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ू *𖥔 ͙ࣳ

Ocean Genesis

Avatar: The way of water

Li' Aeyana's eyes fluttered open as she could barely recollect the night. Her stomach was growling and her head felt heavy. She remembered the feast, her and Kiri taking some of Ronals herbs and medicines and then- She turned her head to the side to see Neteyam soundlessly asleep.

Immediately checking his neck and torso for any bruising a wave of relief washing over her as she tip toed to the ocean. There was so much that had to be done for the day. And yet she could not just leave him. Following in her temptations as she placed a kiss on his cheek before returning home.

Today of all days she could not be caught making a single mistake. She counted herself lucky, that no one had seen them especially the suitors. It would have brought a great shame to her family, more than what she already brings to them.

The previous night was slowly replaying in front of her. The dancing with Kiri, the feast her father and him.

As Li' Aeyana quitly sat in front of Tsireya who was brading her hair back , she could not help but think back to the eldest of Jakesully's sons. Neteyam. Something felt different between them, unable to even speak it.

But she no longer found herself irritated with him, his constant glaces - she seemed to...
Like? Was it all in hear or was it merely because they were forced to spend so much time together she wondered to herself.

"You came in very early this morning. Mother did not even notice. " Tsireya spoke up as she tilted her sisters backward , continuing to braid her hair "Did you and Kiri get into more trouble?" Her sisters perky voice questioned

"No, the opposite." Li' Aeyana "I woke this morning next to-" she could not say it, not today. Not even out loud "It doesn't matter. I just want today to be done with."

"Why are being so negative. Aonung is more excited than you and that says a lot." Tsireya noted

"That's just it Tsireya. This is all he's ever wanted. All of our training has led to this but i-" she carefully pieced her words together "Today is more important to him than me. He will be Olo'eykta one. Today is all about him."

"Li' Aeyana..."

But before her sister could sympathize "And I will be happy for him. No matter what happens." She turned to face her sister, her hands cradling Tsireya's face as their forehead leaned against one another

"Nothing is more important to me than you two. I promise." When Tonowari entered the pod, Li' Aeyana casted all of her emotions aside. Every thought a distant memory. There was nothing else but focus and diligence in her body. It was time

If it had been that they were not the Olo'eykta's children it would have been done in private but because they were the twins would be witnessed by the clan. It would be a great honour. Far from the reef a set of waterfalls towered over a pool of oceans. The would claim the great defenders of their tribe. Tsurak. To be a warrior of the Metkayina clan, you had to be a hunter and to be a hunter, you had to claim a tsurak.

Aonung and Li' Aeyana glanced to each other one last time before separating in the shallow water of the waterfalls. Up above she could see not only her family, but the entire clan look to them. This would test their strength to lead the clan.

Looking to her mother as Ronal optimistically smiled at her eldest daughter, she felt more at ease with herself. Slowly Li' Aeyana approached the tsurak. He was large , incredibly large as his eyes made sharp contact with hers. Li' Aeyana gripped her whip tighter as she could feel her hear thumping against her chest. Turning to face Aonung as the carefully treaded amongst the pack of skimwing.

Li' Aeyana held her position as the Tsurak hissed. The two standing off against one another. Slowly approaching him as he raised to tower above her , she looked over her shoulder to see Aonung chosen one for himself.

Her face whipped back as she quickly wrapped the whip around the tsuraks' mouth , with great force he pulled her to ground as she felt sharp rocks skin her torso. Ignoring the pain as she strengthened her grip , eyes never leaving his. Her hand moving along the whip as she circled next to him. Her hand slowly gliding next to the skin of his neck as she mounted him.

The tsuraks violently shaking as Li' Aeyana and Aonung refused to let go. The twins struggling to keep balance as their tsuraks were untamed. Li' Aeyana held her hand against the skin of his neck, rhythmically soothing it as he began calming down. "That is it. I won't hurt you." She calmed him taking her braid and making the bond.

Inhaling deeply as she could his heartbeat. Every corner of emotion. The strength of his wings and the power of his mighty lungs. No thought was needed as she felt herself be picked off from the air.

This was the most important. Flying would seal the bond.

As one the sooared above the sky as nothing but the cold wind could be felt on her face. It's wings spreading as they continously flew straight across the entire reef. Flying higher above the clouds , Li' Aeyana laughed as her hand felt the cold water of the clouds as her other hand gripped to whip around the Tsurak. She petted his head as the circled back to the waterfalls.

