Avatar: The Return of The Songbirds

Chapter Fifty-Four - The Final Goodbye

In an instant Maria, alongside all her friends were traveling through what could only be described as a bioluminescent tunnel. The feeling was both an eternity and yet mere seconds before the once strobing tunnel was now...the forest. Maria looked at her surroundings, confused as to what had just transpired. "Maria, are you alright?" Lìyìnuk questioned, taking hold of the young girl's hand.

"What? What just happened?" Maria exclaimed, looking into Lìyìnuk's eyes. "I don't understand what's happening." she repeated.

Lìyìnuk smiled softly, placing her free hand on Maria's cheek. "There are some people here that are waiting for you." Lìyìnuk stated, before shifting her head to the right.

Maria followed Lìyìnuk's lead and faced forward. "What?" Maria whispered, as tears quickly overflowed in her eyes. "Carmen?" She cried, in pure disbelief.

"Hey kid, long time now see." Carmen replied with a happy smile. "It's good to see you." She continued.

Maria stared at her sister in shock. How was this possible? She watched her sister die...Carmen died in her arms, so how the hell was she standing mere feet in front of her? Not just Carmen, but everyone. They were all there. Maria had so many questions, but they could wait. All she wanted to do was hug Carmen. Before she even realized it, she was in a full sprint. It took seconds for their bodies to crash together, and all Maria could do was cry, as she held Carmen tightly in her arms. Her body was warm and familiar. If a moment could freeze, Maria would gladly press pause. "How is this possible?" Maria cried.

"I don't really understand it myself." Carmen confessed, tightening her hold around Maria. "The last thing I remember was you singing to me...then everything went dark for a few seconds." Carmen added.

"A few seconds?" Lisa's soft voice was heard behind Maria.

Carmen opened her eyes and allowed a chuckle to come out. "Why are you guys crying so much!" Carmen joked, gaining a whimper in reply from Maria. "Come here!" Carmen exclaimed, motioning Lisa to join them. Carmen didn't have to repeat herself because Lisa latched onto the pair.

"I'm so sorry this happened, Carmen. I should have listened to Maria...maybe things would have ended differently." Lisa cried.

Lisa's words made Carmen stiffen a little, as she pulled the two females back. "Don't say that. I did what I did because I wanted to. I saved my sister's life because I wanted to. I fought beside them because I wanted to. My life went exactly how I wanted it to." Carmen barked. "Do not apologize for what happened. If I was given the chance to redo anything I would do it again." She added, this time in a soft tone. "I died for the people I love, and I would do it a thousand times over." Carmen chuckled, placing her hands on both girl's cheeks. "I have a request of you two, well a request of all of you." Carmen stated, looking behind them and making eye contact with the whole group. "My request is simple, live for us. Smile every day, find love, have families, live your lives to the fullest and be happy. We live within their deity. We will always be here when you need us, but you need to live for us while you're out there, okay?" Carmen questioned.

"You know we will Carmen." Chris replied with a smile.

"I know." Carmen chuckled.

"I'm sorry...but why don't I see Lance? He should be here too." Charlie questioned softly.

Lìyìnuk looked at the young girl with a sad look in her eyes. "People can choose if they want to live within Eywa...it seems that he chose not to." Lìyìnuk confessed. "I am sorry Charlie." She whispered.

"So...they are here, but I can't see my cousin! He left me behind!" Charlie barked in a pain-filled rage.

"Charlie...he felt like he wasn't worthy of a second chance. Don't be mad at him. He died a hero, and he lives within you." Nick exclaimed as he placed his hand on her shoulder, gaining her attention. "Don't be mad at him Charlie." Nick repeated.

Charlie looked at Nick as tears poured from her eyes. "Why did he leave me alone?" Charlie cried. Nick let out a sad sigh, pulling Charlie into a tight hug.

"He did what he thought was right, Charlie. He still lives within your heart, so he's not gone." Nick exclaimed with a soft smile. "You won't let his memory die." He added.

"Keep this in your mind, Charlie, Eywa leaves that door open." Lìyìnuk stated, gaining the young girl's attention. "If and when his soul feels he can accept her hand, Eywa will bring him home." She promised. "The choice he made is not permanent." She finished.

"See Charlie, this separation is temporary." Nick chuckled. "You'll see Lance again." He promised.

Charlie let out an airy sigh before tightening her grip around Nick. "I hope you're right." Charlie whispered.

"Your process of death...is so different from ours." Chris exclaimed, still in shock.

"What does your.. death look like?" Vialo questioned softly.

"We don't get a second chance to live within our deity, or have the chance to still our loved ones whenever we want." Chris replied. "When someone dies, they just die." Chris continued.

Vialo smiled lightly and took hold of Chris's hand. "Here you always have ties to your loved ones." Vialo proclaimed. "They will always be within reach." She added.

"She's right." Carmen exclaimed. "I learned a lot going through the eyes of Eywa, and I now have a level of peace I thought was unattainable." She continued, looking at her sister. "You will always have access to me, so stop crying already." Carmen joked, causing the group surrounding her to laugh.

"Knowing what I know now, I guess crying is a bit dramatic." Maria agreed in between quiet chuckles. "I can't deny that I am still extremely confused about all of this, but I am grateful." Maria exclaimed with a broken smile.

"I will always be a connection away from you. I can't wait to see you grow as a person, and the potential family you will gain along the way." Carmen stated happily.

"You'll have to bring your partner and future children to see us okay Maria!" Sandra barked. "I want to see them!" She added with a chuckle.

"I will." Maria smiled, taking hold of Carmen's hand again. "You know I will." She finished.

"That goes to all of you too!" Sandra ordered, looking out at all of her friends. "Matt, don't wait another five years to start a family." She chuckled. "You guys have been secretly in love with each other for so long, just be happy together." She playfully instructed, her words causing the pair to blush.

"Yeah, yeah." Matt groaned, looking down at the ground. "I get it." He added.

"Good, I can't wait to see the life you guys build together." Sandra stated with a smile.

Pxäkngam looked out at the group for a moment, before gently clearing his throat. "I hate to rush this, but we have to get back." Pxäkngam exclaimed softly.

Maria looked at the older man, before allowing a small smile to grow on her face. "He's right." Maria agreed, bringing her gaze back to Carmen. "We are so close to their home...and like you said, we're only a connection away." Maria proclaimed, pulling her sister into one final hug. "I'll see you again soon Carmen." Maria promised.

Carmen chuckled and brought her arms up, wrapping them around Maria. "I'll always be here when you need me." Carmen vowed. After a few more goodbyes, the family slowly went back to the real world. Although the group had been given both closure and confirmation that their friends and loved ones were still with them, there was still a tinge of sadness in the air. A sadness Lìyìnuk was very aware of.

"Why don't we make our way into the trees and rest for the night." Lìyìnuk exclaimed, gaining everyone's attention.

"My wife is right, today has drained us all. We need to rest our bodies." Pxäkngam agreed. "We will continue on tomorrow morning." He finished, before motioning the ever-growing family to follow him.

The walk to their resting place was mostly silent. Apart from the four younger children asking a question every now and then. It was obvious that this wound was way too large to heal overnight, but one day it would be a pain everyone could live with...all they could do was wish that day would come sooner rather than later.