A Different Clan

Chapter 12: Tree in the Middle

''Lovely to meet you Tukrey'' Näeko replied to the little one on my arms ''Same to you''

''So, Nan'ti what have you been up to?'' Ayzeem said stirring the pot

''Just catching up with Näeko, which reminds me, we have a lesson to get to, come on'' I replied

''Can I join you?'' Näeko asked

I saw Neteyam's eyes glare at Näeko slightly, what the hell did Tsentey and Ayzeem say to him.

''Sure, we're taking a deep dive to see great mother and then, teaching them the procedure of attack so that they know what to do'' Ayzeem answered

''Great, let's go'' he replied.

We called our ikrans and began flying to the rock in the middle of the bay. Once we got there I got off Meya and walked towards the edge of the floating island.

''So, the first day, you asked where Eywa is, she's in an air bubble underwater, you're going to have to hold your breath for quite a long time. Wait here'' I said before diving into the water.

Down there the water was crystal clear and I could see their bodies looking over where I had jumped in. Soon I found a little help for Tuk and dragged it until the edge of the water.

''Tuk, come here'' I called out, ''This will help you breathe, come''

She slowly made her way into the sea, creating the tiniest splash. I made tsaheylu with her and the sea creature and she took a deep breath and tried it out. She swam underwater for about 5 minutes as her brothers and sister made their way into the water and began swimming. I lead the way, Näeko right behind me, the Sully's observing everything around us, Tsentey and Ayzeem behind, making sure nobody got too distracted by the creatures and corals. We swam till I began to see the light Eywa made, I knew we were close, and almost instantly we reached the air bubble, allowing us to inhale air. Tuk broke off tsaheylu and cheered.

''That was fun'' she cut herself off ''Woah''

Eywa's light shone brightly, a lavender colored light hanging from her branches, you could see insects hanging around and the peaceful ambience. I heard Tuk gasp.

''Your Eywa is literally hidden from everyone'' Kiri said surprised, ''No one can hurt her here.''

''Eywa is all around us, this is just her physical form, and we only come here for mating rituals, births or deaths.'' Ayzeem said swimming towards a bit of land where Eywa stood.

''The way of water has no beginning and no end. The sea is around you, and in you. The sea is our home, before your birth, and after your death. Eywa stands in the middle of it, where it meets your soul and your body.'' Tsentey began.

''Our ancestors have tought us; water has spiritual qualities in its depths, air has harmony in it's highest point, and land, land is where we plant our seeds'' I continued.

''It's also where we care for responsibilities and free our souls from earthly burdens...'' Näeko finished my sentence for me.

''We bury our dead next to Eywa, all that she gives, she need to take back sooner or later.'' Tsentey followed

''We can see our memories in her, our present and our future, you can find secrets and lies if you look too deep. We call her, the Tree in the Middle'' I said, my eyes darting back and forth from Neteyam and Eywa.

''Well, she's really something... Doesn't it remind you of the tree of souls back home?'' Kiri asked her siblings

''It looks so similar'' Lo'ak continued, he stood by Ayzeem

''I mean the resemblance is uncanny'' Neteyam said, finally saying something, it's like he didn't want to talk when he was around me.

We stood there in silence for a bit as the Sully's took all of it in.

''Form tsaheylu,'' I began ''See what Eywa has to say now that you're here''

One by one, we bonded with the tree in front of us, I can't say for certain what everyone saw, but I can say that seeing my father brought great joy, he spoke to me.

''Nan'ti... my sweet child, hello darling, how is everything?''

I couldn't speak, I just stared at him.

''Father?''

''Come give your old man a hug,'' he extended his arms, inviting me in, I gave in and hugged him strongly. I felt so safe, from everything outside in the real world. I began crying.

''What's wrong, my dear?''

''I just miss you so much, I'm sorry'' I sniffled as I faced him.

''There, there,'' he placed his hand on my face and whipped my tears off my face ''Tam tam, you are going to be fine, just know I'm forever with you.'' He began disappearing back into Eywa.

I snapped back to reality.

''What's going on?'' I yelled

''Kiri is having a seizure'' Ayzeem yelled back at me.

''Ayzeem, Näeko stay here with Tuk, and find her some help for when you get back, Tsentey, you Lo'ak find seaweed quickly. Neteyam, help me hold her up.'' I commanded, everyone scurried to do as I said.

''GOT IT!'' Lo'ak screamed back as he ran towards us

I placed the seaweed in her mouth, under her tongue and formed her tsaheylu with the creature that had helped Tuk breathe. We began to drag her into the water, panic on her siblings faces. I had to move quickly her life was on the line.

''What's wrong?'' Näeko asked

''She had a seizure.'' Lo'ak replied anxiously

''Is she breathing?'' Ayzeem asked

''Get her home to the village. Lets go!'' Neteyam comanded

''Neteyam, you and Tsentey will swim holding onto her arms, I'll lead the way, Lo'ak behind them. Ayzeem, Näeko stay with Tuk for about 10 and then come out, take Tuk on your ikran.''

My sister nodded back at me. Suddenly my brother, the two Sully boys and I were underwater dragging Kiri onto the rock. I called out to Meya who arrived at first sound.

''I've got her'' I said as I go onto Meya ''I'll go ahead and take her to the medical wing''

''I'm coming with you, my sister my responsibility'' Neteyam commanded, I'd never seen him like this before. 

I nodded at him, letting get on behind me, holding his sister in his arms. I made sure the flight was quick and steady. Lo'ak and Tsentey were right behind us, as I landed I burst in through the tent.

''UNCLE, HELP''

He came quickly and began examining her.

''What happened?'' he asked

''She had a seizure. Can you help her?'' Neteyam replied anxiously

''We will see... Aunk!'' He nodded at the Sully, his helpers came rushing in and shooed us away.

''You should stay here, with her, I'll go tell your parents'' I told Neteyam as I got back on Meya.

I flew over to the Sully hut, and met Neytiri at the door.

''Nan'ti what is it?'' she asked me.

''Kiri had a seizure, she in the medical wing with my uncle right now, Neteyam is there and Lo'ak. Tuk is with my sister on her way.''

''Oh great mother! JAKE, HURRY'' She froze for a moment, and yelled out to her husband.

They hopped on their ikrans and I led the way, on

''Thank you Nan'ti, can you watch Tuk while we deal with this?''

Author's Note: Heyyy... so this is the 12th chapter. Don't worry I'm not discontinuing the story, but recently I've been feeling a little uninspired. Let me know if you have any feedback. Enjoy:)