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There is no greater achievement than passing your Iknimaya and proving to the entire clan that you are fit to be an adult.
For the Omatikaya, passing the Iknimaya means earning your first Ikran. For the Sully siblings, Lo'ak Iknimaya meant the fulfillment of a promise made many seasons ago.
A smile spread across Kiri's face as she watched her brother beside her on the mountainside. She couldn't have been more excited for this day, though perhaps not as much as Lo'ak.
When they were children, shortly after Tuk's birth, the family was gathered one evening while their parents told them stories about their adventures on Pandora.
One story in particular enchanted the three children. Exploring Pandora from the air, flying on their Ikran with only the wind coming to meet them. Each description made the children's eyes shine brighter and brighter. After that day, Neteyam, Kiri, and Lo'ak promised that when the three of them had their own Ikran, they would fly across Pandora, creating their own stories and adventures.
Kiri was the first to get her Ikran, to everyone's astonishment. Not that the surprise was that she achieved this, but rather the way it was achieved. She never performed the Iknimaya, not because she was incapable, but because in a way that no one could explain, Kiri connected with her Ikran simply by asking if she wanted to be her friend. After that day, they became inseparable.
The next to get his Ikran was Neteyam. Following the Omatikaya tradition, upon reaching the age, Neteyam performed his Iknimaya. Between Kiri's teasing and Lo'ak's anxious words, he faced his Ikran with all the courage inherited from his parents. To everyone's pride, he managed to make the connection on his first attempt, but not without sustaining a few injuries in the process.
The siblings waited about four seasons until Lo'ak had the opportunity to undergo the Omatikaya rite of passage. Despite the taunts and fear instilled by his older siblings, Lo'ak bravely faced his Ikran. The shock came when, on his first attempt, he was thrown off the cliff and passed out in the process. The family was concerned, and his father even suggested waiting a few more seasons before trying again.
He remembered Neteyam's taunts at the end of the day for failing on his first attempt.
"I told you to watch out for that head butt, little brother." The mocking voice was now present after the initial concern about falling down the cliff.
"You got bucked off, too, Neteyam" Spider's voice came to Lo'ak's defense, reminding him that even though he had passed, Neteyam had not emerged unscathed.
"yeah but I didn't fall down a cliff!" Lo'ak chuckled slightly as he heard his brother's defense.
But Lo'ak did not give up. Even though he was still a little hurt from the previous day, he showed that, like his parents and brother, he was a warrior. On his first flight after his conquest, his whole family joined him. Even little Tuk and Spider joined the flight as passengers on an Ikran.
Not even a full day had passed, but the young Na'vi couldn't wait to fulfill their dream. Neteyam, standing next to Kiri, looked at Lo'ak with pride. The only one looking ahead was Lo'ak. He admired the view as if it were the first time, but he knew that the stories he would live would transform everything he had ever seen into something new and unknown to the curious and adventurous mind he always had.
“Stop dreaming, bro. We did not come here to enjoy the view.” Neteyam brings Lo'ak back to reality by putting his arms around his brother's shoulders.
“I was not... never mind.” Lo'ak said with a smile, removing his brother's arms and walking toward the three ikrans waiting side by side.
“Please be careful, all three of you.” Jake's voice sounded behind them. He and Neytiri walked toward the children with little Tuk with them.
“They will be fine, Ma Jake.” Neytiri says as she rests her hands around Jake's arm.
“I know, but... with the RDA... If you notice any problems, don't hesitate to communicate.”
“Do not worry, Dad. I will take care of them.” Neteyam responds promptly to their father.
“I can take care of myself.” Lo'ak responds angrily to being treated like a child by Neteyam and his parents, his voice growing quieter as he notices his sister's disapproving gaze.
“We will be fine,” Kiri assures them.
The discussion was interrupted by a small voice coming from below them.
“It is not fair. Why can't I go too?” Little Tuk complains at her mother's feet.
“Maybe another day, little sister.” Kiri replies, trying to negotiate with the youngest. “I promise we can do this again after your Iknimaya.”
“But that will take years,” Tuk replied, pouting.
“And waiting makes it seem even longer,” Lo'ak teases Tuk, leaving her with a disbelieving expression. Kiri rolls her eyes and gently squeezes her sister's shoulder as if to assure her that it won't be that bad.
