Hi there. Thank you for your patient wait. While i do try to update more frequently, this chapter was somehow hard to write.

Warning for protective moms, violence and character death.

Also small reminder that I posted another story just for scenes that wouldn't have fit into this one.

Chapter 19

Jake, Neytiri, and Grace left the pod around midday to meet up with the three warriors the scientist had brought along from their clan. All three bowed respectfully to their former Olo'eyktan and Tsakarem, even greeting them with their old title. Despite his efforts, they refused to call him just by name, but years of training and fighting under his command had trained them to use only the most respectful of addresses. He gave up soon after but requested their compliance in front of the Metkayina chief. At least they agreed to that.

Teyal was appointed as their leader for the time being, being the oldest of the three warriors. She had fought alongside him during the first war and had shown him true loyalty over many years, putting aside all her prejudices to support his rebuilding of the clan. Her counsel was quiet but harsh, and Jake had always admired her steady and calm composure. When he had faced insults, threats, or only nasty looks due to his heritage, she had defended him alongside Neytiri. Teyal was also one of his most trusted generals, used to leading smaller teams on stealth missions. She would be ideal as a scout in their current situation.

With her were two younger hunters, La'an and Eyatan, both skilled if more excitable than their leader. The young men were both only a couple of years older than Neteyam but had absolved their Iknimaya alongside his son. That was probably their motivation to follow them into the reef. La'an actually asked for his friend, and Jake smiled to himself. It would do Neteyam some good to have some of his old friends around.

The group of now six went to Tonowari's home, and Jake nearly felt bad for the man to be overrun with so many forest Na'vi at once. Against his expectations, it was Ronal who greeted them at the entrance, and while her attitude had improved significantly towards Jake and his family, she didn't look all too happy now.

"Come in, we need to talk," she said, her voice calm, but her usual strictness was back. The introductions were short and respectful, yet not too welcoming. Ronal paced the length of the bigger pod, tightly controlled emotions flitting across her face, though her hands were firmly pulled into fists.

"Tonowari, you heard from Grace last night about a possible trail for the humans that might lead them here," Jake began, and he received a grave nod from the chief.

"We always knew of a certain risk in offering you shelter, one we decided we would be able to carry," the tall man said, looking over to his wife, who had a pained expression on her face.

"The war has followed you to our shores. It hasn't arrived yet, but it's inevitable," she said, barely concealing her anger. She shot her husband a "I told you so" look. Jake noticed her regret for allowing them to stay, not because she disliked them, but because she was worried about her family and her people.

"The war was already heading in our direction. Our sailors and Tulkun informed us about the hunts near the mainland shores," Tonowari tried to justify, but understandably, his wife was upset. Jake looked at Neytiri, who was also distressed. He held her hand to comfort her. When she looked up at him, he gave her a reassuring gaze. They would face whatever was coming, as they had done throughout their marriage.

"Do you perceive the Sky People as a threat to Eywa's creation?" Jake was taken aback by Teyal's silent question to the furious Tsahik. Ronald spun his head around, facing Teyal's intense stare, but she remained calm and composed.

"They are like poison!" Ronald hissed, but was puzzled when she received a serene nod in response.

"Yes, indeed they are. I regard them as a storm of fire that leaves only devastation and suffering in its path. They destroyed our home with their flames, ravaged our forest, and threatened to destroy our last refuge. They also destroyed several Utral Mokri (Trees of Voices)," she explained, holding Ronal's gaze.

"And now they bring this destruction to us!" she protested, still outraged and frightened.

"Don't you see? Has fear clouded your vision so much? You are accusing Toruk Makto!" Teyal raised her voice slightly, but remained composed. Jake was bewildered and unable to command Teyal to stand down.

"What am I missing? He fled from the war, as Eywa has reclaimed her protection over him," Ronald retorted, with Neytiri holding back a growl, squeezing his hand forcefully.

"Do you expect to remain here and be safeguarded by a man who fought for Eywa herself for more than two years?" Teyal continued, and Jake saw two angry nods from her young companions. He didn't know that Teyal thought of him that way.

