Chapter 7: A New Voyage
After her fight with the Rongomai, Moana wanted nothing to do with her new demigoddess abilities. She spent the next few days performing her usual chiefly duties, and keeping Heihei away from the cooks of the village. But every night while returning to her fale, Moana became disturbed at the emptiness of the sky. It had been this way ever since that night on the beach, and it was starting to worry the other villagers as well,
"We can't sail at night without the stars," Moana contemplated with a sigh, looking to the expanse of sky. Even Maui's fish hook was gone, leaving nothing but the moon to illuminate long nights. Moana hadn't seen Maui himself much either over the past days. One of the village women had seen him pacing out by the North shore that very day, and insisted that his borrowed fale was still in use, but he was keeping his distance, even more so then usual.
Moana didn't know what her feelings for Maui actually were anymore. She thought they were just friends who sailed the great oceans together. That's what they always were, especially when they first met. But then...whenever she saw him now, Moana got a funny feeling in her stomach. She couldn't help her smile when he was around, and she always felt safe with him nearby. Moana hadn't felt this way about anyone, not even Aisuka who was her closest friend on the island.
"Hey, Moana,"
Speak of the devil. Moana glanced up and smiled at Aisuka, who was standing before her fale with two fresh coconuts under his arms,
"I brought these for you,"
"Thanks, Aisuka. What are you doing here?"
"Well, we never did get that walk in the moonlight. I thought now would be a better time?"
Moana didn't feel up to a walk at that moment, but she had been pushing Aisuka away for weeks. Swallowing her own unhappiness and forcing the quirk of her lips to remain in place, Moana ran a hand through her long dark hair,
"Alright. Where do you want to walk too?"
"Just to the shore," Aisuka insisted, "it'll be a short walk,"
"Lead the way."
The young coconut harvester beamed and set down his gifts, reaching out to wrap an arm around Moana's waist as they began to stride towards the ocean. It was peaceful really, just the two of them. But Moana couldn't stop thinking about the lack of stars in the sky tonight,
"They just disappeared," Moana said aloud, causing Aisake to turn and look to the sky as well,
"Perhaps Rehua has decided that a starless sky would fit tonight?"
"Maybe," Moana mumbled, walking into the water as it lapped happily at her ankles, "does it not worry you?"
"No, the stars will come back," Aisuka insisted, only to let out a slight cough. Knitting her brows, Moana turned to him,
"Are you ok?"
"Yeah fine, just a tickle,"
"Are you sure?" Moana insisted, "you look tired,"
There was no answer as Aisuka suddenly kneeled down on the sand, like he had lost all feeling in his legs. Surging forward, Moana began to check him. His skin was burning like lava, and his skin was covered in dark, tattoo like dots,
"Ai? Ai come on, speak to me,"
There was nothing as the man collapsed onto his side and fell unconscious. Inhaling sharply, Moana felt his neck and wrist with a sigh of relief, only to jump as someone came crashing through the trees. It was Maui. His face was contorted into an expression of great worry and panic, a look Moana didn't see on the demigod of the wind and sea very often,
"I'll get him. You need to come with me. Now."
Not bothering to question Maui's orders, Moana scrambled to her feet as the demigod hauled Aisuka onto his shoulder and followed after. Reaching the village, Moana saw the community fale illuminated by torches. Throwing aside the hanging tapestries acting as walls, Moana was horrified at what she found.
Villagers were sprawled out on cots, sweating and writing, all covered in black, inky splotches. Weaving between them was Sina, who was holding buckets of water,
"Mom, what's happening?"
"It broke out overnight," Sina explained, "it was just...so sudden, there has never been an outbreak like this on our island,"
Kneeling down by Aisake who Maui dropped down onto a cot, Moana examined his markings. They were dots like stars, and were spreading out through the skin like Grandma Tala's dyes,
"Will they live?"
Before Sina could answer, Maui stepped forward,
"Not for long. This is the work of Rehua,"
"The star god?" Sina questioned, "isn't he a healer? Why would he hurt our people with such an infection?"
"The guys buddy-buddy with Auahitūroa. No doubt he's trying to get ahold of the heart of Tangaroa for him. He must have sent down his stars to infect your people,"
"Then I'll go, I have to talk to Tangaroa-"
"No," Maui held out his large hand, "this is to dangerous for you, princess. I'll go and see if I can talk some sense into Rehua-"
"But Maui-"
"No, stay. You're needed here anyway,"
Without another word, Maui left the fale and transformed into a hawk, flying off into the night air as Moana watched him leave. It was just like all those years ago, when he left her on the shores of Tē Fiti. She didn't want to watch him go...but Motunui needed her just as much,
"Go, Moana. I'll handle this," Sina said, "you need to follow him,"
"I can't do that," Moana said, frowning, "what if you get sick-"
"Moana, this is bigger then either of us, ok? You need to go, before you lose him again,"
Inhaling deeply, Moana pulled her mom into a tight hug,
"You better be here when I come back," she croaked, "please be safe,"
"I will. Now go,"
Sina gave her daughter a little shove as she jogged down to the shore. Stepping into the waves, Moana felt the water,
'Maui can't get far without landmarks,' Moana thought, 'he'll head towards his island then go from there,'
"Ocean, I need you to help me get to Maui. He can't do this alone,"
There was a little bubbling from the surf as Moana nodded her head and ran down the shoreline, reaching the boat where she had stored her oar. Taking it up as the surface glowed vibrantly, Moana hesitated and looked back towards her island. Was this the right choice?
"You're hesitating,"
Turning in the sand, Moana smiled slightly at the glowing figure of Grandma Tala. Running, the young wayfinder embraced the spirit, letting a few tears slip down her cheeks,
"I-I'm scared to leave,"
"Don't worry, child. I will be here to protect your mother,"
"Promise?"
Grandma Tala cackled as Moana lifted a brow,
"Have I ever lied to you?"
Moana snorted and deadpanned slightly,
"Yes, grandma, you have. But thank you,"
"Maui is stubborn. But not as stubborn as you. Now go get him,"
"I will," Moana whispered, turning back to the boat and grabbing hold of it. Soon, she was once again on the water, letting the ocean itself propel her forward as water sprayed her face. In the distance, the sun was just peeking over the horizon, casting a golden light over everything.
Moana glanced down as there was a slapping of her skin. Mo was awake and leaning against her mast, clueless as to what exactly was happening,
"We're going to find Maui...yes, again," Moana rolled her eyes at the little inked girls face as she shook her head, "its not my choice to go after him. But if Maui is going to find Rehua, I want to go-"
Mo shook her head wildly, her tattoo transforming into clouds as a large creature snatched the necklace from her and gave it to someone else. Moana merely shook her head again and patted the place where her heart was hidden,
"The safest place for the heart to be is with me, ok? Besides, if things go bad I'll just give it to Ocean till I can get to it again,"
Mini Mo seemed to sigh and deflate as she sat on her canoe,
"Ok, ok so maybe I don't have this quite planned out. But I mean, come on! It'll be fine. It usually is...right?"
There was no answer from Mini Mo as Moana herself sat down on the stern of her ship and felt the water. It would be ok. It would be fine. She was definitely going to die.