Roots of the Ancient
Chapter I: Deepwood Encounter
It was a most beautiful day. And a perfect day for fishing, Tsari thought. As he travelled further into the jungle, he admired the lore of nature around him. The trees rose high sky-ward, and through the leaves the sun illuminated his path with patches of gold light. Not a creature stirred, and it was quiet, except for the occasional hoot and flutter of birds.
"Ah! This is the place!", Tsari said to himself, as he seated himself comfortably on a rock, perched above a small stream, that had made its way down from the mountains. He loved these little trips. He hoped he would catch at least one of the fish that swam down from the mountain lakes to bring back to the village. His fellow villagers thought it was strange. After all, who ever heard of a Le-koronan fishing? That was something for Ga-koronans. Everyone knew a Le-koronan's place was uptree. But he didn't mind. His main objective wasn't catching fish, it was spending time alone in the beauty and quiet of the jungle.
As he was pondering over these things and watching the first fishes inspecting his bait, he noticed the sun was blacking out. He let go of his present thoughts and looked up, expecting to see a cloud blocking the warm rays. But what hardluck and terror! There it sat, on a rocky slope above, glaring down at him. He could still hear Turaga Matau saying: "Why do you insist on going so far deepwood, Tsari? It's not because the Bohrok have been defeated, that there are no Rahi to fear... How reckless you are in your lifedawn..."
And indeed he cursed his lateknowing. For here it was above him, a creature like he had never seen before. Its brightgreen eyes were looking down at him suspiciously, as if observing a new, yet delicious-looking species of prey. Its stare made Tsari very uncomfortable indeed. How he wished Lewa were here to save him from this horror! If only he had not frozen at the sight of it and hurried everquick back to Le-koro. But now it was too late. The predator spread its wings, and swooped down, to land with its monstrous beak and claws only inches away from Tsaris feet. Upclose it was even more terrifying, and the inquisitive look in its eyes did not reassure him in the least...
Nothing had prepared him for this, though. Suddenly, it spoke.
"What kind of creature are you?", it asked in a warm, low-toned voice.
As if thunderstruck, Tsari answered.
"I-I'm Tsari, a To-Tohunga f-from Le-koro."
"Tohunga..."
The creature seemed to think his answer over for a while, as if it had to go back countless years in its memory.
"Yes... I remember now. This creature. Long it has been since I saw one of you. And for very good reasons, I might add. Clear out of here, before I try my beak at you. This is not a place for empty-headed forrest critters. Be gone!"
After this outburst, the creature spread its wings once more, and dissappeared, quicksoaring, leaving a very confused Tsari behind.
"What... just happened?"
No one answered. The jungle was quiet as before, and only now he realised he had let go of his fishingrod in his amazement.
"Well, I'd better search for it downstream. Be gone, like the scary thing said."
And off he went, back to the security of his village, to tell of his unsettling encounter.

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Roots of the Ancient
Chapter II: Palaver
It was late afternoon when Tsari returned to treebright Le-koro. He had seen no more sign of his fishingrod, and feared it was lost forever. But more important things had now come into his life, it seemed. What could've been the meaning of this most unusual encounter?
The villagers had already sat down to dine, and spared no remark as to his coming home without the fish he had promised them.
"Too fast for you today, Tsari?"
"Fishing is a slippery bussiness, isn't it."
But he didn't care for their teasing. He started telling them of what had happened deepwood, and much astonishment and disbelief followed.
"But it's al true," Tsari said,"I didn't make it up."
"Perhaps it was a flying fish," Tamaru said, and his remark caused much hillarity. The villagers returned to their meals, forgetting about the whole deal, for the hearts of the Le-koronan are as light as feathers, and do not care to be burdened with mysteries.
Tsari was dissappointed at their disbelief, and was about to return to his hut, when Matau called for him. He entered the Turagas hut and wondered why he was summoned, as the last rays of sunshine fell upon the floor through the wooden blinds of a window. Matau himself was looking out at the sunset, and didn't speak for quite a while. Tsari started to feel uneasy, and decided to speak as the first.
"Turaga Matau...", he started, but Matau interrupted him.
"This is a very important day, Tsari. Do you know why?"
"N-No, Turaga."
"Really? You of all persons should know, as it was you that made this day important."
"How is that, Turaga?"
Tsari was getting very confused indeed.
"The creature you met, was it a Rahi?"
"Unless Rahi have been gifted with speech, I suspect not."
"So you see, this creature seems new to you, but it is very old..."
Matau turned, and made preparations for a fire. The sun was going down quickly now, and soon darkness would fall over Mata Nui.
"What I am about to say, will be very new to you. I have discussed this many times in the past with the other Turaga, but they are sceptic about my theories.
In the distant past, it is said that the Ancients came to Mata Nui..."
"Are they like Mata Nui himself? Did they come from paradise as well?" Tsari asked impatiently.
"Ahem... Please don't interrupt, Tsari, it will be clear afterwards. You shouldn't underestimate the importance this could have. No, the Ancients are not of Mata Nuis kind, although they are said to be Creators like him. They came from another island, but no one remembers its location. The Ancient came here as explorers and colonists. To their great surprise, they found us. We were like nothing they had seen before, and they became our friends. They helped us in many things, for their powers were immense indeed, and Mata Nui prospered for a short while. That is, until the Makuta heard of this. When his servants brought him the news of the Ancient, he became enraged. He had just gotten rid of Mata Nui, and now there were others to pick up his staff. Darktime it was... There was a great battle, and Makuta retreated, surprised by their powers. The Ancient soon after left the island, dismayed because the Tohunga had told them nothing of this danger. All that remained of them was their temporal dwelling, and its Guardian Akuha. What became of the Ancient afterwards is shrouded in the Mist of Mysteries...
Until now, Tsari, for it is Akuha you have met today."
Tsari was at a loss for words. After the mysteries of this day, he wasn't granted illumination, but yet another enigma to be solved.
Turaga Matau stared into the flames, and continued.
"I have wanted to find this Ancient dwelling for a long time, but there were always more urgent tasks at hand, as you very well know. Perhaps it isn't my destiny to explore the past... Perhaps it is yours instead."
At this he turned to Tsari for the second time, a serious look on his face.
"I want you to seek out Akuha again tomorrow. I will see you off."
"W-Will Lewa accompany me on this journey?"
Matau's face saddened, and he answered, "No, I'm afraid not. This is a task you must face alone. How easy it is to forget how young you are... But you must not fear Akuha, he is a creature of Good, and does not serve Makuta, or any other master than the Ancient. I will see you out now. We have talked long and seriously, and tomorrow will prove to be a tough day."
And as Tsari returned to his hut, his head buzzing with thoughts, the stars above him shone with splendor.

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Roots of the Ancient
Chapter III: The first day of the Discoverer's Quest
The next morning, Tsari was awakened by the first rays of sunshine. He hadn't slept much, thinking of all the horrible things that could happen to him in the near future. But he had to follow his path, the way the Great Beings laid it for him. There was nothing he could do to change it...
He grabbed his backpack and went off, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.
Matau was already waiting for him next to the elevator tree. In his hands he held something that looked like a throwing disc, only smaller and crafted with much detail, and in his other a flute-song.
"The dawn has come unto treebright Le-koro."
"And unto you, Turaga."
After this Le-koronan 'good-morning', Matau gave his final instructions.
"Here is a flute-song. If you play it, Kongu will come to your aid on his Kahu. He agreed that you might need it, although I hope you will not in the end. And then there is one other thing... This disc is said to be crafted long ago by the Ancient, and was given to our people as a token of friendship. I think it might be helpful if you want to gain Akuha's trust."
Tsari examined the disc more closely, and saw that it represented the creature he had seen with his own two eyes. The craftsman sure captured the fiery look in Akuha's eyes. Tsari felt a shiver go down his spine as he remembered that look...
"You still seem apprehensive of your quest. Remember, you will unlock secrets buried in the past for too many years. It is a great privilige to be a Discoverer."
Somehow that didn't make Tsari feel much better. Nevertheless he said his farewells to Matau and, after one last look at his beloved village, took the elevator down to the groundpath. As he went along the path to his fishing-grounds, he felt his heart grow heavier with every step.
There was no return now...

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Roots of the Ancient
Chapter IV: Enter the Griffin’s Realm
Tsari was nearing the dreaded place now. He felt weak in the stomach and his legs were shaking, barely sustaining him. Soon the beast would appear again, and he might not let him go this time. He doubted he would have the chance to use his flute, and if he did, certainly Kongu couldn’t arrive in time, no matter how quiksoaring his Kahu was…
“This is the place…”
He remembered saying just that the day before, but he would have never imagined that sentence could’ve born such a grim meaning now.
There was no sign of Akuha yet, so Tsari decided to look for him further down the path. Look for him? What was he thinking? It was foolishness not to go back…
Suddenly he was startled. What was that sound behind him? He looked back, but there was nothing his eye could meet but trees and his own footprints. As he resumed his walking, still looking over his shoulder, he began to think it had only been his imagination…
And with a resounding thud he bumped into something. He landed on his back, and looked up at the unexpected obstacle…
“You Tohunga sure are head-strong creatures. Had I not told you to dissapear from my sight?”
Tsari crawled backwards as the Griffin’s claws were inching towards him. He felt the sweat of anxiety break out under his Miru, and grabbed the disc from his backpack, praying the beast would still recognize it.
Akuha raised his massive head in surprise.
“The crest of the Griffin Guard! The past has strange ways of returning to us… Where did you get this?”
“T-Turaga Matau t-told me it was given to us long ago as a t-token of f-friendship.”
Akuha examined the disc further, the stern look back in his eyes.
“It was that indeed, but it carries an even more important responsibility for the bearer of it. Its possession implies you pledge your loyalty to me… Do you?”
Tsari was glad the creature no longer wanted to cause him harm, and he solemnly said, his head bowed: “I give you my loyalty and life.”
“It pleases me that not all of the old ways have been forgotten. You are now a soldier of the Griffin Guard, and therefore in my service.
What were your motives to return here?”
“The Turaga had assigned me the duty of Discoverer. I was to find out what had become of the Ancient, and perhaps to regain their trust.”
“It is too early to speak of the latter. Your ancestors’ negligence caused us much pain… Only time will tell.” Tsari was surprised to see a sad look on the Griffin’s face, a face that had only seemed threatening to him up till now.
“As for the former, since you are now my Second, you will need to learn of all there is to know about the Ancient and their ways. I will show you their Dwelling on Mata Nui, that I have guarded for many centuries. Oh, and one more question…”
“Yes, Great Griffin Akuha?”
“Why does the crest smell like fish?”
Tsari was at first taken aback by this unexpected question, but answered honestly and lighthearted:
“It was in my backpack. And I am a fisherman…”
Akuha laid his head in his neck, and suddenly burst out in laughter. It filled the jungle, and was free of any Malignance. The Griffin’s laughter filled Tsari’s heart with joy, and he began to feel respect and admiration for his new superior.

