༺ ˖‧₊˚𑁍˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚𑁍˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚𑁍˚₊‧˖ ༻

| PROLOGUE |

༺ ˖‧₊˚𑁍˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚𑁍˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚𑁍˚₊‧˖ ༻

"YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL, MY FLOWER," Nuan gushed as she ran her fingers through her hair.

Nuan was a gentle soul, even though she was merely in her mid-fifties, she possessed the aura of an ancient woman who had lived various lifetimes. Being in her presence always felt like a breath of fresh air, her spirit blowing away any bitter feelings that one might be battling internally.

Liena is bold enough to say, in all honesty, that Nuan was one of the few people she considered worthy of anything. Everyone else, in her eyes at least, wasn't deserving of praise. Call her fastidious, but she had never really encountered people that left a mark in her memory, no one stayed in her mind longer than perhaps a few hours. However, Nuan had made such an impression during her years as her caretaker, that Liena was sure that her memory of the woman could transcend lifetimes.

"It won't fall apart during training?" Liena inquired stiffly, meeting Nuan's eyes through the mirror in front of her.

She heard Nuan give a heavy sigh as she pushed her lips and Liena knew perfectly well why she was releasing that sound of exasperation; Nuan, as much as she loved her, hated her lifestyle. Her constant training, her father's desire to make her the perfect warrior as he made her work towards flawlessness and shaped her into whatever he envisioned he wanted to leave as his legacy for the future.

"I assure you it won't," Nuan smiled despite her disapproving eyes, smoothing down Liena's ponytail.

Liena gave an approving nod, rising from her chair and stalking towards her closet where she kept most of her training attire. Her training uniform was quite simple seeing as she was still just a pupil; it consisted of red wide-legged pants that cinched at her ankles, an equally red tight-fitted shirt tucked into her waistline and a black long and flowy robe that wrapped around her torso and was secured with a wide leather belt.

"Prince Zuko came by earlier today, he was wondering where you had gone," Nuan said, standing by the door with her arms laced behind her back.

"I was meditating," Liena said, partly disinterested though she couldn't deny the slight fondness in her voice. Prince Zuko was what she dared to call a friend, she couldn't possibly stand his sister, but he had something that Liena admired; determination. They'd known each other since they were children and while they had their differences, they'd managed to form a friendship. Besides Nuan, Zuko was probably the only other person she considered memorable. "What did he want?"

"He seemed rather excited about some ordeal–"

"Oh, yes, there's a war meeting today with the General, Zuko was hoping to attend," Liena explained as she put on her boots.

"But he's a child! He shouldn't be near any meeting of the sort!" Nuan fumed, a lock of her black hair falling out of place.

"We're the same age," Liena retorted boredly.

"Thirteen is still young!"

Liena shrugged, she knew it was pointless to argue about these matters with her caretaker, she was strongly opinionated and rarely ever changed her mind about something. While Nuan was expressive, Liena was indifferent. Her father had made sure she mastered the art of quieting down her emotions in order to have a better and more calculating head during battle. She hardly ever let herself show sentiment, and if she did, it would only occur when she was in the presence of people she trusted.

"I have to go, you know Father doesn't like it when I'm late," she said, straightening up and heading towards the door.

Nuan intercepted her before she could leave, cupping her face in her hands and looking down at her with pleading eyes, "Remember, my flower, as much as your Father tries to push you towards it, perfection does not exist, it is merely a figment of his imagination, something unreachable. Just do your best and that is enough. You do not have to prove your worth to anybody, much less to him."

"I know," Liena lied through her teeth.

"Good," patting her cheeks affectionately, Nuan finally let go of her.

Liena felt a twinge of guilt as she padded away. She didn't like lying to Nuan, the woman was like the mother she never had but she couldn't afford to be a sentimentalist. If she wanted to survive in the world she needed to follow her father's guidance and listen to his harsh words.

She would be perfect.

༺ ˖‧₊˚𑁍˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚𑁍˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚𑁍˚₊‧˖ ༻

"AS I PREDICTED—PATHETIC," Commander Zhao snarled as he stood over his daughter.

Liena clenched her jaw, rising from the floor and refraining from the urge to soothe the ache on her left side with her hand. They were currently in the arena where the military would normally train, but most soldiers were currently at lunch. It was a spacious place, outdoors and with red walls surrounding the vast area. There was a section for swords, spears and daggers, as well as a space for medical care which Liena had used more times than she'd like to admit.

