ZOMBI3S

I've only just read the first chapter and the review topic, but I can already tell you've put a lot of work into this. I'm not really good at reviewing things, but I will say that there's definitely a different tone here than most stories. This feels older somehow, like the world is truly ancient. Also, your production value is pretty impressive. I'm a sucker for all those banners and maps. I'll be keeping my eye on this one. Keep up the good work!

Here come lego dat boi. oh bricks waddup!!!

DEUS VULT

I've been a member for a while, but I've never really been very active, so I might not be the best judge of character on if BZP is actually dying. I do think its interesting how many people visit the site vs how many actually post things though. For example, as I type this, there are 236 users online, but only 19 that are actually members (and thus, I assume, the ones who are actually posting). Everyone else seems to be just lurking. That just seems like a very small percentage to me. Why is that?

this glorious madness:

I would like to counter the argument that says, 'they're not humans, they don't have to feel human emotions,' with this: yes that is true, but Bionicle was created by humans, for humans to enjoy. To cut Matoran/Toa/etc. off from human emotion is to sell ourselves short, to make the characters slightly less relatable. It shouldn't be the main focus, simply because of Bionicle's target audience, but I have always found it helps people connect and relate better. The absence of all romance whatsoever, at least for me, took away from some of the characters. Having feelings that can fluctuate from one type of relationship to another allows for more complexity, which can then in turn make the plot more interesting. Without it, basically everyone has the same type of relationship: friendship. Don't get me wrong, friendship is great and all...but for everyone to be forced into that? It just seems kind of bland to me. Physical attraction, for the sake of reproduction or not, doesn't make sense for Matoran due to their nature, not to mention that it would be inappropriate for the target audience. But that being said, I still believe that it can help with complexity and relatability. Yeah, it doesn't really have a place in the canon, but that's why we have fanfiction, right? When it comes down to it, your headcanon is the only canon that really matters

Well done. I always liked Krakua, and this seems fitting for him. I wish I had more words to say, but I'm contemplating my own mortality right now, so you most have done something right.

Well the video wouldn't play....so 5/5. Silence is golden, right? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypX5RiWRPIQ&list=PLWtGD00hko6vBq7eg7BdtkeQSqrIQJSmB I don't know how to place the video directly this post like everyone else is. Help?

