*Yuki. Northern Water Tribe. 96 years after the genocide of the Air Nomads.*
In the busiest part of the city, where various shops and stalls thrived, an unremarkable resident of the Water Tribe wandered, seemingly browsing the goods. His dark skin and blue eyes marked him as a true member of his people.
"Heard the news?" a male voice called from behind him.
"You mean the bending rankings? And the new laws?" another male voice replied. "Of course. I doubt anyone hasn't heard about it by now."
"Seems strange to me," the first continued. "It's great, I guess, but it all happened so suddenly…" he complained.
In nearly every corner of the rapidly expanding city, similar conversations echoed. Some didn't understand, others disagreed, and a few approved, but one thing was certain—no one remained indifferent.
*"It's been a while since I changed my appearance and wandered through crowded places,"* I thought as my feet leisurely carried me to the other end of the market.
After the solstice, I'd been busy preparing my people for an unsavory future. The fruits of my efforts would hardly be noticeable to this generation, and only a trusted few knew of what was to come.
The new laws offered immense benefits to talented waterbenders. Masters of their element and distinguished students were given every opportunity to focus solely on their development. Housing, food, and other necessities were provided by the tribe.
Rankings would be determined through battles, deciding who received the most benefits. Every six months, three waterbending mastery tournaments would take place. The first would be for novice students under eighteen. The second would feature sparring between students over eighteen and those who had completed their training but hadn't yet achieved master status.
Lastly, the masters would enter the arena to compete for the title of second best, since the first place was undoubtedly mine.
I knew all too well what power does to people, so alongside the generous perks came equally severe drawbacks. Laws against gifted individuals had tightened. Waterbenders could face the death penalty for committing serious crimes against the non-benders.
For ordinary people, little had changed. They were free to pursue their usual occupations. Warriors weren't overlooked either; an annual tournament would test their mastery of cold weapons.
"Hey! Where are you headed? Need a ride?" a boat stopped beside me.
I hadn't noticed I'd left the bustling part of the city and reached one of the water canals.
"No, thanks," I declined the offer.
Watching the boat drift away, I reflected on the city's changes. Canals, once limited to main streets, now veined the entire city, some even running beneath it.
Many administrative buildings had expanded, no longer able to handle the growing population's needs.
On the next street, a pack of bear-dogs accosted me.
"Quiet, I'm undercover here," I pushed away Balto's slobbery muzzle.
"And you, don't copy him," I laughed, addressing the children of my affectionate friend.
Barely escaping their enthusiasm, I continued toward the Palace. Tonight, I was to award a highly gifted healer. This event would strengthen the Healing Huts' influence over the minds of our male population.
Near the Palace, I resumed my true appearance and entered, preparing for my speech.
"Dear, do you think it's wise to make such a spectacle of this?" Kanna asked, slightly worried. She knew tonight's honoree; she'd once taught healing to his group.
"I wouldn't do it without his permission," I replied, donning my official attire. "Hotar is a born healer. Despite all hardships, he pursued his goal. He's faced scorn and misunderstanding, but as he told me, 'It would only bring me joy to show that the Chief himself values my healing skills.'"
Hotar, the son of a waterbending master, lacked a warrior's temperament. His determination only surfaced when defending his interests. His father had predicted a great future for him, never imagining his son would choose a different path.
Everyone in the city had heard of the argument between Hotar and his father. The latter refused to accept his only son's decision, trying to dissuade him. But despite losing "friends" and his father's approval, Hotar persisted in healing, progressing so rapidly he nearly surpassed my own records!
"How do I look?" I asked Kanna, once dressed in fur robes and with the symbol of power painted on my forehead—oh, these customs.
"Like a true ruler of all peoples!" she beamed, smoothing my clothes and kissing my lips.
"Flatterer," I said, slightly embarrassed.
Lately, I've spoken before my people often, so the old nerves are gone, but some still appreciate outside support.
At the Palace exit, Hotar, the first male master healer, awaited. His handsome face had won the hearts of many female students.
"Nervous?" I asked, approaching.
"A bit," he admitted, fidgeting with his clothes.
"It's normal," I unexpectedly agreed. "I was nervous the first few times too, but once you forget the planned speech, words flow from the heart. Just speak what your soul feels," I patted his shoulder and stepped before the opening doors.
The crowd gathered in the square, those not occupied with important work.
"Dear brothers and sisters!" my strong voice boomed. "On this momentous day, we write our history…" I paused intentionally, letting the gravity of the moment sink in. "We're all proud of our waterbenders and warriors, who guard our peace, right?!"
"Yes!"
"Absolutely!" the crowd replied.
