The warriors of Motunui stood side by side hands trembling and brows furrowed. Beads of sweat cascaded down their faces as they clutched their garden tools, oars, and other makeshift weapons. Tui stood before them with the chief's headdress swaying in the wind. The placid blue sky became cloaked in murky grey as the once warm zephyr turned cold. In the distance, out of the fog, black shapes moved across the water. Surely, it was the canoes of their enemy coming to battle? Tui gasped and the men all cried in fear as they watched the Ririo tribe stalking across the waves. Tui clenched his eyes shut and swallowed deeply. He mused that it was all the stress causing him to see things. "What manner of men are these that can walk on the seas?", one man cried in shrill voice. "The gods are punishing us! We are doomed!", another screamed. The men began murmuring among themselves and the atmosphere felt oppressive with fear. Tui opened his eyes and watched the chief of the Ririo approach their shores.
"Hold steady men!", Tui yelled. The collective anxiety of the men behind him wrapped it's clammy tendrils around his throat. He wouldn't move until he saw the whites of their eyes.
"HA! They are unarmed! And their Chief stands behind them?", one man said with a smug grin. The men all watched the Ririo approach unhanded and laughed. "Surely, we will be victorious this day!".
Tui raised his hand and yelled a warriors call causing the men to rush forward. The Ririo stood calmly on the waters with their hands at their sides. One man lodged his spear into the stomach of a Ririo. Another swept his makeshift weapon in an arch hitting his side. A loud crack resounded as the Riro's ribs shattered. The laughter suddenly ceased as the Ririo gathered their broken limbs and righted dislocated hips, knees, and arms. The men yelled in terror and some fled to no avail. The Ririo swept through the Motunui warriors causing the shallow waters to turn red. Tui stood with wide eyes and his hands trembling as he watched man after man fall. Their bodies caused great splashes as they fell into the waters with cold eyes. Through the crowd he spied the steel gaze of the Chief. He stalked through the fray dodging spears and bodies flung into the distance. Tui clenched his jaw and his spear. The sweat of his hands caused the spear to slip slightly downwards in his grip. Suddenly the Chief stopped in his tracks and looked around. His men began to convulse as their eyes rolls back in their heads. The remaining men of Motunui stared in fear as the Ririo began howling in pain before collapsing. The Chief's eyes bulged in horror as he began to scream at the top of his lungs.
"My lord, do not forsake us! You promised! You….", the Chief screamed as his raised his fists to the sky. He too began to convulse as a baritone guttural voice, that was not his own, emitted from him. Tui trembled violently as he watched the man begin to foam at the mouth.
"You are no longer of any need to us", the voice growled.
"My lord you promised that we would share in your power! You promised us eternal life! YOU PROMISED! YOU PROMISED! YOU PROMIIIISED!", the Chief howled. His cries became louder and louder before his body went still and collapsed into the water. Tui dropped his weapon and began walked backwards slowly. Before the Chief of the Ririo collapsed it seemed as though a translucent black wisp left his body. The stress of the battle surely must have been playing tricks on him. The remaining men stood aghast at their newly defeated foe. Their bodies floated atop that of their fallen kin as they stood ankle deep in the crimson waters.
"Our foe is defeated!", Tui cried. He raised his shaking fists in the air. The men joined in his cries of victory.
"All glory to Chief Tui Waialiki who has brought victory to our people!", one bloodstained warrior yelled as he shook his spear. The other men joined in a din of victorious howls chanting adulation to Tui and the strength of their people. In the distance Tui heard Sina calling his name and ran off to meet her. Sina stood before him with puffy red eyes as she shook her head. "What is it Sina?"
Sina was clutching something to her chest. He grasped her hands trying to pry it from her grip and she held on tighter shaking her head harder. "Sina, please, let me see. What is it?", Tui said. She finally loosened her grip and revealed what was in her hands. It was Moana's clothes. "NO! My daughter! My little girl!"
Sina clutched Tui in a tight embrace as they sobbed. "One of the women found her clothes washed ashore. Oh Moana!", Sina wailed. Tui said nothing in reply and clutched Sina tighter.
….
Death and Maui walked up to a large door in which it's rim was decorated with bones. In front of the gargantuan door stood a bulky man covered in tattoos. His curly hair draped about his shoulders. He held his head high as he clutched his staff. Maui frowned deeply and took in a huge breath. The man gazed from Maui to Death with a look of befuddlement. Maui clenched his fists as he stared at the ground. Death beamed widely waving gaily at the man standing guard upon which he returned the gesture.
