Watch it Burn

Prologue

I remember a long time ago, when I was about five, I was playing in the meadow. I always had a fascination for life on Kyoshi island. It felt magical. It was as if the spirit world was seeping into the nature of our island.

I remember the grass tickling my feet as I ran around trying to catch a butterfly. It constantly escaped my grasp as I tried to get it. Little did I know I was straying further and further away from the town.

I didn't realize how far I had strayed until a feeling of coldness swept over me. It jolted me back to the present and I looked around, realizing where I was. I could no longer see the large statue of Avatar Kyoshi peaking over the trees.

As I looked around, the coldness sinking deep to my bones I heard a voice call my name.

"Amara," it called out to me. I tried to find where the voice was calling from. I could feel the fear in the pit of my stomach as I was always told to stay away from strangers. I looked around, desperately trying to find somewhere to run, but I had gone too far and was lost.

"Don't be scared." a gentle voice cooed, "you're going to be ok."

I looked over to where I heard the voice and saw her. Behind me stood a tall woman wearing the Kyoshi warrior uniform. At first I thought one of the warriors saw me leaving the village and had come to scold me for straying so far. I realized that none of the warriors were this tall, despite them all seeming very large to the child sized me I barely reached her waist.

I peered into her green eyes as she watched me intently. Her eyes were almost identical to mine. As I examined her face I quirked my head at her.

"Who are you?" I asked, in a soft tone only a child seems to possess.

"I am Avatar Kyoshi," she answered as my eyes widened in fascination, "master of all four elements."

She looked over at the butterfly that was still flapping its wings around. As if it was magic the butterfly that had once eluded me landed on my nose. I started to giggle as the butterfly's tiny feet tickled my nose.

After a few moments the butterfly flew away and I noticed that Kyoshi was closer to me. At the time I didn't realize how important Kyoshi truly was. Of course the people of the island greatly idolized her and we paid great tribute to her, but I was only a child. I didn't understand how powerful the avatar truly was.

"Avatar Kyoshi," I wondered in amazement, "but you're dead, how can you be her?"

"I am dead Amara, but I am speaking to you from the spirit world," she replied, her cold gaze never leaving my face, "you have a special ability."

"What do you mean?" I asked her.

"You can see me, you can feel the magic that is around you. You sense things." She responded, "I don't expect you to understand, after all, you are just a mere child. However as you grow up, you will learn to use your ability."

"Wait," I asked, "so I can talk to ghosts?"

"In a sense yes," she answered, raising one of her painted eyebrows.

"Cool!" I squealed, "Is it fun in the spirit world?"

"Sometimes." She responded, clearly amused by my childish glee.

"Do you hang out with all the other dead people? My parents are dead, have you met them? Do you have houses in the spirit world?" I asked question after question in a childlike wonder.

"Amara, I can not answer all your questions. Some things are meant only to be known by the dead," she said.

I looked down at the ground, ashamed for upsetting her.

"I'm sorry if I have offended you." I apologized.

"She looked at me with a softened gaze and gave me a small smile.

"I'm not upset, but there are things you must learn when you're older, not now." She responded.

I looked up at her and gave my biggest smile I could.

"I think it's time you head home now." She said.

"But I don't know where I am." I complained.

She took her fan, opened it and pointed to a random area. As soon as she did that small glowing lights emerged and led a trail back to the village.

My mouth opened in shock as I had never seen anything like this. I looked up at her with wonder in my eyes.

"Thank you!" I squealed, "I'll see you soon!"

I ran back to the village, giggling along the way.

That night I couldn't sleep, as I was far too excited for the days to come.