A. N. : Shorter chapter this time, with a Caldera Update. Today's title refers in part to Kalchas, the augur who prophesied the necessity of Iphigenia's sacrifice for the Greek troops to be able to leave for Troy, and whose name can be interpreted as meaning "bronze man". The knife mentioned in the title would then be a sacrificial one. Anyway, next semester is going to be a busy one for me, so I'm already starting to plan the next Viper-birthday, and I would like to see if there are any requests for the (now habitual) short bonus fic ? I'm looking for the same kind of stuff I did the other years (see : "Of honey and flesh", "Jade lions never sleep", and "Of blue shells and scarab-bees"), meaning something that would give some insight into a character who appears in Viper-lizard, but that can also stand on its own. If y'all want to see more of someone, now's the time to ask !
The Caldera is in turmoil.
Like a sealed cooking pot close to exploding from the pressure inside, like what Mai feels when she isn't careful enough to kill all and any emotion.
The Dragon of the West will die at the hands of Crown Princess Azula. For the first time in generations, a royal execution will take place in Tenuht, cold fire snuffing out the life of an heir to the Fire throne, ashes spilled in Lake Tenuht, as tradition requires.
And everyone at court is trying to read the situation and its meaning correctly, to anticipate what will come next and secure their position. Fire Lord Ozai is getting rid of his brother – in other words, heads will soon roll, people will be put aside, the same as when the late Fire Lord Azulon passed away and Prince Iroh came home in disgrace.
Mai's family should be safe, her father bet on Ozai long ago, and Mai herself benefits from Azula's protection, at least for as long as she remains useful.
But Azula left without a warning, and yesterday's rumors aren't ones Mai can afford to forget for a single second, not even through the chaos of today's news.
General Zenka is looking to have her daughter take Princess Ursa's place as Ozai's wife, and for the first time since the disappearance, the Fire Lord seems open to such offers.
On its own, this is nothing remarkable – Fire Lord Ozai's marital status has been the subject of many years of speculation, especially after Zuko was exiled and Azula was the only acceptable heir left. Mai never cared for these talks, because Azula was always perfect, always what Ozai wanted, and there was simply no need for a spare.
But Azula left without a warning, after failing to bring Zuko back, with too many Dai Li agents in tow for a simple execution, Fire Lord Ozai is pruning the family tree, and General Zenka found a willing ear for her request.
This might just be a threat. Something the Fire Lord won't follow through, simply a reminder for Azula to watch her step, or else. It might. But Mai has been at Azula's side for long enough to know that empty threats just aren't something she is willing to bet on.
Azula is falling from grace.
There are only two ways for this to go for Mai. Once word reaches the colonies, her mother will surely try to follow in General Zenka's steps and try her luck. Then –
There are only two ways for this to go. Either Mai will fall with Azula, or she will rise high enough to burn herself on the sun. Her fate isn't her own, has never been, and none of what she wants matters.
It's easier to want for nothing.
It's easier to feel nothing, to be an empty husk, a puppet to the politically savvy. If you want for nothing, you lose nothing. Zuko's betrayal was an important reminder of the truth of Mai's world.
She can't want anything. She doesn't want anything.
She doesn't want any of this.