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Overview[]
Rong Yan along with the Air Nomads defend the Southern Air Temple from General Senlin's invading forces.
Chapter 20: Invasion of the Southern Air Temple Part 2: The Invasion[]
Book 1: Air
Chapter 20: Invasion of the Southern Air Temple Part 2: The Invasion
The darkened clear night sky is all they could see for the remainder of the trip to Qufu just over the hill where they stood was the town at the very bottom and two docks built on the edge near the water. They snuck around the outskirts of the town doing their best to stay hidden.
Palartok and Senlin secured one of the fisherman huts by gagged the man and strapping him to his bed. The man awoke his eyes grew large with fear but he couldn't scream he had been gagged. The boats on the docks were large enough to fit a total of ten men in each and there were at least four boats. Arluq and a warrior strapped down and gagged the other fisherman in the hut opposite to the one Senlin and Palartok had been in.
There were about fifty men they crouched near the boats where they could be unseen and hid in the shadows. Senlin had walked out with Palartok and Arluq right behind him they had planned out the next move.
"Each boat should be able to hold at least ten men I want eight men and two waterbenders there's only four boats, the remaining ten have to be waterbenders. Those ten will surf to the Patolla islands," ordered Senlin.
The men had looked at each other non-benders jumping into the boats counting themselves and their comrades making sure there were at least eight of them inside before the waterbenders stepped onto the boat. There was a waterbender positioned on the bow and another standing behind the boat on the stern. Each boat replicated the same pattern Senlin, and Arluq were on the last boat, Palartok on the other hand quickly pulled water out of the ocean and froze it into a disc of ice. He stood on the disc and used waterbending to steering the surfboard of ice to the chain of islands.
The waterbenders that weren't assigned to a boat created a sheet of ice and used it as a surfboard to surf to the southern air temple. Arluq signaled the waterbenders to steer the boats to the islands. They all took deep breaths the ones on Arluq's and Senlin's boat spun their arms clockwise picking the waves up around the boat controlling the water and commanding it to push the boat to the islands.
Two days later, it was mid-morning the sun had positioned itself near the center of the sky close to noon now. The sky was empty no clouds were near or around, the sun was bright today and there was no wind blowing through like most days at the temple. Rong Yan sat on the terrace of the council discussing their plans for the next set of days to come while they wait for the invasion. He sat across the council nomad style as usual while they had a conversation with him.
"...it's best to have the children hidden in the western tower with a few masters to protect them," said Geetsan.
"Why not the spiritual sanctuary we can keep safe there from harm's way plus let's not forget the only way to open those doors is with airbending," suggested Rong Yan.
"No the southern tower can only be accessed by the Avatar and the Council of Elders," disagreed Ji. An airbender monk minced in bowing the council of elders he presented Geetsan with an announcement, Geetsan gave a slight nod gesturing the monk to speak.
"My apologies for interrupting Hegumen but there is someone here," he announced.
"Is it the Resistance?" inquired Rong Yan, the monk shook his head through the curtain walks in an older man his long flowing black locks of hair reached the middle of back, he had short bangs and a red headband covering his forehead.
His eyes were of a burning amber, he wore crimson red clothing underneath black lamellar armor, the armor covered his chest, shoulders, thighs, and shins, he also wore golden painted clogs on his feet. The man was Takumi from the Fire Nation, Rong Yan's firebending master.
Rong Yan sprang to his feet excitedly bowing to his former master, "Sifu Takumi." Takumi returned the respect with a formal bow as well, "It is good to see you, Rong Yan."
"What are you doing here?" he asked Takumi.
"We needed the extra firepower so I sent word for a firebender or two from Yeh Lu," broke in Geetsan.
"That is correct also Fire Lord Yeh Lu sends his best wishes," responded Takumi.
"I highly recommend that you and your friend here begin some training before the battle," advised Geetsan.
"But don't injure or tire yourselves out you're still needed for the coming days," reminded Li Shen.
Yong Ten had walked into the terrace with a map of the Patolla Isles laying it flat on the floor he also brought two writer blocks to flatten out the scroll to avoid it having to roll up again. Yong Ten began, "We should at least come up with a plan."
"Like the council and I were discussing before Takumi popped up I was thinking about putting them in the sanctuary," Rong Yan repeated.
"No, better plan is to keep them in here they'll be safe here in the northern terrace and far away from actual fighting," Yong Ten said.
"The plan is to talk our way out of this battle first and foremost. If the earthbender refuses we will defend ourselves. Rong Yan did you speak to Ku Tei?" questioned Shaohao.
"Yes, subprior. Ku Tei told me not to underestimate Senlin and to keep a close eye on him at all times. He mentioned that Senlin was one for fewer words," Rong Yan answered.
"If anything goes south we want you to take your master, and Aloi with you and flee the temple," Geetsan mentioned to Rong Yan who shook his head in disagreement. "No I'm not leaving you here to die, I promised Kwan Chun I would defend his home," argued Rong Yan.
"Avatar Rong Yan you must understand our mission this isn't about us. This is about you. If he sees you fleeing he will pull his forces from attacking and chase you this is the best outcome possible if we start to lose men," Li Shen reasoned.
"I'm not turning back on you, you welcomed me into your home and have treated me like one of your own. I don't turn tail and run and leave my friends to die," Rong Yan chided.
"Mighty bender of four you must grasp and obey your past lives you spoke to the Champion of the War. Take his wisdom and take flight," convinced Shang Xi.
"Please, Avatar Rong Yan do as you are told," Geetsan maintained.
"All in favor of the Avatar fleeing if things take a turn for the worst?" Geetsan asked his colleagues. All four men raised their hands and repeated in unison, "I."
"Then it is settled meeting adjourned," Geetsan finished, Rong Yan sighed disappointed that the council went against him but it was for the best and his safety. If he dies Senlin will run rampant killing whom he wants, when he wants. He helped himself to his feet Takumi placing his hand on his former student's shoulder trying to convince him of the bright side.
