You give me strength

.𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟.

𝕃𝕆'𝔸𝕂 stood atop Payakan, a Tulkun, gazing up at the myriad of stars scattered across the vast expanse of the night sky. "You like looking at the stars?" he asked Payakan, who responded with a deep, resonant noise akin to a whale's song. Lo'ak smiled, feeling a sense of kinship with the creature beside him. "You know, my mom came from a star. That one," he said, pointing towards a particularly bright star twinkling above them. However, his reverie was interrupted by the urgent calls of the villagers, who had been searching for him. "Lo'ak!" they cried out, their voices carrying through the still night air. Lo'ak sighed, realizing he was in trouble. He leaned down towards Payakan and spoke softly, "Oh, man. I'm in trouble."

With a sense of reluctance, Lo'ak bid farewell to Payakan, knowing he would see the majestic creature again. "Go. I will see you again," he said, before Payakan gracefully submerged beneath the shimmering surface of the water. Lo'ak then turned and swam swiftly towards the awaiting village, ready to face whatever consequences awaited him.

As the resonant sound of the horn echoed through the air, signalling that Lo'ak had been found, the villagers swiftly gathered to witness his return. Lo'ak sat atop the Tsurak, positioned behind a Na'vi warrior, with two others flanking them as they made their way towards the awaiting crowd.

The villagers watched with a mix of relief and concern etched on their faces as they beheld the sight of the young boy's return. Some murmured among themselves, exchanging curious glances and speculating on what had transpired during Lo'ak's absence. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his disappearance, there was a palpable sense of unity among the People as they stood together, ready to welcome Lo'ak back into the fold and offer whatever support he might need.

"The boy has returned!"

"It is the Tskaha boy."

"They found the boy."

"They found him."

Lo'ak climbed onto the raised platform, offering his gratitude to the Na'vi warrior who had accompanied him back. His gaze then shifted upwards, settling on the figures of Tonowari, Ronal, and Aonung. There was a momentary hesitation as he contemplated approaching Aonung, but before he could take a step, his mother Arya intervened. "Hey, hey. Let's have a look at you, okay?" Arya's voice was filled with concern as she inspected Lo'ak for any signs of injury. Lo'ak's attention remained fixed on Aonung, but he allowed his mother to check him over. Arya sighed in relief upon finding no major injuries, and she pulled Lo'ak into a tight embrace.

"He's fine. He's fine. Just a few scratches," Arya reassured the gathered People once she released her son from the embrace. Neytan and Neteyam approached Lo'ak, their expressions reflecting a mix of relief and concern, while Kiri observed quietly from the sidelines.

"I pray for the strength that I will not pluck the eyeballs out of my youngest son!" Neytan exclaimed, his hand mimicking the motion of plucking an eyeball as Lo'ak instinctively moved away, annoyed. Tonowari intervened, asserting, "No. My son knows better than to take him outside the reef." With a firm grip, Tonowari lowered Aonung to his knee, indicating his responsibility. "The blame is his," Tonowari declared. Arya moved to lead Lo'ak away, but he halted her with his words.

"No. This is not Aonung's fault. This was my idea," Lo'ak admitted, causing Aonung to look on in confusion. Arya realized his intention, but she listened as Lo'ak continued, "Aonung tried to talk me out of it. Really."

Neytan's stern voice cut through the tension, "Come on," he insisted, gesturing for Lo'ak to follow. But Lo'ak wasn't finished. "I'm sorry," he offered sincerely, earning a momentary pause from his father before Arya was helped off the platform. Neytan gave Lo'ak one last urging command, "Come."

With that, the Tskaha family walked, leaving behind the tense atmosphere at the platform. Tonowari directed his question at Aonung, "Is this true?" Ronal chimed in with a disappointed tone, "Aonung. What were you thinking?" As they walked, Neteyam trailed close to his parents, feeling the weight of the situation. Lo'ak attempted to explain himself, "Dad, you and mom told me to make friends with these kids. That's all I was trying to..."

