Thinking it would just be any other day in the forest, Nyeki went exploring just like she always had. Like her mother. Although she was never allowed to go very far from the village even if she wished to, Nyeki always did what she was told. She knew it wasn't always safe in the forest, her home. She knew about the avatars and sky people. Though in the moment, she paid no mind to them and just explored her beloved forest. She heard the distant chittering of the viperwolf, but she only continued on her way.

Everything was the same as it always was, and soon Nyeki was making her way back to the Omaticaya village, her village. Only for things to be the way she left them. The village was under attack by the sky people, and Nyeki just stood there watching as her home was destroyed before her eyes. She didn't know what to do, or even how to react. It wasn't until her father pulled her away to safety, "Nyeki! You almost got yourself killed standing out there like that!" he yelled before letting out a sigh, "Just stay here until it's safe, promise?"

Nyeki didn't say a word and just gave a small nod before her father left into the chaos. She had taken out her small knife just in case as she hid. Eventually she had peeked out of her hiding spot as she spotted her mother fighting just like she always had. Though within seconds, her mother had fallen as her father had run over before he too had fallen, "Mother! Father!" she yelled about to run to them, but instead she suddenly woke up quickly clenching her knife before she looked around and let out a small sigh.

It had only been a dream. A nightmare. She had that same one more often then she would like, but there was nothing she could have done about it. She grew up with the Metkayina and had forgotten most of the forest, her tribe, and even her parents; yet, she refused to visit the spirit tree. Never once had she gone since that day. Though Nyeki had looked around figuring it was early morning. She put her knife back in its place before she called for her ikran, Tanhi. She didn't say a word as she mounted before taking flight.

Everything was quiet. The only sound was the wind. It was rather peaceful as Nyeki just watched the tulkun and ilu below. She was 16 now, and it had been about 10 years since the attack. Some considered herself lucky for making it out alive, but not once did she think she was lucky. She had no one. Just Tanhi and her friend Nimtia, but even then she distanced herself from others.

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```Ayay Te Wotxowll Onwäk'itan```

Running through the marshes quickly the pale blue man was almost a blur. Behind him, a large leathery-looking beast growled and gained ground on him. Long strides were no match for that of the Palulukan. Breathing deeply the man jumped, pushing off of the roots that were in the ground then dove into a pool of water. The feline-like creature stopped his pursuit at the edge of the water.

The palulukan paced with a growl. Finally, the man who had dove into the water popped his head up. His lungs burned from the run then holding his breath. Looking at the beast in front of him his gaze was hard for a moment before he swam to a bank further from it. As soon as his feet hit the land the creature leapt to him and attempted to tackle him. With a whoop the man lunged back at the animal, their bodies crashing in the air and tumbling to the ground. Thrashing around for a moment the male laughed and rolled off of the animal who looked at him with interest.

"Ah our training sessions are what keep me sane Norï," He told her, though he knew she couldn't understand him. The six-legged beast lay behind him in the marshy soil, her sides heaving just as much as his. Neither of them belonged here. They were on the island that the Metkayina called it home. The man, Ayay, was born to the Olangi Tribe. The tribe known for riding the Pa'li. He hadn't seen the plains of his homeland in years. He was seventeen today, which marked 5 years since he had been home. Banished at a mere 12 years of age he left his homeland and lived nomadicly.

He had ridden his Pa'li into the forest, where a young Norï tried to make a meal out of him. He had managed to fight her off and realize that she was wounded, so he cared for her the best he could, and the two bonded. The feline-like creature and Ayay had become inseparable, and he realized that nature was the only way for him to survive. When he lost his Pa'li after a stupid rebel against the world he was mad at his homeland and decided to leave. He built a raft, one that was barely big enough for them to fit on and he floated to the island he was on now.

Somewhere in the tree tops or in the air an Ikran was. His coloration mimicked that of a tiger, as did his personality. Ayay had managed to befriend him when once again he was trying to be killed. The ikran had followed him into the ocean, and taken him off his raft and into the ocean, but Ayay was able to harness the creature when he was too slow to move underwater.

