Mune Olo'eyktan [Neteyam x Aonung]

Part 110

Further west of the predator, the hunting party are busy working as quickly as they can, and making sure to spread out and cover more space for better chances.

Just as Aonung's arrow pierces through a plump fish, he goes over to it, removing the arrow and taking up to the surface where his Ilu waits.

He hooks it onto the saddle, then looks out in the distance, where he knows Neteyam could be fighting for his life.

Na'haji- He is fine.

He turns around, seeing the banged boy resurface, moving over to him.

Na'haji- My brother would not let him die out here.

Aonung- I'm sure.

Na'haji- And I assume the son of Toruk would not perish so easily. Correct?

That certainly is correct, and he knows it, but after seeing the boy shaking, for reasons unknown to him, he's still worried.

Aonung- Yeah, he's probably fine.

Na'haji- Come, we have strayed too far from the others.

They each mount their Ilu, and Aonung follows him, diving under.

At first, Aonung was helping the net hunters that target schools of smaller fish, but he prefers single targets he can get with a crossbow. Because of his preference, he really isn't that good with a net, so Na'haji decided they could hunt individually.

As the two ride within close proximity to each other, they near some familiar rocks, where they were hunting with the others before. In the distance, there are a few groups with nets, and some singular hunters.

As they approach, Na'haji's Ilu suddenly shrieks when a predatory fish lunges out at it from behind a rock, nipping off the end of one of its fins.

The boy lets out a few warning clicks, alerting everyone as his Ilu pulls him around frantically. This fish is a smaller species than the one they escaped earlier, but it's known for being quick.

Aonung moves to follow Na'haji, but the creature follows the boy as well. It starts chasing them, and Na'haji holds onto his Ilu as tightly as he can, to not be flung off and end up in the creature's jaws.

Being the closest one to him, Aonung springs into action, going after them to help. He's led through a maze of rocks, thanks to Na'haji's panicking Ilu, and soon loses sight of them and the predator.

He slows his Ilu some, but continues to swim around, looking for them as he readies his crossbow, hoping to get the creature in a weak spot to ward it off. He starts to feel anxious, wondering if he's already too late to save Paltu's future chief, but the sound of familiar clicks catches his attention.

He turns around and sees Na'haji racing towards him on his Ilu, but the creature isn't behind them anymore.

Stopping just as they reach him, Na'haji turns around, then looks back at Aonung, who signs "Where is it?" Na'haji responds "It was just right there."

They both look around, observing their surroundings, wondering where it could have gone. Without being sure, making their way out of here could be fatal. Aonung signs "We should stay here, and stay quiet." But his partner disagrees with "No, we need to move, or we will be cornered."

It could be good or bad either way. Staying would prevent them from swimming right into the creature's path unknowingly, but moving would prevent them from being trapped once found.

Both options are a risk, but Aonung starts to think Na'haji's idea is a better one to take. As expected of someone who has had more experience with the situation.

He nods, and Na'haji motions for him to follow. To keep their movements few at a time, they move slowly through the rocks, gliding through the water more than swimming. They end up making it back to the edge of the rocky maze, where not too far ahead, some of the hunting party are seen.

Na'haji picks up the pace, and Aonung follows behind him. Just before Aonung exits the maze, a brute force rams into him, knocking the air out of him as he's taken right off his Ilu.

The Ilu squeals before taking off, and Na'haji turns around and quickly readies his crossbow once he sees Aonung in the jaws of the predator they thought they escaped.

He races up to it when it attempts to swim off, and shoots an arrow into its eye, which causes it to screech in pain, letting Aonung's now bleeding body be set free from its hold. Na'haji quickly grabs onto him as he makes a break for the surface.

Once above water, he pulls Aonung up onto his Ilu, sitting in front of him as he begins to gasp laboriously. He starts coughing while trying to breathe, and eyes shut tightly from pain. Na'haji observes the bite on his torso.

The jaws of this predator aren't as strong as most others, but with thin piercing teeth, the lethal weapon of that creature is injected. It's venom, which they have treatment for, but they need to be quick. Among other things, the venom prevents blood from clotting, which causes its victims to bleed to death.

Aonung's body falls back into his, and coughs up a bit of blood. Na'haji wraps an arm around him, holding onto him tightly as he calls to the others to end the hunt and hurry back.

He can't leave them out here without him, but his brother is elsewhere. And since Aonung is his partner, he's his responsibility and must get him help, so they have no choice but to go home and continue the hunt later.

Wasting no time, he races back towards their island, with the rest of his hunters following him, some becoming worried once they see the clan's future Olo'eyktan in such a state.