Chapter 2: Different
The children of Agna Qel'a had interesting lives. If a child was a bender, they'd get to train under one of the many masters the city had to offer. If the bender was a boy, they'd learn to fight and hunt while the girls would learn how to heal. For children born without the ability to bend, they'd have normal instruction, and learn basic skills such as reading and writing. Boys who couldn't bend would also learn to hunt alongside their bender brethren. Girls who couldn't bend would learn practical skills such as sewing and cooking.
And then there was Kal. The red-eyed ten-year-old didn't fit into the normal mould. He was a bender but he didn't learn how to fight with the others. Admittedly there wasn't anyone who could teach him Firebending in the entire tribe nor did anyone want to teach him Firebending. He was still free to learn how to hunt and fight alongside the others and he did attend those classes but he was far more interested in learning how to draw than how to effectively kill prey.
As the other boys around his age were taught how to hold a spear, Kal spent his time in his own world with a charcoal pen in hand sketching over the pieces of paper he had. He kept a keen eye on the instructor as he tried to capture his likeness. The drawing wasn't bad. Kal had been practising almost daily since he discovered his interest just over a year ago. So far he'd managed to become one of the best artists his age. Admittedly that wasn't much of a flex. Art wasn't that highly regarded in Agna Qel'a and paper wasn't a recourse that was in abundance.
The only reason Kal had as much paper as he had was because the traders and merchants who travelled to Bin-Er often brought paper for him to use. The reason he got paper is because Chief Arnook specially requested it for him. Kal had an interesting relationship with the Chief. For a reason, the ten-year-old couldn't fathom the Chief favoured him a lot. He knew that the chief had been the one to find him the night he arrived and had allowed him to stay in the royal palace.
Kal wasn't raised by Chief Arnook, instead, he was raised by one of the healers who lived in the palace, an older woman named Esan but he was always treated as an auxiliary member of the Chief's family. Kal knew that he was special and given special treatment for some reason but he didn't know why. Not that he was complaining. He was allowed to draw in peace and mostly do what he wanted. He was allowed to play with the other kids and no one really bothered him when he wasn't paying attention to lessons.
"What're you drawing," a voice commented from behind him.
Kal turned to see a girl with snow-white hair and light blue eyes wearing a large purple coat and white gloves. The tribal princess had arrived.
"Hey Yue," Kal said before he glanced back towards his instructor. "Trying to figure out how to draw him properly. But he keeps moving, making it hard to get the angle correct."
Yue glanced at his drawing. It wasn't perfect, but it was way better than anything she'd ever be able to accomplish. She wasn't the artsy type but she respected Kal's ability to sit still and draw. However, she did notice something as she glanced at the hands wearing the drawing. Kal wasn't wearing gloves. It's more accurate to say that he wasn't wearing any warm clothing.
Most if not all people wore large heavy coats while they were outside. It was a necessity when they lived in the frozen tundra that was the Northern Water Tribe and yet, Kal always preferred to go without it. He only wore a light tunic like the ones reserved for warmer environments. Yue was immediately suspicious before she walked in front of him, blocking his view of his instructor.
"Hey!" Kal said as he looked at her.
Yue could see it immediately. His red eyes were glowing. She wasn't sure why but every time he used his bendings his eyes would glow. He was using his bending to keep himself warm.
"Why are you bending?" The eight-year-old asked.
Kal frowned. There wasn't a rule against him bending as plenty of people seemed to know that he was a Firebender. He was often advised not to show off in public as he might make people nervous, or jealous. No one ever told him that he couldn't bend outright but often people were worried about his bending ability.
"I didn't want to be cold," Kal responded with a shrug.
"You can wear your warm clothes," Yue chastised.
"I can't draw with gloves on," Kal responded. "They get in the way. Besides, I like using my power. It feels nice. You get that way too don't you?"
Yue stopped trying to look stern before she adopted a sheepish smile.
"Yeah," She muttered.
Yue was also a bender. But as a girl, she was training in healing. There was a longing in her eyes to use her bending but as a girl, the only chance she'd get to use her bending talent was if someone needed healing. She couldn't scratch the itch to use her power, unlike Kal who could let his fire burn inside him without actually setting something on fire.
