Chapter Text
It has been two weeks since So’lek had defeated Wukula and stopped The Mangkwans assault in the Western Frontier. It has also been three days since his Zeyrel ceremony, an adorned Sarentu mark under his left eye. He had been exhausted after the battle, but it wasn’t too long before he regained his energy and was at it again, destroying the remaining RDA facilities in the Kinglor Forest.
It was a pleasant surprise on Tamtey’s end. She was happy that So’lek was officially a Sarentu and closer to her family more intimately than before. She had received a lot of pleasant surprises, one of the biggest ones being Nor returning. She didn’t know what to think when she saw him, other than feeling pure joy that he was back.
She remembers hugging him tightly after they had brought So’lek to safety. When they returned to the resistance base, So’lek had whispered something to Nor that she didn’t quite catch, and Nor had distanced himself from the group. So’lek must have said something to him. She remembers feeling concerned, before she shook her head. No matter, she would have time to catch up with him after all of this, she needed to be patient, regardless of how eager she was to finally talk to him after all of this time. In the meantime, all Tamtey could do was let him be and pray that he doesn’t do anything reckless. She smiles to herself, excited to see him again when she returns to The Clouded Forest.
She was taken out of her thoughts when a voice came over her comms. Her smile became fonder.
I’ve told The Kame'tire about the RDA and The Mangkwan alliance. Anufi is… processing all of this. A pause. How are the Zeswa?
Ri’nela had gone to the Clouded Forest to warn Anufi and Tsu’lo of the attacks in the Kinglor Forest. Tamtey imagines that she also told them about what happened to the Aranahe Hometree. Her smile fades as she remembers how the stench of death overwhelmed the area. Being taken hostage there, seeing the husk and ashes of the great tree, the bodies of Koranu…Kitangi…Jin…Neytu…Vu’an… and many others.
She felt an uneasiness and pit of sadness form in her chest. It seemed like their playful conversations were only yesterday, she just couldn’t accept that they were gone just like that. She furrows her brow as her gaze becomes solemn. She was the closest with Koranu, Neytu and Vu’an out of all of the victims of the attack. It made her feel a deep sorrow remembering the times where they would venture around the hometree and gather materials back when she was new to the ways of the Na’vi. How they helped her become Na’vi again. The Aranahe were like her second home.
They helped her connect with Eywa. She can’t imagine what they were feeling at the time of the brutal attack. What Etuwa felt when she saw her people drop from the branches, fall from their ikran, getting shot as they ran. Tamtey shuts her eyes tightly. She frankly doesn’t want to think about it, she needs to be strong and focused for the rest of the Aranahe and the other Clans. She lets out a weighted sigh as she tilts her head to the sky. She hopes that their spirits are at peace with Eywa now.
Tamtey…? Are you there?
Her ears pick up the static sound of the radio communications, realizing that she zoned out and hasn’t replied. Her ears twitch apologetically. She presses the button to her ear, “Hey… Sorry, I… The Zeswa are informed about everything as well. Nesim is furious. Minang is… mourning. Most of them are. Many were close to the Aranahe.”
She hears a sign coming from the other end of their comm line. It’s silent for a moment, before Ri’nela speaks again.
We all have lost so many friends. I’m grieving for them. It all feels so sudden. The Mangkwan and the RDA have destroyed most of the Kinglor Forest. Even though its soil is filled with ash, the land will heal. We will heal.
Tamtey grimaces slightly at her words, snapping in Na’vi, “(You said that about the crater as well. Nothing has healed.)” She immediately regrets her words, pressing the comms button again, hoping that Ri’nela is still listening, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m being unfair with you. It’s just hard to have hope right now. I’m… not in the… best place.”
There is no response, and Tamtey believes she might have messed things up big time. She looks down before the static sound erupts through her ear. She hears Na’vi being spoken.
(Let us clear our minds before we speak again, Tamtey. I- Please… be safe until our next meeting.)
The comm switches up from her end, and she breathes out a heavy sigh once more. She doesn’t let herself wallow in her guilt too long, standing up and making her way to where she last saw Nseim and Minang.
As she’s walking, she hears murmurs and chatter about what had transpired in the Kinglor Forest. Many were worried and showed their concerns, others had let their rage consume them entirely, their expressions tightly furrowed and teeth gritted as they sharpened more spears.
She saw Nesim barking at Minang, the two sisters lost in a heated argument. Tamtey felt uncomfortable walking in on them like this, but she knew she couldn’t let the two sisters tear each other apart when they are both in such a vulnerable and grieving state.
When she gets closer to Nesim, the Olo’eykte jabs a hand in her direction, her voice filled with disdain. “Those filthy humans tear and destroy everything, tainting the pure land with their sinful touch. Even corrupting the Na’vi,” she grits out, her tail lashing wildly behind her. She turns to her sister, “and you allow yourself to wallow with the grief, instead of using it to your advantage. Fuel your desire to kill these beasts. Do not sit there and do nothing! I will not do nothing! The Zeswa need a tsahik, not some weak skxawng—”
“You know The Mangkwan were corrupted before the RDA arrived. They choose not to follow the Great Mother. The RDA simply handed them tools that could let them spread their hate farther.” Tamtey says softly, as she grabs Nesim’s reached hand and holds her gently but sternly, “Don’t say words you don’t mean to the ones you love. She needs your support more than ever. You both need each other’s support.”