"Ah! Death, how have you been?", the man said jovially.
"You know, I'm here and there.", Death said shoving her hands into the pockets of her jacket. "You look good Makeatutara"
"Yeah, I know", Makeatutara said winking . Maui rolled his eyes.
"Dad…", Maui snipped. Makeatutara's eyes lit up and he moved to grab him into a hug. Maui moved to the side effectively dodging his clasp. Makeatutara didn't seem to notice.
"Hey, Maru! Long time no see!", Makeatutara guffawked heartily. Maui's glower intensified.
"It's Maui, asshole", Maui growled. The laughter and mirth drained from Makeatutara's face and he set his lips in a line.
"I'm your Father, show me some respect!", Makeatutara said jabbing his thumb into his chest.
"More like sperm donor. Fathers have a connection with their kids. Fathers raise their kids. And, let's be honest, you didn't even remember my name just now", Maui said. He felt anger spread like fire beneath his skin. He already was drained from the withering embrace of sorrow. This was the last thing he needed. Truth be told, when Death first brought up the underworld he hesitated not only because of his weariness. He knew there would be two skeletons coming back to haunt him in the realm of the dead. If facing these shadows meant getting Moana back it was worth it.
"You know that's not my fault! Your mother didn't even tell me you were alive until much later", Makeatutara said.
"And we all know how many 'Mother of the Year' awards she won. You two really were made for each other!", Maui said bitterly. Makeatutara looked at the ground with a defeated gaze.
"Look Maui, I have responsibilities. I'm the god that guards the underworld! I couldn't have been able to have been there. It's not my fault! It's your Mother's fault. She's a mere mortal with no real responsibilities. She should've raised you", Makeatutara said. He sniffed as sighed in a dramatic manner "No one understands what I go through, you know? It's just so hard. No one appreciates me".
"You certainly found time to make me. Yet when I'm expelled from the womb you're busy? Yeah, whatever.", Maui said with narrowed eyes. "The kelpies, the Weisse Frau, the Naiad, and other fae did what you and Mom wouldn't."
"Well, you came out alright didn't you? You got my genes in you, kid! That's why you did all those amazing things.", Makeatutara said. He seemed to swell up like a giant pufferfish gorged on pride. "So you ought to treat me with the respect that I deserve!"
"No, I made it thanks to THEM. I became who I am today because of them! If it wasn't for their kindness I wouldn't even be alive!", Maui shouted.
Makeatutara flipped his staff into a fighting stance. "So, do you want somethin'? Or are you just gonna sit here and waste my time for all eternity?", Makeatutara said with a glower.
"We need entry into the underworld, please", Death said cheerily. Maui wanted to gag. Only Death could be that sickeningly saccharine in times of emotional turmoil.
"Sorry, no can do!", Makeatutara said with an apologetic grin.
"What?", Death said with a look of having been insulted. "By my authority as Death I order you to give us entry!"
"I can't do that. Rohe's orders", Makeatutara said with a shrug.
"If you don't move we'll make you move.", Maui said. His voice dropped an octave and his eyes darkening.
"So be it.", Makeatutara said twirling his staff through the air in figure eights.
"I've been dreamin' of kickin' your ass for centuries", Maui said with a grin. He loudly cracked his knuckles as he rolled his shoulders. "You know what? I'll make it a good old fashioned ass kickin'. No hook. No magic". Makeatutara whirled his staff around and swiped it at Maui's head. Maui ducked and landed blow to his jaw. He stumbled backwards spitting blood and teeth onto the ground. Maui charged forward with a howl. Makeatutara landed several blows from his staff onto Maui's head, chest, and stomach. Maui fell to his knees clutching his gut and gasping for air. Makeatutara grinned as he slowly walked towards him. Mauil leapt to his feet and tackled him. Makeatutara was pinned him to the floor and Maui grabbing him by the hair landing hit after hit onto his face. Maui howled in rage and his fists stung in pain from the blows. In the distance he heard Moana's voice whispering to him, "Just love the world that won't love you back". Maui ceased his barrage and gasped as his bloody fist trembled. Makeatutara groaned loudly and Maui let go of his hair. His head landed painfully onto the grounded. Maui panted and his entire body was covered in a sheen of sweat. Standing up he turned his back and ripped fabric from his robes and began wrapping them around his knuckles.
