A/N: Enjoy :)

Dawn of the Second Day, 48 hours remain

Vvvvvvvv Moana vvvvvvvvV

"So let me get this straight" Makani questioned between bites of charred whitefish and stolen Lalama berries, "we need to give this flower thing to the goddess of the underworld so we can find the god of war to stop the god of wind & storms and somehow we have to rescue Maui before some crazy sorceress lady kills him in two days?".

Moana raised an eyebrow as she gently adjusted the oar. The wind careened through their sail, speeding them across the ocean in record time. The ocean spray sliced across the deck so sharply it stung her skin. God of storms he may be, but the ocean is mine. "Yes," she replied with more confidence than she felt. "At this rate we'll arrive just behind them at Lalotai."

"Doesn't it seem strange to you," he puzzled as he picked a bit of bone from his teeth, "that we started so far behind the sorceress but we should arrive at the same time?"

"Our boat is smaller, faster, and we have the ocean on our side," Moana retorted, a seed of doubt growing into the pit of her stomach.

"Yeah, I know that. But, what if she's actually arriving before the full moon? Or making a detour somewhere first? We're assuming she won't arrive until the full moon because that's when you saw her killing Maui. We don't know what we're up against. And even if we did, we don't have any weapons Moana. You have your water powers that you're still learning to control and I have nothing."

A trickle of berry juice ran from the corner of his mouth as he tried to talk while he chewed. The deep red color, the blood red color, against his skin made her shudder and look away. Moana considered his words as she scanned the horizon. He's right. What if the sorceress has other plans? "Take the oar," she mumbled, crossing to the starboard side of their boat before settling down cross legged in front of the edge. Makani's eyes darted between her and the water a few times before he swallowed the last of his meal, wiping berry juice from his chin, and did as requested. She could feel his eyes upon her, watching her, wondering what she was up to. Taking a deep breath she bowed her head and retreated inward, focusing on her breathing.

In. Out.

Clearing her mind. The sounds of the waves, the spray on her skin, the warmth of the sun, the smell of the sea all melted away. There was only her breath.

In. Out.

Leaning forward slightly she let the tips of her fingers dip into the water. The very surface was warmed by the sun but a chill nipped at her fingers just beneath. It lapped at her fingers the way Pua did when she was hungry.

In. Out.

She thought of her vision. Maui kneeling on the entrance of Lalotai, the sorceress holding the knife, the blood pooling at her feet. Her chest heaved from the memory, her breath choking her throat. Forcing out a deep sigh, she recentered.

In. Out.

She tried to remember the ship, but the details slipped from her grasp. Only Maui resonated from the memory. Come on, she urged herself, you can do this.

In. Out.

Vvvvvvvv Maui vvvvvvvvV

Come on man, just breathe.

In. Out.

Breathing seemed to be the only thing Maui could do. Sitting in the same chair as the day before, he ached to at least shift his weight, but his muscles refused his commands. Even blinking his eyelids was somewhat a struggle of willpower. The smell of rotting meat still hung thick in the air, his senses continually assaulted by the foul odor. The flickering candle on the table made it impossible for his eyes to adjust to the darkness, leaving most of the room veiled to him. The sorceress had departed just before dawn without any mention of where she was going or when she would return.

In. Out.

I am Maui, shapeshifter, demigod of the wind and sea, hero of man. Dammit, hero to all. I am Maui, shapeshifter, demigod of the wind and sea, hero to all. If he could have slumped down in the chair he would have done so. I can't even get my own mantra right. Mini Maui drummed on his left pectoral muscle, driving his ink deep into the skin to will the muscles to move.

The ship rocked suddenly, nearly throwing Maui from his seat. Above him footsteps rattled across the deck, a sharp whistle blew, and the flurry of activity echoed through the hull. Mini Maui ceased his shoving and cupped an ink drawn hand around his ear. The muffled voice of the sorceress drifted through the planks of the ceiling but her words were garbled and Maui couldn't make them out. Sounds like we've anchored, he thought to himself, but...Moana said we wouldn't reach Lalotai for 3 days. Where are we now?

I need to get out of here.

In. Out. Out, out out...

Vvvvvvvv Makani vvvvvvvvV 34 hours remain

Sweat dripped from his brow. Wiping it away with the back of his hand he felt his arms tremble. Glancing up Moana was still deep in her trance, hunched over the side of the boat. Shaking his head he tried to clear his thoughts - it felt as though his thoughts were stuck in mud and quickly sinking.

What's happening to me?

