The Mistress of the Fire Lord

Chapter 10 - The Duel

I spent the rest of most of the days of the festival locked in my quarters, afraid that someone would burst in and take me out and do whatever they could do to me. The last day I thought I'd go crazy with confinement, and that I shouldn't act as a prisoner, so, I left. 

There was nothing out of usual, and then I relaxed. I thought I didn't have to fear. Probably Zuko had talked his wife down or something like that. I had to hope so. 

Before the first rays of sunlight I was again at the training grounds, relaxing with the bending of the water under the light of the full moon, with my eyes closed, when I heard this female voice I have never heard before:

-- You! It is you! 

A ball of flames came in my direction, but luckily it missed me - I definitely wouldn't have dodged that. Then I saw her: Zuko's wife. And she looked like the personification of rage.

I tried to deflect her attacks with the water I was carrying with me, but it would soon be turned into mist. I recovered the water from the mist and proceeded to continue trying to defend myself. 

The flames coming from a high kick made me clumsily duck, and I fell to my knees. My hands were still free, so I had to whip her hand that was preparing to punch me. It gave me enough time to regain my footing. A series of flaming punches made me give some steps back, and I ended up falling with my back to the floor. 

That's when I saw the full moon, mostly covered by clouds, and I had an idea. After rolling to the side, I got a nearby rock and threw at her. It hit her forehead, and she seemed even madder.

-- I know you sleep with him, and I'm going to kill you for that!

I didn't have the heart to answer to her rightful accusations, so I focused on the clouds above me and in making the water fall. A very light rain started. I personally wanted it to be pouring, but we have to work with what we get. I got all the water nearby to build an ice wall right before she sent a flaming punch in my direction, and I stood up again, focusing even harder on the rain. When she managed to destroy the barrier, the rain got a little thicker - just enough for me to counter attack. 

I turned all these raindrops in small ice needles, and sent them in her direction. I'm not proud to say that, but I laughed at that moment, feeling more powerful than ever. 

She did manage to melt my needles with her fire, and she got even more aggressive. I quickly built another ice wall, but she was really angry. While yelling:

-- You bitch, you are dead! -- She gave such a powerful blow that broke my barrier and sent me flying back, falling straight to the floor.

The first rays of sun were now visible, and the rain suddenly stopped. And then she prepared a lightning to send in my direction. 

I immediately knew I was already dead. I was there, wet, without the power from the full moon, about to receive a lightning bolt from a justifiedly angry woman. I would die and I would deserve it. 

I closed my eyes, waiting for the final blow. Instead, I just noticed something really bright and a heat coming from in front of me. I opened my eyes and saw a fire wall between me and her.