He glanced back at his Father's swollen and bloody face. "I forgive you.", Maui said. He turned around, stepped over his body, and opened the doorway to the Underworld. A cold gust of wind slammed the giant door behind him as he walked forward. Death whistled merrily with her head in the clouds. Her pleasant disposition was a blinding light against the foggy bleak atmosphere of the Underworld.
"You know, that took a lot of guts", Death said. Maui looked over at her with a look of surprise. He had totally forgotten she was even there.
"What the total beatdown? Nah, you know how it is around here. Even among Seelie fae this realm can be a rough place. It's kick ass or get your ass kicked. I learned that lesson long ago", Maui said. He recounted the days of his childhood where being half human and half fae was looked down upon. Particularly by Fae folk who touted of having their lineage mapped out through thousands of years. There was many a day where he barely escaped a cruel thrashing. Most days he wasn't so lucky. This was before he grew into his size and strength. Outside of the group of sea fae who adopted him he never quite fit in anywhere in the seelie realm. Sea Fae tend to become independent of their parents at a very young age. So, his caretakers disappeared to an unknown part of the realm leaving him to his own devices. He didn't fault them for it. It wasn't done out of disregard or malice. It was simply their culture's way of parenting. Still, he was all alone in the Seelie Realm at the tender age of eleven. It was then he realized that he had to have his own back.
"No, the part where you forgave your Dad", Death said. She took a lollipop out of her pocket and began unwrapping it. She popped the pink treat into her mouth and began rolling it from side to side. Maui looked away from her and gave a weak shrug.
"I don't even know what that fully means. I just knew the madness inside had to stop or I was going to become something that I hated", Maui said. He had heard Moana's voice recounting his own words. It stopped him from doing something he knew he'd regret. "Luckily, it worked. I still feel half dead but at least my brain isn't coming apart at the seams"
"Forgiveness cuts the tie between you and the madness. That's why you felt peace afterward.", Death said with a muffled voice. She pulled the lollipop out of her mouth and twirled it around.
"I feel like I just earned a new tattoo. And, it's the word 'chump' plastered on my forehead", Maui said with a frown.
"No, Maui. Forgiving someone who isn't sorry and accepting an apology you never received is the strongest act I've ever seen. And, I've seen it all. I've been there when the great warriors of old took their last breath. I saw the trembling terror in their eyes as they felt the life slipping from their bodies. Even though they did great feats of strength when they passed they had no peace. That's the greatest weakness I can think of", Death said.
They walked in silence with only the dreary winds brushing past them. They came upon a giant black mountain range the stretched on for miles. At the base of the mountain lay the opening of a cave. Death closed her eyes and hummed. Maui kept walking forward and shortly thereafter realized that Death had not. He groaned as he went back to where she had stopped. Maui clasped her shoulder and softly shook causing her to yelp in surprise.
"Hey, what in the hell are you doing?", Maui said mystified.
"I can feel the lost souls crying out. Their cries are getting louder as we approach those mountains", Death said. She pointed past him to the distance. "Rohe's in there somewhere. Shouldn't you know this already?"
"It's been a long time and, as you can see, she's obviously done a lot of redecorating of this place", Maui said. "Anyway, you're Death shouldn't you know where she is?"
"Like you said, this is not how it should be.", Death said incensed. "This is purgatory where the souls are supposed to be going through rituals of cleansing. Then they're turned over to me to be sent to their proper afterlife. The wicked are tried before the celestial court and send to one of the eight levels of punishment, which are all beneath us. Eventually I'll have to go check out each one but I'm terrified. If purgatory looks like this who knows what they look like!"
"What about the Ririo? Will they be tried", Maui said.
"Their souls will be in the bottom most level of punishment where they will be digested by the leviathan for all eternity", Death said. Her tone was surprisingly nonchalant. It was as if she were discussing the weather or what she ate for breakfast. Maui gazed at her with a confounded look, his befuddlement increasing. The feeling dissipated when he realized this was Death he was talking to.
