bound - avatar oc x oc

part 6

Akaia's eyes fluttered open to the familiar roof of the Tsahìk's tent. She groaned, slowly sitting up on the woven mat beneath her.

"Take it easy, granddaughter. You had a rough night," came the calm voice of Mo'at, her back turned as she sorted through herbs and ointments.

Akaia winced as she spoke. "Is everyone okay?"

Her throat burned with every word. She reached up, fingers brushing lightly against her bruised skin.

"Your family is fine, my dear." Akaia let out a sigh of relief. "Although the human boy—Spider—was taken," Mo'at added with a heavy shake of her head.

Akaia bowed her head. She had never been particularly close with Spider, too busy with her duties to forge a bond. But he had always been loyal to her siblings, and for that, she was grateful.

Mo'at turned, walking toward her with a bowl in hand.

"Here. Drink this. It will ease the pain in your throat."

Akaia peered into the brown liquid, grimacing slightly before downing it all at once, gagging as she swallowed.

Mo'at smiled softly and took the bowl from her hands.

"I'm sorry, Akaia. I never should have sent you to the old battlefield. I didn't know... I didn't mean to put you in danger."

Akaia frowned, lifting her eyes to meet her grandmother's.

"It isn't your fault, Grandmother. You couldn't have known they were there."

Mo'at inhaled deeply, exhaling with a tired smile. "Go see your family. I've had to kick them out six times while you were unconscious just to treat you."

Akaia let out a quiet laugh before rising to her feet and stepping forward to embrace her. They held each other in silence for a moment before Akaia pulled away and left the tent.

⸻

The village was calm, bathed in soft post-eclipse light. Akaia moved slowly, every step a reminder of the battle—muscles aching, her head still pounding. But she smiled at every Na'vi she passed, nodding as they bowed their heads in respect.

Soon, she reached her family's tent—and froze.

Tuk and Kiri were crouched beside it, ears pressed to the canvas.

Tuk turned first, gasping. "Akaia!"

The little girl ran at her, and Akaia dropped to her knees, wrapping her in a tight hug. Kiri jogged over, joining them in the embrace.

The three sisters held each other tightly, clinging to the comfort of being together again. Akaia pulled back slightly, brushing hair out of Kiri's face.

Before long, Lo'ak and Neteyam came sprinting over, throwing themselves into the hug.

"We thought we lost you, sis," Lo'ak whispered, burying his face into her chest.

"Never," she murmured. "I'll always be here to protect you. Always."

Tuk and Kiri wrapped their arms around her again. Akaia closed her eyes, savoring the moment. After the last few days, she would treasure every second with them.

But then—shouting.

The group broke apart as arguing voices drifted from the tent.

Confused, Akaia turned to Kiri. "What's going on?"

Kiri bit her lip. "Mum and Dad. They're fighting."

Kiri grabbed Akaia's hand, guiding her and the others to crouch beside the tent, pressing their ears to the fabric.

"I cannot. You cannot ask this of me!" Neytiri's voice was desperate, pained. "I cannot leave my people. I will not."

"He's hunting us, Neytiri. He's targeting our family," Jake countered.

"The children... everything they've ever known. The forest—this is our home!" she cried.

Akaia's heart pounded as she realized what her father was suggesting.

"He had our children. He had them under his knife. Akaia almost died," Jake said, voice hollow.

Guilt surged in Akaia's chest, tears filling her eyes. Neteyam rubbed her back gently, offering a sad smile.

"My father gave me this bow as he lay dying. He told me to protect the people. You are Toruk Makto!"

"This will protect the people! Quaritch has Spider. That kid knows everything. He knows our entire operation. He can lead them right here. If the people harbor us, they'll die. Do you understand?"

A heavy silence followed.

"I've got nothing," Jake finally said. "No plan. But I can protect this family. That I can do."

Sobs broke out from Neytiri inside the tent.

"But I know one thing," Jake continued. "Wherever we go—this family is our fortress."

Akaia stood abruptly, tears slipping down her cheeks. They're leaving. She couldn't believe it. She wasn't just any clan member—she was the next Olo'eykte. She had trained her whole life for this.

She glanced at her siblings. Their faces were filled with quiet devastation.

The tent flap opened. Jake and Neytiri stepped out—and froze.

Their children were all huddled outside, wide-eyed, listening.

Jake's face tightened as his gaze landed on Akaia. "How much did you hear?"

"We heard enough," she said coldly.

He stepped forward. "I need you kids to pack your things. We leave tomorrow."

Akaia shook her head. "No."

"Akaia—"

"No," she repeated, stepping forward with fire in her eyes. "I've done everything you've ever asked of me. Since I was a child, I followed every order. But this... this I cannot do."

Her voice broke. "You can't expect me to leave. I have duties here. The people need us, Father. I've trained for this my whole life. We can't abandon them."

She turned to Neytiri, silently begging for support—but her mother looked away, eyes downcast.

"I'm not discussing this," Jake said, his voice hard. "Pack your things. We leave at dawn."

He walked past her without another word.

Akaia turned back to her mother, tears brimming again.

Neytiri looked at her—just for a second—before pulling her into a trembling hug. The two women clung to each other, sobbing quietly.

—————

a/n

yall we meet Mak'korro next chapter i hope yall are excited because i am lmao.

please leave comments it would make my day 🫠