4 Discovering the Capital of Fire (corrected)

I have to apologize for a comment that said it was in another language. When I checked, I realized that I had forgotten to translate it. thanks for the warning

***

It's been two weeks since I met and fought with my son. Now we're on my boat heading for the capital of fire.Kai and I haven't spoken to each other during this period, but I've done an investigation with a big report ordering the island's authorities to report everything about my son.

Thanks to this, I got to know Kai's life through the reports. I, more than anyone, can understand that a forced relationship won't work, but defeating him in combat would make him understand something simple, superiority. Any animal would understand this instinctively, so a human would get the message more easily.

From the stories, I learn about his culinary tastes, his training routine, his studies in different disciplines such as history, geopolitics and the military. Because of his origin, Katsu was careful to raise Kai in secret, without having to leave the island.

I was just watching one of the latest reports on Kai's story. It was about his relationship with Katsu. I confess I was curious, I've seen Katsu's rebellious side, but not his maternal side.

I must admit that she did a good job, dedicating herself entirely to Kai's training, to the point that at the age of 4 he was able to bend over for the first time, causing a fire in his room. By the age of 8, he was able to replicate his mother's special subdivomination. According to authorities, Kai completed the technique 6 months ago, during Katsu's most fragile period, when he forced her to stay in bed until the end of her life.

- I can conclude that he is weaker in physical aspects compared to Katsu, but has a clear superiority in elemental mastery. -I commented to myself, ending the long and exhausting reading- I was able to master him not because of his power, but because of his lack of real experience.

By limiting ⅓ of my strength, I was able to suppress his current techniques, but I wonder how much he'll grow in a year or two.

I get up from my chair, go to the door and, when I open it, I'm greeted by a soldier who was waiting for an order from me or the ship's captain.

- Where's Kai?" I ask the soldier without looking at him.

- Mr. Ozai, he's in the bow, do you want me to call him?

- That won't be necessary. - I headed towards the bow of the ship, while I could see some discreet glances on the only subject of the moment.

With every step I took, the figure of Kai became clearer. He was sitting next to the railing, just lost in his thoughts, while his black hair was loose and blowing in the wind.

Kai's arms were completely covered in bandages, and he wore predominantly black clothes, which contrasted with the white bandages. According to the doctor, my firstborn's regeneration has been unusual, to the extent that the injuries from the last confrontation took months to recover.

- What do you want? - Kai asked, without stopping to look at the sea.

- You'll live with me in the royal palace, but don't think you'll have the title of prince or any privileges, including the right to the throne.

- It's perfect for me, it's not my style to live a life full of politics. You've just saved me from a burden too great for me.

- I've read stories about your childhood on the island, but I want to know if there's anything you want or need when we set sail. - I approach Kai, standing 2 meters away.

For some reason, I felt compelled to try to talk to him. Perhaps I've been confused by everything that's happened these days, or because I've dedicated these last few days solely to getting to know my son.Strangely, seeing him gave me a bitter feeling. Over the last 11 years, I've followed Zuko and Azula's life in its entirety and I'm pleased with the results so far. The idea that I had no say in Kai's life may be having an impact on me.

- "What do you see?" I asked, looking in the direction my son was looking.

- "When we move forward, they move forward too, like the waves of the sea, there's no stopping the tides of the battlefield. But you can stand above while the sun shines, casting a shadow over your enemies, leaving them in darkness, because we are the light. - Kai said serenely.

- I've never heard of that story." I subtly let my curiosity take over for a moment, following the flow of the conversation.

- "My mother said that, it's like some kind of family story. She liked to point out that the world is a war and the war is the world itself. If you fall, all you can do is get up.I glanced subtly at my bastard son out of the corner of my eye, his eyes had a slight scarlet glow and a subtle hint of nostalgia in his expression.

- Hummm. - I retreated, realizing that Kai wouldn't say any more than that.

- "That lightning bend was incredible," Kai said, raising his voice, without stopping to stare at the sea.

Ozai returned to his personal quarters with a neutral expression, but my eyes were shining. The eyes are a reflection of the soul and, at that moment, a strong feeling dominated his heart.

- If you want to learn, I'll be waiting. - I reply, without showing any enthusiasm, knowing that the adrenaline rush I felt a few days ago could return sooner than later.

*** 

Point of view: Kai

There were still a few days to go before we entered the territory of the capital of fire, the distance from the island where I had lived for so long was quite considerable, but that didn't bother me, it was the first time I had left home.

During my stay on the ship, I was practically "alone", I didn't talk to anyone more than necessary, just asking questions like: "Where am I going to sleep or what time is lunch".

Thanks to my senses, I could easily see the eyes of everyone on the ship watching me and there was nothing I could do about it.

At that time, I was content with just physical training and meditation. Thanks to the swaying of the ship, I was able to improve my balance point with my elementary technique, and that made a difference; putting yourself in an environment that lacks stability is great for going over the basics of fire bending.