"Let's get this over with", Maui said in a monotone manner. They walked forward towards the cave entrance and Maui felt grave forebodings sweep through. He shivered slightly as sorrow made his spirit feel burdened. "Tell me, Death. Are you really here because I'm going to die? Don't lie, I'll know"
Death sighed. "Maui, I can't tell you that. Some will face me when it's their due time. Some may never have to face me at all. But that's for them to find out on their own", Death said. They walked into the cave all remaining light strangled out in the dank tunnels leading below. Death lit a match illuminating their faces. Maui released his hook from his back harness and held it out front. A light in the distance flickered a yellow hue and it grew as they drew closer and closer to it. Crouching low they peaked into around the corner and into the room. Cells lined the walls filled with clusters of blue shimmering souls. They clutched the bars and screamed in terror. Rohe stood hunched over a stone table with magic inscriptions carved into it. A soul lay bound to the table through magic as it howled in pain and bucked against the restraints. The essence of the soul siphoned into her very being and she hissed in delight. Her withered grey hand and thin straw like hair began to transform into a lustrous youthful appearance. Her black hair flowed around her in voluminous curls and her rail thin frame gave way to gorged hips and thighs. Gazing at her hand she shrieked in triumph as she tenderly massaged the new smooth skin.
Suddenly Maui was knocked down by a stampede of souls. With wide eyes Death gaped at the stream of souls rushing past them and took off after them. Maui stood up and groaned in disgust at their feathery ghost feet having padded all over his body. With a grimace he shivered and dusted himself off. A familiar sweet voice rang out yelling, "Everyone, move move move!". Maui looked up with excitement and saw Moana's spirit ushering the straggling souls to safety. One of the souls stopped and asked about Moana's safety. Moana shook her head and pushed the soul gently along. "No, don't worry about me. Get out of here! Quickly!". Here he was coming to save her and even in death she managed to save not only herself but everyone else too. Maui's grin couldn't get any wider. Rohe's ear piercing screech rang out and he rushed into the room. It was too late. Rohe had grasped Moana's spirit and threw her against the stone table.
"You have given me much trouble! I should end your pitiful existence by feeding on you. First, I will show you and all the realms what happens when you cross Rohe", Rohe said. Her eyes were wild and her lips curled back revealing her pointed teeth. She lifted her hand and a purple light enshrouded it. Screaming in pain, Moana writhed against the magical restraints. Rohe clenched her fist and her teeth causing the light the burn brighter. Moana's screams intensified as tears rolled down her cheeks. Maui hurled his hook it whirled through the air in a circular motion and knocked Rohe in the back of her head. She stumbled forward collapsing on the floor. Catching his hook he ran over to the stone table. Raising his hook he slammed it down on magical restraint and they shattered with a loud crackle.
"Maui?", Moana said elatedly. "What are you doing here?"
"There's no time to talk. Get out of here now!", Maui said. Moana nodded her head and ran out of the cave. Rohe pulled herself up as she rubbed the back of her head.
Turning around she looked at Maui with a predatory gaze. "Maui, my sweet", Rohe cooed. Maui felt queasy. "I knew you'd come back to me. My darling husband. My lover"
"No, Rohe. I am not your anything. Haven't been for centuries", Maui said with a black look. Rohe tossed her hair her eyes still wide and maniacal. "What the hell are you doing to these souls? This isn't how things are supposed to be, and you know it!"
"When you left me I became a shell of my former beauty. My only way of regaining what I lost was to resort to feeding on souls.", Rohe said sweetly. Her soft features turned feral as she screeched. "You did this to me! Look at all you've done! I was the only one who loved you. I cared only for you!"
"Stripping someone down and controlling them with fucking mind games isn't love!", Maui said. He clutched his hook tighter despite them trembling.
"How would you know what true love is?", Rohe said with an amused gaze. "No one has ever loved you. I loved you when no one else would."
Maui hung his head. She had unearthed his scabbed over wounds and now they stung. Blood flowed from the scars in his psyche causing him to feel inwardly shrunken. A look of sinister delight spread across her face as Maui felt himself crumble. As he felt himself drowning in the blood of his inner wounds a light shown like the coming dawn. It revealed memories of the Zashiki Warashi hugging his legs as they sung, Moana insisting belligerently that he stay with her, and the Naiad drawing him out of the water. Maui rose his head up with a steel gaze that bore into her.
"You're wrong.", Maui said softly. Rohe screamed in rage as she waved her hands through the air. A red chord appeared protruding from her chest and into Maui's. She grasped ahold of the chord and began pulling on it. Maui howled in pain and he felt himself stumbling towards her. He fought with everything in him to turn away. But, his limbs felt heavy and numb.
