After finishing her fun with the opponents in the sand hall, Azula satisfied all her base desires, relieving stress with a good fight and the humiliation of weak guards. If running away while trying to survive and not burn up in the princess's blue flame can be called a fight. The guards were not weak by general country standards; Azula was just excessively strong.
Having satisfied her desires, the girl gave her all, sweating well after the training. The fight ended extremely quickly. Exhausted by the battle, the guards simply didn't notice how the princess, who had closed the distance with incredible speed, knocked them both out with one blow each, forcing them to rest on the sand. After informing the nearest guard about her too-exhausted sparring partners, she left the training halls. The man was an experienced palace guard and understood everything without further words. It wasn't the first time the princess had driven her opponents to such a state… not by a long shot.
—Good fight. You didn't even kill anyone or cripple them! I'm pleasantly surprised— the spirit said after a long silence.
After expending her emotions during training, Azula felt quite good, so much so that she even forgot about her fatigue. The spirit had kept its promise and did not interfere with the girl in any way, allowing her mind, rather than her body, to rest. The princess had been subjected to constant insults from the spirit for a rather long time, and almost an hour of its silence was very pleasant. She was even ready to talk to the unknown spirit without further barbs and animosity, if not for the servants, guards, and high-ranking officers of the army and navy she encountered along the way. Her good mood had not gone to her head; she maintained her usual composure, not allowing herself to converse with the extra inhabitant of her body, knowing perfectly well how it would look from the outside.
—I know this path— a thoughtful voice responded in the princess's head as she turned into the wing of the palace where her chambers were located.
—Hot springs, huh? You want to wash off the sweat. Good decision, considering the approaching war council. Will you give me your place for a bit? It seems I haven't been to the hot springs in an eternity…— the spirit said with a hint of wistfulness, adding more food for thought for the girl.
—Warn the maids, they'll prepare new clothes and let you know half an hour, or even an hour, before the meeting. I'll hand over the body to you, you can rest a bit, everything will be wonderful! I promise— no matter what Azula thought about this idea, she could not answer the spirit, as there were too many people in the palace corridors due to the approaching council. Servants were preparing the hall, running through the corridors, military generals and admirals were arriving at the palace.
However, none of this hindered the princess from thinking. Even the spirit did not particularly interfere with the thought processes of the brilliant girl, rather distracting her slightly with its conversations.
The spirit behaved completely differently than it had at the time of their acquaintance. It surely felt its victory! Azula was cornered, humiliated, and forced to obey an unknown demon. Yet, the girl had no intention of giving up their confrontation! She was not at all swayed by the spirit's friendly behavior; she still hoped to win this game! Postal hawks had already been sent to all the Fire Sages' temples. Perhaps in the information they held, she would find a way to get rid of the extra resident in her head. The results of their… more peaceful conversations were already making themselves known. The girl was absolutely sure that the spirit could not read her thoughts or peek into her memory. This meant there was still a not-so-small chance of victory. All that remained was to pretend to be obedient, defeated, going along with it, playing with the truth, and waiting for the moment…
Reflecting on her not-so-dire situation, she reached the corridor with her personal chambers. One of the staff girls immediately noticed her. By the princess's personal order, at least one maid should always be near the assigned chambers to serve the princess or summon the others. Other girls were usually engaged in their work: cleaning the princess's personal chambers, her training hall, and similar tasks…
—Your Highness?— the woman bowed in greeting.
—I will need clean armor for the war council. Prepare it as soon as possible…— remembering the spirit's words, she decided to add, —and also, if I don't emerge from the hot springs an hour before zenith, remind me about the upcoming war council.
Having finished giving orders, Azula walked past the servant towards the palace's hot springs.
—You're in a good mood, aren't you? I think you'll appreciate silence a little more now than before. No need for thanks— the spirit responded cheerfully, causing the first signs of irritation from its cheerful tone.
Azula entered the room and began to undress. This time, there were no comments from the spirit about her appearance. It was for the best. Throwing off her dirty armor onto the floor, she walked further, closed the door behind her, remaining alone with the spirit and the hot water.
The hot springs in the Fire Lord's palace were quite spacious for one person. Built, like the entire palace, in red-black-gold tones, with flair, luxury, and great pomp. Immersing herself in the water, Azula was not at all embarrassed by the fact that the demon was seeing through her eyes. She calmly began to wash, looking at her legs and other parts of her body, waiting for the spirit to demand its due.
—I think nothing will prevent us from talking here— the expectations did not last long; the spirit spoke very soon.
