[IC] Avatar: A New Flame (Rolands /SlowPlow)

[SlowPlow]

The sun burned low in the sky, illuminating the busy streets with its orange light. Merchants, traders and professionals of all kinds lined the narrow roads twisting through the city, each crying for the attentions of any and all of the passing pedestrians, of which there were plenty. There was more commotion than usual in Capital City due to the arrival of several trade ships from the Earth Kingdom. They had brought with them exotic wares, ranging from spices not found in the Fire Nation to the latest Earth kingdom fashions in clothing and accessories to scupltures crafted by Earthbenders. Due to the long voyage, it wasn't oftened foreign traders ventured to Capital City, making this a considerable event for its citizens. There were also a string of other ships, some of mysterious origin, harbored in the bay. They were the talk of whole city, as persons of perceivably high standing had been seen coming and going from the docks. One of the ships looked to be from one of the Water Tribes, and its arrival had been greeted by officials from the city. Some claimed it was the chief of the North Water Tribe and his retinue, come to pay homage to the Fire Sages. Others said they were Waterbenders who had been thrown out of their tribe and come to join the Fire Nation, as well as countless other claims. Everybody had an opinion about it, but nobody knew for certain. Even though dusk was nearing, nobody seemed inclined to go home. The city bustled with activity like you'd see on a busy afternoon, and it didn't seem like it was going to end before sundown. Today, everyone seemed to have coin to spend. The city hadn't been this loud this late in a long while.

In the midst of it all, two of the most active and loudest were racing eachother through the streets, possessing it seemed no qualms about whom they pushed aside or what they knocked over. Oblivious to anything but the race; each equally intent on winning. As the friendly race was progressing, however, one was clearly out-running the other. Toku, an orange-haired youth, was panting heavily as he struggled to catch up to Jael. The two had rivals as long as they'd been friends, always finding new venues to compete in. Whoever won, however, their friendship never faltered. Tuko didn't really know how they'd ended up with such a close connection, but that was how it was and he wasn't at all mad about it. Right now, though, he wasn't too delighted. He'd been falling further and further behind from the start, and now he could hardly make out his opponent through the horde of people. His spirit was quickly dimishing. Having been out all day watching all the commotion, his feet were getting sore too, and his reactions were slowing. Coming to another wall of people, he slipped between two large-stomached arguing traders, but crashed into a woman carrying a tray of fruits. The crate fell from her hands, spilling her wares all over the ground. Furious, she yelled at him to pick it up. But once his initial shock had passed, he leaped around her and continued on relentlessly, calling a hasted apology in passing. Finally pushing through the worst crowd, he came a crossing. Scanning the area, he couldn't see Jael anywhere. There was no way he'd win now, he realized, and stopped. Wanting a better vantage point, he scaled the closest house. Atop it he could see the goal line; the Loft. The Loft was a three-story, mostly ruined building which they used as their hangout. As often as not it also functioned as Toku's home. He'd named it himself. He could also see Jael, clearly standing ontop of it. Cursing, Toku admitted defeat and leaped down from the roof. He walked the rest of the way with slow steps, as he wanted to postpone facing Jael the victor with as long as possible. He knew Jael liked winning just as much as he did, and there was always some gloating involved. When he got there, however, he got a weird feeling. He found Jael standing on the ground floor. Something was definitely off, but he carried on regardless. "So," he said to Jael as he entered, "I'm guessing you're pretty happy with yourself?". He didn't answer right away, only staring to the side of him. Following his eyes, Toku jumped as he realized they weren't by themselves. Some stranger in fancy clothes had been standing outside his field of vision. He looked like a government official, or at least someone on important business. Toku joined staring at this unknown element. The man's quality clothes was an ill match with the rubble-strewn room. "Uhm… who is this, buddy? One of your dad's friends or something? He sure looks stiff enough," he asked Jael uncertainly.

[Rolands]

The room was empty save for Jael and the government official. Toku had not yet arrived.

What was this feeling?

