𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞- 𝐧. 𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲

Dreams and nightmares

It's been at least three days of training with Aonung and had a bit of help from Tonowari, I'm still surprised that I'm sitting straight up considering all the harsh training they put me through

Of course, I've been able to handle it now that Neteyam has helped me behind the scenes. Without him I think I would have given up long ago

Although I don't think Aonung is too fond of me getting special tips and tricks from him

"I see you're improving Naya, in just a few days you'll be ready for your trial." Tonowari said, we had just finished hunting with the hunters of the clan, he insisted it be a great idea for me to tag along and get the feel on how it's like

"Thank you chief," I say, "I won't let you down."

"I'm sure you won't," he smiled, "I have a few things to do now but I'll leave Aonung to finish the lesson for today."

"Don't get your hopes up father," aonung chimes in, "hunters take years to train while Naya here only has a few months, don't you think it's too soon? She'll probably end up having to save her."

My eyes flickered over Aonung, a bit shocked that he would say that. Tonowari's eyes furrow at Aonung, a bit displeased at the comment

"I wouldn't underestimate Naya," he tells Aonung, "I'm counting on you to teach her well. Don't forget  still grounded."

Aonung only rolled his eyes but Tonowari looked at him like he was ready to go off on him, "yes father." Aonung said back, with that Tonowari made his way out with the rest of the hunters

"What was that bullshit?" I asked with a grumble

"What? You honestly think just because you got a compliment from my father you're ready to go onto the trials?"

Aonung stood a few feet away, he never had outburst when we were alone like this anymore. I'd figure he'd grown out of it. Instead it was usually silence or little sly back and forths

"He's the chief after all, if he thinks so then I'm ready. I don't see the issue here."

"I do," he says handing me my dagger, "your defense is fine I'll give you that, but your attacking is bad."

I took the dagger from him, wondering how he came to that conclusion

"I would concentrate more on the prey rather than forest boy," Aonung added, the audacity he had to think I was even distracted in the first place

I was

"Excuse me?" I snap back

Aonung only chuckled.

"Maybe if you stopped obsessing over him so much, you'd actually have a shot at passing your trial."

I'm not going to lie, I had been thinking about Neteyam. Not entirely, just the fact that soon enough I'd be going up against anything and I'd have to prepare, if I lose. It's over, no going back home, and I'll be stuck here

I didn't realize it distracted me from my duties

"Okay." I said, loudly, definitely refusing to move from the spot where I stood. " I'm worried about him, so what? Doesn't mean I'm letting that distract me."

"Poor choice of words on my part." Aonung said, "You've never even tried. You're scared, I can see it."

A laugh of disbelief escaped me

"Scared? What am I scared of?"

Aonung snarled

"I dunno, you tell me."