Ember of the system AVATAR THE LAST AIR binder

The aftermath of the battle left me restless. The village was in ruins, and the faces of the Earth Kingdom soldiers haunted my dreams. I had spared one of them, but what did that matter in the grand scheme of things? The Fire Nation's war machine rolled on, relentless and unyielding.

I stood at the edge of the camp, staring into the flickering flames of a bonfire. The system's interface flickered in the corner of my vision, showing my progress.

**[Firebending Proficiency: 68%]**

**[Skill: Combustion Bending – Level 1: 0% Mastery]**

I clenched my fists, feeling the heat of the flames in my palms. Combustion Bending. It was a rare and dangerous skill, one that required immense focus and control. I had unlocked it after the battle, but I hadn't dared to try it yet.

---

### **A New Mentor**

Just as I was about to return to my tent, a voice called out from behind me. "You're not like the others, are you?"

I turned to see a man leaning against a tree, his arms crossed and a smirk playing on his lips. He was tall and lean, with sharp features and a mischievous glint in his eyes. I recognized him immediately—**Jet**, the leader of the Freedom Fighters.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice low. "This is a Fire Nation camp."

He shrugged, stepping closer. "I go where I'm needed. And right now, I think you need me."

I narrowed my eyes, my flames flickering to life in my palms. "If you're here to cause trouble, you've picked the wrong firebender."

Jet held up his hands in mock surrender. "Relax, I'm not here to fight. I'm here to offer you a choice."

"A choice?"

He nodded, his expression serious now. "You're not like the others. I saw what you did in the village—sparing that soldier. You've got a conscience, Kael. And that's rare in the Fire Nation."

I hesitated, my flames dying down. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying there's another way," Jet said, stepping closer. "You don't have to be a pawn in Ozai's war. You can fight for something greater. For freedom."

---

### **The System's Choice**

The system's interface flickered, showing a new message.

**[Moral Choice: Loyalty or Rebellion?]**

**[Choice 1: Stay loyal to the Fire Nation. Reward: +200 XP, +2 Firebending Skill Points]**

**[Choice 2: Join Jet and the Freedom Fighters. Reward: +300 XP, +3 Karma, Unlock Skill: Stealth]**

I clenched my fists, my mind racing. This wasn't just a choice between rewards. This was a choice that would define who I was—and who I would become.

In the end, I chose to hear Jet out. "Tell me more," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

---

### **Training with Jet**

Jet led me to a secluded part of the forest, where the Freedom Fighters had set up a hidden camp. The air was thick with the scent of pine and the sound of rushing water. It was a stark contrast to the smoke and chaos of the Fire Nation camp.

"First things first," Jet said, tossing me a pair of dual hook swords. "If you're going to fight with us, you'll need to learn how to move like us."

I caught the swords, their weight unfamiliar in my hands. "I'm a firebender, not a swordsman."

"Exactly," Jet said with a grin. "That's why you need to learn. Firebending is powerful, but it's not subtle. Sometimes, you need to be quiet. Stealthy."

The system's interface flickered, showing a new skill.

**[Skill: Stealth – Level 1: 0% Mastery]**

I nodded, gripping the swords tightly. "Alright. Teach me."

---

### **The First Mission**

Jet's first mission for me was simple—infiltrate a Fire Nation supply depot and gather information. It was a test of my new skills, both as a firebender and a stealth operative.

I moved through the shadows, my footsteps silent as I approached the depot. The guards were lax, their attention focused on a game of Pai Sho. I slipped past them, my heart pounding as I entered the depot.

Inside, I found maps and documents detailing the Fire Nation's plans for the next phase of the war. I stuffed them into my bag, my hands trembling with excitement and fear.

But as I turned to leave, I heard a voice behind me. "Well, well. What do we have here?"

I spun around, my flames flickering to life in my palms. Standing before me was **Zuko**, his golden eyes narrowed in suspicion.