บท 54: Fire vs Fire
Pov Kai:
- I liked that last blow, but now I want to see how you fare in a firebending match. - Aki ignited his fist with yellow flames.
- Huh! You think you can beat me in firebending? - I scoffed confidently. - I admit that you're physically stronger, but when it comes to firebending, I'm confident in my abilities.
- I know you can use the Blue Flames, but the fact that you can manipulate the intensity of the flames makes no difference against me. - Aki grinned from ear to ear, making fun of his grandson's technique.
I smiled mischievously after hearing my grandmother's words, knowing that she probably didn't know the full extent of my cultivation techniques.
The fact that my grandmother set her hand on fire means two things: One is that she is probably completely immune to any intensity of fire, or her body is completely adapted to yellow flames.
Even if it is a case of tolerance to high temperatures, the fact that she neglected the blue fire is probably because her body is already used to that intensity. I myself am not completely immune to normal flames, especially the intensity of the blue flame, which always manages to hurt me. So I can use other, more effective methods to control the pace of the duel.
I took a fighting stance, keeping my feet flat on the ground and my fists raised with my fingers relaxed. This was a rare occasion when I had to fight with my agility and quick coordination to switch between lightning and fire.
I have Ozai to thank for his lightning manipulation technique, as it is one of the most advanced, and I ended up being inspired by its basis to master the instantaneous directing of lightning in succession, and although it is not my favorite technique, I consider myself an expert in this skill, to the point of being able to use two lightning bolts in succession. Only Azula has mastered this technique to perfection, being able to bend lightning as easily as her firebend for minutes at a time.
I breathe air into my lungs, my final preparation for what will probably be the Fire Nation's greatest firebending duel. I quickly extend my right arm with my fingers pointed at Aki and fire my lightning bolt with all my might.
The lightning spreads through the air at ten times the speed of sound, but Aki knew very well how lightning worked, since this ability was originally given to humans by the White Emperor himself, nicknamed the God of Lightning. A moment before Kai launched his lightning bolt, Aki used his speed to get behind Kai.
Aki waited with a smug smile for Kai to turn around, surprised by his movement and speed, but without realizing it, Kai's left hand was pointing his index and middle fingers in his direction with a small celestial light on the tips of his fingernails.
Unable to react in time, Aki was hit by a charge of electricity that would have been lethal for a normal human. Although her body didn't suffer any fatal damage, her muscles were paralyzed, leaving her stunned that she had fallen for such a trick.
Kai turned and prepared to kick with all his newly-acquired physical strength, delivering a powerful kick to Aki's stomach and using his blue flames at full power to propel his blow.
Aki flew towards the beach and hit the sand, although the impact was small compared to the rocky ground.
- Okay, I have to admit I felt that blow. - Aki admitted, massaging her stomach with her fingers. - The speed of lightning is comparable to Grandpa's. I like it, I want to see what else it has in store.
- Do you want to continue? - I asked with a blue fireball floating in my hand. - Or do you want to give up?
- I let my guard down, don't get confident. - Aki stood up with a leap, pushing her arms against the ground.
In response to her last sentence, I threw my fireball in her direction, but instead of simply counterattacking or deflecting it, she kicked my fireball like a normal ball, returning my own attack with twice the force. If it hadn't been for my reflexes, I would have been hit in the face, but I felt a sharp pain in my ribs when I saw at a glance that my grandmother had just kicked me, sending me flying towards the Tower of the Fire Sages.
- Damn... the more excited she gets, the harder she hits. - I get up from the floor and see that I'm in what looks like a bathroom, with everything destroyed. - Using Solar Fusion would be overkill, especially now that my power is almost at its peak, it would be impossible for me to regulate the power of the technique.
I reassessed my available techniques as I walked towards the hole in the wall I had created with my body. Using lightning to feint and trick her wouldn't work again, not to mention that her physical abilities would always overpower any technique I used against her.
When I left the building, I saw Azula, who was worried but seemed relieved to see me heading her way.
- Do you have a plan to defeat her? - Azula crossed her arms, looking eager to help and fight alongside Kai.
- I still have three techniques I can use, but for now I'm only going to use two. - I said calmly, massaging my sore ribs.
- So you're going to use this?