The sun had trouble breaking through the dense foliage, but enough light reached through to illuminate the trees with a warm, green fire.
They had followed this path for an hour now, and it had led them deeper and deeper into the jungle. Often they had to clamber over massive tree-roots, that had grown across the path over the ages, and highjump over mountain-streams that crossed it. At least, Tsari had to. Akuha had no trouble with them, which wasn’t surprising.
He was bigger than a Kahu, and although his green body was immense, he moved with much grace and agility. Tsari followed him, anxious to see the Dwelling no-one had seen for so many years.
They arrived at a clearing, and Tsari was blinded for a moment by the sudden brightness of the light. When he could see clearly again, he saw that in the middle of the clearing stood a tree. But it was like no tree Tsari had ever seen. It grew higher than any tree he had seen in Le-koro, and its roots spread for many bios.
Akuha noticed his amazement.
“This tree was planted by the Ancients; they had brought the seed with them from overseas, and placed it in the middle of the Dwelling,” he explained.
“The middle of the Dwelling? But…”
While Tsari had at first thought there was only root and tree, he saw now that the roots obscured a tattered ruin, that had crumbled under the force of nature. In one place, the largest part of it still stood erect. Once it must have been the main entrance.
“Come… now you enter the Griffin’s Realm.”

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Roots of the Ancient
Chapter V: Inside
As they approached the gate of the Dwelling, Tsari noticed what looked like a silver-coloured Hau above the entrance. He had never seen any Kanohi in that colour: the Toa only had golden Kanohi. He was curious, and asked Akuha about this.
“You are very perceptive. The Ancient crafted these masks after the examples given by the Turaga, and amplified their powers by using Protodermis as the main element.”
“Protodermis?”
“Yes… The Ancient knew the powers of Protodermis very well, and used it to the benefit of all good creatures. Even I was gifted with it.”
Indeed, Tsari had noticed Akuha’s silver wings, chest and hind legs, but he would have never guessed it was Protodermis…
The Hau flashed as they went through the gate, and Tsari understood that its shielding powers protected the Dwelling against any harm-bringers, and that only those deemed worthy could enter. How his life had changed… Yesterday morning he had been nothing more than a fisherman, and now he was Second to the Griffin Guardian, Creature of the Ancient, about to unlock mysteries unknown. Somehow it made him proud, but he wasn’t sure he deserved this honour. After all, he had done no great deeds to deserve his title, it had only been a twist of fate.
Inside was a courtyard, several bios wide, and on the other side stood a building that looked like a temple, with large pillars supporting a spherical roof. The outside was only half visible, as the rest of it seemed to disappear into the trunk.
They crossed the courtyard, which was empty except for the fallen leaves that lay scattered about, and entered the temple-like building.
The inside was decorated with the same architectural patterns he had seen on the outside, and they gave Tsari the impression that they were more than just pretty lines. At the back of the temple hall (for that is what Tsari called it, by lack of a better name) stood two statues, flanking a gate. One of the statues represented Akuha. The other showed a creature, which looked like many animals at the same time. Tsari found it very confusing to look at, and turned his gaze to the gate itself.
As Akuha approached it, the stone gate slid open to reveal a staircase, going downward. There was no light inside, though, and Tsari imagined a darkwet cave at the bottom of the stairs, with all sorts of bugs and vermin crawling around. The thought alone made him shiver. He followed Akuha nonetheless. He had to learn to face his fears. After all, if events continued like this, there might be many things to be afraid of…
Akuha proceeded, going through the gate and down the stairs. Tsari stepped in as well, and jumped when the gate closed itself behind him.
For a moment it was dark, and then the patterns on the wall came alive with a flash of blue, and he could see once again.

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Roots of the Ancient
Chapter VI: Broken Link
At last they came to the end of the staircase. But what awaited them there was beyond Tsari’s wildest dreams: not a cave, but a vast circular room, which was illuminated in the same way as the staircase. There were many mechanical objects standing against the walls, their metallic shells reflecting the mild blue light. They reminded him of the machineries in Onu-koro, but more sophisticated, and every one of them was connected to the others. In the middle of the room stood some sort of shrine or suva, with twelve silver masks, both Great and Noble, fitted into its edge. The centre was hollowed out, and concentric circles, interconnected by myriad lines, emanated the same curious light. The Ancients must have been superb craftsmen, Tsari thought. He couldn’t make head or toes of these contraptions.
“All that you see around you, my Second, are the great inventions of the Ancient. They must seem very complicated to you, as our technology surpasses yours in many ways. Their function, you might say, is that of archive and lookout alike, along with other possibilities.”
“How can it be a lookout? We are deep underground…”
“You should know the answer. I will make you understand by showing you.”
Akuha placed his claw on the protodermite Akaku, which began to shine, and an image appeared in the middle of the shrine.
“This is your island seen from above. I can show you everything on it… For example, your own village.”
There was a perception of falling, and as if they were windriding, Le-koro came into view. Tsari was glad to see it again, even if he wasn’t there.
“I didn’t know an Akaku could do that.”
“A normal one couldn’t, either. But these are no ordinary Kanohi, as you well know. Now you see how vast the knowledge of the Ancient is?”
“Yes. It is all very overwhelming. But why did they leave all this behind? Were they planning on coming back?”
“They were hoping, perhaps. But they haven’t sent me word of any return, and I do not think they will very soon.”
“But how do they contact you? Do they send a messenger from overseas by boat, or perhaps by flight?”
Akuha laughed for the second time that day, only not as loud as before. Tsari thought it would sound almost blasphemous to even speak aloud in a place like this. To think he was standing where even the Toa hadn’t been yet.
“There is no need for messengers. All the Ancient need is Light!”
A blue-ish spark jumped to the centre of the circles, and a ball of pure light appeared before their very eyes.
Tsari beheld it with great adoration, but when he looked over at Akuha, the smile left his face and heart. Akuha looked troubled, and Tsari didn’t like that look one bit.
“This is not good. Not good at all…”
“Why? It works, doesn’t it?”
“The orb is blank. There is no response from the other side. There should always be someone attending it.”
“Maybe they took a break, or maybe it’s broken.”
“No, no. It has functioned perfectly for all these years.”
Akuha’s face looked grim in the light of the orb.
“I fear for the worst…”

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Roots of the Ancient
Chapter VII: Highflying
They were outside, and Tsari had just called Kongu with his flute. Akuha was restless, and kept fluttering his huge wings and muttering under his breath. It was obvious he didn’t trust what was going on at the other end of the Link…
Tsari thought back at their excited conversation.
“I should go there at once! These are not good signs.”
“What? Go where? And how?”
“To Tuauri Motu.”
“Tuauri Motu? What do you speak of, Great Griffin Akuha?”
“Tuauri Motu is the Ancient Island. It is the other end of the Link. It lies many mio’s west of here. We should leave at once, or it might be too late! Perhaps it already is…”
Akuha had taken him back outside, and had suddenly stopped dead in his tracks. He looked back at Tsari, and said:
“I forget. You will need transportation as well.”
Tsari understood. He knew his place. Even if he was the Griffin’s Second, he couldn’t ride on Akuha’s back. He guessed the Griffin wouldn’t let anyone ride him. After all, he was a noble creature, and Tsari was just a fisherman underneath it all.
“I will call for Kongu. He will bring his Kahu to us.”
And that he had done. Soon the tones of his flute had mingled with the jungle’s own sounds, and had drifted off to Le-koro.

Their wait was soon over. As the sun set the western skies ablaze, the cry of Kongu’s Kahu could be heard overtree. He came into sight, circled the clearing twice and landed near them. It seemed Tamaru had come as Kongu’s Second.
“So it was true! A thousand pardons, Tsari,” he exclaimed.
“We treelaunched as soon as we heard your flute-song. What has happened?”
Tsari reported all that had happened that day to Kongu, as Tamaru listened and threw quick glances at the Great Creature, obviously not at ease.
“Then it is settled. Tamaru will Leaf-Run back to Le-koro to inform Turaga Matau, and we will chase the sun to the Ancient Island.”
So Tamaru went off, and Akuha walked over to the Kahu.
“You do not have the gift of speech, but you are a noble creature. Will you follow us?”
The Kahu gave a cry, and bowed his head.
Then the Griffin turned to Kongu.
“Your Kahu has pledged his loyalty to me. Will you do the same?”
“My Kahu and I are one, we ride the same winds. I do as he does,” and he bowed as well.
“Then we are off to Tuauri Motu. We leave at once!”
Tsari sat himself as Kongu’s Second on the back of the Kahu, and soon the four members of the Griffin Guard were highflying, windriding towards the sunset.

