Chapter 14
Title: Tales Of Traveling (2)
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Third Person POV.
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Timeline: 98 AG (Tenth of March - 10 days since departure)
Two days ago, the fire sages on crescent island, an island shaped like a crescent moon with an active volcano housing its highest peak in the center, and housing Avatar Roku's temple on one side near its volcano, received a letter from the capital of their nation
The letter pertained a visit from the royal bloods of the nation, specifically the visit of the first prince, Lu Ten and the fabled -by the sages themselfs- Avatar Azula
The Sages themselfs aren't dumb enough to believe this story, so the question lingers, why would they declare Azula the Avatar when they clearly know she isn't?
The answer is quite simple: Azula is a very powerful bender, possibly -in their eyes- the strongest Bender in all of history of their nation Barring the Avatars of their past -they think-
At first, the idea didn't even occur to them to do something like this. It was Ozai's idea to put this false image on Azula. The reason is simply for morale boost
The Army of their nation knows Azula as a once in hundred years Prodigy. If word gets out that this prodigy of theirs was actually the Avatar, then it would be quite a morale boost, having THE Avatar on their side. On the other hand it would be quite the blow to enemy nations, thinking that the Avatar has turned her back on them
The reincarnation cycle can also kinda check out. The Last Avatar before the massacre was believed to be born an airbender. After the ordeal, where it's believed that the air bender avatar died in the massacre along with their entire people, the next avatar would be a water bender
In the attempt to prevent this, in the 100 years war the fire nation has completely eradicated any water benders from the south pole -or so they thought-, now the world believes that the water avatar was born and also died at the south pole prematurely
The Next Avatar would be an Earthbender. But considering that now the world believes Azula to be the current avatar, they think that they too died prematurely. believing that they died as casualty in the current war
So the story of Azula being the next avatar is very believable, making it easier for the morale boosted fire nation army to advance on the frontlines
Morale in wars is a very powerful thing endeed, and Avatar Azula, is a very good lie
Even in the future, once Aang is back, it wouldn't matter. The lie is sold, and the fire nation will reap the benefits of it until they can't anymore
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On the shores of crescent island, where a plank is stretched out into the sea for ships to dock, 5 elderly people in red robes are awaiting. At the front of the 5 assembly is the leader of the sages, the difference in their rank notable by the Ruby gem his hat sports at his forehead area. His name is Wei, the current fire sage leader of Avatar Roku's temple
As they are waiting on the shore, in the distance, a dot can be seen getting closer
Once it's within seeing distance, they confirm that it is the guests they have been awaiting. As the ship gets close to the docks, it is revealed to be of the same kind as the Original timeline Zuko's ship. The difference being that it's bigger, twise as big infact
When the ship is near the shore, the front of the ship is opened with a hiss, letting those onboard to shuffle out
The first to get out are the royal bloods along with the princess' company of her friends. Kuzon is seen following on Azula's right side two feet back, with Lu Ten being besides her on her left
After they set foot on the land, the crew also get out for restock. Crescent island may not have any stalls or stores to buy anything from, being an isolated island with only the temple as residence for the fire sages, but it does get it's stock from the nearby islands like Shu Jing or Ember island
Lu Ten had ordered for stocks to be send to crescent island where they would get before continuing on their journey
As the entourage gets close, the Fire Sages bow down to them, "welcome to crescent island, your royal highnesses. We have been awaiting your arrival for some time now" The leading fire sage says, "thank you for having us" Lu Ten replies
"The honor is ours" The fire sage says before their straighten. "Now let us depart for the temple" The leading sage points forward, leading them to the temple
The walk there is pleasant, to say the least. At least as pleasant as an island with an active volcano can be. They get a view of the said volcano from the road they take, as well as the open sea from a higher vantage point
As they are walking Ty Lee questions" What were we here again? " She asks, getting a shrug from Mai, "i don't know, Azula just said we should visit while we're on the way or something" They both look to their friend, but doesn't get any answers from her, who is looking up, specifically to the side of the active volcano
The others -even the fire sages- may not see it but she, with her spiritual perception and eyes can see him
Fang, a colossal Red Eastern Dragon, Avatar Roku's Animal Guide and friend through his life as the Avatar. Although he doesn't seem to be hostile, merely gazing at the visiting guests, his colossal eyes are looking right at Azula. His form though, is the real shock for Azula. She has read about dragons in the scrolls inside the royal libraries of the palace. And the largest recorded dragon in history was roughly 70 feet (15.24 meters)
