Gowa lowered herself to a horizontal position and charged, uprooting a tree from the treeline, her clawed feet slamming into the ground and kicking up piles of dirt and leaving deep footprints in her wake. Kong pounded his chest and, with another deafening roar, rushed to meet his opponent. Like the blood-red monster coming towards him, he too kicked up dirt and trampled what was left of a building. Both were like two charging bulls; heads down, horns aimed at each other, ready to knock the other aside.
With a deafening BOOM, the two collided, the impact being felt by the humans nearby. Kong whacked Gowa in the side of the head and followed up with an uppercut that sent the blood red beast crashing to the ground with a roar. Kong made a noise equivalent to a human sneer.
How do you like that?!
She retaliated by doing a kind of spin from which she launched herself at the gigantic ape. The move took Kong by surprise and he was forced onto his back, one pair of sharp claws digging into his neck whilst the other latched onto his arm, pinning his body under hers. Gowa hissed at him. How do you like that? She then raised his neck and slammed his head into the ground, then again, and again. Kong tried to force Gowa off, but she clutched down harder and pinned his other arm with her feet, making sure to dig in with her toes hard enough to draw blood.
From nearby, Moana cried out the name of her demigod friend in fear. Gowa was beating him, killing him! She could see the pained expression, hear the cry as each blow was
delivered, and feel the life slipping from him. She had to do something. But what?!
She saw a small stone by her foot. She grabbed it and rushed out towards the fighting beasts, adrenaline coursing through her veins like a new lifeline.
"Moana!" Aheti screamed out. "No! You'll die!"
"I'll get her!" Tama rushed out after the young woman, crying out her name in a vain attempt to overtake the noise of Gowa slamming Kong's head into a boulder.
Kong tried to force Gowa off, but she released her grip on his arm and grabbed his head and began to push it back as if trying to force if from his shoulders (though such a thing was not far from her thoughts). Kong tried to grab her leg, but she pinned it with her other foot, purring excitedly evilly. Her arch-rival on this island would soon be no more. She would be in charge, and she was going to enjoy tearing this ape apart, downing his sanguinary remains like a queen at a feast, enjoying every last morsel it had to offer. As for the humans, well, they would be good sides for her ma-
"HEY! You bitch!"
Something small hit her in the face. Her blood eyes looked up and saw a human running towards her. Its face was contorted to one of fury, the eyes were a deep brown, though she see some traces of red in them. What was more, she could feel the anger within this one, the rage that aimed to destroy her, the mentality of another predator.
An upstart. Brave, but not much of one at that! Gowa thought, feeling disdained but somewhat fascinated. Oh look, here's another one!
From behind the young human woman, a man slightly taller than her pinned her to the ground, yelling something at her. She pushed him off, shouted something at him and rounded on Gowa, glaring daggers at her.
A challenge?! A surprise to the large beast, but a threat? No. Very well.
With a nasty grin that showed her sharp teeth, Gowa slammed Kong's head into the ground again and advanced slowly to the humans, who backed away, but the woman still held her furious expression. I'll kill you! Gowa let out a low noise akin to a satisfied grunt one might give when they see something delicious in front of them. She slammed her hands down either side of the pair, running her jet-black tongue over the teeth, ready to feed once more.
Tama grabbed Moana and pulled her back. "We need to run, Moana!" he told her.
She forced him off. "No, you run! I'll deal with her!" she said through gritted teeth.
"Moana, don't be so reckless! You'll-"
Gowa opened her mouth, but just as she was about to snap them up, she was yanked back and sent flying into a large boulder a few tens of metres away, sending dirt, pieces of rock and a few wooden planks in all directions. Moana and Tama watched as Gowa, roaring in pain, staggered as she picked herself up. Then, a large black mass stood up in front of them as Kong too got to his feet, grunting in pain, resting his palm on his forehead as if he had a headache (unsurprising considering Gowa had tried to crack his skull open moments before). He turned to look down at the two humans with a disapproving look.
"Maui! We can stop her!" She exclaimed.