Ronal bristled behind Tonowari, who attempted to soothe her. "I don't want to see any harm come to my people, but I don't need anyone's protection either!" she exclaimed, almost shouting.

"Then let me ask you one more thing," Teyal said, suddenly kneeling down and bowing before the leading couple. "Don't you consider it an honour to die defending our great mother's creation?"

Jake's eyebrows shot up, and even Neytiri relaxed by his side in confusion. Ronald's anger deflated a little, and Tonowari gave the Omatikaya general an assessing stare.

"I believe in the unity my Olo'eyktan has created. I believe that all the sacrifices we had to make in our fights were worth it because we were defending our home. The Skypeople are coming, and I will gladly lay down my life in the coming fight to protect this family," Teyal said, pointing at Jake and Neytiri. "Because they will fight! They will fight to protect."

He had never heard her speaking so passionately, and to be completely honest, he was deeply moved. Teyal pointed her hands at them again for emphasis. "They will fight to protect."

Silence followed her words, along with several eyes that practically burned with conviction. What was left of the Tsahik's anger left her with her next couple of deep breaths. She regarded all of them again, finally stopping on him.

"Is this true, Jake? Will you fight again, for this home?" she asked, and he gave her an assuring nod.

"Then let us begin. The Skypeople may come, but we will be prepared. Help us as you are now one of us," she said in a grave voice.

Her words relieved him of the fear she would expel them from the clan, but also caused every muscle in his body to strain as she added the Metkayina to his long list of things to protect. He knew beforehand he would, but hearing her say this left him between rejoicing and barfing. The latter would have been so inappropriate right now.

They all sat and started their discussion. They would make more weapons, as well as very sturdy chest covers for the warriors. Jake would prepare all the knowledge they had on their opponents, along with Grace and Neytiri, and even Neteyam could help train some new warriors. Teyal would lead the scouting and lookouts for their enemies with La'an and Eyatan, while Tonowari would send out the message to the other Metkayina clans that were more or less under his reign.

At some point, he had grabbed the two stones around his neck. He could practically feel Tommy sitting behind him, whispering further ideas and calming him with his soothing voice. Not much longer, and he would have his brother back. Any other possibility was unacceptable. If he were ever to fight all humanity, Jake would need his twin with him.

"They have several hostages. All of them are essential. Three humans and my brother. One is Norm, an Avatar driver who has fought and lived with us for many years and his young daughter Maya. Then there is Spider," Jake paused a little, seeing some irritated stares aimed at him. Neytiri cringed a little at the boy's name but said nothing. He took a deep breath to gather his courage before he continued.

"I consider him like he was my own. The clan raised him, and he adapted to the Omatikaya way of life even as a human," he said. Jake could see that his words had an impact on everyone present, most of whom were shocked or surprised. However, his wife was irritated, and Spider was the reason for their only quarrel that didn't seem to end.

Jake loved Spider like a son. He had even created a song chord for him and tried to bestow him with one of the Sully blue stones. However, Neytiri saw him as a threat and a cruel reminder of all she had lost. Jake loved Neytiri more than anything else, so he usually bowed to her wishes. But after months of dreading for the boy's life and the endless regret of leaving him behind, he had hardened his resolve. Spider was not his father, and he was innocent of the man's crimes. As a child, he was precious, a gift from Eywa herself. Any child deserved a loving family, and while Jake would have major things to make up for, he would gladly offer the boy a father's protection from now on.

With their first plans set in motion, the group split up for their respective duties, agreeing to meet every day from now on to discuss their goals. Neytiri still held his hand once they left the chief's pod, but he knew they needed to talk once more. This conflict needed to be resolved for all their sakes.

Jake knew that while Neytiri could rage at him and argue for days, they would stay as a unit. Because at the end of the day, she was also utterly devoted to him, just as he was to her. They were strong and would endure.

