Chapter 20 – Blooded
Several days had passed since the failed war party returned to Hometree. I hadn't seen Jake or Neytiri since then. After the vaunted success of my first hunt, Niysia managed to convince Moat that I was ready for the final challenges. Reluctantly, Moat agreed and later that evening I found myself standing before her and several other elders. Moat said, "Nathan LeMay, if you survive this night you will be enlightened, wiser, and ready to climb Iknamaya.
The ritual was called the Unriltaron or "Dream-Hunt." This was the last step before a warrior was deemed ready to choose his own ikran and thus be accepted as one of the People. To say the least, I survived but it was no walk in the park. My experience was filled with deep emotional anxiety. I had been told my Niysia that some Na'vi have died during the drug induced ritual and no one comes out of it unchanged; I would be no different. The ritual's intent was to grant you a glimpse into your destiny and help you discover your sprit animal. A spiritual entity that would follow, protect, and guide you throughout the rest of your life. Thankfully, these dreams are considered private and so was your spirit animal.
The experience was mentally and physically grueling. When it was over, I simply stared up at Moat and the others with tears streaming down my face; no words were exchanged. We nodded at one another and I slowly pulled myself to my feet and staggered away like a hung over drunkard. I was grateful for no questions but I couldn't hide how disturbed I felt and I'm certain they saw that in my face. My dream hunt was more akin to an apocalyptic nightmare and I had just assumed not speak of it again. Especially since some of the bloody visions must have been drawn directly from my own guilt-ridden conscience. I recalled only one bright light throughout the entire ordeal. Niysia.
As for my spirit animal, if I understood what I saw, it was no less than a gray thanator. Not exactly the most popular animal in the Na'vi culture, so I kept it to myself as well. Despite the disturbing dreams and my predatory spirit animal, no amount of preparation could fully prepare a Na'vi warrior for their first encounter with the mountain ikran that chooses them. Now I firmly understood why the humans called them "banshees." Niysia had even reminded me three times about the dangers but like usual I would have to learn the hard way that every bonding was a unique experience.
Four days later atop Iknamaya…
With the wind in my hair, my queue flailed back and forth behind me as I struggled to reach for it. I finally managed to grab a hold of my queue and make the connection. The nerve tentacles intertwined with the ikrans as the powerful mountain banshee balked at my presence while we flew wildly between floating mountains. I had broken a horse once in my youth, but no matter how long you hold on there's only one way to break in an ikran, the hard way.
My mind slipped back a few moments as I reflected on how close I came to skydiving without a parachute. I had thought that the ikran had meant to kill me, for sure. I had quickly got the best of him and mounted the winged creature even while it continuously slashed at me with it sharp talons. My first attempt to connect didn't work out as planned and he through me off toward the cliff. I caught a vine as I sled over the edge. I paused a second to catch my breath as I recalled Niysia's warning about how the ikran usually try to toss you off the cliff. I glanced down and saw clouds below me and grimaced at the view.
With renewed vigor and a healthy desire to live, I pulled myself back onto the ledge, and managed to mount him a second time. This time he took off with me barely holding on. The ikran made a muffled screech as I screamed in terror but refused to let go. Even with his mouth tied shut, these creatures were awe inspiring and deadly. This time I had a grip on his queue and as we both dove toward the clouds at breakneck speed I made the connection between our queues; the feeling was primal and instinctual, but he was mine.
My mind jolted back to the present as I noticed blood all over my left side and realized he'd slashed a deep gash in my left arm up near my shoulder with one of his wing talons during our struggle. It all happened so fast, I'm sure he did it before I mounted him the first time. I thought it was a lot of blood but that problem would have to wait. I hope Na'vi chicks dig scars because that's going to be a good one, if I live through this flight. I held on tight and concentrated on my new companion. I thought, "fly straight and bank right," the ikran complied.
I leaned from side to side as my new best friend swayed in unison with my thoughts. My blood striped his wings as it flowed from the deep gash in my left arm. It was a dangerous wound, but Niysia had warned me that I couldn't wait to take my first flight. I recalled her words, "The first flight bonds the Na'vi with their ikran." It was necessary in order for the bond to become permanent. So I did, pain not withstanding. I glanced down at the wound on my left arm and noticed it was still bleeding. I suddenly felt as if I'd been branded and it occurred to me that I was as much his Na'vi as he was my Ikran. I smiled at the idea and despite the pain, enjoyed the wind in my face.
As we banked around a great waterfall coming off one of the Halleluiah Mountains, Niysia joined me in flight on her ikran. We flew in perfect formation, swaying back and forth, as I gained greater control. I reached forward and pulled loose the restraint on his jaw; he immediately made a loud screeching sound and I said, "You're welcome."
