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Italics: (Na'vi language, or Metkayina sign language, and Jake's inner thoughts)

I have no idea why this took me so long to finish- I think its the longest I havent updated but the angst for this one was making me nervous because of how I spent so much time planning it and I wanted it to go well :,)

I actually had to cut down this chapter from the usual length so I hope that's okay! The next one will be as long as usual though! I explain this a lot better in the author's note too.

As always, don't forget to comment and vote <3 I love reading and replying to all of your comments and they truly make my day 🤍 Without further ado, I hope you guys like it!
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That same afternoon, when Eylti was loaded onto the ship in one of the main deck, all of the metal hoops that had been already placed on her are now used to keep her body lifted and to open her mouth so that Scoresby, Ian Garvin, Spider, and Quaritch can go inside her mouth to get what they need in the first place. Aside from those small hoops hooked on her, there are retractable poles placed on the inside of the sides of her mouth to keep it open. Right now, the group of Recoms, Spider and the all of the other scientists were on a moving platform that took them inside your spirit sister's mouth. On the large platform, there was a serrated and cylindrical knife ready to be used to extract what they needed from Eylti. Spider watched with worry and horror as he saw the scientist in charge, align the serrated circular knife in a specific spot in the very top of Eylti's mouth.

"The only way to reach the gland is from below. We drill up through the hard palate, and into the brain." Garvin explained as the platform continued to lift them higher up towards the roof of the female Tulkun's mouth. The large machine eventually stopped and the drilled knife was being positioned to align directly upwards toward the brain of now deceased Eylti. While the other scientists prepared for extract, Garvin turned to lool at Spider. "These are highly intelligent beings. They're probably even smarter than us," Garvin said, looking at the monitor in front of him to locate the brain, and Spider nodded at the biologists words, still not being able to process any of this. "Well, not smarter than me," Scoresby piped in, making Ian laugh slightly at the irony of the hunter's words, given that these animals were certainly way smarter than the man. "That is setting the bar very low," Garvin said, which made Spider laugh, but as expected, Scoresby was offended and scoffed as he turned away. "Hey, I'm the one with the harpoon," The hunter said, glaring at Garvin, who looked unbothered by his words and his glare, continuing to work as usual.

The marine biologist then started to proceed to configure the drill so that it powers up, starts rising to the spot that they were looking for, and drilling into the spot on Eylti's brain. The Colonel watched with utter curiosity as the drill went upwards quickly, and waiting to see what happens. Once the serrated edge made contact with the roof of your spirit sister's mouth, it drew a bit of blood but, it was washed down by a small hose as it continued to drill through the skin until it got to the desired area in the brain.
When Garvin saw in the monitor that they had hit the brain effectively, he powered down the machine itself, the machine stopped and began coming back down and leaving a big hole in the female Tulkun's mouth. Spider was bothered by how nonchalant and causal these people were about this process. It was truly sickening.

"How do you know? That they're smarter than us," Spider asked with hesitance, to which Ian Garvin answered even if he was focused on the monitor in front of him to begin the extract. "Well, for one, they have more neurons, more pathways. Not only are they smarter, but they are deeply emotional. More spiritual than we will ever comprehend," Garvin said, as Spider payed full attention to what was being said to him. The biologist turned around to see that the syringe was ready to be inserted into the hole they just made. Soon, the sharp syringe moved upwards and was inserted right through the hole, beginning to extract what they were looking for. What all of this charade was for.

Garvin pointed to the area of the brain on the monitor that was yellow and glowing, all aside from the rest of all other scans that were shown as blue. "See, this region here corresponds to our emotional centers, but proportionally, it's much larger, " Garvin said, and Spider didn't miss a single thing. He began to feel immense pity and sorrow for these creatures now more than ever after learning just how much they thrived with their gifts. "They have all sorts of abilities and customs, that are quite like us in that sense, with things like music, philosophy, mathematics, complex language," Ian Garvin continued to tell the human boy about what the culture and way of life of the Tulkuns are like, and if anything, Spider felt guilt and shame building inside of him. They had killed, taken the life of, and robbed the very last breath of a creature with so many special gifts, and with so mucb potential to learn more through the course of her life. Eylti really had a bright future. A mate, a future calf. Bonds. A family.

