Tetahi Atu Wahi

[Bonkle]

This is what, my third epic on here? Anyways, this is the story of my OC Kultax. This is technically a sequel to Independence, one of my other works, but it is not necessary reading. Let's get started....

 

 

Tetahi Atu Wahi - Chapter One

 

One might call the sky an ocean in its own right. If that was indeed the case, then a very unnatural whirlpool was forming at the moment. The orange oval swirled about five feet from the dusty ground, growing rapidly at first and then holding shape.

 

A green figure was flung through the portal harshly. The oval lingered for a moment, before changing shape spastically and then disappearing entirely.

 

After it had finally disappeared, the figure lied in the dust for a moment before standing with a groan.

 

His armor was green and gray, and pitted in many places. On his face he wore a strange-looking mask, a noble Kanohi Mahiki. It shielded his keen yellow eyes from the fierce dust blowing across the empty plain. His name was Kultax, a traveller and adventurer from Metru Nui.

 

He looked around, seeing nothing but flat, dead land and some sandy dunes.

 

Not this place's Metru Nui. If there even was one in this place.

 

He reached over his shoulder, expecting to find his sword. Instead, he saw it about twenty feet away in the sand. He wondered how he could have missed its distinctive blue blade during his initial survey of his surroundings.

 

As Kultax approached it, he realized how deathly hot it was. He grabbed the sword and stood, and a figure seemed to materialize in the distance. It was probably just a mirage.... but then, he hadn't seen many mirages that sprinted towards him with spiked clubs.

 

His opponent was clearly fast. Doubtedly faster than him, but he would exhaust himself quickly in the heat. Instead, he gripped his sword tightly, and stood, waiting. He stared down the dune in front of him, waiting for the being to appear over it.

 

At the last second he realized he'd been tricked. But one second wasn't enough. The assailant smashed into him from the right, throwing him to the ground. The being was larger than him, and certainly more powerful. Its gray skin - leathery enough to be armor - was covered in sand, The whole thing radiated an awful stench. Its head seemed to be covered with a helmet, but it was no Kanohi.

 

With its left arm it pushed him into the sand. In its other it raised the club over its head. Kultax couldn't reach his sword. As he looked around for it once again, the club hit his chest, hard. Bits of his lime armor came off with it. His breath was knocked out of his chest. He kept trying to reach for his sword, but the thing's free hand moved to his throat.

 

The club rose again, but then the whole being slumped back. Kultax pushed it away and scrambled for his sword. He looked back at the thing, which had a dagger lodged in its head. Then, the creature disappeared entirely, leaving only the knife.

 

Kultax looked up from the sand. A surprising distance away, for a dagger throw, stood a blue figure. Not taking any more chances, Kultax grabbed the dagger and dashed towards the figure. It stood still, as if it had expected him to do so.

 

He was a slim figure, wearing dark blue and gray armor. His face was covered by a blue Kanohi Miru. A belt around his waist held several more daggers. He took an arm from behind his back and extended his hand. Kultax slowly reached over to return the dagger, but the blue character grabbed his other hand and shook it vigorously. He appeared to be smiling behind his mask.

 

"Welcome, traveller. I am called Shen." His voice was smooth and clear, contrasting with the environment.

 

Kultax nodded. "Kultax. I'm not from around here."

 

He was surprised at the sound of his hoarse voice. He hadn't spoken with anyone in months.

 

Shen finally released his hand.

 

"Well, Kultax, it is a pleasure to meet you. Please, follow me."

 

"Don't you want your..." Kultax looked at his hand in disbelief. The dagger was gone.

 

Shen turned back. His eyes were narrow. Evidently he was grinning again.

 

"Missing something?" In his hand he held a dagger, the same one he had killed the creature with. It still had a small stain of black blood. With a flourish of his hand he returned it to his belt.

 

Then he turned again, and continued his brisk walk. Kultax caught up with him.

 

"Where are we going?"

 

"To the trading post. The only place around for a long, long time in any direction."

 

"What was that thing back there?"

 

"Please, save your breath for now. I can tell you all you need when we are out of this heat."

 

* * *

The trading post was really a small village. The simple buildings were of wood, stone, and corrugated metal. They were mostly dilapidated, but a few of the larger inns were in good shape. The biggest shop in town was the actual marketplace. A variety of supplies were sitting out front, watched lazily by their owners. More items hid behind grimy windows.

 

Shen was ignored, but Kultax received many suspicious looks from those failing to mask their curiosity. They entered one of the larger two story buildings. A few of the street dwellers suddenly felt the need to enter as well.

 

The establishment appeared to be a bar or restaurant of sorts. It was very dimly lit and all the windows were boarded shut. Nearly every table had two people seated at it, talking quietly about the limited local news. A being sitting at a corner table nodded to Shen as they approached.

 

Shen seemed to know this man well, for he grabbed two chairs and put his feet up on the second, sitting in the first; he paid no mind to the stranger's disappointed sighs. Kultax awkwardly sat down in a chair of his own, waiting for Shen to finish whispering in the other man's ear.

 

He wore a noble Kanohi Komau, pale and worn. His armor seemed to be dark red, with some gray mixed in. He had a sense of order about him, and as he listened he watched Kultax unabashedly.

 

Shen leaned back as he finished, already fiddling with a dagger and seemingly unconcerned with the matter. The other stopped observing and locked his steely gaze with Kultax's own eyes.

 

He reached his hand across the table to shake with Kultax's. His arm was surprisingly long, and Kultax had to draw back a bit to shake his hand.

 

"My name is Nokhann. Shen tells me your name is Kultax." His voice was old and gruff, but powerful. Kultax suddenly felt very powerless, despite being quite a capable person.

 

"Yes, that is my name."

 

Nokhann released his grip, but Kultax felt compelled to maintain eye contact at any cost.

 

"So. Do you mind telling me what you were doing wandering the desert? I know everyone around here, and the journey from anywhere else is too hard without supplies. Where did you come from?"

 

"It's... um... hard to explain."

 

"I think I'll understand."

 

His tone silenced Kultax. He fidgeted nervously for a moment before responding. He let out a deep sigh.

 

"Well.... you see. I'm not from here. In the sense that...."

 

Nokhann waited in silence. Even Shen looked up from his dagger for a moment.

 

"I'm a dimensional traveller."

 

Shen looked at him oddly, but Nokhann's face remained blank. He leaned across the table, his voice dangerously low.

 

"I don't believe you."

 

Kultax swallowed. A panel slid back on his right wrist, revealing a small pad of buttons. He pressed one, and then another, and the wall behind Nokhann lit up with a warm glow. As he turned, the orange circle flickered, and disappeared. His wrist panel began smoking, damaged somehow.

 

"I've been having a lot of trouble with it and.... I think that was the final straw."

