Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter thirty-six of 'Gone in the Dark.' This chapter has a little bit of Tonowari/Ronal and Aonung/OC. The Cove of the Ancestors makes its first appearance. This is the first time I have ever done a funeral scene for any fic. It was not easy for me to do. However, I felt it was important for me to do Rishi's funeral. She deserved to be bid farewell, especially since she bravely fought off Rotxo's attacker and gave her life for him. Lo'ak/Tsireya smut is coming very soon. Stay tuned for chapter thirty-seven.
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Chapter 36: Funeral for Rishi/Feeling Uncertain
Jake wiped the area where Rishi had been stabbed with a rag while knelt next to her in a marui in the early evening. It had been stitched up earlier. Mo'at ran a rag across her forehead. She whispered inaudible words. He sniffled, causing her to look at him. She pressed her lips together, her ears going back and her tail swinging from side to side.
"I never thought I would be helping bury Rishi, Mo'at. I always thought her parents would do it," he said.
"But they're not here. You volunteered to do this," she said.
"I know," Jake admitted and wiped tears from his eyes. "She was just a kid. She didn't deserve this."
"None of the kids deserved to be attacked by those Green Spears," Mo'at whispered in much sympathy. "They were in the wrong place at the wrong time."
"Who would've thought an afternoon of fun would turn into one of tragedy?" Jake asked, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Lo'ak's quick reaction kept him and the other kids from getting killed at the beginning of the pursuit," Mo'at pointed out truthfully.
"He reminds me so much of myself in my younger days. I had to react quickly a lot during my time as a marine. Sometimes, it was not enough to prevent anyone from getting killed," Jake commented, his hand curling into a fist.
"It was not enough to prevent you from being paralyzed," Mo'at added.
"That is true," Jake agreed. "I got my legs back, though it was not exactly the way I thought I would."
Just then, Lo'ak came into the marui with a soft exhale. This caused his father and grandmother to look at him.
"Are you and Grandma almost done yet, Dad?" Lo'ak wondered.
"We are, son," Jake admitted.
Lo'ak sniffled. "Rishi looks so peaceful."
"Yes, she does," Mo'at said, turning to the girl.
"She looks like she will wake up any minute and run around," Lo'ak said, a sob rising in his throat.
Jake looked down. "Unfortunately, she won't ever do that again, except within Eywa."
Lo'ak felt tears come to his eyes. He wiped them away, but that did not stop more from forming and falling down his cheeks.
"I will leave you two alone to finish," Lo'ak commented.
"Okay, son," Jake said with a nod. He and Mo'at watched him leave and looked at each other. "It will take him a good while to get over this."
"He's not the only one. Aonung, Tsireya, Kiri, and Riri won't get over it for just as long a while," Mo'at pointed out.
"I know. Anyway, let's get the cleaning of her body finished," Jake suggested and sighed softly. He and his mother-in-law resumed cleaning Rishi's body.
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A banshee flew through the sky above the beach thirty minutes later. It flapped its wings three times. It went past Polyphemus. It spotted the Cove of the Ancestors. It could see the majority of the Metkayina gathered in the shallow water in which it came up to their knees or near their waists. Many held bright-burning torches. Several Green Spears were there as well. It spotted a large floating rock near the shoreline. It went downward, landing and folding its wings.
Tonowari and Ronal stood at the front. The former shed a tear as the latter leaned against a staff Mo'at had given her. It twisted around its entire frame. The top had a flying phoenix carved into it. It was decorated with feathers. She looked over at Nekx and Eli. Nekx held Kiki, as did Eli with Kipling. The toddlers had their arms around the men's necks. They had tears in their eyes. They started crying.
"Shh. It's okay, Kiki," Nekx whispered soothingly while rubbing the girl's shoulder.
"I know it is upsetting, Kipling," Eli added and patted the boy's back. "Nobody wants to be here, but it is essential that we are."
