xvi. one of them
╰ avatar

NEYTIRI dipped her fingers in the white paint and reached towards Odessa's face, drawing lines across the blue that glowed against the flickering flames. Neytiris fingers were soft, and they only barley touched Odessa's skin.

( Odessa knew Jake was near by, Niave painting the same lines across his body. )

A small group of the Clan leaders, only the ones that had proved they belonged, waited for Odessa and Jake. It's where they would complete one last thing before they were finally one of the people.

A flute played it's soft music and Odessa, Jake, Neytiri and Niave approached them. A drum beating slowly filled their ears too. Mo'at, Eytukan, Tsu'tey and the others watched as they all came down the spiral towards them. Neytiri left Odessa's side, Niave doing the same and moved to sit next to Mo'at.

Mo'at stood, blowing air into Jake and Odessa's face to begin the ritual.
The two dream walkers kneeled, moving their hands along their bodies, allowing the air to wash over them.

"Oh wise worm, eater of the sacred tree. Bless this worthy hunter with a true vision." Mo'at raised the worm from the piece of wood and held it out in front of her, blessing Odessa first and placing it into her mouth. And then she handed it to Jake, who allowed her to place it on his tongue.

"Bless this worthy hunter with a true vision." Neytiri and Niave chanted alongside their family.

Eytukan, Neytiris father, stood to his feet after grabbing the scorpion and bringing it over to Odessa and Jake. It stung Jake first, who cried out in pain and placed a hand over his shoulder, eyes closing in shock. Odessa was stung next, yelping loudly and swaying as she tried to put pressure on her shoulder.

The Na'vi who were gathered around continued to chant, their words loud as both Jake and Odessa collapsed on the wooden floor. Their chests heaved up and down, letting everyone know that they were still alive.

Neytiri paused, her voice quieting. She gazed at Odessa, who was quick to stop twitching on the ground. Her chest stilled, she wasn't sure if she was breathing. Neytiri guessed Odessa had about two minutes before she wouldn't wake up at all.

The venom of the scorpion and the worm from the wood of home tree, it affected everyone in their own way, and some weren't strong enough to survive it.

The ones who ate the worm and were injected with the venom from the scorpion went through visions; a vision that would tell them things they hadn't ever expected to see or know.

Jake woke first, his eyes snapping open and moving his vision right to Odessa who suddenly gasped, sucking in as much air as she could.

Neytiri kneeled, helping Odessa up and onto her own feet. She stood too, smiling gladly that the woman so close to her heart has survived when it seemed like she wouldn't.

Niave moved, standing beside Jake who asked if she was okay. He wanted to make sure she was okay before she could even ask if he was okay. When she nodded, and eyed Odessa who kept a hand against her chest, Jake moved away and towards her.

"Des." His voice was quiet. Everyone but Odessa, Jake, Niave and Neytiri had left the room to gather at the bottom of the spiral where they would all meet once more for the final step of the ceremony. "Dessa."

"Hey." Odessa looked away from the ground where she had one laid. She couldn't get what she saw out of her head. "Are you okay?"

"Of course, are you?" Jake asked placing a general hand on her shoudler. "I can't let the only other member of the dead twin club be not okay."

Odessa chuckled. "I'm okay, Jakie."

Neytiri didn't want to intrude, she didn't want to step into the conversation she hadn't been invited into. Yet, everyone was ready for them at the base of the spiral. "They are ready. When we are at the bottom, take your time and walk down to us."

And then Neytiri and Niave left. Jake and Odessa were left alone.

"Are you ready?"

"Are you?"

Neither answered the simple question, but instead they stood shoulder to shoulder and made their way to where everyone waited for them.

Odessa and Jake were blessed once they made it to the bottom of the spiral. They were both now one of the people. Son and Daughter of the Omaticaya.

"You are now a son and daughter of the Omaticaya. You are a part of The People." Eytukan stated proudly. A small part of him didn't believe that they would have been able to do what they did.

Eytukan placed a hand on Odessas shoulder, his other hand on Jake. Neytiris hands fell on Odessa's arms, well Niaves fell on Jakes.   Odessa smiled at Neytiri proudly.

She belonged now. The Omaticaya, they were her people now.

🌍🌍.
╰ authors note

wow hey everyone! hi! this book went from 2k to 3k over night and i just wanted to say thank you all so much! i'm about 3/4 done, maybe just a little under!

anyways — anything you'd like to see before act one ends?

thank you all again!  comments, votes, views and all are extreamly appreciated!