But his father cut him off sharply, "I don't want to hear it. You had me and your mother worried, you brought shame into this family." Lo'ak's gaze fell, his spirit visibly broken. He asked quietly, "Can I go now?" Neytan's stern voice halted him, "Any more trouble, I jerk a knot in your tail. You understand me?" Lo'ak nodded solemnly, "Yes, father." He exchanged a glance with his parents before turning away. Arya turned her attention to Neteyam, questioning, "Where were you?" Neytan echoed the concern, "Yeah. What happened to 'keep an eye on your brother'?" Neteyam responded with a tone of remorse, "Sorry, father." Arya placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, silently granting him permission to leave.

Arya and Neytan entered the hut, the weight of the recent events heavy on Neytan's shoulders. He let out a weary sigh, rubbing his temples in frustration. Arya, ever the calming presence, approached him with open arms. "Welcome to parenthood," she jested, attempting to lighten the mood with a touch of humor. Neytan allowed a small smile to tug at the corners of his lips as he wrapped his arms around her, seeking solace in her embrace. He buried his face in the crook of her neck, the familiar scent of her skin offering a sense of comfort amidst the turmoil.

Arya returned the embrace, holding him close as she felt his tail wrap around her leg, a silent gesture of affection and reassurance. She smiled softly, running her fingers through his hair soothingly, hoping to ease the tension that gripped him. Together, they stood in each other's arms, finding strength and solace in their bond as they navigated the challenges of parenthood together.

༄༄

The group sat on the rocky platform, basking in the warmth of the sun as it illuminated Pandora's landscape. Kiri spoke first, her voice carrying a mix of admiration and concern for her brother. "I wish I'd been there. The ocean blessed you with a gift, brother," she said, her words filled with genuine emotion. Aonung chimed in, his tone serious as he mentioned the absent tulkun. "The tulkun have not returned yet. And anyway, no tulkun is ever alone," he stated matter-of-factly.

Lo'ak's response revealed a troubling discovery. "Well, this one was. He had a missing fin. On the left side," he explained, causing a ripple of shock among the group. Tsireya's eyes widened in recognition. "Payakan," she murmured, her voice tinged with apprehension. Curiosity got the better of Kiri, prompting her to inquire further. "Who's Payakan?" she asked, eager to understand the significance of the name.

Rotxo provided the grim answer. "A young bull who went rogue. He's an outcast. Alone. And he has a missing fin," he revealed, his tone heavy with warning. Lo'ak adamantly defended his newfound friend. "No, no," he insisted, rejecting the notion that Payakan was a killer. But Aonung's grave words painted a different picture. "He killed Na'vi and other tulkun. Not here... but far to the south," he revealed, casting a shadow over Lo'ak's conviction. Tsireya's concern for her brother was palpable as she spoke. "Lo'ak, you are lucky to be alive," she reminded him gently.

Lo'ak reached out, his touch gentle as he held Tsireya's arm. "I'm telling you guys. He saved my life. He's my friend," he asserted, his voice unwavering despite the doubts of the others.

Neteyam, ever the supportive older brother, stepped in with pride and admiration. "My baby bro!" he exclaimed, moving behind Lo'ak and placing his hands on his shoulders. "The Mighty Warrior... who faced the killer tulkun... and lived to tell about it, huh?" he added, his words infused with both humour and genuine admiration for his brother's bravery.

Lo'ak, frustrated and feeling misunderstood, pushed his brother away and rose to his feet. "You guys aren't listening," he declared, his voice tinged with frustration. As he turned to leave, Tuk's earnest voice stopped him in his tracks. "Lo'ak, I'm listening," she called out, her words reaching him even as he walked away. Kiri's plea followed, her concern evident in her voice. "Lo'ak, come back," she urged, hoping to bridge the gap between him and the rest of the group. But before Lo'ak could respond, Kiri addressed the group as a whole, her frustration evident. "You skxawngs," she muttered, her words carrying a mix of disappointment and exasperation at their inability to understand Lo'ak's perspective.

༄༄

As the Eclipse cast its ethereal glow over Pandora, the Tskaha siblings joined Aonung, Tsireya, and Rotxo on a journey to The Sacred Tree. Meanwhile, back in the village, Arya and Neytan found a rare moment of peace together in their hut.

Neytan sat cross-legged on the floor, his back against the wall, while Arya settled beside him, leaning into his warmth. They were surrounded by the soft glow of the bioluminescent plants that adorned their dwelling, creating a serene atmosphere.

