Author's Note: Finally, an update that isn't at 3 am. Watch it not be as good as any of the others. Or the other chapter, I guess. Anyway, I'm happy to see that people are willing to give this story a chance, so I appreciate it. I do hope that this chapter isn't too confusing. I hope you all enjoy!

There is a moment of stunned silence as the Metkayina take the next few seconds to absorb what the young girl just said. Tonowari sucks in a few deep breaths, wondering if Eywa really has reached down and offered this boon so unceremoniously. No one will catch him complaining one bit, though. It felt like gift from Eywa to get someone who was part of Toruk Makto's clan in the first place, but his own daughter?

Tonowari tries hard to summon the faint memory from all those years ago. Jake Sully, of his memories, was similar to most forest Na'vi he had ever seen. The dark shade of blue, the lighter markings, tall with a trim waist. His shoulders were a touch broader than average and his features softer. He had hair over his eyes that were extremely expressive and when he talked with his hands, he had five fingers on both hands. But aside from small changes, if Tonowari hadn't already known from the man himself what he was, he wouldn't have automatically guessed.

Jake had been commanding, passionate, assured. He had been strong and charismatic, convincing Tonowari and his people to stand guard in case of water forces from bases that he knew of that might send some reinforcements to stave off the attack from the forest Na'vi. His people saw some action, alongside the other clans that agreed to follow Toruk Makto, but nothing like what the forest clans of Na'vi saw.

When the war was over, Toruk Makto circled through the allied clans one final time to thank them all for their support and left them with that seldom hand of mercy. Should any of the clans be in need of his assistance, they need only ask. Tonowari thought that the Sky People were gone, he wasn't sure if he was ever going to need the help of Toruk Makto, and even though it wasn't side-by-side, his clan will always remember that they fought alongside one such mighty warrior.

How foolish he had been. Jake Sully must have known. That was why he offered his assistance. He knew one day, maybe not with certainty of when, but he knew that one day the Sky People would return, and people would need his help.

Their brief interactions were pleasant, and he was only a few short years younger than Tonowari himself, and yet the older of the two admired him. He was strong and fearless, compassionate and kind. And without a shadow of a doubt, Tonowari knew that he would be an amazing Olo'eykton. And from what he had heard from meetings with clan leaders that had some connections to the forest Na'vi, as far as anyone knew, Toruk Makto's clan was thriving under his care.

Tonowari's eyes lower to the little girl's hand, noting the typical Na'vi four fingers. She must have gotten that from her mother. Toruk Makto must have mated with a Na'vi, because from where he's knelt down, she looks like any other Na'vi from the forest that he's ever seen. If she got any Sky People traits from her father, then they aren't obvious to Tonowari.

But if what she's saying is true, then Eywa is looking out for them. His family desperately needed this.

"You are the daughter of Toruk Makto?" Tsireya asks surprised while her father was working his way through his thoughts.

"Yes," the little girl says, her eyes cresting with her smile. "My name is Tuk." She reaches up to a brightly colored bead that is hanging right in front of her right eye, distinctly different from the other ones that hang from her other braids. But it's getting too dark to be able to tell what color it is aside from being lighter than the rest. "The one bead means I'm the baby."

With a little wave, she gestures for them to follow her deeper into the thicket, already seemingly knowing the way that they needed to go. The relief of the other present Na'vi is palpable. At least someone knew where they were going. The Metkayina gather themselves quickly and follow after.

After brief introductions from the Metkayina, to which she keeps looking back to put a name to a face before focusing on where she's going, Tsireya comes closer to ask, "Is it the bead color or something? Is there a hierarchy in the Omatikaya amongst the Olo'eykton's children?"

Tuk shakes her head, golden eyes scanning the forest around them, contemplating something before heading down to the right side, following a path of glowing mushrooms. "Omatikaya don't usually have a lot of children. Usually, one or two. Dad has four children. This is his way of making sure everyone knows that we are all his children. Dad worries about a lot of things. He just wants people to remember that there is a lot of us. And the beads are really pretty." She laughs, her gait taking a bit of a skip, tail whooshing behind her.

How she isn't worried being in this forest after just witnessing the Metkayina get attacked, Tsireya will never know. But maybe it comes with having lived her whole life in this forest. It's part of her. It's in her blood. Like the ocean is still a part of Tsireya. A big one.

"Is it the color that signifies that?" Rotxo asks, holding his brother's hand with his mom on the other side, both anxious with him being unguarded.