He shook his head as he pointed at her, then at him. Not 'we', me! He made forcefully pointed at the boat nearby. Go. Get on the boats!
Maui glared at him. "No, Maui. We're doing this together!"
He grunted heavily and went motion again, but a screech made Kong, Moana and Tama look back over at Gowa. She now stood, eyes fixed on the large ape, glaring furiously, wanting to see him ripped apart, head sheared off, or in pain as she finished him off. No one should dare do that to her, especially not some mongrel creature such as he. She was going to sort him out.
Gowa charged at Kong again, this time, letting out another screeching roar as she leapt into the air, aiming her clawed feet and hands at the gigantic ape. Kong, however, was ready for her. He too leapt into the air and collided with the gigantic beat with a BOOM that knocked Moana and Tama off their feet. The force sent Gowa backwards with Kong on top of her. Both crashed into the ground in a heap and engaged in a cacophony of roars and growls as Kong swung a punch at Gowa head that sent her into the ground, and he followed it up by clasping both hands together and bring them down hard on her side. With a roar of pain and anger, she spun her body on one foot and knocked him off his feet with her tail; Kong landing hard on the ground. Gowa then clamped down on his neck with her jaws and swung him into a rock, making sure to dig in deeply with her teeth.
"Maui! No!" Moana cried. She went to rush out after them, but Tama grabbed her. "What the? Tama get off me!"
"No, Moana! We have to go!" he told her, both looking up at Kong roared in pain as he was dealt another blow to the face with a punch from Gowa. "No!" he pulled her back and, grabbing both of her shoulders, glared at the Kalean chieftain, something that surprised her. "Listen to me! We need to go! No, don't argue! Now's not the time!"
Another roar as the two behemoths crashed into the remains of the one of the buildings, flattening it. Kong had forced Gowa off, but she was relentless. She pounded him with her claws and bit down hard on his arms and scratched his face. Kong roared and, grabbing Gowa by the legs, rolled over, throwing her off him and into a boulder. When she got up, she lunged at him again, but Kong, a smaller boulder clasped nicely in his fist, swung at her and hit her in the jaw. The boulder cracked, pieces flying everywhere, as Gowa was sent to the ground.
"C'mon, Moana!" Tama said, pulling her in the direction of the river to join the others as they began to drag a large piece of cloth to the boat.
Sighing heavily, frustratingly, Moana acquiesced and ran with Tama to the boat, glancing once more over her shoulder at the behemoths. Get her, Maui!
Kong backed away a few feet from the blood red beast, grunting at her beckoningly.
C'mon, give me what you got!
Gowa snarled, shaking her head a little as the pain gnawed away at her mandible. That had hurt, so she was going to return the blow – much harder than what Kong had done to her.
You'll pay for that!
She grabbed a piece of the broken boulder by her feet and lobbed it at the giant ape, who dived out of the way. As he got up, though, his opponent slammed into him, making them roll over and crash into the ground, throwing up a wall of dirt in all directions. She snarled at him and bit down on his neck once more. Kong, however, was ready this time.
He grabbed her upper and lower jaws and pried them open, pushing her enough for him to get up. Gowa tried to bite back, but cried out when he squeezed down tighter, trying to pull them apart. Anyone who happened to stand next to the fight would hear the bones cracking and skin ripping. Gowa roared and, grabbing hold of Kong's arms, drop-kicked him in the chest, throwing him back. Getting up from the ground, she groaned, rubbing her mouth and feeling blood trickle from somewhere near her cheek. She glared angrily at Kong and charged at him again, jumping on top of him and punching him squarely in the chin. Kong yelped and spit out a tooth covered in saliva and blood. Gowa struck him again, this time in the side of the head. He felt his skull crack a little. A third blow landed on his face, though thankfully his flat nose was saved from being crushed and shattered.
Gowa paused and looked down at him evilly, her red eyes blazing with fury, teeth gritted so tight they looked like they would crack, ignoring the pain that flared from the wounds there Kong had inflicted.
You're dead meat, monkey!
"Alright, that's it!"
