Chapter 33: Lies and Illusions - 98 AG

Once again, Sozim found himself seated near the colossal statue of Avatar Yangchen, only this time, the statue loomed even larger. It was early morning, the sun's gentle rays casting a serene glow over the abandoned temple. The eerie ambiance that once clung to this place had dissipated.

Facing Guru Pathik in a meditative posture, both of them embraced the quietude. The old man had closed his eyes, signaling Sozim to do the same.

"The fifth Chakra is the sound Chakra, residing in the throat," Guru Pathik elucidated. "It concerns itself with truth, blocked by lies. Young man, through your journey, you've undoubtedly undertaken many actions to reach this point. But amid it all, which act compelled you to deceive your own mind? Ask yourself, what lies have you imposed upon yourself?"

Sozim drew a deep breath, his breath visible in the early morning chill. He cleared his thoughts, pondering the question: 'What lie have I told myself?'

In an instant, a vision materialized within his mind, and he found himself in a world bathed in blue hues. A desolate realm, drenched in emptiness, dark and lifeless. In the heart of this desolation, he noticed someone chained to the floor. To his astonishment, it was none other than his former self.

Not his current body, but the person he used to be.

Upon this revelation, Sozim frowned and clenched his fists. His previous self appeared inert, devoid of life, making no effort to break free. Then, someone approached the old version of himself. It was Kavir's form. With a faint smile, Kavir extended a key that perfectly matched the chain's lock.

However, the old Sozim shook his head and gazed downward, lifelessness still haunting his eyes. Sozim attempted to seize the key, but his hand passed through it like a specter.

"Tell me, young man," Guru Pathik's voice reverberated within the void. "Out of all the lies you've told on this brief journey, which has had the most profound impact on you?"

Sozim lowered his gaze to the ground. "I convinced myself that this body isn't truly mine. To act as I desire, I must first resolve the grudge of its former owner. I believed this life isn't mine to begin with."

"Why do you think that?" Guru Pathik inquired.

"I took a child's body," Sozim admitted, clenching his fists.

"Did you take the body, or did the spirit?" the old man probed.

"...The spirit," Sozim murmured.

"In that case, why deceive yourself? When you inhabit that body, it becomes your life," Guru Pathik asserted. "That is the cycle of reincarnation. Whatever transpired in that cycle is no mistake. Your destiny is bound to that body, whether or not it had a previous owner."

Sozim heaved a sigh, a faint smile gracing his face. "You're right. But that doesn't mean I'll surrender this body to that spirit. I, too, wish to live and fulfill what I couldn't in my past life."

A chuckle resonated through the void. "Good."

Sozim's vision returned to the real world, where Guru Pathik sat before him. This time, Sozim felt a sense of calmness, his perspiration lessened. A thought lingered in his mind.

"I don't sense the spirit troubling me," Sozim noted.

"Either it conserves its strength or concedes defeat," the old man mused, scratching his chin. "Probably the former."

Sozim clicked his tongue. "What do you mean, conserving strength?"

"He won't willingly depart your body, you know," Guru Pathik explained. "Come, let's relocate."

Sozim nodded and rose to his feet, following Guru Pathik.

—

It was early in the morning too for Ty Lee on the other side of the world. They were now camping on a beach that is facing the Mo Ce sea. Right now, Ty Lee was sparing against Azula, using her agile chi-blocker movement, atop the sand. They have been fighting for hours now that the sands below them were a mess, with traces of footsteps and movement scattered everywhere. Meanwhile, Mai was just sitting in the corner, watching the waves being pushed and pulled towards the sea.

Ty Lee and Azula were sweating heavily, the former more than the latter, and Ty Lee had a frown on her face, as right now, Azula had seemingly adapted to her movement, dodging her jabs and strikes easily as a snake slithering across the grass.

With a back flip away from the princess, Ty Lee breathed heavily as she fell down towards the sand. "Can I have a break? I'm tired already~"

Azula raised her brow, and her posture relaxed. "Fine, I've grown quite used to it anyway. Mai, come here, it's your turn to face me, I'll teach you the movement I've learned to avoid Ty Lee's techniques."

Mai just sighed, standing up reluctantly. "Great…"

Meanwhile, Ty Lee was full of smiles as she moved away from Azula, getting herself a seat in the corner of their encampment. There, she stretched her body to relax her muscles after hours of fighting, before sitting just on top of the sands.

As Mai practiced with Azula, Ty Lee could only watch them do so. Her usual giddy expression has now vanished, and her face is filled with anxiety. She remembered what the fortune teller had told her the day before, about her future and her path right now. The fortune teller told her that if she tread this path continuously and without stopping, she will know that her friend is not truly her friend, rather a figure to be feared. If she continues, she will never feel fulfilled, she will never be herself. Her destiny's crossroads will be when they meet their target, and by time, she has to question herself, will she want her figure to be feared be just that? Or will she want to see her as her equal and friend?

The girl sighed at the thought, and hugged her knees, placing her chin on top of it. "Will he be cute, at least?" she murmured, and her gaze turned to the other two girls who were fighting, and that thought appeared again. "Friend, huh?"

—

As the sun rose in the east, Sozim and Guru Pathik once more assumed their meditative positions, facing the horizon. They were ready to unblock another chakra.

"The next chakra is the light chakra," the old man explained. "Located in the forehead, it deals with insight and is hindered by illusions. Do you know what the greatest illusion in the world is, young man?"

Sozim, deep in thought, replied, "I'm not sure. Is it..."

The old man chuckled. "The greatest illusion in the world is that of separation. The truth is, everything is interconnected. From the smallest creatures to the Avatar, there is no true separation. Even your existence, young Sozim, is undoubtedly linked to something, whether it be your connection with the spirit or the previous owner of your body. That is a discovery you must make."

"Separation," Sozim murmured thoughtfully. "So, everyone is connected?"

"Not everyone, but everything," the old man corrected. "Even the divisions between nations are illusory. We are one people, and the elements, too, are part of the same whole. Blood contains water, fire requires air, and even metal contains earth."

Sozim nodded. "I understand."

"Now, meditate on this interconnectedness," the old man advised. "And you shall unlock the Light Chakra."

With deep breaths, Sozim closed his eyes, contemplating the concept of the world's greatest illusion. Amid these thoughts, another question arose: What was his role in the grand scheme of things? Was this journey his sole purpose, or was there something more?

As the question lingered, his body lightened, and he sensed the unlocking of the sixth chakra. Guru Pathik had told him that the answer lay within his own exploration.

"Wonderful," Guru Pathik smiled. "

You've unlocked the sixth chakra, young man. Are you prepared for the final one?"

Sozim nodded. "I'm ready."