They had been trapped on the fishing boat Seadragon for several days by now. Though the soldiers made degrading and insulting comments from time to time, the three prisoners were given enough food and water to survive. Tom was relieved that Quaritch had not treated them worse, but he knew their fate was far from certain.

Maya had slept most of the first day, after the long talk he shared with Spider, and Tom was heartbroken to see her exhausted and sad. He tried to distract himself by focusing on the two children under his protection. He made sure Maya was comfortable and kept Spider talking to him. When the boy showed signs of panic, Tom hummed to calm him down. Although he had trained his healing songs with his love for over a month, he knew that his songs were only good for comfort and not yet for real healing. Unfortunately, he had plenty of reasons to practice that day.

Spider didn't panic much, despite the terrifying situation. He knew that even though he was Quaritch's biological child, the boy would deny any relationship with him to the end of his life. Quaritch had been a boogeyman to the Na'vi for years, a grotesque monster who had come to destroy their clan and home. Spider could never relate to the older generations' pain or rejection of him. When he finally met Quaritch himself, he had been angry at him for threatening his friends and taking Spider away. But his anger had dissipated after a while. Anger was too exhausting to sustain for the two months he had been away. At one point, he had even wished for his own family. Tired of being a semi-unwanted guest in the clan, it had taken its toll on his mind, and Tom hurt for the child.

Tom wondered if the pain the war had caused was enough to ignore a child lost on the path of life. He wasn't sure, but it didn't free him from the sadness and disappointment he felt in Spiders stead. He remembered how some of the Na'vi women had cooed at Maya just days before. The girl had been as welcome as her father amongst the Omatikaya people. Would Spider have been welcomed like this as well? Had he ever been welcomed by them before? Although it was a saddening thought, Tom hoped they would both survive, even if just to test that theory.

As the day wore on, both Tom and Spider became increasingly worried about Maya, who barely ate the rations they were given. When she released the object she held close to her heart, Spider started crying silently when he recognised Norm's blood-smeared ID card. Tom started humming again.

At one point that day, he requested new clothes for Maya, who still wore the bloodied shirt she had been captured in. It felt irresponsible to let her wear it any longer, so they were given a new shirt, although it was too large for Maya it would keep her warm in the mild sea wind.

After a few hours, Tom began to feel faint, realizing that although Avatars were able to breathe human air, it was much lower in potency than what was needed to energize the Na'vi system properly. The compound was essential for Na'vi but poisonous to humans, weakening him but not killing him. Tom compared it to hiking high up in the mountains without proper training to withstand the strain on his lungs. He slumped over at some point, scaring Spider, who had forgotten about the effect the air would have on Tom.

Tom guessed that it was Quaritch's way of punishing him without lifting a finger, but he didn't want to voice the thought out loud. He was glad that although the thin air was uncomfortable, it was only harming him and not the kids. Quaritch knew what he was doing, and Tom wouldn't have enough energy to stay awake for at least part of the time.

The last thing he did was give one of his rolled up ferns to Spider, instructing the boy to eat it when they would be called out.

Spider felt so bad for making Tom talk so long about his life, which was incredibly interesting and sometimes even funny, but must have exhausted his energy much faster. He called for help, but his assumption was confirmed when he was refused with a mean laugh. They wanted to make Tom suffer, what angered Spider immensely.

He had felt so comfortable, sharing his thoughts with the man, who looked so much like Jake.

An hour later, Tom fell asleep and his breath came in short bursts. His tanhi where flickering in and out of existence, looking like he was in some kind of shock. Maya woke up during this time, seeing Spiders angry desperation and Tom unconscious on the floor. It did not take long before she fell unconscious again.

Spider admitted his own absolute helplessness at the state of the two other people in his cell, and it hurt, badly.

Suddenly the door was ripped open.

"We're nearly there, get the child and come to the deck." Quaritch barked at him, and despite Spiders absolute hatred for the man, he complied and put the small oxygen mask on Maya's sleeping form. He then placed his own mask, after secretly stuffing the fern into his mouth, and pulled the girl into his arms as he watched how two soldiers came in to grab Tom under the arms and to drag him outside. There was nearly no energy in Spider left to yell at these men for treating his uncle like this, but he tried and got a hard slap to the back of his head when he did.

