Ashes of Devotion [ATLA - Azula x OC]

AN: Happy thanks giving friends. I hope you enjoyed your holidays. I'm going traveling today, going to visit my long-distance pookie heh, but I already have next two chapters ready in advance so you will see them published either way. Might be delay by a day or two on chapter 13 but it's still a three weeks away. We shall see.

-Luce
​

97 A.G

The courtyard training sessions had become a predictable part of her morning, but she maintained them so rigorously for reasons that had little to do with the child's development and everything to do with time. Lin tried to limit the time she spent training the Royal so she could focus on her own tasks as well.

Every minute Azula was kept occupied and drained was a minute Lin could redirect toward something that actually mattered. The military did not pause for noble bloodlines or adolescent prodigies, and the mainland's warfront remained plagued by preventable setbacks, like delays in communication, failures in coordination, and outdated signaling methods.

She was home now, technically on assignment, but she still received constant updates from the warfront and her mind couldn't help but chase improvements. There was work to do, and her schedule revolved around carving out the hours to do it.

Azula, to her credit, was as sharp as the reports her family had received about her. Her flames had turned cold-blue, hotter than anything Lin had ever faced before, by the end of the second week. It spoke volumes about her dedication and raw power.

Her reaction time during drills placed her in Lin's top percentile, rivaling even her Lieutenants. The girl lacked real experience, but her instincts were usually on point, her resolve efficient, and her understanding of terrain and movement surprisingly advanced.

Lin offered praise during tasks she expected Azula to struggle with but she had to adjust her estimations very quickly. The princess was a weapon in the making, an undeniably potent one. With proper shaping, she could be one of the most powerful benders in Fire Nation history.

Still, one capable student did not make up for the inefficiencies across the broader war machine. The Fire Nation's chain of command remained rooted in methods that had not evolved in decades. Field captains signaled with flags, horns, and colored smoke, methods rendered useless under jungle canopies or storm-heavy skies. It took a day of heavy fog for orders to be delayed.

Messengers traveled on foot or mounted beasts: Komodo Rhinos, Dragon Moose, Mongoose Lizards, all too slow and too dependent on weather and terrain. There were times where Lin had lost men to those delays, soldiers she had trained personally.

She had written their names into reports with the painful realization that this could have gone differently with faster communication, and she swore not to let it happen again. She owed it to them.

A proper communications system was a necessity. She understood radios in theory, but she didn't yet understand the workings of electricity. She knew that with a steam engine she could generate electricity, but designing a steam-driven generator was beyond her expertise.

She did not fully understand the science, but the concept was sound. The mainland had nothing like them, but if her engineers could replicate the functionality using just her ideas and more or less how they should work, maybe within the year they could have electricity.

First she needed to come up with a way to nudge them towards creating a battery. From there, the concept would shift into generating electricity constantly using motion. It sounded difficult enough in her head, but she wouldn't really be the one breaking her mind on the problem. She knew what she was good at, and when it was time to let other people step in.

Today though, she got fantastic news. The family workshops, fed by her father's network of contracts and mineral suppliers, had managed to isolate the reactive component in blasting jelly, a substance used in demolition. The ignition agent had proven remarkably stable once separated.

Now, she could influence a few blacksmiths to make better weapons, non-bender artillery in the making! She could introduce cannons and guns, making the non-benders a powerful force against people who still lived as if it were the Middle Ages. If a soldier could carry firepower without needing to bend, then the Fire Nation's reach would multiply. They were already winning, with added firepower, they would surely finally crush their enemies.

None of this could happen if she spent every waking hour giving lessons to Azula. The solution was to accelerate the girl's training, and so far, it had worked. The princess was too proud to quit, too obsessed with perfection to request breaks. Lin kept the sessions just long enough to exhaust her chi, then left her to recover alone and come back to poke at her brilliant mind for a bit. It was resource management for dummies, really.

Her evenings were spent poring over sketches and calculations, exchanging coded letters with her family's lead metallurgist, visiting blacksmiths in Hari Bulkan to test alloy samples for pressure tolerance. Her father had presented some designs to the Fire Lord himself on her insistence. He was intrigued to say the least, enough to approve the research.

She didn't need the recognition so she wasn't really bothered by her father taking the credit for it. What she really cared about was her nation coming on top. In her first life, her nation found itself engulfed in war as well. She would have loved to see her nation win back then.

She really wanted the Fire Nation to become unstoppable. Teaching the princess to become the best leader she could to win the war was part of that, but technological advancement mattered just as much.

The sun was cresting above the palace walls when she finished today's training cycle. Azula was panting, fire on her breath, but still upright.

"Well done, Princess. See you in the evening." she said simply.

She turned and walked away, shifting her mind from training a Royal to strengthening the Fire Nation army. There were blueprints to craft, people to talk to, and a city full of workers who had yet to grasp how much war was about to change with what she was about to introduce.
​

There was a quiet discomfort in her muscles, one that Azula had come to enjoy. It spread across her shoulders and lower back as she exited the courtyard, a mild ache from pushing herself beyond yesterday's limits. That was what training with Captain Lin felt like, measured exhaustion. The kind of exhaustion that left her both satisfied and drained. Even as her lungs burned and her limbs strained, she felt that she was improving day by day.

She had always been better than her peers. That had never been in question. Her previous teacher used to call a prodigy with fire in her soul, but Lin had never said anything of the sort. Lin gave small compliments when things were done right but never enough that it felt fake.

She gave corrections when necessary, yet she was far quieter than any instructor Azula had trained under. Azula had assumed it was an act of disdain at first, maybe the girl didn't want to be here.

During the first early evening lessons Lin spoke at length about her company and the army but once the small details were covered she never brought them up again. Azula had thought she missed the front lines, but now she wasn't so certain. Lin didn't seem disappointed or amused.

Most of the time she seemed too focused on their training, a very intense, unwavering gaze that left Azula oddly pleased. She seemed to give her full attention during every second of their lessons.

Azula had tried to match her. At first, it was a matter of pride. No instructor would leave her breathless. But Lin's pace was impossible; she seemed to have unlimited chi. Her movements were tight and brutal, her fire unending, and the way she stepped through Azula's attacks without pausing or even staggering against the heat made her feel as though she were fighting a mountain.

No amount of force had broken through. Her flames were now purely blue, not only when she pushed her hardest, but with every flame she produced. They were streaking hotter and more powerful than ever before, but they meant nothing if they couldn't defeat her opponent.

Sometimes her flames would leave a mark but it made no difference; Lin's limbs could withstand it or even be replaced, fixed or cleaned by the next lesson. Her bending was strong and her mind quite sharp. And yet, even with her cleverest angles and fiercest blasts, she had never landed a decisive blow in a spar.

It had begun to bother her a little, but it also gave her a challenge to look forward to. Her father had acknowledged her progress and even praised her for how powerful she was becoming. But Lin hadn't even bothered to mention her flames.

Azula suspected that if she ever managed to best her, the woman would simply rise, brush off the dust, and tell her to do it again with less wasted motion or faster.

Strategy drills had become part of their routine, with Lin giving her case studies, battle maps, and problems that required logistical thinking. Azula excelled in those lessons. While Lin's comments remained minimal, she never hid her approval when Azula reached the correct conclusions. And so, she pressed forward, eager to complete each puzzle, eager to impress the one person who refused to be impressed.

It was less frustrating than the firebending training, at least there she sometimes earned the occasional 'Well done.' 'Nice job'. By comparison the firebending lessons always ended abruptly. Lin simply left. No conversation or instruction for next time. Azula was left standing with nothing but the sound of her breathing and the cool wind brushing against her face.

Today had been no different. They had sparred for thirty minutes without pause, then she had used firebending nonstop for the following two hours. Azula had completed the entire training without faltering. And then Lin had wrapped up the lesson, then turned away again, vanishing down one of the palace corridors.

Azula stood alone now in the empty training circle, hair clinging to her forehead and her inner robes damp with sweat. There were still hours left in the day. She had already read every text on military history available in her wing. She didn't know how Lin kept bringing new scenarios, new ideas and new battle plans, so there was little she could do to prepare for the evening lesson.

The idea of idle time frustrated her; rest felt wasteful when she knew that she could keep going even if she couldn't firebending. She needed another task to occupy her mind, another problem to crush.

Perhaps her father could assign her another tutor to practice forms while her chi recovered. She thought about it and it seemed like a good plan, at least until her gaze shifted toward the direction Lin had taken.

'What does Lin do once she leaves?' she wondered. She wasn't a palace servant. She didn't eat in the royal dining hall or sleep in the noble quarters. Azula had never seen her socialize or meet with officers. She simply vanished after each lesson.

The question burned and her mind tried to assemble possibilities, each more boring than the last but there was a mystery there. The Renshi family manor wasn't that far away, but it would be inconvenient to go there and return to the evening lessons so she was probably not going home.

Azula paused, adjusted her sash and walked slowly across the courtyard toward the exit. She wasn't one to loiter, and she wasn't foolish enough to be seen stalking. But nevertheless, Azula wanted to know where she went.

The decision came easily, curiosity winning out over caution in her young mind. She quickly followed after her. She would find out what her captain did in her free time. She hoped the effort was worth it.
​

Azula had no difficulty moving through the palace unnoticed. The corridors had once seemed massive, towering halls filled with guards and military officers, but she had grown used to their rhythm. She had learnt to identify different footsteps from a distance, to quiet hers down as well.

She could count the guard rotations in her head without needing to glance at the time. Sneaking was never really needed when you are a princess, but she liked to know little secrets here and there. Having something to blackmail people with sounded like a good backup to have, in case someone close ever stepped out of line.

