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The Path in the Mystic Fire - Chapter One Hundred-Sixteen
Elle stared ahead with uncharacteristic anger in her amber eye as she squeezed her fists at her hips while her shocked friends still stood supportively behind her.
All the while as the highborn women turned to the old sage in still present horror.
"H-he took half of the Component…w-what…what now? What…do we do now?" The handmaid inquired as she asked what was on everyone else's mind.
While Azula's amber golden eyes still bubbled over as she seethed with fire snorting from her furious nostrils.
"You are going to take it back child…and until you do. You and your friends will not be able to defeat the Primordial One…even if you find the Matrix. You simply will not possess the stamina required to cleave your way it its core. And that means…if it awakens before you find and defeat your brother…all will be lost." Mava spoke in a momentous voice that had all five younger females staring on in horror like never before.
"And the gateway…is now…closed." The captain stated in a soft voice with her golden eyes wide in alarm and outrage.
"Why didn't you tell us this before old woman!" The princess boomed as her flames spewed from her mouth while her subordinates stepped back in fright.
"Because I didn't know! I have spent almost one hundred and fifty years trying to interpret these visions! And I doubt that you would have done any better!" The sage shouted with her staff angrily clutched in and while the team listened with astonished looks in their eyes.
While the four highborn women exchanged a frightful look as they realized that must mean…
That Silah was of a similar age!
That meant that both Mava and Silah were far older than that of even Lo and Li!
But the age of their ally and their puppeteer enemy did not matter right now.
Just as the team noticed the teenager sink to her knees in an overwhelmed emotion.
"We'll…we'll get it back Elle. Won't we Azula?" The acrobat asked as she reached out to touch the younger girl's shoulder.
"Of course, we will Ty Lee. And when we do, he will die screaming in my flames for this." Azula snarled with her amber golden eyes glaring down at her serving girl's distressed face.
"He…he was willing to take the chance that…that I would die." Elle swallowed with her fists clenching at her sides while her companions listened in anger over her.
"And that is not all. There is more." Mava stated in a grave undertone while the group turned to her with disbelief in their wary eyes.
"What else is there?" The princess demanded with absolute anger in her regal voice while she glared on murderously.
Only for her amber golden eyes to narrow as she turned back to the mystic flames.
While the three noblewomen and their young friend gazed on with anticipation in their eyes to see a great many faces forming in the flames.
"Despite the gravity of your situation…your path in the flames has become much clearer." The sage began with her hands grasping her staff while the team listened into confusion behind her.
All the while as they watched with bewilderment in their eyes as the first faces begin to take shape.
Only for their eyes to widen when they saw Naoki being pulled out of the rubble by a panicked Katsu and Kane.
And standing above them was Rieko!
"You have been defeated Naoki. I have done what Princess Azula and her captain were unable to do. And now I will ask you one more time. Will you accept my terms and become my apprentice?" Rieko asked in a conceited voice with her arms crossed over her breasts.
"I accept." Naoki responded in a stony voice while Elle's amber eyes widened in shock.
While the princess and the captain now gazed on with their eyes agape in fury to see the mighty redhead brought down so easily.
All the while as the markswoman and acrobat gaped on in astonishment.
And that was all it took for all of their eyes to widen even further when they saw Nero's facing laughing in the flames soon after.
And soon after that they saw an image of Andromeda smiling smugly with her cape flowing behind her.
And next was Katsu who was standing with her green fists glowing alight as she laughed wildly.
And shortly after that a man wearing a metal mask with a white cloak hanging over his shoulders.
And then a grave-faced woman with neck length blonde hair with one braided pony tail falling down each side of her face.
And then the image of a long table with all of the faces seated together appeared in the smoking flames!
While the team gazed on with their eyes as wide as can be when they saw Rieko standing on the balcony with Naoki directly beside her.
"Each, and every one of you stands among the strongest aberrants that this world has to offer! And I have defeated every single one of you! This moment represents a consolation of war powers under one rule!" The emperor shouted in a bellowing voice while Team Azula stared back at the image in disbelief.
While the eyes of the highborn women grew even wider as they watched the faces of seven targets rapidly appear in the flames.
Including Silah!
Strados!
And two others!
Zoi!
Azula!
And that woman that woman Sayomi that they heard both Mava and Naoki speak of!
"Are these truly the strongest benders in her entire world? And did she really hunt them all down and force them to join her group?" Mai asked in a disbelieving voice while Ty Lee gaped on in similar shock beside her.
While Azula's callous amber golden eyes glared venomously back at the faces of all of the Apostles as she gripped her fists at her hips.
While Zoi gazed on with her golden eyes flashing with astonishment as she realized the implications of such a feat.
If so…then that would mean that Rieko may well be the strongest warrior in all of Elle's world!
The very thought of this woman being this powerful…being this strong to defeat the two great young warriors that they just fought.
Only increased her drive to train and become even stronger as a warrior!
"In the time since you left the faces of many of your enemies have joined as one tremendous force…a force called the Apostles." Mava stated in a captivating venerable voice as she pointed a wrinkled finger back at the gathered elites.
All the while as the highborn women and their young friend stared on with their eyes widening in alarm.
"And our goal…is Elle Turner. This young woman…Princess Azula is currently in possession of her. And if she refuses to cooperate…we're going to take her from her." Rieko spoke in a voice of limitless confidence through the smoking flames while Elle's amber eyes shook in trauma.
Just as the petite girl backed up with her head bumping into her master's armored chest.
"T-take me from Azula-sama! N-no. No." The handmaid repeated in a stammering voice while her princess's much taller body shook in rage over her.
All the while as a unanimous shudder was felt by all three noblewomen when they saw the look of pure wrath that had formed in the royal woman's boiling amber golden eyes.
And not a moment later an explosion of the powerful young woman's chi flared to life in the room while the rest of the group gazed back at the couple in amazement.
"No one is taking you from me girl." Azula spoke in a beyond enraged voice with her beautiful lips smashed together in a seething glower.
All the while as she stood with the back of her little girlfriend's head pressing into her plated chest.
While the three nobles glared at the visage of Rieko in agreement.
And yet they couldn't help but begin to feel terrified of what this woman might be capable of.
And what this would mean for all of them for the next time the gateway was opened.
"I am certain that somewhere out there Azula is smirking…no doubt pleased with herself…feeling as if she came out on top. But our dear princess will find out soon enough that such notions couldn't be further from the truth." The emperor remarked with a growing smirk while the princess in question stood glaring daggers back at her image.
All the while as Elle quivered in worry before the princess's larger frame while the royal woman clenched her jaw in anger over her.
While both the acrobat and the markswoman found themselves stunned by how this woman spoke of a woman as frightening as Azula as if…
As if she truly believed that the princess was not a threat to her!
Just as the whole group stared on with fixated eyes as the dancing flames transformed once more before their eyes.
To a smoking image of Rieko standing imposingly before Felix with a fleet of armed soldiers!
"Felix Turner, give me one good reason why I shouldn't tear you apart limb by limb." Rieko commented in courtly voice with a violent smile on her lips as she crushed the young man's hand underneath her palm.
"Because I! Have! It!" Felix yelled out in a violently pleased voice with his cruelly joyful amber eyes leaning into to gaze up into Rieko's taken aback eyes.
While the team gazed on with rapidly rising dread in their widened eyes as they began to understand just why the sage had been so grim!
All the while as the serving girl stared on with her amber eyes brewing with horror.
And just like that the group watched as the flames morphed once more.
And soon the five gazed on with wide eyes as they saw Lana's image appear before them.
"M-Mom." Elle swallowed in a voice of boundless sentiment while her highborn friends' eyes took on a saddened gleam.
While the Fire Princess stared back at the face of Lana with her amber golden gaze once again expressing a hidden regret at being unable to save the woman's life.
