Previously on The Legend of Perseus: Bender of Oceans
Hunting down who dared to look at her she found herself entrapped in a certain pair of emerald green eyes. Even from this distance she could see them glimmer. Her fathers voice enraptured everyone's attention once again.
"Tomorrow's fighter has already arrived in the city and is sitting here in the stadium. Son of Piandao rise, make yourself known."
Azula watched the boy rise and she began to take an interest in him. He may have had the eyes of the savage but even Azula could admit he held a lithe figure. He had an ornate sword sheath by his side, seeming to wield a three woot long Jian, rather than the common Wodao. His clothes and jewelry were clearly of nobleman quality. Is that just how the outer islanders looked? Azula never really paid attention, they were beneath her after all.
The boy stood up and bowed deeply in the direction of her father.
"Fire Lord." His voice contained a strength to it that surprised Azula and caught her attention.
"The Son of Piandao will fight next, I can not be bothered waiting another day. I have heard you are a waterbender." Gasps broke out across the stadium and several guards unsheathed their weapons. "You will fight now, but the rules have changed. If you fail at any point you shall be executed as a traitor of the nation. If you refuse to fight now, you shall be executed as a spy. If you somehow win, I will stick to my word and your duty will be to my daughter." Her fathers cunning voice spoke out.
So Azula was correct, he was just a water tribe savage. 'But father is already aware of that. Why would he allow a savage to protect me? What is he plotting?' Azula questioned to herself, unsure why her father would even consider the prospect of a waterbender being at her side.
She looked at the boy once again and saw that he was looking at her father. He was looking right at her.
"I'm here my liege. I already accepted the challenge." The son of Piandao smiled.
"Enter the field!" Her father barked. The teenage boy removed his jewelry and passed it to his own father. He made his way down the marble stairs, and jumped over the edge into the pit.
/
The Legend of Perseus: Bender of Oceans
Chapter 6: Five Duels
The Royal Box in the Colosseum: Caldera.
Prince Zuko stared at his old friend anxiously. It had been a few years since he had made his return to Shu Jing and visited the old swordmaster and his son. Percy had clearly grown since. His frame had filled out, and he would not look amiss in any noble court. He sauntered to the challenger's side of the field with a regal air of arrogance.
Every movement was deliberate, every one of his muscles were poised for the fight. Once Percy reached his side he unsheathed his sword effortlessly and stabbed it into the ground. He threw the scabbard away from him as he sat down and sat down on his knees. The son of Piandao bowed his head to the royal box, waiting for the Fire Lords command.
"What have you gotten yourself into Percy." Zuko whispered to himself, his words only barely being heard by sister.
"So this is your friend from Shu Jing Zuzu." Azula mocked. "I bet he dies in the first duel." Azula muttered ruthlessly, unseen by both royals their father smirked. Missed by all however, was the confident smile that graced Iroh's face.
"Your first fight shall be against General Ro's son Khan. Let's see how you fare, Son of Piandao." Ozai boomed.
Zuko watched as as the gate opened and the fighter walked through. Cheers rang out in the crowd and Zuko's worries had grown. Had Percy just marched to his own execution?
"I am the eldest son of the house of Ro. I have fought on campaign against the earth kingdom. You are nobody, today you die!" Khan shouted venomously towards the teenager.
Zuko watched as the stadium grew quiet. Anticipation hanging in the air. Eventually. Percy replied.
"And today you will be humbled." His voice soft spoken, his attention now directed to Khan. He had yet to stand.
Khan was clearly enraged. With a roar he punched in the direction of Percy, an incredible fireball raging towards the teen. The son of Piandao finally stood up. The effortlessly sidestepped the fire and continued to stare at the fighter.
"Surely you're capable of more." Percy's voice spoke out once more. There was no mockery, only disappointment.
If Khan wasn't pissed off before he certainly was now. He released a flurry of kicks and punches in quick succession, aggressively charging at Perseus as he did so.
Percy gracefully avoided every attack. Dancing between the flames fearlessly. He also was moving forward, but much slower than Khan was. The Son of Piandao was deliberate and precise with every step. Weaving himself between the onslaught of attacks one of his arms finally left his side.
Water erupted from the grating that edged the field. Swirling to Perseus at lightning speeds and a wall of ice formed, protecting the son of Piandao from a wall of fire he never could have dodged.
Just as quickly as the ice had formed it had melted. Two separate streams of water found themselves circling Percy. With a second motion of his left arm the water shot forth and the twin tendrils lashed at Khan.
