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in: A to Z (fanon), The Rise of Lirin chapters (fanon)

Fanon:Faceless

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Air, Water, Earth, Fire. A new Avatar has been born to the Fire Nation as the cycle of the Avatar continues. And Lirin must face a new challenge as both Avatar and Prince of the Fire Nation.

Faceless[]

The cooler winds of winter faded away as summer was in full swing. Despite his humanoid form, it was not the sensation of a warmer climate that alerted him to the change of the seasons. It was the sensation of the reach of his power that informed the spirit. As summer came, his power outside of ideal locations was weakened.

He wasn't surprised or angry about it, he was a winter spirit, after all. However, he was frustrated that summer was coming at a time when attention on the Faceless was so intense. The Faceless took a stand to fight and kill the Avatar. However, they made enemies of both the Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation.

Avatar Lirin already had enemies, but this war saw him gain new allies. The Water Tribes joined him, as did the Qatil clan of airbenders. Promised independence, the assassins began working for the Fire Nation and started purging the Faceless on the continent.

They were fortunate that Koram expected this and directed his subordinates, the Opal-Beifongs, to spring a trap. Of course, the family of traitors didn't realize they were the bait in this trap. The gruesome slaughter and death in Zaofu left hundreds dead and the city clamoring for war against the Fire Nation.

The setback forced the Qatil to retreat from the slaughter of the Faceless and regroup in case of an attack. Koram's plan worked but his partner was worried that his plans for revenge would be lost in the war.

Koram, unlike his spirit comrade, didn't care who won the war, only killing the Avatar.

But this winter spirit had other plans. And even in the heat of summer, there were opportunities.

Lirin woke up groggily. He rubbed his eyes and looked around, realizing there was a lot more blue in the décor than he remembered. It took a second for him to recall he wasn't in his room. He turned back to the bed to see a beautiful woman lying there in bed. She snuggled the cool sheets she was wrapped in as she slept calmly.

She was the owner of said bed and his fiancée, Princess Kori of the Northern Water Tribe. It was also their first night together. Lirin had been careful how he approached Kori for both her status and the alliance that their engagement supported. However, the attempt on her life had shaken Lirin, making him worried that she would be lost too.

Lirin smirked at her innocent demeanor and looked to a nearby window, seeing it was late morning. Lirin groaned at the realization that he would be late for earthbending training with Jin. Although she would wait for him, she would punish him in sparring later.

He heard rustling beside him. Apparently he had woken Kori up. "Did I wake you?"

"Mm, just a bit. The sunlight would have done it anyway," Kori's icy eyes shone like jewels as she looked at him. Lirin laughed in his heart. It was said by many, including his own sister, that the way his eyes seemed to change from black to amber was mesmerizing and part of why he was able to seduce so many women. But in Lirin's mind, he couldn't imagine anything more seductive than the look Kori was giving him now.

"Any plans today?"

"Just go see Mira. She wants some advice from a royal about child rearing and preparation." Kori sat up, reaching for a sapphire robe.

"I know Mira is nervous as a turtle-duck right now," Lirin said calmly. Mira's condition was now an open secret in the royal court. As such, Lirin and Zorin did their best to keep her safe from their manipulation. One of the other ways they kept them at bay was to have Kori visit her, showing a positive relationship between the two tempered any ambitions some of the nobles had.

"Anything else?"

"That is about it since my mercy mission is going on without me." Zori said sullenly.

"I am sorry that you were dragged into this. I know that being locked away in the palace was not what you wanted, but it is for your safety."

Kori smiled as she leaned over and kissed the Crown-Prince, "Part of being a royal is knowing things like this can happen." As she sat up, she took a serious tone, "Learning to process it is another story."

At the moment, Kori wanted to avoid this topic as she wasn't ready to talk about it yet. "And you, your highness, what do you have planned today?"

"Quite possibly being beaten to a pulp by my teacher because I am already half an hour late."

Kori laughed, "I will pray for your safe return to us."

Form and Function[]

Lirin was sprawled on the ground, breathing heavily as he desperately tried to get back up.

"I thought the extra sleep would leave you rested?" Jin asked mockingly.

Lirin growled as he gave a dark look at his teacher's sarcasm. She already knew he didn't sleep much as she commented and congratulated him.

"Although, I guess the conquest you made last night might have been worth the effort. You may have a formal heir to the throne soon. I'm sure your father is pleased."

"I haven't exactly told him," Lirin just wanted the topic to be over with and get back to earthbending, as hard as it was at the moment.

"Oh, I am sure he knows, given the volume last night."

"I swear, Jin, I'm gonna smack you."

"Master Jin, we are still training now, my Prince."

Jin adjusted her stance as she returned to the topic at hand, "You have taken fairly well to the basics of earthbending, Master Lirin. However, you are rough in transition and you still struggle with extending your power to its fullest. As progeny of Tala, I know you have the potential to hit harder, faster and farther."

"For example, you have finally learned to bend a great mass of earth as easily as pebbles. But your accuracy is low, and your speed is still slow." Jin paced as she lectured, "It's not bad progress, but I am surprised, given that your natural opposite was water, I figured you would easily master earthbending."

"Maybe if that was all I was doing, but it isn't." Lirin had a lot on his mind and was busy with more than just learning the elements.

"Oh, please! Avatar Aang learned three elements in less than a year and rediscovered energybending from a Lion Turtle. Are you saying your struggle is greater than his?"

Jin did not hold back on her criticism. Lirin scrunched his brow in frustration. He wanted to retort but had to admit that learning three elements in such a short time was a tall order he did not have to make.

"So, what is your suggestion to help me improve, Master Jin?" Lirin emphasized the title as he inquired.

Jin scratched her chin, "Besides a good night's sleep?" Lirin gave her a dirty look, "I will have to think of something. For now, you are dismissed, pupil."

