Ropi Wimana Motu i Mata Teao
(Federation of Motui Mateao)
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Tapoti, population 41. A very small, even by Tanmotu standards, village on a small island about 60 km from Aetoratu Island. The island of Lō was known for its volcanic activity, and the small island was growing larger with every passing year. The volcano didn't really bother the residents of the island, since lava flows usually went down its western slopes, oftentimes giving the Tapoti warm pools of water to cleanse themselves in. The tropical trees adorned the eastern shores, thriving from the volcanic soil, giving the villagers a rich bounty of food and clean water. It was a simple life for those on Lō, but nobody complained about it.
However, population 41 was about to become population 0.
In the dark of night, the sun had only just set a few hours ago, the ground shook. Some villagers were already asleep, and some were enjoying the night and chatting amongst themselves in the fair weather. Those that were awake felt the rumblings of the earth god, Moru, and nervousness began to set in. These rumblings were a regular event amongst these people, and should give them no serious alarm, but recently, there were some landslides that they feared could level their homes. Shortly after, the Tapoti could see the skies glowing red above the volcano. They realized that this was going to be a loud night, and packed it in for the evening. Rana, the fire god, would pester Moru this night.
On the other side of the island, a meter wide river of lava streamed from the caldera rim and boiled the water at the bottom of the volcano. If there was anyone to observe it, they could see the western face of the volcanic slope begin to bulge. The river of lava began to slow and narrow, an indicator for what was about to happen. Sadly, for the residents on the other side of the volcano, they didn't get that warning.
It exploded. The entire west face of the volcano was thrown out into the air, speeding at the ocean at hundreds of miles an hour. The lava that sat in the caldera was propelled in the sky, looking like glowbugs from the village's perspective. Magma poured out from what remained of the volcano, creating lava flows that covered the island. The villagers had very little time to react, as those who were awake went outside to see what the cataclysmic noise was coming from. Rocks and lava bubbles rained from the sky and struck some villagers, instantly killing them. Population 37. Those that were sleeping were jolted awake, but had very little time to get outside. For those that were able to get out, as well as those who were already outside, they were soon suffocated by the noxious gases. Population 21. The rest were killed by the pyroclastic flows that formed from the ultra dense ash cloud hanging above the island. Population 0.
* * *
Soumeā, Aetoratu Island
Kenare Parihaka looked at the distant horizon, and saw the flashes of light amongst a cloud of gray that swallowed up the moonlight. Rana had succeeded. The fire god had thrown Moru into the air, defeating him. But that wasn't what Kenare was worried about. Rana had won, but like always, he would retreat to wherever it was that he came from. He was worried about Whawea's revenge, a great wave of water that doused the fires of the volcano, but also washed away anything around it. The waters would come from where the volcano was, and he hoped that there were enough islands to absorb the energy of the waves before they reached Soumeā. It seemed wicked of him to hope for that, since those on the islands in the way would surely die, but he wanted to make sure his capital was safe, and that as many people were alive as possible. Already, from the moment the explosion was seen, the national coast guard was mobilized.
This is where Kenare regretted not asking for ships of the Navy from the United Nations, but they had no hope of maintaining those. They would certainly be helpful right now, he thought. Helicopters that could be spared from the islands were sent out to the doomed villages, trying to airlift as many as they could. The government sent out distress calls to neighboring countries on the mainland, and hoped that their help would come soon enough. There had to be some international naval ships and helicopters that could join the effort. The wave would only be 60 km away, and that gave them very little time. The residents of Soumeā, the many thousands of them, ran and drove up into the forests and mountains, hoping that they would escape with their lives.
This would be a very dark night, indeed.