Nekx glanced over at Norm, who had his hands on Kiri's shoulders as she stood in front of him. He could see Spider, Maureen, Rotxo, Aonung, and Riri standing near her. Aonung had his arm around Riri, who sniffled and felt tears fall down her cheeks. Some merged with each other. She wiped them away, only for more to come. He hugged her tightly as she cried in a quiet manner. He closed his eyes, a tear falling down his cheek. Rotxo sniffled and squeezed his eyes shut. He started sobbing quietly.
Nekx looked toward the edge of the crowd to see Jake on June, who was swimming toward deeper water. Rishi's body lay on a stretcher attached to her. She was tied up in a fetal position. She had flowers surrounding her and all over her. Lo'ak and Mo'at were on either side of her in the water. They had their hands on the stretcher. Tsireya and Tuktiery sat on Meena. Meena lifted her head as she followed June close behind.
"Salana-ayun-iaisis," Tonowari whispered in a gentle way.
"Salana-ayun-iaisis," Ronal added and choked back a sob.
"May Eywa always hold Rishi in her heart," Tonowari declared and slipped his arm around his mate.
"Nothing will ever be lost," Ronal added and laid her hand over her heart. "Never."
Kiri shuddered before letting out a soft cry. Spider looked over at her and took her hand into his. He gave it a gentle squeeze. She eyed him, her breathing becoming shudders.
"Thank you," Kiri said softly.
"You're welcome," Spider said with a nod. He shifted his attention to the water and emitted a surprised gasp. "Kiri, look at that."
She raised her eyebrows. "What?"
Kiri looked toward the water to see Payakan and La surfacing. She put her hand over her mouth with a shocked gasp. Aonung, Riri, and Rotxo spotted them, as did Norm and Maureen. They felt their eyes become as wide as saucers.
"Payakan and La came to Rishi's funeral," Kiri murmured and moved her hand to her throat.
"They wanted to pay their respects to her," Maureen commented and swallowed hard. She felt her heart skip a few beats. "They see her as a hero for protecting Rotxo."
"We all do, Maureen," Norm said honestly.
Rotxo laid his hand over his heart. "I will always remember her bravery."
"Me too," Aonung agreed.
"Me three," Riri added and touched his chest.
Norm exhaled. "Don't forget the rest of us."
Kiri breathed deeply and looked up slightly. She placed her hand at her side and pressed her lips together.
"Abu eh…abu eh id ma. Stria arlia ajam. Toddo no rabam," Kiri sang beautifully. "Naim na em na. Em do."
"Abu eh…abu eh id ma. Stria arlia ajam," Spider added. "Toddo no rabam. Naim na em na."
"Travial em donia. Ravel a da," Spider and Kiri continued. "Em de et jadde. Nam nah em."
Ronal looked toward Spider and Kiri as they began to repeat Burial. She appeared to be very impressed with their singing voices. She had never heard this song sung at any funeral in the three years the Sullys had lived with the Metkayina. She wondered what made them sing it tonight. She believed they had done it during several funerals with the Omaticaya. She returned her attention to the water.
Payakan and La lifted their heads as June and Meena came to a stop over the golden tendrils. Jake disconnected from June, as did Tsireya from Meena. They and Tuktiery got off the ilus. They headed over to Rishi. Payakan and La came toward them. Jake grabbed the young woman's legs and moved her off the stretcher. Mo'at touched her left shoulder. Lo'ak went to his grandmother's side and took the right shoulder. The tulkuns stopped before the group.
"Goodbye, Rishi," Payakan squeaked and nudged Rishi very gently.
"You will always be in our hearts," La added and gave her an even gentler nudge.
Lo'ak reached over and petted Payakan on the nose. Tsireya and Tuktiery approached La and gave her hugs. Lo'ak glanced at his father, a shuddering cry coming from him.
"You ready?" Jake asked.
"As ready as I'll ever be," Lo'ak admitted, tears falling from his eyes.
Mo'at motioned with her head. "Let's go."
Jake, Lo'ak, and Mo'at inhaled deeply and headed underwater. They swam downward as they pushed Rishi toward the tendrils. Tsireya glanced at La, who spouted air from her blowhole.
"You ready, sister?" La asked.
"Yes," Tsireya agreed and touched two fingers to her chest.
La lifted her head. "Come on."
