The Open Ocean

It's been a week since Lillian left home and 3 days that she has been on the ship. The men on the ship were not fond of the idea having a woman as their General. Lillian leaned over the side of the ship gazing at the never ending ocean. "It's so beautiful out here, I could stare at it forever!" Lillian admired as she sighed and rested her chin on her hand. "You will get tired of it soon my Dear, how about some tea?" Iroh said as he lifted his tea pot. "General Iroh, I have read about the spirits that protect and haunt the oceans, do you think we will encounter any of them?" Lillian asked as she sat on the edge with her back to the ocean. The mist of the water tickling her bare back where some scars were visible. "I Have had my share with spirits and do not wish to cross paths with them anytime soon." Iroh said as a small laugh escaped his lips. Lillian swung her body so that her legs were hanging over the side of the ship. "hmmmmm, I just want to jump in!" Lillian said as she closed her eyes and laid her head back allowing her long braid to fall back. Iroh laughed at her and then turned to view the ocean as well. "It is an magnificent site, who knows maybe you will encounter a spirit." Lillian looked at Iroh and smiled at the old man, "General Iroh... Is it true that you visited the spirit world?" Iroh smiled and turned around, "My dear, I have seen many-"

"Uncle Iroh! Lillian!" Zuko's voice filled the air.

"Peace time over!" Lillian mumbled to Iroh as Zuko walked up to them.

Iroh snickered at Lillian.

"Enough! Captain Lee has informed me that the quickest way to the Western Air temple will be to continue North-west." Zuko huffed

"But I told Captain Lee that we should Just continue West? This way we will avoid Rockery's pass." Lillian argued

"I agree with Lillian Prince Zuko, that part of the ocean is haunted by the spirit Kaiyo. She is a merciless spirit and does not appreciate any aggression in her waters." Iroh added in a worried voice.

Lillian watched as Zuko stared at Iroh with rage, "We will continue North-West, and that's and order!" Zuko shouted.

"There is no need to yell, we were simply giving you our opinion and you really should cal-"

"KNOW YOUR PLACE LILLIAN!!!" Zuko yelled in her face.

"Excuse me? I thought I was General of YOUR crew. A leader does not lead innocent men to be sacrificed to an OCEAN spirit!" Lillian shouted as she stood in front of Zuko with her arms crossed over her chest.

Lillian and Zuko stared at each other, Zuko clenched his fists and released fire as he stormed away, "Captain! Continue North- WEST!!!" Zuko yelled to the tower. Captain Lee looked down and smirked at Lillian. Iroh walked towards Lillian, he could feel the heat radiating off of her. "The spirits will not be happy..." Lillian nodded in agreement before she went to her room. Lillian slammed the door which frightened Kasai, he hissed at her before laying back down. "Know your place Lillian! Captain Lee said this, Captain Lee said that! Blah Blah Blah! Hooray for Captain Lee!!" Lillian said as she threw her arms in the air and paced her room. "How am I suppose to prove myself if Zuko doesn't give me a chance?" Lillian looked at Kasai and frowned "WELL???" Kasai grunted and placed his paw over his face. Lillian fell flat onto her bed, "yeah... I agree..." Lillian closed her eyes and tried to fall asleep, but she couldn't. So instead she stared at the ceiling, 'I wonder why the spirit Kaiyo only attacks men? Why doesn't she harm woman?'

Iroh sat peacefully in his room meditating. There was a light knock on his door before it creaked open. "General Iroh? May I bother you for a moment? I have some tea." Iroh smiled at the young girl, she walked in and placed the tea pot on the table. The sweet aroma filled his room. "mmmm Jasmine" Iroh sniffed. "What's on your mind my dear?" Lillian took a seat across from Iroh and poured the tea into two cups. " I um... Have a question about the spirit Kaiyo." Iroh raised his eyebrow before placing his tea cup down. "Why the sudden interest?" Lillian shot up and blushed, "I uh... um, I have always found it interesting to read about the spirits and the um..." Lillian stuttered "Angels?" Iroh finished. Lillian's face filled with shock. "What would you like to know about her?" Iroh ignored her reaction and got straight to the point. Lillian nodded "Why does the spirit Kaiyo only attack men? I mean... I have never heard anything about her harming any woman?" Iroh closed his eyes for a while, "It's because she uses the woman to attack the men... She casts an illusion upon the woman and they believe that they are in grave danger." Lillians eyes widened in shock. "But why?" Iroh began...

"Many centuries ago, before the spirit world and human world were separated. Kaiyo and her daughter Yokai swam the ocean's water endlessly. They loved each other dearly and the humans. They would always protect the sailors and creatures of the oceans. One day Yokai met a handsome young sailor by the name of Kaizoku. They fell deeply in love. Kaiyo was not happy with this relationship, it was forbidden for spirits and man to be together. Kaiyo warned her daughter about the evil of man but she refused to listen, she believed that she loved Kaizoku and that he loved her, but she made a grave mistake... They decided to meet under the full moon when spirits were at their most powerful. Yokai went with her heart full of love but Kaizoku went there with a heart full of evil. That night, Kaizoku murdered Yokai. Kaiyo's heart never healed, her hatred for men grow by each passing day. The men who survived to tell their tales were luck, but the others... She believes that a woman is a powerful human and should not take orders from men."

"wow..." Lillian whispered.

