"If you would like to follow me, please?" muttered Eytukan subservient to the six Olo'eyktan who had recently arrived at the Omatikaya Kelutrel. They were Na'vi all around from the southern lands, two women and four men, who had travelled by Ikran. Eytukan had led them on his own mount to the designated landing sites, guiding the visitors to the living area of Toruk Makto.
The Southerners rose slowly down from the Ikran landing sites, amazed by the size of the Omatikaya Kelutrel. These Na'vi rarely ever saw such tall trees. In the southern regions they were used to living in tree houses than trees itselves. The Ay´Olo'eyktan were also surprised about the many Tsamsiyu present in Kelutrel. Everywhere stood or sat Na'vi armed for a fight, keeping their environment in mind with watchful eye´s.
"Toruk Makto seem´s to be very careful if he deems it necessary to gather so many Tsamsiyu in one place," said one of the Olo'eyktan. Another female Olo'eyktan agreed with him: "I suppose that's the reason why he has invited all of us," she looked over at Eytukan "Wild Makto, where are you taking us? Aren´t the meeting places located in the Kelutrel´s base? "
Eytukan answered the group not immediately, but turned his steps to the entrance of Toruk Makto´s home. Eytukan greeted the 10 other Tsamsiyu who guarded the entrance, including Rak'nor and Hul'Baon. He turned to the guests: "Our Olo'eyktan has commanded that this meeting will be held in confidence. The Tsamsiyu guard his home to prevent listeners. Now please go through the curtain, honoured guests, I´m not allowed to accompany you any more!" The guests nodded, one by one they stepped through the curtain.
The incoming Southerners were completely taken by surprise as they saw 13 other Olo'eyktan, sitting in every possible space of the Toruk Makto´s living area. Like the the newly arrived southerners, they were all leaders of the warbands which hade been formed from all the Na'vi people´s Tsamsiyu at the beginning of the conflict. They were all sitting in a wide circle in the main room of the apartment. The home of Toruk Makto was occupied so tight that nothing of the interrior could be seen, except one object.
It was a large map, handdrawn on stretched animal skin, but none of the Southerners knew what this place shown on the map was. On the map itself, various children's toys had been placed. More than two dozen black game stones had been distributed on the map, in addition there were carved figures of Ikran, Angsik, Pali, Nantang and even a red-painted figure Toruk.
The Southerners sat silently with their colleagues around the map to look more closely, when suddenly from one of the back rooms came a voice: "So, we are finally complete," said Toruk Makto Jake Sully, who appeared with his mate from one of the side rooms. All participants described with their hands the greeting "I see you!" Jake and Neytiri sat down in the circle of those present.
"My friends," he began, still nervous about the thing that he was going to ask "As you all know, the war with the Vrrtep has gone over into a new phase" murmur of approval came from the attending Olo'eyktan. "In the mountains the Vrrtep were countered with heavy losses. We all got the message from the sea people about their success in the air, and that the enemy got driven out of the eastern seas. From the plains came again news of heavy attacks, but thanks to the bravery of our Tsmuke e Tsmukan of the Makto-clan´s the enemy's advance also stopped. The South has been spared from Vrrtep attacks so far and the forest around our home has been cleaned with brutal force. A victory for all Na'vi! "
Some of the younger Olo'eyktan began to cheer when hearing the news, but the silence of the others quickly silenced them again. "I feel that something is not right!" Akwey spoke in Jakes direction "Toruk Makto knows something that we others do not know!" From a couple of older Olo'eyktan came murmur of approval. Jake cleared his throat to calm his nerves:
"Yes, you're right Akwey, unfortunately, in this case. My scouts have reported that the Vrrtep all migrated to the one place, the Tawtute used almost 23 years ago as base camp. The name of this place is Hell's Gate, or in our language, the Gates of Hell!" Jake paused, "This is the reason why I sent my messenger to you seven days before. The Vrrtep have all gathered in this one place, those monsters occupy none of their other enclaves anymore. Now we finally have the opportunity to destroy them all at once! "Almost immediately on this announcement debates started among the various clan leaders, but Jake raised his hand to command silence.
He gave the word to Sanume, the red-painted Olo'Ikran Olo'eyktan from the eastern seas, like a teacher in primary school. "Toruk Makto, is this the place we see on the map? Is this a drawing of Hell's Gate and a plan to overwhelm the enemy?" Other Olo'eyktan looked questioningly at Jake, who however, gave the word to Neytiri:
"Tsmuke, you're partially right, in fact, this is the reason for this meeting. It has been reported by our Taronyu that the Vrrtep have transformed Hells Gate to their stronghold, where they torture Eywa's creatures and cause the great Sah'Nok much grief. However, not only this is cause for concern! "
Now the Ay´Olo'eyktan pricked their ears, curious as to what else could be stuck for a reason behind this meeting. Neytiri told them: "You have all felt the unrest among Eywa's creatures in recent days, have seen their restlessness. It so happens that ... "Neytiri paused, as if to choose her words carefully "... just before the animals unrest began, an Omatikaya girl named Wa'ey was abducted by the Vrrtep and taken to their fortress. Wa'ey seemed to have strongly blessed by Eywa, so we believe that her abduction might have something to do with the restlessness of the animals. It is our duty before Eywa to save this girl from the Vrrtep!" many of those Olo'eyktan present nodded whether this proposal, by now everyone knew how unpredictable the animals in their respective territories had become.
"So this had been said too!" Jake spoke up again, "What leads us to the real problem of this meeting. How are we going to attack Hells Gate best? A frontal attack on Pali will only lead to severe losses, just as the immense number of our enemies' flyers forbids an air assault." Jake punctuated his remarks by shifting the figures and building blocks like on a tactical map.
"We have over 10000 Tsamsiyu under our command, while the enemy has probably three times as many monsters. If we want to win here, we need to be sly, cunning! Therefore, you are all here ma Tsmukan e Tsmuke. Now, let us decide how we defeat our opponents! "
While the Olo'eyktan debated over a common strategy to defeat the Vrrtep, Nai'Sha and Harlon sat together in the craftsman alcove, where they helped to repair old arrows. The work was monotonous and extremely boring, but necessary, regarding the consumption of war materials in recent weeks.