"They're doing what Yeh Lu, Xiao, and the sages and I would have done if Senlin were attacking the fire temple. You need to see this from their point of view," persuaded Takumi.
"Now come on we should spar a bit I want to see if you've been working on your firebending," added Takumi removing his hand off Rong Yan's shoulder and padding out of the council's terrace.
Everyone who attended the meeting for that short amount of time had wandered off in different directions. Rong Yan and Takumi ran to the eastern courtyard it was empty Chuandan was not teaching children to glide today. Which was a surprise because he's usually taking advantage of this kind of weather to do so. Li Shen sprinted to the western tower were all the novices slept to announce the plans to all the children and instruct them on where to meet when danger comes. Yong Ten darted to the eastern tower where all the adults lived in and rounded them all up for a meeting to discuss the plans for the days ahead while they waited for the resistance to defend the temple from the invaders. Shang Xi gathered all of his workers and Aloi who had been focusing on writing her novel at the moment and discussed the battle plans. Each of the five elders carried a small horn crafted from wood which they used to signal the others if danger had arrived.
"I'm willing to be a lookout subprior," volunteered Aloi standing up from her seat leaving her writing tools and parchment paper on the lectern.
Shang Xi nodded and thanked her for her volunteering, he walked paced over to a cabinet where he shelved an extra horn handing it to Aloi. Shang Xi didn't know that Aloi was a soundbender she felt her volunteering to be a lookout was extremely important so that she could blow the horn that would echo through the entirety of the temple alerting everyone into position.
Geetsan was disappointed it had been two days now and no response from Governor Tong. Tong was closer to the Patollan islands than the province of Zhuhai and Wushan. It wasn't necessary to ask for troops from those states since it would take longer than two days to receive support. "What is it, hegumen?" questioned Chuandan with concern.
"We've haven't heard from Governor Tong for additional support and it's been a total of two days," worried Geetsan.
"Maybe they're on their way, hegumen please do not worry. Even if they don't arrive we can defend our home. You and the elders raised exceptional masters of airbending I doubt we'll have that dirt man running," Chuandan assured the worrying hegumen.
"My thoughts are with the children who are defenseless and innocent in this matter," Geetsan mentioned.
"I will defend the children until my dying breath, master. You have my word," reassured Chuandan.
Meanwhile, Senlin and his forces were camped inside a cave on the main island right under the noses of the airbenders. They were near the beach outside of the cave was a few yards of sand and then was the water. During the evening the high tide begins to poke a few yards of the sand. Some of the men had a campfire within the cave toasting the fish they had captured earlier in the morning.
The sun had reasonably had begun to lower of course not drastically but they had to break camp soon and commence the invasion. Palartok peered over yonder above the mountain peaks he saw the silhouette of the gargantuan spires of the Air Nomads. With the map he carried in his hands he tried to pinpoint exactly how to reach the temple.
"Anything yet?" inquired Senlin.
"Yes and no. The map details a path leading into the mountains called, the Jongmu trail but then after a few miles it runs cold," explained Palartok.
Palartok reading the map of the Patolla Isles.
"So you're saying there is no way to get up to that temple?" questioned Senlin.
"That's exactly what I'm saying," said Palartok, wiping the smug look from his face Senlin tries to hatch a new plan he snaps his fingers in an instant as it pops into his head.
He then shares the plan with Palartok, "We take the trail and reach the bottom of the valley from there I'll bend a lift around us and carry us to the top of that mountain."
"That sounds fair," Palartok agreed he shouted to his troops Arluq still sleeping.
Senlin lifted a small amount of sand and tossed it at the slumbering Arluq. The men cackled in a boisterous guffaw. Arluq wiped the sand from his face spitting some grain that had gotten into his mouth. He looked around angrily everyone stared at each other and shook their heads.
"Oh, so it was Torngark who threw sand on me eh?" Arluq guessed with his arms crossed scolding his men and those under the command of Palartok.
"Torngark curse you all," he muttered to himself, he rose to his feet and patted himself of any sand that might have hidden on his clothing. He rolled up his gear and left it there inside the cave they were coming back for it after they claimed the temple for the northern rebels. Senlin, Palartok, and Arluq led the two platoons of northern rebels to the valley below the temple.
Back at the top of the temple, Rong Yan evaded the fire blasts of Takumi twirling clockwise and counterclockwise as he learned from Yong Ten. A spray of fire had produced from Takumi's feet when he swept his feet for a leg sweep Rong Yan air-jetted into the air inhaling a deep breath of air before releasing a breath of fire from his mouth. Takumi crossed his arms in an X in front of him blocking the breath of fire, Takumi had broken a sweat the heat of his student's fire had gotten hotter he was proud of him.
Throwing combos at Rong Yan now he threw out a combination of punches and kicks of flame at the Avatar. Attempting to keep Rong Yan guessing rolled to the left side seeing the opportunity to ambush Takumi's unprotected left side. Takumi had then retaliated by palm striking fire in his direction Rong Yan ducked back the fireball passing his face. Losing balance he fell back lifting his head rubbing it Takumi extended his hand to help Rong Yan to his feet.
Yong Ten gestured Senge to spar with Rong Yan, he now had to switch to airbending. Rong Yan started with some quick jabs of air Senge dodged each jab with simple side steps and leaping over the punches of air. Rong Yan jumped into the air delivering a series of kicks that Senge ducked and leaped over. Rong Yan landed back onto the floor shifting into a zhen gua stance his feet were spread shoulder-width apart vertically both were slightly bent at the knee, his dominant hand was facing Senge and his other hand was facing to his right.
He twirled his hands to create a mini twister to try and disorient his opponent but Senge was too quick and slid between his legs rolling back and switching into a li gua stance quickly blasting him with air from behind caught him off guard.