Kal watched as the girl began to pout before he sighed.
"Come on," He said as he stood up.
"Where?" Yue asked.
"Not here."
"But you have class."
"Meh, they won't miss me."
Yue seemed reluctant to follow. She was a big fan of the rules. She had to be, as the princess. Even if she wasn't the one who was ditching class she felt bad knowing that Kal was ditching class. She considered saying something to stop him but decided against it and followed behind him.
She'd known Kal her entire life. She understood a little bit of it. As a child, Kal had done something that saved her life. Her parents never explained more than that and Kal didn't seem to know anything about it. Because of that, he was always allowed to live at the palace and play with her. While a lot of other children were held at arm's length, he was allowed to be her friend. So she followed him as he led her away from the public eye.
He scribbled furiously on a new page while he walked. It was a wonder how he was able to walk without bumping into anyone. By the time they stopped, they had reached a small area behind the palace away from prying eyes. Once they arrived Kal turned around and showed her what he had been sketching.
There were a few rudimentary drawn figures on the page but it was clear that there was some kind of sequence to their movement. It took the young Yue a second to realise that these were Waterbending forms.
"I've been seeing the other boys practising their waterbending for a while now," Kal said. "Anytime any of the masters start teaching the boys, they start with this form. I saw Master Pakku teaching Ratak this yesterday. If I let you practise waterbending using this will you let me keep myself warm using my power?"
Yue stared at the page and then back at Kal who had adopted a confident smile. If there was one skill that Kal Knights excelled at it was his attention to detail. He paid attention to and noticed the slightest things. He used that skill in his art. It was what allowed him to advance even without a formal instructor, that and his willingness to practise drawing every day. The sketches were simple but the forms were correct. Yue could tell that much but there was a problem.
"I can't learn this," Yue squeaked "These Waterbending forms are only for boys."
Kal gave her a dismissive grin.
"Who cares if it's for boys," Kal said. "You know you want to try. Think about how cool it'd be for you to be able to do more than just healing."
"But it's improper!" Yue stammered.
"Come on Yue, live a little," Kal said. "You're the chief's daughter. Who's going to say that you can't learn Waterbending?"
Many people would say that. The traditions of the Northern Tribe were traditions for a reason but the white-haired girl had to admit to being curious enough to want to try. Let it be known that Kalusha James Knights was a bad influence on the young impressionable princess.
"Fine," Yue relented. "I want to try."
Yue adopted the initial stance that Kal had drawn. She wasn't sure if she was doing it properly. The drawing was rudimentary after all and had been a rush job while they walked over here. But still, it'd do for now. Yue tried to mimic the action on the page while drawing on her power within.
This was a simple motion, push and pull to create a small wave. Yue practised the form and was surprised to see the fruits of her labour. The water in front of her churned and followed along with her motions.
"I'm waterbending," Yue exclaimed excitedly.
"Yes, you are."
It wasn't Kal who responded. Yue immediately stopped as she felt guilty while Kal stood up straight suddenly aware of their audience.
"Busted," Kal muttered.
The two children turned and saw the amused smile of Tribal Queen Siano, Yue's mother. She stood in the doorway where the two had emerged from so she'd likely followed and seen the whole thing.
"I was wondering, where you two had run off to," Queen Siano said. "I heard from your instructor that you vanished halfway through your class. I didn't expect to find you here teaching waterbending."
Kal adopted a nervous smile.
"I wasn't teaching waterbending. I just thought I'd show Yue the moves the others used," Kal said. "She's really good she picked it up immediately and… sorry it's my fault. I pressured her into practising as a trade because she saw me using my bending to stay warm."
Despite the little spirit of rebellion that burned brightly in him there was a larger heroic flame that burned within him. Kal could admit when he did something wrong and would make sure he took all the blame so that Yue got away.
"I'm not mad at either of you," Queen Siano said as she maintained her smile. "Although, you will have to apologise to your master for leaving his class early."
"For real? Sure," Kal responded.
"And Yue, you have done nothing wrong," Queen Siano said with a knowing smile. "If you want to keep training with Kalusha, I won't stop you. It'll be our little secret."
"Thank you, Mother," Yue said with a big grin as she suddenly felt the weight of her actions vanish from her.
