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AVATAR:
LIFE GOES ON
(Part Seven)

Kiri couldn't tear her eyes away from the look of absolute certainty on Ronal's face. Clearly the Metkayina Tsahik had more of an idea of what was going on inside her mind, body and spirit than she did herself. "What is the Seed Bearer?" she asked.

Ronal bowed her head reverently. "It is part of an ancient Metkayina legend, passed down from Tsahik to Tsahik since the First Songs. According to that legend, a time of greatest sorrow would come upon a people that would lose their way. But Eywa, in her wisdom, would help them find their way again, and Her messenger would carry the seed of hope for them. The prophecy says the Seed Bearer would be the daughter of the mother, and that the seed she bears will bring unity. The signs of her coming would include a bond with life around her that no eye will have seen before."

Kiri didn't believe that her eyes could possibly open wider than they were now. This single explanation fit every question she sought answers to... Except for who her father was. But if this prophecy were to be taken literally, "daughter of the mother" would mean that there may not have been a father. Spider had told her about what that sacred book he seemed to like so much said about someone named "Jesus," and that He was born of a virgin, and He was to be the Savior of all. It had fascinated her to learn of Someone so loving and selfless that He would sacrifice Himself for the sake of those who carried evil in their hearts. But until now, she had not been aware of any possible parallel story among the Na'vi. "Mo'at, the Tsahik of my old village, never mentioned anything like this, and I would have been Tsahik eventually."

Ronal smiled. "Forest people and Sea people rarely see eye to eye on anything. Toruk Makto is their most revered symbol of divine intervention. The Tulkun are among the wisest and most spiritual beings in all of this world. It is from them that the prophecy of the seed bearer comes. No other Na'vi clan has a bond with the Tulkun like ours. And part of the role of a Tsahik of the Metkayina is having a spirit brother or sister who sings the song of the seed bearer, unchanged from its first singing." Grief took over her expression as the loss of her own spirit sister hit her like a great wave.

Within Kiri, something deep and passionate stirred. She reached out with both hands and took hold of the older woman's shoulders. "Grieve not, Child of Water. Your sister swims in the ocean of eternal love and peace."

Ronal's mouth dropped open as she looked into Kiri's eyes. They seemed distant, as if looking at something far away, and the child's voice had taken on a serenity and wisdom that seemed ancient, like words heard while communing with Eywa. And they spoke comfort to her in a way that removed any last vestige of doubt about whose presence she was in. Overwhelmed with emotion, she fell forward, her head resting on Kiri's knees repeating "Seedbearer" over and over as she wept as Kiri stroked her hair, as a mother would a small child.

Tonowari had entered the enclosure and found his wife and Kiri like this. This was the most profound thing he had ever witnessed in all his years. His wife would not be behaving this way if she had not experienced a true revelation from Eywa. And Kiri's behavior was clearly not of her own volition. He joined his wife on his knees, head bowed.

Kiri did not know how long the blackout had lasted, She felt it coming as Ronal had explained that the legend of the Seed bearer had begun with the Tulkun. And she was powerless as always when it overtook her. Presently, she became aware of Ronal, with her head resting on her knees, weeping, and the Metkayina chief kneeling next to her with his head bowed. It terrified her. "What did I do?" she asked, on the verge of tears herself.

Ronal sat up quickly, her face streaked with tears, and Tonowari opened his eyes.

"You spoke comfort to me with the Mother's voice," Ronal replied. "You are Her daughter, and absolutely without doubt, the seed bearer who has been promised."

Kiri stood. "I need to go. I..." but she trailed off, not able to say more as Ronal's eyes met hers.

"I understand, Kiri," she said, speaking her name with the most respectful tone she had ever heard it spoken before. "Revelations like this have never been easy to those who learn them. I am sure we will speak a great deal in the future."

Kiri nodded as she retreated from the hut, leaving Ronal and Tonowari alone.

O O O

Jedru watched Tuk go about her morning activities with a spring in her step. He had been there in the small crowd when the forest girl had brought her first harvest and was announced as a new gatherer. Her deep blue skin fascinated him. He had never seen anyone close to his own age from a clan from so far away, until he saw her. He had been a gatherer himself for a while, but at ten years old, he was about to begin his training as a warrior. Many of his peers didn't think very highy of him, because he was small, even for his age. They didn't think he would make a good warrior. But Jedru was determined to prove them wrong But even now, after the recent battle against the Sky People, Tuk and her family were looked at with suspicion. Oh there was respect, but "outsiders" was a word that was still commonly whispered behind the family's back.