Instead of Rong Yan falling face-first to the ground he connected to the floor with a forward roll creating distance and shifting into a qian gua stance, his legs were horizontally shoulder width of apart, he pivoted his upper body to his side to eye Senge he finally realized that Senge wanted to test his blocking capabilities. He shaped an armadillo lion's mouth with his arms and waited for his friend to attack. Senge smirked at Rong Yan switching into a kan gua stance.
Senge spun clockwise conjuring air swipes with his arms directing them at Rong Yan. While in qian gua stance Rong Yan controlled the air around him in swirl that began with his fingers creating a large egg-shaped shield of compressed air the two swipes collided with Rong Yan's barrier the first one causing him to slide two or three centimeters from his original spot the second swipe crashed into the shield making him slide a bit more.
He dropped the shield before conjuring a disc of air and spinning counterclockwise launching it at Senge as if it had been a physical object. The disc soared toward Senge he rolled to his right running three steps forward lunging his arms out in front of him sending a torrent of air at Rong Yan. The best way to dodge this he knew had to be an air jet but instead drew a strong wind from his mouth and shot himself ten feet into the air before hovering back down and breaking his fall with an air cushion. They both laughed Senge padded toward Rong Yan and the two both shook hands.
"Wow that was one great spar you two," commented Yong Ten applauding both Senge and Rong Yan.
Takumi clapped for them as well, Aloi approached them as she continued making her rounds with another airbender observing the area before heading to down the southern courtyard's path leading to the bison caves.
The northern rebels along with Senlin were at the bottom of the valley, the mountain had been too steep for them to climb. The archer who killed the courier scratched his head he turned to look at Senlin wondering how they would reach the temple, "Uh general the mountain is too steep for us to climb how w-" he had been interrupted by Senlin who assured him, "Patience Kungo, you forgot I'm a master earthbender."
"My apologies General Senlin," the archer apologized to Senlin, Senlin turned back to look at the men and instructed them, "Huddle close together I'm going to lift us to the air temple. Real close though if you slip by accident I'm not going to save you."
All the men gathered around Senlin, giving him enough space for him to swing his arms back and forth so that he could push the large platform of earth up the mountain. Senlin had spread his legs shoulder-width apart his hands balled in fists had been placed under his ribs his elbows had been bent and pulled further back. He shifted into the Ma Bo stance, making solid block movements with his arms the earth around the men started to crack.
The platform of earth that he created had been separating itself from the mountain he slid his right foot feeling the vibrations of the men huddled nearby creating enough space so that no man slips and falls to his death. The platform had formed he slid his right foot back to its original position in the Ma Bo stance so he could focus on lifting them the mountain. Senlin swung his left arm forward and cocking his right arm back before doing the same movements reversed now his right was swung forward and his left was cocked back. He repeated these movements as the platform elevated higher the collusion of the mountain with the platform was blaring. Before Aloi could move on she heard the harsh sounds that bothered her she inhaled and closes her eyes imaging the cause of the sounds.
The sounds rippled and she mentally pictured a large slab of earth, moving upward she gasped quickly with her hands she clutched the horn running up the slope using her soundbending to amplify the horn's sound into a roar that echoed across the temple corridors.
A flock of birds darted into the air at the sound of the horn Geetsan had become alert at the roar of the horn he bolted to the southern courtyard. The children had been escorted by Li Shen to the northern tower's terrace. The adult monks had ran over to the southern courtyard to meet the invaders. Yong Ten, Senge, Jampo, Chuandan, and Aloi all waited in an assortment of airbending stances. Geetsan and the other three elders arrived, Li Shen with a few older novices guarded the children. The suspense of them waiting their breathing had remained focused and hollow except for Jampo who's breathing had been quick. Their hearts beating ever so quickly filling with adrenaline patiently standing still awaiting the invaders.
The roar of the horn caused one of the warriors to scream his ears had rung he covered his ears with hands and accidentally slipped off the slab of earth falling to his death. His scream echoed from below before he fell silent. The others dared not to look down adrenaline and rage had filled their hearts they were ready to spill airbender blood.
Suddenly the slab of earth was no longer moving then bounced a group of men all with a variety of shades of dark blue and purple hues. The only one who stood out against the sea of blues was one of the men wearing a light green sleeveless tunic. His wrists and waist were covered in black leather studded bands, his trousers were light green as well, he had no shoes and was barefoot.
A grim expression across his face he was wrinkled and tan, his green eyes pierced the souls of the monks who doubted themselves they felt fear. His long grayed hair styled in a ponytail extended to his upper back, his beard was medium height ending at his collar bones. A period of silence rung through the southern courtyard of the Jongmu Air Temple, the invaders stood in many waterbending stances pouches opened, warriors readied their weapons and Senlin stood in the Yi Bo stance his front foot was bent and extended in front of him, his back leg was extended behind him and remained straight. He had one arm positioned below the ribs and the other extended in front of him balled in a fist. He scanned all of the Air Nomad monks seeing there had only been two out of the crowd that didn't fit in. He eliminated the older one from being the Avatar because it had only been eighteen years since Ku Tei's death it had to be the kid.
"There he is there's the Avatar!" he shouted pointing at the tall young man dressed in novice clothing. His long brown hair rested on his shoulders and one little hair that hung at the bottom of his chin. Hegumen Geetsan staring at the intruders responded, "Please just leave us alone we don't want any trouble. The Avatar stays with us."
"Leave? I'll leave once that little runt is dead, Ku Tei caused me enough problems and his successor will only get in my way," yelled Senlin.
"Well I am sorry but you aren't going to touch him he's under our defense," contended Geetsan.
"Then I'll have to kill every single one of you poltroons and paint this courtyard red with your blood until I get my hands on him," threatened Senlin.
Arluq shouted at Senlin, "Senlin stop trying to get to know them and just kill them already! I have things to do!"