 

Nokhann's shoulders relaxed, and he leaned back across the table. Shen was now watching the exchange with interest.

 

"To tell you the truth, Kultax, I knew that what you were saying was plausible. I just didn't quite... trust you at all."

 

Kultax did not seem offended by this remark. Instead he waited for Nokhann to continue.

 

"In fact, I've had some... direct interaction with folk such as you before. But that is a story for another day."

 

He was now looking at the ceiling, seemingly lost in thought. Shen cleared his throat, and Nokhann snapped back to attention.

 

"Yes, back to business. I can do my best to answer any questions you might have."

 

Kultax paused for a moment before speaking.

 

"In the desert, I was attacked by a creature of sorts. It was black and gray and had a club. What was it?"

 

Nokhann chuckled.

 

"That's a new one."

 

Kultax looked puzzled, and Nokhann continued.

 

"You see, the desert has special properties. It works in tandem with the heat and the mind in a way. As you know, when it gets very hot, you sometimes see things that aren't really there. Mirages. This desert is able to take these visions from a mind and make them tangible and visible to all. We call them tokonga. Once it is fully tangible, there are only a few options. If the tokonga is good, one can accept it. If it is evil, you can either defeat it physically or mentally. Physically it can be easy enough, as Shen demonstrated. The one who first envisions the tokonga can simply unthink it, if they have the willpower."

 

Kultax was astonished.

 

"Incredible. I come from an industrial land, completely devoid of the supernatural.

 

Nokhann laughed.

 

"That sounds equally unbelievable to me."

 

"So the tokonga are only creatures and beasts?"

 

"No! Believe it or not, this whole village is a tokonga! How do you think this wood got out here? Long ago, a traveller left the great cities of old and wandered the desert. She was surprised to find civilization already there - until she found the town empty. Over time, as more people arrived to settle in the village, tokonga appeared more frequently and the mystery was solved."

 

Nokhann seemed much more open when speaking of lore and the past. Kultax now felt more comfortable as well.

 

"One more question. What is this region called?"

 

"It is called Ururua-Wahi," a voice answered. It was not Nokhann. "Learn it well, for it may be the last place you ever see again."

 

Kultax turned to see a thin, black armored being looking at him.

 

Shen looked annoyed now.

 

"Go find the bottom of a quicksand pit, Hihira."

 

"I think you are the one who should find a place to hide, Shen. My master will not be pleased with the news I've overheard."

 

"He's never pleased - not while you're working for him!"

 

Hihira drew his sword, and Nokhann stood, knocking over the table. The whole inn stared.

 

Kultax now saw how huge Nokhann was. He was at least twice his size, and that was with him hunched over to avoid hitting the ceiling. With the table knocked over, he could see that Nokhann had been sitting on the floor.

 

The red giant grabbed Hihira's sword and snapped it in two. He threw it back at the would-be attacker with great force, knocking him to the ground.

 

Many of the customers clapped and cheered, but a few seemed angry and headed for the door.

 

Kultax looked at Nokhann in awe, and then back at Shen. The dagger-wielder muttered something along the lines of 'All in a day's work'.

 

Nokhann confirmed that Hihira was only unconscious, and then beckoned to the other two.

 

"We shouldn't have stayed this long. I should have known there would be spies surrounding a newcomer."

 

He moved swiftly to the door, with surprisingly light steps. Kultax only now noticed that the door frame had been reconstructed to accommodate Nokhann, or others like him.

 

It was dusk as they gathered outside. Kultax had arrived late in the afternoon.

 

Nokhann scanned the dust street carefully before turning back to Kultax and Shen.

 

"I'm going to make sure none of Hihira's friends are slinking around. Shen, take Kultax back to your place. We'll get supplies tomorrow and leave at midnight."

 

Kultax and Shen were both confused.

 

"Where exactly are we going?" Shen asked.

 

"We're getting him home, of course."

 

Kultax was even more confused now. He was starting to think this was all one big mirage.

 

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Edited August 31, 2016 by Nightbeat

[Bonkle]

Tetahi Atu Wahi - Chapter Two

 

The next day, Kultax was still unsure as to why Nokhann was helping him so readily. He had protested several times, claiming that he could repair his own device, although now it was apparent that it was permanently broken.

 

At the moment, Shen and Kultax were picking up some supplies Nokhann had placed an order for during the previous night. Nokhann himself was off on some other errand. The pair received a few large bundles from the clerk. As they turned to leave, Kultax noticed several people watching them from the corners of the shop. He hoped that was a usual occurrence in Ururua-Wahi.

 

They stepped out into the harsh morning sunlight. Nokhann was waiting for them nearby. He was carrying four leather bags and had a large warhammer strapped to his back. Beside him stood a dull silver warrior.

 

"Shen, Kultax, this is Betrii. She'll be joining us on our journey."

 

Shen and Kultax said hello, but Betrii only nodded. She wore a black Kanohi Pakari and carried a spear and shield. Her armor was marked with any intricate designs, unlike anything Kultax or Shen had ever seen before.

 

Nokhann passed out a leather bag to each of them.

 

"To hold supplies."

 

Kultax shouldered his bag and then gave each party member one of the bundles. He put his own bundle in the bag, along with the Kanoka disk he kept at his side. His sword remained on his back. Nokhann looked at each of them, nodding slowly.

 

"Looks like we're all set. Now we just have to wait for midnight."

 

* * *

 

The four travelers stepped out into the cool night. Pale blue stars dimly lit the desert in all directions, but Kultax could not spot a moon or any other significant celestial bodies. The town was quiet, but certainly not asleep. Unseen eyes watched from the shadows. Nokhann was worried. Well, perhaps that was the wrong term. A warrior like him was never worried. He was uneasy. Doubtful. The road was easy and it was literally impossible for a tokonga to form at this temperature, but he still sensed that they would be followed.

 

A problem for later, he thought. As much as he hated to put off things.

 

He pulled an old paper map from his satchel, double-checking the direction they were heading. Then, he led them to the other end of town, away from the inn, and they officially started their journey.

 

After walking in silence for roughly ten minutes, they were a comfortable distance away from the village. Kultax finally decided to speak.

 

"So. Nokhann. You never quite explained where we are going or why you are helping me."

 

Nokhann continued to gaze straight ahead, and sighed.

 

"You see, Kultax. I was one of a group of warriors sworn to protecting and helping the people of another region. We were Toa. Have you heard of them in your land?"

 

"Yes. I have met several Toa in my travels. But that does not lessen the honor of meeting another, like you."

 

Nokhann nodded, and continued. "I was a member of the Toa Ratonga. We were tasked with serving the great cities. But civil war broke out. It was a very confusing time and many details have faded from my memory. The important part is, my team was broken. Many of my brothers and sisters were killed, and those left escaped into hiding. Only in the aftermath, when the cities lied in ruin, did I realize the cowardice and foolishness of my flight. So, I stayed in the desert, offering my services to any who require them."

