The Lost Avatar

Part 1 - Chapter 5

Republic City 1

One month later...

Our mid-terms finished as fast as time went and as per the festival of Navratri, we received ten days of holidays. Accordingly, I decided that this was the perfect time to hold the Four-nation meet at the ruins of Republic City. As soon as we got down from the bus, we rushed home to pack our bags. The next couple of days had us busy with our passports and visas. The plan was to fly earlier than the others to the Capital of Peru, Lima and go the rest of the way via our own transport.

We came out of the Airport at Lima and our booked taxi was waiting right in front of us. The driver was an Airbender. His tattoos were light but still visible.

"Hello, Madam! Sir! I can only drop you till foot of mountain. Then you go. Okay?" he said, with a thick accent but it was understandable.

"Let's go!" I said, with a thumb's up.

We loaded our bags in the trunk except Dev's bag pack. Kova decided to reside in there. I chose to ride in the front while the two of them sat behind.

"My lord...in front?" asked the astonished driver.

"It's okay. Let's go!" I replied, showing my watch.

He immediately started the car and we sped away. We spent the night in the car itself as we felt the safest in it after a complete day of driving. We three took turns keeping watch while the others got some sleep. After a few hours of sleep, we resumed our course and suddenly turned into a dirt path that led into a jungle. We drove on for half an hour then stopped exactly at the foot of a mountain. It looked quite untouched.

We got down from the car and took our bags. The driver bid farewell and left. After we couldn't see the car anymore, we began trekking up the mountain. We had to cross over it to find the Republic City ruins in the valley. And it took time. The mountain also had alpacas blocking our way. They always stood on the good spots. There were also cougars living nearby but we only saw one in the distance. At least, we had Kova to calm down a few nomadic spirits while we passed through. They were there to protect the treasure behind it: Republic City.

Maintenance is definitely given by the royals of the four nations and wealthy benders as well. It depends on our connections but the land has successfully become private property for a long time...along with other lands around it, up to 300 hectares.

We had almost reached the top but stopped as it became dark. I finished making a fire when Kova slept and Dev was next to me and near the fire. We were in a cave camping out.

"Are you sure bringing me was a good idea?" asked Dev.

"I'm sure you'll be fine. At least, you can bend the four elements." I replied, while staring at the fire I made.

"What makes you think that the others will be?" he asked.

"Look, I don't know who will come. The delegates change every time. They were surprised that I chose here out of all places." I said.

"How can you risk your safety every year like that? You should send someone too." He said.

"I don't stay in touch with the rest of my family. It's an order from the previous Fire lord. I can't take any chances anyway." I said.

He became silent at that.

"Royals do keep their nation strong by staying in joint families. It's true but the Air nomads don't do that. Things have changed now due to the greed within families. My Grandfather had decided to move out with my mom and my Grandmother. After he was gone, my Mom moved out to build her own family and manage the Fire nation affairs on her own." I explained.