"That and the number. I have one as the baby. Then Lo'ak, then Kiri and then Neteyam." She reaches a hand up to twist at the bread and the braid that it's attached to. Her golden scanning the forest, searching for something.

A dark shadow falls down in front of Tuk, making the Metakyina jump. The warriors ready their weapons for more of these... viperwolves to spring forth from the shadows to fight them only for the form to straighten up, taller than the wolves. And a very familiar shape. One they have become more accustomed to in recent days than they had in their entire history. Even that of almost two decades ago.

A Sky Person straightens, a breathing mask in place, naked save for a loin cloth, bicep bands on both arms, a simple choker, gloves that show off the tips of his five fingers and a bag with a long strap across his chest. In the fading light, there is blue markings along his tan skin, very unlike the Na'vi's color. Both reef and forest Na'vi.

The rage that passes through the group is halted in an instant as the child of Jake Sully, young Tuk, squeals in excitement and bounces up into the Sky Person's arms, hugging him tightly. He hugs her back tightly before pulling back enough to look down slightly into her eyes. Despite being so young, she almost stands to his height. He grips her arms, studying her face.

"Are you alright, Tuk?" he asks, his Na'vi impeccable. Just like a native speaker.

Tonowari, cautiously, waves for his family to lower their arms. If the young girl is this close to the Sky Person, then he must not be an enemy, and despite the bile burning the back of his throat, if this young man s somehow an ally of the Sully children - at least the youngest - he doesn't want to run the risk of him meaning anything to Jake Sully and ruining their families' chances of uturu being honored by the mighty warrior.

When the warriors of his family don't immediately comply, he bares his teeth in a flash fast enough to be gone in a moment but long enough to get his point across. They carefully lower their weapons, Ronal being the last to obey, staring holes through the young man who was now staring at them with an unreadable expression on his face. Eywa, he best not say anything to Jake.

Tonowari isn't sure he can handle this. The stress will kill him young at this rate. Or, well, sooner rather than later.

"I'm okay. I found some people who need our help, Spider," Tuk says, finally turning around to face the other Na'vi. "Where is Lo'ak?"

"Probably having an aneurism looking for you," Spider grumbles, eyes still locked on the strange Na'vi. His eyes showing he saw the act, but he doesn't outwardly react aside to keep his eyes on them, as if weary. "You were supposed to stay close and up in the trees, Tuk. You know how dangerous it is for us to be on the forest floor, especially with this storm coming. We've got to go."

"They need our help, Spider," Tuk says, staring up at her with large golden eyes. "We need to bring them home."

Spider's face hardens as he says, "You know your dad's rule, Tuk. Strangers can't go to First Base. Not in the time of war." And Tonowari feels validated in his worry about this Sky Person's connection to Jake Sully. If he's enforcing Toruk Makto's law, then he has to have some kind of connection. And he's acting as some form of authority figure by the way the young girl wilts at his words.

"Can't we just ask?" Tuk asks, pleadingly.

"I don't know, Tuk. Your father was very clear. But, then again, I'm not the one to make that call. Your best bet is Neteyam."

Neteyam, Tonowari recalls. That is the oldest child. Toruk Makto's heir. Either his future Tsahik or his future Olo'eykton. The name of Neteyam isn't easy to decipher. It is enough both masculine and feminine that it's hard to tell. But whoever they are, according to this Sky Person, they are Tonowari's best chance to get his family out of here as safely as possible.

Tuk looks down at her feet. "Yeah, okay. But dad will help, yeah? They seek uturu."

The Sky Person, Spider, has a confused look flicker across his face. "What does that mean?"

"It means that they seek sanctuary," Tuk says, smiling briefly, pleased to know something that the older boy didn't know. Spider makes a contemplative look at that before offering a little nod.

"Okay, well, then he probably will help, but we still need to talk to Neteyam. But first, Lo'ak."

Tuk nods in agreement before turning to look over at the reef people. She waves her hand for them to continue following her. "Come on! Let's go get Lo'ak!" With that she turns toward the nearest tree, she makes to climb it, scrambling about ten feet up with practiced ease before Spider calls for her to stop. She hesitates, looking down at them in confusion. "What?"

Spider is staring at them, taking in their apprehensive looks up at the massive trees and between each other.

"You aren't forest Na'vi," Spider observes. "Are you good climbers at least?" Tuk's ears flicker as she slowly lowers back to the forest floor.

