Sparticus147

IC: Vulimai (Kini-Nui) As her message went through to the Taku and Kilo chose to relocate himself and Atamai to the nearby bunker, her attention was taken by the muffled sound of explosions from the nearby valley wall. Tracing the trail of smoke, her eyes landed on the Taku, which was slowly repositioning itself near the portal. 'What in Karzhani, Knichou? Who the Karz is firing off explosives at a time like this?' She thought to himself, making her way towards the airship, trusting that Kilo and Atamai can handle things on their own. OOC: @BULiK @Tarn

IC: Apex (Fau Swamp, Air Suva Ruins) Landing within the waterlogged glade that surrounded the ruins, reeds and lilies covering the water's surface. Apex waited as the two Nui-Rama deposited Waveahk next to her, and flew off back in the direction of their hive, to continue with their usual duties. Turning towards the Steltian, she gestured towards the ruins structure as she began to ascend the stairs. "Come Waveahk, there are secrets to be claimed and power to be earned." OOC: @Toru Nui @Eyru

IC: Bronk (Ko-Pou) Bronk had no clue what was happening at Kini-Koro, all he knew was that things were happening and it didn't sound good. But Vulimai hadn't yet called for help, and so he continued his usual duties...That is until the voice of the Administrator came online and a door opened besides the Onu-Matoran. Looking into the space, he simply sighed. "She's goin' tuh want tuh here this one, ain't she?"

IC: Vulimai (Kini-Nui) “Yes, creating a container for the protodermis should be pretty simple." "Well, in that case, let me contact Toa Knichou and Nale." Turning away, Vulimai opened up communications and sent a message to the Toa. OOC: @BULiK

IC: Vulimai (Kini-Nui) Vulimai met Sidra's gaze as she made her request, her looking at the ex-dark hunter with a questioning gaze, before speaking to Atamai. "Toa Atamai, you've opened one of the bunkers. Would it be worth collecting this energized protodermis? And if so, could you create a sort of tributary to collect it all?" OOC: @Nato the Traveler @~Xemnas~

IC: Vulimai (Kini-Nui) "And when I killed Dume, my Rhotuka was the tool, that doesn't make it any less of a weapon." Though Vulimai wanted to focus onto the task at hand, Sidra's blatant admittance of killing the old Turaga Dume struck a cord. Though she didn't care for any of the Turaga of her past, the fact that the killer of Dume not only stood before her but also seemed to not fear admitting to their crime, it through her mentally off-track. It was the direct words of Kilo and Atamai bringing her back to focus. "Jutori needs medical attention, get him the help he needs, please." Drawing her eyes towards the collapsed Toa, Vulimai looked back towards her own troops, and saw the emotions that filled their faces, borne from Sidra's word. Some of the Matoran were taking uneasy steps back, fear in their eyes. Others clutched tightly on their disks, gritting their teeth in anger. Now wasn't the time for this debacle concerning a long dead old man. "Guards! Steady up, help the Toa get to the Ice Ruins Portal, find Toa Iradra." She barked out, not giving the Matoran anymore time to ponder the situation. And though some hesitated, and others didn't drop their gaze from Sidra, they did as they were told. Picking up Jutori, and helping Katrin with carrying Arkius, they went to guide the injured Toa to the Ice Ruins Portal. With the Matoran on their way, Vulimai at last answered Kilo. "The Taku is within Kini-Nui, over there," She said, pointing towards the two airships parked down hill from Kini-Koro, "I can radio Toa Knichou and Toa Nale and inform them of the situation. I can also radio Kini-Koro itself to get someone to relay a message to Tobduk-Koro and hopefully find Toa Stannis." OOC: @Onaku @Tarn @pokemonlover360 @The UltimoScorp @~Xemnas~ @Nato the Traveler IC: Apex (Kumu-Peninsula) "I do still have other questions, but those can wait for now." And with those final words, silence pervaded between the two beings as they neared the Fau Swamp once more. That silence did not last for long, as a faint thrumming noise could soon be faintly heard approaching. As the two of them left the black rock and gazed out, Apex would was gladly expecting the sight she soon saw, though who knows what Waveahk's expression was, when cresting the trees, came to orange Nui-Rama's, flying straight for their position. Whatever Waveahk's expression must've gotten even worse, when without prompting, the two large Rahi insects lowered towards him, claws out ready to grab him. The only solace he had from the situation being the calm of Apex and her next words. "Ah, it seems Kuini-Rama has heeded my request. Calm yourself Waveahk, for there is nothing to fear here." With the Nui-Rama at last reaching them, the two Rahi quickly snatched up Waveahk by his shoulders, carrying the Steltian up into the air as Apex followed along with her own pair of wings. Flying high above the mutagenic swamplands below, the two quickly soared above the vast green forest, a few points of interests located far out to the horizon and within the swamp itself. But the point of interest that mattered, was the particular ruins the two of them were headed towards, the Air Suva ruins. OOC: @Toru Nui Hope this is a fine level of puppeting. I'll edit it if you wish.