Lirin sat up, his breathing finally calmed down. "Has there been any word about the Faceless since Zaofu?"

"No," Jin responded seriously. "In fact, it is alarming how quiet they are now that they have been."

"What do you think they are doing?"

"Regrouping. Preparing. The Faceless may have put you in the hot seat publicly, but they have suffered serious casualties from the purges before Zaofu. Could be that they are looking for reinforcements."

"Reinforcements, huh?"

Radicals[]

The young man's foot tapped nervously as he sat there waiting. He was once considered a promising recruit for the Beifong's Metal Guards. He was second in his class in studies and first in bending. He was not from a wealthy family, but his hard work earned him praise from the leaders of Zaofu. He worked harder still and finally got his family into a nice home in the dome right next to the Beifong Estate. He wasn't home that night when the tragedy struck. He was patrolling one of the further out domes when chaos broke out at the Beifong Estate. He would later hear that Qatil Assassins infiltrated the city to kill the leaders as a message to the city. However, the Beifongs fought back, proving a greater threat than the airbending assassins could handle. Rather than flee in defeat, the Qatil used a powerful technique to summon a hurricane within the enclosed dome.

The sound of the blast made one think bombs were dropped on the city. By the time anyone realized what had happened, half the Beifong Estate had collapsed on itself from an advanced airbending attack.

But that was only the first part of the tragedy. The implosion of the Beifong Estate mostly destroyed itself, but debris did get thrown out to the nearest domes. The young man came home to a large shell of steel where his parents, wife and child were. He worked so hard to give them a better life and make them safer, but his work only put them closer to danger.

"Jiro, please come in." He was called forward by a woman into the office.

Jiro was not in Zaofu. One could immediately tell by the more arid terrain and abandoned buildings that didn't exist in the Home of the Metal Clan. The office was clean and clearly occupied, but one outside looking in would not be able to tell what they do here.

Jiro followed the lithe woman as she led him to a chair in the office. She was attractive but professional. Jiro knew from training that this was a calculated move on the part of those he was meeting with. Were it any other day, it might have worked on him too. But his rage was too strong to think about that. The woman left him tea and exited through another door. Almost as soon as the door closed, it opened again as a man entered.

"Mr. Jiro Sun, you are a Sergeant in the Metal Clan's Guard, correct?" The man was dressed well in grey and red. He did not look old, but he was certainly not young. The way he carried himself implied something much older than Jiro could understand. Jiro recalled the difference he felt between himself and veterans. He was a skilled fighter, but he sensed a different air in those who actually fought in battle before. At this moment, he felt like there was a mountain between himself and this man.

"That's right," Jiro wanted to chastise the man for the pointless questions. However, the sense that the man was so much more than him paralyzed that anger.

"I know you are angry; I have felt that before too."

"Have you lost family to senseless violence?"

"Not so simple in my time." The man leaned back and looked at the ceiling fan as he spoke, "We weren't wealthy or powerful. We were simple farmers when my father told me to run with my sister. I didn't look back no matter how loud the screams were, even when I was no longer holding my sister's hand. I spent days running until I found someone who wasn't trying to kill me."

"They gave me food and shelter and taught me what I could do with my potential. They gave me a home and power. With that power, I made friends and became a leader of others. They trusted me to make decisions, that my power and experience was greater than anyone else's. It didn't matter to him, the Avatar. He cut down everyone who sided with me, man or woman meant nothing to him. He killed them all the same. My home became a ruin, and my fields became a grave. I buried what was left of my friends and swore revenge."

The man looked at Jiro was eyes of pure hatred, "I lost more than you can imagine."

Man looked back at the file, "I understand you were once from Shiji, correct?"

Jiro nodded at the mention of his hometown. Shiji was a southern Earth Kingdom port city. While a lot of trade came through, almost everyone was poor labor with a small class of elites living like kings. Jiro's gift for metalbending was the ticket for his family to get out of there.

"Did you know that the Fire Nation is bribing certain individuals to use the docks and smuggle spirit vines out of the Earth Kingdom from Shiji's port?"

Jiro's eyes narrowed once he understood why the man asked. "I'll do what I can."

The man gave a half-smile as he stood up, "Go in peace, my friend."

"And you as well," Jiro stood up and turned for the door when he stopped, "And what should I call you?"

"Koram, my name is Koram."

Lirin woke up the next morning restless. His dreams were disturbed by violence and an uneasy feeling. He saw the mountain that Tala resided at in the Spirit World as well as a dark forest. He wasn't sure what to make of it.

Unable to get the images out of his head, he went to speak to the High Sage. Lirin didn't have to wait long, many of the sages were up bright and early. It was harder to keep them up late at night instead.

The High Sage entered the reception and sat before the prince after a deep bow, "Avatar Lirin, I am honored by your presence."

Lirin looked at the old man's face, remembering his declaration that he was the Avatar on his fifteenth birthday. Lirin was conflicted, angry at the future that played out but knowing this man was not at fault.

"Wise master," Lirin nodded his head in respect, "I have been disturbed by dreams lately. Dreams I have never had before and so real and vivid, I believe they are visions."

"And what have you seen in these dreams?"

Lirin recounted the imagery of his dreams and what he understood of them. "I recall that you have meditated here to enter the Spirit World before. And you met both Avatars that preceded you?"

"Yes, sir."

"Perhaps, the Avatar Spirit is advising you to return and seek their counsel."

"Could it be that simple?"

"Does it have to be that hard? There was a saying once on the continent before the Earth Kingdom rose to power, it was ‘the simplest answer is typically the best answer' if I recall."

Lirin meditated as he focused on the image in his mind. When he opened his eyes, he was at the base of the mountain where Avatar Tala resided in the Spirit World. He quickly climbed the mountain. Now that he was sure of himself and his destination it felt like no time passed, unlike his first trip where the hike felt like an eternity.