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Roots of the Ancient
Chapter VIII: Tuauri Motu at last!
Tsari looked back over his shoulder. At first he could still see the Ancient Tree, towering over his Mata Nui brothers, but after a while his view captured all of Mata Nui, golden in the last rays of the setting sun. What a day! He had feared he would never see his village again, and here he was, taking the ocean sky towards an island unexplored by any Tohunga, and leaving his beloved island home behind for the first time ever. His hopes of return, re-awakened in the Dwelling, dwindled again, facing the Unknown.

It had been a long and tiring journey. Tsari had seen the sun set as they flew over the coast of Mata Nui, and after a few hours there had been nothing more to see, except for the full moon overhead, and its fractured reflection upon the ocean’s surface. Soon afterwards he had fallen asleep, unable to keep his eyes on this magical sight and tired from a day full of adventure.
Kongu freed him from his deep slumber.
“Tsari! Look! Before us!”
At first he could see nothing through his sleep-filled eyes, but when his mind and eye awoke, he could clearly discern the outlines of an island in the first rays of day.
It seemed small from that distance, but as they flew further, the island grew larger and larger. How great it was! It must have been thrice the size of Mata Nui! They kept on flying, and although the island kept getting larger, they didn’t reach its shores for at least an hour.
“Akuha, this must be the island you spoke of!”
“Yes,” he responded, “this is Tuauri Motu, my home. My heart rejoices as I see it again with my very own eyes. It has been too long… If only my return had come at a happier time!”
Akuha led them over the tropical shores and the vast jungle that lay beyond. Tsari thought a Leaf-Runner would need a whole month to cross it, without taking time for food nor rest. But no birds or cries came to welcome them, as the Le-koronan had expected. Tsari was both disappointed and disturbed. A jungle without birds; it was an ill sign.
“And now, my fellow guardians, we come to the great city of Koma Nui!”
Indeed, Akuha’s sharp eye was right. Before them lay a city of sand-coloured stone, like a huge Po-koro. Soon they were windriding above it, and the city flew by beneath them.
Tsari had compared it to Po-koro, but the colour was where the comparison ceased. The city was a labyrinth of roads and alleys, and broad stairs climbed the mountains to the west. Many turrets, minarets and towers rose above the houses, and between them lay temple squares and other voluminous buildings Tsari could only guess the function of.
But it was a cursed city: not a soul stirred, no sound of morning activity was to be heard.
“We will land a short distance from the city,” Akuha said, as he flew closer to them. “It is best not to tempt fate.”
They landed outside the city gates, under cover of the trees that reached the city’s edge. From there their party started its reconnaissance mission. Akuha led the way, Tsari followed with Kongu next to him, still on his faithful Kahu, who proceeded on foot.
In this manner, the Griffin Guard entered the city of Koma Nui, leaving nothing behind but their footmarks in the dirt.

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Roots of the Ancient
Chapter IX: Guardian
No-one could have ever imagined such a desolate and dreary place: they had travelled almost to the centre of this great city, but so far they hadn’t encountered a single soul. The atmosphere was tense; no-one had spoken since they had entered Koma Nui.
They reached a steep alley, through which they could barely pass. The steps rose before them, heading upwards to a temple.
Akuha signalled them to halt, and they did his bidding.
“It would be wise not to blunder straight into such an open place,” he whispered.
“Kongu, try if you can see anything from out of the building on the right. Tsari, you do the same from the left house.”
Kongu climbed down from his Kahu’s back and disappeared into the shadowy hallway. Tsari reluctantly did the same.
The shadows welcomed him as he stepped inside. He waited ‘till his eyes had adjusted to the darkness, fearing he might stumble into something, alarming possible enemies. He could vaguely discern the inside: all he saw was a normal living room, and what might have been a kitchen far in the back. Remembering his orders, he looked for a way to ascend. He noticed a staircase off to his left, and commenced his climb.
When he reached the second floor, he was greeted by rays of light. They came from behind him. Apparently there was a window on the street side, and when he reached it, he looked through. The only thing he could see was the portion of the alley they had arrived in, and nothing more.
Tsari was disappointed: at the sight of the window, he had hoped his task had been completed. Now his heart sank again, and he was forced to further explore the ghost house.
He followed the corridor, and to his right more sunshine entered the gloomy house through a bedroom window.
Tsari’s heart almost leapt out of his chest in surprise: someone was lying on the bed!
Tsari jumped back, and he had to force himself to look again. Slowly he turned his head around the corner.
Whoever it was that was lying there, he hadn’t stirred.
Was this person asleep? Was it wise to wake him?
Tsari couldn’t answer these questions. He decided the only thing he could do was go in for closer inspection.
He cautiously made his way to the bed.
He had never seen anyone like the person before his eyes: his body was completely blue, and he was no bigger than a Turaga. The face resembled a mask, but Tsari clearly saw it was no such thing: it was his actual face, with heavy brows and an extremely long chin. It reminded him of Turaga Vakama. The occupant of the house wore a shocked, contorted facial expression, yet no light shone from his open eyes. A blade extended from his right arm, and in the other he held a small statue. Tsari could not see who or what it represented, and he didn’t have the courage to remove it from it’s owner’s grasp.
He feared this inhabitant had come to a horrible end, and feared for his own life as well.
He was delivered from his fears, at least for the moment, by Kongu, who was signalling him to come down again.
Tsari made his way back into the alley and reported his discoveries.
Akuha received the news with much grief.
“It is as I have feared. A storm has come over Tuauri Motu, and all beings have been robbed of their consciousness.”
Kongu had climbed to the top floor of the house on the right, and through the attic window he had had an adequate view over the temple square. There had been no sign of trouble or enemies, only prostrate bodies spread across the square.
“We will continue our sorrowful voyage. Let us head out.”
They soon set foot on the temple square. It was as Kongu had described: everywhere there lay bodies, limp and lifeless. All creatures looked like the one Tsari had seen in the room. In the middle of the square stood a statue, and now Tsari understood what he had seen in the creature’s hand: it had been a miniature version of this massive original, which represented the same creature that lay at its feet…
A warrior was lying there, but  no ordinary warrior: half horse, half Toa. At least, that was what he looked like to the two Tohunga. He had the same green and silver colours as Akuha, and his face looked like a protodermite Miru-Vahi hybrid, with dark-grey metallic braids protruding from under its upper rim.
“Fate has always had an ironic streak. As the Griffin Guard arises again, the Centaur Guard lies fallen before its temple.”
Akuha approached his fallen colleague, tears filling his eyes.
“Höiho Tangata, what has happened to you, that you lie defeated at the feet of your own monument? What dreaded thing, what vile villain has done this to you?”
And he lifted his head towards the air, letting out a cry of sorrow, that roared through Koma Nui and echoed off of its silent walls…

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Roots of the Ancient
Chapter X: Reawakening
“Who is he, Akuha?”
“This is Höiho Tangata, the head of the Centaur Guard. I don’t understand what has happened to him and the rest of the Koma Nui people…”
Tsari was as confused as he had ever been, and felt like his head was spinning. Flying off to an unknown island, filled with sleeping people… It was all too much for him. He had to sit down.
It was then that he noticed a peculiar thing: from his sitting position, he could see underneath the shield of the Centaur, a silvery liquid, that seemed to have spread from a broken transparent ball in the middle of his chest.
“Akuha, what is this liquid coming out of his chest? What is it supposed to do?”
Akuha seemed to brighten up from this news, and with his old enthusiasm regained, he answered: “Of course! The stuff of life!”
Kongu and Tsari exchanged looks, and Kongu said: “Do you mean it is protodermis? And why is this good news? I thought it was only a reinforcement of anyone’s powers.”
“You are quite mistaken. It is best known for this useful effect, but its main purpose to the Guardians is that of powersource. We cannot function without it.”
“Power source? You mean…”
“Yes! It can be replaced without much difficulty. The Centaur hasn’t joined the Great Beings yet…
Tsari, go into the temple. At the back, there is a shrine similar to the one in the Dwelling. You should be able to find the Proto-sphere storage there.”
So that was what they were called. Proto-spheres!
Tsari went on his way, and climbed the steps to the temple, anxious to hold one of the spheres in his hands. What would this Höiho Tangata be like, he wondered.
Inside the spherical temple, he noticed several broken orbs transfixed into the wall. One of them was still intact, and spread a mysterious green light. Its dim light allowed him to see enough: in the back was the shrine, as Akuha had described it. The only difference was, there was no blue light emanating from this one…
As he approached it, he understood: this must have been the other side of the Link! There was no doubt about it.
He looked around for anything that might have been a storage, but his investigations were without result: there was no sign of a storage or Proto-spheres anywhere.
Something caught his eye, though. It seemed that of all the protodermite masks on the shrine, there were only eleven to be accounted for; the Miru was missing.
But he hadn’t come across a Miru anywhere in his search. Perhaps it was taken away by the culprit of all this damage, to ensure that no-one contacted the only Guardian left…
Whoever was behind all of this, he sure planned things out thoroughly. Tsari pondered over what he was supposed to do. And then he remembered something Akuha had said: “Their function, you might say, is that of archive and lookout alike, along with other possibilities.”
Perhaps the key to finding the spheres, and possibly to all his questions, lied in activating the sphere. But where would he find a Miru? As he asked himself this, he bent over the shrine, and saw the reflection of his own face on its surface. Or rather, of his mask. For it was a Miru, and although not as powerful as Lewa’s, still… a Miru.
He decided to risk it: he took off his mask, and placed into its designated receptacle.
The shrine gave out a couple of loud noises, as if resisting to accept this inadequate replacement, and Tsari half expected the whole thing to blow. He sighed audibly as the machine turned to a low, but constant humming sound, that reminded him of the Rama. After a while, Tsari could see the comforting blue light shining, although not as strong as in the Dwelling…
Well, he seemed to have managed fairly well until now. But what was his next step? He didn’t know how to operate this thing. He should’ve thought things out more thoroughly.
He tried to remember all of the things Akuha had done last time… He had touched the Akaku, and suddenly he had overseen all of Mata Nui… So he had to pick a mask…
What mask could answer his questions? Which one was the key? He looked at each of them, and tried to imagine what each one would do. Perhaps the Rau. After all, it was the Mask of Translation. He hesitantly put his hand on it, and said: “Proto-spheres.” He was quite disappointed: all the shrine shared with him was a long list of words, and Tsari didn’t understand any of them. Presumably, it was a list of every possible translation of the word, in various languages that all sounded like gibberish to the poor Tohunga.
Another mask, then. The Komau, perhaps. It was the Mask of Mind Control. But the protodermis warped the powers of the Kanohi; the Akaku had gone from X-ray vision to omni-vision. The Komau’s telepathic abilities should have been altered considerably. Again, he placed his hand on the mask, only this time, he thought about what he needed to know. He closed his eyes, and an image of the shattered sphere appeared in his mind.
As a result, he felt a response from the machine, and a shuddering of the floor under his feet. He opened his eyes, and was surprised to see a circular opening in the floor.
He went over to it, and there was a rope ladder extending to the bottom of the cavity. He climbed down, and faced five gateways, positioned around him. One of them was more of an alcove than a gateway, and inside he found what he had been looking for: the Proto-spheres!

