Hey everyone.
Here I am again with another update.
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And as usual, if you find the story worthy of following. Please continue to do so.
And as always please enjoy.
Refuge – Chapter Ninety
The chi exploded into the air while Team Azula stood surrounding the awakening girl with their eyes agape in shared awe.
Just as the sage finally lowered her hand to the ground with a small smile forming upon her aged lips.
Elle stared down at her hands with amazed amber eyes as her energy continued to emanate from her body.
As she took in the glowing lines that were now vanishing from her palms.
While her friends stood over her in a state of silent shock.
"Such…powerful chi." Zoi stated with her golden eyes agape in wonderment while she stared down at the handmaid's panting face.
The princess stood behind her servant with her callous amber golden eyes staring down at the girl in marvelment.
Her regal lips began to pull into a brilliant smile while she gazed down at her pet now sitting up at her boots.
"Well done Elle." Azula spoke in a tone of boundless approval with a smile gracing her royal lips while Elle turned to peer up at her with emotional amber eyes.
"Yeah. Good job." Mai agreed with a nod while her lips formed into a smile as she knelt down beside the exhausted teenager.
"Breath slowly little sister." Ty Lee instructed in a nurturing voice as she patted Elle's back while the serving girl still panted for air.
"She…had all that chi in her?" Saro asked with his golden eyes blinking in surprise while Jiao gazed down with awestruck blue eyes.
'What…is this girl?' Jiao thought with her blue eyes blinking in puzzlement.
'Does…this mean that we've accomplished what we came to do?' Nako thought with her brown eyes staring down at her strange friend in bewilderment.
"A-Azula-sama." Elle breathed as she gazed up at her mistress with Ty Lee's hand on her shoulder while Azula's strict amber golden eyes gazed down at her in approval.
"Catch your breath before you speak peasant." Azula ordered in a cold voice with her arms folded gracefully over her breasts while she gazed dominantly down at her girlfriend's reddened face.
"Indeed. Congratulations child. You have awoken your chakras." Mava remarked with her hands falling into her lap while Elle let out a heavy breath.
And then Elle sunk forward with her head hovering above her knees while her companions gazed down at her in returning concern when they noted the distress in her eyes.
"C-can you explain to me what I just saw?" The handmaid requested turned to gaze back into the old woman's glazed over eyes.
The group stared between the two in uncertainty as the sage nodded her head.
"I can. When we get back inside." Mava answered with her hand gripping her staff once more while the princess turned to peer down at the girl seated at her feet.
"Tell me what you saw servant." Azula commanded in a controlling voice while she smiled down at her young girlfriend seated before her.
Only for her smile to crease into a frown when she noticed both sadness and fear flashing in her little admirer's eyes.
"I-I had a vision of many horrible things. I…saw that woman…Vega…and a horned monster as well." Elle admitted in a shaken voice while the others listened in surprise over her shoulder.
"A horned monster?" Ty Lee asked in a concerned voice while her little sister nodded her head.
"That's…so oneesan. It was…a horrible horned monster with a strange bone helm growing over the upper half of its face. It was…frightening." The handmaid replied with noticeable distress in her amber eyes while her friends exchanged baffled looks at one another.
While the princess soon found her lips pursing into tight scowl in disapproval of her girlfriend's fear.
"Try not to worry Elle. After all it was a vision. It could mean many different things." Ty Lee consoled in her best attempt at optimism with her hand still resting on her little sister's back while Elle chewed on her lip.
As she tried to push down her concerns over the girl's glummer than usual behavior.
"B-but that's not all. I saw…many horrifying monstrous eyes gazing out from a mass of spiraling tentacles." Elle stammered as she turned to peer at the faces of her bewildered companions.
Just as Mava's aged eyes flashed with a barely perceivable grave gleam.
Azula and Zoi both glanced at the old sage over their shoulders when they took note of the look in the old woman's eyes.
"Many monstrous eyes staring out from a mass of spiraling tentacles?" Zoi questioned in a curious voice with her golden eyes contemplating the girl's words.
"I-I couldn't make out the rest of its shape but I saw the eyes and the tentacles clearly. Just talking about it sends a chill down my spine." The handmaid spoke in a fearful voice as she shivered while the team gazed on in alarm.
"What do you know about this hag?" Azula queried in a stern voice as she turned to stare hard at the old crone's weathered countenance.
"As I said…once we return inside." Mava responded in a scratchy voice while Azula studied her with a scrutinizing amber golden eye.
And then the group gazed around with returning wonder to their eyes when the platform of tree roots began to raise them into the air.
"And…just before I came out of it…the Avatar somehow forced his way into my vision." Elle confessed as she bit her lip while her highborn friends now gazed down at her in alarm.
"The Avatar was in your vision?" Azula asked with an edge to her frigid voice while her hardened eyes narrowed in contemplation.
"He was Azula-sama. He tried to tell me that you were a bad person." The handmaid spoke in a mousy voice while the princess's lips pursed into a wrathful scowl.
As the others wisely kept their mouth shut while Azula glared icily at all of their faces through the corner of her foul tempered eye.
"Did he now?" Azula queried in a low voice with her callous eyes narrowing into an imposing stare.
If there was one thing that has come to truly infuriate her.
It was when anyone tried to turn her loyal companion against her.
"He d-did. B-but I told him that I would never betray you Azula-sama. Because I know in the bottom of my heart that you're a good person. And I-I know that I can trust you…because you're my home." Elle assured in an emotional voice as she gazed up into Azula's taken aback amber golden eyes.
Ty Lee once more found herself unable to resist a grin from forming upon her lips while Mai just sighed as she shook her head.
And Zoi was unfazed as always.
And the princess quickly regained her composure while she squashed the twinge of emotion that she was now feeling with practiced ease.
"Azula…" Ty Lee trailed off in a moved voice while the haughty princess posed with her arms folded over her breasts.
"Good. It pleases me to hear that servant. I expect you to ignore any and all slander that contradicts my will. " Azula commented in a pompous voice with her crimson lips curving back into an approving smile while her faithful serving girl hurriedly nodded her little head.
Only for the old crone to snort derisively while she turned to glare at the woman through the corner of her eye.
"If that qualifies as slander then I am a youthful young woman." Mava mocked as she leaned on her wooden staff while all but the princess listened in amusement.
The princess just scowled but decided it was not worth a retort.
Just as Elle glanced around with her saddened amber eyes now taking on a concerned gleam when she noticed that all of her friends were injured.
And the area around them was covered in rubble for as far as the eye could see.
"What happened here? And why is everyone hurt?" The handmaid pondered in a distraught voice with her mouth ajar while her friends grimaced as they gazed down at her.
"It's nothing for you to worry over young Elle. We simply…ran into a troublesome opponent." Zoi remarked in a calm voice while her golden eyes still shook with anger towards the puppeteer.
"That's putting it mildly Captain." Saro commented with a shiver while his leader still glared into the rubble below while the tree lifted them into the air.
"W-well I hope that everyone is okay." Elle mumbled as she gazed at her wounded companions while Azula let out a loud scoff behind her.
"Please! It was nothing that I couldn't handle." Azula huffed as she flipped her hair with an elegant hand while her childhood friends rolled their eyes.
"Just be glad that you slept through it kid." Mai stated in a still wary voice as she took a seat beside her concerned little sister.
Before she slid the girl's backpack off her shoulder as she reached out to hand it to the moved teenager.
"You…you looked after my backpack oneesan?" The handmaid inquired in a sentimental voice while the noblewoman offered her a thawed smile.
"I did." Mai answered softly only to find herself stiffening slightly when the younger girl assaulted her midsection.