This time, his predecessor was near her cabin, watering some plants. She turned and smiled at his arrival, "Ah, Lirin, you are here sooner than I expected."

"You were waiting?"

"In a manner of speaking." She beckoned to the cabin and Lirin followed her.

After being treated with tea, he spoke up. "Avatar Tala, these enemies I am facing are more than greedy despots afraid of the political balance. There is a spirit and a stormbender who are raising an army to assassinate me, and anyone tied with me."

Tala had been pouring herself tea when she froze at the word ‘stormbender'. Although Lirin knew the term before he entered the Spirit World before, he was so occupied with the issue from his status to inquire.

"Did you read your grandfather's journals in the catacombs?"

"I did," Lirin nodded at his predecessor.

"Then you already know most of what I know." Tala sat down, sipping her tea, "Stormbending is an extension of energybending, a dangerous power. The skill to do the latter does not mean you will get the former. I was able to learn stormbending but my mastery was not great. Nevertheless the ability to flatten and sink an island into the sea is pretty valuable in battle."

"The past stormbenders existed in a time when spirits ran rampant across the world. They were able to defend enclaves of their own without the protection of the lion turtles, some of the few humans who could boast that."

"Impressive," Lirin interjected.

"Very," Tala agreed. "So when spirits returned to their own world and humanity thrived, the stormbenders became the most powerful warlords of the new era."

"Avatar Wan himself didn't get into conflict with them since they were some of the most orderly regions at the time. However, as elemental benders became more powerful and more numerous, the stormbenders became wary. Koram was the first stormbender and their unspoken leader. He feared that new energybenders, stormbenders, elemental benders, and the Avatar could end their reign."

"Koram started at the top, he manipulated the people into hunting the Lion Turtles for sport. But that wasn't his agenda, he wanted to kill them off to prevent them from giving more people bending abilities, any kind."

Tala looked out the window of her cabin as sorrow took her voice, "Once he had hunted down enough of them, he turned on his own. Any stormbender or energybender that didn't join him was killed off. And when that was done, he began attacking the new kingdoms that rose up on the continent. Some fled, like the Northern Water Tribe, the Sun Warriors and the Air Nomads, while others died like the ancient kingdoms of earth that existed before Ba Sing Se."

"Why didn't the Avatar stop them?" Lirin couldn't help but wonder why this all happened, how could any of his predecessors ignore such evil committed in succession?

"It wasn't all done in a matter of months, Lirin, they are immortal. It was centuries before everything I said was done and history. By the time this all occurred, and the Avatar realized something had to be done to stop it, a thousand years had passed in the new era."

"It took ten Avatars fighting to the death to pick away at these warlords before finally the last of them were at the Fortress of the First."

"Our predecessor also used stormbending and his Avatar State to overpower and kill them. He died but was victorious. It was believed that they all died. That was obviously a mistake if Koram survived. He probably delivered the killing blow himself. As best as I can gather, he has fought with the Avatar a couple of times over the past millennia, sometimes winning, sometimes fleeing. The attacks became more infrequent the closer to the present."

"Why?"

"Because each Avatar's power in the Avatar State is stronger than the last one. Aang was stronger than Roku, Kyoshi was stronger than Kuruk, and so on. Each life added makes the Avatar State a wave of consciousness and power that is overwhelming to both the wielder and their foe."

"Guess it's hard to understand that without experiencing it myself."

Tala gave a forlorn look, "You won't. When Korra lost the connection to our past lives, it severed that mass of information."

"But she restored our connection, didn't she?"

"Partially, we can access the information and power, but the sheer strength of the Avatar State she had before Harmonic Convergence is lost to us. It would take another ten thousand years to build it up. By then, you will be one of thousands of voices in the head of our successor."

"Can I beat Koram?" Lirin asked honestly, he did not need encouragement, he needed the truth.

"At present? No. In the future? Maybe. What skills and powers you master will affect what kind of threat you are to him. For instance, Koram never made his presence known to me. I may not have the power of Avatar Kyoshi, let alone Aang, but my diverse set of sub-bending skills and ability to use stormbending made me a different kind of threat. Rather than challenge Koram in a duel of overwhelming power, I would be able to strike him with speed and pinpoint accuracy. That has value."

"And what about this spirit who leads the Faceless?"

"This is the first I have heard of it. I never encountered this group in my time. Which means they either didn't exist, or they kept their heads down."

Lirin had a disappointed look on his face at the answer Tala provided. "There may be someone else you could ask for help. Raava is the Spirit of Light, if this spirit existed in her time, she would know them."

Lirin's eyes lit up at the suggestion, "Is that really possible? I have never been in contact with my Avatar Spirit like that before."

"Maybe, I could never do it alone, but you are far more spiritually adept than me."

Lirin stood in the clearing of the mountain beside Tala's cabin, trying to meditate. Sadly, it seemed more comical than serious with Tala's lack of spirituality and Lirin's lack of knowledge. With time being so fluid in the Spirit World, Lirin couldn't tell how much time had passed, only that it was dark now.

"This is never gonna work," Lirin grunted unamused.

"Not with that attitude," Tala quipped. "What did you see in your vision?"

"I saw blood, I felt fear. I saw this mountain, and a dark forest."

"The forest, what did it look like?"

Lirin recounted what he could recall, the dark green and grey, the pale colored woods, the dark mist, and the cold dread, as if he could touch it. Tala closed her eyes, living it. "I have been there before. It is an unpleasant place, and I cannot guide you anymore."

"Why not?"

"Because I lack the knowledge and power to take you there."

"I thought you were going to help me speak with Raava?"

"That is not where you need to be, you need to be in that forest. But it is far from here and I do not know the way. You will become lost."

"Then what am I supposed to do?"

"You need a more useful guide and the push to make the journey."