IC: Vulimai (Kini-Nui) "You guys gave the power of NUVA to one of the robots that subjugated your people like slaves? So much for learning from the past." Vulimai was quick to reply to Sidra, an edge to her tone at the insult towards Kilo. "Dume, Dume subjugated the Matoran like slaves. The Krahli and later the Vahki were only his tools." As she finished her response towards Sidra, and before Kilo could respond to her question, it seemed the Commander's question was answered by the arrival of a Toa of Fire and a Toa of Earth, the latter missing their mask. Instantly seeing the two injured figures, one of them being maskless, a death sentence to a Matoran or an injured Toa, Vulimai quickly turned and barked an order to one of the guards. "You there! Run up towards Kini-Koro and retrieve Toa Iradra. Now!" "Commander, Toa Iradra is currently at Ko-Pou." "Well then, that makes things easier." Reaching her hand up, she contacted Ko-Pou once more, commanding whoever was on the other side to immediate retrieve Toa Iradra and grab one of the spare Kanohi masks from the outpost's stores. Relaying her orders, she looked over towards the two Toa and Kilo, as she spoke to them once more, urgency in her voice. "What happened?" OOC: @Onaku @pokemonlover360 @Nato the Traveler @~Xemnas~

IC: Vulimai (Kini-Nui) Returning her gaze to the portal after her brief distraction with Atamai, a figure could faintly be seen exiting the portal. Gripping harder the launching mechanism of her shield, Vulimai was ready to let cry out a command the second hostility was seen. But what passed through that portal was thankfully not hostility. It was...Kilo? Lowering her shield launcher, she signaled for the other Matoran to do so as well, though inform them to remain and be prepared as she approached the remade machine. "...Kilo? Apologies for the welcoming party, though I knew you and the other Toa were heading for the ruins, I still couldn't be too careful in the case you all were compromised. This is Kini-Nui, over there is Kini-Koro. So, I'm guessing you were the one who achieved NUVA? And where are Toa Katrin, Arkius, and Jutori?" OOC: @pokemonlover360 @Nato the Traveler @~Xemnas~

IC: Vulimai (Kini-Nui) Briefly turning her head at Atamai's way, Vulimai spoke up from her spot. "Ah, Atamai, good for you to arrive so quickly. Toa Kat, Arkius, Jutori as well as Krahli Unit Kilo may have reached the Earth Ruins and activated the portal. But, none of them have yet to pass through. In the case that they weren't the ones who opened the portal, we need to seal the portal. I trust you can make something for that?" OOC: @~Xemnas~

IC: Vulimai (Kini-Nui, Outside the Earth Portal) Holding her position, Vulimai stood like a statue, while the other Matoran were slowly growing more anxious and concerned. So anxious in fact, that when Sidra appeared, one of the greener guards lobbed their disk at her, thankfully though they didn't bother to aim and it went wide into the treeline. Shouting a reprimanding bark at the guard, Vulimai turned her attention to the figure before her while the Matoran ran to retrieve his disk. "Expecting trouble?" "Maybe, three Toa and a Krahli unit should be exiting from this portal, but I'm not leaving anything to chance." Vulimai said, not even taking her eye off of the portal. OOC: @Nato the Traveler

IC: Apex (Kumu-Peninsula) "I do not fully know what you do and do not already know. I might as well share all that I am willing to share to save us the trouble an time." Apex plainly said, her focus seemingly being squarely towards the northern horizon, where the sky met the trees. Was she, looking for something? "And these Builders, from your reaction you seem to not recognize the name. That doesn't surprise me. To use another term, they were also known as the Matoran. They once lived upon the island. I know and/or remember little about them, other than that their ruins are scattered across it and that within them are the Taboos I seek." OOC: @Toru Nui

IC: Apex (Kumu-Peninsula, Shrine of Shadow) Apex huffed at the boldness of this one and the way they spoke, but she didn't allow it to grate at her too much. "I am Apex, Aspect of the Beast. And in case your knowledge of my kind extends into asking me this question, my grand wish is to restore the island to what it once was, before the Skakdi, before the Builders." OOC: @Toru Nui

IC: Apex (Kumu-Peninsula, Shrine of Shadow) "Then let us be off, for time is of the essence." The Aspect spoke, turning its attention northwards towards the Fau Swamp. Lumbering forth, one claw after the other, her gaze attempted to penetrate the mist and shadows that covered this land, as she reached forth, for a mind of one submitted to her. ~~~ The hive was prosperous. Under her rule, the hive grew and expanded, and though the physical hive itself did not grow, her control did. Rivals, competitors, other hives; they sought to supplant her dynasty, to claim her hive as their own, to spread the reach of their control over the vast green. But they all failed and now they all had fallen. She, had gifted her with a power, one of sound, that gave her a voice that could not be denied. She had been chosen, and though the cost was her supplication to Her, the black beast, that which bore darkness, it was a worthy cost. Though her mother, or at least the pitiful wretch she became, one who blindly sought to extend their own rule and to destroy the inheritance of their lineage, was contempt to remain within her dormitory, being tended too by her children, she was not. She led the charge upon the other hives, her voice droning out the voices of the other queens. And one by one, their hives learned to follow her, to speak in her voice, yet none could compare to the beauty that was hers. Power, prosperity, purpose, she had gotten all that and more, from one. single. deal. But her now peaceful rest, having conquered the homes of her competitors, was not meant to last, as She called to her. The conversation, or rather, the exchange of ideas and concepts, was brief. She sought to know if the once-princess, now queen, had maintained her promise; protecting the borders of the vast green and leaving the speck that was Le-Metru Nuva alone. She had. Then She, asked for a queerer request. She desired two of her hive to meet her, where the black rock of death had made contact with the once white beach to the south, in order to help carry...Something. The black beast apparently sought one of the old stones, one that they believed still stood. They wanted to know if the queen knew where it was. She did. Though she did not fully understood the request of the black beast, and why they sought one of the old stones, she did not care for it did not harm her hive. Besides, whether she desired to or not, she was beholden to Her. ~~~ Upon the queen's orders, two worker drones were sent off from the hive, to travel towards the southern tip of the Fau Swamp, where it met the Kumu-Peninsula, and meet with Apex and aid her with what she had requested. After that, they were to return to the hive and return to their duties. OOC: @Toru Nui @Eyru With a little help from Kuini-Rama, this trip is about to go a lot faster.

