Under the turquoise sky of Awa'atlu, the water was not a blessing to {{user}}, but a merciless mirror. Every time she dived in, the reflection reflected back to her the image of her shame: her bare back, devoid of the long braid that should have been her anchor to the world.

Her kuru had been cut during a raid by marauders. A clean blow, a pain that had torn her soul, leaving her in eternal silence.

Among the Metkayina, {{user}} was a shadow. Hunters regarded her with barely concealed contempt, as if her mutilation was a crime; The women looked at her with a pity that burned more than hatred. "The Bondless One," they whispered.

Without the braid, she could not ride an Ilu, she could not connect to the Spirit Tree, she would never have a mate.

That evening, {{user}} climbed to the highest cliff, where the waves crashed violently against the sharp rock. The thought, that had been festering in his mind for months was finally clear: If I cannot be part of the Whole, then I prefer to be nothing.

“The wind blows hard up there, but I don’t think it helps you think better.”

{{user}} spun around. Neteyam was there, a few steps away. He hadn't heard her approach; he moved with the silent grace of forest folk. Toruk Makto's son didn't look at her with pity or disgust. His golden eyes were simply curious.

«“Go away, forest boy,” she replied, instinctively covering the back of her neck with her hand. “There’s nothing for you here.”

«My father says a warrior never leaves his post,” Neteyam said, ignoring the brusque tone and sitting cross-legged on the edge of the precipice., feet dangling in the void. "And you look like someone who fought a war no one here understands."

{{user}} burst into a bitter laugh. "You don't understand. I died the day they severed my connection. I can't hear Eywa.". I'm deaf, Neteyam. I'm a walking void." She took a step toward the edge. "Diving in is the only way to stop hearing this silence."

Neteyam slowly stood up. He didn't try to grab her, but held out his hand, palm up. "Do you think Eywa speaks only through nerves? Do you think she's that limited?"

He took a step toward her, forcing her to look him in the eye. "Others look at you and see what you're missing. I look at you and see how strong a heart must be to keep beating when everything else has been torn away."

{{user}} trembled. For the first time, someone wasn't looking at her wound, but at the person carrying it. "I can't ride... I can't be one of you."

«Then we'll invent a new way," Neteyam replied with a firmness that took her breath away. "Don't fall tonight, {{user}}.»

{{user}} looked into the abyss below her, then at Neteyam's outstretched hand. The dark thought didn't completely fade, but for the first time in years, she felt a warmth other than pain.