Lirin's eyes squinted, "And how am I supposed to find that?"

"The summer solstice should be coming soon. That will give you a boost to cross the threshold into the Spirit World while also having more control. As for a guide, you will need someone more spiritual than me."

"And who would that be?" Lirin gave her a quizzical look.

"Hmm," Tala crossed her arms while cupping her chin. "Are you familiar with Jang Hui?"

"The river?"

"There is a village there and the people revere a local river spirit called the Painted Lady. While reclusive, she is friendly to people and nature. Perhaps she will help you."

Solstice[]

Lirin's travel to Jang Hui river was not exactly sanctioned. Rather, he kept it to himself and just took his dragon, Faran. Lirin knew that either an army would be moved to follow him, or he wouldn't be able to go at all.

Lirin knew he wouldn't hear the end of it from his father, Mira, or Kori. He had to take that risk. That wasn't to say he was alone.

"How can you ride on that thing?" Jin exclaimed after landing on solid ground. "I feel like my legs are permanently split!"

"Isn't that more convenient for your night activities?" Lirin threw a quip at her as he looked at a map.

"Oh, haha. You know, I think the history books just hid how insatiable the Avatars were. Because we both have a drive to go after any women we set eyes on." The young earthbender laughed as she redirected the taunt.

"Perhaps, but at least now I am expected to sire some children to rebuild the royal family. What about you? Shouldn't you hunt down a man for a change?"

"No thanks," Jin retorted as she rummaged through her bag. "So why are we sneaking off to some river on a random island? Do you intend to seduce me away from prying eyes?" She had a devious smile as she spoke.

"Avatar Tala said that I would have a better chance of finding the answers I need on the solstice. She also suggested I find a friendly spirit. According to legends, the Jang Hui River is home to the Painted Lady, a kind river spirit."

"And so, you want her help to guide you in the spirit world?"

"Pretty much."

"And you don't think these country folks won't be surprised by a visit from the Crown Prince and Avatar?"

"It's not like I'll be announcing my presence." Lirin answered her while pulling out a bag of clothes from his pack. "Plus, right now, there is a festival in Jang Hui."

"Oh?" Jin perked up at that.

"The Painted River festival will be going on, so we won't be the only visitors."

The two men walked through the village stalls, somewhat blending in. Koram looked at his comrade. Wearing a mask in broad daylight would normally draw suspicion. However, many people were wearing masks, some of the Painted Lady, the Dark Water Spirit, and a few others. His faceless comrade was unnoticed in this crowd.

"Do you really think you can convince her?"

"Hard to say. She has a soft spot for fellow water spirits, but she isn't confrontational either."

"Then why bother? There are other more aggressive spirits who would join our cause." Koram inquired.

"You mean the same ones whose ranks you slaughtered when they dominated the earth?"

Koram grunted at the retort.

The Faceless continued, "Those spirits are dangerous for other reasons but won't stop with killing the Avatar. Besides, if we manage to win over the moderates first, more reluctant and pacifist spirits around the world will consider our cause. If we fail, then I know a spirit with a grudge against the Avatar for trying to kill him."

"Hmm," Koram hummed in uncertainty, "As long as we get results."

Painted River[]

Jin tugged at her pedestrian clothes. While she had plenty of missions with disguises, she was still most comfortable in her uniform. To distract herself, she asked Lirin, "So what's the deal with this festival?"

"In the ancient past, the people here were struck by a terrible winter that froze the river."

"Ice, here?" Jin looked around the tropical climate, finding it hard to believe something from the deep of winter could occur here.

"With the livestock dead and the ice too thick to fish, the people were sick and starving. A beautiful spirit, the Painted Lady, saved the people. She healed the sick and fed the children. When the day came, the ice was gone, and the village was saved. The people hold the Painted River festival in honor of her."

"If it was a winter storm, then why is the festival held on the summer solstice?" Jin questioned.

Lirin smiled at her astute observation, "It used to be held only on the winter solstice. However, a few decades ago, some old records from the village downriver were discovered. Somehow, they survived the purge of Fire Lord Sozin. Those records indicate that they celebrated in both solstices and that the Painted Lady would dance with the people. And even once she fell in love with someone she met at the festival."

"Oh, I see!" Jin laughed, "All the men approved of celebrating twice in the hopes they can seduce a beautiful and immortal spirit."

Lirin laughed with her, "Maybe. In any case, while everyone is dropping the Sapphire Rose petals in the river, we will seek out the Painted Lady herself."

"Why not start now? It's the summer solstice, so it will be on the day that it is most strong spiritually." Jin talked with her mouth full of food. Somehow, she had already bought food from a stall without him noticing.

"True, but she is a river spirit with greater ties to the moon. The effects of the solstice will still permeate for days."

"Good point. I remember as a kid, this spirit kept crossing over around the solstice in our village and eating our ice cream."

"You sure that wasn't another kid?" Lirin's eyebrow raised at the accusation.

"Nope, it was a spirit." Jin responded confidently, "Caught red handed. He would slip through the cracks and swallow the ice cream, cartons and all."

"How did you get him to stop?"

"We put stink bombs in the ice cream." Jin answered nonplussed, "We had to move all our food to a new storage room after that mess."

Lirin quivered at the thought.

Love Amongst the Dragons[]

Lirin and Jin walked by the riverbank. As the cool breeze pressed by, Jin took it in, smiling. "That feels better. I don't know how you people can live in this sweaty hellscape you call the tropics."

"Just born in it. I have always found it better than the dry and desolate mountains at the Whispering Canyon."

"Hmm," Jin scowled and continued enjoying the breeze as she looked around, "So what are we waiting for? It's nighttime, the moon is out, and we still haven't seen a clue of the Painted Lady on this river."

