Chapter Soundtrack:

No Way Out- Brother Bear

Copyrighted by: Timo Kotipelto, Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures.

P.S. In this Finnish version, the singer sings '  Pikkuinen (little one)', instead of ' brother bear'. Therefore I decided to add this song to the Soundtrack.

Disclaimer:

The movie, 'Moana', is copyrighted by Walt Disney Animation Studio. It was directed by Ron Clements and John Musker and the co-directors were Don Hall and Chris William. It was released by Walt Disney Pictures in 2017.

I only claim copyright to the characters, and some of the elements of the story, that are of my own creation.

Summary:

A young woman, seemingly ordinary, is deserted on an island that is void of life but is then confronted by a man who completely baffles her with his words and actions. He couldn't really be a demigod now, could he? There was no such thing as real gods. Or was she the one mistaken? Could she trust in his friendship after all the heartbreak and disappointment in her life?

...

Chapter 11

I snapped my head in the direction of Moana's voice and saw her holding the shiny green stone, that was Te Fiti's heart, in Tamatoa's line of vision.

I swallowed hard, seriously hoping she was pulling off some sort of diversion and wasn't endangering our mission by dangling the actual 'heart of Te Fiti' at the massive crab like it was as unimportant as an ordinary bait.

Tamatoa immediately spat Maui from his mouth, and the demigod flopped to the ground with a groan of obvious pain.

His muscles must have been screaming at him right about then.

My eyes snapped back to Moana as the gargantuan being spoke: '' The heart of Te Fiti.''

His voice was hushed and fervent, with a gleam in his huge blue eyes that spoke of someone that had been longing to find and have such treasure to himself for hundreds of years.

I could see Moana gesturing upwards towards the hook on the crab's carapace and then at me (with her head). It didn't take me long to understand what she was aiming at with her gesture.

I nodded immediately, hoping she wasn't being too obvious in trying to message me.

'' Peara you need to let go of me, now,'' I whispered, just as Tamatoa said: '' You can't run away from me!''

In answer, Moana took off running and Tamatoa was left stumped for only a second before he took off after her.

'' Peara!'' I gritted out between clenched teeth as I hauled up and wrapped the loose fishing line over my upper arm.

Finally, the little crustacean let go of my legs, and I took off running myself.

But not away from danger but towards my missioned target.

I jumped from ledge to ledge, thanking the Gods that staying on Maui's island had greatly increased my stamina and balance when it had come to running after him on uneven terrain.

My jaw clenched as Tamatoa exclaimed: '' You can't run away from me for long with just two puny legs!''

He was catching up to Moana, and as the poor teenager turned to glance behind her in dread, she tripped over something in the sand and was sent sprawling.

My heart skipped a beat at the scene, horror plastering to my face.

But Tamatoa paid no attention to the girl who had just fallen in front of him!

His attention was solely fixed upon 'the heart' that had bounced from Moana's hand into a crevice on the ground.

Moana limped away from the monster when he was distracted and hurried towards Maui, who had struggled to his knees, his face screwed up from pain, worry and frustration.

I jumped to the ledge above Tamatoa and unwinded the fishing rope around my arm before letting it flop towards the gargantuan crustacean.

The line dangled too high above the wanted target, so I unfurled it some more until it was touching the white hook anchored to the rest of the treasure.

With my tongue held between my teeth I eased my own much smaller hook through the wide opening in the pommel and with a twirl of my wrist I managed to hook the line several times around the handle and yank it secure.

''The power of creation, for the crustaceans,'' Tamatoa muttered to himself as he began to dig his pincers into the crevice.'' Where is it? Where is it?''

'' Gods! Please let this work,'' I moaned under my breath as I yanked the fishing rod backwards with all my might.

Some moments later, I jumped wildly when I felt someone (or something) grab the hem of my harem-trousers and yank me backwards.

I hoped it was Peara and not some strange creature yanking me towards its own lair so that it could 'gobble me up' in its hungry maw.

