A/N: so this is the second to last chapter of book one, home y'all enjoy.
BOOK ONE: FIRE
CHAPTER NINE: POWER
Azula's heart was racing, it felt as if it were going to pound from her chest. However, she kept her face stoic and expressionless. To stop herself from hyperventilating she used the breathing techniques she and Tylee worked on. She took deep breaths, feeling her lungs expand and compress. Every breath she took, she inhaled power and control. And, as she released them, she released her doubt. She was in control, she reminded herself. She slowly walked forward, the floor feeling strangely fluid under her feet. She could sense every vibration. She felt the men closing the door, leaving her in the chamber with her father. But, she wasn't alone. Though no one spoke, her mind filled with voices.
Only justice will bring peace.
You must put aside your needs for those of the world.
Be decisive.
Don't hesitate.
They were all different voices, saying different things. However, the message was the same. Kill your father. It was unsettling to think she was about to kill her father, her own flesh and blood. She tried to swallow her anxiety, however it was no use. Every step brought her closer to the towering wall of flames, closer to her father. Every step brought her closer to her destiny. The destiny that had been set on her shoulders against her will. The destiny that had controlled her life. The destiny she would now face.
She felt the heat emanating from the wall of flames, and with it power. She could feel her fathers power, intense yet tamed. She could feel the power of Agni in the fire he bend. It became more intense with every step, threatening to swallow Azula whole. It scared her. The closer she drew the greater it became. It was truly intoxicating. It was the power that had called her once, and was calling her again.
As she drew closer the voices telling her to end her father were drowned out by another. It was only one, but it was ten times more powerful than the others combined. It was her voice, the part of her that wanted, needed power. It told her to stop, that firelord was her destiny. It told her how disappointed father was in her. It told her that all she needed to do was tell him. It told her to help him win the war. As she concentrated more on the voice, she began to realize something. It was no longer her voice, but her fathers.
Your a monster, doing this will not change it. How can you trust everything will be okay? How can you trust that the war will simply end. People will want revenge. How can you trust them not to attack you people.
The argument other her was making was sound. She recalled her fathers words. Trust was for fools, and fear was the only reliable way. All nations feared her father, but not her. No one would listen to her, they wouldn't respect her. Someone else, someone greedy would seek to fill the void in power. The war wouldn't end with her father.
What in reality was a few seconds felt like hours. But, she finally reached her destination. Azula bowed loverly, fixating her eyes on the floor. Her resolve had vanished, and she knew not what to do. She was a scared 14 year old about to face the wrath of her father.
Ozia saw Azula approaching. He didn't know what he had been expecting, but it wasn't this. Her eyes that once shown with determination now had an air of uncertainty. Her skin, once white as snow, was now dark and blemished with freckles. Her steps were unsure as she aproached him. As she drew closer he could see the fear written over her features.
Whatever power her men had claimed her to have wasn't there, it likely never was. She was weaker than he had ever seen her. His once strong daughter was broken, a terrified child. He sighed, he should have found her sooner. He should not have waited until the world reduced her to this. This week child.
"Stand child," he said as soon as she had bowed her head. She immediately did as she was told. At Least that hasn't changed, he thought with a chuckle. This would make delivering the news far easier. He knew she wouldn't like it, but he knew there was nothing she could do.
"I'm disappointed to see you didn't come with your traitorous brother and uncle." he saw her wince as he said this. His lips curled up in a cruel grin.
"You failed your nation," he continued. "Not only that, you failed me daughter." Her expression didn't change, but he saw how difficult it was for her to keep it this way. She truly was weak, he thought to himself.
"It has come to my attention that you are not fit to be my heir," he saw her eyes widen. Shock, herror, and anger were written over her features. "Not to worry child, I would never harm you." She didn't look convinced. "I still need an heir," he explained to her. By the look of confusion on her face he wondered it her time away had made her dull.
"That is why you will be married in a week's time." Her head, still slightly bowed, shot up. He chuckled at this defiance. "You are much too weak to lead our nation, so you will be married to someone strong. Admiral Zhao has earned your hand by delivering you back to me.
He continued to talk but Azula was no longer listening. ZHAO?!? She felt as if she may puke. No only was he at least 3 times her age, he was the most disgraceful man Azula knew. She had seen him leaving the palace parties with young maids, who looked completely terrified. She knew he was involved in the missing children of the earth kingdom, Hamma had told her as much. And Ozai was allowing his daughter to marry such a despicable man. No, not allowing. He was forcing her too. She simply wouldn't get through with it.
