Amongst them - ATWOW x Reader

chapter 1 - young warriors

You sat high up on a thick branch, your back against the main body of the tree. You weren't far from the fortress, you just decided to take some time for yourself. After all, the bioluminescence would thrive amongst the forest during eclipse, and it was a beautiful sight. You pulled the worn off string from your bow and hissed in pain as the string flung and whipped your skin. It was so worn out from all the target practice you've been doing, it was time to replace it anyway.

Stress and frustration has been eating at you all day. First it was the sky people showing themselves ever so often around your people. Then, it was Neytiri and her hesitance whenever you were around. There were so many things that have been weighing you down, but one of them in particular has been an issue since you could remember. Your parents and their sudden death.

A gentle glow enters your line of vision. An atokirina. It made itself present just as you were about to let your thoughts eat at you again. A soft smile found its way to your lips, as the woodsprite lands on your shoulder, almost tickling you. But this moment didn't last too long.

"Hey! There you are." someone interrupted. Right.. I forgot to mention the part where you tried to take time to yourself, but it was a matter of time before you would be found. The atokirina left just as fast as it came. "Why are you running away?" the voice spoke again as it got closer and closer. It was Loak. He managed to climb the tree and stopped just below you.

"Why are you following me anyway?" you asked with your eyebrows furrowed, but you couldn't help but smile and adore his persistence. You look down the tree to see the others waiting below. Neteyam, Kiri, Spider and Tuk. They were all following you.

"I thought we were all going together? Don't be weird." Loak stated. You scoot over just enough to give him some space to sit. He pulled himself up once more to sit on the spot you gave him.

"Going where? I just wanted to chill somewhere." you raised an eyebrow.

"I dunno. Explore? Climb around? Eclipse just began and I don't think we can sleep any time soon." he looked down at the four. "Also, we were planning to look around the tracks where the cargo would pass by tomorrow." he looked back at you with a mischievous smirk. You raised an eyebrow at this. The sky people were supposed to send out some cargo on the tracks the next day, and hearing it was a significant load of weapons, you assumed some of the sky people would be patrolling the area to make sure it goes untouched.

"We? Are you sure it isn't just you?" you asked seriously.

"Come onn" he playfully nudged you. "Me and Neteyam will be on watch tomorrow while they arrive. I gotta see the place before I sleep." he said, emphasis on "gotta". You looked down at the four, just to see Neteyam shaking his head no, Tuk messing with nearby fan lizards and Kiri laughing at Spider getting swarmed. Neteyam knew what Loak was trying to get you to do.

"Sorry Loak, we're not going." you said, climbing down to where you were hanging off the branch with your hands.

"Bro come on. How can you be a warrior with that attitude?" he complained, leaning forward far enough to where he could look down at you.

"Being a warrior doesn't mean reckless and stupid." you stated before jumping down to the ground. "Can you pass me my bow?" you asked as you reached your arms out to catch it.

"Only if we go." Loak wore an annoying smirk, standing up and holding your bow.

"Loak." Neteyam said in a stern tone. Loak rolled his eyes and tossed your bow down to you.

"You guys are so lame." he complained before jumping down.

"I want to ride with you guys tomorrow..." Tuk whined, returning her attention to the group.