𝑨𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒎𝒆𝒆𝒕

𝑶𝒐𝒈𝒊𝒆𝒔

Chapter Forty six
Elora

I was reluctant to get out of the tub, the warm water soothing my sore muscles. But everyone was getting ready for Zuko's coronation, and people from the Earth Kingdom were on their way, including our old friends and masters who Aang, Inara, and Isamu had stayed behind to help.

Members of the Water Tribes were already here. Both Katara and Sokka had gone to greet them as I finished getting ready. An outfit was laid out on the bed for me.

I was happy that I faced my destiny and made it out victorious Yet, I felt a twinge of sadness.

The war was over. Everyone was safe, free to rebuild their lives and reunite with their people. Everyone except Aang and me.

I won the war but our people are still gone.

Nobody was left—it was just us. I was scared of what would happen now that the war was over. The reason for our unity was gone. Would Toph go back to her family? Would Sokka and Katara return to the South Pole? Would we even be welcomed there?

Most of all, would Aang still be angry with me?

So many questions, so many doubts, but I didn't have time for them. I fixed my hair as best I could, put on my clothes, and headed out.

As I made my way down the palace hallways, the servants were in a buzz, running and rushing to prepare for the coronation. Despite the commotion around me, my mind was adrift, weighed down by uncertainties and fears about the future.

"Lora!"

I stopped in my tracks, frozen. It was Aang's voice behind me. My heart skipped a beat, a mixture of relief and anxiety flooding me as I turned around to see him, Inara, and Isamu, who had finally arrived, all dusty, bruised, and sweaty. Inara wore her usual stoic expression, and Isamu had his shark grin, while Aang ran towards me with a relieved smile. Seeing them safe, a weight lifted off my chest.

"Aang," I let out, my voice trembling slightly before he jumped towards me, wrapping me in his arms. I smiled, feeling an overwhelming sense of comfort and belonging as I returned the embrace.

"I'm so sorry!" We both said in unison as we broke away from the embrace, then chuckled, the tension between us dissolving in that shared moment.

"I didn't kill him," I said, hoping Aang would understand the gravity of my decision. His smile reassured me.

"And I didn't mean what I said," he told me, his eyes filled with sincerity. We hugged again, and in that embrace, I felt a wave of relief. The fear that he might still be angry with me started to dissipate. As we broke apart, I noticed the smoke stains and wood splinters on Aang.

"You all look like crap. What happened?" I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood, but genuinely concerned as my gaze fell on them closely.

"Who cares? What matters are the memories we made," Isamu said mischievously, his grin never fading.

"I almost died!" Aang let out dramatically, and I raised a concerned brow, my heart skipping another beat with worry.

"Ah yes, that was my fondest memory," Inara said dryly, and I opened my mouth to ask, but then shook my head, deciding against it.

"You three will elaborate later. Now, you should all hurry to get ready. Zuko is about to be coronated as Fire Lord," I told them. They hurried off, and I chuckled, feeling lighter than I had in months.

Sokka

The gong rang as Zuko walked out in his royal attire, and the crowd erupted in cheers. I joined them, my voice blending with the jubilant shouts of the others. But Zuko raised his hand to quiet us.