A/N:
WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
THIS WAS A DOUBLE UPDATE!
PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE READ THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER (236) BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH THIS CHAPTER! :'D (… unless you'd rather skip that one and fill the blanks yourselves, tbh can't even blame you if you do…)
Ships didn't often set sail in the night. The soldiers manning the entrance of the bay weren't any stricter at late hours than during the day, but it was notoriously more difficult to navigate with hindered visibility: many naval accidents took place in darkness, or during storms, for that reason.
The bay would see more ships than usual sailing away that night. Not only the foolhardy and reckless, testing their navigation skills by tempting fate, would be out at sea on that dark night: one small vessel took off first, a few hours after dusk, after hasty, last-minute preparations that saw its three occupants disappearing in the dark horizon. Less than an hour later, an Imperial Guard had stormed through the bay, seeking out any available ships as hastily as possible.
The sleepy, yet opportunistic sailors, had rushed to alert their ship captains of this rare opportunity to earn the goodwill of such a highly ranked official. Countless jumped at the chance to offer him passage to any of the nearby islands, as generously as could be, gushing about the high quality of their ships… only for the guard to choose the least conspicuous one, to their absolute disappointment.
"We'll be ready to set sail in an hour, if that's alright by you, good sir…" said the smirking old captain, who only had the help of two energetic teenagers to sail his vessel.
"If it must be that long, I will accept it… but the sooner you're ready, the better" Rui Shi had said, urgently. The old man now grimaced before nodding.
"W-well, well, I guess we could cut it to… twenty minutes? Maybe? We'll, um, go get ready now, then, good sir…"
"Thank you" Rui Shi said, releasing a slow breath.
He hadn't removed his helmet so far: it was ill-advised to do so when so many disappointed sailors might catch a glimpse of his face. If only he could have found someone quicker than he had, a single, discreet ship captain instead of all these people… he'd have to pay all of them for their silence before he took off, he suspected.
But as he had refrained from announcing where he needed the ship to go, he still had some means to protect Song's future whereabouts. The less people knew where she was headed, the better.
She had kept her distance from the wild sailors, watching emptily as Rui Shi arranged matters with the crew of his chosen ship. By the time he turned to look at her, she appeared just as devastated as she had been half an hour ago, once they had left the house for what he suspected would be the last time.
He had helped her pack her belongings and found a carriage to drive them to the bay. She had appeared half-dead through most of it, absent-minded whenever she wasn't outright crying. Even as he held her in his arms again, as they traveled to the bay at haste, she had been unable to react any differently: her whole world had collapsed around her, and while that had happened countless times to the young woman, she couldn't help but grieve profoundly each time it did.
Rui Shi stepped closer, breathing slowly as he reached for her hand. Song gritted her teeth under that contact, finding no comfort in the gesture. Not when she knew it might be the last time she touched him at all…
Such thoughts were the ones that constantly resulted in her emotional outbursts: she sobbed and jumped in his arms, shoulders shaking violently, as Rui Shi rubbed her back as soothingly as he could, despite knowing nothing he did or said at this point would suffice. Someone who had lost hope as many times as Song had deserved better, so much better, than this nightmare… than seeing her whole life fall apart once again, while being utterly powerless to prevent it.
"They're setting everything up. You should be safe soon… if all goes well" Rui Shi said. Song shook her head, and he sighed "Song…"
"How can I… how can I be safe, while you're… w-while you fight alone to help them? R-Rui Shi, I… I can't… I don't know how to let go, I don't want to, I never thought I…"
"I never thought we'd have to either. Not truly" Rui Shi admitted, his voice frail as he lowered his head "I… I still don't even know how any of this came to pass. All I know is…"
"That at least saving me is enough…?" Song said, shaking her head still "I'm not… I'm not worth this much, Rui Shi, I…"
"You're worth more than you'll ever understand. Every sacrifice I must make to ensure you live on… I'll make it gladly" Rui Shi said, gritting his teeth. She winced in his arms, clinging to his armor.
"Don't… d-don't say that, Rui Shi, it sounds like you're expecting to…"
"Song…"
She was startled when he released her from his grip… when he removed his helmet slowly, revealing his tear-streaked face, the heavy bags under his eyes… the panic that was apparent in them, too. Her chest tightened for it all.
"I… I know I shouldn't make promises I can't know if I will be able to keep" he said, his voice trembling "But if I… if I can, if I won't put you in danger in doing so, I swear I will come to you. You won't be alone even while I'm not there, but… I will come back for you, if it is within my power to do so. And I'll do everything I can to make it so…"
"I won't be… I won't be alone?" Song asked, shivering as she gazed at him with despair "W-what do you mean…?"
"I will write a letter now. A message, for friends you'll stay with" Rui Shi said, lowering his gaze "They know about you… they will keep you safe. They will want to protect you, I'm sure of it. It won't be easy, I'm not quite foolish enough to believe otherwise… but you will be able to live freely, at least until this catastrophe blows over in whichever manner it may"
"I can't be the only one who gets to do that…" Song sobbed, shaking her head "I know I'm weak and useless, Rui Shi, I can't help in any way, but I…! I want to stay with you…!"
"I don't know what life awaits me, going forward" Rui Shi said, gritting his teeth "What I do know… is that I can't drag you into it with me"
Song shook her head, frantically, but Rui Shi's hands cupped her face just before he pressed a gentle, delicate kiss upon her lips: she slowed her head's movements for it, wanting nothing but to yell and demand he let her stay with him, no matter what, for she would face whatever hardships came next by his side… she could do it, she was sure of that, no matter how painful it might be. Because this… none of this was right. That all four of them would be torn away from each other, in whatever sense they were… how could any of them possibly live with that?
And yet she knew Rui Shi meant to do his damnedest to help Sokka and Azula, in the days ahead. Ensuring Song was safe was but a first step… one in a dangerously dark path that not even Rui Shi himself knew where it would lead him. The only certainty any of them could have, at this point, was that life would never again be what it had been throughout the last four years. Everything was poised to change… forced to, by the Fire Lord's design. And no brutal, radical change brought by that man's hand would ever be in their favor.
Who knew when would be the next time she would be free to do this? Who knew if she would ever even see Rui Shi again, to begin with? Her whole soul appeared to shatter at those thoughts, and suddenly she found herself kissing him back passionately, desperately, conveying all her pain, all her grief, all her anguish for the future… and Rui Shi received it, reciprocating her uncontrolled emotions with his own.
For his heart was breaking, just as hers was. For he was just as unwilling to say goodbye as she was… but he knew it had to be done. Keeping her safe mattered more to him than anything else.
His chest heaved against his armor once their lips parted. His tearful eyes fell upon her features once again, finding the despair in her eyes had been joined by compassion, too: she knew how hard this was for him. She understood his pain completely, and Rui Shi couldn't have asked for anything more than that.
"We should… go to the ship now" Rui Shi said, quietly. Song sniffed, closing her eyes tightly… before nodding, once.
Rui Shi put on his helmet once again, after having dropped it on the pile of luggage they had brought with them. Song hadn't been able to bring everything regardless, but her most important belongings were safely within those bags. It was a small relief, but Rui Shi hoped that, as brokenhearted as she might be, the knowledge that she wouldn't have to return to being the empty-handed, helpless girl in a slave market would appease her slightly, someday.
He helped hoist the bags onto the small ship: it wasn't equipped for big journeys, Song realized… so she wasn't going to Ba Sing Se with her mother, was she? It wasn't a likely outcome, truth be told, for any ships traveling that far would undergo countless, thorough security checks at every port they might stop at… and if she were to become a wanted person, somehow – albeit she doubted she could ever be that important – due to her connection with Sokka, it would take them no time at all to track her down if she were headed to Ba Sing Se.
Rui Shi helped her set her bags on the vessel before approaching the ship's captain: the two teenagers who would help him sail the ship appeared curious about Song, but they didn't dare ask her any questions yet.
The ship captain nodded to Rui Shi, understanding his instructions, and happily pocketing the money he had been given. Money not only to finance this trip… but to buy his silence, hopefully permanently.
Once that was done, Rui Shi approached Song, releasing a slow breath as he removed his helmet once again. Song gritted her teeth, stepping closer to caress his handsome face… the handsome face she knew she wouldn't see again for a long time, unless the universe were kinder than it had been so far. Considering the latest events, she questioned her luck could ever be that favorable…
"I… wait. The letter, damn it" Rui Shi said. Song gritted her teeth as he rushed to her bags, fishing out some ink and paper in which he could write a rushed explanation for the latest events "Just… give me a moment"
"Take as long as you need" Song said, quietly.
She didn't take her eyes off him as he worked, scribbling so quickly, under such poor lighting, that he couldn't be sure any of his letter made the slightest bit of sense. He sighed once he was finished signing it, though, and he tucked it back in Song's bag before taking another paper, jotting down further information across it before rising to his feet.
"This one is for you" he said, handing her the last paper he had written on "This boat shall take you where you need to go, and after you're safe on land, you'll follow these directions… and you'll be safe once you reach your destination, as long as all goes well"
"I… I understand" Song said, gritting her teeth.
"You might be able to find out what's happening in the Palace, even there" Rui Shi said, unsure if that would reassure her at all "If there were any surprisingly positive outcomes for this mess… you'd find out, for sure. If nothing does, though… you'll have to stay there for as long as possible"
"Until you can come find me?" Song asked, dubiously. Rui Shi gritted his teeth, but nodded.
"Indeed" he said "Though, well…"
"Don't even say it"
"If… things don't turn out for the best" Rui Shi said, through gritted teeth: Song covered her face with her hands as another onslaught of tears poured from her eyes "I… I suggest you wait, maybe a year, maybe two, before… before seeking out your mother. By then… it should be safe enough for you to do that. Still, keep an eye out on whatever is happening in the Capital. It's impossible to tell what the Fire Lord will do after all this, or who he'll be unleashing his fury upon…"
"Please… just… I know how hard this is, for all of us" Song said, pleadingly, raising her tearful gaze towards him once more "I know this is the last thing any of us thought would happen at this point, but… I beg you, Rui Shi… do everything you can to survive. If I get to live… then so should you"
"I… I will do my best, Song" Rui Shi said, caressing her hair as she sobbed again.
"I'm… I'm going to miss you so much" she said, her voice breaking "I… I…"
"I love you. I will always, always love you" Rui Shi said, gazing into her eyes. Song sobbed, nodding again.
"I'll always love you too, Rui Shi. I… I'll always wait for you, no matter what…" she said. He swallowed hard "You… you asked me to marry you. We had a future ahead of us, Rui Shi, and… and you must come back. Y-you deserve to fulfill all our promises, more than anyone else…"
"I… I will work tirelessly to make it so" Rui Shi whispered, raising her hands to his lips to press a gentle kiss to her knuckles "But until I can make that a reality… knowing that you wanted to share that life with me will suffice. It will be enough to always remind me that… that none of what we lived through together so far, or what we might yet go through in the future, could ever be in vain"
Song nodded again, again and again until she wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him willfully. He responded in kind, both utterly unaware and unconcerned over the shy glances of the two teenagers, as well as the unabashed curiosity of the ship's captain… for nothing mattered as much as their final kiss did.
