Avatar - Conquering the Elements-Chapter 144

Northern Water Tribe. Spirit Oasis. Yuki.

"My head will ache for a few more days," I grimaced slightly, gently massaging my temples. Though I knew it wouldn't ease the pulsing pain—it wasn't my physical body or even my energy that hurt, but something deeper.

Using my hands for support, my naked body slowly emerged from the company of the ancient spirits of the Moon and Ocean. Nearly a week had passed since I'd slightly displaced Tui and La in their pond. For almost two years, I'd been spending half my time here. There's a reason for all this. As I'd suspected, killing and absorbing dark spirits hadn't helped me surpass my current level. So, once again, I'd turned to the spirits for help.

Every month, for a week or two, I "cultivate" with these super-ancient fish. Our first full union sent me into a two-day coma...

I suppose it was to be expected. My body and soul simply weren't ready to grasp the concepts the spirits used to communicate. Other challenges followed. It wasn't an easy power boost from more powerful spirits. No, I was overjoyed just to catch a fragment of "understanding," not information. Of course, over time, I managed to "absorb" more and more useful things. But it's all just fuel to help me break through—the real step forward has to come from me.

During our triple union, our thoughts and desires seep outward. That's when I realized how dull their existence must be. Sometimes, I catch glimpses of their past.

From those glimpses, I learned that millennia ago, they took human form to teach the future Water Tribe mastery. Appearing as a white-haired woman, so like Yui, and a swarthy, mature man, they began teaching people water magic. Pure curiosity drove them—what could other beings achieve with their element? After some time, they saw unexpected results. Human imagination helped them push their own development a little further.

A human's lifespan is short, as is their memory. When the spirits grew tired of living among people, they transformed into fish. For a while, people remembered their benefactors. But time passed, and the carriers of this knowledge dwindled. After a few generations, everyone forgot the distant past, though reverence for the spirits remained. Maybe they forgot the exact forms the spirits took. But one fact remained: Tui and La had given them knowledge of magic.

Glancing at the spirits still swimming peacefully, I felt a twinge of sorrow for their difficult fate. Even more, I'm haunted by the fact that I'm destined for the same... Through their thoughts, I understood they've long been stuck against an invisible "wall." The laws of the world deny the rise of other Great Spirits equal to Raava and Vaatu.

At the top of a pyramid-like hierarchy are the elements of light, harmony (order), darkness, and chaos. Below them are the four primary elements. For example, fire will never surpass darkness... I think if it were otherwise, the world would "break," since this universe is built on the struggle between Raava's and Vaatu's energies. Alongside the primary quartet are elements like fear, knowledge, and others that, in terms of "significance," rival fire, earth, water, and air. There's also life energy, but it stands apart, uncategorized. Maybe I don't know everything yet, but for now, I'll stick to this theory.

"I'll think about it later—I just need to reach the ancient level in the next few years..."

Knowing Koh will reach his peak in about a year doesn't fill me with optimism. I can't hide under Wan Shi Tong's wing forever. I need to solve this problem once and for all.

My other bodies aren't idle either—they're fully engaged in mastering their elements. There's a chance one of them will "break through."

"I really don't want to go back to the Palace," though lately, Mom has stopped radiating tons of negativity...

Her gloomy mood stemmed from our candid family conversation about a month ago.

*

One month ago. Chief's Palace. Yuki.

Sometimes, the familiar walls of home felt oppressive. It wasn't just me feeling nervous. My sister's small hand clutched mine tightly.

"There you go, a true family member," I chided myself for my inattention. Yui's shoulders trembled slightly, betraying her worry. Her steps were uncertain, and tears welled in her eyes.

"Yui," I lifted her chin so she'd look only at me. "Even if our parents don't accept our relationship, I'll never stop loving you," I said as gently as possible, pulling her into my embrace.

Today, we'd finally decided to tell our parents about our feelings for each other. Yui and I deeply respect our parents, so we'd held back from taking the final step in our relationship. But hiding forever isn't an option—better to clear the air now.

"I love you too, brother!" Yui said earnestly, sending shivers down my spine. Her words sounded so twisted. Shaking off her uncertainty, she boldly reached for a kiss.

After making sure no one was around, I reciprocated. For the next few minutes, our tongues clashed in a "battle." My hands eagerly explored her alluring, luscious body.

"I'll never stop loving these sweet buns," I thought as my palms refused to let go of her backside.

"We'll never make it to our parents at this rate," I admitted, conceding her point.

Composing ourselves, we prepared for the difficult conversation. Or so we thought...

