Chapter Text
Darkness surrounded him on all sides, and the bright and brilliant red of the flames gleamed in the reflection of the water. The closer he got to it, the warmer he felt. Even for a moment, he seemed to think about trying to touch the fire, which would result in getting burned, but he came to his senses at the last moment.
Where he was or what he was doing here, he didn't know, much less remember. Ao'nung tried to remember anything, but his memories of the last few minutes were fuzzy. All he remembered was an explosion and some screams. Behind him, he saw the burning ship and realized that they had come here to save the Payakan. Everything was going well until sky people showed up.
The Na'vi looked hastily in all directions, searching for familiar shapes or familiar pairs of eyes. Neither gold, dark blue nor light blue colors stood out against the dark blue. He was completely alone in the emptiness of the ocean, its loneliness and the soft sounds of the waves lapping against the wrecked ship behind him. Neither Rotxo nor the eldest daughter of the Sully family were to be seen.
Where has everyone gone? They must have gone back to the reef, but they wouldn't leave me here, would they? Everyone, especially him, remembered what happened then, when Lo'ak was left to his fate by Ao'nung, far beyond the reef. He regrets that move to this day. If it wasn't for Payakan, it's possible he wouldn't have come back alive. Then Neteyam would never speak to him, possibly he would hate him for the rest of his life.
Pain snapped him out of his thoughts. He examined his body for a wound site. His right leg was bleeding profusely, turning the water a bloody color. The cut extended all the way down the thigh, forming a bumpy line down towards the end. Probably there will be a scar. The salt water didn't help one bit, on the contrary.
Panic and fear began to creep under his skin. He was starting to run out of breath by the minute, was it panic? He felt worse and worse, the headache spreading, unable to do anything about it. It was getting harder and harder to stay afloat, he was dragged down. In the distance he saw the shore of the island. He could stay there and bandage the wound. Thunder could be heard in the distance, which wasn't a good sign, he had to hurry.
He took in as much air as he could, and he went underwater, seeing from below as the raindrops merged with the ocean. He didn't have enough time, and the storm came faster than he expected. Not even a minute had passed before the currents began to pull him further underwater, away from his target.
After a long struggle, he lost all his strength and faith in survival. The body seemed to become so heavy, dragging him deeper and deeper into the depths of the sea. He knew that he could not reach the shore. For the first time, he felt betrayed by the ocean he called home. This was not how he imagined his life would end. He always thought he would die like a great warrior in a war. Or peacefully from old age, as his parents themselves wanted. Surrounded by family, possibly friends and loved one.
He was beginning to remember the last moments, while he had time before he breathed his last breath to rest in Eywa's arms. How many unfinished businesses he had. He promised his mother that he would help her pick up the herbs tomorrow and was supposed to go hunting with Rotxo. Memories flooded one by one until he remembered his face. The forest boy himself smiled at the nickname. It seemed so long ago, when they still didn't like each other. Ao'nung not really knew why he hated them then. Maybe it's jealousy? It didn't matter now, they were finally reconciled, or more than reconciled.
Neteyam smiling like never before, telling a joke to make him laugh. His arms, attracting sea na'vi, to a hug when he was to cry. He understood him like no other about expecting too much from his father. Falling asleep on his shoulder during evening meetings. Ao'nung always wondered how he woke up later in his Marui, but he might never find out.
Each gentle glance of his golden eyes to blue, the movements of his lips, saying that one sentence - Nga yawne lu oer (I love you). Those long fingers tracing the curls on the younger's skin, or running through the hair, usually tied up in a bun. Only with him, he let his hair down, leaving it lush and wild. He felt safe with him, he could leave the walls he built around oneself. Sometimes Neteyam would take a comb to detangle them and tie braids himself.
Now he felt sad that he had not had time to reciprocate his courtships. Ao'nung had long wanted to prepare him a gift that he would proudly wear on his arm. An armband made by him, just as Ronal had given one to Tonowari that his father had always worn. And now this project will be just an unfinished bundle of thread, glass and shells, set aside at the bottom of the basket. According to the calculations, I should finish it in two eclipses, which was also when Ao'nung planned to confess to his parents about his relationship with Neteyam. He wonders how they would react, if they would be angry, or they would accept it.
He only asked Eywa for one thing before closing his eyes completely. May Neteyam and his family be safe and sound so that they can meet again in the future. If not in this, then in next life. (The music I listen to while writing)
Tears were already streaming down his cheeks, mixing with the water. He was already deep below the surface, the water here already turning deep blue. Like the skin of a certain Na'vi that haunted his mind.
I couldn't hear anything after that, and darkness obscured my view. The dead silence stretched on, leaving no sound. He was engulfed in the darkness and frost, like tentacles, entwining his bones. The grip around his neck tightened. The last thing Ao'nung saw was a white patch of light before he was dragged into the depths.
~^^~
Meanwhile, there was quite a commotion on Awa'atlu. There were many injured people, we needed every pair of hands at the moment. The approaching storm did not help one bit, and added to the nervousness. Ronal was in charge of everything, helping as much as she could, but everyone could see that she was tired. All the more so, the child in her stomach begged for rest. She was worried because she didn't see her children or Sully's family anywhere. Not only that, but she knew this would happen sooner or later. Despite her initial disapproval of Sully's family, she had gained confidence in them. At least to some of the family. She just hoped nothing happened to them.
