"What do you intend to do now?" Vaatu inquired.
Gale remained lying on the ground for a few minutes, trying to assimilate the information received.
"I may not be Aquerionth or Xai bau, but I am Gale," he continued, getting up from the ground.
Upon hearing Gale's response, Vaatu remained silent, waiting for further clarification.
"Even though I'm not completely one of them, I am a part of Aquerionth and Xai bau. I understand how significant that was to them. I grew up under manipulative guidance, but I believe that also shaped my perspective," Gale continued, a solemn expression forming on his face. "I will open the spirit world. I will restore the world to the state before the Avatar, as he broke the natural order. He is the true disorder."
"What will you do with me?" Vaatu asked, but his voice contained knowledge of the truth behind the question.
Gale looked at Vaatu, a smile on his face as if trying to convey reassurance to the trapped spirit.
"Don't worry, Vaatu, we are still friends. You will be freed; you've just changed the host, you'll merge with me," Gale spoke the words with a serene and determined look, a confident smile forming on his lips, conveying the certainty of his intentions.
"I'm glad to hear those words," Vaatu's voice resonated in the environment.
Gale, realizing the trust the spirit had placed in him, let out a relieved sigh.
"how did I end up here? Was it you?" Gale inquired, his eyes scanning the battlefield, reminiscent of what he had studied so much in his father's basement.
"Perhaps, when you unlocked your chi, your spirit felt the need to migrate to a place with a higher spiritual concentration. And here, there is plenty of that," explained Vaatu, watching Gale attentively.
Upon hearing Vaatu's response, Gale casually nodded, considering it the most plausible theory.
As he sat in the lotus position to bid farewell, he cast one last look around, observing the malevolent spirit.
"Until next time. I will always return to the spirit world to talk to you. I feel at peace here, after all, it was from this place that I came, my true home," declared Gale, closing his eyes slowly.
Upon opening his eyes, he found himself back in the room next to Unalaq, still in the same lotus position.
"So, you've returned," Unalaq said, his eyes remaining closed.
Looking at Unalaq, a sense of repulsion filled Gale. Even though he was no longer the former leader of the Red Lotus, he now understood the goals that his past self had aimed for. Unalaq had betrayed the organization, him, and his father, becoming both traitors.
"Only those who are behind the bars of the prison are the true members." Gale said internally, recalling the honorable members of the Red Lotus.
Rising from the ground, Gale resisted the urge to challenge Unalaq. After all, he still played a crucial role in the final plan.
"Thank you, Unalaq, for helping me access the spirit world. This is a debt I know I can never repay," expressed Gale, bowing in a sign of respect. "Let me officially be your apprentice, and share with me the techniques you so skillfully master in the spiritual realm."
A smile blossomed on Unalaq's face; it was exactly what he sought: submission.
"Stop, Gale. I've been a friend of your family for a long time. Of course, I'll be your master. Now, come, let's eat. You must be hungry," Unalaq said, getting up.