Harlon whistled softly to himself as he began to grind his 65th arrowhead. Nai'Sha put a to heavily damaged arrow aside, after she had noticed some cracks in the wood. "What do you think your parents are debbating with the other Olo'eyktan?" Harlon asked casually "Don´t know, probably how they are going to kick the Vrrtep´s asses soon. Or something like that!" "Aha " murmured Harlon, who checked his finished work closely. "Let's hope that this happens as soon as possible, otherwise I´m going to die from sheer anxiety!"
"I feel the same way ma Tsmukan" said a voice from behind, which could only have come from Miklas. The articulated Taronyu moved nimbly through the large numbers of working Na'vi, his bow in one hand and in the other a bundle of furs. "Also sentenced to manual labor duties?" "What do you meen sentenced? Better than mucking out our pali stables." Nai'Sha pointed out. "And that words from the lover of our Pali fool!" "Harlon! Eytukan and I have not even mated for life, what are you thinking!"
Miklas smirked about the discussion of his friends. "Okay, I can see you're busy. Then I'll just go on, Lie'nak asked me for a few skins to bring over to her!" Miklas quickened his pace a bit, while making sure to get in no ones way. He saluted Gra'ice and Li'nan who were busy in repairing Ikran ridingharnesses and quacked like there's no tomorrow. The Taronyu shook his head as he heard a few words, which he tried to forget immediately.
He had finally achieved his goal, namely Lie`nak´s cubicle. His love was fully occupied in shaping a rack violenttly with her knife. "I see you!" greeted the Taronyu his mate. "Here are the skins you wanted. Palululkan, every peace of it, even if some of it is quite old!" Miklas put the Black bundle in front of her. "And what will that be there?" He pointed with his bow on the long pole.
"Order of the Olo'eyktan" Lie'nak simply said, without looking up from her work. "A portable totem for the coming battles! Our Olo'eyktan gave me this job yesterday, even provided some wood from the old home tree, so I have enough material!" Miklas nodded, nudgeing his at the same time the stack of furs with his tail. "And what are the furs for? "
"Oh, they're for Ra'lph, at least indirectly." Lie'nak looked up from her work, so they pinch to her lover in the tail could. "Yesterday he came to me dead serious, with a lot of stuff that he had amassed over the last few months. Did you know that he had collected fallen Palululkan claws? But anyway, Ralph told me that his clothes are slowly falling apart ..." "That really doesn´t surprises me knowing his lifestyl!" said Miklas, but Lie'nak ignored him "Anyway, he asked if the craftsman could make him some Na´vi garment´s so he would not have to walk around naked! "
"Okay, that still does not explain why you and your working colleagues do the sewing for him without consideration. Can´t he do it by himself?" Miklas sounded a little upset, but Lie'nak lifted her left index finger rebuking him. "No my dear, not this time." She pointed behind her shoulder. Behind the craftswoman stood dozens of huge clay pots neatly lined up, each pot marked with different color stains. "What is that?" asked Miklas.
"My dear," replied Lie'nak "This is the lifetime supply of fluorescent colors, we artisans have got from Ralph after is moving to Kelutrel. Moreover, without asking him for it. Believe me, we had to repay us! "
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"... Okay ... So ... um, people that now is my last log entry!"
Ralph spoke firmly into the just barely functioning microphone, the rest of his video recording equipment was broke through the mucus of certain hell-ants.
He ran his fingers through his slightly greasy hair and continued:
"You know, in all the time that I was here now, I certainly never had such a strong feeling that tomorrow will be my last day. Do not know why, maybe it's just that tomorrow I will go with the Na'vi to Hells Gate to destroy the Vrrtep once and for all. It's funny,I have come to Pandora to escape from a war, only to be again drawn into another one. Funny! "
Ralph picked up the bottle with Nai'sha's selfmade moonshine to pour the raw fuel down his throat. The drink was part of his self-prepared last meal, consisting of a few fruits, a Yerik leg and some forest vegetables. The leftovers were lying around everywhere, but Ralph did not care anymore about it.
"Aaah, funny indeed," he mused into the mic: "I came here long ago to collect seeds, not expecting the events that happened in the past few years! Taken part in a battle, almost eaten by a Palululkan, strangled by a giant squid, nearly survived an Angsik Stampede, riding a Toruk and and and. Hey, I think the best thing is that I have become an Omatikaya." Ralph interrupted himself, in which he leaned back in his chair a little, "No people, the best thing is that I have found true friends among the Na'vi. Jake, Neytiri, Rak'nor, Harlon, Miklas Eytukan, Lie'nak, Gra'ice, Nai'Sha ...!"
Ralph sighed heavily before he uttered the last word "... Wa'ey! Damn I love this girl more than everything else does on this world but I could not even protect her from that colossal Lucifer wanabe. For this, the Vrrtep will pay heavy tomorrow, and if it costs me my life!"
Ralph changed his seating position so that he could leave his feet on the table.
"I do not know if you guys are interested, but somehow I long for the battle," Ralph murmured softly, "I mean, when I was in the realm of Eywa, I was kind of lost in the whole tree islands. But then this big lion came and he said, 'Follow me, this is your true destiny!` And I followed the cat, nothing thrilling, to be honest. When I came out again,it felt like something ... would have been freed in me, something great. "
Ralph pushed the Stop and then the Send button; he could find no words of farewell. He wanted to have this thing settled quickly and painlessly, nothing else.
With a heavy sigh, the young man rose from his chair to inspect the equipment he was going to wear in battle. The expectations for tomorrows coming events let him tremble, but Ralph calmed himself down with the old warrior credo "waiting for a battle is worse than the battle itself!"
Methodically Ralph got rid of his last Tawtute clothes; he stood naked inside his shuttle, with closed eyes, as if listening to something only he could hear. He picked up a clay pot, which he had filled with white paint and began rubbing his whole skin with it. The breathable layer of paint lay down on his tanned skin like a cloak made out of alabaster. Ralph's appearance changed from alive to scary when he finished his first professional painting step.
