The village had begun to accept Lee as more than just a quiet, strange boy. Whispers of his growing abilities spread like flickers of fire, catching the curiosity of elders and skeptics alike. But Lee paid them little mind. His focus was elsewhere — on the thin veil between the physical and the spirit worlds that grew ever thinner around him.
At dusk, when the world softened and shadows lengthened, Lee would retreat to a secluded spot near the river. There, in the fading light, he practiced the delicate art of spirit sight — the ability to glimpse into the unseen.
It started as fleeting glimpses: a flicker in the corner of his eye, a ripple in the air. But day by day, his vision sharpened. He saw the faint outlines of wandering spirits, their forms both terrifying and beautiful — wisps of smoke, glowing orbs, twisted faces, and majestic beasts.
One evening, as the wind whispered through the trees, Lee spotted a spirit lingering near the riverbank — smaller, less imposing than Hei Bai, but curious. It flickered cautiously, drawn to the boy's growing aura.
Lee held still, his breath slow and even. With care, he extended a thread of his own energy — gentle, coaxing, like a hand reaching out in the dark. The spirit hesitated, then edged closer.
A silent pact formed — the first of many.
With each minor spirit absorbed, Lee's confidence swelled. His fear aura grew sharper, his control more precise. He learned to weave binding seals that tethered spirits temporarily, drawing their energy without harm.
Yet, the deeper he ventured, the more he understood the risks. Spirits were not mere tools; they held memories, emotions, and wills of their own. Misstep, and they could overwhelm him, consume him, or flee forever.
At night, he pondered strategy. How to capture stronger spirits? How to avoid the attention of spirit hunters and benders who might see him as a threat? How to stay hidden from the growing tensions in the world — the Fire Nation's moves, rumors of the Avatar's return.
His mind raced with possibilities.
If the Avatar had awakened, their power would shift the balance. Lee considered approaching him — not as an enemy, but as an acquaintance, someone to watch closely.
But for now, he remained patient.
"Power is a game of patience and precision," he thought, fingers tracing invisible patterns in the air. "I will rise from these ashes. And when the time comes... they will all know my name."
Ashen Hellflame was no longer just a dream. He was becoming reality.