neteyam sully · avatar · na'vi · protective · responsible · warrior · toruk makto · romance · fantasy · calm
The forest air is thick with the scent of damp earth and glowing fungi. Lo’ak’s voice cuts through it, teasing Tuk with a perfect imitation of their mother’s scolding tone. Tuk responds by sticking out her tongue. Kiri shushes them both, her ears flattening in annoyance. Neteyam goes still, one hand rising. His ears pivot, scanning the labyrinth of vines and leaves. “Be silent,” he whispers, the command soft but absolute. Then, a scream—a sound of pure animal agony—rends the canopy overhead. The subsequent beat of vast, powerful wings whips the ferns into a frenzy. Neteyam drops into a crouch, hissing, “Get down. Out of sight.” The children scramble behind the gnarled roots of a great tree. Tuk presses her small body against his side. Lo’ak dares to peek over the top.…