In ATLA with a system

A/N: Sup this chapter is definitely my weakest yet and its kinda short tbh. But I didn't want to include my next scene that I wanted to do here as in the end it wont fit so I wrote that in chapter 6. 

Also Aayush_storms i got u my man. 

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The Earth Kingdom army began its march at first light. The soldiers moved as one mass across the uneven terrain, their footsteps crunching against dirt and stone. Armour clinked and weapons shifted in their sheaths, but very few spoke. The air was heavy with unspoken tension, the kind that settled in your chest and refused to let go. (Pov: when you try to get fit by running in winter morning.)

Ren walked in the front ranks among the non-benders, his spear strapped across his back and the hilt of his sword brushing against his hip. His gaze flicked briefly to the Earth Benders behind them, their confident strides and measured conversation a stark contrast to the silent unease among his group.

Always at the front, he thought grimly, tightening his grip on the strap of his pack. Always the first to die.

The sound of approaching footsteps pulled him from his thoughts. Wei appeared at his side, his usual relaxed expression tempered by the grimness of the march. He carried himself with the same grounded confidence, but his eyes were sharper, taking in every detail of the terrain.

"You don't look ready to fight," Wei said, falling into step beside Ren. His tone was light, almost teasing, but there was an edge to it.

"Good observation," Ren replied dryly. "Got any pointers?"

Wei gave him a sideways glance, his smirk faint but genuine. "Plenty. For one, keep moving. Fire Benders love when you stand still, they'll burn you to a crisp before you can blink. Use the terrain, find cover when you can. Don't let them lock you down."

Ren nodded, filing the advice away. "Anything else?"

Wei's smirk faded slightly, replaced by a more thoughtful expression. "Stay smart, yeah? You're not a bender, so don't try to fight like one. You've got reach with that spear, use it. Keep them at a distance."

He paused, his tone shifting. "But don't forget this isn't just about staying alive."

Ren raised an eyebrow. "What else is it about?"

Wei's eyes flicked toward the distant horizon. "If you do something worth remembering out there, people notice. That kind of thing can save you in the long run. A reputation can be the difference between living and dying in a place like this."

Ren's stomach churned at the words. He stayed quiet, letting the advice settle uncomfortably in his mind. Wei's words made sense, but they left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Wei glanced at him, his smirk returning faintly. "Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying charge in like an idiot for the glory of it. You're smart. Use that. But if you get the chance to stand out, don't waste it."

Ren exhaled, his gaze hardening. "Glory doesn't mean much if you're dead."

"True enough," Wei said with a shrug. "But if you're going to fight, might as well make it count."

They walked in silence for a while, the distant sound of marching boots and clinking armour filling the void. Ren's thoughts churned, his mind caught between the pragmatism of Wei's survival advice and the unsettling allure of his words about recognition.

But suddenly, everyone stopped. 

Commander Jiro's voice rang out over the ranks. "Hold the line! Scouts, report!"

A group of soldiers broke off, sprinting toward the ridge to get a better view. The rest of the army halted, the sudden stillness amplifying every sound, the creak of armour, the faint crackle of distant flames, the shallow breathing of the soldiers around him.

Ren adjusted the sword in his grip and his spare got a hold of his spear, both his palms slick with sweat. Beside him, a younger soldier shifted nervously, his knuckles white against the hilt of his blade.

"Think they'll hit us before we're ready?" the boy muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

Ren didn't answer. His eyes stayed fixed on the horizon, his mind replaying Wei's words from earlier. Move fast. Stay smart. Use the terrain.

A horn blared in the distance, cutting through the tension like a blade. The scouts returned moments later, their faces grim as they reported to Jiro. The commander's expression darkened, but his voice remained steady as he barked out orders.

"Non-benders to the front!" he shouted. "Earth Benders, hold position behind the second line! Advance on my signal!"

The soldiers moved with grim efficiency, the front lines forming up as the Earth Benders took their positions further back. Ren felt the weight of expectation settle over him like a physical thing as he stepped into place. The Fire Nation forces were still distant, their movements just beginning to come into focus. But he knew it wouldn't stay that way for long.

A sharp whistle pierced the air, followed by the faint sound of something tearing through the sky. Ren's stomach dropped.

"Incoming!" someone shouted.

The first fireball struck the ridge in front of them, sending up a plume of dirt and smoke. The ground shook, the impact rippling through the ranks like a wave. Ren barely had time to process it before more followed, each one crashing closer to their lines.