Leaning over the side of the boat he cupped water in his hands and splashed his face. As the water washed over his skin he felt his chest heave as his stomach threatened to expel his breakfast. Doubling over he gripped the planks so tightly his knuckles blanched white, the blood evacuating as his skin was pulled taut. As his nausea subsided he felt renewed driplets of sweat dampening his hair. Reaching up once more he nearly fell backward as the world around him began spinning out of control. He felt his knees digging into the wood, he knew the sun was overhead, but his mind reeled as if it was trying desperately to determine which way was up. Clamping his hands over his ears he curled into a ball. Chills wracked his body, his insides turning upside down as his entire abdomen cramped. Kicking his legs weakly he pushed himself along the deck, the wood scraping against his skin providing a mildly soothing distraction from the pain.

A few feet away Moana stirred from her comatose state. Makani froze, taking several slow deep breaths to feign a poorly timed nap. When Moana remained motionless, Makani let out a sigh of relief that invoked a deep shuddering chill. Snap out of it, he willed himself, Moana can't see me like this. Not now.

Vvvvvvvv Moana vvvvvvvvV 36 hours remain

As the sun reached it's zenith in the sky above Moana she felt tears begin to cascade down her cheeks. Her body ached from remaining motionless, the tension in her muscles threatening to snap, and her skin burning bright red from exposure. Makani put a gentle hand on her shoulder, "Moana. You need to stop." A sob broke from her throat, the tears flowing freely. Makani knelt beside her and pulled her into his chest. Wrapping her arms around herself she wanted to be reasonable. She had tried all morning to dip into the spirit world, to catch a glimpse of Maui's future, to steal a peek at the sorceress's plans - but she had failed. She had cleared her mind until the world faded into nothingness, but every time a vision of blood threatened to drown her. Wiping the tears from her eyes she willed herself to calm down.

"You're still learning your strength," Makani assured her, "don't be so hard on yourself."

Moana knew he was right but it didn't ease her disappointment.

"I've been thinking," he declared, gently pushing her away at arm's length so she could see his face.

"Well that's a first" she interrupted jokingly, a small smile pulling at her lips as a light chuckle bubbled from her chest. Peering at him more closely she saw the color had drained from his face, his eyes seemed sunken, his hair damp with...sweat? Makani stared at her blankly for a moment before laughing with her, his hand absently brushing the hair from her face. It must be nothing...

Clearing his throat he continued, "do you remember Kekipi?" Moana nodded slightly, the memory of the charred forest and desolate beach replaying in her mind. Every day they wasted looking for answers was another island burnt to the ground. Countless lives lost, because she wasn't strong enough. "Think Moana, do you remember the warriors?" Makani pulled her from her thoughts. Her recognition must have been etched across her features because Makani continued, "What were warriors of Lalama, the only island we know of who actively crafts weapons of war, doing on Kekipi just hours after it was attacked by Tawhirimatea? Their boat was barely provisioned, they were not out at sea for long." Moana considered his words, it had been very strange and too much of a coincidence to ignore. But what did it mean? She turned her gaze out to sea, the salt from her tears dry on her cheeks. "Moana," Makani whispered, "didn't the spirit of the fisherman's daughter say the sorceress appeared to her right after a mysterious illness swept through her village? What if...what if it's all connected? What if the sorceress poisoned Kekipi, taking advantage of their weakness to infiltrate the village? What if the sorceress did the same on Lalama?" Moana jumped to her feet at his words, a memory crashing into her so fiercely she nearly fell backward.

She tells lies, and the more you believe, the stronger her hold grows. We were not the first, nor will we be the last.

Alika's spirit had ushered the words to her on Tane's island. Not the first, nor...the last. But why? The more you believe, the strong her hold grows. What was she trying to achieve?

"Moana," Makani urged, slowly standing, his legs wobbling slightly, "there's something else. Maui is their prisoner right? How do you imprison the demigod of the wind and sea?"

"You take away his fish hook" she mumbled, her eyes wide as she processed everything, "but he would still have his strength. There must be something more at work."

Makani nodded, "a boat is not large enough to separate a demigod from the vessel of his mana," he paused, "and no mortal is strong enough to sap the strength of a demigod." His words dropped through the air like stones, each one weighing heavily on her chest.

"But, I saw…"

"The vision you saw, came from a Lalama warrior. Who somehow disappeared from the deck of our boat without a trace. The only place he could have gone was the bottom of the ocean, and to be willing to kill himself? To drown himself? No warrior would throw their life away. Her hold over them..." he fell silent, gazing deeply into her eyes as his mind whirled.