- Yes, it'll be the first time I've used it on someone, but as it's my grandmother, I think it's okay. - I smiled defiantly when I saw Aki waiting for me to finish talking to Azula.
- Be careful.
Kai smiled warmly at Azula, trying to reassure her that victory was within her grasp. Aki clearly noticed that Azula and Kai had a certain chemistry, and gave her a wicked smile.
Being someone with a curious nature, Aki decided to analyze Azula with his psychic perception, impressed and understanding why the princess was so powerful even at such a young age. Instinctively, she felt her intuition alert her to something in particular that left her deeply confused about herself.
A subtle, unnoticeable golden aura covered Aki's body. Deciding to dismiss any suspicion from her mind, she decided to analyze Azula again, looking for anything that might alert her draconic senses.
Aki's expression became perplexed and remained so for a few seconds, seemingly hypnotized by something, completely forgetting about Kai who was within her reach.
- Is there a problem, Aki? - I asked confusedly, as she was distracted for some reason.
- Hmm? Hmmm! Sorry, I was distracted. - Aki dodged the question and Kai noticed.
- How about we continue?
- Sure, I never run away from a fight. - With an almost emotional smile on her face, Aki took up her combat position for the first time in the duel.
Kai tensed up a little when he saw his grandmother getting into fighting stance, which meant she was ready to get more serious, which worried him because he was still far from being a suitable opponent for the veteran dragon.
Kai, completely focused, began with a fast combo, firing several attacks in a row with his blue firebender, which were skillfully countered by Aki, as if they were both in a high-level dance.
Aki's attacks were more dispersed over a larger area, while Kai's condensed flames, combined with his precision, were able to match the natural power of his grandmother's flames.
- His precision is impressive. - Aki dodged a fireball that passed close to her face. - Your precision is equal to your mother's.
- So I'm glad you've reached this level. - I approached Aki's flame attack, grabbed her intense flames and returned directly to her face.
- This gives me déjà vu. - said Aki, seeing his attack coming towards her and, for no apparent reason, his returning flames stopped in mid-air.
- What?
- I guess Katsu never taught you exactly how the original Fire Bender works. - Aki crossed her arms like a teacher. - We celestial dragons can manipulate fire freely, since it's an extension of our bodies, so we can easily control the flames of humans. However, this rule is different when two celestial dragons face each other. You can't dominate the fire I throw because it's an extension of me, my own will, and if you wanted to dominate my flames, you'd have to have a willpower greater than mine. - The static flames that were inches from Aki's face flew into the sky and exploded like fireworks.
- So that trick doesn't work on you. - I whispered to myself.
- Kai, please create your own flame. - Aki ordered.
Without getting upset, I obeyed him because it was clear that this was a lesson I had to understand before I could return to the duel. When I created the flames, they remained obediently in my hand, but it wasn't long before I felt them getting out of control, my own flames flying towards Aki's hands, practically being fed by her.
- Since I'm more experienced than you, my will won out over yours. - Aki undid Kai's flames. - Don't think it's easy, it takes a lot of energy and your will is too strong to be underestimated.
- You make it look easy.
- It is for me, but maybe I won't be able to do it with you one day, when you reach your true adulthood. - Aki smiled nostalgically. - Your mother made the same mistake when she was a child.
- I can't imagine my mother in a situation like that.
- When we're done, I can tell you all the details. - Aki raised her fist, flames covering her skin.
Aki fired a wave of fire at Kai, but he threw his blue flames with both hands to stop the advance of Aki's flames.
The two dragons plunged down the beach into hell itself, the flames of the different aspects seemed to be the ocean waves themselves, the center of this elemental clash was on a surface hotter than the sun itself, turning the surrounding sand into glass and the earth slowly turning into lava.
Due to the temperature of the hot air, embers rose into the air and set fire to the vegetation around the island.
- To be able to deal with fire so easily is enviable. - Azula commented, unperturbed by the high temperature generated by the two titanic fountains.
Azula noticed that the fire sages didn't tolerate the rising temperature, even though they were all firebenders. It was clear to her that only firebenders at the General level could tolerate the increase in temperature.
Kai's flames, being more concentrated, acted like a knife on Aki's flames as she increased the size of her flame projection to engulf her grandson.
