Return to Jang Hui

Pov: Kai

The journey back to the village was no different from the others, just the effort of spending days and days on a boat. 

- By the spirits, my back is killing me. - Huzo stretched his body in pain. 

- I told you to take a vacation and not train the youngsters at the academy. - I said angrily.

In recent months, Huzo has decided to become a teacher at the Royal Academy and teach firebending to inexperienced students. As a result, his physical and mental stamina seems to be completely exhausted.

- I was just doing a favor for a friend. - Huzo blurted out.

- *sigh* What should I do with you? 

- You can use the healing trick on me. - Huzo said hopefully.

- Let me get this straight, you want me to suffer your pains? - I asked indignantly. 

Huzo looked at me pleadingly, as if the trick would work. I decided to ignore Huzo's drama, as I just wanted to get to the village as quickly as possible.

Kai and Huzo walked up the river and noticed that the pollution had completely dissipated, the air was more breathable and the plants were growing slowly. 

- I have to admit, it's much better here. - Huzo undid his act, observing the drastic change in the environment. 

- I'm happy with the changes, but we still have work to do.

Going upriver, we caught a glimpse of the old factory, now destroyed thanks to my soldiers who had the pleasure of destroying it out of pure resentment.

Crossing the river, we finally arrived at the humble port and, in less than 10 seconds, we were recognized by the villagers, especially by me, who was surrounded by excited people.

To my delight, the people looked healthier, the children and the elderly were full of life. Observing as much as I could, I couldn't help but feel proud to see how much the place had changed.

- Long time no see, Mr. Kai. - Xu appeared, walking slowly with a big smile on his face. 

- Xu, it's been a while, how have things been around here? - I asked as I hugged the old man. 

- Since you showed up in this village, things have gone very well for us. - said Xu, almost crying with emotion.

Old Xu was completely cured, both physically and mentally. Thanks to the water treatment, the old man's mental disorders were slowly cured.

As Kai and Xu spoke, people began to make way for a black-haired, dark-skinned woman wearing a red Fire Nation cloak. 

As I watched the people make way, my senses came alive and I felt a gigantic spiritual energy, at least on the level of Ozai or Iroh.

- Welcome, Lord Kai. - The beautiful woman said and bowed

- Ayumi, it's good to see you again. - I bow out of respect for your presence.

Ayumi was the Painted Lady's real name when she was human, a long time ago. Her connection with the spirits allowed her to transcend her mortal state and become a spirit herself.

After I had to leave, Ayumi decided to actively protect the village, ensuring the safety of the people and the territory until my return. After disguising herself as one of my soldiers, she was put in charge of the village, becoming the current head of the region. 

Although these lands are in my name, they rightfully belong to these people, the villagers and the painted lady. I'm just supporting them.

- How about we start celebrating now that you're all here? - Huzo called out, approaching Ayumi with ulterior motives.

- A little party wouldn't hurt. - I commented, causing everyone to shout with enthusiasm.

Thanks to Ayumi's ability to bend water and purify it, she was able to cure even sick animals, making it healthy to eat fish without risk.

Most of the soldiers who had helped rebuild the village were also at the party, and everyone was enjoying themselves, knowing that the next few weeks would be difficult.

***

3 months later...

The fame of Jang Hu Village began to attract the attention of the rest of the Fire Islands, but especially the soldiers who were returning home exhausted from the war and looking for a place to rest. This was possible because the village was perfectly located on the soldiers' sea routes, so curiosity led them to visit the village.

Thanks to everyone's hard work, we managed to turn the village into a luxury resort. With dedication, we managed to take advantage of the reborn local nature to provide a pleasant environment for all kinds of people, from the elderly to babies.

We had to establish strict rules for visitors, such as severe punishments if they polluted the rivers. Thanks to the connection between the sea and the rivers, food was varied, not to mention the new plantations for wheat and other fruits. This was only possible thanks to Ayumi, who turned the dead soil into fertile land.

The villagers continued to maintain their fishing lifestyle, but now they could enjoy medicine, clothing and food without worry, and those who had lost family members to illness had monthly financial support.

As gratifying as the financial return is, it is still necessary to create an Elemental Academy, as promised, a project that I will fund next year.

As the village's popularity grew, I called in the rest of my army to help protect the region, which has led to several clashes with pirates in recent months. 

