen understood. David said goodbye and left with the wind, glider in hand, and with food in the belly... ready for a journey with the unknown.
It took almost the entire day
to fly to the Southern Lake in the center of the mainland. David's arms and legs
ached from the journey. Remembering the sight from his vision, he figures that
getting an aerial view would at least help him pinpoint the location and
validity of what he dreamed.
He landed on a mountain ledge above the clouds to stretch for a moment before
taking to the air once more. He glides along the southern coast of the southern
lake. The waterfalls were clear as were the steaming pools, but there was no
easy place to land since the forest crowded them. He flew by a bit lower and
around the mountain. The forest was too dense to to see much more and definitely
too dense to land in safely. There would be no way to get a bison there.
At least his intense curiosity was satisfied. The mountain did in fact exist.
Once again he rested on that high peak to the east a bit. He nibbled a roll from
his pocket to stave off the rumbling in his belly. He hungered again for home
cooked food from Marlen.
Off he went back to the Southern Air Temple. Exhaustion causing him to land his
glider poorly and he tumbled in a heap of clumsy shaky arms and legs and glider.
Shaking his head to clear it, David did a mental check that he was unharmed,
save for a new collection of bruises. It was near midnight and most of the
temple folks were asleep and likely eagerly awaiting news from him. He crept
into the kitchens for nourishment and then into his old room to collapse.
The morning run shone yellow in the floating dust moats in his room and the
sounds of the morning meditation chants filled the temple.
Blue watched as the air nomad
descended on the tower. He wondered why the man seemed agitated, as if something
bad happened. He waited in hiding to see if something more would happen. For
minutes he observed and began to feel sleepy as he waited for something
exciting. It was sleep that he kept thinking of as he began to feel the boredom
in what he is doing. He began to yearn for a nice comfy cot and a crackling fire
near while enjoying dinner but he felt ashamed walking right up to the entrance
and going in. He had companions the first time he visited here and he was
secured in entering that time. But now that he was alone and dirty looking, he
felt that he wouldn't be allowed in the temple. It was after all, a temple, a
place for holiness and respect. He glanced at the entrance again and saw no
commotion, not anything. He looked up the tower, the flying man was long gone
and would have been sleeping by now. The thought of the man sleeping in comfort
made Blue envy. He yawned and shrugged, maybe tomorrow I'll have confidence
enough to barge in there. He chuckled at the thought and settled down on his
hard rock place.
Blue was fast asleep, tired of his long journey and of his aching muscles. As he
slept uncomfortably on that cold evening, the flying man went off again in haste
into the black, starry sky. He never heard the swoosh of the departure or of the
worried features in the nomad's face, he was busy in his own world of troubled
sleep.
The fiery sun woke him up from his
uncomfortable sleep. Blue got up from his sleep and looked about him. He
immediately noticed the great number of people going inside the temple. They
looked ragged and dirty, just like him. Mustering up his courage, Blue went with
the crowd and naturally blended in. He didn't know that nobody would take notice
of him even though he went in the temple earlier. Everybody knew that only Air
Nomads can have the proper bending to get up that high a place (he himself have
to create an air support as he scaled the mountain). Blue felt like an outcast
and so was fearing that he might suffer embarrassment by not being able to enter
the temple after journeying that long. Blue finally entered the temple and began
to look around. As people began to disperse inside to mind their own business,
Blue stopped mid-walk and stood in confusion, he didn't know what to do.
A kind old man noticed Blue and asked him what seems to be the problem. Blue
asked, in a shy fashion, if the monks have any breakfast to spare. The old man
laughed at this and led him to the kitchen where a good number of people have
already started eating. He sat on a bench and was served a hot steaming bowl of
soup. With a grumbling stomach, he finished his meal quickly.
Left on his own, Blue began to tour the place and tried to look for someone whom
he could glean advice from. As he passed the halls full of columns intricately
carved with delightful designs, he began to feel the calmness of the temple
seeping into his soul. The chatter of the people were strangely just like home,
like he was back again in the water tribe's nightly campfires talking with his
friends and being a young carefree child again, telling tales of valor in the
sea and of monsters that lurk beneath. Each touch he makes on the cold statues
seem to make him more nostalgic and by and by, he began to remember things that
have never happened to him, things that only this old and venerable temple
knows. He began to imagine what it felt like growing among these old monks,
mastering the art of airbending and being able to taste the cakes (how did it
ever been known to him?) these people seem to be fond of. He imagined the
children running around, laughter filling the whole place and echoing
throughout....
The light suddenly filled his vision and he realized that he was already in the
veranda. The fresh breeze of air sauntered across his face which made him tingly
all over. It was like the feeling of being very alive and it felt good. It was
all strange, as he began to look around the magnificent view. They began to feel
powerful, as if those mountains and rivers and forests seem alive too. His
imagination became more vivid and he remembered the war, the genocide, the
struggle of the people, all things that he haven't lived through but have only
heard through stories. They were all part of his history and it gave him mixed
emotions. In the course of the remembering, he finally arrived at the most
recent, his hunt for Zuni. He remembered it clearly and painfully, the
traitorous move she did which shattered whatever remnants of hope he and his
company have for their survival. His heart ached for her and yet hate was still
in there. It was she whom he first loved, and that word already made him feel
more lonely and angry. It wasn't supposed to be that way and yet that is how he
still felt for her. He was trapped in the agony of emotions and he bore it with
such a heavy heart. He trod on in this world finding and yet not even sure of
what he would do when time allowed them to meet. Blue blinked once and sighed, a
single tear rolling down his cheek.
That evening, Blue was able to sleep more comfortably. The temple monks provided
the travelers with bedrolls and he chose a place near the far end of the
entrance hall. As sleep crept over him, the mysterious flying man came back from
his journey in the night sky with a heavy burden to tell.
As the morning chants for meditation come to a close, the doors are opened to
all. Some travelers and beggars and a stray noble to two enter for a bit of
peace, a bit of charity food, a place to rest on their journey, and some advice
from the Temple masters.
The old masters and many of the others have gathered eager to meet with David as
someone mentioned that he made it back and was asleep in his room. David was
handed some of Marlen's good cooking before he had to face people.
He walked out of his room to meet the gathering at the great hall. The elder monks were sitting side to side, facing him with eagerness in all their expressions. He made a bow, and they imitated him as a sign of humbleness and respect. One of the elders spoke in a soft voice: "Please, tell us why you have come."
David took a deep breath and
proceeded to explain the vision he had while traveling. "I saw myself falling
through the sky. I could see mountains, a forest and a lake broken in two.
Rivers with hot springs and dense foliage covering the land. Afterwards, I had
been transported into what seemed to be a hidden underground temple. Inside, I
saw the pictures of the many gateways that lead to the nine hells, and at the
center, the strangest well I have ever seen. With every step I took, the chamber
lit patterns all around as if it could sense my spirit." He paused looking
around the room and gathering his thoughts. "I saw a man... a researcher, from
the Ba Sing Se university I believe... "
He then pulled a small scroll from his sleeve. "I wrote what I could remember of
his last memories..."
...I found the inner
sanctum. The most sacred place in the world. The pool is intact...
The paintings tell the history of the world...
An assassin has followed me. He called himself a priest, an Akuma.
I have hidden here in the inner sanctum of the buried temple...
