Late into the night, Rokan laid still.
A dull ache pulsed through his body, spreading from his shoulders down to his arms and legs. His fingers twitched slightly as he slowly blinked his eyes open.
The ceiling above him looked unfamiliar.
He tried to sit up.
Pain shot through his body.
"...Ah-"
His breath caught as he winced, the sharp ache forcing him back down onto the bed. He exhaled slowly, trying to steady himself.
He turned his head to the left.
And froze.
Sumi was asleep beside him.
She sat on the floor, her head resting gently near his thigh, her body leaned slightly against the bed. Her breathing was slow... calm... but her expression looked tired. Like she hadn't slept properly.
Rokan stared quietly.
A faint feeling of guilt crept into his chest.
He didn't remember what happened after the training session... but judging from her state... he knew something must have gone wrong.
Slowly, carefully, he lifted his hand.
His fingers gently brushed her hair.
His expression softened, guilt clear in his eyes.
His touch was light - barely there.
Still, she stirred.
Her eyes slowly opened.
For a moment, she simply stared at him.
Her expression shifted instantly.
Relief.
Her eyes widened, filled with joy.
No words.
Just silence.
Then... a tear slipped down her cheek.
She gently held his hand, pressing it softly against her cheek, as if reassuring herself he was really awake.
Rokan blinked, confused... but his chest tightened.
He didn't know what happened.
But he knew he had worried her.
Slowly, he pushed himself up again, ignoring the pain this time.
He leaned forward and wrapped his arms around her.
Gently.
Carefully.
He placed her head softly against his chest.
He leaned down and pressed a small kiss onto her hair.
"...It's okay," he murmured softly.
"I'm here... I'm alright."
Her shoulders trembled slightly.
No sobbing.
Just quiet tears of relief.
The door suddenly slid open.
Rin stepped in - and froze.
"Rokan?!"
Relief flooded his face.
Without another word, he turned and ran.
"Jinrai!"
Sumi slowly pulled back, still sitting beside him on the bed.
Moments later, Jinrai entered with Rin.
Jinrai's calm expression cracked slightly.
"What happened? Are you okay? Who exactly did you see?"
The questions came quickly.
Rokan smiled sheepishly, slightly overwhelmed.
"Calm down..." he said softly, stressing the last word.
"...I'm alright. And... I don't really know what happened."
Jinrai frowned.
Rin and Jinrai exchanged glances.
Then Jinrai nodded slightly.
"L-let's go outside. I think it's best we show you."
Rokan's confusion deepened, but curiosity pushed him forward.
He slowly stood up, wincing slightly as dizziness hit him.
Sumi and Rin supported him as they walked.
Step by step.
They reached the sliding wooden doors.
Jinrai opened them.
Rokan's eyes widened.
Trees... destroyed.
Some uprooted.
Some snapped clean in half.
Others completely missing.
The ground was uneven, large boulders pushed upward, deep craters scattered across the land.
The destruction stretched far.
Farther than he could immediately process.
"After our discussion..." Jinrai said quietly.
"...You continued your meditation."
He paused.
"You entered the Avatar State."
Rokan's eyes widened slightly.
"And nearly destroyed the entire site."
Rokan stared.
The destruction stretched nearly 1,600 meters - a space large enough to cover two stadiums. Thankfully, the surrounding forest was vast enough that the damage remained contained within the deeper woods.
Rokan let out a quiet scoff.
"...You mean... I did that?"
Jinrai nodded.
Rin looked around, stunned.
"What... is the Avatar State?"
Jinrai answered calmly.
"It's a power all Avatars possess. They borrow the strength and experience of past Avatars. The longer the lineage... the stronger the current Avatar becomes."
He paused slightly.
"It's... an overwhelming power."
Rin slowly turned to look at Rokan.
"And this... is his minimal output?"
They all looked back at the destruction.
Rin slowly took a few steps backward, raising his hands playfully.
"Stay the fu*k away from me, man."
Rokan chuckled softly.
"I won't hurt you." he smiles as watches Rin walk away.
---
The car remained still, engine humming quietly.
Jung Gyu's face remained calm, but his eyes carried a mix of caution and curiosity.
"So... what exactly did you want to talk about?"
Inside the car, Furama looked away, his gaze drifting toward the empty road ahead.
"We can't talk here," he said quietly.
A brief silence followed.
"Come to Risen Serves. Tomorrow. 2 PM."
His tone remained calm... unsettlingly calm.
"Don't be late."
Jung Gyu narrowed his eyes slightly, suspicion clear in his expression.
Furama's hand turned the ignition.
