Wandering Firebender

Seven: Longings & Regrets

Elio quietly made his way up a steep plain, his things in his pack and his staff in his hand. As he approached the top, he found a nice open space between the trees to make camp. From the top of the plain, he could see the next town he would be passing through tomorrow.

However, today was to be dedicated to training.

After setting up his camp, he removed his upper layers of clothing so that nothing would get caught on the moved the staff around to feel its weight again. He began to slowly spin it around, passing it back and forth between his hands.

Because it was made of metal, it was a bit heavier than a traditional wooden staff. Therefore, Rala informed him that he would have to put even more concentration and dedication into his training exercises.

As he begun to spin it faster and from side to side, his mind went back to Rala's words about the staff; how it was meant to serve as his reminder about the importance of maintaining balance within himself.

In this uncertain time in his life, that was going to be a challenge. He wasn't even sure it was possible…

Back in the Fire Nation, emphasis was placed on willpower and strength, not inner balance. Elio figured that was likely because every firebender was taught to have the same purpose: serving the Fire Lord and winning the war.

It reminded Elio of his days in firebending basic training.

"Good, Elio! Keep control of your breathing! Strike with conviction! Visualize your target and attack!" His teacher would instruct him. Yes, even before puberty, he was learning how to fight with the intent to win…with the intent to kill.

"Come on, Elio, you're one of the most naturally gifted firebenders in the class. You should be showing off and working your way up the ranks faster!" Cassian, his best friend at the time, told him once.

"Yeah, maybe…but I just like being here with my friends. Besides, if I work up the ranks, then I'll have to train with the bigger kids." Elio pointed out to him.

"Oh yeah. Nevermind." Cassian laughed.

Cassian was Elio's best friend back in the Fire Nation. Their fathers were friends who happened to be close in rank. As a result, the two children saw a lot of each other in school, in training, and at each other's homes.

"Yeah. You wanna see a cool trick?" Elio offered. Elio and Cassian made their way towards the open area right next to Elio's home where they would often play and practice their firebending together.

"Sure! Whatchu got for me?" Cassian asked. Elio motioned for him to stay in place. He then took a couple steps back.

"Watch this." Elio said with a faint smirk, taking a breath and getting into a wide stance.

Elio created a stream of fire with just two fingers. It stretched out like a string and began to expand at the end. Elio tensed his body as he tried to control the shape of the fire. However, it ended up just flaring up and creating a big burst at the end of the string.

"Woah! That was cool!" Cassian laughed. Elio growled a bit.

"That wasn't what I wanted to do. I was trying to do the Taming The Dragon trick! I nearly had it before!" Elio whined a bit. Cassian chuckled and shook his head.

"You'll get it, Elio. Besides, if you ask me, what you just did there was way cooler. That would be an awesome trick to use in a battle!" Cassian exclaimed.

"Yeah, I guess." Elio shrugged and smiled.

"Hey, Elio," Taiga, Elio's younger sister, waved as she hurried over to join them. "Did you fail the Dragon trick again?"

"Shut up, Taiga!" Elio shouted in embarrassment, "I'm getting closer!"

"Yeah, closer to burning the house down." She teased him with a laugh. Cassian laughed too.

"Hahaha! Oh, I'm sorry, Elio, but that was a good one!" Cassian cackled. Elio rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"Oh hey, since you guys are doing tricks, can I show you a trick? I saw Princess Azula do it today at school!" Taiga offered.

"Uh, yeah, fine. Show us what you got." Elio hesitantly agreed. He didn't want to hear a scolding from his parents if he told her no.

"You should've seen it, guys! She actually got into a fight with Ula, one of the girls in my class!" Taiga said, stretching her arms out to emphasize how crazy the story was.

"Who would be crazy enough to fight with the Fire Lord's daughter?" Cassian wondered aloud.

"Someone with no brain!" Taiga laughed, "I don't know what they were fighting about; some people said it was about food or a toy or a boy. I don't know. But then I saw her do this!" Taiga turned to quickly demonstrate what she saw.