Chapter 13 - Through the Gauntlet Sunlight streamed through Takua’s bay window, shining onto his bed. The mid-morning sun brought with it the smell of the ocean, and a gentle breeze that rustled the room’s pristine white curtains. He mumbled to himself as he slept, turning over as the sunlight warmed his mask. His head sunk into his pillow as he tried to ignore the encroaching daylight, but somewhere in his mostly-unconscious mind, something clicked, and groggily, he opened his eyes. He stared at his small, yet luxurious room, still coming out of a dream. It had been an eerie one, filled with scenes from The Tale of Atouri. He had seen Le-Koro’s old Storyteller at first, and then Makuta, disguised as a snake. In a rush of images, the dream had then brought him to a body of water, where he reached out to a drowning girl, foolishly having trusted the snake to lead her to safety. But try as he might, Takua hadn’t been able to save her. What stuck out most to him though was the stone itself: it shone with a golden-orange color, blessed by Mata Nui. He remembered holding it in his hands and staring out at the world, admiring the beauty of everything, but then the thump of a heartbeat sounded, and the stone began to dim. Its shine fell away as black clouds consumed it, and the world around him turned gray. Takua moved his arm, feeling the chain around his neck. His fingers followed it until they rested on the Atouri, and he held it tightly. It was still there; nothing had changed. It was only a dream. With a grunt he pushed himself up, sitting on the side of his bed. He rubbed his eyes and looked out the open window, watching as seagulls flocked over the bay below. His eyes followed the coastline until they rested on Ga-Kini, a simple circular platform surrounded by rocky spires, standing out in the water like ancient soldiers, always at attention. It was an impressive structure, to say the least. A puff of air escaped his lungs as he smelled the salty breeze. Today’s the day… His feet hit the cool marble floor as he got out of bed, and he stretched, cracking his back. He moved across the room towards the door and tugged at it, making his way into the hallway of the palace’s guest wing. The white walls combined with the sunlight from a half-dozen windows almost blinded him, and he squinted as he saw a figure making its way toward him. “Good morning,” Jaka smiled as he passed, holding a plate stacked full of toast, a small jar of raspberry jam in his other hand. “Morning,” Takua blearily responded. He focused his eyes, looking at Jaka’s plentiful breakfast. “…Do you ever stop eating?” he asked. “I just like jam, okay?” “Okay,” Takua shrugged. “How’s your back?” “Alright. It’s healing really well, but think I moved it too much last night.” Jaka made a squeamish face. “Still pretty sore.” Takua nodded. “What are you up to today?” “Just hanging out,” he said quickly. Jaka shifted his toast so he could open the door to his room across the hall, and Takua caught a glimpse of his bed as his friend shuffled through the opening. It was messy, and he couldn’t help but notice what seemed to be another figure laying on his mattress. He squinted, puzzled, and a pair of big green eyes very briefly met his gaze before hiding from view. Takua cocked his head, recognizing them from the night before. “Wait… is that…?” “Talk to you later, Takua!” Jaka grinned as he swiftly shut the door behind him. And Takua stood alone, slowly connecting the dots. He shook his head, grinning to himself, and turned around to explore the palace. At the end of the hallway he found a small alcove, which was stocked with bread and cheese and any other type of finger food one could possibly want for a late breakfast. He picked up a string of grapes, casually popping them into his mouth as he wandered the palace’s corridors. He stared at the walls and out the windows, admiring architecture and art, as well as views of the coastal city. He walked past priceless and antique pieces, signed with legendary names, including a grand stone sculpture of a Po-Matoran he recognized as Hafu. The artist’s name had been worn away at the base, but an informational sign stated that it was possible the famed artist had created it himself, perhaps even while traveling with the Chronicler’s Company. Takua raised his eyebrows. Cool. His meandering took him into the palace’s entrance hall, a wide, but long gathering space with stone pillars lining its edges. A deep blue carpet ran down its center, welcoming anyone who entered the palace’s doors with a certain degree of splendor. He stared up at the tall, domed ceiling, a strange feeling coming over him. He felt… power in this place. As if there was something ancient here, something more than just works of art. He looked around, the sensation of wonder gradually encompassing him. The hall seemed to echo of legends and stories, heroes and battles, of mystery and marvel. He walked forward, pausing beside one of the pillars as his gaze traveled down the hall toward the entrance, and there, he stopped in his tracks. Just a few feet away from the tall, ornate, white doors, three figures gathered. Two were Ga-Matoran children, a boy and a girl, who smiled and laughed as the third being entertained them. This lean figure squatted on the floor, at eye level with the children, wearing green armor that reminded Takua of the jungle. He balanced on the balls of his feet, giving off a light and airy feel, as if he could take off and fly around the hall at any moment. Everything about him seemed relaxed, witty, and cheerful, a stark contrast to the powerful war axe that rested upon his back. The being shifted his weight, and Takua caught a glimpse of a full green Miru, one he had heard described in a thousand stories. He had to stop himself from gasping, afraid he would interrupt the sincerity that played out before him. Toa Lewa… Takua couldn’t stop himself from smiling, and he leaned against the pillar as he popped a grape into his mouth. He chewed, savoring its watery taste, feeling grateful that he was able to witness a moment such as this. The Toa grinned as the children asked him something, jumping up and down excitedly, their voices softly echoing. The girl held out a small, stuffed doll, and the boy, a rubber kohlii ball. The Toa accepted the gifts, and with a quick twist of his hand, channeled his power, the air around him bending to his will. The children squealed with delight as their toys began to float, circling around each other, twisting and turning as Lewa smoothly shifted his hands. Takua watched in awe. The Toa was just like he’d imagined: swift, strong, and agile, yet kind and easy-going. He could imagine him swinging from vines in the jungle, effortlessly flying through the air, running atop branches and keeping pace with the fastest of flying Rahi. He could practically feel the vibe of ancient Le-Wahi: wild, untamed, beautiful, yet dangerous. Suddenly, Takua felt very alive and aware. He felt his ties to elder Le-Koro, his ties the forest, to the trees, and to the air. He felt, somehow… connected to this Toa, and through him connected to his ancestors and heritage. He could almost hear the tribal drums of his ancient village, beating in deep bass notes within his head. Boom, ba-boom. Boom, ba-boom. He closed his eyes, embracing this sudden onset of spirit, welcoming the feeling of being a part of something. If only for a moment, he felt as if he truly belonged. Boom, ba-boom. Boom, ba-boom. Takua’s eyes snapped open, realizing that those drums weren’t in his head. He looked back to the Toa, who had stood up, on alert. The children’s toys dropped to the ground. Everything was still as the beating continued, distant, but definitely audible. And then, Lewa picked up the toys, handed them back to the children, and ushered them off in the direction of the inner palace. With a subtle glint of his axe, the Toa bounded to the doors, cracking them open, and slid through the opening. In a second, he was gone. Takua stood there, recognizing the deep pounding as he stared at the entrance. The sunlight that streamed through suddenly wasn’t cheerful, it was ominous. He remembered the sands of the Motara desert, standing atop Po-Koro’s walls and staring off to the horizon. He remembered the two storms that had approached that day: one, a storm of wind and rain, and the other, of fire and steel. Boom, ba-boom. Boom, ba-boom. Kryll. The hoard was coming. Takua turned heel and ran back to his room. His feet echoed in the hallway as he passed the famous artworks, paying them no attention now. He could hear commotion behind him as people began to trickle into the hall, the peaceful morning dying as the Kryll’s drums grew louder. Takua slid to a halt as he yanked open his bedroom door, grabbing his belt from the foot of his bed and strapping it to his waist. His sword came to rest at his hip, and he turned his head to look out his window. And there they were. Beyond the city’s walls, at the edge of the valley where the forest met the fields, the light of a thousand torches shined. Smoke billowed into the sky at a dozen points on the horizon: places where