The Legend of Korra : Mark of the Moon

The Life Left Behind

BREATHING DEEPLY, Korra shut her eyes as she assumed the lotus position, the forest she sat in fading out of her mind. She shifted herself as she got comfortable, moving the grass that spread across a footpath lined by large intertwining trees that seemingly touched the twilight sky.

Several creatures scampered around, some on the ground as others soared through the leaves and trees. Assuming unnatural shapes and varying in size, the spirits roamed the forest, some of which sat near her and watched in curiosity.

She opened her eyes slowly, her breath shallow as she trailed them around and looked onward; a frown etching on her face. A red line moved from the edge of the horizon at an immensely slow pace, touching trees in its wake and going right through them without deviating its straight path.

Breathing out, she huffed looking around as the creatures drew closer. Rising stiffly, she dusted herself off and picked up her satchel, moving away from the area; heading for a cliff. Reaching its edge, she looked onward, seeing a massive swamp with several vines and crystalline pools littered around outstretching as far as the eye could see.

She leapt off, whirling her hand at her side and gathered air to glide her to the swamp below, landing quietly near a tree. With apprehensive eyes, she trod on, sneaking behind a tree that she pressed her back against as she surveyed the area. Seeing nothing, she stepped out when she saw a figure and went back to take cover.

Clicking noises approached her, hitching her breath as they drew closer and amplified a low shuffling sound. Taking a deep breath, she leaned against the bark and assumed a deadpanned expression, looking straightforward as a creature moved past her. The beast, a large, crustacean creature with a lobster-like build walked onward; its dark shell nearly camouflaging with the tree she hid behind. Sighing, she quickly dashed off; glancing twice to be sure she wasn't spotted.

Leaping over a pond, she stood on a small island, breathing heavily as she leaned against a tree and heard an old man give a hearty chuckle. "It's not funny." She growled.

"You still haven't known how to deal with him, have you?" Iroh turned to her.

"I don't know why you still like staying around here." She walked around the tree, seeing him seated against it and sat before him.

"This place is quite quaint. I'm used to dealing with him; I assumed you would after all this time."

"Well, some things just don't work for me." She rubbed the back of her head.

"I guess so." He laughed.

Leaning back, she frowned and looked up at him. "It's still coming."

"Well, it was expected; it's been like that for a while."

"And you still have nothing?"

"Unfortunately." He shook his head.

"I'll have to try and close the Spirit Portal again."

"Korra, you have done this several times since you came here –,"

"Because I've got no other choice; if I leave it open, whatever that energy I've been feeling is will end up in Republic City."

"I'm not trying to say that you shouldn't close the portal. What I am saying is that you should've been able to already." His brows stitched.

"What does that mean?"

"Something is holding you back; you're conflicted." Worry exuded in his expression.

"Well, closing the Spirit Portals isn't an easy decision to make. Sure, it's what allowed Vatuu to return and wreak havoc, but if they were closed, the Air Nation would never have returned. If I do this, I don't think I'll be able to come here for guidance anymore."