♥ Table of Contents ♥ ❣ Table of Contents ❣ Haikili ❣ Relationships ❣ Rps & Plots ❣ Inventory ❣ Reqs ❣ Current things
Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
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Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
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Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2023 10:42 am
♥ The Swim So Far....♥ ❣ Adopted on 2/10/23!
Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2023 10:49 am
♥ Haikili ♥ Name: Haikili "Kili" Stage: 3 (Massif (Path of the Storm Herald Barbarian)) Race: Kawena/Hapuna Gender: Male Sexuality: Unknown Personality: Adventurous - Adaptable - Ambitious Haikili has a thirst for adventure which was taken from his kawena mother, Kai. Growing up his adventurous spirit often showed itself in his playful games, the boy often dreaming up fantasies that he would act out with his cousins who lived in Elikapeka, and it was often hard for him to sit still as he would much rather explore or focus his energy on learning something new. Growing up with mothers that had vastly different childhoods and knowledge has taught Haikili to be adaptable, he is quick witted and charismatic like his hapuna mother while also knowing how to fight and deal with dangerous situations thanks to his kawena mother who wanted her son strong enough to protect himself. Sometimes though being so restless makes it worrisome as Haikili may accidentally overdo things, wearing himself out by pushing forward with his ambitions instead of pacing himself. He is very goal oriented and once he has his mind set on something the hybrid will do his best to achieve that goal, no matter how stressful it may be.
After the loss of his mothers, Haikili has a more somber personality and is far less inclined to fantasize about things like the playful child he once was. He is focused on his task of getting stronger so that he can seek out vengeance against those who wronged his family. Description: Muscular and scarred by lightning, curly hair with glowing scales. Some Notes: Loves to whistle, always moving in some form even when sitting down as he is prone to tapping his fingers against something or even fiddling with a loose curl. Theme Songs: ♥ History ♥ ❣ Raised by his mothers in Elikapeka, Haikili was surrounded by warmth and love. His kawena mother was an adventurer, someone who dared to venture forth into the sunlight despite her childhood spent mostly underground, and her free spirit passed onto her son who loved listening to stories of the other islands that his mother had explored whenever she was just a teen. Known as Kai she was a wanderer who had no family and no connections until she saw a rather pretty hapuna sunbathing one day, the woman enjoying the warm sands on a rare day off from crafting. Kai fell in love at first sight and pursued Ailani with all of her heart until the hapuna realized how honest the playful kawena's feelings truly were and they finally tied the knot. While Kai had no family, nothing to tie her down Ailani's introduction into her life expanded the kawena's connections as her lover came from a family of artisans who enjoyed crafting and performance arts. Ailani specialized in crafting jewelry and also loved dancing, something that Kai worked hard to learn even though her balance was a bit less than graceful as she preferred feats of strength over dance. Still, as they learned to dance together so did their love grow and the pair settled into their own little seaside cottage just outside of Elikapeka. Eventually they decided to raise a family together and had Haikili. Haikili's mothers gave him a strong name based upon thunder in hope that he would also have the freedom and strength to pursue whatever he wanted in the world and as promised the boy quickly grew to be a lot like his mother, Kai. While he had to graceful appearance and talents of his hapuna mother, the boy also had a thirst for excitement and always went off to find something fun. Thankfully his mothers often encouraged his explorations, as long as he never got hurt or others were injured, and only once did he truly get in trouble when one of his hapuna cousins got injured during one of his games involving some angry kapus. Thankfully the other boy only had to receive a few stiches and while both were grounded by their parents, kept to doing chores within their homes for the next two weeks, but the experience did change Kai. While he kept being adventurous, the boy stopped being quite so reckless when others were involved and developed a more protective nature since he never wanted to see anyone injured ever again because of his decision. His protective nature was noticed even by his aunt and uncle who lived directly within Elikapeka and once preferred to keep a close eye on the boy whenever he visited, especially after the incident, but once they accepted that Haikili truly was more cautious they opened up to allowing the children to play around again. His childhood was mostly quiet, minus his own playful exploits, and he grew up to learn various skills from his mothers who both taught him what they knew, a mixture of survival skills and the arts.
A tragedy occurred during his later teen years, Haikili's mothers being lost after pirates invaded their home. Ailani tried to flee but was killed in the conflict while Kai became obsessed with revenge, deciding to fight those responsible even at the cost of her own life. Haikili lost part of his soul that day, the boy growing up and embracing the path of the storm herald shortly after as he sought power to avenge his beloved mothers. ♥ Relationships ♥
Character Name: Haikili Class Promotion: S3 [Massif (Brute) ] Current Location: Matori/Oba Journal:[X] Growth Point Links: 50/50 [Storm WE] - 5 pnts [Accident WE] - 5 pnts [Truth or Dare WE] - 5 pnts [S2 Solos] - 9k wc - 30 pnts [Introductions Rp] w/ Xylia, Cahira & Valek - 5 pnts Growth Blurb: Haikili has recovered from his injuries and has trained with a mentor to control his rage and fighting abilities. Now he has ventured away from the safety of his home to explore Oba, looking for a family friend there in the desert city while working with earthlings - something he was not expecting before. Physical Description: Take inspiration from his previous stage, keeping the earring and necklace if possible, and with more inspiration below. Feel free to add in bracers, if you'd like. [Rightside outfit][Face & Hair inspo] Body Type: Muscular, bulky with the lightning scars still showing. Preferred Artists: Scar, Kana [Full or Collab] WIPs: Sure!
Prentice Growth Form
Character Name: Haikili Current Location: Kahi Class Promotion: Guard (Brute/Storm Herald) Journal:[x] Growth Point Links: 25/25 [WE - Lost in Translation] - 5 pnts [Solos - total 20 pnts] Affinity Solo:[Loss and Rebirth Solo] Growth Blurb: Haikili has suffered a lot of loss in the last year, he has grown into a person who is more mature and far from his old playful self while leaving behind his artisan roots to instead train as a fighter. Physical Description: Hair can be a bit longer/more wild like in the example picture, keep the necklace and outfit can be similar or changed up more like this example with optional earring, artist's choice on overall design. Body Type: Fit, muscular and faded gray(?) lightning strike scars can be along the edges of his neck, upper arms and back. Preferred Artists: Kana [Full or Collab with Scar, Ely] or Scar [Full or Collab with any Ely, Kana] WIPs: Sure!
Another amber sunset decorated the horizon with various streaks of lavender and rose. While waves of lapis lazuli hues crashed against the pearly white sands of his home near Elikapeka, the small cove silhouetted by weeping willows full of crystalized leaves that chimed quietly in the ocean breeze, Haikili found himself drawing in the sands with a stick. Others may have been amazed to see such lifelike creatures crawling about in etched patterns along the sands but Haikili was not impressed with his work. In his humble opinion, the hybrid was not as talented an artisan as his hapuna mother even though he did enjoy tracing out some patterns in his free time while waiting on his mothers to return from their short trips to the markets or even while he simply delayed doing his own chores as he was doing tonight. Dinner was simple enough since he had already diced vegetables and fruits for a cool salad to be enjoyed upon their return, the boy opting to avoid making a fire on a blistering hot day like today when he would much rather be out in the ocean depths with the cool waters caressing his skin. Even though the sun was already sinking low in the sky there was a sticky heat to the air that kept many of the hapuna lingering in the coral reefs decorating the coast along the little village, the shouts and laughters of those closer to his age echoing from around the cove as the wind carried over tidbits of conversation and the like. A wistful expression crossed Haikili’s face at the sounds, the promise of potential fun and adventure reaching out to him with each noise, but he knew that he was restricted to the little cove for the time being. How could he dare break away after already earning his mothers’ lectures for the latest incident with a cousin nearly getting ripped in half by a kapu? The beast had been angry, the sharp teeth gleaming in the moonlight as his younger hapuna cousins let out yells of terror and raced behind him. Not that this particular instance had been Haikili’s fault, the boy had learned his lesson over a year ago when such a thing had nearly happened with him and Trili. Unfortunately for Haikili that hadn’t stopped the other younglings from wanting to venture further out in the cove near the dark caves that so many adults warned them away from because of such creatures. For the younglings it was just a dare, the trio not believing in such dangers and rather thinking that it was a scare tactic to keep them from wandering too far away from their home village. How could such a scary thing exist in their peaceful world after all? In fact they actually used to joke about it and eventually the jokes escalated into a show of strength which had resulted in them going into the darker waters. Thankfully he had caught wind of their antics just in time to rush to the all too familiar area, the hybrid raising a spear he had stolen from a fisherman to startle the bloodthirsty creatures and to stop a large mouth from closing in around one of his cousins. Of course the spear had been destroyed in the process and while his mothers mostly believed his word, especially when the younglings chimed in later on, it had been hard to convince the rest of the family that the mischievous Haikili was completely innocent this time and so he had accepted a public punishment in order to appease the others else they would harass his hapuna mother about being too gentle and that making Haikili too wild. His Hapuna relatives always felt like Ailani was far too kind and had invited wild and reckless lives into their peaceful village with the introduction of Kai and the birth of Haikili which only added more stress to his mother who tried to appease everyone. “I suppose it’s only fair considering I truly had been that reckless only a short time ago myself.” Haikili mused with a soft sigh as he traced out another creature in the sands, avoiding any kapus in his drawings as he instead focused on the soft curves of seahorses and turtles as they lazily swam through the spiraling coral reef that Haikili had crafted within the sands. “Maybe it would just be best to consider crafting like others in the family. It’s not like I can’t hone my art skills to maybe one day get to my mother’s level, but I do favor Kai more.” Unlike Ailani