"HOW DARE YOU," she yelled at her father, aware of her boiling blood. She could feel the spritis of her past lives trying to take control of her anger, but she held them abay. No, she had no plan to kill him. But, he would learn his place. "You lecture me about strength while you hide in your castle, behind your curtain of flames." With her anger, the flames turned. They were no longer Ozias but Azula, ripped from his grasp. The heat of the room increased tenfold, causing the carpent to begin syncing.
Ozia began to wonder what had really happened out there. The girl he sired, the girl he raised, she would never dare speak to him in such a way. But, the girl who stood before her was. She was openly showing her anger and displeasure to him. She seemed ready to kill him. However, he knew not to be afraid. For that's all it was when it came to Azula, words. She had no intent on following through. Or so he thought.
"You imply that I am unworthy of your legacy, when it is you who is unworthy." Every emotion she had felt boiling up inside her seemed to come to the surface. She needed release. And she would have it.
"You who would kill your own father, your own son, for a throne you do not deserve." She could sense his slight shock at the fact that she knew this. But, she didn't stop. "Iroh is more worthy than you would ever be." she paused, allowing her words to sink in. "Agni, even Zuzu is."
Ozia had enough. In one motion of his hands the flames parted, allowing him to cross through. They returned to his grip, becoming amber again. How dare this girl speak to him in such a way. He made her everything she was. He deserved her respect. How dare she not give that too him. "SILENCE AZULA," he bellowed at her. He was surprised to see her demeanor didn't change. If anything, she seemed to become more enraged.
There was commotion outside and his royal guard entered the chamber. It took them a split second to surround the girl, taking stances. He decided to let them take care of her. If he lowered himself to fighting her, he may not have the control to stop himself. And, he needed an heir.
Azula smiled at the guards coming towards her. She could feel the power her anger gave her. She could feel the power of the moon causing her will to be strengthened. She reached out with her mind to the men. She could feel the blood pumping in their veins, she could sense the organism giving them life. With one twitch of her wrists then men were on their knees, bowing to the true ruler. She could feel them, trying to squirm free of her grip, but she overpowered them. Eventually they gave up the futile fight, surrendering completely to her.
Her fathers eyes widened, and he became truly enraged. "How dare you, stand up and fight you worthless-" Azula silenced him with a thought, causing his blood to begin to boil. The pain and anger written on his face said it all.
"They can't father," she laughed. She felt true power surging through her veins. The control she had was unmatched. These men were hers to do with what she willed. Her lips curled up in a smile. "Take notes father, this is what true power looks like." With a flick of her wrists the man began to scream. She focused her energy, and sent it out to them. She ripped away whatever control they had left. She caused their blood to freeze in their veins. She felt their hearts as they slowed down, until finally they stopped. That's when she released them, allowing their bodies to drop to the floor.
She approached her father next, who had regained his composure. She tried to regain control over him, but his anger was too strong. He was still defiant. "Father, you still defy me?" she asked as she walked closer to him. Then, it happened. He released an enormous amount of fire her way. She tried her best to seize control of his flames, but they wouldn't listen to her will. Instead, she created her own, sending the safire flames to counter his attack. They hit it in the middle, and dispersed to nothing. She then sent a fire fist his way. Instead of dodging it, he bent it toward his chest.
She felt the unfamiliar ripping sensation in her gut as her father stole the flames from her control. With the feeling came fear. A fear that sent her backing away from him. She attacked him again, but he claimed the flemed as well. He was now holding two orange balls of fire, one in each hand. Without warning he released them. Azula felt trapped, unable to anything but wait for her fiery death. She gave in.
She gave into the power that seized her limbs, the light that blocked her vision. She lumped into the air, landing on the ground before the flames reached her. As she did so, the ground became fluid underneath her. In an instant a wall of rock formed, separating her from the flames of her father. As the flames hit her wall shattered, but not before she had found her rhythm. She parted the remaining flames with a blast or air, which proceeded to hit her father. It knocked him to the ground.
When she approached her father she no longer saw anger in his eyes, but fear. He saw her power, and he feared it. She raised a hand, creating a dagger of ice. Then, she sent it towards his chest. Before it pierced his flesh it stoped.
Azula was trying so desperately not to kill him, but her will was fighting against the will of those that came before her. "Stop," she screamed, but they wouldn't. The dagge etched closer to her fathers chest, his eyes widening.
Try as she might, she was unable to overpower her past selves. But, someone else was.
Azula, you were always so strong. Don't let them control you. A The voice of her mother spoke to her, sending sadness over her limbs. This send renewed strength into her. She used this strength to stab the spike into her side. It took no time before she was engulofed in blackness.