Author's Note: Sorry about the long wait! I know that this fandom really is on its last legs until more content comes out, but I am holding on for dear life, lol! Thank you all for your kind words and support! Enjoy!
"Tao'su, sir!" Ao'nung gasps, bursting into Neteyam's home, making Rhalwari and Rowee yelp in surprise as he nearly ripped the covering over the entrance way off of the wall. Rotxo puts a hand over his heart, opening his mouth to ask his best friend what was up with scaring them half to death when he saw the worried, pale face staring at his father.
Any anger his father might have felt at the intrusion is washed away at the look on Ao'nung's face.
"Where?" Tao'su asks, climbing to his feet. Tension around his mouth and in his shoulders. "Where is he?"
"Just outside the marui," Ao'nung says, turning and disappearing beyond the flap covering the entrance to their home, still holding on for dear life. Tao'su follows out quickly, finding Neteyam standing in the white sands over by the fire pit, staring at a circling school of Eywa seeds. His entire body is completely relaxed, face smooth, eyes half lidded.
Ao'nung stops at his side, the space between his eyes creased in worry as he looks over at Tao'su. "My father?"
Tao'su nods. "Yes, go." Ao'nung races off while Tao'su stops next to Neteyam, reaching out to very gently touch his shoulder, worrying about jarring him. Quietly, carefully, he asks, "Neteyam? Can you hear me? Do you need help coming back?"
No response. Neteyam just stares vacantly at the water, unable to hear his father next to him. Tao'su carefully removes the bag from around Neteyam and lays it off to the side as Rotxo appears next to his father and brother, looking pensive.
"Is it happening?"
Tao'su lets out a little breath, nodding. "Yes, do you remember what to do? Stay by his side, don't let him fall over and try not to touch him until he comes out of it if you can help it."
Rotxo nods, moving to Neteyam's other side, staring at his brother, worriedly.
Rhalwari is standing just outside the marui, face twisted in concern, holding Rowee on her hip, chewing on her lower lip.
"Is he going to say anything?" Rotxo asks, after a few beats of silence. "He usually starts talking. Wh... What if he doesn't say what he's seeing? What the Great Mother is showing him?"
Tao'su hesitates, knowing that Rotxo was right. Neteyam is usually speaking by now. Prompting him is a tenuous thing. They could accidentally skew whatever it is that he's seeing, making him focus on different parts of the vision and not exactly what the Great Mother was trying to show him. Tonowari and Ao'nung race around the nearby marui, charging for them, skidding to a stop next to Rotxo.
Carefully, Tao'su leans close and asks as calmly as possible, eyes flickering between the panting Olo'eyktan and his enthralled son, "What do you see, Neteyam?"
A beat of silence. Then another, before Neteyam's lips part, "...from the ocean. Three strikes. One across the arm. One across the palm - raised in defense. He falls away with a yelp. Sand and stone beneath his feet. Then the last from behind. A strike between the ribs."
Ao'nung holds his breath while Tonowari tries to slow his down, all of them trying to hear the boy's soft words. Rhalwari puts Rowee down, telling him to go back into the marui and wait for them, while she makes her way closer, hands kneading at her stomach in worry.
"Someone getting killed?" She asks in a terrified whisper.
"Terror in his eyes," Neteyam intones, eyes vacant. "He looks around, but no one comes. He's alone. Another strike across the stomach. Crimson red flows. His hands go to the wound, wheezing through the pain in his punctured lung, he's trying to hold his intestines in."
Rotxo and Ao'nung look to one another, both visibly ill as Ronal appears at Tonowari's side, eyes glued on Neteyam, his eyes not leaving the spiraling fish, expression vacant and detached. Rhalwari raises a hand to her mouth, face twisted in fear as her husband and clan chief stare on grimly. If Neteyam was seeing someone in specific die, it had to be because the death of this person has staggering effects on the world around them. They just need to know who this person is, when this will happen and who is attacking them.
But Neteyam started in the middle of a sentence. They might have lost any, or all of those answers. This prophecy might have just been wasted and whomever it is that Neteyam sees might just die without anyone having any idea.
