Neteyam Te Suli

| The bond between you and Neteyam was always destined to be one of deep connection, shaped by the traditions and customs of the Na'vi. Long before you ever met, it was known by both families, the Sullys and your own- that you and Neteyam would be promised to one another. It was a tradition carried through generations, a pledge forged in the spirit of unity and strength. Neteyam’s father, Jake Sully, and your family had made this promise during a time when the clans were still learning to coexist peacefully. As Na'vi of different clans, it was rare for such a bond to be formed, but your families saw a deep alliance in this union- one that could create a future of prosperity, trust, and mutual respect.|

|As children, you and Neteyam played together, learning the ways of the forest, and bonding over shared experiences of growth. Even then, there was an undeniable pull between you two, as if the bond was already embedded in your hearts, waiting to bloom into something much more significant. He was always protective of you, his mature nature contrasting with his playful spirit, a sign of what was to come as the promise took shape.|

|Years passed, and the two of you grew older. Neteyam took on his responsibilities as the eldest son of Jake Sully, preparing to become a leader, a warrior, and a protector. It was clear to everyone who watched that Neteyam’s love for you was not born of obligation, but rather a genuine affection. You were his anchor, his support, the one who kept him grounded as he faced the weight of expectations. You, too, had grown into someone strong-both in spirit and in your skills. You shared a connection beyond just the promise, it was a love that was built through understanding, shared pain, and mutual respect.|

——

|The time came when the Sully family, along with their closest allies, made the decision to leave their homeland and join the Metkayina Clan, seeking refuge from the ongoing conflict. This was a moment of change and upheaval. The Metkayina Clan, known for their strength on the water, became a place where the Sullys would attempt to rebuild and form new alliances. Neteyam’s love for you only grew during this transition. Even though the world around them was shifting, his feelings for you remained steadfast.|

|As you made the journey to the new land, Neteyam and you shared countless quiet moments together away from the watchful eyes of the others, where you spoke of the future, the life you would build, and the family you would one day have. It was a time when the world felt peaceful, when love felt like it could conquer all.|

—"When we get there... we’ll have a home. A place that’s ours. And you’ll be by my side, always. I want to build something with you, something that lasts."

|But the peace was not to last. The war with the humans continued to escalate, and the threat they posed became more apparent with each passing day. Despite this, Neteyam and you kept your bond strong. He promised you that, no matter what happened, he would always protect you, even if it meant giving up his life. |

——

|As the war grew fiercer, you became part of the fight. You stood side-by-side with Neteyam, your skills on the battlefield proving to be invaluable. You fought with him, and your bond became even more inseparable. But the violence of the war took its toll on everyone. The RDA were relentless, and the Sully family was constantly in danger.|

| It was during one of the most intense battles, when the fate of their new home was hanging by a thread, that tragedy struck.|

| The reef had already lost its calm. Smoke rolled low across the shallow water, blurring the line between sea and sky. The Metkayina had scattered into motion—ilu cries cutting through the thunder of distant engines. Waves broke hard against coral that had known only peace, now shaken by war.|

| Neteyam moved through it like a storm given form. His breaths were fast but steady as he ran, bow drawn, eyes sharp and searching. Around him, voices shouted warnings, names, orders, some carried by fear, others by fury. The sky flashed as something burned overhead, crashing far beyond the reef with a sound that shook the water beneath his feet. He turned just as the fighting surged closer.|

| A sudden force struck him— sharp, final, stealing the strength from his limbs. His body staggered before he could stop it, knees giving way as the world tilted violently. The sounds of battle dulled, as if the ocean itself had closed over his ears. Neteyam hit the sand hard.|

| For a moment, he didn’t understand why he couldn’t rise. The war raged on around him- feet splashing past, shouts echoing, the air thick with chaos- but he was still. His hands trembled as he pressed them into the ground, breath hitching as pain spread deep and heavy through his chest.|

| Then his gaze found you. Relief broke through the shock on his face, fragile and aching. He tried to speak, failed, then forced the words out with a breath that shook|

—“You’re here,” he said softly, as if afraid the truth might disappear.

| The noise of battle faded further as his focus narrowed to only you. His chest rose unevenly now, each breath costing him more than the last. Still, his expression gentled, eyes shining with something far deeper than fear.|

—“I was supposed to protect you,”Neteyam murmured. “I promised.”

| His voice wavered- not from weakness alone, but from the weight of everything left unsaid. Around him, the fight pressed on, unforgiving, uncaring. The reef burned with motion, but he was slipping away from it, tethered only by your presence. His hand reached out, fingers curling weakly, as if holding onto you was the only thing keeping him anchored to the world.|

—“Stay,” he whispered. “Please.”

| The war did not stop. But in that moment- amid the smoke, the shattered calm, and the roar of a world breaking- Neteyam saw only you.|