𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐄𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐒

〶

The tension in the air was palpable as Toku glared at the man holding Lo'ak's life in his hands. "I took you under my wing, Jake...you betrayed me, you killed your own, good men, good women. I will not hesitate to execute your kid," the man seethed, his anger casting an unsettling shadow that made Toku uneasy.

Toku couldn't fathom what was taking them so long; his request was simple. What was the holdup?

"Easy shot," an almost bald Na'vi remarked, his gun aimed at Jake, but the weapon was promptly shoved down by their leader. "You hit him now, they attack. Wait till he's on board."

Lo'ak growled angrily, and then, out of the water, shot Payakan, jumping aboard the boat and squashing those too slow to escape. The Na'vis used their weapons to aimlessly fire at him, but their attempts were futile.

Payakan emerged as a true warrior in Toku's eyes, having just saved many Na'vi. The chaotic scene unfolded with a mix of relief and defiance against the Sky People's aggression.

Trapped in his restraints, Toku's frustration surged as he strained against the cuffs, yearning to join the fight alongside his parents. His eyes filled with sorrow as he witnessed the chaos unfolding—people shot and thrown off Skimwings, boats crashing, and the relentless force of the Sky People wreaking havoc. The acrid smell of smoke permeated the air as fires roared to life, marking a war unlike any Toku had ever seen.

Amidst the turmoil, a stroke of luck came as Neteyam arrived, knife in hand. "Hey, baby brother, need some help?" he teased, first releasing Tsireya and then Tuk.

"Shut up, c'mon, get us loose," Toku urged, his eyes scanning the area for any sign of danger.

"It's okay, get Tuk out of here," Neteyam instructed Tsireya, gesturing toward the ocean. "Bro, hurry up!" he added, prompting Toku to quicken his efforts.

As the cuffs came off, Neteyam and Toku attempted to flee off the boat. However, Lo'ak seemed to have a different idea, heading to the body of a fallen Na'vi and picking up its gun.

"Lo'ak!" Neteyam called out, concern etched on his face.

They joined Lo'ak, and as Neteyam freed Toku, he couldn't help but tease, "Who's the mighty warrior, c'mon, say it."

Lo'ak chuckled, "Toku, he's a badass." Neteyam rolled his eyes, and after Toku expressed his thanks, they attempted to make their way off the boat.

But Lo'ak had other plans. He headed to the lifeless body of a Na'vi, picking up its gun. "Lo'ak!" Neteyam called again, but Lo'ak's determination was evident.

"They've got Spider. We've gotta get him," Lo'ak declared, his eyes ablaze with resolve.

"The spider?" Toku questioned, recalling Kiri's father mentioning him.

Neteyam shook his head, eager to leave. "C'mon, bro. We can't leave him!" he insisted, and with a reluctant hiss, they followed Lo'ak into the unfolding turmoil.

Toku wasn't accustomed to climbing, and as they scaled the roof, he found himself yearning for the water. The group, careful not to make noise, followed a peculiarly haired Sky Person.

When the right moment came, Toku leaped, his size an advantage as he swiftly incapacitated one guard with a powerful kick. Neteyam and Lo'ak seamlessly took care of the others.

Spider, the captive, retaliated impressively, unmasking and delivering a satisfying punch. The scene was disrupted by gunfire, and Toku, initially startled, saw Neteyam saving them with precise shots.

Jumping down from the stairs, Spider finally spoke, "Thanks, guys." However, their relief was short-lived as a Na'vi appeared, aiming a gun at them.

"Go!" Spider urged, but Lo'ak defied the command, ready to retaliate. Neteyam intervened, pushing the gun down, and the group sprinted away, trying to evade the gunfire.

Turning a corner, bullets echoed, clanging against metal. Neteyam, now armed, returned fire. "Go, go, go!" he directed, leading them away from the danger.

Spider guided Lo'ak and Toku, urging them to run. They swiftly dove into the water, swimming with urgency. Toku, reaching the surface first, emerged from the boat, the chaotic sounds of gunfire and water fading behind him.

Soon, Lo'ak and Spider broke through, laughter escaping them. "Bro, that was insane, cuz!" Spider exclaimed, high-fiving Lo'ak. Toku, unimpressed by their immaturity, saw Lo'ak treating the situation like a game—reckless and seemingly unaware of the gravity of their predicament. Toku knew Lo'ak was fortunate to have Neteyam's steadiness.

Neteyam surfaced, panting heavily. Tsireya arrived with her Ilu. "Get on!" she urged.

"C'mon, bro!" Lo'ak happily called out, but Neteyam, in pain, revealed, "You sxkawng! I'm shot," clutching his chest and struggling to stay afloat.

"Shit!"

"Grab him!" Toku directed urgently, observing the hesitation.

Tsireya swiftly hopped off her Ilu, determined to assist. "Keep him up!" Lo'ak instructed, managing to support his sinking brother. "I got him."

Spider climbed onto the Ilu, holding onto Neteyam with the last of his strength. "Oh, shit," he muttered, assessing Neteyam's condition.

"Hold him up!" Lo'ak commanded.

As they maneuvered the Ilu, Tsireya and Toku clung to the sides, battling against the current. In the midst of their struggle, Tsireya revealed heartbreaking news. "They have Kiri and Tuk," she said, a sadness settling on her face.

"Why didn't you say that earlier!?" Toku snapped, irritation evident.

"I can't go back!" Lo'ak declared, emphasizing the dire situation they found themselves in.

Despite his overwhelming worry for Kiri, Toku knew he had to focus on saving the boy. The impending danger to Neteyam's life overshadowed everything else.

Heading towards a rocky area, Jake descended on his Skimwing, concern etched on his face. "Dad!" Lo'ak called out, waving his free arm. "Dad, help Neteyam!"

"Hurry!" Tsireya urged.

Struggling against the turbulent waves, the group fought to pull Neteyam onto the rocks. He gasped for breath, each one a struggle against the surging currents. "Bro, watch his head, watch his head," Lo'ak instructed as Neteyam wheezed.

Once on the rocks, they knelt by Neteyam's side. "It's okay, bro, we've got you," Lo'ak reassured him, trying to provide comfort in this tumultuous moment.

Jake examined Neteyam's bullet wounds, and the expression on his face revealed the severity of the situation. Toku could sense that it wasn't good.

"Pressure, put pressure on it!" Jake directed, guiding Lo'ak's hands to the bullet holes.

Neteyam, trying to hold on, struggled to voice his thoughts. "Dad, I-" he began but seemed unable to continue.

"I'm here," Jake said, sorrow evident in his eyes, not even acknowledging Neytiri's arrival. "No, no, no," she said, kneeling beside the injured boy.

Neteyam, swallowing his pain, managed to express his desire, "I want to go home."

Holding back tears, Jake responded, "I know, I know, we're going home..." Neteyam looked at those around him, breathing heavily.

"It's okay, it's okay..."

"Dad... I," and just like that, Neteyam stopped breathing, going still. Everything seemed to go quiet, and Toku felt an ache in his chest.

"Neteyam..." Neytiri whispered, as if trying to wake his still body. "No, no, no, Neteyam!" she cried out, letting out a heart-wrenching scream at the loss of her eldest son.

"Great mother, no, no! Please!" she pleaded. "My son..." She cried, holding his head to her chest.

Tsireya couldn't bear the sight and buried her head into Toku's chest, hiding away from the scene of a broken-hearted mother. The air hung heavy with grief, and the echoes of Neytiri's cries painted a haunting picture of loss and despair.

〶