One of the Skull Islanders jumped down from the mast, having managed to tighten one end of the large cloth to the top of it. Below, two others tied both of sides of the opposite ends to the bottom of the mast. Atoni called out for everyone near the large boat to climb onboard whilst about five others rushed to the other boat and, grabbing the oars, began to paddle towards the others.
"Okay, is everyone here?!" Moana called out shore, quickly doing a head count. Everyone was. No one else had been lost. Good. "Here, let me help you up," she said to a young boy, hoisting him up to one of the waiting adults.
A loud roar from behind drew everyone's attention. Moana gasped in horror as she watched her gigantic ape friend be tossed into the trees; Gowa diving after him. The vegetation shook wildly, the air filled with the roars of Kong, the screams of Gowa, the cracking of branches and trees (and possibly a bone or two). Then Gowa stumbled out, Kong barrelling after her, a large tree in his huge fist. He growled and, holding the tree like a sword, ran his free hand down it, taking off all the branches. Then he rushed at Gowa, swinging it at her like a club, giving her a good crack over the head. Gowa fell once again, but was quick to grab Kong's arm holding the makeshift weapon.
Nice one, but now it's my turn.
She pulled Kong towards her, whilst simultaneously pushing back on his arm. A sickening crack filled the air and Kong let out a cry – not a roar, or yelp, but a cry – of pain and fell to the ground. Gowa got up and gave him a sharp kick to the stomach, making Kong issue another moan of pain as he cradled his arm. Pain akin to someone pulling his arm off flared out as he tried to move his fingers.
Oh no! Moana frantically looked around. She had to help him, otherwise he was dead. She could not let Maui die, not like this! But how? She looked around. There were no weapons! No clubs or big enough rocks. And all the oars were being used for the boats. There had to-wait!
Her eyes fell on something laying in the doorway of a building about ten feet away, something wooden and curved with a bit of string attached to both ends.
The bow! Moana ran over to it and scooped it up. And the arrow? She looked around and found one on the floor. She grabbed it and ran outside, heading straight for the battle.
"Moana! NO!" Aheti cried out from the boat.
She did not hear her, or possibly not even listen. Only one thing was on her mind now.
I'm coming, Maui!
A clawed hand round his neck, Kong was listed off the ground a few metres. His face looked once again into Gowa's eyes. He could see the rage burning away, the anger at the harm he had caused her, but also the nasty sense of glee that she got from causing him harm. She grinned, letting out another purr, satisfied at seeing her arch-rival at her mercy.
Goodbye, whelp!
She forced him to the ground and, pinning his body under hers, began to choke the giant ape. Kong gasped for breath, trying to push her off with his free hand, but she pinned it with her other hand by his wrist. Snarling, she leaned in close, snapping her jaws together with a loud CLAMP. He was now her prey, and she was going to enjoy ripping him apart. Kong's sight wavered, blackness surrounding the edges of his peripheral vision. He was doomed.
Suddenly, Gowa let out a scream and fell off to the side of Kong with a thud, writhing about as she frantically rubbed her face with her hand. Kong half sat up, breathing deeply, relieved as oxygen flowed back into his lungs. Looking at Gowa, he saw a trail of blood flow down her cheek from where her eyes was, though it was covered by her hand.
What the…?
"Maui!" A familiar voice called out.
He looked down and saw Moana standing there, the bow hanging by her side, a victorious expression on her face. Just as Koa told me: 'Keep the bow level with your cheek and focus with both eyes'. It worked! The chieftain looked up elated at Kong. Though he pursed his lips in annoyance, he gave a small nod. Thanks.
She cockily gave a bow. You're welcome!Something blood red shot up from behind Kong. Moana backed away, her confidence swept away by fear.
Gowa stood over the two on her hind legs now, her claws clenched together tightly, as were her teeth. She let out heavy breaths through gritted teeth, the fury, the rage, the very anger radiating off her so much it made Kong wince and Moana gulp. What was more, her right eye was now half-closed with a trail of blood running down the side of her face. Though the full extent was not visible, it was obvious what Moana had fired at her had done its job. With her good eye, she looked at Kong, then at the tiny human near him.
