Previously on the Legend of Perseus: Bender of Oceans

Shu Jing (82 AG)

A brilliant ornate castle stood upon a rocky cliff face overlooking the swirling ocean below. Its white stone glimmered in the moonlight and the wind stood quietly still. A nobleman in silk robes and his attendant walked the grounds of the magnificent castle, an easy quiet between them as they wandered.

The peace was broken as they came upon the view of one of the cliff edges. A newborn baby wrapped in white cloth had let go of the tiniest cry that grasped the nobleman's attention.

"Master, there's a child?' The butler questioned in confusion.

The nobleman walked over and gently lifted the newborn. He could sense that the child had great power. There was an aura that seemed to encapsulate the baby.

"There's a note…" the Nobleman whispered. 'The boy is called Perseus, his mother died in childbirth. He is a water bender, a son of the ocean. He has great potential and can bring balance to the four nations. Please take care of Perseus, raise him as your own, the world needs him…' He read silently in his mind.

'Fat let's bring the boy inside."

/

The Legend of Perseus: Bender of Storms

Chapter 2: The Son of Piandao

With Piandao, at Shu Jing (82AG)

The nobleman looked at the newborn with a curious glint dancing in his eyes. Rather than answering his questions the letter that graced the baby's robes posited more enquiries. The boy was a waterbender, and the waves of raw power that rolled off of the child indicated the incredible strength and potential the boy possessed. The newborn was far from any semblance of water tribe lands, a bastard perhaps?

Questions and confusion continued to dance and twirl in his mind. The note said this boy was a son of the ocean. Just possibly this newborn was a gift from the spirits themselves to help bring peace to the world? Piandao sighed, the slightest signs of frustration escaping his rigid demeanor. The nobleman's amber eyes looked upon the frame of the child once more.

'What are your thoughts, master Piandao?" The butler Fat asked.

"I do not know Fat. But this boy Perseus is a rippling storm of power. I am sure you can feel it too."

"I do master, but what are we going to do?" The butler pressed, ripping Piandao from his musings.

"I did always want a son, and I feel as though the spirits have made our paths cross for a reason…"

He lifted the boy once and a sigh escaped his pursed lips when the newborn opened his eyes. A dazzling hurricane of ocean greens and blue whirled with power and emotion as the newborn returned the stare.

Piandao was lost in the maelstrom until a slight cough from behind him raptured his thoughts. "Perseus, I claim you as my son. I have a feeling you will change our world far beyond recognition, and bring honour and recognition to this house. I swear by Agni to raise you with the true virtues of a man and a warrior."

Fat watched on, an excitement bubbling in the depths of his gut. His master was a reserved man with little interests outwith his training. The butler has a feeling young Perseus was going to change everything.

/

Shu Jing (85AG)

Three years had passed since the arrival of the newborn on the cliff edge, and everything had changed so much in such a short time. The large empty castle had been filled with more life than it had seen in years. The child was a walking storm of chaos. How the young master hadn't accidentally skewered himself with the many bladed weapons amongst the castle was a surprise to Fat. The young boy loved tipping over the numerous sets of armor that littered the many hallways.

A high pitched excited squeal echoed through the hallways and tore the butler away from his musings.

Fat sighed before whispering away to himself. "Now young master Perseus, what have you gotten yourself up to this time?"

The butler wandered the new ending labyrinth of hallways and rooms, listening for the excited screams that slowly grew louder and louder as Fat found himself closer and closer. He entered into one of the numerous courtyards that graced the castles and was frozen still at what he saw.

The young master was sat cross legged watching a whip of water dance and fly through the air around him. The water flew with no direct control of the boy, as if the element was putting on a show for the child's amusement. It snaked and coursed, changing directions and speed with every little giggle from the young boy. Fat was amazed at what he was seeing. It was the first time Perseus had used his abilities over water and his control was beyond prodigal. It took true masters decades to move water this effortlessly yet here was this three year old showing talents that exceeded any other. Just who was this boy?

"Master Perseus." Fat spoke out warmly.

"Hi Fat." Perseus answered as the water fell from the sky across the grassy field.