Azula now turned to stare down at them with monstrous amber golden eyes while Ty Lee stifled a giggle.
"A-arigatou gozaimasu Mai." Elle stammered with her arms around the older woman's belly while Mai gingerly patted her back.
"You're welcome little sister." Mai spoke in a fond voice as she sat with her hand on Elle's back while the girl hid in her robed stomach.
"Mai. Get off my pet." Azula growled with her boot tapping on the wooden platform while Mai gazed at her in annoyance out of the corner of her eye.
And a second after that the two girls parted from their embrace while the mighty princess continued to scowl down at her young girlfriend.
"I swear Azula. You have got to be the most overbearing girlfriend to ever walk this Earth." Mai scoffed in a monotone voice while Azula just regarded her with a cold stare.
Elle held her backpack in her as she diligently checked the contents to make sure that everything was intact.
Before she hung her head with her amber eyes once more glistening in sorrow while her friends gazed down at her in concern.
"He…h-he shot my mother in the face." The handmaid lamented in a broken voice as she sunk back into her knees while an uncomfortable chill swept through the air.
The group gazed at the depressed girl uncertain of how to respond.
And for once even Jiao held her tongue.
And even though Nako had no understanding of what the girl had went through.
Nako could only stare at Elle with sympathy in her grimacing eyes.
The four highborn women once more stiffened with rage in their eyes over what they had witnessed in the girl's memories.
And strangely enough Azula found herself clenching her fists against her plated chest while she glared ahead with a murderous glimmer in her amber golden eyes.
"And…t-then they killed my father. And burned everything I once loved to the ground." Elle muttered in a sullen voice with Ty Lee's hand on her shoulder while a tear streamed from her eye.
"Was it really necessary for her to have to see that? She already lived through it once. Why did you have to make her witness it again?" Ty Lee questioned in a disconcerted voice with her brown-gray eyes taking on a protective gleam while Azula turned to cast the sage a piercing stare.
It was a sentiment that they all shared.
"Unfortunately. She needed to witness the power of the Component in action if she is to have any hope at mastering her power. If she can't do that…then she will not survive the enemy to come." Mava answered in a graveled voice while the princess's eyes narrowed into slits once more.
It was a truly foreboding statement.
And even though Team Azula could see the old woman's point.
It still angered them nonetheless.
"I suppose Reiko was right after all. The world really is a horrible place." The handmaid whispered with her hair blowing in front of her sorrowful eyes while her companions stood in a speechless quiet behind her.
"Elle…" Ty Lee stated gently with a tear in her eye while she embraced Elle into her side.
Elle gazed on with an unusually solemn expression in her usually sunny eyes.
Mai's lips sunk into an even dourer expression than her typical frown.
And Azula found herself unable to fight the enraged glower that was pulling upon her regal lips.
And Zoi gazed away with a spark of sadness in her stoic golden eyes.
It did not escape their notice that the always cheerful girl seemed…somewhat different than before she went into her meditative state.
It was almost as if…Elle had changed.
And the princess decided that she didn't like it.
'This in unacceptable. I didn't bring the girl here to break her spirit. I will have to correct this immediately. I…prefer her smiling.' Azula thought with a tiny sliver of inexplicable emotion flashing in her callous eyes while she gazed down at her girlfriend's slumped back.
But before she could so much as speak another word.
They were all torn from their reverie by the sound of rubble shifting below.
And then they all spun around to gaze off into the distance with both fear and anger returning to their eyes to see the hunter lifting herself up out from underneath a boulder.
A gloved hand now held the remnants of her fractured mask to her shrouded face as she slowly stood up.
Just before she turned to gaze out of the corner of her predatory eye up at the regenerated tree while her gaze narrowed in barely discernable anger.
Nako, Jiao, Saro, Mai and Ty Lee gazed down with unhidden fright in their eyes.
"W-who is that?" Elle asked in a still fretful voice when she noticed the way that her companions were tensing in unease.
Only for all of them to turn to the captain in surprise when she wordlessly pushed past them.
And then the warrior set one foot outside of the glowing barrier with her golden gaze once more taking on a razor-sharp stare.
Before she began to slide down the slope of the Sentinel Tree with her katana in hand while her comrades gazed down at her in disbelief.
Mai's jaw dropped in astonishment as she gazed down at her rival's back.
It was just like back on Shantu Island with the rebels!
The woman did not quit!
"I suppose I better get going. We'll finish this another day…Azula…Zoi." Silah commented in a casual voice while Azula's enraged eyes seethed down at her.
Just as she turned to leap away while the princess's forces watched her retreat with uneasy looks in their eyes.
"Where do you think you're going? I'm not done with you yet Silah." Zoi spoke with wrath overflowing from her voice while she fired her utility line into the air.
"Don't be a fool! Silah wants you to chase her! The farther you get from this barrier the more vulnerable you are! If she downs you outside the range of this barrier, you'll be helpless to stop her from claiming you as a puppet!" Mava shouted in a hastened voice while the group watched with unnerve eyes as the captain slid down the enormous tree.
"Do you really think that I am just going to let you get away with killing my comrades?" Zoi demanded in a vengeful voice as she swung with lightning speed at the remorseless hunter.
The group watched in anticipation as the soldier dropped down over the puppeteer's back.
Only for a flurry of jagged rocks to explode into the air when Silah quickly flicked her gloved hand backwards.
The torrent of rocks flew with terrifying speed at the descending captain while steam once more began to rise from her furious body.
As Zoi fell with her hair blowing in her focused golden eyes.
Just before her body lit up with red fire while the princess watched through the corner of her eye in fascination.
And then each and every rock was shot down by an eruption of firebending!
The shattered rocks rained down in harmless bits and pieces while a smoke bomb was rapidly hurled over the fleeing hunter's shoulder.
The smoke blew into the forest air while the captain landed on her booted feet with her enraged glaring about in search of her prey.
"I am inclined to agree with Zoi. This is not over." Azula hissed in a still livid voice as she gracefully stepped past her worried servant girl while her childhood friends observed her warily.
"Azula…be careful." Ty Lee urged in an unusually frightened voice while the princess placed one boot outside of the barrier.
"A-Azula-sama." The handmaid stammered in a sensitive voice while the princess stood glaring down below.
And mere seconds later the powerful princess placed two fingers from each hand together.
Her amazed subordinates watched in a transfixed silence as she swiftly generated a massive ball of lightning over her head!
The lightning hummed with indescribable power while Azula glared down with intimidating amber golden eyes when the sound of the ground bursting echoed into her ears.
Just as the smoke finally cleared.
Only for her callous gaze to widen ever so marginally when she saw the large mechanical badgermole rearing up from hole in the earth!
The metal monstrosity swatted the captain away with a deadly claw while the outraged soldier slid back in the dirt.
They all watched in a frozen shock to see a cockpit opening in the underside of the badgermole's chest.
Just as they caught a fleeting glimpse of the ingenious construction inside.
It was possible even more advanced than Fire Nation's war machines!
And then Silah leaped into her seat with her hand already punching the controls in.
The three puppets leaped into an open compartment in the back that quickly closed shut.
As the hunter still held one hand over her destroyed mask as she turned to gaze up at her enemies with a ruthless dark green eye.
"And what of it Zoi? I have taken hundreds of Fire Nation lives. And just as many from the Earth Kingdom and the Water Tribe. What makes them any different than the others?" Silah taunted in a sadistic voice as she sunk back in her seat with a belt strapping over her chest.
The group listened in a horrified silence as they caught a momentary view of the woman's monstrously smiling lips.
As the captain's golden eyes now grew wide in complete and utter rage!
