The Great War | Neteyam x Omatikaya!reader

Part 4

Under Mo'at's healing tutelage, Neteyam made a quick recovery. His stab had been straight and clean, allowing it to mostly heal within the next week. During the first couple of days of his recovery, you spent much of your time with him in the healing tent. Your relationship had undergone a lot of strain lately, and you were doing your best to help that heal as well.

Mo'at was not blind. She could see the care you had for her grandson as well as the dedication he had to you. Even though she never commented on it or asked questions, she was firmly convinced that there was only one reason why you two had not already become a mated pair.

"We must set a new date for your Uniltaron," she told you a few days after Neteyam's injury. You had been helping her change the bandage across his chest, and her words made your hands pause their work. "Really?" You asked hopefully. She grunted an affirmative. "You have healed well," she said flatly. "You are ready."

You were elated. You looked down at Neteyam's proud, smiling face. "You are ready," he repeated his grandmother's words confidently. You did your best to keep your cool in front of the Tsahik, but she could see the joy on your face as you continued to help her.

It had been nearly four weeks since your injury. You had been set to complete your trial just a few days after the attack on the base, but with your recovery, you weren't permitted to complete it. Physically, you had come of age, but you would never be viewed as an adult until you had completed the Dream Quest. Now, you would be able to achieve the status of a fully-fledged member of the Omatikaya.

Preparations were made for you three days later. The morning of your trial, you spent several hours meditating alone to clear your mind. The trial took place at high noon. You sat quietly with your father as he traced the white ceremonial body paint over you, singing your song cord over and over. Even though he had become more withdrawn since your mother's death, you knew how much he loved you and how proud he was of you.

When high noon approached, you were escorted to the sacred chamber of the Tsahik. It was a small, private room covered in bioluminescent lichen and moss. The sound of steady drumming echoed throughout the chamber from one of the elders present. Already inside were Jake and Mo'at. Along with a few elders, you also saw Neytiri next to Jake as well as your father's brother. They all sat gathered solemnly as you entered behind your father.

He turned and brought his head down to rest against your forehead affectionately before moving to sit next to his brother. The drumming continued steadily as you knelt in front of the small gathering of people. You maintained a calm composure, but secretly, your heart was beating quickly in anxiety.

Mo'at stood with a burning leaf in front of your face and blew the smoke right to you. You inhaled deeply, the sickly sweet smell making your eyes heavy. She came forward with a worm from the sacred tree and proclaimed loudly, "O wise worm, who eats the Sacred Tree, grant this worthy warrior true vision."

Swallowing the worm was an uncomfortable feeling, but you kept your face neutral as you felt it travel down your throat. "Grant true vision," she continued. "Grant true vision. In the plants, grant true vision to her." Jake stood with something crawling in his hand and walked behind you. You took a deep breath, closing your eyes in anticipation.

A stabbing sensation pierced through your back as the small creature stung you on your shoulder blade. You cried out in pain. The sting hurt worse than you could have anticipated, and your body curled into itself as the pain spread like a fire across your back. Your breathing became ragged as the burning wrapped around your chest.

All around you, the world became hazy. You looked up at the figures sitting around you, but you couldn't make out their features anymore. They started swaying back and forth, and you couldn't tell if they were moving or if your vision was distorting. The drumming sounds became deeper in your head and started to feel more like a heartbeat than an instrument. The luminescent plants around you started to glow brighter with more vivid colors than you had ever seen. The figures kept moving back and forth until they stopped looking like people and more like leaves on a swaying branch.