Chapter 23

She woke in a dark room, her hands bound with iron. Kysohi looked around frantically. She had recalled making the decision to come back with Wren from the spirit world, then felt like she had nearly blinked, and now she was here.

“”What’s going on, who’s responsible for this” Kyoshi called from the cold room.

“Finally awake now are we?” A voice called as the door opened. Naruklok walked through, though the room was poorly lit she could still make out the mask.

“What’s the reason for this, I brought Wren over to the spirit world just as you asked. I have done nothing wrong” Kyoshi protested. He must have moved my body while I was in the spirit world, Wren’s whole act of wanting to look around was probably just a part of the plan to keep me distracted for longer.

“Nothing yet, but I needed to ensure our success. So once we do that you will be free to go.”

“So then what’s the real plan? You want me to draw spirits out one by one to provide power for your armies,” Kyohis said, starting to raise her voice.

“Not exactly, I know your powers have limits, and the fifth nation needs to be limitless.”

Kyoshi felt like a rock had dropped in her stomach. “Then why get me involved at all, if I’m not limitless?”

“A portal”

“A portal?” Kyohis repeated.

“We will require you to open a portal or more stable tear between the two worlds, then you will be free to go” She could tell he was grinning under his mask.

Kyoshi felt her face fall, giving them unlimited access to a portal would be disastrous, probably the single worst thing that she could hope to do to remedy the problem. He could have rein over connecting to spirits at will, the balance between the two would be completely shattered. And it would all be my fault.

“How did you even figure portals can be created in the first place?” She asked, rolling her wrists in the iron cuffs.

“An older spirit, father glowworm I believe was the name of it, tore some portal holes before, but they have long closed now. It’s how some of the older members such as myself found spirits to link to. So we know it’s possible, but we need another energy source to fulfill the task of opening a passage again.”

“I’m not opening a portal” Kyoshi said bluntly, suddenly she felt the swing of a mental bar hit her shoulder. “You will comply eventually”

“And how do you intend to do that? You probably used some of your gasses to keep me unconscious long enough to get me here after me and Wren returned, and it’s the only thing you have. But I can’t do shit for you if I’m unconscious dumbass” She shot.

The man pulled a small lamp, lighting it with a match letting the lantern. He watched the intrigue in Kyoshi’s face grow as the match went out and the lamp lit up.

“I know what you’re thinking, you probably think you could manipulate the fire, and escape. But the walls, nonetheless, are crafted out of metal, and are also coated in oil. If you try and firebend, you will go up in flames before you get the chance to get out”

Kyoshi gritted her teeth, when something else caught her eye. The man appeared to remove his mask. “You were the one from the meeting. Fucking coward” She mumbled the last part under her breath.

He didn’t seem surprised by his recognition. “The one who dishonored his brother’s name.” She continued, he only laughed in response.

“So what was with the mask anyways, I don’t see why it was a big deal to keep it a secret. I hated you then and I wouldn’t say much has changed.”

“It’s not for you, idiot. Well not anymore, after you decided to try and outsmart us, and resist.” Kyoshi was taken back by the response.

“For you I hoped to create a clean slate after the first meeting in the water tribe. But that was merely a bonus of a plan already in motion.” He explained.

Kyoshi gave him an unsure look. “Plus, you really think the fifth nation has been completed in one generation, in one lifetime. There have been five leaders over the past 50 years or so. I just happen to be the latest, but the men only know that there have been 2, maybe 3 if they have been paying close attention.”

“You know that such drastic and frequent changes in leadership don’t go very well. And can cause problems among ranks. I guess I’ll give you points for that.” Kyoshi replied tiredly.

“So the first caused all the issues for Kuruk then, or continued the problems?”

“You are more intelligent than you seem, but enough with the past. The portal is all I care about now” He grinned smugly.

“And”

Kyoshi’s whole energy seemed to shift, it threw off Naruklok. Did Kyoshi have no regard for her own safety, she didn’t even seem to be frazzled by the whole thing. He had to find a way to gain leverage.

“Nothing… for now, just think about your options” And with that the door slammed shut, leaving Kyohis in the dim room.

“Just watch your back, you bastard!” She yelled.

