Chapter 17: Reflection - 96 AG

The sun had recently ascended into the sky as Sozim and Iroh perched atop a rugged stone formation. The moment they had been waiting for had arrived—it was the summer solstice, the longest day of the season, the optimal time for embarking on a journey into the spirit world.

Sozim positioned himself before the elderly man, adopting the lotus position with his legs and resting his arms on his thighs. He took a deep breath, exhaling a misty plume of air from his nostrils.

"Breathe in, breathe out," instructed Iroh. "Remember, release your earthly attachments, allow your spirit to detach from your body and venture to the other side."

"Will I encounter you there?" Sozim inquired.

Iroh responded with a serene smile. "Our objectives differ, young Sozim. It's highly improbable. I cannot be your guide; you must guide yourself."

"Understood," the boy murmured. "Then, I'll see you later."

As the sun steadily continued its ascent, drawing the solstice nearer, Sozim and Iroh assumed their positions. They closed their eyes, focusing intently on their purpose.

Sozim cleared his mind, eased his muscles, and heightened his awareness. Only the gentle rustle of the wind and its caress against his skin remained perceptible, ushering him into a deeper state of tranquility.

With his thoughts unburdened, he fixated on a singular goal: discovering his true essence, uncovering the solution to his predicament.

Minutes slipped away as he remained in meditation, attuned to the wind's whisper and the sun's scorching rays against his skin. Unbeknownst to him, his spirit gradually disconnected from his physical form, traversing the ethereal bridge between the two realms, venturing toward the spirit world.

—

When Sozim awoke, his surroundings had transformed entirely. Gone was the sight of the old man who had been before him, replaced by the confines of a cave bathed in a soft, eerie glow emitted by crystals that adorned every corner. Perched upon a rock in the center of a small underground lake, he took in the sight of vines swaying overhead, with peculiar, unidentifiable creatures hanging from them.

He cast his gaze downwards, only to find himself transparent, radiating a cool, azure light. However, there was something more than his luminous form that caught his attention. He had grown, his stature now towering over what he had once been.

A furrowed brow accompanied his swift ascent from the rock. Without much contemplation, he approached the water's edge, catching sight of his reflection. It was a face he had not expected, the countenance of a tired young man he had long forgotten since his arrival in this world. This face bore the permanent marks of fatigue and oppression, yearning for a respite that had long eluded it. It was his former face.

"What the..." Sozim muttered, his fingers gently grazing his own cheek. "Thankfully I didn't come in with Iroh... who am I kidding? He probably already suspects it anyway."

He averted his gaze from his reflection, taking in the surroundings once more. Across the small lake, a path beckoned him forward, leading to destinations unknown. Finding no other option for progress, he leaped into the water, swimming across to reach the path on the other side. Emerging on solid ground, he couldn't help but ponder the strange sensation: the water had not left him damp, and there were no signs of aquatic life within the lake. Dismissing these thoughts, Sozim pressed on, traversing a corridor of the cave adorned with glowing crystals sprouting from the ceiling and walls.

He continued walking, the corridor seemingly endless. Hours passed, and still, no end was in sight. However, after what felt like an hour's journey, something finally caught his eye. A creature poked its head through a crack in the wall, struggling to reach something within. His curiosity piqued, and with no other leads to follow, Sozim cleared his throat loudly to get the creature's attention.

Startled by his gesture, the creature leaped from the crack, resembling a bunny adorned with a flower atop its head and wings, and it was as tall as Sozim's current form. Turning toward Sozim, it adopted a pouty expression and addressed him. "It's rude to do that, you know!"

"Sorry," Sozim murmured, averting his gaze. "What are you doing?"

"I was trying to get that mushroom inside that crack," it replied, pointing toward the crevice. Sozim peered inside and indeed saw a green mushroom.

"For food?" Sozim inquired.

"No, silly, for something else," the creature explained. Its gaze shifted to Sozim's hand. "Your arm is small enough. Could you get it for me?"

Sozim shrugged. "Sure, but you need to help me afterward."

"Help with what?" the creature tilted its head.

