Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Within an icy palace, an older, middle-aged woman with graying hair and a mole resting on her left cheek, a covered food tray in hand, briskly walks down the long hall. On both walls of the hall, were engaged columns evenly spaced and acted as support for the foundation of the large building. In the center of each engaged column, sat oil lamps carefully mounted and contained in their blue-tinted glass, lighting the hallway bright enough to see the intricate ice carvings decorating the walls, embedded between each column. Passing by, one could see men upon mighty buffalo yaks hunting polar bears, wolves howling at a full moon, and a flounder, being eaten by an otter penguin, that’s about to be eaten by a polar orca, portraying the food chain of the fauna in the Northern Water Tribe. Though she was not looking to admire the lovely architecture, her only goal was what was at the end of the hallway. A room that served as the bedchamber of two of the most paramount people in this palace, hell in this entire tribe, and most importantly, the most loved people in her heart. Finally arriving at the two heavy doors, she nods her head in greeting to the two guards on night duty fighting to stay awake. She promptly shoves the tray into one of their hands, starting them as they fumble to hold the tray, while she heaves the heavy doors open, plucking the tray from the slightly disoriented guard’s hands, and enters the large room, ready to perform her daily duties.

Within the center of the room lay a king-sized bed set against the far end of the wall, with nightstands on each side. In the middle of the room lay an ice round table with two chairs on each side. On the left and right sides of the room were seemingly identical pieces of ice-sculpted furniture that mirrored each other. On both sides, laid a large bureau, a closet, and hand-woven rugs. They look identical but if a person looked hard enough they’d see the slight differences in the craftsmanship of the furniture. On the left side, the furniture was more smoothed and curled on the edges, while the furniture on the right side was more geometric and sharp. Woven into the rug on the left Koalaotters played in the snow, while the rug on the right had an ancient fleet of water tribe ships. The Gendered differences in decorations can be seen much clearer on the walls, with the wall on the right side of the room being adorned with warrior spears and shields, while the left wall has carvings of beautiful women in traditional clothing being charmed by only the most suitable of men. “Good morning, your royal highnesses!!!” her buoyant greeting fell on deaf ears, as the twins did not stir from their sleep. Determined to get them up and out of bed, she opens the windows, to let in a chilly breeze, a tactic that usually works on mornings like these. She stands in front of the window taking in a fresh breath of air. “Come now Eska, Desna, it’s time to wake up! Today is an important day!” She turns around with a big smile plastered on her face, that quickly falls into an impatient frown, as she sees the twins not only not rise from their bed, but burrow deeper into it, groaning in sleep-addled annoyance, covering their heads with the heavy pelt blankets.

She rubs her chin pretending to be stumped on what to do when she knew what she had to pull to get these two out of bed. She is no stranger to this little snafu in their daily routine, the twins often refuse to get out of bed. “Hmmmmm, it appears these little koala otters aren’t going to wake up,” She said with phony exasperation on her face as she proclaimed her woes to the ‘slumbering’ royals. “I guess this blueberry ice cream I brought just for them will go to waste, a shame really I went out of my way to get their favorite, but I guess I’ll have to give it to those guards outside.” She begins to make large exaggerated steps towards the guards, who peaked their heads around the corner of the doors, smiling at the thought of getting the frozen treats.

At the mention of their favorite frozen sweet treat, the twins’ eyes snap open under the blankets, and promptly sprung out of bed, throwing them on the ground. They stood up and lunged towards the elderly lady, “Ahnah wait, we’re awake now!” The twins shouted, scrambling to grab onto the long hanging sleeve of her thick coat, as she was just exiting the door to stop the old woman from giving away what was theirs.

“Ahhh, look who woke up from their slumber. Now tell me how do you ask for something young ones?” She said with a firm tone, but a soft, playful look in her eyes, as she looked at the royal twins.

Desna and Eska looked at each other again, their faces ladened with a peaceful and pleasant look. They both linked arms and bowed deep reciting in a posh formal tone one would not address a servant with “Please Lady Ahnah, won’t you be ever so kind to shower your delicious gifts upon your humble royalty?” They turned their heads up to her, in time to see her sly grin and charmed face. They all broke out into laughter acting as though this was a regular game among the three of them.

“Oh, how can I say no when you ask so politely.” The guards in the background frown as she goes to set the tray on the table, lifting the cover to present the twins with two identical glass bowls each with three scopes of blueberry ice cream, with a silver spoon and cloth napkins on the side. The twins didn’t wait a moment longer and rushed to sit at the table. Desna was about to grab his spoon and was about to dig in with a happy smile on his face when Eska extended her hand across the table motioning for him to stop.

“Remember, Desna we are royalty we must dine in a dignified manner,” she said while raising her head high, straightening her posture, and taking the napkin to set it onto her lap. Desna looked at her with a slight frown on her face, and so did Ahnah, who ruffled Eska’s hair and reminded her “Most princes and princesses don’t have dessert for breakfast. Come now Eska you must loosen up a little.” She advised while folding her arms. Desna nodded in agreement as he stuffed his face with ice cream, completely disregarding Eska’s reminder to eat with the table etiquette that had been hammered into them since they were old enough to hold eating utensils. Eska shot her brother a pensive look, as she began to eat.“After all, today is special, you only turn eight once!”

At that moment the twins froze mid-spoon full and looked at Ahnah. “What do you mean?” Eska wondered. Hoping that today wasn’t the one Ahnah was implicating.

“Eska, today is your birthday, or did you forget? Hence the sweet gift,” she said, going to each of their closets to set their formal wear onto each twin’s side of the bed. She smiled “A joyous day like this can not start on an empty stomach so eat up and get ready quickly. There is a lot that must be done to prepare.” Though her request was met with silence, causing her to turn around to figure out what prompted such a lack of reaction.

She saw the once cheerful and relaxed faces of the twin turn to ones filled with anxiety and nerves. All of a sudden sweat coated their brows and they found they could not eat as the delicious sweet now just felt like icicles piercing through their tongue, causing a sharp pain and wave of nausea to flow through them. Ahnah sighed with a frown, upset that her attempt to sweeten the morning of her precious twins didn’t cushion the realization of what day it was, though that doesn’t stop her from trying to calm their poor spirits. She walked up to the middle of the table, “Desna, Eska look at me please?” she pleaded. Thankfully they did, but their eyes, filled with fear and despair, caused deep pain to shoot through her heart. Nevertheless, she fights through it determined to smile for them.

“Now I know your birthday is often a large source of…stress, but it’s important to remember that so long as you have each other this day will pass as though it never happened. I’m sure it won’t be like it usually is. Even your cousin, Korra, will be there along with your aunt and uncle, isn’t that exciting.” She cups their cheek in her hands, seeing that her attempts at comforting them were not working. She breathed in a deep breath “Remember today is a blessing, the day you came into this world the northern lights shone brighter than ever before. So whenever the day gets hard remember you are loved not just by me, but by the spirits of the lights as well.”

Ahnah’s gentle touch snapped the twins out of their mental panic. Though the pits in their stomachs were heavy, neither desired to cause Ahnah any grief, so they placed their hands over hers, hoping their actions would speak what their mouths couldn’t. Luckily it did, as she smiled softly at them filled with warmth but also pity as to what may happen today. Looking into the eyes of the children she raised since they were left in her arms, she lets go of their grip and goes to leave. “I know exactly what you need, Jasmine tea! That will calm your nerves.” She rushes to the door ready to head towards the palace kitchen determined to help her beloved royal children. She pauses just as she’s out the door and turns to them “I’ll be back soon, for now, try not to dwell on what might be and focus on the now.” She advises with a lingering hope her words will set their minds at ease and leaves as the guards close the door behind her.

The twins sit in silence, in contrast to their minds that were constantly buzzing around endlessly, with thoughts of dread and anxiety. At least for Eska, it seemed. She couldn’t help but grasp her head as all the ways today could go wrong went through her mind a million miles per second. She covered her mouth with her hand as the constant buzzing in her head fills her stomach with nausea. She tries to focus on Ahnah’s gentle touch and words, on the sweet taste of ice cream, anything to ground herself and bring her from her state of panic. Though nothing seems to be working, when suddenly Desna said her name, though it sounded as if he were a thousand miles away. She turned to look at him only to be met with a hard flick on her forehead.

“Ooowwwww,” She grimaced in pain and annoyance, surprised her brother could put so much force behind two fingers. “What was that for?”

“Your face,” Desna remarked almost as if the answer was simple.

She stared at him blankly, still rather annoyed, “Yeah I got that part, both literally and figuratively, but why did you do it?” standing up to meet him at eye level so he can see how irritated she is.

Though her glare did not affect him “Ahnah is right, we’re going to be okay. That is, as long as you keep that sour expression off your face, the guests might mistake you for a constipated Yeti-ape.”

In response to her brother’s insult Eska snorted at him and smiled. Appreciating her brother’s attempt to ease her worries. Though he’d be more convincing if he did not mirror her anxious face as she looked back at them. They both knew that he’d never be able to help her forget days like this, for every year when this day rears its ugly head, every moment of it is imprinted in her mind. Coming back to haunt them in her dreams, when all she wanted to do was forget.

Nonetheless, she agreed with him, both to convince herself and him that everything would be okay, that they’d be better than the previous years. “Agreed, all we need to do is keep calm and remain poised, like proper royalty.”

“Exactly, all we have to do is remain like posh asses and no one will suspect a thing,” Desna reassured her, getting dressed in his more formal robes. She looked at him incredulously with one eyebrow cocked up, “You do realize that you just failed not less than a minute after we both agreed to remain civilized? Proper people do not curse Desna.”

He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. Not caring that he cursed as no one was around to hear it. She sighed at her brother’s hopelessness and began to get dressed as well. When Ahnah came back with the tea the twins were almost ready, practicing keeping their facial expressions void of all emotion, to attempt to give themselves an air of refinement and grace. Though as she came deeper into their quarters the twins did not react, seeming to be distracted by their task at hand.

“Well that won’t do, '' she whispered. She quietly snuck behind the twins, inching forwards slowly. Just as the twins were taking a deep breath in to relax their facial muscles, she grabbed each of their checks and pulled them upward. “Come on now my dearests smile more, you look so full of life when you're not staring like blank codfish.” She remarks letting go of their checks only to pucker her lips and presses them together to mimic the face of a fish. The twins burst out laughing at her poor impression, only for their loud laughter to be interrupted by a guard poking his head through the slightly ajar door. “Prince Desna, Princess Eska your parents request you join them in the royal throne room.”

Immediately, Eska and Desna freeze and the joy is sucked out of their lungs, the air turning heavy at the thought of having to meet their parents. Ahnah being the amazing woman she answers for the twins, “They will be out soon.” She says hurriedly in a rush to answer the demands of her royal superiors. She looks down at the twins, “Now hurry along and finish your tea, your parents are waiting for you.”

The twins both take a deep breath in an attempt to calm their minds and cease the shaking of their hands. They sat down drinking the Jasmine tea, letting it do its job and relax their bodies and spirits. The nerves lowered to a small simmer, as they got up, relaxing their faces into ones of apathy and no emotion whatsoever. As they followed Ahnah leading them out to the hallway and to their parents in the throne room. As they realized they were getting closer and closer to their destination. Desna visibly began to look anxious, his brows furrowed and his mouth twisted in a bitter frown. Eska reached out to Desna tugging on her sleeve. She could not say everything she wanted to say at that moment, but she did not have to. She just looked at him with soft eyes, and he understood her message, ‘I’m here for you. We’re here for each other.’

They stopped at the entrance to the royal throne room awaiting for the guards to open them, their arrival being announced by a quick but loud gong. Ahnah walked in first with the twins behind her. “Presenting Prince Desna and Princess Eska,” she said while stepping aside so their parents could see the two. On cue the twins bowed their heads to their parents, waiting for their next command, “Rise,” which came right on time and exactly how it usually is, short and to the point.

The twins rose in unison at their parents, particularly their father, Chief Unalaq, as he was the one who told them to raise their heads. He was tall, dignified, and refined with sharp features and a cleanly shaven face. Though he was far from weak Everything about his stature to his presence emitted a sense of poise and an expectation for obedience, order, and perfection from all. A demand that the twins knew all too well.

He looked stood up and looked at them, his long black hair bending around his shoulders and his gaze cold as ice. So cold, yet very scathing and strong, so much so that despite wanting to break away from it, the twins were locked into their father’s heated gaze.

“You two took longer than expected to arrive. What prey tell what was so important that it caused you to be late?” He spoke, his tone strong and formal, and despite hiding it well, the twins could feel the cold and venom behind his words. He was displeased with Eska and Desna and they knew it. Before either of the twins could even open their mouths to answer with an excuse they knew would not be acceptable in any way to their parents, Ahnah spoke out, “Forgive me your great Chieftain, it was my fault they are late. These old bones aren’t as strong as they used to be so I was late going to wake Princess Eska and Prince Desna causing them to fall behind schedule. My sincerest apologies.” She said lowering to her knees and offering a deep bow, making a big show of appearing to struggle during what should’ve been a swift motion, to establish that she was at fault.

The room was filled with a loud scoff, causing Desna and Eska to move their eyes to the gaze they worked hard to ignore, Chieftess Meriwa, their mother. Their mother had a sour expression on her face, yet somehow still kept an appearance of grace as she moved to stand, all the while the rage visibly grew on her. She was short, only a little taller than Ahnah who was shrinking due to age. “We didn’t employ you just so you could give subpar service,” She spat out, every word she spoke was thinly laced with feelings of disgust towards Ahnah. “Do not be late again. As a matter of fact, don’t try to make excuses for their poor behavior!” She shouted, causing Eska and Desna to flinch in fear. “These two know better than to keep us waiting! What is it you two think your time is so important now, just because it’s the day you miserable parasites forced your way into this world!”