Taiga stretched out her hand with a quick flick of her wrist. Several flickering embers shot out of her hand and suddenly popped loudly like gunpowder.

"Wow! Neat! But how would that hurt?" Elio asked, tilting his head.

"I didn't say she hurt her, but those pops were right in her face! I know Ula had something in her eye after that. At least!" Taiga nodded surely.

"The Fire Lord's kids don't mess around. Especially Azula." Elio commented and shook his head.

"Haha, right? Your tricks are cool, but I prefer the strong approach. Overwhelm the enemy!" Cassian said proudly, turning and shooting a huge gulf of fire out of his fist.

"Woah!" Elio and Taiga both exclaimed in surprise at the raw intensity of Cassian's fire blast.

"Haha, yeah!" Cassian laughed, turning back towards the others. He proudly placed his fists on his hips and grinned,"See? Now that's firebending!"

"Yeah, idiot, you just set that tree on fire!" Elio pointed out.

Cassian turned around and saw that he had accidentally aimed his impressive fire blast towards a nearby tree, and it was now on fire. Taiga shrieked.

"Ah, grab the water buckets!" She shouted, running towards the house…

Elio chuckled to himself. He had many fond memories like that with Cassian. He had other friends back then too, of course, but none of them made as much of an impact as he did. They were inseparable for a long time.

Elio's weaker wrist tweaked awkwardly from the spinning of the staff. This caused him to accidentally hit himself in the back of his right leg. He growled in sharp pain, taking the staff in his other hand and relaxing.

He couldn't help but wonder what Cassian would say to him now. What would he say if he could see Elio now? After all they'd been through together, Elio running away would no doubt be a shocking blow to him, as it probably was to everyone.

He clearly missed more things about the Fire Nation than he realized.

"Prepare yourself!" Elio shouted in an overdramatic manner. He crouched into a wide stance and positioned his hands like an earthbender would.

"Ha! You are no match for me!" Taiga shouted back with similar theatricality, sliding one foot back and getting in a stylish firebending stance.

"Surrender, or today you will breathe your last breath." Elio threatened, quoting from action-packed climax of their favorite play.

"Destiny will decide that!" Taiga immediately shouted back.

They both smirked.

Elio let Taiga make the first move. She fired off several blasts of fire, stepping forward each time. Elio easily blocked each one, flicking each burst away. He created two flames in each hand, bringing them together and shooting a strong burst at her.

Taiga sidestepped Elio's attack, flipping around and shooting a slice of fire through her spin kick. Elio stepped back to dodge it, sliding around on his foot and throwing two kicks in return. Both kicks sent forth fireballs.

Taiga ducked down to dodge the first fireball. She reached out for the second one, bending the fire in a half-circle and sending it back towards Elio. Elio, not expecting this, took his own attack to the chest and was pushed backwards.

"Woah! Nice!" Elio complimented, brushing his clothes off and getting into his stance once again. Taiga scoffed confidently.

"Ha!" Taiga grunted, throwing more firebending slices at him. Elio knew that slices were her go-to attack.

Elio strategically tried to dodge her attacks while also advancing towards her. He sidestepped one, ducked under another, and jumped over the last one. He twisted his body in the air, creating a rope of fire and cracking it backwards like a whip at Taiga.

Taiga, however, when she realized what Elio was trying to do, began to advance towards him as well. She sidestepped the whip attack and was right on top of Elio when he landed.

"Gotcha!" Taiga smirked as she stepped into Elio's space. Elio, who still hadn't recovered from his landing, looked up to see Taiga with her fist in front of his face, "Looks like I win this time."

"It looks like you do," Elio chuckled and stood up. "Nice job, Taiga." He smiled, bowing to her with a traditional Fire Nation bow.

"I did pretty good, didn't I?" Taiga beamed proudly, bowing back.

"You've got better instincts than I do when it comes to sparring, that's for sure. But we're still dead even when it comes to battles. Don't get too cocky yet." He teased her, wrapping an arm around her and hugging her from the side.