"Remember the nights we made love, Maui?", Rohe said through her teeth. She tugged harshly on the chord causing Maui to cry out. With a look of euphoria she drank in his pain with pure satisfaction. "You gave your body to me and now your soul is forever tied to me. You. Will. Never. Leave. Me."
A sparkling light emanated from his cheek. It grew brighter and brighter in a furious blaze. The red chord and the darkness disintegrated within the heat of the radiance. The force of the gleam threw Rohe against the wall causing her to screech. Maui looked around at the blazing resplendence around him and gasped. "Moana", Maui said under his breath. If the Mizuchi were there he knew that it would be feeling quite smug at having been right once again. The kiss of a Pania had protected him. Death walked into the middle of the room her eyes glowing white. Levitating with her arms held outstretched her ankh necklace began to glow.
"By the authority within me, all your power is mine. I dry up the source of you, choking you out at the very root. By the authority of the beings and ancient powers of old I declare that your name, your very essence is no more", Death said as her voice echoed throughout the room. Rohe howled as her body began to wither into a skeletal form and crumbled into ashes. Death descended to the floor and a black light enshrouded her. As the cloak melted away she reemerged dressed in a black tulle skirt that swept the floor, granny boots, and a high neck Victorian blouse with bell sleeves. Her ankh necklace remained as did her large tussled hair.
Freed from the soul tie Maui collapsed to his knees and he looked up to see Death holding out her hand with her characteristic smile. He grasped it standing to his feet heaving a breath. "So, you got a new look?", Maui said.
"It's symbolic, I think. I'm now Death and the goddess of the Underworld.", Death said. She walked out of the cave alongside Maui and looked at the bleak landscape with sad eyes. "I've got a lot of work to do in order to bring this place back to what it should be. Plus, I have double duty now. But, I wouldn't have been given the responsibility if the higher ups didn't think I could do it"
"Higher ups?", Maui said.
"It's another of those things I can't tell you about", Death said with a wink. Maui shook his head and grinned. Death smiled and held out her hands. A portal opened up above them revealing Moana. She stood next to Atarau and Hongi Hika. She beamed and waved at Maui causing tears to stream down his face. Moana sniffed and wiped her cheeks.
"What are you…", Maui said. Death held up her hand cutting him off.
"Call it my gift to you for helping me. Just don't tell the Higher Ups.", Death said with a grin. Maui nodded and smiled.
"Maui! I wish you could see it!", Moana said gaily. "I'm with all my Pania and Motunui ancestors. I'm home! Oh Maui, I wish you could come with me. But, you've got so much more Demi-God adventuring to do."
He had squandered several chances to tell her how felt. Now, he knew there were no more chances. Even though his heart was pounding in his throat and his brow was covered in beads of sweat he'd push forward. "I'm happy for you, Mo", Maui said. He swallowed deeply. "I've spent my life adventuring. But, none of it could give me a home. The fates sent you not only to return the heart of Tefiti and destroy the Tipua but to show me what home is. When you left I lost the only home I've ever known"
Tears flowed down her face and she leapt from the portal and into Maui's arms. She sobbed deeply as he clutched her tightly. He didn't want to let go. Not ever again. "Maui, I could only do those things because I knew you were there. I knew I didn't have to face the darkness alone and that gave me strength to continue when I felt like I was losing my mind". Maui placed her on the ground and she clutched his side as his great arms encircled her. Moana looked up to see the softened features of Atarau and Hongi Hika. "Honorable ancestors, please…"
"You can go", Atarau's voice echoed. Hongi Hika nodded in affirmation. "Cultivate the love you have found, Great Granddaughter and in that you will find the greatest adventure of all. Through you I have found vindication."
The portal closed and Death turned to leave. Pausing her steps she turned around and looked at Maui with a gleam in her eyes. "Oh Maui, I know you took a certain somebody's string of life. It's alright. Keep it close. Keep it safe. If you do she will never age and will live forever. Her life is in your hands now"
"Thanks Death. I won't tell the Higher Ups", Maui said with a grin. Death winked and in a flash disappeared.
