ATLA: Azlua

Project Phoenix

Her words carried a finality that stilled the room. The generals exchanged glances but refrained from pressing the matter further.

Azula turned her gaze to Mai, a glint of approval in her eyes. "Contact Rangi," she ordered. "We'll need his cooperation to strengthen our position."

Mai inclined her head slightly, her calm composure never faltering. "I'll see to it."

The room shifted back to immediate strategies and logistical planning. Azula ordered the generals to prepare detailed proposals for Project Phoenix, addressing the concerns they had raised. She also tasked Captain Shen, the Dai Li agent present in the shadows, to investigate Jai Yu's secret project. Her voice was icy as she gave her instructions: "Failure is not an option."

As the meeting drew to a close, Azula stood, her posture as commanding as ever. "Draft your proposals," she instructed the room. "We reconvene in one week."

The generals rose, bowing deeply before filing out of the room. Mai lingered for a moment, her sharp eyes meeting Azula's. There was a shared understanding between them—a recognition of the challenges that lay ahead and the necessity of staying united in the face of growing threats.

When the room was finally empty, Azula leaned against the table, her mind racing. Though she had dismissed the Avatar publicly, the possibility lingered in the back of her mind. It was an unwelcome variable, but one she would face head-on if necessary.

--

The meeting room was quiet now, the lingering scent of ink and the faint crackle of torches the only remnants of the council's presence. Maps of the Fire Nation's territories still adorned the walls, illuminated by the flickering firelight. Azula remained seated at the head of the table, her posture straight, her golden eyes fixed on the large map at the room's far end.

The debates, the arguments, the endless parade of concerns—it all churned in her mind. She tapped her fingers lightly on the polished surface of the table, her frustration simmering just below the surface. The generals had been cautious, and Mai's suggestion about Rangi had merit, but the day felt like yet another battle lost. Not a defeat, but a retreat.

Her gaze fell to the northern territories on the map, her lips tightening. Jai Yu. His name alone made her jaw clench. He was a master of subtlety, undermining her authority with layers of plausible deniability, making her look inexperienced without ever seeming openly hostile.

Azula exhaled sharply and rose from her seat. She walked to the map, tracing her finger along the coastline of the northern territories. The lands were vast, their potential limitless, but control was slipping through her fingers. Rebels, inefficiencies, and her own generals' caution were obstacles she could overcome. But Jai Yu was a different challenge entirely.

Her reflection caught her eye in the polished table. She stared at it for a moment, her features sharp and regal, eerily reminiscent of Ozai's. She grimaced. The thought made her stomach twist.

He never would have let Jai Yu live this long, she thought bitterly. But then, he wouldn't have earned anyone's respect doing it.

The sound of the door opening pulled her from her thoughts. Azula turned slightly, expecting a servant, but it was Mai. She stepped inside without invitation, her gaze calm but probing. Azula didn't say a word as Mai approached the table.

"You're still here," Mai said, her voice neutral. "I thought you'd be off burning something by now."

Azula let out a dry laugh, turning back to the map. "Tempting. But burning things rarely solves the larger problems."

Mai walked closer, leaning against the table's edge. "You've been wound up since the meeting. What's going on?"

Azula didn't answer immediately. Her hands rested on the edge of the table, her nails tapping against the wood. "Nothing I can't handle," she said finally, though her tone was less sharp than usual.