bound - avatar oc x oc

part 32

As Akaia and Lo'ak approached the growing crowd, they could already hear shouting.

Pushing their way through, Neteyam, Kiri, and Tuk followed closely behind.

"My spirit sister and her baby have been murdered by the Sky People!" Ronal cried out, her voice full of fury and anguish. Around her, the villagers shrieked in horror, grief rippling through the crowd.

Akaia's heart ached as she watched. She couldn't imagine the pain Ronal must feel—losing someone bonded so deeply, someone like Sar'zoo was to her.

"This war has come to us!" Ronal continued. "We knew of the tulkun hunting, but it was far away, over the horizon. Now it is here!"

Tonowari raised his voice in a piercing war cry, echoed by the Metkayina warriors. Akaia winced at the sound, her chest tightening.

A gentle touch brushed her hand. She turned swiftly, relief flooding her expression as she saw Mak'korro. Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around him, pressing her face into his neck.

"I was so worried," she whispered.

"I'm here now," he murmured, kissing her temple.

When they pulled apart, she saw the storm in his eyes—grief and rage swirling behind them. The crowd roared around them, but all she could hear was the pounding of her heart and the pounding of the war drums beginning to echo in spirit.

"You've got to understand how the Sky People think," Jake's voice boomed. "They don't care about the great balance."

Mak'korro's jaw tensed. His arms tightened protectively around Akaia as they both turned to listen.

"We do not answer to the Sky People!" someone shouted from the crowd.

"Listen to him!" Neteyam pleaded, stepping beside his father with a device in hand.

"They're not going to stop," Jake warned. "This is just the beginning. You have to tell your tulkun to leave. Get them far away."

"Leave?" Ronal repeated, her voice full of venom. "You live among us, and you learn nothing!"

A warrior stepped forward. "We will fight to protect our brothers and sisters!"

Akaia covered her mouth as a tear escaped her eye. It was happening all over again—war and loss.

"No, no!" Jake shouted. "If you fight, they will destroy you! Everything you love!"

Mak'korro's breath caught. He stared down at Akaia, holding her tighter, a silent prayer in his grip: Don't let me lose her.

The crowd erupted in more shouts, frantic and fiery.

"Hear my words!" Jake bellowed.

"Listen to my father!" Neteyam begged. "Please—he speaks the truth!"

But Jake had lost the crowd. He glanced at his son, then at the object in his hand. Without hesitation, he snatched it and ran to Tonowari's side, raising it high.

The villagers fell silent.

"You tell the tulkun," Jake said gravely, "that if they're marked by one of these, they're targets. And call for me—I'll stop it. Saving their lives is all that matters. Saving your family."

He looked to Tonowari and Ronal.

The Olo'eyktan exchanged a look with his mate. Then Tonowari stepped forward. "Tell the tulkun."

Ronal nodded. "Go. Now!"

The crowd broke apart in motion.

Akaia stepped out of Mak'korro's arms and placed a kiss on his cheek. "Go warn Kamun."

He nodded. "I'll be back soon, okay?"

"I'll be waiting." She gave him a soft smile as he turned and ran for the water.

But something felt off.

She glanced around—Lo'ak was gone.

Her eyes scanned the crowd until she spotted Neteyam running after someone. Her stomach sank.

"Lo'ak," she muttered, pushing forward.

—

As she neared the dock, she could hear her brothers' voices rising.

"You've got to keep your skxawng ass here," Neteyam growled.

"He's outcast. No one else will warn him," Lo'ak snapped.

"Bro, why do you always have to make things so hard?" Neteyam placed a hand on his brother's head.

Akaia arrived just in time to see Lo'ak glance from Neteyam to her.

"Oh, I get it," Lo'ak snapped, pushing his brother's arm off. "You mean, why can't I be the perfect little soldier like you? Well, I'm not you, okay? I'm not! He's my brother, and I'm going."

"Lo'ak!" Akaia called out.

"He's your brother? No, I'm your brother!" Neteyam shouted, grabbing Lo'ak's arm.

"Lo'ak!" Tsireya's voice rang out as she arrived with Aonung and Rotxo.

Lo'ak's eyes bounced between them all before he jerked free. "Get off me!" he yelled—and leapt into the ocean.

Akaia gasped.

"He's going to Payakan!" Neteyam shouted. He slapped Aonung's chest. "Come on!"

Roxto and Akaia gathered the saddles. Within moments, the teens mounted their ilu and dove into the sea.

As they raced after him, Lo'ak swam past Kiri and Tuk, who called after him in confusion. He didn't even glance back—just kept going.

"Wait up!" Kiri called as they all disappeared under the waves.

Akaia gripped her ilu tighter, pushing it forward. She had to catch her brother—before it was too late.

———

a/n

guys i only have one more hour left of the movie to write 😖

shits about to get crazy