Lo'ak let out a scream of joy as he leapt between the high waves of the sea. It was almost like flying for the brief moment when his ilu was in the air just before he plunged back into the salt water. Water was splashing all over him and he didn't even count how many times he had to wipe his eyes to be able to see.

It was liberating in a way. It almost reminded him of when he was flying on his ikran when he was still in the forest. The familiar feeling of the wind blowing across his face and his dark braids whipping through the air from the speed filled his chest with lightness. He could do this all day and never get tired of it.

Lo'ak honestly hadn't expected to have fun with Aonung and his gang but life was apparently full of surprises. He could even start over just for this if the opportunity arose.

Maybe his father wasn't completely wrong after all. Maybe he could be friends with them one day, if they become less stupid of course.

Adrenaline was still coursing through his veins when Lo'ak noticed that the waves had calmed down. They grew smaller and weaker as they gradually slowed down before coming to a complete stop. They had arrived and he could finally catch his breath.

"That was awesome," he exclaimed to the other boys who were still smiling without anything seeming to bother them.

With a childish smile on his lips and a pounding heart, Lo'ak stared at the three-peaked cliff that marked the fishing area they had headed for. He had heard of it but he had obviously never been able to see it with his own eyes before. It was definitely bigger than the reef. The ocean stretched as far as the eye could see all around them to the horizon line and the cliff was almost as high as the colossal trees of where he came from.

He didn't want to admit it but he was quite impressed.

"We're diving!", one of the teenagers informed near him, ending his observations, while everyone got into the water.

Lo'ak quickly descended the ilu following the others, then, after a deep breath, they all dove into the deep water to regroup behind a rock. Lo'ak rested his hand on the rocky surface to stabilize himself underwater and glanced at the many colorful fish that were feeding near corals and anemones. They were bigger than in the reef and more numerous too. This was going to be a good catch, he thought contentedly, and his family would surely be happy to have a good meal tonight.

He looks away from the sea animals when he felt Aonung tap his shoulder to hand him the harpoon he had brought with him, then he gestured for him to call them. The youngest took the weapon, happy to be able to lead the fishing, and advanced without hesitation to get closer to his prey.

Lo'ak wasn't really good at calling yet but it was apparently enough as a fish came into his line of sight just right. He closed one eye so he could aim the harpoon straight at the animal with the expertise inherited from his mother. Then, when the time was right, Lo'ak pulled the trigger and the metal rod pierced the fish's abdomen for quick and certain death.

The boy smiled proudly at his catch and turned back to the other teens seeking their approval. But as his gaze sought out the cyan skin and wavy black hair of the metkayinas, Lo'ak quickly realized that no one was there.

Where did they go ? Lo'ak thought as his brow furrowed.

His smile immediately disappeared and the fish was soon forgotten as he swam around looking for the other boys. He turned around the rock and looked everywhere as he spun around but there were still no traces of the teenagers. As soon as he thought he recognized a shape or a shadow resembling a silhouette, he was disappointed to find that there was really no one there.

His hopes of finding them here were completely crushed when he decided to raise his golden pupils to the ilus that were supposed to have remained on the surface. But as his gaze sought out the aquatic creatures, his eyes widened

There was only one left.

His.

Lo'ak was trying to control his heart from beating too fast but the angst quickly began to gnaw at his nerves as he realized he was completely alone in the middle of the ocean.

They fucking left him.