 

Kultax looked up at Nokhann, who seemed to have entered his far-off state again. He instead turned to Shen.

 

"Do you know where we're headed?"

 

He nodded.

 

"The cities are ruined, but inhabited. Nokhann knows of a man in one of them with dimensional powers like yours. With any luck, you'll be home soon."

 

"I still don't believe how generous you two are being."

 

"This landscape might not be the most pleasant, but most folks in this world are alright."

 

Kultax lowered his voice now.

 

"What about her?" he said, pointing at Betrii.

 

Shen shrugged.

 

"I've never really seen her around town. But doesn't she just seem a bit... off? The way she carries herself, all her movements? Sorta like you."

 

"She seems normal to me."

 

"Maybe that says something," Shen said, grinning.

 

"What's that supposed to mean?"

 

But Shen was already falling back to Nokhann. Betrii continued to march at her own pace ahead of the group, leaving Kultax alone in the middle.

 

* * *

 

As the sun rose on the first day, there were still no signs the group was being followed. And still, Nokhann was uneasy. Soon, they entered a rocky area. Many strange formations jutted out of the sand here and there. It became very hot around ten in the morning, so they settled under the shade of a crude stone arch.

 

Nokhann pulled the bundle from his satchel and undid the string. Putting the cloth aside, he now had several gray canisters and some other tools. He unscrewed one of the canisters and took a drink. The others followed suit.

 

"We have to stay hydrated," he said. "The tokonga Kultax saw was fairly basic. But the rest of us have seen some pretty strange ones in our time. And that only opens the imagination to make the next one worse."

 

They camped there for most of the day, waiting for the cool to return. Betrii wandered around the area, while Nokhann and Shen questioned Kultax about his travels. In the middle of a story about his homeland, Kultax heard a cracking somewhere to the right of the arch. He grabbed his sword and ran off without a word.

 

A four-legged creature was stumbling over some low, jagged rocks in the distance. Its feet clacked on the stone as it walked. Kultax approached slowly, but the thing saw him and bolted in his direction with surprising speed. He braced himself, but the shape didn't seem to get much bigger as it approached. The small animal threw itself at him, knocking him over not with weight but with sheer speed. It was a blur now, nibbling at his armor and bouncing around. He dropped his sword and deftly snatched it with both hands.

 

The animal was a small canine beast, about as long as his torso and no taller than his knees. It seemed relatively friendly; its aggression was playful and not malicious. Kultax put the thing under one arm and grabbed his sword. Shen and Nokhann were about halfway from camp now, drawn by the noise.

 

"Found this little guy out there. Or rather, he found ,e."

 

He handed the animal to Shen.

 

"Is he a tokonga?"

 

"I don't think so. The only one who could have formed it is Betrii, and she went the other way."

 

The animal jumped from Shen's arms and onto Kultax's face, toppling him again. Both Nokhann and Shen laughed.

 

"Maybe we should keep him," Shen said.

 

Nokhann shook his head. "We don't have enough supplies to feed another mouth."

 

Kultax stood, the creature now resting on his shoulders.

 

"If he starts to get hungry or thirsty, we can let him go. He's clearly able to survive out here."

 

Nokhann sighed heavily. "Fine. Just don't name it. You'll get attached to it."

 

"We'll call him Nadsh'yun," Shen said. "'Little one' in the old language."

 

The Toa of Fire put his hands on his face and walked back to camp.

 

* * *

 

At nightfall, Betrii still had not returned. Nokhann's uneasy feeling was now shared with the other two. He managed the fire with his Toa powers, keeping it at a decent size. Shen was starting to grow annoyed, apparently a rare sight judging by Nokhann's face.

 

"Are we really going to do this? I'm going to look for her."

 

He stood and drew a dagger.

 

Just then, a noise like thunder crackled across the desert. A body flew through the air, and landed softly in a nearby dune.

 

Betrii.

 

Shen and the others immediately began looking around. A group of dark strangers were approaching from the other end of Betrii's flight. Kultax drew his sword as Nokhann readied his hammer. Shen knelt down next to Betrii.

 

"Alive."

 

"Not for long," answered a new voice. Somehow, one of the attackers had reached them very quickly. He had a sword of his own. Kultax engaged him before he reached Shen.

 

Nokhann's hammer was too clumsy a tool to use with Kultax and the assailant so close together. Instead, he shot a burst of flame from each of his hands at the rest of the attackers. Most of them dodged it easily, but one or two received bad burns. There were eight in all, seven advancing and the one fighting Kultax.

 

A few of them prepared heavy crossbows and opened fire. Nokhann and Shen hid behind the archway.

 

Kultax was being overpowered. His opponent had a great deal of physical strength over him, and was not important enough for the others to pull punches with the crossbows. A shot tore into his shoulder, causing searing pain just as bad as Nokhann's flame. His grip slackened on his sword and it was knocked away.

 

Nadsh'yun sprung out of nowhere, seemingly glowing a pale blue. He knocked the brute off his feet before jumping out of the way again. Nokhann ran from the arch and brought his hammer down on the attacker. His armor caved in, puncturing his organs.

 

The others were close now. Shen grabbed a pair of knives and threw himself away from the arch. Expertly tossing both, he managed to kill one of the group and wound another.

 

Betrii began to stir. Kultax stumbled to his feet and ran to her, hoping to wake her up. He was luckily successful. The attackers were upon them. They had stowed their crossbows in favor of swords and clubs. Shen fought furiously with two of them. The others approached Nokhann and Betrii.

 

The Toa of Lightning struck the sand with her storms, turning it to glass. Kultax managed a burst of wind to throw some of the sand higher. This rough cylinder surrounded two of the fighters, who scoffed at the frailty of the barrier. But Nokhann saw the plan, and show bursts of flame at the glass. It quickly melted, and oozed onto the attackers, eating through their armor and masks.

 

Kultax was breathing heavily. "I didn't even know I could do that. Nice work."

 

Shen had defeated the wounded one from earlier, and was holding off the three others. With the four of them working together, and Nadsh'yun's encouraging yips, they took down the final three. Although one familiar figure was alive among the bodies: Hihira. Nokhann did not look surprised in the slightest.

 

"I guessed we would be followed. No one leaves the town without a good reason. And Hihira is the self-appointed overseer of everyone's lives."

 

Hihira seemed just as calm, lying on the ground with a psychotic grin.

 

"That was good! You really are a problem! My master will be pleased to deal with you himself."

 

This threat seemed to be directed at Kultax specifically. He scowled.

 

"What are you on about? Who is this master of yours?"

 

Hihira put on a falsely pleasant smile.

 

"Come now, Kultax. I think you already know."

 

Kultax retrieved his sword, and turned it towards Hihira. He wasn't sure why he was doing this, because he certainly thought he already knew the answer. He just didn't want to belive it.

