I'm with you either way

.𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟.

𝕀ℕ the hushed atmosphere of the hut, Ronal began her healing rituals, her voice a low murmur of ancient words as she administered her treatments. With Tuk's assistance in holding a jar, Ronal delicately applied her remedies, her movements methodical and precise as she tended to Kiri's unconscious form. As Ronal murmured her incantations, Neytan remained seated beside Arya, offering silent support as they watched over their daughter with bated breath. Arya clung tightly to Neteyam's hand, her worry evident in her grip as she awaited any sign of improvement in Kiri's condition.

After a series of gentle prods and soothing blows to Kiri's back and stomach, a stirring of consciousness finally broke through the silence. Kiri's eyes fluttered open, greeted by Tuk's cheerful voice as she regained awareness, "Kiri, you're awake."

Relieved beyond measure, Arya rushed to her daughter's side, enveloping her in a tight embrace as tears of joy streamed down her cheeks. Neytan, acknowledging Ronal's efforts with a nod of gratitude, shared in Arya's overwhelming relief as Kiri's awakening filled the hut with a renewed sense of hope and gratitude "Oh, my sweet little girl."

༄༄

Arya stood outside the hut, surrounded by Jake, Max, and Norm, absorbing their diagnosis with a mix of concern and scepticism. "She said that she can feel Eywa. She can hear her heartbeat," Arya reiterated, her voice tinged with worry. Norm stepped forward, his expression serious. "Arya, that is classic frontal lobe epilepsy," he explained, his tone grave.

"Epilepsy?" Arya echoed, her brow furrowing in concern.

Jake placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Yep. You see visions. You get... states of religious ecstasy like the kind she's describing. Plugging into the Spirit Tree is some sort of a trigger. You definitely can't let her do that anymore," he cautioned.

Arya's frown deepened at the stark warning. "What? Ever?" she questioned, her voice tinged with disbelief. Max interjected, his tone sombre. "Arya, if she seizes underwater again... it could kill her," he explained, his words carrying the weight of urgency. Arya shook her head in denial, her maternal instincts overriding the medical prognosis. "I'm sorry, but I get the whole seizures thing. However, I know my daughter is not epileptic," she insisted, her voice tinged with determination. Jake attempted to interject, but Arya cut him off, her conviction unwavering. "No. I know she isn't. I mean, this is Pandora, Eywa. Maybe Kiri can feel her, feel her heartbeat," she reasoned, "Arya, please listen," Jake implored, his voice gentle but urgent.

Arya turned to face him, her expression weary yet resolute. "I think you should go. All of you," she said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Thank you for your help, but I want to be with my daughter right now."

With that, Arya turned away from them and strode into the hut. She settled herself beside Kiri, gently taking her daughter's hand in hers and planting a tender kiss on her forehead, her presence a comforting reassurance in the face of uncertainty.

༄༄

As the morning sun cast its warm glow over Pandora, Arya and her family began the routine of wrapping up their sleeping mats. Suddenly, a horn sounded, piercing the tranquil air and drawing their attention. Curious, Arya and Tuk stepped outside the hut to investigate.

"What was that?" Tuk asked, his voice tinged with curiosity and excitement.

Arya scanned the surroundings and noticed that everyone in the village seemed to be filled with joy and anticipation. Cheers echoed in the air, blending with the rhythmic sounds of the ocean waves.

"What's going on?" Arya inquired, her brow furrowing with confusion.

Before she could receive an answer, Tsireya, riding gracefully on her ilu, swam by and announced the cause of the celebration. "The tulkun have returned!" she exclaimed, her voice carrying over the water. "Everybody, our Brothers and Sisters have returned. A whole pool of tulkun swam into the village's water to greet their fellow Brothers and Sisters."

Arya's eyes widened in amazement and delight, mirroring the excitement rippling through the crowd. The return of the tulkun was a momentous occasion, a testament to the interconnectedness of life on Pandora and the bonds shared among its inhabitants.

"In their endless cycle of migration... the tulkun had come home."

