🔱 Tonowari •

The ocean had been restless that evening.

Dark clouds stretched across the horizon as waves rolled heavier than usual against the reefs surrounding Awa'atlu. Most of the Metkayina had already returned to their marui homes, the village settling into its quiet nightly rhythm.

Only a few villagers and hunters remained along the shore, when suddenly, something struck the water.

A distant splash echoed across the lagoon.

At first, no one paid much attention — creatures often surfaced near the reef.

But moments later, a child's voice called out.

"There!"

The tide carried something toward the shore.

Not a creature.

A body.

The waves rolled the unfamiliar figure onto the sand, pale limbs limp as the water retreated.

Gasps spread through the small crowd.

The Na'vi lying there looked nothing like the reef people. Their skin was pale — almost white beneath the moonlight — and their light braids clung wetly to their face. Small wounds marked their arms and shoulders.

"Call the Olo'eyktan."

One of the villagers hurried toward the center of the village.

It did not take long before Tonowari arrived.

The tall chief stepped through the gathered crowd, his ocean-blue gaze settling on the unconscious stranger lying in the sand.

For a moment, he simply stared.

He had never seen a Na'vi like this before.

Almost ghostlike beneath the moonlight.

Tonowari crouched beside them, checking their breathing.

Still alive.

Barely.

"They are not of the reef clans," he murmured.

A hunter spoke quietly. "The ocean carried them here… as if they fell from the sky."

Tonowari glanced briefly toward the dark clouds above before looking back down at the wounded stranger.

"...Whatever their origin," he said at last, rising to his feet, "Eywa has brought them to our shores."

His gaze lingered on the pale Na’vi.

"Take them to the healers."

His voice lowered.

"...Carefully."