"No one comes. He's alone. The sun sets, dipping toward the horizon. The sand shimmers from the heat of the day and he chokes, blood filling his mouth and lungs. Everything slants to the side as the final strike comes - " Neteyam gasps, eyes widening, his hand flying up to his throat, wrapping around it as his dark skin loses all color. The action is horrifically clear. He chokes, as if he can't breathe - or like his own throat was slashed. Then, his posture relaxes again, hand falling to his side, eyes dimming and becoming vacant once more. "Coarse white sand fills his gaze as the red water flows around him, cradling him. The ocean rushes forward, calming, soothing, welcoming. His eyes drift closed, as he chokes on his final desperate breath."
Neteyam stares forward for a long moment, watching the spinning circle of seeds, his golden eyes gleaming a bit surrounding the darkened pupil. His mind reaching out, grasping at something.
"The Olo'eyktan in dead," Neteyam whispers, skin ashen as that light dims out in his eyes.
Everyone tenses. Terror flickers across Ao'nung's face as he looks over at his father. Tonowari clenches his jaws, eyes focused on Neteyam's vacant expression while Ronal, joins her son in staring at the side of her mate's face.
"Great Mother," Rhalwari mumbles, horrified. Tao'su sucks in a deep breath, not looking at his friend, knowing that he needs a second to absorb this.
Neteyam's eyes finally close, the ashen skin on his throat rippling as he struggles to swallow. His long dark eyelashes flutter before they open, golden eyes dazedly glancing around before landing on Tonowari, always the first person he seeks whenever he comes out of these visions.
"Did I say something helpful?" He asks, as he always does, swaying slightly, but no one touches him yet, despite all the hands reaching for him.
Tonowari swallows, eyes softening. "Yes, Neteyam," he says, voice low, cautious. "Yes, you did."
Neteyam nods, bringing a hand up to his forehead, swaying more. "I... I uh..." He looks over at Ao'nung's terrified expression. He blinks, confused and Ao'nung quickly tries to school his expression, the corners of his mouth quivering a bit in worry. "Ao'nung... are you okay..?"
Ao'nung nods, not trusting his voice.
"Do you think you're okay, Neteyam?" Tonowari asks, voice even. He ignores the hard stare Ronal is using against the side of his head.
Neteyam looks down at his feet, still swaying slightly. He blinks incredibly slowly. His toes dig into the sand and his fingers wiggle at his side. The expected numbness not coming this time either. He takes a few moments to center himself before reaching out for Tao'su, who steps into his embrace. Neteyam rests his head on his father's chest, closing his eyes as long lashes flutter. His pale skin is ice cold to the touch, making Tao'su's skin prickle at the feeling, like it does every time.
And that instant when his skin touches Neteyam's, as it always does, it's like energy passing through him. Not pain, or even a feeling he could think that he imagined. But a sensation over his flesh like power in its rawest form passing out of Neteyam's body and into everything around him.
"I... I'm okay..." Neteyam whispers, leaning against Tao'su to keep standing. "I'm fine, really. I just... I think I need to lie down."
After a few moments of nothing more happening, and with Ronal's nod of approval, Tao'su wraps an arm around Neteyam's waist as the boy drops one hand back to his side, leaning into his father and letting him support him back towards their marui.
Robotically, Ao'nung picks up the discarded bag that Neteyam was holding, passing it to Rotxo, who was staring at him in concern. He doesn't say anything, but the younger boy puts his hand on his best friend's shoulder, staring into his eyes before pulling back. Ao'nung nods, thankful, before looking over at his parents. Ronal is frowning, glaring at the ground in front of her, while Tonowari is the picture of complete calm.
Once Tao'su returns from within the marui, he stops next to his troubled mate and stares at his friend. "Are you okay?"
"I am," Tonowari says, evenly. His blue eyes clear as he meets Tao'su's. "When my time comes, it'll come. I am not afraid. Neteyam's vision has shown me what I have always known as Olo'eyktan. We do not live forever, and if we are caught unaware, or alone, our time in service to our people will be cut short."