You! A low growl formed in her throat, slowly rising in pitch, mouth opening partly to show her teeth once again.
Moana ran, dropping the bow on the ground. Behind her, she heard a loud scream/roar and something rocked the ground enough to make her stumble. A glance over her shoulder saw Kong holding his opponent down under the side of his body with the unbroken arm; Gowa struggling furiously under his weight. He grunted at Moana to run on, and though she wanted to go back, she knew it would be her death warrant. Reluctantly, Moana carried on.
Gowa's good eye saw her tiny prey run on. No! She was going to escape. The one who had practically blinded her in one eye was going to get away. She was not going to allow that. When she got a hold of the human girl, she would pay.
The blood red creature rolled over, throwing Kong off her, and chased after Moana. She wanted to get her. What she had so far done to Kong, to the Sharpteeth at the lake, even to the other humans she had hunted on this island, all of that would pale in comparison to what she had planned for this one. Rip her apart, tear her limb-from-limb, make it slow and painful.
No mercy.
Moana looked over her shoulder at the incoming beast, yelped and dived into a nearby half destroyed hut with the roof caved in. Gowa slid and fell with another earth shuddering thud that made one of the walls collapse. Moana backed away from the door, but screamed as the roof was ripped off. In its place came the angry face of Gowa, glaring down at the one who had dared hurt her. She lunged and snapped at her, her teeth just missing Moana's leg as the human leapt backwards. Moana rolled aside as another chomp missed her and ending up tearing the other side wall apart in a shower of wood.
Oh gods, help me!
She looked and saw an opening in the corner. Yes. Moana got up and ran towards it.
Something sharp dug into her back. She screamed and fell face first to the ground. Pain flared up and down her back, legs and side. Crying out, she reached behind her and felt something wet and the smell of iron hit her nostrils. Bringing her hand back in front of, her she saw it was covered in blood, and lots of it.
A snarl came from above. Gowa knelt down, running her jet-black tongue over her teeth eagerly. Now I have you!
Moana tried to move back, but only cried out as she felt as if her skin was being torn from her piece by piece. She looked back up into the eyes – or eye – of Gowa, heart racing in her chest, mind going into overdrive.
Oh no!
Gowa opened her large mouth and bit down at the girl. Moana shut her eyes, waiting for the end, for her bones to crunch, her life to be extinguished, her part in this horrific tale to be over.
A roar of surprise snapped her eyes open as she saw Gowa fly backwards once again. Kong stood nearby, back to Moana as he made sure his opponent then turned to his wounded companion. He had managed to get up and, grabbing Gowa's tail, swung the creature back towards the jungle with all his strength. He nearly fell over doing it, as using one hand instead of two was difficult in a fight like this. But she was down again for the moment; it had bought them a little more time.
He knelt down next to Moana and, upon assessing her injury, gently picked her up, trying not to hurt her. She gasped out a few times, the contact of the claw marks on her back and Kong's skin feeling like fire being thrust against her skin.
I have to get her to back to the others.
He looked over at the boat and saw some of the humans running over, who had come running upon seeing Moana struck down by Gowa. If they find some medicine and apply it to her, then she would be alright. Then she could get off the island and back to safety.
One of the humans, a female that Kong recognised as she had embraced Moana when they arrived in the clearing, screeched to a halt and cried out, pointing past them. The two males with her grabbed her and began pulling her back towards the boat. Kong looked in the direction she was motioning. His heart dropped and fear overtook him.
Gowa was back on her feet; what was more, she was glaring at him with a look akin to the god of hell itself emerging to wreak havoc and vengeance on those who dared oppose it. Her breathing was slow and heavy, each one sounding like it was forced past her lips. Her fury was now that of a volcanic eruption, a supernova, a hypernova even, exploding in all its wrath and fury. All of it directed at them.
One look told Kong this: though Gowa was now blind, beaten and injured, her wrath was now focused entirely on them. Nothing else mattered, only them.