"Of course," Queen Siano said. "Now go inside. It's almost lunchtime and you should eat after training. Kalusha and I will join you just now,"
"Okay!" Yue nodded before she made her way into the palace leaving Kal alone with the Tribal Queen.
"Am I in trouble?" He asked.
"No," Queen Siano said. "I already told you that I wasn't mad. I was hoping I could understand you a little more."
"What's there to understand?" Kal asked.
"Why you don't seem to care."
"I… I care," Kal responded.
"Kal, you know what I mean," Queen Siano said. "This is your third instructor. Very soon there won't be an instructor willing to train you. Don't you want to become a skilled warrior?"
Kal grimaced which told the Tribal Queen everything she needed to know. But she remained silent hoping he'd fill it with his words.
"I don't want to be a warrior," Kal said. "I don't even want to be a hunter. It doesn't sound like something I'd want to do. All the other kids look forward to learning how to fight but I'd rather just sit back and draw. My instructors agree with me because, besides Master Grumpy Beard (Master Pakku), they're fine leaving me alone."
"You don't want to be a hunter, even though you're good at it?"
"I'm not good at it… I'm just…" Kal didn't have the words to describe what he was.
For some reason, he was naturally good at killing. His ability to track prey was questionable but killing animals came easy to him. He knew how to deal a merciful death when animals were suffering. He instinctually knew all the positions on a body that could quickly kill animals and people. At ten years old he had a fundamental understanding of death that many adults, even seasoned hunters lacked.
"I understand," Queen Siano said. "It's difficult for you to find your place among the hunters and warriors. But don't give up. It's worth it to keep training."
"I wish I could just train as a healer, like Yue," Kal muttered to himself. "But I guess a Firebender can't train in healing."
Queen Siano didn't comment on that. She still wasn't sure how Kal had managed to heal Yue eight years ago. He hadn't shown that power since healing her so she didn't comment on his desire to heal. For now, until they understood exactly what it was that he did all those years ago, it was better that Kal focus on learning how to fight.
~00000~
Percy Jackson, the adopted ten-year-old son of Price Iroh had never really found a place where he fit in. There was the obvious fact that he was a Waterbender who lived in the Fire Nation but there were other things. Percy struggled with reading and his behaviour and inability to sit still like other children made him an oddball. But when he picked up the sword and was among other trainees, he suddenly found his place to belong.
The children of Royal Caldera City had interesting lives. A good number of the citizens of this city were from noble families and/or descendants of the clans that presided over the Fire Nation centuries ago. It was part of the culture in the Fire Nation that those with power had to become strong. You couldn't rule if you were weak, so it was common to see children of the nobility begin training in combat when they were young. Even adopted children of the nobility were expected to train and become powerful.
Once Percy had been seen as old enough to begin training with a weapon, Prince Iroh sent a letter to a swordmaster, retired soldier and old friend, Master Piandao, asking him to instruct both his youngest son and nephew in the art of swordsmanship. Zuko the eldest child of Prince Ozai, had been happy to go and learn how to wield a sword, as he'd never really been good at Firebending like Azula, at least until he saw how good Percy was with the sword. In no less than a few short weeks of training under Master Piandao, Percy had shown off an adept proficiency in his sword skills.
He was even skilled enough to train against the older students of Master Piandao. His current opponent was his own adopted brother Lu Ten. Unfortunately, the battle wasn't anywhere close for the young prince. He'd been training in the sword since he was eight, although admittedly it was under a different instructor until recently, and he was struggling to face Percy.
Lu Ten couldn't find any good ground as Percy advanced on him with a flash. Lu Ten had to duck under the blade that almost hit him in the face. They were sparing with training swords so there was no real threat of him losing his head but the lack of lethal combat allowed Percy to go out, as they were instructed to do.
They were training just behind the royal place in a training ground that had been erected just for them. The area wasn't as diverse as Master Piandao's residence back in Shu Jing so Lu Ten had no means of escaping the fury that was his brother.
The fifteen-year-old tried to parry the next strike so that he could gain ground on his brother. He managed the parry but Percy quickly pivoted his blade and was coming in for another swing. Lu Ten still stuck in parry didn't have enough time to block the next strike. The next thing he knew, he'd been knocked on his butt, his sword discarded and the edge of Percy's sword was to his neck.
