The Lost Avatar

Part 1 - Chapter 13

I'm so weak

We found ourselves in front of the sealed doors on the second floor of the main temple shrine at 2:00 pm, just as the Sages instructed. The Dai Li kept guard outside with the rest of the temple security since sunrise and kept in touch with scouts going till the viewpoint of the nearest village as well. The Head of Security always kept his phone on hand and kept calling contacts at Jaipur for any relevant information. Dev stood in front of the doors, just a foot behind the five Fire Sages standing in a line positioned in front of each crater. I tapped his shoulder lightly and he turned around suddenly.

"Are you ready?" I asked.

"Yes." He said, looking into my eyes with surety.

"All right, as soon as you're in, our focus is out there." I said.

"Be careful, Asin." He said.

Upon hearing my name out loud, everyone gave a quick look towards us then back at the doors. I stepped further back into the hall with a few attendants, giving the Sages and Dev some room and Dev moved a step back as well. As soon as the five took their positions, suddenly the window behind us shattered and a huge fireball bust through the wall on my left, hitting the Sage at the far end! He instantly was knocked out!

"No!" I yelled.

"It's time! We must get him inside!" the Head Sage exclaimed.

Kova rushed inside with two spirits of the Dai Li shouting "Get him in there fast! We need to fight!"

"But how?! Should I try opening- "Dev panicked.

"I'll do it." I said, looking towards the Head Sage.

"It's too much to handle, Fire Lord. Are you sure?" asked the Head Sage.

"Yes, come on. I'm doing it." I said and took my position at the leftmost flank in place of the unconscious sage.

"Asin, let me do it! You'll get exhausted." Dev said while rushing over towards me.

"Shut up." I said while cracking my fingers.

"Please, Asin! Don't do this- "Dev started.

"Back off and don't tell me what to do, Avatar!" I shouted out in frustration.

Everybody fell silent at my outburst and I could hear the noises of fighting outside the main shrine. Kova was right. We all need to fight out there and not waste any more time.

"Everybody, get ready! The faster he gets in, the lesser strain we'll go through!" I said, pulling my sleeves back till my elbows.

The five of us took a stance and Kova pulled Dev back towards the centre of the doors.

"Ready!" – we all made a half squat with our left knee bent and our right leg stretched out behind – "On three! One!" – we cupped out hands near our right waist – "Two!" – we brought our right leg back to the front and slowly stood straight still cupping our hands – "Three!" the Head Sage bellowed.

At the same time, the five of us stomped our right foot forward and punched out the highest amount of fire into the craters as hard as we could! My fire reached the location successfully and looked as decent as the other Sages. Nothing happened immediately and I realized the challenge. The constant energy required to push out that immense fire seemed too difficult for me today. It felt extra strenuous. Was Dev right-Asin! Focus! After a minute, I heard a click and the doors opened wide at the same time! Kova pushed Dev a bit and Dev leaped inside just as the doors closed shut! It was open for hardly 10 seconds! As soon I saw him inside, I fell to my knees breathing heavily. That was too much. Dev immediately turned around to see me standing up and going outside followed by the rest. The doors closed successfully.