Chapter Text
Deep in the midst of the crossfire, Neteyam yells out for the small group of Metkayinan villagers he's guiding to stick close to him as he rushes through the battle of opposing Txepkxa armies.
The village along the shores has been destroyed, which has left them rushing through the obstacle course that is the jungle of this island.
The familiarity of the rush and urgency of getting to safety reminds him of about eighteen years ago before his father dragged him away from his home in the forest and out of the war that plagued it.
It's almost hard for him to believe how drastically everything in his life changed just because of that one decision, including himself. He has Aonung to thank for his personal evolving, but drastic and uncontrollable events, and decisions made by adults, did its work in shaping both of them.
It also did its work hurting them cruelly.
The death of the Olo'eyktan, Tonowari, which plunged Aonung into responsibilities that drove him away from home and got him captured by Quaritch. It isn't a good memory, but it did make them reunite with Spider.
He misses his childhood friend, and wonders if he's doing well back in the Omatikayan forest. The boy certainly has to be doing far better than him at the moment.
They've lost many, but saved as much as they could. With Neteyam is his squad of warriors he personally trained just for these missions. They each have villagers of their own to guide through the chaos.
In the past nine months he's seen too many villages burned down, and too many Na'vi scorched alive.
The lands of the Omatikaya are lucky. They're the territory of Nìktun, whose leadership and army are both strong and have deterred the forces of his siblings.
Which has left them to fight amongst each other. Two, specifically have been battling over the many islands of the Metkayina, which they don't classify as such, because the cultures of the Na'vi seem to mean nothing to them.
Hence why many have become nothing more than collateral damage.
Roars, screeches, and many other noises surround them, whilst the heat of the breathed fire sets the grounds aflame and contaminates the air, making the Na'vi cough.
Neteyam had a cloth tied around his face already when he arrived, specifically because of this.
He suddenly slides to a stop because one of the fighting creatures slams into the ground, sliding through the dirt with an injury. The average sized Txepkxa are still around the same size as Leonopteryx, so it could easily have crushed them.
Quickly, Neteyam redirects the villagers. They're all heading to the other side of the island, which isn't that large. There, rafts roped to Ilu are waiting to pull them to safety.
Neteyam and his squad have had to relocate several villages, as Somtra practically begged them to, because the Metkayina population itself has decreased considerably. With villages being combined in safer areas with the few people they have left.
Which made Neteyam train who he would bring with him a bit harshly, but those he chose could definitely handle it.
Maiyu, of course, since she caught on better to his tactics than the rest of his older warriors, who are still home working under Wift, who is his second in command.
He's also brought Niro, a very adaptable and capable young man. Kayola, and Valepi, who have become very skilled in a short time, as well as trustworthy.
Also along with them, on their first mission, are Na'nin and Jye'je, from the village Neteyam and Aonung ended up in when he was injured. They went there asking for help, and Tswayd himself volunteered him and the two orphans that claim him.
The children are also well trained, but that doesn't mean he was actually ready to let them come on such a dangerous mission that has little room for errors.
After making it through the forest, they run out onto the beach, where Tswayd, Maiyu and Valepi's groups are already being loaded on the rafts, and Kayola's group are running across the beach towards the shore.
He fears a little, since he doesn't see the newer additions, but he doesn't let it distract him. He gets the villagers on Ilu, if they're capable of riding on their own, and the rest into a raft.
After they're situated, him and the others turn back towards the forest edge, watching and waiting for the last two groups to show up.
Neteyam- Did you have eyes on them in there?
He turns to Maiyu, and she shakes her head, looking very tense.
Kayola- I'll find them.
Typical of the reckless boy, Kayola nearly rushes back into the forest, but Neteyam grabs onto him.
Neteyam- No.
Kayola- But-
Neteyam- What are the rules?
Kayola- . . . No going back.
Neteyam- Exactly. We were lucky to get out once, don't start playing with that luck.
Kayola exhales deeply in his restraint, and Tswayd appreciates his willingness to go back for them but as an experienced warrior agrees with Neteyam.
Valepi- I see them!
Tswayd's gaze snaps over to where Valepi points, and sees both his kids rushing out of the foliage with just a bit of people with them.
He rushes them, and the instant they get everyone situated, they head out, escaping the battlefield, and going to the nearest safe village.
It's become routine at this point, rescuing, traveling, and returning home until summoned by some other village in danger.
Somtra will get word of the damage, then send for Neteyam, and he'll immediately head out to wherever help is needed. Unfortunately, they don't always make it in time.
Which is why Rotxo and Lo'Kran have made a lifestyle of scouting the waters of the reef people and keeping track of Txepkxa movements; Reporting it straight to Neteyam over the comlink Rotxo has. It helps them predict where help may be needed next.