"Dead," Percy said with a smile. The cloud that seemed to hang over his head had vanished leaving joy in his sea-green eyes.
"You got me, Percy," Lu Ten responded with a smile.
"Excellent work Percy and you too Lu Ten," Mater Piandao said. "Your offensive skills are improving with each day you train but you need to practise more defensive stances. You left yourself open at several moments during that fight. As for you Prince Lu Ten, you maintained a good defensive posture but you need to allow yourself to attack. Regardless, good job both of you."
"Thank you, master," Both boys said with a bow.
"We shall continue again tomorrow," Master Piandao said. "You two enjoy your day and give Zuko my regards after he returns from his classes."
"Of course," Lu Ten said while Percy frowned again.
Master Piandao nodded and left leaving the two young boys. They didn't need guards, not when they were still technically on palace grounds. Once the master swordsman was gone Lu Ten turned towards Percy who'd adopted his sour expression at the mention of the Royal Fire Academy for Boys. Percy, just like Zuko and Lu Ten had been enrolled in the school, at least until recently. Percy's inability to sit still and act like a proper child had earned him constant scorn from the teachers at the academy. And recently he had finally been kicked out of the academy.
"Are you okay, Percy?" Lu Ten asked.
"I'm okay," Percy lied.
A skilled swordsman he was but a liar he was not. Being kicked out was a massive blow to his pride. Percy was almost tempted to run away and go hide somewhere instead of having to face his family. Fire Lord Azulon, who Percy was convinced didn't like on account of his being a water bender, hadn't been pleased and there was no telling what their father would say when he arrived. Azula had mocked him, calling him an uneducated commoner for getting kicked out and it was only when she received a scolding from Princess Ursa that she stopped teasing him about it.
Lu Ten frowned but he didn't push. Percy would come clean about his feelings eventually. Instead, he walked with his brother. Now that they were done training for the day, they could spend the day doing what they wanted. Percy, like Zuko, happened to like sitting in the courtyard and spending time with the turtleducks. He figured spending some time there might make things better. Unfortunately, the two were stopped on the way to the courtyard.
One of the Royal Guards was waiting for them.
"Prince Lu Ten, Perseus, Fire Lord Azulon would like to see the two of you," The Royal Guard said.
Percy seemed to shrivel at the mention of the Fire Lord while Lu Ten sighed. This wouldn't be great.
"Thank you, we'll head to the Throne Room immediately," Lu Ten said with a bow. While he may have been the son of the heir to the throne, he still had to show respect to those older than him, such as the guard. It was something Percy could get better at so Lu Ten hoped to lead by example.
"The Fire Lord isn't in the Throne Room," The Guard said. "I am to escort the two of you to his location."
Percy and Lu Ten shared a look of confusion but they followed after the guard. True to the guard's words, they weren't taken towards the throne room. They were instead taken to the Coronation Temple and Plaza. Despite its name the Coronation Temple wasn't solely for coronations, otherwise, it'd rarely get used. A lot of ceremonies were held at this particular temple. Every New Year and every Summer Solstice were celebrated here for example and on occasion, there would be a showcase here. These showcases were typically for the royal family's amusement only.
When the two brothers arrived, Percy was surprised to see Zuko and Azula had joined them. Both still wore their uniforms from the Royal Fire Academy for Boys and Girls respectively. Azula looked as pristine as always, not a single hair out of place. Zuko looked a bit dishevelled, he might have lost a duel at school. Percy winced, Zuko was always defending him from the other students which didn't earn him many friends while at the Academy. He hoped Zuko hadn't gotten into a fight defending his honour.
The two sets of siblings met at the base of the temple and bowed before the old Fire Lord who sat on a dais ahead of them. Princess Ursa sat beside the Fire Lord in place of her husband Prince Ozai who was away on a Military Campain.
Percy felt the absence of his 'mother.' Princess Zei Min would have been here in Prince Iroh's place but she'd fallen ill again and was at home resting. This was her second time falling sick this year and it was concerning. But she was as strong as she was kind, she'd pull through. It didn't mean that Percy didn't worry about her.
