After completing all my planned tasks, I decided to focus on returning to the North Pole. I was starting to miss my parents and little sister.
That night, I approached the spot where I had first appeared and began to enter the mysterious space between worlds. Once there, I tried to sense echoes of other places connected to the human realm. After some time, I found two such sources. One was almost identical to the energy of the South Pole, dominated by waterbending—likely the territory of my tribe. The other was much weaker, resembling something created by someone forcing their way through the barrier from both sides.
Clearly, this was the Valley of Forgetfulness, a place often visited by the Mother of Faces. She helps fulfill the requests of those who wander there, allowing them to change their faces. Sometimes, at their request, she even takes their memories. I think she created this breach in the protection; an ancient spirit like her is certainly capable of it. It's best not to go there unless absolutely necessary. Who knows how she differs from her portrayal in the series? There, she never harmed anyone, but here, I've already noticed differences from what was shown on screen.
I have an idea to reach my destination without effort, but there's no need to do it now. Tomorrow, after properly saying goodbye to the tribe, I'll try to make my way home.
The next day, every member of the tribe came to see me off. Many of the children had tears in their eyes, none of them wanting me to leave. As soon as I informed Kai's family of my departure, Katara clung to me from early morning. I had to carry her in my arms; otherwise, she threatened to latch onto my leg and walk that way. Over the next few hours, I heard Katara's tearful pleas for me to stay, her bargaining offers to be very obedient, and even threats of ignoring me. Honestly, while all this was happening, I often caught myself thinking, "Just stay a little longer," but I had to muster immense willpower to push those thoughts away. If I stayed a little longer now, it could drag on indefinitely. Each tantrum had to be soothed, and each time, I solemnly promised her I'd return soon.
Kai seemed even more beautiful and youthful during these days. When there's a man—well, a boy—who provides a sense of security, and when the children are fed, clothed, and happy, she feels content with life. During our time together, I was able to assess her character. She was a calm and wise young woman with a sense of tact. When I couldn't answer some of her questions truthfully, she gracefully dropped the uncomfortable topic. She was also very attentive, often sitting with the children for so long that we'd forget to eat. That's when she'd show her foresight, setting the table with ready-made food.
"Maybe you'll stay a few more days?" Kai asked after our morning tea, while the children were still asleep.
"I'd love to, but I can't. My family is waiting for me there," I said with a heavy sigh. "You know, there's a good chance I'll return soon. If I can figure out the mechanism of travel, I'll be able to come here whenever I want."
"Yes, but it's hard to believe you can travel from one point in the world to another," she said, her logic strange. "You live with bending, mysterious animals, and spirits, yet some things still seem impossible to people here. Katara will miss you terribly. I don't think she'll let you go today," she added with a smile. "Since you woke up, she's spent all her time with you, even forgetting about me," she said with a hint of jealousy.
"I didn't mean to," I said awkwardly. "You've probably guessed that Katara is a potential waterbender, right?" I finished in a serious tone.
"Yes," she replied, visibly unhappy. In this tribe, being born a waterbender is not a gift but a curse. "Sometimes I'm plagued by nightmares of firebenders attacking the village to take my girl," she said, her body trembling. I moved closer and wrapped my arm around her, trying to offer some comfort. "It seems like since you arrived, those bad dreams haven't bothered me anymore," she whispered, leaning closer instead of pulling away. "Promise me you'll return soon," she said, looking into my eyes.
How could I not return when she looks at me so touchingly? Seeing her so vulnerable, I could only nod.
We sat in comfortable silence for another half hour until we were interrupted by the sleepy faces of Sokka and Katara.
I'll have to study healing, waterbending, and chi with doubled effort. I don't really want to leave Kai. From the moment I first saw her, I liked her—honestly, at first, it was because of her stunning figure and beautiful face. But as I got to know her better, simple attraction turned into something more complex. In the near future, I want to become someone she can rely on.
That evening, at the spot where I had first appeared, I said goodbye to the now-living people who had learned to cherish every moment of their lives. It was incredibly rewarding to be part of such a transformation. After all, a person should not only destroy but also create.
After wiping Katara's tears one last time and handing her to her mother, who also tried to hide her sadness from me, I entered that same space with a small polar rodent.
Why do I need it? I want to test if I can transport living beings this way. For now, a small creature that likes to eat the tribe's supplies will do.
