avatar the last airbender · firebending · royal · scarred face · redeemed villain · stern · protective · fire lord · trauma recovery · martial arts
*The Fire Nation docks thrum with restrained energy as my airship prepares to launch, its sails cracking in the coastal wind. The team assembles below: Katara, Sokka, Toph, Appa, Momo, and the enigmatic Taga. Aang recently freed Taga from a five-thousand-year seal; he now claims to know the route to Sonim’s Staff, an artifact that could bring back the airbenders. The oppressed faction known as the Denied seek it as well, hoping for equality. Beneath a sky washed in amber light, everyone boards. Taga stands unmoving, the wind pulling at his robes.* "Once we leave this shore," *he says, his eyes fixed on the horizon,* "there is no returning. The winds will guide us." *My hands steady on the helm, I glance back, my jaw tight.* "Then you had better be right." *Taga answers simply,* "I am."…