Another Chance |Ao'nung x Neteyam|

Chapter 18: The Road Ahead

As much as Neteyam is annoyed still at Ao'nung for never standing up to Ronal, he knows he should talk to him before he leaves to fight alongside their fathers and Lo'ak. Teneytano stands beside Lo'ak, talking quietly, yielding a gun, his chest still scarred from the cleansing ritual he endured for using the elements of the ground – and act forbidden by Eywa.

Those who cannot fight have already taken shelter, except for the Olo'eyktan's family and Neteyam.

The omega sighs softly, eyes drifting over Kaey's form near Ao'nung, and he notices the hollow look in the man's eyes – Neteyam frowns. He knows that look. Those eyes lack the will to live, and no soldier survives going into battle in such a state.

Tonowari is talking to Jake; they will attack the sky people before they could be attacked first. But they are waiting for eclipse to pass.

Neteyam glances at Ao'nung to see that the alpha is already looking at him, solemn. Neteyam shakes his head and walks to Kaey instead, grasping his arm.

Kaey blinks quickly, as if snapping out of a daze. "Ah, Neteyam."

Ao'nung watches them, ears twitching, giving away that he is listening.

"Don't forget Naìtvì."

Kaey shuts his eyes tightly, unaware of the Olo'eyktan's searching gaze. "I could never. He means the universe to me."

Neteyam lowers his gaze and bites his lip, nodding. His whispers carry on the wind. "I advise you do not fight today."

Kaey frowns, almost offended before his shoulders fall and he looks helplessly at Tonowari. "I must, for the people."

Neteyam turns to Jake, eyes burning with certainty. "He will die if he goes. He lost both sisters in the battle days ago."

Even Lo'ak is listening now, he comes closer, eyeing Kaey before sharing a look with Teneytano, who speaks near-perfect English and understands each word flowing from the cage of Neteyam's fangless teeth.

"Tell him to stay back," Jake grumbles, though he shoots a look of sympathy towards the Metcayina. "The village needs to be protected from the inside, too."

Tonowari nods, firm and sure. An air of leadership floats around him and he turns to Kaey. "Stay. Protect the weaker."

Kaey cannot go against his Olo'eyktan; he only nods before turning away, jaw tight. Neteyam sighs in relief. He was never sure Kaey could be convinced to stay behind; grief is wild, dangerous. It is hard to tell what reactions it may coax from a person.

Daybreak taints the sky with light.

Neteyam's eyes find Ao'nung again. The alpha watches him, eyes drifting down along his body to his stomach before blue collides with yellow once more. Ao'nung nods once, slow and calm. His eyes radiate respect as he gazes after Kaey's retreating form.

Neteyam lifts his hands slowly, signing to him, taking the risk.

Ao'nung's eyes widen before a smile blossoms on his face. He signs back, fingertips cold with nervousness.

If Tonowari notices the exchange, only his slight smile gives him away, but Ao'nung is too busy taking deep, calming breaths to notice what his father is doing.

As the sky clears and light spreads across the horizon, the warriors depart, ikrans and tsuraks alike shrieking. Neteyam spots Heia loitering around the unmounted beasts, hissing menacingly if any got too close to her.

A hand against his cheek, Neteyam watches as the very people he loves disappear beyond the rocks and oceanic fauna and silence falls over the evacuated village.