"Probably not..." Tsireya admits when his question is met with silence. She offers a thin smile when his eyes turned toward her, he hesitates for a split second before offering a thin smile of his own, seemingly appreciative of her trying to appear friendly. "We are reef people. Our lives are the ocean. Forests, trees, are... not really our forte." She rubs at her arm at the intense look that the two give them.

"Okay," Spider says after a long beat of silence. "Plan b is going to have to be to stay on the floor. Lo'ak can't be too far from here. He'll find us. Until then... um," he considers, looking around. We should find somewhere to try and hole up. With that storm coming, who knows what we're going to have to do. We should try to find some shelter. Hopefully the storm won't last too long." His words sounded hopeful, but his face was twisted in disbelief. He couldn't even believe in his own words. This storm looks like it's still a while off, but it'll be on them within a few hours. The rain smell in the air is thickening more as time passes.

Tuk nods. "Okay."

Tuk and Spider take the lead, once more heading down the path that she originally was taking. After a minute or two, with the Metkayina following in a more somber silence, Spider directs them slightly off course, without more than a little nudge to Tuk. Still no words spoken from those following after them. Whether that was because of the arrival of the Sky Person, or because it sounds like things are going to get harder before they get easier, no one person knows. But no one tries to break it.

After a few minutes of silence, as Spider and Tuk effortlessly hope over protruding branches and small creeks, the Metkayina seem to trudge through just about everything that could make noise. It became blatantly obviously after the first twenty times both Tuk and Spider glanced back at them, and then after that got old, they just kept flinching at every noise. Despite the din of the forest, somehow each step every one of them took felt louder than the last.

Sheepishly, Tsireya and Tsuy'asha keep glancing at one another, also flinching. Okay, maybe Tsireya's sure how those viperwolves found them now. With Tuk and Spider continuously flinching, they have got to be louder than they think. Tsireya isn't blind enough to pretend that she doesn't see how Spider wraps his hand around Tuk's wrist, as if to pull her from danger. They are being too loud, she sees that now. But she's moving as slowly as she dares and as quietly as she can, but every sound feels like it's amplified.

There is a moment, something imperceptible happens. Tsireya has no idea what it is, but it forces both Tuk and Spider to freeze. She catches Tuk's little ears swiveling around, as if trying to pick up a sound before a figure materializes on the raised root in front of them. The figure clearly Na'vi. Tonowari's grip on his weapon is near bruising at this point. The second person to sneak up on them in such a short amount of silence.

The forest is an entirely different beast than the ocean. His inadequacies are really showing.

A beat of pause, before Tuk pulls from Spider to launch into the arms of the young Na'vi standing there. "Lo'ak! There you are! We were looking for you!" Tuk says, excited. She pulls back enough to beam up at her older brother. The bow he had in his hands moved onto his back, comfortably.

Thankfully, this young man is much closer to Tonowari's own children's ages. Probably Tsireya's. Which means the other children are even older. Which is even better. Hopefully this Neteyam is already an adult, or at least close enough to really be able to help them. Although, honestly, Tonowari is surprised that two of Jake Sully's children are wandering around the forest floor, in the growing dark. But then again, Spider made it seem like they were supposed to keep to the trees, but they had to refrain because of Tonowari and his people.

Which once more, doesn't bode well. Hopefully they have a plan for how to get into contact with this Neteyam.

"You were looking for me?" The young Na'vi asks incredulously, eyes narrowing down at the young girl. "Dad is going to skin both of us. And that's assuming any of us make it out of this forest before the beasts get us." That's not a comforting thought from their escorts.

"And your dad is able to outrun your mom," Spider not-so-helpfully points out. Both siblings' wince at that.

"Kiri is probably done with grandma by now," Tuk points out, glancing wearily up at her brother. "Her and Neteyam are probably looking for us."

Lo'ak's face scrunches up. "It's getting dark. Kiri will probably assume we aren't stupid enough to be on the forest floor after dark and will come for us in the morning."

Everyone settles into the silence as they all look around at where exactly they are. Spider and Lo'ak both share a look as Spider says, "Well, Kiri has been wrong before, I guess."

Lo'ak groans before turning to look at the other Na'vi, his face twisted in confusion for a moment before his head tilts. His eyes find Tsireya and she flashes him a kind and relieved smile that makes him dip his head away immediately, staring at his feet before tilting his head toward his sister. "Friends of yours, Tuk?"