"Uhuhuhuh. Whatever, Elio. Let's go again and then I'll be better than you!" She challenged with a laugh. Elio rolled his eyes and shook his head with a smile.

"Kids, it's time to come inside for dinner!" Their father called to them from the house.

"Saved by the dad." Taiga giggled and ran towards the house. Elio chuckled and followed behind at a walking pace.

"Son, just a moment, please?" His father held his hand up after Taiga had already gone inside. Elio stopped.

"Yes, father?"

"I was watching you two spar just now. You both have really grown in your skill. I just want to let you know that I'm very proud of the both of you, and I wanted to commend you for giving your sister someone to practice with." He said with a proud smile, patting a hand on Elio's shoulder.

"Thank you, father. Now that Taiga is older, she's actually starting to be a challenge too." Elio chuckled humorously.

"You're both formidable in your own ways. You two will make fine assets to the Fire Nation army one day. I'm sure of it." He said confidently. Elio's eyes furrowed a bit.

"The army?"

"Of course, son," His father nodded. He crouched down in front of him, now at about eye level with him. "As we speak, Elio, there's a war going on in the world. The Fire Nation is trying to bring security to the four nations. I've taken an oath to do all I can to help us win, and I've kept that in mind when raising you both.

"You and your sister are gifted and talented. Use those talents wisely, my son. I know you will do great things for our nation." He said with a smile. Elio nodded seriously, thinking deeply about this.

"I see… But that's kind of a lot, dad." He said awkwardly, shifting his weight.

"I know. But you're getting older now, Elio. Soon it will be time for you to step up. I just want you to remember that." He repeated.

"Okay, father." Elio nodded. Sol smiled again, patting his son on the shoulder as he stood up.

"Come, let's help your mother set the table now." He said, leading Elio inside. As they entered, Taiga came running back.

"Mom says the food is ready!" She informed them.

"Alright. We're on our way there," Sol smiled and nodded. "Taiga, I saw you and Elio sparring just now. You're getting so much better at firebending! I'm very proud, sweetie." He complimented her too.

"Thanks, daddy!" Taiga happily grinned and hugged him before running back to the dining room…

Elio sighed and shook his head. Those memories carried a bittersweet meaning now. He could only imagine what his family thought of him now. His father, his mother, his sister… He missed them very much. He looked at their picture almost every night.

Elio took his staff in both hands again, approaching a strong tree. He got down into a wide stance and began to strike the tree, twisting at the waist to put more force into each strike. He struck harder and harder, venting out his emotions through each forceful blow.

"Elio, honey! Cassian is here to see you!" His mother called to him. Elio, who was busy putting his room in order, quickly jumped up and brushed his hair back.

"O-Okay, just give me a minute!" Elio said, quickly putting what he had in his hands away and rushing out to greet his friend.

As he entered into the living room, he found his best friend waiting for him, but his clothing was different. Cassian was wearing a Fire Nation military uniform. Elio's eyes widened in shock. Cassian smiled warmly, hugging him.

"Hey, man. Long time no see, huh?" Cassian said with an ironic chuckle. Elio, still dumbfounded, patted Cassian on the back.

"Yeah. Long time… Are you wearing what I think you're wearing?"

"Yep! It's official. I've joined the cause," Cassian said with a laugh. "What do you think? Do I kill this uniform, or do I kill this uniform?" He smiled, holding his arms up and doing a confident spin. Elio chuckled and shook his head.

"Haha, yeah man, it looks good on you. I didn't know you hadenlisted. I would've, you know, tried to support you more." Elio said with some regret.

"It's okay. I know you were busy. Besides, I wanted to surprise you! How've you been doing? It's been a bit since I've seen you. You'll be graduating soon, won't you?" Cassian asked. Elio nodded.

"Yeah. Just a few more months now."

"Well hey, let me just say congrats now, man! You were always better at the book studies than me. Nerd." He teased lightly with a smile. Elio chuckled and smiled.

"So you're a man in uniform now, huh? How does it feel?" He asked.