The clash between the flames slowly reached a breaking point, giving the advantage to Aki, who remained unperturbed by Kai's attempt to pressure her. With Kai's intense release, he decided to stop playing around and use the last phase of his flame control.
A strange sound began to spread in Kai's hands, as if the air was whistling, the blue flames in his hands changed color, taking on a white hue, easily overtaking Aki's flames and hitting the veteran dragoness with a huge explosion.
- Could this intensity have affected Aki? - Azula asked, noticing a small drop of sweat falling from her head. - Damn, I have to take a shower later.
The smoke from the last explosion dissipated, revealing Aki with his arms crossed in an X shape, but what was surprising was that they both had burnt skin. Aki's eyes lit up in response to this latest attack, with a maniacal grin on his face.
- Clever boy, you had me believing that your blue flames were your ultimate. - Aki observed the damage to his arms and couldn't help but wonder how his arms had been rendered useless. - The human form is very fragile, if I were in my original form, the damage would probably be minor compared to this.
- [3rd degree burns, not bad Kai, not bad. I wonder if he can manipulate the intensity of these flames even further]. - Aki thought and carefully observed the change in his grandson's breathing. - [Blue flames, when used, can double or triple the power of yellow fire, but white fire can simply be intensified to dozens of times the average combat temperature, but the consequence is notable physical stress.]
Aki's hair took on a golden color and a powerful amount of energy was released, enveloping her damaged arms and repairing every piece of tissue and flesh that had been charred a few seconds earlier.
The golden power that Aki released made Kai and Azula freeze in fear, a fragment of the true power that the veteran dragon hid in his soul.
- What is this power? - I asked confusedly, unable to avoid taking a few steps back. - This obscene amount of power is beyond description.
- This power? It's nothing special. - Aki lied and deactivated his golden power after healing his arms. - Tell me, Kai, did you learn how to manipulate white fire by yourself?
- Not exactly, I only learned about this type of flame because of Azula. - I looked at Azula, who was still processing the power she had sensed from Aki.
- A human? - Aki turned and looked at Azula with a look of respect. - You chose your partner well, I approve of your relationship with her.
- Was it that obvious?
- Kai, I have a well-developed sense of smell, I know very well that you had sex three days ago.
Azula and Kai turned as red as tomatoes at this revelation, practically destroying the intense atmosphere of the battle.
- Please don't talk about this like it's some big announcement. - I complained angrily. - Now I understand why they said you had a difficult personality.
- It's not my fault you worry about such things, I'm a completely free person. - Aki smiled broadly, reminding Kai and Azula of a certain person.
- [UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD AKI AND TY LEE MEET EACH OTHER!!] - thought Kai and Azula.
- Well... Did you use all your tricks? - asked Aki, looking pleased.
- I even have more weapons hidden, but I don't want to take the fight to that level. - I replied and couldn't help remembering solar fusion.
- So you already know how to use solar fusion, I'm glad Katsu taught you this technique. - Aki grinned wildly and bared his fangs. - Since we can't use it to fight, tell me, what's your level of mastery?
- Hmmm... is there a mastery level? - Azula asked as she approached the two dragons.
- Azula, stay back! - I warned, worried about putting her in danger.
- Don't worry, I won't fight anymore, I already have a good idea of your power level. - I confess, Aki. - To answer your question, Azula, yes, Solar Fusion has levels of mastery.
- Unbelievable, I thought it depended on the type of fire to affect its power. - Azula analyzed.
- Why would you say that? - Aki looked at Azula curiously and couldn't help but stare at her belly for a moment.
- Azula knows how to use solar fusion, just like you and me. - I replied.
- What? Really! - Aki was extremely surprised and took a few steps back. - Humans with that kind of power? That's a bit absurd.
Azula couldn't help but smile when she saw Aki's reaction, and when her dominant side overrode her instincts, she began to concentrate her energy, spreading her arms and rotating them until their hands came together. A blue light shone from the corners of Azula's hand, and when she opened her hand, a wave of heat hit Aki and Kai.
The high temperature caused a disturbance in the sea for a moment, but through control and intense practice, Azula managed to keep the small blue sun in her hands under control.