"Shall we go see your Father?" Fat asked.

"Okay." Percy answered with a smile as he stood up. The young boy's eyes glittered in the sun as he hurriedly followed the escaping steps of the butler.

/

Shu Jing (90AG)

Perseus was excited. His father was expecting a visitor today and from the murmurings he overheard between his dad and Fat, Perseus knew exactly who was coming. Uncle Iroh.

While there was no blood relation between them, any time the portly middle aged man visited he would treat young Perseus like family. He would regale the young boy in stories of his adventures across the world, the many cities and peoples he saw as he explored all four corners of the earth. The wise Firebender would offer to make him and the young boy tea as the child lapped up the stories excitedly. He would answer any questions Perseus had the youthful master treasured the fleeting moments they would have together

Perseus was marching in the entrance hall, waiting for the inevitable sign that Uncle Iroh had arrived.

"Young master, you will tire yourself out before our guests arrive." Fat warned.

"I can't help it Fat, I'm too excited. I can't stay still." The boy retorted with a lopsided grin.

"Well then, shouldn't you perhaps use your excess energy for something more meaningful. Your waterbending maybe?" The butler suggested.

"Hmm…" Perseus mused, Fat was correct. He may as well do something productive with his time.

"I think I just might, but you better promise to tell me when Uncle Iroh gets here." Perseus warned with a sly smile before running off, hunting for the nearest courtyard to train in.

He had quickly found said courtyard and quickly began to stretch his senses. He could feel the water. He didn't understand it but it came naturally to him, he could feel the morning dew that remained on the grass, plants and leaves all around. He sensed the koi fish in their pond lazing away, leaving micro ripples in their wake. But far below the cliffs he felt attuned to the roaring waves crashing against rocks, the untameable ocean seemingly begging to be controlled.

Water came natural to him, philosophical words of his father echoing in his ears.

'Empty your mind. Be formless… shapeless…. Like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. Put the water into a teapot, and it becomes the teapot. Water flows, and it can crash. To fully master your waterbending, don't just feel the water. Be water."

He didn't understand it at first. But as he and his powers grew Perseus felt like he had begun to grasp the meaning of those wise words. Water can't be forced, it can only be given guidance.

He took his form and stretched his senses even further. The water yearned for him, he raise his hand close to his face and extended for control from his finger tips. As he pulled his hand back streams of water pulled from the distant sources and with his movements the water beckoned to his call.

It was more than a tool, it was an extension of him. His father and Fat told him he was prodigal. But to him it just felt right. Water was his and he had dominion over it. He continued his katas that he had created. Willing the water to move and dance for its master. His father had no access to water bending scroll so he could only learn from himself, he had no guidance outwith the philosophical teachings of his father.

It had helped. He felt like he understood what water was, what its capabilities were. Water was more than just a tool, it was an extension of him and he was water itself.

Perseus found himself lost in his bending, the water kneeling for its master. The water obeyed his wordless commands. Contorting, shifting, and changing form effortlessly.

"Young Perseus, you have quite the talents!" A familiar jovial voice shouted out.

Perseus quickly commanded the water he was controlling into the nearby koi pond. "Uncle Iroh!" He exclaimed before bowing his head.

"There is no need for formalities. Now before I meet with your father, shall we have some tea?" Iroh asked warmly.

"I would love too uncle." Perseus answered.

The two vacated the courtyard to an adjoined room Perseus had already taken the liberty to set up earlier in the day.

"I got some special aged white tea from a vendor in the markets. He said they were from the finest tea tree in the whole fire kingdom." Perseus enquired.

"Hmm. Well, I think I'll be the judge of that." The elder man smirked.

The two began brewing tea as a peaceful silence fell on them. The aromas of an incredible tea began to waft and fill the air. Moments passed and Iroh filled two cups. They began sipping away, the warm tea refreshing them.

"So young Perseus. How long have you been able to waterbend?" Iroh asked.

"I don't really remember the first time uncle, the water has called to me my whole life. Father says the first time I displayed bending I was three." Perseus explained openly.

"You are quite the prodigy son." Iroh stated and Perseus frowned.

