Inspired by Disney's Moana. I honestly love the entire ocean spirit concept and Seabound has fueled it even more.

Title taken from "Riptide" by RØRY, probably the first song that has perfectly matched my piece of writing XD

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Have you heard the tale of the Storm and the Sea?

How they were different and how they came to be?

When one ruled the clouds and the other took the waves

A balance of nature was formed, a tempest no one could brave

The young love they harbored had set the two elements free

So come lend a ear to the tale of the Storm and the Sea

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Jay trudged through the island flora, a new layer of sand coating his bare feet with every step he took. The night breeze fluttered through the ferns and trees, bringing along the salty fragrance of the vast seas beyond the shore. Jay felt his skin grow sticky in the humidity but he didn't mind.

He loved the ocean. He had done so ever since he could remember. Part of him believed that his parents never birthed him. Rather he was presented to them as a blessing from the ocean; he felt so connected to it. He had always considered the ocean as a being like himself and the other people of his little island village.

When life got rough and his tiring duties as the chief's son were like an iron burden on his shoulders, he would clamber down to the beach and take refuge in the calming waters. Sinking below the waves, he would let the ocean sooth him and ease his worries.

Jay never drowned. The sea simply didn't allow it. It had taught him to swim at a shockingly young age and he liked to think it was because the ocean wanted him to be closer. Over the years, Jay grew to love the sound of the waves and the warmth of the water.

Even when the sea raged in the storms, he would stand by its side while the villagers cowered in their homes. He would hum the song of the sea and try to calm it, the way it did when he was distressed. The lightning never touched him and the currents didn't dare swallow him. The people admired the ocean's love for him and soon began calling him Ocean Calmer.

Jay sighed once he emerged onto the beach, smiling at the dark mass that was the sea streaked with silver moonlight. The water gently climbed up the shore to an extent before retreating back, leaving seashells and small albino crabs in its wake. Fingers wrapped tightly around the pendant hanging from his neck, Jay made himself comfortable on the damp ground.

The water engulfed his feet, washing away the sand. Jay chuckled softly, splashing the cool liquid with his toes. "Good to see you, too."

The wind blew again, causing the garment partially covering his chest to flutter. Salty air filled his lungs and he could hear the faint whisper in the back of his mind.

'You seem troubled.'

Jay's skin tingled as it did every time the ocean would talk to him. He wasn't sure if it really did; he just seemed to understand what it felt. He picked up a shell laying at his side, trying to distract himself by observing the natural grooves carved into its light pink surface. He could sense the ocean nudging him to answer. He finally let go of the shell and hugged his knees.

"My father's forcing me to get married," he mumbled, trying not to sound concerned.

Jay felt the ocean stir a little, the peace rippling. 'Does that make you unhappy?'

"I don't know," he whispered back. "I'm just not ready to settle down yet. I have so many responsibilities as the next chief in line, I can't have marriage added to my burden."

'You do not wish to rule your people?'

Jay shook his head without hesitation. The gesture was a habit now considering the many times he would do it whenever he was asked the question. "Ruling the island will tie me down. I want to remain free and boundless, like you."

Jay sighed, extending his legs to the water and leaning back on his palms. "Besides, I don't love any of the girls Father has picked for me. They're all super excited to be with me though." He adopted a bitter look, scoffing. "It's all for show, just because I'm the chief's son."

A low wave swept over his legs. 'Who do you love then?'

Jay tensed up. He half wanted it to be an error in understanding what the ocean had asked. But he also wished to gather up the courage and answer truthfully. He watched how the surface of the sea moved with the gentle breezes. He noticed how big it lay in front of him, stretching out for miles. It called to him in a silent, mesmerizing manner. He'd do anything to be a part of it.

"You," Jay whispered, as if in a trance.

The sea stayed quiet. Jay continued nonetheless.

"Over time, I've learned to love you as more than a friend. You've helped me where my friends and family failed. You've taught me things that I will always be grateful for. We are meant to be, I can feel it. I . . . I love you."

Jay gulped, glancing back at the jungle to make sure no one was present. Desperation bled into his voice as he turned back and clasped his hands. "Take me away, please. You're my home. I want to be with you forever."

The sudden rush made his ears ring. He still couldn't hear the ocean. It felt like it had shut him out completely. Then, through the muffled thumping of his heart, he heard it.

'You are not ready to join me yet, Jay. You must prove your worth. You must repay me for all that I've done for you.'

