𝗠𝗜𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗥𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗟𝗦 - 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗲𝘆𝗮𝗺

𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗩𝗜𝗜𝗜 ⸺ 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘁.

Amraë clung on the melodic accents of her voice as she sat. The ground welcomed her, her limbs heavy.

"Help me with those herbs, Tsireya," Ronal addressed her daughter from the other side of the tent.

Tsireya addressed a reassuring smile to Amraë before standing up to go help her mother. Their voices blurred in the background; the colors blended on the ceiling above her. She was so tired. Suddenly, she was back in her village, waking up from a restful night as her sister and mother were already up. Amraë had always liked that moment, that fragile instant as sleep left her and her senses returned, when no one had noticed she was awake, right before Vahe turned to her and dragged her out of bed.

But it was no her sister's face that leaned towards her, not her mother's hand that slid behind her neck as a bittersweet liquid fell in her mouth. A tear rolled out the corner of her eye as the dark called to her. Those mornings were gone.

𓆜 𓆝 𓆞 𓆟

When Amraë opened her eyes, the sun was shining, forming a pool of light around her. She blinked, once, twice, senses slowly returning. First, the shades of green and blue decorating the hut; then, the background rolling of the waves. The salted scent of sea and herbs. The dryness of her mouth. The lightness of her limbs, that had felt so heavy before. The surprising silence in her head. The memories of a fire.

Then, a face jerked up in her vision field, and a high-pitched voice chirped:

"She's awake! Guys, she's awake!"

Amraë pushed herself upward, shaking away the confusion and dizziness. It was only now that she realized how heavy exhaustion that felt on her. At her left, Tuk watched her with wide eyes, as outside, a ruffling of feet approached.

Tsireya, Kiri and Lo'ak entered the hut, all gathering around Amraë, whose head spun lightly at such sudden movements.

"How do you feel?" Tsireya asked, her face lightened up with relief.

"I—" Amraë's voice was raspy and dry.

Kiri handed her a bowl filled with crystal clear water, that Amraë gulped as if it was the most delicious beverage she had ever tasted.

"Light?" she said hesitantly after putting it down. "Better— I think. How long was I...?"

"You were asleep for two days," Lo'ak said in disbelief, arms crossed. "We were starting to believe you wouldn't wake up."

He elbowed Kiri with a knowing look. "Neteyam would not stop watching you. He stayed an entire night."

His sister rolled her eyes. "You skxawng."

Amraë barely registered their words. Two days? Everything seemed unreal, as if the bad dream had started before, she went on a mission with her sister, and that she had just woken up in her village.

Mother. Vahe. The chip.

The rest of the memories slammed into her with the force of a slap. The thunder. Atanzaw falling. Urgency filled her every sense. She only realized her had sprung up when the others backed away, concern filling their eyes. Before she could open her mouth, Jake and Neytiri entered, followed by Ronal.

Jake's relief was more than visible. "Oh, I'm glad to see you awake, kid. How are you feeling?"

Amraë avoided his question, the words falling out of her mouth. "The chip. Is it safe? Is the decryption still running?"

Jake raised his hands in hopes of calming her down. "Don't worry, kid. It's almost halfway decrypted. Nothing will happen to it here."

His words brought some reassurance, but still, her body urged her to see it for herself. She turned to Ronal and saluted her in gratitude. "Irayo, Sa'nok."