========= 72 - Chakra of Trust ==========
By the end of the day and these seemingly long negotiations, my strength had been washed away into a water vortex. Maybe this place had a special aura, or maybe it was the influence of the white desert, but I felt my spirit rapidly draining away. Actions took several times more effort, emotions were depleted faster, and I felt less and less like doing anything.
"This is the North, get used to it. The lack of soil doesn't suit earth mages, and I don't like the cold," said Airo, warming himself by breathing. In short, the harsh climate affected everyone's consciousness, and a mage's consciousness is special. All we could do was get used to it.
All this is to say that the team began to speculate about my mental abilities and the reason why I agreed to go into "confinement" with the Fire Lord. Seeing options before your eyes is one thing, but explaining a crazy decision to a team that thinks everything is a trap is problematic. But I understood them.
After the peace treaty was signed, when Azula and the Chief left with the rest of their people, all that remained were condemning and uncomprehending glances and questions like, "Why did I agree to this? After all, I made a very drastic decision for everyone, perhaps even an unfounded one. It will affect not only my life, and the word "must" is not enough here.
"You want to leave us and go deal with everything yourself?" Aang said quietly, his puppy-dog eyes trying to keep me in place.
"You have no idea what kind of mess you're getting yourself into. And I certainly don't want to go there myself," Zuko said through clenched teeth. "I'm not going to argue or try to convince you of anything. I'll just say that the library of the great spirit, Wang Shi Tong, is a source of completely different information, but often you need to know how to apply it. The knowledge that led me to this point has not been very useful to me so far," I said, taking a scroll from my bag containing the dates and information about the upcoming eclipses and comets, and plunging the team into silence.
In fact, I showed it in response to Anubis's words that Aang would start slacking off. To give the guy some motivation, he had to understand what was at stake and that time was not as elastic as it seemed at first.
Looking at this, Afka opened her mouth: this was the very information she had provided when she showed the great solar calendar. There was nothing wrong with what I said about it, especially considering my intentions. But to clear up any questions:
"Because of the agreement, I cannot use this information for war, so I did not mention it before. That spirit, and Afka, will not understand if we use what is written here for a direct invasion of the enemy's camp. Of course, I understand that this is an excellent opportunity, but no," I emphasised the last word when Sokka wanted to say something. No one knew how to react, especially Aang. His face turned pale, sweat broke out on his forehead... realising that there was a deadline to stop Ozai, he seemed to understand the full weight of his responsibility.
"That's why we've been in such a hurry all this time.
They understood me quickly. Even Zuko, albeit with gritted teeth, stopped voicing his opposition. Yes, he didn't say anything in support, but that wasn't necessary. We gradually began to disperse, some of us understanding that we would not be able to sleep that night. The rest decided to prepare for the next day.
"Come on, I'll introduce you," said Airo, heading towards Water Master Pakku, who had been sitting by the water pool meditating the whole time. The Avatar's presence did not bother the grey-haired mage, but I would not say that he ignored everyone. The man was carefully watching the passage where Azula and her friend had gone, protecting us all from being followed. "Hello, old friend.
Hearing the voice of the order's leader, the sullen-looking man, who had not smiled once during the entire celebration, finally curved the corners of his lips.
"Friends don't bring annoying and spiteful nieces to their homes," he said sarcastically. "If only you knew what a headache she is. It's obvious you didn't raise her... But hello, Airo.
The first few seconds, and his grumpiness and callousness are already in full force. And if you look at it that way, he's a powerful mage, but he only has three open chakras. The same number as Azula. There was no love in him, he found it difficult to show kindness, and his knowledge of qi points, despite where he lives, is probably poor. But even so, he was still the best water mage in the area.
Airo introduced us and personally asked his old acquaintance to become Aang and his companions' teacher. He did not refuse, but assured him that he would not go easy on them, even though the Avatar himself would be his student. They would have to start tomorrow morning, otherwise there would be no serious training.
"I agree," Aang said firmly. He had changed, especially today, when he learned that they didn't have much time. Yes, it was possible to manage without him, but I had instilled a sense of responsibility in Aang. Fun and games should be reserved for times other than such serious moments.
While the others went to rest and Airo went to chat with an old friend, I looked around for Tai Li. She had been quiet for the last few hours, and it was easy to figure out why, so I wanted to find her. Realising she wasn't nearby, I went to the palace and wandered through the corridors until I heard voices:
"I thought you were in some circus on the other side of the continent, maybe even pretending to be a commoner and ending up in Ba Sing Se, but it turns out you're having fun," Azula's sharp voice rang out. "You've got yourself a handsome guy."