Finally, the magical hook was forced free and it shifted upwards, dislodging several small trinkets that clunked faintly as they bounced away from the ivory coloured hook.

I was frantically reeling in my catch as the person behind me chirped: '' Hurry up! Hurry up!''

'' So it's you, Peara,'' I thought with a tiny bit of relief even as my heart hammered in my chest.

I was visibly shaking by the time the magical hook was high enough to be caught with a claw.

Peara reached out with her pincer and snagged the object as it reached the ledge and started unhooking the fishing line from around the pommel.

'' You need to get out of here before daddy sees you. Please, hurry up,'' she whispered urgently as she pushed the hook towards me.

Her eyes held a panicked look in them as I finished reeling in my fishing line and flung the rod over my back with one hand.

'' Goodbye, Peara, and thank you. I do hope we can somehow meet again,'' I whispered back, a soft look in my eyes as I stared down at the little creature in gratitude.

Peara nodded in agreement before she briefly hugged one of my legs as I stooped to snatch the hook from the ledge.

Moments later, Tamatoa straightened, eyeing his price that was now held in one massive claw.

I was off in a flash, adrenaline pumping through my veins as I leapt from one ledge to the other, Tamatoa's triumphant voice following my steps.

I was utterly terrified by the time I reached Maui and Moana.

The younger girl was helping the demigod to hurry towards the opening of the lair and out of danger (and they were almost to the opening).

'' Let's just get out of here before we're all dead,'' I panted as I passed the dreadfully heavy magical artefact to its rightful owner.

'' But... what about the heart?'' Maui asked, his voice still sounding rather weak.

Moana just grinned at the pair of us before pulling Maui's arms around her shoulders to give him support.

'' He can have that barnacle, I've got a better one.''

'' Well, well, well! Shall wonders never cease,'' I murmured as Moana opened her shell-necklace for a short moment to assure Maui and me that she hadn't been foolhardy enough to use the real 'Stone Heart of Te Fiti' to distract Tamatoa.

Neither Maui nor Moana needed any more prompting from me, as just a split moment later Tamatoa had discovered the truth about the hatched up diversion decoy (or rather, a painted decoy) and was now after our blood.

His furious shout echoed through the lair before he crashed through his own home in a flurry of sledgehammering decapod claws.

'' Oh Gods, were dead if he catches us,'' thought in a panic as I heard and felt the ground shake underneath the crustaceans heavy footsteps.

I spared a quick glance behind me and paled.

''To the geyser over there, hurry!'' Moana prompted us, shoving Maui in the direction she wanted us to escape towards.

I could see the both of them pumping their legs to run faster, even as Maui's pained grimace deepened, and Moana's breath hitched in her chest as she held one arm over her torso.

My leg had an ache with every step and the scratches I'd received from the corals stung on my skin.

We were all a big mess of injuries and if we didn't escape we'd be more than hurt.

We would be 'dinner'!

Mini Maui, who was peering at whatever was coming at us, waved his hands frantically in the air, his mouth moving as he silently yelled at us.

'' I know, Mini- Maui! I know were in big trouble!'' I practically yelped at the tattoo as I began pushing on Maui's broad back to urge him to go faster, but then something happened that had me tripping over my own feet and fall to the ground on my stomach.

Maui's fish-hook had unexpectedly malfunctioned and he was turned into an utterly stupefied fish that Moana grabbed into her arms before he could hit the ground!

(P.S. This picture and the story-clip that I used in my Fanfiction is from a  Disney Comics Movie Graphic Novel that I purchased in 2017 ;))

I had to dive roll out of the way as Tamatoa's massive claw came swinging at us!

All our combined yelps echoed around Lalotai before another flash turned Maui back into his demigod form.

I stumbled to my feet, cursing under my breath and limped towards a nearby coral patch where I quickly hid, hoping they weren't the carnivorous- type.

There had been too many near-death experiences in my today.

My heart pounded wildly in my chest, but luckily, and unfortunately for Maui and Moana, the monster crab's attention was staying fixated solely on the two runners and not the female he'd almost squished.

