𝐖𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬 || 𝗔𝗼'𝗻𝘂𝗻𝗴

9

"So Payakan is now your spirit brother?" Me and Lo'ak are sat far away from the others.

"Yes, but I'm not allowed to talk about it. Tonowari and dad are both disappointed in me." His ears lower but he seems to have no shame.

"I'm not disappointed in you Lo'ak, neither are the others. Tsireya is proud of you and Kiri is jealous, she's been going on about how she wants a spirit sister." I laugh at the last part, lightening the mood.

"And don't forget about Tuk, she thinks you are the coolest. She said to me how she wants to be just like her big brother Lo'ak." I rub his arm and a smile starts to grow on his face.

"Neteyam is also secretly proud of you. He thinks you're stupid, but he's proud to be your big brother." I watch a tear roll down Lo'aks cheek.

I pull him in and give him a massive hug. He sniffles then pulls away, "Thank you, Rua."

"Yeah yeah, you're welcome. Also I think Tsireya was looking for you." I watch as Lo'ak quickly gets up. He doesn't bother saying bye, only a quick wave.

I open my pouch which I keep on me at all times. Jake gave it to me before we left our home. It was my mothers.

I pull out some old thread and loads of beads and other stuff I was given before leaving the forest.

I grab a handful of beads and choose certain colours. Green, gray, and a dark blue. I look around on the floor and I see some small shells around me.

I pick a few up and place them on my lap. I put my chosen beads next to me and put the others back in my pouch.

I grab my pocket knife and put small holes in each shell so I can put the thread through them.

I start to put beads on the thread and then a shell. I make sure it's all evened out so it doesn't look to crowded.

When I finished making the small necklace I look around. I spot Ao'nung, "Ao'nung!" I shout, he turns his head in my direction then starts to walk over.

"What is wrong?" He kneels down in front of me and rests his arms on his legs.

"Sit down and turn your back to me." He does what I asked then I put the necklace around his neck. I tie it up and make sure it isn't loose.

He turns to me and smiles, "Thank you, I didn't really get to see it but.. I know it looks good. I can tell."

"Well it's too late now reef boy. It has shells on it, and beads from my home." I stare at the necklace and I watch his hand rise to touch it.

"So it's like, a mix of our homes?" He finds a shell and starts to rub it with his finger.

"Yes! I was trying to make it so it represents both of our homes." A massive smile grows on my face and I admire the necklace I made.

"Well thank you, Rua. I think it suits me." He starts to get up and I do the same.

-

"What is this Tonowari!? What is this!?" Ronal screams. She leans against her spirit sisters dead body.

I can't take my eyes off the dead calf. It was so young.

Jake and Neytiri brought me and Neteyam since we were the best fighters. We all thought the Sky People were going to be there.

All that was there were two dead Tulkun, something I wish I never saw.

Neteyam was holding back his tears, I wasn't going so well hiding mine. Tears were rolling down my face.

I look away from the dead Tulkun. "Jake I want to leave." My Ilu starts to sense my discomfort and her behaviour starts to change.

I slowly stroke her neck and it calms both her and me down. "Neteyam take your sister back to the reef." Jake doesn't turn to Neteyam when he speaks, he seems as horrified as I am.

"Come on Rua." Neteyam turns around and starts to go back to the reef.

I follow slightly behind him and try to get my mind off of what I saw.

"You okay sis?" Neteyam turns his head to me while his Ilu is still taking him back to the reef. "You're being quiet."

"I didn't want to see that Neteyam." I don't look at him, I keep looking down. I shake my head slowly.

"Neither did I Rua. You mustn't say anything to anyone when we get back, leave that to Tonowari and Ronal." He turns his head forward and we continue on our way back to the reef.

-

"My spirit sister, and her baby, have been murdered by the Sky People!" Ronal announces to everyone. They all gasp.

"A great war has come to us!" Tonowari has a mighty stance, everyone starts to make very intimidating faces.

Lo'ak told me the faces are called Pūkanas. I look over to Ao'nung and he looks like a totally different person.

I can't stop staring. After this I'm getting him to help me with doing a pūkana.

"This is only the beginning! You've got to.. tell your Tulkun to leave!" I watch as Jake begs Tonowari to get the Tulkun to leave.

Then suddenly, in the crowd a Metkayina warrior speaks, "We will fight to protect our brothers and sisters!" Everyone cheers and agrees with him.

"If you fight, they will destroy you!" Jake turns to everyone, warning them about the sky people.

I stay close to Neteyam, Lo'ak, and Kiri. Tuk is holding onto Kiris arm watching what's going on.