After a roughly thirty-minute walk, Pxäkngam stopped in front of a large, sturdy tree. "Alright, we will sleep here for the night." He proclaimed, looking up into the dense leaves above them.
"Sleep where?" Jason's question gained Pxäkngam's attention.
"Up there." Pxäkngam replied with a smile.
"Up?" Jason repeated, disbelief present in his voice.
"What? Have you never climbed a tree before?" Matt questioned.
"I have...that's just..." Jason paused, as his head slowly tilted upward. "A really tall tree." Jason exclaimed dryly.
"Do not worry Jason, we will help you." Henilo stated with a smile. "We won't let you fall." He reassured.
"Thank you." Jason exclaimed softly. "I still don't understand how we're going to get up there." He whispered to himself.
"Jason, why don't you follow Henilo." Pxäkngam suggested with a smile. "Maria you can go up with Solko, Lisa you can go up with Vialo." He continued.
"I can help her up." Matt exclaimed with a smile.
"Matt, you can barely get up these trees by yourself." Nick scoffed, causing the group to laugh. "She's better off going with Vialo." He added.
"Shut up." Matt groaned but ultimately conceded.
"Charlie, you can come with me if you'd like." Sakire offered, holding her hand out.
"Thank you Sakire." Charlie replied with a smile, taking hold of the younger female's hand.
"That leaves Penelope with Tatal, Jordan with Zuko, and Rick will be with Väluka," Pxäkngam continued.
"Who is going to help me up?" Jackson questioned in a joking tone.
"I will help you." Pxäkngam replied with a chuckle.
Jackson allowed a smile to grow on his face. "Thank you Pxängam, I'd appreciate that." Jackson exclaimed softly.
"It is my pleasure." Pxäkngam stated happily. Before long, the pairs made their descent up the large tree trunk. And after a few minor slips, they all successfully made it to the top.
"That was so tiring!" Jason exclaimed as he melted into the treetops.
"If this is tiring for you, just wait until we get to their home, my friend." Chris chuckled, sitting next to the visibly exhausted Jason.
"Why do you say that?" Jason replied nervously.
"They live in the trees." Matt added, his statement made Jason's eyes widen.
"What?" Jason stated quickly, as his head shot up from the ground.
"Vialo why don't you explain it, I don't want to get anything wrong." Matt requested with a smile.
Vialo let out an amused chuckle and nodded in reply. She brought her attention over to a rather perplexed Jason. His expression made the group erupt in laughter. "My people live within the trees. We build our home both in and around the large branches and make pathways with a few layers of tree bark due to its strength. We use leaves, and long vines to tie everything together." Vialo explained.
"Why live in the trees? Isn't that a bit inconvenient?" Jason continued, who was now in a seated position.
"That is how we have always lived. We are part of the Tìk'nui clan." Vialo stated softly.
"Tìk'nui...wait, I know that name!" Charlie exclaimed eagerly.
"You know of our people?" Henilo questioned.
YOU ARE READING
Avatar: The Return of The Songbirds
Science FictionLooking back on the past holds nothing but pain and heartache for me and my family now. We were once a part of the beautiful Tìk'nui clan, but my people were better known as the songbird clan. We were neighbors to all and to no one at the same time...
