Two ghosts - Lo'ak

Chapter 12

Pandora Reef
Metkayina Clan

The next day Lo'ak told everyone what happened beyond the reef, his eyes drifting over to Teya's every so often. Teya could see the annoyed look on Ao'nung's face causing her to roll her eyes.

"I wish I had been there; the ocean blessed you with a gift, brother", Kiri said, fascinated with his story.

Ao'nung leaned forward from the tree he was leaning against. "The tulken have not returned yet", he explained, making the forest na'vi look at Lo'ak "anyway, no tulken is ever alone".

Loa'k rolled his eyes at his comment. "Well, this one was. He had a missing fin like a stamp on his left side".

Teya sighed at his words. Hearing the desperateness in his voice made her eyes soften.

Tsireya seemed to have the opposite reaction as her body went stiff, and she began to shake her head "Payakan. It Payakan", she said to her brother and Roxto.

"Who's Payakan" Tuk's quiet voice asked, concerned for her brother.

Roxto turned to Tuk with a sad smile to not upset the girl. "He's a young bull who went rogue. He is an outcast, alone, and he has a missing fin".

"They say he is a killer," Tsireya said to Lo'ak softly, placing her hand on his forearm.

Ao'nung bent down next to Li'teya, looking Lo'ak in the eye "he killed na'vi and other tulken. Ao'nung saw the quick look of panic flash on Teya's face before he quickly added, "not here, but far to the south".

"No, he is not a killer", Lo'ak protested, shaking his head

"Lo'ak", Tsireya whispered.

"You're lucky to be alive."

"I'm telling you guys, He saved my life. He's my friend," lo'ak tried his best to convince his friends, his eyes landing on Li'teya. She smiled at him, letting him know she believed him.

Neteyam stood up where he was kneeling, grabbing Lo'ak's shoulders. "My baby bro, the mighty warrior who faced the killer tulken and lived to tell about it," he teased, making Lo'ak push him away.

Lo'ak stood up, looking at everyone's concerned looks. "You guys aren't listening," he said with sadness as he walked off.

"Lo'ak, I'm listening", Tuk said, but it was too late.

The friends just sat silently as everyone slowly turned their heads towards Li'teya.

"What?"

"aren't you going to after him?" Roxto asked

"Why would I?" Teya asked, looking at them in confusion.

"Because you are in love with him," Tuk said happily

Teya's eyes widened " no, no, I'm not. We're just friends." she tried to deny it, but the group's unimpressed looks made it difficult.

Tsu'tey leaned over to neteyam, whispering, "You owe me three pitayas."

"You put a bet on me and ... " Teya stood up, slapping Tsu'tey up the head "Skxwang", she muttered, following lo'ak into the forest.

"Told you she would follow him," Tsireya said, laughing into her hand

"I HEARD THAT!"
———————————————————————————

Li'teya walked along the beach following Lo'ak as a loud voice called her name. Her ears twitched at her name, and she turned around to face Tonwari.

"Shit", she whispered.

Li'teya walked over to the leader with her bowed down. "Sir", she greeted.

"Li'teya, sit down, dear," he said politely, motioning for her to sit on one of the pillows. Teya quickly sat down, crossing her legs and sitting with her back straight.

"Am I in trouble, sir?" she questioned, trying to keep her composure. She was sure she was in trouble for holding a knife to his son's throat and threatening to kill him a few days ago.

"On the contrary, we just need to ask a few questions," he explained. L'teya's eyes darted around the hut until her eyes landed on Ronal standing in the corner with her hand on her stomach.

Teya nodded, letting Tonowari continue. "Your eyes are blue, not amber like forest na'vi. Why is that?"

Teya looked down in embarrassment "um, I'm not sure, sir. Maybe because my father used to be human and had blue eyes? I do not know the answer." she answered, ashamed. She hated that she was different.

"What about your mother?"

"What about her?"

"What colour were her eyes?" Li'teya took a moment to think. She hadn't thought about her mother since they left the forest. Immediate guilt sunk in.

"They were grey", she answered, her eyes trained on the floor.

"Are you sure, girl?" Ronal demanded, stepping forward. Teya nodded quickly.

Ronal placed her hand on Tonowari's shoulder, leaning against him. The couple looked at Li'teya; their expressions were unreadable. Why did they need to know her mother's eye colour? Was she going to be banished for being different?

"Am I being banished?" she asked timidly.

Tonowari leant forward, "20 years ago, a young Metkayina warrior fled the clan and disappeared", he explained. Teya nodded, allowing him to continue. "We believe that that warrior was your mother".

Teya stared at the clan leader, her eyes furrowed in confusion. "That doesn't make any sense; my mother didn't look like a Metkayina. She had dark skin like me".

"Child, the woman who ran away was my adoptive sister Okoyia. You do not look like an actual forest na'vi because you are half reef na'vi." Ronal stated.

L'teya let out a quiet gasp at her words. Her mother was from the reef, and her father was from the sky. Could she be any more like a freak?

Tonowari sent the girl a sympathetic look. "Since you are the last living relative of Okoyia, you are meant to be the next Olo'eyktan of the Metkayina clan."

"What? What about Ao'nung? He is your eldest son," she asked

"Ao'nung has expressed his disinterest in becoming Olo'eyktan, and my daughter is not ready for the mantle", he explained

"Tsu'tey? My brother, he is the eldest son," she expressed, shaking her head.

"Tsu'tey does not carry your mother's features, and my people will listen to someone who shares their features."

"This is crazy", Teya stressed. "I can not lead this clan. I'm not ready for the responsible, sir".

Tonwari shared a quick look with Ronal as she stepped in front of the girl, blocking Tonowari " I do not like your family, you have come from a demon, but my sister was meant to lead this clan, so you must follow in her steps. You are a fierce warrior Li'teya, and I expect great things from you".

Li'teya bowed her head. "Can I have some time to think about ma'am? It is a lot to process.

Ronal nodded, allowing Teya to stand up. Li'teya bowed her head again, pressing her fingers to her forehead before bringing them forward. Tonowari copied her action as she left the Olo'eyktan's tent.

She stared at the sea in front of her, trying to process what she was told in the last 5 minutes. Her mother ran away from the reef to the forest. Her mother was meant to be the Olo'eyktan, and she must now be the clan leader when she comes of age. She had become what she had been training for her whole life.

———————————————————————————
A/N

sorry for the lack of updates , college has been kicking my ass lately but ill get chapters out faster since its half term next week.

Also plot twist so Li'teya may be the next leader of the Metkayina....

There will be more Lo'ak and Li'teya content next chapter but were almost half way through the book now.  Im so excited for the ending of the book that I've already written it !!!!

Dont forget to vote and comment

love S