That's another chapter done. Please let me know what you think. By the way, there is a song in this chapter which doesn't belong to me. Credit goes to Disney. Thought it would go well for this story. Credit goes to songwriters who I hope don't mind me using it. Enjoy!
Dangers and Treasures:
Payaka and Tsu'tey were having a soothing swim together in the south. Payaka thought it would cheer him up. She even allowed Tsu'tey to ride on her back for a while. They had come to care for one another like siblings. The Taquamare was enjoying a nice nap when a silent echo of something metallic made his ears flick up. He stood up.
What is it? Asked his surrogate Tulkun sister.
There is something strange not too far away. I'm going to check it out. Stay here.
I won't let you go alone.
It's better if I go alone. I don't want you to get hurt. Tsu'tey begged Payaka in the eye.
Okay. She reluctantly answered. But be careful.
I will. Tsu'tey dived underwater and swam at the speed of a spearfish. He then closed his ears and sent out a cacophony of sound waves. of He waited a while. He heard the sound waves bounce back. Something was nearby. His echolocation had detected something large and unusual. He swam faster. He came to some large rocks. He climbed up and peered over. His eyes enlarged. He saw giant blue-like creatures with horrifying weapons, tying up a clan of sea Navi. Amongst them was a human boy with a mask over his face to help him breathe.
Toruk Makto. Boomed the tallest blue creature holding a screen with a blue face on it. Jake Sully.
Tsu'tey realised that these beings who were not Navi were looking for the person in that picture. Could it be Lo'ak's family? He was paralysed. The sea clan pleaded for mercy but the Tsahik was threatened with the end of one of the terrifying guns pointed right into her head. The human boy pleaded with the cruel leader to spare them, shouting at him that what they were doing was wrong and that they were innocent. The cruel leader spared them but Tsu'tey was further shocked by the burning of their village. He was tempted to do something but he was unsure. The Sea Navi had despised his kind for centuries and these strange blue people were sky people and he had no idea what they were capable of. He couldn't do anything about it. It was too risky. To make matters worse, the cruel aggressors were heading to their ship. He had to get back to Payakan and lead her away to safety back to the Three Brothers Rocks.
The next day, it was a shallow rainy day. The royal family were rather quiet today. When Tsireya and Aonung had woken up, they simply walked back to their parent's hut, not feeling like doing anything today. This time rather than go out to sea, the twins had decided to spend the day in their fancy cave with Atuiko, doing drawings together on the walls.
"Look what I did!" exclaimed the boy twin.
Atuiko looked at his drawing. It was of Tsu'tey. "He's beautiful,"
"What have you done?"
Pursing his lips, and holding back his tears, Atuiko showed Lo'ak an etched face of a beautiful Navi woman with long wavy hair, wavy tattoos under her eyes and pearls in her hair. "That's my mother,"
"She's beautiful," breathed Lo'ak. "Are you sure drawing here is all right?"
"I don't know how to explain it but…" Atuiko sniffled. "It almost feels like she's still watching over me,"
"I'm certain she'd be very proud of the person you've become," Lo'ak gave her a warm side hug. "Hey, Sylwa…what do you think?" But next to Atuiko…Sylwa was very silent. The boys glanced at her worriedly. They stood by her side watching her feeble hands trace the outline of a Tulkun, Payaka. But her face was very silent. As if she was asleep with her eyes open.
"Sylwa?" Atuiko's voice was a bit louder.
"Mmm?" she turned her head. "What'd you say?"
"Sylwa, you're not yourself," said Lo'ak. "What's on your mind?"
She didn't know how to speak but Atuiko had a feeling who it was. "Is it Tsireya?"
"Is she okay by the way?" asked Lo'ak. "l heard her crying last night,"
"She's fine," Sylwa lied.
"Sis, you know you can't fool us," said Atu.
She sighed. "She dreamed about her twin last night. And she cried out his name as she woke up. I did what I could to comfort her but I just wish there was something I could do to make her feel better," she said. "Right now, she's spending the day with her brother and their parents. Today is just a really hard day for them,". Lo'ak glanced at Atuiko who pursed his lips and nodded. Today was the anniversary that Tousal had gone missing. As a matter of fact, the whole island was rather silent today.
