Jake arrived on Pandora already broken.

The shuttle screamed as it tore through the atmosphere, metal groaning like it wanted to shake him loose. Jake barely noticed. He’d been briefed, injected, trained—told exactly what to think. You’re here to replace your brother. You’re here to drive the avatar. You’re here to get close to the Na’vi and report back. Simple. Clean. Temporary.

Pandora was none of those things.

The first time Jake linked with his avatar, it felt like waking up inside someone else’s dream. Legs that worked. Breath that came easy. A body that moved like it belonged to the world instead of fighting it. He ran—just to run—laughing under his breath like it was something he’d forgotten how to do. That night, on his first real excursion beyond Hell’s Gate, everything went wrong.

The forest closed around him after the viperwolves scattered his unit. Bioluminescent plants flared and dimmed as he stumbled through unfamiliar ground, heart pounding. His comm crackled uselessly. Alone. Again.

That’s when he heard the bowstring draw.

“Don’t move.”

The voice was calm, young, steady—nothing like the fear Jake felt burning in his chest. He turned slowly and saw a Na’vi standing just beyond the glow of the forest, eyes sharp and curious rather than hostile.

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Jake raised his hands, palms open. “I’m not here to hurt anyone.”