Ignoring Arluq's comments he rumbled a line of the earth from the courtyard ruining the cobble-stoned grounds of it. The ground crumbled in a line toward Geetsan who air jetted and backflipped landing a few feet from where he once stood. The waterbenders attacked soon after Senlin started the battle one of them split the water from his pouched around his hands freezing the water into blades of ice and charged alongside the warriors raising their blades, clubs, and axes.
The front line of airbenders had been master monks, Geetsan and Shaohao the hegumen nodded and they began to channel the currents of air around the charging warriors. Water whips had gone around slapping airbenders in the face or body the three archers sat in the back notching arrows on the strings of their bows aiming at their enemies releasing the arrows. Chuandan jumped in front of Yong Ten air swiping incoming arrows knocking them off their course as they fell to the ground.
Takumi dashed forward leaping into a front flip released a wheel of fire from his feet overwhelming a warrior. Rong Yan and Takumi together launched a large blast of fire toward Senlin. Senlin's earth wall blocked a fire blast, the power of the attack crumbled the wall. However, Senlin was nowhere to be seen. Suddenly, the crumbled pieces of earth trembled he emerged out of the ground near the wall the rocks lifted and attached themselves to his body covering himself from head to toe in earth armor.
A shard of ice flew at Rong Yan he quickly conjured a suction of air that swallow the shard of ice. He redirected it at one the waterbenders who threw it in the first place when it reached the waterbender it stopped in mid-air and melted into a blob of water that he froze around his fist like a large ice fist and smashed into the jaw of a monk. He tumbled to the ground as a warrior brought down his club the airbender uppercut the warrior with a strong gust of air. Blowing away the men at his sides, the club hit the floor with a thud and the warrior flew off the courtyard. His screams could be heard on the way down the mountain.
Senlin stomped the ground three small boulders raised from the ground floating in front of him he crouched and sweep kicked the boulders sending them at a few airbenders some took the hits while another dodged. Yong Ten in a kun gua stance his palms facing him while bent diagonally in front of him. He ducked to avoid being struck by a boulder that flew in his direction he flailed his arms creating a dome of air impenetrable by the boulders that flew toward it. Jampo whirled his hands in front of him conjuring an air funnel Senge grabbing pieces of the boulders that crumbled when they smashed into the ground shooting them back at the attackers.
Aloi faced two men with machetes jumping over a swing she let out a wail the two men dropped their weapons and while others ignored the wail that rang inside their ears everyone from both sides that had been near her covered their ears. The men had been disoriented Takumi finished them off. Rong Yan leaped up, ducked down sidestepped or rolled to his left or right sides dodging boulders like an airbender.
Senlin angered clutched the ground a tremor of earth rumbled through the courtyard grounds toward him he swung his right arm an earth column emerged at the end of the tremor Rong Yan placed his hand on the column front flipping over it and jogging behind another line of airbenders he went to his right to help Aloi.
Chuandan and Ji together conjured a torrent of air and blasted a few rebels off the mountain. An airbender had been nicked by an arrow that pierced through the air his arm began to bleed he winced in pain covering his left arm with his right hand to stop the bleeding. A small chip of earth slashed the side of his neck blood flowed out he scrambled to the ground trying to cover the open wound with his right hand now not putting enough pressure allowing the blood to continue to spill.
Jampo grabbed a staff nearby pivoting his body he gathering a gale force of wind and swiping air at a few men. One of them crossed his arms in front of him to try and stop himself from sliding. He was blown off the mountain kicks of fire were shot at Palartok bending the puddles on the ground as more men fell he created a shield of ice. The shield shattering as it blocked the kick of fire at him. Melting the same shield into water then into shards of ice he shoots them at several airbenders. A few dodging them and two getting impaled and falling dead after the icicles pierce their hearts.
Shang Xi in a kun gua stance angry as he watched the monks he raised around him falling dead he propelled his arms forward controlling the currents conjuring blades of air that swung in a straight line as he continued to channel the move. Men were being hit left and right others having appendages sliced off giving Ji ample time to blast the distracted men off the mountain. An icicle grazed Ji's cheek he shifted into the li gua stance unsatisfied with almost dying he transfer the energy and focuses his breath control to conjure orbs of air around the heads of a few men the air inside of their lungs being extracted.
Their eyes going bloodshot as they gasped for air he released one of them from his grip the waterbender slumped lifeless to the ground. Senlin shocked that the men pushed one of the airbenders he decided to target him.
A slab of earth flew toward Ji, Rong Yan with both hands along with Senge and Jampo forced air out of their hands redirecting the trajectory of the slab sending it back to Senlin. He pummeled the slap of earth which smashed into his armor staggering him a bit. An airbender with his staff attempted to knock Senlin off the mountain Senlin slid his left foot forward expanding the dirt turning it to sand the airbender sunk into the sand waist-high. He then shifted the density of the sand back into solid ground trapping the poor airbender without crushing him. Senlin removed his armor forming into a sizeable boulder large and heavy enough to kill the Air Nomad.
He hovered the boulder over the man another came over to his rescue blowing the boulder out of Senlin's grip. The boulder landing near the airbender he let a sigh of relief struggling to break free. Senlin raised a stalagmite from the earth skewering the nomad who came to save the one who was trapped. Senlin raised the boulder hovering it over the monk he gave a small prayer before accepting his death. Senlin cackled dropped the boulder crushing the monk's head.
He split the bloody boulder into three launching them toward the airbenders. Arluq had eviscerated an airbender and ran his blade through another. Only one archer remained Ji surrounded his head in orb of air removing the air from his lungs and causing him to choke. The archer named Kungo died of asphyxiation his body on the floor and no signs of blood.
Yong Ten hits Senlin in the shoulder with his staff and spins his hands close to him and creates a small air vortex shooting it at Senlin. The vortex captures Senlin spinning him around and spits him out before it disappears. Senlin falls on his back with an injured left shoulder.
