Book 2: Earth

Chapter 11- The Prodigal Son

The throne room of the Fire Nation Capital was a place of grandeur and power, trimmed with gold ornaments and columns, it's walls decorated with the crimson banners and markings of the Fire Nation's greatest Fire Lords and victories. Beside the tapestries of previous achievements were the shattered flags and wolf banners of the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribe, forever a reminder of the glory that had been won in the past hundred years. To an everyday commoner, walking into these hallowed halls was an intimidating experience in itself.

But on this day, Prince Zhenjin had a reason to be proud. His crimson armor shining with the red scales of the dragon he had slain not so long ago, and the army and nation had celebrated the achievement for days on end. The officers and soldiers of the capital held a feast, while tales of the prince's achievements rang through the air, along with tales of Azula's glorious conquest of the Earth Kingdom and Ozai's destruction of the water tribes. Songs and poems were exclaimed from hundreds of throats until the poets and singers went became hoarse in the early morning.

But with celebrations done, there was still much work to be done, and Zhenjin walked solemnly towards the center of the throne room, with his trusted mentor Ruon-Jian behind him in his heavy armor.

As they stopped, the dais behind the throne suddenly ignited with blue flames, bathing the room in its eerie light, and Zhenjin knelt down, bowing on the floor with Ruon-Jian, as they faced the most powerful person in the world.

Ruon-Jian smiled at the memory as he looked up at her, the years had been kind to Azula, and she was as beautiful as she was deadly, just like the time he first saw her. Even in the regal robes of a Fire Lord, she held a presence that would make even the hardest soldiers balk at a glance, and a cold calculating cunning to match her legendary ferocity. Even he felt himself shivering in a bit of fear as he approached her, and why shouldn't he? This was the woman who had overthrown a nation singlehandedly and who took down the all-powerful Avatar in single combat after all.

When he was tasked to train her one and only son so many years ago, Ruon-Jian couldn't help but feel somewhat sorry for the boy, to have such a woman as a mother. Yet, the young prince had surprised him in many ways, rising up to every challenge he had thrown at him.

Perhaps Azula was right; the divine right to rule was something that you had to be born with.

"Zhenjin."

Zhenjin brushed away the small chill in his spine as he knelt, hearing his mother's voice for the first time in what seemed like years. It sounded unexpectedly gentle.

"You have been away for a while. And I can see that many of the trials you've faced have changed you. Hardened you..." Zhenjin felt the critical eyes prying at him, glancing for one hint of weakness or hesitation, both dangerous qualities to have when facing Azula, but Zhenjin willed his face into a stone mask as he rose to face his mother. He tensed up; as if he were expecting another verbal lashing that he had been used to so many times before.

But instead, she did something that took him completely off guard and, because of that, seemed even far more terrifying.

She smiled.

"Welcome home, my son."

Zhenjin let out a sigh as he stood up, and to his surprise, Azula was already stepping towards him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I've always said that a person is measured by his deeds, not his words. Ruon-jian has told me a great deal of your conquests of the Sun Warriors and of the last dragon. You have done well."

The last words sent shivers of surprise and emotion through the prince. Being praised by Azula was terrifying and liberating at the same time, and to be honest, something he wasn't used to.