CH 17 - ATLA 16 - Farewells

(Word Count: 2,334)

A few days later, my time at the North Pole came to an end, as did the Gaang’s. The Northern Water Tribe had made arrangements with the Earth Kingdom for Aang to go to Omashu to begin his study of Earthbending. Chief Arnook and the elders, having heard of the Southern Water Tribe’s current state from Katara and Sokka, also wanted to reach out to them and provide aid.

So a huge ship was prepared to carry supplies over. Instead of the smaller ships they used in war, the ship was a large beefy double-hulled canoe that sat deceptively light on the water. Though calling it a “canoe” was misleading to its size. It reminded me of the huge Polynesian voyaging ships in Moana, and it could easily carry enough cargo for the entire Southern Water Tribe with surplus.

As we were loading up to leave, Princess Yue kissed Sokka goodbye. These past few weeks they had officially become a couple. I had a feeling that the North and South will be a whole lot closer than they had become in the show.

This was the third time I’ve sailed on the open ocean. The first time I was in a tiny fishing vessel on my own as I sailed to the Eastern Air Temple. It was a brief experience, but I was constantly battling the huge waves. The second time was on a Fire Nation’s steam ship as a passenger. It was more cramped and boring with nothing to do except study the firebending scrolls Iroh gave me.

Sailing with waterbenders was entirely different. It was spacious, warm, and, despite seeming like we should be a lot slower, we were sailing so smoothly we were many times faster than the merchant ship I was on before. 

Throughout the journey, the waterbenders calmed the waves around the boat and we were pushed along easily. I hardly felt any rocking as we traveled, just the cool ocean wind on the deck. This was the main reason we didn’t fear sailing through Fire Nation waters. 

As our ship was pushed along by the water benders and grandmaster Pakku, I was once again dressed up with all of my gear. I was wearing my firebender armor, which had been repainted to more neutral earthy tones. I had my smaller one-handed jian, my first sword, strapped to my hip, and Telluris strapped to my back. My large pack was set on the deck against my leg.

I stood next to the Gaang, the three kids were excitedly talking about the Earth Kingdom’s fort that they were going to next and arranging their saddlebags on Appa. I paid them no mind as I leaned against one of Appa’s legs and pulled up my Status Screen. 

STATUS SCREEN

NAME: Callan Stone

TIER: 1

GLOBAL LEVEL: 12 21,258/22,323 Exp

CLASS: Monk 1 => 4/10 782/1,054 Exp

CLASS HISTORY: Street Rat 10/10, Brawler 10/10

STATS:

Str: 30

End: 46 => 49

Dex: 26

Int: 15

Wis: 42 => 45

Cha: 15

Free Stats: 0

SKILLS:

Skill Points: 0

[Deception LVL 100/100]

[Forestry LVL 100/100]

[Axe Handling LVL 100/100]

[Wood Chopping LVL 100/100]

[Persuasion LVL 100/100]

[Hammer Handling LVL 100/100]

[Blacksmithing LVL 100/100]

[Sword Handling LVL 100/100]

[Knife Handling LVL 57 => 60/100]

[Sewing LVL 40 => 42/100]

[Cooking LVL 100/100]

[Leatherworking LVL 23/100]

[Running LVL 100/100]

[Sprinting LVL 100/100]

[Jumping LVL 100/100]

[Leap LVL 54 => 55/100]

[Acrobatics LVL 100/100]

[Sneak LVL 100/100]

[Muted Steps LVL 100/100]

[Hide LVL 60 => 62/100]

[Meditation LVL 100/100]

[Archery LVL 50 => 51/100]

[Carpentry LVL 100/100]

[Sailing LVL 71 => 80/100]

[Baguazhang LVL 100/100]

[Chi Manipulation LVL 84 => 100/100]

[Chi Sensing LVL 67 => 80/100]

[Low Cosmic Connection LVL 24/100]

[Horse Riding LVL 52/100]

[Fishing LVL 100/100]

[Wood Carving LVL 100/100]

[Swimming LVL 70 => 73/100]

[Drawing LVL 80 => 100/100]

[Haggling LVL 25 => 40/100]

[Chi Enhancement LVL 64  => 100/100]

[Parry LVL 100/100]

[Dodge LVL 90  => 100/100]

