#p-zaofuangel2

[toranoya]

The possessed Wei tilted his head, an eerie grin stretching across his face as Angel’s tears fell. He took a slow step forward, his movements deliberate and taunting, the glowing tendrils around him pulsating in rhythm with the unnatural energy coursing through the rift.

“Finally,” he drawled, his voice thick with mock satisfaction. “You’re starting to understand your place, little girl. On your knees, powerless to do anything but beg.” His laughter rang out again, sharp and cruel, as he watched her struggle to rise despite the overwhelming despair.

But then her words—broken yet resolute—pierced through the spirit’s amusement. His grin faltered ever so slightly, replaced by a flicker of curiosity. “Won’t hurt me, but won’t let me leave?” he repeated, his tone incredulous. “You think you can stop me, Angel? You, who can’t even touch me in this realm? You, whose every move only strengthens my resolve?”

He leaned in closer, the glow from his body casting long, ominous shadows across the cavern. “Let me make this very simple for you,” he hissed. “If you stand against me, you will fail. If you fight, I will kill them, one by one, as you watch. And when I’m done with them, I’ll take this body back to the mortal world and make your precious Wing watch as I tear everything he loves apart.”

The tendril around Otaku tightened, drawing a weak, pained gasp from him as the spirit smirked. “But if you surrender—if you stop this pitiful resistance—I might just spare him. Maybe even your little twin flame, hmm? Doesn’t that sound better than whatever hopeless plan you think you have?”

The spirit straightened, Wei’s possessed form towering over her. “So tell me, Angel,” he sneered, his voice dripping with venom. “What’s it going to be? Heroic defiance? Or submission to reality?”

Between seeing her fellow Airbender and friend trapped, leading her to believe that something had happened to the others and hearing that clear threat, making her sink to her knees as a sinking feeling sept throughout her body.

They were right, she already pushed things by chi-blocking Wei’s body and that took enough out of her despite it not working.

“Y-you’re right…” she admitted, tears streaming from her face, blurting her vision.

But looking up once more, she took one last stand against him. “I-I won’t hurt you.” She paused, taking a gulp and slowly taking a stand, “B-but I still won’t let you leave and hurt others.”

[toranoya]

The possessed Wei threw his head back and let out a harsh, echoing laugh, the sound reverberating unnaturally through the rift. “Oh, you’re precious, little girl,” he mocked, his tone dripping with disdain. “Still clinging to hope when you have nothing left to bargain with.”

With a flick of his hand, a tendril slithered from the tree behind him, dragging forward a new figure—orange and yellow robes torn and dirtied, Kai’s boyfriend, Otaku. The young airbender groaned weakly, his head lolling to the side as the tendril wrapped around his waist tightened its grip.

“As you can see,” the spirit continued, gesturing grandly toward Otaku and the other trapped victims, “I know all your airbender secrets. Every weakness, every strategy. I’ve seen it all through him.” Wei’s possessed body grinned wickedly, the tendrils glowing brighter as if feeding off Angel’s growing despair.

He leaned forward slightly, his glowing eyes boring into hers. “Do not attack me again,” he hissed, his voice cold and venomous, “or I start killing them. Clear enough for you, little girl who loves this body’s twin brother?”

The spirit tilted Wei’s head mockingly. “You know he’ll never forgive you if this body dies,” he sneered. “Imagine his face when he learns it was your actions that led to his brother’s demise. How tragic.”

Wei’s possessed form stood tall, crossing his arms as he studied her with cruel amusement.

[toranoya]

Wei listened carefully, his grin fading into a more thoughtful expression as Angel explained the situation. When she finished, he shrugged, his broad shoulders rising and falling effortlessly. “Sounds like it’s worth checking out then,” he said, his tone serious but calm. “If your gut says the Rift’s behind it, it probably is. So, how can I help?”

He unfolded his arms and leaned forward slightly, his posture more alert now. “You want me to stand guard while you meditate again? Or maybe I can get a radio to call Tenzin and report what’s going on while you keep an eye on things here? I could even try tossing a rock or something at the Rift and see if it reacts.” He smirked faintly at the last suggestion, clearly half-joking but also willing to try anything.

Angel shook her head though she wish it were the case. “No, I had asked the second guard to dissapear if the first one had permission to leave his post early since he mentioned it. He said no as far as he knew. Then I left to say goodbye to Kai and when I came back here, he too left his post. He said he would be here when I returned. With the first one happening last night and this one happening just earlier today, it couldn’t be that something came up unless it was an emergency. And in that case we would’ve known about it by now.”

Though her gut feeling was true, the glare Wei was giving her made her start to doubt herself.

“Look I know there isn’t much to go off of, but my gut is telling me that the rift is causing the disappearances. I can’t leave to report it because I don’t want anyone else to disappear.”

