"They've got our kids... your daughter... Tuk... Lo'ak."
A chorus of vicious hisses erupted from Tonowari and Ronal. My lip curled into a murderous snarl, every fiber of me set on rescuing the children and annihilating every being aboard that metal abomination.
Then, a crackle in the comms pierced the chaos. A deep, cold voice warned,
"Jake... tell your friends to stand down. You want your kids back? Come out alone."
The words paused, then resumed with menace. "You know better than to test my resolve." My eyes squinted, scanning the front deck. There, Na'vi hostages held guns pressed to the heads of children—either Neteyam or Lo'ak.
Jake's jaw tightened as he peered through his scope, a half-hiss, half-sigh escaping him. "Just wait," he muttered, steeling himself.
The voice spoke again, venomous and accusing. "I took you under my wing, Jake... you betrayed me. You killed your own—good men, good women. I will not hesitate to execute your kid."
Murder coursed through my veins, but I knew rushing in would cost lives.
Jake exhaled, eyes sweeping across Tonowari, Ronal, the massed Metkayina behind us—and finally, me. His pained gaze met mine. "Hold here," he instructed.
Tonowari planted his spear in the water. "They are killers of Tulkun. They must die. Here. Today."
"It's me they want," Jake said, voice heavy with sorrow. "All of this—the hunting of our Tulkun, taking of our kids—it's for me."
Ronal's voice cracked through the tension. "You brought this upon us... you!"
Jake lowered his head. "Then... it's me that has to do this."
I grabbed his hand before he could step away. "Jake..."
He met my gaze, a pained smile softening his rugged features. "Take care of them for me."
I knew what he meant—his children. My heart clenched, but I gave a resolute nod as he floated toward the demon ship.
Another crackle, the icy voice through the comms: "Offer's expiring. What's it gonna be?"
Jake's voice, calm and deadly, replied, "Check your fire... I'm coming out."
Suddenly, a colossal wave exploded from the water as a Tulkun—Payakan—launched itself onto the ship, smashing the deck. I leapt onto my Tsurak, bellowing a war cry, and the rest followed.
Chaos erupted. Payakan crushed multiple humans, including a fake Na'vi, before diving back into the water. Bullets rained down; warriors dove beneath the surface to avoid the fire. Smaller human ships erupted in flames, and some enemies circled in the air on Ikran, trying to fight back.
I weaved around the demon ship, arrows striking with precision, when a rogue Na'vi appeared, firing directly at me. I yelped, diving underwater, only to resurface and dodge another volley. Jake flanked me, returning fire, giving me the opening I needed.
The ship crashed into rocks, beginning to take on water. I spotted the three children aboard. My heart hammered. I dove down, swam fast, and leapt onto the deck. My Tsurak vanished beneath me, and I drew my dagger, cutting the cuffs from the kids.
"Ayla!" Tuk cried, relief in her voice. I freed Tsireya and Tuk, urging them away from the burning ship.
Then Lo'ak grabbed a gun. "They've got Spider, the human kid. I can't leave him—please, Ayla?"
Danger surged, but I couldn't leave him. "Okay... lead the way. Hand me the gun." He hesitated, then obeyed.
We moved through the ship's twists and turns, crouching behind walls. Spider was among the taller demons, eyes wide with fear. Lo'ak nodded, and together we struck—knocking out the humans, even shooting one when necessary.
Spider blinked, stunned. "Thanks... guys."
Lo'ak introduced me. "This is Ayla... Dad's new mate." I bowed slightly, gesturing respectfully. Spider returned the gesture. "Nice to meet you," he said cautiously.
We dashed toward the exit, but two fake Na'vi emerged, guns blazing. I shoved the boys behind me, shielding them with my body. Lo'ak reached for the gun, but I held it firmly, watching the shooters carefully.
I fired, hitting one, but the other kept shooting. "Go! Go! Go!" I yelled. The boys leapt into the water below. I waited, taking advantage of a lull in fire, then sprinted forward—only to be struck. A searing pain shot below my shoulder, and I crashed into the water.
The boys surfaced, waiting. I struggled to stay afloat. Tsireya arrived just in time. "Come on, Ayla! Hop on!" Lo'ak urged.
I swallowed, lungs burning, arms trembling. "...Can't. I'm shot."