"Why don't you get her something special?" asked Lo'ak. "Like an item of jewellery or something,"
"Where am I gonna find something like that?"
"There are rumours of special treasures being lost at sea at the great Coral Reefs near the Brothers Rocks," Atu said. "Perhaps you could search there,"
"That would be a brilliant idea," said Sylwa. "Paya and I will be heading there, next week,"
"'Paya'?" Atuiko admired the nickname for their Tulkun friend.
"Since my real name is Sylwanin and I go by Sylwa, might as well call her Paya, short for Payaka,"
"It's perfect," complimented Lo'ak.
"Have you guys talked to Neteyam yet?" Atu asked.
"Not really," confessed Sylwa; her voice was low.
"I'm sorry about the way he's acted but…if Roxto and I can sort things out, you guys can too,"
"I don't feel like talking to him at the moment," Lo'ak was still upset over Neteyam trying to get between him and Tsu'tey and inadvertently calling him 'selfish'. He sat down and pulled out their grandmother's shawl and rubbed it gently. "I never thought I'd say this…but I wish we were back in the forest now,". Months they had spent here, months it had taken him to realise how much he missed their golden childhood, the times they would all play together in the flourishing forests.
Sylwa pursed her lips, remembering their grandmother and sat beside him. "She would have loved it here,"
"One day you'll be back home," Atu joined in.
"And when we do we're gonna take you there," Sylwa held up her pinkie. "Pinkie promise,"
Atu smiled and shook it. They heard low growls from outside and they looked out to see Skeera and Betze. They looked desperate. They were keen for a ride.
"Quick ride?" Lo'ak hinted. The two mischievously smiled. With fewer Navi out swimming, they could fly around the island and hopefully not get into any trouble.
Tsireya sat near her mattress stroking a pearl pendant. Her twin had given it to her when they were children. And she remembered giving him one too. Aonung came to sit in front of her. She hid her wet face. "I miss him too," his heart sank seeing Tsireya so upset. "It wasn't your fault you know,"
"That's not how I feel," she confessed.
Tonowari was staring out at the open sea past the barriers of the reef, thinking of lost loved ones. His sister. His youngest son (until the baby was most likely a boy). Ronal stood beside him, holding a bracelet she had once made for Tousal. A tear left her eye. The chief embraced his heartbroken mate, gently touching her big belly bump which had grown over the months since their guests had arrived at their shores. They heard footsteps on the platform approaching their hut. Soxato had a grim expression on his face. Tonowari had sent him out with some soldiers to scour the seas and by the looks on his face, it seemed that he had received grim news.
Jake and Neytiri were laughing together, the wife fanning the fire when the chief and general appeared. The chief looked afraid and sympathetic. But the general looked sceptical, and a bit outraged. They stepped out to talk to them as Tonowari stared out.
"What is it?" Jake asked.
"Sky people," answered the sea chief grimly. "They're looking for you, Jake Sully,"
"Where?" he asked with worry.
"South. They have a human boy who speaks Navi,"
Jake and Neytiri exchanged glances. It had to be Spider. It meant that Quaritch was out there searching for them. Jake felt himself consumed by guilt. "Did they kill anybody?"
"Not yet," Tonowari's voice sounded a little hard. "They threaten. But none of my people will tell any of the other clans or the sky people where you are by my order,". Hidden from sight, Soxato's fist scrunched up. Tonowari walked away. Following his master, the general glared darkly back at Jake and Neytiri. Jake's face was silent but Neytiri snarled, facially warning him to turn away which he did.
Once they were a good distance away from the other huts, the general spun the chief around. "Are you insane? Sky people are looking for them. What if they come here?"
"They won't. As long as we keep quiet," said Tonowari.
"I'm telling you this will only lead to more loss. I can't afford to lose…"
"I will hear no more of this Soxato," Tonowari shut him up. "They are staying here. And that's final," he stalked off, leaving the general to fume with rage.
