Wandering Firebender

Fifty Eight: Father & Son

It was his worst nightmare...

His own father standing right in front of him. He was the one leading this invasion? How was that even possible? Elio never wanted to oppose his father, but now they were standing in front of each other on opposite sides as enemies.

Elio briefly wondered whether he still would've come and fought had he known it would come to this...

"...so you truly have betrayed us all," Sol shook his head sadly. "When I heard about your escape, I'd hoped you would do the smart thing and return to your exile. But you truly are a traitor."

"F-Father...this has to stop. You know what happened last time the Fire Nation invaded! If you go through with this, who knows what sort of chaos will be unleashed?!"

"There will be no chaos! Only order! The entire world will bend its knee to our great nation, and this will all come to an end!" Sol argued.

"Even if that were true, which it's not, the world would be taken completely out of balance! Think about how the Spirit World could respond! It could make things totally worse!" Elio debated.

"The spirits are weak! This is what needs to happen, Elio! I see now that you've never understood that, but I will give you one chance. Lay down your weapon and surrender." His father ordered him. Elio swallowed.

"You would really arrest me? Put me back in prison?"

"You may be a traitor, but you are still my son. I don't want to have to kill you." His father threatened, raising his hands up in a fighting stance. Elio's eyes widened.

"Dad..."

"It doesn't have to come to this, Elio. But if you don't stop, you will leave me no choice. I have been given my role to serve, and I will carry it out no matter what." Sol said firmly. Elio's eyes welled up with tears.

"But I'm your son. You said you loved your family more than anything else." He pointed out, doing his best not to get choked up.

"...this is the fate of the entire world. I will do what I must." Sol remained firm in his resolve. Elio sighed sadly.

"So will I...you told me once, 'If by one life lost, hundreds are saved, then my duty is fulfilled'. I-If I have to die then I will, but you will not win this battle." Elio said, doing his best to sound brave despite his emotions being stirred up.

"Oh, Elio...I wish you could see things as I do." The general said with a sigh.

Sol made the first move, shooting a continuous blast of fire at Elio. Elio yelped in surprise and brought his hands up to block it. The force of the fire knocked him back against the door. He felt his back contort uncomfortably against his staff, which was still in its sleeve.

Sol shot another fire blast at Elio. Elio redirected the fire with his hands before jumping to the side, shooting fire out of his feet to send him flying to his right. Elio landed on the wall and pulled his staff out before jumping towards the controls to avoid another fire blast.

Elio landed right in front of the controls. Sol turned around and shot a blast that was way more intense than the first two. Elio spun his staff to block it, but it was too much. He was thrown back against the controls, pushing a lever forward.

Elio lost his grip on his staff. It flew back over his head and crashed through the front window. The staff went plummeting down to the ground below. Now Elio had nothing to rely on but his own firebending.

"You won't win this fight, Elio! I've trained you for years! I know everything you do!" Sol said as he threw another fireball at Elio.

Elio used one hand to redirect the fireball. He spun around to dodge another one then threw himself to the ground, lying on his back. He shot fire out of his feet and went shooting back. He knocked Sol's feet out from under him, causing him to fall hard on his chest.