Jedru did not like this. But he was just a child. Any objections towards such attitudes were met with comments about him not being old enough to understand these things. Maybe they were right. But Tonowari had named them members of the tribe, and that was all he needed to understand.

He would be a warrior someday. His words would be listened to someday. His courage would be unquestionable someday. But today, he seemed to be having a hard time summoning the courage to walk over and speak to a little girl only two years younger than he was. He had not trouble talking to other girls in the village. They didn't really talk to him much, but he never felt tongue-tied around them. So what was the problem now?

Nothing, he answered himself. She needs a friend. I want to be her friend, and I am going to be her friend! with that he began walking towards the forest girl with determination. He watched the way she moved, almost like a dance. It was something that everyone in her family seemed to have in common. He figured it had something to do with balancing on tree limbs and moving through dense undergrowth. It made sense. They lacked natural grace and skill in the water, which his own people had. If he were to find himself living in the forest, having known only the sea, he might be considered awkward there. Too bad others didn't consider that. If they did, then they might not have been as stand-offish toward the Sully family as they had been. They wanted to look at all the ways that made them different, while he was interested in what they might have in common.

He followed Tuk down to the pier where she began readying her ilu to go out harvesting for the day. He usually did his harvesting in the evening. Only those over twelve years were expected to go out in both morning and evening, depending on what they were able to bring back. But children were allowed to choose when to go, and were not held to a specific measure. Technically, nobody was. Harvesting could be unpredictable. But it was expected to gather as much as possible. It had become a point of pride in one's accomplishments and in the well-being of the people that many gatherers went above and beyond as often as possible. Jedru was no exception. Hist great uncle had always told him that he should do his best with every endeavor. Even if others might not seem to notice, he would know. And so would Eywa. Any other recognition didn't really matter.

He had been so lost in thought that he hadn't realized that he had just been standing there behind Tuk, who had just noticed him and seemed startled.

"uhm..." the girl said. "Hello?"

Now back in the moment, Jedru stepped forward confidently. "I see you, Tuktirey, My name is Jedru. May Eywa smile upon our first meeting."

Tuk couldn't help but smile. This strange boy's words were very respectful. Almost the level of respect given to important visitors from another tribe, but the tone was relaxed and not as formal. "I see you, Jedru," she responded. "I thank Eywa for allowing us to meet." Having been the daughter of a chief, she had no trouble finding the correct words to respond with the same level of respect.

Jedru smiled back. "I was wondering if we might do our gathering together today," he said with confidence.

"Sounds like fun," Tuk said. She watched as Jedru called his own Ilu, which turned out to be a fine-looking creature. Darker than her own ilu, but with orange flecks on its fins that reflected sunlight almost like metal. She had seen this ilu swimming freely about as she had been gathering on previous mornings, and she had wondered who it had bonded with. "He's pretty," she observed.

Jedru looked at Tuk's ilu. He could see that she was a little younger than his own. He had also recognized it as one which he had seen swimming close to his own ilu in the evenings. And through the bond, he felt interest. Like ilu, like rider as the saying went. "So is yours," he replied, and his stomach did a little flip-flop when she smiled back at him. Yes, he wanted very much to be her friend, and having their ilu getting along well would make that easier.

Now that they were both ready, they headed out to see what they might find together.

O O O

The sun had set and the Sully family had gathered in their hut for the evening meal. Spider was growing more and more uneasy by the second. This was the night, he had decided, that the secret he had been holding for weeks would be revealed. He did not know what would happen. Whether or not he would still be welcome. Whether the others would come to hate him as much as he knew Neytiri really hated him. Whether or not she would kill him in spite of whatever else may have been said and done after the battle. He had never feared anything more than the unknown fate that awaited him.

He had wanted to talk to Kiri about it, but she had been very withdrawn all day. Clearly she was wrestling with something just as heavy as his own burden. She already knew the truth, and had assured him that it changed nothing about her feelings for him. He prayed that the others would be as understanding.

The conversation was pleasant, with each talking about what they had done that day. Lo'ak and Tsireya had spent time with their tulkun together. Tuk had made friends with a boy named Jedru and they had harvested together. Both Jake and Neytiri were amused by this, but they didn't tease her. Kiri had spoken with Ronal about some spiritual matters, but she didn't go into detail. Spider himself had spent much of the day helping to carry supplies and do other physical activities. He was grateful. He could not be very useful in many other ways as he lacked the stamina of a Metkayina. but the help he did give was met with reserved appreciation. He knew that the people of this tribe didn't trust him, but they were at least polite about it.

