XXVII/ Fiery confrontation
Concealed behind the column alongside Aang, Elsa was attentively listening for the incoming Fire Sages. Her heart pounded a frantic rhythm against her ribs, a stark contrast to the stillness of her body. The last rays of the setting sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in fiery hues. Yet, a sliver of hope flickered within her – their plan, formulated with Sokka and Shyu, might work.
Aang, his youthful face etched with determination, stood beside her, staff clutched tightly in his hand. Elsa leaned in and whispered, her voice barely above a murmur, "Be ready, Aang. They should be here any moment."
The young airbender's cerulean eyes flicked towards her, then back to the looming doors. He nodded curtly, his jaw clenched. Elsa shifted her gaze to the column behind them, where Sokka and Katara were hidden, ready to neutralize the Fire Sages. They exchanged a silent nod, a shared understanding passing between them. Sokka was concentrated and tense while Katara had a determined glint in her blue eyes.
Suddenly, a flurry of footsteps echoed through the chamber, growing louder with each passing second. The Fire Sages, cloaked in crimson robes, rushed towards Shyu, who stood stoic before the massive doors.
"Come quickly! The Avatar has entered the sanctuary!" Shyu declared, acting distressed with perfection.
A collective gasp arose from the Fire Sages. "How did he get in?" boomed the deep voice of the Great Fire Sage.
"I don't know," Shyu replied, his voice unwavering. "But look at the scorch marks! And down there!" He gestured towards the doors, showing the black traces that resulted from Sokka's firebombs.
A collective murmur rippled through the Sages. The Great Fire Sage, his face grim, barked orders. "He's inside! Open the doors, immediately! Before he contacts Avatar Roku!"
Elsa's heart soared. The ruse, as audacious as it was desperate, seemed to be working just as Katara had predicted. A triumphant smirk played on her lips, quickly replaced by a look of steely resolve. She leaned closer to Aang once more.
"Be ready, Aang," she hissed, her voice barely a whisper.
He nodded, his expression mirroring hers, coiled his muscles, preparing to spring into action. The heavy oak doors screeched open, groaning in protest as five simultaneous fire blasts struck the intricate locks.
They then heard the Great Fire Sage reacting, "It's the Avatar's lemur. He must have crawled through the pipes! We've been tricked!"
Elsa and Aang knew the doors were truly open and then heard the quick scuffle where their companions and Momo were tackling and pinning down the Fire Sages.
Shyu's voice then rose, "Now, Aang!"
But before Aang could make his move, a sudden burst of flame landed before him, making him stumble back and forcing him to halt. Elsa, in the same instant, had to deflect another fire blast sent her way. With swift precision, she erected an ice wall, but the intense heat caused it to explode into ice shards and fumes.
Turning around, they found themselves face to face with Zuko, charging towards them from the stairs nearby. His presence caught them off guard, and their attention was momentarily diverted.
"The Avatar comes with me!" Zuko roared, his voice laced with fury and determination.
Elsa wasted no time. She couldn't afford a fight with the young boy when Aang needed to join as quickly as possible the sanctuary. With a swift motion, she sent a powerful icy blast toward Zuko, catching him off guard and sending him flying against the wall. He crashed into it with enough force to knock the wind out of him before falling to the ground, unconscious.
"Not on my watch," Elsa declared, her voice firm with determination. As much as she disliked harming people, time was running out. She also felt a bit of fatigue as if using her powers strained her a bit.
As she heard the sounds of a new scuffle behind her, she turned to Aang. "Go!" she urged him, her eyes locking with his.
He reacted immediately, his resolve unshaken. He charged forward, making a beeline for the door guarded by the Great Fire Sage, who had lost his hat in the chaos as Momo fled with it.
Elsa followed closely behind, her gaze sweeping the chamber. To her dismay, she saw Katara, Sokka, and Shyu pinned down on the floor, while the Great Fire Sage prepared to stop them.
With a surge of determination, the young queen unleashed another powerful icy blast, sending the Great Fire Sage tumbling backward before freezing the ground beneath the feet of everyone else. The distraction provided the opening Aang needed, and he rushed towards the door, entering the room in one move.
