The Luminaries

We’re perched high in the mountains, not too distant from the Luminary School. The towering peaks create the illusion that we’re miles away though, and the challenging landscape is quite exhausting for these students. As we ascend the stone steps, the sounds of their labored breathing fill the air. Despite their exhaustion, my stubborn class refuses to tell me their obvious need for a break.

Naturally, I’ll keep pushing them until they finally surrender to weariness.

Reaching a higher point with more level ground, I let my bag fall. Almost simultaneously, I hear the thud of not just their bags hitting the ground, but the unmistakable sound of their bodies sprawled out on the gravel. They all moan and grunt in a mix of pain, relief, happiness, and exhaustion.

I scoff, remarking, “You guys… slacked off the whole summer, no?”

Their once-brown and dark red robes are now draped in a layer of gray dust. Well, I suppose I’ll let it slide this time. A lecture for another time.

“Master Anna, I’ve been training, like four days a week. But this is insane! I don’t know how you’re still functioning even… like I’m gonna pass out… soon… I think,” says one of my students, notably very talkative. He doesn’t get away with that often, though.

“I hear you, Nathan, but you’re a sixth year now. Most of you are already twenty years old. Back at the Sun Tribe, you’d be gearing up for war. I think I can push you a bit harder this year.”

Nathan slumps back, leaning against his bag with an air of defeat as he exhales with a resigned puff. “Alright, I guess I’ll shut the fuck up,” he mutters. His friend behind him chuckles and playfully shoves the back of his head, adding to my annoyance.

“Nathan, hush! While you catch your breath, let me break down today’s training,” I start. “Being up here in the mountains, the sunlight’s gonna give your skills a kick… Your chakra points are more accessible since you’re inhaling more oxygen. So take a deep breath…” I motion for them to open up their chests, and they all inhale, tuned in. “Now, notice how your exhaustion is already fading?”

They start fidgeting and glancing at each other, caught off guard. One of them springs up, exclaiming, “This is amazing! The sunlight’s like a surge of energy!” He conjures a sizable fireball in his hand, warming up our surroundings fast. Impressive heat exposure, but no control at all, Genji’s… always distracted.

“Genji! Sit down, you’re overdoing it with the heat! That exposure isn’t safe, I’ve reminded you a million times — focus! And no tricks!”

He sits down, looking at the ground as his friends next to him laugh. “Sorry, Master.” he whispers.

Before I can start explaining our lesson for today a hawk screams above us as it flies in… I look up at the sky, seeing the hundreds of tall mountains surrounding us, the landscape expanding widely. I squint my eyes and see it’s Achilles’ hawk… he wears a black bandana around his neck. He sits on the edge of a mountain tree, expanding over the level ground. I walk towards him and retrieve the message attached to his back.

On the scroll Achilles name is written, by the Forest Tribe’s leader, Bryn Yu.

And this is what I read in it…

Achilles, this is the general writing. We’re in a tough spot, and we need you. I have unfortunate news, your brother passed away in our medical unit last night. We fought hard, we had Medicine Benders working round the clock for three days, but we couldn’t save him. I’m truly sorry.

Things are going downhill fast down here in the south. I don’t know what you’re doing up there right about now, but we’re struggling. Heavy losses, overwhelmed medical units, and the forest is burning at an alarming rate… almost half of it is gone. We can’t regrow and bend enough in time, we don’t have the people for it. Everyone is at war. The Unending 500 Year War might actually be the end of everything, unless something changes soon. Maybe you’re brewing a miracle…

I believe in you, Achilles, truly I do. Because right now, faith is hard to come by.

Your friend,

Bryn

****

“I’ve got a mission for you, Genji. Take this to the Headmaster’s office right away,” Master Anna says, coming my way with the rolled-up message. I can’t help but wonder what’s in it, but that can wait. I quickly get up.

Before I can grab the scroll and leap down the mountain, Master Anna grips my arm tightly, surprising me. “Don’t open the scroll. Get to him as fast as possible. It may not look like it, but it’s an S-tier mission. Understood?” Her intense gaze locks onto me, sending a shiver down my spine. The message she carries seems to hold some serious weight.

Following her advice, I push aside any thoughts and sprint. My shinobi robes flutter in the wind as I approach the mountain’s edge. The exhilaration of the jump never fades. I fall down, channeling explosive energy beneath my feet just before hitting the large rocks all around the mountain side. It propels me, and I soar briefly, landing near the river. I repeat the process above the water, propelling forward into the forest. Whew... it takes a lot of energy to make such big manipulations…

Touching down on solid ground, I sprint with all my might towards the school.

