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Italics: (Na'vi language, or Metkayina sign language, and Jake's inner thoughts)

A/N: Ive been saying this a lot recently but just a small reminder; don't forget to comment :,) Don't be ghost readers, I love reading your replies and they make me so happy 🤍 I hope you guys like this chapter! I promise things will start to pick up.
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The eclipse had passed before the kids could even begin to register it and soon, it became nighttime. The forest had darkened, and there was no longer light to see the forest in, but now, at least they had the moonlight to guide them. Soon enough, Neteyam and Jake landed on a big tree to let their Ikrans perch themselves on the branches and trunks.

Jake hopped off his Ikran and grabbed his gun and other weapons while strapping them around his back. Neteyam got off his own Ikran and grabbed his bow and arrow, passed down to him by Neytiri before she died. Before the oldest Sully brother could step any closer, Jake stepped in front of his son cautiously.

"No, no. You stay with the Ikran," Jake said, buckling in his vest with his weapons, looking back occasionally to make sure no one was around. Neteyam visibly stiffened at his father's words. "Dad, I'm a warrior like you. I'm supposed to fight," Neteyam said, really wanting to accompany his father to save his siblings and Spider.

"Neteyam," Jake said, with a tone of warning. He didn't want him in direct line of danger, especially what happened at the train raid a few days before, and because a repeat of what happened to Neytiri because of the Sky People was not needed. Jake knew Neteyam wanted to fight, but he was sure of his decision that he should stay back for now and not engage. It was for his safety.

"I'm not gonna say it again. Stay back, I mean it" Jake warned, completely dead set on having his son stay where he couldn't be hurt. After a few seconds, Neteyam nodded and reluctantly turned back to the Ikran. "Yes, sir," He muttered, and that was enough for Jake to finally get on his way to where his children were being held.

As he watched his dad go off into battle, Neteyam turned his head around with a determined and sure look on his face. He couldn't just sit back and not help bring back his siblings. He was a warrior, it's who he was, it was undeniable and he wanted to prove that he was completely capable and competent to do it. He knew that the mission a few days ago made his father warier and more concerned for his safety, doubting letting him out on the field of battle, but he was ready. He really, and truly was. He'll be damned if he stood by doing nothing to get back those he loves.

Back with Quaritch and his crew, the Colonel was still watching the video footage of the moment he was killed. He watched as Neytiri shot a second arrow directly into his chest his human body. Spider was still watching the video as he peeked from behind the rock he was in, with pure terror spread across his face. He looked away for a second, turning his head away to stop looking. A thousand thoughts ran through his mind, he could barely process them all at once.

Quaritch continued to watch the video, seeing the footage showing how after Neytiri shot the second arrow, she crouched overJake's unconscious Avatar body and hissed protectively. The camera showed effectively how the Ampsuit collapsed on the ground with Quaritch inside, ending his life altogether.

As soon as the video was over, Quaritch put down the tablet and a conflicted expression came across his features. Now that he was seeing his death from a different perspective and angle, he didn't know what to think anymore. A barely noticeable frown formed on his lips as his eyes dropped slightly. He truly regretted not taking vengeance on Jake that day like he wanted to in the first place.

"There's nothing after that," Lyle said, taking the tablet back from Quaritch, who was deep in thought by the looks of it. The Colonel walked over to the rusty Ampsuit and grabbed his human skull, ripping away the old air mask that was still attached to it. Spider watched as Quaritch held up his human skull in front of him, analyzing and inspecting every detail of it. It was like it was taunting and making fun of him for his failure years before.

As he did that, Lyle proceeded to reach into the Ampsuit and pull out Quaritch's old military necklace, tucking it in the pocket of his vest. "Should we salvage the remains?" Lyle asked, but the only response he got was Quaritch crushing the skull with no mercy at all. It served as closure somehow. He brushed his hands so that he got rid of the remains of the skull in his palms. The dust had gathered and he tried his best to brush it off.

Soon, the eclipse passed completely and the forest was almost pitch dark. It had also started to rain and drizzle. Kiri, Tuk, Lo'ak, and Spider were still being held hostage, with a tight hold on their braids. It was so sensitive that any sudden movements will give them extreme painby even any of the smallest gestures, so they had no choice but to comply and stay completely still, hoping someone will come and rescue them from this situation.