"What is wrong, Perseus?' The crown prince asked.

"I don't know why everyone keeps calling me that. The water just calls to me, its in everything, all around me constantly. I can feel the moisture in the air, the tea brewing away in the pot and resting in our cups. I can sense the water in the earth underfoot, and the dew sitting on the leaves and petals of Fats' many flowers. I can feel the Koi fish swimming in their ponds, the meandering river outside the castle, and the crashing waves against the cliff side. Water just feels like an extension of myself but isn't this what all benders feel in their element?" Perseus answered, a weight clearly being lifted off his shoulders.

"No son it isn't. What you feel is the purest form of bending known. It is when you're spirit and element are fully intertwined within yourself and bending is a natural extension of ones self. For waterbenders they need to feel on the small pushes and pulls in water to guide it, for yourself you are spiritually connected to the water all around you and it wishes to serve you." Iroh paused and Perseus was analyzing everything he was saying.

"For fire benders it is different. Fire bending draws its power from the breath and is intertwined with the inner chi. For some benders the control comes from anger and rage and is a tool to be feared. For others, fire bending is as natural as breathing, a pure extension of oneself. The most powerful firebenders who have truly intertwined their spirit and chi together are capable of generating the cold fire. Lightening." Iroh spoke gravely.

"Like you uncle?" Perseus asked, a hint of wonder in his voice.

Iroh smiled. "I'm afraid I must go speak with your father, young Perseus. When I return to the capital I am going to look through my personal library and send you any water bender scrolls I have collected over my travels."

"Uncle Iroh, I can't accept those-"

"Don't be foolish son. You have an incredible inner fire, and potential like yours must be nurtured. Now think over my words, and take your learnings into account in your bending. The tea was exquisite, one day when you visit the capital I will perhaps show you the real finest tea, of the fire nation." Iroh interrupted.

"Thank you Uncle Iroh." Perseus bowed as the crown prince began to make his leave.

"You remind me in many ways of my own son, and my brother's twins. Take care Perseus, I look forward to our paths crossing once more

/

Piandao's Private Quarters

"So how was tea with my son old friend?"

"He has a good eye for tea leaves. I'm sure he would enjoy the tea shops in the capital." Iroh answered.

"And what do you think of his bending?" Piandao enquired, skipping the small talk.

"It is unlike anything I have ever seen. You say he has had no teachings or scrolls?" Iroh replied.

"Yes Iroh, aside from standard tutoring for any noble son, everything related to waterbending he has learned himself."

Iroh nodded in thought. Perseus was an enigma of raw power and potential. He knew from his letters from Piandao and the many times he met the young boy that he was different. He had a strong inner fire yet was a prodigal waterbender on par with any master seemingly. Iroh knew the boy had an incredible future in front of him, but needed to tread wearily lest Perseus fall to the influences of Ozai.

"You told me when your found him he was bound in cloth upon the cliffs. With a letter decreeing him a son of the ocean?" Iroh questioned.

"Yes. I believe he is a gift from the spirits."

"I think so too old friend. When I return to the capital I will send a hawk on my return with scrolls for Perseus to train from. He must continue being nurtured wisely as you already have. I fear what Ozai or my father may try to do with Perseus if they come across him too soon."

'Thank you Prince Iroh."

The two enjoyed the rest of the night drinking tea and pai sho, as their conversations continued and verged off into different tangents.

Authors Note:

So that's chapter 2. I'm really excited to continue this story and looking forward to seeing where it goes. So this was a chapter just following Perseus growing up in his younger years. I don't want too many chapters on his youth so thought this was a good way to introduce some characters and explore some of the philosophies around bending. Really looking forward to starting the next chapter, wouldn't be surprised if I started typing it up tonight. Some things have been changed, Azula and Zuko are going to be twins in this story and will be the same age as Percy

I wanted to also say thank you for the support on the first chapter already. I had no expectations so to even get 3 reviews and 21 follows is great. Please leave reviews with your thoughts and questions. I have so much planned for this story but reviews feed the dopamine.

Thank you for reading.

Take care,

Admeto.