Writing Group

Part 5
Title: Souls Torn and Mended
An avatar the last airbender story^^
TW: Violence, Familial Abuse
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"What's bothering you?"

"Huh?"

Tilting his head, Takahiro gazed at me gently with an inquisitive eye.

"Something's obviously bothering you. So go on with it. I'll hear you out since we're friends."

Friends? I had something to say about that, but when I opened my mouth I couldn't help but talk about the situation at home.

The anger, terror, aggression, everything about what I had experienced for 18 years in that place came spilling out of me.

As empty as I felt by the end of describing it all, I felt oddly freed by the fact. I hadn't said anything aloud before. Not even to my own family or anyone outside of it. But here I was, having told everything to the only person in the world that considered me a friend.

"Leave with me."

"What?" Flinching, I glanced at Takahiro like he had lost it.

"I'll be here until the fireworks go off. Come back here at this time in three days if you want to go with me. I can even guarantee your safety if you travel with me as well, Kaoru. Think about it."

The soft look on his face almost pushed me past the edge of keeping my emotions in check. Hesitation gripped me as I kept myself from agreeing right then and there. I had three days to decide.

Part 4
Title: Souls Torn and Mended
An avatar the last airbender story^^
TW: Violence, Familial Abuse
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"For how young you look you play pai sho as if you're an old man!"

"Says the one who called me in here for a game like this."

"Pai sho is enjoyed by all ages across the world. I know, I've traveled practically everywhere."

"Ah, given my name I guess that'd be expected of me too." I said, rubbing the back of my neck.

"For a second I was lost, but I realized we haven't exchanged names yet." Reaching across the table the boy offered me his hand with a smile. "I'm Takahiro, though most people call me Hiro."

"Kaoru."

"Ah, fire sail?"

"Roughly, ka is for fire but oru has lots of variations."

"Then a beautiful flame works as well."

I turned away from him ever so slightly.

[i]No one took it like that before...[/i]

"Oh, I don't think most people interpret it like that." I spoke, gesturing shyly.

"Well, that's the conclusion I came to based on what I see before me, but if you say so!" The smile on his features made my face flush. A tall, well built guy with dark hair and green eyes, exactly my type in fact. I shuffled a bit. The inevitable was approaching and soon I'd have to return home.

Part 3
Title: Souls Torn and Mended
An avatar the last airbender story^^
TW: Violence, Familial Abuse

As I hunkered down on the edge of the scene where the festival was to take place, hills dark and lush with stars, I looked to the sky. It was steadfast and beautiful as usual. My favorite aspect of this world that I felt even bending could not compare too.

The only stability I had.

As I lost myself in the shining specks in the sky I found myself being drawn back into reality by an odd noise. It was like the sound of someone whispering.

"Hey..."

"Hey."

As I turned I noticed a small tent I missed on my way up the hill. It was surrounded by foliage, and trees craned down to swallow it in the shadows. The sound echoed again.

"Hey, come here."

Goosebumps crawled up my skin. I shouldn't have been thinking about spirits...Is this one of those situations where people get whisked off to the other realm? I shuddered at the thought.

I heard the call once more and did my best to ignore it as I slowly stood up. I was going to bolt before whatever it was could get me.

Just as I was about to bolt the curtain moved aside and a boy my age peeked his head out.

"What are you doing? Are you going to stand there all day?"

"Oh."

"What's with that expression? You look like you've seen a ghost!"

"I-I thought you were one..."

My quiet mumble was greeted by a full and hearty laughter.

"Dude, you're hilarious! Get in here, come on."

As I entered the tent I was greeted by a soft glow and a gentle warmth. Small lanterns sat neatly, carefully placed to avoid both fire and injury, and a tiny table sat between me and the fellow.

"Care for pai sho?"

Holding the piece up, there was a glint in his eyes and a small smirk on his face. Ah, I didn't want to go home just yet anyways.

Part 2
Title: Souls Torn and Mended
An avatar the last airbender story^^
TW: Violence, Familial Abuse
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The regret I felt for saving my mother from the falling ceramic went and passed, guilt settling in my soul for even thinking that I shouldn't have saved her. Though, when I looked up into my father's eyes, I felt an even worse sensation creep its way in. A terrible chill ran down my spine.

My home life hasn't been all rainbows and fishpuppies, but things haven't been this bad for almost two years. It was only a matter of time, sure, but my hope still stood to leave before things turned back around.

All my efforts had been wasted.

As my mother stood and faced my father, the screaming had no end. The accusations, hatred, and vile comments filled the house to the point of suffocation. I had stowed away in my room to no avail, and in a last ditch effort to find relief I left out my window and headed into town.

As the shouting faded into nothingness I felt a sigh of relief escape me.

The beginning of a festival of bright lights, happy faces, and delicious food awaited me. It was none other than the ceremonial event in expectation of the next avatar after the previous one's passing. The very same celebration held across the world on my birthday.