Once again the water turned to ice, this time freezing the firebenders arms and legs to the ground. Before Khan could even look and face the waterbender who had bested him, Percy had closed the distance between them. A single punch was all it took to knock Khan unconscious.
The stadium was silent. Zuko was incredulous. Two water bending moves. That's all it had taken from his old friend. Just what had Percy been hiding from him this entire time?
Nobody moved. Nobody that was except for the young son of Piandao who returned to the spot he started the fight from. Eventually, Zuko's father stood up.
"That was an 'impressive' demonstration of your waterbending Son of Piandao. For the second duel I expect to see your capabilities with the sword. You are a swordsman aren't you?" Ozai mocked, he was still unconvinced.
"Of course my liege. My father is the best swordmaster in the Fire Nation after all." Percy calmly retorted.
Zuko frowned. Percy needed to be careful when speaking to his father. Azula smirked. Her father would surely strike down such impertinence.
"Your next duel begins now. You face Wan, Son of Colonel Shinu." Ozai spat but returned to his seat.
Azula was puzzled. Her father didn't kill the son of Piandao then and there. Azula carefully looked in the direction of the fire lord. 'What do you have planned father.' She thought to herself. 'He doesn't even trust you to protect yourself. He thinks you're weak. Why would he tell you what he is plotting?' A familiar but dangerous voice spoke in her mind.
/
Piandao's Seats
Piandao had remained seated throughout the entirety of the first duel. He watched with pride as his son danced through the flames, avoiding them effortlessly, and finishing Khan with ease. The swordmaster had complete confidence in son. He knew Percy was already more than capable.
The nobleman listened to the interaction between his son and the Fire Lord with a small smile. He could have been annoyed at the restrictions placed on the next duel but Piandao trained his son personally.
The man focused on his son as the fight began. Percy grabbed his sword. A three foot long jian made from the finest blackened steel of the Fire Nation. Long ago it was Piandao's very own blade, a family heirloom.
Percy closed the distance between him and Wan swiftly, the son of the colonel wielding a wicked dao. Wan feinted with a slash before kicking forwards, a furious arc of orange flames billowing towards the teenager.
Percy expertly avoided the flames, and attacked Wan's left side with a thrust. Wan skirted backwards and Percy immediately took the offensive. A flurry of thrusts and careful slashes attacked the colonel's son who continued to be pushed back. This time Piandao's son attacked with a feint, but his was much more well disguised. An overhead strike rushed down on Wan who panicked to pull his own sword up.
The teenager smirked before releasing a brutal kick to Wan's chest. The Colonel's son was thrown back several feet but Percy remained still, retaking his stance. Wan quickly staggered to his feet, pointing his blade at the boy once again. Piandao knew what his son was doing. He couldn't end the fight too early, he had to give the Fire Lord a proper showcase.
He saw his son sigh. "Again." Percy smirked.
Wan rushed. This time incorporating firebending in every step, jets of flames following each motion. Percy weaved his way backwards, avoiding the fire as he created additional distance between him and Wan. As he took a step to his left an orange wall cut the field. Another fire ball rained down on him and he rolled to the right. He sidestepped again, avoiding yet another attack before a wall of flames erupted to his right.
Wan had cut the pit into a narrow strip. Percy's space was now limited.
Percy stormed forwards. He jumped over a red wave and was now within striking distance of Colonel Shinu's heir. Percy slashed forwards and Wan was forced into using his sword. Swords clatter, ringing echoing in the stadium. Piandao's son thrusted forwards yet again, jabbing and cutting in the direction of Wan. The man desperately held off the onslaught. Sparks flew from the blades as they clashed.
Wan attempted to conjure fire with a kick but Percy redirected his leg with the flat of his blade. The teenager attempted to cut into the open guard but was quickly met with Wan's blade once again.
Shinu's son tried to take the initiative in the fight, slashing at Percy wildly. Piandao's son's defence held firm, not surrendering any ground. Wan's attacks grew desperate. Percy redirected a ball of flames with his sword and Shinu's son attempted a stab at his midsection.
It was intercepted at lightning speed. Two blades met again but with a flick of Percy's wrist Wan had been disarmed. His sword escaped his grasp and clatter far away from reach. The colonels son attempted to attack with a punch of flames but Piandao's son redirected his arm with his hand. Percy's blade rushed round as he ended up behind Wan. Sword pressed against an unprotected throat. Wan desperately reached up to hold on Percy's arm, ready to burn his wrist.
