-So it was true then.

-I cannot believe…

-I am amazed indeed.

-Who knew… that the Jasmine dragon tea was actually so good!

The Jasmine dragon, after the war, became a very popular brew to be served in the cities of Earth Kingdom, but its rich taste and fruity flavor spread and reached far beyond the walls of the safe and prosperous Kingdom.

-It is said that before the dragons fell from the sky, they used to conjure sky and clouds into the rain that they dropped only at the Jasmine dragon leaves.-said the butler with conviction in his voice. Knowing that what he just said had no base, since he made it up.

-Fascinating… Regardless. Even though the tea is of prime quality, we've met here for different reasons. Could you go to your Master and ask to come here? We have a game to finish from old times.-Said a sharply dressed man in a red suit and with a dragon cane next to his leg.

-As you wish, Prince Orian.

Prince Orian was son of the Firelord and thus was regarded very highly among all royalties all around the world. His pure red eyes and tar like hair screamed "royalty" to anyone. It did not help that he was regarded as one of the most handsome men in the Nation just after the Great Defender. The butler swiftly exited the small room, leaving the teapot and the tokens at the table.

-Prince Orian. Are you sure this is the right place? It's almost empty. We are right next to a desert.

-My Father would not lie to me. Please calm down Hera.- In all honesty Orian had no right to doubt his fathers words, but the time took a hit on Firelord's memory. After scratching his chin a little bit, Orian looked to the left on his daughter.-I would like you to watch closely my dear. I cannot say if you will have the pleasure of seeing this again in my lifetime. In fact, I myself saw the procession only once.

-You took me here, and even though I like the temperature, I don't like the dryness. So let's get this over with so we can go back to the palace alright?- answered Khara. Her long hair seemed as if they were constantly flowing with lava due to their miraculous shades of red, orange and black. Her eyes, orange mixed with red glistened in the dimmed light of the tavern.

-My dear… Please behave as you should.

-If we make it faster, I'll have time to make the Fire Brownie~.-she smugged with her eyes squinted and looking down upon her father. But there was a reason for this. She took great pleasure in the fact that her father was already salivating at the thought of her cooking, even though she was barely ten years old.

-F-Fine… No more than an hour.

-Yesss. Hah!

In the minute that passed, the doors to the backroom opened and revealed a wide man with gouged out eyes covered by a headband. He wore a very good looking suit but due to his size, many swes had to be put in place to hold it together.

-Greetings, Prince Orian. How can my humble self help you in the time of need.

-Sit Alharim, and let us play.

-The guest has the right of first move.-He said, as he sat down with a slow ripping sound to which the butler only breathed deeply and closed his eyes.

-Then I shall use that right. Keep your eyes on Khara- a token was placed down. To which Khara looked at it and raised an eyebrow. She never saw it in her life.

-Ah… White lotus. Not many still cling to the ancient ways.

-Those who do, are sure to always find a friend.

-Then let us play.

One token, another on the opposite side, then another round on the part of the opponent. Right and left, North and South, East and West. Up and down and all around, to which they all could hear the loud clacking sound of glorious White Lotus.

-Greetings brother. Are those your initiates?

-One is. Khara, my daughter.

-U-Uhm… What happened here?

-Hah hah hah!- laughed the blind man.- Lot's of things to teach her. Tell me now… what is it that you need.

The air stilled as the atmosphere changed, Orian had a hard time thinking of this and more so thinking of saying such a thing.

-We've yet to confirm any Avatar possibilities in the Water tribes.

-Hmmm… That is sure to upset the Firelord.

-He does not know yet. I prefer to keep him out of this for now. Tell me if you have better news.

-Not much better news. But news nonetheless. It has come to my attention that seven children from last year are being monitored for any signs of Avatar spirit.

-Dad? What's all this talk? Avatar? You mean uncle Aang? But you said he passed away seven years ago.

-There is much I have to tell you, my dear child. Regardless, those news are news after all. Continue to monitor those children my friend. If we lose track of Avatar spirit, it might be that the Avatar has not reincarnated…

-Do not call upon the worst my friend. It is hope that prevailed through the hundred years war. If we lose it right after…

-I know. Hmm… It was a great play from you.

-I wish to see the White lotus token once more.

-So you shall when the time comes.

They both bowed to each other in respect. Knowing full well that what tomorrow brings is a mystery only the spirits have power to see and be sure of. Orian took the Pai Sho tokens and put them all in a neatly furnished box. After that he shook hands with the blind man and left the tavern with his daughter and servant.

