Kunaku and Panku

A Story wildly forgotten, told only in villages on the shores of the Fire Nation in a word to word manner.

Written By: High Sage Kaneko

Kunaku and Pankun were truly a harmonic pair, it was rumored they were once a single entity which aligned themselves to the dragons, who would once teach how to masterfully bend the element of fire. They stood for the philosophy behind fire bending, finding value in passion and drive, the fire was a life source and not a weapon. It was many centuries ago where it was believed that Kunaku and Pankun had gotten into a conflict. Their once unbreakable bond became an earth shattering rivalry.

Kunaku still believed in the ideal of passion. A human could only bend fire to its will if they understood that fire was not a force of destruction. It brings life and warmth to others. It was a beautiful part of the world. Kunaku witnessed Pankun prowl the mountains near villages. There was disgust in Kunaku’s eyes as he witnessed men run around and use the fire in barbaric ways. It was undeniable that the fire they created burned brightly but their eyes only saw death. Kunaku wondered where they had gone wrong in the centuries that have passed but Pankun was dazzled.

The blaze that burns so brightly, the energy and the power. It has been so long since they have witnessed such a brilliant light. How entranced Pankun was from the beauty he witnessed from his own eyes.

Kunaku was oblivious to the new admiration his partner had held. It wasn’t apparent till they stumbled upon a young bender. They lacked the spark fire benders normally have so Kunaku and Pankun agreed to assist as it was their purpose, serving as lighters for a candle unlike the masterful Dragons who would hone that flame.

Legend & Myth

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Type: Spirit Mythology
Spirits: Kunaku, Panku
Form: Unknown
Spirit Origins: The Fire Nation

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Kunaku and Panku

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The Masters of Fire: The story of Kunaku and Panku is a tale known by many in the Fire Nation. It's retelling, traced back to decades in the past, a constant in remote villages across the nation.

It was Kunaku who took the initiative with the young bender, appearing before the unsuspecting human as the form of a wolf-like creature, sporting long horns and long fur that was colored a lighter red with stripes of white on his face and body.

“Do not fear, I am here in assistance ”

Kunaku expressed his docile nature to the unsuspecting human, who was undeniably frightened. His exact words are unknown but what is known is that the human was unable to find their spark. Only pitiful flames came out of their hand leaving them completely discouraged. That is when Pankun stepped in, he appeared in the form of an odd looking bear, sporting natural armor over the furry coat and caines that stuck out of his mouth. A frightening creature he was compared to his ethereal partner.

“Fill yourself up with anger, hatred. Think of those who have damaged you, prove your worth. Prove them all you are above them.”

His words sent shivers down the human’s spine, but those words struck a cord on their heart. They both watched as the human who once could barely let out a poof of smoke now sent an enormous fireball directly into a tree. They stood there in surprise as they finally did it but Kunaku watched in betrayal. Had their life long partner turned against their beliefs? Did he no longer trust in the ways of the fire masters of before? The human was in bliss as they ran off to their village leaving Kunaku and Pankun to talk amongst themselves but all there was, was a deafening silence.

┈ ┈ ⋞ 〈 ⏣ 〉 ⋟ ┈ ┈

“Why would you teach them that?”

“Because your way was inefficient, fire is destructive in nature so one should harness that character to truly wield it.”

“Do you call me a fool? Do you call the dragons a fool?”

“Indeed. I have never witnessed such beautiful flames till I saw those who had a true drive. Those who could truly control the fire in their most refined manner.”

“Refined!? There is nothing refined with giant balls of fire being thrown around! Where is the technique? The skill? There is none! When they believe in such a barbaric way to wield the flames gifted to them, they will never truly understand it.”

“Barbaric? I have seen them flourish more than any immebacle who follows such old teachings. You are isolating yourself from change! Are you really going to say that those of the past live up to the power you saw that creature do? I rarely see that unless they have trained for many years!”

┈ ┈ ⋞ 〈 ⏣ 〉 ⋟ ┈ ┈

Their argument was more of a blur afterward, all that was left was the flames engulfing nearby trees and the villages that were left in ashes. Where those two went after that day is unclear but it is believed they still roam the Fire Nation to this day, or that they are in a long rest till the earth under them rumbles. They were once an unbreakable pair, now destined to an endless conflict. The bond they once held may be mendable, or forever shattered into pieces. It is unknown what destiny the world holds for them.