Moana: World Darkness

Big Mistake

They emerged from the foliage, blinking in the sunlight. Relief washed over Moana as she took in the fresh air and the vibrant green landscape. But her moment of peace was shattered by a horrifying sight.

In the distance, a sliver of blue cut through the turquoise water. It was her boat, and Maui was at the helm, a smug grin plastered on his face. He was sailing away. Moana sprinted towards the edge of a towering cliff that overlooked the water, her heart hammering against her ribs. Kai scrambled after her, his voice strained with exertion.

"Moana, wait!" he called, but she didn't listen. She reached the cliff's edge, the ground crumbling beneath her feet. Below, the churning ocean waves seemed impossibly far away.

Kai skidded to a halt beside her, his eyes widening in horror. "Oh no, it's too high," he stammered, his voice barely a whisper. "I ain't jumping that."

Moana ignored him, her gaze fixed on the receding figure of Maui. She couldn't let him get away. Taking a deep breath, she squeezed her eyes shut and leapt.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" she screamed, the wind whipping past her ears as she plummeted towards the unforgiving water. Kai watched in disbelief, his heart leaping into his throat. Just as Moana braced herself for impact, a splash echoed in the air. She opened her eyes, gasping for breath, to see Maui's boat mere feet away. She had made the jump.

Maui stood at the helm, a smirk playing on his lips. "I could watch that all day," Maui muttered, his voice laced with amusement. "Okay, enjoy the island. Maui out!" he winked at her before throwing the boat into gear and speeding away with a laugh.

Moana watched in disbelief as Maui disappeared into the horizon, leaving her alone to face the monstrous crab that was now mere inches from the boat. A cold dread settled in her stomach. This was only the beginning of their troubles.

 "No, stop! Hey! You have to put back the heart!" she roared, her voice powerful despite the distance. Without hesitation, she began to swim after the boat. Suddenly, the water around her churned. A powerful current surged beneath Moana, lifting her like a hand and propelling her forward with surprising speed. Kai's jaw dropped open in astonishment. Was it the ocean itself, responding to Moana's desperation?

Moana rode the current like a skilled surfer, closing the distance between her and Maui's boat at an alarming rate. Maui, finally noticing the commotion, turned around, his smirk replaced by a look of surprise.

"Did not see that coming," he stammered, fumbling with the sail as the magical current surged closer.

Just then, a large bird swooped down, landing with surprising grace on the canoe. It folded its wings and transformed into a human with a disgruntled expression. It was Kai.

"Thanks a lot, guys," Kai said sarcastically, crossing his arms. "You left me."

Moana whipped around, her long hair smacking her face as she turned. She brushed it back impatiently. "I am Moana of Motunui," she declared, her voice firm despite the ordeal. "This is my canoe, and you will journey to Te Fiti to return the heart!" She marched towards Maui, her determination evident.

Maui, however, wasn't fazed. With a lightning-fast move, he grabbed Moana and threw her overboard again, her yell echoing across the water. His mini tattoo seemed to protest by yelling at him but Maui ignored it. He had a plan, and Moana's presence wasn't part of it.

Alright, get over it," Maui grumbled. "We gotta move."

"Hey, that's not nice!" Kai scolded, his voice surprisingly firm despite his earlier nervousness. Maui glanced at him, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. This scrawny kid had some backbone after all. As if on cue, the churning water beneath Moana calmed, gently depositing her back onto the canoe. She sputtered and coughed, glaring daggers at Maui.