Once again, her expression returned to its worried frustrated look. Interlocking a hand through her long auburn locks as she tried to think of a way to get through or any other possibility that could cause this dilemma.

[toranoya]

Wei arched an eyebrow, his usual grin dimming slightly at the mention of missing guards. He leaned back against the hedge, crossing his muscular arms. "You sure they didn’t just get called away for something? Happens all the time," he said, his tone casual but his gaze sharp as he studied her.

“Hm?” Opening her eyes, she spotted a familiar face heading her way. Though her stress was still very much prominent, it was nice to see a friendly face to at least distract her from the chaos at hand.

“Hey Wei.” She said, waving him over. Though she wanted to dismiss the issue at hand, she couldn’t just not mention it. This was a potentially serious issue after all.

“There’s something going on in this area.” She started “Two of the guards stationed to guard the rift have gone missing and I’m worried they’ve been taken into the spirit world. Since I’ve been given orders not to enter the rift, I’ve been trying to enter the Spirit World through means of meditation, to see if I can find them. But I’ve never been good at it to begin with so I’m not sure how to tackle the issue.” She explained with a sigh before resting her head in her hands.

[toranoya]

Wei raised an eyebrow at Angel’s flustered attempt to offer help, a knowing smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Nah, I’ll put this big baby to bed," he said, hoisting Wing up a little higher on his back with ease. The movement made the thin fabric of Wing’s pants cling to his shapely rear just a bit more, and Wei couldn’t help but add with a playful snicker, "You gotta admit, he’s got the Beifong genes working for him in all the right places."

Wing groaned in protest, burying his face against Wei’s shoulder. "Stop talking," he muttered, his voice muffled but clearly mortified.

Wei laughed, clearly reveling in his brother’s embarrassment, before glancing back at Angel. "I’ll let him know to check on you later if you want. That way, you can keep pretending it’s all about work." His grin widened, mischief dancing in his eyes. "I mean, the Rift does sound like the perfect nap spot... especially with some very dedicated company."

He winked, making Wing groan again. "I hate you," Wing mumbled, though the faint blush on his cheeks suggested he wasn’t as upset as he pretended to be.

‘Wait a minute? Does he know? Did I say something?’ She pondered in thought. Of course, had Wei not caught on before, the blush that was creeping up on her face certainly wasn’t defending her either.

“W-well I’d love to help, but I promised I’d be back for my shift at the rift…” the offer was awfully tempting, but there was no way she’d be missing any potentially important details just to have fun.

“But if you really need help, maybe Meili and I can take him to the Rift with us and he can nap there while I finish my shift. It’s a pretty quiet place. Great for meditation, maybe for naps as well.”

‘That was inconspicuous enough right?’ But even if Wing was there she wouldn’t be treating it like a date. He was tired after all and she had her job to finish. So if anything, it would just be giving her some familiar company and he’d be catching his zzz’s.

[toranoya]

Kai chuckled, rolling his eyes playfully. “Sweet? Me? Never been told that in my life!” he replied, giving her a lighthearted smirk as he returned her hug. “I’m just looking out for my favorite partner-in-crime.”

He stepped back, crossing his arms with a grin as he listened to her thoughts. “Building a strong start is a good call. You’ve got this, Angel. If anyone can find that balance between your duty and your heart, it’s you.” He tilted his head, feigning shock as she reassured him. “Oh good, I’d hate to think the great Angel would get all swoony and forget about her friends!”

Kai laughed, shaking his head. “Besides, you’ll have Tenzin to whip you back into shape at the temple. I don’t think anyone’s escaping that. And hey, I expect updates! All the details when you’re back, alright?”

Zaofu Angel

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[toranoya]

Kai laughed, shaking his head with a wide grin. “Hey, nothing wrong with wearing your heart on your sleeve. Besides, that’s what makes it real, right? It’s kinda nice seeing you like this, all smitten.” He gave her a teasing wink but quickly softened his tone when he saw how serious she was about Wing.

“Trust me, Angel, if he makes you happy, that’s all that matters. You’re strong, and you know how to handle challenges. Long distance? Sure, it’s tough, but with both of you in it for the right reasons, you’ll figure it out. And if you ever need advice—or just someone to rant to—I’m just a radio call away.” Kai gave her a reassuring smile, glad to see her so determined to make things work.

Kai stood up, stretching his arms overhead. “I’m really happy for you, Angel. You deserve something good like this. Just don’t get so wrapped up that you forget to visit your old pal Kai once in a while.” He grinned at her, his tone light but his words genuine.

