Avatar: The Last Airbender: Legend

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***

After seeing off the escaped girls with a glance, Guan Yu followed them with his gaze until the last moment. A dreamy smile wandered on his face, but the harsh reality told the boy to discard his foolish dreams.

Deciding not to worry about it, the child turned his attention to the quiet chaos going on around him. The wandering citizens of Lipin were chatting merrily, discussing the latest gossip. The most important topic, of course, was the appointment of the new governor of the city. Most of the military and townspeople had thought that Colonel Biao would be put in that position, but as it turned out, the Fire Master had other plans.

Stepping aside to avoid standing in the passageway, the boys hid near the wall of one of the houses. Staying within sight of their kin, the two students leaned tiredly against the building, giving their weary backs some rest.

Entertaining themselves with simple conversations about the holiday and the latest happenings at school, the classmates spent a long time in the shadows of the main events. Only attracted by the orderly gathering of the crowd to the centre of the square did they break away from the pleasant wall and waddle from foot to foot to their parents.

To the good jokes of the adults, the two pouting children stood proudly at the front of the small procession, gazing at the improvised stage. Towering above the people, it housed a bunch of decorations. The classic Fire Nation style and the mottled red decorations rippled in the eyes. While the military school favoured black colours with scarlet elements, in the city, there were various shades of red and gold everywhere. The abundance of bright colour made one dizzy, and the picture blurred, letting a lot of interesting things pass the attention of the focused boys.

On the other side of the square was a smaller stage where the fire conquerors put on a spectacular show. Unfortunately, the bright flames were lost against the thousands of paper lanterns that littered the square. On poles, houses, ropes stretched between buildings. Yellow lights wrapped the city, illuminating the streets as if it were daylight.

Musicians and various entertainers gathered around the statue of Prince Airo. Young boys and girls danced passionately in exotic outfits. Covered with feathers and stone jewellery of warriors of the past, they galloped around the circle, mesmerising the audience with their grace. The ensemble playing for them, invited from Yu Dao, was doing their best. A dozen large men held a variety of instruments tightly in their hands, many of which were unfamiliar to the people of the Fire Country. Puffing up with pride, they danced on the spot to the beat of the music.

The townspeople gathered around them, who had allowed themselves to drink and loosen up, began to dance. Waving the long hems of their dresses and festive dressing gowns, men and women twirled around each other, laughing and enjoying the good evening. Petty Officer Ping was also enjoying himself, taking the embarrassed girl with him, he galloped around the beauty, showing that a warrior's flexibility could be used not only in battle.

Here and there small groups were organised, where happy people were having fun. Gathering around a street musician or a performance by various masters of their craft. Puppet theatres and modest theatrical productions grew like mushrooms after rain. Small stalls sprang up all along the edge of the square, where parents or young lovers could shake their money. Souvenirs, strange contests, gambling and more.

The whole town was immersed in an atmosphere of fun and madness. The kids scurrying between people made things even more confusing. Dragging behind them unknown from where they came pets or festive toys, they deftly jumped between dancing bodies, with their laughter causing new smiles.

Everyone was having fun except the students of the military school. The guards and teachers on the square were watching discipline, and none of Yu's classmates had any doubt that if they made the slightest mistake, the principal would know about it tomorrow. Maybe now they would forgive them and not spoil the holiday for themselves and others, but later they would be punished.

Frozen as statues of salt, the sad pupils watched what was happening with sad eyes. Children's enthusiasm and energy demanded a way out, but the rules and consequences embedded in their subcortex stopped everyone, even the most exuberant and stupid students.

-"Hey, Chow, why don't we go home?

-No,' the boy's half growl-half moan caught the attention of a few people passing by, 'until the new governor gives a speech, we'll have to put up with it.

-Aaahhhh...

Yu's silent cry of heartache brought a wicked smile to the face of his companion, but looking at his outfit, the child only exhaled tiredly, resigning himself to the inevitable.

While the two disciples were pondering the injustice and wishing they could get out of here as soon as possible, Colonel Biao walked onto the stage. After a couple of seconds, silence descended on the square, everyone present scrutinising the elderly but sturdy man's every movement.

Dressed in his signature attire, the Fire Nation officer coughed politely as he began his speech. Four heralds with large mouthpieces followed him word for word, carrying the colonel's voice throughout the city.

-Dear fellow citizens, today is a day of celebration. Fire Lord Azulon, may he rule forever, has sent a new governor to our city. Allow me to introduce Mr Sun Jiang.

Bending down in a respectful bow to his peer, Liu Biao waved his hand in a theatrical gesture, pointing to a tall, large man. Nearly two metres tall, the tall man stood out for more than just that. His arms, bulging with muscles, looked like they were about to creak or tear. Dressed in an austere, simple waistcoat, the new Viceroy of Lipin strode quickly forward. Leaving the colonel behind, he surveyed the square imperiously, raising his right hand.

-Hello, citizens of Lipin. I will now faithfully serve as the Viceroy of this city, at the command of our magnanimous ruler, Fire Master Azulong.