They savored it for as long as they dared, making the most of one last moment spent together… of one last moment of basking in their love, which would remain unbroken and resolute, no matter the distance between them. No matter how long they had to live without each other.
Rui Shi broke the kiss once they were both breathless. His brow pressed to Song's, and she tried to breathe him in, to feel him close by, for just one more moment of selfishness…
But it was selfishness indeed: Rui Shi had to go, as soon as possible, if he hoped to continue dodging the suspicions of his fellow Imperial Guards. He had, so far, slipped through their raid quietly, raising no suspicions, and he had created himself a window of opportunity to help Song that way… but it was only a small window. And the longer they lingered together, the bigger the risk he'd take… and his unlikely opportunity to help save Sokka and Azula would become unlikelier yet.
So, as pained as she was by letting him go, by separating their bodies, Song still relinquished her embrace, letting her hands rest on his chest… until he stepped back, collecting his helmet before turning towards the ship's ramp.
Tears poured from Song's eyes once more as he walked away… as his shape became blurry in the dark night, even as she rushed to the ship's edge to see him, until the last moment. Her watery vision certainly didn't help matters much, but she could see his silhouette clearly enough as he put on his helmet again…
"Alright, boys… let's get moving, eh?"
She barely heard the captain's command, but she did hear the two teenagers unfastening the ship from the dock, and then collecting the ramp… and she couldn't want anything more than to jump off the damn vessel and run to Rui Shi again.
But the water soon started to pull them away from the pier… away from the port. Away from the city that had changed her life, away from the world where everything she had ever taken for granted had been challenged completely: from fearing and hating Fire Nation soldiers, she had come to need and love one with every last ounce of her soul, which appeared to have been completely smashed to bits now that she could no longer be with him. From taking for granted the world would only ever continue on a dark path, she had found herself dreaming of what had once appeared impossible upon hearing of how two of her closest friends, one of whom was the Princess, no less, were changing things for the better… only for those hopes to lie dead and gone once again, after what was shaping into one of the darkest nights in Fire Nation history.
The ship sailed deeper into the dark waters, crossing the barriers, pulling her away from the man she loved, from the life she had grown to cherish far more than she had ever truly realized she did… not knowing whether destiny would ever bring her back to these shores, not knowing if she would ever find her way back to those she loved most, not knowing what her future, which had finally started to appear promising, would shape into anymore. And so, she journeyed into that uncertain horizon, broken, devastated…
Alone.
Forceful hands tugged at the chains, careless about inflicting further pain to the already weakened man who could barely make any sense of his surroundings: the building he had been led to was unknown, but even though his whole body ached, and his mind was plagued with sorrows, he wasn't so far out of it that he might fail to understand this was the infamous Prison Tower.
The General of the Guards barely bothered explaining the circumstances to the local warden, who seemed briefly hesitant about fulfilling these sudden orders until he remembered himself and who he was talking to. He was dragged away forcefully again after that brief pause, but this time up a flight of stairs that, weakened as he was, appeared endless to him.
Then, the General's hand had grabbed him by the shoulder with unnecessary strength – he also seemed to have heated his palm intentionally to inflict more pain upon him. The next thing he knew, he had been tossed on a hard, stone floor… and a new shackle joined the previous ones, this time anchoring his right foot to the wall.
"This should do" Shaofeng announced to the other guards and the wardens who had entered the prison block with him "Spare little expense for this one, Warden Poon. He shouldn't stay long"
Sokka snarled at those words, failing to raise his head on time, to muster any strength, before the metal door of his cell closed behind the soldiers. All of them appeared utterly unconcerned with his reactions to their cruelty.
"N-naturally, of course, General" said the warden, nodding positively "T-that being said… I guess I could be mistaken, but is this…?"
"You are not to speak of this to anyone else" Shaofeng said, pointedly. Warden Poon grimaced but fell silent anew "I can explain further downstairs, if I must. Come"
Sokka snarled: he pushed himself up on all fours, his arms trembling as he glared at the exiting soldiers.
"C-come… come back, you bastards…" he managed to hiss "Come back, damn…! Just… just tell me… tell me what's happened to…"
No one appeared to hear his words, not even the last of the soldiers who left the prison block, vanishing as they climbed down the spiral stairs at the furthermost end of the large floor. Sokka gasped, the sound akin to a choked cry as he shrank in place, shivering, aching inside and out. Countless tears had spilled down his face already, and it seemed they were due to do so one more time, mixing with the blood, trailing down the burns that didn't appear to ease up – if anything, they grew more intense with every passing moment.
He still didn't understand it. He knew, of course he knew, that they were hiding their secret worse than ever in recent times… but for things to escalate to this extent? Who on earth could've found out… or rather, who, out of so many who had unraveled the truth, would have been quite so merciless as to reveal it to Ozai?
He coughed, spitting blood on the filthy cell's floor. He pushed himself up with difficulty, his arms threatening to give way even though all he intended to do was sit against the damn wall. His labored breathing echoed across the large chamber, empty save for himself, until he finally reached the position he was aiming for, resting against the wall indeed… resting had to be the wrong word, though. There was no rest possible, no respite, no relief to be found… not after his life had been turned upside down in what appeared to have been mere minutes to him.
He wanted to think it was nothing but a bad dream, one he would awaken from with the certainty that they had to be more careful, that they would need to hold back their recklessness… but try as though he might to detach from the pain, to let his mind flutter away from his current circumstances, he couldn't succeed at it. It was too real… too agonizing. However dark his dreams could get, even his nightmares were kinder than General Shaofeng…
He had refused to explain anything, as had his guards. He had given him no real answers… nothing that could assuage the wild desperation that had taken hold of his heart. Desperation intended not for himself, no… but for his partner. For she wasn't likely to be locked up in here too, perhaps they wouldn't treat her as they had him… but the likelihood was that she would be subjected to just as much pain, in other ways, instead.
His breathing rhythm grew more agitated every time he thought about her, every time he reasoned with whatever torment Ozai would intend to force upon his daughter. She had to escape somehow… she had Xin Long, didn't she? She could just jump on his saddle and fly away before anyone could get to her… oh, how he hoped she'd done that. He didn't care if she couldn't come back on time to save him, not at all, as long as she could spare herself this pain…
But that was just a hopeful fantasy, a wishful image he wanted to cling to when he knew reality would never be quite so forgiving. An old conversation came to mind, from when the very girl he'd fought earlier that day had discovered their relationship: "If things are anything like how they were with the Earth Kingdom nobility, they'd have already checked to see just how badly her purity has been damaged."
Sokka shuddered against the wall, lowering his head as those thoughts solidified in his head. He raised his shackled hands, clasping his matted, disorderly hair, pulling at it, hard, inflicting himself even more pain than the guards already had…
"N-no… no, Azula… no…" he cried, shivering violently, shaking his head weakly.
Had Ozai truly given that damn order? Had he authorized a purity examination? If so, had she been able to resist? Or…?
"No… no… no…!" Sokka's voice rose in volume, as his pain, his rage, his urge to protect the woman he loved joined forces to fill him with strength he lacked…
Strength he couldn't possibly make any use of, not for real. Not while he remained locked behind bars, under who knew how many layers of security, beyond anyone's help.
And so, Sokka screamed.
He screamed with all the power his lungs could offer him. With all the might he dared evoke, for as battered, bruised and tormented as his heart might be, it still could beat powerfully, furiously, filling him with strength enough to fell armies, to annihilate this world, the wretched world that deserved no forgiveness whatsoever, for what had been done to her… for all the suffering she had been forced to endure, by her damn father's design.
He held his shouting, his outburst of pure agony, for as long as he could sustain it. Until he was breathless, until his whole body gave away, leaving him panting, crying, leaning forward over his own frame. And once the outburst was over… nothing had changed. His fury hadn't spared her from the sorrows, he hadn't been able to turn back time and run to save her before they dared touch her as they most likely had… he had failed her. He had successfully brought her to the highest of heights… and then doomed her to the depths of the very worst nightmares, all in a single day.
He had known, since the very beginning, that it could come to this. That if he had dared act on his early impulses, on his base attraction to a Princess he had scarcely trusted at the time, he would wind up in a prison cell, merely waiting for the hours to slip by until it was time to be executed. That was why he had resisted, at first. It was why he had believed that perhaps he could convince her to let go, to change her mind, to find someone better than him, for he hadn't been ready to sacrifice his life over an ill-fated dalliance with an expiration date…
And then she had kissed him. With just that kiss, all his certainties, all his hopes that he might outgrow a simple crush and an instinctive attraction to her had been dashed and destroyed. With just that moment of daring defiance, of caving into reckless impulses she had acted on, everything had changed inside him, for good. Nothing had ever been simple again, from that moment onwards…
But the biggest of all changes had been his sudden-found willingness to die indeed, if she so willed it. If she wanted him, then whatever he could offer her, he would give it to her without a second thought. He had been ready to sacrifice his very life if, by doing so, he could bring her true happiness… he hadn't needed to go that far, though, and she had been genuinely happy for years. Through every day their love grew and evolved, through every moment they shared and stole, through every lesson they learned from each other, or together, her cold-blooded glares had shifted into the warmest gold he had ever witnessed, matching her beautiful fire. Her vicious barbs had softened, teasing him playfully where she had once intended to prove her utmost superiority, above all else. Her absolute determination to see her ambitions fulfilled, no matter the cost, had changed in nature as she grew attached to so many people they had met through their journey, and instead of fighting her own battles, she fought for everyone else, too. Where she had once been outraged by their differences of opinion, she had grown to listen to him even in the darkest of moments, longing to understand him, to empathize with him, to feel life through him, as he did the same through her…
If they had been caught at first, when everything began, when their exchanges had yet to truly reach the heights they had, he would have still been subjected to this treatment… to this humiliation, to this torture, to this torment, to the knowledge that his life would soon end: he would have been furious, but in a sense, he would have been grateful too… grateful to finally be given no choice but to die, when he had been sure that was all he could ever deserve after what he'd done in the Amateur Arena.
But they had been caught now, when everything was different, when their lives were so intertwined that their lifeforces were one, when their relationship was such a source of pride and strength that it had brought back his will to live, when he could never resent her for anything anymore, for he loved her so damn much he would willingly bleed himself out if it meant he could save her from this nightmare. If he could give his life so she could be spared… if his life were worth that much for the Fire Lord, he'd sacrifice himself without thinking twice of it.