Yes! In the woods, I spot a friend…

Squinting through the tall trees, it’s definitely him. Casper, from the Benders House, his dark… yellow shinobi robe catching my eye. He’s practicing something… I shout, “Casper! Give me a push towards school!”

“Genji?! Where the hell did you-?!” he laughs, as I continue to run straight past him, I shout after him, “It’s S-tier!! Priority message! I need to get it through!”

“Oh, shit…” he mutters, quickly settling into a solid wide stance. He plants his feet firmly, almost digging them entirely in the ground. Inhaling deeply, he forcefully thrusts his arms downward.

The ground rumbles beneath me, and suddenly, a massive tree trunk shoots up, launching me into the sky. This hurts my knees every time we use this technique, but it works… Soaring above the forest, going through the air, I won’t harm the forest if I channel additional explosive energy now… So I create a final powerful surge of fire to propel me towards the school.

What an exhausting trip… but I’ve never been faster. We hiked up that mountain for half a day, and I got down in about five minutes. There’s also something bittersweet about that…

The school features a tall building crafted predominantly from wood with sturdy metal supports. It’s adorned with these beautiful upturned eaves. Across the campus, you’ll find a separate lecture hall and library. Surrounding these are small houses where the Masters reside. The beauty of the place unfolds in expansive courtyards where students unwind, train and study. The atmosphere is intentionally simple yet stunning, creating a calm and reflective setting for effective learning. However, the ensuing chaos adds a humorous twist to the scene.

I stroll through the spacious wooden pavilion surrounded by nature. In the garden, I spot the second years of Moon House working on something intriguing with ice manipulation at the outdoor tables. It looks like they’re crafting—maybe even sculpting—chess pieces. Quite fascinating.

Beside them, two boys, one from Sun House the other from Moon House, hatch a plan. The white-haired boy takes a very deep breath, drawing oxygen away, while his companion in the red shinobi robe lights a spark on his finger, he giggles. Simultaneously, the other boy releases a very controlled… gust of wind from his mouth, forming a large fire cloud ascending into the sky. Impressed, the two boys celebrate with cheers and excitement.

I dash up the school square, enclosed by short stone walls decked with dragon statues. There are also these ancient bender statues—names I should know for the exams, shit. I’m drenched in sweat… I do need to get control of my heat exposure… Catching my breath, I jog to the front door.

Just as I’m about to enter the building, someone scared the shit out of me. Out of nowhere, black particles pop up… and in seconds, Tymo appears before me. He’s decked out in a sleek black shinobi stealth outfit, arms crossed, and his dual katanas on his back. With a calm deep voice, he asks, “Where you headed, Genji?”

“Tymo! I told you not to use your cloak on me!” I attempt to move past him, but he gives me a shove on the shoulder. Despite him wearing a black shemagh to hide most of his face, his intense dark eyes show anger. “Skipping class again? You’re supposed to lead our team, remember our chat?”

“Tymo, no. I really have to deliver this S-tier scroll to the Headmaster right away, now move out–” I try to push him aside, but his Aikido skills have always been better than mine. He grabs and locks me, taking the scroll from my pocket. “Well, why didn’t you just say so?”

Gradually, his hands turn sticky, taking on an animal-like texture—dark green, almost frog-like. With a leap, he soars four floors into the sky, effortlessly sticking to the wall. As he ascends to the sixth floor, I strain my neck to catch a glimpse of his swift movements. I scoff, as I stand there waiting for him.

Tymo is from the fourth House, Chimera, known for their shapeshifting abilities and scouting expertise. Within minutes, he leaps back to the ground effortlessly, unfazed by the high fall. I’m impressed by him, always setting the bar higher for me.

“And?” I ask, curious.

Tymo lifts his shoulders, then shares, “Master Achilles… He just stood there, gazing out the window. Said thanks, told me I’m dismissed…” His deep voice carries a thoughtful tone. “What?!” I exclaim. “We’re not under attack or anything?!” Tymo chuckles, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Nah, didn’t seem like that,” his deep eyebrows form an intense frown, “Something serious though…”

And off he goes again, vanishing on me. Slowly, he blurs, and his presence fades from my sight. His hand no longer sits on my shoulder and he just disappears in thin air. I sit on the bench by the school entrance, basking in the sun’s light, rejuvenating.

I guess I’ll never find out what was in that message, will I?