"You will die for making sport of the people of the Fire Nation!" Zoi yelled out as she broke into a rapid sprint towards the mechanical vehicle.
Before Saro too jumped forth from the barrier with the look of anger in his eyes overpowering his fear of his opponent.
"Foolish brats!" Mava grumbled as the platform rose up while the princess's ball of lightning churned brilliantly above her head.
"Even though I didn't get the Component…I still came out ahead. After all one doesn't harvest their garden until the time is right. And your bending is not at its peak yet…so that in mind. Farewell…until next time." Silah remarked with a sadistic smirk on her painted lips while she gazed out at her enemies horrified faces.
And then not a second after that the door slammed shut with a hiss.
Azula's amber golden eyes now danced with unimaginable rage with her jaw clenched in her fury.
Before she threw the giant orb of lightning into the air while it careened with meticulous precision straight toward the mechanical badgermole!
The group threw their arms up over their faces as the lethal electricity abruptly detonated into the forest air.
The blinding light caused each and everyone of them to squint as they gazed away.
Azula now stood on the slope of the tree with smoking hands falling to her womanly hips.
As the captain and her second in command dropped to the ground with their elbows covering their eyes.
Only for their eyes to widen when the dust finally settled.
And they could only gaze on in helpless anger to see that the metal badgermole was gone.
And in its place was a burrowed hole that had been dug into the depths of the earth!
"She…got away!" Zoi snarled as she punched her mighty fist into the ground while Azula also seethed from where she stood on the base of the tree.
"The next time I see that freak I am going to flay her alive!" Azula snapped as she turned to stomp back up the tree.
Her companions breathed a sigh of relief.
"I…don't know about you guys but I am glad that she's gone." Nako shuddered with her eyes still agape in terror while Mai nodded in agreement.
"As am I! And this is the last death trip that I am joining you on Zoi!" Jiao complained with a huff while Zoi stood glaring down into the gaping pit.
"We'll avenge them next time Captain." Saro assured with his palm on his captain's shoulder while the warrior's bangs shadowed her eyes.
"Yes, Saro. We will." Zoi agreed in a low voice with her steam finally dissipating from body.
Before she turned to walk away with her subordinate following after her.
"Are you alright Princess?" Elle pondered in a doting voice while Azula stepped back into the barrier with her moody amber golden eyes glaring ahead.
"I will be fine servant." Azula growled out as she stomped closer with her possessive eyes already seeking to pull the girl off Ty Lee who let out a sigh.
Just before she turned around in curiosity when she heard the two soldiers call out to her as they jumped down behind her.
"Princess! We found something…I think it's for you." Saro began in a rightfully nervous voice as he held out a small wooden princess doll before Azula's enraged amber golden eyes.
And in its arms was a wrapped-up note.
"She…left a doll?" Mai asked in a disgusted voice as she gazed at the item in revulsion while a shiver traveled down her spine.
Just before the princess swiped the doll from the man's hands while she tore the note open.
And then she gazed down at it with her callous eyes now agape in boiling wrath while her subordinates gazed on from over her shoulder.
Zoi and Saro's eyes also widened after they finished reading the note.
Mai, Ty Lee, Nako and Jiao shuddered after they too read it from behind their enraged leader.
It read as follows.
Azula,
Though I am going to kill many other people before we meet again. I want you to know that I will be thinking of you each and every time.
When they scream, I will be thinking of you screaming. When they run, I will picture you running away. When they beg, I will imagine you begging.
You will die in an orgasmic rush of terror at my hand. It's just a matter of time. And I have all the time in the world to wait.
Sooner or later I am going to seal your fate among my collection. Until then…my beautiful doll.
Silah.
And then not a second afterward Azula roared in outrage as she crushed the doll in her powerful fist.
And just like that both the doll and the note were burned to ashes in her azure flames while she snorted out plumes of blue fire through her furious nostrils.
"I am not her doll!" Azula snapped with her flame coated fist falling back to her hip as she glared down with her amber golden eyes narrowed in fury.
"W-what did it say Azula-sama?" The handmaid asked with tears still on her cheeks while her princess discarded the remains over her shoulder.
"Nothing that you need concern yourself with peasant." Azula snarled as she stomped forward with her sword sheathed at her shapely hip.
"What a demented beast." Mai stated in a repulsed voice as she put her knives away.
"Indeed. It would seem that my earlier assessments were correct after all." Zoi remarked in a low voice as she gazed over her shoulder into the vast forest with cold golden eyes.
Just before the princess came to a stop over the old woman while she glared down at her with imposing amber golden eyes.
"I expect you to tell me everything that you know about this…former friend of yours." Azula ordered with venom dripping from her voice while Mava raised her staff in the air once more.
"So be it. But we need to withdraw for the time being. There are still far too many potential enemies present to speak freely." Mava commented as they gazed at her in bafflement while they turned around to watch in awe as the tree began to close up.
With its huge branches now wrapping around its great form while the group stared on in wonderment.
At this point not a single one of them could find it within themselves to doubt the power of the old sage.
"Other enemies?" Ty Lee inquired in a puzzled voice with her adopted sister now standing up beside her.
Only for Elle's wet amber eyes to widen as she craned her neck to gaze up into the tree branches to find a familiar face gazing back down at her.
The others turned to follow the young girl's gaze only for their eyes to widen in unison.
"Naoki." Elle breathed as she swallowed down her apprehension while she met Naoki's machinelike gaze.
Her highborn friends stared up at the girl with their eyes wide in surprise.
Naoki stood above them on a tree branch in a crouched stance with her hand resting over the hilt of her sheathed sword as if she had been preparing to draw it on them at any moment!
And Azula's lips creased back into another seething scowl as she glowered up into Naoki's emotionless eyes.
"That kid…was watching us…the entire time…" Mai stated in a stunned voice with her tawny eyes agape in aggravation.
"She was surveying us in battle…to see who was the last one standing. And then she was going to attack the survivor." Zoi spoke in an observant voice as she watched Naoki stand up with her hand sliding off her sheathed blade.
Those words brought a scowl to the lips of Team Azula as they all glared up at the stoic girl with annoyance in their eyes.
'She was spying on me…waiting to see if I would fall in battle so she could take Elle away from me!' Azula thought with fire pouring forth from her nostrils while she glared up at the young assassin with penetrating amber golden eyes.
"That's a bizarre way to thank us for carrying her to shelter." Nako commented with a puzzled look in her eyes.
"You figured it out. You two really are quite impressive." Naoki spoke with a smile on her lips while she gazed down at the two firebenders irate faces.
Before Azula took an imposing step in front of her servant while she regarded Naoki with a domineering stare.
"I distinctly recall telling you what would happen if you crossed me." Azula commented in a powerfully stoic voice while she glared up at the girl with her burning fists clenched at her hips.
"Glare at me all that you want Princess. It doesn't work on me." Naoki answered in an uncaring voice with a smirk on her lips while the princess's amber golden eyes burned through her skull.
Just as the platform of roots began to withdraw into an opening in the vast Sentinel Tree while the group observed in amazement.
They warily gazed up at the assassin standing over them on an overlooking tree branch with her white cloak around her shoulders.
"I told you Elle. It would seem that I was right after all. You have power." Naoki remarked in a pleased voice with her lips pulling into a smile.
She gazed down coldly into the younger girl's shaken amber eyes as the girl's friends still glared up at her.
"I…suppose you were Naoki. But I really wish that I didn't." Elle murmured as she grasped at her sleeves with her amber eyes still reflecting a saddened gleam.
Ty Lee held a comforting hand on her shoulder as the noblewomen directed a warning stare up at the unfazed redhead.