 

"Tell me or this comes down on you."

 

Betrii stepped forward. "Don't. He has all manner of strange powers."

 

The others were stunned to hear her voice, quiet as it was.

 

"Indeed I do, madam. Why don't I show the rest of you?"

 

A pair of large wings unfurled from his back, glowing red. He stood and flew before any of them could respond.

 

Nadsh'yun growled as his dark form disappeared from sight.

 

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Edited September 14, 2016 by Nightbeat

[Bonkle]

Tetahi Atu Wahi - Chapter Three

 

The second day of the journey began much the same as the first: a foreboding, quiet uneasiness hung over them all. The exception of course was Nadsh'yun, who punctuated their light footsteps with his incessant panting.

 

Physically they were okay. Nokhann and Shen had only a few cuts and bruises. Kultax was much the same, although using his new air powers had drained him of energy. He lagged behind the others slightly. Betrii was the worst off. Hihira and his cronies had hurt her badly between the crossbows and her flight across the desert. They had also destroyed her bundle of supplies, but she had luckily retained both spear and shield. On the bright side, Nadsh'yun did not need to consume any of their rations, and Nokhann suggested they could make it to the city before they ran out.

 

Kultax was growing weary; he needed something to take his mind off of his injuries.

 

"Nokhann," he called weakly. "tell me about the species in this world."

 

The Toa of Fire was an endless well of knowledge, and seemed to enjoy the questions.

 

"There are all manner of Rahi in this world, spread throughout the various landscapes. Here in the desert they are sparse."

 

He paused, reminiscing probably.

 

"But I suspect you mean species like you and I. Firstly, there are the Matoran. Surely the place you come from cannot be so different? You must know of those small people."

 

Kultax nodded. "I am.... was one."

 

"Good, you understanding the process of change will make things that much easier. A Matoran has three outcomes here. They might become a Toa like myself, although a new Toa has not appeared in a long time. The most common option is the Tarua path."

 

"Like me," Shen cut in.

 

"Yes, like Shen. They are much smaller than Toa, as you can see. But they do have a unique ability: control over two of the elements. Shen here is a master with his water abilities, but only a novice using his gravity skills."

 

"But that is common," the Tarua cut in again, attempting to maintain his image.

 

"Indeed it is. Tarua are considered to have a primary and secondary element."

 

"Then what is the last path?" Kultax asked.

 

"The Matoran simply never evolves. This is something of a rarity; becoming a Toa is unlikely but it is considered expected to involve into a Tarua at least."

 

Kultax nodded slowly. "All very interesting. In my homeland, there were simply Matoran and a few unrelated species. The other places I have been to have had the system of Matoran to few Toa to few Turaga."

 

"That is interesting to me," Nokhann replied. "Here, Turaga is just a title."

 

"Kultax, why do you ask all these questions of Nokhann?" Shen prodded. "Surely if you are leaving so soon our culture means little to you."

 

"It may be essential, Shen. As I told Nokhann, I was once a Matoran. And even where I come from, this"-- he gestured to himself--"is not a Matoran. I've been changing over time as I go from world to world, and I'm trying to figure out what it is I'm changing into."

 

"My best guess is this." Betrii surprised them again with her voice. "Your travels to different worlds have exposed you to wildly different energies. Your body was left vulnerable to change, and it finally settled on the most similar option to your current state: a Tarua."

 

For some reason this felt like a punch in the gut to Kultax, but at the same time he felt like it shouldn't have at all. He did his best to play it off.

 

"Guess I'll have to find out what my other element is, then."

 

This got a chuckle out of Shen, the last new sound for a while as they lulled back into their quiet marching.

 

* * *

 

Each party member had taken a few precious sips of water, but Nokhann advised rationing it further. They instead needed to get out of the heat quickly.

 

Kultax was almost panting as much as Nadsh'yun.

 

"Shen. Why don't you just use your-"

 

"Water powers? You don't think I've tried?"

 

Kultax could just barely see a trickle of water escape the Tarua's hand before evaporating.

 

"I've been here a lot longer than you. I've tried just about everything."

 

Kultax was suddenly aware of the high tension the heat caused. They were all like strings on a violin, just waiting to be played wrong so they would snap.

 

"Sorry. No need to get so snippy."

 

Shen whirled around to face him.

 

"You've been nothing but a problem since-"

 

Before he could finish his thought, Kultax threw him to the ground. Shen was ready to pull a dagger on him, but then he saw Nokhann and Betrii on the ground as well. Looking up, he saw a large blur scream by where their heads had been just a second ago. Nadsh'yun took off after it right away, yipping and growling the whole time. It was an aerial creature though, and loyal as his efforts were they were pointless.

 

Kultax rolled himself off of Shen as the other two stood. Whatever ill will the Tarua had for Kultax had evaporated as quickly as the water.

 

"Thanks."

 

The creature turned back around and they got a better look at it. It was a strange beast indeed, a mix of the creatures Kultax would have identified as a Manas, a Kahu, and a Muaka. The different parts were easy enough to discern; it had a rather mammalian body, but in places of paws were sharp pincers. Patches of skin seemed to have been swapped for crustacean armor. This combination would have been frightening enough, but it flew on fearsome mechanical wings and slashed with an oversized beak.

 

As this monstrosity got closer, Betrii used her spear to fire a precise bolt of electricity, causing the creature to inadvertently swoop even lower. Shen was about to toss a dagger when Nokhann stepped in fron of him, arms spread wide. He stared down the beast, fear itself seemingly afraid to persuade such a force as this Toa.

 

The beast was either too brave or too stupid, for it did not change course either. It plowed straight into Nokhann. He absorbed the impact well, only sliding backwards a few meters. He spun around and threw the creature to the ground, kicking up a massive cloud of sand.

 

It was roughly as big as Shen or Kultax, and still just as alive as them. But before it could take off again Kultax stumbled over and cleaved off one of the great wings. The beast cried out in pain, a sound that was injured and wrong in its own right. It swatted him away with one of its pincers. Within a few minutes, the others had it subdued. Shen helped Kultax to his feet while Nokhann and Betrii kept Nadsh'yun from harming the thing any further.

 

Kultax had now fallen to the bottom of the well-being list. He was still exhausted, and now his chest armor was dented inward badly. Nokhann had some small punctures from the beak, but other than that the others were no worse off than before.

 

Despite his injuries, Kultax still hobbled up to the beast, sword raised over his head.

 

"Let's finish thi-"

 

Nokhann grabbed his forearm and held it. The others looked shocked, but at Kultax.

 

"What's the problem? I need to know if it's a tokonga." There was fear in his voice as he said this, but Nokhann did not seem to be the cause.

 

"Of course it's a tokonga! You think something like this is natural?" Shen snapped.

 

They all seemed strongly against the killing of the animal.

