The Fire Spirits

Kouzai just raised his hand and the beast went flying back. There was a burst of shadow threads speared the beast killing it. "If we're through" he said walking forward.

Tekara blinked at him. "Thanks..." she said slowly, keeping her sword out just in case. The two walked further, the girl's eyes slowly adjusting to the gloom. "Do you know what we're looking for?" she asked. "Besides spirits?"

Kouzai didnt answer, he examined the runes on the walls, he didn't get it, he studied this place when he was young. How come now of all times, he wasn't able to understand the mystery fo the Fire Shrine. "This is impossible, the runes on the wall, they're supposed to tell where your going, they narrate what lies ahead on the path....if I'm correct, we've been walking in circles" said Kouzai "But that's impossible because the runes have been constantly changing as we go, no two walls have been the same....unless...the walls change themselves...dammit this place is too wierd" said Kouzai.

Tekara felt herself starting to grow uneasy. We could be trapped here, she realized, biting down her worry. Wandering forever and ever.

She studied the markings on the wall through the gloom. They were nothing more than smudges in her adjusted vision. I can't see anything, she thought, sighing and readjusting a grip on her sword. "Well, maybe if we find these spirits, they'll give us a hint."

"Tough luck with that....these halls lead to the spirits....if we cna't find our way....we'll be trapped here, for, well my guess is forever, could be less, we might die of food or insanity first" said Kouzai. 'Way to think positive' said a voice. Kouzai wheeled around "The f-...did you say something Tekara?" he asked her.

Tekara blinked. She'd been raptured by whatever Kouzai was trying to say, though it didn't improve her mood at all. "No, not really. What, you heard something?"

"She didn't...we did" said the voice. Kouzai turned around he could see 4 spirits. Kouzai's eyes widened when he saw who they were "Y-you...you're" Kouzai stammered to find the right words. Infront of him stood the spirit forms of his ancestors, Fire Lord Kouzai I, Fire Lady Kalilili, Fire Lord Lee and Fire Lady Phantom. Kouzai walked towards them ""How....how're you still here...how is this happening?" asked Kouzai.

Tekara shrank back a little, a bit intimidated by the spirits standing before them. Kouzai had managed to list them all by name... Tekara did not know any of them. She imagined the spirits to be intimidating, yes, but not so... so human-like. Their aura seemed to crush her where she stood.

"Are you the spirits we've been looking for?" she asked.

"We've come to help you Kouzai..." said Kali "You can't do everything alone" Kouzai I stepped forward "You know, you remind me of a younger version of myself" said Kouzai I. He walked back to Kali and put his arm around her lovingly, as she lay her head on his shoulder. Phantom walked forward and looked at Kouzai "So you're my grandson...what a fine young man...you have Lee's courage and strength..." she said. Lee walked up behind Phantom and put his arm around her also. Kouzai cleared his throat "Uh...great to know your marrages worked out...but can we save the love for later...I'd like to find the Fire Spirits...no offence" he said. His great-grandfather laughed "You definitley take after me" he said.

Tekara watched the scene, feeling calmer by the minute. It looked like these were people Pain knew, people he were familiar with. She stayed quiet as she watched the scene, the usual suspicion swelling. But Pain trusted these people... so should she.