When we finally arrived at the port, we were greeted by a large number of soldiers, lined up waiting for His Majesty. Ozai was the first to come out, walking proudly with his chest puffed out. As I wanted him to trip and fall into the sea, it would be good redemption for making me a lightning rod.

To be honest, I didn't know what to do, I'd never been advised how to behave on this kind of occasion, especially in public. Since I'm the bastard son of an authority figure like the Lord of Fire, I don't know whether to hold my head high or not.

Damn it, Mom, I don't understand why you never prepared me for this. It's only been three months since I found out who my father was and how I was never disciplined at the academy. I clearly understand that it's one thing to know the customs and another to put them into practice.

Throughout my life I've been guided by the path of strength, understanding only what was necessary about how to behave, but I was very nervous because of the amount of people, it was a pressure I'd never felt before.When Ozai touches the floor of the island, he turns to face Kai, giving him a silent message with his eyes.

Seeing his father's gaze, Kai followed him off the boat, slowly and with a certain elegance in every step. Many looked at him confused, not understanding his identity.Kai approached slowly, taking care not to overtake Ozai, staying by his side.

- Follow me, without looking at people, stay focused. -Ozai gave an order so that only Kai could hear.

After his order, Ozai, now in his role as Fire Lord, walked up to a carriage that was clearly powered by human energy, with four people around it, one on each side. The carriage had red robes decorated with fire symbols as its main feature, with additional details clearly made of gold. Inside it was easy to see who was sitting, with two armchairs facing each other.

I followed him, keeping a distance of 4 meters, not even looking to the side as ordered. When Ozai arrived in his carriage, he got in with dignity in a move that seemed to have been practiced many times.

Ozai, after sitting down, looked at me again, giving a small, imperceptible nod, something that only people with good eyes would notice. Kai, replicating as much as he could at first glance, got into the vehicle, coming face to face with his father, avoiding any expression on his face.

If for many the young man's identity was strange, now that they saw him not only walking behind his king, they witnessed something that not even the princes, the sons of the fire lord, could do. Ride in the carriage beside the king.

With each passing minute, as we entered the royal capital, people bowed as if the Fire Lord were a god, their faces clearly filled with joy at seeing their lord, even once in a lifetime. However, when they saw Ozai, they inevitably noticed another figure.

I felt overwhelmed by the pressure; if it was uncomfortable at the port, now having an entire city with hundreds or even thousands of people bowing and cheering for my father made me feel a certain embarrassment, as I still had bandages on my arms and no proper clothes.

He watched my father, eyes closed, not caring about being acclaimed, taking the opportunity to make observations about the city, understanding a little about its infrastructure and its people.

- Don't look away, Kai. -Ozai said, with his eyes closed, keeping his pose.

- I understand." I remained silent for a few minutes, trying to gather the courage to speak. I didn't understand why I was afraid to speak, whether it was because he was the only family I had or because of the situation I was in.

- *sigh* You can ask Kai. -Ozai said, guessing at his son's silence, as if he could read his mind.

- Why am I here? With you on top of it, I feel some not-so-pleasant eyes in the back of my head.

- You're my son, whether you're naughty or not, your image is linked to me. - I crossed my arms and finally opened my eyes to Kai. - Sooner or later, people will know that I have an illegitimate son. Introducing you to my side would have less impact than the other way around, and I've made it clear that you'll be my sword. I think you understand why I referred to you as a weapon. - Ozai continued, his voice serious, without stopping to look at his son.

Kai listened attentively to his father's words. Revealing the existence of a third child is far from complicated, but if you face the revelation head on, the negative impact can be reversed with less effort.

After a few minutes that seemed like hours, Ozai and Kai arrived at their destination.

The royal palace was gigantic, easily the largest building the young Kai had ever seen in his life. Still surrounded by guards, the vehicle slowly descended without causing the men carrying it to tremble.

- So? What do I do?" I asked, not knowing what my next steps would be.

A dozen well-dressed maids appeared, along with two soldiers. They lined up in formation for his majesty.Ozai was the first to leave, followed by Kai, who had been repeating his movements since he left the ship.

- I want you to take this young man to one of the rooms we have available. Prepare some decent clothes for him, I want him to be well prepared for dinner," ordered Ozai.

Kai, without much choice, was instructed by the maids and followed by two guards who appeared out of nowhere to escort the stranger to his eyes.

Ozai, realizing that the figure of his firstborn son had disappeared, began to make his way to the throne room, already imagining the amount of files that had accumulated in his absence.

Suddenly, the door leading to it was opened, revealing a short figure wearing high-ranking robes, with a tiara in her hair that revealed her title as the nation's princess.

"Welcome, my father," Azula said in a respectful tone, bowing before her father figure.