34 Chapter 34

This chapter is for your power stones (extra chapter)

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After several days of traveling at maximum speed and surviving a storm in the ocean, we were told that we had reached the gates of Azulon. A monumental structure that commands respect with its size and the fact that it's not just a decoration but also one of the ways to protect against enemy invasion. In case of an alarm, chains located underwater rise thanks to special mechanisms and ignite with fire. Only the most powerful of the Fire Nation's warships, whose engines would allow them to not get entangled in the chains, could overcome such a defense. The chains are very thick and made of some extremely heat-resistant and durable metal, so... it's really one of the main lines of defense for the Fire Nation, which will buy a considerable amount of time to fully prepare for defense and meet the enemy.

I would have passed by this sight if not for Azula, who asked Ty Lee to call me. As she said, she wanted me to see this monument to one of her ancestors.

Another hour and a half of the ship's gradually slowing progress, and we docked at the port.

"The port is a separate part of the capital, which is over there," Azula pointed to a volcano connected by a wide road. "However, over a long time, the port has turned into a separate small city without a name, though technically it's still part of the capital."

"Very interesting. So, the capital is located inside the crater of a volcano?" I asked.

"Yes. The volcano has been dormant for thousands of years and shows no signs of activity. So, it's safe to live there. Moreover, the weather there is wonderful, and there are almost no winds - the volcano protects from winds and storms. That's also why not many people live in the port - they move to the capital. Not everyone, only the wealthiest among them. The territory for the capital is limited by the crater of the volcano, and so the cost of housing in the capital is constantly rising. The density of buildings increases, the population grows, and only the richest can afford a large area in the capital. The imperial family is the exception. We don't have that many houses - we simply don't need them. A palace in the capital, a few houses in different cities, and one villa on the coal island. Yes, and a few houses in the colonies."

"Not too wealthy, Princess Azula," I responded, walking beside her as one of the soldiers pushed her wheelchair. "I thought the imperial family would have more property. After all, the Imperial family. One would expect more."

"Perhaps. But we simply don't need more. We are not afraid of being overthrown. It's possible, but it wouldn't happen as it might in, say, the Earth Kingdom. Here, any firebender could potentially become the Fire Lord. All it takes is to defeat the current Fire Lord in an Agni Kai.

However, few dare to attempt it. The last such challenger was killed in a duel with my father seven years ago. My father is one of the strongest, if not the strongest, firebenders. And in the last seven years, no one has dared to challenge him. So, there's no fear of being overthrown. Our lineage is the strongest among all current firebenders. Lightning, by the way, is a distinctive trait of our lineage, if someone else possesses this element, they likely, like you, received this knowledge as a gift. There are very few such individuals. You're the third. The others are in our lineage. That is, me, my father, and Uncle Iroh.

"Isn't there a fear that someone very strong but foolish might come, win, and take power? That would be a disaster for the Fire Nation."

"In theory, yes, but not in practice. If we didn't have bending and fought with weapons, perhaps it would be so. However, we are benders. A regular bender can be foolish, but to be a strong bender, strong enough to kill my father in an Agni Kai, one needs to be strong in body, spirit, and mind. Without one of these, such immense power is unattainable. So, it's natural selection. And our lineage is at the top of this pyramid."

"Incredible. On one hand, it seems very unreliable, but if everything is really as you say, then with each change of power, the next ruler must be better than the last in every way. As all this affects his strength. His body, his spirit, his mind."

"Yes, you've understood everything correctly, Garo."

Mai and Ty Lee followed us, also talking about something.

Forty minutes later, we arrived at the capital. The ascent was long, but hardly anyone felt tired from such a climb.

When we reached the highest point of the volcano, a magnificent view of the capital opened up. The densely built streets, looking like thin threads of roads that wove through the city like a web. At the center stood the enormous palace of the Fire Lord.

"And the view..." I said, stopping and looking over the city, which really looked... epic, "is impressive. No doubt about it."

"Sure, in your little village, you've never seen anything like it!" Azula said with a satisfied smile, looking at me.

"Yes, I've never seen anything like this before. I'm very glad you brought me here, Princess Azula."

"Azula. I'm tired of you calling me princess. I know that myself and don't need reminding. Let's go, we shouldn't make father wait - he doesn't like that."

Mai and Ty Lee exchanged looks and, chuckling about something, Mai led the way. After a while, Ty Lee followed. Azula in her wheelchair, pushed by one of the soldiers, came right after them. I walked beside Azula.

