Alyara
Two years before the humans return/Four years before the incident
Twelve and thirteen years old
"This is our sacred tree," Mo'at's eyes gleam as she stares at the magnificent tree. "It has survived wars between clans and humans. It has comforted our clan during our sorrows. This is how we connect with Eywa."
Alyara stares in awe. She remembers faint images of this tree from many years ago. Mo'at brushes her hands along the faintly glowing strings and stops beside Alyara.
"This is how we connect with our ancestors." She places a hand over Alyara's heart with a woeful expression. "I feel a great storm in your heart," Mo'at whispers, "You must be at peace with your loss."
Alyara's eyes glisten and she gulps down the pain in her throat. She reaches her hand for one of the many tendrils hanging from the tree. She glances at Mo'at before connecting her queue to it. Her heart races in anticipation and she wonders what Eywa may show to her. She takes in a breath and...
She feels nothing.
There is no surge of energy, nor any image in her mind, not even a single sound. There is nothing. Mo'at continues speaking, "Feel the life of every na'vi and every animal lying with Eywa. See what message Eywa delivers to you and hold it fast in your heart." There is passion in her voice, but none of it reaches Alyara.
She wonders for a moment if she missed the tendril, but she is fully connected. She disconnects, and tries again, but she receives the same result. Her heart beat quickens and her stomach churns.
"From Eywa we live, and to Eywa we..." Mo'at trails off, meeting Alyara's frantic eyes.
"I..." Alyara stutters.
"What is it?" Mo'at steps beside her.
"I don't feel anything. Why don't I feel anything?" Alyara's voice quivers.
Mo'at pauses beside her, her brows drawing together in confusion. "What do you mean? There is nothing at all?"
Alyara shakes her head, "I'm afraid it's been so long since I've visited here that I don't really know what to expect. But...this just can't be right." An awful thought crosses her mind, and she knows Mo'at thinks the same, "Mo'at, please, what does this mean? It doesn't mean that I..." She hesitates to even say it.
Mo'at shakes her head and pulls Alyara closer, "Do not worry, dear child, we will not assume the worst. We will return home for today."
Alyara looks up at Mo'at, "Oh, please, no Mo'at. I can do this." She begs.
Mo'at flashes a face of pity and Alyara feels a sickness in her stomach. She must hate me now, what have I done?
A thousand thoughts run in her mind—thoughts meant only for tearing her down. It's as if a large dam in her mind has broken, and all her insecurities have come flourishing out. Her throat burns and tears pricks her eyes.
"We will go home, Alyara. You will rest." The final word.
Alyara sits in the Sullys hammock, Neteyam is beside her. She is weaving a basket while Neteyam helps prep some vegetables for the clan's dinner. Standing at the other end of the hammock is Jake and Mo'at in deep conversation.
Although Alyara cannot make out what they are saying over Neteyam's chopping, she can guess. She bites her lip hard as she recalls her failure at the tree. How is it that I didn't connect?
Neteyam sits silently by her side until his chopping comes to a stop and he moves the diced vegetables into a nearby basket. In this short silence, Alyara catches a hint of the conversation.
"Surely this has happened before, maybe she's just not feeling well..." Jake reasons.
Mo'at shakes her head, "I have never seen this. It is worrisome, Jakesully. As you know, Eywa does not reject even the Sky People."
Jake grimaces. "What, so she can't connect? At all?"
Mo'at sighs, "I do not know. I do not want to assume the worst, but we can not ignore the possible. I will take her again, I want you there to see it."
Jake glances in Alyara's direction, but she swiftly turns her head. "OK." He nods.
Mo'at leaves shortly after the conversation is finished, and Jake doesn't stick around long either. This leaves just Alyara and Neteyam.
"So that's what's got you all mopey." He scoffs.
Her jaw clenches, "Didn't take you for the nosy type."
"Well, if the future Tsahik can't speak with Eywa, that gives leeway for wanting a little more information." He grabs a few more vegetables onto his board, "What happened anyway? I only caught the last sliver of the conversation."
"I don't want to talk about it." She keeps her voice even.
"You really didn't feel anything at all?" He disregards her, continuing his ridicule.
"I don't—" Her breath hitches.
Neteyam raises his eyes to her, a surprised expression, "Oh. You're serious." Her eyes swim with tears and she stares at him in burning hatred. His shoulders drop and he places his knife onto the cutting board. "Don't look at me like that."
She stands abruptly and stomps out of the hammock, leaving her basket behind. As she exits the home, a few tears manage to fall before she wipes them away.
If it wasn't humiliating enough to fail at such a simple task, Neteyam had to hear about it too. She chokes back a sob. What's wrong with me?
YOU ARE READING
Wish You Were Dead
Fanfiction"Sometimes I fool myself into thinking you love me." She stares up into his eyes. His hands pause in her hair as he holds her gaze, "Sometimes I do, too." It was undeniable that Alyara would play the role of Tsahik. Being favored by Netayam's grandm...
