Being stuck on a boat for countless days was exhausting. To be honest, I was ready to deck the next guard that crossed my path. Azula used manipulation to amuse herself, I just trained. Borrowing some of the firebenders on the boat, I would spar with them—although it would be more accurately called 'beating up a bunch of fire nation guards'—to keep myself busy. Once a day I would spar with Azula, but I quickly found that fighting all day gave me an advantage. I could pin the Fire Princess down in five seconds flat, not even breaking a sweat. She would scream and growl, and I also learned that she didn't enjoy being beat.
"HOW DARE YOU!" She screeched, her golden eyes flashing with fury. "YOU PEASANT, UNHAND ME!"
Rolling my eyes, I let go of her arms and walked to the side of the boat, letting her lie on the deck to catch her breath. The late afternoon sky was painted with swirling pinks and oranges which reflected in the calm ocean, turning it beautiful colors.
"You know, you and I could be unstoppable" Azula hissed, coming to stand beside me. I raised an eyebrow and turned to her.
"Unstoppable?" I questioned.
"Yes, we could take down the Avatar and then conquer all four nations, making us the rulers of the world." Azula said, eyes hungry for power.
"Who said anything about taking down the Avatar? And last time I checked, your father is already trying to conquer three nations." I quipped back, turning to look back at the beautiful sunset.
"Hmm, I suppose I can't blackmail you with anything, you haven't got any family. Truthfully, I think you're better off without family, it just keeps you back." Azula said, eyes softening just a fraction.
"Azula, are you really going to go through with killing your brother?" I asked, "Prince Zuko has been exiled for three years, he can't be a threat to anyone."
"Oh don't make me laugh; little Zu Zu isn't a threat. When he dies, I will be first in line for the throne. I can't let that traitor ruin everything that my father and grandfather have worked so hard for." Azula said, eyes hardening again.
"Princess Azula," a guard approached us, bowing low. "The ship is nearing port."
"Very well, I wish to speak with the guards." Azula ordered.
At this point I sighed slightly and walked back into the small hallways that lead to my room. Smiling slightly to the guards that were posted outside of my door, I entered the room and sat cross-legged on the floor. Closing my eyes, I controlled my breathing and focused on the task that I was about to accomplish.
I was going to kill, again. Faces flashed across my closed eyelids, seventeen of them to be exact. I had killed seventeen people. Soon to be eighteen. The fire prince would soon just be another face that I dreamed about at night. Those faces haunted my sleep, some were begging for me to have mercy, some were stony faced and calm. Only one specific face would make me wake at night, screaming and crying.
His name was Jin. I had killed him the night before I was brought to the palace. His death was the only accident I ever made and felt truly guilty for. That night I had been hunting down a nobleman whom had scammed another man of his entire riches and then had stolen his wife. Creeping from rooftop to rooftop, I quickly spotted my target exiting a well known club. Drunken and stumbling, he made his way down an alleyway that would lead to his house, but I was waiting for him. Pulling my hood more securely over my face, I jumped down onto the pavement of the alley soundlessly.
"Nobleman Quan?" I asked from my place in the shadows. My all black attire made sure that I wouldn't be spotted as long as I stayed in the shadows. Although he could not see me, he stopped short and looked in my general direction. Only five feet away from me, I could see his pudgy belly and watery eyes.
"Who's there?" He demanded, stumbling slightly, his words slurring together.
Smirking, I took a deep breath and said as seductively as possible "Come find out, big boy."
As he grinned and started walking forwards towards my hiding place in the shadows, I took my stance. Spreading my legs slightly and pulling my arm back, I punched a blast of flames directly at his face. Alarmed, he yelped and attempted to stop the fire licking at his face. I punched another wave of flames at him, killing the nobleman. As he fell to the ground, I turned to the nearest wall and jumped up it, grabbing hold of a balcony to swing myself up onto the rooftop. Once on top, I crouched low and slinked back to my apartment, removing my hood in the process. I eventually made it back to my deserted street; I jumped down onto the ground and made sure there were no witnesses. Behind me, I heard the whisper of footsteps. Whipping around and keeping my fists ready, I sent a quick blast of flames at my follower. Whoever it was obviously knew my secret, and therefore they had to die. My crimes were punishable by death, and I had no intentions of getting caught anytime soon.
I heard a body hit the ground, and I crept forwards to see if my follower was dead, and when I saw the boy's face, I moaned in agony. The boy, only 7, was definitely dead. His face was twisted and charred from my flame, and the smell of burning flesh and hair filled the air around me. Turning around and sprinting into my small apartment, I gasped for the clean air. Throwing the door open and quickly locking it behind me, I melted into a puddle on the floor, tears slipping down my face. It took me a long time to come to terms with what I had done, and seeing his parents on the street always made me turn and walk the other way. I never quite could forget his face.
