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Redemption SSC9: In the Darkness Bind Them 3,000 years ago.......“Takai, look out!”.......I could hear the fear in Lhikan’s voice, so I didn’t question his command like I usually would. Instead, I leaped towards his voice, hoping that this random direction would provide an escape from whatever danger he saw........An enormous block of stone crashed to the ground where I had been standing just moments before, punching a huge crater into the earth. Executing a neat tuck and roll, I landed and got to my feet in one fluid motion. I looked up to see a gaping hole in the side of one building, torn open by the monster we were fighting........Well, technically the word monster wasn’t correct. The accurate term was Kanohi Dragon, an immense Rahi possessing vast strength. Its body was decorated with glittering scales shaped like Kanohi, which was where it got its name. Highly susceptible to cold temperatures, with low enough temperatures potentially rendering it comatose. Possessed the ability to fly, as well as the capacity to breathe fire........I shook my head free of the facts and information, angry with myself for letting my focus shift. Once an archivist, always an archivist. Get your head in the game!.......Drawing my sword, I watched as Nidhiki, my fellow Toa Mangai, attempted to extinguish the flames swiftly consuming a tall apartment by creating a vacuum around the blaze. An ingenious move, as fire cannot last for any length of time without a steady source of oxygen. Though, I wondered if a Toa of Fire, say, Lhikan, would be able to sustain a flame in a vacuum by providing a source of the energy necessary for combustion instead of the-.......“Takai! A little help?.......My musings were interrupted by Naho’s shout. I looked over to see my sister desperately trying to avoid getting crushed beneath the Kanohi Dragon’s claws while blasting it in the face with high-pressure jets of water. The huge creature was obviously irritated, but it hadn’t managed to touch her yet, though it had demolished several smaller buildings in the attempt........Calling upon my elemental power, I summoned a pillar of earth from the bowels of the island. The pillar burst out of the street and struck the Dragon in the belly, knocking it off-balance. The creature bellowed in indignation as Naho used this opportunity to blind it with water........In an instant, the stream of water froze. Omari and Laar, two of the four Toa of Ice with us, had used their powers to attack the gargantuan Rahi in the most effective of ways. The creature was now blind, and should my hypothesis hold true, the cold would quickly cause it to weaken. Nevertheless, preparing for the worst, I reached deep into the earth, feeling the power and stability in the roots of the island. The earth calmed me, like always; I felt like nothing could harm me as long as I could count on the strength of the land........The Kanohi Dragon roared, a blast of sound louder than any before, and the mask of ice shattered in an eruption of fire and smoke. With a sweep of its tail, it demolished an entire block of buildings, shaking the very ground as countless tons of stone and metal crumbled into piles of ruined debris. Then, seemingly in a fit of rage, it unleashed a torrent of white-hot flames, setting a small park ablaze and melting a web of chutes into a puddle of slag........I gasped as the wave of heat hit me like a fist, squeezing the breath from my lungs. Instinctively, I pulled a shield from the earth, scant protection from the worst of the attack. There was nothing else I could do except pray that my brothers and sisters had found cover as well........As I lay against the cool earth, my heart hammering against my chest, I wondered how we could defeat this Rahi. We had already fought the Dragon for thirteen days, and had done little to impede its rampage across Metru Nui. The combined efforts of the Toa Mangai were practically useless, even with the power of four Toa of Ice. I desperately wanted to believe we could win, but I could feel the cold jaws of despair gnawing at my heart. What if, despite all our strength, Metru Nui was reduced to a wasteland of burnt skies and lifeless desert?.......Abruptly, the oppressive heat dropped away, signaling the end of the furious attack. I let my shield crumble, and leaped up, sword in hand, hoping against hope that this time, this time we would find a way to subdue the Dragon........The Rahi was busy trying to crush Laar, who was using her Kualsi to warp from building to building and fire darts of ice at the creature’s face. But even as I prepared to rejoin the battle, my eyes were drawn to a scene just a little ways away........Omari was lying in Nidhiki’s arms, her once-white form now blackened and burned. She was alive, but barely. Being a Toa of Ice, heat affected her more than Nidhiki or I, and she must not have been able to find cover from the Dragon’s flames. I ran towards them, leaping over piles of stone and molten metal, feeling as though my chest was slowly freezing with the chill of fear. But as I approached my brother and sister, Nidhiki’s head snapped up, his green eyes stopping me in my tracks with a poisonous glare........“You coward.”His voice was quiet, but burned with anger and despair, his words tearing at me with claws of steel. “You could have protected her, but all you care about is saving yourself.”.......The Toa of Air stood up, cradling Omari as though she were made of glass. With a last venomous glance at me, he turned and ran away from the battle, carrying our sister away. For a long moment, I stood still, oblivious the conflict around me, trying desperately and failing to hold back the tears that streaked my mask as Nidhiki’s last words echoed through my mind........You coward. * * * 2,000 years ago.......“This is outrageous! How can we have been driven back so far and so fast?”.......Lhikan tried to calm Nidhiki down. “Brother, they attacked swiftly and in greater numbers than any of us could have expected. It’s unreasonable-“.......“What’s unreasonable is me being stuck here,” the Toa of Air snarled. “Stuck here while the rest of you do nothing!”.......“You go too far, Nidhiki! That’s-”.......“Stop telling me what to do! I want-“.......“Brothers!”.......Lhikan and Nidhiki quieted at Omari’s words. The Toa of Ice stood at the far end of the table, hands on her hips, shooting that trademark Omari glare that could stop a Kikanalo in its tracks. Her annoyed expression was aggravated by the scars that marked her face, giving her a perpetual frown that belied her usually cheerful personality........Usually. She’s not so cheerful now........“It’s enough that we’re besieged at all sides without finding fault with each other. Squabbling like Brakas will accomplish nothing.”.......Calling Nidhiki a Brakas would have started a fight had anyone else said it, but Omari could get away with things like that. Ever since… well, I tried not to think about it, but ever since that day fighting the Kanohi Dragon, the two had shared a special bond, a relationship that was completely the opposite of Nidhiki’s and mine. I still called him brother, but it was just a name. The icy silence that had formed between us hadn’t thawed in a thousand years, and I doubted it ever would........“Omari is right.” Turaga Dume’s voice brought me back to reality. “The blame for this situation lies on no one, least of all anyone here, and trying to find fault where none exists will not improve anything. We must continue to seek unity, even in these difficult times.”.......Unity. That was a bit of a joke. Sure, we might have been close a thousand years ago, but ever since Tuyet’s betrayal, the Toa Mangai had been distant with one another. Omari, Naho and Lhikan were our common links, but otherwise everyone kept to their own groups. Laar and the rest of the Ice Toa had their own thing, and Nidhiki antagonized just about everyone. It hurt to see my brothers and sisters drifting apart, but you could see the question burning in every eye: who would be the next to betray us?.......Tuyet had done a lot of damage, but the worst of it was keeping her team from ever trusting each other again. I wasn’t sure if I could ever forgive her for that........Lhikan cleared his throat. “You’re right, Omari; and Turaga, you speak wisdom as always. The fate of our city stands upon the edge of a knife, and we can’t afford to make the situation any worse.” He glanced pointedly at Nidhiki, who rolled his eyes........“In any case, we need to figure out our next strategy. Brute force is pointless, as we’ve already found: the Dark Hunters are too many and too strong. If we had known this a few days ago, we might have taken to the Archives and used guerilla tactics to wear them down, or made our base in Le-Metru and used the chutes against them. However, as the situation stands, here we are in the Coliseum, outnumbered and surrounded.”.......Nidhiki raised a hand. “Perhaps all we need is a simple shift in our thinking. They’ve used the city against us, knowing we want to cause as little destruction as possible. A well-placed Nova Blast-“.......Lhikan shook his head. “You know the Toa Code forbids us to kill, Nidhiki. And even if we were prepared to take the life of a Dark Hunter, large-scale attacks like Nova Blasts would endanger the Matoran. We must protect the citizens of Metru Nui at all costs.”.......The debate continued around the table, every suggestion quickly discarded as too dangerous or too unlikely to succeed. I stayed quiet, listening, which is what I usually did. That’s what the earth is good at: listening, and remembering........Gradually, the deliberation died down, replaced by an uneasy silence. I looked around the table, noting that every face was downcast, even Nidhiki’s, as we all contemplated the idea that maybe, this time, we couldn’t win. The Dark Hunters were too powerful, and had come upon us so quickly that we hadn’t had time to set up any worthwhile defense. It was up to us, the Toa Mangai, once again, only this time our opponent wasn’t a rampaging Rahi, but a sinister intelligence intent on conquering our island home........I sat up with a start as I realized one crucial fact: it didn’t have to be up to us. The world was a different place than it was five hundred years ago- it seemed every other island had its own Toa team. With the Dark Hunters focusing all their might on Metru Nui, it was a given that more Toa would be free to leave their islands and join our cause........“Guys, I think… I think I’ve got it.”.......My team looked at me with interest. I didn’t usually get excited, so this was something out of the ordinary. Only Nidhiki glanced at me with contempt........“What is it?” he asked sarcastically. “Hiding beneath the Coliseum until the Hunters get bored and sail away?”.......Lhikan looked sharply at Nidhiki, but I didn’t care. I could stand up for myself. So I did: I stood up and faced Nidhiki, both hands planted on the table........“This doesn’t have to be up to us,” I explained. “We’re not strong enough to win this alone -regardless of whether or not you’re fighting with us, brother. We need reinforcements, and the only way we’re going to get them is if we can sneak a message through the enemy lines and send out a call for aid.”.......Nidhiki laughed. “That’s suicide! No one could make it through the Hunter lines unchallenged. We’d win nothing but a martyr.”.......I stared the Toa of Air levelly in the eye. “We’ll all be martyrs pretty soon, if this keeps up.” I looked around the table, taking a moment to meet the eyes of each of my brothers and sisters. “No matter what plan we choose, we’re going to be in danger. The stakes are too high to pretend that we’re still the best Toa in the universe. There are islands out there with Toa ready and willing to answer our call, especially with the Hunters distracted here, and they could be our salvation. As far as I can tell, that’s our best option.”.......A long silence followed. Nidhiki sat back in his char and glared at me, his green eyes shooting fire. I looked away, hoping that someone would agree........At long last, Lhikan nodded, his jaw set. "I second Takai's plan. Alone against the power of the Hunters there can be no victory. But if even one messenger can slip through the lines, that could be all it takes to win the city back.".......Around the table, each Toa gave their assent, except Nidhiki, who remained seated, muttering to himself. He'd made it clear to everyone that he was annoyed at being Turaga Dume's bodyguard, and wished he could be out fighting. I had a feeling he didn't really want this battle to end before he got his licks in, and I could sympathize. To be stuck inside while the rest of us risked our lives... to be honest, I envied his position a little bit. The Dark Hunters were out for blood, and there were a hundred of them for every one of us........"Then it's settled." Lhikan's voice rang out, more confident than I'd heard him in days. "Swords are no more use here, so while the rest of us create a diversion, someone will try to slip through the chaos and get off the island. All that remains is... who?".......The table was silent. We all knew Lhikan would volunteer, but he was our leader, and losing him would be analogous to losing the war. So it fell to one of us, Toa in a team divided, to risk everything for their teammates........Nidhiki leaned back, a false smile playing about his lips. "Well, seeing as it was his idea, why not Takai?".......All eyes turned to me........"Well, I... I would, I mean...." My thoughts chased each other in circles as I struggled to find a reason why I couldn't -that is, a reason other than the fact that I was afraid........"I... the water... I couldn't... I'd need a ship...".......That was it........"The- the Hunters have control of the ports, and I'd need a ship, otherwise I'd never get anywhere.".......The tension broke as everyone nodded. I sank back in my chair, relieved but unhappy. What kind of Toa was I? I couldn't even muster up the courage to risk my life for the lives of my brothers, sisters, and thousands of Matoran........Nidhiki had been right. I was a coward........Next to Lhikan, Naho, Toa of Water, rose gracefully to her feet, her serene blue eyes as calm as the sea under a summer sky........"Takai's right," she said calmly. "This is clearly a job for a Toa of Water, which means it is my duty. No one else could make it across the sea without a ship.".......Naho looked at me, her eyes warm. "And even if we could find one, entrusting our lives to the seaworthiness of a Toa of Earth or Air would be foolish at best.".......Even Turaga Dume smiled at that. But though I was outwardly laughing, inside I felt sick. Had I just abandoned another of my sisters to a danger I was too terrified to face? Again, Nidhiki's words came back to me, reminding me of who I was, who, time after time, I had chosen to be........You coward. * * * Today.......Sand crunched beneath my feet as I walked along the beach, leaving a trail of footprints that led back to my boat. The early morning was cold and dark, but I didn't particularly mind. Being a Toa of Earth, I could see easily enough, and the cold was more of an irritation than a discomfort. So I kept walking........I was here, on this desolated stretch of beach, under orders from Turaga Dume to close the southern sea gates. Toa Omari and the Chronicler Kodan had arrived scarce hours before me, as I knew from the boat I had docked next to. We had meant to arrive together, but an emergency in the Archives had kept me in Metru Nui till last night. So the two of them had gone on before me, and once I met up with them, we could seal the gates and return home........The sky was mostly dark, with only a faint glow on the eastern horizon marking the approaching dawn. Still, with my night vision, I could just make out the tower that controlled the gates, a metal lighthouse nestled against the Great Barrier. That's where I'd find Omari and the Chronicler........As I often did, I realized that I'd gotten lost in my own thoughts when I tripped over a metallic object that lay in my path. I stumbled forward before catching my balance, then shook my head at my own clumsiness, smiling sheepishly. It was a running