Two ghosts - Lo'ak

Chapter 19

Pandora Reef
Metkayina clan

Teya sat on the docks, the gentle wind pushing her hair back. Her feet dangled in the water below her as she made patterns in the water. She watched as the sun disappeared behind the moon. The moonlight shone on her face illuminating the little spots scattered across her face.

"Te," a quiet voice said from behind her.

Teya shuffled on the dock, letting them sit next to her. She leaned her head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry", she whispered.

"Why are you sorry, Te?" Lo'ak asked, intertwining their hands

"I told my father about us when we specifically said we weren't telling our parents yet," she mumbled.

"Teya, they were going to find out eventually", he responded, trying to relax the girl.

"But you even came up with that bullshit lie to your dad, and I blew it."

"Hey, hey", Lo'ak grabbed Teya's cheeks, forcing her to look at him. "It's ok; now we don't have to hide anymore. It's just you and me," he whispered, putting his forehead on hers.

"Me and you", she repeated, her hands resting on his. Teya pulled back, a new thought dawning on her.

"I am to become the next Olo'eytan of the Metkayina Clan", she blurted out.

Lo'ak nodded, trying to process what she said.

"My father said such so cruel words like you wouldn't love me if you knew. You'd leave me because why would you want to be with me if I was thee, leader? And I agree. Why would you choose me" she ranted, looking up at Lo'ak, who was smiling. "Why are you smiling? This is serious".

"You are just so adorable when you rant like this. Of course; I'd still be with you when you become Olo'eytan. Nothing could ever take me from you. Not even death".

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Hunters had come back from their morning round and reported an attack on one of the Tulken. The Evans family ran out of their hut as they watched the Olo'eytan and the Tsahik rode towards the dead tulken and her calf. Li'teya leant into Tsu'tey's side, trying to hide from the horrifying screams of denial. The rain pattered down over the village, a message from Ewya, grieving the loss of life.

The clan gathered on the docks as Tonowari stood in the middle. "This war has come to us!" he yelled, " we knew about the hunting of our Tulken, but it was over the horizon far away".

Li'teya's ears flopped against the side of her head as she heard the yells and war cries of the angry Metkayina clan. Her heart shattered seeing her Tsireya cry at the noise around them.

"Now it is here!" Tonowari announced to the clan, causing another uproar.

Teya saw Lo'ak fight through the crowd, his eyes trained on hers. She could see the pain behind his amber eyes.

Jake stepped up to the Olo'eytan. "You must understand how the sky people think. They don't care about the general balance".

The Metkayina clan ignored his warnings, digging their spears into the ground and sticking out their tongues.

"Listen to him", Neteyam pleaded.

"The sky people are not going to stop; this is just the beginning", he bellowed so the whole clan could hear. You've got to tell your Tulken to leave."

Ronal stepped forward, challenging Jake, "Leave? you live among us, and you have learned nothing".

Teya stared at Jake's desperate attempts to get them to listen. She understood it was the Metkayina way for them to fight when they threatened, but it would not work this time.

"Stop!" Teya yelled, grabbing the attention of the leaders. "This is not the way. You told me that no matter how justified, the killing will only lead to murder. If you fight the sky people, they will never stop coming for you until every last one of us is dead," she announced, facing the clan. Ronal held on to her baby bump at Teya's words. Neteyam passed Li'teya, the red tracker which she held in the air.

"You tell the tulkun, all of them", she mentioned looking at Lo'ak ", that if they are hit by one of these, they are marked for death". Lo'ak disappeared from the crowd running towards the edge of the dock.

Freddie approached his daughter, grabbing the tracker. "Listen to my daughter; it is the only way to save them". Teya jumped down from where she was standing, pushing her way past Rotxo, Ao'nung and Tsu'tey to where Lo'ak ran off to.

"Where do you think you're going, little sis" Tsu'tey questioned as they escaped the crowd.

"Lo'ak is going to warn Payakan I have to help him," she said hurriedly, putting on her gear.

"No, you have to stay here where it's safe", he argued, putting his hand on her head.

Teya swatted his hand away. "No, he needs my help; he can't go alone", she reasoned, clicking her tongue and calling her ilu.

"Why do you have to make things so stressful, Li'teya? Just listen to me for once. I am trying to keep you safe."

Teya scoffed. "You just need to look perfect for dad as usual. Im not you. He doesn't care about me. Im going. He's my family". She said, turning away from her brother.

Tsu'tey moved forward, grabbing her arm. "No, I'm your family and your brother." he snapped.

"Lo'ak" Neteyam yelled as Lo'ak dived into the water. Teya pushed Tsu'tey off her as she followed Lo'ak into the water, her ilu gliding through the water to catch up with him.

"Lo'ak" she shouted. He looked back, his eyes softening, realising she was again following him into danger. He shook his head, diving back under the water to find Payakan.

"Li'teya!" Tsu'tey shouted, but she could hear him as she dived under the water, determined to help Lo'ak.

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a/n

so the battle has officially begun. Ive written the ending and I was literally sobbing the whole time so id recommended tissues for the next few chapters. There are only like 7 ish chapters left so buckle up.

I literally love everyone who votes and comments you make my day. I love getting notifications saying someone voted or commented so thank you so so much for the support

I see you

-S