#ASTNF

[nilrilie]

A Spirit That Never Fades | pt. 2

The plot: is missing but all you need to know is that you were once a skyperson named Anilri that was somehow reborn as a Metkayina. Eywa loves you too much.

You can find this story on ao3

Warning: Mentions of drowning, that's all. This one is mostly warmhearted scenes.

Masterlist

From the creatures that walk on land and water to the plants that surround the forest and seas, everything around you is connected with energy and the memories of the past. And as you glide around the ocean floor by yourself with nothing but a soft tune humming in your head, you are thankful to Eywa that she has given you the ability to still feel these connections in this new life. 

From time to time, you stop to graze the sand on the ocean floor in hopes to find a shell that was different from the others you regularly see scattered around the village. And when you eventually found one half hidden under a rock, you couldn't help but smile in approval. 

It was the bluest calico shell you've ever seen, covered in stripes that looked like waves from a stormy sea. 

You've never seen any seashells with this pattern before and that's saying something since you've been here at the reef for about a year.

Picking it up, your mind wandered to the Omaticaya clan. To the forest Na'vi's whose skin color was the same shade as the shell in your hands. 

Thinking of them never fails to warm your heart. They were your people, a family you never asked for but was given anyways. 

Of course, at first, the forest Na'vis treated you with harsh words and looks but as months passed — also adding Grace's name to your back, they warmed up to you much like how Neytiri was to Jake. 

As these fond memories came to you, you couldn't shake the troubled feeling in your heart that followed. 

You know full well that a war was brewing between the Omaticaya clan and the humans before you died. It wasn't a hushed conversation in Hell’s Gate, the RDA was planning something big and they didn't care if others out of their field found out. 

You wanted to stop them, to do something inside the facility that might help Jake in defending the Na’vis and their home, but you had no power or position to intervene with the RDA's plan. Not to mention you also had zero knowledge on how to handle a weapon — unless it's a SCAR-L gun or a hunting knife, and you know full well those will be useless against an AMP suit with their big ass guns and hard metal exoskeletons.

You want to go back to the forest, to fight and be useful. To see Jake, Norm, Grace, and Trudy alive and safe. But they didn't have anything here that could be used to communicate outside the reef. You could always ask Tonowari or Ronal as they’d probably know but every time you open your mouth to ask, you would always change it to a different subject. 

It was cowardly, you know this, but you were afraid. Afraid that the war had happened and had taken the lives of the people you spent your time with — getting to know and befriended. That the forest you fell in love with was no more because of the humans who did the same thing to their mother.  

But there was a part of you that was still hopeful. 

For all you know, the Na'vis and the sky people might have solved their differences and made an agreement where the two species can cooperate in peace together.

…right? 

Deciding you've lingered enough at the bottom of the sea, you took one last look around the area before swimming up. The blue shell safely in your hands in a tight grip.  

Breaking the water's surface, you didn't expect to be so far away from land. The waves were far harsher than it was before you entered making it known that you’ve strayed too far from the safety of the village.

You were hesitant to leave even as the irregular waves hit your body you still wanted to explore outside the seawall, but you knew you needed to find Tsireya. She might be going crazy with worry since you both dived together, before losing each other to your own curiosity. 

Looking at the distance, you decided to call for your ilu and in under a minute Emma was beside you. Rubbing her head on yours as she chirped happily in greeting.

“Hey girl," you giggled, hand in her head as you gently pushed her away from drowning you with affection, "I know you love me but we need to go. Tsireya might just kill my ass if I stay longer here," you said, jumping on her back and connecting your queue. Emma chirped in understanding and effortlessly guided you both back into the water, moving as fast as she could to get you both back home safely. 

On the shallow end of the water, you see Tsireya watching the surface with a worried look that melted to relief when she saw you on your ilu. 

As you got closer, you knew you were in trouble when you saw the scowl on her face. “Anilri! Where have you been?!" The girl in front of you now fumed.

“Sorry,” you smiled slyly, getting off your ilu without a sound as the water went up to your waist. 

You patted Emma’s head as a gesture to thank her and to tell her she can go, which she did before bumping her head none too gently with yours. 

