CHAPTER 22

'Kanu did not know how she managed to climb so fast. Lo'ak was nowhere in sight no matter how much higher she clambered. The ship was sinking and she wondered what had happened to everyone else.

The ship was almost standing entirely on its side by the time she had made it to the very top. Tears were running down her cheeks once again as she whirled her head around, desperately looking for a sign of life.

Finally she saw them. The ship was rolling over but she jumped several feet lower, "Kiri!" She cried as she held her hand out to the girl. She noticed her human friend right behind her and reluctantly offered him her other hand.

Once Kiri was next to her she quickly bent down to help her with lifting up the human, "Spider - come! Hurry up!"

"We must go," 'Kanu said and lead the way higher as the ship rolled over. Climbing over obstacles proved itself to be rather difficult, but it was a matter of life and death so 'Kanu pushed herself.

By now the ship was almost completely in the water and the three of them ran along the bottom of it. It was the only part that was still above the surface.

"Go!" Spider yelled as he ran alongside them. The ship would not stop rocking, and at one point Kiri almost fell into a hole. 'Kanu had caught her wrist and held her steady. "This way! This way!" Spider beckoned them to follow.

Seeing no other way, 'Kanu and Kiri raced alongside him as he lead them higher and higher. With great struggle, the small group made it onto the highest point and they hurried to sit down. 'Kanu looked around wildly at the water that drew closer and closer every second. By now her feet were touching it.

"Stay together, okay?" Spider said and held his hand out to Kiri who grasped it, "Stay together!"

Kiri took 'Kanu's hand in hers as 'Kanu reached over to Spider, holding onto them both for dear life, "Stay together," she repeated. It was the last thing anyone said before they were forced to take deep breaths as the ship sunk. 'Kanu felt the water around her as she squeezed the two hands in her grasp.

The vortex that was caused by the ship sinking was too strong to resist and the three found themselves sinking along with it. Despite their efforts to hold onto one another, 'Kanu felt both Kiri and Spider begin to slip from her hands. She did not think too hard about who she wanted to stick with the most, as it was an obvious choice. When Kiri and Spider both slipped from her grasp, 'Kanu was quick to turn her back on the boy and reach out to Kiri with both of her hands.

The minute she felt the vortex dissipate, 'Kanu began swimming towards the surface, hand in hand with Kiri.

When they resurfaced, 'Kanu was relieved to see the boy right beside them. She may have made the obvious choice of abandoning him, but that did not mean she wanted him to die or drift apart from them.

The three stuck their heads in the water once more in an attempt to look around for the rest of them. When she heard calls, 'Kanu raised her head out of the water to see Lo'ak headed toward them on the back of an ilu.

"Lo'ak," she breathed out in relief.

Lo'ak looked back at her with wide eyes, "I told you to leave!"

Kanu started to explain herself, "I could not-"

Kiri cut her off, "Mom and dad are down there - in the ship!"

Lo'ak spared one last look at 'Kanu before turning his ilu so that it's side faced them, "Grab on."

'Kanu, Kiri, and Spider hurried to do as he said. When they all had a good grip on the animal Spider spoke, "Bro, I'm good! Go!" And they were off.

Lo'ak returned under the water with the three of them hanging on. 'Kanu looked back up at the surface as they made their way deeper into the water. She could see the fire burning on the water above and the orange light illuminated their path as they made their way lower and lower.

When they made it to an entry of the ship, 'Kanu and Kiri both released their grips on the animal. Kiri motioned that they swim over to the ethereal jelly fish. When they made it there, they each chose one of the fairy fish and connected their queues to them, letting them hold onto their backs.

'Kanu and Kiri did not know what to do so they sat still on top of the shipwreck. Soon a cluster of glowing fish made their way over and 'Kanu watched with amazement as the fish swam over to Kiri.

They were not frightened by either of their presence - in fact, they would sway from side to side as Kiri motioned them to.

'Kanu hated not knowing what was happening. She had no clue what was going on, or if Lo'ak would find air to breathe down there. What if he died while she sat there, waiting for him to return? What should she do then?

The small cluster of fish were only the first that came. Not even a minute later hundreds more - thousands more - appeared. The fish all formed a string of light, making 'Kanu forget about her worries for the shortest second. She looked at Kiri quizzically. Kiri looked at the fish, her eyes trailing the line that they formed. It led into the ship.

'Kanu looked down, watching as the fish forked and showed three separate directions. Soon those forks split up and they showed tens more. Intrigued and sure that this was a sign from Eywa, 'Kanu swam forward, eager to follow these fish.

Kiri placed a hand on 'Kanu's shoulder, making her look back at her, "I will go alone. Stay here," she signed.

