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ATLA: The Ocean's Avatar

Chapter 1: Closure

"This is it. Wonder if she'll be upset that I didn't visit sooner?" a lone figure says with a light chuckle as his gaze lands on a rock formation that suspiciously looks like half of a skull.

Despite his age and the vast amounts of experience that came with it, he could still feel the nervousness settling in as he walked past the skull and found himself staring at one of the cornerstones of all reality.

The River of Souls

Ignoring the eerie atmosphere, it was a truly breathtaking sight. Countless souls radiating a turquoise light flow together, giving them the appearance of an ethereal-like liquid.

Though he had traveled the myriad worlds and witnessed many unforgettable sights in his recently gained immortal life, he thought nothing would ever top this scene in terms of beauty and grace.

"Finally came to visit. I'm surprised. I had thought you'd forgotten about me with all the gallivanting you've been doing recently." A feminine yet slightly monotone voice interrupted the young-looking man's reflection.

Behind him, appearing from seemingly out of thin air, was a woman draped in a tattered black robe wielding a staff with a lantern hanging from it, pulsing a ghastly blue light similar to the river. Her skin was flawless and pale, almost bone white. Long flowing black hair along with the same color eyes and lips.

Although he was slightly surprised, he didn't let it show on his face, instead adopting a soft smile as he had long grown used to this person's antics. Although her face rarely displayed any emotion, she really enjoyed scaring people whenever she got the chance. He was almost sure her ability to perfectly hide her presence was cultivated because of this secret joy and not something she developed after attaining it.

"How could I possibly forget about you, Lady Styx? I still have nightmares from the last time I made that mistake. That said, you're still as breathtaking as the first time I laid eyes on you." He tried to joke as a slight shudder passed through his body. Although the woman could be described as a peerless beauty second to none, that didn't stop her from being one of the most frightening existences he had ever had the pleasure of meeting. Especially when she was upset.

"Hmm. That tongue of yours is going to get you into trouble it can't solve one of these days." She said without the lightest intonation in her voice, though he could still detect the subtle intimacy behind it.

"Hehe, don't be so sure. Wasn't it you that taught me the best tools are the ones that can be used in more than one way? Plus, I've always been told I'm creative." He teased, while adopting a smirk and stepping closer to the guardian of souls. Wrapping his arms around her slim waist and planting a relatively tame kiss on her soft lips.

"At least it's good for one thing." Though she still spoke without much inflection, he could still see her cheeks warm up a bit with a rosy glow, no matter how subtle it was.

"I can show you a few other ways when we have a bit more time." He leaned in and whispered into her ear before blowing it softly, sending a barely noticeable shudder through her body. He knew he was pushing his luck a bit, especially considering they both knew the real reason he came to visit. But he really couldn't help himself from trying to get a reaction out of this eternally straight faced woman.

Thankfully, as usual, she didn't seem to mind, instead opting to just go with the flow. "I'll hold you to that." She said, before gently pulling away from him.

He just smiled before returning his gaze back to the river of souls as they both settled into a long but comfortable silence. Time passed by quietly as Lady Styx waited for him to broach the subject on his own, as she knew this was a trial he had to overcome by himself. Eventually, after trying and failing to settle his quickening heartbeat, he decided to bite the bullet and ask a question he'd avoided for centuries.

"Can you find her?" He asked quietly, and Lady Styx could hear the pain and loneliness in his voice.

"Un. I've kept it with me ever since our first meeting ended, as I predicted you would need it eventually. I'm a little disappointed it took you this long to ask. It's never good to keep them out of the cycle this long." She said as she observed the visible flinch the man made at her jab.

"A-and? Where is she?" He asked in a guilt laced tone.

Lady Styx said nothing. Instead, she just pushed the lantern he had always seen her carry towards him. The little door on the lantern opened slowly and out lazily floated a tiny blue wisp no larger than a baseball.

A soul. In its purest form.

The man almost shed a tear, as even though it looked exactly the same as the ones floating in the river, he could immediately tell who it belonged to. Or more accurately, who it once belonged to...

Slowly and ever so gently, he guided the tiny ball into the palms of his hand as if it were the most fragile object in the universe. Bringing it to the center of his chest, he just held it there for a moment and basked in the warmth it radiated.

