Moana - Warrior's Journey (AU after the first film)

Chapter 18: Lava, Magma, Reigna

As they walked closer to the core of Reigna, the temperature was getting higher and higher. Moana fanned herself and her breathing pattern started to be irregular. "Oh my, it was even hotter than Waomoku cursed by Ladaimonio!"

"Welcome to Reigna," Maui said.

"Maui, aren't you hot?" Moana asked as she saw Maui very calm and unbothered by the heat that is roaming in Reigna.

"I'm used to it," Maui said. "Very used to it."

"Maybe you belonged here once," Moana said, a little jokingly.

"Ouch, princess," Maui said. "That was too harsh."

"I'm think I'm getting better at this," Moana said proudly.

"At this rate, you're gonna be a savage rather than a warrior," Maui said.

"Savage?" Moana responded. "Hmm... savage..."

"What are you thinking?" Maui asked.

"Nothing much..." Moana replied, continuing to fan herself. Thankfully, she was starting to get used to the heat. She stayed focused and looked around to see if there were any forbidden monsters she needed to capture. Even small sounds made her turn towards the direction of where the sound came from. She also held on to the charm tight enough that it wouldn't get stolen by some other creatures.

"Easy there, Moana," Maui said as he examined her alertness.

"Well, we have to find twelve more monsters," Moana said. "I can't afford to let my guard down."

"Don't tell me you forgot your warrior face," Maui warned.

"It's not that," Moana replied. "Reigna is a big place, it's not easy to find creatures out of thousands here."

"Well, if you put it that way," Maui said. "Chief, since when did you become such a good talker?"

"What do you expect from a chief?" Moana asked. "If I lack speaking skills, I would not be a good chief."

"Well sure, Chief of Motunui," Maui replied.

"Man, but it sure is hot," Moana fanned herself. "It's like being near angry Te Kā."

"Well, Regina is full of lava, magma, and volcanoes," Maui said.

"I can see that," Moana said. "I just hope that enough debris doesn't go in my skin, body, and organs that would make myself turn into magma statue."

"I don't think you can worry about being turned into magma statue," Maui said.

"Really? What makes you say so?" Moana asked.

"You would still look charming as magma statue," Maui said. "Maybe even more charming since you wouldn't be able to nag me so much if you turn into a statue." He snickered. Moana rolled her eyes, but still let out her warm smile.

Moana heard something soar above her. She looked up, but the unknown flying thing was so quick that escaped Moana's eye sight without letting her take a little glance of it... but not quick enough to escape Maui's sight. "Kid, is there a charm with round creature, pointy fangs and wings, and large claws?"

Moana looked through the rest of the 12 charms. "Here it is," she said as she took out one.

"Stay here, I'll be right back," he took the charm, transformed into a giant hawk, and took off.

"I hope nothing bad happens," Moana became worried as she held on to her spear.

The flying object that saw earlier was targeting Moana for its meal for the first time after being released from the prisons of Kapu'uila. It screeched as it confirmed it's target and glided towards Moana. Moana of course saw it happening.  She grabbed a rock near her and threw it at the gliding bird. It took the hit, and tried to snatch her. She ducked just in time that the bird missed its timing to snatch her hair. It took its stand again in the middle of the air and glided towards Moana. She couldn't find anything else to throw. She squeezed her eyes shut and hurled to cover herself. Just then, she heard two thing colliding against each other. She stood up to see what just happened. It was Maui in hawk form. The bird thing fainted as their heads both hit against each other. Maui seemed find. He turned back into a human and placed the charm on the fainted bird. "I recognized this knuckle head," he said as he showed the green charm. "He loved stealing people's food."