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It had all gone so well until it hadn't. They were on a mission. What mission? Kill an Akula. It was the final step to the completion of their iknimaya. Despite Neteyam having completed his in the forest, Ronal insisted on him completing it here to remain in the clan and be seen as an adult.
So it benefited everyone. If the group contributed to the kill, it would still count.
The akula they speared was cleaver, and unfortunately, the spear hadn't hit anything vital. The Akula took off at breakneck speed, hauling the party in its path. It went on for miles before eventually dying from bloodless. “Is everyone alright?” Neteyam shouted. “Yeah, we’re ok!” Tsireya and Rotxo shouted. Ao'nung spluttered something, which Neteyam took as an affirmative. “Has anyone seen Rotxo?” He called panic seeping into his cold body. “No, we thought he was with you!” Rotxo shouted. A quiet splatter behind him had Neteyam spinning around. “Lo'ak!” He yelled. “I’m here! I’m ok!” Relief flooded his veins. He swam over and trod water by his side. “Are you ok?” He asked. Lo'ak opened his mouth but paused with a frown. He pointed to a piece of seaweed, drifting by quite quickly. “Uh… bro?” He asked. Neteyam felt his grip loosen. “Lo, hold onto this rock!” He yelled. Lo'ak yelped as his head went under, but reappeared by the rock. “Guys! Move! We’re stuck in a current!” Neteyam shouted.
Too late.
With a shout, Neteyam could only watch as Lo'ak's grip slipped from the rock as he disappeared underwater. “LO'AK!” He screamed. He heard the others shout his name, but Neteyam spun. “Stay on the rocks!” He shouted. Ao'nung slipped into the current, followed by Tsireya. Neteyam spat a mouthful of water. "Meet back here as soon as you can! And stay there!"
His last thought was “I hope they heard me” as he slipped into the rapids, his grip failing.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Lo'ak swore as his head dipped below the water. He rose, spitting out some of the river. He shouted and twisted his body as he crashed into some coral. He cried in pain, feeling the throbbing in his ribs. He kicked and took a breath before he dropped back under. He slammed into something hard, his lungs crying in protest. He dug his fingers in, no doubt cutting them seven ways to Eywa, and clawed his way up. He'd crashed into a rock. He panted and let the tears fall. Where the hell even was he?
”It's the boy!” Somebody called. Lo'ak shook his head, convinced he was hearing things. “Son!” Another voice called. Lo'ak looked up and met the form of his father. “Dad!” He shouted, feeling a weight drop off of his shoulders. “Lo'ak! I know it sucks, but you need to let the rapids take you!” He shouted back. Lo'ak squinted and pushed some hair out of his face. “It’ll take you to a rock gathering of sorts! Just let it take you! I promise it ends soon!” Lo'ak let out a sob but dropped his grip. He slammed into the rocks again but tried to keep his head above water. Twists and turns and rocks met his vision. He took a deep breath and went under, letting the current force him through.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Jake paced. The rapids had yet to release anybody from its grasp. Rotxo was the only one who managed to not get swept away, thanks to his quick thinking. He’d set up a fire with Kiri, while Ronal prepared some food to nurse their children back to health. “Mom! Look!” Kiri suddenly cried, Jake's attention drawn to the hole. He watched as the rapids spat out its first victim. “Kiri, help me!” Neytiri wadded into the calm water and, with Kiri's help, hauled Lo'ak out. “Dad!” Kiri cried. He was by her side instantly, thumping his youngest son on his back. “Ma Jake!” She gasped. “I need to force the water out!” He grunted, thumping him harder. “Dad!” Kiri cried.
Happy with Lo'ak in Kiri's care, the parents rushed into the water to help out Tsireya and Ao'nung. They were slightly better and able to stand. Ao'nung panted, his hands on his knees. “Whew! That was NOT fun!” He said. A grunt made Jake turn his head and watch as his eldest was spat out next. Jake grabbed his arm and pulled him to shore. “Are you ok, Son?” He asked. He blinked and panted a few times. “Yes, where is Lo'ak?” He asked. Jake pointed to where Neytiri was currently keeping him upright as he choked up some water. "Your brother is fine, son. You did a good job," Jake grasped his shoulder firmly. Neteyam smiled quickly before Jake immediately moved, leaving Neteyam to take in what had just happened.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Jake took Kiri's place by Lo'ak's side, rubbing his shoulders as he coughed up water. "Go see if your brother is really ok, would you?" Kiri nodded and ran off. “You ok?” He asked. Lo'ak sighed as he nodded, wincing sharply. “What is it?” Neytiri asked sharply. “My ribs… I caught them a few times…” He admitted. Jake ran his hands across Lo'ak's rib area, apologising when he cried out. “They look ok for now, I think they’re just bruised.” He turned to sigh. Neytiri narrowed her eyes. “You better not be lying to me, Jake,” She warned. Jake grinned, "He'll be fine, babe. Worst case scenario, Norm plasters him up when we get back," He turned. "Is that all? Just your ribs?" He asked Lo'ak.
Lo'ak sighed softly. "Don’t worry, I don’t have the energy to lie to you,” Followed by him promptly passing out in his arms.
Jake would have panicked, but upon reassuring himself that his pulse was strong and checking him over for injuries, he told himself he'd just fallen asleep. Tsireya had fallen asleep by the fire as well, and it didn’t look like Neteyam was too far away.
Thank god they were all safe.