From that day on, making love beca a regular part of our lives, and Kaya seed to grow even more beautiful and desirable. Now, we no longer feared the possibility of a new life, as we'd managed to achieve the desired effect by manipulating chi. Another unexpected surprise was the improvent in Kaya's energy quality during our intimate monts—both life energy and bending. Our energies interacted so pleasantly in the process, and due to the greater disparity in our characteristics, Kaya gained more benefits. She'd already seen the results in practice: smoother use of waterbending, easier control over water—these were just the effects we'd discovered so far; there might be others.
At first, it was hard to close our spiritual connection with Yui, especially during monts of arousal when my thoughts were elsewhere. Most likely, sothing reached her, but she hadn't yet figured out why I felt that way. Even now, it's sotis difficult to block the channel during particularly intimate monts. What can I say? Kaya has a talent for pleasantly surprising with her creativity.
During this ti, I resud intensive training to open the Water Chakra, the second one in sequence. This will elevate my immune system to a level unseen even by benders. Poisons, viruses, diseases—they'll all pass by. It'll co in handy, especially since I often have to sleep in poor conditions. Of course, chi always helps, but the local flora is teeming with extrely dangerous plants whose toxins could even send to the afterlife.
And let's not forget the insects, which carry a whole host of diseases deadly to humans. It's easier now, as people have developed the necessary antibodies, but looking at the population of this world, it's clear that diseases once wiped out people in droves. After all, chi-related diseases are always deadlier. And if you look at the history of my past world, no war has claid as many lives as diseases of various kinds.
The first chakra left with not-so-pleasant mories, which is why I hesitated to continue training. But the benefits are too significant, and I'm already ntally prepared for the... uh, unpleasantness.
*
*Makapu Village* is located in the northwest of the Earth Kingdom, at the foot of the "sleeping" Makapu volcano. I rember this place thanks to Aunt Wu and her quirky assistant, ng, who used to trail after Aang.
During my travels, I stumbled upon an information kiosk where notices about festivals or various announcents for the province's residents are occasionally posted. Such kiosks exist throughout the Earth Kingdom. I hadn't paid them much attention before, as they were usually in remote areas, and it was hard to believe the information was current. But it turns out the announcents are tily enough—at least fifty percent of the ti...
That's where I saw an ad for Fortune-Teller Wu, who lives in Makapu Village, inviting anyone who wanted to learn their fate. As I recall, her predictions were often accurate. Maybe it's a real gift—who knows? But I couldn't pass up such entertainnt. The village looked very picturesque, like I'd stumbled into a super-secret sect to learn mysterious teachings. The sleeping volcano, resembling the sacred Mount Fuji (forgive , people of the Land of the Rising Sun, for the comparison), contributed most to this effect.
*Whistling* "They really respect her here," I said, looking at the luxurious house right in the village center where the person I needed lived. Less than thirty seconds after I knocked, the door opened. Now, she has a completely different assistant. ng is probably still crawling under the table sowhere.
"Are you here to see Aunt Wu?" asked a young girl of about seventeen, who kept glancing at my face. Kudos to her for her self-control! I've seen my face in the mirror many tis, and believe , only a few can resist. And yes, as you've probably guessed, my narcissism is only growing.
"No, I'm here for you," I whispered, moving closer to her, which prompted an imdiate reaction.
"Seems I went too far," I muttered as I watched the girl run off.
Teasing girls like that is pure pleasure—it's beco a habit for . A minute later, the mistress of the mansion erged. She looked younger than her counterpart in the series, but then again, it's seven years before that eting.
"Hmm, so this is the handso guy she talked about. I'd take him for myself if I were younger," she smirked, running her eyes over my body, and beckoned with her finger. "Co on, let tell your fate."
"...Good day, I guess," I said, feeling mixed emotions. I'd felt this exposed only once before, with Wan Shi Tong, when he scanned . But while that was on an energy level, here I was simply ogled, like how guys often eye beautiful girls. Damn, I've betrayed my fellow n—forgive !
"What would you like to know?" she asked calmly, preparing for the prediction.
"Hmm, maybe... my fate?" I said half-questioningly. I hadn't thought much about it, and I don't really believe in such things.
"People often co to out of curiosity, but once their predictions co true, they return," she declared solemnly. She knows how to set the mood.
"Well, ninety percent of the ti, for sure," she continued in a normal voice, completely shattering the mystique. "Do you at least have money? First-ti clients get a discount—one silver coin for one reading," she said, holding out her open palm.
So much for a fortune-teller—we all want just one thing, I grumbled to myself as I handed over the required amount.
"Don't make that face; I need to eat too. And now my relatives have dropped off their niece, little ng, who needs constant supervision. I'm not great with kids—there's a separate wet nurse, nanny, clothes, toys. Now I rember why I never had kids of my own," she began to complain.