"Kiri!" Tuk's voice called out urgently as she dashed into the hut, her excitement palpable. "Kiri, come on. Come on!" Kiri, preoccupied and perhaps a bit grumpy, responded curtly, "Tuk, leave me alone." Undeterred, Tuk seized her sister's hand and tugged insistently. "Come on!" she urged, determination in her voice. Frowning, Kiri relented and followed her sister outside, where the sight before her immediately captured her attention. A wave of awe washed over her as she beheld the majestic tulkuns.

"Look," Tuk said, her eyes shining with enthusiasm.

Kiri's irritation melted away, replaced by wonder, as she gazed at the magnificent creatures. "Wow," she breathed, captivated by their grace and beauty. "Come on. Let's go meet them," Tuk suggested eagerly, her excitement contagious. Kiri nodded, her curiosity piqued, and followed her sister toward the gathering, eager to experience this extraordinary moment firsthand.

Tsireya, riding gracefully atop her ilu with Lo'ak seated behind her, pointed excitedly as they approached the tulkuns. "Look! It's my Spirit Sister," she exclaimed, her voice filled with joy.

The tulkun responded by flapping her fin, a gesture that seemed like a cheerful wave, adding to the enchantment of the moment. Neteyam, caught up in the jubilant atmosphere, looked around with laughter bubbling from his lips.

Lo'ak and Tsireya, eager to join in the festivities, dove down into the water, immersing themselves in the mesmerizing spectacle. They danced alongside their Brothers and Sisters, their movements synchronized with the graceful tulkuns as they swam in harmony.

Meanwhile, Arya and Neytan rode together on a tsurak, Neytan's arm wrapped securely around Arya's waist. They observed the scene unfolding before them with wonder and admiration. One particular tulkun caught their attention-a mother swimming tenderly with her baby. Neytan's heart swelled with warmth, and he stole a glance at Arya, noticing the spark of fascination in her eyes. Feeling a surge of affection, Neytan pulled Arya closer, pressing a gentle kiss to her cheek. Together, they reveled in the beauty of the moment, watching proudly as their children frolicked and swam alongside the magnificent tulkuns, immersed in the joy of their newfound companionship.

"It was a time of stories. Of their season apart. Of deaths and births. Of old friends... and new loves."

As Arya and Neytan shared a moment of laughter inside the hut, their tranquility was disrupted by Tonowari's urgent signal for Arya to step outside. With a concerned glance exchanged between Arya and Neytan, Arya kissed Neytan's forehead before she made her way out into the rain to meet Tonowari. "What's wrong?" Arya inquired, her voice laced with apprehension, as she faced the solemn expression on Tonowari's face.

Tonowari's response was grave. "Sky People. They're looking for you, AryaMiller. South. They have a human... boy who speaks Na'vi." Arya's breath caught in her throat at the mention of the Sky People. She exchanged a worried look with Neytan, who stood behind her, his presence offering silent support.

In a hushed tone, Arya questioned, "Did they kill anybody?"

Tonowari shook his head. "Not yet. But the villagers will not tell them where you are. By my order." With those solemn words, Tonowari turned and left, leaving Arya to grapple with the weight of the news. As the rain continued to fall around her, Arya's mind raced with thoughts of the impending danger posed by the Sky People's presence in their midst.

Neytan's hands moved deftly as he sliced through the ripe fruit, his expression stern with determination. "We must hunt this demon. Trap him. Kill him," he declared, his voice tinged with resolve. Arya paused, her own hands still as she listened to Neytan's words. With a thoughtful frown, she responded, "We've gotta be smart. We gotta be smart."

Meeting her gaze, Neytan considered her words carefully before speaking again. "If we hit Quaritch... they're gonna know where we are... and they're gonna come here with everything they've got." Arya nodded, acknowledging the truth in his words. "Then what is our plan?" Neytan pressed, his eyes searching Arya's for guidance. Arya met his gaze steadily, her voice firm. "Protect this family. If he comes here and hurts them... we kill them." In that moment, amidst the quiet determination in Neytan's eyes and the unwavering resolve in Arya's voice, they found unity in their shared commitment to safeguarding their loved ones from the looming threat of the Sky People.