So many thoughts and emotions played through his mind and he just stood there, almost as if he were afraid to move out of fear that the moment would pass.

Although she was reluctant to interrupt such an intimate scene, now that the soul was freed from the lantern, it was only a matter of time until it had to be returned to the river or suffer permanent damage. Something neither of them would have wanted, for obviously different reasons.

"You only have 24 hours before it needs to return. Make it count." Lady Styx warned before disappearing from her previous spot. So long as the soul wasn't harmed (something she doubted he could even fathom doing with that particular one), it was no longer any of her business what they did with the time they had left.

"Thank you." That was all the man said, knowing she could still hear him, before resting his gaze back on the tiny ball of flame and showing a heartfelt smile.

"Let's go home, Sis." He said, before he too disappeared from his spot in a flash of white light.

"Sis...Sis wake up…" a youthful voice requested quietly while slightly shaking the sleeping woman on the couch.

"Muuu…" In response, the woman just rolled over and decided to completely ignore the little demon whispering in her ear in favor of getting a bit more sleep. It felt like an eternity since she'd had a good night's sleep and she didn't plan to have that ruined anytime soon.

"Sis, it's time to wake up" This time the little demon in her ear was a little louder with a far more firm tone. Not that it mattered to the woman in question, who rolled over onto her stomach and pull the suspiciously soft pillow over her head in retaliation.

"Sis…" While she could tell the tone was laced in annoyance, she could barely make out the annoying little voice in her ear. Chalking this up as another victory in her book, she was prepared to drift back into a comfortable sleep when suddenly-

SMACK

"Yeowch!!"

-she was startled awake with a loud smack on her ass...

"OZ, YOU LITTLE BRAT! WAIT UNTIL I GET MY HANDS ON YOU!" she said, grabbing her pillow and nailing him right across the face on pure instinct.

Though he normally would have been able to dodge such an attack, by his own choice, he was currently only about as strong as an average 13-year-old boy. This unfortunate decision on his part left him laid out on the floor giggling as he tried to survive the one sided pillow thrashing his actions bought him.

"Wait! Wait! Sorry! I'm sorry! It's not my fault you left yourself wide open!" The young boy named Oz cried out as he tried and failed to defend himself from the fluffy attack.

"You damned brat, what kind of apology is that!?" the olive-skinned woman demanded without letting up her assault as they both broke out into playful laughter.

After a couple of minutes of doing that, she finally calmed down, giving both of them time to catch their breath. She wasn't even particularly upset, as this wasn't the first time her mischievous little brother had woken her up this way. She had never been a morning person, so she didn't really blame him for doing what he needed to wake her up. That didn't mean she wouldn't punish him after the fact, though.

While she was catching her breath, Oz had time to get another look at her from his position on the floor. Various complicated emotions swam through his eyes as he sized her up.

Although he felt like she was smaller than he remembered, she stood at about 5'7. Light olive skin paired with caramel brown hair and silver eyes gave her an exotic look, at least compared to what he was now used to.

Although he found it a little strange, he couldn't help but to admire her slightly toned but curvaceous figure. Something he hadn't been able to appreciate all those years ago. As embarrassing as it sounded, he could completely understand where his preferences came from as his eyes drifted down to the vaguely visible hand mark on her butt cheek.

"Oh~ Did I just catch you eyeing me up, brat? You might have a pretty face, but you're still a little too young for my taste. Who knows, if you behave, maybe in a few years I'll let you cop a proper feel~" she teased while shaking her butt towards him left and right, causing Oz to just roll his eyes at her. Though he was tempted to call her out on her bluff, he knew that wasn't a can of worms he ever wanted to open. No matter how miniscule the chances were that she might be serious.

"Harde Har" He had almost forgotten how perverse she could be and couldn't help but to blame her for his current personality and the endless trouble it brought him in the myriad worlds.

Letting out a snort, she too looked him up and down while adopting a stern face that sent visible shivers down his spine, as she asked the question he had been dreading for ages.

"So, where the hell have you been?" She said with scowl plastered across her pretty face.

Oz could only look down in shame and silence as he truly had too many things to say to her at this moment, but didn't even know where to begin. He might already be so old that he couldn't even remember the number anymore, but in front of this woman, he still felt like a small child.

