Lord of Fire

[A/N: Hey guys so um a few things. I have recently started a second novel called Avatar: Second Incarnation or The Second Avatar on some other sites. There is also my other work with the Saiyan Pirate. So at the moment I have to choose which series to cancel. Unfortunately it is going to be Lord of Fire, or not. At the moment I have not made up my mind so comment and do all that shit. The conclusion of the novel is obviously available on my patreon for those interested or wish for me to continue it so let me know. Depending on the support and all that ship I could find a way to continue it. So here is the final run of the series.]

CHAPTER 61: CRESCENT ISLAND – THE TSU PIRATES

The lone Earth Kingdom ship found itself encircled by four menacing Fire Nation vessels, each one a beacon of impending doom in the stormy seas. The remnants of the Earth Kingdom fleet sank slowly into the abyss, their soldiers scrambling in disarray. Panic gripped those left afloat as the sea, previously an ally, turned into a cold and unforgiving enemy.

Onboard the encircled ship, the air was thick with tension. Sokka stood at the helm, his brows knitted in deep thought. Captain Liang, a seasoned veteran with a stern visage, paced restlessly. Jet leaned against a pillar, his eyes darting nervously, while Suki, ever composed, stood nearby with a determined expression. The ship's high-ranking officers, a mix of seasoned warriors and strategists, gathered around the central table, their voices rising in a heated debate.

"We're surrounded!" Captain Liang's voice cut through the din. "There's no way out. We have to surrender."

"Surrender?" Jet's eyes blazed with defiance. "We can't just hand over the Avatar to the Fire Nation. That would be condemning the world!"

Sokka interjected, his tone calm but urgent. "We need to find a way to escape. We can't let Aang fall into their hands."

The captain's eyes narrowed. "And how do you propose we do that, Sokka? We're completely surrounded. Any attempt to flee would be suicide."

A young lieutenant, no older than 23, stepped forward. His name was Hiroshi, a prodigy in naval engineering who had quickly risen through the ranks. "There might be a way," he said quietly, his voice carrying a hint of hope.

Captain Liang turned to him, his expression skeptical. "What are you suggesting, Lieutenant?"

Hiroshi took a deep breath, his eyes darting nervously around the room. "We have a submersible on the lowest level of the ship. It's a prototype, designed to transport troops and weapons underwater for a planned invasion of the Fire Nation Capital."

"A submersible?" Sokka's eyes widened with intrigue. "Can it work?"

The captain shook his head. "The prototypes are smaller and lack the necessary equipment for prolonged underwater trips. It's too dangerous."

Hiroshi stood firm. "I was part of the team that designed it. I know it inside and out. It can work, but we'll need to surface every two hours for air."

Captain Liang studied Hiroshi for a moment before turning to Sokka. "Are you sure about this?"

Sokka nodded resolutely. "Aang is the fate of the world. We have to try."

Jet's voice was sharp with urgency. "We need to hurry. The Fire Nation won't wait for us to make up our minds."

The captain hesitated, weighing the risks. Finally, he nodded. "Alright, we'll use the submersible. But we still need a way to distract the Fire Nation ships while the Avatar and a small squad escape."

Sokka stepped forward, determination etched on his face. "Leave the distraction to me."

The captain gave a grim nod. "Let's move."

---

On the Fire Nation flagship, Lieutenant Tau stood on the deck, overseeing the preparations for boarding the last Earth Kingdom vessel. The wreckage of the other ships floated aimlessly, their fate sealed by Zuko's devastating attack. The chaos of the sea seemed to reflect the turmoil within Tau as he carried the unconscious Zuko to his quarters.

Gently, Tau laid Zuko on the bed, his eyes lingering on the bandaged prince. The sight stirred a mix of emotions in him—regret, guilt, and a fierce determination to make amends for past mistakes. He vowed silently to himself to protect Zuko at all costs, to make up for the times he had wronged him.

Tau turned to two soldiers, a male and a female, standing at attention outside the door. "Stay here and guard the prince's quarters. If he wakes, follow his orders to the letter. He is the true heir to the Fire Lord."

They saluted sharply. "Yes, Lieutenant!"

Tau's expression hardened as he walked back onto the deck, his scowl fierce and determined. The might of the Fire Nation was on full display, their ships casting long shadows over the beleaguered Earth Kingdom vessel. He approached the bow of his ship, his voice carrying across the waves.

"Surrender, and you will be spared!" he bellowed. "On the sea, you have no bending. The Fire Nation holds the power here!"

---

Captain Liang took a deep breath, his stern face etched with resignation. "Sokka, we have no choice. We must surrender."

Sokka clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. "But we can't just hand Aang over to them!"