All the while as she found herself feeling a stabbing pain in her chest over how the woman had wanted to meet her.
And unlike her own mother…
This peasant woman approved of her.
'I will not let your death go unpunished Lana Turner.' The princess thought with her amber golden eyes flickering in great rage as she exhaled fire through her furious lips.
Only for her amber golden eyes to widen a margin of a fraction not a second later when she saw the image of Lana split into two.
While the highborn women and their handmaid gazed on with a renewed unease when they saw that the woman was splitting into the image of her two children!
And then they stared on with shock in their eyes when they saw the two siblings reappear on opposing fronts.
Elle standing before a scowling Azula.
And Felix standing grinning before a smirking Rieko!
"For it is I who has the 'other half'." The emperor stated in a disembodied voice that flowed all around the stunned team.
All the while as Azula clenched her jaw with the veins in her eyes nearly beginning to erupt over the older woman's gall.
While Elle stood shaking in fright before her outraged master with her horrified amber eyes unable to leave her brother's evil face.
Only for the five females to stare on with still widening eyes when the sound of a chandelier shattering resonated throughout the air around them.
Just as the of a dead man dropped down on top of the Apostle meeting table while the elites now gazed up with astonishment in their eyes.
All the while as the Fire Nation women glared on with their young friend trembling beside them as Felix laughed wickedly while he straddled the railing.
"I told you that I would throw a little chaos into the mix Rieko! Am I good or am I fantastic!" The brother called out in a terrifyingly jovial voice while the team stared at his visage in shared shock.
"H-Heika…Heika let my brother join her faction?" The handmaid questioned in a shaken voice while her princess glared on protectively from over her shoulder.
Just before the flames morphed yet again into the image of the older woman seated confidently on a throne of ice with a gloved fist resting against her cheek.
While the two firebenders and their companions gazed on with a stare of determination in their narrowed eyes.
"I was originally going to transfer the other half of the power back into Elle Turner upon her retrieval. I would much rather work with the girl…over that revolting creature. However, Elle Turner chose to oppose me. And while I would still much prefer for the girl to emerge as the victor…" Rieko spoke in a low voice with her blue eyes glaring on imposingly while Elle shook in intimidation as if she were staring down on her in flesh.
All the while as Team Azula glared furiously back into the smoking flames.
"Be it brother or sister…one of the Turner Siblings will cut down the barrier for me. And so, if Elle Turner wishes to survive…she'll adjust her behavior by the next time we meet. Even if I must shatter her friends to ice one by one…starting with the woman in pink." The emperor stated in a monstrous voice as she sat gazing forward while the acrobat in question shook in sudden terror.
While a sense of profound disquiet swept through the air after the team had heard those frightening words.
All the while as the princess's boiling amber golden eyes never ceased glaring wrathful back into the older woman's smoking blue eyes.
While the teenager distressingly shook her emotional head in protest to the fearful declaration.
"No! N-not my oneesan!" Elle cried out in a lovable voice while Ty Lee listened in a moved quiet behind her.
"I'll okay little sister. I am sure Azula won't let that happen." The acrobat assured in a gentle voice with her brown-gray eyes still gazing on in buried fear.
While Azula just scowled deeply as she glared on from over her serving girl's sensitive shoulder.
"The outcome won't change in the least. I'll get what I want. The only question is how many of her friends will remain intact by the time I am through." Rieko commented in a ruthlessly sanguine voice as she sunk back on her throne with a smirk on her lips once more.
All the while as the highborn women and their distressed young friend stood in an unsettled state of silence.
"I-I'm so dead! She's the last person in the world that I would want angry with me! I-I've heard that she allows people that she hates to live for years on end just so that she can get the pleasure of killing them when they think that all is forgiven!" The handmaid sputtered in a distressed voice while her highborn friends listened in an unnerved silence.
While the noblewomen gazed back at their mighty leader's annoyed scowling face in fright over how the woman once again seemed very similar to an older Azula!
"That won't happen Elle. We'll defeat her. Just as we will defeat the Avatar and this Primordial One." Zoi stated with her golden eyes taking on a resolute stare while Azula glowered in agreement.
Only for the team to stare back with their full attentions when the flames twisted into the image of the monarch standing with her aura aglow.
And once again the ever-smiling Naoki was standing right beside her new mentor!
"Know this my dear Apostles! While our enemies are undoubtedly dangerous in their own right…they are no match for us! We are the greatest fighting force that this world has ever seen! And we are going to break them all on the battlements!" The emperor roared at the top of her mighty lungs with her fists held out before her face.
All the while as the highborn women found themselves begrudgingly intrigued by the woman's confidence.
"For I am the God Emperor and I cannot be defeated! Not by anyone in this world or anyone in the next! And as long as you stand with your God then you are also beyond defeat!" Rieko bellowed with her voice ringing out calamitously throughout the room while the group listened in a stunned silence.
"To think that she is actually arrogant enough to address herself as a deity in front of her subjects!" Ty Lee exclaimed in a floored voice with Mai gazing on in clear distaste beside her.
Only for the two nobles to take note of the spark of envy in their princess's cold eyes.
While they soon found themselves shivering as Azula let out a haughty scoff.
"What arrogance! If there is any ruler that is a god it is clearly me!" Azula huffed with her arms folded over her breasts while her serving girl still shook in fear before her scowling face while her childhood friends gazed at the back of her head.
"I know this a foreign concept to you Azula but you really shouldn't be trying to match this woman's arrogance." The markswoman advised in a deadpan voice only to find herself sighing when the princess literally waved her off.
All the while as the two firebenders exchanged a cold stare before they turned to glare back into the flames.
Just as the older woman's voice rang out into their ears for a final time.
"Long may the Apostles reign!" The emperor boomed in a tone of roaring poise with her fist held up in the air over her head.
And just like that the team gaped on in an unnerved silence when the Apostles roared out in response.
Each and every Apostle.
Even the ones who clearly despised their new leader were rallied by their emperor's war cry.
"Long may the Apostles reign!" The Apostles shouted together as one united voice while the acrobat and the markswoman swallowed in growing dread.
"A-and she now has Felix…which means that she possesses half of the Component…and we have to go back over to get it. And we just barely escaped with our lives this time!" Elle cried out with her amber eyes wide in a dreaded emotion as her princess seethed in fury behind her.
All the while as the stricken group watched as countless images began to rapidly flash before the burning flames.
Just as their eyes grew wider when they saw an image of Elle standing loyally beside Azula in the flames.
And on the opposite side was the smirking Rieko standing above them and standing right beside her was the emotionless Naoki!
"Indeed child. Battle lines have been drawn in the sand. You chose your ruler…and your friend chose hers. You chose solely based off your love for the princess. Whereas your friend evaluated the power of all of her opponents and went with the one who exceeded her the most." The sage explained in a croaking voice while the group listened in a stunned quiet.
While Mai and Ty Lee shared an amazed look as they marveled over how they never thought they would see the day when someone chose to follow Azula out of love.
All the while as Azula's amber golden eyes burned with both a pleased and greatly angered gleam all at once.
Pleased that her companion had once again demonstrated just why she is able to trust her the most.
And yet incensed over the thought of this woman being stronger than her!
While at the same time she began to feel a sense of motivation flow through her burning veins.
And that was all it took for the flames of war begin to burn up from within her belly more than they had ever before!
"I-I…would never choose anyone over Azula-sama. Never." The handmaid muttered with a shake of her head while her master gazed down at her in approval.
Only for her amber eyes to widen with a touched emotion when she felt a hand lower into her hair.
"Your queen recognizes your fealty servant." The princess commented in a cold voice with her possessive eyes gazing fondly down at her pet's lovely emotional face.
Before she turned her piercing gaze back to the flames as she exhaled flames through her parted lips once more.
