Author's note: Since some of my reviewers were still a little puzzled about Tanha, I decided to post this epilogue, which should (hopefully) clear up some the confusion. I don't intend to make a habit of additional chapters like this, but considering I probably won't be touching on Tanha too much in later 'episodes', I decided to give you all some of the background I created for this rather unusual original character of mine.
And since updates consisting of only author's notes are prohibited, I worked it into a 'flashback' scene. Enjoy!
Epilogue
Entry: Tanha the Thirst Giver
Tanha's true origins are unknown, but most legends surrounding this malicious spirit are derived from oral traditions handed down through the Air Nomad culture. A number of ancient texts relate her to Koh (also known as 'The Face Stealer') while others insist she is more closely linked to the lesser spirits known as Akuma (often called the 'Shadows of Doubt') who inhabit the Spirit World and prey on mortals foolish enough to visit.
Many experts lean toward the Akuma theory, as both they and she posses a similar manifestation: Akuma being made mostly of shadows, and Tanha being described as a flowing, semi-corporeal mist.
Regardless of her origins, most stories agree that she crossed over into the physical realm centuries ago after an argument with her kin. While the details of their conflict are uncertain, scholars surmise that it had something to do with the power of suggestion and its affect on mortals.
Tanha is regarded as a very dangerous spirit, with an ability to enhance and corrupt men's desires that has earned her the nickname 'Thirst Giver'. She tempts people with their innermost longings, usually ones so deeply rooted that even the victim is not fully aware of them, and often goes so far as to grant them what they desire most in order to make it more difficult to refuse.
These 'gifts' are never permanent however since, once accepted (in an emotional sense, not necessarily a physical one), the demon takes control of the victim. Persons under Tanha's influence can only be freed by destroying the object of desire by which they were ensnared. This can be especially disconcerting for the possessed if said object is another person (a common temptation). Some believe that destruction of the lure may also physically injure Tanha, but this is merely speculation.
Legends persist that the Avatar defeated the demon centuries ago, but substantial evidence of this claim is elusive at best. All that is known is that no reports of Tanha's presence or influence in the physical world have been recorded in over 500 years.
Iroh closed the book and stretched languidly with a wide yawn, then glanced from the empty teapot to the dark window of the ship's galley. Deciding he'd done enough reading for one night, he tucked the tome under his arm and headed out to get some fresh air before bed.
As he stepped onto the main deck, he spotted a lone figure at the prow, and judging by the height of the person (too short to be a member of the crew), as well as the half a head of white gauze gleaming in the moonlight, he realized that it could only be his nephew.
"It's good to see you out and about, Prince Zuko," Iroh said as casually as he could manage, coming up alongside him.
Zuko said nothing, but merely kept his un-bandaged eye focused on the horizon.
"I take you are finally getting over your seasickness," the old man continued.
"The ship's doctor said looking at the water would help," replied Zuko quietly, "and now that I can…it does a little."
Iroh merely nodded, and a long silence fell between them. The past several weeks had taken a heavy toll on both of them, and this was the first time Iroh had had anything close to a conversation with his once energetic nephew.
"We should be arriving in Bìmíng sometime tomorrow," remarked Iroh, trying to coax some small reaction from the prince. "I thought perhaps Ru might know of something to help speed the healing process."
"Ru can't see anymore, Uncle," Zuko reminded him bitterly.
"True, but that doesn't make him any less wise."
When he got no response, Iroh let out a sad sigh.
"You should get some rest, Prince Zuko."
"I tried…I couldn't sleep."
"Well, you are welcome to borrow my book," Iroh offered good-naturedly, "a little reading might relax you."
Zuko took the book his uncle held up and looked at it skeptically as he read the title.
"The Compressive Guide to Spiritual Beings?"
He glanced back up at Iroh, and the retired general caught the faintest glimmer of optimism on Zuko's face before the boy returned his gaze thoughtfully to the book.
"Do you think there would be anything in here that will help me find the Avatar?" he asked hopefully.
"It's not likely," replied Iroh sadly.
The brief flicker of buoyancy faded as suddenly as it had appeared, and Zuko handed the book back.
"Then I'm not interested," he stated coolly.
And without another word, he walked away.
Author's note: And there you have it! Now you know why Iroh knew about Tanha and Zuko did not, as well as how Katara was able to free Zuko from the demon's clutches. There is also a bonus tidbit worked into the beginning of the entry for those of you clever enough to spot it.
I'd also like to make it clear that I did my best to come up with desires for each character that were original and unexpected. Of all of them, Katara's was the hardest, and in the end, I honestly couldn't think of a realistic desire that would sufficiently tempt her.
So I opted to have Tanha attempt to turn Katara's own noble desire to preserve life against her by forcing her to kill in order to protect her friends. Unfortunately, (for Tanha) the demon wasn't counting on Katara wanting to save Zuko too since she was still struggling to accept and trust him.
As for poor Zuko being the only one to succumb to Tanha's temptation, I hedged on that for quite some time. But in the end, I realized that Zuko only seems to learn the important lessons the hard way, and that this one should be no different. And truthfully, I don't think I would be able to take him to the next step in his developing relationships with the other members of the gang without putting him through this setback. Suffice to say, it's very important to the overall plot of this series.