#chescakewrites

ᥫ᭡. Part 1: Disaster foretold

“The sky people, they are back!” 

Gasps filled the air as the peaceful atmosphere in the Omatikaya clan suddenly shifted into a panicked state.

“Oh dear Eywa, not again”

“Remember what they did to Swylanin?”

“Dear Eywa, please keep us safe”

The crowd gathered and murmured to one another, tense and nervous, almost hysterical just from the announcement.

Even though you weren't born yet to personally experience the disaster that came before— You’ve heard chilling stories from your mother and father, detailing how the sky people trampled and burned your home tree with their machines as big as mountains, crushing every being that was unfortunate enough to be in its path. How they ran for their life, praying to Eywa that they survive this encounter. And thank Eywa that they did, because they proceeded to live a rather peaceful life afterwards and had you.

But now they’re back. Those demons are back. You start to visibly shake, fear starts creeping up your spine, blood draining from your lips just thinking about the stories, and how you possibly have to experience that first-hand.

You couldn't understand what Jake, your Olo’eyktan, is announcing to the people. Your chest starts to constrict and suddenly you can't breathe.

I need to get away from here. You thought. There’s too many people around you. 

Air. I need air. You think amidst the panic. You weave your way out of the crowd, missing the latter parts of the important announcement your Olo’eyktan is giving. But that doesn't matter now, you need to breathe. 

You run to your ikran, rushing to get out of that gathering. Unbeknownst to you, Neteyam was watching. Concern and worry panged at his chest but he can't just leave to follow you right now, even if his leg is practically itching to run after you and comfort you. The situation at hand calls for him to be there beside his father and his family. As the eldest son of Toruk Makto, he has to stay strong for everyone. Including you.

You land your ikran at one of your favorite hidden spots. A small floating island deep within the Hallelujah mountains, hidden behind a waterfall. The ride helped you ease the panic, however the fear inside you still makes your blood run cold. You run your shaking hands through your hair repeatedly, trying to console yourself. 

“The sky people, they are back!” 

Those words ring in your head, over and over again. 

You let your tears flow, choked sobs come out of you. Letting yourself cry the fear out of you, exhausting yourself to the point of falling asleep.

 ⋆⁺₊⋆ 𖤓 ⋆⁺₊⋆

“Ma Yawntu— wake up!”

You feel someone gently shake you awake, rough hands caressing your tear stained cheeks. You wake up to Neteyam cupping your face, and putting his forehead against yours.

“I saw you leave, Baby, I wish I could follow you but—” Neteyam frantically speak, you put a finger against his lip, shushing him.

“Neteyam, my head hurts, hold on…” You rise from laying down and look around to see Neteyam’s ikran beside yours, Neteyam himself and the sun setting. You place your hand on your forehead, feeling a little nauseous and dizzy after crying so hard.

“Here, I brought you something to drink.” 

He says as he grabs a pouch and hands it to you. You gulp the cool water down, hydrating yourself after your crying session. 

“I was worried sick looking for you, Ma Yawntu, I looked for you in all of our spots. Eywa— why do we have so many!?” He says, exasperated.

You giggled at him. 

“Hey, do not blame me. You were the one who insisted that we secure multiple spots after Lo’ak and Tuk found our first one” 

You tease him, pressing your pointer finger against the center of his chest. You feel his body tense at this motion. You look down on him, beads of sweat decorate his collarbone and cling to his muscular arm and also his abdomen. You can’t help but stare at the way his chest slowly and steadily rises and falls. You study the way the contour of his abs are more apparent at this lighting.

“Ma Yawntu?” 

Snapping back to reality, You look back at his eyes, wide honey irises staring right at you. Neteyam’s ears are flattened with a deep purple tint and his tail is swishing back and forth. 

You cough. 

Embarrassed at how you were shamefully checking your future mate out but since you’re prideful, you refuse to admit this. You look away, but you can still feel his gaze burning a hole through you.

“Let’s head back? It is almost nightfall”. You say to him, standing up rather quickly and dusting yourself.

As you turn to your ikran, you feel Neteyam grab onto your hand, forcing you to look back at him, or rather, down at him

Neteyam kneels before you, he grabs your other hand, puts your palms together and clamps it shut with his.

“Are you feeling better?” Neteyam asks, his thumbs circling your hands and massaging it.

“Yes, thankfully. Though, I still fear what that news will bring us. Those sky people always bring forth bad news” You reassure him.

“Ma Yawntu, as your future mate and Olo'eyktan, I promise you that I will keep you safe” He consoles you.

He kisses the back of your hand and then the other. You grin at him, unable to contain the flips your stomach is doing by how sweet he is.

