章 27: Part 27
Katara's POV:
Darkness became all she could see for what seemed like miles ahead. The dark surrounded her. Am I dead? Her voice could only be heard in her head, silence still filling the eerie plane. She could only remember the wedding, her last memory being the first kiss they shared as a married couple. Everything went dark from there. What seemed like hours passed by, a million thoughts flooding her head. The silence was soon broken by an eerily familiar voice, a bright light appearing in the distance. Katara...
"W-Wha?"
Come here, Katara...
"This is it..."
It always seemed like a played out joke when people would always tease, never go towards the light. Entirely convinced she was already dead she stepped forward, taking a deep breath with each step. Her heart raced as she approached the light, reaching a hand out as to touch it. As soon as she did so her eyes opened, finding herself in a strange location.
Katara peered around, finding herself on a small sand covered island, water all around.
"Where am I?"
Somewhere you've never been...
She glanced to her side, a familiar female beside her. The Painted Lady. Her presence both terrifying yet comforting, she knew where she was. The bigger question now being how it was possible.
"How did I get here?"
You're lost dear.
"Am I dead?"
Not quite... Something severe must have happened to you. Your body needs healing but your mind needs it much more. You hold a greater importance to the world than you might think.
"I didn't know it was possible for a human to-"
You are in touch with your spiritual side. Similar to me you are a healer, when you do die this will become your home. It is not your time yet...
"How do I get back?"
That is for you to find yourself, but I can assist in guiding you in the right direction. There are a few people here who would love to meet you.
This was all so much for her to take in, how would she ever find her way back? She had a husband, family, friends, she couldn't let go of her life so easily. She needed to find out what happened to her, that could be the key to finding her way home.
"Do you know what happened to me?"
No, but I could sense your spirit the second you entered this plane. We are connected now. I am eternally grateful for the deed you helped me and my home with those years ago, I will always be there to help you anyway I can. Come with me, there are a few places I must show you.
Katara was scared but trusted the spirit before her. She took the woman's hand, closing her eyes for a quick moment. She reopened them, finding herself alone in an ice covered world, so familiar to her home but different. Peering into the distance a figure approached, traveling on a large iceberg. The closer he came the more familiar he appeared, dark hair, blue eyes, and head adorned by an animal skin hat. Avatar Kuruk.
He jumped off from the platform, cocky smile as he greeted her.
"Ah, finally a worthy bender in my presence."
"Huh?"
"Come on, come on! Let's spar! Show me your skills,"
"I don't think this is really the best-"
"Fine, you're right. Young Katara, last known waterbender of the Southern Water Tribe."
"How do you-"
"I can see the world through Aang's eyes, you're a very close friend of his, a skilled bender with a potential greater than you might see. I've spoken with a friend many times about you..."
"A friend?"
"Wait a second, you aren't dead, are you? Man you must really be special-"
"Do you know what happened to me?"
"You were hurt by someone close to you... We should go see my friend now, she'll want to see you... Hold on tight!"
"Wha?"
She grabbed onto his shoulder, suddenly they appeared in a more familiar location. So similar to her village but only a single hut remained. She paused at the entrance, scared to enter. This world was filled with so much mystery, anyone could be inside. It couldn't be another Avatar, and she couldn't possibly fathom what spirit would make it's home in her tribe.
"Don't be afraid, I won't leave you alone just yet..."
Katara held the mans hand tightly, stepping inside the warmly lit hut. A woman was inside, face turned away from them. Kuruk stepped forward, greeting the strange woman.
"I've brought someone hear to see you, Kya..."
Those words struck her with force, Katara's body collapsing onto the ground. The woman stood from her seat, revealing herself to truly be her mother. She was nearly a mirrored image of herself. Kya moved to her side, kneeling onto the ground to hold her.
"M-Mom..."
"It's me honey, I've always been there..."
"How is this-"
"I don't know how I got here... The few I've encountered assured me it was due to the sacrifice I made for you... I've been watching you for so long, I tried to contact you that day in the swamplands... But of course you thought I was only a hallucination..."
"I could always feel you with me..."
"I'm so proud of everything you've done... You've truly helped save the world, and now you're married!"
"Mom... Do you know what happened to me?"
"Y-Yes..."
"Tell me..."
"Your brother has been just as lost as you are now for a while now... He made a mistake..."
"A mistake?"
"He was acting out of anger, revenge, he poisoned Zuko's chalice, he didn't know they would be switched during the ceremony..."
"H-How could he?"
"I can't tell you that honey, I just don't know. He never meant to hurt you, you know your brother loves you. At a great cost this was the wake up call he needed... I know you hold a lot of anger towards him right now, but he is a key factor in you finding your way out of here.."
"Mom, what if I can't find my way out?"
"Shh... We won't let that happen... but your time is ticking, honey... It's time for you to go now-"
Kya held Katara close to her heart, kissing her forehead. "I love you baby, I will always be here looking over you..."