One man held Tuk separately, not to far away from Kiri and Spider who were held right next to each other by a single soldier. A few Avatars that didn't have the task to hold onto the children were patrolling the area, ensuring that there weren't any intruders up until the moment they were picked up. Everything was silent, that is except for the eerie sounds of the forest.

Those designated Avatars hid behind trees, logs, and bushes, propping up their guns against a specific surface in case they needed to shoot at a moments notice. "Blue 1, standby. We'll be there in three minutes," General Ardmore said through the walkie-talkies they were relaying messages back and forth from.

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Jake was already treading with stealth through the humid forest. He could very clearly hear the loud commotion nearby. Jake held his weapons in his grasp, and just by stopping in his trek and taking a few sniffs to the air, he could clearly sense your children were nearby. Jake looked around for a moment, and that gave him the confirmation that the coast was clear. He held his rifle in his hands, keeping it aimed forward at all times.

Jake walked, while watching his step, through the jungle, getting closer and closer to where Quaritch had your kids. He leaped over a bent tree root as he lowered his stance, keeping his gun aimed forward. Eventually, Jake was so far in that he no longer could see his last checkpoint. He intently focused on the mission, no matter how worried he was for the outcome.

As the night progressed, Quaritch could sense something was coming. He didn't know what it was but he had a hunch. His ears twitched at a sound he thought was fake and that it was just his mind playing tricks on him. The Colonel turned to Fike, who was on patrol behind him. "Watch our six," Quaritch said, moving away from his original spot, and walking to where he thought the sound was coming from.

As Quaritch walked away further into the forest, Fike continued to onto Kiri and Spider, dragging them over by their with a gun pointed at their heads and making them face the opposite direction. Kiri and Spider groaned uncomfortably, with mingled feelings of pain and numbness. They had been at this for hours on end and nothing had changed. The kids were starting to feel more scared than ever.

From her spot, as she was still being held by a soldier, the female Avatar soldier was still holding her braid. Tuk looked at the ground, not making any sudden moves, but a familiar sound made her ears twitch and her head turn to where it was coming from. The 8-year-old gasped and looked around. After hearing the sound resonate again for the second time, Kiri also took notice of it, and her ears tipped backward while she looked around the area.

If it was what she thought it was, then she couldn't help but let relief wash over her, as well as Tuk and Lo'ak. It was their dad. He was yipping sharply, making the sound echo through the tree, disguising it as if it was an animal making that sound to confuse Quaritch and his soldiers. But, he knew his children would recognize it right away. It seemed to do the trick because none of the Avatars reacted to Jake's calls. To them, it was just another animal.

Jake was now on a broad tree branch, leaning against the trunk and holding his rifle close to him. He had leaped onto the tree without making a sound and had gotten close enough to the point where he could see his children being held hostage. Jake camouflaged himself against the tree and moved slightly to the side to peek through the branches and then to yip again, catching the attention of Spider as well. The human boy was able to hear that loud and clear this time around.

Lo'ak and Spider looked at each other, nodding at one another. They knew it was Jake making those calls. The soldiers were still unphased and assumed it was an animal like Jake hoped, but the children were already aware that things would turn south very soon. Spider exhaled in relief, but not too hard to cause suspicion, but at least he knew they were getting out of this situation soon enough. Although, he hoped that there was no bloodshed in the process, and they could just escape.

Not wanting to stay in the same place for too long, Jake quietly climbed down the tree and used some bushes to disguise himself through the woods. He had taken a path that didn't have any soldiers on it, giving him the advantage. He was now creeping behind some leaves, not making any noise during his trek. There was an Avatar soldier with his back turned to Jake, so that gave the ex-marine the perfect chance to strike. As Jake walked closer, he adjusted the grip he had on his hatchet to an angle he could instantly kill the soldier. Jake's steps were completely drowned out by the sounds of the forest, so the soldiers he was preying on still had no idea of Jake's presence behind him.

Not wasting any time, with one strike, Jake struck his hatchet in the back of the soldier's neck, killing the soldier instantly. To avoid the noise of the soldier's impact on the floor and creating a commotion, Jake managed to grab ahold of the Avatar before he fell and laid him down on without creating any unnecessary noise. Checking if the coast was clear, Jake continued to walk through the path and switched from his hatchet to his rifle instantly, knowing he'd need it.