his kawena mother was so much stronger than the others, her stout body covered with scars and muscles from so many adventures over the years, but she was unique in their village of hapuna who were more delicate and preferred the arts and trading to hunting and exploration. While Haikili had gotten his own stronger build from Kai, his voice and other features resembled his gentle hapuna mother more which misled those who once fell for his tricks as a youngling. Unlike his kind and gentle mother who could never tell a lie, Haikili was full of mischief and constantly misleading others into traps for his own amusement. It was not hard then to believe that his family was still doubtful of him despite his determination to be more cautious and protective of his cousins, especially the younger ones that he had just protected a few days ago. He truly was not as mischievous as before even though he still did enjoy playing games and it was very tempting to go and join the others that were further up the coast, their happy voices still stirring Haikili’s own desires to just have fun and enjoy an evening along the beach. Going that way now would only reveal that his mothers weren’t quite as angry at him as they had allowed the others to believe with the public lectures and punishment, leaving the family in a tizzy again which would only bring Ailani dismay and make both Haikili and Kai feel bad. They were the oddballs, the disruptive ones who had come into this peaceful artisan family with their strength and rambunctious attitudes that wanted more from life than simply lazing about along the beaches. Ailani adored her family thought and could not imagine a life away from the hapuna no matter how much she loved Kai and so both her lover and their child endured, only breaking away to go exploring during the slower seasons when Ailani could focus on her crafts and Kai felt comfortable enough spending the time away from her love. The little trips while they could and did over the years teach him so much about survival did not do enough to quench his thirst for actual exploration since they often went to similar islands along Kai’s trade routes, the huntress swapping both her own captures and Ailani’s crafts with merchants in local towns as they wandered throughout the local areas. Kai and Haikili were never more than a week’s travel away from home, just in case there was an emergency and Ailani needed them. Haikili understood it and couldn’t blame his mothers, but at the same time he was restless which led to the pranks that continued to multiply over the years as he got over until that fateful incident which had nearly cost himself and a cousin their lives. Never again. He had promised himself as he ripped his cousin away from the kapu, the crimson trail swirling behind them into the dark abyss near the edge of the village’s ocean boundaries a permanent stain upon Haikili’s memories. However, Haikili had finally realized that it was not the fear of the creature which had haunted him for weeks afterwards but rather the fear of losing someone because of his own actions. Whether it was because he had playfully teased his cousins and brought them to such dangerous waters or because he was simply too weak to save anyone, the very feeling of guilt and fear of being helpless stuck with the hybrid. Seeing the other younglings nearly repeat the same mistake a week ago had brought life to those fears and gave him clarity. It was not the kapu he had been fearing this whole time but rather the fact that he hadn’t been strong enough to prevent the creature from hurting his cousin in the first place. In retrospect it would seem that being an artisan more than likely was not in his fate, especially if he was more driven by being able to protect others instead of simply spending time crafting but at the same time Haikili truly believed there should be no need to worry about such things in a peaceful village as long as he didn’t seek trouble in darker waters. The conflicting feelings continued to twist in his heart until he finally dropped his stick and left it next to his artwork in the sand, the drawings of spirals and twisting coral dramatically increasing the more his mind had wandered through his own tangled thoughts. Once more the temptations of learning to be stronger rather than picking up a simple trade were pushed aside in favor of keeping the peace. Nothing was settled, he was still young and life was fine for now despite all of the family pressure and lectures from those who were still wary of him and his mischievous antics, and Haikili was just content to enjoy life within the village for now especially when he saw his mothers finally returning home. In that moment all worries faded as his mothers’ expressions brightened at the sight of their child who raced to greet them with open arms.
[1632]
Time with Makuahine, The Tale of Lono
“Have you ever heard about Lono?”
Haikili tilted his head in curiosity as he settled next to his hapuna mother, Ailani. The golden kahi was dressed with layers of mostly cream colored cloth, the cotton intricately layered to look like ocean foam with a subtle dye to make the non-cream colored layers more of a faded blue, and her long deep green hair was twisted in a series of braids with colorful beads and shells woven inbetween. It was at times like these with the bouncing light of the nearby bonfire brightening his mother’s lavender gaze even more that Haikili could easily understand why his other mother had fallen in love at first sight. Her delicate features were almost like artwork with her expression always so full of life and longing that it promised an adventure in itself even if she was nestled in the safety of their home village. Her slightly crooked smile that always went towards that right dimple was never reserved, the hapuna always being honest and friendly with everyone who approached. She truly was a radiant spirit and Haikili could only hope that one day he would find someone who brought so much light into his life as Ailani did for Kai. Though he supposed she was his mother so he did have that at least going for him. The very thought brought a soft chuckle to his lips before he finally shook his head, his focus returning to the question that she had asked before the sight of his mother in front of the dancing flames had distracted him. “You always have a trove of stories about old Kahi legends and heroes, makuahine. It’s truly hard to keep track.” He teased as he reached over to fix a loose braid, the teen’s fingers surprisingly agile as he twisted the hairs back into place like an expert artisan.
“I suppose I do enjoy telling tales, don’t I?” Ailana smiled warmly towards her son, the hapuna staying still as he fixed her hair even though her gaze danced with playfulness. “It’s just so fun to share them especially when I have such a good audience. At least you were a decent audience but then you grew up and started roaming more than following me around.” She let out a wistful sigh and stared past Haikili as if seeing a ghost of his youngling wandering around the cove. “Young Kili would always tug at my skirts and ask me for stories or always want to learn more about my art. Where did that little fish go?”
“He grew up and started getting more adventurous.” Quipped back Haikili with a teasing grin. “He still adored his mother but then she started repeating the same tales so he wanted to seek out more so that she could have some new ones.” It was always fun to banter with his mother and he knew that neither of them actually meant harm with their words even though sometimes he did feel a little guilty about wanting to explore more with Kai and spent less time with Ailani as he grew older and more restless. Even now while Kai was out trading, Haikili had only stayed home because Ailani had a cold at the beginning of the week which had prompted him to stay so that his other mother would not worry while traveling so far away. It would be too much for him to take on trading by himself, especially since the other settlements still recognized his kawena mother more and there were quite a few that still liked to haggle despite everything who would surely try to push Haikili to lower the value of their trades whereas not many would mess with Kai for long since she played the game and bartered without mercy. Haikili had been confident that he could endure it, but once again his mothers had doubted him or rather as they expressed it wanted to protect him from such stressful situations. It was one thing for him to tag along and learn from Kai, but another thing entirely for him to take a whole month’s journey to multiple settlements on his own. So since Kai could not delay her journey but also did not feel comfortable leaving Ailani alone their son had offered to stay home and spend more time with his hapuna mother. Truly Haikili did not mind such a result because he did enjoy the time with Ailani, swapping stories and learning more about her craft, but what bothered him was that he still didn’t feel like they trusted him despite how hard he worked to prove himself to his family. Even if Kai and Ailani had agreed his aunts and uncles would surely cause a riot considering how much they doubted Haikili who would also have been in charge of traveling with some of their wares as Kai typically helped them to trade some of their goods with other settlements as well throughout the year.
“Hehe, I suppose I deserve that one.” Ailani laughed, the delicate sound barely reaching Haikili’s ears as he pulled away now that he had fixed her hair so that he could settle more comfortably on the fallen log next to his mother. “Then let me try with Lono since I don’t think I’ve really spoken about him. He is not as known as other legends, but he is a gentle ocean spirit who settled within the cove of a southern village and his children are the ones who sprang from the ocean depths to settle there as a group of hapuna musicians. Unlike some of the mightier legends, Lono was peaceful and focused more on music than anything else. He was there for the creation with others, helping to cultivate the islands that we Kahi call him, but he was never at the front lines and mostly acted as a support for the others. Many like to consider him our ancestor with sun kissed skin and eyes that gleamed as brightly as rubies. They even say that his hair was a myriad of colors, each strand different which is where all of our vivid hair colors originate from. None could compare to his delicate beauty and neither could any match the soul wrenching music that he could create with all of the instruments he crafted. I could only dream of dancing to one of his melodies, should the legend truly come to walk amongst us again. While so many other legends explored the islands that they had helped to create, Lono decided to simply enjoy the beauty of nature and wove songs that would tame the waves to keep the ocean happy and peaceful so as to not devour the newly risen islands. His music soothed the roughest of waves and calmed the howling of the strongest winds while even fire seemingly turned from infernos into warm embers at the sound of his melodies. One day, however, his melody attracted the attention of new life ...one of the first hapuna. Some legends say this kahi came from the seafoam so that there could be a spirit to dance to Lono’s beautiful music. They were a beautiful creation, pale with markings like coral with azure hair and emerald eyes that resembled the ocean who had given Lono such a companion. It did not take long for Lono to fall in love with such a beauty, the pair a perfect match as Lono would play his melodies and the Kahi would dance as freely as any ocean breeze. In many stories it was from their union that our kind originated.”
