The Second Avatar

Chapter 12: A New Dawn and Old Memories

The morning sun bathed the quiet town in a soft golden light, the air crisp and cool with the lingering dew of dawn. Behind the modest inn owned by Jian Lu, Yogan stood alone in a small courtyard bordered by weathered stone walls. His torso was wrapped in fresh bandages, and though the healers had worked wonders on his injuries, his shoulder and thigh still ached with every movement.

Dressed in loose training robes, he planted his bare feet firmly on the ground, inhaling deeply as he closed his eyes. The air around him stirred gently, responding to his breath. He exhaled and began to move, his motions deliberate and flowing, as though his body and the breeze were one.

Yogan raised his arms and spun his staff with one hand, the air forming subtle eddies around him. His steps were light and measured as he transitioned into a series of agile maneuvers: sweeping kicks, sharp pivots, and high jumps. With a flick of his wrist, a gust of wind swirled upward, catching the leaves from the ground and scattering them into the air like tiny whirlwinds.

The motion was fluid, almost graceful, but not without discomfort. When he twisted too far to his right, pain shot through his injured shoulder, and his stance wavered. A deep breath steadied him, and he pushed through, determined not to let the pain stop him.

From a shaded corner of the courtyard, Kail and Riko watched in fascination, the twins leaning against the wall with identical smirks.

"He's recovered," Kail said, crossing his arms. "Mostly."

"Not like he was in the forest," Riko replied, shaking his head. "That day, he was…" He trailed off, struggling to find the right word.

"Unstoppable," Kail finished.

Yogan lowered his staff and glanced at them, overhearing their conversation. He rested it against the ground and smiled faintly, though his expression held a hint of something deeper. "I don't like losing control like that," he said, more to himself than the twins. "But I feel… better about it now."

The twins exchanged confused looks but said nothing. They couldn't imagine what he meant, but Yogan didn't expect them to understand.

The air felt second nature to him now, like an extension of his body. Each movement with his bending felt as natural as breathing, and when he stopped to examine himself, the discomfort in his body seemed minuscule. Yet, the memory of that day in the forest gnawed at him.

He remembered the raw power he had unleashed, the way trees had been uprooted and bent parallel to the ground. It wasn't airbending—it was something else entirely. That state of mind had consumed him three times now, a cold and ruthless energy taking over, decisive and bloodthirsty.

It couldn't have been Raava, he thought. As the Spirit of Light and Peace, Raava represented the opposite of what he had felt in that moment. No, it was something else—a fusion of light and dark, of Raava and Vaatu.

The thought stirred a realization. When Wan had fused with Raava during Harmonic Convergence, their bond had created something entirely new. Not just Raava, not just Wan, but a balance of both. That state of balance was something Wan had drawn on to seal Vaatu in the Tree of Time. It was the embodiment of yin and yang—opposing forces in harmony.

And now, Yogan understood, that balance was his to maintain.

But then a question emerged, freezing him mid-thought. How do I know this?

The knowledge wasn't just abstract; it was vivid. He remembered details about Wan's life that no one had taught him—his childhood on the Great Fire Lion Turtle, living in poverty, stealing food to survive, and growing up as an outcast. These memories, though fragmented and limited, were impossibly clear.

He stared at his hands, flexing his fingers as a smile slowly spread across his face. I'm not alone.

To the twins, he must have looked like he was lost in thought, staring at his hands before suddenly smiling. Kail nudged Riko, and they both shrugged, deciding to leave him be.

---

Hours later, as the sun climbed toward its zenith, Yogan found himself sitting at a rough wooden table inside the inn's main room. Plates of steaming food were spread before him, alongside cups of sake that Jian Lu and Chen had poured generously.

The four of them—Yogan, Jian Lu, Chen, and Rilo—ate together, their conversation lively. The topics wandered aimlessly, touching on women, food, and the occasional bawdy joke that made Yogan's cheeks flush.

"You know," Chen said, gesturing with his cup, "back in my day, the tavern girls would line up for a soldier like me."