Lirin was too concentrated on something in the river to listen to Jin. At first, he thought it was nothing. A rose petal passed by him. However, as Jin lampooned the humid climate, he noticed more petals floating by, as he looked closer, he confirmed they were Sapphire Rose petals, "We're here."

"Huh?" Jin turned her attention to the river, seeing a mist in the distance. However, the mist was getting closer. Soon, she lost sight of the village in the distance and the other side of the river and even the hills behind them. The only thing they could see clearly was the moon above.

The mist circled them in a smooth circle that was too perfect to be natural. A bulge of mist broke from this in front of them. As the mist stretched out, it faded away to reveal a woman before them.

"The Painted Lady."

Her hair was black and fine like silk as it shined from the reflected moonlight of the river. Her fair skin was marked by thick red lines on her face and exposed shoulders, but it did not detract her beauty. She wore white that was so translucent like she was a phantasm, and the wind would blow away the illusion of her existence if you looked away.

Lirin and Jin bowed in her presence. "Painted Lady, it is an honor to be graced with your presence."

"Likewise, Avatar Lirin." She gave a faint smile as she answered with a voice as smooth as calm water.

"My lady, I come seeking your guidance as a novice on spiritual matters and the identities of spirits."

"I will help how I can. However, I was not born a spirit nor am I as old as some of the others. Some of the most elder spirits were already lost to us by the time I transcended."

The Painted Lady was being honest. The number of spirits and humans who changed into the other were relatively few given the span of history but most of them did it in the more recent time late into the Era of the Avatar. The Painted Lady was one of them.

"I understand, my lady." Lirin acknowledged that she may not be able to help but had to try. "I am looking for help in finding a particular spirit with great hatred of the Avatar, he is Faceless and leads a movement of like-minded beings."

The Painted Lady froze, "How did you know to come to me for these questions?"

"Avatar Tala advised me to seek your counsel as a friendly spirit in the Fire Nation," Lirin answered truthfully. However, when he looked up, the calm in the spirit's face was mired with conflict.

"Avatar Tala always did know more than she let on." The Painted Lady sighed, "I am afraid I have the answers you seek. I only ask that you do not hold me in ill will after I answer them."

"Of course not, why would I?" Lirin was confused at the torn look on the beautiful spirit's face.

"Because I love the one who seeks to kill you."

Lirin wasn't sure how to process the spirit's statement, "Will you still help me?"

"Yes, my past should not stop me from doing what is right."

The spirit reached out her hand, the fair skin looked so delicate that Lirin worried he would tarnish it like paper. After a moment's hesitation, he reached out as Jin spoke, "Wait, Master Lirin, you shouldn't-"

Lirin didn't hear the rest as soon as he touched her soft skin, the world changed around him. The Painted Lady pulled him to her like she was pulling a rock out of a pond.

"Let me show you a simpler time when a woman in love was too blind to see the truth."

As the Painted Lady held onto Lirin, she pulled in him like gravity and he found himself in a new world. The lush green beside a river of clear blue was mesmerizing. Beside it was a beautiful sun kissed woman.

"When I was young, our village found this river. Our ancestors had fled the mainland to escape the wrath of the warlords. Anyone who could use the elements was to be slaughtered. A few of our clan could use the element of water."

"So, you were waterbenders fleeing the stormbenders?" Lirin asked, marveling at the history and the realization that this vision was the past.

"In your terms, perhaps. However, my clan and I never learned to truly bend water the way those in the North did. We barely understood the influence of the moon. To us, surviving was the primary concern."

"My parents' generation and mine were the first to settle this river. In the day it is a beautiful clear blue, but at night, the river reflects like a misty grey that is hypnotic. We called it Jang Hui and chose to live here in peace."

Lirin saw a river similar to Jang Hui but slightly different, a reverse of the passage of time. The bend of the river flowed differently, but the waterfall remained.

"When I grew up, I met someone who was incredible, Ruh. He had an innate understanding of the river, the water and the moon. I was in awe of him. I realized that he was not like anyone else as my admiration turned into love."

The vision changed as a slightly older girl followed after someone. He was out of focus, covered in a haze so that Lirin could not identify him beyond his tall and somewhat-gaunt structure.

"I was always eager to meet him when he traveled by. However, things changed over time. A man named Noren would travel through here. I thought he was a merchant. Noren was a handsome man and seemed happy to always see me when I passed through the village."

As the young woman pursued the man lost in focus, another man appeared in the vision. He was handsome, clean-cut, and held himself differently from a peasant. His smile wooed many girls he passed by in the village, but he only had eyes for the woman chasing after Ruh.

"Noren was a gifted firebender who liked to explore. On the most rare event I could recall on our peaceful river, some bandits attacked. Noren fought them off by himself. It was like he was born for battle. He saved my life."

A horde of slovenly-kept men attacked with torches and weapons in hand. They attacked men and women like heathens. But their eyes gleamed wickedly as they saw the beautiful woman. They threw her down, grinning sickly. Those grins were lost in flame as Noren reappeared in the vision, fighting alone but swiftly defeating the bandits. Many of these evil men died by his hand and the others jumped into the river to flee his fire, only to drown in the depths.

"I realize now that Noren was not a simple merchant, and he was visiting to see me, but I was too blinded by my own obsession."

Even as the village saw that Noren was in love with the woman, she still looked out for the visiting Ruh, leaving Noren dejected.

"Even as Noren visited more often, I was oblivious to his advances, eager to see Ruh come. But one day, things would take a dark turn."

"I would learn later the truth, that Ruh was a winter spirit, but his love of nature kept him coming to see Jang Hui over and over again. But the last time he visited was a disaster. Ruh was in love with another woman, a human by the name of Hadari. She was one of the warlords my ancestors fled. Out of respect for the nature and beauty of the river, he never told her about the village that fled her."