After that, Jake arrived at the base of another tree and leaned against it. He peeked behind it and saw that he was in perfect range to Kiri and Spider. Jake began to prepare his rifle and lifted it to aim at the mercenary holding Kiri and Spider. The thing is that, from his angle, Kiri's head was aligned perfectly with Fike's, so one wrong shot and Kiri would be dead on the ground, along with Spider who was in the way of Jake's shot too.

While Fike's eyes searched the perimeters with his eyes, he heard Kiri start to pray in Na'vi to Eywa with her eyes closed shut. Annoyed, Fike tugged Kiri's braid back, making her groan in pain again. "Shut up," He said as he gritted his teeth, his ears tipping back as he aimed the barrel of his gun into her head even further.

Jake's eyes tried to analyze the best angle he could shoot at, but at every possible circumstance that passed through his head, it always ends up with Spider or Kiri hurt, or even worse, dead instantly. Jake inhaled and exhaled deeply, trying his best to not let his hands tremble on the trigger. Jake could see and hear Kiri praying to Eywa, making him more nervous about missing the shot. He had to wait for the perfect moment for Fike to move his head away enough from Kiri to shoot.

With frustration and anticipation building up, Jake's eyebrows creased and his ears tipped back in fear. He couldn't allow himself to miss, but only a miracle could help him now. He breathed out air softly through his lips, closing his eyes momentarily before opening them again and adjusting his rifle in his grasp. Tension was building up inside him, but it was quickly overpowered by the determination to save his kids. Jake pressed his finger in the trigger even further, preparing for the perfect moment that he knew would come any second now. It had to.

Kiri continued to pray, and as if Jake's prayers were heard, Fike tugged Kiri's head back by her braid low enough to give Jake a clear shot at his head. "Shut up," He seethed while Kiri held her eyes closed tightly to withstand her suffering. Jake took that opportunity instantly and shot a bullet, letting it strike Fike directly into his forehead and to his brain, killing him.

The man fell back onto the ground, lifeless, so Jake hid back against the tree hearing the rest of the soldiers start to grab their guns and shoot merciless gunfire. The tree was protecting Jake while he leaned against it for protection. "Contact made!" One of them yelled, all of them following suit as they continued to shoot aimlessly at where the gunshot came from. The darkness made it hard.

Knowing that they were distracted and trying to shoot at him, Jake leaned his head back against the tree, yelling through the gunfire. "Lo'ak!" He yelled, and upon hearing his dad's voice, your son immediately knew what to do. He moved to grab onto the latch of the stinkbombs on the military vests of Quaritch's mercenary soldiers holding him.

When the bombs went off, blinding the men with smoke, Lo'ak took the chance to grab onto the arm of the soldier who was holding onto him and sunk his teeth in his arm, moving his head around to cause more damage so that the mercenary would let go of him. The soldier cried out in pain at the feeling of Lo'ak's teeth penetrating deep in his skin.

Following the actions of her older brother, Tuk grabbed ahold of the arm of the woman that was holding her and sunk her teeth into the skin of the female soldier. The woman hissed and howled in pain, feeling the little Na'vi girl move her head around like a dog with a slipper. Tuk had baby teeth still, but they still made quite the damage on the woman's skin.

"You little shit!" The woman yelled out, not being able to shoot because her arm was caught. Even if it wasn't as big of an impact because Tuk still had young teeth, not developed ones like Lo'ak, who was a teen, so it still hurt like hell for the woman. On top of that, the stinkbombs were clouding up the space with green smoke, making it hard for the soldiers to see, but it made it perfect for the children to escape.

Tuk was able to get away as soon as the woman let go of her braid. The youngest Sully didn't hesitate to run towards Lo'ak, who immediately helped her run farther away. "Tuk, come on!" Lo'ak urged, helping his youngest sister run with him toward a deeper part of the forest ans away from the site, holding her hand.

Kiri and Spider were trying to escape, even if they were cuffed, so as they ran through the chaos, another female soldier grabbed Kiri's braid, tugging her back. Not knowing that she had fallen back, Spider continued to run.

Jake sneered at the woman getting ahold of Kiri again, so he put his finger on the trigger again and let a barrage of bullets fire, effectively letting it strike the female soldier right in the chest. This gave Kiri the chance to run away once again, catching up with Spider and her siblings. The human boy grabbed her hand and pulled her along. Quaritch was still shooting bullets at Jake, knowing that he was still behind one of the trees in the vicinity. Jake leaned against the trunk once again, using the tree as a shield while preparing his next move and checkiny ammunition.

