── 𝒂 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉.

[ 001 ] DANGEROUS CURIOSITY
❝Well, your curiosity just put us all in danger!❞

·𖥸·

 ZHANG FEIFEI HAS NEVER seen a Fire Nation ship before──until today.

 Whenever she wanders near Ch'uan's shores, the ocean stretches endlessly, untouched except by Ryujin, the Sea Monster, who often greets her with a playful flick of his massive, scaly tail. But today, the sea offers something new. Her heart races as she stares at the maroon ships, their sails heavy with the Fire Nation's fierce insignia. She squints, trying to make sense of it.

 "The Fire Nation?" she whispers, confusion creasing her brow. "Why are they here?"

 A rustling behind her breaks her focus. Ming-Yue, her best friend and the island's prince, rummages through bushes, filling a bag with berries. Exploring the island's hidden corners was Feifei's idea──an escape from the routine of training with the Moon Warriors.

 The islanders despise Avatar Suijin, the founder of Ch'uan, whose name is now shrouded in disgrace. She once fell in love with a man from the Fire Nation, and they say that love poisoned her, leading her down a dark path of betrayal. Legends speak of the devastation she caused, not just to her enemies, but to her own people and allies. Suijin's name has been erased from the history books, her story forbidden, her legacy remembered only with bitterness by the young.

 But not Feifei. She refuses to accept the lies and myths passed down by the elders without question. If Suijin were truly corrupt and wicked, she wouldn't be the Avatar.

 "Ming-Yue! Look!" Feifei slaps her friend's leg, trying to pull his attention away from the bush where he's gathering berries. Ming-Yue has always had a weakness for berries, something Feifei has never quite understood. "Have you ever seen those ships before?"

 Without even glancing up, Ming-Yue shrugs, still focused on picking berries.

 "Mm, no," he mutters, barely listening. "Now, don't bother me. I still have a lot of berries to──"

 "Enough with those berries!" Feifei snatches his bag with a sharp tug. "Look at those ships, Your Highness!" She rolls her eyes when he groans in protest. "Allow me, a humble servant, to request your royal attention," she adds in a mockingly formal voice.

 Ming-Yue crosses his arms, irritated as he finally steps beside her. "I don't know why I still hang out with you," he remarks.

 "And I don't know why you always come looking for me when you're bored," Feifei shoots back with a grin before she turns her attention to the Fire Navy again.

 There are more than four ships, to be exact, sailing westward. Why west? Is there another island nearby? Could she ride a wave and reach it?

 Her mind races with questions about the world beyond Ch'uan. Are there other waterbenders like her? Is the Earth Kingdom as vast as the books claim? Is fire really the superior element? Could she learn to fly with the airbenders? And is the world truly as dull as Ch'uan feels sometimes?

 The urge to know burns deep within her, pulling her toward the Fire Navy ships, tempting her to chase after answers. But in her heart, she knows the only thing waiting there is fire──endless, consuming fire. Still, a part of her wonders if a simple, polite question might reveal their purpose near Ch'uan.

 "We should inform my father and General Ruyi," Ming-Yue suggests, his eyes fixed on the unfamiliar ships.

 Something feels off. Ships never venture into these waters, so why now?

 Just as he turns to leave, Feifei grabs his wrist, stopping him in his tracks. Her grin is wide, infectious, her teeth gleaming in the sunlight. Ming-Yue knows that look all too well──it's the look of mischief, and he's already dreading it.

 "You can't be serious, Feifei..." he starts, frowning. But Feifei's smile only grows brighter. "We're outnumbered! Two of us against... who knows how many on those ships!"

 "We're Moon Warriors, Ming-Yue! As strong as half of Avatar Suijin!" she exclaims excitedly, bouncing on her toes. Without another word, she turns and dashes toward the shoreline, where the waves gently kiss the sand. "Come on, Your Highness! Or is your robe weighing you down?" she teases, her laughter ringing out as she reaches the water.

 Feifei isn't blind to the Fire Nation's cruelty. She knows they've brought war to the world, leaving nothing but ruin in their wake. They've destroyed countless homes and claimed nearly every land they touched, as if dragging the fires of hell with them. And yet, Ch'uan has never been invaded──not once since Fire Lord Sozin's war began. Maybe it's because Ch'uan is remote, hidden away from the rest of the world. It's called the Island of the Cursed for a reason, after all.

 Ming-Yue calls out worriedly as he races after his friend. "Feifei! Wait! Don't go there!"

 But it's no use. He knows it's no use, and he feels foolish for even trying to stop her.

 Feifei, without waiting for the prince, summons a wave and leaps onto it with ease. She rides its crest, gliding toward the Fire Nation ships, her hanfu whipping in the wind. She doesn't care if the sea soaks through her clothes. All that matters is finding the answers she seeks from the strangers on the ships.

