Korra and Mako stand at the rail, their eyes fixed on the cityscape and the huge dormant volcano. The ferry glided smoothly over the dark waters as it approaches the brightly lit Harbor City. The night sky above is clear, dotted with stars, and the air is filled with the distant sounds of music and laughter, it was the second day of the summer festival celebrations.
The ferry gently bumps against the dock and the crew secures it. Korra, Mako, and Tadashi make their way to the gangplank, blending into the flow of disembarking passengers. The vibrant festival sounds surrounded them, and the city's lights twinkled invitingly. Mako stands beside Korra with Pabu perched on his shoulder, no longer tucked in his jacket. Pabu squeaks softly, his beady eyes twinkling.
"Well, this is it," Korra says, her voice tinged with hope.
Mako nods, giving her a heartfelt smile. "Take care, Korra."
Korra's expression softens, "You too. Good luck." Pabu leaps from Mako's shoulder to Korra's, nuzzling her cheek affectionately. Korra laughs, giving the little fire ferret a gentle pat. "I'll miss you too, Pabu. Here, let me give you these, I don't think I'll eat them after tasting the food here." She takes out the dried fruits that Senna packed for her and feeds them to Pabu before leaving. Tadashi stands tall behind her, waiting for her to follow him.
Korra and Tadashi separate from Mako and Pabu and make their way through the streets of Harbor City. The hour is late in the night, but the city is very much alive. Many performers are entertaining the street crowds with fire dances and music to celebrate the start of the summer season.
Korra and Tadashi head towards the tram station to avoid walking the winding path leading up the mountain. The tram is sleek with a modern structure that blends in with the city's traditional architecture. They board, finding seats near the window, and the tram ascends smoothly, climbing higher and offering a panoramic view of the capital.
Tadashi starts explaining the view, "The Fire Nation Capital is comprised of three main districts: Harbor City where we arrived, the Royal Plaza, and the imperial city of Hari Bulkan, which is our final destination. The royal palace is in the heart of Hari Bulkan. The imperial city is also referred to as the Royal Caldera City…" Korra, gazing out the window, feels her eyelids grow heavy. The day's journey has taken its toll, and the soothing rhythmic hum of the tracks and Tadashi's voice made it hard not to fall asleep.
Tadashi notices her struggle to keep her eyes open and offers a reassuring smile. "It's okay Korra. You can rest. I'll wake you when we get there."
The Fire Nation Royal Palace looms ahead as the tram makes its stop. The city is calm, contrasting the liveliness of the festivities below.
The duo walks up to the palace, an awe-inspiring edifice that commands both respect and admiration. The palace is a masterpiece of traditional Fire Nation architecture, with sweeping, curved roofs adorned with intricate carvings and gold accents. Tall, ornate spires that reach towards the sky, each crowned with a gleaming fire emblem.
The main gate is guarded by imposing, armor-clad sentinels who stand at attention as Korra and Tadashi approach. Recognizing Tadashi, they nod respectfully and open the grand doors, which swing inward with a deep, resonant creek that echoes through the courtyard.
One of the royal guards comes and escorts the duo through the courtyard to the inside of the palace, where they are greeted by Chancellor Zhang Wei, a dignified and experienced official known for his wisdom and deep loyalty to the Fire Lord. The Chancellor is dressed in elaborate robes that reflect his status, with patterns of red and gold.
"Avatar Korra, welcome to the Fire Nation," Chancellor Zhang Wei says, bowing deeply. "I am Chancellor Zhang Wei, and it is my honor to escort you to the throne chamber to meet with Fire Lord Izumi." He bows respectfully to Tadashi as well, "Master Tadashi, thank you for bringing the Avatar safely. The Fire Lord will be seeing you tomorrow."
Tadashi bows, "It was a pleasure meeting you, Korra." The Chancellor clears his throat with a quiet 'ehem' to which Tadashi smiles and corrects himself, "Avatar Korra."
Korra smiles back at him, "I told you Korra is enough." She bows to him, an act that she never really does back at home as it's not part of their culture to bow. "Thank you, Tadashi… Master Tadashi."
"Please, follow me." The Chancellor says to Korra, his demeanor is respectful yet approachable.
Korra walks with the Chancellor. The palace is quiet, their steps echoing off the polished, mirror-like marbel floors, reflecting the ornate chandeliers above that are adorned with hundreds of tiny, flickering candles, casting a soft, ambient light. Korra thinks those were lit by firebending. The corridors are lined with rich tapestries depicting scenery from the Fire Nation's many islands.
