The sea was vast below him. Dark waves rippled over white ones as he soared out above the wildness of Pandora's blue ocean.
Aonung had been right. The day after he had gone directly to the chief, bandage still on his forehead and limp in step, demanding to complete his iknimaya. Tonowari had been hesitant, they had already lost so many in the battle against the sky people, to send more young hunters away... But he took one look at his son, determination stamped across his face, and relented, pressing his lips. There was something there he could not deny, a fierceness. So he rounded up the elder's council.
The Trial of Warriors. Neteyam did not realize that other tribes had other names for the right of passage, but it made sense. Three days and nights out in the open ocean with nothing but your spear and the company of your spirit siblings. Neteyam shuttered and worry coursed through him. The idea of Aonung out there, especially so soon after he had been attacked by Zdinarsk, the surviving RECOM, it sent chills down his spine. He could not lose Aonung, not after just becoming his mate. He refused to.
Just past the reef, Neteyam guided Tsyalè downward, crouching on her back. "Ato'k!" he shouted, trying to mimic the sounds he had heard Aonung make.
"Ato'k!"
To accompany him, Tsyalè let out a loud screech, the sound echoing over the water. "Ato'k!" he called again, the noise traveling over the waves and catching on the wind.
After a minute, a great puff of air exploded, sending a spray of water a dozen feet into the air. From below the back of a large tulkun surfaced, breaking apart the waves below him and a loud greeting whistle filled his ears.
"Ato'k," he breathed out in relief.
Neteyam motioned with his hand and Tsyalè shot forward, her claws skimming the waves as she flew alongside the massive whale. He clicked again and Neteyam smiled, finally guiding Tsyalè to an outcrop of rocks that rested not far away. The two landed and the Ikran shook her wings, trying to rid herself of the mass amounts of salt water in the air. The waves weren't as bad here and Neteyam dismounted, running his hand along her neck. "Will you wait for me?" he asked, pressing his forehead into the bone of her jaw.
She blinked for a moment before huffing and tossing her head. "Thank you," he murmured, stepping away.
He felt bad. He hadn't ridden her in a while and had left her behind during the battle. But there hadn't been time and then, well... he got shot. Tsyalè dipped her head and nudged him as if to say 'It's okay.'
Neteyam nodded and wiped his eyes. "Thanks girl," he whispered nudging her back. He didn't know what he would do without her. They had flown together for years now.
The water was cold against his feet as he slipped from the rocks and dove into the waves.
Unlike the reef, Pandora's open ocean was different entirely. It was vast and empty, the water cold like the night. He couldn't help but shiver as he pushed away from the rocks, observing how far the sea floor was below him. The further down he looked, the more clear it got, turning darker and darker before meeting the sand. He really hoped nothing was down there.
Mercifully, Ato'k floated toward him, or at least as close to the rocks as he could manage to provide him with aid. Neyetam pulled himself up with a grateful look and settle onto his fin.
"Thank you."
He took a moment to settle himself amongst the waves before turning to the tulkun. 'I see you, Ato'k,' he signed, settling on spelling out the creature's name rather than attempting to make up a sign.
Ato'k dipped his head in return and hummed out his own greeting. Neteyam smiled and place a hand on the thick gray skin that lined the ridge above his eye. He could see why Aonung had chosen him to be his spirit sibling, the whale emanated a silent strength in the water.
Neteyam took a moment to think before freeing his hands, feeling Ato'k curiosity. He had thought about what to say the whole way over but despite Tsireya's many lessons, he was still pretty miserable at the Metkayina's underwater language. He just... he just needed Aonung to come back to him.
'Aonung,' he signed, making sure to get the finger movements correct. This had to be perfect. 'Aonung leave with you. Three nights.'
The trial of warriors. Ato'k's eyes lit up in understanding and he whistled to communicate his grasp on what Neteyam was saying.
The Omaticaya let loose a heavy breath. He met Atok's eye and tried desperately to communicate what he need. 'Keep safe.'
The desperation in his eyes seemed to play through in his hand movements. 'Keep safe, please.'
Ato'k's expression softened. There was a glimmer in his eyes as he watched Neteyam struggle to express his scared heart. He didn't why, but somehow the tulkun knew. He knew they were already mates. The creature blinked slowly, showing Neteyam he understood and then he nodded. His assent.
Relief coursed through him. Ato'k would keep him safe, Neteyam repeated in his mind. He would be safe.
'Thank you.'
When he got back to the village Neteyam made his way to the family marui, in search of his mother. He found her sitting by the center matting, rebinding the wood on her father's bow. When he walked in, her eyes brightened up and she gave him a warm smile.
"Hi baby," she greeted.
Neteyam duck his head in protest to being called 'baby' but went to sit by her side anyways. She easily made room for him and he sat by her side, fiddling with the leather of his armband.
"Mama?" Neteyam said, putting aside his nerves.
Neytiri looked up at him with questioning golden eyes. Her hands stilled, setting down the knife she was using to cut up fish cubes.
"What is it Ma'itan?" she asked.
Neteyam nervously fidgeted with his fingers before taking in a deep breath. "I am going to offer my hand to Aonung."
There was a moment of stillness where Neteyam refused to breathe.
Until Neytiri's face split into a bright smile, pride for her eldest son shining in her eyes. "Oh my baby!" she exclaimed, rushing to pull him into her arms. "You will have a mate! That is so wonderful Ma'Teyam, how proud I am of you."
Neteyam's eyes widened, suddenly nervous with the amount of praise she was giving him. Did she know they had already mated in secret?
"Proud?" he asked anxiously.
His mother beamed and touched his face fondly. "Yes, proud. To have a mate is such a wonderful thing." And then Neytiri's voice quieted and her eyes grew soft. "Is that why he wishes to complete his iknimaya early? So that he can court you?"
Neteyam ducked his head nervously. "Yes," he whispered.
His mother grabbed his hand and squeezed. "I am happy."
A breath of relief left Neteyam's lungs and he finally looked up at her. He bit his lips but smiled anxiously back.
"It has happened before," she said quietly, her words calm and reassuring. Neteyam looked up at her, unsure.
"What do you mean?"
"The Tsahìk..." she clarified, holding her son's gaze with a knowing warmth. "-does not always mate the Olo'eyktan. Perhaps Tsireya will take her mother's place as the time comes and rule by her brother's side. Tradition is not always important in the face of love."
Tears began to stream down Neteyam's face, and letting go of his hand, Neytiri reached forward and cupped his cheek as she did when he was a child. "He loves you," she whispered, holding him close.
Neteyam felt his eyes sting a little. "I know."