Jael's head was swimming; so disoriented that he had to lean against the wall for balance. He tried to steady himself, but he could still feel his hands shaking. A few trails of sweat ran down his neck; remnants of the race that he'd just ran, but could've happened a thousand years ago for how much had changed since then. His eyes darted around the room, before finally settling on the cause of this unease; the official.

He'd said Toku was The Avatar. The Avatar! Jael's first response had been disbelief. Sure, Toku was a decent firebender and all, but seriously? They thought that the Avatar was a guy who stole for and sometimes pawed through the garbage for his dinner? The guy who'd sooner cause disorder than keep the peace. And forget balance.

Jael figured it was a joke, and he told the man as much. "Very funny, you have me in tears, now seriously: what is this about?" But the official looking man maintained that his story was true. They even pulled an official looking document from their coat, branded with the seal of the Fire Sages. That was when Jael felt like the rug had been pulled up from under him.

As the reality of the situation began to sink in, Jael tried to cling to the reality that he used to know. Toku was his friend. One of his best friends, even. And even if Toku would never amounted to much, Jael was fine with him the way he was. Even in the future, once Jael was a government official and Toku was a lowly street sweeper, he'd still try to visit his friend from time to time...

Until this happened. Now everything he knew was in shambles. His friend being the Avatar; what even were the odds? This was like being struck by lightning. This was like being struck by lightning twice in a row. This was like-

While Jael was still considering the improbability of it all, Toku walked into The Loft.

"So, I'm guessing you're pretty happy with yourself?" Toku said to Jael. He couldn't respond to that. Toku had no idea what he was feeling right now. All Jael could do was keep staring at the official.

Toku soon noticed the man himself. "Uhm...who is this, buddy? One of your dad's friends or something? He sure looks stiff enough."

Jael still said nothing. He felt words form in his mouth, but he couldn't think of how to coherently put them together. What could be said?

"I have come bearing a message from the Fire Sages," the official said. Toku's eyes widened.

"Why?" Jael heard Toku say.

Jael saw the official open his mouth, and suddenly decided that he himself would be the one to tell Toku the news. It was better to hear it from a friend's mouth.

"Because Toku, You're the Avatar."

[SlowPlow]

"I'm the what now? And who the blazes are you?" Toku exclaimed. He couldn't believe something like this. It wasn't possible. It was probably just a ruse. He'd done a few himself, so he should know. But something in the man's voice told him it wasn't a ruse at all. He was being dead serious. Toku could feel a lump in his chest starting to grow.

The official smiled knowingly, as if understanding how Toku must feel. "My name is Kozai. I am counsilor to Fire Sage Suenzei, and come on behalf of him and his esteemed colleagues. I understand it must sound overwhelming for you to hear this, but I don't have to explain anything to you. The Fire Sages should have this honor themselves, as is their right. Come. I will lead you to the palace, where all will be explained," Kozai said, motioning for him to follow.

"The palace?" Toku thought out loud. "The palace? The Fire Palace? And the Fire Sages are going to explain to me how I'm the Avatar? I think you've made some kind of mistake, government person guy. I'm not really anybody, and that's how I like it."

Kozai sighed impatiently. "Either you come with me freely, or I will have to use force. And I'd rather avoid the latter. I've been trained by Fire Sage Suenzei himself in the art of Firebending. You'd be wise to come freely," he said as more of a simple matter of fact than a threat. As a side-note, he added, "And you can bring this friend of yours, if you like."

Toku looked at Jael. "It could be fun, I guess. It's not everyday I'm wrongly mistaken for the Avatar. And we'd get to go to the palace! So what do you say? Do we come with this guy or what?"

[Rolands]

They had a little back and forth, Toku and the official. Jael was only half listening. Toku seemed to think it was a joke. As if a Fire Nation official would waste his time on something so frivalous. Jael didn't feel the need to tell Toku about the Fire Sage's official document that he'd seen. Toku's doubts would vanish before long either way, and then any pretense of his former life would disappear. Let him enjoy the last few minutes of the first part of his life.