A hazy field takes over the vision. Lirin understands that this is because the Painted Lady only knows of the history but did not experience it. A man and woman stand together on a battlefield and kiss. The man leaves and the woman continues fighting, joining her fellow warriors. Her comrades and her confront a lone warrior who kills them all in battle. The man who had left before returns to what is only a grave of the woman he loved.

"But then the warlord died in battle against a powerful enemy. Ruh found out and was struck with grief. His biggest mistake was being struck by grief in front of a terrible spirit who took his face in amusement. Now faceless, Ruh struck out in grief. In his anger he froze the river of Jang Hui and put the land into a deep winter. People suffered and died under the cold they never knew."

As the man grieves, a shadow overcomes him as a large worm burst from the earth. It laughs as the man shrieks in agony, clawing at his face, only to realize it is gone. The hazy vision ends as Lirin sees Jang Hui again. This time, it becomes covered in ice and people are seen crying and suffering. The mothers hold onto their children tightly while the men desperately try to light fires.

"Ruh was once considered a friend of the village, but now he was cursed as a monster. Despite my protests, the men of the village attacked Ruh. Ruh killed many of them and made the winter even more bitter."

Then men become a mob, grabbing whatever they can make a weapon. The woman who had longed for Ruh tries to reason with them, but they push her aside, marching for the faceless spirit. The mob is slaughtered by a spirit that looks more like a skeleton than a man.

"Because I continued to defend him, I was blamed for causing the endless winter. I was taken and strung up, ready to be burned for consorting with monsters."

The men who survived return and curse the woman, saying she brought on this winter. Rocks are thrown at her and she is beaten with sticks. The men are finally able to light fires. But rather than warm their children, they take them and bound the woman, preparing to burn her.

"I would have burned to death if not for Noren. Noren had returned with an army of warriors who called him chief. They killed the men and women who tried to sacrifice me and then fought the rampaging faceless Ruh."

The mob is attacked by a column of men all dressed the same. They wore red and gold robes and throw fire from their hands. A few of the villagers can throw water and ice, but their skills are too weak to the power of seasoned warriors. After killing the mob, the warriors also march on the faceless spirit, despite the woman's protests. The woman followed after the army to see their ill-fated battle.

"Noren fought bravely but was not strong enough to face the winter spirit and many of his men fell to the cold. It looked like Ruh would strike him down in his bloodlust. Only then did I realize that Noren only came to fight and protect me and my home. I could not watch him die for me and so I stepped forward. My days as a mortal ended there and the blood on my body etched into markings as I stood again, now pale as white silk."

"I reached out my hand, and the river thawed, the skies cleared, and winter ended. With my rage I expelled the man I loved from the river, cursing him for his hatred. The village was saved and rejoiced, but Noren mourned. He had fought here to save me and now I was out of reach. However, I pushed the limits of my power to briefly retain a physical form and be with the man who would risk his life for me."

"We had ten years together and a son before I had to return to the river. Noren would go on to raise our son and my child would become an even greater leader. From them came great chiefs and kings, who united the islands and ended the new warlords that threatened this haven from the old world."

"The Fire Lords?" Lirin could barely get the words out as he stood there stunned.

"In your words, yes."

"So, you are my ancestor?"

The Painted Lady smiled serenely, "I am."

"Why didn't you stay with Noren?"

"I could only protect the river as a spirit. And my presence kept Ruh from returning."

"Why would you protect it when the people were going to murder you?" Lirin couldn't understand protecting people who tried to kill him.

"Many of the men and women who assaulted me died at the hands of Noren and his army. Mostly, only children were left. When I took human form again, I begged Noren to have mercy on them, and he did. He helped rebuild Jang Hui and men stayed behind, making a life for themselves there, taking wives from the daughters who survived the winter."

A thought came to Lirin, ever the analyst when it doesn't matter. At one point in time waterbenders once lived in the islands that would become the Fire Nation. They lived in Jang Hui. After their attempt to murder the woman Noren loved, he slaughtered most of the adults and his soldiers took the daughters for wives, adding more firebenders into the village's bloodlines, diluting the odds of more waterbenders being born until none existed.

"What happened to Ruh after this?" Lirin looked up to the spirit.

She frowned as the vision ended and the place they stood darkened. "I do not know. I lost all contact with him. I heard of him from time to time. The one thing I do know is that he served the spirit who stole his face and continued to for some time after."

The Painted Lady beckoned to the dark forest behind her. "The spirit's name is Koh, the Face Stealer. He has no love of the Avatar, but he will answer any questions you have."

Lirin recognized the twisted and swirling darkness of the woods as the same from his dreams. He knew that he was where he was supposed to be.

He bowed to the Painted Lady, "Thank you, my lady. Your guidance has been most valuable."

The beautiful spirit nodded in affirmation. She stood there as Lirin walked forward to the darkness. Lirin stopped mid-step. The halting motion surprised her as Lirin turned around again, "I know that I had heard this story for the first time. However, I can't help but feel like it is familiar to me."

The Painted Lady smiled, almost laughing, "My progeny wrote the story of Noren and I, they called it Love amongst the Dragons."

"Ah," realization dawned on Lirin. The classic Fire Nation play was an inaccurate recounting of the Painted Lady's history.

"Then, my lady, could I ask what your name was then?" Lirin had a feeling he knew the answer but was curious.

She smiled brightly. It had been so long since she had been called by her name that the idea of her descendant calling out to her made her elated. "Noriko," she said calmly.

"Then, Lady Noriko, thank you for all you have done. I owe you a debt of gratitude." Lirin turned away, heading for the dark forest again.

Noriko smiled as her progeny bravely faced the dangers ahead. As the Avatar stepped further into the mists, she disappeared like clouds blown away in the wind.

The Face Stealer[]

Lirin did not know the way forward. He could only press on and have faith that he would find the place he was meant to go. Even so, he could not completely dispel the terror at the edges of his mind.

