A Time of Change {ATLA & LOK}

Chapter 27 - Dark Times Ahead

Time blurs together for those in the spirit world. Years unknowingly ticked by for Talia. How many? We are yet to know. She regularly goes on adventures daily, exploring areas of the spirit world, meeting new spirits, and learning / creating new air-bending moves, while also practising some water-bending here and there.

Talia's POV

I entered the spirit world in the dress I wore to the glacial spirits festival. I cam change up what i wear with although, when in the spirit world, i am a physical representation of what i view my self as, and as i have been here long enough i have mastered being able to switch what i wear with ease, so most of the times I'm in some airbending garb, other i switch it up and go with water tribe clothing.
Something was different recently though. A dark energy was rising, some spirits had become dark, leaving their friendlier-looking forms, for a more rugged, evil look. One of the portal's is open, I felt the surge on energy as it was opened but I was sacred to get near it. Some of my spirit friends had turned against us, they were violent  and aggressive, it scared me, I was happy here. The sudden change is unnerving, and I don't know the reason for it, but I'm trying to find out, I meditate regularly to try and reach the material world to see if it's something there, or to try and sense where the tip in the balance is.

"Talia" I heard Iroh's voice say, gently "stop stressing yourself, this much stress and over exertion is bad for the mind, body and spirit" he counselled me.

"I need to do this Iroh, I have to find what going on" I said desperately "t-there my f-friends, and something's wrong" I sniffles "I have to help somehow Iroh, and this is the best way I can"

"There may be other ways to find the in-balance, and even if you do, there may not be a way for you to tip that balance back." He said wisely looking at me.

"how, where, what are they" I said quickly jumping up.

"Go, ask some of your spirit friends, look around, I know you have a deep spiritual connection and can feel the energy around, follow your instincts and you should find the right path" he said scratching his bears in thought, "now I'm going to make some Ginseng tea, its my favourite" wondering back into the house, where he likes to make his tea in one of his many different tea pots.

I pondered on his thoughts for awhile, and thought that I would talk to Aye-aye, he's told me the stories and tales of the first avatar, wan. How he was banished from his lion-turtle city and sought water from the spirit oasis he was guarding, and tried to sneak in by being "Bushee the Bush Spirit" . He calls me "Stinky", it's what he nicknamed Wan, as he said humans smell weird.

"Aye-aye!!" I called as I approached the spirit oasis, not dissimilar to the one that he used to guard in the material world's spirit wilds just under 10,000 years ago.

"Stinky?! is that you" He called out as I came near the corner. I laughed as I flew too fast round it and crashed into Aye-aye both of us falling, me a few feet away.

"Sorry Aye-aye" I laughed, as I sat on the floor the got up. I had to look up at him as he was taller than me, he was a very tall spirit, who's probably taller than some men.

"what's do I owe the pleasure of, for this unexpected visit" He questioned me.

"Well," I started "there's an un-balance somewhere in the spiritual energy, and I'm trying to find the source to try and tip the balance back." he looked at me sceptically "I know you feel it too Aye-aye" I said standing up now "some of my other spirit friends have turned dark, and it scares me, I have to do something about this, its not normal, they're not themselves."

"I can feel it yes" he said agreeing with me "but are you sure a being such as yourself be looking into this, you are after all quite young" I floated up so I was the same height as him.

" I have to Aye-aye, and besides, I have my bending here unlike anyone else, I've mastered airbending, I'm good with water bending, I can fly, and my spiritual connection is unlike any other" I said confidently "and who else is better for the job than me, little ol' me who regularly underestimated, and can sneak around like nobody's business"

Aye-aye looked thoughtful "well I'm not sure on the last one" he said chuckling, before getting serious "but if your serious about this I would recommend Wan Shi Tong's library, he knows who you are, he'll let you look around, but be cautious"

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" I said as I flew in a loop then hugged him tightly.

"It's no problem Stinky, now go" he said pushing me off in the direction, and so I flew until I found the upside down spirit library ran by a cranky owl-like spirit.