The children said goodbye to their parents and headed for their respective Ikran. With a sharp scream, they took to the air. In the background, it was still possible to hear their parents trying to comfort a devastated and sad Tuk.
The wind cut through the air as the Ikran's wings flapped. Through the silence of the skies, it was possible to hear the laughter of the three young Na'vi spreading across the Hallelujah Mountains. No fear, no worries, just freedom.
“Try to keep up, bro. I don't want to have to leave you behind.” Neteyam's shout teases his brother as a smile spreads across his face as he dives into the sky.
Kiri laughs at the look on her brother's face before throwing herself into the air as well.
“In your dreams,” Lo'ak replies to himself before following them both down.
The wind blows through their hair as screams and laughter accompany their fall. The three ikrans dance in the sky in coordinated movements, flying over each other.
They spent a few hours just playing with their newfound freedom. As they passed another mountain, the three Na'vi decided to land for a few minutes to rest so they could enjoy the rest of the afternoon before they had to return home.
“You almost fell, little brother,” Neteyam says as soon as they land on one of the many mountains around them.
“It wasn't my fault, that vine came out of nowhere,” Lo'ak retorts.
“Do not blame the tree, Lo'ak.” Kiri turns his head to face his brother with a mocking tone of reproach as he continues to stroke his ikran's head.
“I hate you both,” Lo'ak says in a failed attempt to sound angry.
“I love you too, bro,” Neteyam says with a laugh as he heads for one of the fruit trees in front of him in search of something for himself and his siblings.
Kiri takes the opportunity to find a spot on the edge of the mountain to sit down. Lo'ak follows his sister, not really wanting to help pick the fruit.
“Here, for you, the mighty vine warrior.” Neteyam returns with some fruit in his hand and throws it towards Lo'ak while handing another to Kiri.
They eat in silence, enjoying the cool breeze from the heights of the Hallelujah Mountains.
Lo'ak's mind is distracted by the possibility of imminent war. Now that he has completed one of the most important stages in the life of a young Omatikaya warrior, he wants to show that he can follow in his family's footsteps and protect the clan. He wants to go on missions with his parents and brother. He wants to join the other members of the clan and learn from their teachings. He wants to show his father that he is ready to face this challenge.
“Do you think Dad will let me go on missions?” Lo'ak breaks the silence.
“You are an Omatkaya warrior now.” Kiri rests her arms on her bent knees as she turns to face her brother.
“You have forgotten how much I had to beg him to let me go. And even today, he won't let me go to the black world, even though I already have the suit.” Neteyam joins the conversation, throwing his body back and lying down on the grass, watching the sky.
“I think he is afraid. I mean, more afraid than he lets us see.” Kiri reflects, repeating his brother's action and lying down as well. “Ever since the RDA returned to the skies of Pandora, I have heard the elders whispering about it.”
“He doesn't trust us with this.”
“That is not true,” Kiri retorts, turning to Lo'ak. “I think he refuses to accept that we are no longer children. And that scares him.”
“I do not think that will change anytime soon.” Neteyam turns attention back to him. “I heard the other day that they are calling a meeting of the council of elders to deal with the arrival of the sky people. I think it is serious now. I heard Mom mention that maybe it would be time for Toruk Makto to return, Dad was not happy about that at all.”
“The council? When?” Kiri is startled by her brother's words. Summoning the council meant that war was closer than they thought.
“I do not know, but I think soon.”
“Dad needs to accept that we are warriors, especially now, otherwise we will become a burden to the clan,” Lo’ak retorts. “All of us except you.”
“What are you insinuating? Kiri's tone of voice is indignant as she sits down.
Neteyam also stands up, noticing the change in the atmosphere of the conversation.
“No. I do not mean it like that. It is just that your role in the clan is already well established. Everyone knows you will be a tsarik one day.” Lo'ak replies immediately upon noticing his sister's expression. “Is not that what you do, spending all that time with Grandmother?
Kiri always appeared to be a very strong girl, as if nothing could shake her, but those closest to her knew how much she questioned her origins and what the other Na'vi thought of her. And the older she got, the more and more these thoughts came to mind.