"Ack!" he cries out in pain dizzy the world spun for a few seconds before he gathered himself and stood back up angry. An Air Nomad is circled by four rebels, one of the rebels was wielding two swords and slices the nomad in half. Takumi jumps in the circle where the dead newly dead monk laid in and spits fire out of his mouth spinning around in a circle once. The men drop their weapons only to cover their eyes and faces from the flames, Rong Yan finished them off.
Their numbers dwindled only about seventeen of them including Arluq, Palartok and Senlin remained. A water whip hits Takumi in the chest he gave off an aggressive body language that the waterbender understood and soon regretted. He sparked a powerful fireball in his hand and thrust it into the diaphragm of the waterbender cooking all of his insides. The fire flared through every orifice killing him instantly.
The sparking fire, that Takumi used to kill a rebel.
Aloi angered at what Senlin has done to the trapped Air Nomad starts running in a circle faster and faster as her speed picked up she swiped the tornado she formed it wasn't large enough to be a danger to everyone. It picked up about five men including Arluq, frightened he gasped Senlin quickly sunk into the courtyard ground avoiding the tornado carrying Arluq and four men to their deaths. Palartok using his waterbending he freezes two airbenders freezing icicles he throws the icicles through the airbenders puncturing both killing the men.
Senlin burst from the earth throwing sand in Aloi's eyes Yong Ten defended her from Senlin. Jampo suddenly felt a sharp pain his chest, an icicle pierced right through his sternum. He fell to the ground as Senge shouted, "JAMPO!"
Senge sprinted over to his best friend scrambling to his knees. Aloi wiped the sand out of her eyes and ran over to Jampo on the floor. Rong Yan jerked his head to see Senge and Aloi kneeling next to Jampo on the ground, the council, Yong Ten, Takumi, and few others had been handling the invaders now as their number grew smaller. Another airbender fell Rong Yan rushed to Jampo kneeling by his side grabbing his left hand clutching it soothing his dying friend.
Senge and Aloi begin to tear for their friend Jampo, "D-don't cry you..guys..I'll be fine.." slightly turning his head to his left side he gazes into Rong Yan's eyes a tear falling from Jampo's eye as he looked at the Avatar. He began to stutter as his breathing had slowed and he had only a few breaths left.
"R-rong Yan you g-gotta g-get..." he coughed.
"...get S-senlin for m-me..." coughing again he released his last breath of air, Senge buried his face into Jampo's tunic sobbing. Rong Yan closed his eyes releasing a stream of tears, he shut Jampo's eyes as they no longer saw the light. Furious with anger clenching his teeth Aloi sobbing noticed his eyes sparkled and glowed scared she backed off. The death of Jampo triggered the Avatar State.
Rong Yan in the Avatar State.
Rong Yan jetted into the air as the fighting ensued a tall spout of air rose with the Avatar controlling it. One of the waterbenders shouted and pointed at the air. Shards of ice flew at Rong Yan while he hovered on the air spout, the shards rained down like water on top of the heads of his allies instead.
A slab of earth had been launched at Rong Yan but instead of hitting him Rong Yan used it to crash land to the ground. Everyone from the elders to Yong Ten and Takumi spread out the dust from the crumbled slab of air rotated around the Avatar.
When the dust settled there stood an Air Nomad infuriated and wrinkled Senlin and Palartok expected the boy but were shocked to see a middle-aged airbender with glowing tattoos and eyes he hovered in the air. Shang Xi jerked his head yelling to the others, "The Sacrificial One rises from the dust!" He fell to his knees bowing before Avatar Kwan Chun the other Air Nomads followed and knelt before the Sacrificial One too.
Avatar Kwan Chun, as he appears in from the air sphere.
With a frenzy, his voice boomed and roared with the echoes of hundreds of Avatars, Senlin, and the men were afraid. Avatar Kwan Chun roared, "You like many others defile my home, my people have done NOTHING to YOU!"
Palartok gasped at the hundreds of voices a sudden feeling of terror overflowed within him, the voices were filled with rage within the Air Nomad. Kwan Chun's voice boomed, "HOW DARE YOU! NOW YOU MUST PAY THE PRICE AND FACE YOUR DEATH!"
Avatar Kwan had given the invaders their final judgment he flew into the air in an air spout before plummeting to the earth again. He dropped to the ground releasing an air bomb, the gale forces of air passed through the airbenders and their allies unharmed. The winds were too strong knocking the remaining northerners, Senlin, and Palartok off the mountain and to their deaths.
Their shrieks ringing as they plummet down the valley to their doom several others falling alongside with them. In a quick ditch effort, Senlin jerks his head encasing himself and Palartok in hardened earthen armor to protect them from injuring themselves from the long fall down from the air temple. They hit the earth with such force knocking them unconscious and causing bruising they were very alive surrounded by the corpses of the rebels who followed them. Senlin knew that they lost the battle the Avatar had connected with a past life he never knew about that saved him.
He remembered the snippets of information that Ku Tei would mention during the nights after a long battle when a past life would help the current Avatar in danger by manifesting themselves and defending the current Avatar with their bending prowess. This wasn't the end though this was only the beginning he had a plan outlined in his mind if he survived the invasion.
One day later,
A ceremony was occurring for the deceased of the battle the elders didn't care for the corpses whose final resting place was the valley floor below the air temple. Everyone was grief-stricken for the lives lost. There had been a total of twelve airbenders who died one of them being Jampo, the airbender who had been crushed by the large boulder by Senlin's hand was removed by an earthbending soldier from the province of Wushan. The governor of Wushan was notified to remain vigilant and have his troops document any suspicious movement by foreigners heading to the Jongmu Air Temple.
The bodies were wrapped in fine cloths and were secured by ropes so the blanket wouldn't slip off the dead while they transported the dead up the second-highest mountaintop. Several adult monks carried the bodies of their fallen brothers. The airbenders had ceremonial funerals to which they dispose of the body of the fallen and allow the corpse to be exposed to the elements and scavengers in the Air Nomad language this was called, 'nabholaya' or sky-dissolved, meaning allowing the corpses to decompose closest to the sky where they felt their spirits would be pulled from their bodies by Nam who would lead them to the Spirit World. This was considered the last gift to their pantheon -- a way to show the insignificance and the impermanence of their earthly lives.