Haikili shook his head, a small smile on his lips. “So the ocean loved Lono’s music so much that she granted him a companion? How generous.” Even though his mothers always spoke about love at first sight and truly seemed deeply in love it was always hard for Haikili to understand such legends. It was easier to think about the legends who fought and explored across the world before dragging the islands from the ocean depths, bringing life into the areas where the Kahi now lived. Lono though seemed like the perfect match for someone like his mother who preferred a peaceful life full of music and dance. He had honestly heard about Lono before but knew that his mother always told him more adventurous stories since he was so restless and romantic things like this always lost his attention when he was younger. Though he had only heard Lono being mentioned as a legend of music, nothing more and it was surprising to suddenly notice the sorrowful expression that crossed his mother’s face as she simply studied him. “What is it?” Haikili’s forehead creased in confusion as he tried to understand why such a sweet story about the mother of the hapuna would bring tears to his mother’s gaze. What was he missing?
“Well, not every romance is forever happily ever after.” Admitted his mother with a sad smile. “Lono is known for something other than peace and music, do you know?” She tilted her head and watched as Haikili simply shook his own, the teen obviously confused about what else the legend of music could be responsible for. “The creation of Lono’s love, Kaikilani, stirred jealousy with some of the other legends who were tired of conquests and wanted something more. Power and treasure can only do so much while love truly fills the spirit and gives a sense of purpose, someone to protect and cherish while filling each day with happiness.” Ailani expressed sincerely as she looked over her son, her expression shifting into a soft smile at the thought before disappearing again with her next words. “Their jealousy ended up in destruction since none of them could truly claim Kaikilani’s heart despite kidnapping her from his side. She truly loved Lono and refused to be without him, so she fought to get back to him and the peaceful god finally felt anger. His vengeance consumed him, his rage blinding him to what he was doing until it was too late and Kaikilani was severely injured in the fighting.” Ailani shook her head sadly, Haikili finally realizing the reason for his mother’s tears as the story reached its finale. “Despite his best efforts even Lono could not stop death from claiming his love and it was then that our islands experienced something new. Rain.”
“Rain?”
“Mmhmm. His grief was so great that he could not stop crying, the skies soaked up his sorrow and rain came over the land to try to comfort him as a reminder of Kaikilani which would always come back to give nourishment to the islands where their children lived. They did not leave this world before giving Lono several children, a blessing which allowed the Hapuna to flourish in this very island with the rains keeping us safe from droughts and famines. So while Lono and Kaikilani may have a sorrowful romance, their love will touch these islands forevermore with each raincloud that graces the sky. That is why you may hear his name during the rainy season and before the harvests since many of the fishermen always offer thanks and comfort to Lono during those times. He is one of many legends, but his story is one of my favorites despite making me cry every time. My heart simply aches too much when I think of such pure love ruined like that.”
“I see.” Haikili leaned against his mother comfortingly. “Well, since we already have rain then let’s hope that such a story stays with the legends.” He tried to joke lightly even though his own heart was heavy. What would it be like to find the love of your life and then have them ripped away simply because others were jealous and wanted such a thing for themselves? “I also don’t think makua would just cry either.” He shook his head at the thought of Kai or anything honestly happening to any one in their family. His kawena mother would destroy the world rather than sit still! She was too much of a warrior to let something simply pass, perhaps that was why the ocean had chosen Lono instead of another legend? Any of the other legends would have continued with their rampage until the islands were completely destroyed whereas Lono’s rage calmed once he saw that his lover was harmed. His emotions had turned into despair and then rain while others could have just as easily ripped the earth in two or erupted one of the mountains with molten rock, destroying everything in their path. It was cruel though to think that a peaceful god had been given a companion only for others to ruin everything like that. Then again Lono had lost control of himself which had truly been why the tale had resulted in such a tragedy. Yes, he had caught himself before destroying everything but he had been the one to accidentally injure his lover. While the other legends had started the fight by kidnapping Kaikilani and he had finished it by allowing such an accident. The very thought made Haikili’s gaze darken, his head tilting away from his mother and towards the bonfire while he pondered the whole story and his own feelings. “Still, thank you for the story. I’ll keep Lono in mind now so make certain you don’t forget that you already told it.” Even though his voice was light-hearted with the teasing, the hybrid’s chest was tight with emotion that he hid from his mother. Why such a tale bothered him, Haikili truly did not know but something about it simply did not settle with him. Was it the loss or the weakness of Lono that had allowed the kidnapping in the first place? Or was it the fear that if something happened a similar rage could consume anyone dear to him, just as Lono had been consumed before falling into depression once it was too late and what was done was done? Either way Haikili was far quieter than usual for the remainder of the night, the teen barely listening to stories as others joined them by the bonfire while his mind drifted elsewhere.
[2372 wc]
Loss and Rebirth on the path of the Storm Herald
An intense rage followed by a flurry of blows, static racing down his back so fiercely that it burned his skin and seemingly etched into his very soul. Sweat that slicked his unusually dry skin as it felt like all of the moisture was being taken out of his very body, his own blood boiling with such an intensity that Haikili did not even know was possible. As thunder echoed in the darkening skies above the hybrid let out a yell of pure anguish that seemingly split the clouds, lightning streaking across the skies as he finally collapsed on the beach…an isolated figure surrounded by scorch marks that streaked away from his body and across the sands. Vaguely he remembered words floating to him, a blurry figure tugging at his defeated body that screamed in pure anguish at each and every touch, but for Haikili such memories were so torn and fragmented that it surely was all a terrible nightmare.
But how could something be a nightmare when he was bedridden for days after such pain?
Haikili found himself leaning forward, his eyes barely able to open as he fought against his stiff body which did not seem willing to listen to him. What type of nightmares had those been? His skull was pounding, the back of his head feeling like it had been split in two with the strange walls around him not coming into focus as he attempted to glance around at his surroundings. Was this a cave? Was he at some Kawena settlement and not in the brightly painted wooden homes of his relatives? He didn’t think that he had gone with Kai on a trading trip. How hard had he hit his head? Did he have amnesia and forget the last week or so, somehow? Haikili opened his mouth to ask before realizing that no sound would come from his throat, all he could feel was pain like sandpaper had been shoved down his throat and the only noise that he eventually managed was the faintest whisper of air as it escaped his lungs. Panic made him try to escape the heavy covers that were far too restrictive and preventing him from breathing properly, the bandages tied around his arms and upper chest suddenly itchy as he noticed their existence and the blurry room seemingly inched closer and closer to cave in around him….
“Woah there!” A voice that almost seemed familiar reached out to him and Haikili found his whole world tilted once again as his body that had nearly fallen from the bed was pushed back into position, preventing the young hybrid from tumbling to the floor. “Breathe in, breathe out…” The voice repeated quietly, Haikili somehow listening as his short and rapid breaths slowed and started to follow the stranger’s instructions. Everything hurt, each and every breath felt like agony but somehow listening and letting out the air slowly started to help the walls expand away from him as the blurry images came back into focus and he stopped hearing his heart racing in his ears. “There ya go. Easy does it, just try to drink this.” An awkward pat almost happened before the stranger thought better of it and instead settled into a chair that was apparently next to the bed, a clay cup of warm water being slowly passed towards Haikili so that he could take a drink. It was not exactly the cleanest of water, but then Haikili slowly broke through the haze enough to realize that the bitter taste was from medical herbs that had been mixed into the drink. Despite even having a hint of mint in the mixture there was immense pain just to swallow and he nearly spit it up despite the encouragement of the stranger who was helping him to lift the cup to his lips. Eventually he managed to get enough down his throat despite quite a bit of the drink spilling from the corner of his chapped lips and dripping down his chin that the stranger quickly and carefully wiped away with a cloth. “Good enough.”
Haikili’s eyes closed tightly against a wave of pain and nausea, his body not happy with the drink despite its desperate need for hydration and nourishment. His stomach was twisting while the rest of his body tensed against the sensation, the teen leaning over to retch before managing to keep down what he could with a less than savory swallow. At least it was somewhat minty….the very thought nearly made him lean over again before the stranger pushed him back against the pillows. “Now, now. I can’t help you to recover if you keep spilling what medicine I give you.” Haikili tried to open his eyes to stare down that familiar yet unknown presence, his head rolling backwards onto the pillows as sudden exhaustion claimed him again and cast everything into darkness. Another restless slumber, this time of more fragmented memories….
”Always be nice to others, Valu.” Haikili ruffled the hair of a younger cousin, the bright orange and red hapuna beaming at his advice. “It’s always better to help out, right? We’re a peaceful village and just want to do our best to aid those in need.”
“Yeah! I’ll do my best!”
