Burning Ice: A Benders' Tale (avatar fanfic)

The night was deep and the air crisp, filled with the quiet rustling of leaves and the faint glow of the moon overhead. Jinx had been traveling for hours, the flicker of flames from his firebending illuminating the dark path ahead. He preferred traveling alone, especially at night. It gave him time to think, to sort through the chaos in his mind.

But tonight was different.

As he moved through the forest, he felt eyes on him—distant, but watchful. His senses were sharp, honed over months of survival, but even so, something about the stillness around him felt off. His instincts screamed that he wasn't alone.

Then, he saw them.

A group of travelers, huddled around a small campfire, their figures barely visible in the dim light. Their leader, a man Jinx quickly recognized as a waterbender, had his hand poised to strike when he saw Jinx using firebending to light his way. The tension in the air was palpable. These were not just any travelers—these were victims of the 100-year war, and they clearly didn't trust anyone who wielded the elements so freely.

"Hold it!" The man shouted, his voice rough and commanding. "What do you think you're doing, lighting a fire like that?"

Jinx's eyes narrowed as he stepped forward, eyes scanning the group. The man's stance was defensive, his bending ready to strike at a moment's notice.

"Relax," Jinx called out, his voice calm yet carrying the weight of experience. "I'm not here to fight. I just need to travel."

Just as the waterbender was about to respond, two women—both dressed in Water Tribe attire—stepped out from the shadows. They were clearly both well-trained in the ways of the waterbenders, but it was their presence that caught Jinx's attention. One of them moved with a familiarity that was unsettling.

The leader of the group, the waterbender, froze at the sight of them. It was obvious there was some connection, something deeper than just strangers crossing paths.

Jinx stood his ground, his mind calculating the situation. His senses were telling him that this wasn't just some random encounter. There was something familiar about these women.

Then, one of the women, the one with the striking white streak in her midnight-black hair, moved forward. Her eyes were icy blue, and her presence radiated something... undeniable. The way she carried herself, the way she seemed to move with purpose, felt almost too familiar.

Jinx didn't wait for her to get any closer. He instinctively created a black ice dagger in his hand, its sharp edge gleaming in the moonlight, and pointed it directly at her neck.

The woman stopped in her tracks, her eyes wide with surprise. For a brief moment, Jinx saw something in her eyes—a flicker of recognition. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared.

"Brother…" she whispered under her breath, her voice barely audible over the night wind.

The word hit Jinx like a hammer to the chest. His grip on the dagger faltered, and for a moment, everything around him seemed to freeze. The ice in his hand began to melt, the energy around him crackling with an almost unbearable tension. He couldn't breathe.

"Brother?"

The word repeated in his mind like an echo. His thoughts raced, trying to make sense of what had just happened. Could it be? Could she really be his sister?

"No..." he murmured, stepping back, his hand still gripping the dagger but its menacing presence waning. "No, that's not possible. I don't... I don't remember you."

The woman—Naira, as her name felt on the tip of his tongue—didn't move. She stayed there, her ice-blue eyes filled with an ocean of unshed tears. She didn't say anything more; she didn't need to. Her presence, her pain, was enough to speak volumes.

Sedna, the second woman, stood behind her. Taller and slender, with long black hair streaked with white, her amber eyes locked on Jinx with a guarded intensity. She didn't speak, but her posture said everything. She was ready to defend her sister, no matter the cost.

Jinx swallowed hard, trying to make sense of the emotions swirling in him. Who were these women? Why did they look so familiar? And why did it feel like a part of him—something long buried—was beginning to awaken?

The tension stretched on, broken only by the crackling of the fire behind the group of travelers.

Sedna's voice broke the silence. "You don't remember us, do you?"

Jinx shook his head, feeling lost. "I don't even know who I am anymore."

Naira stepped closer, her hands raised in a gesture of peace, though her eyes were filled with sorrow. "You don't remember anything?"

Jinx's gaze softened for a moment as he thought back to the chaos of the past few months—the void, the void's words, the strange powers that had been awakened inside him. But nothing from before that... nothing felt familiar.

"No," he replied, his voice thick with regret. "I woke up on an island three months ago with no memory. I don't know who I was, or who you are. I don't even know who I am." He looked at Naira, then at Sedna. "But I can't ignore what you said... Brother."

Naira's lip trembled as she closed the distance between them. "We're your sisters, Jinx. Naira and Sedna. We've been searching for you for so long. You were taken from us."