During the gunfight, Quaritch stopped shooting to hide behind a log. The woman Jake just killed was laying across it, so the Colonel pulled the body over the log until it was out of the way. He proceeded to hide, and reload his bullets before going back into action. The kids got away, but the Colonel still had Jake to take care of.

Jake didn't want to give these soldiers or Quaritch the chance to even attempt to look for him, so the ex-marine quickly moved behind his spot behind the tree and moved somewhere else. He had made it through a shortcut he took and came up behind an unsuspecting soldier, turning him around and stabbing the mercenary with his hatchet and his dagger. The body went limp on the ground and Jake easily moved on to the next one.

As Quaritch leaned his back against the fallen log, in the corner of his eye, he saw the woman with various bullet holes in her chest. The Colonel's face contorted into one of anger as he realized that Jake wasn't holding back anymore. Quaritch's ears tipped back at the sight of those of those bullet holes, wanting to end and kill the ex-marine once and for all.

Quaritch laughed dryly and proceeded to change his bullets, refilling his bullets. He had run out and he had to take cover, but he knew Jake could hear his voice. "Is that you, Sully?" He called out, receiving silence in return, but he was certain Jake was hearing him. "I recognized your calling card," He continued, referring to those animal-like noises Jake made hoping to deceive and confuse him. At least it worked because the kids were finally out of danger. Jake could take care of Quaritch now. He needed to.

Jake hid behind another tree, refilling his ammo. He had taken care of a couple of soldiers by now, but it wasn't over yet. He was panting and breathing heavily. The adrenaline certainly took a toll on him, but he wouldn't let Quaritch intimidate him. He never has. The kids were finally out of the line of danger, but Jake still had the Colonel to take care of. Rain was still drizzling and landing on Jake's face, making small water droplets drip down from his face and his hair.

Before speaking again, Quaritch looked at one of his soldiers hiding behind a tree and gestured with his hand a signal he wanted to be passed down to the others. After seeing the signal, Lyle turned and passed on the message to one of his comrades close by. Quaritch's soldier began to get into position shortly after.

The Colonel continued to cock his gun and prepare it to shoot again. "Why don't you come on out, Jake?" Quaritch taunted, and Jake leaned his head back against the tree. "You and I, you know we have some unfinished business, Marine." He called out, trying to intimidate Jake. But it didn't work. Quaritch didn't scare him.

Jake turned his head slightly, and in the corner of his eye, you could see Kiri and Spider finally running farther through the forest. If they were out of sight, since they were the last ones to run and get away, it meant that Tuk and Lo'ak were also out of danger and probably much farther out. Jake sighed internally in relief to himself, glad that they were safe, but then turned his head back to where it was. He inhaled deeply before speaking up.

"Don't test me, Quaritch! I will kill you as many times as I have to!" Jake threatened with rainwater dripping down his cheeks and his face. "If you put a hand on my children again, you'll regret it. You're smart enough to figure that out" Jake said with a scarily calm tone to his voice. He wasn't surprised the Colonel went after his children, but it didn't stop him from feeling anger coursing through him.

Thankfully Jake had his Ikran warrior visor to keep the water away from his eyes and his forehead. Unfortunately, while Jake spoke to Quaritch, the ex-marine had no idea that the Colonel taunting Jake like this was just a distraction for one of his soldiers to sneak up behind him, completely unaware of the threat.

"You've have been pretty busy, Corporal. Haven't you?" He said, bringing up the topic of Jake's children. And by adjacent, implying Neytiri into the mix. You didn't want their names in his mouth, or his wife's either. "Got yourself a whole litter of half-breeds, haven't you?" Quaritch continued, and Jake scoffed to himself at his audacity to say such a thing.

Unbeknownst to Jake, the man Quaritch sent was already hiding behind some bushes with his rifle aimed straight at the back of Jake's head. Even though the branches were in the way, it was a perfect shot. When the mercenary was about to pull the trigger, an arrow was shot at his back. It was concealed, but the shot alerted the other Avatar soldiers around.

