Burning Bridges

Longlisted for ONC 2023!

"You think they'd spare you? The second they find us--and they will find us--they won't hesitate." He pushed the blade into Jules' hand. "Holding a gun at war isn't a crime."

Jules' grandfather is one of the most powerful people in Emaru. Blessed as a dual wielder of glass and stone while most can only control one, he needs to transfer this power to a worthy heir and send them off to kill Kurayami, an out-of-control dual wielder, before he dies. Logically, Jules knows it should be her. They are kin, and family is everything on Emaru. But every day Jules wraps her chest in bandages and "powerful mages don't play dress up".

When her grandfather blesses an arrogant boy with his magic, Jules sets off on her own to prove that he made a mistake. After all, she's just as capable of killing Kurayami as anyone. But when she's face-to-face with Kurayami, everything her grandfather taught her about the gods is thrown into question; and maybe those she once called family are no longer deserving of the title.

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Glossary:
- Molder--those who can wield glass, usually with white or black wings
- Grounder--those who can wield rock, usually with grey or brown wings
- Castrealms "Casts"--aka dual wielders who can wield glass and rock
- Emaru--island nation where the story takes place
- Kirama--Julian's hometown where her grandfather was once governor
- Chinera--city next to Kirama
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CW: mild profanity, mild violence, transphobia, homophobia

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Open Novella Contest 2023!
Prompt 49: "Master the rules of the game until you can play it better than they can." Michael Scott, "The Sorceress."