 

"But... Hihira's men... you dispatched them so easily."

 

Nokhann shook his head. "Hihira follows something... dark. And regardless he knew what he was doing. This animal was just born and acted instinctively. And now that it cannot hurt us, we will respect its life."

 

Shen looked genuinely angry. Not annoyed, but angry. "What does it matter if it's a tokonga or not anyways?"

 

Everyone was now expecting an answer. Kultax looked down, addressing the sand.

 

"I recognized this... design of creature. And it means one of two things: the desert drew from my worst nightmares when creating this tokonga, or my worst nightmare is here and created this animal."

 

Nokhann still doubted him. "I find it being anything other than a tokonga highly unlikely."

 

"Didn't you find me travelling dimensions unlikely?"

 

"Fine, there's no stopping you," Shen said. "But know this: if you're wrong, and it is a tokonga, you can get to the city yourself."

 

Nokhann agreed. "A fair compromise."

 

The giant released his forearm, which now showed indents from Nokhann's fingers.

 

The others turned away, and he hesitated for a moment. Maybe the heat was getting to him, and he was all wrong... his head was swimming... every part of him wanted it to be a tokonga. But he had to know for certain. He brought the sword down swiftly on the horrible monster, hoping he wouldn't be seen as one by the others.

 

And he waited.

 

And waited.

 

And the body did not fade.

 

His worst fears had been realized. But in a different sense than the one this desert could provide. He let out a shaky breath. His knees were weak.

 

Quietly, Kultax said, "I guess you're all stuck with me."

 

Nokhann silently pointed out a small, above-ground cavern. The shade would keep them cool enough to avoid any more--no, any--tokonga.

 

"Kult," Shen said softly once they were settled in the cave, "What was all that worst nightmare stuff you were talking about?"

 

But Kultax only shook his head. He faded off into an uneasy sleep soon after, thankfully avoiding those very same nightmares.

 

* * *

 

"None of them? None of them were killed?"

 

"Well, your creature was." Hihira couldn't help but snicker. He was quickly knocked aside.

 

"Insolence will no longer be tolerated, Hihira. I have other troops... more loyal troops. And remember I can just as easily take the gifts I offer."

 

Hihira's master reached out with one clawed hand, and the servant's wings began to twitch. They started to separate from his back, starting at the top.

 

"No. Please."

 

This pathetic begging was only encouragement for the tearing to continue.

 

Hihira cleared his throat, and fell to one knee.

 

"I apologize, master. My disrespect will not surface again."

 

The wings gently reattached themselves.

 

"That's more like it."

 

The two walked along the mountain ridge in silence for a moment, overseeing the other troops involved in this ordeal.

 

"Now, let's try again. Give me the full report of what happened."

 

"The creature attacked swiftly. They responded just as quickly, taking it down withing a few minutes. Kultax was badly wounded, and the fire Toa didn't look too good either."

 

"Good. They are the two to worry about. Continue."

 

"My scout was not close enough to hear what was said, but there was time between them defeating it and Kultax killing it. They were last seen heading for a small cave."

 

His master nodded.

 

"It is a shame to have lost such a beautiful creature, but if they are weakened the plan will carry out well enough."

 

He paused for a moment, deciding on his next orders.

 

"I will give you one more chance, Hihira. Destroy the others and bring me Kultax alive. If you fail again, I will take things into my own hands. And remember, there are worse things I can do than just take your power."

 

Down below in the valley, Hihira saw the body of his former master, intertwined with that of a Manas. The fusion was haphazard, never intended to benefit one or the other but simply to kill. He shivered visibly.

 

"Yes, my lord. I assure you, this will all be over soon enough! You will have Kultax's head!"

 

Hihira swooped down into the valley, rallying his men for another hunt.

 

Despite how empty his words usually were, what Hihira had said had resonated within his superior. This will all be over soon enough. And at that moment, aside from every rusted hinge and destroyed bit of armor on his limbs, apart from all of the broken and rewelded connections on his torso, behind the grotesque mask on his face formed from an Akaku and several others, another joint creaked.

 

Ghidarus the Amalgamator smiled.

 

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[Bonkle]

Tetahi Atu Wahi - Chapter Four

 

The cave was actually a decent size, wide at the mouth but gradually thinning and sinking towards the back. It was clearly under the sand at times, and full of it as well. Nokhann sat cross-legged at the entrance, scanning the terrain carefully. Shen sat next to Kultax's unmoving form, while Betrii leaned against the wall opposite theirs. Nadsh'yun waddled around weakly, seemingly sapped of energy for once. This had been the course of things for a few hours.

 

The blue Tarua had applied some cloth to complete breaches in Kultax's armor, hoping to keep any sand out of the wounds. Now, as expected, he was playing with one of his remaining knives.

 

"They better have more of these in the city," he muttered. No one gave a reply.

 

"Do they, Nokhann?"

 

Silence.

 

"Okay, thanks."

 

He stood, walking aimlessly around the cave like Nadsh'yun. Speaking of, where was that little guy? In one of the back corners, he found something he was certain wasn't there before. A mask lied in the sand, cracked and unlike any design Shen had ever seen. He scooped it up and whirled back around quickly.

 

"Hey. Nokhann. What's this?"

 

The Fire Toa finally broke his silence, turning to those in the cave.

 

"Put that back. It's disrespectful."

 

"But what is it?" He persisted, despite already turning back to return the odd thing. But where the mask's resting place in the sand had been just a moment before, a black void stared at Shen.

 

"Um."

 

He turned back again, but Nokhann was nowhere to be seen. Betrii was looking around wildly, while Kultax remained unconscious.

 

And then, in an instant the rest of the floor disappeared.

 

The three of them, Shen, Betrii, and Kultax, fell through darkness. The latter was instantly awoken, but it took him a moment to get reoriented and realize what was happening. As soon as he did, he let out a truly audible gasp. He felt as though his insides were being twisted around by such a display of surprise.

 

Shen, finally finding a purpose for his mask, suddenly jerked to a halt with gut-wrenching force. He stopped with his head facing downwards; all of his daggers slid from his belt but he kept hold of the satchel. In the same moment, Betrii, who had been scanning carefully all around her, found the wall and dug in with her shield. Luckily it held. She tried to grab Kultax as he fell, but he was just out of arm's reach.

 

Kultax was panicking now, his breathing nearly as potent as his wind powers.

 

"Kult! Do something!"

 

Shen lowered himself as quickly as he could with his mask, but Kultax was still faster. He closed his eyes, ready to accept his fate. It was fitting he would die from a fall...

 

It is true that your life flashes before your eyes when you are near death. Kultax's mind wandered to his home, to all the oppression he had suffered. How he had fought back, and never given up.

