memento mori (5)
I had so much fun writing this chapter, so I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! :) thanks to all people who left comments and kudos on my work so far, I am really glad someone is enjoying my work :) I am very excited to write where this is going with these two...
some Na'vi words I utilized in this chapter:
utral aymokriya - tree of voices "kehe! ftang nga!" - "no! stop that!" palulukan makto - rider of the Thanator (Neytiri) palulukan - Thanator atokirina - seeds of the tree of souls "aungia lolu, aungia ta Eywa" - "there has been a sign, there was a sign from Eywa"
(3000 words)
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Tiya recovered quickly, even better for Quaritch. she was to accompany his squad back into the forest. so they could learn. her ears were flattened down, as she tried to drown out the noise of their monstrous machine that they pushed her in. she thought this machine was too loud to safely navigate the skies of her home, an ikran was far safer and better for scouting. as well as in any other aspect. thinking about her ikran made her sad.
Zaela and her would join the assaults on the sky peoples machines, scouting from above, or shooting the flying machines out of the sky. her ikran must miss her, ever since Tiya hadn't returned that night after they had rescued the children. Tiya surely missed her, the freedom of flying through the sky, past the mountains. not being restrained, threatened or in pain.
the machine loudly conversed the skies of her home, and Tiya found herself shifting in her seat to gain a view to the outside. the wind blew in her face, the beads in her hair hit Quaritch in the face, when he grabbed her arm to pull the Na'vi back in her seat.
they were flying to the forest, to the place they had picked her up. the old battlefield.
"let me be absolutely clear, you try anything and we'll shoot you,"
the alien - Miles - told her, as she landed back in he uncomfortable seat, her back hitting the cold material harshly. the Na'vi looked at him, before slightly nodding at his threat. he wasn't all bad, but the others surrounding him were. the humans back in their weird housing, who had tied her to that awful thing. Tiya still had bad dreams from that incident. she wished to visit utral aymokriya, to see her older brother. to ask him for his support. Tsu'tey wouldn't have let this happen, no doubt in her mind.
the machine neared the forest ground, and she saw the plants flatten to the ground from the airstream, as the few animals fled, clearly disturbed by the sounds of the machine. the aliens lowered themselves to the ground with ropes, which Tiya was no stranger to. it was just a litte harder with restraints around her hands. this was the reason for her only utilising the rope for a short amount of time, before she let go of it and let herself fall to the forest ground, landing in a crouched position.
Tiya slowly rose back up, straightening herself out as she looked defiantly at the aliens.
"quite the show,"
she stared at Miles.
"It doesn't work with my hands like this," her answer came as a hiss, as she held her bound, blue wrists before him.
"then you have to learn," he said mockingly, causing the other aliens to laugh. Tiya stared at them, how they held their cold weapons against their oddly dressed bodies.
Quaritch watched her ears, how they flattened down, and the way her tail whipped. it wasn't his goal to anger her, but it was always so easy.
"you have to learn! you are aliens, I am Na'vi!"
Tiya snapped, taking a step toward him.
"I know, I know, I was just joking, sweetheart - here you go," when he pulled his knife, she stepped back again, but not before his alien hand grabbed her forearm and cut through the orange restraints.
she hissed quietly, rubbing her sore wrists. he was so odd, always trying to make her angry, yet, he wasn't so bad.
"come on now," he then commanded his other aliens, while keeping Tiya at the front with him. he didn't trust her enough, and knew she would test out some shit sooner or later while they were out here.
with every step he and his squad took, Tiya clenched her jaw firmer. they were so loud, even children moved quieter than they did. at this rate, the entire forest would soon know that they were here. maybe someone would come to safe her then. it bothered her so much, the way they stomped through the forest, breaking the delicate plants with the things at their feet, disturbing the wild life.
"for god's sake, can you stop?!" an annoyed alien barked from behind her, grabbing her tail.
"kehe! ftang nga!" she snapped, slapping his hand away from her tail as she whirled around.
"what's the matter with you two?" Quaritch huffed, pulling Tiya away from Wainfleet, who stared at the man like he had just insulted her entire bloodline.
"no touching!" she snarled at Lyle.
"then stop whipping your damn tail into my face!"
Tiya scoffed dismissively.
"he's right, boss, she keeps agitating us,"
Quaritch raised his eyebrows.
"how old are you? four? get it together! what can you expect from someone like her?"
he replied, before looking at Tiya.
"you - tell me why you're so on edge,"
her ears flicked in confusion. on edge.
"what?"
"why are you so nervous? your tail!"
he grabbed her roughly by her braid, pulling her closer. she whined, clawing at the hand that held her queue.
"you move loud - bad," Tiya hissed.
his grip loosened from her tail.
"that is why you're here, to teach!"
"you cannot learn," she hissed stubbornly, backing away when he reached for her braid again, only to bump against another alien who threw her back towards him.
"not like this, you move too loud with these things - you move like sky people, not like us,"
Tiya explained quickly, trying to avoid the pain of having his hands pulling at her queue again, as she gestured at his feet, and curled her lips.
"then how do Na'vi move?"
