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  1. The Last Guardian Written by, Grant-Sud Walking on the barren desert sands, the three Matoran trekked onward in complete darkness. There wasn’t a light to be found in the land and the sky held no stars or moon. The sun hadn’t set on the world in the last five hundred years, and the rivers had long ago dried up. Despite that, the air was damp and warm.Toreck stopped, and glanced over his shoulder with a worried expression on his face as he casted his gaze upon the far sands behind him. His two friends came to a halt, their backpacks clanging with equipment. The Onu-Matoran, Retra, spoke first after a short moment of stillness.“Do you see them?” she asked. In these surroundings her black armor made her appear almost invisible to the naked eye. Only her green eyes were noticeable.“No.”Toreck continued to watch in silence, his Ruru activated to reveal what was in the darkness around him.“Do you think they are still following us?”“Yes.”They watched the lifeless sands below, riding the wind in waves, fluid in motion and colorless, as their Ruru’s didn’t allow color while in use of its power. They could see no other movement. But that didn’t mean they were alone, and that’s why the light feature of their masks were being unused.Retra slipped the pack from her shoulders and placed it on to the ground. Toreck intensified his own mask of night vision’s power to full, trying to get a better view of things. Shifting through her gear, she checked the rations they had left. About a week’s worth, more than enough time to reach their destination and head home. Inside she also found three lightstones covered in cloth and a Hau. Sighing, she zipped up the pack.“You didn’t bring weapons either, did you Moru?” she asked the quiet Le-Matoran who carried the lightest bags.“Besides a few disks, no,” he replied simply. “I felt that if we encountered Rahkshi threats out here, no weapon at our disposal would be efficient enough.”He sounded cold, but was only naturally so in speech. His face was also filled with slight disappointment at what Toreck had told them.“I … I think we should just continue on,” Toreck decided. He was a Ta-Matoran, the leader of this small group. And though Retra and Moru could always detect a small amount of nervousness in his voice, which was his nature, they knew the Ta-Matoran’s loyalty and determination always overcame his frightfulness. “If we find what we’re looking for, we’ll make it through no problem.” He finished that last statement with a reassuring smile.“If we find him,” Moru added quietly.Then Toreck shouted in sudden surprise as his sight was filled with a harsh light. He yanked his mask off and threw it to the ground. His vision blurred as he took in the brightness surrounding him. Moru and Retra, who had their masks set on a lower level, squinted and deactivated their masks entirely.On normal vision, the three Matoran looked upward to the sky above where one large square of light shined on the land. Toreck rubbed his eyes and looked out over the expanse. He could see everything, and his heart sank at the sight of the endless wasteland. Only sand and rocks.The light above flickered.“I don’t know why …” Retra started, but hesitated as she sought the right choice of words. “I wish I could have seen this place when it was worth fighting over. I can’t understand why no one minded living and fighting for a cage.”“It was a place meant for us, they used to say. It was a home.” Toreck explained to her, though he himself couldn’t truly understand the sentimentality of this world.“We should keep moving,” Moru interrupted, unsympathetic to what he saw. “Our home means much more to me and I want to see it again. I don’t ever want to come back to this empty shell of Mata Nui.”With that the Le-Matoran turned and continued down the lit way, not bothering see if his friends were following. He knew they were. It was only a good minute later that the giant lantern in the sky short-circuited, a sharp pop echoing across the land. Glowing sparks rained from the once again darkened sky, falling as mixture of ash and sand around them. And though they couldn’t fully understand why, their equipment and hearts, felt much heavier.***The tent flapped as the wind blew against it, shuddering and threatening to blow away at a given moment. Retra was confident though that the spikes she had placed into the tent would hold despite the softer surface.A small heatstone was placed in the center of the three Matoran. Moru was wide awake and staring into it, as was Toreck who took in the warmth like a long lost friend. Retra rested in her sleeping bag, eyes half closed. There hadn’t been much discussion, which was rare for them, but not necessarily unexpected. It had been a long journey into the old Matoran Universe. The three of them had been close at their Koro and knew each other well. And talking about their falling conditions and predicament was just… something they didn’t want to spend their last conversation on, if it happened to be so.Not only that, but the Matoran Universe was such a quiet world, so unlike Spherus Magna.Moru however, was not a Matoran to let difficult subjects get in the way of his questions and answers.“What do you think they are doing here?” Moru asked Toreck. The Le-Matoran then winced at his question but couldn’t help but slightly smile. Why was it that people, including him, were so drawn to his Ta-Matoran friend? They looked to him for confidence even though he seemed to have no real sustenance for his faith.“I’m not sure. Rahkshi are rare… and to be honest I wasn’t expecting any to be around here.”“They were sent after us,” Moru explained, already knowing the answer, just wondering what Toreck thought of it.Toreck raised his hands up to the heatstone, and rubbed them together after a minute. He struggled with his words for a second, but only muttered one.“Yeah.”“Maybe they know about it,” Retra said quietly. She was a strong Onu-Matoran, an excellent miner and construction expert. But though she had these skills, she was the youngest out of the three of them and often expressed either high confidence or worry. “We just need to find him before they do, that’s all,” she added with a smile, shutting her eyes again.“I agree,” Toreck told her as he fell on to his back, ready for sleep himself.Moru stayed in his sitting position.“And once we find the Toa, all our problems will be over.”The Le-Matoran glanced over at his friend, who spoke too joyfully.“What makes you so sure? Why do you think that this Toa will solve everything? That he’ll even be here, all the way out in the middle of nowhere?”Frowning in response, Toreck didn’t meet his gaze and shifted against his makeshift bed.“I don’t know for sure if the Toa will be here. But I hope he is. And if he is, I know he’ll start something, he’ll prove that we stand a chance.” Toreck shifted upward then, somewhat excited as he finally met his friend’s eyes. “Haven’t you ever thought about that? It’s what we all dream to be one day, a guardian. And this person might make that dream come true. It’s worth this journey, because it’s the only way our people are going to make it. And we will.”Moru didn’t say anything in response, but considered. Retra’s eyes were wide open once again, and she took in Toreck’s words like a revelation she hadn’t acknowledged before. “And tomorrow, we’re going to find him,” she finished, a smile on her face.Snuggling back into her covers, she tried falling asleep again, as did Toreck who felt safer and didn’t worry about the Rahkshi for now.Moru was the only one who couldn’t sleep so easily.***“Are we close?” Toreck asked, turning to Moru. The Le-Matoran’s vision was limited to what he saw ahead, but his own Ruru could make out the lines and notes in his stone map. He placed a finger to the tablet and scrolled it slowly upward, murmuring to himself before looking upward and giving a definite nod.“Very. Just a few more miles and we’ll reach the fortress.”Step after the step the group took in the darkness, occasionally glancing over their shoulder for the Rahkshi they could only assume weren’t around. Perhaps they had given up days ago, which would explain their absence for so long. Retra had commented that from the stories she had been told, Rahkshi rarely gave up a hunt, which worried the three even more. If they were still looking, wouldn’t they have caught up by now?The sheer cliff appeared abruptly in their path, a giant wall of rock upward miles high. They had had plenty of time to notice it through their masks, but still the magnitude of such an obstacle surprised them. They hadn’t seen much of anything besides desert since they had begun their journey into the robot’s shell.“It’s somewhere along this wall,” Moru said disappointingly. “I’m not sure which direction for sure.”“Just estimate the best you can, my friend,” Toreck encouraged. “And what are we looking for exactly?”Moru smiled and laughed halfheartedly. “You know what we’re looking for, the entrance into this Dark Hunter Fortress. It should be marked by a large black stone...” Scratching the back of his head in thought, he pointed to the left. “I’m going to say it’s in this direction, if my calculations are correct. But there’s no way of knowing which part of the wall we’re at, and it goes on for miles.”“I’ll try to pick up anything that’s hallow in the rock,” Retra added, walking close to the cliff-face and pressing a hand against the stone, a natural ability granted to Onu-Matoran.Making their way along the wall, Toreck and Moru kept a sharp eye for any color difference in the stone, which was difficult while seeing through night vision. Retra kept her eyes closed, feeling out for any abnormalities.“I feel it!” Retra opened her eyes and pressed both hands to the rock. It had only been a good ten minutes, much better time in locating the entrance than they had expected. “It’s nearby, there’s an opening inside, no doubt.”Toreck quickly ran ahead searching for any kind of col-And then a large boulder in the cliff, volcanic black in color was before him.It took a few minutes for Retra to locate the secret hatch buried in the sand underneath it. With a sharp pull, she removed the latch and the bolder slowly slid out from the cliff, revealing a square opening that reached far into the mountain’s side. The entire opening was built of steel with sand spreading across the floor. Toreck took a quick look inside, and slowly entered, followed by his friends.The stone closed shut behind them, leaving them in perpetual darkness. Assured of being alone now, the three Matoran removed their masks and retrieved their lightstones. Toreck placed on his Mask of Flight, Moru his Mask of Accuracy and Retra her Mask of Strength.Now immersed in regular light, they made their way through the long and abandon corridor.***“If Lariska was right about everything…” Moru started.“It’s here?” Toreck asked, awed by what could be beyond the steel hatch. The door was hexagon shaped and glowing at the edges was a white light. His excitement was evident by the way his fingers twitched at his sides. This was it.“Yes. Trapped in the Shadowed One’s Throne Room, is where we’ll find the Toa. This should be the chamber. Now when the Toa wakes up, we’ll need to be easy with him. He’s not going to understand a lot right away.”“Retra,” Toreck turned to her. “Do your stuff.”“On it,” she said, grinning from the edge of her mask to the other. Quickly, she slid down to her knees on the right side of the steel hatch. There, she began to study the code construct, riddled with an old Matoran Language and other odd symbols.“Set up the lightstones around me?” she requested, and the two did as they were told. Placing one right beside her, she quickly located another stone tablet from her own pack. Notes and sketches were written across it. Lariska had theorized at the code word when she had told the legend years back, so they had a good idea of what it was. But the translation from the Spherus Magna Language to the Matoran Language was a difficult one. If anyone could do it, Retra could, having studied up on the history of the Matoran Universe as much as Moru.“Okay…” she pressed a button and then another on the panel. “Yes! This is it!”With a sudden lurch, the door’s hinges unhooked and a dust cloud formed around them. The door slowly rose upward, descending-And then it stopped.“Hold on,” Retra said, activating her mask. “I think it’s just caught.”She moved to the hatch and held on to the underside of it. She started to lift with a heavy grunt.“Toreck,” Moru tapped on his friend’s shoulder. He had a distant look in his eye, the Ta-Matoran. It was as though he was in a dream and wanting to live it. “Toreck… listen.”Blinking, his friend concentrated on Moru.“I know what you think, that this Toa will be the start of something great, and yes I think it will change everything too…” he looked a little saddened. “But don’t ever think that we’re not worth-”“Got it!”Another roar of the steel grinding against stone, and the door automatically lifted, with Retra standing in its opening. She didn’t say anything, couldn’t say anything at the sight before her.Inside was a large dark room of polished stone, to the far left a massive throne and around the room along the walls were shelves and shelves of masks and weapons. The weapons looked personal, not powerful but having significant value to them. All the masks were scarred, as though their owners had all perished at the marks long ago. But it was how she was seeing these things, from the light source at the far end of the room right across from the doorway that had stopped her in her tracks. There was a large container, cylinder shaped, transparent with a tall figure standing upward and frozen inside. The cylinder emitted a light like one from the heavens, light blue and pure, which revealed the features of the being. There was no room for doubt in the Matoran’s heart. And though she had never seen one before, she still knew what she saw.It was a Toa.And then abruptly, the placed lightstone beside her shattered into pieces. Retra, half dazed and half surprised by the sudden disruption, slowly turned to look over her shoulder.The heat from the laser as it made its way across the ground before them seemed to come in slow motion to her. She could only watch it frame by frame, unable to move in a sudden fear that had taken hold of her. Only one word came to mind as the beam swiftly moved upward and cut into her armor, body and mask.‘Rahkshi.’Struck down without mercy, Retra fell to her knees, her body smoking from the new scar that was etched into her. Her eyes seemed dead and she collapsed on her side.“Retra!” Toreck cried out in devastation, not fully taken in by what had happened. The next beam cut across the wall and toward the two Matoran left standing.“Move!” Moru grabbed a hold of Toreck’s arm and pulled him into the chamber the laser slicing above their heads.Moru glanced upward, seeing the attack barely miss striking the Statis Tube where the Toa was held.Quickly, he reached behind his back, activating his mask on full power and swung out with his acquired disk. A level three teleport disk, which soared directly at the body of the orange colored Rahkshi. The creature fired another stream of heat which missed the disk and instead struck the right arm of Moru. The Le-Matoran cried out in pain as the Rahkshi immediately disappeared by the disk’s effects.“They’re…” Moru sucked in his air. “Trying to kill the Toa.”Toreck’s eyes widened as he turned to find two more Rahkshi right outside the hatch. A red and brown one, evil looks to their eyes which were said to be that of a dreaded Makuta’s. He lost track of his breathing as the events unfolded far too quickly for him. Moru rushed forward, shoving Toreck out of the way and outstretched his arms as a wave of power erupted from the brown Rahkshi’s staff. Uplifting dirt in its wake, the Le-Matoran took the energy in full, stopping it from reaching the Toa.A saddened look to his face, the Le-Matoran fell backward, armor scarred and marked and ripped apart. His mask had been half disintegrated from the attack. Toreck shouted out his name but Moru couldn’t even hear it and only witnessed his friend by fading vision as he took him in his arms and leaned over him.“I… I… I protected … for you… make sure, they… they can’t be allowed … the last…” he didn’t have any more control of his lungs after that, but he strangely felt no pain, and just watched his friend as he screamed deafly. He gave a prayer that’d Toreck could make it through this. That he wouldn’t see his friend on the other side so soon.And then he passed away.Toreck cried, unable to fight back and unprepared for the sudden loss of his companions. He was supposed to be stronger than this. He was supposed to fight, like Tahu had taught the Matoran long ago. A reason to exist was what they needed to live, as the Great Toa had said. But Toreck couldn’t remember why he was living right then, not when everything had been taken from him.On the outside, as the Rahkshi of Fear began to move into the chamber with its brother, Retra slowly reached upward with her arm, and retyped in the code she had punched in. She didn’t think about what was next, only the present. After she was done, the Onu-Matoran fell back into the ground, eyes dimming as the hatch began to seal shut. The Rahkshi hissed in anger and turned to her, seeing the smirk on her face.“Tell the Toa, I said hi … okay Toreck?”Then she died before the sons of Makuta could kill her.***Erratic breaths were pitifully drawn from Toreck as he watched the hatch close and seal. Tears in his eyes, he realized he had been given a chance. There was still an opportunity to finish the mission and retrieve the prize. And he was wasting it.Moving slowly past the corpse of Moru, not barring to watch his friend any longer, Toreck approached the Statis Tube. He placed a hand against the glass, and slowly slid it across the container until it reached the smooth stone wall. There, a single lever waited.He pulled on it, and the prison’s glow faded away. The glass opened, steam filling out across the room. When it cleared, there the Toa of Psionics stood leaning slightly against the wall with unlit eyes.***…Norik…She inhaled, gasping as though life had always been across the street, waving and smiling but never rushing to meet her. Her eyes started to glow and her legs unbuckled from beneath her as she fell.Then she felt hands desperately catch her torso and hold her up for a moment before being laid to the cold ground. She couldn’t make out anyone before her, though she knew someone was there and she only couldn’t hear.Dizziness struck, her vision blurred and as her body received the air it needed she immediately felt as though she needed to sleep again.But she refused that call. Somehow, she knew she had been asleep for a long time.Movement against her side for too long, she slowly started to make out the muddled noise reaching her ears. Opening her eyes again, she noticed the small red being beside her. It looked familiar, but she couldn’t recall its name, though it was in the back of her mind, somewhere. He shook her body, pressed his mask down toward hers and started to speak.“You…” she could make out.Grudgingly, she moved her arms up and pressed her palms to the floor slowly lifting herself up. She fell, and tried again as the ringing in her ears stopped.“Who…where am I?” she asked, her voice not her own. Though she couldn’t remember exactly what she sounded like before. The room was very dark, and besides a noticeable throne at the end of the room which looked all too familiar, she couldn’t recall where she was.“You’re female!” the red being responded in surprise. “I- I’m sorry, we had just assumed, because of the legend.”For some reason that answer confused her all the more and before she could think about what she was saying, she spoke.“Of course I’m female, I’m a Toa of Psionics.”And then with that word, Toa, memories started to burst free from the dam of her mind. Too many memories; fighting … for something, living in unnamed lands, working with unnamed teammates.Except for the name, Norik. She could remember that one.“What was I thinking… you were around before the time of Spherus Magna,” the little one started to ramble on. “But that’s fine! You just said it! You’re a Toa! I … Toa I …” and then he started to tear up a little and placed a hand on her shoulder. “I’m glad …” he half finished, too emotional to end his statement correctly.“Where am I? Why can’t I remember …” she moved his hand away and pressed both her palms to her forehead as she sat up. Immediately her attention was drawn to the other side of the room. There a large door with smoke spewing out the sides, started to rumble.The red one looked frightened as he looked over as well.Matoran! He’s a Matoran! Her mind screamed.“Listen to me! I don’t have much time to explain… Toa of Psionics, you’ve been imprisoned for years, hundreds of years. You’re still suffering from the effects of Statis, but it should wear off soon. My name is Toreck, and, uh and I’ve, I mean we, have been looking for you, for a long time.”His words were jumbled together, as though he was unsure what he himself was doing there.Some of it made sense, she was a Toa, and she could remember sleeping. She didn’t remember having dreams though.“Varian…” she finally responded. “That’s my name.”