"It is different. I am not a warrior like Mom and Dad. Or like you guys. I never have been.“ Kiri suddenly seems more interested in playing with the grass than facing her brothers. ”I am lucky to be a tsakarem and not a burden to the clan.
“How is training going?” Neteyam tries to ease the tension that the conversation was leading to.
“Fine, I guess. I learn a lot, but Grandmother won’t let me have a say. I know she is very knowledgeable, I have never questioned that.” Kiri is quick to say. “It is just that there are certain things I feel we could change and improve. Pandora has so much to offer, and I do not think we should always be stuck with the same solutions.
“I do not think anyone in the clan takes us seriously.” Lo'ak sighs defeatedly.
“Or maybe they just expect us to become our parents.” Neteyam concludes.
“Speaking of which, I've been going to the lab with Spider more often these past few weeks to see my mother.” Kiri shifts her posture so she can face both brothers. "Lately, I have been feeling different. It is as if Eywa is closer. I know it sounds crazy, but I do not know, maybe I have some answers.
“It is not crazy. And do not forget, little sister, you are Kiri te Sully, and no matter what happens, we will always be together.” Neteyam places his hands on Kiri's, and Lo’ak follows suit, reinforcing his brother's words with his gaze.
At that moment, a new pact of siblinghood was formed, without words, without ritual, just a look that affirmed that for the rest of their lives they would be together and no matter what happened, nothing could separate them.
“I'm glad we did this,” Kiri says with a smile. “Just the three of us after so long.”
“Don't let Tuk hear that,” Neteyam jokes, making the three of them laugh. At that moment, any tension that might have existed was officially broken.
“Please, no. We'll already have to listen to her all night about how unfair we were for not letting her come with us.” It's not that Kiri didn't love her little sister. On the contrary, she would die for her without a second thought.
The children didn't usually leave the little one out of their adventures, and if they were being honest, Neteyam was the one who was usually left out. With all the time he spent training with the other members of the clan, it became harder and harder to participate in his siblings' adventures. Even though he misses the fun, he wouldn't change anything. But today they needed this. Only this time it was necessary to say no.
Neteyam, Kiri, and Lo'ak continued with random conversations about life for a few hours until they realized it was starting to get dark.
“What do you think it is like there?” Neteyam says, staring at the sky.
“The black world?” Kiri asks.
“No. Not necessarily. I hear about it from the other warriors who are training there. But I was referring to everything,” Neteyam replies. “I keep thinking about the star where Dad came from and everything that must be between Pandora and Earth.”
“What made them come all this way?” Kiri also wondered.
For a moment, the three stopped again to stare at the star that had once been their father's home.
“I do not think we'll ever find out,” Lo'ak says, standing up.
"It is a good conversation, but I'm not going to waste the rest of the time we have reflecting on life.” Lo'ak walks backwards facing his siblings as he heads toward his ikran. When he gets close enough, he wastes no time and mounts it.
“Try to keep up with me, I don't want to leave you behind,” Lo'ak says, laughing as he takes to the skies.
Kiri and Neteyam look at each other and run to their ikrans to follow their brother.
It seemed like the day would never end. Not even the sky was the limit. In all their years of life, this moment was definitely among their favorites. The little creek they used to play in was nowhere near what they had experienced today. Their connection was stronger than ever, and if the great mother allowed it, it would never be broken.
“Look, Lo'ak, we are back before your curfew,” Neteyam jokes as they land.
“Do not start...” Lo'ak says to his brother. “I still think it is unfair that I have a curfew like a child while you two don't.”
“Maybe because we do not act like children running around and getting into trouble every second.” Neteyam couldn't miss the opportunity to tease his brother.
“Life is not fair, little brother,” Kiri jokes, nudging him.
“It is really not fair, most of the time you are with me.” Lo’ak replies incredulously to Kiri.
"Saving your ass" Kiri whispers back, laughing.
The three headed to meet the rest of the family, knowing full well that they would spend the next few hours recounting every detail to little Tuk and her parents.
“Let's promise to make this a habit. Flying together, the three of us,” Kiri says finally, when they are almost there. “Four, when Tuk gets to join us. Every year for the rest of our lives.”
The two brothers look at each other and nod in agreement. A simple promise, but one that carried much more meaning than they could have imagined.