Every step felt like he was walking to his doom. Like the breath from his lips were being stolen. Yet for all this fear, he also felt a new warmth the further he traversed. Even as the trees thinned and the mists lessened, his senses felt numbed. It took some time for him to realize that he was listening to a conversation in the distance.

"... no resentment...?"

Lirin could barely register a few words. However, he realized the direction the words came from and followed it.

The great carapace weaved through the twisted hollow of the old tree. As one of his homes, Koh could traverse here blind from instinct and memory alone. Likewise, he knew if someone entered, whether they be a guest or his next victim.

He felt the familiar presence of a very old acquaintance. "Well, well. I didn't expect such an old guest to return. I admit this is less entertaining for me if you are already a part of my collection, Ruh."

The Faceless Spirit, Ruh, stood there with a posture indicating he had no consideration towards his old associate's proclivities. "Koh."

"So, what grave purpose do you have to come see me after all this time?" The insectoid body coiled around the roots of the tree as he questioned the winter spirit. A face of wolf-bat sneered at Ruh as the Face Stealer circled around the still spirit.

"I want your cooperation in an endeavor that is crucial for us spirits."

"Oh, Ruh. Have you ever known me to consort with many other spirits and concern myself with the affairs of the world?" Koh looked at the roots above, speaking as his face changed to that of an old man, weary with age and experience.

"Despite your attempts at indifference, you very much get involved." There was almost a snarl in the voice of Ruh as he spoke, "I seem to recall you taking the beloved of the Avatar as punishment for his poor stewardship."

"Only because it affected me," The old man's face grimaced as if in pain as it answered.

"You may not be a primordial spirit, Koh, but you are ancient, even by our standards. If you call on other spirits to act, your voice will have influence."

"And why should I care about your problems?" The old man's weary visage was replaced by the rough face of a man whose face was perpetually angry, from his dark, cracked skin to his sharp, angled eyebrows. "I have no interest in revenge against the Avatar. He may have tried to kill me centuries ago, but he relented when he realized the error of his ways. Plus, killing me would have killed the last remnants of his beloved."

"The Avatar isn't the only one who lost someone close to him. Have you no resentment towards the Avatar?" Ruh's voice seethed in rage.

"Ah, yes. The cute little warlord you were romancing. She had a pretty face, it's a shame I never tested her composure, I was busy back then."

"You would have failed. But it doesn't matter, she was taken, as so many others have, by the Avatar. It is an abomination of nature."

"Abomination? HA!" The angry man's face was replaced by the laughing face of a curly-tailed blue nose, "That is rich coming from a spirit who had a human lover! Perhaps you have more than just a human form, perhaps you have a human soul too, little Ruh."

The cold seemed to envelope the Faceless Spirit as he stood there silently. His faceless head tilted up towards Koh, "And perhaps you have stolen so many faces that you don't know which to look through, blind fool."

Koh could not make a smart retort or even respond in anger at the insult. He was too wracked with pain as a cold sensation struck him. He twisted the front part of his body so see a massive shard of ice impaled into his body.

Another stab of cold struck him as more shards of ice hit him from different angles. He felt the warmth of life escape him as blood trickled down the ice.

"It was never personal, Ruh," Koh looked at his former victim as his face changed to that of a female Noh mask.

"It was for me," Ruh lifted his arm a final time as a wave of ice struck the massive insect in front of him.

Lirin followed the voices and found an ancient and decrepit tree. Its roots were gnarled and spoke of another era. Lirin breathed calmly, readying himself. Based on the history of Avatar Aang, Koh enjoyed taunting people to make them lose their composure so he could steal their face.

Lirin entered the path leading beneath the tree. The way forward was dark and yet he could still see just ahead of him.

As he reached the bottom of the steps, he walked into a puddle. The splash of his feet touching a puddle did not alarm him. However, he noticed the puddle was not clear or blue. It was dark, something between black and red.

"Ha... ha... ha..." A cold voice echoed in the darkness, "If I could move, I would have stolen your face."

Lirin calmed down and followed the voice. It continued speaking, "Who would have thought, I finally have the opportunity to steal the Avatar's face only because I am dying, and I am too weak to do it."

"Maybe it's your hobby that's the problem and not the opportunity?"

Koh laughed weakly at the Avatar's blunt statement. "Maybe..."

"Who did this to you?"

"The same one you came to ask me about." The Noh mask grimaced in pain as it answered the cold face of the Avatar.

Koh continued, "The funny thing is, spirits think they are better than humans. That they are protectors of nature and guardians of balance. And yet, the moment the opportunity came, they slaughtered humans in droves like ants. And they laughed and cheered while doing it. Ruh is no better. He thinks he is so much better than the Avatar, but he is as petty as any human."

"How can I defeat him?"

"Power..." Koh spoke with trailing words as he struggled to breath and his many legs twitched in vain to lift him up. "The Avatar is stronger than him, but you are a boy unready to face the storm... But even then, you might get lucky and win... That is why he allied with the warlord, Hadari's master..."

Lirin breathed calmly, but inside he was swirling with fear. According to Koh, there is a chance he could beat the Faceless one-on-one, and so he changed the odds in his favor. He didn't know how to overcome the dangers against him.

Lirin looked at the suffering spirit. "I'm afraid that I can't help you or even end your suffering. I have to go now before he realizes I am here."

The Noh mask smiled, "Very well... But before you go... I would like to show you something..."

"What?"

"The face... of the one who wants... to kill you..."

Rage[]

As the Faceless walked forward, his gait showed anger. He had failed to achieve his goal. He used the solstice as a way to bypass the physical portals into the Spirit World. As he entered the physical realm, a figure waited for him at the riverbanks.

"How did it go?" Koram inquired.

"He wouldn't cooperate, so I removed him from the equation."

