*。☆。
★。＼｜／。★
˚ ₊ ♡ ❰  MIRACULUM ❱
*✧ ─── ❝ ❪ FROM MY FAMILY LINE ❫ ❞

⋆ 🌪. CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
˚ ₊ ♡ 112 a.a ─── book two: earth

UKI DID NOT STOP MOVING UNTIL SHE WAS SAFELY WITHIN THE CONFINES OF HER SMALL ROOM, the door shutting behind her with a quiet but firm click. Only then did she allow herself to breathe.

Her back pressed against the wooden frame, fingers curled tightly around the stolen scroll as her pulse thundered beneath her skin. A mixture of lingering adrenaline and something far more potent—excitement—coursed through her veins.

What are you hiding?

Zuko's voice echoed in her mind, sharp and suspicious, and she scowled at the memory. He was too nosy for his own good, too perceptive in ways that made her uneasy.

If he had gotten even a glimpse of what she now held in her hands, he wouldn't have let it go so easily. Not if he knew about her role as Spiritual Guardian.

Would he think to capture her, bring her before his father in the hopes of pleasing him?

Would he try to keep her from Aang, make it so that she could not help him?

Shaking her spiraling thoughts off, she moved toward the small wooden desk by her window. The lantern beside it flickered with the softest glow, casting warm golden light against the aged parchment as she unrolled it with careful, almost reverent hands. A bundle was revealed, tied with old string. The paper was old, its edges frayed and yellowed with time, the ink slightly faded but still legible.

And there, at the very top, was the unmistakable insignia of her tribe.

Uki's breath hitched.

Her fingers traced the familiar symbol, a relic of a home she had not seen in so long. She swallowed hard, steeling herself as her eyes flickered across the first lines of the ancient script.

Dear Nyahitha,

As a spiritual guardian it is my task to help Kuruk on his journey, especially when it involves the spirit world. But although my connection is strong, I fear that whatever has festered inside of Kuruk is beyond my knowledge.

It is beyond the capabilities of normal healers of my tribe. No waterbender has found an illness, not of the human world at least.

But I sense it in him and I know you did too.

Kuruk refuses to acknowledge the decay, not to our friends or to his family. He refuses to acknowledge that fighting these dark spirits are hurting his own spirit.

As his guardian, I feel helpless in protecting him, in guiding him. Research has not been fruitful, I still do not know if I'll be able to heal his spirit.

Time is running out.

Hopefully I'll be able to do something once the solstice arrives, when my connection grows stronger.

I hope this letter reaches you with haste, and you might tell me if another premonition has found you in the Fire Nation.

I fear it might be my last chance to save him.

─── Atka

She swallowed, her throat dry as she quickly scanned further. Another insignia marked the second letter, this one bearing the emblem of the Fire Nation.

Dear Atka,

It saddens me to hear of Kuruk's struggles and his growing weakness. I am afraid no insight has been given to me. But whispers have reached me—of a dark spirit whose power might be responsible for the gaps between the worlds.

Within this letter, I have included a map that leads to it. As his guide and guardian, you may be able to help him end this spirit's reign. It may not be a cure for his withering spirit, but stopping it might prevent his ailment from worsening.

───Nyahitha

A sharp chill curled down Uki's spine.

Her hands trembled slightly as she turned to the next letter. The ink strokes were heavier here, hurried—desperate.

Dear Nyahitha,

Kuruk has defeated the spirit, Father Glowworm, but in doing so he was gravely injured and the loss of Ummi to the face stealer Koh, has made him spiral further.

I have wandered the spirit world in hopes of finding something, anything. I encountered an ancient lion turtle who once protected mankind. He has passed on his wisdom to me, and I learned of great secrets but I fear I am no closer to finding a cure for our friend.

───Atka

The air felt thinner. Uki hadn't realized she was holding her breath.

Dear Nyahitha,

I bear sad news my dearest friend. Kuruk has succumbed to his spiritual illness. My heart aches for him. In his last moments he made me promise to never tell a soul of what he suffered, of what he sacrificed. Only you and me know what he has done for this world. I can only hope the world in the end will discover what he has done for it.

─── Atka,

Dear Atka,

Word has reached me too, we among the Banthi tribe mourn his loss. But I must tell you this, a wild storm has raged around my home for a fortnight. It is as if the ocean spirit has been angered.

A dream came to me the night before the ocean returned to peace. I saw a child, a waterbender of great strength and of great spirit. Atka, the child is of your blood, I am sure of it.

