Leaves From the Vine- Mako Iwamatsu. Not my song of video as usual I hope you guys enjoy this chapter!
-Rose
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Lyra's POV
I drifted in and out of concious as as the 'medicine' took effect. Sokka had returned and I heard his footsteps,
"Lyra!" He yelled in alarm, "are you alright? Of course she isn't alright, Sokka." He scolded himself. The anger in my veins lay like poison in my system. It coursed trough my very core and the sound of raging storms combined.
I felt a pull at my gut and my conciousness was sucked down a tube.
I held desperately to Sokka's words but they faded.
With my effort to open my eyes I shot up.
My vision was open and I didn't wear a blindfold, I was in a vast swamp.
The anger was raw, and I shook with rage. Jet had hurt one of my own and I didn't doubt he'd hurt many more and crush Katara's heart.
"Lyra," came La's calm voice as the mist parted and he walked into view, "you must calm yourself" He breathed.
I twisted my head towards him feeling my anger bubbling over.
"What do you expect me to be?! I am paralyzed for Spirits sake, and my family is surrounded by wolves in sheep's clothing! He's hurt Asura, and I refuse to allow him to hurt anyone else! That poor cat-owl is not even a year old and she is scared to death because her mother is paralyzed, and might've died were it not for her intervention! He hurt my daughter, La. My child! My baby girl! And if he thinks he isn't gonna get what he deserves, he's got Hell to pay!" I fumed as my temper exploded.
La nodded and made a soothing motion,
"He'll get far more than he deserves" La assured me. "However if you keep allowing the rage in you'll become a vengeful spirit. I didn't come here just to calm you. I have news..." He trailed.
He looked downwards,
"Your rage is especially dangerous right now. Something has occurred, and I worry that it may be earth shaking." La shuddered.
I straightened myself and saw his stoic face crack,
"La-" I said quickly to jump in and assure him.
"Lyra, this secret is not for the faint of heart. Twelve years from now an unearthly power is coming. It is not to be controlled, this power is a new element." La finished and I pulled back in shock,
"What do you mean, new element?" I questioned worriedly, "and what does it have to do with me?" I questioned again.
La shook his head,
"I have already said too much, if you want to learn more visit Aunt Wu, she is a long friend of mine. She knows everything." La answered.
He fell back into the fog and it disappeared with him.
My vision grew a blinding white and I twitched.
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"She's yet to wa-. Sokka- lies-" ba-dump "Poison- innocent- town- drown" the words came like fever dreams, I almost thought they were dreams until I heard his voice,
"Let's go." It was that psychopath, Jet!
My fingers twitched and I fought the paralysis with all I had. If I didn't innocent people were gonna die.
"Lyra! You're awake!" Sokka whisper yelled "I got the note" he nodded.
He propped me up against the tree trunk and I finally gained control. Though my movements were still sluggish.
"What happened? You weren't actually sick right? Jet, said it was serious" Sokka fretted.
I waved him away,
"The medicine he gave me was a paralysis agent. He paralyzed me and hurt Asura. Speaking of Asura is she alright?!" I sweated.
Sokka shook his head.
"We don't know. She went missing not long after we found you." Sokka answered.
"That bitch" I seethed with the image of Jet catching Asura.
He'd regret getting on my bad side. I clenched my fist and sat up steadily on my feet.
"We need to follow them" I stated with Sokka's nod in agreement.
"Stay separate, if one of us gets caught. Keep going. If we're both out safely we'll meet at the base of the river and regroup. Don't say anything about the other. We need to stay hidden. He has Asura, I know it. I'm going to find her. He'll pay the ultimate price if she's hurt more." I growled animalisticly.
He nodded and I grabbed the water pouch.
He followed in the trees while I used my mist walking from above to disguise me.
I followed a scared whimpering that I immediately recognized,
"Asura!" I cried.
Her head snapped up and La did not hesitate in giving me his vision.
She was stuck in a net.
Her wings were bound together in string and her beak was covered to prevent her from escaping. He legs were tied together, and the area where the hooksword had hit leaked cloudy pus.
I ran towards her easily and freed her.
Her whimpering silenced and she looked up at me with broken eyes. He was going to pay.
She looked so sad and looked like she was in so much pain.
I put her on my back. She was extremely heavy but the anger, adrenaline, and instinct to keep her safe overpowered anything else.
I sprinted into the area where Appa rested. The bison stared at me in worry until he saw Asura. He immediately stood up and sprinted over, causing to ground to shake.
I reluctantly put her down as she whimpered. It broke my heart and I glared fiercely at the blistered areas where the rope had rubbed.
My face softened,
"I know, Baby. He'll pay, I swear it, Darling." I soothed her. She looked so shaken, and the cut in her back leg was deeply inflamed, possibly infected.
I clenched my fist and gritted my teeth,
I breathed, heeding La's words.
I stroked her cheek gently, I had my medicine pouch on Appa.
I was lucky I had some tumeric, it was slightly dry but I hoped it'd work. I normally used it as a seasoning but it worked as a natural painkiller. I ground some up with a stone mortar and pestle. I combined it with some of the rabbit meat we dried then added some water. It didn't smell very bad but it was a vivid orange.
I made sure Asura ate all of it while cooing and praising her. She deserved so much more. I only wish I had time to give it.
My clock was running low anyways. I had to get to the base of the river.
I lulled her to sleep with a lullaby and stroked her head,
I began humming a tune that I had been sung when mom was alive,
"Leaves from the vine,
falling so slow."
"Like fragile tiny shells,
Drifting in the foam."
"Little soldier boy,
come marching home."
"Brave soldier boy,
comes marching home."
I continued to hum until Asura was asleep. Her head rested on my lap and delicate snores fell from her scratched beak.
I carefully sat up and Appa took my place in keeping her head propped up.
"Keep her safe while I'm gone, Appa." I nodded to the bison. Appa in turn bowed his head and watched over her.
"Time to take down this bastard" I seethed.
I lifted my arms and the humid air grew tight around me like millions of tiny soldiers awaiting orders.
I brought an arm forward and the sky cracked with thunder.
I charged forward on my misty cloud with my army behind me.
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Soooo I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. It's a little cringey, but I hope you guys enjoyed it nonetheless. Stay safe and healthy, and have a great day my Bookworms! I'll see y'all in the next one!🌪️🌊⛰️🔥💙💚❤️💜🧡💛
-Rose