Captain Lin was quick, but she, like clockwork, first changed her clothes before leaving, and the palace had few exits that everyone knew about. She passed through the barracks with minimal disruption, only seen by a couple of guards who just saluted her and carried on.

Azula moved from shadow to column, keeping her distance. Once Lin exited the palace grounds, Azula followed through a narrow servant's path and ducked beneath a wall-side, doing her best to remain out of sight.

Hari Bulkan's lower quarter was busy with the sound of clanging metal and shouting vendors, but Lin moved like she belonged there. She didn't slow or hesitate as she stepped through the crowd. She wore her uniform with the insignia of House Renshi clearly visible on the collar, and only a few peasants glanced at her, even with her unique appearance.

Azula kept her head low, tucked her hair into her outer robe, and stepped carefully across the wider street, never letting Lin out of view. The building she entered was simple in structure, reinforced stone walls with no decoration, just the mark of a black anvil above the doorway.

It was fitting, she guessed, that the cold older girl would visit an armory in her free time, and judging by the lack of banners, likely private. Azula pressed against the opposite wall and waited. The sun had risen further now, casting long shadows through the narrow street, but no one paid her any mind, which worked in her favor.

She crept closer, until the voices from inside became audible.

"…No, the alloy won't fracture under that pressure. But I have never heard of something that would ignite that kind of force, much less from a firebender. I can temper the steel as much as possible, but I wouldn't know until I get a look at the ignition."

"I'll handle the ignition separately. You just need to make the barrel." came Lin's voice, clipped and direct.

"And you want me to use this design… why do you need it like that?"

"It's a technique called rifling, it helps with accuracy, range and power as it spins the projectile when fired. The spinning gives stability mid-air."

"But it makes it harder to cast…"

"You will have to step up, friend."

Azula narrowed her eyes, piecing the fragments together. A weapon, clearly. Something with explosive force. Not for benders, since firebenders couldn't generate the power they were talking about. She knew Lin had an interest in tools and military advancement, but she had not expected this level of personal involvement.

"…Payment is already arranged. Have it ready by next week and I will pay extra. I'll return with the frame and ignition." Lin added.

The armorer grunted in agreement. Azula took a half-step back, intending to return to the courtyard path before Lin exited, but the door did not open. Minutes passed without any change, and she wondered if she should close up again. She waited longer, unsure now. Just as she turned to slip away, a tap landed lightly on her shoulder.

She spun, heat already sparking in her throat, her mouth forming the start of a warning, but her anger stopped cold when she saw the familiar black-and-red uniform, the glowing eyes of her mentor framed against the daylight.

Captain Lin stood silently, one eyebrow faintly raised. Azula opened her mouth, then closed it again. Her hands clenched by her sides, but she forced her posture straight.

"I was… curious."

Lin nodded once, then glanced back toward the forge.

"Curiosity is useful, but your steps are heavy, and your silhouette gave you away three corners ago."

Azula flushed despite herself.

"I wanted to know what you did after training."

"I work for the betterment of the army." Lin replied. "The same as I do before training. If you wanted to know you could have asked, but I don't mind you following me."

There was no accusation in her tone, or mockery for being found. She turned, motioned for Azula to follow, and began walking. Azula fell into step beside her, adjusting her pace. The street noise dulled as they took a side path toward the inner districts.

"What kind of weapon are you making?" Azula asked finally.

"A ranged siege weapon, capable of destroying walls, buildings, ships or even enemy infantry lines. They will also scare the enemy enough to crush their morale." Lin answered.

"What…?" the princess asked in disbelief.

"You will see soon. I intend to do a demonstration with the help of the minister of war." Lin said. "It will be a great boon for our army as non-benders will be able to use them."

Azula didn't reply. She watched Lin's profile, the way her expression remained unchanged even as she discussed such things. But she could feel her excitement when talking about it. It seemed the captain was passionate about weapons. Azula snorted in amusement, it was fitting.

They reached the shop district. Lin slowed.

"Next time, watch your angles. Sound matters more in tight corridors than in open space. And never let your line of sight rest on your target for more than three seconds. It makes you obvious. Also avoid letting your shadow point towards the one you are following, for someone alert, it will be evident."

Azula absorbed the advice in silence.

"You're walking me back?" she asked after a while.

"Yes. If something happened to you on your way, it would be my fault. I cannot have that."

Azula gave her a sidelong glance, but said nothing else. They passed beneath the inner gate and into the shaded courtyards beyond. Lin's pace remained steady, without a hint of annoyance. Azula wondered, as they walked, just how much more there was to learn from this strange girl. And why, despite everything, she wanted to know all of it.
​

Lin hadn't expected it to be Azula. She had sensed someone following her after leaving the palace, but she had assumed it was a courtier or an ambitious noble looking to curry favor. Someone from a rival house, perhaps, hoping to learn about her family's contracts. Children rarely had the patience or instinct to tail someone effectively, but then again Azula was no ordinary kid.

When she caught her standing beside the forge, eyes narrowed, spine rigid, Lin had tapped her shoulder without hesitation. There was no discipline to enforce. The girl had not broken any rule, and a Royal could do what they wanted anyway.

Back inside the walls of the estate, Lin turned toward the narrower garden path and walked ahead. Azula kept close with a calculating look on her face.

"You could wear softer shoes if you plan to follow anyone again." Lin said without looking back. "Your common Fire Nation heels strike the stone with too much force."

"Well, it was kind of unplanned. I didn't really intend to follow you until you had already left." Azula replied.

"I see, well it's good to be prepared." Lin said. "Just a thought for next time."

"It's almost as if you want me to follow you again."

"Maybe."

Azula fell silent again, and Lin wondered if she could turn this into an exercise. It could be more fun, and she was sure it would do the princess good; she didn't seem to go outside the palace much.

She continued toward the inner courtyard, where the guards at the northern post bowed their heads as they passed. Lin's mind had already returned to the forge. With the design of the barrel approved, now she had to turn her focus on the ignition component, something that her family engineers were working hard to obtain for her. She hoped they were being careful with it; paying retirement and injury fees to workers was not cheap.

"What exactly were you building?" Azula asked, bringing her out of her thoughts.

Lin glanced sideways.

"As I said, it's a weapon for our infantry. It allows a team of two soldiers to exert a powerful projectile across distance."

"Couldn't a trebuchet do the same thing?"

"No. This weapon will be way more powerful and faster than a trebuchet. It wouldn't even give earthbenders a chance to raise a wall in defense and its destructive capabilities are obviously better." Lin answered.

"And why can't firebenders use it? You said it was for non-benders."

"Everyone could use them, but it would be better to have them man these weapons, to use firebenders more efficiently. The range it's too great for a firebender to fire it and still be useful in the following combat, unless you are getting charged on or ambushed."

"And why cannot benders train enough to reach a similar power?" Azula asked.

Lin stopped, turned toward her. She could see she was interested in the weapon, but also it seemed the princess didn't like feeling less powerful than a tool.

"There are some things that cannot be compared." she said. "For example, you wouldn't compare a frigate or cruiser to simply using waterbending. Some tools and technologies are very good at what they do, more so than bending. But that doesn't mean bending isn't a weapon to use as well."

"I think whatever you make, I will be able to surpass it."

Lin did not argue and offered no response so they resumed walking. Lin understood the thought, she wasn't offended by Azula's bias. She grew under the constant praise of firebending and she was talented enough for anyone to consider her a prodigy, so Lin was sure that the princess thought everything could be solved if you were just strong enough.

She had heard it before, even from officers who should have known better. The Fire Nation had always leaned on its benders. But what they had in fire, they lacked in reach, destruction and efficiency. Not to mention, at least half of their forces were not benders.

The walk back to the palace was brief. Lin considered ending the conversation there, but Azula spoke again.

"Do you have more weapons being made?"

"No, so far only this one." Lin said. "I have designs for weapons I want to eventually make for myself, something way smaller and more portable, but firebending will still be enough for now."

Azula raised an eyebrow.

"Why are you the one making them? Isn't that a job for engineers and researchers?"

"Anyone can come up with innovation, Azula. I'm making them to win the war." Lin said with conviction.

She stopped at the entrance to the courtyard, where two Royal Guards adjusted their posture in her presence. Lin nodded, then turned back to Azula.

"I hope you enjoyed your walk, Princess." she said. "We can repeat this another day, I will see you in the evening, I haven't eaten lunch yet."

Azula tilted her head slightly.

"Thank you." she said.

"I can still see your chi has not recovered yet, get some rest."

Azula nodded once, without protest.

Lin glanced toward the inner corridor but remained where she was. There was no reason to rush. Azula watched her carefully now.

"What?" she asked.

"If you would like, we can eat something together."

The young princess considered it for a moment, her brow furrowing.

"That wouldn't be appropriate." she said finally. There was something in the girl's eyes that almost resembled disappointment.

"No, but who can deny the Princess?"

Azula smirked widely. "You are learning... Good, lead the way."

"As you command, my princess."​

97 A.G

"Fire!"

The explosion echoed through the courtyard like a thunderclap, a violent roar that cracked across the sky and rolled through the city in a trembling wave. A moment of stunned silence followed before the second blast struck, even more deafening than the first.

The attending officers flinched, and servants dropped their trays. Somewhere in the distance, birds took flight in a chaotic burst. But Minister Qin stood frozen with a wide grin, heart hammering with excitement. It was everything he had imagined.

The cannon still smoked at the base, its steel mouth glowing faintly from heat. It had been aimed precisely at a granite column positioned before a sloped wall of packed sand. What had once been a six-meter stone pillar was now a spray of dust and debris scattered across the firing range.

The projectile had buried itself deep into the slope behind it, a perfect arc of devastation that needed no explanation. Of course, no boulder could cause such devastating damage. This was a ball of metal that traveled faster than the eye could follow and struck with uncanny precision.

