Synopsis: The Fires Within Us

A collection of short [10-20k] stories. All of them take place in the same setting (a fighting arena, in a city called Feliz) but at different times. No characters are in more than one story, but all are affected by the arena and the fighting game played in it.

1. Ashes [finished]: a man takes control of his situation with help from a woman whose life was destroyed by the arena. [16,188]

2. Fallen [finished]: a woman sacrifices herself in the arena for a man she thinks she loves, and discovers what love really is. [10,397]

3. Two Candles: two vastly different arena partners must reconcile their beliefs in order to win in the arena, and choose between their own morals and each other.

4. With You in the Spring: a man's life is turned around because of his rivalry with a younger female fighter.

5. Her, Echoed: a man lets his partner be killed, but has regrets.

6. The Princess and the Swan: the sheltered daughter of a baron goes to the arena to further her study of art and falls in love with a fighter, then must choose - live as she is expected to live, or take a chance? [current WiP]

...they're not as cliche as all that, I swear.