Garvin sighed and looked at the monitor, seeing that the syringe was ready to extract. This part was the one that never really got easier whatsoever. "Okay, here we go," The biologist said, turning to face the vial behind him that was slowly being filled up by some sort of thick yellow-gold liquid. Scoresby all of a sudden piped in from behind the biologist and Spider. "Show me the money," The hunter said, watching intently how the vial was filling up to the brim, with an eerily greedy look in his eyes. It was sickening for Spider to see. With a lot of curiosity, Quaritch came around and now stood behind Scoresby, watching the RDA vial glow at the liquid inside. "So that's what this is all about?" Quaritch mused with a smirk, and Garvin nodded. "Yep. That's it," The biologist said, looking blankly at the vial, knowing that the death of this animal wasn't worth what was being filled up in that vial. None of this was.

"Amrita," Garvin continued, watching Scoresby light a flashlight beside the now-fully filled vial. Once it was completely secure an full, Scoresby proceeded to take the light off and remove the vial from its holder and taking it into his grasp. "Bad luck for the big guys. You know, this stuff just happens to stop human aging. Like, stops it," The hunter said with a grin, just entranced by the worth of what he was holding in his very hands, which is why the Tulkuns have become the biggest targets on the planet of Pandora. "Ounce for ounce, the single most valuable substance known to man," Scoresby started, just completely entranced while beginning to turn on the same flashlight from before and running it across the yellow substance. It was like he was in a trance every time he looked at it, blinded by what he knew the worth of it was.

"This little vial here is worth like 80 million," He said, and with a smug look on his face, all of a sudden decided to fake-throw it at Spider, who felt like his life flashed before his own eyes after that. He really and genuinely thought that his heart stopped. If that vial was broken, this Tulkun would have died for nothing."Think fast!" The hunter said, catching the vial in his own hands again, laughing at his own joke. Which was just not funny in any way. Garvin deadpanned at the hunter, telling him to stop doing things like that, because one of these days, sooner or later, he wouldn't be so lucky.

It already hurt Ian enough to have to be a part of this, so most of the times he just blocked everything out until it was all over. "Please, don't. It's never funny," Garvin deadpanned, all the while the hunter continued to laugh as if it was just the funniest thing ever said. And if Scoresby really dropped that vial, this would have all been in vain. Quaritch had a few thoughts in his mind about this man, but he simply decided to stay quiet, observing the situation. "On this day and age, Amrita is what is paying for everything here on Pandora now. Even your research. Ain't that right, Dr. G?" Scoresby said to Garvin, who was already more than aware of that fact. All he wanted was to just harmlessly learn about Pandora's nature. But it came at a price, a very cruel one at that.

"It's why I drink," Garvin half-joked, but Spider  was left to a realization that kept him thinking about something else now that the small vial was collected. "So, that's all you take? I mean, you just waste the rest?" Spider said, asking  with disgust and disbelief laced in his voice. All of that process, just for a tiny capsule of liquid and the body was no longer needed. A life was necessary in order to take a miniscule object for the greed of humans? The hunter himself glared at the boy, not answering his question, and not liking his tone or what he seemed to be implying. Scoresby just ignored Spider and just gave the same orders he always did after every operation was done. "Drop the bags. Let's sink her!" Scoresby ordered coldly, meaning to let Ro'ams corpse go into the ocean and never be seen again, not even by her son. Spider was just genuinely horrified at the delight this hunter takes by killing Tulkuns, leaving them behind after they're done with them and how much innate pleasure he takes in just grabbing what he wants and then dumping the body when its not in his interest anymore. It was sickening.

To Scoresby, it was just another adventure that he got a thrill out of. To see him smile when the female Tulkun, Eylti, your spirit sister, was just helpless and trying to live as much as she could was a sadistic sight to see. Seeing the gigantic creature writhing in pain gave him pleasure. And that was what humanity had come to. No regard for those who were there before that man and what surrounded them, only caring about what wss good for them. Even if he was a human himself, Spider came to loathe people like this and human beings, just by seeing how much the hunter enjoyed watching Eylti, and not understanding why or how this was really happening to them. To think that this is what happened to Payakan's mother when he was just a child is saddening, because the outcast Tulkun truly had made a mistake, but his reason for revenge was completely valid.