The sudden frost on the ground made stumble the other Fire Sages, allowing Katara and Sokka to free themselves and pin down those they were dealing with. Elsa didn't hesitate to trap the men's hands and feet, both to prevent them from moving and to stop them from firebending. She turned around and did the same thing to the Great Fire Sage as he was about to stand up on his feet. The trapped Firebenders tried to free themselves, but the ice was so strong and cold they felt cut off from their bending. Fear and disarray came across their mind as they realized that before looking at Elsa and Shyu with angry and hateful glances. She winced at the situation she was inflicting upon them, but they couldn't afford to fight them when they still needed to wait for Aang to end his encounter with Roku. The strain she was feeling had grown stronger and she wondered whether the environment of the temple was affecting her or not as she had never handled volcanic places before.
The doors suddenly slammed shut and were sealed with a blinding flash of white light, forcing everyone to look away. Once the light dissipated, Shyu looked at the doors with a relieved sigh and a reverent glance. Katara, a wide grin spreading across her face, exclaimed, "He made it!"
Elsa nodded with a relieved expression, adrenaline coursing through her veins. She felt sweat on her forehead and her being warmer than usual. She glanced around, ensuring that everyone was safe before her gaze settled on Shyu.
"Thank you for your help," Shyu said, his voice filled with gratitude.
She smiled softly. "No, thank you. We couldn't have done it without you."
Katara's eyes sparkled with relief and excitement while Sokka stretched himself, looking with distrust at the Fire Sages and yet relieved that Aang was now inside the sanctuary. The hateful and angry gazes of the trapped Fire Sages bore into them. Elsa could feel the animosity radiating from them, but she kept her focus.
Suddenly, they heard the Great Fire Sage stirring. Elsa turned to see the old man trying to free himself from the ice trap, with no success. His expression was in anger and disarray, even more as his eyes found Elsa's glance. But it was Shyu who was targeted by his venom.
"You traitor! Siding with the Avatar and this waterbender witch!" His attempts to free himself only resulted in futile struggles against the ice.
Shyu met his gaze evenly. "It was once our duty to help the Avatar. It is still the case."
The Great Fire Sage retorted, his voice dripping with disdain, "Our duty is to the Fire Lord. He is the only one who can bring balance."
Sokka and Katara exchanged incredulous and furious glances. Elsa felt wary as the Fire Sage's words reminded her of her grandfather's belief in his plans to deal with the Northuldra, noting how far those men were entrenched in a belief, especially when it contributed to harming so many people.
Sokka scowled, his fists clenching. "Balance? By destroying everything in his path?"
Katara's face hardened. "The Fire Lord has only brought suffering and war."
Elsa stepped forward, placing a calming hand on Sokka's shoulder. "They're not worth it," she said softly, her gaze steady. "They will not escape. We need to wait for Aang."
Shyu nodded in agreement. "She's right. Patience is our ally here."
Looking at Shyu, she felt deep concern for him as she thought about what could befall on him once they left the temple. He would be likely viewed as a traitor by his people for helping Aang and the way the Fire Nation seemed to deal with problems wasn't good. She wondered if he could join them, especially as he was part of an institution that was supposed to serve the Avatar. Protecting him while helping Aang could be useful.
She approached the Fire Sage and quietly spoke to him, "Shyu, I think you should leave with us once Aang is done."
Shyu's eyes flickered with uncertainty as Elsa's suggestion sank in. He glanced at the Fire Sages still encased in ice and then back at her, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. His once firm allegiance to the Fire Nation and its traditions had been shattered the moment he chose to help Aang. His hesitation was palpable, torn between duty and survival.
"I don't know if I can leave," he finally murmured, his voice heavy with regret. "This temple… it's my life. My lineage."
Elsa stepped closer, her expression soft but serious. "I understand," she said quietly. "But your people will see you as a traitor for helping us. You won't be safe here, not anymore." Her gaze swept over the frozen Fire Sages, their angry glares piercing through the icy prisons. "You've already risked so much. Don't let it be in vain."
