Hey guys sorry for the short chapter, but enjoy.
Chapter Seven
The Palace
Backtrack time to the day of the Agni Kai.
Keno stood looking at the door. His daughter, the Avatar, had just stepped out of this room with that request to go out of to the Temple. This was a little surprising to him as to why she wanted to go there.
Could the events of this afternoon had somehow influenced that decision, he thought.
It was strange sometimes to think that the young girl he had sired was the all mighty and powerful Avatar he had heard in the history books and the one that could keep the world in peace.
Peace, he thought.
They had now finally had peace with the world. After a hundred years war, the world was finally at peace, and a peace that could be refortified if the Avatar was part of their Nation. With Zula as the Avatar, he could influence a lot of people since it was his daughter…and maybe, he could aim for a better position…
Then he was suddenly brought out of his thoughts by his son's groaning. Turning his attention back toward the teenage boy, Keno was amazed at how Lu Yin resembles himself when he was younger. It was almost discontenting sometimes.
"Where…" Lu Yin said softly.
"You are in the Healing Chambers," Keno spoke looking at him.
Lu Yin turned his head toward him, his eyes widening in surprises.
"Father…"
"What in Agni's name causes you to challenge Zula in a duel?" Keno snapped at him.
Lu Yin looked down.
"I just…we made a bet so we could fight against each other when she learned Firebending," he said.
"If it was just a duel," Keno said, "The Avatar State wouldn't have been triggered would it? Now why don't you tell me the real reason?"
"I told you the truth," Lu Yin said, glancing back up at him.
Keno narrowed his eyes at him.
"Then what were you thinking of accomplishing?" he asked the young man, "Challenging Zula to an duel when she only learnt firebending only a couple of days ago?"
"I just wanted to fight her," Lu Yin said.
Keno approached him until he was standing right beside the bed.
"Now here is my advice for you Lu Yin," he said, "You do something like that again and your next Agni Kai will be against me."
Lu Yin stared at him shocked.
"What?"
"I know you better than you know yourself Lu Yin," Keno continued, "Don't try to make yourself feel better by simply thinking since you defeated Zula in a fight to serve your ego. Zula will be more powerful than you can ever hope of achieving."
"This…This is not…"
"Isn't it?" Keno said coldly.
Lu Yin stayed silent and the General took this as an answer as he straightened back up.
"Zula and I will be going to the Palace for the invitation that the Princess had sent out," he said, "You on the other hand will be staying home for the entire time we are gone…am I clear?"
Lu Yin glared at the man, barely hiding his own anger.
"Yes sir," he whispered.
Keno then turned around and walked out of the room, leaving Lu Yin staying at his back.
Present Time
Zula stared at the Avatar in front of her.
"Who are those people?" she asked.
"Even I ignore their groups' name," Avatar Bhu told him, "But all I know is that they are well organized into fighting an experienced Avatar."
The young girl could feel her own fear working upon her body.
"Do you have any advice into what I should do?"
"There is a chance that they still ignore your existence in this world," Avatar Bhu said, "But they do know that the next Avatar will be born into the Fire Nation. You will have to be careful in your travels when you're going to learn the next elements in the cycle, words spread far when an Avatar arrives somewhere."
Zula nodded.
"Thank you Avatar Bhu for the warnings," she said.
"You are welcome Zula," he said, "But our time draws to an end. I wish you all my blessings in your quest and journey Young Avatar."
Zula gives him a formal bow as the man in front of her disappears into nothingness.
Next thing she knew, she was seating into the room the Sage had a guided her to, causing her to look around herself. The candles around her where lighting the room and the sky outside were inky black as she widens her eyes.
How long was I in the Spirit World?
The room door opened and the Sage Mao stepped inside, his eyes widening.
"You have finally returned, Avatar Zula," he said.
"How long…?"
"Nearly three hours," he said, "I must say, I was afraid that you couldn't find your way out."
Zula stood back up although she did it slowly.
"Oh," she simply said.
"The ship will take you home tomorrow morning at its earliest," he said.
"Where can I sleep?"
"Follow me," Sage Mao said, "I have prepared a room for you, if you would follow me."