“Toa Varian,” he said, firmly in a tone of kindness that made her meet his eyes. “There’s a prophecy that says you are our salvation, you’re a Toa who’s supposed to be able to defend us, and save what we lost. This is going to be hard for you to understand, and I promise I’ll explain everything soon…” he was interrupted by another rumble that struck the hatch. “You are the only Toa left, Varian. For four hundred years, they’ve been missing. That means,” he continued slowly. “You are the Toa in the prophecy. And I need your help. The Makuta’s sons are right outside.”Toa from a prophecy… she couldn’t remember ever being associated with things like that. She only remembered bits and pieces of her life before. Like how she and Norik had been betrayed by a Dark Hunter, how she had been able to negotiate her imprisonment for his life. She remembered roaming the universe, wanting to be able to grow into an accomplished Toa who lead the team, instead of the scout her powers allowed her to be. Day after day, running around in the large universe taking down the bad guys with her friends by her side had become tiring and she grew exhausted. She hadn’t been strong enough to handle the constant blows, and that had gotten her captured.She couldn’t break the hope of this Matoran, but how could she lie to him? If there were no Toa left, then experience was telling her that the world had changed for the worst.With a slight cough in her sigh, still not having fully recovered from the Statis effects, Varian answered.“And if, that prophecy was wrong and I’m not who you say I am? What if I’m not this Toa you need me to be?”Varian watched Toreck’s expression lower and his eyes dim. He looked as though he didn’t have an answer for that question.But when she looked down the floor and started to stand upright fully, he spoke.“Legends say that a Toa is someone who protects and strengthens others. They’re loyal, as strong as they need to be and put others needs ahead of their own. They choose a path,” a rumble from the door and it started to glow bright orange as the metal melted. “And stick with it, no matter what obstacles fall their way. Is that true Varian?”She laughed a little at and shook her head.“Yes. It’s never that easy, but for the most part it’s true.”Toreck smiled.“Then you’re everything I’ve been searching for. For me, you can’t be anyone else.”With a hiss and the bending of metal, the hatch door blew off the wall, clanging unto the ground before the Toa and Matoran. Three Rahkshi made their way into the chamber, watching for movement and the thirst for death on their minds. Their armor reeked of it. The red one, a Turahk, roared ferociously as it caught sight of the Matoran they were searching for. With a moment of hesitation it noticed a new creature standing beside it. Taller, lean and gold and blue in color. It had never seen anything like it before, and it felt no sense of fear from the being. That was fine though, because a Rahkshi of Fear was also never afraid. What could match its power, what could terrify fear itself?At least, that’s what it had believed, until the being before them opened its glowing, furious, light blue eyes.***The first blast of energy that struck the Rahkshi was so abrupt and forceful, that the dark creatures were pushed off their feet and into the stone behind them. The attack was transparent, but the air was noticeably pulsing as it flowed forward, tinted with blue. Dust leaped off the walls in a cloud, moving in an upward formation like a spiraling wave from the ocean.The orange colored Rahkshi pushed itself up, anger screeching from the Kraata. Its eyes started to burn like fire, a charge of heat building up.The Toa raised her hand and the head of the Rahkshi was pulled toward the left directly at its brother, Panrahk. With no way to expel its power, it fired the laser at its brother’s armor melting and cutting through to the Kraata inside.The Toa released its grip on the Rahkshi of Heat Vision, as the Turahk charged forward. Immediately it halted, seeing three of the same Toa standing before it. Growling, the creature released its negative power of fear to the Toa, watching as its essence spread to each one.“You think you can scare me? A Toa of Psionics always has her mind on the defensive,” it heard a voice say.All three Toa vanished as two strong arms reached around the body of the red Rahkshi, filling its thoughts with tiredness. The Rahkshi slowly stopped struggling and fell into sleep. But she made it start to fall deeper, until the Kraata itself wouldn’t awake for years. The Turahk fell to the floor with its armor clanging against the ground. She took a momentary look at her enemy, before turning to the last one.The Rahkshi of Heat Vision faltered in its stance as it watched the Toa, meeting her eyes. Charging its energy once more, it took a desperate shot.The beam passed through the Toa, striking her like a mirage.Two small holes were seared into the smooth wall, and a silence followed. The Rahkshi turned, and now couldn’t find the Matoran, who had been backing away since the fight began. It was alone.It could only find the dead like Turahk and sliced open Panrahk.With a whistling sound ringing in the creature’s ears, the last Rahkshi spun around at the noise. But it never caught sight of the Kanoka disk which froze it on the spot.***Varian held Retra upright in her arms while Toreck carried Moru. She had tried to take both Matoran, since she knew such a task was probably difficult for him, but he had remained stubborn. He felt partly responsible, he had said.The rest of the blame, Varian knew, was hers.Their loads included the two Matoran, three bags containing supplies such as food and masks, and one newly acquired Rahkshi staff picked up by Varian. They reached the outside of the fortress, greeted by a gust of sand which surprised the Toa. She took in her barren world, which was covered by night and dust. A lowly feeling came over her. What in Mata Nui’s name had happened to the Universe? Reaching out with telepathy, she found no source of life for miles. Everything was gone. She couldn’t even locate a Rahi.With a small push of her power, she created a proper grave large enough for both Matoran. Sand rushed around them as they moved into it, placing their friends gently down. Toreck had been the only one who knew them, and he spoke a few words. The Ta-Matoran spoke about how faithful they had been, and that their sacrifice wasn’t in vain. He said they were greatest friends he had ever had, and he’d take care of Moru’s pet ussal crab, Puki, when they returned home, and find a good place to keep Retra’s journals in the library.Varian gave a heartfelt thank you, and wished she had gotten to know the Matoran.With a wave of her hand, sand began to fill the hole and cover the bodies slowly.“Here,” Toreck said, passing her a Ruru. “You’ll need this to traverse the desert. It’s more efficient than a lightstone and less noticeable.”She took it and replaced it for her Mask of Fate. “Not that anyone is out here to watch us,” she replied.Toreck laughed a little. “Yeah, there isn’t really much here. But I guess to you, this place was home.”“What happened?” she asked suddenly, eyes stern and concern abundant. “You need to start telling me everything.”“I agree,” he replied, nodding. “Um… where to start? Well, let’s head out. Once we leave this Universe, things will get clearer.”“L-leave the Universe?” ***When she found herself outside the robot of Mata Nui, disbelief struck her.She was supposed to be prepared for it. Toreck had explained everything, starting from the Brotherhood rebellion which a lot of she had no idea about. He had explained Spherus Magna, Mata Nui’s purpose, the war between the Great Spirit and Teridax.Varian shaded her eyes with her hand, taking in the abundant plant life, the jungle that awaited them. She looked behind her, seeing the giant … which wasn’t the right word. Taking in the enormous metal shell they had walked out of and finding the sharp contrast between the two worlds. They continued their journey three days into the desert only to abruptly find life, and too much of it for her telepathic abilities to take. She reduced her elemental powers, lowering the mental radar she had activated.Walking through the jungle, she couldn’t help but be amazed at how large their Universe was. That after five hundred years, many parts of the robot hadn’t been used for supplies. That miles and miles of the complex universe remained untouched, rotting away. Karzahni, that it fit, barely took up any space on the planet of Spherus Magna at all!With the migration of Matoran, following Teridax’s fall, came a new dark age. The evil that had begun through the Matoran Universe spread to the same on Spherus Magna. Skakdi, Dark Hunters, the Brotherhood, Skrall … they all had a common enemy. Their enemy was still a new born, unsure of who to trust and how to function.In time, the Order of Mata Nui was reduced to nothing, and the Agori and Glatorian were forced to join into the society of the powers that be. Matoran and Toa were refugees, hidden and smuggled throughout the planet. With constant rebellions, power struggles, the Matoran race began to dwindle into a hand full and Toa, less than that. Years after when beings finally saw the corruption for what it was, and fought for a new peaceful world, Matoran had been long left alone.The lush bushes around them, dew dripping from the palm branches above their heads, looked too peaceful for a planet of war. But then again, there weren’t many to fight against one another any longer.The Toa had lost.Toreck had explained how a Great Toa, Tahu, had led an army against the most corrupt part of the new society. Toa had been being killed for over a hundred years since arrival, planned and assassinated by a new being who had appeared from nowhere it seemed, Marendar. The Toa had led a battle to kill this … machine, a final fight to the death.Varian still had a hard time believing that the Toa would sacrifice themselves in a fight they couldn’t win.“It wasn’t so much that the Toa wanted things the way they used to be,” Toreck explained while they walked. “Things were too far gone for that. Tahu put it best, and his words are in writing still, which we’ll see when we get home. He said that, “We all have a reason to live. We just need to find it ourselves. And though Spherus Magna has no place for us, I refuse to be treated so unjustly. If Spherus Magna won’t remove the evil of Marendar and the Kings who now rule with darkness over the planet, then we Toa should stand against it. Because that’s what Toa do, believe and put faith in what’s right, even to the point of surrendering our own lives.”Toreck stopped at the end of a steep cliff where the tree line ended and an open expanse was revealed to them. Varian looked out to the world and gasped at its sight. There were tall mountains that were covered by light fog and jungles, reaching far into the clouds. Rivers poured out from its cliffs and throughout the land. She saw giant bird Rahi, soaring above them in clear skies. It was nothing like she had ever seen before; the world fascinated and terrified her.Her Ta-Matoran companion didn’t even give it a second glance, and leaped off the slope, gliding down with his mask power. She stared at him, still slightly dumbfounded by the Matoran ability to use masks, and followed.Marendar was killed in Tahu’s final assault. They said that a Legendary Toa, one of no name, but with a destiny that was meant for no other, struck the final blow to the monster. The battle field was said to have been lit by a bright light, so intense that some said the stars in the sky now burned twice as brightly in admiration.However, from then after, no Toa had ever returned and none had ever been found again.That battle held great significance. Beings began to view Toa as a lost race, and held respect for them. The long disbanded members of the Order of Mata Nui, was reorganized with beings of all kinds. The few Matoran populations that were in hiding and slowly reducing in number were contacted and joined together by the New Order of Light. It was run by a former Dark Hunter known as Lariska. Her organization was sponsored from her old ties to the Shadowed One’s disbanded crime syndicate. Lariska and her people found the Matoran; smuggled supplies from their universe so that construction of new Matoran could be made. It was a rough process, and the calculations that were made by the Great Spirit no longer were placed into the formula. It resulted with new born Matoran having no connection with the old universe. Genders were random for every element type. Mental inhibitors were unlocked which allowed mask use. And destinies were no longer obtained.While the Matoran population grew, Toa were extinct. There wasn’t a source of Toa power left to be found.“That is, until she remembered you,” Toreck continued. Varian swiftly cut through a thick vine with her staff, allowing them to pass through the foliage.“Are we almost there?” Varian asked. She wasn’t sure how to ask, ‘Why am I so important?’ It sounded pompous. Though it was important she got an answer.“We’re almost there. We’re living inside a mountain based fortress. No one suspects that we’re so close to the body of the Great Spirit and no one has found us yet. Only a few of the Order members know where we are. But that’s all about to change.”“How?” she asked.“Lariska prophesied before her death, that it would take a Toa to lead the people back into civilization. She died about two hundred years ago, and at the time not all of Spherus Magna was ready for Matoran to reappear. Our existence is well known, now. They don’t know where we are, we have numerous hidden cities. But they do know we are still alive. Some don’t want us to return, as you could see by the Rahkshi. But many do want us around. That’s why I’ve been searching for you. I believe a Toa is the final piece that truly will bring the Matoran back to what we once were.”“You placed a lot of faith in me.”“Lariska believed in it. It’s taken time to find your location, and there have been so many pressing matters to attend to… but I was able to get a small team and approval for a search. Once you meet everyone, I’m sure it’ll be the final push we need for our return.”Toreck looked excited as he turned around.“And won’t it be amazing! Finally, being able to work with the people on the planet and not living in a cage! I’ve never been anywhere else but these mountains. I hear the cities are amazing now, skyscrapers that reach up into space! Transport vehicles that fly at the speed of light!”Varian smiled, thinking of how similar this world might be to Metru Nui. But inside, her thoughts started to plague her. Matoran were exiled now, shunned from society. Did Toreck really believe that a return of Toa would change everything? She hadn’t lived here long, and didn’t understand all of what was going on… but things were rarely so simple.And being the last Toa… Was that a sign from Mata Nui? What if that meant, they shouldn’t return or that they were unneeded now? If the entire world seemed at peace, but only Matoran weren’t fitting into the mold, should they force themselves into it?She didn’t have an answer. And not only that, there was too much responsibility on her shoulders. Varian was the last of her kind. How could she protect them all or lead them, if she had no idea who they truly were or what they had gone through? What encouragement could she give?She couldn’t.“Would I make a good Toa, Varian?” Toreck suddenly asked, stopping. Dirt picked up from under his feet and the sun lit down on his body, slightly covered by the shade of the lush trees above. “They say only Toa can choose the next Toa. Do you think I can be one? Maybe someday?”Varian smiled, she could answer this one easy.“Well, let take a look at you,” she walked around him, studying his body, though that didn’t mean anything. “You have the right posture … I know you’re loyal, a friend. I think you can be, one day. You have the potential.”Toreck laughed, beside himself. “Don’t tease me now, you give me the chance and I’ll take being a Toa in a heartflash.”“It’ll probably have to happen,” Varian replied, a little more seriously. “We’ll need more Toa around to unsure they don’t disappear again.” Toreck nodded at that. “But it’s not the greatest thing, to be one of the last…”The Ta-Matoran looked her square in the eye, no longer cheerful.“Varian, you aren’t one of the last. You’re the…”And then with a sudden snap-hiss a projectile soared in their direction. Varian immediately leaped forward and shoved Toreck to the ground. The small green sphere hit a near tree, exploding an acid substance across it which burned through the wood in seconds. The tree sizzled and started to crack before tumbling down. Leaves and branches fell around them as Varian covered herself and Toreck in a telekinetic shield.Slowly picking herself up, Varian focused her eyes toward the direction of the projectile, finding a tall brutish and black Skakdi standing before them in plain sight. His grin was full of malice and tinted with insanity, as most Skakdi were portrayed. He reloaded the Zamor Launcher and with a smile aimed it to her chest. His head gear was distinctly unique but Varian felt like there was a hint of familiarity to it.“I haven’t seen a Toa in a long time,” the Skakdi stated, a look of excitement in his eyes. “And I honestly didn’t believe the rumors. Who knew we had missed one?”“He sent the Rakhshi after us,” Toreck whispered to her. “It makes sense, considering he knew you were out here.”Varian nodded. She had dealt with this type of monster before. Skakdi had a greater mindset and harshness to them than most villains. But they all had weaknesses with a personality like animals.“So you were around during my time?” Varian called out.The Skakdi’s grin deepened.“Oh, I was there. You remember it all, right? The constant wars, struggles, all that death; I’m here to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”“Again?” Varian asked, raising her staff to the level his gun.“That Toa don’t return, of course. They were the cause of all of all our troubles.”She hesitated, just as he charged forward, firing a shot from his Zamor launcher. Varian acted on instinct, reaching out with her powers and redirecting the sphere back at the Skakdi. But he was already on the move to the right, firing a laser beam from his eyes. Varian shouted in surprise and felt the beam cut into her left arm.Varian grasped her arm which throbbed in pain, the metal of her armor having melted against her flesh. Quickly she gave a sharp look to Toreck and sent him a message.‘I need you to get going. I’ll catch up with you, and take your pack. We’ll need it for later.’Toreck looked conflicted, as if unwilling to leave her.She fired a blast of telekinesis at him, shoving him to near foliage. Scrambling upward, he ran into the jungle.Varian smiled and then turned to the Skakdi with a frown. She concentrated fully, confident that Toreck was gone. Suddenly there were four of her on the battle field, all with a healed arm and staff’s raised.The black Skakdi snarled.“You think I’m wrong, do you?” he asked, as he stepped right into the center of Toa illusions. “Well, I can’t be wrong. You see this mask on my face?” he directed a sharp talon like finger toward his headgear. “Years ago, a Skakdi had found a way to fuse masks to our faces. We implemented the same idea. I wear the Mask of Truth.”All the Toa suddenly showed surprise in their eyes.“You’ve been asleep for too long!” He thundered in a confident voice as he lashed out to the right, grabbing the real Varian by the throat. “And your people are long dead. Did you know that’s what we discovered? Not the dead part, but the peacefulness?”The Toa struggled against her bounds, losing air as his grip tightened and he lifted her up from the ground, feet dangling.“Years and years after the absence of Toa, things started to get better. There was no one to fight against, no one to rebel against our rulers. Everyone just obeyed, and you know what? Now, there are no struggles. We make it work.”With a swift toss, the Toa was thrown to the ground with force. Varian cried out as she gasped for air.“Why would I lie? It’s not in me.” That grin, that grin he had on his face, filled Varian with discontentment. She tried to push herself up from the soft grass and dirt. It was too beautiful of a day for violence.It’s not true. I know it’s not true. She reasoned with herself.But was it? Toa had been a part of every battle in her day. There weren’t fights they could stop, only ones they could end. If the people were truly happy, why should she interfere?Mata Nui, you aren’t around anymore are you? She asked the heavens, though she had recently learned that he wasn’t up there somewhere, just living behind a curtain. She had never asked Toreck what had happened to the Great Spirit. Was that something you understood, that Toa weren’t needed anymore? That there shouldn’t be protectors, because there’s no need to protect?Unable to push herself up with her bad arm, she huffed in agitation as she blasted the ground with a telekinetic force, launching herself in the air. She back flipped and landed on a high branch reaching out for another to stable herself. Breathing quickly, she leaped from one tree to the next. A beam of energy shot from under her, cleaving the large branch in two.