Chapter 11

Captain Zhao flattered himself that he was not usually one to brag. But there were times where one deserved to boast, and this was definitely one such time!

He was a man touched by destiny. He'd known it ever since the day he'd found Wan Shi Tong's library, and the scroll that revealed the identity of the moon and ocean spirits within.

He would someday obtain glory everlasting as Zhao the Moonslayer, the one who rid the world of the scourge of waterbending forever!

The only thing that stood between him and his destiny was power. Only an admiral had the authority to lead an invasion against the Northern Water Tribes on the scale that he needed, and as a captain he was still two ranks away from that lofty position.

He had lied, betrayed and cheated to get this high up the ranks, but now it seemed that destiny had delivered the tool he needed to climb those final steps right into his lap.

He'd known Tanya would be something special ever since the day he saw her compete against Princess Azula.

It had been a stroke of pure good fortune that he'd been the first one to meet her after she first demonstrated her firebending talents, and that he'd been able to sway her into his command so easily, yet even back then he hadn't fully realised just what a prodigy she would turn out to be.

Not only was she a real firebending master at the age of thirteen, but one blessed with an incredible gift for flight, a tactical genius as efficient as it was cruel, and a close connection to the firelord's daughter.

Firelord Ozai himself had sent private messages to him inquiring about Tanya's progress, making it clear that she was someone he had singled out from the common rabble as someone of great importance to the future of the Fire Nation.

And now that same rising star was bound to him. He was sure to be promoted to commander for the overwhelmingly successful capture of this Earth Nation vessel, and had Tanya to thank for it. He would continue to keep the girl close by his side, sharing her successes and promoting her in lockstep with his own ascension through the ranks.

Some of his men were already calling her the Fairy of the Fire Nation because of her dainty appearance, and Zhao couldn't help but think the description was apt. On the wings of this fairy he would soar towards the bright destiny that awaited him!

Yes, he was without doubt the one chosen by destiny.

...

Down, down Anson sank into the depths, unable to muster enough strength to so much as twitch his fingers, or close his lips against the bubbles of air that escaped his lungs. It was so cold, so dark, and yet with each passing second distantly comfortable, like falling asleep.

In his last moments Anson's thoughts turned to the family he was leaving behind at home, unprepared for the nightmare that was heading their way from across the sea, and his heart was gripped by fear and regret. Without thinking his lips began to move, chanting a silent prayer.

"Oh spirits, I pray to you for a better future for my daughter."

And as the darkness claimed him, Anson heard a voice, deep and ancient, ring out to him from the depths.

"Like an étoile in ballet, or a prima donna in opera, she will have an unbreakable will and a glittering destiny. For I have heard you, and by my will it shall be done."

...

Far across the sea, behind the great walls of Ba Sing Se, a beautiful woman dressed in the green of the earth kingdom gasped, suddenly stricken by a deep sadness.

She did not know how she knew, but something in her heart told her that the worst had indeed come to pass. Her beloved husband was gone. He would never return home to hold her and their darling daughter together in his arms.

Without thinking her hands came together, and her thoughts coalesced into a whispered prayer on her lips.

"Oh spirits, I pray to you to protect my daughter. All I want is for her, the most precious thing my husband left behind in this world, to be protected!"

And in that moment she could swear that a voice, deep and ancient, whispered down to her from the sky.

"Swords will break before her, arrows will dodge her, fire will not reach her, and her wounds will heal. For I have heard you, and by my will it shall be done."

...

Upon the walls of Ba Sing Se a young girl stood, staring out at the horizon before her. Out in the distance, somewhere beneath the setting sun, the armies of the Fire Nation marched to war, carving death and destruction upon the land in their wake.

Such wanton evil was sure to draw the one she sought, the devil she had sworn to hunt across the very reaches of time and space, like a shark to fresh blood. Yet the great walls built to protect the city she lived in caged her, trapping her from chasing her divine destiny.

If only she had been born an earthbender like her father. One powerful enough to join the military and fight back against the darkness. Then she would surely be able to find and defeat the devil once and for all. Unbidden, the words formed together on her lips into a quiet prayer.

"Oh lord, I pray to you to grant me the power I need to fight the devil."

And in that moment she could swear that a voice, deep and ancient, rumbled up to her from beneath the earth.

"Rock shall part at your passing. Stone shall shatter at your fury. Earth shall bend at your will."

"For I have heard you once again, my chosen one. And by my will it shall be done."

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