Through The Valley • Ao'nung

Chapter XXXXIV

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̶̶̶̶  «̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ «̶ ̶̶̶ 　Protect the People　 ̶ ̶ ̶»̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ »̶ ̶̶̶  

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Between the algae the kids stayed as the youngest was by the Tulkun's side, talking to it with his hands. 

At'anau and the rest of the group only watched from a safe distance the boy interact with the animal and she couldn't help but notice he twin brother being the one most uncomfortable with the entire situation.

He wanted to nudge him, telling him to put some faith in the young reckless boy, but only kept her eye out to the youngest a distance away.

The five kids watched the boy small figure compared to the Tulkun, but Lo'ak didn't seem to be intimidated.

the young boy swam in front of the mouth of the Tulkun as he waited for the sea animal to show what he wanted to, but nothing happened.

Lo'ak had asked him to tell his story, convincing him they could trust each other, but it still took the mammal a second before he opened his beak wide open.

At'anau was startled by the dark abyss Lo'ak stood in front, but looked at Tsireya who had no sign of worry on her features so she trusted herself not to either.

Ao'nung and Rotxo shared a confused look and before the girl could ask them something Lo'ak swam down the Tulkun's throat.

Lo'ak entered the dark space and turned around to look at the kids behind him but only watched the Tulkun's mouth close

Before At'anau could react Neteyam jumped in action, but the girl quickly held him back along with Tsireya's hand. At'anau shook her head at the brother pointless attempt and Tsireya signed for the boy to stop. 

Neteyam backed up again as they all awaited the next step to happen.

Ao'nung stayed beside the girl as he noticed her state under the water. He recalled the first time they had brought them under and compared her once anxious posture with the confident way she stayed down.

She even seemed to be more trusting of the creatures in the water than her brother and the boy couldn't help but satisfied by the confidence she radiated in his home.

But all kids were simply unaware of another fear to have dominated the other. 

He watched the shells dance around her neck as her eyes stayed glued on the animal and he noticed the absence of the predators tooth. 

Rotxo looked at the boy watching the girl who was oblivious of the eyes on her and rolled his eyes from above them. 

Soon Payakan opened his mouth again and Lo'ak swim out frantically, Making worry awaken in the girl's gut at the sight of her disturbed brother. 

Instead of swimming towards the kids Lo'ak went directly up, and sat on the animals fin, who lifted its body up to the surface as well. 

All kids watched the girl be the first to swim up and followed her. Having enough time on the way back to land to be filled in by the younger boy on what had happened the minutes he stayed away. 

Lo'ak bonded with Payakan and the oldest sister could read on the reef kids' faces that it wasn't the best thing to could have happened but obviously no the worst. 

The girl was glad for her sister, but she found it a pity the Omaticayan boy hadn't been able to find his spirit brother in the forest back at home, yet reckoned he must be glad either way. And if it had to be an animal, after meeting the Tulkun herself, she could say with a rested heart she was glad it was him.