Chapter 2: It’s a not-so-beautiful World - 93 AG

As the newly-named Sozim stepped out of a clothing store, flanked by two elderly women, their hands laden with bags and adorned in fresh attire, he found himself contemplating the gravity of his situation. His initial survey of the area, from the moment he'd entered the store, had revealed a world reminiscent of a cherished childhood franchise, the Last Airbender. Yet, to his astonishment, the characters, the story, and the world he had adored in his youth had transcended the realm of fiction and materialized into his reality.

In this resort town, he couldn't help but notice Fire Nation citizens dressed in red attire, the Fire Nation flag fluttering overhead. Though he had yet to witness bending in action, he was certain that this world aligned with the one he remembered. While some of his initial questions were answered, new ones sprouted in his mind. The identity of the sender who had brought him here paled in comparison to more pressing concerns, which essentially boiled down to a single, overarching inquiry: Was he a Bender?

Living in an era marked by persistent warfare, as evidenced by the architectural and technological cues around him, being a non-bender seemed like a grim prospect. Sozim harbored no ambitions of becoming a frontline "war hero" but acknowledged the world's emphasis on strength, with the Fire Nation holding dominion over neighboring nations.

Yet, amidst his internal turmoil, he found solace in Ember Island. This tranquil resort offered respite from the turmoil, politics, and strife that characterized the larger world, especially the affairs of the Avatar.

As the group continued their stroll through the town, passing by the beach, Sozim finally glimpsed bending in action. A pair of teenage boys were practicing firebending, displaying their mastery before a group of onlookers, including some girls who seemed suitably impressed. Sozim, unbeknownst to himself, regarded these benders with a twinge of envy. Deep within, he yearned not to be a non-bender; he longed to conjure fire, control water, manipulate the wind, or even command the earth itself. Lost in thought, he inadvertently paused, a reaction noted by the observant twin sisters.

Lo and Li exchanged knowing glances but offered no immediate response. "Come on, child. We don't have all day," urged Lo, gently prodding Sozim to continue their journey toward their dwelling.

—

Seated on a cushioned mat on the floor, Sozim joined the two elderly women for a meal. As someone unfamiliar with Asian customs, he grappled with the use of chopsticks, the sole utensils available in this Asian-inspired world. His struggles did not escape the sisters' notice.

Li frowned, questioning, "What's wrong with you, child? Can't even use chopsticks?"

"Has your memory deteriorated that much?" added Lo. "You've even forgotten how to use chopsticks?"

Sozim confessed, "I guess... Will you teach me how to use them? Or maybe provide me with a wooden spoon?"

Lo scoffed at the idea and set aside her own chopsticks, reaching over to guide Sozim's fingers into the correct grip. "Hold it like this, place your first stick on your ring finger, and secure it between your thumb—"

Lo continued her instructions, molding Sozim's grip until it resembled something proper. "Good," she declared. "Now try to pick up your food."

Sozim complied, managing to lift food to his mouth with the newly acquired skill. "Thanks," he mumbled.

"You must remember that, Sozim," Li remarked calmly, continuing to enjoy her meal. "You are now in the Fire Nation. Even if you have memories of your time in the Water Tribe, they are irrelevant. Here, you are a Fire Nation citizen, and you must immerse yourself in our culture."

"But... I truly don't recall my time in the Water Tribe," Sozim confessed.

"In that case, it will be easier for you to adapt to our ways," Lo chimed in. "You will watch and learn from us."

"Alright," Sozim sighed.

"After this, you'll clean the dishes and sweep the floors," Li instructed. "Or do you also need guidance on those tasks?"

Sozim hesitated briefly. "Yes... Wait, how should I address both of you? And how can I tell you apart?"

"Call us Auntie Li and Auntie Lo," suggested Lo. "As for distinguishing us, that's for you to discover."

"Okay... Auntie Li, Auntie Lo," Sozim murmured, and they continued their meal in peace.

—

In the middle of the night, after completing all his chores, Sozim found himself sitting on the front porch of the shack, perched on its edge. His gaze fixed upon the night sky, which boasted a brilliant full moon illuminating the darkness.

"Wait..." Sozim whispered to himself. "The full moon?"

In the world of the Avatar, the full moon was a time when waterbenders reached their peak strength. Even the clumsiest among them became formidable, and the most skilled could effortlessly bloodbend with just a thought.