IC: Vulimai (Kini-Nui) Quickly moving out of Kini-Koro and down the valley towards the watchtower, Vulimai swiftly reached the site as she waited for the rest of the guards to arrive in order to be informed of their new duties. Though some had left when Vulimai spoke to them as a whole the month prior, informing them that she would not hold it against them to abandon a Duty they were not fit to commit. She was surprised by the conviction of those who remained, especially with how nearly all of them followed her in her steps when she allowed Whipser to infect her mask. Though they griped and they moaned, dealing with the constant rotations and on-the-duty hours, they still held firm and did their best. She was proud of her guard, but she still feared if they were ready for actual combat, in any capacity. Her thought process was broken, as nearly a dozen Matoran approached her from the Ko-Pou portal. Turning her attention to them, and calling out for them to assemble in an ordered mass, she spoke to them with an officers voice. "Guard Matoran, it has come to my attention that there has been an oversight in the defenses of Kini-Koro. The portals," She emphasized her point by pointing in the direction of one, "If information is to believe, there are supposedly six of these ruins that could open up portals to the valley. Though we understand the mechanism with which these portals activate, we do not yet know how to close them." "So, from this moment forwards, with collaboration from Quartermaster Bronk, a retinue of guards shall be stationed within the valley watchtower twenty-four seven. You all shall be the first stationed here. Now to fully relay wha-" Vulimai wasn't able to finish the relaying of her orders, as a rainbow portal materialized to the west of the temple, just south of Kini-Koro. Her worry and fear having boldly arrived, Vulimai instantly began barking out orders, "You there, on the end! Head towards the Ko-Pou portal and retrieve the half-a-dozen guards stationed outside. You, return to Kini-Koro and raise the alarm, get everyone indoors and the on and off-duty guards ready for whatever may arrive. Bring Toa Atamai to me if you can find them. The rest of you! Follow me and form a perimeter." And like that, the guard were off, with the two message bearers dashing off in opposite directions as Vulimai and her eight remaining troops made their way towards the new portal. The guards were fumbling to get there weapons out, with them being the inexperienced majority, them pulling out Kanoka disks while keeping their other weapons in their holsters and sheathes. Vulimai was the first to arrive, slotting out the freeze Kanoka for her weakening one, as she took position and aimed it the portal, anticipating an attack but aware enough to inform the others to only fire upon her command. OOC: @pokemonlover360 @Onaku @Tarn @The UltimoScorp IC: Apex (Kumu-Peninsula, Shrine of Shadow) "That...Should not be necessary. I pray that the knowledge I seek will simply be there for the taking, but that would be too easy, unfortunately." She rolled her eyes and head in an exaggerated manner, her already preparing for whatever annoyances or set-backs she is too expect. "And as for Xa, they are...Well...I am not fully sure who Xa-Kuta is or was. I only hold faint memories of my past, and their's is one that remains, if faintly. I do not know much about Xa-Kuta, other than she was one of my kin in times before and it is her writings that harbor the Taboos and knowledge of old. Now, shall we leave or do you hold more questions for me to answer?" Though Apex asked Waveahk if there was anything else he sought to learn, it was obvious she was growing tense and anxious, as her wings fluttered and shifted in place. OOC: @Toru Nui @Burnmad

IC: Apex (Kumu-Peninsula, Shrine of Shadow) "I...I am..." Apex wasn't sure what to do. She had come so far, yet it didn't matter, for the shadowy shroud that wrapped her mind still clung tightly around her memory. But a memory rose back into prominence, "Wait, I remember, there is a ruin that exists still within the Fau Swamp. A small shrine, but if my memory holds true, there may be knowledge there I seek. Waveahk, if your wish is to learn the secrets of Xa, then you may accompany me upon this journey once more." OOC: @Burnmad @Toru Nui

IC: Bronk (Ko-Pou) "Ah most certainly can Ms. Iradra, follow me." Exiting the portal room with the two Toa in tow, Bronk got halfway out of the ruins till another Matoran approached, holding a radio communicator. "Commander as a message for you Sergeant." Sighing, Bronk took the communicator before turning toward Iradra and Vashni, "Apologies ma'am, but duty calls. You there, guide these two Toa tu thuh afflicteds' housin'." Offering a brief salute, the Bo-Matoran began to guide the Toa of Light and Psionics out of the rest of the ruins. Exiting the ruins, the full extent of the frigid air that blew across the low frozen and permafrost hills, chilling the frame of those exiting the ruins and those stuck guarding the exterior. Walking down the steps, the two Toa were led towards a smallish structure on one side of the small, surprisingly unfrozen, lake that pooled at the base of the ruins. The structure was made of thick logs, using most of the spare lumber that was claimed when the forests were being cleared for Kini-Koro. A gated and locked door was the only apparent way in, with any windows being small wide cuts, placed higher than either the Toa could reach, even standing upon their toes. Two guards stood outside of the building, both shivering, even though a small fire brazier blazed nearby. OOC: @Onaku @Snelly IC: Apex (Kumu-Peninsula, Shrine of Shadow) "That could not be it," Apex growled to herself, not wanting to believe that she was beaten out of her prize, "No, I believe something else happened to those two, but I lack the knowledge of what. As for my knowledge upon Taboos, it is...Admittedly limited. Ten thousand years trapped within a cave will do that to anyone. But they are ancient rites, only accessible by my kind, and they are purportedly scattered amongst the ruins of the fallen Matoran empire that once ruled this island." OOC: @Toru Nui

