ATLA: Azlua

Rebellion Part One

Amid the relentless rain and the rhythmic rocking of the ship, Mai found herself less than pleased with her current situation. Tucked away in the hull, surrounded by the sounds of a stormy sea, she couldn't help but voice her discontent. "Do we really have to be smuggled aboard like cargo?" she asked, her tone dripping with annoyance.

An older man, his face marked by experience and his attire a blend of Earth and Fire Nation fabrics, cleared his throat before responding. "Apologies, Lady Mai, but maintaining a low profile is essential. Particularly for your entourage," he explained, gesturing towards the Yuyan Archers now cloaked in hoods and disguised to blend in.

Mai, feeling the weight of his reasoning yet still irked by the situation, pinched the bridge of her nose. Her frustration was palpable. However, something he said caught her attention. "Wait, you said 'the Fire Lord's sword'? Wouldn't the Yuyan be considered her bow?" she inquired, puzzled by his choice of words.

The man, Commander Shin, corrected himself with a respectful tone. "My apologies, Lady Mai, I misspoke. I was actually referring to you. You are known as Fire Lord Azula's sword, celebrated for defeating the legendary sword master Piandao. Rumors claim you single-handedly bested one hundred Earth Kingdom soldiers during the siege of Ba Sing Se."

Mai, slightly embarrassed by the lofty description of her deeds, quickly dismissed the flattery. "Let's not get carried away with titles, Commander Shin," she stated flatly, eager to deflect any further attention from her past exploits.

As the ship began to steady, signaling their arrival, Mai shifted into action. "Looks like we're here. I'll move out first and find a safe house. Once you're up to speed, I'll send a hawk to let you know where to find us," she instructed, planning their next steps with precision.

Commander Shin nodded in understanding, making his way to the upper deck, while Mai and her Yuyan companions stealthily moved into the cargo crates, ready to blend into the night.

--

After an hour of careful unloading and scanning for observers, Mai quietly emerged from her hiding spot in the crate. She paused, letting her heightened senses scan the surroundings for any threats before signaling the Yuyan Archers to join her. With a quick stretch to alleviate the stiffness of confinement, she pulled her hood over her head and slipped out of the warehouse with a stealth that spoke of her training, albeit not with the ghost-like efficiency of the Yuyan.

The Yuyan Archers, a cohesive unit adept in their silent communication and movements, spread out to provide cover. Despite Mai's own considerable skills, she acknowledged the challenge of keeping pace with their almost spectral movements. Their strategy had her at the core: she would play the part of a lone traveler, with the Yuyan as her shadowy protectors.

Navigating through the muddy streets, Mai's observant eyes noted the fragile mud structures, the distrustful glares of Earth Kingdom guards towards any hint of Fire Nation affiliation, and a guard's corpse discarded in an alley—a stark indicator of the city's unrest.

Her contemplations were abruptly interrupted when she collided with a small boy, causing him to stumble into the mud, clutching a single flower.

"Watch where you're going," Mai muttered, more out of surprise than annoyance, as her hood fell back.

Undeterred, the boy offered up the flower with a hopeful smile. "A pretty flower for a pretty lady? One copper!"

The sight of the boy, wearing a patchwork of Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom clothes and braving the streets, evoked an unusual twinge of empathy from Mai. She handed him a silver piece, her actions betraying a rare moment of impulsiveness.

"That's too much," he protested, his eyes widening at the coin's value and quickly looking around, wary of unwanted attention.

Mai pressed her lips together, her gesture now feeling more like a momentary lapse in her usual guarded demeanor than a genuine act of kindness. She recognized the complexity of her feelings—how even a hardened warrior could find herself momentarily swayed by a child's plight.

"Keep it," she said, her voice firm, as she pulled her hood back up and continued on, the flower now a somber token in her grasp.

Jin Wei, the Yuyan Captain, moved to catch up with her, but Mai held up a hand to halt him, her whisper barely audible over the din of the rain.

"Let's just move on," she said, discarding the flower as they blended back into the shadows, her thoughts lingering on the boy and the unseen costs of the conflicts that lay ahead. "We have work to do," she stated, her tone leaving no room for further discussion as they ventured deeper into the city.

--

Under the blanket of night, as the city began its descent into slumber, Mai and the Yuyan found refuge in an abandoned dwelling. The only sounds permeating the heavy silence were the methodic strokes of Mai sharpening her sword and the quiet rustle of the Yuyan inspecting their gear. The routine calm was punctuated by Jin Wei's observation. "That blade, it seems familiar."

Mai, examining the edge of her sword and pointing it in Jin Wei's direction, confirmed, "Yes. It seemed more fitting for it to serve in the hands of its former disciple, disgraced or not, rather than be discarded or claimed by some undeserving officer."

Jin Wei, with a hint of surprise, commented, "I must admit, my lady, I hadn't taken you for one to hold onto sentiment."

Mai, her gaze still on the blade, replied coolly, "I'm not. A blade is merely a tool. It would be a shame for such craftsmanship to go to waste." Her words were measured, betraying none of the inner conflict she felt.

Internally, Mai wrestled with the notion of loyalty and betrayal; to mourn a traitor was taboo, yet he had been her mentor. The gesture of keeping his sword felt like the least she could do to honor that past, a silent tribute she allowed herself despite the complexities of their fallen allegiances.

Their quiet contemplation was suddenly interrupted by a knock at the door. Instinctively, the Yuyan poised themselves for conflict, their focus snapping to potential entry points, only to relax as the familiar pattern of knocks identified a friend, not a foe. Commander Shin entered, his presence momentarily lifting the weight of the evening's tensions.

Mai, shifting her attention to Shin, inquired, "So, do we have good news, or bad?"

Shin, pausing to collect his thoughts and perhaps aware of the gravity his message carried, responded with cautious optimism, "Good. Allow me to introduce resistance leader Hong Li," he gestured to the door.