A/N: Irah contemplates the destruction her army has wrought on an Earth Kingdom village.
Submission for:
Gender-Swap Boot Camp: Destruction
Irah stood the helm of the ship, her eyes focused on the dark clouds which rose over the land as she and her army began their return to the Fire. So much destruction, so much blood. Was all this really worth it in the end? Was the lost of innocent women and children worth the acquisition of just a few more acres of land?
"Mother," a voice said from behind her. She turned, her eyes still lingering on the black plumes in place of what once stood the village chapel and looked upon her son.
"Lu Ten," she said, "Anything to report?"
The young man rose from his bowed position and stood straight. A man, a soldier, one condemned to a life of murder in the name of country and pride. "The village has been searched. The refuges are being sent to the mines."
Irah nodded before turning away. Those who did not die, by Fire Nation hands or by fire, were sent to live out their days working for the good of the nation, mining the iron out of mountains to be used in the manufacture of ships and war balloons. They would aid in dooming others to such a life, or death if that were the case. "You may return to your quarters," she said.
There was a slight pause before Lu Ten walked to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "It's for the Fire Nation," he said, as he had been thought in the academy.
As she heard his footsteps leave her, a lone tear ran down her face. All those screams, broken families, slaughtered animals.
"It's for the Fire Nation"