Naya and the Last Airbender

xv. The Akshata and the Avatar

            I collapsed to the ground, the weight of the world finally lifting from my shoulders. I stared out at the sea, where Kanya's body was, hoping that there was a part of her that found peace in death. 

The blood that tainted my hands was luckily my own, and I used the ocean water to clean them off. My legs were practically charred from Kanya's manical use of firebending, so I tried my best to heal them until I saw my sister. 

When I tried to stand, it was almost impossible. Instead of struggling, I looked out over the water, watching the comet disappear from view. I could only hope that Aang appeared, and defeated the Firelord afterall. I hoped that Katara and Zuko defeated Azula, securing their victory. 

I was only sat for a few minutes before Bonbi and Yue appeared. The koala otter scurried across the back of my dragon and jumped into my arms. I winced, but gave her a pet. 

It was so hard for her to believe that this was over. That while I regained some of my power, it was also lost, and for generations to come. I would now be labelled as the Akshata who condemned her successors. But, that was the consequence to the decision I made, and I still had much respect to the Spirits for even giving me back the ability of firebending. 

Bonbi leaned close to the ground, allowing me to grab on. He quickly flew her back to the Capitol, and I silently thanked her dragon that he knew what to do without command. Riding bareback on the dragon gave me a moment to feel the wind, close my eyes, and feel the deep slumber take over. 

            When I awoke, it was in an infirmary. But not one where there were dozens of other patients. It was rather royal, where my bed was the only one, and I was surrounded by nothing but red and gold. I must've been somewhere in the Royal Palace. 

"You're awake," the voice of my charming prince spoke from across the room. 

"Zuko," I said happily. I sat up and winced, and he moved to my side. When he came into view, I gasped at the bandages decorated around his body. "What happened? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," he chuckled, taking her hands. "Azula's lightning, nothing too crazy."

"Lightning?" I asked. "Wait- did you win? Did Aang win?"

Zuko smiled softly. His hands moved from hers and to my cheek. "It's over. It's all over."

"I can't believe it," I whispered. I paused, pulling off the covers to check my legs. "Katara healed us?"

"What she could, at least. I guess the both of us will bear more scars," Zuko said. He glanced around my face, his eyes softening, like he was afriad to ask something. And I knew exactly what he was tip toeing around. 

"Kanya is dead," I explained. "The power she stole was too much, and ended up being her doom. As for me... I can firebend and waterbend. The Spirits let the Akshata continue, but at a price. Every succeeding Akshata can only bend two elements."

Zuko blinked. "That's... good, right?"

"Yeah," I sighed. "A part of me just feels like I failed, somehow."

Zuko used both his hands to cup my face. It was gentle, but there was an urgency behind it. "Naya, the last thing you did is fail. You suffered, like me, and in the end, you restored your honor. You restored balance to the world. The Akshata still exists, and that should be enough."

I sighed. "You're right. I'm glad it's over."

"Me too," he said. "But we've barely begun. We have to address the nations today. Me, you, Aang. As a declaration of peace."