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The sweet morning air waves across Grian’s pale skin, rustling his brown hair across his face. It has a slight chill to it, but not enough to warrant a coat. The sun is just beginning to peek over the horizon, bathing the blue sky in warm reds and oranges. Sometimes Grian wishes he could reach the heavens and be consumed by the gorgeous colours. But that isn’t possible.
With a sigh, Grian pushes off the balcony railing and walks back inside to gather himself before journeying through the temples to meet Belanta, his airbending master. Grian loves airbending and learning, but there are times he feels like he’s missing something. It’s a tugging feeling like there’s a path he’s meant to follow that hasn’t revealed itself to him yet. A powerful person is out there waiting for him for some massive reason. Grian doesn’t know what it means.
It’s a quick journey with the aid of leaping airbending to find Belanta sitting in front of the fountain where they tend to meet. The cool water pours from the fountain with soft splashes, flinging the occasional droplet into the air. Mumbo likes rushing water, going into long rants about the wonders of erosion and how flowing water can carve away the earth like an earthbender. Despite being an air acolyte, he talks about how he would love to be either a water or earthbender. Instead of having the ability to manipulate an element, he uses his mind to create marvellous things.
“Ah, there you are, Grian,” Belanta greets, rising from the fountain with a smile.
Grian closes one hand into a fist and, holding it in front of his chest, presses his other hand against it with his fingers pointing to the sky, bowing to his master. “Good morning, Belanta. Sorry I’m late.”
Belanta shakes her head and gestures for Grian to walk with her. “It’s okay. Grian, I have something I would like to talk to you about. Come with me.”
Grian falls in step with Belanta, looking up at her curiously. “What is it?”
As the wind waves around them calmly, barely rustling their clothing and hair, Belanta leads Grian to stand at the edge of the platform. She looks out over the horizon at the ravine in front of them and links her fingers together in front of her. “Have you ever heard of the Watchers?”
Grian shakes his head, his brows furrowed. “No, I don’t think so.”
“The Watchers are a brave group of people dedicated to saving bending from extinction.” As Belanta speaks, the wind blows against them softly, causing her dark brown hair to wave behind her head. “Over the past several centuries, bending has become increasingly less and less common. One of the previous avatars started the Watchers to create tests to study bending and its properties, as well as see if they can induce bending in nonbenders. It has proved successful in various circumstances, but they need more information before they can present it.”
“Why are you telling me this?” Grian asks, watching his master curiously. Everyone has learned in class that bending is dying out, but no one has ever even mentioned a group dedicated to preventing it.
Belanta turns to Grian. “It has to remain a secret,” she explains, her face lined with a deadly seriousness. “There are those around the world who are set on keeping the Watchers from completing their work and allow bending to become extinct everywhere. They call themselves ‘Listeners’. But, one day, the Watchers will emerge victorious and save the world from themselves. The reason I am telling you this is because,” her face softens and she reaches out to take Grian’s hands, “they want you to join them.”
Grian’s eyes widen. “Me?” he asks in shock. What can he give to a group of scientists? He’s only nineteen!
Belanta smiles. “Yes, Grian. You. You display everything they are looking for in their subjects. You would join them to help them get to know the other subjects in a less invasive way and then take part in the test yourself. You could save bending, Grian.”
Everything freezes. Grian is in pure shock. His heart hammers in his chest and his palms grow sweaty. Why him? He isn’t special! But Belanta said they want him specifically. Grian opens and closes his mouth several times like a fish, glancing around nervously.
“Think about it. But don’t take too long and don’t tell anyone else about this offer; not even Mumbo. If you would like to join the Watchers, come to the top of the cliff tonight at midnight.” Belanta smiles, squeezes Grian’s hands, and walks away.
---
Grian slams his bedroom door closed and immediately begins pacing the length of his room. This is insane! Why would a secret organisation like this want him of all people? It doesn’t feel real. Grian pinches his forearm harshly, letting out a pained ‘ow!’. Okay, he is definitely awake. He needs to talk to Mumbo about this. But he can’t! Belanta told him not to tell anyone. Gosh. This is hard!
