𝐎𝐞𝐥 𝐍𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢 𝐊𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐢𝐞 || 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐲𝐚𝐦 𝐗 𝐎𝐂

𝐕𝐈

𝟼
-𝚂𝚙𝚒𝚛𝚒𝚝-

I savor the smooth water against my skin as it clings to my braids and falls between my lips. The air is warm on my cheek, in the cove on the ancestors. I look below us to see our spirit tree dully pulsing beneath us.

"We're here." I smile as everyone's heads rise above the surface. "This is the cove of the ancestors."

"Our most sacred place." Tiseryi continues. "Eclipse is the best time of day to be here."

As Tiseryi finishes her sentence, the sky flashes orange before darkening as the planets align and we are covered in darkness. Our skin provides enough light alongside the spirit tree to light the water around us.

"This is our spirit tree." Tiseryi smiles as the tree glows brightly beneath us.

"Come." I smile and pull Neteyam down below with me.

I gently pull my que from my curls and give Neteyam a final smile before connecting it to a leaf. My body relaxes as I am transported to a memory.

My small hands are those of my child self. Aoung and Tiseryi swim beside me, much younger. The bliss overtakes my body as I turn belly up and simply float. I relax each muscle in my body as I allow Eywa to fill my senses. I feel her in the water on my skin, the air in my lungs, her heartbeat in time with mine.

Suddenly the image flashes and I pull myself from the spirit tree. The tree flashes and pulsates with light. I turn to see Kiri jolting in the water. My heart drops as we all scramble to her. I gently disconnect her from the spirit tree and Roxlo and I rush her to the surface. Neteyam is right there as I call my Ilu. He helps me get her up and I begin compressions to get the water from her lungs.

"What is wrong?" Tuk worries. "What happened."

"It was a seizure." Neteyam says as I breathe air into her lungs.

"Is she breathing?" Roxlo asks, placing a hand on Kiri's shoulder before she takes a breath.

"Come on, help me get her to the village ." I say, out of breath.

Neteyam doesn't hesitate to bond with my Ilu and sit behind me, guiding the Ilu while I hold Kiri. We keep her above water as I urge Neteyam to go faster.

We get Kiri to the village as the Eclipse fades, allowing light to shine. Neteyam cradles Kiri in his arms as we take her to their home. We find Neyteri and Jake there.

"Another seizure." Neteyam says before they can ask questions.

Neyteri stays in the home beside Neteyam and I as Jake steps outside. It isn't long before all the children scramble in the room, wanting to see Kiri. As instinct, I keep them all a small distance away, allowing the girl some space. I fidget nervously on the mat beside Kiri who remains unconscious.

Suddenly, air can be heard whooshing rapidly through the sky. I stand and look outside to see a hunk of metal land on the beach. A hand on my shoulder causes me to jump. I relax slightly as I see it's Neteyam.

"What is that?" I ask, grabbing onto his arm.

"It's an aircraft, for Kiri." Neteyam says.

I watch as Jake Sully embraces a Navi man with odd clothes.

"Avatar?" I ask Neteyam and he nods in reply.

They enter the aircraft before dragging out odd metal things. I clutch onto Neteyam as they bring everything in the pod.

I can't help but feel out of place among the machines as they beep and whir. I force myself to stay. I sit beside Kiri's head, stroking the hair away from her eyes. I coo to her lifeless form as my mother stays in the room.

"Mother." I sigh, I have faith in my mother, the Tashik.

"I can see I am not needed." My mother seethes, moving to exit before being stopped my Neyteri.

"You are Tashik." Neytieri hisses. "Please."

"Remove these things." My mother orders, gesturing to the machines.

"Get out!" Neyteri yells, making me flinch. "You have done nothing."

"Norm, let's just take a break." Jake says to the Avatar man, gathering the machines.

The machines are quickly removed and I decide to aid my mother, putting my Tashik training to the test. I hold the fruit to my mother as she pricks it with her burning needle of wood. We begin to mutter the prayers and chants of Eywa as mother pricks Kiri's abdomen six times. Mother and I place our hands on Kiri and breathe large fast breathes, removing the illness from her body and exhailing it into air to be taken by Eywa. We do so multiple times before Tuk mutters something, distracting me.

"Kiri, your awake." Tuk cries.

Tuk gasps and Jake rushes inside to crouch beside Neyteri who clutches the girls hand. My mother and I lean back as the family expresses their joy. I can't deny as my heartifts at her survival. It quickly drops again as the girl begins sobbing.

"Oh, Kiri." Neyteri coos to the girl. "Kiri, my sweet child."

My mother stands and leaves before the family can thank her so they turn to me. I shake my head and focus on Kiri who cries. I feel a hand on my shoulder and turn to see Neteyam with a thankful smile.

"Thank you, for saving my sister." Neteyam says as I slide my hand on top of his and simply nod.

I follow my mother out and stop her with a hand.

"I will watch over her tonight." I say and she makes a disgusted face before nodding.

I make my way back in the pod and sit against the wall, watching the family comfort the girl. Neteyam slowly crawls over to me, sitting beside me. We sit in silence, simply watching over the girl. Exaustion tugs at my eyelids as I feel myself leaning into Neteyam. I sigh as my head rests on his shoulder and sleep takes over my body.