Thorian couldn't trust other people so easily, much less think that peace should be attributed to a single person like the Avatar. No one, not even a figure like him, could avoid war. It would all end when there was only one winner, or when those seeking power emerged victorious.
That's why, despite feeling angry, he couldn't blame anyone but his own weakness and luck. Losing his family was solely due to his bad luck and weakness in not being able to protect those he loved.
Today, all of that could change, but he only had himself and the people he leads in the adversity of this war that has taken so many lives. And if there's anyone to blame, it's the Fire Nation, but before going after them, he would slowly destroy his enemies along with the traitors.
Over the next few hours, Thorian was torn between a will to keep fighting and a desire to end it all. If he chooses to just fight, he would advance with the other people, but if he decides to end it all, he would lead his people into a bloody struggle where many would die, perhaps most of them.
Regardless of what happens, that would be the outcome. Many had seen it, but they believed that with him, things might be a little different. Fewer deaths, more victories, and a clear path to success were what everyone hoped for from him.
The light in the darkness, perhaps even a messiah blessed by one of the two moon spirits, The White Demon, who was sent to this world to end the tyranny of all his enemies,.
He had reached a point where everyone trusted him completely. With this victory, it was clear that he was very talented at ruling and would continue to do so for a long time.
If Thorian commands it, every warrior who has been freed or emerged victorious would trust him so much that they would fight blindly and give their last breath for the vision he has for the future.
But Thorian knew that if he continued fighting with them, the path they would follow would be so bloody and tragic that there would be thousands, perhaps hundreds, of deaths. A war in his name, a revenge stained with the blood of thousands of enemies until they reached the Emperor of the Fire Nation and cut off his head.
"To be the Emperor of the four nations would change the course of history and make me the first great lord of the world, greater than any messiah or Avatar in history, who would watch over all nations and maintain absolute peace." Thorian, without realizing it, had reached a stream and walked to the middle of it, feeling the water wetting his clothes.
His thoughts were more aggressive than before; they had evolved. He knew that simply eliminating many from the Fire Nation would not be enough to end the entire war. To stop everything, he needed a supreme being to rule above the nations.
"For my plan to succeed, I must expand my dominion, an army of the four elements." Thorian murmured as he imagined what that moment would be like.
At that moment, he heard the water moving more abnormally in front of the stream and decided to walk in that direction, where he found Katara studying the classic battle style of waterbending masters.
"You won't achieve your revenge using that weak control; the movements you're using aren't infused with the right emotions."
When Katara turned around, she could see Thorian, the young ruler who had united most of the Southern tribes and was now waging a war. "Uh, well, there are no masters who can teach me something much better."
"I can teach you, but you must know that what I'll teach you is used to kill, not to play. When I was nine, they beheaded my mother in front of my eyes, and my father fought until the bitter end before sacrificing himself with a powerful firebending move." Thorian said, trying to ignite the flame of vengeance in Katara.
"You have both elements." Katara was impressed to learn Thorian's story and could see in his eyes the deep hatred he felt for the Fire Nation.
"So, what are you going to do?"
Thorian thought about it and said, "I'll kill the Emperor and anyone who stands in my way. I'll stop the war, and to stabilize the powers in the nations, I'll become the ultimate Emperor. The war won't stop just by fulfilling my revenge; I've realized that everything will only end when there's a single ruler."
"Do you know how the Fire Nation gained ground in the Earth Kingdom? The city guards betrayed their nation and joined the enemy; that's how the Fire Nation could advance. That's why a supreme emperor is needed—someone who is above sanctions and has absolute control over them."
Katara glanced at Thorian and felt no ambition, which made it clear to her that maybe there were no malicious intentions behind those plans.
"This is the only way to truly stop the war, stabilize the world, and rule in peace." Thorian waved his hand, and an ice spear formed in the air. "Absolute power..."
Boom!
The spear was thrown with force, piercing a wooden tree. The strength of this attack was such that the spear continued its path until it crashed into the ground. "That's why I created this ice control, essential for killing and for dominion."
"Katara, are you training?" At that moment, Aang emerged from the bushes, interrupting the conversation.
Thorian smiled and said, "I'll let you think about it; of course, I could also teach your friend icebending; he'll need it if he seeks the stability of the nations."
"I'll think about it..." Katara murmured, watching Thorian slowly walk away.
She wanted revenge, like many in the Water Nation, but she only sought to kill the person who killed her mother. Beyond that, she didn't want to get involved. Of course, seeking peace with the Avatar was incredible, but she still didn't see that path as probable.