All the while as the fivesome watched as one image after another appeared in the flames.
Foreboding images of what seemed to be a great war to come!
A war that looked to be even more destructive than the one that they were already fighting!
Even a terrifying image of a brutalized Azula fighting in the flames.
While the team fell silent in shock as they gazed back at the ominous visage of the Fire Nation Princess.
All the while as many shadowed figures loomed high overhead with the maliciously smirking Rieko gazing down from far above.
Only for all of their eyes to gaze on in sudden intrigue when another woman appeared in the flames alongside their leader!
It was the same woman from before! Sayomi Saito! Adorned in silver armor!
And then the two warriors let out a roar as they charged towards the seemingly amused older woman!
Just as the shadowed figures of all of the Apostles leaped down around the two fighters from all sides!
"That's Sayomi Saito! Everyone says that she is super strong Azula-sama!" Elle chirped as she peered up at Azula's interested face while the older girl gazed into the flames.
"Is she now Elle? Well then. I'll just have to recruit her." Azula spoke with a returning smirk while her childhood friends gazed at the woman's image in fascination.
"As I stated before there may be a potential ally in another who shares your new enemy. That is…if your princess can avoid making her into an enemy." Mava remarked with a snort as all but Elle and Azula stared on in humor.
All the while the mighty princess still stood smiling confidently with her arms crossed over her breasts.
Only for her callous eyes to glare back at Rieko once again when the older woman appeared smirking yet again.
While the others stared on in an enraptured quiet with their eyes still glued to the mystic flames.
Just they watched a malformed monstrosity appear in the flames adjacent to the terrifying monarch.
"I caution all of you not to take this womanly lightly. She is far more dangerous than you comprehend. So…dangerous that I cannot figure out who is the greater threat…the Primordial One or this emperor." The sage revealed in an unfathomably grave voice as the group gazed on with speechless looks in their eyes.
The horrifying statement…spoke volumes about how ominous their new enemy was!
All the while as their unnerved eyes remained on the image of a vast monster covered in shadows with many tentacles whose shape they could barely make out.
While Elle began to shake like a leaf once more as Azula glared on viciously from over her head.
"Is…that the Primordial One?" The captain pondered in an awed voice while her princess gazed on in amazement beside her.
"Indeed. However, its true form cannot be perceived by your eyes until young Elle succeeds at severing the veil that it has enacted over the world. The veil must be cut at all costs, and only the Component has the power to do so. And so, it shall, by the hand of the Component or not at all." Mava spoke in an unbelievably dire voice while the team listened with their unnerved eyes staring back into the fire.
"This monster is all of that and more…and this woman may be even more dangerous than it?" The markswoman pondered in a bewildered voice with her tawny eyes expressing her disquiet.
All the while as the image of Rieko and the entity known as the Primordial One continued to float calamitously before their stunned eyes.
"That is correct. Which is why I will leave you girls with a final warning about this woman." The sage began in a rough voice as she held onto her staff.
While the team still stared on with a sense of captivation in their eyes.
"Her chi is so horrifying that I was able to feel it all the way back here. It…it was unspeakably tremendous." Mava spoke in a deathly serious voice while the two proud firebenders stood in a shocked silence.
While Ty Lee and Mai gazed on with their jaw dropping over the implication.
"Y-you felt it…here? A whole world away?" The handmaid gulped with her amber eyes staring on in right.
And now Rieko has Felix at her disposal!
This was more horrible than she could ever imagine!
"If for some reason you two should find yourself in another confrontation with her before you get the chance to increase your power. Know that…just from what I was able to sense. I can tell you that her power exceeds that of the Avatar State at its strongest." The sage announced with her wrinkled hands holding her staff while a chill swept throughout the room.
While the fires from the mystic flames still burned before all of their speechless eyes.
"I-it exceeds the Avatar State?" The acrobat asked in an unsettled voice with her jaw dropping in alarm.
"It has to…otherwise there would be no way that she could subdue and defeat so many powerful warriors. And still feel confident that they will not assassinate her in her sleep. Which means that even if you could make it back over to retrieve the other half from her brother you would find yourselves overwhelmed by the might of the emperor once more." Mava replied in a weathered voice while the team stared on in grim understanding.
While the princess gazed on with her amber golden eyes conveying her offense over the prospect of this woman being more powerful than her.
Only for her callous eyes to turn to the old woman when she realized what that meant.
"If this woman can surpass the Avatar…. does that mean that it is possible for me to do so as well?" The princess pondered with a power-hungry gleam in her amber golden eyes while her captain listened in intrigue.
"If you can remove yourself from your father's limited view of the world and broaden your mind to the greater possibilities that lie on the horizon… you will reach heights that you previously had not thought possible." The sage answered in a wizened voice as the group stared back at their princess in marvelment while the princess's lips began to curl into a pleased smile.
While Mai and Ty Lee stared on with residual fear of their friend in their eyes uncertain how they should feel about Azula becoming stronger than the Avatar
Only for the older girl to glance down with cold amber golden eyes when she felt her girlfriend tug on her sleeve.
"I know that you'll succeed Azula-sama. I have faith in your power!" Elle cried out as she smiled sweetly up at Azula's stony face while the woman's lips pulled into a wider smile.
Just before the teenager let out a lovable squeak when her master's toned body began to glow under the power of her recovering aura.
All the while as she stared up with awe into domineering amber golden eyes that sent a wonderful shudder down her spine.
"Then so I shall! I will surpass them all and become the strongest warrior to ever live!" Azula declared in a determined voice with an imposing stare in her dominating eyes.
While she gazed possessively down at her lovely girlfriend's awestruck face.
All the while as the three nobles stared at their leader in marvelment.
And the captain found herself unable to resist smiling back at her leader in admiration.
"P-princess." The handmaid stammered in a lovesick voice with her face heating up under the older woman's gaze.
"And you little lady. You shall be there to bear witness to your princess's might." The princess spoke in a poised voice with her amber golden eyes staring down at her little girlfriend's adorably stunned face.
Only for her smile to grow when the younger girl speedily shook her head in agreement.
"I-I will Azula-sama. I wouldn't miss such a sight for anything in the world." Elle stated in an adoring voice as she twiddled her thumbs bashfully while she found herself comforted by the way the woman loomed over her.
Even with all of this terrible news.
When she was standing before her princess…she felt safe and secure.
As if nothing in all of the worlds out there could harm her.
"Nor would I Your Highness. I want you to know that I meant what I said. I bow to you and you alone. You are my one true ruler." Zoi spoke in a dedicated voice with her loyal eyes gazing back at the younger woman's face while her fellow nobles listened in awe.
And then the princess turned to gaze over her shoulder at her captain's smiling face.
While she found herself unable to fight allowing her lips to pull into a grateful smile after hearing those words.
Just before all of their eyes turned back to the mystic flames when they sparked up once again.
Only for their eyes to gaze on in curiosity when they saw Naoki's face in the fire.
"Listen well young Component. While this friend of yours will undeniably kill a great many people… she has the potential to be instrumental to the success of your quest." Mava explained in a hallowed voice as the teenager stared on with emotional amber eyes.
Just as the team listened in captivation when they heard Victoria Cromwell speak from within the flames.
"Starting tomorrow we are going to send you out into the uncharted Red Zone for the next thirty days which is where we will try to kill you from start until end. You will face everything from road bandits, to ravenous seekers, to assassins and even your fellow Apostles. Know that there is no stopping it once it has been begun and that this is your one and only chance to back out." Victoria stated in a no-nonsense voice as the team listened in a stunned silence.
And that was all it took for the group to begin to understand why the girl had went with the emperor.
"I already told you my answer Victoria." Naoki answered in turn in an emotionless voice from within the fire.
"N-Naoki's going to go into the Red Zone?" The handmaid repeated in a greatly worried voice while her highborn friends stared on in confusion.