Tuktiery sniffled. "Okay."
Payakan and La slipped a few inches beneath the surface. Tsireya and Tuktiery floated on it while looking down. They held hands, their ears perking up at the sound of the tulkuns clicking mournfully. Jake, Mo'at, and Lo'ak stopped close to the tendrils. They released their hold on Rishi. She moved downward at a steady pace. The trio watched her closely while floating where they were.
Rishi's body landed on the tendrils. They seemed to reach out to her eagerly. They wrapped around her. They pulled her into the ocean floor until she was completely gone. Jake, Mo'at, and Lo'ak returned to the surface. Lo'ak began to sob softly. Jake swam over to him and hugged him tightly. He stroked his son's head very lightly. Tsireya and Tuktiery lifted their heads and headed over to them and Mo'at. Payakan and La joined them.
"It's okay, son," Jake whispered soothingly. "It's okay."
"It's never easy to bury a friend or a relative, Dad," Lo'ak responded and buried into his father's shoulder.
Jake emitted a soft sniffle. "I know. I did not want to kill Tsu'tey, but he requested it because his wounds were too severe for him to live. I cried during his funeral."
"Remember all the good times you had with Rishi," Payakan clicked.
"Payakan's right," Mo'at agreed, going over to her grandson and touching his shoulder. "She is with Eywa. She is safe."
Lo'ak nodded. "Yes."
Jake hugged Lo'ak a little tighter. Tsireya and Tuktiery approached Mo'at, who wrapped her arms around them. They hugged each other just as tightly. They tried not to cry, but they couldn't help themselves. Payakan and La clicked in a mournful manner. Spider and Kiri continued to sing Lucy Lawless's song.
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Polyphemus beamed down on the Hallelujah Mountains in the midevening. A banshee flew under it. It flicked its tongue as it came upon High Camp. It flapped its wings before flying downward. It landed on a large floating rock close to the first link shack. It shook its head and chirped in a soft way. It bobbed its head three times while blinking twice.
Norm looked out the shack's window as he sipped black coffee from a mug. He spotted the banshee. He watched it raise its head high and listened to it squawk loudly. It scratched the top of its head with its wing claw. It opened its mouth very slightly. He walked over to his desk to sit down. He laid his coffee close to the microscope. He ran his fingers through his hair three times before wiping a tear from his eye.
He sighed with much exhaustion. He never thought Neytiri would become a victim of the war. He recalled how horrified he was when he first saw her after she was brought in. He had no doubt she would have multiple scars from her wounds. He wanted her to have a marui to herself for an easier recovery, as did Maureen. He prayed she would not get worse, especially since she was carrying twins. He did not blame Jake for wanting to keep vigil over her and only leaving to get something to eat or drink. He believed it would help her recover a bit faster.
His thoughts shifted to Rishi. He felt bad for the Sully and Metkayina children, especially Lo'ak. He was not surprised the boy nearly blamed himself for her death. He could never forget his guilt over Neteyam's passing as it bothered him for a time. He understood why Aonung blamed himself. He remembered how excited the future olo'eytkan was about going to see Payakan and La alongside Lo'ak, Tsireya, Rotxo, Kiri, Riri, and Rishi. He was grateful to Tonowari for reassuring him her death was not his fault.
Norm snapped out of his thoughts at the sound of footsteps and chattering. He spotted three scientists. He observed them going out of sight as they talked about the horrors of war. He ran his hand over his face three times before clicking his tongue twice. He saw Maureen coming his way with a coffee-filled mug in her hand.
"Hi, Norm," Maureen greeted.
"Hey there, Maureen," Norm responded. "You really needed some coffee tonight, didn't you?"
"Yeah," Maureen admitted and sipped a tiny bit of her cream-filled coffee. She laid it next to his and grabbed a handful of hair a little tightly. "I do not want to go to bed right now."
"Me neither. We can't forget today was quite busy for us," Norm admitted and suppressed a yawn.
"I know. I felt we ran around even more than we did yesterday," Maureen said and blew a raspberry.
