The Tale of Amara

Chapter 16: Confliction

Chapter 16: Confliction

As the days passed after our meeting with June, and I resumed my routine as much as possible with firebending, waterbending, and my studies, I couldn't help but worry more about certain things. There were so many "what ifs'' running through my mind.

What if Zhao found a way to get me back and I was forced prisoner again?

What if Zuko captured the Avatar and went back to the Fire Nation?

What if I found my family before Zuko captured the Avatar?

As I walked along the rail of the ship thinking over these things under the midday sun, I felt so scared. I was scared of the future... scared of what would happen between Zuko and I...

I stopped in my step and grabbed the rail. My eyes shot over to Zuko who was looking through his telescope at the coastline beside us, searching for any sign of the Avatar. Iroh stood beside him with an expression I couldn't read. His eyes shot my way for a moment, and he smiled at me kindly. I tried to smile back, but I was certain it was a terrible attempt and I turned back towards the sea.

Shutting my eyes, I took in a heavy breath to try and calm the twist in my gut. I was so torn. Being part Water Tribe, and knowing everything my mother had gone through... thinking of all I had gone through too... I couldn't help but despise the Fire Lord and his war more as the days went by.

I was tired of pain... I was tired of suffering... I wanted peace.

I wanted the Fire Nation to lose...

I wanted the Avatar to defeat Fire Lord Ozai...

While I wanted these things, I also knew wanting these things would go against everything Zuko desired and was working towards...

How could I be in love with Zuko, yet be against everything he stood for?

"Amara..." Iroh spoke beside me suddenly. I opened my eyes, still gripping the rail. I looked over to where he stood by me. He held concern. "What weighs on you? You have been so quiet these last few days. If you are concerned about Zhao, I can reassure you that he will not try anything at the moment. I hear he is returning his focus to searching for the Avatar again like Prince Zuko."

The mention of Zhao made me grip the rail harder.

Zhao... a Fire Nation Admiral... trying to hurt the other nations and my mother's people... He was the worst monster of them all. Part of me wanted the world to know about the crimes my father committed, just so Zhao would be disgraced and not gain anymore power. However, I knew doing so would put me in danger because the world would learn of my existence.

I wanted Zhao to pay though. I wanted him to pay for everything! The torture... murdering my mom... hurting others...

He deserved to die for the suffering he put me through...

A strong hand grabbed my arm and jerked me back towards the chair in the room. I struggled against Zhao, kicking at him hard to release me. We had only been at the harbor on the Earth Kingdom coast for a little over a week, and already Zhao had beaten me once for trying to escape. Today, I managed to make it to the treeline after breaking away from one of the soldiers that was forcing me to Zhao's tent. He chased after me, apprehended me, and forced me back to his commander. When he informed Zhao about my attempt to escape, the monster was not pleased and immediately took over. Once he ordered the soldier to leave, he started his torture.

"You truly are trying my patience! This is why I wanted to leave you at the estate but Uncle begged me to take you! You're always causing me trouble!" Zhao managed to jerk me to the chair and force me to sit. My hands were cuffed behind me, so all I could do was kick my feet at him. He dodged my attack and came beside me to grab my hair and jerk my head back. "Enough! One more kick and you will be limping for the rest of your life!"