"But I—" she began to explain and immediately deemed it a mistake.

She barely managed to dodge the ball of fire that he aimed at her chest, she stumbled to the side with a gasp. She had felt the heat of it, if she'd stood there a second longer there would be a gaping wound in her heart.

"What did I tell you about excuses?" His voice boomed in her ears. "I've been training you since you could form a mere spark in your hand! I have not wasted years of my life to have a mediocre daughter!"

Liena stood there rigidly and in silence. Her Father was a cruel man, she'd known it the second her mind could form an opinion for itself, he was everything Nuan wasn't; cold, detached, barbaric. . .the list was endless. And yet, somehow, Liena found herself wanting to be everything he wanted her to be. A skilled firebender, a savage dueler and fighter, a perfect soldier. To Liena, she already was all of those things, she was better than most children her age at firebending, she was proficient at hand-to-hand combat and dagger throwing, and she thought she was a good warrior.

But nothing was ever enough.

Not for her Father at least.

"Commander Zhao!" someone shouted nearby and Liena turned to see one of her father's men approach.

"Yes?" Zhao said irritably.

"There's to be an Agni Kai soon, they informed me that you are welcome to attend, I have the feeling you won't want to miss it,"

"An Agni Kai? Between who?" Liena couldn't help but ask, ignoring her father's scowl.

"Fire Lord Ozai and Prince Zuko—"

"Zuko?" Linea gasped as his name fell like an echo around her ears, her hands began to tremble as she blinked in disbelief. She had always known Fire Lord Ozai was a horrible father, but she'd never thought that he'd challenge his own son to an Agni Kai. "But they can't—!"

Her Father's heavy hand fell on her shoulder, digging his nails in, "you will be quiet, Liena, do not question the Fire Lord's will," smirking he turned to the man still standing in front of them, "when will this take place?"

༺ ˖‧₊˚𑁍˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚𑁍˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚𑁍˚₊‧˖ ༻

"THAT POOR CHILD," NUAN HAD
a hand over her mouth in horror. They were currently in the dining room, sitting down around the wooden table after Liena explained all she knew about Zuko's predicament. The red walls that decorated her house as well as the endless artwork that hung on them, which featured all types of firebending, simply made Liena's fear for Zuko grow as they reminded her of what he was going through.

The Agni Kai was taking place right at that moment and no matter how much she'd begged, Zhao hadn't let her go with him, instead, he'd sent her back home and told her to stay put unless she wanted to deal with the consequences. Of course, she didn't want to attend to witness Zuko get humiliated or worse, she wanted to attend to interfere, place herself in front of him and take the blunt form of his father's rage. She knew what the outcome would be if she did that, she'd be either automatically killed or she'd be sentenced to life in prison. But she was willing to deal with either of those options if it meant defending her only friend.

"Yeah," Liena mumbled as she transfixedly stared at her tea. Inside she was dying but outside, she was the definition of emotionless. Most people might question why she didn't seem to have a reaction to her friend's situation, but Nuan knew her well enough to know that she wasn't as disinterested as she seemed.

"It is shameful, a child should be loved and cherished by their parents, not challenged to an Agni Kai!" Nuan said as angry tears gathered in her eyes. "Oh, Prince Zuko, he's always been a fragile boy, secretly a gentle soul that was tainted by his upbringing. I wish I could take both of you away from this Nation."

Liena raised her head at that, "We're Firebenders, Nuan, we belong here, this is our home and we should cherish it. Be proud of it."

"I cannot be proud of a Nation that has been dishonourable. I love my home, Liena, but it is important to acknowledge the wrongdoings it has inflicted upon others. Perhaps one day you will see it as I do."

Liena pushed her lips, she didn't necessarily agree with that statement and she doubted her mind would be swayed, she was too deep into her father's beliefs.

Suddenly, the door opening caused her and Nuan to rise from their chairs.

"Liena, the Fire Lord wishes to see you," was the first thing Zhao said when he reached them, causing Liena to stiffen and Nuan to straighten.

"Why?" Linea said, swallowing.

"Are you questioning a direct order from Lord Ozai?" Zhao said sharply.

"No," she mumbled back, sharing a look with Nuan, who looked a second away from exploding in distress.

