Sparticus147

I enjoyed the moment with Barius and the general tension that happened at Mega's Scrapyard. Also the desecrations and everyone's unique interpretation of the ritual is really fun to read. Also thanks, Kal for liking Uraborask and his hijinks. Also, Ardoku's intro was really strong and well made, keep it up.

IC: Sala (Southern Irrnak's Tooth) Seeing Sorilax's excitement over the idea that some old matoran legends might not just be true, but could also be the key to what he needs to accomplish his goal, gave Sala a deep sense of satisfaction. But, wait a moment, Sorilax was onto something here. Someone had to have made Mata-Nui, and if Mata-Nui was real, maybe the great beings were real, and the Red Star was some sort of haven for the dead. Even with the end of the world, some questions still lingered from the old. So, that is what Sorilax wanted. But, was it right? From the sounds of it Sorilax wanted to make it so that any new life that comes into existence had more moral light, which would be a good thing, right? But wouldn't that take some agency out of those affected, or would it be a necessary…good?…Sala didn't know, he was a chronicler not a philosopher, that sort of question would be better suited for a ga-matoran or a turaga, maybe even a ko-matoran would be able to answer that question better then him. "Hey Sorilax, the sun is going to set soon, we should find a place to settle down for the night and we could see if we can find the Red Star. Who knows, maybe we could learn something from it." OOC: @Kal the Guardian IC: Zak-Yak (Mesi Tunnels) Zak-Yak took a moment to appreciate his success against the two mesi, before the air was perforated by the mechanical screech of a vahki. Startled by the cry, Zak-Yak shifted out of the material state just before a mesi from behind him had an opportunity to strike. Realizing that his companions were starting to retreat, Zak-Yak quickly made his way over to Varian, who was being assaulted and covered by other mesi aggressors. Enraged by this desecration from his ignorant brethren, Zak-Yak latched onto the back of Varian, swinging his mechanical arm at any mesi within reach screaming out, "Back! Back wretched heathens, you no touch glorious master. BACK!" OOC: @Vezok's Friend @Snelly @Burnmad @Dane-gerous @Edelgard @Jakura Nuva @Toru Nui

IC: Zak-Yak (Mesi Tunnels) Zak-Yak was mere moments from digging into the burly mesi's chest when he heard the sounds of whirling winds and splashing water blast out behind him. Looking behind himself towards the sound, Zak-Yak saw as Vent was blasted onto the ground by the combined elemental force of the two formerly-grounded mesi. Staring as the two mesi, now freed, began to advance onto the dazed Vent, Zak-Yak was filled with a moment of indecision. "Oh no, master's follower is in danger, but Zak-Yak can get master heartlight." Making up his mind, Zak-Yak reached down towards the burly mesi with his mechanical arm, grasping the skakdi by their chest, and using all their strength threw the burly skakdi at the two mesi aggressing Vent. OOC: @Vezok's Friend @Burnmad @Dane-gerous @Snelly IC: Sala (Northern Fau Marshes) Sala turned towards Sorilax as he placed his hand on Sala's shoulder, "Yeah, we should probably get going before anything else shows up." The two proceeding on their way away from the two graves and the burnout remains of what was once a home. "You know, I'm kinda surprised you've never seen or heard of the Red Star, though I guess you wouldn't have context for it's significance. The Red Star is an astrological entity that is believed to be the place where the souls of the matoran go to after they die. Some people say that the Red Star is not exclusive to the matoran but no one has anyway to tell. There have been tales of people using the mask of reanimation and the mask of undeath to bring people back to life, but nothing conclusive came from them and usually tragedy marked such tales." A chill ran down Sala's spine has he thought of the idea of using such masks. "As for the great beings, although we the matoran believe in the great spirit Mata-Nui, we do not believe Mata-Nui created our universe, he merely gave us the three virtues, life, and a purpose. It was the great beings who created the universe, including Mata-Nui himself, and it was believed that they dwelled within the Red Star." Looking towards the sun, Sala stared at it for a few moments, trying to gauge just how long till it finally sets. "You know, once night falls I could attempt to show you it if we can find it." OOC: @Kal the Guardian IC: Uraborask (Wilderness) For several hours, Uraborask drove in silence, regularly