Nervous | Aonung

.XXIV

Ka'nus POV

When I jumped in the water I immediately called Eska so I could leave faster. There was no way I'm seeing Nan on her terms.

I decided I'd head to the cave of stories, no one goes there alone or else people will think your drawing something. For the record, I'm not going to write anything so it will be fine. I just want to be alone right now.

Rising to the surface on Eska I'm met with the entry to the cave. Patting her, I slowly disconnect our Tsaheylu, bidding my good bye as I swim into the cave.

Beautiful

The caves beauty never ceases to amaze me. With the giant tree in the middle providing shade from the circular hole in the top of the cave to the many gracious vines hanging down.

The cave was quite large, enough room for one hundred Metkayina to squeeze into. It wasn't just one giant shape though, there were little corners and seperate areas. The tree took up the most space, sharp rocks preventing Navi from climbing it.

Tired, I found a place in the cave to lie down. I don't know why I was tired, I actually had a good sleep last night.

Laying on my back, I look up at the tree, noticing a little crack of sunlight through the leaves of the tree showing the bright blue sky. Smiling at the sight I rest my eyes.

Just for a bit

Leaves crunched softly against the ground my ear was pressed against. I stirred in my sleep, pausing when I realise someone must be here. How long was I asleep for?

Slowly I pull my knife out from its position on my thigh and kneel in an attack position. Looking around I can't see anything but I know somethings here, I heard it.

The cave was much darker now with only the tree providing minimum light. Looking up quickly I notice it's already night.

Shit

Standing up with my knees still bent and my knife held out in front of me I begin to walk towards where I heard the noise.

My ears twitched at another crunch left to me but I kept my eyes forward. Another crunch, to the right of me. How did they move so fast?

The noises piled through the cave, coming from multiple different directions  and more frequently.

Fuck, fuck, fuc-

My train of thought is interrupted when someone wraps one hand around my mouth, the other around my waist; pulling me into a dark corner behind some plants.

I was going to bite their hand off when I realised that the very hand I want to bite off has a bandage on it.

Aonung

I went to turn around so I could yell at him and scold him but he doesn't let me move. His breathing was shallow as if he was trying not to breathe at all.

Confused, I furrow my brows as my eyes dart through the parts of the cave I can see. We were behind a tall plant in a dark corner.

Oh shit

My eyes widen at the sight of multiple Zalorticus. They are dangerous creatures capable of living in the water and on land. There small but travel in large packs with razor sharp teeth and tails.

Navi are told to avoid them at all costs, no one hunts them either. If you come across one Zalorticus you must cut their head off. If you come a cross a pack you must hide and beg they don't find you.

Aonung didn't seem frightened, he seemed calm. I wasn't! How could you be calm in a situation like this?

Our life is at stake and he's just breathing casually? His heart rate isn't even fast.

His hand that was on my waist gripped tightly, not enough to annoy me but enough to make me realise he is actually scared.

One of the Zalorticus breaks from the pack, walking towards where we where. It was sniffing the ground, the walls, everything.

It knows we're here, we're fucking doomed.

Backing up further into Aonung, I hold my breath, begging silently it leaves. Aonungs grip on my waist and mouth tightens as he also holds his breath.

The Zalorticus sniffed the air shaking its head as it returned back to the pack.

Oh thank you Eywa

Once the Zalorticus realised there was nothing to eat here they returned to the water. Once they were gone Aonung immediately let me go.

"Oh thank Eywa," I sigh, a breath of relief leaving my body.

"Holy shit," Aonung mumbles, turning around and leaning his head on the wall.

I silently walked towards the water, making sure there weren't any Zalorticus left. We wouldn't want one to just come back and say hi.

"Woah, woah, Ka'nu, what are you doing?" Aonung stops me, grabbing my arm.

He immediately retracts his arm, remembering what happened earlier this day and for a second I feel bad.

Just for a second

"Just checking!" I whisper yell, walking towards the water entrance again.

Reluctantly he follows me, whining as he does so. He stood directly behind me and with each step I took he copied. If the Zalorticus did come back and he was planning on hiding behind me it wouldn't work. His entire head sticks out behind mine.

And he's crouching

Luckily I couldn't see any Zalorticus, causing another breath of relief to leave my lips. Turning around I see Aonung staring at me intently.

I look behind me, checking briefly if I was the one he was for sure looking at. Unfortunately I am.

"At least I can protect us," I tease. patting his shoulder as I walk past him.

"What?" Aonung asks dumbly, turning to follow me.

I sit down where I was previously sleeping, knowing it's a comfortable spot. And who would guess it, Aounung did the same.

"Nothing," I mumble, placing my knife back in its holder on my top. "What did Ronal need you for?"

"Just Oley'ktan stuff," he mumbles. sitting next to me.

"Okay," I nod my head, looking at the stories on the walls.

"What are you doing here?" Aonung suddenly asks, making me turn to face him.

"Hiding from Nan," I reply and he nods slowly. "What about you?"

"My mum wanted me to pick where my dad should write the story," he explains whilst pulling his knees up, resting his elbows on them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Happy late Easter y'all 🐣
Thank you soooo much for all the support you've given me on this book it really means a lot.

Is Ka'nu gonna freak out when she remembers there's now only 1 day till the day of the Ancestors?

Don't forget to vote <3