The Trio cheered feeling the rain in their faces and hair. The Ikran roared enjoying being wet in the rain. Down below, Neteyam and Kiri awaited them. Whilst Kiri was more worried, Neteyam looked more serious. He turned to his sister. "I know you miss Spider. I do too. But there's nothing we can do. As Dad said, they'll find us and destroy this village,"
"It's not just that," she said. "How are we supposed to tell Lo'ak and Sylwa that they can't keep seeing their friends?"
Right after she said that they heard the Ikrans' wings' loud flaps and stumbled back allowing them to land.
"Hey guys," waved Sylwa. "Just enjoying some wet fun,"
"Dad would not be happy to see this," Neteyam remarked, ruining the fun.
"Way to ruin the fun," remarked Lo'ak, Betze roaring in agreement.
Sylwa noticed Kiri looked concerned. "Kiri?"
She pursed her lips. "Spider is here at sea. With the sky people. They're looking for us,"
"Wait, what if this is the chance we have to get Spider back?" Sylwa asked, hope flying in her heart again. Lo'ak looked relieved as well which made Atu so happy too. Atu was desperate to meet Spider. From everything, his best friends had told him, Spider was a kind, caring human boy who loved the Navi. He was basically one of them. Just wasn't blue or had a queue or could breathe on Pandora.
"Tsu'tey could help us," suggested Lo'ak. "With all his cool abilities…"
"No," Neteyam refused. "You really think it's that simple? They'll have weapons. Ships. They'd wipe us out,"
"So, you're suggesting we just abandon him with that daemon?" Sylwa was flabbergasted at his words. Lo'ak was more frustrated.
"You guys have to stop seeing your friends,"
"No!" Lo'ak shook his head. "We're going to let the Sky people stop us from seeing them. And they're not that far away from here,"
"You both are being reckless," he criticised, angering them again.
"Teyam? Guys…" Kiri tried to calm them down.
"How can you just expect us to forget them?" Sylwa questioned.
"You're both putting yourselves and all of us at risk by doing this,"
"Teyam!" lectured Kiri, outraged at his choice of words which offended Lo'ak and Sylwa greatly.
"I can't believe you'd say that," Atu berated, scolding him for his words.
"You're just like Dad," Lo'ak spat furiously. "Always ignoring our good intentions,". Their intentions to see their friends weren't to offend anyone but to give Payakan and Tsu'tey the love they needed for they were lonely and had no other family but them. The twins stalked off, more upset, and angered with their brother.
"Guys…" Neteyam tried to reach for them but they were already out of ear reach. Kiri and Atu glared at him.
"You skewing," criticised Kiri, escorting Atuiko away, leaving Neteyam alone again. He sighed, disappointed in himself for his choice of words. All he was trying to do was protect the twins but instead, he was upsetting them by trying to get in the way of their friendships with their saviours. And all that seemed to do was drift them further and further apart than ever.
The night came. The rain passed. But still Jake and Neytiri noticed that once again Neteyam and the twins were so distant from one another. After dinner, Sylwa went to lean outside. Jake sighed. She knew exactly why she was acting like this. With the Sky people out at sea, she had thought there was a chance Spider could be saved but once again to her, it felt like they were abandoning him. He came outside, wanting a chance to talk to her.
"Sylwa…I know you miss Spider like your sister. I do too. But…there's nothing we can do,"
"So that's it? We're just supposed to do nothing?" Sylwa was disappointed. "When that daemon was about to destroy the forest years ago, did you stand back and do nothing? No. You didn't. So why aren't you doing anything now?
"Sylwa, it's not that simple," Jake tried to sound calm. "If we try and attack Quaritch, he'll know where we are. He'll attack us with everything we've got," she didn't turn to face him. "Everything I do, I do to keep us safe,"
"Well guess what running doesn't help anything. It was never the answer," she stormed off again, to dangle her feet into the seawater. He sighed again, feeling like he had become a disappointing father. Neytiri walked outside and touched his shoulder. He twisted his head and saw her comforting face. He clasped her palm. The other girls nervously watched the boys. Neteyam shuffled over and tried to talk to Lo'ak but he just turned his back. The older brother sighed, his ears flapping down. Their mother heard them sigh and shut her eyes, knowing things hadn't gone very well today between them. They all departed to bed. Sylwa remained outside longer. She started out, wrapped in her wrap thinking of Payaka and Tsu'tey and Spider. Three close friends, more like family.
