Hi, guys :) This is my first Avatar story, so please, don't be too harsh. Story inspired by these songs:
Opeth-Burden
Opeth-To Bid you Farewell
Steps echoed in the dark corridor. I couldn't tell if they were proud steps, if they were weeping steps, if they were the steps of betrayal. I only knew one thing. They were mine. And they were leading me to the hardest decision I had ever made.
Is it worth it? My heart murmured; a weak but strong voice in the back of my head. I just closed my eyes. The pain was already too much to bear. But for once in my life, I knew that I did the right thing. I knew that I was going the right direction. Is it worth it? My heart spoke again.
"I don't know." I answered back, my voice as inaudible as my shadow creeping on the stone wall.
And then, my hooded figure stopped walking. Because even without looking, I knew I was there. I knew I was standing next to the door. Her door. Her room. I knew because I had counted the steps I had walked, I had smelled her beautiful scent, I had felt the uncomfortable burden in my chest, in my stomach. It crushed the breath out of me. Take it. I don't need any breath. Just let me die. Here.
My heart clenched. It had been broken so many times— I wouldn't be surprised if it stopped beating. Not that I cared. It would make everything so much easier if it stopped. My hand flew on my chest, in a fruitless attempt to take the pain away. Who will be there to take her pain away? Who will be there to bring the pieces together when I break her apart? Who will be there to hold her in the night, when the tears will fall freely on her cheeks? When her mask breaks? No one. She wouldn't let anyone see her this way. She wouldn't let anyone see her feelings.
Anyone but me.
And I was about to destroy that.
With just a small click, the wooden door flew open. Her room stood there in darkness, her scent lingering everywhere. This would be the last time I would step in her room. So many memories, so many moments that could hold me back. And yet, I would throw them all away.
The patch of paper felt heavy in my hand. That was all I could give her. A stupid patch of paper, signed by me. Signed by me.
The small voice appeared again. It doesn't have to be so hard, you know. How was my heart still alive after this?
No. It didn't have to be so hard.
But I wouldn't turn back now.
I felt divided, divided like the two sides of my face.
And my legs brought me even closer to my doom. If only I could stop them from walking.
Why am I here, Mai? To bid you farewell?
Why am I here, Mai? To share my sorrow?
Why am I here, Mai? To tear you apart?
Why am I here?
Why am I here?
To save the world.
It's so ironic how saving one person sounded even more tempting.
My eyes fell on a wall, on a painting of her. Of us.
Us?
There would be no us, anymore.
Just me and my pain.
Just me breaking her.
"I'm sorry, Mai."
The heavy scroll left my fingers, as I let it slip out of my hand. It fell on the cushion.
And somehow, my body felt even heavier, even when I held the scroll no more.
And although I wouldn't get a chance to tell her, I loved her. More than anything.
I'm sorry, Mai.
Thanks for reading!