Snippet #2578122

Sozin's eyes flew open as the screams of thousands tour at his soul in his sleep. His hands and feet flashed red and fire flew out from all around, fueled by his own anger and pain, the fire quickly permeated the room. It set everything around him ablaze, it began to eat away at his bed sheets, at his walls. Then it stopped and Sozin regained a semblance of control, the anger and pain still flowing from his, even heating the room, but the flames were extinguished.

Two of his personal guardsmen were at the edge of his room, despite the fire show being a daily occurrence they always checked up on him with haste and genuine worry. "Are you alright, sir?" the elder soldier with burns that encapsulated his years of service asked. "Yes, Lu I'm fine. I appreciate the concern, as always... Please have an attendant replace my bedspread."

They both snapped to attention and left the room.

Sozin followed after them by just a few moments, just enough time so they wouldn't feel awkward having their backs turned on him. In Sozin's elder years he had done away with much of the old kingly traditions that he had experienced in his youth. His people respected him, feared him and loved him, he didn't need them to show it by bowing and slowly backing out of the room or waiting for him to pass, he didn't have time at his age for such superfluous shows of respect.

He checked on his wife, they couldn't sleep in the same room any longer given his fiery out bursts, but he still loved her and saw her every day. He entered her room, she like him awoke long before dawn. They spoke for about a half hour, which was their morning ritual. It calmed Sozin's mind, steadied it, she made him a stronger leader. They both took a quick bath together and soon the sun rose. Sozin couldn't help bet flex his muscles and inhale slowly, with purpose as the sun increased his already immense power. His wife smiled and he smiled back, "I'll see you soon my sweet."

He hadn't always been so sweet to her and she hadn't always been so sweet to him, but after he murdered Roku, which he had come to accept that it was murder, he couldn't help but soften, if he hadn't he would have become a monster. He regretted nothing more than the murder of his friend and nothing more than the murder of the air nomads, he realized now that the comet had made him angry, had made his people angry. It morphed them all for a time, made them monsters, as only humans can be. He couldn't stop the war now though, something good had to come of all the world's destruction, he and his wife had decided that after the comet's power had left his veins.

He entered the council room and took his seat long before any other person had entered the room as was his personal custom. Any leader should be the first in and the last out, lead by example, not from a seat. Slowly his council trickled in and he lit his fires behind him, the heat filling the room. The flames harmonized with his steady breathing, up and down, in and out. He didn't think about them for he didn't need to, the flames were apart of him like a third arm or second head.

Everyone arrived in a timely manner, which always made Sozin happy. It's not that he was angered by lateness, least not when it was excusable. It just showed that his people respected him and in turn it caused him to return said respect. Then Mei, his right hand entered and told him of the insurgents. She was late and that bothered him a bit, he was sure she noticed and he wanted her to.

"I don't like the name 'Hijackers' Mei, so far they have shown themselves capable adversaries. They may be small, but the smallest of problems can quickly snowball into a massive obstacle to our conquest. They should be treated as a serious threat and for that matter I believe they are. I want counter-insurgents sent to combat them, propaganda printed and distributed to counter their recruitment and I want them to be treated fairly when we capture them, as in fair trials and fair punishments. We need to show that we are not tyrants and that life is truly better under the fire nation flag. And from now on when ever you mention them, call them insurgents, that's what they are." Sozin's voice was calm, commanding and kind, the fire behind him still rose and fell with his every breath.

"I also want a commendation sent to Sotaro for his conquest Yu Dao, he did well, make sure it's clear to him that I want him commended for his treatment of the people of Yu Dao just as much as his conquest of it." Sozin continued on.

He then looked at Mei, ready for her agreement or rebuttal or whatever else she had to say. He always encouraged discussion in his war room, his word was final, but it wasn't the only word.