He looked down at Moana in his hand, her resting her body against his fingers as best she could. She looked up at him, praying that they had a way out of this.
Gowa screamed and charged, running full sprint towards them, claws at the ready, mouth open, eye blazing with fury.
Kong turned and ran towards the river. The humans who had come to get Moana dived for cover as the giant ape sped past them; Gowa hot on his heels. They watched as Kong leapt over the river, clutching his hand with Moana to his chest, and he turned for a moment to see Gowa about to do the same thing, completely ignoring the boats even though they were open for her to get at them. No, she wanted only Kong and the human he had. These others did not interest her now.
Kong rolled out of the way as Gowa jumped and landed where he had been standing. Both creatures sized each other up, the blood skinned beast snarling and hissing angrily. Kong backed away a few steps, fearing that the next strike would not only hurt him, but finish off the wounded human in his palm. He could not fight this creature as before. There had to be another way to deal with Gowa.
Maybe …
Kong turned left and rushed back into the trees; Gowa in hot pursuit, tearing through whatever trees and other vegetation Kong has not already levelled.
Behind them, Aheti, Atoni and Tama reached the boats, looking on worryingly at the direction the monsters went. The group of humans left were all muttering and conversing as to why Gowa had ignored them and how the fight had gone on.
"Where are they going?" Aheti asked, her voice fearful.
"The cliffs!" Atoni answered.
Emerging from the trees, Kong carried on over a small barren, rocky area, skidding to a halt next to the edge of a line of cliffs that ran on far to his left, whilst to his right they curved inwards before coming to a sudden stop next to a river that led inland, this being the one the boats were in, and just beyond that was a beach. Before him was the large sea that surrounded the island, glowing crystal blue in the sunlight, and further out, just a couple of miles from the land was the immense mist that also surrounded the island; beyond which led out into the great ocean he had travelled before many times when in his demigod form.
Seeing all this briefly made him forget the situation he and Moana and the other humans were in. Such a view and location would easily pass for some kind of island ripe for a new settlement, or even a paradise fit for the gods themselves and any who they deemed worthy to reside here after passing into the next life. An Eden of the great ocean. Heaven on the word itself.
If only …
The slow approach of footfalls and a low growl from behind snapped him back into reality. Right now, that could only mean one thing.
Kong turned and was face-to-face with Gowa again, her expression one of an enthusiastic sadist, a killer who was ready to fulfil their next joyful murder, the predator about to feast upon its prey. He instinctively brought his hand closer to his chest to shield Moana, wincing as she let out a moan of pain, and stepped back a pace. Gowa, in turn, took a step forward, smiling evilly.
I have you now, Kong! You're mine! You and your little friend!
Kong looked over his shoulder, his eyes glancing down at the sea waves lapping against the cliff face some one hundred or so feet below, then at Moana, and then at Gowa.
It's the only way.
Gently, he knelt down and set Moana on the ground in a small crevice by his feet. The young chieftain, though struggling to remain conscious, saw what he was doing and protested, but he ignored her and stood up to his full height, facing Gowa. He stared her down, body open, both arms at the ready (he grunted in pain as he clenched the broken one into a fist), daring the beast to come at him.
Gowa growled and roared at Kong. Kong pounded his chest and, ignoring the broken hand, roared at her in return. He accepted the challenge.
With that, Gowa charged. Anger and hatred filled her mind, it clouded her vision. Her only focus was the wretched ape before her. She was going to kill him. Nothing would stop her. Nothing!
"M-Maui!" Moana cried out weakly.
Just as she was about to strike, Kong sidestepped the beast. Gowa, whilst she fell for the trick, was quick to react and her claw reached out and latched onto the ape's face. She was, however, unable to stop herself in time, and before they could stop themselves, both monsters were sent tumbling over the cliff.
"MAUI!" Moana screamed.
No! No, that could not be it! This can't be his end! Not now! He has to be okay!