The dragon she is seeing right now, having himself curled around the active volcano, should be atleast 500 feet! (152 meters)
And he is looking right at her! That should be a little scary for Azula, who has never seen a living -or used to- being this big before in both her lives. But for some reason she isn't scared at all, like she knows that, even if Fang wanted to, he wouldn't be able to harm her. As if, if she were to be in Fang's place -dead and a spirit- she would be way bigger than him
The group make their way to the temple and enter from the front gate. Once inside, they are lead through the maze like corridors before being escorted to the guests area
Once there, they sit down on the sofas with Azula and her friends, along with Lu Ten on one big couch, and Kuzon standing to its side like a bodyguard, with the fire sages taking seats infront of them
Once set, and when some maids bring out tea and snacks, they get right into buisness
"Your highnesses, the letter pertaining your visit did not include as to the reason of it. Only that you would be here today. May i ask the reason of your visits? " Asks the leader of the sages, Wei
To this, the visitors are quiet before they turn their heads towards the one who suggested they visit, Azula
Azula who is sipping her tea in contentment, opens one eye once she feels eyes on her person, before setting the tea cup down and straightening
"During my Ascension, -when she evolved- i got a visit by the nearest local spirit to our nation. It was Avatar Roku..." She gets gasps from all present. But then she continues, "..who is also my great-grandfather" Another shock is send through every body in the room
The knowledge of Ursa -and consequently her children- being descendants from the last Avatar of their nation isn't public knowledge. Sozin wanted to bury this truth to not have any ties with that man anymore, and Azulon continued keeping this secret
Azula continues, "He visited me when i was inside the flames that day and said that he wanted me to visit him if i had the time. So that's why i am here" She informs them, getting shocked looks all around. Ty Lee jumps up, "but you said that you just wanted to see the island and stuff! Nothing about seeing Avatar Roku from the past! " Mai continues, "besides, how would you even speak with him? Isn't he , like, dead for a long time? " She asks
Azula shrugs, "i don't know to be honest, i just know that he wanted me to visit whenever and so here i am" She says plainly
The fire sages contemplate before the leader, Wei speaks up. "We know of a way to commune with the Avatar" Getting the attention of the guests, before he continues "but there is a problem" He frowns, "the avatar is believed to only speak with those he wishes to, which would be no problem for your highness considering he wanted you to visit. But the problem is that, only during Winter Solstice's can one speak with the avatar. It is believed that during that time, the spirit and physical worlds are the closest with each other, allowing spirits the reign to influence our world at a much greater capacity" He says
"But, a Winter Solstice is months away from now" He says, getting frowns from the guests
But then Azula continues, "you don't have to worry. there is another way for one to be able to commune with the spirits, and i have the means to do it. You just have to point me to Avatar Roku's chambers" She says
The sages understand that she doesn't want to disclose this 'secret other way' that she says she can use to speak with spirits, so they don't pry into it, knowing there is nothing they can do if she doesn't want to share
After tea, the sages escort the guests to the Avatar's chamber. It's location is at the highest level of the temple. Once there, the sages show the door with 5 dragon like Statues at the front, explaining that 5 master firebenders are needed in order to open the door
They try to get into position but Azula beats them to it. "No need" She says, before getting into position before the door
She casually opens her right palm infront of the door, as if commanding it, before she shoots a jet of blue flames from her hand. The intensity of the flames are like that of a full powered flame ball that a master would shoot with all their might, and Azula is here, casually giving out the same intensity with a flick of her wrist
The flame wave she expelled turns into 5 jets that hit the mouth of 5 dragons on the chamber doors. From behind she hears gasps of astonishment
"Amazing! Without even a proper stance, she was able to expel flames of such intensity! And the control one needs to direct their flames like this, it is unheard of! " A fire sage says
The chamber door groans before the eyes on each dragon statue begins to glow blue
Azula ups the intensity one more gear before the door groans and the dragon heads hiss, beginning to rotate around before going still again. The chamber door is opened and a great light is poured out from within
Azula, without fanfare begins walking inside. And once she's in, the doors are closed before being locked again, and from under the door they can see the light intensifying before being cut out
"Soooooo... That happened..." Ty Lee says to get her bearings back. "Uhuh..." Mai adds, "I guess...this is kinda cool" she smirks a little
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Inside the chambers, once Azula opens her eyes, she sees that her surrounding has completely changed. Now she stands on a mountain top overlooking a vast land. Golden Clouds can be seen drifting below her, giving the image that this mountain top is above the clouds