Twins began to tremble in fear, finding themselves suddenly incredibly cold, unable to bear the weather, as they found they could not pull away from their mother’s cold, silver eyes as she spewed more vitriolic hatred towards them. Each word stabbed their heart, making it harder to keep themselves from falling apart, just as it always did no matter how many times they heard it before.

“Well! Let me tell you-”

“That is enough, Meriwa,” their father said, raising his hand in indication for her to stop. “I believe you’ve gotten the point across and if desire, you can scold them later, but right now we have more important matters to attend to.” He said without even looking at her. He spoke with a sense of indifference, not caring that his wife was insulting his children, but more annoyed at his wife wasting their time with her nonsense. Meriwa albeit reluctantly sat down and silenced herself, still staring daggers at the two, knowing that through her searing gaze, she’d be able to let the two miscreants know how much hatred and disgust she had in her heart for them at this very moment, without needing to say a word. Her silver eyes reflected her true emotions, as they always do.

“You are dismissed for the day Ahnah,” Chieftain Unalaq commanded.

Ahnah rises, though she does it slowly and hesitantly. She doesn’t wish for the twins to be faced with any more hatred than they already have been subjected to, on a day when their lives should be celebrated. Though she knew that despite her desire to act as their shield, protecting Eska and Desna from their parents, she knew that standing in their way wouldn’t be good for her cause. Disobedience, especially from that of a servant, is not taken lightly by the Authoritative Chieftain. She steps aside and leaves the royal throne chamber, muttering a plea to the spirits to protect the twins’ hearts from the ones who should nurture them and that her love for them can be felt across the space even though she most likely won’t see them until tomorrow now.

The twins’ anxiety began to spike, pins and needles pricking their skin, as Ahnah was forced to leave them with their parents. Their hearts ached for her to be near them. Their mother, who was already high-strung and angry at them, and their father who wasn’t any better in all honesty.

“Desna, Eska,” the twins turned away from their mother’s glare to meet their father’s emotionless eyes, though they did their best to remain eye contact with him, it was better than looking at their mother, and it served as the only thing grounding them, allowing them to just barely focus on their father’s words

“Today is the day you were born, and as such you will both be celebrated. Though I rarely address you both in person on this day, what with everything else that needs to be taken care of,” a slight grimace formed on the twins’ faces, not missing his veiled insult.

‘You’re not important enough to deserve my attention, not even on the day of your birth.’ They quickly turned their faces back to blank slates before he noticed.

“But today is different. Your cousin, Avatar Korra, will be attending your birthday feast,” He straightens up his posture, “since she has been so kind to come, we will be greeting her and her family at their arrival into the harbor. Not only that but there will be a string of important dignitaries from the edges of the world arriving alongside her.”

Chief Unalaq’s demeanor hardens, his arms crossed behind his back, as he sharpens his glare at his two children. “I expect you to be on your best behavior, for her entire stay. I will not have you two make a fool out of me, and if you do then I will have no choice but to discipline you for your sorry behavior.” The twins held their breath, as all of a sudden it was like the air was made of ice, causing each breath of great discomfort. But the twins knew the real cause, they knew all too well that their father would make good on his words.

“Understood?” He said, raising an eyebrow at them.

“Yes Father,” the twins answered timely and respectfully. Not wanting to waste their father’s time any more than they already have.

“Good, you’re both dismissed to your chamber. You are to stay there until someone fetches you to welcome Avatar Korra.” He said sitting down back on his throne taking no mind to his wife’s displeased face, for letting the twins off the hook too easily, in her twisted mind.

“Thank you, Father,” the twins said simultaneously, leaving to return to their room.

Once in their room, their only haven Desna leaned against the door and slid to the bottom unable to keep himself standing upright on his wobbly legs. Eska wasn’t doing too well either as she was fighting back to hold in tears. Desna pulled her down to the ground with him, letting him rest her head on his shoulders.

He rubbed her back in an attempt to comfort her, only really able to say “D-on’t cry-y, at least not yet, not yet, it’ll all be over soon, and then we can forget” Eska listened to her dear brother’s attempt to comfort her, but she was unsure if he was saying that to her or himself. It didn’t matter either way, since they both needed those words now more than ever.

The twins were able to compose themselves just in time for the guard to come and lead them to their parents outside the palace. They rode on the royal gondola, which was only different from regular ones because of its fancy design, so Desna says. Eska didn’t care for design either, as it was what was happening outside of the gondola that caught her attention. Families, men, and women young and old, waving and craning their necks to get a glimpse of the royal family. Though they waved at them, they were not allowed to wave back, or rather Desna and Eska, the last few times they did, their mother scolded them very loudly for ‘thinking anyone cared to wave to them,’ while their father didn’t care. At first, he would go out of his way, to keep Meriwa from scolding them so harshly in public, worried about the concerned glances that came their way. The only time he truly was ever mad at them for waving was when they, got too excited and leaned over the bars of the gondola to wave and smile at the happy families passing by. That was the line he drew, and from that point on they were only allowed to watch the people pass by, ‘lest they make him look like a fool, who can’t even raise his children with proper sense,’ or so he said.

Though at this point, the twins don’t even bother to look at the people passing by, as all it did was fill them with envy. Envy for the close families that held hands, and were filled with love and joy. Things their parents saw as foolish and unnecessary. Either desiring such concepts was a sign of weakness or they didn’t deserve to have them. Therefore the twins would just stare blankly ahead until they met their destination.

This pleased both their mother and father. For her, she was happy to see a source of their happiness shrivel up and die while for their father the twins would now act dignified, and everyone would see him as a leader with a perfect royal family.

Desna and Eska were stuck in such a state of limbo that they didn’t realize that they even got off the gondola. The realization only struck them when they heard a scout cry “They’re here!” causing them both to shoot up straight in shock, to see their aunt and uncle’s ship arrive. The twins held their heads high ready to bow to the avatar, treating her with the same respect they display to their parents. Their stomachs turned into knots though as even though they were not looking, they could feel their mother stare icy dagger into the back of their heads. She watched them as if she was an orca whale circling an ice block, waiting for the tiger seals to slip up and fall into the water so she can tear into them with her sharp strong fangs.

Chieftain Unalaq stood poised along with his wife and children, as he saw his brother’s family exit the boat. “Welcome, Tanraq, Senna” he greets them both tentatively. Once he spots Korra though, he forms a small grin and even lowers, bending down slightly to greet her. “Avatar Korra, it is a pleasure to have you here.”

“Hey, Uncle Unalaq, Aunt Meriwa, Desna, Eska it’s nice to see you all again!” Korra greets them in a cheerful tone. Unalaq smiles, while Meriwa acts happy to see Korra, remarking on how big she’s gotten, though it’s obvious to the twins that she’s faking it. Over the years, the twins learned how to identify their mother’s emotions and behavior, mostly just so they can do their best to avoid making her upset. She barely cares to see their extended family, only here to greet them as a duty. Desna and Eska, bow in greeting to their cousin.

“Greetings, cousin Korra,” they said in unison as polite and poised as their voice could be, and left it at that, the fewer words they spoke, meant that there was less of a chance to mess up. They rose from their bow, to see their cousin staring at them strangely, which doesn’t surprise them. Desna and Eska are aware that their behavior towards their extended family is an anomaly.

Their father and uncle exchanged curt but polite words, as he led them back to the gondola to go up to the royal palace. He let the twins and his extended family there, while he and their mother went off to welcome the other important guests.

Desna and Eska were able to see them from where they were, and they were immediately able to tell who these important people were. The first one they greeted was Tenzin, who had a shaved head and light blue arrow tattoos on his body, that were only worn by airbenders with him being the only one on the planet and the son of the previous Avatar, Aang, made him easily identifiable. Alongside him was a shorter Water Tribe woman, who was obviously his mother the legendary Katara, and an old but tall and lanky older Water Tribe man, with a long warrior’s ponytail, who was undoubtedly Sokka, Tenzin’s uncle. The two were known far and wide for their amazing adventures with the past Avatar. The same goes for the older man in fire nation robes, a scar covering a part of his face and long greying hair with an equally long beard to match, the Great Fire Lord Zuko and alongside him his wife, Mai whose hair was greying and tied up in a tight bun, with golden chopsticks in her hair.

Their parents greeted each one of them, probably expressing their gratitude for coming to celebrate their own flesh and blood. Though they soon left them to join their family on the royal gondola, letting the soldiers guide them to their separate one. The revered guests though did not seem bothered by it, as they were all very happy to be left alone to talk to each other. Probably excited to be able to catch up with old friends after such a long time.

Must be a nice feeling, Eska lamented the voice in her mind dripping with sarcasm. “It’s probably not as pleasant as it seems, especially since it’s just a fleeting moment that will soon dissipate. As if it never happened, and if it goes away that easy is there really any value in it?” Desna chimes in almost as if reading her mind, vailing his attempt to comfort Eska as philosophical thinking, to not raise alarm bells to their aunt, uncle, and cousin.

Though it still raised eyebrows, as it seemed odd to blurt out philosophy with no context. Faced her brother and nodded to him then she turned to her extended family who had puzzled looks on their faces.

“Desna and I were contemplating the purpose of life and our inevitable deaths, we are studying ancient texts from an old earthbending nomad who was seeking out the source of happiness and whether it has any true value.” She slightly furrows her brows, realizing that it’s probably not the best subject to talk about, she relaxes her face and looks towards her slightly troubled cousin, “it’s more interesting the when studying the texts, we are just on the more depressing section. The book is very thought-provoking and challenging, as we observe his mental breakdowns and descent into a dark hole that he can not crawl out of no matter how hard he struggles. Would you like to see it when we arrive at the palace, Cousin Korra?”

Korra flinched upon hearing her name and was visibly creeped out by what Eska just told her. She scratched the back of her head, and avoided making direct eye contact with either of the twins, “Uhm, yeah-no I’m fine the White Lotus already give me a bunch of uhh, thought-provoking books to read, thanks for the offer though.”

She was going to respond, that is until she saw her parents heading towards the gondola. Once they entered the vessel Eska sat up straight, in perfect posture, and remained quiet.

As they began their ride back to the palace, Korra tried her best to talk to Eska and Desna, while they both did their best to talk to her in a way that displayed a lack of emotion and indifference, to appear regal and poised, as their father insisted.

“How have you two been?”

“We have been well, thank you for inquiring,” said Desna.

Acting so formally to her when they were of the same royal line and so close in age, was odd, but they didn’t want to let Korra get too close to them. Not that they didn’t like Korra, they admired her both for her strengths, skills, and her constant attempt to make them laugh and form a bond.

A short pause, “I heard you guys are really starting to pick up on waterbending, maybe we could spare if you guys are up for it?”

It’s that Korra was the opposite of them, not tied down by expectations and rigorous training, her rambunctious and wild attitude could influence them in the wrong way, the way Unalaq and Meriwa didn’t want them to be, outgoing, foolhardy, rough, and improper, a way that would result in them being harshly corrected. So the twins simultaneously agreed to keep their distance from their cousin Korra, treating her with respect but indifference. Korra visibly didn’t like this, but how could they possibly explain to Korra their family dynamic in a way she’d understand?

“If mother and father allow it then we will spare with you to the best of our abilities, though we are certain we could never beat you. You are the avatar.” Eska retorted staring emotionlessly at Korra.

Korra began to scratch the back of her head nervously “Are you guys excited about your birthday party? It uhm…seems like everyone is joining in!”

“Yes,” they both replied short and straight to the point, not wanting to speak on the matter less their true emotions about their birthday leaks out.

A silence, falls over the three young ones, as Korra is unable to think of anything else to say. Desna does not need to be a mind reader to know that Korra feels uncomfortable right now, it doesn’t help that it appears their fathers are getting in a heated ‘civil’ discussion or their mother giving backhanded compliments to their Aunt Senna. Therefore Desna decides to take the risk and talks unprompted.

“Cousin Korra, is it true that you’ve nearly mastered earthbending?” Desna asked taking pity on Korra, who perked up at his question.

“Yeah, I have,” she replies rather flatly, resorting to looking out the gondola, to watch the people passing by.

Eska seeing what her brother is doing follows along. “Could you perhaps enlighten us, on the bending techniques and forms of earth bending? We’ve not learned about such things since it would be of no use to us, but I am still intrigued by it and would appreciate it if you shared your knowledge,” she asked with only a hint of curiosity, still keeping the blank look on her face.

At that Korra, eyes lit up as she broke out into a large grin, excited to talk about all the amazing new moves she learned while studying under the White Lotus. “Well it’s not as hard as it seems, you see all I have to do is…” and just like that, their cousin is back to her chipper self, explaining all she’s learned about earthbending, even displaying a few of the arm techniques while they’re riding to the palace, with Desna and Eska listening intently, giving a polite nod every once in a while. Though it is small, each twin’s mouth twitches upward almost forming into a smile at the sight of making their cousin feel happy, luckily no one seems to notice, as they float back to the palace.

As they arrived at the palace, there were guards posted at the landing dock. The parents exited the gondola, Eska noted that their mother was practically giddy, while their Aunt already looked ready to leave.