“Ow! Emma, you—! Ugh…I’m sorry, Tsireya. I got distracted. I didn't notice the time.” 

Signing, Tsireya looked at you closely, taking a hold of your shoulders and spinning you around to check if you had any injuries from your time in the water. When she didn't find any, she smiled at you before taking your arm and dragging you toward the sand. 

“Be glad Aonung or Kiloä were not here. They would have dived long ago, blind by worry from your long absence. It is worrying since you know how Aonung is, 

his inflated head would only drag him up causing him to be useless in the water.” she said, eyeing you with a teasing grin. 

Tsireya stopped her walking before you lightly smacked her arm in scolding. Seeing you glare at her only made the girl giggle. 

"That's mean, Reya." 

“Mean? You were the one who said those exact same words when Aonung tried to compete in hunting with you.” 

Shaking your head in amusement and rolling your eyes at the girl who was now laughing, it was clear as day that the memory of you bullying the bully was loved by Tsireya. 

With the movement of your eyes that led you to look at the sand below your feet, you smile at what you see. 

There on the sand were shells of different kinds, all ranging in different colors and shapes in one neat circle.

You squatted down to take a better look at them, Tsireya following you with a soft smile. 

At first, she had wondered why you didn't seem to know any skills that were needed to live on the reef, and even Aonung went to her to ask these questions with distress as he was the one who was supposed to look after the mysterious Metkayina girl.  

“How am I not supposed to worry, Tsireya? The girl can not even breathe properly underwater! She was behind me as we rode an ilu, then in an instant, lost her grip on me! When I looked back to see if she was alright, she was clutching her throat since she drank seawater from staying too long under. How was I supposed to know she needed air, she should have hit me or something to make me notice — !” 

“Aonung, Aunong stop it. Breath, brother.”

“She is Metkayina yet she does not know the basic things to survive in the water. 

She could have drowned, sister.” 

With his hands on his head and a pained expression on his face, Tsireya could only give him one piece of advice that she knows will work as she had experience in teaching the younger children of their clan. 

“Be patient with her, brother. She has lost her memories and that is probably why she has also forgotten the things we were all first taught as children.”

Aonung looked somber but nodded his head in agreement. “You know I am not Patient.” 

“Yes, but if you do not want a repeat of what happened, you must be. You must also talk to her and get to know her. Be her teacher and treat her as if she is a child, taking her first step in the water.” 

And as weeks passed, it was obvious you only needed a reminder. You were fast to learn, breaking records of warriors who could hold their breath underwater. You even rode an ilu with only one instruction to connect and hold on tight. 

You were someone that was connected with the water like no other. Tsireya couldn't stop the thought of telling her mother that the girl could be a future Tsahìk if only her mother would stop being suspicious of the girl. 

With your closeness to Aonung, Rotxo was there to see your growth. Furthermore, helping in teaching you anything you needed to know about hunting and making nets. And along with Rotxo, Tsireya was there to further assist you with breathing and riding the ilus.

The three teens could see your love for their home. And even till now, the love you showed towards the reef reminded them of its beauty. Something that they have almost forgotten as they were surrounded by it all their life. 

With the face you make, of awe and wonder, every time you see even the tiniest seashell on the sand, Tsireya was reminded to be thankful. And there was one thing she was extremely thankful for, and that was the day Eywa had given you to them. 

"Did you find all this?" you asked the younger girl, brushing your fingers on the shells to feel their textures.

"I did,” she replied, doing the same with the others that were near her. “When we got separated, I decided to look around and found them. I thought they would look good as decorations for clothing." 

"They would also look good as accessories for the hair. Would you like me to re-braid your hair and use some of it? These small ones are the perfect size."

"Yes, please! I would rather have you do it than my mother, she could sometimes be rough in handling hair." 

With a restrained laugh from what Tsireya told you, you looked back at the shells to distract yourself from laughing out loud. 

Sometimes, you still can't believe that everything that’s happening around you is true. 

Swimming and playing around in a body of water used to be a distant dream you had back on earth since the oceans and seas there were so polluted to the extent that none can be used to even water the nonexisting plants you had at home. 

Now here at Awa'atlu, you were living near the sea and breathing in the fresh air.

