[170 AG, Air Temple Island]
Republic City, a vibrant metropolis founded by the previous Avatar to unite the four major nations of his time. The city gleamed in the fading light of the day, its sprawling streets and towering buildings spread across the bay like a glittering jewel.
From the cliffside of Air Temple Island, a young man stood, gazing at the distant city with a quiet intensity, almost longing. The bustling metropolis was a world apart from his own—a world he could only observe from afar. A world he was forbidden to visit, though he didn't seem to mind too much.
The young man let out a soft sigh as he leaned against the stone railing of the island's cliffs. His eyes tracing the distant flickering lights of Republic City, the hum of life that he could feel, but never touch.
But it wasn't as if he longed to actually be part of it.
ZHEN
AGE: 19
STATUS: "NON-BENDER"
"Maybe a casual visit wouldn't be so bad for once?" he mused to himself, his words barely audible over the wind which carried his thoughts away.
He knew better than to entertain such whims. The island was his current place of peace. The crisp sea breeze stirred his black robes as he turned to continue his patrol along the stone paths of the island. His boots made soft, almost silent echoes on the weathered stones. Zhen took his time with his steps, there was no rush, no urgency. Everyday, this was his routine. Everyday, the same path. Everyday, the same pace. He was content with it.
As he walked, Zhen's gaze drifted to the dock below. A small boat began to approach, gently flowing with the waves, its hull gliding effortlessly toward the island. He could see a larger ship anchored on the dock, its sails fluttering in the wind. Its flag flying proudly from its mast—a symbol of a white flower-like sigil—was enough to tell Zhen who the ship belonged to.
He felt on guard, but he had no need to confirm it.
"Well, there goes my peace" he muttered to himself with a resigned sigh, even as he turned toward the dock to greet the island's visitors.
'Maybe I should ask for a vacation next time' Zhen thought idly as he descended toward the dock.
When he arrived at the pier, he was greeted by a larger crowd than he'd expected. He paid no mind to the three guards in indigo uniforms stationed some distance away. Instead, he made his way toward the group of figures dressed in orange robes. At the forefront stood a tall, stern figure along with three energetic children. But there was someone else there too, someone almost unfamiliar to Zhen—a young woman who carried the four happily, she didn't look like she'd fit in with the rest, but looked like she's in the right place, nonetheless.
"Master Tenzin, welcome home" Zhen greeted, bowing with his fists together and his voice keeping a respectful tone, as he came to a stop behind the group.
TENZIN
AGE: 51
STATUS: Son of Avatar Aang
When the older man was put down, he turned to face Zhen, the lines of his face deepening into a frown. His eyes scrutinized Zhen for a moment before responding
"Hello, Zhen. I trust nothing out of the ordinary occurred while I was away?"
Tenzin's voice was direct, but it seemed his tone was hinting at something else, he seemed doubtful of Zhen.
"Nothing noteworthy" Zhen replied briefly, keeping his formality and his head down.
Tenzin's expression softened only marginally as he turned his attention to the children. They, too, bowed in greeting, pressing their hands together in unison toward Zhen. As the children straightened, Tenzin glanced back at Zhen.
"Very well. As you were. For tonight, please contact the council members and have them arrange for a public conference tomorrow."
Zhen nodded, straightening his posture and lifting his gaze to meet Tenzin's.
"The council will be wondering what would warrant a last minute conference." Zhen asked.
Before Tenzin could respond, however, the young woman stepped forward. Her eyes immediately locked onto Zhen with directness that felt both curious and assessing.
KORRA
AGE: 17
STATUS: The Current Avatar
"Who's this?" she asked, clearly interested.
"Korra, this is Zhen. He's the island's guardian"
Tenzin's response was quick, though it was cold.
Zhen's gaze remained neutral as he stood there, he kept his expression unreadable. However, a flicker of unease passed through him as Korra kept her gaze at him. He was accustomed to Tenzin's formal detachment toward him, but the Avatar's direct attention made him uncomfortable in a way he could not quite place.
"It's nice to meet you, Avatar" Zhen said politely, gesturing the same formal greeting as he did previously.
Korra gave him a long and hard look, her gaze a bit too close and intense. Then, as if satisfied, she turned back to Tenzin.
"I didn't know you needed guardians" she remarked casually, but both Zhen and Tenzin could hear the faint skepticism in her voice.
Tenzin cleared his throat, thinking of a proper response for a moment as his discomfort got clearer.
"Zhen is… a special case. Though he oversees the island's security, it's typically a peaceful place" he explained, his voice tightening as if he was trying to distance himself from the topic.
Korra raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced "Special case?"
"Yes, well, the island requires very little in terms of security, but Zhen was sent here as a precaution" Tenzin explained weakly, placing a hand on Korra's shoulder as though to steer her away from the conversation.
Now, with the subject closed for a moment, Tenzin spoke again, shifting his tone.
"Now, we should head inside and get you settled. There are important matters to discuss regarding your stay in Republic City"
Korra looked up at him for a moment, her curiosity still lingering from her eyes
"Uh… Sure…" she said, keeping her tone casual as she allowed herself to be led, though she kept her gaze back toward Zhen until the last moment.
Tenzin, sensing her curiosity lingering, glanced at Zhen, narrowing his eyes slightly.
"You are dismissed, Zhen. I trust you'll take care of what you are tasked with?"
"I'll see to it" he replied, nodding his head slightly.
Tenzin's gaze didn't linger on him for long, he turned and began to lead Korra toward the temple.
As the group made their way across the pier, the three children turned to wave at Zhen, each offering their own farewell.
"Bye, lonely man!" one of them called out with a cheeky grin.
"We'll be seeing you around!" another chimed in, offering a friendly wave.