The sun was only in the middle of the sky, the day was only half done. The worst was to come in the evening when their birthday celebration began. Desna and Eska were sent to their chambers, along with their cousin, tasked with entertaining her. Though once they came to their room and closed the doors there was only so much they could do to keep their cousin’s interest. She didn’t seem interested in reading about history, mathematics, or even practicing different waterbending motions, as they did not involve actual water.

Korra was bored and Eska couldn’t blame her. The twins were only allowed to do so much in their room, due to a lack of toys and play pals. Which left Korra staring out the window while the twins played pretend with their brushes.

Eska looked over at Korra and asked “Do you not wish to join us? You could be the hand mirror if you want?”

“That sounds fun and all…but hand mirrors aren’t exactly my thing,” she said continuing to look outside.

Eska and Desna’s brows furrowed at her response, and walked over to join her, not wanting to leave Korra alone in her state, even if they were enjoying their game…well Eska not so much, the story Desna formulated is a little lacking in the dramatics, in her opinion. The twins were tired as Korra was at this point and rested their chins on their folded arms along the railings.

Eska’s eyes followed Korea’s to the royal training courtyard a couple of feet away. Eying the icy terrain and sighs. The training courtyard is nothing special to look at, it’s merely a white rectangular field with a large moat encompassing it. Plain ice bridges on each opposing side. The only decor was the giant koi fish jugs carefully set around the edges of the yard, filled with water for when they actually needed to train.

Well, it’s not like we can look at anything else…

Eska’s eyes land on the high wall. It was one of the few ways out of the palace, rarely used at all its meant to be used only when the royal family wants to leave and return unnoticed by people. They used that door many times with their father…

She pushes her attention back to her cousin. Eska, absentmindedly, her mind numb with boredom, decides to open up to Korra, “I wish you could show us your earthbending skills, I’d look forward to a new challenge.”

“Yeah…wait a minute…yeah! Let’s do it!” Korra grabs each twin by the shoulder and before Eska could ask what’s going on, she jumps out the four-story window releasing the twins to free fall in mid-air.

“Ahhhhh!!!” The twins screamed as the ground came closer and closer. Eska covered her eyes not wanting to watch her death happening before her eyes when she landed face-first into the snow shocked she was not dead. She climbed up out of the hole her body made and realized that Korra appeared to have made a giant pile of snow to break their fall. We’ll sort of break their fall, Desna crawled out of his hovel, rubbing his forehead while Korra popped out of the snow as if the fall were nothing.

Eska looked over at her and yelled more than asked, “WHAT IN SPIRITS NAME WAS THAT!!!”

Korra looked over at her, shocked that Eska of all people raised her voice.

“You said that you wanted to see my earthbending so I just figured, what better way to do that than through a sparring match,” she said as she pointed to the training yard.

“I only said if mother and father agreed or did you forget that,” Korra simply shrugged her shoulders in a nonchalant apology.

“Oh they’re gonna be furious with us,” Desna admitted as he stood up, “nice going by the way.” He said glaring at Eska.

“Excuse me?!” She asked in utter disbelief.

“Well sister, if you hadn’t been going on like a chattering hog-monkey, she wouldn’t have the bright idea to throw us to our deaths,” he accused her, slightly disoriented and annoyed.

“Oh, this is all MY fault!” Eska narrowed her eyes at her brother, took a deep breath, and closed them. ‘Easy, Eska yelling won’t solve anything.”

Desna looked at her and gave a small nod, “Yes, I’m glad you agree.” He said with a sly smile.

Her eyes snapped open, the last bit of her restraint breaking, ‘ya know what forget it.’

She let go of the breath she was holding, “You’re right brother.”

“I am???” He looked at her a bit shocked.

“Yes, if I had not suggested for cousin Korra to display her new skills to us none of this would’ve happened.” She said, calm as ever.

“Well, I’m glad you agree with me,” Desna snorted a little satisfied with his victory.

“Although, if you had thought of a better storyline while we were playing with our hairbrushes, perhaps I wouldn’t have been so bored, and wouldn’t have made that suggestion in the first place,” smirking and leaning over to stare him down, despite them being the same height, her arms crossed above her chest.

Desna let out an exaggerated gasp. “How dare you insult my masterful storytelling, the epic of Brushelton, has a compelling main character and is filled with drama and action. Will he save his love, Lady Combeletta from her evil twin trapped in the mirror, or will he not? It’s thrilling and great! You just lack an artistic eye like I do, when it comes to spinning tales. Did you ever think that if your voices were more creative maybe you would’ve held her attention longer?!”

Eska clutched her nonexistent pearls around her neck in shock, “how dare you! My acting is superb to your subpar plot lines.”

The twins aren’t even inches apart from each other pressing their foreheads together, neither of them backing away from the other. That is until…

“Desna, when did you get that stain on your shirt?” She says pointing at his chest.

Desna caught off guard, looks down at where his sister was pointing, only to be met with her finger flicking his nose. “Owww!” He stumbled backwards rubbing his nose.

“Made you look,” a mischievous grin broke out across Eska’s face, laughing at her triumph.

Desna was not going to take this sitting down though, which is why he lifted a small lump of snow, clenched his fists turning it into a snowball, and thrust it forward toward Eska…who promptly redirected it right back at him. The snowball hit him right in the face, causing him to fall over on his rear end.

Eska bursts out laughing, doubling over, until she realizes that someone is staring at them, that someone is Korra, her mouth agape in shock. Eska quickly got off the ground and tried to regain her composure, in a slight panic that someone other than her brother saw her acting so uncouth.

“Eska…?” Korra asked.

She finishes dusting herself off, turning to face her “Y-yes, cousin Kor-oomph!” Only to be met with a snowball flying toward her face, causing her to lose her balance and fall to the ground. Staring up at her cousin who was laughing harder than Eska ever saw her.

The twins looked at each other perplexed, and a little unsure of what to do next. Korra had seen them behaving poorly, would she tell their parents? Though neither of them had the chance to linger on it very long as Korra shattered all their worries away as she moved out of the pile of snow, laughing, beckoning them to come join her in the training yard.

For the first time, in what felt like ages, today the twins felt light and Desna rushed up to join their cousin in the snow, pulling a dumbfounded Eska along with him. Eska is not sure how but it seems as though a gift was given to them at that very moment, as Desna and Eska smiled, filled with excitement and adrenaline, as they all pelt each other with snow.

Korra was very unlike them. So full of life, while they were practically void of it. Conditioned to remain that way, to shut out all frivolous distractions, and hide their emotions away. Though somehow, in mere seconds Korra was able to fill their spirits to the brim with life. For once Eska didn’t think about how much trouble they could be in, finally able to focus on the present, the joy they all felt at that very moment.

Though, just like all good things in their lives, nothing good ever lasts. Their snowball fight was interrupted by a tall figure that Korra collided with, so hard that it caused her to fall back onto the ground. Eska and Desna ran over to their cousin, moving to help her stand up only for them to freeze upon realizing they sat in the shadow of another person.

The twins looked up to meet a tall man, in a black parka, with olive eyes and short black hair. He smiled down at the three young ones, though his aura doesn’t match the appearance on his face. The twins could sense his ill intent, though Korra, naive as ever, was unable to see the monster behind the mask. “Hello, Avatar Korra.”

“Oh hi mister,” Korra, not at all troubled by this stranger, “Who are you?”

“I’ve been tasked to take you and your cousins to a safe area, it seems that there are intruders in the palace. Please follow me.” He reaches his hand out to help her up. Korra was about to accept his help with a smile, only for Eska to pull her back closer to her and away from the man.

“If there are intruders in the palace, then why hasn’t the alarm gone off?” She inquired hoping to get the point across to her cousin that this man was not who he claimed to be.

“Because we don’t want to alarm the intruders, they don’t know they’ve been found out yet, so it’s pertinent, you all get to safety,” he insisted.

Yeah, I’m not buying that, you’re not even dressed as a guard. She shot Desna and Korra a knowing look, Desna gave a curt nod equally suspicious of the stranger…Korra looked between us and the new person in front of them. Finally catching onto the hostility that the twins harbor towards the strange man.

Korra decided to play dumb. Talking in a sickly sweet tone. “Well, sir, if you insist then we’ll all follow you to the…,” she punched a bolt of fire at the man, hoping to catch him off guard. Though he seemed to have expected her move, he quickly delivered a swift kick snuffing the fire out.

Hah! Well, that’s not the only thing I got up my sleeve! Korra takes a strong stance, and quickly raised her fists in the air, creating a small wall ice wall between them. “Run!” Korra shouted but found she couldn’t move as a harsh grip wrapped around her wrist, suddenly she was pulled into her snowy wall hard, by a clenched fist, that pierced its way through it. She struggled uselessly as she was suspended high into the air.

Desna and Eska were about to get ready to hose this guy down and tear this guy a new one, only to be pulled away and hoisted into the air by the hoods of their coats. They struggled against the grip, but to no avail, “quit it you brats,” a gruff female voice, that was threatening enough to cause the twins to freeze. Eska turned slightly, to observe their captor from the corner of her eyes, only to see a woman with light skin and dark brown hair. Half of her face was covered by a black neck gaiter, leaving only her eyes and forehead visible. Her eyes were a first amber, though her unique eye color is not what caught Eska off guard, her forehead was marked with an intricate red third-eye tattoo.

“Hey let them go-hmph!” Interrupted as her mouth and nose is covered by a damp cloth, giving her no choice but to breathe it in. Her eyes began to close and she fell limp in the man’s grasp, knocked out cold.

“Who are you, people?!” Desna asked out in desperation, hoping someone hears them, to come to their rescue.

The man holding Korra looked at the twins, “We are the harbingers of a new era, one of freedom. Seeking to break the bonds of oppression, so that all may be free.” The twins looked at him in confusion. “You are the future, you have the ability to shape and break the chains of oppression subjected to you. I can see it in your eyes. You both know that feeling too well and yet all you do is let society weigh you down, letting it push you down harder and harder until you end up in the ground. Freedom is just as essential as air and without it, there is no life. So tell me, Prince Desna, Princess Eska, are either of you even alive, would you be able to tell the difference between life and death, if I squeezed the air out of your lungs?”

All of a sudden three gongs rang in quick succession, drawing the attention of the two intruders, as they turned toward the source of the sound. Two other figures entered the courtyard, one a plain guardsman and a tan woman, with her hair tied back into a bun with chopsticks, bending on a wave of snow landing close to the other two. While the women wore midnight black water tribe clothing, long thick robes, and woolen pants, what shocked the twins was her lack of arms, only water tendrils in their place.

“We need to get out, Zaheer, our covers have been blown!” The waterbender announced, already running away from the numerous guards, coming out of the palace.

“Damn it,” he turned to the women holding Eska and Desna, “leave those two as long as we have the avatar, we still have a chance. Let’s go!” He shouts, sprinting away from the palace with their cousin in tow. Eska, wide-eyed and terrified, screamed for help, so desperate that any sound from her was an incoherent gargle or words. Desna didn’t seem to be doing any better. Though it didn’t matter as she found her cries cut short, by a quick sharp pain that shot through her head, a ringing sound taking over her senses. White spots began to dance in her eyes, the pain becoming greater as struggled in a vain attempt to escape her captor’s grasp, only to find be met with the cold snow as she thrashed about, dazed and confused.

Eska curled in on herself, clutching her stomach, a wave of nausea crashing over her, as her body became weak and her bones turned to lead. Her face came into contact with the snow, the cold substance causing her to flashback to the last time she was knocked down into the snow not long ago, a snowball colliding with her and Korra’s smile and laughter.

Eska forced herself onto her hands and knees, struggling as she fought on weak arms to stay upright, and raised her head to search for their dear cousin, only to find her brother unconscious on the ground not too far from her and the blurry image of Korra getting smaller and smaller. She extended her arm, reaching out to her to no avail, heaving, fighting for the air that abandoned her lungs, choking on her tears, falling prone. The loud ringing died out, allowing her to hear a faint rush of large water from a distance that was met with a loud explosion, ash invading her nostrils, as her vision failed going black.

Chapter Text

Ahnah walked swiftly through the long halls, a bag of sticks and a structure filled with multiple holes in her hand. She hadn’t been able to greet the twins as they returned to the palace to pick up their extended family. She’s heard from the guards that the twins were confined to their room until it came time for the celebration, in the evening. This left the twins alone in their room with their cousin Korra. With that, she decided to rescue them all and have some much-needed fun. The twins’ room was very sparse regarding toys, causing them to use accessories instead, so she decided to borrow the stick-pull game that the guards used during their downtime. Sure it was not the most exciting game, but she figured that anything would be better than nothing.

She was heading towards the twins’ royal bed chambers when she nearly collided with a guard passing her way.

“Oh, my apologies,” she said, backing up to get a good look at him.

The man looked at Ahnah, his eyes an earthy green, and stood straight and stoic, “It’s alright, ma’am.”

Ahnah was just about to pass him, but the guard caused her to halt. “May I ask where you’re going?”

“Oh, I’m only going up to the royal highnesses’ rooms to provide them with a temporary toy they can play with. Chief Unalaq made it very clear that Princess Eska and Prince Desna were supposed to make their cousin feel welcomed and left happy. I just plan to assist them,” she reassured the guard.

“I’m sorry ma’am but that’s not possible,” he admitted, “the chief ordered that they not be bothered, not until it is time for them to make their appearance in the great hall for their birthday,” he elaborated further after Ahnah gave him an inquisitive look. She held her gaze on the guard for longer than one would expect, but it was his unique eye color that caught her attention.

I’ve barely ever seen green eyes on a water tribe guard….most native water tribe people have different eye colors but most stay within the different shades and hues of blue and white, green eyes were very…peculiar, to say the least.

