In the Stars

Chapter 3

Inspired song (Love Lies by Khalid & Normani)

The attacks on the sky people were successful, but it was clear they'd strike back. I followed everyone into the main gathering, walking beside Neteyam.

"Hey, can I talk to you?" I asked quietly as we walked.

His silence made me feel worse. He was clearly angry. I regretted not telling him everything right there and then. Why does life have to be so complicated? It wasn't Kiri's fault that she walked in at that moment. Maybe it was Eywa, as Kiri mentioned in the jungle last night. Sigh, I don't know. Right now, I need to fix this.

"Neteyam, please," I said, reaching out for his hand. He stopped.

"Just give me a chance to explain—"

Before I could say more, Jake's assertive call interrupted, "Neteyam, come here."

Neteyam looked embarrassed, ears pinned to his head. "I've got to go," he said quietly, releasing my hand and heading towards the gathering.

Standing at the back of the gathering, Kiri walked up beside me.

"How did it go?"

She nudges me.

"Not well."

I say with less hope than she anticipated

"Well, I still have high hopes for you two."

She says with a smirk on her face. I nudge her gently, and we start laughing at each other.

"Shh!"

A Na'vi woman turns towards us.

"Sorry."

We say quietly together.

After thanking Kiri, we turned our focus back to the gathering.

Standing there in silence, we are intrigued by the new announcement. The chief has appointed a new permanent riding partner for Neteyam. Kiri and I both look at each other in confusion. However, this new permanent rider was not just a Na'vi... but SHE was about the same age as Neteyam. I'm now furious. Why should Neteyam have a riding partner? Why should he pay for Lo'ak's mistakes? All he did was try to make his father proud by getting his brother out of trouble. I did not like the new set of rules. She was to accompany him on every mission and to keep track of Lo'ak as well.

Kiri looks at me, and I look at her. To be honest, I was jealous.

As I began to search the crowd, Jake called out,

"Sevani."

The people began to make way as she strolled in with her head held high. She was blessed by the chief before turning her attention towards Neteyam. Without any interest from him, she stands beside him. I mean... She is gorgeous. Her frame was delicate but was built to be a warrior. Jewellery in colours of orange, brown, and blue layered bits over her body. Her hair was dark, which was conveyed by her eye colour. Along with long strands of braided hair that filled every section of her head. The way that I must have looked at her was pretty intense considering Kiri looked worried.

"Are you okay?"

Kiri said hesitantly.

I looked at her with my arms crossed around my chest.

"No..."

I said disappointedly. I uncross my arms and place them on my side.

"I don't know, Kiri."

I turn to her with sad eyes.

"Just so you know, I had no idea this was going to happen today."

Kiri says with pleading eyes.

"I know, Kiri."

I say as I reach out for her hands. Giving them a tight squeeze before linking arms and heading back to the tent.

As we walked further, I couldn't help but think about that girl. It just gets me a little bit. Thinking that she would have more time to spend with Neteyam. It's not like I own him or anything but I just have that feeling to protect him from anything else. Even though he's like 8 ft and he's trained to protect himself. I still feel obliged to stand by him and fight.

Maybe Eywa knew best not to partner two different species together. That's why Sevani is Neteyam's new riding partner. Maybe even lasting mates for life.

I wanted to talk to him so badly after the gathering but he was set on a scouting mission. Searching around the Omaticaya stronghold with Neteyam's new riding partners Sevani, Neytiri and Jake.

I, however, was not going to wait around. Kiri could see that I needed a distraction and invited me on a walk with Lo'ak, Spider and Tuk.

The jungle was magnificent. The way the sun seeps through the jungle leaves. I wish I could smell the fresh morning air with no oxygen mask on. At least I can still feel the soft grass tickling between my toes and the sunshine against my skin.

With each step we took, we began to get deeper into the jungle. Climbing rocks, trees and vines were almost like a playground for us. Kiri and I were always together when we were away from the base. Somehow, Kiri and I split up in the jungle. I took this time to reflect on myself and my surroundings. I noticed the colour scheme of the jungle. The jungle seemed brighter and more magical. It felt Alive.

"Have you seen Kiri?"

Spider sighs

"No, I haven't."

With that, we both look at each other in agreement. We both ran looking for Kiri. Spider was a little faster than I was so when I found him he was already with Kiri. Kiri was lying there surrounded by the woodsprites. Kiri sat up from her slumber and looked at me and then looked back at Spider.

"I was doing that thing again wasn't I?"

She looked down as if she was embarrassed.

"Yeah, you were."

But Spider said it more in a reassuring way and smiled at her.

Not that far from our location, Lo'ak and Tuk were calling out for us.

Helping Kiri up to her feet, we walked over to the others before continuing our walk.

Running through the high trees above, we come to a stop.

We notice big footprints dented into the ground.

"Avatars maybe"

Lo'ak said to Spider.

I have never seen an avatar before, no other than Jake. It was weird to think that avatars were so similar to the Na'vi people, the only difference being their five-finger hands, but even to think that maybe the avatars could infiltrate their homeland.

We followed the tracks that led us to the old Shack. However, we weren't close enough to be spotted. We all took cover and hid behind the bushes that kept us camouflaged. The five of us were alone with no weaponry or backup.

"Spider let's go check it out."

Before we knew it Spider and Lo'ak were on the move to get closer to the lab surrounded by armed avatars.

We were all as quiet as we could be and Lo'ak put two fingers to his neck. He reached out and called Jake. Telling him that we were at the old shack. Not thinking too much about it. Lo'ak didn't realize how much danger we were in.

We started moving away from the shack, and Tuk ran a little faster than we were. Next thing you know, an eight-foot-tall Avatar jumps out in front of Tuk and grabs a hold of her. Spider and Lo'ak try to arm themselves but Lo'ak tells him to back down. All being held by our heads at gunpoint to the head. All of a sudden one of the avatars spoke to Spider as to think he was one of his own.

We're all now zipped and tied up and were told to sit on the floor.