Avatar: The Return of The Songbirds

Chapter Fifty-Two: I Am So Sorry

In the blink of an eye, the forest that had just been filled with the sounds of war had become still. Replaced with an even louder silence. All that could be heard was the wind brushing through the leaves, and a symphony of faint tears. Everyone couldn't find the strength to speak. So much had been lost, and many were wounded. There was this mutual heaviness cloaking the now hollow space around them. Lìyìnuk let out a slow and shaky, before looking over at her husband who was just as deviated as she was. "I am so sorry." She whispered, gaining Chris's attention. "This did not need to happen." She continued, standing to her feet and walking over to Maria who was still cradling her deceased sister in her arms. "You all have lost so much...to protect my family." She whimpered, sitting beside the young woman. "I am so sorry for your loss Maria...we will make sure to give her a proper burial." Lìyìnuk vowed with a soft smile. Maria slowly lifted her head to look up at Lìyìnuk. She had now fight left in her body, so instead of speaking, Maria gently leaned into Lìyìnuk's body. Searching for some kind of motherly reassurance. Lìyìnuk felt her heart break a little as she felt Maria's body softly shake in her arms. Lìyìnuk placed her hand on the top of Maria's head and began stroking the young female's hair. "We will make sure they all have a proper burial." She added, looking back to Pxäkngam. "My family and I will begin the preparation. So take as long as you need to say your goodbyes." Lìyìnuk finished, looking back down at Maria, who was still resting on her. "Maria, I will be back, take your time." Lìyìnuk repeated, helping Maria back up into a seated position. Lìyìnuk made sure Maria was settled, before standing back on her feet, and guided everyone who wasn't a part of Chris's group into the forest. Leaving everyone alone.

"Maria, I am so sorry." Chris hissed, finally making his way over to the group. "All of this is my fault." He continued "If I hadn't been so selfish none of you would have gotten hurt. Carmen, Owen, Sandra...Lance...they would still be alive." He cursed under his breath. Chris was furious. Three of his closest friends were dead, Nick and Amirä were injured, and Tsovey was almost killed because of him and he couldn't deal with that reality.

"Chris, don't say stupid shit like that." Matt barked, gaining everyone's attention.

"It's the truth!" Chris replied in kind.

"No it isn't!" Matt shouted. "Everything we did, we did because we wanted to. You didn't influence me to follow you. I love them just as much as you do. Nick does too." Matt exclaimed, frustration present in his tone. "Lisa followed us because she wanted freedom...they all did." He paused, looking down at Lisa who was still holding onto Maria. "They understood the risks...we never thought that this would happen. How could we? We knew Deborah was crazy, but we never thought she would kill our friends." Matt ended, looking back over at Chris, who was barely keeping himself together as it was. "We started this together as a team. The goal was always to get out of that hell hole...we all knew the risks, and now we have to try and continue on. And It's going to be really fucking hard...I don't think I'll be able to truly move on from this, but I have to try. We all do." Matt exclaimed, this time his voice was soft and unstable. "We have to try to move forward because if we don't...then they died for nothing." Matt proclaimed, causing everyone to stiffen up a little. "They fought and died so we could live, and finally be free! So we have to keep fighting for them." He concluded, before holding his hand out to Chris. "Come back Chris. We need you...Vialo need's you." Matt begged. "Just come back." Matt repeated. Chris looked at Matt's hand for a moment, he wanted nothing more than to take hold of it, but the other part of himself felt as though he was unworthy to accept it. "Come on." Matt's now tear filled voice echoed inside Chris's head. Chris understood that if he didn't let go. If he didn't listen to Matt's words, he could turn into a monster himself, driven on revenge alone, and he didn't want to become that, so he accepted it. It took him a few minutes, but he accepted Matt's gesture. The pair looked at each other for a moment, in silence. They were owning what was now their new normal. It was a pain filled freedom. A freedom that came with mixed emotions. Emotions that were difficult to decipher at that moment, but they knew one day it would become clear. "We're free." Matt whispered, tears beginning to pool in his eyes.

"We're free." Chris agreed, pulling Matt into a tight hug. "We will be okay...someday." Chris added. He hugged Matt tightly. He knew they were safe, but he still felt uneasy. He didn't know why, but he knew this wasn't over...it would never truly be over. After a few more moments had passed, Matt and Chris walked over to everyone. Matt taking his place beside Lisa, and Chris sitting next to Nick who was getting his injury cleaned by Penelope. "You okay bud?" Chris questioned, looking over Nick's wound.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Nick replied softly, looking down at the ground.

Chris let out a low sigh, before holding his hand out to Nick. "Are you okay?" Chris repeated, looking into Nick's eyes.

Nick looked at Chris's hand for a minute before taking hold of it. "No. I don't think I truly ever will be, but like Matt said...we have to try, even if it hurts." Nick answered honestly. "They're gone...we have to bury our friends, and that sentence breaks my heart." Nick confessed, as he brought his free hand to his eyes, wiping away the tears. "We will never be able to see them again." Nick let out a soft cry, as he allowed himself to fall apart, if only just a little.

Before Chris could say anything the sound of footsteps cracked behind him. "That is not true Nick." Sakire exclaimed with a soft smile. Nick looked at the young girl, confusion filling his watery eyes. Sakire let a small smile appear on her lips. "You will see what I mean." She added, before looking back at her mother. The group watched as The family of Na'vi emerged from the forest. Some still saying their final goodbyes.

Lìyìnuk stood there for a moment, watching as people started to slowly stand to their feet and look to her for guidance. "Everything has been prepared, are you all ready?" Lìyìnuk asked softly, looking straight at Chris.

Chris took in a short breath, as he looked at his friends. There was a mutual moment of confirmation, and acceptance in the air around them, and Chris knew that the start of their new life was now officially upon them. Chris looked back at Lìyìnuk and let out a shaky breath. "We're ready." Chris replied firmly.