Shyu looked down, his hands trembling slightly as he considered her words. He had devoted his entire life to the Fire Nation's sacred traditions, but those same traditions now felt hollow. The loyalty he had once given freely now seemed like a shackle. His eyes met Elsa's, full of an inner conflict she knew all too well.
"I—" he began, but the sudden groan that echoed from near the stairs cut him off.
Elsa whipped around, her heart skipping a beat. She had forgotten about Zuko. Her companions and she turned to see the the banished prince slowly stirring, his hand bracing against the wall as he pushed himself upright. She was impressed that despite the force of her ice blast, he was coming to, his face contorting with a mix of determination and frustration. His golden eyes flared with anger as he realized how close Aang was to slipping through his fingers yet again.
"You! You think you can stop me?" Zuko roared, his voice shaking with fury.
In a swift motion, he sent a burst of fire toward her, the flames roaring to life in the dimly lit temple. Elsa reacted instinctively, summoning a wall of ice that sprang up between them, the flames hissing as they met the cold barrier. Without hesitation, she sent a sharp blast of ice at the ground beneath Zuko's feet. He slipped, his footing faltering as the slick ice robbed him of his balance.
As he struggled to stay upright, Elsa wasted no time, trapping his feet in solid ice, pinning him down just like she had with the Fire Sages. While it was a bit exhausting for her, she didn't want any distraction until Aang was back. Zuko, relentless in his anger, still tried to strike with another wave of fire, but his movements were too restricted. Frustrated, he inhaled deeply, his breath causing a faint plume of steam to rise in the cold air around him. Elsa felt further strained by the endeavour and noticed that her ice was struggling and sweating due to the surrounding heat.
"Wow, Elsa, that was amazing! You're like a one-woman army!" Sokka exclaimed from across the room, genuine awe in his voice.
The young queen barely acknowledged her friend's praise, her attention fixed on Zuko, who continued to struggle against the ice. His face was flushed with frustration and something else—perhaps pain. She noticed he was trying to inhale and exhale, creating some kind of fumes, as if he wanted to warm up. She wondered if it was an ability the Firebenders could have. A part of her felt guilty to use her powers in such a manner, but Zuko was too unpredictable and relentless to calm down for the time being. If she could find how to reach him out…
Looking again at the scar, she noticed how hand-like shape it was, making her realize that perhaps a Firebender inflicted it upon him. But what kind of person would do that to someone as young as him?
Zuko's scarred face twisted in rage, but there was something raw and desperate in his eyes. "Let me out, now!" he demanded, his voice hoarse.
Elsa shook her head, her expression firm but empathetic. "Don't struggle. You'll only hurt yourself."
For a brief moment, the fire in Zuko's eyes dimmed, replaced by a flicker of vulnerability. But just as quickly, his anger flared again, and he tried once more to free himself. "Why are you doing this? Why are you protecting the Avatar?"
Elsa's expression softened, but her resolve didn't waver. "Aang is just a child, and he's the only one who can help me," she replied calmly, her voice steady despite the turmoil around her. "Why are you so desperate to capture him?"
Zuko's face tightened, his frustration evident. "It's my destiny to capture the Avatar! It's the only way I can go home."
His words hung in the air, sharp and heavy. The crackling fire from the torches lining the walls cast flickering shadows across the temple, amplifying the tension in the room. Elsa's brow furrowed, her heart clenching as she listened. It was an ironic twist that she neede Aang's help to find a way back home while the young man before her wanted to capture him to be able to go home.
"Home?" she echoed softly, her voice filled with a mixture of curiosity and empathy. The way Zuko spoke of it, it was more than just a place—it was something he longed for, something he was willing to sacrifice everything to regain.
The Fire Sages, still bound in ice, remained silent, their eyes locked on the exchange, stiff but moving a bit more as ice was slowly leaking. Sokka was however dubious and Katara couldn't contain her fury. "Home?!" she exploded, her voice trembling. "You call terrorizing innocent people and hunting down a child 'going home'?"
Zuko flinched under her gaze, his jaw clenching, "You have no idea what it's like! This is my only chance to regain my honour and my place."