Standing behind the Fire Lord and younger princess were a few of the royal guards. There was one however that seemed odd to Percy. He couldn't place why but something about him stood out.
"Lu Ten, Zuko and Azula, join Princess Ursa at my side," Azulon ordered. Azula was quick to obey while Zuko and Lu Ten hesitated for just a moment. They did go but with obvious reluctance, leaving Percy alone.
"Perseus," Azulon said. "Rise and face me."
Percy cringed again but did as he was told. He looked at his adopted grandfather and waited to hear what the Fire Lord would say. Fire Lord Azulon didn't speak immediately. Instead, he watched the boy as he nervously shuffled. Standing still just wasn't easy for him.
"I hear that you have exceeded expectations when it comes to your training with a sword," Azulon eventually said.
Percy felt a sudden jab of confusion.
"Yes, I'm pretty good at swordplay," Percy said.
The Fire Lord nodded in understanding.
"And I hear you flooded the fountain before you were expelled," Azulon said sounding angrier.
Percy cringed. Yes, he'd done that too. It was an accidental result of getting into a fight with Shoro, the son of a respected admiral. The fountain folded and the water gushed all over. It was quite the mess he created.
"Yes," Percy admitted.
Azulon wore an unreadable expression. He didn't look as angry as he had the day Percy had been expelled, nor did he look disappointed either. He almost appeared to be completely impartial and neutral.
"When my Son brought you before me all those years ago, I thought he was being foolish. A Waterbender being raised by the Royal Family and the Crown Prince no less? Such a thing has never been done," Azulon said. "Especially with the Watertribe as one of our many enemies. But I allowed it. I suppose it wasn't strange. One of my ancestors married a Watertribe Avatar and my own Aunt had almost married an Air Nomad before the War. My father would have allowed their union had she not sided with the enemy.
"I suppose exceptions can be made," Azulon said. "However I am concerned with how much of an embarrassment you seem to be to the Royal Family. There has never been a member of this family, adopted or blood related who has been expelled from any school. You are the first."
Alarm bells were ringing in Percy's head. He was barely paying attention to Azulon's speech instead his eyes were on the strange royal guard. There was definitely something off about his posture.
Percy's hand twitched as it subconsciously drifted towards the hilt of his sword. Just like Zuko and Azula, He and Lu Ten hadn't changed out of their training uniforms. Percy hadn't even had the chance to tie his unruly hair back into a topknot.
Percy's eyes met the eyes of the guard and he realised why he felt so unsettled by him. He didn't stand in a usual Fire Bender's stance. The strange guard lunched forward at some prompt from the Fire Lord and Percy immediately pulled his sword from its sheath and blocked a strike from a sword.
Percy had to backpedal immediately and the swordmaster followed. This person wasn't as skilled as Master Piandao. He didn't swing his sword with the same grace and finesse that Master Piandao used but he was a skilled swordsman regardless of the fact.
Percy, despite his shorter stature and lack of experience, continued to parry every sword strike masterfully. He remained on the defensive backing up and getting used to the style of this swordmaster. Somehow he managed to find his footing and take charge of the battle, using his smaller size to his advantage. He quickly transitioned from his defensive posture to a more offensive style which allowed him to deflect and disarm his opponent with a few swings of his sword.
The swordmaster looked genuinely impressed at Percy's tenacity. But even though he was disarmed it didn't mean the fight was over. Percy heard them before he saw them and had to retreat again to prevent being skewered by two approaching swordsmen. This fight had just turned into a three v one and Percy had to curse his luck. This was seriously unfair. Did the Fire Lord want him dead that badly?
"Seriously?" The ten-year-old groaned. Regardless he lifted his sword and continued to dual against the three swordsmen.
While Percy was good, he wasn't that good. He was still a beginner and he was facing off against three shilled swordsmen. But he'd try his damn best. He slashed, stabbed and parried like a beast but he felt himself growing tired quickly. He could probably handle one of these guys by himself but he didn't have any space to really move as he was backed towards the edge of the temple, near one of the two parallel streams of water in the template.