“Is that all you have to say to me?”

“Yes.” You said, rather too quickly. Too obvious. You feel heat rise to your face, you look away from him. You refuse to give him the satisfaction of knowing how shameless you were earlier.

Neteyam stands up, stepping into your gaze once again. He puts a finger to your chin and forces you to look up at him.

“Are you sure, baby? Come on, I am yours. You can be honest with me” Neteyam teases, smiling widely at you but you are too embarrassed to admit to him that you were basically thirsting for him like a thanator in heat. This embarrassment of yours is suddenly overcome with guilt. You start to overthink with how you panicked and cried earlier.

As a tsakarem, you are supposed to be composed. Your emotions should be put on-hold especially during dire situations. And today, you failed to do that. You panicked instead of consoling your fellow clan members and ran off. You feel immense guilt for that. You don't think that you deserve to indulge yourself in the pleasure of being with your Yawne while other families are probably panicking and your parents are worried sick with your absence.

“Yes, Neteyam, I—” You bit your lip. You feel tears come up your eyes again but you stopped it thankfully. Neteyam immediately sensed the change in your mood, he straightened his back and pulled you into a tight hug.

“Ma Yawntu, everything will be alright. I am here for you, and I will always be, okay?”

You nod against his chest, then pull him towards you tighter and lower so you can nuzzle your face on his neck; inhaling his scent. You feel Neteyam smile at this neediness of yours, also nuzzling onto your head as he caresses your back.

“Did I ever tell you how nice your hair smells? It reminds me of the night blossoms.”

You smiled at him.

“Well you smell nice too…”

You begrudgingly broke the embrace and headed back to the Clan’s hideout alongside Neteyam.

  ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾𖤓 ⋆⁺₊⋆

The moment your and Neteyam’s ikrans landed, you see your mother rush to your direction. Her eyebrows furrowed together, worry plastered all of her face.

“Ma ‘ite! Ha— where have you been!?” She hissed.

The guilt immediately comes back and fills your body. You always tell your parents your whereabouts, out of respect and for their peace of mind. In your haste, you forgot to tell anyone that you just wanted some air. You can feel the scolding you're about to get as you try to come up with an excuse.

“Ma Sa’nu— I’m sorry! I—”

“She was with me, Ma Sa’nok. I asked her to come and check the state of our weapons with me.” Neteyam cuts you off. 

You look at him, trying your best to conceal your surprise. The golden boy, lying to save your skxawng ass from a scolding. Neteyam’s head was lowered, almost bowing to your mother, taking responsibility for something that isn't his fault.

“Aish—! You mustn’t drag her anywhere without asking for permission! She missed her classes with the Tsahik! Be thankful that the Tsahik was understanding today because of the news!” Your mother scolded him.

“Sa’nu, I—”

“Hush! It is settled. I have heard enough!” Your mother shushes you, not wanting to hear anymore excuses. 

Your mother sighs. A good sign that she is cooling off. 

“Neteyam, next time—” She sighs once again.

“—you ask for permission. It is unbecoming, especially for a tsakarem, to just run off and do whatever.” She says sternly, and now looking at you.

“Is this understood? Both of you?” 

“Yes, ma’am.” You and Neteyam say in unison, hushed and in shame.

“Good. Dinner will be held soon. I expect the both of you to prepare yourselves, alright?” Your mother says as she turns around, already on her way to go back to her assigned duty.

You and Neteyam share a look amongst each other. He offers you a small smile and you try your best to stifle your giggles. 

“What can I say, they could never say no to me” Neteyam jokes, smiling wider at you. 

You burst out laughing, lightly punching his arm.

“You skxawng! Checking the weapons? That’s the most believable lie you got?” You say in between deep breaths. Neteyam also starts to laugh.

“I’m bad at lying! You know this!”

“Ha— you really think she believed that?”

Both of you laugh harder, unable to contain yourselves after that encounter.

“Well, it is not like she will question it!”

“You really have everyone wrapped around your finger, huh?”

Neteyam grabs your shoulder and pulls you closer to his side. He kisses the top of your head and you put your palm against his chest, feeling his heartbeat. You look up at him, staring right at his beautiful eyes.

“‘Teyam, thank you. For looking for me. And taking the fall for me… and uh… for everything.” 

Neteyam hums in response, and hugs you closer to him.

“Anything for you, Ma Yawntu.”

 ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾ ⋆⁺₊⋆

Everyone gathered amongst each other, surrounding a big bonfire as the communal dinner commenced. 

You sit alongside your parents, passing food along to the people beside you. 

