章 31: Chapter 31: The Battle of the Tree of Souls
Jake's POV
The day dawned, while I reminded the clan leaders of our battle plan. The majority agreed with me, without much hostility. All but one, of course. In fact, I could see her holding her head sometimes, as if to hide her fatigue. She didn't seem in good shape, even though she tried to hide it.
I waited until the end of the meeting to try a discussion with her, despite our conflicts.
Me: Are you all right, chief?
She looked at me with her scornful look, before turning her head.
Lutsey: I don't need your interest, member of the sky!
I sighed in the face of her hostility.
Me: Listen, we have a common enemy and you are Neytiri's sister. You are part of my family, even if you don't like it. So, are you all right?
Lutsey: My sister loves you, but you are far from being my brother. So you can keep your self-respect!
With those words, she walked away without saying another word. But I could tell from her walk that something was bothering her. Even though she did not want my help, it was clear that something was wrong and I had to inform Neytiri.
Neytiri's POV
When Jake told me about his suspicions about my sister's health while I was doing his painting and he was doing mine, I couldn't help but look for her.
I soon found her, painted yellow and black lines on her face and body, outside the Tree of Souls, vomiting.
There was something really wrong and I had to know it. It didn't matter if she didn't want to tell me. Especially since the mess stopped and I could now feel her energy connected to another but...there was something else. It was tiny but I could feel it. Lutsey walked towards me and I seized the opportunity. This painting really gave him a frightening side and I almost shuddered when I saw it.
Me: Little sister, something is really wrong.
Lutsey wiping his mouth: I'm fine, Neytiri.
Me: Stop denying it! I saw you throw up!
Lutsey: It's okay. I'll be fit for battle.
Me: Stop denying, Lutsey! Tell me what's wrong! Why did you become so secretive with me?!
She was going to answer me but I was cut off by Jake's voice on the communicator he gave me and put around my neck.
Jake: Neytiri, are you there?
Me: Yes, and I'm with my sister.
Jake and I had asked her to take this device to keep a communication going. But my sister, true to herself, refused to take it, not wanting to touch "the defilement of the People of Heaven". There were things that did not change, despite the years.
Jake: Sorry to bother you, but the forces of the People of Heaven are on their way to our position. We need to prepare the ground and I need you close by with Tsu'tey.
Me: Don't forget my sister. Although she is a chief, she is also an important member of our tribe.
There was silence for a few moments. This was not surprising, since he and my little sister were not on very good terms.
Jake: So be it. But she will be next to you.
Me: Of course. We're coming, Jake.
Lutsey: The decisive moment is coming.
Me with a sigh: Yes, but I'm warning you! Once we get this sorted out, we'll be right back where we left off.
Lutsey: All right.
If we were still alive...
Lutsey's POV
I flew next to Neytiri, while my twin sister joined the cavalry. While we were flying, I couldn't stop thinking about Tsylan, my clan and my future daughter. I wanted her to be able to live normally, without fear for the future and with both of us.
Everything will be decided today and I will fight for it!
Finally, Jake showed us our positions and I detached from Neytiri to join mine, towards the hill which was assigned to us for our attack.
The wait seemed long to me but finally, the Toruk Makto gave the signal to launch the assault. By raising my hand holding my yellow bow with black stripe, I gave the order to launch the attack against our enemies below. The People's Force unfolding, to confront the metal birds of the People of Heaven.
Our attack surprised them and we were able to shoot down part of their force before they had time to retaliate. Unfortunately, once they began to reorganize, the balance of power was quickly reversed, despite Toruk's strength and Jake's fighting spirit.
The main target was a large white metal bird that was heading towards our sanctuary. It was a real flying fortress and we could not stop it. Especially since the birds protecting it did not make our task any easier. I saw Neytiri succeed in killing a tawtute by piercing it with an arrow with a rapid assault, but she saw the bird targeting her, too late to retaliate. But this was far from being my case, and I did not fail to react by killing the pilot with a well shot arrow, thus saving my sister.
This one made me a smile of thanks, which I did not fail to imitate. Then, we continued the fight together before two metal birds forced us to separate.
With Tahni, I dodged the shots, but I was running towards the fog to hide her vision and prevent her from chasing me.
Later, I took the opportunity to fly to a floating hill and Tahni hung on to it, allowing me to look down and listen carefully.
I could see the Samson chasing me with a second one joining him, probably to catch me or chasing a brother or sister .
I took an arrow from my quiver and discreetly bandied towards the one on the right. Once I was sure, I let go of the rope. I could see, to my relief, the arrow hit its target. The target turned towards its ally and hit him, causing explosions, before falling into the burning forest.
I barely had time to blow when I heard the sound of a metal bird calling out to me. Tahni reacted faster than I did, pulling away from the hill, avoiding a fire spear that hit the hill next to her, causing a loud bang.
Thus, another pursuit began, to stay alive, with my Ikran. We zigzagged between the hills, preventing them from lining up, but it could not last forever. Then I had an idea.
Tahni: Are you sure of yourself, little huntress?
Me: We have no choice.
So we tried a maneuver that Tsylan liked to do to brag to me when we were flying together. I never thought I would ever have to use it, one day, in a life and death situation.
I gained altitude before doing what he called an "aerial barrel" and it worked. I was faster than my pursuer and I took advantage of this opportunity to run into him. Tahni bit the enemy's rear with power. Without his tail, the enemy turned, without being able to stabilize, before ending up in another cliff and exploded.
Then I watched the course of the battle in despair. Our forces were decimated, not causing the People of Heaven to retreat. I didn't know where my clan's straddle-riders were, but there weren't many of them left.
I cried helplessly and Tahni moaned, feeling my grief. The Tree of Souls was going to burn, killing the rest of the omatikayas, including my mother, but also severing our connection with Eywa and our ancestors. And there was nothing I could do to prevent that. Nothing!
Joltsyn's POV
Our forces were retreating and being massacred by the Sawtute. Our charge was useless, except to deliver us to death.
There was nothing more to be done. It was all over. All we had left was to survive or to fight for what we hold dear. And that's what I was going to do! I ordered my riders to take cover, but I turned around to face the Sawtute, my bow with an arrow.
I shot an arrow, aiming at a tawtute, before going to a hiding place to prevent them from spotting me. I took a deep breath and my heart was pounding. I thought of Twilo, my two sons and my sister. Sorry, Lutsey and my sweeties.... Mommy won't come back and hold you in her arms anymore. She won't know the joy of watching you grow up.
As I went out to shoot, a hand grabbed me and pulled me into a bush. His hand in my mouth prevented me from screaming in surprise. I turned a quick glance at the hand and saw, to my surprise, five fingers. And fingers that looked familiar...
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