𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐒 // zuko

The Tale of Saria

the tale of saria

_______________

In the heart of Ba Sing Se, amidst the bustling streets and towering walls that stood as a testament to the city's resilience, Saria found herself drawn to a forgotten corner that seemed untouched by time. Guided by whispers that seemed to echo from the very stones beneath her feet, she wandered through the narrow alleys, each twist and turn revealing a new layer of the city's history.

As she walked, Saria couldn't help but marvel at the grandeur of Ba Sing Se—the towering buildings adorned with intricate carvings, the bustling marketplaces alive with the sounds of commerce, and the labyrinthine streets teeming with life. It was a city unlike any other, a testament to the ingenuity and strength of the Earth Kingdom.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, Saria's gaze was drawn to a small shrine nestled in a quiet corner, hidden from the prying eyes of passersby. Approaching with a sense of reverence, she found herself standing before a weathered statue of Avatar Kyoshi, her likeness carved in stone with an air of quiet dignity.

Surrounded by offerings of incense and flowers, the shrine seemed to hum with a quiet energy, as if the very air crackled with the power of ancient magic. As Saria kneeled before the statue, a gentle breeze stirred the air, carrying with it the scent of blooming flowers and the distant murmur of the city beyond.

With a sense of trepidation, Saria closed her eyes, allowing herself to be swept away by memories that flooded her mind, memories that were not hers. In her mind's eye, she saw visions of a time long past, where the Earth Kingdom flourished under Kyoshi's watchful eye.

She witnessed scenes of strength and courage, of battles fought and victories won, each moment etched with the indomitable spirit of her ancestor. From the heights of Kyoshi Island to the depths of Ba Sing Se, Kyoshi's legacy loomed large, a beacon of hope in a world shrouded in darkness.

Lost in contemplation, Saria felt the weight of her own responsibilities pressing down upon her. As a descendant of Kyoshi and a vessel for the Earth Spirit, she was torn between her duty to her lineage and her desire for a simpler life.

In the quiet solitude of the shrine, Saria poured out her heart to Kyoshi, confessing her doubts and fears. She spoke of her conflicted feelings for Zuko, the banished prince who had captured her heart, and her uncertainty about her role in the world.

To her surprise, the statue of Kyoshi seemed to stir with life, radiating a warmth that enveloped Saria like a comforting embrace. In that moment, she felt a connection to her ancestor unlike any she had experienced before—a bond forged not by blood, but by shared trials and tribulations. This energy felt different from when Saria directly contacted the late Avatar's spirit, it felt like a calling. 

With each breath, she felt the earth beneath her pulse with life, a silent symphony of nature's rhythm. Closing her eyes, she extended her hands over the earth, feeling the energy course through her veins.

With a gentle touch, Saria called forth her latent earthbending abilities, channeling the essence of her lineage. As she focused her intentions, tiny sprouts of green emerged from the soil, unfurling into delicate flowers that bloomed in vibrant hues. With each bloom, she felt a surge of connection to the earth, a profound sense of belonging that transcended mere physicality.

She pondered the significance of her abilities, wondering how Kyoshi herself must have felt when she first discovered her role as the Avatar, burdened with the weight of responsibility and destiny.

Saria considered the parallels between her own journey and that of her ancestor. Like Kyoshi, she too faced a pivotal moment of realisation, a turning point where she had to embrace her heritage and the gifts bestowed upon her by the spirits. As she gazed upon the blossoms she had summoned, she couldn't help but feel a sense of kinship with the legendary Avatar, a shared understanding of the immense power and duty that came with their lineage.

With each petal that unfurled beneath her touch, Saria felt a deepening connection to her earthbending abilities. It was as if the earth itself whispered secrets to her, guiding her along a path that was both ancient and new. In this moment of communion, she understood that her journey was not just about figuring out her destiny, but also about embracing the legacy of those who came before her.

Lost in thought, a child approached her, her eyes wide as she stared at the blooming flowers. Her small fingers clutched onto a delicate wooden statue of Avatar Kyoshi. With the innocence of youth, she spoke in a voice filled with admiration and wonder.

"Kyoshi's so cool," the girl said, her voice tinged with excitement. "She was brave and strong, and she always protected her people. I wish I could be just like her!"

Saria felt a warmth spread through her chest as she listened to the girl's words, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. In the child's earnest admiration for Kyoshi, she saw a reflection of her own admiration for her ancestor, and a reminder of the virtues she aspired to embody.

The girl extended her arm that held the toy towards Saria. With a gentle smile, Saria reached out to take the Kyoshi statue from the girl's hand, feeling the weight of its significance in her palm. As she looked upon the serene expression of the late Avatar, she felt a renewed sense of purpose wash over her, a reminder of the legacy she carried and the responsibility she bore.

As Saria and the girl sat in the quiet embrace of the shrine, a wave of uncertainty washed over her. How could she, a mere mortal, hope to navigate the complexities of her destiny? What if she wasn't strong, wise, or worthy enough to carry the burden that had been placed on her shoulders?

Lost in her thoughts, Saria found herself grappling with the weight of her uncertain future. For what felt like so long, she had yearned for answers, for guidance, and for some semblance of clarity in the midst of chaos. But now, as she stared down at the shrine that lay before her, noting the lingering support for the late Avatar's actions during her time, she realised that perhaps the greatest lesson of all was learning to embrace the unknown.

With a deep breath, Saria allowed herself to surrender to the uncertainty, to trust in the wisdom of the spirits that guided her. She knew, deep down, that they had chosen her for a reason.

In that moment of surrender, Saria felt a sense of peace wash over her, a quiet reassurance that it was okay not to have all the answers. She realised that her journey was not about knowing every twist and turn that lay ahead, but about learning to trust in herself and in the spirits that guided her.

With a newfound sense of clarity, Saria rose to her feet, her heart lightened by the realisation that her destiny was hers to shape. She returned the wooden statue to the girl before walking away. As she made her way through the winding streets of Ba Sing Se, she carried with her the knowledge that no matter what challenges lay ahead, she was not alone.

For she was Saria, descendant of Avatar Kyoshi, bearer of the earth's power, and newfound guardian of the Earth Kingdom. And with each step she took, she knew that she was exactly where she was meant to be.