IC: Vulimai (Kini-Koro) “The Earth Ruins. Toa Arkius, Kat, Jutori, as well as Kilo went to activate its NUVA door a month ago. If they solve the puzzles, then a new portal will open in Kini-Koro, one unguarded and unwatched. We … we might need to prepare for that.” 'Karz' Vulimai lightly said beneath her breath before turning away and activating her armor's radio, contacting the Ice Ruins outpost. "Quartermaster Bronk, inform any volunteers amongst the guards who are soon to be off-duty to meet me by the base of the valley watchtower. If there aren't any volunteers, then make some volunteers. I need at least a dozen Matoran for this." Turning back towards Kanohi, she addressed the Fe-Matoran directly. "Thank you Councilor Kanohi. Though we cannot be certain when, or if, they will manage to open the portal, but any potential threats need to be addressed before they become actual threats. But unfortunately now, it seems I'll have to speak with Aspect Whisper another time. You may find them if you wish, but I have duties to attend too. Thank you councilor for your time and input." And with that, Vulimai began to hoof it, missing the tall, golden glowing being that stood out amongst the crowd like a sore thumb entirely, and headed towards the valley watchtower. OOC: @Harvali @Kal the Guardian

IC: Apex (Kumu-Peninsula, Shrine of Shadow) Apex waited, and waited, and waited...Yet nothing happened, not even a feeling. Although Apex was glad that she didn't have to offer away the Taboo she had claimed, fury still raced through her as she let out a furious roar of frustration. Turning back towards Waveahk as he spoke, a glower still upon her face, she simply responded with a slight edge. "I'm...Not sure. These shrines hunger for the knowledge of my kin, the Taboos that we show fiercely and desperately crave. Yet, the Taboo I sought to offer, failed. My only other idea is...That the sigil upon this door is the Taboo that I must offer." OOC: @Toru Nui @Unreliable Narrator IC: Drukarus (Fort Nektann) Krrenchk. Drukarus recognized the Po-Skakdi, for they proved to be an intriguing foe during Drukarus' duels he conducted amongst the warriors. They fought unlike other Skakdi, while most would swing furiously with axe, blade, or club, this one fought with an once of intelligence and skill, their fighting style being reminiscent of the few martial arts that pervaded his old Zakaz. That implied skill, and their breed quirk made them far more deadly with such arts than a traditional Skakdi. But they still had their flaws. They were obviously inflexible, relying on their martial arts over all else. They also were fierce, near recklessly so, but no where near as bad as others. They had potential, but would need more training. Drukarus pondered this and more, as Krrenchk and Parnassus made pleasantries. “My business is that I’m so bored. I want to go pillage. To raid. To actually do something. And maybe finally get those Kraata I’ve always wanted. Hey, maybe even find a nice new weapon.” Admittedly, Barius had indeed been passive in his rule, a passivity that displeased the former warlord. Though Drukarus did not yet wish for the Warskak to go on the march, he did realize how idleness can unease a warriors mind and dull their mind. Letting out a brief grunt to catch the Po-Skakdi's attention, Drukarus spoke in his impassioned tones, assurance behind his words, "At ease Krrenchk. Soon the idleness of the Warskak will come to an end...I go now to speak with Barius himself upon this matter." OOC: @Conway @Kal the Guardian

IC: Bronk (Ko-Pou) It had been sometime since the League airship had entered the Relic Fields and subsequently left, as well as since their transmission of theirs was receive. Guards can only stand at attention for so long, till either something happens or boredom overtakes them. Thankfully, Bronk knew this, and after a good thirty minutes of nothing occurring, he put the troops at ease and sent them back to their usual duties. Working on double-checking the garrison's inventory, making sure that the extra supplies that were taken had been properly returned and checked in, the sound of the portal being activated the commotion of half-dozen Matoran drew him to the portal where Iradra and Vashni appeared. "I was informed my presence was urgently requested." Stepping forwards, holding the checklist he had under one arm, he spoke up to the Toa of Light, "I would say ya is late. But we ain't got nothin' for ya tuh even do in thuh first place. Seems like whoever commanded that League ship had other ideas than comin' tuh us." OOC: @Onaku @Snelly IC: Kini-Koro Guards (Kini-Koro) Two guards sat outside of the gates of Kini-Koro. On most days, they would be bored out of their minds, but having a fairly good view of the rest of the valley, they had a front row seat to all of the shenanigans that had been going on as of that morning. An airship landing, a whole bunch of gathering and talking, more than one odd individual showing up, and least of all, Skyra's disturbance of the peace. But the highlight of the day, probably was when the golden-lightemanating, long-arm swinging, pearlescent mask-wearing, backpack carrying, near Toa-like, and awfully articulate-sounding figure approached them and spoke. “May you kindly direct me to where I might find your leader, or perhaps the leader of Kini-Koro instead? I wish to inform them of the full weight of the Infected masks I hear some among you are wearing. Along with the true nature behind Aspects.” Looking between each other, the Ta-Matoran on the left looked over towards his Ba-Matoran buddy on the right, as they both looked back up towards Sorilax, infected masks on both of their faces. "Um...I'm not quite sure where the Commander is right now, as she really isn't in one place for long." The Ba-Matoran said. "Yeah, she's usually all over the place, always working you know?" The Ta-Matoran said. "I mean, you gotta give her credit though where credit is due. She seems like she never even sleeps or eats with the rate she's going." "Well, I've actually heard rumors that she doesn't eat or sleep. That's she's not even a Matoran, but rather some machine built by The Order of Mata-Nui, OoooOooo." "Man, you know that's just a urban legend. There is no such thing as an Order of Mata-Nui. It's just a story that non-Metrutoran's like to tell to scare us city-folk." "But it's true, I even heard some of the other guards mention them, like the soldier ones, the ones that apparently fought in the war!" "And what? You're going to believe some shell-shocked, cross-wired, mad lads? I'm telling you, there ain't no Order." "Careful man, Commander Vulimai is one of those 'mad lads'. If she caught you saying that, she'd have you run around the entire lake till you dug a trench with your feet." "Man, you're crazy. Here, let me explain why you are wrong. First off-" Quickly, the two Matoran forgot about Sorilax, quickly getting into a mildly heated argument over this Order of Mata-Nui business that Sorilax couldn't put heads or tails on. OOC: @Kal the Guardian