Toku turned to Jael. "It could be fun, I guess. It's not everyday I'm wrongly mistaken for the Avatar. And we'd get to go to the palace! So what do you say?" Do we come with this guy or what?"

"Yes, we're going." Jael managed to say. He moved out the door and started walking towards the capital, with a pace that was faster than it needed to be. He really wasn't in the mood to talk to Toku right now, so he figured he'd distance himself.

As he walked, various permutations of the same thoughts he had before kept coming to mind. His subconscious seemed to feel the need to remind him every two seconds that, yes, Toku was indeed the Avatar. Finally Jael put his hands to his head and just gave a big internal shout that echoed through his mind. Enough.

His thoughts cleared a bit, enough for Jael to focus more on the particulars. Toku was the Avatar. What would this mean for their relationship? Jael had taken plenty of joy in teasing Toku in the past, all in good fun; would Toku resent that now that he was the most powerful person in the world? Would he demand more respect, get a big head? It was hard to say. He didn't seem like the sort, but you'd never know what fame would do to a person.

Wait, would he even get to see Toku anymore? If Toku was the Avatar now, that meant he'd have to go off to learn the four elements. And after that he'd spend a large part of his life going from place to place, seeking to keep the balance. If he didn't ditch the job first.

Tch, even if Toku was going away, could Jael seriously just let him go on his own? Someone so irresponsible wasn't fit to be Avatar; he'd need someone to straighten him out. Yeah, that's right; Toku has his role to play, and Jael would make sure he'd play it. He'd be supportive, and be sure to gently nudge his friend down the right path. In a way, that made his role just as important as Toku's, didn't it?

Right now he had to plan. Toku would need to go to a firebending master first. The Fire Sages were good teachers, but also busy running the country. So they'd probably send him to another another firebending master, in another place.

Jael would need to pack. If he recalled his lessons well enough, the Avatar wasn't allowed to have many worldly possessions while mastering the elements. But the teacher had said nothing about whether his companions could have possessions. He'd need to pack some clothes, his favorite books, some money, maybe some food just in case.

Toku didn't have very many possessions to pack in the first place. Even if he did, his being the Avatar would ensure that he was taken care of. Heh, imagine that. People going out of their way to provide for Toku. Toku was going to have privileges for once. Wonder how he'd react to that.

Jael was sort of uncomfortable leaving his home and way of life behind. He was comfortable here, happy. Who knew what sort of hardships he'd have to endure at the Avatar's side. But it was necessary. A person who couldn't spot an opportunity when he saw one was a fool, and this was a once in the lifetime chance. Jael would be able to be at the Avatar's side as he shaped history. Perhaps he could shape some history himself...

Jael continued his planning as he walked, and before long the Fire Nation Capital Palace reared up before them. They climbed the long path of steps leading up to the palace walls, then the soldiers on patrol at the gate opened the doors for them. They moved past the guards and the various important people moving about outside the palace, and came directly to the entrance.

Soon they were inside, and were given a clear view of the beautiful marble and stone craftsmanship of the palace. The walls were all yellows and reds, royal colors of a most elegant variety. Patterns of dragons embroidered the walls, and vast columns were in place every several yards. The floor was pristine, and a straight red path ran from the entrance of the palace forward.

"Follow me," the official said, taking the red path. They went down a long hallway, and then entered a room with a pair of ornate doors. It was the room that bordered the Fire Sage's chamber. The official knocked twice on the door to the chamber.

"Wise Fire Sages, I have brought you the Avatar."

"Very good," An old but strong voice spoke from inside. "Send him in." The doors to the chamber opened. Jael took a few steps to the side of the outside chamber. This was clearly a very personal meeting, so he'd wait outside while his friend realized his destiny.