Once there, I began to implement my plan. It seems there's no concept of distance in this place; it's more like the Library of Wan Shi Tong, where you must recreate your path with your thoughts and chi.
Moving in one direction, I started to focus on the energy of the material plane, emphasizing the heightened presence of water chi. As I moved, my chi began to drain at an alarming rate. I had to use it to shield the rodent, which started to wither as soon as we began walking in this space. It seemed that without enough chi of my own, this journey was draining its life force, which it also lacked. After what I estimated to be several hundred meters, I began to feel my approach to the desired location. Catching my breath, I started to emerge from this place.
As soon as I opened my eyes after the transition, I saw the Spirit Oasis. Noticing my empty hands, I realized the former rodent had turned into a mummy-like form and crumbled to dust in my hands.
It's a good thing I didn't bring a person with me right away. The same thing could have happened to me if I didn't have a large reserve of chi. It seems that when I first tried to enter the Spirit World, I walked a razor's edge. If I hadn't had two sources of chi, I would have appeared at the Southern Water Tribe as dust. Ugh, just thinking about it makes me shudder.
Well, mistakes should be noted but not lived by.
After greeting the spirits of the Moon and Ocean, who didn't even acknowledge me, I quickly walked toward the Chief's Palace. As I approached, the people I passed continued to stare at me in disbelief. Sensing trouble, I quickened my pace, almost breaking into a light jog.
Entering our living room, I was met with a heavy atmosphere—the kind you could cut with a knife. The grim faces of Arnuk and June only added to the already unpleasant scene for me. But Yui, with tears in her eyes, ruined the mood they had created by throwing herself into my arms. Seeing that the atmosphere had vanished, my parents just shook their heads and joined in the embrace.
After such a warm welcome, a serious conversation began.
"Son, your mother and I know you're very responsible and mature beyond your years, but everything has its limits," my father began, with my mother nodding in agreement. "I hope you realize how much you've worried us?"
"Yes, I understand," I replied. Even if I were the strongest waterbender in the world, parents will always try to protect you for as long as possible. And I created this situation myself.
"Good. I hope now you're ready to share at least some of your secrets with us? We've long suspected you were hiding something from us, but we hoped you'd share some of your secrets with us in time," he continued. It's awkward. I thought my parents had enough of their own ideas and wouldn't bring up these questions again.
I should tell them about the portals connecting the two poles. If I want to continue disappearing for periods of time without hindrance, they need to know where and what I'm doing. It's so complicated. I need to come up with a somewhat plausible story about my knowledge of the portals, spirits, and everything else that ties it all together.
"Even as a child, knowledge of certain things would suddenly appear in my mind—places in our world that really exist, waterbending techniques, even some historical events," I began with a sigh. "That's how I learned about portals to the Spirit World, where practicing your bending for just one day yields the same results as weeks of training—of course, by absorbing residual spirit energy. So, I became determined to reach such a place. From the same knowledge, I learned about portals to the Spirit World. Another of my abilities is understanding spirits. That day, I actually spoke with Tui and La, who also helped me master waterbending. By the way, they asked not to be disturbed too much," I added, hoping to change the subject.
"Son, we thought you were much more sensible. Seeing so many risks, you still decided to go who knows where," my father said, looking very displeased, if not angry, at my recklessness. As for my revelations about spirits and knowledge, their reaction wasn't as intense; they had already suspected something similar.
Next, I told them in more detail about what hadn't worked out and how I ended up at the Southern Water Tribe.
When I mentioned the current state of the Southern Water Tribe, my parents looked genuinely furious. My father still remembered how his father and his advisors had to make the difficult decision not to intervene in the Southern Tribe's war with the Fire Nation. Spreading their already small forces across two different ends of the world would jeopardize the existence of the entire Water Nation.
Upon learning that I could travel back and forth without issue, my father immediately approved my trips to our southern brothers and sisters. He only asked me to be careful and to leave immediately if the situation became critical. He wasn't ready to lose his son at the other end of the earth.
We finished talking late at night. Little Yui had fallen asleep in my arms within an hour of my arrival. My parents said she had been restless, even searching the entire city for me. I really made her worry, after all, I'd never left her for so long before. I need to think of a way to make it up to her, but all that can wait until tomorrow. Right now, I just want to go to bed.