He knew, however, that it wasn't: his death would be no guarantee for Azula's safety, it wouldn't preserve her wellbeing, it wouldn't appease Ozai's certain wrath. The Fire Lord would likely intend to punish his daughter for what she'd done, and if Ozai had any special skills whatsoever, they were exclusively related to unraveling people's weak points and how to exploit them most painfully. It was how he had always cornered people into doing his bidding… how he had attempted to corner Sokka himself, long ago. How he had hoped to corner Azula, through the speech he had imposed upon her during the festivals. This time, however, there would be no stops pulled, no compassion for the daughter whom he might never forgive for what she'd done…
What fate could possibly await her now? What else… but to lose everything she had fought and worked for, across all these years? Sokka gritted his teeth, sobbing desperately: this was, naturally, the bigger reason why they ever should have held back, the one true motive to do so. He had started holding back for his own sake, but the more he loved her, the less he cared about his own wellbeing and the more he cared for hers… because she deserved to shine, to lead her nation out of the darkness her father had submerged it into. Because their personal needs, their growing affection for one another, could never outdo the world's urgency for a leader like Azula…
But now it seemed that leadership would never take office. Not if Ozai's punishments continued to be as brutal as they had been so far… not if they were geared towards destroying everything Azula had ever held dear. The Enforcers, the Rehabilitation Center, the slavery laws, all her projects, all her dreams… he would be merciless with them all, as he was with all his enemies. He would never forgive what she'd done… he'd never accept that perhaps it shouldn't be up to him to choose the person Azula ought to share her lifetime with.
It was the worst-case scenario. They had been unprepared, utterly so, unable to put into practice any of the escape ideas they had ever debated, in case they ever cut it too close for comfort again. And yet what hurt the most, more than whatever broken bones they might have left him with, more than the bleeding nose, than the scorched skin, was the knowledge that he couldn't be there to shield her from the worst of it. He had trained so hard, for so long… only for none of it to help him protect and save her when it mattered most.
Lost in his miserable thoughts as he was, desperate to be of use, to save her in any way he possibly could, he hardly noticed the muffled footsteps that approached his cell again until they were at the very doors. Sokka flinched, recognizing the boots as those of an Imperial Guard, and he raised his head to shoot an angry, albeit tearful, glare at the man…
To find he carried a tray in his hands.
Pressed to the wall as he was, Sokka couldn't do anything to take advantage of the guard's sudden visit to escape: he wouldn't make it very far in this shape, he knew as much, especially when, even in success, he scarcely knew where he was and he'd likely be caught quickly. The thought still crossed his mind, for if he was to die anyway, what was the difference in dying while trying to flee than by dying in a pyre…? And yet… yet the chance to still be of some use to Azula, even when his life was as good as forfeit, was enough to stop him from acting impulsively.
The guard produced a set of keys from his pocket, then he entered his cell and he knelt before Sokka, setting down the tray quietly. Sokka's confusion increased: the guard relieved him from the shackles on his hands, as well as the ones that kept his feet together… though not the one that kept him attached to the wall.
"Don't have a key for that one. You'll have to put up with it, I guess" said the guard. Sokka gritted his teeth, disregarding the regained comfort of his free hands as he, instead, reached for the guard desperately.
"Tell me what happened to her… please, tell me she's…" he asked, his voice a broken mess. The guard shook his head.
"I don't know. I wasn't part of… of the purity examination"
"They… they didn't" Sokka said, gritting his teeth as he shook his head: he had known, deep in his heart, that it had likely happened… but accepting that she had been subjected to such an abhorrent practice overwhelmed his battered heart with crippling grief "They couldn't have, not to Azula…"
"The Fire Lord demanded it" the guard answered "I don't know how he discovered your affair, if that was your next question, and even if I did, I shouldn't be here now"
"No, please… you're the only one giving me any answers, I…"
"I can't pretend I know more than I've shared so far. I'm sorry. Even this much… if I'm caught offering you any kindness, I might as well wind up as your cellmate. This is as far as I dare go"
Sokka gritted his teeth but lowered his gaze: the tray the man had brought for him bore a few stale buns of bread, a set of faded red and maroon prison clothes, but most importantly, a basin with water he could use to clean up, even if not thoroughly, and a green salve in a cup. An ointment for the injuries, Sokka realized, as the guard rose to his feet and returned to the cell's door.
"T-thank… thank you" Sokka managed to say, his throat closing in just upon saying those words: perhaps he shouldn't be grateful for anything, considering he was a condemned man as he was… but he had expected to find no allies amongst the men Shaofeng had brought with him for his sting operation. Even if this one was merely taking pity on him, for whatever reason, Sokka was in no position to refuse any charitable moves made on his behalf.
"If anyone asks you how any of this happened, please lie or just say nothing" the guard asked. Sokka nodded "It's only in your best interest to do so"
"I… I know. You took a big risk… a really big one just by doing this" Sokka said, shuddering as a rush of pain tormented him "If… if you can do anything for her, then please… I don't ask for more, you don't have to help me again, just… just help her"
"I'll do my best" said the guard, nodding "Goodbye, gladiator"
The word rang in Sokka's head, bouncing back and forth, as its meaning threatened to overtake him. He had thought gladiators were but cheapened versions of noble warriors, when he had first been recruited in Hui Yi. He hadn't thought much more of them once he joined the Superior League… never knowing, never understanding, that all eyes were set on him. That him and Azula, together, had reshaped that whole League… and with their actions, they had surpassed unthinkable boundaries, bringing change to countless territories across the world.
By now, the term was no longer a tasteless insult… it was, instead, a badge he bore with pride. If he was meant to die for loving her, he would step into the Arena and face the enemy that declared as much, just as he had faced countless others in the past. He would fight, to his fullest, to prove what he knew, deep in his heart, to be true: there was no shame, whatsoever, in having loved a woman as extraordinary as Azula. And if he truly was meant to die? Then he hoped to do so with as much dignity as he could muster, no matter the circumstances… fighting every battle as if it was his last. Going the extra mile, every time, if that meant he'd live for one more day.
For, with each new day he survived, the hopes to overcome their dreadful circumstances would survive as well, just as it had been in Hui Yi. Every opportunity of survival meant that perhaps the right chance to fight back, to defend the weak and the helpless, to protect the ones he loved most deeply, wouldn't be completely beyond his reach. Each moment his painful heart continued to beat was just another moment of bearing that title, of embodying everything it represented, of carrying every man he'd ever killed across each scar on his body: unlike how it had been in the past, he no longer found shame in being who he was.
He raised his head, blue eyes glowing with renewed, determined fierceness: whatever came next, he would not break, he would not falter. He didn't know how he'd go about it yet, but he would fight for the one he loved most, no matter what came his way… for that was what it meant to be a gladiator.
It was well past midnight already. The city was quiet, as it ever was, at such late hours… yet the Palace was a hub of activity, all of it with an underlying layer of tension spreading from the lowest of servants to the highest ranked officers under the Fire Lord's direct orders. Only rare events, such as the festivals' Ball, would see so many torches and lanterns lit through the night, so many servants rushing back and forth across the corridors, so many guards at the heights of stress.
Rui Shi was grateful, to a fault, that the wild activity across the building appeared to result in many people disregarding the surveillance of potential, key locations in the midst of this disaster. One such location was, of course, the place he decided to visit upon returning from the bay, even if he wasn't sure the outcome would be quite as positive as he hoped to make it… but he had to try, nonetheless.
He didn't conspicuously walk through the Palace Gates, especially since no one was supposed to know he had left the building at all: following fit with the Princess's frequent resourceful solution, which he had resorted to a few times in the past as well, Rui Shi returned through the underground tunnels. It was comforting to walk through their darkness, to cry with abandon where no one could see, to grieve despite he hoped that he wouldn't keep Song waiting for too long… but seeing as his plans so far weren't solid enough to guarantee he'd ever see her again, the sense of foreboding finality that clung to their last kiss would likely haunt him until he finally saw her again… if he ever did.
He found his way to the Palace's basement, a location he had most definitely not wanted to revisit, after knowing what his charge had done with her lover here, on the very day after she had surrendered her virtue to him… strange that something he had once found so infuriating and unacceptable now hurt him in a wholly, different way. He had never wanted their love to come to this… he had grown so complacent, so sure it never would, for they had overcome every hurdle they'd faced together. Although he certainly didn't wish to admit it to their faces, he had even learned how valuable love was through them… how no fear, no risks, were ever quite as great as the genuine bliss and joy to be found in a true lifelong partner. All the pain, all the misery, appeared to be worth it, as long as the sorrows were replaced by the fulfillment of a love worth fighting for.
But it was hard to say if that was how it'd be this time. He had every intention to help them protect their love, their lives… but even now, he was drawing blanks as to how to go about it. He only knew what the final stage of such a plan would be, though… and that was why he sped his way to the dragon's refuge, casting wary glances about himself before approaching the building…
Agonic, furious roaring greeted him even before he reached the closed doors. Rui Shi froze at the heavy locks within the building's gates: the refuge was meant to be a shelter for the dragon… but also a prison, if need be, and it only became clear to him now. That each gate would be locked so firmly, under such heavy chains… Rui Shi was hesitant at first, but he breathed deeply and made his way to a strategic door, hidden from most the lights, close to a wall where apparently no guards were patrolling at the moment. He knew this would be dangerous for himself, even if he intended to set the dragon free: the bond between this dragon and his rider was tight, and there was no doubt that he would be as outraged, as miserable, over what she had been subjected to, as Azula herself would be…
He stopped by the chain, shrinking in place, creating a deadly, sharp fire dagger with which he slowly melted the metal, as quietly as he could afford to do so. Once the chain crumbled, he moved to the lock underneath, and as he worked, the dragon's mighty roars suddenly stopped. Rui Shi breathed deeply once the gate was finally free to be opened, and he pulled the door up as quietly as could be…
To find the wrathful glare of a ferocious dragon greeting him, blue fire blazing in his fangs.
"Xin… Xin Long" Rui Shi called him, swallowing hard as he approached the dragon warily.
Whether the creature recognized him or not, Rui Shi couldn't tell. His eyes were mere slits, the gold of them glowing with a ferocity Rui Shi was sure he had never seen in them before. The jovial, mischievous creature had been far more serious after the last attack on the Fire Nation… but even that was nothing compared with the absolute wrath he was consumed by right now.
"Xin Long, just… listen to me. It's me, Rui Shi…" Rui Shi said, raising his hands to remove his helmet "See? I… I'm sorry, Xin Long. I never… I should've protected her better, we all should have, but whatever happened… whatever the Fire Lord discovered, he acted too swiftly. I didn't even know until…"
Rui Shi snarled as he spoke, tears burning in his eyes anew as the fingers clutching his helmet trembled too. Oh, if only he hadn't been on patrol… if he had caught wind of what was happening, he would have smuggled her out of the Palace at haste if need be, warned her, told her to take Sokka and Song and escape as fast and far as she could go…
Xin Long's grunt brought him back to reality: the dragon approached him, menacing, as though demanding for more than just excuses, for more than just explanations: what would they do now? How would they save Azula?