"Huh," Koram nodded. While he never met Koh, he knew of his reputation and his tendency to answer any question asked so long as he had the opportunity to try and steal your face. Roles reversed, Koram would have eliminated him too.

As the two began walking along the side of the river, Koram asked, "Are we still going to talk to your lady friend?"

"Won't hurt to ask, but there is no guarantee she will help. I can at least get her to influence the spirits not to help the Avatar, that itself is a win."

The conversation ended abruptly as another voice entered the mix.

"So, you're Ruh, huh?" Lirin stared at the back of the two enemies before him.

Koram looked between his comrade and the Avatar and laughed, "I guess the secret is out about what you are, huh?"

"Yes, I am, Avatar Lirin." The grey clad spirit walked calmly, turning around to square up with his opponent. "I didn't realize you were here?"

"Advice from a past life and a spirit with really bad breath."

Ruh made a chuckling sound that reverberated in his mask. "Tell me, Avatar Lirin, why did you come here and confront us? You can't possibly think a child could beat the two of us alone. Furthermore, we didn't even know you were here."

Koram chimed in, "Is it possible that you are simply that cocky, that you would fight us because you can?"

"I admit that I don't have the experience of an old wind bag and an over-confident water trout." Lirin smirked as he quipped. "But I like to think that I have a few tricks up my sleeves."

Lirin's stance tensed, his arms took a martial arts position as he readied himself to fight. He smiled deviously as he looked past the two, seeing a brief flutter of wings in the distance, "Plus, who said I was alone?"

The two were hit by a blast of fire as a dragon sped by furiously. A shadow leapt off the dragon and landed next to the prince. "How could you have the bad luck of finding both leaders of the Faceless in one trip without backup?"

"I like to think I have a gift for mischief."

There wasn't much time to banter after a blast of lightning struck in front of them. Koram attacked again. This time, a flood of water rushed for the two.

Jin erected a wall to block the torrent of water. Lirin's dragon, Faran circled back, firing another blast of flame after the duo. For a moment, it appeared that the attack by Koram and Ruh had stopped.

However, the water around them froze into solid ice. Ice burst like an earthquake as spikes rushed after Lirin and Jin. Lirin bent a wave of fire to dissipate the ice while Jin stomped down and sent shockwaves to crush the ice.

Before they could recover, a whirlwind floored them. They heard the screeching of Faran above. Apparently, he was caught in the wind too. The ground leveled between the various attacks of the two and they squared off again.

"Doesn't look like this is going to be easy," Jin grunted as she readied her stance again.

"We may lose this one, but we can't let them win."

"I'll make sure you go home, master. Even if it's alone."

The two groups motioned forward, readying to strike.

"That is enough!" The spirit's voice raged like a river in the tumult of spring, fresh with thawed ice and adding power in place of tranquility. "I will not allow you to harm my home anymore!" The Painted Lady stood between the two forces.

"Noriko, the Avatar will continue to wreak havoc on this world, unless he is stopped." Ruh's visage or his mask may have logically appeared the same, but everyone present felt rage looking at him.

"You are not one to talk," The Painted Lady spoke as she looked between the two parties. "I remember you once set this river to freeze and made the people here suffer. You made the people suffer and watch as their children died in their arms. When they strung me up to kill me because of you, I do not recall you doing anything to save me."

Ruh walked forward, but a wave of mist appeared from the river, "You are no longer welcome in Jang Hui. The next time you come here will be the last."

Ruh nodded, accepting defeat. As he turned to leave Koram spoke, "Are we really going to just let it end like this? He will never be this vulnerable again."

"We will also never be this disadvantaged again." Ruh beckoned to the Painted Lady and then the dragon hovering above. "The Avatar, a river spirit and a dragon on the solstice. Even if we succeeded, the odds of surviving are low."

Jin scowled at how she was dismissed as irrelevant in the calculus of battle. But she at least agreed that both sides were in dangerous positions if they continued fighting.

Koram eased his tense stance, "Another time then."

Ruh straightened up, looking at Prince Lirin, "Avatar, you may have lived to see another day. But rest assured, I will kill you and I will destroy your legacy. The world will see you for the mass murderer you are."

"Death is an occupational hazard when you serve to protect it or oppress it. That is true of a warlord, a king, even the Avatar. She spent who knows how long ruling with a bloody fist. You only think it's wrong that she died because you loved her. I'm certain I can say something similar about the Earth Kingdom killing my sister, and Koram about any family he may have had millennia ago."

"Equivocate all you want, Avatar. The Era of the Avatar is already over, you just don't know it yet."

The Faceless and his comrade walked away, disappearing in the mist. Faran landed behind the trio who remained. Jin and Lirin looked towards the Painted Lady, "Lady Noriko, thank you for your protection."

She smiled at the two, "I'm afraid I can't extend this again. With the solstice passing, my ability to affect this world beyond the river is fading. You must be more careful going forward. Ruh may still be a spirit, but he has attached himself to the physical world and so has more power than I would outside of this river. As for the warlord, you would have been on your own."

Jin bowed as she spoke, "Nevertheless, my lady, my thanks for protecting my master and kin."

"Kin?" The Painted Lady perked up at the word.

"Avatar Tala was great grandmother to us both."

"Ah," the Painted Lady almost seemed sad, like the relation was not connected to her.

"Lady Noriko, if it pleases you, I am not the last of our line. I have a child on the way, perhaps more if I am fortunate."

"I guess that is good. You know, when I was human, I never cared about having children or building a family or legacy. I only cared about the river and the nature surrounding me. But when I held that child, I never wanted to let go. My greatest regret was walking away."

"You made the right choices; your progeny is still strong and carries on and will for centuries to come. I promise..."

Notes[]

  • The old continent adage is a reference to the simplified version of Occam's Razor "the simplest explanation is usually the best one".
  • The Painted Festival is based on a one-shot fanon the author previously wrote for a holiday contest.

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