After waiting for nearly a fortnight, the lookouts finally spotted them.
Three ships. Southern raiders.
Small vessels with patched sails and crude hull reinforcements, moving cautiously along the frozen coast. Their destination was obvious the moment Tulok saw their heading.
Wolf Cove.
Tulok stood at the prow of his flagship as the night swallowed the ocean around them. Behind him, three of his own ships glided silently through the water. The sea itself seemed to obey them.
Not a single paddle broke the surface.
The waterbenders guiding the vessels worked in complete silence, gently pulling currents beneath the hulls, steering the fleet like ghosts across the dark water.
They followed the raiders for hours.
Tulok did not give the order to attack.Not yet.
Patience, he had learned, was one of the most powerful weapons a ruler possessed.
Finally, the raiders reached the cove.
Fires and shouting began.
Once the attack on the village had properly started and woken everyone. Only then did Tulok raise a single hand. His waterbenders moved.
The sea erupted silently. Before the raiders could even comprehend what was happening, pillars of water surged over their ships and froze instantly. The snow around all the raiders feet rose and solidified into thick slabs of ice, encasing the attackers where they stood. Arms pinned to their sides, legs locked in place, ice creeping up their bodies until it stopped just beneath their mouths. One waterbender went towards each slab to keep an eye on them. There was only small holes in ice. Enough to breathe. Nothing more.
The entire attack ended in less than ten minutes after it began.
Tulok stepped into the snow covered perimeter of the village and studied the trapped men calmly.
Why leave them alive? Because dead men were useless.
The southern pole was rich in iron and other ores, but mining in this climate was slow and miserable work. Fuel was scarce. Coal even more so.
However, if he had firebenders, the equation changed entirely.
Firebenders could maintain forge temperatures that would normally require large quantities of coal. Steel could be produced with only small amounts of carbon.
Which meant the true bottleneck was labor.
Non-benders would work the mines. They always did. The strong would haul ore. The skilled would craft. Those who resisted would eventually break.
Slavery? Tulok had long stopped debating the morality of it.
History was nothing but the powerful imposing burdens on the weak. The Fire Nation enslaved villages. Pirates raided and took captives. Kingdoms conscripted farmers into armies.
Everyone justified their chains. He was simply honest about his. And besides – if the Southern Tribes objected to slavery, they were welcome to explain why pirates like Tagaka had thrived among them for decades.
A group of men approached him across the snow. Armed. Organized.
Leading them was a broad-shouldered man with sharp eyes and a weathered face hardened by cold winds and harder responsibilities.
Hakoda, Chief of Wolf Cove and Head of the Southern Tribes' council.
Hakoda stopped a few paces away. His guards spread around him instinctively, spears raised.
Tulok noticed their stance. Disciplined. Not professional soldiers, but men used to fighting for their homes.
Still – Non-benders. Against master waterbenders. On frozen ground. The outcome of such a fight would never be in doubt.
Hakoda studied him carefully.
"Who are you?" he asked. "Are you from the Northern Water Tribe?"
Tulok tilted his head slightly.
"Interesting," he said calmly. "You demand introductions without offering one of your own."
The guards shifted uneasily. Tulok smiled faintly.
"But since we are among allies, I suppose manners can be forgiven." He straightened slightly. "I am Tulok the Second, son of Argan… and King of the Fifth Nation."
The reaction was immediate. Confusion from some. Recognition – and suspicion –from others. A few guards instantly tightened their grip on their spears.
Tulok could almost hear the name echoing through their minds. Fifth Nation. Pirates. Tagaka.
That was expected. Reputation was a tool. Even when it was inconvenient.
Hakoda spoke again. "I am Hakoda. Chief of Wolf Cove. Head of the Southern Tribes' Council."
His tone was polite. His posture was not. "May I ask," he continued, "why the King of the Fifth Nation has come to our… small village?"
