Chapter 4

Jake had spent hours at the Tree of Souls, remembering and uploading all of his memories with his brother. Neytiri had come with him, as did Neteyam.

He was surprised to realise the striking similarities between his late brother and his oldest son. Both were the elder siblings even if Tommy had only been older by a couple of minutes. Just Like Tom had, Neteyam took over the responsibilities of his siblings and tried to be perfect for them. Jake's heart felt heavy at the thought of putting too much pressure on his son. The last thing he wanted was to become like his parents, cruel and uncaring.

He called his oldest over, who stood next to his mother. When he came closer with a worried expression he had to smile. Even the permanent worry was the same, jet his son felt slightly kinder than the memory of his late brother. There had always been an underlying coldness in Tom that Jake hoped Neteyam would never get. Tom's childhood was much more unfortunate in comparison, jet Neteyam still seemed too young to have to deal with a war.

"What is it father?" His son asked.

"Neteyam, I want you to know that I see your struggle and your hard work to keep your siblings safe. I also realise that I'm putting a lot of pressure on you due to the war going on. I which I wouldn't have to, but sadly I do. What I want to say is… I am still your father, and when your burdens become to heavy, do not be afraid to ask me for help." He moved his hands to Neteyams shoulders and squeezed.

"I'm so proud of you son." He ruffled the youngsters braids and allowed him to leave.

Neteyam had asked his mother what was bothering Jake, but she told him to be patient; his father was in mourning. Unable to mourn a person he did not know, Neteyam spoke to Eywa himself and shared his new memories of his family. After that, he just listened to the voices and songs of his ancestors. At one point, he saw a memory that was not his own.

A memory of two young brothers who had hidden themselves in a tree with some food. They were human, and around them was a lot stone and cold metal, the tree being the only thing alive besides the children.

Neteyam stared in horror at the peaceful scene in front of him. He had never seen the world his father came from. Now he was glad that his father was with him on Pandora and not on Earth anymore. The vision stopped shortly after and left him in deep thought.

They mounted their Ikran to fly back to base but then Lo'ak's call came, and it all went downhill.

Jake's heart stopped when he heard his younger son's call for help. They made their way to the shack and arrived only minutes later. His parents wanted to leave him behind at first but he snuck after them, the fear for his siblings greater then his fear of possible repercussions from his parents.

Neytiri and Jake dealt with the first soldier as quietly as possible, then the next one. But having to see his enemy alive with a knife to his children's throat hit Jake hard. Somehow they made it out alive, but they could not find Spider or Tuk. Neytiri frantically called for her daughter, and both of the parents nearly cried in relief when the little girl called back. She had hidden under some thick roots and only showed her face when she recognised her mother.

"My Tuk, oh, you are fine!" Neytiri cried and pulled the girl close. Kiri and Lo'ak joined the hug before they all moved out, back to the Ikran.

It was hours later, when Lo'ak had been reprimanded and after Jake and Neytiri had argued over what to do next, that Tuk sat down in her father's lap.

"Papa, I met an angel today who looked just like you," the girl said. Jake found himself again surprised. The last days had been entirely too shocking and surprising for him.

"How come?" he asked.

"When the Sky People with false bodies came, the angel helped me to hide. He looked just like you but had funny clothes on. And he said that he would never harm me." Jake did not know what to make of that. Of course, his first thought went to Tom, but even the thought of Tom being alive on Pandora seemed ridiculous. So it must have been an impostor. Glad that his daughter was fine, he was unable to care much about the notion. After all, she might have just imagined it due to the stress of the situation.

"How nice that the angel helped you," he sighed and kissed her braids.

The next day, they packed up their belongings, and Jake was symbolically killed by the new Olo'eyktan. It broke his heart to leave his clan, but he would rather miss them than mourn his family. So he saddled up Bob and led his children towards the sea. More dreams of Tom had come up that night, and he decided to act like his brother would. Maybe cowardly, but definitely to protect those he loved, even at his own cost.

His family was sad to leave, and he marvelled at their strength. Neytiri and the children were giving up everything they knew and loved and bore it with determination. Neteyam had managed most of the packing himself due to his parents' busy schedule. He had been patient with his siblings and respectful to his parents when he debated on what to take along and what to leave behind.

He managed to get some sustainable and light food to take along and he instructed Lo'ak to feed the Ikran well the previous day. His son kept reminding him more and more of the one person who once did the very same after their parents deaths. He was so proud of all of them, but the words were stuck in his throat and would not come out. He would have to give them strength and hope. That was what they deserved.

Quaritch would not destroy his family. He wouldn't let him.

A short chapter, but the next will come soon. Thank you so much for reading.