"Then let's go, he's expecting you right now," her father said firmly, turning and starting to walk back towards the door.

Liena looked helplessly at Nuan, who made her way over to her and gave her hand an encouraging squeeze, "be brave, and be careful," she reached a hand to stroke her cheek, "everything will be alright,"

Liena nodded, taking a deep breath before following after her father, her heart nearly beating out of her chest as she tried to think what the Fire Lord could possibly want from her.

༺ ˖‧₊˚𑁍˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚𑁍˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚𑁍˚₊‧˖ ༻

"YOU'RE NOT COMING IN WITH ME?" Liena asked as she and Zhao stood outside of the doors that led to the throne room. The walk to the palace had been a blur and when they'd arrived, Liena had tried to look around, hoping to spot Zuko but coming up empty. She'd asked her father about the Agni Kai, about Zuko's outcome but he'd remained silent, refusing to tell her anything that might ease her worry. Eventually, she'd given up.

"It is a private meeting," said Zhao before narrowing his eyes in warning, "you'd do well to remember to show the utmost respect in the presence of the Fire Lord, Liena, I don't think you want to face the same fate as Prince Zuko. Do not dishonor me."

Liena gritted her teeth, her mind swirling with questions but she buried them into the back of her head, instead bowing her head dutifully, "I know, Father. I won't."

"Good," he motioned towards the guards that stood by the door and beckoned them to open them. They did as told and soon enough, Liena had no other option than to step forward.

The throne room is a grand and imposing space, Liena immediately felt intimidated and she resisted the urge to flinch when she heard the grand doors close behind her. She forced herself to walk forward, discreetly glancing around; There were big pillars that created a straight path towards the end of the room, and the floor was made of polished marble, so clean that Liena could see her own reflection as well as the flickering light of the torches that lined the walls, casting a warm and golden glow over the vast space.

And at the far end of the room sits the throne, elevated on a dais and carved from dark, ornate wood as the Fire Lord sits upon it, emitting so much power that it was nearly suffocating. There was a small flickering wall of fire that separated the throne from everything else, preventing anyone from trespassing.

As soon as she was at a near enough distance, Liena sank to her knees and bowed her head respectfully, she willed her voice not to wobble as she parted her lips, "you wished to see me, my Lord?"

"Yes, I have heard many things about you, girl, from your father," Fire Lord Ozai started and Liena had to stop herself from recoiling at the sound of his venomous voice. When he speaks, he carries an authoritative tone laced with an underlying menace. "He claims you are a capable warrior. Obedient is the word he used, you follow the orders given to you."

"Of course, sir,"

"Look me in the eye while you speak, child!"

Remaining on her knees, Liena shut her eyes for a moment before slowly lifting her head. She could barely see him past the flames that separated them, but her sight was one of her best qualities; The Fire Lord seemed to possess a tall and imposing stature, with sharp features and piercing eyes that seemed to bore into the soul of anyone who meets his gaze. His aura gives a chilling combination of power, malice, and ruthlessness. While in his presence, Liena feels as if she is standing on the edge of a precipice, teetering between fear and submission.

She saw him smirk and she wondered whether he could somehow hear how fast her heart was beating, "I assume you heard about Prince Zuko's situation,"

"Just the overall picture, my Lord," Liene refrained from asking a question about the Fire Lord's son.

"The insolence he displayed at the war meeting room earned him a well-deserved lesson, he showed the weakness of his character during the Agni Kai, refusing to generate even a spark against me. Suffering was a fine teacher during the duel, however, I have decided that Prince Zuko is to be banished from the Fire Nation. Instead, he'll be sent to hunt down the Avatar."

Liena could feel her eyes widening at his words, hunt down the Avatar? She knew that it had been a hundred years since he'd vanished, there was no way he was still alive and yet the Fire Lord would be sending his son on an endless hunt, "Why are you telling me this, sir?"

She knew he wouldn't be telling her this unless he had some ulterior motive, the Fire Lord rarely ever spoke to his Commanders and much less their daughters, he wouldn't waste time on such ordeals without a reason.

"Because you will be joining him," his words nearly sent her off balance. "I need someone to keep Prince Zuko in line, someone competent and willing to follow orders and attain my wishes of keeping him away from this Nation."

