Chapter 25: The Southern Water Tribe - 97 AG

[a couple months later]

As winter approached, the world's temperature dropped, even in the region where Sozim currently resided, though it seldom saw snow. Despite the occasional chilly nights, he found himself in the midst of a sunny day, wandering near the Taku forest. Here, he pursued the collection of herbs for his studies.

At this moment, a yellow flower with oversized buds caught his attention. "Senna flower," he mumbled, prompting a lazy meow from his feline companion, Miyuki, who was grooming herself nearby. He continued, "The flowers and buds could be used for a healthier tea option." Carefully, he plucked them from the plant. "The leaves possess laxative properties," he remarked while adding them to his basket. Finally, he dug up the root below, extracting it. "The roots can be used for a fever decoction."

With all the necessary components gathered, Sozim rose to his feet, and Miyuki mirrored his actions. "Come on, Miyuki. Let's head back," he said to the cat, who leaped onto his shoulder, nuzzling his cheek with a gentle meow.

With calm steps, Sozim clutched the basket and began his return journey to the institute, with Miyuki perched on his shoulder.

---

After a lengthy trek back from the forest, atop the mountain, Sozim noticed that the herbalist appeared to have guests. Seeing Miyuki jump off his shoulder and gracefully approach the hut, Sozim followed suit.

Upon entering the hut, he found two women clad in white robes resembling nuns. They conversed politely with the herbalist, offering warm smiles to the elderly woman. However, upon spotting Sozim, the herbalist raised an eyebrow and inquired, "Young man, where have you been?"

"I was... picking herbs," Sozim replied.

"Greetings, young man," one of the women greeted him. "You must be the new apprentice."

"Apprentice is a bit of a stretch," Sozim muttered.

"Come now," the herbalist urged, turning to him. "Assist these gracious ladies with their requests."

"Sure," Sozim murmured, approaching the herbalist. She was in the process of selecting Aloe Vera and cactus juice, which raised an eyebrow from Sozim. "Did something happen, like a battle?"

"Do not pry," the herbalist chided, playfully smacking Sozim's shoulder, causing him to flinch and scoff.

"It's all right," one of the women chuckled. "There was a skirmish off the coast near our abbey. A water tribe fleet attacked the Fire Nation."

This caught Sozim's interest. "Water tribe?"

"Yes," the woman confirmed, narrowing her eyes slightly. "Hmm... are you from the water tribe as well? You bear a resemblance."

"One could say that," Sozim nodded. "Is it the Southern or Northern Tribe?"

"Southern. The Northern Water Tribe has become quite isolated," the woman explained. "Are you from there?"

Sozim remained silent, humming thoughtfully. He then turned away and continued assisting the herbalist in gathering herbs. Observing Sozim's demeanor, the herbalist sighed deeply, shaking her head.

Several minutes later, the herbs were neatly arranged in a basket. The herbalist handed it to the women, saying with a smile, "Here you go. I trust you will put these to good use?"

"Of course," the two women replied, bowing to the elderly woman. "Thank you, and we will visit again if we require more."

"Safe travels, dear ones," the old woman chuckled. "May you journey in safety."

The two women departed the hut, leaving Sozim, the herbalist, and Miyuki behind. Seeing that the task was completed, Sozim unpacked the basket and began hanging the herbs to dry, extending their shelf life.

"You should keep those herbs, young man," the herbalist suddenly suggested.

Sozim turned to her, raising an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"You wish to follow those sisters, don't you?" the elderly woman scoffed. "Go on, I have nothing more to teach you."

"What? You still have plenty left to teach me, I barely know anything." Sozim argued. "What are you saying?"

"Being an herbalist entails more than tending to plants day in and day out," the woman explained, shaking her head. "It's about exploring the world and making new disoveries. Go on, young man. I know you want to. It won't take much to figure out your Water Tribe origins. I suspect you're searching for a family member."

Sozim sighed. "I don't have a family. I just need to convey something to someone there."

"So essentially the same thing," the old woman quipped, rolling her eyes. "Just go, young man. You have greater purposes than staying here doing nothing."

Sozim raised an eyebrow. "I thought I was learning from you?"

"As I mentioned, I've told you the basics. The rest is for you to discover on your own," the herbalist replied.

"Very well," Sozim conceded, shaking his head. "I'll go. Besides, you're not going anywhere, right?"

The old woman chuckled. "I'm old. You may only find my grave when you return years later."

Sozim hummed, turning to the herbalist and offering a smile. "In that case, I'm grateful for your teachings. Thanks to you, I've become proficient in more than just violence."

