My Eywa || AVATAR

1 🍃 His Flight of Passage 🍃

   This morning I was feeling so restless and anxious. I bolted out of bed and rushed through the almost empty hallways of the laboratory due to the early hour. I didn't even stop to greet Norm, who barely managed to raise his arm as I zoomed past him like lightning.

   At the exit of the laboratory, Spider was waiting for me, ready to venture into the depths of the forest.

   "You took a little while, genius," he said to me.

   He is like a brother to me. We were both born on Pandora, and we were both victims of its worst tragedy. As war orphans, we were raised by the scientists at the laboratory, but Spider has also developed a strong bond with Jake Sully and his family. I must say that I have also developed a connection with them, but never as strong as his.

   Spider often wanders and ventures into the forest with Kiri and Lo'ak, but I prefer to spend my time at the base with the other humans, reading books, watching documentaries, movies, and all sorts of human things. I feel that the more I learn about Earth and humans, the closer I get to myself.

   While I need to know where I come from to know who I am, Spider prefers to forget his past and do everything possible to be more like a Na'vi. I truly understand him. His parents, especially his father, were key supporters in the murder of many, leading and spearheading the famous and tragic 'War of Pandora.' A past like that is truly difficult to comprehend and accept, but I always reaffirm to him that he is nothing like his parents.

   Anyway, despite our differences, we are all the family we have.

   Well, and of course, Jake and Neytiri's children too.

   That's why I was feeling nervous and even a little worried about the impending Neteyam ritual. Today he will try to select and tame his ikran, in the ritual known as Iknimaya. Becoming an Ikran Makto is a necessary and extremely dangerous rite of passage for the Na'vi who aspire to become hunters and warriors. Like his father, the great Toruk Makto, Neteyam probably longed more than anything to become a powerful warrior. However, no one in the clan has achieved it at such a young age.

   "I'm sorry skawng, but I didn't count on your impatient hyperactivity to see the ikran," I responded to Spider, still a little agitated. "But considering it, it was logical that you would be ready before me," I added as we made our way to the cliffs where we would meet the others to witness the ceremony.

   "Please don't tell me you're not excited!" he exclaimed, raising his arms in the air. "We've never seen an initiation rite before, I bet it will be exciting."

   "Exciting?!" I said, surprised and scared. "I would prefer to define it as terrifying, Spider. Many na'vi fail to complete it, ending up seriously injured or even dead." I certainly feared for Neteyam's well-being.

   "Oh, come on, Della, we know Neteyam well, the damn kid is perfect at everything he does," Spider laughed to a stop and looked at me. "Don't worry, he's strong, I'm sure he'll come out without even a scratch."

   I simply smiled and responded, "I know, I know, but I can't help feeling anxious. He's still too young."

   With that, I offered Spider a reassuring look so that we could continue our way to the cliffs of Mons Veritatis.

   Everyone was already there when we arrived, according to Spider due to my inept sports shoes. If it wasn't already obvious, I'm not used to walking barefoot in the forest. To add to the list of differences with my brother, Spider never wears human clothes, while I stick to classic, simple and comfortable fashion.

   Neytiri was with Neteyam and the other boys who would do the ritual today. I was surprised not to see Jake among the family members, but at the same time, it reassured my heart. He had full trust in his son, and Jake had a lot of work these days since the clan was looking for another mother tree to form a new settlement. Also, of course, someone had to stay with the little Tuk.