IC: Sala (Far Shore, Le-Metru Prison Spire) Approaching the main entrance to the tower, Juno led from behind while Sala walked in front, lumbering forwards in a manner similar to those struck with a Staff of Eraser. The entrance was plain and of solid steel, with no obvious ways of opening it except for a keypad onto one side. Reaching the door, Sala was left to stand and wait as Juno stepped forwards towards the keypad, pressing an illusioned device against it, with him whispering off-handedly to the Su-Matoran. “Rigged Vahki neuro-core, anything that requires one to gain access will accept this thing as the real deal. I’ll probably have to hand it off to you later, but for now leave most of this to me.” Sala only nodded in response, the response being unnoticed behind the chassis of Avagah. As the device was waved against the pad, a few moments passed till the door swished open, causing Sala to jump within the ACR, startled. Almost immediately before the two, approaching from the other end of the long metallic corridor that extended before them, were two Vahki, a Keerakh and a Nuurakh, both aware of Sala’s and Juno’s presence and coming straight towards them. Stepping around and in front of Sala, Juno in his veiled Vahki guise met the two mechanical enforcers as between the three came a continual whirr of information that Sala had no hopes of understanding nor comprehending. The constant noise ran for a solid minute, as Sala sweated within the ACR, fearful that they had already been caught. But something Dume had said back in Koro-Metru, while they were planning, came to his mind. “One of the most prevalent obstacles you two will face are the Vahki. But, as long as the two of you are smart, they will also be the easiest obstacles to bypass. The Vahki had been the faithful servants of this city, acting as its enforcers for many decades. But they are still fallible in many ways that a normal person wouldn’t be” “The Vahki are machines of logic and reason, and it is this inherent nature of theirs that is their greatest, exploitable weakness. Though a normal person may see through a Mahiki’s illusions simply through force of will, a Vahki will be all too accepting of what they perceive as real, with them being more than willing to accept any explanation for any logical fallacies to satisfy their own mechanical minds. Remember this, and you two will have full run over the place.” Silence filled the corridor, as the ‘conversation’ between Juno and the two Vahki reached an abrupt end, with the two mechanical security drones turning and walking back down the hall they came from, Juno quickly shoving Sala along with them. Sala wanted to ask Juno what had been said, whether he thought they were caught, that if there was now some sort of hindrance to their plan that they didn’t initially think of...But Sala, out of fear of ruining the plan himself, simply kept quiet and followed Juno’s lead. Reaching an elevator at the end of the hall, the four beings entered it and stood still as the doors closed before them as they began to descend in oppressive silence. With every second, Sala grew more and more anxious. “We’re caught already, no way the Vahki were that easy to fool. Was me being startled by the door? Or was it the way I walked? Did Juno say something wrong? Or did they have some means to see through his illusions-” As Sala’s mind rattled off on all the things that could have given them away and how they were undoubtedly caught, when the Nuurakh turned its head, and then body, towards him as it spoke out in its synthetic voice. “Citizen. Raise your hands for shackling.” Sala, being startled out of his mental downward spiral, only uttered a ‘What?’ before he immediately shut his mouth, realization on what he had just done instantly hitting him like a Kanoka disk to the face. For a few frantic moments, Sala tried to think of what he should do, before Juno spoke up. “Effects of Staff of Eraser either too effective for higher thought, or effects are wearing off faster than originally calculated. Recommend usage of Staff of Command in either case.” At which point, the other two Vahki looked towards each other, nodded, and then the Nuurakh fired its staff at Sala. Even though the beam made direct contact, the effect of it didn’t reach Sala, as the frame of Avagah absorbed the energy of it. But when the Nuurakh repeated its command, Sala was quick to do as he was told, raising his hands as a pair of manacles were clasped onto the hands of Avagah. If Sala could, he would’ve seen the widest, cheekiest grin on Juno’s face, though it was thankfully hidden by the Vorzahk illusion of his Mahiki. With a little ding, the elevator doors opened as the two Vahki stepped out alongside Juno, who commanded Sala to follow along in the same robotic voice. Exiting out of the elevator, Sala and Juno followed alongside the other two Vahki as the four of them traversed the solid, reinforced metallic hallways of the tower. The place was bare and oppressive, the walls not even being painted, leaving the solid sheen of steel to shine as fluorescent lights lined the way. Passing by standing guards and routine patrols, the two veiled intruders were offered a first hand look of the security within the facility. If things came down to it, the two of them would surely become over ranned far before they could even get a chance at escaping. Reaching a separate chamber through a side passage, a terminal stood on one side of the room while on the other was a large, currently empty holding cell, a semi-translucent barrier separating the cell from the rest of the room. Approaching the terminal, the Keerahk interfaced with the device, causing the energy barrier to drop as Juno commanded Sala to enter the cell, the barrier once more rising into place. At that, Juno turned towards the other two Vahki, letting out a belch of mechanical noise as he engaged once more in conversation with the two droids. After a brief moment, the three nodded towards each other as the two other Vahki left the room, leaving Juno and Sala alone. Juno was the first to break the silence with a whistle of surprise, “Can’t believe they bought that. Well, I mean, I can believe it, as it wouldn't be the first time the Vahki fell for something like this. But when they nearly got us in the elevator, I was sure we were done for, hehe.” “What did you say to them?” “Oh nothing much, just how I had apprehended you and was taking you in for criminal processing.” “Really, huh? Well, can you get these off of me?” Sala said as he stuck out his manacled hands, Juno wincing at the sight of it, “Yeeeeah...Well...I would, but it's going to look awfully suspicious if you weren’t handcuffed. Sorry pal, but don’t worry, we’ll get them off of you when we need to, ok?” Sala didn’t like it, the idea of his-, he meant Avagah’s, hands being bound, unable to defend himself properly. It was a recipe for disaster, but hopefully, they shouldn’t end up engaging in combat, especially if the Vahki continue to be so easy to deceive. “Ok, well hold tight for a hot sec, I’m going to look through this terminal and then I’ll get you out of there and we can go looking around. Good?” Juno held up his right hand, raising the illusionary staff held within it, perhaps him making some sort of hand gesture that was lost to Sala. Sala, for his part, sat and waited, as for several minutes, Juno scrolled through the tower's records and internal mapping, hopefully finding the key the two of them were going to need to initiate a jailbreak. With a triumphant Aha, Juno called out to Sala as he worked to open the cell. “Found it! According to this terminal, there’s a core control station hidden a few floors below us. There is no direct way there other than through a secure passage, buuuut, there is a ventilation shaft that you can take to get down there. Once disabled, the cell blocks should fail and the Toa be freed. From there, it's just a dash towards the evidence hold and then we can get out of here. Come on Sala, let's get this done.” And with that call to action from Juno, the energy field dropped as Sala rose from the spot on the floor, but before he could take another step, Juno stopped him. “Wait, you can’t take that. I can’t disguise it as a Vahki with my Mahiki and the Vahki will be alarmed if the recent prisoner isn’t in his cell. Besides, once we find the vent, what am I supposed to do with an empty suit?” Sala was...Hesitant to say the least. All of the strength, all of the power, everything that Sala