Through The Valley • Ao'nung

Chapter VI

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̶̶̶̶  «̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ «̶ ̶̶̶ 　Our Responsibility　 ̶ ̶ ̶»̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ »̶ ̶̶̶  

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The sun was high in the sky, its blinding light gleaming trough the cracks of leafs in the tree, cascading down on various petals. Rays of light reflected on the damp leafs making the water on them vaporise and rise back as part of the air where it was born. Dew landed on her cheeks softly like kisses from the Great Mother herself before Neteyam collected his sister from the sunshower with a touch, noticing she was dream-walking away from the conversation. 

The war council had been going on for a while, the clan praising Neteyam for following his parents' footsteps and the two for being profound warriors. The kids listened, acknowledging this being the only result of the clan's guidance and teaching and listened their father promise loyalty and sovereignty from them. 

In the candescent ambience, At'anau caught movement from the corner of her eye. She identified her brother who had stood beside her an eye-blink ago, sneak away from the meeting. 

By the change of posture the girl implied her brother he had so too. Subtly, the oldest boy glanced at the adults who seemingly hadn't noticed their son go missing from all the positive feedback they got on the other. 

Neteyam noticed his sister wasn't responsive, this perhaps being due to the fact she would be in delusion of tagging along with him. She definitely would, if it weren't for the things she was assigned to do. Which were sitting down listening to the preaching and feedback of the clan along with future crisis management and approaches. 

Neteyam was set out to be the next commander of the clan when his time would come as a result of being the firstborn of the twins, but truth be told none of the parents were confident of who obtained the legitimate birthright of being called the official firstborn, however, At'anau had made it clear she'd rather sleep with stingbats, than become Olo'eyktan. 

She'd want to do nothing less than successfully guide the clans to victory in every viewpoint, but she was an adviser, no decision-maker. She'd fight for freedom and carry all the responsibility on her own as long as it was hers. Well aware of her reckless soul, she isn't percipient on making the right rational decisions when needed.

When the meeting ended both kids walked an end away from their parents without a word. The oldest reached for his intercom around his neck before his sister stopped him. Being so that all intercoms were connected with each other would make their parents immediately aware of the situation. 

And both kids not being snitches for the smallest things such as missing the war council by wandering around after a battle with the sky people who might still return any second, didn't want to run to mommy to tell on them. 

Neteyam looked at his sister who's turn-mills were spinning above her head. 

"It's Lo'ak, he's probably behind a tree here close-by" Neteyam shrugged, convincing himself and his sister, although he wasn't too far from the facts. Lo'ak wouldn't be going anywhere dangerous on himself. For that he did need to be on himself. 

"Tsenga tok Kiri?"  (Where is Kiri?) 

The two rolled their eyes in sync at their grandmother's voice and sighed in aggravation. After At'anau had assured she would get her sister to the tsahik as soon as she found her both kids went on their way through the village to do so. It didn't take long to grasp that neither of all the other kids were in the border of the village. Including the youngest, Tuk. 

"We have to tell mom and dad." Neteyam said as they had done their second trip around the small town. At'anau thought about it for a split second before her demeanour changed and she nodded "Okay, go." 

Neteyam furrowed his brows watching his sister walk the other way towards the Hallelujah Mountains "Whoa-wait, where are you going." 

"I'll check the perimeter quickly from above," the girl adjusted both her earpieces as she walked at an enhanced pace towards the mountains "they can't have gotten far." 

Neteyam shook his head behind the girl's back "What, no." He made his way next to her, but didn't get another second to imply reasons why she should not go beyond the border. 

"If they're nowhere there, I can go straight to Norm." She implied, receiving a crooked look from her brother as she seemed almost craving to bend her father's rules. 

the girl slowed her steps as she was still adjusting the intercom around her neck and ear and let out a breathy laugh through her nose "Come on mighty warrior, have some faith in your sister." she patted the side of his arm once in reassurance. "He won't be far," At'anau guaranteed what he had tried to convince her before. 

"not with Tuk." she reasoned, hoped. 

The parents didn't know how many time had passed, but eclipse would be happening soon and the kids were still not back home. On their ikrans Neytiri, Neteyam and Jake roamed through the floating mountains in search of the other half of their family. 

When Jake had asked where his sister was, Neteyam answered by locating her with Norm, leaving out her searching beyond the safety border. He silently hoped the lab is where she would be right now, but knowing her too well he was doubtful. 

Jake was satisfied with his daughter who had searched for different solutions to a problem and didn't step back from asking help of modern technology regardless of her authentic upbringing. 

"Devil Dog, this is Eagle Eye, over." the first response went through their intercom. And Jake, Devil Dog, answered immediately. 

"Eagle eye, send your traffic, over"  with fingers resting on the push button on the transceiver the father waited for feedback.

"I've got eyes on some guys." Lo'ak spoke in a hushed tone. "They look like Avatars, but they're in full camo and carrying AR's." It was quiet for a moment before he continued, "There're six of them, over." 

The father shared a look with the mother who started to look more confused than worried. 

"What's your pos? over." Jake asked and it took a second. 

Lo'ak hesitated before eyeing spider and replied, "We're at the old shack." 

Jake immediately located them on the battle field and looked at his oldest son who was obviously as displeased as him. Jake didn't miss a single word their son had said, and questioned "who's we?" he didn't even use professional language as this was their father now speaking. 

"Me, Spider, Kiri," Lo'ak replied, pinching his own skin before replying between clenched teeth

"and Tuk." 

Neytiri inhaled sharply looking at her husband who grit his teeth out of habit and lowered his voice, expressing the weight of the situation. "Son you listen to me very carefully." his low-pitched voice went through, "Pull back right now. Do not make a sound. Get the hell out of there. Move, copy?" To his appeasement the boy immediately complied and replied "Yes sir, moving out."

In the air, the two parents followed their oldest son who revealed to have a recollective shortcut to the site he yearned his sister wouldn't even think of haunting. 

On the other side of the line, At'anau had caught everything.

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bonjour mon petits hon hons 

I still have one exam to go on Friday, but I'll be updating as frequent as I can, because I actually enjoy writing this story :) 

Hope y'all have a great day/evening/night don't forget to drink water and fill in that blank little star at the bottom of your screen it makes my day en feel less like a dumb bitch 

are there any questions? about the story/characters/me? lmk :)

kithes x