A/N: This is a story I wrote for the NFA White Elephant Exchange. It is a supernatural story, based heavily on research I did into Navajo legends and the creation story. I'm not a Navajo expert by any means, but I did my best to get the stories right. If I missed important details, I do apologize.
A/N2: I used a number of online sources for my research (yes, I know, online isn't always reliable). For the Dine Bahane, I used the summary given on Wikipedia simply because it was the clearest of the websites I found, but in comparing to other sites that also claimed to be telling the story, I found no real variations, merely in a few words being used. Since I don't tell the whole story in this, I recommend you read it. It really is fascinating.
Disclaimer: I do not own the NCIS franchise. I do not own the Navajo creation story. I am not making any money off this story.
The Witchery Way
by Enthusiastic Fish
Prologue
Before...
He saw the track. He had been searching for days. Now, here it was. The yee naaldlooshii couldn't be far away. Softly, he began chanting. He would need as much help as he could get.
There was a ominous presence. His target was close by.
He tried to feel the location, but something seemed to be blocking his senses.
Suddenly, a flash of movement to the side of him. He whirled.
Too late.
Sharp teeth chomped down on his wrist. Blood began to pour onto the ground.
He managed to pull away, but that tore the blood vessels even more.
"You are too slow. Too old."
The voice was soft and menacing.
"Look in my eyes and I will relieve you of your suffering."
"Lies," he said in reply. "The followers of 'ánt'iizhi do not relieve suffering. They only cause it."
A laugh. He kept his eyes on his wound. He would not give evil purchase inside him.
"Soon, I will become clizyati and those who resist me will die...even as you will die."
"You will fail."
"And how will you stop me? Your blood feeds the ground and soon you will be dead."
He smiled.
"Hashkeh Naabah of the 'Iich'ah dine'e out of the 'Ashiihnii."
There was a long silence.
"And now," he said, "now, you also will die."
He shrieked and ran, leaving the dying man alone. After a few steps, a coyote was running away. The dying man fell to the ground, knowing that there was no time to be saved...but he had succeeded.
For now, the war against evil had been won. It could not be permanent, but it gave good some time to regroup and strengthen itself.
As his blood continued to pour out of his body, his vision changed. He rolled onto his back and stared up at the sun.
He smiled and inhaled deeply.
x.x.x.x.x.x.x
Robbie Natani crept quietly out into the cold night air. It might be too late, but he had to try. He couldn't let his brother fall without trying to help him. It was just a matter of seeking out the right place.
He was about half a mile into the desert when he heard someone following him. He stopped, searched for some cover and then hid himself. His tail came into view.
"Jack! What are you doing here? You're supposed to be asleep back at the house!" Robbie said with irritation.
Jack Miller, who had come with Robbie on his visit home, smiled a little sheepishly in the dark.
"You going to give me the lie that nothing's going on again, Robbie? I know you too well."
Robbie sighed. "No, I won't give you the lie, but you must not be out here, shik'is. There's more going on than you can understand."
"Fine, I can't understand it, but I can't just leave you out here. I can tell by the way you're talking that it's going to be dangerous. Isn't it."
"Probably."
"Then, let's go, and I'll be right on your six."
"I'd feel better if you weren't here at all."
Jack grinned. "I know, but let's just say that I'm a glutton for punishment. If you didn't want me here, you shouldn't have brought me along. Will you tell me what we're looking for?"
"At best...my brother. At worst...death."
Robbie was surprised when Jack didn't ask any more questions. He just nodded and gestured for Robbie to go on.
They walked together for a couple of miles and Robbie was starting to think that they'd have no luck tonight. Maybe Jack's presence was keeping him away.
Then...
"What's that?" Jack asked in a whisper, pointing to the north.
Robbie followed his gaze and he knew that all his worst fears had come true. He stepped in that direction.
"Please, shínaaí, you go too far," he said. "You can still come back!"
His voice carried across the desert. The figure didn't move at first and then...
Jack cried out in pain. Robbie turned just in time to see his friend taken down by a coyote with strange, dull eyes.
"No."
He pulled out his gun and fired at the animal.
He missed.
A voice whispered in his ear.
"Too late, shitsilí. You are always too late."
And he was.