She pushed the thought to the side for a bit, not wanting to make the man feel like he was being put under a magnifying glass, as she peered at his unique characteristics. “Oh…I see…well thank you for informing me of the situation. I’ll just head back to my duties then,” she conceded.

I don’t want those two getting in any more trouble with their parents than they already are.

“I bid you good day then,” giving a small bow.

To which the guard saluted, putting his left hand over his closed right fist while bowing, bid his goodbyes, and left.

Ahnah was about to return to her room when something caused her to pause.

That guard…didn’t do the right salute. The correct way involved hitting one’s heart with their right fist. He didn’t have a spear either…and those green eyes…something’s off.

She turned around quickly to catch the guard before he was out of sight. “Wait! Young man, what was your name?”

“Kenji,” he said.

I’ve never heard of a name like that in either of the water tribes. It’s definitely not a native one. “I was just wondering, I don’t recognize your face and I’ve been working here for years. Are you new?” She inquired, hoping to uncover the mystery behind this strange guard, each sentence he spoke making him more suspicious than the last.

“Yes I was just accepted into the royal guard today,” he said, not turning to face her.

Ahnah shifted, her posture became more rigid as her grip on the objects began to loosen. “Hmm, that’s strange, Royal guards are usually only brought on board at the beginning of the year; after all, the trial only happens once at the end of each year,” she stepped back once staying a safe distance away, but left it at that, planting her feet firmly onto the ground. “Tell me…are you some sort of special exception?”

Her question hung in the air, being met only with silence. The man stopped dead in his tracks but did not turn to face her. Ahnah tensed, repositioning to gain a more stable stance, her body coiled ready to spring into action at any moment.

He let out a sigh, “I really didn’t want to attack some old women today,” he turned fast as lightning, launching a red spinning star at Ahnah’s face.

She barely dodged it, bending backwards, allowing it to pass right above her face. As it was shot by, she felt the searing heat emanating from the deadly weapon.

By the time she set herself upright, the imposter was already turning the corner. She ran after him, swift and quick, she might be old, but she was still in her prime; age is but a number, and strength was in the spirit. As she was running, she passed by an actual guard, “Sound the alarm! We’ve been invaded!” She shouted at him, with no time to explain what was happening. Ahnah was able to catch up to him and get him into her line of sight. He was heading down the hall that led to the open training field, luckily these walls had long cascading waterfalls that spouted out from a small rectangular vent at the top of the wall between each thick embedded column. They pooled into small aqueducts near the ground floor and flowed into the moat that surrounds the training courtyard.

She swooped downward to pick up a large droplet pushing it toward him in one swift motion, the great force behind it causing the freezing liquid to stretch and elongate while speeding toward him. Just before it impacted its target, a water tendril shot out behind his head, absorbing the blow. A woman in black jolted out from one of the columns and swung one of her water tendrils that the tip had frozen into a scimitar-shaped blade down at her, catching Ahnah off guard. She sidestepped the attack, leaving it to collide with the ground breaking up the icy surface, causing snow and large types of ice chunks. Ahnah threw up her hands to protect herself from the shrapnel debris and opened her eyes; the two were already gone.

Ahnah burst out the door into the training courtyard to be met with a dire sight. She witnessed the bodies of the twins lying on the snow floor and the intruders making a run for the back exit. Upon her gaze falling upon them, a cold rush of panic and fear washed over her. She dashed towards the fallen twins, falling to her knees to aid them, frantically checking their pulse. Her hands were trembling, and her mind was clouded, but she grounded herself to focus on the task at hand. She was relieved they were alive, but Eska was barely conscious. She lifted her head to look at the retreating, and a strong current of rage flooded her body.

DING…DING…DING!!!

Well…it seems that the spirits have decided that today is the day you all die…with a quick motion, she turned the moat around the arena to create thick, tall walls of ice, cutting off the intruders from their escape.

The group turned around to face the elderly woman. The man holding Korra muttered a few words, words that Ahnah couldn’t make out, and handed the young Avatar to a woman with a strange third-eye tattoo painted on her forehead; Slowly, he began to make his way over to Ahnah.

Ahnah ran to meet the man, putting some distance between herself and the twins, acting as their protective barrier. She took a deep breath and forced her hands to relax on either side of her body, ready to pull the water from the jugs that surrounded them.

The enraged caretaker made the first move, bending the water to create a powerful current to knock him down. Though the man’s movement was swift and tight, he quickly sidestepped the attack and closed the distance between them. He formed his hands to imitate that of a snake’s head and sent a barrage of jabs directed toward Ahnah’s right arm.

With the agility of a master bender, she sent a powerful bullet of water into his side, forcing him to skid across the field.

A chi-blocker, now she had a better understanding of her opponent, but he wasn’t her main target. Now that he was out of the way, she could see his other cronies making their path of escape. The woman holding Korra and her partners had backed away from the ice wall that blocked their path. She bent a wave of snow to quickly reach them before they made any moves. But the woman with the third eye was faster. In an instant, a large explosion went off, destroying the wall. The fall caused clouds of snow to coat the surrounding area.

I’m not going to reach her in time! Regardless she kept going, determined to save Korra and inflict them with the same pain she felt when she saw the twins’ limp bodies. She was just about to reach them when in the corner of her eye she saw the chi-blocker running towards her with a sinister gaze etched into his stone-cold face. She used the snow she was surfing on to spring into the air out of his reach; the momentum and downward force aiding her as she swung her heel, aiming for her head. Ahnah though failed to catch her off guard, as she swiftly turned around, raising both her arms to block her attack. She didn’t injure her…but instead got her to drop their target.

Ahnah had to act quickly; she pushed the woman away from her and picked up Korra. As the tired caretaker prepared to make her retreat a water tendril wrapped around her leg, freezing trapping her in an ice cuff. She tried to free herself, but that woman with the bun only launched her other water tendril at Ahnah’s arm encasing it in a sleeve of water, causing her to tighten her grip around Korra with the one hand she had.

No! She struggled to get out of the tight bond after seeing the green-eyed man ready his throwing star, the weapon glowing with veins of something red and yellow.

Lava! Just like that, she was able to break out of her icy chains, adrenaline coursing through her body. With little grace, she dodged the lava star and practically threw herself to the ground to avoid the deadly attack. She knew she couldn’t take them all on at once, she wasn’t that good, especially considering that these hooligans were far from the average fighters.

Ahnah pulled herself to her feet and looked around at the enemy before her. The imposter guardsmen let out a small huff, “I’ll admit, it’s rather impressive that you’ve been able to hold your own against us for this long, you old hag.” Ahnah narrowed her eyes and sneered at him, aggravated at this man who tricked her. “But now it’s time for you to get out of our way, permanently.” He and his friends readied themselves for a fight.

Her hair and stance were a mess; she couldn’t fight with Korra in her hands. The odds didn’t look good; even so, she wasn’t going to back down, not after everything they’d done. Ahnah began to bend some water out of a nearby jug, preparing to fight them with the remnants of her strength when suddenly a quick succession of hard, precise jabs traveled along the line of her spinal cord.

Ahnah convulsed as the pain from her spine shot through her. Her whole body seized up making her gasp in pain as she collapsed in a heap on the ground. Her muscles felt rigid and tense, but her whole body was limp as noodles. No matter how hard she attempted to strain and fight against her stunned body, nothing changed…she could no longer move.

With the side of her face lying against the snow she found that she could only move her eyes, and she only knew that because the sound of footsteps drew their attention as a pair rushed passed her.

“Are you alright?” She recognized it as the voice of the chi-blocker, though his tone was not as cold as it once was, instead it was filled with worry and gentleness.

“I’m fine. Let’s just get what we came for and go,” Ahnah didn’t have time to even think about what to do next. The fake guardsmen came and took Korra from her; there was nothing she could do to stop him. All she was good for was lying there helpless on the ground willing her body to move, only for it to disobey her mind. She could no longer see anything other than the blurry image of the snowy ground, her eyes filled with tears as shame and despair bubbled in her heart. Ahnah had failed. She failed to protect the twins, Korra, the Water tribes, and the whole world. The twins…she’d most likely never see them again, not after this; she’d probably be banished for bringing shame to the Northern Water Tribe.

With her ear pressed to the ground, she could hear their footsteps as they made their leave. She closed her eyes, letting the sorrow wash over her. She had accepted her failure and resigned to lay on the ground.

Thump…Thump…THUMP!

The low murmur of thumping caused Ahnah to open her eyes. She tried to look around to see where the vibrations were coming from, to no avail. But whatever it was, it was big, coming from behind her, and got closer and louder by the second.

“Stop them!” She heard a gruff voice shout out. Unable to turn her head, she instead tried to rely on her hearing to determine what was happening. She could hear the sound of water rushing in the air and the loud roaring footsteps of multiple people passing by. At one point, someone came over to her and helped her lay on her back much to her shock, she still couldn’t feel touch on her body. When she was finally facing the sky and not the ground, she was met with a familiar face.

Roh! A guard around her age with an angular, slim face. His blackish-grey hair was put up in a warrior’s wolf tail, and he wore the uniform of a high-ranked soldier, the head of the royal guard.

“Ahnah, you’re okay!” He exclaimed happily. “When I saw you on the ground I…I assumed the worst.” He moved to help her sit up in the snow, only for Ahnah to nearly flop back into the snow; thankfully Roh caught her before that happened.

“Those bastards…They really did a number on you,” he grimaced, “Don’t worry, we’ll make them pay. Thanks to you, we were able to alarm every guard in the entire capital; whoever did this isn’t going to get a hundred feet away from the castle before they get a face full of water tribe warriors might thrown at them. We’ll catch ‘em in no time!” He reassured her as he cradled her in his arms, “And don’t worry, the twins are safe and sound too. I had some of my men take them to the infirmary. Which is where you’ll be going too.” He swooped his arms under the crook of her legs and began to carry her back to the palace.

If Ahnah did her best to smile at him. Roh was a lifelong friend, as even when their paths diverged, the spirits always seemed to find a way to connect them back together. He was the one who got her the job as a royal palace attendant in the first place. As the years passed, she found that Roh was always a good friend that she could rely on, and it was moments like this that made her admire his character, even though he could be a stickler for the rules sometimes. So she let herself be carried to the infirmary; not like she could do anything to stop him.

I did my part. I just hope that Korra returns unharmed.

In the grand dining hall of the palace, Unalaq and Tonraq were having a lavish dinner with their wives, Senna and Meriwa, along with the other guests. There were roasted arctic hens with seaweed gravy, a warm vegetable broth with a slight hint of ginger imitating it drifting in the room, and sweet jasmine tea, to soothe the mind and nourish the soul. Though Tonraq was not feeling anything close to tranquil, the good food be damned.

“So Brother, how have the Southern Water Tribe been faring? I’ve heard your fishermen have been struggling, something about the usual haul being outside of your Maritime Zone?” Unalaq inquired after taking a sip of his tea. “Must be hard, having one of your chief industries dwindling,” he said under his breath.

Tonraq finished chewing a piece of Arctic hen. “Where’d you hear that?” He replied.

“I’ve heard it from our fishermen here in the North, they are just as worried about the state of the Southern Water Tribe as I am. You seem to forget that our people are connected despite being on opposite ends of the earth.” His face shifted to one of concern, “We can assist you, you know, all you need is ask, and the North would gladly help make up for the capital you lost.”

Tonraq gives his brother a strained smile, “Thank you, brother, for your kind offer, but you’ll be relieved to know that we were actually able to figure out how to solve the problem quickly. The fishermen were able to haul in a good amount of fish and even then those that suffered were given aid. Not to mention since we started breaking into the oil industry, our capital is much more stable due to the diverse sources of revenue.” Tonraq responded, while defensive his tone remained calm. Not that you care.

Unalaq, though, was not moved by his brother’s attitude. “I’m happy to hear that your people are doing well. I was worried, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if people were suffering.” He confessed with a smile, even then Tonraq was not buying it. Just waiting for his brother to get to what he really wanted.

“Remember brother, we are family, both the Northern Water Tribe and the Southern Water Tribe, so don’t worry about reaching out to me for help,” Unalaq says with a soft smile on his face. “While we’re on the topic of long-distance family connections, how is Korra’s waterbending training going?”

And there’s the real motivation behind this all.

Tonraq, done with his brother and his games relents, “Thank you, Unalaq. I can assure you that Korra is receiving the best training there is and is quickly on her way to mastering waterbending. Why are you asking?” He sat up straight with his arms folded and hoped that his expression would deter him from pursuing this topic.

Unalaq smiles at his brother, despite the malice laced in his voice, “Since you asked, I think that Korra should do her waterbending training with me in the North. She would thrive if she were under my tutelage, my bending skills are unparalleled and she’d be in the safe care of her family.”

Tonraq narrows his eyes, now rather annoyed, “We’ve been over this before, Unalaq. Korra will train where we deem fit and while I don’t doubt your skills, I’m not going to take her away from her home and all her friends; she's far too young for that.”

“But brother, Korra’s so sociable I’m positive she’d make friends in no time. Not to mention Desna and Eska would always be there supporting her, they love it when she comes to visit. She’d never be lonely I assure you that,” he insists.

He never gives up, every time we meet he brings up the same thing expecting to get a different answer! Tonraq huffed and was about to tell Unalaq to stop when he was interrupted.

Unalaq takes his tea and lifts it to his mouth, not yet taking a drink, “Not to mention her spiritual training is being neglected.”