Haikili moaned against the bittersweet memory. There was a reason it bothered him but he couldn’t quite grasp it, all he could do was struggle against the bandages and covers that kept him from completely twisting and turning in his sleep. There was the vaguest impression of more water and medicine being pressed against his lips, the teen murmuring against it but somehow swallowing down what he could. More darkness overtook him, the recovery process taking a long time and leaving him to his troubled dreams that kept his mind spinning even when he was deep asleep.
“Haikili! I helped out a stranger and they went with their friends to visit your makuahine’s shop! They really seemed interested in making trades!” Valu beamed at him before running away with laughter that twisted and faded away…then another voice, Kai’s angry and heart-wrenching sobs splitting through the silence…
“I don’t understand…why would they do this? Pirates, here?!”
“She was resisting the foreigners, not wanting to give up this important necklace when they robbed her. Maybe it was an accident but she was hit too hard…so much blood….too much, it was just too much for someone that delicate to endure…”
His own broken voice, fragmented like the shards of memory that dripped around his mind like shattered glass. “I ran home after Valu told me….I didn’t expect visitors…I was too late and I couldn’t do anything…maku-makuahine was gone…” His own sobs shook his body, the teen so numb and lost as darkness overtook him once more.
“Fresh bandages, the skin seems to be healing nicely as well. You’re fortunate that Kane-hekili favored you. Though Lono was your makuahine’s favorite, a legend so many tend to overlook that she absolutely adored instead so perhaps he remembered you.” For a second the stranger’s face came into focus, a kawena with dark green hair and strikingly green eyes. Haikili opened his mouth to try to speak, the disoriented teen struggling despite days of rest and after a moment he simply found himself sinking back down into the pillows.
A funeral greeted him, a secret cave burial with his makuahine’s body tightly wrapped in colorful linens and covered in fragrant flowers. Only close relatives knew the location and would be the ones to bury the bones later on once enough time had passed. Haikili’s heart ached and he grasped for his kawena mother, but his hand passed right through her arm. She was gone the very next day, vengeance burning deep within her soul. Haikili raced through the darkness, the dense fog covering his memories until he reached the edge of a cliff and saw scattered bodies down below. Three earthling pirates and Kai who had been taken down with them in her quest for revenge…agonizing pain ripped through his skull as he tumbled down after them in his dreams instead of running away to the cove as he had actually done.
“You know that family doesn’t deserve you.” The stranger’s voice woke him up again, some sunlight flickering in through an open window nearby. “They chased you out because of Ailani’s death and then Kai sacrificed herself like a fool because of despair…I’m glad I at least got to you in time.” A soft sigh as the kawena shifted in the seat next to Haikili. “I’ll take care of you, kiddo.”
Haikili somehow felt something akin to relief at the sound of those words before everything faded away once more. This time though he was running through the cove, his own despair and rage consuming him. It was my fault! I should have never told Valu such stupid advice! He should have just run away instead of leading strangers to my family! They’re both dead now and it’s all my fault…I should have been there… Frustration led to rage which consumed him and then lightning streaked across the skies before crashing onto the beach, his whole back was on fire as sand turned to shattered glass and he fell once more before the stranger appeared to take him away. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Eventually one day, Haikili finally stirred enough to get the Kawena’s full attention. “Are you finally with us now?” An attempt to sound light-hearted? At a time like this when both of his mothers had passed and he was in such agony? What a strange Kawena… Haikili blinked before slowly nodding. “Good. I’ll grab more medicine, but I think we should discuss something first.” The Kawena paused, as if pondering their next words before finally giving a faint smile. “You can call me Kaipo, it was something your mothers enjoyed calling me so we’ll stick with it. Unfortunately they’re both gone from this world so I have decided to take you on as an apprentice.” Haikili frowned, confusion etched in his features despite the Kawena’s best attempt to try and seem positive. “Yes, yes. Very surprising, right? We’re going to make the best of this situation and focus on something other than mourning for the rest of our lives. I loved your mothers, but well...here we are. I’m guessing no one realized you had the potential to become a storm herald, right?” Haikili frowned, the teen shaking his head slowly, the movement less disorienting now but still awkward due to how stiff his healing body felt. Kaipo sighed, ran a hand through their hair and slowly nodded. “I had the feeling considering you nearly electrocuted yourself on the cove that night. But that is the past and now is the present. I’ll teach you, if you’d like. Not like it feels like you may have much of a choice considering how quickly that rage nearly consumed you. It’s been years since I’ve seen anyone unleash such power like that. You see, being a storm herald allows a fighter to utilize their rage, their fury granting them strength, durability and speed beyond what is normal for most. Instead of simply being a fighter though you have a deeper primal connection, seemingly more storm and lightning oriented than others. I want to teach you how to harness that so that you can help protect the order in our natural world instead of risking self-destruction. Still, it is best to ask rather than force you down a path that you may not want…especially considering the circumstances.``
Another frown, a thoughtful pause as the aching sensation lingered in Haikili’s chest. He was willing to learn anything if it helped him to forget the pain and allowed him some way to seek out his own meaning in life, a potential for vengeance bubbling beneath the surface even if he didn’t admit it outloud. After everything that had happened, even if Haikili was still fuzzy on the details, the very feeling of loss and the fragmented memories were impossible to ignore. He couldn’t live a peaceful life, not after this. He had once pondered following a stronger path than simply being an artisan, but Haikili had pushed away such feelings because of his loyalty to his more peaceful hapuna family who shunned most fighters. Now though? Well it seemed that becoming stronger was the only way to move forward and so he would become a brute and find out exactly what happened that night and how he could harness such power next time without nearly killing himself. And so Haikili fixed a determined gaze towards Kaipo and nodded his consent to learn fighting from the Kawena who was stepping up as his new guardian.
It was strange how once channeling lightning was pure agony and now the sensation was more like a flash of comfort, a hint of the familiar warmth he hadn’t felt since the loss of his mothers which surrounded him for a split moment before disappearing again. Where once he would have run away from these feelings Haikili now embraced it and used the rage that followed the tangled emotions of mourning and frustration to strike out again, the storm overtaking him as his eyes glowed with its power. As the lightning struck into the target, the dummy shattered into hundreds of pieces with the shards of wood instantly charring in the air before landing in the damp sand where they sizzled like the embers of a dying fire. Despite everything, even Haikili couldn’t help the small smirk that tugged at his lips at the very sight of the destruction. After months of healing, rehabilitating his mind and body so that he was functional once more, it looked like he had finally come out from his hell as something stronger. Not that he was truly free from his hell, there was nothing that could stop the emptiness that came from the void created from a lost family, but at least he was now feeling like there was a chance he could actually survive the agony of existence. And even better was knowing that he was getting stronger day after day. After all, his desire to survive had grown from the lust for revenge against those who had taken his mothers from this world. How could they be allowed to exist when they had wiped out souls that were a thousand times better than them? Those bastards deserved every bit of pain that was coming for them. Haikili’s smirk disappeared at the thought, the Kahi hybrid lashing out at another dummy with fresh rage that had it erupting into pieces that fell alongside the remains of the first.
“You’re going to run out of targets before I get the chance to make more.” Kaipo mused, the Kawena appearing from around the edge of the cluster of rocks that protected their secluded cove from outside eyes. Their jade colored gaze skimmed over the destruction with a sigh escaping their lips as they assessed the damage. “And this is why you train a good hundred meters away from our home.” It was something that still startled Haikili to hear even though he had been living with the Kawena for just over two years now, the concept of anything other than the small hut back near the village being his home still foreign despite everything.
“I can help make more.” Replied Haikili, his voice gruff and deeper from both his growth spurt and lack of sleep. How could one sleep well when they were constantly haunted with nightmares of their mothers’ dead bodies? The various ways that he could stop his Makuahine from dying at the hands of pirates were a constant theme in his dreams with each always ending in failure, some even being worse as the pirates raided the whole village to kill everyone there. The dark and twisted part of him slightly wished that was the true ending, Haikili was still sore that Valu had led those pirates to his Makuahine in the first place. And even better yet if he was caught in the mess, Haikili wishing he could go ahead and join his family instead of struggling through each and every day without them. After all, he was the one who taught his younger Hapuna cousin to be kind to strangers instead of teaching him to be more wary. Perhaps in that situation…well, just as his dreams taught him there was no changing the past now. So why bother wondering what if?
A snort of disbelief distracted Haikili from his roaming thoughts and he turned his gaze back towards Kaipo. They were looking slightly amused at the offer, the Kawena crossing their arms as they studied their apprentice. “I worry that you might just destroy them instead if you get frustrated. You know how hard I work to twist those ropes around the wood? I should have probably used damp kelp, maybe that could have reduced the chances of you setting the whole beach on fire…” They mused, looking across the sands at the scorch marks that stretched throughout the whole area.
