𝐃𝐄𝐉𝐀 𝐕𝐔，𝗍𝗌𝗎'𝗍𝖾𝗒

𝖿𝗈𝗎𝗋

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐒𝐔'𝐓𝐄𝐘 was teaching me to ride their horses. He had changed me into their clothes and the Na'vi woman who had saved me previously had braided my hair and put some beads in it. "Climb up on her when you are ready." The man instructed me to which I complied.

I then connected my braid with the horse carefully as I let out heavy breaths at the feeling. It was almost like I could feel the horse's body and emotions. "Easy, girl," I spoke in Na'vi when the animal seemed to be getting agitated.

"That is shahaylu. The bond." He informed her. "Feel her. Feel her heartbeat. Her breath. Feel her strong legs. You may tell her what to do. Inside. Now, go when you are ready."

I let out a chuckle as the horse trotted forward slightly. It seemed to understand what I wanted when I voiced my thoughts in my head. "Yeah, I've got it." I chuckled happily at the success.

The warrior smiled at me as he climbed onto his own horse. "I'm impressed for your first time."

I laughed, "Yeah, me too."

"Come." He told her, directing ahead of him as we rode through the forests. I had never felt this happy before. After Tommy died, I didn't feel like anything mattered. Sure, I had Jake but he was grieving too. But now, I felt free.

"You should go away." I heard Tsu'tey speak up in English. my horse stopped in her tracks beside the man when I saw my best friend covered in mud.

The boy scoffed, "Nah, you'd miss me. I knew you could speak English."

I laughed, "What happened to you?"

The Sully boy only shrugged in response, trying to clean himself of the mud that covered his body. "This alien will learn nothing. A rock sees more. Look at him."

"Give him time." I scoffed, jumping to Jake's defence.

The Na'vi woman frowned looking over at me, "What about her?"

Tsu'tey smirked, "Succeeded on her horse's first try." He said proudly.

Neytiri rolled her eyes jokingly, "Go." She said, patting the horses as they trotted forward.

"You'll get it, Jake. Don't worry." I smiled before taking off after the man. This is the first time in a long time that I actually felt happy.

𝐓𝐒𝐔'𝐓𝐄𝐘 𝐇𝐀𝐃 𝐁𝐄𝐄𝐍 teaching me lots of different skills the past few months. I had been getting loads better and so had Jake. The man had told me that he had something to show me.

Jake and I followed Tsu'tey and Neytiri throughout the forests when we reached a huge tree that you could hear animals squawking in.

The Na'vi woman called out to them as a beautiful creature appeared. She had tons of different colours on her skin but it was mostly green. The wings flapped around in the air. I smiled, amazed at the beauty of her. "Do not look in her eye." She told them. "Ikran is not horse. Once shahaylu is made," The girl started, connecting themselves together, "Ikran will fly with only one hunter in the whole life." She smiled passionately, climbing onto her ikran.

Tsu'tey spoke up, "To become a hunter, you must choose your own ikran and they must choose you."

I chuckled, "When?"

"When you are ready. Come." He gestured for me to follow him as they went deeper into the forests without Jake and Neytiri.

I frowned, "What are we doing?"

"You must pass your final test. And then we can get you your own ikran." Tsu'tey smiled as they slowly approached a creature.

I placed my bow in my hands as I got ready to hit the animal. At first, I felt horrible for doing these things but soon discovered the way of life. After releasing the arrow, I approached the injured animal, "I see you and thank you." I spoke, taking out my knife and stabbing it into their body. "Your spirit goes with Eywa. Your body stays behind to become part of The People."

"A clean kill." Tsu'tey smiled proudly. "You are ready."

𝐓𝐎𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐌𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 Jake were going to get our own ikran. Learning to ride an ikran, they call them banshee, is a test that every young hunter has to pass. But to do that, you have to go where the banshees are.

After reaching their destination, the best friends watched in awe as the creatures screeched and flew around the skies. It was a beautiful sight.

Neytiri suddenly arrived on her own ikran, jumping off of the creature to greet us. She was obviously there to teach Jake. "I see you," I smiled, nodding at her as she soothed her ikran.

"Come, Natalie," Tsu'tey spoke, leading her the way to the banshee-like creatures. I handed my bow to my instructor which he gladly took. After turning the corner, my heart pounded at the sight. "Now you choose your ikran. This you must feel inside. If she also chooses you, move quick like I showed. You will have one chance, Natalie." He told her.

I frowned, "How will I know if she chooses me?"

"She will try to kill you." The man spoke.

My eyes went wide at his words, "Outstanding."

Neytiri sent her newfound friend a reassuring smile which I appreciated. It was all happening so fast. A mostly green-coloured ikran hissed at me, "Come on, Natalie." I heard Tsu'tey mutter from behind me.

It didn't take long for me to climb onto the ikran, but staying on there was a different story. I had managed to tie his mouth but her wings flapped around everywhere. "Make the bond," Neytiri yelled, trying her best to help me.

"Don't be afraid, Natalie." My teacher called out to me. His support definitely subsided my fear inside slightly. Some of the other warriors started cheering for me which I appreciated.

After a moment, I was able to connect our queues together. My eyes went wide at the feeling. It felt different to being on the horse. The strength I felt was indescribable. I took the piece that was constructing her ikran from opening her mouth away as I got comfortable. "I did it," I whispered to myself. Not that I would admit it to anyone, but I was worried that I wouldn't be able to complete this test.

Tsu'tey quickly ran over to me, "First flight seals the bond. You cannot wait. Fly, now."

I immediately flew off the cliff at his words. It took a while to get used to but soon enough, I was flying through the airs of Pandora. This is all I had wanted for as long as she could remember.

𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄
xoxo