Jaya

"fire"

- Dark spirits? What's the difference? We throw fire at any spirit we see around here, just like they attack any man.

Jaya was Wan's friend and one of the first firebenders in the Avatar World. Along with the other impoverished citizens from his city, Jaya ventured into the Spirit Wilds to start a new life and escape the tyranny of the Chou family.

History
Jaya lived in a tree house on the outskirts of a city on top of a lion turtle who would bestow the ability to bend fire upon its inhabitants. Unlike Wan, he was originally resigned to his fate as a commoner, depending entirely on food that Wan stole in order to survive, though Jaya continued to discourage stealing from the Chou family.



After Wan stole the ability to bend fire from the lion turtle on which he lived, Jaya expressed uncertainty about looting the Chou estate, and reiterated that it was illegal to bring the ability to bend into the city. Regardless of his own warning, Jaya accompanied Wan and several other villagers on a raid on the Chou estate. After a successful raid, Jaya escaped along with the other villagers while Wan remained to fight off the guards and the Chou brothers.

The following day, Jaya and Yao witnessed Wan's banishment into the Spirit Wilds, and lamented over his fate, under the belief that he would die within a day. When an expedition of hunters returned and confirmed that Wan had been living among the spirits and protecting the Spirit Oasis, Jaya resolved to venture into the wilds as well, believing himself capable of surviving if Wan had done the same.



After obtaining the ability to firebend, Jaya and several other villagers settled in the Spirit Wilds, though engaged in several conflicts against hostile spirits, for whom he developed a deep hatred after losing Yao and several other friends. With the use of firebending, he began to burn down trees with the other villagers; however, this was done to a great extent, thereby catching the attention of Raava and Wan.

Shortly after reuniting with his friend, Jaya engaged in an altercation with the aye-aye spirit and several others. Although Wan and Raava tried to mediate between the parties, tension rose, and Jaya was set on having his revenge on the spirits who took so many of his friends. After the spirits were corrupted by Vaatu, Jaya was the first to attack, throwing a fire ball at the dark aye-aye spirits, instigating a fight. Jaya was surprised when Wan halted the fight by bending all four elements, though after he passed out due to the strain on his body caused by Raava's presence inside him, Jaya resumed battling with the spirits and was eventually killed.

Personality


Originally, Jaya was accepting of the fact that he would never be an individual with power, and disagreed with Wan's attempts to prove otherwise. He was often hesitant of actions that disagreed with the norm, as he showed when he expressed uncertainty about raiding the Chou estate.

After living in the Spirit Wilds, he developed a sense of courage, along with a deep hatred of all spirits. Aggressive in nature, Jaya was quick to start battles against spirits, one of which ultimately led to his death.

Abilities
Although Jaya had not develop his firebending abilities to the level that Wan had, he was skilled in the use of the art as a weapon, having been capable of surviving the Spirit Wilds and several encounters with spirits.

Trivia

 * Jaya was a known player of Pai Sho, as he was seen playing it with Yao in the tree house.