Ga-Koro’s watchtowers had once stood. The drums of war pounded, still concealed within the trees, but heralding the arrival of destruction, of death. The Kryll advanced slowly into the fields, marching like an army of ants, pulling catapults, siege towers, and battering rams into the daylight. Takua clutched the Atouri around his neck, unmoving as he heard someone open the door behind him. “Takua,” Kokani’s voice was calm and low. He turned around to meet the Ko-Matoran’s gaze, a knowing look on his black Pakari. “It’s time.” Takua nodded. All thoughts left his head as he followed Kokani back to the entrance hall. People were running about now, alerting others, searching for loved ones, preparing for the incoming onslaught. Takua heard a deep bass note as the city sounded its warning shells, alerting everyone within the walls to what was coming. Chaos slowly enveloped the palace, but Takua remained as calm as he could, one hand on his sword and the other on the Atouri. They stopped in the middle of the hall’s blue carpet, unmoving as nobles, politicians and soldiers scrambled around them. And out of the chaos, the small shambling form of Turaga Nokama approached, escorted by two fully armored guards. The crowd parted around her as she moved, using her trident as a walking stick. Her mask, aged and lined as it was, showed no fear. She stopped just before the two Matoran, tilting her head in a subtle bow. Her yellow eyes rested upon Takua. “Are you ready?” Takua didn’t respond at first. He held the Atouri, rubbing it with his thumb as he noticed Aya and Jaka sliding to a halt to join them. Aya had already drawn her bow, and Jaka carried his shield on his back. He spared a glance at Kokani, who hadn’t yet drawn his staff, but his right hand hung close to it, his fingers slightly twitching. He turned back to meet Nokama’s steely gaze. “I don’t think it matters if I am or not, does it?” Nokama let out a dry smirk. “I’m beginning to like you, Takua,” she said, motioning for them to follow as she led them to the doors. “Pohatu arrived in the night, and Lewa just before dawn. Gali and Onua were sighted in the fields this morning; perhaps the Kryll have held them up, but they’ll be here soon enough. There’s no word of Tahu yet, but Kopaka stands ready at our gates, defending them until he arrives. I wouldn’t worry about the Toa of Fire though, he has a way of being there when you need him most.” She placed her hands on the great doors and pushed them open. Sunlight streamed into the hall, and Takua squinted as a view of the sprawling city opened before him. Ga-Kini stood at its far end, towering above Naho bay, but Takua’s attention was drawn to the dozen soldiers who stood before him, clad in full plate armor. “My finest will protect you until the summoning is complete,” Nokama said, gesturing to the armored Matoran. “They’ll die for you, if need be.” Takua didn’t say a word. He stared at the warriors, only the lower half of their masks visible beneath their steel helmets. They stood there, holding swords, shields, bows, and axes, still as the sun beat upon their silver and blue armor. If Takua hadn’t known what was coming, perhaps he would’ve felt safe. But he had seen what the Kryll could do. He knew what Krosis was capable of. Boom, ba-boom. Boom, ba-boom. He felt Nokama place a hand on his shoulder. “The Toa know to meet you at the Kini,” she said, nodding slowly, with purpose. “Walk within the light, Takua. Let Mata Nui guide you.” Takua took a deep breath and turned to look out at the temple, seemingly so far away. His fingers started to shake, and he gave them purpose by drumming them against the hilt of his sword. His heart thumped and his face tingled, and Takua took a second to close his eyes. “You guys don’t have to do this,” he said to his friends. “You’ve already done your duty by getting me here.” Aya was quick to respond. “Mata Nui, Takua, we all know you can’t take care of yourself.” Takua managed a slight smile, and he opened his eyes to look at all of them. “You really feel up to this?” He focused on Jaka, who was still had bandages wrapped around his torso. No one replied at first. There was a moment, as they all looked to the horizon, the drums of the Kryll beating in their ears, when the world left them. Here they stood, so close to the end their journey, this last final stretch unraveling before them. The world became very simple in this last moment of calm before the storm, before the hoard came crashing into the city’s walls. And, for what it was, they did their best to savor it. It was Jaka who finally spoke. The Le-Matoran rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck, looking over at Takua in a way that somehow managed to encompass his everything-will-be-alright mentality, and a solemn acceptance at the same time. “Until the very end.” And the Kryll’s war horn sounded. The deep, tribal bass note echoed from the fields, drowning out all other noise as it dragged on. All movement in the city seemed to freeze, and Takua braced himself, his muscles tightening as adrenaline began to pump through his body. The Atouri vibrated against his chest, until all of a sudden the note was cut off, leaving a precious instant of silence before chaos could truly reign. “Go!” Nokama said, her voice firm and unyielding. “Fulfill the Prophesy! Summon the Seventh! Meet the Toa at the Kini!” The sun cast thin shadows over the lines in her mask, and then, quietly, she went on. “…While it still stands, at least.” Takua grasped the Atouri one more time, and took off into the madness. Everywhere people frantically ran around, clouding the city streets as they searched for loved ones and shelter, but Nokama’s soldiers surrounded Takua as he went, always managing to clear a path. They moved as fast as they could down Ga-Koro’s main boulevard, filled with vendors at storefronts and market stalls, all of them hurriedly closing up shop. The crowd grew thicker and thicker, its chatter growing into a constant rumble as people tried to figure out what to do, where to go. And then, abruptly, there was screaming. Takua looked to the sky as people began to panic and push backward, just in time to see a giant flaming boulder smash into a building just ahead. Brick and mortar rained into the street, a plume of dust obscuring his vision of anything beyond. He doubled over, bracing himself as the shockwave hit him, hearing the sound of more projectiles crashing into the city farther off. But he pushed forward. His guards sprang into action, clearing the congested streets, ordering citizens around, telling them where to run to. Takua moved into the dust, unable to see more than a few dozen feet ahead of him, passing the remains of the ruined building. He ignored the cries of pain, the wailing of people trapped under the rubble. He wished he could help, but he knew he had one job, and one job only: Get to the Kini. And so Takua cleared the dust plume, revealing a battered city on the other side. He rushed by Matoran huddling in corners, clutching those closest to them as they looked to the sky with fear. He moved past overturned carts and boarded up shops, past gatherings of soldiers near open armories, past overflowing temples and places of sanctuary. He weaved his way through alleyways and avenues, always keeping an eye on the sky, making detours when more boulders rained from above, destroying the path ahead. He skidded through disorder, avoiding the worst where he could and pushing through carefully where he couldn’t, always conscious of his friends and protectors by his side. His feet pounded against the cobblestone streets, his ankles constantly straining as he dodged and weaved his way forward. The clear, quiet air of the morning was gone, replaced by dust and debris. It carried with it the smell of destruction, of smoke and burning buildings, fear, panic, and death. It hit him full force as he passed a collapsed inn, and he briefly slowed his mad rush, gazing at its remains. He could see it now. There, at the edge of the rubble, sticking out between the crumbled stone and cracked timber, was an arm. It reached out, unmoving, its last moments spent trying to grasp onto something, trying to find safety. Takua focused on it, the sounds of the battle fading away from his mind as he stared. Beneath it, oozing its way through the cracks in the rubble, was blood. Just keep going, he told himself. With a blink he averted his eyes, following Kokani into yet another crowded, chaotic street. Here and there he would turn a corner, and the spires of Ga-Kini would come into view, poking above the buildings ahead. Always he searched for it, their tall, rocky shapes serving as a far-off beacon of hope — but Mata Nui, it was so far-off. No matter how hard they pushed, how fast they tried to move, chaos always seemed to find them. Forced to take detour after detour, avoiding rubble here, panicked crowds there, and marching soldiers and supplies on every other street, the going was painfully slow. Takua had no idea how long he ran. The sun marched across the sky, minutes, hours passing by, but Takua paid it no mind. He only had thoughts for the