This sacred place is in great peril, if it hasn’t already fallen pray...
There are no Qin Maru holy guards protecting this place as legends says there
should be.
I know not what has happened...
David then put the scroll inside his sleeves again. "The old man was later
killed by the shadows... but they were no ordinary shadows. They appeared to
have life of their own! As if... as if..." He could not continue his speech, he
had said enough. The elder monks looked at his face. He was sweating and looked
very troubled. In silence, David waited for an answer.
"David, what is going on? You are sweating like a Bison!" The middle-aged Guru glared at him, a puzzled look was concealed in his eye. "You look like you've been knocked out. David? David?" The Guru questioned him, but there was no answer from David. "There is something troubling him, but I don't know what." Guru Roxas said to the other monks.
Aeris watched David tell of his vision through the small window near the council room. she liked to be concealed whenever she could. It was habit. As David told his story, she shivered a little. She had heard rumors, of these shadow things, on her travels. Hunters that disappeared, children that went out to play, but never came back. Some evil was stirring and she had a feeling this could be even worse then the Fire Nation's conquest, those many years ago. As silence crashed down like a wave inside the hall, she left. She had heard enough. This matter piqued her curiosity. Though it was not her business at the time, she knew something had to be done. Further investigation proved necessary. She would gather her belongings and set out at dawn, and then report what she had found to the council. Something told her that David's vision was a warning for disaster.
Ban stood outside the council room, he closed his eyes and sharpened his senses trying to hear what they were talking about "Akuma..." Ban quickly opened his eyes, his piercing silver eyes looked into nothing as sharp pain went through his head, he ignored it and it disappeared in an instant "Akuma.. What was that all about?" he thought to himself
"An Akuma you say?" Guru Roxas searched his old memories for the meaning. "Have you had anything troubling you lately? I feel that if you're inner self is worried, you will be too... Now tell me, was the Akuma from the Air nomads or a different nation? That question may unfold many a mystery."
Seijaku smiled, from his hiding place on the roof of the council chamber where he saw and heard everything. He was peering through one of the many small holes that manifest when old temple roofs are in need of repair. He was surprised that the guru did not know what akuma were, for one who was supposed to be the spiritual expert of the air nomads he obviously knew nothing of the akuma. *I may just have to introduce myself in a minute,* thought Seijaku. He crouched over the hole in the roof waiting for the moment he deemed it would be necessary for him to introduce himself to the temple visitors. He had been right when he had seen this David for the first time, that event had lead to more interesting events.
The other elder monks listened
intently, a mix of seriousness and disbelief upon their faces. One calls for
quiet and then strokes his long white beard. He more carefully arranges his
robes and pauses, tilting his head to listen. He looks up and meets Seijaku's
eyes briefly as he makes a small gestures with his hand. Seijaku knows the
gestures having been trained a master assassin and spy. Seijaku is asked with
this silent gesture to please enter the room and stop skulking and to bring the
others lurking outside in... like Ban and Aeris.
"This is of great importance to everyone. You have all been out in the world
with opportunities to see many things in your myriad lives. You have heard
David's vision so far. I understand, David, that this distresses you greatly.
But please, sit." He asks a novice to bring in tea. "We will do a morning
meditation with some tea and have a good meal before we continue on." He waits
for everyone to come into the meeting area and to settle, even if they feel
awkward, shy and out of place.
Once tea is passed to everyone and they sip in silence to calm their agitated
spirits, the eldest monk speaks, "All of you from far and near in this temple.
Think upon what David has said. Search your minds and spirits for memories that
might be useful to us in understanding this vision... this experience. David,
use this opportunity to calm your spirit. You learned the chakras. Tap into each
one and rebalance yourself. You are not in that vision still, the pain you felt
then is not here. Let it go and think back with a clear mind. We need to know
more, if there is any."
And so the meditation begins. He takes up a meditative chant that some of the
other elders and gurus are familiar with and it resonated through the temple,
vibrating the air and tugging at each person's spirit.
The news of a meeting stirred
Blue from his nap. He has risen early and took a walk on the temple grounds when
he got all sleepy again. The old man from yesterday had awakened him and invited
him to the great hall where a man was supposed to give important news. It was
curious that the old man took the trouble to wake him up just to invite him, he
who looks like a simple beggar and not among the ranks of the wise masters who
will be surely present on the council.
Blue decided that there would be no harm to see what the hubbub was all about.
Shrugging, he joined the old man towards the great hall.
After the speech made by David, Blue began to think to himself. He was a bit
surprised that it was the flying man he saw the other night, it made him think
of the speaker's nocturnal arrival and the worry he saw in the young man's face.
Maybe it was the night he got the vision? Blue wasn't so sure. He was also
confused on what this David said, about those secret temples and nine gates and
Akumas. It was all strange to him and sounded very much like the tall tales he
usually heard from inns and its drunk patrons. He wasn't even sure if the young
man in front was saying any truth but the hard and solemn faces from the monks
present around seems to dispel his notions. If that is the case, then he had a
mind of his own on what might those 'visions' meant, his personal take on the
mystery of the hour. But he wasn't sure if his insight would be received well by
the monks who seem to have minds wise beyond measure. He asked the old man
beside him about his thoughts on the vision to see if he gets an approval. His
new friend seemed to be very learned in the ways of such stories.
In the course of his talk, the older monks decided that a meditation is in
order. The meditative chants began. Blue abruptly stopped and together with the
old man, joined in the meditation. The solemn murmurs resonated throughout the
hall as their minds and hearts began to clear....
While chanting in meditation, a memory began to surface from the inner depths of
Blue's mind.
He was in one of his first archery lessons. His teacher is trying to teach
him to hit something in the woods that he can't see. "Don't trust your eyes.
Listen, listen to the wind. The very air will tell you what you need to know.
The beating of a heart, even the movement of a shadow. Still your mind and
spirit and listen. Then let the arrow fly... not even Akuma can hide from such
skill..."
He let his arrow fly and discover that he hit the tiny chime his teacher placed
in a tree in the woods, hidden by the leaves.
As Ban began his meditation, he thought of the time 7 years ago. *Brings back memories* He smiled to himself. He kept thinking about the word "Akuma", yet nothing came up. Ban's mind suddenly awoke, he opened one eye slowly and looked around. *Some know more than they should,* he thought to himself and closed his eyes once more.
Aeris's feet stayed,
reluctantly, by the need to know more from this young master monk. Before she
could run off, she is asked to enter and sit for tea. Aeris sits in the back as
out of sight as possible. Habit. A small cup of tea silently given to her by a
young novice. As the morning chants begin, Aeris's mind floats into a state of
nostalgia. She remembers clearly the dense forest that no one goes into anymore.
It is just too dangerous there. Villagers have reported that for centuries the
forest was haunted or cursed by devils. How a shadow would move and steal a life
away. This forest is her point of research. Perhaps she will find a lead on
these shadows...........these demons of the underworld.
What were those stories? Akuma... it was whispered like a bad word on the lips
of the elders in the villages around the mountain, forest and lake. One thread
of a tale suddenly jolts in her mind. It was in joking. Aeris's memories
wandered, and bits and pieces of the puzzle came floating back........
"Phane?" Aeris asked. "Are you okay with this?"