looking back at the bound and blinded trader, making sure that his bindings were still tied and his eyes were still covered. After the first hour the traderskak's protests silenced, only an occasional muffled sounds coming from the skakdi. After the Rig was beyond sight and the sun was just above the horizon did the truck finally stopped. Jumping out of the truck, Uraborask pulled out the trader and placed him onto the barren earth that surrounded them alongside the dead muake in the truck bed. Keeping his hostage in sight, Uraborask began to work on the muaka corpse, diligently and carefully removing the teeth and claws of the beast, the best trophy he was going to get from the thing. Once the muaka was stripped of its teeth and claws, Uraborask dragged the corpse a good distance away from the truck, just within line of sight. By then, the sun had finally sunk below the horizon and night had fallen upon Zakaz. From the truck, Uraborask focused on the corpse, the trader bound next to him, the rot and decay of the muaka soon attracting a flock of kewa, the flock slowly circling over the corpse. Within minutes, half of the kewas were digging into the meal clearly presented to them, and Uraborask had his bow trained on them. Sailing through the air, one of the kewas was skewered by the massive arrow, another arrow already in the air for another kill. Attempting a third shot, the kewas quickly escaped before Uraborask could add to his kills. Two whole kewas, that should be good enough for now. Starting a fire with what little kindling he could scrounge from the truck and the nearby brush, Uraborask cooked the two kewas for himself and the trader, who was now ungagged. "Heh, how kind of you to finally grant me the opportunity to speak with you. You cooking something? I'm sure it's going to taste great, but I'm also sure it's going to look even better, so why not let me see what you're cooking, huh?" the tradeskak snidely remarked. "No, I do not know what kind of vision power you got and I do not care to find out, just be glad that I have not gouged out your eyes." After that statement, the tradeskak piped down, a look of uncomfortable tension on his face. Once the kewas were cooked, Uraborask came over towards the bound skakdi, "I am going to untie your hands from your feet so you can eat, your legs and hands are still going to be bound and the blindfold stays, try anything and I will be forced feeding you from here on out." Turning over the trader, Uraborask went to work untying and retying the skakdi's legs and hands before setting up in a kneeling position, handing him a portion of the kewa for him to eat. The meal continued for several minutes in silence before the trader broke it, "So, what are your plans with me, are you going to kill me or what?" "I came into contact with an aspect, I am going to give you to him as an offering." "Huh, never took you for a lapdog, always saw you as an independent spirit, but I guess the promise of power is tempting to anyone." The tradeskak snickered to himself at his jibe, as Uraborask snarled towards the skakdi, "I am not a lapdog. I just know who is at the top of the food chain, something skakdi like you need to learn." "Skakdi like me? I was just a humble trader trying to make a living till you kidnapped me." "You are a scavenger and a thief, just as bad as any skakdi. You are vermin, an invasive species to this ecosystem, you are the reason this island is in the state it is." "And you think you're above this problem?" "I do not think I am above it, I just make sure to stay out of it." Tensions lingered in the air, the tradeskak starting to shift nervously realizing that he may have messed up, jumping when Uraborask spoke again, "I do not hate other skakdi, I can not blame them for what they are, I just hate what they have done. But you know what I do hate...useless talk, talk about things that should be self-evident to baying mahi like you." Grabbing the tradeskak, Uraborask tossed him into the backseat of the truck before putting out the fire and tossing what remain of the two kewas. Onwards through the night Uraborask drove and by the time the sun reached it's peak the next day, Po-Koro was in sight. Reaching the settlement, Uraborask parked outside of the front gates, just outside the perimeter of the iron crosses. Hopping outside of his vehicle, Uraborask took the tradeskak outside of the truck and dumped him a few feet away from the truck, warning him that if he tried anything that he would track him and leave him with no way to escape again before finally approaching the front gates in full few of the settlement. OOC: @Harvali

