Calm Before The Storm, Jake Sully

050, Darkness To Light.

♯┆calm before the storm .ᐟ
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     "My children!" Her head was under water for what felt like a thousand minutes. She stretched her head above the surface, watching as Malhua and Tuk swam to the surface also. But, the water wouldn't stop coming and it was only getting stronger. They had no way out of here, "Swim! Swim!"

Their legs kicked and climbed as much as it would carry them. Every staircase had a door that led to somewhere. Right? That is what Denahi had told herself. There is a way out, she wouldn't allow her children to be trapped in here with her, "Do not stop!"

The ship began to turn sideways, her daughters screaming as their grasps became loose on the ship. When she turned back, Denahi watched another gush of water beginning to fill their air. Her heart sank to the bottom of her stomach.

She could not lose her daughters. She had already lost her son. Her hands gripped onto the metal door, attempting to yank it open with the last of her strength. "Go! In!" Denahi shouted at them both, the two not wasting time before climbing up the tables.

However, that water didn't seem to stop coming. Still engulfing the ship. "Climb!" She shouted to her children. Malhua was breathless, Tuk and Denahi helping her pull herself above the chairs and tables. A door. A door that was slammed shut from the gushing water as she tried to open it. The water was too strong, too powerful.

"No, no," Denahi whispered countless of times, still attempting to open the door. But, alas the ocean had won the race. Denahi pulled Tuk and Malhua into her embrace.

"There is no way out!" Tuk shouted once she scanned the area surrounding them. A dead end. Denahi looked around for another chance of escaping, but found nothing. Her heart wrenched as her children shook within her arms. It wasn't just her and her daughters she wanted to find safety for, it was also for the little one inside.

"Stay close to me..." Denahi told them both, "Stay close to Momma." Malhua rubbed her sobbing face into Denahi's chest as Tuk stayed calm for the two of them. "Great Mother! Please, help us," Denahi begged into the closing air surrounding them.

Malhua shrieking as the boat fell into darkness. "It is okay, little one," Denahi told her youngest child, running a calming hand throughout her small braids. That was when she looked down at her stomach, her little boy living within there. He hadn't even gotten the chance to live, hadn't had the chance to view the beautiful world of Pandora. He wouldn't have the chance to meet Neteyam— the best big brother. Kind, selfless and hardworking son.

"Momma, I'm scared..." Tuk whispered as Denahi's ears fell down her face. Denahi ran a calming hand down her face, smiling at Tuk. "It is okay. We will be okay," Denahi told them both, but her mind was full with the worst of the situation, "Do not let go of me. I will protect you."

The way of water,
Has no beginning and no end,
The sea is around you and in you,
The sea is your home,
Before your birth and after your death.

Denahi wouldn't allow a single, fearful tear stream down her face. She had to be brave. Mighty like her son had once been. Her daughters clung to her limbs, holding onto her like she would swim them to safety.

Although, she couldn't. As much as Denahi wished that she could. She didn't know her way around the ship, nor had the breath to hold for long enough beneath the water.

The sea gives and the sea takes,
Water connects all things,
Life to death,
Darkness to light.

And when a sudden light began to glow beneath the water, Tuk gasped before dropping her head underneath. She returned to the surface with a smile, "It's Kiri!"

Kiri soon revealed herself. If she could get in, they could get out. "Everything's going to be alright, little sister," Kiri mentioned to Malhua and Tuk. Her hands reached for the mantle clinging onto her back before placing it around Denahi's shoulders, "Mom. I am going to give you this. It will help you."

Denahi smiled at her eldest daughter, running a hand down her cheek. "Trust me. Calm your heart," Kiri ordered the three of them, the trio taking some deep breaths to calm the pace of their hearts down.

"Deep breaths," She instructed before diving beneath the surface. Malhua and Tuk followed along, swimming alongside Kiri and back to safety. The salt levels within the water stung and Denahi's eyes, watching her children swim as quick as they could.

Swimming until they all reached the surface. Denahi removed her kuru from the mantle, allowing it to swim free within the ocean. "Ma'Jake!" Denahi exclaimed as she noticed two bodies peering atop of Payakan. "Daddy!" Malhua cried out, swimming towards her brother and father. Jake helped Denahi onto the fin, wrapping his arms around her neck for a tight embrace. He breathed in her scent, the same scent that he thought he had lost forever.

His hands ran through her braids, pulling at some loose strands of straight hair. "I thought I lost you..." He managed to speak, pressing a chaste kiss to her forehead. Denahi then allowed herself to cry, her arms immediately swaddle around his shoulders. She didn't want to let go of Jake.

Their children's hands fell onto their parents figures, admiring the love between them. Because, Sullys stick together. Their greatest weakness, and their biggest strength.