Rong Yan, Senge and Aloi lifted the body of Jampo wrapped in cloth on there way over to the second mountaintop of the Patollan mountains. It was a sad and exhausting hike to the top of the mountain. After three hours of hiking and small breaks, the Jongmu Nomads reached the top, it was flat and in the center was a large stone structure shaped like a cube.
The structure was mainly a frame of a cube it had no walls in the center was a hollow mass grave. The bones within were picked clean by the carrion birds that lived on the Patollan islands. Bones of ages past through time turned to dust and returned to the earth. The children turned away while the adults removed the rope and cloth that wrapped each body. All twelve bodies were lined inside of the hollow mass grave properly next to each other.
"My brothers we gather here on this day to bring the bodies of our fallen brothers to the top of Yama mountain. Where their physical bodies return to the earth and their spirits are awakened and led into the Spirit World by Nam. I would like to lead in a prayer for all of those we lost yesterday and hope that Tiandi continues to bless them even after death," The Council of Elders began a prayer to Nam to awaken the souls of the fallen and lead them into the afterlife and another to Tiandi to bless the souls of the fallen in their eternal afterlife within the Spirit World. Everyone who attended the ceremony knelt and positioned themselves into prayer while the Elders held hands with each other in a circle only lowering their heads leading the prayer.
Once the prayers had ended they hugged each other and shook each other's hands the children were taught about all things of the culture and were not excluded from subjects like death or sexual topics. The airbender children were educated from a very young age and curiosity was not prohibited it was what allowed them to understand the other cultures around the world. While the children were not allowed to view the bodies of their fallen brothers they received a lesson more suitable to children about Nam, while he was the god of air he was also commonly known as the god of death. These children were taught from a young age that death was normal and it came to everyone young and old. The Air Nomads viewed death as freedom.
Rong Yan, Aloi, Senge and Yong Ten said their last farewells to their friend Jampo they stood and looked inside the mass grave where Jampo's body laid in between two others. Aloi hugging Rong Yan looking away from the dead within crying for her friend.
Senge sniffled releasing a few tears with his hands in the pockets of his trousers he wore a dandelion yellow sash that ran across his torso and dandelion yellow trousers. He hung his head low wishing that he could've changed the course of what happened yesterday afternoon if he had defended Jampo he wouldn't be one of the fallen. They'd be together mourning the loss of their fallen brothers of the temple together.
They had a goal where both of them were going to get their tattoos together, they were best friends and grew up together from a very young age. He sniffled again before slowly floundering away from the stone structure back to the group of monks. Chuandan placed his hand on Senge's shoulder embracing him. Chuandan calmed him down whispering into his ear giving him kind words over the loss of Jampo.
"I don't know if I could go on," Senge sobbed dampening Chuandan's sash with his tears.
"You can and you will have to continue for him. Jampo wouldn't want you to be depressed. We knew Jampo as the awkward and happy novice that made others laugh don't remember the bad times, remember the good times you shared with him. Remember Jampo for what he was like in life and make him proud by getting your master tattoos," whispered Chuandan in Senge's attempting to calm him down.
One Year Later,
Rong Yan had been in prayer with Senge today was the day, the day they long-awaited they both knelt in prayer. Rong Yan growing accustomed to Air Nomad culture prayed every day to the Air Nomadic pantheon. Today was the day they'd be recognized by the world as the new generation of airbending masters, while Rong Yan wouldn't receive airbender tattoos Senge would. Senge dreamt of this day while excited for the next chapter in his life he was also deeply saddened. As of last year today, after the invasion from Senlin and the northern rebels they lost their friend Jampo in the battle. Senge knew that Jampo was by his side in spirit observing the entire ceremony.
"...thank you for blessing me with another year of life, for my friends and for the continuous blessings you give us every day," finished Rong Yan.
He rose from his spot in front of the statue of Tiandi stretching his muscles out waiting for his friend Senge to finish too. Senge rose to rub his right eye. Concerned Rong Yan placed his hand on Senge's left shoulder asking, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing just that a year ago today Jampo passed on to the Spirit World and also today's our initiation as airbending masters. I wish Jampo could be here with us receiving his airbending master tattoos," Senge responded.
Rong Yan sighed, "Me too he would be proud of us both don't ever doubt it. Maybe he'll be attending in spirit."
Rong Yan put his arm around Senge's shoulders they left the prayer room and headed down to the northern courtyard where Yong Ten and the others prepared the decorations. Senge was to meet with the other graduates and Prior Ji where the process of the tattooing will happen. He wasn't sure if it would hurt or not but he was ready for his tattoos. Subprior Shaohao came to round up men from the graduating class who haven't arrived at the library to receive their tattoos yet.
Shaohao lead the men to the northern tower's library where they lined up in front of a separate room from the rest of the library. Inside there were a total of several men usually about five tattooing one monk but the room had an amount of three monks at a time. Thirteen men were waiting for their session these sessions usually took about a few hours to complete. Once inside the men had to remove their robes and lie flat and completely naked on stone slabs.
Senge was a part of the first three men to be inked, Prior Ji and four other oblates were assigned to the task of inking Senge. To the left of the stone slab, he rested his body on were pots full of light blue dye and a few pointy bones that belonged to long-dead animals.
Ji began the process by dipping the bone into the dye and then pricking Senge's mid-back where the start of the set of tattoos would be centered at. The oblates pricked his limbs soon after Ji began the process they would stab the ink deep into the skin of the monk.
Meanwhile, Rong Yan was called over by Hegumen Geetsan and gestured to walk to the southern courtyard with him while he waited for the ceremony to begin later in the evening. They padded around the temple over to the southern courtyard and down to the bison caves where the monks housed their sky bison. Once they reached one of the caves Takumi walked out with a bounce to his step. Rong Yan reunited with his firebending master once more they hadn't seen each other in over a year.
