Avatar: The Warrior's Rebirth Book 2-Inferno

Chapter 1: The Torch Relit

Fire. Air. Water. Earth. These are the four elements. For over ten thousand years, we have learned how to bend these four elements. And in every generation, there is always one who can master all four: the Avatar. In each generation, the Avatar has always been the one to bring balance to the world.

I can't begin to express how proud I am of Jago. What he did in Ba Sing Se was inspiring. The way he put the safety of so many people above his own has shown me how far he has come since the day I first met him in Luzhou. Because of the risks he took, he has even managed to tell the world the truth about the Order of the Sun.

Unfortunately, while the Order of the Sun has been driven out of the Earth Kingdom by and large, their leaders still remain free to continue their exploits to take full control of the world. But that's not all that's bothering me. Saving Ba Sing Se came at a heavy price. One of our friends, Liara, got separated from us, and we don't know what's happened to her. She could be dead, for all we know.

Poor Liara, she was so full of life for someone who couldn't remember anything about her past. Her loss has affected us all, but I can tell Jago feels the guiltiest. After all, he did promise her he'd do everything he could to help restore her memory. I'm sad she's gone too, but I know we can't let this loss make us lose sight of our main objective. If we can't, Liara won't be the last person to suffer at the Order of the Sun's hand.

That's why I need to keep Jago focused. I need him thinking straight by the time we get to Leachun so he can meet my father. I promised Dad I would come straight home as soon as I found help, but with everything that's been happening, I kind of got sidetracked. I know I can't see into the future, but I have a nagging feeling it won't be the last time that happens to me as I continue my travels with the Avatar and aid him in his quest to bring balance to the world.

***

There wasn't a chance to say goodbye to the Avatar after the Order of the Sun was driven out of Ba Sing Se. With nothing else to do, Doberto and Dante, co-leaders of the New White Lotus, went around to make sure all their friends in the city were accounted for.

"That should be about everyone," said Dante, looking through a scroll containing the list of all their friends in Ba Sing Se. "We can arrange to have a meeting tonight with the new Earth Prime Minister to discuss an alliance. With his help, we should have more supplies to make a better stand against the Order."

However, Doberto's mind was elsewhere. "Not everyone's accounted for," he said quietly. Dante turned to him and gaze his friend a puzzled look. "We still don't know where Katrinus and Lee are. They may not be official members of the New White Lotus, but they're still friends."

"I agree," said Dante with a worried nod. "I've asked Jothino and Rako to look for them. They have a knack for finding people."

Before Doberto could give a reply, they turned to see Jothino and Rako race down the street to meet them. Both men looked tired, like they had just run all the way from Republic City.

"We got news," Jothino said, breathing heavily.

"They're not in Ba Sing Se anymore," Rako said.

"Did anyone see them go?" asked Dante. "We have to make sure they're alright."

"They're fine," said a third voice.

It was at this point that Doberto noticed Jothino and Rako were not alone. Behind them was another man around their age with pale skin.

"Who are you?" asked Dante.

"Virgil," said the man. "I know who you're looking for. I met them when the city was under siege."