When the Avatar soldier fell lifeless to the ground, Neteyam was revealed behind him. He had saved his dad's life. Noticing the presence of the oldest Sully brother, one of the only remaining soldiers didn't hesitate to aim his gun at the boy, preparing to shoot. Neteyam was fearless, and he notched another arrow, preparing to strike at the soldier aiming at him.

"Na'vi!" The soldier yelled out, warning the others about the appearance of Neteyam. The mercenary started shooting, but before the bullets could hit the boy, Jake ran in from behind the tree and tackled his son to the ground to avoid any of the bullets that were coming in. Both father and son quickly stood up and started running the other way. "Go! Go! Go! Hurry, Neteyam!" Jake urged his oldest son to run, as he was right behind him.

Many more soldiers began to shoot as well, prompting Jake and Neteyam to both hide behind the safety of yet another tree. Jake turned to his son and inspected him to make sure he was okay before they proceeded. "Are you okay, boy?" Jake asked, and Neteyam nodded assertively and with confidence. They waited a few seconds, splinters of wood raining on them because of the bullets hitting the tree.

"Follow me. Ready?! Ready?!" Jake asked with urgency, mostly because the gunfire was so loud that he wanted his son to hear him, and Neteyam did not hesitate in answering with confidence. "Yes, sir!" He answered his dad, more than ready to fight in that moment.

Simultaneously, Jake and Neteyam stepped away from the tree and headed right towards the battle area and their enemies. Jake started shooting at any of the Avatars across from him but quickly turned around and Neteyam followed by his side. "Move!" Jake exclaimed, and his son did not hesitate to follow his lead.

The two of them took off running despite the bullets that were being fired at them. They ran through the forest through every branch, trunk, root, and space they could find. Jake and Neteyam began to retreat, knowing that they had done enough for now, and quickly started running away from the tree the two were hiding behind from and down to follow the lead one another to get out of there.

As Neteyam and Jake continued to run side by side, Quaritch had somehow managed to run the direction they did and fired a bomb that exploded just above the father and son. The impact made Jake and Neteyam stumble slightly. But, neither of them stopped and got back up to continue running as fast as possible.

Kiri and Spider were still running through the forest, trying to get as far away as they could. None of them were in the clear just yet. "Go! Go! Go!" He yelled to Kiri since she was running in front of him. It was tough to run faster since their hands were bound, but they made do and continued to escape. He wanted to keep her in front of him at all times.

Quaritch and his team were still advancing to where Jake and his family were running to. The Colonel proceeded to load another bomb onto the launcher he had and shoot it. It just so happened that Spider was the closest to it, so the impact knocked the human boy down and he tumbled to the bottom of the root they were running on. He tried to grab onto a vine as he fell to break his fall, but it didn't make the landing any less harsh. He screamed as he crashed onto some weeds and plants while he rolled down. He was feeling himself blink in and out of consciousness.

Kiri gasped as she saw him tumble down and fall to the precipice, so she leaned over the tree root they were running on. "Spider?" She called out to him, but the human boy was already feeling everything around him distorted.

"Spider!" Kiri called out to him, but it worried her further when she received no response. It seems that he was knocked out. At that same moment, Jake and Neteyam jumped down from a branch onto the scene, and Jake saw his daughter leaning over the root they were standing on. "Kiri!" Jake exclaimed worriedly, hurrying over to her. He didn't see Spider anywhere, but her calling out to him must've been that something happened to the boy.

Jake leaped over to Kiri, with Neteyam close in tow, to be on her other side. "Spider! Spider!" Kiri called out to him again. Jake proceeded to grab her arm, not too harshly, though and started to pull her along with him. If they didn't get out of there soon, Quaritch would catch up and it would be harder to shake them off again. They couldn't afford to get down there and get him if the Colonel and his group of Avatars would arrive at any time.

"Come! Come on! Kiri, we have to go!" Jake urged his daughter, but she was resisting as she kept looking down the tree. "It's Spider! He's down there!" Kiri said with worry and urgency, but as Jake and Neteyam peeked behind the tree trunk, it looked like Quaritch and his team already found him and surrounded the human boy. They couldn't go back for him now. It was too risky. It was already lucky enough that they were able to get out of there at all.

The Avatar soldiers and the Colonel started to crowd the boy, right as the ship with General Ardmore started to arrive at the destination that Quaritch had relayed to her. "10 minutes out in enemy air space," The pilot said, knowing that it would be any moment before their arrival was intercepted.

