The Second Avatar

Chapter 24: The Chaos in the Fields

The expedition group pushed forward as the dense forest began to thin, giving way to wide, open fields. They had been walking for hours, tension palpable after the recent spirit encounter. Their destination: the settlement of Stone's Rest, home of Lady Kiva. Though Lady Kiva had remained at the air temple, she had already sent word ahead, and her guards were expecting the group. The journey had been quicker than anticipated, but the atmosphere remained heavy. Something was wrong here—Yogan could feel it in the air.

As they approached the gates of the village, a group of guards stood at attention. The head guard, an earthbender with sharp features, stepped forward, offering a curt nod. "Lady Kiva has informed us of your arrival. There's been trouble in the fields—a spirit, or something like it, has been causing havoc. Livestock has been killed, and some of our people saw the earth rip apart like it was alive."

Kezin, standing at the front, nodded calmly. "We're here to help," he said. His tone was even, but Yogan still couldn't shake the feeling that Kezin wasn't telling them everything he knew.

Renji, always eager to take charge, stepped forward with his usual confidence. "We'll deal with it. Take us to the site."

The head guard led them through the village, the faces of the villagers they passed tense and filled with fear. The path wound through fields that once seemed peaceful, but now, a strange quiet hung in the air. Yogan scanned the horizon, his senses on alert. The ground itself felt different, as though something unnatural was stirring beneath the surface.

"This place is wrong," Kaiya whispered, walking close beside Yogan. "You can feel it, can't you?"

Yogan nodded, his grip tightening around his staff. "It's not just the spirits. Something bigger is happening here."

The guards led them to the edge of the village, where the fields stretched out toward the hills. The land was scarred, deep fissures cutting through the earth, and the remains of trampled crops littered the ground. Yogan knelt, running his fingers along the cracked earth. It felt unnatural, as though something had torn through the land with purpose.

"This wasn't a natural disaster," Kezin murmured, observing the scene with keen eyes. "Something drove the animals wild."

As if summoned by his words, a low rumble began to shake the ground. Yogan shot to his feet, his heart racing. The earth trembled beneath them, and from over the hill came the thunder of hooves. A stampede of wild animals came barreling toward them, their eyes wide with panic as they tore through the fields.

"Stampede!" someone yelled, and chaos erupted.

The villagers scattered, trying to escape the oncoming wave of animals. Yogan acted quickly, using a burst of air to launch himself out of the path of the charging beasts. Kaiya followed suit, her movements graceful as she used her airbending to dodge the animals. But the villagers weren't as fast—several stumbled, and Yogan could see the fear in their eyes.

"Get behind me!" Renji shouted, stepping forward. His voice was commanding as he raised his arms, summoning a powerful gust of wind. The airbending he unleashed was unlike anything Yogan had seen before—aggressive, forceful. The gust slammed into the animals, knocking several of them off their feet. It was more than just defensive; it was an attack.

Renji's students followed his lead, moving with precision and speed. Leina, one of his most loyal followers, stepped up beside him, her airbending sharp and deadly. With a flick of her wrist, she sent a slicing gust through the air, striking one of the animals directly. It let out a pained cry as it tumbled to the ground, its neck twisted at an unnatural angle.

Yogan's heart pounded as he watched. This wasn't how they had been taught to use airbending. Renji and his students weren't trying to guide the animals away; they were attacking them, using lethal force to bring them down. Yogan's chest tightened with anger. The animals weren't at fault—they were panicked, driven to this madness by something they couldn't control.

"Renji, stop!" Yogan shouted, using a blast of air to push one of the animals away without harming it. "They're not the enemy! We don't need to kill them!"

Renji shot him a look, his eyes cold and determined. "You think you can reason with a stampede? They'll trample this village if we don't stop them."

"There's another way!" Yogan protested, but Renji wasn't listening.

Leina, standing at Renji's side, gave Yogan a hard stare. "You're too soft, Yogan. If we don't act, people will die. This is the only way."

Before Yogan could argue further, Renji and his students unleashed another wave of aggressive airbending. The force of their combined attack was overwhelming. Animals were thrown to the ground, their bodies crumpling under the impact. The stampede began to falter, but the cost was evident—more and more of the animals lay dead or dying, their bodies strewn across the fields.

Yogan's frustration surged. This wasn't what airbending was meant for. It was about balance, about control, not destruction. But as he looked around, he realized that Renji had no interest in balance. His brother was focused only on results, and in Renji's mind, those results justified any means.