There were a lot of what if's in this conversation, but he had a point. The warrior could not have disappeared into thin air, he must have rolled off the side of the boat and let himself drown. She felt herself beginning to pace. Glancing up at the sky she felt the time ticking by, each second a missed opportunity. Wandering back to the oar she unhooked it and let it settle in her hands. The ebb and flow of the ocean would try to carry the oar with it, but her hands kept it steady. "Until we know more, all we have is what ifs. I think we should continue to Lalotai, for that is all I know for certain. Tane himself told me to seek the goddess of the underworld and that's what I'll do."

Makani considered her words for a moment then nodded. He turned slowly on his heel and began to sit down. Without warning he toppled to his left, Moana felt herself reach for him, retracting her hands as he made a grand show of sprawling out and relaxing. Odd… Moana shook her head to clear her thoughts. Makani is fine, he would tell me if he wasn't. The sun is brutal today, perhaps a sun shade tied from the mast would help...

Vvvvvvvv Maui vvvvvvvvV Night of the Second Day, 30 Hours Remain

Come on…..come on…little piggy come on…

Maui stared intently at his feet as his pinky toe twitched slightly. Over the past several hours he managed to wiggle his fingers slightly, flex the muscles of his butt cheeks, and scrunch his lips in annoyance. Without the sorceress's influence it seemed he was slowly regaining control. Just wait until I get my fish hook crazy lady…

A sudden thump of the door jolted him from his thoughts. The crewmen stared at him with clouded eyes as they surrounded him. Their scarred bodies still made his skin crawl. Gross.

Maui grunted loudly as they unceremoniously pulled him from the chair and draped his massive frame over their shoulders. It took four of them to navigate him through the doors, hallway, and up the ladder onto the deck. Night had fallen and the sky was illuminated by thousands of stars. That horrid rotten meat smell hung strongly in the air here too and as his eyes adjusted he noticed several fuzzy lumps scattered across the deck. Squinting in the darkness he strained to decipher their shape. As the crewmen carried on, they stepped on one, sending the head of a dead rat shooting across the planks as their heel snapped it from the spine. If Maui could recoil in horror, he would. Rats were not uncommon on ships of this size. They followed the smell of food on the harbor and nestled into storage areas, but this...this was something else. Maui winced inwardly with each rat they stepped on as they crossed the deck.

Then, something fuzzy brushed over the toes of his right foot.

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" Maui squealed so loudly the crewman dropped him. Smack. Face first onto a rat that exploded it's gut's across his chest under the impact.

If the sound that erupted from Maui could be transcribed, he couldn't begin to tell you how it would be spelled.

Life returning to his limbs he leapt to his feet, launching the remains of the rat across the deck so forcefully it beaned a crewman in the head and sent him stumbling backward over the rail. Maui's feet dancing in place he slapped the guts from his skin so hard he accidently knocked Mini Maui all the way down to his ankles. The crewmen around him began to reach for him, but his panicked flails knocked them away. Adrenaline coursing through his veins faster than his eagle form could fly he broke into a sprint across the deck. His muscles were heavy and sore from inactivity, each foot fall sending sparks of pain jolting up his spine but he refused to slow. Gross, gross, gross…

Water lapped gently at their ship on all sides, it's surface reflecting the twinkling lights above. As he ran he noticed the flicker of fire in the distance. A large dark blotch sat in the water off their port side - an island emerging from the ocean. Without a second thought Maui threw himself from the ship. Another squeal erupted as the chill of the water hit him between the legs. For a moment his muscles ceased to obey as they cramped under his skin. Water sloshed in his ears. Black dots slowly obscured his vision until they formed a solid veil of darkness. The water around him felt like arms pulling him under, his legs trapped in a vice. As his consciousness faded away, a voice echoed in the distance.

"Maui, demigod and hero to man - bring my daughter back to me"

Te Anu-matao? Maui barely managed to comprehend before he succumbed to the sweet embrace of unconsciousness.

Vvvvvvvv The Serving Girl vvvvvvvvV

The serving girl clenched the rail tightly as she stood on her on her tippy toes to peer over the wood. Her deep blue eyes searched for the demigod below them. The water bubbled as small ripples cascaded wildly across it's surface. The girl stepped back from the railing as the bubbles slowed and the water stilled. Smoothing her simple dress she crossed the deck, dancing between the rat corpses as she went. The crewmen continue their motions - scrub the deck, hoist the sails, drop the anchor, rescue the demigod from the sea - their pale skin almost glowing under the moonlight.

Silly man, she hummed to herself, her bare feet gliding across the deck in time with music only she could hear. She giggled to herself as she remembered the way he had screamed when he smushed the rat.

A crewman extended his hands toward her as she approached the starboard side. Breaking into a trot she jumped into his arms as he hooked his hands under her armpits. Gently lifting her over the rail he let her slip down onto the dingy that would take them to shore. Alika smiled as the girl settled down next to her. Reaching down Alika scooped up a dead rat and tossed it into the water.