Now we descended into the crater, and I, curious, turned my head in all directions, trying to memorize the position of each house and street, correlating visual information with the impulses of information I received from seismic sense, which I activated for a couple of seconds, followed by a twenty-second break. Thus, I correlated the not-so-clear information received from earthbending with visual information.

Passersby looked back at me turning my head like I was some kind of oddity, Ty Lee smiled at this, and Azula paid no attention, lost in her thoughts. The only one who seemed completely indifferent, as if everything was beside her, was Mai. She walked with a stoic expression, continuing just the same.

Finally, we reached the imperial palace. Fire Nation soldiers in full red armor with closed visors lined up in two rows opposite each other and placed the fist of their right hand to their chest, freezing in this pose.

"You're dismissed," Azula told the soldier pushing her wheelchair.

"But Princess, your..." the soldier began.

"Did I not make myself clear?" Azula said coldly.

Now, I almost teared up from nostalgia. This was the Azula I was accustomed to seeing, to some extent, and knowing, and here I was getting used to how she treated me. So, her attachment is precisely an addition that changed her attitude towards me specifically, not a complete change in her character.

The soldier released the wheelchair and stepped back, knowing it was pointless to even argue with Princess Azula, then joined one of the ranks.

"Garо, will you push me?" Azula turned to me and looked me straight in the eyes.

"As you say, Azula, as you say. I can't refuse such a small favor... for the first time."

Smiling, Azula turned forward, and I started pushing her wheelchair.

On the way to the Fire Lord's palace, where, as Mai told us, the ministers forming the council were currently located, I noticed constant glances at me. While I could understand those from Ty Lee, I couldn't fathom why the soldiers, or rather, the guards, were looking at me. Thoughts ranged from envy to recognizing me as Freo, but all had equally plausible likelihoods. So, I had no idea.

The palace was dimly lit, with fire illuminating the entire space, and was full of people, from aristocrats to the servants of this huge building! However, when we arrived at the entrance to the throne room, we found no one there except two soldiers who immediately opened the massive doors.

Inside, as we entered, I saw a triple row of thick columns with golden bases, each larger than a person. At the center, at the end, was a pedestal behind which was a wide wall of fire, with the silhouette of a person visible behind it.

We moved forward and, stopping at the last column, kneeled. Or rather, I did, following the example of Mai and Ty Lee, while Azula remained seated in her wheelchair, only bowing her head.

"Forgive me, Father, for not being able to kneel as is proper, but I am not in a condition to do so," Azula said.

"I've heard what happened to you," came the voice from behind the wall of fire. "It's very sad. So, you didn't find Zuko and my brother?"

"I found them, Father, and almost captured them, but the folly and stupidity of the ship's captain, who with one word destroyed all I had worked for, allowed them to escape."

"And how did you end up encountering the Avatar?" Ozai asked Azula.

"I was assembling a personal squad with whom I could swiftly pursue the traitors without drawing too much attention, but I accidentally stumbled upon the Avatar. In the fight, I managed to wound him, but he entered the Avatar state, after which I lost my legs. What happened after that, I only know from others' words."

"And you are Garo?" the Fire Lord turned to me.

"Yes, my Lord."

"Is it true that you were able to restore my daughter's legs?" he asked me.

"Yes, my Lord. But it's a lengthy process and will only be complete in about two and a half to three weeks. Unfortunately, if the technique is applied to someone else, its effectiveness significantly decreases."

"I don't know what this technique is, I don't know who you are, where you're from, but..." at these words, the man stood up and walked towards us. He passed through the wall of fire and took a few more steps towards us until he stopped in front of me. He was a well-preserved, determined, still young-looking man with black hair falling down his back and a long, pointed beard, "I personally, as a father, am grateful to you for what you did for my daughter. And as the Fire Lord, I am even more grateful to you for giving our lineage a chance to continue ruling the Fire Nation and not be swept away just because of an unfortunate incident that happened to my daughter. Thank you."

With these words, the standing Ozai placed his left hand into a fist, the back of which was facing outward, and placed the base of his right palm on the fist, then slightly bowed to me.

"You will always be a welcome guest in my home. And while Azula is not going anywhere and is recovering from her injuries, I would like you to live in the palace as a new friend of our lineage."

I lifted my head and looked into the eyes of Fire Lord Ozai, the strongest or one of the strongest firebenders. Now he was smiling and slightly bowing to me in gratitude for helping his daughter. Imagine that...

...maybe my ideas are even more real than I thought...

"I am honored to accept Your invitation to Your home, my Lord!"

Enjoy reading, and don't forget: for every 200 Power Stones you donate, I'll post an additional chapter.