Ignoring Renji's reckless tactics, Yogan turned his attention to the remaining animals. Summoning the air around him, he created a wide, sweeping current, guiding the beasts away from the village and toward an open pasture. Kaiya joined him, her airbending fluid and precise as she helped steer the stampede to safety. Together, they pushed the animals away without harming them, using their bending to protect rather than destroy.

But the damage had already been done. As the dust settled, Yogan glanced around at the carnage. The bodies of several animals littered the field, their deaths unnecessary and cruel. The villagers who had gathered watched in stunned silence, their expressions a mix of gratitude and horror.

Yogan rounded on Renji, his temper flaring. "That didn't need to happen! We could've saved them without killing!"

Renji, breathing hard from the exertion, wiped sweat from his brow and shot Yogan a defiant look. "Spare me the lectures, brother. This isn't some lesson in the temple. We're out here in the real world, and out here, you do what's necessary to survive."

Yogan clenched his fists. "They were scared, Renji. The animals weren't the threat—something else drove them to this. Killing them solved nothing."

Leina stepped in front of Renji, her expression cold. "Yogan, you don't understand. We protected the village. Sometimes sacrifices have to be made."

Yogan's frustration boiled over, but before he could retort, Kezin stepped between them, his voice calm but firm. "This isn't the time for in-fighting. Yogan is right—something else is at work here, something that caused the animals to panic. We need to find the source."

Yogan glared at Renji but held his tongue. Kezin was right; there was a bigger problem at play. But as he looked at the bodies of the animals, his stomach churned with frustration. Renji's methods were growing more ruthless by the day, and Yogan feared what would happen if his brother continued down this path.

---

Back at the air temple, the elders gathered in the meditation chamber. Monk Nara stood at the center, her staff resting against the wall, as the elders discussed the recent events. Lady Kiva, though absent from her village, remained in the temple, her mind focused on both the expedition and the state of her lands.

"We have received reports from Stone's Rest," Elder Tenzon said, his voice measured. "The situation there is worsening. The animals have been driven to madness, and our people report that Renji's tactics have become more aggressive."

Monk Nara nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Renji's airbending is growing more forceful. He is straying further from the principles of the Air Nomads. But my greater concern is Yogan."

Elder Juro leaned forward, his voice low with concern. "Yogan? His airbending has improved under your guidance, has it not?"

"Yes," Monk Nara replied. "His progress is remarkable. But it is not just his airbending that concerns me. Yogan's connection to the spirits… it is growing. There is something within him, something different. I cannot yet determine whether it is a dark spirit or something else, but it is powerful."

The room fell silent as the elders exchanged uneasy glances. Lady Kiva, her voice soft but commanding, finally spoke. "If Yogan's connection to the spirits is becoming stronger, then we must tread carefully. He could be the key to resolving these disturbances—or he could become a danger."

Tenzon nodded gravely. "Monk Nara, we are relying on you to guide him. Yogan's path is uncertain, but you are the only one who can help him find balance."

Monk Nara bowed her head slightly. "I will continue his training, but I urge caution. If Yogan's connection deepens and we do not understand it, we may face more than just the threat of vengeful spirits. We may be dealing with something far greater."

The elders sat In contemplative silence, each absorbing the gravity of Monk Nara's words. The future of the Air Nomads seemed to hang in the balance, resting on the shoulders of a young airbender whose growing connection to the spirit world was still a mystery.

Lady Kiva broke the silence, her sharp eyes locking onto Monk Nara. "If what you say is true, we cannot afford to take any more risks. Yogan's power could become a threat—not only to the spirits but to all of us. If he loses control, the consequences could be devastating."

Tenzon sighed, the weight of leadership pressing heavily on him. "That is why we must ensure he is guided with wisdom and patience. We cannot afford to let fear dictate our actions. Monk Nara, your experience with the world, with both bending and the spirits, makes you the most qualified to help Yogan navigate this path."

Monk Nara nodded, though the flicker of concern in her eyes remained. "I will do my best, but we must be prepared for all outcomes. Yogan's journey is unlike any I have seen before. The connection he has to the spirit world… it feels ancient, as though something has awakened within him."

Elder Juro leaned back, his face drawn with concern. "Do you believe this connection could be tied to the disturbance we are facing now? The dark spirits, the unrest—could it all be connected to Yogan?"

Monk Nara hesitated before answering, her voice carefully measured. "It is possible. The spirits are drawn to him in ways we cannot fully understand. Whether they see him as a threat, an ally, or something else entirely, I do not yet know. But one thing is clear: Yogan is at the center of this, and we must be vigilant."

Tenzon stood, his expression somber as he addressed the room. "We have much to consider. For now, we must trust Monk Nara to continue Yogan's training. But we must also be ready to act if his power becomes too great for even her to control."