The third child, quieter than the rest, only gave a small bow before running off to catch up with the rest. Zhen watched them for a moment, his expression impassive, before turning his attention back to the uniformed people, who were also about to leave.
————————————————————————————
[Late at Night]
The moon hung low over the island's temples, casting a silvery light across the quiet waters of the bay. The stars, glimmering in the night sky, watched over the tranquil scenery, and only the sound of the gentle sea breeze could be heard. Inside the guest quarters, Korra lay wide awake, staring at the ceiling of the room. Her mind raced, the anticipation was making it hard for her to sleep.
She let out a frustrated sigh, her fingers gripping the edge of the blanket as she tossed it aside. The sheets rustled with her movement as she swung her legs over the side of the bed and stepped on the cool floorboards.
"This is torture" she muttered to herself, half amused and half exasperated. Every passing second of the night felt like eternity for her.
The excitement of the day she would begin her airbending training had left her too wired to sleep. She swung open the door of her room and padded silently down the hallway, the only sounds in the house were the soft echo of her bare feet against the wood and the faint hum of the sea breeze moving through open windows.
Korra made her way in the kitchen, where she hoped a glass of water might help calm her nerves. She filled a glass from the faucet and took a long, low sip, letting the cool liquid settle in her throat. Momentarily, the refreshing chill eased her tension.
She set the glass down on the counter with a soft clink, her eyes wandering to the large winder beside the sink. Moonlight spilled through the glass, it painted the ocean waters below in a shimmering silver hue. The waves, imitating waves of liquid mercury, shifted and rolled as it glowed from the moon's reflection.
For a few moments, Korra stood there, mesmerized by the serene sight before her.
'I can't believe I'm really here' she thought to herself as she slowly relaxed.
But just as her breath began to steady, something caught her eye. A figure, barely visible in the periphery of her vision, sat motionless in the gazebo at the far edge of the island. It seemed unsettling in the quiet night, as if it were more a part of the landscape than a living person. The moonlight, from its faint brightness, did little to reveal who or what it was from her current position.
With a quiet huff, Korra opened the door of the kitchen and let in the cool night air. The breeze kissed her skin, sharp and fresh, though she hardly noticed the chill. She quickly slipped on her sandals, the soft soles making no sound as she moved toward the gazebo.
The closer she got, the clearer the silhouette became. Seated cross-legged in the center of the traditional structure, the figure remained completely still, his back turned to her, his posture a perfect picture of meditation. But even as she made her way closer, he didn't seem to react. It was either he failed to notice her, or he already knew she was there.
Korra stopped just a few steps away from him, leaning casually against one of the wooden supports.
"Can't sleep either?" she asked, her voice keeping a low volume.
There was no immediate response. Zhen didn't turn to face her, as if he never even heard her. Korra stood there, watching him for a moment, sensing that he was aware of her. As she waited, she suddenly felt a chill down her spine, as if something moved with the breeze around her.
Finally, Zhen let out a soft breath, his eyes opening slowly as if coming from a deep sleep. He remained facing forward, his body almost creaking as he adjusted and stretched.
"Something like that" Zhen finally responded, his voice keeping a quiet hum. "You?"
Korra, crossing her arms over her chest, leaned slightly back against the support, her eyes gazing out over the cliff to the same view Zhen had been focused on.
"Yeah, just… can't sleep. It's kinda hard when all I can think about is finally finishing my Avatar training and seeing the world." she admitted, her voice showing her open excitement.
The anticipation of it all, the long years of waiting, isolation. It made her grow impatient despite everything starting when the sun rises.
"It just feels like I've been waiting forever, y'know?" Korra's words were soft, almost talking to herself.
Zhen took a moment before responding, his tone keeping it's usual calm, choosing his words more carefully.
"I get that" he spoke, finally deciding on his next words. "When you've waited so long for something, it feels like you could wait all your life. Then, when it's finally within reach, all that patience goes away like it was never even there"
Korra turned her head slightly toward him, her eyes narrowing as she considered his words. They resonated with her more than she expected.
"I guess you're right" she said after a pause, letting out a slow breath "Just feels like all this waiting's been too much. And now I can't sit still."
Zhen didn't respond right away. The stillness stretched between the two of them, with only the murmur of the waters filling the silence. Then, Zhen shifted, rising from his cross-legged position. As he stood, the joints in his legs popped audibly, breaking the night's quiet with sharp cracks that almost sounded painful.
Once he straightened his posture, he turned to face Korra.
"Guess you're not nervous then?"
"Nervous? No way" Korra replied without hesitation, brushing the idea aside with a confident grin.
Her body practically hummed with excitement, fists clenched tightly and arms drawn close as if she was about to jump for joy. Her wide, eager grin stretched across her face, while her eyes seemed to radiate a positively infectious energy.
"I'm excited! I can't wait to get started"
As if to emphasize her point, Korra extended one of her fists toward Zhen, keeping her gaze at him.
"I'll make sure you know right now. I'm going to be the greatest Avatar ever!" she declared, her voice echoing across the quiet night, followed by the boldness she's showing. "I'll have airbending mastered in no time"
Zhen met her gaze, locking his pure red eyes with the incomparable fire in hers gleaming in the moonlight. For a moment, he said nothing, simply staring back at her. Korra was showing palpable confidence, almost infectious, but Zhen could catch a glimpse of it—a hint of arrogance, coming from the certainty she had of her abilities.
But Zhen kept his own mind. It wasn't his place to judge, after all. Her training and decisions weren't his responsibility.
Still, she had made her declaration to him, and it seemed she wanted a response.
After a moment, Zhen broke eye contact, glancing away as if in thought.
'Hm… Why me?' he asked himself despite knowing there is no answer to give.
