Akima Lycan: Avatar

Final Test

Akima's POV

"Well Jake shouldn't of said anything!" I snap. Grace and I are arguing. I'm going to do Uniltaron (dream hunt) today. Where I will seek my spirit animal. I'd be surprised if it wasn't a palulukan, but you never know. It's been a couple of days since I got Aelia.

When Jake heard the Omaticaya were preparing for me to go through Uniltaron. He asked me about it and I told him what it was. He then spoke to Norm about it and was over heard by Grace. Who is trying to talk me out of going through with the rite of passage.

"Akima, I can't allow this. An avatar has never gone through a dream hunt before" she states.

"I know that Grace, but if I do this I'll become part of the people" I tell her.

"Will you listen to me?" she demands. I sigh nodding my head for her to continue. "Sometimes the Na'vi themselves die in these vision quests. The venom takes you to the edge of death" she states. "And the psychoactive alkaloid in the worm we have no idea what that'll do in an avatar brain" she explains.

"Grace I understand that, but it's a risk I'm welling to take" I tell her. "If I succeed I'll be the first avatar in history to do it and I'll be part of the people" I state. As I get into the link pod. Jake had already linked to his avatar.

"Goddammit, Akima you can never be one of them!" she exclaims. "Our life out there takes millions of dollars of machinery to sustain. You visit and you leave" she states. "You used to understand that" she says in a softer tone. "You can't truly be with him Akima" she adds.

"This has nothing to do with Aries!" I snap. "Grace, you know I've felt lose since I lost my pack on Earth and came here. I've finally found a place where I belong and I'm not going to let you or anyone take that away from me" I tell her. "Please, let me live my life?" I plead.

"I'm sorry Akima, you're right I do know how lost you've felt since coming here" she states. "Just be-careful and know you have people who love you in this form also" she tells me. I nod my head and lay down. She closes the lid and I link to my Avatar.

I wake in my avatar body to see Aries waiting for me. "I see you Akima" he states helping me out of my hammock. "You slept in late today" he adds as we head down home tree.

"Grace was giving me a lecture, but I am here now" I tell him. "Want to go for a fly after this?" I ask him. I love flying on Aelia and she loves racing Aries ikran. He nods his head. We arrive to see the whole tribe gathered. Neytiri and Ninat lead me somewhere private. They began to paint white lines on me.

"When your Spirit Animal comes, you will know" Neytiri tells me. I nod my head. "You are ready" she declares as they put the paint down. We left and head down the spiral. Jake tried to follow, but was barred by a young hunter. Jake was not a part of the people yet and is not allowed to bare witness. But I'm sure in a few weeks it'll be his turn.

I enter the center of a circle of elders and hunters. An elder is slowly rapping a large water drum. As Mo'at purifies me with smoke from burning herbs, chanting in a low monotone. I squat and wash the smoke from my palms. As Mo'at unwraps a piece of wood riddled with holes. She catches the end of a glowing purple worm, and draws it out of the wood.

"Oh wise worm, eater of the Sacred Tree bless this worthy Hunter with a true vision" she says. I open my mouth and stick my tongue out. She places the worm on it. I close my mouth and chew.

An earthen jar is opened. Eytukan removes a writhing black arachnoid, the Pandoran equivalent of a scorpion. He places it against the back of my neck and presses. The bug drives its stinger into my skin. I hiss in discomfort as they leave me alone in the middle of the circle. As they all chant lowly around me.

I feel my eyes dilate and the world around me changes. Gone was the Omaticaya and hometree. They were replaced by a ring of glowing trees, which seem miles high. The whole image is bathed in spectral radiance.

I stand up and watch my body transform. But now into a Palulukan. But something with large wings. I take flight and I see a burning forest below. I screech like an ikran but louder. The screech seems to echo all around me. What does this mean? Am I the last shadow? The world fades and I come to laying on my side.

"It is finished" Mo'at declares.

"Did your Spirit Animal come?" Eytukan asks me.

"Yes, but it was very confusing" I state. Mo'at puts her splayed fingers against my face, seeming to peer into my troubled mind. I look into her eyes.

"It will take time for the meaning to be clear" she tells the others. She steps back and I get to my feet weakly. I follow them out to where the rest of the tribe was gathered waiting. Eytukan places both his hands on my shoulders.

"You are now a daughter of the Omaticaya. You are part of the People" he declares. All the members of the clan press forward, crowding around and putting their hands on my shoulders, back, arms. Hands upon hands, until I am connected to everyone. But Jake, as he is not part of the people yet.

My eyes find Aries. Who's brim with pride, amazement and relief. I give him a smile. I know he was worried about me under going the dream hunt like Grace. But at least he didn't try to stop me. We all stay connected for awhile before separating and a celebration begins. Welcoming me into the tribe. But I sneaked away with Aries for a flight. He wanted to show me something special.

A/N

Picture above of Akima dressed and painted for the dream hunt.