The Heart of Tangaroa✔️

Chapter 10: The Lost Comet

Moana had no idea what she was thinking! Not even a demigod like Maui was foolish enough to march straight into the lair of an underwater God. She had even disrupted some kind of argument - and a fiery one at that. How could she possibly be so stupid!

Swallowing nervously as two pairs of blazing, God-like eyes looked down on her, Moana puffed out her chest slightly. There was certainly no backing out now, especially when she was finally in a place to complete her task,

"Tangaroa? God of the Great Ocean, enemy to Auahitūroa? I am Moana, Demigoddess of the Waves and friend to Maui,"

Moana motioned to the larger demigod, who was watching the exchange silently while glancing every so often as his distant hook,

"How did you get here, foolish child?"

Tangaroa was as monstrous as Moana had imagined him to be. His dark chest was covered in black ink, and glimmered with droplets of water, while a long grey ponytail fell from his head, pulled back tight to reveal every single defined feature of his face. The God stood as tall as the palm trees in a grove, and had glowing eyes which resembled the sun,

"I have traveled far from my home, where Rehua has cursed my people to a terrible illness,"

"You dare bring me into this?"

Rehua, like Tangaroa, was the size of many palm trees, and was covered in ink tattoos. But his lavalava was made of golden frawns, and his face was completely obscured by a coconut shell mask,

"You have infected my people with your stars!" Moana snapped frustratedly, "and all because of this!"

The young demigoddess flipped open her necklace to reveal the glowing blue heart, causing both Gods to still,

"Impossible," Tangaroa growled, "are you a witch? I gave my heart to the Ocean-"

"The Ocean is a friend of mine," Moana interrupted bravely, closing the necklace as her dark curls brushed slightly against her cheeks, "it brought me your heart for a reason,"

"And why would it choose you?" Rehua chuckled deeply, using one of his fingers to knock Moana backwards and onto the floor, "you're just a little thing. Surely Maui is more fit to protect such an important artifact-"

"I sailed the Great Ocean and tamed the fire demon, Tē Ka with nothing but my mortality. You don't scare me,"

Moana felt cowardice. Her foolish bravery was outweighing her judgement. She was only half-Goddess, surely a true God would have no trouble wiping her from the face of the planet? Biting her lip, Moana got to her feet and inhaled shakily, trying not to tremble as she clutched her oar. She just wanted her death to be quick,

"Hear that? She's not scared of me," Rehua grumbled, "so she's not scared of you either, old man,"

"I'm a thousand years younger then you!" Tangaroa complained, throwing his muscular arms into the air. To Moana's surprise, both Gods began to shrink down to a normal size. Soon enough, they were standing before her the size of regular (very intimidating) men, "you have my heart, child. What is your reason for coming all the way back here?"

"Well..." Moana glanced to Maui, who was inching towards his hook, "I originally came to return it to you, Tangaroa. But now my people are ill, and I am willing to barter with Rehua-"

"You will do no such thing," Tangaroa growled, "I will not have my heart fall into Auahitūroa's hands cause a little girl wanted to play with the big boys. Give me my heart,"