"I... c-can't... 'm shot."
Four words I never thought I'd say, yet here I was, battered and bloodied, surrounded by Jake's kids and my niece. Every breath was a struggle. Spider and Lo'ak hauled me onto the Ilu, his arms straining to keep me upright as we sped toward the nearest rocks, praying we'd find Jake—or Tonowari and Ronal—waiting for us.
As we drew closer, Lo'ak's shout pierced the chaos.
"Dad!"
Summoning the last of my strength, I lifted my head and saw him—Jake—running across the rocks, Neteyam at his side. My vision blurred, but my heart soared at the sight of them.
"Dad! Help! It's Ayla!"
Jake lunged forward, crouching on the edge of the rocks, arms outstretched. "Oh no," he muttered, his voice cracking, though the water sloshed around us, making it impossible to tell if he was crying. My body felt impossibly heavy as he lifted me, finally laying me on the jagged rocks. His face hovered over mine, worry etched in every line, while I coughed and struggled for air, blood slicking my lips.
I knew... I knew I might not make it.
⸻
All four children clustered around me, wide-eyed and tense. Jake's panic was a storm behind his controlled exterior; every second mattered. He spotted the trickle of blood down my back and froze. For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. His Ayla—his mate—might be gone.
"Put pressure! Here, put pressure on it!" he commanded, pressing Lo'ak's hands to my bleeding wound.
"I... I'm sorry," I rasped.
"It's okay. I'm here. No need to be sorry," he said firmly, his hand covering mine, grounding me.
I coughed again, blood streaking down my chest. My energy was fading fast, but I had to speak. "I had to save your son... I'm s-sorry, Jake."
He understood—I had saved Spider. His heart swelled with gratitude, but dread coiled tightly within him. He wished I hadn't risked myself, wished I could still be here, alive.
"Hey... it's okay. Thank you for saving him. I... I love you, okay?" His voice was thick with emotion.
"I... love you, Jake... I'm so tired..." I whispered, my eyes fluttering closed.
And then, nothing.
"No! No, no, no, Ayla! Ayla! Please... wake up! Ayla!" Jake's hands shook as he tried to revive me. His body slumped against the rocks, tears forming despite the chaos around him. He had lost so much already—and now, this. Silence hung over us, broken only by the children watching their father crumble.
Then, a crackle in the comms jolted him back.
"Corporal... can you hear me?" The voice of Quaritch.
Jake stiffened. "Yeah... I think you can. I've got your daughters—same deal as before. You... for them."
His eyes locked with Neteyam's, who had overheard the threat through his own comms. "Where are your sisters?" Jake's voice cut through the tension.
"I-I don't know," Lo'ak admitted.
"They're on the ship... tied up," Tsireya's voice trembled, tears choking her words. Spider added quietly, "They're by the Moon Pool... in the well deck."
Jake didn't wait for more. Spider grabbed his arm, pulling him toward the water. Neteyam's knowing nod assured Jake: the others would be safe. With that, Jake dove into the ocean, determination blazing in his eyes.
⸻
Lo'ak and Tsireya hovered beside me, their expressions a mix of grief and determination.
"We shouldn't leave her here," Neteyam whispered.
Tsireya nodded. "We can take her to Mother. She'll know what to do."
Together, they called an Ilu, carefully moving my limp body onto the back. Neteyam positioned himself at the front, Lo'ak steadied me in the middle, and Tsireya gripped the fin, guiding the craft toward the village. Even if I was gone... they had to move quickly.
⸻
Finally, they reached the shore, where the villagers were still present. My body was laid upon the sand, motionless.
"Tsireya... see if Ronal is here," Neteyam ordered. She dashed off, and moments later, Ronal appeared, clutching her healing basket. "Oh my Eywa," she whispered, barely audible, her eyes wide at the sight of my lifeless form.
A split second of despair, then action. Ronal barked orders. "Neteyam, Lo'ak—bring her to my hut! Tsireya, with me!"
The children obeyed, carrying me swiftly to the chief's Marui. I was placed on the floor, the center of Ronal's focus. She immediately set up her healing tools, while the kids moved to the side, silent and fearful.
⸻
Ao'nung burst in, bruised and battered from the battle. Neteyam hugged him fiercely, emotion spilling over. "Is she... really...?" Ao'nung's voice was trembling, disbelief coating every word. Neteyam could only nod, unable to confirm the grim possibility.
Ao'nung joined Lo'ak and Tsireya at my side, gently rubbing my hand. Ronal moved with precision, humming and muttering under her breath, weaving ancient healing chants. The children watched in tense silence as time dragged on.
Hours—or perhaps mere moments—passed. Then Ronal stopped. Her eyes widened.
"She... is not dead."
