Part 1: Flee of the Fallen

Chapter 9: When Keys are Forged

Index Table:

Neural Queue:A specialized organ, resembling a braid, that Na'vi use to connect with other creatures or the environment, allowing them to form a physical and spiritual bond.

Spirit Tree:Also known as the Tree of Souls, a sacred and powerful tree that connects the Na'vi to their ancestors and Eywa, the deity representing the interconnectedness of all life.

Ikran:A large, colorful flying creature, also known as a mountain banshee, that the Na'vi bond with and ride. The bond between a Na'vi and their Ikran is deeply spiritual and lifelong.

Pandora:The lush, habitable moon where the Na'vi live, known for its rich biodiversity and bioluminescent flora and fauna.

Na'vi:The indigenous humanoid species of Pandora, known for their blue skin, bioluminescent markings, and deep connection to nature.

Bioluminescent Markings:The glowing patterns on Na'vi skin that light up in the dark, reflecting their emotions and connection to the natural world. These markings are unique to each Na'vi and add to their ethereal appearance.

Rae woke up to the annoying sound of cursing and snickering, mixed with a creature's wailing.

"One point for its feet and limbs. Five points if you hit its stomach. Ten points for aiming at its head. And an extra five for the forehead! None if you hit the walls!" a guard yelled, his voice dripping with sadistic glee.

Then the group seemed to have halted to scour for tiny pebbles on the dungeon floor.

"Five points to Aiden!"

"Poor Smeagol is being played by-"

"One to Belion!"

"Elf scum is hitting poor Smeagol with-"

"Fifteen to Falon! Good one!" The group of "elf scum" clapped in the background.

The creature screeched again, louder: "Nasty elves! Sneaky elves!"

"Zero to Eldor, your aim is as rusty as the amount of elleth you flirt with!" The nasty and sneaky "elf scum" roared with laughter, the sound bouncing off the cold dungeon floor as Rae shifted uncomfortably.

Then something caught her eye.

The ivy appeared dark, almost black, with leaves that seemed to shimmer faintly in the dim light, casting an ethereal glow that contrasted starkly with the gloom of the dungeon. Its tendrils, sinuous and unrelenting, clung to the stone with an iron grip, twisting and turning as if seeking to envelop everything in its path. Unlike the plants on Pandora, this had no bioluminescent spots on its leaves. Instead, the leaves, though thick and sturdy, had a delicate quality to them, their edges tinged with a subtle luminescence.

Rae held her neural queue to the ivy hesitantly.

The ivy's tendrils moved, almost as though they were alive, coiling and uncoiling in response to her mental commands. Rae concentrated, willing the ivy to form shapes, and to her amazement, it obeyed.

A plan began to form in her mind.

Glancing at the "elf scum" who were still distracted by the game of throwing pebbles at Gollum, Rae closed her eyes.

She could feel the tendrils moving on her command, stretching its length across the space of the cell. "Just a bit more," Rae muttered encouragingly as the tendrils reached the bar. And now the harder part: she willed the ivy to stick into the keyhole of the cell, letting the soft leaves explore the inside of the lock, and it began to form the shape of a key.

A key is all she needs for the escape.

The door to her cell "clicked."

Rae's eyes widened, a surge of hope and disbelief washing over her. She pushed the door open, heart pounding, finally free from this hellhole. Taking a shaky step outside her cell, and-

"That filthy creature is escaping!" Unfortunately, the click of the lock had caught the attention of the guards.

Well, that's unfortunate.

For them, but not for Rae.

In one swift movement, she caught the first guard by the shoulder and swung him into the second one, as both tumbled to the stone wall and landed unconscious. Kicking the third in the stomach, her Na'vi strength was certainly an advantage as he doubled over with one more smack to the back of his head. The remaining guards hesitated, giving Rae enough time to snatch the spear from one of the unconscious guards' hands and sweep it at the others. Since she had no intention of killing these innocent creatures, no matter how nasty these "elf scum" were, Rae wasted no time as she bolted up the spiral staircase.

Little did she know, a pair of eyes belonging to a certain wailing creature had watched and memorized her movements.

Wonder what Lizard is doing at this time, Rae thought as she waited behind one of the majestic statues patiently for a group of female elves to pass through. Their laughter actually reminded her of the time she used to laugh and chat with Lizard.

Lizard is her bonded Ikran; she would never let it go through this strange place alone.

These halls are such a wonder. The high ceilings are designed to mimic the canopy of a dense forest, with beams of wood interwoven to resemble the branches of ancient trees. The pillars that support the hall are majestic tree trunks, their bark still intact and carved with flowing Elvish designs. Vines and ivy wrap around them, adding to the sense that the hall is a living part of the forest. Though the trees were nothing compared to the size of the Pandora forest where her tribe resided, they seemed to be a good combination, since they are considered indoor. "If I ever return, I'll want to explore these halls fully," Rae thought subconsciously, then immediately mentally scolded herself for having such a foolish thought.

Clearly, Rae had chosen the wrong route through this place since every now and then these creatures would pass by the column she was hiding behind. The thin pillar was barely enough to contain her and the swaying of her tail.

Why do these creatures like to walk in groups? Rae snorted. And what kind of creature talks as much as these? Especially the female ones; she was sure that these stupid creatures without a neural queue are just weird and quite the chatterboxes.

Frustrated at the time these creatures were taking, her fingers found purchase on the rough bark of the ancient tree trunk that formed the pillar, and pulled herself up with strong Na'vi legs that had spent the last fifteen years or so climbing trees in Pandora. The vines and ivy that adorned the pillar seemed to respond to her touch, guiding her upwards. As she climbed higher, the light grew dimmer, the shadows providing her with cover. Rae's breathing remained steady, her focus unbroken. And with a final push, Rae reached the top of the pillar, her body blending seamlessly with the shadows. She took a brief moment to steady herself, scanning the hall below for any sign of detection, and was satisfied when these creatures continued to speak in a foreign language.

The next pillar was at least twenty feet away, which wasn't that significant for a trained Na'vi. With a sudden burst of energy, she bent her knees, coiling like a spring, and then let go of the pillar she was on. Extending her arm expertly, her fingers reached out to grasp the rough bark of the next pillar, landing on it silently. Pillar after pillar, she leaped and climbed, her path a series of fluid motions, a dance of survival. The elves below remained oblivious to her presence, their attention elsewhere as Rae navigated the vast expanse of the hall.

At last, she spotted the towering walls that marked the boundary of the palace. With a final glance back at that horrid place that had kept her imprisoned for the last few days, Rae swung herself over the edge and descended into the forest below. The moment her feet touched the ground, a wave of relief washed over her. Though not Pandora, the forest floor was familiar and welcoming compared to the cold stone walls of that place.

"Lizard? Come over here," Rae called through their connection.

No answer.

Not surprised, since the naughty Ikran may be off hunting or chasing after animals in the woods, she tried again with a precise mimic of an Ikran howl.

"Rae!"