So here in the marshy ocean was this tall lean pale blue man. He and his creatures didn't belong here, but this is where they made their home.

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It had seemed like hours that the Na'vi girl and her ikran had been flying, but in reality it hadn't. Nyeki easily lost her train of thought when she was flying. Flying with her spirit sister. The only one she considered to be her family. Though she knew they had to be heading back, "Alright girl..as much as I don't want to go back, we must.." she mumbled as they had turned around. She was the only one that still rode an ikran at least those from her clan that remained with the Metkayina.

Nyeki often didn't do things the Metkayina way. She still wore Omaticaya clothing, rode an ikran, and many other things. Even though she was a good swimmer, she didn't get in the water much. Even if she would admit that the reef was probably the most beautiful thing she had ever seen, but it just wasn't the forest. As the ikran and rider got close to the island the Metkayina called home, Nyeki noticed something over by the marsh. Well in the sky at least. Tanhi seemed to notice too knowing it was another ikran.

It wasn't until they got closer that Nyeki realized it was another ikran. "Another ikran?" she softly mumbled, "I'm the only one that still rides...I haven't seen another ikran in years." she said slightly curious. Though Nyeki was primarily cautious as she didn't persue, and just flew over the edge of the marshes returning to the village. It would have to be something to look into another time. For now, Tanhi landed in the soft sand as Nyeki hopped off, her queue seperating itself from Tanhi's queue. "Thanks girl." she said giving the ikran a pat before she flew away.

Nyeki then just stood there looking at the village letting out a sigh. She couldn't get her parents out of her head that day, or even the fact that she saw a second ikran. Though she was once again brought back to reality as she heard a familiar voice, "There you are Nyeki! I've been looking for you. Let me guess flying again? When are you going to ride an ilu?" a girl's soft voice said.

Nyeki only looked at the girl giving her a small glare, "You aren't going to. I'm not from the reef. I'm from the forest, and I'm going to do things the forest way as much as I can. I owe it to my people." she said in return before walking towards the village.

The girl, Nimtia, being Metkayina only looked down before letting out a sigh and following Nyeki, "I'm sorry Nyeki..about everything. I'm sure your parents are proud of you, but you need to let it all go at some point. You are Metkayina now whether you like it or not. At some point you won't have a choice but to do things our way, but you really should go to the spirit tree.." she said before stopping as Nyeki only gave her another look, "Come on..we have stuff to do." she quietly mumbled.

Nyeki knew she was only trying to help, but her tribe wasn't killed and destroyed like her's was. The two girl's were now silent as they began some of their daily chores. Though Nimtia noticed Nyeki seemed to be more distant and quiet then normal, "Do..you want to talk about what's on your mind..?" she hesitantly asked trying to be a good friend.

Nyeki only looked at her before looking up at the sky for a moment, "When I was on my way back to the village..I spotted a second ikran over by the marshes. I just haven't seen any other then Tanhi since the others started riding ilu or skimwings..it's probably nothing, but I just can't stop thinking about it.." she said now looking down.

Nimtia looked at her friend surprised, "Another ikran? Well that is quite odd since they're only in the floating mountains you told me about..but who knows..let's just not worry about it for now. We have chores to do anyways." Nyeki only nodded as they both had gotten back to work even though Nyeki was starting to think about going in the marshes.

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```Ayay Te Wotxowll Onwäk'itan```

Ayay lay on his back on the soft ground. The clicking and rumbling of the thantor being so soothing it almost put him to sleep. A shadow crossing overhead made him open his eyes and look up. Just above him was an ikran and a rider. If this had been a few months ago he would've been absolutely dumbfounded, but he had seen the pair before. Once he even wanted to go and say hello. He hadn't seen any Na'vi in years, and here in the marshes, it was only the tribes of the sea. Seeing the flyer head towards one of the villages made him upset. With a grunt, he stood up, Norï up and ready to go.

Mounting the leathery beast the two of them moved quickly across the marshes, jumping over water puddles and avoiding open areas. Ayay wasn't in hiding here, but he had gotten used to hiding and being alone so he stayed within the shadows. After some time of running, they arrived at a large tree within the marshes. Its roots were tangled and the earth below it was raised and it was much drier than the lower marshy land. This is the place that Ayay called home.

