Novaport: Emera Island Period #8

Aftermath

As the sun rose from its slumber, the shores of Emera Island returned to their usual serenity and the sky became clear once more.

But it was violently red.

The long night of battering had left the island in tatters. Bamboo was strewn everywhere; muddy puddles littered the landscape, and stray Sims remained frozen in time.

Hana and Odin

When Hana fled the Wai residence with Odin, she took him to the nearest shelter: the Ahi temple. It was one of the only homes not built from bamboo and wood, and so had a sound structure to protect the pair from the coming wave.

Hana held the boy close to her, whose tears were as heavy as the rain outside. At first, Odin's words were incomprehensible, for his cries were muffled by Hana's shoulder. Eventually, he readjusted his face so that he could gasp for air, and murmured three words repeatedly.

Mummy. Daddy. Toni.

All Hana could do was hold Odin tightly, gently rubbing his back and telling him that it will be okay, even though she did not believe it herself.

Hana: When this storm passes, the first thing I will do is look for your family, alright?

Odin: I want...Mummy

Hana: I'm sure your mother will come looking for you, too. She just had to help your father and uncle...

As time passed, the boy's weeping stopped, as his eyes became worn out and his consciousness gave up. With Odin's sombre silence, Hana finally closed her own eyes. Naturally, her mind became overshadowed with worries for her own family, but the battle to fight these thoughts off exhausted her, and so she too fell asleep.

Enola

A few minutes after Sommer had went outside to check on Hana, the Honua residence was swallowed by a shadow of water. Sommer and Kohana had no chance; they were swiftly dragged away by the current.

Their shrieks awoke Nara and Enola, who caught one last glimpse of their family members before they were never seen again. Nara told his older sister that he was going to rescue them, but that she should save herself. However, Enola refused as, to her knowledge, Hana was asleep outside. She needed to see if her cousin was safe.

Enola climbed through the window situated above her bed, and waded through the flooded farm to Hana's hammock. Hana was not there, as Sommer had already discovered just moments before. Consequently, Enola headed back towards the sleeping quarters. The walls of the hut burst before her eyes, with her family members nowhere to be seen.

What should Enola do now? She came to the grave realisation that there was no point in searching for her loved ones, not in this weather. So, Enola made the difficult decision to turn her back on her family home, and headed towards the hills.

She found the tallest, sturdiest tree she could, and climbed it. There, Enola sat on a thick branch, wrapping her cold arms around her grubby legs. She remained in this position for hours, attempting to process what she had just witnessed.

Hinto and Urika

The homes of the Uila and Ea tribes were situated on a hill, so they were generally well-protected from bad weather. However, this tsunami was different. It was far bigger than anything the island had ever seen before.

The wave eventually reached the huts further into the island, showing no remorse for the lives it would take. The Uila residence was the first to be hit, and the brothers had little time to react. Yuma was swallowed up immediately, and his swaddled screams alerted his younger siblings. Onida rushed to help him, telling Hinto to get out as fast as he could.

Without hesitation, Hinto scrambled through his bedroom window, ripping apart the sticks that held it together. He ran further into the hills, past the Ea residence that was about to be pummelled by the same wave of despair. He had to help them.

As he headed towards the Ea hut, Hinto saw a woman sprinting. It was Urika. He chased after her, following her further into the hills while calling out her name. Finally, the girl stopped once the pair reached Mount Kiko, far away from the disaster.

Urika: They're gone! My parents...they're gone!

Hinto pulled the sobbing girl towards him, comforting her. He felt her suffering, too.

Urika: They're gone...I can't...they didn't deserve this! They're gone...

The pair resided in the mountains for hours, with Urika soon passing out from tiredness. But Hinto could not sleep. All he could do was replay the night's events; Yuma's final screeches, Onida's final orders.

Amber

Amber had been treading through the mud for what felt like hours, her voice becoming raspy from repeatedly yelling her brother's name. She was growing weary; her body ready to give up. Then, from behind her, she felt a large shadow and heard powerful sloshes of water, which forced her eyes to remain open. Amber quickly, yet hesitantly, turned her head, to see an enormous wave coming towards her. She fought with her legs to move faster.

As the wave was bound to eclipse her body, Amber grabbed on to a nearby rock with all of her force. She clung onto it like a baby, her hands often slipping due to the vast wetness. The water thrashed against her body painfully, like swords of ice. But she did not let go.

Soon, Amber was struggling for air, as water filled her lungs. She dragged her numb body further up the giant rock, determined to not surrender. She was no longer concerned about her brother.

Survivors

The first to realise the break of dawn was Hinto. The burning sunrise interfered with his gaze of the sky, and he soon noticed the soothing melody of birds flying over the tranquil ocean. Urika was still asleep on his chest, so he gently shook her awake.

Hinto: I think...it's over

Urika: Hm...

Hinto: Do you hear that? It's peaceful.

Urika: I- I had a bad dream...that-

Hinto: It...it wasn't a dream.

Urika shot up, her puffy eyes widening.

Urika: Last night...it was real...

Hinto: I'm sorry.

Urika: But...if the storm has passed...my parents...

Hinto sat up, too.

Hinto: We can try...to look for them.

Hinto stood his fatigued body up, offering a hand to Urika. She took a moment before accepting.

Hinto: We can look for my brothers, too.