"What is this…Red Zone Elle?" Azula inquired with her elbow propped up on her folded arm while she gazed down at her serving girl for clarification.
"It's…it's abandoned territory…not held by any government. No longer held by humanity ever since we savaged the planet in the war to end all wars. And it…covers over half of the planet and Rieko wants to reclaim it." Elle whispered in a saddened voice while Azula's amber golden eyes widened in utter shock.
All the while as the three noblewomen and even the venerable such listened in disbelief.
While the highborn women stood there in a state of transfixed speechlessness to learn that this World War Three was so destructive that it resulted in over half of the planet being abandoned!
"E-Elle…that's…" Ty Lee trailed off in a frightened voice as she swallowed while gazing at her little sister in pity.
The poor girl has been through so much!
Only for all of their eyes to turn back to the flames when they saw the combustionbender and the man named Kane standing over the seated redhead.
"I don't get it Naoki. I don't care about this princess but was it really worth it to stay here just for the sake of vengeance?" Kane questioned in a bewildered voice while girl sat silently with her back turned to him.
"I…thought about going with Elle…I would have liked to fight those two again. But I couldn't…just leave you here." Katsu remarked in a devoted voice with her wild eyes taking on a momentarily softened gleam.
While a sense of amazement swept through the air.
All the while as the princess let out an irate growl.
"So, the combustionbender would have come with me if not for that brat." The princess snorted in a cold voice with her amber golden eyes glaring back at the emotionless redhead.
"T-that doesn't surprise me Azula-sama. Katsu…goes wherever Naoki goes. And if Naoki doesn't wish to go with you…then neither will Katsu." The handmaid mumbled in a solemn voice as her princess scowled over her shoulder.
"I won't lie it…I see that little day dreamer is a friend of mine. And I would even wager that this Fire Nation would have made for a much more pleasant place than these hostile ravaged wastelands." Naoki spoke as she stood up from her sweat with her wakizashi held over her shoulder.
While Elle's mouth dropped open in an overwhelmed emotion a moved tear made its way down her grazed cheek.
All the while as the highborn women stood in a taken aback quiet.
"Then…why?" The mercenary asked in a marveled voice as he stared back at his young leader just as she turned to smile back at him.
"Because I'm low. I don't deserve the warmth of peace. I belong here…with the low lives." The assassin stated in a seemingly joyful voice as she stared back at her two shocked friends.
While the team watched in a stunned silence as the redhead was soon shown walking through a vast dark forest.
All the while as the sound of monstrous growling began to resonate from within the trees all around her.
While the blonde's gentle eyes grew wide with fear for her aloof friend's wellbeing.
All the while as she listened to the monsters of the Red Zone hiss all around the redhead.
While the Fire Nation women stared on in a spellbound silence.
"N-Naoki…" Elle murmured in a sorrowful voice with a tear streaming down her cheek.
"They can keep their comforts. I don't need them. I would rather trudge through a frozen hell." Naoki declared in a terrifyingly eager voice as she smiled while she rapidly drew her blade.
And then she sprung forward with the shadowed forms of several monstrous creatures descending over her.
All the while as the team stared on with captivated expressions in their widened eyes.
Those…were the same creatures that they saw in their young friend's memories!
"What…are those creatures' servant?" Azula asked in a curious voice as she took note of her young girlfriend's fear.
"They…they are the monsters that roam the Red Zone. They…are called seekers…because…they are drawn to the smell of fresh human blood." The handmaid responded in a terrified voice while the four highborn women stared on with horrified looks in their eyes.
And once again…the Fire Nation women were struck by the depth of the darkness of their young friend's war-ravaged world.
"And this girl…finds that appealing?" Mai questioned in an incredulous voice as the acrobat shook in horror beside her.
All the while as the princess and the captain gazed at the redhead's vanishing fade in a new sense of unspoken respect.
Even though they stood on opposite sides of a possible impending war.
The girl was anything but a coward.
"She is a true warrior. I must confess…if I were her age and seeking to attain greater power…I would also thrust myself in whatever situation was most likely to hurt the most. A warrior has nothing to gain by remaining stagnant." The captain remarked in a stoic voice while her princess turned to gaze her way in slight surprise.
All the while as the flames changed once more as the others gazed on in a trance.
While their eyes gazed on in fascination when they saw a recognizable face in the flames once more.
It was Sayomi once more.
And this time…they were able to make out that she looked to be around a similar age as Azula!
That was when they saw the twenty-something year old woman was seated beside an older woman with long wavy red hair in a moving vehicle.
It was the same redhead that was listed as one of Rieko's seven most dangerous targets!
'This is the woman…that Naoki aspires to kill?' The princess thought with her amber golden eyes gazing in curiosity at the other woman's serious face.
And in some strange manner…it almost reminded her of her brother.
"We're closing in on the intermob. I have received word that they are running a human trafficking operation. An underground slave market…if you will." Calla stated in a composed voice as she gazed out the window with calm brown eyes.
While Elle listened with her mouth in the shape of an o as she stared transfixed back into the burning flames.
While the noblewomen stood quietly behind their adopted sister.
All the while as the princess gazed down at her girlfriend with a rare flicker of concern in her cold amber golden eyes.
"They will face justice." Sayomi spoke at long last in a passionate voice as she stared ahead with resolute blue eyes.
"I thought you might say that." The commander remarked while she watched the younger woman open the door to the truck.
And then soon enough the champion leaped out with several comrades following swiftly behind her.
And mere moments later the vision in the flames transformed once more.
To that of an utterly destroyed battlefield.
While Sayomi now stood panting with her blonde hair hanging before her eyes.
All the while as the hero stared furiously down into the frightened eyes of the face of a wealthy intermob boss.
Just before she swung her fist into the man's face as he cried out while he soared onto his back in a puddle.
"Change in coming in the zones and you cannot stop it. Because you are one…and you are few. While we are many. For you cannot chain the wings of freedom. The more you try the freer we'll be." The champion informed in a steely voice as she stood over the downed crime boss while he swallowed in fright under her intense glare.
While Azula already began to roll her amber golden eyes as she shook her head in annoyance.
Only for her hard eyes to glance down at her girlfriend's spellbound face to see that the girl clearly admired the woman.
"Y-you cannot chain the wings of freedom…" The handmaid trailed off with innocent awe in her voice.
While the princess stared on with increasing aggravation in her ruthless amber golden eyes.
All the while as the three noblewomen listened behind their captivated young friend with fascinated looks in their eyes.
'I assure you dear. You most certainly can.' Azula thought as she rolled her lovely eyes once more while irritation flashed before her callous amber golden gaze.
While the acrobat and the markswoman gazed on with doubt in their eyes.
Already knowing that it was not likely that such a justice minded woman would ever look past the atrocities of the Fire Nation to form an alliance with Azula.
"And you think that this woman will actually be willing to form an alliance with Azula?" The markswoman questioned in a skeptical voice while the princess stared on with her usual hardened gaze.
"It is up to the princes to present herself in a manner that is palatable to those with conflicting moral values. If your leader cannot do that. Then your group will not find any allies outside of the Fire Nation in this world or the next. And your faction will be too few to survive the struggle to come." The sage stated in a timeless voice as she sat before her fire while the flames flickered before the faces of the disquieted group.
All the while as the princess stared frigidly back at the old woman with her childhood friends gazing on in dread beside her.
"I am amply competent at leading my subjects in the Fire Nation and beyond. I will show these commoners the power of my rule and that I am the only leader capable of leading them to survival." The princess spoke in a regal voice with her royal head held high while her little girlfriend speedily nodded her head in affirmation.
"I do not deny your power but while you may well be the most powerful member of the Royal Family. The one advantage that your brother has over you is his ability to listen to his allies and that is what you must do. You must listen Princess Azula. Not command but listen." Mava commented in a croaking voice while Zoi watched from where she stood off on the sidelines.