- I can't believe this... Are you sure you don't have dragon blood in your veins? - Aki asked, looking at Azula's energy.
The blue sun that Azula had summoned radiated imposing and gigantic power condensed in her small hands. However, Azula's power was a little unstable, making her wonder why her control was affected.
Before Azula could lose control of the sun she had summoned, Aki grabbed the sun with her hands and affected her domain to control the core of the small star, making it shrink until it disappeared.
As Azula watched her attack fail, she felt a recurring fatigue in her body and almost fell to the ground if Kai hadn't grabbed her arms.
- Azula! Are you all right? - I put my hand to her head, worried about whether she has a fever or not.
- I'm fine, I just felt tired and disoriented for a moment. - Azula confessed. - My element control has been strange these last few days.
Over the last few weeks, Azula had noticed that her elemental control had worsened over the last few days. She thought it might have been a mistake in her training, but noticed that her stamina was also weakening, affecting her times in her training sessions, but decided not to tell Kai, not wanting to worry him.
- Do you need a doctor? - I asked, wanting to see if there was anything wrong with my fiancée.
- Don't worry, it's normal at first, I know what it's like. - said Aki with a happy smile.
- What are you talking about? - Azula asked, getting up thanks to Kai's support. - Do you know what's wrong with me?
- Hehehehe... I know exactly what's wrong with you, even if you haven't noticed, because her energy is mixing with yours right now. - Aki raised her thumb in approval to Azula.
- Her? Wait, what are you talking about? - I asked confused.
- Are you idiots? I'm talking about the little dragon in Azula's belly. - Aki grinned mischievously. - These are the same symptoms I had when I was pregnant with Katsu. When a dragon is in the womb, it collects more than ⅔ of its daily spiritual energy just to be born, which is why you almost fainted now.
I was completely stunned by Aki's words and didn't know what to say. I turned to look at Azula, who was staring at me with the same incredulous look. We stared at each other for a few seconds until we started hugging each other happily.
I grabbed Azula and, in my excitement, lifted her off the ground and brought her close to me for a kiss, which was immediately reciprocated. We were practically in ecstasy for minutes, and we both couldn't stop a few tears from falling from our eyes.
- Okay, okay, okay, since the couple are expecting a baby, can I at least choose her name? - Aki asked sincerely.
- How... How do you know it's a girl? - Azula asked with a hand on her belly.
- By the frequency of the energy, the same logic as how I can tell one person from another just by their spiritual energy. - Aki explained. - If we follow the logic, a boy has a more excited frequency, while a girl's is more nuanced.
- Why couldn't I tell that Azula was pregnant? - I asked, still holding onto Azula.
- As I said, the baby's energy is completely masked by Azula's, it would take months to notice the differences.
- Kai... what do we do now? - Azula looked at Kai, still in shock at the news that she was about to become a mother.
- I don't even know where to start...
- How about I explain why I came to the mortal world? - Aki put her hands on her waist with a more serious expression.
Seeing my grandmother's serious expression was strange, and it made me assume a more serious posture too. It was easy to imagine that Aki probably hadn't come to the mortal world just on a whim.
- Just so you know, the original plan was to pick you up when the Fragment of the Sun arrived in the mortal world.
- Fragment of the Sun? - Azula asked.
- Sorry, I forgot what it was called by another name... What was it again? - Aki scratched his head. - What's the name of the comet?
- The comet of Sozin. - I said in surprise.
- Wait, does Sozin's comet have anything to do with you dragons? - Azula was surprised, because even the comet that passed through the sky every hundred years was related to Kai's family.
- It's a long story, let's talk about it somewhere more appropriate. - Aki looked at the fire sages who were watching from a distance. - CAN YOU PREPARE US SOME GRILLED FISH?
- Now I understand why you like fish so much. - He gave Kai a mocking look.
- I just have good taste. - I kissed Azula's forehead. - Do you want me to carry you?
- Actually, yes. - Azula feigned weakness.
Azula was so happy at the prospect of becoming a mother that her plans to form a formal Aki alliance with the Fire Nation were put on hold.
As happy as the group was, the day had only just begun, and the real trouble was yet to come.
Next chapter: The Attack of the Eternal Dragon Part 1
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