When a seemingly lifeless boy is saved by a girl.
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Ma'vona was once a beloved member of the Kame'tire clan, known for their profound understanding of Pandora's flora and unparalleled healing skills. Their expertise was so great that they could heal...
♪ Rainforest Whispers by Pinar Toprak ♪ ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Chapter Thirty-Five: The Guilt
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The soft wind grazed my skin as I sat on the cliff's edge, the horizon of the endless sea stretching far into the distance. The eclipse had cast a golden glow over the world, the light touching me as if Eywa herself sought to soothe the storm within me. Yet, no warmth could pierce the cold knot in my chest. My hands pressed into the stone beneath me as I leaned back, closing my eyes to the vast sky and letting my thoughts drift.
I would often retreat to the cliffside of the floating mountain, overlooking the expanse of the forest and the sea below that stood next to each other. From here, I could see the thick canopy of the Forest stretching endlessly, a sea of greens and blues that should have brought peace. But even the beauty of the forest and the sea couldn’t ease the ache in my chest.
Neteyam… The name was like a whisper in my soul, a constant reminder of what I had left behind. My heart ached with guilt. I could still see his face, defiant and determined, and ready to fight any moment. I should have stayed, fought harder, but instead, I had made the choice to save Txä'vo. His injuries had been severe, and as a leader, I knew the cost of losing him could have been catastrophic for his clan. Yet, the guilt remained, gnawing at my resolve.
I drew in a deep breath, willing myself to stay present, to focus on what could be done instead of what could not be undone. The soft rustle of movement behind me made my long ears twitch, and I flinched, my eyes snapping open.
"Ma'vona," Txä'vo’s voice came, calm and steady. I exhaled sharply, letting my shoulders drop as I glanced back. Seeing him there—upright and moving on his own—was both a relief and a reminder of why I had made the choice I had. I turned back to the view, pulling my legs forward and letting them dangle over the edge.
"How is the pain?" I asked, my voice quieter than I intended.
He stepped closer, his movements deliberate, before settling beside me. The faint smell of damp moss and the sharp, earthy aroma of healing herbs clung to him. His injuries had healed remarkably, though his face still bore the weariness of a warrior pushed to his limits.
"Bearable," he replied after a moment, flexing his arm slightly. "The healers have done well. Eywa has blessed me more than I deserve."
We sat in silence for a while, the stillness of the floating mountain wrapping around us. The vast expanse of sky and sea seemed to stretch forever, but my thoughts were tethered firmly to Neteyam.
Txä'vo broke the quiet first, his voice low and steady. "Neteyam will be okay."
I couldn’t help the soft chuckle that escaped me—a sound tinged with warmth, though my heart still felt heavy. "Yes," I said, my tone lighter than I felt. "I hope so."
