Hi'iaka takes the roll of kapa cloth from Hika, giving her a free hand to move the tiny canoe still clutched in her grasp into the bag. A ribbon of starlight swirls around Hika's wrist before sinking back into her skin as Lono steps forward. He's carrying a basket that looks both small and large, shimmering in the space of his hands.

He lifts the lid to reveal the inside of the basket brimming with food, far more than should ever fit in the space. He carefully lowers it into her hands, her arms dipping at the weight. Lono pats the top of the basket and Hika's arms dip once again at the weight. He grins at her.

"That won't run out, and the food will stay fresh, so you won't have to worry about that. And-" he smiles, raising a finger as he leans in to whisper conspiratorially into her ear. "There are plenty of coconuts."

Hika beams at the mention of her favorite food. Coconuts are delicious, and if she has those, she shouldn't have to worry much about finding water either.

"Mahalo, 'Anakala Lono."

He flicks his fingers in a little wave and a drop of water falls onto the tip of Hika's nose, quickly steaming off of her skin. She giggles. "'Anakala!"

Lono just grins and steps back, Paka'a taking his place. He is carrying a small gourd, identical to the larger one he always uses. The top of it is sealed shut so nothing can escape. He smiles at her expression.

"Ah, you know what this is."

"A wind gourd."

"Quite right, Hi'ilani. You know not to open it unless you need to, and-"

"Never open it all the way, yes. I'd like to not start a storm."

"Good girl."

He hands her the gourd and she carefully sets it by her feet. She looks around herself at all the items, the roll of kapa cloth, the gourd, the basket of food. She's not sure exactly how she's going to be able to carry all of this. It wouldn't fit inside her bag in any case, especially not when it's bulked up with her spare clothing. She has space, but not for this stuff.

While she's frowning at all the things, another member of her family steps foward. Hika doesn't notice until they are standing right in front of her, shadow seeping across the lava flow. Hika looks up quickly, trying to banish the frown from her face.

"Makuahine makua Uli!"

Uli dips her head. "Hi'ilani. You needn't worry about storing things, Kāne will explain how soon. I have something for you though."

She lifts her fingers into the air and a cord forms, a bone disk swinging from the bottom. As Hika watches, etching appears on the surface of the disk, forming a shape that she can't quite make out just yet. Uli lowers it into her palm and Hika runs the pad of a finger along the carving of an 'io, a hawk.

"Flip it over."

Hika does as Uli says and the other side of the disk bears the shape of an albatross in flight. Hika looks up at Uli's grinning face.

"What-"

Uli laughs. "It's a talisman. The 'io as a protector and the ka'upu to swiftly carry you across the land."

"But neither of them get that big."

Uli wiggles her fingers at the pendant and the image seems to move. "Magic, young one. It's quite easy to make them bigger, although it is up to your discretion where in that size range they are."

"Mahalo, Uli."

Uli dips her head as Kāne steps forward again. He smiles at Hika and the objects scattered around her.

"Don't worry about storing those, they will fit in the canoe."

Kāne pats Hika on the shoulder before she can respond and returns to the rest of the group. Most of them drift past the edges of the lava flow, out of earshot but not yet leaving. They're giving her space for her goodbyes. Her closest family members move closer, Pele taking her hands. After a glance at Hi'iaka, Pele pulls Hika to the side, out of her mother's hearing.

"How is your flame?"

Hika frowns and summons a ribbon of fire. It winds up and down her wrist, curling around her fingers and dancing into the air. When she tries to pull it back again, the ribbon hovers against her skin, wrapping itself around her wrist in a band. She shakes her hand to dismiss it but it stays where it is. She pulls the fire to her finger and shakes it again, the flame finally sizzling out.

"Still struggling."

"I'm sure you'll gain control of it, Hi'ilani."

"I hope so."

Pele touches Hika's cheek. "Be careful out there."

"I will, 'Anakē."

Pele smiles. "Go speak with your mother. She looks like she's going to start crackling."

Hika winces. That isn't a good sign, Hi'iaka starts emitting tiny amounts of electricity when stressed or worried. She quickly walks over to her mother, only for Hi'iaka to pull Hika into her arms.

"Are you sure you want to go?"

Hika sighs. "I've already decided, Makuahine. It's too late to change my mind now."

"Don't forget to come home."

"I won't, Makuahine. I promise."

Hi'iaka glances up, towards the horizon. "It's time."

With a shaky breath, Hika picks up the basket of food. Her mother lifts the other large items and helps her take them down to the beach, where Hika pulls the canoe from her bag and sets it on the sand. It quickly grows in size until it is a small, one-person canoe. Hika lifts the door to the storage chamber and places the basket of food inside.

Her mother nestles the gourd in there and places the roll of kapa cloth on top. Hika places the lid back on the chamber and touches the bow of the canoe. It shrinks back into the tiny structure and she lifts it to her bag. Then she steps into the water calling softly. The head of a turtle breaks through the water, Moana already large enough to ride.

Hika climbs onto the turtle's back and turns to look at the shore of the island as the turtle moves out to sea. She sees her mother raise a hand, her face contorted slightly. Hika knows there are tear tracks on her mother's cheeks, but she also knows that they are already fading. Hi'iaka may be sad to see Hika leave, but she's also happy for the opportunity Hika is taking.

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'Umi = ten, when counting

mahalo = thank you

'Anakala = uncle

'Anakē = aunt

makuahine = mother

Makuahine makua = older sister of a parent

'Io = hawk

Ka'upu = albatross

What do you think of this chapter? What will Hika find in her travels? What's going to happen next? Tell me your thoughts!

Happy reading and I'll see you next chapter!

~ Goddess of Fate, signing out