—Except for the firebenders patrolling outside the door, who make a round every twenty minutes. Otherwise, yes. What do you want to talk about, spirit?— Azula replied quietly, leaning against the edge of the small pool.
—We will behave quietly. Do you already have ideas on how to go to Piandao without arousing suspicion?— the spirit asked with interest.
—Yes, do you want me to voice them?— Azula asked with a slight hesitation, receiving further confirmation that the spirit could not hear her thoughts.
—Yes, please— her interlocutor replied.
—Alright, I plan to visit the Fire Lord some time before the meeting begins. We usually attend war councils together, and during that time, we'll have an opportunity to exchange a few words. I intend to tell him the truth. I have become unexpectedly interested in the swordsman's martial art, and I plan to learn it from the best master in our country.
—Not bad. And what if he refuses?— the spirit asked suspiciously, but this did not shake Azula's outward calm in the least.
—I'll say that I wish to continue training in lightning redirection on the Charcoal Island, but instead, I'll go to Piandao. I do not wish to tarnish my reputation in my father's eyes with a lie that can be so easily exposed, so this plan will be a backup.
—Could he refuse you due to insufficiently well-executed lightning redirection?
—My lightning redirection is close to perfection, but there is a possibility of that. However, I know what to say to convince my father. My plans never fail— Azula replied confidently, having thought through every last detail.
—Good, you've thought it through quite well. Will you let me luxuriate in the water?— the spirit inquired as if about some trivial matter.
—Only if you… you don't behave too suspiciously— the princess replied calmly, recalling the spirit's behavior last time.
—Of course. Relax your mind and rest. I'll take care of everything else and behave quietly, attracting no attention. As soon as anyone appears, I'll hand the body back to you immediately— the spirit assured the princess.
It was a little unpleasant. To give her completely naked and defenseless body over to the spirit's control, but there was no choice, as such. She desperately wanted to lull its vigilance with feigned trust. Easily suppressing all hindering feelings, Azula tilted her head back, relaxing in the hot water, and closed her eyes. Drowsiness and fatigue quickly made themselves known, distancing the girl's mind from what was happening.
Soon, her calm face was adorned with a wide smile. Taking a deep breath, the girl opened her eyes, which shone with pure and unclouded happiness. Settling in comfortably, she began to breathe deeply, demonstrating pleasure from the hot water in every way. Feeling moisture welling up in her eyes, she dived into the water, beginning to swim in the spacious pool. Slowly swimming in the water, she looked at the ceiling, feeling the element wash over every part of her body. Now "Azula" was enjoying every second of her life and was very happy with the simple hot water.
—Wonderful sensations that you don't appreciate at all, Azula…— the girl mused about herself in the third person, emerging from the water.
The spirit in the princess's body continued to luxuriate in the hot water. While in the water, it could barely hold back tears of joy, feeling alive again. Behaving completely unrestrained, it rejoiced like a true child. Swimming, playing, and clearly enjoying every moment of its life. The spirit didn't even once remember that it was controlling a female body, showing no interest in Azula's intimate parts whatsoever. It was absorbed in the pleasant sensations of the hot springs.
Thus, time flew by…
Having enjoyed itself, the spirit leaned against the sides of the pool and simply continued to enjoy the pleasant sensations of the hot water and the magical atmosphere of the place until…
—Knock-knock!— a knock sounded on the door from the other side of the hot springs.
—My lady, you asked me to remind you about the war council— a timid voice of a servant could be heard.
—I heard you— Azula's authoritative voice came from the hot springs.
Leaving the hot springs in a good mood, Azula ordered the staff of maids to get her ready. The girls did so very quickly. Thanks to one firebending technique, the princess quickly dried her hair, after which the girls styled it. Simultaneously, other maids did her pedicure and manicure, feeding the princess pitted cherries. Fifteen minutes later, Azula left the company of her own servants. Dressed in clean armor, she headed to her father—the Fire Lord.
Walking through the palace corridors, she often encountered generals and admirals. A few polite greetings were all that the high-ranking officers of the Fire Nation army were worthy of. With a calm step, she reached her father's study, knocked, and after receiving permission, entered her father's office.
—Azula?— the calm voice of the head of the office, the entire palace, and the whole country said, glancing at his daughter.
—Fire Lord— the girl knelt, lowering her gaze.
—How cool are your relations… And is this official tone really necessary when you are alone? It seems his own tea is more important to him than you are. However, what do I know about your family?— the spirit's voice was simply ignored.
Azula remained kneeling, waiting for her father to deign to pay attention to her. The Fire Lord finished his tea, glanced at the scrolls brought from different corners of the country, and then looked at his daughter.