Katara's eyes flashed with anger. "Your honour? By hurting people? How can you even talk about honour when all you do is bring pain and destruction?"
"Katara, calm down," Elsa interjected gently, placing a hand on the waterbender's shoulder. She knew how sensitive a topic the Fire Nation was for her friend. But anger wouldn't solve anything. Katara looked at her with surprise and anger, clenching her fists.
"He's hurting people, Elsa! He's—"
"I know," the young queen interrupted gently, her voice firm. "But there's more to this than just anger and fighting. Look at him."
Katara looked at Zuko, but her glance remained fierce. Elsa couldn't blame her young friend but hoped that with time, she would be able to overcome her trauma like she did with Anna being hurt. She turned to Zuko, her expression softening. "Why is it your only way home?"
The young firebender's eyes flared with anger again, but he looked away, refusing to answer. Elsa noticed the tension in his body, the way his jaw clenched and his hands trembled within the icy restraints. She also noticed how her ice seemed strong and yet struggling.
Elsa turned to Shyu. "Shyu, do you know anything about him?"
The Fire Sage sighed, his expression a mix of sorrow and resignation. "I do, Elsa. He is the son of Fire Lord Ozai. His father banished him."
The revelation hung heavy in the air. It hit Elsa hard, her eyes widening in surprise, especially with the fact he was banished from his own home. "You're the Fire Lord's son?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. With what she had already heard of the Fire Lord, she couldn't imagine the young scarred boy being the son of such a man. A part of her however reminded her that her grandfather did awful things and yet that didn't prevent her father from being a good man.
Sokka, who had been scowling silently, let out a low whistle. "No wonder he's so desperate. He must be doing it to please his daddy."
Katara's expression flickered between anger and something akin to pity and disgust. "So you're causing suffering for your own selfish reasons? You're just like your father!"
Zuko lunged forward, only to be restrained by the icy bonds. He strained against them, his voice rising in frustration. "It's not selfish! Don't you understand?"
Elsa held up a hand, silencing the growing tension. Her eyes, the blue of a glacier, met Zuko's with a newfound empathy. Her own past, the struggle to control her powers, the fear of hurting those she loved – it all mirrored the desperation she sensed in his fiery eyes. A memory flickered in her mind – her coronation day, the way her emotions had spiraled, culminating in the accidental freezing of Arendelle. All because she was desperately trying to control her powers with the way her parents taught her. "Conceal, don't feel". The words echoed in her mind like a curse.
"Zuko, did your father task you with capturing Aang?" She asked, in a calm, serious yet kind voice.
His eyes darted to Elsa's, his anger momentarily giving way to vulnerability. "It's the only way he'll take me back."
Elsa's gaze softened further. Unlike Sokka and Katara, whose expressions remained hostile, she saw a glimmer of something deeper in Zuko's eyes – a longing for acceptance, a desperate need to belong. It was a reflection of her own past struggles, a yearning she understood all too well, remembering how she tried to achieve what her parents asked her to do.
"Honour isn't something you can regain by bringing pain to others," she said gently, her voice laced with empathy. Her hand reached out towards Zuko, stopping just short of touching the icy bonds that held him captive, even if she noticed they were slowly leaking. "There has to be another way."
Zuko flinched at her touch, his eyes flashing with a flicker of defiance once more. "You wouldn't understand! This is my only chance!" His voice cracked, betraying the vulnerability he tried so hard to hide.
Elsa sighed, her heart heavy with a newfound understanding of the young prince's plight. "Perhaps not," she admitted, "But I do know what it's like to feel lost, to yearn for acceptance at any cost." The memory of her strained relationship with Anna, and the isolation she had imposed on herself, surfaced in her mind.
"Tell me," she continued, her voice firm yet gentle, "what happens if you capture Aang? Will your father truly accept you?"
His eyes widened. Uncertainty flickered across his face, a stark contrast to the unwavering determination he had displayed moments before. He looked away from Elsa, unable to meet her gaze. But his eyes blazed with a renewed flicker of defiance. He clenched his jaw and his fists with so much intensity Elsa could notice her ice cracking.
