Ma Neteyam

33

Neteyam turned another corner as a strong gust of wind blew against him roughly, causing his braids to flail in every which direction.

The storm was close to arriving, small scattered raindrops began to fall quietly on the now busy island of Pandora. Hundreds of critters scavenged for shelter as the thunder and lighting began to come at a constant rhythm.

The flora rustled violently against the aggressive wind, the air slipping between the gaps of the trees creating a high pitched howl, the sound only adding an extra eerie feeling to the scenery around him.

And as the angry black clouds finally began to envelop the sky, blocking the once helpful light of the moon, Neteyam only felt his frustration grow. He had been walking for several minutes and hadn't even found a sign of Vareya or even other Na'vi's for that matter.

It seemed he either mistook the vastness of the island or his sense of direction, because it's felt as if he's been trapped in a void where all he does is go around in circles. There hasn't been one distinct tree or plant that's he's been able to use to get a better understanding of his progress, making him feel more useless then he already felt.

When he finally felt another urge of desperation kick in, he ripped a strip of cloth from his bottom piece and tied it around a branch. Once again taking foot, practically at a run he made sure to head in a straight line. Then somehow, someway, as the rain became heavier he saw it.

Saw it mockingly flailing against the wind in the same spot he had set it in. Wiya.

Wiya.

Wiya.

" Wiya!" He couldn't help but exclaim in frustration as he ripped the branch with the cloth off of the tree, and threw it angrily into the dark depths of the forest. In the distance he heard it land with a soft thud.

Searching around in desperation for anything that might seem take him down another path or lead him to civilization was only beginning to feel slimmer as time went by.

With every drop of rain that fell on his bioluminescenced skin, with every thunder that rumbled the ground beneath him, and every flash of lightning that painted the sky white, it all made him feel more hopeless. Made him feel as if he would fail Vareya.

Fail her at the most crucial time. A time where she needed him most, where she needed to know that she was no longer alone. All he needed was a sign, some kind of object, some kind of sign, some kind of sound-

Before he could even finish the thought, there it was again. And while just a few moments earlier he had wished to never hear that gut wrenching scream again, at this moment he couldn't help but feel glad.

Yet when he listened closely, heard Vareyas voice as it cracked just before a loud rumble of thunder, Neteyams heart tore in two.

" Neteyam!"

Before his mind could even process, his legs had already begun to move. His feet pounding the ground beneath him as his speed only began to increase, as his heart beat began to match his pace.

His name. She called for his name. It was only once, but he knows his ears were not deceived. Despite the distance between them, her voice was clear as the crystal waters in the reefs.

Neteyam, that's what she called out. Not even knowing if he was around, not even knowing if he could hear, she still screamed for him. Which meant that she was desperate, which meant that she wanted his help, begged for him. Wanted him.