The next week came. The twins were desperate to see their saviours again. No matter what. Just as long as they were extra careful, they would be safe. After a quick breakfast and instructing their ikran to make sure their dad didn't know they were gone, they met Atuiko at the beach and unexpectedly Roxto. They noticed something about them. "What's wrong?" Lo'ak asked.
"Guys…I'm not gonna go with you today," Atuiko was crying a bit.
"What's the matter?" Sylwa felt her heart drop seeing the brothers so tearful like this.
"Today's the anniversary of the day that our mother…" Roxto pursed his lips, hugging his brother from behind. The twins exchanged heartbroken glances. "We're hoping we can try and talk to our dad. We're hoping that perhaps he might talk to us about her,"
"Do you want us to stay behind?" Lo'ak offered.
"No. You go and see your friends. We need to handle this alone,"
"Are you sure you don't want us to stay behind?' asked Sylwa, deeply concerned for him.
"We'll be all right," Atu assured, patting his brother's hand, touched by his love and generosity.
"Thank you though," Roxto said. "I wanted to thank you guys,"
"For what?" Lo'ak asked.
"For making Atuiko happy. Much more than I have for a long time. And for…helping me, Aonung and our friends become better people. I can't believe I'm saying this but…you two are different is a really good thing,"
The twins were touched. They watched with whole-hearted faces as they walked away. They walked to their ilus and took extra care to make sure no one was watching them. They dived underwater and left through the reef.
Tsu'tey was taking a nap on Payaka's back. As he slept, he heard the voice of his mother in his head.
Tsu'tey? Payaka could feel him shaking on her back. Tsu'tey? He jolted awake. He whimpered. And she whimpered back. He swam into the water and faced her eye. Are you okay?
No. He purred, shedding a tear. I can't forget about that night. This is why I hate it when our friends leave. What if any of them especially Lo'ak gets killed and I never see him again? I'm so frightened for him. Ever since he had seen those sky people, he was so terrified for them.
I worry so much too Tsu'tey. Payaka paused for a moment. I lost my mother too. When Tsu'tey had told her what she had seen, her entire mind had been plagued with horror and fear. Tsu'tey swam over and nuzzled his head against her face and she purred. We have to tell Lo'ak and Sylwa what we have seen. They suddenly heard loud ululating and turned their heads to see Lo'ak and Sylwa who held up excited faces on their ilus.
You're back! They cheered.
Tsu'tey turned to Payaka. Please can we tell them a bit later? I want to enjoy our time first.
Okay. She reluctantly said. But we can't keep this secret. I can't bear to see any of them in danger far beyond where they're safe. Agreed?
Agreed. He promised.
They swam towards the twins and they rejoiced. Tsu'tey licked Lo'ak and Payaka sang a song of happiness of seeing Sylwa again. The two different pairs went off to have their own time. Payaka took Sylwa for a swim to the great coral reefs that she told her apart. Sylwa felt guilty that her sisters weren't here to enjoy it. She had promised her sisters she'd take them to meet Payaka but because of the sky people out there on the sea, she did not want to risk their lives or even get them into trouble. They saw magnificent fishes everywhere Some so colourful and bright that to Sylwa, it felt like looking at parrotfish.
This is incredible. She signed.
It's one of the most beautiful things anyone could ever lay witness to in these oceans. Howled Payaka.
They swam through the sea, singing underwater together. They surfaced up for oxygen and then dived down again, gliding down under an underwater reef so deep that they saw gleaming items. It was just how Atuiko described it.
Take us down. Sylwa signed.
With pleasure. Without hesitation, Payaka flapped her double fined tail underwater and when they slowly swam over the sandy, they saw countless shiny pearls. Sylwa let go of the fin to take a closer look with a side-pouch bag attached to her waist. Paya swam close by looking out for akulas. It was a beautiful treasure trove but Sylwa's swimming paused at the flash of something gold and silver, buried half buried under the sand. She dug for it. A miraculous golden shell headpiece, embroidered with pearls of white and blue and pink, fit for a Tsahik, glimmered under the rays of light reaching down through the water. She picked it up and observed it. It looked completely shiny with no signs of ageing. She placed it in her side pouch. She swam around to see if there were any other cool treasures lying around. She swam a bit further down and there she saw…another gorgeous item of jewellery. A bracelet of pure pink and yellow and blue. Incredible. She had never seen items of jewellery like this before. They must be very valuable.
