Maui

“It is cursed.”

“You must not let grief cloud your judgement.”

“It killed my sister and my brother…it is cursed!”

A sharp shout followed. The air churned with fear and evil. The soft, warm bundle screamed, kicking the floor with its tiny heels. It was lifted in the air. The darkness swirled. Two eyes glittered as they looked on him. Green, brown, black, white and finally blue swam into vision. Water splashed next to his ears.

“Stop! You are endangering us all!”

The figure holding the bundle hissed violently.

“I...am saving us all!”

The figure brought its hands down, plunging its burden into the cold water.

That was Maui’s first memory.

His second memory began with the rush of water. The ocean cradled him, lulling him with an unsung melody. Maui had slept in its embrace for an eternity. 

But it was not his destination.

The bundle that had been Maui sank to the muddy depth. Its tiny, brown limbs stretched and dug into the floor as if it was the softest bed. The white cloth wrapped around him twisted in the water currents, coming to a rest on the cold skin.

It was flesh. It would reunite with the Earth.

The spirit that was Maui blinked above at the surface; which glittered in little pools of moon light. It formed and reformed into a haphazard circle above him; bathing the water underneath in a soft, bright glow.

The spirit that was Maui had nowhere to go.

Swirling with bubbles, the ocean touched him again; playful this time. He considered. If this was his resting place; why had he woken? He looked away from the surface. The brown ocean floor was embedded with corpses of different shapes, colors, sizes and species. A cracked hook with a bone handle stuck out from the mud, decorated in strange markings that twisted and turned over the yellow-white surface. The spirit that was Maui tried to move. He could not. He looked at the glittering pool of moon light again.

What now?

He glanced at the bundle below him. It was small and gray. The water would soon crush its soft bones into nothing. A creature would soon come and feed on it. The dead would be useful to the living.

But who would come and eat him?

The spirit that was Maui considered the white pool again. 

Perhaps he should sink too. It was too much effort to be conscious.

The grass, the mud, the water and the creatures were uninterested in him. He was beginning to grow bored of them. They flitted about, each living their life. But the spirit that was Maui had no life. He had not been allowed one. The only thing to do was to accept his fate and sleep.

The pool of moonlight shimmered and deformed into small wisps.

Currents reverberated through the water and his essence, propelling him upwards. The spirit that was Maui tingled with anticipation. It was possible to move! He waited and the wave returned, sending thrills through his intangible form. He was propelled further to the pool of moonlight, which formed and un-formed into strange shapes. It was hypnotizing. He wanted to get closer. He wanted to know how his essence would feel after touching the magical white pool. 

He waited for the next propulsion.

And waited.

The spirit that was Maui yelled at the ocean with his non-existent voice. Suddenly the water was still and dull. Flitting into the darkness, the creatures had also disappeared. The spirit that was Maui was truly alone. The elation drained. He imagined he was sinking with the weight of despair that filled him. Perhaps being unconscious was the best. Nothing could be done.

But what if?

He considered the shimmering pool above. What if there was actual magic beyond the pool? What if he united with his ancestors? Perhaps that was his destination.

But what if it wasn’t? What if there was only the vast ocean that had no direction?

The spirit that was Maui reverberated with unheard laughter.

What need did he have for direction?

He did not need to go anywhere. He could simply travel for miles, stay where he liked, observe all that he had not been allowed to experience and more. His ancestors had abandoned him.

And even if he decided to sleep, he would do it later.

For now, the moon called to him.

He needed to know what was beyond the magical light.

Tingling with effort, the spirit that was Maui visualized the evanescent pool growing closer. His vision blurred and his spirit burned. He did not know if he had floated closer. If he had had limbs; the task would have been easier. Too bad, he must make do.

“Ocean, if you are my friend, propel me forward.”

The water remained still. No air bubbles appeared to signify that the ocean was listening. The comforting embrace was hollow.

“Did you save me to abandon me?” he writhed. “It must be amusing to watch me struggle when you can easily help me!”

The spirit that was Maui bristled as the void refused to acknowledge him. He was alone once more. There was no one who wished him to succeed.

No one but himself.

Fueled by anger; the spirit that was Maui glared at the solid pool of moon-light. It was closer; bigger than it had been before. But it was still out of reach. He envisioned the bright light with his entire essence. It expanded and overtook his consciousness. There was no room for anything else. The light shimmered and brightened, solidifying in a beam that blinded the eyeless spirit.

He broke through the water.

Except the water was untouched, calm and seamless as always. The spirit that was Maui could feel the cold fluid trickle over his essence. He had felt the ocean pulling him back; testing his strength.

He did not want to be examined further.

The dark blue water stretched out beyond the broken patch of moon-light; meeting a small island a few paces away; wrapping around it and continuing its endless path.

The island was as brown as the ocean’s floor; covered the tall sturdy trees that seemed impenetrable to the intangible spirit. Between these trees sat a woman, her knees tucked under her chin; staring directly at the spirit that was Maui.

He knew she could see him, invisible though he was. There was no one else there. His essence tingled with anticipation and fear.

Would he die a second time?

“Who are you?” he asked, absorbing every feature. She was beautiful. And ancient. Thick, dark strands of hair decorated her head. Her eyes, dark and knowing; reflected the moon-light. Her lips seemed to be perpetually curled with contentment. Lines surrounded her eyes and mouth; merging into smoothness one moment and furrowing apart the next. She was dressed in white. Her arms were patterned with dark ink. The spirit that was Maui felt the patterns were speaking to him in a language that teased the edge of his memory; just out of reach.

“I am Hina.” The woman answered from next to him. She remained seated on the island away from him. “Goddess of the moon.”

His essence stilled in reverence, but the spirit that was Maui did not know how to react to the presence of a goddess. He had not had the chance to learn.

“Are you here to smite me?"

A giggle reverberated around him. Deep and wise. A mother laughing at her child’s antics.

“And what have you done to deserve that?” she asked. The smile around her mouth disappeared; replaced with the gaunt furrows of age and grief.

“I watched what happened to you and was unable to do anything.” She said. Her eyes glittered. “I was not the only one. We discussed what should be done with you.”

The spirit that was Maui was awed into silence.

“We decided we would judge your essence.” She continued.

“History is full of heroes that were so exceptional in courage and strength that they were blessed by the gods.....”

“.....And lived tormented, dangerous lives.”

The smile returned.

“But you have already been burdened with more than a soul should bear.” She said softly. “And with great burden comes great power.”

The figure stirred, fluidly reaching out to him with one hand. The patterns on her arm twisted and morphed as if preparing to change their composition.

“Do I have a choice?” The spirit that was Maui asked. His decision was made, but it was suddenly necessary to ask.

“You already made a choice when you chose to come up here.”

Moving towards her was not as difficult as it had been to break the water's surface. In an instant she was near. Her presence was overwhelming. His essence bristled; bursting into flames as he reached for her hand.

“You will be reborn.” Her voice echoed as his consciousness exploded. “The great Maui, half-man and half-god, hero of the people. You will never die again.”