They were led to the lower deck, a soft rain pelting down at them. Before them was a beautiful reef village with Na'vi hurrying about, that had a much lighter skin colour than the cerulean Spider was used to.

The ship got nearer and halted for good, ramming into a perfectly stable landing stage, that splintered under the force of the huge ship. Some of the soldiers let out whoops of enjoyment that made Spider nauseous. How very deprived must one person be to be happy at this destruction?

An automatic ramp came down from the boat and Quaritch motioned for the group to follow him down to the beach. More armed Avatars got out of the ship than Spider had anticipated and quickly made their way into the village.

Spider heard gunshots and panicked screams left and right, a crowd of terrified and angry reef Na'vi was gathered before the unknown contraption that was the Seadragon ship.

The villagers were shoved down to the sand, threatened and one soldier even killed a sea creature on Quaritch's orders, that had swam by, worried for it's retainers. Some of the people cried out in anger, seeing the blue animal float motionless in the water.

Quaritch's most loyal goons dragged two Na'vi to the front, holding them by their queues. They were wearing a Tsahik's veil and an Olo'eyktan coat, telling Spider who they would be. They screamed out in pain and fury when their heads were pushed into the sand, forcing them to kneel and expose their necks wile guns were pressed to their heads.

Spider bit down hard on his lips, feeling so angry at this humiliating display. Na'vi were often proud, but also very kind. Exposing their weakness like this, must feel like they were stripped bare and forced to dance to their enemies amusement.

"These were the ones with the fanciest dresses. Believe they could be the leaders?" Wanefleet asked his boss like the uneducated brute he was.

"We'll see soon." Quaritch replied, looking down on the couple with a sickening smile.

He passed them, treating them with further disrespect and instead went to Tom, who had started to take deep breaths again. The colonel slapped his face brutally a couple of times to startle the man awake. He continued for some more, even when he was awake and spitting out bloody saliva.

"You will translate for us, or we will start shooting down the villagers and then the girl!" He barked out, pulling a pistol from his belt, aiming it to the kneeling woman's head. Tom's eyes widened a little before he quickly nodded.

He was also pushed into a kneeling position in front of the chief, who looked at him in fear. Tom greeted him in a formal way as best as he could with both hands bound and another gun pushed into his back.

"My name is Tom. I will translate for these people. Please forgive me, it is not my choice." He paused a little before looking to Quaritch.

"I introduced myself, telling them I would translate for you." He reported and received another slap.

"You want to invite yourself to tea as well? Only speak when you translate exactly what I say." He barked, shoving Tom to the side. That instantly received a round of gasps and shrieks from the clan. Several guns now pointed at the Na'vi, and Wanefleet shot into the air some more, making them cower down, holding their necks and queues.

Quaritch began to talk. Tom translated as he spoke. "We are looking for Toruk Makto. Tell us if you have him hidden here."

"They've come here in search of Toruk Makto. He asks if you are hiding him in your village. Please, do not resist or you might forfeit your life." Quaritch kicked Tom hard in the side, but only because he noticed the word 'please'. Spider schooled his face into blankness as not to give away that Tom was not translating correctly. Tom screamed out at the kick, but not a usual shout of pain. Instead it was a high pitched warning call.

Several Na'vi stilled their movements at the call.

"He squeals like a girl!" Wanefleet laughed out, kicking Tom's other side in amusement. Spider was gnashing his teeth in anger, but didn't move a muscle, with so many guns around. He had to protect Maya first and foremost, but seeing the kind man treated like this made curse the soldiers with the most gruesome endings he could imagine.

The chief adamantly denied that they are hiding anyone and Tom translated, but Quaritch was not satisfied with the answer. He pulled out a pad, to show them a picture of Jake. He made Tom repeat the question, but it was denied again. Some Na'vi gasped as they saw the uncanny resemblance to Tom and some scared whispers of Toruk Makto?