joke among my team how I would concentrate on something so exclusively that I'd miss the most obvious things. Just like an archivist, they'd say, and I'd laugh too, because it was really amazing how little things changed over millennia, even trivial things like that........I turned around to see what I'd stumbled on. The piece of metal was half-buried in the sand, so I picked it up and brushed it off, wondering how anything Matoran-made could possibly find its way to this barren shore........My wonder quickly turned to horror as I realized what I was holding: a white Kakama, old scars and burns running along its left side........Omari's mask.I looked around wildly, hoping desperately that I would find my sister standing somewhere nearby, laughing with Kodan at silly Takai, getting all worked up over an abandoned mask. But they were nowhere to be seen. I looked up the lighthouse, cursing myself for my tendency to miss the most obvious things: the light was out. There was no one inside........The darkness, which had seemed so harmless a moment ago, now pressed in around me, menacing and evil. I looked to the horizon, wishing for the first time that the sun would hurry up and rise; that light would sweep away this mystery and reveal Omari and Kodan, safe and unharmed........There was only one thing to do. My only clue was this mask, and using my mask of Psychometry, there was a chance, however small, that I could figure out what had happened here........"Mata Nui," I whispered. "Please, guide my sight; show me what happened here.".......I activated my mask, and in an instant my surroundings dissolved in a whirlwind of colour, only to reassemble into a familiar scene: the same beach I had found the mask on, windswept and raining. I quickly recognized Omari and Kodan struggling against the wind, making their slow way across the wet sand towards the lighthouse........Suddenly, with a bestial roar, a massive figure descended upon the two, wicked talons glinting on his hands. He struck at Omari- and abruptly I was back on the beach, alone, gripping my sister's mask........"No!" I screamed. "No! No! No!".......I stumbled to my knees, clutching the mask to my chest. Weeping, tears running freely down my cheeks, I realized once again that I had left my sister when she needed me, and now... I couldn't bear to think of the word dead........"How touching.".......My head snapped up at the familiar voice, but I didn't recognize the being that stood before me. The brightening sky revealed an insect-like monster with four legs and poison green armour, and a face like a Vahki's- impassive and cruel.I slowly stood up, still holding Omari's mask........"Who are you?".......The monster laughed, an eerie chitter reminiscent of a Visorak. Its green eyes focused on mine, burning with familiar venom and hate........"You know who I am, Takai. Or are you too much of a coward to admit it?".......Nidhiki........The last time I had seen the Toa of Air, he had tried to betray Metru Nui to the Dark Hunters in exchange for being named its ruler once the war was over. His scheme had failed thanks to Lhikan, and he had left the island in disgrace........Now, it seemed as though his poisonous personality had finally taken over completely, revealing the monster he really was........"Roodaka did this to me," Nidhiki spat, as if reading my thoughts. "I hope you're happy, brother. Then again, you were probably happiest when Lhikan exiled me from Metru Nui. You always were a self-serving, cowardly-"......."What have you done with Omari?" I interrupted, for once not caring about Nidhiki's taunts. "Where is she, and where's the Chronicler?".......Nidhiki's face contorted into a malicious sneer. "The Dark Hunters are the best at what they do, and what they do is kill. I'm a Hunter now, Takai, or did you forget?".......Slowly, silently, I knelt down and lay Omari's Kakama gently on the sand. Then I stood straight and stared into the eyes of the being I had once called brother, and spoke, my voice as low and hard as the foundations of the world........"You will pay for her life, Nidhiki. Hers and Kodan's. I swear this on the name of the Great Spirit.".......Nidhiki chittered, his insectoid laughter full of bravado, but I had known him long enough to see that he was afraid. He knew that one of was would never leave this beach........"Don't pretend to be something you're not, Takai," he snickered. "We both know you never could stand up for anything, and you won't get in my way this time either. Run while you can, Toa, just like you always have.".......His words stabbed like a thousand knives, but I refused to acknowledge them. There were no words that could stop me now........Without diverting my gaze from Nidhiki's cold eyes, I reached for my sword. The wire-wrapped hilt fit my hand like an old friend, and the metal rang as I drew the blade from its sheath, as though my weapon were shouting forth its defiance of the murderer before me. I lifted my sword high, and the sun broke the horizon in the east, blazing red and gold and lighting up the silver blade in a blazing fire of colour. I drew a deep breath, knowing that it might be my last, but also knowing, this time, that I would not back down. Today, I would stand against evil as the Toa I was destined to be, and give my reply at long last to him who had said I was not worthy of the name........"You shall not pass." * * * Citations"...your Quest stands upon the edge of a knife." Galadriel to the Fellowship in Lothlorien; The Fellowship of the Ring (book)"Against the power of Mordor there can be no victory." Saruman to Gandalf in Orthanc; Fellowship of the Ring (film)"Swords are no more use here!" Gandalf to Aragorn at the Bridge of Khazad-Dum; Fellowship of the Ring (film)"You shall not pass!" Gandalf to the Balrog at the Bridge of Khazad-Dum; Fellowship of the Ring (film) * * * Before ending this entry, I'd just like to say that I had a ton of fun writing this story. It was more difficult to write than anything else I've written, but I think the end product is more than worth it. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! EDIT: Using Kagha's advice, and with Velox's permission, I edited my story to fix the issue with the indents at the beginning of each paragraph.
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This is the voting for the "Best Ending" award for Short Stories Contest #9: In the Darkness Bind Them.The polling will run until April 2 at 11:59 P.M. EST. The story with the most votes will receive a prize along with the three winners that have already been decided; the stories listed here have been nominated by the judges.-----------Before you vote, make sure you read all of the entries.Please do not vote unless you have read all the entries in the poll. This is a quality contest, not a popularity contest, and as such to make an accurate decision you must know all the options. Choose the entry you think had the best ending. [*]Time And Tide [*]Redemption [*]Drums in the Deep [*]Kingdoms [*]The Shadow of the Past [*]The Land of Forgetfulness
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This is the voting for the "Best Use of Tolkienian Inspiration" award for Short Stories Contest #9: In the Darkness Bind Them.The polling will run until April 2 at 11:59 P.M. EST. The story with the most votes will receive a prize along with the three winners that have already been decided; the stories listed here have been nominated by the judges.-----------Before you vote, make sure you read all of the entries.Please do not vote unless you have read all the entries in the poll. This is a quality contest, not a popularity contest, and as such to make an accurate decision you must know all the options. Choose the entry that you think most accurately followed the theme of the contest. [*]Where He Dwelleth None Can Say [*]Parallels [*]Kingdoms [*]I will return [*]Time And Tide [*]The Shadow of the Past -
This is the voting for the "Best Characterization" award for Short Stories Contest #9: In the Darkness Bind Them.The polling will run until April 2 at 11:59 P.M. EST. The story with the most votes will receive a prize along with the three winners that have already been decided; the stories listed here have been nominated by the judges.-----------Before you vote, make sure you read all of the entries.Please do not vote unless you have read all the entries in the poll. This is a quality contest, not a popularity contest, and as such to make an accurate decision you must know all the options. Choose the character you thought was characterized the best. [*]Dr. Reise, from Stellar Quest: The Black Gate Opens [*]Onua, from An Aftermath [*]Kiina, from An Aftermath [*]Takai, from Redemption [*]Lhikan, from Reinforcements [*]Jaller, from Where He Dwelleth None Can Say
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Where He Dwelleth None Can Say [Title Quotation: The Fall of Gil-galad poem, Page 185 (By my copy), chapter ‘A Knife in the Dark’Other Notes: There are a number of short passages and other references from the books and movies spread throughout the story. Some of them are almost straight-up quotes from the text or movies, while some of them are just thematic or action based references. Anyway, Tolkein fans should be able to recognize them fairly easily, and the title cited above is what really qualifies the entry. That quote is featured near the end of the story as well. Enjoy!] The long, endless banks of the Hura-Mafa were usually a place for admiration. Sunlight glistened on the ripples in the long river, lined with grass, bamboo and Harakeke, populated by variety of small Rahi.Alas, upon such a gray, morbid day, the river was not so. Rain came in short sprinkles, but the sky above Ga-Wahi remained eclipsed in cloud. For the nine Matoran that wearily stalked the river’s edge, this dismal weather was only a sign, a signal of what was yet to come.Broken spears and scattered discs were the first real evidence of the battle that had taken place. Roughly a dozen bio downstream, the rest of the brutal remains were found. Several Matoran were scattered unmoving on the banks, some partially submerged in the water.“Makuta will pay for this.” One traveller uttered. Upon sight of their brethren, the Matoran rushed forth to offer whatever help they could. One stood back, leaving the others to concern themselves with the fallen beings ahead. He feared their findings would result only in corpses to send back to Ta-Koro.“He’s still alive!” The Captain of the Guard was surprised by the water-villager’s announcement. Thank the great spirit...a survivor. Another call rang out...that meant two guardsmen. Two more Matoran that might yet go on to serve another watch. However, the Captain had sent five out to this task, and when he looked out to where the other three forms lay, he was met with shaking heads.Alas, the two survivors had both fallen past conscious, but one was awoken without much difficulty. Helped to his feet, the Guardsman took a moment to re-gather his thoughts, thoughts of the battle that had taken place here, and looking to the bodies as evidence to how it ended. Upon seeing his Captain high on the riverbank, the Guard snapped to attention and saluted. The Captain returned the gesture, and then walked down to the water’s edge, meeting his guard face-to-face. The Matoran spared no time in explaining.“We wounded one of the beasts. It limped off before the fight was finished. I believe we snapped Makuta’s grip on the beast.” The guardsman grimaced. “It was the second that tore through us. Bigger, stronger, more aggressive. We’d never fought anything like it. I was the second to fall, when it hurled me down to the river’s edge. I saw none of what happened next, but as you can see...we failed.”Jaller shook his head, dropping his hand firmly on the guard’s shoulder.“You conquered one of Makuta’s greatest beasts, that is a victory on its own. As for our other fallen brothers...they will be avenged.” The Captain turned from his comrade, and called for the eight Matoran he had brought down the river with him. Five maiden’s of Ga-Koro, and three more loyal Ta-Koro guardsmen. All tuned in to hear him speak.“Our regards to you, sisters from Ga-Koro, but it is here our paths diverge. My guardsmen and I are to pursue the monster, but we would not leave our fallen companions on this river. We ask you take our brothers back to Ga-Koro, and request that your Turaga tend to our two here wounded.”The Ga-Matoran nodded one by one, and began to gather up the Ta-Matoran bodies. They were assisted by the stubborn survivor, who would not sit back idle and watch as the Ga-Matoran carried off his fallen brethren.As for Jaller and his guards, they had matters more urgent. The three companions Jaller had brought with him from Ta-Koro gathered round behind him, awaiting their own commands. Assembled before him was Bastad, Jaller’s bold lieutenant, Kalama, a gate guard, and Agni, a sturdy, unfaltering watchman. These were Jaller’s choice men, the most capable for the long, dark journey they were to undertake.“There will be time for mourning later. Find the tracks of the beasts. There will be two sets.” It took only a moment for the guardsmen to uncover both trails, one bound northward into the desert, the other northwest, through the crossroads, toward Onu-Wahi. The tracks were massive, the unmistakeable hoof prints of Kane-Ra, and usually very odd to find so far south.“This one was limping.” Agni pointed out the falter in the desert-bound tracks. “It’s most likely this was the injured one. The bull’s trying to get back home, Makuta has lost his grasp on it.” The Guard Captain nodded.“There is no use in following that trail.” Bastad interjected, to no disagreement. “The beast will live or die by its own will. Our other target is still a victim of the Madness. It still hunt’s our people. Captain, we should spare no time in pursuit.”They did not. Only a brief farewell was given to the Ga-Matoran before the four guardsmen set off, following the clear, obvious path the Kane-Ra had left.The plant-filled riverbanks began to recede into open plain as the band grew further from the heart of Ga-Wahi. The rich soil, ideal for harakeke, became thick, tough dirt that grew only grass, and that grass was the only plant-life to be seen for a few kio. The Matoran were at the crossroads now, where following the right path would take a Matoran anywhere, and the harsh, diverse climates of each Wahi met at a calm, neutral ground.The rain began to cease as they moved ever on, the rain clouds breaking open to let sun rays shine through on the open grass. They met no travellers on the road, only a frigid breeze from the southwest that swayed the grass and chilled the Matoran. No sounds were to be heard either, save that same breeze, blowing over hills and echoing in the ears of the travellers. Without a doubt, the guards had been to places on the island far colder and less hospitable, but thoughts of the lively village of Ta-Koro and the warmth of Mangai’s offshoots still made for longing in the minds of the Ta-Matoran.They stopped only for a short time, a few moments to rest the legs. They had come to a hill, a tall one, where one could look over the plains for a great distance all around. To the north, where grass became sand, to the southwest, where the hills capped with snow, and to the northwest, where all to be seen was the rough, jagged rocks with not an inch of flat ground in sight.Even from the top of this hill could the tracks be seen, so the Captain of the Guard climbed the hill to its peak, and let his eyes follow the trail, which wavered about much, but mostly stayed true to a single destination. Onu-Wahi.“Are we to follow the beast all the way to those black, sharp, ugly rocks, Captain? We’re far past our lands now, should we not return home, and leave the hunt for the other villages now?” Jaller had not even heard Bastad approach. “The great spirit knows we’ve lost enough Matoran already.”“Vakama has given us leave to track this beast as far and wide as we must. You chose to join this hunt, do not think to go back on your word.”