“You know I wouldn’t do that.” Haikili frowned at the very thought. He had been a lot angrier at first, that much was true, and his fits of rage would result in storms that Kaipo would have to redirect out towards the ocean to save their cove from total destruction but that was months ago when he had first started training under the Kawena. Back then…well, the rage he felt now was only a spark compared to the inferno that had threatened to consume him in a blind fury. Even Haikili hadn’t recognized himself at the time and it was only through Kaipo’s presence that he had managed to snap out of it. Thankfully the older Kawena was fully in control of his abilities, his storm aura keeping the cove safe while Haikili took his time to recover and pull back his unstable emotions. It was why he had lingered and kept training with Kaipo, day after day, until the weeks blended together into months and it was over a year living with the Kawena before he felt more in control of his emotions. At least now he could destroy the dummies, narrowing his strike to one target, and didn’t threaten to destroy the whole cove with his abilities.
“A bad joke then.” Kaipo shrugged their shoulders as they started forward, the Kawena crouching as they picked up a piece of charred wood. It instantly disintegrated at their touch, the pieces just becoming ash that was swept away in the ocean breeze. “You are doing better. That’s why I trusted you to stay alone while I went out to hunt some dinner.” Kaipo admitted, straightening up and wiping their fingers against the leathers that were still damp from their afternoon swim in the cove. The small island where they sheltered was separated by an inlet from the mainland, the Hapuna city just over the horizon and half a day’s walk from the Kawena’s private home. Kaipo didn’t live with their Kawena relatives and instead had relocated to this area over two decades ago, the Kawena more attached to the colorful life of the Hapuna and not wanting to stay alone in the caves once Kai had left to join Ailani in the islands. They had never been fully introduced to Haikili though, the Kawena roaming the world on and off during those two decades before the loss of Ailani and Kai brought them back to settle in their home here to help train Haikili. It was still a sore spot for Kaipo and even Haikili couldn’t fully piece together exactly what had happened all those years ago that had kept Kaipo from being directly in his family’s lives even though they lingered nearby like this. Kai had gone hunting with them on occasion, but for some reason Haikili hadn’t seen them ever at the family home. But the fact that Kaipo had letters and pieces of art from Ailani made Haikili believe in their words, even though some of the family had recognized Kaipo even though they didn’t seem completely comfortable with the other Kawena at the memorial service. That wasn’t surprising though considering how at odds they were with Kai in Ailani’s life in the first place. Any other Kawena that came with the rough huntress probably didn’t fare better when it came to his cousins’ hospitality. Between that and Haikili’s own reluctance to see his family, the pair of Kahi simply lived a private life out here and hunted for most of their meals by fishing in the ocean. They also ate edible plants, mostly kelp and some wild fruits and vegetables that grew along the island, and surprisingly Kaipo could make quite a good meal out of the resources they did have. There was the rare visitor here and there who would bring news and trade with Kaipo, but ever since Haikili had joined him the pair had lingered here without venturing into the city. It was better that way, especially when Haikili still wasn’t fully in control of his emotions and abilities, and so Haikili did not complain about missing the bustle of city life. Once he adored being caught in a crowd, enjoying the life and activities that he could find in a larger settlement, but now he found himself enjoying the quiet of the cove. Watching the tide rolling in and out helped him find some peace, the feeling of melancholy preferred to the infernal rage that possessed him otherwise. Recently though Kaipo felt more confident about venturing further away, even going into the city once last week without Haikili, because they had faith that the younger Kahi hybrid wouldn't destroy the place by himself. It was a sign that Haikili truly was more in control since he no longer required Kaipo’s storm aura to protect the area which was a relief for both of them.
“Speaking of dinner.” Haikili shook his head to clear them of his thoughts as he focused on the present again. “Do you need my help?” Surprisingly, he was fairly good at cooking since helping out his mothers over the years and despite everything he had kept their lessons in mind while helping his mentor with their daily tasks. “We still have spices from the city.” A mock attempt at trying to focus more on food and less on training, something he had picked up over the last couple of weeks to try to appear more stable to his mentor. If they could focus on smaller things like what type of spices they wanted on tonight’s catch or what type of tea they wanted to drink that evening then it could help distract them both from the burning thirst for revenge. Tea drinking in the evenings was something that Kaipo had enforced, the pair spending the last hour during sunset drinking from the worn teacups and just reflecting upon the day’s training together. At first Haikili had refused, but now he actually appreciated the ceremony since it had helped him to center himself before attempting to sleep. It didn’t always work, but it helped to ease his nerves a bit so that he actually managed to get a few short hours of rest before waking up in the middle of night because of the nightmares.
“I was thinking of some spicy rub on the fish tonight.” Kaipo agreed with a grin towards Haikili. “Care to prepare the firepit? I was thinking we could just skewer and roast them with some of the vegetables grabbed from the market. There’s quite a variety now that the city has opened itself up to trading with foreigners.” Immediately they winced though when they spotted the shadow that crossed Haikili’s features. The Kahi hybrid still felt a surge of disgust whenever foreigners were mentioned, the once open Kahi now adamantly against earthlings and their like since he couldn’t trust any of them ever since the incident. Even though their islands had some bandits and pirates ever since the beginning of time, it felt like their waters had only gotten more dangerous since the foreigners had started sailing in them as well. Traders brought more disgusting things like pirates with them, after all, and none of them were appealing to Haikili who would rather send them all flying back towards the other continent so that they could ruin the lives there instead of invading his homeland. “You know the traders I met with today weren’t that awful…” They began, the Kawena somewhat more tame despite the pain that they had also suffered at the loss of Kai and Ailani, but their words trailed off as Haikili turned away and started gathering driftwood for the fire. “I’ll go prepare the fish.” Kaipo let out a soft sigh as they watched Haikili for a moment longer before turning back towards where they had left their net full of fresh fish for dinner.
Sparks flickered along Haikili’s fingertips as dark dots swarmed his vision for a moment while the rage threatened to boil over. “Don’t.” He spoke the word softly as he clenched his fists at his side, the Kahi fighting the urge to lash out in anger. Just because the idea of foreigners made his insides twist still, it didn’t mean he had to go into a blind rage every time that they were mentioned. The Kahi swallowed against the feeling, forcing it down into the depths of his soul where the storm settled, and after another few breaths he managed to move again without the sparks tingling along his skin. Eventually he gathered all the driftwood that he needed and by the time Kaipo returned there was a fire waiting for them. The little fire pit was on the beach, a good twenty feet or so from their cavern home, and it was where the two of them enjoyed watching the sunset while cooking a quick meal. The charred remains of the dummies were just a few feet away, but by the time the skewered fish and vegetables started cooking the scent of ashes was completely replaced by the scent of spicy food. Something with spice that would make any other Kahi cry was favored by both Kaipo and Haikili since anything else tasted like ashes in their mouths, the pair not really enjoying meals like before ever since mourning the loss of Ailani and Kai. At least that was how Haikili felt, the hybrid wasn’t completely certain about Kaipo since he couldn’t completely read him even after living together for so long. But he did devour the skewer far quicker than Haikili who took his time chewing the food and forcing down each bite. It was still better than before when he hadn’t been able to hold down food in the first couple of weeks after waking up, his stomach revolting against everything including water. Kaipo had to fight with him during those weeks, forcing him to try broth after broth until Haikili could finally keep something down and while he started out training looking more like a wraith eventually he started eating again and now was a brute of a Kahi. Food still made him feel uneasy, but training did bring back an appetite and his broad form required nutrients to keep strong and so he ate. And then came the tea ceremonies, the bitter teas full of herbs that would help him to stay strong and recover from the long training sessions that sometimes went from dawn until dusk. Once they finished their skewers, it was Kaipo who brought over the kettle of water to boil over the flickering flames. The metal hook was firmly planted into the ground and the tea kettle only barely swayed while the water started to heat, Kaipo taking the time to prepare the bags of fresh herbs for tonight’s tea. “Citratrus tea with some honey to help soothe us.” Kaipo informed Haikili, the Kawena plopping a bag into each of their cups as the kettle began hissing with steam. “Supposed that’ll help with sleep, they say.” They poured the steaming water into each cup and handed Haikilli a wooden stick with crystalized honey on the ends. “Fancy, right?”
“It feels unnecessary.” Haikili frowned as he twisted the stick and then placed it in the tea. “I suppose you enjoyed getting to explore the markets again.” There was part of him that did feel guilty for taking Kaipo out of so much. Based on what the Kawena had told him, it did seem like they didn’t mind being a loner but at the same time there was so much that Haikili still didn’t understand about them. They seemed charismatic enough and from the collection within the home they had definitely traveled across the islands to gather numerous treasures so it wasn’t as if they weren’t well traveled. If anything, they were staying here longer than before because of Haikili needing training. He had taken Kaipo’s time and while he appreciated it there was still part of Haikili that was confused by it all. How involved had Kaipo been with his mothers that he cared enough to take him in like this? It was still strange for him even as he lived with Kaipo and tried to learn more. Regardless, Haikili knew that he owed Kaipo for saving his life and for helping him to control his new abilities and tangled emotions. If the Kawena ever needed anything then Haikili wouldn’t hesitate….at least that was what he believed.