"I do too," Norm agreed as he laid his hands in his lap. "We dealt with two badly injured patients this morning. One died. Neytiri and Ronal became victims of the war this afternoon. Neytiri was severely wounded. Ronal was wounded, but it was nowhere near as bad."
"Neytiri's attacker was critically wounded, but he is expected to make a full recovery. She is in uncertain territory right now," Maureen said, swallowing hard.
"I never thought I would see her so weak and helpless," Norm mumbled and cried softly. He put his hands over his eyes. "I am so used to seeing her so strong and helpful."
"We all are," Maureen commented and cupped her chin in her hand. "I imagine her being really scared as her attacker was stabbing her. She could not believe this was happening to her. I bet he was watching her as she passed him. He took the opportunity to go after her."
"I honestly believe that," Norm agreed.
"Even if Neytiri wakes up in the next few days, it will take her some time to recover from her injuries. Her pregnancy will be high risk due to carrying twins and being of advanced maternal age," Maureen pointed out truthfully.
"I guarantee you neither Jake nor Mo'at will allow her to hunt unless someone goes with her," Norm added.
"She won't like that," Maureen commented.
"You are right," Norm said while crossing his arms. "Still, it will be for her own safety and that of the twins."
Norm picked up his coffee to take a long sip. Maureen mimicked his movements with hers. They laid them down before clearing their throats. He sniffled before wiping tears from his eyes.
"I feel like I will wake up any moment and find Rishi is actually alive and well," he mumbled.
"I feel that way too," she agreed. "Unfortunately, it is real. She was killed at Three Brothers."
"She gave her life for Rotxo. She wasn't about to let that Green Spear get him," Norm said, his breathing turning into shudders. He kicked a leg of the table in frustration. "It should not have happened, Maureen! She was not even involved in the actual fighting!"
"No, she wasn't. Those Green Spears didn't give a shit if the kids weren't fighting in the war. They saw them as legitimate targets," Maureen said, anger lining her voice.
He gritted his teeth. "People lose any sympathy from me when they go after young children."
"The same goes for me," Maureen responded and flared her nostrils.
"Some humans forced children to become soldiers during war. They would occasionally make them run through mine fields and get blown to pieces. This allowed for adult soldiers to go after their enemies much more easily," Norm explained in disgust.
"We have never seen Na'vi force young children to fight in wars. Sometimes, teenagers will fight in them," Maureen pointed out honestly.
"That is if their parents let them. Jake and Neytiri did not want Neteyam participating in the rescue of Lo'ak, Kiri, Tuk, and Spider. He disobeyed and killed a recom that had targeted her for death," Norm murmured.
"Lo'ak disobeyed Jake's order to stay put when he, Spider, and Neytiri went to rescue Kiri and Tuk. He saved him from drowning and guided him out of the sunk SeaDragon," Maureen added.
"Jake finally realized the value of letting children make their own decisions," Norm said.
She nodded in agreement. "Yes, it did."
Norm breathed deeply before sniffling once more. He leaned back in his chair. He folded his hands and placed them on top of his head. He blinked three times, causing a tear to fall from his eye.
"I hope to Eywa that this war ends soon. Many lives have been lost on both sides," Norm mumbled uncertainly.
"Me too," Maureen agreed. "I have to say Nekx has really changed from when he was first brought in for medical treatment. He used to want to fight every Metkayina he saw. He regrets the war now."
"I truly believe seeing the grisly sight of war up close affected him. Keye'txon's words about wanting the fighting to stop gave him pause for thought. Nekx agrees with him, but he is not sure how to end it when so many Na'vi on both sides are determined to fight," Norm said, sighing heavily.
"We must not ever forget we are dealing with humanity colonizing Pandora," Maureen said, leaning forward and laying her arms on the table.
"I know," Norm said with a shake of his head. "What a time to be involved in two wars."
"Even if humans were not here, the Metkayina and the Green Spears would have still restarted their rivalry and entered into war," Maureen commented seriously.
"The Na'vi may be happier in their lives than humans are, but they have always been flawed. Some are more flawed than others are," Norm said.
"Exactly," Maureen agreed. She began talking about the time Aonung played a prank on her.