Phane stopped laughing enough to tell her how he felt. "We're being sent by the
priests to kill an old man. Come on Aeris, what can possibly go wrong?"
Aeris shrugged.
"Hey........" Phane took her head in his hands and kissed her passionately.
"We're trained professionals. We've been doing this for years. Nothing is going
to happen."
She looked up at him with eyes that said "You're right. Why am I worrying?"
They set off, and were there by nightfall. The job went smoothly enough; the old
man was an easy mark. Phane slashed open his throat and the old man fell without
a word. *Why would they want us to kill him? He's of no importance.....* Aeris
remembered thinking. The trouble came when the man's apprentice appeared.
Suddenly springing from the shadows, the young man drove them into that forest
in a dark rage. Phane's hand grasped hers as they plunged onward into the deep
jungle............the same one Aeris would investigate years afterward. Suddenly
Phane's hand slipped from hers, and she heard a deep cry somewhere in the
jungle. "Phane!!" she cried. Terror seized her heart. She ran as fast as she
could through the forest, searching everywhere for Phane. No luck. After many
nights of searching in helpless loss, she left that forest, cold and desolate,
wondering, with so many questions. None of them answered.
That was the last time she saw him. Phane, her beloved, had been lost. That
accursed forest was near the mountains that David had described. A connection?
Possibly. She sipped her hot tea and it ran down her throat, scalding. She got
up decisively, placing the cup on the table. She had no need for the information
this monk would give her. The past, present and future were all connecting in
her mind. And the connection was crystal clear. She slinked out of the window
and jumped, flying towards her destination. She would unravel this mystery even
if it cost her her life.
Ban had this strange feeling while he was meditating. *Something's awfully wrong here,* he thought to himself, sometimes, when he was meditating and someone else was watching him, he had the same feeling, as if he was being tested. Ban concentrated even harder, blocking out his memories, trying to read other's feelings, some were confused and some were strict, but since there were too many, he couldn't find which were the ones that felt this way.
The mediatation went on for an
hour before the monks ended the solemnity. There was a refreshing sense felt all
throughout the crowd as they begin to open their eyes. The light blinded Blue
for a moment when he opened his, he winced and shielded the light from his
vision. The spiritual introspection gave Blue a pleasant feeling inside, as if
something struggling to get out has been unlocked. As he puzzled again the
message of the young nomad in front, the old man beside him spoke up and told
him to share his thought to the other monks. Blue didn't like it, he wasn't used
to talking to a large number of strangers. But after much gentle prodding, the
old man won him over (remembering his simple father...) and agreed to speak.
Blue slowly stood up and faced the congregation.
"Good day to you all, masters," speaking softly, he nodded to the wise order,
"and to my fellow nomads," acknowledging the rest of the audience. "If it does
not trouble, I wish to speak and give my insight on the vision David has
presented to all of us. I would like to believe that this place he speaks of,
this 'sanctuary', may be a gate to the spirit world. The presence of a spirit,
the blue transparent hands which saved him, gives evidence to this. The buzzing
noise, it maybe their voices of warning, or even of help, against something
terrible. And the well with the mirror-like water in it, could it be the same as
that of the water tribe's spirit oasis? A water with healing properties....
Someone seemed to want us to know that such things exist and that these are all
in danger. A being who took the trouble of relaying the message to us like that,
then it would be safe to presume that we have an ally, however unseen it may
be."
Blue shifted his eyes to his sides to see the expression on the audience's
faces. After a brief pause, he continued his speech. "In your vision, you spoke
of the akuma and the four blades that attacked you. This does not bode well.
Akumas are spawns of evil, they are demons with terrible powers and those four
blades, it might signify that four of them walks within our existence. They may
have been doing so for some time now and mayhaps is sowing darkness throughout
the land. When you described the start of your vision, it is as if those were
the symbols of each nation and that was then when you were engulfed in darkness.
A war brewing perhaps? Or maybe a future alliance of the four against a greater
evil? Another thing I noticed is that the history of all nations intertwined is
shown in that inner sanctum. For me, it is an indication that this is an event
that will be forever remembered, a historical happening that would soon be added
to those paintings. A chamber that houses such knowledge...."
Blue stopped at that line. He looked around the hall. He was already not sure if
he was still to go on. He didn't know what else he could glean from the vision
and began to consider again other points that he didn't understand. He decided
to sit down and wait for other's reactions.
As Seijaku meditates with part
of his mind there and the other ever aware of his surroundings, he tries not to
let the elder monk disturb him too much. The elder monk knew the secret language
of the elite assassins. Seijaku glanced at him from the back of the room and his
silver eyes caught Seijaku's once again.
Silver... Silver... Silver Circle.
Qin Maru
Seijaku's mind flashed back in its thoughts.
Seijaku was standing in the temple spying through some ancient scrolls
seeking information. One is labeled for what he seeks. Qin Maru. The label is
clear on the scroll and it is held in a case with a silver band around it. With
the item in hand, Seijaku slips out of the old temple of the East and back to
the Serpent's Pass where he is met by a cloaked figure who pays him very well
for the item. It seemed such an easy task to sneak into a nearly abandoned
temple. And the pay was so high, Seijaku never questioned the value of the
scroll. The man moved like an old man, yet with the grace of an airbender. The
man never spoke a word out loud. He spoke to Seijaku only in the hand language
of elite assassins.
Just as the elder monk had spoken to him in the same hand language... He would
have to notify one of the other elder monks, this one knew too much.
As Ban's mind became clearer
and sharper, he decided to try reading the others once again. *Akuma...*
was what most were thinking at the same time yet there was one who seemed to
think something else, Ban concentrated harder...
*Qin Maru...* Ban opened his eyes quickly as a drop of sweet went down
his forehead, he checked his glove and sighed in relief *some here
definitely know to much,* he thought to himself.
Aeris flew along the outskirts of that village she had left so many years ago. She gritted her teeth. She would find out what was going on here. She landed quietly, walking carefully into the village. Faces turned as she walked through the streets. She kept walking, looking straight ahead, ignoring the frightened glances of the people, a determined snarl upon her lips. She stopped at one of the shops along the road. The owner was a fat, ugly man with a bald head and small, greedy eyes. "Lady, have you come to see what we can offer? I assure you that we will attend to your every ne---"
"Shut up," she growled. The man seemed to shrink down to half his size as Aeris glared at him with eyes that could have bored twin holes through titanium. A small jingle came from the back of the shop. Aeris jerked her head towards the sound. Silver windchimes, with an eloquently carved design, dangled from the curved edge of a meat hook.
"Beautiful, ain't she?" the owner chuckled, "best one I got. I could sell it to ya fer half the price if your Ladny-ness so likes."
Aeris heard the stupid,
uneducated banter of the barkeep less and less and the sounds of the present
world drowned out of her mind as she watched the chimes move slowly, back and
forth, their silver bars clanging against each other in a hollow, haunting
sound. The sound of lost, half-buried memory..................
The old man's blood spilled on the floor as Aeris and Phane watched with
satisfaction as the little pool of red brimmed into a small river. "See? Was
that so hard?" Phane said, taking her hand in his. She smiled at him.
Ding, ding.
Aeris looked down suddenly. The man had one spasm before collapsing
completely. A small, silver band jangled around his wrist. Phane's cinnamon eyes
creased with puzzlement as he bent down and snatched the band off the old man's
wrist, standing up and examining it with extreme curiously. A small silver
band...........