had, was with Avagah. Without it, he couldn’t defend himself, he couldn’t possibly be able to do anything without it. Sala was about to refuse...When the sensation of his Kraata shifting distracted him. It was an odd movement, but one that was growing evermore familiar the longer Sala stayed in this plane. The movement, though no real words came with it, left a thought in Sala’s mind. Like that he wasn’t alone, like the Kraata metaphorically had his back. With great trepidation, the chest plate of Avagah rose up as Sala exited the ACR, closing the hatch and leaving the hollow, though still surprisingly realistic, machine behind, a shaky hand caressing the front of it before being pulled away. “W-Well...Lead the way.” Exiting the room and continuing forth, Juno led the way through the cold steel hallways of the prison-complex. Though his and Sala’s true visage were hidden within the guise of Vahki, Juno still made sure to be careful with where he went and led Sala, checking every corner and hiding from any passing patrols when encountered. Reaching a side passage from a T-intersection, Juno did a quick sweep of his surroundings before gesturing Sala to near. “Okay, this vent here should lead you down towards the core control station. Follow it and disable it however you can, once you do that, try to get back up here so that we can help the other Toa. I’ll go look around some more, got it?” “Y-Yeah, I got it.” Sala replied. “Good. Now let me get this vent open.” Reaching down and dropping to one knee, Juno placed his hands along the edges of the ventilation grate as he focused his element. Though the place was nothing but steel, that did not mean Juno was useless element-wise. With a great tug, and several stone pitons jutting from the wall where he materialized them, the grate came off as Sala hurriedly climbed inside, Juno calling out good luck to him as he returned the grate to its original spot. “Ok now Sala, you just need to follow this vent, find the core controls, turn it off, and then get back...It shouldn’t be that hard...Right?” Sala thought to himself as he clambered through the vent shafts, hollow echoes of his movements sounding out through the confined space...Hopefully not alerting any nearby of his presence and intrusion. ~~~ For several long, grueling minutes, Sala crawled along, following the ventilation shaft that he now found himself inside of. Continuing along the path laid out before him, he attempted to keep a straight and simple trajectory, not daring to lose himself in the many twists and turns within the claustrophobic space. But, as he crawled further and further, the more he grew concerned whether he would succeed in his goal. “What...What if Juno gets caught before I find the core? What if it is too well-guarded for me to turn off? What if...What if...Wha-” As Sala’s mind once more ran rampant with uncertainty and fear, over the success of the mission, he began to realize he was becoming evermore lost within the shafts. Then, a faint breeze wafted past. Looking down the passage where the breeze had come from, Sala was filled with dread as coming from around a bend came a whirling gale, it howled and shrieked as it launched itself towards Sala. Sala, quickly turning the other way, half-crawled, half-crouched away from the terrible shades of demented air, moving as fast as he could within the vent he found himself within. But no, it wasn’t a vent, at least not anymore. The vent, as Sala came racing down it, was shifting; the solid metallic surface turning into a fibrous mass of shadowy tendrils, sickly green lights casting the confined space in harsh shadows. Moving as fast as he could, following down the passage he found himself trapped within, taking whatever side routes he saw fit to go down, Sala attempted as hard as he could to escape the airy stream of death that sought him out. But no matter where he went, the winds followed him; their cries of anguish, of desperation, or fury, growing ever closer. As he fled, panic and fear began to grow within him, the hope that he would be able to return home slowly starting to die. But, turning around the next bend, a sight caught his eye; a brown and tan figure fleeing just out of sight down another bend just up ahead of him. Having no other real choice than to follow the lead of this mysterious figure, Sala increased his crawling pace, the winds ever hungrily upon his heels. Turning down tangled passage upon tangled passage, the figure ahead of him was always just out of reach, with only glimpses being caught. But, whoever this was, was either fast or something else, as more than once did Sala catch them rounding a bend, having covered a seemingly impossible distance before Sala arrived. But in other cases, Sala had also reached bends where it seemed like the figure was waiting for him before moving on. It was an odd affair, but as Sala continued to follow, the tight tendril-formed tunnels grew wider and larger, with Sala’s crawl turning into a crouch, then a shuffle, then a walk, and then an outright sprint. Now dashing as fast as his legs could carry him, the wind-born shades grew more ravenous in their pursuit. Turning at a bend, Sala did not see his mysterious benefactor, but no matter what, Sala knew he needed to keep running. As he ran, the corridor before him terminated into a dead end, but a faint golden glow shimmered on the other side of the black tendrils. With the gale of death streaming behind him, he had no choice but to keep running, he couldn’t stop. So bracing himself, Sala, with one final step, lunged forwards with all his weight as he hit the wall of shadow. ~~~ The vent clattered onto the floor as it was knocked off of its screw. Collapsing onto the floor after it, came Sala, who now laid prone upon the floor. The Vahki, tasked with guarding the core controls, were left with only a second to react to the Su-Matoran’s sudden appearance before they all raised their heads, a faint whisper catching their audio receptors, till a howling gale flooded the room from the vent. All around Sala, warded by a field of stasis, shrieks and wails were heard, the Vahki screeching in their mechanical voices as they were swiftly torn asunder, unable to defend against such an ethereal foe. But more than just the Vahki were destroyed, as the walls, consoles, and main core control unit were torn into; as near-invisible claws and hands ripped at the paneling and wiring, the screens shattering from the sound as metal plates from the walls and the remains of the Vahki were thrown about. The whole thing felt like it lasted for hours, but only a minute passed till the sound eventually subsided as it died with the wind, Sala at last rising from his spot on the floor, beheld the destruction around him, the only sound now being some sort of alarm, now blaring presumably throughout the whole complex. Lightly stepping towards one of the consoles that would’ve interfaced with the core controls, Sala went to see if it worked. But as it lightly sparked and started to smoke, he figured his job here was done. Now to find Juno. Before Sala could attempt to backtrack through the vent, the door to the chamber was pried open as a lone Vorzahk stepped in. Momentarily worried he was about to have to fight his way out, the Vorzahk spoke out. “Karzhani Sala, how did you do all of this?!” “Actually I-” “No matter, we don’t have time! All the cells and doors have been unlocked, we need to get to the Toa quickly before the Vahki reclaim control! Come on let’s go!” Quickly following along, the two left the now destroyed core control chamber, passing through what would’ve been the security that would’ve prevented entrance to the core in the first place, all deactivated, alongside several Vahki who have all been crushed by stone, Juno’s work clearly. The two disguised by Juno’s Mahiki, the pair didn’t even have to worry about the Vahki, as the mechanized security were in a frenzy attempting to reestablish order throughout the entire tower. At last reaching the initial holding cell they found themselves at, they quickly entered the chamber, Juno keeping watch, while Sala entered the cell where Avagah sat inert. Entering the ACR once more, Sala rose and pulled out the Air Hatchet. Looking towards Juno, who had now dropped his disguise and held two hand axes within his hands, the two shared a nod as they both realized what was to come next. “Time to save the Toa.” OOC: @Unreliable Narrator @Vezok's Friend @Eyru Part Four of Sala's Far Shore Adventure