However the typical joyful and noisy gathering that is filled with mindless chattering, gossip, children screaming and laughing is replaced with quiet murmurs, and a depressingly serious atmosphere. The news announced earlier by your Olo'eyktan is undoubtedly heavy on everyone’s minds. 

The tension in the air is suffocating. Thick. As if death itself was dining with the clan. Though, that would be a fair comparison given the fact that the demons are back to hunt.

“Ma ‘ite, eat.” Your father reminds you, tapping you on your shoulder.

“Ah, yes. Sorry, Ma Sempu.” you sheepishly apologize.

Your mother looks at you, sensing your worry. 

“Ma ‘ite, I know it is scary. But you have to be brave. Believe in Eywa.” She pats you on the back. Your father nods in agreement.

You also nod in response. You feel anxiety settle within your stomach despite their reassurance. You excuse yourself, explaining that you feel full when in reality you lost your appetite due to your overthinking. 

Before you left, your mother reminded you of your classes with the Tsahik tomorrow morning, a subtle recall to what happened earlier.

As you walk back towards your hut, you feel a presence behind you. Alarmed, you turn back and prepare yourself. Immediately assuming a defensive position.

“Boo!” 

You throw a punch, aiming at whomever dares to ambush you, only for it to be caught by big hand. Their palm wrapped your fist, tightly closing it.

“Wow, your punches are getting better, Ma Yawntu.”

You breathe a sigh of relief at the sight of your future mate.

“Neteyam! Do not sneak up on me! If I had a knife then I might’ve injured you!”

“Well, you don’t! So it’s okay!” He jokes, with his hands up to his shoulders, surrendering to you.

Ugh. You roll your eyes at him, a little bit annoyed at his bold stunt but still happy to see him before you sleep.

“Do you need something?” You ask. 

Neteyam gives you a boyish smirk. One that you’ve learned early on in your relationship that he’s about to something devious.

Oh no. Before you could protest, Neteyam pulls you to the back of your hut, hidden from plain sight.

He crashes his lips onto yours, as if the both of you hadn't met earlier. You put your arms around his neck, pulling him closer.

The kiss is rushed and breathless. Neteyam’s hands fumble at your sides, moving up and down your waist. 

“You—mhmph— seem to be— mhmm— needier?” You say, in between breaths. 

Neteyam pulls back and looks at you with that lovesick look in his that makes you heat up at your core.

“ ‘am sorry, I just missed you, ‘tis all” Neteyam says, a little bit breathless from the makeout session the both of you are having.

“I understand, we haven't seen each other in a year.” You joke sarcastically at him.

It is now Neteyam’s turn to roll his eyes at you. He then gives you that expectant look—glossy wide eyes, brows furrowed together and the sides of his mouth slightly quivering downwards—you can’t resist and Eywa knows how much that look makes you lack inhibition.

He tries to kiss you once again, however you block it with your hand before he could start another heated session with you once more.

“Neteyam! The dinner is almost over! We will get caught!”

You feel his mouth form into a pout against your palm. And you swear you heard a whine come out of him. You quietly giggle at the sight of the rising mighty warrior with his tail wagging side to side. Like a child whose paskalin got taken away.

“Alright, alright. I’ll indulge you, Ma Yawntu.”

You pepper kisses all over his face while petting his head. Starting with his forehead, then to his nose, moving to his cheeks. You kiss the sides of his mouth,

“We shall see each other tomorrow, okay?” You kiss him on the lips.

He hazily smiles at you, satisfied with the affection, almost in a trance. 

“mhm— okay…”

You gently push him off you. He almost tips over before he quickly balances himself. As expected for a strong warrior like him.

“Go skxawng!” You giggled at him. 

You rush inside to your hut, giddy at what just happened. You peek through the flaps and you see Neteyam wave you goodbye while he skittishly runs off through a path hidden to most.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ☀︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆

The following morning, you woke up earlier than usual. You wanted to make up for missing your class yesterday.

You roamed the forest floor, picking herbs and flora to use for healing. As well as picking some fresh paskalin to offer, hoping that it lightens the scolding for you.

Mo’at, the tsahik of your clan and Neteyam’s sa’nokä sa’nok, gracefully accepts your “offerings”. Thankfully, you didn't get a scolding today. She gives you a quiet approval.

She then proceeds to teach how to treat different types of cuts. You learned that depending on how deep the cut is, different types of wrapping technique shall be used in order to stop the bleeding. As well as other teachings a future tsahik shall know when faced with healing.

Your class ended earlier than expected today. That only means one thing.

You get to visit Norm in their laboratory. 

You knock at the door, almost a little too excited. Though you wonder if knocking is required when it seems like your presence can be detected by some unknown force.

