𝐖𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬 || 𝗔𝗼'𝗻𝘂𝗻𝗴

11

Neytiri paints a white stripe down my face which ends at my chest. We both say nothing to each other. She seems almost emotionless, the light in her eyes was gone.

Her hand lowers to her side and she nods. I nod back and she walks towards Kiri and Tuk.

She dips two fingers into the white paste and turns to Tuk. I can tell she's holding in her tears, every now and then a frown starts to form on her face.

After Neytiri is done with Tuk, she turns to Kiri. "I'm going to take Tuk out to Dad and our brothers." I hold out my hand for Tuk to grab it.

"Okay." Neytiri doesn't turn around to look at me, she continues dipping her fingers in the paste and placing it down Kiris face.

I take Tuk out of the marui and see Jake and Lo'ak. They're kneeled down in front of something, giving each other pieces of rope.

I walk up to them with Tuk, there I see Neteyams lifeless body. I look away and my lip starts quivering. I feel Tuk bury her head into my side.

I rub her back and she starts to cry. I kneel down to look at her and cup her face. "It's okay Tuk, Neteyams with auntie Sylwanin now, and uncle Tommy. They'll take care of him."

She nods and rubs her eyes. I look over at Jake and he's already looking at me. A small smile forms on his face, it's the first time he's smiled since yesterday.

He turns back around and continues to gently bind Neteyams arms and legs so he's in a fetal position.

-

I submerge my head into the water. Jake and Neytiri lower Neteyams body to the algae.

He slowly floats down towards the algae which starts to glow as his body gets closer.

I start to wail under the water, knowing no one can hear me. I cover my face and continue to let out every last bit of air I have.

I watch as the algae engulfs his body and I can no longer see him. There's an empty feeling in my body, like as if something is missing. Neteyam is missing.

I swim up back to the surface and gasp for air. I don't know what to feel anymore. I swim over to Kiri and she looks over at me.

"I'm leaving, I need sometime on my own. If anyone asks where I am just tell them I've gone to the Metkayina forest." As she's about to speak, I swim off.

When I reach the shore I turn and look at where Neteyams funeral is taking place. All the Metkayina people are in the semi-shallow water.

They're surrounding my family who are all in the deeper part of the water.

I turn back around and head to the body of water where the Ilu are kept. I call my Ilu and she emerges from under the water.

As I get her saddle on her and make sure it's secure, I feel a hand touch my shoulder. I quickly turn around and I'm met by Ao'nung.

He doesn't say anything, there's a look on his face which says, 'It's going to be okay.'

I feel myself starting to frown and I clench my teeth together. Ao'nung holds his arms out and I quickly accept his hug.

He holds me close to him and I bury my head into his shoulder. "Where were you going to go?" Ao'nung pulls away from the hug and cups my face.

"Just.. out." I avoid eye contact and look to the left of him.

"Don't you want to visit your brother at the spirit tree?" He gently moves my face so I'm looking him in the eyes.

"I just need some time to myself.. I can't think right now." I start to feel lightheaded and I lean into Ao'nung.

"What am I going to do Ao'nung.. my big brother is gone." I stand there with my forehead pressed to his chest. I stare down at the floor while I feel tears roll down my cheeks.

He doesn't say anything, but his actions make up for that. He raises his hand and rests it on the back of my neck. He rubs one certain spot with his thumb.

As he comforts me, I feel myself slowly feeling less upset.