“I did.” Kaipo began before stirring their own tea thoughtfully. “But there was something that I found out while exploring those markets.” They paused again, blowing on their tea before taking a sip, and then looked towards the ocean as if contemplating something. “You know that I helped treasure hunters when I was traveling around? They allowed me to join in on several adventures while I was dealing with some…emotions at the time. You would have been younger, barely a toddler at the time.” Kaipo admitted quietly. “They were a lovely couple and had a daughter together who was also raised with the hapuna. Unfortunately though, I didn’t get to go on their last adventure and they never returned. Thankfully the girl had an aunt who took her in so I didn’t step up but I did come back here to keep an eye on things before wandering for a time again.”
“And?” Haikili knew that Kaipo had come back because of his mothers passing from this world, but he didn’t know what Kaipo was intending to do by bringing up some other random child who had lost their parents. It was a bit too late to try to get Haikili to connect with someone, right? It wasn’t as if he was going to emotionally bond with another Kahi just over the loss of their parents. Or even if there was someone else to understand his pain, then why wait until now? There was definitely something more to this conversation and Haikili found his fingers tightening on the teacup even as he forced himself to take a drink. For something supposedly calming it was just bitter in his mouth, not even the honey could help with that taste. Though perhaps it was just his anxiety making the taste linger like that since he didn’t like how Kaipo seemed so thoughtful, as if balancing their words to try and suggest something that could potentially make Haikili very upset.
“Halia was the name of the aunt. I have visited with her several times over the years and even met Pounamu, something that I should have done with you when you were older and could actually remember me.” Kaipo acknowledged with a sorrowful smile towards Haikili. “I did visit a couple of times when you were too young, just barely a toddler who probably wouldn’t remember me, and then time passed so quickly before I could even fathom actually interacting with you and you were suddenly a teen. The girl though…Pounamu is her name, was a shy child and I didn’t need to worry about things since she often skittered away from me instead. Halia would ask her to serve us tea like this but then she would run and hide again as soon as her aunt allowed her to go. She should be around your age now.”
“If you think setting me up with someone else who has suffered loss is some sort of remedy…”
“Not at all!” Kaipo shook their head, their jade gaze flashing with emotions as they looked at Haikili. “I know better than that. You can’t force pain away through new connections, even though they can help somewhat ease the pain and give you more reason to live again.” The Kawena murmured, their own experiences mixing up into the conversation as they reflected on their past and the pain they suffered each time someone left their life. “I brought up Halia and Pounamu because when I saw Halia today she was rather distressed. Apparently Pounamu went exploring after a friend some time ago and still hasn’t been heard from. The timing would be around the time when the incident…”
“She’s probably dead then.” Haikili replied, the words more bitter than the tea he swallowed. “But then again you wouldn’t be bringing this up if you thought so, right?” What was Kaipo thinking? If it was those pirates then they would be a whole ocean away and there was no telling where this Pounamu could be by now. Unless? Surely not…Haikili frowned at the very idea that Kaipo could be suggesting something so dangerous. Even though Haikili would love to get revenge on those who broke his family, the thought of actually chasing them down still made him wary. Could he even control himself if he saw any earthling? What if he just broke at the sight of a foreigner and lost himself before even finding those who truly deserved his wrath?
“Your mothers were an exception from what the stories tell. One of which would have actually survived had she not sought to take out as many as possible like that.” Kaipo continued quietly, the Kawena still stirring their tea as if willing the honey to make the drink sweeter and the situation somehow better as a result. “Other Kahi that went missing are rumored to be placed on a blackmarket, the foreigners in certain countries intrigued by our kind and wanting to collect new servants of sorts. Some stay on the ships to work with the pirates while others are bartered off to clients in the oversea cities, their wealth allowing them to get away with things that should not be allowed. A trader recently came into the capital who heard rumors of a hybrid Kahi with dark skin and bi-colored eyes being spotted in Oba before being dragged out of sight. If that is Pounamu then perhaps there is a chance that she can be saved and brought home. I want to help Halia bring back the child of old friends, but I’m not certain how well I would fare on my own. Even I cannot deny the fact that the years have started to wear me down...”
“Is it truly a good idea for us to track down this girl?” Haikili questioned, his expression dark as he thought over the situation. Kaipo wasn’t wrong to say such things, but it still stung nonetheless to know that Kai had been the one to seek death like that. Even if she had managed to take out two of them before her own demise it was such a waste. Killing them would bring neither of his mothers back, but perhaps it would help to ease the rage that burned within his chest. That much made him understand Kai’s actions despite everything, as much as Haikili hated it. She had chosen revenge over protecting the child that she had with Ailani, the pain of existence without her lover being too much for her to bear. If not for Kaipo then perhaps Haikili would have already rushed into a similar path, even now the idea of taking revenge reminded him of that first year without his Makuahine and how it had given him some encouragement to try and survive the pain. If he could survive then he could train and grow stronger which meant that he could one day hunt down those bastards…what else was there to live for at this point? That was what had kept him going, as hypocritical as it felt considering how Kai’s decisions had hurt him. Though Kai had him before she made her decision, he had no one so that made Haikili feel even more desperate. If he had at least one of his mothers, would he reconsider this path? Perhaps, but that was not his reality and so here he was.
“I think saving a life is worth it.” Kaipo nodded. “A far more rewarding option than simply going out for revenge’s sake, don’t you think? Perhaps it is greedy of me to think so but if I can help out Pounamu then that’s one thing I can do for her parents who I failed.”
“Just like how you took me in because you feel like you failed my mothers?”
Kaipo paused, their expression twisted with emotions. “It’s more complicated than that. I did feel like I failed your mothers because I should have been here, I should have stopped Kai from rushing into death and I should have been around to help Ailani when she was left alone with pirates…there’s so many things I wish I had done, but one cannot change the past. All I could do was make certain that the child they adored could live.”
“At least my Makuahine adored me.” Replied Haikili bitterly. “Kai didn’t seem to hesitate to leave me behind.” He had mixed feelings about Kai, the one who he used to dream about adventuring with betraying his trust with her decision to rush into death instead of trying to find a way to fight through this life with him. If she had just stayed, just been there for him then perhaps he would have a chance at finding a way back into some sort of normalcy. Nothing would have ever truly been the same, but surely they could have found some sort of happiness together…if they had at least tried. The very thought made his fingers tighten around his cup, the pain still fresh as if he had just received the news of her passing yesterday. How could she just leave him like that? What mother would do such a thing?
“Haikili.” Kaipo had left their cup on the sand, the Kawena moving to place a hand on Haikili’s shoulder. “She wasn’t thinking straight, she was just in so much pain.”
“So was I!”
“And you nearly combusted after taking out the beach in your rage. She could not channel the storm and did not know how to address the pain that she was feeling.” Kaipo’s expression was gentle as they spoke, the pain haunting their eyes familiar to the pain that Haikili felt. It was Kai who Kaipo had followed here, after all, and while Ailani was dear to the Kawena as well with time it was Kai who truly held their heart all those years ago. “I regret not being here to try and stop her. That’s my burden to bear, please blame me instead.”
“Blame yourself, if you’d like.” Haikili shrugged off the hand and downed his cup of tea, slamming the empty cup into the sands as he stood. “Maybe one day I’ll reconsider, but for now there’s not much I can give her. Not yet.” He looked back towards Kaipo, his gaze somber as he tried to suppress his own emotions. “It’s late. I’m going to rinse off and rest. As for this Pounamu? I suppose we’ll look into boats heading towards this Oba place. I can go by myself or you can guide me, I don’t care. It’s better than rotting here on this island.” He had trained enough and the fact that he could talk about Kai without blowing up the beach was proof that there was more control over his emotions that would have otherwise raged wildly across the cover just a few weeks prior.
