A vast plain of golden grass stretched under an orange sunset, where the team set up a tent.
Inside, the light of an oil lamp cast dancing shadows on the fabric walls.
Katara knelt beside the bearded middle-aged man, who lay unconscious on an improvised bed of blankets and furs. Her hands moved with precision, tracing soft arcs over the man's chest and abdomen. The water glowed with a faint bluish sheen as it came into contact with his skin, seeking out internal wounds to heal them.
Meanwhile, the others surrounded her in a tight semicircle, observing the unconscious man with curiosity.
—His chi is very strong —Katara murmured, her fingers moving over the man's abdomen—. Incomparable to anything I've seen before.
—Hey, Aang —Toph said, distractedly playing with some stones floating above her palm and spinning in lazy circles—. Do you think this guy might have beaten your record for frozen airbender?
—Yeah —Sokka nodded before Aang could answer—. How long do you think this guy was in that glacier? —he clicked his tongue and pointed at the bearded man with his thumb—. And don't you think it's strange? Not even a month has passed since you found that boy who fell from the sky, and now you find another airbender under such strange circumstances. Not to mention how Katara and I first met you. Do you Airbenders come with built-in dramatic entrances or something?
—Ha, ha. Speaking of that, how is that boy, Katara? —Aang asked, turning toward her.
Katara did not take her hands off her work, but a slight smile curved her lips.
—Well, I left him in Republic City. It seems he's taken a liking to going to watch the benders' training sessions. He practically goes there every day. I think he spends more time watching the masters than doing other things.
As they discussed, none of them noticed the invisible presence lurking just behind them. The air behind them rippled slightly, like heat over asphalt in summer, but no one turned around.
—N... no...
The bearded man's eyelids trembled violently. His fingers clenched on the blankets, scratching the fabric.
—No! —he sat up suddenly, his torso erect and sweat beading on his forehead. His breathing became ragged, like someone who had just escaped a nightmare.
—Whoa, whoa, whoa, hey, easy. You're safe —Aang raised both hands, palms open in a calming gesture—. You're safe.
The man's eyes gradually refocused. His chest rose and fell at a rhythm that slowly calmed.
And then his eyes locked onto Toph.
She was still playing with the stones floating above her palm, unaware of the sudden attention. The rocks spun in concentric circles, floating weightlessly.
The man's eyes turned red, and he extended his hand with fury.
—Earthbender!
—No, no, no! —Aang grabbed his wrist with both hands, struggling to restrain him—. We're all friends here! No one will hurt you!
Toph dropped the stones and went on guard. Sokka half-drew his sword. Zuko stepped forward with his fists ready.
But the man did not attack. He stood still, his arm trembling under Aang's grip. Then he brought his free hand to his head, pressing his temples as if a stabbing pain was piercing his skull.
—Where is she? —he asked in a hoarse voice—. Where is Avatar Sonum?
—You know Sonum? —Aang asked in surprise.
—And who are you?
Aang sighed. He sat back on his heels and clasped his hands on his lap.
—I don't know how to explain this to you, but... you've been asleep for a long time. I'm the Avatar now. I'm Aang.
The silence thickened in the tent. The bearded man lowered his head, and his shoulders slowly slumped.
—Then... Sonum...
He did not finish the sentence. His fist clenched on the blankets.
Sokka stepped forward and gave Aang a pat on the back.
—Well, Sonum may have been gone for a long time, but on the bright side, you woke up at the perfect moment. Everyone will be surprised to see another airbender. With you and that boy, Nawaki, Aang is no longer the last one —he hugged him enthusiastically, shaking him by the shoulders.
The man slowly raised his head.
—What do you mean by "last"?
Aang sighed. His eyes drifted toward the oil lamp, whose flame flickered softly.
—The Air Nomads have been wiped out. Only I and my disciple remain.
—It can't be... —the man's eyes widened in disbelief. His jaw trembled slightly, and his breathing became ragged again—. It can't be.
—Sonum's staff —he said suddenly, his voice shifting to an urgent tone—. Do you have it? It's our only hope now.
—What do you mean? —Aang asked, frowning—. I thought it was a weapon.
—A weapon? —the man shook his head—. The staff is not a weapon. It is a gift.
He slowly sat up, leaning on one elbow.
—With it, Sonum was able to channel the vast power of the spirit world. It was this power that allowed Jirana to flourish —a shadow of nostalgia crossed his eyes—. The greatest city in the world. An Air Nomad utopia. Sonum presided over a golden age of balance, and I dedicated my life to serving her. In return, she elevated me and used her staff to give me, a humble non-bender, the power to bend air.
Aang stood completely still.
—I was the first —the man continued, his voice gaining strength—, but I would not be the last. She filled the skies with airbending masters. And we flew beside her, spreading peace throughout the world.
Aang's eyes widened in disbelief. His breathing became ragged, and before anyone could say anything, he suddenly stood up and walked out of the tent.
The cool air of the plain hit his face. He stood by the entrance, his hands on his knees and his head bowed.
—Aang, are you okay?
Katara came out after him, gently placing her hand on his back.
—Sonum used the staff to give people airbending —Aang said in a trembling voice—. If we find it, I could bring airbending back to the world.
Katara's eyes also lit up.
—That would be incredible! —she exclaimed, taking his hands—. There have been no airbending masters for over a hundred years, Aang.
She hugged him tightly.
—This is everything you've always wanted.
Zuko stepped out of the tent at that moment, followed by the others. His hand landed on Aang's shoulder, firm and warm.
—We could heal the greatest atrocity my nation committed during the war —he said in a grave voice, tinged with contained emotion—. This could be the final step to rebuilding the world.
—Not if the Renegades get there first —Toph's voice cut through everyone's enthusiasm—. They have a map, and we don't.
—Who are the Renegades? —asked the bearded man, who had just staggered out of the tent, still pale but with his eyes regaining their luster.
—A group of violent non-benders —Sokka replied in a somber tone.
—They... —Aang's eyes hardened—. They must be after the staff to give themselves airbending.
—Then there's no time to lose —said the bearded man, his voice turning grave and urgent—. There is only one place where the staff could be. Prepare your bison. We'll have to travel across the endless ocean.
—To the other side of the world? —Zuko frowned, stepping forward—. But there's nothing out there.
—There is an island —the man replied, his eyes shining with confidence—. The journey will not be easy, but we can do it.
—Then let's go —Katara said, clenching her fist with determination.
The man looked at her, and a tired smile curved his lips.
—Ha, ha. The sky is no place for a water child.
Katara's lips tightened.
—Water child? I know you just woke up after thousands of years, but we do these things together.
—Trust me —Aang said, putting an arm around Katara's shoulders and looking at the bearded man with a smile—. We're stronger this way.
The man observed them for a long moment.
Sokka cleared his throat, breaking the tense moment.
—Welcome to Team Avatar. What's your name, by the way?
The bearded man raised his head toward the blue sky.
—Taga... My name is Taga.