Jay climbed to his knees. "What is it? Tell me. I'll do anything-"

The trees rustled behind him. Jay swiftly twisted his head and glared at the shadows. A few seconds later, Dunbar, one of his father's guards stepped into view. The moon lit up his dark skin which was adorned with the same purple markings stamped on Jay's chest. They were ancient symbols meant to ward off evil. Jay only thought of them as mere tattoos.

"It is getting late," Dunbar called, standing with his spear out. "You better return to your quarters."

Jay eased his rigidness, letting his arms fall at his sides. "I'll be there in a while."

The guard frowned. "I must take you with me. Your father commanded so."

"I can walk back to my room on my own, Dunbar," Jay mumbled, rolling his eyes. "I really don't need-"

"Your father wishes for you to be escorted back home," spoke Dunbar sternly. "I say you don't argue any further and follow me."

Jay thought it futile to resist. He stepped away from the line where the sea met the land and made his way over to the guard. Dunbar had already moved farther into the trees. Jay followed slowly, taking his time in turning back and smiling at the ocean.

He still wasn't sure how to prove himself to the spirit of the deep blue but if it meant he could get off this dry, cruel land then it was worth the effort. Was he acting irrationally? He didn't think so. The sea was his home and it was time he returned to it.

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The morning was busy for Jay. He had marched through the village, inspecting the crops and the livestock. He had checked the fruit groves and the boat harbor and recorded every complaint and requirement that was dictated to him. He would have to show it all to his father at the end of the day who would slap the responsibility of setting it right onto him without a second thought.

Just thinking about it made Jay lose his interest in the farmer's babble about mango plantation.

Later, when the last hours of the afternoon melted into the evening, Jay arrived home with satchels full of reports. He stretched his back and cracked his knuckles, yawning alongside. He decided a nice bath would be able to drain the tiredness out of him and so proceeded to the back of his hut.

A little way into the trees was situated a pool with a picturesque mini-waterfall at one side and a little stream at the other. It was reserved for the chief's family only but Jay would sometimes invite his friends for water wrestling in the limited free-time he would get.

The gales picked up pace, promising a windy evening ahead. Jay could hear the ocean waves crashing into one another from just over the line of trees which blocked the shore from sight.

Jay pulled off his clothes and dipped into the sun-warmed water which was getting colder as the evening progressed. He took a deep breath and tugged himself under the surface. All the time spent with the ocean, Jay had acquired the ability to hold his breath longer than most people of his island. Taking this to his advantage, he swam about for a while, loving the feel of the soft water plants brushing his feet.

When the limit was reached and the need for air was great, Jay drifted upwards and emerged above the water. His messy, auburn curls stuck to his forehead and obscured his vision. He moved them away from his eyes and rubbed the water off his face. That's when he noticed the chief looking down at him from the bank.

"Father!" he panicked, instinctively sinking deeper till only his head was visible. "Do you mind? I'm taking a bath."

"Always in the water," Chief Gordon drawled, a hint of a faint smile on his lips. "Sometimes I wonder if my son got swapped with a merman."

Jay shook his head, smiling in spite of himself. "Haha, very funny, Father. I still have legs so you don't have to worry."

"How was the village today?" his father asked, brushing off the moss from a tree stump and sitting down.

Jay did a backstroke closer to the waterfall, running his hand through the curtain of water. "It was fine. Galileo was having trouble with the fish. They haven't been getting much into his net. I suggested he go check if a larger animal has started living in the bay that may be reducing the amount of catch. Apart from that, it was all good.

"Hm," the chief nodded. He let Jay wander around in the pool for a few more minutes before clearing his throat.

"So, have you decided which of the girls you'd rather have for a wife?"

Jay scowled. He was having a fine time but his father had to come ruin everything. "No," he spat out bitterly. "I told you. I'm not interested."

Chief Gordon bristled. He scratched his soul patch, eyeing his son warily. "I can get a few others to-"

"Father, please! Just stop, okay?" Jay raged, turning his back to the man. "I'm not ready for such a big obligation. Give it a rest."

"You are going to come of age at the end of this month," his father informed, eliciting a groan from Jay. "It is something you have to go through like everyone does."

"I don't want to be like everyone!" Jay shot back angrily, splashing the water to emphasize his exasperation. "I don't like doing all this bounding work, Father. It confines me. I'm not made for it."

"Quiet!" declared the man, standing up. "I am your father and your chief. You will do as I command. Any resistance will be dealt with consequences, remember that."