'' COME BACK HERE!'' Tamatoa bellowed, barreling after the two-legged beings in a furious outrage.

Unfortunately for the giant crab, he had failed to notice the geyser looming behind the mortal and demigod as he had prepared to crush them with his claws.

WHOOSSSSHH

The wonder of nature literally exploded in the creature's face, eliciting a pained screech as he was forcefully whipped onto his shell.

'' MAIJAAAAA!'' I could hear Moana's long drawn out cry of my name as she and Maui were forcefully pushed into the air by the force of the blast.

I could only watch helplessly as the two were shoved higher and higher until they, at last, broke the surface of the surrounding seawater above Lalotai.

....

'' Looks like I'll just have to see how long it'll take for the next nature induced elevator to shoot up and ride the one that follows it. I don't fancy going out there willy nilly to get myself eaten by monsters,'' I gasped out as I grasped my aching thigh that hadn't taken the jump into the monster world well.

Or the whole running to excavate the Magical hook from Tamatoa; followed by our fellowship's frantic retreat just moments later.

I looked up nervously when a bat's screech split the air and saw that there were many of the one-eyed bat-monsters flying around the area.

One got snatched straight from the air by a massive frog-like creature that brought the bat to its mouth and after swallowing it whole, smacked its mouth loudly and licked its mouth in satisfaction.

I gulped quietly, shivering at the scene as the creature retreated back into its hide-out.

'' Ewww!'' I thought with a wince before turning my eyes back to the geyser.

''The next geyser blast comes in ten minutes time, babe.''

I jumped at the sudden, familiar voice and turned to see Tamatoa's left eye-stock turned in my direction.

He was struggling to right himself from his undignified position but was obviously failing to flip himself with all the added weight of his treasure.

Soon the creature slumped heavily onto the sand with a sigh and a groan.

I could hear him panting heavily, either from the effort of moving or the fact that his own weight was making it hard for him to draw breath.

'' Well I think I'll wait to see if your words are proved genuine,'' I answered with some sarcasm in my voice.'' I don't fancy being...''

'' Caught in a diversion?!'' Tamatoa retorted with bitterness in his voice.'' I didn't even realize there could have been more humans lurking around my lair until I saw you running away with the other female and that semi-demi mini- god who's lost his otherworldly touch. I can't believe I got distracted by a stupid barnacle coated in luminescent algae.''

'' Lost his otherworldly touch?'' I asked with a raised eyebrow.'' Well, in that case, congratulations for admitting THAT about yourself. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.''

I wrapped my arms around my chest and glared at the creature as he growled at me in outrage.

'' Why did you come to my lair with that demigod? Why would you need something of mine?'' Tamatoa hissed out between clenched teeth.

I barely held back a wince at his words. Perhaps I had taken something from this creature in the past.

Something that wasn't a trinket but a being's genuine trust that was fully given. Even today I'd had her trust as when we'd reunited. That trust had been sullied (if only a tad), from my reasons for having come to the Monster world.

Peara had spilt her heart out to me, admitting fears that haunted her every day in this realm and now my companions and I had led her father into this vulnerable position where he could no longer be the protector.

It didn't matter that this crab had tried to eat all of us. Not now when I was faced with the reality that me coming here had changed everything for the poor little being relying on another's protection.

''I don't need anything of yours,'' I snapped out, hiding my pain with anger.'' And that hook never belonged to you in the first place; it's Maui's, and he needs it more than you who just took it as a trinket to your collection.''

'' As a trinket to remind myself how deeply he betrayed me in the past and has made me unable to trust anything that walks on two legs; especially the humans the demigod cares so much about. As for the heart of Te Fiti, I'm sure you have your own theory on why I wanted it for myself.''

'' You told us you wanted ''the power of creation, for the crustaceans, '' I answered blandly with narrowed eyes. ''Hardly a very honourable reason when you are aware that it doesn't even rightfully belong to you. But now that you say that, I'm curious. What other reason is there?''