"Why would the old guy wear this? It isn't custom, and monks are fond of
simplicity." Phane thought aloud. He dropped the bangle into his pouch. Aeris
suddenly looked around, aware that they were being watched.
"Phane!"
She grabbed him and threw him to the ground just as three arrows whizzed over
his head. A young man shrouded in black stepped out of the shadows. Looking up
at them furiously, a homicidal glint in his savage eyes, he lunged for them.
Time suddenly seemed to slow as Aeris saw the metallic glint of metal reflect
against the moonlight on the man's wrist. A silver metal band.
"Mi Lady?" The obnoxious barkeep waved a hand over her face. She blinked twice
then snarled, slapping his hand away. "Ow!" The barkeep rubbed his hand
gingerly.
"I have no buisness with you. Keep, your cheap, god-forsaken merchandise. I'm not buying." She slapped a few coins into his palm. "For your trouble," she added reluctantly, turning away and continuing her walk. That silver band........... her past was trying to tell her something. She just couldn't figure out what. She jumped and flew up into a tree, landing on a large one, the branch quivering slightly under her weight. She closed her eyes hard, trying to remember. One word, out of the smoky hazes of her distant past, surfaced itself. Qin Maru.
The quiet murmurs in the hall
made Blue uncomfortable. He had spoken his mind regarding the matter but there
have been not much reaction to what he had said. There were a few groups here
and there who seemed to be talking about the vision and what he said but nobody
has bothered yet to stand up and air their views to the others. Blue was
dissatisfied with what is happening, the slowness of the meeting, the seemingly
tired and bored faces of some nomads, the tense air that should be filled with
lively discussion...what are the monks doing?
Why are the nomads being passive?
He cannot respond again if there are no reactions, any criticisms to what he had
said. The speaker of the vision himself has lapsed into silence. Blue was sure
that this is something important and should be dealt with speed.
A leaving woman caught his eyes. She left quietly and with haste that made him
feel curious. *What is she doing? The meeting isn't done yet,* Blue
thought. He looked around and saw someone trying to catch the eye of one of the
monks. He looked very serious. He saw another one who was still in meditation
and his companion who was drinking tea. He noticed the pleasant sunlight shine
that illuminated the gray columns and the chirping birds that flew round the
windows and the morning breeze that occasionally sweeps through them. It all
seemed natural and peaceful. Then he remembered the vision.
Blue has to content himself in waiting for anyone to speak.
Seijaku was about to rise and speak to one of the elder monks about his vision, but stopped. If the elder monk who could speak the hand language of the assassins, was the man from his vision then it would be unwise for Seijaku to notify monks of similar standing. The monks would talk among themselves, and then the elder monk would know of his suspicions, and if he knew the hand language then he may know other things about the assassins as well. It was too risky. Seijaku needed to tell an outsider to the temple of what he knew.
Seijaku scanned the room
looking for any outsiders, and he found the perfect person. The man looked to be
in his early twenties, he had hair, no airbending tattoo's and a bow and arrows,
not the usual weapons of any bender, but he looked travel-worn and his eyes
suggested a hint of sadness, as if he had lost one he loved. Who better than a
non-bender to tell of his suspicions about the monk.
Seijaku approached the man and said to him "Excuse me, I need to talk to you".
Blue looked up from his
thoughts and saw a boy, fairly muscular and lightly tanned, looking at him.
Coupled with his bright green eyes, he didn't look like an air nomad at all. He
seemed calm and eerily serious looking for a boy. Blue realized that this was
the boy who was trying to catch the eye of one of the monks a while ago. Was he
done with that already? Are they going to take him away? Or maybe, it would be
about what he had said.
Blue looked expectantly at the boy, waiting for him to start.
Seijaku took it from the man's
silence, that he wished for him to continue. "It would be best if we went
somewhere noisy, I do not wish to be over heard by the monks of this temple,"
Seijaku told the man as they walked out of the room and over to the novice
bender's playground. The novices new Seijaku would not play with them and they
were generally very noisy, perfect.
Seijaku introduced himself. "I am Seijaku, I may not look it but I am an
airbender and I suspect one of the elder monks knows more about the
disappearance of the Qin Maru than he is letting on". Seijaku continued, "I was
paid to sneak into the eastern air temple and, acquire, a scroll containing
information about Qin Maru by a man. The man seemed old, yet he moved with the
grace of an airbender. He also spoke to me in a language that uses hand signals,
this language is known to few and only those with... special training. But the
thing is, one of the elder monks spoke to me in that language. Perhaps you know
something as well, for it is unusual for someone to climb up the mountain to the
air temple, wouldn't you agree?
Blue took leave of the old man
who was busy talking to a fellow nomad. Rising from his position, he quietly
followed Seijaku outside of the hall into the noisy playground nearby. He
listened as the boy started to speak.
Blue can't help but smile at what the boy had said. It really is queer for an
Air Nomad to scale a mountain, especially at someone his age who would have
already a bison to accompany him or at least a glider for travel. He didn't have
either and had opted to run up the mountain walls using his airbending which
left him unbearably tired. He had to make many stops on some protruding ledges
along the way and deciding finally to climb normally when he was already near
the top.
He was just about to explain to the boy when the smile suddenly disappeared on
his face. Blue's muscles tensed, *How did this boy know that I scaled the
mountain?* He didn't remember meeting anyone when he finally got to the top.
It was nighttime, no traveler was in sight when he came, no one else except the
flying man who glided in from the north. Blue started to get suspicious on what
was happening. He might be walking into some kind of danger but thinking about
the fact that the boy is letting him know about his suspicion on one of the
monks seemed to tell that this is an ally. Or it can be just a ploy to throw him
off. Either way, he has to be wary of any sign of trouble and to leave
immediately if something bad comes up.
"I'm sorry, Seijaku... is it? I cannot possibly know such secrets since I am
only a mere traveler. I just happened to have a sudden inkling to visit our
ancestors temple and so here I am. The old man you saw who was accompanying me a
while ago was the one who asked me to come to this meeting. I really wouldn't
have bothered you all with my presence there if not for that old man", Blue
paused for a second before continuing, "and about my means of arrival here, I am
really puzzled at how you knew that I only climbed this mountain. I do not
remember seeing anyone when I arrived here..."
Seijaku allowed himself a rare
smile as he saw the man's muscles tense, he was surprised that someone had seen
him. Then Seijaku's smile faded as the man said "...our ancestors temple.."
Seijaku was surprised that this man was a bender, but as his master said, "You
should never let appearances deceive you". Seijaku himself was proof of this,
often mistaken as an outsider.
Seijaku quickly recovered from his surprise and bowed. "I am sorry for startling
you brother, I am not called Seijaku for nothing, and I had no idea that you
were one of us, I only saw you climbing the mountain, and your weapons are a
most unusual choice for a bender," Seijaku paused. "But I still believe you know
something of the Akuma or Qin Maru as you do not seem like the domesticated
type, I have only my suspicions about the monk".
Seijaku turned to leave but thought better of it, this man could be a valuable
ally. "I'm not sure what you think of this situation brother, but I believe the
nomads are not taking this threat seriously, and a not taking part in the
affairs of the world nearly led us to our downfall once, I do not want to see it
happen again. What do you say to a proposal of sharing information?"