Nesim’s tail lashes, but not as violent as before, “Your heart speaks from the same hole as hers.” She points to Minang, before looking at the Sarentu again. “You are welcome in my clan, young Sarentu. But you will not dictate what I should or should not do within my own grounds!” She raises her voice and slams her spear down to add emphasis.
Tamtey looks at Minang, her expression sympathetic and apologetic, before turning to Nesim, “You are hurting. You don’t see how—”
“I SEE clearly, Sarentu. Leave my tent, now!” Nesim roars. Minang interjects, “(Sister), listen to yourself. You are in pain.” She moves to Nesim and places a hand over her shoulder, patting her back. “You are strong. But please do not fall into this place of hate. It is not the Zeswa way.”
After Nesim appeared to be calming down, Tamtey thought this was her cue to leave, nodding her head to the Zeswa sisters before leaving the tent. She didn’t take anything Nesim said personally. She too had said things she didn’t mean when she was hurting, but the Zeswa’s words did sting a little.
Arriving at her own tent, Tamtey settled her bow down and fiddled with her songcord. She reflects on her life, specifically the memories she had of TAP Con-1. She glares as she remembers Mercer. His fragile human body. His stupid tiny pinkskin hands. How small his arms seemed in comparison to Aha’ri’s. How greedy that man was. He deserved a painful death. Tamtey regrets not making him suffer as much as he deserved. Those stupid Sky People tainting her lands, killing her people. When Mercer and Alma had ambushed the Sarentu moot and killed almost everyone in her clan. Her sister. Aha’ri. Dead with one shot. Mercer. Mercer’s fault. Mercer and Alma. Alma. That woman. Dreamwalker. Pretending to be Na’vi and adopting the false persona of a (mother). Perhaps she did deserve to lose her Avatar. Perhaps Nor was right. Alma was just as guilty as Mercer was. Her Avatar deserved to die. Aha’ri deserved vengeance. And she deserves to see the Sky People drown in their own blood. The humans deserve to suffer and die a slow death. They deserve to taste their wrath. Humans are vicious demons that deserve to be killed. Wiped out.
Tamtey glared long enough to realize that she’s been staring at her Sarentu blade. The weapon was customly made by Ri’nela. The thought of her friend made her snap out of her vicious daze. She frowned and sulked in her tent, thinking about all the sorrow the RDA had brought to them in such a short time. Before she could entertain more thoughts, her comms went off again, the voice much brighter and energetic than Ri’nela’s calm and monotone cadence.
Hey! It’s Priya- well, you already knew that, but um- hey! We were just checking in on you and making sure you were doing okay. I know the stuff happening has affected you, so Anqaa and I made a little gift for you back at HQ! Alex also has a little surprise, though I’m not too sure what it was. Something about a thanator? I’m not sure. See you in a few!
Tamtey smiled at Priya’s antics, before her smile slowly began to turn remorseful. She pressed her palms on her forehead. Letting out a choked whine that then turned into a strained sob. How could she have thought those things about humans? Did she not love her friends? Were the humans at the Resistance not good enough? Did she truly believe that all Sky People were to blame? Did she blame them? Tears ran down her cheeks, the extent of her thoughts affecting her more than she predicted. Priya isn’t to blame. Anqaa isn’t to blame. Alex isn’t to blame. Alma… Alma tried to make amends. She changed. She missed Rajinder, Jin-young, and Hurit. She missed them. She missed Alma. Even though her actions were unforgivable, she still tried to make things better. She tried to change for them. She wanted to make things right. Tamtey admired that of her, and she felt bad for saying it, but she loved Alma. She loved Alma as a child would love their mother.
Tamtey quickly wiped away her tears. Strong. She needs to be strong. Sivako. Sivako, Tamtey. She chanted to herself, trying to push away the pressing thoughts that threatened to overwhelm her. She pulled herself up from the mat, and slowly exited the tent. She was surprised to see Nesim in front of her.
Nesim had an apologetic look on her face and her mouth was open as if she were about to say something, but no words came out. Tamtey stood still and waited patiently for Nesim to speak. There was a beat before the Zeswa Olo’eykte spoke up, shame also evident in her voice, “Sarentu, I give you my heartfelt apology. I do not know what possessed me to speak to you or my sister in that manner. It is unbecoming of me. It is not the Zeswa way, nor should it be an Olo’eykte’s way of speaking to her fellow Na’vi.”
Tamtey stood there, stunned, but also feeling a twinge of forgiveness and hope. It made her feel better that Nesim had come to her senses. She opened her mouth, but Nesim held a hand up, “You have things to say, but let me finish.” She moved closer, and stared at Tamtey through her sole tired eye, “Like the pa’li, I am easily startled, sharp against the wind, but blunt and dull when it comes to feelings. I See you, sister. Minang shares her gratitude for your help. I know this was a long flight,” she takes a step back and gives Tamtey a light pat on her shoulder, “We will help the Aranahe and the Resistance fight back against these demons.”
