THE OTHER AIRBENDER (Book 1)

(IX) Water

By the time dusk arrives, I'm already yearning this whole thing. I am joined by both Katara and Sokka, who seem just as worried about Aang facing this supposed spirit creature alone as I am. I can only hope that Hei Bai isn't in a particularly destructive mood today.

"Hello, Spirit? Can you hear me? This is the Avatar speaking. I'm here to try to help stuff," Aang says out loud.

"This isn't right. We can't sit here and cower while Aang waits for some monster to show up," Sokka complains.

"He's the Avatar, Sokka. If anyone can help these guys with a spirit problem, it's him," I reply with a sigh.

"He still shouldn't have to face this alone," Sokka retorts, and for once, I actually agree with him. However, half of me also notes that even if we tried to help, we know even less about spirits than Aang does, and we would most likely get in the way.

The sunlight finally dims, and I feel a cold shiver down my back. The energy in the village has suddenly become gloomy again, and I get that same angry feeling from when we were back in the forest. I try to shake it off as best as I can, but I still feel quite uneasy about this.

"The sun has set. Where are you, Hei Bai? Well... spirit... I hereby ask you to please leave this village in peace," Aang says, grasping his staff tightly. "Okay... well... I guess that's settled, then."

As Aang begins to walk back inside the building, a large black and white beast appears from behind him. It takes a few seconds before Aang realizes his presence behind him and turns around to face him.

"You must be the Hei Bai spirit. My name is–"

The spirit wastes no time before releasing a beam of energy at him, barely missing him. It clearly isn't in the mood to talk, let alone follow the Avatar's commands.

"My name's Aang! I'm the Avatar and I would like to help. Hey, wait up!" Hei Bai completely ignores him, as he starts destroying more of the buildings around him in a rampage. "Uhhh."

"The Avatar's methods are... unusual," the village leader notes.

"That's because he's got no clue about what he's doing. I hate to admit it, but maybe Sokka was right. We should help him," I say, already on my way out, before being held back by Katara.

"It's too risky, Alya. I'm sure Aang will figure it out."

Hei Bai destroys yet another building, and Aang voice becomes slightly desperate. "Please, would you stop destroying things and listen? I'm trying to do my job as spirit bridge! Excuse me, would please turn around? I command you to turn around now!"

The spirit swats him away, making him crash hard onto another building's roof. That's when Sokka reaches for his club and starts heading outside in a hurry. Katara tries to stop him, but is unable to, given how she's already stopping me.

"That's it. He needs help."

"Why is he allowed to help?" I complain to Katara.

"Sokka, wait!" She cries, but Sokka's already out there, heading directly toward Hei Bai.

"Sokka, go back!" Aang tells him, but Sokka refuses.

"We'll fight him together, Aang."

"I don't want to fight him unless I–" Aang doesn't finish before Hei Bai quickly snatches Sokka away, disappearing into the woods.

Katara and I speed out as fast as we can, watching as Aang uses his glider to try to catch up to the spirit.

"Sokka!" Katara cries, but it's too late.