madness around him. His shadow crept as he moved, growing longer his body started to tire, and soon enough he found his legs heavy, his lungs weary. Sweat dripped off his mask, but still he pushed onward. All he had to do was keep going. “Look out!” A sudden rush of wind and a deafening crash. Takua whirled his head around to see the top floor of the building above him obliterated by a flaming boulder. He covered his head and ran as brick and dust came crashing down around him, the sound of timber cracking, of stone crumbling. Giant blocks of rock smashed into the street as he sprinted to get out of range, his eyes watering as the dust irritated them. In a few seconds it was over, the building entirely collapsed, blocking the way back. Slowly, the air started to clear. Takua looked around him. Kokani stood by his side, along with three of the guards, but Aya and Jaka were nowhere to be seen. His searched the rubble with his eyes, praying not to see his friends trapped underneath. “Takua!? Kokani!?” He perked up at the sound of Aya’s voice, hope springing into him. Her voice sounded from the other side of the rubble, cut off from them, but she seemed to be alright. “We’re okay!” Takua answered. “Where’s Jaka?” “I’m good!” Jaka’s voice replied from roughly the same area, and Takua heaved a great sigh of relief. “The clock tower!” Aya’s voice rang out again. “We’ll meet you there!” Takua looked over his shoulder to see a tall, whitewashed tower rising above the city, just a few blocks away. Nodding to Kokani and the guards that still stood with him, their dash forward began anew. It seemed all the Matoran in this district were already hiding in their homes, or had sought shelter elsewhere, as the narrow streets that led them to the tower were mostly abandoned. The structure itself was five stories tall and sat atop a small hill, offering a good view of the surrounding city. It stood out among the adjacent buildings, which were mostly taverns and private residences, and as Takua approached, he took note of the large round clock hanging near its top. It was already mid-afternoon. The door hung ajar, telling him that Aya and Jaka had already arrived. He followed Kokani into the structure’s dark insides, pausing to catch his breath. “Up here!” Jaka’s voice sounded. Takua looked up to see his friend sticking his head over the lip of the third floor landing. They began to climb the tower’s narrow steps, spiraling around its inside, the clumping of their feet echoing up and down the mostly hollow structure. Soon enough they reached the third floor, a barren room with open doorways that led outside to a rough, wooden balcony. Takua looked around. Jaka had moved onto the balcony, and Aya sat at the far end of the room, resting her legs. One guard looked out in the direction of the city’s wall, watching for the Kryll’s catapults no doubt, and a handful of others sat quietly in the corner, saving their strength. Takua noticed that there weren’t enough of them to make up a dozen, but he tried not to dwell on that thought. They could’ve just gotten separated, right? He had to think positive. Making his way to the balcony, he looked out at the city, getting his bearings. From this far up, he could see everything around. Nokama’s palace loomed behind them, a testament to how far they had come, and Ga-Kini still stood ahead, waiting in the distance. They were about halfway through the city, halfway to their goal. All around him he could see the work of the Kryll’s siege machines: crushed, broken buildings here and there, pillars of smoke rising from a few burning fires. But overall, the city still stood. The damage seemed to be contained. Takua looked out at the main wall, the far-off sounds of battle wafting through the air. The Kryll surrounded the city, their countless warriors yelling and chanting in the fields, their armored boots trampling Ga-Koro’s crops. Their catapults stood at the cusp of the valley, still launching flaming boulders toward the city, but Ga-Koro fired back with their own. A few of the attacking machines lay broken already. And then there were the siege towers. A few had made it to the walls, and Kryll spilled out of them, their swords clashing against those of soldiers atop the parapet. But again Ga-Koro’s forces pushed back, containing the breaches, not letting the Kryll establish a foothold within the walls. He even watched as one of the towers began to lean backwards, a huge gust of wind suddenly pushing against it. The contraption’s timber beams cracked and buckled, and it began to fall away from the wall, collapsing atop dozens of Kryll packed outside in the fields. A collective roar reached Takua’s ears, the sound of soldiers cheering on the work of Toa Lewa, who must’ve fought somewhere alongside them. Once he stopped to look, he saw traces of the other Toa’s work as well. Two armored battering rams lay broken just outside the main gate, huge spikes of ice skewering them into the ground. He watched as the Kryll catapulted another barrage of stone toward the city, and then, right before his eyes, a dozen of the boulders disintegrated into sand before falling harmlessly onto the city’s rooftops. Perhaps Pohatu couldn’t stop all of their attacks, but Mata Nui knew the Toa of Stone would try. Takua watched it all, taking it in as best he could. It honestly surprised him, the way everything was going. The Kryll had done damage, yes, but they hadn’t been able to make any permanent progress. The chaos was contained, Ga-Koro still controlled the tide of battle. He wanted to feel hopeful, but he couldn’t shake the fact that something felt out of place. Only three of the Toa had arrived, what chance did the Kryll have of victory once all six had gathered? Was this really all they had to offer? He squinted his eyes, peering out at the masses that gathered in the fields, knowing that somewhere out there, the King of the Kryll watched it all too. What are you hiding, Krosis? And then, as if answering his question, he felt the heartbeat of the Atouri. Thump-thp. Takua clutched the stone as pain erupted in his chest, and he felt the ground shake beneath him. His ears cracked and began to ring, his vision blurring, a burning sensation spreading all over his skin. He cried out and fell to his knees, the world spinning. Someone, Kokani or Jaka probably, knelt down and called his name, asking if he was okay, but he couldn’t respond. The pain was too encompassing. The Atouri hit his chest, and he swiveled his head to look out at the water, dread peppering his soul. He’d felt this pain before, a long time ago, back in Le-Koro. He watched Naho bay through his blurry vision, the Atouri calling him to the churning waters. Fighting through his pain, he gripped the railing of the balcony, steadying himself as the tower shook. The waves grew larger, as if a storm was brewing, but no clouds gathered, no wind blew. Trying to make sense of it all, Krosis’ words managed to worm their way into his head. When he is close, you can feel his darkness. The sea grew rougher and rougher, until finally their surface parted, and something began to rise from beneath the water: a monster. A pain in your chest, burning all over your skin. Water cascaded off its gigantic head: like a Kane-Ra bull, but larger. Its body was lean and powerful, almost like a Muaka, and as it rose higher out of the water, Takua saw thick, powerful arms that reminded him of the mighty Tarakava. Insectoid wings unfolded as it reached its full height, though it seemed impossible that such a massive beast could fly. A powerful stinger tipped the end of its tail, still half submerged in the bay, and as the beast lifted his gaping maw towards the sky to roar, Takua felt what little hope he had disintegrate. You can feel him reverberating, pulsating around you. It was a horrible, hodge-podge of a monster. A foul dragonesque thing, seemingly cobbled together from the most dangerous parts of other beasts. It was something Takua feared as a child, something he’d thought to be only a legend until the start of his journey. And after what had happened in Ko-Wahi, something he’d hoped he’d seen the last of. You can feel his heartbeat, a subtle thump, beating within your mind. It was a thing of raw power, something that lived for one purpose, and one alone: to kill Toa. The Rahi Nui stood before him, bellowing into the sky. His pain subsided and he ripped the Atouri from his neck, grasping it with white knuckles. He heaved, catching his breath, trying to bring himself back to reality. He heard his companions talking around him, trying to understand what was happening, where this massive creature had come from. He felt Jaka put a hand on his shoulder, and he noticed that his friend was shaking. “What’s going on?” he asked, concerned, scared, at Takua’s sudden meltdown. “Are you okay?” Takua stared, his eyes full of fear and dread. The Rahi Nui terrified him, but what he knew from his pain was far worse. He looked his friend in the eye, trying to stop himself from trembling, but it wasn’t any use. “It’s Makuta,” he said between gasps, squeezing the stone as tight as he could. “He’s here.”