[SlowPlow]

Toku didn't have capacity to contemplate on anything as they delved deeper and deeper into the palace. A feeling of dread built inside of him; an anticipation of something immense. His gut told him that his life was about to take a dramatic turn, but he couldn't form the thoughts in his head, or the words in his mouth. All he could do was register his surroundings. Great columns of fine black wood, curved in the likeness of flames, rose towards the ceiling in many places. Silk carpets, embroidered along the edges with images of dragons, lined the floors. They were milky soft to tread upon. Men and women in plain robes scuttled here and there, sometimes with trays of foods, and sometimes with tea or even textiles. They would be servants, on the errands of the higher born. The higher born, what Toku figured them for, were also present. They held themselves in such a way they seemed taller than everyone else, walking with rigid backs and fluid steps. Nobody phased them, and nobody got in their way. Toku was so taken in by everything he saw he almost bumped into Jael when their small retinue suddenly came to a halt. A pair of great doors stood before them, ornated with intricate carvings of what Toku thought to be five Firebenders making a dragon out of fire. Something was said, but he was only half aware of it. Before he knew what was what, the doors had swung open and he'd been pushed inside. The doors shut behind him.

The chamber was too thick with smoke for Toku to be able to make out the ceiling or the walls. He could only see more of the same columns he'd seen earlier, rows to either side of him, running along into the smoke as if they went on endlessly. None of this diminished Toku's mounting sense of dread. Yet he managed a gingerly step inwards. "The fires have spoken," said a booming voice. It nearly made Toku jump out of his skin.

"That's funny," Toku said uncertainly into the smoke, mostly to calm himself, "I didn't know fires had mouths to speak with." He tried to laugh, but it came out awkwardly.

"But the boy, he can speak," said another, sharp voice, in an amused tone. "He even dares to jest. At least he doesn't lack bravery. I can almost feel his fiery spirit."

"Can you please stop talking like I'm not here? It's really creepy," said Toku with regained confidence, taking a few more steps into the chamber.

"All fire is sooner or later extinguished," said the booming voice. "However fiery his spirit, he is but another candle."

"I take that as an insult, sir, sage, fire-whoever you are," Toku said, wading deeper into the smoke.

"Spare us your pecimism in this historic moment, Faedric," a third voice said, this one thin and crooked, sounding as if belonging to someone very old. "And remove this blasted smoke. The poor boy can't see."

Someone groaned, but almost as soon as the old voice had said the words, the smoke quickly began to clear out. Toku stopped, taking in what came to view. The chamber was spacious and quadratic with a great fire at its center. Around it, five men sat on cushions on the floor. Toku immediately recognized the old man, who looked as aged as he sounded. He looked exactly like what you'd expect a grandfather to look like. He figured the booming voice belonged to the strong-arm, who looked like the strongest and tallest of all of them. The sharp voice probably belonged to the thinnest of them all, who had features like a snake-rat. Two remaining two were a plump man with a thin mustache and a young girl who seemed very much out of place beside all the older and bigger men.

"Come. Come closer," the old one said to Toku. "Rise, all of you," he barked to the other Sages. They rose quickly, though the strong-arm did so with visible reluctance, and the plump one with visible effort. "We're in the presence of the Avatar."

Toku did as he was bid. The old man seemed used to people doing exactly what he asked them to. The twenty meters or so he was forced to walk felt like many miles, as he was being scrutinized with each step by the five most powerful people in the Fire Nation. Once he reached them, the six made a complete circle around the fire.

"First things first. Introductions," the old man began. "We are the Fire Sages. We rule this nation as a council of five. My name is Suenzei. The others present are Faedric, Tzako, Kaza and Soie." He gestured in turn to the strong-arm, the rat-snake, the plump one and the girl. "And we know who you are, of course."

"Yes, I was wondering about that. How in the blazes do you know I'm the Avatar? I didn't even know that, and I'm myself, so I should have known before anyone else I think," Toku said. He realized he was just spewing out words, but he felt more comfortable talking than not talking in this, the most surreal experience he'd ever had.

"We've been searching for the new Avatar ever since the last one passed away. In the Fire Nation, this is traditionally done by Sages who specialize in reading the prophecies left us by ash, bones and flame. After sixteen years of silence, they finally found you. Among the thirty Sages appointed this task, it was unanimous that it couldn't be any other person than you. We spent some time locating you, but here you are, ready to begin your training in all the four elements," Suenzei said.