"M-Mom, don't go..."
In a quick moment she found herself alone once more, this time in a beautiful garden. An intricate porcelain fountain could be seen in the distance. Standing with shaky legs she roamed through the garden, eyes set on the fountain before her. Stepping toward the fountain, she peered down inside, a pure white koi fish swimming around blissfully. Grazing the edge of the water with her fingertips. The water began to glow underneath her. Day turned to night instantly, the fish disappearing.
This world is beautiful, isn't it? But you don't quite belong here...
A figure appeared resting on the edge of the fountain, her voice strikingly familiar.
"Yue?"
You're so close to finding your way out of here, you still have a few more spirits to meet...
"Will I ever really get out of here?"
There are so many people on the living plane that still need you. You can't get rid of your husband so easily, can you?
"I miss him... How long have I been here?"
Time passes quickly here, but you have only been away for a day now. You're so close to returning... Your brother feels terrible...
"Have you seen him?"
Yes, he's going to help you return safely. But I will guide you in the right direction, time is ticking...
"Everyone keeps saying that... Yue, please tell me what will happen if I can't find my way back..."
It is not your time to make this place your home, but if you are unable to return your life force will dissipate and you will be stuck here...
"That can't happen-"
Trust me Katara, I won't let that happen to you... But you need to trust me. It's time for us to go now-
"Go where-"
Before she could finish her question they reappeared in a brightly lit forest. The forestry was dense, no clear path ahead of them. Yue guided her through the brush as if she had traveled that way a million times before. Their steps grew slower, approaching a large tree, covered in intricate flowers and thick vines.
"Where are we?"
This place is called the Forgetful Valley, a place where all lost spirits on this plane and the living plane seem to find themselves. She will be here soon...
"She?"
A large figure soon appeared, rising up from a small pool of water. Multiple faces adorning her large figure.
"I am The Mother of Faces, ah what a beautiful face you have my dear, but why are you here?"
"I don't know... I think I am lost..."
"What is your name my dear?"
"Katara..."
"Katara? Oh my, now I know who you are... You are newly wedded?"
"Yes..."
"His name?"
"Fire Lord Zuko..."
"A bond between two nations once at war, how intriguing.... I have met a family member of yours years ago."
"What do you mean?"
"You have never met her... You might never meet her, such an odd request replacing such a beautiful face with one so bland..."
"I don't understand..."
"Your mother in law, my dear. Many believe she was killed, not killed. One life taken and replaced with a new beginning."
"Ursa..."
"I have granted you the information I could, yet you are still here..."
"I don't know why I am here, I want to go home..."
"My wolf here, my companion, can guide you to where you must find yourself... I wish you luck on your return..."
Instinctively Yue and herself grabbed onto the creatures fur, soon finding themself in yet another strange world. This time being a large open garden. She heard many voices around her, none of which she could see. They stood in silence, Yue soon choosing to explain.
You are close now, close to the living world. You can hear them but can't see them until the time comes. Your life is now in the hands of the living, if they come together during this time you will return safely.
Yue pulled a large glass vial from her satchel, handing it over to the girl.
I have guided you as far as I can, take this. You know how to use this water to heal. When the time comes it will be your key to returning to your normal life. Wait here and trust in your friends, Katara.
Suddenly Yue disappears, leaving her all alone.
Zuko's POV:
Stricken with grief he knelt down beside Katara's side, holding onto her hand tightly. With only a faint pulse he feared she would never wake again. Many crowded her side including her father, Aang, Toph, and Iroh. They had been in silence for hours now, waiting for any sign of her still being in there.
Aang moved to her side, placing his hand on her clammy forehead. In an instant the girls eyes shot open, a white glow replacing her once blue eyes, illuminating the entire room. Aang fell back, eyes wide with fear. Zuko grasped onto her tightly, screaming his way.
"Her eyes - her eyes... What does this mean?!"
Still stricken with confusion and fear Aang mumbled out, persistent with his conclusion.
"Zuko... I don't know how, but she's in the spirit world... There's only one other human I know of who has ever found themself their... I need to talk to Sokka..."
The younger man jumped from his position, sprinting down the halls.
Sokka's POV:
Hours of silence and isolation passed, steps finally heard in the distance. He knew this would be his only chance to tell them. Aang approached the bars, anger and fear in his eyes.
Before Aang even had a chance to speak, Sokka chose to plead his case, kneeing Aang would be the only person willing to listen.
"Aang, she's lost in the spirit world! You need to get her out, you're the only person who can do it!"
"How did you know-"
"Yue... She came to me... She said she can help guide her but you're the only person who can go in and get her out!"
Aang nodded, understanding how time dependent this was. He ran back out of the room, leaving him alone once more. He could now only wait, knowing he had done everything in his power.
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