Satisfied, he stood in front of a broken mirror to see his face better, and then started to draw fine lines with black paint on his body. Slowly the lines became complex ornamentes, until after an hour Ralph has finished his drawings. The figure that looked towards him had nothing in common with the young man that was hidden under the paint. Instead, he saw a skeleton in the mirror, a figure with black eyes, pale face, with painted bones and framed joints.
He was death, the destroyer of worlds.
Now it was time for him to put on his clothes, which Lie'nak had brought him yesterday. First, a long loincloth, then sandals made out of soft jungle grass. He put on matching greaves and bracers made out of Palululkanskin, together with the stomachguard every adult Omatikaya man was wearing. Over these, he threw a medium-short tunic of purple fabric, in addition to leather shoulder pads and his Exo pack.
Ralph turned slightly and swung his leg to verify his mobility, afterwords he continued with the application of his equipment. Around his waist, he fastened his old paddock with plenty of pockets and a water bottle. He fixed his combat knife to a chest harness laid his sword next to his quiver, where he could grab it easily. Before he knocked over the quiver, Ralph put on the piece of equipment that he had looked forward the most.
It was a cape made out of Palululkan leather, decorated with red feathers and adorned with Palululkan claws. Such a cloak was a token of great authority; Jake had insisted that Ralph should get something like that for the coming battle. He put the garment around her shoulders, followed by the quiver with the sword, along with the mask for his Exo pack.
Only one thing was missing. With serious expression, he reached for the last piece of clothing that he would carry into battle, his helmet. It was not a helmet of metal or a turtle shell. No, Ralph had chosen something more terrible. After the attack on Kelutrel he had put aside one of the severed heads of the stormguards, boiling the meat with plenty of water and scraping the remnants away. He had invested a lot of time in removing the lower jaw and the skull base, creating a pot helmet with bony visor.
Thus, the young man was ready for battle. Ralph reached for his bow, and went outside to enjoy this evening some sort of society. In Kelutrel burned countless campfires around which groups of Tsamsiyu sat in silence. Some others could be seen with their families, sharing as much time as possible with their loved ones.
Ralph sat down at the campfire of his friends, all ready for the day ahead, but each and every totally different in his or her behavior. Rak'nor gently stroked the head of Gra'ice who snuggled up to him. Lie'nak and Miklas hold each other's hands while watching the glowing flames. Nai'Sha and Eytukan toppled down cups of booz, forcing themselve not to think about the coming battle.
Ralph himself stared into the fire for some time, then he began to sing softly:
"My dearest, you wait in the forest green, I desire you so much! My hope, you wait in a beautiful scene, but I cannot feel your touch! "
It was not long before all the Na'vi sang in Kelutrel.
A melody of hope in the darkest of nights.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The light chirping of crickets was the only thing you could hear these days, at an early hour in Hells Gate. The country seemed to be sleeping at this time, dead silent, and the Vrrtep fortress waiting like a dark bird of prey for its victim.
About this time it was still quiet in Hells Gate, just a few sleepy figures stood guard while trying to see through the morning fog. The fog swirled over the valley like a sea of cold seaweed, a dense cloud that swallowed all sounds.
Through this fog marched a solitary figure, prepared for battle like a Tsamsiyu, holding a huge totem in one hand and a bow in the other. The figure was small, almost tiny in comparison to the 5-meter totem, which was made out of ornate feathers, medicine shields and bone parts. The figure was an emissary, an ambassador, an ambassador before the actual battle.
The figure went towards Hells Gate to catch a glimpse of what might have changed, but the morning fog was just too tight. Only occasionally did the emissary slow his steps when one of the many scattered Vrrtep victims, came too close to his path. At every cadavere, he bowed down to direct a prayer to Eywa for the victim's soul.
So Ralph came closer and closer to his goal, while his stomach more and more began to tremble with excitement. He had a job to do and he did not intend to fail it. He corrected the seat of his skull helmet, continuing with firmer steps on his path, his cape blowing behind him in the mist like black smoke.
He looked again to the sky, as if waiting for a sign, but except for some rising wind there was nothing to see. The silence was oppressive for Ralph, as if he had to carry the world on his shoulders. Nevertheless, he went up the hill, from which one could easyly see all over Hell's Gate. He put his bow over his shoulders; then reached at his helm to rise the volume of his Exopack to maximum with his right hand.
Ralph took a deep breath before he began to speak:
"You Vrrtep have sent us a message ..." he said in a firm voice, which was carried around the fortress, so that everyone could hear the words.
"... That you can attack the Na'vi whenever you want ..." Ralph's voice was getting louder, like the sky´s breathing befor a final thunder.
"... And that no one can stop you," Ralph heard first noises from the fortress, dull, but still present.
"But we are sending you a message!" Ralph's voice was full of courage and strength.
"The Na'vi have flowen as fast as the wind could carry them," Ralph noticed how the wind around hin became stronger and stronger.
"They have united the clans under a single banner," now angry sounds came more out of the fortress.
"Toruk Makto called to them and now they fly together, brothers and sisters, side by side ..." The wind went stronger and stronger; Ralphs Cape began to flicker behind him.
"... To show you that you can not kill us whenever you want ..." Ralph shouted with all his might,
"... 'Cause this ..." Ralph grabbed the Totems rod, lifting it with both hands above his head.
"THIS IS OUR LAND!"
With overwhelming force Ralph rammed the banner into the ground while the jungle awoke around him. At the beginning, they came in small groups, more and more, first dozends, then hundreds. Tsamsiyu Na'vi, all artistically painted, decorated with feathers and armed with deadly bows and spears.
"See now ..." Ralph pointed proudly behind him like presenting a particularly rare creatures. "The children of Eywa's are now coming over you. Fear their anger, their wrath. You Vrrtep showed us no mercy, now its time for pay back! "
The Na'vi were singing revolutionary songs or shouting greetings to the rising sun, which went slowly up like a halo over the true rulers of Pandora. Ralph himself stoud next to the totem, crowned in light, with a fluttering cape, raising his bow in a greeting gesture. Like a commander of the old days, he observed the Tsamsiyu who rallied in perfect formation to the banners of their people, with anger in their eyes, courage in their hearts and fire in their souls.
