章節 14: Kai vs Zuko
Pov Kai:
I wait for Zuko to start his attack, I just hold my position to start a defensive fight as preferred. Even though I know the rumors about Zuko's lack of power, that doesn't mean he isn't a threat.
With no more patience left, Zuko unleashed a blast of incandescent fire at Kai, who remained unaffected by the attack, keeping his hands raised only until the last second, when he snapped his fingers at the last moment, extinguishing the flames with no effort.
Everyone except Ozai and Azula stood there with their mouths agape, unable to comprehend what had happened. Iroh was stuck in his thoughts, searching for an answer to decipher what had just happened in his eyes.
- Did he bend Zuko's fire? - Iroh said in a whisper, forgetting about his younger brother who was standing next to him within earshot of his voice.
Zuko was confused, but decided to attack again, using a kick in the air to create another blast, only weaker.
In an act of reflex, I punched the stream of flames, dispersing it once again. I was deeply disappointed at first sight, just two moves were enough to give me an idea of how weak Zuko was compared to Azula.
Even knowing how weak he was, a complete subjugation of Zuko's abilities was necessary to ensure Ty Lee's safety. I extended my palm toward the prince, my flames taking on a circular shape to shoot out a jet of flame at high speed.
Zuko was surprised by the minimal use of stances to launch the fire techniques. Fortunately, he jumped aside to let his opponent's flames pass him by.
Kai's flames fell directly on the flowers, but as soon as they touched them, they disappeared as if they had never been thrown, surprising Iroh with their damage control.
On the other hand, Zuko believed that Kai's flames were too weak to burn even a single flower. This boosted his confidence, and he launched several exaggerated moves with his flames, as if to change the outcome of the battle.
I could tell that Zuko was starting to get carried away, even though I was putting out the flames directly with my fists, the meddling prince was nowhere near making me fight seriously.
As the minutes passed, Zuko was panting, unlike his rival who was practicing unharmed, and not even his clothes, which had been exposed to the attacks, were burned.
- Stop playing games and face me! - Zuko shouted, shooting a jet of flame at Kai's face.
- Be careful what you wish for. - I reply.
In a circular motion, I grabbed the prince's flames with my left hand, turned 360 degrees and launched Zuko's attack against his leg. The flames quickly burned the expensive fabric he was wearing. The Prince, realizing his situation, jabbed the area to put out the fire in comical desperation.
Many soldiers watched, thinking that the prince's attempts to defeat Kai were futile. His superiority was evident as he barely fought back, sending a silent message: You're not worth the effort.
Iroh, for his part, was extremely worried about his nephew, especially psychologically. To see him so weakened, like the offspring of a mere animal, made his chest tighten.
Ozai, on the other hand, did not seem surprised. In fact, he was extremely disappointed to see Kai's superiority over his heir confirmed and seriously questioned whether Zuko should inherit the throne.
Zuko's technique could match that of a Fire Nation soldier, which to many at the academy was a huge gap in power, but to compare it to a scenario in which the prince lives is pathetic.
- Azula! - I shouted, turning to her, who was keeping a close eye on her friends. - How long has it been since we started?
- It must be five minutes. - Azula replied doubtfully, not really sure.
Hearing Azula's words, I smiled slightly, which was noticed by Zuko, who was grinding his teeth like a wild animal. My gaze went to her eyes, which shone with emotion.
- You don't mind if I borrow your technique, do you? - I said playfully.
Azula smiled, understanding what was about to happen.
I closed my fists for the first time and contracted my muscles all over my body, with a subtle puff of smoke coming out of my fists, matching the positioning of my legs on a solid base. Even though it was my first time using this fire, I couldn't help but look forward to it.
Noticing that Kai was about to make a move, Prince Zuko filled his lungs with air and made a quick movement, shooting out a wave of fire that could easily engulf anyone in a matter of seconds. The moment the flames were over his head, Kai moved his arm faster than he could and punched the air with a concentrated blue flame.
The collision of the blows caused a wall of flames to spread to every corner of the garden, inevitably destroying the beautiful place in seconds.
As soon as Kai's blue flames met Zuko's, they began to engulf and push toward the prince, who watched and deeply understood that he could die at that moment.
Zuko instinctively closed his eyes, but in his mind, he saw his life flash before his eyes and fully understood that he had reached the end of the line. A wave of searing heat covered every part of his body, but strangely, he didn't feel the pain or cold of death. When he opened his eyes, he saw none other than his Uncle Iroh, who had countered Kai's flames with his own fire.
Both firebenders used their refined skills to extinguish the tempestuous flames as quickly as possible. Even though they both managed to extinguish the flames, the destruction caused by their last move did damage that would have made some parts of the garden unrecoverable.
