The journey to the Fire Nation was both somber and breathtaking. Esteria sat beside El-Kharis in the carriage, the rhythmic sound of wheels over rocky terrain filling the silence between them. Occasionally, she glanced out the window, her eyes catching the subtle changes in the landscape. The lush greenery that had surrounded the Water Palace was now giving way to a harsher terrain—darker soil, jagged rocks, and an ever-present hue of orange and red on the horizon.
Esteria couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia as the Water Palace came to mind. She remembered her time there vividly: the tranquility of the cascading waterfalls, the cool mist that kissed her skin during training, and the camaraderie she had shared with Celene, Sterling, and Alariel—before Alariel's betrayal. The thought of Alariel made her chest tighten, a bittersweet reminder of the bond they'd once shared. She quickly pushed the memory aside.