"Dad," Ao'nung says, voice tense.
Tonowari puts a hand on his son's shoulder, still completely calm despite Ronal now actually glaring at the side of his head, lips curling in anger. "I will fight for my life, of course. But it sounds as though danger might be coming for the clan."
"Not the clan," Ronal grinds out, greenish blue eyes blazing in the waning light. "For you, Tonowari. And it sounds as though you are alone when it happens. No more. You go nowhere alone until the threat has passed."
Finally, Tonowari turns to look at Ronal, lips parting, maybe to argue but Ronal snaps, voice sharp as a blade, "No, my mate! I will not raise our children alone. You remain by my side for many more years to come. You will not just 'fight for your life' you will fight for your family. For me. Our children. I accept nothing else. And I will hear of nothing less. Do you understand, Tonowari?"
His big blue eyes study the anger radiating from his mate, taking in her expression, in the twitch of her hands towards her stomach, the pain in her eyes at the mere thought of losing him, before he reaches forward to touch her shoulder, bowing his head to her.
"Yes, Ma Ronal," he says, voice even, but eyes flaring with love. "I will fight with everything I have for my children, for my clan, and for you, my mate."
Ronal looks away, lips peeling back in an angry hiss, not at Tonowari, but at the invisible threats out there that would dare threaten her mate. After a few, calming breaths, she turns burning eyes around the group, asking, "Do we know when? And who?"
"No," Tao'su says, shaking his head, casting a glance at his best friend, who was still looking at his mate. "He started mid-sentence. We were too late. I'm sorry. But it sounds like there was at least two attackers."
Ronal glares at the sand, as if it was the cause of all of this.
"We will have to be vigilant," Tonowari says, turning to look around the circle. His eyes land on Ao'nung and Rotxo. "You boys know the rules. No speaking of this to anyone. Especially to strangers. If anyone learns that Neteyam saw a vision of my death, other clans might see that as an opportunity to strike out against us. We remain strong and keep an eye out for strangers in our midst."
"There already are strangers in our midst," Ao'nung says, teal skin pale with terror. Rotxo frowns at him.
"Neteyam didn't say anything about the Sullys being the attackers."
"He didn't say anything about the attackers at all," Ao'nung snaps, turning angry eyes to his best friend, who frowns back at him. "There could be two, or twenty for all we know. And we don't know when they are coming, or if they are already here."
Rotxo recoils a bit, eyes wide. His lips part to retort something, but then whatever he was going to say dies at the tip of his tongue, realizing that they really didn't know. His mouth closes and he looks away from his friend.
"We don't really think the Sullys are going to do anything... right?" Rhalwari asks, looking pale and scared.
"No," Tonowari says, shaking his head. "We are not going to just jump to conclusions. It is going to be business as usual. I will keep some trusted hunters with me at all times until we know more. The Gathering is in a few weeks, I will speak with the other Olo'eyktan then. Perhaps they know something more, or I will ascertain more on the threat that is posed against me."
"We're still going to host the Gathering?" Ronal asks sharply. "That is the perfect time for someone to try to get you alone! So many strangers in our home!"
Tonowari levels a stare at his angry mate. "I won't cancel. The Gathering has been happening for many generations. It is what has helped keep the Metkayina in power all of these years. For all of the clans to gather together and speak about our issues both with one another and with the state of things around us. Plus, it is the other clans only chance to see Neteyam. If we want to try and dissuade any from attempting to take him from us again, they need to have some level of access."
"I hate how they watch him, paw at him," Tao'su says darkly, glaring not at Tonowari, but through him.
"I know," Tonowari says, looking over at the horizon. "I hate it too. But Ronal saw it. His visions are for The People. Not just the Metkayina. If we try to hide him away and prevent him from being able to interact with those outside of us, he'll get sick again. We have to. We have to let him See what he can while they're here. Once every year is the Great Mother's demand. This is the perfect time because they will all already be gathered. If he sees something, great for them, but if he doesn't, then it's all for the better."