The festivities lasted for three days and today was the day just before it all started. Oftentimes after the third day places shoot off fireworks to symbolize the peace of this world and the realm of spirits, but I never knew the most about it. After the previous avatars work, the spirit world and ours had found themselves connected like never before. Lending spirits who could rarely reach us a direct path. Though, I had known no better aside from rumors travelers spoke, as I had stayed in the village my whole life-much less encountered a spirit myself.

Part 1
Title: Souls Torn and Mended
An avatar the last airbender story^^
TW: Violence, Familial Abuse

Description: Azula's lightning strike did more than kill Aang that day. Even with Kataras healing and revival using the spirit water, a part of him stayed dead. That small, torn piece of soul continued to reincarnate-but two avatars cannot exist at once. Binding the spirit in chains, whoever obtained the soul in their body could neither bend the elements nor commune with the ghosts of the afterlife. This should have been the perfect solution. Of course, it [i]was[/i] the perfect solution until now. With the awakening of the second half of the soul, two avatars now exist in a world riddled with chaos and spirits. Working together they must prevent the destruction of the world, find peace with the suffering spirit world, and discover who they are truly meant to be.
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"You are not my son."

Looking down at my form, he spoke. I had barely managed to separate him from mother.

"My family has fire-bended for generations. I might have been a failure, but I had high hopes for you, Kaoru. But this..." Turning to look at the broken flower pot, water now lifeless on the floor, his gaze travelled back to me and my mother. "This is worse than failure. This is deception by a cheating whore."

"I have never been unfaithful!" My mother, already strained from shouting this a million times over, insisted again.

As she sobbed and he shouted the only thing I could think was that I shouldn't have done it.

For an entire year I kept my water bending a secret. My 17th birthday was when I found out, and then I did everything to practice on my own without anyone watching. I planned to move out once my 18th birthday had passed, but it seems misfortune favors me too much to let sleeping dogs lie...

Part 1
Title: Happiness After All
This is a historical romance manhwa inspired story! :D

Description: After being blamed for the assassination of his older brother, Edwin is determined to get revenge on all those involved. Including killing his father who gave the order, and the neighboring king who carried out the deed. Though, he couldn't have expected the king's dying wish to be taking care of his daughter, Joona, crown princesses of the Dardanos Kingdom. What is he to do as the lady is unrelenting in finding out the truth about why he killed her father, and why he cried when doing so…
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Everything is wrong.

A piercing silence ran throughout the great hall. The only sound being the ragged breathing of the man beneath me. King Myro of the Dardanos Kingdom.

With shaking hands, I pulled him into my lap. My lips trembled.

"Do things have to end this way?"

A small, pained smile took to Myro's face.

"An eye for an eye, Edwin." Reaching up, he gently wiped away my tears as best he could. "You're the emperor now."

"I know."

"You've made us proud."

"I know."

"Daeung and I will watch over you now. Together."

"...I know."

The king's strength was fading.

"Edwin, I have one last, foolish, request."

"Yes, Myro. A-anything." I couldn't see through my tears. Each drop like a dagger carving into my face.

"Please...take care of my daughter, Joona. After Daeung's death, when I could no longer face you, she was all I had."

"I will. Her happiness is guaranteed, Myro."

A faint chuckle escaped the king, blood bursting from his lips. Wincing, he gingerly reached for the blade lodged in his chest, recoiling from the chilly sensation.

It was the same dagger that killed my brother, Daeung. Saved for this very moment. The king's eyes flickered in recognition.

He brushed his hand against my face once more.

"Tula, un dio, umbrosa doromoto."

And that was all.

Before I could even process the light leaving his eyes a f

Part 2
Title: Happiness After All
This is a historical romance manhwa inspired story! :D

Description: After being blamed for the assassination of his older brother, Edwin is determined to get revenge on all those involved. Including killing his father who gave the order, and the neighboring king who carried out the deed. Though, he couldn't have expected the king's dying wish to be taking care of his daughter, Joona, crown princesses of the Dardanos Kingdom. What is he to do as the lady is unrelenting in finding out the truth about why he killed her father, and why he cried when doing so…
-----

He brushed his hand against my face once more.

"Tula, un dio, umbrosa doromoto."

And that was all.

Before I could even process the light leaving his eyes a figure burst into the great hall.

"No..." A feeble voice rang out. Mirroring my own moments prior.

As I turned my head I heard a gasp, and met emerald eyes. They were Myro's eyes. My heart throbbed.

Speechless, she stilled. The princess was faced not by a ruthless, hateful emperor who killed his father and brother for the throne, but a young man who held close her father's corpse and wept.

After a moment I stood, gently setting Myro's body aside, and removing his family pendant. Facing the princess, I steeled myself against my despair and spoke.

"Your father's final wish was for your care and happiness. Please, gather what you need, and have it ready by daybreak. We leave for Novio Empire by morning."

Current number of pieces: 2
All written parts currently posted: Yes