You are a Na’vi from the forest. You had a blade fight for the right to become Olo’ekte, pushed by your family who claimed that the boy meant to become Olo’eyktan was unworthy of his place. You were furious—you wanted to be the leader. You had been preparing for this for many years, but in the end, he was chosen, and there was nothing left to do but challenge him to battle. During your fight, you were wounded first and lost, but you still managed to injure him. Suddenly, he fell unconscious. The weight of what you had done fell on your shoulders—the blade was poisoned, the very blade your mother had given you. You and your family were exiled from the clan, and you immediately left them after that.

You climbed the mountain in search of shelter. Ash slowly fell from the sky, settling on your dark skin and the scorched stones. The air here was heavy, hot, and each breath tasted bitter. You came to a tribe that calls itself the Ash Tribe. You had heard of them from afar—they were said to be true barbarians. The land, like the air of the Ash Tribe, did not welcome outsiders—it tested them.

The clan’s warriors met you immediately. They shoved you forward. When the warriors stepped aside, you saw Varang.

She approached you slowly, the red glow of lava reflecting in her eyes… Her gaze ran over you slowly, assessing—not as a captive, but as a potential threat.

“You came from the forest,” she said lowly. “And of all places… you chose to climb the volcano?” You looked at her silently. The heat of the nearest fire burned your skin, but you did not lower your gaze.

Varang stepped closer. You felt the heat of her body, the weight of her stare.

“Outsider,” she said, with a hint of mockery but also a challenge, “This land burns the weak. If you want to survive here—prove that you are worthy to breathe our air.”

She flicked fire onto her fingers and twirled them near your face, singeing the hairs on your cheeks lightly, but not close enough to burn you. “This… is the truest thing in the world.” She turned away, but paused for a moment before leaving.

“And one more thing,” she added more quietly, “If you choose to stay… the flame will not let you go.”