"Well, it seems I'm stuck here. Can't find an exit," Sozim replied.

"You can enter this place but can't exit?" the creature raised its brow. "Wait... you look like a human, but you smell like a spirit... hmm... your smell seems familiar... okay then, I'll help you."

"Alright then," Sozim nodded. Using his hand, he retrieved the mushroom from the crack, and with a quick tug, it came loose, glowing as it made contact with his hand. "Here."

"Whoa, it glows. You're definitely weird," the creature murmured.

"What's wrong with glowing?" Sozim asked.

"It means that you're either a spirit or have been touched by one," the creature shrugged, holding the glowing mushroom. "Anyway, so are you the former or the latter? Seems like the latter... you don't know a thing about this place, do you?"

Sozim shook his head. "Nope."

"Well, then follow me," it said, pointing in the opposite direction of where Sozim had come, using the mushroom as a guide. The rabbit-like creature proceeded forward, with Sozim closely trailing behind.

Guided by the rabbit's lead, the cave transformed, taking unexpected twists and turns. Eventually, after what felt like minutes, they reached an entrance. Before them, a thick fog obscured the way, appearing rather foreboding.

"Alright, don't venture into that fog, or you'll be trapped," the rabbit cautioned. "It's the fog of lost souls, mostly humans inside."

"So how do we get out of here?" Sozim inquired.

"Bribing other spirits, what else?" the rabbit shrugged. It then knocked on the cave wall beside them, and almost instantly, a badger-like spirit appeared, peering at both of them.

"Give us an entry, please," the rabbit requested, waving the mushroom before the badger-like spirit.

The spirit grumbled but took the mushroom from the rabbit, creating an opening for Sozim and the rabbit to pass through. Following the badger-like spirit, Sozim continued on, engaging the rabbit in conversation.

"So, why are you here, human? Did you just free yourself from the fog?" the rabbit inquired.

"I don't think so," Sozim muttered. "I woke up in the middle of a lake in this cave after leaving the physical world to come here. I'm here to... find a solution to my problem."

"Problem?" the rabbit probed.

"You mentioned that I'm touched by a spirit before. That's probably the problem."

"Oh yeah, I said that." The rabbit seemed to sniff Sozim, then frowned. "Hmm... now I remember, you smell like blood. You smell like him."

"Him?" Sozim questioned.

"Chio," the rabbit simply answered. "A spirit who used to live nearby. He seemed to grow stronger by the day, and then... poof. Just gone."

"Gone?"

"Yep. His place is now inhabited by a human child who's become a spirit," the rabbit nodded. "Nice child, though perpetually gloomy."

"Could you... take me there?"

"Hmm... I don't have much time right now... but... alright, you helped me get the mushroom. My destination isn't far from his place," the rabbit sighed, then turned to the badger-like spirit. "Hey! Can you take us to the child's place? You know, Chio's former place?"

The spirit grumbled in annoyance but followed the rabbit's instructions. Taking an abrupt turn, it began digging upward.

"That mushroom must be quite valuable to obey your commands so readily," Sozim commented.

"Oh yeah, spirits find that mushroom delectable. It will be under my command for a whole day," the rabbit nodded. "I'm not sure how humans find its taste, though."

After approximately a minute of walking, they reached a specific point. An entrance to the surface opened up, revealing the light of the spirit world's sky.

"Here we are," said the rabbit, stepping into the light and pointing to a cliff that resembled a single claw emerging from the ground. "He should be there. Just peek around the corner to spot his camp."

"Alright," Sozim nodded. "Thanks. I would probably have been trapped in that cave if not for you."

"No problem," the rabbit saluted Sozim. "Well, if you find the time, visit me in Xai Bau's grove. I might need your small arms to gather more mushrooms."

"I would doubt that," Sozim murmured. "But if the opportunity arises, I'll definitely pay you a visit."

The rabbit waved its hand once more, then turned and re-entered the hole, with the badger-like spirit promptly sealing it, following the rabbit's command. Finally, Sozim turned toward the claw-like cliff and began his approach.