21 Chapter 21

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Iroh's tea was as delicious... no, more delicious than I had expected, a truly magnificent work of art, making any other tea I had ever tasted, garbage. It was impressive how god a cup of tea could be.

"Do you like it?" Iroh inquired with a soft smile, and I couldn't help but wonder, why was he trusting me.

"I do," I nodded, holding the cup up to him, asking for a refill, "If safe to assume your nephew is trying to capture the avatar right now as we speak right?" I chuckled, "So much anger, he needs more help than I do," I pointed to the fact he was here trying to help me instead of helping of nephew.

"Yes," Iroh chuckled with a tone of sadness, "He is on a path of self-discovery, after all, anger is a sign something needs to change, but only him can change that something, all I can do is… guide him, through his trials,"

"And what about me?" I inquired, as I took a sip of my delicious tea.

"Everyone has a monster deep within, there is a poem that explains that in detail, and it goes like this," Iroh smiled, "The monsters were never under my bed. That was a nothing but myth. Because the monster was inside my head. I fear no monsters, for no monsters I see. Because all this time the monster has always been me,"

That was deep, "I… that is deep, but it has so many meanings,"

"It means, we make our own monsters, then fear them for what they show us about ourselves," Iroh explained, as he filled my cup of tea, "We can't escape our minds, but we can control what we are,"

"Some are not worth forgiving," I sighed.

"No, but sometimes we must forgive the unforgivable," Iroh smiled.

"Like you did… with the people of Ba Sing Se," I said. Knowing all too well, how his son Lu Ten had died.

"I did," Iroh smield, his face full of pain.

"I'm sorry," I said softly.

"The most painful goodbyes are the ones that are left unsaid and never explained," Iroh said as a tear fell down his cheek, "At the beginning I wanted nothing more than to destroy the city… but. I decided it was best to let go of my hate,"

"Thanks for the tea," I nodded as I stood up, "I will take your words to heart, but don't expect much of me,"

"It was a pleasure to have some nice tea with you," Iroh smield, back to his cheerful self.

"It was," I nodded.

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[Aang POV]

The northern water tribe was under siege, and their numbers were overwhelming, I knew deep down they were no way the tribe would survive. Or at least that's what I thought until Akira appeared in the battlefield.

I finally understood why they called him a demon… his disregard for life was painful, he was killing every enemy on his way, and he was showing no remorse.

"I-it's not right," I stated, "All life is precious… he has no right to take it,"

"Aang, this is war…" Sokka sighed, "I know you don't want to… but a war can't be won without bloodshed, it's a sad reality… but is the one we live in,"

"He has the power to stop them without violence," I countered, "He simply chose to kill them…"

"I did," That voice, Akira.

"Why?" I inquired, as I turned to face him.

"Aang, you are but a child that unfortunately has a big role in this wicked game," Akira chuckled bitterly, "But I understand," he smiled, slowly floating towards me… how? Was he an Airbender?... "Normally it is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are and should be punished unless, of course, I kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets,"

"War is not an excuse to-" In the split of an eye Akira had punched me in the guts, taking all the air out of my lungs.

"You don't like the way the world works?" Akira smiled, kneeling to my level, "Then change it, you have the power to do so… but as long as you are this weak… your voice will be drown in the million cries of pain of the people that you failed to save," he winked at me, "Next time… show me how strong your resolve is, Aang,"

"Can anyone unfreeze me!" Sokka shouted.

Next time….

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[Yue POV]

The siege started… and it ended in less than a day… and I knew it was all thanks to Akira.

"Hey,"

I turned around to see Akira, smiling at me, "Is everything over?" I asked.

"It is," Akira nodded, jumping into my bed like a kid, "It's time,"

Time… time to go isn't it, "Do you have to?"

"I need to see the world, I need to find my path," Akira answered, stretching his hands as if trying to catch something.

"I will miss you," I cried hugging him tightly, "Promise to visit,"

"I will, if you promise to kick Hahn's ass," Akira chuckled.

"Do you need anything? Before leaving?" I asked, ready to help him.

"No," Akira shook his head, kissing my forehead, "Take care while I'm gone,"

"I will,"

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[Akira POV]

I had said my goodbyes to everyone I cared, Sakura, Yue and here I was standing with Crowley on my shoulder, in front of the spirit oasis inside the royal castle.

"A few years ago, you two called me…" I said, as I stared at the duo, forever dancing on the water, "You two helped me… molded my very core to what I am today, and for that I will be forever thankful,"

*CAW* Crowley added.

"I will find a way to enter the world you two abandoned, and I will learn from the spirits, and one day I will come back… and see you two dance once again," I bowed, "Thank you masters, for all the knowledge you shared with me,"

*Caw!*

"Yes, let's go… Crowley," I chuckled at my impacient partner.