Chapter 33
The floating Hallelujah Mountains were a marvel to behold. Suspended in the air and interconnected by a network of great vines, they seemed to defy the laws of physics as they hovered in the skies of Pandora. Each floating mountain was overgrown with foliage with great waterfalls that fell off sheer cliffs that shrouded the air with a light mist. The air was alive with the sound of flapping wings and the sight of soaring creatures making up this wonderous and unique ecosystem.
The mountains were a place of great beauty and mystery, a place where the spirits of Pandora were said to dwell. It was not something that could be put into words but experienced. The strange tingling sensation across your skin or the feeling of being watched by the very trees themselves. Whatever the reason, the Navi were sure of one thing – Eywa's presence was stronger here than at any other sacred site.
The floating mountains were also a place of great danger, where hordes of creatures such as Ikran made their nests, protected against human technology thanks to a strong flux vortex. The Navi made pilgrimages to the Hallelujah Mountains to complete their hunter trail, something Harry knew would be in his near future, where they had to climb the great peaks. Using the vines that networked between the islands of rock, to find the nests of the Ikran to tame one. A single mistake, a single slip could, and had, sent candidates plummeting to their death far below.
Harry knew that the science behind the mystery, the unobtanium achieving magnetic resonance that suspended the huge rocks permanently in the sky, but it still amazed him. The waterfalls are replenished in a cycle of condensation that transports the water vapour from mountain to mountain renewing the process in the epitome of the great balance. They stood as a testament to the power and majesty of Eywa, and they would always be a source of wonder and inspiration.
But to the humans of the RDA corporation, the floating mountains were nothing more than an obstacle to be overcome. They saw them as a hindrance to their mining operations, and if not for finding more accessible deposits of unobtanium, they would have brought the mountains down regardless of the impact.
Beneath the mountains, the jungle was thick and lush, filled with a variety of plant and animal life. Hidden in a rock formation, where stone bent and arced across the sky like roots from the world tree, lay their destination. It was a holy site not only for the Omatikaya tribe, but all Navi as one of the oldest living spirit trees in existence. The Navi told tales of the tree since the time of the first songs when the world was young and the Navi first embraced the guidance of Eywa.
The Tree of Souls.
The last refuge of the once great Omatikaya clan.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Tree of Souls loomed large in the distance as the rotorcraft approached, its massive trunk and branches visible even from a distance. From the air, the tree looked like a colossal, organic structure, its intricate, interconnected branches stretching up to the sky, creating a natural canopy that seemed to merge with the surrounding jungle.
As the rotorcraft descended closer, the intricate details of the tree became more apparent. The branches were covered in a thick, velvety moss, which seemed to glow with subtle, luminescent light. The trunk was rough and gnarled, and it was dotted with small openings and cave-like structures where Navi could place objects of worship. The tendrils fell from every branch like a never-ending stream of pink rainfall that bathed the area in an aura of power.
Ikran screeched and circled the rotorcraft with their bow-wielding riders ready to unleash waves of attacks on Harry and his clan. The Navi shouted out challenges and threats as Harry lowered the plane slowly into the outer territory of the tree of souls.
If not for blue faces and native-dressed members, Harry was sure they would attack. In hindsight taking a plane which was similar to those that just slaughtered their clan members and destroyed their ancestral home wasn't ideal.
Landing and moving as slowly as he could, disengaging from the craft while keeping his hand-ups to avoid angering the Omatikaya hunters, Harry indicated for his war party to follow his lead.
As the passengers disembarked, they could see that the tree was surrounded by a variety of different types of plants and animals, from small, delicate flowers to towering, ancient trees. The tree seemed to be the centre of an entire ecosystem, and it was clear that it played an important role in the life of Pandora.
In the distance, the passengers could make out more signs of the spiritual significance of the tree for the Na'vi. They could see offerings and totems placed at the base of the tree, and they could see the Na'vi praying and meditating near the tree. Their cries calling out for Eywa's mercy, Eywa's protection and Eywas retribution on the sky people.
An Ikran, larger than the others still circling threateningly overhead, divided down until its sharp claws dug into the earth. The animal opened its fanged mouth and screamed at Harry, who tried not to flinch away when he saw its tongue salivating.
A hunter dismounted and swung down the animals back with the ease that only experience could grant and approached Harry with angry eyes. Harry observed the Navi for a moment, he was young but held himself with regal confidence. He stood taller than Harry and was deeply muscular with long blue braids that hung down his back. The three great claws of a Great Leonopteryx (Toruk) were displayed in an intricate collar that represented his position. He was the Olo'eyktan.
"Nimwey (peace) brother. I bring aid to help your people."
Ignoring Harry's pleas, the Navi leader took a large step towards Harry and before anyone could react, pulled his knife out and placed it firmly on Harry's neck.
Hiss!
Harry's clan members drew back their lips letting out an animalist hiss of fury. They palmed their weapons and stood ready to fight.
Harry took a single long breath, trying to ignore the pain of the small cut on his neck and the droplet of blood he could feel beading up. He put his hand out and using the underwater sign language, signalled for them to stand down.
"I am Harry, Olo'eyktan of the Tawsemka clan who make our home far to the west in the great islands." Still seeing the red-hot rage in the Navi's eyes, Harry continued. "I and my clan offer you aid to help your wounded. We offer you our spears and bows to protect the people. Protect Eywa's land."