A very different place from where you started.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | ...

@ultimatebluff

[nilrilie]

A Spirit That Never Fades | pt. 1

The plot: is missing but all you need to know is that you were once a skyperson named Anilri that was somehow reborn as a Metkayina. Eywa loves you too much.

You can find this story on ao3

Warning: Mentions of blood and death.

Masterlist

The calming sound of the water surrounds you, its waves rock you back and forth like a mother's embrace as you lay on the back of your ilu.

You have no idea how long you've been here with your eyes closed just letting the rays of the sun hit your turquoise skin. 

Surrounded only by water and the sky made you feel serene. 

At Awa'atlu, there were numerous things to do. The tasks are exhausting but you're not complaining about your duties for the village or Tsahìk training, you were complaining about how you couldn't get enough alone time ever since the village found out that Eywa has given you a gift. 

A gift of sight, they say. 

The ability to See.  

Not that you weren't already a Na’vi whose standing was uncertain in the village, but adding this “power” made everything more confusing.

Night and day you were frequently asked what you See. Na’vi from all ages and forms couldn't help but touch you in wonder, wanting to know how your abilities work and if it'll work on them.

You're grateful that you weren't left unattended for long periods of time, always having someone there to divert attention from you. It’s not like you needed the rescuing, the people in the village know you could kick someone's butt with your eyes closed, but you just don't have the heart to tell the people to keep their hands to themselves especially when it's the children. 

This ability you had is new and unheard of, even Ronal the Tsahìk of the village was astounded by it. 

The Olo'eyktan of the Metkayina clan,Tonowari, and his mate Ronal took you around to every village in the reef trying to figure out what your abilities meant or if it had happened before. 

You all didn't figure out much. 

News went around the reef that you have a strong connection with Eywa. This made those from other villages come to Awa'atlu just for you to heal them, but those who are still doubtful of your presence will go to Ronal and avoid you like the plague. You can’t blame them, you would also be suspicious of yourself. 

One early morning, Rotxo and you were at the water hauling out your catch. Your mind wanders, asking yourself if your ability is seeing a glimpse of a person's faith or more on feeling...things. It was hard to explain. 

"Why can't it be both?" Rotxo answered, tying the net to his ilu and yours. 

You didn't notice you asked it out loud. 

"I know I'm not Ewya but I wouldn't put it past The Great Mother to give you as many gifts as she could. You've been given a second life, Anilri. That's already one gift from Her.`` 

That same day as you were following Rotxo toward your marui to store your catch, you accidentally brushed the arm of a female warrior as she and her group were about to go into the water for their hunt party. 

Instantly, you knew something wasn't right. 

You didn't see anything but still told the warrior to be extra careful at the reef. You could only hold her arm as you tried your best to See what that sudden feeling meant but it was no use.

With no explanation to give her, you let go. The female looked at you with a frown but nodded in acknowledgment of your request. 

That night, a commotion happened around the female warriors when they came back. With a sinking feeling, you ran towards the growing number of people and maneuvered your way to the front. They didn't stop you, some even moving out of your way without being asked. There you saw some of the warriors bruised and bloodied, wounds on their bodies but gladly alive. 

Ronal came straight to check their wounds with Tsireya behind. Both of them have the needed tools and ointments on their arms. 

You soon followed, kneeling in the sand as you tried to stop the bleeding from a Na’vi who was closest to you. 

The wounded were many but with you, Ronal, and Tsireya, you all were slowly but surely patching them up. 

Another party came and everyone instantly knew this one was different. Three Na’vis were carrying a body and as soon as you stood up to take her, you froze. It was the same female warrior you had told to be careful at the reef. 

The mate of the warrior cried in despair as his mate was quickly carried towards you. You tried your hardest with Ronal next to you to heal her open wounds but the warrior had lost too much blood in the water and breathed her last in your care. 

Everyone stood in silence, the cry of her mate was the only sound that broke it. Their daughter was there but she was far too young to understand that her mother could never again carry her on her back. 

When the time came to move the warrior's body, her mate screamed. Each step he takes gets faster as he makes his way towards you. 

Thinking of the worst possibilities that the Na’vi male might do in his current state, Ronal stood up and shouted for him to stop as Tsireya pushed you behind her to block his path from you. 

