"Form, precision, and strength..."
The male circled around her, the young girl, who's long brunette hair cascaded down into straight strips down her back. She knelt down on her knees, robed in ceremonial skins, the helm of a dragon upon her head.
"-All attributes of a Sun Warrior tribe member. After her assistance in the Escape at the Palace, Yuying has show the qualities of a leader and a true Sun Warrior."
There was a commotion all around them. A vast number of tribe members, standing on sloped bedrock cheered and hollered, as the lanterns lining the circumference of the centre area flickered their shadows against the cavern walls.
"Today, we fully initiate my daughter into a pact of her own. As commander of her own pact, I present Yuying with the title 'Líming'-Dawn. For the new light and future ahead of this tribe!"
Gin, the familiar face of Yuying's father and leader of the Sun Warriors, presented his staff to the tribe, slamming it into the ground and rippling a ring of fire around the two of them. The tribe hollered once more, chanting the girl's new title.
The girl stood from her knelt position, turning around and glancing at her companions in the wings. Two males, and one female, sharing determined glances with her.
She cleared her throat, letting the robe fall from her shoulders to the ground as she stood. The crowd fell into a hush as they anticipated her next word.
A mixture of emotions swirled in her gut. The recent developments after their betrayal to the royal palace...the separation from her best friend Zuko...the pain in her joints from running the fastest she had ever in her life...
She lifted her head, emerald glance strong and holding a new light.
"From the shadows we rise, to bring a new light to the Fire Nation, who have strayed from their once inspirational ideals. This war will end, and as a tribe-we will be the catalyst to the true revival!"
The members whooped once more, as their shadows danced faster and more frantically.
Gin placed a strong hand on his daughter's shoulder, and lifted his head to the audience once more. "After we escaped the palace, we brought valuable plans and maps that Fire Lord Ozai plans on using in this harsh war. This is a solid victory for our cause!"
Yuying made eye contact with her companions again, motioning for them to approach as the crowd went wild in the stands. Two tribal guards lowered the wall of fire keeping them from the centre of the ceremonial cavern.
The three figures lined up horizontal in front of the girl. There was a petite female, as small as Yuying with caramel coloured hair. Her brown eyes scanned the new pact leader with new-found loyalty, as well as the familiarity of their friendship. In the center, there was a burly young man, who was quite tall. His hair was raven-shaded, and pulled back into a messy ponytail. He had sharp, green eyes, but these eyes softened at the sight of his friend as well. The last in the line was a male around her age. He had short, neatly spiked onyx hair. His eyes were a piercing shade of amber, filled to the brim with a calm yet burning aura.
Yuying raised a hand to silence the tribe once more, beckoning to the girl standing in line. Her eyes widened, but she happily stepped forward, kneeling in front of the leader's daughter.
Yuying placed her hand upon the young girl's forehead, and recited her speech. "I present Lan, a true daughter of the sun. With her bright personality and expertise in the field, I'd like to assign her as my Sunrise, Ri Chu."
The tribe chanted the girl's name as she bowed to Yuying, before she darted to the other side of the ceremonial area.
The burly man stepped forward next, kneeling in front of Yuying and still being taller that the girl. She chuckled inwardly, placing her hand upon his forehead.
"I present Chen, who's physical power surpasses all, yet who has a lot to learn about the sun and our people. I am confident in Chen's learning abilities, and I present him the title of Sunset, Riluo."
Another round of chants, and Chen had crossed over to join Lan.
The last to approach her, standing alone where they had lined up, was the spiky haired male.
"As my right hand, I present Shun. Although Shun is a loyal friend, Shun is also a born leader. As such, Shun is my rival-the darkness after the light."
Shun knelt to the ground, similar to the way Yuying had been earlier. His balled up fists sat above his bent knees, his gaze downward with Yuying's elegant hand on his head.
From the bowl teetering on the pillar nearby, Yuying brushed a small bit of coloured oil on her finger tips. With a gentle movement, she drew a symbol on his forehead. "I present my Dusk, Bómù."
The crowd chanted his name. He shared a smile with his leader. This would be their new legacy.