As did Mai as well while she never took her eyes off Naoki's strikingly emotionless face.
Just as they watched in marvelment through the corners of their eyes as the tree opened up all around them.
Naoki's face began to slowly but surely disappear from their view.
But not before the mighty princess stood over her servant with her arms folded over her armored breasts as she turned to glare icily up at the girl once more.
"Elle is mine. I own her. Right down to the very power that runs through her veins. Isn't that right Elle?" Azula announced in a pompous voice as she glanced down over her shoulder at her petite serving girl's adorably obedient face.
The two noblewomen gazed at their childhood friend in exasperation over her domineering behavior.
"T-that's right. Azula-sama is my leader now. I'm sorry Naoki…but Azula-sama is my home now. And I am content serving under her." The handmaid admitted in a meek voice as she hid behind her princess's tall back while her mistress gazed down at her in approval.
Only for Naoki to release a scoff while the princess turned to stare hard back up at the young assassin's vanishing face.
"And there you have it runaway slave. I was born with a divine right to rule. This one understands that I am absolute. And in time. So, will you." Azula spoke in a supremely hubristic voice with a smug smile forming upon her crimson lips while she gazed up into the young assassin's cold brown eyes.
She found herself inwardly enjoying how her young girlfriend's hands were grasping a hold of her armored back.
Just before her amber golden eyes narrowed in anger when Naoki let out an amused laugh.
"Almost absolute but not quite Princess. If that puppeteer's words were anything to go by." Naoki called out in a chuckled as she turned to gaze over her shoulder into the distance while Azula's amber golden eyes grew wide in renewed murderous fury.
Only for the Sentinel Tree's limbs to finish wrapping around its outer shell while the group watched in still present awe as the tree began closing shut around them.
But not before they once more gazed up at the assassin's smiling face.
The wind slowly rustled through Naoki's hair as she glanced back down while Elle's fretful eyes met her stony gaze.
"This talk isn't over Elle. I'll be back after I deal with those military fools." Naoki stated in a tone devoid of kindness while the younger teenager's eyes widened in alarm.
And then the group's eyes widened in alertness after hearing that.
They spun around to gaze out of the rapidly shrinking opening when they could have sworn that they heard the very distant sounds of military machinery.
And then not a second later the young assassin vanished off the tree branch in a crimson blur.
Just before the Sentinel Tree finally slammed shut.
And then just like that the Sentinel Tree retreated into the depths of the earth while they gazed at one another in uncertainty.
"The military…is coming through." Elle whispered in a quiet voice with her amber eyes gazing ahead while her big sisters gazed on in worry beside her.
"Those soldiers from before Princess…somehow more of them are coming into the valley." Zoi remarked in an angered voice as she turned to gaze back into her princess's mutually furious amber golden eyes.
"Then they will regret it in their death throes! Old woman! I demand that you let us out so we may punish these intruders!" Azula barked in a livid voice with her fists planted upon her womanly hips while she gazed out of the corner of her eye as they were pulled inside the tree.
"We just barely escaped one nightmare of a fight and now you want to jump right back into another?" Mai asked in a monotone voice while the princess turned to scowl back at her.
"Mai has a point Azula. Shouldn't we at least take a short breather?" Ty Lee suggested in a tired voice while the princess glared at her.
"A breather Ty Lee? While we're being invaded?" Azula snarled in a taunting voice with her icy eyes gazing back at the other woman's exhausted face.
"What should we do Captain?" Saro questioned as he turned to his captain while the warrior frowned in contemplation.
"Do whatever you guys want. I'll be down here…resuming my nap while you fight valiantly for our country." Jiao yawned with a hand over her mouth as she smiled while the others turned to glare at her.
But before the princess could snap out an insult at the commoner.
They all turned their head when the old woman's staff thudded against the flooring.
"No. As I said before. I don't care if there are invading soldiers in the forest. My sole concern is concluding my business with the Component. Should you leave any sooner…you will never find this tree again." Mava declared in a firm voice that allowed no room for argument while the princess's amber golden eyes narrowed in aggravation.
And suffice to say it stunned the group to a degree that the old woman cared so little of what happened outside of her 'home'.
And then they heard the sound of tree roots shifting outside the tree while they listened in wonderment.
Just before the movement finally settled.
And then the inside of the tree opened up while they all slid down inside the tree once more.
"Did you…move the location of the tree?" Zoi pondered in a taken aback voice as she turned to gaze at the hobbling sage.
"I did. For the time being I moved it underground." Mava answered in a blunt voice while the group's mouths dropped open in disbelief.
The princess gazed around once more with fascination flickering in her cold amber golden eyes.
"You can move the entire tree at will?" Mai inquired a surprised voice with her tawny eyes gazing about in a rare state of wonder.
"When the circumstances call for it…the Sentinel Tree is no ordinary tree. It is the hub of an ancient mystical power." Mava stated as she shuffled out from an opening in the wall while the team listened in disbelief.
Just before she stepped out with a scowl forming on her lips when she found herself stepping through countless broken items.
The princess's forces gazed about in the lower floor of the 'house' with grimacing expressions when they saw the ravaged state of the old woman's abode.
"Curse Silah. She ruined everything. Just like she always does. Everywhere she goes." Mava grumbled with a hidden resentment in her voice as she slowly moved forward while Elle gazed around with saddened amber eyes.
"Don't worry. I'm sure that Azula would be more than happy to replace all that she is able. Isn't that right Azula?" Ty Lee commented as she turned to stare pointedly at Azula's scoffing face while the princess gazed back with uncaring amber golden eyes.
"I don't want anything from that royal brat! The sooner she is out of my house for good the better!" Mava exclaimed as she hobbled ahead as the others listened in amusement while the princess rounded to glare icily after her back.
"Filthy hag. You can sleep on the floor for all I care!" Azula called out in a venomous voice while she exhaled fire through her nostrils.
"Not now Azula." Mai groaned as she gazed at her friend in annoyance.
"I can't help but wonder…if that girl Naoki played a factor in Silah's retreat." Zoi stated in a reflective voice as she around with thoughtful golden eyes while the others turned to gaze curiously at her.
"Please Zoi. You give that girl far too much credit." Azula scoffed as she walked with her handmaiden following at her heels.
"I don't think so Princess. I have never seen anyone that was so difficult to read before…it was like…her eyes were completely devoid of emotion. I suspect that Silah had just as difficult a time predicting her as I did." Zoi insisted with her golden eyes taking on a serious tint while Azula's amber golden eyes flashed in grudging recognition.
While the others listened in a bewildered silence.
"It wouldn't surprise me. They removed Naoki's ability to process emotions. It's almost impossible to predict her. Because she doesn't feel emotion…be it anger…happiness…sorrow or anything really." Elle explained as she strode behind her companions while they turned to gaze down at her in fascination.
And Ty Lee and Mai found themselves unable to resist shivering as they tried to picture what sort of torture it would take to strip a human being of the ability to feel emotion.
"I presume that Silah did not want to risk exposure of too many of her secrets to a possible unknown enemy." Zoi concluded with a nod while her princess scowled beside her.
"Elle! Tell me everything that you know about these invading soldiers." Azula commanded as she turned to gaze down at her serving girl only for her callous eyes to flash with a sliver of uncharacteristic emotion when she saw that the girl was struggling not to cry.
The group froze up with renewed sympathy in their eyes while they all gazed back at their saddened young friend uncertain of what they should do to console her.
"I-I…I'm sorry Azula-sama but I need to go think things over for a little while. This…is just too much for me to handle all at once." The handmaid announced in a downcast voice with her hair hanging in her eyes while her companions stood in silence behind her.