It seems destiny has plans.

─── Nyahitha.

A gasp escaped Uki's lips before she could stop it, her heart hammering against her ribs.

Her mind reeled, her grip tightening on the fragile parchment as if it might slip through her fingers, taking its secrets with it.

A child... of great strength and spirit.

Her blood ran cold.

She pushed the letter aside, eyes scanning the papers, but there wasn't another one.

Her fingers trembled as she slowly gathered the letters and tied them together before rolling the scroll back up, tucking it close to her chest. She needed time—time to think, to understand what this meant. She needed to find a way to contact Atka as Nyahitha had told her.

A soft creak outside her door made her breath hitch.

Someone was there.

Her head snapped up, muscles tensing as the shadow of movement flickered beneath the doorframe.

And then—Zuko's voice, low and unreadable.

"Uki."

The shadow beneath her door remained still. The flickering candlelight stretched it out unnaturally, elongating Zuko's frame. He wasn't moving, wasn't barging in.

He was waiting.

Her fingers curled tighter around the scroll, the ancient parchment crackling under her grip. If she stayed silent, would he leave? Or would that only make him more suspicious?

Taking a slow, steady breath, she forced her voice to remain even.

"What?"

A pause. Then—

"You're hiding something."

The words weren't accusatory, not yet. They were measured, probing.

She could lie. She was good at lying.

But she wasn't sure if he would believe it.

Uki exhaled through her nose, willing her heart to slow down. "You're paranoid, prince."

A scoff. "Right. Because you always act like a cornered animal when you're doing something completely normal."

Her jaw tightened. She could hear it in his tone—he wasn't going to let this go.

Shuffling forward, Uki quickly tucked the scroll beneath her pillow. It wasn't perfect, but it would have to do.

Straightening, she crossed the room and yanked the door open.

Zuko was standing just outside, arms crossed, his golden eyes narrowed in scrutiny.

They stared at each other for a long moment.

"Why are you here?" Uki asked flatly, feigning nonchalance as she leaned against the doorway.

Zuko didn't blink. "Because you are hiding something. Is it the Avatar? Are you in contact with him?" He took a threatening step closer, as if to barge into her room, but Uki remain steadfast and stepped in his way.

"I do not know where Aang is." She gritted out.

Zuko studied her for a moment longer. Then, with a final huff, he turned on his heel. "Fine. But if I find out you're lying—"

"You'll what?" she cut in, raising an eyebrow. "Glare at me really hard? Break another cup?"

His scowl deepened. "We might be stuck here together, but don't think for a moment I won't—" Steam wafted from his ears and Uki swallowed. "I am not your friend and I won't tolerate you standing in the way of me fulfilling my destiny, waterbender."

And with that, he stalked off, disappearing into the shadows of the hallway.

Uki let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

The second she was sure he was gone, she turned, shutting the door behind her.

Her hands trembled slightly as she pulled the scroll from its hiding place.

The weight of its secrets sat heavy on her chest.

Kuruk's suffering. The hidden battle with Father Glowworm. The spirit-sickness that had eaten away at an Avatar.

And the last, most damning part.

A child, a waterbender of great strength and great spirit... of your blood.

Uki's fingers tightened on the parchment.

What had Nyahitha seen?

Who had they been talking about?

And why did she have the horrible feeling that she already knew the answer?

ÝUGODA HAD ONCE TAUGHT UKI THAT AILMENTS OF THE SOUL WERE A TRICKY CONCEPT. An ache, a pull—one could never pinpoint but something that always sweltered beneath the surface of one's skin. Something akin the prickling of her skin on particular cold nights, or perhaps the tingling feeling of a warm touch.

The first time Uki had felt it, was after Yue's passing—the unexplainable cold in her chest, the way it felt as if her heart was squeezed in a phantom grip, pleading to just be ripped from her skin. She still felt it linger, still felt Yue's last touch hovering over her skin. It was both comforting and cruel.

Now something else tugged at her chest. Something unsure and worrisome. The letters she had hid in he room a constant reminder.

She meandered distractedly around Pao's teashop. Bathed in smells of jasmine and oolong, clinking teapots and idle chatter.

A soft sigh escaped passed her lips, her hair swaying gently as she moved behind the counter, pouring two cups of tea, aromatic steam wafting up.

Her nose twitched, eyes crinkling.

"Here you go." She pushed them forward, whilst Iroh stood beside her, joyfully exchanging conversation with another patron, his belly shaking with laughter.

