Avatar: {Hybrid and Alien]

{56}

As crazy as the idea was, Asim was bent on finding clues to connect to what he saw.

Once again, he looked at each of the Avatar Program files that were available with caution and focus. Once in a while he took breaks to rest or to help out with the outpost chores that his teammates needed an extra hand to accompany. Shaka offered to also help him with the search for what Asim was searching for. At one time they found what they were looking for, and Shaka tried to interpret what it meant. "Here; it says that the forest that surrounds all life in this planet is connected by their deity, what the na'vi say." Shaka said. "I remember that. And...something about the whole forest being interconnected by a network..." Asim mused as he scrolled down in search for that file. They found it and they listened to the video log that belonged to doctor Agustine, which talked about what they were searching for. When the video finished, Shaka rubbed his chin as he thought. "So these networks...they are like the nervous system related to the brain. No, it is completely like brain connection networks. Almost like a whole web that spreads out all over the planet." Shaka said as he too was starting to connect the dots. "So, they discovered that the whole connection network is like a mind? Sort of like...a hive mind?" Asim asked as he wanted something to be clarified. "No, not that. Otherwise everything would be literally connected and act the same. This is entirely different. The whole network connection IS the brain, like one giant organism." Shaka explained to Asim, looking back at the monitor. Then after a moment he saw in Shaka's face that a theory had finally struck him. "What is it?" Asim asked his friend when he noticed his face.

"What if...the entire planet's connections IS the deity of the na'vi? Eywa, goddess of nature herself?" Shaka said.

This idea hasn't struck Asim in the slightest bit before, because it didn't make logical sense. "That's...impossible. Is it? I mean, if this Eywa goddess is a deity, shouldn't she have some sort of form that is beyond our comprehension? Like say...a literal spirit or an angel like the old stories that we were taught from the past history. And...be infinitely more powerful than anything else witnessed that nothing can stand against it?" Asim asked, turning to  face Shaka again. "Logic would suggest that. But on the contrary, this, what the na'vi have believed since their beginnings, it gives to show that this organism is an actual physical deity. Who watches all of nature thanks to every connection spread across the entire planet." Shaka explained, gesturing to a picture on the monitor that showed the glowing roots in the night. Asim thought about it, not really familiar to religion beliefs like Shaka was. Yet, with what Shaka had explained about this new theory, Asim was starting to feel the pull of agreement to it. "Alright then. Let's say that Eywa is really all of the interconnections of the whole planet like a brain. If that's the case, then......" Asim began when he slowly stopped and remembered.

The nightmare he had, in the end, about the whole roots interconnection spread all over the forest that formed an eye iris. That image alone in his head sent shivers through his body, but he knew that it must mean something. "In my nightmare....there was the huge eye that stared at me from the ground as I was high up. Could this mean...something on particular?" Asim asked. Shaka's eyes widened a percentage a moment later as he thought of something, most definitely about what Asim said as he looked up at him. "Hold on. Now that I remember, there is one phrase that the na'vi use to describe the all-knowing wisdom of their deity." Shaka said as he searched the files on the monitor. He found a picture of a tribal drawing that was engraved in a pendant, which showed a decorative eye pattern as its main focus. "The Eye of Eywa, as the natives say." Shaka said, pointing a finger at the screen. "What do they say about this?" Asim asked him. "They say that the eye of their deity is the symbol of knowledge, and that it serves as a reminder that Eywa knows everything as well as showing all that she does, like giving life and then expecting for that life to be returned when it reaches its end." Shaka explained, gesturing to the picture and the eye with his finger once again. "Huh. Interesting." Asim mused as he heard the explanation that Shaka gave. However, something didn't seem quite right to him, and Asim felt that some more questions and assumptions were starting to rise up from his mind. "What is it?" Shaka asked as he noticed again the thoughtful look on Asim's face. "Just...something. I...don't know how to describe what happened next during the nightmare. Or...before..." Asim said as his voice trailed when he started to remember.

Now he remembered the new version of him being covered by the same glowing roots that covered the forest floor.

And then it hit Asim, even if the idea or assumption would sound crazy. "I remember now. These roots...they covered my body while I was laying down. Could that possible mean that...I was brought back alive? By those things? By...Eywa?" Asim asked, hand being placed on his forehead as he realized what that meant. Shaka was as equally as surprised by the theory as Asim was when he said it. "I...guess. I am not sure how, but that must be the reason you are alive now. It's more...that's how you are able to not choke and die outside! Ja! You know what this means? You were changed by the goddess of nature! It's all a miracle!" Shaka exclaimed, excitement written on his face as he jumped from his seat. "I...was?" Asim asked, having a difficult time processing what his friend had said. "Of course! Otherwise you would be dead!" Shaka said, then stopped when he covered his mouth and apologized. Asim just stared blankly at Shaka, and then looked back at the depiction of Eywa's eye. Somehow, the prospect of being brought back to life by a living planet didn't seem comforting.

It was the complete opposite, as it was very disturbing and didn't exactly clear up things. "As much as I would like to accept it...the more I search for a definitive answer...the more questions arise inside of me." Asim said, exhaling and leaning back against his seat. "Such as?" Shaka asked. "How exactly did it heal me? How exactly did this deity bring me back to life when I should have died permanently? And more importantly...why? Why me, out of all the ones that died during the battle?" Asim said, looking at Shaka from the side as he showed how worried he was despite his best to remain calm. Shaka looked back at the depiction in the screen, and then back at his friend as he gave a comforting pat on Asim's lap. "I am not sure if I could explain it in perfect sense, because I don't have the answers. Yet, I feel that you have been granted life as a sign of mercy because of what was inside of you. Your memories, what you did for all of us to escape the life that we thought we knew, and move to a better one. To change and fight on, despite what happened. I think for sure that your memories and your will were still on you despite the amnesia, and Eywa has seen them." Shaka said, nodding at his friend. Asim looked at Shaka, taking in those words, and smiling slightly. He now was comforted by Shaka's small speech, even if it was something that sounded crazy. "I guess you're right. Like you said, one needs faith. Even if it isn't part of me." Asim said, looking out the window where the forest was. A moment passed while he thought about something, before having an idea.

"Why not go there again to find out. And this time we all go together" Asim said.