Before the lores of creation are told, there lies a tale only the gods and goddesses know.
Well, except for one.
Te Fiti, the youngest of the pantheon, is thousands of years apart from the rest of her clan. A goddess conceived when the world has al...
The melodious chirps of birds drifted in the air. A temperate breeze lulled the forest, making leaves whistle in harmony. Down the glade where a crystal pond was located, a hammock sewed with vines faced this picturesque view.
Not a second later, a branch from the tree, that hoisted the hammock, moved. It rocked the netting of plants back and forth, creating a steady swing to make the person lying relax in peace.
But, the sense of serenity only lasted for a moment when the ruffles of leaves became louder. Rushing footsteps followed, awakening Te Fiti from her slumber.
She surveyed her surroundings and there, in front of her, was a man holding a giant hook in his fist.
He dashed to her side in a blink of an eye — so quick despite his large build.
"Don't scream."
His gruff voice caused lines on Te Fiti's forehead.
"Who are you?" she inquired.
She was certain she had not known this man. Only the gods and goddesses lived on this island, and she recognized all of them.
"Are you a human—"
"Enough questions. Open the portal and let me out," he ordered as the hook on her neck drew closer.
"I apologize but I cannot. Father told me never to leave this island," she replied.
"Fool. It's not for you. It's for me. Hurry."
She could almost hear his teeth gnashing, be it from irritation or anxiety, Te Fiti had no idea. Her gaze was simply focused on the sharpness of the hook's blade embedded between polished wood.
It was the first time she had seen such a weapon. Not even the God of War's collection had an item that resembled this one.
"Do it now," he reminded. "Better—"
His words were quickly interrupted when a vine crept on his feet and circled his ankle, lifting him upside down.
"Ah! Let go! What are you doing?"
The man kept shouting but knowing they were far from the village, it was a vain attempt to ask for help.
Te Fiti came forward but not to him. Instead, she grabbed the weapon he had let go of after a moment of surprise.
"This has magic," she stated as her hands glided to the smoothness of the timber. Fascinating lines etched on it, like a story to be told on each streak. "Where did you get this?"
"Why would I answer you? Give it back to me! Why are you gods always so unfair!"
Her irises, which were a similar shade as the surrounding greeneries, flashed with confusion. "Why is that?"
"What?" His eyes reflected the same puzzlement.
Their gazes clashed for a full second before Te Fiti observed the man hanging upside down. Like most people, he had a tawny complexion that almost shone like copper under the sun.
His thick brows scrunched above those round eyes with dark pupils as black as unused charcoal. He struggled once more, making his curls bounce freely.
"Come on now. Blood's already rushing into my brain. When will you let go?"
Without moving a finger, Te Fiti simply ordered the plants on her mind. They followed her bidding in an instant. From being hung like a sack, the man was now spread-eagled with all his limbs tied up.
"I didn't mean this! Let go of me and just let me escape!"
Te Fiti's frown grew deeper. She had never seen a mortal as boisterous as him — or rather, she had never seen a mortal before.
'Are all of them like him?'
While she pondered, his screams never ceased. Te Fiti glanced at him again.
"What do you mean by gods are unfair? Aren't all gods generous and answered your prayers."
He clicked his tongue. "Generous, my ass. You only answer those you wish to. You don't care about humans at all."
"Why will you say that?" Te Fiti was still befuddled. She always visited the main temple and granted the prayers of her worshippers.
"Of course! If you truly cared then why did you abandon those volcanic islands and forsake the people there? Why had you kept the fire from the world? Why did you let darkness rule the time when the mortals need light? You even condemned me just because I want to share the beauty of the birds with all the mortals!" He was shaking as he spat all those words with contempt embedded in his tone.
However, Te Fiti's mind was stuck on the last statement. The situation was somewhat familiar.
She tried to recall it but halted upon the arrival of another person. The man drifted closer with a dense cloud on his feet. With his silvery grey hair neatly tied in a half-ponytail, his grin became more obvious as he drew nearer.
"Well done, Te Fiti! You caught him! No wonder we can't sense him since he went to your forest," Tāwhiri spoke before jumping down from his cloud.
"Who is he, matua kēkē?" Te Fiti pointed to the man with visible confusion still pasted on her face.
Tāwhiri arched a brow. "You don't know him? He's Maui te kupua."
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