The parade was huge; a song of angry feet, with 800 men and women not even a small part of the forces that had been gatherd against the Vrrtep.
Ralph´s speech went not unanswered. Like slowly inconclusive animals, the Vrrtep came out of their holes to see who had come to claim their territory. Their number was legion. Scouts, as many as rocks in the mountains, warrior, as numberless as the grassbushes of the plains, stormguards, as many as the trees in the forest, flying beasts, darkening the sun.
All of them servents to a huge winged monster, screaming into the sky.
Ralph turned around to see the warriors who were under his command. His command as Toruk Maktos herald. "Friends," he said to the soldiers under his command "Today is the day of days, the moment of moments. Today, your courage is going to be rewarded. The enemy is in front of us, blood thirsty and ready for the terrible deed. However, we are ready too! "A huge cheer rang out among the Na'vi ranks while the enemy forces slowly sat in march towards them.
"Ma Tsmukan e Tsmuke, Na'vi, hear my words! To stand beside you fills my heart with pride. Your courage is like nectar to my soul, your loyalty like joy to my heart. Today we are making history; our work today is going to be celebrated in song and verse forever. "
Ralph pointed his bow at the approaching horde "Behind these monsters, behind these walls is one thing, immortality. I say, let it overtake us, I say, let us fight in Eywa's name. The great Sah'Nok watches over us, and we will follow her request! So I ask you ... "
Ralph paused for a moment, raising his bow with both hands in the air as he shouted:
"DO YOU WANT TO LIVE FOREVER?"
The response was deafening, like a chorus of thousands of throats. Ralph turned back to the horde of the enemy, a single swarm of monsters who hastened to meet them in close combat.
Ralph put his first arrow on the string, "Then, so be it!"
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The attack of the Vrrtep was like rolling thunder, equal a terrible storm. Like wolves on the hunt, the scouts went to the front, closely followed by the stormguards, snorting like old bull elephants. Behind them, the normal Vrrtep came in droves, just as bloodthirsty as their larger cousins. The flying beasts screamed as if they were vultures, while the Horde stormed closer to the line of the Na'vi.
Ralph looked at this form of hunting wild emotions with pity. This enemy believed he could come upon them like the Riders of the apocalypse, as a messenger of terror. Of course, the attack was impressive, a mass of black bodies, like a mudslide inexorably moving towards them, with glowing eyes and murder in their hearts.
There was hardly a chance about withstanding such an attack. Even in the ancient Tawtute wars, attacks with heavy cavalry had been catastrophal for the defender, the thunder of thousands of feet, breaking so many hearts to its foundations.
Ralph knew the Na'vi would stand their ground. He drew his bow, as it did 800 other Tsamsiyu equal, and then called "arrows go!"
The sound of the released arrow was like cracking whips, the flight of the arrows heard as a thin, sharp whistle in the wind. As a heavy hailstorm of bullets went down on the enemy, in the Hordes mass every arrow found its target. Ralph watched with satisfaction as hundreds of opponents fell, but thousands marched on, their fallen comrades simply ignoring.
Just like monsters.
Ralph foresaw the impact, so he told his department to fire another arrow volley. "Lift the spears, defend yourself," he roared, simultaneously retreating with the totem. No Enemy should get his hands on it. Of course, the Na'vi came immediately after his request, whereupon dozens Vrrtep in perished in the volley. Nevertheless, in spite of all the losses of combat power the horde hit hard on the line of the Na'vi.
The impact was murderous, Na'vi and Vrrtep collided with a wild cry, cuting and stabing each other. The Na'vi used their spears with great mastery to impale the enemy; other Tsamsiyu overpowered the Vrrtep with their daggers. Ralph himself was in the thickest of the fray. Like an Ikran in a swarm Tuyure he swept through the mass of the enemy, killing with the sword which had been made for him by Lie'nak. It was an extension of his arm, a deadly instrument in this battle music.
The line of the Na'vi kept holding, but Ralph knew the first stormguard would soon turn the tide in favor of its kind. Ralph began now what any wise commander did in that situation. He ordered an organised withdrawal. "Back, back into the woods," he roared as he drew his blade through the stomach of an incoming Vrrtep "Back to you, retreat!" Ralph was already running towards trees, Vrrtep tight on his heels.
Now something extraordinary happened. The Na'vi doggedly broke melee from the skirmishes like one big creature and began retreating into the woods, while shooting arrows and speers on their pursuers. Faster and faster the Na'vi ran, while the distance to their enemies increased more and more.
The Vrrtep went after the blue giants, but in the thick undergrowth, they were by their somewhat bulky physique not as fast as the slim Na'vi were. After a few minutes chase hundreds of Vrrtep were standing confused in the forest while thousands of others scurried around grumbling on the free fields of Hells Gate, angry because their enemy had slipped them away.
The surrounding silence after the brief battle was more than suspicious for the Vrrtep. They barked and grumbled, banging on the trees, but no one showed up.
The Na'vi waited directly under them. Or sat over them, if you looked up to the snipers hidden in the treetops. Ralph and his Tsamsiyu subordinates were liing there motionless, hidden under bushes, hiding in the treetops, in large ground holes or small ponds. Some imaginative Na'vi had pretended to be dead bodies in a few piles of bones and some hang tightly against the trees to look down on their enemy. Ralph himself crouched in a massive tree stump, his ear laiing flat on the ground so he could better perceive environments sounds.
In his mind, he repeated the plan Jake had told him and the other Olo'eyktan: "We must first attract the forces of the enemy, calling them out, make them vulnerable for a big attack which will cost them many warriors, but won´t hurt our forces. We will creat a trap from which these monsters couldn´t come out alive! "Jake had then talked directly to Ralph to assign him his coming role in battle.
