A summer storm would have scared others away with its intensity, but the typhoon actually called out towards Haikili. Ever since embracing his path as a storm caller, the Kahi hybrid had been training to control his abilities better by channeling that strength and allowing the lightning to flow through him rather than destroy him. The scars from his awakening still decorated his body, but he considered them more as a mark of honor or strength and less of a disgusting thing. Kaipo had helped him with that by teaching him more about nature and helping him to find some sort of peace since losing both of his mothers to pirates. It was still hard to not look at earthlings with disgust, but at last Haikili wasn’t ready to maim one if he spotted them. At least that was the hope considering he had not been back to the city for over a year since studying with Kaipo and training to become stronger. Even if he wasn’t on a murderous rampage there was still a burning desire for revenge and Haikili was determined to see those who had harmed his family pay the price. Some had fallen with his mother, but the rest? Well, he would have to figure it out and take care of things on his own when the time came. For now though he settled in to live with Kaipo, Haikili not going out until it was absolutely necessary like it was today. Kaipo had needed supplies but fallen ill and so Haikili had ventured back into the familiar area of his old home, the sights bringing a twisting sensation to his gut as he walked through town to barter with merchants for the supplies that Kaipo had. We’ll need more of this and that. He mused gathering supplies until finally leaving to head back up the path that led towards the island home he shared with Kaipo. It would take a few hours to hike it but Haikili was in good enough shape to do so with ease. The only issue was the gathering storm clouds and the energy that he felt from it. This was not going to be a simple rain, was it? Haikili let out a sigh as he looked at the satchel full of fresh supplies. He didn’t mind running through a storm, but he didn’t want to risk his belongings…

“Eeep!” A loud cry distracted him as someone screamed when the next rumble of thunder shook the ground around them. Haikili immediately twisted around, his fist in the face of a young hapuna who trembled at the sight. “I’m sorry, Haikili!” The voice immediately stopped his attack, Haikili blinking at the familiar sight of Valu who had grown a bit since their last interaction at his mother’s funeral.

“Why are you here?” Haikili asked, frowning as he lowered his fist. “It’s about to storm and we’re in the middle of the road, you can’t make it back to town in time.” What a fool. He hadn’t seen the boy in a year and yet here he was chasing after him? Dammit. This was part of the reason why he hadn’t wanted to come back this way in the first place and stayed behind when Kaipo went out.


“I know, I know! But I was just so happy to see you…” The teen’s voice wobbled as he looked over Haikili. “I thought you were dead because we hadn’t heard anything after….after things happened.” His voice shook, guilt still plain on his face from the mistake he had made that day when leading the thieves to Haikili’s home. But even Haikili couldn’t blame him. Who could? No one had expected things to turn out as they had. And so he simply shook his head before gesturing for Valu to follow him.

“I saw a small cave on the way to town. We can take shelter there until the storm lets up. Then I suppose I’ll have to walk you back.” It would delay him, but he didn’t want to let Valu out of his sight until he knew the boy was safe. No one would be harmed again, not if he was there to help it. Haikili refused to even allow the risk and so he guided Valu to the cave where they sat in mostly silence until the storm rolled over with Valu only trying to speak here and there, Haikili barely filling him in on the details of his current living situation and how he was training. He refused to reveal too much for fear the boy would do something stupid again, but at least Valu knew he was alive now and he could walk him safely back to town after warning the hapuna to never try to follow him again.

[805]