They had arrived only a few hours earlier, with news that were barely a few days old, yet there was a hubbub in the palace, rumors were already abound. Many Fire Sages were, after all, nobles from the many aristocratic families of the Fire Nation, and they spread the news before it was officially relayed to the Fire Lord.

And it was their task to give him the news. Not an enviable one, as the news were dire for the Fire Nation. When they entered the Fire Lord’s palace room, they were met with silence, save for the roaring flames of Ozai’s throne.

He sat there, not facing them. They knew his fury, it was quiet now, but it could swallow them like a dragon at any time.

“My lord.” The eldest spoke, all three knelt.

“You bring me news.” Ozai said. “And hearing the filthy cowardice emanating from your voices, they are not good.”

“The statues of the Avatar Temple shone with great light two days ago.” The eldest heard his voice crack from fear. “That… that means…”

The flames of his throne blazed. Fury. Pure, unbridled fury. On that day, the eldest missed the times of Azulon the most. Ozai rose.

“The Avatar has returned.” He said as he turned around, a stare as cold as ice looked over his kneeling servants. “Who knows?”

“R-rumors abound, Fire Lord. And in the other Avatar Temples, the lights must’ve shone as well.”

Ozai grit his teeth. The whole world knew that the Avatar was back.

And the task of killing the Avatar now laid upon his children.