"Ma Tawtute'itan, you will lead the vanguard as my herald and standard-bearer. I will give you 800 of the best Tsamsiyu of all clans, thus luring the enemy out of his stronghold during the early morning mists. Bring the Vrrtep in disarray. Position your troops carfully so they can quickly fall back. Lure the enemy in the woods, and then hide with your Tsamsiyu. This is all I ask from you!" Ralph had to admit, he had fulfilled this task with excellence.
Then he heard the quake.
Quiet at first, then increasingly louder it got closer, a steady thunder, a staccato, like an avalanche of rocks and stones. The Vrrtep looked around frantically as if they knew nothing of this noise origin. When they identified the sounds, it was already too late. Ralph smiled.
The cavalry charged.
Out of nowhere Eytukan, Akwey, Fimlo and many other riderclans from the grassy plains and the south galloped through the forest, 4000 Pali Makto with flowing hair and taut bows. The sound of Pali hooves sounded like hundreds of small earthquakes, which was heard even a 100 miles away, while the battle cries of their masters and mistresses sounded scary as the night. Under these sounds mixed the barking and howling of 1000 Nantang, running between Pali like sharp bloodhounds. These demonstation of power was remarkable, a hammer, strucking down the Vrrtep on the anvil of Ralph´s forces.
The attack was terrible. The Vrrtep, widely scattered in the forest, were swept away like grain in a hailstorm, ridden down by angry hooves, shot by cold hunters or killed by hungry predators. The Vrrtep retreated or rather fled in panic, so fierce was the attack of the Na'vi. Eytukan was at the top, together with his Sempul. Both charged as the best of their ancestors. Eytukan thunderd down on his Pali nonstop, he was like a whirlwind of destruction, a true Wild Makto.
Meanwhile new forces drew near. Ralph knew too well the surprise of his men, so he ordered to attack again: "Now my brave!" he yelled, "Show them what we can do!" Attacks out of ambush was the last thing the Vrrtep in the woods could take, they fled back to the plains where massive hordes of creatures began to regroup, but the Na'vi gave them no pause for breath.
Like a heavy dive-bomber, Jake came on his Toruk out of the morning sun, from such great heights no flying Vrrtep would have dared to go. Behind him followed a fleet of over 5000 Ikran including their riders, men and women of the Sea People, Omatikaya, mountain clans and so many more. In a powerful spearhead, with Rak'nor, Harlon, Miklas, and the other Olo'eyktan led by fiercy Sanume, Jake pierced the cloud of flying Vrrtep like a thin papersheet. With loud screams, the Ikran Makto chased their prey to the ground, pulling up their mouns at the last minute, while shooting a rain of arrows on their opponents.
The result was devastating; the attack shattered the last coordinated efforts of the enemys resistance. With buzzing bows, Pali Makto crashed into the enemy mass, while a terrible air battle began in the sky. Jake whizzed through the air like a Dragon in search of prey, crushing everything in its path. He was blessed by light like Eywa´s true champion, a living legend who had come to bring a Goddess´s wrath to her enemys.
Miklas and Harlon fought with Rak'nor side by side. They deviated threw enemy attacks with the most complicated maneuvers, challenged their opponents with neckbreaking tricks while taking down the flying monsters with arrows. They were true Omatikaya, worthy to serve their clan.
In Ralph´s opinion, who fought right in the center of action, battle had become passionate as for each killed Vrrtep also good Tsamsiyu lost their lives. He was not sure whether the Na'vi could keep the upper hand in such a fight. However, the arrival of the last detechment revived his heart and let him taking down his enemies with new energy.
At the Reaf of the doggedly defending Vrrtep horde appeared the last trumpcard of the Na'vi. 700 Angsik, 200 ridden by Tsamsiyu, and 50 Palululkan, summoned by Taronyu'Tey for battle, shattered the last bit of combat power the Vrrtep had left.
With Neytiri on her Palululkan up front, the division of huge creatures cut through the ranks of the enemy like butter. The extremely heavy Angsik resembled battle tanks, crushing even the strongest stormguards with their enormous headdress. Their Makto directed the giants in the right direction to trample as many enemies as possible.
Lie'nak´s Angsik used its hammer as a plow to drive the Vrrtep before her; Gra'ice instead used the hammerhead of her riding animal by performing wild punches into the enemies ranks. Only Nai'Sha fought alongside her Sah'Nok. Similar to the Valkyries of old earthen sagas they came over their victims. Nai'Sha was natural death, with her Angsik a being of brutal destruction, while behind her Neytiri was taking down her pray. The other Palululkan made their honour of their names, causing a bloodbath among the Vrrtep. Pandora's anger had fully come over those invaders who got down like grass in a bushfire.
Nevertheless, one was still undefeated, a black tower in a tide of violence. The monster that had kidnapped Wa'ey considered with his bound victim coldly the one-sided battle, as if not interested in his cousins destiny. Behind him, the girl hung in sort of a frame, tied at legs and arms, the frame decorated with ritually painted skulls. There were tears in the eyes of the girl, as she was forced to watch the gruesome spectacle.
"MONSTER!"
Ralphs roar awakened Wa'ey from her melancholy, as she noticed how the young man, now dressed as a Na'vi, arrived as first of the fighters on the platform in the middle of the broken Vrrtep fortress. Ralph looked worn out, bleeding from a dozen wounds, breathing labored. The Herald of Toruk Makto was still wearing banner and sword, his knife had broken off in the chest of a stormguard and the force of a Vrrtep blow had shattered his bow. Ralph had no more arrows in his quiver, his cape torn apart and his leather armor pierced in several places.
His will was like a beacon in the darkness yawning.
The monster looked at him with feigned interest. Nearly ten times bigger as the Tawtute, it was like a mountain of muscles and tendons, a deamon from the depths of Tartarus. The creature bared its yellow teeth, while Ralph rammed the Omatikayatotem right into the clay-like soil. "It's over," he cried to the monster. "Give up and let go off Wa'ey, then I'll let you life!" The monster laughed noisily, as if Ralph hade made a joke.
Wa'ey called in the meantime to the Tawtute "Do not do that, he'll kill you Ralph! Settle down!" Ralph shook his head, bringing his sword in attack position:
"I'm sorry girl, but I will not fulfill this request," the final battle started.