The captain's voice was firm. "We need to buy time for the submersible. If we don't surrender, they'll destroy us and the Avatar will be lost anyway."

Jet slammed his fist on the table. "This is madness! We're signing our own death warrants."

The room fell silent as the gravity of their situation sank in. The decision had been made. The Earth Kingdom ship would surrender, but their hope lay beneath the waves.

---

Meanwhile, below deck, Suki and Manori hurried towards the quarters where Aang and Katara were hidden. The corridor was dimly lit, the flickering lights casting eerie shadows on the walls. Their footsteps echoed as they approached the door, a sense of dread creeping over them.

They found the door slightly ajar. Suki pushed it open cautiously, and their worst fears were confirmed. The room was in disarray. Four Earth Kingdom guards lay unconscious on the floor, their bodies sprawled awkwardly. The furniture was overturned, and the air was thick with the scent of burnt wood.

Suki's heart raced. "Aang! Katara!"

Manori knelt beside one of the guards, checking for signs of life. "They're still breathing, but what happened here?"

Panic gripped Suki. "We need to find them, now!" She started searching the walls, looking for any clue that might indicate where Aang and Katara had been taken.

Manori stood up, her face pale. "Let's go. We have to inform the others."

They dashed out of the quarters, their urgency palpable. Reaching the deck, they found Sokka and the others, their faces grim as they prepared for the inevitable surrender.

Suki leaned in close, whispering urgently. "Aang and Katara are gone. The guards were knocked out."

Sokka's face blanched. "What? How?"

Captain Liang's eyes narrowed. "We need to keep this quiet. If the Fire Nation suspects anything, we're finished." He turned to his men. "Search the entire ship, but do it discreetly. The Avatar is our priority."

Sokka's voice was strained. "And my sister. We need to find them both."

The captain gave him a hard look. "The Avatar is the key to ending this war. Finding him is paramount."

Sokka bit back a retort, knowing the captain was right. Suki placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "We'll find her, Sokka. I promise."

---

On the Fire Nation flagship, Tau stood with a commanding presence, observing the Earth Kingdom ship. Something seemed off. The subtle shift in the demeanor of the Earth Kingdom officers hadn't escaped his notice.

"What's going on over there?" he demanded.

Captain Liang's voice came through the communication line, calm and composed. "Nothing of importance, Lieutenant. Just some of my men unhappy with the idea of surrendering."

Tau's eyes narrowed. "Well, it's not up to them, is it?"

"No, it's not," Liang replied firmly.

Tau turned to his men. "Start the plan. Let's get this over with."

From the four Fire Nation ships, ropes were thrown across the expanse of water separating them from the Earth Kingdom vessel. Planks were laid out, creating makeshift bridges. Fire Nation soldiers swung across the ropes with practiced ease, landing on the deck in a coordinated assault. The defenders, despite their bravery, were quickly overwhelmed. Earthbenders and non-benders alike were captured and tied up, their resistance futile against the sheer numbers of the Fire Nation troops.

As the Fire Nation soldiers began to secure the lower decks, one of them shouted, "Another ship approaching from the distance!"

Tau turned sharply, his eyes narrowing as he saw the approaching vessel. It was a massive warship, its imposing silhouette cutting through the misty horizon. The ship was adorned with the fearsome emblem of the Tsu Pirates—a sea serpent.

The Sea Serpent, flagship of the Tsu Pirates, was an impressive sight. Its sleek, dark hull moved through the water with an eerie grace, the figurehead of a serpent adding to its menacing appearance. At the bow stood Captain Tsu, a tall and imposing figure, his presence commanding respect and fear in equal measure.

Captain Tsu's sharp eyes scanned the scene, taking in the unfolding chaos. His face, weathered by countless battles, remained unreadable as he assessed the situation. The arrival of the Sea Serpent added a new and unpredictable element to the already volatile standoff.

Tau watched the scene unfold from the deck of the flagship. The arrival of the Tsu Pirates complicated matters, but he remained focused. "Keep an eye on that ship," he ordered. "We don't know their intentions yet."

As the Fire Nation soldiers continued their takeover of the Earth Kingdom ship, the Sea Serpent drew closer. Captain Tsu stood tall on the figurehead, his dark eyes fixed on the scene before him. The tension was palpable as the massive pirate warship approached, ready to tip the balance in this desperate struggle.

The fate of the Avatar, the world, and the outcome of the war hung in the balance as the Sea Serpent cut through the waves, its fearsome presence a reminder of the perilous times they faced.

[A/N: You can read the conclusion already finished on my patreon available right now at patreon.com/saiyanprincenovels ]