Jinx's heart pounded. The word "taken" hung in the air like a dark cloud, and a sudden, painful memory tugged at his mind—a memory of someone, a figure who had taken everything from him.

"Taken?" he echoed. "From where?"

Naira's expression faltered, her eyes filled with a pain Jinx couldn't quite understand. "It's a long story. But we need to talk. There's so much you don't know... so much you've forgotten."

Sedna, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "This isn't the time or the place, Naira. He's clearly not in a good state to process all of this."

Jinx felt the weight of Sedna's words. He was exhausted, emotionally drained. He couldn't remember the past, and here were two women claiming to be his sisters—two people from his past he couldn't even remember.

"Why now?" he asked, his voice low. "Why show up now, when everything's already... so messed up?"

Naira lowered her eyes for a moment before looking back at him. "Because you're not the only one with a past that's been ripped apart. We've been fighting our own battles, and now we've found you. We need you, Jinx. You don't have to remember everything, but you have to trust us."

Jinx stood there, the ice dagger now fully melted and the fire in his hands flickering out. His head throbbed, the weight of his past, the strange words of the void, and the presence of his supposed sisters all mixing together in a storm of confusion.

"I don't know if I can trust anyone anymore," he said softly, his voice distant. "But if you're really my sisters... I'll listen. For now."

Naira smiled faintly, her tears still visible in her eyes. "That's all we ask. Just listen."

And for the first time in what felt like an eternity, Jinx didn't feel so alone.

The moon hung low in the sky, its pale light glinting off the surrounding trees and casting long shadows across the forest clearing. Jinx stood on one side of the makeshift battlefield, his arms crossed, an amused smirk playing on his lips. On the other side stood Naira, Sedna, and Sora, their expressions determined yet cautious.

Naira adjusted her stance, the water from a nearby stream coiling around her like a serpent. The soft gurgling of the water was the only sound breaking the stillness. Sedna stood beside her, fire flickering in her palms, her amber eyes blazing with intensity. Sora, the tallest of the trio, held his ground with an air of calm authority, his presence commanding yet unspoken.

"Are you sure you're ready for this, brother?" Naira asked, her voice steady but tinged with concern.

Jinx cracked his neck, flames flickering to life in his palms. "You tell me," he replied, the smirk never leaving his face. "Let's see if you three can keep up."

The fight began with Naira taking the initiative. She raised her arms, the water from the stream surging forward in a spiraling torrent. With a swift motion, she sent the water crashing toward Jinx like a tidal wave.

Jinx responded with Flame Redirection, sweeping his arms outward to redirect the water away from him. Steam hissed as the water evaporated on contact with the intense heat of his flames.

Sedna capitalized on the distraction, charging forward with a Fire Blade in hand. She swung the fiery weapon in a wide arc, forcing Jinx to duck and roll to the side. As he regained his footing, Sora attacked from the opposite direction, his water whips lashing out with precision.

Jinx leapt backward, flames erupting from his feet as he used Jet Propulsion to gain distance. Mid-air, he unleashed a series of Fireballs, raining them down on his three opponents.

Naira countered swiftly, using Water Manipulation to form a protective sphere of water around herself and her allies. The fireballs sizzled harmlessly against the shield, sending ripples through the water.

"Nice teamwork," Jinx called out, landing gracefully. "But you'll need more than that."

The battlefield became a chaotic blend of fire, water, and ice as the siblings and Sora fought in unison. Naira transitioned fluidly between water and ice, using the stream as an endless source of ammunition. She sent Ice Projectiles flying at Jinx, only to melt them into high-pressure jets of water mid-flight, forcing him to react to both forms of attack.

Jinx spun into a Blazing Arc, the crescent of fire slicing through the jets of water and dispersing them into mist. But Naira wasn't done yet. She stomped her foot, sending a Creeping Ice attack across the ground. The ice snaked toward Jinx's feet, threatening to trap him in place.

Jinx countered by slamming his hands into the ground, channeling Internal Devastation to send superheated chi into the earth. The ice shattered beneath the intense heat, shards flying in all directions.

While Jinx was preoccupied with Naira's relentless assault, Sedna leapt into the fray. Using Twin Fire Dragon, she unleashed two roaring streams of fire that converged on Jinx from either side.

Jinx reacted with precision, summoning a Shield of Fire around himself. The dragons collided with the shield in a brilliant explosion of light and heat, momentarily obscuring the battlefield in smoke.

