It's the next day, and Niko, Dhati, and Ori wait for the young Poteks at the beach. They are going to teach them how to fight arm to arm. They have learned the bow and arrows quicker than expected. Apparently, Neyt and Sur were high-ranking soldiers, so they had somewhat basic training back at their old village. Dhati and Ori are talking enthusiastically about something, but Niko isn't paying attention as her mind is somewhere else. Thinking about the Earthers, if they did anything about their missing scouts, would they act on that village they are aiming for? Not noticing that Ori has been calling her name for a while now, she snaps out of it to look at him.
“Hmm?” She says, confused.
“We were talking to you,” Dhati says, crossing her arms.
“Sorry, I was just thinking about something,” Niko replies, averting her gaze towards the ocean.
“We wanted to know if you would come with us swimming after this session; we're planning to ask them to come with us,” Ori says, referring to the Poteks.
“But remember, we're sharpening our weapons after we're back,” Niko replies.
“Yes, Mom,” Dhati says sarcastically. “Will you come with us, please?” she adds.
“Okay, I'll come,” Niko agrees to go swimming to clear her mind.
They both look at each other surprised that she agreed as she hadn't been swimming with them in a long time. By that time, the Poteks arrive at the beach. Niko and the rest stand up, and she crosses her arms.
“Okay. So, today we are starting arm-to-arm combat,” she adds. “That's in case both sides have no weapons.”
“You can't go fight a weaponed person while you are empty-handed; that's a death wish,” she emphasizes that point.
“You're going to learn the basics and then you'll put them to the test by fighting one of us,” Niko says, gesturing to herself, Ori, and Dhati.
The Poteks' eyes widen except for Teyluk, who looks annoyed more than anything because she keeps treating them like children. Niko as well noticed that he's different than his siblings. Nevan and Akit started to warm up to life here, unlike him.
“Just a disclaimer, you're going to be kicked, punched, and probably sore by tomorrow. I'm talking to everybody, not just them,” Niko says, looking at Dhati and Ori as well as the rest.
She starts teaching them how to attack and defend correctly and what to do when you're being punched. Dhati and Ori have been helping as well. Every time Dhati corrects Nevan, he gets shy. Niko notices and smirks at him.
“Shut up,” he mouths, as she raises her eyebrows and smiles discreetly.
Both Akit and Teyluk notice and look at each other. They train for hours as they re-learn the basics. Teyluk finds his anger useful, adding to his power. Nevan turns out to be faster than she thought, and Akit is like a natural, an advantage is that she doesn't look like she can pack a punch, but isn't she strong? Now it's time for the one-on-one fight with each other; she decides to let each choose their opponent.
“Okay. It's time, and we're not holding back,” she adds. “As a bonus, you'll get to choose who you want to fight.”
Akit and Nevan cheer and high-five while Teyluk just crosses his arms.
“Ladies first, Akit. Pick your opponent,” Niko says, gesturing to the three of them.
“I choose Ori,” she says as Ori goes to stand beside her.
“Then the oldest. Teyluk, choose,” Niko says, her and Dhati standing side by side.
“Niko,” Teyluk says without hesitation, face as straight as it can be.
Everyone is surprised; Niko is the strongest fighter. Knowing that she will kick his ass, he still chose her. She nods as she stands beside him.
“That means Dhati and Nevan will fight each other,” Niko says, looking at Nevan, whose face is now flushed.
“I want to go first,” Akit says, raising her hand high.
“Go ahead,” Niko says as the rest sit around them in a circle.
As they are about to start, they hear laughter from behind them. It's Anu and Tul accompanied by Neyt and Sur talking as they got back from swimming.
“Good evening, Kids, what are you doing?” Anu asks as they approach them.
“We trained arm-to-arm today and to put it to the test, we are divided into teams to have one-on-one fights,” Dhati says.
“Me and Akit are first up,” Ori tells his father.
“Can we sit and watch?” Neyt asks.
“Of course,” replies Niko as she smiles gently.
As they all sit down, completing the circle, Akit and Ori get ready. When Niko gives the signal, they start fighting. Even though Ori had time training, Akit had her speed, since all of them are way better than she thought, as she throws punches at Ori. He blocks them well until she tries to trip him and succeeds, putting her fist on his chest as he lays on the ground, declaring that she has won. Everyone cheers and claps for her.
“I won,” she says, smearing her victory in his face.
“Beginner's luck,” he replies, smiling.
“1 - 0 for the Poteks,” Niko says, clapping for Akit.
“Let's go, Dhati and Nevan. You're up,” Niko says, patting Dhati on the back.
Niko gives the signal, and they start fighting. Dhati might not look like it, but she is strong. Niko has come to know that from experience, since they are used to training together. She throws punches at Nevan, and so does he. She blocks them well until he trips her and turns to his family to celebrate. She stands up and flips him back onto the ground, declaring that she has clearly won.