Before Scoresby could walk out, leaving a very dumbfounded Spider behind, Quaritch stopped the hunter in his tracks. "No, leave the bags. I want them to know it was us," Quaritch said, but Scoresby narrowed his eyes at his request. "I charge extra for bein' used as bait" Scoresby challenged, but Quaritch really didn't have any problem in paying any dues that come his way. This was the perfect way to get Jake to come out of hiding once and for all. He'd leave a message that he was coming for him, and he wouldn't hold back on the lengths he went to.

-

Once again, it had become very rainy in Awa'atlu. The skies wete grey and it was drizzling a bit, accompanied by soft thunder here and there. It had been a couple days since the entire incident with the lies, the fights, the feeling of betrayal, and just disappointment with other people you cared about. Still, one thing that you were happy about was that things with you and Jake were back to how they used to be. You and him unanimously decided to leave it all behind you, and go on as if nothing ever happened. Neither of you would ever lie to each other, because both of you knew that it would eventually lead to those dreadful fights that neither of you liked.

Even if mated, you and him had gone back to sneaking soft kisses to each other, which Jake usually resorted to cheeks or lips, his choice, which never failed to give you butterflies. This also included never being without one another, him holding you close at night, holding your hand during the day, your waist, and so on. You were  not complaning, but you could speculate that he was being extra touchy and affectionate all because he didn't want to know ever again of a time where he couldn't be near you because he was so upset, but still, he wouldn't let that stop him ever again. Times like these were precious and he would not waste a single moment with you, cherish it all, and relishing in glances, touches, loving sweet nothings, and so on. He was really trying to make the most of the peace that would soon, and inevitably be interrupted by Sky People.

Jake enjoyed being near you even more than he did before, and he didn't complain a single bit. The first few days after the fight really had been tough for him, because he couldn't get your teary eyes, your desperate expressions, or your voice about to break out of his head. But, that was all remedied when the days went by and he listened to your soft and sweet voice as it always has been, and he quickly had his mind erase your sadness from his head. Your smile that he had fallen in love with had come back, and he would do anything to make sure that it stayed that way. He wouldn't let you go down a path where you had to go through more pain than you already had. He would protect you, the kids, and this new life that he had been given with everything he had. He had already felt like he lost it all too many times in his life, and he would never let it happen ever again.

Right now, everything felt like it was right where it needed to be. Once again, the kids were with the Metkayina kids for most of the rainy morning, so it left you and Jake together, alone, in your family's hut. The kids had lunch already, so that's why they headed out to meet up with their friends, so it left you and your mate together, sitting close to the entrance of the hut and just watching the rain fall, the waves crash, and the thunder rumbling. Jake had his back against the wall, and you were sitting in between his legs with your back against his chest. You rested your head against his shoulder, and he had his cheek against your temple, exhaling and inhaling everything around him and taking in your presence.

He had his arms around your waist, and the palms of his hands on your hips, rubbing circles on your skin with his thumbs. There was just silence as the two of you gazed outside, with nothing having to be said. Your heart fluttered and butterflies suddenly bloomed in your belly when Jake pressed gentle and soft kisses on your skin, like the top of your head, your temple, which he soon trailed down to your cheek, your jaw and your neck, making you giggle. That sound never failed to put a smile on his face, even as he had his lips lovingly on your skin. He wanted nothing to ruin this, but neither of you knew what was about to await the two of you. Especially you, not knowing what happened to Eylti. Neither you or Jake knew that your life would turn upside down at any moment at this point. He had no idea that those tears full of heartbreak and agony that he didn't like seeing under any circumstance would eventually return.

"The rain's picking up" You muttered softly as Jake tucked his head in the crook of your neck. He looked upwards for a bit, noticing that you were right. Still, the rain wasn't too rough yet. "Mhm," He hummed, so close to your ear that it made you shiver and scoot back your body a bit closer to his body. A cold breeze suddenly wafted in from the outside and you shivered in a way that was hard for Jake not to notice. As if second nature, he tightened his arms around you and moved one of his hands to run up and down your arms, which helped tremendously. You sighed contentedly, smiling to yourself at the heat his hands and his body against yours brought. "Better?" He whispered, and you only nodded. You never wanted to leave. Never wanted this to end. Everything was perfect.

