The Spirit Tree

Atuiko and Roxto were walking quietly along the beach. Neither had said a word. "Well?" spoke up the younger one.

"What?' asked Roxto.

"What have you got to say? Why did you wanna talk?"

"I just…wanted to say that…I'm sorry,"

"Yes. I know you're sorry for knocking Lo'ak out and getting him into trouble," he brushed off.

"Yes, that…but I just wanted to say…I'm sorry for not being the brother I should have been," Roxto's words made Atuiko stop walking. But he didn't turn to him. "I was too focused on keeping my friendship with Aonung and the others that I didn't think about your feelings. Ever since…" he swallowed a lump in his throat. "…mother passed away, I just…I wanted to distance myself from you because….because you resemble her so much," as he spoke, Atuiko was brought to tears; he pursed his lips and sniffled. "But I realise now it was wrong. And I'm sorry for that. And I truly am sorry for being jealous of Lo'ak. He was there for you. And I wasn't. I really want to be a good brother to you again. I don't care what you said to me before,"

"I'm sorry too," Atuiko said. "Mum would have been ashamed if she knew what I'd said to you,"

"No, you had every right to say that. I still let Aonung do something so horrible that it endangered your friends like that. And I should have known better than to support him,"

"It's gonna take some time…for me to forgive you. But she wouldn't have wanted us to hate each other like this. And neither would they," he knew that Lo'ak's encouragement earlier meant that he wanted them to make amends with each other.

"I accept that Lo'ak will be another brother to you and Sylwa is like a sister to you. I know now that it means more for you and not less for me. I am never gonna stop trying…"

Atuiko threw his arms around his waist. And Roxto embraced him back. "I miss Mum too," he sniffled. "Our family broke when she died. And even our father is so distant with us,"

Roxto nodded. "I can't believe I'm saying this but…I like that those forest children came. And I'm grateful to them for saving my life. And for making you happy and helping you,". His little brother was so happy to hear him say that.

Lo'ak was sitting down at the edge of a cliff, staring out into the distance. He sucked in a deep inhale of air. For the first time in his life, he was feeling less alone than he had ever felt in his entire life. He finally met someone who knew exactly how he felt, a spirit brother. And even better, he and his family didn't have to worry anymore about being bullied or tormented. He felt as if things were getting much better. It would be night very soon. He heard loud giggling. He peered down and he saw Tsireya and Sylwa in the water laughing together, splashing each other. He smiled. He was so happy to see them spending quality time together. He wondered what it would feel like being in his sister's shoes, to look so joyful with someone as sweet as Tsireya. He stood up but when he turned, Neteyam was right in front of him. He jumped. "What the hell…"

"Lo'ak…" His brother sounded serious. He took a deep breath and sighed. "You and sister need to stop going beyond the reef,"

"What?"

"You two are gonna get into trouble. And I don't trust that Taquamare,"

"His name is Tsu'tey," Lo'ak said boldly.

"How do you know that?"

"He couldn't remember his name. He lost his family. He saved my life. He could have let me drown in that storm, but he didn't. And that night when I went missing, his mother saved me. I owe him,"

"What do you think dad would say if he found out…

"He's not going to find out," Lo'ak said. "And I'm gonna keep it that way,". He was determined to keep it secret no matter what.

"I just heard Tsireya telling Sylwa that the chief lost his sister to those daemon…"

"Don't call him a daemon," defended Lo'ak.

"The chief lost his sister and he blames Taquamares for her death,"

"Well, he's wrong,"

"Shush!" hissed Neteyam, pressing a hand over his mouth and looking around to ensure no one heard them. "You want the clan to hear you badmouth their chief like that?"

Lo'ak shoved his hand. "What are you afraid of?" he demanded.

"It's the shame, baby brother. You'll bring shame to our family if you continue to see him,"

Lo'ak didn't care about shame at all. "We are done with this conversation. I'm not gonna stop seeing him so deal with it," Lo'ak walked off but still Neteyam refused to let him leave. He grabbed his forearm. "Let go of me,"

"When are you gonna stop getting into trouble and start thinking straight?"

Lo'ak brushed him off. "Why? So, I can be perfect and good enough like you?" He tired walking off again but still, Neteyam wasn't gonna let him walk away like that.

"When are you gonna stop being selfish for once?"

Lo'ak stopped. He spun around, infuriated. "You think I'm selfish?"

