My first try in the sandbox of Avatar. Warning! Tear-bending!
As Daylight Dies
An orange-red sky hung above the blood stained battlefield of Ba Sing Sé. The sun was in its last minutes before going down under the horizon.
Its golden rays lit two men who sat in a small, clear field, surrounded by rocks and a dozen lifeless bodies. One of the two was close in joining them. Too close.
"Lu Ten?"
"Dad?"
The one word was whispered so soft that the short General had to bow over his son to hear it.
"I'm sorry, dad… I failed…you… The siege.. Too many…" A cough followed, and a few drops of blood landed in his father's beard.
"No-my son, you haven't failed me- I-I am so proud of you."
Another wheeze.
And a smile.
"I… you don't.. you are?..." Then the golden eyes narrowed in pain, and his hand clutched his crushed ribs.
"Hurts…"
Tears were blinked away, but to no avail as one fell on the dirty armor.
"I know son, but you have to hold on- help is coming, don't give up now Lu-Ten!" the last words were spoken louder as the General saw his worst fear come true.
"No… Too late for me, dad…" A grimace what should have been a smile formed on the handsome face.
"Ugh, that sounded cliché.."
The man that held him made a sound between a laugh and a sob.
His son joined him.
Then he got serious again.
"Don't worry Dad, I'm going to see Mom again- I'll say hi for you, eh?"
The General's eyes widened.
"Oh no you don't- I, no, Lu-Ten?" a callused hand grabbed the blood stained shoulders tighter at the sight of the fading light in the golden eyes.
"Lu-Ten?" panic was clearly evident in the name.
"Bye Dad… love you" were the last whispered words.
"I I- love you to- Lu Ten?
A small smile was his sons only reaction.
Panic and horror coursed through his veins, his heart- not Lu Ten's as should have been- was beating too loud.
"Lu Ten?"
Nothing
"Lu Ten!"
Footsteps vaguely reached his ears.
"General Iroh, help has arrived- your son is he…" The words faded. It was already too late.
"Lu Ten..."
More tears fell soundlessly on the blood stained armor.
"No…"
The sun cast its final rays on the face, which held the last hints of a smile, before finally sinking below the horizon.
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