Toku was left scratching his head. "But I can't Bend any other element than Fire."

"Have you ever tried Bending any other element than Fire?" Asked Kaza almost rhetorically, and got a negative shrug in response from Toku. Kaza nodded to Tzako, who produced from his robes a rock and a flask. He poured water from the flask into a cup and placed the cup and the rock on the ground in front of Toku. "Try Bending either rock or water. Focus. Let your inner strength guide you," said Kaza.

Toku looked passively at the two objects, thinking of the impossibility of the task. They were all staring at him in anticipation. He tried shaking off all his doubts and to focus like he'd been told. He stared at the rock. He punched the air, a familiar motion for Firebending techniques, but nothing happened. He started flailing his arms this way and that, but not with any success. He did the same with the water, but to no avail. "See? I can't be the Avatar."

Suie gestured with her hand to the air. "Try Bending Air. It's all around you," she said.

Her way of speaking combined with her girly voice was definitely weird, but Toku paused only a moment before he tried Airbending. He didn't have any more success with this. The Fire Sages stared at his feeble attempts.

After a few silent moments, Suenzei stroked his beard in contemplation. He exchanged a few meaningful glances with the other Fire Sages before turning to Toku and saying, "Rooms have been prepared for you and your friend. Go, now. We must discuss what to do with you further. Kozai will take care of you. Leave now."

He didn't hesitate. Toku was happy to leave the chamber, almost running to the doors. On the other side, he found Jael and Kozai waiting. He didn't know what to say to him. Everything seemed different now. Was he the Avatar? He couldn't be. Or could he? He was confused. He turned to Jael and grinned and tried to act like his usual self. "Sorry for making you wait, buddy. I had to explain to the five Fire Sages how I'm not the Avatar. You know, just the usual stuff," he said and laughed. "We also get to sleep in the palace, with our own rooms and everything. Kozai here is going to be our butler, too. Show us the way, will you, butler?"

Kozai sneered at Toku's glib, but didn't shed light on it. "This way," he said simply, gesturing for Jael and Toku to follow him.

[Rolands]

Jael opened the door to their chambers. Smooth wooden floor, two silk beds, a pair of dressers, among other things. It was a very spacious and lavish room, better than even Jael was used to. Jael noticed his friend taking the room in; for someone like Toku, this was probably heaven.

Jael saw Kozai off then closed the door to the hallway, turning his focus to Toku. Jael's thoughts were on the future, and seeing as Toku was still in a state of denial, there was a need to press the issue. Jael took a seat on the side of his bed, and motioned for Toku to sit opposite him.

"So what did the Fire Sages tell you? What happened in your meeting?"

[SlowPlow]

Toku took the seat, though he didn't like his friend's serious tone. It made the whole thing that much more real. "Nothing much, really," Toku said, shrugging, and slumped down in the seat nonchalantly . "I was called a fiery spirit, then a candle, and they said something about thirty Sages prophecizing that I'm the Avatar, and made me try to Bend Earth, Water and Air," he said and laughed. "You can imagine how that went. Since I'm just a Firebender, and not the Avatar, I couldn't Bend any of those silly elements. The Fire Sages were a strange lot. There was this one girl, who looked like she was ten, but acted liked she was as old as the old guy, who looked like he's about to keel over from being old. Pretty flarin' room they got us, though. Worth the mix-up, I'll say."

[Rolands]

Toku was so flippant. That would probably never change.

"The Fire Sages are a really big deal, in case you hadn't noticed yet," Jael said incredulously. "You're just gonna ignore them? No way all that prophesizing is false; if it were a lesser event things would be ambiguous. But the coming of the Avatar is the most important event of the century. The signs would be clear as day."