“I agreed to follow two Kane-Ra into Ga-Wahi, to ensure the safety of our villagers, and to aid the pretty water-maidens. Not to track one Rahi to the farthest edges of the island...” Bastad withheld any further comments however, not wishing to truly defy his superior. Jaller too, remained calm, but his voice grew bitterer.“You saw the huts as well as I did, brother. You saw what carnage came upon the beaches.” In Bastad’s eyes, Jaller could see the same bitter recollection and memory that haunted the Captain’s mind.“If we don’t deal with this beast now, it will come back to haunt us tomorrow.” Jaller continued, turning to look his lieutenant in the eye. “We cannot allow Makuta to see weakness in us, or think he can make such ploys without retaliation. What you see here is not Jaller, Captain of the Guard, grabbing at a chance to show his quality. What you see is a need for closure, and assurance that the same rampage that Makuta inflicted on us will not be repeated, over and over, upon our great city of fire.” Bastad remained silent, and then nodded, slowly and reluctantly. He did not approve, Jaller knew, but he would obey, as he always had.“Come then. We cannot fall far behind.” Jaller beckoned the lieutenant along behind him, and they returned to their long trek, bound for Onu-Wahi, just as the beast ahead of them had been.The tracks were at no point difficult to follow, but eventually, the path they formed strayed somewhere truly bizarre and worrisome. From a distance, they could see a cave mouth ahead, found at the base of a low cliff, near the edge of what was truly Onu-Wahi. The guards knew opening led into a tunnel, very specific in where it led. This path travelled directly to the great village of Onu-Koro.“Who ever heard of a Kane-Ra headed underground?” Agni asked as they drew closer, slowing to a halt at the opening.“Makuta’s will can drive a beast anywhere, it would seem.” Kalama answered. “Will the Onu-Matoran be prepared for such an attack?” The guard already suspected the answer he would receive.“They fight Kofo-Jaga and Kuma-Nui, but an attack from the surface? No, it is a hard blow they will have been struck by. Ready your spears, guardsmen, and ensure your discs are not far from reach. The village may well be in ruin’s when we arrive. Agni, light the way for us.” The Captain stepped back from the tunnel, and let Agni, with a lightstone in one hand and spear in the other, lead the path down into the dark. Each of the guards bore a spear, with a satchel of throwing discs slung on their back, alongside shields, torches, and other equipment. With these weapons in tow, they filed, one by one, into the tunnel.The lightstone had little to shine upon but the rough tunnel walls, which cast moving shadows in their nooks and ledges. The guards could see a faint light at the end, doubtlessly the dim, grand cavern that was Onu-Koro.But as they drew closer, what they saw stopped them in their tracks. Against the light ahead, they saw glimpses of movement, large, dark silhouettes. The tunnel filled with a loud clacking noise, not unlike footsteps, but not those of a Matoran, nor of the Kane-Ra beast they pursued. The guard’s thrusts their spears forward in defense, waiting for the figures to reach the clear illumination of Agni’s lightstone.Something reached that light, but only for an instant before it landed on Agni’s chest, knocking the light-bearer off his feet. As his comrade’s rushed to his assistance and defence, they saw clearer what had struck him, lying beside the glowing stone Agni had dropped. It was a disc, crafted of bamboo in a form fit for a throwing weapon, and it was no different than the discs Jaller’s men carried upon them at this very moment.The lightstone on the tunnel ground was what allowed them a glimpse of the second and third discs an instant before they landed, followed closely by more. Some glanced off the guards, some missed entirely, but it mattered not, for the Matoran scattered nonetheless. Intentions of calling out to their attackers were cut short by narrow dodges, and by the time the throwing stopped, the dark figures were upon them, now standing illuminated as they surrounded the four exhausted guards. Matoran they were, clad in black and purple, mounted upon crab-like steeds. They carried picks, hammers and discs, all of which they pointed at the Guard Captain and his companions. They did not falter upon seeing their quarries were Matoran, but Jaller heard mutter’s amongst themselves, words of confusion or relief in some cases. Only one spoke up to the Ta-Matoran, the Captain amongst the riders, doubtlessly.“State your names, and your business within the realm of Onu-Wahi.” His eyes were narrow, and his throwing arm poised, clutching another disc in the case he did not like the response.“I am Jaller, Captain of the Ta-Koro Guard, and Right Hand to Turaga Vakama. These are my guardsmen and comrades, Bastad, Agni, and Kalama. We track a Kane-Ra bull, a monster that has wreaked havoc upon the eastern villages.” He had no doubt these weary defenders had already met the beast he spoke of.“To finish the monster’s work here perhaps?” another, gruffer rider cut in, turning to the first speaker. “Onepu, Makuta has many servants and spies, not all of them so easily distinguished by their claws or teeth.”“Agreed.” A third called out. “We should not offer our trust so freely.” Jaller had intended to allow the rider Captain his own opinion, having said his peice, but Bastad did not share this approach.“Well, we came to rid you of a great, black, ugly, foul smelling wretch of a creature. No offense intended, of course.” The lieutenant smiled at the disagreeable rider’s, who only grimaced and mock smiled at his jest. “Regardless, if you’ve already claimed or courted or otherwise dealt with the beast, then by all means we’ll leave you’re village in peace.” It was as if he was daring the rider’s to let loose their throwing arms. However, the rider Captain, Onepu, paid him no attention.“Well met Jaller. I am Onepu, Right Hand to our own Turaga Whenua, and head rider of the Ussalry you see gathered around you. For now, at least, you have my welcome to the village of Onu-Koro. I am inclined to believe the claims you have laid, for the servants of the enemy have never appeared as such. Nevertheless, Whenua will be the one to truly judge your innocence.” Relief washed over Jaller. Most certainly a Turaga would recognize him and his guard for their true selves. Better he be the judge then this gruff rabble of fighters. The rider’s helped the guardsmen to their feet, muttering apologies for the mild damage they had inflicted, and muttering insults in retaliation to Bastad. They keept the captured Ta-Matoran surrounded as they guided them toward the village. Jaller took up a walk beside Onepu.“The beast you speak of was here.” The rider spoke first. “It struck the village fast, and the damage was deadly. My rider’s and I were deep in the mines, patrolling for Kofo-Jaga. The guards we left here were no match. The village is mostly in ruin, and the beast is not accounted for. By the time we returned to what was left of the village, the bull was gone. We haven’t pursued the beast yet, for fear that in our absence, another attack may occur. Until we’ve recovered, the village need be our priority.” The disappointment the rider had for himself and how the event’s had gone could not have been more obvious.Onepu had lost friends. Jaller had lost friends. The Ga-Matoran had lost friends. The Guard Captain doubted Makuta had any friends, but in any way Jaller could muster, he vowed every one of those lives lost would be repaid. * There was little left intact in the village, Onepu had spoken true. Most huts were half standing or less, with stone remains strewn about. Scattered light stones illuminated the ruin, shining light upon the dozen’s of Onu-Matoran, bustling back and forth in mostly folly attempts to rebuild their structures. Each tunnel leading into the village was blocked by Ussal Riders, well-armed and focused.Onepu and his companions guided the Ta-Matoran through the crowds, back to where the largest hut in the village stood. Surprisingly, it was relatively undamaged. Here, Matoran gathered around the entrance, attempting to reach the attention of one figure, standing illuminated in the doorway.The crowd at the doorway stepped aside at the approach of the Ussalry, allowing the warriors from both villages to pass through. The Turaga of Onu-Koro, a stout figure, little taller than his villagers, was finishing matter’s with a guildmaster of the mine’s, struggling to attend to the needs of all who approached him. Upon seeing Onepu and his company, he diverted his attention from the crowd to the riders.“Turaga, we bring you travellers who claim to be guardsmen from the village of Ta-Koro. We would ask for your judgement as to the truth in their words.” Onepu shifted his Ussal aside, allowing the elder to look upon Jaller standing behind him, who planted the rear of his spear in the ground and bowed low to the Turaga in perfect unison with the other guards.“Turaga Whenua, I am Jaller, Captain of the Guard and Right Hand to Turaga Vakama. We come in pursuit of the Kane-Ra beast that has struck your village and our own, with the intention of ending its rampage and preventing further destruction. We hope that you would guide us to its current location, so we may complete our task. If not, we ask you let us continue our journey, so we might find the beast ourselves.” Jaller looked up from the ground to the aging Turaga, and saw him return the bow.“It is an honour to welcome the esteemed guardsmen of my fiery brother’s village.” Whenua looked to Onepu. “Captain, would you do me a service and tend to the needs of all these good Matoran? I would speak with these travellers in the privacy of my hut.” The rider nodded, and Whenua beckoned Jaller and his companions inside.The hut was large, well lit, and comfortable, which made it the most pleasant place the Ta-Matoran had been since leaving their own village. Nevertheless, they were anxious and eager, remaining standing rather than finding comfort, resting only by leaning upon their spears. Whenua took the same approach.“So, guardsmen, does my brother send word amongst you? I imagine such an undertaking would not go through without his command, yes?” Whenua inquired.“Turaga Vakama gave us leave to hunt the beast as far as we must, but he knows not that we have journeyed quite this far. Thus, we bear no word from him to you.” The Guard Captain replied.“If you please, Turaga, we wish to stay close on the beast’s tail, so to not fall far behind.” Kalama piped in from the back, to which he received a sigh.“Don’t be hasty, master guardsmen.” The Turaga began to pace. “The creature you seek will not be travelling now. It rests, I suspect, under surveillance of its master. Your goal in hunting the beast may be folly. I saw where the beast has gone, I watched it prowl on once its hunger for destruction had been satisfied. But were I to tell you where the creature has travelled, I fear I would only be sending you to your doom.”“Please Turaga, let us have a hand at conquering the beast. Your own brother has allowed us-” But Jaller was cut off, for Whenua was not finished.“I do not know why Vakama has permitted you to pursue what seems so foolhardy a mission, but in these troubling times, I care not to ponder. Captain, this beast is Makuta’s greatest servant, and he would use it to lure you. Warn the villages, let them bear their arms against the beast should it attack them directly, and do the same yourself, but do not follow this most dangerous creature into Makuta’s darkest shadows, where the Lord of Shadow’s may do as he please with you. Think to the lives of the guards you bring with you.” But it was Agni’s turn to interject.“We seek out the same target as our Captain, for the same motives.” He was backed by the nods for the other two guardsman.“To what motives? For death and glory?” Whenua asked, ever-calm but bitter.“For Ta-Koro.” * The highway to Ko-Koro was cold. None of the tunnels beneath the surface were particularly warm, but this path was marginally chiller. Darker as well, the tunnel was much longer than the route the guards had taken into the village. After a short time, the guards lost sight of the light of Onu-Koro behind them, with no sight of the tunnel’s end ahead. Twists and curve’s in the broad path kept the road submerged in complete shadow, save the glowing lightstones the guards relied on.“You will find the beast in the southward highway that leads to Ko-Koro.” The Turaga had said, having given in to the Ta-Matoran’s stubbornness. “The route is long since abandoned, and for good reason. It is an evil place, of ice and shadows, where Makuta’s servant’s stalk the darkness, and sometime’s are joined by the Lord of Shadows himself. You may find him dwelling there now, awaiting you alongside his beast.”“I do not imagine you will heed my warnings, but I still advise you not go. Onepu and his rider’s will not join you; they are busied enough with defence of the village. At this juncture, all I can ask if for you to be weary in your travel, and wish you a safe return.” With that, they had set off into the dark. Only four guards, heavily armed, but blind for the shadows ahead. Even the light they shed upon the darkness seemed to fade into the shadows after only a bio or so, there was no glow to be had. The Ta-Matoran hadn’t been offered guidance through the dark, and Jaller knew they couldn’t have asked for such. Not when Onu-Koro was in ruin, and the task they were set upon seemed so very lethal.“Never again will I set foot in this wretched, black hole.” Agni spat.“Alright Agni. I’ll ensure not to put any ‘wretched, black holes’ on your regular patrol route. From now on, you get nothing but sunshine, and long lovely strolls along the beach, and cute little Gekula that can-”“Quiet.” Jaller tried to snap at them, but the sharp sarcasm of Bastad had him on the edge of a grin. He couldn’t truly blame Agni however. Walking into the shadow of Makuta hardly sat well with him, not knowing when their greatest enemy might show his face, be it with his own eyes, or through the growling, ugly form of a Kane-Ra. To be blunt, Jaller did not know what to expect. He had never truly crossed paths with Makuta before, had he?The first sign was the breeze, the cool breeze that blew across their backs and chilled their whole bodies. With their backs facing the route to Onu-Koro, they knew there could be no natural breeze as such. The Ta-Matoran glanced at each other, nodding in bitter acknowledgement of the unnatural forces at work. The breeze’s seemed to come from all sides, little more than chills, but all blowing toward the same location. The cave had grown broader, now stalactites and small boulder’s stood in the road, partially obstructing the long path.The winds echoed in the tunnel, still seeming to gather in one corner of the twisting path. What very little illumination shed upon the corner began to disappear before their eyes, shrouding the area in darkness.It was then that two rich, red, glowing lights grew from the blackness, glowing brighter than lightstone’s and shedding less light upon the cave. Jaller did not know which of his companions it was that muttered the single word that rested in each of their minds, but even their quietest voice made their fear clear to the Guard Captain. Perhaps they were even more frightened than he was.Makuta.Jaller’s gripped his spear as tightly as his hands permit. What breath’s he could muster came in short jabs. He felt cold, from his forehead to his fingertips, and the frosty spike’s of fear jabbed at his heartstone. He was terrified, to be sure. He could come face to face with any Rahi the cruel island could throw at him, but this black shroud of darkness was too dark, too mysterious for even him. However, nothing Jaller could see scared him half so much as the deep, evil voice that rang in his head when it spoke.“Matoran...” The great red eyes grew wider. “Four watchman...born of a great burning flame. Their eyes have watched much in their noble tasks, but what have they truly seen? Fire? Light? Heat and prosperity they know...yes...and safety in the eyes of their great fortress. But what do they know of the shadow’s? Have they truly felt the cold?” Another gust came, stronger this time, blowing through every gap in the Ta-Matoran’s armour and leaving their limb’s numbed with cold for a short few moments. It was enough to make Kalama jump, his body bumping into Jaller’s which only gave the Captain another second’s worth of panic.No. He was a Captain of the Guard. He could not be bullied out of that role just because of this dark lord’s enigmatic statements and glowing red eyes. He could not show weakness now.