Just then she heard something strange and melodic.
Oh, the waves roll low
And the waves roll high
And so it goes
Sylwa twisted her head around, trying to find out who was singing. It wasn't Paya for sure. It sounded like the voice of a syren-like Navi singing.
Under a bright blue endless sky
Waves try to measure
Days that we treasure
The girl couldn't help but feel her heart tremble to the emotional alibi of that lullaby. She followed the source of the singing voice till she came to a bed of sand just below the coral.
Wave hello
And wave goodbye
The song ended with no clue as to where its source came from. Sylwa couldn't almost feel tears leaking from her eyes but they were lost to the sea. It sounded so emotional. Like a song, a mother would sing to her precious children. She looked down and to her astoundment saw a beautiful golden shell necklace with pearl strings. She picked it up. She observed its unique design and found three engraved Navi. words at the bottom. In English, it was: My True Love. She wondered for a moment. Her chest squeezed out bubbles of oxygen through her mouth. She stuffed it inside again and swam up to Paya who carried her back up to shore.
Lo'ak and Tsu'tey were zooming underwater together, passing glowing creatures of miraculous colours. As they did, Lo'ak, (with the bubble protection over his body and face) took the opportunity to talk to his spirit brother about his experience at the spirit tree, meeting his grandfather. Tsu'tey was amazed to hear it. He was humoured by the names Lo'ak had been told as well.
Thank you for telling me. Tsu'tey said. And thank you for coming back.
Lo'ak hugged his neck. "I'll always come back for you. No matter what,". As he embraced him tightly, he realised something was off. "What's wrong?"
There's something you need to know. I was having a private swim far to the south. But I saw giant ships. A huge Sky people ship. His words spooked Lo'ak. I saw them interrogating a village. They were giant blue people. I knew they couldn't be Navi.
"I knew who they are," Lo'ak patted his neck. "They're looking for me and my family. Did you see a kid with them?"
I did he was defending them.
Lo'ak knew exactly who it was. "Spider,"
Do you know him?
He's one of my best friends. He was taken from us.
Oh no if I had known, perhaps I could have saved him and brought him back to you and Sylwa.
No Tsu'tey. Lo'ak patted his neck. It's too dangerous. Those monsters are like nothing you've ever seen. I couldn't bear to put you in danger like that.
I would do anything for you and anything you care about.
Lo'ak embraced him again, comforting him. To keep their minds off the danger leagues beyond the sea, Tsu'tey dived further and they came to a sandy bed with crystals lying out together like underwater mosaics. Lo'ak dismounted him and swam around admiring the little fish that swam around. He admired how the little crystals formed murals of waves and swirls; it was unique. They were little, tiny crystal gems, perfect for pendants. Tsu'tey picked a few up with his front right paw like a hand and swam back over to Lo'ak, swimming in front of him again as the boy smiled at him. He offered one to him. "For me?"
Yes.
"Thanks," he took it, gazing at it. It was purple.
"And these are for Sylwa and Atuiko," Tsu'tey also gave him a pink and a green none.
"Could I get another one? For Sylwa to give to this girl she likes?"
I know just the perfect one. Tsu'tey picked up a pink one.
"Thank you," Lo'ak's heart sank seeing Tsu'tey hanging his head. "I don't care what dangers are out here. I'm never gonna stop seeing you,"
But what if you get hurt? I don't want you to feel responsible for me.
"That's never gonna change," he swore.
"Oh Lo'ak," Tsu'tey embraced him tightly, the boy's arms wrapped around his neck. They spun around slowly, attracting the attention of many bubble spirits that made all the tiny crystals glow.
Sitting above the water, Payaka had told Sylwa everything Tsu'tey had told her. When Sylwa told her about the human boy Spider, Payaka felt great sympathy for her being separated from a dear friend like that. I'm so sorry about your friend.