As they approach the throne room, Korra stands against massive wooden doors, carved with intricate fire motifs and dragons and inlaid with gold. The Chancellor pushes the doors open with a little effort and signals her arrival, "My Lord, the Avatar is here." He gestures to Korra to walk in and steps out, closing the doors behind him.
The throne room is a vast, cavernous space, its high ceilings supported by towering columns adorned with gilded dragon sculptures that seem to come to life in the flickering light. The walls are lined with grand murals depicting the sun. At the far end of the room, on a slightly raised dais, sits the Fire Lord's throne, with a grand tapestry of a roaring dragon and its flames carved in vividly with vibrant colors serving as a backdrop.
As Korra slowly steps in, she could feel the weight of the Fire Nation's history bearing down on her. A strange feeling courses through her whole body, almost as if she walked in here before to do the exact same task, to meet with the Fire Lord.
"Avatar Korra," Fire Lord Izumi says as she approaches Korra, not letting her walk the entire distance. Her voice is calm yet commanding, resonating through the vast hall. "It is truly my greatest honor to finally meet you." Izumi carried an aura of grace and authority. She has a regal bearing, with high cheekbones and a sharp, defined jawline that lends her an air of dignity. Her almond-shaped eyes are amber colored like her father, and so is her hair, long, raven-black, streaked with silver and styled into a sophisticated top-knot adorned with a golden hairpiece shaped like the Fire Nation insignia.
Korra straightens, meeting Izumi's gaze with forced confidence. "The honor is mine, thank you for having me."
Izumi lowers to Korra's level, "Oh, look at you. You must be so tired from the long journey," she stands straight and then bows gracefully, "Please forgive me for bringing you here immediately."
Korra gets flustered, "Oh, it's no problem at all."
They walk closer to the throne, Korra right beside Izumi. "I have been looking forward to this meeting for a long time. You must be wondering why I brought you to the palace."
"Well, in your letter, you mentioned you wanted to help me learn firebending. So, I assume that's why?"
They reach the dais where the throne is, "How far along are you with the other elements, Korra?"
"Umm, I've been waterbending since I was very little, and I'm pretty good at it. I started learning earthbending a few years ago, but I wouldn't say I'm a master yet."
"You've never tried firebending before?" Izumi asks.
"Not really, to be honest with you, I've never met a firebender in my life. I know very little about bending fire, nothing really, and it never comes out of me even when I try."
Izumi steps up the dias and casually sits on her throne, "I will provide you with a master to teach you firebending, as promised."
"Thank you."
Izumi pauses for moment as if she's thinking, her fingers interlaced below her mouth. "Very well, Korra. You will meet him tomorrow. I want you to join us for lunch." She rests her arms on the throne, "Now please, rest as much as you want. The maids will take you to your chamber. There'll be food and a hot bath. You can then sleep and be ready for tomorrow."
The next morning, the corridors are filled with a gentle buzz as the palace staff begins their day. Izumi sits in a private meeting chamber, a room designed for intimate discussions with trusted advisors and guests. A large wooden table dominates the center of the room.
Tadashi enters. He bows respectfully to the Fire Lord, who acknowledges him with a nod and a warm smile.
"Good morning, Master Tadashi," Izumi greets him. "Please, have a seat."
"Good morning to you, my Lord," Tadashi replies, taking the seat to her right arm.
She asks him about the trip and he tells her everything, then follows up, "She's a very unique individual, not necessarily because she's the Avatar. She definitely has a natural talent for bending, and her spirit is incredibly strong, but she lacks knowledge about the world."
Izumi nods thoughtfully. "Just as we thought, she will train with Master Zenzo," she pauses for a moment, "I can't help but think she's too young."
"Her predecessor did start training at 12, or was it a hundred and twelve... It's not uncommon." Tadashi says.
"True, and I don't mind giving her as much time as she'll need." Izumi leans forward, her expression turning serious, "Tezca visited me when you left. They were attacked one month ago."
Tadashi adjusts his posture, "The Sun Warriors? We never got any messages about this"
"The egg was stolen. The Tonalli slaughtered almost half of the people. Ran was called and Chief Tecu was thrown in the circle to present for her against his will, she devoured him,"
Tadashi leans forward, "The survivors wanted to handle it internally,"
"Not surprising isn't it?" Izumi leans back in her chair, "That was always their way."
Izumi's expression hardens, "It is crucial that we find the egg. This is the last egg that hasn't turned into stone, and the red one has already died."
She stands, signaling the end of their meeting, "I need you to track down the Tonalli and find the egg. I'm sending soldiers with you. I know you don't like that, but they will protect the Sun Warriors and join you if you need them. There may be only few Tonalli left, but one of them alone is an army."