“Is this how Makuta means to fight us? With long, boring words and the occasional breeze?” He called out, backed by a grunt of agreement from the lieutenant behind him.“Riddles in the dark.” Bastad muttered. “What else do the shadows have to offer?” It was only then that Jaller realized that their words may have only brought doom upon them. That thought came an instant before Makuta’s deep laughter began to fill the cave.“So bold....but blind. Ignorant. You would see me only as the darkness. What lurk’s in your village when the sun disappears. What even the hottest fires of Ta-Koro cannot frighten off. No, brave watchman. I am far...far more than that. I am destruction, the will to undo creation. I am the burning flames you so dearly love. I am the harshest wave’s that strike the water village’s shores. I am the brutal rains that sully the sky, the deadly blizzards that batter the mountains. I am the unbearable heat that makes barren the desert, and yes, I am the pitch black depths of the deepest tunnels, where only the shadows can thrive.” Jaller knew not if the eyes were growing bigger yet, or merely closer, but in their red glow, the guardsmen stumbled upon each other in their attempts to back up. The Guard Captain tripped up to one knee, but steadied himself with the spear in his hand. His other hand brushed along the floor to bring himself to his feet, but struck something first.A lightstone. Agni must have dropped it. Its glow seemed weak, dimmer than ever, overpowered by Makuta’s shade. But summing up what little courage he could, Jaller grasped the stone, climbing to his feet and thrusting it forth between where the two great red eyes rested. In his hands, the stone seemed to outshine the red glow that filled the cave, and Makuta’s eye’s seemed to grow smaller. It was Jaller’s turn to speak.“Then flee to those black depth’s Makuta. Go back to the shadow! Here there is light, and life, and fire, in the bodies of us simple guardsmen. We are the servants of the sacred flame of Vakama, and we shall not back down!” The words came spilling out of Jaller without thought to them, and the Captain’s burning defiance battled with the cold grip of fear. Between the two, Jaller could only stand and wait for his dark enemy to act. But he did not. Instead, more laughter met the ears of guardsmen, deep and dark still, but quieter. The red eyes of the shadows began to fade back into the blackness, and the guards were left alone in the blackness.A bitter silence had overcome them all in anticipation. The Ta-Matoran stepped back, spears raised, forming a back-to-back circle of defence. The lightstones they held showed no evidence of movement in the shadows, but they all silently agreed on one factor. Makuta is not finished with us.But after several minutes of dark, silent, eerie waiting, it was Agni who first began to lower his spear. Was the Makuta only playing with their minds? “Should we continue?” Kalama whispered to the Captain, who only grimaced. What was it they were expected to do...and where was the quarry they had journeyed so far to claim?The Captain turned his head only for a second, just a moment, to answer his guardsman’s question, when these thoughts were put to rest. A monstrous bellow filled the cave, and a massive, dark form appeared from behind a stalagmite, seeming to emerge from nothing. The guards had an instant to raise their defense again, but their spears returned upward not fast enough. The Kane-Ra ploughed through their defence, throwing the guards about with its great horns and snapping their spears beneath him. Jaller was struck aside by a swing of its hoof, throwing him to the ground and leaving his weapons behind him. Head-first the captain landed, reeling from the shock the beast had given him. He desperately spun to sit up and for the first time saw clearly the beast they had been hunting for in the light of their glowing stones. It was larger in size than any beast Jaller had ever met with his spear. Its face was scarred and beaten, with one eye that remained nearly shut. Its two horns were larger than those of any other bull on the island, crooked and sharp. But these features did not change the most important element of the beast.This creature was just a Rahi, and the Guardsmen could fight Rahi.Alas, they did, for before Jaller was on his feet again, Bastad was upon the beast with his spear, blinding the beast with a lightstone in his off hand. He faced the monster without hesitation, jabbing at the pitted, black masks that corrupted the beast, but Jaller knew his lieutenant would not hesitate to finish the beast even free of its madness. Bastad was blinded by the rage and vengeance for those lost in Ga-Wahi, but in that determination there was foolery.The other guard’s had not recovered to support him in time, and Bastad was not strong enough alone. Surging forward, the beast caught the guardsman against the broadside of its curved horn and ran him into the wall with all its force, continuing to drive even after it struck the wall, crushing the lieutenant in an agonizing pin. Bastad groaned in anguish, dropping his weapons to free his hands. The Matoran tried to push back against the horn, but the effort was futile. After several moments, the creature stepped back, letting Bastad drop to the ground. However, the beast delivered one last blow, a kick from its hooved foot, to ensure that Bastad would remain inactive for the duration of this fight.By that point however, the other’s had fully recovered. Without access to his spear, Jaller looked instead to the two torches that sat in his bag, brought from Ta-Koro. “Use your discs!” He hollered to Kalama and Agni, who were already cocking back their throwing arms for a volley upon the beast. As their missiles hurdled through the darkness, Jaller ignited the torches and took one in each hand, moving to stand ahead of his two remaining comrades. Their discs struck true to the beasts form, forcing it back into a reserved stance. As the disc-throwers reached back for more discs however, the beasts did as all bulls did. It charged.The beast was not afraid of flame, that much was clear. But Jaller stood in its path with his torches nonetheless. As it bound for the throwers behind him, Jaller swung his two burning shafts to meet the creature at its maw. The fires licked the creature, which yelped first in pain, then growled as its eyes grew narrow.Jaller stepped forward again, battering away with his flames at the bulls face, its eyes, its maw, and its legs. The Kane-Ra shook its head and snapped at each, throwing clumsy, stifled blows that withdrew from the flames still, and thus did little harm to the Guard Captain. It was as he struck at its eye, its one remaining red eye, that it let go of restraint. The beast lurched forward again, relentlessly knocking the Ta-Matoran to the ground. It drew back for only a second, a build up for another goring blow, in which time Jaller raised his two torches once more, and met its driving force with a burning bite of flame.The torches snapped beneath its strike, but Jaller never received the blow to his body. The beast lurched back before it could finish its attack, howling as the fire’s danced across its face. With the beast away from their captain, Kalama and Agni let loose with the remainder of their discs alongside those looted from Bastad and Jaller. Flying two at a time, they struck over and over, smiting the blinded beast until they met their true mark. The discs succeeded eventually in wrenching the pitted, deformed, infected masks off the monster’s face, freeing it entirely of Makuta’s will. The beast continued to dance back and forth, extinguishing itself of the live flame on its scowl, but still writhing in injury from the burns. The Matoran only had to dodge around the beasts blind rampage before the beast collapsed unconscious by the pain and the released force of Makuta’s iron will.Another moment of silence in the shadows. Jaller stood gripping the splinters that were once his torches, while Agni and Kalama slowly reached to retrieve their spears. Bastad remained almost still on the ground, his chest rising and falling ever-so-slightly with what little breath remained in him.Is that it? Jaller wondered. The beast was vanquished, their mission seemingly completed, but what of Makuta? What had become of the Lord of Shadows?When no answer came to him, Jaller nodded to his two Matoran, not willing to wait anymore for a sign that may not came. He dropped the broken shard’s of wood at his feet, grabbing Bastad’s lightstone from the ground and approaching their fallen comrade. Bastad’s heartstone glowed faintly, but it glowed still, and his eyes flickered open and closed as his captain approached. Jaller lay the glowing rock alongside his lieutenant for light and knelt the fallen form. Bastad tried to speak, but only coughed wickedly. Jaller patted the shoulder of his friend, shaking his head. “Save your strength friend. We will have help for you soon. You will yet live to serve another watch.” The Captain looked over his shoulder to where his other two guards stood, and pointed back down the path they had come.“Make for the village; retrieve some of Onepu’s men. Only a few riders’, that’s all we need. To help Bastad, and to do what is fit for this beast.” Jaller commanded. Kalama grabbed another lightstone and started for his task, but Agni, raised a quizzical brow.“Are we not to finish the beast, like we set out to?”“The fate of the Kane-Ra can be decided later, we have to get aid to Bastad first.” Jaller was careful not to state out loud the truth about his lieutenant. Bastad was dying. All three of the others were better off not knowing, but Bastad knew better. As Agni nodded and bounded off after Kalama, the lieutenant grabbed his Captain by the wrist. Stubborn as always, he tried again at speaking, more successful this time.“Never....thought it would be....quite like this.” Bastad managed to gasp. “Lying down in a ‘wretched, black hole’,” it was his jest with Agni from earlier on he spoke of “with you kneeling above me.” He coughed again.Again Jaller shook his head. “You fought bravely. You have kept your honour. Today is not your day to die. The riders of Onu-Koro will be here soon.” Bastad only grunted in response, and Jaller knew he remained unconvinced.The lieutenant reached out his hand toward his spear, lying not far away. “I would...hold it, just the same. In...the case that...” He needed say no more. Jaller silently nodded and grabbed the weapon, handing it to the fallen guard; who gripped the shaft tight to his chest.“You have fought to the edge of death for a cause you did not believe in,” Jaller spoke again, gripping Bastad by the shoulder, “and did your duty with greater ability than any Matoran on this island could have dreamed. I could ask no more of any guardsman.”Bastad smiled, taking another long breath, and closing his eyes peacefully. “Yes.” He mumbled weakly, and spoke as if he had only heard a fraction of what his captain said.“I did my duty.” * “Come in Jaller.” The Turaga noted, half-turned towards the door, but still standing toward the roaring flame before him. The Captain nodded, stepping inside the large hut, but standing as if at attention near the door still.Vakama turned back to the flames. “You wish to speak of your mission in the North.” It wasn’t a question. It was clear. As such, Jaller did not answer, only giving a nod that the Turaga couldn’t see. He didn’t need to see.“I cannot put you to any blame for the task I undertook, I know.” Jaller spoke up. “What I did is on my hands, and mine alone.” But the Turaga stopped his sentance there.“No Jaller. I approved of the task, and sent you along on it with the blessing of the Great Spirit. I bear the same weight as you in that regard. To guide myself through that burden, I look to the Sacred Flame.” Jaller did not nod, nor shake his head. He only carried on.“This is the reason I have come, Turaga. Why did you do so? Why did you set me off on a task so foolish of me, when I was in such a state of mind? Did the flames not tell you of what the journey might bring for those Matoran?”Vakama did not respond. Jaller went on.“My most capable lieutenant may never walk again. He lives by a miracle, and miracles could not save the three Matoran that lost their lives on the banks of the Hura-Mafa.”“And how many more Matoran do you think would have lost their lives had you not hunted the creature down?” The Turaga interjected, and the Captain knew his own part had been spoken. Silhouetted by the fire behind him, Vakama turned back to the guardsman and continued.“Do you not think I saw the huts of our people, demolished on the beach shores?” His fiery voice rose in volume. “Do you think I care for our people any less then you do, Guard Captain? That I sought for vengeance any less than you?” Vakama began to quiet once again, stepping forward towards Jaller now.“But that is not why I sent you. There are six villages on this island Jaller. Six villages, but one people. The Matoran stand apart, but in spirit they are united. You journeyed out on a mission not just for the sake of your own people, but for the villagers from every Koro on Mata-Nui. To save them. To defend them. If we do not aid our brothers and sisters in times of need as such, then every village shall crumble overtime, standing alone against the shadow of Makuta.” Vakama took another step forward, close enough now to rest his hand upon Jaller’s shoulder, just as the Captain had done to Bastad in the tunnels below.“But perhaps that isn’t the reason I sent you out either Jaller. Perhaps I did it for you. Not for your sense of vengeance, not to prove your qualities to me, but so you might put your mind to some degree of rest.“I know that you, and Agni, and Kalama, and Bastad, and the two guards you saved in Ga-Wahi, will all rest better now for this. Your fallen brethren, who are with the Great Spirit now, will rest as well now, for the same reason. Every guardsman, lava farmer, and shop keeper in our village of Fire, might be put to some small measure of peace, all for this task now complete. Because now they know the truth. The truth that within the bodies of every matoran is a life force that is strong. That with every glowing heart stone, Makuta is driven further back into his shadows. That any beast the Lord of Shadow’s may conquer and twist to his bidding, the Matoran can still conquer with unity, duty, and destiny. It gives them hope, Jaller. A beacon of hope in these dark times we’ve been shrouded in. Do you understand?”Another silent nod.Vakama began to pace back towards the flames. “I know what it was you met in the dark depths below. The great, red eyes that looked upon you. It is true, where the shadow’s lay, he is, and I do not know where our nemesis truly lies. Long ago he hid away, and where he dwelleth none can say. But it matters not. You defeated him Jaller. You struck a blow he will not soon forget, and remember it Captain. Remember it well...”The chamber grew silent as the Turaga drew to a close, looking back to the high-climbing fires, and Jaller took that as his permission to leave. The Captain bowed once again, and silently slipped out into the village central plaza.The Matoran were slowly vanishing into their huts, and Jaller knew that the sun was disappearing on the island’s horizon now, although he could see it not. The guard’s night watch had begun to set out and stand guard, and the thought to return to his map room and plan through the night crossed Jaller’s mind. The watch would need to be shifted now, with the loss of the beach establishments......no. It was as Vakama said. Makuta’s rampage had been put to rest for now. It was time for Jaller, Captain of the Guard, to rest just the same. He and his brethren, alive and fallen, could sleep soundly tonight...Comments and criticism of any sort are welcome!
