Everyone gets up early the next day to prepare their serpents and harnesses, or in Niko's case, her dragon. Dhati is feeding her serpent, and Niko is attaching the fishing net to Ash. This year has an added bonus: there is a specific type of fish, blue and gold like the serpents, which is difficult to catch due to its speed despite its large size. Whoever catches that fish wins the entire competition, making it more akin to the black sheep. Niko is aiming for that fish this year, according to Niko's research there happens to be one problem, and that is that it mostly swims near the abandoned neighboring island, which is kind of restricted and unsafe. So only the best of the best are going after it, and that means Niko, Dhati, and Ruko are going to be aiming for that bonus fish. Everyone on the beach sits tight for the horn to go off, showing the competition starting.
Dhati looks to the side to trash talk Niko. “Let’s get this over with, I will win again.”
“Aw, you’re delusional. How cute,” Niko mocks.
Ori pops his head back and says, “May the gods have mercy on you, because I won’t, and I will win this time.”
“We’ll see about that,” Dhati says as Niko smirks.
She then hears footsteps behind her and turns to see Teyluk, Nevan, and Akit all there with their horses.
“What are you doing here?” She asks looking at them confused.
“We’re in the competition, surprised?” Nevan says as he wiggles his eyebrows confidently.
“Yes, actually. Did you know about this?” she turns to ask Dhati confused.
“Yeah, They insisted yesterday. So, dad agreed to let them participate as a team.” Dhati replies.
Niko shrugs her shoulder as she turns her focus back to Ash to recheck his harness and the net when she whispers under her breath, “not a threat anyways”.
Teyluk hears it and asks teasing her, “What was that?”
To which Niko replies forcing a smile, “Nothing”.
Niko then notices that one of the people taking part is Ruko, which she isn't surprised about because he always does, but Ruko is glaring at them as he climbs onto his serpent. She ignores him as the person blowing the horn prepares to begin the competition, Niko climbs onto Ash's back and the others climb onto their serpents. When the horn goes off, everyone starts cheering, as well as the chief joining in. All the participants go ahead to carry out their plans. Dhati and her serpent go in separately, collecting fish and then combining them. Niko has made a net and is holding it while Ash supports her with his legs, collecting fish. When it is time to go hunt the bonus fish, she returns to the island to drop the net for the villagers to count, telling them secretly to put half of the fish in the Poteks' net.
She sets out once more into the open sea. She scans the waters carefully, looking for any sign of movement or disturbance. She directs Ash to fly higher above the water in order to avoid causing waves. After a couple of minutes, she spots something glinting in the sun. It is the bonus fish. With a steady hand and a keen eye, Niko aims her bow and that special arrow that she made at the fish. She takes a deep breath, holds it, and releases the arrow. It sails through the air and hits the water with a satisfying splash. Niko waits anxiously, watching as the water calms and the surface bubbles. Suddenly, the bonus fish leaps out of the water, wriggling and flapping, and caught on the arrow. Niko then carefully pulls in her catch, taking care not to damage it or lose it in the waves. When she arrives back at the village, she holds up the bonus fish triumphantly, declaring that she has won the competition. When everyone returns, the Poteks notice that they have a lot of fish, they ask each other and discover that none of them can get all of the fish, they decide to ask around when they come across Dhati, who admits to not giving them any. But when she tells them that apparently it is Niko who puts all those fish in their net, they smile a little, knowing that she wanted to help them. As everyone is packing up to go home, Niko notices that both Ruko and Teyluk are glaring at each other as Teyluk is getting the harness off his horse.
Niko approaches him, asking as she glares back at Ruko. “Did this jerk bother you guys again?”
“No, you've marked your territory so well that he doesn’t even say hello,” he replies smirking. “Might as well pee on us”.
“Ew, gross,” she says, chuckling as she punches his shoulder jokingly when she notices that she got too comfortable and then clears her throat awkwardly.
“Well, his hello isn’t that enlightening,” she scoffs as she is looking at Ruko as he walks away.
They both stay silent before Teyluk speaks, “So, thanks for the fish.”
Niko turns back slowly, trying to be nonchalant. “What fish?”
He crosses his arms, smiling gently. “I know you’re the one who put all that extra fish in our net.”
She lets out a sigh then says. “How did you know?”
“Dhati,” he speaks.
She fake gasps before she smiles gently “Traitor.”
“You’re not as tough as you make people believe,” he says looking at her gently.
“I wanted people to be afraid of me,” she replies as she takes a deep breath.
“Well, I am glad you are opening up, to me at least,” she looks him in the eyes, smiling gently,
“Shouldn’t we be arguing about something” He adds as they both laugh.
“Well, don’t you love that?” she mimicked as they smile at each other.
Niko then says grinning as she is turning to leave, “Looks like I got the best of you guys today.”
Teyluk replies smiling, “Yeah, yeah, rub it in.”
Niko laughs, “Hey, I had to.”
Teyluk adds playfully rolling his eyes, “You just got lucky this time.”
“Luck had nothing to do with it. It is all skill, and you know it.” Niko smirks.
Teyluk smiles while nodding, “I'll give you that. You did really well out there.”
“Well, if you excuse me. I need to rest after my big win.” Niko then turns around as she is walking away, smiling.
“Rubbing it in.” Teyluk shouts as he turns to leave as well.
Niko is on her way home when she notices Dhati also walking to her house. Niko motions to invite Dhati over, they both enter Niko's house. Dhati goes ahead and sits on the bed while Niko lets her hair down, getting comfortable to talk with Dhati about something.
Niko turns to sit on the bed beside Dhati to ask, “Can I talk to you about something?”
“Of course! What's on your mind?” , Dhati replies worried.
“Well, I think I like Teyluk.” Niko says shamefully.
Dhati chuckles as she stands up to go let her hair down in front of the mirror as well, “Congrats on finally admitting it.”
Niko inquires confused as she furrows her eyebrows, “Wait, what do you mean?”
Dhati smiles as she turns back to face her, “Ori and I have noticed for a while now.”
Dhati adds, “It's kind of obvious when someone has a crush.”
Niko replies panicked, “Wait, is it obvious? I hope it isn't.”
“Calm down, it is to us. We’ve known you forever.” Dhati continues as she sits in front of her again. “I don't think anyone else noticed.”
Niko asks palming her face, “What should I do then?”
Dhati strategically says, “First of all, we need to figure out if he likes your back.”
Niko then adds disappointed, “He doesn't.”
“How do you know?” Dhati is surprised by her certainty.
“Have you seen the way I treated him since he came here. If he likes me after all that, then definitely something is wrong up there.” Niko says as she points to her head.
Dhati sighs as she gets her stuff to go back home to clean up, “I give up.”
“What was that?” Niko says hoping Dhati would repeat what she said again.
“Nothing. I said I am going home.” Dhati says fake smiling as lost hope trying to show her sister what's already clear, which is that Teyluk definitely likes
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