MOON RIVER | Ao'nung

chapter one.

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Jake had always been a good father, very caring and attentive, especially to his girls, but things changed, at least for Neyali.

Ever since the sky people had come back, Jake had become more cold, distant, tough.

Jake had always been a little tough, especially when Neteyam and Neyali were training, but after training the three would go back home and Jake would be the same Jake Neyali knew and loved.

Neyali didn't blame her father for his sudden change, they were at war and he was just trying to keep his family safe.

So Neyali would take his scoldings with her head held high and would apologize, always telling him that she would do better.

All she wanted was to be a strong warrior like her parents, to make them proud. She was always looking for some sort of validation, especially from her father. She just wanted to feel seen.

"Yali we have got to get down there!" Lo'ak shouted as he flew closer to his sister.

Neyali currently flew in between both her brothers.

Neyali turned to look at her twin and raised her brows with a questioning look before turning to look back at Lo'ak.

"Lo'ak we've got orders. We're spotters that's it"

Lo'ak looked back down at the war party below them before turning to look at Neteyam, silently asking him.

"No way! Dad will skin us!"

"Come on! Don't be a wuss"

With that Lo'ak flew straight down, ignoring his siblings yells.

Neteyam quickly followed his brother down and Neyali let out a frustrated yell before flying down after her brothers.

Neyali landed quickly rushing after Lo'ak.

"Yali come on let's go! Neteyam!" Lo'ak shouted as he started running.

"Lo'ak!" Neyali yelled after him.

"Take these weapons. Here, boy. Go!"

Lo'ak took the gun and let out a war cry.

"You don't even know how to use it" Neteyam spoke up.

"Dad taught me"

"We shouldn't be here Lo'ak" Neyali said.

Across the field Jake turned his head to find the twins standing next to Lo'ak who had a gun in his hand. He pressed his fingers on his comms and right as he was going to speak up a ship came into his view.

"Gunships inbound! Fallback!"

Neyali looked at and saw another ship coming straight towards them .

"We have to go! Lo'ak come on! Neteyam!" She shouted as she pushed her little brother to start running.

All of a sudden one of the bombs the ship was throwing landed right besides the siblings, sending them all flying.

Jake, who had seen this happen, started running, trying to find his kids.

"Neyali, where are you?" Jake shouted as he started running even faster.

"Lo'ak! Neteyam!"

He stumbled upon a disheveled looking Lo'ak.

"Easy, easy, you okay?"

Lo'ak slowly nodded his head, still trying to comprehend what had just happened.