Helix

Chapter 1 (Prologue) - Toph

Fire.

Red, blazing fire everywhere. I crouched behind a rock, trembling, but there was nothing I could do but watch the flames gnaw at the house I once called home. The smoke was so thick in the air it looked like night.

Crash! The ceiling joist clashed to the ground, sending a wall of fire in the air like a deadly waterfall. Angry cries pierced the air, and sickeningly, I recognized them.

"Mother....Father....Master...." I barely croaked out. From my hiding spot, I saw a group of people being ushered in a circle, their hands tied in front of tem. Another group circled around them, drawing something sharp above their heads. I realized what was happening, but it was too late.

"No!" I cried. I raced out and rammed into one of the figures, but the resounding slices froze in the air, drowning out the wildfire. "No!" Then, I flicked my head up, catching eye with the attacker, my grip tightening around my sword. "You. Killer. Pay for this."

I didn't remember what happened next. But I felt there was something inside me, endlessly replenishing me with indescribable, blinding energy. A whirl of wind. Groans and wails blending into each other.

A dark explosion.

When I came to, I was sprawled in a mountain of garbage. Hundreds of smells clashed together to form an unrecognizable stench that choked me. I laid there, unwanting to move, feeling the mushiness of expired food under my toes and the sharp object jutting at my spine. I stared up at the skies, admiring the silent painting of stars. Everything was silent. I wanted to forget.

But I knew that it wouldn't be the end. Even though the sun would rise again tomorrow, everything wouldn't start fresh on a new page.

I laughed, salty tears falling into my mouth. If all my titles and powers lead to this ending, what good did they do?

Forget them.