"I… I don't have a full plan yet" Rui Shi admitted, stepping forward and lowering his gaze "But I am working on it. I… mean for you to take part in it, too. If you can… fly away, right now, since you have a chance. Stay at a certain distance, until she calls for you. I'll cover up for how I broke the lock somehow, if I do they might not notice you're gone for some time. As it is, no one can know what punishments the Fire Lord might resort to, so you'll be safer if… if you're not here"
Xin Long growled angrily, and Rui Shi swallowed hard. It was the truth, unpleasant as it might be… and he knew Xin Long's fury wasn't directed at himself, but at Ozai. There was truly no telling how far the man might go, and the more damage control they did preemptively, the better off they'd be.
"I'll do my best to save them. This I vow to you" Rui Shi said, bowing his head in the dragon's direction.
Xin Long growled: Rui Shi nearly jumped when he felt the creature's snout brushing against his cheek… a grateful gesture, of the sorts the dragon surely didn't expect he'd perform for absolutely anyone until he knew his rider would be safe. Yet Rui Shi was offering hope… and as frail, and fleeting, as it might be, it was all anyone could cling to at this point.
Rui Shi patted the dragon's snout gently, nodding appreciatively before spurring him on. Xin Long grunted in agreement, pacing towards his saddle: if he was to be ready to help Azula get away quickly, he'd do best to wear it. The guard understood the dragon's wordless request, picking up the saddle and strapping it properly upon Xin Long's body before bowing one more time in his direction.
"Stay alert, and focus on your connection to her, as much as you can" Rui Shi said "I know it will hurt… but it's the only way you'll know when she needs you. Take care of yourself now… we'll see each other again soon, if all goes well"
Xin Long huffed in agreement, nodding promptly before trotting towards the only open doorway and bolting at full speed to the sky. There was no playfulness to be found in him, not on what was shaping into the darkest night the Fire Nation had seen in a long time…
Rui Shi breathed deeply, stilling himself before stepping out of the refuge and pulling the door closed: it was one step, a vital one, and he had pulled it off. Every other element of the plan would have to come to him gradually, but until then… until then he had to return to his fellow guards, both to instruct them and to dismiss any suspicions about his whereabouts, once the group tasked with taking Sokka to the Prison Tower returned.
After setting the chain in place again, hiding the melted ends from plain sight, he nearly raced to the barracks, choosing to move through the gardens rather than the inside of the Palace: he didn't want to risk bumping into anyone who might question his urgency, and as long as he made his way with certainty and without betraying how his innards twisted nervously with every passing moment, no one would be likely to think there was anything out of place with yet another guard crossing the Palace grounds.
He strode into the barracks with that same confidence, casting wary glances about himself… only to find most the building appeared empty, despite the lanterns at the dining room were still lit. He breathed out in relief: the other group wasn't back yet. He had no doubts his squad would vouch for him, never revealing he had disappeared while Shaofeng wasn't paying attention.
"Rui… Rui Shi?" Fei Li called his name, once Rui Shi crossed the door to the dining room and removed his helmet "Rui Shi! Oh, hell, we didn't know where you were, for a minute we feared…!"
"That he would've gotten me too?" Rui Shi asked, raising an eyebrow "I… had some things to do. Things the General shouldn't know about…"
"Not like any of us would tell him shit anyway" Fei Li growled, tightening his fists "Curse him… curse the Fire Lord, curse them all. And yeah, I dare say whatever I want right now because who cares… they'll find a way to kill us for this, no matter what happens next. Might as well say what I really think, eh?"
"All the better" said Taro, sighing as he held his head between his hands, his elbows resting on one table "After all this, I… I don't even know if I want to continue serving the Fire Lord. Let him do what he will…"
"I suspect a few of you may feel this way, but…" Rui Shi started, only for Tai Wei to scoff.
"You feel this way more than any of us, Rui Shi. You're not fooling us" Tai Wei said. Rui Shi grimaced.
"If the General has his sights set on someone, it's you" Fei Li said, frowning "The rest of us… we might even get off easy. But if he comes here to interrogate us, and you know he will, he'll likely get worse with you because he's had it out for you since the start, and…"
"I know. And I'm not saying I won't do anything, alright?" Rui Shi said, running his hand through his hair "I'm working on a plan, but I don't know all the stages just yet… first of all, though: how is she? Does anyone know…?"
"No, nobody does, but…" said Fei Li, lowering his gaze.
"It can't be good" finished Haoren, gritting his teeth "What do you need us to do, Rui Shi? Whatever your plan requires, we…"
"I… it'll take a while to figure it out, I fear" Rui Shi admitted "And the likelihood is we'll be watched constantly, so putting anything too big into effect may not be easy. Still…"
Just before he could deliver the core of his idea, the sounds of footsteps outside silenced them. All the members of the third squad rose to their feet, following protocol seamlessly, just before Shaofeng and his group finally entered the dining hall.
"Ah… stayed put like good boys, did you? Nice to know" Shaofeng said, removing his helmet as he did a quick headcount… though, naturally, what mattered most was confirming the damnable Rui Shi was here indeed.
"As commanded, General" Fei Li said, his jaw set as he did his best not to react as explosively at the man as he wanted to.
"Very good, very good" Shaofeng said, breathing out slowly "It was a rather fruitful mission, as you all must want to know. Your close friend is now safely in Warden Poon's custody, waiting for the Fire Lord to choose when and how he'll be executed… I suppose, at this point, the only question is how many of you will be likely to share his fate"
Rui Shi didn't hold back his fierce glare: the rest of the guards tensed up around him, fearful of what the General's decision might be… well, all save Taro, who appeared to have decided dying was better that continuing to serve the General or the Fire Lord, at any rate.
"You'll answer every question when I ask them, understood?" Shaofeng said "And if I suspect you of any lies…"
"They will answer to me, if so"
No one quite expected Shaofeng's intimidation attempt to be frozen on its tracks, especially Shaofeng himself. Yet, upon turning around, he knew he would find a furious, scowling Fire Lord, golden eyes blazing as he regarded the third squad mercilessly. Somehow, Shaofeng's humiliations and pretenses of superiority appeared far less daunting, and far easier to handle, than Ozai was, at the moment: it felt as though he were a deadly viper who had been poked and prodded ceaselessly… and it was absolutely ready to tear into the flesh of whoever pushed his buttons one last time.
"Fire Lord…" said Shaofeng, knowing his authority had been stolen away from him in a heartbeat: it wouldn't be him asking any questions, not anymore.
"Did… did any of you, any at all, have the slightest suspicion of the Princess's… treasonous dalliance?" Ozai said: it seemed he could barely bring himself to utter the word 'affair', let alone would he use a more innocent one, such as 'romance' "For, if you didn't, if you never reasoned that the greatest danger for her integrity was that accursed, foul mongrel, you are all but failures as guards, failures as protectors of your nation's leaders! Speak now, then, and speak truly, or else you will face my wrath, just as the blasted gladiator will!"
Ozai's chest heaved as he glared at the whole group, waiting for an answer, from absolutely any of them. None dared speak, which meant… were they all complicit? Was that it, then? Had all of them been in on this damn secret and none of them ever revealed it to…?
"If I may, my Lord… I, as well, am a member of the third squad"
Rui Shi hadn't seen any benefit to Shaofeng removing his helmet until now: the utter horror that crossed the man's face as Renkai stepped forward, towards the third squad, was the first welcome sight Rui Shi had witnessed on that unpleasant night.
The rest of the guards were no less surprised: whether members of the first, second or third squad, everyone eyed Renkai warily as he, level-headed, cold-blooded, as though utterly unaffected by the circumstances, faced a Fire Lord no one else was willing to challenge that day.
"You…?" Ozai said, frowning.
"I admit… I lacked any solid evidence to present to the General, when I first spoke to him of my suspicions" Renkai said, lowering his gaze "That being said, shortly after I joined the third squad, once they had been promoted into Imperial Guards, I did report to General Shaofeng that I suspected there might be hints of an affair between the Princess and her gladiator"
"You… you knew about this?! You knew this was a possibility all along, since their promotion?!" Ozai asked, though now his fury had been turned on Shaofeng exclusively, who appeared utterly confused as to why Renkai had suddenly spoken words that would damn him even more than they would condemn the blasted third squad…
"Do excuse me for expecting your daughter to know better than to sleep with a savage!" Shaofeng retorted, and for a moment the whole group of Imperial Guards appeared to fear the whole building would burst into flames, by the uncontrollable fury that surged in the Fire Lord's eyes.
"Like I said… there was no solid evidence" Renkai said, through gritted teeth "My suspicions couldn't even determine whether theirs was a genuine, physical affair or something entirely platonic…"
"Whatever it was, I should have been warned! I should have known of this!" Ozai growled "And you…! You were part of the third squad, you say, but you weren't serving with the rest of them all along, were you?"
"No, sir" Renkai confirmed, nodding.
"Therefore… the rest of you? None of you ever saw anything out of place, ever learned anything about the Princess's treasonous activities before your promotion?" Ozai growled, scowling at the other guards…
Only for Renkai to speak again.
"I cannot say for certain, my Lord" he started, and Ozai's furious glare turned to him yet again "But I have suspected, since I first started to look into this matter to no avail, for either they covered their tracks far too effectively or there was nothing physical happening yet, that the Princess's underlying reason to give her guards promotions may have been to clear the way for herself and her gladiator… to ensure they weren't quite as watched as they might have been in the past, when the squad served and answered her directly and exclusively"
"Then… it's possible this hasn't been happening for that long" Ozai reasoned, frowning.
"I suspect as much. I cannot say for certain, of course… but my fellow guards never showed any signs of treasonous behavior, or disloyalty to you and your reign" Renkai said, bowing his head towards Ozai anew: Shaofeng shot a furious glare at Rui Shi, who didn't waste the chance to glare back just as fiercely.
"I see… I see" Ozai said, lowering his gaze briefly before scowling at Shaofeng anew "You did your job, then. It was the General who somehow neglected his own"
"It was but a suspicion, one without enough substance or credibility" Shaofeng snarled "Had Renkai been in the wrong – and if it's true that their affair wasn't physical all along, he would have certainly appeared to be wrong –, it would have been my hide for dishonoring the Princess in such a manner. I couldn't act on this single report, and I'd expect you would have reacted the same way I did if you'd heard of it then"
"And yet it took but one report for me to take the possibility seriously" Ozai hissed back, shaking his head "Quit pretending we are anything alike. Don't project your incompetence on me"
Harsh words such as those wouldn't easily be spoken to the General, lest the other person have a death wish of any sort: yet this time, the other person was none but the Fire Lord, and if someone was likely to get away with such insults, it was him. Shaofeng's outrage only increased, and even under the faint light of the lanterns it was clear his square face was flushing with fury and humiliation… yet before he could counterattack, Ozai had scoffed and stormed off, walking past the many guards of the first and second squads as he returned to the main Palace building.