He seemed to weigh his words carefully, his hand flexing briefly at his side. Then, with careful steps, he moved closer to her. His fist clenched and raised it, meeting hers in a bump.
"I'll keep watch, Avatar" he said quietly.
Korra blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected gesture. For a brief moment, their eyes met again, and she saw something in his gaze, something she couldn't quite name. There was a flicker of something else: A memory? Hesitation? Whatever it was, it lingered only for a heartbeat before vanishing as he looked away.
"You—" Korra began, the question already forming on her lips, but Zhen was already stepping away.
"Well, I'd better get to bed, Avatar" he said, cutting her off. His tone got lighter, almost dismissive as he patted her shoulder in passing.
Korra stood there, watching as he walked away. He disappeared in the shadows of the island, with footsteps as quiet as the night. The fire in her eyes, dimmed slightly, replaced by a vague curiosity.
She clenched her fist again, staring at it as if trying to hold something she can't see.
Meanwhile, Zhen made his way back to his sleeping quarters on the other side of the island. The path was quiet, the faint rustle of leaves and the rhythmic sound of waves against the cliffs being his only physical companions. He didn't rush, taking his time to enjoy the majestic view before him.
"I wonder what that was" he murmured to himself.
He had a strange feeling looking at her since she first stepped on the island, a strange familiarity.
Shaking his head, Zhen pushed the thought aside as he reached the quarters he called home. A place given to him when he first moved in with the last airbenders a year ago. The small, weathered structure looked like it might collapse under a simple breeze, with its sagging roof and creaky walls. Yet, despite its appearance, it kept standing.
The door creaked open on its own to welcome him inside, revealing a sparse space: a low cor, a desk piled with old scrolls, and a faint glow of a single lantern. It wasn't much, but it was his, and it was enough.
"I'm back" he said, as if there was anyone to welcome him.
He shrugged off his coat and hung it on the hook by the door, the familiar creek of the wood greeting him as it closed behind him.
Though he wasn't tired, he collapsed on the cot, its worn frame groaning under his weight, threatening to break with the smallest of movement. He stared at the ceiling, his mind drifting until the lantern blew itself off, shrouding the room with the dark.
But just as he let the silence settle, a sensation prickled behind him. He sat up quickly, his hand reaching instinctively behind him. His fingers brushed against something flat and soft.
An envelope
He inspected it, an unmarked paper. As he opened it, a single circular symbol stood out in the center—red, stark against the white paper, and in the middle of it, was peace in its simplest form: "平".
————————————————————————————
[The Next Day]
The sun shone brightly over Republic City, its light reflecting off the towering buildings and casting long shadows over the bustling streets. At the heart of it all stood the City Hall, an architectural marvel where a massive crowd is currently gathered. Citizens from every walk of life: benders, non-benders, merchants, nobles, officials, and just curious onlookers. Every type of citizen filled the square.
Why had they gathered? The answer was simple: The Avatar had arrived.
Standing at the podium, Korra addressed the crowd, her voice confident as it carried over the plaza. This was her moment to announce her presence, to declare herself prepared to serve Republic City and the World.
Security was tight, with uniformed officers stationed among the crowd. At Korra's back stood Tenzin, ever composed, alongside the other council members. Beside them, Chief Lin Beifong kept a watchful eye on the gathering, making sure her men were organized and on guard.
Korra's words rang out, bold and clear, as she claimed her place in the city. The crowd murmured, some cheering, others merely watching with curiosity.
In that moment, Republic City seemed to pause, united in its attention on the young woman standing in front of them.
But not all eyes were among the crowd.
From a shadowed vantage point high above, a group of masked figures watched the gathering unfold below. Hidden in the upper floor of a nearby building, they kept their silence as they observed the young woman addressing the masses.
"The Avatar, huh?" one of them muttered, their voice low, almost inaudible "She's younger than expected"
Their gazes shifted between Korra and the bustling crowd below.
"She may be the Avatar" another voice remarked, keeping the same tone "But she's still just a child"
The masked figures exchanged a look, their expressions unreadable behind their coverings. From this distance, their intentions were unknown, but one thing was clear: They were watching very closely.
But just as the tension in the air thickened, their quiet observation was broken by a sharp sound from the door behind them.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
the figures tensed, momentarily distracted.
One of them, the closest to the door, took a slow, deliberate step forward, their footsteps muffled against the worn floorboards. They reached the door, their hand lingering for a moment before turning the handle and opening it just a crack.
A figure stood in the dim light of the hallway, their silhouette barely visible. He offered no greetings, no words. They just stood still as one of the figures opened the door completely.
"Report" the masked figure broke the silence.
The newcomer didn't flinch, their voice equally quiet, yet was still enough to draw unwanted attention.
"The Avatar is as we suspected… unpredictable. She's already drawing the majority of the City's populace toward her."
There was a long pause. The masked figure considered their words, weighing options in his mind. The tension in the room grew thick, the silence stretching as the group of figures seemed to weigh each other's presence.
"Get inside" the one at the door said at last, their voice a command rather than an offer "You're a risk out there, even with whispers"
But the newcomer didn't comply, and stayed standing at the door.
"No need to worry, the place is empty" He assured them.
As if on cue, the faint echo of footsteps filled the hallway.
The tension in the room thickened as another figure emerged from the halls, walking toward them with an unhurried gait. Unlike the others, this one made no effort to conceal himself. His face was partially exposed, a mask covering only the lower half, leaving his intense, piercing gaze in plain view. He wore simple, worn clothing: a sleeveless top clinging to his torso and a frayed kilt draped over his waist, the edges brushing against pants that were faded.
He stepped fully into the light, the details became clear. In his right hand, he gripped a sword, its edge stained in dark red. His left hand held something heavy and damp, dripping steadily onto the floor, leaving a grim trail behind him.