Aw, well thank you!! And nope! My thought process was mostly along the lines of, "What little slogan can I throw in here that sounds and looks cool when written out in Bionicle language?" But you're welcome to think I'm a deep, brooding artist if you want. I don't mind.

Hahaha I am so glad that you caught that. And as always, thanks for the praise! I'm pretty sure it physically sustains me at this point.

Thank you!! It took a bit of work, but I'm fairly satisfied with it. Honestly, I google-image searched for a high resolution picture of a Hau, and based my shading off of that. I always make my shading lines run in the same direction, and try to make them fade as gradually as possible. With things like Kanohi, rarely are there any surfaces that require a quick fade, and those that do you can usually get by with just drawing a line. I try to save cross-hatching for the darkest shadows, but that's entirely up to you. I just think single-lined shading looks a lot nicer, assuming they're all running in the same direction of course. I hope that helps!

I said the L-word in this latest chapter....! Slightly relevant:

Chapter 12 - Plans Takua pulled himself onto the low marble wall, content to sit atop it and watch as the banquet went on in front of him. His feet dangling off the ledge, his legs involuntarily twitched to the beat of the music, enjoying the moment away from chatter and small talk. He took in the cheerful night, gazing up at the strings of yellow lightstones suspended a dozen or so feet above. He grabbed his drink from where it sat beside him and took a sip, letting the warm brew fill him. He had no idea what it was, but he tasted a bit of pineapple amongst other various spices. He liked it; it reminded him of home. Turaga Nokama had put on a really great show, considering the circumstances of the war. The banquet took place on a large stone patio on the edge of the bay, surrounded by the marble wall Takua sat on now. One end was connected to the palace, where servers and staff rushed in and out, bringing food and drink to the guests, but the other was open, allowing access to the beach with just a few a steps. There was a stage opposite Takua, where a band played tropical music as Matoran danced merrily around, and tables with chairs were positioned along the patio’s edge for people to sit, eat, drink, and talk. He watched them mill about. It was an interesting crowd, to say the least. Unlike Illum’s coronation, Nokama hadn’t limited her guest list to the rich and elite. There were Matoran of all walks of life, from politicians to soldiers to fisherman. Undoubtedly, this led to some very interesting conversations, which Takua always managed to get wrapped up in whenever he tried to make his way through the crowd. He’d been coerced into telling stories about their journey so many times he’d lost count, and while it was repetitive, he did enjoy watching people’s faces as he told them about the time they’d fought two Muaka, or crossed the Motara desert, or how they’d managed to capture Krosis himself, if only for a day or two. He looked up from his cup and noticed a server moving toward him. She held a tray with a half dozen brews of various sizes, and offered it to him as she approached. She was about Takua’s age and pretty, with bright green eyes. “May I offer you some liquid confidence?” she asked light-heartedly. He looked at her, recognizing her from somewhere. “Still working on this one, thank you though,” Takua raised his own cup and swirled it around, but her eyes caught his attention again. He stared at her for just long enough to feel like he had to say something, so he awkwardly opened his mouth. “I’m sorry, have we…?” “Met before?” she finished his sentence and grinned, as if honored that he had noticed. “I’m Soli. I helped prepare your bath earlier, Takua.” “…Oh!” he said, taking a huge gulp from his drink, if only so he could hide his face for a second. He wiped the extra liquid from his lips and went on, as best he could. “…Well, it’s nice to meet you, Soli.” “Do you have a minute?” she asked. “Uh…” Takua looked around, slightly gesturing to the lack of people around him. “Sure, I suppose.” She placed her tray on a nearby table and leaned against the wall, fiddling with her hands. “I’ve been hearing rumors about you for a while. Based on everything I’ve heard, I must say I think you’re very brave.” Takua looked away from her, letting out a half-smile as he turned his attention toward the banquet. “That’s what everybody keeps telling me. I don’t think so, though.” “You should watch your words,” she bit her lip playfully. “Or soon there’ll be rumors about how humble you are, too.” Takua let out a polite, but slightly uncomfortable chuckle. He clutched the Atouri, not really sure how to respond to that. “Well, thank you, I’m flattered.” She tilted her head to the side, brushing her hand slowly around the rim of her tray. “Is that it?” “Huh?” “That stone around your neck? That’s the Atouri?” Takua became aware that he was squeezing it, a habit he must have developed sometime along their journey. “Oh. Yeah, this is it.” “I’ve heard the stories,” she said, a curious tone in her voice. “Always thought the idea was interesting. So much power in one little object, you know?” “I guess,” Takua looked down, affectionately twirling it in his palm. “I’ve had it for so long I don’t think about it too much, to be honest.” Soli took a step forward to see it up close, but then hesitated and looked up at Takua. “…Do you mind?” “Not at all,” he said politely, unclipping it from his neck and holding it out so she could see. Soli leaned close to him. Slowly, she reached out and touched the black stone, feeling it as she traced its edges with her index finger. She slipped one hand underneath it, and Takua could feel the back of her palm brush against his. She glanced up at him, a sensual, almost romantic gaze. He started to feel uneasy. The seconds ticked by as she held the Atouri, and he became aware of his heart. It beat softly at first, but the longer her hands touched the stone the stronger it started to thump. He could feel his blood rushing through his body, the sound of it flooding into his ears. Anxiety crept into his mind. Why had he let her get so close? To be polite? It seemed so foolish now. She caressed it as if it belonged to her, but it was his. He felt… almost jealous, that she was the one giving it so much attention. No one should be that close to it but him. No one! His heartbeat pounded in his head, the sound filling his thoughts. Thump-thp. “It’s beautiful,” she said. Takua twitched, involuntarily shaking the Atouri from her hands. A bit startled, she took a step back, and Takua automatically grabbed the stone, holding it close. He breathed in quickly, catching his breath as his heart began to ease, and he realized how insane he had just felt. He looked at the stone, and then to Soli, who stared back with a hint of confusion. “Sorry,” he said, placing a fake smile on his face. “Nervous tick, I guess.” Soli beamed one back, and smoothly picked up her tray. “Well, after I make this round I’ll be done with my shift.” She paused, holding the tray in front of her, as if waiting for Takua to reply. But the Le-Matoran didn’t seem to be taking the hint, and so she went on. “Would you want to meet up somewhere? I could…” her eyes twinkled. “...Show you around, if you’d like.” It took Takua a second, but then it clicked, and he felt his face warm. He looked down and smiled, this time sincerely, as he scratched the back of his head. “Thanks, but I actually have plans,” he lied. “…Oh,” Soli said as she lifted the tray to her shoulder, expertly balancing the drinks atop it. The excitement and energy in her voice was instantly gone. “Well I guess I’ll see you around, Takua.” Unable to stop himself from feeling guilty, he scrambled for something to say before she turned to leave. “But you know…!” he hopped down from the wall to grab her attention, nodding towards the long table across the patio where all of the banquet’s food sat. Jaka stood near the end of it, sampling a variety of jams. “…I know for a fact my friend Jaka is free. He’s getting over an injury, so I doubt he can dance or anything, but I… I don’t know. He’s a good guy. You might like him.” Soli swiveled around. “Jaka? Haven’t heard much about him to be honest.” “He took an arrow for me, from Krosis himself,” Takua said, exaggerating only a little. “And he’s a lot braver than I am, I promise.” Soli turned back to Takua, a knowing, but appreciative look on her face. “You’re sweet, Takua.” And again Takua was left with his tongue in a knot, unable to come up with a good response. “I’ll see you, Le-Matoran,” Soli bowed politely. “…Yeah.” She went off to go fulfill the rest of her duties, and Takua was left alone, staring as he held his half-empty drink. He watched as she eased her way into the throngs of Matoran, his eyes unmoving even after she had disappeared. He knew he shouldn’t, but he felt bad about rejecting her. For some reason, he still felt like he’d done the wrong thing. A mix of emotions seeped into his chest, but after taking a bit to process them, the one that stuck out the most was, well, loneliness. He looked up to the sky and sighed. With one swift motion, he downed the rest of his drink. “I wouldn’t consider flirting to be your greatest strength, Takua.” Takua looked to his right, his face reddening as he saw Kokani sitting by himself, just one table over. “Mata Nui, did you see all of that!?” Kokani nodded, smirking in that subtle, cheeky way that only he could pull off. Takua groaned, dragging his feet as he walked over to the table. He plopped down next to the Ko-Matoran, lowering his head until his mask rested on the table. “I’m a mess.” “The girl was right though. You are brave,” Kokani replied, and Takua couldn’t help but notice how he didn’t say that he wasn’t a mess. “And I don’t say that lightly.” “You don’t say anything lightly.” Kokani ignored his statement. “When you woke up in that mountain burrow and I explained what my plan for the Atouri was, you could’ve gone back. It would’ve been quicker, and a lot easier.” “Stop trying to make me feel better,” Takua said as he got up from his seat. “I need another drink. You want anything?” Kokani shook his head, but as Takua had started to walk away he spoke up again. “Takua,” he said simply. Takua looked back at him. “Whatever happens once the Toa get here, I’ll stay with you.” Kokani’s words were quiet, but strong. He paused, nodding as Takua stood there, staring back. “Until the very end.” “…Thanks, Kokani.” “Aw, are you guys having a moment? You look like you’re having a moment.” Takua swiveled around at the sound of Aya’s voice, and then the Ga-Matoran had shifted past him, smoothly and seamlessly depositing a full cup in his hand. She slid on the bench next to Kokani, bumping his shoulder as she placed one in front of him as well. Takua noticed that she hadn’t bothered with one