Prophecy (Sun and Moon Book 3)

Chapter 40 - What are the Elements?

            The full moon rose high over the Southern Water Tribe. The denizens of the great city were asleep, safe in their warm, cozy beds.

            Sleepy guards made the rounds on the walls, calling out to each other occasionally to check in.

            In the heart of the city, deep within the palace, a girl walked. She wore a long white robe, and her hair--the color of fresh snow--flowed smoothly down her back. Her steps were soundless, her movements sure and precise and silent.

            She walked through the halls with the easy stealth of someone who is used to moving quietly, and no one noticed her passing.

            Farther on, even deeper within the palace walls, in a room made for healing, a man slept. His breaths were even and steady, his body healthy and vibrant from the spirit water he’d been laid in for days.

            But still, he slept on--in his mind, he was wide awake, focusing on a bright green light to keep himself sane.

            Beside him, bent over in a chair pulled next to his bed, a woman slept, as well. Her black hair was tousled and unbound, and had her face been visible, it would have been the face of someone lost.

            Slowly, the door swung open, and the girl twitched in her sleep, then sat up. Through the ice, everything was fuzzy, but she was used to it enough that she knew she wasn’t alone.

            “Who’s there?”

            “Toph Beifong.”

            “That’s MY name, stupid.” Soft laughter filled the air--the girl with the white hair walked closer and placed a hand on the blind woman’s shoulder.

            “It’s all right. My name is Twila, and I’m here to help.”

            Slowly, Toph relaxed, standing still beside Aang’s bed. She tried to see Twila, but between the ice and the girl’s light steps, Toph couldn’t see anything.

            Unbeknownst to Toph, Twila leaned over the young Avatar, placed two fingers on his forehead. She whispered words into his mind, words only they knew.

            “Kindle now the fires inside,

 Breath of life ne’er set aside,

Earth in your bones keeps you alive,

Water in your veins so you don’t die,

Light fills your sight and keeps your eye,

Into oblivion never dive.”

“What is that?” His voice questioned the poem she’d thought to him, and she smiled faintly. “An old adage of my people. The elements are your strength, Aang. They make up everything you are. You can free yourself, just focus. Know yourself, and the mind-cell will be broken.”

             Then, she stepped back. She turned and left the room, as quietly as she’d come. Toph noticed her passing only when she was gone, and called out to her on confusion.

            Then, the earthbender’s voice turned to her friend, stretched out beside her. “Aang?”

            But she got no response.

            It wasn’t for lack of trying though--no, it was simply that she couldn’t see the response she was given.

            Slowly, ever so slowly, the water in the spirit pool was moving.

            The flames on the torches flickered, the air in the room swirled as if turning into a breeze.

            The earth rumbled, deep down beneath the palace, and then she felt it, then she knew--something was happening.

            On the bed, Aang’s tattoos began to glow, and for the first time in nearly a year, the Avatar opened his eyes.