"Look," Jael said with a touch of amusement, "who ever heard of someone bending their element on the first try? Just because you couldn't do it right then and there doesn't mean a thing. It doesn't change the fact that the Avatar is you. It's overwhelming, but don't worry, I've got your back." Jael gave his friend a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

[SlowPlow]

Toku didn't like at all where this conversation was heading. It didn't seem like Jael had any notion of indulging him. Rather, he was mounting the evidence against him. He didn't want to take any of this Avatar nonsense seriously. He'd never taken anything else seriously, so why start now? Yet something inside him told him that Jael was right. Everything had suddenly become so heavy. He sensed a great weight loom over him, and he would keep it from crushing him for as long as possible.

"I don't know," Toku said, "You really believe I'm the Avatar? If you say it, then... but I can't be, can I? I mean, I might be the laziest Firebender in the Fire Nation. Have you ever seen me practice my Firebending before? Have you ever seen me work? Even if I am the Avatar, I'd make a lousy one. They should just wait till the next one shows up," he said stubbornly, and put his feet up on the table.

"What about your folks? Don't they care where you are? Should maybe give them a heads up about staying at the Fire Palace. I don't think it's the first place they'll come looking."

[Rolands]

"Tch, my "folks" are no problem. That official made sure a letter was sent out to them while you were meeting the Fire Sages. They don't know all the details, but I bet they're thrilled I'm staying at the palace."

"And your firebending...what can I tell ya? You don't have a teacher or scrolls, and you like to slack off. Miracle that your firebending's as good as it is. Basically, stop degrading yourself."

Jael wondered how much of his words were being taken to heart. He hoped his friend would start presenting himself better. Being Avatar meant commanding respect, but acting so humble was a good way to throw all that away. He really didn't know the first thing about politics.

That was just secondary though. The most important thing was making sure he took the job I the first place. Jael didn't want to mention it, but bad things happened to Avatars who shirked their duty. Which was one more reason Jael needed to back Toku up.

[SlowPlow]

"I guess you're right, as always," Toku said with a sigh. He hated it when Jael was right, which was to his dismay rather often. Jael was always the voice of reason, and although Toku found it infuriating, he also appreciated having someone like that around. It made him feel safe, somehow, in all this strangeness; to have one who could make sense of things in a more grown-up way than Toku ever thought he'd be able to.

He decided that he would try to take the Avatar thing seriously. Jael kept insisting he really was the Avatar, and what Jael said usually had some merit to it. "I don't really know much about the Avatar. All I know is from stories, which isn't a whole lot. Do you know anything? What's the Avatar supposed to do? If it turns out that I am the Avatar, I should have some sort of idea what's expected."

[Rolands]

"How 'bout I start from the most obvious and work from there?" Toku gave a nod of approval. Jael cleared his throat.

"Ah-hem. The Avatar is the only person in the world that is capable of mastering all four elements." he spoke clearly, like a historian might. "Like all human beings, the Avatar Spirit has existed since time immemorial. It is born, lives its life, then dies before reincarnating into a new life. But unlike every other human, the Avatar is capable of learning how to speak with their own past lives."

"The Avatar's duty is that of a peacekeeper. The Avatar is meant to maintain balance in the world, especially the balance of the Four Nations. The Avatar must prevent people from abusing their power, and protect people's lives and culture. Additionally, the Avatar is the bridge between our world and the world of the Spirits. Balance between humans and spirits must be kept as well."

"For the sake of fulfilling their destiny, the avatar is provided certain special treatment. No official laws, but people are generally taught to treat the Avatar with special kindness and respect. The Avatar typically keeps a symbiotic relationship with each of the four nations. Being provided with skilled bending masters and other favors in exchange for fulfilling their duty. There is also a large amount of authority that comes with the role. People tend to respect the Avatar's decisions, whatever they may be.

Jael relaxed a bit. "That's the gist of it. Beyond that I know a few less important general details. I also know a decent amount about the previous Avatar, and have a passing familiarity with a few of the others. Still, you should probably study up on it. I think the Palace has a library.. Though I suppose we don't have to look into that right away unless you want to."

[SlowPlow]

Toku's head was spinning. Capable of speaking with his past lives? Maintain balance in the world? Bridge between our world and the spirit world? It was all a bit too much. He was barely able to take care of himself. How would he manage all this stuff?

