The King of Omashu: part 3

POV 3rd person

Aang stood a few yards from the King. Sokka and Katara were nervously standing behind him, their bodies almost completely covered in the crystals. 

"So, what is my name?" Bumi asked. 

Speaking up Aang said "Well, I thought about the challenges, none of them had anything in common. Each one was independent, requiring me to think completely differently, but I realized that the clue was that nothing about them made sense" Letting a wide smile cover his face Aang continued saying "Bumi, you're a mad genius" then rushed in to hug him. 

"It's good to see you again Aang," Bumi said, hugging him back .

"A little help" Sokka yelled as he fell over from the shift in weight. 

Stepping away from his hug with Aang, Bumi raised his hand a bit then clenched it causing the crystals to shatter, he even grabbed one out of the air. Sokka and Katara both brushed the remaining cartels off then walked forward to stand next to Aang. 

"Wait, so this old guy is your friend Bumi?" Katara asked?. 

"Who says I'm old?" Bumi paused for a second "Alright im old". 

"I can't believe it," Aang said. 

Looking at Aang seriously Bumi said "Aang you need to be careful this world is not the same one you remember, a hundred years of war has left its scar on the nations. In the past few years the rise of the tower has forced the war to settle down but it has also destabilized the balance as well" 

"What is this tower?" Sokka asked.

"It is a dangerous place where people can grow stronger than they have ever been, even non-benders can become more powerful than me". 

"Yeah, these guys lost it," Sokka said. 

Cackling like a madman Bumi replied saying "Perhaps I have or perhaps I am the only sane person in the world" then Bumi waved toward a guard standing near a curtain. 

The guard pulled the curtain back and the thin man from earlier walked in. Changed into a formal green robe. 

"Firebender" Sokka said, stepping in front of Katara. 

"Jin is not a firebender" Bumi started "he is my advisor on the tower as well as the master of our guild branch". 

"The guard mentioned a guild," Katara spoke up. 

"Listen Aang the tower offers everyone the chance to gain power and although it has made the nations stronger as a whole. The individual power people possess can be dangerous and before long a new war will erupt more fierce and destructive than before" Bumi explained. 

"That doesn't explain much," Katara commented. 

Speaking up Jin said "Allow me your majesty" then waited till Bumi nodded to continue "The tower is a place of endless challenges and monsters" 

"Monsters?" Sokka said interrupting. 

"Yes monsters" Jin started "Each floor of the tower offers challenges that you need to overcome to climb higher, the higher you go the more dangerous it becomes as well as the less the Tower Master interferes with people" 

"Tower Master? Who is that?" Aang asked. 

"He is the owner and probable creator of the Tower," Jin explained. 

"Wait he said you weren't a firebender but we obviously saw you use fire earlier" Katara mentioned. 

"I am not a firebender, I am a flame mage, I use magic. As you climb the tower you will choose a class; this class changes how you grow in power, as well as what abilities you get" Jin explained. 

"Wait the tower gave you the ability to control fire" Aang asked 

"In simple terms, yes, the tower can give people a variety of abilities that allow them to become stronger. Even non-benders can become as strong as your avatar".

"Wait, I have a question," Sokka asked. 

"Ask away, young man," Jin replied. 

"What is the glowing arch you have?" Sokka questioned. 

Taking a step forward Jin explained "That is the gate, it allows people to travel instantly from the city into the tower" 

"Wait, wait ,wait" Aang said a bit panicked "This is insane, a tower that grants people powers other than bending? That isn't possible" 

Stepping forward Bumi said "I am sorry Aang this world is not the same anymore and I fear it never will be. I hate to tell you this but you must go into the tower". 

"What? Why?" Aang yelled back. 

"Every nation has access to this tower, including the fire nation. The only reason that the war has calmed for now is that each nation is trying to get more items, climb higher, and gain more power from the tower. As they grow stronger it will be harder and harder for you, you must enter the tower" Bumi said. 

Stepping forward with a confident expression, Sokka said "So we just need to go through the gate?" 

Laughing again Bumi responded "I would suggest going to the tower itself if you enter this gate you will only ever return here to Omashu. You must travel to the tower and climb it yourself, perhaps you will discover something that will let this conflict end peacefully". 

Aang, still in a bit of a panic, asked "Where is the tower?" 

Pulling a scroll from his robes Jin opened it to face Aang, Sokka, and Katara "Here" he said pointing to the location. 

"That's where dad is!" Katara yelled. "Aang we have to go there, please" 

With a confused look on his face Aang said "Alright well go". 

Clubbing his hands Bumi said "Good, then rest here for tonight you can set out first thing in the morning. One of the guards will bring you to your chambers" 

Aang followed a nearby guard but before he left the room he turned back to Bumi "You don't happen to know anyone names Sun Wukong do you?". 

"I can't say that name is familiar. Why?" Bumi replied. 

"He's the one who gave Katara and Sokka the map. He's also an Airbender" Aang explained. 

Eyes going wide Bumi said "That is strange, I will keep an ear out for him" 

"Thanks," Aang said leaving the room. 

POV Haru

It was night now and the water was cold. Up above me was the large prison that my father was held in. Using my waterbending I launched myself up onto a nearby railing then pushed off the side and flipped over landing on the walkway. 

"Definitely glad for those airbending lessons" I said to myself. 

Crouching down to not get spotted I walked further into the prison till I found the large pit they kept the prisoners in. It seemed that most of the prison was just walls surrounding this one area. Jumping down I used airbending to cushion my fall so I don't make noise, creeping around the sleeping forms of prisoners. I checked each one. 

"What are you doing up kid?" 

Startled I turned around getting into a bending stance, though seeing the prisoners uniform I dropped it "I am looking for Tyro".

"Follow me" 

Following the prisoner I was led close to the center where a dew if the older men were sleeping. Crouching down the man shook someone's shoulder. 

"What is it" the sleeping man said. 

My breath stopped; the familiar voice hit my ears like a drum. I couldn't even move as I saw my father slowly sitting up. 

"Sir someone is loo…" the prisoner started but my father interrupted him as he saw me. 

"Haru" My father said surprised, then a second later I felt enveloped in a hug "What are you doing here?". 

"I am here to get you out," I explained. 

"There is no escape, we can't earthbend here" Father said. 

Shuffling nervously I said "Dad there is something I have to tell you. I am…" 

A light shined down on us as a voice yelled "Intruder!!" 

The gates opened and soldiers filled into the courtyard. Brushing off my father I started walking towards the front of the group my father followed behind. 

Grabbing my shoulder father said "What are you doing, stay back" 

Giving him a smile I replied saying "Just watch".

Reaching the front of the group I stepped out towards the soldiers who quickly adopted a bending stance and bared weapons at me. 

"Surrender now" 

I didn't move. 

"Get him" 

A guard moved forward, stepping close to me. Before he could grab me I moved, pullin the water off my clothes and I bent it directly into the soldier knocking him back. 

"Waterbender!" 

"You're wrong," I replied. 

"What was that?" A soldier asked. 

Not speaking I punched my fist forward letting out a thing of fire hitting the two closest soldiers knocking them to the ground. 

"It's…It's…" A soldier started but another finished for him "It's the AVATAR!!"

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Hi readers, author here. As tomorrow is Superbowl Sunday I most likely will not be posting as I will be busy making some food for when my family comes over for the game. Thank you for your understanding. 

Also, I am considering taking a small break from this story (1-3 days) so that I can post the initial chapters of the new book I will write after this story is done. I only consider doing this because it would give readers and idea of what it will be like. Let me know of you want me to do this.