"I'm not sure I'm qualified—"

"Are you saying Commander Zhao was wrong about you?" His voice dripped with venom as his eyes narrowed, she was sure she could see a flame flickering in them. "Perhaps the Commander's word is not as trustworthy as I thought."

"No, no, forgive me, sir," Liena rushed. She took a deep breath. "I will do as you please."

"I will expect you to update Commander Zhao once a month by messenger hawk and you will be summoned for an in-person meeting yearly."

Yearly? That meant she could only return home once a year? What about Nuan?

"Your ship leaves at dawn, I suggest you do not present any resistance to this task,"

"Of course not, my Lord," Liena expressed confidently despite her rising panic. She rose to her feet, giving a respectful bow and stiffly walking away, wondering how on earth she would break the news to Nuan.

༺ ˖‧₊˚𑁍˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚𑁍˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚𑁍˚₊‧˖ ༻

"ABSOLUTELY NOT!"

Liena sighed as she continued to pack her bags, her father was out with his men in the arena, doing late night training, on the way home she learned that her father had known all about the Fire Lord's intention of sending her away with Zuko, he claimed that this would be a great opportunity to earn more of Lord Ozai's trust, of making themselves be seen and possibly rewarded in some way. Liena knew her father was hungry for the Lord's approval and she was merely a piece in his game, something he was willing to sacrifice on his way to greatness.

"I don't have a chance, Nuan," she grumbled, closing her bag and letting herself collapse onto the bed, her hair spilling all over her pillow as she stared at the ceiling.

She would undoubtedly miss her room; The walls are adorned with art pieces, mostly lotus flower paintings that Nuan had gifted her over the years. Like the rest of the house, her room consisted mostly of shades of crimson and gold. A wooden training dummy stands in one corner, its surface marked with the scars from her countless dagger-throwing sessions.

In another corner sat a small vanity table, adorned with a polished bronze mirror and various jars of ointments and oils, which Nuan would massage into her hair from time to time. On it sat multiple candles as well, casting a warm hue around the chamber.

In the middle of the room was her canopy bed draped in scarlet silk curtains. She adored her sleeping space, it was the only area in which she could relax after a long day and rest her aching limbs. Nuan would always light up some incense to help her sleep better as well.

Now she'd have to leave all of this to sleep in a filthy ship.

"How are you going to manage on that ship? Out in the sea?" Nuan questioned, sitting down on the bed as well and reaching a hand to stroke her hair soothingly, "I doubt you have forgotten about your fear of water, Liena, you'll be surrounded by it if you go!"

"I have to go," she said and it was true, even if she wanted with all of her heart to remain where she was, that would be like signing her own death sentence. Defying the Fire Lord wasn't something people took lightly. Besides, this could be her opportunity to prove to her father that she was everything he wanted. She was capable, she was perfect.

Yes, she was terrified of water, always had been, but sometimes sacrifices needed to be made.

"Oh, but what will you do there all alone? The only girl! Who will do your hair? Who will make you your favourite tea? Who will—"

"If I could take you with me, I would," Liena whispered, sitting up and facing Nuan completely. "You know I would."

Nuan tucked Liena's hair behind her ears before cupping her face, "How can I ever say goodbye to my flower, mmm? My little lotus is being sent out into the world far too soon,"

"I'll be fine," Liena consoled as she placed her hands over Nuan's. "You'll see me once a year and maybe we can exchange letters with messenger hawks, I'll always find you."

Nuan gave a watery smile, kissing her head and rising to her feet, "Then I suppose I should let you rest, your journey starts early tomorrow."

"Good night, Nuan,"

"Good night, Liena,"

Liena could hear Nuan's quiet sobs that night.

༺ ˖‧₊˚𑁍˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚𑁍˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚𑁍˚₊‧˖ ༻

"I'LL BE EXPECTING A DETAILED UPDATE about the journey in a months time, not a day later, understood?"

"Yes, Father," Liena bowed her head. They were currently standing near the docks and Liena would soon have to go search for the ship that would be her home for spirits knew how long.

"Do not disappoint me,"

"I won't,"

Giving a nod, Commander Zhao gave his daughter a last once over before turning on his heel and turning away.

"That man gets colder by the day," Nuan shook her head.