[4620 wc]
The Voyage
Traveling so far by boat was a miserable experience for Haikili who hated feeling trapped on the swaying vessel. Thankfully though Kaipo had managed to find actual Kahi traders who were going out to the port city in Matori, the pair of Hapuna were bright and eager to trade with the foreigners who made Haikili’s features twist in disgust. It was hard to control his expression, the hybrid trying his best to not glare at the earthlings as they walked across the upper decks alongside the Hapuna merchants. “It’ll be a good trial for you.” Expressed Kaipo at the sight of the two Matori earthlings, one having some different features with round ears and pink hued hair that made Haikili realize later on that he was mixed blood for an earthling. At least those from Matori felt more natural to him, almost as if he could ignore that they couldn’t stay in the water as long as the Kahi and didn’t speak their native languages without some sort of accent to their clipped words. Out of those who had been at the scene where Kai was found, only one had anything remotely Matori about him with the rest being more darker in color with amber gemstones across their upper arms and faces. He had to remember that not all foreigners were pirates and bandits, as hard as it was for him to not associate them with such because of everything. So the month on the ship was a good time to try and figure himself out as they traveled from port to port, the merchant ship taking its time going through the islands before arriving at Matori. At first he started just lingering about in the sleeping quarters, Haikili and Kaipo sleeping with most of the Kahi sailors since it was cheaper than trying to pay for one of the few private cabins like the earthling merchants did. As long as Haikili avoided the dining hall on the ship and didn’t take too long on the upper decks it was fairly easy to ignore the foreigners who were sailing with them. But then Kaipo kept urging him to at least try to socialize a bit more, Haikili slowly creeping out from the lower decks to stay around the dining hall where the others gathered in the mornings and late afternoons for meals. Even then though Haikili would only nod in greeting while Kaipo socialized with the others as the Kawena did not hesitate to swap some causal stories and tales during their journey. Sometimes even Haikili would be a bit surprised by some of the tales though. He didn’t realize quite how much the Kawena went through dangerous areas to hunt down artifacts and treasures in the past. It did bring to light more about how close Kaipo was with the parents of this Pounamu since Haikili realized those were the partners that Kaipo often spoke about during their tales. Still, it only made him wonder if this Pounamu was anywhere near as strong as her parents were in these stories. If so then he was surprised that she had not yet broken free to return to Kahi on her own. What type of bonds kept her in place for so long, especially if she had even a spark of her mother or father’s spirits? Haikili would think about the types of situations that could be waiting for them in Oba every time he questioned such things, the hybrid preparing himself for the fight ahead. It was what kept him sane as he swung around in his hammock before he went out to walk the upper decks, the pattern repeating night after night, as he could not truly sleep while the others rested. The nightmares would only make him lash out and it was far better to only steal naps in the afternoon while most were above decks and Haikili could be left in peace, or whatever peace he could find while thrashing about against the nightmares. But still he did not break as he kept his rage in check and even managed to eat in the same room as the foreigners. Kaipo did not even have to intervene after the initial meeting, the Kawena saving his energy and not casting an aura as often save for when the ocean threatened them with dark storm clouds. And so the days passed, the ocean changing from its clear blue hues to something darker and murkier as they left the familiar ocean and entered new territory.
It was here that the first challenge started. As the crew started to ring a bell, a frantic frenzy beginning above decks as they crossed from the clear ocean of home into the darker waters, there was a giant sea creature beneath the ship. None of the crew knew what to do in this situation, the creature having been nothing like they had ever seen before. “Haikili, help me!” Kaipo cried out, the storm herald diving into the water with Haikili following shortly afterwards. If they didn’t act now then they might not make it to the next port, already the creature was rocking the ship worse than any storm which prompted Kaipo to jump into action. The pair darted through the waters, the giant squid like creature trying to slap at them and trap them with its tentacles, but the year of training paid off as they worked in unison to confuse the creature and both brought down their own bolt of lightning as it surged up out of the water after them. Needless to say, everyone had plenty to eat that night and after Haikili was bandaged up from the injury he sustained during the fight he joined the rest in the dining hall. It was then that he was even gifted some silks from the earthling merchants who insisted upon him taking them after saving their lives.
“If I hadn’t then we would all be down there.” Replied Haikili after the Matori persistently hovered around him in appreciation. “I was simply fighting for my own survival.” He mused, looking away from the expectant face of the young merchant who was completely in awe of Haikili after witnessing the fight.
“You were so awesome though! I heard stories about how the Kahi can just move through water like it’s nothing, but you guys were so fast! And then jumping out of the water like that with the creature trying to grab you? Man! I didn’t expect you to just fry it on the spot like that…” The Matori gushed, his gaze bright with excitement as he relieved the story for the fifth time that evening. “Talk about an amazing experience! That timing and precision as well. We’re lucky to have such great warriors on board with us this time. When we get to Matori you should let me treat you to some drinks, I know a really great tavern…”
“We’ll see.” Haikili managed, trying his hardest to keep himself in check even as he felt overwhelmed by the praise and attention. “I appreciate the gifts and the offer, but we won’t be in Matori long at all. So I don’t know about drinks.”
“Aww.” The Matori’s expression fell but he nodded his understanding. “Still, if you change your mind then I’ll gladly keep to my promise. We have a couple of days more until port anyways, so just think on it?”
Haikili simply nodded, the Kahi hybrid retreating back to the lower decks with his rewards from the Matori. The small chest of silks was tucked neatly by his hammock, the materials ready to be sewn into clothing when they found a tailor at the next port city. The merchants had insisted upon it, especially when they learned the pair meant to head into Oba as they reinforced that such material would keep them in style and keep out the heat as well. The very thought made Haikili frown. Why would he care about being in style? He just wanted to go into the city, find Pounamu and rip her out of there to safety before getting caught up in anything else. Revenge was one thing, but even Haikili didn’t know how to rush into it. He just hoped Pounamu could give them more information about her captors and how she had even been picked up in the first place. Another worry tugged at the back of his mind though. What if she simply lived in Oba because she wanted to do so? But then again, why would she leave her aunt without sending notice? It didn’t add up. Haikili shook his head, the hybrid climbing into the hammock where he could just swing about for the rest of the night and avoid notice if possible. He had bandages along his arm, the fresh wounds from the tentacles still stinging a bit even as the medical herbs started to set in. Perhaps for once though he would actually sleep through the night, Haikili’s mind feeling fuzzier by the minute as the herbs started to truly set in. And by the time he woke up there would be a new island in sight, their ocean journey finally finished as the ship prepared to dock in Matori.
[1540 wc]
The Desert
“This is absolute misery.” Kaipo moaned, the Kawena once again moving the collar of the silk tunic up and down to try to fan their flushed skin. The pair had spent almost two weeks in Matori to gather supplies, much to Haikili’s frustration as he wanted to leave quickly, but during that time they had even gotten clothing for their travels. Thankfully the merchants that they saved had good recommendations for a local business, and they were fitted with their new attire being completed within a week. And despite being warned that their previous attire would only work well in Matori, neither Haikili and Kaipo were truly prepared for the blistering heat of the Oban deserts. They both missed the ocean breeze that they had known their entire lives, the cooling wind nonexistent in this terribly dry heat that made them both dive into any oasis pool without hesitation. “I can’t even try to summon a storm without something seeming strange. Do you think Obans summon sandstorms instead if they have any like us out here?” Kaipo questioned, looking around from their vantage point on the wagon that they had taken with Haikili. Thankfully there had been a caravan of merchants going from the Matori port towards Sulburi to trade in the markets there and the Kahi had managed to snag them a spot in the supply wagons in exchange for a few pearls they brought from the islands. It was not the most comfortable of rides considering how they only had a few spaces in between stacked crates to place down a blanket and try to relax while they were on the move. Even at night there was no relief because the extreme heat turned into a bitter cold that Haikili had never known before. Kaipo seemed a bit more at ease from that, knowing how chilly the deeper waters of the underground caverns of the Kahi could become, but even they weren’t completely happy as they curled up in the thin blanket that they had packed for travel. It wasn’t as if they could carry a lot of belongings, both Haikili and Kaipo traveled light with one supply pack and waterskin each. They had planned on trading the rare pearls and gemstones from the island, the valuables tucked within a hidden pocket and split between the two packs, and so they did not think to carry anything that would be too heavy since they could afford a room in Sulburi. But once the sand dunes came into view, both Kahi became a bit more nervous about their journey. If any of those sandstorms separated them from the caravan it would not matter how many valuables they had, not when the desert sands cared nothing for precious jewels for trade. And hearing that it was more likely for the sands to swirl about in dangerous winds instead of seeing rain? That was nearly impossible to believe.
Haikili just grunted at the question, his mood already soured by the fact that they were dealing with so many new things while he had to behave around foreigners. It was getting harder, some of their companions looked a lot too much like those who had been at the beach when he found Kai that day. Even though there were notable differences between their merchant companions, the crimson hair and amber crystals on a few only reminded him more about those he despised. It had become easier for him to just keep silent, the Kahi hybrid already making some uncomfortable with his abrupt and gruff responses. Curiosity had brought them over in droves at first, a couple of merchants and workers trying to strike up casual conversations here and there, but after the first few days of travel most left him alone since they realized he simply did not wish to socialize with anyone here. Kaipo fared a bit better by keeping up with their charismatic and warm attitude, but it was dampened by Haikili’s glowering that kept many away from their wagon. “Grunting again?” Kaipo protested as they looked over at their apprentice with a sigh. “It’s going to be hard to gather more information about Sulburi and any leads for Pounamu if you keep acting like this.”
“I can’t play nice like you.” Haikili admitted after a moment, his mouth pressing into a frown of annoyance. “You seem to handle things fine on your own.” The hybrid shifted, his behind sore from the wooden boards pressing into him all afternoon as they passed through another long stretch of desert, and the movement nearly brought a curse to his lips. Who knew that traveling by wagon could be so uncomfortable? The thin blanket he tried to use as a cushion was laughable and made Haikili wonder exactly how spoiled he had been while living in Kahi, even beds of kelp were more comfortable than this.
“Well, you should consider this good practice.” Replied Kaipo as they shook their head at Haikili’s attitude. “What if I’m not around this entire time? You might have to take care of yourself at one point and it would be bad if you chase everyone away because you can’t even force something akin to a smile.”
“I hate lying.”
“I know.” Kaipo let out another sigh and looked towards the desert sky as if asking for help before wincing at the bright sunlight and scooting a bit further back into the shadows of their covered wagon. “But sometimes you’ll have to lie and play nice with others, even if you don’t actually like them. At least for situations like this because you need to make some sort of connection in order to find out your true enemies within these foreign lands.” They adjusted their headscarf while they spoke, the Kawena not quite adapted to being in such strong sunlight despite years spent living near the Hapuna.