"Back in your day?" Jian Lu snorted. "Chen, you've always been old. I bet they were just after your coin."

Chen scowled, but his smirk betrayed his amusement. "Jealousy doesn't suit you, Jian Lu."

Rilo chuckled, sipping his drink. "So what advice do you two wise elders have for us younger men, then?"

Jian Lu leaned back, grinning. "Don't be stupid. That's my advice."

Chen raised his cup. "And mine is: enjoy it while you can. Trust me, you'll miss being young when your back starts aching for no reason."

Yogan tried to hide his laughter behind his cup, taking a sip of sake. The bitter taste made him wince, and he coughed, setting the cup down quickly.

"You'll get used to it," Rilo said with a smirk.

The conversation shifted as Yogan turned to Rilo. "So, what's the plan for our journey?"

Rilo wiped his hands on a cloth. "We'll pass through three small towns and villages on our way to the port. After that, we'll board a boat and sail south toward the Southern Water Tribes. The sailing will take about a week."

Yogan nodded, leaning forward. "And the training you mentioned?"

"We'll start with the basics on the road," Rilo said, his tone serious. "But the real training will begin when we reach my home—the Polar Seal Water Tribe. It's one of the largest tribes in the south. Kezin's hometown, too."

Yogan's eyes widened slightly at the mention of Kezin. "I'm looking forward to it," he said quietly, the determination in his voice clear.

Chen and Jian Lu exchanged a knowing look, as if speaking silently. Rilo caught their glance and seemed to join the unspoken conversation. After a moment, the three of them nodded in agreement, leaving Yogan puzzled.

"Something on your mind?" Yogan asked, picking up his sake cup again.

Jian Lu grinned mischievously. "Actually, yes." He leaned forward, his eyes glinting. "How come you can bend a second element, while some of us can't even bend one?"

The question caught Yogan completely off guard. He choked on his sake, coughing violently as the bitter liquid burned his throat. His face turned red, both from the taste and the shock of the question.

Chen patted him on the back, laughing. "Take it easy, kid. He's just curious."

Yogan set the cup down, his voice hoarse. "I… uh… I don't know." He avoided their gazes, the question lingering in the air.

---

The sun climbed higher into the sky as the small group gathered in the village square to bid their farewells. Yogan stood alongside Rilo, the weight of his packed satchel slung over one shoulder, and though his wounds were still healing, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. Jian Lu, Chen, Kail, Riko, and Ru Tan surrounded them, the mood light despite the bittersweet nature of the moment.

Ru Tan arrived last, stepping into the square with an almost comical swagger. His once-massive frame had slimmed down even more, his robes hanging off him in loose folds. Kail and Riko immediately broke into wide grins.

"Ru Tan," Kail said, barely suppressing his laughter. "You're going to disappear at this rate."

Riko doubled over, pointing at the town chief. "Are you sure you're not airbending? You're light enough now to float away!"

Ru Tan rolled his eyes, though he couldn't stop the corners of his mouth from twitching upward. "Very funny, boys," he grumbled. "You'd think saving a town would earn me a little respect."

"Respect?" Rilo said with mock incredulity. "You've lost half of yourself in a week! At this point, you'll need a new wardrobe just to fit into your own title."

Even Yogan couldn't help but chuckle. "If you keep this up, Ru Tan, the villagers might start asking who the skinny guy running things is."

The group burst into laughter, Ru Tan shaking his head but joining in with a reluctant chuckle. "All right, all right," he said, raising his hands in surrender. "But let me remind you, this is a skill I learned from the badgermoles. It's not something I have to do every time I earthbend."

Jian Lu folded his arms, smirking. "Sure, sure. And next you'll tell us you learned how to fly from a flock of sparrowkeets."

Chen laughed heartily, slapping Ru Tan on the back. "We're just saying, Chief—maybe ease up on the chi regulation unless you're trying to start a diet fad."

The twins dissolved into laughter again, and Yogan and Rilo couldn't help but join in. As the laughter died down, Jian Lu stepped forward, his expression softening. "Yogan, are you sure about this? About leaving without looking for Monk Nara?"