Comfortable silence continued to ensue once again between the two of you. The only thing either of you could hear were the crashes of waves, the wind whistling softly, and the rain drizzling and pattering against the village huts. It was so serene, and almost too tranquil. One of the only thoughts that ensued your head at the moment was Jake, the rain, and then Jake again. Being like this with him did that to you, and you couldn't help it. A sudden reminder also popped up in your head, one that you had started to take notice that had become more and more frequent a couple days after the whole ordeal of the arguments and just an array of things that you didn't want to recall. This specific detail that you weren't sure if you were ready to tell Jake, was something that was almost unpredictable to know what kind of reaction he'll have. You didn't know if you should wait any longer, because your lives could change at any moment by now, with battles and a war in the horizon. You didn't know what to do. It's all you can think about.

Even if things with Tonowari and Ronal were tense still, Jake had been spending time with the Olo'eyktan trying to be prepared for any sort of incoming attack that may befall of the Metkayina eventually, preparing for any case or possible scenario, knowing that they could not evade it or escape any of what was coming. While Jake was away, and the kids tended to be doing their own thing, you were left on your own on your family's hut from time to time. This meant, that nobody was able to notice or see how queasy and nauseous you had become, or even at night, sleeping right next to Jake with him holding you tightly to him, there were times you had to fight his hold gently and sneak out of the hut to lean over the water, feeling you were about to hurl. Cramps came with it too, and after staying outside for a few minutes every night, you came back inside and tucked yourself in Jake's arms again to fall asleep as if nothing ever happened. Every time, Jake instinctively held you against him in his sleep as if it was second nature, missing your warmth. It made you smile to yourself in glee, even after feeling as sick and queasy as you did not even a couple minutes before. He made you forget any sort of discomfort or anything you may have with small gestures like those.

You weren't naive. You knew what all of these symptoms meant. The more that you thought about telling him, the more you began to look at your current surroundings and began to realize that this may be a good time to tell him. It was just you and him, none of the kids were around (especially since you weren't ready to tell them just yet, not before you tell Jake) and it was calm enough right now to be able to tell him and have a serious conversation about what to do. It does seem pretty perfect, but would you be able to drop that bomb on him with the pressure he's already facing? Would it distract him from facing Quaritch when the time comes? He deserved to know, and you would never deny him of it, but you couldn't help but think about all of these things. You knew Jake was very headstrong, and from his life as a soldier back on Earth, he was able to take on a lot a time, but how would he react to what you thought this possibility was? There really was one question that could let you know where Jake stood on possibly having an addition to the family. Even if its not certain.

"Jake?" You said, just above a whisper as your heart started to race inside of you by the mere thought of asking Jake about his thoughts on more children. Even before and after you and him got together, you've never really discussed it. The more you thought about it, about having bringing a kid that was not only a product of your love for each other, the first result out of your bond together but also had pieces of you and him inside that baby. The simple thought brought the biggest smile on your face.

Jake was quick to respond with a gentle hum in recognition of your voice, letting you know he was definitely listening and putting all of his attention on you, and you only. "Yeah?" He said, planting a lingering kiss to your cheek. Now that your had his attention, you were at a bit of a loss for words and couldn't get the words to come out. This was harder than you thought. Jake noticed your hesitance and quickly turned his head to face you, and using his finger to tilt your chin up as he squeezed your waist in reassurance. He smiled softly down at you as a silent message that said 'it's okay', and that was all that you really needed to get your words out and continue on.

You inhaled and exhaled slowly, sending shivers down your spine involuntarily. "Jake? Have you....ever considered having more kids?"  You asked, feeling like it was a good question to start with, knowing that it didn't imply that you were pregnant in that moment but only that you were thinking about it. Jake's reaction was completely different to what you originally expected. His face and his eyes only seemed to soften, and he smiled gently before leaning down and peppering kisses all over the crown of your head, bordering over to the area around your cheeks. His breath fanned over your skin as he laughed softly against your face, and your nerves suddenly started to ease. "I have," He admitted, and your breath hitched at his reply.