"I know he will," he answered with a hasty and harsh tone but Elsa was wondering if he was trying to convince her or himself.
Before she could respond, a slow clap echoed through the chamber, drawing everyone's attention. They turned to see six firebender guards led by an officer with prominent sideburns approaching from the left side of the room.
Their arrival sent a jolt of apprehension through the group. Sokka visibly stiffened, his hand instinctively reaching for the boomerang strapped to his back. Katara's eyes narrowed, her stance defensive. Shyu was unwavering while Elsa felt strong vibes from this man. She sensed he was arrogant but dangerous. As powerful as she was, her ability to hold her ground against trained firebenders was untested and she was wary of facing so many of them when Katara couldn't waterbend and Sokka could rely on his boomerang. Only Shyu and she were likely able to fight their way, but they needed to stay to prevent this man from reaching Aang in any manner.
"Well, well, Prince Zuko," the officer said, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he was approaching. "Still clinging to the belief that capturing the Avatar will earn your father's love? Even when it's clear that you've failed and disobeyed his orders to stay away from the Fire Nation until you've succeeded?"
Elsa's eyes narrowed at his words while Zuko's face flushed with anger, his jaw tightening further.
"Zhao! You're too late! The Avatar's inside and the doors are sealed," the young prince spat back, his voice filled with defiance.
The Fire Nation commander grinned confidently. "No matter," he said, his voice calm and calculating. "Sooner or later, he has to come out."
Elsa, Sokka, and Katara looked at each other, the tension palpable. Katara's brow furrowed with concern, while Sokka leaned closer to Elsa, whispering, "Can you take all of them?"
She answered back, her voice steady but low, "I'll do my best."
Katara nodded, her expression determined but tinged with fear while Sokka was grave but also acquiesced to the young queen's words.
Elsa positioned herself defensively in front of Sokka and Katara, her eyes locked onto the advancing firebenders. As determined a she was, she felt a bit wary. Not only the firebenders were numerous, but they sounded experienced and being in a closed environment with her friends weren't ideal conditions for a fight.
The Great Fire Sage, still trapped in ice, addressed Zhao with a hint of desperation, "Commander Zhao."
The Fire Nation Commander cast a condescending glance down at the trapped man before his gaze shifted back to the group, zeroing in on Elsa. His gaze was calculating as he observed her, but there was also a flicker of something else - a mix of surprise and intrigue. Elsa's posture remained firm, her expression calm but alert. She didn't like this man at all. He was a threat she needed to beware of.
Zhao's eyes lingered on her, studying her with an intensity that made her skin crawl. The sinister smirk that tugged at the corners of his mouth only deepened the sense of dread settling in her stomach. Zhao's gaze was unmistakably predatory, but there was something else there too—an unsettling fascination. She also noticed a condescending and arrogant demeanour as he was assessing her.
"What do we have here?" his voice held a note of twisted curiosity as his eyes roved over Elsa. He seemed to drink in every detail, from her pale, almost ethereal complexion to the way her earth kingdom dress did little to conceal the regal bearing of a queen.
Elsa's posture remained firm, her expression calm yet alert, though inwardly, she bristled under Zhao's scrutiny. She knew she was unique in this world, but she hated the way this man was looking at her, as if she were a prize to be claimed.
"It's a powerful waterbender, commander," the Great Fire Sage spoke out, looking at Elsa as he tried again to free himself with more success as the ice was cracking in his efforts.
"Thank you, but I think I can make my own conclusions," Zhao told the man before looking back at Elsa. His eyes lingered on her platinum blonde hair, a color so rare in the Four Nations that it seemed almost otherworldly. Elsa could sense conflictual emotions despite his arrogant and condescending leering as if he was trying to determine how to consider her. That unsettled her a bit.
"So you're the waterbender that helped the Avatar pass through my blockade. Very impressive," he drawled, his voice laced with condescension and a hint of admiration.
Elsa's eyes met Zhao's, her expression calm but defiant. Sokka and Katara tensed beside her.