The closer he got the the water the more he felt it calling out to him asking him to use it to survive so he did just that. Percy felt a tug in his gut and almost immediately the water rushed out and slammed into the swordsmen, knocking them off balance in a tempest of water. The water exploded outward after colliding and flew so far that it started to rain all around him. Percy stood standing, perfectly dry, beside also being hit by the large wave of water.
He kept his eyes on each of his combatants waiting to see who would attack him first but each of them surrendered. Percy stumbled to one knee before he heard clapping. Actual clapping. Did Fire Nation citizens know how to clap? He'd heard it a few times from his father, brother and mother but never from anywhere else.
Percy looked to the source of the clapping and stared in surprise as Fire Lord Azulon stood from his dais with a smile on his face. The Fire Lord was clapping and he was also soaked. Percy suddenly realised that he'd accidentally drained the two streams near him of all their water. How had he managed that?
"You are quite the powerful bender Perseus and quite the talented swordsman," Fire Lord Azulon said, singing Percy's praises for once. "Even without formal training, you managed all of this."
It was odd seeing an eighty-nine-year-old man be this excited but he was surprisingly spry despite his old age so it wasn't impossible.
"I have seen many a powerful bender in my life," Fire Lord Azulon said. "But you are perhaps the strongest I have seen. You are a true prodigy of the sword and the bending arts. With talent like yours, perhaps there is space for you in my family. I shall excuse your previous failures because of your talent displayed here."
"Thank you Fire Lord Azulon," Percy said with a bow. His bowing form still left a lot to be desired but it would do for now.
"Princess Ursa, in place of your husband I address you and Prince Lu Ten, in place of your parents I address you," Fire Lord Azulon said. "Come to me, I have made a decision about this boy and his future."
"Yes Father," Ursa said with a bow before she rose. She was also drenched by Percy's explosion of water.
"Yes grandfather," Lu Ten said as well but he wore a far more relieved expression on his face. He followed after his aunt and approached. Zuko and Azula remained seated.
The two descended the stairs with as much dignity as they could muster while being drenched. Percy caught Lu Ten's wink of approval and allowed himself to relax as well. After ten years, he'd finally managed to win over Fire Lord Azulon. It seemed he might be formally adopted into the royal family now instead of just Iroh's family. He still didn't understand how he could be adopted by the crown prince but not the royal family.
"Princess Ursa, you bear the blood of Avatar Roku and although he was a traitor to his people his lineage has created incredible Firebenders like your daughter, a prodigy of the likes we have not seen since Rangi, the daughter of Hei-Ran," Azulon said. "And this boy is a waterbender of great renown and power. Power like his is rare and I would like to consolidate it within the family. Your daughter shall marry him when they both come of age."
"Wait what?" Percy asked.
"Wait what?" Lu Ten echoed.
"Wait what?" Azula demanded, having been close enough to hear the proclamation.
"Many might frown upon a marriage of this style," Azulon said. "Through adoption they are cousins but they share no blood relation and as Azula is the youngest, she is unlikely to inherit the throne unless something happens to Iroh, Lu Ten and Zuko. There will be no problems if her line inherits waterbenders or firebenders. Do the two of you agree to this marriage?"
Princess Ursa looked surprised at the sudden declaration of marriage. But she accepted. If Prince Ozai had been present there likely would have been a different result. Lu Ten hesitated. He didn't immediately agree but eventually, he did. Percy felt cold. Just like that, he'd been arranged to marry the Azula of all people.
CyberActors15: Greetings fellas. Happy New Year and finally the second chapter of this story is complete. I didn't intend on making Percy be betrothed to Azula initially but then I remembered that a lot of nobility in stories typically arrange marriages when the children are young or before they are even born. Additionally, I figured it would work because Azula as the youngest could be married off to a powerful bender. Additionally, Kal has started training Yue in waterbending using his ability to draw. There will be more development on both of those fronts soon. Before we continue, I do want to state. I am not looking for artists. Please stop asking. I already have artists that I work with. Once again, I am doing this to market my book series Inheritors of Power which is a story about humans replacing the Greek Gods as they slowly start to die out. If you enjoy this story, feel free to check out my books. They are free on Kindle Unlimited and available for purchase on Amazon. Anyway, feel free to tell me what you think about this chapter. Until next time peace!