'Kanu frowned and lifted her hands to object when suddenly a swarm of fish surrounded her.

The light was blinding. 'Kanu could not see Kiri as the fish swam around her head. She was not sure wether Kiri was still there or if she'd used this as a diversion.

When the fish cleared up, 'Kanu saw Kiri still there and she nodded reluctantly. She would sit this one out. Kiri would be fine - she was sure of it.

She watched as Kiri swam down toward the ship, choosing a path to follow.

'Kanu did not have to sit alone for long. Lo'ak and his father were the first to arrive. 'Kanu could see them struggle as Jake had not accustomed to holding his breath for long. She did not spare a second to think before kicking off from the ship, swimming over to help the adult man reach the surface.

Just as she reached them, Payakan came into sight. She was able to hold onto his fin as he took them to the surface.

"Hold on," Lo'ak said to Jake as their heads rose out of the water, "Just breathe. Just breathe," he made eye contact with 'Kanu and looked down. She knew why. Then he moved along Payakan's fin to level with his eye, "Thank you," he said to the tulkun, placing his hands on either side of his eye.

Payakan hummed in response, letting him know that it was nothing to be thanked for. He was merely helping his brother.

'Kanu watched as Jake looked over at his son, a mystified expression on his face. He reached out to place a hand on Lo'ak's head, "I see you, my son," he said rather breathlessly - he was still recovering from holding his breath for so long.

'Kanu turned before she could see Lo'ak's expression, and swam toward the rocks where they had left Neteyam. She would have plenty time to be with Lo'ak. The danger was over for now.

When she drew closer, she could see more people on the bit of land. The first person she saw was her father. He was looking out into the water, his eyes searching for his daughter. Then she saw her mother, her brother and her sister - who was being hugged by a stunned looking Wotxma. Even Rotxo could be seen by the rocks.

"Mom!" She called as she waded through the water. Her feet touched the ground and she ran through the last few feet of water before she leapt onto the rocks.

Tonowari and Ronal turned to see their daughter running straight toward them. The Tsahik - who had been crouched down beside Neteyam - sprung to her feet and met her halfway there, "My daughter!" She sobbed as she brought 'Kanu into an embrace. Her arms locked around her and her cheek was pressed against the top of her head, "You are alright."

"'Kanu," her father sighed in relief as he wrapped his arms around the two women.

"We thought you died."

'Kanu turned her head the slightest to look at her brother who was walking slowly toward them. In spite of everything, she chuckled through her tears, "I would never," she wiped her nose on the back of her hand.

"Gross," Ao'nung said as he watched her action, walking toward them. He left the other two boys standing awkwardly to the side.

"Come over here," Ronal pulled her son into the hug as Tonowari held his arms open for Tsireya to join them as well.

The three children were squashed against each other - Ronal's belly was pressed against 'Kanu's cheek as they all groaned and tried to put distance between each other. When they found out it was impossible, they gave up and welcomed their parents embrace.

It was a bittersweet moment. The tribe had sustained many losses that night, but they got to keep their family. 'Kanu felt lucky - especially when she knew others were not as fortunate.

When this thought crossed her mind, 'Kanu escaped the hug. Her father lifted an arm to scoop her back in but Ronal held up her hand to stop him.

Before 'Kanu could reach the reason she had left the hug her path was blocked by Rotxo, who held his arms open for her.

With the smallest smile, 'Kanu stepped forward and let herself be hugged by him. She knew he was just offering her comfort as a friend - even though he thought of her as more than that. He accepted that he would never be more than her friend.

Ao'nung gave the two a weird look, but he said nothing. He just hadn't known her sister to be a physically affectionate person. But then again - he supposed it was fair in this situation.

Finally letting go of Rotxo, 'Kanu walked over to Neteyam, looking down upon him. It was as if she had expected to find him not dead now that she had returned. She covered her mouth as she felt the new wave of tears coming. She had only known Neteyam for the time that they had been there, but his death was a horrible tragedy to her.

"He was my brother," she cried and crouched down beside him as Tsireya walked over. She lightly touched his arm, "He said he would take care of me."

Tsireya fell to her knees next to her sister and wrapped an arm around her, "And he did."

Indeed he had. If it wasn't for him, she and the others would have sunk along with that ship.

-
A/n:
This is literally the second last proper chapter before the end - I'm so nervous ab publishing the last chapter because I have never finished any fanfic or book and I don't know if the end will be satisfying or not.. probably not but oh well.

Again - I'm so sorry about Neteyam BUT I have a surprise 🤭

And before y'all get your hopes up - no. He's not going to live.