Only for all to turn to Ty Lee when the acrobat's voice cut into the air.
"I know! Perhaps Elle can speak for Azula as her delegate with this woman and all the others. I'll bet that Elle's kindness and Azula's strong leadership will make for a force to be reckoned with." The acrobat exclaimed in a hopeful voice while the princess gazed curiously in her direction.
While the old sage now rubbed the underside of her chin as she cracked a smile in the noblewoman's direction.
All the while as Elle now beamed up at Azula's stoic face with a wide smile on her lips.
"It could work." The sage agreed with a wise nod while the princess still gazed down at her servant with a fraction of a thawed gaze.
"That's a great idea Azula-sama! Good thinking oneesan! I'll be Her Highness's liaison." Elle chirped in an adorable voice as Azula sighed with her arms folded over her breasts.
"Oh, very well tiger monkey. I suppose I could allow you to be my delegate." Azula replied as she moved to seat herself once more while her serving girl followed after her heels.
Before she plopped her backside down in the old chair as if it was her throne while she placed her elbows on the arms of her seat.
All the while as she allowed her lips to pull into an approving smile when the girl took a loyal seat at her feet.
While Zoi and Mai exchanged a glance as they mused that it seemed like a workable way to soften the harshness of the princess's orders.
"Elle saw the power in my leadership. Zoi saw. Nako saw it. And my soldiers have seen it as well. And so too, shall this Sayomi Saito." The princes remarked in a confidently powerful voice with her regal amber golden eyes gazing back into the mystic fire.
All the while as the three noblewomen listened to their princess with a sense of amazement in their eyes.
Even Mai could not ignore that Azula was making progress.
"My confidence in Azula-sama has no limit. I will speak to our allies from the heart and let them know why I believe that she is the leader that we must rally behind. She won't let us down Mava…I know she won't." The handmaid piped up in a soft voice with her hands in her lap while her princess sat authoritatively over her.
While the others listened in a sense of astonishment over how deep their young friend's faith in their leader ran.
All the while as the teenager relaxed her head against the older woman's shapely robed thigh.
Just as a shy smile formed on her lips once more when she felt a strong palm lower into her hair.
And just like that the woman began to pet her head while she melted blissfully under the princess's palm.
"Little sister…" Ty Lee trailed off in a moved voice as she gazed back at the couple while Azula's protective hand rested in the young girl's hair.
It really was a touching sight watching a woman as cold as Azula act so protective of a sweet girl like Elle.
"It pleases me that you two are paying attention after all. Now watch closely child. Our meeting is nearly concluded. But before you leave…you must brace yourself for the path that lies ahead." Mava announced in a foreboding voice as the teenager trembles while she gazed into the fire with attentive amber eyes.
While the four highborn women stared on with narrowed looks in their eyes.
Only for their eyes to widen when they saw a visage of Lana's killer appear standing on a desolate cliff.
All the while as Elle shook with her fists clenched in her lap.
Just as the flames in the hut abruptly lit up with the glow of blue fire while the princess glared on with an unforgiving amber golden gaze.
"I can smell it in the air! The stench of war! But not just any war…a war with Sayomi the Golden Angel!" Strados shouted in a violently excited voice with his gloved fist clutching his pistol while a look of invigoration came over his bloodthirsty blue eyes.
And then the rogue soldier began to descend the cliff with his boots sending rocks falling to the harrowing pit below.
While the Fire Nation women gazed back at the man's heartless visage in an attempt to learn as much as much as they could in order to avenge their young friend's parents.
All the while as the teenager swallowed with her amber eyes staring hatefully back at her mother's killer.
Only for her eyes to widen when the flames twisted into the shape of her demented brother once more!
While Felix now stood in his trench coat with his gloved hands held up before his sadistically smiling face.
Just as the eyes of all five girls flashed with alarm when they saw the young man's hands light up with a familiar glow!
All the while as their alarm rose even higher when they saw that the madman had managed to draw a crowd of followers!
Surrounding the young man was a crowd comprised of the most deranged individuals in the lands!
"There are no rules! You have my backing to kill, steal and defile whoever you meet! Let us descend into complete and unbridled chaos together!" Felix bellowed in a horrifyingly gleeful voice with a wicked smirk on his lips while the team stared back in shock.
Even Azula herself was taken aback by the depravity of the order!
"No! I will not let him destroy Mother's legacy!" Elle yelled with a burst of anger in her usually kind voice.
While Azula glanced down at her servant with surprise in her amber golden eyes the girl's continually growing boldness.
All the while as the group fell silent when Mava turned to face Elle with the direst expression in her glazed golden eyes.
"Now do you see Elle? I need you to stop your brother. I didn't sacrifice all of this just so some lunatic could burn the world down." The sage implored with a worry seeping into her aged voice while Elle's amber eyes now brimmed with determination.
"I'll stop him Sage Mava. I forswear it as the Component." The handmaid stated in a decided voice while her highborn friends listened in a captivated quiet.
"Good. That is what I needed to hear. Now I think that will be enough visions for one day. Although your circumstances have grown more urgent…your overall goal has not changed. You still must defeat the Avatar before you can remove the veil that the Primordial One placed over the world." Mava stated as her wrinkled hand fell to her side while the flames in the mystic fire finally died down.
All the while as the teenager numbly nodded her head while her friends listened supportively all around her.
"And once you do…you and your friends must prepare to both journey into the center of the Primordial One's core and for the war that is soon to be waged upon our horizon." The sage instructed in a venerable voice while the team listened in a riveted quiet.
"The next war?" Azula questioned in a perfectly dignified voice with her imposing eyes watching as the sage nodded her head.
While the acrobat and the markswoman stared on with distaste in their eyes over the mere thought of finishing this war…
Just to go fight another!
"The Apostle War." Mava announced in a deathly serious voice with her frightening words causing the team to gaze on with alert looks in their eyes.
All the while as the four highborn women stared on with thoughts of Rieko running through their mind.
"I advise you finish the current conflict as soon as you are able. For if you are still embroiled in a war with the Avatar and the White Lotus when Rieko's forces arrive on our shores. You will without doubt be defeated." The sage informed with her hands clutching her staff while the group gazed on with worried looks in their eyes.
While the five females sunk back in their spots as they digested the heavy weight of all that they just learned.
All the while as young Elle gazed on with a newfound passionately motivated stare in her amber eyes.
Ten minutes later.
The four highborn women and their servant companion sat together once more as they watched the old sage search for something that she felt would be of use to them.
"This woman Elle…Rieko…do your people really back home believe that she is a god?" Mai pondered with a twinge of curiosity in her monotone voice.
While the other three highborn girls gazed back at their young friend's deeply thoughtful face.
"I don't. But many do oneesan. It's…because they say that she was the one who brought the light back." Elle answered in a soft-spoken voice as her four friends listened inquisitively all around her.
"Brought the light back?" Zoi inquired with an arched brow while her princess gazed on with mutual wonder in her cold gaze.
"That's so oneesan. After the great war…the whole world was forced to live through a long dark age. And…just when it seemed as if all hope was lost…Rieko was born." The handmaid spoke in a helpful voice while the older girls listened in fascination.
All the while as they found themselves once again feeling disquieted that their friend had been forced to grow up under such chaotic conditions.
"And with her birth she took the throne from her father Rokuro who had already ruled a fragmented empire. And then she began using her immense power to unite the lands under one government. She brought back the comforts of civilization. Electricity, heat, hospitals, and even entertainment. And that's why the Riekoists view her as the coming of god. They see her as the savior of humanity sent down from the heavens to deliver them from eternal darkness." Elle explained in a gentle voice while the highborn women stared back at her with their eyes agape in disbelief.