"Really it was only after I met you" He said and admitted bashfully, and you couldn't help but lift a hand from your lap and cup his cheek, turning your head to lock eyes with him. With just so much sincerity. He meant every word. Turquoise and amber eyes looking right at each other with so much love that other people would envy it. "Really? You have?" You said softly, not trusting your voice to go up any more decibels and betray how happy you were to hear him say that. He nudged his nose against your cheek, and it sent butterflies down your belly. If Jake was being honest, by adding one more piece to the family that he would already do anything for, more so if it was a baby that was created out of the love you and him held for one another, it was something that he was thinking about a lot of lately and he would be all for it. Besides, if he ever wanted to have more children, he would only ever want to have them with you and no one else. You could not help but smile again, and lean up to kiss him once, which prompted him to frown as he felt you pulled away much too quickly.

"Yeah, I-" He started saying, but was cut off by an outside source just on the path out of the hut. Both of you had failed to realize that there were steps coming closer up to your and Jake's home, and when two figures appeared in th the entrance, you and Jake looked up to see Ronal and Tonowari standing by the entrance. At first you and Jake were confused by their sudden appearance, but it was soon replaced by worry when you took notice of their troubled looks on their faces. The aura that they brought into the hut suddenly turned dark and sullen. You and Jake turned your heads to look at each other briefly with concern, and then looked back at the Olo'eyktan and Tsahik. Jake silently took ahold of your hand and began to stand up, to which you followed shortly after, never letting go of his hand as you and him walked over to stand before the two leaders of the clan. As Tonowari and Ronal looked at one another, seemingly having a conversation with their eyes, you and Jake looked at each other. He squeezed your hanf briefly, silently telling and promisinh you that you and him would pick up this conversation another time, and that he knew it as important to him as it was to you. Besides, it was something he'd been wanting to bring up with you for some time, and he was glad that you were the one that did in the end.

You and Jake were brought back to your senses when Tonowari's voice knocked yours and Jake's train of thought. Both of you looked at him, and the way that your adoptive father still couldn't hold eye contact with you, hurt. You didn't know if it was still because of what had happened a couple days before, or if it was because of what he had to say that had him and Ronal like that. As much as it hurt, you knew it wasn't the time to focus on that, so you brought your attention back to them with thoughts like those lingering in the back of your head. "We have recieved an alert from a warrior group out at sea nearby. They said that they couldn't quite disclose what it was, but they said that you should be present, y/n, and that we should come see for ourselves," Tonowari said with that same authoritative tone he's always had. Your concern over your relationship with your parents was erased from your head for a couple moments and it was quickly replaced by utter confusion. The warriors couldn't say what it was but they needed you there specifically?

You were about to say something but Ronal was the next one to speak up, so you closed your mouth. "Before you say anything, we have to leave at once. We don't know anything either so we can't answer your questions. That same group of warriors is waiting for us right now at the base of the village. They'll be the ones to take us to the site" Ronal said, and it was actually comforting to see she was speaking and looking at you directly. There was a time a few days before where you thought she would not be able to. You and Jake nodded simply in approval at their words, agreeing to head out right now. There was really no way for them to comment on what you were all about to see because now that they've told you and Jake, they knew just as much as you, nothing more, nothing less. Without another word, the four of you began walking out of the hut and down the paths of the village, with your heart racing.

You and Jake walked hand in hand, following Ronal and Tonowari's lead as they brought you and your mate to the base of the village, right in the patch of sand where the Sully's arrived in a couple months back. Your eyes continued to be trained on the backs of the moving figures of your adoptive parents, still feeling the tension between you and them from even standing like this with them, and not really interacting or speaking at all, but you could sense it and you knew that they did too. Your relationship with them was uncertain right now, and it hurt you that you haven't been able to work it out.

For the past week, you had been trying to talk to Tonowari when he didn't seem busy, or even when Ronal when she was free of her Tsahik duties, but you were quick to be dismissed and be right back where you started. You were glad that you had been able to work things out with Jake, but the circumstances were different for you and your parents so you didn't know what to do anymore at this point. Just seeing them in front of you, and even before when they came to get you and Jake (refusing to have a direct word with you), it stung and it still felt like a punch in the gut. You sighed almost inaudibly and looked down as you walked with Jake, and with no surprise, he didn't fail to notice. His eyes softened with sadness at how defeated you looked, and he had an idea on what it was about. Jake was really one of the only people who really knew you, and he truly wanted to be there for you, understand you, like he should have from the very beginning.