"Are we done?"
He stopped in front of the group. His clothes streaked and spattered with dried blood.
The masked figures exchanged glances, wondering who would be so open to kill in broad daylight. Except for the newcomer in front of the door, the rest of the members shifted their gazes to the bloodied man before them.
"Not yet" the supposed leader by the window said quietly. "But it seems you've made quite the statement"
His eyes scanned the armed person's blood-soaked clothing, but there was no sign of disgust unlike the other members around him.
The man with the bloodied sword didn't react. He simply tossed what he had been holding towards everyone, dropping the bundle to the ground with a soft, wet thud. The bundle of severed heads lay before them, each face frozen in terror.
"What's the meaning of this?" asked one of the cloaked figures.
"I was told to gather disguises" he flatly answered "So I did"
Before they could say anything else, another figure stepped forward, a young woman this time, her movements seemed more energetic than the two who arrived before her. She carried what looked like sets of metallic clothing, her expression unreadable behind her mask. When she stood beside the two, she seemed much shorter.
"WE were told to gather disguises" she emphasized, her voice sharp with a mocking irritation
"And let me tell you, it's hardly fun stripping uniforms off a few men."
With a dramatic toss, she threw three sets of armor onto the floor beside the severed heads. Her exaggerated pout, though masked, was evident in her tone.
"You could've at least waited to help. It's so rude to make a lady do all that work"
The supposed leader by the window let out a quiet sight, unshaken by the dark humor.
"Rude or not, the disguises will serve their purpose" he accepted what they offered "That'll be all."
His gaze flickered briefly between the severed heads and the uniforms on the floor. Though his face betrayed no emotion, the tension in his posture hinted at his distaste for such brutal methods.
"Don't think this makes us the same." He added, his tone hardening as he glared at the trio.
"Your way of doing things disgusts me. When we fulfill our purpose, you—"
The words froze in his throat, his entire body locking up as if something had seized him. A cold wave of panic washed over him as he realized he couldn't move. His vision darted to his comrades, only to see them experiencing something similar, tiny needles protruding their necks.
The only exception was their man by the door, who now dangled helplessly in the air, gripped by the neck. One of the trio, the first to arrive, held him effortlessly despite them being similar in build.
"We know where our line is" the armed one commented.
He leaned his blade casually on the leader's shoulder, slowly drawing it down, the edge grazing his neck.
"So, you better not cross it"
The leader hitched as the ice-cold steel pressed against his skin, the sharpness slicing just enough to draw blood. The warm trickle dripped one to the blade.
"Hey, hey, that's enough. Masky is going to nag at us if we kill his precious Lieutenant." The young woman's voice cut through the tension, her tone laced with mockery.
She moved and collected the small, sleek needles from the paralyzed figures one by one, plucking them out without a care in the world.
The armed man said nothing. He sheathed his blade without cutting the lieutenant, his back turned as he walked away. The young woman skipped lightly toward the presumed leader, who remained frozen.
She plucked her needle from him with a quick twist of her wrist "You'll be good to move in a few minutes" she said nonchalantly.
Then, without another word, she turned and skipped back to follow the man with a weapon.
The other figure was unceremoniously dropped to the floor, his body crumpling like fluid with a soft thud as he gasped for breath.
The three of them were gone quickly as they had arrived, leaving the group with a heavy mark of their presence.
"Dammit…" was all the lieutenant could mutter in this shame.
————————————————————————————
[Later in the Afternoon, Air Temple Island]
The peaceful breeze that swept through Air Temple Island was a stark contrast to the lively atmosphere of Republic City. Here, the air was calm, the sky a brilliant blue, and the only sounds were the rustling of trees and breeze of wind.
OOF!
After the ceremony this morning, Korra and Tenzin immediately returned to the island to have their afternoon meal.
ARGH!
Zhen, on the other hand, had been left to his usual duties, which today included accompanying Tenzin's wife, who was well into her pregnancy.
PEMA
AGE: 35
STATUS: Tenzin's wife
He had just served her tea as she sat under the shade, enjoying a rare moment of peace and quiet.
UGH!
But peace was relative.
"Damn it!" Korra exclaimed, frustrated as she lay sprawled on the ground, her new airbending clothes now in tatters.
Tenzin, standing with his arms crossed, looked down at her, his patience wearing thin
"That's because you're doing it wrong, again!" He snapped, with his tone being more authoritative this time.
So, what was happening here? Well, after the ceremony and a satisfying meal, Korra's eagerness to finally start her airbending training had quickly turned into a series of failed attempts. Tenzin, who was just as eager to teach her, had started to run out of patience.
Meanwhile, Pema, ever supportive, had decided to watch. She caught Zhen in the middle of his duties and, with a bright smile, had asked him to join her. Unlike her husband, who for some reason was a bit dismissive of Zhen, Pema was a kind heart towards him. Reluctantly, he agreed, and he found himself just half-watching, half-waiting, as Korra struggled with her movements.
"Focus, Korra" Tenzin's voice rose again, sharper now "You've got to center your mind. Airbending isn't just about brute force"
Korra groaned, picking herself up from the ground, wiping dirt from her cheek, and muttering under her breath "This is ridiculous, why is airbending so difficult? I got the other elements just fine!"
Zhen glanced at Pema, noticing her cup was empty. With a quiet sigh, he reached for the teapot and began to refill it, the warm steam rising from the cup.
"It's like watching Meelo trying to catch a Lemur" he remarked, almost to himself, as he set the pot back down on the table.
Pema's lips curled into a soft, understanding smile as she accepted the tea "It takes time, Zhen. Everyone has their own rhythm"
Zhen only nodded in response, he kept his quiet as his gaze fell on Korra, who was still struggling to make any headway with her airbending. But his thoughts were interrupted when Pema's voice broke the silence once more.