Kyoshi continued to sit in the room, there was no noise from the outside. No one else came by in the time she was awake. Her whole body felt exhausted, it was so tired. What had she gotten herself into? At least there was no way they could get her to open that portal, not with their current plan at least.

Please Rangi find me in this mess I got myself into. Please.

…
The crew had spent the past couple of hours getting the whole story for Rangi about everything that happened between them and the group, and were now trying to find ways to track Kyoshi.

“Well it would be helpful if we had something she has worn recently, cloth would retain scent better than the metal fan she left. Maybe then we could pick up a shirshu and track her that way.” Wong offered. Rangi nodded, “I’ll be right back”

She took off down the hallways towards her room and began to look for a tunic or something that would be helpful. As she dug through a bag of clothes suddenly she felt her fingertips hit something hard among the soft fabrics.

Pulling out a small box Rangi sat down to examine it. Kyoshi was never one to wear jewelry other than her head piece and that hardly counted. Not thinking too hard about it she opened the box to find a small gold band, with a red stone embedded in it.

Suddenly all the air had left her lungs. How long had Kyoshi had this, she checked the bottom of the box, it was the same place Kyohis had gotten her hair piece from. She probably made an extra order to cover it up, since she knew that she wouldn’t have let Kyoshi go into town on her own, and getting the pin would have eased all suspicions. It did ease any possible suspensions.

Rangi couldn’t help it; she felt the tears begin to stream down her face. Kyoshi had wanted to take the next step together, they could have taken the next step, and now she was nowhere to be found. And Rangi had no clue where to start.

As she continued to break down there was a small knock on the door. “Topknot, you in there?” Kirma called.

“Go away Kirma” Rangi yelled back. Setting the box beside her, as she pulled her knees to her chest.

“Now you know that is just an invitation to come in.” As Kirma enters the room it’s then that she realizes that Rangi is crying.

The water bender feels her whole body stiffen, she had never seen Rangi like this, she had always been hot headed, and normally mad at Kirma for one thing or another. This was completely different, she seemed so vulnerable.

“You know that she’s fine, and we’re going to find her. ” She said as she approached the firender trying to think of something comforting she could offer. Assuming this was about Kyoshi. Why wouldn’t this be about Kyoshi?

“There was just something so wrong, she said she would be there.” Rangi spooky softly, her mind racing back around the failed rescue attempt earlier.

Kirma bites her lip. “You said she left her fan there right? So she was there. You’re not crazy if thats what your thinking”

“It’s not that. The only reason why she left it was because she knew I would recognize it. But, there had to have been a reason. I think she knew she might have been in danger.”

“You think” Kirma tilted her head.

” But she still stayed and went through with it anyways”

“I honestly wouldn’t have expected anything else. But she’ll be okay, she’s strong. I helped train her after all, and I don’t train cowards” She tried to keep the conversation light, still a bit intimidated by the firebender in her fragile state.

“You helped train her too I guess.” There was no response still from the firebender. Kirma sighed, as she went to sit next to her.

“I know you really love her, and it’s normal to worry but I know she will be fine. I mean the girl got struck by lightning how many times and survived? ” Rangi nodded. “I think she was going to propose” Rangi showed her the engraved ring.

Kirma gave her a shocked look. “I know I can’t believe she would have wanted someone like me either” Rangi scoffed, letting Kirma look at the ring as she let more tears fall.

“I promise she’s okay Rangi, and we will find her.” Slowly Kirma tried to pull her into a small side hug. “But if you tell anyone this happened after we find Kyoshi, I’ll kill you” Kirma muttered under her breath.

“Same here”

Rangi stood, carefully tucking the ring and its box back where she found it. “I never knew that Kyoshi was the bold one in the relationship.” Kirma teased, as she picked up another tunic for the shirshu to smell.

Rangi gave her an annoyed look. “You know what? I’m gonna propose to her first just to prove you wrong.” She responded as they left the room.

“Then you have some work to do, she already has a ring” Kirma laughed as they went to join the group.

Rangi felt her expression fall once more, so Kyoshi really did want a future together. Now Rangi just had to make sure they were both there to see it through.

You guyyyysssss were you ready for that? I know I wasn’t, and I wrote it. Anyways hope you guys enjoyed another split pov. Let me what you think below, or if you have any ideas, I love to hear them all 🙂