Tsari went back up the ladder, carrying one of the precious life-giving spheres in his backpack. As he set out to return to the others, what he had feared in the beginning actually happened: the shrine resumed its loud noises, roars and clunks, and all of a sudden his Miru was sent flying with a flash of blue sparks, accompanied by a loud bang. The shrine immediately ceased all activity. Tsari was afraid he might have afflicted quite some permanent damage to the complicated machinery…
He wouldn’t be getting any more information out of that thing...
He picked up his Miru, placing it on his head, and went to join the others. Kongu was waiting for him, yet there was no sign of the Griffin.
“Where has Akuha gone?”
“He was going to investigate other important places throughout the city, see if he could find out anything more, find others that might help us. Or more important, that might need our help.”
“I have attained a Proto-sphere. What are we to do now, you suppose?”
“Still lateknowing you are, Tsari,” Kongu joked.
“We replace the old one, of course.”
And so they did. The sphere was replaced, and they waited with much tension.
A green light appeared in the Centaur’s eyes, and he rose to his feet, unstable at first, but then standing proudly in the blazing midday sun, looking down at them, and they knew: Höiho Tangata stood again, as the noble creature he was, to fulfil his destiny, and theirs…

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Roots of the Ancient
Chapter XI: Retrospect
As the two Tohunga gazed up at him in admiration and wonder, Höiho Tangata seemed to try and get his thoughts and memories in order again. He shook his head in confusion, and looked down at the little ones.
“Who… who are you?”
Kongu answered.
“I am Kongu, Turaga Matau’s Second, captain of the Le-koro Kahu-force, soldier of the Griffin Guard. And this is Tsari, Le-koronan tribes-man, fish-catcher and Akuha’s Second.”
“Tohunga of old, and the Griffin Guard reinstated? I must have been out for a while…”
At that moment, Akuha swooped down, landing on his paws in the middle of the temple square.
“I see my Second has fulfilled his task successfully. My heart rejoices talking to you again. Have you recovered well?”
“Yes, almost… It has been long indeed. Imagine my surprise, awakening to see two Tohunga of old standing in front of me.”
“They are loyal, and their hearts are pure. No lies can cross their lips. I am proud to have them in the Guard.”
Tsari blushed at this sudden compliment. He would have never expected such a thing. After all, he was used to being mocked at by his fellow Le-koronans.
“Greetings, Tsari and Kongu. Ease-luck to you and your tribe.”
“You speak Le-koronan slang?” Tsari asked.
“Of course. In the time of Mata Nui, I myself once visited your beautiful and wonderous island, and its merry inhabitants. I especially liked the Le-koronan parties… Akuha didn’t much care for them, though.”
Tsari couldn’t imagine a horse-man up in the trees, but he had no reason not to believe the words of the Centaur.
“Hmmm…,” Akuha grumbled, “this is no time to discuss parties… We came as soon as possible when I discovered the Link was broken. What happened? Who paralysed all the Kirirarau?”
With ‘Kirirarau’, Akuha probably meant the blue, Vakama-like citizens of Koma Nui.
Höiho Tangata’s light-hearted behaviour disappeared instantly, and his face grew grim.
“A few months before the Struggle, the Ancient felt a malevolent force had invaded the island… The Guardians were called upon to find whoever was harbouring this evil intelligence. We sought everywhere, but we couldn’t solve this case.
That is, until the Little One showed us the way to the truth, and we were horrified, for it was the way to the Temple of the Chimera! He hadn’t been discovered because he hid his true thoughts from us, and had clouded our minds. Unfortunately for him, he had forgotten the Little One’s attentiveness, and this omission became his downfall.
He had even gone so far as to corrupt the Chimera Guard, and we were forced to turn on our own people.
The Kirirarau of the Guards fought bravely, and prevailed. We Guardians opposed the Chimera in battle, and although his many forms made him an elusive prey, we managed to hold him down in the end. He clawed at us, even when apprehended and caged, that’s how far the evil force had driven him.
The Ancient questioned him, probed his mind and tried to exorcise the malevolence that inhibited him, but it was no use: he managed to escape, taking the Little One with him. Soon afterwards he unleashed his demon, and all were robbed of their souls…”
Everyone was silent after Höiho Tangata’s retrospect, and even the Kahu bent his head gloomily.
Tsari was the first to speak again.
“Isn’t… isn’t there a way to awaken the Kirirarau?”
“I’m afraid the only way to do this is to defeat the demon. I’m surprised you didn’t meet him yet. Akuha, do you know what happened to the other Guardians?”
“I’ve made a short patrol of the area, but there was no sign of the Dragon, nor was there of the Minotaur. Perhaps they are still lying somewhere, unconscious and defeated, unable to make themselves heard, or perhaps they are elsewhere on the island, hunting the demon.”
At that time, Kongu interrupted.
“It would seem the demon hasn’t been defeated yet, and it has been a while. Perhaps there is a way to help your citizens without battleflight…”
Kongu removed his own backpack, and out of it he retrieved a glowing globe.
“The Amana Volo Sphere!” Tsari exclaimed.
“Yes, Turaga Matau entrusted me with it, foreseeing situations of extreme danger. It would be only right to try and heal the Kirirarau with it. It is our obligation and duty.”
The two Guardians were astonished, and accepted the Amana Volo gratefully.
“Your Turaga is early-knowing indeed. Akuha, you should thank the Great Beings for these Guardians and their Eldest. They are as resourceful as they are brave.”

Höiho Tangata set out to heal his citizens, and indeed, the Amana Volo awakened the Kirirarau from their nightmares, and they rejoiced at the sight of Akuha, whom they had thought they would never see again. He tended to their wounds, and comforted the ones that were severely traumatized from their suffering.
The ones that had recovered first, looked in wonder at the two Tohunga, who felt even more out of place than before. Seeing that there was no need of their services for now, they decided to rest on the steps of the temple.
Tsari observed the Guardians, and said to Kongu:
“They are very much like the Toa, aren’t they? Enraged at injustice and evil, yet caring and concerned…”
But Kongu hadn’t heard him. He had fallen asleep on the spot; he hadn’t slept all night and day, and today’s adventures had tired him considerably.

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Roots of the Ancient
Chapter XII: More Discoveries
Soon after, Tsari had fallen asleep as well. When they awoke the next day, many Kirirarau were standing around them, observing them and talking to each other in hushed voices.
“They look like the Little One…”
“Perhaps they came looking…”
“You think he’s alright…”
“Was taken off, remember…”
“Look! One of them is awake!”
Tsari looked around, confused by all this sudden attention. What did they want? Was he in trouble for using the shrine?
“Give them some rest, they’ve been though a lot already! All will be explained at a later time.”
This last voice was Höiho Tangata’s, and Tsari saw him making his way through the crowd; the citizens made way for him quickly.
“The dawn has come unto Koma Nui.”
“And unto you, Great Centaur Höiho Tangata.”
“…mhm… ’nto you… smeck grumble.”
“Wake up, Kongu, the Centaur’s here!”
“Hm? What? Where?”
Kongu sat upright, and seeing the Guardian, jumped up and saluted.
“No need for that, Kongu. You needed rest, both of you, so Akuha and I let you sleep.”
“Of course, Great Centaur Höiho Tangata.”
“Please, call me Höitan. You can’t help it the Ancient gave me such a long and complicated name. Many use this familiar abbreviation. Only Akuha still calls me by my full name, but then again, he’s always been the formal type.”
“It’s nice to see you’re still making jokes about me, Höitan!”
“What, me? Making jokes about you? I would never dare…”
They both laughed out loud, but it was only to relieve their tense nerves. Tsari was sorry that he had to interrupt this merriment. He couldn’t help it, but he had to ask what had happened overnight.
“Great Griffin, has there been any sign of the other Guardians?”
“No, Tsari, and it worries me… No Kirirau knows what has become of them. There is no sign of the Little One, either.”
“I meant to ask something since yesterday… Who is this ‘Little One’ you speak of?”
“He was the only Tohunga to return with the Ancient to Tuauri Motu. He had helped them in their battle against the Makuta, and the Ancient rewarded him with eternal youth.”
“What was his name?” Kongu asked.
“He went by the name of Takua.”
“Takua!!!” both Tohunga exclaimed.
“The Chronicler? Could he be that old?” Kongu said with much disbelief.
Höiho Tangata frowned at their recognition.
“You know him? We thought everyone would have forgotten about him by now.”
Tsari explained the recent exploits of the Chronicler, and the mystery that surrounded his past, and that had been the source of much speculation unto this day, even by himself.
“He doesn’t remember? How strange,” the Centaur commented.
“It would seem the Great Beings have many things in store for the Little One,” Akuha said, “although the tales of his adventures hadn’t reached me, even on Mata Nui. If he had remembered me, he would have certainly come looking for me…”