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-=- .....An armored fist connected with an armored head. Bruising was not likely on either side, but it achieved the desired effect as the De matoran who had been struck fell to the ground. He rolled quickly to his feet; the pistol he carried leveled at his attacker. It was a brave move, but futile, as in the same instant a half dozen guns were leveled at him. The sonic matoran didn’t know what was in them, and wasn’t anxious to find out. He still held the gun, but his eyes darted rapidly, and his mind even more. In his left hand he held, clenched tightly, the object he had been given: the reason for this whole ordeal...... “All right, you piraka, out with it. What the karz do you want?” he asked, his normally quiet voice sharp and snappy. His attackers, matoran like himself, smiled at each other...... “A toa sympathizer, and he doesn’t have a guess,” one said, smirking, “and what’s that in his hand I wonder? Looks awfully like those toa stones you read about. Are you off to be a toa, Anvor? Was a philosopher’s life too quiet for you? Or do you believe ‘Destiny’ called you?”.....Anvor sniffed, and retorted quickly, his intellectual habits too strong to resist...... “Destiny isn’t a being, therefore destiny can’t call me. I suppose next you’re going to say that some big fat fire toa dropped it on my doorstep for naming day, right?”..... “Never use sarcasm on one of these blasted literalists,” the first speaker muttered, glaring. Anvor smiled at a point well struck, regardless of his chances of living for more than a minute...... “Regardless,” broke in another, perhaps the leader. “You've always been standing up for those toa Virum, and now they’ve given you one of their precious toa stones.”..... “How right you think you are, and how wrong you were. No, as much as I know, this gift was not made by the good Virum. What it is, I have yet to tell you,” Anvor replied. He had put away his gun, and was standing so his right side was facing them. Behind him, his left hand slowly pried the covering off the precious object he had been gifted with. He had told no lie, for the Virum had neither given nor made it to the best of his knowledge; his scornful statement about naming day had been almost dead on. He had found it inside his door that morning. Such statements were not lying, merely dodging cleverly around any truth that was too revealing. But it would not satisfy them for long, he knew. There were many other things he knew. Anvor was one of the few of the class known as ‘students’. Of the one thousand odd years of his life, he had spent most of his time in the Great Temple, although he was a mere novice in the eyes of some of the older denizens of the now ancient temple. Metru Nui culture had taken ever since that time, over a thousand years ago, when the fabled Toa Nuva had entered Karda Nui, never to return. Slain were they, and with them died the hope of awakening Mata Nui. The slayer was a rebel Makuta, Icarax by name. He had taken over the Brotherhood, defeated Teridax, and waged a worldwide war. When the dust settled, Metru Nui was unharmed, but in seclusion, cut off from the world. During the war, the sea gates had been turned into fortresses. Now cities surrounded them, and few people from the rest of the universe entered past these port cities. Metru Nui was once again doing a roaring trade, and soon it had reached the point where the population of the cities was far too small. In response to this, Turaga Dume with the aid of the other turaga, activated the long forgotten matoran factories. No one ever knew how they worked, for it was guarded too well, with seemingly half the city’s vahki on patrol, but the result was known; tens of thousands of matoran of every different element had come into being, Anvor among them. In the space of a few years, Metru Nui’s population had swelled to over a million. Metru Nui was no longer a city, but a group of cities, all populated by matoran of every different element, mostly living in harmony. Slowly as the years passed, visitors from the outside became even fewer, and matoran from the port cities rarely strayed to the main island for anything except for business. In isolation, with only the turaga and toa as non matoran, a strange new sentiment had grown. Matoran as the rational race, with all others being a lower form, and the subspecies of matoran; toa and turaga, were not included in this race. It was this sentiment that possessed the gang he was facing, as well as thousands of other matoran, chiefly in the main city. Out on the port cities, people usually had their heads screwed on right......Anvor’s hands moved again, the bindings upon the stone gave way. He had studied much, including toa stones, and how they worked. It had been only ceremony to place the stone within the Suva of the great temple; a touch would transfer the power. The first speaker broke the short pause...... “Enough. The stone, and your life ends swiftly,” he said flatly, his gun still aimed at Anvor’s head......Anvor acted. His hand closed around the stone, and he held it up, silver light radiating outwards, congealing around him. The others were blinded, as was Anvor. Stretching he felt, power coursed through him. He felt himself elongating, growing taller. He had read of this, he knew what it meant. As the light began to fade, he stretched out his hands, only to aid the reaching of his soul: spiritual hands reaching for a spiritual power, a power always latent, now exploding. His spirit’s hands grasped, his mind seemed to push down upon a gas pedal, and power burst out. Sheer sound burst from him, white power surrounding it. A wall of power it seemed, smashing into and through everything around. Screams he heard not, no sound registered, for his sound shielded itself from him. Still around him, all was white, but a fading brightness. The power he had felt coursing within him began to fade, and a spinning weakness, as if he had not eaten for a week, filled him. Vision returned, and Anvor frowned in puzzlement, looking at the ground. He had not remembered climbing a ladder......Oh wait, he checked himself, You grew, remember?.....Then he looked up......There were no enemies alive. They lay on the ground, armor broken, blood vessels burst. The surrounding ground and buildings looked like a dozen bombs had struck. Glass shattered, metal bent and stone turned to dust. Some had collapsed, others looked like they were about to......Oh karzahni, you had to use a nova blast, didn’t you? Anvor thought grimly, smiling a little. But inside he felt satisfied, although a little troubled. He had slain for the first time. His mind analyzed: murder? No, he had been threatened, and was probably about to die. Therefore, it was righteous. All the same, his mind rebelled against his intellect, and he still felt numb. He shook his head, and his frown deepened as he looked at himself. He had expected to see grey and silver armor, and indeed, it was there. He frowned: it was not part of him! It felt like he was simply wearing armor, not having it fused to him. Looking closely, he noted that he wore silver chainmail, with gunmetal plate armor protecting his arms and legs. He reached and pulled off his left gauntlet. Instead of the standard hand of a toa or matoran, he was met by a slim, totally unarmored grey hand with skin the texture of leather, and probably as hard. He felt the same inside, so he must still be quite mechanical on the inside. Yes, he was not a normal toa, but he was still one: the nature was the same, although his shape may have changed........As he perceived the crowd of onlookers, Anvor wished that he was a little less of a normal toa. They were drawing closer, bending inwards a hastily formed parameter that a squad of vahki had formed. Anvor turned and fled, even as more chaos was formed by the two conflicting parties. He had only one opinion of this; it was a mess, and all he wanted to know was how he had gotten the stone, and why he wasn’t a standard toa. -=- .....Evening set in on Metru Nui, the last glints of two suns reflecting off the pristine metal and glass boxes that were the homes of the matoran. It seemed calm, flying high upon the wings of technology, throwing anything that refused to fly off the side...... As he had known for a while, Anvor was one of those things. The only change was that they were now trying to throw him, instead of just planning to. The city was buzzing with excitement: a toa had been born, and of course it had proceeded to level whatever was nearby. Of course, trust a toa to do that. That the was popular thinking, and if anyone thought of the dead matoran found, it was only to nod primly at the terroristicness of toa. Centuries of bigotry and hate needed only this one incident to flare up into militant hatred. Riots broke out demanding the disbanding and exportation, or execution of the city’s toa team. While they were easily dispersed by a concentrated force of vahki, their spirits were not dampened......Half aware of this, Anvor had only one goal; stay alive. He knew the basic layout of the city, enough to know how to get from one place to another relatively unnoticed. That was one thing; trying to get from one place to another when you were a seven foot tall toa who had just leveled a block in the middle of the city was another. Anvor had never been skilled In stealth, and so found it slow going. He moved slowly from one place to another, bent with exhaustion from the massive power he had expounded. It was so easy... Just lie down, relax, sleep. Who cared about what happened: the ground looked so soft, so comfortable... His legs were aching and his breath was long gone........Anvor shook his head sharply, as if a physical movement would help clear the mental fog within. Rationalize it, he thought; it was always the best way. He was still in Sector 3, or ‘Ta Metru’ as it once had been known, but he was nearing the border between it and the next sector, once Ga Metru. The Great Temple, his destination, was not far now. Nokama would give him sanctuary, if she or anyone else there poked their nose out of a book long enough to notice him......Lured on by thoughts of safety, Anvor moved quicker, until he could see the border ahead of him......It was then and only then that he remembered a once mundane, now chilling fact: the borders between the sectors were actually narrow channels, and chutes were the only connection over them. That meant at least one matoran operator, several vahki, and whatever matoran that were nearby. As a matoran, it was easy. As a toa, it was nigh impossible. He could try to swim, but remaining unsighted would be extremely difficult, and he doubted he would have even the strength for that. He did not trust the vahki, for it was highly likely that he was branded as a wanted criminal, and even less the matoran, who would tear him to shreds whether or not he was the worst piraka or the holiest toa. It was stand and fight, and pray for a miracle......Yeah, sure, I certainly am in the best condition. I’ve found out some key usages of sound, and I’m armored. On the flipside, I don’t have a lot of energy; physical or elemental, I’m practically unarmed, and I have no idea how to use my mask. Fun, fun fun........Griping wouldn’t help, he knew that much, and looked at his surroundings. The majority of the buildings were warehouses, empty in the midevening, a blessing most certainly. It was a quiet section of the city, and lying inside a dumpster, he was well hidden from unfriendly eyes. His eyes waged war on staying open, and he fought them viciously as he tried to think. His future was easy to forsee. He could by some miracle manage to flee from Metru Nui entirely, he could spend the rest of his life wandering in the depths of the archives, until he eventually ran out of energy and completely shut down for good. Or he could get found, captured, and either imprisoned or worn limb from limb......Or... He could find whoever was responsible for this entire mess........The toa Virum were the most likely, but he knew next to nothing about them. They lived in total seclusion in northern Ga Metru, in an ancient building, al least twenty thousand years old. He had seen it, and it had struck him as wonderfully beautiful. The old castle, surrounded by ancient trees and an equally old stone wall, was far more peaceful and pristine than any of the skyscrapers built by matoran these