Discussion of the day's activities continued for a little longer, but then Jake made ready to wrap it up, with the usual "It's a busy day tomorrow, so we need to get some rest," followed by his usual inquiry about any other matters that needed to be discussed.

Spider's heart began pounding. This was it. In a few moments, he would be forgiven, disowned or dead. Whatever was to come, he would accept it. But this needed to be done, and it could wait no longer. "I have something I need to tell you all," he said in Na'vi. "But the words are stones in my heart."

He saw Kiri's eyes widen, but her expression held only reassurance. She would have his back.

Jake and Neytiri looked at each other knowingly. "I was wondering when you would be ready to talk about what's been bothering you," Jake said. "You are a Sully now. And Sullys stick together."

Spider choked back a sob at those words. "On the night of the battle, I did something that you may hate me for. I had gone down to find you," he said to Jake. "To help you get back. But instead of finding you, I found... Him."

There was no question as to whom he was referring to. "He was struggling to hold his breath. I turned to leave him there, but I couldn't."

He looked around at the others who were all looking back at him with interest. Jake and Neytiri's expressions were unreadable. He took a deep breath and continued. "He had been about to kill Kiri, and you were about to kill me," he said, meeting Neytiri's emotionless gaze. But he spared her. It may have been to save me, but I don't care about that. He spared her, and so I owed a debt for her sake. I saved his life." the last sentence came out in a rush, almost as if he were spitting something foul tasting out.

Lo'ak frowned. Tuk looked scared. Kiri was looking at Jake and Neytiri, who had both closed their eyes.

"There's a common sentiment among both humans and Na'vi to treat others as we would wish to be treated. I chose to treat him the way I wanted Kiri to be treated. He had given her her life, and so I gave him his.

"And the fact that he was your father?" That came from Lo'ak.

"My father died fifteen years ago. A fool who chose the wrong side. This thing has his memories, but that's all. He wanted me to come with him, but I refused. I gave him his life, but I consider my debt to be paid. If I have to ever look at him again, it will be an enemy I see."

Neytiri was crying, and Jake held her close. "This is what Neteyam warned us about," he whispered to her. She nodded curtly, clearly hating it, but determined to hold it together.

"Jedru told me today that even though we've been welcomed here, we are still not fully trusted. Some people talk mean about us behind our back. He said that we are all brothers and sisters of this world. No matter who we are or what we've done, nothing changes that."

Jake looked at his youngest child with surprise. "That's a very mature way of thinking about things. Neteyam said that you would surprise us, and I'm impressed."

Neytiri's eyes were wide with shock. Her little girl had always been smart, but this was wisdom in its purest form. She was right. And what she had said also included Spider. He may have been born human, but he was born on this world. And all his life he had embraced the Na'vi way. And Neteyam was very specific about her helping him cast off the burden he was carrying, no matter what it proved to be. He had been glad that Spider had been adopted as his true brother. This was the Great Mother's will. she looked at Spider coldly, but not hatefully. "You did what I would never have been able to do, my son. You have clearly carried great pain with you because of it. But what is done is done and cannot be undone. I do not like it, but I will not condemn you for it.

"Nor I, son," Jake said. "You've suffered enough, and I am glad you told us. We'll deal with the consequences as a family. Together."

Spider couldn't hold back his tears, and Kiri was quickly at his side, and she took his hand in hers. "I'm with you always, monkey-boy," she said. Tuk and Lo'ak had gone over to stand with him as well. And with all their living children standing together, Jake and Neytiri joined them, and extended their arms in an impromptu group hug. Every one of them would be making difficult choices in the days ahead. Neteyam was right. Life goes on. And hard choices were part of it.

O O O

Miles Quaritch sat in his cell in the Bridgehead City security complex, where he had been ever since he had returned after the battle. He had been expecting a reprimand for having failed in his mission to defeat Jake Sully, but he had not been the first survivor to return. That tulkun hunter, Scorsby, had been pulled from the water, missing an arm and barely alive, as had that snivveling marine biologist whose name he couldn't be bothered to remember. Said science puke had ratted him out, telling the General about everything he had done, practically crying about the Tulkun that had been killed in tribal waters. He had been shown the recording of the debriefing. The general was furious. Subduing the Na'vi did not mean declaring war upon them. Yes, Sully had to be taken out, so the uprising could be put down. But she had believed that once the natives could accept that humanity was there to stay, they would stay out of the way. There was plenty of room to share this world. They did not have to kill each other. Quaritch had told her that she was a fool to believe that. Had they been in private, she might have let it slide, but he had said it in front of the other officers, so she ordered him escorted to the security complex for confinement until further notice.