The herbalist scoffed. "Save the sweet words and pack your belongings. Miyuki has slimmed down since your arrival."

With that, Sozim packed his belongings.

—

As Sozim departed from the institute, he found himself already at the mountain's base. At the head of the stairs, the herbalist observed the young boy's departure, her feline companion, Miyuki, reclining lazily on the grass nearby, grooming herself with a tranquil demeanor. A soft smile graced the herbalist's lips at the sight before she turned away, heading back to her hut.

"Come on, Miyuki, it's time for your dinner," she said, and with a final meow, the cat followed her, its tail swaying gently.

—

After roughly two days of journeying on foot, Sozim finally reached the abbey's location. From a distance, he spotted people in water tribe attire gathered around, some injured, others hale and hearty. Without hesitation, Sozim dropped his bag and retrieved a mask he had purchased a year prior – a plain, colorless mask.

Donning the mask, he approached the abbey, catching the attention of the nearby warriors who eyed him with suspicion. They narrowed their gaze and started to advance towards him.

"Young man, would you kindly remove your mask? It appears rather suspicious," one of them remarked candidly.

Sozim halted in his tracks and disregarded their request. "Is there a man named Bato here?" he inquired.

The warriors' brows furrowed further. "And who might you be, young man?"

Sozim then set down his bag, retrieving something from within – his water tribe clothing, the very attire he had worn when nearly drowning in the sea. The sight of the clothing startled the warriors, heightening their alertness.

"Could you bring him here?" Sozim stated flatly.

"Whose clothing is that?" the warrior inquired further.

"Just bring him here," Sozim replied simply.

The soldiers exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of how to proceed. Attack him? He was merely a boy. Bring Bato? The boy seemed highly suspicious. But one of them sighed and nodded, signaling to the farthest warrior to fetch Bato. They scurried off into the depths of the abbey to locate him.

A couple of minutes later, Bato arrived, and Sozim couldn't help but be taken aback by the man's condition. He could hardly walk, his torso swathed in bandages to cover burns, requiring assistance from several people to make the journey to Sozim's position.

Upon his arrival, Bato initially examined Sozim but was rendered speechless when his gaze fell upon the clothing in the boy's hands, his eyes widening in recognition.

"Where did you get that?" Bato finally managed to utter.

"I didn't realize how gravely injured you were. I apologize for instructing you to come here instead of going to you," Sozim sighed.

"It's all right... but... that clothing..." Bato furrowed his brow. "Is that..."

"I'm a messenger," Sozim stated matter-of-factly. "I'm here to inform you that your son, Kavir, is deceased and has been properly laid to rest." Sozim then offered the clothing to the man, leaving even the other warriors in shock.

"Y-You mean... he... he survived and found someone? I—I thought..." Bato began to breathe heavily, distancing himself from the two individuals supporting him, dropping to the ground and seizing the clothing.

The warriors attempted to help him stand, but he motioned for them to cease. "I-It truly is... his..."

Suddenly, another man entered the scene, curious about the commotion. Upon seeing Bato, he appeared perplexed, but his confusion waned when he observed the clothing. While still uncertain about the circumstances, he approached Bato cautiously.

"Bato? What's happening?" he inquired.

"H-Hakoda..." Bato mumbled, caught in a state of panic. "I... I should've... I should've searched for him a-and—"

Bato then slumped to the ground, unable to articulate any further. Sozim stood there calmly as the grown man sobbed in the dirt, finding it increasingly difficult to witness.

"My task here is complete," Sozim said, but Bato's eyes widened. "I'm sorry for your loss."

At that moment, Sozim turned to leave, slowly walking away from the water tribe assembly. However, Bato suddenly spoke to him again.

"Wait," the man implored. "C-Can you please remove your mask?"

Sozim did not stop.

"I know it's been years since I last heard my son's voice," Bato continued, "but I still remember it. And your voice... though deeper... it sounds just like his."

And with that, Sozim came to a halt.

"So please," Bato murmured, "please..."

Closing his eyes, Sozim sighed. When he turned to face the crowd again, he noticed all the water tribe members gazing at him.

With a deep breath, Sozim slowly untied his mask and unveiled his face for all to see.

Sozim was about to deny being Kavir, but it was too late. Bato had embraced him tightly, and he could feel the man's moist cheek pressing against his own.

"My son..." Bato whispered. "You're back... I—I'm sorry..."

Sozim did not reciprocate the hug. Instead of a smile, a sense of guilt gradually crept over his expression.