IC: Sala (Northern Fau Marshes) Although when Sala was first inside of the Second Skin, he felt invincible, capable of doing nearly anything. Upon seeing the burnt matorans and the red skakdi, it took nearly everything for Sala to remain, if not calm, then at least passive. It was only the words of Sorilax that Sala's senses returned to him. "What, huh, oh...Well, he did killed these two poor matoran for no other reason then he could...I just..It never had to be this way for the matoran, we never had to defend ourselves like this, not until..Until..Until the League attacked, and destroyed our home." Sala looked down away from Sorilax, a look of longing and remorse on his face before he looked up and stared at the two burnt matoran. "I'll help bury them, it would be wrong for me not too, I even know the words for the matoran rite of passing." Sala and Sorilax buried the two matorans in respectful silence, establishing a simple rock grave marker for the two. Standing above the two graves, Sala bowed his head and folded his hands together before letting out a pray, "In Unity we are born, by Duty we live, and with Destiny we pass. May Mata-Nui guide the spirit of the passed and take it onto the Red Star and the Great Beings within." OOC: @Kal the Guardian

IC: Uraborask (Uraborask's Shack) The two skakdis sat in silence as they drove out of the Rig and towards Uraborask's shack. Irritation marked the tradeskak's face, while Uraborask sat tensed up, like a predatory rahi about to pounce. After several minutes they finally arrived in a cloud of dust at the shack, right outside of the metal fence perimeter. Getting out of the rig, Uraborask lead the way into the yard, passing the shack itself, the trader starting to feel second thoughts as he passed the mounted skakdi skulls. Standing outside of the carving house, Uraborask using both his hands pulled open the metal grate door, gesturing for the tradeskak to walk in first. Walking in, the skakdi bawlked at the sight before him, the largest muaka he had ever seen, dead! "By Irrnak's gaping cavities! You did kill the thing, shrak how did you ever..." The trader said, about to turn towards Uraborask to ask him how Uraborask did it, but he wasn't listening, for he had his quarry right within his sights. Quickly Uraborask moved behind the tradeskak and put him into a chokehold with his massive grip. The trader tried his hardest to escape from Uraborask's grip, but he was no match for Uraborask's superior strength and size. After the trader dropped into unconsciousness, Uraborask quickly went to work, grabbing a bundle of rope and hogtying the tradeskak and blinding and gagging him as the skakdi started to regain consciousness. As the bound, blind, and gagged skakdi awoke, even in his groggy semi-conscious state, the tradeskak began to presumably protest and question Uraborask's motives, and although he didn't respect the trader, Uraborask stilled enjoyed putting him in his place. "You were an alpha, but not a real one. You offered a cheap source of goods for a pack, but you yourself lacked any real strength, any real qualities for an alpha. That is why you are here, because you are weak and I am strong, and I'm willing to do what it takes to survive." Taking a moment to appreciate his victory, Uraborask was distracted by the smell of rot and the sight of the muaka, the one he most certainly lacked the time to properly make into a trophy. Sighing, Uraborask grabbed his bow from the shed and dragged the still struggling trader back to the rig, tossing him onto the ground a fair distance away from anything he could use to cut his bindings. Returning back to the carving house, Uraborask grabbed the muaka corpse and dragged it into the bed of the rig. Finally tossing the trader into the back seat of the rig, Uraborask took the driver's seat, and began to make his way back to Po-Koro. IC: Zak-Yak (Mesi Tunnels) Zak-Yak had hoped that this blue warrior could at the very least, be a distraction for him and his master to escape, but upon getting there, the blue warrior already appeared to be free; and attacking Zak-Yak! Startled by the sudden assault, Zak-Yak immediately brought up his arms over his head to protect himself, anticipating an assault. And when none came, Zak-Yak looked up and noticed that the blue warrior seemed to pass through him. Whispering beneath his breath, Zak-Yak moved away from the blue warrior before he noticed Zak-Yak, "Hehe, Zak-Yak is sneakiest there is." That's when Zak-Yak noticed the large burly mesi, seemingly incapable of moving. Seeing a golden opportunity, Zak-Yak returned to physicality and pulled out his lucky shiv, ready to take a heartlight for his master to use. OOC: @Vezok's Friend @Snelly @Dane-gerous @Burnmad

IC: Sala (Fau Swamp) Sala could tell just how difficult it was for Sorilax to share this, just the hesitation alone was out of character for Sorilax, and even though there are still questions Sala wanted to ask, he thought it would be best to save them for another time. "Ckropen Nests?..Are there any other useful plants you know of, maybe some we'll find on our way to Metru-Koro and be able to either use there or back at Le-Metru Nuva when we return?" Although Sala would seem to be back to his same curious, chronicler self, Sala was still worried, both for his friend and the implication of everything, "A race of living gas, born out of some baffling substance called antidermis, and employing some shadowy ritual involving heartlights? Just what have the matoran found themselves, first caught between the League, and then the skakdi, and now these aspects." There was one thing that worried Sala the most, "He said that each one of his kind have a grand wish and that to achieve it they need to desecrate others...So what 'is' your wish Sorilax's, and what is your reason for telling me this?" OOC: @Kal the Guardian IC: Zak-Yak (oh no, Oh No, OH NO!) Letting out a screech of shock and surprise at the shaman's apparent not deadness, Zak-Yak swung his free hand at the shaman to keep them from grabbing at his legs. It just so happened though that Zak-Yak's free hand was the large mechanical talon strapped onto his meager frame, the claws of it slashing into the shaman and throwing them far enough away for Zak-Yak to scurry away from the alter. Slinking around the edges of the chamber, frantically trying to not get grabbed by any stray mesi, shifting in and out of the physical and ethereal state, to shaken to maintain either. Looking at the scene before him, Zak-Yak saw his master Varian was being assaulted by several mesi, Providence surrounded by some aura of shadow, and Vent flying down towards the blue thing and the big burly mesi. "Oh no, oh no, oh no, what do what do what do?" Zak-Yak muttered, fitfully trying to figure out who to help or what to do, then he heard the cries of the blue thing, “There’s too many! My bonds! You must cut my bonds!” With no other better idea, and quick to listen to words of authority, Zak-Yak wormed his way over towards the blue warrior, hopefully they could help if freed. OOC: @Vezok's Friend @Snelly @Dane-gerous @Burnmad