Shaofeng shot Renkai a disbelieving stare before following Ozai. Renkai, as ever, remained nonchalant, standing with his hands behind his back… as though his actions hadn't caused no end of trouble for his superior officer.
His fellow third squad members also gazed at him in disbelief, though of a very different nature: had Renkai truly saved them from the ill fate Ozai would have certainly forced upon them? He seemed to want no recognition, he didn't even turn to look at anyone else, instead only following Shaofeng's quick strides with his gaze… as though he had merely done his job, as though this was nothing but a triviality. Yet, without his input, the likelihood that any of them might have survived for another week would be a lot slimmer than it was right now…
For Ozai's rage, of course, had been redirected towards Shaofeng for disregarding that vital report. He heard his footsteps behind him, but it seemed the General was unable to match Ozai's furious pace.
"Ozai…!" he called for him, disregarding all protocol with such carelessness the Fire Lord turned towards him with a snarl.
"You will address me as one of your station should, General!" he hissed.
"Fire Lord Ozai!" Shaofeng retorted, still glaring at his liege lord "What, exactly, do you intend to do next?"
"Is that truly a necessary question, you buffoon?" Ozai growled "I will have him executed! And if you continue to prove you're a failure, you might just end up joining him in his pyre!"
"That isn't what I meant" Shaofeng said, sternly "It's obvious, what you'll do to the gladiator. What I'd like to know is what, exactly, will you do about your daughter?"
The last thing Ozai wanted to do, after clashing with Shaofeng earlier, was conceding that he had a point about anything… and thus he didn't, merely scoffing in the man's direction as he stormed off towards his study: this time, Shaofeng didn't follow, and it was certainly good that he didn't. If he continued to pester him, Ozai wasn't sure the man's damnable threats over him would still suffice for Shaofeng to retain his job and rank…
The usual guards posted at his study's door weren't there anymore: no, they had been ordered to stand outside of Azula's bedroom instead, ensuring the Princess wouldn't dare do anything dangerous or foolish in retaliation for the uncovering of her affair. Ozai snarled as he slammed the door open, as he kicked it shut with unnecessary fire. Curses, his desk was destroyed, he had damn forgotten about that… he breathed out repeatedly, running his hands through his unusually disorderly hair, tugging at it hard enough his topknot came undone before long.
What would he do about Azula? What indeed. Having to think of the future, that far ahead, made him sick. For it had been a promising future indeed, when her career as a leader of the Fire Nation had been spotless so far: now, though? There was absolutely no way she'd ever become High Governor after this, without question. The Enforcers? He'd hand control of the whole branch to someone else, no matter who. The same was true to the Rehabilitation Center nonsense, if he didn't shut that one down completely: frankly, he hadn't taken to doing so because, even now, the very concept had always sounded to him as something Ursa might have been pleased by…
Right now, though, he was so furious that even if his wife miraculously returned on that very moment and praised him for championing their daughter's many great deeds, he'd still be willing to shut everything down, all be damned.
Chief among all his daughter's pursuits and ambitions, however, was the one damn cause of this disaster. The very accursed business that had even brought her to seek out the worthless, barbaric, uncivilized scum that had tainted her in the first place…
His brow drew as he made for the cabinets of his study, finding an elegant enough scroll for his purposes. After collecting a yet-untouched ink set to replace the one he had destroyed with his outburst, Ozai stepped out of his study and made his way for a nearby room, where he could put his brush to work and craft a new, absolute decree he would never withdraw…
Every day, Shoji arrived at his workplace at dawn. He would always smile brightly, looking forward to what fights would take place that day, to whom he might meet, to updating the ranking, no matter how long and exhausting that duty might be… today, of course, on the aftermath of the big fight between the Blind Bandit and the Blue Wolf, it seemed the adrenaline the fight had stirred in all their bodies had yet to recede. Thus, Shoji was even more enthusiastic than he usually was, beaming as he finally reached the Dome's long stairs…
Only to find several other staff members crowding around the entrance, apparently unwilling or unable to enter the building, for some confusing reason.
"… must be a mistake! Does the chairman know of this?"
"Beats me! But that's an actual Fire Lord decree, isn't it? If it is, then… it can't be a mistake, can it?"
Shoji frowned as he approached the group: not everyone had arrived yet, so he slipped through his coworkers to glimpse the large scroll that had been pinned to the doors.
The Superior Gladiator League is to be disbanded, and all its activities ceased permanently, on the twenty-second day of the fifth month.
By decree of Fire Lord Ozai.
Shoji's jaw dropped, his eyes wide as plates: what was that supposed to mean? How did that make the slightest bit of sense? Hadn't his daughter achieved an amazing feat in this very Arena only the previous day…? Was he trying to protect her triumph, somehow, by dismantling the League before anyone else could defeat her or the Blue Wolf? As unreasonable as it sounded, it would have seemed suitably erratic behavior for a royal… if only the Fire Lord had ever shown genuine interest in the Superior League so far. The Princess's exploits were impressive, and yet they had never resulted in Fire Lord Ozai visiting the Dome to witness her achievements directly…
Whatever this was, the reasoning behind it had to be something beyond Shoji's reckoning. Something he probably couldn't imagine, something he'd need far more information to unravel…
But whatever that explanation might be, the truth was that he had woken up that day looking forward to his job, as he ever did, to find himself unemployed now. Unless something changed suddenly, unless this truly was a mistake – and it didn't appear to be one –, he feared there would be no chance to convince the Fire Lord to reconsider this decision.
Shoji's heart sank, a deep feeling of loss surging in his body as he lowered his gaze, as he heard the rest of his co-workers, if he still ought to think of them that way, debating the situation, mentioning that the chairman had been here merely a few minutes ago and claimed he would speak to the Fire Lord about this, whatever it was… but where the others seemed hopeful that the decision might yet be overturned, Shoji's lithe body trembled, for his gut told him otherwise. Big changes were stirring the Fire Nation, he could feel it… this one, he feared, was but the first of many.
The Superior Gladiator League had been abolished: the most rational question to ponder now, difficult as it might be to think rationally at all, was whether other aspects of life in the Fire Nation, as they'd known it for the past years, might also be doomed to a similar, devastating fate.
"Guards have reported an onslaught of nobles at the Palace gates. They are either sponsors from the Gladiator League, or part of the League's board, apparently… even the chairman is there. A guaranteed backlash to your latest decision"
Shaofeng's words were as unwelcome as his presence on the next morning. Ozai scowled so heavily his eyes were scarcely visible under his frown. Servants had brought a new desk for him to sit at in his study, nowhere near as polished and luxurious as his old one… not that it mattered, in the long run. It was probably better to stick to lousy ones until he could be sure nothing in his immediate vicinity would push his temper as far as the latest revelations had.
"Have they been turned away successfully, as I commanded?" Ozai asked, his voice frigid.
"Indeed. It's to be expected there may be further backlash, though" Shaofeng said "I'm only warning you, for you must be ready for the possibility…"
"Put down any and all revolts with however much force you may need to use" Ozai said, scathingly "Didn't they find the violence in the ring a fascinating spectacle to behold? Let them live the spectacle in their own flesh and blood, for once. It might even build character"
Had Shaofeng been anyone else, he could have protested that notion over the belief that the Fire Lord should never mistreat his own people in such a manner… but the General of the Guards, of course, was utterly unconcerned with the matter. Common people's suffering had never hurt him in the least, which might make his job easier, going forward.
"As you wish" Shaofeng said, obediently "Will you need anything else for this morning? Or should I focus on putting out these metaphorical fires…?"
Ozai breathed deeply, releasing air infused with emotions: sparks flitted about as he made up his mind, just as he had the previous night, to give out an order that he had never wanted to utter.
"I will see her now" he finally said. Shaofeng's eyes narrowed "Send word to the guards you've posted at her room. I will question her in the Throne Room"
"It will be as you ask, Fire Lord" said Shaofeng, bowing his head towards Ozai in an empty gesture that should have conveyed respect.
As much as he had given out that order, Ozai was no more ready to face his daughter than she would be to face him: he hadn't slept at all through the night, and even now he was clad in the sleepwear he had been dressed in when Iroh, damn Iroh, had barged into his room during dinner… and that was one more thing to take care of, come to think of it.
"Shaofeng…" Ozai called him, just as the man was pushing the study's door open "If you can… track down my treacherous, opportunistic brother and bring him to me. I won't suffer through his schemes for another day"
"As you command, Fire Lord"
"I'm glad the tea was to your liking today… I hoped to get it right this time"
"Well, it's not like you got it wrong the other times, merely that I prefer this brew… but I appreciate your efforts, Rei"
Even those simple words were, it seemed, something to treasure for the young woman. She smiled brightly, lowering her gaze as she sipped the last remnants of her own tea, while Zhao gazed at her in perplexity. To be satisfied by such simple matters of life, to have no greater ambitions, to live in the present while forgetting about the past and disregarding the future… he truly couldn't make up his mind about whether he should strive to be more like the young maid, or if he should, instead, take her more seriously and impress upon her that she ought to set aside that constant humility, striving for something greater than being subservient and following everyone else's orders blindly forever…
He held back from speaking his mind, of course. And that, naturally, turned out to be a good thing, for a sudden sound at the window distracted both him and Rei from their after-breakfast tea.
"Oh…! It's another hawk?" Rei said, rising to her feet quickly and rushing to the window "But… it doesn't look like a Palace hawk"
"Then I hope it means the world isn't falling apart this time, if so" Zhao sighed, sipping more of his tea before setting down the empty cup "Bring the message to me"
Rei nodded promptly, unlocking the hawk's cylindrical container and procuring the letter in question. She handed it to Zhao immediately: he didn't wait until she had walked away before he spread it open, revealing what looked like an explosion of ink to Rei… whatever the contents might be, it was clear even to her untrained eyes that whoever had written this letter had been rather frantic while doing so.
Zhao would soon be infected by that frantic feeling, however, as he read the letter as quickly as he could. His usually small eyes grew large as his jaw dropped open… and even though it wasn't a black-ribbon hawk, Rei knew that there was no way he'd react so visibly, so emotionally, to a completely innocuous message.
"Is he losing his mind?!" Zhao exclaimed, rising to his feet "Curses, Ozai…"
"Is… something wrong? With… the Fire Lord?" Rei asked, hesitant to even pose her questions.