She pulled herself out of the crevice and, struggling hard to get onto her own two feet, staggered towards the cliff. She had to see if he was alright! If he was in the water, they could still save him. They had to! They had to at least try, regardless of if the boat was too small or not. Leaving him to die or drown was not-
A large hand reached up and clamped down onto the top of the cliff, making Moana yelp and fall painfully on her side. Another appeared and grabbed hold of the rock and, to her amazement, Kong's face rose from below. He looked horrific, however, as he had a set of cuts right across his face, only just missing his eyes, and leaving a deep gash in his nose and upper lip.
"Maui! Y-You're okay!" Moana exclaimed.
He grunted and tried to pull himself up. Yes! They were safe! They had done it! Gowa was beaten. Now they could get back and leave this forsaken island be-
A roar from below turned Moana's blood cold.
Though she could not see it from her vantage point, hanging onto Kong's leg was Gowa. Her clawed hands dug deep into his flesh, causing blood to flow and Kong to cry out in pain as his predatory adversary clung on for dear life. Looking down, his eyes met hers, and for the first time he saw something that shocked him.
Gowa was filled with fear. She yelped and barked out in a panicked way, holding on tightly to Kong's leg, lest she should fall into the waters below. For all her power and ability to control and incite fear into the other inhabitants of this island, be they big or small, animal or human, monster or non, she was terrified of only one thing.
If that's the case, then …
Gowa dug her claws into Kong and began to climb up towards the top of the cliff. Kong tried to shake her off, but she struck him in the side, cutting him open deeply. Kong roared in pain and elbowed her in the face, but she grabbed his arm and held it behind his back and used it to yank herself up. Just another pull, and I'm there!
Kong looked at Moana. She looked at him.
Moana shook her head a little. No! Don't!
A sharp searing pain cut into Kong's chest and another swipe drove into the bottom of his neck. Kong gasped for breath. He could not hold on much longer. He had to …
No! Not yet! Not before …
With one final effort, as Gowa head came right behind his, he slammed the back of his head into hers with a deafening crack that broke something in her snout. Gowa barely had time to roar before she fell but managed to grab hold of Kong's leg once more.
But that was her last mistake.
Kong wrapped his legs around her neck in a scissor chokehold and, using what little strength he had left, swung them out and then back towards the cliff.
Gowa's screams filled the air like that of the devil himself.
A loud crash from below cut them short.
Kong loosened his legs and her form, head now limp, mouth open and tongue hanging loosely from within the horrific maw that had killed and consumed many over the last few days, fell into the waters below.
She was gone. Gowa was defeated.
Kong sighed, exhausted and slumped against the cliff, barely hanging on, his strength fading from the injuries dealt to him.
Moana, as weak as she was, crawled over to him, her eyes stinging with hot tears.
"Maui!" she whispered. "Is she …?"
He gave a small weak nod.
She tittered and rested her head against his hand. "Y-you did it!" she gasped, wanting to jump for joy were it not for her own wound. "I knew you would save us this time."
He managed to crack a smile. You're welcome!
But his eyes flickered, and his unbroken arm fell over the side. His other hand clung tightly to the cliff.
"No!" Moana cried out weakly, grabbing hold of his fingers in a vain attempt to save him, to keep him from going too. "Please don't go!"
He looked at her, a tear running down his face. Slowly, as carefully as he could, his finger prodded her in the chest, directly at her heart. She looked up at him, her eyes wet, staring into his own, staring deep into his soul as if seeing the demigod she remembered from all those years ago before her now.
I'll be right here!
"No!" Moana sobbed. "P-please!"
She buried her head into the finger and clung onto it tightly. Please.
Slowly, it slid from her grasp and when she looked up, he was gone.
Moana fell onto her back, weakly crying out to the heavens, to Te Fiti, the ocean, to her grandmother, to all the other gods.
Maui, the demigod, the one given the name Kong, was no more.
He was gone.
Moana's own eyes flickered as darkness began to overtake her. I'll see him shortly.
She could accept it. She would follow him into the unknown.
The young chieftain's eyes closed as her name rang out from several nearby voices, though they too soon faded and all was soon silent to Moana of Montunui and Kalea.