𝑀𝓎 𝑔𝒾𝒻𝓉 𝒻𝓇𝑜𝓂 𝐸𝓌𝓎𝒶

Chapter Twenty Three

Raya, Ay'loik, Jake, Neytiri, Kiri, and Lo'ak had been flying on their ikran for two days now. They left Tuk with Ronal and Tonowari so she didn't have to be worn out from the flight.

They were going to the forest, they were going home.

Jakes ikran was the one carrying Neteyam. He was wrapped up tightly in a blanket and was being carried by a rope that was tied around him.

During the flight Raya couldn't take her eyes off of him. Her heart raced at the thought they might have him back soon.

"We're almost there everybody!" Jake yelled, causing Raya to look away and to look forward for the first time.

She saw the forest. She was finally home.

As they flew up towards the mountains, they landed their ikran.

Jake landed last so Neteyam would be set down gently.

Raya turned around and saw all the people slowly creeping forward.

"It's the Sully's! They've returned!" Someone yelled as Mo'at walked through the crowd, not seeing Neteyam's body.

"Daughter!" Mo'at yelled as she made her way to Neytiri and pulled her into a hug. "What a nice surprise, I didn't know you were coming?"

She pulled away from the hug and saw Ay'loik. "Who is this?" She asked looking at Jake.

"That's Raya's brother, Ay'loik. We found him during our fight with the Sky People." Jake said looking at Raya.

Mo'at looked at Raya and saw how much pain she looked to be in.

She then looked around and noticed someone was missing.

Neteyam.

"I'm guessing Neteyam stayed back with Tuk while you all came here?" She asked, her voice full of confusion.

"Mother." Neytiri said stepping up to her. Mo'at took in every detail of her face.

"Neytiri. Where is my grandson." She asked looking around.

Nobody said a word.

That's when Mo'at saw it.

The body wrapped up in a blanket.

She looked at Jake and Neytiri. "No. Tell me that's not my grandson." Mo'at asked making her way over to his body.

She kneeled down and hovered her hands above him and closed her eyes. Her hands began shaking.

"Mo'at we're so sorry." Raya said as she stepped closer.
Mo'at shook her head. "He isn't completely gone. His spirit is holding on to his body. I can feel the energy."

Raya looked at her in shock. She knew they had planned on bringing him back, but this would help make things easier.

"We need to get him to the spirit tree, now." Mo'at said as she stood up and looked at Jake.

Jake nodded and everyone hopped onto their ikran and made their way to the spirit tree.
——

Once they landed everyone hoped off their ikran immediately. People from the village were slowly pouring in and connecting their queues.

Jake untied Neteyam's body and removed the blanket. Mo'at had to look away so she wouldn't see.

Jake then carried Neteyam over to the spirit tree, placing him down gently.

"Wait!" Raya yelled walking over to Mo'at. "Doesn't there need to be someone else. A life for a life, that's what Ay'loik said."

Mo'at shook her head. "As long as his spirit is trying to make its way back into his body then there is no need, but if his spirit becomes too weak then we might need someone."