"I'm nervous man, but I'm also anxious! Like excited anxious! I can't wait to get out there and fight! This is what I've been training my whole life for, you know?" Cassian expressed his excitement. It was hard for Elio to imagine being excited by fighting in the war, but he still wanted to be supportive.

"I know, man. Be safe out there. When do you ship out?" Elio asked.

"In a few days," Cassian answered, his smile fading some. "I came here to say goodbye, actually." He revealed.

"Oh," Elio said sadly. "So you won't be around when I graduate, huh?"

"I'm afraid not. But hey, when the party comes around, I expect you to go wild for the both of us." Cassian said with a laugh. Elio chuckled and shook his head.

"Yeah yeah, I will. I'm gonna miss you, man. Stay safe out there." Elio said as they took hold of each other's arms in a brotherly way.

"No promises," Cassian chuckled. "I'm concerned for you though, man. Have you…told your dad about what we talked about? About…you know, how you want to be a firebending performer or something like that?" He asked hesitantly. Elio's expression darkened sullenly.

"You know my dad, Cassian. He'd never let me go for that… Honestly, I've been too scared to tell him. Like it or not, I've been training my whole life for the same thing as you. I don't seem to have much of a choice." Elio shook his head hopelessly.

"Hey, come on, Elio. Give your dad some more credit. He's a great man. He's been something of a father to me as well, you know. I'm sure if you just lay it all out to him honestly, you two could come to something of an understanding." Cassian said, trying to encourage him. He placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"I don't know, man," Elio sighed. "You know it's not that easy for me."

"I know. I hope that you figure it out, Elio. If it's not what you want, you gotta do something. And while I would rather we go in and fight together, I get it. Believe me, I 's a solution, I'm sure, and I'm sure you'll find it."

"Thanks… Come back and visit soon, Cassian, will ya?" Elio said with a chuckle as the two shared another hug.

"I'll keep you posted, bud. I don't know though. When I rise through the ranks and win the favor and affection of all the women in the nation, it might be difficult to make time for you." Cassian joked. Elio rolled his eyes at him.

"Right, yes. I'll completely understand." He played along.

"That's just how it goes, you know?" Cassian laughed, "But hey, I'll leave the princess for you. I heard from Taiga that you have a thing for her?" He brought up teasingly.

"Shut up," Elio groaned. "I wish I had never made that comment to her. She's never let me live that down!" He complained. This made Cassian laugh more. Elio couldn't help but chuckle too.

"Oh, I'll miss your humor, Elio. Take care, brother." Cassian said, patting him on the back. Elio walked with him out the front door and waved him off.

"You too, Cassian. You'll have to tell me all your esteemed war stories when you return." Elio joked with a smile. Cassian smiled in return and nodded before turning and going.

That was the last time he saw him…

Elio hissed as his hands began to burn again. He dropped his staff and turned to sit against the tree. He rubbed his red, irritated palms together to try and lessen the burning sensation. He had gotten carried away in letting his anger out.

As he sat there contemplating his situation and all of things he could have done differently, he started to become angry with himself. Had he just been braver and spoken up, he could still be happy and living at home in the Fire Nation. Maybe he'd be pursuing his dreams right now.

Instead, he was stuck in exile in the Earth Kingdom, constantly scrounging just to survive. Instead, he was sitting there sulking in his own regret.

What was really the point of it all? It was like Rala had brought out: all he was doing was just surviving. He wasn't really living. Would it make any difference at all if he were to stay alive?

Elio felt an empty pit forming in his stomach. He swallowed and stood up. He looked down at his staff but left it there. Instead, he raised his fists and stepped forward, creating a fire blast. Fire did come out, but it was weak and quickly fizzled out.

Elio knew that he could do better than that. He clenched his fists harder and tried again, putting more concentration. He strained his arms to get more force out of it. More fire came out this time, but once again the fire quickly disappeared into the air.

Elio's tired arms dropped to his sides. Part of him wanted to believe that he was just tired and that was why he couldn't firebend like normal, but he knew that wasn't what was happening. His motivation to go on was beginning to fade.

His inner fire was starting to dwindle…