I looked over at Niysia. I could tell she was pleased but also concerned at the amount of blood I was losing. My left arm was growing weak and as I looked behind me, my blood had left several stripped patterns on my ikran's wings. I thought I'd name him Blood Stripe in honor of this day. Despite the fact he nearly killed me. I screamed a hiss with mixed laughter and I felt more alive than I'd ever felt before. It was just as Jake had described, incredible.
Niysia noticed the obvious weakness in my body language caused by the blood I'd lost from my wound, especially since my flying had become more erratic. She called to me, "Nathan, he is yours now. Let's go home before you fall out of the sky for lack of blood!" I had started speaking Na'vi full time now, "Ok. I think Blood Stripe agrees. He can probably tell I'm getting weak." She replied, "Blood Stripe?" I grinned, "Yes. See the blood stripes on his wings? It's my blood, and he's earned it!" She laughed, "If you say so Nathan. Follow me home; we'll take the fastest way!" She and her ikran dove and I followed, staying in close formation.
When we arrived back at Hometree, two other young Na'vi who had climbed Iknamaya with us had already returned successfully, so the clan was waiting for us. As I landed, it felt like I nearly crashed. I patted Blood Stripe on the side of his head just above his eyes. As I climbed down, I disconnected my queue. Just as I did, I felt a wave of fog come over my consciousness and I fell to my knees. I noticed fresh blood covering my left arm and my last thoughts were, "Bloody hell, the connection does more than… he kept me…" I faintly smiled at the waiting Na'vi and fell forward as I past out from a lack of blood.
A few days later, I woke up in my hammock. My arm was clean and bandaged. The pain was mostly gone. I was staring up at the stars and I could hear singing down below me. I looked around as my eyes adjusted and realized that Niysia was lying in her hammock next to mine. She appeared to be asleep, so I whispered, "Niysia, are you awake?" Her eyes opened quickly and she turned to look at me, "Nathan?" I smiled, "Wow. What a ride." We both just stared at each other a moment. Then I broke the silence, "Am I ready to become Omaticaya?" Niysia replied, "Yes. The clan has been waiting for you to recover from your wounds." I nodded as I looked down and ran my right hand over the wound. It was apparently healing all right. I'm amazed how resilient the Na'vi anatomy is compared to humans. No human would have recovered so quickly.
We both climbed out of our hammocks and stood on the tree limb. I took her hand and she turned toward me. I said, "Niysia…" she stopped me by placing her hand over my lips and said, "I see you." She took her hand down and placed it over her heart then she reached forward and placed her hand on my chest right over my heart. I slowly replied, "I see you," and I reached up and did the same, placing my hand over her heart. The affection in her eyes was evident, but I realized she was right. This was not the time.
We walked down to the base of the Great Tree to the where the clan was singing. As soon as we entered, the singing subsided. I saw Jake stand up and immediately start walking toward us. Neytiri took Tarya's hand and both stood up and walked over, with Moat and several other Na'vi close behind. Quickly, I realized the moment had come. Jake said, "Nathan, you have learned our ways; proven yourself as a hunter and shown respect towards Eywa. You are ready to be Omaticaya."
As he stood in front of me, he placed his hands on my shoulder. Niysia and Neytiri followed suit, placing their hands on my shoulders from where they stood. I watched, as a network of Na'vi with me in the center reached out arm to shoulder. Jake said, "As Omaticaya, one of the people, you may now cut a limb from Hometree to make your own bow, you may speak as one of the People, and you may choose a mate." The sound of chanting rose up among the clan. I was now Omaticaya. Right after Jake finished his statement my eyes found their way to meet Niysia's gaze. Her facial expression softened and turned into more of a romantic smile. Without speaking aloud, I mouthed the words, "I see you," and she did the same. I knew at that moment we had chosen each other.
Neytiri, from her vantage point, saw everything. She whispered into Jake's ear. After a moment I looked back at Jake. His serious expression had been replaced by a grin on his face. He simply said, "Congratulations." I was surprised at first; until I realized Neytiri was grinning as well. It dawned on me they both knew how Niysia and I felt about each other. As I glanced at Moat, the pleased expression on her face implied that our bonding was probably her intention from the beginning.
Perhaps it was destined, a blessing from Eywa, or just two hearts that grew close over time through shared experiences. Whichever it was, I didn't mind. Soon the whole clan would know, so I simply smiled and said, "Thanks, Jake." I glanced at Niysia again and back to Jake and continued, "and thanks for the second chance at life." Jake glanced at Niysia and then at Neytiri, his daughter standing next to her. He smiled and replied, "Eywa has blessed us both, Nathan."