We found our parents sipping tea. The moment we crossed the threshold, Yui quickly hid behind me.

"Looks like I'll be the one taking the heat..." I sighed deeply. It felt like I was asking for permission to marry, except the parents in question were... my own. "Incest is complicated."

"M-Mom, Dad," I regained my composure by the second word. "We wanted to confess something," I grabbed Yui's hand. Honestly, I'm nervous too, and I need some support! After all, in this life, I've wholeheartedly accepted my parents, so I don't want to disappoint them. It's hard not to love those who selflessly give you their care, love, and time.

"There's a strange atmosphere," Dad said awkwardly.

"Yui and I love each other!" My voice rose slightly with nerves. "A little more than family," I added, two tones lower.

Dad probably shouldn't have taken that sip of tea... Before the liquid reached his mouth, it splattered onto the table. Mom's cup shattered dramatically on the floor.

"D-did I hear that right, dear?" Dad asked plaintively.

"No," Mom snapped, her breathing heavy.

Once they grasped the situation, hours of conversation ensued. Earlier, Jun had cried on Arnuk's shoulder. I had to endure Dad's lectures, warning us not to make mistakes. Our parents tried not to pressure us too much, but it went poorly, and Yui began showing her temper.

"I thought your overly warm relationship would fade with time," Mom said.

I had to explain my bond with Yui, which left no other option. Well, there is one. But I don't want to feel someone else "loving" my sister at night.

"You've seen my other daughters," I began pressing them with irrefutable facts. "Every single one resembles their mothers! From my research, I've found that my genes adapt to women, finding the best in them and complementing with my own to create an improved version of the mothers!"

My words slightly eased their concerns. In the history of the Northern Water Tribe, there had been cases of children born with abnormalities. Mostly, these occurred during times of warring tribes, when territories were strictly divided, and conversations with neighbors were brief, often ending with an arrow in the head or an excess of ice in the body.

Back then, no one deliberately practiced close kinship, but due to generations without new blood, tribe members became relatives. This was one reason for the warming of relations between tribes. They began exchanging women to avoid the same pitfalls. But this led to the weakening of women's rights. Every decision has consequences...

"Alright, anything else to say?" Dad asked neutrally. If I know him well, he's not really against our relationship. He only wants the best for his daughter. No stranger would love her as much as her brother, who's cared for her since childhood.

"Yes," I paused to wet my dry throat. "Because of our vast reserves of life energy, our children can't be unhealthy—'it' simply won't allow it."

By the end of the conversation, we convinced Dad there were no risks. But Mom remained unsatisfied with my arguments, leading to more arguments between us over the next few days. I shamefully fled to Tui and La's spirits, deciding to wait until Jun calmed down. Yui did the same, moving to her apartment in the city center.

*

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Spirit Realm. Cursed Lands.

Across the black, lifeless land strode a massive creature composed entirely of red fire. Its monumental body seemed compressed flame. This was evident from the dark spirits that perished when they drew too close. The ancient light spirit of fire, Agni, didn't even need to act—anyone less developed than him simply couldn't withstand his heat.

"You know, you look more like an anime mech than a spirit," said a tiny figure walking calmly beside the spirit. His long white hair reached his waist, and his deep purple eyes gazed at the spirit with delight. Agni, however, did resemble a giant robot... His body, as if assembled from a constructor, displayed many attributes of artificial origin. "Are you sure you didn't escape from the Shaman King universe?"

"I'm a spirit!" Agni nearly growled—the poor being had been tormented by this half-spirit for a week. "And no, I don't know any Hao Asakura!" he continued, not letting Yuki get a word in.

"Oh, Raava, why have you sent this creature upon me!" Agni pleaded silently. He was doing good deeds! Helping his fellow spirits deal with mad spirits!

"So, have you thought about our last conversation?" Yuki asked, turning his face away and shifting uncomfortably.

"I won't 'unite' with you!" the spirit shouted with all the power of his nonexistent lungs. "I identify as male!"

"Stop twisting my words!" Yuki feigned outrage. "I love teasing this ancient spirit," he laughed to himself. From what he'd gathered, Agni's fiery nature made him unable to control his emotions, making each reaction priceless.

"I told you, Tui and La have already been through this..."

"I'll never speak to those perverts again!" Agni vowed, feeling a twinge of fear... even ancient spirits weren't immune! He realized... He needed to run! Now!

"Wait, don't run away!" the creature, possibly even scarier than Vaatu, chased after him.

"Leave me alone!" It's rare to see one of the strongest ancient spirits fleeing from a higher spirit.