And then she padded off with her backpack over her shoulders in search of a private place to sit.
The princess watched the girl walk off with her crimson lips ajar in conflicted emotion as she clenched a burning fist at her hip.
All the while aware that her two childhood friends were already turning to her with saddened eyes that implored her to follow.
"Azula…go after her." Ty Lee advised in a hushed voice with a tear brewing in her eye while the proud princess turned to scowl at her from over her shoulder.
"I don't need you to tell me to do that Ty Lee." Azula grumbled as she stomped off with her fists balled up at her hips while her boots crunched as she strode through broken glass.
Before she vanished down a corridor while her companions watched with pity in their eyes.
Zoi grimaced with her golden eyes reflecting sympathy while Nako stood in a depressed silence beside her.
And the old sage let out a heavy sigh as she gazed ahead with a remorseful look in her glazed golden eyes.
It had not been her intent to cause the girl adverse pain.
But it was regrettably necessary for the young holder to awaken her power at all costs.
There was simply…no other alternative.
And then she took another step forward only to gasp in exhaustion when she nearly fell down to the floor with her eyes now wide in pain.
Only to for a strong hand to catch her gently under her arms while she turned to find the stoic captain bracing her from behind.
"Let me help you walk Mava." Zoi remarked as she held up the old woman with her hands on her shoulders while Mava stood up.
"Thank you." Mava muttered in a momentary break from her gruff voice while Zoi dutifully nodded her head.
"It's nothing…it's the least I can do." Zoi stated in a composed voice as she allowed the sage to balance herself upon her arm.
"We'll help you clean this place up." Nako commented as she bent over to pick up a book while Saro nodded in agreement.
"I'll get the book shelf. You get the books Nako." Saro said as he began to lift a fall book shelf back up against the wall while Nako offered him a quick nod.
And then Mai and Ty Lee exchanged a glance before they moved to help as they began picking up items off the floor.
Before Jiao sighed as she ran a hand through her hair before she took them by surprise when she bent over to assist them.
The sage turned away with an appreciative expression in her aged eyes as the captain led her down the hall.
And soon after that the warrior lifted a chair onto its right side while she helped the noticeably worn out woman seat herself.
"Rest. We'll take care of the cleanup." Zoi instructed in a cool-headed voice as she gazed down at the sage's weary face before she turned to rejoin her compatriots.
She walked off with her observant golden eye taking note that the hermit was breathing more heavily than before the tree repaired itself.
A few moments after that another book shelf was placed up against the wall.
Zoi now stood beside Mai and Ty Lee as they went about putting ancient tomes back upon the shelves.
Just before Ty Lee turned to Zoi with her brown-gray eyes conveying a thoughtful gleam.
In some ways ever since she had come to accept Zoi, she now saw her as a second leader of sorts for the group.
And she figured that now that Azula was out of the room that it was a good time to voice her concerns.
"Zoi. Can I ask you something?" Ty Lee pondered to the surprise of her two fellow nobles while Zoi turned to her with her golden eyes taking on a curious expression.
"What is it Ty Lee?" Zoi answered as she carefully placed books in a row on the shelf while Mai's tawny eyes studied Ty Lee.
"I was wondering if…that woman still reports to the Fire Lord." Ty Lee began in a hesitant voice while the two women gazed back at her with surprised looks in their eyes.
The three noblewomen now warily gazed back at one another before the captain finally voiced her thoughts.
"I find it unlikely." Zoi replied in a stony voice as she set down another old book with great care while her fellow nobles gazed at her in slight puzzlement.
"And just why is that?" Mai inquired in a monotone voice with her tawny eyes studying the warrior's contemplative countenance.
"Because having a subordinate that attacks your daughter and massacres your own troops…makes it appear as if she is beyond your control. And that is a bad look for any Fire Lord." Zoi spoke as she turned to gaze grievously back into her two companion's understanding eyes.
Both Mai and Ty Lee knew that Zoi had a point.
But even still…
It was terribly disconcerting to know that a monster like Silah was once under the employ of Fire Lord Ozai.
Just the very thought of it was enough to send another horrifying shudder down their spines.
Elle sat on the floor gazing at the wall of a small room with crestfallen amber eyes when she heard the sound of boots coming to a stop behind her.
She tried her hardest to suppress a sniffle while listened to Azula let out a sigh from where she stood over her.
"Servant." Azula greeted in a stern voice as she plopped down on her butt beside her girlfriend while she gazed down at the saddened girl through the corner of her cold amber golden eye.
"Azula-sama." Elle replied in a voice of indescribable reverence that the princess adored as she gazed out from her knees up into Azula's callous amber golden eyes.
The princess released a loud snort of blue fire as she rolled her eyes down at her young girlfriend's teary face.
Before she patted her armored thigh with a well-manicured hand while Elle peered up at her with boundless appreciation in her eyes.
"Just come here and get in my lap already peasant." Azula ordered in an unsocial voice as slid her arm around the much smaller girl's shoulder while she watched as her servant climbed into her lap.
And then not a second later the serving girl was pulled into her mistress's strong arms while she now sat with the back of her head resting against the princess's plated bosom.
Just as she pressed her face into Azula's armored breasts.
She silently savored the way that her princess's mighty arms were now wrapping around her chest.
As she shivered pleasantly when she listened to Azula let out a forceful growl over her shoulder.
"I…I don't want to be the Component. I…just want to be your serving girl." The handmaid murmured in a disconcerted voice as she sat over her princess's well-formed thighs while muscular arms held her close.
The princess gazed down at the petite girl in her arms with her crimson lips almost pulling into her usual confident smile after hearing those words.
Only to find herself sighing once more as she possessively wrapped her toned arms around the smaller girl's shoulders.
"You are still my servant Elle. This changes nothing. You will always serve me." Azula spoke in a controlling voice with her greedy amber golden eyes gazing down at Elle's head as the girl lay back against her breast.
"I know Azula-sama. But…but I'm scared." Elle admitted in a timid voice as she chewed on her lip while Azula glanced down at her with assertive amber golden eyes.
"Why does that not surprise me? It couldn't be more obvious that you need my strength." Azula stated in a matter-of-fact voice as she stared down at her handmaid's lovely face with beyond dominant amber golden eyes.
"T-that's so Azula-sama. I do." The handmaid agreed in a soft-spoken voice while mighty arms crushed her against her princess's armored chest.
"What sort of leader do you take me for? Do you think me incapable of protecting my own girlfriend?" Azula growled with her arms holding Elle in her lap while she gazed hard down at the girl's pretty face.
"No Azula-sama…I do not doubt your dominance." Elle replied in a sweet voice as relaxed in the older woman's arms while she blushed while Azula scoffed over her shoulder.
"Good. Because if you did…I would have no choice but to punish you…" Azula purred with a smile growing onto her full lips while her perfect fingernails gently brushed against her girlfriend's quivering cheek.
"O-oh Princess…" The handmaid murmured in a love-struck voice as she sunk back with her face resting upon her princess's breast while an arm coiled around her upper back.
"Oh peasant." Azula spoke with a sigh escaping her crimson lips as she reclined against the wall while held her girlfriend against her bosom.
Just before moment was broken not a second later when Elle abruptly cried out in panic in her arms.
She glanced down with a puzzled look in her callous amber golden eyes as she suddenly found herself scanning her pet for the slightest injury.
Only for her hardened gaze to gaze down with cold recognition when she noticed that her handmaiden was gazing at her wounded arm in horror.
"Y-your arm Azula-sama!" Elle cried out in a fretful voice with her sadness momentarily giving way for concern for her mistress's wellbeing.
