𝐓𝐎𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐔𝐍 | neteyam

𝟎𝟏𝟔 | 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐓𝐎𝐏𝐒

TONOWARI NEARED THE ENTRANCE OF THE SULLY MAURI POD, AY'YEIVA'S WORDS PLAYING IN HIS MIND AS HE THOUGHT OF THE BAD NEWS: SOMETHING IS COMING. She knew. Why didn't he listen to the words sooner and let others know? Why didn't he even let Ronal know? It was a question for another day.

Neytiri and Jake's laughter toned down when they saw Tonowari's solemn expression. Jake left his mate's side and exited the pod to talk to the chief, "What's wrong?"

"Sky people." He turned to the man, noticing Neytiri now beside him once again, "They're looking for you, Jakesully. South. They have a human boy who speaks Na'vi." Tonowari looked out towards the ocean, rough waves and rain making a gloomy day.

Jake took a small deep breath before asking, "Did they kill anybody?"

"Not yet." The chief spoke sternly, "They threaten. But the villagers will not tell them where you are." He turned back to face the two Omatikaya, "By my order." He hesitated before mentioning, "At Ay'yeiva's ceremony the Spirit Tree had shown her that something was coming. I failed at preparing the village, and now we must keep our home safe."

Tonowari left for his own marui pod in search of Ronal, but found Ay'yeiva instead. It looked like she had been waiting for him to return. "It's happening, isn't it?"

He gave her a slight nod. Ay'yeiva looked behind her father to the water, watching how rough the water was becoming.

Rough waters bring trouble. It was something her father had taught her young, and it had always turned out to be true. She couldn't remember the last time she saw waves like these. She gave Tonowari a nod in goodbye, leaving the marui to find her siblings.

It didn't take much, listening out for yells among the village and following them to see both her brother, sister, and the Sully kids all running towards the ocean. Have Aonung and Tsireya learned nothing?

Ay'yeiva ran to the nearest shore and called out for Lan as she jumped in the water, connecting their cues and immediately swimming out to follow the group of teens.

The weather calmed down and the water was flat, Lan slowing down as they got closer to where the others hid behind seaweed. Ay'yeiva neared them and tapped on Tsireya's shoulder, slightly scaring her. Neteyam, noticing the girl, grabbed her arm and pointed at his brother — swimming into Payakan's mouth. She watched the scene in shock and worry, having never seen this kind of action between a Tulkun and Na'vi. She put her hand over Neteyam's as a way to say everything would be okay, and that seemed to have been enough to calm his own worries.

Tsireya watched the moment beside her unfold with a smile on her face that she tried her best to hide, returning attention to why her sister had followed them. "Where did you come from, Ay'yeiva?"

The older of the two shook her head, "Not now." and Tsireya knew to ask at another time.

Lo'ak emerged from Payakan and swam to the surface, everyone followed in suit.

•—•

THE FIVE TEENS FOLLOWED IN BEHIND TONOWARI AS HE LED THEM TO A MAURI POD, RONAL WATCHING THEM FROM BEHIND. "You allowed this. You allowed him to bond with the outcast!" She yelled at Tsireya, the youngest girl saddened, wanting to cry. Ay'yeiva pulled Tsireya beside her. The eldest rarely showed comfort in front of non-family members very often — it was considered an honour for the Sully boys to be witnessing it so early on in knowing her.

"You disappoint me, daughter." Tonowari spoke. He turned to Ay'yeiva, closing his mouth before saying anything, only giving her a stern glare that she returned. She knew he had nothing to get mad at her for. "And you," He faced Lo'ak, "son of a great warrior, who has been taught better."