No longer a sully

Chapter 3

Lo'ak was getting used to the land in his new home, even though he was allowed to stay and given a new home that would grow over the years. Lo'ak was slowly learning about the clan he had been welcomed into since he arrived here and had been brought here. The place where his new home was located had experienced many types of weather, as he was told by Feyya and the other adults who came to bring him food. There were many mountains and small islands that surrounded the place he was calling home now. He had only seen a few things from inside his home, as he had yet to leave it. No one could blame the poor boy.

Lo'ak...... Lo'ak was having his morning meal alone in his new home. As he ate, he remembered his mom, Neytiri, had made for him when he was younger. Eating the meal brought sadness to the boy's face as he remembered all the happy times with his parents and siblings. When Lo'ak caught himself again, they were no longer his parents and siblings; they were Tokru makto and his family.

???? "Lo'ak," Lo'ak looked up from his meal to see Feyya standing there. She looked at the boy; she had come to check on him.

Lo'ak: "Welcome, Tshaik Feyya."

Feyya: "Hello, young man, I have come to see you."

Lo'ak "Oh, please come inside." Feyya nodded her head, soon stepping into the home and looking at the boy. She could tell something was wrong with him.

Feyya "You know it's okay to cry; even the mightiest warriors cry."

Lo'ak: "My grandmother used to say that to me when I felt sad or fearful."

Feyya "Mo'at is a wise woman; she has raised you well."

Lo'ak: "You know of my grandmother?"

Feyya: "Yes, we were once close, but those old times, she made sure you were raised well, my child. But I, and the other women who have come to see you, have noticed something is the matter... so tell me, child, what is the matter?" Feyya was speaking softly because she was worried about the boy. Even though Lo'ak was healthy, he had yet to leave the home or meet the others of the clan.

Lo'ak: "I feel lost and broken."

Feyya "Why, my child?"

Lo'ak "My family, my clan, and everyone else, all they saw when they looked at me was an outcast and a freak... even my own dad and sister, who are like me, were welcomed, and I was not."

Feyya "Speak more."

Lo'ak "All my life, I did my best trying to be a good student to my former mentor, trustee, and helper around the clan... all so I could get my dad to look at me and say he sees me and loves me... I just wanted my dad's love and for him to hold my arm up to everyone and say I'm his boy and his son."

Feyya "......."

Lo'ak: "No matter what I did, I was seen as a mess-up or a shameful child. Even when I befriended Payakan and an outcast of the ocean Navi, I was seen as a demon child." Tears were falling down Lo'ak's face as he let all his anger go. He was now realizing how much emotion he had been holding in all these years. Soon, he felt someone hug him. It was Feyya. She was upset to see how this boy, who was a child of Eywa, had been fighting for the love he didn't receive.

Feyya, "You are a wonderful child, even though you don't act like others; you are still a true Navi. Eywa sees you, my child, no matter what others say."

Feyya "Come with me; there is something that can help you get dressed, and I will take you there."

Lo'ak "Yes, ma'am." Lo'ak nodded as Feyya left the home. He quickly dressed in proper outdoor clothes and then went outside.

Feyya "Come with me, child, and this will help all your pain go away." Lo'ak didn't say anything and followed Feyya. After some walking, they reached a cave. Lo'ak was confused about everything and stopped dead in his tracks.

Feyya "Don't worry, everything will be fine." Lo'ak took a deep breath and followed Feyya into the cave, where it grew warmer for him. After some more walking, they stopped at a pit filled with some unknown material from the ground. Lo'ak noticed others in the cave sitting and watching him.

Feyya "Come here, Lo'ak. We will help you heal." Lo'ak stepped into what seemed like a burial site, but was helped down by others.

Navi woman "Drink this, child; it will help you." Lo'ak saw a woman holding a clay cup with some liquid. He sat up and took the cup.

Feyya "This will help you, boy. We will make sure nothing bad happens to you."

Lo'ak: "I trust you all." Lo'ak drank the bitter yet sweet liquid and was laid back down. He felt something being placed on him and looked up to see the others burying him, stopping just at his face. The hole was deeper than it looked. Soon, drums and flutes began playing and singing.

Feyya "Relax, my child; your clothes will keep you warm." Lo'ak nodded and started closing his eyes. He saw a mask being placed over his face. As he began to drift off, he was fully buried in the pit, but he didn't fight back, accepting everything happening to him.

Eywa "Oh, child, I'm sorry for everything that has happened. You have been forsaken for something you didn't do, but in time, you will do great things." Lo'ak heard a voice he hadn't heard before, which made his heart race. He didn't understand what was happening or why he was hearing this voice.

Lo'ak: "Eywa, is that you? Why have you come? I don't deserve your kindness or guidance."

Eywa "Don't say that, my child. You have always been special to me. But it seems everyone else has wronged you... Your father has disappointed me."

Lo'ak: "Please, don't hold my past against them. They were doing their best to protect the ones they love."

Eywa: "Even after all that, you still show love to them. You make me proud, child. That will make you a great leader and warrior."

Lo'ak: "I don't understand why I still care for them after everything."

Eywa "Because you have a kind heart, my child. A heart that might even be stronger than your father's. Now go and make a name for yourself, Lo'ak. All your ancestors and I will be watching you." Lo'ak soon opened his eyes, gasping for air. He saw everyone looking at him, and slowly he removed the mask. She helped him to his feet, and he stood on solid ground. Feyya then approached him, carrying a jug filled with water.

Feyya "Now, my boy, you have lain in the ashes and risen from them. You've emerged anew from what was destroyed. Just as snow comes and goes, something new replaces it." She lifted the jug and poured water over him, washing away dirt, ash, and snow. He was quickly dried off as paint and charcoal were applied to his body.

Navi man: "What about the hair?"

Feyya "That's up to you, Lo'ak."

Lo'ak: "It's time to say goodbye to these old braids, as I become my own person." His hair was undone, now loose. The last of the paint and charcoal was applied to his face, and the mask was returned. As he looked at himself, he noticed some of his body had now taken on a gray hue, transitioning from the usual dark blue.

Feyya: "You're officially ready to meet the rest of the clan, Lo'ak, as you've been reborn." Lo'ak smiled as he felt comforting hands on him from others in the room. He was then led outside, where everyone was waiting. He followed Feyya to stand in front of the whole clan.

Aey, "You, my boy, are now a member of the clan and our fellow brother. We will help you learn the ways, and we hope to learn something from you."

Lo'ak: "I will do my best and bring honor to the clan and myself." Aey smiled and grabbed his arm, raising it high for everyone to see.

Aey "Lo'ak!"

Crowd "Lo'ak... Lo'ak... Look... Lo'ak!" The crowd cheered loudly as Lo'ak's arm was raised, a proud smile spreading across his face. He was now beginning his journey to become his own person and a true Navi. That night, a festival was held to celebrate all the new members of the clan born here or who arrived later, as the clan honored them for bringing glory and pride to the clan.