Before the war and fire nation expansion driven by Sozin, there existed a clan who were spiritually gifted by the Sun Spirit. The ancestors of the clan devoted themselves into serving the Sun Spirit, and thus they were blessed with vitality and strength better than common fire nation citizens. The descendants of the clan possess a unique oakish-red hair, their eye color warm amber unlike the usual gold. Under a clear sky and sunlight, their hair looks almost like the color of sunset. The clan lived mostly in quiet, away from clan conflicts within the fire nation or the world.
Due to their devotion, the clan is able to bend fire even during solar eclipse, and their ability is amplified during Sozinâs comet. They derive their fire from spirituality, just like the Air Nomads. Despite devoting themselves to the Sun Spirit, the clan also worships the Moon Spirit, because the two co-exists, lovers, and represent the balance of dark and light. Priests and devotees of the clan can sometimes choose to void themselves of earthly attachments, instead giving themselves wholly as the lover of the moon. It means that they will not marry with another person, just serving the spirits.
Their devotion to the spirit, and the belief that the sun shines on everyone, created a rift with their relationship towards the fire nation. The clan left the capital of fire nation during Sozinâs reign, secluding themselves at Ember Island, practicing their beliefs in obscurity. The clan dresses themselves in mostly white, adorned with a bit of red and gold. They donât deem topknot to be a must, but some of the clan members fashioned themselves with high ponytail instead.Â
During the war, the clan assisted many injured victims of fire nation as best as they could; everything done in secrecy so as to not alarm anyone. The clan have their own method of healing with fire, treating the injured with warmth that relaxes the muscle, ease the ache, or cauterizes wounds. To not expose themselves as firebenders, the clan have their own method of heating their body parts without conjuring fire. They could also release heat in the patientâs body using the oxygen. After all, fire could not exist without oxygen.
One of the treatments done by the clan was spiritual and mental recovery. A lot of the trauma sustained by the soldiers was treated by the clan by laying the patient on heated pools, followed by meditation.
Fire doesnât have to be destructive, that warmth brings people together, nurtures, and gives protection.Â
The clan bends a very dark-red fire (low in temperature) for healing purposes. They donât usually bend fire openly unless a trust was built with the observer. In terms of fighting prowess, they are able to bend hotter flames. A complete combustion process fueled by oxygen, the clan possesses indigo to a violet flame when needed. With their understanding of how fire exists with oxygen, the clan could do combustionbending; directed blast of hot air from their palm. However, their ability resulted in power hungry individuals kidnapping the clan members into experimentation, especially in Yangchenâs era. Some of them were forced to bend with more precision in a torturous condition, resulting in death. The firebenders that survived will become known as combustionbenders.
As part of the clan, Surya Aloka possesses similar abilities to that of the clan. And just like her predecessors and clan members, Surya bends with a distinctive open palm like that of air nomads. The movement that makes theirs distinct is how passionate they move, quick steps and parries in hand to hand combat. If Air Nomad style circles on their opponent to evade, Suryaâs clan would strike them out in close quarters with their palm, more receptive and combative. True to their pacifist nature, Surya has the ability to wield a wooden staff/pole if needed. But if her hands were forced to decisive actions, she could wield the butterfly swords just as adeptly.Â
Suryaâs personality was all based on her clanâs teachings. The sun shines no more brighter to those that are just, criminals and sinners alike could feel the sun shines on them too. She believes that it depends on the people how they interpret what the sun has given them. âThe fire may cleanse you of your sins, or youâll burn from guilt itselfâ is what she would have said in an argument, to try and make you reflect. She doesnât show much expression, speaks in a very cryptic manner, meditating whenever possible.
She felt that romance is unnecessary for herself. The sun may love the moon, but it also gives itself to everyone. And thus, Surya thinks that her devotion to the world and her belief is enough as a form of love. Other than that, if someone ever gave themselves to her, she would feel guilty. âI am sorry, but I feel like it would be selfish of me to accept your feelings.â and that would be the end of the conversation. She would still treat you as usual however, because she loves in her own unique way.
The clan have no affiliations towards the Sun Warriors despite their similar belief. The clan predecessor might or might have not encountered Sun Warriors before, but as to respect the wish of the warriors, no known records of their meetings is available. The clan themselves respected the dragons, as it is one of the creatures depicted to carry power of the sun. But, Surya believes in the existence of Phoenix (and absolutely abhor the blasphemy that is The âPhoenix Kingâ Ozai), because if the sun is the power of life, then itâs no question that the Sun Spirit can show itself in the form of Phoenix, giving life with its gentle flame.
Suryaâs clan rivaled itself in terms of spiritual healing of that from the Bhanti clan. However, when the Bhanti people have given their services as sages in the fire nation, Suryaâs clan doesnât care much for the Avatar or political affairs. Yet, theyâre not one to shy away from giving aid when you come looking. Since there are not many of the clan members left, Surya is only one of the handful practitioners of the clanâs beliefs.Â
The members of the clans do not lament their dwindling numbers, citing that âThe Sun, and The Sun Spirit will always rise at dawn and shine on everyone when morrow comes. A light is still a light eventhough itâs a flicker. We will never be truly gone, just exist in a different form.â
With that in mind, Surya asked for the blessings from her elders to go and travel the world. The elders granted her request, with a warning that not many people knew about the clanâs existence. Those who knew, or the victims they have aided, have sworn an oath to not reveal their location. The world was engulfed in fire of war, and thus gave fright to whoever wields them. Fire Nation would always want to increase their military prowess, and the clanâs abilities should not fall to the wrong hands, like back in Yangchenâs era.
Surya was more worried about the people that tried to survive without help. Thereâs only so much the clan could offer for those who stumbled upon them- crashing ships and those who escaped through water, they were then found by the clan members. Determined, Surya journeyed away from the clanâs residence, posing as a nonbender adept with herbs and medicine, hoping to give light on the darkened path of war.