"But who heals their wounds? Who lets them continue their duty after illness?" Each word seemed to weigh heavily on the listeners, sending shivers down their spines. "Healers!" I shouted at full volume.
"They fight for our lives on another front, no less important! Today, I honor a man who, overcoming challenges, became one of our tribe's most skilled healers! Hotar, son of the esteemed waterbending master Khan!"
As the slightly nervous Hotar took the stage, part of the crowd erupted in applause and whistles.
"Oh, my love Hotar, always so handsome!" one girl nearly fainted from emotion.
"I remember how he helped me at the Healing Huts!" another boasted, drawing envious glances from her friends.
"Soon, I'll gather the courage to confess my feelings!"
For a moment, the girls' sweet voices drowned out all others. They saw in Hotar not just his good looks but his true strength—defying society to pursue "female" bending.
"Lucky guy, so many girls around him," one boy remarked enviously.
"I'm signing up for healing courses today!" another declared boldly.
"Me too!"
"And me!"
"Shame I'm a firebender," sighed a disheartened Jong Jong.
Young men, eager to understand the opposite sex, were willing to go to great lengths. Hotar had blazed a trail others would soon follow.
*"Everything's going according to plan,"* I thought, eavesdropping on conversations, a sly smirk tugging at my lips.
"Brother's got that creepy smile again," Yui whispered, glancing at Yuki's face.
"Yeah, he's definitely up to something," Katara agreed.
I pretended not to hear and quickly resumed my solemn expression—fitting for a Chief. Hotar's brief speech reinforced the effect, inspiring boys and men alike.
Just a week after Hotar's moment in the spotlight, the Healing Huts were overwhelmed with newcomers, leaving teachers in short supply.
*"Good thing it's not my headache,"* I thought, grateful for my delegates. *"Sorry, Grandma Yugoda—and cheers to whoever invented delegation!"* I took a sip of aromatic tea.
Before I could enjoy my peace, someone knocked insistently on my office door.
"Come in," I groaned, downing my tea. The knock's urgency hinted at bad news, and its force suggested I'd need to leave my desk.
"Chief!" one of my couriers burst in, panting. "They… they're fighting again!" he gasped, pointing behind him.
"Catch your breath," I said even more glumly. I'd learned to gauge the problem's severity by my couriers' exhaustion.
"They're waterbending again!" he managed once composed. To some, these words might seem unclear, but I knew exactly what he meant…
"Why didn't you say so sooner?!" I snapped, forgetting I'd told him to breathe.
Leaping out the window, I soared toward the arena. As I approached, I saw waterbenders fleeing.
"Those maniacs are waterbending again! Unbelievable!" a burly, bearded man grumbled. Deep down, he envied their abilities—those monsters in female bodies! Yes, they're spirits, not humans… He consoled himself as he ran from danger.
"Call the Chief!" another shouted, voice breaking.
*"I told them to fight outside the city,"* I thought. *Now they'll really pay.*
Diving left, I dodged a spear of ice. In the next second, I saw two teenage girls and one elderly woman battling fiercely, unrestrained.
Hama, upon arriving in the city, had struggled to adjust. Her life had taught her to see enemies everywhere, never letting her guard down. She initially kept people at a distance, interacting only with me and Kanna.
But time passed, and the ice melted. Emerging from her shell, our tribe gained one of the strongest waterbending masters. She quickly earned respect from other waterbenders, who valued the knowledge she brought.
She befriended our family, but despite Yui and Katara's affection, they couldn't let Hama remain the strongest female master. This often led to dangerous fights, endangering civilians.
Katara and Yui attacked Hama as one, seemingly reading each other's minds. Hama, like a rejuvenated youth, smiled in response. Their battles always ended in a draw—Hama's experience against the girls' numbers and youth.
"Stop!" I shouted, seizing control of the surrounding water.
Katara and Yui lowered their heads, avoiding my piercing gaze, while Hama glared at me.
"Weren't the last damages enough?!" I'm still getting complaints from citizens.
"Oh, come on, grandson," Hama donned her kind grandmother mask. "Remember when we caused chaos at the Southern Pole? Our fights with the girls were nothing compared to that," she said, reverting to her old ways.
"Yeah, yeah, in the Southern Tribe, the snow was whiter, and the people stronger. I've heard it all before," I rolled my eyes.
"Yui, Katara," I said their names like a sentence. "Your mothers are waiting," I smirked. I couldn't punish them properly, but their mothers could.
"Hama," I called as she began to leave. "Kanna wants to talk to you," I said with a grin. She respected her friend and avoided troubling her unnecessarily.
*"They picked the wrong opponent,"* I thought smugly, leaving the arena.