Sora used the opportunity to strike. Manipulating the water from the stream, he created a massive Whirlpool, aiming to trap Jinx within its swirling depths.

Jinx emerged from the smoke with a burst of Jet Propulsion, narrowly avoiding the whirlpool as it churned the earth where he had stood moments before. "Not bad," he admitted, flames flickering to life in his hands. "But let's see how you handle this."

Jinx raised his hands, summoning an intense Fire Vortex that swirled around him like a fiery hurricane. The heat was oppressive, forcing Naira, Sedna, and Sora to retreat momentarily.

Naira, undeterred, drew more water from the stream, creating a massive Water Serpent that coiled around her. With a sharp motion, she sent the serpent surging toward the vortex. The water and fire clashed violently, sending steam billowing into the air.

Sedna and Sora flanked Jinx while Naira kept up the pressure from a distance. Sedna unleashed a barrage of Fireballs, each one charged for maximum impact, while Sora sent Ice Blasts flying in rapid succession.

Jinx responded with Flame Redirection, seamlessly deflecting Sedna's fireballs back toward her. At the same time, he used Intertwined Fire Streams to intercept Sora's ice blasts, the fiery streams cutting through the ice with ease.

Naira took advantage of the chaos, using Water Manipulation to create a Whip of Water that lashed out at Jinx with incredible speed. The whip wrapped around his arm, pulling him off balance.

"Gotcha," Naira said with a smirk, pulling the whip tight.

Jinx's response was immediate. He channeled Internal Destruction, sending superheated chi through the whip and into the water. The intense heat caused the whip to evaporate, freeing Jinx from its grasp.

"You'll have to do better than that," Jinx taunted, flames swirling around his fists.

As the fight reached its peak, all four combatants unleashed their most powerful techniques.

Naira summoned a towering Wave of Water, the sheer size of it dwarfing the clearing. With a powerful motion, she sent the wave crashing toward Jinx.

Jinx countered with Fan the Flame, expanding the fire around him into a massive inferno. The wave and the flames collided with explosive force, creating a wall of steam that obscured the battlefield.

Through the mist, Sedna emerged, her Fire Blade glowing brighter than ever. She lunged at Jinx, their blades—one of fire, the other of ice—clashing in a flurry of sparks and frost.

Sora joined the fray, using Shatter Strike to send shards of ice toward Jinx at close range. Jinx dodged and retaliated with a Pressurized Fire Stream, forcing Sora to retreat.

Naira, refusing to be outdone, used Breath of Ice to rapidly freeze the ground beneath Jinx's feet. The sudden loss of traction caused him to stumble, giving Naira and Sedna an opening.

The two sisters attacked in perfect harmony, their movements synchronized. Sedna unleashed a Twin Fire Dragon, while Naira sent a Spiral Torrent of water crashing toward Jinx.

Jinx responded with a final, desperate move. Summoning all his energy, he created a Condensed Lightning strike, the electricity crackling as it met the combined attack. The resulting explosion lit up the night, sending all four combatants flying backward.

When the dust settled, the clearing was unrecognizable. The ground was scorched and frozen in equal measure, steam rising into the night air. Jinx lay on his back, panting heavily, a satisfied grin on his face.

"Well," he said, pushing himself to his feet. "That was... invigorating."

Naira and Sedna helped each other up, their expressions softening as they looked at their brother.

"You haven't lost your edge," Naira admitted, a small smile playing on her lips.

"But don't think for a second that we'll go easy on you next time," Sedna added, her fiery demeanor returning.

Sora approached Jinx, extending a hand. "You're strong, I'll give you that. But strength alone won't always be enough."

Jinx accepted the hand, pulling himself to his feet. "Maybe," he replied, his smirk returning. "But it's enough for now."

The four of them shared a moment of laughter, the tension finally giving way to a sense of camaraderie. Though the fight had been fierce, it had reminded them of the bond they shared—a bond that no amount of fire or ice could break.

After the battle with his sisters, Naira and Sedna, and Sora, Jinx stood in the midst of the wreckage, bruised but unbroken. The tension of the fight still buzzed in the air, his heart racing as the adrenaline slowly faded. His sisters had always been formidable, their bond undeniable, but this clash had been different. It wasn't just a test of power; it was a clash of emotions, a fight that left more than just physical scars.

