Epilogue: 1

It took seven days to return to Kalea, the return journey having taken longer because the boat, whilst still seaworthy, had suffered a degree of damage whilst it had been left on the ground in the destroyed village's clearing. What was more, there had been a storm – small and quick, yet powerful enough to hinder the progress home. Once or twice the survivors feared that they would be lost as the sea churned around them, the waves spraying them till they were cold and frigid, and winds at high speeds.

Thankfully, the ocean had been merciful, as if deciding the torment they had already endured was enough and wished to get the remaining people back to the island. During this time too, Moana had been practically forced by those on the boat to not do anything, lest she open her still healing wounds and, gods forbid, risk an infection. Annoyed, though seeing their point, she had acquiesced and spent much of the return journey sitting on the bow or the side of the vessel, looking out at the endless water that was their world, waiting for the familiar mountains, trees and greenery of land to come into view.

Finally, when land appeared over the horizon, cries of joys echoed out across the deck. Finally, they were home! Finally, after all they had been through, they were at the island – a new world for the Skull Islanders, thus being a tentative event, but a welcoming relief for Moana and Aheti. It was not lost on them that out of the nearly 50 people, they were the two sole survivors of the Kaleans of the group. Their minds had wondered at the incoming and heart-breaking task they were going to have to undertake in retelling everything that had happened, and why many of their fellow brethren were not with them.

Such prospects made Moana sick with guilt, wondering why she had lived and everyone else had fallen. She was the chieftain after all, she was their leader, and thereby responsible for all of them. Four years ago, she had set out with many of her own people from their home island of Montunui and founded Kalea, establishing it as another island for humans to live, explore, thrive and grow upon, to abide by the mantle of live the gods had given them. She was meant to lead them to prosperity, a utopia for the ocean dwelling people, here and afar.

And yet, she had completely gone against all of that. She felt like she had slapped all of that aside and set out on a path that had resulted in many deaths, including that of her dear friend, and her barely escaping with her own life.

Some chieftain I am.

And of course, there were the reactions they were to expect when they landed. Anger, fury, sadness, shock, confusion; all were almost certain, though part of her hoped it would not be so.

One thing was certain; things were going to be very different from here on.

And how right they were. Upon landing, they were greeted by a wave of Kaleans tribesmen and women, the cheers and jubilation quickly dying away and giving rise to mutters, aghast expressions, countless questions, and shocked comments on the state of the chieftain and those with her as they disembarked from the boat as it came to rest on the beach.

Among the crowds had been Moana's parents. The 'alohas' and happiness that had crossed their faces quickly turned sullen upon seeing their daughter and the shabby, shaken appearances of those with her, quickly taking note too of the absence of the many Kaleans and other islanders who had left with them. In Sina's words, "they looked like they had been through Lalotai and back."

They wanted to pepper their daughter with questions, as did everyone else, but they only got a sad glance from her as she told them to follow her and then wordlessly walked on. When they saw the scars across her back, the two parents, along with everyone else there, went wide-eyed and were at a loss for words, though everyone was wondering he same thing: "What on earth happened?"

With her parents and the other survivors in tow, along with many other Kaleans, they all headed to the village hall where they had sat with Kakalina and the rest of her group days ago shortly after their arrival. A short time, yet akin to an eternity for the young chieftain.

It had taken to near nightfall to explain everything had happened and, as expected, the reactions varied. Some cried, others were stunned, some confused, and others were furious. Those of the latter of the four had, very openly and loudly, wanted the Skull Islanders thrown off the island and left to starve on the open ocean – a 'payment' for deceiving those who had tried to help them. Tui and Sina, though more level-headed, could not deny such things were far from their own thoughts as well. The fact that members of this same tribe had come and lied to them, putting their own daughter and many of their own people in danger, and many of said people now ending up dead, infuriated them.

But the final decision, as was the rule and law of Kalea, was up to Moana.

The Skull Islanders held with baited breaths as the young chieftain looked over them, her expression near hollow as she delivered the 'punishment' for the wrongdoings of their fellow people.

The Skull Islanders – whilst she understood had been sympathetic, and the majority of those with her had been unaware that Kakalina and her own companions had lied in order to get help, but were still part of that same tribe nevertheless – were to go to a point of the island and were to stay there for the time being. They were not leave or interact with the Kaleans beyond those who would help establish temporary shelters for them until another island was found for them to go to and rebuild their shattered tribe. Some within the group had questioned Moana's decision, but one look, this time dour and serious, and the manner of her voice, lacking in the normal chirpiness and inspiration and instead monotone, yet icy, made it clear to them that this was what they were going to get. And if they did not like it, then the ocean was all there for them to go and search for a new home.

It was, to quote one of the Kaleans who had advocated for them to be kicked off the island, a "kindness they didn't deserve!"

When the meeting had ended and several Kaleans were taking the Skull Islanders to go and create the temporary camp, Moana's parents had pulled her aside and began plying her with questions about Maui, the possibility of there being any other survivors, and Kakalina. Their daughter answered with the same monotonous voice as she had before, now uncaring to the tragedy – not that she was heartless, but she just wanted to avoid it. Then again, who could blame her after witnessing the things the young chieftain had seen and gone through in the space of a few days?

When it came to Kakalina, though, they watched as she looked down at her hands, eyes brimming with tears, holding back a sob. She could not answer them and replied, rather growling sadly at them: "Please don't ask me again!"

Seeing how it made her feel, they did not press further.

That night, as the young chieftain went to bed, lying away from her parents in the corner of the hall, she thought about everything that had happened, everything she had seen, everyone she had lost. Her friends, her people, those she had wanted to help. And with them the one who she had held close to her heart like a member of her own family yet had never gotten to say goodbye to. He had fallen trying to protect them, to protect her. As much as she did not want to admit it, she was going to have to accept the cold fact.

Maui was gone, dead, lost to the world forever.

Of course, this now raised the question of what the future held. Would more of these types of islands be found? Would more people die as a result?

What about other creatures? The ones she had seen in the vision on Skull Island had been terrifying not only because of their size, but because many of them were far, far bigger than the ones she had seen on the island, and getting off it was likely no problem for them. If that was the case, where were they now? More importantly, would they reveal themselves soon?

Gods forbid if they do! Moana had told herself.

An uncertain future lay ahead, one that was as unclear as the mist of Skull Island. What lay inside and beyond, no one could tell.

One thing was for certain now; the world, Moana's world, had change, and she was going to have to adapt to it quickly if she and her people, and anyone else out there, were going to survive.

Epilogue: 2

As the creatures awakened and spread like a holy plague sent from the divine himself, the King of England could only look on helplessly, knowing his kingdom, his people, his friends and family, his entire world was in danger.

And there was nothing he could do to stop it.

"Mim!" he muttered, voice angry, yet the terror was palpable. "What have you done?!"