 

Don't give up

 

A fire ignited within him, rage or passion or courage he did not know. But it spread to his limbs and he found the strength for a blast of air, soaring up and past Shen. The Tarua had just enough time to reorient himself and wrap his arms around Kultax.

 

"We're even now, kay?" Shen said. They both laughed, relieved and nervous. Shen began to lower again. Betrii kicked back and forth across the pit, sliding down as she did. The chamber wasn't that far across, and was cylindrical to boot.

 

The light beneath them had been largely ignored by Shen, so far away was it that he found reaching it unlikely. But now it seemed much closer than it should have been, even for the distance they fell. After perhaps a minute, Shen and Kultax touched the sandy bottom of the pit, and Betrii another thirty seconds after that.

 

The room they were in was cylindrical as well, lit dimly by a few torches and walled with dirty bricks. A metal door was the only unique feature, directly in front of the three of them. Kultax looked up and was surprised to see more of the same stone, not the dark path they had just taken. It didn't dampen his spirits too much though; the fire within him was still burning strong.

 

"So now what?" He asked, regaining some of the confidence from the journey's first day.

 

"Now," an eerie voice said, "comes judgement."

 

A figure materialized in front of them, but only partially. It floated above the ground and remained transparent, flickering in and out occasionally. Each of the travelers felt they had seen this spirit before, but at the same time found it maddeningly vague.

 

"I am Kaiwhiu. Today your souls will be weighed and we shall see where your fate lies."

 

"Yeah?" Shen said. "I judge us innocent. Give us our friends and let us go."

 

Kaiwhiu paused for a long moment. Shen regretted his interruption and feared for the worst. The reality of the situation was simply that Kaiwhiu had never dealt with anyone bold enough to interrupt her.

 

Rethinking her rehearsed speech, she continued in her ancient voice.

 

"These tests do not determine innocence or guilt. That has already been decided. For you are the sinners, and they are the just, and the innocent."

 

She placed special emphasis on these last two adjectives, and as she did so two more images faded in next to hers. One showed many large, tough warriors, Nokhann among them. The other showed a variety of Matoran and other small beings, such as Nadsh'yun. All of them, in both panels, looked like they were in a deep sleep. Shen reached out to touch the image with Nokhann, and it faded away with the other.

 

"Give them back!" Kultax shouted.

 

"They will be released," Kaiwhiu said, "along with all the others you saw if you are judged favorably."

 

"We don't have time for this," Shen muttered, pacing the small chamber."

 

Tell us what to do then! Give us a hint or a-a-a-" Kultax rarely stuttered, but it was usually a sign he was extremely frustrated.

 

"That is your task. I am but the judge."

 

Kaiwhiu's image faded like the others.

 

Shen was still muttering to himself. "What is this.... judging.... and whole rooms of people.."

 

Kultax had never expected Shen to get quite so distraught.

 

The Water Tarua turned to Betrii.

 

"What do you think?"

 

The Electric Toa stood silent, hand on her chin.

 

"Look, if I wanted to talk to a brick wall I would have asked Nokhann about having fun." He knelt down in the sand and began to dig around for any of their supplies.

 

"I'm thinking," she said, five seconds too late.

 

"Kultax. Maybe you can-" Betrii gestured to the unmovable metal door.

 

"Same thing I was thinking."

 

Kultax approached the door uncertainly. He was just getting used to his air powers; how was he supposed to know how to use metal, if that even was his other element? If he even was a Tarua?

 

He looked back to Betrii for suggestions, but she only shook her head. Shen had come up from the sand with Kultax's sword, but he had no ideas either.

 

He took a deep breath, and extended his palm forwards. Slowly, he closed his hand. As he did, the door creaked slightly.

 

He let out the breath. Everything Betrii had said was true. For some reason, though, he felt he had known it all along, just like now he suddenly seemed to know... or, rather, it felt more like remembering... that he was not a Tarua of Air and Metal, but Air and Magnetism. With a few swift movements, he drew the door towards him and then cast it aside.

 

Beyond this was a hallway, which looked much the same as their small chamber.

 

Kultax grinned.

 

"Sweet."

 

As they walked down the hall, Shen regained his cool, but he continued to rant.

 

"What was all'a that about us being sinners and then all the pure and true ones? This all seems a bit fishy to me."

 

"I wouldn't disagree," Kultax said. "But-oh, look, a fork."

 

Indeed, the three of them had reached the end of the hall and were now faced with a choice. In one room, a load of treasure. In the other a Matoran statue surrounded by villainous statues.S

 

hen scoffed. "Is the whole test this easy?"

 

He confidently led them into the Matoran room and the hallway beyond it. They faced several more trials like this, and each time the right choice became less clear. When confronted with choices like the value of truth or ideals, or saving an innocent stranger or a guilty friend, they decided the choices were not right or wrong until the final judgement.

 

After these trials came a large, rectangular room. Strewn across the floor were bits of armor of all shapes and sizes. As the three of them entered, much of the armor began to move, and it attracted together as if it were magnetized. Humanoid shapes were formed and animated, the larger ones swinging at the smaller ones with powerful weapons. But some of the armor did not animate, and with a sick stomach Kultax realized those were the other adventurers who had failed here.

 

Their objective was clear. The trio approached the armor cautiously, searching for an easy first target. One of the smaller "villains" lumbered after two "Matoran". Betrii and Shen attacked it with their elemental powers, knocking it off guard. Kultax, hoping real rules applied here, rushed up with his sword and sliced away the helmet. The golem fell into its components, defeated. Those it was pursuing did as well; they were evidently "safe".

 

There were maybe forty suits in total, a roughly equal number of both varieties. The team fought furiously as though it were a real battle; after all, lives really work at stake. Each time a Matoran was at risk of destruction, one of them would do their best to save it, often sustaining serious injury. Eventually the room was as they found it: a pile of armor littered around the floor.

 

"This better be over soon," Kultax said, picking a bit of a rusty sword out of his shoulder. A bright light flashed at the other end of the room, and a doorway was there when it faded. They approached it cautiously, sensing they were indeed near the end of their quest down there.

 

Once they were on the other side, they found themselves at the top of a stone staircase. It was surrounded on either side by stone blocks with ornate carvings. The other end of the chamber looked similar, although there was no staircase. In the center of the room, a large sphere of light balanced between twin pillars, one on the floor and one hanging from the ceiling.

 

As they followed the stairs down, the sphere became partially transparent. They could see Kaiwhiu within, although she was not as ghostly as before.

 

She greeted them as they approached."

 

I must congratulate you for making it here. Very few ever have."

 

Shen rolled his eyes. "So what's the judgement? We just want our friends back. Not your false compliments."

 

"That remains to be seen."

 

A pause.

 

"Those who would give their lives to free those trapped here, step forward."

 

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Edited September 21, 2016 by Nightbeat

[Bonkle]

Tetahi Atu Wahi - Chapter Five

 

Kaiwhiu's words echoed through the chamber, although it wasn't quite necessary. Her message was already reverberating through all three of their minds regardless.

