The incantation was unexpected. Kai's face lit up. He spent most of his time in Hawaii or sailing the sea. But the old greeting from the Maori had not been forgotten. It felt good. Food for the starving. The words were not just spoken. They rang true. The god laughed in delight. He cocked his head back and even opened his mouth. The motion in the water was greater this time. It swirled around him. A dance of currents.
"Whakawhetai ki a koe," he said. "Not many of your kind care to remember the gods that were driven away by your missionaries." It had happened long ago for the man but the god had not forgotten. He also had a hard time letting go. Nonetheless, there was still joy in his voice. It was so rare that he was remembered like that that even a stoic like him found pleasure in it.