Mune Olo'eyktan [Neteyam x Aonung]

Part 19

Before long, they head back into the water, calling their Ilu, then make their way back to the reef.

Just as daylight begins to show itself, the four boys reach the shore. They're later than they wanted to be, so they quickly run onto the beach, hoping they didn't cause any panic with their absence.

However, as they enter the village, and look around, they notice there isn't a person in sight.

Nobody was on the beach either, and the reef Na'vi are early risers. Normally they would've already been working.

The boys exchange worried looks, thinking the same thing. Their absence must've caused a panic. A big one.

Aonung- My father must've sent out every warrior in the village.

Neteyam- Our parents are probably with yours, we need to find them so they'll call off the search.

Aonung- Follow me.

Aonung leads the other boys to his den, walking through many empty pathways. Along the way, Lo'ak notices the many empty dens, making him skeptical of something else.

When they reach the home of the Olo'eyktan, it's completely empty, and Aonung begins to search the place frantically.

Aonung- Father?! Mother?! Tsireya?!

After checking every room, he runs back up to the others with panic all over his face.

Aonung- No one is here.

Lo'ak- There wasn't a soul in either of the dens we passed either.

The marine boy rushes out of the den, muttering under his breath.

The others follow him, as he searches dens, then eventually find themselves back on the beach.

Aonung- Tsireya! Anyone?!

Lo'ak- Kiri! Tuk!

Neteyam watches the boys call for their families who are clearly not there. He walks up to both of them, placing a firm hand on a shoulder of each.

Neteyam- Guys, no one is here. The entire village is empty.

Aonung takes a deep breath, restoring his composure, and Neteyam lets go of him with a nod. But Lo'ak still looks worried. Neteyam gently pulls Lo'ak's forehead onto his.

Neteyam- We will be alright. We'll find out what's going on, okay?

Lo'ak nods gently, appreciating the reassurance, then Neteyam releases him and turns to Aonung.

Neteyam- We need to really scope this place out, and look for anything that might give us a clue to what happened here.

Aonung- What could we possibly find? Everything looks the way it was before. Minus the lack of Na'vi.

Neteyam- I'm a good tracker, let me show you how it's done.

Lo'ak- Rotxo?

The two older boys look at their smaller friend, trembling and taking sharp breaths. Aonung quickly takes the boy into his arms, and Rotxo latches onto him tightly, burying his face.

Aonung- Neteyam and I will get to the bottom of this. So I need you to stay calm, Rotxo. Can you do that for me?

Rotxo nods slightly, and Aonung pulls him back, giving him a determined look.

Aonung- We will figure this out.

The boy nods in response again, calmed just the slightest. Aonung leads him over to a pile of seashells and the boy sits down with his knees to his chest. He rubs Rotxo's head, then turns to Lo'ak.

Aonung- Stay here, Neteyam and I will look for clues.

Lo'ak- Let me he-

Aonung- No!

Both Sullys slightly flinch. Neteyam looks at Lo'ak and shakes his head.

Aonung- You will stay right here with Rotxo, and you will not leave him alone.

Lo'ak gives his brother another look and he nods in response.

Lo'ak- Okay. I got it.

As the older two walk off, Lo'ak sits next to his still trembling friend.

Neteyam walks right on the edge of the beach, observing the water as it comes up to his feet in waves. Aonung just waits quietly, watching the boy with such a focused expression.

Suddenly he stops, and looks out at the creatures swimming around.

Neteyam- There are many of them.

Aonung- Yes, but that's normal.

Neteyam- Exactly.

Neteyam can see the confusion on the marine boy's face.

Neteyam- Every Na'vi is gone, but these creatures they're bonded to are still here. Meaning-

Aonung- They left on land. You really are a good tracker.

Neteyam nods in agreement, and looks out to the horizon. Then he turns and faces the village.

Neteyam- The jungles behind here, that has to be where they went.

Aonung- Okay, but why would they leave in the first place?

Neteyam- We can ask them once we find them.

While Neteyam and Aonung continue to look around, Lo'ak remains next to Rotxo, worried for him. He's still trembling, and taking short breaths.

Lo'ak places a hand on his shoulder, accidentally startling the boy.

Lo'ak- Sorry.

Rotxo- It's fine.

He tries to look Rotxo in the eyes, but the smaller boy's eyes are darting around, panicked.

Lo'ak- Rotxo, what is wrong with you?

He finally focuses his attention on Lo'ak, before averting his eyes and holding his head low.

Rotxo- I . . .

He takes a shaky breath, and Lo'ak begins to rub his back, attempting to comfort him.

Rotxo- I was alone. Fending for myself, for a long time, before Aonung found me.

Lo'ak sits speechless, then the smaller boy looks at him once again.

Rotxo- That life nearly killed me . . . It left me like this.

He holds out his shaking hands then tucks them back to his chest. Lo'ak's hand slows to a halt.

Lo'ak- We aren't going anywhere, bro. You won't be alone again, I swear it.

Rotxo- We are already alone.

Lo'ak- We have each other, alright? We've got each other's backs.

Rotxo- (sighs)

Lo'ak- Just trust me. Neteyam won't let anything happen to us, and you know Aonung won't either.