like memories of dying days | avatar

but this was never planned

A long time before the Sully's had arrived in Awa'atlu, Ao'nung had been aware of Neteyam's existence. How could he not? The son of Toruk Makto carried a formidable and admiral reputation amongst multiple clans. He was known to be one of the greatest young warriors of his time.

He had heard lots about him - how he was the youngest ever Na'vi of the Omaticaya clan to do his Iknimaya. Ao'nung hadn't ever really learnt much about the other clans growing up, so he didn't think much of it at the time. That was, until he slowly started talking to Neteyam more.

For the Metkayina, their Iknimaya is taming a Skimwing, and undergoing various tests with your chosen spirit brother or sister, your Tulkun. When the Sullys had arrived in Awa'atlu, Ao'nung hadn't yet done his Iknimaya. Neteyam had. Ages before arriving there.

It had been months since the Sullys had arrived, and Ao'nung spotted Neteyam sitting on the beach shore where the waves would reach him, but far enough so that they did not pull him away. After a lot of fights with both Lo'ak and Neteyam, Ao'nung had slowly started to become more open-minded, and slowly started befriending the two brothers.

Ao'nung approached, his footsteps somewhat muffled by the sand's texture. He sat himself next to the forest Na'vi, and they sat in silence for a while, accompanied by the sound of the waves and the warm wind. Ao'nung looked over to Neteyam, and his gaze lingered on the band that he had on his waist. He tilted his head, curious.

"What's the band on your waist for?"

Neteyam's ears perked up and his posture straightened, as if he hadn't anticipated Ao'nung to talk to him, "It's a battle band. It's a way of signifying that you have come of age amongst the clan. Every warrior gets one after completing their Iknimaya."

Curiosity piqued, Ao'nung asked more questions, "Are you the only one from your siblings who has done it?"

Neteyam smiled fondly, "No. Kiri did, but she doesn't want to be a warrior. It's not her calling."

Ao'nung hummed, and they lapsed into silence for a while. It then occurred to him that he didn't know what the Omaticaya clan did for their Iknimaya. So, he posed more questions, "What's your clan's Iknimaya like?"

"It's a very dangerous one," Neteyam began, "lots of young Na'vi fail at it, and it usually comes with the cost of their lives."

Ao'nung shuddered. It's close to impossible to have casualties during his clan's Iknimayas, so he wonders what the other clan could possibly do to have such casualties.

"You need to climb the Hallelujah mountains and go to the Banshee rookery. There, you must tame an Ikran."

"How do you know which one?" Ao'nung asked.

Neteyam smiled, "They'll try to kill you."

Ao'nung's mouth opened up in shock, grappling at the absurdity of it all.

"You tame it by throwing a Banshee catcher at its snout, and you have to try and mount it, then connect your queue. If you bond, you are bonded for life." Neteyam paused for a moment, "My father is against it because of the risk involved if you throw it the wrong way. He argued with my mother after Lo'ak fell off the cliff during his first Iknimaya."

Those conversations became more frequent, and Ao'nung found himself becoming more curious about the Omaticaya. He slowly bonded with the forest Na'vi, and although there were tensions, he and Lo'ak at the very least weren't at each other's throats all the time.

He had gotten so close to them, that it was a shock when that night happened. Ao'nung doesn't think he'll ever forget the sights he saw.

Tsireya came back first, and she just ran to him, putting her head on his chest with more force than necessary. Ao'nung was taken aback, hesitantly putting his hands on her back.