Mune Olo'eyktan [Neteyam x Aonung]

Part 44

Neteyam lets the information set in, and tries not to panic like the rest of the village. Lo'ak places a hand on his shoulder, and he takes a deep breath, asking himself one question.

Where would Aonung run off to?

Neteyam- Okay. Okay, okay, okay. I got it. The Three Brothers.

Lo'ak- How do you know?

Neteyam- It's his favorite place. And yours, skxawng.

Lo'ak- Then let's ride.

Jake- No.

Jake storms up to the boys with Tsireya walking behind him.

Jake- None of you are going anywhere. Especially you.

Jake points a finger at his eldest son, then continues walking along the woven paths towards the Sully den.

Neteyam desperately follows close behind him with Lo'ak, and Rotxo in tow. Leaving Tsireya at her den to look after Wari.

Neteyam- I'm going.

Jake- Neteyam-

Neteyam- I know where he is, and I can bring him back, easily.

Jake- No. That's my final answer.

Neteyam- But I can-

Jake- Do what?!

His father suddenly turns around, looking him dead in the eyes.

Jake- Die?!

Neteyam loses his words for a moment, due to the way his father is shouting at him, and gives a delayed response.

Neteyam- No.

Jake- You're wounded. What the hell else would you do?

Neteyam- Help.

Jake pauses, simply staring at his son, shocked he truly believes he can do something despite his wound.

Jake- Is that why you took your brother into a battle he didn't belong in?

The boy goes silent, averting his gaze while remembering the events that took place in the forest.

Jake- Because you thought you could help? Even after I told your ass to stay out of it.

Jake places a heavy hand on Neteyam's shoulder, jerking him a bit, making him look up.

Jake- What the hell is wrong with you, boy? What happened to that great warrior? The one that knew what he was doing, and followed orders.

Neteyam- I'm sorry, Sir.

Jake- No, don't apologize, give me a damn explanation. We get here and all of a sudden you're actin' worse than Lo'ak.

His youngest son rolls his eyes, but it goes unnoticed.

Neteyam- I had to fight.

Jake- No, the warriors had to fight.

Neteyam- I am a warrior.

Jake- No you're not. Not anymore.

Neteyam's body freezes as he looks up into his father's eyes.

Neteyam- What?

Jake- You're just a homesick child.

Neteyam- Dad-

Jake- And before you can stand by my side again, you need to get over that.

His gaze drops with a shaky breath.

Jake- Now go sit your ass down somewhere and let your body heal.

Neteyam- . . . Yes, sir.

After Neteyam responds in a sharp whisper, Jake continues on to his den to grab some gear and head out to the Three Brothers rocks and retrieve Ronal's son as she instructed him to. Leaving his eldest son standing there shattered.