The engine rumbled softly.
"...I hate waiting," Furama added, his faint smile returning.
The car slowly pulled away.
Jung Gyu stood still, watching the red tail lights fade into the darkness.
He already knew.
This man was dangerous.
But without proof... suspicion meant nothing.
After a moment, Jung Gyu turned and walked away, his footsteps quiet against the empty road.
---
"Are you serious?!"
Yuta's voice echoed through the room.
"Don't be so loud," Jung Gyu replied calmly.
The bright sunlight poured through the office windows, illuminating stacks of documents and scattered files across the desks. The detectives sat together, discussing Jung Gyu's encounter from the night before.
Yuta leaned forward, still surprised.
"You're telling me he just... invited you somewhere that expensive?"
Jung Gyu remained silent for a moment.
"Are you going to meet him?"
Jung Gyu leaned back slightly in his chair.
His eyes drifted forward... unfocused.
Thinking.
Weighing the risk.
The room fell quiet as he contemplated the question.
"Well... while you think about that, I've already set up the two-man. Tomorrow afternoon."
Yuta grinned as he pulled out his phone.
A heavy whack landed on his head.
"Are you dumb?"
Jung Gyu lowered his hand calmly.
"I said after I catch the kid."
Yuta groaned, rubbing the back of his head.
"Oh, come on. Who knows when we'll catch that guy? And girls can't wait forever without a truly valid reason."
"I have a criminal to catch," Jung Gyu replied flatly.
"Ain't that valid enough?"
Yuta slowly slid his chair beside Jung Gyu's desk, leaning in with a sly grin.
"C'mon... just a drink."
He leaned back slightly.
"You don't even have to answer any questions. I'll handle everything."
Silence filled the air between them.
Jung Gyu kept his stern expression, eyes still on the documents in front of him.
A few seconds passed.
Then he glanced at Yuta.
A small smirk formed.
"...Alright. I'll go to your dumb*ss date."
Yuta spun in his chair, trying to hold in his excitement.
"Woohoo!"
Jung Gyu let out a quiet chuckle, turning back to the document in his hands.
"You aren't gonna regret this," Yuta said, sliding back to his desk.
"You'll fall in love. I already know."
---
"Master Jinrai!"
Rokan rushed out of Sumi's room, excitement written all over his face.
He stopped in front of Jinrai.
"Master Jinrai. Look."
Rokan stretched out his hand.
He opened his palm.
Flames burst to life.
Fire engulfed his arm just below his bicep, flickering and dancing like a controlled campfire. The flames swayed gently, crackling softly in the still air.
Jinrai's eyes widened.
"W-what?!"
His gaze locked onto Rokan's burning arm, disbelief clear across his face.
"How did you do that?"
Rokan shrugged slightly, still smiling.
"I don't know myself. Ever since that incident... bending has become very doable. I can even airbend at will now."
The flames slowly faded as Rokan lowered his arm.
He turned slightly, lifting his hand again.
A gentle current of wind formed.
A cup from across the room slid smoothly toward him, guided by the air.
Rokan caught it casually.
Then he raised his other hand.
The air above his palm began to spin.
A tiny tornado formed, swirling gently just above his hand.
Jinrai stood frozen.
His expression shifted from shock... to disbelief.
As experienced as he was... this was the first time he had seen someone bend multiple elements so naturally - especially someone so young.
"Woah..." he murmured quietly.
"...You are incredible."
A soft smile spread across his face.
"Which means... we can skip bending familiarities."
Rokan's eyes lit up.
"Which is...?"
Jinrai's smile widened slightly. His tone calm... but confident.
"Your biggest training session yet."
Rokan leaned forward slightly.
"And that is?"
Jinrai folded his arms, a calm but slightly arrogant smile forming.
"A spar with me."
---
Jung Gyu stepped toward the location Furama had described.
He entered the restaurant. The atmosphere was quiet, refined - the low hum of conversation blending with soft instrumental music. A young woman approached him with a polite smile.
"Good day. Welcome to our lovely establishment. Were reservations made before coming?"
Jung Gyu gave a small respectful nod.
"I'm... yes - uh, I'm with a man named Furama."
She glanced down at a note, scanning briefly before her expression lit up.
"Ah... yes."
She looked back at Jung Gyu.
"He has been here for quite a while now. He's over there."
She stepped away from the luxurious wooden pulpit and guided him toward Furama's table.
Jung Gyu gave a slight bow of his head in gratitude. She returned to her position as he continued forward.
