Ke'lal woke the next morning, nervous, and anxious at the same time. He would be leaving the compound in a few hours, leaving Emily. He was sitting on the bed looking out at the forest when he heard someone approach.
Norm: Ke'lal may I talk to you for a moment?
Ke'lal: Yes what is it?
Norm: I am not going to sugar coat this so here goes. I don't trust you. I don't know what your plan is but if it is to do harm to the people. You will have a very hard time out there.
Ke'lal looked down at the human standing in front of him and could not help but laugh. Was this little thing actually threatening him?
Ke'lal: If I wanted to do anything, who is going to stop me? You, even if you were in your avatar you would still be no match for me, nor would any of the others. I am sure Emily briefed you on what I am and what I am capable of. Keep your threats to yourself little man if you value what life you have. I don't take kindly to people threatening me.
Ke'lal stood up and looked down at the scientist.
Ke'lal: Trust me I didn't ask for any of this. This was Emily's idea. And because she made me promise I will not take your threat to heart and kill you were you stand.
As Ke'lal was finishing his remark Emily had walked up.
Emily: What is going on?
Norm just scoffed and walked away. Ke'lal looked at him for a second before turning his attention to Emily:
Ke'lal: It's nothing. Just a misunderstanding.
Emily: Sounded more than just a misunderstanding.
Ke'lal: Are you sure you want me to go? I could stay here with you. There is no need for me to go. Besides I don't think the Omatikaya want me there anyway. I could see it in the eyes of that hunter yesterday.
Emily: It's been decided and you promised me didn't you? Besides, the Samson is ready to take you and Norm there so get ready to go.
Emily turned to walk away then but looked back over her shoulder with a smile.
Emily: Make me proud………son.
As the Samson was preparing for the journey, Ke'lal walked up with a small bag of his belongings. A few sharpening stones for his sword and a photo of him and Emily back on earth. Emily had instructed him not to bring much because he will not need anything when he gets to the home tree.
Emily: Hurry up slow poke. You're going to miss your flight.
Ke'lal: Would that be a bad thing? Then I would just stay here.
He said with a grin. Emily chuckled to herself as he walked up and knelt down in front of her.
Emily: Be strong Ke'lal and don't forget your promise.
Ke'lal: I will make you proud. Don't forget your promise either.
He held her in his arms whispering in her ear.
Ke'lal: I promise to play nice mother. And I will be back soon.
Emily watched as the Samson pulled up and away. A tear fell down her cheek. As the thought of never seeing him again came to her mind.
2 hours later
The Samson came to a clearing a few miles from home tee. Norman and Ke'lal got off and the Samson pulled away. What have I gotten myself into this time Ke'lal thought? Only to have his thoughts interrupted by two navi entering the clearing. One of the navi he recognized from the day before as Pe'dal the other he had not seen before. As they approached Norman made a gesture with his hand and greeted them.
Norm: I see you. It is good to see you Ninhat.
The new Navi returned the gesture to Norman and knelt in front of him.
Ninhat: I see you. Nor Man.
Ke'lal decided to ignore the giggling and whispers the two were sharing and took the time to focus on his surroundings. After all a good soldier was aware of his surroundings and always had a plan of escape. As he was surveying the forest he heard a voice come from behind him.
Pe'dal: Come you must see the Tsahik. She awaits you at home tree.
The four walked through the woods towards the huge tree that Ke'lal had seen when they were approaching in the Samson. Ninhat and Norman were talking among themselves as Pe'dal and Ke'lal just walked in silence. Ke'lal could not help but marvel at the surroundings. Lush green plants and trees were only seen in books on Earth. Ke'lal looked up in time to see Pe'dal looking him up and down with a look of contempt and disgust in her face.
Ke'lal: Something wrong?
Norman and Ninhat became silent and watched the two in front.
Pe'dal: You wear Sky people cloths and use sky people weapon. I do not trust you.
Ke'lal: Well the feeling is mutual. I don't care one way or the other if you like me I am not doing this for you so let's just keep going.
Pedal mumbled to herself but Ke'lal could make out one word that infuriated him. Vrrtep. Alien, she called him an alien; he had to keep focused on something other than her lest he lose his temper. His mother warned him not to do anything rash. She knew his temper was like a ticking time bomb. And he didn't want to break his promise. They arrived at home tree about an hour later. As they walked up, Ke'lal could not keep the amazement off his face. He had seen pictures of the home tree that fell. But to see one in person took his breath away. As they walked to the base of the home tree, Ke'lal could hear the whispers of the people gathered around. Looking at their faces he could see some with curious expressions, but others with anger and contempt on their face.