Before her, a single flame the size of a ping pong ball is hovering. When Azula looks at it, it begins emenating more heat before the place before her catches fire. The flames takes on a humanoid shape before they go away, leaving behind a very tall man
He is 6 feet 2 inches (203.20 cm) tall, sporting a magnificent white beard that goes until his chest area. Donning fire nation garbs with a little fire emblem on his chest piece. He also has a hair ornament belonging to Royalty, having been given one by his friend during his youth a long time ago
His gaze is kind, his mouth a little upwards. "Greetings, we finally meet at last" Says Avatar Roku, "I believe this is our first time meeting each other" He sends a smile her way
Azula smirks back "of course. It would be foolish to think you'd not see and hear what happens inside your own temple" That's right, all those things about her meeting Roku when she was evolving was total bulshit. But they don't need to know that, and Roku is dead so it doesn't matter if he knows
Roku gives a little laugh before he looks forth again "so, what brings you here, young spirit" He asks, already knowing the nature of Azula -not fully-
Azula smiles too, "no particular reason. I just wanted to visit and greet my great grandfather" Then she adds "is that not allowed? " She asks
"No, no. You are always welcome here my dear. Zuko is too if he ever wants" Roku says, before his face gets a little serious, "Although i am happy to see you, dear Niece, i have to ask. What do you plan to do with the world? " Roku knows, -perhaps better than many- how powerful Azula is. Spirits can sense when they are before a mighty being
Roku is asking Azula this, because he knows that, if she wanted, she could change the balance of the whole world with a single move. Roku may be dead, but he was once an Avatar, a balancer of the world. He cannot help but try to do his job even in death
Azula, sensing His inner feelings let's out a sigh before saying, "don't worry you old fossil, I'm not going to conquer the world or something, i promise" She says
"My goal is to make a name for myself on this journey. And the best place i can do that is through conquering a few earth kingdom lands. " She says, getting a frown from Roku
"Look, " Azula says "humans by nature are apex predators who go forth by conquering and owning" She says "it's part of our nature, one of the things that make us human" She adds "civilizations cannot thrive if there is no hardship. And me going through acquiring reputation through conquest is the easiest and best option i have"
"I promise though, to only do what's necessary to get to my goal, nothing more, nothing less" She says, earning herself a sigh from the old spirit
"Sigh, even if i wanted to, i cannot get in your way. and you are right, Humans by nature are conquering apexes. It is in our blood to wage war. It's what makes us thrive, without violence there is no salvation and peace" This truth makes even the old spirit lower his gaze is weariness
"But the duty of an Avatar is to bring balance to the world" He says, "we are the mediators. The ones who make sure that violence and war doesn't become the end of humanity. We are preservers" He says in pride, looking up and into Azula's eyes once again
"Aang will come back, " He says "but until he does so, i trust that you won't destroy the world" He smirks a little, "war may be a bad thing, but even it has good sides to it" Azula Smiles too
"I hope that you never lose your way, Azula my dear niece" He says with a kind smile, before vanishing into a mist before Azula's eyes "farewell, my dear. May your journey always bring forth fortune" He says
Before he goes away though, Azula says something, something that makes Roku wonder how she knows it. "Send my regards for when he visits you, grandfather. I may not see him until much later" Roku, before dissapearing, first has his eyes widen, before smiling and nodding her way
Azula Bows down in the traditional fire nation style towards where her Great Grand Father stood, before she goes back to the physical world through the mist
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In the physical world, the doors to the chamber hisses, making those who stand there look towards it, before the door slowly opens up, and out walks Azula, once again her Hair is set ablaze like the sun itself. Her eyes are a glowing gold color before the glow reseats to her pupils and irises
As she walks forward, her Spiritual State, reseats back to her form, her blazing hair goes back to normal black, her eyes stop glowing, though still having a little sheen to them
"Alright, unto our next destination" She casually says, still having her awe smacked crowd around her
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Author's note/ not much to say for this chapter really
They visited a few islands before getting to crescent Island for Azula to meet Roku, hence why it's 10th of march (5 days since they departed from fire fountain city)
I decided to name her version of avatar state, where she accesses more of her spiritual powers and strengths in her physical form as simply her Spiritual State. Simple, neat, and rolls off the tongue easily
Anyways! That's all for this chapter. Next chapter we'll get a twist! -although not a big one or anything- so look forward to that
Thank you guys for reading my book and have a great day/night
𝓣𝓸𝓭𝓭𝓪𝓵𝓸𝓸~