The thought of being part of the group who saves bending is a wondrous idea, but how can he even be sure this is real? Well, Belanta certainly wouldn’t lie to him. She’s been his teacher for as long as he can remember; she’s practically his parent. Grian would be a fool not to accept this offer. He could save bending!
Okay, Grian’s made his decision. But he certainly can’t leave without telling Mumbo where he’s going. Belanta told him not to tell anyone about this, but Mumbo is Grian’s best friend. He has to make sure Mumbo doesn’t think he’s been kidnapped or murdered. Rustling around in his desk drawer, Grian triumphantly pulls out a piece of paper and places it on the desk, smoothing out the crumpled edges. How to phrase this…
Dear Mumbo,
I have been offered the opportunity of a lifetime! I can’t tell you anything about it, but it will change everything. Belanta promised that I would be safe and I’ll get to help save the world. It’s incredible! I wish I could share it with you, but she told me not to tell anyone, even you, so don’t tell her about this letter.
I’m going to be fine. I haven’t been kidnapped and I’ll be back before you know it! Stay safe and I’ll see you soon!
Signed,
Grian
---
At midnight that night, Grian swings his bag over his shoulder, sets the letter addressed to Mumbo on his desk, and sneaks out of his room, through the tower, and out to the balcony near the top. It’ll be easier to boost himself up to the cliff from that position than from lower down. Once he’s standing at the edge, Grian crouches down and jumps up as high as he’s able to, launching himself into the air with a puff of wind pushing out in the opposite direction. When he lands on the grass above, Grian finds himself standing in front of Belanta and a group of people wearing black jumpsuits with their faces concealed by purple masks. It’s a bit… unnerving.
“There you are,” Belanta greets with a smile as Grian hesitantly approaches. “For a moment I was worried you weren’t coming.”
One of the masked people grasps something at their hip, but most of them stand relaxed in front of him. Grian isn’t sure how to feel. Belanta is there, so surely these people are safe, but something doesn’t feel good about this. He’s somehow sure this is what he’s supposed to do, but it also doesn’t seem like the best idea he’s ever had.
“I want to join,” Grian declares, digging certainty into his voice.
Belanta’s smile widens and she wraps her arms around Grian. “That’s wonderful! You’re going to do so well.” When she pulls away, she takes Grian’s bag with her. “You won’t need this there. You’ll have all you need waiting for you.”
“B- but those are my things,” Grian protests, reaching out for the red bag.
Belanta steps away, keeping it out of Grian’s reach. “You don’t need them anymore. The Watchers will provide all the things you’ll require to complete your missions.” Blood rushes through Grian’s ears loudly. “Follow them and they’ll lead you to the place you’re meant to be.”
The masked people move to surround Grian, still keeping their forms relaxed. Has he made a mistake? This doesn’t feel good.
“Go on, Grian. I’m so proud of you. You’re going to do so many amazing things.” Belanta waves Grian on, the fond smile never wavering.
The Watchers start walking and Grian has no choice but to follow them. A pit has opened in his gut as a fight or flight instinct calls for him to rush away as quickly as he can. There’s nowhere he can go. He’s on this ride whether he wants to be or not.
Grian is led away from the Western Air Temples and towards a forest quite a good distance away. After walking for what could have been hours or mere moments, the Watchers stop, forcing Grian to cease movement too. One of the masked people steps forward, jumps into the air and opens their arms as their feet connect sturdily with the ground. A hole opens in the earth, leading down into a dark expanse that Grian can’t see the end of.
Without a choice, Grian is guided into the tunnel. He glances over his shoulder at the sky, the morning sun breaking over the horizon to reveal a painting of beautiful, warm colours. Then, dark earth covers his vision and a terrifying revelation hits Grian like a ton of bricks. This is a prison and he completely missed it.