Ralph ran screaming like a madman with his sword raised high on the huge monster, which shouted his own battle cry. The creature struck with their armored paws on the little challenger, but Ralph moveed quickly like a cat out of its attacking range. Ralph's mind involuntarily emerged memories of other events on Pandora when he attacked his opponent.
He remembered the day when he almost became Palululkan-food and rolled now as then with the same skill away from his opponent. He remembered the Nantang who had chased him threw the areas of Hells Gate. Now he too inflicted painful stings on his opponent. Ralph remembered with a shudder his first encounter with Nemo as the monster had grabbed him by the feet and tried to tear him apart. Just like back then, he freed himself from the grasp of his opponent with a well-aimed strike of his sword.
More and more Na'vi swarmed on the platform, all Vrrtep had been killed or were lying injured on the battlefield. The monster howled with rage and pain, not getting rid of that little pest who was mocking it with its attacks, and now new opponents kept coming up to it. Nai'Sha was the first to intervene in the fight, as she chased her last arrow into the chest of the great beast. Behind her came Lie'nak and Gra'ice, dancing past the monster to free Wa'ey.
Out of the sky came Rak'nor, Harlon and Miklas, who maltreated the wings of the monster with their Ikrans. Eytukan rode swiftly past Ralph like the wind, to injure the Achilles tendons of the big creature with his long hunting knife. Neytiri jumped the monster's throat with her Palululkan mount, the jaws of the great predator like iron trapps. Finally, the Toruk Makto came with his mighty mount.
Similar to an avenging angel the mistress of Pandora's skies came over her victim. The claws of the Toruk dug deep into the enemys black flesh, her jaws broke with bestial force the shoulders of the mighty monster. With a final cry the great monster went to the ground, not dead, but dying, defeated.
Slowly a mysterious mood stretched out over the battlefield, as the Na'vi could not believe that they had won. Nobody cheered, the losses were quite large and the number of wounded even greater. Only one in three Na'vi could stand, let alone run, so great was the exhaustion of the battle. Jake himself felt the efforts of his own battered body as he dismounted from his Toruk to hug Neytiri. With a practiced eye, he noted relieved that his Eveng and their friends had survived the attack, but suddenly his eyes darkened.
Still holding the remnants of the Totem and his sword, Ralph was sitting in his own blood on the platform, almost close to death.
"Ralph, No," Jake screamed in terror, which drew the attention of others to the slumped Tawtute´s body. Quickly he was at the young man´s side, who looked more like a corpse than a human beeing.
Neytiri knelt beside Jake, taking a closer look on Ralph´s wounds, while all other Na'vi on the platform surrounded his body. Worried whispering began to rise in the ranks of the Tsamsiyu, had they just barely seen how bravely the herald of the Toruk Makto had fought.
Neytiri let go of Ralph's body and shook her head, her eyes filled with tears already. "His wounds are too great," she said simply, her voice failing by sheer grief. It was especially sad that Neytiri's words were nothing more than an understatement. Ralph had suffered such terrible blows and kicks that probably only half of his bones were free from tears.
Cuts, some fingerdeep, disfigured his body and slowly the toxic air of Pandora seeped into his damaged Exopack.
Ralph was dying and he knew that: "That was not the way I have imagined my death," he wheezed out of his bloody mouth. "At least I will soon be in a better place," he turned his head slightly to Neytiri to look into his eyes; "I greet your family from you as soon as I see them!" Oblivious of the tears of those present Ralph's head slumped back, as if to let lose of his last life force. However, Ralph kept breathing, calmer, and almost tighter.
"YOUR DEATH WILL NOT HAPPEN TODAY!"
Each of the Na'vi eyes turned to the voicesource of this unexpected pronouncement. To the surprise of Jake, Neytiri, Nai'Sha, Eytukan, Miklas, Harlon, Gra'ice, Lie'nak and Rak'nor It turned out that Wa'ey was the source of this strange voice. When she spoke again, her voice was still mysterious, like not part of this world: "Enough with the mindless suffering!"
What happened next was something that the Na'vi, who saw this event after the battle could not explain. Wa'ey seemed to grow larger, her skins developing a much more complicated pattern of star spots. Her tail went longer and thicker, her physique turning into that of a much stronger and feminine figure.
The once beautiful eyes of the girl disappeared in pupils of pure light; her face developed more and more the characteristics of a serious young woman. Simultaneously her hair appeared brighter, as if illuminated from within, while it was growing to her hips. More and more black hair changed into shining nerveending hair of the Na'vi braids.
The transformation was perfect.
As beautiful as any woman ever could be, with 4 meters superior overlooking every Na'vi present, the goddess Eywa stood on the platform, admired by her creatures. Her nerveending long-hair swayed gently in the breeze of the morning, while Atokirina hovered over her head like a halo. She wore a collar of feathers like an Olo'eyktan, but her green velvet cloak and loincloth represented more of Tsahik´s clothing. Several bags hung around her waist; she was also wearing the riding leggings, Neytiri and other female Ikran Makto used to wear. In her left hand, she wore a long bow, decorated with precious Palululkan teeth and feathers, the sign of a powerful Taronyu. Wherever she put her foot, the most beautiful flowers grew.
All Na'vi, even the wounded, went with watery eyes to her knees before their goddess, as if redemption itself had come opon them. Time seemed to stand still for the injured as if Eywa was going to decide on their fate.
"Ma Evi," she said in a sweet and lovely voice, the sweetest sound one could probably hear on Pandora "My brave Evi, do not kneel down in front of me! I do not deserve such adoration!"
"Great Sah'Nok?" Breathed Neytiri, but Eywa bade her not to speak with her free hand, „No Tsahik, I do not deserve your respect. I brought this suffering opon you; it is only right that I´m suffering too!" Eywa looked around, looking every single Na'vi into the heart, as if searching for all for forgiveness, for salvation. "There's a good reason why the Na'vi do not remember the time before first songs," said the pretty goddess.