Upon returning she was welcomed with an uproar of cheers , the loudest from her father as the tsurak mounted itself down. But her proud laughter were silenced when she saw Aonung blood spilling from his shoulder. Removing herself as she ran to her brother and mother.
"What happened? Mother, what happened to him."

Aonung could not bear to look his sister in the eye as his friends helped him up. Ronal turning to face her "He could not seal the bond. He was thrown off before he could take to the sky." This changed everything as her father approached her

"But this does not take away what you've done. We are so proud of you, my sweet girl." Ronal placed a kiss on her forehead as she left to attend her brother's wounds.

Tonowari placed his hand on his daughters shoulder, nodding to her in respect. "I see you Li' Aeyana. The entire clan sees you!" And once again she was welcomed with cheers and yet she could not help but feel guilty.

No matter how many times she had done wrong, Tonowari held a special place in his heart for her. So much so that as they grew up Aonung resented. He loved his father and he loved his sisters more than anything but he wished his father could see him. See him as his own being. "Ouch, that stings!" Aonung hissed as his mothers herbs were placed on his cuts

"You will get another chance to claim one. This could have happened to anyone." Ronal consoled as Aonung scowled

"Anyone but her. Even when she doesn't try she is perfect." With bitterness he spoke.

"Aonung, you should be happy for your sister. She would have been for you, even if-"

"Even if she failed? I doubt it." He rolled his eyes as Ronal continued to heal him "This was- ouch mother!" He hissed to which Ronal continued to stop the bleeding "This was my one chance to prove to father that I can be Olo'eykta. And now - it does not matter. He's always favored her."

Ronal sighed deeply looking to her son "He is Olo'eykta but he is also your father. He loves you all with his heart, proudly and equally. Why do you constantly compare yourself to your sister? I don't understand why you are being this way."

"Mother, she is perfect. Everything she does is without fault. No matter how hard I try , Li' Aeyana is who father wants as Olo'eykta."

"That is not true!" Ronal defened "What must we do to prove this. You and your sister make it impossible for us. What is you think we think of you?" Ronal scolded nothing to change his attitude

Night had fallen and it was time for the suitors to present themselves. Because not all were of reef clan, Li' Aeyana was forced to choose a more practical choice. If she were to choose a betrothed he would have to be able to protect her. Keep her along with her family safe. Their skills in hunting is what she chose. Her family seated higher amongst the rest of the clan as Tonowari looked down to their visiting clans

"Tonight, my daughter has proven herself to be a woman. She has claimed her tsurak, named Ton'li. Tomorrow she will be presented in front of Eywa as she will receive the tattoos of our warriors, from those who came before us and after but tonight each son of our visiting clans will present themselves to her. Proving their worth in being her suitor. May Eywa be with you."

Li' Aeyana sat at the far end of her family as her she impatiently waited for them to finish. She could not care less about what they had presented themselves with, not that it would mean anything to her.

The first son was of the Tayrangi clan. He was tall and broad, with a face perfectly sculpted but Li' Aeyana could see the arrogance seeping off of him. He had more care to the applause as he withdrew his bow. His form was strong but impractical as he released his bow. Missed

To this she rolled her eyes, no care in the world for any of them.

The next son was of the Tawkami clan. The Sky Seer clan. They were more studies so it was no surprise that his arrow narrowly missed the target.

"Distract them for me." She whispered to Tsireya as she snuck off. The next son was that of the Akwey clan. In many ways he resembled that of The Sullys. Tall and broad was darker blue skin and yellow eyes , but as Li' Aeyana pushed herself through the crowds , she could feel her heart drop. He had hit the target.

He would be the one

This only pushed her further off edge as she forced herself through the crowds. With her fathers bow and arrow in hand as she presented herself to her family "I am Li' Aeyana. Eldest daughter to Tsahik Ronal and Olo'eykta Tonwari and I will shoot for my own hand to be presented to Eywa."

Gasps and sneers could be heard in the crowds as she noticed her father grip Ronals hand. There was no other way. They've given her no choice.

"Li' Aeyana!" Her mother called to which she ignored. Her first arrow gliding through the air hitting the target perfectly and exact.