Ru Tan nodded, his face serious now. "She's your master—and, from what I hear, much more than that. Are you sure this is the right time to leave her behind?"

Chen added, "I get that you have a journey ahead of you, but it's not easy to leave people like her behind. You'll feel it every step of the way."

Even Kail and Riko, usually full of energy and mischief, looked at Yogan with uncharacteristic sincerity.

Yogan turned away from them, gazing out toward the road he and Rilo were about to take. He took a deep breath, then let out a long sigh, the weight of their words settling on his shoulders. Finally, he turned back to face them.

"I miss her already," Yogan said, his voice quiet but firm. "But this… this is a long story. One day, I hope I'll be able to tell you all about it." His gaze swept across their concerned faces. "The very reason I can bend a second element is why I need to do this."

Jian Lu frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"

Yogan smiled faintly. "Monk Nara used to fight alongside the Great Warrior Wan himself. If she doesn't want to be found, no one will find her. Not until she's ready."

Chen raised an eyebrow. "You're sure about that?"

"I am," he held firm to his resolve. The others recognizing that he has accepted it fully.

"Maybe next time you can show me how to bend a second element too," Ru Tan said, half jokingly.

Yogan's smile faded, his face growing serious as he fixed Ru Tanwith a steady gaze. "The only one who can bend the other elements… is me." His tone was low and resolute, carrying a weight that silenced the group.

After a moment, his smile returned, and he added with a playful glint in his eye, "But when I need an earthbender, maybe I'll come back here for some training."

Ru Tan grinned, crossing his arms. "I'd be honored."

Yogan chuckled, leaning in. "Or I might find someone who doesn't need to lose three hundred pounds every time they earthbend."

The group erupted into laughter again, Kail and Riko falling over each other in fits of giggles. Even Jian Lu and Chen couldn't hold back, their booming laughter echoing through the square.

Ru Tan groaned, rubbing his temples. "Spirits, I'm never going to live this down."

Rilo clapped him on the shoulder, grinning. "Don't worry, Chief. You've got plenty of time to bulk back up."

As the laughter subsided, Yogan and Rilo turned toward the road, their steps light as they began their journey. The sound of the group's laughter followed them for a while, Ru Tan's protests drowned out by their teasing remarks.

"Seriously, I don't have to do it every time!" Ru Tan called after them.

Jian Lu smirked. "Sure, sure. Tell it to the badgermoles."

Chen added, "Next thing you'll tell us, they taught you to sing!"

"They actually did teach me to sing," Ru Tan confirmed.

The laughter of the group gaining new strength.

Their laughter faded as Yogan and Rilo moved further and further away, the village shrinking behind them.

Chen broke the silence that followed, his voice thoughtful. "He's a funny kid. But interesting, too."

Ru Tan nodded, his expression contemplative. "An interesting kid who can bend all four elements, just like the old General Wan."

Jian Lu stroked his chin. "And his master fought with Wan. Now her student can bend the other elements. That's not a coincidence."

Chen tilted his head. "The old general never revealed why he could bend all the elements. And now, two decades after his death, another one shows up with the same ability."

Jian Lu nodded, his tone quiet. "It's not a coincidence."

Ru Tan stared at the horizon where Yogan and Rilo had disappeared. "I have no doubt we'll see him again. And very soon at that."

The three men stood in silence, their thoughts heavy as the winds carried away the last echoes of laughter.

***

The road stretched long and dusty before them, flanked by fields of tall grass that swayed gently in the breeze. The sun was high in the sky now, casting a warm glow over the landscape as Rilo and Yogan walked side by side. The air carried the faint scent of earth and wildflowers, a welcome change from the blood and smoke of the battlefield they'd left behind.

Yogan shifted his satchel, adjusting it to sit more comfortably on his shoulder. His injuries, though healing, still throbbed faintly with every step, but he refused to let it slow him down. Rilo, as calm and composed as ever, walked with an easy stride, his eyes scanning the horizon.

