My Beloved | Neteyam

TWO. Eykyu

And it did not improve, especially when Ronal believed Eywa had turned her back on them. This caused Neytiri to hiss at her and Ronal mirrored her doing.

"Toruk Makto is a great war leader," Tonowari then spoke. "All Na'vi know his stories. But we, Metkayina, are not at war,"

He then turned back to Jake.

"We cannot let you bring your war here,"

"I'm done with war, okay?" Jake said while his youngest daughter was in his arms. "I just... I want to keep my family safe,"

Tonowari and Ronal exchanged a look, silently conversing with their eyes. It was something they often do. They did not need words to understand each other and it had always been something Rewonay had been amazed by.

"Uturu has been asked," Neytiri reminded, but also indirectly insisting on the fact that they could not decline their plea for help.

Again, both Tonowari and Ronal exchanged a look. Ronal eventually slightly widened her eyes, seemingly surprised by her husband's decision. But before Tonowari announced it, he turned to his eldest daughter.

"Rewonay," he called. The girl was visibly surprised, not expecting her father to address her in such a situation. She looked back at her siblings who shrugged, as confused as her, before walking closer to her parents under the eyes of all Na'vi. "What do you say on the matter?"

"You want my opinion, ma sempul?" Rewonay asked, in pure disbelief.

"You are the future Olo'eyktan,"

It was enough for her to understand that this was similar to a test, training of some sort. So Rewonay looked at the Sully family whose eyes were all on her. She looked at each and every one of them, her eyes lingering longer on the youngest one.

"Uturu is one of the oldest Na'vi traditions," Rewonay began. "It cannot be refuted. We must give safe harbor to those seeking it. Shame is to turn an eye on those in need of help. They have come a long way. We must aid, especially when the youngest does not appear to be older than ten,"

A discreet yet prideful smile adorned Tonowari's lips before he turned back to the Sully family.

"Toruk Makto and his family will stay with us," he addressed everyone. "Treat them as our brothers and sisters. They do not know the sea. So they will be like babies taking their first breath. Teach them our ways so they do not suffer the shame of being useless,"

It lifted a great weight from the Sully family's shoulders to know they had finally a place to stay.

"My son Ao'nung, and my daughters, Rewonay and Tsireya will show your children what to do,"

At this, Ao'nung snapped his head to Tonowari. He was visibly not very appreciative of the decision, unlike Tsireya who seemed thrilled.

"Father, what-"

"It is decided," Tonowari firmly said, not giving him the choice. "Rewonay. You are in charge,"

This time, it was Rewonay's turn to snap her head at her father. In charge? What did he mean by in charge? But before she could ask anything, Tonowari and Ronal walked away. So Rewonay gestured to her younger sister to take care of the Sully family just before she ran after her father.

"Ma sempul!" She called. "Ma sempul! What do you mean by "I'm in charge"? What should I do exactly?"

"That, you should figure it out yourself," Tonowari said. "To be Olo'eyktan is to guide people. Guiding these kids will give you a taste of what an Olo'eyktan is about,"