Balance | Old Version

Chapter 98

Elua's POV.

"It's like every time I think about how stressed I am, I just end up more stressed," Aang says as he paces back and forth. "I'm like a big, growing snowball of nerves," He says as he continues to pace and fidget in restlessness.
"Of course you are. That's 'cause you've got to fight the Fire Lord, the badest man on the planet. And you better win, or we're all done for," Sokka says, making Aang freak out even more.
"Sokka, shut up!" I whisper to him, he looks at me with an innocent face.
"What? It's true. That's the deal, he knows it," Sokka says, Katara and I look at him with a glare. "What?" He asks, still not getting it.
"You're making things worse," I whisper to him as Aang continues to freak out. 

"Sorry," Sokka says as he goes back to making Appa's armor.
"You know what? I've got just the thing," Katara tells Aang as she takes his hand and they walk off. I look around and see everyone is busy, so I stand up with a sigh and decide to explore. I walk around the grassy land, smiling at all the small little creatures that are minding their own business. I look up to a tall hill, it wasn't too steep and it was covered in soft-looking grass. I slowly begin to walk up to it, looking around as I walk. When I get to the top, I can see everything from up here. The water that was sparkling in the evening sunlight, the green trees looked much smaller, and Appa looked like the size of a human. I smile as I sit down and cross my legs, it was the perfect place to meditate.

I close my eyes and breath in the fresh air, listening to the birds' chirp, the breeze touching my skin, and my hair flying behind me. It had been a few weeks since I meditated and I hadn't spoken to Loha for a while. But, I suppose I didn't need her help as of late. I hear the sound of footsteps behind me, but I ignore them.
"...Elua?" I hear Aang say after a few moments of silence.
"Yes?" I say calmly as I open my eyes and look over my shoulder.
"Can I meditate with you?" He asks me almost nervously. I turn around and smile at him.
"Of course," I tell him gently. He gives me the smallest smile as he walks over and sits beside me. We both close our eyes and take in deep breaths, just enjoy the silence.

Later.

"Thanks for everything guys," Aang says gratefully as we all sit down, ready for bed.
"So, do you feel less stressed? Ready for a good night's sleep?" Katara asks him hopefully.
"Uhh...I kinda think I sorta might...slightly feel a little better...maybe," Aang says nervously, obviously still stressed and exhausted.
"Then our work here is done," Sokka says as he yawns, not seeing that Aang's still stressed. He grabs my arm and flops onto his sleeping bag, bringing me with him.
"What are you doing?" I ask him in confusion as he closes his eyes.
"Shh," Sokka shushes me as he wraps his arms around me. "Sleep time," He says as he begins to fall asleep. I sigh, not complaining seeing as I had been a little cold the last few nights.

I nuzzle into his chest, the sudden warmth making me shiver. He kisses the top of my head loving and we fall asleep. Shortly after we all had fallen asleep, we're woken up by a loud scream. I quickly sit up and look over to Aang, his breathing was ridged and his eyes were wide with fear.
"What happened, Aang?" I ask him worriedly as I quickly stand up and walk over to him.
"It's the nightmares. They just get worse and worse," Aang says as he turns away from us.
"Looks like it's time for...another therapy session," Sokka says in a fake deep voice, but Aang shakes his head.
"No, that won't help. Nothing helps. There's only one thing I can do..." Aang says. "I'm going to stay awake straight through to the invasion."

The next morning we were all watching Aang from a distance as he yells and shouts at trees, Appa, Momo, and some sheep for...whatever reason.
"We have to figure out how to help him," I tell everyone, he had begun to really worry me now. Suddenly, he starts hyperventilating and looking around at...well nothing.
"I just need a jump in a cold waterfall!" Aang yells as he quickly runs off into the forest.
"I know something that might help him," Katara says as she begins to explain what she has in mind. That night, we all had made Aang a bed out of sheep's wool. We watch as Aang walks over and examines the bed in confusion.
"Oh look, another hallucination. An imaginary bed, made out of clouds," Aang says tiredly.

"Hey! It's real! We spent hours working on it," Toph states as she stands with her arms crossed.
"We made it for you. A good night's sleep will probably take the crazy away...we hope," I tell him.
"Look, you guys keep telling me I need to sleep, but I can't, the invasion's tomorrow," Aang states, beginning to stress more and more.
"Aang-" Katara starts to say but, is cut off.
"No Katara, there's still so much I haven't learned. I don't need to sleep. What I need is practice," Aang says as he stands up. "Quick, hit me, Elua," He tells me as he raises his fists.
"I'm not going to hit you," I tell him shaking my head.
"You want me to do it?" Toph asks, making Sokka elbow her to stop.

"Listen to me, you've been training for this since the day we met," Katara tells him as she walks over and puts her hand on his shoulder. "I've seen your progress. You're smart, brave, and strong enough," She states. Aang looks at her in surprise.
"You really think so?" Aang asks.
"We all do. You can do this. You're ready," Sokka says with a smile.
"And I'll be right there, the whole time," I tell him and his shoulders relax.
"You're the man, Twinkle-toes," Toph tells him smiling.
"Thanks, guys," Aang says with a yawn. "You know what? I think I am ready," He says with a smile as he climbs onto the bed and finally, falls asleep.