 

Give their lives? Were they prepared to do that? This thought passed through Kultax's mind as well. He still didn't trust this Kaiwhiu..... not quite. Then again, how was he going to get out of here, friends or not? Maybe he could make a deal, or...

 

That critical part of his brain was active again. He thought back to their arrival in this labyrinth, their first encounter with the spirit. And her story didn't all add up to him. But, he decided, if she was being truthful, he was..... ready. Ready to make that sacrifice and save everyone here.

 

He stepped forward, breathing heavily. A moment later, Betrii did so as well.

 

"Simple math, really," she muttered.

 

Only Shen stayed behind, still hurt and uneasy; he had the closest connection to Nokhann. The other two thought no less of him though, and understood his stance.

 

"Excellent," Kaiwhiu said, breaking her usual icy tone. This pushed Kultax even further to believe his theory was true. The short but wide pillar beneath her sphere divided down the middle, sliding away to reveal another drop. Kultax was getting sick of those.

 

He and Betrii stepped towards it together, gazing into the black maw. Kaiwhiu eyed them with manic delight.

 

Kultax looked up.

 

"Free them first."

 

A long pause.

 

"What do you mean? I've already told you that-"

 

"That this will free everyone. We know. But it you can capture whoever you want - the brave, the pure, whatever junk you want to make p off the top of your head, then you can free them at any time, too."

 

Another long pause, and then Kaiwhiu began to repeat herself.

 

"Yeah, yeah. We'll see."

 

Before she could finish, Kultax extended his hand, and Betrii took it. Together they were swallowed by the blackness. Shen started forward at this, but then held his ground. He hoped his friends knew what they were doing.

 

Kaiwhiu, still caught off guard by Kultax's suspicion, turned to Shen as an easy target.

 

"What a pity you could not have joined your friends in sacrifice. You have proven yourself irredeemable, and now without them you will die alone. This, of course, is followed by an eternity of pain, suffering, and tragedy, your same wretched existence forever replaying."

 

"Cool."

 

* * *

 

Falling... falling.... falling forever. Kultax almost wished he would smash into the bottom of the pit, because this was even more tortuous. He could see himself, brightly enough as though he were out in the sun. Yet all around him, things remained starkly black. He could feel Betrii's hand still, but could no longer see her.

 

And then... he felt as if he was moving sideways, but with absolutely no force behind it. He had read about space and wondered if this was what it felt like. For a moment he saw nothing, although he had not blinked. And just as quickly the world returned to him, and he was standing at the bottom of the pit. It was shockingly shallow; he saw the sphere up above and could have climbed out in a minute or two. Betrii was next to him, although less visibly bewildered than him. She released his hand.

 

Why are we not dead? He thought.

 

"We're alive. Pleasant surprise," he said aloud, hoping to prompt an informed response from Betrii.

 

She apparently took the hint, and responded. "I'm guessing," she said, looking around, "that the pillar lock in the chamber was enchanted. It only needed a 'sinner' to overcome and be willing to sacrifice, not actual death."

 

"Right," Kultax said, in a false knowing tone, "Because she needs us alive down here for that."

 

In front of them, where nothing had been a moment before, was a strange stone device connected to the chamber wall. A variety of metal tubes ran off its rectangular shape, back up towards the top room. It was carved with the same symbols as the blocks up above. The top was smooth, save for two circular holes.

 

"I still stand by my theory from earlier," he said.

 

Betrii pointed upwards, and he tried calling the spirit's bluff again.

 

"Kaiwhiu! One more chance to let them out! I know you can!"

 

The now-expected pause, and then the answer.

 

"You are deeply mistaken. Please, just carry on with your task."

 

"I think you're making the mistake. You'll know that once we're done smashing this contraption."

 

Up top, Shen saw fear flash across Kaiwhiu's face, before the usual indifference returned.

 

"Doing that would only kill you."

 

"Okay. Just like this drop was supposed to kill us."

 

"Those two would do it, you know," Shen chimed in, grinning.

 

Kaiwhiu's face darkened, her icy exterior completely melted. Shen could tell she was feeling just about every negative emotion right now, like water rushing quickly through a river.

 

"Very well. You've caught me. This was my final test. I will free the people, and then you can help me get out as well. Everyone walks away unharmed." Shen scoffed.

 

Inside the sphere, she raised both arms. The large stone blocks on the far end of the room trembled, and then fell apart. When the dust settled, Shen saw all of the prisoners from earlier as promised. He rushed over to the confused crowd, plucking Nokhann and Nadsh'yun from them. He brought them back to the pit.

 

Peeking over the edge, he said, "She kept her end of the deal, Kult. Finish your job so we can all get out of here."

 

He nodded, and turned back to the machine. No distractions now.

 

The two holes. He had a vague idea of what to do. He definitely wasn't putting his hand in there, so he stabbed down with his sword on the left hole. At the last moment, an unseen force pushed it back. He tried again and again but the slot wouldn't accept the blade.

 

Eventually he moved to the right hole. It allowed the sword and he could hear the machine click something into place and then hum. The blade of his weapon suddenly illuminated the room, glowing blue like the desert sky.

 

Two more clicks sounded behind them, and Betrii turned to see two batteries of arrows aimed at them. She reflexively threw up her shield, holding back the first barrage. Kultax turned as the arrows hit the ground.

 

"I'm starting to think someone put her here. On purpose."

 

Above them, the halves of the pillar slid back together, closing the hole. The only light now was that of Kultax's blade.

 

"And really doesn't want her let out."

 

Another round of arrows fell, and then the machine clicked again. The sword's glow faded gradually. Kultax took this as an indicator that whatever arcane process had taken place was complete, and retrieved it.

 

Another panel slid back, revealing another arrow launcher. Betrii now had no light to guide her, and these tore into her arm. She fell with a gasp. Thankfully, the first of the three launchers was now empty. Kultax felt around in the dark, and hastily stabbed down on the left hole. The sword was accepted this time, and shot off a blast of blue sparks.

 

Up top, the former prisoners were still wandering around the chamber. Kaiwhiu looked at them distastefully, and then realized the process had begun. For a moment she was overtaken by excitement. She could already feel her power returning, and soon she would be free of this wretched place. It would be fun to destroy all of these idiots personally, but she could take more satisfaction in watching the whole scene at once. The devious spirit raised her arms again, and this time the blocks by the staircase crumbled, taking it with them. The prisoners watched in surprise as golems came from the dust, much the same as the ones the three travelers had faced earlier.

 

The crowd was still weak from their long sleep, but they had their weapons. They were strangers to each other, but all they needed was a common enemy in order to fight like brothers and sisters. Such was the way of Ururua-Wahi. The old friends Shen and Nokhann led the charge.