"Perhaps you can show her how to do it properly?" she asked, her tone light but was carrying a bit of humor.
Zhen's brow twitched, his composure slipping for a moment. He hadn't expected such a suggestion to come out of her, and it caught him off guard he could only feign ignorance.
"I don't know what you mean?"
"You could do it no problem, couldn't you?" she smiled innocently at Zhen.
And before he could clarify, the sound of approaching footsteps drew their attention.
Tenzin, who had been nearby overseeing Korra, had overheard the exchange and walked over as Korra was still catching her breath at the background from another failed attempt
"What are you talking about Pema?" he asked, curiously.
"I'm just saying, Korra might benefit more with some help from someone closer to her age"
Zhen shifted uncomfortably as Tenzin gave him a dismissive glance, the idea of stepping in so directly didn't feel right for him given his position. Also, he was certainly no airbender.
"I'm not so sure that's a good idea" Zhen spoke up, but he moved his eyes away from the married couple.
Tenzin's expression immediately hardened as he turned to face Zhen, his sharp eyes narrowing. But as he shifted his gaze to Pema, his posture softened, and he paused, his thoughts turning over for a moment. He folded his arms, considering it.
"I agree" he finally said, his tone a little condescending
"What Korra is learning is airbending, not some frivolous distractions or games. She needs discipline and focus, not… whatever you think you're offering."
Tenzin completely dismissed the idea as nothing more than an irrelevant suggestion. But Pema spoke up, with her usual light-heartedness.
"But Zhen could go through the airbending gates no problem. Doesn't that make him qualified enough?"
Tenzin's brows furrowed in confusion "What? When did he do that?"
Pema flanked at Zhen, her expression a bit expectant, almost as if she were daring him to answer. However, seeing as Zhen looks like he didn't want to prompt Pema to just speak her mind.
"I've been seeing him train with the gates the past few months already" she explained casually
"Jinora has been kind to help him"
"Wha—Jinora!"
Tenzin's voice cracked with surprise as he turned quickly to his daughter, who had been sitting nearby, engrossed in a book near Korra.
JINORA
AGE: 10
STATUS: First born child of Tenzin
Jinora didn't even look up from her book. Instead, she offered a nonchalant response, her voice flat.
"I feign ignorance" she said, her eyes never leaving the pages.
Tenzin froze, his face a mixture of surprise and loss. He stood there for a long moment, staring at Korra, then glancing at Zhen sometime, deciding. Finally, he sighed, deciding he could give him a chance at least since his wife is acknowledging him.
"Alright, fine." He agreed, though reluctantly.
"But first, you'll have to prove it."
Of course, he wanted to see if he could really pull it off first. He turned his attention toward the airbending gates, his finger pointing at their attention with authority.
"If you can show me you can get through those gates, without fail, once, I'll allow it" he declared, challenging Zhen.
'Do I… not get a say in this?' was all Zhen could think about.
He glanced at Pema, hoping to get him out of the situation. But all she offered him was an expectant smile.
Zhen turned his gaze to Korra, wiping sweat from her brow with a towel. She caught his eye and, after a moment of confusion, flashed him a clueless grin. She was too far to have heard their conversation, so her innocent smile did little to ease Zhen's issue.
Having no choice but to comply, Zhen sighed and reluctantly walked toward the training grounds. He could feel Tenzin's eyes on him as the airbender followed behind, expectant but at the same time doubtful.
Zhen stood before the still airbending gates, his body poised in a stance that, for a fleeting moment, almost seemed to impress Tenzin—though the Airbender Master quickly masked the reaction. Zhen's fingers twitched, his breath hitched. He'd done this countless times before, but today was very different. Normally, it was just him and the quiet of the training ground, Jinora's calm presence in the background. However, Tenzin seemed to be exuding too much pressure with his stare alone.
Tenzin's voice cut through the silence and concentration
"You have one chance, Zhen. Don't disappoint me." Tenzin took his own stance beside him.
"Not like I expected anything from the likes of you" he muttered under his breath, just loud enough for Zhen to hear. His tone was laced with a clear disdain.
Zhen kept his quiet, taking the chance to calm his nerves. Then, without warning, Tenzin blew a powerful gust of wind toward the gates. The air twisted and swirled as the gates spun and shifted. It was fast, a bit too fast.
Zhen immediately registered something
'This old hack' he thought bitterly as he realized Tenzin blew the wind too strong.
The gates spun with unnatural speed, their rapid movement blurring before his eyes. The force of their rotation generated wind of their own, whipping through the air like massive, uncontrollable fans.
Zhen's mind raced, trying to map a path through the gates. He strained his eyes, trying to track their movements. For a brief moment, the pressure seemed to weigh him down—too much speed, too many unpredictable directions, everything felt complicated. But then, his gaze flicked to the side and caught Korra, watching him with curious eyes.
In that moment, a sharp clarity silenced the noise in his mind.
'Right, this isn't something I'm supposed to think about'
He let out a steady breath, relaxing his body. He'd done this before, he knew exactly how to move. The pressure nearly got him, but now his mind was clear. He decided to just do what he had always done, he was going to let his body do what it had learned to do.
Zhen took a step forward, his body moving fluidly following the direction of the wind, almost instinctively. He shifted his weight, timing his steps with the direction the gates spun. The wind was howling all around him, but he didn't flinch. His movements were smooth, thoughtless, and despite the dizzying speed of the giant fans, he maneuvered through the opening with unexpected grace.
He didn't think—he simply felt the movement of the air around him, allowing his body to follow. In one fluid motion, he sailed through the final gap, but something shifted in him. Without hesitation, he stopped mid-step, the wind swirling around him violently, and took a step back into the maelstrom.