"Just as long as he's alive, then that's what matters,"
You shouldn't have to keep coming out to see me. It's too dangerous for you and Lo'ak.
"We are not gonna stop seeing you two," Sylwa promised. "You think after everything we've been through together, we're just gonna forget you two like that? That won't happen,"
I couldn't bear to see you get hurt or worse. Payaka sounded like she was going to cry. Sylwa hugged her.
"As long as we stay true to one another, nothing will ever stop us from being together,". She stroked Payaka's hide and the Tulkun was warmed by her devotion to put their friendship before her own safety.
On the sea floor, illuminated by tall corals and kelp forests, Lo'ak rode on Tsu'tey who walked right on the sand with his webbed fit. On his fit, retractable claws were drawn out to help him stick to the sand with floating back up. Lo'ak was amazed by his retractable claws. "Cool,". As he admired the Taquamare's retractable claws on his webbed lizard feet, he noticed there were streams of a strange substance trailing across the sand. And when he looked ahead, he saw an amazing sight. An underwater lake of glowing turquoise.
This is a brine lake. Explained. Tsu'tey. An underwater lake. Taquamares love to slip water from it when we don't have island fruit. And it's so relaxing to swim in. You'll love it.
Before Lo'ak could even react, he was marching them into the extra salty layers of water of the deep underwater lake. It was cool. And he tried tasting it. It was so salty.
Don't taste it. Tsu'tey warned. Only Taquamares can drink it.
"How can you handle all that salt?"
We sneeze it out and give it to the sea. Try and swim in it.
Lo'ak dismounted him and when he felt his feet, then his legs and body bathing in the briny lake, he suddenly realised it was much cooler than the normal seawater. "This is so cool,". He started backstroking. Tsu'tey swam around him. As they did, the bubble spirits floated around them like butterflies or dragonflies. They swam around together in circles. They then faced one another and Tsu'tey nuzzled his face against Lo'ak's as the boy stroked the side of his neck and his face. Their similar eyes were close to one another like the imprint of a baby on its parent.
The sky was sunny and bright and the duo were sitting together on some open-sea rocks, looking up at the clouds together. "Here. I've got something for you," Lo'ak pulled out a special gift which he had made for him. It was a blue crystal pendant tied with seaweed. He tied it around his spirit brother's neck and Tsu'tey purred.
You made this for me? Lo'ak smiled. He was deeply touched. No one has ever given me a gift before.
"I also made these," Lo'ak showed him three more crystal pendants. Two pink. One green. "For everyone else,"
And I bet Sylwa will win the heart of that girl she likes with a gift like this.
Their moment was interrupted by the loud vocals of Tulkun. Lo'ak stood up, amazed to see so many creatures together in one pod. He recognised some of them. But his heart sank thinking of Payaka not being a part of it. He glimpsed at Tsu'tey who stared out with sad eyes to them. They're lucky. At least they're all together and they're never alone.
"Why don't we try and talk to them together?"
No. They hate me as much as the Navi do.
Lo'ak was not gonna give up. "See that one," he pointed to the Tulkun with the most colourful head crest. "That's Aloa. She's a new friend I made at the Tulkun gathering. We can talk to her,"
No. It wouldn't be a good idea.
"Tsu'tey…I hate seeing you alone like this. The same way I feel. But I know she's one to listen to other people than judge them so harshly. Let's at least try,"
Tsu'tey was so hesitant. He didn't like being treated like a monstrous daemon who harmed other people but after years of being alone, he didn't know how to approach any creature the same one he had to Lo'ak who was the most understanding, open-hearted being he had ever met. But if Lo'ak trusted this Tulkun, then perhaps he could too. Okay. He accepted. I'll give it a try.
"That's my brother," Lo'ak patted his neck. He mounted him and together they dived underwater.
What did you all think? Please let me know what you all thought. By the way Bailey, I would love to use a great number of the ideas you sent. Thank you everyone else for your support and ideas. I'm really glad you all are enjoying this story. Please could you all send ideas of what you think will happen in Avatar 3 and what you'd like to happen in the next story. See you all soon.