The First Deathbender (Deathbender Book 1)

Chapter 13

"I can't, I just, I can't." I said, giving up as Zuko tried to make me bring a bird back to life. 

"I think you just don't want to." Zuko accused angrily. 

"Look, I want to learn how to control this as much as you, probably more." I growled. "But I don't think it's meant to be controlled. No one should play with death."

"She is right Zuko." Iroh told his nephew. "Imagine what would happen is she brought all the past Avatars back to life. The fire nation would not stand a chance." 

"I don't know why, but everyone I've brought back has a purpose. I bird could fly over a starving person's head and make them look up to see a tree full of apples. Maybe this one won't come back because if it does, it could fly over that person first and make then turn in a different direction, leading to their death." I told him. 

"Then what is your purpose? Or his?" Zuko spat, pointing to each me and Kuzon. 

"I guess we'll find out." I retorted. "But for now, you'll have to deal with-" 

I felt myself getting tired. I began to fall and Kuzon ran to catch me. 

"Ugh, I'm fine." I stood back up. "I don't know what that was about." 

"Kila, you're glowing!" Kuzon said in amazement. 

"What are you talking about?" Zuko snapped. "She fainted!" 

Kuzon looked down, and so did I. There was-me. Still in Kuzon's arms. And I was me, standing right in front of this. 

"She has entered the spirit world." Iroh told Zuko. 

"What? Can you see her uncle?" Zuko asked. 

Iroh nodded. "I have a strong connection with the spirit world. I an unsure why, though. Kuzon can see her because she brought him back to life." 

"Cool." I grinned. I waved a hand in Zuko's face. "So he can't see this?" 

"I'm afraid not." Iroh responded. 

"What? What did she say?" Zuko asked, looking from Iroh to a stop three feet to my left. 

I tried to hit Zuko in the face, but nothing happened. Next I tried Kuzon, and it worked. 

"Hey!" He said angrily. 

"Sorry." I told him. "Just testing something." 

"What is happening!" Zuko demanded, and Iroh began to explain. 

"Kila." A male voice said from behind me. I turned to see who I recognized (somehow) as Avatar Roku.

"Is-but-he-?" I stuttered as I glanced back at Kuzon who looked as bewildered as I did. 

"May I borrow you for a minute?" Roku asked. 

"Yeah, I wasn't doing anything important." I said, making him laugh. 

We disappeared and reappeared on an island with a temple. "Go inside. Aang will be here in a few minutes, wait for him at the top floor." Roku said as he disappeared. 

"Ok then." I said, and walked through the temple, finding the top. There were several people in there, though none of them could see me. I found a room open at the top and walked inside to see Aang there with a dragon. 

"Aang!" I yelled running over. Seeing me, he smiled. "Kila, you're ok!" 

"More or less." I agreed as we hugged, as we could somehow do as spirits. 

"What are we doing here. Roku brought me here, and it looks like his dragon brought you here." I said. 

"Roku brought you here?" Aang asked. "Then why does he need me to come here to talk to him?" 

"Why can I deathbend?" I shrugged. "Maybe I can pass into the spirit world easier then you."

"Maybe." He agreed. "We have to come here tomorrow. Kila, can you and Kuzon escape and make it by then?" 

"It won't be easy." I said, biting my lip. "But I can try. We're in the fire nation, right? I have a feeling I'll know where to go." 

"I'll see you tomorrow then." Aang said, climbing back on Roku's dragon. The dragon nudged me as if to invite me on, but I shook my head. 

"I can get back on my own." I told him. I turned back to Aang. "See you tomorrow then. What if we don't make it? Where should we meet?"

"Continue to the North Pole." Aang told me. "If we don't meet along the way, we'll meet there." 

"Alright." I glanced around. "If we don't meet here, leave a message for me behind the Roku statue." 

"Got it. Now we got to get back. See you!" And with that Roku's dragon took off.

I concentrated, and then I gasped for breath as I shot out of a bed. 

"Careful." Iroh said, sipping tea at a table in the room. 

"Ow, my head." I said, positioning myself properly. 

"How was you're journey to the spirit world?" He asked. 

"I dunno, spiritual, I guess." I said, making him laugh. 

"Do you want some tea?" Iroh asked. 

"I'd love some." I climbed out of bed and sat at the table across from him. "Where is Kuzon and Zuko?" 

"My nephew is questioning Kuzon. I don't think Kuzon is being very cooperative." Iroh smiled as a loud crash and an angry yell from Zuko was heard in the distance. 

"Do you know where my glider is?" I asked. "I have to leave tonight, as much fun as it was being here." 

"I was wondering when you'd ask. It's in Zuko's room, under his bed." Iroh gave me a weak smile. "I know my nephew has given you a rough time, but he's at a hard point in his life." 

"Ah, it's fine. I'm used to people hating me." I said it lightly, as if it were a joke, but bitterness cloaked my words, and Iroh caught it. 

"I'm guessing you had a hard time with the air nomads." He said knowingly. "Though you are awfully young to have your mastery tattoos."

"Aang is the youngest to ever get them." I told him. "I got mine a few months after." 

"Don't worry too much about what others think. Believing in yourself is the most important thing. But having others believe in you too helps." He smiled. "You should get to bed. I'll show you your room." 

After we found it, he said, "I'm guessing I won't see you in the morning then?" 

"Sorry, no." I gave him a slight grin. 

A/N

Ok, I should get another chapter up tonight. Should. If not, it'll be tomorrow morning.