"You know, I've heard rumors about a waterbender freezing the entire Mo Ce Sea Prison..." Zhao continued, his voice trailing off as he considered the implications. His eyes raked over Elsa once more, taking in her regal bearing and the unique cut of her Earth Kingdom dress, which did little to hide her exotic beauty. "...and here you are. You are very exotic and unique to be some mere waterbender."
Elsa felt a chill run down her spine at Zhao's words and the way his eyes seemed to devour her. She knew Zhao saw her as something more than just a bender, but his words, dripping with a mix of admiration and something far darker, only steeled her resolve.
A collective gasp escaped Katara and Sokka and surprisingly from Zuko. Elsa's eyes narrowed, a surge of anger and determination coursing through her.
Zhao looked at the group with a smirk. "That is my lucky day. Two traitors, the Avatar and a mysterious waterbender. The Fire Lord will be pleased," he mocked.
Elsa's concern for her friends, Shyu and even Zuko deepened, recognizing Zhao's insinuation that Zuko was a traitor. Shyu, maintaining his composure, met Zhao's gaze with dignified defiance.
Elsa stood ready to strike, determined to protect her friends and to give as much time as she could to Aang. As much as she wanted to take advantage of her opponents, she knew she needed to seize the opportunity to strike considering the number of opponents she was facing but also the toll the volcanic environment was really taking a toll on her. But she knew she wouldn't surrender, even less to the man facing her.
Noticing her stance, Zhao's smile widened. "Any resistance would be futile," he smirked. "I won't hesitate to put an end to you all."
A wave of fear washed over Katara and Sokka. Memories of their mother's death at the hands of the Fire Nation resurfaced in their minds.
Elsa, however, met Zhao's gaze head-on. She stepped forward, her expression calm but resolute. While a part of her was concerned by the fact they were outnumbered, she knew she would do everything to protect her friends, even if the situation and the environment might restrain the extent to which she would use her powers.
"You're not touching the Avatar," she declared, her voice steady.
Zhao's eyes glinted with amusement. "Brave words," he said. "But let's see if you can back them up. Firebenders, attack!"
As the guards made their stance, Elsa quickly struck the ground before her with a powerful blast of ice, causing the firebenders to slip and fall. The unexpected move drew gasps from both Zhao's men and her companions.
"What in the...?" Zhao's voice was filled with shock.
"Get down!" Elsa shouted to Katara and Sokka, who immediately dropped to the ground.
She then turned to Shyu, who stood defensively by her side. "Stay close," she instructed.
Zhao's eyes blazed with fury. "Don't just stand there! Attack from the sides!" he ordered his men.
The firebenders regrouped and spread out, attempting to flank Elsa and her companions. With a swift movement, Elsa raised an ice wall just as the firebenders launched their fire blasts. The flames collided with the ice, causing steam to fill the room.
"You think you can protect them all?" Zhao taunted Elsa.
Elsa's gaze was unwavering. "I'll do whatever it takes," she replied firmly.
She then launched a flurry of ice projectiles towards the advancing firebenders, forcing them to retreat momentarily. As much as she would want to use her full powers on those men, Elsa didn't know how much effort she would need to exert in this environment. The only thing she was certain was that she needed to buy Aang more time.
Zhao, growing impatient, prepared a massive fire blast aimed directly at Elsa. "Enough of this!" he roared.
Elsa quickly raised an ice shield, blocking the attack of the commander. The heat was intense, and the ice began to melt under the pressure. Elsa strained to maintain the barrier, her powers pushed to their limits in this environment.
Zhao's eyes narrowed, his smirk replaced by a look of cold fury. "You're only delaying the inevitable," he spat, his voice filled with venom.
Elsa met his gaze, her expression unyielding. "We'll see about that," she said, her voice like ice. She launched another blast, the room filling with the sound of shattering ice and crackling flames while forcing again the firebenders on the defensive. She felt she was tiring herself to hold her own against nearly a dozen firebenders, but until Aang left the Sanctuary, she would do everything to protect his friends and him.