-“...But in the time of need, he vanished. After a hundred years my brother and I have found the Avatar. Young airbender named Aang. With him we now have the chance of bringing balance to the world once more…”

-Mom… Who is Aang?

-Aang was the last known Avatar. He had the ability to command every element, and if the stories are true. He could take the bending of others at will.

-Sounds scary…

-It is not. Katara the Waterbending master of the Southern tribe was the closest to him. She told me when I was just a young healer, that Aang was the most kindhearted person she ever knew.

-Wooow…

-Mhm. And she also said that a great serpent once tried to eat them.- he said with a laughing manner as he entered the room where Rahst and Ina were sitting.-I think that's enough stories for today, hmm?

-Dad. If these people said I can be Avatar… What then?

-Nothing.- he said with a somewhat disturbed and worried face as if trying hard to hide an obvious lie.

-Will I be as strong? Will I be able to take others' power?

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

-Even if…- Ina took little Rahst in her embrace and smiled.- Avatar only protects people. They never hurt their people. They only protect.

-Sound like a lot of responsibility…

-It can be fun as well. Traveling the world. Seeing things others can only dream of. It is probably something to be very envious of.

-Then I will be the next Avatar so we can all see those things!

-Haha. Yes yes. Of course my dear. Now… It's late… Let us go to sleep.

-Yes mom.

Little Rahst left the room, and after entering his room, he poofed air at the burning candle and tucked in the blanket to sleep peacefully for the rest of the night.

-You think they will take him away?

-It’s been a year… I will never let them, even if he is the Avatar. I was overjoyed to think that maybe our child was the one… But there is no more war. Avatar is just now a fun little story for the kids…

-So you don't believe?

-I do… But I hope they don’t. For he is our only son. After Avatar Aang dealt with the fire nation, Firelord Zuko took the place of the Ozai the Terrible and reformed all of the Fire nation. What is the point of Avatar now? Catching burglars?

-You might have a point.

-Thing is… I hope I do. Because I could not imagine our son fighting for all of humanity against a great threat that is somewhere beyond the horizon.

-There is no such thing my dear.

-And yet, I feel great sadness when only imagining that there is something of such magnitude out there, waiting to strike and deal the blow to start another hundred years of suffering and despair.

-Then don't imagine it. It is only in your head that they will take him away.

-I hope you are right.

-I am…

The day after three years. It happened too quickly for anyone to notice that all this time just flew by without any warning. Yet it did happen. And the parents of Rahst already forgot that all this was bound to happen one day, one faithful day. The day when their son was bound to be revealed as the Avatar.

Knocking sound came to their doors. Young Rahst sprinted to the door and used his waterbending to push the ice away. To his surprise, it was the three men from all those years ago that stood in the door frame with a small box. But the sound of ice being moved on the snow disturbed the home. Rahst’s dad dashed to the main hallway to see that this was the day of their greatest fear becoming true.

-No! I refuse!- Anger spoke through him as if it was the only thing ever in his life.

-You cannot deny his destiny, Villgar. It is the greatest pleasure to know that one's son is the next Avatar.

-Im the next Avatar?!

-NO! Rahst go to your mother!- hand flew across the air pointing in the direction of his mom's room.

No sound came from him, only his eyes shook a little bit, but the obedience in him persisted and he moved out of the way. After a second he was gone behind a wall of ice.

-I will not let you touch him…

-It was your family who contacted us. Now you have to surrender for the greater good, and accept the lesser evil.

-I spit evil and good in the face. I changed my mind. Now get out of here or I will do something I might later regret.

-Villgar… You know we cannot. It is for the sake of the whole world. The Avatar has to be trained!

-For what exactly?! Next war?!

-To prevent something like that from even happening!

-Avatar before Aang failed. Why should I, humble servant of the Moon spirit, take that risk?

-Every Avatar took that risk! This cannot change! Or the world balance will crumble!

-It seems to me that the world is just fine!

-YOU DON'T KNOW THAT!

-AND WHAT IF I DO!

Ice and fire. The moon and the sun touched at that brief moment of anger from them both. Fire burned deep inside the Master's eyes, and water froze on the hands of Villgar. If only there was a layer of hot oil between them, even a drop. The entire building would collapse from the explosion that would surely take everyone with them to the other side.

-Villgar…

-Inuak. Tell your fiery friend to go… or I’ll freeze him to our wall…

-Villgar I am on his side. You know that destiny cannot be meddled with.

-Fuck your destiny! Actually what exactly is his destiny! Maybe he is special, so special that he doesn't have to become the Avatar!

