The Seer

The room was filled with laughter and curiosity as Jake, Grace, Norm, and Karina sat together at a table with other scientists, eating dinner in an informal atmosphere, though tinged with tension due to recent events. Grace was recounting the details of their outing, explaining everything in her usual firm and, at times, sarcastic tone.

"And then all we saw were their asses running through the forest," Grace said, prompting a wave of laughter among the scientists. The mood lightened for a moment, and Jake chuckled along with everyone else, a slightly embarrassed smile on his face as he tried to keep the tone casual despite the gravity of the situation.

"I don't know why they chose you two, but they must have seen something... It makes sense that they picked Karina, but you, Jake? I don't know. Let's hope you don't screw it up," Grace added with a laugh that betrayed her sarcasm.

Jake laughed heartily, though he still felt a bit out of place. "I have no idea. It all happened so fast I couldn't understand anything. If Karina hadn't run into me, I'm pretty sure they would've skewered me with one of their arrows. I guess I should thank your big friend, huh?" he said jokingly, turning to Karina.

Karina laughed warmly, shaking her head. "Oh, come on! Don't tease him. He was very kind to me," she replied, trying to defend her protector.

Jake continued in a playful tone. "Kind to you, maybe, but that big cat swatted me with its tail!" he exclaimed, making everyone laugh even more.

"Really? I didn't notice," Karina replied with a smile, feigning innocence as the group of scientists grew more intrigued by the strange story.

"Which friend?" Grace asked, her curiosity now fully piqued.

"Oh," Jake began, taking a sip of water, "When we were being chased by the Thanator, Karina and I got separated. I ended up surrounded by these little dog-like creatures, but a Na'vi saved me. She brought me along, but unfortunately, her friends knocked me to the ground. While she was trying to calm them down, here comes Karina—my 'savior'!" Jake exclaimed theatrically, pointing to Karina.

Karina smiled shyly, but Jake kept going, describing the scene with enthusiasm. "Sweet Karina here was riding this massive animal—like a giant lion, with huge fangs, claws, and... massive. It was terrifying!" Jake laughed as he spoke, but Karina tried to play it down with a joke.

"Anyway," Jake continued, "the warrior with Karina spoke to the others and convinced them to take us to the Home Tree... They dragged me like a war criminal, but no one dared touch Karina because that big cat guarded her so fiercely. And honestly, I don't blame them—if I'd had that thing in front of me, I wouldn't have gotten close either!" Jake said with a laugh.

Karina playfully smacked his shoulder, laughing along. "Don't tease him; he protected me! If it weren't for him, my avatar wouldn't be in one piece," she scolded gently, though affectionately.

Grace, now even more curious, couldn't help but ask, "What kind of animal was it?" Her voice was thick with intrigue.

Karina took a moment to think before answering, using her hands to describe what she had seen. "The Na'vi called it 'Vorr'uk,' but I don't remember reading about it."

As soon as Grace heard the name, her eyes widened in disbelief. The 'Vorr'uk'... the deadliest predator on Pandora, one of the most dangerous creatures. And Karina had gotten close enough to it without even realizing the magnitude of her actions. It was incredible. Karina had encountered the predator many scientists had tried and failed to study—no one had ever gotten close without risking their life. The fact that she had been so near to such a powerful, deadly being, completely unaware of its nature, was extraordinary. The scientists present couldn't hide their admiration, mixed with disbelief.