While Sun Jiang gave his speech filled with gratitude to the Ruler, Guan Yu kept a wax mask on his face. Jiang spoke of his goals and plans for the city, of working together, and that everyone would not leave deprived. Another false words of a pompous aristocrat. Holding back a grimace, Guan Yu exhaled through his nose as he felt the silent support of his uncle who placed a hand on his shoulder. He too didn't care about this man or the backstage intrigues between the aristocrats. For a common man, it didn't really matter who was sitting at the top.

With the edge of his ear listening to the Viceroy's voice, the boy looked around, realising that most people in the crowd were frozen with a similar expression on their faces - politely courteous, with a slight smile. When the Fire Giant, as the whispering soldiers around him called him, had finished, he nodded his head lightly and went about his business. Finally, the Viceroy waved his hand in the direction of the crowd, ordering them to have fun and rest.

After such a gesture, the light festive atmosphere evaporated. There was a taste of bitterness on the tongue, as if you had swallowed a stinking bug while eating grapes. Thousands of silent eyes followed the Viceroy's departure, no one dared to speak in full voice, they just stood and looked at each other.

On Yui's shoulder, her uncle's grip tightened. The foreman stared angrily at the departing man, muttering to himself. Noticing his ward's gaze, he released his shoulder and smiled innocently. Scratching the back of his head, the man walked towards Chou's parents, standing beside them.

Returning to the stage, Colonel Biao began to applaud with an affectionate smile, setting an example for further action. Soon, the entire plaza was engulfed by the growing noise. After waiting for the applause to subside, the elderly officer encouraged the people to have fun and enjoy themselves.

-We all have much work to do for the good of this glorious city, so, my friends, rest! Eat, drink and be merry. Who knows when you and I will have a day off again.....

With a sly smile, the colonel left the stage. As soon as he turned away from the crowd, an eerie grimace crept over his face, scaring away the soldiers guarding him. Shaking with fear, the poor souls were afraid even to breathe, so as not to attract the attention of the furious superiors. He looked towards the palace where the new governor had been installed, asking Liu Biao to leave in a commanding tone. If the colonel had not been sure that this was an order from the Fire Master himself, he would have challenged the insolent man to a ritual duel - Agni Kai. Smoothing his clothes and taking a few calm breaths, the Colonel rushed off to his business.

Seeing the back of the man under whom his father served, Yu decided not to procrastinate any longer and head home. Excusing himself from Uncle Ping, the boy waddled away from the square. With difficulty, the child, swearing under his breath, managed to leave the drunken mass of people. He waved goodbye and, with a silent nod from Chou, wandered through the streets of the city. Going round a corner to get out of sight, Yu was able to unbutton the creepy thing called a parade suit. Throwing off the strange tunic, he blissfully stretched out the black shirt. Flaunting his bare torso, the little Fire Warrior climbed onto the nearest rooftop and headed towards the house. On the next jump, his parade trousers failed to take the abuse and ripped. They dangled in the wind, held up only by his groin.

Delighted at the destruction of the damned thing, the satisfied child accelerated sharply, pushing his pace to the max. The body, having received the long-awaited freedom, rejoiced in life, allowing its master to develop a speed greater than usual.

Near the house the euphoric boy jumped into the dark waters of the Pona, plunging headlong into the river. Rubbing his body itching from the nasty fabric, he didn't get out of the water for a long time, until he felt that he was beginning to freeze. His blue lips turned up in a happy smile, and his sparkling eyes glistened in the light of the streetlamps. Throwing off his torn slippers from the run, the boy ran into his house. The remnants of the nasty clothes flew to the corner of the room, and in their place came a loose training uniform. Usually Yuu preferred light and stretchy fabric, but now his body craved freedom. Deciding not to wear the waistcoat and to work out with his bare torso, he climbed onto the roof in just his trousers, barefoot.

Under the moonlight and the glitter of hundreds of lanterns, Guan Yu practised with his halberd, forgetting all his problems. Not paying attention to the world around him, the boy cleaved the air with the weapon, giving his best. Sharp multiple lunges alternated with broad swings and blunt tip strikes. With each strike, the child's speed increased until Yu, absorbed in his thoughts, began to pant. As he finished the movement, he felt tension in his entire body, especially in his back. His hands trembled and black dots flashed in his eyes, but instead of panic, there was elation on the child's face. Never before in his life had he experienced anything like this. An overwhelming sense of concentration and focus with which Yu was able to transcend his limits.

Ping's pupil could honestly admit to himself that he was a rather mediocre swordsman, but now it seemed that even his uncle could marvel at his speed and strength.

-It was as if, for a moment, the body had lost all restraints.....

Pondering over this phenomenon, the boy clenched his fist tightly. Looking up into the night sky, Yu felt unprecedented excitement. Another stepping stone to obtaining strength. If he could learn how to enter this state on his own, he would be able to develop by leaps and bounds.

-Yeah, I'll be stronger than my uncle in a couple of training sessions....

Sceptically muttering aloud, the petty officer's pupil put the stupid dreams out of his head and returned to his studies. The festivities would go on all night, but soon the first tired residents would go home: it was better to go unnoticed.