IC: Sala (Fau Swamp) Sala took the scroll, staring at Sorilax before reading what was on the scroll. Indicative of Sorilax's writing style, the text was small and uniform, almost printed in a manner, not an inch of the parchment not used. Where there wasn't words there were diagrams and depictions, some of kraata, some of heartlights, some of more...somewhat unsightly imagary. But one portion caught Sala's eye, just solely because of the way it was written, with it being separated from the rest of the text. It read... Goodbye Hello Step forth into the darkness and prepare the gift A star’s heart still beating, still lit Two midnight horrors cry and shift Make them squirm inside the pit Bind worm and willing host Tear the yolk and spread its gold Devour knowledge and their ghost Pray for prey forever sold Hello Goodbye ...A chill ran down Sala's spine as he read the poem, a haunting cold feeling lingering over him. Sala was planning on asking Sorilax for more information about him and his kind, but this, this was so much more then Sala was expecting and so much more...insidious then he hoped. At this point, Sala, deep in thought would have stopped listening to Sorilax if Sorilax continued speaking, too overwhelmed with the new information that he now had too even register his surroundings. For several minutes Sala sat there in silence, reading and rereading various portions of the scroll and thinking and rethinking his options before he finally spoke. "Sorilax...I..This..Huh, you are not wrong. The nature of this ritual, it..goes against everything the matoran and toa hold as ideals and believe in. To take the heartlight of another and to...change it. To make a thing of shadow and bind it to another's form for the sake of power. It scares me." stopping for several beats, Sala looked into Sorilax's eyes, a wavering look was upon Sala's face, but his eyes belied his determination to help his friend. "But..But..I'm not scared. You said you've attempted to alter the ritual, to make it..not rely on such a sacrifice. What have you learned from your attempts, any progress to a solution?" OOC: @Kal the Guardian IC: Uraborask (The Rig) Finishing his meal and drink, Uraborask lurched up from his seat and approached the skakdi trader, almost dragging him from his seat. "Alright, alright, let me at least finish my drink, hey, Hey, HEY!" the trader shouted as Uraborask practically carried him out of the diner. Outside the diner and on the streets of the Mall, the tradeskak turned towards Uraborask, "Hey! I wasn't done drinking that yet." "You've had since I got my food to finish your drink. Now we're back onto business. Where's your rig?" "Fine, whatever, I've been renting a spot in the local garage. Hopefully they haven't repurposed it yet since I've left." The last part being under the skakdi's breath but Uraborask still caught it with his keen senses. Making their way to the Rig's garages, the tradeskak leading the way, they came to a closed down garage door, a burly skakdi mechanic seemingly on break. "Hey you! Slouch! Open this garage, my rig is in there and I'm heading out with it." Putting out their cig, the mechanic lumbered over, obviously irritated with the small skakdi's tone, "Buddy, that's your rig behind those doors? Well, from what I've been told by the big boss is, that whoever has been paying for this garage has ran out of rent money. So buddy, that means that's not your rig, it's ours." By this point, the burly mechanic was practically leaning over the sleazy trader, obviously attempting to intimidate the tradeskak to blow off. "This one's ran out of rent? That would mean you should've tossed out his rig, not commandeered it. So, let me do you a favor, and get it out of there for you." Now sizing up against the burly skakdi, Uraborask stood to his full menacing height, most certainly outmatching the mechanic in size alone with his height and girth. For several tense minute, the two stood against each other before the mechanic backed down, "Bah, I'm on bloody break, I shouldn't be even dealing with this, if trouble comes out of this it's going to be on your heads." the mechanic opening the garage door before scowling away. The rig, by skakdi design, was a hardy and semi-ramshackle vehicle but seemed to lack any obvious weaponry. It was built in design like that of a jeep truck, equipped with hardy suspension capable of taking the rough barren terrain of Zakaz's wastes, a roll cage covering the back, allowing for fellow skakdi to ride in the bed with some safety, and a double hooked tow wrench mounted on the front and a larger, sturdier, tow wrench on the back attached to the roll cage. Hopping into the rig, the tradeskak taking the driver's seats and Uraborask the passenger's, they made their way out of the Rig and headed for Uraborask's hunting shack.

IC: Sala (Le-Metru Nuva) A giddy look of excitement swept across Sala's face as Sorilax told him that he was going to have the opportunity to pilot the ACR, "What! I'm going to be able to pilot Sorilax's ACR, this is amazing." This look briefly faltered as Sorilax continued with his lecture, and as much as Sala would love to hear it, he knew that they weren't going to get anywhere like this. "Hey Sorilax, I would love to hear more about the intricacies of an ACR as much as the next matoran, but if we're going to make it to Metru-Koro to get you fixed we should keep the lecture to the essentials and you can tell me the rest on the way." Getting assistance from Sorilax, with the minimal amount of interjected knowledge (at least for Sorilax), Sala finally got himself set up inside of the rig. Although the ACR was most certainly not built for matoran in mind, Sala knew that it only will take him a few hours to grow accustomed to the controls of the mech. Sala noted that the craftmanship was impeccable for what was apparently made by skakdi hands, and the genuine sense of power that Sala felt being inside of the thing, he wondered how anything in this swamp could have compared to it. OOC: @Kal the Guardian IC: Zak-Yak (Scared out of his mind in the Mesi Tunnels) As Zak-Yak looked into the chamber along with his compatriots, a palpable sense of dread filled Zak-Yak to his core. The sheer number of mesi was one thing, but what was happening before him was the most harrowing sight. Zak-Yak in his time of slavery had seen many rituals like this before, a few of them he was nearly used as a sacrifice himself if he didn't have his powers to thank for escaping from his fate. But Spiriah, that was a name Zak-Yak feared and dreaded like no other. The wrathful shadow, the fallen blood, the vengeful ancient; Spiriah was what Zak-Yak reckoned to be an aspect, similar yet altogether separate from its fellows, an aspect whose nature mirrored that of the twisted, grotesque mesi, and one that should not be angered... ...That's why Zak-Yak was filled with such shock and surprise when he saw his master attack the shaman overseeing the procession occurring before him, seemingly killing the shaman over by the altar with a singular shot. "Oh no! How did this happen, Master and Zak-Yak were being super duper sneaky, did Zak-Yak fail to keep master sneaky like him, Zak-Yak must have failed or else master would have not hit shaman. No, No, No." Zak-Yak didn't know whether or not they all could handle this many mesi. As far as he knew, Providence and Vent would most likely be overwhelm and torn apart near instantly. Master on the other hand might survive, but Zak-Yak was immensely fearful for his master's safety; and that fear allowed Zak-Yak to overcome the fear of Spiriah and death that would come from defying them. Skirting forward into the chamber towards the alter, hoping that the muffled sound of his ethereal footsteps would not alert any nearby mesi, Zak-Yak approached the dead shaman, returning to a physical state. Grabbing the bloodied swathe of clothe placed over the shamans face, Zak-Yak tore it free, waving it into the air to catch the attention of the accompanying mesi. "Listen mesi, here comes great and mighty aspect, hailing from world of light. Hail to great aspect master or suffer their wrath." Zak-Yak knew that this was not likely to work, but he knew it might cause a good enough of a distraction to by them some time. Distraction? Time? For what? Zak-Yak didn't know, all he knew was that they were in a bad, a very bad situation. OOC: @Vezok's Friend @Snelly @Burnmad @Dane-gerous