for herself, instead choosing to drink straight out of the bottle she held confidently in her right hand. “Family bonding!” she proclaimed loudly, slurring her words only a little. She threw an arm around Kokani’s shoulders, who chose not to reciprocate. “Isn’t this great guys?” Takua sat back down at the table, across from her. “You feeling alright Aya?” “Never better!” she took a swig from her bottle, wiping the liquid off her lips with her wrist. “Where’s Jaka?” she looked around, quickly spying him at the food table, still sampling everything in front of him. “Jaka! Come here!” The Le-Matoran perked up at the sound of his name, and upon seeing the three, piled five more scoops of fried pineapple onto his plate before making his way over. He’d slept most of the day away, and had awoken just before the start of the banquet. Whatever Nokama had done to him must have worked incredibly well. While he still couldn’t bend over, run, or jump, Takua hadn’t expected him to be up and moving at all for a while. But here he was, carefully sauntering over, holding a plate stacked entirely too high with food. “Hey guys,” he said as he placed his dinner onto the table, starting to maneuver himself into a sitting position. He moved carefully, wincing every time he had to move his back. With a quiet thud he relaxed beside Takua, checking to make sure his bandages were still in place. “I have something for you,” Aya said quickly as she leaned down to grab something from underneath the table. Then, popping up quickly, she sat some sort of plant in front of Jaka, growing out of a small ceramic pot. It was deep green, with tall, thin, waxy leaves that sprouted from its center. “Happy making-it-to-Ga-Koro!” Jaka didn’t know how to respond. He stared at the plant as he chewed a mouthful of food. “…wWat is it?” he asked. “It’s a harakeke plant!” Aya said excitedly. “If you have six of these guys and a cowrie shell, you can make flax.” Jaka stared at it, still confused. “I can what?” Aya took another drink from her bottle. “I don’t know, that’s what the guy who sold it to me said. But I figured you could put it in your garden, whenever you decide to start that.” Jaka didn’t say anything at first, but slowly he pulled the plant closer to him, feeling its leaves with one hand. He seemed to be in awe. “Aya…” he trailed off, but his face brightened with energy as he looked up. “…That’s so thoughtful!” “Oh, come on, don’t get all mushy on me. It’s just a plant.” “It’s wonderful!” Jaka beamed. She rolled her eyes and turned her attention to Kokani. “Kokani, I tried my best to find you some fruitcake, but this… this…” she thought for the right words. “…This poor excuse for an establishment didn’t have any!” She banged her fist on the table, just for good measure. Kokani let out a low chuckle. “Well, I appreciate the thought, Aya.” “Yeah, well, apparently there’s a bakery down the street that sells some, but they’re not open until morning. I’ll buy you some then.” She patted his shoulder affectionately before again reaching under the table, this time to produce a small paper carton. She plopped it in front of Takua. “And this one’s for you.” “You didn’t have to get me anything…” Takua said, somewhat wondering how and how long ago Aya had managed to place the gifts under the exact table they sat at now. He pulled the box closer to him, and opened it. A little puff of steam arose, revealing a half-dozen dumplings, sitting on a bed of fried rice. He smiled and looked back to Aya, feeling light in his chest. “I had to steal the ingredients from the Turaga’s kitchen, but I made them all by myself, so I guess you can count this as your home-cooked meal,” Aya shrugged. Takua inhaled, and the smell of meat and dough cooked to perfection hit him in the mask. “You didn’t have to do all this…!” “Eh,” she folded her arms. “I figured if we’re going to celebrate, we might as well do it the way we imagined, right?” “But what about you?” Jaka asked, cradling his plant like a baby. “We didn’t get you anything!” Aya quickly shook her head. “I don’t want anything.” Takua tilted his head and raised his eyebrows expectedly. “Aya, come on. There has to be something.” “I have this,” she patted her bottle, holding it snug in the crook of her arm. “I have tonight. I have the beach. And I have…” Aya trailed off, staring into space. She went silent as she suddenly looked at nothing in particular, as if processing a thought that had popped into her head. She opened her mouth to finish her sentence, but no words came out. She blinked, looking at all of them, and then quickly got up from the table. “…I have to go.” “Aya?” But she didn’t reply. She walked off without a word, pushing her way through groups of Matoran as she hurriedly made her way toward the beach, taking only her bottle with her. Takua looked at the others. Jaka shrugged, and Kokani followed her with his eyes, a bit of concern showing through his mask. The three exchanged confused glances, and it only took Takua a second to decide to follow her. He picked up his dumplings and left the table, following Aya’s trail as he too weaved his way through the crowd. He only had to decline two offers to join in conversation before he reached the end of the patio. He stood at the top of the steps, looking out at the beach as he searched for Aya. A few Matoran milled about on the sand, quietly chatting under the light of the crescent moon. The sound of breaking waves greeted his ears, offering a gentle contrast to the music and chatter behind him. The water was dark and calm underneath the starry sky. And then he saw her. She sat alone at the water’s edge, off to the side away from everyone else. With one arm propping her body up and the other holding her bottle, she stared out across the bay, lost in thought. Takua hopped down the steps and made his way over, stopping just a few feet behind her to sample his first dumpling. He ate it all in one bite. “You know,” he broke the silence with his mouth still half full. “These are really good.” Aya responded by dipping her head a little, letting out a small huff. “Glad I could deliver.” Takua chewed his food. He stared out at the water, watching the moonlight shimmer against the black waves. “You okay?” he added. “Are you nervous, Takua?” He stopped chewing. “Nervous?” “About tomorrow,” Aya took a sip from her bottle. “About the Prophesy.” Takua took her question as an open invitation to talk. He walked a few steps forward and sat next to her, his legs sinking into the white sand. “I don’t know. Maybe a little.” Aya nodded. “Same.” Takua swallowed his dumpling. He looked down at the carton, picking out a clump of rice to pop into his mouth. “It just seems weird,” Aya went on. “It’s all coming to an end so fast, you know?” “And you don’t know what to do with yourself now?” Takua asked. He understood where she was coming from. He’d felt it too. They’d spent all this time together… and now what? It was all over? Just like that? Aya dipped her head. “Kokani will go back to the Sanctum. Jaka’s going to back to Le-Koro.” She brought the bottle to her mouth, taking a moment to swirl the drink around in her cheeks. Swallowing, she let out a sigh and looked at the sand, drawing circles in it with her finger. “And here I am.” “You’re not going with Kokani?” Takua asked. “Weren’t you working with the Sanctum when we met up with you?” “I mean I was trying to. Pretty sure I was the only Ga-Matoran in those mountains. But come on, look at me,” she held out her drink and shook it, the brown liquid sloshing around. “I don’t belong there.” Takua smiled to himself, agreeing as he took a bite of another dumpling. “I haven’t figured out what I’m doing yet either.” “At least you have an idea.” “I do?” “Yeah, you’re going to try and find Talim,” she said matter-of-factly. Her words caught him off guard, and he stared at the water. It had been so long since he’d heard anyone say her name. It brought back memories, both good and bad, and he completely lost his train of thought. He stared, his mind churning, but unable to make sense of the thoughts it created. Stuck for a moment, he looked back at Aya, only now realizing that he’d never once mentioned Talim to her. “Jaka told me,” she answered his question before he could ask it. “Told me everything about you guys, and everything that happened.” Takua still didn’t know how to respond. He shut his mouth, staring forward as a wave broke, pushing its way onto the beach. The water reached just to the tips of his boots, wetting their soles before receding back into the bay. “She seemed nice, from the way he described her,” Aya followed up. “Yeah…” He remembered the Spring Solstice. Sitting atop that cliff outside her house, watching the fireworks burst open above Le-Koro. All the colors, lighting up the night. The way she stared at them, every bright flash reflecting in her eyes. “…Yeah. She really was.” “You love her?” Takua closed his eyes and exhaled, quickly placing a hand on his mask. “Mata Nui, Aya…” “I’m just messing with you!” she laughed, hitting him lightly on the shoulder with her fist. “You don’t have to answer that.” Takua shook his head, letting out a huff of both amusement and exasperation. He rubbed his mask with his hands, composing himself again. “But yeah… I guess finding her was roughly my plan. I have no idea how to start though. I’ve heard different things from different people.” “Well whatever happens, it sounds like you might get into some dark stuff.” She set her bottle onto the ground, letting the sand keep it upright as she leaned back and supported herself on her elbows. She looked over to Takua, the moonlight reflecting on her armor. “I could come with you, if you want. You might need some extra protosteel by your side.” Takua stared at the stars as he thought about it. For as long as it had taken them to get here, the sound of starting another adventure, strangely, didn’t sound all that bad. It would certainly make things interesting, having Aya with him. “Is that what you’d want?” he asked. “Takua…” Aya reached over to where she had stuck the bottle in the sand, picked it up and offered it to him. “All I really want is someone to drink with.” Takua looked over at her, and then to her drink. The corners of his mouth turned up and he put down the dumpling he was holding, exchanging it for the half-empty bottle. The dark liquid inside it glinted in the moonlight, and as he brought it close to his mask he could smell the signature fumes of Lavaflow: forges, lawlessness, fire, and… cinnamon? He pressed the bottle to his lips and swallowed, muscling his way past a gag as his throat started to burn. With a wince and a gasp he handed it back to Aya, already feeling warmer in his chest. “You really like the strong stuff, don’t you?” he grimaced. And Aya snorted, rolling her eyes as she took the bottle back. She sipped from it, letting the liquid fire flow freely, as if it were nothing more than a cool glass of water. “Don’t be such a baby.”