"Why… surely. Definitely, if he's truly gone mad enough to shut down the Gladiator League" Zhao said, shaking his head in bewilderment "The chairman is begging me to change Ozai's mind… heh. As if I'd have any luck, if this is truly what he commanded, but… why would he ever command this? It… it makes no sense"
"The Gladiator League…" Rei repeated, wary: she had only the basest knowledge of it, and the few times Zhao had brought his gladiator home, even if just to share a simple meal after a day of work, she had as good as hidden away instinctively once her duties were done. The less she had to do with gladiators, the better… but she knew the Admiral didn't share that sentiment "You'll go back to the Capital, then?"
"Ugh… I have no choice" Zhao growled, pinching the bridge of his nose "I should count myself lucky this damn bird arrived after breakfast, and not before… it was an outstanding meal, Rei"
"T-thank you" Rei smiled "Hopefully, I'll be able to make another one like it when you come home…?"
"Hopefully" Zhao sighed "I can't wait to come back, and I haven't even left yet. The Capital has been nothing but trouble over the last month… but I suppose it's unbecoming of me to complain like this, isn't it? I… I will see you when I get back, Rei"
"Have a safe journey" Rei smiled, as friendly as she ever was. Zhao nodded gratefully in her direction before quickly stepping out of the dining room.
Yet again, a sudden, unforeseen trip to the Capital. Yet again, he found himself dreading whatever he might find once he got there. He released a deep breath, shaking his head once he climbed onto his personal carriage, just as his driver did the same: there was something undoubtedly unnerving about the message he had received, filling his heart with dread as he pondered just what turn of events could ever justify Ozai's radical, sudden decision to abolish his subjects' favorite source of entertainment…
The order had been given, and the servants and maids were prepared to enter the room already, no matter how nervous they might be. The guards had knocked on the door several times, calling for her… to no answer. Seeing as the lock was busted, entering the room would be easy enough… but doing so without express permission, even now, was terrifying.
"You… don't think she's done something stupid in there, do you?" one of the guards spoke quietly. His partner snarled, shaking his head.
"She's done plenty of stupid things, apparently. Can't put it past her. We're going in" he decided.
"Oh, please, be careful…" Zhilan, the head of the maids, called after the guards, but they disregarded her request and pushed the door open…
To find the room dark, even though it was already morning. She hadn't bothered pulling the curtains open, or lighting a lantern in case she had stayed awake all night…
In fact, she hadn't so much as moved an inch from where she lay on her own bed. The guards sped towards her, wary of what state she might be in… yet her shoulders still shook lightly: she was breathing. As much as her eyes were open, they gazed at nothing. It was as though someone had frozen the Princess from the inside out.
"Your father is expecting you, in the Throne Room" said one of the guards, harshly "You had best be ready on time, or else…"
His partner glanced at him with uncertainty, as the servants filed inside the room as well, to perform their usual chores, while far more tense than ever before. A tray of food was left on the dining table, daily clothes were laid out, the water of the basin was changed… but Azula responded to none of it.
"Princess… you must eat. If just a few bites?" Zhilan called for her next, standing by her bedside, wondering if a kinder approach would suffice…
It didn't. Still just as unresponsive, just as dejected, just as empty as before.
"Curses… don't you think you've angered him enough as it is?" growled one of the guards "You'll gain nothing from behaving this way, you'll just hinder him and everyone else too! Enough of this tantrum, you're inconveniencing everyone! Get up already, or else…!"
"You won't make her" said his partner, sternly. The first guard scoffed.
"If she asks for it…"
"There's no need for that! Not after… everything" said the guard, shuddering "She might actually react just to destroy you if you dare do anything she doesn't want you to"
Only when brought to fear for his own safety did the first guard ease up. The second one bit his lip before glancing at his fellow guard.
"I have… an idea? It might not work, but… he'll take it out on all of us if we can't get her to move from the bed" said the guard.
"Really?" said the other guard "What is it?"
Instead of telling his comrade, the guard shared his idea by giving a command to the nearest servant: his fellow guard appeared utterly outraged by this apparent solution, but he soothed him by raising his hands reassuringly in his direction.
"If this fails, then… we'll have to find something else. But if it does work, we all evade the Fire Lord's wrath for a day longer" said the second guard "Alright?"
His partner scoffed, saying nothing more as they waited. Within five minutes, the alleged, miracle solution was at the room's doors, and the angry guard was no more reassured about it now than he was when he first heard of it…
"Princess" Fei Li gasped, entering the room nervously as two of his fellow, third squad guards followed.
"Hey. Don't you even dare misunderstand why you've been called here, Captain Fei Li" growled the furious guard, raising a finger dangerously in his direction "You're no more trusted now than you were before Renkai bailed out all of you earlier today. You're only here now because…"
"Because you can't get through to her, and you think maybe we can" said one of Fei Li's fellow guards, a tall one – the guard scowled, guessing it was Tai Wei "If that's how it is, all your threats are out of line. You either need us or you don't, but if you didn't, you'd have never called us in the first place"
"We have no other choice, damn you…" growled the guard, as his fellow guard stepped forward.
"Whatever you need to do to get her to come to her senses, do it. She's… it's like she's catatonic or something. It's creepy" said the guard, shaking his head.
"Creepy?" said the other guard with Fei Li: both the two guards froze and seemed to shrink in place as they recognized the deep, angry voice "Your discomfort and displeasure are that important to you, then? And yet you call yourself an Imperial Guard…"
"I… y-you probably shouldn't be here…" said the second guard. Fei Li scoffed.
"If one of us might get through to her? It's Rui Shi" said Fei Li, promptly.
Without waiting for permission, Rui Shi strode through the room, towards the dais upon which Azula's bed was erected. The other two guards could only watch on in horror, powerless to stop the former Royal Guard Captain… lacking in courage, too, to so much as defy him.
Rui Shi stopped by Azula's side, fists tightened as he took in the most heartbreaking sight: so powerful she always had been, larger than life, imposing and commanding… and today she lay on her bed, her eyes open and unfocused, her chest only rising and falling in a shallow manner… as though her body, mind and soul had been utterly disconnected from each other, after the suffering she had been put through.
"Princess…" he spoke, softly…
His voice registered with her: she twitched lightly, her hands suddenly trembling as her brow drew together slightly. Guards and servants alike gasped in astonishment as Rui Shi leaned closer, daring to reach out a hand towards her… only for her to cower, flinching away from his touch. Rui Shi gritted his teeth and withdrew his hand anew without touching her at all.
"Leave us" he said, suddenly. No one moved for a long moment, and he was forced to stand at his full height to give the guards, and the servants, the blunt ultimatum "Leave us, this instant"
"B-but… w-we can't just go and leave you unsupervised with…!"
"Would you rather watch as she starves herself to death, perhaps?" Rui Shi hissed
"Then what will you do, force-feed her?" asked the guard "We could…"
"She will be ready for that meeting" Rui Shi snarled "It won't be easy, considering what the Fire Lord's orders have put her through… but I can see to it. Only, I can't do it unless she feels safe. And she won't until you're gone"
"You're just… that's bullshit!" growled the first guard… and yet again, his partner clasped his shoulder and reeled him back.
"You… you swear upon your honor that you won't do anything you shouldn't?" he asked Rui Shi "I mean… you'll help us get her to the Throne Room, at haste?"
"Why else would I even be here?" Rui Shi retorted "Now get out. Immediately"
The guards snarled under their helmets… but they obeyed, nonetheless. The servants hadn't needed to hear the orders twice, filing out of the room well before the pair of guards did: Fei Li and Tai Wei didn't step outside, although they didn't quite know how anything they did or said might ever help the Princess… but if Rui Shi needed them, they would be there to assist him.
Rui Shi released a breath before removing his helmet and crouching by the bedside near Azula once more: her eyes, so unfocused, seemed to start finding some semblance of functionality again as they slowly eased upon his face, as he spoke softly to her.
"It's me, Princess. It's me. I mean you no harm, never have, never will. I'm here to help, nothing else" he said. Never before had he longed quite so badly to embrace his charge… but he knew better than to act on that impulse. After enduring an invasive examination, there was no way she'd welcome any contact unless she initiated it, Rui Shi supposed…
Yet the light seemed to be returning to her eyes, even now. Rui Shi held back the childish urge to smile reassuringly at her, for how could he ever reassure her at all, after all this?
"It's Rui Shi" he said, gently still "I… I know you've been through a nightmare, Princess. I'm deeply sorry I couldn't be here to stop it. We all are, your guards, I mean… though I'm sure he feels the same way, too"
Her expressionless face was suddenly crossed with a surge of emotion, one that gave Rui Shi the exact hint of what he needed to say to finish reeling back the Princess from the dark recesses her very soul had fallen into…
"He's still alive"
The change was so sudden, so palpable, he almost couldn't hold back the urge to smile this time: she gasped, and it would seem to be the first true breath she'd taken for hours. The hands upon the bedding tightened, and tears surged in her eyes as she gritted her teeth: from being utterly frozen cold, now it seemed she was but a torrent of emotion, one she couldn't seem to translate easily into words.
"R-Rui Shi…" she managed to say, and he nodded towards her "W-where is…? How…?"
"He's in the Prison Tower at the moment" Rui Shi said: it wasn't welcome news, of course not… but it was better than ignoring her question or answering with a lie "He… he's been beaten, badly. We were in no position to help him, the General took most of the first and second squads with him so he could capture him personally. I… I'm sorry we've failed you in so many ways, Princess. But…"
"T-they… captured him? Last night…?" she asked, gritting her teeth as she struggled to find the strength to push herself up lightly: Rui Shi flinched, wanting to help her anew… but not knowing how, just yet "W-was he… was he home? Then… Song…?"
"Song… is on her way to safety by now, if not already there" Rui Shi answered, unable to contain his own emotions as tears surged in his eyes "I've… found a way to keep her safe until all this blows over"
"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry, Rui Shi…" Azula said, through gritted teeth. Rui Shi released a sigh.
"She will be safe. That's what matters most" he said, trying to conceal how his heart ached upon the thought of not seeing Song again, for however long it might be "She had wanted to stay and help somehow, but…"
"I don't… I don't think there's anything she could do, at this point…" Azula said, shaking as the tears started spilling from her eyes "I… I told you so many times this wouldn't happen, and yet I failed you, Rui Shi, I… I don't even know why or how, but now…"
"You… you didn't do anything wrong" Rui Shi said, swallowing hard "You didn't, no matter what your father and his loyalists may say, Princess. It's him, the Fire Lord and his lot, who are to blame. They're the ones who believe loving someone is the worst of all crimes when… when what they've done to you is the most unforgivable sin I've ever witnessed"
"M-maybe you're right, Rui Shi, but… it makes no difference" Azula said, shaking her head "He's the one with power, he's going to… h-he's going to kill Sokka. He's going to kill him, and I can't even…"
"He will definitely intend to" Rui Shi confirmed, taking a deep breath "But we won't simply sit back and let that happen, right?"
Azula's puzzled, tearful eyes found his own. A confused speck of newborn hope nestled within them, though, and Rui Shi swallowed hard as he wondered if he wasn't making a dreadful mistake… though he couldn't help but think that a dreadful mistake would be preferable to not taking action altogether.
