Author's note: Ok, so this is not a sequel but an AU. I'm not going to say much except that this is a tribute to the book "Rojo y Oro" (Red and Gold) by Iria G Parente and Selene M Pascual. A wonderful story that draws inspiration from the myth of Eros and Psyche so after doing some thinking and lots of research, I'm ready to take this story on. Mentions are necessary like the story of "Only a Voice" by HolyMaiden24 and other fics that deserve one big cheer. Let's go!
1. Fetuuina
Legend tells of the mighty gods and the war between Heaven and Earth, the fathers of all creatures and above them all, the mighty Tangaroa. Son of Rangi, the Sky God, and Papa, the Earth Mother, he became Lord of the Oceans and of its creatures. Men respected his every wish and so, for many years, he stood powerful until tragedy arrived to his ears. One of his descendants, Makeatutara, keeper of the underworld, was in love with Queen Taranga of the Great Island and knew that she already had four children by her side so perhaps there was no harm in having a fifth one with her. And so it was that Make made up his mind, seduced the woman and left her pregnant without her husband's knowledge. But luck was not with these lovers and when the baby was born, he was premature and looked more like an animal than a man. Horrified by this, Taranga wrapped the boy in sea weeds and tossed him into the ocean without second thoughts. She thought she had gotten rid of the child but the waves washed him to the island of the Ocean God and Maui's ancestor, the Star God Rehua, Rangi and the other gods who took pity of the boy and decided to raise him like their own son. They breathed life back into the child, named him Maui and taught him everything they knew about the world and men. The little boy was now officially a demigod and when he came to age, Tangaroa gave him a magic hook. That was the very start of the adventures of Maui and it didn't take long before he went in search for his real parents. Make was in the underworld, so he was out of reach, but the Queen was easy to find.
He thought that it would be easy to surprise her and that Taranga would be pleased to see her son. And indeed she was and quite happy to know that the youngest of her sons was a demigod and a powerful one. She dreamed of recovering her lover and perhaps, becoming immortal. But as the boy grew and his mischievous doings become islands fished out of the water and other deeds that gave Maui the title of Hero and Demigod of Mischief, Taranga realized that her son would never grant her the gift of the gods. She would eventually grow old and die while he remained young and strong. Taranga couldn't take it. And when she heard that Maui had felt in love with the beautiful goddess Hina, it was the last straw. The Queen decided that if her youngest and ugliest son was going to let her go down, then she wouldn't sink alone. And so, she went to see the only creature cunning and cruel enough to do the job and thought of a way to put Maui out of the protection of the gods.
These acts would eventually lead the world into darkness, one which has lived on to this very day. Taranga was not an evil person but she let jealousy bloom in her soul, she came to hate a child she had not raise.
We see her now as a wicked woman but she did love once just like her son. Perhaps they were born to drown to rise again.
In the myth, Taranga is a Queen not a goddess. She loved her son but I can imagine that seeing him remain young and powerful would end up getting someone bitter.
I have taken a few liberties with the legends but I admit they are pretty interesting. And yes, I do picture Tala telling this story to a young Moana.
Small intro before going into the fire.
We will move on shortly!