Now Ronal was nervous. She heard shouting outside, unable to focus. It was far too loud. She walked out into the rain, having already yelled at everyone, when she saw her daughter crying. She approached, and everyone in her range stepped back, wearing terrified faces. When she saw an injured Neteyam in her own father's arms. With a flick of her wrist, she chased everyone away and led them to a separate Marui. She was nervous, knowing that if she didn't act quickly, the boy might not survive. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her daughter staying with Lo'ak, but she didn't want to say anything. She got straight to work.
Blood was everywhere, staining the floor and including the bed. It was flowing from a gunshot wound in his chest. Ronal had to check first to make sure no shrapnel was left inside, but it looked like it had gone all the way through. Starting her work by debriding the wound, after sewing it up. It wasn't a very pleasant process, watching as her hands turned red. After putting on the bandages, she started singing to Eywa. She felt the energy flowing in, performing the traditional rituals. It took a long time, but Neteyam's breathing settled down. He certainly looked better than before, not counting the blood.
— I did as much as I could — Ronal says, getting up — The rest depends only on Eywa.
~^^~
The storm stopped, at least for a while, showing the moon hiding behind the clouds. It was starting to get calm so far, no rain, and the flashes could only be seen from a distance. Only a light breeze accompanied this calm atmosphere. Lo'ak watched this, occasionally glancing at his unconscious brother, or at Kiri sitting next to him. She had just wiped Neteyam's forehead of sweat and blood. He was worried, though he didn't show it as bluntly as the others siblings. In fact, he mentally blamed himself, he should have been more careful. However, there is also a good side to all this, he was finally noticed by his father. He was found to be there as well. That was enough for him for now. Lo'ak hoped that his brother would also come out of it unscathed.
A light knock broke the silence. It was their mother who told them to go sleep, and she would take care of Neteyam herself. They were tired enough not to argue. Everyone was worried about Neteyam, unable to sit still, but he thought it was their mother who suffered the most of all. She already thought that he would not be able to survive such a wound, but she did not write off her oldest son. She had prayed all these hours, Lo'ak fully understood. From their father's story, their mother first lost her sister, then her father, and now she may have lost her oldest son yet.
Lo'ak and Kiri slowly began to return to their Marui while Neytiri stayed to watch over her son. These particular Marui only served the wounded, Ronal herself said Neteyam needed as much rest as possible now. Far from the center, it was much quieter after all.
On the way back, Lo'ak thought about preparing for the celebrations, Metkayina clan planned to celebrate the victory of the battle, but only after the final results of his elder brother. If he wakes up sooner, they'll do two events in one fell swoop. He could then take Tsireya with him to comfort her too. In fact, he realized now that he hadn't seen Ao'nung anywhere. He thought that little dog followed his older brother everywhere, since they reconciled, but now he was suddenly gone. It always pissed him off when he tried to grope his brother, thinking he wouldn't notice.
Kiri suddenly stopped halfway, as if turning to stone.
— What is? — He asked, trying to look in the same direction as her.
— Isn't that Rotxo? — He didn't even have time to answer as she moved forward towards the beach.
Her brother ran after her, and it was indeed Rotxo. It wasn't noticeable from a distance, but he was all out of breath, as if he'd swim an entire ocean, his cheeks turning red from the effort. He came down quickly from Ilu, his knees hitting the sand, trying to catch his breath, but couldn't get up. They ran as fast as we could to help him. What was he doing here? Shouldn't he be with the others or the leader's son as usual?
— Where is Olo'eyktan?! — He shouted, so loud that a few people passing by turned to look at us. Kiri just nodded to Lo'ak, who understood the command and ran for the leader.
— Calm down, Rotxo. What's going on, and why are you just back now?
A crowd began to form behind the girl, Rotxo's screams woke up some of the residents who gathered by the beach, interested. Kiri tried to calm him down, but he wouldn't, trying to force himself to get up. Before she could get any answer, she was pulled away from the boy. Behind her stood Jake, who just shook his head. Tonowari appeared moments later with his wife, followed by Lo'ak holding Tsireya hand.
— They took him! — Rotxo shouted as soon as he saw the leader, standing on straight legs. He looked like he was about to cry at that moment. The trembling body showed the emotions that were now sitting in it.
— Who took whom? — Ronal led the way, avoiding her husband and grabbing Rotxo by the shoulders. Everyone was nervously waiting for the answer, thinking the worst.
— Sky people! They took Ao'nung! We were separated when the fire broke out. But when I wanted to go back to it, I couldn't find him. By the time I found him, it was too late, they had already dragged him onto the ship. He looked injured, blood was flowing, staining the water. — Rotxo began to tremble.
He explained everything chaotically, but everyone in the audience managed to understand the main message. In the background, Tsireya could be seen crying again. She was about to lose her future brother-in-law and now also her brother. In addition, she knew about Neteyam's love for Ao'nung and vice versa. How would they explain the situation to Neteyam that his beloved had been kidnapped?
Before anyone noticed, Tonowari and the warriors were heading for the sea, ordering the rest to remain seated. There was only one thought in the chief's mind, to save his son. Who knows what people did to him now.
And the worst was yet to begin.