"I'm… developing a plan. It's slow-going, but I am" Rui Shi admitted: that hope he'd glimpsed in her eyes only seemed to expand tenfold after his words "The first thing we need, though… is to make sure he lives long enough that we may yet save him, if the opportunity arises"
"What…? Y-you mean… stalling his execution?" Azula asked, trembling as she gazed at Rui Shi "How do… how can we…?"
"So far, I'm not sure" Rui Shi admitted "But the Fire Lord does intend to meet with you right now. He may even be waiting for you in the Throne Room already, and the longer you delay this, the more dangerous he might become. You know him better than I do… you'll likely be able to find weaknesses the rest of us can't, but only if you can bring yourself to face him now"
"I… I don't know how to do that" Azula said, shaking her head "Whatever I do, he's… he's only going to want me to pay for what I did. If I try to… to buy Sokka any time at all, he'll likely realize it and it'll only make things worse…"
"I know… I know" Rui Shi sighed "It's not an easy task, but if we do nothing…"
"W-we risk… we risk his life even more than we already do" Azula's voice was shaky as she spoke, and the tears spilled from her eyes freely yet again.
"I know they've hurt you" Rui Shi said, his jaw square "I can't… can't even imagine what you must be feeling right now, Princess. If I had known, I would have stopped them before they could so much as come close to you… but words like those will sound empty now. It's… it's too late to change the harm they've already done. But we may yet be on time to prevent more of it, if we make the right moves"
"I… I understand" Azula said, swallowing hard.
"We're here to serve you… in every way we can" Rui Shi said, nodding towards her, before gesturing at Fei Li and Tai Wei: they removed their helmets as well, and gazed at the Princess with heartfelt sorrow.
Azula grimaced, unable to look them in the eye. Half-perched upon the bed as she was now, she couldn't dare hold the gazes of people who had expected nothing but the best from her, painfully aware of how disappointed they must be in her.
"We are loyal to you, and you alone, Princess" Fei Li said, firmly "Anything you need of us…"
"I… I need to apologize, if anything…"
"No, you don't" Tai Wei said, frowning "Whoever you may love, whoever you may have been with… it doesn't change that you are our Princess Azula, and we would gladly follow you to hell itself if we must"
"Well… I appreciate your loyalty, but I'm sorry I got caught, nonetheless…" Azula admitted, quietly. Both Fei Li and Tai Wei blinked blankly.
"Oh. That's what you meant" said Tai Wei, smiling awkwardly.
"Nobody else should've been dragged into this… nobody" Azula gritted her teeth, sitting upright at last, no matter how weakened her body felt. It was almost as though the rot had spread inside her once again somehow, albeit she knew it wasn't the case "I… I will try to spare you anyway, if I can, but… my father will want to take out his wrath on everything that matters to me, for sure. Everything I ever valued… everyone who ever supported me, just as well. So, what this means is…"
"We'll likely find ourselves at a crossroads in our employment situation, yes" said Fei Li, before shrugging "I don't see the issue anymore: I want to serve you, not your father. If that makes me a traitor, so be it"
"Even after… after all this, you still feel that way?" Azula asked.
"All of us do" Tai Wei confirmed. Azula's hands tightened around the bedding, as new tears spilled from her eyes and onto her lap "Never would we have found a worthier leader to follow: what happened last night won't change that"
"Everyone agrees with that notion" Rui Shi confirmed, gazing at Azula intently even as she was utterly unable to hold his eyes with her own "We know your worth, Princess. You know it too, don't you? What you and Sokka have… it isn't some whim, some foolish game, it's a lifelong partnership, in every sense that counts. And it's something worth protecting, something to be proud of, no matter what the Fire Nation, or your father, may think of it"
His words had eased her dull, unresponsive state before: now, though, it seemed that as much as he wanted to help, all he had managed to do was convince the Princess to sob harder yet. She trembled on the bed, leaning forward, and if she wasn't careful she'd likely fall on him… or was that what she was trying to do?
He got his answer as she pressed her brow to his shoulder: his arms went around her body instinctively, and he held the Princess as she cried quietly, grieving for everything she had lost at such short notice, and all she might yet lose, if her father deemed it necessary…
But she hadn't lost Sokka yet. He surely was in bad shape, especially when the treacherous, wretched Shaofeng had been the one sent to capture him… but he was alive.
That was something worth fighting for, no matter how lost a case this fight might seem to be.
She pushed herself up again and forced her feet to balance her weight. She felt so weak, as though she hadn't eaten in weeks… when, merely twenty-four hours earlier, her life had been as good as perfect, and she had no idea that she'd go through one of the very worst nights in her life. As weakened as she might be, she still endeavored to stand on her own, with the three guards crowded around her: all familiar, trustworthy faces. Her heart's lingering pain could find some respite, if only slightly, because of that.
"I will face him" Azula said, her voice trembling at the very prospect of seeing her father "I must"
Rui Shi breathed deeply but nodded. His fellow guards gazed at Azula compassionately, as her sorrowful eyes rose towards Rui Shi's anew:
"Do you… do you really think we can save him still?" Azula asked. Rui Shi gritted his teeth.
"I don't know for sure, but I won't know unless we exhaust every single opportunity we might get to keep him alive" he said.
"Will you eat before you go, or…?" Fei Li asked: the very notion of food brought Azula to grimace "Right. Well… would you like us to step outside while you dress up? I figure, well…"
"I can… change in the bathroom" Azula said, lowering her gaze. Fei Li nodded before trotting off to collect her clothes, even if Azula had intended to get them herself.
"Will you wear your armor too?" Fei Li asked, handing her the clothes: the black armor sat on the dresser, waiting to be worn… and it would linger there, it seemed, for Azula shook her head before taking the clothes in her still trembling hands.
"I… don't think I'm considered worthy of wearing that anymore" she whispered.
Fei Li swallowed hard as Azula clasped her clothes and walked away, slowly, quietly. He cast a quick glance at Rui Shi: he breathed heavily, as though this conversation with Azula had taken much more strength than what he had left in him. In a single day, he had said goodbye to the love of his life, listened as one of his best friends was beaten into submission and now, he had needed to encourage his charge to break out of her overwhelming depression… only to see her off to her father's Throne Room, no less. The very last place, and the very last person, she should be with…
"How far along are your plans?" Tai Wei asked him, as they waited. Rui Shi glanced at his comrade with uncertainty "If we can help in any way…"
"You… you do realize what's at stake, right?" Rui Shi asked, quietly "I… don't expect I'll be returning to the Fire Nation anytime soon, if this pays off at all. Nobody involved in helping them would be"
"Well… it sounds to me like something you definitely shouldn't face alone" Fei Li said, frowning.
"You're both sure?" Rui Shi asked. They scoffed.
"You don't even have to ask" Tai Wei said. Despite himself, Rui Shi smiled a little.
"I'm glad. I… was going to need your help, Tai Wei"
"What, just his…?" Fei Li pouted a little, and Rui Shi shook his head before clasping Fei Li's shoulder.
"The basement. Once we're done here, gather the whole squad, so that they'll meet us there. I'll need to know who will be willing to come along, and who won't be" Rui Shi said. Both Fei Li and Tai Wei nodded promptly.
Within the next five minutes, the Princess stepped out from the bathroom, clad in finer clothes than the occasion warranted. All three guards gazed at her with uncertainty as she fastened her half-knot awkwardly, without so much as brushing her hair beforehand. The result was, of course, chaotic… but she seemed to be past the point of caring.
"We will come back, once we have a chance" said Rui Shi, breathing deeply as he approached Azula again "Hopefully, the plan will make sense by then, well on its way to being fulfilled… but for now, I suspect we won't be allowed to come back to see you for the time being"
"Has… has my father attempted to threaten you? Any of you?" Azula asked, quietly.
"He intended to" Rui Shi admitted, lowering his gaze "We've managed to emerge unscathed from his inquiries so far. It may not stay that way if this is drawn out for much longer… which is why the plans must be finalized and put into action as soon as possible"
"I understand" Azula said, breathing deeply "Then… good luck, all of you. And please… let the others know I'm sorry, too"
"I will let them know you're grateful for their support" Rui Shi said, stubbornly "But I still believe… that you shouldn't be apologizing for anything"
"You… heh" Azula said, eyes filled with tears again as she gazed at him in disbelief "I can barely believe you mean those words, Rui Shi…"
"Neither can I" he admitted, with a sad smile "But this is where life has brought us, I suppose"
Azula breathed deeply but nodded. Yes… this was the result of many choices, all of it was. Whether the right choices or the wrong ones, she had always known this outcome was a possibility… a possibility she had delayed for as long as she could do so. Their partnership had lasted for close to five years already… their fully-realized love for three years, too. They had certainly failed to protect their secret as best they could in many instances… but they had avoided detection or capture for a long time, all the same. That they couldn't escape her father's notice forever made for a miserable outcome, of course it did…
But she hadn't come this far while lacking conviction in who she was, and in the bond she shared with Sokka. It had always been a relationship worth protecting, even before it reached the heights it had… if anything, her determination and resolve were only stronger for it.
He was still alive.
She still had something worth fighting for.
"Thank you for this" she whispered to the men, as she walked with still unsteady, yet invigorated footsteps, to her bedroom door "Be careful, all of you"
"We will do our best not to fail you" Rui Shi said, bowing respectfully in her direction, as did his two partners.
Azula nodded in acknowledgement before breathing deeply, glaring at the door: the broken lock brought back the cursed memory of the previous night, and it damn near crippled her completely all over again… but she wouldn't let herself sink that far anymore. Not when there was still a chance she could save Sokka, with Rui Shi and her guards' help.
The other two guards waited at the corridor, among a few of her servants. They jumped upon glimpsing her, terror crossing their faces at the sight of the disheveled, miserable Princess… and then she strode amongst them before they could utter a single word, eyes set on the hallway, on the horizon, on the future she still needed to protect, somehow.
The guards flanked her quietly all the way to the Throne Room. She didn't acknowledge their presence, not even once. She wouldn't even let herself wonder if they had been part of the group assigned to hold her down last night… no, for it was pointless to even ponder it, even if they were. All of them were loyal to Ozai: all, save for her personal guards, would have done exactly what those four had while following orders.
The orders of a man who waited behind the archway that led into the Throne Room, concealed behind a curtain. Azula glared at her own nation's emblem, her back turned towards every Fire Lord whose portrait hung in the Gallery… and without waiting to be announced, she strode inside the Throne Room.
A potent curtain of fire stood between the throne and the rest of the room. Azula didn't raise her gaze in a futile attempt to look at the man she knew was hidden behind it: she only walked between the columns, willing her frail body to stop trembling… willing her accursed mind from reminding her of her many latest visits to this damn place. The memories tormented her, as did all her thoughts… as even drawing breath did. She longed to forget, to close her eyes, mind and soul, so she wouldn't ever be hurt anymore… She guessed this was why her father had always insisted she dismissed emotions, why she should never develop attachments: every step she took towards him was devastating.