'' And breaking into my lair is an honourable cause?'' Tamatoa retorted through clenched teeth. '' But very well I'll tell you. Maui took something from me long ago, something more important to me than the treasure I've coveted, and I needed the stone to bring them back.''

'' Oh, the little larvae that were once Peara's siblings. '' I gulped inwardly, paling slightly when I realized exactly what the gargantuan creature was talking about.

'' Human, you tell me why you came to my lair with the other mortal and the thrice-cursed demigod, and you tell me now!'' Tamatoa ordered with venom in his voice.

'' Mind your temper,'' I said angrily. '' And yeah, I came for the thrill. No wait, I didn't, I came because I needed to make sure my two companions didn't get themselves killed down here. Which almost happened thanks to you. So thanks a lot for the thrill, by the way.''

'' Your welcome. '' Tamatoa sang out sarcastically, his teeth gritting and his eye twitching.

I almost uttered a laugh at the look of tired annoyance on the crab's face before continuing: '' As for why we needed Maui's hook, it is so that we can return Te Fiti's heart before all life is utterly destroyed by the plague that feeds on living creatures, plants and trees. Have you noticed the fish becoming scarcer over the years, Tamatoa? That very plague could eventually creep into this underworld of Monsters, and if not stopped, it will endanger every living being!''

Tamatoa's eye widened at my words and his mouth went slack-open. Then he closed his mouth and opened it again to most likely give some sort of answer or question, when...

''DADDY!''

We both jumped when a loud yelp rang out from behind Tamatoa.

There was Peara, standing frozen by the new opening his father had used to charge after my companions and me.

Her face was framed with shock and rising horror once it sank in what she was seeing.

'' What happened to you, daddy?'' Peara exclaimed as she hurried straight over to his father who moved his claw to make a living fortress around the small crab and the monsters of Lalotai that could snatch her up in their claws.

'' I got surprised by that wonder of nature and was blasted onto my back.'' Tamatoa sighed, briefly lifting his claw to gesture towards the geyser.

'' A-are you able you right yourself, daddy?'' Peara asked with a voice that trembled ever so slightly.

'' I don't know, my little treasure,'' Tamatoa answered, lifting his daughter onto his head before proceeding to mightily wriggle and rock himself from side to side.

I could see Peara clutching on to her father's head tightly, quietly whispering encouragement to her father whom, unfortunately, quickly grew exhausted.

'' The chances of me getting out of this without help are bogus,'' Tamatoa panted out between gulps of air. '' Peara, as much as I hate to do this now, there is no other way. I- I'll have to call out to a female. Yes, they'll mock me for my undignified position, but I also know that because there are so few of us left, none would dare to turn away an eligible male to mate with.''

'' D-daddy,'' Peara chirped out, sounding so close to tears that I felt a sharp twinge in my chest.

'' Only a year, my little treasure and you can return to my lair safely,'' Tamatoa said encouragingly.'' Stay near our lair and out of sight, but don't wander too near us while the female is staying with me.''

'' B-but if she were to be one of those that would care for me?'' Peara whispered out, but Tamatoa gently rebuked her idea.

'' It would be too risky for you to be mentioned, my little pearl,'' Tamatoa said softly, and a whimpering, chirping sound escaped Peara's mouth as she slid down the bigger crabs head and curled up on top his neck.

Tamatoa curled his pincer around his daughter for a moment before ever so gently lifting her down to the ground.'' Go hide, now! And don't make a peep, okay?'

'' Y-yes daddy, I- I'll go,'' Peara whimpered, hesitantly scuttling to a coral patch near his father.

She looked so lost and despite just saying 'she'd go', the small crab seemed reluctant to leave the area.

Tamatoa gently trying to 'shoo' her further away but Peara was noticeably hesitant and afraid. She seemed frozen into place.

The entire scene caused another sharp tug in my chest.

'' Poor little thing,'' I thought compassionately, starting to creep closer to the two crustaceans.

I remembered Peara's warnings about the flesh-eating corals but I could also see a noticeable path through the corals that looked like it had been made by my friend.

