Pain. Unbelievable pain. Yet I did not cry out. I whimpered and moaned but I did not scream, I would only scream if it became unbearable. I writhed and twitched on the floor, the venom coursing through my veins as the world spun away from beneath me and my eyes darted around.
They fixated on a shape, one with a red beaded warrior collar. Tsu'tey. I do not know if I said his name but I hoped I did not. An angry throb pierced my mind and I let out a long whimper of agony until tears streaked down my face.
Darkness swallowed me like the mouth of a predator, a deep snarl raging in my ears until suddenly, the pain was gone. Blinking I looked around the old forest, the leaves and plants turning crisp and brown from lack of rainfall but I knew this place well. It was my old home.
I stood in the large clearing, watching as my clan climbed up the ladders to their huts in the trees, singing and dancing as music played. I felt someone grab my wrists and swing me around, a young child's laughter filling my ears. It was my friend, the friend whom I could not remember the name of.
We were both young again and her red crystal swung wildly around her neck as she danced. She was always the most beautiful dancer. "Sing! Sing for me!" She cried so I smiled and began to sing, dancing with her as the musicians changed their song to join in with me.
It was such a beautiful place to be but suddenly, without any warning at all, it was engulfed in fire. I cried out, spinning around me as the Sky People landed heavily upon us, tearing through our home with little concern for the terrified people that resided here.
Strong arms gripped me around the waist and carried me away, racing easily through the woods as I clung to my mother's neck and sobbed in fear. "Stay here my beloved, I will return for you when it is safe. Eywa will protect you, you only have to pray." My mother's face was blurred and I could not see her features except for the brilliant silver of her eyes.
She never came back. I crouched under the roots, burying myself deep and the fine hairs began to creep around me, bringing me warmth and comfort as I cried. Hearing the sound of running feet and panicked voices I gasped, believing my mother was returning for me.
"Mother! I am here mother! Do not leave me!" Pulling free I felt the soft whine of the tree as it tried to pull me back into her warm embrace but I ignored it, wanting to feel my mother's arms around me and hear her beautiful voice in my ear.
Watching there were six teenaged hunters running away, three metal suits following them then spat fire and metal at them from behind, I stood there in shock then ran to them, shaking them by the shoulder. "Big sisters, big brothers, why do you not run? You must run!" My hand was sticky with their blood as I tried to help them to their feet but they would not move.
The stamping feet drew my attention and I cried out in fear, sobbing as the long staffs were pointed at me. "Please…please…don't hurt me…where's mother? Mother! Mother I am afraid!" I babbled, crawling backwards as I heard the loud click that sounded when the metal Sky Person was preparing to fire.
My scream echoed loudly into the forest and when I clamped my mouth shut, I heard the pounding of six feet on the ground. A palulukan tore from the bushes with a loud roar, crashing into both metal monsters then tore off a limb with its powerful jaw. As they stood the tail whipped around, knocking them back down as he stood in front of me, the bullets bouncing off his armoured hide.
He beat them back with powerful swipes, raking his claws into the metal, carving it up until they retreated. He turned to me and as I looked into his dark eyes, the world around me when black and his body began to glow with a faint aura. "Palu?" I whispered and the palulukan nodded its noble head.
I cried out with relief and threw my arms around his neck. He purred into me, rubbing his head as his quills quivered, tickling me as I breathed soft sighs of relief, holding him gently. "I have missed you Palu, the world is not the same without my first teacher." I told him softly as I stood. We were easily height matched now that I was older and he paced around me, his tail sometimes prodding me playfully.
Finally he growled affectionately then lowered his head, offering himself to me. With a grin I jumped onto his back and joined our queues. Power flooded through me, the kind you only ever felt when joined with a palulukan. Energy flowed endlessly into my body as I leaned low over his neck and together, we streaked forwards.
We rushed together at the blinding light, my smile never fading as I was reunited with my dearest friend once again. He gave an unbridled roar as he leaped into the light, carrying me through until I was falling alone.
Jolting awake I cried out with a yell, scrambling to sit up and move back as my vision remained unfocussed. "Calm down, Anahera, calm down. You have done it, it is all over now." Neytiri said to me softly as she stroked my arm, crouching next to me as I slowly regained my breath and my sight.