No one disputes that. They just stand around in silence, before Tonowari puts a hand on Ronal's shoulder. He sends a look to his son before addressing Tao'su, Rotxo and Rhalwari. "See to Neteyam. We will speak more in the morning."
"Okay," Tao'su agrees. "In the morning, then, brother."
Tonowari nods. "In the morning, brother." With that, he guides an angry Ronal away, Ao'nung following slowly behind.
"I'll come see him in the morning," Ao'nung says, glancing over his shoulder at Rotxo and his parents, worry shining in his darkening blue eyes.
Rotxo nods until the Olo'eyktan and his family vanish back down the beach and into the collection of marui. Tao'su sucks in a slow deep breath, closing his eyes and rubbing at his forehead before looking at his mate and son. "Let's get back inside." Both nod in agreement and follow after the patriarch of the family.
They find Neteyam curled up on his side, Rowee sitting in front of him, blabbing away at him. The little boy is gently rubbing Neteyam's limp hand between them as he yammers on, not bother by his brother's silence. Neteyam blinks slowly, blearily back at the boy, dozing a bit while trying to listen to what his little brother is saying to him. Even in the waning light and the fire that they are using to cook their dinner, Neteyam looks unnaturally pale.
Rhalwari grabs a blanket off of a pile of them stacked up from where they were put away earlier that morning. She unfolds it as she walks over to Neteyam, lightly draping it across his body, lowering to a sit behind him, pulling the blanket up to his shoulders. She lightly runs a hand through his hair. When her fingers lightly brush the skin of his neck, it's ice cold.
Tao'su tends to their meal, glancing over at the mother and two sons, his oldest biological son lowering next to him, staring at the pale, silent forest Na'vi.
"Are you hungry, Neteyam?" Rhalwari asks softly, frowning a bit when his body is too cold to even start shaking. She starts to rub her hand up and down his arm, carefully, turning worried eyes to her mate.
Neteyam shakes his head slightly, eyes drooping closed as Rowee lays down next to him, touching his ice-cold fingers with his own little frown.
"Are you sick, Neteyam?" Rowee asks, running his fingers over the length of Neteyam's pointer.
Neteyam opens his eyes halfway, humming softly before whispering, quietly, "No, Rowee. I'm just tired. I'll be all better in the morning..." Golden eyes drift closed once more. He sucks in a long, deep breath, before letting it drag out of his lungs, pulling his consciousness with it.
Neteyam wakes up extra early in the morning, earlier than even his dad, which is a rarity. His rumbling stomach denies his desire to go back to sleep. He detangles himself from his brothers, both curled around him, leaving the blanket behind to help keep them from the chilled wind passing over the water just outside their home. He misses their warmth almost immediately as the cool air hits his skin, making him shiver a bit.
The sun hasn't even begun its ascent across the sky when Neteyam made his way into their food supplies, finding something to eat before deciding to just make breakfast for the whole family. It's earlier than usual, but there isn't anything wrong with starting the day bright and early. Really early for most of them.
So, quietly, carefully, Neteyam coaxes the small fire burning in the center of the room to keep them warm at night back to life gradually and starts to make something light for everyone to eat, feeling bad that he couldn't manage to stay awake long enough to eat with everyone the night before. He knows that his visions hit him hard, but their dinners were special, it was their time to sit around and talk about their day. Neteyam feels like he ruined it by not participating and making a big deal out of what is steadily becoming the norm for him.
Knowing how light of a sleeper his dad is, Tao'su is the first to wake up to Neteyam cooking. He uncurls from around his mom, who was a far heavier sleeper, rubbing at his eyes as if wondering if he was seeing what he thinks that he is.
Groggily, voice thick from sleep, Tao'su asks, "Neteyam?"
"It's almost morning," Neteyam says, glancing over his shoulder to see the beginnings of light cresting over the horizon. The sun isn't coming up yet, but it will soon enough, its light is the only part of it currently showing. "And, well, I'm hungry. I was thinking of making breakfast. Is that okay?"