The pair wearily made their way down Mount Kiko, observing the ruins of their beloved island. It was almost unrecognisable.

As the two reached the hills of their former residences, Urika noticed someone sat in a tree. It was Enola, who was still in shock.

Urika: Up there.

Hinto looked up to where Urika pointed, immediately knowing who the person was.

Hinto: Enola?

His words snapped Enola out of her frozen state, and she looked down. Her eyes were clouded in scarlet, surrounded by dark circles of exhaustion. It was obvious that she hadn't slept. Hinto saw that Enola was shaking uncontrollably. He approached the tree, climbing up it a little to reach out for her. Her trembling, icy hand grabbed onto Hinto, and he lifted her down.

Hinto: Enola...

She did not speak.

Hinto: Where's the others...?

He wanted to know if Sommer was safe.

Enola: They...I...

Although Enola couldn't get her words out, Hinto knew the answer.

Hinto: Gone...

Enola: I...I couldn't help them, Hinto. I- I saw them...dragged away...I should have...

Urika: It's not your fault...

The two women began to sob. Hinto wanted to join them, but he felt the need to stay strong. There would be time for crying later, he thought. Hinto watched the two cry, giving them time to collect themselves. When the sniffles began to lessen, he finally spoke.

Hinto: We...should look for others...

Enola: Hana...I- I didn't see her...on the farm

There was a gleam of hope in Hinto's eyes. Was Hana the only one Enola didn't see? Or perhaps, somehow, she didn't see Sommer, either.

Hinto: Was everyone else...there?

Enola: I...yes...I- I saw them. Mother...Nara...Sommer...

Hinto's eyes became watery.

Enola: I'm sorry...it should have...been me...

Hinto: No...don't...don't blame yourself.

Enola: I did...nothing...

Hinto: There's...there's no time for pity, when there could be others...

The trio pulled themselves together, and quietly started their journey through the island, looking for survivors. After some time, they discovered Amber, passed out on top of a rock. Her body was rosy and pale, causing Urika to scream. The wails awoke Amber, but only barely. She mumbled gibberish while her body shivered tremendously. Enola placed a hand on Amber's back.

Enola: She's...she's freezing.

Hinto bent down slightly, attempting to communicate.

Hinto: Hey...can you hear me?

Amber continued to mutter randomly, while her body jolted constantly.

Hinto: She might...have hypothermia.

Urika: Is that possible...on this island?

Hinto: The water can get very cold during the night...she was probably in it for hours.

Enola helped the confused Amber off the rock, but she could not walk. In response to this, Hinto picked her up, carrying her like a child.

Hinto: We need to find her somewhere warm...

Enola: What about...the temple? I think she lives there...

Urika: I heard it was cursed.

Enola: Yes, but...it probably is the only thing still standing.

Hinto: Worth a shot.

The group continued their journey, heading towards the other side of the island, where the Ahi temple stood. Amber passed in and out of consciousness, her condition seemingly getting worse. Eventually, they arrived, to find Hana and Odin asleep inside.

While Hinto laid Amber down on a hammock, Enola ran to her cousin, shouting her name.

Enola: Hana...thank goodness you're okay!

Hana slowly stood up, leaving Odin to sleep on the ground. She hugged her cousin tightly.

Hana: Enola...

Enola began to cry into Hana's warm shoulder. Meanwhile, Hinto lifted Odin up, and placed him in the hammock next to Amber.

Enola: The others...I'm so sorry...I couldn't...

Hana: What do you mean?

Enola pulled her body away.

Enola: They're gone...the tsunami...

Hana couldn't believe what she was hearing. She did not realise the wave had reached that part of the island, where her family lived.

Enola: I'm sorry...I wish...I wish I could have save them.

Tears filled her cousin's brown eyes. Enola pulled her in once more, joining Hana in her sorrow.

Mikai

As the hours went by, the group of survivors gradually grew tired of grieving. They focused their attention on helping Amber, who was in critical condition. They warmed her up with blankets, cuddles, and hot soup.

Then, Mikai entered the temple, unaware of the extent of his actions that had caused great turmoil to the islanders. When he saw the familiar faces in his home, Mikai stopped in his tracks. He observed the down-beaten group who were desperately helping his ill sister.

Mikai: Amber...

The others turned around to see him standing there. Hana was the first to approach him.

Hana: She's...she's very sick, Mikai. The tsunami...

Finally, Mikai recognised the consequences of his spell. He had endangered his own sister's life.

Mikai: What...

Hana noticed that Mikai was unscathed, unlike the others in the room. She became suspicious.

Hana: Where have...you been, anyway? Amber and I were out all night, looking for you...

Mikai: I was...

He didn't know how to explain himself, but he also was unsure as to why so many people were at his home.

Mikai: Why...are you all here, anyway?

Hana: Have you seen...the island? The tsunami? This place...is the only shelter left.

Mikai: Then...where is everyone else?

Hinto: They're gone.

Mikai: What do you mean...?

Enola: The tsunami...it...

Hana: We are...the only...

Their strained words; their worn faces; their dreary eyes. Mikai understood, but he didn't want to accept it. He had not just harmed his sister, but he had ruined the lives of his whole community. A huge wave of guilt came over him.

Mikai: I didn't...mean to...

Hinto: Didn't mean to what?

Mikai: I...fuck.

Mikai abruptly left, leaving the others confused.