So I stayed near the corals, the weight of guilt on my shoulders, just as tangible as the weight of the rod over my shoulders.

Peara had been safe and sound in the protective claws of her father before I'd shoved my way into her life, with Maui and Moana being the instigators in the act of us jumping into the Realm of monster.

And now everything was changing for her unless I could somehow help Tamatoa without getting eaten myself.

And then an idea flashed on my head and I cursed silently.

'' This idea could go wrong in so many levels. For one, the rod will break before I get him on his feet. Secondly, he will pull me down by being too heavy for the lift and I'll probably break all my bones when I fall to the ground, '' I thought in exasperation.'' And thirdly, the lift will work and Tamatoa will be uprighted, but instead of letting go he will pull me down, anyway, and eat me.''

None of those ideas were very comforting to me, but what choice did I have.

'' This is crazy on so many levels,'' I sighed as I started unfurling my rod to a proper length.

WHOOOSSSHHH

I cursed again when I realised the geyser behind me had shoot upwards with me not riding to safety on top of it.

The stupid wonder of nature was so close and yet I couldn't leave, yet.

I had to risk being noticed by the other monsters around here, but I needed to grab my friend's attention before she was to run away to some hideout.

I swallowed nervously before clearing my throat and loudly calling out: '' PEARA, over here!''

Tamatoa gasped and jerked violently at my voice, his eye-stocks swivelling to where I was hiding in wide-eyed, open-mouthed surprise and shock.

Peara jerked to her feet in just as much surprise as her father, her eye-stocks turning to follow his father's gaze.

When she saw me she slipped through the surrounding corals to where I was crouched.

''I thought you'd escaped with the others,'' Peara exclaimed as soon as she was close to me.  '' Not that I'm unhappy to have you here.''

'' Well, I tripped over my own feet when Maui's hook abruptly went crazy and turned him into a fish,'' I chuckled out without humour.'' And so I was left behind.''

''The geyser shoots up every ten minutes, so you can take the blast to the surface,'' Peara said quietly,

She nudged my hand with her head like she was saying goodbye to me.

I winced at the barely hidden fear in the crab's eyes and gently ran my palm over her head.

Not the greatest of ideas when her father was watching, it turned out.

'' DO NOT TOUCH HER!'' Tamatoa bellowed out.

Both Peara and I jumped wildly and turned to look at him rocking wildly from side to side, attempting to force himself back onto his feet.

I tensed up gripping my fishing rod tightly in my hands.

For a moment I actually hoped that Tamatoa's violent rocking wouldn't get him back onto his feet. A furious father wasn't something to be crossed.

'' Wait just a minute!'' I exclaimed, dropping my rod and holding up my hands in a pacifying manner.

'' Ugh,'' Tamatoa groaned and slumped back onto the ground, his breathing harsh and ragged.

I took a deep breath before saying:'' Look, I admit it was wrong of me to be part of the plan to steal something from you. Even though the object doesn't rightfully belong to you. But I assure you I had no intention of putting your little girl into harm's way; especially after she confided in me on how much she fears that a female crab coming would shove her into a year of lonesome living.''

I could hear a gasp escaping Peara's mouth at my words.

But my eyes were fixated on Tamatoa who seemed to be coming into realization as to who I actually was. His expression was stunned enough to show what he was thinking.

'' Why would I consciously hurt someone I used to take care of and saw as more than a household pet in my families place. She was a friend. She is a friend,'' I said with conviction.

'' HAH!' I have experience in someone betraying me, and abandonment when one day the friend realizes the little crab could no longer fit into his canoe and could no longer be hauled along to island after island,'' Tamatoa growled out sharply.'' So I was forced to stay on a secluded island, waiting, and waiting, AND waiting for a friend who had promised to come back for a visit but then seldom returned.''

I winced at Tamatoa's words and Peara pressed against my side, one antenna tickling at my bare skin as it trembled.

