I WANNA BE SAVED, neteyam

Ch 18: Kiri

Tsireya had took them to see the spirit tree hoping it would lift their spirits and it had.

The group emerged from the waters, ilu treading water as the teenagers took in the floating islands surrounding them. It remind Ayatney of the floating mountains back in the forest, something she missed dearly.

"We are here." Tsireya announced, looking back at the rest of the group to observe their reactions.

Ayatney used her hand to block the rays from getting into her eyes, lips slightly agape as she sucked in a deep breath.

It was beautiful and it made the girl want to shed tears. It looked so much like home and it made her heart ache.

"This is the cove of our ancestors, our most sacred place."

A crescent was shaped with the rocks that surrounded the sun, which was slowly beginning to hide from behind the moon. Clouds scattered across the sky and birds sang as they flapped their feathered wings against the wind.

Tsireya hovered her hand over the waters then raised it high to motion towards the sky. "Eclipse is the best time to be here."

Finally drifting to the center of the cove, eclipse had taken the light. It was replaced with the glow coming from the tree of souls, and it was absolutely breathtaking.

"This is it." The Metkayina breathed out, proud to show her friends where they went to pray and were sometimes answered. "This is the spirit tree."

They all dismounted their rides, Neteyam swimming closely to Ayatney. One by one, she watched as they all disappeared into the depths.

She was hesitant. Ayatney was always swimming during the day and never attempted to continue at night. The water was cold and dark, it made her feel unsettled from what could be lurking below.

Neteyam sensed her fear. Wading his arms through the water, he pushed himself towards the girl. Her star light freckles were bright in contrast to her blue skin, and it always took his breath away when he would stare into her eyes for any minuet longer.

"Just breathe."

She did as he said, taking a deep breath in and then out before closing her eyes, calming her heart she let herself sink into the currents. Ayatney knew that if she were to struggle, even a bit, Neteyam would be there to help her. He took one of her hands in his, both swimming down to join the others as they connected to the tree.

Grabbing her kuru, she brung it forth as the tendrils stuck itself onto the leaf like structure. The vibrant pink reflected onto her blue skin turning her a purple color. Letting her eyes shut, Ayatney allowed the bond to take her to what she had prayed for most.

Home.

The familiar stalks that stood high and mighty. With big green leaves and hanging vines, which she would swing from, as well as the smell of the wet soil.

Closing her eyes, Ayatney took a moment to herself. Allowing her lungs to take in the familiar air, her toes digging into the dirt, her ears twitching at the sounds of the syaksyuk's call, and finally stretching her arms up and around to feel the nature all around her.

Ayatney let out a laugh as she opened her eyes. She felt beyond ecstatic to be in the very place where she grew up in. There was a familiar call, it was her name. Though faint, she was sure it was there.

"Neteyam?" She called back. It was only a moment before Ayatney heard it again and she decided to run towards it with a happy smile on her face. A couple of steps in and the world had began to flicker in distortion around her.