He thought about everything Jael had said. If he truly was the Avatar, he would have to change himself completely. It didn't sound like any fun at all, to be the Avatar. It seemed like a lot of work and dedication would be needed, and he wouldn't really get anything in return. The challenge of becoming a good Avatar seemed insurmountable. He wasn't going to make it by himself.

"If all this you have said is true, which it probably is if I know you right, I don't think I'll be able to do it alone. Will you come with me, and help me become what I need to be? You're so good with all this difficult stuff. I'm not ready to face these challenges by myself. I mean, that is, if I truly am the Avatar. I don't feel like it's really been confirmed yet."

[Rolands]

Jael smiled. "Glad you asked. I'd been thinking the same thing. It's a heavy burden, too huge for one person. I'd be happy to support you."

Jael yawned a bit, then leaned back on his bed. "'Course, it's getting pretty late. It was almost sundown when they sent for us. I still think ya should check out the library some time, but right now rest sounds good." He closed his eyes.

[SlowPlow]

"The library?" Toku said, fear and disdain apparant in his voice. He couldn't see himself reading a book, much less visiting the library. "You seem like you got it pretty well covered. You can do the libraring, while I can do the Avataring, and together we'll be the perfect team," he said in jest, though he didn't actually think it sounded like such a bad plan.

Rest did sound good, and the beds were the best Toku had ever lain in. They'd been out all day, and they were equally exhausted. The whole Avatar business could wait a few hours, he reckoned. He lay awake for a while, thinking of everything the Fire Sages and Jael had said, and what it all meant. It didn't take long, however, before his eyelids sagged shut and sleep found him.

It was a restless sleep; dreams bordering on nightmares haunted him throughout the night. In one of them the Fire Sages threw him into a blazing hearth as a sacrifice, all the while explaining it had to be done to fulfill a prophecy. The next had him running from an avalanche of rock and water, and there was no air to breathe. In another he was sitting on a throne with everyone hailing him as the Avatar, but it changed, and he was suddenly fighting to keep the weights on an enormous scale balanced. After that, he was talking to one of his past lives in a library, but they were interrupted when they were crushed beneath a huge book. It went on like this, from one impossibility to the next.

When he was abruptly wakened, the sheets were drenched in sweat. He could remember much of what he'd dreamt, which was strange, because he never did otherwise. He tried putting all the absurd images out of his mind and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. Jael was still sleeping. The room was lit by the early morning sun. And at the foot of his bed stood Kozai, inspecting Toku with a concerned frown. Toku yelped. He threw himself out of the bed and was on two legs in no time, jutting his fists at Kozai. "For flarin's sakes, man," Toku said, breathless, "you could have knocked!"

Toku realized he was just in his briefs, while Kozai was fully dressed as the government official he was. He lowered his fists, his cheeks reddening. The first day of being the Avatar, and this was how it started. He looked over at Jael, who he seemed to have wakened.

Kozai chuckled, noticing Toku's obvious embarassment. "Adolescent shyness doesn't suit an Avatar," Kozai said.

Toku remembered then that he was the Avatar. No. He was at least, probably, maybe, the Avatar, he allowed himself to think. There was no one who could prove otherwise. "I'm not-," he began, but was cut short.

"I bring important messages from the Fire Sages," Kozai said. "You must both keep the fact that you're the Avatar silent. The Fire Sages have decided that you're not ready to be announced as the Avatar just yet. In due time, the public will know, but only when the Fire Sages deem you are ready. Furthermore, training sessions in Firebending have been scheduled for you by Fire Sage Faedric himself, who will take the place as your Master while you stay here. The first session begins immediately after you've gotten dressed. I will take you there. Your friend can come along, if he won't interfere with the training. Finally, they said to tell you that they are looking for an Airbender to train you once you've mastered Fire. Got all that? Good. Get dressed. Oh, and I did knock. Several times."