"You constantly act brashly without even thinking. You never think of the consequences your actions have for other people. And I'm the one who takes the blame for you,"

"I never ask you to,"

"But I do. Because as the oldest I'm supposed to set an example,"

"And so, you think that makes you so self-righteous?"

"Will you just stop for once and think?"

"I am thinking! I'm thinking about lonely Tsu'tey has been, his entire life. He's my spirit brother. And Payaka saved Sylwa's life. We are the only family they have and we will not neglect them. And if you can't accept them, then screw you," he stalked off, leaving Neteyam to growl in annoyance And envy. Lo'ak went back to the secret cave, fuming madly. This was the first time in his life anyone had ever called him 'selfish' and he couldn't believe his elder brother was trying to get in the way of his relationship with his spirit brother.

Atuiko entered, having asked his brother if he could check on him and Sylwa and he said 'yes'. "Hey Lo'ak," he didn't to him. "Lo'ak?"

Sylwa skipped through the entrance. "I just had the best time with Tsireya! She wants me to perform with her when the Tulkun return!" she squealed out.

"That's amazing," clapped Atuiko. "Have you girls started practising?"

"Yes. I'm excited but I'm so nervous too. I've never performed in front of an audience before,"

"Well, you're gonna do fabulously," said Atuiko. "Did you hear that Lo'ak?" he blabbered out excitedly. The boy twin still didn't turn to him. "Lo'ak?"

The two walked over to Lo'ak, his back still turned. His twin went to his side, seeing a half-hurt, half-angered face. "Lo'ak, what's wrong?"

"Neteyam came and talked to me," he said glumly. "He called me 'selfish',"

Sylwa was flabbergasted. "He what?"

"How could he?" Atuiko was angered.

"He wants us to stop seeing our friends,"

"What?" Sylwa spat. "As if we would ever do that. They are members of our family,"

"Yes!" Atuiko approved.

No sooner had he said that Sylwa marched out in a frustrated temper. "This is not gonna end well," he muttered. Lo'ak slumped against the cave wall again. He sat beside him. "Listen don't let your brother get to you. He's just being a jerk,"

"What if I am selfish? What if I am selfish wanting us to continue seeing our friends?"

"No. Lo'ak, don't you dare say that" Atuiko rubbed his back. "You're good and kind and you defend those you care about. That isn't being selfish,"

"But what if my dad does find out? What if I do bring shame?" he paused. "What if I get you into trouble?"

"He's not going to. No one is gonna find out. We're gonna keep it secret. Just as long as we plan this carefully, no one will find out about Payaka and Tsu'tey. We just have to make sure our dads don't get suspicious. Your brother's just being jealous for no reason. He'd rather do whatever everyone else does. If anything, I think you're more of the older type. Because you're more independent. You make your own choices rather than letting others make them for you. That's what children are supposed to do,". Lo'ak realised he was right and side-hugged him. "Thank you so much for taking me beyond the reef. It's the first real touch of freedom I've had in forever,"

"I want you to know that Tsu'tey will never replace you,"

"I know. And besides, he's a friend to me and Sylwa as well. He and Payaka are our family and they need us. And family doesn't neglect each other like that," they shared a warm hug. "You really have changed my life, Lo'ak. And I won't ever forget that,"

"You too Atu," They let go. "So, everything good between you and Roxto?" Atu nodded. "I really wanted you guys to make amends with each other. I thought it would make things better. I'm still mad at him but I'm not gonna get between you two like that,"

"It was never you. I'm just proud that you and Sylwa did the right thing today. That's what I really admire about you two,"

Sylwa went stomping towards the hut. Neteyam was in there alone. She marched out, lashing out with her angry face. "What right did you have to call Lo'ak 'selfish'?"

"I didn't call him 'selfish',"

"Well, it sounded like it. Whatever it is you said to him, you hurt him pretty badly. I can't believe you're trying to get in the way of our bonds with our friends. After how they saved us,"

"He's not thinking. And you're not thinking either. What will the chief think…?"

"Payaka and Tsu'tey are not killers or daemons. They have been wronged and neither of us is gonna disregard them,"

"It's bad enough Lo'ak acts selfishly by acting impulsively and brashly…."

"He makes us laugh! And he loves us! How is that selfishness?! You're acting just like Dad. Always wanting things to go the way you want them to. For once in your life, can't you just make your own decisions without him deciding for you?"