 

Back under the sphere, things were not good. Betrii was badly wounded, and whatever the sword was involved with seemed to be taking forever. Kultax had dragged Betrii out of the middle of the room; now they were both huddling together against the machine. The metal tubes were glowing with energy; they guessed Kaiwhiu was somehow being freed by this.

 

"I hope the security shuts off when we're done down here," Kultax said. "Because freeing her was a big mistake. Then again, we've got to get out of here somehow."

 

He began squinting around in the darkness, trying to form a plan. This was something he was good at. Even if he couldn't find the best solution, he assembled all the variables and got fast results.

 

Kultax grinned as the pieces fell together.

 

He helped Betrii to her feet as the final arrow launcher emptied. After quickly telling her what to do, she used her Pakari to drive her shield deep into the dirt wall. Kultax focused and felt it realign, so it faced upright. After this the machine shut off, apparently finished with its job. Kultax retrieved the sword once again. Turning back to the wall, he took a deep breath.

 

"We're so dead if this doesn't work," he said, and then chuckled. Today wasn't going to end well no matter what.

 

Betrii shuffled close to the wall as the ground began to rumble. They realized that slowly the floor was splitting in two, like the pillar above had done before. They quickly jumped onto the machine, but it began to slide into the wall. The room lit up again, this time with the glow of magma down below.

 

"Let's make this quick."

 

Once again, he focused; this time on the shield and Betrii. He nodded, and she jumped at the wall. Her feet stuck, drawn to the shield and vice versa by his magnetic powers. With great strain he did the same to himself.

 

They now stood horizontally, hanging from the wall. Kultax reached out with his arms at an upward angle. The shield began to move upwards, taking them with it. They scraped clumsily up the wall, but with good speed. All the time, the shield was nearing them, pulling itself out of the dirt. As they reached the top of the pit, several things happened at once. Kultax disengaged himself from the shield, falling freely for a moment before grabbing Betrii's ankles. The Electric Toa activated her Pakari and ripped the shield from its thin layer of dirt.

 

They both fell for another second, before Kultax blasted wind from his feet. Soaring upwards, Betrii held the shield over her head; with the Pakari still active they smashed through the pit's covering and landed in an unceremonious pile of limbs.

 

Kultax's stumbled to his feet, chuckling again. "That's twice we should have been dead today."

 

Still feeling the effects of adrenaline, he at first didn't notice the crumpled armor all around the ex-captives, who stared at the two of them in awe.

 

Betrii and Kultax looked to their left, where Kaiwhiu now hovered, sphereless.

 

Everything came together now. Kaiwhiu had been trapped here, and her jailer hadn't wanted her let out. She lured people here and imprisoned them, hoping their friends would "save" them and actually save her. But that was the limit of her powers within the sphere. She wanted the rest back. And now that someone had been actually able to free her, she would kill anyone in her path.

 

"The mastermind you're after is here, in case you didn't know," he said pointing at the pale spirit. He then recognized the armor everywhere and shrunk from his role as master detective awkwardly. _^"Yeah."

 

She laughed, and even allowed them to swing at her with their weapons, which just passed through. Kultax had a though. That left slot on the machine... nothing could touch it without the charge from the right...

 

He pointed his sword at Kaiwhiu, who audibly gasped and floated backwards.

 

"You. We gave you what you wanted. Now let us out, you big.... ghost."

 

This wasn't supposed to happen, Kaiwhiu thought. They free me, and the last weapon that can defeat me is destroyed... I'll just get them out of the way for now.

 

"Of course. It has been decided. Each of you will be returned to your previous journey."

 

A blue half sphere faded into existence, and the former prisoners and pawns crowded into it. It hummed slowly at first, and then more quickly. Kultax watched Kaiwhiu closely.... and decided she needed to be dealt with now. He dashed at her and she extended the dome's radius, hoping to warp him out before he reached her.

 

He heard Shen scream something, and then he plunged his sword into the spirit.

 

The world disappeared instantly, and he was in that void again. Falling, falling, the sideways move.

 

He was on the sand. It was nighttime, back out in the desert. He could see a fire faintly in the distance...

 

Around him, lying on the ground were Betrii, Shen, Nokhann, Nadsh'yun, and a Matoran he had seen in the chamber.

 

He was deathly tired. He, too, collapsed to the ground, and let sleep envelop him like a pair of swooping wings.

 

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Tetahi Atu Wahi - Thirty Two of Seventy Nine

 

The signs and calendars all said it, but she still couldn't believe it. 500 years. Five. Hundred. Half of a thousand? The rise and fall of an empire? No.

 

That was how long she had been asleep. That was how long ago that ghost girl had lured her in and locked her away.

 

It was like being born again. There were a few faces she still recognized, but most everyone she had ever known was gone, or killed in a-a- civil war? Was that really what had happened to Hiriwa?

 

That's what Zalkron said, anyways. And she believed him. He never exaggerated.

 

Three weeks. Much smaller amount of time. She'd been "awake" for three weeks. Twenty-one days since that little green fellow blackmailed the ghost and saved everyone. Zalkron says he's been dead for a couple weeks. Pity.

 

Three weeks.

 

Stop repeating that.

 

Green guy's friends are still here.

 

Talk to them.

 

Talk to your friends.

 

Find Zalkron.

 

Walls. He's at the walls.

 

She jolted suddenly from her balcony, back into her room and then down the stairs and out the tower's back door.

 

Green's friends didn't really kill the other guy, did they?

 

No. He took care of Green and I saw him fly off.

 

Or Zalkron did. Right?

 

Right.

 

There's some of his friends. Red and Blue. Wonder where they're headed. Wonder where I'm headed.

 

Walls.

 

Walls.

 

* * *

 

Zalkron wasn't there. Usually he is.

 

Oh well.

 

It's been rainy lately, hasn't it? Or was that -

 

No. It was rain. Clouds out there. Big ones.

 

Moving in from the---- east? South.

 

That one's really moving.

 

Unless I've forgotten, that isn't a cloud.

 

Oh.

 

Oh god.

 

Run. Find Zalkron.

 

He'll be..

 

back at his...

 

shop.

 

Right.

 

Left.

 

Left?

 

Right.

 

Right.

 

There.

 

He's in there... talking with Green's friends. Yep, that's all of them. Red,

 

Blue,

 

dog,

 

Gray,

 

White,

 

and... the other green one.

 

It's raining in his shop?

 

No, that was a tear.

 

Those happen when you're scared, right?

 

"Zalkron. I..."

 

Five hundred years.

 

Twenty one days.

 

I only saw that thing once. And I won't see it again. Can't.

 

I'm falling.

 

Are tears supposed to make you this weak?

 

Weak.

 

Week.

 

Twenty-one days.

 

Five hundred years.

 

Black.

Edited October 5, 2016 by Snapdragon