He squeezed your hand and rubbed his thumb over your knuckles, seemingly taking you out of your trance as you looked up a him with watery eyes that had tears threatening to form. "Hey," He said, reachinh up with his free hand and tucking a small strand of hair behind your ear, forcing you to look at him and give your mate your undivided attention, as much as it hurt to have your current thoughts running through your head. "You'll work things out, even if it takes a little more time. I'll be there every step of the way, okay?" He whispered, knowing that you wouldn't want Tonowari or Ronal to know how vulnerable you're really feeling. You couldn't help but look up, directly into Jake's eyes and nod. He smiled and leaned down to kiss your forehead gently, knowing how that helps to sooth you when you have too much in your mind. It never failed to work. "Okay," You muttered loudly enough for him to hear, realizing the strength you had before to talk had vanished and as long as you had Jake with you, you would be able to build up your strength once again. It was the same with him. He tried to hide how much it hurt him to see you in the state you were in, but all in all, you needed him and he needed you just as much.

As the two of you continued the walk down the woven paths with Tonowari and Ronal leading the two of you, the rain had lessened and it was simply drizzling in a way that would almost be unnoticeable if the sky wasn't still dark grey. The way to the base of the village seemed eternal, but as you and Jake spoke, it was hard for Tonowari not to feel guilt eat away at him, and same for Ronal. He hated to admitted, but he hated the way he had dismissed his own daughter these last few days when you were clearly trying to make amends. He wasn't able to hear yours and Jake's conversation, but he could clearly tell by your disassociated and sullen look on your face, that this was all because of the incident. He turned his head back slightly when you and Jake didn't notice, and he could tell how awful and destroyed you really felt. And they did too, all the same.

It tugged at his and Ronal's heartstrings for their own daughter, and with war on the horizon, and with so much unpredictability coming, it was only reasonable that the two of them would give you a chance to explain and that was all on them. He just didn't know what was holding him back from hearing you out. He shut his eyes closed and turned his head back, inhaling sharply as he looked forward. It was only after a few seconds that he felt a hand intertwine with his. He looked down and saw that it was his wife's. He looked from his conjoined hands up to Ronal's expression, which held so much sorrow, knowing what he was thinking about. She'd be lying if those same thoughts weren't plaguing her mind as well. They both looked back at you briefly before turning to face each other once again, nodding in silence at the realization of what they had to do. You and your adoptive parents used to have such a great relationship, and this argument and incident changed everything. But Ronal and Tonowari were determined to restoring the connection and bond that was now weakened and that it felt like it could never be restored. In the end, you were still their daughter, and rules or no rules, taken in or biological, none of that would never change.

With all of you continuing to move forward, eventually you all reached the small sand peninsula where, true to form, the warriors were already ther waiting for all of you to follow them to the site of what they've found. Jake didn't want to bring his own Skimwing, considering the other warriors were already bringing their own and he could just ride on yours with you. So that's what he did. Jake say behind you, right after you and him got into the water as everyone else did, who called for their respective creatures as well. You held onto the saddle handle while Jake was right behind you and your back was against his chest. He held onto your waist, circling a couple of comforting circles on your skin.

It soothed you, and he could tell, as he watched you watch everyone else get onto their own ilu's or Tsurak's. You and him were in much deeper water, but still close enough to everyone else. Pua was fidgeting uncomfortably beneath you, anxiously waiting to leave. You sent him a few reassuring words through the bond, just telling him that you'd be leaving soon, which seemed to calm him down. While Tonowari and Ronal seemed to be more vocal and open, you had remained eerily quiet during this whole thing. Jake was beginning to feel really concerned, and he knew there was way too much in your head to even put into words.

It wasn't even that long before Tonowari and Ronal finished speaking with the warriors, and from their conversation, it must not have been good because when your adoptive parents came around the corner to mount their own Skimwings, they turned their heads away from
you and looked away when you tried to look at them with a hopeful smile, with the wish that they had good news from the warrriors, but it seems like they didn't. You were surprised. They looked...guilty? Filled with shame. Jake seemed to notice too because you looked up at him with just so much confusion, and his expression mirrored yours. You looked back for a moment to Ronal and Tonowari and it seems that they were ready to go. You pushed aside that weird moment and began to double check everything was ready to go. Soon, when one of the warriors yipped and was the first one to command its Tsurak forward, others followed suit, including you. You commanded Pua to go forward and soon, you were all heading out to open sea where apparently the site was really located. This shocked you a bit, realizing that this must be big if they want all of us to head out and see something outside of the reef.