“Agh!” she shouted, leaping upward to the next tree, missing the laser.It started to follow her, and she leapt down into multiple palms which covered her for a moment. She hit the ground, rolled, and moved behind a large tree which reached upward in a vine like shape, erratic. She took a deep breath, trying to get a mental lock on the Skakdi’s location, while figuring out a course of action. As long as the Skakdi had that mask on, all of her mental illusions wouldn’t work. And Skakdi won’t go down with simple energy blasts. She needed something powerful.A vision of alarm struck her mind, and she instantly dropped to the ground as a laser cut horizontally through the tree’s trunk. She didn’t hesitate this time. Activating her mask of Fate, she leaped high into the air spinning around with her staff in hand. She landed far behind the Skakdi and rushed forward, attempting a strike on the right side. He had armored spikes along his arms and caught the staff’s bladed edge with them, grinning. He pushed forward and kept pushing, driving Varian back with his strength until she pushed him back with a mental blast.He shook his head at the attack, the effects weakened by his Mask’s power. Varian backed up into another tree.“You keep fighting, but you have nothing to live for. Do you see my point?”Varian hesitated, but not at his words. Of others, spoken long ago.“We all have a reason to live. We just need to find it ourselves… I refuse to be treated so unjustly … we should stand against it… putting faith in what’s right, even surrendering our own lives for it.”Norik had been there, listening, when Tahu had said those words. He had placed his trust in the Toa, and agreed with it.“You’re scared of us,” she answered back. The Skakdi didn’t say anything, but narrowed his eyes slightly. “Terrified, that if the Toa ever return, we’ll start the fighting again.” Varian took a step forward, staring the mask of truth square in the eyes.“But we fought and struggled because of the evil we lived in. No one would make the change, and so we would be the ones to take the first steps. And you’re afraid that once the Toa return, that’ll we’ll start speaking for the ones who can’t.” Her voice grew in confidence and assurance as she spoke. “That I’ll come into your Empire, look at your messy and dirt ridden hands right before all your people and say…”She paused, before giving a small smirk.“’Clean them.’ ”The grin turned into a frown, a deep one that was filled with hatred at the one before him.“It’s why you don’t want me back, right?” Varian grinned, finally, starting to feel like her old self. “Come on, you have the mask of truth. What’s the point of pretending to lie to you?”He lunged forward in fury, firing another laser in her direction. This time Varian jumped to the left and hurled her staff at the Skakdi, slipping right passed the beam. Repulsing it with a wave of kinetic energy, the blade cut against her enemy’s mask leaving a large mark.Varian suddenly tripped in surprise and just before hitting the ground, the Skakdi caught her. He lifted her up under the arms and slammed her into a thick tree, his arms outstretched.“You’ll die and rot in death forever! Just like all the ones before you…” he seemed conflicted, as though he wasn’t sure of his own reasoning. And the Toa’s smile just made it all the worse. There was something she knew and wasn’t pretending to hide… what was it!?“Mata Nui says it’s time to return. I’m already here, you failed to stop my awakening and my power is going to spread.” Her grin just grew. “You’ll see. It’s all started, and it’ll start with that Matoran you let loose.”He ignored all of it. “You’re nothing! Just an ancient piece of metal that’s been unburied from a tomb. You hear me Toa!” His eyes started to glow, dangerously. They aimed for her mask. “You’re just a memory. A defender of the dead. The last guardian!”“No…” And the Toa closed her eyes, her voice dropping like she was ready to sleep. “I’m the first of many.”And then a light flickered around her form, and her body vanished from the grasp of the Skakdi, leaving that smile of hers implanted on his mind to haunt him for a while.He looked around, searching… searching… it wasn’t possible. How did she…The Skakdi reached up and felt the mark on his mask. It was cut… and that would dampen its power. Maybe even cause it to dysfunction entirely. Was that true for fused masks?When he finally realized he didn’t know the answer, he received it. His mask was broken. He had been fighting an illusion since the strike.Despite it all, the Skakdi smiled. That little spawn of Mata Nui had done it, she’d come back from the dead. The Toa were on their way.It was all starting now, the beginning of their end. The people were going to see things differently, and would have to choose all over again. Resistance to their way of things, just what the Makuta had tried to stop for so long.He could try to catch up with her… but somehow he realized this was a rockslide he couldn’t stop right now. The mountain was too large for just one person.***Toreck sat at the entrance of BZ-Koro, waiting. The one of many fortresses had been his home for as long as he could remember. Out of them all, it was the most prominent and important. It held the largest remnant of lost Matoran. He stared out over the long expanse in silence. He just took in the world. All the promises it seemed to make and the future it could have, but just hadn’t arrived yet.He shouldn’t have left her.Even after finding what he assumed was a Toa Stone in his pack, and making his way through the jungle until he reached one of the many passages in the mountain side, he had had no urgency to walk through the opening and meet his people.What was he supposed to say? That his friends were murdered on his quest? That he found their hope, and let her die out there? That he came back with a source of her power, and they could all start from that?That last one was technically true. But … Toreck wasn’t feeling grateful for it. He felt cheated.He had relied so heavily on a dream, and it had been torn to pieces. Varian was dead, and he couldn’t show the last generation that they were strong too. But he supposed that was the problem. He never believed Matoran alone they were good enough, without a Toa around. He needed something to prove it, he needed Varian.And even after this Toa Power was used, it wouldn’t be the same. He’d feel like a Matoran in a Toa’s body.He thought about how much importance Varian had found in him, that even though he was just a Matoran, that he existed too. Why couldn’t he lead his people into the world? Why did they have to have a Toa? She seemed to think they could have done it themselves.Was he that afraid to stand up and say, “No, this is wrong.”?Those last words that Moru was going to say, he’d never hear them. But he could guess, and it was what Varian showed him. She fought for their freedom. He had too as well.Standing he made his way into the cave. All the while he silently gathered the courage he didn’t completely feel, to face the others and tell them the truth. For Varian, Retra and Moru. For himself.“And you’re going to tell them all that, alone?”Toreck stopped. He couldn’t move at first, disbelief overcoming any hope he had.But his relief and excitement overcame that disbelief.He turned. He saw her at a distance, walking out the jungle. She was injured, but he could tell she was happy.“I - I can do it,” he called back. “You can come along if you’d like, but I … I don’t need you.”“I know,” she replied. Her smile remained, and her eyes were filled with pride in her friend.“You don’t have to join us. But, I,” he paused, not letting his determination slip. “Regardless, I do want you to be there.”They stared at each other for a long a moment, both unsure of what was going to happen next. What events would occur in their future? Could they repair what they had lost in this world and how long would it take?In the end, as Varian started to step toward him, Toreck decided he didn’t care.They would start to rebuild their pieces, regardless if they could only for a thousand years or a hundred, or even just a day. For now, at the very least for right now, the Toa had returned. His friend was here to watch him.Varian had come home._____This is my longest short story to date. I do hope you enjoyed it, but I feel like the story lasted for a little too long and the ending was rushed. =/ My idea was that BZ-Koro, or the Matoran population represented what we are since Bionicle ended. Likewise, Toa Varian making her reappearance represented having it return. Hopefully this fits within the borders of the contest rules and I had a blast writing it! =DFor all those who don't make it through this story, I understand. For all those who did, wow you guy are great. Please leave any comments you'd like below!
  2. To Soar She walked into the abandoned factory. Her companion, a thirteen year old boy named Eli, grabbed her shoulder gently, his eyes directed towards the middle of the room.Two swing sets.“How did you find this?” She asked, then suspicious, continued, “’Why’ did you find this?”“I have a lot of time on my hands,” he replied easily.She could only sigh. So, instead of actually doing something important with his time, finding a new job for example, he was off looking inside broken down factories.“Look, I want to take a break. I found this place and was happy to show you.”She rolled her eyes and moved closer to the two swings. Immediately she wondered who would set up such a thing. Why would anyone want to make a swing set in a factory? A quick glance at Eli revealed he was just as puzzled by their appearance. Of course, she knew he wouldn’t question why. He’d simply accept it.They composed of two plastic seats, with two long chains, reaching up towards the metal scaffolding connecting from one end to the other across the room.“What’s so great about them?” Catherine asked.“I remember swinging when I was younger,” he explained walking towards the swing. He held on to one of the chains, giving it a sudden sharp pull. He smiled and sat down, lifting his feet from the ground and swung his body in a smooth motion. “It helps you relax, gives you perspective.”It was ridiculous. Who cared about swinging on a swing set, out in the middle of nowhere, when there were simply more important things to do? Glancing around the factory, she noted the windows aligned across the upper floor. Some only held minor cracks in them. Some were completely shattered. The floors were dusty, both dead and alive bugs littered the floor. She was blessed for wearing shoes as the room was covered in small pieces of glass.Dirty, gray, run down, abandoned. No smart person could enjoy this place.But of course Eli, who was having the time of his life swinging, in a nostalgic state. He soared a little higher…She stuffed her hands into the coat she wore to keep warm. Glancing upward, she caught sight of what was left of the roof, a huge glass plane that had long since collapsed, raining down most of its shards a few yards away from the swing. In that pile only a minor leap away from the suspended seats, were pipes, pieces of glass and steel frames of metal. It was an accident waiting to happen.“My dad would always take me to this park when I was younger, and there was always a swing. Sometimes, that would be the only thing I would play on all day. I miss swinging.”She looked away at his comment. His father was one of the soldiers now. He had left only a month before. Eli and his mother weren’t taking it very well.He would never show it of course, not in front of Catherine. She was annoyed by his barrier and grateful for it. If he didn’t express sorrow over his father, she wouldn’t think about her sister…And they didn’t have much money. Their bills were higher now, and the cost of even simple medicine…“Let’s get out of here. I don’t like it,” she exclaimed, letting her thoughts get to her. She wasn’t afraid, but still, it was a dead factory. And she had seen too much death lately. Why think about it?“Aw lighten up,” he replied. His body began to move faster, and he began to gain more altitude.“W-wait!” she shouted, exasperated. “Stop it Eli!”Immediately he grounded to a halt, the propulsion skidding him slightly as the swing moved erratically without its master.“What’s wrong?”“You’re facing the wrong way. If you fell off, you’d land in that…” Her eyes shifted towards the mountain of trash. The tallest piece of metal jutted out only a foot. If he were to fall on top of that …She didn’t finish the idea and shook her head.Walking around, facing the other way, he sat once more and began to swing. After a few moments, he stopped once more.“Aren’t you coming?”She hesitated, frowned and shook her head.“We should be leaving. We’re supposed to see if there is some work for us to do around town.”“One day won’t matter,” he answered, looking serious. “We’ve been looking for some time now, and there just aren’t many around. We need to relax a little anyway.”She nodded slowly, but was unsure. His statement was true. Ever since the war had taken place, spreading across the country like wild fire, people’s troubles and worry had increased. Taxes became almost impossible to pay, jobs gave less, food was becoming scarce and everyone constantly lived in fear of being attacked.Her stomach growled as she thought of the bread and soup her family had feasted on the night before. There seemed to be more and more dinners like that lately.How could two swings help any of that?“We’ll play for a little while,” she decided, for Eli’s sake if anything. Speaking slowly, she finished, “But then let’s leave.”“All right. Good deal.” He waited a few moments, just staring at her.She became indignant.“What?” It was a blunt statement.“You haven’t moved.” He gave her a look that seemed so innocent, yet … suspiciously crafty, “Aren’t you going to soar? You’d be good at it.”Her mouth twitched for a moment, and almost cracked a smile. She couldn’t be sure if the remark had been a charming or an annoying one.“I … don’t have a need to.”The boy continued to study her face.“Come on. Are you scared?” he teased.She didn’t reply.“You are?” he asked, his eyes showing surprise. “Hey, it’s safe. I promise.”“No, it isn’t that.”“Well?”She rolled her eyes once more. It wasn’t … important. And she didn’t feel the need to just explain it.“I’m afraid of heights,” she replied instead. It was a half truth after all.He leaped off the swing and walked up to her, his boots crackling as he broke the fragments of glass around him. With a grin, he spoke her secret allowed.“You’ve never swung on a swing set before have you?”***“Look, I promise, it’ll be easy.”“No way.”“I’ve already got you on the swing,” he answered obviously, then shook his head.“I said I would sit! I didn’t say swing.”He frowned, “Not swing. Fly.”The snow poured in from the weather outside. She was wearing a strong winter coat, but still, she shivered as the soft ice found its way through the broken window. Sitting wasn’t the best way to keep warm.“You’re crazy.”“Look, I’ll take it one step at a time with you.”Then he began to instruct her on what do, how to move her legs outward when falling forward and pull on the chain in a hard motion.It was a stupid lesson, since she wasn’t going to swing anyway-Catherine caught her breath, sharp and cold, as she was pushed forward. At the small peak of her soaring, she felt herself remain in the air for just the simplest of moments, before swinging backward. It was a surprise that shouldn’t have been one.Eli caught her as she yelped.She dug her shoes into the ground, determined to never leave it again, and turned at her friend with look of fury.“Fun huh?” His eyes held the look of a challenge. He dared for her to try it again.She could have hit him. But it was a little fun, and she couldn’t deny it.***“Sometimes, when I’m on this swing, I feel like …” he paused, thinking. “I don’t know.”“Hmm?” she mumbled with a mouth full of cheese sandwich.Catherine and Eli had been neighbors for as long as she could remember. When they were younger their parents would invite each other over for dinner and the two of them would play. Catherine had always been the mature one. And Eli … they were just really different. Why did she spend so much time with him? Well, they had known each other a long time.Always, whenever she was given a problem there were only two choices. She could solve it, or she couldn’t.Eli acted like solving it wasn’t the point. He was only half a year younger, but youngish all the same. He made many friends, goofed off, explored outside his neighborhood –finding old factories, and always seemed to drag her along wherever he went. She didn’t mind, but sometimes the places they found, weren’t interesting or safe. Why would he just walk inside these kinds of places so easily? What attracted him to them?But now, a rare moment for the boy, he was being serious.“I love the air and I’ve always wanted to fly.” His hands tightened around the swing as he looked upward at the chains. They were both just sitting today. It had been two weeks since they had found this place.“I think these swings are a good substitute. I like them a lot.”Catherine raised an eyebrow. She couldn’t help but chuckle.She didn’t like heights. But she was able to swing a little and it was … fun. Kind of. But it wasn’t that great.“I’m serious!” he exclaimed. “When I swing, and go really high, there is a moment where you just stay there … and time stops.” He was finding it difficult to explain, she could tell … “You aren’t moving. Nothing is holding you.”It’s a good feeling to let go sometimes.”When she glanced at him again, she could see his eyes closed.Suddenly, he began to swing again, rising higher and higher until without warning, he leaped off in mid swing.She flinched as he landed near the wall, sticking the landing.“Why did you do that?” she asked somewhat surprised. Catherine had seen swings before. It’s just her parents never really bothered taking her to parks when she was little. It was naïve to think jumping off wasn’t possible … still she was a little unnerved.He shrugged, his mouth slightly frowning in disappointment. “I would be able to go further if the wall wasn’t here.” He took a glance in the other direction where that dangerous pile lay. Catherine was right, it was stupid to try and leap that thing.But that yearning to soar, she secretly knew, hadn’t gone away from the boy.***“Why don’t you ever swing higher?”“I don’t like heights.”How many times am I going to respond to that question? In the factory, she had to sigh. He knew why. They were here yet again.But things had brightened for her. The war’s impact seemed to lessen over of the course of the year. The town’s people seemed to be healthier as well, even happy. Everyone was in an optimistic mood.Eli glanced over at her. “Hey, job hunting is over for the both of us. Money is coming back in, that means all delivering errands are done and we can focus on school.”Eli studied her as they swung. She was fifteen now, her hair rained down her back, sometimes a few bangs covered her eyes. Her posture was as always, almost perfect, like an adult ready to face the world. Her eyes, they still glinted in that same way he knew so … Lush green, like a summer tree.He shook his head.It was becoming more difficult lately. They were a little older now and certain aspects of their friendship, he found uncomfortable. She didn’t seem to show any concerns though. Not all the time, but at moments Eli felt that way.“I do feel like swinging today though,” She pushed herself a little higher than usual.She moved swiftly, with her head up.“Hey …” Eli rarely wanted to discuss these things, but since he had heard good news about it.He felt the air current she created as he swooshed by her, twice before continuing.“How’s your sister doing?” He paused, continuing only when Eli could see her face brighten, “I hear she’s feeling well.”Catherine met his eyes as they moved and smiled. They gleamed once more.“She got out of bed and actually sat down at our table this morning. It’s been weeks since she’s eaten with us like that. Her headache is almost gone too.”“Meds are kicking in huh?” They would have always worked, had her family had the money to buy them. Now, it was possible.She nodded, “It’s nice, man I’ll tell you, it is.”She couldn’t help being in a good mood Eli, noticed. Her sister, her five year old, was feeling well. She looked like a person who wanted to shout it out aloud. Scream the news with joy. Then, swinging in the air discussing her sister with a friend was probably just as good.Wrapping her fingers around the chains of her swing, she dared to soar a little higher…***Catherine entered the sliding door of the factory. It screeched open as metal scraped against metal. The rust on the door was becoming worse.How long has it been now? Six months? Why would you think to come here of all places? Eli wouldn’t surely have…But she somehow, deep in her gut, knew he was here.When Catherine hadn’t seen Eli at school and later had heard Eli had left his home, having been gone for hours, she had begun to worry about him. Of all places he would go to, this was the only one she could think of.After all this time, it still amazed her, the conditions of the factory seemed to become worse each passing season, yet it remained uninhabited and untouched by the people of the world. What was this place before they had found it?Shaking her head to dismiss the thought, Catherine paused in sudden surprise. Eli sat on one of the swings. His head was down. In his right hand, he held the letter.She closed her eyes for a moment, daring herself to take that first step towards him. He would do it for her, wouldn’t he?Eli must have heard her as the glass crackled beneath his feet. He didn’t move.She sat down beside him, comfortable in her own swing.It had been a long while since the two of them had sat here. Rushing off to who knows where, didn’t settle to well with her parents, especially at their current age. Catherine was almost seventeen now, Eli was sixteen.When she came home this afternoon, and received word from her father as to what had happened to Eli’s family … It was her duty to follow him. She had to know he would be okay.Catherine missed their time spent here. She wouldn’t admit to enjoying the swing sets too much, but those few moments where they could talk about the small things and forget the big ones, were precious to her.She sat in silence. Words couldn’t be enough for this … What could she possibly say?