Avatar - Conquering the Elements-Chapter 129. Growth.

*Yuki. North Pole.*

My new day began with cautiously pressing my ear to Kai's rounded belly. Using my spiritual senses, I could already see the tiny human inside, waiting to enter the world.

"She's become even more desirable..." I nodded to myself, gently gazing at Kai, who was still asleep. What could be more beautiful than a beloved woman carrying your child? "Alright, I could lie here all day, but it's time to get to work," I whispered, carefully rising from the bed so as not to wake Kai. During this time, she needs more rest. Besides, our child is seriously draining her life and magical energy. On one hand, I'm glad our baby will surely be talented, but on the other, I don't want Kai to suffer in any way.

"Report any detail to me," I sternly reminded the group of guards stationed outside our chambers. The memory of Koh's attack was still fresh, so I'd strengthened security for my loved ones, especially Kai, who could barely move these days.

"Yes!" the five guards replied in unison. I'd chosen each of them carefully: a boy and a girl, both exceptional healers whose abilities I'd personally tested; another young man, a skilled firebender under Jeong Jeong's tutelage; the fourth, a true warrior who'd held the top rank in mid-level combat tournaments multiple times; and the last, an outstanding archer from Yuki, whose skills already rivaled those of the original Yu Yang archers.

Despite all the preparations, someone from her family was almost always with Kai. Even Sokka, who'd been dreaming of restoring the Southern Water Tribe for years, had paused his plans because he didn't want to leave his mother's side. The look on his face when he realized he'd soon have a little brother or sister was priceless.

After a few hours of intense work—when even my life energy couldn't save my tired hand, which was signing documents without my brain's involvement—I finally took a deep breath. My idea to gather documents for signing all at once at the end of the week probably wasn't my best.

Around midday, after a family lunch, I headed to the training grounds. The weather was unusually pleasant—no snow, no blizzard, just a sunny day. Every now and then, I "saw" with my senses the graceful figures of girls sunbathing in local swimsuits.

The training grounds were already bustling with benders of all ages. But they were training terribly, their attention fixed on a mischievous boy with an arrow on his head. Aang seemed born for this, delighting the crowd with his airbending feats.

I didn't blame them—even the oldest residents had never seen a living Air Nomad, let alone the younger ones. When they spotted me, the kids surrounding the Avatar slowly backed away. They knew the Chief didn't like anyone here doing anything but mastering the elements.

"Chief Yuki! Want me to show you my new move?" Aang waved excitedly, probably glad to escape Yeo's company. I admit, I might've pushed him too far with my harem jokes, making him eager to leave and study a new element.

"Maybe another time," I smiled softly, shaking my head. Honestly, I was glad to see him so positive. It meant he'd finally let go of the past. Maybe it was thanks to opening his chakras, but Yeo's teasing probably helped too. "Show me the techniques you mastered yesterday instead."

In the show, Aang seemed to learn new elements quickly, but here, he was progressing even faster. On the first day, he'd managed basic waterbending, and just a week later, he could effortlessly change water's state.

"Yuki," Katara interrupted, pecking my lips. Each time, we inched closer to a real kiss. "Balto's caused trouble again. You know he only listens to you," she added. That scruffy dog hadn't calmed down with age!

"You take over for a bit. I'll be quick."

"No problem," she agreed easily. Teaching wasn't new to her; she'd already substituted for other masters. Honestly, it was time for her and Yui to take on their own students, but they preferred focusing on their personal training. Right now, they were determined to top the masters' rankings.

As I left the training area, I noticed Aang listening intently to Katara. At first, I'd worried canon's rails might take over... But no, Aang saw Katara as, well, an aunt figure—she seemed too mature for him. Her intense physical training and energy work had accelerated her growth, making her look like a twenty-something. Beside Katara, Kai looked like her younger sister.

*

*Same place, same time. Fragment of Vaatu.*

Through Unalaq's eyes, the fragment of Vaatu's dark energy felt triumphant and malicious.

"Foolish Raava..." Binding your existence to a human was your fatal mistake. He could sense how weakened she'd become. Her chances of a worthy battle against him were minuscule.

"Good job, Unalaq! Soon, I'll have nothing left to teach you," his assigned master admitted, embarrassed.

"Even here, I'm unlucky! All the good teachers were taken by the masters' and advisors' kids," Unalaq thought irritably, feeding the dark fragment within him. Vaatu abruptly severed the connection to the boy's emotions, alarmed. His bold actions had almost awakened the weakened Raava.