"Li' Aeyana, enough! End this right now!" Ronal stood up approaching her eldest daughter her words only motivating her more. She was tired of the arguments and fight, if it would be that she marry herself to make her mother understand, then so be it.

"Li' Aeyana. I forbid it!" That would be the final blow to her. Her arrow shot perfectly, in line with the target but that did not matter because she looked back to see Ronal above her , their eyes staring coldly back at one another

Inside their Marui pod , Ronal forced Li' Aeyana inside. Ripping the bow off of her daughters body.
"You have no idea what you've done! You've brought shame to not only this clan but to them! Who will want you now!" Ronal yelled to her daughter

"You gave me no choice! I've begged and pleaded and still that was not enough! If I were to end this, at least I'd have it done my way!" Li' Aeyana fired back

"By embarrassing the clans sons!"

"This is not fair! You don't push Aonung to be betrothed! Everything we do is for you and father and neither of you listen!"

"I AM YOUR MOTHER, YOU LISTEN TO ME!" Ronal yelled to which Li' Aeyana's face was growing hot from anger

"You have me paraded around by men. Men who do not care for me. Who will not take the time to get to know me, as I am without my family name. Like a prey you allow them to stalk me , what other choice did I have?!" She cried. Li' Aeyana was not the crying type as she could not hold in years of anger and frustration "I won't take him as my mate. I won't. I refuse. Sometimes it feels like you want to be rid of me."

"You make it impossible Li' Aeyana. You are not the first born and it feels like you go out of your way to punish me for it. I don't want to be rid of you." Ronal calmed her tone "You have been much alone these last few years. Alone and you have allowed it to fuel you with rage. One day you will be tsahik and your brother olo'eykta by that time we are dead. All either one wants is to see you happy child."

"And you think a man of a clan, I'll never understand their ways of will?"

"A family." Ronal. Both refusing to speak again as each one's words sunk into the others. Ronal could see what Tonowari had warned her about. By pushing the idea of a family, she pushed her daughter away. What was left after all their fights? Was it possible to salvage anything that was left of the both of them?

Tonowari entered the pod as he nodded his head to Ronal. With his final say she left. Tonowari was the calm and collected of her parents but even Li' Aeyana could tell that she angered him in a way she had not seen before , ever.
"You!" He pointed to her "You are stubborn and strong wiled and wild but I have always defended you. Flaws and all."

"Father please-" her voice cracked

"No, this time you will hear me. Sit down." Li' Aeyanna sank to her knees as she ignored the tears slipping past her cheeks "I have tried to reason between you and your mother much to no avail."

"She does not listen to what I say or how I feel. She treats me like I am mad. I start to feel like I am mad." Li' Aeyana muttered

Tonowari only sighed "Yes, but not once have you taken time to understand your mother. What is it you think of your mother, tell me child."

"It feels like you want to be rid of me." She answered. This hurt Tonowari more than she could ever realize.

"When I have hunters, people of this clan ask me about you what do you think we say. When they ask who does your daughter think she is to refuse tradition, do you have any idea what we say? You think we agree?" Tonowari sternly asked her "Yes, Li' Aeyana is a great failure, a mistake is what she is. NOT ONCE!" He affirmed to which she looked down at her knees as her fathers words felt like it cut through skin "We defend you. Every time because we love you and want what's best for you."

"Father-"

"No, this time you will listen!" Tonowari commanded "Your mother defends you against everyone that has spoken ill of you. And not once has she ever wanted you to be anything but happy. You will make peace with your mother. I will not hear more of this. I must go to make peace with the clans, who's sons you humiliated." Tonowari stood as Li' Aeyana was left alone in the pod with nothing but her thoughts and tears.

She cried and she hated every second of it. How hoarse her voice became, how exhausted her eyes felt as her chest felt compressed. But what else could she do. And the worst of all, is she did not regret it. Not if it spared her a loveless life.

Authors note:
Yes this book is inspired by variety of female characters including Merida.

Be honest, how many of yall thought neteyam would compete?

But honestly speaking one thing about me if I'm gonna give yall severe angst before I give fluff so be patient. I love drawing them out and I love love love writing this family dynamic because we didn't get a lot on them in the film.

I said I was in denial but that didn't mean the entire book will be fluff. So yes heavy angst but the fluff chapters between Neteyam and Li' Aeyana will all be worth it

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