And yet from what they saw the monstrous woman seemed nothing at all like a benevolent deity.
"Riekoists? She…she actually has a religion named after her?" The acrobat queried in a stunned voice while her friends stared on in shock beside her.
All the while as Azula's greedy amber golden eyes sparked with the flames of jealousy voice more.
"Oh yeah! It's called Riekoism! They're a wacky lot." The handmaid quipped with returning cheer to her voice while her friends still gazed on in bafflement.
Only for all eyes to turn to Azula when the royal woman began to angrily tap her boot on the floor.
Just as blue fire sparked before the eyes of the unnerved Mai and Ty Lee while they once more found themselves flinching under the princess's beyond demanding gaze.
"It is unacceptable for this woman to be worshiped more than me! Which is why I hereby declare the formation of my own religion! Azulaism! And you four shall have the honor of being the first to join!" The princess called out in an unspeakably haughty voice with a smirk on her beautiful lips while all but her girlfriend gazed on in horror.
And even the captain found herself sighing under her breath.
"P-please no Azula." Ty Lee begged in a comically frightened voice while Azula studied the fingernails on her clenched fist.
"As of this moment forward…I shall only be addressed as goddess." Azula huffed with a wide smile on her regal lips while she savored the way her pet gazed up at her in adorable admiration.
"Yes goddess!" Elle cried out in a lovably devoted voice while Azula turned to smile down at her in boundless approval.
And that was all it took for the three noblewomen to groan behind their naively innocent little sister.
Just before the teenager smiled bashfully when the older girl reached down to pat her head once again.
"Good girl Elle. And that's why you're my girlfriend." The princess purred with a broad smile on her spoiled lips while she allowed her swooning handmaid to lean into her robed thigh.
"Ugh. Pull your head down from the clouds Azula." The markswoman complained with a snort while the acrobat gazed on in amusement alongside her.
Only for the tall woman to huff as she sunk back on her posterior with her serving girl smiling underneath her petting hand.
"It isn't my fault that I can't see you little people from up here." Azula scoffed with a conceited smile on her crimson lips while her childhood friends gazed at her in exasperation.
Five minutes later.
The sage had finished gathering her misplaced item as she now made her way over while the princess gazed at her with curiosity in her stony eyes.
"Can the girl still face the Avatar in her current state with only half of the Component in her possession?" Azula asked with a coldly cautious edge to her stern voice while her girlfriend sat obediently at her feet.
All the while as the three noblewomen gazed on with equally concerned looks in their eyes.
"It may be possible. But it will be much more difficult for her. Elle is still overall capable of fighting the Avatar. However, the Component is a taxing power and it will have an even more debilitating effect on her body what with only having half at her disposal." The sage stated in a rasping voice as Elle shook with worry in her amber eyes.
While the four highborn women stared on with a shared look of loathing for the girl's brother in their furious eyes.
"That bastard." Mai muttered with her tawny eyes gazing on ahead as she clenched her fist in her lap.
"Listen to me Elle. I need you to be very careful from this moment onward. When in doubt rely on your friends…rely on your princess…otherwise you'll risk burning yourself out in the heat of battle." Mava instructed while the young girl nodded her head in a spellbound quiet.
"R-rely on Azula-sama…and my oneesans…my friends." The handmaid repeated in a transfixed voice as she sat with her head resting on her master's leg.
While the older females nodded in affirmative as they sat protectively around their young friend.
"We'll be there for her. Elle isn't alone." The captain assured with her arms folded over her chest while she cracked a smile at the blushing girl.
"She most certainly is not. Now I want you to tell me every detail old woman. The health of this one is not to be neglected." The princess ordered in a strict voice with her imposing eyes watching the wrinkled woman closely.
All the while as her serving girl smiled shyly from where she sat at her feet.
"The Component is able to able to cut through the flow of mystical energy. But it is also capable of a secondary power. Which is the ability of the user to direct their chi into another…such as your princess for instance." The sage commented in a wise voice while the team stared on with rising shock in their eyes.
"I-I can give energy to Azula-sama?" Elle blurted out with an eagerness to serve in her voice that moved the Fire Princess's cold heart.
While the acrobat and the markswoman stared on with a sense of awe in their fascinated eyes.
And they couldn't help but all of the sudden once again pity Zuko for being unfortunate enough to have chosen to side with the Avatar.
"You can child. But I am not yet certain if you will be able to handle the strain of doing so…just be cautious…you are only at half capacity. That is how it will be until you defeat your brother and restore the Component whole within you once more." Mava responded in a croaking voice while Elle shakily nodded her loyal head.
All the while as Azula still sat above the girl with her lovely lips parted in an expression of astonishment.
Never in all her life has she ever experienced such devotion.
This little servant of hers….
She would remain by her side and protected at all times throughout every stage of this war and all wars to come.
It was then that she glanced back to the sage when the old woman held out her aged hand with a small item clutched within.
While her amber golden eyes glanced down thoughtfully as she took note that it seemed to be a figurine of some kind.
"Take this totem princess and place it close to you and Elle in your palace." The sage urged in a momentous voice as the young woman grasped a hold of the figurine with her amber golden eyes gazing down in unhidden wonder.
All the while as the three noblewomen stared on with great intrigue in their astonished eyes.
"What does it do?" Azula inquired with a momentary loss of harshness in her cold voice while she gazed down at the small object in contemplation.
While she glanced at the old woman through the corner of her eye with a spark of newfound respect flashing before her eyes.
The old woman may be highly unpleasant but it pleased her that she still thought to secure her crown princess's safety at all costs.
"It will enact a protective enchantment over the Royal Palace that will serve to shield you and your subjects from the Primordial One's scrying. Take it with you wherever you go. Be it on your barge or your airship." Mava explained in a vastly informative voice while Azula gazed on with amazement in her widened amber golden eyes.
All the while as the noblewomen and their young friend listened with their mouths open in wonderment.
"It…it will protect me and Azula-sama." The handmaid spoke in an extremely attentive voice while she felt her master's hand still rest in her hair.
"Put it somewhere you will never forget…and if you should ever see it moved. Do not assume that it was just a careless mistake by a clueless servant." The sage continued in a frighteningly dire voice while the princess sat listening closely.
"So…it isn't full proof?" Zoi pondered in a dutiful voice with her stoic eyes gazing at her princess in concern.
While the team felt a renewed sense of dread travel down their spines when the crone shook her head.
"It is not. It is indisputably a powerful tool but not infallible. Which is why if you should ever find it misplaced. Assume the worst and take immediate action." Mava remarked with her hands holding her staff while she gazed grievously back at the unsettled team.
All the five younger females found themselves feeling a sense of rising unease.
The more they learned about this entity the more unsettled it made them.
And to think that they have to deal with an emperor with a god complex from a foreign land seeking to invade while they struggled to piece all of this together!
And it only made them all the more enraged that Felix worsened their situation by splitting the Component in half!
"So be it. If any servant dares to disturb this totem, I will show him or her no mercy. I just have one more question for you and then we will be on our way." The princess stated with her fist falling underneath her chin while her serving girl sat spellbound under her hand.
"And that is?" The sage questioned in turn while the princess stared back with brilliantly pondering amber golden eyes.
"What is…Paradise?" Azula pondered with her fingers curling up beneath her chin while her subordinates gazed on inquisitively.
While the entire group stared on with anticipation in their eyes when they saw the old woman's glazed eyes take on an unnerved gleam.
"It is a hallowed place that holds a timeless terrible power and it is what this Rieko seeks." Mava responded in an absolutely serious voice while Azula's amber golden eyes gleamed with a lust for power.
All the while as Mai and Ty Lee shivered behind their now smiling friend as the princess gazed thoughtfully down at Elle's innocent head.
