Ma Neteyam

33

" Lengo!" one of them said, panting breathlessly, " There's no sign of Ewnve or Faäho anywhere."

" You checked all the spots?" he asked gruffly.

" Yeah, we even split up and checked the village."

" It could be they're looking for him on the other island." Txana countered.

" It shouldn't take them this long, at least one of them should've come back to report. I have a bad feeling about this." the boy admitted.

And from the sudden tense state of the group, Lengo ordered, " Alright, everyone gather around. Let's discuss this carefully."

With everyone huddling closely together, Neteyam was able to see just how many people were there. He counted seven people in total, two girls, four guys, and Lengo. They were all speaking in hushed voices so he couldn't hear what they were saying, but that wasn't of importance.

Their attention was no longer on Vareya. Most of their backs had been turned as they spoke. Neteyam went through his options carefully. Plan A would be attempting to sneak up on Vareya, then cutting her down and running with her. Except that plan was lousy and dangerous, not only did he not know what state she was in but the chances of the group catching up to the pair were high.

And he didn't even want to consider the outcome of both of them being in the grasp of Lengo.

So he turned to plan B. One that would require trust, not only in himself but as well as Vareya. Except it would be a different persona he's hoping to see if they can execute it correctly. At this very moment, they need the white warrior.

Again, he doesn't know the state she's in. Doesn't know what they've done to her, what they've made her do, but all he can do is pray to Eywa above that she would muster all strength she has. It's for their own good.

Going into a kneeled down position, he did his best to keep himself under the shadows. The rain had begun to pick up again as Neteyam inhaled a deep breath, then as an exhale, he instead let out a call.

He winced as it came out unsteady and didn't catch the attention of the person intended. Vareya still stared at the taking group. He wasn't sure if she'd look, or figure it out, but he had to try something. He was trying to imitate the call he's heard since a young age, the one his mother created for emergencies.

For anyone else it could be any creature in the forest, so it was a way for only them to understand. For them to know that she was nearby, that they must be aware, they must strategize, they must stay put until the time was right to help.

A few seconds passed, and he tried again. It sounded better this time, yet still Vareya paid no mind. He looked anxiously at the group, they could finish talking at any moment. Which meant his time was running out.

He called out, louder this time, hoping the rain was enough to drown out the noise for the group. Although Vareya didn't look, he was examining her closely enough to see her ear twitch. A good sign. He tried it again.

Then again. Then once more. Each time it was getting louder, coming out sharper. She needed to look, needed to notice him. For the last time, he called out.

When he felt all hope was lost, felt that he would now have to think of another diversion, two strong set of violet eyes connected with his. Any doubt or worry he had of the state she was in vanished at that very moment.

Despite her appearance, nothing could've prepared him for the intensity that burned in her eyes. Nothing could've readied him for the calm expression that she bore, giving away nothing. Even with her eyes showing nothing but incredible power, she was collected. It was a look of a leader, a look of fighter... it was the look of the white warrior.