The Hardest Choice (malereader x avatar)

Chapter 10: Buildup to the Invasion

-Rewritten April 3, 2024-

-Three Weeks Later-

Y/N sat on the deck of the ship, his gaze fixed on the horizon. It had been three weeks since their last encounter with the Avatar, and the monotony was starting to wear on him. He found himself longing for the adrenaline rush of battle, for the thrill of testing his skills against a worthy opponent. But with no sign of the Avatar on the horizon, he had little choice but to occupy himself with other activities.

In the absence of excitement, Y/N dedicated himself to his training regimen. He spent hours each day honing his bending techniques, pushing himself to new limits. Gone were the days when he was little more than a novice, struggling to master the basics of firebending. Now, he felt confident enough to take on even the most formidable adversaries, perhaps even Azula herself.

It wasn't just his bending that had improved. Y/N had also undergone a physical transformation, thanks to the grueling workouts he subjected himself to. He was stronger, faster, and more agile than he had ever been before.

They were currently in the small port town of Yi Lun, a settlement on the northern coast of the Earth Kingdom, in one of the Fire Nation colonies. Y/N couldn't help but shiver in the biting cold as a frosty wind howled past him. He used his firebending to warm himself, but the chill still seeped into his bones, leaving him feeling miserable and irritable. Snow covered the ground, and even more still fell from the sky. How anyone could live in such a frigid climate was beyond him.

Lost in his thoughts, Y/N barely registered the arrival of a large Fire Nation ship in the nearby port. He watched it with little interest, too preoccupied with his own discomfort to care about the comings and goings of others.

Eventually, Y/N found himself drawn to a group of soldiers who were engaged in a card game. Intrigued, he joined them, eager to test his luck and his skills of observation. He had been reading a book on reading people, learning to decipher their thoughts and intentions through subtle cues. It was a skill that served him well as he observed the soldiers, predicting their moves and even their cards with uncanny accuracy.

After winning three games in a row and pocketing a considerable sum of gold, Y/N decided to take a break and grab some dinner. He helped himself to a serving of roast duck and poured himself a glass of wine, savoring the warmth that spread through him with each sip. Then, he returned to the table to see how Zuko was doing. Just as Zuko was about to win, Iroh approached him with a sense of urgency, causing Y/N to raise a brow at the unusual behavior. He tapped Zuko on the shoulder, getting his attention.

Iroh: [Quietly] Um... Prince Zuko...

Zuko: [Without looking] For the last time, I'm not playing the tsungi horn!

Iroh: [Worried] No, it's about our plans. There's a bit of a problem.

As if on cue, the door to the room swung open, revealing a man wearing Fire Nation military garb, someone of high rank. Y/N thought he looked familiar, but he couldn't put a name on it. Y/N could remember, however, that whoever this was was an annoying dick. Zuko stood up, anger written all over his face.

Zuko: Commander Zhao!

Zhao: Admiral Zhao, actually. I've been promoted by your father. It's strange that I've had more correspondence with him recently than you have in three years. [Smirks]

Zuko clenched his fist, clearly trying desperately to control his anger. Y/N stood up as well, much nearer to Zhao. Zhao was slightly taller than Y/N, perhaps an inch or so. Zhao glanced at him from the side of his eye.