73. Short Tales - Steel and Sand

Chapter 73: Short Tales - Steel and Sand

The sea parted with a rolling hush as the Fire Nation cruiser carved a path through the calm morning waters toward Kyoshi Island. Its hull was iron-gray, like all warships of the Fire Nation, forged in deep caldera forges and fitted with sharpened prows and flanking towers. Smoke curled from its twin chimneys, though the engines now slowed as the vessel glided toward land under careful guidance.

With a grinding metallic groan, the ship's massive front gate cracked open from within, revealing a glowing red seam as the internal clamps disengaged. With a hydraulic hiss, the gate lowered, forming a ramp that extended into the white sand of the shoreline. The beach beneath it trembled.

Without delay, rows of armored Fire Nation soldiers began to march down in precise formation. Their crimson lamellar armor gleamed under the sunlight, metal boots stamping into the sand as three dozen of them took their positions on the shore. Behind them followed a dozen more warriors atop komodo rhinos, the massive beasts snorting and chuffing, their armored scales glinting. The soldiers atop them held lances and halberds, banners fluttering in the breeze.

Still aboard the deck stood another complement of three dozen soldiers, standing at attention beside flame-guided torches, their eyes surveying the terrain with vigilance.

At the front of the detachment stood a tall, lean young man in his mid-twenties, his dark hair swept back into thick sideburns that framed his face. His armor was worn from long use, but polished with pride. This was Lieutenant Jee - senior officer and right-hand man to Crown Prince Zuko.

Beside him, a slightly shorter man adjusted the strap on his chestplate. He bore a hard jaw and a youthful smirk, with a light scar just below his right eye. Kujan, a sergeant in the prince's ranks, shifted his weight and glanced out toward the treeline beyond the beach.

"They're here already," Kujan noted, seeing green figures in formation far off beyond the misty tree line.

Jee gave a slow nod. "I figured they would be. Kyoshi Warriors aren't known for being late."

"I still can't believe he sent us away already," Kujan said, folding his arms. "We just got back to the capital, what, two weeks ago?"

"The prince said this trip would be 'very good for us.'" Jee looked distant for a moment. "I don't know what he meant by that. But… I'm not complaining."

Kujan gave a sideways glance. "Your sister again?"

"My fiancée, actually," Jee corrected, then exhaled sharply. "Found out she was seeing that smug bastard Tau on the side. The whole thing went up in flames."

Kujan frowned. "Wasn't he the one that lost all his ranks after the Avatar incident?"

Jee nodded. "Yep. The moment Zhao got executed and Tau fell from grace, she came crying back. Said she wanted another chance." He gave a dry laugh. "I slept with her, sure… but I packed up and boarded this ship an hour later. I'd had enough."

"Damn. Well, at least you got some," Kujan said, adjusting his bracers. "My luck's been garbage lately. I thought I was starting something with that private from the 56th."

"The short one? With the scar on her neck?" Jee asked with a knowing smirk.

"That's the one," Kujan confirmed. "I missed our rendezvous during the Avatar op. She thought I ditched her."

"Maybe you'll have better luck here," Jee said, nudging him. "Kyoshi Warriors. Plenty of sharp, flexible, disciplined women."

Kujan barked a laugh. "Right, and they'd all cut me in half before I finished the sentence."

"Just try not to insult their face paint and you might survive," Jee replied, eyes still scanning the treeline as the faint shimmer of green and gold grew clearer.

The sand shifted under the weight of marching beasts, and the soft cries of birds echoed through the morning air.

The Fire Nation had arrived on Kyoshi Island.

Lieutenant Jee took a few slow steps toward the edge of the beach, his boots crunching against the shell-strewn sand. His gaze never left the forest line where the faintest shimmer of green fabric had vanished only moments ago.

"I know you're there," he called out. His voice rang clear and unwavering. "Show yourselves."

For a few seconds, the beach remained silent, the only sounds being the rustle of trees in the ocean breeze and the soft snorts of the komodo rhinos behind him. Then, from the shadows of the forest, a single figure stepped forward as though the trees themselves had parted to let her through.

She moved with the grace of a spirit and the weight of command.

Her green armor caught the morning light in ripples. The red trim of her face paint was unflinching, and her fan rested loosely in her left hand. Akari, Head Warrior of Kyoshi Island, revealed herself with the dignity of a general and the presence of a queen.

Behind her, several more Kyoshi Warriors began to emerge from the trees in silence, spreading out along the edge of the forest. They were not drawing weapons, but their posture spoke clearly—they would defend if needed.

Jee met her gaze squarely.

"Why are you here?" Akari asked. Her voice was even, but firm.

"Where's the mayor?" Jee returned the question without skipping a beat.

Akari tilted her head slightly. "Whatever it is you want, I can answer in his stead."

Jee exhaled softly through his nose. "I'm afraid I can't do that."

He took another step forward, his soldiers on the beach watching silently. On the deck of the ship, those still stationed leaned over the railing, sensing tension in the air.

"I have direct orders from the prince to handle the matter with the mayor. Personally," Jee said. "No middlemen. No substitutions."

Akari's jaw tensed slightly. The breeze tugged gently at the long ribbons tied to her headdress. She didn't move, but her eyes narrowed in contemplation.

After a short but loaded silence, Jee slowly raised one hand, palm open.

A flicker of fire sparked to life above it, dancing lightly above his skin.

"Are we going to have a problem here?" he asked casually, the flame hovering like a warning.

He turned his wrist slightly, and the flame shifted color, flaring orange-gold in the sunlight.

"I believe," Jee said coolly, "we have the solution."

And with that, the fire danced between his fingers as the final tension hung over the standoff, waiting for someone to blink.

[A/N: Can't wait to see what happens next? Get exclusive early access on patreon.com/saiyanprincenovels. If you enjoyed this chapter and want to see more, don't forget to drop a power stone! Your support helps this story reach more readers!]