Naira, with her ice-blue eyes, was the first to speak, her voice strained with guilt. "Jinx, we didn't want it to end like this," she said, her usual confidence replaced by a quiet sorrow.

Sedna, taller and more composed, shot a glance at Sora before turning to Jinx. "We were just trying to keep you safe... but maybe we overstepped." Her amber eyes softened, a flicker of regret flashing in them.

Sora, standing by Naira's side, his hand on her shoulder, gave Jinx a look of understanding. "Sometimes the things we do to protect someone end up pushing them away," he murmured.

Jinx stood silent for a moment, breathing deeply, his mind racing. His past—those fragments that had been resurfacing more and more—felt like an endless tide of confusion, a whirlpool of disjointed memories he couldn't make sense of. He had done everything to protect them, yet this time, the memories that followed the battle weren't just of the fight—they were fragments of something far older, far more distant.

Flashes of his past began to surface, fleeting and chaotic.

A dimly lit room, voices echoing in the distance. "You were never supposed to know, Jinx..." A woman's voice, familiar, but distant. The scent of smoke, the flicker of fire. Then another—his mother, a soft whisper in his ear. "Don't forget who you are, no matter where you are."

Jinx gripped his head as the memories flooded in. He fell to his knees, his vision spinning, the voices from his past growing louder. The fragments of his memories—his childhood—clashed with his present. A distant alley, a knife, a pair of crimson eyes. A violent confrontation. Another voice, one that shouldn't belong.

"Jinx!"

He snapped out of his trance, blinking rapidly as his surroundings came back into focus. His sisters and Sora were crouching beside him, concern etched on their faces. His chest tightened as the fragments of his past continued to twist and pull at him, trying to weave a picture he couldn't quite make sense of.

His memory felt like a broken puzzle, pieces scattered, slipping through his fingers.

Naira helped him up, her grip tight on his arm. "You okay?" she asked softly, her voice almost a whisper.

Jinx swallowed hard, pushing back the overwhelming sensation of lost time and identity. "I—" he paused, the words escaping him, the weight of the memories crushing down on him. "I think... I think I'm remembering things. Pieces of my past."

Sedna studied him carefully, her eyes narrowing with concern. "What kind of memories?"

He hesitated before answering, his voice quiet but filled with uncertainty. "I don't know. Bits and pieces. I... I see flashes—of things, of places, of people I don't recognize... but I know them. I think they're part of who I was."

The air around them grew heavy, and for a moment, no one spoke. Naira, Sedna, and Sora exchanged looks, the weight of his words sinking in. They had all known something was off about Jinx for a while. His unpredictable nature, his powers that seemed to grow more and more chaotic with every passing day. But this—this was something deeper, something far more unsettling.

Jinx looked around, his eyes wild, his fists clenched at his sides. "I... I don't know who I am anymore. I thought I did. But these memories—they're different. They're not just mine."

Sora stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You're not alone in this, Jinx. We're here for you, no matter what you find."

Jinx nodded, though doubt lingered in his chest. He felt a deep, gnawing sensation that told him there were things about his past—his true past—that he wasn't ready to face. Yet, something about it felt urgent, like time was running out. As if these fragments of memory were trying to guide him, lead him toward something he needed to find, something that would change everything.

For now, all he could do was hold onto those fragments. Gather them one by one. And when the time was right—when he finally understood what they meant—he would face them head-on, just as he always had.

Jinx sat around the fire with Naira, Sedna, and Sora, the warmth of the flames flickering on their faces as they listened to him speak. He wasn't one for sharing stories, but tonight, something felt different—his mind heavy with the weight of his past, the fragments of memories that had started to break through. He knew he needed to tell them, to piece together what he knew about the time before, the time he woke up.

"I don't really remember much before three months ago," Jinx began, his voice steady, but his gaze distant. "It's all just... fragments. Pieces of a puzzle that don't fit together. But I do remember waking up, the first thing I could think of clearly."

The air around them seemed to grow still, the others leaning in, eager to hear.

"I woke up in a place... different from anywhere I'd been. It was peaceful, quiet, the air felt thin, like I was breathing in a kind of calm that I'd never known before. I was on top of a mountain—an ancient place, the Eastern Air Temple," he continued, his words painting a vivid image of his surroundings. "At first, I didn't know who I was or how I got there. But I felt a connection to the air, like it was part of me, and I knew—instinctively—that I had to train."

Naira raised an eyebrow. "The Air Temple? That's... an interesting place to wake up."