"All in due time..." Soon, his true body would be free, and he'd show Raava just how wrong she'd been!

He'd chosen this resentful boy wisely—Unalaq was unusually susceptible to his influence. Even without Vaatu, he'd likely have turned to darkness eventually. His other vessels were equally compliant. Teenagers swung from one extreme to another, making them easy to manipulate.

In five to ten years, his puppets would hold power in every nation, guided by his whispers...

*

*Yeo. Eastern Air Temple.*

After sending Aang to the North Pole, I stayed with Guru Pathik. Despite our different approaches to chakra opening, there was much to learn from him. Mostly, he shared his thoughts and theories, which gave me plenty to ponder. Pathik never wrote down his experiences, so if he died, all his knowledge would vanish. How many hermits like him had taken their wisdom to the grave? Van Shi Tong probably despised such people...

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We spent a few days like this, drinking nothing but onion-banana juice. I hadn't chosen it randomly... I could feel the new chakra slowly opening. Soon, I'd control any process in my body—if the fifth chakra truly granted such power.

As our nearly three-day conversation ended—without tiring either of us—I realized I might miss a chance! I quickly contacted Dria, telling her to bring the girls to the Eastern Air Temple ASAP.

Within five hours, they were all there. Dria, still her energetic self despite being a mother, jumped into my arms first. Soon, Celine joined us.

"Why are you standing there, Gaia?" I called to her, lingering on the sidelines.

"You've been part of our family for a while now!" Dria added, gesturing for her to join.

The warm embraces lasted five minutes. We hadn't seen each other in almost a week since I'd started accompanying Aang. Breathing in their floral scents, I felt a pleasant warmth fill my body.

Gaia blushed when my hand squeezed her right cheek a few times. She'd only recently fully transformed into human form, though I was used to our closeness in her true form...

About two months ago, I'd realized why we hadn't conceived despite trying. Likely, it was because we didn't truly love each other. After all, it was love that had brought Celine into the world with Dria. I hadn't told Gaia, but we were on the right path—I'd accepted her into my heart. I figured it wouldn't take long to give Celine a new sister. And yes, I still didn't want a son...

"Let me introduce you all," I remembered, having forgotten about Guru Pathik, who watched our reunion with a gentle smile.

After polite introductions, I explained the benefits of opening chakras to Celine. I'd never force her to do anything against her will—she could decide for herself.

"I want to get stronger!" she declared firmly, hearing the promise of power. I could only helplessly nod; I knew her desire to ease my burden.

Pathik took over next. Preparing someone for chakra opening began long before the actual process. His voice, infused with life energy, precisely affected her body, helping her cope with future visions.

His long speeches to me and Aang seemed essential for successfully passing all stages.

"I see determination in you... Your task is simply not to lose it," he said, his final words of encouragement before guiding her through the first chakra.

Dria and Gaia held my hands, anxiously watching her progress. Celine held up well; the only sign of her struggle with nightmarish visions was her tightly clenched teeth.

"Congratulations, the first chakra is complete," Guru Pathik said, his magical voice awakening Celine.

"I'm fine, just let me catch my breath," she smiled weakly, assuring us.

Second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth... She passed them all without a word. A slight difficulty arose with the seventh and final chakra.

"Celine!" I cried worriedly, unable to hold back. My heart ached seeing her pained face. I started to rush over, but Pathik's calm voice stopped me:

"Welcome a new Guru to our world."

Celine's body relaxed, but her eyes remained closed. In that moment, green energy poured from her, briefly hiding her from view. I could sense my daughter ascending to a higher level. All three of her sources were evolving! After five minutes, the light show ended.

"Why is this world so cruel to me?" I thought. Where's my little sweet girl?! Her ascension had made Celine even more mature. Now, she and Dria looked like contemporaries—both appearing around twenty to twenty-two years old.

Closing my eyes, I saw that naked Celine's figure resembled her mother's. I hoped no one in this world would dare take my precious daughter.

"Father, I'm almost as strong as you!" Celine shouted joyfully, nearly knocking me over. Thankfully, she'd already created a dress for herself.

"I'm very proud," I tried to smile sincerely, but it didn't quite work. Ah, I'd rather you stayed my little troublemaker, messing up Wan Shi Tong's library. At least another little one would be born soon... And this time, a normal human baby—plenty of cuddling ahead!

Seeing Aang's and Celine's explosive growth, you can't help but realize I'm not that overpowered after all...