I WANNA BE SAVED, neteyam

Ch 19: Jake

A few days had passed since Kiri had woken from her seizure and she was unwilling to share what she saw when she bonded with the spirit tree. Of course, everyone tried to be understanding and there was only so much they could do in order to comfort the girl.

But in all honesty, Kiri was annoyed that everyone started treating her so fragile. She wasn't that sick, at least she thought so.

Ayatney was never a morning person but she helped Tuk roll her mat nonetheless, still half asleep herself. A loud sound startled the family, Jake taking a step outside of the pod with Tuk at his heel to see all the commotion.

The Metkayina hollered in joy as they dived and did various flips into the water below. They called for their swimming companions to take them towards the edge of the reef where the walls stood high.

Far in the distance, Ayatney was able to see something absolutely humongous breach the surface. It made her jaw slack as she stepped closer to the edge of the walkway.

"The tulkun have returned!" Tsireya announced as she and her ilu treaded the water, waving her hand in the air. "Everybody! Our brother and sisters have returned!"

The tulkun, spirit siblings of the Metkayina and very intelligent creatures. They had been on a long migration and were now finally reuniting with their people.

Eventually the Sully family and Ayatney had gone into the waters, joining in on the excitement as they followed the others to the Tulkun.

The girl rode her ilu after Neteyam, faintly hearing his laughter made her smile wide. The tulkun were adorned with intricate tattoo designs permanently etched into their hard shells and soft underbellies. It made them all the more beautiful to see as they swam under them, hearing their beautiful language echo through the water.

It was a time for stories, to share their gains and losses in their time of separation. Of new loves and old ones.

"Hey forest boy! Forest girl!" Ao'nung screamed over the noise of excitement to the both of them, beckoning them over with the wave of his hand. The pair traveled closer just to see a big smile on the boys face. This was the happiest they have ever seen him, it suited Ao'nung better than a permanent scowl that was always set on his face.

"Come, I'll bring you to meet my spirit brother."

The trio swam by Rotxo, Kiri, and Tuk who held onto the tulkun's fin as it gently moved up in down.

It was a joyous time, meeting their peers spirit siblings were truly a dream come true. But was there any true meaning in joy if not everyone could enjoy it?

The sun was high in the sky when the group of teenagers decided to follow after Lo'ak as he disappeared beyond the reef. It was no longer a secret of where he was spending his time. He was always absent from lessons and daily life, only to return before eclipse was to happen.

They hid in the tall seaweed as they watched the scene before them.

Lo'ak was floating as he awaited for Payakan to settle in front of him. He shrugged his shoulders in confusion as a moment had passed. Finally the outcasted tulkun opened his mouth wide, gesturing for the boy to swim inside.

Ayatney was restless as she watched him disappear inside, hand searching for Neteyam's as a sign to go and get his brother out. When his mouth had shut closed, Neteyam tried to swim forward only for Tsireya to stop him.

She motioned at him to stop and await for what was to come next. The group was unsure of the time that had passed, but when he had finally emerged they had realized what he had done.

Bonding with the outcast was strictly forbidden, especially in the Metkayina and Tulkun way. But yet, Ayatney couldn't help but feel more than proud that Lo'ak went and done something for himself. Finding himself another brother who felt the same as he had.