Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
CHAPTER TWENTY NINE
LOVE
talia followed the instructions from mo'at, standing before her as the clan stood around watching with attentive eyes. the sully's stood just beside tsahik as they were allowed due to their relation to the girl, plus jake was olo'ektan.
she knew what was coming, and had been training for many months in preparation. but now that she stood before everyone, her anxiety started to kick in. maybe neteyam and lo'ak were right to worry about her not returning from the eye of eywa, something that was rare but did happen.
soon, mo'at pulled out the infamous arachnoid but held it with a careful instrument to ensure her own safety. the tsahik held it against talia's skin, letting the critter wiggle until it eventually used its stinger to pinch her soft skin. talia hissed as the venom was almost instant, her body became drowsy after a minute. moving quickly, mo'at then administered the glow worm onto the girls tongue and shut her jaw for her.
with little feeling she had left, talia swallowed the glow worm. it squished against her throat, making her grimace at the awful texture. but she wasn't thinking about that after her vision became blurred and darkened from the poison. her body slowly grew weaker and in an instant, fell to the ground on her back.
neteyam and lo'ak tried to step forward and help, but we're caught by their parents who shook their heads. "she needs to do this alone," neytiri whispered to her sons, who didn't like her answer but complied nonetheless.
talia reopened her eyes only to see different surroundings rather than standing with the clan, this time she was standing in the middle of the forest. the trees danced with the wind and the soft grass was cool against her toes.
she took a few steps forward, beginning to walk around to try and find her spirit animal. it was strange not seeing any life scurry around the trees, but knew whatever animal emerged was meant to be. so she continued her little journey, passing the plant life with bright eyes.
soon talia heard a scuffle behind a large bush, the leaves and twigs shaking from movement. she gulped and narrowed her eyes, trying to get a better look. within a few moments the animal lunged out, it's graceful jump over the bush mesmerized the girl as she watched it land in front of her.
she froze, taking in what eywa deemed her spirit sister to be. a smile formed on her face as she realized this wasn't any ordinary animal. the palulukan that stood elegantly was in fact nihona, the powerful beast she befriended not too long ago.
finally able to muster up words, talia spoke, "nihona?" her voice unsure but it was without a doubt her friend. and to confirm it, the palulukan strut to her and rubbed its head against her hand— the exact same way from their first interaction. "nihona! you are my spirit sister?"