IC: Sala (Being crushed by Sorilax in Le-Metru Nui) With a sigh of relief, Sala was relived at Sorilax genuine joy at his return and not upset at him leaving against his wishes. "Thank goodness, I was most certainly not ready to handle the lecture that Sorilax most certainly has rehearsed before. Maybe I should tell him about what happened while I was gone." Standing there stock still, as Sorilax continued, Sala realized that now probably wasn't time to share his near death experience. Sala didn't want to spoil Sorilax's joyous mood, especially with all that has happened within the past few days. But that did explain the Ghekula, so that's nothing he had to ask. Great spirits, Sala could swear that Sorilax could read his mind, even if he's not aware of it. "Wait, was he serious, him, and me, going on a journey beyond the swamp! This was the opportunity Sala was looking for." Stare straight up into Sorilax's faces, trying his best to make it past his waist. "Yes Sorilax, Yes! I'm willing to do whatever you need of me to get you fixed. I'm sure we could find a fe-matoran or even a fe-toa who could get you fixed up. And don't worry about the temple, at least this way you'll be able to learn more about us. Maybe you could even meet Turaga Sans." And with that, Sala was on his way, already trying to pack nearly twice as much supplies as he originally took, though making sure to remember to put back the two pots. He'll have to make sure to get another pot for the one he lost. OOC: @Kal the Guardian Go ahead and continue with us leaving Le-Metru Nui as you see fit.

IC: Uraborask (Yoshimak's Hotspot'n'Sushi) "Well, unlike half of the skaklets on this Rig, I'm not a liar, don't believe? I can take you to my shack, you got a rig?" "Yeah, I got a rig, but how did you kill that thing? I watched as it tore through an ACR and killed the pilot. And the thing had a whole pack, how did you deal with that?" As the two skakdis continued their conversation, one being a tad more disruptive than the other, a female skakdi approached. Large and imposing as all females are, wearing what could be seen as a uniform for this place, she approached Uraborask. "So? Are you going to order anything, or are you and this slouch over here going to continue disrupting the environment, cause if you're going to do that you can at least start a fight, that'll be something to see." The skakdi woman callously laughed at her joke, being interrupted as Uraborask shoved the last of his coinage in her direction, "Something strong, something that'll keep your senses keen, and whatever the rest can buy." And like that, Uraborask was broke, but that doesn't concern him at the current moment as the waitress trudged away, most likely going to give him something cheap and keep the rest as a tip. Turning back towards the tradeskak, Uraborask continued his conversation, "The alpha wasn't the problem, a good shot into her treads and it was easy pickings. It also helped that there was what appeared to be some sort of rescue attempt from the newcomers acting as a distraction." The mention of newcomers seemed to catch the trader's attention, "Newcomers? I've been hearing rumors but haven't yet planned to go myself. Have any idea where they're located, might be worth a visit for me." "Don't bother, from the looks of it Nektann's boys hit them hard." "Nektann?! Shrak, nothing good stands as long as Nektann is around, not like anyone can do anything to him anyways." Returning from the backroom kitchen, the female skakdi gave Uraborask's order, a decently sized platter of various prepared fish rolls, more so than Uraborask was expecting. Looking up at the skakdi woman, she gave Uraborask a wink "You know it's not often people around here even think of giving a tip, so that's just a little extra for you hun." With a slight look of surprise on Uraborask's face, he thanked the skakdi woman and moved to an empty table for himself, wanting to enjoy himself without any interruptions, not from other customers, not from the trader...maybe from the waitress, but that'll come later, after he is done with the trader, making sure to keep an eye on him so that he doesn't slip away.

IC: Uraborask (The Rig) The Rig, a tangled mess of bridges, rope wires, suspended platforms, and crowded shacks, it would be a perfect home for any predatory rahi if it wasn't for the skakdi who all think their the big muaka on campus. Uraborask made his way to the Mall, being sure not to draw any unnecessary attention. Not that he's not willing for a fight, just that he's on a mission and doesn't feel like putting any skaklets in their place. The Mall, the center of the Rig and where anything and everything is being traded for all at once. Uraborask slunk into the edges of the Mall, hoping to spy Yoshimak's without any interference. Using his vision of deduction and his keen senses, Uraborask followed the smell of old fish and watered down boozed to the more active slummy dives, leading him to a crudely made sign with what appeared to be a cartoonish caricature of a skakdi eating sushi. "Guess this is the place" Uraborask snarled, as he made his way through the double doors, the smells he's been tracking heightened now that he's found the source. Scouring the room, Uraborask looked for the sleazy little skaklet who hired him. Uraborask didn't like the trader the second they meant, he was one of those who's only right to being an alpha was being an easy source of what others desire. In the back corner, seemingly by himself mewling over a cold drink, was the trader. As Uraborask approached the skakdi, a sense of predatory intent emanating from his large form, the trader gave a start as Uraborask took a seat across from him. "I'm back from the hunt. The muaka alpha is dead. Now pay me." "What! You killed that monster! Impossible!"