"Hm? Oh that. I sustained a wound in battle." Azula remarked in a hardened voice while her amber golden eyes burned with still noticeable rage toward her audacious new enemy.
Only for her cold eyes to watch in bewilderment when her pet reached for her bag in a clumsy frenzy.
And then not a second later another sigh escaped her lips when the girl withdrew her first aid kit.
"Please allow me to treat your wound Mistress. I simply cannot stand the sight of Your Highness injured…" The handmaid commented as she gazed up at her princess's stony countenance from where she sat on her lap while the older girl rolled her eyes above her.
"Mushy peasant." Azula grunted as she sunk back with her head against the wall while her regal lips pursed into a proud scowl.
As she allowed her servant to gently unravel her torn sleeve while the girl gazed down at her wound at the gash with still mortified amber eyes.
And although no matter how much she tried to deny it.
It felt…rewarding having someone express such tender concern for her safety.
"I am Azula-sama. Just like my…mother." Elle mumbled as she pulled back Azula's sleeve while the much taller woman scowled down at her.
"You commoners are too emotional for your own good." Azula grumbled in a cold voice as she sat patiently with her young girlfriend's dainty hands cleaning her wound.
She coldly studied the young girl through the corner of her frigid eye in disapproval of the girl's sadness.
And somewhere deep down inside of her frozen heart she found herself wishing that she had been around to stop the genocide of her servant's village.
'If only they had been under my rule…' Azula thought with her nostrils releasing a puff of furious blue fire as she ground her teeth together.
She could have…saved her servant's parents.
"Mistress Azula?" The handmaid began in an uncertain voice as she cleaned the princess's muscular arm while amber golden eyes glanced down at her in dominant approval.
"What is it servant?" Azula queried in a tone of boundless patience that she only used with her most loyal follower.
She observed with a strict eye as the girl began to soak up the blood on her bicep.
"I…I don't feel comfortable with the last hour that I spent outside of your control." Elle admitted in a mousy voice while she missed how Azula's possessive eyes now flashed in delight.
"Is that right?" Azula asked in a purr with her domineering amber golden eyes closely gazing down at her young girlfriend's sensitive face.
Only for her cold gaze to narrow when she caught sight of the sorrow once more brewing in the girl's emotional amber eyes.
"It…it is Azula-sama. W-will you…will you…reassert control over me?" The handmaid requested in a shaken voice while the princess's domineering amber golden eyes widened in excitement.
"You…wish for me to dominate you even more?" Azula pondered with her lips curling into a pleased smile while her petite servant sat in her lap patting down her arm.
"I-I would Azula-sama. Please lend me your guidance. I…don't know what to do." Elle confessed with her bangs hanging in her eyes while Azula's smile quickly gave way to another regal scowl.
"So…you want me to decide for you?" Azula questioned in a cold voice as she sat with her icy eyes gazing down at the young girl's sorrowful face.
Only for her ruthless eyes to narrow in displeasure when she spied a tear dripping down the girl's fair cheek.
"Y-yes. Please give me an order. A-any order." The handmaid stammered in a desperate voice as her hands shook over the princess's bicep while the older woman now gazed sternly down at her.
"Stop crying or I will discipline you." Azula commanded in a much stricter voice than before while she glared down at the crying girl's now nodding face.
She was both pleased and displeased all at once.
Her girlfriend truly craved her control.
That much was obvious.
And yet at the same time…it angered her watching her girlfriend cry.
"Yes P-Princess. As you say…a-always as you say." Elle stuttered in a relieved voice as she gazed gratefully up into Azula's strict amber golden eyes.
"Very good. I command you to tell me what this girl…Naoki wants with you." Azula ordered in a tone of absolute authority as she lounged with a hand on her knee while gentle hands bandaged her wound.
She observed in approval when her faithful servant bowed her head in reverence.
"She wants me to join her in getting vengeance on those who wronged us." The handmaid answered in a stabilizing voice while the princess stared at her with stern amber golden eyes.
"I had already gathered as much Elle." Azula said with a pleased look in her eyes while her handmaid sat on her leg wrapping her arm.
All the while taking note that her commands seemed to have a calming effect on the girl's mood.
"But…but it's so much more than that. She wants to hurt people that had no part in it. As in killing hundreds of thousands…if not millions." Elle explained in a disturbed voice as she met Azula's somewhat taken aback amber golden gaze.
"I see." Azula muttered in a thoughtful voice with her ruthless eyes briefly mulling the matter over while Elle diligently tended to her arm.
"And…I just can't do that. That's…not how my mother raised me." The handmaid mumbled as she tightly bound her princess's arm while amber golden eyes studied her intently.
"I forbid you to take part in such acts. Understand servant?" Azula spoke in a strict voice with a scowl on her crimson lips while her serving girl bowed her head once more.
"As Her Highness commands." Elle agreed in a devoted voice while Azula's lips pulled back into another smile.
"That's what I like to hear. Obedience." Azula sighed as she relaxed with her head propped up upon the wall while she savored the way the smaller girl sat in her lap.
"I-I couldn't watch what he did to my mother. I…had to block it out." The handmaid whispered while the princess glanced down at her once again.
"Good. I don't want you thinking of such thoughts." Azula grumbled in a prideful voice with her icy eyes staring down at her handmaid's wet face.
"Then…I will try my best not to." Elle answered as she tied the bandages while Azula still watched her closely.
"I will avenge your parents Elle." Azula announced in a callous voice with her amber golden eyes watching as Elle gazed up at her with emotive amber eyes.
"Y-you will?" The handmaid asked in a moved voice while the princess's lips pursed into a ferocious scowl.
"Of course, I will!" Azula scoffed with an arrogant roll of her eyes just as she felt a smaller hand take hold of her own.
"A-arigatou gozaimasu Azula-sama." Elle spoke with her loyal eyes peering up into Azula's proud amber golden eyes.
"You are such a sentimental little thing. But to my liking all the same." Azula stated as she sat back with her stern eyes gazing down at her admirer's face while she allowed the girl to hold her hand.
"She…she saw me before she died Azula-sama…an older me. Do you think…that if she could see me now…that she would be proud of me?" The handmaid inquired in a hopeful voice as she gazed up into her princess's attentive amber golden eyes.
"I do. I am certain of it." Azula stated in a tone that brook no room for argument with her amber golden eyes momentarily flickering with a sliver of emotion.
Somehow there was no doubt in her mind that the Lana that she saw.
Would not be proud of the girl seated before her.
"That…that is good to know. I wouldn't want to disappoint her." Elle replied with the tears finally drying in her eyes while she concluded wrapping her princess's arm.
As amber golden eyes gazed back at her with a controlling gleam that sent a wonderful shudder down her spine.
"You belong to me Elle. And I will not share you with anyone. Is that clear?" Azula growled in a possessive voice with her callous amber golden eyes hardening into an imposing glare while Elle shook under her stare.
"Y-yes Princess. I am yours." The handmaid agreed in a lovesick voice as she peered dreamily back up into her princess's beautiful face while she once more found herself lost in the older woman's eyes.
"You will continue to serve me as the Component. You will only take orders from me. And this power will be used for my benefit alone." Azula commanded in a supremely dominant voice with her controlling amber golden eyes gazing back down into her submissive girl's swooning amber eyes.
"You alone Azula-sama. I serve you with pride on this day…for all of my days." Elle assured as she wiped a tear from her eye as she reached up to touch Azula's scowling cheek while she smiled up at her.
"You better peasant. I will not be satisfied with anything less than your absolute worship." Azula declared in a spoiled voice as she glared over her shoulder at the wall with the barest twinge of a blush now adorning her regal cheeks.
