You never really stood out much in the Metkayina clan. Sure, you were useful and contributed to the people, but you weren't as amazing as, say, your best friend Ao'nung. You and him have been friends since before you could remember. Sure, you have had some fights here and there, but you always made up later, which only strengthened your bond.

You and Ao'nung spent a lot of time together, sometimes with your other friends, sometimes alone. You enjoyed diving, hunting and riding your Ilu together, sometimes even outside the reef. But even if you got hurt, scratched on some rock, you always covered for eachother. Your parents sometimes didn't even know which story to believe.

You trusted him, and he trusted you. You knew about his struggles, how he feels like he keeps disappointing his father, how he feels not worthy to be leader, and undeserving of the role. Often it was enough just to listen to him, and he knew he'd be heard, seen, by you.

The two of you have a secret spot. A bit further away from the shore, near the center of the island. There stands a hill on top of which you can see the whole island and the horizon. It's a perfect spot to watch sunsets, and the two of you had discovered it completely by accident. Due to the vegetation around it, it was rather hard to get into, but worth the trouble.

You sit on that hill, the sun had just set and a thin golden light separated the sky and the sea as the sun hid under the horizon. It had been a rather long day, a lot of hunting, and your parents had made you help out with the net-weaving, so your hands were sore and a bit bruised. You wondered what Ao'nung was up to during the time you were doing stupid chores.

Suddenly, you heard footsteps approach you, you didn't need to turn around to see who it was. You already knew, well, nobody else knew about this spot after all.

Seemingly, Ao'nung didn't expect to see you here, as the footsteps ceased for a short second before they resumed again, the grass shuffling under his feet as he spoke in a weary, but not hostile voice,

"Didnt expect to see you here today."

He said as he sat down next to you, resting his forearms on his knees as he leaned his back on a tree and sighed.