Sensing her growing fatigue, Shyu unleashed a powerful wave of fire, forcing the firebenders to retreat momentarily and intercept the incoming flames aimed at them. Elsa nodded, grateful for the support. She raised her hands, sending a wave of icy blasts toward their attackers, each strike precise and powerful.
Noticing the strain on Elsa's face, Katara watched with worry etched on her face, her concern mirrored in Sokka's eyes. They had come to rely on Elsa's strength and resourcefulness, but it seemed that even the most powerful magic had its limits. Katara suddenly began to subtly move her hands in a waterbending motion, trying to rely on the ice Elsa created. With some effort, she managed to manipulate a small part of the closest ice and waterbent it to strike at the Firebenders and distract them from attacking her friend.
"She's weakening," Zhao spoke out as he saw the growing struggle of Elsa to keep on fighting. "Push harder!"
The firebenders redoubled their efforts, their flames coming more fiercely. Elsa could feel the heat searing closer, her ice shield shrinking under the relentless assault. She gritted her teeth, pushing back with all her strength, while Shyu redoubled his efforts to help her. Katara was more than ever ready to help her friend and mentor and started to waterbend, her eyes focused and determined, fuelled by the protective desire and the anger at the Fire Nation.
Suddenly, the doors of the Sanctuary glowed bright white. Smoke began to stream into the room from the room, and the door unlocked itself, beginning to open. Everyone stopped and turned to the source of the light. Elsa realized what this meant. Aang was about to leave the Sanctuary. As the door opened wider, a blinding white light forced everyone present to look away.
"Aang!" Katara gasped, her voice a mix of hope and fear.
Zhao reacted swiftly. "Take down the Avatar!" he bellowed, ordering his guards to strike.
"No!" Katara's voice was filled with terror.
Elsa, summoning the last of her strength, sent a powerful blast of ice toward Zhao and his guards, momentarily distracting them. Just then, a figure she recognized as the statue from the Southern Air Temple, in red clothes and eyes aglow, suddenly appeared in the room.
The sight left Elsa, Katara, and Sokka in awe. Shyu, standing beside them, whispered in reverence, "Avatar Roku…"
Elsa doubled and took a glance, as she never expected such power to exist, sensing the commanding presence of the Avatar. A part of her was wondering where Aang was and how that was possible. She felt she was feebling, but deeply breathed as she tried to stand her ground.
Roku's presence was commanding. He drew the water from Elsa's ice spread across the room – from the floor, the melting ice imprisoning the four Fire Sages and Zuko. Elsa observed the movement, realizing she was witnessing the true power of an Avatar for the first time. That was beyond what she could do. She also realized she gave the Avatar an advantage with the ice she had created in the room.
With one motion, Roku's ghostly form sent the water forward in a powerful wave that blasted the offenders off their feet, sparing Elsa, Katara, Sokka, and Shyu. Elsa felt the blast but was impressed by the control the illuminated being had on the element to strike those he wanted down.
The force of the water blast was so immense it destroyed part of the outer wall. Elsa, observing the sheer power Roku wielded, realized how powerful the Avatar could be. She wondered how powerful he could be. As powerful as she was when she accidentally froze Arendelle?
Ghostly Avatar Roku turned his glowing glare upon the freed Great Sage and his three fellows. Panic overtook the sages; they scrambled away, then turned to run from his wrath.
Shyu looked at Elsa, Katara, and Sokka with an expression of realization. "Avatar Roku is going to destroy the temple! We have to get out of here!"
"Not without Aang!" Katara shouted, her voice resolute.
Elsa looked at Shyu, remembering her worry for the Fire Sage facing retribution. "Come with us!" she urged him as he was about to flee.
Shyu hesitated for a moment and in the same instant, Roku knelt into a forward strike, melting the floor with a molten firebending trail. He steadily lifted his hand, causing the stream of lava below to erupt into maddened explosions. The lava soared through the temple, tearing it apart.
"Move, now!" Elsa commanded, grabbing Shyu's arm and pulling him towards the nearest column. As tired as she was, she didn't want to give up to exhaustion as urgency and survival fueled her determination.