"Don't even think about it." Percy warned. Wan froze.
The stadium remained quiet, the fight had ended. Percy took the slightest step back from Wan revealing a knife in his left hand he had pressed against the small of Wan's back.
A gong erupted, and a small applause broke out. The crowd slowly warming up to the waterbender who had succeeded in two duels with little effort.
Percy returned to his side of the field, stabbing his sword into the dirt once again. Piandao's son returned his stare to the royal box, but not before catching the eyes of his father who looked on at him with pride.
"I don't remember saying anything about knives waterbender." Ozai boomed.
"A real swordsman always carries more than one weapon, your lord." Percy replied carefully, knowing not to displease Lord Ozai further.
"That is true. Nevertheless I've seen that your proficiency with your weapon is passable." The Fire Lord sneered. "Just as a swordsman carried multiple weapons, he will face multiple enemies."
The colosseum was quiet, a thousand pairs of eyes watching the leader of their nation. "You shall face both the third and fourth duels simultaneously. Two against one." Ozai's voice boomed, echoing and ringing in the stadium.
"Show us your true capabilities, Perseus son of Piandao."
It was the first time Ozai spoke his son's name. It made Piandao uncomfortable, filling him with dread.
/
The Royal Box
A pair of amber eyes held an unwavering gaze of the son of Piandao. Curiosity flickered on the Princesses' features. 'Perseus' as the boy was known, had certainly captured her attention. The second duel had enamored her. He had controlled the entire fight from start to finish. Without utilizing his waterbending he defeated a 'capable' firebender with little exertion. Even more impressive was the cunning maneuver with a knife.
She listened to his calm voice as he replied to her father.
"Your wish is my command, my liege." He bowed deeply.
Azula found herself leaning forward slightly, completely still, her focus was undivided. Zuko beside her was jittery with apprehension and anxiety. A gong erupted, the fighting began once again.
"Stop twitching brother. I'm trying to watch the duel." Azula hushed Zuko.
In the heart of the pit the two firebenders faced off against their opponent. The crowd roared in excitement and anticipation crackled in the air. Flames dripped off their fingertips as the two moved in unison. Their movements were synchronized, preparing to confront their adversary. The air was rife with tension as a barrage of fiery tendrils shot towards Percy. The flames blazed brightly as the attempt to overwhelm the son of Piandao with insurmountable force.
Percy remained resolute. With two simple motions an incredible torrent of water was released, liquid forced from the ground beneath heeding to its master. Despite the ferocity of the oncoming attack. Water met fire. The two elements clashed, snuffling each other out, filling the stadium with a thin mist. The battle raged on, the colosseum cheered and gasped with every twist and turn of the duel. Undeterred by Percy's resilience the firebenders intensified their assaults. Twin pillars of flames illuminated the stadia in a dazzling display of light and heat.
Percy lifted his arms upwards and the mist around him condensed. A tidal wave formed in front of the son of Piandao protecting him yet again from the fiery columns. As the flames were extinguished Percy punched forwards. This time water barreling towards the firebenders like a tsunami.
The firebenders quickly returned the favour. Releasing an incredible wave of fire that crashed against the wave. The swell of water and torrent of flames warred against each other for minutes. Two counter opposing elements refusing to yield an inch of dirt.
Azula watched on with amazement. The waterbender has impressed her. He controlled his element with effortless skill and determination. His moves were graceful but his power raged like a storming sea. She glanced at her father briefly who looked upon the flight with an evil smile. Azula now understood. These were never duels but a weapons assessment. Her father was going to use Perseus in his conquest of the world if he lived.
Azula returned her attention to the fight once again. She watched as Percy separated his wave allowing the fire to pierce through. The Son of Piandao side stepped yet again, this time the flames licked his upper body, singeing and burning his cloak.
The water returned to its master, a swirling cyclone dancing around him. It retreated him behind him, creating an arc of ice around the teenager. Percy glared at the fighters. He removed his robes, revealing his bare upper body. Well defined muscles glistened with sweat underneath the hot sun. Azula felt a hot flush flow to her cheeks. Years of training and discipline sculpting a statuesque figure.
"That was my favourite cloak. You're going to regret that."
"He is arrogant." Her father muttered.
"He is simply confident brother, he believes he will win." Her uncle spoke for the first time since Perseus started the duels.
"And do you believe he will win." Her father stared daggers in the direction of Iroh.