"Now listen carefully. I'm only a conduit for fate. The most significant predictions happen beyond my control," she warned seriously. Now my faith is starting to restore itself. "Take the bone and throw it into the fire," she said. I hope they're not human bones—yuck.
After throwing the bone into the fire, I had to push the woman away sharply. The flas, which had been burning peacefully, suddenly expanded several ters, instantly consuming the bone.
"A new world order is coming. The cycle will be broken. The one who was once a guest will beco the master," Aunt Wu began speaking in a voice that wasn't her own, not even noticing that she was lying on the floor in a slightly charred dress.
Honestly, the prediction is useless. With my powers, authority will co to on its own. But what cycle? Maybe the Avatar Cycle? Maybe soday I'll have the strength to influence it, but it seems unlikely—I still can't handle the higher spirits. But I do enjoy being the master. Alright, nothing bad was said, I guess.
"What happened?" asked a bewildered Aunt Wu, who had just co to.
"Seems so prankster coated that bone with sothing flammable, and it exploded when it touched the fire. I was wondering why it was so shiny. You scoundrels, just try to get caught!" I threatened, raising my fist for emphasis. "You've ruined my mood. I'll co back later. Bye-bye," I said, already halfway out the door, before she could grasp the absurdity of my words.
Note to self: Don't visit the fortune-teller in Makapu Village again. But on my way back, I stopped by the supposedly sleeping volcano, which isn't sleeping at all—it's just pretending! Why do I have such a kind heart? I spent another two hours digging a trench on the side of the settlent. The villagers rely solely on fortune-telling, so no one will believe in an active volcano. But there are children there, and children are good. Yuki is good too, so everything's in its place.
*
"Mister Roku! Mister Roku! I'm so glad I could et you," exclaid a cheerful, plump man who didn't look like the ruler of this town at all. He walks without guards, always polite and smiling, and the townspeople adore him. Even now, despite my intimidating reputation, people glance at warily, ready to protect their mayor if needed.
"You may not know this, but six months ago, you helped my son return ho alive. They were attacked by a band of Fire Nation rhinos demanding all the goods our town needed," he paused to wipe the sweat from his forehead. "Oh, I've been rambling. Anyway, please accept my sincere gratitude," he bowed deeply to , forcing to dismount my ostrich horse to lift the man up. I don't like being thanked for such things. Do you have the power? Are there people in need? Do you have the ti? Why not help? Treat people the way you want them to treat you, and don't forget there are always moral monsters—don't stoop to their level.
"Your son already thanked for the help. Those fabrics really pleased my mother," I said with a smile, patting him on the shoulder. People like him make you want to smile.
"Tomorrow is the annual festival in honor of our benefactor, Tienhai! Please be my honored guest—you won't be disappointed!" he began persuading to stay. I agreed, as I'm in no rush, and it'll be interesting to learn about this festival.
We then headed to his ho, where his family warmly greeted . I'd already t his son, the ruler's mother, and a little toothless girl. Each of them thanked , leaving unsure where to look. I'm used to seeing selfish motives in words of gratitude.
"Son, take care of Mister Roku's ostrich horse," the mayor requested, noticing the fatigue on my mount's face.
"Just call Roku," I said for what felt like the hundredth ti.
"How can I?! My benefactor is a capital-letter Person!" Such a speech makes even more uncomfortable...
Why do I need a riding animal? There's a certain romance to traveling on animals, like how modern kids can't understand the atmosphere of train rides—sigh, it brings tears to my eyes, rembering legs sticking out into the aisle, their aroma rivaling new French perfu collections.
When I'm in a hurry, I use a waterbending carpet, but otherwise, I prefer riding animals. I've already tried the budget option: the hardy and resilient ostrich horses, which have been indispensable helpers to the Earth Kingdom for centuries, both in civilian and military roles. Their only major drawback is their skittishness. If you don't hold the reins tightly and a rooster crows nearby, your "steed" will bolt before you can blink.
A more luxurious option is the *Hound Eel*. About 2.5 ters tall at the shoulder and at least 10 ters long, the Hound Eel is used for very long journeys. As Piandao once said, "No one runs on land or swims in water faster than a Hound Eel." This creature is a hybrid of a hound dog and a common eel. As a mode of transport, it can carry several people on its back. However, training a Hound Eel is so difficult that tad ones are extrely rare.
You can't even get such a beauty for a chest of gold—they're only given to people of high status. Their temperant is sothing else; even trained ones try to throw off their riders. I once had one, gifted by a grateful father for saving his daughter. Eventually, I had to return it—such a status animal attracts too much attention, which I already have enough of.
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