16 Chapter 16: To the Peak- 96 AG

In the midst of a sunlit day, with the sun veiled by the gathering clouds, a respite from the scorching light that threatened to envelop the entire biome Sozim found himself in, the young boy embarked on a challenging ascent. Armed with a hook and a rope, he steadily climbed the cliff, his brow glistening with sweat, a weighty bag on his back. Undeterred, he persisted, and after a few grueling minutes, he triumphed, reaching the summit.

As he stood there, catching his breath, he wiped the sweat from his forehead, gazing up at the sky where the brisk wind offered a cooling touch. His attention then shifted downward, where he spotted Iroh, determinedly making his way up the cliff.

Sozim couldn't resist a teasing remark, "You holding up okay, old man? Need a breather? I must say, attempting this journey solo seems rather audacious for you."

Iroh, his voice strained with effort, replied, "I-I'm not that o-old, young Sozim. I-I am the dragon of the west!"

Sozim chuckled in amusement, "Of course, of course. I'll take a rest here while you keep at it. Just be careful not to take a tumble."

Turning his gaze to the landscape before him, Sozim beheld a valley strewn with rocks and sparse grass, hemmed in by rolling hills and towering mountains. The clouds appeared to be only a short distance away, and the air felt both fresh and thin. It was a place that exuded a certain calmness, with only the wind's gentle whisper and Iroh's determined grunts breaking the silence. In the distance, a hidden temple nestled amidst the clouds likely marked the northern air temple, now possibly occupied by refugees, Fire Nation soldiers, or both.

Seating himself on the nearest rock and unburdening his shoulders by placing the bag on the ground, Sozim inhaled the crisp mountain air, exhaling a misty breath. A faint smile graced his lips as he contemplated the journey thus far. "To think I started from a Fire Nation tropical island to end up here on this mountain peak," he murmured to himself, shaking his head in amusement.

Resuming his feet, Sozim approached the rope, peering downward to find Iroh steadily nearing the summit. Crouching down, he offered a helping hand. Straining with all his might, he hadn't anticipated Iroh's weight, and his face flushed red as he exerted every muscle. Before he knew it, Iroh had made it to the cliff's edge, breathing heavily.

"You're quite the heavyweight, old man," Sozim sighed, slumping to the ground.

Iroh chuckled between breaths, patting his protruding belly. "I know. I've got to shed some of this belly fat – too much tea."

Sozim remarked wryly, "I don't think it's the tea that's contributed to your weight."

With Iroh now on his feet, Sozim picked up his bag and extended a hand to help him stand. Both of them gaze upward, realizing their destination was only a short walk up the mountain, where an unusual rock formation came into view.

"No more climbing with ropes, it seems – just walking and jumping," Sozim observed.

"Indeed," Iroh sighed. "Let us proceed, young Sozim."

They resumed their journey, hopping from rock to rock to elevate themselves gradually toward their destination.

"Old man," the young boy inquired, "I've never asked, but why are you so determined to enter the Spirit World?"

Iroh contemplated for a moment before replying, "It's to find my son."

Sozim raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "You can meet the deceased in the Spirit World?"

"In theory," Iroh replied. "Many ponder where we go after we die, but in truth, we already know."

Sozim furrowed his brow. "What do you mean?"

"We reincarnate," Iroh explained. "Much like the Avatar cycle, all souls eventually return to the world of the living. The difference lies in our ignorance of our past lives."

"So, what does this have to do with the Spirit World?"

"Some individuals can choose their path in the next life. Some reincarnate as animals, some never return, while others reoccupy human bodies. And some... chose to go to the Spirit World, coexisting with it. We might encounter those who have passed away in our world."

"Really? And you believe your son might be there?"

Iroh remained silent, offering a contemplative hum.

Sozim delivered a candid assessment, "You know, old man, the chances of that are slim. Don't get your hopes too high."

Iroh chuckled. "Hope is all I have, young Sozim. If not hope, then what? Reason? Reason won't enable me to speak with my son."

"Grief has a firm grip on you," Sozim noted.

"And is that such a terrible thing? Through grief, I've changed, and through grief, I've come to recognize my family's mistakes," Iroh replied, shaking his head. "I can, at the very least, make an attempt. Once I reach the end of my journey, I can let grief heal and replace it with something better."

Sozim smiled. "Well, I'm no sage here, so you do as you see fit."

Finally, they arrived at the mountain's base. The peak featured a natural arch formed by two uneven pillars of rock, creating a narrow bridge with an open space beneath it, offering a flat surface on top.

As Iroh beheld the summit, he took a deep breath, releasing a misty exhale. "Laghima's peak... it holds great significance for the Air Nomads. Let's be cautious not to inadvertently disrupt anything."

Sozim acknowledged with a thoughtful hum and made his way to the arch's opening, placing his belongings there. Iroh followed suit, lowering himself to the ground, finally finding respite after a long and demanding journey.

"The summer solstice is just a few days away," Iroh mentioned. "You can use this time to learn how to meditate. It will suffice."

Curious, Sozim inquired, "Why do we have to wait for the summer solstice?"