"I've seen his bending many times. I know he will." Iroh stated with confidence.
Azula continued to watch as the fighting resumed. Perseus slid his left foot forward changing stance. The ice behind and around him exploded into thousands of thick chunks. The waterbender rushed forward, the ice smashing towards the direction of the two firebenders. They rushed through a kata, conjuring an incredible arc of flames that barely protected them from the ice. Several pieces broke through the fire unmelted and clattered off of the fighters.
Grunts escaped them, the ice nearly knocking them over. Perseus continued his march forward closing the distance. The fight was now close quarters, the three circling each other apprehensively. Waiting for an opening.
The son of Piandao attacked first. A fist of ice rushing to one fighters face. The three erupted. A cyclone of fire, water, and ice battling it out in tight space. Perseus was constantly weaving and flowing, he was like the currents of the ocean. Wherever the two firebenders attacked, the son of Piandao had already moved. He punched and kicked out, one of the two firebenders eventually knocked unconscious.
A shift of his foot and the defeated warrior was encapsulated in ice. His attention turned and the boy was swiftly protected by a tendril of water. His split attention nearly caused his end. With renewed vigor Perseus increased the onslaught. Ice and water danced, any fire that came close to him was dispatched thoughtlessly. The two were barely a foot apart and with a sweep of Percy's the leg the Firebender came crashing down.
Before he could continue fighting a sword made of ice appeared in the son of Piandao hand. The tip of the blade against his throat.
The gong erupted, this time the stadium was much louder now at the waterbenders' success. He was the first challenger to have made it to the final duel. Azula had been unable to disengage her eyes off of the form of Perseus. She watched as he yet again returned to his side of field, kneeling on his knees in a seated position. The son of Piandao looked up towards the royal box. Sea green eyes met amber.
/
The Pit of the Colosseum.
Percy once again found himself lost in a pair of golden eyes. The Princess of the Fire Nation. The son of Piandao would confess that she was beautiful. Dark ebony hair was intricately braided. Her features were sharp, and she was adorned with the finest silk robes that clung to her lean figure.
The two were staring at each other for brief seconds before a familiar voice boomed in the colosseum. "Son of Piandao."
The stadium returned to silence, everyone's attention captured by the Fire Lord. He once again stood up commanding undivided focus. "I will confess that your capabilities with water have been impressive. You have been the first to reach the final duel. For this final fight you shall be blindfolded."
"As you wish my liege." Percy bowed, moving over to the rags of his robes that were left. He removed a long piece of cloth and returned to kneeling as he blinded his vision.
Percy began meditating the moment his vision was covered. He stretched to his connection of water, focusing on his breathing as he did so. He heard the Fire Lord decree the next fighter he faced but he didn't care to remember the name. The Son of Piandao's senses were roaring at him. He could feel the numerous puddles of water that littered the field. Structures of ice that he had left in his wake melting underneath the rays of the evening sun. The air was dense and humid, drenched in moisture from the previous fights. Water churned in the guttering at the edges of the field.
Percy could feel it everywhere. It was immense, a tempest of power awaiting his beck and call. He sensed the arrival of his next challenge.
"I am Kai, son of Admiral Commander Zhao. I have bested countless waterbenders, you won't be the last."
"And I am Perseus son of Piandao. Underestimating me will be your gravest mistake."
Percy stood up, and orientated himself to be directly in line with his next duelist. He grounded himself in a formidable stance, prepared for his final challenge. A gong erupted yet again. The final fight had started. Percy could sense Kai carefully walking trying to circle him. The son of Piandao decided to mirror his movement, he may not have had his sight but he could see all. Water was everywhere.
He could feel the firebender weave an intricate kata and Percy willed as much water into a great pond behind him. The kata ended with a punch and the teenager knew a fireball was thundering towards him. He willed a tendril of water to protect him, and the water rushed at the call of its master.
Steam billowed in front of him. He was successful in intercepting the fire, Percy smirked. He could sense an increased rampage in Kai's attacks. Immense pillars and walls of flames were crashing towards him. The son of Piandao twirled and the water listened to his commands. He was encapsulated in a whirling tornado of water, the fiery onslaught deflected.
He rushed Kai, his hand quickly pressed together and were forced forewords. The water mirrored his movement, diving forwards in a rampaging torrent. Percy could sense his water thundering in the direction of Kai. It was blocked by an incredible jet of flames.