“Hey buddy! Class ended early?” He greets and welcomes you inside.

“Ah— yes! It ended early! Can we—uh—continue… yes… continue with the study!” You speak with him in broken English, excited to continue where you left off the last time you were there. 

“Well sure, here are some of the case files we had back there, you remember how this goes right?” He hands you this glass, it emits a soft blue glow against your face. You can see your palms holding it, alongside with text that seems to float. 

You never cared to learn about sky-people tech, but you recall that Norm calls this a tablet. 

“Yes!” You thank him and you look for your usual spot to sit down in. You start reading more about the medicine and chemicals they use on Earth.

Going to Norm’s has been your usual go to whenever your class ended. Ever since you were assigned as tsakarem when you and Neteyam entered the courting stage, you looked for a hobby to decompress after your grueling classes with Mo’at. Surprisingly, studying about Earth, its herbs and flora, and the way they use it puts you in a trance. You loved every second of it. In turn, this made you fluent in the human language, English. Well, at least in reading and listening. You are still working on how to speak it, hoping to surprise Neteyam one day, when you get to retort back at him whenever he speaks it around you.

You are not interested in human tech, in fact you kind of despise it. Its existence is borderline demonic, as it is against Eywa’s teachings. Nevertheless, you can't help but admit that some of the teachings found in their study had been extremely helpful in your path as the Tsahik. You have developed more advanced techniques and herbal mixes, building upon the traditional method.

However, Mo’at keeps you grounded. She reminds you to carefully tread among this knowledge, and ensure that you are not committing anything disrespectful against Eywa and her laws.

“The third law, Do not use metals of the ground” 

Of course, you always keep this in mind whenever you study with Norm. As you study, the weight of yesterday’s announcement comes back heavy in your mind. It distracts you from what you are reading. You look up to see Norm working on whatever that is, and you check if it is an appropriate moment to ask.

“Hey Norm—uhm— is it alright if I ask you about the uh— sky people?” You ask.

His rotating chair turns, and he is now facing you.

“Sure bud. What’s up…?” He says, a bit hesitant.

“I wonder, what type of uh— what was it called again? The weapon that sounds like thunder?”

“A gun—”

“Yes! That, a gun, uhm— I wonder, how effective is our healing against a wound from a gun?”

“Well that depends on where you were shot, yan’no? If you were just grazed, then sure, you can treat it as if it was just like an arrow wound. Butttt— if it was in the more fatal areas, like say, the heart, then herbs just won't cut it buddy….” Norm proceeds to tell you different wounds that one could get from a bullet, because apparently there are different types. 

Norm proceeds to ramble more about how to treat several types of wounds. You try your best to keep up with him, but so many unfamiliar words are being said that you barely understand what was being taught to you. Nonetheless, you are grateful for Norm sharing his knowledge with you.

With the sky people’s return imminent, it is better to be prepared. You believe in Eywa, you believe that she will help the same way she helped during the Great Battle in the Hallelujah Mountains.

However, you can't help but seek more knowledge, just in case, you were faced with a tough situation.

You feel your eyes start to grow tired from all the studying you are doing, and decide that it was time that you head back and check if anyone needed help with their duties.

You bid Norm goodbye and thank him for entertaining you and your whims. As you were about to head outside, Kiri, Lo’ak and Spider come rushing inside, about to hangout Norm and the other scientists.

“Y/N! Hi! Did you come here to study again?” Kiri greets you.

“Yes, class with the Tsahik ended early for me today, so I had extra time to spare” You smile at her.

You hear snickering behind you. You turn around to see Lo’ak and Spider with mischievous looks in their eyes. You raised your eyebrow at them, as if to say what’re you laughing at, skxawngs? 

“You are so studious! Loosen up a little!” Lo’ak teases you

Kiri punches her brother lightly.

“Shut up! Atleast she takes her training seriously, unlike some skxawng here!” Kiri defends you.

You clear your throat, trying your best to compose yourself and not give him the reaction he wants.

“That’s why you and Neteyam make a good pair. Both of you are so dutiful” Lo’ak grins at you.

You feel a blush rise to your face. Your ears flattened and you put your hands up to your face, covering it to hide how flattered you are.

Kiri laughs at you, “Okay sister, we get it, you are whipped—”. You rolled your eyes and giggles erupt among the group. You decided to stay a little bit longer, indulging yourself with banter when suddenly,

The horns started to blare.

Oh no. There is grave news to be announced. You rush outside with the trio to see what is happening. You see your Olo’eyktan, Jake, and Neteyam landing their ikrans.