days. But of the toa themselves, and of what they did, nothing was known; no one had even seen them in the last seven hundred years. If they had sent the stone, why weren’t they caring about the person who had received it? The question he asked was answered by another thought. He had been running roundabout, from sidestreet to sidestreet. Unless there was a psionics toa on their team, it would be almost impossible to locate him while he kept moving. This last thought defeated his resistance, and digging rubbish aside, he half covered himself with it. In an instant, his eyes had closed, and he had fallen into an exhausted slumber......The feeling of shaking broke through into his dreamless sleep, and he instinctively tensed, slowly waking up. His eyes snapped open; it had not been his imagination, for he felt it again. Someone was shaking him. He sat up with a start, shedding the garbage that had covered him. But although his still bleary eyes looked al around, he could see nothing. It was not quite dark, the twilight around him showed the promise of approaching dawn. Then he heard someone. It was a strange, and by no means pleasant experience as his ears detected a shape standing over him, a shape remarkably like his own. He lashed out, only for his hand to be grabbed......”I see you’ve discovered sonar, Anvor.” The voice was quiet and restrained, and Anvor had the impression that a turaga had just addressed him. Looking at his hand, he saw two gauntleted hands grasping his wrist, two armored arms connected to an armored body. Forest green eyes gleamed out from behind a great Huna, old and a bit amused......”Who are you?” Anvor asked, his voice sounded rusty as it always did when he first woke up......”I see you received my package,” he said in reply, releasing Anvor’s wrist......”You’re the leader of the Virum, aren’t you?” Anvor asked, the pieces coming together in his mind, as potency became act......”Yes, Enza is my name, and I am their leader... And yours?”.....”What happens if I don’t want to join you?” Anvor asked, cutting straight to the core of the matter......”You stay in hiding for a few more days, until you’re either torn apart by matoran, or imprisoned by vahki. It’s a fate few wish for,” Enza replied simply......“It seems then that I have little choice. I will join,” Anvor said with a sigh, getting to his feet. The few hours of sleep seemed to have worked a miracle, for he felt some energy. Nonetheless, he was sure that he could do with at least another ten hours of rest......”Have you learned to use your Kakama yet? No? Well then, lend me yours,” Enza replied, and Anvor traded masks. The toa of air gripped him by the arm, and began to run. All around the world faded into a blur. Anvor felt spray hit him, and realized with a start that Enza was running on the sea itself. To his left the shore flashed by in a blur. He was sure that they had passed the great temple within the first five seconds, and within a half minute they were on land. Just as Anvor was beginning to feel speed-sick, Enza leaped into the air, dragging the sonic toa behind him. They landed on a rampart, and Enza released Anvor......”Welcome to the castle Virum, my home, and now yours,” Enza said simply. They were on a tall, thick stone wall, complete with parapet and walkway. In front of them stretched several acres of ground. The ground was well treed, massive and ancient oaks in lines along the side of the paved path from the gate, and placed randomly elsewhere. Thick grass was around them, and moss upon the ground where grass grew not. Cobbled walkways wound about, and flowerbeds lined them. Innermost was a stone building, tall and compact, a fortress seemingly thousands of years old. Stained glass filled the windows, and parapets topped the towers of the fortress. It was taller than the surrounding buildings, and incredibly out of place. It looked peaceful, and Anvor instantly loved it......”It looks... Peaceful,” he said softly. It wasn’t enough, he felt, but it was all he could articulate......”Come on. You’ve had a rough day; you could use a few hours of sleep,” Enza said as they again switched kanohi. Anvor nodded gratefully, and they walked down the nearest flight of steps. -=- .....It was morning when Anvor awoke, and the first reaction he had was one of discomfort. He slid out of bed, and was rewarded with the uncomfortable feel of stiff muscles. The room he was in was fairly small, made of stone like the building. It was simply furnished, with a bed, armchair, dress, and some other simple furniture. For a moment, he wondered where on earth he was. Then the last day came back to mind. He looked down, and nodded. Yes, it was real, and judging from his first discomfort, sleeping in his new armor was not comfortable. It would take some getting used to. Anvor stretched, yawned, and walked to the door. It was wood, carved in seemingly pointless wavy patterns, and he noticed that the knob was slightly worn as he turned it. Outside, a door confronted him, and as he looked left and right, he realized that he was in a hallway. The door opposite of him was the only one in that wall, and Anvor noticed that there was an inscription on the door; it was the entrance to the library. He smiled; it was the perfect setup. He could see that the hallway turned forwards at both ends, and walked to the right, guessing that it wouldn’t matter which way he walked, he’d still get to the same place. He was right, as he came out on a balcony. To his left, he could see the other end of the hallway. Below him was the door to the castle, and a dark red carpet led from it to (he presumed) a door below him. It was like nothing he’d ever seen before, even in the houses around the great temple. It was exhilarating, fascinating, and a little terrifying all at the same time. He shook himself out of his thoughts and walked forwards, down a flight of marble steps to the main floor. His presumption was correct, as the carpet ended at a double door, made of carved wood. Anvor put a hand on each handle, and pulled, slipping through the opening, as the doors closed behind him. Inside was a large dining room, marble floor and walls, and what looked like a false ceiling of chandeliers, all lit with fire, another thing Anvor had never seen. However, at the end of the table, he could see Enza and several other toa sitting, most of them turning to look at the new arrival. He walked forwards a little nervously. The table seemed far too long for the eight odd inhabitants present, he thought. They all were similarly armored, although there was definitely differing styles and colors among them. All of them however, wore a surcoat, which Anvor guessed had their own personal emblem. As he drew near, Enza rose to his feet, and the other toa followed suit......”God’s morning to you, Anvor. I see you’ve recovered somewhat from yesterday’s events. From what I hear, you were quite the sensation, the entire city is talking of nothing else. The uproar in fact is spreading to the portal cities, although it’s a little more rational there.”.....”Let me guess, riots, protests, wild eyed speakers preaching holy war against the infidel toa, mops butchering vahki, and general upheaval?” Anvor asked wryly......”If the state of this city wasn’t so evident, I’d think you had a mask of clairvoyance. You’ve got everything going on completely right. Dume is trying to restore some order, and is siding with the matoran insomuch that he has you on the wanted list for destruction of private property and murder. Nonetheless, every single working vahki must be being deployed right now, so some order should be restored soon,” Enza replied. Anvor nodded, not surprised in the least......”That aside, Anvor, I would like you to meet the rest of your team. Caith, magnetism; Lasca, plantlife; Gorn, fire; Talama, iron; Acknar, stone; Zelisia, ice. Ladies and gentlemen, our newest member: Anvor, sound.”.....Anvor nodded, feeling a little awkward. His eyes scanned the others swiftly, noting down what he saw. Caith was average height for a toa, and his armor was black with gunmetal chainmail, in the same style as Anvor and Enza’s armor. His mask was a Kadin, and his mouth smiled through the already smiling mouthpiece. Lasca was a few inches shorter than him, emerald green armor overlaying dark blue chainmail. Her mask was a Calix. Gorn was even shorter, at least a head below Anvor, but he was twice as broad. Unlike the others, his armor was composed entirely of black plate armor, with brilliant red chainmail underneath. His mask was one Anvor did not know, although it looked rather like a streamlined Komau. Also unlike the others, he wore his weapons; clawed gauntlets and small disc launchers mounted on his lower arms. Talama was standard height, wore a Sanok, and had gunmetal plate armor, with burnt orange chainmail beneath. Acknar was a full head taller than anyone else, with brown scale armor over black chain mail. He wore a Mahiki. Last was Zelisia, only a few inches shorter than Acknar, thin, with silver chainmail and white plate armor. She wore a mask of possibilites. All in all, they looked quite unlike the standard toa, but Anvor felt an instant liking to them......”Um, hi,” Anvor said. The other toa exchanged glanced, some stifling a smile......”And a merry ‘um, hi’ to you as well!” Caith answered back, not stifling his grin. Anvor grinned at him, feeling more relaxed already. -=- .....Once again evening fell over Metru Nui, but this time, it fell over a now calm city. The unrest was quelled, and now Vahki searched for the missing toa, instead of gangs of matoran. Anvor sat upon the roof of one of the towers, a book in hand, arms resting on a parapet, looking out over the darkening city. So absorbed was he that he hardly noticed when Enza walked in and sat down next to him. Only when the toa of air cleared his throat did Anvor look up......”News bulletin?” he asked, and Enza nodded......”The matoran are peaceful again. Vahki are still searching for you, but I’ll soon clear it up with Turaga Dume. I think you’re safe.”.....Anvor sighed, shaking his head...... “It’s great being a toa and all... But I wish the stone had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened.”..... “So do all who live to see such times,” Enza replied somberly, “but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”.....And as he spoke, the twin suns finally set. But where there would normally be blessed stillness, the lights of the city still shone, blotting out half of the stars......”The days of the Elements are over,” Enza whispered, and Anvor could feel pain and loss in his voice, increasing as he continued. .....”The days of technology have come.” -=- And there you have it, my entry, and probably my longest story. I used the quotes 'I wish the ring had never come to me etc.' and 'the age of man is over, the age of the orc has come.'This is a preview for my upcoming epic, Contra Vitam.
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Precious"My Precious....."—Gollum talking about The Ring, Return of The KingTo my loving Dad. —Heehvan Two Matoran cousins Mazeka and Vultraz were Fishing at C6 of Ga-Wahi in a boat, they were best friends to the end and helped each ohter when they were in need."I got one!" said Mazeka reeling in his catch. But the Ruki was hrad to get and sent Mazeka into the water. While he let go of the pole and was comeing up for air, he saw the legendary Kanohi Vahi, The Mask of Time. It was thought to be a myth that was used by Makuta Teridax and Toa Lhikan long ago. He grabed the mudy mask and came to shore with Vultraz running to him."Mazeka, are you ok?" said Vultraz. Then he noiced the Vahi that made him lust for it's power, a cruse that the mask had."Give it to me," said Vultraz under his lust for it."Why?""Because it's Nameing Day and I wants it." said Vultraz before trying to take the mask. Then he tried again, but this time it led to a struggle just to get the Vahi.It was painful and damaged their masks, Mazeka tryed to chock him to death, but Vultraz broke away and did the same thing that killed Mazeka."My Precious......." said Vultraz who took the mask and was about to put it on. When he did, it teleported him one second in the future to a part of the Onu-Metru Archives. The mask somehow made him almost immortal, but his mind was split in two and he was mutated by Visorak spiders that were freed by him accidently while he was hunting for food.The End?