IC: Sala (Fau Swamp) After around four hours of hiding, sneaking, and scurrying through the thick, foreboding underbrush of the swamp and over the sopping, sucking mud, Sala had finally found what he had been looking for - yellow Fau berries. Pulling out the three empty pots he had grabbed from the supplies hut, Sala began to pick as many of the berries as he could, taking care not to squeeze any of them. Working with diligence, Sala did not notice the slowly increasing amount of bubbles coming from the bog pool behind him till it was too late, as the long tongue of a mutant ghekula frog launched out and lashed itself around Sala's waist, pinning one of his arms. Struggling and twisting, Sala did everything he could to free himself from the ghekula's grip, trying his best to free his other hand to grab his plasma sword from his entrapped satchel. But it was no use, the tongue was not only tightly wrapped around him, it was also coated in some sticky adhesive, preventing any chance of escape. "Sorilax, I'm sorry, I should've listened to you, I shouldn't have gone on my own, I should've stayed in the village with the rest of the matoran. Now I'm going to die all because of some yellow berries...yellow...poisonous berries." Only a few meters away from the ghekula at this point, Sala realized that in his one free remaining hand is one of the pots of berries. Now only a few feet away from the ghekula's gaping maw, Sala's only hope was that these berries were really poisonous - to bad Sorilax never told them how poisonous they were. Knowing that he had only one shot, and a bad throwing arm, Sala's best bet was to throw the pot just before he got swallowed. Being dragged close enough to the ghekula to be able to see down the thing's throat, Sala made his throw, and the pot crashed downed into the frog's throat. Stopped in its tracks, briefly loosing it grip on Sala with its tongue, Sala managed to free himself from the ghekula's tongue and pull out his plasma sword. "Okay then, I know it's bad luck to hurt a ghekula, but I think it's worse to be eaten by one." Plasma sword in hand, Sala pressed the button to turn it on...and nothing happened, the ignition port being gunked up by ghekula saliva. Without a weapon, Sala's was good as dead as the frog prepared to leap forward and swallow Sala whole, and then it died, as foam began to spill out of its mouth and it's body began to twitch and thrash as the berries began to take root within it's system. Not wanting to risk his life anymore than he had already done so, Sala grabbed what berries he already picked, grabbing the two remaining pots and made his way back to Le-Metru Nuva, probably not as carefully as he should of though but thankfully returning home with minimal trouble anyways. With a deep sigh, Sala got onto the elevator into the village, "Huh, good, I'm back home. Now I just need to get these berries back into the hut and get to work on those scrolls before Sorilax makes...it..back." Sala stuttered out those last few words, as standing before him was Sorilax, albeit looking slightly different then the last time they saw each other. "Hiiiiii Soooriilax...Man those yellow Fau berries really are something right?" OOC: @Kal the Guardian

IC: Uraborask (Uraborask's Hunting Shack) What was meant to be a few hours nap dragged out to a full fifteen hour hibernation, and probably of grown to be even longer if it wasn't for the singing cries of a bunch of dermis turtles. Lurching off of his couch, nearly knocking over a week old cup of grog, Uraborask surveyed the inside of his cabin. The walls were lined with numerous trophies, whether they were racks of horns, taxidermized heads, or even masks of rahi and toa alike. Making his way to his open kitchen, Uraborask looked into his fridge, hoping that there was food left in there before he left. With a sigh, Uraborask shut his fridge, the last bottle of...something...in his hands, "Guess I'll need to go shopping, although the muaka might till be good...Naw, no way that's the case unfortunately." Downing the bottle, a harsh taste lingering on his tongue and throat, Uraborask grabbed his machete, his few bits, an empty satchel, and made his way out the door. Heading for the Rig to find the trader who hired him. "Where did that trader say he was going to drink out his sorrows? Yoshimak's Hotspot'n'Sushi, I'm sure I can figure out where that is without any help."

IC: Zak-Yak (Mesi Tunnels) "Huh? You can see Zak-Yak and master still? Even when being super sneaky beaky boys?" Scampering his way over, Zak-Yak proceeds to stick his finger through Vent's form, immensely curious how he can see him but not touch him. "You see Zak-Yak, but Zak-Yak can't touch you...Why?" "Good job...Zak-Yak." And like that, Zak-Yak's whole world collapsed upon that one sentence, completely ignoring Providence. "Zak-Yak did good job for master? Zak-Yak is good servant to master?" Staring deeply into Varian's...eyes?..waiting for additional positive reinforcement. OOC: @Snelly @Burnmad @Dane-gerous @Vezok's Friend IC: Uraborask (Rig Outskirts) A few days dragging a muaka's corpse and one kavinika pack later, and Uraborask has finally made it back to the Rig. It wasn't that he necessarily hated the Rig, its just that he doesn't care for the crowds, the noise, the constant brawling, it was just to much for the quiet hunter. That's why he enjoyed his little shack, located off the Rig. No one knew who originally owned it before Uraborask, with rumor abound that Uraborask killed the original owner, but no one knew for certain. Passing the rough scrap iron fence, Uraborask made his way around the shack itself, passing the several mounted skakdi skulls, the reason for them being their stated on the signs hanging off the still attached spines, "Thief, Coward, Trespasser." All had tried their luck against Uraborask, and he tracked each and every last one down. Reaching the carving house located in the backyard, Uraborask forced open the metal sliding door with a unnerving screech, dragging the mostly intact muaka inside. Although one of the legs fell off due to decay and the sizable bites taken out of it and the jaw was barely hanging on, it was a good enough proof of kill. Unstringing his bow and leaving it lying next to the door within the carving house. Uraborask looked about the room, shelves and bins filled with a variety of empty trophy plaques, carving and taxidermy tools, and a workshop for maintaining his personal gear. Satisfied that everything is in place as it should be, giving a once over with his vision of deduction, Uraborask made his way to his little cabin home. Just to rest for an hour or two before venturing into the Rig and finding that merchant who sent him to kill the muaka in the first place.