She was his sister, mother and father, all wrapped up in one. While at the same time, bearing no actual blood relation to him in the slightest. A fact that ended up causing the rift between them to form and his abrupt departure that started his long journey until this point. He spent many years cursing his younger self for not having appreciated her and all the sacrifices she made on his behalf. Being too young at the time to really understand all she had done for him.

He didn't even notice the tears forming in his eyes, as he thought about all the pain she must have endured because of him while still trying to cope with her own over the loss of their parents. She had never really even had the chance to enjoy her life, as she was too busy trying to take care of him. She was forced to mature far earlier than she should have, but she took none of her frustrations out on him, regardless.

Even now, accompanying a soft sigh, he wasn't even the slightest bit surprised as she kneeled down and wrapped him into a tight but gentle hug while letting him cry his eyes out. Only letting her true feelings out in a small whisper as he returned the hug. Clutching onto her as if afraid she would disappear in the next moment.

"I'm glad you're home, Ozzy. I missed you too."

That was his big sister. She was a gentle, if not slightly violent, very perverted tomboy with a perchance for pranks, an ego to the moon, and a heart as deep as the ocean.

"Pfft! So you're telling me you got fucking Isekai'd!? By truck-kun nonetheless!? Haha! All because a ditzy goddess fell in love with your face!? Hahaha!" Oz could only stare blankly at his sister, practically dying again, laughing at his expense.

"No wonder I couldn't find you! I thought you were bumming it up at some chick's place playing her boy-toy or something. Hmph, Your face is definitely pretty enough to get away with doing that." She finally said, after wiping a tear from her eye.

Oz tactfully decided against telling her just how many times he ended up doing exactly that with various women he met while traveling the myriad worlds. They didn't have nearly enough time together for him to cover everything he had been through over the years, so he just gave her the cliff notes version. Plus, it beats needing to pay for an inn or hotel every time he travels.

"Or maybe it was a guy? With a pretty face like yours, I'm sure a lot of guys were interested, right? Don't worry, I won't judge~ You know I play for both teams! Come on~ Spill the deets"

"I see you still have your bad habits, Sis."

"Haha, the only thing 'bad' about me is my ass, since I'm such a badass,"

'Umhum Sure, well, how exactly did you die, anyway? I bet one of your girlfriends' school days you, right?" He was still a bit annoyed with her laughter, so he tried to find something he could tease her about in return.

"Puh leeze, as if I'd ever date a yandere. I'll have you know, I went out the proper way! I got stabbed on the bus by a hobo," she said, arms akimbo with endless pride lacing her voice as Oz just stood there staring at her blankly, not even knowing where to comment.

"I forgot how dumb you could be sometimes…" Oz said in an exacerbated tone.

"What'd you say, brat!" She said before they started another round of roughhousing.

After hours of talking, teasing, fighting, and playing. They both eventually transitioned to the couch to watch their favorite show together as their last few minutes together inched ever closer.

"I'm telling you I'd totally be a water bender! I already know how to make all the ladies nice and wet! Hahaha," she said with her arm wrapped around his neck, forcing his head into the side of her enormous chest.

"As if! As hard-headed as you are, I can only picture you as a damned earth bender!" Oz retorted while trying his best to break free from her impromptu headlock. While he's sure other men would be envious of his position, he didn't have time to worry about that while trying to fight for air to breathe.

Though normally he'd easily be able to break out of her grip, he didn't want to take any chances at damaging her soul by accident, leaving him in quite the predicament. He finally tapped out when the last episode wrapped up and they were left with but a few more minutes together.

Sensing the atmosphere, she let him go and turned off the tv to face her little brother for the last time in this life. Lady Styx had already explained things to her before he arrived, so she was keenly aware of the position they had been placed in. She was truly thankful she had been granted the opportunity to see her adorable little hellraiser again and see the man he grew into.

It was actually the knowledge of their time together being short that prevented her too from breaking down and crying when she had first seen him again. She knew he was the one that needed closure more so than herself, since she would unfortunately have her memories erased after their time was up, as all souls that enter the cycle of reincarnation should. So she chose to be strong for him so he'd always remember her as the strong and confident big Sister she forced herself to be.

Her newly granted physical body had already faded ever so slightly. Unperturbed, she only smiled and gently held the already teared up Oz in a warm hug.