"different,"
"you heard the woman, off with the shoes,"
he stepped out of the boots and pulled his pant leg up, so did his squad, uttering in dissatisfaction.
Tiya looked around, trying to find a way out. there had to be.
"come on now, let's walk,"
she hissed when he pushed her forward. the alien watched her, she knew. he would know if she tried to run, and he would shoot. he had done it once already.
Quaritch watched how she moved. gracefully and so different than they did. it was clear that she knew this forest. she was born here, raised here. that was how she walked. confident.
they led her to a place she knew. the old battlefield. the barracks, was how Jake called it. the place felt eerie. she didn't like it. never did. the only good thing was how Neytiri had defeated one of the demons here.
palulukan makto.
Tiya admired her, she wanted to be like her. she was her mentor, when Tsu'tey couldn't be. Tiya had been on the right path to become a warrior like Neytiri, until the aliens had taken her. they had brought her with their eldest son, to rescue their children. maybe one day, she would become Neteyams mate. though she was a little older than him. Tiya knew that Mo'at liked the idea, so did Neytiri, but she didn't.Tiya wanted to chose her own mate.
most importantly, she wanted to be free.
"again, colonel?" one alien asked.
"yes, take a good look at the place. I will care for our prisoner,"
they stopped where arrows stuck out of a sky people machine. Tiya saw the body in it, her tail moving nervously.
"do you know who this is?"
"a demon," she snarled.
the alien grabbed her braid roughly, causing her to whine.
"this is me"
he growled in her ear. Tiya stared widely at him, then at the wound she'd given him when they had first captured her.
"I am back for Jake Sully, you will help me fulfill the mission,"
"no, demon, I will kill you again,"
she hissed, struggling in his grip. how could he possibly be back? this was not Eywa's doing, so whose was it? the sky people's? it frightened her, how Neytiri had killed him and he had still come back.
"I like you, you have spirit,"
whenever she revealed her fangs, she reminded him of an animal. a cat, a tiger maybe, definitely something feline.
Tiya was an animal, like the woman who had killed him. Quaritch could not forget that, even when she had her peaceful moments.
a loud roar shook them, causing his hands on her queue to loosen as he stared at the animal that came crashing out of the woods. Tiya gasped, her mouth opened slightly and her ears moving nervously.
palulukan.
shouting erupted, their loud weapons were aimed at the animal, only making it even more angry. Tiya didn't think twice, she fled. the animal had come for the intruders, it was her chance. the best one she had gotten so far.
Miles cursed and hissed, reaching for his rifle. but the beast was fast, its skin impenetrable by his bullets. his squad was scattered, some in the old barrack, some before it. it was chaotic.
"retreat!" he yelled, realizing the rifles were not going to help them with the Thanator, as he sprinted into the forest, going the same direction Tiya had ran off in. the beast was unbelievably fast, he didn't know the territory, and they had nothing. he could hear the monster growling behind him, he heard how it trampled over the forest ground.
the Na'vi had ran off. their only way to Jake.
Tiya climbed a tree, hiding in the greenery surrounding her. she heard the palulukan attack the aliens. she heard them fight, and then how they retreated into the forest. spreading out like startled pa'li. her heart was racing beneath her blue skin, when she laid her hand on her chest, while the other one remained on the tree she had pressed herself against.
she shut her eyes, when she heard footsteps beneath her. Miles, the alien who had captured her! lost, like a child. helpless, because his alien weapons were of no use against a palulukan. Tiya knew he didn't know enough about the forest, about the animals to escape. the beast would get him. his spirit would just drift away, and his body refused by the people and the forest.
it filled her with less satisfaction than she had anticipated.
Tiya followed his movement, pinning her ears down. she did not want to see how he died, but she also didn't want to help him. this was the way, how Eywa restored the balance. from the corners of her eyes she saw a glowing seed slowly sink down, towards his direction. she was stiff, when another one landed on her forearm.
"atokirina,"
no, it couldn't be?
Eywa wanted her to go back. she had sent her a sign. the almighty mother always knew. she kept the balance of life.
now it was on Tiya to help him, even if she didn't want to. she heard the animal approach him, and saw his weapon pointed at it. if he was to shoot, he'd surely be eaten. the palulukan was angry, and hungry. most likely he had lost his territory in the night of the sky people's return, like many other animals.
Tiya jumped from branch to branch, her tail keeping her balanced until she jumped down besides him.
"run, alien!"
she yelled, pushing him roughly into the woods. Tiya felt the animal's movement behind her. he was close, too close. even with her bow she stood no chance against a palulukan. no one really did.
Quaritch briefly caught a glimpse of her slender body, before she pushed him into the woods, keeping one hand on his back, as they ran through the forest. he had been certain these would be his last moments, but he had planned to take the Thanator with him. now Tiya had a different plan for them.
"faster!"
she hissed, almost feeling the animals breath on her back, as it hunted them relentlessly.
"jump on the branch there!" Tiya yelled, when they approached the cliff above the river. a few low hanging branches were a good opportunity to climb on the tree, and from there on further up and move back into the forest above ground.
at least he wasn't entirely helpless in that aspect, his avatar body jumping on the branch without greater issue and climbing further up. the fabric of his pants tore when they got stuck on small, sharp pieces of the wood, his vest was little help, but he managed.
