Zuko's grabbed the railing until his knuckles turned white.
"What is he up to, Uncle? Why didn't commander Zhao arrest me?" he said between gritted teeth. Zhao had let his ship pass the blockade without arresting him. Without even an attempt to stop his ship. He did not trust it in the slightest. Even if Elyrie had pleaded on his behalf, he doubted Zhao would let the opportunity pass to deliver him to his father. Zuko narrowed his eyes as he searched for any sign of the Avatar.
As always, Uncle was the voice of reason when he said "Because he wants to follow you. He knows you'll lead him to the prize you're both after: the Avatar."
Zuko did not know what way the Avatar was heading, but Uncle suggested the island where Roku had resided to learn about the Avatar State. The island - named Crescent Island since it was shaped like a crescent moon - was a few kilometres away and had a special connection to the Avatar. Fire Sages had chosen this place to build a temple in honour of the Avatar. Moreover, it was built in such a way that the light of the sun on the solstices and equinoxes would penetrate the sanctuary and illuminate the statue of Avatar Roku. The Winter Solstice was today and the light would hit the statue of Avatar Roku. Zuko had concluded that Uncle must be right, since it could not be a coincidence the Avatar went to hostile territory without a good reason.
Zuko grabbed the railing tighter until the metal began glowing red underneath his palms. Only when he pulled his hands back, he noticed the heat he was producing; the outline of his hands was visible in the deformed metal. Angry and uncertain, his mind raced to find a solution to the problem. He had not come this far only to lose his chance to regain his honour.
"My throne, my country, my honour" he said softly, "I lost it all, and I'll get it back." He clenched his jaw, trying to figure out a way out of this situation.
"We repaired the engines as best as we could, sir" the captain said, pulling him out of his thoughts. Zuko looked at the back of his ship. The engines had been damaged during the attack, but they still were able to move forward. The crew sealed the broken parts, but a thick black smoke covered the back of the ship. It was so thick that it was impossible to see the water behind the ship.
"If Zhao wants to follow our trail of smoke, then that's exactly what I'll let him do." Zuko said determined. Zhao would follow the ship and he'd use the smoke as a cover. An hour later, everything was prepared for their diversion. Underneath the black cloud, Zuko lowered his smaller boat onto the water.
"Uncle, keep heading North." he instructed. Iroh watched his nephew, mentally shaking his head. He hated to let his nephew do this alone.
"Zhao will follow the smoke trail, while I use it as a cover." Zuko continued while he prepared to set course. Iroh nodded, silently praying that his nephew would succeed. He would not be able to help him if Zhao seized him, but he tried to keep faith as he watched the small boat sail away.
From miles away, the smoke was visible and coloured the blue sky black. A few kilometres behind Zuko's ship, Zhao followed in a smaller ship. He had left the flag ship at the blockade and boarded a smaller, more agile ship. Elyrie stood beside Zhao when he looked through his telescope. He was tracking the young prince from the trail of smoke he left behind. His engines truly took a hit, Elyrie thought pensively.
She said nothing, since she wasn't supposed to come along. Zhao had selected a dozen of his strongest soldiers to assist him in the captivity of both the prince and the Avatar. She pleaded him to take her as well, as she would so much wish to see him taking both into his custody. "It will be a historic moment." she had said in her sweetest voice, "Please, would you do me the honour of standing beside you while you accomplish this?" Zhao had complied in his hurry and she quickly boarded the ship before he could change his mind.
In their hurry, Kun had stayed behind and she missed his calm company now. Even though he wasn't much of a talker, she had grown used to his company on the ship. Howeve, she had not left the deck as her eyes tried to find anything beside the smoke. Zuko has to see the enormous trail he's leaving behind, she mused.
Zhao took the telescope from her and continued to looked at the smaller ship ahead of him. He gritted teeht and Elyrie understood why: Zuko kept going North and soon he would reach Earth Kingdom territory again. It simply did not make sense: Why would the Avatar take the risk to travel through Fire Nation territory, only to go back to the Earth Kingdom? He must be looking for something in the Fire Nation, but what? She tried to think of anything, but almost everything with a connection to the Avatar had long been in the hands of Fire Lord Ozai. She noticed Zhao clenching his jaw, frustrated at the situation.
But after a few moments, a grin appeared on Zhao's stern face as he lowered his telescope. "Have you figured it out?" Elyrie asked curiously.
"Prince Zuko wants us to follow the smoke trail, but I wonder why he himself goes east." Zhao said.
Elyrie looked again at the ship in front of her, clearly still going North. "I don't understand?" she asked as she only saw the thick black smoke. Zhao ordered the crew to head east before handing her the telescope.