Tonowari and Ronal were told what you were about to face right before heading out, if they couldn't even direct a single word to you before, they could barely look at you know. Quaritch's wish was granted soon enough and the warriors had found Eylti's body dumped into the ocean, and it seems her mate found her shortly after with nothing but pureagony coursing through its body after seeing Eylti's lifeless body with no sign of movement at all. Tonowari and Ronal were crushed that Eylti had been murdered, and that the hunting of the Tulkun had gone this far. It was just utter disrespect towards their people, their customs, the loved ones who they consider a true part of themselves, and the Olo'eyktan and Tsahik had been honored to meet Eylti before she bonded with you. And obviously long after too.

If the two of them were left unable to find the words to how angry, vengeful and shocked they were at this, they just couldn't imagine what your reaction will be to seeing this, even if they themselves haven't even seen the sit itself. They don't even want to imagine what you're about to see. They know that you'll be crushed, devastated, angry, sadness, agonizing, and many other things in between. As if you have not already been through enough, this had to be dropped on you. Your heart will be ripped apart and there was nothing they'd be able to do to help ease the pain. The damage was done.

On the way there, following the lead of the head warriors, you suddenly felt a knot in your stomach, and not because of the small Na'vi growing inside of you. As you scanned the horizon of the open sea, you suddenly felt an uncomfortable chill go down your spine. You couldn't help but know that this was much bigger than anyone else was letting on, and as you looked over to the others, they all looked forward and didn't dare to look at you. Your eyes clouded with confusion, not knowing what the real reason for this calling was. Your own muscles tensed, you felt rigid, and your grip on Pua's saddle almost faltered. You shivered and realized you were having Jake and you slightly fall behind, which he didn't fail to notice.

"Hey, are you okay?" He asked, and you jumped slightly at his voice, but nodded shakily regardless with the best smile you could muster despite the chilling feeling in your mind that something was about to happen. "Yeah, i just have this really weird feeling," You said, and Jake nodded understandingly. Its likely he didn't know what you meant, but he was truly trying to understand and was also personally feeling a strange way about this whole thing. "Relax. Everything will be okay. It's probably just something they wanted to include us to see, since you'll be Tsahik" Jake proposed, and you nodded at what he suggested. You wish you could believe him but you were certain that wasn't as easy as he was making it all sound.

It also seems that Jake had distracted you long enough for you not to see the arrival of the place that you and him were called upon. You saw his eyes trail from yours and onto what you had all arrived to, and his pupils suddenly constricted as his eyes widened. You were shocked at his facial expression, but it made you not want to turn around. When he reached over to the saddle holder, replacing your hand with his, he guided Pua to slow down and swim up right next to Tonowari and Ronal's. Jake watched as confusion filled your eyes and your head started to turn, but he panicked and lifted his hand to cup your cheek and keep you looking at him. He tried not to let his breath pick up as he saw Eylti's corpse floating in the water, and you obviously wanted to know what you were being kept from. He couldn't even bare to keep looking at Eylti so he kept his eyes on yours, your beautiful turquoise doe eyes that were about to be filled with sorrow the moment he releases your jaw. "Keep looking at me" He whispered, and your eyes widened. What was so bad that you couldn't see? "Jake, what-" You started, but were quickly cut off by a familiar voice. You heard a stern voice from afar and your peripheral vision only allowed you to see Tonowari, who's voice belonged to.