The door swung open and Zuko walked in. Lillian stood and bowed to Iroh, "Thank you General Iroh, it was very enlighting." Lillian smiled. She turned to walk out before Zuko stood in her way. "Uncle, May I speak to Lillian?....Alone!" Iroh raised his brow, "Does it have to be discussed in my room? If you want to be alone with Lillian just go to your room." Iroh had a huge smile as he walked past a blushing Zuko, Lillian giggled as a blush crept on her face. Zuko turned to Lillian and crossed his arms over his chest, "I believe you had some disrespectful words for Captain Lee?" Zuko said trying to keep his anger in. Lillian was taken back, she never even spoke a word to the captain since this morning. "What are you talking about?" Zuko glared at her," You know exactly what I mean!" Lillian sighed and walked past Zuko, " I haven't spoken to him since this morning. So no... I don't, but don't mind me! I'm just a girl that has no place here." Lillian yelled with her hands in the air.

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The ship had lowered its anchor and the crew men could see Rockery's pass from the ship. It was the first music night, thanks to Iroh. Lillian sat on the rail with her back to the crew. She felt their gazes on her back, she knew she wasn't welcome here. She ignored them and watched the mist circle the ship. Zuko came outside to see everyone relaxed and decided to join them. As he sat down he saw Lillian's body on the railing watching the ocean...

https://youtu.be/ujAfhLLVM7E

Suddenly, there was moaning coming from the ocean, a green glow filled the mist and surrounded the ship. The crew member's faces filled with fear, "ZUKO!! Get Lillian inside NOW!!!" Iroh yelled with fear. Lillian looked back at Iroh confused, "But General Iroh? I feel f-" Suddenly the ship was lifted on a huge wave of water. Lillain fell back onto the ship, as she lifted her head she saw that all the men were caught in a green mist. Iroh seemed untouched, "Lillian, she is coming!" He yelled. Lillian looked back at the ocean and saw a large figure form in front of the ship, "Lillian get away from there!" Zuko yelled. Lillian looked back at everyone, their faces were filled with fear, 'I need to protect them' Suddenly a Kaiyo's face was right in front of her. There was silence as the men watched in wonder. Kaiyo circle Lillian, "So much beauty, but yet you do not abuse it child..." Kaiyo's voice filled the air as she spoke, Lillian bowed her head, "Great spirit Kaiyo, Please, show us mercy, I beg of you." Lillian's voice was strong. The spirit circled the men, she lifted her hand and touched Zuko's chin. "Don't touch me! I am Prince Zuko of the fire nation!" The spirited retreated her hand and hissed at him, "Men... still the same.." Lillian gritted her teeth "ZUKO!" Iroh noticed that the men's eyes began to glow and change green. "Lillian! Look!" Iroh yelled. Lillian turned away from the spirit and noticed that all the men's eyes besides Iroh's were green. "What are you doing to them?" Lillian yelled. Kaiyo flew up to Lillian and tried to touch her on here arm, but the moment they made contact there was a spark, Kaiyo pulled her hand back in pain. As the spirit held her hand in pain she stared at Lillian, "Who are you?" Lillian stood straight and protected the men behind her, she glanced back and saw that Zuko was lifeless. "Wait.." Lillian returned her gaze to the spirit. "Those Crimson Eyes...." The spirit squinted her green eyes "Ojo no Tenshi..." Lillian's eyes widen in shock, "How do you know who I am?" The spirit stood before Lillian, "Your ancestors were my allies, but I haven't seen a Tenshi in over 300 hundred years..." Lillian gazed back at the men with her eyes wide, "Fear not, they are in a sleep, they cannot hear or see." Kaiyo said in a slow breath. Lillian watched as the spirit made her way to the edge of the boat, "Please, I beg you, do not harm any of them." Lillian whispered. The spirit turned to face Lillian, she smiled. "I shall do as you ask if you do one thing for me child..." Kaiyo said. Lillian stood closer, "Anything just don't hurt them!" Kaiyo looked at Lillian, "Show me the wings of a Tenshi, I have not seen such a glorious thing in over 300 hundred years. They will see nothing..." Lillian held her crystal before she nodded her head. White flames circle at Lillian's feet, the flames rose up and Lillian rolled her shoulder's back, her large white wings escaped their cage beneath her shoulders and stretched across the deck. Iroh stood and gazed in amazement, they were truly a site to see. The spirit smiled at Lillian, she moved closer and placed a soft kiss on Lillian's forehead. "I will protect this ship from any harm. If you are close to the ocean and need help, call me and I shall be there for you Ojo no Tenshi..." The spirit bowed to Lillian and then disappeared. Lillian pulled her wings back and turned to see everyone on the floor. Slowly but surely they all woke up, Lillian turned to the ocean and smile, "thank you..." she whispered.

"What happened?" asked a guard.

"We were attacked by the spirit!"

"Are we dead???"

"Calm down everyone. You are all still alive, thanks to General Lillian!" Iroh said as he helped Zuko up.

Zuko looked at Lillian, she had a small burn on her arm but other than that she was fine. "Are you ok?" Lillian asked him with concern. Zuko nodded and held his head. "We need to change your bandages, before you lose your eye." Lillian said as she tried to smile. Zuko pulled Lillian close and hugged her, she trembled in his arms, he knew she was petrified but then he could not remember what happened. "You are truly brave." He whispered in her ear before he made his way to his room. Lillian remained on the deck and touched her forehead, she smiled at the ocean and made her way inside to the infirmary.

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So there is a very long chapter. I enjoyed writing this chapter, please let me know what you think.

Yokai = mermaid

Kaizoku = Pirate

Kaiyo = Ocean

Ojo no Tenshi = Princess of Angels

Tenshi = Angel

Please vote and comment!!!