He couldn't blame her, really. Had their positions been reversed, he would have done the same thing. If not worse. Be that as it may. He would not be rotting in here forever. And the time had given him time to think. About Spider. About the Sully family. About what it meant to be a Na'vi. He did have to admit that before he had bonded with his ikran, he never understood what the blue monkeys got out of nature. There was a time in his life, before he had become a marine and had seen combat, when I did see beauty in what little bit of nature that had remained on Earth back then. It was gone now, and the Hell of war had overshadowed any sense of beauty he might have found here on Pandora when he had been deployed here as a human. But he wasn't human anymore. And in spite of all the memories he carried, and his desire for revenge against Jake Sully, he couldn't deny that something deep within him had awakened the moment he had bonded with his ikran. It had stirred emotions within him he did not know he was capable of. He had wept. He was glad nobody else had seen him in his weakness. But he also could not deny that the feelings were real. How many opportunities had he wasted in pursuit of military perfection. He could have been a family man. A Husband. A father. But none of that mattered to him at the time. He had a new life now. Not that it was really his to live. He was a Recom. Property of the RDA. He had no choice.

"Well well welll..." a familiar voice said from outside his cell door. "Long time no see."

Quaritch chuckled as he looked up. "Parker Selfridge," he said. "Scuttlebutt said you had turned back up here. I was wondering how long it would take you to come down for a visit. Now that you're here, I'm getting all emotional."

Parker leaned forward. "You listen to me carefully," he began. "You were sent here to deal with the uprising. To get rid of Sully. Not to stir the natives up even more. And certainly not to hurt the Company's interests. You know how much Amrita is worth, and therefore how vital to our efforts each ship and crew responsible for its recovery is. And thanks to your barbaric actions, every island dwelling tribe that has a connection to the tulkun have sworn to defend them at all costs, and the tulkun have refused to return to the open sea. Jake Sully is Metkayina now, and their most powerful chief listens to him, and this move reeks of a plan between those two."

"There ain't nothing broken here that can't be fixed, Parker," Quaritch said. "Let me out of here, and I'll fix it for you."

"I'm prepared to do that, for one reason alone: Thae amount of money the RDA has invested in the Recom program. Your actions got most of the others who came with you killed. But what's left of your team is all that guarantees any chance of us acting within Na'vi airspace. Were it not for that, I would initiate Protocol 19 right now and put you out of my misery."

Protocol 19. That was the contingency in place to deal with a Recom if they went rogue. All it took was a command entered by an administrative-level company official, and nanotechnology inside his body would activate and start attacking his vital organs. Heart and lungs would cease function within minutes, but he would take about an hour to actually die. Something about Na'vi physiology made them extremely resilient, even when trying to resist terminal conditions. As he had told plenty of soldiers in the past, the Na'vi were very hard to kill. And now, for all intents and purposes, he was one of them. "Look, Parker," he said. "You and I both know that the savages won't share Pandora with us. There's just too much bad blood between them and us. But I've given it a lot of thought, since I was put in here, and I've figured out how to rid ourselves of them without dirtying our own hands any more than we already have."

Selfridge raised his eyebrows. "I'm listening."

"I figured that would get your attention. There's a tribe called the Ash People. They live in a volcanic region on the other side of the moon. They have little to no peaceful contact with other tribes. They barely survive on their own and they regularly raid other tribes for what they need. We've had no dealings with them, so they don't know us. I can go to them with a shipment of food and medical supplies, and even more advanced forms of weaponry, like compound bows and crossbows., which is what I'll carry. I'll make the RDA look like their saviors. And I'll tell them the story of how some distant tribes have refused what we offer and have chosen violence. We can promise to keep their tribe supplied and let them deal with the others. We'll offer more help if they bring other tribes over to our side, and so long as we don't show our hand, we can let the Na'vi wipe each other out."

Parker noded thoughtfully. "It's not clean, but it is far cleaner than what's been going on lately. But what if they find out the truth and turn on you?"

"then the volcanos in the region of their tribe will just decide to erupt. And I'll tell them that their contrary actions will have angered Eywa, and we'll leave them to their fate."

Selfridge sighed, rubbing his eye in irritation. "Alright. I'll go talk to the General and see to it that you are released. This is your mission for now, Colonel. Not Sully. We'll let the hornet's you stirred up calm down. I'm going to try to negotiate with the savages. I'll condemn your actions to their face and try to salvage what we can. In the meantime, they won't see what will be creeping up on them from behind."

Quaritch smiled. "Outstanding."