"So," Neytan began, breaking the comfortable silence, "how are you holding up, my warrior woman?"

Arya chuckled softly, resting her head on Neytan's shoulder. "Oh, you know me, always ready for the next adventure," she replied with a playful glint in her eye. Neytan wrapped an arm around Arya, pulling her closer. "That's my girl," he said, pressing a kiss to her forehead. They sat like that for a while, enjoying each other's company in the quiet of their home, the only sound being the gentle crashing of the ocean waves. As they talked and laughed, Arya couldn't help but notice the way Neytan's eyes sparkled in the soft light. She reached up, tracing a finger along his jawline with a tender smile. "You know, Neytan," she said, her voice soft, "I never imagined we'd end up here, but I wouldn't want to be anywhere else as long as I'm with you."

Neytan's heart swelled with affection as he gazed at Arya, his hand instinctively finding hers. "I feel the same way, Arya," he replied, his voice filled with warmth. "Life on Pandora may be unpredictable, but having you by my side makes it all worthwhile." Their eyes locked in a silent exchange of love and understanding, a connection that transcended words.

Arya and Neytan were engrossed in their moment together, wrapped up in each other's embrace, when suddenly their tranquillity was shattered by Neteyam's urgent arrival. He carried Kiri in his arms, her unconscious form a jarring sight that sent Arya and Neytan into action. With a rush of adrenaline, Neytan gently laid Kiri down, his concern etched deeply into his features. "What happened?!" he demanded, his voice laced with fear and urgency.

Neteyam explained the terrifying ordeal. "She started having a seizure," he revealed, his voice tight with worry.

Arya's panic surged as she immediately sprang into action. She rushed over to the log, desperately seeking advice from Max and Jake, the only medical help available. She tried to stop Jake from disclosing their location, knowing the dangers of revealing their whereabouts, but her efforts were in vain. Max swiftly turned off the log, preparing to guide them to their location.

"Damn it!" Arya cursed under her breath, frustration evident in her voice as she returned to Kiri's side, her heart pounding with fear. She clasped her daughter's hand tightly, offering what little comfort she could in the face of such uncertainty.

After what felt like an eternity, Jake, Norm, and Max finally arrived at the village, wasting no time in making their way to the hut where Kiri lay. They immediately got to work, assessing her condition with practiced efficiency.

"There's no bleed. There's no fracture. No effects of hypoxia," Max reported, his voice steady as he studied the tablet displaying Kiri's brain scans. Norm assisted him, their combined efforts aimed at unravelling the mystery behind Kiri's sudden seizure.

Jake stood close to Arya, offering silent support as she nervously bounced her leg, her anxiety palpable in the air. Meanwhile, Neytan paced restlessly, his worry etched deep into his features. As the medical team continued their examination, Ronal entered the hut with her daughter trailing behind, carrying her supplies. However, upon seeing the situation inside, Ronal made a quick assessment and concluded that her assistance wasn't needed.

"I see that I am not needed here," Ronal remarked, preparing to leave. But before she could depart, Neytan intervened, his tone firm with determination. "You are Tsahik!" he declared, recognizing Ronal's role and authority within the community. Ronal hesitated, casting a glance at Arya, who was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Sensing the urgency of the situation, Neytan pressed on. "Remove these things," he ordered, his voice commanding as he gestured towards the medical supplies. "Out! You have done nothing!" Max, Norm, and Jake swiftly complied, gathering their equipment and exiting the hut under Neytan's directive. The family was left alone once more, their collective anxiety hanging heavy in the air as they waited for answers about Kiri's condition.

Amid the commotion of the medical team packing up their supplies, Neteyam quietly entered the hut and took a seat beside Arya. Gently, he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, his touch offering a silent reassurance in the midst of uncertainty. Feeling the warmth of her son's hand on her shoulder, Arya's leg gradually stilled, her focus remaining steadfast on Kiri's prone form. Without diverting her gaze from her daughter, Arya tightened her grip on Neteyam's hand, finding solace in the presence of her family during this challenging moment.

.𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟.

By: SilverMist707

I hope you enjoyed it <3