"What's he doing? Why'd he go back?" Korra asked, confused by Zhen's decision.
Jinora, without looking up from her book, answered with quiet certainty.
"It's what he's always done"
Zhen's mind remained clear. He walked backward, eyes closed, trusting the wind to guide him. He didn't look for a path out, only keeping himself inside the ever-shifting current of air. He flowed inside the storm, savoring the sensation of movement. Each step, each twist, reflected the months spent honing his instincts here, learning to flow with the wind. Even though he wasn't an airbender, his body knew what to do. He trusted it, letting his instincts lead the way.
As the gates gradually slowed down, Zhen moved in perfect harmony with their diminishing speed. He glided through the final stretch, coming to a smooth stop at the center just as the gates came to a complete standstill.
Lowering his stance, Zhen exhaled deeply, slowly bringing his hands down in front of him and to his sides.
A hush fell over everyone, each reacting in their own way. Jinora remained unaffected, already aware that Zhen could do it. Her siblings, however, were wide-eyed with amazement. Korra didn't fully grasp what had just happened, but to her, it was like watching Zhen dance with the wind as his partner. Pema, ever the one to show her approval, gave a slow, appreciative clap—the only sound breaking the silence. Tenzin, however, was speechless.
The silence lingered for a moment longer before Tenzin finally spoke, his voice with an undeniable trace of surprise
"Unbelievable…" he muttered, as if the words had slipped.
Zhen stepped down from the platform, stopping in front of Tenzin. He lowered himself into a deep, respectful bow, his fists pressed together in front of him. It wasn't for recognition, it was him understanding his place.
"Thank you for the opportunity" Zhen said simply, giving Tenzin the respect he felt he needed to show.
Tenzin, taking a moment to collect himself, straightened up and exhaled slowly.
"Well, that was… certainly impressive" Tenzin commented.
He made no attempt to hide his surprise, though he kept a measured restraint, as if still processing what he had just seen.
"However" he continued, his tone firm "I can't entrust you with training the Avatar in airbending when you're not an airbender"
"I understand"
Tenzin raised an eyebrow, clearly expecting some resistance. Zhen's calm acceptance seemed to throw him off guard for a moment.
"You do?" he asked, just to make sure.
Zhen nodded in agreement.
"Of course. You're right, I'm no airbender. Teaching the Avatar the proper techniques should fall to someone who understands it completely."
For a brief moment, Tenzin appeared almost satisfied, as if he had succeeded in asserting his authority. Yet, a nagging feeling lingered, as if something more was expected of him. That unease only deepened when he felt a subtle, yet unmistakable, pressure in the air. His spine tingled as though a glare was drilling into him
"Dear, I'm quite tired. Care to accompany me inside?" Pema's voice called from behind him, warm yet pointed.
Tenzin turned to see his wife smiling at him, but it felt like there was an edge to it. It felt like she was glaring at him.
"I'll be there in a bit" he replied nervously as he quickly turned back to Zhen.
Pema kept her smile up
"Take your time"
She said it sweetly. But her intentions were clearly telling her husband 'You know what you need to do'
Zhen could only sigh at the married couple, already aware of what Pema's making him do.
"While I can't let you teach her…" Tenzin began, trailing off as he stroked his beard in thought. His brow furrowed deeply as he mulled it over.
After a long moment, he finally straightened, reaching a decision.
"You could, however, join her training"
"What's this about training?" Korra's voice cut in, curious.
She strolled toward them, sleeves rolled up to her shoulder, a towel draped casually around her neck. Beads of sweat glistened on her arms and face, mingling with streaks of dirt that clung to her clothes.
"Starting tomorrow, Zhen will be joining you in your training" Tenzin informed her
"We figured you might do well if someone close to your age trains with you."
Korra blinked, confused "So, he's just going to… join me while I train?"
"Yes, exactly. And that's final."
Before Korra could ask any more questions, Tenzin quickly added "Well, that should be all for now. Get cleaned up and rest. We'll restart your training tomorrow"
With that, he turned away from the conversation, clearly eager to wrap things up. He made his way toward Pema, gently helping her to her feet before leading her back toward the temple, the three kids following behind them.
Korra, still a little throw off, turned to Zhen.
"Well, guess we're training partners now"
"Looks like it" he replied with a small, indifferent shrug.
Korra paused for a moment, then offered him a smile.
"Nice moves, by the way." She said, her tone carrying genuine appreciation.
She couldn't quite shake off the image of Zhen's movements through the gates. Though Jinora showed her how to do it a while ago, Zhen's style was strikingly different, his body was completely in tune with the wind.
"So, you were an Airbender?" Korra asked, curiously.
"You don't seem like Tenzin's kid"
It was a reasonable assumption. As far as the Korra and everyone else knew, Tenzin and his children were the only living airbenders in the world.
Zhen just shook his head, a small smirk playing on his lips. As he started to walk away, he gave Korra's head a brief, almost playful pat. When his back was fully turned, he spoke again.
"I'm not a bender" he answered with almost complete certainty.
Zhen walked off toward the small table where Pema was sitting, starting to clean up the tea set.
The word nonbender echoed in Korra's mind, replaying over and over. At first, she couldn't believe it. There was no way someone who couldn't bend could move that well. She thought about it over and over, but the more she thought about it, the more it didn't make sense.
Finally, the thought snapped into place.
"Ah you're just messing with me, right?" she called out
But by the time the words left her lips, Zhen had already disappeared.
"Damn it, Zhen!" she yelled in frustration.
Meanwhile, Zhen was already inside the temple's kitchen area, quietly washing dishes. As his hands scrubbed the teapot from earlier, a sudden wave of unease washed over him. It almost felt like a bad omen.
He paused, holding the pot for a moment, before letting out a sigh.