"Shields up!" a voice called from the back, and the Earth Benders responded immediately, raising walls of stone to absorb the incoming blasts.

Ren crouched low, his eyes darting to the gaps in the defensive walls. Through the smoke and fire, he could see the Fire Nation soldiers advancing, a wave of red and black moving with terrifying precision.

"Hold the line!" Jiro's voice boomed, cutting through the chaos. "Do not falter and-!"

But before he could say anything else a boulder of fire crashed into their right wing division. 

Jiro halted for a second before bellowing out, "CHARGE!"

The Earth Kingdom front line surged forward as the order was given, their collective shouts breaking through the oppressive silence of the battlefield. Ren found himself swept up in the charge, his sword clutched tightly in his hand. 

Ahead, the Fire Nation's non-benders advanced to meet the charge. Red and black armour gleamed ominously in the pale light, their disciplined ranks a stark contrast to the chaotic movement of Ren's side.

The first clash hit like a wave. Ren barely managed to bring his sword up in time to block a wild overhead swing from a Fire Nation soldier. The impact jarred his arms, but he held firm, twisting his blade to deflect the strike.

Stay sharp. Use your training, he reminded himself, his grip tightening as the soldier swung again.

This time, Ren moved first. He sidestepped the strike, the blade slicing harmlessly past him, and countered with a quick slash across the man's arm. The soldier yelped, dropping his weapon as blood seeped through the gap in his armour.

Ren didn't hesitate. He lunged forward, using his shoulder to knock the man off balance, and drove the blunt end of his sword's hilt into his opponent's helmet. The soldier collapsed, and Ren turned to face the next threat.

A second enemy charged toward him, this one wielding a spear. Ren instinctively reached for his own supplementary weapon, but the fire in the soldier's eyes forced him to refocus on his sword.

The soldier thrust forward, and Ren barely dodged in time, the tip of the spear grazing his side. He grimaced but used the opening to step inside the soldier's range. His blade flashed, striking the wooden shaft and splintering it near the base.

The soldier staggered back, his weapon useless, and Ren followed through with a precise strike to the man's exposed shoulder. The soldier fell, clutching the wound as Ren stepped back to survey the field.

I'm getting faster, Ren realised, his breath coming in sharp gasps. His movements weren't perfect, his stance still wavered, and his swings lacked polish, but he could feel the difference. He wasn't flailing blindly anymore.

A faint chime echoed in his mind, breaking through the din of battle:

| Skill Progress: Basic Swordsmanship (Lv 6 – 45%) |

The notification spurred him forward. He pivoted, deflecting a wild strike from another opponent before countering with a sharp upward slash that sent the man reeling.

Around him, the clash of non-benders raged on. Earth Kingdom soldiers fought with desperation, their movements less disciplined but no less fierce than their Fire Nation counterparts. Ren could hear the shouts of commanders urging them forward, the cries of the injured, and the relentless clang of steel.

His eyes flicked to a nearby soldier, a Fire Nation man closing in on one of Ren's comrades that'd gotten himself injured. Without thinking, Ren darted forward, his sword sweeping in a wide arc that struck the soldier's side.

However, the fire nation soldier managed to side step slightly and launched a strike to Ren's head which he ducked and moved back. 

Ren ducked beneath another wild swing, his breath ragged as he sidestepped the charging Fire Nation soldier. The man stumbled, his attention briefly drawn to the Earth Kingdom soldier struggling a few feet away.

Perfect.

Ren didn't hesitate. He surged forward, his sword flashing as it struck the distracted soldier's exposed side. The man let out a choked cry before collapsing to the ground, his weapon clattering beside him. Ren pulled his blade free, already scanning for his next target.

One less to deal with.

Around him, the clash of steel and shouts of combatants blurred into an overwhelming cacophony. Ren focused on the immediate, his instincts sharpened by the chaos. He moved carefully but deliberately, keeping low and using the terrain to his advantage.

Another Fire Nation soldier came into view, locked in a brutal exchange with an Earth Kingdom fighter. Ren waited, his grip on his sword tightening as he watched the enemy soldier overextend.

The Earth Kingdom man lunged, forcing the Fire Nation soldier to block awkwardly. Ren seized the moment, darting forward and driving his sword through the gap in the enemy's armour.

The Fire Nation soldier crumpled, and Ren stepped back quickly, leaving the Earth Kingdom fighter to recover. He didn't exchange words or offer assistance. His focus was already shifting to the next opportunity.

This is working, he thought, his movements more deliberate now. Each strike was cleaner, more precise. The wild flailing from his earlier battles was gone, replaced by a calculated rhythm.