—Unusual. Tell me the reason for your early arrival— the monarch inquired, not even deigning to order his daughter to rise. The princess of a warlike nation could only look at the floor, standing before her father with bended knee.
—I have heard rumors…— Azula began distantly.
Her speech showed no falseness. The princess spoke confidently, eloquently, and so convincingly that it was impossible not to believe her.
Still kneeling, the girl told her father how she had heard rumors about the great Master Piandao. She was ready to demonstrate her skills in firebending and lightning redirection, as well as in close combat, to prove her mastery in all these areas. Therefore, after considering the next martial art she could learn, her gaze fell upon the swordsman Master Piandao. And she had come to the Fire Lord for permission to go and study under a new master. Although masters usually lined up to teach such a genius princess something, this was a special case. She only lied a little in one moment; her lightning redirection was not yet perfect enough to be considered ideal, but her father, accustomed to his daughter's frequent successes, did not deem it necessary to test Azula's skills, believing her word.
The Fire Lord listened to his daughter with a calm expression, after which he spoke:
—I know the heights of your talents; there is no need to arrange further trials to confirm your mastery. If you need my permission, you have received it. But I wish to see you at today's war council. We will discuss the further military campaign against the Earth Kingdom— Ozai replied without any hesitation, encouraging any endeavor of his daughter in martial arts.
—This turned out to be easier than I thought— the spirit noted in Azula's mind.
—Thank you— the daughter replied briefly, showing no emotion, maintaining a mask of complete calmness on her face.
—Rise, it's time for us to go to the council…
According to the etiquette of the Fire Nation, the Fire Lord always had to be the first to attend the council, while other generals and admirals could only await the appearance of the ruler of the entire nation, not daring to enter the throne room first. Setting off with his daughter to the throne room, they could observe the servants' preparations for the war council.
Servants maintained the perfect cleanliness of this place every day, so their work had not changed much. The throne room was majestic and graceful. Many red columns supported the ceiling. One could see their own reflection in the polished floor, but all of this was trivial compared to the enormous throne of the Fire Lord, which occupied the entire width of the far wall. The throne was located in the center of the hall against the far wall, and directly behind it, along the entire length of the wall, was carved a huge statue of a golden dragon, as if breathing fire. This scene was completed by flames that flared up and danced as soon as the Fire Lord sat on his rightful place.
Having taken his rightful place, Ozai ordered the servants to inform the generals and admirals about the beginning of the war council as soon as the world map was brought. They brought it quickly; the servants had it nearby in advance. The required person quickly placed all the figurines designating the location of both their own troops and possible enemy troop positions. The servants went to fetch the highest ranks of the army. Azula took her rightful place behind the world map, as close as possible to her father. Soon, after the arrival of the last military leaders, the war council began.
The first topic of the war council was the reports on the generals' actions, their victories, and rare defeats. Everyone sat and listened to the reports in turn.
—How boring… a gathering of old men sitting so straight, as if a stick had been inserted up their… You call this enduring it?— the spirit commented on what was happening, but Azula continued to listen to the military reports with a maximally serene expression.
The first part of the reports did not last long; they passed dryly, without any interest, according to all the rules of military training, without unnecessary arguments, conflicts, or anything else. All the military personnel behaved extremely restrainedly, not seeking conflict in the presence of the ruler. They knew about his cruelty firsthand and did not wish to perish in an Agni Kai.
After finishing the reports, the military began discussing further plans for the military campaign, and it was then that the spirit reminded Azula of its presence.
—Well, well, and these are the best generals in your army? Now it's clear why you haven't won the war yet. If these are your brilliant tactics, then I don't even know what to say. The style of firebending seems to have reflected on your thinking style as well. To waste the world's most important resource so aimlessly— what kind of twisted mind must one have? And this is called a war council? Does only I see how foolish all of this is? With such commanders, the war could last another ten years, ruining countless lives and wasting a lot of money for nothing— the spirit commented on a particularly cynical tactic of one general, but Azula remained calm and indifferent to its words.
The main military leaders of the Fire Nation never cared about losses or expenditures, believing that victory was worth any sacrifice, and the ordinary soldier would gladly pay any price for the world domination of the entire Fire Nation and the prosperity of the state.
The council continued.
The military expressed and supplemented their opinions on various tactics, each of which was particularly cynical and ruthless. The discussion of future decisions and the course of the further military campaign against the Earth Kingdom was underway. Azula also took part in this, demonstrating even more cynicism and cruelty than any other military leader.
The spirit no longer bothered the princess with its opinion until the very end of the war council…