Still Breathing

Chapter 32. Game of Survival

"Are we the hunters? Or are we the prey?" ~ Ruelle

As everyone returned with their new Ikran's and Toruk, the entire Omatikaya gathered around them. Whispers could be heard from the crowd as Jake hopped off of Toruk and begun walking towards the Olo'eyktan.

Neytiri and Jake quickly walked away with Tarsem, Mo'at, and Quaritch. As the adults walked away, Erica and the rest of her siblings all stared at each other in confusion and curiosity. 

"Aonung, Tsireya!" Max shouted as he made his way over to the Na'vi carrying a holo device in his hands. "I have someone on the other line for you." 

Confused, Tsireya and Aonung both looked at the Sully's for translation since they didn't speak English and Max didn't speak Na'vi. As soon as Lo'ak told them what Max had said, they quickly grabbed the device from him before nodding in thanks.

"Dad!" Aonung shouted once he saw his dad on the other side of the screen. Tsireya was smiling at her fathers face who was waving at the two of them before speaking. "How are you?"

"I tamed an Ikran!" Aonung shouted in excitement, to which his father told him how proud he was of him before asking if Tsireya did as well. She shook her head, telling her father about what they had to go through in order to tame one.

Tonowari couldn't help but let out a chuckle, asking his son if it was difficult to which he responded with. "Nah, not really." Causing the Sully children all to shout in protest, knowing that he struggled the most as Erica grabbed the holo device out of his hand.

"Tonowari, your son took the longest to tame his." The chief couldn't help but laugh, thanking Erica for telling him the truth before she handed the siblings back the device.

"We miss you, father." Tsireya's voice was sincere as she stared at her father's image with sad eyes. It never occurred to the Sully's that they'd not only left behind their home, but their parents, they couldn't imagine how much they must miss them.

Before Tonowari could respond, the sound of a familiar voice shouting in the background could be heard. "Is that Tsireya?"

"Indeed, come say hello." Tonowari gestured to Ronal, who entered the screen holding onto Roa. Although Tsireya and Aonung had only been gone for a month, their baby sister had grown so much.

Ronal smiled, her ears perking up at the sight of her children. "My loves, how are you?"

Aonung and Tsireya continued to catch up with their parents, asking how Roa and Rotxo were doing and if the Sky People were bothering the Villages or the Tulkun. The Sky People had been eerily quiet since the incident with the Sully's, perhaps they'd scared them off permanently.

Lo'ak asked the if he could speak with the Tsahik to which Tsireya nodded, handing the device to him. "How's Payakan?" 

The Tulkun had been accepted back in with the rest of them, and Lo'ak hadn't been able to get a goodbye before they left seeing as they were off on their migration path. Ronal smiled at the young boy, reassuring him that his Spirit brother was doing just fine and that he missed him as well.

Lo'ak quickly thanked the Tsahik before giving the device back to Tsireya, thanking her.

Unfortunately, their conversation was cut short as Jake returned, grabbing all of their attention and telling them to follow along with him. Before Tsireya and Aonung could hang up their call, Jake had requested they give the device to him so he could update Tonowari on everything.

"Toruk has returned, it is a sign that we must begin getting the clans together." Neytiri spoke first as all of the children listened in.

"If we're gonna take out Hell's Gate, you'll need more than the clans you gathered last time." Quaritch chimed in, resting his hands on his hips as he attempted to think.