27. too little, too late

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A tear fell down Kiri's cheek, her eyes glossy, as she embraced Spider's tiny body.

She held him tightly as if trying to keep him from slipping away. It hurt her to part with him again after their long-awaited reunion.

Her hands were still holding him for a few seconds longer before she let go.

Prior to this, Jake and Norm destroyed Spider's old mask with the tracker and gave him a new one.

Spider wanted to stay with the Sullys on Awa'atlu, but Jake insisted he return to High Camp with Norm. They didn't have the proper equipment for him to remain with them.

Amidst heavy hearts, Katiya and her siblings bid Spider farewell.

With one last embrace, Spider and Norm flew away. They watched until the two figures were no more than specks on the horizon.

Aonung watched from a distance, anger visible in his eyes.With concern, Tsireya reached out and touched his shoulder.

"Do you still not trust the Sullys?" she asked.

Aonung fixed his gaze on her, his lips pressed into a thin line.

"It was a mistake to let them bring that human here, Reya."

Tsireya sighed. "How do we know that? Besides, he's returning to the forest, Brother. There is nothing more to worry about."

"You're wrong." As he glanced at Katiya again, his face darkened. "It's just getting started."

Tsireya opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, her brother had already walked away, leaving her standing alone in the sand.

She shook her head, unsure of what he meant.

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

"Do I ball my fist like this, Kati?" Sihi asked, looking at Katiya for confirmation.

However, Katiya was too busy helping Meyta fix her form to hear.

"Remember to keep your elbows up and your shoulders back," Katiya instructed, gently moving Meyta's arms and shoulders to a better position. "That's how you'll get the most power out of your punch."

Meyta nodded, determined to learn as much as she could from Katiya.

"Kati..." Sihi pouted, her voice cracking as tears brimmed her eyes.

Katiya glared at Sihi, forcing her mouth shut, her eyes still glossy with tears that would've fallen with just one blink.

"She's oversensitive today because, well, you know, that." Meyta sighed and nudged her head in a different direction.

Katiya followed her gaze to Aonung and Narini by the dock. She appeared to be cleaning baskets of fish with him, engaged in a conversation.

Behind them, the orange shade on the horizon gave off a warm glow, enhancing the moment.

He said something inaudible that made her laugh.

Katiya couldn't help but feel slightly... indignant?Could that be the word? No, she couldn't find the exact word to describe this foreign feeling.

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