Prologue

The prologue is the opening section of The Shadow of Kyoshi.
== Overview ==
Yun finds himself in the Spirit World and tries to survive the wrath of an ancient spirit.
== Synopsis ==
After being taken by Father Glowworm, Yun claws his neck until it bleeds in an attempt to rid himself of the unsettling sensations of slime and teeth on his skin. Gradually, his memories return, and he remembers how Jianzhu poisoned him using incense. Yun tries to determine his current location, realizing that he is no longer in the dusty mining town from moments before, but in a damp and mossy swamp surrounded by trees beneath an acid colored sky. As he crawls about, Yun becomes aware of a large, glowing eye fixed on him, the same eye that had previously told him that he was not the Avatar. This memory inflicts great emotional pain on Yun, causing him to collapse as the landscape around him begins to shake. Overwhelmed by a throbbing headache, he despairs, feeling utterly insignificant. The eye steps back in fear as the shaking intensifies, and it angrily implores Yun to cease. Determined to end the torment, a rip on the ground starts at Yun's feet, causing water to pour into the newly formed crevice.
Having regained his composure, Yun comes to the realization that he is in the Spirit World. He steps away from the ravine he inadvertently created and reflects on the teachings of Kelsang concerning this realm. Contrary to Kelsang's descriptions of a beautiful place, Yun finds it to be a reflection of the visitor's emotions. Suddenly remembering the eye's presence, Yun becomes anxious and attempts to recall what Jianzhu called the spirit. Uttering Father Glowworm's name aloud shatters an invisible barrier, making Yun more connected and vulnerable to the spirit. It asks for Yun's name in return, to which he complies, thinking of a way to make himself interesting to the spirit in the meantime. Struggling with his words and wavering confidence, Yun doubts his identity as the Avatar. Desperate to survive, he proposes to become the spirit's student and kneels before it. Not being the Avatar anymore, he decides to be the swindler he used to be, and starts to flatter the spirit. Father Glowworm discloses a past encounter with Avatar Kuruk and the ability to open passages to the human realm. Mocking Yun for not being the Avatar and asserting his insignificance, the spirit reveals its intention to attain immortality by consuming Yun's blood and thereby making his essence exist within itself. Subsequently, the spirit launches an attack on Yun.
== Production notes ==
=== Series continuity ===
* Yun's description of the Spirit World as a hazy reflection of a real landscape with dim light coming from no discernible sun matches its appearance to Korra in "A New Spiritual Age".
** Yun's ability to alter his surroundings in the Spirit World without bending is also consistent with Iroh's remark in "A New Spiritual Age" that people's emotions shape their reality in the Spirit World.
* Father Glowworm can physically take humans into and out of the Spirit World, an ability first displayed by Hei Bai in "Winter Solstice, Part 1: The Spirit World".
=== Character revelations ===
* Kuruk fought with Father Glowworm in the past.
=== Trivia ===
* Chronologically, this chapter takes place between The Rise of Kyoshi chapters "The Spirit" and "The Return".
== References ==
Category:A to Z
Category:Kyoshi novels chapters
Category:Real world
Category:The Shadow of Kyoshi chapters