Jinx nodded. "It wasn't just about the location. It was about what happened next. For the first three months, I trained by myself—learning to bend the air, to find balance within myself. But one day, a monk appeared—Monk Gyatso. He told me I had the potential to master all the elements, to understand their deeper connection. He told me that if I truly wanted to master my bending, I needed to seek out the original benders of each element. The ones who could show me the true ways of fire, earth, water, and air."

Sedna seemed intrigued. "Original benders?"

"Yeah," Jinx said, his eyes glowing faintly. "They were said to be the first to bend each element. Gyatso told me they were scattered across the world, and finding them would be the key to unlocking my true potential."

"And did you?" Sora asked, leaning forward.

Jinx gave a faint smile. "Not yet. But I did meet someone along the way who became a crucial part of my journey—Toph. She's a master earthbender, the best I've ever seen. We crossed paths, and from there, it wasn't long before we became good friends. She has a way of thinking about earthbending that's beyond anything I've ever encountered. If anyone has the insight and experience to challenge the best avatars in earthbending, it's her. I've seen it in her."

Naira looked impressed. "Toph, huh? She must be something special."

"She is," Jinx agreed, his voice thick with respect. "Her earthbending is so different from anyone else's. She can bend without seeing the world, feel it through vibrations in the earth. It's... it's something else. She taught me so much about how to use the environment, how to move without force but with understanding. It's like she's one with the earth."

Sedna smiled softly. "Sounds like you've learned a lot from her."

Jinx nodded, his thoughts drifting for a moment. "It wasn't just about bending. It was about how Toph taught me to think. To understand my power—not just through force, but through insight. She helped me realize that bending isn't about control—it's about connection."

Sora folded his arms. "Sounds like you've got a long way to go, Jinx. But with people like that in your life, I'm sure you'll get there."

Jinx sighed, his gaze shifting to the fire. "Yeah. I don't know where this path will lead me, but I know one thing: it's just the beginning. I have a lot more to learn, and a lot of people to meet. But the one thing I'm sure of is that everything—every step—has led me here, and it's all been for a reason."

The fire crackled in the silence that followed, the weight of his words settling in. He had no idea what the future held, no memories of what had come before, but for the first time in a long while, he felt like he was starting to find a piece of himself. And with the friends he had made, with Toph and Monk Gyatso's teachings, maybe—just maybe—he could figure out who he truly was.

The moonlight bathed the battlefield in an eerie glow, casting long shadows over the scorched earth. The battle had taken its toll on the land, leaving deep ruts where the earth had been torn apart by bending and fury. Trees had been uprooted, and the once serene forest now lay in ruins. The clash between Jinx, his sisters, and Sora had been intense—more than just a fight, it was a test of emotions, power, and the weight of a shared past.

For the past few hours, they had joked, laughed, and reminisced. The air was light with humor, the tension of the fight now behind them. Sedna had even cracked a few jokes, causing Jinx to snicker and Naira to roll her eyes. But despite the humor, Jinx's thoughts lingered on the destruction around them. The forest that had once been filled with life now stood as a shattered memory.

As he looked out over the valley, something about it felt… familiar. A tug at the back of his mind, something faint but undeniable. He shook his head, dismissing the thought. The night had been long, the battle draining, and the joking even more so. It wasn't until the morning sun began to rise, painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson, that the realization hit him like a sudden wave crashing against the shore.

The valley stretched out before him, bathed in the soft light of dawn, and Jinx's breath caught in his throat. He recognized the landscape—the slopes of the hills, the river that wound its way through the valley floor. This place… it was the Valley of Zaofu.

Zaofu.

The future metal city. A place of innovation, strength, and a strange serenity that would come to represent the Earth Kingdom's triumph over adversity. The metal city that would one day rise from the very valley they stood in now. His heart beat faster as the pieces clicked into place. He had no memory of how or why he had arrived here, but now, standing in the shadow of this valley, it felt like everything was aligning in a way he couldn't explain.

Without thinking, Jinx began to walk toward the center of the valley, the soft crunch of his boots on the broken ground the only sound. He paused for a moment, taking in the vastness around him. The city, the metal, the people—it all seemed so distant, so far away. But not for long. One day, this valley would be the birthplace of Zaofu, a city that would stand as a testament to the strength of its people.

A desire stirred within him. He needed to leave a mark here, a reminder of the people who had shaped his life—his sisters, his family. As he looked around, he realized that he had the perfect medium to do so.

