The First Deathbender (Deathbender Book 1)

Chapter 19

"Here they come!" Aang yells as we all take to the sky. Even in the middle of battle, I love the air. It's so exhilarating, flying with no limits, only the way an air bender can.

I land from time to time to flip over tanks, but nothing stops them. I battle fire with fire for a bit, literally, until Katara suggests water bending, which worked for her.

"Good idea Katara!" I yell, laughing as I use the snow from the mountain to turn into water and ruin a tank. I turn to the sky to look for Aang, and my eyes go wide.

I can't hear. I can't think. Aang is in trouble. I see him, up there, not noticing the arrow about to pierce his heart. But I see it. Time slows down for everything but me as I fly up, fast, and send a gust of wind at the arrow.

But it cuts through the bending. Aang has turned to watch me, helpless in slow motion as I push him away with a blast of air.

And them I am falling.

Pain shoots through my chest as I see the arrow, destined for Aang's heart now embedded in mine. I am met with the familiar sensation of death.

Except it isn't the same. Instead of instant black and normal speeds, everything is still slow, and the world isn't fading, it's glowing brighter. The wings of my staff begin to grow and envelop me into a ball of golden air swirl printed wings.

Then I hit the ground.

~ ~ ~

Two voices. Two realities. I am going insane.

In one, I am lying on my back, in a soft bed, Aang standing over me. He holds my hand and fights tears and tells me softly to wake up, that he knows I can, that I must.

In the other, I am in a strange place, on a mountain overlooking a valley of glowing flowers and a lake. In front of me stands a strange creature, like a dragon, but different, not long and thin, but large and powerful. It is white with black wings and golden eyes and a powerful voice, telling me to focus, to ignore Aang, to listen.

"Kila, come back to me."

"Shut him out, you must do this."

"I can't loose you, none of us can."

"Kila we don't have time, concentrate on my voice."

"I know you can hear me Kila, I know you aren't gone."

"He's trying to call you back, but you can't let him."

"I won't leave Kila, not without you."

"You can go back later, but we must talk now."

"Don't give in, Kila, I know you can come back."

"I know it's hard, Kila, but you need to hear this. For your sake. For mine. For Aang's. For the world."

"SHUT UP!" I curl up into a half mad ball. The voices won't leave. I cover my ear, but it is no use. They are in my head as well. I begin to cry and scream, seeing two things, unable to move in one, unsure of what to do.

"I can help you Kila, but you have to listen to me!"

This is what I hold on to. I can't tell whose voice it is anymore, I can't tell them apart. I am losing my mind, and I must stay sane. I must.

"Good, now try and focus on only my voice."

He speaks slower now, the dragon, and I know it is him. I am locked onto his voice now, staring into his eyes, feeling his strength in me, helping me clear my head.

"Now, this will be difficult, for I know you don't want to, but you must push Aang's voice away. Just for now. Push it out of your head. Let your thoughts be your own. See, I have left. I only entered because his voice was too powerful for only words. Now, you can think clearly for having a mind, a sanctuary of your own, where only you are. No voices, no confusing realities. I promise I will show you a way back soon. Good."

As he says, I am once alone left to my thoughts. I sigh in relief, wiping my eyes of tears. Aang and his voice, his image, his reality, is gone. I am now aware of what I have done. I have separated myself from my ties to life. I have died.

A/N

YEAH!!!!!

I would just like to say that kybjosh was the biggest help to me in making this chapter and the next few. All dedicated to him. Good job, I love you, that's creepy, another chapter!

SO KILA DIED! I JUST NOTICED.

Not to worry, I've got it all planned out.