 Hearing the roar of another wave behind her, Feifei glances back, a playful smirk on her lips. There he is──Ming-Yue, chasing after her like always. She knows how to push him forward, how to get her way when she needs to. Curiosity killed the cat? No, for Feifei, curiosity only sharpens her hunger for knowledge.

 As she reaches the ship and leaps onto the deck, the Fire Nation soldiers are startled by her sudden arrival. Their confusion deepens when Ming-Yue follows, landing beside her.

 "Who are you? What do you want?" one soldier demands, hand twitching toward his weapon.

 Unfazed, Feifei steps forward rather boldly, causing Ming-Yue to snap his worried gaze at her. "We're just travelers," she says with a soft smile. "Curious about why the Fire Nation has sailed into our waters."

 Before the soldier can reply, another hurls fireballs toward her. Ming-Yue reacts swiftly, summoning a shield of water that sizzles as it collides with the flames.

 "Stop!" Ming-Yue commands, stepping protectively in front of Feifei. "We only want answers."

 The soldiers pause, eyeing him warily.

 "You're from the Water Tribe," one mutters.

 But before either Feifei or Ming-Yue can speak, the soldiers advance again, unleashing more attacks. Feifei and Ming-Yue are forced into a defensive stance, dodging and deflecting the fiery onslaught.

 With fierce determination, Feifei summons a powerful surge of water, crashing it over the soldiers and knocking them off balance. Seizing the moment, Ming-Yue pulls her back, retreating toward the sea's edge.

 As they ride the waves away from the chaos, Feifei glances back, her curiosity still burning. But then her eyes widen. The ships are changing course, following them toward Ch'uan.

 "They're following us!" Feifei shouts urgently, alarmed.

 Ming-Yue's face darkens. "This is bad," he mutters, then scowls at her. "I told you not to go there! They're Fire Nation! What were you thinking, you fool?"

 "I was just curious!" Feifei snaps. "I'm sorry, okay?"

 "Well, your curiosity just put us all in danger!"

 Anger flashes in Feifei's eyes as she halts her wave mid-ride. She watches Ming-Yue ride back toward Ch'uan, leaving her behind. Blame gnaws at her, but she refuses to accept it. It's not her fault she's filled with endless questions, especially after being trapped on this isolated island for as long as she can remember. She craves to break free from the dullness of Ch'uan and explore the world beyond.

 Ming-Yue, noticing Feifei is no longer by his side, feels a wave of unease. He looks back, his heart leaping with panic. There she is, riding the waves toward the Fire Navy ships, alone, without a word. She's reckless, always diving into danger headfirst. It's what he hates most──and fears most──about her.

 "FEIFEI!" he shouts just as a fireball roars through the sky, blazing toward her. "FEIFEI, COME BACK!"

 Feifei spots the missile and her anger intensifies. Rage courses through her veins, filling her with strength. These emotions have always driven her, pushing her forward, giving her the fire she needs to fight.

 With a swift motion, she raises her arms, summoning a towering wave that crashes over the fireball, snuffing it out. Her heart races as she leaps onto one of the Fire Navy ships, ready to face whatever lies ahead.

 For the first time, she stands before dozens of Fire Nation soldiers and firebenders. Fear flickers in her chest, but she pushes it down. She remembers her father's words: "You must not fear. Fear is a mind killer. As a warrior, you need a strong heart."

 Determination burns within her. She will protect her people──she must. It's the sacred duty of a Moon Warrior.

 The battle erupts. The firebenders launch searing flames at her, but Feifei moves with grace, dodging their strikes with swift, fluid motions. She raises a water shield, deflecting their attacks, and counters with sharp shards of ice.

 The soldiers press forward, their attacks relentless. Flames roar, and blades swing wildly, but Feifei stands firm. She wields her water whip and ice shield with masterful control, drawing on the skills she has honed through years of training as a Moon Warrior at the Elite Ch'uan Academy.

 At the academy, benders master their abilities, while non-benders sharpen their skills in weaponry and martial arts. Even the benders are taught to fight with weapons──small swords hidden within their garments──for there are times when bending alone is not enough.

 In Ch'uan, everyone is taught to defend themselves, a lesson passed down by Avatar Suijin, who knew the world offered no kindness. Feifei remembers the intensity of her father's strict training for both her and Ruyi, though she would often let her mind wander, losing focus and slacking off when she thought she could get away with it.

 As a waterbender, Feifei holds a unique advantage. Her father taught her to sense the energy of her opponents──qi sensing──allowing her to anticipate their every move before they act. With each clash, she reads the subtle shifts in their bodies, waiting for the exact moment to strike.

 Some may think her elusive movements are cowardly, but Feifei knows it's all part of her plan. By studying the flow of energy around her enemies, she finds the perfect openings, delivering precise, devastating blows before they can even react.