But in this moment, the expected surge of power that waterbenders typically experienced under the full moon was absent. Sozim's dream of being a waterbender quickly crumbled. He wasn't sure whether to feel disappointed or not. After all, he possessed water tribe clothing from his time here, hinting that he might indeed be a waterbender.

Still, Sozim abruptly jumped off the porch, landing on the sand below. He headed toward the dock, his face shimmering in the moonlight. Standing at the dock's edge, he took a deep breath.

Initially, he had no idea how to bend an element. He vaguely remembered that bending was closely tied to a bender's state of mind and their spiritual connection to their element. Nevertheless, he decided to make an attempt, recalling some movements he had seen in the show.

With closed eyes, he slowly moved his arms, mimicking the motion of water. He peered through half-shut eyelids, but nothing happened. He tried again, this time with more intensity, yet still, nothing. He attempted several more times, resembling a person gone mad, yet there was no result to show for it.

Growing frustrated, he sighed and stood upright on the dock, gazing at the full moon.

"So you lied to us," Sozim heard a voice behind him suddenly say, causing him to turn. He spotted the twin sisters, standing side by side on the dock. "Be cautious, child. While Ember Island offers a fresh start to all, it also reveals one's true self."

"Lied? Fresh start? True self?" Sozim echoed. "What are you talking about?"

"What you've demonstrated is the essence of waterbending," Lo explained. "The idea of 'letting it flow.' Some firebenders have even learned from this philosophy to study the nature of generating lightning. Though your technique is far from that of even a novice bender, your intent is correct. A boy who doesn't remember his past couldn't possibly grasp the core of waterbending."

"I... might remember some things. But they're scattered," Sozim lied calmly, standing as the waves brushed the shore.

"Tell us," Li urged. "Are you a bender, child?"

"I don't know," Sozim replied. "But as you can see, I can't waterbend."

"You're doing it incorrectly," Lo asserted. "While we're not waterbenders, and we're certainly not firebenders, we are instructors to the Fire Lord's granddaughter, a prodigious genius. Therefore, our knowledge must be on par with her talent, even if we can't produce a single spark. What you're doing isn't bending; there's no spirituality to it, no connection with the element."

"Spirituality? Connection?" Sozim raised an eyebrow.

"Try again with the same movements," Li suggested. "But this time, feel the water around you. Let it flow through your mind."

Sozim nodded and closed his eyes once more. His legs spread apart, and his arms moved as if they were waves. It was a sloppy attempt, bearing little resemblance to any real technique; he could only recall fragments of what he had seen in the show. 

He attempted to 'connect' with the water surrounding him. Though he wasn't entirely sure what that meant, he focused on the water's shape, its fluidity, the sound of waves crashing on the beach, the warmth of the water, and the clear blue hue of the ocean.

He could feel something. He was inching closer to the water, but just as he thought he was getting it, something pulled him away, and the water seemed to retreat, eluding his grasp.

Frustrated and confused, Sozim opened his eyes. He had come close, but something had blocked his progress.

Sozim dropped his stance and examined his palm. "I— I could feel it, but... it rejected me."

"You are not a bender," Lo declared with a sigh. "You can convince yourself otherwise, but you're still not a bender."

"It will pass," Li added. "The feelings of jealousy, envy, and frustration will fade."

"No, no, no," Sozim shook his head. "I can... I can feel that—"

"Stop, child," Lo interrupted, sighing. "Stop. You'll only torment yourself."

"I know I'm a bender," Sozim insisted, "You guys teach martial arts for bending, right? Teach me that."

"You'll only waste your time." Lo shook her head. "Again child, forget it. Accept reality."

Sozim was about to retort again, but then he decided to change his approach. "Alright... but— teach me, teach me martial arts. Every bit of it, all that you know. I don't care if it's for bending only, just teach me all of it, I just want to know."

"We're quite occupied," Li replied. "We are tutors to Princess Azula, the Fire Lord's granddaughter. We can't provide extensive instruction."

"Then teach me in whatever way you can," Sozim pleaded. "I don't need the money you'd pay me. Just teach me."

Li turned to Lo, and they exchanged a knowing look.

"Well, at least we won't have to pay you anymore," Li said, patting Sozim's shoulder. "We'll be returning to the capital in two days. During that time, we'll impart as much knowledge as we can. But if we hear even the slightest complaint, we'll stop teaching you."

Sozim clenched his fist, a smile creeping across his face. "Thank you, Aunties."