Finally alive (Book 1)

XVIII

With Jake’s inspiring speech still ringing in my head, and a personal lecture to stay away from flying anywhere, I was left with Moat and a dozen families at the Tree of souls.

They all flew to different parts of Pandora, in hopes of calling as many allies to stand against the Sky people. Hopefully, with the image of Toruk there won’t be much difficulty there.

Still shaken up about Grace’s death, I was incredibly grumpy and angry. I wanted to just fly to the Hell’s gate and end the bastards myself. But I knew that would be stupid, no matter how alluring.

I escaped the area, hoping to find a secluded spot to be by myself for a few minutes. After walking in an unknown direction for some time, I spot a rock formation right next to a willow shaped tree, that looked as an easy climb. Without any second thoughts I climb up, and to my relief, there was just enough space for two people to sit comfortably.

Not much could be seen, besides tree tops, with a tall tree here and there. I look around, spinning on my heel, noticing the soft glow the Tree of Souls was emitting. I sit down, taking a deep breath.

These past days were chaotic. I feel fatigued, and it wasn’t this body that was tired. I don’t think I slept more than 5 hours these past three days. I was hanging on the idea of revenge and anger. And undiscribable desire to finally be content. Free. Alive.

It was something I was trying to reach my whole life, after my Dad passed away. His last words were “Find something to live for. And when you do, cherish it, protect it, but never take it for granted. It can disappear in a blink of an eye.”

Before Pandora, I thought my profession was something that was worth living for.

It wasn’t.

Before meeting these people, I thought I loved my life.

I didn’t.

Before I knew Tsu’tey, I thought love was just an idea.

It’s not.

Life is here again, trying to take what I cherish most away from me. I will be damned if I let anything happen to my brothers and sisters. I won’t let the humans take another splinter from this land.

Even if its the last thing I do.

I look up to the sky, that was clear as ever and gazed at the stars that were plenty. The giant blue planet was at the peak of it’s cycle, making it the dominant object in the sky.  Just a bit to its left I saw like a tiny brush of yellow, making me wonder if it was a galaxy.

I yawn and decide to get both of my bodies some z’s. I climb down with ease, noticing that more night creatures have awoken. I walk past them, making near to zero noise. It was nice to blend in with nature.

I don’t find Mo’at where I left her, so I assumed she went to sleep too. Stopping for a second, marveling the beauty of the tree, I ponder where do I sleep.

The cave.

I make my way there, hoping no one has taken it. I huff in relief when I find it empty. I curl up near the nearly dead fire, relaxing.

I slept the whole following day. When I woke up, I felt guilty, but Jake assured me that I needed the sleep.

As I was devouring my breakfast, we received a call from Max. I lost my appetite when he said that the colonel is mobilising every ship for his sick mission - to bomb the Tree of Souls.

All of us avoided each other’s eyes, knowing just how screwed we are. Norm was the first one to voice it.

Jake seemed to be collecting words. ‘We have 15 clans out there. And we have a home field advantage; we fly these mountains. You know them.’ he points at Trudy at the end.

‘Jake, if they reach the Tree of Souls, it will destroy the natives.’ Norm says gravely. ‘It’s their direct contact to Eywa.’

I stare at my shoes, trying to suppress the desire to end Selfridge and Quaritch myself.

‘Well, I guess we better stop them.’ Jake says with fire behind his voice.

When I look up to him, his eyes burned with the same passion I had.

To put a stop to human reign on this planet.