Qin could scarcely contain his glee. He glanced around at the other ministers, generals, and nobles present. Their expressions shifted from confusion to awe as the reality of what they had witnessed began to sink in.

He wanted to shout, to declare victory, to drag each of them forward and make them admit how far their thinking had fallen behind. Instead, he composed himself. He was a minister, after all, and small amounts of dignity mattered.

Captain Lin stepped forward from the platform beside the weapon, hands behind her back, face nearly unreadable but for the subtle tremor in her shoulders. Qin could tell that she was thrilled. If he didn't have years of experience, he would be just as thrilled. Her voice was steady as she began her explanation.

"The prototype cannon you have just witnessed uses stabilized blasting gel as propellant. Its barrel is a single-forge cast of refined steel alloy, like the ones we use in our ships, treated with copper lining for heat distribution. Effective range is estimated at eight hundred meters for flat trajectory targets, higher with adjusted angle. Ammunition is interchangeable but we are still developing different types for different uses. As you can see, way more effective than a trebuchet in range, power, and velocity."

Qin nodded along, eyes shimmering. She had said it exactly as they rehearsed. But even he hadn't expected the results to be so clean. The recoil had been manageable by the weapon's weight and the wooden structure built to move backwards with the shot, which had been very precise. The design, while bulky, was already being revised for mobility with added wheels to carry it around.

His initial investment in helping the girl live to curry the favor of the Renshi family for future projects had doubled considerably now, and he could count it as one of the best expenditures he had ever made.

Lin continued without pause. "Two soldiers are sufficient for operation, but efficiency improves with a third to assist in reloading. Standard reload time is under thirty seconds, around two shots per minute. The maintenance cycle is every twenty shots or post-battle inspection."

The Fire Nation generals began whispering. Qin didn't need to hear them to know what they were saying. Siege weapons had always been a sore weakness. The Earth Kingdom used their own bending to siege, the Water Tribes relied on mobility and walls upon walls of ice, but none of them had developed something like this.

This was Fire Nation war doctrine elevated, ingenuity turned into might, power made possible for everyone. He stepped forward once she finished, gesturing broadly with both arms.

"As you can see…" he began, "this is not a replacement for bending, but a reinforcement. A supplement. With proper deployment, these cannons can be used by infantry, mounted on naval ships or defensive walls. The metallurgy is standardized as we use it much for our ships already. The propellant is a by-product of blasting jelly which we have been stockpiling for a time already. Production can begin within weeks."

He swept his gaze across the crowd, searching for doubt and finding none, only astonishment. This was good, a stepping stone in his ever-growing career.

"I remind you that all of this was accomplished with less than five tons of steel." he added, tone thick with pride. "For comparison, our navy cruisers use nearly nine thousand. This is a small ask for a large return."

One of the officers raised a hand.

"Wouldn't it slow our forces down?"

Lin answered without delay.

"Mobility is currently limited. Field-deployment prototypes are underway. We can make smaller barrels so that they can be carried, as well as a design for front-line assembly so that the weight can be distributed and carried by animals like the Komodo Rhino. There are lots of improvements but they are being handled as we speak."

Another question came, this time about what they were good against, how to use it against fortifications and resistance. Another about training times of a crew. Captain Lin fielded each with as much clarity as she could and even came up with solutions he hadn't even thought of yet.

Qin felt a surge of admiration. She had absorbed so much from so little instruction, learned with terrifying speed and a talent brilliant for war. All he had done was grease the wheels, redirect funds, send the right messages to the right engineers. It was her mind that had driven it forward.

If only he were younger, he could see himself working side by side with her, reaching new heights, complimenting one another and making tools of war for the glorious Nation.

The applause came slowly, but once it started, it spread. Officers clapped and generals exchanged words with renewed excitement. Even the nobles looked impressed, some visibly shaken.

Qin turned to look at Lin again, about to congratulate her directly, but she was no longer standing upright. Her body had dipped slightly. She leaned over and whispered something to him, too quiet for the others to catch.

"Please give me a moment, health issue."

She then knelt slowly on the polished stone and sat on her knees. His brow furrowed. She seemed disoriented and her eyes were unfocused. He quickly turned toward the crowd with a flourish, raising his voice to cover the moment.

"The future of Fire Nation warfare begins here, ladies and gentlemen!" he declared. "Let us not waste it."

He launched into a planned summary of deployment strategies, buying her the seconds she needed. He could easily handle the politics now that the demonstration was over. She had already handled the miracle after all.
​

The cannon blast still echoed faintly in the distance as Ozai rested his chin against the back of his hand, fingers curled loosely in thought. Below, the courtyard had erupted into a scene of exhilaration, with officers crowding around the prototype like moths drawn to fire. But his gaze remained fixed on the girl.

Captain Lin stood at the center of it all, near motionless except for the fine tremor that passed through her shoulders. She had whispered something to Minister Qin before dropping to her knees. It was clear she needed a pause, probably a health issue.

But it did not really concern him. Many sages had told him that her will and chi reserves would keep her alive for many years to come. Her resolve was not in question and she would rise soon, and she would do so composed.

He had kept watch over her for months now. His spies had nothing of concern to report. She was loyal, almost pathologically so. Her daily routines were rigid and her service to his daughter complete. Her progress with weapons and logistics had been relentless. What had begun as a test of her capabilities had become a confirmation of her immense value for the war effort.

Lin Renshi ended up as so much more than just a weapon. The thought pleased him. In another ruler's court, someone with her physical power, early ascend through the military ranks, and inventive mind might have posed a threat.

But Ozai felt none of that. Lin did not crave power, almost even shying away from maneuvering politically. She obeyed and served the Fire Nation with such conviction and passion. One that Ozai wished everyone had. She had earned his respect for that.

Her invention would change how the nation waged war, he could already see it. The Fire Nation already dominated the seas of most of the continent, but prolonged campaigns drained time and resources, and every lost soldier chipped away at public resolve.

Firebenders were the might of the army but also ones he couldn't afford to lose in huge amounts. Finding a use for the non-benders to be more effective could easily win them the war in the long run.

For over a century, the war had ground forward through bending, attrition, and terrain advantage. But siege weapons like this, standardized for everyone to use, could finally shift that balance.

The Earth Kingdom's bastions would not hold. The only remaining Water Tribes ships would not be able to outrun them anymore, the range and speed of the projectiles giving the Fire nation the advantage. Ba Sing Se itself, arrogant in its supposed invulnerability, with enough firepower could be brought to its knees. Their impossibly high walls could only handle so much damage.

He had to adjust plans to prepare for the years ahead. He had calculated that they would be able to finish the war with the arrival of Sozin's comet, but if this worked as he envisioned it, he needed to accelerate those plans.

Reconstruction would be difficult. Shifting from a war economy to long-term occupation would require administrative strength and public unity. The colonies had produced capable governors so far, they could be used as well. With resources absorbed from the defeated nations, recovery was only a matter of time.

He glanced toward Azula then, standing beside one of the high balconies. Her eyes had not left the captain since the demonstration. She was trying to conceal it, but he could read her body language well enough.

Pride mixed with awe, the sting of admiration that was rare among her daughter's features. She had grown more focused since Lin began training her. Stronger, more disciplined and more dangerous.

He was pleased with her progress. Her flames turning completely blue made the palace gossip easily. She had already demonstrated those azure flames but to know now that every flame she produced was hotter than anything any other firebender could produce made him a very proud father.

He turned his attention back to the field. The Minister of War, Qin, had begun a speech. The crowd clapped in approval, while generals took notes. Several had already begun speaking with assistants, no doubt drafting proposals for supply routes, for transport, or who to offer for training on these weapons.

With people like the captain appearing in the new generation, he could see the end of the war was no longer a distant goal but an approaching certainty. The next few years would be difficult, but winnable. And when the world finally bowed to the might of the Fire Lord, he would cement his rule and name through history for centuries to come.

He stood, adjusting his robes and casting a final look over the demonstration site. The Fire Nation would shape the future, with himself as its phoenix king.
​

The courtyard still smelled of scorched metal and blasting jelly. The air held a faint static hum, like the world itself had been forced to stop and listen. Azula stood near the rear columns of the viewing platform, flanked by her guards, eyes fixed on the machine that had shattered a stone pillar with nothing but a burst of force. A powerful weapon her own instructor had developed in just a few months.

It looked simple enough. A long metal barrel, reinforced and mounted to a thick wooden base, with a few straps and clamps. The demonstration was astonishing. Her words had run true as the sound it made while firing was truly terrifying and with devastating results.

The sheer violence of it had rekindled her excitement after months of hard work and boring lessons. It was delightful and her mind already pictured how many uses she could get out of it. Threatening someone with being shot at close range by one of those would bring delightful expressions from people who displeased her.

But, at the same time, she didn't like how impressed she was. Azula had expected something useful; as useful as Lin had been so far. Perhaps giving them a small edge here and there, but not this. Not something that made even her father lean forward with genuine attention and admiration of what she was capable of.

It was such a set of conflicting emotions. Excited to have such a terrifying weapon in the Fire Nation arsenal to use to torment her enemies; proud for her teacher that seemed to have created a masterpiece of intimidation and power; but angry when watching her father descend the steps to greet Lin personally, watching him nod once and speak in that quiet tone he reserved for praising her. It made something knot tight in her chest.

He had only looked at her that way only a handful of times. Azula folded her arms, jaw tense. She had trained harder than ever these past weeks. Her flames were as powerful as ever, her stance no longer faltered, her mind could solve all of Lin's puzzles and find the best strategy on her stupid scenarios.

She had memorized maps, details regarding logistics of war, and even began reading the older strategy texts in her spare hours which were dreadfully boring, all to achieve more through her lessons. Yet here he was, praising Lin for one loud weapon.