Tamtey gives her a quiet grateful nod, before smiling back, “I See you too, sister. Thank you. This means a lot.”
Nesim looks at her closely now, her brow furrowing slightly, “Sarentu, your eyes… there is hintness of red, have you been crying?—”
“No, no, no, just— It’s a difficult time for everyone right now.” Tamtey lamely replies, noticing how Nesim doesn’t look convinced, but the Zeswa doesn’t prod. Trying to change the topic, Tamtey clears her throat and nods towards Nesim once more, “I will let Ri’nela know of your decision. We are here for each other, and…” She trails off as Nesim begins laughing softly. The Sarentu's expression remains confused and she lets out an awkward laugh, as an attempt to join in on a joke she might have missed making.
Nesim coughs out, before chuckling to herself, “How are the two of you doing?” Tamtey furrows her brows in confusion. Nesim rephrases her words, “That friend of yours. Minang tells me she will do quite nicely as tsahik of the Sarentu. Does she have an Olo’eyktan in mind? We have our wagers on who it might be.”
Tamtey blinks once. Blinks twice. Her ears turn a shade of purple. “I- Uh… Ri’nela hasn’t really talked about that… yet. It might be Nor. But… Whoever she chooses will be her decision only. I… I assume she’ll choose wisely. What?” She genuinely appears flustered. Nesim laughs before patting the Sarentu’s shoulder again.
“Relax, Sarentu. Simple teasing. Simple teasing.”
Tamtey nods, still flustered. “Mhm.”
Nesim nods before walking away, chuckling once more, “(The Zeswa express our gratitude to you. We will leave at dawn, Sarentu. Enjoy the eclipse.)”
The flight back to HQ was tiresome. Nesim had asked that Tamtey left earlier, so that the Zeswa could take care of the Zakru with their migration routines before leaving as well. Some of the Zeswa ultimately stayed in the Heartlands to take care of them, Kin and a few others being among them.
As Tamtey and Nesim arrive to The Clouded Forest, Temek screeches. Tamtey feels her ikran’s emotions flare widely and she looks around to see what Temek was screeching at. Another screech is heard, but this time it’s coming from up ahead. Temek screeches happily, her wings flapping excitedly, making Tamtey softly chirp at the ikran to calm her down.
From the mist, a green ikran with a yellow snout appears, spinning and flying towards Tamtey and Temek. The Sarentu gasps as she recognizes the green ikran, trying to find its rider.
Nesim and Minang whoop at the playful display next to them. Tamtey’s ears twitch and pin back slightly as she sees the rider of the ikran appear next to her.
“Shh… tam tam, Zoslu…” Ri’nela whispers softly at her ikran, glancing up at Tamtey as she meets her gaze. Tamtey averted her eyes, feeling shy and embarrassed. Temek must have felt it through their bond, as the blue ikran let out a sharp roar with her beak tilted towards Zoslu.
Tamtey wanted to hide for as long as she could. She decided to soar higher than the rest, as a way to leave herself to her own thoughts. She wasn’t surprised when she saw Zoslu fly up with her. She sighs, feeling Ri’nela’s gaze on her already. As she looks for the Sarentu tsakarem, she spots the hair covered in feathers and quickly looks away.
“Hey.” Ri’nela says softly, riding her ikran close to Tamtey’s.
Tamtey gazes up shyly, “...Hey.” she began, before moving a hand to adjust the strap on Temek. A few moments go by in silence before the Sarentu warrior speaks up, “I’m sorry for the way I spoke to you. I was hurting and not thinking. My heart feels as though it’s in a never-ending turmoil of hate and sadness.” She pauses, taking a deep breath.
Ri’nela waits patiently, as she listens to what Tamtey has to say.
“I trust you. I care about you. I… I didn’t mean my words, Ri’nela.” Shame runs through Tamtey’s veins as she processes her thoughts carefully, “I guess I felt… envious that you still had hope after all of this. After all of TAP. I find it hard to find it. We’ve lost so many…” She breathes in deeply, taking in Temek’s scent as a way to ground herself.
Tamtey continues, “It’s no excuse. But I do want you to know that I did not mean those words.” She waits for a response. She looks at Ri’nela, and sees her friend carrying an unreadable gaze. As the silence stretches, Tamtey becomes self-aware and turns away. When she looked back at Ri’nela, the Sarentu tsakarem, nodded slowly, as if she was analyzing each and every word.
But before she can open her mouth, Minang is shot from her ikran. Nesim lets out a cry as Minang grunts and flails down. Tamtey’s eyes widened before she swooped to reach her. Ri’nela’s gaze wavered as she looked around, Zoslu flapping her wings in distress. As Tamtey catches Minang, she notices and recognizes the arrow that had struck the Zeswa’s left arm. The Mangkwan. They’re here.