Avatar: shackled earth

The air in the mining village was thick with soot and despair. The sun, partially veiled by the celestial dance of the eclipse, cast an eerie half-light over the sprawling camp. Shadows stretched unnaturally long, and the faint orange glow of firebending from the guards seemed weak, faltering like dying embers.

The miners, filthy and exhausted, shuffled through their tasks in a dead-eyed haze. The eclipse hadn't lifted their spirits—it had only made the guards more irritable, their voices sharp with frustration as they barked orders. The air felt charged, a pressure building, like the village was holding its breath.

Tomo wiped sweat and grime from his brow, his hands raw and blistered from hours of hauling rocks. The dull ache in his body was nothing compared to the weight in his chest. His eyes flicked to Ariya a few paces away. She was glaring at a guard who had shouted at her, her jaw clenched in defiance. She always had that fire, that unyielding determination that burned brighter than anything Tomo could summon.

A sharp voice interrupted his thoughts. "Focus, Tomo," Jiro muttered as he heaved a mining cart past him. The older man's scarred face was set in a mask of hard-earned patience, his eyes scanning the guards with the precision of a predator. "They're watching. Don't give them a reason to look closer."

Tomo nodded quickly, lowering his gaze to the dirt. But his thoughts raced ahead, far from the task at hand. The partial eclipse had begun, and the plan they had whispered about for days was about to take shape.

---

They gathered behind an abandoned storage shed during their brief break. Jiro crouched in the shadows, his rough whisper carrying authority. "We move during the peak of the eclipse. The guards are tense, but their flames are weaker. That's our chance."

Kael, ever cautious, crossed his wiry arms and frowned. "And that tension makes them paranoid. One slip, and we're ash. You know that, right?"

Ariya stepped forward, her voice sharp. "We all know the risks. Let's go over it again."

Jiro arched an eyebrow but relented. "Fine. It's simple. Kael and I will trigger a cave-in near the mine entrance—big enough to get their attention but not enough to bury anyone. While they're distracted, you two grab supplies from the storage shed. Food, water, tools—anything we can use to make it out of here."

"Simple, huh?" Kael muttered, skepticism dripping from his tone. "They're not stupid, Jiro. If we screw this up, they'll kill us on the spot. Or worse."

Ariya shot him a glare. "And if we do nothing, we'll die here anyway. I'd rather take my chances."

Tomo's stomach churned as he listened. His doubt was like a storm inside him, every word fueling a fresh wave of what-ifs. What if the guards saw through the distraction? What if they failed? What if it was his mistake that got them caught?

Jiro's voice cut through his spiraling thoughts. "Doubt's a luxury we can't afford right now. Stick to the plan, keep your head down, and we might just pull this off."

Tomo wanted to believe him. He wanted to believe he could be more than the shaky, uncertain boy who always second-guessed himself. But the doubt clung to him, whispering that he wasn't ready.

---

As the eclipse deepened, the camp grew restless. The guards paced more frequently, their movements jerky and agitated. The miners moved in silence, their heads bowed, but Tomo felt the tension building in the air like a gathering storm.

Jiro worked near him, pretending to adjust the wheel of a cart. Tomo knew better—he was loosening a critical support beam, every motion deliberate.

"Don't overthink it," Jiro muttered without looking up. "You'll trip yourself up."

But how could Tomo not think? Every guard felt like a threat, every glance a warning. He forced his hands to keep moving, to look busy, but his mind churned.

And then it happened. A sharp whistle pierced the air, cutting through the dull din of the camp.

Kael's signal.

Tomo's heart lurched as he saw Jiro straighten, his expression unreadable. The older man exchanged a glance with Kael, who was crouched near the mine entrance. In a swift, practiced motion, they wedged the final beam loose.

The collapse was instant. The ground trembled as a thunderous roar echoed across the camp. Dust and debris exploded into the air, obscuring the entrance in a cloud of chaos. Miners screamed and scattered, while guards rushed to the commotion, their flames flickering weakly in the dim light.

From their hiding spot, Tomo and Ariya watched the scene unfold. Tomo's chest felt like it might burst, his breath shallow and quick.

"This is it," Ariya whispered, her hand gripping his arm. "Let's go."

Tomo forced himself to move, his body trembling as they darted into the shadows. Every step felt like a gamble, every sound like an alarm.

They reached the storage shed, slipping inside just as a guard's shout cut through the chaos. Tomo froze, his heart pounding. Had they been seen?

Ariya pulled him deeper into the shadows, her voice barely audible. "Focus, Tomo. Grab what we need."

Tomo nodded, his hands shaking as he began rummaging through crates. Food, water, tools—they worked quickly, filling the bag they'd brought.

But as they turned to leave, the door creaked open.

A silhouette stood in the doorway, the faint glow of a weak flame flickering in their hand.

"Told you something felt off," the guard said, stepping inside.

Tomo's breath caught. The flame flared slightly, casting light across the shed. The guard's eyes narrowed, locking onto them.

"Drop the bag," he snarled, fire flaring brighter.

Tomo's mind screamed at him to act, but his body wouldn't move. This was it. They were caught.

"Tomo," Ariya hissed, her voice sharp and desperate.

And then Jiro's voice echoed faintly through the chaos outside, a shout carrying over the noise.

"Plan's already in motion, kid. Think fast."

Tomo's fingers twitched. The guard raised his hand, flame poised to strike.

And Tomo made his choice.