New responsibilities

Pov Kai:

A few weeks had passed since that vision and, contrary to my plans to return to meditation to continue on my spiritual path, I ended up making drastic changes to my plans at the last minute.

At that moment, I was lying in bed reading a children's story to Jefh, who was about to fall asleep after a long day. 

In a nutshell, Jefh is an orphan who lost his mother more than three years ago due to river pollution. This event drastically affected his mind and, even after years, he refused to be adopted, not even Ayumi's maternal charms could convince him.

For some reason, Jeph became attached to me, always wanting to stay with me or play with me. This was reinforced by Ayumi, who encouraged me to adopt him practically and forcefully. 

After we met that night, Jeph started following me everywhere, even entering private meetings just to see me, always wanting me to do those little fire shows.

I was fully aware that I wasn't a normal person for my age, but being a father was something I wouldn't be until I married Azula. However, the days I spent getting to know the boy made me think about giving him some attention, in the hope that he would realize that Ayumi was much better at looking after him.

As the weeks went by, I became attached to the boy and, without realizing it, I practically changed my routine and my plans to look after him in my few free moments. Of course, Ayumi helped me look after him in my absence, but being responsible for a child was really more difficult than I expected.

Today was a very tiring day for me, I had to deal with many nobles who wanted to take a vacation at the resort. After a long day, I still had to divide up my time to get Jeph to sleep and, unfortunately for me, he was quite an energetic child.

- And so it was that the young adventurer was reunited with his brother. - I had just finished reading an adventure book. I watched carefully and noticed that Jeph had finally fallen asleep.

I was relieved, I had spent almost an hour reading a children's story to get him to sleep. I carefully got out of bed and pulled the covers over Jeph, watching him rest with a smile on his face. As much as he had his moments, it still annoyed me that he had stolen my bed and made me sleep on the sofa.

I went to the door of my cabin, got out and closed it carefully. I finally allowed myself to breathe a sigh of relief.

- So, how's life as a father? - said Huzo, leaning against the wall and mocking Kai.

- Better than his attempts to date Ayumi. 

- Hey, no offense. - Huzo squawked. - I'm not badmouthing your new parenting skills, I'm just complimenting you, asshole.

- That's because Ayumi put the responsibility on me. - I was venting my frustration. - Boy, how hard it is to take care of a child.

Huzo understood and was amused by Kai's situation, thinking that it couldn't be more amusing than his leader having practically "normal" problems from time to time. 

- Why don't you think it's strange that I take care of the child? - I asked. 

Kai, you're literally a military leader, leading more than 2,000 soldiers, not to mention that you own these lands and have become a war hero. And to think you haven't even reached adulthood yet. - Huzo commented as if it were obvious. - Having an adopted son now would be the most normal thing you've ever done.

- [I hate it when he's right] - I thought.

- Not to mention the rumors that you defeated the Fire Lord in a friendly duel. - Huzo whispered.

- That was anything but friendly... Wait, how do you know that? - I asked in surprise, noticing the look of astonishment on Huzo's face.

- So the rumors were true, damn it... you're literally the most powerful firebender in the world. - Huzo was stunned. 

- Shut the fuck up! I don't want anyone to know about this!

Huzo was confused because defeating the Fire Lord would be more impressive than defeating Fong.

- Why would it be? Any sane person would want to be recognized for such a feat!

- If they find out that I defeated Ozai, it could cause me big problems, and one of them is becoming a Fire Lord prematurely! A responsibility I would never want to carry. 

To be honest, ruling the lands of Jang Hui is hard enough; the idea of ruling the Fire Islands is practically insane. Besides, Azula dreams of being the next ruler of the Fire Nation, so I'll leave those matters to her. 

Huzo was even more surprised, but when he saw Kai's despair at such a thing, he burst out laughing. 

Kai automatically covered Huzo's mouth and pulled him away from his hut, not wanting to wake Jefh because of his hysterical laughter.

- You'll wake Jefh with your outrageous laughter. - warned Huzo angrily.

- I'm sorry, but you're really surprising, I thought being a father at such a young age would be a funny topic to use against you, and then you come with this bombshell news.

Huzo noticed how irritated Kai was by the conversation and realized that he had crossed the line.

- Look, if you need me, I can help you lighten one of your burdens. - Huzo smiled understandingly. - You don't have to look after the boy, we'll find him a family. Then you can concentrate on your main tasks.

I looked at Huzo thoughtfully, the idea was simple and effective, but I felt my instincts screaming at me not to do it. I remembered how Azula had suffered at the hands of Ursa and Ozai, a very toxic family life. 

Maybe the reason I've been looking after Jefh these weeks is because I don't want to see anyone else fall victim to parental absence or abuse, maybe I'm using Jefh to distract me from my problems.

Another fact is that Azula and I are in a relationship and will inevitably become parents at some point, so maybe this is an opportunity to mature that side of me. I really don't want to fail like Ozai and Ursa failed with their own children. 

- I'm going to keep him... - I look back at my hut. - Anything, I'll use your experience as a teacher to look after him for me.

- Anything but that, I've reached my limit, I can't take care of these children anymore. - Huzo whispered, afraid that someone would hear his words.

- I don't need to remind you that you want to impress Ayumi. - He laughed. 

- She's an incredible woman, but it's so hard...

- You could stop trying to please her if you were honest with her. - I said, ironically. - Why don't you confess now, she's after you!

Huzo turned around, afraid that his crush was listening to him, but to his surprise, there was no one there and the next thing he knew, he was kicked in the ass, causing him to fall into the water. 

- That's a low blow! - said Huzo angrily.

- Should I call Ayumi to save you? 

- Anything but that! 

