Night had fallen over Republic City, but the streets were far from quiet.
Somewhere near the industrial district, an explosion rocked the docks, lighting up the skyline. Smoke curled into the sky, and the scent of burning metal tainted the wind. Sirens wailed in the distance, but the chaos at ground level moved faster than response teams could handle.
In the shadows of an abandoned warehouse, Korra and Kaiqok crouched low behind rusted crates. Their eyes scanned the area, taking in the flickering lights and masked attackers moving swiftly through the compound.
"Chi blockers," Korra whispered. "But faster than usual."
Kaiqok's eyes glowed faintly in the dark. "They're enhanced. I can feel it—spirit corruption, maybe tech-based. Either way, we're not dealing with normal thugs."
Korra looked at him sideways. "You ready?"
Kaiqok nodded once, stepping forward. "Time to stop holding back."
She smirked. "You say that every time, and then you blow a hole through a building."
"This time," he said, grinning, "I'm not stopping at a hole."
He stepped into the open. The attackers spotted him immediately.
"There!" one of them shouted, drawing electrified batons. "Take him down!"
Five rushed him at once.
Kaiqok breathed deeply—his cloak flaring gold around him, eyes turning wild and sharp. His hands formed a seal as he concentrated. Unlike his usual transformations, this one came slower… heavier. As if his body knew the beast it was about to unleash.
Then he whispered, almost reverently:
"Wolf."
Golden chakra erupted from his body like a shockwave. His human form shifted, growing broader, more muscular. Fur made of living light sprouted along his arms and back. His face elongated into a majestic, snarling muzzle, eyes glowing like twin moons.
He stood—half-man, half-wolf—towering and terrifying, surrounded by a radiant cloak that howled with untamed energy.
Korra blinked. "Holy spirits…"
The first attacker struck—only to be backhanded mid-air, thrown across the compound like a ragdoll.
Two more lunged. The wolf-form Kaiqok spun, catching one by the arm and slamming him into the concrete with enough force to crack the ground. The other tried to stab his leg—only to be met with a fiery roar from Kaiqok's jaws that melted his weapon into slag.
He was fast—faster than any human or bender Korra had seen.
He didn't just move; he hunted.
With each step, the earth trembled. With each slash, golden afterimages streaked through the air.
The chi blockers panicked.
"Fall back! FALL BACK!"
But Kaiqok wasn't done.
He leapt, his body blurring into motion, crashing down in the middle of their formation like a meteor. The resulting shockwave knocked over shipping containers and shattered windows for blocks.
From her cover, Korra stood slowly, breath caught in her throat. The power he wielded… it wasn't just destructive. It was beautiful. Wild. Pure.
Then his golden eyes locked with hers—and the beast bowed its head.
It knew her. Trusted her.
"Kaiqok?" she asked softly, stepping forward.
He let out a deep growl, and in the blink of an eye, the wolf form dispersed—chakra evaporating like steam. He stood before her again as a man, breathing heavily, sweat glistening on his brow.
"I didn't hurt you, did I?" he asked.
She shook her head. "No. But I think you gave the entire district a heart attack."
He chuckled weakly. "I wasn't sure I could control that one. I've never used the wolf form before."
"Why now?"
He looked up at the moon, still catching his breath. "I didn't choose it. It chose me. Something in this city… something coming. I think I'll need that side of me soon."
Korra stepped close, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You're not alone. Whatever's coming—we'll face it together."
Just then, a voice crackled from a nearby radio—one dropped by the attackers.
"Unit seven, report. Is the target neutralized?"
Kaiqok picked it up.
He pressed the button. "Not quite. But feel free to send more."
He crushed the device with one hand.
---
Later, back at Air Temple Island, Korra sat beside Kaiqok near the fountain.
"You okay?" she asked, watching the water ripple under moonlight.
"More than okay," he said. "For the first time, I felt… complete."
She tilted her head. "You mean the wolf?"
He nodded. "It wasn't just power. It was instinct. Loyalty. Rage. Protection. I didn't just become the wolf… I was it. And it felt like a missing piece finally fit."
She leaned on his shoulder. "I liked it. Scary. But… kind of majestic."
He chuckled. "Majestic? I'll take that."
There was silence for a moment, soft and warm.
Then Korra looked up. "So… if you can turn into a wolf, what else can you turn into?"
Kaiqok smirked. "Any animal I can imagine."
"Even a dragon?"
"Especially a dragon."
She nudged him playfully. "You're gonna have to show me that one soon."
He turned toward her. "I will. But not tonight."
"Why?"
"Because tonight, I'm just a guy... sitting next to the girl he's crazy about."
Korra blinked.
Then smiled.
And didn't move away.