Ripples of Fate

Chapter 69: Fractured Balance

Mailin’s POV

The hospital room feels like a cage, the beeping machines and the sterile air doing nothing to calm the storm raging inside me. Every part of my body aches, but the real pain is in my mind—where the questions keep coming, one after another. I thought I understood my Quirk. Waterbending was something I could control, something that made sense.

But now… fire, air, earth… they respond to me like I’ve always known them. And the visions—they won’t stop.

I close my eyes, trying to quiet my thoughts, but the moment my eyelids shut, the world around me shifts.

Suddenly, I’m no longer in the hospital. I’m standing in a vast expanse, surrounded by towering mountains and open sky. The wind howls around me, but it carries voices—ancient, powerful voices—calling my name.

Before me, a group of figures materializes. They stand in a semicircle, their presence commanding. The first is an elderly man with a stern face, his red robes billowing in the wind. His eyes glow with an inner fire. Beside him is a tall, imposing woman, her stance unyielding, her armor reflecting the sunlight. Next to her stands a young boy with a warm smile, his head shaved except for a single arrow that glows faintly. And finally, a woman with determined eyes, dressed in blue and white, her very presence radiating strength and resilience.

I know who they are. I’ve read the stories, seen the records. But seeing them in front of me, feeling their power—it’s overwhelming.

"Avatar Roku," I whisper, my voice trembling. "Avatar Kyoshi… Avatar Aang… Avatar Korra."

They all turn to face me, their glowing eyes piercing through the space between us. The air around them hums with energy, with the raw power of the elements they once mastered.

Avatar Roku steps forward first, his deep voice resonating through the air. "You carry the weight of our legacy, Mailin. The Avatar spirit has chosen you."

My heart races. "But… I’m not the Avatar. I can barely control what’s happening to me."

Kyoshi’s voice is sharp, unwavering. "Control comes through discipline. You have been chosen because you can handle this power. But if you allow fear to guide you, it will consume you."

Her words hit me like a blow. I want to argue, to tell her that I never asked for this, that I don’t even know if I want this. But the truth is, I don’t even know where to begin.

Avatar Aang steps forward next, his soft smile a stark contrast to the intensity around us. "I struggled with accepting my role as the Avatar, too. It’s not easy… but you’re not alone. We’re here to guide you."

His words are gentle, but they don’t erase the weight I feel pressing on my chest. I look down at my hands, shaking slightly. "I’m scared," I admit, my voice barely a whisper.

Korra steps up, her voice fierce but filled with empathy. "You should be. This power is more than just bending the elements. It’s about bringing balance to the world. That’s never an easy task. But you’re stronger than you think, Mailin. You’ve survived so much already."

I swallow hard, tears stinging the corners of my eyes. "But what if I can’t do it? What if I make things worse?"

Aang shakes his head. "You will make mistakes. We all did. But that’s part of the journey. What matters is that you learn from them."

Roku’s gaze sharpens. "You are the bridge between the elements, Mailin. But balance is delicate. If you allow your emotions to control you, you risk losing everything. You must learn to find harmony within yourself before you can bring balance to the world."

I stare at them, my heart pounding in my chest. Their words sink in, but it feels like too much. Too much responsibility. Too much pressure. I don’t know if I can handle it.

Kyoshi steps forward, her expression softening for the first time. "You are not the first to feel this way, and you won’t be the last. But you have the strength to face this, Mailin. Don’t let fear be your guide."

The air around them starts to shimmer, and I feel the vision slipping away. Before they disappear, Korra speaks one last time, her voice strong and clear. "Remember, the Avatar’s duty is to bring balance—not just to the world, but to yourself. Trust in your instincts, but learn from your past."

And with that, they’re gone, the vision fading back into the sterile hospital room. My body feels cold, my mind reeling from what I’ve just seen. I open my eyes slowly, the ceiling coming back into view.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. It doesn’t feel real… but I know it was.

I’ve seen the past Avatars. They’re inside me. Their wisdom, their strength—it’s all a part of me now. But their words leave me with more questions than answers.

How can I bring balance to the world when I can’t even find it within myself?

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Shota’s POV

I watch as Mailin’s breathing calms, though her face is still pale. She’s been silent for what feels like hours, her eyes closed, but I know she’s seeing something beyond this room.

When she finally opens her eyes, she looks different—older, maybe. Wiser. But also burdened.

“What did you see?” I ask quietly, moving closer to her bed.

She meets my gaze, her green eyes filled with uncertainty. “The past Avatars… they spoke to me. They told me I’m the Avatar now. That I have to bring balance… but I don’t even know where to start.”

I sit beside her, the weight of her words sinking in. Avatar… Balance… These are things we’ve only ever heard about in stories. But now, they’re real. And Mailin is at the center of it all.

“You don’t have to figure it out all at once,” I tell her, placing a hand on her arm. “We’ll figure it out together.”

She gives me a weak smile, but I can see the fear still lurking beneath her surface. I don’t know what this means for us, or for the world. But whatever happens next, I won’t let her face it alone.