The Only Hope

Book 4: Chapter 18

Then

The sound of snow being crushed under my boots, and my winded breath was the only thing heard in the otherwise dead, cold night. Above me, the bright, large moon watched me, perhaps laughing at my drunk-like stumble through the near-knee high snow. I had no idea I had come during the snow season- or that snow even had its own season.

News flash: it does.

I wasn't sure who I was more mad at- myself or the man at the shop who sold me shotty compass. The darn thing didn't work! I had given up using it hours ago and just prayed- hoped- that I was going in the right direction. I had a map- I had maps for everything, but my map was no good without a compass.

Despite being covered head to toe- I had taken care to wrap my whole face minus my eyes- with the warmest fabrics I could buy, I was still shivering. I was of Fire nation descent, and thus warm blooded. Even Republic City never got anything more than chilly. A sudden thought hit me, and turned my already-cold blood into ice. I was now dealt with the real possibility of freezing to death at eighteen, in the middle of the artic and no one knowing.

Taking a glance at the moon, that's when it hit me.

I don't need the compass because I have the best direction giver right in front of me. Pulling my bag over my shoulder, I dug my gloved hands into it until I found the right map. With care- being my grip wasn't that well with the thick, warm gloves- I opened the map.

Looking up at the moon, I calculated where it had been five minutes before. From there I found my east and west. Looking back at the map, and from talking to people in the Northern Water Tribe, I knew I needed to go North West to get to the forest with the spirit portal. So I needed the slowly setting moon to my back right. Closing the map, I stuck it back into my bag and headed off into what I was hoping was North West- towards the spirit portal.

I should have gone to the South Pole. Korra was there, and I knew where that spirit portal was. I could all but find it in my sleep. But I didn't want to. I didn't want to risk seeing Korra, or anyone else I knew. I didn't want anything to do with my former- my real- life. Not right now at least. I wanted the chance to do things on my own.

And by fate's luck, I was able to find the Northern Spirit Portal. At the small gleam of its light peering on the horizon, I felt my speed kick up- my near frozen bones protesting as I did. But I had an end goal in mind- because as soon as I passed into the spirit world I planned on taking a nap. If I did out here- I'd die. There's no joke, no going around the subject. I would freeze to death- and I'd prefer not to. Even better was that the boost of energy got me moving and I could feel myself warming up.

~~~

I don't know how long I slept. Or when I fell asleep, all I could remember was entering the portal, somehow finding a nice little shrub area- and BAM. I woke up, tangled in a bush and stomach growling for me to feed it. After freeing myself from the bush, and removing some of my winter gear, I did.

I snacked on a few pieces of jerky, making my way through the spirit world. To be honest I had no idea where I was at, had no map, and wanted to be back in my home world by then end of their day out there. There is no real time in the spirit world.

I kind of wished I had help from my previous trips here. It was the spirits that guided Jinora and I to Wan Shi Tong's Library, not our own wits. I had no clue where to find them, or where to start. The thought was fighting and angering. I was failing at yet another thing- no, not this time. I refused. After I finished my breakfast, I swung my glider off of my back. It was the one thing I had taken from my room in Air Temple Island before leaving. For the past month, I've been using it as a walking stick- my official story? I lived in Republic City, and when Amon striked, I was injured. And the dumb oafs believed me! HA!