Azula's Journey

Awakening

"Chakras?" Azula repeated. "Isn't that just some spiritual mumbo-jumbo?"

Guru Pathik smiled. "To some, yes. But I assure you that while chakras take many forms, we all have them and believe in them in some way."

Azula nodded uncertainly. "So how will these chakras help me take control over my mind?"

"Just as the world needs balance, so do individuals." Guru Pathik explained. "When our minds become clouded by the emotional and mental turmoil we carry, that balance becomes lost. By confronting and admitting the burdens we have placed on ourselves, only then can the energy within us flow freely."

"That's just a fancy way of saying you want me to talk about my feelings." Azula scoffed. "The doctors at the asylum tried that too. It's a waste of time."

Guru Pathik tilted his head curiously. "Was it a waste of time because it did not work or because you did not try?"

Azula opened her mouth to speak, then paused. She had spent days with doctors asking her questions, analyzing her like some sort of experiment. Was she the most cooperative patient? Absolutely not. Most days, she spent hours just staring at the doctors in silent defiance. What did they care about what she felt? Even if she had tried to open up to them, it wouldn't have changed anything. They would have still kept her locked up and restrained, just like she had done with her emotions since she was young. Would it make a difference if she tried now?

"Is this really going to work?" Azula asked.

Guru Pathink smiled. "That is for you to decide once your spiritual journey is complete. But I must warn you, once this process begins, you can not stop until all 7 chakras are open. Are you ready to begin?"

Azula shrugged. "I guess I'll give it a try."

"Close your eyes." Guru Pathik instructed. "The first chakra is the Earth chakra, located at the base of the spine. This chakra deals with survival and is blocked by fear. To open it, you must let go of your fears."

Azula opened her eyes. "I fear nothing. This chakra has to be open already."

Guru Pathik hummed. "Everyone is afraid of something. Admitting fear is not weakness, Azula. By doing so, you show bravery by facing it."

"Fear is not weakness. Bravery is facing fear." Azula repeated, closing her eyes again.

At first, she was surrounded by darkness. Then suddenly, she was in the throne room facing her father. Azula fell to her knees and bowed respectfully at his feet.

"Azula." Ozai sneered as the flames grew around him. "You have failed me. You have failed the Fire Nation. Look at me and accept your punishment."

"Father." Azula pleaded, refusing to look up. "I am your loyal heir. I will do whatever you ask. I---"

"Enough!" Ozai snapped. Azula could feel the intense heat as he grew closer. "You have outgrown your usefulness. Now look at me!"

Azula shuddered against the heat as tears pooled in her eyes. She refused to look up. She couldn't look up.

"It's not real." Guru Pathik's voice echoed around her. "What you are seeing is a manifestation of your fear. To open the Earth Chakra, you must let it go."

Azula took a deep breath. "This isn't real. Father can't hurt me. He has no bending. He's locked away."

She sat up, and the throne room faded away, her father with it. Azula opened her eyes, sighing in relief.

"Congratulations." Guru Pathik told her. "You have opened your Earth Chakra."

Azula felt lighter. It was strange but in a good way. "What's next?"