"I see. Well perhaps in that case I will claim it for myself. I am more than certain that my servant would be more than happy to empower her queen." Azula purred in a silken voice as she reclined in her chair with her domineering amber golden eyes gazing down at her serving girl's lovably overwhelmed face.
While the noblewomen just shook their heads fondly once more when the small girl immediately submitted under the older female's controlling gaze.
"O-oh my beautiful fire queen…I'll do whatever makes you happy." Elle mumbled in a lovesick voice with a hand on her cheek while Azula smiled widely over her.
Only for her blush to grow when the older woman's fingers coiled into her golden hair.
"Sooner or later…. you and Rieko both will learn that some things are better left alone. But at any rate…I believe that about covers it." The sage stated with a sigh while the princess and her young servant turned to gaze back at her.
Just as the teenager stood up before her seated princess while the older girl gazed curiously at the back of her head.
Only for the girl to bow at the hip to the old woman once more while the rest of the team gazed on fondly behind her.
"I promise you Sage Mava that I will take the responsibility of being the Component with highest importance." The handmaid spoke in a spirited voice while the sage's lips curved into the barest hint of an approving smile.
"I already know you will Elle. Now before you five go…sit tight and allow me to use the power of the Sentinel Tree to heal your wounds." Mava announced in a spellbinding voice while the five younger females gazed on in bewilderment.
And just like that the highborn women and their young comrade gazed on with awe looks in their eyes when they felt chi begin to flow all around them.
All the while as they gazed down at their wounds with stunned expressions in their eyes when they began to slowly heal!
Not completely but enough to allow them to feel as if they were able to walk once more!
"The Sentinel Tree can heal?" The princess inquired in a marveled voice while her amber golden eyes glanced down in wonder.
"My foot…it doesn't hurt anymore." The acrobat breathed in a soft voice while she smiled gratefully back at the old sage.
While the captain and the markswoman also stared down at their repairing wounds with their eyes conveying their shock.
"M-my chest is healed…and my bruise is gone." The handmaid stammered from where she stood before her princess while the royal woman's amber golden eyes flashed with a pleased gleam.
"When the need should arise… but it cannot do so tepidly. The bulk of its reservoir is dedicated to maintaining this barrier. But I have very little choice…as I fear that Silah will be quick to strike again." The sage spoke in a venerable voice while the team slowly nodded in understanding.
All the while as the markswoman and the acrobat found themselves shuddering over the thought of facing the monstrous puppeteer once more.
While the princess and the captain's eyes flashed with something akin to an eagerness to settle the score with the woman.
"Thank you…Mava." Elle stated in a gentle voice with a smile on her lips as she held onto the straps of her backpack.
Just as Azula stood up over her while the princess's cold amber golden eyes gazed back at the hermit's wrinkled countenance.
Only for the proud princess to let out a sigh as she folded her toned arms over her armored breasts.
"If you will allow it…Mava. I will arrange for royal contractors to restore your home." Azula remarked in a smoothly refined voice while her childhood friends turned to gaze at her in astonishment.
Not only did it stun them that the princess had announced that she would do so of her own volition.
That was also the first time since they arrived that Azula called Mava by name!
While the aged sage now stared back at the Crown Princess with a begrudging smile on her lips.
All the while as the noblewomen and their young friend gazed between the two in observation.
At long last it seemed as if their leader and the sage were finally starting to form a sense of respect for one another.
"I concede that I may have misjudged you. You still have a long way to go Princess Azula…but your uncle is wrong about you. There is still hope for you." Mava stated in a sincere voice with her word taking the group by surprise.
While the princess's amber golden eyes briefly showed a flicker of a deeply buried emotion.
Only for her prideful amber golden eyes to turn back into her signature stony stare not even a fraction of a second later.
All the while as she glanced down through the corner of her eye at her little servant's brightly smiling face.
"There has always been hope for Azula-sama!" The handmaid exclaimed with a sweet smile while her princess listened in a moved silence beside her.
While the acrobat found herself unable to fight the smile that formed on her lips as she gazed at the adorable couple.
Only for all of their eyes to stare on in curiosity when the old sage's face became serious once more.
"Which is why I am going to leave you with a parting gift of a more personal nature." The sage commented as she took a step closer while the princess's amber golden eyes gazed on in intrigue.
"A parting gift?" The princess questioned with her elegant brows arching in curiosity while her girlfriend listened faithfully beside her.
"The spirit that you encountered in the forest earlier is known as the Mother of Faces. Once a season…she will grant one wish to a single person seeking to establish a new face and identity." Mava explained in a wise voice while the team listened in a bewildered silence.
"So…that's why it's called the Forgetful Valley." Elle murmured in a voice of childlike wonder while Azula scrunched up brows over her.
"And what does any of that have to do with me? I have no interest in abandoning the face that I was born with." Azula pondered in a voice of great pride with her amber golden eyes intently studying the old woman's face.
Only for her amber golden eyes to gaze down in confusion when the hunched over hermit reached out to set her palm on her robed sleeve.
All the while as the team stood there gazing on in confusion.
"Even though your aura is much larger and more powerful than hers…I was still able to sense the similarity between the two of you from the moment we met." The sage remarked in a baffling voice while the princess's amber golden eyes gazed down at her in aggravation.
"Whose aura?" The princess demanded with her amber golden eyes gazing imperiously down at the face of her aged ally.
Before the sage withdrew her hand as she balanced herself on her staff while the fivesome stared on with intrigued expressions in their eyes.
"Nearly…eleven years ago…your mother…former Princess Ursa came to me in search of the Mother of Faces. In order to escape a monstrous man… your father Fire Lord Ozai." Mava revealed in a captivating voice while Azula's amber golden eyes widened in shock.
All the while as the group fell into a disbelieving silence alongside their unusually caught off guard leader.
While Azula now stared on with her eyes agape in an overflow of emotion.
All the while as Mai and Ty Lee gazed on with their eyes wide in realization over why Ursa had not been seen in such a long time!
While Elle's warm amber eyes peered up at her princess with ever showing concern in her gaze.
"My…my mother sought to abandon all memory of us?" Azula asked in a barely audible voice with her mouth open in a display of surging emotion.
While her companions lingered alongside her as they gazed on in a respectful silence.
"Indeed. And while the Mother of Faces does not typically reveal the identity of those, she has granted wishes to. This spirit is now in your debt for assisting in closing the spirit portal that formed at the center of the Forgetful Valley. If you move quickly…you may be able to catch her before she leaves." The sage declared with her glazed golden eyes peering forward while the team still stood in shock.
While the princess stood still with her amber golden eyes still wide in erupting emotion.
And not a moment after that the team spun around in alertness when their leader ran towards the doors!
"Azula-sama! Wait for me!" The handmaid called out in a worried voice just as the princess's back vanished through the rapidly closing doors.
All the while as the captain stared on with her stoic golden eyes conveying an expression of sympathy.
"It will be alright Elle. We'll catch up to Azula." Ty Lee assured in a tender voice as she set her hand on the worried teenager's shoulder.
"So…that's what happened to Ursa." The markswoman murmured with a sense of awe still taking over her surprised tawny eyes.
"We thank you for all of this information and more. And be assured we will not take any of what you told us lightly." The captain spoke in a composed voice with her eyes staring back at the old woman's aged countenance.
While she bowed at the waist in respect to her elder while her fellow nobles and her adopted sister followed suit.
Only for the old woman to wave her hand in the air for them to go.
"Be certain that you don't. Now go on. Catch up to your leader." Mava replied in a gravelly voice while the group nodded their heads as they stood back up.
All the while as they heard the sound of the princess's footfalls hurriedly descending the staircase below in the hollowed tree.
"Until we meet again…Saga Mava." Elle remarked with her amber eyes glancing in the old woman's direction while Mava nodded in acknowledgment.
And with that the four turned to rush out while the sage's blind golden eyes seemingly stared after their backs.