It was fair, she told herself for a moment as she tried to calm down. Lin deserved praise; the weapon was brilliant, after all. But the fairness of it didn't make it sit any easier. She turned her gaze back toward the center of the courtyard, intending to watch the crowd of officers swarming her instructor.

But Lin was no longer standing. Azula's eyes narrowed. The older girl had dropped to one knee and whispered something to Minister Qin, who quickly launched into an overlong speech about potential deployment and battlefield adaptation along with detailed estimates on costs.

The princess' gaze didn't leave Lin though, who hadn't risen back up. She sat back on her knees while her shoulders trembled. Azula took a step forward before catching herself.

No one else seemed to notice. Everyone was too distracted by Qin's dramatics and the potential of the weapon. But Azula was watching how Lin's eyes had lost focus, how her breath seemed agitated. She didn't seem to be overwhelmed by praise; something had gone wrong.

She felt something unfamiliar stir inside her. Lin had always been a bit distant and aloof at times but focused on probably developing things like the cannon. Now though, it looked like she saw a spirit. She was concerned, all right; she didn't want to lose her one capable instructor. She was clearly above the usual teachers she previously had.

Then, as quickly as she had dropped to the floor, she seemed to recover. Lin rose slowly, calmly, the trembling gone. Her face returned to its usual state of cold calmness. When the generals approached her with questions, she answered them in her clear, level tone.

When one of the naval officers asked how they intended for the cannon to be modified for shipboard use, she explained without issues how it could be balanced and used effectively. She stood tall, collected, and unconcerned, as if nothing had happened.

She remained where she was, silent, arms crossed again. Her father watched from his high seat, now speaking with two advisors. Qin was still gesturing grandly, and the officers were drinking in every word Lin gave them like students before a master.

Azula didn't believe it for a second.

'Was that finally a weakness she could exploit? Could it have been the loud sound that dropped her for a few seconds?' She briefly wondered.

Azula's eyes stayed on her mentor. Whatever had happened, whatever had shaken her hadn't stopped her for long, but it would be enough. She would have to experiment this sometime soon.

Maybe she could ask her father for a cannon, just to test her theories.

"How exciting." She mumbled, a wide grin adorning her face.
​

The moment the cannon fired, something in her memory cracked open. The thunder of it reached deeper than her ears. It echoed across the inside of her skull, a sound too close to the battlefield she was used to more than a decade ago.

That same battlefield, so different, where explosions happened constantly, almost all day and night. A battlefield where shells rained like water and missiles fell like candy from a piñata.

Memories of torn bodies and dismembered comrades surfaced. Those same explosions created holes a meter deep that later served as the only available cover, often filled with the dead brothers and sisters who had fought alongside her.

She had spent what felt like eternities inside of them, with little food or rest and sometimes soaked and caked in mud. Her mind was a mess of trying to search for threats and failing to comprehend what it saw as this was another world entirely.

She continued with the rehearsed presentation while her body shook with anticipation and adrenaline coursed through her veins. Having practiced the speech it was easy to repeat it without stopping, but she wouldn't be able to answer questions like this.

When she finished, her knees bent before she registered the command, and her back hitched with the reflex to dive. Only the sharp texture of polished stone against her palms reminded her she was not in the trenches of another life.

She whispered to Minister Qin that she needed a moment, then steadied herself on both her knees. No one else would think much of it if she took a moment to calm herself. She had a body that looked like a fantasy cyborg after all; a few health issues here and there could give her an excuse.

She controlled the trembling in her hands by grounding her chi along her spine. The prosthetics absorbed most of it. She counted heartbeats, then her slow intakes of air as the words from the Minister of War grounded her bit by bit.

It wasn't fear or shock, she had no fear left after that brutal war. But something buried in the back of her mind, echoed when triggered. In the past, she had been trained to welcome them, to let instinct override thought as it would help her react faster.

It was a shock of adrenaline, as if she were in battle unexpectedly, not in the calm environment she was currently in. She was trained to have that reaction but she thought that after spending sixteen years in this nonsense world, she wouldn't remember how to.

It seemed that the mind indeed remembered and she would have to be careful or prepare in advance. This body, this version of her, required her to calm her chi almost constantly and it didn't welcome that instinct yet, but she could train it. The blast had surprised her, that was all. A loud surprise, which she could handle.

It had been louder than she expected, that was all. Next time, she would be better prepared for it. Maybe exposure to it more often would suffice. This was not something she had accounted for but it was not as bad.

She had seen what PTSD did to her own troops, this wasn't nearly as bad, but she would have to condition her mind carefully to avoid a repeat of what happened. Deep down she knew that her mental health was an issue, but being transported to a whole new world, plus her own past experience, guaranteed that she wouldn't be one-hundred percent healthy.

She was fine with that as long as she could remain active and handle it carefully. On the bright side, the Fire Nation was so backwards compared to her own world that she was sure she wouldn't be discharged from the Army citing a mental problem. They didn't even invest in psychology to begin with.

She finally managed to stand again and calm her nerves. She gave Qin a small nod and he gently guided their audience to ask Lin for clarifications to their doubts.

The officers swarmed soon after. Questions about deployment, production, troop integration. She answered with minimal effort. Her voice showing neither faltering or doubts. Her spine held straight and her body no longer shook.

After confidently addressing everyone's questions, she looked up to see Princess Azula looking down with a wide grin on her face. Having made both Royals happy would elate her father for sure.
​

"SHE DID WHAT?!" Kaien yelled.

"My lord… it is as I said: she presented a siege weapon to the Fire Lord and his generals this morning." the informant said.

"Her ideas were always difficult for me to grasp when she was young, I can only imagine what she has come up with now that she is experienced… Well…? How did it go?" Kaien asked, fearing the worst.

"The Fire Lord was ecstatic, my lord. He praised your daughter, and witnesses report that he was seen smiling almost like a mad spirit after exiting the courtyard."

"What…?"

"Even the small princess was seen smiling widely. If the reports are true, your daughter just gave the Fire Nation one of its strongest weapons as of yet. It was a weapon that supposedly could be heard through the entire palace and even beyond it as it echoed through the walls of the city." the informant continued.

"She also apparently had sent through a fire hawk the specifics to our own manor a few days ago, but with the amount of correspondence we have been dealing with lately, we didn't think a letter from her would be this important. A mistake I need to be punished for and one I sincerely apologize for."

Kaien raised his hand to stop the hard working man. He was both dependable and an excellent information broker. His family had served the Renshi household for a few generations already; he didn't blame him for not knowing her daughter could come up with ground breaking innovations with her current posting.

One would think that she would focus solely on teaching the princess and using this opportunity to integrate herself into the inner circle of the nation. She clearly had other ideas to win everyone over, of course.

"You are forgiven, just don't let it happen again, there will be no punishment, my friend. I assume you have the specifics already."

"Yes, here my lord." He said while handing him two sheets of papers.

After carefully going over her report, he couldn't believe what he read. A range of almost a kilometer paired with the velocity and destructive capabilities of a demolition ball used to bring down decommissioned ships?

This was unprecedented, and as he continued reading he was even more baffled by what his daughter had come up with. The costs were low and training was relatively short compared to training crews operating trebuchets. This was a significant upgrade.

It could be operated by only a crew of two that didn't require to be a bender! He could see why the Fire Lord was impressed, this would give the army even more advantage over the other nations still in the fight.

"We must make our moves fast to take advantage of this. My daughter just gave us a golden opportunity. Remind me to gift her something; she is marvelous."

"Yes, my lord. If I may… knowing her, more engineers would be a great gift."

"You are quite right, my friend. Get to it."

"At once!"​

AN: Sorry for the late update on the story. My brother had an accident, he will be fine fortunately but he couldn't make the corrections on the chapter. I was going to wait, but he recommended just posting it and then updating it with the corrections afterwards anyway so as to not keep you waiting that long until he can take a look.

I hope you are having a lovely weekend!
Luce
​

98 A.G

The flicker of candlelight danced across the walls of her assigned room in the Royal Palace, but Lin paid it no mind. Her pacing was steady where her heart was not, the sound of her boots on stone a quiet rhythm of mounting frustration.

As she read the report from Zhou she couldn't help her anger from clenching her fists. Colonel Xin had initiated an offensive on Omashu without consulting the strategy her unit had prepared, and the result had been disaster.

Not only had the assault failed, but King Bumi's counterattack had inflicted enough casualties to prevent any siege from being established. They had been forced to retreat, too many wounded to reorganize quickly, too many dead to pretend it was anything less than a complete failure.

Her soldiers had been trained harder than the rest, and the Red Company had proven again and again they were capable under pressure. But numbers alone could not compensate for poor leadership, and Zhou's complaints, careful as they were, made it clear they had been ignored.

Lin could feel the tightness in her jaw as she walked another slow circle past her desk, her eyes flicking toward the parchment beside the sealed scroll. She hated not being there, even if she couldn't influence the colonel, she could have helped rescue her troops.

Winter had finally begun to recede, opening the way for real movement along the mountain routes. Her unit had been prepared and supplies were stable. Morale was high after their streak of success, and everything had aligned for a proper campaign.

Yet the offensive had been thrown away in one move, as if their preparation had never mattered, and there were brothers she wouldn't meet again. Some of her soldiers had died under another man's orders, and her mind couldn't accept that.

Lin paused near the window and let the cooler air meet her face, grounding herself with a slow breath. She had no immediate solution. Her rank was not high enough to counter the Fire Lord's decisions, and she couldn't return to her unit willingly.

The attention she had drawn from the weapons demonstrations, and from Azula's training, had transformed her into something she never wanted to be. Someone the Royal family truly wanted to have around, someone valuable not on the front lines.