But before anything happened, he stopped. “Please, can you do something? Anything?” he begged. His voice breaking as he looked at you with desperation. 

Tsireya looked at you sadly and your heart broke for him. You know you could do so little being new to your connection with Eywa and you're not even sure if you could do anything in this situation. 

Putting a hand on Tsireya’s shoulder to tell her it's okay, you turned and kneeled down towards the body on the sand. 

Ronal and Tsireya moved back to give you space while another warrior took hold of mate’s arm to prevent any sudden movements from him. 

She was a beautiful warrior and a brave one at that. You wished you could have done more, maybe if you told her not to go to the hunt this wouldn't have happened but you knew if it wasn't her some other Na’vi would have had the same faith. 

So you did the only thing you know so far. 

You closed your eyes and laid your hand on hers, concentrating on your breathing and only on her. It didn't take long before you felt at peace. 

Everyone grew silent as you connected with the warrior's spirit. Your bioluminescent markings glowed bright orange, almost to the color of gold that had other Na’vi’s cover their gasps at its beauty. 

Much like the Spirit Tree where you connect with your queue; you saw the female Na’vi warrior but instead of seeing a memory, you saw her surrounded by soft light that glowed beautifully behind her. She smiled, curling her hands towards her forehead and moving it downwards in greeting. She didn't utter a word but you knew that she was safe, that she 

“–is with Eywa now.” you murmured, slowly taking your hands off as you opened your eyes. 

You looked towards the mate of the warrior as he got down to his knees and wept. You saw Aonung and Tonowari watching everything in silence with their faces in awe. You smiled at how much they look alike.

Standing up, you walked towards the grieving Na’vi. 

You didn't expect it and you don't think anyone did but as soon as you touched his shoulders to show support his emotions of grief, heartache, and acceptance felt like yours. Memories upon memories of their life were shown to you like flashing images on a screen. They were too fast to see properly but you felt his emotion in every memory that was shown. 

Your knees gave out and you clutched your head in agony. All the emotions you felt from the memories were so intense that your head started to hurt from it.  

You didn't notice the warmth of a body that engulfed your small stature until the pain in your head had subsided. Looking up, it was Aonung who had his arms around you, a frown on his face as he looked at you with worry. 

The mate, who you now know as Zìtwu, looked at you in shock and you were pretty sure you had the same expression on your face as you look at him too. 

It wasn't tsaheylu as your queues were far away from each other but, even if it were just for a short moment, it definitely felt like it. 

You told this to Ronal after everyone had gone and everything had settled down. Ronal didn't have an explanation to why this happened except for your connection with Eywa. 

“Eywa has given you these gifts, do not be afraid of it. She has chosen you for a reason.” Ronal said with her hands on your arm. The smile she gave you made your heartbeat a little slower. 

Why on Pandora, cause Earth is now a shit hole, were you chosen? And how does one properly control these abilities? Questions you ask the wind hoping that Eywa was listening.

Ewya has given you a second life, literally. She might as well put powers inside you for the fun of it. 

In the distance you hear laughter, two familiar ones that snapped you back to where you currently are.  

Blinking your eyes a couple of times to adjust to the brightness, you saw two male Na’vis on their ilus getting closer to you as they talked. You decided to focus on them and make your ears work, catching a little bit of their conversation at the end. 

"–wish I could see Kiloä’s face when he notices." The male voice said as the other one laughed. 

"Funniest thing is that he won’t have any proof it was me this time." 

As they got closer, their conversation gradually stopped. 

Aonung looked at you with a smirk and Rotxo waved his arms at you in greeting, a mischievous smile on his face as he looked at Aonung and back at you, "Anilri! You won't believe what Aonung did–" 

"You skxawng!" Said Aonung, hitting Rotxo on the arm, "You are such a snitch!" 

Rotxo hissed at Aonung with attitude. The other boy scoffed and pushed Rotxo off his ilu. But to Aonung’s surprise and disbelief, Rotxo was prepared and grabbed his arm, dragging the surprised boy with him into the water. 

Both boys were laughing, chasing each other as they swam around you. Their ilus chirped in amusement at their riders actions. 

"Babies," you chuckle. 

Sitting upright, you pat your ilu’s head as she wakes up from her nap.

Aonung and Rotxo continued with their antics, it was obvious that both boys wouldn't stop until someone gets caught. 

“Go Rotxo! Get his ass.” you couldn't help but join in. 

“You traitor! You're supposed to cheer for me!” Aonung stopped to look at you, causing Rotxo to catch up to him. 

Aonung’s face was hilarious when Rotxo practically jumped on Aonung’s upper body to plunge the both of them underwater. 

You laugh, having to hold on to your ilu so you wouldn't fall in the water too. 

These are times when you wish that you had a camera on you to record these moments. 

Having controlled your laughter, you saw Tsireya on her ilu making her way toward you. You waved your hand at her, making the younger Na’vi smile wider. 

"I see you." You said and gestured. 

"I see you, Anilri." She greeted you back. 

When both boys ascended from the water you saw Tsireya roll her eyes, “Aonung, Rotxo.” 

Seeing the younger Na’vi, Aonung and Rotxo’s bickering subsided. 

Their eyes widened as they remembered they were here to actually  bring you back to the village, that is before they got sidetracked. 

Tsireya’s glare made the boys smile sheepishly, causing you to hide a giggle behind your four fingers. The fact that Tsireya resembles her mother when she glares probably added to the scare level Aonung and Rotxo feel. 

“Sorry sis, we got side tracked.”

“Obviously.” 

Aonung swam towards you and got on your ilu. He bumped his arms lightly to yours. "Where'd you go this time?" He asked, teasing you with a smile. 

You rolled your eyes without answering him. 

You sometimes forget the concept of time when you meditate or more so when you hyper focus on a certain thing. Your mind flying to who knows where making others tease you for it but also worried that you might get yourself hurt at some point.

"...I swear I know you would have smacked Aonung by now,” Rotxo said while floating in the water, his eyes on you with a small smile. 

“And why would I do that?” You asked him with confusion. 

“Rotxo, don’t–”

“He took Kiloä’s bow and exchanged it with Tswa'ew without their knowledge.”

Tsireya looked at Aonung with wide eyes, “Tswa'ew? Please tell me you're joking.” 

Now that was news. 

Tswa'ew is one of the female warriors in the village known for her rough demeanor and cold character. She is someone who Na’vi males fear and all Na’vi females look up to.

For many moon cycles now, Aonung has taken up a goal to get your brother in a relationship with any Na’vi in the village with random stunts like this. You don't have any clue how it started but you knew that Aonung’s antics always lead your brother to trouble. 

And with Tswa'ew, you were pretty sure she wasn't looking for a male mate. 

Shaking your head in amusement, you whack Aonung on the back of his head. “Why do you always have to get my brother in trouble, Aonung?”

"Hey! It’s just a bow, she’s not gonna kill him for it. And aren't you at all a little bit worried that he doesn't have a mate yet? I mean, he is getting old.`` 

Tsireya and Rotxo laughed, and you just glared at the boy next to you. 

Kiloä wasn't that older than you. 

You know Kiloä had already passed his Ikninaya and is now an adult in the eyes of the Metkayina, so his good-to-go in finding a mate to spend his life with. But you haven't really seen him taking interest in anyone as his only focus for now is bettering himself as a warrior. 

Smirking but afraid that you might hit him again, Aonung jumped off your ilu and swam straight towards his. 

You decided to let this one slide but noted in your head to tell Kiloä as soon as you set foot on land about what Aonung did before a spear strikes your brother's head. 

For some time, the four of you stayed in content silence, just listening to the water and the far sounds of children's laughter as they played at the shallow ends of the water. Taking this moment in memory before going back to the village. 

Peace and calmness surrounds you. 

And you pray to Eywa it will stay that way.  

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | ...

[nilrilie]

Can I post 5k words here on Tumblr? Cause I think thats how long chapter 2 is gonna be

[nilrilie]

I OVERTHINK EVERY. SINGLE. FUCKING. WORD. and it makes it hard for me to write sometimes.

Anyways, I have time to update ch. 2 nowwww

I spent 5 minutes just writing this post.