"Clever trick, my friend. Is this all on purpose?" Mei followed. The trio reunited, but it couldn't be said that they were happy about it. Peeking around the corner, I realised that the atmosphere was like a pool full of snakes.
"I just gave up my old life, to be honest, it was awful. It's much more fun with Dagoth, and look what it's led to, we're ready to make peace!
But despite the predatory glances, Tai Li reacted very calmly. She was still as cheerful and talkative as ever. Maybe a little reserved, but that had become part of her new personality. And some people didn't like that the doll had gained her freedom.
"Then you should come to the capital with us. Maybe you'll finally meet your parents, they probably miss you. You'll see your sisters, see if you're different from them now," Azula's words struck Tai Li to the core. It didn't seem like anything serious, but knowing who said it, one could assume anything. "...I'll discuss it with the team. To be honest, it's not that much fun hanging out with you guys, I don't know what I'll do at home," Tai Li's answer was just as simple and cheerful. She waved goodbye and headed for her room. Yes, she simply ignored her friends, surprising them considerably.
Tai Lee is giving it to them, look how Azula's face is contorted. The proud doll has found the strings that controlled her, and she has no intention of getting caught in them again. It's hard to predict what the consequences will be, but she was holding on tight, at least for appearances' sake.
"Good," I leaned against the wall, unable to hold back a smile. How do you get back at your enemy? Of course, you show them how well you live, and my friend even managed to undermine her ex-friend, even if only a little. Azula exhaled an angry breath and clenched her teeth. I waited for the ladies to leave, then went to Tai Li's room, which is also mine. I knocked on the door, heard a creak, and saw a tense girl on one of the two beds. She was clenching her fingers and frowning. "You have good friends, by the way. One is always smiling, and the other is quiet, but she's probably a good listener.
"I have a problem, Dagoth," she said, unable to play along with my joke. She was covered in cold sweat, she was in such deep trouble. Azula always gets what she wants, she has no boundaries to restrain her desires. If she wants me to obey her or stab you in the back, she may want to use my sisters or parents to do it. I don't care about my position in the country of fire, but if their lives start to deteriorate because of me... you could say that I would betray not only them, but also my promise to myself: never to let anyone walk all over me again. I wouldn't be able to help anyone. Maybe I shouldn't have been rude to Azula?
She was so flustered by the situation that her hands began to tremble.
"Not good," I sat down next to her and could only rub my chin thoughtfully. "But that's why I'm going to the capital — to keep conflicts in check and prevent evil princesses from manipulating their friends. And besides, I have every right to be rude, I've earned that reputation.
Choose:
1 - Promise protection (Sometimes it's worth saying a few words to support someone, and it will change their life. You can break into Azula's web of intrigue to help Tai Li get out of it. Later, you'll have to make a series of difficult choices, but you'll gain the highest trust).
2 - Deception (You can force Tai Li to choose between her family and your side. Whatever happens to Tai Li's family, you can always support and control her opinion yourself. You will have to take Tai Li with you to show her that family is just a tool that must be used. The fewer weaknesses you have, the easier life is, but are you ready to go that far?)
"How awful... - covering my mouth for a second, I shook my head. Become literally the same manipulator as Azula, making Tai Li believe she is in control of the situation? I didn't even want to talk to the fiery princess because of that, and now I'm becoming just like her," I said. "I'll be damned if I let the past manipulate you again.
Her downcast eyes rose from the floor and focused on me with new hope. I could foresee many things, but not that she would start crying... Wiping the corners of her eyes with the back of her hand, she said quietly:
"Thank you. I don't know what else to say, I... believe you more than I believe myself right now. You definitely won't fall for her tricks," she smiled softly and looked at me with complete gratitude. Trust is tested in difficult moments, and although I had not yet faced a truly difficult choice, this was enough.
Tai Li hugged me sincerely, and I felt a strong bond, a real connection and complete trust. It manifested itself as a familiar sixth sense, when I understood the whole flow of the girl's real emotions, as well as in the breakthrough of another barrier blocking access to the chakra. This is what Kuruk meant: truth, trust, bonds—this chakra is really easy to open.
But was there a plus side to this? Kuruk began to lose his mind because of the opening of this chakra; it made him vulnerable. Having lost the person for whom he had such strong feelings, he lost himself, became a laughing stock for the whole North, and died at the age of thirty-three... even earlier than many ordinary people. I can't become like that. Perhaps the second option could have protected me from that, made me less vulnerable, but I have no regrets.
The main thing is to meet the local spirits. It's time to finally heal my limbs.