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'What do you fear, lady?' he asked. 'A cage,' she said. 'To stay behind bars, until use and old age accept them, and all chance of doing great deeds is gone beyond recall or desire.' Bitterness was something easy to get used to. Perhaps it was simply all the years she'd spent that way, but looking back now, she couldn't recall ever being aware of some slide into such a state, of actually ever being bitter at becoming bitter. Instead she'd quickly discovered it made things easier – you could worry and complain about the world all you liked when you were bitter, because you at the very least had the smug knowledge that you were the only one who even bothered to complain. Bitter had been her lot in life for the longest time – and when, against any hopes she'd had, someone literally dropped from the sky and single-handedly proved her right, she'd gotten to bask in sweet vindication. And it had been sweet – she felt no shame at the joy she'd felt every time he'd shown another Agori or Glatorian just how much grander things could be than scavenging for scraps in the desert. So. Bitter she'd handled. Sweet she'd handled. Bittersweet was making Kiina angry. She hadn't really bought all of Mata Nui's talk of destiny and grand plans and all that; sure, it was a nice idea to have, and if it was what had brought him down to give Bara Magna a much-needed kick in the rear end, she was all for it. But she'd always been one more for action than talk – or at least for talk that had more going for it than “because destiny says so”. His promises that he'd show her a new world – that she'd been all right with, because watching someone give you superpowers by tapping your stuff with his mask has a way of making you think that person's got things under control. When things had been coming to an end, when he'd told her he had to go fight that crazy brother of his and save the universe (and in so many words, at that), she hadn't really bought it then either. He could harp on about how it was destiny that things end this way, but she knew that was a sack of Scarabax dung. You could be a gazillion-bio-tall robot, but that didn't change the fact that what made you do the right thing was who you were, not what some ancient prophecy said you had to do. But hey, she'd let him have that – after all, if he thought it was destiny that made her drop the tough-girl face for the first time in about a hundred thousand years, all power to him; she was too busy dropping the tough-girl face for the first time in about a hundred thousand years to care. After all, there had been two ways it could turn out: he was going to win and the Glatorian and Agori would live happily ever after, or he'd lose (die) and she'd be back to her old friend bitterness (until some nutjob Rahkshi provided her with a more permanent exit, of course). She was prepared for either of those outcomes. By the time they got to the Mask of Life lying on the ground, part of her had even been prepared for the outcome she was sure had happened, of him being dead and gone forever in exchange for their new world. That would have been bittersweet heavy on the bitter, within her comfort zone. Instead he'd given one last heroic speech (she should have figured) and then decided to play dead inside a mask for the foreseeable future. Glad I could help, go forge your own destiny, see you later. PS, good luck on the whole integrating societies thing, and sorry about the power-hungry nutjobs you get on the side. So that was the bittersweet she got. Shiny new planet, plenty of new allies, all for the low low cost of her best friend sealing himself away in a mask because destiny said so. Bittersweet was really starting to tick her off. She'd found it was hard to break the habit of going out to see the stars. She couldn't remember when she'd started – what night she looked up and finally got a chance to see just how unspeakably big everything was – but she knew then she'd be doing it for the rest of her life. There had been weeks or months when she'd stopped, when she was bitter enough that seeing everything out there waiting just made her feel worse, but in the end she always found herself drawn back to them. Even still, it was frustrating; some nights she wanted to just start yelling out at the sky for something to happen already. Of course, the stars had waited for a night she was too busy to go stargazing to send their wayward messenger; she figured it fit in with the universe's sense of humor. But even now, with a paradise of a world all around her, she found herself trudging out some nights to just stare up. Once or twice she brought Click with her, perched on her shoulder; she wondered if somewhere in his little beetle brain he felt anything, if he'd also hoped to someday join their mutual friend on his travels and see what the universe had to offer. (This train of thought tended to reach its end around the time Click would fall off her shoulder, completely asleep.) She never invited the other Glatorian or Agori; it turned out a hundred thousand years of being the crazy woman who believed in aliens meant that even if you wound up being right in the end, people were still a little reluctant to chat celestial with you. So most nights she would go out alone, sitting down against the side of a tree or outcropping of rock and letting her mind wander down roads she'd thought she'd left behind when Mata Nui had arrived. A voice to her right rumbled. “I'm sorry to bother you, but those are quite the valuable tablets you're sitting on.” Kiina set the all-time Glatorian high-jump record, then spun to see a Toa sitting against the other side of the old tree she'd been up against, his lower legs stuck partially into the ground and a number of old tablets scattered around him. His black-and-silver armor complemented the spiky mask he wore, green eyes shining out through the eyepieces and a calm smile on his face. A weathered pack lay to his side with a few other tablets visible inside; it was covered in dirt for a reason she couldn't fathom. Wordlessly, he reached out and scooped up the stones she'd been resting on (they had looked like any other rock to her) and inspected them; apparently satisfied that they had sustained no damage, he put them aside and nodded cordially at her. She resisted the urge to blast him with a jet of water; what sort of nutjob wore black armor out on a moonless night to catch up on his reading? It was hard to make him out even now. She scowled at him. “Wouldn't have been an issue if you weren't doing your best rock imitation over there. Do Toa normally say hello by scaring the living daylights out of people?” The smile remained. “I apologize for the startle – you seemed so interested in the sky that I didn't want to bother you. Of course, I had imagined you were going to look before you sat down.” He extended an arm in greeting. “You are the Water Glatorian Kiina, yes? I am Onua, the Toa Nuva of Earth. I don't believe I've had the pleasure.” The name shook loose the details she'd been trying to dredge up. She nodded at him, but ignored the outstretched arm. “That's me. You're one of Tahu's friends, right? You've been helping with getting the Matoran into the village and all that. I think I saw you with Ackar the other day.” Realizing it was doing no good, Onua retracted his arm. “That's correct. I'm afraid I let Tahu and Gali do most of the organization; I simply help out where I can.” He gestured for Kiina to sit again; after a moment, she decided that her pride wouldn't be too wounded by sitting down to talk. The Toa tilted his head slightly at her. “What exactly were you looking at up there?” Kiina glanced at him for a moment and shrugged. “Nothing in particular. Just taking in the view.” She gestured down at the tablets surrounding him. “I'd say you're the one who's got some explaining to do. You can't think of a better place to go through a bunch of old tablets than half a mile out of the village on a moonless night?” Onua shrugged noncommittally. “I find it much quieter out here, is all. It's good to see the village pulling together, but the construction makes Onu-Koro seem peaceful. Besides,” - was it just her, or did his eyes actually flash? - “I'm used to life underground. If anything, it's easier for me to see on a night like this.” Kiina rolled her eyes. “Another Toa superpower, huh? I'm starting to wonder if there's anything you guys can't do.” Her companion chuckled and picked up a small stone resting on the ground, playing it through his fingers until it came to rest between two of them. “Hardly – anything that lives in darkness long enough gets used to it. If you want a 'superpower' -” His fingers snapped together, effortlessly crushing the rock. A slightly embarrassed smile played across his face. “My apologies; I'm not usually a showoff, but you did ask.” Kiina hadn't, but she let it slide. “So what are all those stones, anyways? I don't think I've seen that much writing in one place since the Great Beings left us all to rot.” If Onua was surprised by the harsh language she had used, he didn't show it. Instead he merely handed over the slab he had been perusing to her. “Onu-Metru was home to the Archives – they held information on every species of Rahi, Rahkshi, and Bohrok under the sun, and quite a few under that. They were badly damaged in the battle against Teridax, and we've only just begun to send teams in to recover what they can. The live samples are all dead or escaped, of course, but the records and journals of their keepers largely survived. It's simply a matter of reorganization.” Kiina flipped over the tablet and found herself looking at a diagram of a strange, almost humpbacked little bipedal creature. Its front seemed to have a window through which a strange, misshapen blob could be seen resting within. To the sides were notes, and across the top a name: “Tahnok.” She frowned and handed it back over to Onua. “Seems kind of weird to me, going to so much trouble over a bunch of pictures of ancient animals.” He shrugged. “Perhaps, but this is the result of thousands of years of research by my people. It would be remiss to simply forget it. And besides” - he gestured to a Scarabax beetle making its way up the tree beside him - “if we don't have an Archives, where will we put our records of all the wonders waiting for us here?” Kiina snorted, receiving a harsh glare in return. “Sorry, pops, it's just that after 100,000 years of waking up to these things crawling into your bed, it's pretty hard to see them as wonders.” Onua's face returned to its calm smile. “Perhaps. I was merely using it as an example – though I do have a friend who I'm sure could find a thousand praises to sing about this bug. And I do mean sing; don't ever stop by a Le-Koran party unless you're ready to have your ears ringing for the next few days.” Kiina let the reference slide – she was pretty sure Le- meant the green ones, but it probably wasn't a good idea to ask. Onua put the tablet aside and looked at her curiously. “But I digress. You still haven't answered my question.” She frowned. “Actually, I'm pretty sure I did.” He shook his head. “Hardly. 'Nothing in particular' isn't much of an answer.” She rolled her eyes. “It's Glatorian for mind your own business.” The Toa raised a brow, but the Glatorian was hardly willing to continue the conversation. Eventually he seemed to give up, turning back to the his work. Kiina laid her head back against the tree and looked up at the sky. Far to the north, some glint of light was moving across the sky; she wondered if it was some miracle on the way to its own planet, some weird alien Mask of Life with its own Mata Nui trapped inside. Or perhaps it was the Great Beings, somehow having learned of Spherus Magna's revival and now making their grand return. She frowned a bit at that idea; Mata Nui had told them to go find the Great Beings, but after everything they'd pulled she wouldn't be all that broken up if it turned out they were never coming back. Time passed. She was vaguely aware of Onua shuffling the tablets around, grouping them into one category or another, but by and large she'd managed to tune him out. Toa weren't that bad when they weren't busy playing hero, she supposed. A flurry of noise broke her reverie, and she turned just in time to see the black Toa disappear under the ground, apparently making use of some tunnel or other to make his way back. A small slab rested on the roots of the tree where he'd been sitting, with a message written in clumps of earth somehow attached to it. I will most likely be here again in two nights' time, should you wish to meet me or avoid me. She sighed and tossed it aside. Toa were weird. They did not meet again in two nights' time; a group of wandering Skakdi had gotten the wise idea to try and ambush a scouting group she'd been leading, and by the time they'd gotten back to the village Kiina had hardly been in the mood for stargazing. It was more interesting than dealing with Bone Hunters, but she wished they would hurry and settle on a location for New Atero; the Matoran and Agori alike kept adding on to the makeshift village they stayed at now, and if they waited much longer everyone was just going to get ticked off at having to build it again. Besides, less scouting meant less spiky-backed nutjobs to deal with. It was four nights after that that she found herself sitting at the same tree, lost in thought, when a rumbling noise from the earth made her turn. She was unsurprised to see Onua's head poke out of the ground and shake the dirt loose from his mask; he nodded cordially and climbed most of the way out of the hole, once again leaving his legs partially buried. She figured it was probably better not to ask; she'd probably get some answer about being in tune with one's element or something. “Why do you always leave your legs in the ground like that?” He glanced at her. “Because it's quite comfortable.” The two looked at each other for a moment more, and then Onua turned his attention to the pack he'd been carrying. No other words passed between them that night. On their sixth meeting Kiina broke the silence once more. “Did you ever meet Mata Nui?” Onua seemed unsurprised by the question, but Kiina had begun to get the feeling that he would seem unsurprised if Click revealed himself to be Teridax in disguise. “Not as such. We were guided by his values, but he was asleep for most of my conscious life, and dead for some of the remainder. Even when he was awake, he never directly contacted any of us, to the best of my knowledge.” Kiina frowned. “Nothing? Never? I mean, with the way he talked about you all, I figured-” A chuckle. “-that we were his right-hand men or something of the like? No, I'm afraid not. We knew he was there for us, and we worked tirelessly to help him, but he was hardly someone to sit down and talk with. From what I've heard, you and the other Glatorian know him far better than we ever did.” She shook her head. “Maybe. But still, the stories he used to tell of Toa and Matoran, working tirelessly to keep the peace and act as heroes... it wouldn't have surprised me if he'd been down there with you, pushing you onwards. That's what he did for us, after all.” Onua waited for her to continue, but the Glatorian said nothing more. By the time she looked over at him again, he was lost in his usual work. She was dozing against the tree one night when he arrived, later than usual. She opened her eyes as he took his usual place. “You struck me as the kind to be punctual, pops.” A smile. “I didn't realize we had a schedule. A rough day, is all.” She noticed now that his armor seemed somewhat more pitted than usual. “Something happen?” He shook his head. “Nothing that we couldn't take care of. Some sort of huge lizard thought it would be a good idea to attack one of the mining camps the Onu-Matoran set up. I convinced him otherwise.” She snorted derisively. “With all the stuff we have to deal with around here, it almost feels like we're still stuck on Bara Magna. Gotta admit, I was hoping for a planet with a little less in terms of random attacks.” The Toa shrugged. “It's not such a high price to pay for peace. After all that's happened since I reawoke, the occasional biomechanical lizard isn't too bad.” Kiina smirked. “Sounds like you Toa had some interesting times back in that giant robot of yours. Must seem boring to you now.” Onua returned a quizzical look. “Peace is boring? I thought I was talking to a Glatorian, not a Skakdi.” She waved a hand dismissively. “That's not what I mean, and you know it. It's just...” For once, the Toa of Earth didn't let the conversation end. “Just what?” A hint of frustration crept into the Glatorian's voice. “It's just... I thought things were going to be better than this, you know? Maybe I was being silly, but I always thought there was going to be more to it. You know, maybe we'd travel the world, or find