Katara and Sokka, sensing the imminent danger, took refuge behind another column, huddling together, arm-in-arm. Shyu and Elsa mirrored their movement, taking shelter behind a nearby column.
Elsa's eyes widened as she watched Avatar Roku manipulate the elements with unparalleled power. She had never seen such control, not even in herself. The sheer magnitude of the destruction Roku wielded was awe-inspiring and terrifying. She thought back to Arendelle and to her coronation day when she accidentally froze her kingdom or created a blizzard. And that was with only her powers. Seeing the same level of sheer power tied to the four elements was impressive and daunting.
She glanced over to see Zhao and his firebenders fleeing for the temple's exit. Her eyes quickly scanned the room, searching for Zuko, but he was nowhere to be found. Torn between relief and concern, she couldn't help but feel for the young prince's turmoil and disarray. She knew they would likely face him again, but she couldn't help but feel for him. He was banished and forced by his own father to find the Avatar to come back home.
Her brows furrowed at the thought of the Fire Lord, wondering what kind of man would inflict pain on his son as much on the world. Even her grandfather wasn't so cruel despite his awful deeds and manipulations against the Northuldra.
The destruction ceased momentarily as Roku lowered his hands, exhaling soundly. All the smoke in the room suddenly drew in upon Avatar Roku, his form disappearing to leave behind a weary Aang.
"Aang!" Katara cried, rushing to his side. Sokka followed, supporting Aang as he dropped to his knees.
"What's happening?" Elsa asked as she rushed in turn toward the young airbender.
Shyu answered, "The solstice day is now over."
Elsa nodded, still focused on Aang as Katara, Sokka helped Aang to his feet, supporting him on either side. She would have helped, but she sensed she was weak.
Sokka's face was determined as he spoke, "We got your back."
"Thanks," Aang replied weakly, his voice filled with exhaustion.
The temple began to lean, the structure groaning under the strain. Shyu's voice was urgent. "We need to leave, now!"
Elsa's eyes widened in alarm. "Let's move!"
They quickly moved towards the stairs, only to stare in horror upon seeing the stairwell leading to the exit filled with lava. They turned to the only other exit, the hole in the wall Roku had created. It was their only chance, but it was a steep drop from the top level of the temple. But there was no escaping; they were on the top level of the temple, and the drop was too great.
Sokka's face turned pale. "How are we going to get out of here?"
Elsa, determined to save them despite her exhaustion, stepped forward. "I can create a path to the sea—"
Before she could finish, Aang, Katara, and Sokka gasped. Looking up, Elsa saw Appa and Momo swiftly closing in. Relief washed over her as the temple continued to lean forward.
Shyu spoke out, "Let's go!"
The five persons immediately ran out of the temple, leaping into Appa's saddle. Aang quickly took control of his sky bison and commanded, "Appa, yip yip!"
As they soared into the sky, they looked back at the temple, now a crumbling ruin sinking into the lava provoked by the eruption.
Elsa let out a sigh of relief and exhaustion, glad they had escaped the danger. She was also relieved that Aang had managed to speak to Roku. She took notice of small shapes on the sea moving away from the island and felt dread. She knew it must be the ships of that commander Zhao and perhaps Zuko's ship was nearby, but considering how Zhao regarded the young boy, she didn't think they would be alongside. That made her mind linger on the man they had fought. Zhao's determination to find Aang was unsettling, especially in contrast to Zuko, whose turmoil and disarray she couldn't help but feel for, given his circumstances. And contrary to Zuko, this man was officially part of the Fire Nation, meaning he might rely on the resources he would ask for. And the way he assessed her fueled her with unease.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Sokka's voice. "That was way too close."
"Yeah," Elsa agreed, her voice soft. "But we made it."
Aang, leaning heavily against Katara, nodded. "We did."
They flew on the ocean, leaving the burning island, each of them silently contemplating the battles yet to come and the bonds that would keep them strong. Elsa glanced at her companions, feeling a deep sense of responsibility and affection for them. They had faced great danger together, and she knew more challenges lay ahead. But for now, they were safe, and that was enough.