She finally stopped, a mere footstep away from the trapdoor that led to the secret, cavernous underground tunnel that led into the Palace. Without waiting to be told to do so, Azula sank to her knees, pressing her fist to her palm: the wedding scar she bore across her tight fist both strengthened and weakened her. She would linger in that position for as long as necessary, for however long it might take him to speak. It was, as Rui Shi had called it, a way to win time for Sokka's sake.
"Princess Azula" Ozai finally said, and she held back the wince that nearly overpowered her upon hearing his voice "You… you must know why you're here. Otherwise, I suppose you wouldn't have been quite so late"
Azula lowered her hands from the respectful position: now they clutched at her clothes, her long fingernails digging into the fabric of her tunic.
"You have been… you have been accused of heinous treason" Ozai continued, scowling at his daughter even through the flames "I believed it was but an ill-begotten lie, nonsense cooked up by a bitter fool who wanted to discredit you. Yet… I had enough reason to fear and suspect there might be some truth to those accusations. Hence, I requested a purity examination for you, and… the outcome was deplorable"
She couldn't help but agree with him there: the outcome was deplorable indeed, just as the whole matter, the whole process, had been deplorable to begin with.
"After all these years… after becoming my only heir, the Crown Princess the Fire Nation reveres so deeply, how could you…? Why would…?" Ozai tried to speak the full words, but they failed him. He seemed to hyperventilate, going by his heavy breathing, by the wild flaring of the fire… and Azula only held her position, silent, her head bowed in his direction "You had to know the consequences of such a foolish mistake! You had to understand them, of course you did! You evaded your engagements constantly, persistently, because no man was worthy of you…! And yet now… now I'm faced with this? With the reality that you… that you allowed a mere savage to defile you? A common, filthy savage?!"
His temper seemed to flare further and further: the Princess's trembling wasn't apparent from behind the flames, and her unresponsiveness only appeared to incense Ozai further…
And yet that very silence seemed to dig through his many layers of forceful rage, tugging at something deeply buried within his heart. Something he had intended to ignore, if it dared attempt to speak out… and yet now, watching his daughter as she was, with the unkempt hair, the carelessly-worn robes and tunics, the unusual unwillingness to even glance at him… he couldn't stand it.
She was, indeed, his only heir. And he hadn't meant to summon her here merely to shout at her.
"But… of course, a common, filthy savage is but a savage" he said, his voice dripping with disdain "They are akin to beasts… unable to control their urges. Unable to retain good sense when instinct takes over. And you… you have been weakened, haven't you? By that chi poison… you needed longer to recover, didn't you? In order to fight back when he… when he forced himself on you"
At last, she responded to his words… though not in any way he could glimpse, for her head was still bowed towards him, and her furrowed brow wouldn't be within his sight: had he seriously just said those words…?
"Isn't that what happened?" Ozai continued: Azula tightened her fists over her lap, uncertain if she might draw blood from her palms over doing so "You… couldn't stop him. He went wild with adrenaline… and like the scum he is, he tried to hurt you if you wouldn't comply with his demands, so you had no choice but to give in. A shameful situation, to be sure, but… not by your doing. You were… only trying to survive"
So… he wanted to believe she had been raped. He wanted to think she had failed his accursed examination not because of her personal choices… but because a man had forced himself on her – in this case, Sokka. That the closest thing to rape she had ever experienced in her life was what his damn orders had resulted in last night didn't seem to register in his mind at all… was he truly that unaware of how insulting all his words were?
Where misery had overcome her for hours, now it seemed to be shifting into a far more familiar emotion… one her father was often powered by, one that wouldn't cripple her and leave her helpless against anyone. Instead, it filled her heart with strength and courage she had sorely lacked so far…
"Speak now, with the truth, Azula" Ozai continued, his voice both threatening and more mellow than before "Tell me now… that you didn't want this at all, and all will be in the past. You will have a chance to live your life free of these burdens: I will find you a suitable husband, one willing to overlook your impurity, and there will be no need for this to escalate further. We can leave it in the past… we will, of course. But only… only if you tell me, now, that you wanted no part in this. That it was he who forced it upon you. Just tell the truth now, child, and all will be as it once was… please"
And now he was pleading. Pleading, no less. Her fists tightened further.
Azula breathed deeply after he finished talking. Another breath… and then another. Ozai waited, in a display of uncanny patience from a man whose temper appeared to be about to boil over any moment now.
"How…? Who…?" she managed to utter. Ozai scowled.
"Who what?" he retorted.
"Who told you. How did you… find out" she finished, her body shuddering after uttering the words. Ozai scoffed: her tone sounded far more hostile, and nowhere near as remorseful as he had expected it to be.
"That… is neither here nor there" he said "It's not important who said anything, Azula, what's important is…"
"Who told you?" she asked, her voice firmer this time: Ozai snarled, eyeing her warily. That had been far too spirited a response from someone as broken as she had appeared to be upon entering the Throne Room.
"If that's what it takes for you to answer my question … fine" Ozai said, scoffing "Your uncle visited me last night, with a most dreary tale about whatever he saw in the Grand Royal Dome between you and…"
He stopped talking when Azula let out a strange sound, a cross between a laugh and a yelp. His chest appeared to be about to shatter, by the savage beating of his heart upon his daughter's reaction.
"Well, then, if that's all you needed to know, then, speak now, will you?" he said, his stomach twisting and turning "Tell me the truth, Azula, immediately"
"The truth, you said…?" she said, her voice trembling as she raised her head slowly, losing the slump of her shoulders, despite she remained in position, kneeling on the floor.
"Azula…" Ozai called her, his voice ominous, yet uneasy…
She ignored the warning in his tone. She ignored the invisible threats around her, unwilling and unconcerned with so much as resonating to track down her father's assassin. She ignored, too, the threat he posed to her, the threat the whole damn nation might pose, when she spoke powerfully enough that her voice would echo across the Throne Room as she finished raising her gaze… meeting her father's eyes with her own, furious, blazing golden ones.
Fear wouldn't hold her back from fulfilling his demands, despite her whole body shivered violently at the very thought of it. There was no more uncertainty about what to do, no reason to doubt she might be unable to fulfill Rui Shi's request… for now she knew how to buy time for the man she loved fiercely, desperately, more than anything in this accursed world.
And it was by giving Ozai exactly what he had asked for:
"The truth is… that I gave myself to him, willingly, a thousand times over, and a thousand times again" she declared, trembling violently, her eyes finding her father's own.
Her voice had started weak, but each new word she uttered saw her fierce snarl strengthening, her tone rising in volume, her determination burning far more powerfully than the curtain of fire between her and her father, who stared at her breathlessly, wordlessly, as she gave him the answer he had demanded for while rising to her feet on shaking legs.
"And I would have done it a thousand, a million times more, for every damn day of my life, for as long as I drew breath… if only I could have stopped that wretched, opportunistic, disloyal, foul leech from giving us away as soon as he had the chance!"
Her outburst was followed by silence. Where the flames before the throne seemed to gain power, they also seemed to fail to rise to their potential… for their wielder was utterly stunned, gazing down in utter, horrorstruck disbelief at his daughter, whose chest heaved as she regained her breath.
She betrayed no uncertainty this time. No shame for her own actions, no regrets beyond the one she had just stated. No repentance… for there was none to be had, at this point in time.
"There you have it, Father: the truth" she nearly spat out, her nostrils flaring with fury as she spoke again "Just as you asked it of me"
No more dishonesty. No more lying to her father's face, no more disguising the truth of her bond with her gladiator, no more fearing he'd read through her to find Sokka mattered more to her than she could ever justify to him…
She had no choice but to face the reality of her actions… and as anguished as she was over her lover's fate, she found less reason to cower away from her father's wrath now than ever before: as she felt that scar across her right hand, she knew she had done what needed to be done. She had refused to deflect the blame, to play innocent when she was anything but: she owned her truth, her actions, her mistakes and their consequences. And if her father couldn't handle that, it was of no concern to her. She was done living in hiding, done with a double-life that had finally collapsed upon its own weight. There was no shame in a love as powerful as theirs… no shame in protecting it to the very last moment, with every ounce of strength she might have left.
Even if it meant antagonizing the man who now furiously stoked his own Throne Room's fires by sheer instinct, glaring at her with utmost, unabashed outrage… and she answered his eyes with fierce defiance in her own.
"… Get out. Leave this room, this instant! THIS INSTANT, AZULA!"
The fire seemed to threaten to spill out of place: she was unafraid, even so. While her body still trembled, while her fears for everyone involved in the protection of her secret had yet to dissipate, the certainty that she had done the right thing just now didn't waver, no matter if she knew her wellbeing was at greater risk than ever before.
For she would risk more than her life, if that was what it took, to keep Sokka alive. To save him from a dark fate Ozai was absolutely determined to condemn him to. Now, unable to deny that she was equally guilty as her lover, that she had done this as deliberately, as willingly as Sokka had, he would have his hands tied on how to proceed… if just for a short time. Azula hoped it would be enough for Rui Shi's plans to bear fruit, in the meantime.
For the second time ever, the Princess stormed out of the Throne Room, disregarding her father's shouting, his wrathful reaction, his desperation and outrage: her eyes still gleamed with determined fury when she crossed the curtain once again, embracing this so-called betrayal, this treason she had committed against him… proudly turning her back on Fire Lord Ozai.
A/N:
Well. Safe to say this has been the worst ride I've taken us all in so far, just as I promised, and we're only getting started with the meat of this arc, on top of everything.
Soooo… the stars aligned quite devilishly, and the chapters posted today lined up perfectly with the Ninth Anniversary. It has been a grand honor to be Gladiator's writer, everyone knows I feel that way, but naturally I'm very distraught about the dark course the story had to take at this point.
Because I know some people may feel a little hopeless now that things came to such a brutal standstill, finishing my biggest art project so far seemed the best way to, more or less, offer you guys some hints as to what the future holds (at least, to those of you who want hints). It's, once again, a video project, and it's pretty much a trailer for some of the events looming ahead, you could say? The premiere will be tomorrow, but here's the link, delete the spaces and you'll get there: you tu . be / Ro3 AJ2 Gzq NY
Anyway. Sorry for all the heartache. Sometimes the hardest part of being a writer is finding the strength to tell the story that needs to be told, rather than the story you would feel at most ease and comfort with telling. Fanfiction is notorious for being a self-indulgent land, and I won't pretend (as I know neither will you) that I haven't been happily self-indulgent for the majority of the past nine years with the content I've released. Things are going to get harder from here on out, so if you intend to stick around for all of it… I guess all that's left to say is that I'll see you again in two weeks :'D