Lord of Fire

CHAPTER 47: TSU AND MASTER PAKKU

The icy winds howled across the desolate expanse of the Northern Water Tribe's tundra. Amidst the swirling snow, the aftermath of a fierce battle was strewn across the frozen ground. Bodies lay sprawled in a macabre dance of death, a grim tableau of fallen water benders and fire benders alike. In the midst of this chaos stood Pakku, a formidable water bender, his breath heavy and his heart weighed down by sorrow.

Pakku had fought valiantly against an entire ship's worth of fire benders, his mastery of water bending the only thing standing between the invaders and total annihilation. Now, as the last ember of conflict smoldered in the cold air, he surveyed the battlefield, his eyes catching sight of a familiar face among the fallen. His brother and sister-in-law, Tsu’s parents, lay motionless in the snow.

With a heavy heart, Pakku made his way back to the village. The journey felt endless, each step a reminder of the burden he now carried. He arrived at his brother’s modest home, the weight of his news pressing down on him like the glaciers themselves.

Tsu, a small boy of just eight years, was waiting inside, unaware of the tragedy that had befallen his family. His bright eyes looked up at Pakku as he entered, full of innocent curiosity.

“Uncle Pakku, where are Mom and Dad?” Tsu asked, his voice light and trusting.

Pakku knelt down to Tsu’s level, his stern face softening for a moment. He took a deep breath, struggling to find the right words.

“Tsu... your parents fought bravely today,” he began, his voice cracking slightly. “But they won’t be coming home.”

Tsu’s eyes widened, his young mind grappling with the enormity of the loss. “What do you mean, Uncle? Where are they?”

“They are gone, Tsu. They have gone to the spirits,” Pakku said gently, his hand resting on the boy’s shoulder.

Tears welled up in Tsu’s eyes, and he threw himself into Pakku’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably. Pakku held him close, feeling the boy’s pain as acutely as his own.

---

The next day, Pakku stood before the Tribal Chief, his expression as unreadable as ever. The Chief, a wise and venerable leader, regarded him with a mixture of sorrow and determination.

“Pakku, the boy is your blood. He needs a family now more than ever,” the Chief said, his voice calm but insistent.

Pakku’s jaw tightened. “I am a warrior, not a caregiver. My life is on the battlefield.”

“You are more than that, Pakku. You are his only family left. He needs you,” the Chief replied, his gaze unwavering.

Pakku sighed, the weight of responsibility settling on his shoulders. “Very well, I will take him in. But know this, Chief, I am not suited for this task.”

The Chief nodded, his eyes softening. “He needs you to be strong, Pakku. And in turn, he will give you strength. You will see.”

---

The days that followed were challenging. Pakku, used to the rigors of combat and discipline, found himself ill-prepared for the demands of raising a child. Tsu’s grief was palpable, his cries echoing through the small home. Pakku, consumed by his own sorrow and anger at the world, struggled to provide the comfort Tsu needed.

One evening, after a particularly difficult day, Pakku sat down with Tsu, trying to bridge the chasm of pain that lay between them.

“Tsu, I know this is hard for you,” Pakku began, his voice heavy. “It’s hard for me too.”

Tsu looked up at him, his eyes red from crying. “Why did they have to die, Uncle? Why did the Fire Nation have to attack us?”

Pakku clenched his fists, the anger surging through him. “The Fire Nation... they are our enemies. They seek to destroy everything we hold dear. But we must be strong, Tsu. We must fight back.”

Tsu nodded, his small fists mimicking Pakku’s. “I want to fight too, Uncle. I want to be strong like you.”

Pakku’s stern exterior softened. “You will be, Tsu. I will teach you. But first, you must learn control and discipline.”

---

In the months that followed, Pakku began teaching Tsu the art of water bending. Their training sessions became a way for them to connect, the bond between master and student growing stronger with each passing day.

One evening, Pakku returned home to find Tsu practicing by himself, his movements clumsy but earnest. He watched for a moment, a sense of pride swelling within him.

“Not bad, Tsu,” Pakku said, stepping forward. “But you need to focus more on your stance. Here, let me show you.”

Pakku demonstrated the proper form, his movements fluid and precise. Tsu watched intently, mimicking his uncle’s actions. Slowly but surely, he began to improve, his control over the water becoming more refined.

Years passed, and Tsu grew into a skilled water bender, his abilities surpassing even those of his master. Pakku watched with pride as his nephew flourished, the boy he had once struggled to care for now a formidable warrior in his own right.

---

Tsu, now in his late teens, returned from the war one day with grim news. He entered Pakku’s home, his face set in a determined expression.

“Uncle Pakku, the Southern Water Tribe is in grave danger. The Fire Nation’s attacks have devastated them. They need our help.”

Pakku’s face darkened. “We have our own battles to fight, Tsu. We cannot spare the men.”

Tsu’s eyes blazed with anger. “Are you so cowardly, Uncle? Will you let our brothers and sisters die while we stand idly by?”

Pakku’s temper flared. “You do not understand the burden of leadership, Tsu. We cannot risk everything on a fool’s errand.”

“Is it cowardice or hatred that drives you, Uncle? Do you still harbor resentment for the Fire Nation, even if it means abandoning our kin?” Tsu shot back, his voice rising.

Pakku stepped forward, his eyes fierce. “Watch your tongue, boy. This is not about revenge. This is about survival.”

Tsu shook his head, his expression one of disappointment. “I will not stand by while our people suffer. If you will not help, then I will go alone.”

Without another word, Tsu stormed out, leaving Pakku standing in the doorway, his heart heavy with conflicting emotions.

---

Tsu made his way to the Southern Water Tribe, determined to aid them in their struggle. For years, he fought alongside them, his skills and bravery earning him the respect of his comrades. But the Fire Nation’s relentless onslaught proved too much. In a fierce battle, Tsu found himself overwhelmed by a dozen ships’ worth of fire benders.

Captured and imprisoned, Tsu spent years in captivity, his spirit unbroken but his hope fading. One night, a mysterious woman appeared in his cell, her presence both eerie and powerful.

“You have suffered much, Tsu,” she said, her voice low and resonant. “But you are not defeated. I can free you.”

Tsu looked at her, his eyes filled with both hope and suspicion. “Who are you?”

“I am a water bender, like you. But my abilities... they are different. I can control blood,” she replied, her eyes glinting with an unsettling light.

Tsu nodded, his resolve strengthening. “Then let us leave this place. We have much to do.”

The woman smiled, a fierce determination in her gaze. “Indeed we do, Tsu. Indeed we do.”

[A/N: So for the next few weeks I will be rediting the entire first volume. There have been some complaints and grammar issues. Changing some characters among other things. I will change those chapters and upload them back. I will find a way to make things line up with the start of the second volume. For now though the second volume is approaching climax for those members on my patreon. So you can read 20 chapters ahead available on my patreon right now. patreon.com/saiyanprincenovels ]