She had made herself visible, and now she was trapped in a gilded corner of the war, unable to return to where she was needed most. True, her weapons were being produced now and fitted in Navy ships as well as infantry variants. Some infantry units were already training with guns as well, but those would reach the front lines later on.

The thought of demanding reassignment crossed her mind for the hundredth time, but she discarded it just as quickly. Direct confrontation would only make them suspicious, it might delay her longer.

She needed another option to help her men, and as much as she disliked it, she already knew who could deliver results. She stepped toward the table, pulled a clean sheet of parchment, and began to write.

Raizo,

I know you are in the colonies at the moment so I'll be brief. I need you, dear brother. My unit took unacceptable casualties recently. I know we agreed that we would only call in favors with one another if it is really needed, but my men cannot wait longer.

They are in need of help and are currently located 20 kilometers southwest of Omashu. If you can provide assistance from a distance and engage the enemy that might pursue them, I will be in your debt. And you know I will always honor it.

You will recognize them by our family's sigil on their belt. Please lend me a hand.

With admiration,
Lin

She signed her name cleanly and folded the parchment without delay. She needed the message out as fast as possible. Her brother had the skill, the firepower, and most importantly, the freedom to move without clearance.

She hated owing him anything, but she would not hesitate to call in favors when the lives of her soldiers hung in the balance. True it would be costly, no doubt her brother would need something from her soon, he had mainly requested small gadgets used for bounty hunting in the past. Those were not cheap to make.

She sealed the letter and set it aside for delivery, then returned to the center of the room, eyes unfocused for a moment as she pulled her breath inward and exhaled slowly. Her limbs, tense with unused energy, began to cool, the faint hum of her inner systems settling as she brought her chi back into control.

If she could not return to her post yet, then she would ensure someone else stood in her place. The Red Company would not be abandoned if she could help it.
​

The timing had to be perfect. Azula stood opposite Lin in the center of the training ground, her breathing calm, her posture honed and balanced. The courtyard was empty save for them, as ordered, and the usual background noise of palace routine had faded to a distant murmur.

The sky was clear, the wind soft, and the sun had begun its slow descent behind the walls, casting long shadows across the tiled floor. She had spent the morning finalizing every detail, ensuring her plan would unfold with precision.

Today, she would win. It was one of those rare spars done in the evening instead of focusing on strategy and history lessons, and she had taken advantage of the rare occasion.

Her father had given her permission to request a cannon for personal training inspection. She had used that opportunity to its fullest, sending exact instructions to the handlers. They were to fire the weapon at sunset, and if she timed it right, in the middle of their spar.

The sound, she hoped, would break the older girl's focus, even for a few seconds. That was all she needed. If she could get that opening, that one moment of advantage, she could surely win this time.

Lin's voice brought her back. "You're overextending your lead foot. Correct it."

Azula adjusted without complaint as the spar resumed. Lin defended with calm efficiency, parrying each motion with minimal movement. She always started with defense first then would switch to offence, almost like clockwork.

Azula attacked with measured aggression, keeping her flames small and compact but powerful. Her strikes came in quick succession, each one flowing into the next. She was faster now, stronger as her chi became more stable. So far though, Lin remained untouchable.

Then Lin called her usual phrase. "Switching to offense now, defend yourself."

A split second later, the cannon fired. The blast shattered the air with a brutal force, louder than she remembered. Even braced for it, Azula felt her chest tighten, her eardrums sting. But her focus never wavered. She stared ahead watching in slow motion how Lin flinched.

'Now!' she thought.

Azula launched a wide arc of flame, fully expecting to catch her instructor in the moment of vulnerability. But before the fire reached its mark, Lin dropped low fully to the ground, her body flowing beneath the wave of heat with unnatural speed. Azula blinked, and Lin was already up and closing the distance, running at full speed.

She didn't see the knife until it was nearly at her throat, Lin had never used weapons in their spars and Azula's eyes widened in surprise. Metal flashed, and Lin's hand swept with precision and murderous intent.

Azula barely tilted her head in time. The blade passed beside her ear, and her instincts kicked in. She jumped back, summoned a wall of fire, and tried to go back into stance, but Lin followed without hesitation. There were no flames coming her way, only cold, relentless motion.

Azula backpedaled, throwing bursts of fire to slow her down, but Lin didn't block with fire. She didn't redirect or even pause to get into a firebending stance. She let her limbs take the brunt, her reinforced arm raised to shield her face, her steps calculated to close every gap Azula created.

The blade came again, this time toward her ribs, and Azula twisted, sparks flying from her boots as she turned and kicked away. Fear tightened in her chest, as it became clear this was no longer a spar. She had never seen Lin move like this.

No words of corrections came her way and in Lin's eyes Azula saw for the first time, that calm and indifferent gaze gone. She was using all of her training and speed to evade her attacks, her heart was pounding hard in her ears but she couldn't stop to even realize it.

Azula quickly switched to her lessons in close combat using flame daggers to try and parry her attacks and match, but in a split second decision she made the right choice to dodge as well as parry. The strength and durability of the knife was greater than her flames and it went right through.

The princess was always retreating back in a circular motion as Lin continued her attacks, knife attacks mixed with punches. Her arms were hurting a bit as she had to parry some of her hits; it was probably going to leave her with a lot of bruises.

Azula was getting tired and it was only a matter of time until she wouldn't be able to match her speed. She quickly pushed all of her power to stop one more knife strike and get some distance but it didn't work as she intended.

Lin struck low and pivoted, her swift movement surprising the princess. Her metal leg caught Azula full in the stomach. The force lifted her off the ground and sent her crashing to the side. Pain bloomed in her back and gut as the air left her lungs, her limbs sluggish as she tried to rise.

When she looked up, Lin had finally stopped advancing. Azula raised a hand, trying to speak, to end the match, to say something that would pull her instructor back to the present, but she barely formed the word before Lin crouched, reached for her leg, then opened it.

The compartment hissed as it slid free, revealing a short-barreled weapon she had never seen before, shaped like a miniature cannon, compact and ugly in its simplicity. Lin drew it without hesitation, holding it in her left hand, blade still in the right.

Azula stared down the barrel, her breath frozen, her limbs refusing to move. This was not part of the lesson, that much was clear. Lin's eyes weren't looking at her. They were looking past her, as if through someone else entirely.

Azula did not understand how things had changed so quickly. As she stared at death, she felt truly frightened for the first time in her life. As Lin looked ready to pull the trigger, she felt a thrilling sensation mixed in that dread.

As her mind tried to come to terms with the excitement she was feeling, she also wondered how it all turned out so wrong.
​

The pistol in her hand felt out of place. A side-hammer pistol; it was old, heavier than it should be, single-shot and slow to load. Lin stared at it without understanding, her breath shallow, her stance off-center.

Her mind started to comprehend slowly that she wasn't in front of a soldier. That this wasn't one of them, dressed in black clothes, shouting something in a dialect that no longer existed within this world.

She lowered the pistol slightly as her breath began to steady, the memory fading slowly at the edges. She blinked a few times as the world corrected itself around her. She was not in Korea anymore, she was not on that ridge. There were no Chinese artillery firing in the background, no smoke in her lungs, no communist in sight. She was in the palace, surrounded by silence now and clean stone.

Lin turned her head slowly, toward the princess. Azula was lying on her side, propped up slightly on one arm, her other hand bracing against the floor, her eyes locked on the pistol with fear in her eyes. Lin could see the rapid breaths and the tension in her limbs.

Lin's mind was trying to recall the previous moments, and she was having trouble remembering what led to this mistake. Her mind caught up with her body in fragments, each piece snapping into place like a misaligned clock realigning. Finally Lin lowered her weapon, the princess' relief was evident on her face.

She quickly holstered the pistol, sliding it back into its compartment and sealing it in her leg with a hiss. Her hand, still holding the knife, hesitated before slipping it into her belt. Her legs moved, carrying her forward as she dropped to one knee beside the girl.

"My princess. Are you hurt?" she asked, her voice low and even, but it didn't betray her fear of almost killing a Royal.

Azula didn't answer but her eyes never left Lin's face.

"I didn't mean to…" Lin stopped herself. No excuse would be enough. She didn't finish the sentence.

She checked Azula's shoulder first, then her arms, her ribs, brushing carefully over fabric and armor, looking for signs of bleeding or deeper injury. There was bruising forming at the midsection where her kick had landed, but nothing critical. Luckily her ribs were not broken.

Lin reached a hand out to help her up. Azula didn't take it. She sat up on her own, slowly. She was evidently in pain as her face winced, but still she remained silent.

"I'm glad you managed to avoid severe injury." she said.

Azula stood, brushing dust from her robes. Her movements were stiff, but she showed no outward signs of panic at least. Still, she hadn't spoken a word and that slightly worried the captain.

Lin remained kneeling, watching her closely. The girl's breathing had slowed, but her expression had not changed. She still looked in pain a bit, but most of all she had a look of disbelief all across her face.

"I lost control. I'm sorry, my princess. It won't happen again." Lin said finally.

Azula blinked then simply nodded. She turned and walked away without a word.

Lin didn't follow. She stayed there in the courtyard, letting the heat of the moment drain from her limbs. She would need to train her responses again, this was unacceptable. Whatever fragments of her past had remained buried so far were no longer safely beneath the surface.

She had almost killed the one person she was assigned to look after. Spilling royal blood in this world would have been punished by her death and that of her family. She would find a way to correct this.

Lin also hoped the princess wouldn't report what happened. Although if she did and she was deemed unfit to keep training the girl, maybe now, with any luck, she would finally be sent back to the front.
​

The memory would not leave her. Azula sat alone in her chamber, her back straight, and her arms folded across her lap. Although outwards she never showed any sign of weakness, her mind still lingered in what happened.