Tao'su rubs at his eyes, yawning a bit before nodding, carefully draping the blanket that he and Rhalwari were sharing around his mate to keep her warm before making his way over to see what Neteyam was putting together. He stretches, arms, legs and back popping as he says, "Looks good, Neteyam. Would you like some help?"
Neteyam smiles sweetly up at his dad. "I would love help."
Together the two made quick work with breakfast, Tao'su appearing relived when Neteyam informed him that he felt fine after yesterday and was just really hungry. Tao'su made sure to make plenty before going to wake Rhalwari up with gentle kisses and whispering something sweet into her ear, pulling her from her dreams with a soft smile on her face. She reached up and gently caressed her mates face, murmuring something low back to him that made him smile before they pressed their foreheads together in a common reef Na'vi show of affection.
Neteyam honestly doesn't know if it's common for forest Na'vi or not. All he knows is that forest Na'vi are very affectionate, and his family had to adapt quickly to Neteyam always touching them, leaning on them, holding onto them. He doesn't remember a time in which they were awkward about it - he's sure that they were at some point as it is uncommon for reef Na'vi to be as affectionate as Neteyam and his family is - but they hid it so well, and it was all Rowee ever knew, until they were used to it.
Ao'nung took to it very easily. The trick for Neteyam is to try to keep Ao'nung's hands to himself.
Neteyam managed to get both his brothers conscious enough to get them to eat, which thankfully brought them both to life and soon, with the sun rising over the horizon, they talked about how their day before went. Neteyam, when his turn came around, omitted what he and Ao'nung were doing in the forest but went into great detail with the events around it in order to cover it up. Fortunately for Neteyam, no one seemed to question it.
Thankfully, the hunters didn't need to go out early seeing as their most recent hunt was very fruitful, so Tao'su didn't have to run out before dawn like he usually does when joining the hunting parties - Neteyam occasionally joining him. But not long after, Neteyam excused himself to go retrieve Ronal so that they could go pray together. By the time Neteyam made it to the Chief and Tsahik's marui, Tsireya and Tonowari were already gone, off to fulfill some promise that they made a few days ago, but Tonowari had been so busy that he wasn't able to do, so they left early to try and be back before lessons, while Ao'nung was still sleeping.
As Ronal is preparing everything she needs for the day, being sure to keep quiet as to not wake her son, Neteyam sits by his side, lightly pushing long curly black hair off of his back so that he could run his blunt nails up and down the other boy's spine. Neteyam is a side sleeper, through and through, he has no idea how Ao'nung can sleep on his stomach. But man, does Neteyam love it when he takes his hair down from its bun. Thick, curly hair that reaches his mid-back, and Neteyam just loves it.
Normally, even betrothed would be respectful about their hair, being sure to keep their hands to themselves until after the mating ceremony is held, which Neteyam tried really hard to be as it is a trust thing for the Metkayina, but Ao'nung didn't care in the slightest. As far as Ao'nung is concerned, in his words, Neteyam was going to be bound to him as soon as he's able to, so there was no need for boundaries between them.
And that had been weeks into their betrothal, where Ha'lir had been his betrothed for a long time and he never so much as took it out of its bun around her. But then again, maybe it had been easier for Ao'nung because Neteyam was a boy like him? He's not sure. Maybe it is because, to Ao'nung, Neteyam is special. Because Ao'nung is special to Neteyam, and he would love it if the feeling was mutual.
Neteyam loved braiding Ao'nung's hair, when he would allow it. For some reason, Ao'nung is very self-conscious about his curly hair, which Neteyam has assured him many times was beautiful, but he never seemed comfortable. Just his family and Neteyam were allowed to see his hair down, but even then, he would put it up right away. He never had a good reason, just that he didn't like his hair being down and that was it.
"I must have seen something that kept him up late," Neteyam says softly, running his hand down Ao'nung's back. He hesitates for a single moment before leaning down to kiss Ao'nung's shoulder blade. His betrothed didn't react at all.
Ronal's hands still, her greenish blue eyes raising to look at Neteyam carefully. "Do you want me to tell you what you saw?"
Neteyam shakes his head. "Is it being handled?"