“Actually, Chief Unalaq, I’ve been the one put in charge of Korra’s spiritual training, in addition to her airbending” Tenzin rebutted, worming his way into the argument “I’ve been working with her for the past year to build her connection to the spirit realm.” He confesses, with sincerity and a bit of pride.

“I see and how have you been fairing? Has Korra been in contact with the spirits or the past Avatars?” Unalaq inquires, turning his head towards the Airbender.

“Well, Um, no she hasn’t yet. We’ve only done the usual meditation so far. I’ve been advised to focus more on her airbending training since she’s been ” he admits, slightly deflated.

“In that case, it may be better to have her study under someone else for her spiritual training since your efforts don’t appear to be producing results. No offense to you Tenzin, but I simply believe that as it stands you are straining your skills too much. Handling Korra’s airbending and spiritual training is too much for one person to handle alone, especially when she’s already struggling in both. I’m certain it would be for the best that Korra developed her spiritual training as a pupil of mine, her in the North,” he shoots back. Tenzin was about to explain more, but his mother, Katara, put her hand on his shoulder, bringing his attention towards her and signaling for him to real in his desire to assure Chief Unalaq of his skills.

Tenzin dropped the subject at his mother’s behest, to her relief. “Sorry about that, Tenzin just wants you to know that Korra is being well taken care of,” she says with a smile, patting her son on the head. She could tell this was obviously a family matter and didn’t want to add more to the already hostile tension between the brothers.

Her brother and Lord Zuko kept their opinions to themselves as well, instead focusing on catching up with each other. Katara motions for Tenzin to join them, letting the two brothers continue to argue. Besides, she trusted Tonraq to do what was best for his daughter and put his brother in his place.

Unalaq turns his head back towards Tonraq, happy he’s able to return to their conversation “I merely bring this up, because of how important it is for the Avatar to learn how to commune with the spirit realm, to act as a balance between them. After all, you of all people would know too well what happens when the spirits are upset and out of balance, or did you forget?” He mocks, letting his brother see the small smile hidden behind the tea cup paired with his sly eyes.

Tonraq grits his teeth and clenches his hand into a fist as his arm lays underneath the table, in frustration. Oh, how I missed his tendency to dig up my past failures to shame me. He was just about to tell him to piss off when he felt another hand smaller than his rest over his clenched fist.

Senna was the one to speak up this time “Unalaq we appreciate what you’re trying to do for Korra. But to be honest with you Korra’s training regimen isn’t in our hands. The White Lotus are the ones who control that, their organization has been tasked with determining what is best for the Avatar, so if they decided that Korra should receive her training closer to us, then it’s for a good reason.” She squeezed her hand over her husband’s clenched fist, hoping to soothe his anger and keep this dinner from turning into a war zone.

Meriwa scoffed at Senna and looked like she was about to spite venom at her before her husband raised his hand signaling for her to remain quiet. She huffed through her nose but obeyed her husband’s request, wanting to please him but pouting because of missing her chance to throw a snide remark towards her.

Unalaq nods his head toward Senna, “I understand that but, I say this with Korra’s best interest in mind, all the Avatars before her traveled all over the world honing their craft and learning from true masters. One day that will be Korra, I just thought that you’d want her to be in familial hands when that time comes.” He shifts his gaze back to his brother.

“We’ll be sure to keep that in mind,” Tonraq responds curtly, attempting to end this conversation by placating his brother’s desire.

But Unalaq wasn’t done yet, “If you insist, however, I’m positive Korra would love to come and train here, she’d learn from the best there is and train alongside her cousins, and besides by keeping her in one place you’re stifling her true talent and what kind of father would you be if you did that?” He chastised, playing oblivious to his brother’s boiling anger.

Alright, that’s it! Tonraq shot from his seat and was about to give his brother a piece of his mind, when the doors to their dining area burst wide open, making way for a guard to come stumbling in. His untimely entrance caught everyone at the table by surprise.

With all eyes on him, the soldier stood up straight and saluted the two chieftains. Preparing to make an announcement none of them were ready to hear, with what breath he had to spare.

“Chief Unalaq, there’s been a breach!” He shouts.

The announcement alarmed everyone sitting at the table, causing them to shoot up from their seats. “What’s happening? Who’s invaded the palace?!” Unalaq demands.

“We aren’t sure exactly who they are, but we’re in pursuit of them at this very moment!” he franticly explains.

“Oh no…” Senna clutches her heart, “Tonraq…the kids.”

Tonraq’s face is filled with worry, realizing that they left Korra alone unguarded. Unalaq was worried as well, He was going to ask where the children were when another soldier came in and relayed a message to the first one. The first soldier’s reaction to the news did not put him at ease, he stepped back from him in shock and when he looked towards them again, he couldn’t get the words out, hesitant to relay the information he just received.

“Well, what is it?” Unalaq stepped away from the table and closed in on the soldier. “Where is Avatar Korra?” Unalaq asked, eerily mirroring the guard’s wild panic, fighting his own will to not forcefully extract the answers from him.

The soldier, jolted up as his chief addressed him “Avatar Korra has been kidnapped by intruders, the entire royal guard is in pursuit of them now. Princess Eska and Desna were left injured, a minor concussion, but the med-bay said they’ll be fine.”
As the news sank into the members of the dinner party, the room fell silent, all too shocked to even move. Unalaq’s dreadful expression soon morphs into one of righteous fury, “Lead us to these intruders immediately, we can not let them take the Avatar!” Once the guard nodded, they ran out the door, Unalaq essentially pushing to keep the Avatar from harm.

The rest of the dinner party bolted from the table, joining Unalaq, fueled by fury and fear to take down the kidnappers, desperate to rescue Korra. Despite not knowing who they were up against, they were willing to risk their lives to keep Korra safe. All except Meriwa, who upon hearing of Korra’s fate sat back down and lazily resumed eating her attic hen, not a care in the world. Instead of a worried frown, she had a maniacal grin plastered on her face, absolutely chittering from glee despite the distress unfolding around her. Once she finished her meal, she fixed her appearance, flattening out the creases in her clothes and reaching into her sleeve pulling out a small clutch purse.

Meriwa took out a stick of charcoal eyeliner and started to put an excessive amount of the stark charcoal paint around her eyes, making them look deeper, more ragged. Finally, she dipped her fingers into her tea and brought them to her eyes to form faux tear streaks. She smiled satisfied with her appearance and began her stroll over to the med-bay where those two useless parasites were tucked away.

The room was blurry, everything literally in a haze, as Eska struggled to regain her bearings. She strained her eyes in an attempt to stabilize her vision, trying her best to keep the room from spinning. What happened? I was outside and then…the events of the courtyard started to pour into her mind as she was shocked out of her hazy state.

She pushed herself to sit up from what she assumed was a bed.

“Urgh!” She clutched her head in pain. The quick movement caused the throbbing sensation radiating from her temple, to turn into a large pounding against her skull. She felt weak and dizzy, the adrenaline from the panic short-lived.

But it wasn’t important…I have to find Desna!

“Eska?” a weak voice called out to her.

Eska immediately identified the voice as her brother and turned to where the source of his voice was coming from. She pries her eyes open, to be met with her brother’s figure lying down in the bed next to her, the hanging divider curtains pulled back.

“Desna!” She was about to get up to be with him and make sure he was okay, but he weakly lifted his hand to keep her from moving.
“I’m okay, don’t worry. Besides you need to lie down too. It’s not like you’re in any better shape than I am.” He explains, his voice small but filled with concern for his sister.

Eska was about to insist she was fine until being subjected to another series of headaches. That and her relief that her brother was alright, encouraged her to lie down and put the cold cloth on the side of her bed, which she most likely unfastened due to her abrupt movement, back on her forehead and rest. However, Eska did not close her eyes, as she couldn’t sleep due to her memory from today flooding into her head.

It didn’t seem like Desna could go back to sleep either, “So…was Cousin Korra really kidnapped, or did I just dream that? He asked, staring blankly at the ceiling, his speech lightly slurred.

“Unless we had the exact same dream at the exact same time, then yeah, Korra was really kidnapped by four crazy strong people, who most certainly aren’t going to be easily taken down without a rough fight and are probably halfway across the ocean right now,” Eska said out loud making it all sound the more real, causing her to feel the weight of her actions. She choked back a sob, frightened and riddled with guilt. “Desna…this is all our fault, isn’t it? If-if we had obeyed our parents and stayed inside, none of this would’ve happened.”

“You don’t know that,” Desna lamented, trying his best to comfort his sister in his tired state.

“But it’s true!” Eska cried out, her shrills releasing the amassed guilt that had been flailing deep in her chest, “If we'd tried harder; if we’d been better cousins and responsible, we would’ve never stayed outside, and we would have noticed that strange man. Then Korra wouldn’t be–who knows where Korra is!” She felt the tears begin to well up in her eyes, her mind began to run a mile a minute letting out all of her fears and anxieties in a fervent frenzy.

“Eska,” Desna tried to lift himself out of bed. It took him a few attempts, his head hurt, and he was also mentally exhausted. In all honesty, he was feeling the same way his sister was, and he couldn’t help but think that some of the blame rested on his shoulders. But he would be damned if he let his sister stay in such a state.

Once Desna finally sat up in his bed, he turned to Eska, “Look at me.” She rose to face him, tears streaking down her face. He locked eyes with her and motioned for her to take a deep breath with him. They did this whenever their anxiety rose and worry clouded their mind. It would calm them down, clearing their head for a moment to ground themselves in the present. After she exhaled, Desna began, “This isn’t our fault, at least not all of it,” not being able to shake his own guilt. “We couldn’t have known that there were intruders in the palace, and if they got as far as they did, then that means the guards failed to do their jobs. While we didn’t exactly obey our Father’s orders, who could blame us? We were as bored as Korra was. Her pulling us out of the window was the most exciting thing to happen to us all year.”

“But-but we-I,” Eska stuttered, too upset to express himself.
“We can’t be expected to account for everything that happens in the world Eska. We can only account for our own actions,” he explains, repeating the wise words of Ahnah, “We did the best we could in that situation. It wasn’t much, but what else could we have done?” he asks, hoping to help his sister to think past her guilty conscience, but he was also pointing the question at himself as well. He looked down at his hands, slightly tinged red from the frostbite they’d gained from lying face down in a pile of snow. Could we have done more?

Eska resigned herself to her brother’s attempt to comfort her, allowing it to cover her like a warm fur blanket. She knew he was right; so many things went wrong today, and not all of it was their fault. She whipped away her tears, her hands shaking. I know it, but I can’t help but worry so much about Korra, about Desna, about…everything. His words didn’t ease her guilty conscience, but it filled her with warmth to know that Desna was safe and that even during all this chaos, she still had him to lean on. She looked at him while he stared at his hands and could feel his need to lean on her for a while as well.

“Desna…” She says, making her voice as strong as it can be for him. She closes her eyes and takes another deep breath. She opened her eyes “Des-GASP!” Eska is shocked to see the imminent horror on her brother’s face. The fear in his eyes sharply contrasted with his previous imitation of the one filled with assurance while he was trying to comfort her.

She was about to ask him what was wrong when a hand was placed on her shoulder, the grip of tight nails digging into her skin. “Ack! Who-” She turned her head to see who was gripping her so harshly, and upon realizing the culprit’s identity, the air fled from her lungs, leaving her incapable of speaking. The tears Desna helped chase away found their way back into Eska’s eyes, as her entire being was frozen in place, helpless.

“What else could you have done, you say?” the hand moves from Eska’s shoulder to her chin, gripping it violently, forcing her to face the person they dreaded seeing the most. She practically squeezed until the color left Eska’s face, only loosening to a firm hold when Eska’s ice-blue eyes stopped flitting about, trying to look anywhere but into the fear-inducing silver eyes that shone in jubilation.

“Why don’t I tell you,” Meriwa taunted, her voice laced with honey disguising the malice in her heart. She looked Eska dead in the eyes, only releasing her so she could relish in the fear of both of the children before her.

The black messy charcoal around their mother’s eyes, contrasted with her silver eyes making it so they draw you towards them. Eska was terrified of her mother, but what always froze her in place was her cold, emotionless. Every time her mother forced her and Desna to look at her, her eyes would seize their hearts, squeezing harder and harder, until it was hard to breathe, to move, to think. Nothing could pull them out of this state, their only hope was to wait until the very owner of that icy glare tore away her gaze. Which would only happen until she sated her hunger. Her hunger for fear, their fear.

“Let’s review. You two disobeyed your father’s orders, you failed to protect your cousin because of your incompetence, and you let her get kidnapped because you were weak?” Each accusation caused Eska’s entire body to violently flinch almost as if she was being physically attacked. She could hear Desna from behind her, whose breathing had shifted to rapid and short gasps. Or was it her own? It sounded so far away that she couldn’t distinguish between her state of panic and that of her brother.

“This entire crisis is your fault! If you two weren’t such useless, reckless imbeciles and used your brain for once then none of this would’ve happened. How can you even suggest otherwise?” Meriwa chastises, “Do you have any idea what you’ve done to your uncle and aunt!? They practically were sick with worry when they discovered what happened. The thought of never seeing their daughter ever again nearly killed them both! Not to mention your father he was…”

Eska could see her mother going on and on her rant seemingly never-ending, but she wasn’t absorbing any of it. The entire space surrounding her was slowly blotched out by darkness, save for her mother’s eyes. Her mother’s cold silver eyes pierced an icicle into her heart pinning her in place and forbidding her from escaping, forever suspended in terror. The nerves in her body alight with fire as if she were suffering from oncoming frostbite. It was hard to breathe, she was hyperventilating, with clenched fists digging her nails into her palm, as she desperately grasps for a lifeline. Specifically, a warm hand akin to her own that held on as tightly as she did keeping her tethered to the present.