The two were still distant, copying each others movements as the side stepped in a wide circle. Yet again the two attacked simultaneously, a raging wall of water rushed the left side of the field as a column of flames attacked the right. Steam was billowing as the two elements clashed. It was an immense demonstration of willpower by two master benders.
Unknown to Percy the crowd was in awe. The spectacle of the fighters was truly amazing. The fight was a testament to the power of the bending arts. The raging waters and fire clashed for moments, never faltering.
Percy knew he had to up the ante. He pressed one foot forward and ice formed from the ground rushing in the direction of Kai. Percy could sense the flames falter but Kai had avoided the attack.
The son of Piandao continued moving forward, elegantly and graceful contorting his arms commanding the water to attack. Tendrils of water and ice flew towards Kai and an arc of liquid fire quenched the water.
The two were slowly growing ragged from their exertions. The fighting had been demanding of them. Percy was catching his breathe briefly and he could sense Kai enacting a familiar Kata. It was unrefined and simplistic but Percy was more than aware of what it entailed.
He quickly deflected the blast a wave of water. The smell of ozone clogged his nose and the echo of thunder rumbled in the stadium
Percy senses screamed at him and he quickly sidestepped. Another bolt barely missed him. He could not outrun the lightning strikes all day.
The stadium was quiet aside from the continued fight that raged between. Thunder echoed and water roared.
An incredibly arc of lightning was rocketing toward Percy. He took his own stance, calling on the water around him to contain the lightning. He sensed an immense tendril water connect with the lightning, and as he twirled the water danced around him. He directed his hands in the direction of Kai and the supercharged water hurled towards the son of Zhao.
A thunder booked and Kai thrown some distance. A groan escaped the man's lips. Percy had won.
The son of Piandao turned around, ready to return to his side of the field. Just as his back faced Kai and a gong erupted a roar erupted in the stadium.
Percy's senses screamed at him and went haywire. He felt a tug of his gut and Percy had sensed what he subconsciously controlled.
A lightning bolt barely missed, flying in the narrow space above his left shoulder. The gong erupted and the voice of Fire Lord Ozai announced the end of the duel.
Percy should have been immensely proud with himself but he felt nothing but a harrowing, hollow pit in his soul. He crossed a line with his bending he never knew existed. As he was removing his blindfold his connection with the water left him.
He could no longer feel the water call to him.
/
Authors Note
This has without a doubt been the most difficult chapter I've written for the story so far. I know it's titled five duels and only four took place but I wanted this to be a showcase of Percy's strength and ability to overcome the odds.
I really enjoyed writing from Zuko's and Azula's perspective. We're now in the meat of the story where we're going to see everyone's favourite demigod intertwined with the royal family.
I have to say I also found it really difficult at first to write the bending fights but I think I'm proud where it ended up. Wonder what Percy means when he says he crossed a line? ;)
A big shoutout to everyone who's followed and favourited and joined on the journey, I hope yous have enjoyed this chapter. As always going to react and reply to some reviews.
Thanks to CRUDEN, Yaw6113, and skelconpeverall for leaving reviews.
Trife: thanks for your kind words mate, hope you've enjoyed how these fights have played out.
Chaosmaker55: yeah man lightning made of ice is going to be a fun tool to play with
Superhero01: I love writing the Percy and Piandao moments, Percy's always an actual good and caring father in his life so it's good that he has one. Hope you've enjoyed the duels, gotten to see more of Percy and how he bends.
Heretoread21: don't worry mate I don't feel like your flaming. Whilst I absolutely understand your concerns with the similarities of the start of this story with Sapphire Flame I can assure this ain't going to be a rewrite. After thinking for weeks on how I wanted to do the story I thought the basis of this format to begin from was the best way to go. I fully intend for this to be its own story over 3 books that will differ in many ways from the show and Sapphire Flame. Thanks for your kind words on my writing style, I appreciate the compliment.
The story is going to follow the main plot of the show, things will change and sagas will be different. That will come with time don't worry.
On the topic of Sapphire flame I want to give another shoutout to that story and the author Silas-the-Sith 05.
Go give the guy some love and appreciation for his incredible story. It's good to see him have updated earlier in the month but go give some love his way.
Once again I wanted to thank everyone for the reception to the story and the last chapter. To nearly double the reviews with the most recent chapter has felt absolutely incredible. I have been so happy this week seeing them come in.
If you've enjoyed follow and join the journey, please leave a review and share your thoughts or questions.
I intend on reacting and replying to reviews every chapter so keep them coming. I love talking to you guys.
Take care
Admeto