Zaofu Angel

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[toranoya]

Kai grinned as Angel sat down beside him, watching her shovel down her breakfast with a certain amusement. “No worries, I get it. Late nights tend to do that.” He raised an eyebrow as she mentioned staying up late, clearly intrigued. “Oh, really? Now you have to give me the details, you know that, right?”

As she started explaining, his curiosity grew even more, especially when she brought up Wing. “Ah, so it’s Wing, huh?” Kai teased, nudging her lightly. “I knew there was something going on. You both seemed pretty close last time I saw you two.”

When Angel mentioned the long-distance relationship, Kai’s expression softened. “Yeah, I get it. It’s not easy, but it can work if you both put in the effort. We can definitely talk about it more while you’re still here. I’ll share what I’ve learned.” He smiled, trying to be as supportive as possible. “And of course, we can radio each other. I’ve got a few tricks that helped me keep in touch when I was away.”

Leaning back a bit, Kai gave a mock sigh when Angel asked about the temple. “Back to the temple, huh? Tenzin’s probably already got a list of chores waiting for me. Temple duty, meditations, and maybe some training. You know how he is—he likes to keep us busy when we’re not out on missions.” He chuckled, rolling his eyes playfully. “But yeah, I’m hoping to sneak in some time with Jin before the chores get too crazy. But what about you? After seeing me off, what’s on your agenda? Seeing a certain twin perhaps?”

Zaofu Angel

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[toranoya]

What no one noticed that night was the mysterious disappearance of two guards who were watching the “Rip”. Everyone was gone for the party the night before and so no one had noticed them gone, not thinking anything amiss… * As Angel entered the dining hall, she spotted Kai sitting at one of the tables, already halfway through his breakfast as he prepared to leave to go back to ATI. Kai looked up from his bowl of porridge, his face lighting up when he saw her. He gave her a wide, boyish grin, waving her over.

“Hey, Angel! I was wondering when you’d show up,” he called out, his tone cheerful despite the bittersweet occasion. “How was date night?” Kai teased.

Zaofu Angel

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[toranoya]

Wing let out a soft chuckle, his breath visible in the cool night air. “You and your airbending tricks,” he teased, shivering just a little as the cold started to settle into his thin clothes. “Meanwhile, I’m over here freezing. I didn’t exactly plan for an extended moonlit stroll.” He wrapped his arms around himself briefly, giving her a playful look.

“But yeah, as much as I’d love to stay out here with you, they’ll be closing the dome soon. They kept it open for the show tonight, but we don’t want to get locked out.” He glanced up at the moon, as if judging how much time they had left. “Besides, you’ve got an early morning. I know you need to see Kai off, and you’ll want to be well-rested for that.” Wing said as he rose to his feet and offered her a hand up.

Zaofu Angel

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[toranoya]

Wing smiled as Angel leaned into him, enjoying the quiet closeness they shared as they made their way to the cliffs. As they arrived and the moonlit scene unfolded before them, he couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of contentment. The soft glow of the moon, the shimmering reflection on the water—it all seemed like the perfect backdrop to the moment they were having.

He glanced at Angel, noticing the way her eyes lit up for a brief second, and it made his heart skip a beat. Even if she tried to hide it, he could see the beauty of the place mirrored in her expression. Her presence alone made everything feel a little more magical.

When she spoke about the promise to Kai, Wing’s smile turned a bit playful, though there was sincerity in his voice. “Kai, huh? Always making things complicated,” he teased lightly, knowing how much Angel cared for her friend. “But yeah, promises are important. I’ll make sure to get you back in time.”

He paused for a moment, looking back out at the water, then pulled her a little closer, his arm now around her shoulders. “But I’m glad we got to see this together. I don’t think it would feel the same if I were here alone.”

Wing’s voice softened, the vulnerability from earlier still lingering. “I know we’ve both got a lot on our minds, but right now, just being here with you—it feels right.” He hesitated briefly before adding, “And if you did want to stay all night, I wouldn’t mind. We could figure out a way to keep warm.” His grin widened a bit at the last part, though his tone was more playful than anything.

Zaofu Angel

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[toranoya]

Wing’s lips curved into a slight smirk at her question, but his expression remained soft. “Actually, I do have something in mind,” he said, his eyes glinting with a bit of mischief. “But it’s nothing big or grand. I was thinking we could take a quiet walk—just you and me. Somewhere peaceful, where we can keep talking if we want or just enjoy being together.”

He stood up, offering his hand to her. “There’s this spot by the cliffs where the moonlight reflects off the water. It’s kind of magical. I think you’d like it.” His tone was calm but with an underlying sense of excitement, as though sharing this place with her meant something special.

Wing paused for a moment, catching her gaze again, the playful edge in his demeanor softening. “But only if you want to. I know tonight’s been a lot to take in, and I don’t want to push anything. I can walk you back to your room if you like, you have an early morning.”