Tulok spread his hands casually. "The answer is actually quite simple." He gestured toward the village. "Many of the people who joined my nation over the years were originally from the Southern Water Tribe. Loyal people. Hardworking people." He paused deliberately. "They petitioned me."
Hakoda's eyes narrowed slightly.
"They asked me to help preserve their ancestral homeland. Seeing how faithfully they had served my father… and considering that I myself descend from the Southern Water Tribe, I decided to honor their request."
He looked toward the frozen ships behind him. "And fortunately, my arrival happened to coincide with tonight's… unfortunate raid."
Hakoda followed his gaze. Raider ships frozen in ice. Captured attackers. A village that would have been destroyed without intervention.
Hakoda slowly raised a hand. His men lowered their spears.
"I thank His Highness for his help," Hakoda said carefully. "Under different circumstances we would celebrate such assistance with a feast." He glanced around the damaged village. "But as you can see… these are difficult times."
Tulok smiled faintly because he understood the political language. Translation: Thank you for your help. But I don't trust you, so leave.
"That," Tulok said calmly, "is precisely why I am here."
Hakoda waited. Tulok continued.
"I wish to form an alliance with the Southern Water Tribe."
Hakoda's expression hardened slightly. "And what does this alliance involve?"
Tulok answered without hesitation. "I defend you." He gestured toward the sea. "My fleet guards your waters. My soldiers fight your enemies. Your battles become my battles." He gestured toward the villagers. "Your waterbenders will receive proper training. Your culture and customs will be preserved. My people will learn them as well."
Then he paused.
"And in return…" The air grew colder. "Your council of chiefs and elders becomes an advisory body." Hakoda's jaw tightened. "I alone hold sovereign authority." He let the words settle. "This village will become the capital of my empire."
A ripple of murmurs spread through the crowd.
"In return," Tulok continued, "you gain security, prosperity, and stability. You will follow the laws of the realm and pay taxes like any other citizens." He tilted his head slightly. "How does that sound?"
Hakoda's eyes hardened. "And if we refuse?"
Tulok's voice remained calm. "I leave."
Murmurs quieted instantly.
"I make the same offer to another settlement. Eventually someone will accept." He looked around the snowy coastline. "And when they do, my nation will grow here regardless."
His gaze returned to Hakoda.
"And one day… I will return." The silence became heavy. "And when I do," Tulok said quietly, "I will remember who chose cooperation… and who chose isolation."
The villagers began whispering among themselves. Some fearful. Some hopeful. Some calculating. Tulok remained silent. He wanted them to talk. Because the moment the people began discussing the offer... Hakoda lost control of the narrative.
Hakoda realized it too. Tulok saw it in the tightening of his jaw. The hesitation. The growing unrest behind him. So Hakoda did the only thing desperate leaders ever did.
He attacked.
Without warning. His spear shot forward, aiming straight for Tulok's throat.
Tulok stepped aside easily. The spear missed completely. Hakoda spun back, breathing hard, not from exhaustion but fear of what would happen now that he missed. What will the waterbenders behind me will do.
Tulok chuckled softly as he raised his hand not to bend but stop the benders behind him. "So that's how this is going to be."
"You want to take my people," Hakoda growled.
"They seem interested," Tulok replied, glancing at the villagers.
A few looked away. That was enough. Hakoda wasn't just defending the tribe anymore. He was defending his authority. Tulok rolled his shoulders.
"Very well." He raised his hands. "I will give you a fair chance."
The crowd murmured.
"I will not use bending." Hakoda blinked. "Just weapons." Tulok pulled his spear from his back. "If you win, we leave."
Hakoda charged immediately. He was strong. Fast. Experienced.
Their spears clashed repeatedly, the sound echoing across the frozen cove.
But Hakoda was angry. And anger created openings. Tulok slipped inside his guard, twisted his arm, and threw him hard into the snow.
Before Hakoda could recover, Tulok's dagger plunged into his shoulder. Hakoda roared in pain.