[Counter LVL 91  => 100/100]

[First Aid LVL 10 => 100/100]

[Intimidation LVL 25  => 30/100]

[Earthbending LVL 70 => 72/100]

[Seismic Sense LVL 73 => 74/100]

[Earth Softened Steps LVL 43/100]

[Chi Enhanced Senses LVL 51 => 100/100]

[Northern Shaolin LVL 87 => 100/100]

[Language(Hanzi) LVL 40 => 60/100]

[Calligraphy LVL 28  => 40/100]

[Situational Awareness LVL 78 => 100/100]

[Painting LVL 32/100]

[Sunder LVL 50 => 55/100]

[Pickpocket LVL 1/100]

[Discombobulate LVL 1 => 9/100]

[Tai Chi LVL 1 => 100/100]

[Singular Attention LVL 1 => 100/100]

[Divided Attention LVL 1 => 100/100]

[Teaching LVL 1 => 100/100]

[Chi Healing LVL 1 => 15/100]

WP: 3,100

I sighed. As soon as I returned to the Akashic Library, I really really needed to get some sort of organizer for this massive list of skills. It was getting unwieldy months ago. 

Nonetheless, I was extremely satisfied with my progress in the Northern Water Tribe. I had capped two different classes and made good progress on my monk class. Though it's a bit troublesome that my global levels are stalling. I needed those skill points to advance my cosmic connection skill. It was my most powerful skill by far, alongside Chi Manipulation and Earthbending. 

As for my skill progress, I finally capped many of my Chi skills, and even gained several new skills that were game changers. Singular Attention was an amazing skill for analysis and in crafting. Divided Attention was a massive blessing when it came to fighting, it helped me synchronize my Chi and earthbending with my swordfighting much better while I was in the middle of combat.

Chi Healing would allow for some more intense training, like trying to get some resistance skills or commit to some more dangerous battles, without having to worry about crippling myself.

Last but not least, I even earned a lot more World Points than I had expected. I must have completed some world quests that I don't remember. 

“Isn't that right, Master?” Sokka asked, bringing me back from my thoughts. Ever since Sokka's breakthrough in sensing his Chi, he took to calling me master. It made sense from their culture, I was his sword master and taught him about Chi. Unfortunately, it also got Aang and Katara calling me that too, since I also taught them Chi Manipulation. It also made me feel really old. 

I closed out of my status screen and thought back to what they were talking about. Something about the fort they were heading to. “Well, I don't think I like this general. He's known for pushing for rather extreme solutions. He may end up wanting to force Aang back into the avatar state to wield him as a weapon. If you ask me, you should get out of that fort as soon as you can.”

Sokka dimmed a little bit, and Katara smirked triumphantly. “That's what I've been telling you, Sokka! We don't need any escort of soldiers. We should just take Appa and fly past them entirely!”

Aang defended Sokka. “Well, it wouldn't hurt to at least greet them, they are waiting for us after all, the arrangements have already been made so we shouldn't ignore it completely.”

Katara grumbled but accepted it. 

The coastline came into view, and the towering walls of the fort began to loom ahead.  It was truly impressive, the sort of walls could be constructed with earthbending. The walls spanned the entire visible coastline, with the massive fort dead ahead. Trailing down from the fort, down the cliffside, was a winding set of stairs that led to a small fortified port for any incoming ships. 

Pakku came up to them, with two men behind him holding some gifts. Pakku took one of the gifts and held it up to Katara. It was an ornate flask, the same spirit water she had received in the show. “Katara, I want you to have this. This amulet contains water from the Spirit Oasis. The water has unique properties. Don't lose it,” Pakku said rather bluntly.

Katara accepted the small flask and hugged Pakku. “Thank you, Master Pakku.”

Pakku then took the other gift from the men behind him. It was a box of scrolls. He held it towards Aang. “Aang, these scrolls will help you master waterbending. But remember, they're no substitute for a real master,” Pakku warned.

Lastly, Pakku looked to Sokka, excited for his own gift, and patted him on the shoulder. “Sokka… Take care, son.” Sokka deflated.

“aww, man!” He whined, and returned to getting things arranged with Appa.

“When you fly over, General Fong will provide you with an escort to Omashu. There, you will be safe to begin your earthbending training with King Bumi,” Pakku said.