"This is the best tea in the city."

Iroh's grin broadened, a faint blush on his pale cheeks peeked through his grey bear. "The secret ingredient is love."

Uki smirked, leaning against the counter as she wiped her hands on her apron, a huff of laughter escaping her as she caught Zuko's deadpan expression behind her.

Zuko shot her a glare but didn't dignify her with a response. Instead, his golden eyes flickered toward the teapot in her hands.

She narrowed her eyes at him, but the teashop door swung open, and a familiar voice rang out.

"There you are!"

Uki tensed, her fingers instinctively curling at her sides before she turned.

Yuanyun grinned as he strolled into the shop, and swept a glance over the place before landing on her. "Didn't think I'd find you working so hard, Lian."

Zuko's eyes snapped to him in an instant, his entire posture shifting—shoulders tightening, jaw clenching.

Uki noticed immediately.

"Yuanyun," she greeted, keeping her voice neutral. "Didn't expect to see you here."

The Earth Kingdom student leaned on the counter, resting his chin in his palm. "Thought I'd check in on my favorite scholar." His gaze flickered to Zuko, and his smirk widened, sensing the tension. "Friend of yours?"

Zuko's scowl deepened. "Who's this?"

Uki sighed, already regretting this interaction. "Just someone I met at the university."

Yuanyun made a mock gasp. "Just someone? Lian, I'm wounded, especially after I went through such the trouble of finding you again."

Uki grumbled, "It's been a day."

"I don't like wasting time, and I thought of a favor—"

"She doesn't owe you anything." Zuko cut in abrasively and Uki blinked in surprise.

"She does, she said so herself after I helped her steal—"

"Alright!" Uki stepped around the counter to pull the boy away from his staring contest with the firebender.

Iroh, who had been listening in amusement, finally stepped in. "Now, now, no need for hostility! Any friend of Lian's is welcome here." He beamed at Yuanyun, eyes twinkling. "Would you care for some tea, young man?"

Yuanyun grinned and nodded

Uki exhaled sharply, grabbing a cup and slamming it in front of Yuanyun. "Drink. And leave."

Yuanyun chuckled but took a sip, smacking his lips. "Not bad."

Iroh chuckled. "The secret ingredient is love."

Zuko looked ready to launch the teapot at his head.

Uki's body tensed as suddenly the shop's front door was slammed open, the crack against the wall was followed by a tense silence.

Her eyes raised up and a frown pulled at her brows as Jet stomped inside the establishment. She swallowed nervously, eyes flickering toward Zuko

"I'm tired of waiting. These two men are firebenders!" He shouted, finger pointed at Zuko and Iroh.

Uki's heart sank—she knew Jet's had been suspicious after the train station.

Jet unhooked his swords, the sharp metal glinting as he continued. "I know they're firebenders! I saw the old man heating his tea!"

She gritted her teeth and subtly adjusted her stance—she didn't know what the Freedom Fighter would do, and at least she could use her waterbending.

Two officers sat by a table close by, and turned towards the teen incredulously, "He works at a tea shop."

"He's a firebender, I'm telling you!" He pressed, jaw tense.

"Drop your swords boy, nice and easy." The officer instructed firmly.

But the Freedom Fighter ignored the man and took out his hook swords. "You'll have to defend yourself. Then everyone will know. Go ahead, show them what you can do."

Uki raised her chin, shifting her stance and rising her arms, "Luckily they have me to do that for them."

Jabbing her hand out, a water whip smacked the boy in the face.

He grunted, and sidestepped the officer who was reaching for his sword to deescalate the situation.

He swung his sword, but Uki easily moved out of the way, twisting her body before lashing out again.

With a precise move, Jet could only watch as his piece of chewing straw felt to the floor—cut in half. "You don't scare me pretty boy."

He spit it out and before Uki could react he lashed out.

A hiss escaped her and she could feel blood trickling down her arm. Her hand immediately reached for the wound.

Jet moved once more, ready to slash but before Uki could do anything, another sword intercepted him.

From her peripheral she saw Zuko, in his hands the two swords from the officers. He pushed and Jet stumbled back. "You want a show? I'll give you a show."

The former prince kicked a table towards the brunette, but Jet easily jumped over it and launched himself off of the ground towards the firebender.

Zuko stepped on top of a table to avoid the attack but Jet's with surprising strength, cut the wood clean in half with one swing.