Elle nodded in understanding as she smiled softly up at her scowling countenance.
"Wakarimashita Azula-sama." The handmaid answered in a devoted voice with her head bowing in respect while her princess gazed down at her with endless approval in her cold eyes.
"You are a fine servant. I want you to know that I will never forget your loyalty. You will always have a home by my side Elle." Azula remarked in a voice of rare sincerity while she turned to stare down into her handmaiden's emotional amber eyes.
"A-Azula-sama." Elle stuttered in a heartfelt voice as she smiled up at Azula's glowering face while her palm lingered upon the princess's cheek.
Only to find herself jumping in a panic when the woman's authoritative voice rang into her ears.
"Cease that waterworks right this minute or I will imprison you in a dark cell until the end of time!" Azula barked in an overbearing voice as she glared down at her young girlfriend's gulping face.
"S-sumimasen Azula-sama!" The handmaid cried out in an adorable voice as she hurriedly bowed her head while her princess's lips curved into another smile.
"Such a good girl." Azula commented in an approving voice as she reclined with her girlfriend's head pressing into her armored bosom once more.
"Princess?" Elle pondered with the back of her head pushing into Azula's breastplate while she savored the way that the woman's arms once again wrapped around her belly.
"Hm?" Azula answered in a lazy voice with her amber golden eyes gazing down at the lovely young girl in her arms.
"Will…will you surround me with your firebending?" The handmaid requested in a soft voice with a timid blush on her cheeks while her princess smiled once more.
"Now that…I just adore." Azula purred as she drew the shorter girl in closer while her powerful arms coiled around her companion's midsection.
And then the princess sat back against the wall with her peasant in her arms while she gazed down at the girl resting against her plated breast.
Just as a wall of intense azure flames flared up all around them while Elle curled up with her head propped up upon her royal armor.
As the dome of blue fire blazed brightly before Elle's content amber eyes.
"Try not to worry your little mind over what is to come. Whatever may happen…we'll face it together." Azula instructed with her cold voice taking on a protective edge while she held her girlfriend's face into her armored breasts.
"Yes Azula-sama…. together." Elle murmured with a tender smile forming upon her lips while she closed her eyes as she listened to Azula's heartbeat behind her ears.
"Hm. That's my peasant." Azula sighed in a tone of finality as she found herself unable to resist crushing Elle's small form in her arms while her fire crackled around them.
"My…my princess charming." The handmaid spoke in a bashful voice as she cuddled up against her princess's chestplate with two strong arms holding her tight.
"Mine…my girl." Azula snarled with her callous amber golden eyes vigilant gleam while she wrapped one arm around the young girl's neck.
As she held Elle's head against her breast while the girl breathed serenely with her face buried in her bust.
Her azure flames accentuated her face as she glared down at the relaxing girl with frigid amber golden eyes.
If anyone dares to try to take her girl away from her.
Be it the Avatar. Her brother. Her father. Silah. Naoki. Or this Reiko that she has heard so much about. Or anyone else.
They will suffer an agonizing death in her flames.
And that was a promise.
Elsewhere in the Fire Nation…
A small ship sailed through the ocean's waters while Chancellor Terak sat gazing back at the freshly washed dark-haired young woman seated opposite of him.
The former prisoner gazed around her with her blue eyes still agape in surprise that she had actually been released.
Before she turned to gaze back at the man seated across from her with while he smiled back at her.
"If I do as you say…my sisters and I will gain our freedom?" Arin questioned with her hands on the tabletop while Terak nodded his head.
"You deduce correctly. I require your assistance Arin." Terak stated in a cordial voice with a disarming smile on his lips while he gazed at the woman's still taken aback face.
"To crown Prince Zuko?" Arin queried in a quiet voice as she listened to the small ship sail along the sea.
"Indeed. As I told you…I am working against the Crown. That is why I retrieved you. So, I could find an ally sympathetic to my cause." Terak explained in a sly voice with his golden eyes gazing back at the prisoner's guarded face.
"If what you say is true…why not release the rest of my sisters?" Arin pondered in a skeptical voice as she studied the chancellor closely with her blue eyes.
"Release one Kyoshi Warrior, and the Crown will not blink. Release them all and we would draw upon the wrath of Princess Azula. You don't want to draw the notice of the princess, do you?" Terak replied in a smooth voice as he stared back at Arin's now horrified face as the woman quickly shook her head in fear.
"No. No I do not." Arin answered in a hastened voice while the chancellor nodded in agreement.
"Nor do I. Which is why we must keep this from her at all costs. She would most surely not appreciate that I am conspiring with Princess Ling to overthrow the current…corrupt regime." Terak spoke in an amicable voice as he leaned forward to gaze back into widened blue eyes.
"I…still can't believe…that she is truly alive." Arin breathed with her exhausted eyes gazing on with something akin to hope in her eyes.
For the first time in six years of her time in that torturous prison she truly felt hope.
Hope that her resurfaced princess would deliver the people of her nation to freedom from the grip of the Fire Nation.
And most of all, free her people from the tyrannical Princess Azula's rule.
"She is Arin. The people of the Earth Kingdom are rising up. And those who fight for peace between nations are rallying behind Prince Zuko's banner. It is our intention to see the prince crowned Fire Lord by Sozin's Comet." Terak announced in a silenced voice with his palms clasped over the table while Arin sat in a suspenseful silence.
"And how exactly do I help you do that?" Arin asked in a quiet voice as she stared back into the man's bright golden eyes.
"We must coordinate our movements with the Avatar. And to do that…well that is going to require a covert operation." Terak responded in a crafty voice as he smiled back at the woman's frowning face.
"And what's to stop me from killing you and commandeering this ship? From the look of it. You didn't even bring any guards." Arin declared with her blue eyes taking on a harder tiny while she gazed back at Terak's amused face.
"There is nothing to stop you. If you wish you can take control of the boat at any time." Terak purred to the surprise of Arin while she gazed back with bewildered blue eyes.
"Then why shouldn't I?" Arin questioned as she narrowed her eyes back at the chancellor's smirking face.
"Of course, if you do, how will you help your sisters if you kill your only friend in the Fire Nation?" Terak inquired as he stared back into the prisoner's once more widened eyes.
Arin's eyes glanced about the cabin before gazing back at Terak's smiling countenance.
"The choice is yours Arin." Terak stated in a charismatic voice as he sat unmoving while Arin's eyes darted around the room.
And for the briefest of moments it almost seemed as if the Kyoshi Warrior was considering lunging across the table to open his throat.
Until finally Arin relented.
"Fine. For the sake of my sisters. I will hear you out." Arin agreed with her hands returning to the table once more while Terak smiled once more.
"Wonderful. You made a wise choice Arin." Terak assured as he reached across the table with his palm touching the woman's own while her blue eyes gazed back at him.
"Let us hope." Arin replied as she reached for a bowl of food as she pulled it towards her while the chancellor relaxed in his seat once more.
"Worry not Arin. I am not your enemy. I am a friend of the Earth Kingdom. And together…we will help the Avatar achieve victory over the Fire Nation." Terak spoke in a persuasive voice as his robed hands relaxed in his lap.
As he smiled back at the Kyoshi Warrior's more at ease face while he watched her take a bite out of a dinner roll.
He gazed across the room with a carefully hidden conniving gleam in his golden eyes.
Just wait until he delivers his report to Princess Azula.
It was certain to cement his position in her eyes.
Yes. She will be pleased.
Very, pleased.
AN:
So, before I get to my afterward. Allow me to take a brief moment to reply to the reviews.