“Rule number one,” Niko says.
“Never turn your back on your opponent,” Dhati and Ori collectively say.
“Okay!” Niko says as she claps her hands together.
“The score is 1 - 1; the Avits are back in the game,” Niko adds as Anu and Tul clap along, and the others cheer.
“Last but not least, Niko and Teyluk,” Ori says like an announcer.
Niko smirks and stands up, while Teyluk has that same straight face since the beginning. They stand in the middle, warming up their hands and legs. When Dhati gives the signal to fight, Niko balls up her fists and starts analyzing him. He is shifting from one foot to another as he balls his fists. He is taller than her, so his punches will be head level to her. While all that is going through her head, he initiates a punch to her head, but she dodges.
“Heads first, huh?” she says, smirking at him; he doesn't reply.
He starts throwing punches with both his hands as she dodges them all and punches him in the stomach. He grimaces and takes a few steps back, getting ready to attack again. But Niko attacks this time, trying to kick his legs off the ground, but he jumps. Something she notices is that he is starting to get more and more aggressive. She did tell them to not hold back, but it looks like he is holding a grudge. The fight starts getting faster as he trips Niko to the ground and is going to punch her square in the face, but she dodges her head. Everyone goes silent when they hear the sound his fist makes when it hits the sand. With that much strength, he was planning to break her nose or seriously hurt her. She then wonders if all that anger he has is towards her; that would explain why he acts that way and would want to punch her so hard. She uses that moment to turn them over, so he is on the sand. She puts both of her legs on his arms, holding him to the ground, restraining him and putting her fist under his chin, showing that she has won. She stands up as Dhati and Ori high-five. But the adults are still silent, shocked about what had happened. Niko gives out her hand to help Teyluk stand up, but he ignores her and stands on his own.
“And the Avits take it home,” Ori says awkwardly noticing the awkward silence.
“Good job, Teyluk,” Niko says with a grain of salt. He doesn't reply and turns to his parents, excusing himself to leave.
“Apologize first,” Neyt demands.
“But —” Teyluk tries to say, but he is interrupted.
“It's okay, sir. I told them to take this fight seriously,” Niko adds, “I am the one that told them not to hold back, and he did as told.” Neyt looks at his eldest son as she speaks.
“Is that true?” he asks Teyluk, and he nods unwillingly.
“See, no apology needed,” she says, fake smiling to Teyluk as he just stares at her.
The adults excuse themselves and leave, and Niko's smile drops instantly as she looks at Teyluk in anger. She walks by him, bumping their shoulders together.
“What's going on?” Akit asks in disbelief as her gaze shifts from Niko to Teyluk.
“I don't know, ask your brother,” Niko shouts as she points at Teyluk , leaving, ignoring everyone.
Niko stands in the opposite direction, while the others look at both confused. Akit and Nevan are about to leave to follow their brother when Dhati stops them to ask.
“We were planning to go swimming later tonight, if you wanted to join us,” she whispers, not wanting hot-headed Niko to hear them and bail.
“We will come,” Nevan replies, smiling sadly at her; both him and Akit leave.
They go to stand beside Niko as she keeps taking deep breaths while closing her eyes.
“Why is he acting like this? I mean, I have done nothing to him,” Niko says, and both know better than to reply; she just wants to vent.
“Let's just forget about this; I will get some rest before we swim tonight,” Niko says as she walks back home, while Dhati and Ori stand there just looking at each other.
In the Potek's household, Teyluk arrives as Nevan and Akit follow behind. Once he enters their home, he starts pacing back and forth. Akit and Nevan are just following him with their heads when they hear him say.
“Who does she think she is? Standing up for me in front of mom and dad, making me look bad. Does she think she is better than me?” he says quickly as he paces.
“Why do you dislike her so much?” Akit asks. When Teyluk hears that question, he stops and looks at her, frowning.
“Why do you guys like her, or any of them? They have been treating us like outcasts and babies since we've arrived. Have you just accepted our life here, you forgot our actual home?” he says angrily.
“Hey! We've missed our home since the day we left, but here they made us feel secure and safe. They helped us see that home isn't a place but the people we love,” Nevan says firmly.
“They've done nothing to deserve the way you treat them. They made this place feel like home; they became our friends,” Akit adds, defending them.
“Even Niko, the one you hate so much,” Nevan says, “Is the one that cheered me up when I felt down because I was missing home.”
“That's why she was teasing me today, making sure I felt better,” Nevan says, defending her.
“And Nero loves it here,” Akit adds.
“So, literally you're the only one being harsh on her, not the other way around,” Nevan says, passing by him to get out of the door.
“By the way, they invited us for a swim. Come when you stop acting like a child, let off some steam,” Akit says, putting her hand on his shoulder.