AERIS
The village became cold and
desolate as the days went by. Hours turned to days, days turned to weeks. The
more Aeris stayed, the more she began to realize that it didn't matter. Phane
was still gone, and the Akuma were still up and about, taking lives. A single
tear slid down her cheek as small snowflakes fell gently onto the ground,
blanketing the world in a sea of white.
She reached out and touched the falling flakes, her mind floating, wishing he
could be here. There was a hole in her heart that ached with an eternal pain.
Her faith was being shrouded inside a dark cloud of loneliness. She jumped
gracefully down from the rooftop. She walked along the outskirts of the village,
and came to the entrance to the forest. *So many
memories.....................*
There was a line that drew beyond the forest, marking the end of the village and
the beginning of chasm filled with dark memories. Aeris looked up slowly at the
foreboding trees, and lost her nerve. She turned away.
Aeris. She whirled
around. Aeris, someone whispered.
The gentle wind that came from the trees was like a sigh. She felt her feet
moving beyond, and she felt the soft crunch of snow and brown leaves beneath
her.
"Aaagh!"
She fell to the ground, clutching her heart, her eyes closed tight, gritting her
teeth. The stabbing pain went away as soon as it had come. She stood up slowly.
Piercing blue eyes looked around as if for the first time. Then her eyes
hardened, and the assassin inside her exploded. Her feet took off into a run,
and the trees flew past her, a brown and white blur. She slowed her pace
eventually, and then she saw it. Behind the shrouds and shadows, the dead trees
and pure snow, there was the house. A small, nothing house, just there. Being.
She had left this house in the back of her mind after she had killed that man
and lost Phane. She wasn't sure if she wanted to re-open that wound. It was
already bleeding.
She slowly stepped forward, taking a breath, tasting a wisp of metal and hard
furnished wood, stained with blood. She approached the entrance, touching the
wooden, sliding door reverently and hesitantly. The door opened, with a small,
meager groan of protest, and she stepped inside, closing the door behind her.
She looked around slowly, as if in a dream. But this was real, too real. Her
heart stabbed again. She winced and grabbed her chest. It went away. She looked
up again, breathing slowly. The house was the same as it had been those years
ago. She closed her eyes and let her mind wander, searching the depths of her
memories.
A small brushing sound came from behind her. She opened her eyes quickly, and
whirled around. A man in a black cloak looked up at her. His face was shrouded
by a hood, and a small silver bangle dangled from his wrist. Aeris's eyes
flashed blue fury. The apprentice. The one who had killed Phane. Her hands went
to her back as she unsheathed her dagger blades. With a leap and a cry she
lunged at the man. He smirked and adroitly moved out of the way, grabbing a
large sword with a skull engraved inside the handle. This angered Aeris even
more.
"Bastard!!" she cried, flipping in the air and thrusting the blade toward him.
She saw him smile under his hood. "You never learn do you?"
*He stole Phane's
weapon.............I will never forgive him!!* She increased the power of
her blow until her muscles were ready to rip. The man barely moved his arm in
time to block the furious blow of her two swords. The blow reverberated up his
arm and she saw him stagger. She used this moment to her advantage, and she
drove at him in a rage of blue hatred, her blades dancing across his sword as
metal clanged against metal.
He was quite skilled, but she didn't care. She would kill him at all costs. The
man had kept moving back, and now he fled. *Hell no..............you're not
getting away!!!* She propelled herself forward to catch up with him. He kept
running, towards the mountains. She remembered David saying something about
these mountains in his vision, but it barely registered. Her mind was on
slashing this bastard's throat open. She felt her boots crunch in the snow as
she chased him. He was fast. She was faster.
She caught up with him at the summit. With one last plunge, she slashed him
across the chest, opening a dark red wound. Time slowed as the man's, Phane's,
sword crashed onto the snow and the man fell to his knees, falling onto the snow
and staining it crimson. She grabbed the hilt of his cloak and pressed the
bloody tip of her blade against his throat.
"I want to see your face as I kill you, bastard. Goodbye."
She flung off his hood, and she drove the sword into his throat. Suddenly her
hand stopped just before the blade pierced his flesh, and realization hit her
like a sai being driven through her stomach. The blades slipped from her hands,
landing with a soft thump against the bloodstained snow.
"No............not......." she murmured, and her eyes closed as her mind was
hurled into oblivion, and she fell against the snow beside Phane.
The old monk who lead the
meditation gives David a warm smile. "Things will sort themselves out, young
David. Come. Why don't we retire to one of the terraces for some tea while
everyone settles themselves in for the day?" He stands and puts a hand on
David's shoulder to guide him away from the crowd in the meeting hall. He looks
over to all the elders there. "Things have been a bit excitable with strange
visions and all. Amazing how contagious they can be. I am sure it will be
clearer once everyone is calmed." With that he walks, guiding David with him.
Meanwhile, as folks relax and discuss the vision, the incoming messenger birds
find their way to people, or some of the smaller children read the names on the
sealed notes and run about delivering them as they laugh and skip through the
crowd. A messenger bird lands near Seijaku and hops over to his shoulder to
deposit its note in his hands before flitting off. Some letters are from family,
others are trade offers, and some were recipes or practical jokes.
Seijaku looked up from the
message the messenger bird had just dropped off. He sighed. This coded message
only made things more complicated now. He had to chose a side, and he didn't
like the consequences of either choice.
Seijaku stood as he decided what he needed to do. Then, he set off to find
David.
Aeris. She moaned. Aeris, the voice persisted. Aeris, goddamn it, wake up. Aeris slowly opened her eyes. She stared up at the man in front of her. Dark, spiky, cinnamon hair. Sharp, intelligent gold eyes. Three piercing along his left ear. A scar running above and below the skin on his right eye. "Phane............" She reached out and touched his face, shivering. "You're real.......this isn't........a dream."
Phane smiled, leaning in to kiss her, and her lips met his hungrily. His breath was warm, an escape from the chilling cold of the mountain. Her hand went up to softly trace his face as his hand threaded through her hair. Their lips parted. Phane winced and groaned, clutching his bleeding chest. "Crap," he mumbled. He looked up at her, a smile on his lips. "So you're here."
She smiled back. "Yeah, yeah I am." she whispered.
He winced again. "Damn. Your skills with those blades haven't changed a bit," he remarked as she tore off a strip of cloth from his cloak and bound it tightly around his chest to stop the bleeding.
"Thanks, you're not so bad yourself." she replied.
He laughed tentatively, not wanting to irritate the wound. " 'Not so bad' huh? I knew who you were:. I didn't want to hurt you, Aeris," he whispered, touching her face with a gloved hand.
The metal was cool against her
hot skin. Her heart was pounding. "What happened to you?" she asked, "on that
night where we killed that man?"
Phane shifted position, sitting up a little more. "That night, when we were
running through the forest, that guy picked me off. We fought, eventually ending
up in an abandoned wood factory. I was almost at my limit, when the man smirked
at me. He demanded the return of the silver bracelet. He said it was important
to him and his future as part of his guild. I didn't care. If it was so
important, I wasn't about to give it up." Phane winced, straining with the
effort of re-telling his story. "I thrust my sword through his heart, and, well,
he died. But it was weird, his body disappeared after he died. It sort
of.........dissolved, into inky blackness. His cloak and bracelet were left
behind. I took it, thinking that if I found this guy's guild, I could probably
get in and get more clues. The whole thing just didn't sit right with me."
