When they got back to Tamatoa's damaged layer, the crab hesitated for a moment. "I am not going into a geyser." He growled, certain he would end up on his back again. Moana, still making every effort not to drop any gold, smiled slyly. "I don't think we'll have to." She responded confidently. Her bond with the water had strengthened greatly since last time, and as such, she was able to call on it in new, useful ways. "But first… Maui? Could you lift me up, please?"

Maui, careful not to shift too much support off of the crab, lifted Moana in one paw up to Tamatoa's shell. Tamatoa watched her, more confused rather than upset, as she placed the treasure she had carried back onto his shell. Looking over him now, it really was a miniscule amount compared to the size of him. "Sorry I couldn't carry more," She apologized, rubbing the back of her head as Maui put her back on the ground. Tamatoa blinked, looking over the baubles she had returned. She seemed to have had made a point of picking up the sparkliest trinkets she could find. Though it was indeed a small amount in comparison to him, he was still pleased to at least have a few of his shinier possessions back. He wouldn't dare voice his appreciation to the human that got him into this mess, though. This was still her and Maui's fault, and attempting to make it up to him like this was a laughable notion.

Moana raised her javelin into the air. She no longer needed words to communicate with the ocean, it seems, as a large pillar of water lowered down to them in reaction to her gesture. "The ocean will take us up!" She stated. "No need to take a geyser."

Again, the crab hesitated. Not only that, but he hastily took a few steps back, almost causing Maui to drop his injured side. "What are you doing?!" The demigod exclaimed in irritation, barely moving in time to hold him up.

The crustacean was watching Moana and the pillar of water, a tingle of nervousness rising within him, but he covered it up with a look of suspicion. "How am I to know you won't just drown me?" He hissed.

Moana glanced at the ocean, eyebrow raised. The ocean had extended a small wave from its pillar and seemed to be returning her glance. "Umm…" Moana pondered, "I… don't really know how to reassure you on that one. You'll just have to trust us."

Tamatoa felt a flash of anger pass through him. Again with them expecting him to trust them. They had to have been out of their minds to expect that.

… But it's not like he had much of a choice. Annoying as it was to admit, they were right about him not standing a chance in Lalotai right now. It's not like he had much reason to stay, anyways. His reputation and status were basically ruined after his humiliating run-in with the demigod and human before, and spending so much time helplessly on his back. The only thing he would really regret leaving behind were his fallen valuables. They were the source of his stunning beauty, after all, and what was he if not beautiful?

No choice. If he was to leave with these two, he had to make up his mind and go now. He sighed sadly under his breath, then gestured for Moana to get on with it.

Moana frowned slightly, somehow pitying the crab, but she turned to the ocean and gave it a nod. With that, the pillar of water swept around them, scooping them up and taking them out of the Realm of Monsters.

Tamatoa felt a bit of panic grip him as the water carried them up, but relaxed immediately when an air bubble formed around the trio to let them breathe during the trip to the surface. Maui watched the decapod out of the corner of his eye as they rose through the ocean. He was used to seeing Tamatoa in a constant state of obnoxiousness and cockiness; it was strange to see him so vulnerable and silent.

The little journey to the surface was awkwardly quiet, but forgivingly short. The sea carried them out of the water and placed them on the still shores of Motunui. Maui brought the crab over to a tall palm tree, laying him down against it before shapeshifting back into his regular form. "See, crab cake?" He said in an almost mocking manner. "Nooothing to worry about."

"Yet." Tamatoa whispered, too quiet for them to hear. He still wasn't convinced that their intentions were "pure". Especially not Maui's; their fallout was too bitter to just brush under the rug like that.

Moana, noticing the tension between them, was quick to interrupt. "We'll have to make some splints for your broken limbs."

Tamatoa narrowed his eyes to slits, shifting his left claw to shield his right side.

Moana bit her tongue. Clearly the crab wasn't going to make it easy to help him. "It will help you heal faster. Don't you want to get better as fast as possible?" She questioned, trying to give him a kind smile. Unfortunately, she only got a low growl in response.

Not overly disheartened, she turned to Maui. "Do you think you could get me one of the older palm trees?" She asked him.

Maui glanced at Tamatoa skeptically before giving her a quick nod. "Alright." With that, he wandered over to some nearby trees, not daring to venture too far from Moana and the Lalotai resident.

Moana sat in the warm sand, watching the crustacean with a look of pity. She still couldn't quite figure out why she felt such a strong desire to help him. Even if he is an insufferable narcissist, she wouldn't wished this kind of suffering on him. Maybe she just wanted to get rid of this irrational feeling of guilt.

"You're going to get yourself killed if you keep this up." Tamatoa growled quietly, almost as if responding to her thoughts.

"… I disagree." She responded calmly. "Either way, I'll take my chances."

Moments later, Maui returned with a decently-sized trunk effortlessly slung over his shoulder. "This should be enough for you, eh, Chosen One?"

Moana got up, running a hand over the bark as she looked it over. "Yes, I can work with this. Thank you."

Using the blade of her javelin, she worked at the tree. She had to estimate on the length of the splints, as she doubted he would take kindly to her attempting to measure his limbs. Maui went over to her side to help her out with the tree, all the the while keeping an eye on Tamatoa.

Tamatoa watched them with a mix of irritation and confusion. Were they just messing with him again? Why go through all the trouble? They couldn't possibly hold sincere concern for him after that mess with the hook.

He hated not being able to tell what their motivations were.

He hated how perplexing they were.

He hated them.