IC: Zak-Yak (Mesi Tunnels) Half through towards bolting into a nearby tunnel and using his vision to turn himself ethereal, Zak-Yak was pulled back by the realization that he would be abandoning his newly awakened master and his friends? That was a weird concept Zak-Yak had to get his head around, but he at least knew that he needed to be useful. "Wait master, Zak-Yak has biggest brainiest idea." Getting the attention of Varian, Zak-Yak began to press two of his fingers from his left hand against his temple has he sat down upon his hindquarters, gesturing towards Varian with his mechanical arm, before a beam of faint, ethereal light launched out of his eyes, hitting Varian dead center on his chest. From the point of contact, a wave effect slowly spread across Varian's form, with the effect causing portions of his form to slowly fade in and out of an ethereal state, till at last, the entirety of Varian was incorporeal and impossible to see other than Zak-Yak's gaze...And unknowingly, Vent as well. "See, Zak-Yak is useful master as you're now in-visi-ble." OOC: @Snelly @Burnmad @Dane-gerous @Vezok's Friend

IC: Zak-Yak (Mesi Tunnels) Fear, that is something Zak-Yak has learned well for most of his life, whether it was fear of your fellows, fear of your masters, fear of the tunnels, or even fear of the things below. But for once in Zak-Yak's life, he didn't feel fear, in fact, he felt for the first time in his life confidence. Granted that confidence was heavily boosted by his master and his followers, but it was confidence nonetheless. "Yeah, we show muaka dung heads what real great being look like, all hail master aspect!" And with that, Zak-Yak was off, behind everyone else, but for once not hiding behind everyone else. OOC: @Burnmad @Snelly @Dane-gerous IC: Uraborask (Wilderness) Not bothering to stalk across the Zakazian landscape and making great bound and strides with his large size, Uraborask was quickly able to return to the spot where he killed the muaka alpha. Examining the corpse, he could tell that in the short few hours he had left it, decay had already set in. In addition, he could tell with his sight of deduction that that chunks were bitten off by the muaka's former pack. "In death, in illness, in injury, an alpha is nothing more than food for the pack. So is the way of survival of the fittest." But even given all that has the corpse has been through, it could still make for a decent trophy, and a proof of success. Now all he had to do was lug the thing all the way back to the Rig and find that skakdi trader who hired him to kill it. OOC: Open for interaction

IC: Uraborask (Outside Po-Koro) Giving Ulkarr his full attention, Uraborask attempted to stare down the aspect, to see if they would back down on their restriction, but even he knew the futility in such a feat and bowed his head down submissively to an apex of Zakaz, "I...Understand, the matoran and the toa are safe from my gaze." Raising his head from its bowed position, Uraborask once again stared deeply into the eye sockets of Ulkarr before continuing in a beastial hiss "But know this aspect, if any of them ever attack me first, then I will defend myself like I have always done. Put them to sleep and decide if they are worthy to be a trophy afterwards." Those last lines being followed with a snarling chuckle from the skakdi's jaw as he turned his back to the aspect to walk away. "Now, I must retrieve my trophy and bring you back an offering to seal our little promise." is the last thing Ulkarr hears from Uraborask as he proceeds to walk back the way he had came from, to retrieve his trophy of an alpha muaka and to get his contract for its head paid. OOC: @Toru Nui

IC: Uraborask (Outside Po-Koro) Uraborask considered this offer, and although he is not one for thought, it certainly took him a good few seconds before responding, "I will say now that I am no raider, I do not care to steal from these...Refugees. All I desire is to hunt and to get as close to the apex predator of Zakaz as I can, so sparing these camps change nothing for me, neither does being rewarded for hunting rahi and the occasional skakdi." Jabbing a claw in the aspect's direction to emphasize his next point, Uraborask continued, "But, I do not discriminate what, or who, I hunt. Zakaz is survival of the fittest, and if I were to find a worthy quarry, then I will claim my trophies from them. The matoran are safe from my gaze, none have ever demonstrated the potential to be a challenging hunt, but the toa, that is another matter." Ending his statement, Uraborask turns his head and leers at Arkius before giving a gruff snarl. OOC: @Toru Nui

IC: Sala (Fau Swamp) Sala knew this swamp as much as Sorilax has told him, and that is nearly too much for one matoran to keep track of, but Sala did know the basics of survival in the swamp. Stay out of the water, check each step before you make it, stay by the roots unless they have excessive plant growths, and if the swamp ever goes silent...run. That last thought sent a chill down Sala's spine, nearly making him hesitate in this whole endeavor of his, but what would Sorilax say? "What did I tell you about going alone, numerous predators and dangers exist in the swamp that can easily kill a singular matoran or even a toa, also, even if you watch your step you may just not notice whatever rahi are lurking within the trees, and another thing..." yeah, that is exactly what he would say, probably. Continuing his slow and careful trek through the swamp, Sala continued his trek to find the yellow Fau berries. OOC: @Kal the Guardian let me know if this is what Sorilax would say?

