Kain ingested all he had heard. If he was to be sent to Na'Ok Thu as per the chief's command would he be able to survive? Or would he fall, like he assumed the entire city did to the fire nation. He contemplated running away as soon as possible. But, could he?
Ignoring how tight the surveillance would be on the frontlines and the probability of him being able to escape without being spotted by either the tribe or the fire nation being very low, would he be able to let all those people die.
On one hand, a lot of people would likely be able to escape the fire nation's pursuit. But on the other, seeing the state of the northern tribe in the show a lot of people would also die to the attack.
He thought about Tamara's brother. He didn't know him personally but he knew that he was on the frontlines. Maroq and Quiella had done so much for him and he couldn't just let their son possibly die on the frontline.
Tamara saw his worried expression before saying, "Don't worry about it too much. Maybe I was just wrong about the possible attack."
Kain nodded to her reply and they kept walking in silence. Both of them eventually arrived at a library.
Tamara, seemingly trying to lift his spirits said, "Hey, do you want to meet some of my friends? They're inside right now."
Kain faked a smile saying, "I'd love to." however, deep inside he was facing an internal dilemma, 'Do I help them? How would I even begin?' He sighed, 'As much as I hate being helpless I can't do anything without power. I should focus on my waterbending first.'
As the two of them walked inside Kain observed massive bookcases that reached up to the ceiling. They walked around until they found a group of two boys and a girl talking to each other.
The first boy had white hair and was quite muscular and tall. He was currently laughing at a joke the girl had said. The second boy had brown hair and was wearing glasses. He was immersed in reading a book. Finally the girl had long brown hair extending to her shoulder. She bore a resemblance to the second boy that indicated being his sister or twin.
Tamara walked up to them and introduced him, "This is the boy I was talking about, that my father found in the ice. His name is Kain Owen." She then turned to Kain, "Kain, meet" She pointed to the first boy "Unaq," She pointed to the second boy, "Balon" She pointed to the girl "and Mara"
Unaq turned to him, "You're the guy Maroq found in the ice? How'd you even end up there? Shipwreck?"
Kain smiled at him, "Actually I can't remember what happened to me. I lost somehow lost my memory and ended up there. Luckily Maroq found me or I would have been as good as dead."
Mara piped up from where she was, "You can't remember what happened to you? You must have had ammonia."
Hearing that Balon put down his book, "Its amnesia, Mara." He turned his head to look at Kain, "You really can't remember anything? That would suggest a very bad head injury or disease." he paused for a second, "Are you sure you're completely fine?"
Kain nodded his head, a bit surprised, 'I didn't expect this world to be this knowledgeable in diseases. Then again, they've already developed metal warships. I guess it isn't that farfetched for them to have discovered ammonia already.'
The five of them talked, mostly about Kain and his amnesia. He gained some information about all of the others. Unaq was a non bender who would enlist into the army as soon as he reached the age of 18. Mara and Balon were twins, both of them being waterbenders.
Mara was helping as an assistant healer in the infirmary while Balon was trying to become a scholar. As such he was reading on all types of topics and wasn't really invested in the war effort.
As Kain talked and joked around with them he actually felt like he belonged to the tribe. He truly felt like he was a part of this world.
They talked till noon, where he and Tamara walked back home for lunch.
'Home huh. It's only been two days and I've already began to call this place him home. I guess I'm just really... adaptable?' his eyes lit up.
'The essence of waterbending is change and adaptation. Was my waterbending failing because I was unable to adapt to my life?'
Kain suddenly turned away towards the practicing grounds and started sprinting to it. As he ran away Tamara shouted from behind him, "Hey! Wait up."
Hearing no response she gritted her teeth before running after him, muttering, "That stupid idiot."
As soon as Kain arrived on the practice grounds he stopped and positioned himself nearby a crack on the ground. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
He remembered his previous life. His parents, his sister, his friends, his old world. He felt as though his entire life flashed before his eyes, from his birth, to his untimely death.
And then he let it all go. He had been burdened by his memories of his old world, and so he let it all go away.
He was no longer Kain Owen, University student and resident of New York City. He was now Kain Owen, a waterbender of the Northern Water tribe.
He lifted his arms, and brought them from his right to his left. He opened his eyes and saw a firm tube of water travelling from one pool to another, lacking any imperfections or irregularities.
Kain felt a lot better.
*
Tamara finally arrived at the practice grounds panting, 'F-finally I found the idiot. Doesn't he know not to run off and leave someone behind?'
Tamara's thoughts were suddenly interrupted as she saw Kain with his back to her, his hands outstretched to his left, as a tube of water flowed from one of the cracks on the ground to another.
He had finally grasped the essence of waterbending.