The sky was cloudy, the ocean grey and choppy the next morning. A strong wind wailed over the island, switching directions constantly. Moana and the villagers struggled with their canoes.

"Maybe we should wait another day, avoid this storm." One of the sailors suggested.

"We've a few months yet before the hurricane season is upon us, and the spring monsoons are well over. This storm will blow itself out, we'll be ok." Moana replied, expertly securing the sail.

Maui was nowhere to be seen. Moana was a little worried that he had decided to leave after everything had happened the previous night. When she had reached the shelter, head a-whirl with emotions, she was surprised that Maui was not behind her. She had waited, huddled in a corner trying to make sense of what had just happened, but he never showed up.

I have things to do! She told herself. Her head tumbling every which way. Maybe he would catch up with her -them, she chided herself- later during the festivities back home. Shaking her head, she pushed him from her mind as she pushed her boat into the water.

The ocean seemed to boil in fury. Twice Moana was swept into the frigid water, each time she fought her way back to her canoe. It bothered her that the ocean didn't seem to notice her plight, not that she expected it. She had been appreciative of the help the ocean had given her in the past. Heck, without it she never would have saved her island, restored Te Fiti, or met Maui. It was more like she missed an old friend. She thought back, trying to remember when the last time she had actually conversed with the ocean was. Gritting her teeth and standing firm through another crashing wave, she pushed the mournful thoughts from her mind and concentrated on keeping her heading.

Lightning crackled around her group. Moana had to use every trick she knew to keep them together and afloat. Waves like mountains pummeled them with concussive force, soaking them and sweeping away anything not tethered down. She screamed a warning that was drowned out by deafening thunder. Fortunately she had trained her people well and the other boats weathered the storm with her. There was nothing to do now but to stay afloat and wait out the storm. Stupid girl. Moana thought. So intent on your fluttery heart you endanger your people.

Suddenly her boat gave a mighty heave, almost capsizing. "Ocean?" She asked, almost hopeful. Then it jerked again, spinning around so quickly it nearly threw her. She saw the terrified look of a villager on the nearest boat before her own canoe was thrown forcefully into the air away from her group. With a scream she hit the water and watched her canoe valiantly staying afloat before a gigantic slightly luminescent elongated tube smashed it to bits. Moana barely had time to suck in a breath before the current drug her underwater.

What she saw was the stuff of nightmares. A gargantuan eel, teeth as long as her body, eyes blood red, body oily and glowing with a faint bio luminescence, writhed its way towards her through the murky depths. It seemed as if time had slowed to a crawl. She could see each slimy scale on its pointed nose. Watched as the pupils dilated, then contracted as it saw her, focused on her. Saw the jaws opening wide, mucking the water around it with its' foul slavering. Then the world lurched into high gear. Moana kicked with all her might, slamming her heels into the eels' nose. Startled, the eel drew back. Moana's lungs were burning for air and she felt sharp jabs of pain from the cold in her fingers and toes. She swam as fast as she could towards the surface, frantically thinking of what to do. Breaking the surface of the water, she gasped for air, coughing and spluttering, looking for something to grab hold of. She saw a bit of lumber floating, wreckage from her canoe, and made for it. She felt the oily slick of the water around her, tainted by the eels' secretions. It coated her body, making her feel dirty and smothered. An enormous wave crashed down on her, dragging her back underwater just in time to see the eel burst from the water, mouth agape, where she would have been. Hissing in frustration, it turned and came at her quickly. Moana snatched at the wood floating above her. She'd only have one shot at this, timing was everything. She faced the horror bearing down on her, steeled herself, then thrust into the mouth just as the eel lunged. The broken shaft punctured deep into the soft tissue beneath the monsters' tongue. With a roar, it thrashed wildly. Moana had time to frantically scream before the eel's huge body slammed into her. Dazedly she thought:Help? She felt the grip of the sentient water wrap her up and drag her beneath the depths just as she blacked out.

Note:

Just an update to make the story flow work a bit better. Apologies for any comments that do not seem to jive with the story as this chapter and the previous chapter have swapped places.