'' And in time the abandoned friend turned bitter towards the one that seemed to have forgotten, that despite being called a monster, he had feelings, too. He was tired of waiting for a friend that had put the welfare and care of humankind over him. Because the crab could not understand, why he would be so intent on helping the said species that had not been kind to him. His own relations abandoned him. His own MOTHER abandoned him. ''

I stiffened at the crab's words.

I hoped he wouldn't delve deeper into the story as to how Maui became a demigod, or as to how exactly Maui's mother had abandoned him. It was a story I needed to hear from the demigod himself.

Finally, Tamatoa continued, his voice exhausted, but looking like he had needed to let all his long bottled up bitterness and anger at someone who was an adult, and not solely on the little child sitting beside me.

'' So, whenever hapless Wayfinders found their way to the secluded island the monster dealt his frustration, anger and feeling of abandonment on the race that kept his friend from returning to him.''

Tamatoa's ancient eyes hinted at an emotion of hurt and betrayal that refused to heal.

'' And so his fate was sealed into everlasting life in the dark 'bowels of the Monster world'. The demigod of the Wind and Sea, Hero of men and Women, fought the Monster crab in outrage over the harm his once friend had dealt upon the species said demigod called his 'supporters and admirers'.''

I winced again and reached over to grab my rod off the sand. My eyes were still fixed upon the many deep scars running over the length of the crab's pincers, and the missing middle leg on his left side.

The battle between Maui and Tamatoa must have been a brutal scene to behold by any that could have possibly been there to witness it.

Tamatoa even gestured to his lost limb, saying:'' And it was during that battle that the Great Tamatoa lost half his limb to that same fishhook that pulled all the islands from the sea-bed. Ripped off by the same fish-hook you came to seek in order to save the world.''

He pointed at the fishing rod in my hands and said:'' Kind of ironic that you pulled the Magical fish-hook from my carapace with the object that humans use to reel fish from the ocean.

A moment of silence fell between us but then I couldn't keep my mouth shut anymore.

'' What you fail to realize is that all humans are different. There are good and bad humans but never are there two the same. Twenty years ago, I skipped home from school, ready to have a fun filled time with a friend for the rest of the evening, only to find that she wasn't waiting for me in the usual spot at the beach,'' I said with sadness in my voice.'' I worried, and spent hours scrounging out the length of the beach looking for her, calling out to her; crying because no matter how far and how determinately I looked for her, I couldn't see her anywhere. I stayed until nightfall looking for her, and then I had to be dragged off kicking and screaming when my parents came to find ME.''

I breathed in a harsh breath before continuing.

'' I never believed she'd have left me voluntarily. That she'd gotten tired of me. What I feared was that she'd fallen off a cliff and drowned in the waters. O that a predator had snatched her from the beach side. I... came back every day, hoping to find my friend but she was never there. It was only after a year of constant looking did I finally accept I'd never see Peara again.''

I brushed away a tear that managed to slide down my cheek and said:'' But I never forgot about her, Tamatoa. And finding her here in the monster world after twenty years was a shock and a blessing put together when I'd feared the worst for her for so many years.''

A long silence fell between us, this one much longer than the others.

Tamatoa seemed to be struggling to wrap his head around what I'd just told him. His eyes swivelled from me to his daughter who had almost crawled into my lap.

We all jumped at the loud geyser blast that sounded behind us before Peara nudged me lightly.

'' Maija, I- I'm really scared. Daddy's on his back and can't get back up on his own. And I'm certain that demigod won't return to find you, or help my daddy back onto his feet because his hook is acting up,'' she whispered resignedly .'' And why would he return for my father's cause?! Your's, probably, but not for him. A-and now daddy has to...''

'' I know, I know Peara. I heard your conversation, as private as it was,'' I said quietly.'' I- I could have left at any given time but I couldn't shake off the guilt and the knowledge that I was partially at fault that you are being uprooted from the safety of your father's presence.''

I noticed from the corner of eyes that Tamatoa jerked violently at my words, but my attention was now fixed upon my friend who gave a whimpering chirp and hid her face against my side.