Turning back toward his sisters and Sora, who had been standing at a distance, Jinx called out to them. "I think it's time I leave my mark here," he said, his voice steady but filled with purpose. He was already focused on the task at hand.

Naira raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean, leave your mark?"

Jinx smirked, his hands already moving in a fluid, practiced motion. The air around him seemed to grow colder as he gathered his focus. "I'm making something special. A monument to this moment."

He raised his hands, and with a flick of his wrist, the ground before him began to freeze. Ice spread outward, weaving together like the threads of an intricate tapestry. It rose up, forming shapes—figures. His heart pounded as he shaped the ice into an image of his past, an image of his sisters and himself, together.

"I'm going to make sculptures of the four of us," Jinx muttered, focusing on his work. The figures took shape with surprising ease—his own likeness, strong and tall, his sisters on either side, their expressions fierce and proud. He could feel the cold biting at his fingers as he molded the ice with precision, every detail perfect. It was as if he were bringing their shared history to life, capturing them in this fleeting moment.

The statues grew taller, their features becoming more refined, more lifelike. His sisters stood side by side with him, each frozen in a powerful pose. He stepped back, admiring the work so far.

But just as he was about to finish, Sedna, who had been watching in silence, dropped another bombshell. Her voice was light, but her words struck Jinx like a punch to the gut.

"By the way, I forgot to mention… You have a twin sister," Sedna said nonchalantly, her gaze not meeting his.

Jinx stopped mid-motion, his hands frozen in place. "What?"

"You have a twin sister," she repeated, glancing at him. "Her name's Ayelith."

Jinx's mind went blank. A twin sister? He had no memories of her, none at all. The shock of the revelation washed over him, but before he could process it, Sedna wasn't done.

"You also have a two-year-old daughter," she added, almost casually.

Jinx's breath caught. A daughter? The world felt like it was spinning as he tried to make sense of the words. His twin sister, a daughter… these were pieces of his past that he didn't remember, pieces that had been lost to time. How could he have forgotten something so significant?

"A daughter?" Jinx repeated, his voice quieter now, filled with disbelief. "Who is she?"

Sedna hesitated before continuing. "Her name is Evelynn. She looks a lot like you—amber eyes, black hair, and pale skin. She's… She's the daughter of a Fire Nation noble."

Jinx didn't know how to respond. His mind raced, and a thousand questions filled his thoughts, but none of them seemed to make sense. He had a twin sister, a daughter. He had never known them. He had no memories of them, no recollection of how they came into his life.

"Can I… Can I see a picture of her?" Jinx asked quietly, his voice shaky for the first time that night.

Sedna reached into her bag and pulled out a small piece of parchment. With a careful hand, she handed it to him. As he looked at the picture, his heart skipped a beat. Evelynn's face was strikingly familiar. She looked so much like him, a younger version of himself, with the same dark eyes, the same black hair, and the same pale skin. The resemblance was uncanny.

Jinx's eyes lingered on the picture, his fingers brushing over it as if touching the photo could bring him closer to understanding who she was, who he was. His twin sister, Ayelith, had always been a part of him, yet she was a complete stranger. And now, his daughter, Evelynn, was a part of his life he didn't even know existed.

He turned back to the ice sculptures, and without another word, he added to his work. He shaped the ice with incredible precision, crafting another figure alongside the statues of his sisters—a small, delicate form with black hair and amber eyes. He didn't need to see her in person to know exactly what Evelynn would look like. She was already etched into his heart, even if he didn't have the memories to back it up.

Jinx finished the sculptures with a final flourish, the figures of his sisters, Ayelith, and Evelynn standing tall in the center of the valley. The ice shimmered in the early morning light, the statues frozen in time, but surrounded by hundreds of dark ice roses. The roses were a mark of his connection to this place, to his past, to his family.

As he stepped back to admire his work, a sense of peace settled over him. The sculptures were not just a monument to his past—they were a reminder that no matter how fractured his memories were, no matter how much he had lost, he still had something to hold onto. His family. His twin sister. His daughter.

The world around him felt more real, more tangible. This place, Zaofu's future home, would forever be tied to him, and to them.

He stood in silence for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the statues. They were more than just ice. They were the pieces of a past he was beginning to remember.

And as the sun rose higher in the sky, casting a warm glow over the valley, Jinx knew that he would never forget this moment.