Chapter 13

-[Aroh]-

He lay in one of the huts, in thought and staring at his screen.

Name: Aroh

Title: Child Soldier

Level:48

Chi:2250/2250

Str:50

Dex:80

Vit:63

Chi:45

Points:39

[Time remaining till chi path recovery]

[Days:5, Hours:1, Minutes:12]

It had been a few days since they started their 'vacation'. He'd spent a good deal of the last few days meditating, hunting animals for meat and spending time with Katara.

Katara on the other hand had taken to his habit of meditating. With the initial adrenaline of their escape and searching for Aang and Sokka having died down, she could actually focus on getting better at waterbending.

She'd practiced the forms on the scroll till she got them down perfectly and then some. Even her healing wasn't left behind with the daily healing sessions she had with him.

Had it not been for that, he didn't know how he was going to stay sane after having his Chi unusable for so long. In the 10 years since he woke up here, it had been the one thing he'd had access to at any moment. Having it cut off was uncomfortable to say the least.

Speaking of the waterbender, he looked down to the nude form of the dark skinned girl laying on his chest, twin orbs pushing against his skin. His eyes wandered down to where their lower halves were still connected.

'Looks like Tenzin isn't going to be born.' He thought idly as he laid his head back.

-[Aang]-

"What do you mean she's not with the fire Nation?!" Aang asked, his frustration showing as he stared at the white haired elderly man in fire nation clothing.

"I mean that despite all odds, she is out of reach of the fire nation." Roku answered patiently, looking at his current incarnation.

"So you're telling me that I've been searching for Zhao for nothing?! That I've wasted time I could've spent looking for Katara?! Why didn't you tell me sooner?!" The boy ranted angrily yet the older spirit didn't take offense.

"Aang, I may be a spirit but I'm not all knowing." He lightly chided, causing the boy to frown and look away.

"How do you know she isn't with the fire nation? How did she escape?" The boy finally asked after a moment of silence.

"Word travels fast in the spirit world. A few spirits find ways to traverse the borders every once in a while. That is also what I want to speak to you about." Roku said, his voice taking a more solemn tone.

"What do you mean?"

"The spirit world and the physical world aren't meant to be crossed so trivially, especially not by spirits. The barrier between the two worlds has been weakened. While it isn't weak enough to collapse, it is enough that it allowed a few spirits to slither through the cracks." Roku said with a grave tone, surprising Aang at the new information but the spirit wasn't done.

"War brings pain, anguish and suffering. Pain and suffering bring revenge and hatred. There is energy all around us and all of those emotions and feelings only feed the ever growing negative energy. That amalgamation of negative energy is what has weakened the barrier and allowed spirits to roam free in the material world." For a moment Roku's eyes held deep regret.

"If I had stopped Sozin when I had the chance, this would not be happening. The fire nation is no longer the only threat, Aang. I'm sorry that you have to make up for my mistakes." Roku said with regret.

"Wait wait! Hold on! I don't understand!" Aang quickly protested. This was all happening too fast for him to process. "Just because they left the spirit world doesn't mean they're evil spirits! The avatar is supposed to be the bridge between the two worlds, so I can talk to them. Besides, I still have to find Katara."

Roku held back a sigh. Though he was the avatar, he couldn't help but lament the somewhat limited views brought about from being raised as an Air Nomad. He had made many mistakes in his life, he didn't want Aang to do so as well but the boy didn't seem to understand what was at stake.

"She has found aid from someone unlikely. When you find her, do not be hasty in judgement." Roku said vaguely, confusing Aang.

"You know where she is? I thought you said you weren't all knowing." Aang asked, slightly disappointing Roku with his one track mind.

"I am not but there are a few who are more knowledgeable than myself about the affairs of the physical world." The elderly spirit answered.

"So where is she?"

"Be warned Aang, that energy will find a host, for better or worse." The aged avatar warned but it seemed to just fly over the boy's head as he looked at him expectantly.

-[Aroh]-

Standing in a small clearing in the forest, he stared at the notification in front of him with barely containing excitement which was evident by the smirk on his face.

[Time remaining till chi path recovery]

[Days:0, Hours:0, Minutes:1]

With how it didn't display the countdown in seconds, each second that passed was nerve wracking.

At Aroh's suggestion, Katara stood a few meters back. He didn't know how this was going to turn out so it was better to be safe than sorry.

After what felt like forever, the notification disappeared as another one took its place.

[*Ding!*]

[Chi path recovery complete!]

[Ambient Spiritual Energy Detected!]

[Assimilate?]

[Yes | No]

He narrowed his eyes in confusion as he read the second part of the notification. "Katara, move back a little bit more." He called out to the girl who worriedly did just that.

Mentally clicking on 'Yes', he suddenly felt an influx of energy rush into his body. Wind began to pick up around him in a swirling mass of grey color as it blew against the surroundings.

'What the hell?!' He thought as he felt the energy violently flowing into him and mixing with his own internal energy.

After about a full minute, the wind died down and Aroh stood unmoving in the clearing.

"Aroh! Are you okay?!" Katara said, rushing out from behind the tree she went behind for cover. Her question flew over his head as his mind was focused on something else.

[*Ding!*]

[Assimilation Complete!]

[*Ding!*]

[You have gained Fire Generation!]

[*Ding!*]

[You have gained Negative Emotion Sensing!]

[*Ding!*]

[Status Updated!]

Name: Aroh

Title: Child Soldier

Level:48

Chi:4500/4500

Str:50

Dex:80

Vit:69

Chi:90

Points:39

[*Ding!*]

[Title Gained!]

[The False Yin]

[1st Effect: Limited connection to Cosmic Energy.]

[2nd Effect: Increases Energy related skill efficiency by 70%]

[Effects applicable when not equipped.]

Aroh stared in unconcealed shock at the incoming notifications. He barely even registered Katara's hold on him.

'Did I just absorb a part of Vaatu?'