Reaching the three he dismounted his companion and rested his hand on her shoulder with a grateful nod. The beast then went to lay beneath the tree. Ayay began to climb the tree to the top, once he had gotten there he broke through the leaves, looking at the sky.

With a screech the Ikran that mimicked a tiger's patterning landed on the tree top, fluttering his wings to stabilize himself. "Maybe we should try and go back," Ayay said aloud, speaking to Ìu, his ikran. The winged animal made a sound, and the blue man knew that he was saying 'yeah right'.

Sometimes, he missed his home. Actually all the time. He held a grudge against his tribe, but he missed them dearly. He would have done anything for them at one point, and now he was tribless. A soul that craved love and caring for others, someone who just wanted to be part of something was alone. He had bonded with him, but it was different.

Íu was independent, and Ayay allowed him to be that way, he felt bad for taking him from his home, for taking away the fact that he too would be able to have a family. So he allowed the creature to do and go where he wanted, but he never strayed far from Ayay.

And Norï was like a puppy, she followed him around wanting to do what he did and go where he went, he loved her dearly but he had robbed her of the life she was supposed to live. It only added to the things he regretted in his life.

His mind wandered to the Navi and Ikran he had seen in the air just a little before he had arrived home. He wondered how she had gotten here, and why she stayed. There were many things he wondered about the people who loved the ocean. If it weren't for the Ilu and the other creatures of the water he would hate the oceans.

He sighed, his gaze traveling across the tops of the trees, ones that were so much smaller than the ones back on his home island, but he was born of the Olangi tribe, which meant he loved the open sky, he adored it and wished he could once again rest under the unrestricted stars.

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Once the two girls finished their chores, Nyeki went back off on her own for the time being. Nimtia worried about her, well more than she usually worried about her friend. "I can't imagine losing my entire tribe and family.." she mumbled underneath her breath before she too went off on her own. Maybe taking her ilu for a swim to Three Brothers Rock.

Though for Nyeki, she never once forgot about that ikran she had seen since that morning. Things usually never bothered her the way this was, so she figured she would go check it out. First though, Nyeki went to her hut and grabbed her bow. It wasn't the best bow, but it would have to do for now. Better to be safe than sorry at least. Once she collected what she needed, Nyeki called for Tanhi, "I promise not to go on another long flight today." she said as she reached for her queue and connected it with Tanhi's.

The pair took off, and just before Nimtia took off, she spotted Tanhi as she sighed, "Be careful Nyeki..whatever you're doing.." she again mumbled before she too left. Though Nyeki headed straight for the marshes. Sure it wasn't far from the tribe, it was quicker then walking. Plus she could at least try to get a lay of the land. Though that wasn't very successful, so Nyeki guided Tanhi to the outskirts of the marsh before dismounting.

Nyeki stood there looking at the marsh before sighing, "Well at least it's somewhat like a forest.." she said trying to think of something positive for once before she entered the marsh. What was she looking for? She wasn't sure herself, but Nyeki was searching for something. She knew that ikran was somewhere in the marsh. The question was: where? Most of the Metkayina stayed away from the marsh, but Nyeki wasn't one of them and often did the opposite of everyone else.

With her bow in her hand, Nyeki slowly made her way deeper into the marsh. It wasn't long until she stopped to look around realizing she was lost. "Should have seen that coming..." she huffed before looking up for a brief moment. It had to have started getting dark sooner than later, but Nyeki didn't worry about it. For now that is. Even if she was lost, the forest girl kept making her way deeper into the marsh. Until something caught her eye.

Tracks. Tracks she recognized. Animal tracks. Forest animal tracks. Well this caught Nyeki by great surprise. Why were there forest animals here in the marsh? Now she was more then curious, and decided to follow them. That is until she lost the tracks and it had gotten late. "Well...looks like I'll have to wait til morning.." she said to herself before she looked around. Without a second of hesitation, Nyeki climbed up one of the smaller trees with ease before she looked around. With the darkening sky, it was hard to see anything, but what exactly was here in the marsh?

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