bound - avatar oc x oc

part 36

The sound of gunfire made Mak'korro's ears flatten. His tail lashed anxiously behind him as he crept deeper into the ship's halls, guided only by instinct and fear.

"Come on, Akaia, let's go!" a voice echoed.

His heart stopped.

He knew that voice—unfamiliar, human—but what it said made everything clear. He broke into a sprint, panic racing through him.

The sharp stench of gunpowder filled his nose as he slid around a corner. His eyes locked on the scattered bodies of unconscious and dead humans littering the floor.

"Thanks, guys," the same voice spoke again—closer now.

Mak'korro rushed forward, breath caught in his throat as he reached the edge of the platform. Below him, standing amongst the wreckage, was the one he'd been searching for.

"Akaia!" he shouted, vaulting over the railing.

Her head whipped around, eyes wide with disbelief. "Mak'korro?" she breathed.

Before she could say more, he was in her arms. His hands gripped her tightly around the waist, pulling her in as though making sure she was real.

"Bro, who the hell is that?" Spider whispered to Lo'ak.

Lo'ak rolled his eyes. "That's Akaia's mate."

"Akaia has a mate?!" Spider whisper-yelled, earning a quiet laugh from Neteyam.

Akaia ignored them. She pulled back just enough to meet Mak'korro's eyes, her hand resting against his chest.

"Are you okay?" he whispered, brushing his thumb over her cheek.

She nodded. "I'm okay. Now that you're here."

Their moment of relief shattered with Spider's sudden cry: "Go!"

Gunfire exploded around them.

Mak'korro instinctively shielded Akaia, but her body jerked violently beside him, and she crumpled to the ground with a scream.

"Hit one!" an avatar shouted.

Lo'ak's face twisted in horror. "No!" he roared, raising his weapon and unleashing bullets blindly in their direction.

"Stop!" Neteyam barked, yanking his brother out of the line of fire and pushing him against the wall. They ducked for cover, breaths ragged with panic.

"Shit, bro, Akaia's hit!" Lo'ak cried.

Neteyam peeked out. Across the deck, Mak'korro had her in his arms, dragging her into cover as blood ran from her shoulder.

"Give me that," Neteyam demanded, ripping the gun from Lo'ak and firing back, giving them some breathing room.

Akaia winced, struggling to breathe as Mak'korro pressed against her wound, trying to slow the bleeding. "Stay still," he begged.

But she ignored him. Her eyes were already locked on her brothers. Her hand clenched the stolen gun, and before he could stop her, she pushed herself up.

"No, Akaia—"

"Cover me," she whispered, cutting him off.

With gritted teeth, she rose, resting against the wall for balance and opened fire at the avatars with fierce determination.

"Go, Neteyam! Get them out of here!" she shouted, forcing the enemy into hiding with a fresh barrage.

Neteyam hesitated, caught between the urge to run to her and the responsibility to get Lo'ak and Spider out.

"She's giving us a chance," Spider urged.

"We're not leaving her!" Lo'ak growled.

Neteyam grimaced. Every part of him screamed to stay. He turned to Spider, who pointed toward the edge of the ship.

"If you're going, you better go now," Mak'korro yelled from behind Akaia.

Lo'ak's jaw clenched. "I'm not leaving my sister!"

"You always have to be difficult," Neteyam muttered, and with a heavy breath, he shoved Lo'ak over the ledge.

"Hey!" Lo'ak shouted before hitting the water with a splash.

Spider followed without hesitation.

Neteyam turned back to his sister, who was still fighting with everything she had. He aimed one final volley of shots at the avatars, drawing their attention, while Mak'korro dragged Akaia to a safer spot.

His last bullet fired. Empty.

His eyes met Akaia's one last time. She gave him the smallest nod.

It was enough.

He dropped the weapon and sprinted to the ledge, diving off just as a shot rang out—one that found its mark.

———

a/n

sorry for the short chap but it felt right to end it here