ATLA: Azlua

Rebellion Finale Part Two

Mai stood in the midst of the rebel army, side by side with hundreds of soldiers. The atmosphere was thick with tension, the weight of anticipation hanging over them like a suffocating shroud. She could feel it in the air, a collective breath held by every fighter, every conscript. They stood ready, yet anxious, knowing the battle ahead could be their last.

Rangi stood to her right, his face set in determined focus, and Asha was to her left, her eyes flickering with a mixture of nerves and resolve. Behind them, Commander Shin loomed, his presence a quiet but steady reassurance. The Yuyan Archers were scattered behind him, each one ready to execute their orders with lethal precision.

All eyes were trained toward the horizon, where the Earth Kingdom army had begun to appear in the distance. Even from where they stood, the sheer size of the enemy force was daunting. Infantry lines stretched far and wide, shimmering in the afternoon sun, their green and gold armor reflecting the light like a wave of emerald steel.

Behind the infantry, the massive bulk of caterpillar tanks rumbled forward, their iron tracks crushing the ground beneath them. The sound of their engines hummed in the air, a low growl that seemed to vibrate in Mai's chest. Ostrich horses trotted alongside them, their riders holding long spears and banners that fluttered in the wind. Above, a single hot air balloon drifted, serving as a lookout and tactical eye for the commanders of the Earth Kingdom.

On the rebel side, there was only infantry. No tanks. No cavalry. Just foot soldiers armed with whatever they could scrounge together. The few bending units they had were spread thin throughout the army, their numbers a stark contrast to the might of the Earth Kingdom. Despite the raw courage in the hearts of the men and women beside her, the difference in strength was clear.

Mai could hear the nervous shuffling of feet, the soft clinks of swords being adjusted, and the muffled whispers as soldiers tried to reassure one another. It felt like the world had fallen silent except for the distant rumble of the enemy.

The scent of sweat and steel filled the air, mingling with the dust kicked up by their boots. Somewhere down the line, someone coughed, breaking the stillness. But it didn't last long. The vast green field between the two armies felt impossibly long, a no-man's land where fate would be decided.

The Earth Kingdom army was prepared for war, trained for this moment. The rebels—ordinary men and women, farmers, blacksmiths, refugees—stood with nothing but their will and a cause worth dying for.

Mai's hand rested on the hilt of her sword, her fingers flexing as the tension rose. She could feel her pulse in her throat, her breathing steady but shallow. The bitter taste of metal lingered in her mouth, a familiar sensation before the fight. She looked at Rangi, who caught her gaze for a moment, and then Asha, who stood straighter as if drawing strength from their unspoken connection.

This was it. There was no going back.

Mai's thoughts were interrupted by the low, steady voice of Commander Shin beside her.

"My lady, I urge you once again to retreat. Your presence isn't needed here," he said, his tone respectful but firm, as if he'd repeated this sentiment several times already.

Mai's mind raced. He was right. Her role had officially ended the moment the sun rose over the horizon. She had delivered the Fire Nation's support, rallied the troops when needed, and played her part in keeping the morale of the rebellion high. She could leave now, return to the safety of her home, and report back to Azula with news of the battle's outcome. But something held her here, something she couldn't quite ignore.

Why haven't I left? She asked herself. But she knew the answer even as the question formed. She cared about these rebels. They weren't just soldiers to her anymore. They were her friends—Asha, Rangi, even the rowdy recruits who had trained tirelessly for this day.