Toku shook his head. It was a lot to take in, but he got on his red shirt and orange trousers. He hadn't imagined the difficult stuff to begin so soon. He already disliked being the Avatar. No, not the Avatar. Maybe the Avatar. It was definitely staying as a maybe, because this whole deal seemed too rough a bargain. Once dressed, they followed Kozai through the palace and onto an elevated walkway which led straight from the palace, across a gorge, and through the archway of a walled-off area. A large gate shut behind them. "This is Fire Sage Faedric's private grounds," Kozai explained. "There will be no eyes to watch you here, and it's arguably one of the safest places in the whole city." An impressive mansion made the main focus of the grounds, but Kozai led them instead to a secluded courtyard of stone. It looked more like a place to hold an Agni Kai than anything. There, Faedric, clad only in black trousers, waited for them. Now that his torso was exposed, Toku thought the man was the biggest and strongest he'd ever seen. He felt tiny in the brute's presence, who seemed to tower over everyone. Before getting close, Kozai whispered to Toku. "Remember that Faedric is one of the Fire Sages, and thus to be treated with respect. Do as he says, and don't talk back. It's a great honor to have him teach you. He hasn't taken on a student in years. I will leave you now. Good luck," he said, and hurried off, probably on some other pressing errand.

"Ah. My new pupil has arrived," Faedric said when he saw Toku. "It's a pleasure to meet the new Avatar eye-to-eye like this. We didn't get much time to get acquainted last night. You know who I am, but we haven't greeted properly. My name is Faedric, but as long as I am training you, you will know me as your master," he said, nodding a formal greeting to Toku. The young boy bowed clumsily. "Now. We are losing daylight. Let us begin."

[Rolands]

Jael stood calmly on the sidelines, watching the beginning of the lesson with mild interest. A lesson between a Fire Sage and the Avatar wasn't something most got to see, but as a non-bender Jael's interest was nothing more than academic. He'd pay attention for now, but if it got boring he'd probably reach for the book in his pocket.

"I am told you have not had any formal Firebending training." Faedric spoke. "So it would be prudent to begin by first explaining the underlying truth of firebending. Firebending is, above all, about strength of will."

"The people of our nation have the strongest of wills. They all desire something; whether it be the tempering of a blade, the acquisition of a warm home, the protection of those close to them, or even the changing of the world. Their will, their desire to achieve those goals; that is what drives them. And firebending is a manifestation of one's own willpower."

"You draw the power to create fire from yourself. The fuel is your willpower. With each blow you strike, you project a part of yourself into the flames. Tell me Toku, do you have a strong will?"

[SlowPlow]

Toku hadn't thought about Firebending in so many words before. It had just always happened when he wanted it to. When Firebending, he had relied on instincts, just like with most everything else in his life. "I'm not really sure," he admitted, "but I've never had any problem Firebending."

[Rolands]

"No problems? Then show me, how fierce the flame of your soul burns. Muster the largest amount of fire possible. Like so."

Faedric inhaled then punched upwards. A vast, continuous stream of fire shot several yards into the air for a few seconds. Once Faedric finished he looked at Toku expectantly.

"Well? I'm waiting."

[SlowPlow]

Toku managed to keep himself from looking impressed. He'd never seen anyone Firebend with such ease and strength before. The confidence he'd had in his Bending wavered. How was he supposed to equal that?

He took a deep breath, trying to draw power from within, and mimicked Faedric's movements as best as he could. The fire he produced, however, was a far cry from what his master had done. It was a measly flame he couldn't keep up for long. He was embarassed. It usually was much better than this.

"I don't know what went wrong," Toku said. "I'm usually much better at this."

[Rolands]

Jael tactfully looked away from Toku, hoping to spare him the pain of failing in front of a friend.

Faedric simply continued focusing on Toku. "If you say you've done better in the past, I believe you. However, the key to bending is consistency. Before you can rely on your element it must do as you want it to, 100 times out of 100 times."

"Hmph. You are clearly not in balance. This can happen when our fates are torn about by the torrents of reality. Are you, perhaps, having difficulty coming to terms with the new direction your life is taking?"