He tripped over a fallen piece of armor, but didn't look back. The sound of screams, blades, and howling wind chased him as he vanished into the forest.
*********
"I-it was all that happened, F-Fire Lord," Fai stammered, his forehead pressed against the cold obsidian floor, his body trembling with fear. He barely dared to breathe, let alone lift his eyes to face the ruler. "I-I swear I didn't mean to run! B-but— AAAHRRHHH!"
A blast of fire erupted from Ozai's hand, engulfing Fai in flames. The young soldier writhed on the ground, his screams of agony echoing through the vast throne room.
Ozai stood and left the chamber without sparing a glance for the convulsing young man, nor for the other soldier, already reduced to a charred corpse.
Outside, Ozai stopped in front of one of the imperial guards stationed at the entrance. "Find my daughter and tell her I'm waiting in the training courtyard." His voice was firm, devoid of any emotion.
"Yes, Fire Lord," the guard responded with a swift bow before hurrying off in search of the princess.
Ozai walked with deliberate steps to the palace's central courtyard, a wide open space surrounded by columns carved with flaming dragons. The sky above was a clear blue, contrasting with the heat radiating from the sun-warmed ground. He removed his royal cloak, laying it neatly over a polished bench, revealing the black and red tunic beneath. His eyes fixed on the horizon, lost in thought.
Minutes later, the sound of precise, confident footsteps echoed through the courtyard, announcing his daughter's arrival. Azula, only twelve years old, approached with the impeccable posture of a Fire Nation princess. Her black hair, tied in a high bun and adorned with a golden tiara, gleamed under the light of the setting sun. She knelt before her father, her head slightly bowed in a gesture of calculated respect. "You called for me, Father?"
Ozai turned slowly, his gaze scrutinizing his daughter with an intensity that could make even the most seasoned soldiers tremble. "Azula, we're going to increase your training."
'Again?!' Azula thought, clenching her teeth for a split second, suppressing the frustration threatening to show. Her voice, however, remained firm and respectful. "May I ask why, Father?"
"It seems the airbender is growing bolder as he gains experience."
'It's always because of that bastard!' Azula's hands clenched into fists so tight her nails dug into her palms. Just the mention of Ikari was enough to ignite a sea of rage in her chest. She hated him — not just for his skill, but for how he had become her father's obsession, who, as a result, unleashed all his fury on her for the soldiers' failures to eliminate the airbender.
And now, once again, he was the reason her training was being intensified! Despite the rage, Azula kept her face expressionless, channeling her anger into determination. "Understood, Father. What will the focus of the training be?"
Ozai nodded, pleased by the lack of resistance. "You already master blue fire, Azula, but that's not enough. The airbender is fast, unpredictable, and uses air in a way no one has faced in generations. You must learn to anticipate his moves, to neutralize his agility. We'll work more on close-combat techniques and strategy."
Azula rose to her feet. "I won't disappoint you, Father."
"I'm sure you won't."
********
Meanwhile, hundreds of kilometers away, out at sea, aboard a small sailboat, Ikari stared in confusion at a crumpled, slightly damp map. "Ugh... I'm really awful at sailing," he muttered, scratching the back of his neck with a frustrated expression.
The ocean breeze tousled his black hair, and the waves lapped gently against the hull, but the horizon stubbornly remained empty.
He should've reached the Southern Water Tribe hours ago, but without even a glimpse of land in sight, Ikari realized he wasn't just a little lost — he was completely lost.
********
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, images or songs featured in this fic. Additionally, I do not claim ownership of any products or properties mentioned in this novel. This work is entirely fanfic.