“He doesn’t talk to me,” Eli whispered.I know, She mentally replied. The girl couldn’t speak that yet.“I can’t hear him Catherine.”She didn’t know what it was like to lose a parent. If she had lost her sister … would the world stop spinning?Only difference was her sister was fine. She had made it through, when every single person had said she wouldn’t.Everyone had said Eli’s father would survive the war.Catherine didn’t want to be here suddenly. She truly had nothing to say, only aid with a listening ear.“You know, when I was younger, my father had always took me to the swing sets.” He had told her that before, years ago… “I could be free those days. He always had a way of making me look at things differently, appreciate what was around me. And I loved space and the sky.”He paused, and finally looked up. His eyes were red.“Maybe, if I swing long enough …” He slowly lifted his feet from the ground, staring at the long end of the factory. It was blocked halfway, by that pile of debris.What are you thinking ... She frowned in wonder.“Can I fly if I tried hard enough Catherine?” he turned to stare at her.She stuttered, and couldn’t come up with a sufficient answer.“Oh ...” She looked at him, trying to find some sign of the kid she had known for so long. “Eli. You have to stop.”“Maybe I could. I can make it over that obstacle.”“No,” she said in a matter of fact voice. “You can’t.”“I’ll try it.”Now she was afraid. She immediately stood up, not willing for him to continue. What he was saying … it was, suicidal. And in the deepest part of his mind, she somehow knew that’s what he wanted. She turned towards him, blocking the view he had held. She grasped the chains and met his face.“Eli. You won’t make it across that. It won’t solve anything.” He wasn’t responding well and even seemed to ignore her. Could he hear her? She spoke a bit louder, her voice echoing throughout the factory. “Eli! Listen to me.”He finally glanced up.She sighed and continued. Her voice was slightly shaky, but also firm.“If you try to jump it, you’ll die. You won’t fly Eli. You won’t soar. It won’t bring anyone back. You’ll be impaled, and your blood will spill across the floor. Your eyes will close, and you’ll never see anything again.”He stared at her with dead eyes. And he only replied with one question, a question that shakes faith.“Are you sure?”She hesitated. How could she be sure? She took a few steps away from him and watched along the walls of this factory. Outside, that was life. That was reality. Somehow these walls had over the years protected them from the outside. But now, it was going to serve another purpose.If they allowed it.“Yes,” she replied, the doubt in her voice cleansed. “I’m sure. You don’t want this.”He nodded. But it wasn’t one full of hope. It wasn’t a nod that showed he had made up his mind. It was a nod to satisfy her. Only for her sake.***Catherine gazed up towards the swings. The chains moved silently, aroused by the weak wind flowing through the factory. It had been one week since she spoke with Eli. He wasn’t any better.She held on to one of the chains. She could almost feel the imprint he had left behind as a boy. The metal felt almost warm to her.There was no doubt in her mind. Eli was going to soar. He was going to fly over that construction. If he missed that, it would kill him.You aren’t the only one living Eli. Have you considered what it would be like for us? For me? If you left us … how could you die with that?She reminded herself bitterly that if he died, he would no longer care anyway.Catherine sat down. She began to swing slowly. She gained a little height. Determination was her movement.There is that one second. I understand what he means when he talks about it. I know that moment when you swing and come to a stop in midair before the earth takes hold of you once more. Weightless. Thoughtless. When time ceases to exist and you have a moment that lasts indefinitely. To dwell on things and ask who you are. Her movement increased. Her sight was beyond the factory. She wouldn’t look at the fallen metal. It was something she had to conquer.To soar. It’s something we can’t fully do. And yet we dream about it. Create machines to aid us and give us the effects of it. We hunger to go beyond what we are capable of. And even though we can, we always seem to fall in the end. No matter what we do, it is impossible to fly forever.With one final push, she leapt off of the swing’s propulsion. Her body flew into the air, soaring higher then she could think was possible. She wanted to make it through this. She had faith in herself and closed her eyes. Her body fell closer to the cold collection of metal and glass…But, we have to fall. It’s the only way we can truly live. We can’t remain and dream of something that no longer exists or wish for something that won’t be granted to us. If we did, then we’d be lost.And then how would we find ourselves? How can we return?For everything that flies must land.I want to land now.And the young woman did.***Eli lifted her head gently from the stone floor. Her hair was messy. Her arms were etched with small pieces of glass. But it wasn’t anything serious; just a few bruises and a little blood. She lay only two feet from the fate that would have killed her.Her eyes opened. She could barely remember what had happened. And once she recognized where she was, life returned to her.“You …” his anger was apparent, but it wasn’t towards her fully. Half of him just seemed glad that she was alive. “You never do that again. You hear me!” he shouted and his teeth clenched together.“I’m sorry,” she whispered honestly, regaining her breath. But she produced a grin as she stared back at him. Her face softened so much.“You are an cool dude! You realize that right? Why … why – Never again ok?” he said, pleadingly and confused, a light glimmer under his eyes. “I … you really scared me. I just found you here and – ”He shook his head to clear the thought. “Are you alright Catherine?”“I’ll be fine,” she paused, as she slowly sat up. “Eli. Let’s get out of here. I think we’ve had enough practice in flying...”He moved back, watching her, sitting up, before turning. He stared at the swings for a long moment. They reminded him of his father. He missed him very much.And the swings were there. It’s just, his family wasn’t.He nodded to her, and then nodded again with more reassurance. He understood why she had done what she did. If he had tried to jump alone and if he had failed; he realized now what he would have lost.Eli wouldn’t want his family to through with that. No amount of flying was worth it.The two of them stood up, he still held her arm though she didn’t need it. Just in case she fell.Taking a few steps, feeling better, Catherine joked, “You know, there are other ways to fly Eli that don’t involve swinging.”“Yeah…” He paused, he produced a smile, “Maybe someday, we’ll fly on an airplane; if you can handle those heights.”She glanced at, him and could see that young face of his, that thirteen year old face. It was only a second, but still there. It made her want to laugh and smile, warmly. But she didn’t. She just grinned, like how they used to when they were kids.“I can. I’ll pilot it. Then I’ll teach you how to.”They opened the factory door and began to return home as the sun’s rays broke through the musty clouds, illuminating the blue, afternoon sky.____I hadn't thought to revive this, but I realized since all my other CoT stories are back on the new forum in some way, might as well. First off, this isn't new, and I wrote this more than a year and half ago (maybe two years ago). I don't consider it my best work, so if some of it came off as a bit cheesy, go easy on me. lol Anyway, hope you were able to get through it all, and enjoy it!I also had a lot of inspiration for this story, a little from the movie Inception, a little from the horrifying game of Limbo, and then a little from my own love and I mean LOVE of swings. :3
  3. Grant-Sud

    Second Chance

    From the story of What I Stand For... A Collaborated Epic presented by Grant-Sud and Zo'Tomana... Second Chance ______ Part 1: Recruits Execution Orders: Rejected Every step echoed in the ears of Helryx. It’s was a very slow, easy walk. Axonn had a distinctive step of his own, being a strong, heavy being. But somehow the easy gait of the prisoner he led, with the slight clang and rattle of his chains, sounded like words.His very footfalls, his body movement, and even his glowing eyes that became brighter as they moved closer to her throne room, said it all.I am here.The prisoner, Dark Hunter subject and codenamed “Excavate”, nationality of the Northern Continent and from the large City of Sol, approached before the Toa of Water. His torn and burnt cloak revealed his features. He was tall and lean with onyx colored armor, only slightly larger than a Toa’s form. He stood with his back straight, head down staring at the floor, and hands in front of him. The electric chains bound his wrists together, the cords reaching around his feet. Any sudden movement caused pain, and Helryx ordered for his hands to be before him, not behind his back.She wanted them where she could see them.He wore no Kanohi, just a protective steel helmet which hadspiked edges along the sides that shifted backward, pitch black in color.Helryx gazed at him curiously. This was the great Dark Hunter? He didn’t seem like anything special.But his record told a different story. According the reports, this single Dark Hunter had charged head first into wars zones only to come out without a scratch. He had killed Toa, Skakdi, fully mature Rahkshi, numerous Rahi, other Dark Hunters and some of the Brotherhood’s most powerful servants.Still, she thought with disappointment, he was no match for one of our own.Well, that wasn’t technically true. He had almost defeated the Order’s Retriever in combat. It was a chance move that had caught Excavator off guard that led to his capture. He had remained in a restrained cell for one month on the island of Daxia before being brought to Helryx.Still, had he been aware of the ability - had he been informed of his enemy’s unique powers and strengths, then success would have been his.Helryx gave the smallest of smirks. No, appearances weren’t everything. There was something in those eyes that refused to look upward, something unique.The room had stone flooring, polished and seemed to be cleaned daily. The walls were a dark gray in color, with unique looking masks and paintings placed up on shelves and hung respectively. Small decorative torches with silver holders that spiraled upward, plantlike, lit the room. Helryx stood before a comfortable chair aligned at the end of the room, one that seemed to glow as though it was a command unit or a communication terminal. It was silent; Helryx ordered to not be bothered while the meeting took place.“Well,” she spoke easily, but clear enough for not one word to be misunderstood, “I assume formalities are in order. And we should make them short, as I’m sure you prefer.”Axonn kept a careful watch on the Dark Hunter, who kept his head down. He said nothing.“My name is Helryx, and I am the leader of this organization. The Order of Mata Nui welcomes you.”Still he said nothing.She ignored it and continued without hesitating. “As I’m sure you are unaware, your execution has been recalled.”That did make him stir slightly.“We’d be very honored if you returned our hospitality by speaking. Do you speak?”“You said you’d make it short.” Finally the Dark Hunter looked upward with crystal blue eyes, they gleamed brightly, a dark blue in color. “What am I here for?”“We have an assignment for you,” Helryx answered. “I won’t lie. Your record tells enough for us to kill you on the spot. You’ve committed more murders than the average Dark Hunter. You are a thief, a terrorist… the list goes on.”“And this terrorist is being hired by you. Why?”In her line of work, small remarks couldn’t bother her conscious. And they didn’t.“Because you are the best,” she said matter-of-factly. “Or so we assume. We are offering you a chance to clear your record, by doing something good for the universe. It’s a chance of redemption.”“A second chance,” he said softly. It was almost inaudible.Helryx leaned in closer, wondering if he would say more. He didn’t, and a silence filled the room while the Dark Hunter gathered his thoughts.“What do I receive?” he asked next.Axonn visibly faltered.“We won’t have you executed, and then you’ll be released. That’s your reward,” he replied in a deep voice with narrow eyes. “And mind your manners.”Surprising both Order of Mata Nui Member’s in the room, Excavate revealed true anger, snapping his head toward the giant being. His chains glowed furiously at the movement, but the Dark Hunter showed no recognition of it. Or maybe he did, and was proving himself.“Pardon me? Mind your manners,” Excavate replied sharply. “You capture me, and instead of killing me, orders – no – use me for your own plans? Don’t you dare, give me such ignorant treatment. Lying is beneath us, I would think.” His voice grew deeper, an analyzing tone, he became more assured of himself the more he spoke.“If you wanted me dead, you would have done it long ago. The fact that your leader hasn’t done so only reveals her weakness. It shows all the cards she holds. And I’m her only ace.”Axonn gripped his weapon even tighter.“You do not want me for this assignment. You need me. Back off, and let me speak with my employer. What does this have to do with you?”Slowly the Dark Hunter turned back to Helryx, staring her directly in the eyes without a sign of wavering or fear.She gave a small smile. Yes, he was a Dark Hunter. A weapon to be bought for and that was all. He didn’t care for release, because he knew he was always a target. It was all a process and that ruse of capturing him hadn’t changed a thing.The truth was they did need him. As a Dark Hunter, that name gave him the prestige of hidden motives and invisibility; elusiveness. A hunting Rahi that as long you got out of his way and ignored, probably wouldn’t harm you. Another Dark Hunter on some mission.He wasn’t a member of the Order, and thus his little attention would direct him to the Shadowed One’s people and no one else. He was skilled enough to pull off the missions, trained enough to know what information to look for. To know that if he dug too deep, he’d be a target for every assassin in the Universe. He knew what do to as told. He had no loyalties except for the one who hired him.That wouldn’t mean he’d be let off on a leash. He would have to be watched over, someone would need to double check his work and keep him in line. That wouldn’t be too much of a hassle, not for the right operative.And above all, as a Dark Hunter,Excavate was expendable. Whether he lived or died, the Order lost nothing. Helryx smiled, because he was just as good as she needed him to be. But despite that, it made the situation for him seem tragic.She pushed that out of her mind and nodded a reply, that smile of – yes – sympathy, still there.The flickering lights from the torches glimmered across his face.“We can talk of a payment. Anything you want. You succeed, stay alive, and you can have anything you want.”Excavate finally nodded, his eyes refusing to leave hers. He stood, waiting for his first assignment._____ Review Topic
  4. After After, is an epic I'm writing that takes place in a far future and tells the story of a family who's on a constant journey across the country. I'm writing the epic with each chapter being more or less episodic with a few following into each other.Updates will vary, as I have a more strict epic I'm finishing up in the Epics forum, but I'm going to try to post a new chapter every two weeks or so. Below you can find the chapters posted so far, and further below is a soundtrack added that I feel helps match with the story! Please enjoy and if you've read, I'd love to read any comments or questions you have!Table of Contents:1. While I'm Away2. Rainy Days: The SafeguardA Knocking on the DoorIn the Kitchen with Dinah _____After Soundtrack1. About Today by The National (While I'm Away)2. Thorn in my Pride by The Black Crows (The Safeguard)3. All You Ever Wanted by The Black Keys (In the Kitchen with Dinah)
  5. 1. While I’m Away ‘I wanted to talk with you. And I wasn’t sure how…’ When Sarah awoke in the middle of the night, her eyes just … opened. There wasn’t a real reason. She didn’t have a nightmare and she couldn’t remember dreaming. She hadn’t heard anything but she knew immediately she hadn’t gotten enough sleep. Her back and long blond hair felt wet with perspiration. Sarah blinked, once, twice and then felt she couldn’t go back to bed yet.And though she didn’t know it, her subconscious wouldn’t let her fall back asleep until she saw it once again; until she knew for sure, once again.So slowly, without making any noise on her dirt ridden mattress which had a slightly cleaner towel over it, the girl of thirteen rose. Her cold feet with socks lightly touched the wooden floor which made a soft creaking sound as she pressed her weight down. She shivered and coughed lightly, cold now out from her covers. Her white shirt offered little warmth and she had no pants on, only undergarments. Her father always said that sleeping with her dirty clothes on was unhealthy, so she didn’t.Her arms felt suddenly weak as she pushed herself upward from her bed, but she didn’t hesitate in doing so.She had to see it again. ‘I know you’re a big girl now, and not the child I once had. You know that ... that means that sometimes, even at thirteen- that even at thirteen … you have to deal with a-adult things. You understand, right? You have to act- …no you have to be older.’ It was the dead of night, and she wasn’t sure what time it was. She could never tell on some nights, as the moon was usually half hidden by clouds and its light didn’t seem to exist. That never happened with the sun. It was too bright, so even when the smog of gray clouds in the sky blocked it, you could always see it breaking through.But after Sarah moved out of her room, leaving behind only the dirty mattress and single wooden chair, she walked out into the kitchen where the broken window was built above the sink. And she could see bright and clear light shining through it.The dust glowed like fireflies in the light, and she walk under it.Her eyes widened in surprise. The moon was out, almost in full view and crystal clear. She could easily tell it was past midnight. About three or four a clock, she figure the time was.The glass was cracked and pieces were littered across the disconnected sink, which they hadn’t bothered with since they had occupied the house a week before. The wooden cabinets that ran along the window's wall were all empty. The small doors remained firm and fixed on the hinges however, useful if needed. Everything was covered in a thick layer of dust and there was grime along the ceiling edges, where constant mildew had built up from the rain.Moving from the kitchen into the living quarters, she found the small room of one couch, holding her dad. He was asleep, snoring slightly with his hat on and unshaven face. He had one blanket over him, was on his back and was using both the couch’s armrest and a small pillow to prop his head up with. On the floor below him, wrapped up in two blankets was his son and Sarah’s little brother. He snored lightly, like his father did. He was strangely sweating too, despite the cold.There were a total of four blankets in their possession, for the four of them that lived there. So when she thought about why her little brother had two of those four and her father had one as did she… it didn’t add up. Her older brother, Mark, needed one as well. ‘Yeah, I understand dad… what is it? What do you need to tell me?’ She moved back, through the kitchen and into her room. Outside was silent, not even the sound of cricket bugs or frogs. Dad always told her that was a bad sign. If insects weren’t around, that meant they couldn’t live here and that also meant humans couldn’t live there for long either.‘Always follow the animals. They know the land better than us.’ The quote rang off in her head and she smiled. They wouldn’t be staying here for too much longer. And that was fine with her. This wasn’t the homiest place. It was large and somewhat comfortable with the left behind furniture, but there was a sense of eeriness to it that she couldn’t place. It was the sound of no wildlife and little people in town, living amongst the rundown homes. The moon which was bright tonight- when had she last seen the moon so bright? It was comforting … but haunting at the same time.She avoided the slightly wetter areas on the tile floor, where the leaks had created puddles. If she got her socks wet it took a good day for them to dry off, and that was a day she would remain freezing. Also, who knew what kind of dirt and grime was in that water? It wasn’t clear and that made it unsafe to touch in her opinion.Entering her room, she thought only for her older brother and gathered up her blankets. She wouldn’t let him get sick tonight just because he wanted to have a bed and swapped places with Isaac at his usual spot on the floor. Isaac usually had that bed Mark was sleeping in, and they probably made a deal.She moved silently past them both as she made it into the living quarters once more, blanket bundled up in her arms and half asleep. Sarah had it fixed on her mind to rest with her older brother tonight. It would be much warmer and anyway … she couldn’t sleep. Something was on the back of her mind that she couldn’t pin point.Mark’s door was closed, so she turned the knob and peeked inside to take a look at his bed. She blinked and released the knob, letting the door slowly swing open.He wasn’t there. ‘There was an accident.’ The bed was empty. Pillows, blankets and even his jacket that he kept on the edge of the bed at night, was missing.He hadn’t gone out, he knew that was dangerous… where did he go? Sarah thought about it for a minute, trying to recall something that she couldn’t; it was something important. ‘An accident?’ Could he be grabbing some water from outside? No. The living room door was closed. Out back using the bathroom maybe, or perhaps he heard a noise and was checking it out… Was he in her room, making sure she was okay? Was he checking on his little brother? Or was Mark talking with their dad about something private, about what the future plans were and other important stuff that she and Isaac weren't allowed to know about?No. She had just been near all the rooms of the house and he hadn’t been in any of them. So Isaac was using his blanket and that wasn’t fair. He would be mad when he came home. ‘It happens sometimes, and you know that it does. And um, it’s, that we can’t…’ “Where did you go…” she asked silently, staring at the bed for a long minute. She continued to watch it, determined to stay there until he got back. It would only take a few seconds, she knew. He’d come through that door any moment now.All she had to do was wait.“Where did you go…” she whispered again, sitting on his bed. And suddenly her hands reached up to her forehead and she grasped her hair, pulling it. She took in a deep breath, feeling weak again. She exhaled in a trembling and weak sort of way, impulsively cutting off the air as it left her lungs. ‘Sarah. I, I don’t know… he isn’t… um… when he left to grab … he’s gone, Sarah. They found his … we’ll bury him … don’t tell …’ “…” and she waited for another hour. *** Her sobs went unnoticed by the rest of the house, but it was the first time she had cried over her brother, so she was grateful she had some privacy. She thought she was anyway.Her father had cried when he gave her the news in private yesterday, telling her to not say anything until they returned home. And she didn’t, not a single word.Isaac had found out later, but he was too young she supposed, being only ten. He hadn't fully grasped it … maybe like she hadn't.The tears fell onto her pale arms as she constantly swiped them away. Crying aloud, sobbing, sniffing and then back again.She still held the covers in her arms and after the hour of waiting in his room, was back in her own.Her brother was dead.Even in all the chaos of the world and the depleted food since the war, it had never felt as though something like that could happen. She saw people often who were going to or had died; on the side of the roads while they traveled them, there were starving and begging and the dead. She was never ignorant to the fact that it could happen to her family one day. But she could never imagine losing just one. It was her family: all of them make it through or none of them.And now what? She asked herself. Who’s going to watch over us? God, who will help dad find food? Who’ll let us stay up late when dad tells us to go to bed, or take us to the other kids and gather them together to play ball for fun? Who will be there? It’s always been me and Isaac … Mark … what about the three of us…“God … oh God…” she whispered over and over, the volume of her voice increasing, more of reality setting in. She rocked on her bed and felt like getting sick, her head was dizzy and fresh tears found their way to her eyes again.She felt like suddenly puking, and held it in, her body wanting to let everything go.His dark short hair and lanky body, with that smile of confidence you can find in any seventeen year old. He was the oldest, the oldest out of the three them. And now … there were just two.Now she was the oldest. The new responsible one. The adult, her dad had said. She was Mark.Sitting upright, she pulled her hair back over her shoulders. She thought about what that meant as she slowly fell into her bed.It meant she had to be strong. She had a responsibility now that was handed to her, and her brother had trained her for this, hadn’t he? He taught her to follow her father’s decisions, even if she didn’t always agree. He taught her to know when to lose and back off, but to try again and sometimes from a different direction. He taught her to always keep on moving, no matter what. To have confidence in what she wanted to do, even when she wasn’t the strongest or smartest, that she could get better.I can’t be that… she thought, worries plaguing her mind like a large black fog. I don’t even know where to begin… What do I do?She thought she’d ask her dad… but it wasn’t the same. She’d rather ask her big brother.“What do I do, Mark?”‘Just take it one step at a time, and know what you’re moving toward.’“One step at a time,” she whispered to herself those words he said in some distant memory. Slowly closing her eyes, thinking about what he last looked like, the last time she saw him yesterday.Tomorrow… she’d ask her dad what their plans were, where they were heading next and gather word if the settlement twenty miles northwest from here, was true. She’d run to the near river, and collect as much water as possible for the journey. She’d make sure her brother and dad were well dressed, nice and warm for the trip in case it got too cold. And she’d make sure Isaac wore his brother’s jacket, because some day it would fit him well and it was worth too many precious moments to leave behind.And she didn’t want to stay here anymore, she wanted to move. She never wanted to return here, in this small nothing of a village.She didn’t think any of that would ease her pain, but if it could make her forget, just for a little while, that would be something.Sarah wasn’t sure though of what would come later, of what would happen after…______Grant-Sud Presents: After (Review)
  6. The Artist By: Marcel She stood in the elevator watching the number meter rise one by one, starting from the ground up. In a trench coat, tan in color with a little too much makeup on her face, the woman pulled the scrunchie from her hair, letting it flow across her shoulders. One of the walls was a mirror while the other two were of a fabric material, dark violet in color. The lift had that distinct smell, one of air freshener and window cleaner which was probably applied by the maids every day.The woman looked over to the right at the mirror, catching her reflection. Bringing a hand to her hair, she tried to adjust it a little. Wring it out, push it up to give it that life and curls that she knew she had.Nothing. It remained wet and flat.With a sigh she returned to the number meter, which now hit ‘15’ on the mark. The doors opened.Walking to her right, she stepped out onto an open walk way. When she had first moved here, she was terrified of heights, barely looking down when she left her apartment. The window in her room beside her bed, she also had kept closed.And one night it started to rain, and the thunder started to roar with authority. She had gone to see how close the storm was despite it being high in the pitch black, night sky. Sudden lightning streamed across the sky and illuminated the whole city. She timidly looked below, noticing for the first time all the people down there, like insects scurrying to find their shelter.Many nights afterward, clear skies or not, she would look out her window and watch the city with a smile on her face. She imagined all the people, and what they were wondering about on nights like these.She had never been good at writing, painting, or music. But with a smile on her face as she came up to her door, lost in thought, she blushed at feeling like an artist, glancing out her window. Capturing … the moment.It was a light feeling, but it was something that never hurt when she put too much faith into it.Shaking the key as it fitted into its slot, she pushed the door open.“I’m home!” she called out.The young lady appeared from the bedroom, light skinned and very quiet, a young girl who lived next door.“He’s asleep…”“Thank you again for staying so late, we got busy-”“It’s alright and I never mind. Besides, he’s great company.”“Tell your parents and brother, I said hello, and thank you again…”“You said that already,” her young friend laughed before leaving, not asking about pay and promising to babysit again.The young woman walked into the bathroom, removing her coat and work clothes before heading to bed.The child slept under the covers, head on the pillow. Dark brown hair, like hers and curly, he breathed in and out softly.Her five year old son; her sacrifice, joy, treasure and life.Reaching over, she kissed his forehead and rested next to him. Wrapping her arms around him, she pressed him gently against her. Sometimes, not for his comfort, but hers.The light in the bathroom remained on. She didn’t get up to turn it off. The room was not too bright, and not too dark, so within moments she fell asleep to the therapeutic sound of light breathing and heavy traffic.For now, it was enough for the both of them. _____So this was an entry for the Flash Fiction Marathon CoT, Category #2: Treasure. I decided to post it up. A few interesting facts: I wrote this in less than one hour. I was with my grandmother at the time, who lives in an apartment complex so the settings were definitely from her. I've had an idea about a working mother for a while, but wasn't sure how to approach it... anyway the contest gave me an excuse. :3Hope you guys like it, and it had to be under 600 words, if you're wondering why this is a little short. Thanks for the feedback!
  7. Return By: Grant-Sud I grow tired of hearing the slicking noise of the windshield wipers as they move across my front window. That of course makes me aware that the rain has cleared up a little, and my wipers are just swiping at dry glass.Reaching my fingers under the controls for them, I turn it off.It’s dark out. Only the tapping sound of light rain hits my car now, as it drives down the freeway. I take a turn at the next exit and slow up a little as my car rolls down the ramp. The roads are still wet.I take a few more turns, following the directions on my paper printed with information from Map Quest. The next left brings me into the neighborhood. I exhale deeply, trying to calm myself. My stomach won’t stop churning. I curse lightly under my breath as I move past street signs, but then I have to force myself to not even think that. Not the best way to make an impression.A stop sign approaches as I hit a four-way street and do as ordered. I’m the only car on the road. I take a moment to glance around out my side windows. It’s a very good neighborhood. Each one has a porch with individually placed trees and bushes and flowers. To my right, a gentleman sits in his rocking chair on his own porch. He stares at my car, knowing that I don’t live in this area. Either that or one of his neighbors got a new automobile. It’s a small neighborhood.It’s cold and rainy outside. Not the type of view someone would just want to stare at or go out in. The type of rainy day that, no matter how quickly you walk outside and run back inside, leaves end up sticking to the bottom of your shoes. The man though, quietly relaxing in his chair, in the cold, is enjoying himself.I drive on.Finally, after a few more turns and one missed street sign that took a little time to locate, I arrive at my destination. I’m late.Not entirely my fault. This neighborhood has changed a lot since the last time I saw it.It’s stopped raining now, and I slowly move across the street before the house’s drive-through comes upon me. I hesitate. Should I pull in, or maybe just park on the side of the road? Would they be offended if I didn’t? There are already cars on the street in front of the house and one pulled in the drive way, room for two more.I get nervous, and decide to pull in. I shake my head. I must be crazy doing this.Parking, I switch off the headlights and just sit there for a moment in my car, looking through the windows of the house. I can see a few people inside. Sighing, I take the keys out of the ignition, slowly. I open my car door and step out, shut it and tug my brown jacket closer to my body as the cold air enters through and grasps me for the first time since I stopped at the gas station hours back.Placing my hands up to my mouth, I breathe into them and rub them together. But I know I’m not that cold. I’m nervous and that’s causing me to shiver.Shaking my head in frustration I take a few steps to the right, along the sidewalk. The porch is beautiful. Made of wood, with a freshly painted door it looks like. The steps are made of brick.When I take my first one, I stop.I reconsider.Do I really want to do this? It’s been quite a while and especially now? There are a few people inside already. I can come back tomorrow, when it’s just me alone. No distractions.People are distractions.I’m thinking of turning away right then, when the next car I hear drives down the street. I can hardly believe my luck as I watch the four seated Honda pull up right behind my car.I breathe sharply out as my teeth grit together.You got to be kidding me.And now I’m forced into this. To leave, I’d have to go back, and ask the young couple in the car to pull out, not before explaining my story, telling them I’m too chicken to stick around …Without thinking I press the door bell. The cold sweat that takes me is unlike anything I’ve ever had to feel before. I’ve prepared for sweaty hands. Two dry napkins from Wendy’s have been stuffed in my pockets and I press my damp palms against them.I know I have to calm down. This isn’t going to be easy.And when she opens the door, I could kick myself. I’ve forgotten something extremely obvious and that’s going to make this moment very awkward.She stares for a few minutes with a slight smile, one that is filled with little surprise. I immediately want to leave her, the house, and the entire state of Ohio for that matter because what am I supposed to say? I don’t know her age, though she’s probably in her early twenties. She looks Italian, though that I can’t tell for sure. And even though she gives me a warm smile, I know she must be thinking I’m the pizza man or perhaps a neighbor, asking what the occasion is. But I how can I stand telling her the truth?The truth is we’re related … in some way.I don’t know her name.I cough for a moment, and when she finally realizes I’m not a neighbor and have no food, she questions me.“Hello, may I help you?” Her voice is sweet.“How you doin?” Without waiting for an answer I continue by handing her a letter with a signature she should know signed at the bottom. “I was invited. Nice to meet you.” I reach out my hand and she takes it, though she’s now fully shocked and blinking. She’s wearing a nice dress I notice that’s emerald in color. It suits her fine; she's actually quite beautiful in it. That’s when I turn my head slightly to look over her shoulder, and see everyone else is dressed well. Me? I have a brown coat, black collar shirt, blue jeans. Not that I look bad or too rugged. But I can’t help but feel slightly embarrassed since these people are wearing dress shirts - some suits - and I can only stand there in my causal brown jacket. The invitation had explained to dress well … my mistake I suppose.We exchange names and she nods, and stares because now she knows exactly who I am. I just move past her and enter the warm house. I can a feel a few fingertips on my arm as she reaches out, but I really have got to move in there and walk further. Get rid of that awkward feeling. Really, I’m only here for two people.The fresh aroma of food fills my nose and I can swear I smell chocolate chip cookies. Must be for the little children running around, and there are a bunch of them. One group laughs and plays on the couch, little boys and girls giggling, playing with a ball and the family dog. Another group has two little girls sitting quietly at the table, listening to an old man – their grandfather? Not mine – tell them a story. Their eyes are very large, as most eyes of young children are.Finally one group of teenagers are sitting slightly away from the adult filled crowd. One girl is sitting comfortably in her chair – dressed well of course – speaking with two boys around her age. They aren’t part of the adults and hesitate when one comes to speak with them. It’s understandable, just not ready yet really, unaccustomed to growing up.One of the boys is having a good time talking with the girl about something that’s making them laugh aloud. The other boy is looking right at me. He isn’t frowning, but there isn’t a smile. It’s more of a question, his look, seeing through me, not old enough to determine whether I’m a threat or not.Hello, are you okay? Are you lost?Children have a way of asking those questions through a look, and seeing things you don’t want to see, or have forgotten how to. I nonchalantly slide my gaze from the young man’s staring eyes and concentrate on something else, though inside, I’m anything but calm.A few people also stare, some ignore me – there a lot of people here – and some recognize me. Some frown and some few, smile. I can’t smile back at those, because I can’t remember who they really are. It’s been such a long time since I’ve been in this house. All these people … how am I supposed to talk with them? After six years? Six long years away from home, never turning back to give them a second glance?Half of these people are related to me. Or friends of the family, which if so, in my family means you are family. If that makes sense.No, I’m looking for two people. That’s all that matters now.Should have came by later.I slowly turn my head and gaze at the crowd. I don’t see them.Moving slowly, I head into the kitchen, which is just as warm as I remember. For some reason, I stop just before entering the room. My breathing quickens when I hear her voice.The memories flood in, and I bite my lower lip. I refuse to let this get to me. I’m stronger than this. Leaving home was no easy task, especially at seventeen, moment I got out of high school. Voices being raised, tears having fallen … a kid yelling like a man, at his parents for things that –Happened. Things that just happened.I’d gotten calls of course. Sometimes it’d be my mother, other times my father. Sometimes I'd call them, letting them know I was moving again. It could turn into a fight when things were brought up. However, not always were harsh words given, most of the time it was just … talking with them. Six years just continue on. I still have no family and my job is a dead end, but I am somewhat happy. I’ve come a long a way, and no one can say I haven’t.Then one day I get a call, she asks to be there on this reunion. Just for a couple days, I remember, not even that if I didn’t want to. But my father and mother express their need to see me. Want their son to come home.Return.I’m stronger than this, but returning is sometimes the hardest thing you have to do. To go back where you once were, and ask yourself if whether or not what you’ve done was the right thing. If it wasn’t, or you fall, then to admit it, and ask for forgiveness to those people, that’s tearing. It tears at you, rips you up, until you get it done. Until you get that stone off your chest.I stand for that long moment, shake it off. And walk inside.She’s standing, slowly mixing a pot of some stew on the stove. I can see the steam rise out of it. She’s looking down at it, with a small smile on her face. Her hair is dark brown, and put up nicely in some style which is unique and equally lovely. She is slender and, six years later, still a beautiful mother who makes you feel at home.My father is beside her, maybe quietly asking how everything is going outside. He has one hand wrapped around her waist. And she laughs lightly. He’s much taller then she is. Lean, with black hair. He’s a guardian to everyone he knows.I stand there just for a moment longer and hesitate, because I can see their faces. They’re thinking about a person they feel is beyond their reach. It isn’t selfish of me to think like that, because I know they are thinking of me. I’ve been imagining, wanting to see them for so long as well ... no, that’s not selfish. My mother stops stirring the stew for just a moment, and my father’s speaking quietly once more. She nods with sudden sadness.It’s been such a long time.I cough lightly, their attention being shifted. She turns sharply toward me, somehow knowing I’d be there before ever seeing me, and her breath catches a little. My father slowly looks up and gives a smile as recognition comes to his face.I stand awkwardly, looking at them. I can barely move but I smile lightly. It is good to see them.I’ve come such a long way, and now is when I can’t move. I just stand there, looking at them completely frozen. So many miles travelled, now immobilized with emotion at the last step.It’s alright though. They rush forward and make the rest of the trip for me.____I decided to repost this story I wrote last year, just so it's easier to get to instead of on the old forums. Hope that's cool. (: R&R appreciated!From the old forums: ("Thank you for reading this. Again, another non-Bionicle story I thought up and wrote half of a couple months ago, and tonight I was actually able remember to finish the other half of it. (After digging it up) Unlike To Soar, there was no inspiration for this one. It comes from just me. Reviews appreciated.")