"During that period, the gateway between the Spirit World and our world widens, making it easier for people to traverse. I require a significant amount of time there, hence the need for an earlier entrance to save time. As for a novice like you, it'll be simpler."

"Alright," Sozim replied. "Shall we begin learning then?"

Iroh chuckled. "Not so fast, young Sozim. My back is aching."

Sozim shook his head, a smile playing on his lips, as he gazed into the distant mountainous landscape surrounding them. He released a deep breath, a misty cloud briefly obscuring his mouth before dissipating.

"Old man," he inquired, turning to Iroh, "what are your plans after this?"

Iroh paused before responding, "Me? I'm going back home. I have a nephew and niece who need my care."

Sozim arched an eyebrow, a hint of skepticism in his voice. "Niece? You do realize that Azula once attempted to take my life, right? Out of pettiness."

"I'm aware," Iroh acknowledged with a thoughtful hum. "I fear my brother's control over his family is both strong and oppressive. I dread the day I witness my nephew and niece following in his footsteps. Although I'm not particularly close to Azula, I believe everyone deserves a second chance and the freedom to choose their own path, rather than being dictated by a tyrant. After this, I intend to seek her out and offer my assistance. I realized during your training that even if someone has the most evil power, there's also that tiniest bit of innocence and goodness in a heart, especially with someone as young as you and her."

"What if she refuses your help?" Sozim probed.

"In that case, there's little I can do. Nevertheless, she is still family," Iroh muttered. "My son has passed away, Ursa is gone, Zuko is alone with Ozai, and Azula roams the world with a vendetta against you. My family has suffered from generations of inherited hatred, and I won't allow it to continue."

Sozim questioned further, "Do you possess the power to make a difference, though?"

Iroh sighed. "I'm afraid not. I am a disgraced general, while my brother is the Fire Lord. However, something must be done, one way or another."

Sozim pondered this for a moment. "You know, now that I think about it, you seem to be facing a tougher situation than I am at the moment."

Iroh chuckled softly. "I wouldn't say that. Most of my problems stem from my own actions and my inability to act, whereas your challenges are fundamentally different. Besides, it's not productive to compare one person's fate to another's."

Sozim nodded in agreement. "You're right. It's not fair for yourself..."

Iroh turned his attention to Sozim and asked, "And what about you, young Sozim? What are your plans for the future?"

Sozim replied with uncertainty, "I don't know. I'm not even sure what I'll encounter in the Spirit World. My past, my future, or perhaps my curse?"

Iroh offered a wise smile. "Through my travels, I've learned that it's essential to focus on the positive. So, I'll ask again, what do you intend to do after this?"

Sozim chuckled and shook his head. "Initially, I thought I wanted to lead a peaceful life on a sandy beach somewhere in the world, growing up like a regular person. But I realize that's unlikely."

"I once had a dream of running a tea shop, living a simple life," Iroh mused. "It's not a bad dream."

Sozim agreed, saying, "I know, and maybe I'll still pursue it. But depending on what I discover in the Spirit World, my path may take a different turn. Perhaps I'll continue my journey to find a new purpose, maybe I'll settle in Ba Sing Se, or I might journey to the Water Tribes to uncover my past."

"Destinies often work in mysterious ways," Iroh reflected. "Look at me – I used to be the Dragon of the West, the Crown Prince. Now, I'm a pilgrim in search of something that may not even exist. In many ways, destiny has played tricks on us."

Sozim nodded in agreement. "I couldn't agree more."

Iroh chuckled, his eyes filled with amusement as he regarded Sozim. "You know, in many ways, it feels like I'm conversing with an adult when I talk to you, not a young boy."

Sozim simply laughed it off. "Perhaps my past reincarnation is still intertwined with my present self."

—

Meanwhile, just at the biome's edge, Azula's group came to a halt as the Shirshu stopped in front of a rope dangling from the cliff. June frowned at the sight of the rope, and could only sigh.

"I can only take you here." said June, turning to her contractor.

"What?" Azula's frown deepened. "What do you mean?"

"This land is too hard for Nyla to traverse, we can't continue, you're on your own from here." June answered.

"I don't pay you so that your beast gets lazy." Azula refuted.

"Well I'm sorry, but I can't move forward." June insisted. "The good news is, the ropes are new, so you could probably track them down using it."

Azula clenched her fist. The girl turned around to Lo and Li, and looked at their… old bodies.

"Princess. We can't go on." Lo stated.

"Our bodies are frail and not as strong and young as yours." Li continued.

Azula clicked her tongue. "Fine. I will duel him by myself, anyway. You two stay here" The princess jumped from her mount, and stood in front of the rope, pulling it slightly to see the strength of it.

"What about my payment?" questioned June.

"Talk to those old women." Azula answered, not in the mood.

"What about your food supplies, princess?" Lo asked.

The girl became irritated. "Throw me a bag." 

Li threw her a pouch filled with food and drinks. Checking it up, the girl hummed, and finally, she climbed up. "Wait for me here, I'll be back in a week at most." she murmured. "And at that time, I will have his head."

Meanwhile, Lo and Li looked at each other, and closed their eyes, sighing in worry as what was about to implode in these mountain ranges.