He sighed. "After years of looking, I hadn't really found anything. Townspeople
said that the guild was extinct. One word came up, though, Qin Maru." Aeris's
head rang. Qin Maru? That was the name that had unearthed from her memories. Did
they have ties to the Akuma, or information about them? She shook her head,
focusing back on Phane. "Eventually I just ended up hanging around the guy's
house looking for clues when you showed up." He smiled, "and I'm glad you
did Aeris. I missed you." Tears welled in her eyes and she threw her arms around
him, holding him tightly as if he were the last person in the world. And to
Aeris, he was.
They ended up heading back to the Air Temple to report. It appeared as though
everyone was happy to see them again. Aeris mumbled hello's and how are you's,
but the only thing she really wanted was to be with Phane. As they walked
through the crowd, he took her hand reassuringly in his. She smiled. She was
happy to have him back. "Phane!!" Phane shot his head over to look at the
speaker. It was Lyos, the weapon's specialist. Phane turned to Aeris. "Be right
back."
Aeris watched as he turned and walked, a powerful figure in a swarm of
weaklings. Well, not all of them. Someone tugged at her leg, and she looked
down. It was a little boy. He grinned, showing a two-teethed smile. "Dis iz foh
you," said the little boy, handing her a sealed note. She took it. It was a rare
seal, and she didn't recognize it. "Thanks," she said, puzzled, but slapped a
few coins into his palm. The little boy gave her a quick hug then ran off. She
looked around suspiciously. *There's too many people here....* She walked
quickly and decisively toward the temple. Opening the door with a quiet grace,
she looked around for an unoccupied room. She found one, and promptly opened the
door, then closed and locked it. Sitting down on the small cot, she broke the
seal and opened the note. As she read the scroll, disbelief and puzzlement
etched upon her face. As soon as she stopped reading, she stood up and slammed
the scroll shut. She had to talk to David.
Blue's suspicion to the boy
gradually diminished. He can see that this boy is earnest in uncovering the
truth behind this happening. The boy asked a question at the end and Blue
answered yes, he would be glad to have someone to tell about his own suspicions.
It wouldn't really matter now since he is about to leave the temple anyway. He
had a good talk with the old man the other night and have already acquired what
he sought.
The two of them politely took leave of each other as they agreed to look more
deeply into this mystery. Blue didn't go back to the meeting hall. He decided
that he has enough of these crazy dream talks and evil akumas and so took to the
quietest part of the temple to catch some much needed sleep.
Ban walked towards the playing grounds, remembering the old times, flooded with memories, he felt happy, for a change, yet he was troubled. *Far too many people know about it,* he thought to himself and held his right hand tightly. *Something is wrong, very wrong.* But Ban was too tired to be troubled with these things, he walked to his room, hoping to catch some sleep, though these thoughts might keep him awake for a long time.
The old head monk leads David
away from everyone and out of sight. They head to a secluded terrace to discuss
this vision in private. "You know David, such visions are very dangerous. When
they are so clear, they could likely be happening at the very moment you
witnessed it. And someone apparently witnessed you witnessing it. Sit sit. My
old bones are not up for standing so long these days." The monk heats some tea
on a little fire that was setup there before they entered. The chill air from
the open terrace was refreshing. He served the tea and sat back to enjoy the
evening air.
A young boy enters apologizing for the intrusion to hand the old monk a note.
The monk reads it. "Oh my oh my. Things do get out of hand sometimes. I am sorry
David. I shall send someone in here with some dinner." The monk stands and pats
the boy on the head as he leaves.
From across the chasm hidden in the branches of a tree a fine archer takes aim
with an arrow all will recognize. He waits patiently. While David finishes
dinner from his friend, the cook. When David stands to look out the terrace to
his bison, the arrow flies fast and true, sped by airbending. It sunk deep into
David's throat as his world winked out and his spirit was set free with death.
Hours go by when one of the young monks comes screeching out into the halls
about David having been killed by an arrow on the terrace. Panic carries on the
wind. The arrow matches with Blue's, the feather fletching the same style and
color.
Seijaku was in his room when
he heard the panicked cry, he had not been able to find David so had gone to his
room to rest. "Murder! David has been murdered!" Seijaku cursed himself for not
trying hard enough to find David, he had not been able to warn him of the attack
that had been coming. This was often the way, clients often hired several
assassins for one job, so that should one fail there were others to finish the
job.
Seijaku rushed to see how David had been killed, but then so had the rest of the
temple. Seijaku had to wait until the initial surprise had died down before he
could enter and see for himself what had happened. It appeared that David had
been shot in the throat. The elder monk who knew the assassin's hand language
was in the room "I thought I might see you here," said the monk.
"The arrow," replied Seijaku, "I have seen similar ones before." And Seijaku knew at once who it belonged to, the man with the bow who he had proposed an alliance with. "I knew this was going to happen," Seijaku said bitterly.
"You could not have known that something like this would happen," replied the monk, his face showing confusion. Seijaku said nothing as he handed him the note he had received from the messenger bird. The monk read the note and then spoke to Seijaku, "You know this places you under suspicion, don't you?"
"Of course!" spat Seijaku. "But whoever did this is laying a false trail or is confident that they won't be followed. No assassin worth his reputation would butcher someone like this, I do not like the way this looks. David's vision and his death are not unrelated. Someone does not want us to know about what he told us."
Ban sighed, he was lying in his bed. "That wasn't a dream," he said to himself. *That was a memory... but... when exactly,* he thought. Ban got up, and without much sleep, he decided it was time to leave, it was still early in the morning, the light was dim, and the sun was about to rise, he reached the temple entrance by the time it came up, he sighed and without looking back, Ban left the temple.
For the second time that day,
Blue was wakened from his slumber. His sleep was strangely uncomfortable and
when a sudden commotion erupted, he was immediately up. The noise was diminished
in his area but it's effect was like an alarm to him. He exited through the door
and is immediately bumped by a young novice who seemed agitated. A quick
question brought up the answer: David has been killed by an unknown assailant.
It was an arrow through the throat, quick and accurate. The news disturbed Blue,
the death has several implications connected to the vision. He continued
thinking of what he had heard as he walked back to the quarters.
When Blue discovered that his belongings were disorganized, a sick feeling
formed in his stomach. Half of his arrows were gone and a piece of clothing was
missing. His mind was racing, who could have done this? He remembered David's
death, done by an arrow. His trouble senses tingled as he slowly realizes what
might happen. He decided that he wouldn't take any chances this time. He swiftly
packed up his things and silently left the temple unnoticed. It looks like this
would be his last visit to this place.
Blue was not the only one to leave the temple. Guru Roxas arranged with the elders to investigate David's murder. He, himself would hurry to the Northern Air Temple, then maybe the Western one to share what he had learned from David and maybe see it they too have received similar news.
Seijaku needed to leave the
temple. He should never of shown the monk the scroll requesting David to be
killed, but at the time it seemed like the thing to do. Seijaku was sure that
the man with the bow would leave the temple too and he should be easy enough to
track down the mountain. If he had no bison or glider there was no were else for
him to go.