Eska’s eyes widen in realization, as she realizes what was absent at this moment, Desna…She sought the comfort of her dear brother, yearning for his support during the vitriol their mother throwing at them. In times like this, they leaned on each other, but he was nowhere to be seen.

Where is Desna? Desna! She screams in her mind for her brother to hear her pleading for him, though no answer comes. Her lips were sealed shut, her voice was only heard by her as it echoed in her head.

Wait…Desna, is behind me, is he not? Eska fruitlessly attempts to turn her head towards her brother. But couldn’t, not with her mother’s eyes holding her in place. I need Desna. She admitted to herself; her desire for his comfort growing stronger than her fear of their mother’s cruelty. Thanks to her determination to reach out to her brother, she was able to slowly tear her eyes away from her silver prison to meet the cool blue eyes of her brother to embrace him and shield the warm light of their souls from the ice blizzard that sought to snuff them out.

But something solid and cold made contact with her face, so hard that it caused her head to harshly whip to the opposing side knocking her down. Her cheek stung with heat and radiated pain. Eska cupped her check in an attempt to soothe the place of impact, to no avail. Before she could do anything else, a hand reached out to grab the collar of her coat, forcing her to set her gaze back on her mother’s eyes now bubbling over in rage. She continued screaming holding Eska physically in place so she could not escape. Luckily though the slap she landed on Eska’s face caused her ears to ring, so much so that she couldn’t hear what she was saying, only feel it, see it. And her actions speak all she needs to get the point across. Once she was satisfied she let go, practically shoving Eska back onto her bed and walking away, shouting out one last insult behind her back “If it were up to me you two would even be here, every horrible incident that has ever happened in this fortress is because of your existence. You both are and will always be a curse in my eyes, don’t ever forget that,” with that, she slams shut the door, causing the sound to echo throughout the room.

As soon as their mother left the room, Eska let out a breath she didn’t know that she was holding in the first place feeling a wave of relief. Though like many times before her words soon sunk in, every insult adding a stab wound to her heart. The pain became so unbearable that all she could do was curl in on herself hugging her legs and shoving her face into her knees to muffle her sobs as she attempted to chock back her tears. Not much time had passed when she felt a warmth pressing against her back and a pair of arms wrapping around her in a firm hug. She knew it was Desna and his mere presence is what allowed her to finally let herself cry, knowing deep down that he was crying with her. The twins let their sorrows flow in the medical bay alone totally unaware that their caregiver was lying on the other bed next to Eska’s her presence obscured by the curtain dividers. Tears ran down her face as she heard them cry, her heart wrought with pain from their cries and her failure to protect and embrace them when they needed her the most.

After that awful ordeal, it wasn’t long until Desna and Eska were released from the medical room and sent back to their own room. But not before their father called them to the throne room to reproach them for even allowing Korra to venture outside without any guards nearby to provide protection.

“You two should be ashamed of yourselves!” He shouted angrily as he stood in front of Desna and Eska in a zarei, only the highest respect for their father, their foreheads pressed onto the ice-cold floors. Though they were thankful for it, as it made the reprimands they received from their father much more manageable, as they were never forced to see; to feel the searing rage that was being displayed through his piercing gaze.

“Because of your insolence, Korra was nearly kidnapped! If it weren’t for my swift action, your uncle and his cohorts wouldn’t have been there in time to keep her from falling into their clutches,” He let out a small sigh in an attempt to release the stress coiling inside of him. “I raised you two to be responsible, intelligent, formidable; it’s unfathomable how you could not account for such a situation in hindsight.”

A brief pause hung in the air, one that made Eska think that she was being allowed to voice his repentance. She steeled himself to keep his voice from shaking, “I’m deeply sorry, Father. We failed you, and we will do whatever it takes to rectify this situation,” To which Desna echoed in agreement, even though logically it didn’t make sense for them to apologize when they weren’t the ones in charge of where the guards were positioned. nor did it make sense for them to believe their ‘esteemed’ father, who whose knowledge was far greater than theirs, to not have accounted for and subsequently placed measures to ensure a horrible incident like this to happen in the first place. or how they were expected to stop the intruders when they were not fully trained in their bending to even attempt to take down someone twice their size. None of it made sense, it shouldn’t be their fault that this happened…and yet Desna did not raise these qualms to his father, instead choosing to bury them within his heart, bite his tongue, and mumble an apology from his lowered position. Accepting the blame hoisted upon him, just as his sister.

“You two did more than just fail me. You’ve humiliated me, disgraced your household, and most of all, brought danger to the Avatar and set her training back by years!”

Their ears perked up in shock and confusion at what their father was alluding to. They waited with bated breath for him to continue.

“Korra will no longer be allowed to visit the Northern Water Tribe. Her parents and the order of the White Lotus decided to steal Korra away to an undisclosed location where she will be virtually shut off from the world, shut off from me!”

Eska was baffled. Were they really going to take such drastic measures? She was aware of how important Korra’s safety was. After all, she hardly visited them in the first place, only coming on special occasions, which wouldn’t be surprising given the massive distance between their homelands did no favors in fostering a strong bond between them and their cousin. But was concerned if what their father said was true then they most likely wouldn’t hear from her for quite some time, they weren’t allowed to write to her as that could leave a paper trail leading to her location.

Eska was crestfallen, and though she couldn’t see Desna, she felt the negative energy that clouded his aura. They were both aware of Korra’s protection system and how much she abhorred it. She had a free spirit and didn’t enjoy the ever-watchful eye of the White Lotus. Knowing that their actions tightened the bonds around her already secure enclosure caused their guilt to resurface, and the fact that she’d no longer visit only amplified the sorrow they were feeling. Though they didn’t have a strong bond with Korra, they genuinely enjoyed her company, despite their constant outward appearance of apathy. She was a breath of fresh air, to their dull and dark lives, blowing away the fog with her chipper attitude.

They’d miss her…

Their father’s voice caused them to snap back to reality, “Until further notice, I confine both of you to your room; your birthday celebration is canceled and any gifts that were bestowed upon you lot will be revoked!” he declared with a final humpf, rubbing the side of his temple as he fell back into his throne. Meriwa rubbed his arm in an attempt to soothe her husband, but he merely twisted his eyes shut. “Understood?” He said, his tone making it sound closer to a demand than a question.

The twins uttered a quick, “Yes, Father,” and simultaneously raised to stand and let the guards escort them back to their room. The walk back was uneventful, largely because Eska’s visible guilt was enough to keep his mouth shut. He knew at this point there was nothing he could say to convince her of her innocence. All he could do was be there for her while she struggled to keep a grip on her spiritual psyche.

As soon as the doors to their room were shut, Desna reached for Eska’s shoulder, only for her to shrink away, almost as if his touch was coated in frigid ice. Her recoil didn’t cause him to falter, as he switched tactics, instead holding his hand out for her to take.

Desna could see the guilt mixed with longing in her eyes. It ate away at her, “It’s okay, I’m here.”

Eska still didn't move, looking away from her brother “D-desna we shouldn’t attempt to comfort each other before we’ve taken the time to reflect on our misdeeds and digest my-I mean our guilt.” Tears slowly began to appear in her eyes.

Desna frowned at his sister, his dear sweet, thoughtful sister who was too hard on herself, more willing to scrutinize her mistakes before even entertaining the thought that the fault might not be her own. At moments like this, he didn’t know what to say, yet he still moved to plead with her, only to be interrupted by a soft pattern of knocks on the door. A familiar one, specifically associated with one person.

“Ahnah…” the twins remarked in unison, as the door slowly opened. Ahnah poked her head into the room, “Desna, Eska may I come in?” Once they nodded their heads, she began to make her way in. Her movement was slow, her posture almost too straight and a noticeable wince as she walked.

“You’re hurt?” Eska carefully asked almost as if she worried that the mere question would cause her to crumble to the ground in agony.

“Oh, it’s only a flesh wound, nothing Ole’ Ahnah couldn’t handle!” She assured, flexing in an attempt to portray how the pain was only minimal.

But it didn’t convince Desna, and most certainly not Eska, who previously was on the verge of tears and was now about to burst. “This is all my fault. If I had behaved, if-if I had just acted-d like I should have…” He could hear the lump in her throat, the strain causing her voice to become terse.

He was about to comfort Eska, when he felt the warmth of tender arms wrapping around them, closing the gap between the twins, helping them connect and become the pair they always were. “My Eska, my sweet princess, you have done many wonderful deeds, none of which you are at fault. You know that it isn’t your job to maintain security, it’s the guards, your parents, and mine. We’ve all failed you just as much as we did Korra.” She moved to kiss them both on the forehead and cup their faces, feeling the dampness of their cheeks. She gently brought them to see her, see the honesty in her eyes. Her heart throbbed when she looked into their ice eyes, their glamor lessened by the red puffiness surrounding them. Eyes so full of innocence and goodness that reminded her every day why she kept this job. “Let it be known you’re not at fault.” At these words, she felt two hand clasps around her returning her embrace. She decided to brighten their spirits with her little surprise. “Now you two it’s still your birthday and if I’m not mistaken people usually get presents on those days,” she patted their heads and went over to the twins’ beds.

“But Father said we weren’t allowed to have presents,” Desna spoke as he dried his tears, still holding Eska close.

“Your father is also a foolish man who blames children for his own mistakes, so I don’t particularly think his opinion is of concern to me. Besides, with what you two have been through you’ll need it.” She reasoned, bending down to reach underneath the bed to display the presents she had.

“Desna for you” Ahnah reveals a sewing kit with two wooden marionette dolls, one male and the other female, both with the ability to bend their joints and manipulate their poses. “I remember how much you admired the styles and patterns in my design booklet, as I oversaw your studies in the library. You became so enraptured that you started pitching ideas for new fabric prints and attire, I couldn’t keep up. It’s not much, but it’s a start, and the set is small enough to hide from your father.” She handed the gift to Desna, who accepted it with a bright gleam in his eyes. “Of course, whether you want to learn or not is your decision, if not I’ll take it ba—”

“No!” He clutches the kit firmly in his grasp, shielding it with his body as though Ahnah was planning to snatch it away from him. “Ahem…apologies. Thank you Ahnah, I love it and I’d be honored to study under your tutelage.” He shifts his gaze to the ground, slightly embarrassed at his outburst.

She simply smiles, before turning to Eska “And for you, a gift I created with my own two hands.” She reveals an average-sized plush doll.

“A koala-otter!” She moves to wrap it in her embrace. “My favorite!” It was so soft and warm, the materials practically melded to her body with how squishy it was. The whiskers were fuzzy and tickled her nose, while the fur provided comfort. Its eyes even matched hers sporting two blue buttons.

“That’s not all,” Ahnah admitted, returning from their beds to display Eska’s last present.

Eska looked over and let out a gasp of excitement, upon witnessing the cute stuffed animal. “A turtle-duck…” she stated, in almost a whisper, blown away by the amount of love and thought that went into her presents.

She’d only seen them in pictures, mostly in books regarding the environment outside the Northern Water Tribe, ones she’d never get to see with her own eyes. Out of all the animals she read about the turtle-duck was her second favorite. She adored its innocent eyes and fluffy exteriors, with a cute brown tuff of down feathers atop its head. They always managed to look so adorable but strong with their hard shells protecting them from predators.

Eska knew she’d most likely never get to see one in real life, as a woman she wouldn’t be granted the same international luxuries as Desna when the time came for her to marry. She, along with her husband, would most likely be relegated to overseeing the tribe when Desna became chief and had to attend to foreign diplomacy. Making her future appear ever more landbound.

However, the adoration woven into the stitching of the stuffed animal, made it easier for Eska to forget all of that. “Thank you, Ahnah these are wonderful.” Her smile beamed like a thousand suns, knowing at least Ahnah felt they were worth such thoughtful gifts.

“It’s not at all a problem my dearests, I only wish I could give you the world but that would only be a fraction of what you truly deserve.” Then you wouldn’t be trapped in this frozen prison. Instead, she did the one thing she could do. Place a brief kiss on each of their foreheads and move them towards their beds. “Come now I believe it is time you two went to bed, it has been a long day.”

“But we are not ready to rest yet,” Desna insisted, though he still permitted Ahnah to put him to bed since Eska had jumped in without a second thought.

“Agreed,” said Eska, “If only there was an activity we could perform that involved reclining in one’s bed all the while allowing us to spend energy through idle chatter, indulge in our historical culture, and eventually lull us into slumber,” she pondered as she got comfortable draping her thick blankets over her newly acquired collection of toys, paying special attention to the turtle-duck’s emerald green eyes. Once she was finished, she looked at Ahnah expectantly. “You would not happen to know of such a pastime, would you?” a slight grin curled onto her face, as if she’d already obtained what she desired.

Ahnah returned her smile, “If you want a bedtime story, all you must do is ask.” Upon her confirmation, they both snuggled into their beds, ready to listen to her epic tales. “There once was a fisherman who—“

“No, Ahnah, the other story, the one about the spirits in the northern lights,” Eska retorted before she got lost in the rhythm of her fable.

She cocked her eyebrow,“Will you ever tire of that one?”

“I merely prefer true tales as opposed to ones of fiction,” admitted Eska as she curled up with Ahnah.

