A pillar of fire had erupted near the Fire Nation's capital before vanishing as abruptly as it had appeared.
The ground was scorched in the wake of this cataclysmic event.
Naturally, the scene drew the attention of numerous hidden forces lurking in the surrounding area.
A man soon arrived at the devastated site where the column of flames had surged out of nowhere.
He walked, scanning his surroundings, as if searching for something—or someone.
At last, he stopped before the body of a naked child, covered in the ashes of his clothes.
The young boy was named Fang Yuan.
He was a transmigrator from Earth, having recovered the memories of his previous life.
Beyond his identity as a transmigrator, he was the only son of the noble Fang family.
As far back as he could remember, Fang Yuan had grown up surrounded by wealth and the love of his parents.
He had lived an idle life and had been praised for his talent in the art of firebending.
Unfortunately, tragedy struck during an important and secretive journey to the Fire Nation's capital.
He lost everything: family, retainers, friends, and pride.
In his despair, he unleashed an attack that gathered all his strength and knowledge of fire.
He had resolved to take down the scum who had stolen everything from him, consuming them in this final assault.
However, he was suddenly interrupted by a voice resonating within his mind.
This voice offered him an alternative: instead of a meaningless death, it presented a slim chance of survival after the battle.
The counsel of this mysterious being gave rise to the massive pillar of flames visible throughout the region surrounding the Fire Nation's capital.
Though the young man regretted not taking this world seriously, he closed his eyes, rediscovering something he thought he had lost forever… hope.
All these events had led to the current situation, where a shadowy, enigmatic figure stood over his unconscious body.
The mysterious individual gazed at Fang Yuan and couldn't help but feel a lingering fear after witnessing the pillar of fire erupt from such a small frame.
Had he not fled far enough in time, he feared he would not have been the only one reduced to ashes in that moment.
'The rumor that a genius surpassing the princess was no exaggeration…' the man thought. Yet, he had been ordered to eliminate every member of the Fang family.
Still, he found it too much of a waste for the child to die. After all, the Fire Nation valued talent.
The man in black hesitated for a moment before deciding to lift Fang Yuan from the ground.
He headed toward the Fire Nation's Royal Palace at superhuman speed, though his movements still betrayed his nature as an assassin.
…
Fire Nation Royal Palace
The young Princess Azula was in a deep sleep, but the commotion outside eventually startled her awake.
At first, she was confused by the bright light streaming through her bedroom window.
But Azula was a firebending prodigy.
She quickly recognized the nature of the light, akin to the sun itself, despite it still being night.
Driven by curiosity, the young girl swiftly left her room, following her instincts.
She first glanced down the corridor before advancing barefoot and calling out to a servant.
"What's happening in the palace? And why are you rushing about like that, with none of the grace befitting a palace servant? Are you so eager to disgrace the royal family's image?"
Azula didn't immediately ask the questions burning in her mind.
She preferred to first establish a clear hierarchy in the conversation, asserting her dominance through logical reprimands directed at the servant.
The poor servant, already familiar with the princess's temperament, knew she had to choose her words carefully.
What else could she do?
"It seems you need to be properly disciplined… Hmm, I know! Your hair looks a bit too long."
The servant's face paled even further at these words.
She hurriedly knelt and responded in a trembling voice:
"Princess Azula, Fire Lord Azulon has summoned the Second Prince and all civil and military officials to the main hall. This servant is merely striving to prepare everything within a very tight timeframe…"
Unbeknownst to her, she had just revealed confidential information to Azula.
'That's strange… Why would Grandfather Azulon summon Father at this hour? Could it be related to that white light?'Azula thought, her curiosity growing.
'Why bother guessing their intentions? I'll just go listen to what they say directly. It wouldn't be the first time, after all.'
A smile unusual for a child spread across her youthful face.
Having made her decision, Azula cast a final glance at the trembling servant and dismissed her with a nonchalant wave.
She had already gotten what she wanted from the poor woman, so Azula lost all interest in continuing the conversation.
"You're lucky I'm in a good mood today," she said lazily.
"Thank you for your mercy, Princess Azula…" the servant replied, bowing deeply, not daring to look in the direction the princess took.
She was simply relieved to have escaped a situation that could have cost her her position—or worse.
After all, Azula's reputation was well-known among the palace servants.
There was an unspoken consensus among them: never anger Princess Azula or make her uncomfortable, lest you be swiftly dismissed for reasons as strange as they were unjust.
Some had been sacked for stepping with their left foot first, for a posture deemed ungraceful, or even for failing to completely pit the cherries served to the princess at dinner.
That's why few of Azula's servants lasted more than three months, and many dreaded being assigned to her service by direct order of Fire Lord Azulon or Prince Ozai.
…
Azula returned to her room, slipped into comfortable, discreet clothing and shoes, and then hid behind one of the massive pillars in the audience hall.
The young princess intended to take advantage of the hall's size and the temporary absence of her grandfather Azulon and father Ozai to find the perfect spot for her eavesdropping.
Fortunately for her, the father-and-son duo arrived shortly after, accompanied by a crowd of officials.
"Everyone, what was that pillar of light that appeared in the forest outside the city?" Fire Lord Azulon declared in an authoritative voice.
The Fire Lord wore a magnificent black robe and sported the traditional Fire Nation hairstyle.
Seated on his throne, he glared at the kneeling ministers before him with a furious expression.
The tension in the room was almost palpable.
Azulon had a temperament like a volcano: he could erupt at any moment if the response he received didn't satisfy him.
He was a man of iron will, unweakened by time or age—despite his ninety years.
Under his leadership, the Fire Nation had remained invincible through a war that had lasted nearly a century.
The Southern Water Tribe's waterbenders had been slaughtered, and the Earth Kingdom clung to survival through a few isolated cities, difficult to conquer.
The world was nearly within his grasp.
At this moment, Azulon held near-supreme authority.
"I report to the Fire Lord that the incident occurred suddenly. Your humble servant has already dispatched men to investigate. Please, Fire Lord, do not be concerned," a minister said, head bowed, trembling under the pressure emanating from his sovereign.
"An unknown attack took place near the Fire Nation's capital, and you failed to assess the situation immediately! And now you dare tell me not to worry?!"
Azulon slammed his fist on the armrest of his throne.
Behind him, serpentine flames surged into the air, bathing the hall in a scarlet glow.
The golden dragon sculpture on the wall seemed to come alive: fangs and claws bared, it perfectly embodied the old firebender's wrath.
The ministers prostrated themselves on the floor, no longer daring to meet their sovereign's gaze.
At that moment, a voice rang out from outside the hall:
"Report! At the entrance to the valley where the pillar of light appeared, we found a carriage and a banner belonging to the Fang family! Countless bodies were discovered at the scene. Fang Lin, the head of the Fang family, is officially declared dead!"
The scout's words immediately sparked a commotion among the ministers.
"What?! Such audacity! If they dare kill a Fire Nation noble at the capital's gates today, tomorrow they'll dare attempt something as outrageous as… cutting off my head!"
Azulon's eyes blazed with boundless fury, his hair and beard faintly swaying from the heat he radiated.
No one dared to speak.
Everyone knew the Fang family was no ordinary lineage within the Fire Nation.
If Iroh had been able to wage his victorious wars across the world, it was largely thanks to them.
"Ozai!"