When she leaves, he sits down on the ground, holding his head in his hands. He is thinking about what his siblings have said, maybe he is in the wrong more than he thinks. Later that night, it is time to hang out with the Avits and go for a swim. The Avits are sitting on the sand, close to the shore, waiting for the Poteks to show up. Niko knows that Teyluk won’t, but she honestly doesn’t care anymore. By his actions, he showed that he doesn't want to have that place for a home, which means he won't have her for a friend. She hears footsteps behind them when she turns; it is the Poteks, including Teyluk, walking towards them. He looks at the ground as he walks alongside his siblings, and they walk awkwardly without breaking the tension. Dhati, Ori, and Niko stand up to say their hellos, except that Niko stays silent, looking at Teyluk.
“Ready, guys?” Dhati asks everyone.
“Yeah, let's go!” Nevan says as he jumps in the water with Akit and Ori, laughing.
Dhati looks at the two still standing, Niko and Teyluk, when Niko notices they are the only two remaining. She turns at once and jumps in the water, catching up with the others. They swim for some time, but because of the exhausting day they had, they get tired too quickly and decide to head in early and go home. Niko and Dhati stay on the shore to sharpen their weapons as the others go home, including Teyluk. An hour passes: they hear footsteps but only one pair this time. Niko doesn't even look up as she is sharpening her knife when Dhati looks up. She sees it is Teyluk, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.
“Can I speak with you alone?” he asks Niko, but she ignores him.
“I will go and get Ori's arrows to sharpen them,” Dhati says nervously as she excuses herself, leaving Teyluk and Niko alone. The only sound heard is the sharpening of Niko’s knife.
He stands there for a couple of minutes for her to invite him to sit down. But he knows that isn't going to happen, so he sits himself down in front of her. She still doesn't look at him until he speaks.
“I wanted to apologize for what happened this morning.” He is silent again, then adds. “I shouldn't have been that aggressive, even though it was a friendly fight.” She scoffs at that sentence.
“That's why you're apologizing? because you punched too hard?” she says sarcastically, then adds.
“Not because you took your anger out on me, who has nothing to do with whatever you’re going through.” She scoffs again.
“I've been nothing but helpful since you and your siblings came here,” she says firmly, “Whether you accepted it or not, I was no harm to you.”
“Hey! I get that you're angry with me, and you're right to be. But it hasn't been easy for me either; I lost my home and my friends and was expected to just move on and love my new life.” He says, starting to get angry.
“Nobody expected you to move on, and no one has the right to. But it's not fair either to take it out on someone else,” she says, raising her voice as well.
“You don't know what that person is going through. So, instead of dwelling on the things that went wrong, be grateful at least one thing went right,” she adds, her voice breaking.
“What could've gone right about my village burning to the ground?” he says, raising his voice.
“Well for one, you and your family are safe and in one piece,” she screams saying this sentence, her eyes tearing up.
She starts to pack her things to go home when he holds her hand to stop her, while she looks him dead in the eyes, frowning. He never would've imagined seeing the tough Niko cry or even tear up, and he did that. That broke him a little on the inside, putting all his anger on her while she had her own demons to deal with.
“What do you mean by that? You said that once when the scouts almost hurt us,” he says as his voice softens.
“Nothing, forget it,” she says, pulling her hand from his grip. After that, she goes silent for a couple of minutes, looking him in the eyes.
“Tell me, please. Help me understand,” he pleads.
She sits back down, as he follows. She then goes ahead to tell him how her family was burned alive along with her village that was burned to the ground. That she couldn't do anything since she was ten years old, feeling like an outcast and that's why she understood how they felt when they arrived here.
“The reason I still feel somewhat at home is because I have Anu, Tul, Dhati and Ori here with me. That's why I think that home is not the place you live in, but the people you're with,” she says finally taking a deep breath, relaxing from trying to keep her tears in. but Teyluk will never know that.
“Nevan said the same thing earlier today. Were you the one that told him that?” he asks calmly, as she nods.
“I'm sorry, for everything,” he says looking down, “For being an ass, for taking it out on you, and almost hurting you.”
“Tell anyone anything I just said, and you will be Ash's new snack,” she says firmly, pointing her finger in his face.
“I won't! jeez!” he says, putting his hands up to surrender.
“And honestly, I think you'll always be an ass,” she says trying to lighten the mood, “Whether I like it or not.” He nudges her on the shoulder giggling.
“Wait, Dhati was supposed to be here with the arrows, where did she go?” Niko says as she notices Dhati has been gone for a long time now.
“Well ....” He adds rubbing the back of his neck, “When I said that I needed to talk to you, I kind of told her not to come back at all.”
“Why though?” she asks, confused.
“I knew this was going to take longer than planned,” he says as she is surprised; he planned all of this.
“Had I noticed, I wouldn't have stayed at all,” she says scoffing.
“Don't ruin the moment,” he says as she laughs, then he knows. Right then and there, he has gained an almost-friend, someone totally unexpected.
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