It was night when Maui and Moana returned to the Seelie Realm. The moonlight shone over the waters casting a dance of gleams across the sky. Maui carried Moana's spirit in his arms. He chanted under his breath raising the coffin from the depths of the lake. It floated onto the shore and with another chant the glass casing dissolved. Maui placed her spirit onto her body and watched as Moana's eyes fluttered open. She pulled him on top of herself and, tilting her head, smashed her lips against his own. Maui's eyes became as saucers and she smoothed her hands beneath his robes caressing his back. Maui shivered as her fingers traced the raised marks that were his tattoos. Her full lips were soft pillows caressing and gently sucking his own. His bit down softly on her bottom lip causing her to moan. That simply mewling noise sent a shock wave of pleasure through his body.
The once fledgling spark within her heart now was a scorching flame. It was beautiful and all together overwhelming. She pulled his broad chest onto top of her and delighted in the feeling of being pinned to the soft cushion that once was the bottom of her coffin. His giant hand palmed her breast and she whimpered. His responding growl sent a rumble through her body that caused her hips to roll. Gently pushing him off of her she panted.
"Maui, wait", Moana said out of breath. Maui moved to the crook of her neck sucking and kissing the tender flesh there. She bit her lip as she laid her hand on his neck. She played with the wispy hairs at the nape of his neck and Maui nipped her flesh in reply. She gathered the last of her coherent thoughts and pushed Maui back once more. He looked at her with confounded eyes as he panted. "Maui, w-wait. We have to wait."
"For what", Maui said groggily. With a sleepy grin he grabbed for her and she held his wrists.
"Sex", Moana said. "I'm saving myself for marriage."
"You are? Whoa… that's rare", Maui said. He rubbed his neck feeling suddenly quite awkward. Her frankness woke him up from his lust induced haze.
"Yeah, I know", Moana said. Her once sensuous joy drained from her face and sorrow draw features replaced them. "Growing up, all the girls on the island started experimenting around the age of 14. As did our Mothers before us and their Mothers. But, Gramma Tala told me to follow my heart. I never felt right about having sex with a boy that didn't love me and wasn't going to stay with me forever. It just felt like it was too special of an act to do it with just anyone who crossed my path for the sake of 'experimenting'."
"I'm guessing you got teased pretty bad about it?", Maui said.
Moana nodded. "Even my Mother would come to me wanting to have 'special talks'. She thought I wasn't okay and kept pushing me to experiment. She said I was spoiling myself for the man I was going to marry. She said that I wouldn't know how to please him and he'd end up leaving me. She even tried to set me up with different boys.", Moana said. She laughed in a way that sounded hollow. It was a vain attempt to force back the painful memories.
"Mo, that's a gift. I gave myself to the wrong person and formed a soul tie. That soul tie nearly killed me", Maui said gravely. He felt a chill rippling through him at the memory.
"Soul tie?", Moana said.
"In the unseen realm when two people have sex their souls are tied together", Maui said. "She used the soul tie to control me. It was terrifying"
"Are you free of it?", Moana said with a gasp.
"Yup! It was your kiss that protected me. In the legends it says that a pania's kiss has a magical seal of protection in it. But, I wasn't expecting it. Man, it totally demolished that soul tie and filled the room with this explosion of light.", Maui said smiling wide. He felt his insides quake as he conjured the next words he had to say. Inwardly he championed himself building up the courage to keep from running again. Sweat poured down his brow as he gulped in air. Moana gave him a look of concern placing the back of her hand against his forehead. Wordlessly, he shook his head as he clutched both of her hands. "I trust you, Mo. We've literally been through hell and back together. A-and, uh, there's no other person in this world I'd want my soul tied to."
"So…", Moana said. Her throat felt dry as her skin flushed with warmth. "What does that mean?"
"It means I wanna marry you, woman!", Maui said. He wore a nervous grin. Moana's doe eyes and smile reflected the radiant moonlight.
Moana laughed with joy resounding in her voice. Tears shimmered in her eyes as she threw her hands around his neck. She peppered his face with feathery kisses. "Here's a hundred protection spells for you Maui, my soon to be husband", Moana said with a soft tinkling laugh. Maui's cheeks burned hot as he grinned wide. "Now you're invincible"
"As long as we're together, we're invincible", Maui said. He wrapped his great arms around her small frame. He sighed deeply as he inhaled her warm and flowery sweet scent. Now, he had faced the third skeleton, he had been running from his entire life. The fear of rejection melted away in her embrace as he was home at last.