Avatar: shackled earth

Tomo sat cross-legged in the dim corner of the cavern, the familiar blue light of the system screen hovering before him. Almost a year had passed since he was torn from his world and thrown into this grim existence. A year of sweat, pain, and sleepless nights, all for this moment—a small yet significant victory.

[ Notification:

Airbending Level 1 Unlocked!

System remark: Finally, you can move more than dust. Don't get carried away, though.

]

A grin crept across his face. For all its snark, the notification felt like validation. Tomo had spent months quietly training, using his scant free time to push himself beyond the limits he'd thought possible. Now, for the first time, he had a real tool to fight back—albeit a small one.

Curious, he opened his status screen.

---

[STATUS SCREEN]

Name: Tomo

Race: Human (Earth Bender)

Age: 13

Title(s): None

Level: 1

Rank: None

Attributes:

Strength: 2

Agility: 2

Dexterity: 1

Endurance: 2

Perception: 3 (+1)

Wisdom: 5 (+1)

Focus: 2 (+1)

Chi: 6 (+1)

---

Tomo squinted at the screen. The changes to his attributes caught him by surprise—there'd been no notifications, yet the increases were there.

"Huh," he muttered, rubbing his chin. "System, you could've mentioned this."

Of course, there was no response. He rolled his eyes and pieced it together himself. Meditation had enhanced his wisdom and chi; chi manipulation had sharpened his perception and focus. The connections were clear, and the discovery filled him with pride.

"Guess I'm smarter than I look," he said to no one in particular.

Switching to the skill panel, he took in the progress he'd made over the past year.

---

[SKILL PANEL]

Earthbending: Dormant (Unavailable due to injury)

Airbending: Level 1

Description: Control over air currents, currently limited to small, localized gusts.

Chi Manipulation: Level 1

Description: The ability to move chi within the body, allowing for basic control and utilization.

Meditation: Level 3

Description: Increases chi recovery and enhances mental clarity.

Chi Sense: Level 2

Description: Detect and feel the flow of chi in the body and the environment.

---

His smile widened. Sure, his airbending was limited to little puffs of wind, but it was consistent now. He could summon those gusts at will, and that was a start.

Tomo spotted Ariya across the cavern, her pickaxe striking stone with relentless rhythm. Her back was straight, her movements precise and deliberate. Even now, after everything she'd endured, she radiated an unshakable strength.

He approached cautiously, glancing at the guards to make sure they weren't watching. "Hey, Ariya," he called softly.

She paused mid-swing and turned to him, her sharp green eyes narrowing. "What do you want, kid?"

Tomo blinked, then grinned. "Kid? You do realize we're the same age, right? Or did the lack of food mess with your memory?"

Ariya's lips twitched, but she didn't smile. "You've got the humor of a fool. What do you want?"

Tomo leaned against the wall beside her, lowering his voice. "I wanted to talk. It's been months since… you know." He gestured vaguely, unwilling to say the words out loud.

Her expression darkened, but her grip on the pickaxe didn't falter. "Since they chained me up like an animal? Since they whipped me in front of everyone to prove a point?"

Tomo winced but nodded.

Ariya continued, her tone unyielding. "You think that broke me?"

"No," Tomo said quickly. "I know it didn't. You're still here. Still standing."

She slammed the pickaxe into the rock with a force that sent a crack echoing through the cavern. "Of course, I'm still standing. My parents didn't raise me to crumble at the first sign of hardship."

Her voice softened, and she recited words that felt well-worn with memory:

"Listen well, child. The Earth is strong. It is unyielding. Just like us. You will face many hardships in life, and there will be times when the world tries to knock you down. But remember this—the earth never moves unless it chooses to. Just like the mountains, you must stand firm. Don't let doubt or fear shift your foundation. Be stubborn, be steady, and never give in."

Tomo listened in silence, the weight of her words settling over him. When she finished, he said, "Your parents sound like they knew what they were talking about."

"They did," she said, her voice firm. "And their lessons kept me alive while I was chained up, starving and bleeding. The soldiers thought they could break me, but they were wrong. I'm still here. And I'm still me."

Tomo hesitated, then asked, "So… what now? You ever think about escaping? About fighting back?"

Ariya turned to face him fully, her expression unreadable. "Of course, I think about it. Every day. But thinking and doing are two different things. And if you're asking me to join some half-baked rebellion, forget it. I won't waste my strength on something doomed to fail."

"Half-baked rebellion?" Tomo repeated, feigning offense. "I'll have you know, if I planned something, it'd be at least three-quarters baked."

Ariya stared at him for a moment, then snorted. It wasn't quite a laugh, but it was close. "You're ridiculous."

"Thanks," he said with a grin. "But seriously, you're not giving up, right?"

Her eyes narrowed. "I told you, I don't give up. I'm just waiting. Watching. Planning."

Tomo nodded slowly. "Good. Because if anyone can take these guys down, it's you."

Her gaze softened, but she didn't reply. Instead, she picked up her pickaxe and returned to work.

That night, as Tomo lay on his cot, he stared at the cavern ceiling, replaying his conversation with Ariya in his mind.

She hadn't been broken. She was still the mountain she'd described—strong, unyielding, and waiting for the right moment to move.

Her words fueled his own resolve. He wasn't just surviving anymore. He was preparing.

Tomo closed his eyes, a faint gust of air stirring the dust around him. It wasn't much, but it was enough.

For now.

*******

Hey everyone! I hope you're enjoying the journey so far. I'd love to hear your thoughts—your feedback really helps me shape the story.

If there's anything you think could be improved, feel free to share! I'm always looking to make the story better or if you have any recommendations on what you'd like to see, I'm all ears.