Tuk nods, smiling. "Yeah, I heard them stampeding through the forest." The Metkayina all collectively flinch at that. Such innocent words from a sweet little girl that cuts deeper than a skimwing's bite. "They're here to see dad."

"A foreign clan?" the boy says, dropping down from the root, holding Tuk's hand to help her down without really looking at her. He steps closer, revealing more youthful features than Tonowari had immediately assumed. He still probably around Tsireya's age but Tonowari immediately sees the traits he could pin to Jake in his son. The hair above his eyes and when he raised his hand to push some of the braids from his face, his hand had five fingers.

He clocks Tonowari's eyes following his hand and he immediately drops the limb, lips pressing together in discomfort. Ashamed, Tonowari bows his head a bit in apology, not having intended to embarrass the boy. He's obviously self-conscious.

He seems to accept Tonowari's nod of apology with a small tilt of his own head before asking, "Are you early or late? My dad doesn't tend to miss meetings."

"No meeting," Tonowari says, asserting himself as the leader of the group. The boy twists his body more toward the older man, respectfully. "We came to see if your father would be able to help us."

"They seek uturu, Lo'ak!" Tuk cuts in, tugging on her brother's arm.

Lo'ak glances down at his sister, the hair between his eyes pulling together with the skin. "Uturu?" He echoes, contemplatively.

"It means that they seek sanctuary," Tuk explains, smiling pleased once more.

Lo'ak gives her a withering look. "I know what uturu means, Tuk. They aren't the first to join the clan, and they probably won't be the last," he says, sighing a bit. Despite his obvious discomfort with the words, it fills Tonowari with hope. If others have come to Toruk Makto's clan, the Omatikaya seeking uturu, then the chances of them being accepted as well goes through to the stars.

And for the first time in what feels like weeks, Tonowari lets out a little breath, his shoulders slumping a bit.

"They aren't climbers, Lo'ak," Spider cuts in. "We need to find somewhere safe to get out of the storm until it passes."

Lo'ak lets loose a little sigh. "It's still kind of far off," he says, glancing up at the sky but Tonowari can't make out anything from the branches of the trees around them. The space around them is almost completely black now with the forest now lightening up with its own natural bioluminescence. The freckles down the Na'vi bodies all light up. The gold of both Lo'ak's and Tuk's eyes are almost glowing like stars in the darkness. No doubt something that the forest Na'vi evolved to use to survive the forest. It probably offers them better sight in the dark.

Something that neither Tonowari, his clan, or Spider, seems to have possessed.

"Come on," Lo'ak motions for them to follow. "We might be able to scale one of the trees that climb at an incline. It's more taxing and will take more time, but hopefully it'll get us off the forest floor. Unfortunately, we are kind of far from the one that I'm thinking of. Hopefully most of the predators will keep in their burrows, figuring most of the prey will be hiding from the storm."

Seems logical, but Lo'ak's lips press together as if unsure of his own words. Tonowari grips his spear tighter, turning sharp eyes to Ronal, who nods, followed by Tsuy'asha and Zestira. They aren't out of the danger, yet. Thankfully, Lo'ak didn't seem to mind them tagging along.

Securing a hold on Tuk's hand and with a nod to the Metkayina, he says an easy, "Follow me," before making his way back over the large root and toward the way he came from. They travel for a while as Tonowari tells him about how they fled from their home in the ocean and came seeking the assistance of Toruk Makto, who he only really saw that one time. Twice, when asked to help, and when they were thanked, but both interactions were so quick that they blurred together into one.

Lo'ak listens quietly for a long time, hand messing with one of the braids in front of his face with two distinctly lighter colored beads, when Tonowari mentioned his father. Spider traveled alongside the siblings without trouble while the three of them had to keep slowing down as the Metkayina kept slowing down. Days of travel without proper rest, and the fight that they just went through, coupled with aches and pains that they have been carrying and growing upon since the battle, wearing them down quickly. But no one spoke in protest, following diligently.

Lo'ak kept pulling Tuk to a stop to stare back at them, face twisting in worry, for them or the pace that they keep, Tonowari isn't sure, but he didn't voice his thoughts. He would just wait to give them time to catch up before continuing. Like before, the siblings and Spider kept their shoulders to their ears as the Metkayina followed after, no doubt somehow louder than before - probably as exhaustion keeps wearing down on them.

"See?" Tonowari heard Tuk say softly. "A stampede."

Lo'ak clicks his tongue, casting her a look before shaking his head and continuing without a word.