I petted the back of her neck for a moment before gently nudging her head in the direction of the geyser behind us and then at the unfurled fishing line by my feet.

Peara's eyes widened as she whirled her head back towards the geyser and then back to my fishing rod in growing realization.

I took the end of the fishing line and held it out to the young crab. '' Take the end of the line to your father, okay?!'' I told her, but she shook her head.

'' I- I'm not sure you should trust that my father wouldn't do anything to you if was him holding the line. I-I will hold it and wedge myself into a crevice on my father's shell in his neck area,'' she said quietly.'' You better hurry up to the crater before it shoots up again, and bare in mind that the third blast will be the strongest out of three. It's always been like that.''

''Thanks for the warning, Peara. Don't forget to let go once your father is uprighted, okay?! Wouldn't want you to end up on the surface,'' I said, dropping the rod for a moment and sweeping the crab up into a brief hug (it was amazing that I could still pick her up), ignoring her light yelp and Tamatoa's light growl.

I then let her go and nudged Peara towards her father.

She scuttled to her father as quickly as she could, and Tamatoa lifted her up onto his stomach; even as she eyed the fishing line that led back to me.

His teeth were gritted but he didn't protest when his daughter made her way to his neck area and burrowed into a crevice between his soft parts and his carapace.

There had been no mushy goodbyes between Peara and, I except for the hug I'd given her; but I could see her peeking her eyestocks in my direction.

The smile on her face seemed to say' thank you'.

I waved at her before quickly making my way to the geyser opening and jumped inside, sliding along the walls of it until my feet hit a crevice that was wide enough to stop my descent.

I balanced myself in the crevice and adjusted my rod into my fishing belt.

It would hopefully make my hold on the rod more secure and would give Tamatoa a better chance to get back onto his feet.

I crouched, waiting for the blast to form under the earth beneath my feet; my eyes were fixed above me for any signs of lurking monsters that would fancy a meal from me if I were spotted.

My heart pounded in my chest as nervousness kicked in. I forced myself to not grip the fishing- rod until my knuckles turned white. I wondered just how big this third blast was going to be and whether I'd be alright in the aftermath.

I didn't fancy being scalded by hot water, but Maui and Moana had seemingly taken the natural elevator without a hitch. Of course, I could be wrong and they were sporting several burns as they waited on the island for me to make an appearance. Or had they already left me behind?

'' Hopefully, they've not left me behind,'' I muttered to myself as I winced at the sound of burbling water accumulating beneath me.

I sunk further onto my bent knees, hoping to avoid spinal damage from having to upright a great hulking beast of a crab.

Then there was a great 'WHHHOOOSSSHHH,' and I screamed in both startlement at being suddenly buffeted into the air like a champagne-cork; and the back wrenching yank on my rod as the line was snapped taught before being abruptly released.

I could swear that I heard another scream join my own, but I couldn't look with my eyes closed against the torrent of rushing water, and the pressure of it irritating my healing calf-wound and the scratches everywhere on me.

Peara had been right. The blast was so large that I swear I was riding the waters of 'Old Faithful'. '

I didn't even get a chance to panic or draw breath before I left the air of Lalotai and was surrounded at all sides by the seawater.

I opened my eyes half-way despite the stinging and saw the blue-sky fast approaching.

SPLASHHH

I broke the surface of the ocean, and yet I was still being buffeted into the air.

High, high up in the air!

I cried out when I realized just how HIGH the geyser had buffeted me.

Old Faithful Indeed!

I was at least a hundred and eighty-five feet up in the air by the time I felt the water pressure retreat.

And now I was free-falling towards a white, sandy beach-side that I hadn't seen from the other side of the island.

'' OH NO, NOT AGAIIINNN!'' I shrieked as the shoreline approached, and tried to turn myself so that I'd at least land feet first.

End of chapter 11

...

Author Note:

Old Faithful is a located in Wyoming, United States, Yellowstone National Park.

Eruptions can shoot water to a height of 106 to 185 feet (32 to 56 m), but the average height of an eruption is 145 feet (44 m).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Faithful