Neytiri walked towards them and greeted them.
Neytiri: It is good to see you again Norman.
Norman: And you Neytiri.
Neytiri looked over at Ke'lal and smiled.
Neytiri: Welcome to home tree. My mother is waiting please come.
As the two approached the base of the tree Moat stepped forward to greet them. Ke'lal stopped and bowed his head to her and spoke in Navi.
Ke'lal: I see you Tsahik. It is an honor to speak with you.
Neytiri and the others turned to look at Ke'lal none of them knew he spoke navi, and that he spoke it like the natives was even more of a shock.
Moat: Welcome my daughter has told me of you. Understand that we are weary of strangers. But your Aunt Grace was a friend to the people. The path you seek will be hard and dangerous. Are you sure this is what you want.
Ke'lal: I promised my mother that I would make her proud and I do not break my promises.
Moat simply smiled and nodded. She approached him and looked him over. She pulled the bone out of her headdress and pricked his chest. Placing the drop of the blood on her tongue she smiled and turned to the crowd to address them.
Moat: This man has come to us from far away to learn. We will teach him our ways and watch him grow.
Moat turned back to face the small group in front of her.
Moat: Ke'lal, please go with Sheyana. If you are to be one of us you must dress like one of us.
As Moat was speaking she motioned to a young woman who quickly came up to her. Sheyana nodded to Moat and motioned for Ke'lal to follow. As they walked through the crowd Ke'lal could feel the stares of the people. He could hear the whispers of contempt and ridicule. But above all else the word that he heard most was Vrrtep. As they walked Ke'lal saw a young boy looking at him. Ke'lal stopped to talk to the boy.
Ke'lal: Hello young one. What is your name?
Before the boy could answer, his mother grabbed him and hissed at Ke'lal. She mumbled something which ended with, Sky person alien. Ke'lal could tell he wasn't wanted there the people did not want him and he no longer wanted to be with them. He was angry and sad. Angry at the people for judging him and sad that he would not please his mother like he promised. Ke'lal turned away and started walking back to home tree. Sheyana did not notice that he was not following her anymore until she got to the weavers hut and turned to address him.
Ke'lal walked swiftly to the base of home tree and saw that Moat and the others were inside of the base speaking. He could see there was an argument going on so he decided to listen in.
Moat: We should find him a teacher that will properly teach him and accept him.
Jake: I have decided that Pe'dal will be his teacher.
Pe'dal: Why me. I do not trust hm. He is not navi, he is different, and he doesn't belong here. He should have stayed on his own planet. He is arrogant and dangerous. I would rather have left him at the human base.
Moat looked up just in time to see Ke'lal's face as Pe'dal was going off on her rant. She could see the fury in his eyes having heard the conversation. Her ears laid flat against her head as she saw him coming closer to them.
Ke'lal: This is the welcome you give to people coming to you seeking to learn? Everyone of you have greeted me the same. Contempt and hatred. I could not choose the way I was born nor could I choose the upbringing I have had. But I can choose this; I will not stay here any longer.
Ke'lal furiously stormed off outside of home tree and made his way towards the woods. As he was leaving Sheyana caught up to him.
Sheyana: I was looking for you I thought you were behind me but I got nervous when you weren't there.
Ke'lal: Don't bother I am leaving.
Sheyana could only watch as his eyes met hers and she could see the pain and the anger in them. She said nothing as he walked away from her and into the woods. Moments later Jake, Neytiri and Pe'dal came running up.
Neytiri: Sheyana where did the visitor go.
Sheyana: He has left and gone into the woods.
Jake: Which way did he head?
Sheyana pointed in the direction that Ke'lal had walked off in. Jakes eyes got wide for a second.
Jake: I know where he is going.
Neytiri: Where
Jake: To Hells Gate
Neytiri: But it will soon be nightfall and it is more dangerous for him for not knowing the land.
Jake: And that is why we are going after him.
Jake had anger in his eyes when he looked at Pe'dal.
Jake: When we return, you WILL be his teacher.
Jake said no more as the three went into the woods after Ke'lal.
As Ke'lal ran through the woods he was glad that he took the time to study where Hells gate was in relation to the home tree. At least he could get back to Emily and away from the snide remarks and uncomfortable stares of the people at home tree. He had been running for a while when he realized he had spaced out and came to a clearing. He stopped to catch his breath when he heard a sound coming from off to his left. As he looked to see what the noise was a Thanator jumped into the clearing eyeing him like a snack. Just great thought Ke'lal as if things couldn't get any worse.