Seijaku was about to leave the temple, but he had not imagined he would leave it
as a fugitive. It was one of the few things he was attached to, it was his home
and was always a sanctuary for him away from the world of his work. But his work
had found him there and he was no longer safe. His best chances were for him to
find the man with the bow, he had traveled the world and would know better how
it worked compared to his knowledge of the world Seijaku's was like a child's.
Seijaku had packed light. Taking his earning's from his work, his glider,
weapons and and enough food to last him for nearly a week, he set off. Seijaku
was not happy about stealing food from the nomads, they were his own people and
he felt like he was robbing his family. But he had not dared to ask for
traveling food from the cooks, that would give away his intentions of leaving
the temple, this way was better. He often kept to himself and the monks of the
temple would not notice his absence for several days, a week if he was lucky.
Seijaku pushed aside his guilt as he left the temple, it wasn't right for him to
run away from the temple, he was an assassin of honour, not a coward. But if he
stood trial only to be proven innocent, he would of wasted valuable time he
needed to find the man with the bow. With the man's help Seijaku would be able
to find David's true killer and prove his and the man's innocence, but it would
not be easy.
Seijaku saw what he was looking for, a figure jumping down the cliff's ledges
that surrounded the air temple. For the second time, Seikjaku followed the man
with the bow without being seen. Now came the hard part...
He traveled long and had
stopped to rest his tired limbs. Blue looked back on the temple, it was only a
dark silhouette now behind the hazy clouds that hid it. He was almost on the
foot of the mountain and yet it still seemed so far away. All this business of
death in one of the sacred places in the world shook his spirit, is this how
extensive the akuma's reach is? It was all scary that he could never trust any
nomad again now that it was possible that a monk might have set him up. But
then, thinking of the place David described fired him up. The adventure in him
was kindled when he imagined how that place would look like... perhaps,
beautiful still? He knew that it would be somewhere north, under a waterfall, as
his guess might permit. He still didn't have enough time to think where it might
be located exactly but he assumed it would all come by him as he nears this
place, it was always like that to him since he started hunting her. It was only
a matter of how he would act when he actually meets the evil David described
that diminishes his curiosity. But it was a risk he would like to take.
As Seijaku flew above the man, he saw a forest in the distance. Seijaku frowned.
This could either be good or bad. If Seijaku confronted the man now then he
wouldn't be able to get away, but they could be seen for miles around, but if
Seijaku confronted him in the forest then they would be hidden from view,
however, the man probably knew more about forest than he did so could easily
escape. Seijaku descided to confront the man in the forest, he was afraid that
there could be some sort of being following them *An akuma perhaps?* thought
Seijaku, you could never be too careful in his line of work.
Seijaku silently dropped to the forest floor, he thought it would of been hard tracking the man in this forest, but he had found it surprisingly easy. It was a bit like the slums in Ba Sing Se, there were twists and turns everywhere, but if you stayed high up you could follow someone easily. Seijaku allowed himself one of his rare smiles as he stepped out in front of the man, seeing how he would react was going to be interesting. The man did not see Seijaku as soon as he expected. *He must be tired,* thought Seijaku.
After resting for a bit, Blue continued down the mountain and after some time, penetrated deep into the forest. He was all ready to find some sleeping place since he was beginning to get sleepy again when a man stood, blocking his path. Blue calmly took his bow and aimed at the stranger. But his mind was racing with ideas of who might this be. His heart thumped a little but he dared not show any weakness. He moved sideways, near some bushy foliage to have a good chance of escaping.
When the man did notice Seijaku, the man reacted quickly, he pulled out an arrow notched it and pulled back the bow string, but hesitated to fire. This was good. Seijaku was relieved.
Blue hesitated and waited. The stranger spoke. "Well I think that proves it then," Seijaku said smugly, "You definitely didn't kill David, as you haven't shot me yet, or is the alliance we made coming back to you?" Seijaku couldn't help but grin when he said this. "So are going to lower your bow or shoot me?" Seijaku waited for the man's reply.
Blue realized it was the man
from before. The man was carrying some belongings and it seemed an awful lot for
just following someone. *Is he going somewhere?*, Blue thought. This
might mean that this man is not out to get him looking dressed like that as a
traveler. But how can he be sure? It is an evil world full of evil men and he
would not dare waste his life by being stupid. Blue lowered his bow and instead
concentrated on escaping. He is trying to show the man that he would not attack
as a sign of listening to whatever he had to say. At the slightest sign of
danger, he would unsheathe his hunting knife and jump towards the nearest tree.
He would have to take chances.
"I am innocent, I have done nothing. Somebody set me up by stealing half of my
arrows. Can you not see? Is this the number of arrows a man like me should bring
along in this troubled parts of the wood? I would want to ensure my safety and
bring as many as arrows as I can carry. I do not want to be food for the wild
animals here." His voice quaked a little. "Are you not a spy? Being framed in
this murder, I say now, I do not trust you at all."
*Now comes the hard part,*
thought Seijaku. *Convincing him I'm not out for revenge.* "I'm more
than a spy," replied Seijaku. "I'm an assassin." He took a careful step forward,
hands showing visibly that he bore no weapons in them. "I showed one of the
monks a note about how I was asked to kill Daivd," Seijaku paused. He felt like
he was revealing too much, but he needed this man if he was going to find
David's killer. "Besides don't you remember? I was with you barely an hour
before David was killed. I highly doubt that an untrained airbender such as
yourself could of made it into position in time to shoot David, and get back to
the temple. And only an idiot would shoot someone out in the open like that with
such an easily traceable arrow, I believe that you have been set up. I also
think that not all of the nomads are as loyal as they seem."
As Seijaku waited for the man to respond, he saw his eyes widen in shock. This
was going to be interesting.
*The man made himself
suspicious by telling the monk the order? Is he saying the truth?
But it would be the only explanation for his traveling attire unless he
really means to trick me that badly,* Blue thought. He saw the man's eyes,
serious, unreadable. Sweat rolled down his brow, he didn't know if he should
trust this man. An assassin would be a dangerous companion if it happens.
He remembered his first airbending lesson, what his father had repeatedly told
him. It was his heart, understand and flow with it. Be carefree and detach
yourself from worries. It would be only then when you shall find what you seek.
To tap into his innermost consciousness and feel pure intuition. It will guide
him. Blue closed his eyes and sighed. He felt the oxygen in his lungs swirling
in an everlasting cycle. It gave him what he needed.
Opening his eyes, he answered, "I am going to the Qin Maru temple. I do not know
why but I feel it calling for me. It makes me wonder now, but I will know it in
time. I do not know what it is that you want from me but that is my
destination."
This man wanted to go the Quin Maru temple, Seijaku wondered if that was such a good idea. The last person to mention Qin Maru had been David, and now he was lying dead in the air temple with an arrow through his throat. Seijaku did not want that happening to either of them "It is interesting that you should want to go to the Quin Maru temple, but I doubt that would be much help, as David said, the Quin Maru holy guards are dead so I doubt there will be anything there except trouble, possibly an Akuma," Seijaku advised. He continued, "I don't know how much you know about the Quin Maru, but I know something of the Akuma. They are evil spirits, some people call them demons, and I think that who or whatever killed David has something to do with them."