IC: Vulimai (Kini-Koro) Walking alongside Kanohi, listening further to his words, a ping from her armor informed her that a radio message was coming from the Kini-Nui Watchtower. Though she initially wanted to accept the call, her attention was towards Kanohi. So simply returning a reply that was more or less, call later unless it is important, Vulimai pondered upon the Fe-Matoran's ideas. "To destroy the ruins...I agree that having some means of cutting off the portals in the case of emergency is a precedence, but I would prefer if we rather find a way to control the portals themselves rather than destroy the ruins in their entirety." "As for the Matoran, well..." Vulimai's voice trailed off, as her earlier argument with Ostrox came to mind, "...They aren't malicious I'm sure. They are simply ignorant. The League's justification for the war was only ever justification against our leaders, not the Matoran themselves. I'm not sure if seeing and interacting with more none-Matoran will help, but I don't think it will harm either. I'll ask them if any would be willing to assist in the protection of Tobduk-Koro, but I won't force them either." "Honestly, with the end of the old world, I thought more than a few people would see the futility in it all, but it seems that some still hold their grudges. On both sides." OOC: @Harvali IC: Apex (Kumu-Peninsula, Shrine of Shadow) In a normal situation, Apex might of flared her emotions at Waveahk's insolence and disrespect. But here, her pride meant little, and it meant even less to try to maintain it. "I did not mean offense. If anything, I had hoped you were going to prove me wrong. But it seems not." Approaching the dark edifice once more, Apex shivered at the malevolent glow of the taboo sign upon the door. She was afraid. Apex didn't know whether the sign upon the door was a message, telling her the specific taboo she needed to open the door, or the remains of a key, left by an Aspect long ago. But regardless, she had come too far to simply abandon her quest now. Raising up one of the smaller forelimbs, Apex placed her claws upon the wall, just beneath the sign, as her voice broke out into a rumbling rumble, it being like the silent shifting of sand , of waves lapping upon a beach, of tree trunks growing through the ages. Goodbye Mortal Soil Decrepit and Raw Shadow Born Cosmos Where I see all Hello OOC: @Toru Nui @Burnmad @Unreliable Narrator Apex is attempting to open the door using the Kraata Creation and Infection Taboo.