'Should I light some incense?' he thought, half joking to himself, but half considering it.
————————————————————————————
[A few days later]
Since Zhen began accompanying Korra in her training, their days had fallen into a predictable rhythm. Zhen's routine was simple: Wake up, exercise, eat, bathe, patrol, eat again, take care of Pema, train, patrol once more, eat, train, patrol again, then spend his free time before heading off to bed. Korra's wasn't much different in the sense it was repeating between training and breaks. The repetitive cycle bored her.
One day, during their training, Tenzin decided to allow Korra and Zhen to spar occasionally, a suggestion made by Zhen himself to help Korra release any built-up physical frustration she had from her constant failing.
Now, in the center of a small training platform, the two were engaged in their back-and-forth.
"Dammit! Let me hit you just once!" Korra groaned, her breath labored as she swung a punch attempting to hit his side.
Zhen, keeping his movements fluid, focused on evasion, maintaining just enough distance to make her miss by a hair.
"I'd rather not" he replied with a teasing grin as he kept out of her range.
Korra, growled in frustration "Come on, this isn't fair! If only I could use my bending!"
Zhen paused just for a moment, lowering his guard as he met her gaze.
"It's to make things even" he said
"I can't even hit you!"
"I know, but I doubt I could last against you if you were to use even one element"
Korra didn't even listen to what he said at the end. Her eyes narrowed, a sudden focus sharpening her gaze. She saw a fleeting opening, a moment where his attention shifted just enough. Without hesitation, she pulled her elbow back, coiling her muscles like a tensing spring.
And then, with all the force she could muster, she launched herself forward. Her fist clenched as she aimed directly at Zhen's face.
"Just once!" she growled, as she pushed her fist forward.
But in a blink of an eye, her world flipped—literally.
One moment, she was charging at him, and the next, she was flat on her back, staring up at the sky. Her arm was pinned in the air, Zhen keeping a firm hold of her wrist.
"You alright?" he asked, looking down at her with a raised brow.
Korra blinked, momentarily stunned by how quickly and yet gently he threw her on the ground. For a brief second, she just stared up at him, in the midst of processing what just happened.
"You know" she muttered, finally breaking the pause.
"You could've just taken the hit before tossing me"
Using his grip on her wrist as leverage, she pulled herself back up, brushing dirt off her pants.
Zhen smirked, releasing her arm "You say that, but if that hit connected, I'd probably be out cold"
He laughed it off as a joke, but it seemed he was telling the truth. Even if Zhen was narrowly avoiding her fist, if even one of those connected to his body his injuries would've been serious.
"Well, that's enough for the day"
Tenzin's calm voice interrupted, his footsteps almost silent as he approached them. His gaze briefly flicked between Korra and Zhen before settling on the Avatar, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"After lunch we'll be carrying on with your meditations"
Korra, upon hearing this, let out a dramatic groan, her shoulders slumping
"Again? Do we have to? I can't just sit still for that long."
She shot Zhen a pleading look, as though hoping he might back her up.
But Zhen only shrugged.
"Avatars ARE known to meditate a lot" he said, backing Tenzin.
"Traitor!" Korra shot back, her tone dripping with mock betrayal.
"Now, now" Tenzin cut in, raising a hand between them.
"We had an agreement"
"Fine…" Korra huffed, crossing her arms and glancing away from Tenzin like a petulant child.
Tenzin gave her a small nod of approval before turning to the direction of the Temple.
"Alright, get cleaned up. I'll go ahead to check on Pema"
Without another word, he walked off, leaving the two behind.
Korra stood there for a moment, arms still crossed, her glare fixed stubbornly at Tenzin's back. She let out another dramatic sigh before taking a glance at Zhen, who was wiping himself off with a towel.
"Thanks, for no—" she started, only to be interrupted as a towel smacked into her face.
"Wipe yourself off before you complain" Zhen spoke nonchalantly, already turning toward the sidelines where his small bag rested on a stone seat.
Korra yanked the towel off her face, her expression caught between indignation and offense.
"Unbelievable" she muttered, though she grudgingly began patting her face dry with the towel.
She trailed behind him, couldn't resist adding "I can't believe we've fought five times, and I haven't hit you once"
Zhen glanced over his shoulder, smirking.
"You're improving though. Now you miss by inches instead of feet"
He reached into his bag, pulling out a small radio and setting it down the stone bench. As he rummaged through the rest of the bag, Korra shot him a look.
"Gee. Thanks. That makes me feel so much better"
She rolled her eyes as she continued drying off.
Despite her irritation, she was a bit thankful he gave her something to dry off with, although tossing it to her face was a bit much. Grudgingly, she admitted to herself that it was… sort of considerate. In his own annoying way.
Zhen, meanwhile, turned on the radio, fiddling with the dial until he found a decent channel. He pulled an extra shirt out of his bag, pausing when the radio crackled to life.
Come one! Come all! Tune in to tonight's show as we bear witness to the winning match of the year! Our rising stars… The Fire Ferrets!
The announcer's voice boomed from the speaker, hyping up his audience.
Zhen, while listening, tugged off his dusty, damp shirt, revealing the lean muscles of his back. He tossed the old shirt into his bag before grabbing a fresh towel, wiping it across his arms and torso with almost absent-minded rhythm, while the other towel hung around his neck.
Korra, who was listening to the radio as well, found her gaze lingering on him for a moment. After all, he was the only view before her, and her mind wandered as she absently wiped her neck. Then, her eyes landed on something unusual—a tattoo, small but intricate in its design, right at the center of his back just below his nape. A delicate flower, etched in dark ink.
She squinted, trying to make out more details, just as Zhen slipped on a new shirt.
"Hm? What?" Zhen turned to her, catching her staring.