Sweat glistened off my body as I nodded my head, drawing myself together piece by piece. "What did Eywa show you? Did your spirit animal come to you?"
"A palulukan." A soft gasp rose from the elders around me as I continued to focus on Neytiri. "Palu carried me through the Eye of Eywa. Before that I was home again, with my clan but then we were attacked by the Sky People with the big staffs that spit fire and metal with thunderclaps."
"You mean guns." Jake nodded his head. "Neytiri, what does this mean?"
"A palulukan very rarely chooses one of the People as their spirit guardian. It means you are special, Anahera, you are meant to be a great warrior and hunter." Nodding I allowed her to help me to my feet, leaning against her for support.
I felt a hand brush against my arm and I looked to Tsu'tey. He nodded simply to me then moved away. My head rolled back against Neytiri's shoulder and she held me close, murmuring softly to me as Jake stood before me. "You've made it into the clan. I knew you would do as proud." He grinned, touched Neytiri's face lovingly then nodded to the elders around us. "We will wait upstairs for you."
"Come Anahera, you must sit." Neytiri guided me over to where a bowl of white paste lay waiting. She painted my body, preparing me spiritually for my acceptance into the clan. I couldn't help smiling and Neytiri was soon smiling broadly too. "I heard what happened today with the sternbeest herd. You were very brave."
"Not really, I've done it a few times before." I replied as she smoothed the paste into my shoulders with gentle fingers. "When I was alone, I used to go searching for adventures."
"I am glad you finally saw sense with Kakeo. I was beginning to worry I would have to step in publicly as Tsahik and forbid the match." She winked at me as I blushed and looked down, still smiling. "Tsu'tey is a great hunter."
"I know. He taught me well." I answered her with a slight glimmer of confusion in my eyes as she continued slyly.
"He is also one of the best warriors in the clan."
"Yes, I still struggle to ever defeat him." Looking closely at her I saw the bright gleam in her eye that told me she was up to something.
"He is also very handsome." I inhaled softly as I pictured him in my mind then shrugged again, something I had picked up from being in Jake's company.
"Why are you saying this Neytiri?"
"I am just pointing out there are more than a few males who watch you closely." Blinking I had absolutely no idea what she meant. I heard something scuff down the core and I looked to see Keke standing there nervously.
"Keke! I see you. How are you?" Smiling at her she cautiously drew close.
"I see you big sister, I want to warn you about my older brother Kakeon, he intends to make you his mate."
"I know but I have already refused him." I told her gently then paused. "Did you say he is your older brother?" She nodded then bit her lip.
"He was meant to be watching me the day the palulukan attacked but when he saw the hunters grouping for a great hunt, he left me to race after them." Boiling with anger I felt Neytiri tense and hiss next to me. "He is going to make you mate with him, I overheard him talking with some of his hunter friends. Please be careful Anahera! Although I would love for you to be my sister, I do not want you to mate with Kakeon."
"I shall be careful, sweet one. Do not fear." I assured her as she knelt beside me so I pushed back the wild hair and gently combed it out with my fingers.
"I shall alert Jake about his intentions. It is forbidden to make a female mate against her will, he will be killed if he does so." She growled intently then nodded to Keke. "You should go and join the others. Well done for doing the right thing. Eywa bless you."
"Thank you Tsahik." She bowed her head respectfully then darted back up the core, climbing up faster than you could blink.
"Do not worry tonight. You will become part of the clan and then you will be protected by our laws." Reassured by her soft words I stood, looking down my arms and legs at the white swirls then breathed in deeply.
"I am ready." And so we climbed up where I approached Jake who smiled at me.
"Anahera, daughter of the Ranuri. Eywa smiled down upon you as you join the Omaticaya clan and become one with the People." He said flawlessly and I smirked at him slightly. How long had it taken him to practise that single line? He lay my hands on my shoulders and I breathed deeply as Neytiri beamed at me and lay her hands over Jake's.
