Surface| Neteyam

1.

I steady myself below the current, just between a sand dune and coral so the waves don't push past me. Once I fix myself in the perfect spot I lie down on my back and stare back up at the surface.

I know I have my duties to the clan but I loved the freeing feeling whenever I got away from it all, the space between me and the ocean filled my heart with a happiness you could only dream of.
Fishes with bright patches that glowed in the sunlight swam by in a small group, one curious, possibly stupid fish came close to me, examining my motionless body.

I along with many others were the clans hunters, I was almost old enough to receive my first tattoo, unfortunately I never had the right opportunity to prove my worth.

I watched carefully as the fish grew closer and closer, nipping at my long flowy hair. Right as I was about to catch it a small gurgle noise from behind the coral scared it off. As it darted away I sat up and looked over at what caused the scare; I waited quietly for the creature to appear.

Feui, I thought to myself as my sleek Ilu with lovely golden stripes that ran through her body showed herself. I pouted at her disappointedly and she made a mocking sound and swam quickly up to the surface. 

I bonded with her almost seven years ago. I had a special connection with her as she was one of the few memories I shared with my mother before the incident. I put my hand around the tightly woven necklace that was strum around my neck; small beads and pearls were weaved into the sides and my favorite shell was planted carefully in the center. It was a shiny aqua that shone like stars in moonlight, the bright blue color was a symbol of strength and hope, hope that one day my mother would return.

It had been years since she had been lost at sea, deep down I knew she was gone but I kept wishing maybe, just maybe she was there. I felt my eyes grow heavy and I started swimming back up to the surface for a breath. Feui assisted me, holding her fin out so she could bring me up faster, as we crashed through the water I let out a small hiccup. I looked over at my Ilu. Perhaps if my mother couldn't watch my tattoo ceremony, at least Feui would always be here with me. I stroked her face down to her neck and she made a happy clicking sound as I pet her.

"You're my best friend, you know that" I smiled, of course she didn't understand this and instead did a quick flip underwater which made me tumble backwards.

As I plunged into the water, everything seemed quiet, the stretched out corals curled back and the sand below looked gray, even the water grew nervous. I floated in the empty abyss, the ocean seemed unfamiliar.

Just then large shadows casted above, one after another they swarmed the beach and I ducked behind a large boulder under the water.

I signaled to Feui to follow my lead and stay hidden but she wasn't the listening type. Curious as to what these unordinary silhouettes above the surface was she swam hastily to see it. I frantically made high pitched clicks with my tongue to alert her but she had already lifted her head out of the water.

As I stayed hidden I began to notice more Na'vi heading towards the shore to meet these strange creatures, perhaps they weren't as dangerous as I thought?

I kept my ground, inching ever so subtly to the bay; I could hold my breath for longer than any other Na'vi my age but I couldn't hold it forever. As I crept closer I began to make out the shapes over head, large blue and turquoise colors, stretched out wings.

I ducked back down as I saw figures dismount the creatures, my father told me stories of the evil sky people, taker of land and life. There was nothing but ocean for miles and miles so they must have come from the sky. I felt my bravery sink away like a rock in an endless pool, my heartbeat pounded loud enough for all the creatures of the sea to hear.