In the time leading up to the solstice, I managed to accomplish many tasks. Yui began practicing more advanced waterbending techniques, though she hadn't yet reached the point of altering the state of water. Even simple waterbending involves numerous intricate techniques that even masters find challenging to execute flawlessly.
Soon, I'll be able to open the first chakra, which will enhance all my bending abilities at once. This chakra is blocked by fear, and to unlock it, one must consciously confront their greatest fear and overcome it. I'm not entirely sure what I fear most—there are some fears, of course, but they're more like concerns. It's likely something buried in my subconscious, where people often unconsciously hide their most traumatic experiences.
At the South Pole, things are going well, but people fear the return of the Fire Nation warriors. They might have written off the Southern Water Tribe, but when they decide to investigate the prolonged silence from this outpost, they'll surely seek revenge against the Southern Invaders.
During my last visit, I relied too heavily on the camouflage of the new village, but these people aren't foolish. They might start combing through half the tundra.
As a last resort, we built an underground tunnel extending two kilometers beyond the village, equipped with a temporary bunker. It can shelter the residents for up to two weeks, though we'll need to replenish supplies and clear the entrance of snow. Still, it's far better than sitting and waiting for the Fire Nation to arrive.
By the time they're safe, I'll have returned.
To buy time for evacuation or to warn the villagers of an attack, we, along with former hunters, set up traps in the old village—a place the Fire Nation will undoubtedly inspect thoroughly. We also placed traps around the new village. Some will create enough noise to alert even the most oblivious, and the screams of trapped soldiers should serve as a clear signal to the villagers. After warning people to avoid certain areas, we organized patrols to ensure no wild animals trigger the traps, which could compromise their effectiveness.
Each time I traveled through the portals, I brought a rodent with me. It worked—now the rodent emerges unharmed with me in the Southern Tribe. But in my experiments with the rodent, I forgot that they lack their own bending and have minimal chi. It turns out a powerful bender could make this journey without my help. When traveling with a non-bender or a weak gifted individual, I can protect them with my energy. Though the rodent is small, it still required half my effort. What if my reserves aren't enough to protect a human? I need to find someone expendable, but for now, I'll try transporting a horned animal—that will likely be more challenging.
I'm also progressing in bloodbending. I've managed to move the blood of one rat, though its movements are unnatural, and even its kin avoid it. Still, it's progress. I've realized the key is understanding how blood flows and interacts with chi. Initially, I thought it was as simple as moving blood toward a hand, but it's about the reactions the body produces when blood and chi intersect in specific areas. Recognizing my own blood and chi is the hardest part—it's part of me, like raising my hand without thinking. Even the Bloody Marionette technique was created subconsciously, as my body tried to synchronize blood movement with chi. I thought controlling my blood would be easier.
How did Amon use bloodbending to block Korra's abilities? How could he control a crowd without moving? Because he understood how to manipulate blood and, if not all chi, at least a crucial part of it. That's what I must strive for.
The solstice is approaching, and I have about 18 hours to find the dark spirits I need, deal with them, and leave the Spirit World. I have no desire to wait for the next solstice.
I should decide which element to choose. I'd like to find a spirit of time or space, but even if they exist, they're rare and hard to develop. There are no methods or scrolls for these elements among humans. Maybe obtaining a new element isn't even possible.
Clearly, I must choose from the three primary elements: water, earth, fire, or air. Waterbending is versatile—it offers defense, swift attacks, and mobility. The only drawback is that until I learn to draw water from my surroundings, I must carry a supply.
Airbending would also be useful, but mastering it now would draw unwanted attention. I'm a powerful bender, but I couldn't stand against an entire nation. It's too risky for me and those close to me.
That leaves earthbending and firebending, both appealing. Earthbending could lead to metalbending and lavabending, and finding teachers isn't an issue. But firebending has a unique advantage I need.
Firebenders interact closely with their chi. To create fire, they program their chi and seemingly add some of it during the process. Firebenders create their element, though they need fuel. In a vacuum, fire is useless, but such situations are rare.
Another example is lightningbending. In the series, it's created by destabilizing chi flows and adding fire energy. Another reason to choose firebending is the technique shown in Avatar Korra's story when she lost her memories after being attacked by a dark spirit.
Energy reading allows one to scan a person's physical and spiritual health, including their energy channels and mind. It can't heal, but it helps diagnose issues. I believe this technique involves manipulating chi. I'll have to learn through experience or sneak into the Fire Sages' teachings. Wan Shi Tong might also have knowledge, being a spirit of knowledge. He likely knows where new discoveries occur and sends his assistants accordingly.
*
Sitting on the grass near the Spirit Oasis, I watched the sun rise, feeling the tension in the air as the boundary between worlds thinned. As the sun fully appeared, I entered the portal. The barrier looked fainter and thinner, though I don't understand the solstice's processes.
Gathering my strength and coating myself in compressed water, I approached the barrier. My protective energy drained quickly, but step by step, I pushed through.
In the Spirit World, my energy reserves rapidly replenished. I found myself in a valley surrounded by jagged rocks struck by lightning.
I've been too focused on waterbending's offensive aspects. Fortunately, my skill allowed me to create a flying water platform. The Spirit World is vast, and air travel is faster. I'm glad I brought water containers.
Flying in a random direction, I sensed only lightning energy. Lightning is powerful, but it won't grant me firebending. I must go further.
Scanning for fire energy, I soon detected a concentrated source. I found a fissure with a river of fire, where playful fire ferrets splashed. They exuded hunger, which wasn't comforting.
I sensed four spirits: three minor and one intermediate. An easy task, but what about the new source?
Last time, I absorbed an intermediate water spirit when I was a minor spirit. Logically, I should absorb a minor fire spirit to gain the element, even if it's weak. The assimilation should be easier, and I can strengthen it later.
Focusing on the water in my containers, I compressed it into bullets. I needed to take out three spirits from a distance to avoid accidental absorption.
Firing the water bullets at supersonic speed, I watched a ferret scream in confusion before disintegrating into energy. I waited until the last particle vanished before moving on.
Wiping my forehead, I flew toward the remaining minor spirit, which was still searching for its kin. Creating an ice sword, I landed on its back and struck, severing its head. The spirit's energy dissolved instantly.
Retreating from the lava river, I sat and felt the fire spirit's energy being absorbed. I wanted to shout, "Yes, a new element!" but knew the pain would follow. I grit my teeth and waited.
The pain engulfed my physical and spiritual body, doubling its intensity. My body drenched in sweat, but I had to stay conscious. The pain was intense but bearable.
The pain peaked in the first hour but gradually subsided over the next four. When it ended, I collapsed on the ground, smiling widely. "It was worth it," I thought.