At the top of one of the huts, Ayumi was reading a book, trying to enjoy the silence of the night, but was interrupted by the scandals of Huzo, who had inadvertently confessed his feelings to her indirectly, making her smile embarrassedly.

***

When the sun finally rose, I opened my eyes and realized that I had fallen asleep at my desk. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that Jeph was still asleep in my bed. 

I decided to leave my cabin and head for the cafeteria, which was already full of soldiers having breakfast.

- Good morning, General. - A soldier guarding the entrance to the cafeteria greeted me. 

- Good morning, General. - I greeted a pair of soldiers who were leaving.

I practically had to greet all my soldiers all the time. It was a normal thing to do every day, but it was repeated all the time. I took two plates, one for me and one for Jefh, and as I had nothing else to do, it didn't take me long to get back to my hut.

When I opened the door, I was surprised to see Ayumi feeding Jefh, miraculously keeping him distracted.

- If I'd known you were coming, I wouldn't have brought those snacks. - I said indignantly.

- Don't feel bad, I can eat the other one. - Ayumi gave me a friendly smile.

- Do spirits feed? - I asked in a whisper. 

- We don't have to, but it helps to disguise them better. - Ayumi replied and whispered to Kai.

Jefh was completely oblivious to the conversation around him, only focused on eating the treats.

- Why did Ayumi come? Is something wrong? - I asked, as I sipped some tea. 

- I came to tell you that I'm planning a new form of training. - said Ayumi enthusiastically. - As it's common for there to be other benders with different types of bending in your army, I've noticed that you still find it difficult to work as a team.

- My soldiers are not prejudiced against the other bents of their comrades, but combining different elements is still a challenge. What do you have in mind? 

- An arena of domination! A type of structure that can accommodate any type of element, where the goal is teamwork while developing speed and coordination. 

Ayumi has drawn up a construction plan, which is a rectangular structure divided into 3 zones on each side, with gates for the passage of water and disks of earth. There are even rules and limits to respect in each round.

- It's more like a sport. - I comment with interest, analyzing the images and the rules. - Do you think you can improve your mastery of the elements with this? 

- No, my goal is to promote teamwork. Unfortunately, it would be impossible to use the full power of a Bender in an arena like this. - explained Katsu seriously.

- That's a great idea, we could create separate sections to develop individual power. - I commented impressed, already thinking about the possibilities. - This could be the basis for an academy, the only problem is that we'd still need teachers specializing in the other elements.

- I'm a Water Master, so I can help with that, and you're one of the best Fire Benders of your generation. 

- All we need is a powerful veteran earth bender. The real problem is finding an earth bender who will offer to help us.

- Don't you control powerful earth benders? - Ayumi asked, confused.

- My soldiers' earthbending skills are only average, we don't have the means to help them any more than we already do. They could never reach the level of someone like Fong without a master to teach them. - I let out a sigh of disappointment.

Jeph was listening to the two of them talking and, when they started mentioning the elements, he became animated with memories of when Kai found him lost in the forest and started doing the moves of a bender, fantasizing that he was mastering fire.

- Looks like we have a new water bender. - joked Ayumi, watching Jeph's clumsy movements.

- I don't bend water, I bend fire! Just like Kai. - shouted Jeph, toasting his mastery.

I looked at Ayumi with superiority, seeing how indignant she was at the child's preference.

- I'll have you know that water is much more impressive! - Ayumi folded the tea that was in Kai's drink and began to make different figures with the ice, freely shaping the element to a higher level than the masters.

- My tea! - I shouted, but quickly noticed how much Jefh was enjoying Ayumi's show.

- Water can do good moves, but she can do this! - I activated my Fire Bender and started making different animal shapes.

It was practically a fantastic duel that would delight any child with the presentation of two elements from opposite poles.

- I admit we're on a level. - I admit it with reservations. - There's only one way to resolve this duel.

- What do you have in mind? 

- I'm going to awaken Jeph's powers. - I revealed my plan and surprised Ayumi. - So let's find out who wins this duel.

I approached Jeph, put my hand on his back, closed my eyes and finally activated his elemental connection.

- It can't be, how did you learn to use the Energy Bending? - Ayumi asked, stunned.

Ayumi's words made Kai ignore the child's elemental type and turn his attention to the spiritist.

- Energy Bending? What's that? 

- Wait, you mean you know how to use Energy Bending, but you have trouble entering the spirit world? - Ayumi looked indignant. 

- I don't understand, what is Energy Bending? - I asked, confused.

In their discussion, Kai and Ayumi paid no attention to the fact that Jeph was confused, overwhelmed by the feeling of having found something long lost.

- Energy bending is the source of power that all humans have access to, but it is widely used by all spirits and can be used to a lesser or greater degree. - Ayumi explained as she examined Kai. - Did anyone teach you how to use this technique?

- To tell you the truth, no, I learned it on my own two years ago, I didn't know it was normal for spirits. Now that I'm thinking about it, a lot of it makes sense.

- You're unbelievable... - Ayumi covered her face with her hand. - So, what's Jeph's element? 

- I have no idea, you distracted me. - I answer angrily.

- We can't ask him to bend. If it's the fire bend, it'll start a fire. 

- Don't worry, if it's fire, I can fix it without any side effects. - I say confidently. - Same thing, if it's water, you use your mastery to prevent damage.

- If it's land, we'll repair the damage later... but what about air? 

- Impossible! Airbending is so rare, it's only happened once in two years... - I'm interrupted by a strong wave of wind in my face, which ruffles my hair. 

Kai and Ayumi stared at Jefh as he controlled the air and fired gusts in imitation of a firebender.

- You've got to be kidding me! - I said, perplexed.

Next chapter: Destiny in flames part 1