General Ardmore rushed to the cockpit, pressing the buttons to her coms to communicate with the Colonel. "Blue 1, get back to the rally point. Now!" Ardmore ordered, warning the group of Avatar soldiers to be ready for pick up and to reassemble.

Quaritch and his crew started approaching the human boy that was on the ground, covered from head to toe in mud and grass. Quaritch got to Spider first, so he flipped the boy over, seeing he was almost completely passed out. Spider was breathing heavily and his eyes were half-lidded, trying his best to stay awake.

"Blue 1, fall back!" Quaritch heard Ardmore through his coms, and he didn't waste any time in telling his crew to start falling back. The Colonel threw Spider over his shoulder, following his comrades to the meeting point.

Kiri was watching all of this happen with a crushed and distressed look on her face. As much as it pained Jake to see his daughter like this, it was too later to go back for Spider. Quaritch had him now and there was nothing that they could do. "Spider!" She yelled, feeling Neteyam tug on her arm to take her further into the forest along with their dad.

"Kiri, come! Come! We have to go!" Neteyam exclaimed, finally feeling his sister start running with him. Neteyam pulled her in front of him to allow her to run before him and Neteyam made sure she didn't stray off too much. Jake sent his oldest kids signals on where to go and hopefully meet up with Lo'ak and Tuk. They couldn't be too loud and give away where they were running to. As Jake, Neteyam and Kiri ran, the family was coincidentally all heading to the same place.

Tuk and Lo'ak had also been running this entire time, and the Sully brother had not dared to leave his sister behind at any moment and did not let go of her hand. Tuk was following her big brother as fast as she could. "Go! Go! Run!" Lo'ak exclaimed to Tuk, who had adrenaline running through her veins.

Soon enough, Lo'ak and Tuk came into a clearing at the same time as Neteyam, Jake, and Kiri. Tuk squealed in surprise, but sighed in relief when she saw her dad and siblings. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?" Jake asked Lo'ak with concern, but he was quick to reassure his dad. "No, I'm fine," Lo'ak said, and Jake nodded, quickly turning to check on Tuk.

"Tuk, are you hurt?" Jake asked, kneeling to her youngest daughter's level. Tuk came running into his arms, finally letting the waterworks out after so much adrenaline. "Daddy," Tuk sniffled and cried into Jake's arms, and he hushed her gently, not even imagining how traumatizing this must've been. She was just 8-years-old and already had seen enough violence to last the little girl a whole lifetime. "Shh, It's okay," He whispered gently.

Meanwhile, the ship had finally arrived at the designated location where Quaritch and his team were supposed to regroup with Ardmore. As the aircraft hovered over the forest with a bright light shining down on it, the wind the propellers were creating was blowing on the trees and the grass rather harshly.

Quaritch arrived with Spider still unconscious on his shoulders and proceeded to hook himself onto the metal rod from the ship above to be taken up. Every remaining Avatar soldier, including the Colonel, gave the signal to be brought up. They all immediately started to be winded and lifted to the ship. This was the moment when Spider was starting to gain consciousness oncd more and he was filled with confusion as to why he was being lifted off the ground and onto a giant ship.

The moment that the Avatar group was all on board, the ship eventually left, with Spider in it. Jake watched with a vengeful and angry expression as the aircraft departed and left the forest. It finally meant they were safe at last.

"There. We're clear. Is everyone okay?" Jake asked, and started looking over his children but realized how startled the kids still were. Tuk hugged his dad tighter, looking for comfort after such a difficult situation to have endured. Jake felt Neteyam and Lo'ak come from behind him and wrap their arms around their dad, and Kiri came around to embrace her dad like Tuk was doing. They were all now in a big group hug, thankinh Eywa that they were all okay.

Jake embraced the back of his daughters' heads. It seems as if his emotion's finally started to resurface so Jake started to breathe shakily as he held Tuk close to him, along with Kiri who embraced her father with relief flooding her heart. "Thank you, Great Mother..." Kiri whispered shakily as she sniffled and cried into her father's arms.

Kiri and Tuk separated from Jake, adjusting so that the girls hugged one another and kept each other close. Jake turned around and rounded up Neteyam and Lo'ak, hugging them by the back of their heads and bringing them close to him. He couldn't explain how relieved he was that his family was all in one piece after an ordeal like that. "It's okay, boys. You're okay. We'll be alright" Jake reassured his sons, leaning his head against Neteyam and Lo'ak's.

