Power of Eywa | Lo'ak

8. Lights

- Ryonan POV -

- ???

I opened my eyes and saw the forest. I was laying down. The forest was silent, other then the occasional Maroo's tweeting and the sounds of animals. The sun shone on my face, making me squint and look away. I got up and slowly turned, looking at where I am.

"Where am I..?" I muttered. I heard some rushing to my left, so I decided to go there. I pushed past the big leaf to reveal a lake with a beautiful rushing waterfall. I let out a gasp with a smile.

It looked safe to swim in, so I jumped in. "Whoo!" I shouted as I did. The minute I went underwater, it was warm. I loved it.. it was different from the cool water in the Metkayina.I resurfaced and laughed. I didn't know where I was but if it was a dream.. I was going to enjoy it.

- Lo'ak POV -

It has been hours since we found Ryonan and she still.. hasn't woken up. Ronal is having trouble focusing on trying to wake her up, because as a mother she is worried about her.

I walked into the cot to see Aonung and Tsireya by the wall. Tsireya was crying, and Aonung had such a troubled expression on. Tonowari wasn't present since he is still the Olo'eyktan. Tuk and Kiri were also there, watching and hoping that she will wake up.

I walked up to Aonung and Tsireya. She hugged me quickly, crying on my chest. I hesitantly pat her back as a way to comfort her. "Tsireya.. come, don't bother him" Aonung said and pulled her away. I sighed, "How is Ryonan..?" I asked even though I could see her.

"She's breathing, and still unconscious. My mother is trying her best.. but mentally she is struggling which can temper with how she works" Aonung told me, looking at his mother who's hands were shaking while trying to wake her up.

Neteyam walked into the cot and we made eye contact. He glanced at Kiri and Tuk which meant to me, 'come there' He said and walked over to them. "Hopefully she wakes up.." I muttered and Tsireya started crying harder.

I walked over to my siblings and Tuk looked at me with a sad face, "Is she going to wake up?" Kiri asked me quietly so Ronal doesn't hear. "We don't know.." I whispered back, "No Lo'ak! She will wake up, just like Kiri did" Tuk said.

I smiled sadly at Tuk, "Of course she will" I said. In the corner of my eye, I saw Tsireya leave the cot and I decided to go after her. "Tsireya, wait up" I called out and she turned around still crying.

"What if she doesn't wake up, Lo'ak?" She sobbed, I placed a hand on her shoulder, "Don't say that Tsireya. She is strong.. she will wake up." I stated. "What if my mother can't heal her..?" She whispered. "...." I stayed silent, before storming back into the cot.

"Wake her up." I demanded from Ronal. "wha..? Can't you see boy?! I am trying my best-" Ronal replied but I cut her off quickly, "No you aren't" I shouted. Tears started to form in her eyes, "She needs the Tsahik right now, NOT her mother." I yelled.

This seemed to knock some sense into her. She wiped her tears away, "All of you, OUT" She yelled and they all hesitantly left. "That means you too-"

"No, not me. I'm staying" I kneeled on the other side of Ryonan and took her hand. Ronal just looked at me before starting to work again, this time, more sincerely. I looked at Ryonan's sleeping face, "Please wake up.." I whispered.

- Ryonan POV -

"Wake up.." I heard a voice whisper. I woke up, "What..?" I murmured. After swimming, I found a cave and decided to nap in it. I got up and yawned, all of a sudden a white light shined at the exit of the cave. "ack" I looked away quickly, then slowly looked back. The whole exit turned into a bright light. Something about it just.. called me, so I slowly walked into it.

...

I walked through, and suddenly I was on a floating island. I almost walked off the edge but quickly stepped back before I fell, "What the.." I muttered and looked over the edge. There was no ground, or anything else in the sky. It was all white.

I backed away from the edge and turned around to look at the island I was on. It was bare, but pretty. Small bushes and soft grass. I walked to the middle of the small island where I saw a symbol on the ground.

I tried to make out what the symbol was, but another light from the sky shined down. It wasn't that bright so I was able to look at it, "Dear child.." I heard a soft, but powerful voice speak.

"Who..?" I muttered, "You do not recognize your all mother's voice?" It said, a small laugh following. "Eywa...?" I gasped.

"It is i, darling. I have called you" She said and I could hear her smile. "Why have you called me..?" I whispered in disbelief.

"You have lived a painful life.. and I give you my deepest apologies for having to feel my pain. You are a gift that I have given your species. So is Kiri.. you two were meant to meet." Eywa explained. "I am not a gift.. I am merely a nuisance-" I spoke but she cut me off. "Do not say such things about yourself. I didn't call you to hear these things" She sighed.

"Why am I here then? You called me just to apologize? I love you, Eywa but what I have felt cannot be fixed with a simple sorry" I sighed and she stayed silent for a while. "I know my dear.. When our time is over, you will see what I am giving you.. but also what I will take. Life and death is inevitable, I cannot control it but I can protect it when they are with me. Ryonan, I hope you are not mad at me. If you are, so be it. I just hope that some day, you will forgive me. And when you do, you will see me. Just like I see you." Eywa said.

"what does that mean..?" I asked but her answer wasn't relevant, "It is time for you to go now. Like I said, when you forgive me is when you'll see me"

That was all she said before everything turned black.

- Lo'ak POV -

"She's opening her eyes!" I heard Tuk exclaim, and as she said, Ryonan was waking up. I smiled softly and she looked at me, "Lo'ak..?" She muttered. "Yes, it's me.. and Tuk- and everyone" I said, still holding her hand.

She carefully looked around to see everyone in the cot. Tsireya was still crying, and Aonung sighed in relief when she woke up. Neteyam, Kiri, Tuk, and even my dad was here. Ronal was by her side, exhausted and crying, "My child" She whispered as she kissed her hand. Ryonan slowly sat up and I helped her, "What happened..?" Ryonan spoke as Ronal hugged her tightly.

"sis!" Aonung said and gave her a hug, so did Tsireya. I let go of her hand and took a step back. "You were unconscious at the spirit tree" My dad explained. She looked up at me but covered her eyes with her hand due to the light shining down at her, "ugh.. what is up with these lights" She murmured.