After about an hour of travel deeper into the forest, Lo'ak lead them to a small clearing, about twenty to twenty-five feet all around, giving them the chance to rest. Rhalwari and her father both drop to the ground, exhausted. Her youngest son falling into her arms, resting with his head on her shoulder. Ao'nung and Rotxo take a kneel while Tsireya sits between them, hunching over and letting out a big sigh. Tsuy'asha and Zestira both circle the perimeter, keeping their eyes open on one half of the opening while Ronal and Tonowari circle the other half.

When both sides come together, neither catching sight of anything dangerous - at the moment. They take the chance to sit and try to regather their strength. Tonowri eyes Ronal wearily. She doesn't even look at him despite no doubt feeling his eyes on her. She places her hand on the small swell of her stomach but says nothing, her face as clear and stoic as always. Despite the smudges and cuts that litter her body, she looks fierce and powerful. As if this forest could be conquered by her will alone. Tonowari would believe it.

He leans down and nuzzles into her hair and her even expression slips slightly as a small smile crosses her lips before falling stoic once more, concentrating on relaxing while they can. Tonowari catches Lo'ak staring at them, a frown on his young face, staring at Ronal's stomach, realizing that she was pregnant. His face twists in concern before he ducks from Tonowari's gaze.

"I'm going up. I'll see if I can see anything while we have time," Lo'ak says to Spider instead. "Stay here with Tuk. I'll be back."

"Sure thing, bro."

Tuk and Spider both sit down by a massive fallen branch, leaning their backs against it. Spider puts his arm around Tuk and she leans into him, her eyes drooping closed. For a moment, Tonowari forgot how young she was. She must be just as tired as the rest of them. Shame pulls at Tonowari's gut. They could be safe - Tuk, Lo'ak and even Spider - if they climbed up into the trees, but they didn't because Tonowari and his people needed them.

Lo'ak may be the one that looks like his father, but they were both no doubt his children. Their integrity and sense of character leaves Tonowari a bit impressed that two so young, would be so... good. So kind. To strangers in the middle of war. To some, it might be seen as foolish, or a weakness. But to Tonowari, it is a blessing from Eywa. They desperately needed these children to come along. And Tonowari will make sure they realize how much he appreciates this. No matter what.

Lo'ak's accent up into the tree was near silent, but his descent was a lot louder, more brash and suddenly, like sliding down the trunk as fast as he could while at least trying to be quiet. When his feet hit the ground, the entire forest around them went deathly silent. So silent that terror fired through Tonowari's system as his ears began to ring, preventing him from hearing anything aside from his own blood pumping in his veins. He forces his heart to slow down enough for him to focus on the space around them. A hunter is among them.

Lo'ak hunches, ears swiveling, his posture low and defensive. As the warriors climb to their feet, the first to react, Lo'ak sends them a withering look, teeth bared. They all freeze as his eyes flicker around the space, locking onto bushes that obscure a portion of the giant branch Tuk and Spider are leaning against and nodding toward them. The order clear.

All of the Metkayina, while keeping low, including Spider and Tuk move as quickly and quietly as they can into the bushes as Lo'ak gathers an armful of rocks, tossing them in the direction away from them, sporadically before ducking into the bush and pressing himself against Tuk to shield her from whatever was coming. His hand resting on Spider's knee to keep him in place as they all suck in their breath.

Silence.

One moment.

Two.

Three.

Fou-

Thump!

Everyone tenses as something lands right over Rotxo's and Ao'nung's heads. Everyone tenses up and both boys sink lower into the dark as if to avoid whatever was right above them.

The silence is deafening for the baited seconds that follow before a low rumble starts. Tonowari would have though it was thunder in the distance had the fallen branch at their back not start to shake with the sound.

The youngest of the squeaks in terror and Rhalwari grips her son as tight to her as she can, face leached of all color, horror trembling her frame as she strains her hearing for the beast, praying it didn't hear her child.

The rumble stops and this gut-wrenching silence follows. Tonowari's grip on his speak is beyond painful as he tries to locate the beast. Did it move? Is it still above his son and ward? What even was it? Whatever it was, it was no viperwolf. It was enough to scare Lo'ak into practically falling out of the tree to try and give them enough time hide at his own bodily risk.

The space above Ao'nung creaks, and he sinks a little lower, eyes wide as something snarls. There is a cracking sound as the giant branch they are leaning at, buckles slightly under the weight of whatever the beast was. It growls low, a deep thunderous sound in the deathly silence. A distinct crack and huff as the beast jumps into the clearing, its landing near silent.