One by one everyone connected themselves to one another with me at the core, blinking softly in the firelight as I felt two strong but gentle hands touch my stomach and back. Underneath my gut burned and tensed as I looked to Tsu'tey, my face an unreadable mask as I nodded to him.
Once I was accepted, music filled the womb of Hometree and there was bright laughter and music. I had missed dancing. I danced every dance there was, beaming from ear to ear as I moved and pranced to the music, the other newly reborn hunters joining in with me.
Most of the females simply danced to draw attention to themselves, I danced because it brought me the happiest memories I had of home. I did not notice as everyone peeled back to watch me as I danced complicated steps around the fire, my eyes closed as I spun, the knot of my hair pulling loose ever so slightly as the drum pace quickened.
When people began to cheer I opened my eyes and blinked dumbly, seeing that I was the only one dancing. "Dance! Dance sister!" So I danced. I barrel leaped several times around the massive bonfire, weaving in and out with fast paced and powerful steps that left the younger children blinking in awe.
Spotting Keke I grabbed her waist and lifted her up, tossing her into the air and she shrieked with laughter as I danced with her, hugging me close as we spun. Setting her on my feet I led her in the steps and she giggled, watching our feet until I was sweating and panting like a pa'li who had just run eight thousand miles.
Other hunters joined in the next dance so I joined with Keke again, holding her hand as I allowed her to lead me in this new dance. She smiled brightly as the younger children laughed and giggled as they leaped into the circle to join in, making it grow steadily larger.
Neytiri even managed to drag Jake into the dance, grabbing my hand as she pushed in and began to sweep in with us. Never feeling so happy again to hear music and singing, I could almost imagine being home with my clan, holding the hand of my best friend as we danced.
When everyone broke off to face their partner we spun around, my added strength lifting Keke high off the ground which made her squeal in delight as she flew. Once we had spun three times we joined back in with the circle.
After this dance it was the males' dance so all the women sat down for a breather, admiring the men as they danced with powerful, admirable movements that made them all sigh and fawn over them, whispering behind hands. I ignored the dance, leaning back comfortably with Keke in my arms as I softly combed through her once again knotted hair.
"Look! Brother Tsu'tey has joined the dance, he very rarely dances, sister you must look!" So I looked up and I was instantly entranced. Tsu'tey leaped up into the air with his brothers, the muscles in his body rippling and I heard the group of females beside me sigh with lust. This sparked my jealousy so I ignored them then continued to watch Tsu'tey as he powered the staff around his back with four other males, the staff constantly turning wherever he lifted it.
"Isn't he an amazing dancer big sister? You would never have guessed he could would you?"
"No little sister, I would not." I murmured softly as I slid a feather into a bead which I had slipped over the single braid I had done for her. She smiled, playing with it fondly as she pulled it over her ear. With her distracted I returned to watching Tsu'tey.
Eywa he was magnificent. With each passing breath I felt that feeling return until I thought it would burst from my chest and spill onto the floor to leave me bleeding profusely. Suddenly I realised how little I had actually cared about Kakeo. I had enjoyed his company and yes, admittedly, I was attracted to him physically but the attraction had soon died away leaving me with the awkward feeling.
This was different. I don't know how and I am not entirely sure if it is just another more powerful version of what I had felt for Kakeo and whether it would die away too but for now, I was happy to simply watch him as he danced gloriously.
Keke soon fell asleep in my arms so as the dance ended I picked her up, humming gently to her as I sought out her mother. I found her with some other mothers so when I approached with Keke, she had smiled lovingly and drew her daughter into her arms.
"Thank you sister, welcome to the clan." She said to me then touched my shoulder. "Be wary of my son. His father spoiled him as a child and he remains so to this day, believing he should have only the best of everything. He has his fixed on you and he will not be easily shaken."
"Do not worry, kind mother, I will be careful." I informed her politely then affectionately brushed Keke's cheek before turning away and leaving. I danced with Neytiri a few more times and once or twice alone as the clan asked me to show them dances from my own clan but soon I was exhausted, so I slipped away when no one was looking.
My body was slick with sweat so I went to a stream outside to quickly wash myself down before going up to my bed and falling asleep almost as soon as I had pulled it over me as a blanket.