𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐋𝐄 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍 • 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐲𝐚𝐦 𝐒𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲

spirit tree⁷

chapter seven
[ spirit tree ]

all day, the only thing that Nakili received was glances from Ao'nung. maybe he was mad at her. as she sat at the dinner table, she found herself not wanting to eat. anytime anyone would glance at her, she'd pretend to eat, but she really didn't want to as she was absolutely sick to her stomach.

she was on edge. Nakili only wanted Ao'nung to look at her the same, but in a world like this one, you couldn't always have exactly what you wanted. Nakili knew that.

she flinched in her seat beside Tsireya as Neteyam threw himself into the seat beside her. "finally." Tsireya smiled from beside Nakili. Neteyam mouthed a 'sorry' to Nakili and in return, Nakili only flipped him off Neteyam and waved at both Kiri and Tuk whom were standing behind Neteyam.

Neteyam, sitting sideways on the chair with one arm on the table and the other on the back of the chair started. "we are ready if you guys are." he then made eye contact with Nakili. he smiled. "hi, Kili."

Nakili, again, was one of honestly, with no lies shall be obtained. she liked her nickname Neteyam had given her. but more specifically when it rolls off of Neteyam's tongue as it does, lined with his smooth, determined accent. it was her new favorite sound.

Nakili felt a smile rise on her cheeks but not only was the smile on her lips, but it was in her eyes. "hi 'teyam." Nakili came up with the nickname on the spot, however it suited him. she suddenly straightened her face and spoke as she looked between Kiri, Tsireya, Tuk, and Neteyam for answers. "what's going on?" she asked after licking her lips.

Kiri laughed. "oh, so we have pet names for each other now? that's cute, you guys. seriously, like—truly adorable." she patted Neteyam's shoulder. he could only blush and groan as he spoke a 'stop' under his breath.

Tsireya laughed. "i think the pet names are cute."

Nakili wanted to blush, in which she did. Nakili shrugged as she looked up between Kiri and Neteyam. "i mean, i just want to know what's going on." Tsireya couldn't hold in her laugh from all the unnecessary-necessary chaos.

Neteyam started. "we're going from a swim. come on." he grabbed Nakili's hand, drawing circles on the top of her hand as he did so. Neteyam didn't let go of her hand either; simply to just feel that she's with him—just to know and for his mind to be at peace.

Tsireya got beside her. "we're going to the spirit tree." Tsireya said and Nakili nodded, suddenly understanding what was going on. but Tsireya couldn't help but smirk as Neteyam didn't let go if Nakili's hand just until the second it was time to get on a Ilu. Tsireya thought it was quite adorable.

if only she knew where Lo'ak was

-

Nakili always loved this part of the ocean. the way it was all fluorescent and glowing and how... it was all connected to her.

whether it was creatures who'd live here, or if it was the darkness of the ocean itself, she didn't care. this was the one place that Nakili didn't have to necessarily be anybody. the only thing in which Nakili needed to do was use her eyes, her ears, her soul, and brain.

Nakili from beside Neteyam heard Tsireyas voice. "welcome, spirit tree. this is it. the home of our ancestors." Tsireya held her hand out to the mountains and rocks that surrounded the water with that perfect porcelain smile on her lips.

Neteyam exhaled, the water suddenly cooler when they entered the cave. "it's beautiful." he looked over at Nakili.

everytime Nakili was at spirit tree, she felt presence. the presence was light. it was the feeling when you are standing at shore and you feel as though the water is pulling you back with it. it was nice. normally, it wasn't noticeable for one to see when Nakili feels this, but as Neteyam watched her expression—her eyes roaming the area in awe—he immediately saw what no one other could see. the face of a good heart.

"it is." said quietly, just loud enough for Neteyam to hear. she watched as Kiri waved her on. she nodded to Kiri and watched as her's and Tuk's body suddenly disappeared into the ocean. Nakili looked over at Neteyam. "come." and in moments later, Nakili and Neteyam had disappeared into the darkness of the ocean also; with out a trace, that is.

she and neteyam watched the others in the water as they let go of their Ilu's. going different ways, mirroring each other, the two swam around different obstacles.

Nakili making eye contact with Kiri easily makes her eyes light up and her face plastered with a pristine smile. she swims to Kiri.

when Kiri looked away, Nakili knew she was going to bond. Kiri looked determined to do so but she also looked rather unsure. 'trust.' Nakili signed and mouthed to Kiri in which she replied with a nod.

and Kiri nodded. what Nakili didn't know was what Kiri was seeing or feeling. as an empath, Nakili found this to be the difficult part of her ability. therefore, Nakili only gave the bonding experience time.

and after time, Nakili found herself waiting for Kiri to open her eyes. she was having visions, and it all seemed to be good.

then, suddenly and out of the blue, literally, Kiri's body began to shake; seize.

Nakili's face dropped. her eyes widened, her eyebrows furrowed slightly..., and her ears flicked back.

at first, Nakili didn't know how to react, but it didn't take her but second to disconnect her bond and wrap her arms around Kiri, beginning towards the water surface. the worst part was the feeling of Kiri shake in her arms... and Nakili couldn't stop it. you can't stop and seizure, nobody could. it was all a part of the brain.

Nakili rose out of the water with a large breathe "come on." she said, the others coming up at the same time.

Neteyam on his Ilu surfaced beside Nakili. "give her here." he spoke, rather shaken up and nervous, and Nakili only nodding and giving Kiri to Neteyam who began cpr.

"is she breathing." Nakili heard Rotxo say. "is she breathing." he repeated when he didn't get an answer.

Neteyam didn't one more breathe and Nakili watched as Kiri inhaled. "let's get her to the village." Tsireya spoke frantically.

Nakili clicked her tongue for her Ilu as Tuk grabs her hand and joins her on her Ilu.

"let's move."

a/n
I HATE THIS CHAPTER BRUH. because why they gotta do our girl Kiri like that? like- go on somewhere JAMES</3

xoxo-birdie