Forgive me: An Aonung story

The flight

Everyone in the clan awoke early this morning, today was a big day, we were leaving. No one knew how long we would be gone, I did not want to leave but if it meant keeping my family safe then I would.

"Nàlàni" Tuk questions i hum to her in response as I drop down to her level, "I'm scared. Where are we going" she says lowly, I open my arms and bring her in for a hug which she accepts. "I don't know where we are going little Tuk Tuk. But I'm sure where ever it is, it will be beautiful, and we will be safe, think of the adventure we get to go one. Imagine the story you could tell for when you get back" I say enthusiastically trying to encourage the girl..and me that we would be okay. She nods her head at my words "it'll be the best story ever!" She shouts as she starts to go pack more of her things.

"That was sweet" Kiri says as she comes by my side, "she needed it, if we show her we're not scared then she won't be." I say, "are you okay..? We haven't really spoken since yesterday" I ask placing a hand on her arm for reassurance, "I'm fine..I'm just worried about spider. Besides you're the one that got hurt not me so how are you?" She questions back at me. "Kiri, spider is strong, he is smart he will be fine I promise. We will get him back one day...I'm fine, just a little sore" I say giving her a gentle smile.

Me and my sibling all huddle together as we make our way to the spirit tree, every clan members attended as they stood around to watch. Our father got pulled up to the front with my Grandmother and Ikàlu..they both looked so nervous and..scared?

My grandmother carefully takes the garment off of my fathers shoulder as she places it on Ikàlu, signalling the change. Ikàlu is wise for his years, he will be a strong Olo'eyktan I had no doubts in him protecting our clan, especially with my grandmothers help they would be powerful.

In clans the leader must die. So the leader can be born. I watch in fear as Ikàlu raises his knife and plunges it down with a yell. I couldn't look, I know Ikàlu wouldn't hurt my dad or kill him, but it wasn't something I wanted to watch. Ikàlu had spared his life, as he just made a small scratch against my fathers chest. We now must disappear.

We slowly walk through the crowds of people as they part for us, a few sobs could be heard as we went. I couldn't help a couple tears as they fell down my face, I glanced over my shoulder at Ikàlu, he was staring right back at me. I gave him a small smile as I continue to walk away.

As we got to our Ikrans I felt someone touch my shoulder, I turn around and my eyes were yet again met with Ikàlu. "I will wait for you Nàlàni. I promise you I will wait" he says with determination, sadness filled his eyes, "goodbye Ikàlu" I say as I nod my head to him not wanting to cry. He stands there watching as we all get into our Ikran, flying off into the sky.

We all follow my dads lead, flying over the vast sea as the forest got smaller and smaller the further we went. We all look back in sorrow, we didn't know how long it would be till we could be back in the comfort of our home. I gently wipe a couple tears away as they fell, Lo'ak carefully bought his ikran up to my side, "we will be okay" he says to me reassuringly as I nod my head.

Rain surrounded as we flew, thunder kept rumbling, it wasn't an easy flight, it felt like Eywa was against us. Waves kept splashing into our faces, the winds were so strong our Ikran struggled. But we kept going. Far, far away to where he could never find us, or we hoped.

Five days we have been flying, non stop to say I was tired was an understatement, but I had to stay awake I couldn't slow anyone down because I needed sleep. "Hey look!" Neteyam shouts waking me up a bit, my eyes widened at the sight it was beautiful.

Rocks formed around beautiful clear waters, spreading it from the deep blue sea. Tall mountains stood behind it with a small forest. As we flew over people started shouting, they were probably scared and thought we were a threat no body expected our arrival. A horn was quickly blown afterwards, letting their whole clan know of our arrival. I looked around me in awe, this place was breathtakingly beautiful, everything was so bright and vibrant our forest was so much darker compared to this.