"When my people, the Guardians, came the first time to Pandora 250,000 years ago, this planet was bare and empty. We sowed the Seeds of Life, created plants, animals, oceans, mountains, creating a home for our eternal wandering people. However, as all our work was finished, dispute began to rise among my brothers and sisters. Many left Pandora again, not willing to live it´s confines. They returned to watch over other people as they had done thousands of years before; our race blessed with immortality and pure soul. In the end, only Carix Mankto, my older Tsmukan, settled down along with me on Pandora. "
Eywa paused, knowing well that no one would believe her this truth, jet she went on: "Carix has always been greedy for more power, he wanted a race that he could dominate. Therefore, he created the Vina, his own people, but they were abysmal. Only few of them loved the nature of their home, the others had only their magic and machinery in mind: I tried to tune my Tsmukan, but it was useless. Finally, as he began to kill the faithful Vina in his madness, I had to act. I became one with nature, chose myself to be their Sah'Nok, the true ruler of Pandora to save this world from the madness of my brother. "
Near standing Na'vi noticed that the goddess cried as Eywa went on with her story, "I let lose the creatures of my new home, I killed countless beeings for a peaceful world. I threw myself in a duel with Carix Mankto, but I denied him the death. Instead, I just put the foundation for today's battle. I cursed his followers to look terrible as Vrrtep and banned them under the earth, while Carix had been thrown into the darkness of an old prison.
Millennia, the world was now at peace. I rewarded the Vina loyal to me with the power for Tsahaylu, just like all of my other creatures. I planted the first Kelutrel, the singing trees, the Tree of Souls, Vitraya Ramunong, as a connection between my people and me. And in a last act of power, I sacrifieced my body´s shell, becoming one with Pandora, allowing the Vina to become the Na'vi. "
The whole audience was startled at these words, speechless. They had been descendants of another people? The Na'vi were distantly related to the Vrrtep? Was this the sin, Eywa had spoken of? Had she cursed their common ancestors, her brother, during a selfish act that was not worthy of a true goddess?
"Millennia passed, years of conflict and centuries of peace. Until the Tawtute came. "Eywa seemed even sadder "After all these years, there were still people out there addicted to insanity. I chose one of them to become Toruk Makto and to show them their errors, but the Tawtute had left their scars. The fall of a Kelutrel, an important point in my network of energy made it possible for the Vrrtep and my brother to return. "
Eywa walked up to Ralph, the young man clear in view. With a gesture, she closed his wounds, a further gesture to the astonishment of all and he seemed to sleep like a baby.
"But then I got aware of him, the new Tawtute. His mind was clear enough for me to manifest infront of him, weak, mortal, just a touch of my self, but it was enough. Deep within him restes an enormous fire, the greatest strength of his people, a strength that the Na'vi are missing." Eywa looked up from Ralph to Jake "One of the strengths that you possess also, Toruk Makto Jake Sully. You never give up, even when the whole world is your enemy."
Eywa sighed heavily, then she added, "I told him some information concerning the ongoing threat, furnished your home with powerful allies, Pay'Toruk was only one of them, but when the conflict was not going to end, I knew that another sacrifice had to be made ... "
"What kind of sacrifice? Great Sah'Nok, what are you talking about?" Gra'icea sked surprised. "My sacrifice, ma Evi! I revealed myself to my enemy, whereupon ma Tsmukan stormed in your home to catch me. Therefor he needed the power of all Vrrtep gathered in one place. I offered myself as bait, and while Carix believed, he could force me to use my power to redeem the curse of his creatures; you got enough time to rally the forces that should throw him down today! "
The Na'vi murmured softly, by their connection to Eywa allowed feel the great pain of their Goddess. "Great Sah'Nok" murmured some of them; others spoke "Eywa" repeatedly and so on.
"My Goddess, it's not your fault!" Jake said timidly, he knew best the feelings of an unwanted traitor "Your actions were necessary for your people! You are not a traitor!" Eywa looked at the Olo'eyktan in front of her "Not until I have corrected my mistakes!" Eywa closed her eyes
"For it is again in my power to do so. This place has been dipped in blood, the juice of life, but this field is only one of death and dead bodies. However, all energy moves in the river, and from the ashes there is always sprouting new life! "
Eywa's voice was getting louder and unnatural, as if she was speaking a spell of great power. Every individual could feel the air was changing. As the wind gained strength, it became unbearably hot and cold.
A true miracle happend.
Similarly to a huge swarm of birds, thousands of Atokirina flew towards the battlefield, playfully dancing through the air in their innocence, like children who had no secrets to hide. They sat on the bodies of all Tsamsiyu, like the time to Jake had first met Neytir. When the Atokirina touched a battle wound, it disappeared within a few moments, as if it had never been there. Fractures healed within seconds, fatal injuries disappeared in a few heartbeats.
But not only the fighters were released from the remainings of the battle they had suffered only two hours atokirina dropped also down on the bodies of the fallen warriors. Where this happened, the dead body disappeared, but in its place, plants began to grow with furious rate. Grasses, ferns, shrubs, bushes, all spread out of the ground like a soft carpet. At the same time, the constructions of the Vrrtep began to fall apart. Trees of all species with enormous roots took their place. Cracks formed in the ground while water began to flow, hundreds of small rivulets which slowly transformed the nearby mine-remnants into a deep lake.
Eywa opened her eyes. "Now my debt has been repaid." she said solemnly. As a living being the Na'vi cheered, all the suffering of the past few weeks was instantly forgotten, as if someone had filled their souls with pure bliss.
Ralph stood up in his torn clothes stretching his limbs, while laughing, "Once again escaped death, I do not believe it!" Neytiri shed tears of joy as she was huged by your husband.
Everywhere there was joy and happiness, the Tsamsiyu threw their weapons aside. The animals, which had fought by their side made it back into the woods, cawing their joy into the heaven, until suddenly a deep rumbling shattered the happy mood.
Grim faced, Eywa stood on the altar, now overgrown with glowing mushrooms. Brambles of the thickness of a Na'vi arm came out of the altar and began to lift the black monster who had led the Vrrtep into the air. Any conversation ended instantly, the Na'vi realized that the monster was still alive.