Clusters of wealthy patrons filled the restaurant, dressed in expensive outfits and enjoying five-star meals. But Jung Gyu barely noticed. He wasn't the type to feel intimidated - or inferior - to the upper class.
Furama looked up as Jung Gyu approached.
"Mr. Hwang."
He lazily emphasized the name as he stood and extended his hand.
Jung Gyu glanced at the hand, then back at Furama. After a brief pause, he slowly accepted the handshake, giving a light grip before releasing.
"Well then... let's get down to business, shall we?" Furama gestured toward the seat opposite him before sitting down.
"Tea?" Furama asked, glancing at the tablet menu.
"What do you want?" Jung Gyu replied immediately, ignoring the offer. His gaze was sharp, demanding answers.
Furama scoffed softly.
"I... am a man that absolutely loathes the existence of benders..."
He stirred his tea slowly.
"...And excuse me for intruding, but I did some research on you. Benders killed your wife and unborn child three years ago... right?"
Jung Gyu stiffened slightly.
The information hit him - but his expression didn't falter. His eyes remained cold, intense. He stayed silent, allowing Furama to continue.
"I'd like you... to gain the powers of benders."
Jung Gyu's eyes widened slightly. His composure cracked just a bit as confusion took over.
"Wait... I... I don't understand."
His thoughts raced.
"Is he behind the kidnappings? Is he experimenting on them? What exactly is he proposing?"
"You heard me..." A smirk crept onto Furama's face.
"It's still a work in progress, but... I'd like you... to be the first to taste the powers of a bender. That would make capturing the Avatar... much easier."
Jung Gyu scoffed quietly.
So that's it... He wants me as a guinea pig.
Jung Gyu stood, adjusting the blazer of his suit.
"I'm sorry," he said calmly. "But I'm not interested in being a test subject for your organization. I'm a detective. I'll find the bender... my way."
He turned to leave.
"Well then..." Furama's voice followed him.
Jung Gyu stopped. His back still facing him.
"...No one says no to me and gets away with it."
Jung Gyu's fist tightened. His face remained calm - but there was a dangerous stillness to him now.

He slowly turned.
"No one... threatens me and gets away with it."
Their eyes locked.
Then Jung Gyu turned again - and walked out of the restaurant.
---
Rokan was deep within the clustered trees of the forest, far from the house and even farther from the others. The night air was cool, the faint glow of moonlight filtering through the thick canopy above, casting scattered shadows across the clearing.
He launched another high head kick.
Thud.
His foot struck the tree with force, causing the trunk to shake slightly. The bark had already caved in from repeated strikes, dents layered over dents — clear evidence of countless attempts in preparation for the sparring match at dawn.
Rokan stepped back, breathing heavily, then launched another kick.
Thud.
His foot was red, bruised, and covered in shallow cuts. Tiny roots and rough bark had scraped against his skin repeatedly, leaving thin lines across his foot. But he paid it no mind.
He lifted his leg again, preparing for another high kick —
Then he stopped.
Rin stood a few meters away, quietly watching him.
They both moved toward a nearby stump — one of many broken tree stumps left behind from Rokan's earlier Avatar State incident. The forest still bore the scars of that overwhelming power.
"This is going to be your biggest session yet," Rin said calmly. "But… try to get some rest. It's almost 12 AM."
Rokan's breathing remained heavy. He grabbed the bottle of water Rin had brought and took a long gulp. His panting slowed briefly, but quickly resumed as exhaustion settled into his muscles.
"…I…" Rokan stuttered, searching for the right words.
"I have something… I want to prove."
"You don't need to prove anything," Rin replied gently. "We already believe you're an incredible Avatar."
"Not to you guys…" Rokan blurted, restrained frustration creeping into his voice. He paused, then finished quietly.
"…But to myself."
Rin stared at him, slightly surprised by his response.
He still doesn't believe he's capable of being the Avatar.
Silence filled the air. The soft breeze rustled the leaves above them as Rokan sat there, still holding the bottle loosely in his hand.
"…Yeah," Rin finally said, agreeing softly, unsure of what else to add.
Another quiet moment passed before Rin stood up and began walking away slowly.
"I don't really know what to tell you…" he said calmly.
He paused briefly, then continued walking.
"…Belief. That's all you need. If you believe you're capable… then you are."
Rokan stared at the ground, Rin's words sinking in deeply.
After a moment, he stood up and jogged toward him, a small smile forming on his face.
"Hey—"
He caught up to Rin and bumped his shoulder playfully.
Rin chuckled softly, and Rokan laughed along with him as they walked past the destroyed clearing together, heading back toward the house under the quiet glow of the moon.