At that time, there was much commotion at the southern end of the square.
A dragon appeared, ragged and dented. He looked like he had fought a long and tiring battle. On his back sat what looked like a Toa, only broader and with two horns on each side of his head. Or rather, he was leaning against the Dragon’s mighty neck, and he looked even more exhausted than the Dragon. Tsari recognised them as the two other Guardians.
The Dragon Guardian was carrying a dark shape between his fanged jaws, and as he reached them, he let it fall on the ground before their feet. It looked like one of the Kirirarau, only this one was completely black, with many tentacles around his torso and four thin wings on his back. He gave a few more twitches, and suddenly dissipated into grey smoke, which was carried away by a sudden gust of wind.
After releasing the black creature, the Dragon collapsed in front of their eyes, depleted of all energy…

Everyone immediately tended to the Dragon’s wounds, and the Minotaur was given proper treatment as well.
A field hospital had been put up overnight, and there the Minotaur recovered swiftly. As soon as he felt up to it, he palavered with Akuha and Höitan. Tsari and Kongu remained at the entrance of the tent, not knowing what to do. In all the excitement, everyone seemed to have forgotten all about them. Tsari discussed the events with Kongu.
“What do you think that creature was? Do you think it was the demon?”
“I don’t know, Tsari. I guess we’ll have to wait ‘till we hear the story from Akuha. I just wish there was something for us to do. After all, we’re still the Griffin Guard.”
“Yes… But we cannot act on our own. We have been given no further instructions.”
No sooner had Kongu said this, or Akuha came over to them.
“We will probably be discussing and planning ‘till late night. You are relieved from duty ‘till further notice.”
“Understood, Great Griffin Akuha,” they replied.
Akuha went back inside, and Kongu said to Tsari: “I am going to tend to my Kahu. He will need care and nourishment. I will meet you here at nightfall.”
Tsari agreed to this, and wondered what to do with all this free time.
His gaze turned to the temple. He remembered the other four underground gateways. What if he went to examine them further? Surely he could do no harm with it?
He wandered over to the temple, and descended into the darkwet space for the second time.
“Now which entrance should I take?”
He took his lightstone from his backpack, and the yellow light drove away the darkness. He let the stone shine its light over each entrance. He noticed footmarks in the dirt, trailing off through the eastern passage. Apparently, someone had been here before him!
As he looked closer, he noticed the tracks were made by Tohunga feet. But Kongu had been with him the whole time, and as far as he knew, he hadn’t even entered the temple.
That left only one option: the Chronicler!
Why had Takua gone through this tunnel? Had it had something to do with his coming to Mata Nui? And how had he escaped the renegade Chimera?
There was only one way to find out…
Tsari sighed, and tried to stop his heart from beating so fast. He didn’t look forward to this, but he could be onto something very important here. Perhaps this way he could find out more about Takua’s escape and the evil thing that had brought ruin to Tuauri Motu.
Bracing himself, he stepped into the passage.

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Roots of the Ancient
Chapter XIII: Message from the Past
The tunnel seemed to go on forever. He expected to come across something or someone after every bend, causing his heart to highjump at every moving shadow. Once, he caught his foot behind a root, and made a hard fall. He almost panicked, thinking something wanted to grab him from behind. Fortunately, the light from the lightstone offered him assurance. Afterwards, he couldn’t think of any time when he had been as scared as he had been during his underground adventure. When his heart-rate had slowed down to a normal pace again, he stood up and continued his walk.

About an hour after he had made his fall, he noticed the tunnel walls ahead were illuminated by a green glow. He cautiously slowed down a bit, and after a while, he arrived at a… Well, he didn’t really know what it was. It seemed like an emergency shelter, but there were no rations or beds. Only a main room, and a couple of doorways, leading off to other parts of the underground complex. There were four corners, and each met the others in the middle of the ceiling. In each corner there stood a statue of a Guardian, with a green orb between it’s respective paws or legs. And most peculiar of all, in the middle of the room, there was…
Yet another shrine!
Could it be this was a back-up for the ones in the temples? But then why hadn’t Takua used it to contact Akuha? He looked down again, and saw the Chronicler’s footmarks led to one of the Kanohi. It was the Mahiki. As Tsari approached it, the blue glow he was acquainted with by now, mingled with the green light, and a soothing buzzing reached his eardrums. Apparently the shrine was set to activate at anyone approaching it.
But the next thing that happened made Tsari recede. He tripped, and fell over.
In the middle of the shrine, there appeared Takua himself!
“Chronicler! You startled me… When did you get here? I thought we were the only ones to have travelled here from Mata Nui.”
But Takua didn’t answer. He seemed to be concentrated on something.
Then, finally, he looked up, and spoke.
“To anyone that discovers this message…
I have barely escaped the clutches of the infected Chimera, and it seems there is only one thing left for me to do… I will go to Mata Nui, my home of old, and seek the help of the Turaga… If there are any left…
During my captivity, I overheard the Chimera talking to himself. It is my belief that he has been overpowered by the Makuta, and that this was only a test. The power of Makuta has increased, and he has been taking over Mata Nui piece by piece. This is the time the prophesies speak of… The legendary Toa are to be summoned, and I feel it is my duty to help my people in these dangerous times…
If, by the time you hear this, I have not returned, go to Mata Nui and find the stones to summon the Toa, I beg of you…”
The image disappeared in the same manner as before, and all that remained was silence.
Tsari had listened intently, after realising this was an illusion created by the Mahiki. Apparently this was another function of the shrines, to record and play messages.
Now he understood. The Chimera had become one of Makuta’s minions, and had been ordered to assure that there was no interference of the Ancient, as he took over Mata Nui. Fortunately for the people of Mata Nui, Takua had escaped…
And the rest was history. He had summoned the Toa, helped them in their quests and surprised everyone through his heroic actions…

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Roots of the Ancient
Chapter XIV: Prelude to…
Tsari made a minute inspection of the shelter, but discovered nothing out of the ordinary. He followed Takua’s footsteps through the opposite tunnel, all the way to the other end. After being underground for so long, he was blinded by the sunlight at the end of the tunnel, and when his eyes had finally adjusted, he saw he had arrived at the coast. The footsteps continued in the beach sand, until the point where they had been washed away by the perpetual tide.

Tsari dreaded the thought of going back through the darkwet tunnels, so he used his flute to call for Kongu. The Kirirarau of Koma Nui were amazed by these soothing musical sounds, carried to them by the wind, and looked up at the sky in admiration.
Kongu, who had tended to the cares of his Kahu, jumped on its back and was soon highflying towards the origin of the music.
“You called for me at the right time. Great Griffin Akuha wants to talk to us. He says he has interesting developments to share with us.”
“I think I might have some discoveries of my own to report. You won’t believe this…”
As they were windriding back to the city, he told Kongu all about his underground journey and Takua’s message.
“Amazing! So that’s what happened to the Chronicler. Really, Tsari, you are an intriguing Le-koronan… First you go off fishing, then you go on underground travels; you’re a bit of a Chronicler yourself.”

By the time they reached the city, night had fallen over Tuauri Motu. Kongu took them to the main temple of Koma Nui, the Temple of the Ancient. Both the Dragon and the Minotaur had recovered, and all four Guardians were gathered there.
Tsari told of his Discoveries, and Akuha nodded understandingly.
“I presumed as much… He was always a resourceful one, that Takua. He never ceases to amaze me. What bravery he has shown us during his lifetime.”
Tsari was glad his efforts had not been in vain.
“And what have you Noble ones been talking about?”
“Ah, yes, we have been busy ourselves. I think it is best Püru Tangata, Höiho Tangata’s brother, tells you.”
At this the Minotaur stepped forward, looking down at the two Tohunga.
To their great surprise, he bowed his head!
“I have to thank you for delivering us from the curse of the Nightmare demon. Had it not been for your Amana Volo, we would have probably been lying in the jungle for all eternity.”
Seeing the surprised look on their faces, he began to explain.
“The creature you saw Paihau Manaia carry here, was the Nightmare demon, the one that caused the Kirirau to paralyse, and defeated Höitan.”
“But how could a little creature like that inflict so much harm?” Kongu asked.
“At that time, he was as large as Paihau Manaia, and he had already absorbed the souls of many Kirirarau. We two chased him out of the city, but it was too late. Soon after, the long-lasting battle demanded its toll, and we were beaten and cursed as well.
When we awoke, the demon was still there, but he had lost most of his strength. The Amana Volo had returned the souls to their rightful owners, robbing him of his power. He was no match for us, even in our weakened condition, and we managed to carry him here.”

“And what are we to do now?” Tsari asked, after letting it all sink in. He was afraid it would be something dangerous again.
Püru Tangata replied with fire in his eyes.
“The demon was only an infected Kirirarau. To ensure peace to our beloved island, we must find his master, who is still at large. Tomorrow, we gather the Guards. And then…
We hunt!”

They had been assigned a Guard barrack to sleep in, and Kongu tied up his Kahu in a neighbouring stable, ensuring it had all the food and hay it needed.
As he came back inside, he wished Tsari good-night, and went to sleep. Tsari, however, could not find sleep as easily.
A hunt…
Surely this would be the most dangerous task he had ever faced. What hardluck! He couldn’t imagine himself fishing peacefully undertree anymore. To think it had only been four days…
And with this final thought, he fell asleep.

