The next few months, I spent at the air temple, teaching the rambunctious children while also using that time to relax and deepen my understanding of the immortality technique. I could tell I was right at the cusp of mastering it, but that final step wasn't merely an easy one to take; it was harder than everything up until now.
I was confident I would master that technique, but it would take at least a year, if not longer; after all, it only makes sense that a method that grants you immortality would be just as difficult to learn.
Eventually, I left the air temple and headed back out into the world, exploring it as I helped the water tribes and the Earth Kingdom resist the Fire Nation; of course, I did so only as an air nomad, not as the Avatar.
During that time, years flew by, and I had my twenty-third birthday only a few weeks after leaving the air temple; following my twenty-third, the twenty-fourth arrived, and then the twenty-fifth, before something surprising happened.
Currently, I was near the western air temple, venturing through some of the many islands off to its west; however, while doing so, I happened to hear the caw of a dragon hawk.
Raising my head, I looked throughout the sky, searching for the dragon hawk, only to spot it far in the distance, prompting me to grab my bo-staff. "I'll be right back, Appa." Patting Appa's head, earning a roar from him, I leaped off his back, raising my bo-staff above my head as it transformed into a glider.
Hanging from it, I flew towards the dragon hawk, using the wind to speedily push me through the sky; when I got close enough, I grabbed the dragon hawk by its feet, picking it out of the sky. Unsurprisingly, it aggressively cawed and tried to fight back, though I just outstretched my hand while returning to Appa.
Landing gently atop his saddle, I sat down and reached onto its back, opening the container and grabbing the message inside. 'Now, let's see what secret message the Fire Nation has sent.' Unfurling the paper, I read the message, which contained critical information regarding Sozin; I was surprised yet also not surprised at the same time.
"Huh, so he finally died." It was surprising because in the story, Sozin died twenty years after the first invasion, yet it's only been thirteen years since then. However, at the same time, Sozin was still an old man of ninety-five; in this world, most don't live that long. Ironically, Sozin lived a whole life.
"Taking his arm during the invasion must've been the reason why he died seven years earlier." Closing the cylinder, I released the dragon hawk, prompting it to quickly fly away while I kept the message, figuring I'd stop by the Western air temple and show the elders so they could pass the information along.
With Sozin dead, Azulon will be the one to rise to the throne next; as of right now, he should be thirteen. 'To become the Fire Lord at such a young age, maybe it'll spark the envy and greed in others of high position since Azulon isn't as strong as his canon counterpart.' While it was hopeful thinking, I ended up shaking my head.
The possibility was there, but I'm sure Sozin planned accordingly; he most likely ensured Azulon's first decade or so of taking the throne would be smooth. "Well, nothing wrong with a little hopeful thinking." On the bright side, Sozin's death would weaken the fire nation for some time; he wasn't just a powerful fire bender, but also a master strategist and general.
While I've never faced him again, I heard he's personally led a few battles against the Earth Kingdom, winning most of them and successfully acquiring several footholds and outposts within their territory, only losing a handful of times.
"Appa, we've got good news. Sozin has died." Leaning forward, I lay just above Appa's head as I gently rubbed his fur, causing him to joyfully growl as he did a barrel roll, nearly making me fall off. "Alright, alright, you're happy, I get it. Stop it before I fall." Faintly smiling, I pushed myself back up, sitting cross-legged atop his fluffy fur.
"Let's continue exploring these islands and then visit the Western Air Temple, Appa." "Roooar!"
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With a heavy yet gentle landing, Appa's paws dug into the thick, snowy lands of the southern water tribes while I slid down his side. "Go on and take a rest, Appa." Reaching into his satchel, I grabbed a head of lettuce and tossed it into his mouth, while he plopped onto the ground, sinking into the fluffy snow.
Leaving Appa just outside, I walked into the now lively village, a far cry from what it was like when it was first created. Spotting young children running throughout the village, being chased by a slightly older child who was throwing snowballs at them, using his waterbending to easily make them, I faintly smiled.
Walking further through the village, I greeted some of the older residents, who did the same, offering a warm smile as it was far from my first time here. Arriving at a specific igloo, I knocked on the door a few times, only for an older woman to open it. "Mrs. Hana." "Ah! Aang, you finally arrived! Come in, come in, it's cold out there."
As Hana practically dragged me inside, she closed the door behind me while dusting off the snow covering my clothes. "Mother! What are you doing up? You were just sick; you should still be resting." Walking from around the corner, Hina, looking like an exact copy of Hana, except younger, shot Hana an intense look. "Bah, I'm not some frail old lady, I can at least walk through the house." Snorting, Hana straightened her back, only to grab her lower back while Hina raised an eyebrow.
"Maybe not frail, but you're old, Mom. You're nearly seventy." "Ho, she is? I could've sworn she was only in her 40s." Helping Hana, I gathered water around my hand and pressed it against her lower back, healing her and soothing her pain. "Yes, see! Aang has good eyesight. Since you think we're only a decade apart, why don't you and I–" Before Hana could finish speaking, Hina covered her mouth.
"Haa, you're truly shameless. You're nearly double his age, and here you are trying to flirt with him." Muttering under her breath, Hina shifted her gaze to me, smiling. "I'll talk with Mother. Why don't you go greet Hulu? I'm sure she'll be happy to see you, Aang." As Hina gestured down the hall, I nodded while removing my hand from Hana.
"Don't be too harsh on her, Hina; if she were truly in her 40s, I would've taken her up on her offer." "Aang, you've got to stop engaging with her." Chuckling at Hina's words, I walked down the hall, heading to the back of the igloo, before arriving at a slightly cracked door.
"Hulu, your favorite air nomad is here." Gently knocking on the door, I slowly opened it, glancing at a charming young woman lying in bed with a slightly haggard look. "Ah, Aang!" Seeing her eyes light up, I faintly smirked while reaching into my satchel, handing her a small gold coin.
"I found this from a treasure chest buried deep on the shore of an island." "Whoa, so pretty. Thanks, Aang!" Staring at the coin, Hulu flashed me a smile before setting it atop her nightstand, prompting me to glance at the carriage beside her bed.
"Is that her?" Walking around the bed, I stood before the carriage, staring at the sleeping newborn wrapped in blankets. "Yep. She's so adorable." Seeing Hulu stare at her child with the same look Hana stares at Hina, and how Hina looks at her, I lightly chuckled. 'Looks like she'll be a good mother like her mother and grandmother.'
"So, what did Aang bring you this time, Hulu?" Hearing Hina and Hana enter, we shifted our gaze to them. "A gold coin from a treasure chest, Mother." As Hulu showed Hina and Hana the gold coin, they raised their eyebrow, inspecting it before returning it.
"How do you feel, Hulu? Pregnancy isn't easy on the body." Looking curiously at Hulu, who, despite her haggard appearance, seemed lively, nodded. "Well, other than exhaustion and lingering pain, I feel great. Grandmother has been healing me."
Nodding, Hana gently pushed me to the side as she reached down, carefully picking up the newborn before handing it to Hulu. "What are you naming her, Dear?" "You haven't named her yet, Hulu?" "Eh, my husband had already decided on names. If she were a boy, he'd be named Huner." Shaking her head, Hulu gently poked the newborn with an ever-present smile.
"So then, what is her name?" I stared curiously between Hulu and her child. "Huner if a boy. As for a girl…. Hama."