The Jaded Princess - A Sokka Love Story

Chapter Twenty-Two

Orzala was in awe at the secret passages they had found. The sage, who they now knew as Shyu, walked before them, glancing back to send an amused glance at the earthbender. "Avatar Roku once called this temple his home. He formed these secret passages out of the magma.," he explained. Aang eyed him carefully.

"Did you know Avatar Roku?" He questioned, and the sage shook his head.

"No, but my grandfather knew him. Many generations of Fire Sages guarded this temple long before me. We all have a strong spiritual connection to this place." Aang furrowed his eyebrows.

"Is that how you knew I was coming?"

"A few weeks ago, an amazing thing occurred. The statue of Avatar Roku- it's eyes began to glow!" Orzala's eyes widened, attention shifting to Katara as she spoke.

"That's when we were at the air temple! Avatar Roku's eyes were glowing there, too." Orzala scowled, shaking her head.

"Am I the only one who thinks that's creepy?" She turned to Sokka, who only shrugged. Her shoulders slumped. "Guess so."

"At that moment, we knew you had returned to the world," Shyu continued, giving the airbender a hopeful smile.

"If this is the avatar's temple, why did the sages attack me?"

"Yes, that's an answer I would like to know as well," Orzala deadpanned, earning an elbow in the ribs from Katara. "Ow!" The princess sent the girl a small pout, but it was ignored.

"Things have changed. In the past, the sages were loyal only to the avatar. When Roku died, they eagerly awaited for the next avatar to return, but he never came." Aang felt his heart drop to his stomach, and an immense guilt suddenly overwhelmed him. He steadied himself against a rock pillar, and Orzala frowned.

"They were waiting for me," he breathed, realization hitting him like a boulder. Orzala placed a hand on his shoulder, ready to reassure him, but Sokka cut her off.

"Hey, don't feel bad," he drawled, shoving the raven-haired girl out of the way as he spoke. "You're only a hundred years late." He gasped in pain when Orzala struck the back of his head, and he shrunk under her piercing glare.

"They lost hope that the avatar would ever return. When Fire Lord Sozin began the war, my grandfather and the other sages were forced to follow him. I never wanted to serve the Fire Lord. When I learned you were coming, I knew I would have to betray the other sages."

Aang smiled up at the man. "Thank you for helping me." The sage returned the smile before turning toward the next staircase.

"We'll follow these stairs to the sanctuary. Once you're inside, wait for the light to hit Avatar Roku's statue. Only then will you be able to speak with him." Orzala looked up at the spiral staircase, and a groan left her. The others turned to her in surprise. She met their gazes with a frown.

"That's a lot of stairs." They couldn't help but laugh. As they began their ascent up the stairs, Orzala pulled Aang to the back with her. He met her determined green eyes with confusion.

"What is it?"

"I need to come inside that room with you." The avatar's eyes widened with surprise, and he shook his head. She scrunched her nose in frustration.

"Orzala, this is something I need to do alone." The princess pinched the bridge of her nose, mentally debating whether to reveal the truth to him. But as she glanced back up to his steely eyes, she sighed.

"I haven't been entirely truthful with you, Aang," she whispered, gaze darting to the siblings who walked ahead of them, making sure they hadn't heard. "Avatar Roku- I spoke to him when I was in the spirit world." The boy's eyes bulged, and she quickly slapped a hand over his mouth as he opened it to speak. "I don't know how or why, but I need answers. Please, Aang." She lowered her hand, green eyes pleading with him. "He said we'd meet again. Soon."