Chương 9: Kindled Ambitions
The setting sun cast a warm, golden hue over the training grounds, illuminating the remnants of Kaiya's intense firebending practice. The smell of charred earth mingled with the evening air, creating an almost serene atmosphere despite the recent exertions.
Kaiya sat on the ground, breathing heavily, her body glistening with sweat. She wore a light training outfit consisting of a Fire Nation crop top and shorts, showcasing her midriff. Her eyes were fixed on the horizon, lost in thought as she recovered. Azula approached her, canteen in hand, her eyes a mix of amusement and critique.
"Have you made it a habit to forget your canteen?" Azula asked, her tone a blend of sarcasm and genuine concern as she handed over the water.
Kaiya looked up, gratefully accepting the canteen. She took a long drink, savoring the coolness of the water against her parched throat. Azula watched, her expression softening slightly as she acknowledged Kaiya's progress.
"Your concentrated fireballs are becoming more potent and traveling farther," Azula noted, her tone becoming more analytical. "Incorporating long-range capabilities will enhance your versatility."
Kaiya wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and nodded, a hint of pride glinting in her eyes. "Indeed, master. Far more powerful than what you're capable of, though you do have your elegant kicks."
Azula's smirk widened, her eyes dancing with a playful challenge. "My elegant kicks serve me well in Kuai Ball. When was the last time you played, exactly?"
Kaiya's lips curled into a sly smile. "Are you sure they don't let you win, Master? They wouldn't dare mar a princess's delicate nails."
Azula smirked and looked away, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "I'm glad I've learned not to take anything you say seriously."
Kaiya's face remained impassive, but her eyes twinkled with amusement. "I'm glad you're finally capable of learning something, my pupil."
Their eyes locked, an unspoken understanding passing between them. Kaiya raised an eyebrow, a silent challenge, while Azula's smirk softened into something almost approving. Suddenly, the tension broke, and they both giggled, the sound light and genuine, cutting through the evening air like a shared secret.
Azula's expression sobered as she remembered the impending challenge. "The demonstration is tomorrow. He'll expect nothing less than perfection."
Kaiya's playful demeanor vanished, replaced by steely determination. "Then we shall deliver perfection."
* * *
The room was dimly lit by the warm glow of a furnace on one side. Flickering light cast dancing shadows across the ornately decorated walls. A plush, red couch was positioned near the furnace, its high back obscuring the view of its occupant. The rich scent of burning wood mingled with the faint aroma of incense, creating a serene yet somber atmosphere.
Azula entered the room, her footsteps echoing softly against the polished marble floor. She wore her royal robes, their intricate golden patterns shimmering in the firelight. Her expression was stern, her eyes narrowing as she looked towards the couch.
"Awake at this hour? You should be resting for tomorrow's demonstration. It must be nothing less than perfect," Azula said.
Kaiya did not respond.
Azula's eyebrows knit together in irritation. She strode across the room with purpose, her robes flowing elegantly behind her.
"Do you think you're above responding to me?" Azula growled.
Azula stomped over to the couch and circled around it. Her eyes widened in surprise as she saw Kaiya, dressed in her night robes, slumped over, asleep, with scrolls resting on her lap. The gentle rise and fall of Kaiya's chest and the serene expression on her face stood out in the dim light.
"Well, you certainly have no tact at all, do you?" Azula muttered.
Azula walked over to the furnace and gazed into the flames. The fire crackled softly, its orange hues casting a gentle glow on her face.
"You're just like my uncle. Mucking about, doing whatever you want. And where has that gotten both of you? A loser general who abandoned his duties, reduced to a babysitter for my worthless brother."
Azula then turned towards Kaiya, looking down at her.
"And you? An expelled nuisance. No father, a pathetic mother. Luckily for you, I'm giving your life meaning." Azula's voice started to break, a slight tremor betraying her otherwise firm tone.
A small tear slipped from Azula's eye, her head bowing slightly. She imagined a life without the relentless pressures and expectations, a freedom she saw reflected in Kaiya.
Azula quickly wiped the tear away and composed herself.
"Looks like I'll have to compensate for your lack of discipline."
Azula moved the scrolls aside with a delicate hand, preparing to lift Kaiya. As she reached down, she suddenly froze, her eyes widening. She stepped back slowly, her face a mask of confusion and realization.
"Why am I doing this? Such tasks are beneath a princess of the Fire Nation."
Azula turned back to the furnace, her teeth clenched in a silent struggle. The orange flames danced defiantly, casting a warm glow that seemed to mock her turmoil. With a fierce determination, she extended her arm, the air around her crackling with tension. A flick of her wrist, and the fire obeyed, transforming into a haunting blue. The eerie light washed over the room, creating elongated shadows and an unsettling, ethereal ambiance.
"Father entrusted her to ME. She's MY responsibility. Tomorrow must be FLAWLESS."
Azula turned back to Kaiya, her features hardening with renewed resolve. She looked at the sleeping girl, thoughts of responsibility filling her mind. Her actions, she told herself, were driven purely by duty, even as she moved with a surprising gentleness.
As Azula lifted Kaiya, the orange fire flickered back just before they left the room. She carried Kaiya with an unexpected delicacy, her expression softening slightly.
Walking through the dimly lit halls, a female servant approached, gesturing to take Kaiya from her arms. Azula ignored her, walking right past with a resolute stride.
Reaching Kaiya's room, Azula gently placed her onto the bed, the silk sheets rustling softly. She noticed the blanket needed to be adjusted.
"You won't be of much use if you catch a cold." Azula said, her tone stern but with an undercurrent of genuine concern.
Azula pulled the blanket over Kaiya, tucking it gently around her. She sat beside the bed, her face illuminated by the soft light of a nearby lantern. Her mind drifted back to the conversation with Kaiya about the first time she bent fire.
Azula conjured a small flame in the palm of her hand, its orange glow reflecting in her eyes. She smiled softly, the flame flickering as she remembered the innocent joy she once felt. With a sigh, she extinguished it, the room returning to its dimly lit state.
Azula stood and left the room, her footsteps soft against the floor. As she walked out, a faint smile lingered, her usual sternness briefly replaced by an unguarded serenity.
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