"Dad wants us to stay here where we're safe. But if you and Lo'ak keep seeing that Tulkun and Taquamare, you're gonna get us all in trouble. You'll bring shame on our family,"

"That Tulkun has a name. It's Payaka. And that Taquamare has a name. It's Tsu'tey and you know it," Sylwa spat back, repulsed by his choice of words. "They are our friends and you have no right to speak like that about them," Neteyam spun around, struggling to contain his temper. "If I didn't know any better, I think you're just jealous," she accused.

"Of what?" he spun around.

"Of Tsu'tey and Payaka of course. Them in our lives doesn't mean less for you. It means more for me, Lo'ak and Atuiko. Maybe if you got to know them instead of blindly believing everyone you hear, you'd understand," she huffed when Neteyam wasn't convinced. "Just because Tonowari's the chief doesn't mean he's always right. You can be a leader or a grown-up and still be wrong,". Still, her efforts were useless. She huffed and growled at the same time. "We love you, brother. But if you tell Dad or anyone about them, I'll never forgive you. And neither will Lo'ak. Never…call him selfish again," She turned and left the hut, leaving Neteyam a bit guilt-stricken. Perhaps he went too far. Something twitched inside her too. Maybe she went too far as well.

Once again, the twins and Atuiko decided to spend the night again in their hammock. They met again. Sylwa didn't want to talk about her conversation with Neteyam. They just needed some time out with him. They gazed up at the stars, trying to spot constellations again.

"You know what I love about the sky and the sea?" Atu asked. "They both connect everything. Every land. Every world. Every people,"

"This day really has been the best day of my life," breathed Lo'ak.

"The best day since we came here," Sylwa giggled girlishly. Her twin turned to her, a big smirk on his face. "Oh, don't you start,"

"I saw you and Sylwa happy together," he said.

"Were you spying on us?" she growled.

"I was just sitting where I was. Then I heard you two. Atu mentioned you girls are going to perform together when the Tulkun return,"

Sylwa turned around. "I'm so nervous guys. I'm afraid of embarrassing myself. And I'm afraid of embarrassing her as well,"

"You won't one bit," surprised a voice. They sat up and saw Tsireya with a giggling smile walking towards them, with a basket of fruit. "I thought you guys might want a nice night snack,"

"Thank you," Atu said, accepting the basket of fruit.

"Hey wanna join us?" offered Lo'ak. "You can lie down next to Lo'ak,"

"Lo'ak," moaned Sylwa who moved her face away, trying to hide her blushing cheeks.

"Come on," Atu encouraged.

"Okay," Tsireya nervously lay down beside Sylwa and the girl was awkwardly squished between her twin and the sea princess. "If it's uncomfortable for you…?" she sat up.

"No," Sylwa sprang up. "Please join us. It's really fun,"

The girls laid down again and Lo'ak and Atuiko shared grins and fist-bumped before taking bites out of some berries.

"See that," Sylwa pointed her finger upwards. "That's the star our dad came from," Tsireya spotted it. "It's called Earth,"

"Urth?" Tsireya said.

"No. E-arth," she pronounced slowly.

"Ea-rth?" she repeated. The boys sniggered. Sylwa cleared her throat. They silenced. "Earth?"

"That's it," she clapped.

"So that star is where the sky people come from," said Tsireya. "I can't imagine how long it must take to travel,"

"Years," remarked Lo'ak. "Millennian they've lived on it and yet they just can't leave Pandora alone,"

"You ever wondered how peaceful it was? In the days of the First Songs?" Sylwa asked Tsireya.

"All the time," she answered. "I bet they were nothing like our lives today. Our ways of life weren't born yet and our roots steamed from Navi discovering cultures and customs that we still use today,"

"Ever wondered what it would be like? To go back in time, to a time where there was peace and new discoveries?" wondered Atuiko.

"I guess you can only see it when you're with Eywa," said Tsireya. The three nodded. Then the four just stared up at the sky, looking at the stars, until they were lulled to sleep.

The next morning, Sylwa's head was against Tsireya's shoulder. Her eyes flickered up. She heard voices. She twisted her head and she saw Lo'ak and Atuiko talking with Roxto. The two older boys were getting along very well with each other.

"Wake up girlies!" jeered a voice. Tsireya was woken by the loud voice of her brother. She fell out of the hammock and Sylwa landed right on top of her. Aonung snickered.

"I thought we were past this," groaned Sylwa heatedly.

"You two just…" Aonung couldn't stop chuckling. The girls just rolled their eyes as Sylwa stood up and helped Tsireya up.

"We thought we'd let you guys sleep," said Lo'ak as he approached them, a smirk on his face.

