The Breath of Water | Neteyam

65 • The Final Phase: Taronsäwem Second Half

The kxamtìsyor had passed, and now it was time for the game to resume. The players that were still in went to their safe zones, huddling and discussing.

"You guys better avenge me!" Rotxo cried out, putting his fist into air. His team laughed, then went to call for their Ilu.

"Is everyone ready?" Neteyam asked his team.

"Yes, sir!" they all shouted in unison, prepared for anything that was going to happen.

"Alright, let's do this."

Everyone was in their position, tensions once again high. Arut still had that nonchalant look on his face. And for some reason, his team appeared to be angry. Guess having lost the most amount of players can hitch a sting to anyone.

Neteyam closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.

'Everyone has fear in these types of situations...just that some are better at hiding it than others.'

Now he opened them, focused on what was in front of him. His teammates were lined up at the edge of their safe-zone, ready to pounce once the horn sounded. During the kxamtìsyor, he had some time alone to think to himself, and he had realized he had never once glanced up at Liyanin during the first half. He didn't mean to, but he was so focused on the game, he forgot that she was one of the spectators.

.

'Liya, I am sorry I did not look at you during the game, I just—'

'Silly Nete, that is not something you have to apologize for. I understand.' she replied, holding his face. '...my beauty can be quite distracting.'

He laughed, then tickled her neck with his kisses, causing her to have a laughing fit. '...You have no idea how right you are.'

.

He laughed at the memory, shaking his head. He then recentered his focus, holding onto the saddle tightly. He had noticed how close it was to eclipse, so they wouldn't be able to see as clear. Fortunately, they released some atanyoang (light fish), so it would not be as dark underwater. Also, due to everyone's tanhì, the darkness of the sea would not be too much for any Na'vi to bear.

Lo'ak was nervous, but he put it aside, wanting to go into the game with a clear head.

And then there it was. The horn was blown, prompting everyone to dash into the battleground.

Eri was still bitter about Kaysitxi's poor skills, wondering how the heck she even made it pass the second phase in the first place. Because of her, they were down a player. Thus, she told Wekyu and Duräley to keep an eye on her, since she would most likely burn through her self-heals and end up getting eliminated.

Lo'ak was swimming about, minding his own business. His sights got caught on the atanyoang; their light was quite exquisite. Tsyätrril hit his shoulder, signing at him.

'' Get your head in the game, skxawng!'

The younger boy nodded, mentally apologizing for his lack of attention and it was as if Tsyätrril heard it, for he patted his shoulder, seeming to forgive his mistake. He then sped away, finding a target to go after.

Above the water, Neteyam had seen Arut slowly exit his safe-zone, seemingly waiting until the end of his time limit had passed. The atanyoang from under him helped light up his face, so Neteyam could see it. He looked...

...bored...?

No, wait, more like, finished?

But what was he finished with? Kxamtìsyor just ended—