Mangareva

Paradise on Hold

Wayfinding was as incredible as she remembered, but this was even better. The sight of her mother tying knots, her father sailing with the oar and her people working together in canoes was absolutely heartwarming. The ocean welcomed them excitedly, thrilled to be sailed again after so long. Moana dipped her fingers in the water as she held a rope on her hand, keeping her body sideways inches from falling. As she softly moved her hand around, a giant manta ray swam close enough to caress it. Moana, knowing exactly who it was, smiled with her heart swelled with grandmotherly love.

Bold and filled with energy, the chief climbed to the top the mast to witness history before her: the canoes of her ancestors filled with fresh, new brave voyagers. Imagine their surprise to know their legacy was not forgotten! To see it alive again! Moana closed her hand around her grandmother's necklace, which now she knew belonged to many before her.

A cry of a hawk made her look up and the impressive animal swirled with grace in air acrobatics.

Show off. She mentally laughed.

Once again, she felt the wave of gratitude towards the demigod along with guilt of the personal debt she owed him. Everything she was seeing right now, was thanks to him. Well, if he hadn't taken the heart in the first place, Motunui would've never stopped voyaging… but he learned his lesson and made it right in the end. That was enough. As for the debt, well she had a lifetime to pay him back.

Still on top of the mast, she scanned her former students. Wayfinding in open waters proved to be a challenge but their training prepared them for it. Moana and Maui made sure to supervise their work to prevent risks and rotate tasks. Guidance polished their knowledge and experience sharpened their skills. In the meantime, Moana enjoyed every second they spent in the water.

After a week, the villagers were now almost wayfinding masters themselves. Their confidence grew with each passing day but so their concern. There was no land in sight yet and their supplies were starting to run low.

Moana sent Maui in search for land and he spotted an island several times the size of Motunui.

They secured the vessels and unloaded their belongings when they reached the white sand beach.

"Stay close and do not wander." She warned loudly.

They didn't know if the island was inhabited or claimed but she sure hoped it wasn't.

The place was paradise.

The soil was rich and full of vegetation with fruit trees, roots and bushes with edible berries everywhere. The beach had no coral reefs, rocks or imperfections whatsoever. The water was crystal clear and abundant in fish, just like back home. The terrain wasn't too rocky and the view was spectacular with impressive mountains on both sides of the tombolo.

The gods definitely favored them if this was their new home. Their search could be over and just a week away from their friends and families.

After the initial settlement was created, they assigned groups to recollect food, water and other resources. Moana, Maui and Tui chose to inspect the surroundings.

Virgin land everywhere. No signs of human intervention. They reached the conclusion the island was unoccupied and free to claim.

"So. This is the our new Motunui?" Tui asked.

"I guess so. This place looks great." Moana beamed.

"Sure does. I did a fine work with this one, if I say so myself."

Moana scoffed. "Yeah, like you can remember every island you've ever created."

"Of course I do." He winked.

Moana nudged him affectionately with her shoulder.

"You do not!"

Maui gasped in fake hurt. "How dare you doubt Motunui's greatest ally!"

She giggled and teased him back with more subtle and silly touches.

Tui, who observed their interaction from behind, raised an eyebrow. They were acting different somehow.

He didn't have time to complete his thought for three men appeared out of nowhere holding spears menacingly at them.

Startled, our mortal protagonists raised their hands in sign of surrender while Maui tightened the grip on his hook in a defense stance. Maui and Tui instinctively placed themselves between Moana and the attackers. Behind Maui's back, she introduced herself, her father and the demigod. The foreign men's eyebrows went up and they exchanged confused glances.

"Maui, the demigod and Moana, the restorer of the heart?" An intimidating man appeared from behind with other young two on each side.

Moana came forward to face him. His penetrating brown eyes and sharp features made her uneasy but she didn't let it show. He seemed the leader of these villagers and formalities were important in political affairs.

"We are. I believe the giant hook is proof enough?"

The tall man eyed the weapon and then the tattooed man carrying it. He signaled his men to lower their weapons.

"I apologize for the harsh greeting. I thought you were invaders of some sort. If I had known our heroes were visiting us we would have prepared a more suitable welcome."

He looked sincerely afflicted he might've offended them.

"It's ok. No harm done. We thought this island was deserted and we certainly didn't mean to intrude on someone else's territory."

He smiled. "No harm done on my side either."

One of the young men coughed and their host suddenly remembered they were there.

"How rude of me. My name is Nanakia, Chief of Mangareva. These are my sons, Kiakaha and Tuarua."

Tuarua was very similar to his father, although his slightly bored expression made him even less friendly. He bowed at the introduction and greeted them with high respect.

"Miss Moana, Demigod Maui, Chief Tui."

Tui brought his hand to his chest. "Oh, I'm no longer chief. That's my daughter's title now."

That caught the Mangareva by surprise. Nanakia recovered quickly, afraid it might cause another offense.

"Congratulations. My son Kiakaha will soon become chief in a couple of years as well."

The statement made Tuarua's mouth twitch in disgust.

Jealous brother? The three of them thought.

Kiakaha bowed and shyly smiled. He was taller than his younger brother but much more approachable than the other two. They shared the dark hair and tan skin but he had rare green eyes which must have gotten from his mother.

Moana found Nanakia's words kind of odd. Kiakaha looked around the same age as her and his father even older than Tui, but his ceremony was still far away. Even so, it was not her place to question their ways; their politics are their own.

After a brief explanation why they came to their island, Nanakia was kind enough to allow them to stay, resupply and rest for the next few days. Apparently, their village is settled on the opposite side of one of the island's tombolo. The prosperity of their home provides everything they need within their immediate reach, so this side remains untouched.

Basically, they could take whatever they wanted as long as it didn't impact Mangareva. No payment or compensation needed.

"With a demigod on your side, I can't imagine any misfortune falling on you or your people. I'm honored to be in your presence, demigod Maui. As to have met you, Chief Moana and Tui."

"I'm happy we found such kind and understanding people. We are in debt to you." Moana breathed out in relief.

Nanakia shook his head. "No no. You saved us all. This is the least we could do."

Nanakia shook hands with Moana who thanked him way too many times for his generosity.

He smiled, wished the Motunui people good luck and bid farewell. As soon as his back was turned, his lips curved down and his forehead wrinkled in a frown.

"Can you believe that? A female chief?" He spat on the floor. "Such idiotic ideas. Just like your mother's." He hissed when they were out of earshot.

The youngest hummed in agreement "Disgraceful."

"I want them off my island as soon as possible. I've worked too hard to let a silly girl and a soft demigod ruin everything."

Kiakaha mentally sighed and glanced back with eyes of concern. He wanted the exact same thing as his father but not for the same reasons. Motunui has no allies here. The faster they leave, the better for them.

"Move it, Kiakaha."

"Yes, father."

He just wish he could join them and leave his miserable life in Mangareva behind.

Hey there! Is someone still reading? I know I didn't update for a long time but I haven't heard of you guys for a while. Here's a new chapter right off the bat! (almost). Enjoy and let me know what you think of these new characters. I get really nervous when introducing new OCs in my stories.