She had been a breath away from death. Her instructor, the one she had studied under with such fascination and ambition, had nearly killed her. She had seen the murderous intent behind her eyes and it wouldn't have been an accident if she did.

It was scary and puzzling how Lin's behavior had changed in a blink of an eye. It was almost as if she were possessed by a spirit, and in that moment, someone totally different had taken its place, ready to kill her.

Looking back, maybe she should have reported it. She had considered it after all. Azula even had thought of writing a message, of approaching her father with concern. The problem was the consequences of doing that. On one hand she didn't want to show weakness to her father, on the other she also didn't want her instructor replaced.

Lin would have been removed, and the palace would decide what punishment a near-fatal outburst demanded. But her father would only be disappointed in her for failing to take her down, so it was not a simple decision. The young princess had waited, and then waited longer, until a day passed, then another.

She understood something now that she had not before. She should have investigated what exactly happened was Lin's weakness to the sound of firing cannons. She should have tested it carefully before trying to take advantage of it.

Azula had seen how dangerous Lin could be, even when she seemed lost and not fully there she had almost killed her, without even using bending. The young captain was truly dangerous. The princess knew that in a real fight against her, she would lose.

She had watched the way Lin moved with a blade, each motion chained between each other without hesitation or doubt. Her defense while she was making full use of her body as a shield was difficult to overcome and her speed and strength easily overpowered Azula.

She accepted that it was a thrilling experience as well, she had this small desire in her mind to feel that dance with death again. Still this was not what troubled her the most, she was frustrated by an undeniable truth that she was having trouble coming to terms with. It had been terrifying, yes, but also it made Azula realize that Lin had been holding back on her sake. It made her realize that Lin had a lot more to teach her.

If she really wanted to be the strongest bender, then she still needed her help. She wanted to be unshakable, the way Lin had become when the world narrowed to a single threat. She wanted the strength to never hesitate or falter, to be strong enough to overcome the fear she had felt. It wasn't going to stop her, even if reaching that point meant training until she touched the edge of madness.

If she had been stronger, it wouldn't have ended that way. So she trained alone for a few days, not wanting to face Lin yet. She reviewed every stance, repeated every kata. She spent her mornings drilling herself until her muscles failed, and her evenings using a royal guard to help her train her reaction speeds.

She did not speak of the incident and she did not tell her father. But also she didn't confront Lin about it either and before she knew it a week had passed, finally deciding that she needed to train with her instructor.

She returned to the training grounds at the usual hour. Lin was already there, standing in silence, arms folded behind her back as if nothing had changed. Azula stepped into the ring with a determined look on her face.

If Lin was surprised she was back, she didn't show it. She bowed slightly, then moved to begin the session.

"You are not forgiven until you teach me how to beat you at full strength. I don't want you holding back anymore."

Lin bowed at her without asking any questions.

"As you command, princess."

She liked it better that way, she didn't want to discuss what happened. She now knew that if she wasn't ready, she would be staring at death again. And the answer to overcome it, was learning from the one who made her see that in the first place.
​

The princess had returned to her lessons in the end. Lin had half-expected reassignment or a summon from the Fire Lord. Maybe a formal reprimand or even exile from the palace was within the realm of consequence.

Instead, Azula had arrived at the training grounds one week later, composed and with fire in her eyes. She had not spoken of the incident or questioned her demanding explanations, which would have been fair if she did. But instead, she demanded harsher training and more time for lessons.

The restraint was unexpected, but Lin rolled with it. They were better consequences than what she was expecting. What she voiced as a complaint was Lin holding back. The princess threatened with frustration and anger if she pulled her punches.

Without a real reason to deny the request, she relented, even if she did hold back a little bit, she didn't want to harm the princess after all. Their relationship had regressed though, she could see it clearly.

Where they had grown closer these last few months, eating together and sharing silent, content moments, now those were gone. She hoped that didn't stay that way, Lin had slowly learned to enjoy the princess' presence.

The palace, meanwhile, had shifted into motion with the arrival of Azula's thirteenth birthday. Everywhere Lin walked, the corridors bustled with servants adjusting banners and setting ornate Fire Nation arrangements. So many voices would squabble with each other through the palace. Decorators and officials argued over several details, and the Royal Palace buzzed with barely-contained energy.

Lin noted it only as necessary context, as her presence at the celebration had not been requested. Her role remained unchanged luckily, keep training the young princess and remain useful to the Fire Nation's war effort.

Still, she had prepared a gift for the princess. Azula had always been attentive during her technical lectures and demonstrations, especially when new weapons were introduced or when she explained how they could be used in combat.

The girl's interest shone when she explained how they could be used to kill or injure; Lin had seen how she liked them more than knives or close combat weapons in general. That attention had not gone unnoticed by the captain.

The gift was simple in form but precise in design: a pair of single-shot side hammer pistols, low-caliber and compact, concealed easily beneath sleeves or inside vambraces. They were not intended for prolonged use, more like a one-time use for a swift surprise attack.

Reloading was very slow, as they were not easy to pull off once attached, and their power was modest which made them not suitable for long-range; but they were fully functional and the mechanism to pull them up took a very long time to get right. She had crafted them at one of her family's smaller forges using components already set aside for weapons testing. With a small hit to your sleeve with your other hand, you could have them ready at your hand.

Hugh Reeves in her world had designed a similar mechanism for British Spies in the previous war, but recreating that in this world had been a tall challenge. Still, she had more success than in recreating a semi-automatic weapon even if it wasn't very useful.

She was working on designing the system that would introduce bullets instead of pellets but it was taking its time. She knew how casing and bullets worked but not the internal design of a rifle, even if she did know how it fundamentally worked. Once that was developed, she would be able to give her better gifts in the future.

She enclosed a set of illustrated instructions and a brief note written by hand. She didn't want the princess to hurt herself and she was sure she would appreciate instructions.

The box was placed discreetly among the formal offerings submitted by the palace staff. Lin only included her family crest and ensured it would reach Azula without attracting attention. Lin had meant the gift as an apology and hoped the princess would acknowledge it.

While the celebration carried on in the upper halls and public courtyards, Lin withdrew to the lower yard and resumed her routines. She planned future lessons and went over the movements she had learned a few years back to refresh her memory.

Her thoughts lingered occasionally on Azula. Lin wanted those comfortable moments together to come back, but now she was so focused on getting stronger and she assumed she wasn't as comfortable anymore around her.

She would have to be patient and slowly gain her trust again. She was certain that things would return to normal, the fact that she hadn't reported the incident or had her replaced gave her hope.​

AN: Sorry for the delay once more, this is also without a revision or corrections yet, my brother although recovered, had to tend to his business and classes that he had to put on hold after his incident. But, I made this chapter extra long for you guys as a small payback. I hope you enjoy it!

Luce​

98 A.G

The battlefield stretched across the cracked hills of the southern peninsula, a patchwork of churned stone, crumbling soil, and broken banners. Smoke drifted lazily above the retreating Fire Nation forces, their obscured armor dulled by ash and dirt. The echoes of battle still rang in the air, the kind that lingered long after swords had been lowered and bending ceased.

King Bumi stood atop a jagged outcrop just north of the last skirmish, arms crossed behind his back, hair swaying slightly in the breeze, his gaze tracking the figures in red as they pulled back from the ridgeline.

He had hoped for a bit more resistance. The southern coalition had taken heavy losses early on, the kind that might have shattered morale under different leadership. But Bumi had joined the front line himself, crashing through the Fire Nation formation with enough force to break the center and allow the remaining Earth Kingdom soldiers to push them back.

It had been a long time since he had bent that much rock in one day, and his body ached with the pleasant weight of exertion. It reminded him of less boring times, when battles had raged through his territory and enemies knew how to make things interesting.

Some units had been particularly persistent today. The red-armored soldiers moved differently from the rest, more disciplined and coordinated, with resilience and strength that even he found troublesome. Their lines had refused to break cleanly, and their officers had fought with clarity and stubbornness. If he had not stepped in personally, they might have managed to hold.

They had tried a pursuit for some time now after he had broken their defenses and forced them to retreat and run back. But then the explosions had begun to slow them down. At first, he had thought it was a trap placed when retreating, or perhaps a cache of Fire Nation blasting jelly set alight by accident.

But after the third eruption, it became clear these were calculated attacks. Whatever new weapon had been introduced into the fray, it was not something he had encountered before. Soldiers would go flying or be engulfed in a fireball big enough to swallow two or three recruits easily.

The blasts tore through stone and armor alike, targeting advancing Earth Kingdom soldiers with enough strength and volume to intimidate most of his army. There was no visible bender behind the blasts he could see. Just a pop sound followed by visible ripples of air as whatever was thrown at them travelled too fast for them to see. The impact that followed was difficult to block.

He had been forced to cover entire sections of retreating men with raised stone shields, lifting walls to absorb the incoming shots as they fell back. His best estimate told him there was only one soldier behind the strikes, but the range and control were proving to be impossible to deal with at the moment.

Whoever it was, they were not pursuing, but retreating with the rest of the Fire Nation army, purposefully keeping him at a distance, something he didn't like at all but he could admit it was a fun challenge. But he was sure his forces were not finding it as fun as he thought it was.

He let out a sigh and turned toward the line of Earth Kingdom troops forming behind him. The decision was simple.

"Enough chasing." he muttered, his voice gravel-thick but light with amusement. "Back to Omashu. Let them feel clever for now."

He raised a hand, signaling the retreat. His commanders gave the order, and the army began to move.

The southern front had finally appeared on the map. The Fire Nation had secured a foothold near Gaoling, severing old trade routes and forcing the smaller Earth Kingdom cities into defensive positions. Gaoling itself, untouched for so long, was now exposed, which is why they had approached him with an alliance and forces to be part of the war against the Fire Nation finally.