Zaofu Angel

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[toranoya]

Wing’s heart fluttered at the warmth of her words and the kiss she placed on his cheek. For a moment, all the weight of their uncertainties seemed to melt away, replaced by the softness of their connection. He held her hand tighter, savoring the closeness between them.

“I’m glad you feel the same,” Wing whispered, his voice steady but laced with emotion. “And you’re right—we still have time. We don’t have to figure everything out right now. What matters is that we’re in this together.” He smiled down at her, a bit of his usual confidence returning, bolstered by the reassurance they both seemed to need.

“We’ll enjoy the time we have, and when the moment comes to make a decision, we’ll make it together.” His free hand reached up to brush a strand of hair away from her face, his touch gentle, his eyes locked on hers. “For now, let’s just focus on making each other happy while we can. No pressure, no rush.”

He leaned down to plant a kiss on her forehead, his lips lingering for a moment as he let the words sink in. Pulling back slightly, he gave her a lopsided grin. “And hey, who knows? Maybe we’ll come up with a solution that’s so brilliant, even Tenzin will be impressed.”

Zaofu Angel

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[toranoya]

Wing's heart clenched as Angel spoke. He could hear the hesitation in her voice, and see the conflict in her eyes, and it only made his chest tighten further. He wasn’t used to this feeling of uncertainty, of not having control over a situation. But as she clung to his arm and rested her head on his shoulder, he knew one thing for certain—he wasn’t ready to let her go.

Taking a deep breath, he wrapped his other arm around her, holding her a little tighter as if trying to hold onto the moment. “You know, I’ve never been one to run away from a challenge,” he said softly, his voice steadying as he tried to reassure both her and himself. “I get that you have your responsibilities. I respect that more than you know. And I’d never ask you to give them up.”

He paused, looking down at her with a small, genuine smile. “But I also know that we’re more than just some fleeting thing. This… what we have… it’s worth fighting for. And I’m willing to fight for it, even if it means figuring out how to make it work while we’re apart.” His fingers gently traced her hand, his touch gentle but firm, conveying the strength of his resolve.

“I can’t predict the future, Angel. I don’t know what things will look like after you leave Zaofu. But I do know that I want to be part of whatever future you’re building. If that means waiting or traveling to see you, then I’ll do it. We’ll figure this out.”

Wing’s voice softened, the vulnerability returning for a moment. “As long as you feel the same way, I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure this isn’t temporary. Because I can’t imagine my life without you in it now.” Wing leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head, hoping that she could feel the sincerity in his words. "We'll find a way. We have to."

Zaofu Angel

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[toranoya]

Wing’s heart raced as he watched Angel’s cheeks flush with warmth, her shy response only making him feel more protective and maybe a little flustered himself. He wasn’t usually one to lose his cool, but everything about tonight—the kiss, her touch, the way she looked at him—it made things feel different. Special.

He held her a bit closer, feeling the cool night air around them, yet he barely noticed it with her so close. "I just meant…" Wing began, his voice softening, trying to find the right words. "Tonight’s been… perfect. But, I’m just worried about something." His gaze drifted to the side as he spoke, his usual confidence faltering just a bit. "You’re only here for a little while, right? Temporary assignment and all that… I guess I’m wondering what happens when you go back to Air Temple Island."

Wing paused, biting his lip before looking down at her, his brow furrowed slightly in concern. "I like being with you. A lot more than I thought I would. But, I don’t know what this looks like after you leave Zaofu. It’s hard enough to imagine not seeing you every day after… after everything tonight." He gave a quiet laugh, almost nervous, as he gently squeezed her hand.

Wing wanted to be the strong, confident guy she could rely on, but in this moment, all his insecurities bubbled up. "I guess what I’m trying to say is… I don’t want this to be just temporary. I don’t want us to be just temporary." His voice softened further, barely above a whisper now. "Do you?"

Zaofu Angel

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[toranoya]

Wing's heart swelled at the sight of her gentle smile and the way she nestled into his arm. He could still feel the lingering warmth of the kiss, and the way she fit beside him felt so right, so effortless. Her soft words made his smirk deepen into a full smile as his arm wrapped around her a little tighter, savoring the closeness.

"So…I wasn’t sure I could pull off a kiss," he teased, voice playful but laced with affection. "But I think we did more than okay. How did I do?" His eyes sparkled with warmth as they walked side by side. The night air felt charged, filled with unspoken promises and possibilities.

As they moved together through the night, Wing’s thumb absentmindedly traced small circles on her hand, a subtle but constant reminder of his presence. "You know," he added, voice dropping into that low, intimate tone that made her shiver earlier, "I’m not usually one to rush, but tonight… everything feels just right."

Zaofu Angel

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