The elders murmured their agreement, though a sense of unease settled over the room. The future was uncertain, and the decisions they made in the coming days would shape not only the fate of the temple but the world beyond.

As the meeting concluded, Monk Nara lingered for a moment, her mind turning over the possibilities. Yogan was strong, yes, but he was also young, still learning to balance the power within him. If his connection to the spirit world deepened before he was ready to handle it, they could be facing a threat far greater than any vengeful spirit.

The temple was a place of peace and balance, but even here, the winds of change were blowing.

---

Meanwhile, back in Stone's Rest, the aftermath of the stampede had left the village in a state of shock. The villagers had gathered in small groups, their eyes wide with disbelief as they surveyed the damage. Several animals lay dead in the fields, their bodies broken by the force of Renji's airbending. The destruction was a harsh reminder of the power the benders wielded, and not all power was used for protection.

Yogan stood at the edge of the village, watching as the villagers tried to rebuild what they could. His heart was heavy with frustration. Renji's methods were reckless, and while they had prevented more casualties, it came at a cost. The animals didn't deserve to die, but in Renji's eyes, they were just obstacles.

Kaiya approached, her expression mirroring his own dismay. "It didn't have to end like this," she said softly, standing beside him. "We could have found another way."

Yogan nodded, though his mind was still racing. "Renji thinks he's doing the right thing. But he's losing sight of what's important. Airbending isn't about destruction—it's about balance. He's forgotten that."

Kaiya's gaze drifted toward Renji, who was standing with his students, his face stern as he addressed them. "He's always been like this. But now, with Leina supporting him, I think he feels justified in pushing these limits."

Yogan's stomach tightened as he watched his brother. Renji was growing closer to Leina, and with each passing day, the two of them seemed to feed off each other's ambition. Yogan could see it in the way they spoke, the way they moved together—Renji had found an ally in Leina, and it only fueled his drive to lead.

Before Yogan could respond, Kezin approached, his face as calm and unreadable as ever. "We've dealt with the immediate threat, but there's more going on here than just a frightened stampede."

Yogan turned to face him, his frustration simmering beneath the surface. "The animals didn't attack on their own. Something drove them to it."

Kezin nodded, his gaze distant as he surveyed the damaged fields. "Spirits, most likely. Vengeful ones. The land here is old, and it holds grudges. The disturbance in the spirit world is spreading. We may have stopped the stampede, but the true threat is still out there."

Renji, overhearing the conversation, joined them, his expression hard. "Then we'll deal with it. Whatever's out there, we'll find it and put an end to this."

Yogan frowned, his anger bubbling to the surface once again. "And what's your plan, Renji? More violence? More destruction?"

Renji crossed his arms, his stance unyielding. "If that's what it takes, yes. The world's changing, Yogan. You can't afford to hold back."

Before the argument could escalate, Kezin stepped in, his voice calm but firm. "We need to stay focused. Whatever's causing this unrest is more powerful than what we've faced so far. We'll need to be prepared."

Yogan bit back his frustration, knowing that this wasn't the time to argue. But as he glanced at Renji, he couldn't shake the feeling that his brother's ambitions were leading him down a dangerous path—one that might end with more than just a few dead animals.

---

That night, the group made camp at the edge of the village, the tension between them still thick in the air. Yogan sat by the fire, his mind too restless to sleep. Kaiya sat beside him, her presence a quiet comfort amid the uncertainty.

"You're worried about him," Kaiya said softly, her eyes flickering toward Renji, who sat with Leina on the other side of the camp.

Yogan nodded, his voice low. "He's losing himself, Kaiya. I've never seen him like this."

Kaiya was quiet for a moment, her gaze thoughtful. "People change, Yogan. Sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. But Renji… he's always been different. This drive of his—it's part of who he is."

"I know," Yogan said, his voice filled with frustration. "But I can't just stand by and watch him destroy everything."

Kaiya placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch gentle. "You won't. You'll find a way to reach him. You always do."

Yogan looked at her, the warmth of her presence easing the tension in his chest. For a moment, the weight of everything seemed to lift, and he allowed himself to take comfort in her words.

The fire crackled softly, the night settling in around them. But even as the world seemed to quiet, Yogan knew that the real battle was just beginning. The spirits were stirring, and so too were the forces within the temple. Renji's ambitions, Yogan's connection to the spirits, and the changing world were all colliding.

And when the time came, Yogan wasn't sure if he could stop what was coming.

[A/N: Read 10 chapters ahead available on patreon.com/saiyanprincenovels]