Avatar: Genesis Book 2: War of Elements

Chapter 3: Hopeless

(Kohja)

The cuffs that binded my arms grinded against my bones, creating an unnatural creaking sound. The pain came back to my arm and I felt every fiber in it screaming in agony.I grimaced as the pain nearly made me pass out. I stumbled and caught myself on the side of the fire bender soldier bringing us to our cell, who whirled around and backhanded me across my face. I slammed into the floor spattering blood that spilled from my nose. Serena cried weakly as my head bounced off of the sturdy iron floor, "N-no..leave him be." She tried to step forward but was met with the end of a club in her stomach. She doubled over wheezing, the soldier laughing heartily at both of us squirming on the floor in pain.

"These are the ones that nearly toppled our empire?" He said pointing the club in our direction, "I oughta beat both of you to show you how weak you really are."

"That won't be necessary." A voice came from behind him. I lifted my head off of the floor to see Ryo once again. This time she was shaking her head somberly.

"Princess Ryo!" The soldier said as he dropped to one knee, "It is an honor to-"

"Yes, yes I know." She said as she walked past him, "Save your grovelling for later." She stepped infront of us, her boots right infront of my nose. I grimaced as I pressed my face against the floor and pushed myself onto my knees. The blood from my nose flowed down my chest making my skin shine red. I smiled, and my head began to shake. 

"It is sad." I said to Ryo as she sneered at me. "To curse your own sister even though she has done the right thing. Isn't it?" 

Ryo growled as the air around me began to grow hotter. "You should be happy that I left you both alive." She stepped closer to me and held my chin in her hand. "You assisted her escape, and somehow broke out of your own cell block. Although what you did was impressive to say the least, there shall be consequences." 

She wrapped her hand around the back of my head and I felt the heat rise behind her palm. "This however..is personal." She channeled her fire directly into the back of my head, roasting my skin. Tears flooded my eyes from this pain, and I dared not to scream. This is one giant game to her, and if I break she wins. The smell of my flesh filled the room, and she yanked me down towards the floor. A clump of my hair was left in her palm, and she burnt it all to ash in her hands. 

"Serena." She called out, and turned around to face her sister whose back was against the wall. "You are next. But your punishment will be far worse." She picked the guard up off the floor, who was still bowing to her presence.

"Take the airbender back to his cell. Leave this traitor to me. If she wants to demonstrate her strength, she will show it through hard work."

I felt the skin on the back of my head bubbling from the heat. More scars that won't heal soon. I yelped as the guard yanked me up from the hair that was left on my head, and dragged me away from Serena. We have all been through enough.

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(Serena)

As Kohja was dragged away, Ryo snapped her fingers and two soldiers came up behind me and scooped me up from my shoulders. I grimaced and seethed as my skin seemed to crackle at their touch. The scorch marks on my arms and legs felt like giant blisters were all over my body. Ryo walked up to me and spat on my cheek, "This is the punishment for sinners and traitors." She slapped me, the entire blow ringing throughout the entire jail. "Take her to the mines. She will learn the true meaning of humility." She said as she spun on her heel and walked away. As I was led away, I felt the sting from the slap still. 

"God's bury me alive for what I have done.." I cursed myself. 

The guards snickered and shoved me infront of them. I scowled at them before I continued my strides towards the door they were leading me to. I know where I was going, the Boiling Rock was based in a volcano, and it was also the main source of income for the entire Fire Nation. Mines flurry through the entire volcano, and numerous workers are down there most of their lives: these prisoners. Those that have the death sentance don't die from flames, they die from exhaustion.