Chapter One

HEll0!

Thanks for trying out this book! The first few chapters will be short, just giving background and setting the scene for the ATLA series! Let me know what you all think in the comments! Enjoy!

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– Age 13

"Have you guessed which one he is yet?" Monk Gyatso questioned, coming to stand beside me on the balcony. I surveyed the young children again and I nodded. I raised my hand and slowly pointed to one of the younger boys, he was bald and like the others had yet to get his arrows.

"Very good, Ren. It is no wonder the Sages and Monks have named you the Spirit Vessel." He nodded, though I noticed his sadness. Gyatso, along with a few other adults, believed I was too young for the job. And yet, I was the only one they'd found who met the criteria. I was near in age to the young Avatar, I was an incredibly strong bender who would one day be able to teach the Avatar his opposing element, I was trained in spiritual understandings, have been to the Spirit World, and for ethical reasons it was best for the Vessel to have no family in case my life was needed. And, I had no family.

– Age 16

"Young Aang," Monk Kiu began his speech. A carefully curated lie to boost the Avatar's young unknowing ego. "..you have been chosen to participate in a spiritual ceremony to conserve the link between the fire and air benders..." The 9-year-old monk grinned at me, I smiled back as best I could. He didn't understand how big today was.

For the last 10 years of my life the Monks had been preparing me for this. This was what I was here for. This was my life's mission, to be the Avatar's spare life force. It was an honour. An honour that included a ceremony which I was extremely nervous for.

"This is awesome! We'll be, like, connected after this!" Aang beamed with pride. He thought he was allowed to do this because he was acing his lessons... little did he know.

"Yeah, it's pretty cool." I answered. I'd gotten to know the young Avatar over the last three years, he was almost like a brother to me now. "Are you nervous?" I asked.

"Nah, Monk Gyatso explained it to me." He was grinning again. "They're just going to connect our chakras and then we'll be connected for life!" I chuckled at his enthusiasm.

–

"Na-shi toko-mari shi-ono..." I sat cross-legged in front of Aang, a High Sage holding my temples. The Monks around us spoke in a tongue I'd never heard spoken aloud, their chanting getting louder as the ceremony progressed. I kept my eyes closed and hands rested on my knees. I felt as if my spirit and physical body were fighting. There was searing pain and then relief over and over again. It was as if the Sage was ripping me from my own physical vessel.

I felt my body and spirit separate suddenly and I wanted to cry out in pain, but I held it in. I'd been instructed not to alarm Aang. I opened my eyes and watched as my glowing spirit transferred into Aang's meditating form. A soft glow emanated from the Avatar and I felt my energy leave, suddenly my strength was gone. I fell to the floor with a thud when the Sage let go of my temples. I was an empty vessel.

"Ren!" Aang called out when I hit the floor. He had opened his eyes to peek at the ceremony. He looked alarmed. But with no feeling in my corps, my eyes closed.

I felt my life return to my body with a hard and sharp breath when the Avatar's hands touched my shoulders. My eyes snapped open and I saw Aang above me, worry etched in his features. As I regained my breathing, Monk Kiu's sharp glare hit me and I quickly looked to Aang, I needed to calm him down.

"I'm fine, Aang." I reassured the boy. My whole body felt tingly and hot. "I'm just tired."

"Are you sure?" He asked, I nodded.

"Yeah, I didn't sleep last night. I was too excited." That part wasn't a lie at least. Plus, he was a gullible kid.

"Ren will be fine, Aang." Monk Gyatso added, stepping closer to us as I sat up.

"The ritual is complete, good job Aang." Monk Kiu smiled.

:)