Liena gave a jerk of her shoulder and her eyes suddenly felt stingy, her throat narrow and her nose itchy, "I'll miss you,"

Nuan's eyes were swimming with tears, crying freely as she wrapped her arms around her, hugging her tight to her chest and smoothing down the back of her head, "Oh, my child, I'll miss you dearly, it feels as if you are taking a part of me with you,"

Liena clenched her eyes shut and gritted her teeth, refusing to let herself cry no matter how much she wanted to, "I feel as if I'm leaving a part of me with you,"

"You will always be with me," pulling away, Nuan placed a hand over her heart, "You are right here."

Liena took a moment to just stare at her caretaker. Nuan's hair, which was pulled back into a simple yet elegant bun, was nearly white now due to her age though her amber eyes held a youth that Liene didn't even think she herself possessed. She was always dressed in similar clothing, a long flowing robe of fiery red silk, adorned with intricate patterns of golden embroidery that dance across the fabric like flickering flames. She tried to engrave the image of her in her mind.

"When you are out there, exploring the world, I implore you to take a good look around, analyze the people, study their behaviour, you have to see what we have imposed upon them, understand their pain,"

"I don't know what—"

"Should you find the Avatar, ask yourself, is it best to turn him over or to set him free so he can perform his duty?" Nuan said, her voice as serious as ever.

"You want me to help the Avatar?" Liena asked in disbelief, shaking her head.

"I want you to see, I want you to make a choice for yourself without the influence of those who wish to shape you into something you are not. Be who you are meant to be, choose your own destiny, not the one your father has laid out for you,"

Liena remained silent.

"Promise me you will be you, not someone else," Nuan nearly implored, grasping her arms.

"I promise," Liena mumbled, though she wasn't sure she would be able to uphold it.

Nuan pulled her into another hug, whispering in her ear, "I'll be seeing you, my flower, take care of yourself,"

"Goodbye, Nuan," Liena choked out.

She had to force herself to walk away after they pulled apart, only turning to look back one more time to give the woman she considered a mother a final wave. She could see the tears streaking down Nuan's cheeks and she felt her heart stutter with despair.

She found the ship fairly quickly and she spotted the back of Zuko's figure near it, she immediately broke into a sprint, "Zuko!"

He'd barely turned around when Liena dropped her bags and threw her arms around his shoulders, burning her face in his neck. He didn't hug her back, he just stood there stiffly as she suffocated him. Finally, after a few seconds, she let go only to feel her lips part in disbelief as she got a good look at him. The left side of his face was heavily bandaged and Liena immediately could put the pieces together, his father had burned his face off.

"Zuko—"

"Don't say anything," Zuko warned lowly, "Just don't, Liena,"

"He burned your face, Zuko. Will you even be able to see with that eye after we remove your bandages—?"

"I recall your father doing worse,"

Liena sent him a withering glare, "You're trying to push me away but guess what, you won't be getting rid of me, so you might as well get used to my prodding, it's not stopping any time soon,"

Zuko scowled, roughly grabbing her bags and stalking his way over towards the ship.

"Forgive my nephew, he hasn't been himself,"

Whipping around, Liena spotted Zuko's uncle smiling warmly at her.

"General Iroh!"

"What have I been telling you, Liena? Uncle Iroh is just fine, I haven't been General for some time now," he chuckled.

Liena offered a small smile, directing her gaze back to where Zuko had stormed off to, "This won't be an easy journey, will it?"

"No adventure is ever interesting without a bit of turmoil," Iroh placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I suppose,"

"Come on now, we better get ahead and choose the best cabins!"

Would it be better to turn him on or to set him free so he can perform his duty?

With that question in mind, Liena followed Iroh onto the ship, not letting her eyes fall on the water below.

Something was telling her this journey would be her undoing.

༺ ˖‧₊˚𑁍˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚𑁍˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚𑁍˚₊‧˖ ༻

HEYYYYYYYYYY

Ngl, this is probably the longest prologue I've written so far. I hope you liked it!!!!!!!

Nuan is the literal best </3

Also, there will be flashbacks so if you feel like Liena and Zhao's relationship isn't as detailed it's because of that! :)

Liena and Zuko will be breaking some hearts in this book so be prepared. Also, NO, THERE WON'T BE ANY ROMANTIC FEELINGS BETWEEN THEM! I DESPISE LOVE TRIANGLES! They are platonic with a capital P!

Also, Iroh and Liena will become so precious <3

I hope you guys are liking Liena so far :)