Ronal stares at him for a long moment before nodding. "Yes."
"Then no. Not yet." He hesitates, ears folding back a bit before looking over at Ronal. "Is that wrong? Should I want to know? As Tsakarem?"
Ronal looks down at her lap for a long moment, considering her words carefully. She raises to her feet, nodding for him to come along. He follows suit after one more gentle run of his hand down his betrothed's back, he follows her out of their marui and down towards the beach, calling for their skimwing.
Shixo is already splashing the water when they get there, snapping at Ronal's skimwing when it gets too close. Neteyam rolls his eyes but laughs a bit before hopping onto his friend's back and they head towards the Reef of Souls.
After making it almost halfway there without a response from Ronal, Neteyam is starting to wonder if she was going to say anything at all when she interrupts his thoughts with a gentle, "You already give so much. If you want to know, we will tell you. But for how it affects you and the fact that you forget it almost immediately... well, maybe that is the Great Mother's way of absolving you of having to handle it on top of how the visions affect you. You have the right to know if that is what you want, but if you don't... well, I think that is your right."
"Even as Tsakarem?" Neteyam asks softly. "Shouldn't I know about them to better help advise?"
Ronal visibly wars with herself, chewing on her lower lip. "Perhaps," she acquiesces softly. "But at the same time, if it was meant for you to do something about, I would like to think the Great Mother would force you to remember them. I'm not sure, Neteyam," she sighs. They travel a bit further in silence before he spots Ronal looking over at him again, trepidation flickering across her face as she asks, "Do you remember anything about last night?"
Neteyam glances at her. "I... remember talking to Ao'nung. I remember hearing his voice get distorted. I could feel him touch my arm, hear him talking to me. But I don't remember what he said. The vision, well, I don't remember anything from it. I just felt like I blinked and went from the moment where everything was fading away and into the moment where everything was coming back to me. But as for the vision..." he shrugs his shoulder a bit, helplessly. "I don't remember anything."
Ronal's shoulder slump a bit, looking down at the water with a small sigh. "I see."
"I've disappointed you," Neteyam hears himself say, ears folded back.
Ronal shakes her head, thankfully not looking to see him chastising himself in her peripheral vision. "No, Neteyam, you have not. I just... wish that this vision, of all of them, was clearer."
Neteyam hesitates. "Should I try to convene with the Great Mother? Maybe she'll give me more insight?" He offers.
Ronal sends him a sideways glance. "Are you feeling up to it?"
Neteyam nods. "I can. Maybe she'll show me something."
Ronal looks hopeful for a split second before sobering up. "Did you intend to make tsahaylu today?"
No, admittedly. He did not. Unless a long time in the day passes and the night leading up to their next prayer session, Neteyam doesn't usually attempt to form tsahaylu to convene with the Great Mother right after a vision. It has never ended well for him. In attempting to do so, he once sucked all the power out of the reef for three days. Only the fish and the Metkayina glowed those nights. Everything rooted into the sea and the ground around them was dulled out.
For three whole days!
Neteyam too. Not his eyes, which naturally glowed a bit a night, or his freckles had an ounce of shine those three days. Thankfully Neteyam didn't really notice, as he was unconscious for the first day, and was in mind splitting agony in the two days that followed.
Neteyam never did that again. Now he's extremely careful to monitor how he feels and if there is even a twinge of doubt, he doesn't attempt it.
He opens his mouth, not sure what to say, but his silence was enough. Ronal just nods, eyes lowered in understanding.
"In a bit," she says, "if you're feeling up to it."
Neteyam nods slowly, feeling bad for disappointing her. "Then, I'll try in a few days. It's not time sensitive, is it?" She shakes her head slowly but doesn't appear all that sure. Frowning, Neteyam says carefully, "Then don't tell me anything. I'll see what the Great Mother shows me. Maybe it will clear it up for you and it won't be skewed by what I think I should be looking for."
Ronal nods, her shoulders loosening up a bit in relief. She offers a thin smile to Neteyam as they finally make it to the Reef of Souls.