  8. Welcome to the Second Chance Review Topic! This is a Co-Authored epic by myself (Grant-Sud) and my very good friend Zo'Tomana. Below are a list of details and links that will help you get started on where and how to follow.This story takes place a few years before the awakening of the Toa Mata and centers around the main universe, featuring two OC characters, Tomana and Excavate. Assigned on a mission to retrieve knowledge of their common enemy, a Toa and a Dark Hunter must learn to work together in order to survive the hostile world beyond them. Second Chance Part 1 - Recruits1. -Execution Orders: Rejected2. -Two for the Road3. -IllegiblePart 2 - Hidden4. -Covered by Mist5. -Forest of Thoughts6. -In Minutes7. -Abandoned8. -CorridorsPart 3 - Negotiations9. -The Ones in Command10. -Timing11. -A Place You Call...12. -Once More Into the Breach13. -Here and There14. -Confident Liar15. -These DaysPart 4 - Infiltrator16. -Just Business17. -The Toa of Principles18. -City of Glass19. -Dust20. -Mistaken Targets21. -Sit Sine Labe Decus (Let Honour Stainless Be)22. -UprisingPart 5 - Ascension23. -Rest Up, Brothers 24. -Deadline 25. -Earlier in Time, Stronger in Law____*Bios REALLY Coming Soon*An older Short Story and based off this tale, now a prologue, What I Stand For, can be read here.Second Chance will consist of 5 or 6 parts, but won't be too long of a story. If you enjoy our epic, please feel free to leave comments and reviews below, we appreciate any criticisms and we hope you enjoy it. Updates- March 17I'm starting a new update system so that I can add notes to chapters as they are released. It's a little late to be doing so, considering we're in the third part already. But anyway the chapter "Corridors", was launched today and it fills in the ending of Part 2's "Hidden". We already have much of Part 3 written and we're just deciding when to post the next chapter. Also I know we haven't done so yet, but the Character Bios of Excavate and Tomana will be appearing soon.- March 23Following these updates, we have the newest chapter of Second Chance up and we're now starting in part 3, Negotiations. The chapter was a ton of fun to write, and Zo'Tomana added in the details for Tomana's reply to Helryx concerning Excavate. Now we're taking a new twist to this part, since it's basically a start up for the conflicts that will be happening in Part 4. One half of Part 3 will cover what happened right after the Abyss Isla, and the other will continue into the future, where T and E have located the Makuta and are searching for it. Kind of a past present timeline thing... hope you all enjoy it.- March 28Checking out the dates I'm posting these, I realize how quickly we're publishing new chapters. Anyway Timing is up, a Zo;Tomana chapter and real good one. We had a little experimentation on the sparring session, but overall I think it turned out nicely. We're still moving back and forth between the present and past so hopefully it's not confusing anyone. Be on the look out for the next chapter soon!- April 2Tomana liked this chapter, but felt it was a little slow in pace. I honestly agree. I think this Part of the epic is more for the slowness and working Character Development, but we'd love to know what you all are thinking. ^^ Newest chapter, A Place You Call... is published. (It has a hidden meaning, doubt many will figure it out.)-April 13So it's been more then a solid week since we posted our last chapter. For that we apologize, but busy life got in the way as it usually does. It took us a little time to know what we were going to do with this and the next chapter, as both deal with the histories of our two main characters. Hopefully we've done it right, and the next chapter is completed, so expect it to be published in just a few days after this one sinks in. Zo;Tomana's chapter is done well imo, and it dives into a more vulnerable look at the Toa. My friend and I would also like to point out, that again, while we know this Part 3 is probably going by a little slowly, things are going to pick up real soon. Give us your opinions when you can, and thanks for reading!-April 21Another week having gone by, and another chapter to log. Today we go Here and There, a backstory chapter, or at least an explanation as to where our two main characters are from. It was a difficult chapter to write, especially with the dialogue and such... but I got a treat for you all. Zo'Tomana and myself have both written this chapter. We wrote it out in real time, and I did Excavate's dialogue while Zo'Tom did the Detectives. :3 I hope you all enjoy it, because it was a lot of fun. Next chapter is mine, and we're nearing the end of this third part!-April 25Took a little less time to get this chapter done. Not much to say, except we've gotten on a quicker pace again and this is the penultimate chapter of Part 3!-May 9thWith Part 3 done, we are now ready to enter into Part 4: Infiltrator. Hope you all enjoy it. Just as another note, These Days was my first semi-songfic I've ever done. Hopefully you thought it was good!-May 19thWe're sorry for the long wait on the update, but it took us a little time to know where we wanted to take part 4 exactly, and we've both been a little busy. But we have the next chapter coming soon and the one right after that. I may actually be gone for a week this coming Monday, but I'll keep you all posted. Besides that, want to give a huge thanks to everyone who's read and reviewed this story. You guys make it worth it all the more. :3-June 23thIt's interesting how we've slowed a little. Since the last update we've had two chapters up: City of Glass and Dust. Hopefully you all enjoy the story so far, and while we've both been a little busy as the summer has officially set in, the story is still fresh and ready to be typed up soon! We love all your comments so keep them up if you can, and thanks again for reading!-June 30thWith a new chapter already out, we present Mistaken Targets. The chapter was written by myself and Tomana. I had the upper half with Excavate's and Joga's view point, while Tomana had "Zoxara" and Kato's view point. Hopefully you all enjoy it, and Part 4 will be coming to an end shortly. ;D Comments and criticism is great appreciated, as always!-July 7thReleasing the next chapter, Tomana provided Sit Sine Labe Decus (Let Honour Stainless Be) a couple days ago. It's quite the character inspection for our frosty friend, and one step closer to finishing up Part 4! Please enjoy and comment when you can!-July 18thWe finally present Uprising, the last chapter in the Part 4. I will say this was one of the toughest chapters I've had to write, with Tomana and I going over the plot back and forth, back and forth, neither one of us liking any of our combined ideas. Finally we did a complete rewrite of the second half of the chapter, which with a little editing, we realized was something we wanted. But let's let you guys decide that! Leave any comments you'd like and thanks for reading! Part 5 coming soon, but give us about a week probably.Influences to Second Chance
  9. Divided We Fall Written by: Grant-Sud The armor of the Toa of Stone was custom made with small lightstones in sets of three fitted along his two shoulder blades. On his torso and back, two larger lightstones were set in the center. The Toa, Jehu, was carrying an Impact Crystal Launcher and sustained a grim expression on his face.To his right, the Toa of Air, Silic, wore similar armor, holding his own personal weapon, a Zamor Launcher. He held a grin of excitement, ready for a fight.The two Toa were primed to illuminate their soon to be unlit surroundings, and in Lhikan’s opinion, the two stood like lighthouses. Placing a hand on the massive metal shell they were standing on, he concentrated, and melted a circular opening into the hull. The day in Ga-Metru was cloudy, chilling, and held an overall feeling of gloom.As Jehu stepped forward, the heated edges cooling and solidifying, the Toa of Fire looked inside the opening, and caught sight of a catwalk two meters below. Underneath the suspended charcoal colored walkway was just nothing but empty, dark space, and could stretch down however many floors.Jehu glanced toward Lhikan, who gave a nod. Then the Toa of Stone stepped off into the ship, falling and landing silently but heavily, onto the path. It remained secure. The rest of the four Toa followed one at a time. The thick clouds above Metru Nui blocked out the rays of light from outside, inside the frigate being tinted with fog and dust which seemed to swallow up what little illumination they had.There was no turning back now.Following behind their leader was a Toa of Water, a veteran named Naho who had been working with Lhikan for months now. In the center of the group, a rookie named Pelish, Toa of Psionics, walked with noticeable unease. She had been on numerous missions before, but never one that was so perilous, where everything wasn’t controlled.Naho wasn’t sure how Lhikan was going to lead the young Toa, ready to jump out of her armor at any moment. He had told her, Naho remembered when they were being briefed, as long as she followed commands and used her head, things would go well.The Toa of Water moved easily, but her eyes constantly on the shadows, where nothing should be. The catwalk ended after some descending steps, which led to solid floors. They were in a large, lonely chamber that seemed mostly hollow. The Toa of Stone and Air were the major sources of light in the room, now tinted in a whitish yellow. The silence was unnerving.It took a moment for Naho to realize they were walking in the main hanger of the frigate. Since the battle for Ga-Metru, every last boat, hovercraft and flight soldier had been used.It doesn’t feel that empty though, I can still sense the life that filled this place only a couple days ago… it’s too fresh in the air.Silic gestured to the four elevator bunkers, one stationed at the far end of each wall, seeable due to the flickering lights hinged near the doors. Lhikan paused, considered, and pointed to one.Still walking behind her leader, Naho knew it was better for Pelish to follow all orders she was given. If things went wrong, which was a possibility, then she wouldn't be responsible for the result of her actions. It would be Lhikan's blame, his burden.Naho glanced at her leader, not knowing how a being could hold that much outward strength and keep the rest hidden, however much he had buried. But Lhikan was constantly doing so as the war continued on, and he was becoming something of a heroic icon because of it. So many friends of his, they were just … gone. The list became larger every day, the latest on it being Nidihiki, who had been missing for a week.The Toa of Fire raised a hand as the platform lowered, one blade in the other and one strapped on his backside. They turned to him, waiting for him to speak.“I want this to go smoothly, no firing unless I give the order,” he turned and met his team’s eyes, giving them the same command twice, once before they entered the massive ship. “We can’t risk letting the enemy know we’re here, or setting off the ship’s power supply.“And we stay together, no matter what. Divided, and we fall.”It was the end of the Dark Hunter War on Metru Nui, or it seemed that way. The two sides of Toa and Dark Hunters had been fighting for months now, not one side overcoming the other, both having dealt heavy losses. Naho wasn’t sure how much longer they could hold out, especially with the constant resources and weapons being shipped to the Dark Hunters from other lands by sea.And then without warning, only two short days ago, their enemies had charged unexpectedly with a full force at Ga-Metru. An entire squad of Toa had arrived from the Coliseum to reinforce their allies in combat, only to find the battle over. Naho had been there with the troops, to watch Lhikan and the various survivors appear from the schools and homes, tired and broken, but safe.She had looked toward the sky. A constant drumming of rainfall covered the streets with broken pavement, crumbled buildings, uprooted plant life, and the Silver Sea around them shook with unnatural disruption, like it was crying.Ga-Metru was crying over the bodies now littered across her land.Lhikan had approached them from the field, she was hypnotized by the sight and hadn’t been able to turn away.His golden shoulder armor had been busted and cracked. His slumped form, his legs shaky, but refusing to topple. And then her eyes rose to his mask, drenched by the pouring rain and dampened. And … and his eyes were the worst. It was like the flames in them were doused, like nothing would ever rekindle them.He stared at her, silent, and she had never seen her friend that way before. It was like he wasn’t really there, as though he was somewhere else. Maybe reliving moments he wished to relive, change or even forget...It only lasted a second. Then his eyes rekindled, he was a Toa again, and never averting her eyes, pointed toward the beach.The ship had come from out of nowhere during the battle, flying high above the sea, circular and white in appearance; dropping off Dark Hunters and firing off ballistics at Matoran Homes and Schools. It was destructive, massive, and unlike anything the Dark Hunters had brought to the city before. With that steel dragon in the sky, it could have destroyed all of Metru Nui.Energy waves from Toa and their weapons from the ground only weakened it by a degree. It had taken multiple Toa of Air to drop shoot three Toa of Earth on top of the ship. The brave Toa sent waves of earth shattering power on its hull, bringing an air machine the size of the Great Temple screeching down to its death and onto the beach. The Toa didn’t survive the crash as their bodies were flung like leaves in a hurricane.Only a day later Dume assigned a team into the dead frigate. The logic behind it was the ship’s downfall was too easy. Dark Hunters always have a second plan. A large energy source must be on the ship to power it and if it was unstable from the crash, maybe it could be used as a bomb.Pelish from outside the ship, the only Toa of Psionics in Ga-Metru, hadn’t been able to pick up thoughts from remaining Dark Hunters left inside. She believed that even if a few were masking their minds, not all of them would have been able too. The crash may have simply killed them all.Lhikan didn’t believe that, no matter how damaged the ship had become. And with such power still breathing on the Ga-Metru shore, the ship was a threat unless they took a closer look inside. Dume had recognized Pelish’s useful abilities, and had appointed her on the Team. She begrudgingly agreed.I’ve never seen such a thing as magnificent as it is terrifying, thought Naho, her mind returning to the present.The five Toa came upon a command hull, holograms lit across the walls, flickering with unreadable information. Wires stretched themselves from the ceiling and floors and computers, sparking with electricity, still being given power. The ceiling was broken, metal panels bent and curved. Small bug Rahi, somehow finding their way inside, were feasting on the alloys and electrical power, making the occasional rattle. The main, circular information terminal in the center of the room, was in complete disrepair, and over the console loomed a Dark Hunter’s body. Pelish froze at the sight of its opened eyes, unlit.Naho blinked, knowing she should have expected this. But even then she glanced to the left, where another body lay, sitting and upright against the wall, taking a long moment before averting her eyes from it. She was still unprepared. And to the right there was one … and on the top of stairs leading to the next floor below...Her breath caught, and she gave a reflexively light cough. Lhikan visibly faltered.They were walking through a graveyard.Silic’s grin disappeared as he and Jehu moved slowly apart, bringing more light to dark room. Lhikan slowly gazed across the floor and on to the terminals. No hologram of the ship’s layout he noted.The five Toa stepped forward, slowly moving and heading down the stairs. They had entered from the top of the ship, and were making their way toward the center, where the power supply was theorized to be.Jehu took the lead and moved easily. He was a young Toa, Lhikan knew, but not as unsharpened as Pelish. The Toa of Fire walked behind him, noting how much the Toa had changed over the last few months. He had once been like Silic, easy going and unburdened for a being of stone. But after so many fights, sometimes Toa just don’t recover fully. Jehu rarely spoke now, and gave up his eager personality to become a hardened soldier.It isn’t the dead and it’s not the sights or the destruction, thought Pelish, walking behind her leader, unconsciously sticking closer then need be. It’s … the silence. I can’t hear anything. I can’t hear anyone speak their open thoughts. Not a sound.Pelish’s fingers twitched nervously as they made their way through the steel hallway at the end of the steps, passing the body lying there. Her whole team had gone numb, their minds as dead as the casualties around them.So when the abrupt sound of metal clashing was heard from upstairs, the Toa team jolted and their minds irrupted as though they had all just shouted into her ears.“What was that?” Lhikan questioned, turning swiftly to catch sight of the Dark Hunter rushing toward them from behind. The event happened so quickly, that Naho would remember only seeing its singed flesh and armor - by the explosions that went off during the crash probably - and the desperateness in the eyes of their attacker. There was no question about it, whether or not the Dark Hunter was successful at this suicidal charge, he was going to succumb from his own injuries at a moment’s time.Lhikan didn’t flinch as his unit did. “Move!” he shouted with sharp authority, slashing his blade upward from underneath. A trail of intense fire soared across the hall cutting right down the middle. The three Toa behind him moved instinctively, hitting the wall, the flames missing them.“Jehu, I need a shot now!”Immediately the furthest Toa locked eyes with the Dark Hunter as it ran through the flames, pain on its face. With steel precision Jehu swiftly raised his weapon and aimed…With a sharp, crack, a crystal exploded across the Dark Hunters chest, instantly halting him. He took a breath, glanced down, and opened his mouth as if to speak.Then the crystal grew with a mighty grip on its victim, forming a miniature tower in only an instant, bursting through the ceiling and floor. It was like a glacier being created, with the crackling sound of ice and all.The five Toa stared at the frozen Dark Hunter, his ice prison with an outward smoothness comparable to the Ko-Metru knowledge towers. He was suspended, feet above the ground the ice holding him up, feeling no pain. He was still alive, but it didn’t matter. By the time the Toa would be able to retrieve him from the weapon’s effects …No, Lhikan didn’t have to say anything, and turned away with hidden effort, causing the rest to slowly follow; leaving the being in his final living hours, lifeless.***They entered a corridor with doors along the walls, numbered. Naho figured they had reached the barracks.Toa Lhikan glanced at Pelish.“I need you to do a constant sweep of the area. Do you sense anyone?”She closed her purple eyes, unseen elemental power stretching out. After a moment she answered.“No. I can’t detect anyone yet.”“Keep giving me reports, I’d rather not have another incident like that one…” Lhikan kept a straight face, one even Naho couldn’t see through. “We’ll be prepared next time.”What was he thinking Pelish? Naho wanted to ask suddenly. Who was the last person the Dark Hunter chose to dream about?She tried not to dwell about it. Naho had been constantly fighting for months. Why was it now that feelings of guilt crept up along her spine?…Can you tell me what he was going to say to us?They continued to move down the hall, passing each room, the doors all looking the same. Some of them were left open, and you could see the bunkers inside and personalization of the individual quarters.“I wonder if the crash killed all these Dark Hunters.”Lhikan glanced at Naho, “What do you mean?”“It just seems odd, doesn’t? That so many Dark Hunters were killed. I would have thought more of them may have survived.”Silic was taking up the rear and spoke aloud.“Maybe they just weren’t prepared for a collision. Maybe they believed this ship was unstoppable.”“Or, maybe they believed it was stoppable. If anyone was taken prisoner incase their plan failed, well … there are some things you don’t want your enemy to know. Plans, secrets, locations, the list goes on, things you sacrifice to keep safe. Maybe some of them committed suicide instead of losing even more of what they had.”And everyone quieted down.Pelish raised her head to Lhikan’s theory. The next few minutes felt like hours later, when she sensed a presence.“Lhikan, someone’s nearby…” she whispered.The Toa of Fire halted, as did Jehu in front of him. He raised his launcher toward the dark passage.“Alright, we move nice and slow. Pelish, keep a look out for where our enemy is coming from,” Lhikan ordered, his instincts and commanding persona taking over once more.The rhythmic footsteps echoed down the lifeless hallway, as they continued, room by room. They entered through a small medic station, a weapon’s room in shambles, and one room that’s purpose was unidentifiable now.