Ahnah sat down in her designated spot, clutching her water pouch;, usually, she only carried it when she was out and about, but with the recent events she felt compelled to carry it with her during her duties… just in case. However, tonight it would be weaved to create rather than destroy.

As soon as the twins were comfortable and attentive, she uncorked the screw and began to bring out a small flow of water, morphing it into figures and shapes, to help the children be emersed in the story and lose themselves to the wonder of their imagination. She made a few simple ones: the outline of a woman and small water droplets for stars, just to loosen herself up.

She hadn’t even started, yet the twins were already attentive to every move she made, eyes following each wave of her arm.

After a bit, she took a deep breath and began, “Lonce long ago, when the spirits and man still held the freedom to travel between realms…”

There lived a great spirit, made out of stars, light, and darkness. She was formed when the burning heavens and the cool chilly air met and collided in the sky. But before we start her story we must first start where it all began.

As you know the Elder Four were the beings who came together to create the world we know now.

Fire…
Air…
Water…
Earth…

These four elements were responsible for the lands we call our home, it was a beautiful but violent process. As they collided the plains were nothing but natural catastrophic disasters.

Volcanic eruptions so large that the whole atmosphere was covered in ash, spreading fire and smoke. It Intoxicated the air making it putrid and so angry it whipped up massive tornadoes to cleanse itself.

The earth and water battled one another, both malleable and able to adapt, and fought until they took many forms, from sand to ice. Each desired to dominate the other to the point of destruction.

It appeared the war would never end…until one, the element of fire seemed to be standing on its last leg, its spirit, dim and weak, was soon to be snuffed out.
Its once fierce blaze was reduced to a small kindle and it could barely breathe a puff of smoke. It was dying and the other spirits knew it all too well.

But instead of feeling a sense of joy and triumph, they were burdened with a deep sense of despair. Shouldn’t they be happy they’d have one less foe to fight?

The Elder Fire’s sickly state moved the others to mourning, and just like that the fighting stopped, no more did the winds blow to topple over the rocks, nor did the rain pour down to dowse the heat of the flames. All was still.

The Elder Air’s cries were the most intense, its winds were gentle and slow, dancing around the flame in a form of comfort and honor.

It was meant to only bring joy to the fire, but it did much more than that. The Elder Fire was touched by Elder Air’s display so much that it filled it with life and nourishment.

Upon witnessing the marvelous effect that his movement had, the Elder spirits of Water and Earth joined Air to save their weakened brethren.

They danced for seven days and seven nights until finally, the Elder Fire spirit was able to burn as strong as a star. With his newfound joy, he thanked his newfound friends and frolicked into the air, dancing across the sky and turning it into a beautiful blue, spreading light and warmth upon the land.

The others basked in awe at his display, they had no idea it was capable of such a thing. They only saw the Elder Fire for the destruction it caused, the harsh heat and suffocating smoke.

However, this energy brought life and beauty to them. His light reflected against the ripple pools of water, and breathed new life into the air, allowing the earth to produce a new life, lush and green, like never before.

It was warm, comforting… and enlightening

The Elder Fire’s epic show and the resulting products, helped them all gain a new understanding of their strengths and purpose. They realized that they were not meant to dominate one another but to co-exist.

Together they fostered life, death, and rebirth.

A beauty like any other that they can create for eternity…

Each shift was natural to them. All taking their rightful place in the world.

The Earth established the ground and caverns, Water formed the seas and took the form of the moon, Fire took the form of the sun, while Air existed at all places, so it could aid in the creation of life and freedom.

From that point on the four Elements were in harmony.

As time passed, the Elder Spirits realized that they weren’t the only inhabitants of this plan. Creatures much smaller, but incredibly perseverant made the land its home long ago. Creatures they came to know as man, upon witnessing their peculiar emergence they were befuddled yet intrigued. A being so small yet strong enough to survive the constant war that once plagued this place.

Upon initial contact, man and Spirit held a deep respect towards one another, some even brought offerings in reverence. The Elder Spirits were touched by their gesture and taught them how to bend the elements to obey their will, after discovering they too were spirits bound to their soft exterior forms.

Their love for the humans grew so deep that when the time came and their physical form was no longer able to house their spirits. The Elders carefully took them from their vessels, and melded their souls into something new.

The soul harbors their history, everything they’ve done since they first opened their eyes. By accessing and taking in this wealth of information they’d mold the soul into one unique from its past and unlike any other, a cycle they named rebirth.

Those that showed true promise according to their past deeds, whose spirits displayed great strength and will, would follow a different path. Instead they’d have their souls morphed into their true spiritual form in a realm better suited for them. Some would take the form of dragons, others blazed across the sky as great phoenixes, while others took more humble forms of herbivore creatures with their own unique qualities.

All appeared well, however, as time passed man’s greed and jealousy took root. They envied the spirits’ frightful prowess, which fostered resentment and hate toward the Spirits.

The Spirits weren’t shocked nor mortified by their violent desire for power. They too once harbored such desires for millennia, warring against each other to obtain ultimate domination.

Good can not exist without evil, peace can not be brought until there is war. Yin can not exist without Yang, they are forever intertwined in an endless push and pull.

They didn’t blame them for following the natural cycle of life itself. As such they continued their relationship with man and dwelled with them. Hoping they’d be able to sort out their own differences and find harmony just as they did.

“This is the part where the mysterious Astral spirit comes in, right? Right?!” Desna incessantly quipped, to the point where Eska hit him with one of her stuffed friends to keep him quiet. I really hope that doesn’t form into a habit.

“Yes, Desna,” she places the animal back into Eska’s hold, “This is where she comes in.”

As centuries passed more spirits appeared to breathe life into the human world parented by the Elder Spirits. One of their creations is one we all know very well, since we look upon her glorious lights, here in the North, one we know as Aurora.

Aurora was created by the Elder Spirit of water, who took the form of the moon. Their light was meant to keep the hunters from getting lost, but sadly it wasn’t enough, since the humans would still lose their way and perish in the harsh tundra.

Aurora was meant to help guide them to the safety of their home. With her colorful, bright wisps of light that danced across the sky she’d easily lead them to safety. And when the winds were so harsh they’d block out the sky she’d sing a siren song, more beautiful than anything ever heard, so distinctive that no man could resist its pull. They’d follow the sweet voice, bodies no longer burdened by the weight of their kill nor the weariness of their bodies,until they were sheltered and lulled into a peaceful sleep.

Aurora was deeply loved by our people, for her constant presence serving as a guardian to keep them safe. She’d sing her song daily into the ears of playful children filling them with glee. During times of celebration she was always there to partake in the festivities and provide a glorious light show for all to stare at in awe.

Her love for the humans was so deep, that even when the spirit portal was closed off from the human world, she elected to stay and continue her spreading her veil of attentive ward.

Even when the humans seemingly forgot her presence…she never forgot them. Not when at least one of them still needed her.

When she wasn’t drifting in the endless sky, she was acting as a guide for one human male. A skilled hunter by the name of Soqan. He was a kind, skilled bender of water, with a lean figure and a serious but regal appearance. He lived alone caring for his mother from what she could see, and often went hunting alone…a dangerous feat, especially for someone who apparently had no sense of direction.

Soqan is a skilled hunter and tracker, though fails to find his way home. Leading Aurora to guide him back from whence he came.

It puzzled her how can a man with such skill always fail to track his way back home like all his other peers? The occurrence was so common that her ponderance occupied her mind daily, until she finally decided to sate her curiosity.

One day when he successfully took down a good catch. She appeared to him in the form of a human woman, in need of help. Soqan, obviously not one to ignore a person in need, went to help her and offered her a ride back to his tribe, which she readily accepted.

On their way back, Aurora took the chance to speak to Soqan, quite eager to talk to someone after so long. They engaged in idle conversation, where he was even able to get a laugh out of her a few times. However as time went on Aurora noticed that every once in awhile Soqan would look away, alert to the sound and movements of the snowy night terrain. Going as far to stopping entirely, as if he was waiting for something.

“Why are we stopping?” Aurora inquired, breaking the silence, “Are we lost? Do you not know where we are?” in hopes of gaining a revelation, remembering her true intentions of tagging along Soqan.

“No, no, nothing like that. I know to the untrained eye that everything looks the same, but trust me when I say I know each strand of snow like the back of my hand.” he lets out a long sigh. “Forgive me, it’s just that I was waiting for someone, but I shouldn’t do such a thing when I have a guest in need of help. Come, I'll take you to my tribe now.” He begins to walk in a different direction, each step he takes is heavy and slow encumbered by disappointment.

Aurora furrowed her brows slightly, a little lift that her question led nowhere. “Who were you waiting for?” She asked persistently, bent on satisfying her curiosity.

He stopped for a second and looked up to the dark sky, absent of the moon and devoid of any and all light. She wondered if he could even see his hand if he held it up to his face. Though she took a human form her heightened senses remained, as such she could see perfectly. Through her eyes the pitch black terrain looked like an average moon-lit night.

“The song.” Soqan admitted in a dream-like state, almost as if he had been absorbed into a fantasy.

Aurora remained silent. Which prompted Soqan to explain further.

“Ages ago, when the spirit world and the human world were still one, there were a few spirits who favored man and went out of their way to care for and protect them. One of those is Aurora, the Spirit of Light and Stars.” He revealed in a sense of reverence, yet casualty as if he was speaking of a friend he’s known his whole life.

Aurora choked on a gasp, at the mention of her name.

Soqan didn’t seem to hear, or if he did, it didn’t stop him from telling her story. “She was a kind and playful spirit, that loved the people in my tribe. She’d decorate the sky with her gorgeous rays of diverse lights and sing songs in the wind to soothe the minds of many and inspire joy. Not only that she was an integral part of our survival before we developed our own hunting and tracking techniques. If it weren’t for her and her beautiful voice, so many men of my tribe would have perished due to getting lost in the frigid, harsh tundra.” He let out a deep sigh, before he turned to her.

She had not heard it leave the roll of the tongue of man for millennia…and yet the one who stands before her was able to hold onto to recover her lost story.

“You seem shocked.” He stated, as he stared at her dumbfounded grin, with the same calm and slightly sad smile on his face. The sight made her heart ache, for reasons unknown to her.

“I-I’m just shocked. I though your people had forgot about me—I mean, her” she stuttered, flustered as she fumbled to cover up her mistake.

“Some have, but due to my access to the Royal library I’m able to find all sorts of interesting logs and scrolls belonging to spiritual gurus and hunters speaking of her and her great feats,” he says, stepping closer to her.

“Really? What did they say?” she inquires not knowing what to expect from this man any longer.

Excitedly Soqan began to regal her of her own exploits. “How her songs were not only calming but inspiring, ones that could breathe strength and stamina into the bodies of warriors who were weak from constant fighting. Or how her song could heal the sick with the aid of the moon and spring water. And how she loved humans so much that she saw no shame in,” his eyes alight in a sudden realization, “…taking on our physical form.”

“They told of how here eyes were like any other and how they were a deep but vibrant purple that almost glowed in the darkness.” He looks up at her in disbelief and shock, locking eyes with here before reaching out to cup her face in his hand.

Aurora couldn’t tell if her eyes were glowing. Honestly, to her it felt as if her whole face was glowing, as it burned with warmth, near akin to when she’d hold a star to her chest relishing in its bright glow. What was this feeling she had? A mere human, talks of her excellence is enough to make her a flutter?

Soqan backed away and dropped to his knees in a deep bow, displaying his respect and reverence towards the great spirit that stood in front of him. “Oh might spirit, Aurora, I know I am, Prince Soqan of the Northern Water Tribe. I’m aware that I am only one man but I will promise to honor and serve you wholly, if you return to my tribe and offer your infinite guidance once more.”

Aurora was shocked into silence.

This…this wasn’t what she was expecting when she came up with this little plan. She had never expected after all this time that a human would remember her, she’d only hope that they’d feel her presence, her protection.

However, she wasn’t displeased as while it was uncalled for, it offered her more chances to find out more about this Soqan…and why his words and actions make her feel so strange.

Aurora bent down and raised Soqan’s head with both her hands, rubbing his cheeks hoping that the friction would provide some warmth to the face he just plunged into the snow, and gave a soft smile. “Well, since you asked so nicely…”

From that point on Soqan reintroduced Aurora to the people she loved dearly. It was as if time turned back, and they all shared in each other’s joy once more. She found a particularly strong bond in Soqan as well, perhaps it had been so long since she had left her emotional isolation, that she forgot what romantic love felt like.

She felt the more time they spent together, the more her feelings for him grew…and him for her.

It all accumulated when Soqan revealed he had to leave out to sea. Aurora could go with him but upon his insistence, she stayed to watch over the tribe. He promised to be back by the end of the month, but that did little to sait her soured mood. To make up for their lost time together he promised a special surprise after and asked her to wait, on the last day of the month, patiently at the spot they first discovered each other.

Aurora was still saddened at his absence but waited for him. Besides she wasn’t alone, she still had the tribe to keep her company when her love was away. Time flew by as the last day of the month came and at the break of dawn she left the tribe, when all were still blissfully asleep, to wait at that one memorable spot to wait.

And so she waited…waited…for love.

But he never came.

She sat there all day, until the sky turned black. What was keeping him so long?

She pondered endlessly until she realized what was happening, she figured they were merely playing their game of hide-in-seek again. So she began to sing her siren song, to draw him near to her and lead him home in the safety of her arms.

She weaved her love into her voice, hoping Soqan would be able to sense her longing for him.