IC: Vulimai (Kini-Koro) Keeping an out throughout the village, taking mental notes whenever she saw something out-of-place or that needed doing, Vulimai made sure to listen to each word Kanohi said, nodding along as he spoke. With him finishing his offer, Vulimai turned her head back and replied to the offer. "A staff of regeneration, interesting, I don't think I've ever heard of such a thing. If you believe you can make Kanoka blades or these Kanoka staves, then I would be more than willing to offer whatever we can to aid in their construction. The Matoran guard need whatever they can to be able to fight on equal-footing with physically superior foes." "As for the weakness disks and Jutlins, other than the few none-Matoran residence amongst the populace of Kini-Koro, the masks would be appreciated but unneeded. The disks on the other hand, those we will gladly accept. In exchange for such aid, I find it more than fair to send a number of the guard currently stationed through Kini-Koro to assist with the security of Tobduk-Koro." OOC: @Harvali

Also, the refugees have been here for only a month. And as for any major or important bits of info. There was a village before Kini-Koro called Metru-Koro but that got bombed and abandoned All of the Barraki but Ehlek is dead. Last game, Pridak was killed and replaced by a Toa called Aurax, who now rules Metru-Nui and the League. There is this place called Mi-Kiri or the Aqua Sphere off the eastern coast. It is presumably currently being investigated by Ehlek and his army of Vahki from within his flying Vahki Hive fortress. These temples are capable of granting the power of a NUVA to whoever can solve their puzzles and use a great disk. Anyone nearby when this happens gets Nuva Proxima. So far the Ice, Stone, and the Earth ruins have already been used with one group having the remaining great disks for the other three temples. There is a 300ft tall Tahtorak that constantly has a storm around it somewhere on Zakaz. There's some deep lore primarily revolving the fact that the Matoran used to live on this island but left it for reasons inside of the Great Spirit Robot. In addition to the 300ft tall Tahtorak, there are currently to 100ft tall Kaita Mechs unlocked by the NUVA characters that only they can pilot. I believe this is everything of significant relevance.

IC: Vulimai (Kini-Koro) “I … you have given me a starting point at least. I would like to wait, but Councilor NU and I should probably return to Tobduk-Koro sooner than later. I know our idea was suicide. And clearly I … I am not strong enough to face a war again.” "Kanohi..." Vulimai spoke out to the Fe-Matoran in the same gentle tone she spoke to him back at the Alp, though she momentarily hesitated in her speech, pondering whether she should say what she thought was needed to be said. But, Kanohi, even though he did not live within Kini-Koro, was still one of her charges. Placing her hand upon his shoulder, Vulimai at last spoke, soft and saddened. "...No, you are not strong enough for war. But no one is. No one is strong enough for war itself, they simply become strong enough to carry the burden war leaves you. I hope that you never need to be so strong, Kanohi." And as those last words left her mouth, Vulimai once more warded herself, removing her handing and reassuming her professional manner. "I am personally loathe to start trade with Metru-Nui, mainly for maintaining the secrecy of Kini-Koro. But, that secrecy may not matter anymore, as a presumably League ship was spotted from Ko-Pou, headed towards the Relic Fields. Odds are, they saw the structure and are going to report back to Aurax. So if anything, the offer of trade may at least protect Kini-Koro from Aurax for a time." Turning around, she began to follow her patrols once more, with Kanohi following besides her if he so chose. But even if he didn't follow, Vulimai made sure to say one more thing at least. "And the idea of using Councilor's NU's staves to sense through whoever we send is a clever idea. Thank you for presenting the idea, Councilor Kanohi." OOC: @Harvali

IC: Apex (Kumu-Peninsula, Shrine of Shadow) Following Waveahk's gaze towards the currently still sealed doorway, she let out a short chuffing sound. "If you believe you know how to open the passage, then you are welcomed to try. But, I doubt you hold the knowledge that the door seeks to open it." OOC: @Toru Nui