the first few seconds of her brisk walk she debated calling Kar'am, she did, he was now hovering above them, hidden by the clouds as she rode Sai'leen, her Skimwing, she would need a water animal to navigate the water.

while Kar'am was their eye in the sky Sai'leen led their way to Three Brothers Rock. they were long past the reef but she couldn't bring herself to care less about what would happen when they came back. she didn't have that mental capacity, all she could think of was her little brother and how lonely and forgotten he must feel. Eywa what kind of sister is she?! her father's words from all those years ago were ringing in her ear-

{Play it}

We're here. Sai'leen's voice interrupted her train of thought as they dove under the surface, going deeper looking for any sign that might lead her to her baby broth- something caught her eye a dark blue figure blurred by the water hidden behind corals but there was something else... something glinting- TSIREYA'S ARMBAND!

THAT'S HIM! She cheered mentally. but what's that-

Trouble. Sai'leen answered her quietly. Hold on. she ordered

Tyane obliged, leaning her upper body forward so it was flat against her mount.

Sai'leen bolted forward with remarkable speed, opening her deadly jaws in time to catch the beast that cornered Lo'ak in them and drive it off, but it struggled, flinging its body left and right until Sai'leen is forced to let go and it swims off away from them and out of their sight.

Come on, we have to get Lo'ak Tyane urges

It will be back. Sai'leen warns

I know. Tyane answers as they swim back towards her brother. She gives him a hand and pulls him in front of her and Lo'ak clings to her like he used to do when he was a child and had a nightmare. He IS just a child.

Up. he needs air. Tyane orders and Sai'leen starts swimming upwards

she holds him to her tightly rubbing soothing circles on his back and kissing his forehead as her tears mixed with the water surrounding them.

Something shifted in the water around them Tyane flung her head to the side her eyes widening

WATCH OUT! She screamed down the bond

They were saved by a massive creature slamming into the one that wanted to swallow them Lo'ak's body spasmed in her arms

HURRY! Tyane pleaded.

Lo'ak's body was starting to feel weaker when they finally broke the surface thankfully he gulped down air himself and she didn't need to force it into his lungs.

Tyane closed her eyes and let a single tear fall down her cheek as she sent a quiet prayer of thanks to the great mother.

she opened her eyes again and found the creature that rescued them looking at her. at Lo'ak.

"oel ngati kameie and thank you" she said and meant it, without him Lo'ak would be- she couldn't think like that. The creature answered her but she couldn't transelated what he said.

"Help us get back to the reef?" She asked.

I can carry you. Sai'leen argued

I know you can. Tyane assured

Sai'leen shouldn't have to carry them both, not after everything that happened today. It was already night time and she carried her from midday until now on her back and even fought for her. she deserves a break.

the creature made another one of those noises that she couldn't interpret.

Payakan approves. Sai'leen transelated for her

Payakan moved closer extending a fin towards them. Tyane silently gasped. who would dare do that to such a kind and brave creature.

She secured Lo'ak with one arm and braced her other on his fin. she moved closer to wher therr was a bolt right through his fin.

"I can remove this" Tyane said looking straight into Payakan's eyes

he made a small noise and she looked to her skimwing

The Tulukun is not sure. Sai'leen said quietly

"You saved us. I owe you our lives. let me help" Tyane pleaded looking back at him.

he made another noise in answer
He says you can. Sai'leen translates.

Tyane sighs isn releif and sets her brother down carefully "I'll be back" She squezes Lo'ak's arm and slides back into the water bracing her feet on the downside of the Tulukun's fin pressing a two small levers before putting all her force in pulling the metal object free until it broke loose.

she climbed back up onto Payakan's fin and moving Lo'ak so his head rested on her thigh and she played with his hair like they used to before the skypeople

"All done! Hope i didn't hurt you too much." Tyane and added with a wince

The Tulukun made a sound that she couldve sworn it was a small laugh before he started moving towards the reef her Tsaheylu with Sai'leen told her she laughed to as he moved along side them.

~~~
13/7/2023

Sometimes out of nowhere i lose motivation to continue the story and then i see one of those comments like "Can't wait for the next chapter" so i get up and write a new chapter💀💀.