 She draws her sword from its hidden sheath beneath her top. Shards of ice fly through the air, piercing the chests of her foes, while her blade strikes with deadly accuracy. Soldiers are sent crashing into the sea's unforgiving depths, and others fall unconscious as torrents of water crash against them. Feifei fights with everything she has, each move deadly yet guided by the rhythm of battle.

 As more soldiers swarm onto the deck from nearby ships, Feifei steels herself for the next wave of attacks. Before she can move, a massive, scaly tail erupts from the ocean's depths, slamming into the ship with a thunderous force. The deck shudders beneath her feet, and in an instant, Feifei is flung into the air, twisting helplessly as she plummets toward the water. The impact is brutal, but a colossal wave engulfs her, sweeping her away in its powerful watery embrace.

 "Feifei, are you alright?" a sharp voice calls out, making Feifei's heart leap. She instantly recognizes the figure riding the wave toward her──her older sister, General Zhang Ruyi, with a serious expression etched on her face.

 Ming-Yue hadn't wasted a moment. He had gone to alert the general the moment the Fire Nation ships appeared, while Feifei had fought bravely against the soldiers. Now, with the Moon Warriors at their side, they move swiftly to protect their home. In perfect coordination, they freeze the water around the enemy ship, trapping it in place, before launching a fierce assault on the invaders.

 "Sister!" Feifei's voice is muffled by the water as she struggles to speak. When the wave releases its grip, allowing her to catch her breath, she rushes forward, wrapping her arms around Ruyi, who is still standing on her wave.

 Ruyi gently pushes her back, her mind focused on the looming threat of the Fire Navy. She orders Feifei to return to the shore, then swiftly turns to lead the warriors in battle.

 As Feifei rides the waves back to safety, something in the sky catches her eye. A large, six-legged creature flies above, and from its back leaps a young boy with a staff in hand, moving with fearless grace. His clothing is unlike anything she has ever seen──nothing like the people of the Sea.

 But what truly holds her attention are the vivid blue arrows tattooed on his bald head and hands. He looks like a monk, yet no monk in Ch'uan bears markings like his.

 Stunned, Feifei stops surfing, mesmerized as the boy seems to bend the very air itself, twisting and turning it to fight the Fire Nation soldiers. The flying creature circles the ships, carrying two others dressed in blue and a strange white monkey, tossing enemy soldiers into the sea below, where Ryujin's jaws wait open, ready to swallow them whole.

 But wait... airbending? Did she see that right?

 Feifei has heard stories of the Avatar──the one who vanished a hundred years ago, said to be an airbender. But airbenders were believed to have disappeared long ago, wiped out when Fire Lord Sozin unleashed his wrath and began the war. Could the boy really be...?

 A wide smile spreads across Feifei's lips as the realization hits her.

 "He's the Avatar!" she exclaims with excitement, though no one is around to hear.

 As the Fire Navy finally retreats, leaving behind the wreckage of their shattered ships, Feifei hurries toward the Moon Warriors and the Avatar. The warriors stand poised, weapons ready, forming a protective circle around the newcomers. Behind the young monk, a massive flying creature lands with a thud.

 "Who are you?" Ruyi demands, her sharp gaze fixed on the Avatar and his companions. Behind him, the creature and a small flying monkey chatter noisily. "Your airbending skills are extraordinary... It's almost like airbenders still exist──"

 "Because they do!" one of the boy's companions steps forward, her serious expression daring anyone to challenge her.

 "Well, not they," interrupts another boy, wearing the same blue garments as the girl. His voice carries a hint of attitude. "It's just him. Singular, Katara, thank you."

 Katara throws him a pointed glare. "You're welcome, Sokka," she snaps.

 Just then, Feifei leaps onto the ship where they stand. "Yeah, and he's the last airbender!"

 "Feifei, didn't I tell you to stay back──?" Ruyi starts to scold, but her attention shifts to Katara.

 "He's the Avatar!" Katara says, motioning to the young monk, who wears an awkward smile. "Come on, tell them, Aang!"

 Finally, the boy named Aang steps forward. "I'm the Avatar... and the last airbender. I'm here looking for the descendant of the Sea, who will help me bring peace to the world." He pauses, a puzzled look crossing his face. "Or at least, that's what Avatar Suijin told me in the Spirit World a few days ago."

 The warriors exchange confused glances. The problem is, they're all descendants of the Sea──Suijin's people──whether half-blood or pure.

 "Uh, we're all descendants of the Sea..." Feifei offers, her grin just as awkward as Aang's.

 "Oh." Aang looks puzzled. "This might be harder than I thought."

 Sokka groans loudly. "Great. A long day just got longer."

·𖥸·

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Yeah, I've decided to revamp this book here instead of revamping it on a new book. Kinda hard to get people interested but anyway hope you enjoy it.

A LITTLE DEATH | ❝You must not fear.
Fear is a mind killer.❞