Hey. So I was doodling, and it turned out relatively decent, at least considering my limited artistic ability. What do you think?

Ah! This one is great too. More please!

Nice dude! I always loved stuff like this. The nature really brings out the spirit of 2001-2003

Chapter 11 - Preparation The heavy wooden doors creaked as the two servant girls pushed their weight against them, leading Takua into a luxurious bath. The entire room was white marble, with a circular pool carved into the middle of the floor. It was filled with hot water, and Takua could see the steam rising from its still surface. A large mirror was placed to his right, and the wall ahead of him was made entirely of glass tile, offering a distorted view of the city sprawling below him. Takua stood in the middle of the room for a minute, taking it all in. “Towels!” One of the servant girls chimed happily as she pulled a stack of plush white cloth from a cabinet in the corner. She was the taller of the two, with bright green eyes. “Would you care for an explanation of the soaps, oils, and polishes we have available?” the other girl asked. Her armor was a darker shade of blue than the first, and had deep blue eyes to match. She gestured dramatically to a small shelf next to the pool, packed with variety of colored bottles. “Honored guests may feel free to use any resources the Turaga’s palace has available. If none are to your liking, please let us know and we will do our best to make accommodations.” “Um,” Takua looked at the shelf, having absolutely no idea what one would do with so many concoctions. “…No thanks. I’m sure I’ll figure it out.” “Sir?” The first girl chimed in, still holding the stack of towels. “Where would you like your towels?” Takua scratched the back of his head. “…The floor?” She hesitated for a moment, as if that wasn’t an answer she was used to hearing, but smiled politely and placed them in a neat pile next to the bath. “Is there anything else that we may be able to provide?” the blue-eyed girl asked, her head slightly tilted down, but looking up at Takua with her hands behind her back. “It is our duty to make sure that you are as comfortable as possible.” The taller one stood next to her, and blinked slowly as she gave him the exact same look. “If there is anything at all, you need only to say the word.” “I think I’m okay, thank you though.” “Are you sure?” The darker one gazed at him gently, almost… longingly. “We shall be right outside the door if you change your mind.” Takua squinted and stared at them for a second, suddenly not sure if they were just doing their job or insinuating… something else. “…I’ll make sure to let you know if I do.” The two bowed their heads and slowly pulled the doors shut behind them. With a solid thump, Takua was left alone. He took a deep breath. Finally. The last few hours had been, at least to Takua, insanity. Word had spread quickly, and the crowd of people greeting them at the gate had only grown larger. Jaka was carted off to the Turaga’s palace immediately, but Takua, Aya, and Kokani had to deal with pushing through the crowd until one of Turaga Nokama’s advisors found them, and ordered everyone to disperse. They were led through dozens of crowded city streets, and up a small hill until finally reaching the palace, a huge domed structure on the innermost part of the bay. But, upon their arrival they were met with yet another slew of advisors, politicians, and servants clamoring to meet them. Everywhere they went, Ga-Matoran glanced in their direction, exchanging hushed, but excited words. It was as if they were royalty from a far-off land, or exotic creatures they had heard rumors about, but weren’t sure of the truth. At first all the attention was exciting, but it grew old quickly, and Takua had almost started to wish he was back in the wilds. The Turaga’s advisor had given them each a guest suite to stay in, along with a plethora of servants who happily waited on them hand and foot. But after hours of meeting faces he would never remember, shaking hands he would never touch again, and being introduced to people he didn’t care about, Takua only wanted to be alone. So naturally, the first thing he had requested was a hot bath. Takua took a deep breath, savoring the peace and quiet for a moment before catching his reflection in the mirror. Walking over to it, he wiped off a thin layer of fog and stared at himself. Woah. It wasn’t that he was really surprised by how he looked, but rather he simply imagined himself as a different person than the one he saw. He seemed a bit taller, a bit more muscular than he remembered, and the Takua that grew up in Le-Koro was almost nowhere to be found. Gone were all traces of city life, replaced by the scratches, dings, and scars that came from the wilderness. His armor still fit him well, but the island of Mata Nui had taken its toll. Every crevice of his body had a layer of dirt, blood, or sweat caked onto it, and his armor didn’t shine and glimmer like it used to. Everything about him was hardened, battle-tested, and worn. In a way, he kind of liked it. And then there were the scars. Faded, but still visible were the three long claw marks on his side, a memory of the Muaka way back in Ko-Wahi. There was the deep line in his shoulder, where the Kryll had shot him in the Underworld, and the thin line across his mask from Illum’s attack. It cut from his forehead to his cheekbone, and while it reminded him of the awful things that had happened in the Onu-Koro, he still managed to smile at himself. Like a real warrior… He rested his hands on his belt, feeling the hilt of his sword, and then the empty scabbard where his dagger should’ve been. He looked down at it, suddenly feeling incomplete, mentally kicking himself. The one thing he had from Le-Koro, the one thing that had been with him all the way across the island, stolen just before making it to safety. He grumbled, cursing himself and Krosis equally. With a sigh, he let his belongings slip to the floor, one by one. He eased his way into the bath, letting the hot water embrace him. It soothed his joints and muscles, softening and washing away the encrusted dirt, and he laid his head back against the edge of the tub, closing his eyes. He did his best not to think about anything, choosing instead to enjoy the warmth of the water, the calming effect of the steam as it brushed against his mask. He sat there soaking in silence, and for a while, he let himself truly relax. It must have been a rather long while, as he soon found himself dozing off. He started to dream, about peaceful things. He dreamed of the forest, of the ocean, and the waves as they crashed into the shore of Ga-Wahi. He dreamed of the sunlight beaming down upon him, of the soft white sand beneath his feet. He dreamed of the Ga-Matoran, their blue armor shining as they went about their business in the city. Even the two servant girls entered his head, their voices conversing with someone else he recognized. “Is he in there?” It was Aya’s voice. “Master Takua is bathing. He is not to be disturbed, please.” “Master Takua? What the f — " The sound of heavy doors being pushed open startled Takua awake, and he looked up at Aya as she barged her way into the bath. “Mata Nui, Aya, don’t you knock?” he hid himself under the murky water, staring at her with a mix of shock and confusion. “No,” Aya said, completely ignoring or simply unaware of the awkwardness of the situation. “Jaka needs you. Get your stuff, come on.” A bit taken aback, Takua found himself suddenly worried. “Jaka? Is he okay?” “Should be… I don’t know,” she shrugged, placed her hands on her hips and looked at him impatiently. “Look, he needs you, alright? That’s all I know.” “Alright,” Takua said, still hiding under the water. He stared back at Aya for a moment, who didn’t move. There was a second of silence before Takua realized she wasn’t taking the hint. “…Can I have some privacy while I get out?” “What? Oh! Uh… okay,” Aya turned around to wait outside as Takua started to get out of the bath. She passed the two servant girls, who stood by the doors, staring. Aya paused to glance at them, before shaking her head in disgust. It only took a minute for Takua to dry off and get ready. Throwing his towel back to the floor, he strapped his belt on and met Aya in the hallway, ignoring the servants as they rushed in to tidy up the bath once more. Aya motioned for him to follow as she briskly walked down the corridor. Takua had to ask. “He’s okay though, right? The healers patched him up?” “They’re working on it.” “Still? It’s been hours!” “I guess it’s more complicated than it looked. I don’t know, I haven’t seen him. But Kokani said he’s been asking for you.” Takua furrowed his brow as Aya led him through a large dining hall, before turning into a slew of meeting rooms and ornate hallways. She wound her way through the palace, until finally stopping in a narrow passage with a small wooden door at the end. Aya nodded towards it, motioning for Takua to go inside. Takua placed his hand on the doorknob, already hearing the muffled sounds of people talking. With a creek he pushed it open, revealing a small, dreary room with a bed in the middle. Three figures stood around to it, who all turned around to look as Takua entered. Takua noticed Kokani in the corner, quietly watching the whole ordeal. It was only then that Takua saw Jaka, lying on his stomach on the bed, the white sheets below him stained with blotches of red. His chin rested at the edge of the mattress, his mask white with pain and exhaustion. But at the sight of Takua, he still managed a smile. “Jaka!” Takua ran to the foot of the bed, kneeling down so that he was at eye level with his friend. “What’s going on? Are you okay?” He briefly looked his friend over, shocked to see the barbed arrowhead still embedded in his back. “I thought you’d be all done by now!” “Yeah…” Jaka winced as one of the healers put pressure on his shoulder blade. “It’s been an adventure. Thanks for coming.” “Yeah! Of course!” Takua managed a reassuring smile, trying to conceal how worried he was. “What, um… what do you need?” “Your friend got hit in a tricky spot, Takua.” Takua looked up at the healers huddled around Jaka, acknowledging their presence. Two of them were Ga-Matoran, a bit older than himself, but the third was hunched over and elderly. She wore a lined, light blue Rau, and Takua noticed a staff shaped like a trident resting against the edge of the bed beside her. It was her that spoke in a deep, scratchy, yet calm and friendly voice. “The arrow didn’t hit anything major, but if he moves at all when we take it out it could cut through a few important muscles, which we would rather avoid doing.” Takua stared at her for a second, now realizing who he was talking to. “T-Turaga Nokama!” he said, stuttering. “I’m sorry, I didn’t see you. It’s an honor to finally meet — “ Nokama smiled, but cut him off as politely as she could. “It’s nice to meet you as well, Takua. But for now, help your friend. We can exchange formalities later.” “Right,” Takua shook his head, turning his attention back to Jaka. “I’m here for you.” Jaka closed his eyes for a moment, focusing on his breathing. He looked at Takua. “Remember when you got shot in Onu-Wahi?” “And I was a baby about you pulling it out?” “Yeah…” Jaka said between breaths. “Well… I don’t know. Just like… hold my hand or something.” Takua smiled a bit, but gripped Jaka’s right hand as he let it dangle off the edge of the bed. “I’ve got your back.” Takua met the Turaga’s gaze and nodded, who signaled to the other healers. They took their spots, holding Jaka down against the mattress, immobilizing him as best they could. Nokama gently placed her hands on the arrowhead. Jaka breathed in through his nose and squeezed his eyes shut. “This is going to hurt, isn’t it?” His grip around Takua’s fingers tightened. “Nothing more than falling into a Le-Koro briar patch,” Takua reassured him. He nodded to Nokama one more time, and the healers braced themselves against Jaka’s body. “I don’t believe you at all.” Nokama pulled on the arrowhead, freeing it from Jaka’s muscle as he cried out, squeezing Takua’s hands like a vice. The healers held him down as his back spasmed, but in a second it was over, and Jaka lay on the bed, winded and pale. Nokama placed the arrowhead in a small bucket, and raised her hands above the wound. The room grew suddenly quiet, with Jaka’s heavy panting the only sound that reached Takua’s ears. He watched in awe as an orb of clear water coalesced in Nokama’s hands, and she slowly guided it down, pressing it, massaging it into Jaka’s back. Her