"Time to plan a way to drive them back to the seas. Time to remind them who scared Fire Lord Azulon back into the north all those years ago."

Bumi laughed, the sound echoing through the hills like falling boulders, loud and full of anticipation.
​

Lin read the final training report with quiet satisfaction. The first full infantry unit equipped with hand cannons and fire-resistant armor had completed their drills ahead of schedule, and their marksmanship results were above acceptable range.

The preliminary schematics had held up well under live fire conditions, and adjustments to the reloading mechanisms had shaved three seconds off their initial times. They were not flawless, but they were functional, reliable, and finally ready for deployment.

She had already marked the southern marshes as the best environment for initial combat tests, open terrain that gave them the advantage, ideal for infantry units that could dominate a battlefield from long range.

On her desk lay two more reports. The first came from the Grand Admirals, detailing the successful installation of the first cannon platforms aboard Fire Nation cruisers. Sea trials had gone well and the navy was impressed with their results.

The cannons held stability during storm conditions, more so than the trebuchet, their recoil compensated by reinforced deck mounts. The first true test was scheduled within the week, targeting Water Tribe raiding ships that had disrupted cargo routes along the eastern coastline.

If they played their cards right, they could completely annihilate a difficult-to-catch enemy as their boats were small but agile even if powered by wind. They would have the advantage if they were able to lure them in. Lin only wrote to them that they should leave no survivors so that the weapon was kept a secret for as long as possible giving them a greater edge.

The second report detailed new recruits being filtered into engineering teams assigned to her projects. Qualified minds were rare, but with her father's continued influence and the Fire Lord's direct backing, they had secured a steady pipeline of fresh apprentices and seasoned metallurgists and architects.

Progress had accelerated with their addition and new breech-loading concepts were now in prototype phase. Now she just needed to supply vague ideas about having self-contained cartridges to go with that, and they could really produce artillery for the first time in this world's history.

Everything was moving faster than expected, and though she would not admit it aloud, she felt something close to pride. She had never really felt smart or this resourceful to anyone else in her previous life.

She set the reports aside and moved to the outer balcony, the sun glinting off the stone courtyard below where soldiers performed drills under the watchful eyes of their instructors. She could see Azula among them, unmistakable with her sharp, deliberate movements and the azure hue of her flames.

The princess had begun incorporating more aggressive stances and katas, and she would usually train them until mastery in a short amount of time. Lin had stopped holding back during their sessions, and the results were obvious. Azula was a lot stronger now, in all aspects: speed, control, power, and precision. In another month, there would be little more Lin could teach her.

She had given her usual reports to the Fire Lord, filled with her progress as well as her plans for future lessons and suggestions. The problem was that she was beginning to run out of ideas to fill the lessons for the future.

Azula's advancement was being taken seriously at the highest levels, and Lin could sense how much the girl thrived under that attention. She did not say it aloud, but it was clear her efforts were always meant to be seen by her father.

Lin did not understand that desire, but Azula would be in her best mood after her father would praise her progress. Parental approval meant nothing to her. Both in this life and the last one, she had never really cared for what went through her father's mind.

Even now, their correspondence had been mostly focused on missions and political plays, something she could easily have with an ally, not family. Still, when Azula had asked her to attend tea with her childhood friends, Lin had not hesitated and had written home to her mother, in one of the rare letters she ever sent, for guidance on etiquette and proper conversational tone.

The reply had been prompt and filled with notes on tone, posture, when to smile, how to joke around casually or avoid certain topics that would stall conversations. Lin had read it twice, memorized most of it, then committed to try her best to impress the princess's friends.

She glanced once more at the courtyard. Said princess was focused, going over her training once more without stopping, perfect in her determination. Lin turned from the balcony, gathered her notes, and prepared to make her way toward the city center.

For all her indifference to nobility, she would not risk disappointing the girl now and she needed clothes other than her military uniforms. Bothersome but necessary.
​

Azula had started the day with a sense of quiet satisfaction. Training had gone smoothly, she was able to throw flames for longer now, her chi having grown like a muscle, and even Lin had seemed marginally more engaged than usual.

Lin was entirely focused on the lesson today, and Azula felt nice having recognized when she was doing particularly well. Lin's gaze tightened, her stances shortened, her corrections became fewer. It was the unspoken signal that Azula was doing great and that she was meeting her expectations.

But expectations were not everything. Lately, she had begun to feel the absence of her friends. At first it had been easy to ignore, a passing thought, quickly buried beneath training and lessons. But they had written several times to her requesting to see her, and she couldn't really ignore them.

Ty Lee's was filled with words that circled around the topic but stating she missed her. She had doodled flowers in her usual fashion. Mai's letter was a flat page with lines sharp enough to cut, it somehow depicted the stoic girl just right.

She missed them from time to time, and she had trouble understanding that she did at first. She admired Mai's quiet intelligence and dry wit, even if hidden behind a bored and cold expression. She was not a bender but had worked hard on mastering a deadly skill with a similar focus like Azula did with her bending.

Ty Lee's irrepressible lightness had always unsettled and soothed her in equal measure. She had a way to give her admiration and friendship without expecting anything in return that was quite rare for anyone surrounding her. Everyone else always expected something out of befriending the princess. Again, she had also dedicated a lot of her focus to learn an ability she didn't have until mastery.

So she had compromised finally and arranged tea with them which would not be either too formal or too casual. Azula had invited Lin as well. Partly because they were to train afterward, partly because it seemed appropriate enough.

Lin was her instructor, her sparring partner, and more recently, she had been considering the weird girl, one of her friends as well. Whenever they went out to eat something or just quietly rest together, she would see Lin's relaxed face and find she liked that look.

Azula arrived a little late to her own tea party, after being a bit lost in thought and training. The courtyard garden was already alive with sound when she reached it. Ty Lee's laughter rang out first.

"Then she actually stood on the table!" Ty Lee giggled. "And she said, 'I have more balls than all of you combined!' Can you believe that?"

Azula stepped through the gate and paused. Lin was seated, posture relaxed, speaking calmly. "She really didn't like when someone made a mean comment about her being a woman. From that day forward she was called cross-dress, which oddly enough she carried with pride."

Ty Lee burst out laughing again, her hands clapping once in delight. Mai rolled her eyes. "Reminds me of a lady at one of the circuses that visited our villa one time. She had a full-out beard and spoke with a very manly voice."

"To be honest if she had a beard, she would have loved it, I'm sure." Lin replied, laughing.

Azula's eyes narrowed slightly. Lin was smiling and laughing with her friends, she should do that with her instead. Her expression had softened, making her look different, not distant for once and although it was a look that she could admit she liked to see, she felt angry that it wasn't happening with her.

She envied how easily Ty Lee could make anyone feel at ease enough to even change her usually cold and distant instructor. She wanted to do that as well, so Azula stepped forward finally and greeted them.

"Ty Lee, Mai, Lin. Welcome and…Apologies." she said smoothly. "I was delayed. Training ran long."

Ty Lee turned with bright energy. "You're here! Lin was telling us stories about a few of her subordinates, and Mai actually said something nice. You missed it."

"Mmm, it was more like a grunt." Mai corrected. "Barely qualified."

Azula took her seat, posture flawless. "And how did Lin end up the center of attention?"

"She was ambushed by an acrobat with too much energy." Lin replied calmly, then sipped her tea.

"Well… as expected of Ty Lee, I can see that happening." The princess said as Ty giggled.

The conversation resumed without effort, but this time, Azula was the center of attention, as it should be. Ty Lee asked about what she had been doing lately that got her so busy as Mai listened beside her.

"Well, I train most of the day lately. I occasionally take breaks here and there, but rarely." Azula said, sipping her tea.

"Occasionally, we do go out to eat at times." Lin admitted.

Ty Lee tilted her head. "You train with Lin every day? And you also spend your breaks with her?"

"She's less talkative during combat, so I enjoy her presence." Azula replied.

Lin looked at her with mild amusement. "Oh so you like it more if I don't talk?"

Ty Lee gave an exaggerated gasp. "I'm sure she didn't mean that, right Azula? She loves it when I talk a lot after all."

"Oh, I don't know…" Azula replied, making Ty Lee giggle.

Azula couldn't help the faint smile that touched her lips. The banter passed over her in waves, oddly comforting, replacing that envious feeling she felt at the start. Lin's presence did not feel out of place.

She was not intruding or holding herself apart either. It was strange to see her display this behavior but Azula found herself liking this side of her. She studied her face, noting the subtle shifts in expression, the rare quiet laugh she hadn't heard before.

She had not expected this gathering to go this way. She had imagined herself impressing them, bridging the space between training and friendship, proving how far she had come. Instead, she found herself enjoying their company.

Lin leaned toward her with a quiet whisper breaking her thoughts.

"The tea is too bitter."

Azula smirked. "This one is ceremonial. It's meant to be tasted a bit, not really drunk." amused at the soldier not knowing basic etiquette.

"Some people should come up with better etiquette then." Lin replied.

The afternoon passed without tension. For the first time in weeks, Azula felt her sore muscles inside her relax.
​

Captain Lin had requested a demonstration for his daughter, submitted like every other report she had usually filed. Fire Lord Ozai was beginning to think she really was the perfect soldier, finding no flaws in the time she had spent at the palace.

In said request, she had stated that the princess had reached the point where private lessons no longer provided sufficient pressure to force meaningful progress, and she recommended a public demonstration before masters and generals so that Azula's level could be measured under scrutiny.

If sufficient, Captain Lin had requested leave to return to her unit again, and support the soldiers now holding Chin Village. Ozai agreed immediately, if his daughter was ready then he could be of use sooner rather than later and he also believed she could actually make the difference if she was in the field.