Taking her chance, Uki jumped in once more, sending the Freedom Fighter back with a strong swell of water until his back hit the wall. She struck out her arm, pinning the boy to the wall with two sharp icicles.

But Jet used his hook sword to free himself, only a small piece of cloth remained pinned to the wall.

Uki ducked and dashed around Jet's sword before Zuko cut in once more, driving the boy back.

Their swords clashing.

Uki send another strong water whip at the boy, hoping to throw him of balance.

Jet grunted but his grip remained firm. With a strong swing, he pushed Zuko back and turned back toward her.

They ducked and maneuvered around each other and a sharp elbow to her face send her back.

Uki barely sidestepped his next attack, feeling the cold rush of metal slice through the air just inches from her ribs. She retaliated swiftly, summoning a twisting stream of water from a fallen teapot, sending it snapping toward him.

Jet blocked it with ease, his movements fluid.

"You're fast, I'll give you that," he said, breathless but grinning, his eyes alight with that reckless determination. "But how long can you keep up?"

Uki clenched her jaw.

She moved again, weaving between tables, striking with another whip of water. Jet dodged, closing the distance between them with frightening speed.

Then she felt it—

A sharp pull at the back of her head.

There was a sickening slice, the sensation of something being severed—

And then the weight of her long ponytail was gone.

For a second, the world seemed to freeze.

Jet held up his sword, and in his grasp—dangling like a lifeless thread—was the thick length of Uki's hair. Strands floated down around her, some catching in the air before scattering across the floor.

Jet smirked, twirling his sword before tossing the severed ponytail aside like it was nothing.

Uki's fists clenched at her sides, rage burning in her chest. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Zuko charging at Jet again. The two collided in a furious dance, spinning and dodging until Jet landed a brutal kick into Zuko's abdomen, sending him crashing through a wall and out into the street.

"You must be tired of using those swords?" Jet mocked, his voice dripping with arrogance. "How about you try a little firebending instead?"

"Please son," Iroh appeared in the doorway, staring out at the dark street and the two boys. "You're confused. You do not know what you're doing."

Uki gritted her teeth, still clutching her bleeding arm and ignoring how, her now short, hair tickled her neck.

Jet was not lying, they were firebenders—firebending royalty no less.

A part of her felt guilty for hiding it, for protecting them.

Jet sneered, spinning his hook sword at Zuko. "I bet you wished he'd helped you out with a little fireblast right now."

Zuko barely managed to knock the blade aside, his own sword hooking Jet's into the dirt. "You're the one who needs help."

"You see that? The Fire Nation is trying to silence me. It'll never happen." Jet's voice rang out as he pointed toward the crowd.

At that moment, Uki seized the opportunity, summoning a powerful jet of water from a nearby pot. The surge crashed into Jet, freezing his feet and weapons in a thick layer of ice.

Zuko advanced, but their progress was abruptly halted by a sharp command.

"Drop your weapons!"

Uki's head snapped to the side, her heart plummeting as a group of Dai Li agents stepped into view—the ones Yuanyen warned her about.

"Arrest them. They're Firebenders." Jet shouted, ignoring the officers' orders as his eyes blazed with fury.

Iroh stepped forward, his voice smooth and convincing, feigning concern. "This poor boy is confused. We're just simple refugees."

The tea shop owner, red-faced with anger, stepped up to add fuel to the fire. "This young man wrecked my tea shop, and assaulted my employees."

Yuanyun appeared next to Iroh and pointed at Uki, "She a waterbender for spirits sake, not a firebender!"

The officers from before also confirmed the events, "It's true, sir. We saw the whole thing. This crazy kid attacked the finest tea maker in the city."

"Oh, oh, oh. That's very sweet." Iroh blushed, suddenly shy.

With that, the Dai Li agents closed in on Jet, their movements silent but decisive. "Come with us, son."

Uki's grip on Jet's frozen form loosened, but in an instant, he lunged at one of the soldiers, fury flashing in his eyes. The soldier blocked the attack with an earth-gloved hand, twisting Jet's arm behind his back with practiced ease. In moments, two agents had him restrained, his hands cuffed with rocks.

"You don't understand! They're Fire Nation! You have to believe me!"

Uki's stomach sank at his words. He wasn't lying..

⋆⋅ ━━━━ ‧ ༻✩༺ ‧ ━━━━ ⋅⋆
wordcount: 3377

bye bye to Uki's ponytail, welcome to the short bob-cut era.