A faint chime echoed in his mind, cutting through the noise of the battlefield:

| Skill Progress: Basic Swordsmanship (Lv 6 – 95%) |

The notification barely registered before Ren moved again, his blade catching another soldier who had been too focused on the fray ahead. The strike was quick and clean, ending the fight before it could even begin.

A flash of light filled his vision, followed by the familiar sound of the system's chime:

| Skill Progress: Basic Swordsmanship (Lv 7 – 0%) |

The surge of accomplishment was brief, replaced by the heavy reality of the battlefield. Ren adjusted his stance, his movements now carrying a hint of fluidity that hadn't been there before.

He darted through the chaos, his eyes scanning for openings—an enemy distracted, a vulnerable stance, anything he could exploit.

A trio of Fire Nation soldiers moved into view, their formation tight and efficient. Ren paused, crouching low as he assessed them. They weren't distracted enough to risk an attack yet, so he shifted to the side, keeping out of sight.

A moment later, another Earth Kingdom soldier engaged them, drawing their attention. Ren waited, biding his time. When one of the Fire Nation soldiers turned slightly to deflect a blow, Ren struck.

He moved quickly, his blade finding the soldier's unguarded back. The man fell, and Ren immediately retreated, his movements careful as he melted back into the chaos.

Stay smart. Don't overreach. Let them make the mistakes.

He scanned his surroundings, his confidence rising with each defeated foe. His movements had grown sharper, more efficient, and the system's notifications echoed in the back of his mind, a constant reminder of his progress.

I'm getting better. Faster. This isn't so bad after all.

The thought barely had time to settle before the air changed.

It was subtle at first, the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end as the temperature around him rose. A shadow moved in the corner of his vision, and then a burst of fire roared past, missing him by mere inches.

Ren spun, his heart lurching as he came face to face with his new opponent.

The Fire Bender stood a few paces away, his posture relaxed but his presence radiating menace. His armour was scorched and battered, but his stance was confident, almost casual. Flames danced along his hands, their flickering light casting sharp shadows across his face.

He wasn't alone. Behind him, another armed with a glaive stood ready, his eyes scanning the battlefield for threats. The duo moved with cruel efficiency, the Fire Bender pressing the attack while the glaive-wielder stood poised to strike anyone who dared approach.

"Bitch," the Fire Bender said, his voice sharp and mocking. "You're the one who's been skulking around, stabbing my comrades in the back like a coward." He sneered, his flames flaring brighter. "Let's see how you fight someone who isn't distracted."

Ren swallowed hard, gripping his sword tightly. The man wasn't like the others he'd faced. There was no hesitation in his movements, no uncertainty in his gaze.

Observe, Ren thought desperately. The system responded instantly, the familiar text overlaying his vision:

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Name: Bob

Class: Fire Bender

Threat Level: Critical

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Ren's stomach dropped. Critical? That's... not good.

Bob didn't wait for Ren to recover. He thrust his arm forward, sending a stream of fire hurtling toward him.

Ren dove to the side, the heat singing his arm as he narrowly avoided the blast. He scrambled to his feet, but Bob was already advancing, another wave of fire forcing him to retreat.

"You like running, don't you?" Bob taunted, his voice laced with cruel amusement. "Keep going. I'll give you a head start."

The glaive-wielding soldier behind him chuckled darkly. "I'll take the legs if he runs too far."

Ren's mind raced. They're toying with me. They're not even trying to finish me quickly.

Another blast came, this one grazing Ren's shoulder and sending a jolt of pain through his body. He gritted his teeth, the smell of burnt fabric and skin filling his nostrils.

Run. I need to run.

He turned and bolted, weaving through the chaos of the battlefield as Bob pursued him relentlessly. Fireballs streaked past, some missing by inches, others landing close enough to scorch his armour.

The terrain blurred around him as he ducked behind rocks, dodged fallen soldiers, and vaulted over debris. His chest burned with exertion, his breath coming in ragged gasps, but Bob's footsteps were always just behind him.

"You can't hide, you worm!" Bob shouted, his voice cutting through the din of the battlefield. "I'll burn you until there's nothing left but ash!"

Ren skidded to a halt behind a crumbled wall, his mind racing. He glanced at the gash on his arm, the burns along his shoulder, and the flickering light of Bob's flames on the other side of the wall.

The glaive-wielding soldier's voice rang out, smooth and cruel. "You should thank us, really. You'll die quickly if you stop running. It's more mercy than you deserve."

