Avatar: The Way of the Chaos

Chapter 7

"Lemme get this straight, you want me to climb all the way up there?"

Neteyam sighed, "yes, that is the goal."

"All the way to Lo'ak?"

"Yes."

You blinked, turning to Genevieve as if to say 'you hearing this shit?'

"Look, it's not that hard," he moved forward, placing his hands on the tree, "just watch."

He gripped the crevices, and expertly started making his way up the tree. You tried to keep your eyes focused on his technique, rather than his lean muscle, but it was proving a little bit harder than you thought.

Halfway up, he released himself, and you saw Genevieve startle a little when he landed with a thump in front of her.

Brushing himself off, he cocked his head towards the tree, "go on."

Plastering a smile on your face, you gushed, "wow, Vivi! Thank you for offering to go first!"

Shoving her forward, you laughed as she stumbled towards the tree before whirling around.

"Oh hell no, I'm not doing this first." She then unceremoniously plopped herself onto the floor, knees to her chest in a fetal position. Her tail flicked upwards, before also wrapping around her as means of protection.

"What's happening?" Lo'ak shouted from up the tree.

Not gracing him with a reply, Neteyam gave you a flat stare, gesturing towards the tree.

You almost retaliated, but at his deadpan expression, you grudgingly stomped your way over. You sighed, brain finally deciding to stop whining and plan your way up to Lo'ak.

The crevices were quite large, and you suddenly didn't feel as hopeless as you did before.

Boy, were you wrong.

Your muscles (of lack thereof) quivered under your body weight, you were barely a couple metres above ground and your muscles had just decided to lock itself. Your fingers were digging into the bark, feet holding on for dear life.

Gritting your teeth, you removed a shaky hand, reaching up to grab whatever you could to support you. Finally latching on, your muscles burned, almost spasming as you finally made it up another notch.

Your fingers hurt, your palm hurt, your feet hurt, your toes hurt.

You wanted to go home.

You managed to pull yourself up another couple of feet, and you almost made it up to where Neteyam was minutes prior, however, one foot slipped and you came tumbling down.

With a nasally scream, you flailed, waiting for the inevitable pain in your backside.

It never came, as strong arms caught you mid fall. It was such a cliché that you scrambled out of Neteyam's arms the moment your brain caught up with your predicament. You refused to think about how his arms felt wrapped around you, how warm his body heat was.

Your burning ears gave you away.

Genevieve was snickering, whether it was at your pathetic attempt or your romcom moment, you would never know.

Glaring, you gestured to the tree, "Vivi, your turn."

She froze, proceeding to curl even more into herself. Neteyam sighed again, and was about to walk over and urge (threaten) her to climb before you pranced over to do it yourself.

Leering at her, you grabbed at her underarms, "c'mon! Would you rather get thrown into the forest?"

She glared daggers at you, and you shrugged, "you better get moving, so I'll report to Sir Jake that you refused to cooperate."

She scoffed, "don't act like when I leave, you won't leave as well."

"We'll just think up a different punishment."

Neteyam hummed, "I think laundry duty is free."

"Perfect."

At your nagging and the threat doing laundry, she finally uncurled herself. Standing, she sulked as she made her way over to the tree. Placing her hands on the crevices, you watched with rapt attention as she started pulling herself up.

She made it not one metre above the ground before she started shaking, and you bit back a laugh. You struggled to school your facial expression every time she slipped a little, and she actually made it further than you expected of her.

One poor foot placement, and then she toppled.

Like he did for you, Neteyam caught her effortlessly, and you averted your eyes.

You were about to call it a day, when Neteyam called out from behind you.

"Where do you think you're going? You haven't made it to Lo'ak yet."

Genevieve mirrored your despair perfectly.