They were awakened by the first rays of light, seeping in through ceiling windows. They rubbed the sleep out of their eyes, packed their things, and reported to the Griffin Temple after a quick breakfast of flat, sweet-flavoured bread.
Akuha was already awaiting them, looking towards the east. No-one else was there, and soon they would join the other Guards.
“The dawn has come unto Koma Nui, Great Griffin Akuha.”
“And unto you, Griffin Guard.”
Kongu looked around, and asked: “Where are the other soldiers of the Griffin Guard? Aren’t they here yet?”
“I have no need for other soldiers. I choose my own Guard, and it is you.”
They almost dropped their Mirus in surprise.
“What? Us three? What can we do? Two little Tohunga and a Kahu against a rogue Guardian?” Tsari exclaimed.
Akuha gave them a stern look.
“I haven’t recruited you because of your whining skills, so quit it. You have shown great bravery and resourcefulness, and you have my trust. That is all you need against evil.
But of course, I am not sending you into the Chimera’s den without protection… Follow me.”
He leaded them into the temple, and touched the Komau of his shrine, closing his eyes. Almost immediately, a circular door appeared in the wall next to them, revealing a chamber filled with shining armours.
“These are the armours of the Guard, and they have my crest on them. They are very strong, being made of protodermis, and crafted be the most skilled weapons-smith in all of Tuauri Motu. The Little One used to wear one of these. Be proud of your armour, and honour your Guard.”
They put them on, and the armour covered their chest and shoulders. Akuha also equipped them with protodermite blades.
“These are the weapons of the Griffin Guard: Rangi blades, which will cut through anything. Each guard has its own weapon: the Dragon Guard carries Ahi staffs, which shoot fire-bolts, the Minotaur Guard carries Pao axes, double-bladed, and the Centaur Guard carries long Wero spears. You will see them all in action soon. Now let us join the others at the Eastern Gate.”
So they did. Riding on the Kahu’s back, Tsari as Second, they joined the Koma Nui forces, their hearts filled with pride over their new armour, and a new-found bravery. The signal was given, the horn was blown, and the Guards marched through the gate, to face the deep-wood danger.

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Roots of the Ancient
Chapter XV: The Hunt

The Chimera was going to reap what he had sown: all of Tuauri Motu was after him now.
Höiho Tangata and Püru Tangata walked side by side, brothers determined to win this battle. Their respective Guards followed, Wero spear and Pao axe ready to strike. They marched through the jungle, and the jungle let them pass.
Akuha took the skies with Paihau Manaia, the Mata Nui Three at Akuha’s right wing, the Dragon Guard at the Dragon’s left, highflying on their Kararehe, light-blue, winged lizards with massive heads.
Battleflight was near.

“We know the ways of the Makuta. No doubt his minion has adopted his methods. I expect he has prepared a legion of infected creatures to halt our progress”, the Dragon warned.
No sooner had he given warning, as they heard the falling of trees and shouts of surprise and anger.
It seemed their groundpath forces had been lured into ambush: a pack of infected Wolfbears attacked, claws lashing out at the Guardian brothers, fangs ready to rip through their armour.
Akuha was about to give the signal for back-up, but he didn’t get the chance: the Chimera had prepared his own battleflight. A swarm of infected Kararehe was soon on top of them.
The Griffin and the Dragon attacked them head-on, but they were far outnumbered.
The Dragon Guard came to their aid, Ahi staffs blazing.
Tsari swung countless discs at them, but few reached their target.
“These creatures are quickdodge!” he gnarled through his teeth, launching yet another disc.
The air was filled with discs and fire-bolts, and still the enemy kept coming at them. For every one they took down, two took their place.
One Kirirarau was knocked off his steed, and sent to the trees below.
Kongu swooped down, the Kahu dived into a downward vrille, and grabbed the soldier with his powerful claws.
Up they went again, and the soldier’s Kararehe picked up his master.
They resumed battle, and for a moment it seemed as if they were winning.
The Tangata brothers had defeated the leader of the Wolfbear pack, and the soldiers were finishing off the remaining ones. Most of the infected Kararehe had crashed into the woods below, and the others were starting to panic…
All of a sudden, Tsari saw the foliage in front of them ripple, as if it were the ocean itself. Then the trees were pushed apart, and a black shape appeared.
A giant creature was raising itself on its hind legs, and its horned head arched upward on its muscled neck.
It must have been ten kios high, towering over the highest trees.
It gave an ear-shattering battle-cry, and the Kararehe regained their confidence.
The were on them like a swarm of Rama, hissing and clawing, trying to take down as many of the Guards as they could.
Paihau Manaia went straight for the giant Rahi, face to face.
The giant clawed at him with its long arms, and the Dragon released a green fire-storm from his glowing throat.
It hit the Behemoth straight in the face, but alas, without damage.
The Behemoth was infuriated even more, and finally got a hold of his elusive challenger.
The Dragon twisted in the powerful clasp, and Akuha came to his aid, clawing at the Rahi’s eyes.
Without releasing his grip on the Dragon, the Behemoth sent the Griffin flying with a thundering blow.
Tsari launched another disc at the Kararehe, while Kongu broke through their defence line. Tsari bombarded the Behemoth with discs, but they had no effect on him…
The Kahu dodged a claw meant for their destruction, but was confronted with the creature’s tail. There was no time to get away, and it hit them full force.
Tsari was hurled of the birdback, and was falling towards the surface fast.
He was only half-conscious, and he only had a vague notion of falling.
Where was Kongu?…
Akuha?…
A flash of leaf-green, and he hit the ground hard.
His mind fell into an abyss of darkness, and he knew no more…

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Roots of the Ancient
Chapter XVI: The Origin of Storms
As he regained conscience, he looked up through a hole in the ground, with roots sticking out, trying to reach for solid soil.
Had he fallen from that high, that he had made a hole that deep?
As he sat upright, he saw that this wasn’t the case: he had apparently fallen into an underground cave.
In the light that fell in through the hole he had made in the ceiling, he could discern the rest of the cave. It looked as if it had been shaped by non-animal hands, because he could clearly see tiles under the dirt, a few paces from where he lay. It must have been abandoned for hundreds of years, as the roots had broken down most of the masonry, cracking walls and crumbling tiles.
What could have been the use of this underground room, so far away from the city, deepwood, where little people ever wandered.
Tsari, stood up, shaking on his legs, still dazed from the fall. He looked up, and saw there was no way he could exit through the hole without at least a decent vine. He decided to look around for one, and in the case he didn’t, to find an other exit; there must have been an entrance to the compound in ancient days.
He put his lightstone to use again, an in its dim light the rest of the room revealed itself to him. Stepping over many a root, he walked between rows of statues representing giant heads, with stern looks in their eyes. They were very discomforting in this light. Had that been what the builders had tried to achieve?
The space between the rows widened to a circle, and in the middle the floor rose, and steps led to an elevated plateau, on which stood an out-dated version of a shrine. There were no Kanohi on it, and as Tsari approached, he saw only a faint out-line of ancient hieroglyphics.

He was suddenly blinded by a flash of white light. As he took his arm from in front of his eyes, he saw a ghostly apparition floating above the shrine.
It looked just like the statues he had seen…
Everything bathed in its eery light, and once again Tsari found himself facing darktime and the unknown.
“I am Tuaurimohiotiatahi, Ancient Wise One, Creator and Godly being, and I have been expecting you, Tsari of Le-koro…”
He had been expected?
He, Tsari, expected by a Godly being?
“To… to what do I owe this honour, oh Ancient Wise One?”
“It is not Honour. It is Fate. And Fate will lead you to greatness.
We have known your path since before you were born. Our eyes have fallen upon you, and you are the Katalyst of this Era.”
“K.. Katalyst? I’m no such thing, Ancient Wise One. I’m a fisherman, a Discoverer, and a soldier, but not what you speak of.”
“The Ancient know far more than you could possibly comprehend, Tsari of Le-koro. In each Era, there is born a Katalyst, to take on the resurrected Evil. He, and only he, can harness the storm.”
“But… I have no such powers. During the last storm, I was almost struck to death by lightning.”
“You speak of storm as an unbalanced force of nature. But the storm is also a tool in the hands of the Katalyst, a tool of precision, awakened by his very soul. This is why you will carry Timatanga Nö Äwhä…
Behold, the Origin of Storms!”
At this, the shrine opened, and, surrounded by blue light, arose a staff, twice Tsari’s size, shining silver. At the top it had two opposing blades, holding a sphere, black, like the gaping mouth of the Muaka
“Take this weapon, and use it as you see it fit. I, Tuaurimohiotiatahi, entrust you with its power. Go, and face Evil itself, Katalyst!”
Tsari stepped up to the shrine, and carefully took the staff into his hands.
He felt the power surge through him like a Monsoon, and felt his heart awakening to its call.

And then the Ancient was gone, leaving a bewildered Tsari alone in the dark…
He knew what to do now…

Paihau Manaia could hardly breathe anymore; the Behemoth’s grip became tighter and tighter. Soon the very life of him would be squeezed out of him. And still his agony would not end. The suffering was unbearable…
He could feel his mind slipping away, and everything was turning dark…
And then, a flash of blinding white light, a crash of thunder… and he was suddenly free again!
As he fell, he painstakingly flapped his crushed wings, trying to moderate his downward speed.
As he landed on his four paws, claws digging deep into the ground, he filled his lungs with fresh air.
Regaining full strength, he gazed around.
There lay the Behemoth, struck down, smoke billowing up from his still glowing chest, staring blankly at the now peaceful sky.
A couple of bios away stood Akuha’s Second, Tsari, with a smoking staff in his hands.
His eyes widened with amazement, as he understood.
“Finally… The Katalyst is reborn!”

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Roots of the Ancient
Chapter XVII: Interlude
Tsari was recovering from the blast, trying to figure out what he had done.

