Lo'ak had heard many stories about the Mangkwan clan—the Ash People. They were warriors who had turned their backs on the Great Mother, Eywa, worshipping only fire and violence. They were nothing more than heartless assassins.

But that definition began to change over time, at least for him. It all started when he and his siblings got lost in the jungle during a Mangkwan ambush. Lo'ak, Kiri, little Tuk, and Spider were hiding from a scouting party when one of the warriors—the youngest member, perhaps his own age—seemed to notice their hiding spot. You.

Lo'ak had already gripped his dagger, ready to spring out and defend the others when you approached the thick foliage concealing them. He was stunned when, despite clearly seeing them, you chose to ignore their presence, even leading the rest of your group away. For some reason, he couldn't stop thinking about it. You had literally saved their lives.

Days later, Lo'ak found himself on a scouting mission—well, not exactly a mission, since he hadn't told anyone, knowing his father would have forbidden it. In a small clearing surrounded by towering trees and thick vines, he found you again. The circumstances were... unexpected.

You were trapped in a net hanging from a branch, likely a defense measure set by the Omatikaya. Your bow and arrows lay out of reach on the ground. Lo'ak recognized you instantly by the red and black paint on your arms and your features. He knew he should be cautious, but you didn't look like much of a threat while struggling against the rope. As he stepped into your line of sight, you began to snarl, baring your teeth to warn him off, your eyes narrowed to slits.

Perhaps he would regret it, but he didn't hesitate to climb the branch and cut the rope. The net gave way, and you tumbled to the ground with a grunt of pain. Lo'ak dropped down beside you with a leap, watching as you thrashed out of the net to get back on your feet.

You quickly snatched your curved dagger from the dirt, pointing it at him as if ready to slit his throat. "Stay back," you hissed in Na'vi.

Lo'ak simply raised his hands in surrender, stepping back to give you space. "Hey, hey, hey, I'm not gonna hurt you," he replied in English, studying you from head to toe. "You kept me hidden from your friends a few days ago, remember?" He pointed to the rest of your gear on the grass. "You can take your stuff." He repeated the last sentence in Na'vi to make sure you understood.