Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter thirteen of 'Gone in the Dark.' Payakan will be introduced in the chapter after the next one. I am so ready to do that, especially since he will likely fill an important part of this fic. Stay tuned for chapter fourteen.
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Chapter 13: Still a Bit Tense
Jake pushed his arm forward as he sat next to Nekx on the cot in the marui the latter was staying in. Nekx imitated him with his. Jake moved his arm backward slowly. Nekx copied him at the same pace. Jake proceeded to examine over the bandage. Nekx looked toward the window in which he spotted an ilu surfacing in the distance. He heard it squeak three times. He turned back to the former marine, who accidentally hit his pinkie against the bandage. It caused him to wince painfully and flatten his ears.
"Be careful," Nekx warned in a stern voice.
"Sorry," Jake responded with calmness. He sighed to himself before running his tongue all over the inside of his mouth. "I did not mean to do that."
"You may not have meant to do that, but it still hurts," Nekx pointed out seriously.
"I know," Jake said with a roll of his eyes. He wanted to punch the warrior's lights out. However, he wasn't about to make a scene. "When this war first started, my kids wanted to pitch in. I taught them and other Metkayina my methods of healing."
"Even Spider?" Nekx wondered.
"Yes," Jake said, nodding slowly. "He may not be a Na'vi physically, but he is definitely one at heart."
"It is still dangerous for him to be here," Nekx pointed out seriously. He suppressed a yawn and smacked his lips. "You know humans could attack this village and take him captive."
"I understand the risks, but it does not matter," Jake snapped, glaring at him. "Neytiri and I tried to convince Spider to go stay at High Camp until the tensions between our clans subsided. He refused. We respect his wishes."
"It is going to stay that way," a female voice said.
Nekx and Jake looked over their shoulders to say Neytiri and Lo'ak standing in the doorway. Lo'ak wore a backpack on his back. He carried a red ball under his arm. His mother had her arms crossed. She narrowed her eyes at Nekx, who scoffed.
"Don't you know it is rude to peek in on other's people conversations?" Nekx asked irritatingly.
"That is rude, but I was not peeking in. I was told Jake was checking your bandage here, so I came to see how he was doing. I heard you two talking," Neytiri explained in a low but firm voice.
Lo'ak smirked. "Maybe you should not talk so loud. Then people wouldn't chime in their thoughts."
"Nice advice, freak," Nekx mumbled sarcastically.
"I heard that!" Lo'ak snapped angrily.
"What did Tonowari tell you?" Jake asked while glaring at him.
Nekx huffed as he turned to him. "He told me not to call you freaks, but he is not here right now. You and your kids will always be that, no matter how many times you claim to be Na'vi."
Jake pointed his finger at him. "I am telling you this right now. You will not call my kids freaks anymore. If I find out that you have, I will tie your tail in a knot. You got that?"
Nekx growled softly and nodded slowly. Jake sighed heavily and shook his head in disbelief. Lo'ak tightened his grip on the ball. He looked over his shoulder at the sky. He shifted his attention to his father. He shifted his weight from one foot to the next.
"Dad, Tsireya and I are heading out to see Payakan right now," Lo'ak announced in joy.
"Okay. Have fun," Jake replied warmly.
Neytiri snorted as she eyed him closely. "Be very careful, son. You've been lucky not to be attacked by Green Spears so far, but that may change at some point."
"I know, Mom. I have not forgotten," Lo'ak groaned annoyingly.
"I am your mother. It's my job to worry about you," Neytiri replied with a raised eye ridge.
Jake looked at him. "It's my job as your father to worry about you too. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times. Do not do anything stupid."
Lo'ak made a funny noise. "You two are too much sometimes. I will see you later."
Lo'ak turned around and walked off. Jake and Neytiri watched until he was gone. They listened to him sing nonsense. They laughed to themselves. Nekx scoffed in irritation. This caused Jake and Neytiri to look at him. He narrowed his eyes at them.
"You are actually letting your son go see Payakan?" Nekx asked in great disbelief.
"Yes," Jake admitted without a hint of regret.
"Payakan is a killer! He went against the tulkun way! He caused the deaths of many Na'vi! No one should be associating with him!" Nekx snapped in much ferocity.
"You don't know Payakan at all, Nekx. There is a reason those deaths happened. Payakan saved Lo'ak's life from an akula after he got the idea of him, Aonung, and other young boys to go hunting beyond the reef. Lo'ak bonded with him and learned his mother was killed in front of him by the RDA. Payakan rallied tulkuns and their spirit siblings in hopes of stopping them. They were outmatched by them. They were all killed as a result. Payakan bears the deaths by the tulkun way, but he did not kill them," Jake explained sternly.
"Lo'ak told this to Tonowari and Ronal. He pointed out how Payakan secured victory for their army by attacking the SeaDragon. They realized he was right and welcomed Payakan back into their community. They told the rest of the clan. They let their spirit brothers and sisters know. The pod welcomed him back," Neytiri added.
"That does not change the fact what Payakan did was deadly. The tulkuns and Na'vi who died can never be brought back," Nekx said, flaring his nostrils.
"We know," Jake retorted. "We will never hold what happened against Payakan. He does not deserve it."
"You need to respect our son's friendship with him," Neytiri growled fiercely. She balled her hand into a tight fist. "They are willing to protect each other with their lives."
Nekx let out a quiet yet irritated huff. Jake looked at the areas around the bandage in a close way. He turned to the veteran, who snorted and twitched his ears. He rubbed the back of his neck before scratching both of his legs. He emitted a quiet exhale.
"There is no sign of blood or infection. The bandage appears to have not moved at all," Jake commented in a calm voice.
"I guess I can jump for joy like humans say," Nekx retorted, sarcasm lining his voice.
"You could, but I would not recommend it," Jake said in a serious voice. "I saw infection set in many wounds quickly. The marines got really sick. They were given penicillin to counteract their illness."
"Penicillin?" Nekx asked in confusion.
"It is medicine that is used to fight bacterial infections, especially those that cause blood poisoning," Neytiri pointed out. "It can be taken by mouth or injected into the bloodstream."
Jake scratched his neck. "Several Omaticaya and Metkayina took it for illnesses when their medicine did not help."
"You are willing to give it to my people if they get sick?" Nekx wondered while perking up his ears.
"Of course," Jake admitted with a slow nod. "I have to warn you that it could cause a bad reaction because no Green Spear has taken it yet. There has been no need to."
"That will likely change," Neytiri added. "I have a feeling it will happen sooner than we think."
Nekx exhaled. "As the daughter of a former tsahik, it is natural you would have such a feeling."
"It is not easy having such a title," Neytiri pointed out.
Jake rubbed his nose. "Life was never meant to be easy. It is full of risks. You will never get far if you are not willing to take them."
Nekx looked down at the floor. Jake proceeded to straighten his bandage while pressing his lips together.
"I have to admit that Tonowari did a fine job of tending to my wound last night. I never thought an olo'eytkan would do such a thing," Nekx whispered.
"Sometimes, all hands on deck are required. That means we need every bit of help we can get. We are working as a team to save the lives of the wounded," Jake explained.
"When we work together, so many things can be accomplished," Neytiri added softly. "We must never lose sight of that."
"Hmm," Nekx murmured and suppressed a yawn. He bit his lip as Jake pulled a part of the bandage down.