Meanwhile
Jake, Neytiri and Pedal were following Ke'lal's trail.
Jake: It's amazing that he has covered so much ground in such a short time.
Neytiri: For this to be his first time in the jungle I must say that I am impressed his trail is not that easy to follow either, even though he is in Sky people boots.
Pe'dal did not say anything her thoughts were to herself. It's not my fault she thought. He decided to run off on his own. Then her thoughts went to the outbreak of insults that she said thinking that if he had not heard them he would not have run off. A feeling of guilt began to well up inside of her.
Her thoughts were cut short as the three navi heard the unmistakable roar of a Thanator. The three navi stopped dead in their tracks. The sound came from ahead of them.
Jake: The Thanator is on his trail as well we must hurry and….
Jakes sentence was cut off by another sound the sound of absolute defiance and rage of a scream.
Neytiri: That was Ke'lal I am sure of it.
The three Navi took their bows off their backs and ran towards the sounds. As they approached the clearing they slowed their pace to ease up to the clearing. As they entered they could see debris from a fight and the smell that hit their noses was unmistakable, blood. As the three surveyed the scene a voice from overhead broke their concentration.
Ke'lal: You should leave before he comes back.
Before the three could look up to the sound the Thanator returned into the clearing. They could see the rage in his eyes and the slash across its face dripping blood. The three raised their bows to take aim at the great hunter before them. But before they could take aim, Ke'lal dropped from the tree in front of them.
Ke'lal: Do not interfere. This fight is between him and me.
Immediately their eyes were drawn to the three slash marks across his back. The blood slowly dripping down onto his cargo pants.
Neytiri: Ke'lal you are wounded and it takes more than one hunter to take down a Palulukan. It's madness to try to defeat one on your own. Do you wish to die?
Ke'lal: If I needed your help with this fight then I would not have earned the right to be in Shadow.
With that statement Jake's eyes went wide as his bow lowered slightly. Only one word escaped his lips.
Jake: Impossible
Ke'lal looked at Jake with a devilish grin.
Ke'lal: you know of what I speak.
Without another word Ke'lal drew his blade and walked further into the clearing. Looking at the Palulukan in the eye he addressed it moving the blade slowly from left to right turning the blade as it slid . Catching the reflection from the bioluminescent hues from the plants. The blade moving slowly looked almost like a dance to the three navi. Almost as if the blade was not solid but made of liquid.
Ke'lal: Hunter, I do not wish to end your life. But if you continue to attack then I will not hold back the blade which thirsts for your blood.
The two combatants circle each other for only an instant when the Thanator let out a might roar, only to be answered by one from Ke'lal as they charged each other. The trio of navi watched in awe as the Thanator swiped at the lone fighter but each attack was dodged only inches away from its prey. Getting more furious the Thanator leapt at its prey only to overshoot as Ke'lal dove and rolled under its belly. Noticing that the Navi were taking aim at this time at the Thanator he screamed at them.
Ke'lal: If any of you fire an arrow at it you will join him as my query. We are not in home tree and my promise to Emily does not count here.
Turning his attention away from the Thanator was a mistake, because as he turned around to face the angry predator he had barely enough time to move his head away from the claws that were coming at him. But not enough time to have them miss him entirely. Two of the claws found their mark on his chest as he let out a hiss of disgust.
Ke'lal: Well played, but now I must end this game of cat and mouse.
Reversing the grip on the sword Ke'lal sunk into an attacking stance.
Neytiri: You are too weak to take on the beast on your own!
Emitting a low growl from his belly Ke'lal took off right at the Thanator. His speed increased from what they saw earlier. His feet were a blur. The Thanator leapt at him and just as the beast was about to land on him he ducked down and leapt under the beat raising the blade to slice through the beast's belly. Rolling back onto his feet he saw the beast slump over. Ke'lal's expression was no longer one of anger but there was sorrow in his eyes as he approached the Thanator who was breathing slower as the blood was escaping through the wound. Raising the blade Ke'lal plunged the blade into the beast ending its suffering.
Pulling the blade out he knelt down next to the beast, wiping some of his blood on his hand he placed the bloodied hand on the beast and closed his eyes whispering to the wind.
Ke'lal: Thank you my friend for this battle. I will wear the scars with honor. Go now and rest with your brethren.
Re-sheathing his sword he stood up and faced the navi who were just looking at him. As he walked towards them his vision started fading, then darkness.