MAYA [Book 1 - Water]

Chapter 40 - Inner Storms of Life

-Maya's Point of View-

The rain started to pour as soon as I left the port, and it got heavier as I was searching by the cliffside. I just really hope Katara and Sokka are fine out there in the sea. 

And I hope Aang is also okay. He couldn't have gone far with these strong winds. He must've searched for a shelter somewhere.

I kept flying around searching for a possible place to hide hoping that Aang would be there, when suddenly, I saw a cave by the cliffside. I hurriedly flew to that place to check and see if there would be someone—and there was.

I saw Aang all curled up sitting on the floor. I was all wet and drenched by the rain but I didn't mind. What was important for me during that time was that I was with him—by his side; to comfort him and let him know that he was not alone.

I wasn't saying anything nor was I making a move cause I was cautious at how he would react, but then he suddenly spoke.

"I'm sorry for running away," he sadly said. 

"It's okay. That fisherman was way out of line," I replied. 

"Actually, he wasn't," Aang disagreed. 

"What do you mean?" I asked. He slowly looked back at me and then he looked away. 

"I don't want to talk about it," he replied.

"It has something to do with your dream, doesn't it?" I asked as I walked towards him and then I knelt down and softly caressed his back. "Talk to me..." I said to him softly.

"Well, it's kind of a long story..." Aang started but he was interrupted when Appa let out a loud growl as he was entering the cave. He leaned his nose onto his owner as if he was showing that he wanted to comfort him as well. Aang hugged him back and while they were all snuggling together, I suddenly felt a chill down my spine. 

"I'm gonna try to start a fire to warm us up," I said and then I went down a bit deeper into the cave and searched for some twigs and stones. 

Once I was able to put up a small campfire, I gathered Aang, Momo, and Appa around it. 

"So, how about now?" I asked—waiting for Aang to finally start explaining. He stared blankly at the fire before finally speaking up. 

"I'll never forget the day the monks told me that I was the Avatar," he started. "I was playing with the other kids just outside the south wall. I was teaching them the new airbending trick I created which I called the 'air scooter'. It was a funny airbending trick I came up with to increase my speed as I chased down the—" he suddenly stopped his narration as he looked at me.

I was looking at him with a big smile and then I gave him a confused look when he stopped. "Why'd you stop? Go on!" I exclaimed. 

He cleared his throat and continued, "Anyway, that's unrelated to the story but, while I was teaching my friends the air scooter trick, the head monks suddenly interrupted saying that they needed to speak with me about something. I thought it was just some kind of reprimanding due to my past childish acts. Who would have ever thought that that day would be the day that will change my life forever."

His enthusiasm faded and then he suddenly became all gloomy. 

"They told me that I was the Avatar and they based it off with the toys that I chose when I was little. They said that those toys used to be owned by the past avatars as well, and it was because of that connection with my past lives that's why I chose them. Hence, why I'm the 'Avatar'. Not so much of a reliable basis if you ask me!" he continued with a sort of irritated tone this time.