"They have not seen any forest Na'vi in their territory for years." Tom translated the desperate pleas of the leading couple.

"Burn down the huts." Quaritch orders to his men, then looked back to Tom.

"Tell them that we will look for ourselves."

"He will burn down your village, if you resist, they will kill you all." Tom was trembling while speaking, but Spider couldn't see his face at all.

The soldiers set in motion, moving from tent to tent, burning everything in their way. Small mercies for the continuing rain, that preserved some of the huts at least in a fundamental way. The fire did not last long, thankfully. The people screamed and so did the Olo'eyktan and Tsahik as they watched the destruction.

Then the pair stilled to stare at Tom for a moment. He glanced over to the man himself for only a second before he witnessed how Tom lowered his head to the ground, offering his neck to the two Na'vi. The couple looked appalled at the gesture in something resembling shock, that turned into horror when Tom received another kick to the side that finally broke a rib with a loud snap. His uncle curled in on himself as he laid on the ground and Spider cried in fear when one Avatars points his gun at the leading couple again.

Unable to stand still anymore Spider moved in front of them, looking over to Quaritch and doing the thing he hated himself for doing.

He begged. He begged for their life and any other Na'vi living in the village. They were innocent after all and didn't deserve the evil that had befallen them.

Terrible seconds of uncertainty passed by when something happened that Spider was so sure could not happen: Quaritch called his men back, letting the couple escape while the rest of their village slowly was set on fire.

Maya shortly moved in his hold, but stilled again soon after.

Spider watched in horror as the formerly beautiful village burned, tears streaming down his face as he knelt down in the sand, next to Tom.

He felt Tom hugging him close once he had sat up. One hand gripped the back of his neck in comfort, the other hung centimetres above Maya's face. He heard a short sob from his uncle.

Several soldiers came up next to them, to grab and drag them back onto the ship. Tom cried out as they bump into his side, pressing into the tender rib while laughing at his pain. On the deck they get pushed to the rail that gives them the best view of the burning village, as the ship sets in motion. Tom's chains get released, only to be put back on , chaining him to the rail. Spider received the same treatment, but Maya, was just ignored, where she was rudely pushed from Spiders lap, laying still on the metal ground.

Some of the soldiers were still howling with laughter, imitating the fearful screams of their victims as they moved to the inside of the ship. The cool wind had picked up and it got really uncomfortable with the additional rain. Spider even started shivering.

Tom gently pulled Maya closer with his legs, cushioning her head and upper body on his folded leg and keeping her a little warmer. His other leg stood angled over her, to keep the rain away from her face.

Spider looked at his uncle, unable to fathom, how he was still able to be kind and considerate to another in this situation. Spider just wanted to scream.

Tom kept an eye on the mostly desolate deck. Only two human soldiers were keeping watch from some partly covered corner of the deck, to be out of the rain. They talked and laughed, but didn't pay their prisoners much attention. Small mercies indeed.

He leaned his head over his hands, grabbing at the small bone element, that Tanu'ley had insisted he wore in his now very messy braids. It was a sharp tooth and he had pricked his hands on several occasions while binding his hair, but now it came in handy. He pulls the long braid into position and started to saw his one wrist free, then he turns to Spider, who watched him with wide and puffy red eyes.

"Spider, I need you to play dead." He whispered. Luckily his lovely nephew made a very realistic show of collapsing to the ground without asking any questions. With a short look to the guards he pulled one hand free and grabbed two tiny mushrooms from one of his blade sheaths on his back. The other hold another fern, which he placed into his own mouth. He used the chance to check on her again, but the result stayed the same. Tom had no more time to loose.

He shouted out the children's names to get the attention of their guards. They turned their heads, to look at the commotion he had created and noticed Spiders crumpled form.

They hurry over, to check what was going on but were instead met with to precisely thrown roundish projectiles hitting their chests with such force that the small mushrooms honour their own name and explode in a cloud of spores. The spores turned their neck area into a garish red in seconds flat and the humans fell to the floor unconscious. There was no time to celebrate his small victory, as he gently puts down Maya and taps Spiders shoulder.