Through the bushes, Tonowari can somewhat make out six limbs. The two further back more like paws, while the front four a closer to hands with slightly more distended fingers. Excellent for grabbing. And climbing.

It's at that moment that it starts to sprinkle, turning the creature's dark skin an inkier hue. The feeling doesn't seem to both it as it sweeps its massive head back and forth, huffing loudly, drinking in their smell, trying to locate them.

Tonowari wills his pounding heart to slow. Whatever this beast was, it was very dangerous. Especially when he saw Tuk's entire body go rigid at the sight of it. Tears of terror sliding down her cheeks.

It drinks in the air more, the fans around its face spreading wide as it hisses, tail long and flat, like their own, making Tonowari suspect that amongst its other obviously impressive feats, it might be able to swim too. Which isn't good. Mostly the beasts of the sea have their teeth to combat with. Not teeth and claws. And certainly not four or five inches in length like those front four sets of claws.

The rain picks up as the beast swings its head around, losing their scent in the rain. Another blessing from Eywa.

The beast, as if irritated at losing its prey, starts stalking back and forth across the open area, eyes tracking the darkness around it. It snarls and huffs, massive paws sinking and slapping against the mud beneath it. Its vibrantly glowing yellow eyes find the log it jumped over, skimming around it, thankfully unseeing, before it stops. It twists back toward the log, head cocked slightly.

Massive tail lashes behind it as the tense, powerful muscles of its body coil and before any of them can even react, it's leaping at the branch, massive claws vanishing into the bushes, paws braking through the branches, making two massive holes in it. Momentarily stuck, the beast tries desperately to pull its legs out while the target of it attack scrambles out from under it.

Rhalwari, practically tossing her child into Roxto's arms in the beasts madness to free itself as she makes to run, trying to draw it away from her child. That long, thick tail drops low and sweeps behind itself, catching Rhalwari's legs and with a sickening crack, she lands into the mud, chocking and sputtering as it fills her mouth. She barely feels the fire in her veins from the pain in her leg as she tries to scoot away, having rolled onto her back.

The beast pulls its paws free of the branch and makes its way toward her, snapping its jaw and licking its teeth. Panic freezes them for a single moment before Tonowari pushes to go help as Rhalwari screams in terror, not putting enough distance between herself and the advancing beast. Zestira, Tsuy'asha and Ronal move to stand while Rotxo struggles with his crying brother, but a shadow zips out of the trees behind Rhalwari, spinning in the air as a bow cracks against the side of the beast's head, throwing it to the ground in its shock.

The beast cries out in pain, struggling it its feet, disoriented as the figure lands over Rhalwari. One foot next to her right leg, the other back by beyond her head as the form kneels over her, crouching defensively to protect her body with their own.

Tuk lets out a sob of relief. "Neteyam!"

A boy with four distinctly lighter beads hanging from a single braid stands over Rhalwari, face smooth in concentration, staring down the beast before him. The beast finally clammers to its feet, shaking its massive head before snarling at the young man, about Ao'nung's age, tensing its massive body for another strike. The beast roars, making Rhalwari cry out, still crawling away as best as she can, but the boy doesn't break eye contact with the beast, keeping its focus on him. He slowly, carefully, straightens up and moves opposite of Rhalwari.

The beast turns its head, following the boy as it takes a threatening snap at him. He steps back to avoid the strike but otherwise keeps his posture strong and alert, offering the beast his smallest profile, thin tail lashing behind him.

In the heat of the moment, Tsuy'asha, careful to keep as great of a distance as possible from the beast, makes his way to Rhalwari, gathering her in his arms and moving back towards the other for safety. Ronal immediately going over to take a look at the damage, trying not to waste any precious seconds. Neteyam's bright golden eyes don't stray from the beast.

The beast snarls at him again, taking another swipe with massive claws, closer this time. Neteyam has to duck low to avoid it before scrambling backward to put more distance between them. His golden eyes bright and focused.

Once Rhalwari is out of immediately danger, Neteyam shifts his entire body toward the beast. Noticing the change in demeanor, the beast snarls again, hind legs shifting its weight back and forth, tail slicing through the air. For a moment of baited silence, off in the distance, a rumble. Like releasing a great river, the two hunters, a beast of the night and the eldest son of Toruk Makto, charge at one another.