༄༄

Later that day as the sun was setting, Ronal and Tonowari led the children to their hut for a serious conversation. "You allowed this. You allowed him to bond with the outcast!" Ronal's voice rang out, sharp with frustration, directed at her daughter. Tonowari approached, his expression stern as he addressed Tsireya, "Tsireya. You disappoint me, daughter." Tsireya fought to hold back tears, her resolve evident even as she faced her father's disapproval. Arya and Neytan arrived, observing the tense scene unfolding before them.

Tonowari turned his attention to Lo'ak, his disappointment palpable. "And you... son of a great warrior... who has been taught better." Lo'ak stood his ground, meeting Tonowari's gaze squarely. "Payakan saved my life, sir. You don't know him," he asserted, his voice steady.

Tsireya's whispered plea reached Lo'ak's ears, but he remained resolute. Before long, Tonowari gestured for Lo'ak to sit, a command echoed by Neytan. As they settled, Tonowari addressed the children sternly, commanding their attention. "Hear my words, boy," Tonowari began, his voice carrying the weight of tradition. "In the days of the First Songs... tulkun fought amongst themselves... for territory... and for revenge. But they came to believe that killing, no matter how justified... only brings more killing. So, all killing was forbidden. This is the Tulkun Way. Payakan... is a killer, so... he is outcast."

Lo'ak's response was immediate, his voice firm with conviction. "I'm sorry, sir. But you're wrong." Neytan intervened, his tone a warning. "Lo'ak," he interjected firmly, reminding his son of the gravity of the situation. "You speak to Olo'eyktan!" Lo'ak attempted to continue, but his words were cut off, tension hanging heavy in the air.

"Enough!" Arya's voice sliced through the tension, commanding attention. Tsireya shook her head at Lo'ak's defiance, disappointment etched on her face. Lo'ak turned to face Tonowari, his resolve unyielding. "I know what I know," he insisted, prompting a quiet hiss of frustration from Ronal. Arya stepped forward, her presence calming the charged atmosphere. She settled next to Lo'ak, her demeanor steady as she addressed Tonowari. "That's enough," she declared firmly, her gaze unwavering. With a firm grip on Lo'ak's arm, she guided him away from the confrontation.

They reached a rocky platform by the beach, where Arya released her hold on Lo'ak and took a seat, her eyes fixed on the crashing waves. Lo'ak braced himself for a reprimand, but instead, Arya spoke calmly. "You speak respectfully to Olo'eykan," she began, her tone gentle but firm. Lo'ak hung his head, chastened. Arya continued, acknowledging his courage in standing up for his beliefs. "However, you did stand up for what you thought was right," she affirmed, a hint of pride in her voice.

Lo'ak's surprise was evident as he met his mother's gaze. Arya's next words held a weight of revelation. "You are definitely my son," she declared, her words filled with maternal affection. "And I don't mean about the fingers, I'm talking about who you are."

With that, Arya opened up to Lo'ak, recounting her own journey to Pandora, the trials she faced, and the sacrifices she made. She spoke of her time as an outcast, haunted by the ghosts of her past, and the burden she bore as she fought to earn the trust of The People. "Even though the RDA killed the people and destroyed the Home Tree, it was my fault," she confessed, her voice tinged with regret. "But to show The People otherwise, I had to make them listen."

As Arya shared her story, Lo'ak listened intently, his understanding deepening with each word spoken by his mother.

Arya turned to her son, her eyes reflecting a mixture of empathy and determination. "You will find a way. I know," she assured him, her voice carrying the weight of her conviction. Lo'ak met his mother's gaze, stunned by the revelations of her past, realizing the parallels between their lives. Seeing his mother's resilience mirrored in his own struggles filled him with a newfound sense of purpose.

With a silent nod of gratitude, Lo'ak took his leave, his thoughts swirling with newfound understanding and determination. Arya remained behind, her gaze fixed on the endless expanse of water, a silent sentinel guarding the secrets of the deep.

.𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟.

By: SilverMist707

Hope you enjoyed it <3 and please leave a vote.