The three kids finished strapping everything down and before they hopped onto Appa, they all took turns to give me a hug.

When Aang hugged me, I patted him on the back and whispered, “remember our little talk, Aang. Don't let yourself be used as a weapon, okay, kid?”

“I won't. Thanks, Master Callan.”

When Sokka hugged me, I whispered, “remember, Sokka, bending or not, you're an essential member of team avatar. Never doubt that.”

“Thank you for everything, Master. I'll make you proud. I promise,” Sokka vowed.

“You already have, Sokka.”

When Katara hugged me. She sniffed sadly. “Goodbye, Callan,” Katara muttered. I ruffled her hair, though it didn't really do anything as it was all pulled into two braided loops.

“Like I said, we'll be running into each other soon enough. See you around, Katara, Sokka, Aang. Good luck finding your earthbending teacher.” 

“Appa, yip yip!” Aang called and flicked the reins.

As they flew away, Katara shouted back down to Pakku. “Say hi to Gran-Gran for me!”

~ CatAR ~

As they flew away, Aang frowned. ‘I'm going to be learning earthbending from Bumi. Why'd he say good luck in finding a teacher?’ It was probably a mistake, but for some reason, it gave him a bad feeling. He felt a pressing need to get to Omashu quickly.

~ CatAR ~

Once Appa was out of sight, having descended below the walls of the fort, Pakku turned to me. “Callan, I've reached out to Iroh and Piandao. You come highly recommended to join the Order of the White Lotus. As such, I hereby invite you to join as an official member.”

I stiffened in surprise, glancing at all of the other men on the boat.

“Don't worry, they're all already members. They're trustworthy.”

“I would like that, yes,” I said. It was one of the World Quests after all. 

“Good. You're a member now. Congratulations,” Pakku said.

I blinked. “That's it?” It was too casual. I quickly check my World Points to see if I completed the Quest. Sure enough, I had.

WP: 3,100 => 3,200

“What did you think was going to happen? We're not some cult. The White Lotus is merely a network of information with several Grand Master and Grand Lotus members that oversee everything. There's two types of members, those that are permanent residents of a town or city, and those that travel. Those that travel bring new information to the stationary members and act as messengers between them. Any member of the White Lotus can go to the stationary members for information. You know how to get in contact with them, yes?”

“Yeah, they're usually some old men waiting to play Pai Sho with someone in bars and taverns,” I said.

Pakku sighed. “That's usually right, though do be sure to verify with the password.”

“Of course.”

“Now, I do have a message that I would like you to bring to Chief Hakoda of the Southern Water Tribe. This message outlines the Northern Water Tribe's wishes to reconnect and help our sister tribe. Hakoda is not a member of the White Lotus, but as chief, he needs to know about this. You will be paid, of course.”

Pakku handed me a sealed scroll, and a small bag of coins. I opened the bag, and instead of the Earth kingdom's bronze, silver and gold coins, there were the blue coins of the water tribes. It was still good money though, and many merchants accepted it as payment. There were about 20 coins.

“I’ll make sure Chief Hakoda receives the message.” I didn’t bother asking where Hakoda may be. I could just use Chi Sense for that.

“We’ve prepared a small boat for you to take for your travels. I trust you know how to navigate and sail on your own?”

“Yeah, I can handle myself just fine on a boat.”

“Good. You can be on your way now,” Pakku said, and he walked away.

“Well… goodbye to you too,” I said.

I grabbed my pack and settled into the small vessel the others had prepared for me. As I cast away, I use Chi Sense to get my heading. I followed my connection to Katara and Sokka, then followed their connection to their father to find him.

 In the vision, I see Chief Hakoda talking to Bato and another one of his men I didn’t know the name of. They were holed up near the town of Gaipan, the town that Jet and his “freedom fighters” had flooded. They were busy making plans to ambush one of the Fire Nations ships that would be passing through the river just south of the town. 

That made things easier. I could just follow the river. However, since it was a river currently controlled by the Fire Nation, there would be many outposts stationed along the river making it impossible for me to simply sail up it. I would have to go on foot and go around any outposts I inevitably run into. Or burrow underneath it?

I waved goodbye to the men on the larger ship, and turned my boat northward.

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