The Water Bender and the Fire Prince//Zuko Fanfiction

23 ~ The Boiling Rock

"What are you doing?" Enyo hissed. She stood, her hands on her hips, glaring at Zuko and Sokka.

They both turned to look at her, identical looks of surprise and sheepishness on their faces. They were standing outside Zuko's war balloon, which was humming as a fire below began to fill the balloon.

"We are going fishing," Sokka responded quickly. Beside him, Zuko chucked a bag into the air balloon.

Enyo's eyes narrowed. It was early morning, and there was no reason for either of them to be sneaking out. If it was just fishing, there was no reason to be so stealthy about it or to leave so early in the morning. 

"Don't lie to me Sokka," She glared at him. What were they trying to do? Everyone else was still asleep. The only reason she had woken up was because she had heard Zuko moving. 

Sokka ducked his head, running his hand over the boomerang on his back. "We are going to the Boiling Rock."

Enyo's eyes widened, and she was fairly certain her mouth dropped open. "The Boiling Rock?" She turned her gaze to Zuko, who had tightened his jaw, avoiding eye contact with her. "Are you insane? You'll be slaughtered. Why are you going there?"

Enyo had only heard stories of the Boiling Rock, and primarily from the crew on the ship. It was the one spot that seemed to make all Fire Nation soldiers shudder. Rumours of torture seemed prevalent; the warden was particularly gruesome. 

Sokka finally straightened up. He met her gaze. "I'm going after Dad."

Enyo stiffened, tightening her hands next to her. She could sense Zuko's gaze darting between her and Sokka. 

She hadn't thought about Dad in a long time, hadn't even known where he was or if he was still alive. Did he think she was dead?

"Okay," Enyo spoke. "I'm coming."

"What?" Sokka said. "No, you aren't, it isn't safe. This is Fire Nation territory." 

Enyo raised an eyebrow. "I know the Fire Nation better than you do, and he's my dad too. I'm coming, or you're not going at all." 

Sokka grumbled but gestured to the balloon. Enyo climbed over the edge, nearly bumping into Zuko. He gave her an awkward smile and murmured.

"Between you and me, I'm glad you are coming."

~~~

Enyo leaned over the edge of the metal war balloon, her eyes widening. She had known that the Boiling Rock was inside an active volcano, but she hadn't expected it to be this dramatic. Through the rising steam, she could make out the small island that the prison was situated on.  Guard towers were spaced at regular intervals around the main compound, and Enyo could see fires sparking in each of them.

The ship started to descend and Enyo turned back to look at Zuko and Sokka. The former was blasting fire into the furnace, but the ship continued to sink.

"What's going on?" She whispered. The boiling lake was hissing below. She didn't want any of that on her skin, water or now.

"The air outside is hotter than the air inside the balloon," Zuko responded, swiping a hand over his forehead to wipe away the sweat. Enyo tried to ignore how attractive it was. "I can't make us go up, we are going to crash."

Sokka ran to the end of the ship, grabbing the handle and trying desperately to stop them from nose-diving. Enyo raised her hands, enough to calm the waters as they splashed down. Quickly, she moved her hands, and rocks crunched underneath them as they came ashore. 

Enyo grabbed the edge and jumped over it. Underneath her feet, the rocks crunched, and she crouched low so the guard towers wouldn't spot her. Sokka and Zuko were quickly behind her. She dug her hand into her pocket, clutching her stones tightly. She had to leave her spear behind; it was too recognizable and foreign. Despite her bending, she still felt defenceless.