Tides Of Flame : Avatar The Last Airbender

The ship sailed away from the Western Air Temple. Their new goal was a mountain range about five hundred miles west from Northern Air Temple. Iroh had marked it on an old map. It wasn't a Fire Nation base or a known Avatar hiding spot. It was just a quiet group of mountains. Zuko, still excited that the Avatar was alive, agreed quickly. He was ready to follow any hint, no matter how small.

Life on the ship settled into a familiar rhythm. Days were spent training. Alec and Zuko pushed each other during their firebending practice. The awkwardness from their earlier fall had gone away. Now, they had a comfortable understanding.

Sometimes, their eyes would meet. A silent, warm feeling would pass between them, a warmth that had nothing to do with fire. Iroh, always watching, noticed these small changes. A faint smile played on his lips as he drank his tea.

Alec, even with his secret mission and the growing weight of his hidden truth, found himself enjoying these times. Sparring with Zuko was exciting. It sharpened his skills and cleared his mind. He still pretended to be blind.

He moved carefully, his head tilted as if listening closely. He knew Iroh saw through his act, but the old general's silence was comforting. It was like a silent agreement in his complicated deception. Zuko, though, still watched him with a curious doubt. It was a constant, low worry that Alec had to work hard to hide. It was a tricky dance, balancing his real abilities with the need to keep his secret.

After weeks at sea, the mountains finally appeared far away, a jagged line against the sky. They weren't as grand as the Western Air Temple, but they had a quiet beauty. Their tops were covered in mist. The ship found a hidden, quiet cove and dropped anchor. The next part of their journey would be on foot.

"From here," Iroh explained, pointing to a spot on his map, "the way through deep inside these mountains. It will be a long walk, but I believe it will be worth it."

Zuko, Alec, and a few loyal guards got off the ship. The air was cool and fresh. It smelled of pine trees and wet earth. The ground was rough, covered in thick plants and loose rocks. It was very different from the smooth decks of the ship.

Everyone felt the change right away. Alec, even with his internal maps, made sure to move a little slowly. He would sometimes pretend to stumble or miss a step. This kept up the illusion of his blindness for the guards, and more importantly, for Zuko.

The first few days were a hard climb. The mountains were steeper than they looked. The paths were often overgrown or didn't exist. Zuko, being naturally athletic, moved easily, but even he got tired sometimes. Alec, using his super senses and internal navigation, could have moved much faster. But he purposely slowed down.

He would sometimes fake a stumble, letting Zuko offer a steadying hand. These small touches, brief as they were, sent a strange warmth through Alec. It was a feeling he was still trying to understand.

One evening, they made camp near a loud waterfall. Alec was making tea. He had brought a small, carefully packed tea set. It was a comfort from his old life, something he refused to give up. He was very careful, heating the water just right, letting the tea leaves steep for the perfect amount of time. It was a small ritual, a calm moment in their often chaotic lives. Zuko watched him, curious. "You really like tea, don't you?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Alec, without looking up, nodded. "It's a simple pleasure, Prince Zuko. But it's very important. It teaches patience, and how to appreciate small things." He poured a cup for Zuko, then for Iroh, before making his own. As he reached for his cup, his hand brushed against Zuko's. It was a quick touch that sent a jolt through both of them.

Alec quickly pulled his hand back. A faint blush rose on his neck. He hoped his blindfold hid his reaction. Zuko also felt a sudden warmth, a strange flutter in his chest. He quickly looked away, pretending to be interested in the flickering fire, but the feeling stayed with him.

Iroh, watching the whole thing, just smiled into his teacup. His eyes had a knowing twinkle. He understood the unspoken language of touch, the accidental moments that could start something new. He had seen it many times before. He knew that sometimes, the deepest connections began with the simplest actions.

As they continued their journey, the land became wilder. The air grew thick with the smell of old trees and wet earth. Alec's senses were on high alert. He could feel the subtle changes in the ground, the faint vibrations of unseen life.

He knew they were getting close to something important. The spiritual energy, which had been a faint hum, was now a clear thrum. It was a powerful feeling that vibrated through his whole being.

One afternoon, after days of hard climbing, they came out of a thick forest into an open space. Below them, in a wide valley, was a sight that made them all stop. It was a village, small and simple, but full of bright colors and happy sounds.

Banners waved in the wind, showing symbols of the four elements and, most clearly, a flying bison. Music floated up to them, a joyful, steady beat, mixed with laughter and celebration. It was an Avatar festival.

Zuko's eyes widened in surprise. "An Avatar festival? Here? In the middle of nowhere?"

Iroh's smile grew wider. "Indeed, nephew. It seems we have found a celebration of hope. A sign of the Avatar's lasting spirit, even in these dark times."

Alec, however, felt a different mix of feelings: relief and worry. Relief, because this was a clear sign, a direct link to the Avatar. Worry, because he knew that where the Avatar was, trouble often followed. And he also knew this was different from the story he remembered.

Aang was supposed to be found in the ice, not in a faraway village. . He tightened his grip on the fan he used for his blind act, a small sign of his unease. The game was changing, and he had to adapt, fast.

They watched the party from their hidden spot among the trees. People danced, children played, and the air smelled of roasted food and sweet incense. It was a scene of pure joy, a sharp contrast to the war-torn world they usually lived in. Zuko, for a moment, seemed to forget his mission. His gaze softened as he watched the villagers. Even the guards seemed to relax, their serious faces replaced by wonder.

"We should go down there," Zuko said, a strange eagerness in his voice. "Maybe they know something. Maybe they've seen him."

Iroh nodded. "A good idea, Prince Zuko. Information is often found in the most unexpected places. But we must be careful. We are Fire Nation, and not everyone will welcome us."

Alec, his internal sensors already checking the village layout, the number of people, and any possible dangers, felt a knot tighten in his stomach. He knew the Avatar was here, or would be soon. And he knew that his mission, given by Avatar Yangchen, was about to become very, very real.

The festival, a symbol of hope for the villagers, felt like a ticking clock to him. The stage was set, and the players were gathering. The search for the Avatar was about to take a very unexpected turn. He took a deep breath, the smell of celebration filling his lungs, and got ready for what came next.

He was an otherworlder, a blind firebender, and a reluctant part of a destiny much bigger than his own. And the Avatar festival was just the beginning.