90: Spirit Oasis.
Despite the usual low temperatures, the sunlight brought a certain degree of warmth to the inhabitants of the Northern Water Tribe on this new day at the North Pole, something they greatly appreciated.
They were accustomed to the cold, but many of the Fire Nation entourage were not. Still, they were more resilient than before; their experience at the South Pole had served them well.
Zhao was different from the rest. He had learned to keep his temperature stable at the South Pole, so he did not need much shelter.
After seeing the show and Shisui's actions the day before, his anxiety diminished. Instead of feeling scared or in danger, he realized he had no reason to feel bad.
He wasn't an idiot! Although he had received 'favor' from that being, he never thought he would attain Shisui's power or be able to do whatever he wanted. After all, he had seen not only the Sage's true strength, but also that of the royal family.
'My intention is not to go against the royal family but to bring glory to our nation as a true citizen who can do Firebending,' Zhao thought when he saw Shisui purge the darkness from those two men yesterday.
Besides, it was wise of him not to rely on the darkness within, as it would leave traces that Shisui would probably sense, and he was eager to destroy the Sage's power without confronting him. Why would he show off in front of the Sage?
He wouldn't act like a foolish person who dares to manipulate people in front of such a spiritual man as Shisui! Waterbenders' methods were varied. Zhao didn't know what the Sage was capable of, and he wasn't one to tempt fate easily.
Ever since Shisui attacked his nephew Cao-Cao, Zhao knew that tricks couldn't overcome the Waterbender's immense power, which seemed to grow stronger by the day.
'The best solution is to stick to the plan. When he no longer has the means to act with his strength, the power I have now will be enough,' Zhao mused as he looked at the city of Agna Qel'a from his hotel room.
Vaatu had told him about the power he could achieve through his blessing: flames that no one had ever used. However, although Zhao deeply craved fame and glory, he was a clever man.
He had built his strength himself, learning every Firebending movement, every breath, and every Chi guide through his body. Although he was interested in the power Vaatu offered, he didn't give himself to it recklessly.
Of course, he wanted to; who wouldn't want to become powerful easily? But deep down, he knew that if he wanted to stay true to himself, he shouldn't give in. If anything, he could harness the power at key moments and never rely on something that wasn't his own.
'Because just as you want to use me, I can use you, too,' Zhao concluded, putting his thoughts in order.
He no longer wanted to sink into his world. He had a role to play as part of the Fire Nation's diplomatic retinue. He had to engage in dialogue with important figures in the city and also wanted to observe it up close.
He wanted to walk around the city that had never been conquered by the Fire Nation. A smile emerged on Zhao's face as he walked toward the door, eager to go out and explore.
...
Unlike Zhao, Shisui wasn't admiring the city; he didn't care much about it. Yes, it was a marvel made of ice, quite beautiful in the sunrise. But he just couldn't connect with the North Pole environment. His resistance to his grandfather prevented him from appreciating it.
He knew that, but did he care? Maybe he could give it a more appreciative look another time. But on his first day in the city, he was going to spend it in a special place where, sadly, he could only go with his aunt.
"Are you still upset about the fact that I can't go with you?" Azula asked. She was still lying on the bed in the room, her naked figure partially covered by the quilt she had tucked herself in with. She looked at Shisui with a smile on her face.
The Sage frowned as he got dressed, expressing his displeasure. As he pulled up his pants, he heard Azula's question and let out a sigh.
"Of course they are! Technically, they're my ancestors, right? I'd like you to meet them!" Shisui replied. His torso was exposed, delighting Azula, but she had to avert her gaze with some regret. She couldn't throw herself at her fiancé... not again.
"But Yue made it clear to you. It's improper for a Firebender like me to go to such an important place, not now, at least," Azula told him. Shisui let out an annoyed snort. With the shirt in his hand, he approached his fiancée and looked her straight in the eyes.
"We're a couple. Technically, we're one, so you should go with me. I'll complain to the spirits. What's this about me not being able to take the mother of my future daughter to meet my spirit ancestors?" Growling, Shisui approached his fiancée. Even though his words sounded angry, a mischievous smile was on his lips. The princess burst out laughing.
"Stop being so childish! Go. Your aunt must be waiting for you at the reception. You've already taken too long..." As she finished, Azula's cheeks blushed because she was responsible for Shisui's tardiness.
"It's okay," the Waterbender said, knowing that he was running late. He kissed his fiancée on the lips and stopped insisting.
After saying goodbye, Shisui quickly put on his shirt and walked toward the door. As he left, he met Zhao on the staircase that led to the second floor. Unlike Shisui, Zhao was dressed in the representative uniform of the Fire Nation.