“I … can’t sense him anymore.”Jehu looked over at his friend, speaking for the first time, “Do you mean he’s passed?”“No. I think he’s hiding. I keep sensing him… fade in and out.”Lhikan glanced over his shoulder, waiting for further explanation.“It’s like, he isn’t there, and then he is,” the Toa of Psionics struggled with the words. “I can’t explain it, I’m sorry.”Naho couldn’t deny feeling a little terror creep up through her once more.“Now he’s near again.”“Where?” Lhikan asked, his tone a little sharper than necessary. Silic pulled his weapon in closer.The five Toa stopped in a large open room with two stairways along the walls, which led to two doorways and another catwalk leading to both from across the room. At the far end was a thick steel gate. It was unique looking, built for durability. The room was lit well, and seemed relatively undamaged, which surprised them.“Where is he now Pelish?” He questioned again, feeling a sensation of being watched.The four of them turned to her, as she looked toward each doorway, studying them. Then she turned toward the main steel door ahead.It opened, slowly, and the Dark Hunter behind it made no attempt at being subtle, yet seemed calm. He was a giant. Large in form he stood a Toa’s length and a half, with a stare as cold as the dead. He entered the chamber one step at a time and stopped a good few yards away from the team.The Toa withdrew their weapons.“Surrender, we have no need to harm you,” Lhikan offered, knowing the answer he’d receive.The Dark Hunter stood silently, staring them down. After a long moment he spoke in a deep, older voice.“You are here on my home. I have no reason to surrender, and you are not welcome here.”The Toa of Fire knew there was some truth to that.“We don’t want to harm you,” he said again, this time unhesitating.The Dark Hunter’s eyes narrowed in real anger, the first he had shown. He raised his weapon and fired.It was a six round blaster, nothing Lhikan had seen before. But the projectile was missile based and they were too near the center of the ship now to risk any explosions.“Naho, Silic, contain it!” their leader commanded quickly moving from the oncoming mini rocket.Instantly Naho raised her two hand blades, small, though perfect for hand to hand combat, and Silic raised his left hand. A surrounding bubble of water enclosed itself around the missile and an implosion of air set it off. The explosion was quieter and contained to the point of minor damage, water drizzling over the Toa.“There’s someone else … he keeps disappearing,” Pelish spoke softly.Jehu open fired on the Dark Hunter, the crystal ammunition spreading across its body before … shattering. The Toa team looked on in surprise. He was immune to the effects of the ice and it couldn’t grow quick enough before breaking apart. He had some kind of shielding energy.Pelish’s eyes opened, coming out of her concentration.“I sense him! He’s below us!”Lhikan glanced at her before turning to the floor, the metal began to bend and rumble.“Someone is attacking from below!” he shouted, the blades in his hand igniting with flames.The team separated away, watching the shadow shoot upward into the air. Lhikan couldn’t describe what he saw. It vibrated and moved through the solid metal easily, arms outstretched and legs bent as though it had just leaped. Its body was in constant movement, as though every molecule that made up its structure refused to stay still. It had bright silver eyes and as it floated in the air for brief moment, they shown down, narrow, on the Toa team with quiet resentment. All of five of them watched, unable to turn away from the phenomenon, before it vanished instantly.Lhikan snapped out of it first, he turned to Pelish.“Where is he!” it wasn’t a question.Naho pointed toward the catwalk above the muscular Dark Hunter. There it stood. Naho watched as it teleported again, moving through the metal walkway and on to the floor in front of its ally. The large Dark Hunter simply nodded, and without turning to catch it, the smaller one teleported again. He moved forward toward the Toa.“Brace yourselves!” Jehu shouted as the creature came upon Silic, tackled and ran with him across the room. The Toa of Air found himself against the wall, damaged from the impact. He felt like drifting into sleep.“Lhikan, he’s using an advanced speed technique!” Naho shouted.Her leader nodded, “Follow him!”Lhikan watched as Naho activated her Kakama, instantly moving quicker than his eyes could follow. Moments later the seemingly intangible Dark Hunter was on the floor from Naho’s instant assault, half righting itself up before disappearing with a high speed.Pelish ran toward Silic, and as Lhikan heard the sound of rockets being fired off from the large Dark Hunter they had neglected, he knew things were about to go very, very wrong.***In her accelerated movement, the world seemed to slow before her. While using her mask she couldn’t activate her water powers at that speed. So when she fought her opponent, the strategic factors listed off in her head.The Dark Hunter stood at a Toa’s height, and had a Toa’s build. His body seemed more compact at these speeds, but still it shifted like a hologram constantly. He was fast, too fast.Naho ran up the stairs at a pace normal through her eyes, following him. Every step he took made dents into the steel frames of the stairs. His constant speed harmed anything he touched. She wondered if he had the ability to turn his powers off.Reaching the end of the stairway, on the catwalk above the battle below, the Dark Hunter turned to meet her. Naho didn’t hesitate, and leaped in the air bringing a swift kick toward his chest. He caught it in mid air, and swung her around into the safety rails. She felt the impact and grunted. Her vision blurring and with her concentration distracted, the world flowed into real time again.Don’t stop. If you slow down he’ll destroy you in a moment. Move, move!With determination Naho activated her mask once more, rolling just as the Dark Hunter struck where she was against the bar, breaking it in two.She pushed up with one arm and slashed with the other, bringing a blade across his shoulder, an unanticipated move. She heard him cry, a quick gasp with a flash of anger spreading across his disfigured face. He could be harmed, but only while she was moving at a similar speed to his.Naho swung her other arm toward him, and he caught it in midair.‘You have no chance…’Her eyes widened, not expecting him to be able to speak. It sounded distant, in her mind. His fingers were wrapped around her wrist, even though it felt only like a force, not like flesh, not warm or even cold.With a quick movement she twisted away and charged with knives in hand. He dodged, dodged the second blow and brought a swift kick to her side. She moved backward, and with a shocked expression, felt the kinetic waves of sound and air rumble around her, causing her to hold on to the rail. She glanced at the room below her, seeing it covered in fire and smoke. Her team was just hit with multiple sudden explosions.She stared at the Dark Hunter before her, who hadn’t been fazed by the blasts at all, letting each wave move through him. He only stared, unmoving, angrily tempting her to charge at him again while they moved down the stairs.But they both knew the truth. He was much faster than she was. Naho was going to lose this fight, and once she did, there would be no one left to stop him.***Lhikan’s mind was scattered in a haze, the smoke thick and heavy. He had lost sight of everyone, and began to right himself up.Both firesword blades in hand, he activated his Hau on maximum, standing still.Listening for movement, he tried to see the shadows and lights through the smoke. It cleared a little and he caught sight of a fallen Silic, desperately firing Zamor spheres at the massive Dark Hunter who brushed off the electrical energy blasts as if it was nothing, stepping toward to the Toa of Air. Bringing both his swords forward, Lhikan fired a projectile of intense flames, soaring across the room and smothering the looming creature in heat.It barely nudged. He simply turned to look at Lhikan for a second, than it began to run to Silic, bringing up an arm to crush the Toa on the ground.“No!” Lhikan shouted loudly, firing another wave of elemental energy with no effect. As he rushed to meet his friend, knowing he’d never make it in time, a solid rock pillar erupted from the ground before Silic, moving at an angle impacting the giant into the chest. The Dark Hunter was pushed back in surprise, as Jehu leaped from the smoke behind Silic and over him, running with unstoppable force up along the pillar and throwing both his arms into the Dark Hunter’s shoulders, brawling on strength alone.Lhikan never stopped his charge and ran to the side of the Dark Hunter, slashing at his legs. The scorching mark that should have remained there didn’t. He was resistant to all energy attacks. Lhikan moved quickly, but not quick enough to dodge his enemy’s blow from behind. Jehu leaped and gave a solid punch to the being’s face.The Dark Hunter stumbled back, but reached out and grabbed the Toa by the shoulder. With a mighty cry he flung the Toa of Stone across the room into the catwalk, the metal bending as he crashed into it. Jehu was caught and remained still within the steel. Then he slipped free from the grasp and landed on the ground with a soft thud, unmoving.Pelish screamed Jehu’s name, infuriated and stepping forward on the battle field with a defense staff in hand. With swift movements she slashed at empty air, sending invisible blasts of telekinesis at the monster. His body constantly shook with the blasts, feeling each impact as he fell to the wall behind him.It all happened too quickly for Lhikan to object. Silic appeared from the air with Jehu’s Crystal Launcher, landing in the Dark Hunter’s arms, which latched on to him, squeezing him. Silic began to cry out and stopped Pelish in shock, not knowing how to save her friend.“You’re going to die Toa…” The Dark Hunter whispered as he crushed harder, the Toa’s armor bending.Silic pointed the launcher downward, and with a blast of crystal he answered with a smug grin on his face. The ice on the ground beneath the Dark Hunter and Toa had plenty of time to form. The giant’s eyes narrowed as the crystal grew over him and the Toa, trapping them both.***Pelish kneeled before Jehu’s lying form and reached out, placing her fingers against his mask.“Is he going to be alright?” She asked quietly.“He’s still breathing, but we need to get him help.”Lhikan looked him over. The Toa of Stone was in worse shape than he thought. His back was ... bent in an unnatural way. His eyes weren’t even fully closed, slightly lit at the rims. He didn’t seem to be aware they were watching him.“And … Silic?”“Silic is safe. The effects of the Crystal are only meant to trap, not kill.” The Toa of Fire looked toward his frozen companion’s way. It was a bold move, distracting the Dark Hunter to give a clear shot that would freeze around the shield of the enemy. But it was at a cost. They were down two Toa.“Pelish, I need you to find Naho.”The Toa of Psionics stared at Jehu’s limp form, she remained silent. Lhikan watched her, knowing what she must be feeling. But they didn’t have time for that now.“Pelish!” He said sharply. She flinched and looked up at him.“Sister, I need you locate Naho. She’s in trouble.”“Yes … It’ll … take a minute.”“Try. And then you’re going to strike him.”“Me?”“Yes. Your elemental attacks aren’t physical. If you find his mind, you should be able to repel his body.”“I’ve never had to concen-”“Pelish, she’s still fighting that … thing. We have to help her.” He turned toward the open room, waiting for some sign of battle. He didn’t have to look and see Pelish close her eyes, searching for the Toa moving at high speeds.Then his eyes caught sight of Naho and the Dark Hunter as they became visible, just for a moment, like a flash. Flashes of Naho with a knee to her stomach, a punch to her mask…“And she’s losing,” he finished, suddenly needing to find something, some way to help. But this was all Pelish. He couldn’t do anything at that level of energy.“I’ve almost found her…” Pelish could sense them, on the stairs, on the floors, on the catwalk. They were fighting at all places at once it seemed. But she knew that wasn’t true. They were in one place at everyone one moment…Find them…“There!” Pelish shouted, eyes snapping open with a hand stretched toward the field. Lhikan desperately watched the empty floor. Did she hit him?Then the Dark Hunter appeared, and flew into the wall by a wave of telekinetic energy. Naho reappeared moments later just as instantly, gasping and moving toward her team.“He hasn’t been defeated yet,” she coughed, uneasiness over coming her from the fight.“I know. Not yet,” Lhikan replied raising his blades forward, and blasted a comet of flames toward the wall where the Dark Hunter stood, frozen in surprise as the heat rushed toward him. The explosion lit the whole room, and died down quickly.The three Toa looked on in silence.And the Dark Hunter walked out of the flames.***The hallow echoes, the unnatural hissing sounds of the fires inside the chamber, the reflective light off of the crystallized beings, all of it somehow merged together creating an unspoken art form. It was a battlefield, one that had been fought over for a long period by beings who struggled through their wills and strength.Lhikan’s blades were held before him, glowing in a soft orange and red. Naho held her own blades, mind primed to activate her mask at a given moment. Pelish held her hands forward, pulsing energy moving the air around her fingers.The Dark Hunter glared toward them with his silver eyes, shifting like an illusion.Wordlessly he charged forward before disappearing.Naho grunted and disappeared as well, their bodies vanishing and reappearing with blinding speed. Pelish looked on, trying to follow their movements, before Lhikan gave a shout of surprise. A kick to his side by the assassin brought him to the ground. Pelish immediately moved toward him, seeing the Dark Hunter’s image as he stood still. The Toa of Psionics slashed through his body with her staff, only an afterimage of where he was.She wasn’t surprised, but the pain that seared through her arm as it was twisted back, brought Pelish gasping for air. In a moment she was slammed into the wall. She felt the force off of her arm, and onto her neck. When her sight readjusted she found the Dark Hunter’s hand on her throat. She couldn’t breathe.Naho reappeared before them in the center of the room and Lhikan stood up. His anger seeped over him like a roaring forest fire.“Let her go,” the Toa of Fire whispered, eyes narrowed.“Three moves. Then I end her life.”The two Toa didn’t glance at each other. But they knew what the other was thinking. They needed a plan.The Toa of Water breathed in and out, regaining the strength she needed. Then she didn’t avert her eyes to the ice forming along the walls. Lhikan was trying to freeze him, removing the heat. The Dark Hunter’s body became opaque and as he felt the sudden shift, in slight surprise, she moved in. Pelish started to fall forward, faint.Naho sped forward at the greatest speed she could muster, and brought a blow to her enemy’s mask. She watched him stumble back in slow motion, she moved forward, Lhikan moved for Pelish.But her hope was shattered in a moment. The Dark Hunter reaccelerated grabbing on to Naho’s moving arms and throwing her toward the other side of the room. Lhikan was kneed into the stomach by the unseen force, and a second blow brought his face to the ground. He rolled throwing heat energy around him. He regained his guard and looked up.The Dark Hunter caught Pelish’s body by the throat, and realigned her against the wall.“One move, and I end her life.”It was the point of no return, and the Toa were out of ideas.No, you’re not going to die Pelish. This won’t happen. Lhikan held his blades tightly at the thought. There was something he was missing, some kind of angle he hadn’t seen. He had to make sure she lived through this, and become a great Toa, like she was meant to be.I swear it.And as he studied his opponent’s eyes, he noticed hers open as well. They looked toward him.I am a Toa.His mind echoed with her thoughts.With a cry of defiance Pelish released a wave of energy, bending everything around her with her power. The Dark Hunter shouted in pain, his body moving away, grabbing hold of his shoulders. Whatever he felt, was a form of torture.Her eyes were narrowed and her body, though shaken, held as she unleashed the energy.Lhikan! The engine room is right below us!Lhikan held an arm over his forehead as he received the message, energy repelling back both himself and Naho. She had read their attackers mind. The main gate at the end of the room, he realized, led to it!She raised her hands back to strike him once more, before the enemy wildly moved toward her, ignoring the intensity as a Dark Hunter would. With quick movement he grabbed her neck and crushed it, stopping her.“No!” Naho and Lhikan cried out in horror, the sadness and guilt striking just as quickly and the gust of air suddenly stopping.Pelish stared down her killer for the final few moments, never leaving his eyes, quivering, but determined to stay focused to the last second. He never smiled, and just looked back as he let go of her. Then the Toa closed her eyes, and fell.***Naho charged.She didn’t think about where her attack would lead her, or the consequences. But this Dark Hunter would pay.The Toa of Water slammed into him shoulder first, driving him into the wall, never touching Pelish’s body. She reached out and stabbed him at the torso, hearing him cry out. He deflected her second thrust of the blade, but she ignored it, dropped her knife and punched him, over and over again across the body and face.She didn’t have to see what Lhikan was doing. This mission had been a failure. Too many had already been lost.But they were Toa, and their success was worth more than their lives.She didn’t have to shout for Lhikan, or tell him her plan. She was giving him time, enough to get to the engine room.An intense heat filled the air, as the Toa of Fire stabbed his blades into the floor, flames surrounding his body, bright and intense. The metal beneath him melted and he fell through the passage.Naho mentally urged him on, while she threw another blow to her opponent’s gut. The Dark Hunter pushed back and swiftly moved away from her, reappearing at the end of the room. He stood, an arm over the spot she had wounded him. But he didn’t say a word, just turned to her.“I’m going to kill you.”Her words were acid on her tongue. And it was a promise. She didn’t care how many codes she broke, this was going to be a fight to the death. His, or her own, one of them wasn’t leaving this ship alive.“I hate you.”She heard him say it. It was a choice of words she didn’t expect, but she didn’t hesitate nor care why he had. He stared at her, with no sympathy in his look. The guilt and anger that filled her pushed out all other doubts. The Toa activated her mask once more and perhaps for the final time.***Lhikan dropped roughly onto the steel ground. Before him was a large metal ring with a powerful electrical current flowing around it. The engine took up half of the room, and a widened control panel was aligned against the wall.And this was it. This was what they were searching for. The energy was intense, and he felt the immediate electric charge dwindling throughout the chamber.Find the power source, shut it off and destroy it. He thought, moving quickly.The Toa of Fire placed a hand over the controls, looking over them, studying them as calmly as he could. He knew he didn’t have much time. But the controls were precise he figured, one wrong adjustment and the whole thing could blow. It was amazing the engine had remained so preserved.‘Not that lever.’Lhikan wanted to pretend like it was the humming of the machine that echoed the voice. Slowly he turned away and looked to the center of the room. He wasn’t surprised by what he saw.The Dark Hunter held Naho in his one hand, by her arm, slowly levitating with her, toward the floor. He planted his feet firmly, and roughly dropped the Toa of Water. She lay wounded and breathed shallowly, her mask to the ground.The two regarded one another for a long moment. Lhikan had no chance. The question was why he was still alive.‘I have to know only one thing,’ the Dark Hunter’s voice echoed, ‘Why are you here?’The Toa of Fire regarded him, unsure of how to answer the question.The silver eyes glared deep into his mind. The molecules that made up his being never faltered, rapidly vibrating in a wave like pattern.‘You could have destroyed this ship from the outside. Why would you waste the advantage? Were you trying to take prisoners?’A silent response.‘From the moment you Toa stepped into this ship, I couldn’t figure it out. I thought maybe you knew something we didn’t. Are you searching for a comrade?’“No,” Lhikan answered. He gestured a blade toward the engine, without averting his eyes. “It was this.”The Dark Hunter turned to stare at it directly.‘What about it?’Lhikan’s stare grew hard. Somehow, he knew where this was going.