The fight continued briefly. But it was already decided. The rope dart came next. Yeah, I learned it after watching Shang Chi, it's even designed after the one from Shang Chi movie, so what, it goes well with waterbending style of being flexible and adaptable. The weapon whistled through the air like a hunting hawk.
Cut. Cut again. Blood stained the snow. Hakoda staggered. Then the rope wrapped around his neck. Tulok pulled and Hakoda fell to the ground. Tulok put his boot on his back,pinning him down, and pulled the rope, choking him.
A few seconds later, Hakoda's body went still.
Tulok released the rope. The former chief collapsed into the snow. Tulok turned toward the villagers.
"Well," he said calmly. "Now we can continue our conversation."
Silence filled the village. Then someone stepped forward.
"We accept your offer… Your Majesty."
Others followed. Fear? Partially. But Tulok knew better. People did not follow rulers they feared alone. They followed rulers who convinced them obedience was rational.
Then a woman ran forward. She saw the body. Recognition hit instantly. She collapsed beside Hakoda, shaking him desperately. Crying.
Bato held her back at first. Tulok gestured for him to release her. She fell beside her husband's corpse.
Tulok approached slowly. "Is she his family?" he asked.
"Yes," Bato replied quietly. "His wife."
Tulok studied her. Strong features. Water tribe heritage. Still young, in mid twenties. Bountiful assets, still visible in water tribes baggy clothes.
"What is your name?" he asked.
"K… Kya."
Tulok nodded slowly. "Kya," he said calmly. "Do you know who killed your husband?"
She shook her head weakly.
"I did."
The crowd shifted uneasily.
"Do you know why?" Again she shook her head.
Tulok turned slightly so everyone could hear him.
"Because he attacked me." His voice carried across the snow. "I came here to help you. I saved your village from the raiders. I offered prosperity and protection."
He gestured toward the villagers.
"But your chief chose violence." He let the silence grow. "A leader's duty is to his people. If he must die, he dies protecting them."
Tulok looked down at Hakoda's body.
"But instead… he chose to gamble their future to preserve his authority."
The words spread through the crowd like poison. Because they contained just enough truth to grow. Turning Hakoda from the chief who did everything in his power for his tribe to a power hungry villain.
Kya shook her head. "No… he wasn't –"
Tulok raised a hand. "If you doubt me… ask them."
A man spoke up. "Since he became chief… more waterbenders left."
Another voice joined. "My children haven't eaten properly in days."
Soon more voices followed. The voices kept growing. Until Tulok raised his hand again. Silence returned. He looked back at Kya.
"You see the problem," he said softly. "Now the question becomes… can your family be trusted?"
Her eyes widened in fear. "Please… spare my children."
"So you have children. How many?"
"Two. Sokka… nine years old. Katara… eight."
"Anyone else?"
"His mother. Kanna. The children call her Gran-Gran."
Tulok nodded. "And any benders?"
"My daughter… Katara."
Tulok considered this carefully.
"Very well," he said. "Your husband betrayed his people." He paused. "But punishing children for the sins of their parents is unjust."
Hope flickered briefly in her eyes. Then Tulok delivered the real judgment.
"Sokka will attend a military academy I will establish here. He will spend his life defending the people his father failed. You and Kanna will serve me within the palace as maids. You will follow every order to letter, without any question. You will not leave the palace without permission and if you do, than you better be prepared for your punishment."
Slaves and hostages left unspoken.
"And your daughter will train as a waterbender. Her fate will depend on her usefulness. If she had any skill in bending than she would prove herself useful, either as a fighter or worker, but if she is one of those who could barely move a bucket of water than you better pray she has other worthwhile skill because I hate wasting resources."
Tulok let the villagers hear the fairness in his voice.
"I do not punish loyalty. But betrayal…" He looked around the silent crowd. "Betrayal is punished by law, not anger."
That distinction mattered. Because fear of a man created rebels. Fear of justice created order.
And tonight – Tulok had just rewritten the laws of the Southern Water Tribe.