After a stretch of silence, Yogan broke it. "So, how do you think we should split things as we travel?"

Rilo glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"You know, responsibilities," Yogan said, gesturing vaguely with his free hand. "Firewood, setting up camp, keeping watch… stuff like that."

Rilo smirked, his tone light. "Planning ahead, are we? That's new."

Yogan rolled his eyes but smiled. "Just trying to be practical."

"All right," Rilo said, pretending to think deeply. "How about this? I'll handle the firewood and starting the fire. You can take care of the cooking."

"Cooking?" Yogan asked, incredulous. "I don't even know how to cook!"

Rilo shrugged. "Guess it's time to learn. Unless you want to eat raw vegetables and dried meat the whole trip."

Yogan groaned. "Fine. But don't blame me if we end up with burnt rice or tasteless stew."

"I'll survive," Rilo said, grinning. "As for keeping watch, we'll alternate. You take the first watch one night, and I'll take it the next. Fair?"

"Fair," Yogan agreed.

They walked in companionable silence for a while, the rhythmic crunch of their boots on the dirt road filling the air. Yogan's mind drifted to their conversation the previous night with Jian Lu's twins. A question had been lingering in his mind since then, and now seemed like as good a time as any to bring it up.

"So…" Yogan began, glancing sideways at Rilo.

Rilo's lips twitched into a faint smile. "So?"

Yogan hesitated for a moment, then asked, "The twins mentioned something about you… uh… being with the waterbender girls. What was that about?"

Rilo chuckled, shaking his head. "Ah, Kail and Riko. Those two troublemakers. I'm surprised they didn't tell you I was married to half the tribe while they were at it."

Yogan grinned, encouraged by Rilo's reaction. "So, is it true? Were you… you know…"

"Sleeping with them?" Rilo finished, smirking.

Yogan nodded, his curiosity getting the better of him.

Rilo sighed, his tone more casual now. "It wasn't like that. Sure, there were… moments. Some flirting, some kissing. A little more than that once or twice. But nothing serious, and definitely not what those twins made it sound like."

Yogan tilted his head. "Why not? I mean, why not make it serious?"

Rilo shrugged, his gaze distant. "Because it wasn't about love. It was just… casual. Fun. No strings attached. Besides, I was always moving around, never staying in one place for too long. Serious relationships don't exactly thrive under those conditions."

Yogan considered this, his expression thoughtful. "I guess that makes sense. But… I don't know. The idea of being with more than one person feels… complicated."

Rilo chuckled again, his tone light. "It can be. But it's also not for everyone. Some people want something deeper, something lasting. Others are content with a moment in time."

"What about you?" Yogan asked, genuinely curious.

Rilo glanced at him, his smirk softening into a small smile. "I guess I'm still figuring that out. Maybe one day I'll settle down, find someone who makes me want to stay in one place. But for now, I'm happy with the way things are."

Yogan nodded slowly, letting the conversation sink in. He appreciated Rilo's honesty, even if he didn't entirely understand the perspective. "I guess everyone's different," he said finally.

"Exactly," Rilo agreed. "What about you? Any special someone waiting for you back home?"

Yogan hesitated, his expression darkening slightly. "Not… exactly."

Rilo raised an eyebrow, sensing the shift in tone. "Not exactly?"

"It's complicated," Yogan admitted, his voice quieter now. "There's someone I cared about. A lot. But… she was working with Kezin. She betrayed me so I left."

Rilo's expression softened. "I'm sorry. That can't be easy."

Yogan shook his head, a small, bittersweet smile tugging at his lips. "It's not. But I guess… I have to move forward, right? That's why I slept with Nara. Well that and because things were kind of getting tense between us."

Rilo nodded, his respect for Yogan growing. "You're stronger than you look, kid."

Yogan smirked, the light teasing lifting some of the heaviness. "I'll take that as a compliment."

The two continued walking, their conversation drifting to lighter topics as they got to know each other better. The road stretched ahead, their journey just beginning, but in that moment, the camaraderie between them made the uncertainty of the path feel a little less daunting.

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