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Chapter 7

Enid's POV

Neteyam's grip on my waist tighten when I dived deep right in the water. I want to go wild and swim recklessly in this large cave below but I chose not to because of his wounds.

No matter how many times I've visited here, I'm still dazed at how beautiful the formations of the rocks and different colored bioluminescent plants are. Although the inside was dark because the sun can't reach it, the bright lights from the plants and dotted lights above attached in the rocks which seems to be stars made up for it.

When we reached the bottom, I unmounted Anashe which Neteyam carefully followed. Anashe started swimming away to wander around happily.

Neteyam's eyes laid to me so I gave him a smile. I stared at the bioluminiscent freckles he has all over his body and I can't help to think that he really does belong here, in Pandora. And I'm just an outsider with no other choices but to cope up.

I saw the confusion in his eyes as he tilted his head to examine me.

I signed to him. 'You're like a glowing cat.'

His eyes widen then signed back. 'You know how to sign underwater?' I rolled my eyes but nodded in response. 'What's a cat?' I just giggled as his clueless cat face.

Instead, I took his hand gently, then swam away to show him something. I felt how big and calloused it was. He obliged and I lead him inside a narrow path. There were glowing mushrooms all over the walls and different kinds of fish swimming freely. I saw how amazed he is when I looked back at him and when he saw me, he gave me a 'fangful' smile.

Somewhere inside, is another cave which looks like a room. I swam forward as quiet as I could and revealed three peacefully sleeping baby Ilus and Anashe which is checking them one by one. She didn't mind us when we went inside to look closer.

I removed my hand from Neteyam but his hand went after it so I gave him a look. He signed 'sorry' and looked embarrass.

I stared at Anashe to ask for her permission to touch her baby and she let me. I gently took one and gave it to Neteyam. He was oustanded with the baby and rubbed its sleeping head. The baby gave a happy sound which we both smile.

'It's so cute. I want to crush it.' he signed out of nowhere so I slapped his arm and took the sleeping baby to return to its mother.

When I looked again at Neteyam he was already gazing at me. 'Stop looking at me, you look stupid,' I signed.

'You look beautiful.' he signed back which in a second he realized what he said, was taken aback, restless. 'I mean, you look different. You're not glowing like us.'

I shook my head but smiled. Anashe, after looking at her children, swam to me and offered her antenna. I guess it's time to go back. I took it and signed Neteyam to ride at my back again. After that, Anashe started swimming away again up in the water where we dived.

When we rose, I grabbed my mask in an instant and wore it to breathe.

"Thank you, Anashe." I said to Anashe then she gave me a peck on my cheek.

We both unmounted the Ilu. "Your children were lovely, thank you." Neteyam said but Anashe glared at him. She dived in aggressively, splashing water at him.

He laughed. "Your pets have something against me, I reckon."

I laughed too and went up to sit at the ground where I can still dip my legs. "I mean, it's not that difficult to comprehend why. I'm their owner."

Using his hands, he threw me some water. "No, you don't hate me. You little hypocrite." he was about to get up but I stopped him.

"No, don't get up. I told you, you have to dip there for a couple of minutes." I explained while reaching for the basket we brought. "Did it hurt when we were down there?"