-We are willing to pay for everything.

-YOU TRYING TO BUY MY SON?!

-You know that it's not true…

-What is true. Is that I do not care. About you, your destiny bullshit and everything that's about this whole thing. Leave…

-Honey…-walked out Ina, she was feeling sick at the time but could still stand with the help of Rahst. Her deep and blue eyes melt down the fiery ice that enclosed the heart of Villgar.

-I… Ina. Please…

-Vill… It is the way.

-But what if…

-Shh…-she covered his mouth with a finger after walking closer.- Let him…

-You said…

-I know what I said…

-Then why?

-It's what a parent is supposed to do… Prepare his child for the future and independence…

They left, along with the child that knew little to nothing about what was to be. After all, the only thing he knew was that the Avatar is supposed to protect.

-Little Rahst. You have been chosen by the great Universe as the next Avatar in line. Thus there are many things expected of you on your journey.

-Indeed. Once we make it to the Fire nation, everything will be clear.

-Fire Nation is bad. That's what mom said.

-Not is. Was. Long before your time, The Fire Nation was indeed, very bad place.

-So why there?

-Someone wants to meet you.

-Who?

-Have you thought of what lies beyond this realm?

-I try not too. Now will you move your piece or do you forfeit.

-Patience sister. I am thinking.

-You grew a beard when you started to think.

-It was ten years ago… Get off me, please.

-Then play.

The chess piece moved with a whiff of air towards the other side of the board. The man gently stroked his beard, his baldness, almost blinding, shone from the morning fiery sun. As for the woman, dressed in a beautiful blue dress. Her white hair slowly waved from the pushing warm wind.

-This weather is not making it easy on my hair. I wish to be back already.

-Sister. You know we cannot until Prince Orian confirms our suspicion.

-You saw a cloud that looked like a cat and assumed that Avatar is back.

-That… And the vision.

-You saw our father giving a broken toy to some shaded small figure of a human. That is not a prophecy, that's just a weird dream. I once saw our mother kissing another woman when she was younger. And so what? I don't believe it.

-You should trust more in yourself and your own mind. The spirits might as well be sending you a message.

-And yet all I got from it was a headache and vomiting in the morning.

-Well… Hmm. Hah! Check.

-Mate. You blundered. Who said patience?

-Cut it.

-I see you are still tightening your family bonds. Perfect.- Walked in dressed sharply with tar like black hair. He smiled and opened his arms.

-Prince Orian!- said both of the siblings, Kya and Tenzin, as they both stood up.

-It is so good to see both of you after such a long time.

-Likewise Prince Orian.

-Oh sod it Kya. We are friends or am I mistaken. Come here you little rapscallion.

With a little bit of hesitation she closed the distance that divided them and hugged him with passion. Meanwhile Tenzin rolled his eyes as the two lovebirds almost seemed to be making out. But the judgmental eyes of air bender quickly brought orian to his senses.

-And here is my favorite Air bender, right after the last Avatar.

-It is a great pleasure for me to see you again, Orian. But you disturbed my way of life for at least a week with this sudden calling for aid. Please tell me it was not in vain, and you have something more than catching up with old friends.

-The Avatar has reincarnated.

Straight to the point as Tenzin wanted from the start, but even though their own suspicions were confirmed, they could not believe and needed to sit, unless they wanted to collapse.

-A-Are you sure…

-I am. White Lotus have confirmed that the new Avatar has been reincarnated as a water tribe boy. His name is Rahst.

-Wait, wait, slow down. Alright… alright. Slowly. So Tenzin was right. That's one. Second. The cycle has not been broken. Good. But why Rahst? Are you sure he is not of Fire descendants?

-His father is of the Water tribe. His mother was a Fire nation soldier.

-That solves this. What now? Where is he? Do we need to take care of him? You called us to take him in, yes?

-If so. It shall be.- Tenzin put his cent in too.

-Quite contrary actually. I want you both to stay out of this.

-WHAT?!

The air collapsed in on itself, and the humidity in the room dropped below 40%, making air so dry to breath in that it actually hurt. All the water from the air suddenly pointed at the neck of a very calm Orian.

-I cannot risk you two getting in the way of progress.

Suddenly. Darkness.

The air calmed down, and the floating water dropped creating a small puddle. Two hits to the back of the neck and behind the right arm of each sibling. As they fell, their consciousness faded away.

-Take them away… Yes. to the du…

The rest all felt as if looking and hearing through milky glass. Dragged away by fire nation guards, they finally gave up on their minds and fell unconscious.