Jake lifted his head, patted Lo'ak's shoulder, and turned to look at Kiri. His daughter lifted her head from Tuk's embrace to look at her dad. Jake gave Kiri a look, and the girl knew exactly what it was about. Spider. That very look brought tears to the girl's eyes once again as she finally started to register what had happened to her human friend. "They took him. They took him," Kiri said as her lips quivered and more rainfall fell on her face. She was ridden with sadness and pain.

Kiri began to cry more as she detached from Tuk and went directly into her father's arms. "It's okay. It's alright, baby girl," He hushed Kiri, and it broke him to see her crying. Kiri wrapped her arms around his father while he held one hand behind her head and another one around her back to rub it soothingly. He really wished they'd had more time to go back for him, but it would've jeopardized everything.

"Easy. It's okay. He's a tough kid, don't worry," Jake said, holding his daughter close while she cried. "Alright, shhh..." He cooed, rocking her from side to side. There were a few more seconds of Kiri crying on her father's shoulder, but that was until Jake spoke up. "He's going to be okay. We're all going to be okay," Jake promised, holding the back of Kiri's head, while he held a serious look on his face.

The trek back home wasn't any easier. This was the time when everything started to settle i and the memories of what happened earlier really started to become a reality for the kids. On the way back to the Ikrans, the kids walked ahead while Jake walked behind them, keeping to himself as he watched them. Neteyam had his arm wrapped around Kiri's shoulder as she laid head on her brother's shoulder. Lo'ak was holding Tuk's hand as they walked forward and returned to the place they left their Ikrans.

They weren't talking very much, and that was very unlike them. It's clear that they were all shook up by what they had gone through. The time it took them to get back to the banshees, Jake came to a realization. They had no choice, but the Sully's had to leave the forest. Quaritch had his children under his knife, and was so close to taking their lives just to get to Jake. The ruthless Colonel was hunting down the family, and if the family stayed in the forest, not just his kids would get hurt, but many more of the Omaticaya would die in the process.

It was undeniable that Quaritch was targeting his family. He couldn't possibly ask his kids what he was thinking of doing, but it was for the best. At least that was what he told himself. The children ans everything they've ever known, including the forest, has always been their home. They grew up here, and he hated to be the one take that way from them. Even so, If it was any other way, since Quaritch was targeting Jake's family, he would fight for his kids without thinking it twice. He hated to admit that he was running away and leaving the problem behind hoping it'll fix itself.

Jake's eyebrows furrowed in pain at the memory of seeing his children like that. So vulnerable and scared. He never wanted them to go through that ever again. They were so young, all of them, and they didn't deserve to live the lives that Jake had, not to mention all of the Na'vi who've been subjected to the terror of the Sky People. Full of fear and terror. His mind was riddled with a million thoughts that he had no idea how to process all at once. It was so overwhelming Jake could barely think straight. It was all so much. What could he do?

Jake firmly believed that he would always fight for his family, no matter if it was Quaritch or any other person that came in his way. Escaping wasn't a solution for him, but deep down, he knew it made sense in a situation like this even if he didn't want to admit it. It had to be done. Jake's heart truly felt shattered. He wish it didn't have to come to this, but there was just no other choice. They'd subject the Omaticaya to the same result as 15 years ago all over again, and nobody wanted that.

Neytiri always talked about how much of an inspiration Jake was to her, to the kids, and all of the Omaticaya. A role model. Neytiri never failed to express to Jake how proud he was of him for everything he accomplished. Jake felt denial course through him, mostly because he couldn't believe this was really happening.

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Hello! By the time I finish this chapter, it'll be 30 minutes until it strikes 12 o'clock, which means that it's finally my birthday :,) I'm one year away from turning 20 and Im really scared lmao

Anyway, we'll have the MC and Jake finally meet in the next chapter! I'm so excited because this is the part of the story that I imagined when I first started to think about the plot of the book.

I said this before but chapters will be coming back to back since I have a lot of stuff prewritten already so chapters might be coming a lot faster now! I have a free week coming up so i'll make sure to get more chapters done by then.

There's not much I have to say now, but as always, I'll add other news in future chapters if there are any at all, Anyway, I'll see you all in the next one! 🤍 Have a good rest of your week everyone!

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