voice was calm and quiet. “Heal, child. Heal…” Jaka moaned, and Takua couldn’t tell if it was from pain or relief. His back stopped twitching, and he lay on the bed, his eyes still closed as the Turaga began to rock back and forth, pressing the water into his wound. She worked her fingers around it, gently but with purpose, cautiously but confidently pressing her healing hands against Jaka. Minutes ticked by as Nokama channeled her power, and slowly Jaka’s panting faded. Little by little, his grip on Takua eased, and his furrowed brow returned to rest. His eyes remained closed, but instead of squeezing them shut, his lids rested peacefully, as if he were asleep. “Rest, child. The water will heal you.” Jaka’s hand slipped out of Takua’s, his arm loosely hanging off the foot of the bed. Nokama removed her hands from him, and the healers eased their grip, now beginning to cover the wound with soft bandages. Nokama stepped back from the bed and grabbed her trident. Without saying a word, she began to hobble towards the door, as if exhausted. Takua looked from her to Jaka and then back, still not exactly sure what he had just witnessed. “He’s going to be okay, right?” he asked. The Turaga paused to look back at him, and smiled. “He’ll be just fine.” ~~~ Takua, Aya and Kokani followed the Turaga into her study, a cozy, yet decent sized room filled to the brim with books, scrolls, parchment, and various brass instruments that seemed like they could be used in anything from engineering to astrology. The walls were lined with curved bookshelves, all of them stuffed full of knowledge, and ladders on rails were placed here and there, allowing access to the taller shelves. In the middle of the room was a huge brass telescope, pointed at an angle towards a hole in the domed roof. The Turaga’s desk was situated directly underneath it. Nokama shuffled over to her desk, supporting half her weight on her trident, before plopping into a tall velvet chair with a sigh. She motioned towards a cluster of chairs for the three Matoran to sit as well, before leaning against her desk and looking at each one of them in the eye. “A long while ago I received a letter from Turaga Nuju, explaining that he’d assigned you to complete this task, and that I should expect your arrival sometime in the near future. My fellow Turaga is very wise, so I trusted that you would be up for the task,” she smiled, shaking her head a little. “But to be honest you had me worried for a bit there.” The three looked at each other for a moment before Aya spoke up. “We… uh… we had a few setbacks along the way.” “I apologize, I don’t mean to chastise you! It was no small task, indeed. If anyone could have done it, it would have been a band of extraordinary Matoran like yourselves.” Nokama paused for a second to collect her thoughts. “But I am very relieved to see your faces alive and well. And I am so proud of you. All of you.” Takua clutched the Atouri against his chest, feeling a bit warm from the Turaga’s words. “It’s very good to be here,” was all he could manage to say. Nokama smiled again, letting silence reign for a moment before assuming a more dutiful poise. “But, to business,” she said shortly as she scooted her chair up to her desk. “I have been watching the stars for a while now, and the coming of the Seventh is near. All the pieces are in place; the prophesy waits for nothing but our actions,” she cleared the clutter off her desk, exposing a map of the island of Mata Nui. “I have sent for the Toa. Kopaka is already here as I’m sure you know, but my advisors tell me that the others should be able to arrive by tomorrow. I see no reason to delay the summoning.” “What do you need of us, Turaga?” Kokani asked. “In short, stay here. Stay close, stay safe, and help me to make sure nothing happens to the Atouri.” Takua listened on the edge of his seat, trying to take in everything he could. The Turaga turned to look at him, and he found himself tightly gripping the Atouri. His heart slowly began to pound as he felt the stone’s faces and edges, and he looked down at it. He had always felt a strange attachment to the stone, a sort of resentful need to keep it close, but now it seemed stronger than ever. He wished he could just cast it aside without thinking, but the more he looked from the stone to the Turaga the more he found himself, well, almost paralyzed. He shook his head as he stood up, unclipped the stone from around his neck and handed it to Nokama. “I suppose you’ll need this then?” he said, a bit of discomfort in his voice. Nokama looked at the Atouri, resting in Takua’s hand. She stared with cold eyes, as if the sight of it brought up old, uncomfortable, memories. She reached out as if she was going to take it, but instead pushed Takua’s fingers closed and slowly shook her head. “You have carried it this long. You are better equipped to keep it safe than I am.” Then, after a moment or two, “Be the one to meet the Toa at Ga-Kini. Be the one to summon the Seventh. See this through until the very end, Takua.” She closed her eyes for only a second. “It’s what Matau would have wanted.” Takua felt Nokama’s fingers around his, and the Atouri, slightly warm inside his grip. Somehow he had known that this wasn’t the end, if only for a day more. He felt like he should be scared or nervous, considering what was coming, but he wasn’t. If he felt anything, it was relief, knowing that he could keep the Atouri for just a little while longer. His heart slowed as he pulled the stone back and clipped it around his neck again. He sat back in his chair, relieved, but at the same time wishing that he wasn’t. “I’ll do what I can,” he said plainly. Nokama nodded at him, and turned to the others again. “Krosis knows you’re here. From what I can tell Makuta still hides, rumor has it in his tower across the sea, but we can assume he knows all that Krosis does. Whatever happens once the Toa arrive, I guarantee it will not be easy. I doubt Makuta will sit idly by as we summon the being with the power to destroy his heart.” “You think the Kryll will attack the city?” Aya asked. “I’m certain of it. Their advances seemed unstoppable until the Toa arrived, and their foothold on the island has diminished to the north ever since.” She pointed to the map in front of her, accentuating her points. “Le-Koro and Ko-Koro are too remote for them to reach now, and while they still control Po-Koro I do not foresee any attempts to take the Underworld. Since Onu-Koro’s revolution the city is politically and economically unstable. Many passages to the city have collapsed, but those that remain are heavily guarded.” It was Kokani’s turn to speak up. “Illum has been ousted then?” Nokama searched for the right words. “Somewhat. Gali and Onua helped to spark it, and while many were unhappy with Illum’s rule, there are those that still support him. Rumors about his involvement in Whenua’s death are circulating, and he is under surveillance for now. He goes nowhere without a trusted agent of the other Koro watching him.” “Surveillance?” Takua found himself sour at the mere mention of Illum, and downright angry with the fact that he had escaped punishment so far. “He betrayed us. He sold information to the Kryll. He tried to infect me!” “I am aware of what he tried to do to you and many others, Takua.” Nokama said sternly but respectfully. “You have a right to be upset, but Illum’s fate is not your concern at this point.” Takua sat back in his chair, trying to conceal his feelings out of respect for the Turaga. But Nokama didn’t seem to notice, or if she did she simply chose to ignore him. She went on. “Whatever happens in Onu-Koro, it would be too difficult for the Kryll to take it now, and even if they did they only gain a city already in disorder. Ga-Koro and Ta-Koro are the last remaining major threats to them. If Krosis can take Ga-Koro and prevent the coming of the Seventh, he will have reestablished his chances of taking the island, Toa or not. This is their last chance at victory, and I don’t think Krosis would be foolish enough to let that slip through his fingers. “I’ve already given the order to increase patrols of the valley and double the guards on the walls. Ships wait day and night at the entrance to the bay, so no matter where Krosis comes from we shall see him coming.” Nokama sat back in her chair, matter-of-factly. “All we can do now is wait, and pray we do not fall before the Toa arrive.” No one spoke for a few seconds. Aya drummed her fingers on the arm of her chair, looking from Kokani to Takua. “Wait… huh. I guess we can do that.” Takua looked at her. “I can finish my bath.” Nokama let out a slight chuckle. “If you’re worried about being bored, don’t be. I’ve already arranged a bit of a… celebration. For your arrival, of course.” Kokani raised his eyebrows. “A celebration?” Nokama smiled. “Just because we’re at war doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy ourselves in our downtime, Kokani.” She stood up promptly, motioning towards the door. “Now, go wash up and relax for a bit. The banquet starts at dusk, and I expect all of you to attend, at least for a little while.” Takua could sense the excitement coming from Aya, and the resigned melancholy from Kokani. They all stood up and bowed to the Turaga, making their way towards the door. Takua followed his friends, but as he placed his hand on the doorknob, Nokama spoke again. “A moment alone, Takua, if you please.” Takua exchanged a quick glance with Aya, then turned around and closed the door, leaving him alone with the Turaga. The room was quiet, and Nokama looked at him from behind her desk, her expression now serious and emotionless. She looked him up and down, and Takua could feel her scrutiny. The back of his neck prickled, and he narrowed his eyes, not quite feeling at ease. “I’ve heard a lot about you, Takua.” Nokama’s voice seemed to change. It wasn’t hostile, but the friendliness behind it seemed to have vanished. “I heard about what you did to the Toa of Shadow.” Takua didn’t say anything. Somehow, he felt he didn’t have to. He met her gaze, respectfully, but unapologetically. “I know you have many questions, probably about a great deal of things. But you won’t find answers here.” Takua picked at the leather on his sword before answering. “I meant to ask you at some point,” he said honestly, but with a resigned acceptance. “But I think I’ve learned that what I’m looking for won’t be found in any of the Turaga’s libraries.” The Turaga nodded. “Perhaps you’re right.” She placed her hands on the edge of her desk, holding herself as she leaned forward slightly. “What I need to know is, when the time comes and you find yourself caught between the Matoran and Makuta, can I trust you to make the right decision?” Takua looked down, trying to be as honest as possible with the Turaga. He knew what he would like to say, that he would always reject the darkness, always follow the light, fight for the side of good. But he couldn’t say that with a clean conscience. In the end, he said all that he knew to be true. “I certainly hope so.” At first Nokama didn’t move, but eventually she pushed herself off the desk and stood at her full height, looking at him with the same resigned acceptance that Takua had felt just moments before. “I certainly hope so too.” She sat back down in her chair, turning her attention toward the large telescope above her. She started to fiddle with a few knobs, and Takua took this as his cue to leave. He pulled open the door and stepped outside, but paused as he heard Nokama speak once more. “I’ll see you tonight at the banquet,” she turned around briefly to look at him through the doorway. The friendliness in her voice had returned. “And try to enjoy yourself, will you Takua? You seem like you need a good celebration.” Takua looked at her, at first not sure how to respond, but eventually he leaned over and bowed. He turned around without saying a word, and closed the door behind him.

10/10 had to force myself to go to work today and not stay at home playing MNOG. Would go through a nostalgia crisis again for.

Today I thought: what if you were a farmer? More specifically, what if you were a farmer when the apocalypse hits? What would you do, like, grow your own food, and not pillage from others for necessary supplies? That'd be the most boring apocalypse ever.

That upcoming playstation game, Horizon: Zero Dawn. I mean, can someone say "that scene in MNOG when Kopaka fights the Muaka??" Needless to say, I'll probably be getting this game when it comes out.

D A N K M E M E S https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cU8HrO7XuiE