Tom moved over to one of the guards, looking for and finding a knife that he handed back to Spider, who began to cut at his chains soon after. He then untied the empty bag at his side, to give it to the boy.

"Spider, when you're free, loot them for all oxygen batteries and other usables that you can find. I'll be back in a second." With that Tom ran off, leaving the two children behind to go for the next entrance, The door opened with ease, because only the most inner part was decompressed with more oxygen. Still there was the emergency mask, hanging in a box on the wall. Tom grabbed it, along with the Tank and any tubes going with it, but most importantly all the batteries. Once he had everything he needed, he rushed back to a waiting Spider.

"Put this one on, it shouldn't have a tracker, quick." He urged the boy, rolling up all extra tubes and stuffing it into his still rather small but heavy bag, along with the pearl bracelet, Maya had gifted him some weeks ago, and Norm's ID-card. Tom even grabbed the knife from his nephew to slice of his front braid, that herd his blue stone. He bound the back to Spiders hip and helped him to secure the tank at his back as well.

"Listen to me carefully Spider. Swim back into this direction as fast as you possibly can. Tell the Na'vi you are the child of Toruk Makto. Hopefully they will bring you to Jake." He explained, helping him to climb over the railing.

"How do you know the Na'vi will not kill me?" Spider asked him, looking scared.

"I'm sure the Tsahik and Olo'eyktan will be grateful for your protection earlier. They will not harm you, I promise." Tom assured him. He could remember their faces and the sort conversation they shared.

"But why would they help me to find Jake? I'm not really his son." Spider looks at him, voice shaking from uncertainty as the boat carries them further and further away from the now burning clan.

"But you are, Spider. Do not doubt my brothers love. I cannot explain but I need you to trust me on this. Go now, you have little time left." Spider throws him a look and Tom pulls him close by his neck for a short kiss to his hair.

"Do not look back and don't worry for me. Find your family and protect what is ours." Tom said as his final goodbye before pushing Spider off the boat. He heard the soft splash and saw where Spider came back up to the surface, looking up at him. Tom dragged two fingers up his nose and flicks them Spiders way.

I see you.

Then he picked up Spiders mask from the floor ripped the tubing apart and threw the tank into the water as well before he sat down by Mayas side.

It had never been easier to fake tears when there was no real need to fake them at all. It only took him one look into her glazed eyes to let the salty drops flow from his eyes.

Tom had noticed her being awake during the destruction of the village. He could only imagine what she had seen and heard, but nothing of it could be good. Either the burning village, the soldiers or Quaritch's disgusting voice. Each one traumatising in and of itself.

She was barely breathing anymore, just looking on to a place that Tom could not follow. A frail hand reached up to his face.

"Tom?" He gave her a watery smile at the sound of his name.

"Yes, Love. I'm here." He answered.

"Can I …go home now?" She asked, voice softer than a whisper. Tom let out a sob as he grasped her hand, holding it to his cheek.

"Yes, my love. You have been so very brave." He dearly wanted to tell her No, but the pain in her eyes had him agreeing to everything she could wish for. If this wish was death, then it was her choice, not Tom's. Not much was left for him to do, but to let her go in peace.

"May you rest in our great mothers embrace." She turned her head a little and his breath got caught in his throat when she looked into his eyes. No more hurt, no more pain, just a serene smile on her young face.

"I can hear her now… she calls me home." Maya said and moments later her head fell to the side, pupils blown wide. Her tiny hand in his grew limp. He held out his hand above her face… but nothing. Her spirit had gone with Eywa.

Tom cradled her into his arms, and he thanked Eywa that Spider did not have to feel her cooling body like he had to now. The world had been too cruel for her to endure, so she had willed her life to end. The living had to part with this child's bright soul and it hurt him so much to let her go. He allowed himself to scream and wail, guilt and regret at not being able to save this lovely girl ripped at his chest like claws.

