Water and Wind || Kataang

Chapter 5: Arrival

Aang
We had been flying all night. Although I managed to get some sleep, I couldn't really sleep through the night. Usually someone else would steer Appa so the others could sleep and I felt comfortable sleeping that way, but being alone, it's harder.
I had been awake for some time before I could finally see the air temples. The sun was just rising and it was shining beautiful on the temples.

„We're home." I said to Appa. I took his reigns and lightly steered him to a stop where he could land. We landed where all the sky bisons used to roam. The bisons always looked clustered but now the space looked so big. Appa looked tiny in comparison. I got off and Momo flew on my shoulder.
This was our home.

Although the Eastern air temple was closer, I wanted to start rebuilding the Southern air temple first. I hadn't been here in just under a year. Last time I was here was when we flew here with Katara and Sokka. Not much had changed. It looked abandoned. I had a lot of work to do.

Last time we were here, we hadn't really explored the temple that much. I began walking through all the places I walked upon when I was a kid.

Even though it had physically been 100 years since I had been here, to me it still felt like I was here one year ago when it was still filled with airbenders. Everything felt surreal. I walked through the halls and it was so quiet. It was never this quiet when everyone was here.

After walking for some time, I had reached the door where the avatar statues stood. I quickly opened it with airbending and stepped inside.

„Do you remember this, Momo? It's where we met." I said scratching his head. He flew alway and landed on Rokus head. Well, his statues head. I stepped forward and looked at Yangchens statue.

„I will restore this place. I will undo my mistakes, I promise."  I looked down. I believed what I said but I had no idea where to start. There was so much to do. I guess I shouldn't be wasting time.

I walked back outside with Momo following close by. I started with dusting the whole place with airbending. It made things a lot easier but the place was so big that it took several hours until I was done. I was tired and hungry. I hadn't eaten anything all day. Although I was often fasting and I wouldn't get hungry so quickly, after tiring myself out, I was starved.

I rembered flying over a town before we reached the air temple. I guess I could find some food there. I walked towards Appa and hopped on.

„Let's get some food, Appa." I said and we started flying towards the town. It wasn't too far. It was still in the earth kingdom but the closest point of civilization.

After flying for some time, we arrived. I landed on an empty space at the entrance of the town. Some people gathered to see what was going on. A woman jumped up.

„I can't believe it. It is Avatar Aang. It is an honor to have you visit our humple town, Avatar." She bowed her head in respect as the other villagers followed.

„You don't have to bow, please. It's an honor to be received in this way." I smiled and looked at them.

„What is the purpose of your visit, Avatar? Our town doesn't have much to offer." She said looking at me questionably.

„I was just searching for a meal." I said walking towards the crowd.

„Then you have come to the right place. I happen to know the best cook in town. Please come this way." She hurriedly walked deeper into the town urging me to follow. I obliged and we soon arrived at an inn.

„Guanyu! Prepare some food. The Avatar is here." She shouted to a man behind a counter.

„The Avatar, you say. I shall make the greatest meal in town." He quickly disappeared into the kitchen, I suppose. The woman walked me to a table and I sat down. She smiled and went into the kitchen as well.