Chapter 47 : Landslide

The eel hounds, startled by the sudden assault, reared up, their powerful bodies tensing, their eyes wide with alarm. The guards immediately drew their weapons, their faces grim.

From the rocky outcrops above, figures emerged. Earthbenders. Their uniforms were a drab green and brown, blending almost perfectly with the mountain. Their faces were grim, determined. They were clearly well-trained, disciplined soldiers.

Their leader, a burly man with a scarred face and a stern expression, stepped forward, his hands already in a bending stance. "Prince Zuko," he boomed, his voice echoing through the valley. "You are surrounded. Surrender now, and no harm will come to your men."

Zuko's face hardened. "Never!" he roared, his fists already igniting with fire. He would not surrender, not after coming so far, not after all he had sacrificed. He was a Fire Nation prince, and he would fight.

Iroh, ever the strategist, remained calm. "Nephew, assess the situation. We are outnumbered, and their position is advantageous." He subtly moved his hands, preparing for a defensive stance, his eyes scanning for weaknesses in the Earthbenders' formation. He knew they had to buy time, to find an opening, to escape this deadly trap.

Alec, his mind racing, quickly analyzed the situation. The Earthbenders had the high ground, a clear advantage. Their numbers were significant, at least twenty, possibly more. Their bending was precise, controlled.

They were not just common bandits; they were military, likely spies who had been tracking them for some time. He had to act, and he had to act fast. He couldn't defeat or even run without revealing his full power.

The battle began. Earthbenders launched volleys of rocks, their movements strong and grounded. Zuko met them with bursts of fire, his movements sharp and aggressive. He was a whirlwind of flames, deflecting attacks, creating openings, his determination burning bright.

His firebending was raw, powerful, fueled by his anger and his desperate need to prove himself. He fought with a ferocity that surprised even the Earthbenders, his movements a blur of red and orange.

Iroh, meanwhile, moved with a calm, almost effortless grace. His firebending was fluid, defensive, deflecting attacks with minimal effort, creating shields of flame to protect himself and the guards. He was a master, his movements economical, his power controlled. He was a rock in the storm, a steady presence amidst the chaos. He moved with a wisdom that transcended mere combat, his eyes constantly searching for an escape route, a weakness in the enemy's defenses.

Alec, still maintaining his blind act, moved with a calculated precision. He used his staff to deflect smaller rocks, his body swaying and ducking with surprising agility. He would occasionally unleash a controlled burst of fire, just enough to seem like a capable, though blind, firebender.

But his true power lay in his awareness, his ability to see the Earthbenders' movements across the rocks and dust. He would subtly shift his position, or nudge Zuko, or even whisper a warning, guiding them away from danger, creating small openings for them to exploit. 

"To your left, Prince Zuko!" Alec called out, his voice calm amidst the roar of battle. Zuko, trusting Alec's instincts, spun around, unleashing a powerful fire blast that caught an Earthbender off guard, sending him tumbling down the rocky slope.

"Above you, General Iroh!" Alec warned, and Iroh, without a moment's hesitation, created a dome of fire that shattered a massive boulder falling from the cliff.

The Earthbenders, initially confident, began to grow frustrated. Their attacks, though powerful, seemed to be met with uncanny resistance. It was as if their opponents knew their every move.

Their leader, the burly man with the scarred face, narrowed his eyes, his gaze falling on Alec. There was something about the blind firebender, something unsettling, something that didn't quite add up. He moved with too much precision, his warnings too accurate. He was a mystery, a variable they hadn't accounted for.

The battle raged on, a clash of elements in the narrow valley. Rocks flew, flames roared, and the air filled with the shouts of soldiers and the grunts of effort. The eel hounds, though initially startled, had settled down, their powerful bodies acting as living shields, occasionally lashing out with their tails at any Earthbender who got too close. They were loyal, fierce, and surprisingly effective in combat.

Despite their efforts, the Fire Nation group was slowly being pushed back. The Earthbenders had the advantage of numbers and terrain. They were relentless, their attacks coming from all sides, slowly wearing down their opponents.

Zuko was breathing heavily, his movements becoming a little slower, his fire a little less intense. Iroh, though still calm, showed signs of strain, his defensive maneuvers requiring more effort. The guards, though brave, were outnumbered and outmatched.

Alec knew they couldn't hold out much longer. He had to create an opening, a distraction, something that would allow them to escape. He scanned the valley for the search of an escape route. He noticed a particularly unstable rock formation high above them, a precarious overhang that, if struck just right, could cause a significant landslide. It was risky, but it was their best chance.

"Prince Zuko! General Iroh!" Alec shouted, his voice cutting through the din of battle. "Focus your fire on the cliff face, above the largest boulder! Now!"

Zuko, trusting Alec's strange instincts, unleashed a powerful stream of fire towards the designated spot. Iroh, seeing Alec's conviction, added his own controlled, precise blast. The combined force of their firebending struck the rock formation with immense power.

There was a groan, a crack, and then, with a deafening roar, the cliff face began to crumble. Rocks, large and small, cascaded down the valley, creating a wall of debris that separated them from a large portion of the Earthbenders.

The Earthbenders, caught off guard by the sudden landslide, scattered, their formation broken. Their leader roared in frustration, but it was too late. The path behind them was now clear, though treacherous. It was their chance.

"Now!" Alec yelled, urging his eel hound forward. "Follow me!" He spurred his mount, and the eel hound, sensing the urgency, burst forward, its powerful legs carrying them over the newly formed debris. Zuko and Iroh, along with the remaining guards, quickly followed, their eel hounds leaping over the rocks, their movements surprisingly agile.

The Earthbenders, recovering from the shock, immediately gave chase, but the landslide had bought them precious time. The narrow valley, once their trap, now became their escape route. They rode hard, the sounds of the pursuing Earthbenders slowly fading behind them. The air, once thick with the smell of battle, now carried the scent of freedom.

They didn't stop until they were well clear of the valley, deep within a dense forest, far from any immediate threat. They dismounted, their bodies aching, their breaths coming in ragged gasps. The eel hounds, though tired, seemed content, their large eyes reflecting the quiet calm of the forest. The guards left - immediately set up a defensive perimeter, their weapons still drawn, their eyes scanning the trees.

Zuko, leaning against a tree, his chest heaving, looked at Alec. "How… how did you know?" he asked, his voice filled with a mix of exhaustion and awe. "How did you know where to strike? How did you know about the landslide?"

Zuko nodded, his gaze still fixed on Alec. He had seen Alec's strange abilities before, but this was different. This was a direct, undeniable display of something beyond normal firebending, something that defied explanation. He had relied on Alec's instincts, and Alec had saved them. The enigma that was Alec was growing, becoming more complex, more intriguing.