They walked out of the room and through the stairs in complete silence. Zula thought about the warnings that Avatar Bhu had told her.
"Sage Mao,"
"Yes."
"H…How did Avatar Bhu passed on?" she asked.
The Sage turned toward her, with raised eyebrow.
"Avatar Bhu died sixteen years ago on the day of your birth," he said, "It is unclear but words say that he died in a fight."
"A fight?"
"Against numerous opponents," Mao said, "But the details were scares on who caused the attacks."
Zula nodded.
"I see,"
"Why are you asking question about it?" the Sage asked her.
"It's something that had been bothering me that's all," she said.
The Sage nodded at her.
The two had arrived in front of a room and Zula stepped inside after wishing him goodnight. It was a typical room and Zula noticed Mai was already sleeping in one of the bed, her breath coming in slowly making Zula realized that the woman was in a deep sleep.
Zula makes her way toward the empty bed and lied there letting sleep overcome her.
A few hours later, found Zula dressed in formal Fire Nation attire, her hair pulled up in a top-knot. Today was the day she and her Father will travel to the Palace for the invitation that Princess Natsuki had sent to her and her Father.
Speaking of her Father, Zula glanced at the man besides her, looking well dressed. He looked totally focused look upon his face. She hadn't spoken to him about the warning that Avatar Bhu had told her, not wanting to worry him.
The duo were on a ship heading straight for the large island which the Capital of the Fire Nation was situated upon. Zula was amazed at the large statue a man that was in front of the bay where all the ships were docked.
"The Great Gates of Azulon," Zula heard her Father says, "A sight to behold. As a defense, they could light a large net to block the way of any invading armies."
"Wow, that's amazing." Zula said.
The ship they were in docked and the two of them stepped out, but a surprise was waiting for them on deck. Zula feel her eyes widen slightly seeing the feminine figure standing there, dressed in armor…
"Princess Natsuki?" her Father said, and she can hear the surprise in his voice.
It was indeed Princess Natsuki as she smiled brightly when they noticed her. She approached the two and said.
"It is great to see you again, General Keno and Avatar Zula," she said.
The two bowed at her.
"But what brings you here Princess," the General said.
"I've come to pick you up," she answered them, "And I wanted to speak with you again Avatar Zula."
"A…er…okay," Zula answered.
The Princess gives her a smile before turning around and the two followed her into the carriage that was waiting for them. Zula recognized it as the same one she had seen her at her house. They entered the carriage which leads them straight into the Palace.
"How many other peoples will be attending?" Zula heard her Father ask.
"Most nobles from the different Nations," Natsuki said turning her attention toward him, "You may think this as an Annual ball that the Fire Nation holds so that the peace within the world continues."
"Mostly to avoid war," Zula said.
Natsuki glanced at her, her silvery eyes showing some mirth.
"Exactly," she said.
"But why did you invite me?" Zula asked.
"You are the Avatar," Natsuki said simply, "A guiding figure for the world. It would be a shame not to have you participate in such event."
"Oh," Zula said.
The Princess chuckled a little.
"No need to get shy," she said, "I don't know you might learn something."
The carriage had come to a stop and the door was opened by a soldier from outside. The Princess stepped out first followed by Zula.
The young girl's eyes widened.
The Palace even thought she had seen pictures of it in History books but the real thing looked impressive as she stared at the large tower that seems to touch the sky with the large Fire Nation symbol at the top of the tower. They have number of soldiers around and Zula noticed people dressed in greens clothes with the Earth Kingdom symbol upon them.
"Earth Kingdom nobles," Natsuki said, noticing her gaze.
"It would seem all of the nations important figures have show themselves," General Keno said, looking at them.
"Come," the Princess said, "But do not worry. The Palace is the most guarded place within the Fire Nation. It will be foolish for anyone to trespass without being seen."
The two followed her and Natsuki noticed that the people through the place were looking at them in confusion and curiosity.
Yeah, they are finally at the Palace and people that's when shit is going to go down. it had been smooth sailing from the beginning but i can promise you that things will pick up.
All right thanks and review.
R&R
Jacques0 out.
