The Firebender

Dancing Dragons and Other Cool Metaphors

Iroh was humming a familiar tune in the cell next to me, making the notes echo through both our rooms. I just sat against the wall, eyes closed, stomach grumbling, and teeth chattering from the lack of heat in my cell. 

My company must have noticed because the music stopped abruptly. "Are you cold, Jiera?" He asked gently. 

I couldn't bring myself to answer, but curled my knees to my chest, trying to ignore the shivers racking through my body. 

"You are a Firebender, Jiera. You can warm yourself." 

"My h--hands and f--feet are c--covered, I--I c--can't." I managed. 

"Firebending does not come from the hands or feet. It comes from the breath." He continued, and I forced myself to take deep breaths. "Your breath becomes the fire, Jiera, but you must learn to control your breath before you can truly control your fire." 

That made sense. I breathed deeply, ignoring the chills running along my body and the aching of my fingers and toes. Control your breath to control your fire. 

In.

Out. 

In.

Out. 

My eyes flew open as a flicker of orange flame escaped my nose, heating up my chest almost immediately. I laughed quietly as I continued the breathing, heating up my hands and feet before realizing I could just heat my entire body at once. 

I sighed in content. "Thank you Iroh. I've never had someone to teach me before."

"You've never had a Firebending instructor before?" 

I shook my head before realizing you couldn't see me. "No. I had to teach myself everything." 

There were a few moments of silence. "And yet you are here in a maximum security prison for only the most powerful warriors." He chuckled. "You must truly be a force to reckon with, Jiera Hazoko."

"You have no idea." I mumbled.

Just as I finished the statement, my cell door slammed open again, clanging against the stone loudly as my favorite  soldier strutted in. 

"Ahh, Killie." I smiled, quickly forcing myself to stand. "Nice to see you again--" 

I was interrupted by punch in the jaw, making me blink at the thunk  that resounded through my jaw. By now, I was used to the man's hits and just turned my head to look at him again. That's when he decided to hit me with a roundhouse kick to the face, making me crumple to thee ground as a nauseating crack  sounded. I could feel the blood pouring out of my nose, but couldn't do a thing about it as he slammed his foot into my ribs. Once. Twice. A third time. I was coughing as he grabbed me and pulled me to my feet again, this time not hesitating to slam me into the stone wall across from me. I grunted in pain as he smashed my face into the wall and someone slid a tray of food into the cell. As soon as Killie let go, I slid to the flood, barely able to move.