As well as managing the financial income, I kept in regular contact with Azula through letters which, thanks to the shorter distance compared to the land kingdom, we now send once a week.

When I was able to rest, Ayumi helped me to connect spiritually with the spirit realm, but I didn't make much progress until she showed me a spiritually stronger place than normal, where she herself was able to transcend her existence.

I was meditating in the lotus position in a cave covered by a waterfall in a remote part of the village, Ayumi's favorite place as a child before becoming a spirit. 

The secret cave was filled with flowers of all kinds, but strangely there were no animals, not even a single insect.

The waterfall opened to reveal Ayumi, who entered silently, trying not to distract Kai's meditation.

- Is everything okay in the village? - I asked, still with my eyes closed.

- Everything's fine over there, I thought you'd managed to immerse yourself in the spirit world. - said Ayumi and approached me in silence.

- Ahhhh... I'm not making much progress, sometimes I can feel something different but I can't go any further. - I said, falling backwards onto the floor in discouragement. - How did you manage to enter the spirit world the first time? 

- Hmmmm... it's been a long time, a really long time, but if I remember correctly, I was playing in this cave until I got tired and fell asleep here. 

- Why would a child play here? - I looked at Ayumi, who pretended not to notice the question. - So you were just sleeping? 

- Maybe your problem is because you're forcing the spiritual connection, your first experience was when you were in a coma, right? Maybe it wasn't even the effort itself, maybe you were so mentally exhausted that you decided to rest and unconsciously entered the spirit world. 

I looked at Ayumi, who looked like an investigator trying to solve a puzzle in her mind. 

- If that's the case... you can knock me out!

- If I were Huzo, I might even think about it. Besides, it wouldn't be healthy for anyone to be knocked out voluntarily. 

- So I think I'll go to bed early tonight. - I lie down on the grass and close my eyes automatically.

- These dragons... - Ayumi whispered and let out a tired sigh. - I'll be back in an hour, good luck.

After Ayumi left the cave, I felt free to let my guard down, it was hard for me to relax, even though I wasn't in a war zone.

The sound of the water falling from the waterfall was stimulating enough to make me gradually fall asleep, but my memory was a bit fuzzy, reminding me of all the paperwork and work that could already be piling up in my office. 

- What a drag... now I'm really not sleepy! - I exclaimed angrily.

I stayed in the same position for over 50 minutes, trying to sleep, even if it was only for five minutes.

***

Pov: Ayumi

I used my water dryer to dry the children who were playing carelessly at the edge of the village and fell into the cold water.

I didn't mind because I knew that they liked to see waterbending being done in front of them, but I always had to warn them so that they didn't end up getting hurt.

- Children, how many times have I told you not to play near the water? - I warned, pretending to be angry.

- But it's so cool to see your magic with water! - said one of the children with her arms outstretched.

- Yes, Miss Ayumi's magic is spectacular! - said another child.

- Ahhhhh, kids... let's make a deal! - I say, enthusiastically, to get their attention.

- What kind of deal? - They both said together.

- If you promise not to play near the water, I'll give you a present! - I'll use my water maker to make snow in front of the children.

- Wow! Fantastic! Do it again! - I'll tell the kids. 

- Only if they promise not to play near the water. - I give them a motherly smile.

I played with the children as much as I could, but I was still afraid that they would disobey, they are children after all.

I remembered that, a few decades ago, a child had drowned and his own mother had decided to sacrifice her life to save her child. Although it was a heroic act on the mother's part, it was sad to see a child lose his only family.

Realizing that it had been almost an hour since I had seen Kai, I decided to go back to my favorite spot and take a moment to admire the beautiful scenery that nature could provide. 

I walked to the riverbank and began to wade through the water with ease, casually making my way towards the waterfall.

I used my water web to open a quick passage into the cave and found Kai, who was completely asleep, but with a unique difference: his soul was not in his body.

I approached, seeing that Kai was indeed in a trance, similar to the mental states that spiritual people were in when they entered the spirit world. However, Kai's expressions were not those of someone who was at peace with his own being; it looked more like he was in a nightmare.

- MOTHER! - Kai screamed, struggling as he threw destructive fire around the cave.

- Kai! What do you hear! - I approached carefully, using my water bending through the waterfall to immobilize Kai. - You have to wake up, Kai! Whatever you're going through, you need to go back now! 

Next chapter: The Fall of the Dragon