"Sifu Takumi what are you doing here?" Rong Yan inquired a tone of happiness in his voice they hugged each other.
"I came to attend your initiation as an airbending master and Yeh Lu has gifted you something a means of transportation," answered Takumi gesturing Rong Yan to walk inside the cave with him.
Geetsan, Rong Yan and Takumi minced inside as to avoid awakening the creature within, once inside Rong Yan discovered a large, long, scaly red-colored animal in the cave. Observing the gargantuan creature he found the head. The serpent-like animal had a feathery-like beard, it had two large nostrils, two long horns and a whisker on each side of its upper mouth.
Fire Lord Yeh Lu gifted the Avatar a tamed red dragon it was known that flying was the fastest transportation available and Rong Yan would be traveling the world while mastering the four elements it was only necessary to cut travel times in half by allowing him to fly on top of a dragon.
The red dragon gifted to Rong Yan by Fire Lord Yeh Lu.
"A dragon?" whispered Rong Yan looking at Takumi.
"You're going to be traveling the world mastering the other two elements left, flying is the fastest transportation around the world that will cut travel times in half," explained Takumi.
"I'm going to name it Shen," he mentioned.
Takumi and Geetsan smiled and nodded at the agreement of the name while Geetsan remained silent and said no comment. They paced back out of the cave allowing the dragon to continue its slumber. On the way out of the cave, they were discussing where Rong Yan was heading to next.
"Do you have any plans on where you plan to go next to master waterbending?" Takumi inquired.
"Yes, actually the Council of Elders and I have talked about this during our various meetings I've been speaking with Chief Unirak through messages. When I first spoke with Avatar Ku Tei he told me that he arranged my bending masters. My first was Yong Ten, my second is the ambassador to the Northern Water Tribe his name is Naartok. As soon as I arrive at the Southern Water Tribe capital city Iqaluit, ambassador Naartok is to be relieved of his duties to focus on teaching me waterbending," Rong Yan replied.
Before Ku Tei passed he anointed Ambassador Naartok to be his successor's waterbending master. Naartok was to be relieved of his duties until Rong Yan mastered waterbending.
"So if Fire Lord Yeh Lu needs to reach me I will be in Iqaluit mastering waterbending," Rong Yan added.
They continued having a conversation with Geetsan. At the same time, Aloi had finished her book allowing the page to dry to avoid smudging the ink and ruining the paper. Her story has finally come to an end she was proud of her first book. She stood from the lectern with an amble step mincing over to Shang Xi who was studying some books within the library. He looked up to see Aloi standing over him while he stayed seated.
"Yes, Aloi?" questioned Shang Xi.
"I completed my novel master Shang Xi," she responded.
The library within the northern tower of the Jongmu Air Temple.
"Splendid! Let's have a look we must put your story together young one," Shang Xi said getting out of his seat pacing behind Aloi back to the lectern where the page was drying. Upon reaching the desk the page was now dry she gathered all of the pages tapping them against the wood of the desk lining them perfectly.
The papers were long in width and short in height Air Nomad books were typically to be read horizontally and not vertically. The writer would also write the text horizontally on the pages leaving one part near the middle of the page blank. They used a special tool that would punch a hole through that blank area of the page. Then they'd use two rectangle pieces of wood piercing a hole through them as well and then the author would put a strong enough line through the two pieces of wooden and the amount of papers securing it by tying it making a book.
Shang Xi grabbed two rectangle pieces of wood using a special rock shaped like a needle he grabbed another rock and began hammering through the wood to puncture a hole through the piece. He used the same tool to pierce a hole through the pages, Shang Xi walked off to find some strong string to put the pieces together while Aloi arrange the pages in between the two blotters of wood.
Shang Xi returned a few minutes later, "Try this," he said handing Aloi a thin rope she put one of the ends through the hole that was located near the middle of the new book pulling the rope to the other end of the book and tied it tightly so that the book wouldn't fall apart.
Opening her new book she skimmed through the text making sure everything was in order smiling at Shang Xi who bowed at her, "Congratulations Aloi on publishing your first piece of literature I can see you now several years into the future a famous author with tons of published literature sprawled around the Four Nations. If you're lucky enough maybe Wan Shi Tong's knowledge seekers will have a copy in Wan Shi Tong's library," Shang Xi congratulated her, she felt accomplished.
Hours later, after the last monk was tattooed the new masters were ordered to wear a traditional outfit which consisted of crimson red trousers cut off at the lower knee, a sleeveless dandelion yellow tunic, an orange sash around the waist, and a long-sleeved dandelion yellow hooded robe which was used to conceal the tattoos of the new masters until the unveiling at the ceremony. They were asked to keep the robes on until the ceremony all thirteen men felt pain that lasted for hours their bodies had been pricked with ink and were sore all over.
Several men were groaning over the soreness of their entire bodies Ji chuckled, "I know, I know you're sore all over don't worry the pain will subside after a week. I am very proud of you boys today you're all men."
He signaled to one of the oblates to open the door of the library and lead the new masters out and down to the northern courtyard where the ceremony was located. Everyone who lived in the temple attended the ceremony, children were taught to airbend into the wind chimes surrounding the stage area. The children practiced for weeks on end to perfect the ceremonial music.
There was a large carving of the Air Nomad insignia behind the stage surrounding the stage were tables where monks young, and old were sitting at. Hegumen Geetsan stood in the middle of the stage holding a scripture under his left arm and gestured the hooded monks to kneel down next to another hooded figure which was Rong Yan, while he didn't receive tattoos because they're sacred to the Air Nomad culture he was considered a master airbender by the Council of Elders, therefore, he had to attend the ceremony to be initiated as one.