"Did you put them up to this?" Sylwa demanded.

"It was their idea. But I approved,"

Sylwa growled at him making the other boys snigger like mad. "You boys are so immature," hissed Tsireya.

"The others are waiting at the beach," said Aonung. They walked down the hills to the beach where the other sisters and Neteyam were waiting. Lo'ak shared an angry glance with Neteyam before looking away.

"We want to show you something really special," Tsireya said, remembering what their dad had told them to do earlier. "Come on," she called an ilu and mounted it. She then offered a hand to Sylwa who gladly took it and sat behind her. The Sully children mounted their ilus and Atuiko sat behind Lo'ak. They followed the chief's children and Roxto along the coastline.

Tsireya noticed that Sylwa was a bit quiet. She was looking hurtfully towards her elder brother who looked fumed from last night. "Are you okay?"

"Mm? Uh yes. I'm fine,"

Tsireya steered her ilu away so they could have a private conversation. "Did something happen? You know you can talk to me,"

Sylwa decided to tell her. "Neteyam wants us to stop seeing Payaka and Tsu'tey. It's like he doesn't trust us," she lamented. "I thought he'd have more faith in us than Dad. But now he's acting so bossy and controlling. And he called Lo'ak 'selfish',"

"I'm sure he didn't mean it like that," she said softly.

"They haven't really been talking to each other since yesterday. And I don't know how to talk to him again,"

"Just give it some time. It'll get better,"

Their ilus took the underwater and they swam past some coral reefs and then after swimming under some archways, they emerged again and found themselves inside a mysterious cove as giant as an area with floating rocks high above them.

"This is the cove of the ancestors. Our most sacred place," the princess introduced.

"It's beautiful," breathed Sylwa, marvelling at the floating geology around them.

"Just wait till you see what comes next," Aonung pointed up at the moon about to completely cover the sun. As it did, the atmosphere was shrouded in a veil of dark blue colours with floating lights and underneath the surface, they saw a tree of glowing watercolours.

"This is the sacred spirit tree," said Tsireya.

"It's magnificent," breathed Lo'ak, Atuiko behind him looking down.

"Just wait till what it's like up close," said Tsireya excitedly. "Come on,"

They dismounted their ilus and sawn down towards the floral sea kelp-like branches, glowing brightly. The ocean Navi instructed the forest Navi to pull out their queues and attack them gently to the sea leaves. And they did just that. Kiri made the first connection and she closed her eyes peacefully. Then Tuk and Neteyam did. With Tsireya, Roxto and Atuiko encouraging them, Lo'ak and Sylwa held hands and the moment their queues touched the tree leaves, they closed their eyes and whoosh.

Sylwa's eyes opened slowly. She found herself in the forest, the home she missed so much. She marvelled at all the flowers, the trees, the sacred seed spirits of the tree. But she was alone. She wandered through the forest but saw no sign of faunal wildlife. "Hello?" she called. "Is anyone there?" No reply came.

Lo'ak was in the forest too. Alone as well. "Hello?" he called. A neigh came. HE jumped. It sounded like Tsu'tey. "Tsu'tey?". Wait a minute. He's not dead. That can't be him. Silence. "Hello?"

Sylwa had wandered for ages alone. She began to feel scared. She stopped. She could feel something…or someone behind her. She turned around slowly. She saw a tall Navi woman; she looked very similar to her mother, with braided hair, a feathered bikini, and a green loincloth. "Who…who are you?"

"I am Sylwanin,"

Sylwa's heart felt like it was about to explode with joy. "Aunt Sylwa?"

Neytiri's older sister: Sylwanin approached her as she smiled. "Hello, Sylwa," Sylwa threw her arms forward and embraced the aunt she had longed to meet, the aunt she had been named after. "I've waited so long to meet you," the caring aunt greeted tearfully. They let go. Older Sylwa took in younger Sylwa's complexion. "I feel like I'm looking at my own reflection,"

"Mother has told me so many things about you,"

Older Sylwa sniffled thinking of her beloved sister. "I miss her deeply. But I am always with her and you and the rest of our family," she held her hand tightly. But then older Sylwa's face dropped a little. "I sense you are troubled, young one,"

"I am," younger Sylwa confessed, breathing heavily. "I feel…I feel…so alone. Because I'm so different from everyone else," her aunt looked at her five-fingered hand. "That doesn't make you who you are" she cupped her cheek. "It is who you are on the inside,"

"That's not how it feels. And it's not just that. I love doing things that aren't part of our culture. Because…because…."

