Ngh!!As Kayne stirred from his slumber, he found himself situated at the back of the bison, their journey approaching the Air Temple. Turning to Jinora, he inquired with concern, "Did you manage to get the herbs?"
Jinora and Korra exchanged startled glances before Jinora responded, "Yes, we have them. How are you feeling?" Her question carried a hint of worry, as they were eager to ensure Kayne's well-being during this critical phase of their journey.
With a warm gesture, Korra extended her hand for a handshake, expressing her apology to Kayne. He reciprocated the handshake and replied, "I understand. It's been a misunderstanding from the start. People tend to make hasty judgments."
Korra chuckled and continued the conversation. "We initially mistook you for an earthbender named Kayne, but it turns out you're an airbender with the same name. It's quite the coincidence, isn't it?" She inquired, her curiosity piqued by this unexpected turn of events.
Korra leaned in with an intrigued expression, her interest piqued. "Jinora has shared quite a bit about you," she began. "But I'm curious to hear the rest of your story. What brings you here?" Her question prompted a blush from Jinora, who was clearly anxious about the situation.
Kayne, though somewhat surprised by Jinora's revelations, responded, "Well, we haven't spoken all that much, so I'm not sure what she's told you. I'm just trying to figure things out, honestly."
Jinora, caught in the middle of their conversation, attempted to interject, "Don't mind her..." but Kayne decided to share more of his own story despite her hesitation.
As Kayne opened up about his past, the pain and loss he had endured became palpable. "I grew up with a friend of mine, he was like an elder brother," he began. "He taught me to survive after the destruction caused by Kuvira, but I lost him and my family afterward."
A heavy silence hung in the air, and Kayne hesitated before continuing, his voice filled with a sense of numbness. "The war between the Avatar and Kuvira caused me my home and, well..."
Korra, with a look of empathy in her eyes, was about to express her sympathy, but Kayne's insistence not to be pitied held her back. It was clear that he carried the weight of his experiences with resilience, despite the hardships he had faced.
The peaceful landing of the bison marked the end of their journey. As they disembarked, Jinora walked alongside Kayne, guiding him to his room. Korra observed from a distance, a burden of guilt weighing on her, feeling responsible for the hardships Kayne had faced.
Meanwhile, in Kayne's room, he joined Yohn, the monk who had taken him under his wing. Yohn inquired, "So, how did it go?" Kayne responded by gently tossing the herbs he had acquired, and Yohn placed them into hot water, preparing a soothing remedy.
Kayne, tired from the day's events, spoke in hushed tones. "Nothing much, we're just getting closer to the plan," he reported.
Yohn, with a subtle gesture, hinted at the importance of keeping their voices down. However, Kayne reassured him, saying, "Don't worry, I can sense everyone's presence and chi flow at the moment, thanks to my bonding with spirits."
As Yohn handed him a cup of tea, Kayne took a moment to refresh himself with the warm brew. Once he had finished, he settled into a meditative posture, crossing his legs and preparing to focus his energy and thoughts, perhaps seeking guidance from the spirits he had forged a connection with.
Intrigued, Yohn observed as Kayne removed his shirt, revealing the remarkable physical changes he had undergone through his bonding with spirits. Horns, wings, and scales adorned his body, a testament to the extraordinary connection he had formed.
With deliberate intent, Kayne pressed his thumbs together, and a process of expulsion began. Yohn watched in awe as the extra body parts gradually shrank and dissolved, returning Kayne's form to its original state. The sight of this unique transformation left Yohn with a newfound appreciation for the mystical bond between humans and spirits.
Kayne shared his plans with Yohn, mentioning his intent to take a day of rest to recover and continue his practice of the other elements. Yohn agreed, acknowledging the importance of self-care and rest.
Meanwhile, Korra, after her journey, returned home to her beloved Asami. However, she felt a distinct numbness in her body upon landing. Asami, ever attentive, rushed to her side, offering her support. They lay down together, and Asami planted a loving kiss on Korra's forehead.
Concerned, Asami inquired about Korra's condition, asking if her body was healing. Korra's response was laced with uncertainty, "I'm not sure. Kuvira's blast damaged my cells. I don't know if I'll be alive tomorrow or the day after." Asami embraced her, providing comfort and solace as they faced the uncertainty of the future together.
Lin Beifong, having just returned from a taxing day, received an urgent call on her police radio. The report described an arsonist causing chaos at the pro bending arena, a dangerous firebending menace on the loose.
With a swift response, Lin acknowledged the report, "Roger!" She wasted no time, sighing with a hint of exasperation as she picked up her armor, determined to head out and bring the situation under control. Duty called, and she was ready to confront this new threat to Republic City.
Lin Beifong swiftly made her way to the rooftop, clad in her metal gear and suit, joining a group of cadets. With unwavering authority, she demanded a status report from her team.
They pointed down toward the pro bending arena, revealing the extent of the damage caused by the firebending suspect. The entire roof had been melted, and the culprit continued to unleash fiery destruction upon the audience seats below.
Relieved to hear that there were no casualties due to the timely evacuation of the building, Lin wasted no time. "Good, now let's pin him down!" With resolute determination, they dove down, ready to confront the firebending menace and put an end to the chaos.
Lin landed right in front of the suspect, who was donning a probending mask. Her voice was filled with anger and authority as she commanded, "Zit Girong, surrender now!"
The suspect, Zit Girong, extinguished his flames and turned to face her, a look of surprise on his face. "How did you know my name?" he inquired.
Lin's response was stern and unyielding. "Only one escaped convict has the fire to burn this hot." She had connected the dots, recognizing him as the dangerous fugitive she had been pursuing.
Following a fierce confrontation, Lin Beifong emerged victorious and subdued the suspect, wrapping him in a metal-bended mask. The suspect, now incapacitated and unconscious due to suffocation, was under her control. Lin's cadet members, whose uniforms had been melted during the battle, hastily removed their scorched attire.
Lin carefully removed the mask from the suspect's face, only to discover that he was not Zit but rather a decoy. Puzzled by this unexpected turn of events, she wondered, "This is strange, why is he impersonating Zit?"
With a commanding tone, Lin instructed her cadets to thoroughly search the decoy's belongings and retrieve anything they could find, hoping to uncover some answers to this mysterious masquerade.
The cadets returned with a map and a cryptic message found among the decoy's belongings. The message displayed an image of the sun falling from the sky onto Republic City, leaving Lin Beifong puzzled and apprehensive about its meaning.
With a heavy heart, she made a decision. "Rest for the night, cadets," she instructed. "Tomorrow, we ascend to the floating prison to find Zit." Her resolve remained strong, but a sense of foreboding lingered in the back of her mind as she contemplated the unknown challenges that lay ahead.