"Look, you see that small ship going east?" Zhao pointed out as he aimed the telescope in the right direction, "Prince Zuko must be on that ship to lead us away." Elyrie looked and saw indeed a small boat going further and further away. Zhao is right, she thought.
"You amaze me." she said to Zhao while smiling sweetly. Zhao nodded with an arrogant smirk and went on giving orders to the crew. Elyrie looked through the telescope again and sighed.
"Please Zuko, be careful" she whispered.
Zuko reached Crescent Island after only a half hour. The island was shaped like a crescent moon with a dock at the foot of the entrance of the temple, located at the outer horn. He avoided the dock and instead went around the island to the most rounded spot. He docked his ship behind the volcanic rocks, like Uncle instructed.
After securing his ship, Zuko looked up at the temple. It was a beautiful building with red stones and a green, curved roof. The setting sun coloured the sky orange, which lit up the red stones on the temple. He knew the Fire Sages had built this temple in honour of the Avatar, with a special sanctuary for the last Fireborn Avatar, Roku. Uncle had told him that the sanctuary was located at the highest floor. From where he was standing, the highest floor was at least 30 meters from the ground, he estimated. Fortunately, Uncle knew the Temple very well and informed him of side entrance into the Temple. He could take a door that led to a small staircase which came out at the chamber he was looking for.
Zuko climbed the volcanic rocks towards the temple, but he was relieved to find the slope was not as steep as he expected. He could easily carry the Avatar with him down to his boat without any trouble. Slightly panting, he reached the temple. Just like Uncle had described, a red door was located at the spot. There was no need to knock down the door, since all doors opened with fire-mechanism in this temple. With a small fireblast, he managed to open the door. He stepped inside and after a few moments, his eyes were adjusted to the dark. He lit a small flame in his hand for guidance and started to climb the stairs.
Zuko climbed carefully, yet with a quick pace. He was careful not to make any sound or breath too loudly, since he had no idea what to find at the top of the stairs. After what felt like an eternity, he saw a small orange-coloured light at the top. He quickly put out his own flame and quietly listened. He heard men's voices in the distance. They sounded distraught.
He made his way to the top and heard someone say: "How did he get in?"
"I don't know" he heard a second voice answer, "But look at the scorch marks and down there." Silently, Zuko stepped into the shadows to keep himself from view.
From his hiding spot, he saw a large hall with pillars holding up the ceiling. Around the pillars curled decorative dragons of metal. Small lights lit up the room and he saw five older men dressed in red where standing by a massive metal door with a golden Fire emblem on it. The door was at least 3 meters tall and had an complex metal system of gears and firebending mechanisms, which he presumed was to keep the door locked from unwanted visitors. Silently, he observed the men. They were the Fire Sages, he could tell from their uniforms of red robes and ceremonial headcaps. Nobody had noticed him enter the hall, since they were all to occupied with the scorch marks on the door. He looked around and noticed the two Water Tribe siblings standing behind a pillar a few meters away from him. The Avatar must be close, Zuko thought.
"He is inside! Open the doors immediately before he contacts Avatar Roku." he heard the first voice command. But at that moment, Zuko saw at his left a dark figure moving across a pillar. At that moment, the hall lit up at the fireblasts the Sage's aimed at the door. The dark figure lit up as well and Zuko recognized the yellow and orange clothing.
Without second thought, he grabbed the Avatars arms and hold them behind his back. The boy was surprised at this attack and was easily overpowered.
"You are coming with me" Zuko said to him. The Avatar struggled to break free, but was unable to move. The door had opened and a small fight had ensued.
Zuko heard a female voice yell "Aang, now is your chance!" He pushed the Avatar from behind the pillar. While looking at the overpowered Fire Sages and the Water Tribe siblings, he said in a determined voice: "The Avatar is coming with me."
He urged the Avatar to move towards the stairs, but was distracted when he heard a small struggle. He looked over his shoulder and saw that the Sages had used his distraction as a way to break free and grab hold of the companions of the Avatar. Zuko was distracted for a brief moment, but long enough to loosen his grip on the Avatar. The boy felt it and quickly reacted. Zuko felt a blast of air and was thrown down the stairs. He fell a few meters down before being able to grab the railing. Landing on his shoulder, he groaned and ran back up the stairs as fast as he could.
He was too late: the Avatar had entered the chamber.
At the same moment the Avatar entered Roku's chamber, commander Zhao and his fiancée had entered the temple. With their soldiers behind them, they made their way to the highest floor of the temple. Elyrie walked beside Zhao, forcing herself from running to the highest floor. Breathing in deep, she tried to calm herself. She hoped Zuko got away before they arrived at the top.