"I'm so proud of you, Ozzy. I'm truly grateful to see the man you've grown into. Please thank Lady Styx for me when you get the chance. Try not to break so many hearts while you continue on your little adventures, okay? I always knew that stupidly handsome face of yours would get you into trouble one of these days. Don't be a bachelor forever either! I want at least one niece or nephew to look after in spirit! Don't stick your dick in crazy. Drink responsibly. Watch out for hobos with knives. Ehh, measure twice, cut once…" She started off strong before slowly transitioning into babbling as she tried her hardest to offer any last-minute advice she could think of before their time was over. She hadn't even noticed the tears falling that slowly turned illusory as her body continued to fade.

Just like the day he disappeared and the many years after she spent searching for him, she always wished they had more time together. There was so much to say, but it always felt like there was never enough time to do so.

Sensing she had but a few seconds remaining, she mustered the last bit of composure she could and pulled his head closer and gave Oz a soft kiss on the forehead. Leaving him with her last words and a breathtakingly beautiful smile.

"I love you, brat. Just be happy, okay?" Was all she said as her body dispersed into beautiful motes of light, leaving only the small flickering wisp in its place.

"Hehe, you really love to hear yourself talk, don't cha sis? At least let me say it back first,"

Oz found himself back at the very spot he left exactly 24 hours ago. Although his gaze was melancholic, there was a newfound peace that accompanied it as he held the small wisp close to his heart.

To his surprise, he actually felt a slight presence and heard small footsteps come up beside him, as Lady Styx chose to forgo her usual antics and let her presence be known.

"Any last requests?" She asked him softly while holding out her hand, keenly aware of his delicate mental state at the moment.

"Could you send her to the world of Avatar? Preferably near the start, as a waterbender. I think she'd like that." He asked while taking one last look at her soul before reluctantly letting it gently float back to Lady Styx's outstretched hand.

"That should be doable." She replied candidly and turned around to personally guide this particular soul to its next life. Before she got out of earshot though, Oz said something that sent a very noticeable crimson blush straight to her cheeks.

"Didn't you tell me once that you wanted to try bringing in life on your own? If you're still interested, I'd be more than willing to help with that~," He teased. Letting out a chuckle as he watched her pause for a moment before moving along at a quickened pace.

"I've already had my journey, sis. Now it's time for you to start one of your own. Good luck, and may we meet again." He said quietly and continued to watch the river flow with a peaceful smile.

Lady Styx, on the other hand, slowed down and observed the little soul she had been carrying around for centuries with a bit of curiosity. To her, all souls were basically her children, and she treated them all equally. At least, that's what she thought until she met Oz. She often wondered what kind of person helped raise the man she fell so hard for.

Thinking for just a moment longer than she usually does, she decided to just follow through with her heart and raised her hand to the little soul and left a tiny imprint at its core. From now on, this one little soul would differ slightly from all the others. She gave it...no her a few gifts.

The first, a special privilege. She would allow her to maintain her personality and some of her knowledge throughout her incarnations. She would have to forget personal attachments so that she could move on properly but the knowledge of the world should aid her well enough. Second, her origins. As a minor goddess of fate it was in her power to nudge things slightly to give her sister-in-law the best start she could. Finally, her body. Knowing the world and the girl's preferences, she hoped it would come in handy.

"Consider it as thanks for making him into the man he is today and allowing me to find love. I hope this helps you find the same." Lady Styx said with a barely noticeable smile before carefully tossing the little soul into the whirlpool to be cleansed and reincarnated into the chosen world. As she watched the souls being cleansed, she idly wondered what exactly they would name their child before going back to Oz, again with slightly quickened steps.

It was only a little unfortunate that Oz was too lost in his emotions at the time to properly watch over the stiff-faced, moderately ditzy goddess. She had a bit of a bad habit of going overboard. It wasn't her fault, really. The way she saw the world was just a little different is all, being connected and above so many. What might be a small gift to her, could turn into a major boon for another.

Oz would certainly be in for a surprise should he decided to peek in on her journey.

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[A/N: If you want a bit more backstory about Mc and Oz's past; Oz was adopted then their parents were killed in a car accident. Mc then raised him for about 10 years before they got into a fight after he found out he was adopted and he ran away and got isekai'd. Mc then spent years searching for him but unfortunately got stabbed on a bus by a hobo and died.]