"It seems both rats and men must learn the hard way how moonseed works, don't you think darling?" Alika cooed, wrapping an arm around the girl's shoulders as she pulled her closer, rubbing her skin to warm it against the chill of the ocean breeze. Nuzzling into Alika's side the girl nodded. Gazing up at Alika lovingly, the girl felt blessed to be under her care. Alika's painted red lips curled into a tender smile as she met her gaze.

Crewmen slowly clambered over the rail to join them, taking the oars on either side of the boat. Shortly after they were slowly lowered into the water. The darkness of the night engulfed them but the moon shone brightly overhead. Tomorrow would be the full moon. A soft sea breeze tussled her hair as they cut through the water. Chill bit at her skin but she could hardly feel it. She had endured much worse than this. The crewmen were silent other than an occasional grunt of effort as they rowed. Alika kept her gaze fixed on the boat behind them as the crew dropped the demigod onto a different dingy. He's very important, the girl acknowledged as she swung her feet, his soul must be set free.

In the dark of night the dock was eerily silent. Only their small landing party brought life to the worn wooden structure. Alika took the girl's hand in hers and helped her step off the rocking dinghy. After being on the water for so long it felt as though the dock was shifting beneath her feet. Alika placed a hand on her back to steady her as she wobbled. After several minutes the feeling subsided and the girl was able to walk forward in a relatively straight line. Campfires dotted the beach and lit their path across the sand. Alika paused by the first fire and turned to observe the dock. Another dinghy approached, this one weighed down by the demigod who thought he was a fish.

Silly, she covered her mouth as she giggled.

Satisfied that the demigod had made it to shore Alika took the girl's hand and continued down the beach. The sand was cool beneath their feet and bugs filled the air with their symphony of music, a soft breeze washing over them as waves lapped against the shore. In the distance leaves rustled and the occasional fruit fell from the trees with a dull thud. Weapons propped against huts glinted as the firelight danced.

"My lady," a soldier man bowed slightly as he approached them, "our chief is pleased that you have returned safely and with the demigod in hand. We hope he did not give you any trouble."

"Nothing I couldn't handle," Alika responded curtly, her hand tightening slightly.

"The people of Kekipi arrived yesterday, just as you predicted"

"I'm aware." The serving girl turned her face away from the fire light to hide her smirk.

"The scouting party that we dispatched for Kekipi never returned. We found their boat abandoned on the docks."

"As I foretold," Alika responded with a bored roll of her eyes, "the soul of Hina grows strong within her vessel. Did you leave poisoned provisions aboard as I commanded?"

The soldier visibly stiffened when Alika used the word "commanded" but he did not speak out. A swift nod was his only reply. These soldier men think so highly of themselves, the girl thought to herself, and yet they so easily drown at sea. The fingers of her right hand twitched slightly, the weight of the soldier man statuette a ghostly memory on her skin. She remembered the heavy plop sound it made when she dropped her voodoo toy in the water. She remembered the surge of ecstasy she felt when the life of the man drained into the ocean as his body drifted into the depths. The cold, dark depths. The soldier man had given the demigoddess reincarnate her message, and that was all he was good for.

As they reached their hut Alika held open the cloth curtain and ushered the girl inside. "That will be all," Alika dismissed him, bowing through the entrance and letting the makeshift door sweep shut behind her. In the darkness of their hut the girl released Alika's hand and ventured further, careful to avoid the books scattered across the wooded floor. Sand settled among the books and tiny insects darted away as their footfalls rattled the floor. The girl grew up in darkness, it was her friend, it guided her through touch and glints of sight. Her feet traced the path she could see clearly in her mind - past the cold firepit and cooking pot, around the jars overflowing with herbs and intestines, through the scattered statutes littering the floor like sharp rocks along the beach. When her toes detected her pile of palm fronds in the corner she undressed and lowered herself into bed. Nestling among the oversized leaves she relished their comfort. It was the softest bed she ever had.

The girl listened as Alika lit her cooking fire. As the flame grew she gathered supplies from around the hut. Shadows danced across the ceiling. More moonseed poison, the girl guessed, or perhaps more antidote. Alika often spent her nights hunched over a book as she brewed her concoctions. A stark contrast to the days she spent perfecting her honeyed craft. Her diction was carefully selected, her impression perfected, her will projected, and her lies never detected. The girl rolled over and scooped up her newest toy, a small statuette of the demigoddess reincarnate. Stroking it with a finger she felt a smile pull at her lips. Soon.

VvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvV

A/N: I hope everyone is enjoying the story! I've added a new character to add a fresh perspective ;) please leave me a comment to let me know how you like it!