He had found the exit from the compound blocked by the roots of a tree, that had grown right on top of it. Creating a way through with his Rangi blades, he had listened for noises of the battle. He had heard few, but when he had finally stepped into the open, he had seen the Behemoth immediately, towering over the jungle, still gripping Paihau Manaia.
He had run to the battle scene, hoping he could figure out this new weapon. As he had stood there, Timatanga Nö Äwhä ready in his hands, he had acted on instinct. He had pointed the staff at the Behemoth’s chest, cursing its evil ways.
Suddenly, he had felt as if his whole being was pure energy, the black sphere had given a buzzing and crackling, and glowed like a star.
The next moment, a lightning-storm had been summoned, shooting out the end of the staff…

And now the Dragon was hurrying over to him, looking very excited.
“So you are the Katalyst! Finally! Now we are sure to win this battle, with the aid of the Ancient.”
Tsari looked up at him, not sharing his enthusiasm. He hadn’t chosen to be Katalyst, and he didn’t like the responsibility that came with it.
“Where is Akuha?” he asked, “And Kongu? Oh, no!… Where is Kongu?!”
Tsari looked around for his friend, as the bushes under a distant tree started to rustle.
They immediately prepared for an attack, knowing that there were many dangers in these woods.
But they were soon relieved: it was Kongu’s Kahu, carrying his wounded master on his back.
Tsari ran over to them, happy to see his friend alive, and at the same time worried for his well-being.
“Kongu! Are you all right?”
“Yes… Yes, I think so. Nothing hurts, but I can’t move my arm.”

Suddenly, the jungle was filled with cheers, and many Kirirarau rushed over to them.
Among them were the Tangata brothers, smiles on their faces.
Akuha swooped down with a triumphant cry, and landed next to his Second.
“So the legends have become reality… The Katalyst is among us again!”
This was followed by loud cheers, and soldiers of every Guard raised their weapons to the air, armour shining in the tropical son.

The Kirirarau tended to Kongu’s injury with great care, while they set up their base camp near the fallen Behemoth.
Throughout the camp the soldiers expressed their joy, and there were even a few minor celebrations that night. The Guardians tolerated this. It was against military rules to celebrate during a hunt, but this was a special occasion.
Tsari was looking up at the stars, sitting on a rock, a few bios away from the camp, and looking very glum.
He sighed.
“I don’t know what the Great beings were thinking when they made me Katalyst. I already have so many duties… Why did they make me their chosen, I, a little Tohunga?”
“Being a Katalyst is not a duty, it is who you are, Tsari.”
Tsari was startled, and looked behind him to see who had spoken.
It was Akuha.
Apparently he had seen him leave the camp, and decided to accompany him.
“I know, but… So many things have changed in my life recently, and it all seems so heavy a burden… I am afraid I might be in great peril, now that the Ancient have given me this tremendous responsibility.”
“You are right… You form a great threat to the Chimera now, and he will be on his guard, watching you intently. But know that all of us will be there, aiding you in your quest. You are not alone in this. Take heart, young Tohunga.”
Akuha’s words comforted him a little, and he joined Kongu in his tent.
This time, he was the one to collapse on his bed and fall asleep first. His first use of his newfound powers had drained him considerably.
It seemed he had discovered more than he had bargained for.

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Roots of the Ancient
Chapter XVIII: Thorns
They were awakened the next morning by confused cries. As they got out of their tent, they discovered the cause of this commotion:
It seemed a ring of massive thorny roots had grown around the camp overnight. The night guards had been overpowered by them, and they were hanging unconsciously in the roots’ clasp.
The Kirirarau were running around shocked, hardly understanding the meaning of this unnatural phenomenon.
One of them approached the ring, and was hurled back by a thick root tentacle. The thorns wounded him, and he was bleeding.
The Guardians restored order to their forces, and were soon ready to attack.
Ahi staffs, Pao axes, Rangi blades and Wero spears, however, did not prevail, and neither did the efforts of the separate Guardians.
Things were looking grim…
As they retreated, disappointed by the failure of their efforts, the roots ceased their fight as well.
Except for one part: the roots there continued to squirm and twist, and were seemingly changing shape.
It was as if there were three heads appearing in the ring.
One looked like a dragon, another like an eagle, and the last one like a goat.
The ‘heads’ suddenly spoke simultaneously, in one thundering, malicious voice.
“You think you can defeat me with weapons like these, Guardians? Nothing can be of any threat to my power! Where is your little Katalyst? Show him to me, that little failure the Ancient thought worthy of such a destiny.”
Akuha replied angrily.
“Yes, the Katalyst is here! And you should not mistake his size for his valour! Surrender to us now, Akuza, and cease this foolishness of yours! There is no way you could hope to come out of this struggle victorious.”
“My dear little brother, you are still so naïve… You should know by now the Ancient are weak! Weaker than any Evil force! Bring on your Katalyst, let me test his ‘power’!” the Chimera laughed malevolently.

Tsari looked at the three hideous heads in front of him. Hatred for this creature filled his heart, and once again he pointed the Origin of Storms at a formidable foe.
He felt the power inside surge again, and as the first flicker of lightning appeared, he released the staff’s full power, screaming, “Be gone, foul creature!!!”
The air around him was filled with static electricity, and everyone receded, almost knocked off their feet by the energy blast.
The heads’ expression went from arrogance to sheer horror, not having expected this much resistance.
The lightning-storm hit the roots full force, and they were blasted into millions of peaces, which were scattered throughout the surrounding trees.

Tsari stood panting among the remains.
“Finally we are rid of our enemy. To think victory was so easily achieved.”
Akuha walked up to him.
“You are mistaken. This was not Akuza himself, it was only a manifestation of his presence. You put up a good fight, but now he knows the extent of your powers, and he will ready himself. This was only a test…”
“Akuha… Akuza… He – I mean – “
Akuha gazed into the jungle canopy, and sighed. Without shifting his eyes, he replied.
“Yes. It is true. Akuza is my elder brother. The first Guardian created by the Ancient, to be exact. Therefore, he is the most powerful, and once he was the most loyal as well. It pains me he has taken this path. I was hoping he would listen to reason, but power has demented his brain, and he will not yield.”
Akuha flew up at the air, overcome with emotion, and did not return for over an hour.

When he returned, the other Guardians had already planned out their next strategy. The Kirirarau would accompany the wounded back to the city, while the Guardians and Tsari would advance on the Chimera’s lair.
“We do not want any more of our soldiers injured in this battle. We are the Guardians, and we should take care of this ourselves. It was the reason for our creation, although I wished the enemy had been someone else”, Paihau Manaia explained, addressing the troops.
“The Katalyst will come with us, as he is the one chosen to confront Evil in this Era. You will break up camp and march back to Koma Nui in one hour. Await us there, and be on your guard for any other attacks. Prudence is mandatory in these dark times, never forget that.”

One hour later, the march homeward began, and Tsari said good-bye to Kongu, whose arm was still suffering from the battle.
“I leave you with pain in my heart, Discoverer… Katalyst. Take care. Make Le-koro proud…”
“I will, Kongu. Although I fear for myself, don’t fear for me. Hope for my return, and pray to the Great Beings that we might be victorious. If all goes well, I will return a Hero, like the Toa.”
As the retreating forces marched off, Kongu’s Kahu followed. Kongu looked back, and waved at him.
The last thing Tsari saw were the words he could read on his lips.
Good luck.

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Roots of the Ancient
Chapter XIX: Final Duel
The jungle had become dense deepwood. Not a creature stirred, and the air was filled with expectation. The only thing that could be heard occasionally, was the rustle of leaves under their feet.
The terrain they travelled over had become very rough, with many slopes, roots blocking their paths and vines blocking their view.
The silence only added to the eeriness.
They all felt as if they were being watched, and they had to keep themselves from jumping up at the slightest sound.
One time, Püru Tangata slid down the muddy hill, unable to keep his balance. He made his way back up to the groundpath, which was hard to travel by, and no-one had for the past decades. The trees hunched over the path, and they had to clear their path of obstacles and infected creatures more and more often.
Their faces were grim, and their eyes stared constantly towards the mountain they were heading for.
There it was that Akuza the Chimera had hidden his evil practices from the eyes of the others, in a ruinous temple, dedicated to all evil things in existence.

Tsari travelled in the middle of the line, Akuha in front, followed by Höitan. Püru and Paihau closed the company.
Clouds had gathered overhead, and the light had gone from bright to a dim grey.
Soon their march would be over…

Akuha swept the bushes to the side, and it was revealed to their sight: the Mountain temple, evil and corrupted.
Many of its outer walls had fallen, but the main complex still stood, leaning against the mountain side. A terraced dome roofed the temple, and in his arrogance, Akuza had placed his own statue on top of it, defying the Ancient.
They approached the temple under cover of leaf, and still there was not a sound.