Once again, thank you for saying so Agent Banana. Like I said before, there are so many stories out there that you could be reading. And knowing that out of all of them, that it is my story that is helping you get through the year is a huge compliment.
KingZilla, regarding egoistic altruism, I actually had something similar in mind. I was thinking that a good angle that Elle could use to sway Azula to consider others is by wording it in a way that will benefit Azula.
For instance, Elle could try to convince Azula that she has the choice of building a great empire that will go down in history for thousands of years. Or she could build a fear fueled reign that is wrought with terror and executions that will very likely end on the day when an assassin manages to breach her food tasters.
That was sort of the angle that I was thinking of using when I had Elle tell Azula about long lasting rulers that made a positive impression on their subjects versus the ones who left an impression of terror that were ultimately killed by their own people after a very short reign.
As for the Cthulhu Mythos, it is very interesting that you mention that. I am a huge horror fan, and I love some of H.P. Lovecraft's old short stories.
I won't spoil anyone, but some of the inspiration for the concept of the Primordial One has some basis in that, as well as other series that will remain unmentioned at this time.
As a horror fan, I consider that a compliment if you are getting vibes like that.
Moving on, I would like to take another moment to go over how Elle's power works one more time.
Elle, as the holder of the Component, has the ability to cut through the energy of beings connected to the spiritual plane. If such a being fails to evade her attack, as we saw with Aang. She can cause a temporary disruption in the usage of their power.
However, Elle cannot interfere with the energy flow of beings NOT connected to the spiritual plane.
To help everyone understand, I will give an example of beings that she can use this power on and beings that she can't.
This first ability works on:
Spirits, Avatars, other otherworldly beings, and possibly other supernatural creatures such as demons.
This first ability does not work on:
Azula, Zoe, Zuko, Katara, Toph, Naoki, Katsu, Ozai, Strados, etc.
This means that Elle cannot interfere with the bodily flow of energy of most human benders and super powered fighters. The reason for this, is to prevent Elle from being overpowered.
This will be touched on in greater depth as we further explore the origins behind the Component power.
The Component was created as a power that cuts through mystical energy, which is why supernatural beings can find themselves vulnerable against Elle's power.
This also means that the Component is also able to use their power to cut through mystical energy constructs and obtain entry to places that would previously be inaccessible. And this is why Rieko wants Elle to join her side.
Also, a more experienced Component user is able to eventually use the energy from their own body to defend themselves in combat. We saw this with Lana when she used her own energy to attack and defend against Strados. And when copious amounts of energy from the Spirit World is nearby such as portals to the Spirit World. This can cause Elle's power to fluctuate more wildly, and possibly increase the power of her attacks.
Basically, the closer she is to the Spirit World, the more dangerous she is to beings that are connected to the spiritual plane.
To summarize it in simple terms, the Component is a power that can cut through mystical barriers of energy and the individual flow of energy of beings connected to the spiritual plane. The Component is also able to use their own bodily energy to defend and attack. And the power of the Component grows stronger when the user is in proximity to the Spirit World or any similar supernatural plane.
I also want to state that in my story as a chi user grows stronger, they can eventually learn to use their own aura offensively. This means that Azula and Zoe are learning to fight with their aura as they get stronger. As time goes on, and Team Avatar becomes more prominent. Other characters such as Zuko may learn how to do that as well.
Also, since the world of Avatar is a very spiritual world. It makes sense for chi enlightened people to be able to sense each auras. So, when an aura is particularly strong, characters like Azula, Zoe, and Ty Lee may be able to learn to sense it.
We saw Elle do this back in chapter 71, when no one else was able to locate Mava, Elle was able to sense what direction she was in. This means that Elle has a high spiritual awareness, and she may well be one of the most skilled sensors in the series.
Now, onto the afterward.
So, Silah got away and Team Azula barely made it out with their lives. And now they have to deal with feeling like Silah is watching them wherever they go. And as we saw with the note and doll that Silah left Azula. It is clear that Silah is very much enjoying it more than Azula cares for.
We also saw that the ritual that Mava put Elle through is taking a great emotional toll on her. This also shows that Mava is primarily focused on the greater goal in the long run. While Mava does not wish to cause Elle pain. It isn't something that she thinks much about if it is something that she sees needs to be done.
For this reason, Elle may be a little more emotional than usual for a chapter or two as she tries to come to terms with what she experienced.
And as we saw, Naoki was watching Team Azula fight Silah the entire time. Since Naoki doesn't believe in helping other people, it is unlikely that she would have stepped in to save Team Azula is Silah started killing them.
But because she needs Elle, it can be inferred that she would interfered if Silah was about to make off with Elle.
However, one interesting detail that we learned is that Naoki's presence may have played a factor in Silah's retreat.
Because Naoki is powerful in her own right, and because she does not express any visible emotions. Silah had difficult telling what Naoki would do.
Naoki's emotionless nature is a huge part of her character, as even people like Azula, Zoe and Silah have trouble reading her. Because she is so hard to read, as a result even other powerful warriors consider her to be unpredictable. It can be difficult to tell if Naoki will attack you, save you or leave you alone.
Also, while it was a small detail. When Mava saw everyone start to help clean up her home, and Zoe helped her sit down. We saw that Mava is finally starting to take a liking to them.
And it also shows that when off the battlefield, that Zoe can be a real gentlewoman with the elderly. Provided that said elderly person is not her enemy, as we saw with Pakku.
And I hope that everyone enjoyed the scene where Elle awakened her power. That was a favorite for me. And it is particularly stunning when you realize that everyone on Team Azula has always seen Elle as this small, sweet girl that needs to be protected. And here she goes and stuns them by unleashing such powerful energy.
And near the end of the chapter, we saw that Azula was genuine emotion for Elle over the loss of her parents. This is a huge sign of character growth in Azula in that she is learning to care for not only another person, but a peasant girl that is the victim of war.
And we also saw that after all of that, Elle was comforted by Azula reasserting control over her.
The reason for all of this is that Elle feels safe when she is under Azula's stern leadership. And unlike everyone else Azula has encountered throughout her life, Elle does not fear her control. Rather, Elle wants it. Because Azula represents security.
And lastly, at the end of the chapter we got to see Chancellor Terak once again.
Essentially, Chancellor Terak found a more traumatized and broken Kyoshi Warrior than Suki in Arin. Chancellor Terak managed to convince her that he is coveting working against the Fire Nation in order to crown Zuko Fire Lord by Sozin's Comet.
With his silver tongue, he persuaded Arin that he is an ally of the Earth Kingdom and all that he desires is to bring down Ozai, and Azula, and help the Avatar win the war.
The purpose behind this, is that if Arin thinks Terak is her friend, he can send her to meet with a spy and use her to infiltrate the circle. He intends to spread false words that there is a pro Zuko coronation movement in the Fire Nation that seeks to see him crowned.
This will result in Zuko getting his hopes up, just so Azula and Terak can take them away when it hurts the most.
And more importantly, if successful, it will allow Terak to gain the names of all of the traitors at court that are aiding and abetting Iroh and the rest of the White Lotus.
And if he succeeds, it will earn him great favor in Azula's eyes.
My intent was to show that Terak's manipulation skills truly are on par with Azula herself. As the whole reason why he traveled alone, was so that he could give the appearance of an amiable person that would inspire trust in whoever he selected. And of course, to ensure that no one else heard their conversation.
The first half of the long arc is now almost over, and the second half will begin in a few chapters when Team Azula leave the Sentinel Tree to deal with Naoki and the military. Mava has a few more revelations to cover before we get to that though.
Anyhow, that will be it for now.
Stay tuned for next time.
For chapter ninety-one! Revelations!