????? ?? ??? ??? || ??'?? ? ??????

3.

"You are ready. Come. Let's put your skills to the test." I got off of the rock and led them back over to the water. I got in and called for ilus. A swarm of them forming around me. "Come." I called out with a smile. I watched as the two brothers gently pet the heads of the ilus. "You remember how to mount them. Right?" I asked. They both nodded and got onto their ilus. I smiled as I did the same. I made the bond with my ilu and waited for the Sully brothers. 

Once they were ready, I gave them a nod. "Remember if you need to come back up for air, tighten your grip and brace yourself before you breach the surface. When you are in the water, still keep a tight grip, but you can loosen it slightly." They both nodded and we took off into the waters. They swam around and over coral pieces and other plants. 

I gestured for Lo'ak to follow me and he did. Our ilus swimming in circles around each other. Neteyam rode through the circle of our ilus. It made me smile. After awhile they both breached the surface. Once I noticed, I went up as well. They were laughing and rambling with one another. "Y/n we did it." Neteyam cheered. "That was so good. You are learning to breath." 

They both smiled. "You could still use a little work though." I paused when I heard someone shouting. "Neteyam!" It was Jake. The two brothers looked at each other. I dove back into the water on my ilu, riding back towards the village. I disconnected the bond with my ilu and climbed onto the village path structures. Lo'ak and Neteyam were slowly riding in. "They haven't caused you any trouble. Have they?" I turned and looked at Jake. 

"Of course not Mr.Sully. Your children are very smart. They learn quite fast. With a little more practice they will be naturals." Jake nodded his head and smiled. "That's good." Neteyam and Lo'ak reached the village paths and climbed up. I started to walk away but Mr.Sully stopped me. "Y/n. Take this one with you. I only need this one right here." He said pushing Lo'ak forward playfully. Lo'ak rolled his eyes and smirked. 

"On your best behavior" Jake stared at Lo'ak before he took Neteyam with him. I gave Lo'ak a smile. "As I said you need a little more practice but, we can take a moment to relax. Come. " I started to walk towards an area that provided a great setting for pure focus. We climbed onto the jagged rocks and took a seat over-looking the water. "Cross your legs. Place your hands on your knees." I instructed and he did. I reached down and placed my hand on his lower stomach. 

"Remember. From down here. Breath in." We both took deep breaths, holding it for a few seconds. "Breath out slowly." We both exhaled. Lo'ak found the perfect rhythm. "Good. Keep that pace." I smiled and looked out at the sea.

 "The way of water has no beginning and no end. The sea is around you. And in you. The sea is your home before you birth and after your death."

I stood up and gestured for Lo'ak to follow me. We went out to the water, gliding through the small waves. At times I would look at him and see how amazed he was with the beauty of the sea. I threw the shell into the water and watched it fall to the darkest depths of the ocean. 

Lo'ak took a deep breath before he swam after the shell. I put my head under the water and watched as he went farther and farther down. 

"Our hearts beat in the womb of the world. Our breath burns in the shadows of the deep. The sea gives and the sea takes. Water connects all things. Life to death. Darkness to light. 

He breached the surface, raising his arm in the air, with the shell in his clutched fist. "I got it!" I smiled and swam closer to him laughing at his excitement. "Y/n!" He yelled happily. I grabbed onto his hand and smiled. "You did it!" I exclaimed. He laughed and hugged me. I happily returned the hug. I looked up when I heard someone clear their throat. 

I saw Jake and my father standing there. Along with Neteyam, Tsireya and Ao'nung. Lo'ak and I pulled away from each other. "Boy! Let's go.Now." Jake called out to Lo'ak. "Y/n. Come. Ao'nung and Tsireya, the both of you as well." Lo'ak and I swam to the shore and went our separate ways. 

"So, you're into Freaks now. Huh? I mean, are you insane?" Ao'nung whispered to me. "It was nothing like that. It was a friendly celebration hug. And he isn't a freak Ao'nung." I stepped inside the pod and my mother was there. "What is this?" She asked. My father walked over to her and whispered something to her. Her eyes darted to me and a shiver went through my body. 

"Ao'nung. Tsireya. You may go." Tonowari said softly. Tsireya put her hand on my shoulder and squeezed it before they left. "Y/n." My mother said sternly. My ears lowered and my posture changed. "Yes mother?" I asked softly. "How dare you. You should know better. That boy has demon blood running through his body. He is not trust worthy." She spoke as she got up and circled me. 

"Mother, I-" She cut me off. "I am not done. Your father and I trust you to be able to teach those kids how we do things in our village. And you go off alone with that boy. What if he were to try and hurt you." She started to raise her voice. 

"Mother. You cannot just say that about someone who we do not even know. They just arrived here today. But to say he would hurt me is not very fair to him." I kept my tone respectful. "What were you even doing with that boy alone?" She asked stepping in front of me. 

"His name is Lo'ak and I was doing what you and father instructed me to do. We taught them how to breath properly so they could stay beneath the water longer. I took them to test their new skills out, by riding ilus beneath the water. Then Mr.Sully came and took Neteyam. So I took Lo'ak to help him practice a little more before we tested out all that he has learned officially. I threw the shell into the water and it sank to the bottom. He went down and retrieved the shell, perfectly first time. It was a huge moment for him especially considering that he just got here a few hours ago. And I hugged him. Nothing more."

My mother and father exchanged looks. "No more hugging that demon boy. You may go." My mother said. I was going to say something but held my tongue and left. I stepped outside the pod and saw Lo'ak and Neteyam. My ears lowered as I saw the look on Lo'ak's face. He said nothing, but turned around and walked away. 

To be continued...