IC: Uraborask (Outside of Po-Koro) Making their way from Po-Koro, Uraborask turns toward the aspect, "So, what is your name aspect, what is it that I should call you?" OOC: @Toru Nui

IC: Zak-Yak (Mesi Tunnels) Frantically gesticulating back to the way they came, Zak-Yak cries out "Yes, yes, we should flee, flee! Other mesi do not appreciate the aspect's glory, they worship deeper, darker, scarier things." At this point, Zak-Yak can be seen quivering with absolute fear, with portions of him fading in and out of the ethereal state. OOC: @Dane-gerous @Snelly @Vezok's Friend @Burnmad

IC: Uraborask (Po-Koro Outskirts) Sizing up the predicament before him, Uraborask turned towards the aspect "Indeed, who knows what a scared animal may do." glowering at the toa to imply that he isn't wanted. Turning away from the village, Uraborask gestures for Ulkarr to lead the way. OOC: @Toru Nui @Onaku @Harvali

IC: Uraborask (Po-Koro Outskirts) Seeing little point in hiding, the only hope for Uraborask has in this not starting a fight would be an intimidation display. Stepping away from the wall, Uraborask stands to his full height, puffing out his already massive chest to add to his size. Lumbering closer to the pair of Arkius and Ulkarr, Uraborask spares a glance at the de-matoran who called him out thinking, "Weak little thing, calling to its alpha's to defend it from predators. Lucky for it, I have no need of it; yet." "I am Uraborask, Uraborask the hunter, and you are not my quarry today toa, so be wary to not become it." Uraborask growled at Arkius before giving his attention to Ulkarr, making sure to keep distance from the toa and the village in the event he would have to retreat. "Aspect!" he almost shouted, trying to gain his full attention "I seek to know of your intentions so that I may ensure that I do not intervene with them, and at best, to be granted the blessing this one so carelessly disregard." punctuating the last part by pointing his long arm and massive claw towards Arkius. "This is a precarious situation here. Skirting the edge of a herd may not immediately illicit an aggressive response, but after the attack that seems to happen not too long ago, they are sure not to tolerate me for long. As long as I can get what I want, I should have no reason to linger longer then I need to." OOC: @Harvali @Onaku @Toru Nui IC: Zak-Yak (Mesi Tunnels) Although it starts as nothing louder than a murmur, Zak-Yak's sounds of distress can be heard by Varian as Zak-Yak addresses him, "Oh no, oh no, oh no! Master, we must go. Members of my kind, more mesi, they are ahead and they are doing rituals and it not safe for Zak-Yak and followers." Zak-Yak ending his nervous rant gesturing to Vent and Providence and unsuccessfully attempting to halt Varian's progress by pulling on his leg. OOC: @Snelly @Burnmad @Dane-gerous @Vezok's Friend

IC: Vulimai (Turaga Sans Hut) "No, but there is something I need to know..." briefly hesitating, Vulimai wonders if questioning her turaga is such a wise decision before continuing. "Is what that toa said true? That you refused an offer of peace for this village?" A determined look lays now plastered across Vulimai's face, ensuring that she isn't going to leave without an answer. OOC: @Azibo

IC: Uraborask (Po-Koro Outskirts) Patience was the key for a good hunter, but patience can only do so much. Uraborask wanted to meet this aspect, for no other purpose other then to understand their plans and be ready to stay out of the way of them. Stalking closer, ever so closer, to the gates of this village, Uraborask caught sight of an obviously distressed toa, something he didn't want to bother with, but then his quarry appeared before Uraborask retreated from the shadows of the wall he was lurking against. Hopefully the shadows alone with help ensure his nondetection. Indeed it does, and the fact that this toa is refusing an opportunity like this is annoying to his sense of hunter's pride. Why is it that the apex of the ecosystem gives the prey the chance to flourish, when their are predators like himself ready to kill for that power. And the fact that the prey is refusing it, only makes it worse. Soured by his anger at the situation, his focus is loss and his kraata gives way his natural colors. Now only the gilly and the shadows of the wall are preventing sight of the massive skakdi lurking not so far away from the proceeding conversation. OOC: @Toru Nui @Onaku IC: Vulimai (Metru-Koro) No, that could not be true, this could not be happening. Why in the world would Turaga Sans endanger the matoran like this? Is it a ruse made by the League to sow dissent before their attack, or are they merely speaking the truth. The only way Vulimai could possibly know was to confront the turaga herself, and if it was true, then hopefully as captain of the guard he will listen to her and understand reason. OOC: @Azibo Going to confront Turaga Sans but anyone stop her if you feel inclined.