Only for the group to halt for a fleeting second when the sage called out to them for a final time.
"One last thing child. Watch out for Vega. She has already begun to tear the Fire Nation apart and soon she will come for you." The sage informed in an eerie voice while the teenager's eyes widened in fear.
All the while as the three noblewomen's' gazes flashed with alarm as they stared protectively at their little sister's fretful face.
"I…I understand wise sage. Thank you…for letting me know. Farewell for now." The handmaid spoke in a soft-spoken voice as she rushed out after her princess.
While her three noble friends hurried alongside her as the old sage observed their departure.
While Nako and Saro sprung to their feet as they felt a mystical energy flood through the core of their very beings.
Only for their eyes to stare down in shock at their hands when their wounds were miraculously healed before their very eyes!
All the while as Jiao glanced up from where she sat beside them with a confused look in her blue eyes.
"My wounds…" The royal pilot trailed off in a stunned voice while the man gazed on in fascination beside her.
"They're…gone." The lieutenant whispered with shock in his widened eyes.
Only for the trio to turn around when they saw their Crown Princess storming down the staircase above them.
While their gazes stared on in puzzlement to see that their leader had also been healed of the wounds that she sustained in her excursion beyond the spirit portal.
"Your Highness! Are we…" Nako trailed off in loyal voice only to turn in bewilderment when her princess wordlessly ran past her.
And just like that the furious princess burst through the door of the Sentinel Tree as she stormed out into the vast valley once more.
All the while as her enraged amber golden eyes shined with an anger that she could not quell.
Before she tore straight through the trees with her footfalls resonating throughout the forest behind her.
While she paid no heed to the shouts of her companion as they struggled to catch up to her.
"What's…what's going on?" Jiao asked in a confused voice only to find being swiftly thrown onto her lover's tall back.
While a faint blush adorned her cheeks as she held onto the noblewoman's shoulders while the mighty warrior began to sprint out the door.
"We're all finished here now Jiao. We just need to catch up to the princess for one last order of business." Zoi stated as she leaped high into the air with the younger woman nodding slowly from where she clung to her back.
All the while as a puzzled Nako and Saro quickly followed after their companions.
While the royal pilot now ran with an old tome under her arm.
All the while as Elle ran with her amber eyes staring through the trees in worry.
While Ty Lee and Mai darted on both sides of her as they followed the princess's trail of boot prints.
"Azula-sama…" Elle mumbled as she ran as fast as she was able after her master when she caught a fleeting glimpse of the older girl's armored back bounding through the branches ahead.
And with that all seven subordinates of the Fire Nation Princess faithfully followed their leader's foot path.
Meanwhile back in the Sentinel Tree.
Mava sat in her chair with her tired golden eyes gazing forward into her mystic fire.
"Elle Turner…. perhaps you will be the one to succeed where the others have failed." Mava spoke in a rasping voice with a hopeful smile on her lips.
Only time would tell but…
There was no mistaking that girl had immense potential.
And that princess…may well prove to be the worthy leader that they will need to lead them to a new dawn.
But as with anything else.
They will just have to wait and see.
All will be revealed in time.
AN:
Just a slight note to prevent any confusion.
For now, I changed Elysium to Paradise, and the Aegis to Matrix of Light. Both are things that will come into play in books two and three.
Paradise is the place that Naoki is seeking, and mentioned to Elle back in chapter 108. What it is, where it is and what it holds will not be revealed or come into play until the later stages of book two. Which we are away away from right now.
And the Component and the Matrix when combined are the two forces that can destroy the Primordial One according to Mava.
And for the time being, those are the names that I am going to stick with unless I think of something better.
This is Mava's last appearance for a few arcs.
Team Azula set on out a journey to find Mava and seek her help on learning more about the purpose behind Elle's power. And now with that journey over, they have a much bigger journey laying ahead.
They have to find Felix and restore the Component whole, and find the artifact that Mava mentioned so that they can defeat the Primordial One.
As they do so, they will slowly uncover more information about what the Primordial One is.
And they will eventually have to deal with Rieko and her Apostles.
Mava has spent most of her life in the Sentinel Tree waiting for the next holder to return so that she could guide them onto their journey.
The goal of the mystics is essentially severing the Avatar Cycle, so that they can inspire a new generation of strength to grow in world where humanity will learn to not perpetually rely on the Avatar to save them.
And to destroy the mysterious entity known as the Primordial One.
Despite this, it is telling that Mava is not sure who is the bigger threat, the ancient supernatural entity or the aberrant emperor with a gigantic god complex. Which we saw further proof of when Elle revealed that Rieko has her own religion of fanatics in the form of her Riekoists.
Rieko's raw power surpasses the mastered Avatar State. This gives further credence to why Rieko is called a god in a world of mostly nonbending people. Powers in Elle's world are kind of like in X-Men. Unlike in the Avatar world, having a power is abnormal and generally rare.
This essentially sets up two different groups of antagonists for the future, and of course we still have wild cards like Silah, Nero and Felix who have no true allegiance to any side.
As for Mava's comments on if Azula can grow to such a height. The reason I introduced ascendant benders is because I never liked how the Avatar always had to be the strongest.
And there are select talented people that have the power to go 'further' but they generally do not discover it as they are reliant on the Avatar.
Azula is proving that she has the power, drive and intellect to take it further.
We got a brief view of Naoki's path. Naoki genuinely does not believe that she is deserving of warmth and she feels that she belongs that she must walk down the hardest road possible. This chapter also marks the last we'll see of Naoki for many chapters.
I plan to write several chapters that showcase Naoki's training under Rieko as well as how the two end up interacting with each other. They will be peppered throughout the rest of book one, with about one Naoki/Rieko chapter per arc.
We also saw Felix and Strados both. Felix in particular is already amassing a gathering of maniacs who he intends to lead to spread terror.
Rieko highly values order, and Felix showing no regard for order shows us that they will not get along well in the future. Because even if Felix sticks to causing chaos outside of Rieko's domain, it is something she highly disapproves of and will likely result in retaliation.
We saw Sayomi for the first time, she is the more heroic character from Elle's world who will have a huge impact on books two and three.
Sayomi is a highly justice driven person, much like how honor drives Zuko and she uses her talents to try to protect those that cannot protect themselves.
We saw a slight foreshadowing of the eventual conflict to come between Azula and Elle over the matter of the Fire Nation holding slaves, when Elle expressed admiration toward Sayomi for shutting down an underground slave market.
And we learned that Calla, the friend that Lana called before she was killed back in chapter 79 is Sayomi's commander. Which means that Calla is likely looking for Elle.
And Mava made great points, when she advised that Azula is going to have to present herself in a manner that is appealing to people who are more moral than her. Simply, put, if Azula makes no effort to better the Fire Nations' ways in anyway. Any prospective alliance with more moral parties will falter once they discover what the Fire Nation is doing to the other nations.
Mava also alluded to the Component having the ability to redirect their chi into others.
However, Elle's stamina problems are all caused by Felix splitting the Component in two.
The little totem Mava gave Azula will also be important.
We also discovered that the Sentinel Tree can heal. Since all of Mava's power comes from that tree. And since the tree can regenerate as long as its core is still alive. It makes sense, that if it can repair itself from near destruction and create powerful barriers.
That it can also heal wounds.
Mava and Azula also have respect for each other as we saw when Azula offered to have Mava's home repaired.
And unlike Iroh, Mava actually believes in Azula.
Mava revealed that she met Ursa long ago when she came to her in search of the Mother of Faces.
And now, Azula is off to confront the Mother of Faces to find out what became of her mother.
We'll see what becomes of that confrontation in the next chapter which is the final chapter of this arc.
That will be all for now though.
Stay tuned for next time!
For chapter one-hundred-seventeen! As One Journey Ends, Another Begins!