Days, months, and years passed. From time to time she’d splay her borealis across the sky, acting as a lighthouse to guide him when her powers regained her strength for a brief period. If she could continually sustain her lights she would but it brought her to fatigue, until all she had was her voice. Even as the snowy winds raged nothing could drown out her voice.

That’s why despite her not seeing, we can always hear Aurora’s song and see her lights.

So she lays waiting…waiting…for love hoping that Soqan would find his way back to her.

“That story is always so sad,” Desna laments, whipping his eyes in tears.

“Lady Ahnah, do you think that the spirit Aurora is still waiting for love even now?” Eska inquired, while handing her brother a tissue in comfort. “Wouldn’t she realize it was futile at this point? Waiting for something that will never come, humans can only last so long before perishing?”

“Love has a funny way of finding you, even after death.” She pats Eska’s head, tucking her into bed. “You have someone out there waiting for you too, and in time you’ll both find each other.” She moves to Desna to repeat the same process.

Eska picks up her stuffed turtle-duck, brushing its fluffy down on top of its head, as she let Ahnah’s words echo through her head. I doubt I’ll ever discover them here…how unfortunate, yet expected. At least you two have each other. She reaches out to grab her plush koala-otter, placing them next to each other on her bed.

She had just finished helping Desna, when the door opened, by a guard holding a lantern in one hand, “Miss Ahnah! Chief Unalaq, had strict orders, no one is permitted to enter while they’re bound to their rooms.”

Ahnah released an exasperated sigh “Alright I’ll be taking my leave. Sweet dreams young ones.” She shuffled to snuff out the lights around the room and left the room following the guard in front of her.

Eska turned over to face Desna in the dimly lit room, once she caught his eyes she let out a soft giggle and moved to get up and run to the nearest window, with both stuffed animals in hand. The only sources of light being the northern lights dancing across the sky, a soft melodic breeze accompanying it.

Eska looks up at the lights spread across the sky. “I am aware, dear spirit, that I am not the one you are waiting for, though I don’t think it wise. I find your dedication admirable…so even though I’m sure Soqan will not return, I hope that my voice will help ease your loneliness.” She takes a deep breath and lets out a short arietta, into the air hoping the wind would carry her voice to the spirit deep within the tundra.

“Eska” Desna called out softly, urging her to come back to bed before a patrolling guard sees her out of bed.

Eska understood his worries but still waited, until she heard a response, the soft wind carrying a sweet, beautiful voice that echoed her aria tickling her ear.

The sensation sent a wave of warm sparks through her body, and caused her to smile up at the sky. Before she jumped into the bed hugging her plush toys, completely giddy. She drifted to sleep thankful that her voice reached the spirit who was oh so alone.

Chapter Text

Just like that it, had been a year since they last laid eyes on their cousin, Korra. After the attempted kidnapping, the only word they received from her was a short letter reassuring them that she was in good health, nothing more. They were downtrodden at her presumed permanent absence, they’d miss her presence even though they may have not added much to their lives she certainly livened theirs, shaking the foundations of their everyday monotony, but they would be able to move on knowing she’s out of harm’s way.

However, their father, permanently lacking his desired pupil, had to use them as substitutes.

Before his decree, they had a private waterbending instructor who would sharpen their skills and teach them new techniques. Their father visibly didn’t care about their training, or even bother to ask the instructor for a weekly assessment or make an appearance at any of their water-bending evaluations.

At first, the twins were somewhat excited, albeit wary, that their father decided to school them in the art of waterbending. They always enjoyed learning and hoped to eventually become masters themselves. Not to mention their father was a highly spiritual man, which means he can aid in strengthening their connection to their native element.

The elements were the physical manifestation of their spirits, how one bends portrays what lies within the center of their being.

They thought if anything it would be a great opportunity…so they thought. After everything that has happened to them at the hands of their parents, they should know that any gift is too good to be true.

“Stop!” Their father shouted, “Your forms are sloppy, we’ll do this until you both get this right,” his command letting slip a bit of his frustration.

His voice echoed throughout the palace’s private bending area. The spot was rather peaceful, save for their father’s outbursts, for they were the only ones who were there due to it being the dead of night.

Eska and Desna nodded and took their starting stance, alert and ready for their father’s permission to commence.

The chief takes a deep breath “Remember, you two are meant to work as one. Fortunately, as twins, you both have not only a biological bond but a spiritual one unlike any other.” He lectures, facing towards them from a good distance away to avoid any accidental crossfire.

“Your spirits are linked through a path connecting you two on deeper levels than anyone could comprehend. It’s pertinent that you focus on that link and channel your energy through it, so you may move as one and build on each other’s strength,” he advises, if he was frustrated they couldn’t tell.

Eska lets out an annoyed huff. As if repeating the same concept will cause any difference in our performance.

Her chuff was not lost on her father, with a click of his tongue he swiftly approached her. “I suggest you cease your whining, however minuscule it may be, it will not be tolerated in my presence.” He barked, simmering glare near burning holes into her soul.

Eska clenched her jaw, lowering her eyes to the snowy ground.

“It’s clear now, if you are to master bending, I first must teach you to master oneself.” The disgruntled chief made his way back to the palace, with his children hot on his tail.

Their father continues dolling out his instructions “turn to face one another,” seemingly not having noticed Eska’s small display of discontent. “The eyes are the gateway to the spirit, you can read someone just by looking at them. To bend in perfect unity, you’ll need to not only see each other’s spirit but feel the energy flowing through your chakras.”

The twins locked eyes, hoping to feel the flow of spiritual energy emerge between them. They stared into each other’s eyes for what seemed like an eternity, still nothing.

Desna turns to the stoic chief, “Father this exercise is proving to be fruitless.”

Their father ceased his pacing “I see…perhaps a change in environment will allow you to focus on strengthening your spiritual bond to one another.” He cocks his head to the side to leer at them, “May I suggest the Cool Grounds?”

Malice audibly laced the man’s tone, causing Desna to bristle and swell with invisible anger and fear. His emotions remained unseen due to a wary, almost pleading, glance that Eska shot him, he bit his tongue taming a sarcastic retort. Desna’s silence though wasn’t enough for his father.

…it usually never was

“Need I remind you why I have taken time out of my busy schedule to train you two? It is because of the incompetence you’ve displayed as of last year if you didn’t have your heads buried in the snow, Korra wouldn’t have been put in danger.” Unalaq stalked closer until his shadow loomed over them. His imposing presence rocked the twins with a mix of anxious fear, Desna immediately tore his eyes away lest his father’s icy gaze bend the snow to freeze them in place.

His eyes darted toward his sister upon sensing her movement, only to see her in the process of bending down hoping to dampen the perilous situation they were in.

Desna followed suit, bent to the ground into a zarei next to her, “I’m sorry Father…please forgive my insolence.”

A pregnant pause followed he pleads, only to be met with snow flying into his face, the force so strong that it launched across the training grounds. The cold snow bit at his skin, causing him to furiously wipe it from his face. When he finally did, he was met face-to-face with his father.

“Don’t ever question me again,” the fearsome man merely stood there, his expression unreadable but his demanding aura made his intentions clear.

Desna could sense the wrath festering in his father’s spirit, so violent the young prince couldn’t help but tremble despite his efforts to remain aloof. His voice was suddenly lost, leaving him unable to answer with anything but a shaky nod.

“Excellent,” as the chief walked away, seemingly satisfied, Desna released a shakey sigh as the tension left his body. He was about to get up when Eska swiftly strode over to him offering a helping hand coupled with a sympathetic smile.

Desna immediately felt a wave of relief wash over him, with her help he stood back up and the bundle of nerves crawling up his spine slowly began to ebb away. Her touch brought a warmth to his spirit that no fire could ever inspire.

A sharp voice cut through the sense siblings’ sense of solace, “Return to your positions. We’ll be practicing your bending technique until nightfall,” their father shouted.

Desna felt a stab of fear so strong it felt as if he was being stabbed in his very soul the pain causing him to grimace. His sister didn’t appear to be doing well either by the grit in her jaw and furrowed brows. They ripped their hands away in shock and confusion, the loss of physical connection causing their nerves to immediately die down from a raging river to a calm creek.

Desna looked down at his sister’s hand and his own, with Eska just as puzzled as he was. Despite being covered by their thick mittens they were able to feel so much more other than each other’s touch in that moment of contact.

Is this the spiritual bond their father spoke of?

“Enough dawdling! Lest you two actually want to train throughout the night!” Their father shouted.

The twins immediately resumed their prior stances, not wishing to stoak the turbulent rage swelling within their father. They stood ready, awaiting instruction.

The chief observed them from a distance, “Remember, you two must act as one being, be nothing short of perfect. I will no longer let your shortcomings bring me dishonor and I will do whatever it takes to mold your minds, bodies, and spirits into their truest forms. Even if it means breaking you until you are nothing but a blank slate.”

Chapter Text

“That’s enough for today. It’s time for your next exercise.” Their Father proclaimed, already walking towards the palace.

The twins followed their father silently, still feeling the lingering connection between their spirits. It did well to calm their nerves as they went deeper down into the depths of their home. They stopped once they reached their father’s personal study.

The room was that befitting of a chief, an imported mahogany desk with bookshelves to match. A platypus-bear rug in the center accompanied by a cushy lounge chair, and footrest set near the fireplace. Every aspect of the study was perfectly arranged, just as their father desired, which is why they were never allowed in unless their father permitted it.

Although it didn’t matter as they weren’t there for leisure, they never were…

They waited a close distance from the foreboding chief, as he scanned his fingers over the row of books until he pulled one out of its place. Just like clockwork, the bookshelf slides from its place revealing a secret passage of stairs leading down deep into the palace.

As they made their descent, it got increasingly colder, though, the twins barely noticed the frigid air. They’ve gotten used to the cold, biting at their skin so much so that they barely register it anymore. Countless exposure left them immune to their element even in its coldest form. The memory made Eska shiver, she remembered their first time down here…

“To master the element you must immerse yourself in it, accept it in every form it comes in” Their father explained. However, it didn’t register in me or Desna as their teeth chatter due to being forced to meditate in ice-cold water.

The first time they were forced into the pool, they nearly drowned from shock. It was deep enough that their heads wouldn’t breach the water if they stood but shallow enough that their father could stand in it to pull them out by the hair. It was an intent into the tundra ice, all to ensure they’d experience the true water of the ice poles.

When their father pulled them out they were gasping for air, their skin nearly blue from the cold. Desna was so weak he couldn’t walk, much to their father’s annoyance. He had to carry him while dragging me by the arm to our room.

She remembered being thrown on the bed, shivering despite being wrapped in the thickest winter jackets and submerged in a tub of hot water, and receiving care from worried Ahnah.

They were in the pool for merely 1 minute.

Eska bit the inside of her cheek to rid her mind of the bad memory. The past didn’t matter anymore, especially when the training paid off. With continuous training they were able to withstand the most frigid waters and breath training allowed them to stay immersed in water for hours.

Desna stopped her in her tracks…more so he stopped which caused her to follow suit, by what felt like an invisible tug in the back of her head. Judging by his sharp intake of breath, he felt it too.

It appears now that our spiritual bond has been unlocked, our minds intertwine seamlessly like two tributaries flowing together to form a rushing river…

“As you know, we’ve been working to build up your connection to water, which has worked. You both can now connect with our element unimpeded by time or temperature," their father explained. It causes a smile to grow on Eska’s face. Their father’s acknowledgment of their success is almost as close as praise. Desna couldn’t help but crack a small smile himself, her joy undoubtedly rubbing off on him.

“Still there is room for improvement.” He walks over to the edge of the pool, peering into the clear, still water, he gestures for his children to follow suit. “In positions like ours, it is important that we remain calm under pressure, burry our emotions to allow our spirits to take on a peaceful state, despite current stressors.”

He reaches into his parka coat and pulls out a thick-cotton bag, that stretches and wiggles about, obviously containing a fish of some sort.

The twins watched in confusion and curiosity, as their father released the fish into the pool. All seemed well until two large creatures broke past the surface of the water, frenzied as they tore the fish into shreds.

Based on their size, jagged dorsal fins, and sharp teeth, it didn’t take long for Eska to identify the carnivorous aquatic animal.
Before she could interject, her father beat her to the punch “Don’t worry they’ve already been fed,” he bends down as one of the beasts swam over to greet him, causing the twins to step back, visibly panicking.

Their father brushed his hands against the creature's smooth skin, as it let out a series of clicks and whistles. “Dolphin-Piranhas have proven to be capable of eating humans when provoked,” he turns to them, “A calm mentality must be maintained when bending water, one can only master the element once they’ve mastered themselves, both in mind and spirit. This exercise will train you to master your emotions forcing you under stress, fear, and pressure.”

“Y-you want us to swim with dolphin-piranhas?” Densa asked, desperately hoping that their father wasn’t serious.

“They’ve already been fed,” he repeats, almost as if they were too stupid to comprehend it the first time, “as long as you remain calm under pressure, and do not provoke them then they will not attack you.”

He steps back, reforming the ice into a chair, “As always I will be overseeing the activity to ensure neither of you two experiences serious bodily harm.”

As the twins stare into the water, the dolphin-piranhas slowly circled the pool, in an endless motion of push and pull. A peace they seek to achieve…

Eska admittedly did not want to comply with their father’s request, while his reasoning made sense, the execution was insane. She could feel Desna’s eyes on her, as she met his gaze she could feel a whirlwind of emotions just by looking into his eyes, but his message was clear.

So long as they remain calm together, they will be fine.

As their father looked at them reclined in a chair fit for a leader, a smile of amusement grew on his face, “Well…let’s begin.”