Korra, realizing she'd been caught staring, felt heat rush to her face. Her gaze snapped away, and she stammered.
"Wh-what? Nothing! I—just, uh, nothing at all!" she waved a hand in front of her face, her voice stumbling over itself.
For a moment, she floundered, but then she found an out "Ah! Probending! You, uh, like it as well?" she said quickly, her tone forcing itself to seem casual.
She immediately regained her thoughts as the radio kept its broadcast.
Zhen raised an eyebrow, glancing at the radio before turning back to Korra.
"If you mean like it as an audience, sure let's go with that" he answered her casually, folding his clothing.
"Sure, an audience would seem nice. But don't you just want to get on stage and just duke it out with other benders?" she asked, her tone suddenly eager as she shadowboxed behind him, throwing a couple quick jabs as if imagining herself in the ring.
"How would I even fare against them, with rocks flying at me and nothing to fight back with?" he said, a dry chuckle escaping his lips as he gestured to himself, reminding Korra of his lack of bending.
"Well, I'd never pass up a chance to step into the ring and kick some butt" Korra declared confidently, slamming her fist into her palm with a grin.
Zhen, finishing up with his bag, straightened and turned toward her. He gave her a light tap on the shoulder with a smirk.
"That is, of course, if Tenzin lets you" he teased, before turning to walk away.
Korra groaned, her frustration clear. She knew Tenzin would never let her leave the island, she hasn't been able to get off it since she'd arrived. She huffed and then turned to call out to Zhen.
"Hey! Wait! Aren't you eating with us?" she yelled.
Zhen glanced over his shoulder, giving her a casual wave.
"I've still got rounds to do, Avatar" he replied, giving her a smile.
"I'll see you around"
With that, he turned and continued his way, leaving Korra standing there, her mind starting to wander as he slowly disappeared from view.
'I've never seen him actually join us for meals' she thought, pouting slightly.
It wasn't hard to not notice. Aside from their training sessions and the few times he'd accompanied Pema, Zhen never seemed to spend time with them outside of that. He always seemed to be off on his own, never hanging out after training ended. It wasn't just Zhen either. Pema seemed to try her best to call him out whenever she could, but Tenzin, on the other hand, actively ignored him whenever they were left alone.
Korra shook the thought from her mind, telling herself it wasn't her problem.
She glanced toward the temple, her stomach growling 'I wonder what's for lunch'
With that she decided to let it go for now. After all, they would probably just tell her about it soon.
————————————————————————————
[Later that Night]
The night passed as it always did, quiet. The White Lotus guards, diligent but unsatisfied with their mundane tasks, patrolled their assigned posts under Zhen's direction.
Creak…
Korra, still wide awake, cracked open the window of her room just in time to see a guard leave his post. She smirked to herself, easing the window open fully.
"I'll be damned if I don't see at least one match" she whispered to herself, slipping silently through the window
Landing softly on the grass below, Korra couldn't help but feel the adrenaline through her veins. She glanced around, ensuring the coast was clear, then sprinted toward the edge of the island. Despite her speed, her footsteps were eerily silent.
'Glad I picked this up from all those lessons' she mused, skillfully dodging the patrol as she skirted past the guards.
When the cliffside finally came into view, Korra pushed herself to full speed, her heart pounding with each stride. The wind whipped against her skin, and the edge of the island loomed closer. She didn't hesitate, her mind was set on one thing: Getting off the island.
With a powerful leap off the cliff, she twisted her body in midair, her arms outstretched, guiding her movements. Below her, the sea churned, its waters swirling in response to her movement. She guided the water upward, weaving it around her that aided in slowing her descent into the dark waters below.
Without a second though, she shot forward, her body propelled like a torpedo. Her sight was almost useless underwater. But she didn't need to see—she knew where to go.
Republic City was waiting.
However, in her excitement, Korra made a small miscalculation. A fleeting thought that slipped past her focus. White Lotus guards aside, she wasn't the only one who stayed up at night.
————————————————————————————
[Almost at the same time]
At the gazebo by the cliffside, Zhen stood quietly, leaning on the railing as he watched Republic City far off the bay. A cigarette, lazily held between his fingers, burned gently as he fiddled with it, the faint glow of the ember lighting his face. He had given the White Lotus specific posts to cover, but this area, his spot of peace, was left off the list. This was his place of escape—this and his sleeping quarters.
"How long would this go on…" he murmured to himself
Though he appeared detached, it was hard for him to ignore the tension that burrowed in his back the entire time. He'd grown used to Tenzin's watchful glares over the past year, but now, with the White Lotus stationed on the island for the Avatar's sake, those glares had multiplied.
He took another long drag from the cigarette, the smoke curling inside him, and exhaled into the still night air
Then, in the quiet of the night, Zhen noticed it—faint rustling of footsteps, hurried and uneven. If it had been the Air Acolytes, he would've immediately flicked away the cigarette. But this sounded off; it felt urgent, like someone in a hurry, almost like a child sneaking around. It took him a moment to place it, but it clicked.
He knew exactly whose it was.
And as if answering his thoughts, Korra emerged from the shadow of the bushes, her silhouette barely visible as it joined the backdrop of the starry night. It was faint but he could see her smiling, widely even. Without hesitation, or even noticing him, she leaped off the cliff.
In that instant, Korra twisted her body, summoning a towering column of water to slow her fall. The water twisted around her, slowing her descent until she landed softly underwater. Then, without wasting time, she shot herself straight out with undeniable speed.
Zhen, who just witnessed the Avatar's daring escape, took in the scene with a steady gaze. He already knew where she was headed. Republic City.
'This girl…' he thought to himself
he took a long, slow pull from his cigarette, his eyes tracing the last ripples she left behind, the water gradually returning to its calm state.
End.