Tsari whispered to Höitan: “What are we to do now? The Chimera won’t show himself. Is he afraid?”
Höitan observed the entrance of the temple.
“No, he isn’t afraid. He has become too evil to know fear. He’s waiting for us to make the first move, and we have no choice. The only way in is through the main entrance. All other gates have been blocked with rubble and debris. The next thing we do, is go up those steps and go inside, leaving ourselves open to attack. This will be a most dangerous task…”

And so they proceeded.
Climbing the thousand steps, always looking around, seeing nothing.
The temple façade now filled their entire view, and still… no attack, no threat.
Boldly they made their way in, where darkness was master.
Akuha spread his wings, and yellow-green light illuminated their surroundings.
Tsari wished he had stayed in the dark; the light revealed representations of monsters he could have never imagined, gods once worshipped by evil minds, long forgotten, but still existing in the outer realms of the universe.
Long fangs, peering eyes, threatening weapons, claws, hands.
“They are only stone, Tsari”, Püru Tangata said to comfort him.
“We need not fear them.”
Then Akuza’s voice boomed from far away.
“You need not fear them? You need not fear them? Fools! You will regret invading my domain!”
And they came alive. Stone demons, closing in.
The Guardians braced for attack, and the monsters made their move:
Hammers swooped down, giant clubs were raised, thirsty for blood, eager to crack skulls.
The fight was fierce.
There was a clatter of weapons, protodermite steel against granite stone. Sparks shot off the weapons and claws, and they were being pushed back, muscles shaking under this violent punishment.
“They… are… strong…”, Höitan grumbled through his teeth.
“Yes… But only stone!”, Püru yelled, heaving his mighty Pao axes into the air.
They smashed down on the demon’s heads.
The monster’s eyes filled with terror as they were crumbling to dust, and they all fell down…

And there they stood, panting from the exercise.
“Now… we go forth…”, Akuha decided, sounding exhausted. This march had been strenuous for all of them.
They proceeded, and for a long time, the Chimera was not to be heard. He had attacked, and the Guardians had retaliated with major force. He must be furious at our resistance, Tsari thought.
Many stairways dug their way up into the mountain, and the company could feel the weight of the mountain overhead.
At one point, Akuha folded his wings, and the light faded.
“Why are you leaving us in darkness, Akuha?”
“Look… Up ahead.”
Indeed, in the darkness, a red shimmer could be seen.
Silently, they walked on, until they came to the inner lair of the Chimera. Two Chimera statues flanked the gate, and Tsari saw they were identical to the one he had seen in the Dwelling. Fire threw its light against the walls, and heat spread through the entrance.
“Come, you pathetic defenders of good, come and face your end!”
The fire in the middle of the lair flickered, grew higher, burst into an inferno.
When it dimmed again, the black silhouette of Akuza blocked the heat.
He looked exactly like the other Guardians, green and menacing, with only one difference: where the other Guardians had protodermite skin and scales, Akuza had infected armour…
“Come, and fight me…”, he growled.

The Guardians did so.
Infuriated by their thirst for justice, they threw themselves at him.
But he had become even stronger.
His dragon head shot out lava over his brother, and Akuha roared from the pain. His wings were covered with fire.
His beak dug into Püru’s shoulder, who was unable to move. He could feel his body aching, ready to break.
He and Paihau Manaia locked horns, and their was a struggle of titans, each pushing, trying to overpower the other. They grunted, they roared…
Höiho Tangata was being occupied by the Chimera’s tail, which was a fanged snake. It lashed out at him, hissing. He blocked it with his shield, and was about to pin it down with his spear, as it sprayed poison at his eyes. His vision blurred, and he felt his body being crushed by the muscled tail. He soon lost consciousness…
Paihau Manaia was winning, as he suddenly felt a burning pain in his flank: the tail, that had come free, had bitten him, and the poison was already asking its toll.
He was pushed back against the wall, which crumbled under the violence and the weight. Püru Tangata was hurled away, and Höiho Tangata and Akuha lay on the floor, too injured to continue the fight…

“Enough!!!”, Tsari screamed.
Adrenaling was racing through him, and rage filled every atom in his body.
“Leave… them… ALONE!!!”
And once again, the Origin of Storms awakened.
A shockwave threw the Chimera against the wall, as the power overwhelmed him.
“You… you can’t be able to do this! I am greater than you are… No… You CAN’T!”
Tsari stood at the centre of the storm, calm, focused.
An aura of pure energy surrounded him, and lightning flashes filled the lair, occasionally breaking through the walls.
“I can… And I will.”
He released the lightning-storm like a true Katalyst. Its full power had been reached, a force, undeniable, electric, devastating.
The Chimera screamed.
His body was being lacerated by the lighting strokes, and the electric storm burned him to the protodermite bone.
And still Tsari would not end it.
The Chimera tried to block it with his own foul energy, but it was no good.
This was his end, as foreseen by the Ancient.
Silence.
The storm had laid itself down again.
Akuza was lying against the wall, a burnt, ashen shadow of what he used to be.
Tsari approached him, tired, yet satisfied.
Justice had been done.
“So it ends, Akuza. Evil will not stand in the way of good. Never.”
The Chimera rose his head with his last efforts, and looking into Tsari’s eyes, he squinted, and whispered:
“Evil… will forever be on your path, Katalyst. Even now, it watches you. You will know no end to your suffering…”
With these final words, he died, a malevolent grin on his face.

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Roots of the Ancient
Chapter XX: Return of a Hero
The Guardians were very weakened: Akuha couldn’t use his wings because of the burn wounds, the Tangata brothers had many internal injuries, and Paihau Manaia was still trying to get the poison out of his blood; they were in bad shape.
Tsari too, felt exhausted after his fight with the Chimera. That last blast had taken almost all of his power, and he leaned heavily on his staff.
Even now, it watches you.
He wondered what the Chimera had meant by it.

Their travel back took longer than before, due to their injured state.
They managed to get out of the mountain temple with the light of Tsari’s lightstone. Their first sight of natural light lightened their moods, and as they stepped though the debris of the monster statues, they indulged in the warm rays of the sun.
It was disturbing to see, that after defeating the Chimera, the region of the temple remained desolate of all life.
It was only on their second day in the jungle that they heard birds sing, and Akuha took heart from it. That day, he smiled for the first time after the death of his brother.

Kongu had spent every day since their return on the watchtower of the eastern gate.
His arm was a bit better now, but it still ached.
It would have healed completely if the city hadn’t been under attack of uncontrolled infected Rahi; he had fought in the defence forces, knowing that he had to ensure a safe path for Tsari’s return.
The Rahi were all gone now, yet still he sat there.
“Aren’t you coming, Kongu? We are being relieved by the Minotaur Guard”, one of the soldiers of the Dragon Guard asked.
“No, I’ll stay here.”
The Kirirarau gave him one last look, and descended the stairs with the rest of his comrades.
Kongu watched the jungle. How it reminded him of sing-song Le-koro…
But…
Was he seeing it right?
He rubbed his eyes, and looked again.
It was true!
They had finally returned!
“Open the gate! Open the gate! The Katalyst and the Guardians have returned at last!”
As the guards opened the gate, the Kirirarau gathered like a flood.
At the entrance of the heroes, they cheered loudly. Tsari was lifted on the shoulders of the Kahu, and paraded through the city. The Guardian’s wounds were taken care of by means of the Amana Volo, that Kongu still carried around. It proved Matau’s judgement had been sound indeed.
The entire city of Koma Nui was soon buzzing with the tale of the Katalyst, and his exploits were becoming legend.
After three days of festivities and rest, Tsari and Kongu were getting home-sick. They longed for their up-tree home…

On the fourth day, they went to the Centaur temple. Höitan had invited them there, for reasons he didn’t want to tell them.
They entered the temple, where the missing protodermite Miru had been replaced in the shrine by a new one.
Höitan welcomed them.
“Lighttime has returned, Le-koro tribesmen. I suspect you would want to go home soon, and that is why I wanted you to carry a gift back to Mata Nui.”
He gave Tsari three crests, one of each Guard. The one of the Griffin guard Tsari already had.
“These represent a new alliance between our people. We will forget about our past problems. It has been too long already that we have lived in strife.”
Tsari was touched by this gesture, and thanked him.
As if summoned, a spark jumped at the shrine, and like in the Dwelling, a ball of light appeared, showing the inside of the Dwelling and…
“Tamaru!”
Höiho Tangata was surprised, and asked the little Tohunga: “Who are you? What are you doing in the Dwelling of the Ancient?”
Startled by these stern questions, Tamaru answered on the other side of the Link.
“I… I’m Tamaru, Le-koronan V-Vinesman.”
“It’s all right, Höitan, he’s one of our tribesmen. Why are you there, Tamaru?” Kongu asked.
“Turaga Matau was getting worried at you two staying away so long. He sent me here to try and contact you… Am I in trouble now?”
Tamaru seemed genuinely frightened, and Kongu eased his fears.
“No, Tamaru. We will tell you everything later. Go tell Turaga Matau that we’re fine, and announce our return, in two days.”
At this, they bade each other goodbye.
“So it is as we thought. You will be leaving us.”
Akuha had entered the temple as well.
“I’m sorry to say goodbye to such a fine crew of guards. You have served well, in more ways than I would’ve expected, young Katalyst.”
Tsari was proud, and flattered.
“But why are you saying goodbye, Akuha? Aren’t you returning with us?”
“No, Tsari, I am not.
When the Ancient ordered me to stay behind, I wondered why. Hadn’t we broken all links to Mata Nui? When I asked them this, they said all would be revealed in due time. Little did I know, I was waiting there for the Katalyst…
But now there is no need for me to go back. My destiny has been fulfilled.”
That very evening, they said their farewells, with sadness in their hearts.
Soon they were highflying again, this time windriding westward.
They looked back a last time.
All four Guardians stood there, the sun setting behind their backs…

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Roots of the Ancient
Chapter XXI: Epilogue
Dawn had come unto Mata Nui as they returned to treebright Le-koro.
A crowd had gathered on the landing platform, cheering loudly as they passed over.
Palm-leaves were waved, and many were playing on their instruments, so that music filled the air.
Turaga Matau stood at the head of the crowd, welcoming them.
“How you have changed, the both of you. I can tell it in your eyes. You have faced hardship, and prevailed.
Tsari, you have left here a Discoverer, and it seems you return to us a Hero.”
Tsari and Kongu presented the four crests to Matau, who displayed them near Lewa’s Suva.
The festivities lasted for a week, in which Tsari and Kongu told their amazing adventures. Tamaru, who still felt bad for cracking jokes at Tsari, gave him a brand-new fishing rod, that he had gotten in Ga-koro, specially crafted for Tsari.

And now still, Tsari can be seen going off every morning to his fishing grounds, cheerfull as ever, enjoying the quiet and beauty of the jungle.
His armour and staff stand in his hut, prominent, so that every visitor can see them.
But perhaps they will not get the chance to gather dust.
Even now, it watches him…

                                      The End

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