The two men watched each other for a moment before Shisui nodded, and Zhao reciprocated. They didn't interact much. During the trip to the North Pole, they only spoke a few times at the beginning and end, and they kept in contact on the high seas.
"Are you planning to explore the city as well?" asked Zhao, trying to ease the awkward silence during their descent.
"Huh? No! I'm not too interested," Shisui said with a shrug, expressing disdain.
"It's just an ice city. It's nice, and it has a nice atmosphere, but I have more important things to do," the Sage continued, giving Zhao a subtle glance and using his gift during the process.
'Hmm, he's hiding deeper than before. But, knowing where to look, and with the Energy-bending ideas I understood yesterday... You can't hide from me,' thought Shisui, who didn't show his inner emotions on the outside.
Why let Zhao act freely? Simple. Shisui needed to control the situation. He was aware of the danger Zhao posed and was not arrogant. Despite his strength, he was always cautious. However, an idea came to his mind now that he was about to meet Tui and La in person.
'A trick to draw out some hidden rats...' The night before, Shisui had noticed some strange people in the crowd watching him enter the city. They all emitted a subtle murderous intent when they saw him.
They were different from the typical detractor. The vibe they gave him was similar to that of the enemies he had encountered during Azulon's funeral. This could mean only one thing: the Red Lotus had plans against him during his stay in Agna Qel'a.
'Hama is spreading a horror story. Zhao has destructive intentions. And now there are those crazy-looking cultists. Lure them all in and cut them off in one fell swoop... I hope my aunt doesn't beat me up for this crazy plan.' As he continued to talk trivia with Zhao, he cared so little that he didn't register the conversation at all.
When he saw Princess Yue in the hotel lobby, he said goodbye to Zhao and approached his aunt.
Yue wasn't with her escort; she didn't need one to access a hotel run by her family. She had only come to look for Shisui. Who could hurt her with a Sage by her side?
This may seem odd because Shisui was technically an outsider. However, the show of power he displayed the day before convinced these people, and since he was going to meet his family, they didn't see the need to protect Yue directly.
However, Shisui noticed Yue's bodyguards mingling with the people around them, performing their duty in a hidden manner. Perhaps they weren't needed at the moment and were just wasting time, but it was a duty they couldn't ignore.
"Looks like you had a lot of fun. Your spirit seems very ecstatic and calm, a curious duality, especially when your fiancée's energy remains mixed with yours." Yue looked Shisui up and down before covering her mouth and chuckling slightly, leaving her nephew unsure of how to respond.
'She... Did she notice that Azula and I were together? Can you sense that kind of thing? Looks like I have to try harder!' Shisui's golden eyes sparkled with new ideas and projects, but something else brought him out of his stupor. This was no time to be distracted.
It was the embarrassment he felt because of Yue's comment. He coughed lightly, trying to dispel the feeling, but his aunt seemed unwilling to drop the topic.
"I can see why you'll be a father so soon! Even though I'm not as passionate as you, could it be because of the difference in environment? I guess the hot zone of the Fire Nation drives those desires.
Or is it because of Azula's fire element?" Does it make you 'boil,' Shisui?" Yue continued to tease, approaching Shisui. Due to the height difference, she had to look up, and the Sage took advantage of this to slap her aunt's forehead.
"So that's why you're single. When will I have cousins?" Shisui asked pointedly, avenging the nieces and nephews across the world who had fallen victim to their aunts' 'When will you bring a mate?' comments, a seemingly multiversal truth present in this and other universes.
Shisui's question made Yue freeze, and the people around them, who were listening to the gossip, also stood still and stared at Shisui.
In the depths of their eyes, the Sage could see a hint of appreciation for his actions as if he had fulfilled the collective wish of many beings. One young girl even gave him a thumbs-up in appreciation.
"That was a hard blow... Come, let's go to our destination." Yue turned and walked toward the exit of the hotel, making Shisui realize that he might have gone too far.
Yue wasn't angry with him; she was just surprised. She hadn't expected Shisui to respond to her like that. After he caught up with her, they cleared things up and walked together to a special place in the North Pole.
It was the place where Tui and La rested: the Spirit Oasis. It was a completely green area with a suitable temperature for the growth of trees and grass.
Nature itself seemed conducive to this scenery. In the middle of the oasis was a pond where a couple of fish danced eternally: one white with black details and the other black with white details.
They were more than mere ornamental animals, though; they were the actual bodies of the Ocean and Moon Spirits! From the moment Shisui set foot in this secluded place, he felt a tug deep inside him.
Tui and La were calling him!
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AN: TheAnPlayer2 gave me a tip: Promote my original stories every 5 chapters. So, read my original novels: Steam and Heart, and Witch's Adventure. You may or may not like them, but give them a chance. c: