CHAPTER 47

"We gotta go!" Lo'ak told Tuk and Erìhe before all four of them drew in deep breaths and returned under water.

Just as Tsireya had said - a machine was headed right toward the plant, and Erìhe barely had time to glance over her shoulder to watch as it approached. Her hand was placed on Tuk's back and she helped the girl swim forward by pushing her.

Tsireya held a hand out to stop Erìhe from swimming forward once they had made it past a big leaf that momentarily blocked them from seeing anything on their right side. Erìhe squinted and could see a machine headed toward them from that direction, so she quickly urged Tuk to swim in the other direction.

The four of them desperately swam in the opposite direction but soon came to realise that it was of no use when a net was flung toward them, enveloping itself around them.

Erìhe could see the opening of the net beginning to close and she sprung into action, swimming toward the opening as Lo'ak did the same. The two of them managed to get out of the net and Erìhe held her hand out to Tuk so that she could pull the girl out as well.

Tuk hadn't even had enough time to grasp the girls hand when one of the avatars dove into the water with his ikran, the animals claws closing in on the ends of the net - closing the opening and making it impossible for the two girls to pull themselves out.

Tuk and Tsireya let out terrified cries when they were pulled above the water by the man on his ikran. The animals wings flapped wildly as it steadily carried the net over the water towards the big ship.

Erìhe and Lo'ak clung to the net, determined to not let go.

"Watch out!" Lo'ak suddenly said. Erìhe looked over to see that he had pulled out his knife and was now hacking at the net, trying to create an opening for Tsireya and Tuk to get out from. "Move your hand!" He told Tsireya. As Erìhe brought her hand over her knife to do the same, Lo'ak shook his head, "Go get help! Let go!"

"Are you crazy!?" Erìhe yelled over the sound of flapping wings, "What help would I even get?!"

"No! Erìhe!" Tuk moved inside the net to face Erìhe. The older girls eyes softened as she realised how desperately Tuk wished for her to stay with them.

"Just go!" Lo'ak grunted as he pulled on his knife, cutting the net.

Tsireya nodded frantically, "Go!"

Erìhe groaned in frustration before her head turned to look at the ship. If she was going to let go, she had to do it now. But she could not imagine what the others wanted her to do. Down in the water were machines whose sole purpose was to capture and bring them to the ship. And she did not even have an ilu so that she could escape.

"Erìhe! Get out of here!" Lo'ak yelled.

Erìhe looked back at Tuk who was shaking her head frantically. "I'll come get you," she whispered, then turned back to Lo'ak, "Cut them free!"

"Yeah I will - just go!"

And with that, Erìhe let her fingers slacken and she felt herself falling through the air toward the water.

"Erìhe!" Tuk cried with panic in her voice as she watched the girl plummet.

Erìhe crossed her arms over her chest and closed her eyes as she fell through the water.

Once she felt the water around her body, her eyes opened and she opened up her arms, preventing herself from falling further toward the bottom of the ocean before she kicked off and started swimming.

As she neared the big leafs that could provide her some shelter from the machines - which's her knew to still be swimming about in hopes of catching more of them - Erìhe called for an ilu which she only hoped could be near.

Of course one did not come. Erìhe reached the forest of plants and clung onto the stem of one, looking around in search for someone - anyone.

Neteyam's plan of drawing the sky people off had not benefitted them much considering the fact that his siblings and Tsireya were probably on the big ship by now, tied up and terrified. If not dead.

Erìhe shuddered at that and forced herself to push the thought into the furthest corner of her mind - never wanting to visit it again.

She helplessly glanced around, fully aware that she would soon run out of oxygen and she did not know what to do then. Going up to the surface would be stupid but she also could not see an air pocket anywhere nearby.

Erìhe was not yet close to running out of air, but the thought that she soon would caused her to panic. She was supposed to be looking for help but all she could do was panic over something that had not even happened yet.

Since attempting to draw the sky people away from the others, Neteyam had remained hidden in an air pocket. How he'd managed to stay hidden for so long? He had no clue. But the thought of not knowing what was happening to his siblings and Erìhe made him grow anxious. Though he most likely could have remained hidden for a long time - he found himself sliding onto the back of his ilu and setting off.

Almost immediately, a sky person in one of the submarines had caught sight of him and was soon chasing him through the water along with another machine.

Neteyam looked over his shoulder every once in a while as he manoeuvred through the plants. He was aware of how close the submarine was, but as long as he wove through the leafs there was no way he could be caught. He was sure of it.

It was when he was speeding past the plants that his eyes fell on Erìhe. She was holding onto the plant she relied on to provide her some camouflage - eyes wide as they darted in every direction.

When he saw the second submarine suddenly changed its direction from following him to serve to the right, Neteyam felt a lump form in his throat. This sky person had seemingly spotted Erìhe from among the plants and had chosen to switch targets.

Neteyam could not spare a second by hesitating - it would be too late if he did.

He suddenly ducked down, shooting down a few feet on the back of his ilu - successfully throwing the submarine behind him off for long enough so that he could turn around. Racing through the water, Neteyam kept his eyes on the submarine headed toward the plants as he simultaneously tried to keep his speed up.

He could not care less that his lungs were burning with the need to draw air. At that moment all he could think about was Erìhe being unable to escape from the submarine as it charged toward her at top speed.

Neteyam clenched his jaw as he raced toward the forestation, hoping he would make it to his girlfriend before the machine could.

Erìhe's eyes were wide as discs as she saw the submarine headed for her. By now fighting a fit of panic - the girl could only go down. Going toward the surface would be great, because then she would be able to breathe, but she knew that if it was bad under the water - with all these sky people on their machines - it could only be worse above.

She'd seen a glimpse of it and that was exactly why she chose to go down.

By now Neteyam was almost side by side with the submarine. He was far enough that the machine couldn't suddenly grab him if it wished to.

While the machine was fast and would tire, it was also made of metal and of awkward shape. Neteyam could easily change his direction with his agile ilu, whereas the machine would need space and time to turn so quickly.

And that easily benefitted the two teenagers.

Neteyam was able to easily dive under the submarine and reach his hand out toward Erìhe.

The girl had seen him coming for her and she immediately grasped onto his hand, allowing him to pull her onto the ilu's back as they sped off again.

Though danger was still lurking, Erìhe felt as though she could sigh in relief had they not been underwater. Wrapping her arms securely around Neteyam's waist, she rested her cheek against his back as she looked behind her at the submarines.

Had it not been for Neteyam's presence, Erìhe would be freaking out at the sight of two submarines at their tail, but having him right there was reassuring.

She knew everything would be alright.

-
A/n:
I'm aware of how shit this chapter is 🤭🤭

Also I got diagnosed with dyslexia?? Idk if dyslexia is even diagnosed or whatever but I did three tests with this professional someone and apparently I have dyslexia 🧍‍♂️ I'm so confused because what? Ik it's like different for everyone but I did not think I would have it lmaoo

The woman said I read slow for my age and I have trouble understanding what I'm reading (this actually explains why I misunderstand so many texts and shit BUT THEN AGAIN IDK IF IT WORKS LIKE THAT) along with a bunch of other shit I don't remember and just got confused by

Anyways idk why I'm telling you this but I just did bc I find it odd

BUT thank you so much for 3k followers lordy lord - and thank you for being so patient while I try to get these chapters out 😭 it's been like a week since the last update and I feel so bad.. I have a holiday next week but apparently my parents have a bunch of plans and then my friends want to sleep over at my place on top of that :")

Love you all so so much! 💗💗

Have this random thing where I try to draw Pedro and and even randomer Neytiri