"Jake. You cannot keep her from this, let her see," Tonowari said as he kept his eyes down, and you turned your eyes sufficiently to see silent tears gathering in Ronal's eyes as she looked another way, trying to blink them away. The way your mother let out sharp and sudden shuddering breaths concerned you deeply. All of your thoughts of confusion were cut off by Jake's voice full of desperation. "Yes, I can. W-We can- We can-" He started rambling and cutting himself off, feeling his breathing pick up. As much as he knew that you needed to know the truth, he refused to let you look at something so horrible. Your eyes softened at how much he wanted to protect your feelings, but he knew that nothing could ever prepare you for what you were about to see. You guided your hand to lay on top of his on your cheek and you spoke to him. "Jake. Let me look, I have to, whatever it is, I can handle it" You said softly and Jake's eyes landed onto yours once again. His pupils were wide and his eyebrows were furrowed together in despair. How could he ever allow you to go through such agony? You'd already lost enough and you were still standing. But how much will you be able to take? How much until you can't anymore? Would this push you over the edge? He didn't want that. He wanted to get you out of here and have you never turn back.

He loved you too much. Cared about you in a way he couldn't even describe. Nothing could ever be enough to express how much your happiness mattered to him, and seeing what he and everyone else was seeing would be earth shattering for you. Would it rob you of that happiness you've been working so hard to maintain? The front you've managed to put up to make everyone else besides you feel happy and content, ignoring your own needs. What kind of husband would he be if he allowed you to be subjected to this? You've lost just as much as him and he hasn't been able to smile the same way he always had. But you have. You're still there. You smile, you've made him smile and do it for everyone else who needs it. He can't do this to you, he should've never agreed to bring you here. You and him were happy just an hour ago. Talking about your future, children, relishing in each other's love, and what if the moment you see this, all of that is ripped away? How cruel can the world really be? He'll still love you anyway, until the end.

He can't help but realize who did this, and with absolute certainty. His anger mingled with his sadness and concern, forming an unknown feeling inside him, but somehow, he ended up letting his body act for him in and Jake nodded as he sighed and closed his eyes shut. As much as he didn't want to, begrudgingly as he did, you smiled and felt his hand slowly detach from your cheek but quickly move back to latch into your waist, hoping his touch gave you as much as comfort as it could the moment that you turned your head around. Though, he knew nothing would be enough. You were about to turn your head, but there was just something else that he really needed to say.

He placed his hand over yours, bringing your head back to look at him. He sighed and tightened his hold on your hand on his. "Okay. But I'm right here, you hear me? I'm right here. I'll be by your side, and I won't leave you. I promise" He said with a stern and serious, yet loving tone which couldn't help but make you smile. That smile, clueless as to how it'd be wiped off any second now. Jake took in as much of it as he could as he watched you nod and lean up to kiss his cheek. Everyone had turned away, not ready for what you were about to see either. Jake shut his eyes closed as he held tightly onto you, not bearing to see what was about to happen. He couldn't bear to see your smile leave your face. But he still promised to be by your side. He could still do that much, can't he? It saddened him how you had no idea what he was protecting you from, but his heart shattered when he heard the most strained and devastating gasp he's ever heard.

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This chapter is way shorter than I would have ever wanted :( Its around almost 8k right now, and I usually go around 10k or above. I had a plan to add a lot more but than I started thinking abt a couple things. As Im posting, it's the most ive gone without updating this book and I took way too long to write it. Things came up :,)

The reason for this is because I have a vacation of two weeks coming up, and I know I wouldn't be able to have time to update, so Im leaving this chapter here and pick up the rest of it in the next one, and I won't go longer without updating, actually giving me a chance to write through the heavy angst that I was including in this chapter but decided to move to the next one shsj I hope this makes sense. I would have rather post this now, and then take more time on the more angsty stuff for the next one (which ill write through my vacation 🤍) I promise itll be worth it shsj

anyway, I hope you guys liked this chapter! I put a lot of my own emotions too shsj I also felt too sad to continue my own writing which is also a reason I had to cut it off here lmao I made the mistake of listening to depressing music to really write angst and this happened lol. that's why Im taking my time this week for the next one that will finally have the start of the final battle yay! I've really put a lot of thought into the ending of this book.

As usual, I put these at the end of every chapter, but there's not much else that I have to say now, but as always, I'll add other news in future chapters if there are any at all or if anything changes. Anyway, I'll see you all in the next one! 🤍 Have a good rest of your week everyone! :,)

Also, remember if you want a dt for the next chapter, let me know! I love doing these because I can really express my gratitude to all of you that way :,) I really want to start doing these more! I haven't done one in a long time. See you all in the next one!
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