Chapter 134. The Decision.
Aang. Earth Kingdom. A few days before the Solstice.
"We'll stop soon, Momo! Please, stop it!" Aang said to his lemur, who, driven by hunger, had started tugging at his ears and cheeks.
Chief Yuki of the Northern Water Tribe believed Aang's abilities were sufficient to learn a new element, so he ordered him to fly to Omashu to continue his training.
"Maybe Bumi is still alive?" Aang wondered, hoping to reunite with his old friend there.
Yuki had offered him some companions, but Aang declined. He wanted a moment to himself, to reflect and understand his own thoughts. He also longed to see how the world had changed over the past century. Honestly, he expected to find destruction and sorrow, but after visiting several villages, he was surprised. People lived peaceful, orderly lives, unaware of hardship. It felt as if the war had ended decades ago, not just a year.
In a way, this saddened him. If the world was doing so well, what was the Avatar even needed for? It seemed Yuki and Yue were confident about an impending confrontation with Vaatu. All he had to do was stay alive, so as not to harm Raava further.
Hearing Appa's roar, Aang looked down. Near a forest cleared to its roots, an old man waved at him. In the next second, Aang made a sharp turn and began descending.
"So, I wasn't mistaken... Who would've thought a flying bison with the Avatar on its back would fly right over me?" the elderly man greeted him, his bald head and long gray beard speaking volumes. "Pleased to meet you, I'm Koga, the elder of Senlin Village."
"Hello, and I'm pleased too," Aang bowed, his childhood upbringing preventing him from showing disrespect to age.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you?" the elder asked, his voice filled with hope for a positive answer.
"No, it's fine," Aang shook his head. "Is something wrong?" he soon realized the elder was troubled.