The Breath of Water | Neteyam

67 • Fragments of Our Future

"So glad to see you both," Awuya said as he caressed the sand. "...I was beginning to go under the impression that you—water girl—weren't going to return."

Liyanin let a sly smirk form as she shrugged. "Now why ever would you think that?" She turned her head over her shoulder, gesturing for Kiri to step forward. She did as so, still taking in all the sights.

"Why did you never take me here before, Liya?! This place is amazing!!"

Liyanin tapped her friend's arm, nodding her head over to Awuya. Kiri turned her head over in confusion, then realized that Awuya was standing there. He had a soft smile on his face, some sort of flower in his hand.

"Oh, I am sorry." Kiri apologized, dipping her head a little. Awuya shook his head, letting her know that she was fine.

"I can understand your excitement. When I first arrived here, my reactions were similar..." he recalled, looking around. Liyanin was taken aback by his words, for she assumed he had always resided here.

"What do you mean by arrived?" she asked. "And do not evade my question."

"Hm," he sighed poutingly. "...I guess there's no escaping this one...

...yes, I was once like you two. I had a life, I was a normal Na'vi. Well, minus the fact I could manipulate the rocks and soil..."

Liyanin and Kiri's eyes both widened. "You could do what?" the former asked.

"...why do you think I am the surveyor of Sands?"

"...well...why are you here?" Kiri wondered.

"...that is a tale for another time..." he sighed, closing his eyes. After a bit, he suddenly opened them, throwing his hands out and over his head. A tree started to sprout behind him from the water-covered sand, its leaves luminated. The two girls gawked in awe, seeing such a sight bewildering them.

"This tree is a gift from the Great Mother." He said, caressing its trunk. "...now that you both have been here, only visit this place when it is your time."

Those words confused them. "Our time?" Kiri repeated. "...like when we die?"

"But then we wouldn't be visiting." Liyanin noted.

"You are such a keen little lortsyal." He replied.

"But...if we are here, how will our loved ones see us in the Spirit Tree?" she wondered. Awuya tilted his head in thought, figuring out how to answer the question.

"Asking many questions is not always a relief." he said, evading it. Liyanin looked down at the ground, growing worried. She then lifted her hands, staring at them. "You both have immense power. With it, there are roles you must play in your world, and the next."

"Ergo, this one, I assume." Liyanin added. Awuya rose his brow, smirking.

The two girls then said nothing, only letting the words sink in.

Awuya looked around, then sighed. Liyanin half-smiled, knowing what was about to happen. "...time to go?"

He nodded. "Time to go."

"...when we die...that is where we have to go..." Kiri repeated, the sights of the place still much of a shock to her.

"...I do not know if that is what I wish to do."

"What do you mean? You're just going to not do it?"

Liyanin grabbed her hair, her ears folding downwards. "I do not know...I don't know much of anything anymore..." she sighed, letting go of her strands. She let her shoulders fall, exhaling. "I am going to see your brother; I need a de-stressor."