Images of Maya making fun of Norm flash trough his mind. Just a couple days earlier she had fallen asleep on his lap after listening to him sing and play. Norm had said he wanted to hear Tom play again, holding his sleeping daughter. He even remembered the hug she had given her mother when he had walked by their quarters one time. No other girl could catch so many bugs bare handed as she had. He always hid the acids since the first time of meeting her, not that there were many to begin with but Maya would have found them anyway.

Moments later Tom heard groans from the guards on the floor beside him. He had little to change to school his face into a manic grimace of pain as he cried to the sky, swaying his body along with Maya's corpse. Pained moans ripped from his throat the way they had from the reef Na'vi as they watched their home burn or their dead animal friend floati in the water. As soon as one of the humans regained full consciousness he jumped up and held a gun to Tom's head.

"What the fuck have you done?! Start talking or I'll blow a hole through your head!" He shouted while his companion used his earpiece to call for Quaritch. He looked the man dead in the eye, daring him to do as he said.

The colonel was so furious when he got to the deck with two of his shadows. He looked at the guards and then to the chuckling Tom.

"Tell me what's going on." He said to the guard.

"He did something, threw something at us and we banked out for a second. We just woke up to find him crying like that." The human was practically shivering at the icy look he got from Quaritch.

"Ever thought of shooting him?" He asked in a dark voice. Tom stilled before he threw his head back to start laughing loud and hysterical.

"You can't kill me you stupid ass! Your other hostages are dead, DEAD!" He makes his voice break when he shouts the last word.

"You tortured this girl to death without physically harming her," his wide crazed eyes bore into Quaritch's.

"For this… I killed your SON." Tom hissed, kicking Spiders mask with ripped tubing over to the other man.

"Your SON Is DeAD!" He screamed out in an Oskar deserving performance that seemed to convince Quaritch with every passing second, if Tom correctly assessed the rising shock on the colonels face. It should, because only half of it was a lie.

He started laughing again and silently wondered if he would survive taunting Quaritch like this. The look in the colonels eyes promised a big shit amount of pain in his near future, but Tom felt no regret at his decision, only a little snap of something he might have forgotten was still in his mind. He had the feeling it was his sanity.

There would be no other child dying by this man's hand anymore. He regretted a little to not have followed after Spider, but he knew he could not have left Maya behind, nor let her die alone. Her last few moments were more important than Quaritch and his goons. He pulled her small body into a tight embrace, smearing some of the paint on his face over hers. Tears land on her face like the rain that was still falling.

He also needed to get them off Spiders track, so they wouldn't go back to the village in search for the boy.

Tom barely heard Quaritch's furious screams or feels the pain as a bullet tears off the tip of his right ear. He hears a knife being drawn, then someone slashes it down his back, once, twice, before the devil himself yells out at the soldier to stop. Tom ignores everything but the little girl in his arms.

She had endured much more. Tom would not waver, for her sake even if the fear for his own life sliced at his guts. Quaritch was a cruel man. He could ignore his own fear only for so long but he was not like Jake. Tom was not actually brave like his brother.

His chances of leaving this boat alive were now next to zero, but he didn't even have the comfort of a quick end. Maybe this was his atonement for ever daring to hope. Hope must die, burn to ashes like the fantasy of freedom and peace.

Tom dared to cry a few tears for his own sake before he accepted that probably the most painful, maybe even his last days or weeks of his life had just begun.

High above the ship circled a lone Ikran with its rider. Both had watched the destruction of the village and the desperate escape of the human boy. They had wanted to descend at one point, when the Na'vi prisoner was on his own, picking him up and taking him back to the reef village where their Olo'eyktan waited for them. Then soldiers swarmed the deck and they aborted the mission in favour of making their way back as quickly as possible.

They had to report what they had found.

Hopefully to be continued soon... The story is getting more and more complicated now, so I hope the scenes are still easy to understand (well except when I want you to be confused anyway). Love to hear your thoughts like always. :D