Also, strength that could not be displayed was a private indulgence in his opinion. Strength that could be proven in front of those who mattered became power, and power that could be both used in war and politics.

The courtyard was prepared by mid-afternoon. The stone floor had been cleared of obstacles, the perimeter widened, and water barrels placed near the barracks in case his daughter proved to be too powerful.

Firebending masters stood along the edges in disciplined rows, their faces composed and their attention fixed. Generals and senior officers watched behind them, some out of curiosity, others were there out of obligation and to curry favor.

Royal guards formed a final ring farther back, prepared to intervene if flames threatened the spectators or the palace itself. The air held the faint metallic scent of heat lingering from earlier drills.

Azula arrived on time, and Ozai noted that detail with approval. She wore training attire rather than ceremonial armor she usually wore, practical for movement and exertion, devoid of adornment.

Her hair was secured tightly and her expression was calm. Ozai thought that even in her young age, she displayed perfect posture in the face of a challenge. She bowed to him and Ozai nodded at her. Captain Lin stood to the side, positioned where she could observe without influencing the proceedings, but Ozai had other plans for her.

"Begin." Ozai said.

Azula stepped into the center of the ring and began her forms. The sequence was familiar to the masters watching, but the execution was not the usual. Her movements were too sharp and fast, and her footwork was efficient. Some of the katas had most of their flourish cut off which unsettled a few of the firebending masters.

When her fire appeared, it came out stable, blue, and sustained, bending in arcs that followed her intent, irradiating heat all over the courtyard. She shifted from wide attacks to narrow, concentrated strikes. She produced flames quickly, held them, then cut them cleanly without wasted motion.

Ozai observed the reactions around the courtyard. Several of the older masters narrowed their eyes, at most of the traditional moves, but he could see they were impressed by her powerful flames. A few of the generals leaned forward, their focus drawn by the sheer consistency of her fire.

It was not only that she could bend hotter flames. It was that she could do so without breaking a sweat. It was incredibly hard to keep a flame going for so long without it losing power. After several minutes, Ozai raised his hand. Azula halted at once, her flames extinguishing as if snapped away.

"Excellent display, now… Forward." he said, gesturing toward the guards. "Two of you."

The selected guards stepped into the ring with measured caution. "Spar with the princess, do your best."

They bowed to the princess, and Ozai noticed the slightest stiffness in their posture, an instinctive reluctance at being commanded to fight the crown princess. Azula settled into stance, her gaze fixed on them with determination.

The exchange began with her moving first, forcing the pace before the guards could coordinate. Her fire cut across the space in controlled sweeps, driving one guard backward and forcing the other to shift position to avoid being trapped.

When one attempted a counterstrike, she rotated out of line and pressed the second guard harder, using the first guard's movement as cover for her own repositioning. Her footwork created angles that kept them separated, and once they were split, she attacked with a sequence of fireballs that battered their defenses and forced them to dodge out of their way.

The guards tried to regain their stances, but Azula did not allow it. She increased the speed of her attacks, and the moment one guard overextended, she punished it with a tight strike to the chest that knocked him to the stone.

The second guard attempted to close in and end the exchange quickly, and Azula responded with a sweeping arc that forced him to leap back, then followed with a burst angled low enough to take his balance.

As he was forced out of bounds, the audience fell silent for a brief moment, then applause began, spreading among the masters and officers. Ozai rose slightly and clapped, his expression openly pleased. Azula stood still, breathing hard but steady, and bowed once more.

Her performance satisfied the audience. It satisfied him. Yet he had not summoned them merely to watch her defeat two guards.

"For those who are not aware, Captain Lin has been her instructor." Ozai said, allowing his voice to carry. "Captain, please enter the ring."

The captain stepped forward without hesitation, displaying nothing of the hesitation the Royal guards had. She took a position opposite Azula, already understanding what he was demanding of her. Azula's eyes flicked briefly to her father, then returned to Lin. The princess's jaw tightened, and Ozai saw determination harden her expression.

"You will fight until one of you cannot." he said. "Begin."

The duel began with both moving at once, their flames met in the center with a crackling violence that pushed heat outward like a wave. The nearest guards raised their own fire instinctively, creating a shield along the perimeter. Several masters stepped back, their robes fluttering in the sudden turbulence.

Azula pressed forward with sustained aggression, her blue flames striking in rapid sequences, each burst placed to force the captain's defense into constant adjustment. The soldier responded with controlled orange-red fire, shaping it into walls and angled blocks while shifting her stance to avoid being pinned.

Azula tried to keep the distance and the captain countered by using fire jets to close the gap. Ozai watched closely, noting that the captain was fighting fiercely, without holding anything back. Her movements carried the intent to kill if the princess was not careful.

She used her metal limbs to absorb direct strikes, letting flames wash over reinforced surfaces, then responded with precise counters meant to punish. Azula adapted quickly, redirecting attacks toward the young captain's head and torso, searching for points where metal did not protect.

Then Captain Lin drew her knife making the audience around him gasp in shock. The blade glinted briefly, then vanished into motion as she used it to attack his daughter, forcing her to dodge and evade.

Princess Azula responded with bursts of fire aimed at Lin's hands, attempting to force her to drop the weapon or retreat. Captain Lin used her prosthetics to shield, allowing heat to strike metal rather than flesh, and kept advancing when Azula would have expected her to keep shielding.

Stone beneath their feet blackened and cracked as their pace increased. Stray flames licked toward the edges of the courtyard and were beaten back by masters whose job had become more animated.

Ozai could see Azula's breathing grow heavier but she was pushing through it, drawing deeper on her chi, her fire intensifying. The captain responded by shifting closer, entering the range where Azula's fire had less space to bloom and where a knife became more dangerous.

Several times the blade came close enough to draw a collective inhale from the spectators, and each time Azula twisted away with quick precision, refusing to be cornered. As minutes passed, both began to show fatigue.

The young captain's pace slowed slightly, her shoulders rising with heavier breaths. Azula's stance wavered a few times, even if she then corrected them. Ozai did not miss the moment when the princess's eyes narrowed, frustration visible in the tension of her jaw.

Azula began to change her approach; rather than striking continuously, she spaced her attacks, using shorter bursts to force the girl's defense, then stepping away to breathe and draw chi inward. Captain Lin tried to punish the spacing by closing the gap, and Azula responded with a concentrated burst that forced the captain back and bought her more room.

Ozai felt a mix of satisfaction, pride, and excitement. This was the kind of power display that truly mattered. Both were adapting quickly to each other and with a clear intent to defeat their enemy without holding anything back.

Eventually, Azula took a half-step back and lowered her center of gravity, her breathing harsh now, her shoulders tense with exhaustion. Captain Lin halted her advance, knife held ready, her fire flickering at her hands with less intensity than before.

Azula raised one hand and drew her chi inward deliberately. The blue flame forming in her palm tightened into a smaller shape, compact and dense. Its color deepened, shifting toward purple as the pressure increased.

Ozai recognized the technique of course, he had seen the report of the captain using it to kill that one garrison officer to end the Agni Kai. He was surprised the young captain had taught her how to do so.

The gathered fire brightened as it compressed further. The purple edge paled toward white, as the air around her hand shimmered with heat.

Captain Lin raised a wall of flame in response, bracing herself, her stance widening as she prepared to absorb impact. Guards along the perimeter behind the young captain moved instinctively, some ducking, others stepping back or even jumping out of the way.

Princess Azula released the attack with a cry. A blinding and roaring torrent of white flame erupted from her hand that surged forward with a violent force, a white-hot wave that swallowed Captain Lin's defense and continued beyond it.

The flame's roar eclipsed every other sound, and forced some spectators to cover their ears. The stone floor blackened instantly beneath the blast and heat rolled through the courtyard. Wood along the barracks caught flame. And a few firebending masters moved immediately to contain it.

A few guards stumbled backward in surprise. During the entire attack, Ozai remained still, his attention fixed on the center. When the torrent finally ended, silence followed. Smoke billowed across the courtyard, thick enough to obscure the ring.

The air stank of burned wood and scorched stone, while princess Azula stood swaying, her arms trembling at her sides. Her breathing was ragged and it seemed that the exertion had emptied her.

As the smoke thinned, the courtyard regained shape. Several masters had already diverted to put out the barracks fire. Others stared toward the ring in shock, for in the middle Captain Lin remained standing.

Her arms lay on the ground before her, broken, and some pieces had melted off. Her metal frames twisted and cracked by heat. Her uniform had burned away, leaving scorched skin and the stark lines of surviving armor segments.

Her stance held, somehow, and she was looking directly at Azula, her eyes steady despite exhaustion. As spectators gasped, the captain began walking toward the princess slowly. Azula's knees buckled, dropping to the stone, and her head lowered as she tried to draw breath.

Ozai's laughter rose in the silence, full and genuine. He descended the steps with measured pace, his gaze moving between both fighters, stopping the captain who seemed to want to keep going despite having no arms with which to fight.

The masters and officers were still stunned. The spectacle had clearly surpassed their expectations and Ozai was sure this had sent a very powerful message regarding the Royal family's might.

"A draw." he declared, his voice carrying across the courtyard. "Healers, tend to them."

As attendants moved to carry his daughter from the scorched stone and healers gathered around the fallen captain, Ozai's thoughts continued forward without pause. Azula's strength was surely close to his own now. There was only one more skill missing in her arsenal.

Lightning generation required absolute patience, emotional discipline, and an understanding of separation of chi energies that few firebenders ever achieved. It would be the last lesson she needed, and Captain Lin was one among the few capable of teaching that skill.

He knew the Renshi family wouldn't have used it, but they would teach enough to every descendant of theirs. The theory would be enough and once Azula mastered it, there would be no doubt about the role she would play in the war.​