Avatar: The Warrior's Rebirth Book 3-Tornado

Chapter 2: The Northwestern Air Temple

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.

With my home, the Fire Nation, liberated from the Order of the Sun, we can now focus on helping Jago continue the typical journey the Avatar goes through in mastering the elements. Now that he's got earth and fire pretty much down, air is the next one he has to learn. Although he's already showing some good strong potential, he's got a long way to go.

When Katrinus, one of our newest friends, officially joined our group, I thought he would be everything Jago needed to master Airbending. But I should have known, because he was raised in the Southwestern Air Temple, he was taught mainly in the more destructive arts of bending. So it seems this will be a learning experience for both of them. While I'm confident they can find a way to overcome this adversity, I am concerned that time might be against them, and the rest of us by extension.

While the Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation are free from the Order of the Sun, the cycle of the Avatar is ancient history. Our enemies will know Jago needs to master Airbending next. They'll know to target the Air Temples and they still have the strength to challenge them. And even though Katrinus is our friend, we don't know how well the other Air Temples will react to seeing a Southwestern Airbender.

***

It was decided that they would leave the island the following day. After it was agreed they would travel to the nearest Air Temple, Akosha suggested they should have a good night's rest before getting underway. However, while most of the group fell asleep easily enough, Katrinus remained awake.

Even though he made the suggestion they travel to an Air Temple to continue Jago's training, it still left him on edge. He could vividly remember the last time he'd been a guest to an Air Temple. Not everyone was friendly to him, but they had agreed to take him in temporarily. Only respect for one of the temple's patriarchs, Zephyrus, had stopped the other Airbenders from throwing him out.

Granted, Katrinus had the opportunity to prove he was not like his fellow south-westerners when Ventarro attacked. Yet despite leaving that temple on friendly terms, it didn't mean he would get treated so well in the other temples. The nearest one was in the Northwest, which left Katrinus with a great sense of apprehension, as his knowledge of this temple was limited.

Tired of tossing and turning in the attempts to sleep, Katrinus finally sat up and began to walk. He didn't know where he was going, but he only made it ten steps before he heard a voice behind him.

"So, it looks like I'm not the only one having a hard time sleeping."

Katrinus turned around and saw Akosha walking over to him. There were some dark circles under her eyes, but not as dark as Katrinus's. Her auburn hair stuck up a bit in the back. Her cloak was slumped over more on the left shoulder, revealing her left arm in the moonlight.

Katrinus had to admit he wasn't fully confident in his ability to talk to girls. The only two he had talked to frequently in were Liara and Yuenna, and they had now gone off on their own together. Fortunately, Akosha had the same approachable air about her.

"Yeah, the prospect of going to another Air Temple, it's a bit unsettling," Katrinus said with a nod, turning his gaze to the moon. "I know it was my idea, and I do believe it's the best way to help Jago. It's just..."

"Because you're from the Southwestern Air Temple?" Akosha asked.

Katrinus nodded, keeping his eyes fixed on the moon. He was so focused on its light, he almost jumped ten feet when he felt Akosha's hand on his shoulder. When he turned, he saw that she'd straightened out her cloak. She'd also tried to fix her hair a bit, but she hadn't been as successful. Nevertheless, she still appeared to Katrinus as approachable as ever.