[AVO]

"And make it quick this time, ya runt."

Avo hid his scowl as he lifted a bag of grain off the counter. Monty was the worst man to get a job from in the village, he paid little and his attitude was shit. Unfortunately Avo had gotten to the town square late, and all the other jobs were taken. At least it was simple work- just haul grain from Monty's shop to farms in the outskirts of Wilbaum. The farmers would pay you directly, usually two silver, but then you had to give it all to Monty- who in turn only gave you one bronze. Avo spit on the ground, it was stupid. Especially since it took over two hours for a round trip.

"Avo, that you? Don't tell me you're working for mean ol' Monty!" A familiar and upbeat voice called out to Avo.

He looked up through his messy black bangs to see another orphan, Johan, happily hammering on an anvil. He'd gotten a job with the smith. Lucky. Avo frowned at him and went on his way. That two-faced bastard had been gossiping about him for days.

"You're silent as ever. You know, sometimes I wonder what goes on in that head of yours." Johan put his hammer down and ran up to Avo, dancing around him as he hauled his sack along.

"I have enough on my plate with Monty. If you're looking for a fight, look somewhere else." Avo spoke neutrally, not even facing Johan. A lot of the orphans liked to play rough. They all knew how to press each other's buttons after living together for so long. 

"Yeah, you're right. Wouldn't want you to... well uh, 'explode' like last time." Johan grinned as he stifled a laugh. Avo shot him a glare, brown eyes piercing through Johan's bright blue ones.

Avo picked up his pace as the smith finally hollered at Johan to get back to work.

As he reached the outskirts of Wilbaum he made note of the town guards. Soon they'd make Avo enlist into the army, as he had chosen no trade of his own on his fourteenth birthday. It didn't matter though, at least he wouldn't be stuck around in this town for the rest of his life.

The hot summer sun beamed down on him as he stepped through grass fields, hunched over and tired. At last he made it to the farm he was to deliver to. If only he had a cart or a horse the trip would have been much easier. A farmhand paid him his two silver, and Avo began to make his way back to Monty's shop.

It was almost noon as Avo jogged through the alleys of Wilbaum. He knew shortcuts all over town, most of the orphans did, and this helped him get to places in half the time it would take others. Suddenly, a figure stepped into the alley, blocking Avo's path. With no time to stop, Avo slammed into the bulky person, falling backwards onto the ground. 

"Well, lookie here boys! Looks like Johan wasn't lying! Avo really is Monty's little bitch for the day." 

Avo looked up to see Kaff, the biggest and smelliest of Wilbaum's orphans. As Avo got up, Kaff towered over him, his two goons, Jon and Han, appearing at his sides. Avo noted how Han's right arm was in a sling. That was what Johan had referenced earlier. Avo had shown Han no mercy.

"You know, Avo, Monty gave me a big beatin' yesterday cause I wasn't fast enough for him. That means I don't want him gettin' any business today. So hand over the two silver, Avo." Kaff was right in Avo's face, breathing a foul version of whatever breakfast he had right back at the shorter boy. Avo didn't move though, the best move with this clown was to get him mad. Then he got dumb. More so, that is.

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"Sorry Kaff, Monty offered me extra, since I was doing such a good job compared to you. I'm not going to let this chance pass. Maybe if you lose some weight you can do Monty's jobs a bit faster." Avo's tone was as condescending as possible. 

Kaff flinched in anger at Avo's words and grabbed Avo by his shoulders, slamming him into the alley wall. Avo grunted, he hadn't expected Kaff to react so violently. Monty's beating must have been a bad one.

"You think you're smart, huh Avo? Don't think I forgot how you nearly broke Han's arm the other day. I didn't see it, but Johan told everyone... you're a monster. Now give me those two silver or I'll let Han get his revenge."

Avo side-eyed Han who looked like he was ready to jump at him any second. This wasn't good, he was completely cornered. What was he going to do? Before he could start thinking, Kaff punched him right in the gut, growling at him,

"I see you scheming, I changed my mind, you worthless rat. I'll bloody you up and take the silver off your broken body. The guards won't even hear your cries from here, not like they'd care anyways."

Kaff grabbed Avo by the head and slammed him downwards on the ground. Han and Jon immediately started stomping and kicking him. After Han slammed his foot into the back of Avo's skull his vision would start to sway. He tried to get up, but Kaff slammed his body onto Avo's lower half, pinning him to the ground. Avo let out a yell as Jon kicked his face, breaking his nose and bruising his eye. Avo moved his head down to the ground to protect his face, but Kaff reached a meaty hand to his neck and pulled it up, so that the other two could continue kicking it. Han laughed in delight,

"Enjoying the taste of my boot, Avo? Come on, where's that fighting spirit you had the other day?" 

"I'- I'll ki- kill- yo -you." Avo's words were broken up by the boy's attacks.

"Huuuuuh? What the hell did you say, you little shit?" Jon mocked Avo.

"You heard him... Speak up!" Han hollered, slamming his foot onto Avo's mouth.

Avo's entire body shook and spazzed, unable to take the torture any longer. Blood and dirt soaked his face, and it got flung everywhere as the upper half of his body shook on the ground. His mind was racing, was he going to die here? Where these idiots really going to be the ones to end him? He couldn't take it, his whole body rejected the idea. He could no longer think straight. Even Kaff loosened his grip, becoming a bit unnerved by the display. Han didn't let up, though, continuing to kick him. Avo kept squirming, and unbeknownst to him a slight purple glow was starting to surround him. Kaff was the first to notice.

"Hey guys, uh, do you see that?" Kaff let go of Avo, and got up, moving back a bit. Jon nodded,

"What the hell is wrong with him?" Jon would look over to Han who was still furiously kicking Avo. 

"This is just like what he did last time, we can take him if we work together!" Han shouted at the other two boys, and showed no signs of stopping. Kaff and Jon exchanged worried glances. They hadn't known about this.

Suddenly, Avo shot up onto his feet. The boy was practically unrecognizable. Any skin that was still showing was covered in wounds. Even Han stopped now, stunned by what he was seeing. On Avo's fingertips, light seemed to flash. A crackling sound filled the air. Han was about to open his mouth to speak, but Avo cut him off, talking in a deep hoarse voice,

"I said I'll kill you." Avo reached out to Han. He didn't even know what he was doing anymore, it was like instinct. Bright light flashed between Avo's fingers and Han's body. A loud crackle bounced throughout the alleyway, sending Jon and Kaff running.

Avo blinked through bloodied eyes and looked at his hands. There was no more purple glow, and the flashes of light were gone. In front of him was Han. But he hardly resembled the boy who was just kicking him. Now he was covered with patchy and burnt skin. His face wore a hollow expression, and his entire body was smoking. The alley was filled with a burning scent.

Han slumped to the ground, and so did Avo. He had to make an effort to stay conscious as blood dripped from his face. 

It wasn't long before guards ran into the alley, their swords rattling against their belts. One guard began inspecting Han, while the other looked at Avo. A voice yelled out, 

"It was him, with the black hair!" 

Avo recognized it as Kaff's voice. The guard apprehended Avo. He was too tired to resist. Avo's guard then looked towards Han's body, and then the other guard who was looking at it. They both shared a worried expression.

"Lock him up for now. You know who to call for right?" 

"Right."

Avo's vision went black.