"Carix Mankto" Eywa spoke angrily "So we meet again, right? Did you think your crimes would not remain unatended? Did you think I had forgotten you? "The monster growled back in barely understandable Na'vi "Tsmuke, please, have mercy!" "Mercy? What for? You are beyond redemption. Had you become one with your people, as our relatives had done on to the worlds entrusted to them, you would have been worth my mercy. However, you wanted to rule and THAT, ma Tsmukan, was your undoing!" The Na'vi held their breath, they all felt Eywa's rage threw Tsahaylu and therefore dared not to speak, even the Olo'eyktan, Toruk Makto and Palululkan Makto went silent.
Only one Person dared to raise its voice. "So, just to take notes, this monster from hell is your BROTHER? Okay, your family's relationships are indeed interesting!" Eywa looked at Ralph sternly, "This is no topic for you, my dear. Be silent, it is just to your own good!" "Oh? Why should I shut up? All right, I have vowed to dismantle this deamon into his smallest components, but look at him now. He's as good as delivered" Ralph picked up his sword, which lay beside him on the floor to slide it back into it´s belt clip. "Why won´t you grant him the grace of painless death?"
Eywa looked at the monster, which had now been identified as Carix long time, she murmured "His crimes were too great. He does not wear this form of a monster without a reason. The pain he inflicted on others shall also be his own forever, so I once decided" "Bad decision, considering that Quaritch haunts your kingdom as amoeba!" Eywa smiled "He will learn to see, I know it!" "And why should your brother not?"
Eywa´s look on Ralph was grim.
Finally, Carix interrupted their conversation: "You would not dare Eywa! In 1000 millennia you would not do THIS!" "Silence!" Eywa made a short gesture and Carix mouth closed like a zipper. "You do not decide about this matter, beast!"
Eywa faced Ralph directly, going down to her knees to look him right into the eyes "Ma Eveng, ma Tsmukan is beyond healing. I cannot grant him the mercy of death, as a being of such power he would only be a bodyless soul, even more powerful. He would not be able to harm you directly, no, but over the millennia, he would poison the hearts of all living beeings in his presence. I cannot let him free, except... "
Eywa paused as she did not know what to say next. Then she turned back abruptly to Ralph "Ralph" "Yes?" "You know that you can no longer fulfill your quest for Terra, now that so much of your equipment is destroyed. You know that if your respirator is taken from you, you are at some point no longer able to live on this world! "Ralph nodded weakly to Eywa, which looked somewhat blurred by his half-broken Exopack.
"What if I would give you the ability to succeed with the help of your friends?" Ralph looked up when hearing these words: "That would be really awesome! What is your suggestion, Goddess?" Eywa smiled "My brother wants to be free, that I can not allow of course. I can take the shell of his body from him, but not the spirit of his soul. However, I can lock up this spirit in a vessel, which would be able to claim the power of that soul for itselve! "
Eywa made a wide gesture for her brother's face, which seemed to be colorless at once. Eywa slowly pulled back her beautiful hand, touching something like smoke. The contours of the monster began to fade more and more, while the ball of smoke in Eywa's hands grew thicker. The monster went like smoke in the wind, while Eywa held in her hand a black glowing orb. She held it in front of Ralphs face and said:
"I can keep the spirit of my brother in the vessel of your body, sealed for all etearnity. His power as a Guardian would become yours. You would be part of myself, part of the energy that keeps this world in balance. You could easily breathe the air of this world, not a predator would get too close to you, and immortality would be the final prise!" suddenly Eywa looked seriously: "But you would forget your old life, only see your friends threw Vitraya Ramunong, your task a matter for others to end. No longer a Tawtute, your soul committed to me alone! How is your choice? "
Ralph was thunderstruck. He,a Guardian? Could he really do that? The thing sounded tempting; especially because of the reasons Eywa had told him. However, would he still be able to live his life as usual? Would he not also lose himself like Carix Mankto in his power?
Ralph turned to his friends, who stood behind him, then to all of the Na'vi. "What do you think guys, would be the top of it all off, right?" Words came back from the Na'vi, words of encouragement.
"Eywa makes sure that everything is in balance," Neytiri said reverently, "But I think you'll bring balance to Eywa herself,"
Jake said resolutely "Toruk Makto will not always be there. It would be good for the Na'vi having you as a trump card! "
Rak'nor bowed to Ralph "Ma Tsmukan, you have more endured than many others before you. If one deserves this honor, then you! "
Miklas smiled appreciatively "You were a hunting companion how he could be asked for. I trust you! "
Harlon said softly," My Sempul always used to say that after every goal is still a new path. For you, this path has been laid."
Gra'ice made a honouring gesture before Ralph:" Since I met you for the first time, I was aware of great potential in you. You have all my blessings! "
Lie'nak grinned cheekily "Don´t look at me. You have given enough of yourself for the people. Now you should take something for yourself! "
Eytukan made before Ralph a show of respect, common for the wild Makto" Through your actions I have found my love, this I'll never forget. Know that I will forever be in your debt! "
Nai'Sha looked at Ralph with a happy face," Do not worry friend, I want to be Tanhi Makto, remember? I will ride among the stars to complete your mission! "
Ralph turned back to Eywa, the eyes moist because so much camaraderie, friendship, loyalty and brotherhood. "Do it," he said.
Eywa smiled knowingly before she raised the black orb to blow a mist of light in it. Immediately the orbs color changed from darkness to a bright ball of light. Eywa again took a deep breath and then she blew the light like fine dust on Ralph's body.
The transformation began faster than anybody felt possible. Ralph floated upright in the air, while Atokirina circled his body. His clothes began to repair itself, his skin became lighter, free of old scars. His Exo pack began to disappear, as the changes in his lungs made him able to breathe Pandora's air. His hair grew longer, smooth and more like the nervefibers of Eywa's hair. Ralph's eyes glazed, turning into pure light.
As the floating person touched the ground again, there was no longer Ralph the Tawtute.
A new Guardian had risen.