“Mmm.” Haikili reluctantly nodded, the hybrid thinking about their situation as they continued riding along in silence. He hated trying this whole getting along well with others when the last thing he wanted was to play around and while he had helped other Kahi out in the past, it seemed like a lifetime ago from when he was much more open and hospitable. The teen from those days simply seemed lost, Haikili not certain how to even begin trying to go back to such a friendly nature after everything. And as it was, Oba was not the place he would imagine to be an ideal setting for such a recovery. The desert was already so hot and uninviting while the city that loomed on the horizon seemed like a mess of buildings, the crowded streets making his stomach churn as they rode through the main gates with the caravan towards the market area. As much as Haikili hated the marketplace, he understood that it was the best spot to try to gather more information about their lost Kahi. Raising his own hood to cover his features, Haikili slid out of the wagon with Kaipo and followed after the Kawena as they said their goodbyes to the merchants that they had traveled with. “Lead the way.” He nodded towards Kaipo and continued through the bustling marketplace, Haikili having to clench his fists at his side as he tried to keep his emotions from rising. How could they get any information in such a crowded place with so many earthlings that were too caught up in their own business? The snobbier ones simply pushed through the crowd, ignoring any cries from beggars while workers and the like darted through the crowd on the way to whatever job they had before they were late and lost the chance to make money. Merchants yelled over each other while trying to barter with shoppers, the variety of goods assaulting Haikili’s senses as he tried to adapt to the vibrant colors and the smells of heavy spices and incense that filled the marketplace. Eventually though he was jostled one too many times and the hybrid found himself reaching out towards Kaipo in warning. “If anyone else touches me…” He panted, his fingers curling tightly against the silk sleeve of his mentor where sparks threatened to fly. “I don’t know how much longer I can take this.”
“Finding a room it is then.” Kaipo quickly wrapped up some business, tossing a coin to a merchant who had traded with them and gave them some information about places to stay, and without further hesitation they guided Haikili to another area of the city where there was an arrangement of restaurants and lodging for visitors. The place that they chose was on the edge of a city street, the multistory building stretching up towards the sky created from layers of warm sandstone with open windows that had various colored curtains hanging for privacy. The inside of the lobby was quieter than the streets, the stone keeping the interior cool from the desert sun, and despite the strange looks from the Oban woman who greeted them the pair of Kahi quickly got a room at the top floor where they could retreat for the day. It was there that Haikili crashed into the pile of pillows that were tucked on a low bed, the frame basically nonexistent to keep closer to the colder stone floor. If the pillows weren’t so comfortable then Haikili would have been tempted to linger there with his cheek pressed against the stone that felt refreshing against his flushed face. This was all he needed for the moment. The journey through the desert, that chaos of the marketplace and even the ocean voyage had given him no rest and so for now Haikili simply lingered in the bed to enjoy the first hint of peace that he had felt in weeks.
[1630 wc]
Making a New Plan
The days came and went until almost three weeks had passed since their arrival. Haikili still wasn’t fully adjusted to living in Sulburi, but he was doing a bit better than his initial experience where he had nearly exploded the marketplace because of how overloaded he felt in the bustling area. The pair of Kahi were still trying to learn how to navigate the city while quietly gathering as much information as possible concerning their kind in the city. It seemed that some did actually visit with the merchants over the years, none really living in the city but showing up on occasion so that Obans were more familiar with the strangers from overseas. Not that they felt welcomed, mind you, but it was at least more common for the locals to just quietly judge a Kahi instead of loudly gasping or passing out from the very sight of one. At least that was how Kaipo described things as they continued coming back in the evenings with more information, telling Haikili more about what they had gathered while the younger hybrid rested in the inn while the city was busy. Haikili’s role was to venture out in the evenings, scouring the lower districts for anything suspicious since it was easier to get away with a few skirmishes in the darkness of night instead of in broad daylight. He was currently preparing to go out into the city, to look for smugglers or anyone that he could wrestle information from, but Kaipo had insisted that they share at least one meal first since both of them had been going nonstop since arriving in Sulburi. “Who knew that this place could hold so many secrets?” Mused the Kawena with a sigh as they pushed a bowl of curry towards Haikili, the pair sitting on the ground by the lower round table that was nestled in the far corner of their shared inn room. The curtains were tightly drawn against the windows with the wooden blinds closed beneath them for privacy and since they were on the upper floor by themselves Kaipo felt no need to even try avoiding their reason for being in the city. “At this rate I wonder if Pounamu is actually here.”
“It’s a large place with so many visitors passing through as well. There must be hundreds of streets, let alone thousands living here.” Replied Haikili quietly, the hybrid forcing himself to tear bread so that he could stomach some curry. It wasn’t as if the food tasted bad, if anything the Oban spices were akin to the ones that he enjoyed back in the islands, but he still struggled with eating in general. It was just something he endured so that he could keep going, nothing that he did for pleasure like others did. He had seen plenty of that while roaming past taverns in the darkness, groups of foreigners just enjoying themselves by filling up their stomachs with food and drink while getting rowdy with companions. “The upper districts are harder to survey, those manors have too many guards and even if we find a lead it will be harder to get into one.”
“Fair enough.” Kaipo let out another sigh as they leaned against the table. “I was really hoping the information I had could help reduce our time searching the city. It’s getting trickier to investigate as well. I think others are starting to keep an eye on me.” The Kawena wasn’t a fool, they understood asking too many questions and staying in one place for several days was enough to rouse some suspicion. Wearing a hood and darting through darker alleys and trying to keep under the radar was becoming tougher as each day passed. Even Haikili was having some issues, his presence beginning to become part of rumors that spread through the underground ever since he fought a few thieves the other day. He still remembered the sensation of wandering the lower markets and feeling like there were shadows sticking to him. It was unnerving and had made him stumble into a confrontation with thieves who tried to take advantage of his distraction, the Kahi quickly showing them why it was a horrible idea to try to steal from his belongings. But even as they fled and carried off their leader that he had knocked out with them it felt like there was still a pair of eyes watching him. He had spent the rest of the evening just crossing through various streets, never removing his hooded cloak, and even racing here and there to try to shake off the feeling before it finally disappeared and he felt safe enough to head back to the inn just as dawn began.
“If it’s too dangerous then you can stay inside and I can try the markets tomorrow.” Haikili suggested quietly. “I have better control now.” He pushed the mostly empty bowl away towards Kaipo, proving that he had eaten something, and then looked over the Kawena thoughtfully. “Why do I have the feeling that you’re contemplating something?”
“Well, you see…” Kaipo started, the Kawena twisting their fingers together. “You got some attention in the darkness, but no one to our knowledge has actually seen your features because of how careful you’ve been. My features have gotten noticed though, it’s been a bit harder to hide in the marketplace during the daylight, but I did get some information today that could help us. There’s another city in Oba known as Jatine…I think we might have to investigate there as well. Apparently the ports there stay busy and nobles like to keep manors in the area to get away from the desert heat. No one would recognize me if I wandered there, but we would need to keep an eye on Sulburi as well.”
“You want me to stay here while you go to another city?” Haikili asked, his mouth pressing into a tight frown of disapproval. It was reckless! What if something happened and he didn’t know how to find Kaipo? “How is this a good plan?”
“Divide and conquer, right?” Kaipo offered a small smile, trying to appear optimistic despite how exhausted and stressed the pair of them currently felt. “We can discuss options, I have a merchant in the market that I’ve been working with who is reliable…I can send letters to them for you to pick up when shopping for fresh vegetables and such. If you don’t hear from me then you can start with this inn that I’ll be staying at in Jatine, I already picked a location based on the reviews of other wandering merchants. I asked several and picked the best location that multiple foreigners referenced, just to be safe. I don’t know how many can read our local language from the islands, but we’ll talk in code just in case. The weather and anything that you find while shopping can be a hot topic while we work on settling into the area as potential business partners. Sound good?”
“I hate every bit of this.” Answered Haikili with a frustrated sigh. “But if you truly think we need to split up like this then I’ll trust you. We can work out some code and figure out finer details in the morning. For now I’m going to roam about and see what I can find tonight before preparing myself for this ridiculous plan.” Not only would it separate them, it would make Haikili the one responsible for checking out the markets in the daytime since Kaipo would be gone, and the hybrid was not excited about the prospect of getting lost in that chaos again.
“I believe in you.” Kaipo reassured Haikili as the younger Kahi stood and started to pull on his leathers in case he got caught in a fight again. “Just be safe and we’ll plan out correspondences so that we are fully aware of each other’s movements and locations. If anything we can also plan to meet at that one oasis by the next full moon, that should give us plenty of time.” A whole month to investigate and if one of them didn’t show up, then they would have to add another missing Kahi to their hunt…something that Haikili truly hoped would not happen. Still, all he could do was nod his reluctant agreement as he slipped out from their inn room and headed back out into the city to begin his own evening of wandering about.
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