One Shots

42. [Show No Mercy]

If they stand behind you, give them protection.

If they stand beside you, give them respect.

If they stand in front of you, watch their back.

And if they stand against you, show them no mercy.

***

    "NII-SAMA! XARIA-NEE!"

    Zuko whipped his head around to see his sister and princess, Zamia, running towards him feverishly, the circlet around her head nearly falling off. Xaria caught her before she had fallen onto the ground.

    "Zamia-?"

    "I just got a message from the scouts on the northern border wall!" Her fear resonated in the halls, her circlet bouncing off onto the ground. "We're under attack! It's Vector's fleet, we're outmatched! Please, we need orders now!"

    "What did you say?!" Zuko exclaimed. "He shouldn't be here, we are under a peace treaty!"

    An explosion from outside echoed in the air, followed by a chorus of screaming. What was he to do?! There wasn't enough time to get a message to the army! How was he already advancing so fast? The wall should have kept them out for at least a decent amount of time, at least long enough to formulate a solid plan!

    "Zuko, I will make my way to assist the army and give the message to retaliate," Xaria stated. "We cannot just allow several thousand of our people to die!"

    "I know that-!" Zuko grasped his sword from where it had been lying along his throne. His parents' throne, before Vector had so cruelly killed them. "I will not allow my people to become victims. Zamia! Get the message to as many as possible, hinder the enemy! Pyrix will not fall! Spread the message that I will make my way to the head of the battle! Ignis exarserit!"

    Zamia nodded her head rapidly, escaping Xaria's arms to pick up her circlet and run off to do her duty. Xaria followed quickly behind, ready to assist where she was needed, unsheathing the sword she always carried at her side. Zuko prepared to chase after them and approach the front lines of the war himself, sword at his side.

    Show no mercy. That was what he had sworn to himself had Vector ever come bearing ill intent towards his country after he had killed him and Zamia's parents in attempts to reclaim the land they were standing on. If Vector wouldn't at least honor the peace treaty that was fashioned to his liking, then he will be the witness to Zuko's wrath. He will lay his body down in the red amaryllis before he plunged his sword into his body as a sign of finality.

    A carrier crow flew towards him as his horse began to speed towards the northern wall.  It had dropped a note into his hand, waiting impatiently for a response as it flew beside him. The note itself was written in messy letters that he could hardly interpret, especially with the horse's trotting and the copious amount of blood on it:

Failed.

Vector is here.

sorry

    Zuko crinkled the note under his fist in uncharacteristic hatred. He waved the crow off harshly, who flew out with a loud caw. He tossed the note to the wind.

    "VECTOR!!!"

    His horse neighed and began to speed towards where Zuko ordered it to go. With his sword in hand, it was almost as though he had let a murderous being take over his body. All he had to see was the emblem of the skull to unleash his sword onto the enemy soldiers.