At the mention of the deity, Harry could see a slight wavering. There was an understandable suspicion about his party, arriving using sky people technology however the offer of vital aid in their time of need, combined with the common cause in Eywa's service, was not something easily refused.
Eventually, the knife was retracted, and proper introductions could take place.
The young Navi was Tsu'tey who had only just inherited the mantle of Olo'eyktan. Harry had heard of the previous leader, Eytukan, from his previous research of the tribe and understood him to be a great and well-respected leader. His death and transfer of power to his successor would be a great test for the tribe, especially in a time of peril such as the RDA assault.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harry bandaged another splinter wound and applied some colourful plant extracts to stop any infections. He had set up an infirmary slightly away from the Tree of Souls at the insistence of Mo'at, the Tsahik, to keep all sky people's technology out of their holy site.
Sukal worked beside him on another patient, injecting a serum to slow blood loss while she stitched close a gash to their arm. There were many patients, more than they could handle by themselves. Fortunately, Mo'at and her assistants had already been working on the most severe cases before their arrival meaning most were not in critical condition.
Tawtute led the war party out to hunt to provide the displaced Navi with some much-needed meat while Doeung and Zewyan stayed behind to help organise the infirmary. Having both been very familiar with Harry's medical practices, being on the receiving end of his scalpel, they knew at least some fundamentals to reduce pressure on the pair. Fang stood guard at the door and growled menacingly at any Navi who looked on with fantasies of attacking the alien Navi inside.
Walking over to another bed where a small monitor beeped regularly to the young Navi's heartbeat. It was the young girl he had found in the wreckage of Hometree. An older Navi woman kneeled by the bed, clutching the hand of the child, afraid to ever let go again.
Seeing Harry come over, the woman lowered her eyes and whispered her thanks again. "Zong Tirey." While his Navi had grown impressively fluent, he still needed to consult with his wife to get her to explain. The words meant Defender of Life. It was a blessing, a way to thank him for saving her granddaughter who she had assumed was lost to the flames. Harry felt flattered by the compliment however something odd started happening.
He would be working on a patient; mending a broken bone, sewing closed a wound or amputating a limb when he would hear those words muttered under their breath.
"Zong Tirey."
He had tried to ignore it, however the name spread. When walked through the camp to check on patients, he would hear it. When he sat under the great spirit tree, he would it hear it. Eventually, he gave in and questioned one his patients.
"Why do you call me that?" The Navi hunter smiled up at him.
"The devotion of Harri, the Zong-tirey, to protect and save life is worthy of respect. Many families have felt the sting of death however you have offered hope. Hope that we who suffer may yet again serve the people."
"I am doing what is right. On Earth, there are whole professions of healers. We call them Doctors."
"Sky people?" Seeing the confusion, Harry clarified.
"Good Sky people." Harry was fortunate in a way that Jake had made his presence an everyday event, so the Navi were not put off when they learnt Harry's origin.
"As you say." Picking up the medical kit, Harry turned to resume his rounds when he heard him say something under his breath.
"Zong Tirey."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Tree of Souls is a wonder of the natural world that radiated Eywa's light. Harry knew such a target, one which the Navi held in such high value, would be a target for the humans of the RDA Corporation. But even in the face of such danger, the tree stood tall and strong, a symbol of the power and mystery of Pandora.
The Omaticaya clan gathered around the Tree of Souls, their sacred site of worship, their faces etched with grief and anger. The memory of how the humans had attacked their home, destroying everything in their path, the countless dead still haunting their spirits.
Tsu'tey, the clan's leader, stood at the front of the group, his head bowed in prayer. He lifted his hands to the Tree of Souls and began to chant in the Na'vi language, his voice raw with emotion. The others joined in, their voices blending together in a mournful melody.
Mo'at, stood beside him, tears streaming down her face. She too lifted her hands to the Tree of Souls, begging for guidance and strength. The Tree of Souls seemed to glow in response, its branches reaching out to the Omaticaya as if to embrace them.
To one side stood another Navi woman, she was a beauty that could even rival Sukal, although Harry quickly suppressed that thought. In his eyes, Sukal would always be the most beautiful. Harry knew who she was even if they had never met.
Neytiri.
He hadn't been amongst the Omaticaya for 24 hours, yet he had still heard the love story between Jake and Neytiri. She was betrothed to Tsu'tey but had chosen the Avatar driver as her lifelong mate only for it to end in tragedy. Jake had been outed as a spy for the RDA, and so the loving couple were separated.
Harry felt the urge to go speak to her. To persuade her about Jake's good character, however he knew it wouldn't help. She had avoided him, and even his clan since their arrival, making her displeasure at anything that reminded her of her lost love very clear.
The prayer started to come to an end, the hymn of music in worship of Eywa slowly quieting. They had all lost so much but despite that, there was a sense of comfort and hope, knowing that they were not alone and that the Tree of Souls was with them. Together, the Omaticaya clan would stand strong and protect their home and their people, no matter what the cost.
A great shadow suddenly fell on the Tree of Souls eclipsing the sun's brilliance.
As the gathered crows of Navi look up, screams echoed throughout the clearing.
Death had returned.