"Because you see the good in other humans," her aunt answered for her as if she knew her thoughts. "You choose to define others, not by what they are, but by how they treat others,".

Younger Sylwa was touched. Her mother was right. Her aunt was very much like her. "Let me show you something," her aunt offered her hand and Sylwa took it. They walked through the jungle within Eywa.

Lo'ak had wandered through the forest but had yet to find any sign of any Navi or creature. He wondered for ages. But still nothing. "Hello?" He groaned in annoyance. "Eywa, please. I'm here for a reason so at least show it!"

"Quite the impatient one aren't you Lo'ak," said a sudden voice. He didn't recognise it.

He jumped. "Who said that?' he stared around. He saw only trees. "Come out this instant!"

Leaves crunched. He turned around towards a lonely tree standing by itself. And from behind it approached a tall Navi who looked a little old but wore the Omatikyena robe garments. The boy twin's insides tingled as the Navi approached him. "Are you…"

"Yes, Lo'ak. I am your grandfather,"

"Eytukan. I've heard a lot about you," he said. "Forgive me," he did the 'I see you' gesture.

The old Navi smiled. "It is such a pleasure to meet you. I see you," he did the gesture back. "I bet you are wondering why you're here?"

"I am," the boy's twin questioned.

"I am here to help you find answers," the man gently placed his hand on his back and led him under the trees.

"Answers to what?"

"To the questions, you keep asking yourself. I can't give you what you seek but I will show you something I know you need to see,"

Trusting his grandfather, Lo'ak allowed Eytukan to lead him through Eywa. Whatever it was that he was going to show him, he was desperate to see it. Perhaps it could answer what he had been asking himself for a long while.

Atuiko's eyes were open. So was Roxto's. They shared glances; both were extremely sad. Suddenly the Spirit Tree start flashing on and off. The group turned their heads and saw Kiri suffering a seizure underwater, bubbles of oxygen floating out of her mouth, her entire body shaking. This was her doing it. Quickly Tsireya swam off and pulled her queue off the tree shutting it off but the girl remained shaking as ever. They pulled her to the surface.

"Kiri!" cried Tuk. Tsireya looked at her palely.

"What happened?" asked Aonung.

"What is wrong? What is it?" cried out the frantic girl as Neteyam pulled Kiri onto an ilu.

"It was a seizure," Neteyam performed CPR on Kiri. She gasped but her eyes remained shut tight as ever.

"Is she breathing?" asked Roxto.

"Wait, where are Lo'ak and Sylwa?" Atuiko spun his head around. He thought with the tree reacting like that they would have disconnected too like they did.

"What?" Neteyam spun his head around but none of the twins were above water. Quickly Atuiko dived underwater, Roxto behind him. Down below where they remained, the twins were connected to the tree, their eyes firmly closed, as if they were asleep. The brothers swam down and tried to pull their queues off, hoping they'd wake up but to their confusion and utter surprise, the tendrils were stuck firmly tightly to the Spirit Tree's Leaves. They tried again and again but the twins were trapped in a deep trance, their minds clinging to Eywa.

With no choice they resurfaced. "We can't disconnect them from the tree!" panicked Atuiko.

"What?" Tsireya asked, becoming scared for Sylwa.

"They're stuck somehow! Their minds are trapped in Eywa!" exclaimed Roxto.

"How?!" Neteyam demanded.

"I don't know! You try doing it!" Atuiko dared.

"You guys get Kiri to the village. We'll watch over the twins," Tsireya said. "Just go! Get her help quickly!"

Neteyam, Tuk and Aonung rode their ilus, carrying Kiri with them whilst Tsireya and the brothers stayed behind watching over Lo'ak and Sylwa as they were in their trance-like state, the minds trapped within Eywa. There was nothing they could do but hope they would be all right.

So Sylwa has met their aunt and Lo'ak has met their grandfather. Wow. And they're in a trance with the tree. Why does Eywa want them to stay there? WE'll have to wait and find out. And what did you think of the argument between the twins and NEteyam and the scene between Roxto and Atuiko? Please let me know what you all thought. Love the song idea and the laughing idea for the alternate scene Bailey. And the jewellery item ideas too. Gonna use them a little differently if that's okay but perfect for the story. Thank you. Please send reviews to everyone and let me know what you all thought of this chapter. I hope you all enjoyed reading it as much as I have enjoyed typing it. See you all soon.