Moana: World Darkness

You're Welcome

The relentless rocking finally lulled Moana into a fitful sleep. When she awoke, a jarring sensation jolted her awake. Unlike the constant tossing of the waves, this felt soft and yielding. She blinked, bleary-eyed, and saw golden sand stretching out before her, lapped by gentle waves. Disbelief turned to relief as she realized she was no longer on the churning ocean but washed ashore on a beach.

Looking around, she spotted her trusty canoe, battered but intact, lying on the white sand next to a massive rock formation. But it was the figure sitting on the other side of the rock that truly stole her breath. The figure noticed her as it slowly turned, revealing a face that held both wisdom and amusement.  

"Oh, you're finally awake," it said, a hint of amusement colouring the words. "I was wondering if you'd actually wake up." Moana turned towards the voice, expecting a seasoned elder or a mythical creature. Instead, perched on a nearby rock, sat a teenage boy. About her age, he wore a casual outfit - a black piece of fabric wrapped around his torso in a way that almost looked like a sleeveless shirt and ripped brown pants. His shaggy brown hair hung loose around his face, framing bright green eyes. He had pale skin, and although slender, a hint of muscle definition hinted at hidden strength. The informality of his clothes and his youthful appearance clashed dramatically with the dramatic scene Moana had just endured.

 She scrambled to her feet, sand clinging to her like a second skin. A frantic energy coursed through her, replacing the grogginess of sleep. "What the-?!" she exclaimed, shaking the sand out of her hair and clothes in a flurry of motion. Spotting the figure on the rock, her initial fear morphed into suspicion. "Hey wait," she said, voice rough from the salty ordeal, "you don't look like Maui. Who are you?" Her eyes narrowed, searching for any sign of danger in the unfamiliar face.

The boy, seemingly unfazed by her outburst, offered a casual shrug. "It's because I am not Maui," he replied, his voice light and easygoing. "I'm Kai by the way." He gestured towards himself with a lazy smile, the amusement still lingering in his green eyes.

Relief flooded Moana's face. "Whew, Maui? Thank goodness! I was scared stiff out there. Now, if you'll excuse me for a second..." She trailed off, her eyes narrowed to the vast expanse of ocean.   Disbelief and frustration coloured her voice. "Uhm... WHAT?! I said help me!" she yelled, throwing her arms up in the air. She stormed towards the shoreline, intent on some kind of retaliation against the unhelpful sea. "And wrecking my boat? Not helping!" As she went to kick the retreating water in a fit of pique, the wave playfully pulled back just before her foot connected. Landing with a surprised thump on her backside, Moana scrambled up, her anger momentarily surpassing her exhaustion. She pointed a finger accusingly at the retreating water, her voice laced with exasperation. "Fish pee in you all day!" she exclaimed, waving her fingers about. The frustration of her ordeal with the unhelpful ocean clearly hadn't abated.

Kai's voice broke through Moana's frustrated tirade. "Hey uh, so what's your name?" he asked casually, a hint of amusement lingering in his green eyes.

Moana blinked, momentarily forgetting her anger. "Oh. Uhm, it's Moana," she introduced, her voice still rough but the edge of panic receding. "Moana of Mutonui."

"Okay, Moana of Mutonui," Kai replied, leaning back against the rock. "I don't know if you're referring to a particular demigod or not, but I think this might just help your situation."

He gestured towards the rock formation. A jolt shot through her as she finally noticed the markings etched on its surface. They weren't just random tally marks, they were a series of lines and curves that formed an unmistakable shape. Her breath hitched, it was Maui's hook. A wave of hope, stronger than any she'd felt on the churning ocean, washed over Moana