No more was said. Chief Gordon stormed off, muttering things about disobedience and waywardness. Jay growled, letting more water fly. His tranquil evening was disturbed and he had no mind to restore the serenity. He climbed out of the pool and donned his clothes, not caring to dry himself first.

It was times like these when he would need the ocean more than anything. He should've gone there sooner. Mind still pounding over what the sea had told him yesterday, Jay trudged through the familiar path leading to the beach. The sun was down but the sky was a canvas of varying shades of gray. A strong gust of wind blew, upsetting his hair.

Jay was busy mumbling the song of the sea his long deceased mother had taught him when he saw a group of kids running up the trail towards him.

"Ocean Calmer!" they called out as they ran. "Ocean Calmer, come quickly!"

"Woah, woah," Jay began, catching the youngest girl of the pack as she tripped over a tree root. "Slow down. What is it?"

"Someone is drowning in the sea," piped up a boy who seemed older than the others. "It's a girl and she needs help."

"Drowning?" Jay asked, forgetting all about the conversation with his father.

"Yes, I don't think she's able to fight the currents," another boy spoke up. "She's not that far out. She can still be saved."

"Take me there," Jay said. He followed the children out of the swaying jungle, thoughts racing with this unexpected turn of events. The boy from before pointed out to the bay. Sure enough, there was someone struggling in the churning water. By the time, Jay ran closer to the edge, the girl had disappeared under the waves.

The kids cried out in horror. Jay didn't stop. He rushed in, going farther till the water reached above his waist. He then clawed his way out of the shoal and dived into the deep waters. He swam through the turbulent mass, eyes peeled for the girl. He saw her trying to reach the surface, face red as she held her breath.

The strength of her movements was slowly decreasing. She attempted two or three weak strokes before going limp. Bubbles erupted from her mouth and her arms and legs swayed helplessly in the current.

No, no, no, his mind screamed as he propelled himself closer. The winds above the surface were not making things easy for him. He finally reached and hooked his hands under her forearms. The ocean didn't seem to be aiding his rescue but he wasn't focused on that. His lungs cried for air and he desperately dragged the girl upwards.

Thunder rumbled as the two shot out from under the surface. Jay could hear the children cheering and yelling out the name they had reserved for him. Muscles tired and aching, he pulled the girl onto the shore after him. He collapsed next to her, breathing heavily. The kids gathered around, looking scared and excited at the same time.

Jay got to his knees and bent over the girl. Sand stuck to her hair which he brushed out of the way. She wasn't moving and Jay tried not to think of the worst. He pinched her nose and clamped his mouth over hers, breathing air into her lungs. Then, he pulled back and did chest compressions. He repeated the process till the girl finally coughed up the water and gasped for air.

Jay only caught sight of her tired, distant eyes before she slipped into a state of unconsciousness. At least, her airway was cleared. He watched her carefully. Her skin was the color of wheat and  her hair was darker than the night sky. She seemed to be dressed in a blue attire spun out of cotton but the clothes were in a bad condition. She was petite, extremely thin and required nourishment. He had never seen her before so that confirmed that she wasn't from his village. Still, he couldn't be too sure.

Jay checked and made sure she had a pulse. It was steady now and her chest slowly rose and fell accordingly. He easily lifted her in his arms and made his way back up the beach. The kids herded all around him, walking along.

"Are you going to take her to the village, Ocean Calmer?"

"Do you know how she got here?"

"Is it okay if I touch her hair?"

"Why don't you all go see if the healer's in?" Jay said, attempting to shoo the kids away. "Tell her to get a bed ready."

Nodding, the group rushed ahead. Jay looked down at the girl's pale, wet face resting against his chest, wondering what she must've endured at sea. He gazed back at the ocean for answers. It was still a little rough, the waves rolling over the surface in the wind.

Jay frowned. There hadn't been a violent storm during the night and the current one had started a while ago. If the girl really wasn't a resident of the island, then how did she end up stranded in the sea? It made no sense.

Not waiting for a sign or a whisper, Jay continued along the trail. Something didn't feel right. The ocean seemed distant. It was cold and empty. He decided to fuss over it later. Right now, it was his duty to provide immediate help to the shipwrecked stranger in his arms.

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Who could that be, I wonder? 👁️👄👁️
It was storming outside while I was writing this so that set the mood. 〜(꒪꒳꒪)〜

Want a part 2?
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