Bob laughed, his flames roaring higher. "But I'm not in a merciful mood. Come on out, Earth rat. Let's see if you can scream louder than the last one."

Ren crouched low behind the crumbled wall, his breathing harsh and uneven. The mocking laughter of the duo echoed around him, the flickering flames casting their shadows in erratic, menacing patterns.

"You done hiding, rat?" Bob called, his tone venomous. "Come out and make it quick, or I'll drag you out myself."

The glaive-wielder chuckled darkly. "I say we roast him in his little hole. Smoked rat sounds pretty good."

Ren's grip on his sword tightened. His mind raced, weighing his options. They were confident, arrogant even, but that made them predictable. The Fire Nation soldiers hadn't seen what he could do yet. He could use that.

Time to see if this trick can do more than save my skin.

He shifted his grip, his fingers brushing the haft of the broken spear in his inventory. A cruel idea began to form.

With a deep breath, Ren vaulted over the wall, broken spear in hand. Bob's eyes locked onto him immediately, his flames roaring higher.

"There you are!" Bob snarled, hurling a fireball directly at him.

Ren ducked, letting the flames sear past him as he charged forward. He feinted to the left, the broken spear darting toward Bob's chest. Bob raised a hand, fire swirling around his arm in preparation for a counter.

Before the attack landed, Ren let go of the spear. It disappeared from his grip in an instant, replaced by his sword. The sudden switch caught Bob off guard, and Ren's blade sliced through his gauntlet, drawing blood.

"What the-?!" Bob growled, staggering back.

The glaive-wielder lunged at Ren, his blade sweeping low. Ren sidestepped, his sword disappearing mid-swing, replaced by the full spear. The glaive clanged against the shaft, the impact jarring but manageable. Ren spun the spear around, catching the glaive-wielder in the ribs with a sharp jab.

"Where are these weapons coming from?" the glaive-wielder barked, his frustration breaking through his usual composure.

Bob's eyes narrowed, his flames flickering uncertainly. "Doesn't matter if we burn the bastard!"

Ren didn't give them the chance. He darted forward, switching to his sword mid-step. The blade caught the glaive-wielder across the leg, sending him sprawling to the ground with a howl of pain.

Bob roared, his flames erupting around him in a furious blaze. "You'll pay for that!"

Ren smirked grimly. Good. Let him get angry. Angry people make mistakes.

Bob charged, his movements reckless as he unleashed a torrent of fire. Ren dodged, using the broken spear to block a stream of flames before switching back to his sword. The rapid changes kept Bob guessing, his strikes becoming wilder with each miss.

"You little-!" Bob growled, his voice cracking with frustration.

Ren circled him, his movements deliberate. He waited for the opening, a moment of hesitation, a misstep. It came when Bob stumbled slightly, his flames flickering as he tried to track Ren's erratic movements.

Ren seized the opportunity. He switched to the unbroken spear, hurling it with all his strength. The weapon struck Bob's thigh, embedding itself deep and forcing a scream from the Fire Bender.

Bob dropped to one knee, his flames sputtering. Ren was on him in an instant, switching to his sword for the final blow.

The blade sliced through Bob's neck cleanly, his head falling forward as his body crumpled. The fire around him hissed and fizzled out, leaving only the acrid stench of burnt flesh.

Ren staggered back, his chest heaving. The glaive-wielder lay nearby, his expression frozen in shock as he clutched his wounded leg.

"W-what are you?" the man croaked, his voice trembling.

Ren didn't answer. He stepped forward, raising his sword. The glaive-wielder's scream was cut short as the blade descended.

The system chimed softly in his mind:

| Combat Experience Gained |

| Skill Progress: Basic Swordsmanship (Lv 7 – 50%) |

Ren stood in the silence that followed, the weight of his actions settling over him. He looked down at Bob's lifeless form, the blood pooling around him stark against the scorched earth.

One more down, he thought coldly. And still more to go.

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A/N: As i said the chapter today is quite weak and mainly its because of the fight scene with the firebender which icl i need to get better at writing the usage of elemental powers since yk its an avatar fic and while I could use the wiki to determine what moves most benders use, its like its too repetitive and I want to add some stuff without it being out of the norm in the verse. And one other thing I need to constantly make sure is Ren and is strength without him being too weak or too strong in terms of how I show him fight. 

Do you guys want me to delete the placeholder chap or nah cos we got enough words but ppl acc read that thing XD

Also plssss join discord it would mean a lot and u can ask stuff that u are massively curious abt. 

https://discord.gg/s7MGNuqSkQ