Tiya followed him, until they were high enough above the ground, watching as the palulukan clawed frustratedly at the large tree. Quaritch was impressed by how closely intertwined the tree branches were, it was like a second level above ground. sure it was, it was how Tiya had killed two of his men, by hiding up here. the Na'vi stared at him with her big, yellow eyes, her tail moving from left to right.
"I told you I could learn,"
"you climb like a baby, alien,"
Tiya answered harshly.
"is everyone okay?" he used his communication device, while Tiya looked around, her hands brushing over the wood of the tree, as she quietly thanked the great mother for getting out alive.
"the name is Miles, by the way," Quaritch said, leaning against the thick tree trunk, looking down at the holes on the sides of his cargo pants.
"I know. you climb like a baby, Miles. use your tail for balance,"
her hands reached for his tail, pulling it slightly.
"your clothes, they are odd, no good for climbing," Tiya judged, now brushing over her own loincloth. it might have been in need of washing, but it was still far more practical than whatever the aliens wore.
"'s that why you wear none?" he retorted mockingly, looking down at her traditional Na'vi clothing. what she wore around her chest couldn't even be considered clothing, more like a large necklace that she seemed to put a whole lot of trust in, to keep her covered up. However, he highly doubted that Na'vi saw their bodies the same way humans did, if so, they wouldn't walk around like this.
Tiya moved her tail in a dismissive manner, and jumped on a tree branch besides them.
"you're still my prisoner," he hissed, trying to grab her.
"your people are dead or wounded, you don't know this forest. I am not a prisoner,"
she hissed back at him.
"get back -"
when he reached for her, she lunged forwards to jump at him, aiming to throw the unthankful alien down the tree.
"go away!"
Tiya snarled, as one last warning. his name sounded different with her accent. quite beautiful, given no one ever called him that.
"don't make me shoot you again," Quaritch said, reaching for his remaining weapon.
but to his surprise her eyes had left his, staring up, somewhere in the air. like she was in trance or something. with her mouth slightly agape and her ears pinned forwards, she stood still as a statue.
"atokirina," Tiya whispered, watching the seed sink between them slowly.
"now what the hell is that?" Quaritch scoffed, reaching for whatever flying insect this was, earning quite an intense reaction from Tiya.
"kehe! atokirina!"
she grabbed his hand, leaving whatever thing that was to slowly land on her hand that held his. he saw her ears move slightly, her yellow eyes widened in awe. it must have been one of these odd Na'vi customs or something.
"aungia lolu, aungia ta Eywa,"
Tiya did not let go of his hand, until the thing flew away, as slowly as it had landed. Quaritch worried he might have contracted some illness from this, he still had no idea what this was all about.
"speak English," he huffed at her, and to his surprise, she moved back towards him. her entire body language suddenly a lot less hostile than before.
"Colonel?" Quaritch recognized Lyle speaking in his headset.
"status, Lyle,"
"three injured, two severely, no casualties as far as I can see, but we are - hopelessly lost,"
he sighed, and Tiya saw his distress from the way his tail moved.
"I have the prisoner at least, stay together and move to an open spot, try to climb the trees,"
his command came, as Tiya glanced back up in the sky, remaining besides him, even though she had the chance to flee. no, Eywa had sent a sign, twice.
"understood, boss. we have already sent an SOS to the base, but I am not sure it went through," Lyle explained.
"I wouldn't get my hopes up to get out of here before nightfall, do you have any equipment at all?"
"negative, boss, and that thing - could very well return,"
Quaritch looked at Tiya. surely she knew her way around and could have an idea to find the others. the least she could do was teach him.
"stay safe, climb the trees if necessary, I will work something out,"
"understood, boss,"
his ears were pinned down, Tiya could tell he was upset. she would, too, if her people were lost in a place they didn't know. even though she hated the aliens, she felt bad. even Eywa had pity with them. him, at least.
"where is everyone?" she asked carefully, looking curiously at him. her now so gentle voice was a nice contrast to their fighting that had been going on for the entire trip. he had barely processed that the Na'vi had actually saved his life. technically, she had paid her debt.
"I don't know, some are injured badly. they will need medical attention,"
Tiya recognized the firmness in his voice, like an Olo'eyktan speaking about his warriors. she tilted her head to the side, hesitating to answer.
"I can fly, look for them and bring you there,"
she suggested hesitantly.
he met her gaze, for once they didn't fight. in the forest she looked a lot more like she belonged. her blue skin not as pale, and her ears moving attentively. it was where she belonged, was it where he belonged? Tiya was not bad, she was not like other Na'vi. she had rescued him, when she could have just ran off. now she stood here, too. offering to help him find his people, after all they had done to her.
"fly?"
"my ikran, Zaela,"
right. the banshees. that was actually not a bad idea.
"why are you helping me? you threatened to kill me barely an hour ago, confused little thing, aren't you?"
his hand wrapped around her neck. not firm, but uncomfortable enough. Tiya didn't even flinch, her eyes remained on his face. there was no fear, not even hatred.
"Eywa wants me to teach you,"