Seijaku wondered if this man would trust him enough to follow Seijaku's instincts rather than his own. "I think that it would be better for us to find the Akuma temple, but if you know where there is a Quin Maru temple then we could go there." Then Seijaku remembered he had been in this part of the world before. "Listen, there is a village nearby with an inn, I suggest that we stay there for the night before we go searching for anything and if we're going to work together it would be helpful for me to know your name."
"I am Blue. And If you do not wish to follow me, the I will go alone to this temple. I believe if you want to solve the murder of David, then only in this temple can we find answers. As for your invitation, I'm afraid I do not have any coins to spare and I have planned to spend the night here in the woods. But if you can treat me a nice supper and a comfortable bed, I would be most indebted to you."
The man really intended to go
to Quin Maru temple, in that case Seijaku would have to go with him, two had a
better chance of surviving than one in this situation. Then Seijaku smiled, it
was good thing he had brought his earnings, it amounted to a small fortune.
"Well it is a good thing that my line of work pays well then. I think I could
pay for both of us to have a comfortable night," Seiajku said as he set off
heading for the village.
As Seijaku and Blue approached the village, Seijaku kept his eyes open for the
usual thieves or thugs that might be found in a place like. There didn't appear
to be any but, Seijaku was still uneasy. He had been on edge ever since David
had been killed. Never once to let his guard down, Seijaku muttered to Blue as
they walked towards the inn, "Places like this sometimes contain thieves and
thugs who will prey on easy travelers. I doubt that they will pick on us but I
would prefer for you to be prepared." Blue nodded his approval as they entered
the inn. "A room for two please," Seijaku asked the inn keeper. "And could you
have dinner sent up to us?"
The inn keeper took the money and bowed respectfully to Seijaku, who bowed back."I'll have my boy show you up to your room," said the inn keeper
"Thank you," replied Seijaku,
"if there's anything else we need we'll let you know."
When they entered the room Seijaku took the bed nearest the door, he would be
the first one to wake up if there was an intrusion in the night so would react
first. "I suggest you make yourself comfortable," commented Seijaku. "Then we
can plan what we will do over dinner." Seijaku was hungry, he hadn't eaten all
day.
Blue wanted to sleep
immediately but not wanting to be impolite to his benefactor, he resisted the
urge. He began unpacking his own things and lined them up neatly on top of the
dresser. He surveyed the room, it was furnished simply but cozy enough for him.
He shook his head, first the good hospitality of the temple and now this inn. He
might have to take time getting used to sleeping outside again. He tried
thinking of something to say but he couldn't find any. He wished the food was
here since he already felt awkward with this man who look as if he might kill
him in his sleep.
"Well..." Blue cleared his throat, "Where do we begin?"
"I think we should start with the Quin Maru temple you want to visit," Seijaku replied. "It may yield some information about what we need to do, but unless you know where we can find one then I wouldn't know where to start. But I think there has been enough excitement for one day, we need rest and you look tired."
The pair finished their meal in silence, Seijaku bade Blue a good night but was restless himself so just lay there for a few hours think about what he had got himself involved in. *I should be back at the temple with the other monks, investigating David's murder,* thought Seijaku, his master always said that an assassin should rely on what his senses told him rather than his intuition. *But what else have I got except intuition at the moment?* He needed to get to the bottom of this, one nomad had already died because of this and Seijaku wasn't about to willingly let another on die. And with that thought Seijaku rolled over and promptly fell into the dreamless half sleep that all assassins who were on a difficult job experienced. Hopefully his questions would be answered tomorrow.
Aeris, apparently, had been
too late. David had been killed before she could have talked to him. The whole
temple was a mess. The accused killer, Blue, had fled before anyone could have
sentenced him. The monks sent out a fleet of air nomad 'soldiers' to go look for
him. Aeris shook her head disdainfully. They were all newbies in the field, not
tough enough, not strong enough, not really even fighters. All of them would die
before they even treaded half the distance. She twirled the note from the
anonymous person in her hand, watching the sunrise. It just didn't seem right.
Blue might not have been a master, but he was well trained, so she knew he had
enough sense not to kill people right out in the open. He never struck her as a
murderer.
She clenched the scroll tightly with her fist. Something was definitely wrong
here. She strolled to Phane's room, thinking. What reason would Blue have for
killing David? She couldn't think of any. He had supported David's vision, and
even protested that the elders should take greater measures to prevent whatever
might happen from happening. So it wasn't that. She glanced around suspiciously.
Some of the nomads here were not truly loyal. And if she could find Blue, she
could unravel this mystery.
"Phane!" she called, stepping inside the room. It was empty, and her voice
echoed against the walls. She stepped over to the bed, puzzled. There was
something protruding from the pillow. She lifted it up and took the thing in her
hand. It was a note. She sat down on the bed and began to read:
Aeris, it's Phane. I'm sorry I had to leave without saying goodbye. I wished
I could, but right now I'm on a mission more dangerous than the last. It's so
top secret I can't even tell you, a high-ranking assassin in the Guild that we
both belong to. Don't come looking for me. I don't want to see you hurt again.
This mission will take months, maybe even years. But that doesn't matter. I'll
come back. You know I will. And I'll find you this time, just as you
found me. I love you.
Phane
She stood frozen for a minute, not sure whether to be mad, or sad, or both or
what. Instead she sighed and smiled, looking to the mountains. *I know we'll
be together again,* she thought, closing her eyes and breathing deeply.
After a few moments of blissful silence, she opened her eyes and got back to
business. She had to find Blue. Slipping the note under her pillow, she grabbed
her dagger-blades and sheathed them on her back. She shut the door and strode
towards the exit.
"Leaving so soon, Aeris?" A sonorous voice asked her as she grasped the handle
of the door. She gritted her teeth, her patience definitely on hold. She knew
that voice. It was Laos, the weapon's specialist that had spoken with Phane when
he and Aeris had returned to the temple.
She turned her head, exuding
an air of malice and directing it towards him. "What do you want?" she growled,
impatient to get this petty chatter over with so she could leave.
He smirked, stepping a little closer. "Looking for someone?" he asked.
She clenched her fist so tight her nails dug into the flesh. Warm blood dripped
from her palm. "Don't make me kill you."
His smirk deepened as he stepped closer still. "Collaborating with the murderer
of an esteemed monk is high treason, Aeris." At last he stepped so close she
could feel his breath in her hair, "And that person deserves to die."
She lost it. Spinning around with inhuman speed she grabbed her dagger blade and
thrust it through his stomach. She leaned in close to his shocked and dying
face.
"Collaborating with the real murderer of an esteemed monk is high
treason." She threw him to the ground contemptuously and ripped her blade from
his perforated stomach, sheathing it. His blood pooled at her feet. She turned
and pulled the hood from her cloak over her face, walking swiftly away from the
temple. "And that person deserves to die."
Flying above the forest, she contemplated where Blue could have gone. *Where
would I go if I were an accused murderer running from the "law"?* she
thought, the chill wind desperately trying to penetrate her cloak. He was
searching for something, maybe the same thing she was. *The Qin Maru
Temple!!!* she thought, cursing herself for being so slow. She flew ever
faster, adrenaline pumping through her veins. There were no guarantees, but she
had a feeling he was going there, searching for an answer to an ageless
question.
And so they traveled, converging on an inn, a mix of fear and hope in their nomad hearts.
BACK to Avatar: The Last Airbender