“Everyone, gather. Prepare yourselves. We have something important to discuss.” You grimaced. You look at Neteyam only to see him already staring at you. You raise your brows at him, signalling that you guys should talk afterwards. He nods his head. 

You attentively listen to the announcement being discussed. You feel bile threatening to jump out of your throat and you feel as though your stomach fell to your ass. Apparently, Neteyam has discovered that the sky people have new Avatars that have infiltrated your area. They were way too close to the perimeter of your clan, and they now know a good estimate of the clan’s whereabouts.

Even though you feel your body is going numb from anxiety, you conceal it. You will not run away like you did the first time you heard the news of the sky people returning. You go and comfort the woman, holding a child that is barely a few months old, beside you. 

“Trust in Eywa. Trust in our warriors. They are strong. They will protect.” You reassure her. Swallowing your doubt and fear. Your people need you. She nods at you, grateful for your words. You rub her back and bid farewell.

Carefully making your way through the crowd, you head towards where Jake, Neytiri, Neteyam, Mo’at, and other high ranking clan members gather. 

As you get nearer, you hear their voices get louder. Their tone; harsh, angry, panicked almost. You instinctively straighten your back.

Eywa, give me the strength. You pray.

“We must go— end of discussion!” Jake angry slams his hand on the table. You jump at this action. You turn to look at Neteyam. His forehead is wrinkled, brows scrunched together. He has some scratches on him, nothing fatal but still— you can’t help but worry. You’ve never seen Neteyam look this stressed. 

Jake turns to leave and the meeting abruptly stops after Jake’s outburst. Neytiri follows Jake and as everyone disperses, you see Neteyam frozen in his place. Head down, staring right down at his feet. 

“Ma Yawntu?” You call as you walk towards him. He stood still, not acknowledging you. 

You call him once again, and still no reply.

“Ma’ Neteyam!” You say much louder this time, touching his shoulder and nudging him. Finally, he looks up to you. 

“Ma ‘Yawntu— I— We—” He croaks. His mouth hanging slightly open but no words are coming out.

You tilt your head, eyebrows furrowed, anticipating another bad news. You try to reach for his hair but he flinches, turning away from you.

His eyes start to glisten with tears, and he opens his mouth once again;

“We will leave by eclipse tomorrow…” 

“What?” You’re confused. What does he mean?

“Ma Yawntu, my family and I, we will leave and have to seek uturu somewhere…” 

You stare at Neteyam in disbelief. You don't understand what he means. You don’t even say anything. You just stare at him wide-eyed. 

Neteyam understands, he always does.

“Ma Yawntu, I—” he hiccups.

“Before dawn, my father will step down as Olo’eyktan, and we will leave the clan and—”

“Why? What do you mean leave?” You cut him off. You cup his face and force him to look at you.

“We are leaving, Ma Yawntu. It has been decided” 

“What about me, Neteyam?” You feel tears prick your eyes.

“Ma Yawntu, please… I don't know anymore too, but you will have to stay here and—”

“What about us? I am your mate! And—”

“You are not! We haven't even done tsaheylu in the eyes of Eywa yet!” He hissed at you.

You stop. Neteyam’s eyes widens. You feel your heartbeat almost burst out of your chest.

“Okay. Then leave.” You say quietly. You turn around, your hair slapping against Neteyam’s chest. Something that you wish you could do right now. 

Neteyam grabs your arm, turning you around. “Wait— I didn't mean to say that, Ugh!”

You cross your arms at him, “Then what did YOU mean to say?” You raise your eyebrow at him. Trying your best not to cry from what he just said.

“Dad said that I couldn't take you with me— I asked— he said that it will be too dangerous and that—” He pauses, and takes a deep breath. “We aren't really… mated… yet.” This time, he looks away while grimacing. “I tried to convince him but I agree with him, Ma Yawntu, I can't just bring you when—”

“I’ve heard enough.” You cut him off. Neteyam’s focus snaps back to you. Pleading.

You know what he and his Dad implies. He doesn't want a burden. Since you and Neteyam aren't really mated yet, Neteyam, technically has no responsibility towards you. 

He can just court another girl in wherever they seek uturu in, and mate with her.

You walk away towards your hut. This time, Neteyam doesn't stop you.

All this time, I thought it’ll be you. 

The moment you get into your hut, you let all the nervousness and anxiety out of you through your tears.

You sat down on your mat and hug your knees to your chest.

“Fucking skxawng…” You mumble to yourself.

|| [Part I] || ... ||

➤ Avatar, Avatar TWOW, Avatar FAA

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⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆ Angel Bless! ᝰ.ᐟ

Will be editing this whenever I need, still under construction :3