- Young Kai, did you try to kill Zuko? - Iroh's question sounded more like a statement; the old warrior looked at Kai sternly. - If I hadn't interfered...
- I didn't think that the Dragon of the West would interfere. - I say a little disappointed. - But at least the rumors about his strength aren't exaggerated.
-Uncle Iroh. - Zuko was stunned, his legs shaking with fear.
- Fire Lord, I think this interference declares my victory, right? - I looked at Ozai, who was watching solemnly.
- Interrupting the duel automatically declares Kai's victory. - Ozai extended his arm to the victor. - Matters concerning Ty Lee cannot be connected without your presence from today on.
The moment victory was confirmed by the Fire Lord's own mouth, Ty Lee ran and jumped on Kai's back, hugging him and thanking him for defending her.
Mai and Azula joined the pair, smiles on their faces. Mai, as worried as she was, was genuinely grateful that Kai had taken responsibility for his actions in awakening her friend's powers, while Azula put her hands on her waist, feeling proud as if she were responsible for the victory.
Zuko stared at the victorious group with mixed emotions. The first feeling was fear at the near death experience, then anger, but he remembered that he had lost in front of his father and threw all his words and actions in the trash can.
Ozai watched the group, but especially the young airbender, his curiosity piqued.
- You said you awakened this young woman's bending. - Ozai said, drawing the attention of everyone around him. - I would like you to show me.
Kai stared seriously and tried to read the Fire Lord's intentions. In an act of courage, Mai approached the Fire Lord and bowed majestically before his king.
- Great Fire Lord, I offer to demonstrate Kai's wondrous abilities. - Mai said, still bowing her head.
What Mai was doing could be seen as a chance to get her powers, but in her mind, her priority was to survive with her friends.
When I saw that a serious, antisocial girl like Mai offered to demonstrate this improvised skill, I honestly felt relieved, I wouldn't want to awaken the powers of someone I didn't know.
- I have no problem with that, but can we do it somewhere more comfortable? - I confirm, looking at Mai and nodding slightly.
Later, in the war room. Kai was sitting on the floor with his legs crossed while he put his arms on Mai's back. Azula and Ty Lee were in a corner of the room, just watching, unable to do anything in the presence of so many powerful men.
Ozai, Iroh and some of the generals waited in silence for the awakening process to be completed. Zuko was in another corner of the room, just watching in silence, feeling groundless, lost and without honor.
In the silence, Kai collapsed backwards on the floor, his breathing out of rhythm. Mai, on the other hand, had her golden eyes wide open, feeling a new strength, as if she had regained something long lost.
Seeing that the process had come to an end, Ozai watched as Kai collapsed on the floor in a worn out state, unlike the young Mai who seemed full of energy.
- Bend your element. - Ozai ordered with expectation in his eyes.
Not wanting to disrespect his majesty, Mai punched the air with her flaming hands. She was startled for a moment, but as her creation, she regained her composure and concentrated on throwing moves she knew or remembered from Azula.
The confirmation of her Elemental Bending ability deeply shocked the hearts of all the elders.
Ozai couldn't help but smile, as if a machine of plans and new possibilities opened like a door of opportunity.
Iroh believed that Kai was something that didn't fit into the natural order of the world. He could not see the boy with the scarlet eyes as some kind of monster.
Ty Lee, on the other hand, was a little indignant, as if she was once again excluded because she was the only one who didn't bend fire.
Azula was relieved; she had deeply feared that Ty Lee's awakening was a stroke of luck. She put her hand to her chest and sighed, as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
- Mr. Ozai, this discovery is unprecedented. We can't put Kai on the front lines in the territory of the Earth Kingdom. - General Zoho said, completely impressed.
- I'd like to apologize, but I intend to keep my promise. - I'm still on the ground.
- Your ability cannot be revealed or lost...
- I said I intend to keep my promise! The Lord of Fire witnessed it, and it is my duty to live up to his expectations. - I look at Ozai from the corner of my eye.
Ozai stares at Kai in silence, knowing that he can't change the rules that were set before this great revelation in his eyes. At that moment, Kai was a priceless treasure in his eyes for his plans of global conquest.
Zuko was perplexed, his mind trying to process what he saw in her eyes, he had known Mai for years and seeing her bend the fire made him understand his rashness in falsely accusing Ty Lee. As he looked at the two girls, he realized that his sister Azula was staring at him seriously, and a chill went up his spine.
Mai felt the fire inside of him like a newly lit ember and he knew he couldn't thank him enough for the gift he had just received. She turned to Kai who was still on the ground and bowed, just like she had done to Ozai.
Kai immediately noticed Mai's bow, but he didn't have the strength to deny it, he just felt exhausted, surrendered to his tiredness and fell asleep, oblivious to the people around him.
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PRIME_PRIMUS The next chapter could come out on Sunday or Monday. Have a nice day
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