All thirteen men plus the Avatar kneeled in front of the Hegumen. On the left and right sides of the stage stood five novices behind the novices were large yellow ceramic kettles that held long incense sticks inside each of the four sticks within one of these kettles were lit by Rong Yan.
The new masters knelt in front of Hegumen Geetsan, waiting for the signal to reveal their tattoos.
Geetsan grabbed the scripture book with his right opening the book beginning his speech, "In the era before the Four Nations our ancestors lived on Nam harmoniously with the spirits. The first of ancestors tattooed themselves with the markings of Gavala altering their markings to differentiate from our goddess because they weren't as perfect as she was. The tattoos sacred to our culture signify the bond we have with the goddess of air, for she gave Nam the power to grant humans temporary airbending. Those worthy to Nam were granted an inking of their bodies," he began.
"Over time after the era of the Four Nations, these ancient tattoos evolved Gavala has blessed us by giving us her offspring as lifelong companions. Our ancestors learned to master airbending from their sky bison they were anointed the master airbenders by Gavala. Developing the art form to what we know today a novice at a young age spends years advancing through the thirty-seven tiers of airbending. They are rewarded with airbending master tattoos which were inspired by the original airbenders the sky bison," he continued.
"Today I present you with new masters these boys have spent several years advancing through the thirty-seven tiers of airbending. We've watched them grow from novices to masters and I know that we all love our brothers and hope that they take a step forward into the future. This is their birthright given to them by Gavala, from this point forth these boys are now men," stated Geetsan.
"Now let us anoint the masters that will lead us onto a new path!" finished Geetsan, Geetsan tapped each man with his staff signaling them that now was the time to remove the hood starting on his left was Rong Yan. The children began to bend the smoke out of the incense sticks swirling it above the stage area and passing the combined air and smoke through the wind chimes allowing them to cling. A tear had been shed from Senge's eyes he felt Jampo's presence in the area like Jampo was watching them.
Rong Yan pulled back his hood only to reveal no tattoos but the Air Nomads understood, each monk was tapped and each revealed their tattoos. Senge was the last monk on the right, he was lightly tapped on his left shoulder. With both hands, he removed his hood to reveal the newly inked skin surrounded by irritated red skin and dry blood.
Senge revealing his tattoos.
Li Shen gestured for the men to rise onto their feet. All fourteen men rose to their feet unclipping the robes and removing them to reveal the ceremonial outfit and the arrows tattooed on their arms, hands, legs, and feet. Yong Ten shed a tear for Senge and Rong Yan, Aloi felt a presence similar to Senge she too thought Jampo was near. As if all those who died during the invasion were there with them in spirit. A standing ovation for the new masters' everyone rose to their feet Takumi was in the crowd cheering for Rong Yan his firebending apprentice. The Avatar had finally mastered airbending, Rong Yan was excited for his future all that remained was waterbending and earthbending.
The next morning came through, Takumi was packing his belongings onto the sky bison of a monk that was taking him back to the Fire Nation. Rong Yan and Aloi were departing the Jongmu Air Temple today too. Catching up to Takumi he embraces his master then shaking his hand, "I was glad you came to attend the ceremony it means so much to me," he told Takumi.
"It was my pleasure, Rong Yan. It's good to keep in touch with your progress your parents send their wishes and they are very proud of you. You make the royal family and your country proud," beamed Takumi he bowed to Rong Yan. Rong Yan bowed in return Takumi climbed the sky bison by walking up its flat tail boarding the saddle. The monk arrived air jetting onto the saddle and mincing over to his sky bison's head. The monk snapped the reins on his beast and the creature roared and elevated into the sky Takumi waving goodbye to the Avatar who returned the farewells.
Senge accompanied Aloi to the bison pens where Shen the dragon was now wide awake and ready to fly his new master to the city of Iqaluit. She had wrapped her things around the red flying serpent she was still a little nervous about Shen.
Shen the dragon with a new saddle, Rong Yan and Aloi were preparing to leave the Jongmu Air Temple.
Senge padded up to Rong Yan and then Rong Yan asked, "Do you think you'll be fine?"
"Yeah thanks for being my friend and being there for me while I mourned the loss of my best friend," Senge thanked Rong Yan placing his hand on the Avatar's right shoulder.
"Do you think we'll ever see each other again?" Senge questioned Rong Yan.
"Anything's possible I hope we cross paths again soon," responded Rong Yan.
"I would like that. I know that Jampo would've wanted you to become a great Avatar. As do I," stated Senge.
Aloi ran up to Senge hugging him, "I'm going to miss you and your antics Senge," she said.
"I'm going to miss you too Aloi take care of Rong Yan for me," Senge replied.
Yong Ten hoofed it with his walking stick catching up to Rong Yan before he was able to leave. "I thought I would come say my goodbyes before you left to the South Pole," he began.
Opening his arms wide to offer his student a hug Rong Yan gently gave his old master an embrace thanking him, "Thank you Sifu Yong Ten. Thank you for not giving up on me when I would fail, thank you for the life lessons you taught me and the discipline given when I needed it the most. I will miss your lectures, and stories most of all."
"Aww," Aloi smiled she was happy with the love Rong Yan had for his airbending master he made a lifelong friend.
The embrace held for a bit before they let each other go, Yong Ten bowed to Rong Yan, "It was an honor helping you master airbending, Avatar Rong Yan."
Placing his right in a fist positioned on his lower open left palm Rong Yan bowed to his master, "Thank you Sifu Yong Ten, I hope we see each other soon." Rong Yan smiled and sighed he was going to miss the Jongmu Air Temple especially the clothes. He was now back into his old clothing and most of all his hat.
"How does it feel like wearing your hat again?" Aloi asked Rong Yan.
Chuckling he responded, "It feels great I'm going to miss wearing the novice clothing though." He snapped the reins of Shen, the dragon bolted into the air Rong Yan and Aloi flew in the southern direction. They looked back to see that their friends down below waved goodbye.
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