some way to go into space, maybe find some big epic revelations about the Great Beings. I always figured us five had more in store before things ended. And then we'd get to live out the rest of our lives on some planet very, very far from here so I'd never have to feel sand between my feet again.” Onua gave her an appraising look. “That's quite the wish list you have there.” Kiina glared at him out of the corner of her eyes. “Yeah, I know, all right? You try spending a hundred thousand years fighting off raiders and scavenging for food and then you can judge me for getting a little ticked off when the closest thing this stupid planet ever had to a hero decides to cut things short in favor of turning into a giant robot. Oh, and then a mask, don't forget that one. A giant robot was at least impressive.” Onua gestured out to the land around them. “So you're disappointed in all this? Mata Nui didn't give us this world for nothing, you realize.” Anger finally entered Kiina's voice. “Stop acting like I'm so ungrateful, blast it! I know he gave us all this, and that he's gone because he wants us to use it, but – there was supposed to be so much more! There should have been so much more! How is it fair for him to just vanish and leave us to this? We struggled to survive for so long, and our reward is... this? Farming and building for the rest of eternity, with a little new variety in the psychos wandering the desert waiting to try and kill us all? At least while he was here it felt like we were doing something worthwhile.” Silence filled the clearing. Onua watched the Water Glatorian closely; there were no tears, but her fists had curled into tight balls and she was staring straight ahead. He broke the silence after a minute. “Try to be here tomorrow night. I'd like to continue this conversation then.” By the time she'd come up with a retort, he was already burrowed away. She insisted to herself throughout the day that she wouldn't take him up on his offer; she'd spoken to enough Toa to realize that this was practically paradise to them, and that no matter what she said to him he'd never understand her point of view. She wasn't even sure she understood her point of view; she was supposed to have thrown away the whole wanderlust thing about the time she learned to shoot water with her mind. But hey, getting lectured on how peachy things really were would actually probably be more fun than playing arbiter to some ticked-off Matoran and Agori, and so that evening she found herself waiting at the tree as usual. The stars turned in the sky above; the light she'd seen to the north was now long gone, off to some distant nebula to find its own destiny. When the familiar scurry of earth shifting reached her ears, she didn't even bother to turn to look, even as the Toa sat down beside her. Kiina sighed in spite of herself. “All right, pops, you had a whole day to come up with a big speech on the value of being grateful and how stupid is to actually want anything interesting to happen. Just hurry up and get it over with.” Beside her, Onua slipped his satchel off his back and began to open it. Kiina looked at him incredulously. “Don't tell me you've got some ancient Matoran inscription of wisdom I'm supposed to read. Come on, if I'm going to get told off it might as well be-” She was pretty sure she'd been going somewhere with that sentence, but the sight of an all-too-familiar golden mask pitted with scars and dirt being lifted out of the bag made her train of thought take a sharp detour off a cliff. Onua lifted the Ignika in his hands and turned it over experimentally, apparently checking that no further damage had come to it in its trip. He nodded, satisfied, and offered it to Kiina, who stared back at him dumbly. After a moment of choking noises that would normally be associated with an immediate call for medical attention, she managed to get out, “What- what in the name of- did you steal the Ignika?” Onua shrugged. “Hardly. Borrowed is a more accurate term. After all, there's no rule that it has to stay perched up on that statue all the time.” He motioned for her to take the mask. “I said last night that I would like to continue this conversation. I simply thought I should not be the one to continue it.” He must have seen something in her eye, because he shook his head. “No, I very much doubt he'll talk back. But I notice things, and I've seen just about everyone in the village visit him one time or another. The exception, of course, being you.” Sensing one more push was required, he placed the mask into her hands. “Last night you came very close to saying something you needed to say. But half of talking is having a listener, and I think this is the one you need.” Kiina slowly dropped her gaze to the mask she was holding. It was the slightest bit warm, and though it was light in her hands, she somehow felt as though she was holding something extraordinarily heavy – she simply didn't have the capacity to be aware of it. Locked inside was one of her closest friends, waiting for some day that might never come. For a moment she had the wild urge to fling the mask away as some sort of petulant payback. The moment passed. Onua had returned to his customary silence. Without speaking, she turned the mask over in her hands a few times, as if she could find some hint of what was inside. Almost without being aware of it, she began to talk. “I guess this is overdue. I mean, it's like your Toa said, after all. I haven't even gone near that statue they've got you perched up on. It looks good from a distance, though. I hear it's of the Matoran who died to bring you back. You must have been one heck of a Great Spirit if you had someone willing to die for you that you'd never even talked to. But I guess you would be. “When I met you for the first time, I was being selfish. I could've taken you where you needed to go without any bargaining or complaining, but I made you promise me that you'd take me back to your home when you went. Says a lot, doesn't it? It's my job to help out the other Agori and Glatorian, and I was ready to go riding off in search of adventure at the drop of a hat. Still am, I guess. Probably always will be. It's just... I don't know if you heard, at the end, I said it was too soon. I meant it. I know for you and for all your Toa and Matoran it was the end of a very long journey, but I felt... cheated, is all. I spent a hundred thousand years playing mercenary in the middle of a desert, and then I found out that there were wonders out there I couldn't have even imagined. And then one day it was just over. Just like that. I didn't even have any say in it. “You remember me telling you I was worried we'd all just be like insects to you, when you went up in that giant body of yours? I know you don't think of us that way, and I know you're afraid of ever doing so. And I know that's why you chose to hole yourself up in that mask, but... I don't know if this is any better. You wanted us to forge our own destinies, but you didn't give us a choice as to whether or not you would be part of them. “And yeah, I know that if anything really catastrophic happens – if that crazy brother of yours was just playing dead or something like that – you'll be back in a heartbeat to play hero. But I feel like those days are over now for some reason. Maybe there's still adventure waiting for us out there, but I feel like if there is, it's after the fact. Like it doesn't really matter one way or another if it happens.” She let out a small laugh. “Listen to me. Sounds like I'm talking about that destiny thing you were always harping on about. I'd better shut up before I start wearing masks and talking dramatic all the time.” She closed her eyes and breathed in and out for a moment, then fixed her gaze on the mask's eyepieces. “The point is, I don't just miss you. I miss everything you brought with you. It wasn't always easy, and I probably made a fool of myself once or twice, but I'd bring it back if I could.” A sad smile crossed her face. “Maybe one day you will come back. But when you do... I'm sorry, but I feel like even if I'm still here, it won't be the same. Yeah, I know, I just said I'd bring it back if I could, but I get the feeling you won't be back for a long, long time. And when you are, whatever destiny or quest or whatever that'll be waiting for you won't be for me. You can count on me being there – and maybe I'm wrong, and it'll be like nothing's changed at all – but I think our time's over. Even if I really, really hate that it is.” For a moment Kiina seemed to uncertain about whether to say anything else, but then a look of sad determination entered her eyes. Without a word, she brought the mask up to the side of her face and held it there for a moment, her eyes closed. Onua said nothing as she brought it back down and handed it back over to him, merely accepting it with a nod. She cleared her throat awkwardly. “You should probably get that back to the village. I don't know how you got it out of there in the first place, but I'm pretty sure somebody's going to notice that the one guy everyone there actually likes has gone missing.” He nodded once more, and returned the mask to his satchel. “Are you planning to stay out here much longer?” Kiina smiled. “Yeah, I think so. Just for a little while, though.” Onua placed a hand on her shoulder and met her gaze for a moment. Apparently satisfied with whatever he found there, he began tearing up the dirt mound left by his arrival. Soon even the sounds of his burrowing had vanished, and Kiina found herself alone with the land and the stars. A few Scarabax beetles scurried around in the darkness, clicking to each other. There was a faint wind blowing from some direction or other – at the moment, it didn't really seem to matter from where. Kiina leaned back against the tree and looked up at the sky one more time. For a moment she thought she saw the light to the north returning, but it was just her imagination. It didn't matter, she supposed. She'd catch the next one. --------------------------------- Quote source: The Return of the King, "The Passing of the Grey Company." For a few of my thoughts on the piece, check my blog.
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Here's my entry for SS9: Tahu, Pohatu, and Onua were camping on a mountain somewhere in what was formerly Bara Magna for no apparent reason. Tahu wasn’t as thrilled as Pohatu was, but was still enjoying himself. Onua, on the other hand, was so out of his element (and mind) carved a face into a small rock and was stroking it repeatedly, and repeatedly saying, “My preciooous. My preciooous!” Tahu, concerned, had also noticed Onua had carved writing into the sides, something about one ring ruling, finding bringing, and binding them all. This sounded like something from well-renowned literature on another world. When Tahu tried to take the stone away to examine it, Onua bit him. “I just want to look at it, Onua,” Tahu explained. Onua threw the stone at him. Tahu suddenly grabbed the stone and ran off with it. Onua, having regained his sanity, said, ”Great Beings, not this again.” Tahu found an inexplicably nearby volcanic crack then accidentally dropped the stone in it. Tahu was about to jump in when Onua and Pohatu caught up to him, and managed to convince him not to go after the rock. Several years later, the rock resurfaced and was eaten by a Spikit, which then became a Makuta-esque, but harmless, social outcast obsessed with forging rings that he claimed had various magical powers, most of which are absurd. Moral of the story, don’t pick up strange rocks on strange mountains while camping for no apparent reason.please post!
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Here are the entries for SSC9: In the Darkness Bind Them; PM me if there are any problems. #1: Waking Up - by fishers64#2: Kingdoms - by Click#3: An Aftermath - by GSR#4: ..and Keen The Mountain-Air - by tent163phantoka#5: Reinforcements - by Despair#6: The Shadow of the Past - by Zoma#7: Redemption - by Nukaya is Awesome#8: Time And Tide - by Kagha#9: Where He Dwelleth None Can Say - by Thunder on the Mountain#10: The Land of Forgetfulness - by Zarayna: The Quiet Light#11: Travesty of Darkness - by mayboy189#12: Encouragement - by Friend of Fire#13: I will return - by Lord of the Rings#14: Whenua's tomb - by cooldynamyteproductions Disqualified#15: Precious - by Heehvan#16: Drums in the Deep - by VBBN#17: The Wraith - by Kal Grochi#18: Parallels - by Emissary to the Void#19: Stellar Quest: The Black Gate Opens - by Nuile: Lunatic Wordsmith#20: Just Another Path - by Lord Darkon
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So, it's done and up. Go and read it before you read on; I'll wait. So! A character piece. Huh. Quite different from the last two things I've written. Anyways, I've always liked Onua as a character, even though he had one of the more neutral personalities of the original six. If I'm not mistaken in the early early materials he was supposed to have been the eldest of the group, and even though that idea was of course dropped he still feels that way in my mind. I particularly enjoyed finding out that he was the one to pull the trigger on the Bohrok destroying the island in the end; it fit with my image of him being the nice guy who has enough of a handle on things to realize occasionally you do have to make tough choices. He also seems the kind to be likely to help people help themselves - he certainly did for Lewa. It was natural, then, that I try and see how he'd get along with one of the more impulsive, reckless Glatorian. I've always liked Kiina's character; she reminds me a little bit of a Doctor Who companion, itching to get out and see the universe even if she knows she's got duties she can't leave. (I'm apparently not alone on this; a friend once wrote part of a fic where the Eleventh Doctor had a run-in with her. Quite good, really; it actually helped plant the idea for this fic. Then he never finished it, the scoundrel. I think he just likes to watch me squirm.) When I did finally get around to reading what 2009-2010 media could be acquired online, I was also struck by how much she cared for Mata Nui, and particularly her statement near the end of Journey's End that it was "too soon". So I decided to write a bit of character piece about that - because I'm not sure I'd buy her taking Mata Nui's big dramatic "I must go now" particularly well. After all, she seemed pretty impressed with what he could do, but I can't imagine she was a big believer in the 'destiny' thing. Which brings me to the undercurrent of the story I found myself writing quite by accident. Raise your hand if you were at all reminded by the fic of the reaction to Bionicle's end and future, because I was about as subtle as a brick with it (though I am the guy who wrote the thing, so maybe I'm not qualified to say that). When I started writing this thing I hadn't meant to put that sort of idea in there; it was just that as I planned it I realized that if I did think Kiina was ticked off over things ending like this, there were a few parallels to some reactions to the line's end. Hence things wound up getting a little bit meta during her chat at the end; in particular, I feel like the bit about her being there if he ever comes back but it not being the same probably dovetails with quite a few people's thoughts of Bionicle - even if it does come back, it may very well be different, and even if it isn't, one may not feel the same connection to it that one once did. Probably not, really. Anyways, I'm getting too long-winded here. Just wanted to write out some thoughts on the piece without clogging up the topic. One last thing: I also wrote this as a prelude to a possible future fic in which Onua and Kiina would be primary characters. Whether or not that ever gets written is very much up in the air, because it would be quite a bit more ambitious than anything I've written thus far. Okay, one last one last thing. I came really close to calling the story "The Girl Who Waited". I wasn't kidding about the Doctor Who thing.
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Entry into the Short Stories contest 9: http://www.bzpower.com/board/index.php?showtopic=3400's From: The fellowship of the ring(book),chapter 4:a journey in the dark,page 333-334.Whenua's tombThe light of the shaft fell directly on a table in the middle of the room: a single oblong block, about two feet high, upon which was laid a great slab of white stone."It looks like a tomb," muttered Takua, and bend forwards with a curious sense of foreboding, to look more closely at it. Matau came quickly to his side. On the slab ruins were deeply graven:"These are Daeron's runes, such as were used of old in Onu-Koro", said Matau. "Here is written in the tongues of Toa and Onu-Matoran:WHENUA SON OF FHENUALORD OF ONU-KORO.""He is dead then," said Frodo. "I feared it was so." Onepu cast his hood over his face.-CDP