But her heart sank when she heard a familiar voice say: "Why did you help the Avatar?"
It was Zuko. His back was turned to her, but she recognized him without effort. In front of him, a Fire Sage kneeled with his hands tied behind his back. He seemed younger than the other four Sages that were standing beside him, with his brown hair and sharp eyes.
"Because it was once the Sage's duty." the kneeling Fire Sage answered proudly, "It still is our duty."
Elyrie instantly felt compassion for the kneeling man. Apparently, he tried to help to Avatar and went against all Fire Nation protocols and expectations to do his ancient duty. If only I had his bravery, she thought wryly.
She was startled when she heard Zhao slowly starting to clap beside her. Zuko quickly turned around with a horrified look. He noticed her and looked at her with pained eyes. Elyrie looked away from his gaze.
"What a moving and heartfelt performance." Zhao said mockingly to the kneeling Fire Sage, "I am certain the Fire Lord will understand when you explained why you betrayed him." The Sage looked defiantly at Zhao, but the other Sage's bowed to the commander in respect.
"And, Prince Zuko," Zhao continued, "It was a noble effort, but your little smokescreen didn't work." Zuko narrowed his eyes and aimed a hateful glare at the commander.
"Two traitors in one day." Zhao said with pride, "The Fire Lord will be pleased." He placed his hand on Elyrie's shoulder and said "Is this what you hoped to see?" he asked, although his smug expression was answer enough.
She looked at him, unable to speak. Instead, she bowed while looking at the ground: this was the last thing she wanted and she could not hide her true feelings, so she thought it best to remain quiet.
Zuko, in turn, looked at Elyrie with a hurt look in his golden eyes. Had she wanted to see him captured? He refused to believe it. He tried to look in her eyes, but she kept looking at the ground.
He felt two guards grabbing his arms and was snapped out of his thoughts. He turned towards Zhao and said hatefully "You are too late, Zhao. The Avatar is inside and the doors are sealed."
"No matter." Zhao answered confident, "Sooner or later, he has to come out."
Elyrie was instructed to wait behind the pillars as Zhao was preparing to seize the Avatar as soon as he came out of the chamber. She walked to the back of the hall and waited impatiently. She saw the disgraced Fire Sage and the Water Tribe boy and girl chained to the pillar on her right. The girl was around her own age and looked with a pained look at the door. The girl looked familiar, with her tan skin and chocolate coloured waves. Just like mamma, Elyrie mused.
The girl noticed her staring at her and looked in Elyrie's direction. Elyrie expected to see hatred or anger, but the girl only looked concerned. She must be terrified for the Avatar, Elyire thought. She did not know what to do or say to help the girl, but gave a weak smile. The girl looked surprised and quickly looked away.
On Elyrie's left side was Zuko chained in the same manner. Zuko glared at her and she understood why: he thought she had betrayed him and rejoiced in his capture. She looked at him with pleading eyes and slowly shook her head. She wanted to explain, but how could she here? How could she help him - help them all? This is the worst possible outcome, she thought. The Avatar captured, Zuko captured and three innocent people left at the mercy of the Fire Lord and Zhao.
What can I do? She was a bender, but she never had proper training: all she knew was from Zuko's lessons and what she picked up herself. If she tried to fight, they would overpower her without any effort. Zhao was one of the most fearsome benders in the Fire Nation, which didn't help the matter. And even if she only used her wits, she saw nothing she could do.
Only a miracle can help them now, she thought before a bright light filled the entire hall.
Elyrie was blinded for a second, but was perplexed at what she was witnessing. "Avatar Roku!" she heard someone yell.
It was true, she saw Avatar Roku clear as day. When the doors had opened, Avatar Roku was standing in the opening. His eyes gleamed with a blue light and he bended the fire aimed at him with effortless ease. Elyrie was stunned, unable to look away. Without noticing it, she walked towards the Avatar Roku. She heard Zuko call her back, but she was too curious. She moved in front of the pillar, wanting to take a better look.
That was a mistake.
Avatar Roku aimed the fire back at the soldiers with such force that they were knocked of their feet. Elyrie stood too close and flew a few metres back before crashing into a pillar. Coughing loudly, the impact had knocked the air out of her lungs. After she caught her breath, she felt the floor starting to rumble beneath her.
"Avatar Roku is going to destroy the temple!" she heard someone yell.
While trying to get back up her feet, she saw rocks falling down the ceiling. Suddenly, she felt a sharp pain at the left side of her head.
Everything went black.