“We thought it could be unstable from the crash. We also felt it could be used as a weapon, a last resort.”His opponent took a step forward.‘I see. You thought we’d kill our own. Sacrifice them all if things went bad. Well, you were wrong. About everything.’Lhikan was a veteran, and he’d seen a lot, and he’d heard a lot in battle. He was not a Toa to lose his cool, or let the line become blurred. Even though it seemed the engine wasn’t a real threat, there had been a chance the Dark Hunters could have used it as a self detonation. They had to have been sure.“Its war,” the Toa replied, raising his blades in response. He recalled the Toa of Earth who died in order to land the frigate into the beach. And images of Jehu and Pelish ran through his mind. “Everything is sacrifice.”The Dark Hunter with no name vanished, and Lhikan activated his mask of shielding. The first blow came to the head, a swift kick that Lhikan took, but bent his knees and slashed at where it had come from. The Dark Hunter had already moved away and gave a shattering blow to his back. His Hau took most of it, and Lhikan threw up a wall of flame around him, giving him a little protection.‘I hate Toa. I hate everything about your kind,’ Another blow, the enemy moving through the flames unaffected, his voice everywhere. Lhikan stumbled out of his circle, mind reeling. He had no power to match his enemy’s, what was he supposed to do?‘You fight for laws that you have created alone, laws that are flawed. You constant stick by them, even when others around you disregard it. Twist it.’“I have to believe in something. It’s what keeps me going.” He felt a force on his wrist, and with a sharp crack, his left hand was broken, one of his blades clanging to the floor. He brought his hand to his chest. “I have to believe in something…” he repeated again.He raised his body’s heat to ferocious temperatures, his entire form glowing in a deep orange. The Dark Hunter moved away, slightly burned and unable to touch him in that state. Lhikan’s power drained harshly, and as the heat dimmed, he backed away.‘All you Toa do is preach about destiny,’ Dark Hunter spat moving in closer, ‘But you kill when it’s suitable for you.’ He gave another strike to the mask. ‘You betray when it’s for your own advantage. And you punish us for our differences. We aren’t bind to rules like you, we hold no prejudice.’“I know,” was all he could say.‘You talk of duty as excuse for war. And you hold no guilt over the lives lost by the other side … or do you really believe the dead corpse frozen back in the Center Hub wasn’t my brother?’Breathing heavily now, his concentration dwindling. “Yes, just as she was my sister.”He fell against the wall, and the Dark Hunter, confident, appeared openly before him, Lhikan’s fallen blade, suddenly in the other’s hand.“We do our best, to walk with what we believe in. I won’t lie and say I don’t believe fighting is my duty. That dying might be my destiny. I won’t say I agree with Dark Hunters, that they are right, and we are wrong, or that it’s all just grey.”Lhikan sat to the floor, back against the wall. He looked up to meet his maker, unafraid. And the Dark Hunter couldn’t help but feel a little overwhelmed by the stare. He was a Toa. Strong willed and wise, he wouldn’t be taken in so easily by mere words.“We are hypocrites though, yes, we are, when we speak of unity. I will admit that.”The Dark Hunter watched him wordlessly, the humming of the engine to the left of him. The soft glow of the room shone on them both, casting their shadows, even the Dark Hunter’s was full and reached out across the floor. Half of Lhikan’s face was covered in darkness, a silhouette, only his bright ruby eyes were visible.He took a calm breath.“The Dark Hunters attacked Metru Nui. But we stepped right in line and became what we swore to never become. We don’t even take names anymore. I’ve killed, and I feel nothing for it; because I think about all those who I’ve lost, and how all my enemies should suffer for it. It plagues my mind, just like it plagues yours.”Toa Lhikan coughed, slumping slightly.“I can still remember running away from you all…” he silently whispered, replayed the tape within his mind, full of Toa and Frostelus. “Running away from our fortress, holding that one precious treasure and a message; I can still see your faces. I haven’t forgotten them.” He shut his eyes, tightly.“…I’m sorry for not being there to help you.”He slowly reopened them, and fixed his eyes to the steel below. Then he looked up to the Dark Hunter who felt genuine surprise by the conflict he had just seen. Narrowed eyes full of comprehension, Lhikan’s voice was a fact now.“This war of Metru Nui, it’s exactly the same. Every moment I’m on that battlefield, I can see its lack of reason. The division it causes. By the end of the war, it’ll be too late. We’re all going to lose something important, regardless of who wins. Something we can’t gain back. It’s fitting.”The Dark Hunter watched him in silence the matter bringing them both back to reality. They were enemies. There was no mercy, even if there should be. He raised the blade, its form unnaturally solid compared to the rest of his body.“We deserve it … to all fade away in the end.”He hesitated, wavered his raised arm. And he replied.‘I’m sorry, too.’The Toa of Fire reflected at the apology, and somehow the feelings brought by Pelish’s death began to numb. He closed his eyes.The blade was brought down in a swift motion for an instant kill with no pain. Lhikan heard the echoes of that redeeming statement ring throughout his mind over and over.And that’s when they were both caught off guard by a scream. A moment away from death, and Naho rushed forward as fast as she could, slamming into their adversary activating her mask while she did so.The Dark Hunter’s eyes widened fully, but he didn’t resist as quickly as he should have, he didn’t resist the feeling of such fierce determination. She hadn’t given up her life, and maybe a small part of him had.Then Naho accelerated, vanishing with him, the force propelling them in a blur directly to the engine’s electrical power.There was a bright flash and the sound of an uproar.And then everything went dark.***Lhikan stumbled around the room, reaching out. Behind him, a holy ray of light filled with dust, shone toward the floor from the ceiling. It was Jehu and Silic’s armor still shining from upstairs, still brightening up a little of the passages.The Toa of Fire mumbled out Naho’s name, wondering if it was useless to do so. The explosion had possibly killed them both. Mustering up a little strength, a small flame appeared in the palm of his hand.The engine was in pieces, lifeless and unfixable to any degree.He took a few steps, the glow reaching across the floor. And there was the body, up against the circuitry. A Toa’s build, silver in color. No longer in a constant vibration, he was completely solid, relieved of power. His eyes were closed.Naho lay a couple yards away, and Lhikan moved toward her.To his surprise, she moved, feeling the hand on her shoulder. Breathing slowly, her eyes relit.“You made it,” Lhikan stated, a glow of satisfaction filling him.The Toa of Water gave a smile, sitting up at a minor pace, waiting for something to flare in pain. But the bruises weren’t too bad. She gazed at the Dark Hunter, her expression suddenly solemn.“We got him?” She asked, knowing the answer.“Yes. Mission successful.”“It doesn’t feel like it.”Slowly he brought an arm under hers, lifting her up to her feet.“We need to get back. We’ll give the okay to deconstruct the ship, use its parts. And we’ll need to free Silic, give Pelish and Jehu …”His voice trailed off, and Naho nodded, knowing they had waited too long to help the Toa of Stone.Quietly they both walked into the light from above. They moved upstairs, passed their comrades and the Dark Hunters who had fallen. They moved through the medic room, down the barrack’s hallway, up into the terminal, rode the elevator leading to a barren hanger, and step by step onto the catwalk.It was a long journey back, and the moment they reached the surface, the struggle ahead would be waiting for them, as always. And they might be separated in the future, as friends usually are.But for now, two were able to draw on each other’s strength in the darkest of places. They hadn’t fallen yet, one held the other up when needed, both of them standing, together.____It took me a little time to write this out. I've wanted a story about a Toa Team that travels into a dead frigate, and this contest was the perfect excuse. Thank you for reading this too long of a story, and I hope you enjoyed it! Please review or comment, as it would be appreciated. =)I've never written a story about Lhikan or Naho before, but I've always loved his character and felt an appreciation for her work in the Metru Nui Toa/Dark Hunter War. There were a lot of influences to this, but the setting I had to get from the beginning Metroid Prime or perhaps that intro in Mass Effect 2, that sense of dread gets me every time. The team was just picked out of the blue, Lhikan and Naho being the only canon characters. I was really going for a silent, war story, with a drawn out dialogue at the end, hopefully it wasn't too much.Thanks again for reading yal!EDIT: I got permission from Velox to fix up a couple of errors I of course spotted after submitting this. I'm sure there are more...
  10. What I Stand For By: Grant-Sud If you believe you can sway me, if you think you can push me down, if fate itself has written it will lend a hand towards my fall, if you assume your lies will break me, if you assume your truth will shatter me, if what I represent you say is weak, if who I protect you claim will abandon me … and if you succeed in killing me? You are still wrong. I will keep standing. The Dark Hunter stood with his back against the wall of his prison cell, his eyes opened and sharp. He hadn’t moved in an hour and kept his arms crossed. He was silent and reflecting. And even though he was a prisoner, the caged being wasn’t afraid.Tension hadn’t built up in his muscles since he had chosen to remain still. His body was strangely relaxed. On the outside, beyond his hold, the smell of the ocean which seeped its scent through the walls was strangely comforting despite the circumstances.The grime that was rubbing against his shoulders however, from the dampness of the stone walls and the algae built up over time was degrading to the assassin. After all, a real prison should be kept uniform.The small cell contained one bunk and a table made of steel. The walls were hand crafted, built from grey stones of different shapes and varying sizes. It was dark as the cell offered no built in lights, the room being lit only during the day from the afternoon sun. Unlike the walls however, the door was made of durable protosteel, with a see-through ten by twelve glass pane.While he was impressed with the material of the door, he wasn’t with the means of observation. There were no cameras or other seeable ways for his captors to monitor him. He narrowed his eyes and shifted them, glaring at the table in anger. His abilities did not include vision powers, but anyone under the glare would have assumed he was about to activate them. Silently he calculated how to use it as a weapon or a shield against basic attacks. Even against energy blasts, the table would hold durably.He stood on the left side of the cell, his bed on the right. To his left, he ignored to the best of his ability, the luxury he had never before been given while under captivity. Not once.A small, four barred window.And that, that one lone “window of opportunity”, was what always corrected his former assumptions about his prison, what always reaffirmed him of his true situation.There was no escaping this cell.No prison gives such an easy exit to a Dark Hunter. They left a bed for comfortable resting and a table that could be used as a weapon and other conveniences. Karzahni, even his prison walls were breakable and could be dug through over a period of time.But when he realized how calm they were, about letting him have fresh air? That’s when he knew they weren’t concerned about him escaping. They were so confident that if he attempted an escape, he would fail. And yes, the window mocked him and dared him to try. In reality, it tormented him beyond any other form of torture – and he had endured much of that over the course of his life.It was tortuous because if he did stay, it was to stay on death row.How many times he had fought mentally with himself not to smash through those bars and embark on that flight of escape. Because he could break free if he choose too.Equally, he knew they were just waiting for such a move.He was trapped right on the edge of freedom. They never gave him an inch more.That’s when he had come to realize, that his captors were not good or great at their work. No, simply put, they were professionals.The open ocean stretched far beyond his range of sight from that small opening, the salty and fresh smell of life filling his lungs. It was another reason so much algae was able to thrive so easily and what kept his cell constantly moist.He tried to ignore the outside calmness and sweetness, though a pleasant feeling, because it filled him equally with dread.He had never been captured by the Order of Mata Nui before, much less ever faced one of their members. The affiliate’s swiftness and surprisingly brutal attacks had honestly thrown him off guard. Expectations were for the battle to be like dueling against a Toa.That had been his first mistake, and the Dark Hunter was not arrogant to the fact. When he failed, he made sure he knew it.Their battle had been in an open area, filled with civilians in a city known for selling its weapons. Meeting his future captor had been a unique experience. His opponent had stood in front of him, staring him down, showing no room for sympathy or cheap tactics. The Dark Hunter had been wearing a handmade, now overused and slightly tattered, robe. It had been given to him – not stolen – by a small Ko-Matoran settlement to the south. With four words, he revealed his intentions, the words still ringing silently in his mind. They were ones of purpose, as though Mata Nui himself had decreed it should be done.‘You are under arrest.’It wasn’t spoken as something that was bound to be. It was a fact. A piece of foreseen future placed in the unmovable timeline. And yes, even now he knew how true those words were, as there he was, trapped in his cell waiting to die.He remembered how he had given a look of unconcern and turned to the right instantly, not amused. He felt the heat of the blast, before actually seeing it, burn a hole through his traveler’s robe.Anyone who knew him well, which was a very few number of beings, knew he wasn’t a fighter unless he needed to be. And that had been his moment. His life had been threatened, and he would not surrender so willingly.It had taken an hour for the two to grow weary, he recalled. The battle had thrashed itself across the city, energy blasts destroying buildings in the wake, Matoran and other natives had been harmed. It had been a fair fight, but the Order of Mata Nui member would not falter. In the final moments the Dark Hunter had unleashed an explosion of energy from his body, instead of simply through his palms; ability he had kept hidden. His enemy had fallen to the earth with a thud, half his body disintegrated and smoking.He hadn’t smirked when he turned away, as some Dark Hunters would, just frowned at the unnecessary damage that was sure to trace back to him. That’s when he had made another mistake, rule number one in fact. He had failed to make sure his enemy was dead. He just never expected one of their members to thrive so hard on completing a mission.They were like Dark Hunters in a way.Regeneration was a clever power, and a stasis field trapped him into unconsciousness the next moment. He couldn’t remember anything afterward.The Dark Hunter had awoken in his cell with his energy drained. He had been able to regain the strength in his legs to stand, though his energy and abilities had yet to return. It wasn’t surprising that the Order of Mata Nui could allow this sort of mental inhibitor to be stuck to him. It might have even something to do with the prison’s structure.Or maybe it was permanent.The prison wasn’t as depressing as some of the previous ones he had been in. Even the seemly gloomy fog that tinted his air, seeable by the night’s low glow, was simply a natural satisfying effect from the ocean.He was utterly calm, even if his powers weren’t working. That was a strange feeling to have.That didn’t make sense of course. Well, maybe it did since he was awaiting his execution.An Execution, he thought and chuckled at the dark irony, after all the years spent in the organization, I don’t die on a mission, or get stabbed in the back; something easy without pain or worry. No my destiny is to die, with the slow and fully confronted knowledge that the choices I made were the wrong ones, and what I’ve done will be repaid.The Dark Hunter slowly slid down to the floor of his cell. He closed his eyes. It was then he felt truly tired, his lean form suddenly shaken and the eyes behind his Kanohi dimming.Death was on the approach. How much time did he have left?As his hand brushed to the floor in odd exhaustion, he gently nudged a sharp rock which had chipped away from the wall. Without glancing at the tool, he picked it up and raised it to his eyes. It was lean, smooth. A Po-Matoran would consider it perfect for carving.In some distant memory, he could recall a sprout of anger that he unleashed upon the wall during one of his many days here. His fist had clipped the stone.He wasn’t a writer, no poet, and had never been a Chronicler before.But he would leave something behind. He deserved to be heard, just once.Hours would slip away, his movement unorganized as he etched into the rock walls his tales and the tales of others.“We, who had no past, had no place or destiny; that was why we chose to accept the missions no one else could do. We had no homes or even purpose. So we found them ourselves. Our deeds may have been immoral, but I do not regret them. We formed civilizations, brought rulers to their knees and plunked the flower from its roots so that a new one could grow. Don’t blame us because the petals fell upon the ground… What would have happened had the Makuta been allowed to take control, or if the six warlords themselves had reined their tyrannical position over us? Do not judge us, for some of you created us.”He wrote the tales of his companions, how they could only look over their shoulders or toward the next mission. How they could only take lives swiftly without emotion, because if you thought about it for too long sleep would abandon you for weeks. How they joined the Dark Hunters, because their homes were gone or lost or rejected by or to them. How some just couldn’t trust in the absent Mata Nui, blind Matoran, constricting Toa, the pompous Makuta and all the other species who surrendered to a fate not meant for them.He wrote about how his friend Ptero, the most skillful flier he had ever known, had lived in the tallest of mountains to watch over his city, before the Rahkshi came to annihilate his people. The Toa had blamed him once they had finally arrived, assuming his madness had been the cause.He wrote about how the Skakdi that wouldn’t look you in the eye had came to be a violent rampaging monster, set for the Shadowed One to unleash at any time. How his own kind had drugged him to control his temper, until he couldn’t take the mental abuse anymore.He wrote about the Toa of Fire with no name. How his entire team betrayed city. How they sold them out for the Xia market. How he hunted and slaughtered them for the lives they ruined.And it felt like only a moment had flashed before him. Then he was done. The room was scribbled with writings some overlapping each other. The Dark Hunter stood in the middle of it, rereading what he had carved and looked on satisfied.The rapping of his door dragged him out of his trance.“Excavate, against the wall.” The muddled sound pierces through the protosteel door.Excavate aligned himself to the wall as the door opened. The powerful silver armored being stood with a mighty Axe strapped across his back side.“Are you ready?”He was. And it was interesting because he held no fear. Even at this moment, when it was about to all come to an end.To immediate surprise, this felt welcoming.Someone was calling him, someone he could recollect a vague memory of.With a few steps he stood outside the door, prepared and firm in completing this final task. He had no desire to look back at the drawings and writings.The two beings walked down the hallway, Axonn motioning to the Ce-Matoran waiting in the corner. She knew already of her duty, to scrub off all unnecessary debris left by the caged. She entered the cell swiftly. And what she saw, she wouldn’t reveal to the souls of the Order of Mata Nui. Even if she removed it without hesitance, she read it.The writing deserves some sort of decency, she reasoned while her eyes skimmed over the words, yet soaking it in just the same. Still silently trying to shake the unsettling melancholy brought on after erasing it all, she repacked her supplies for her next assignment. Her feelings were disturbed, doubting, and above all, nagging remorse over such a being who also deserved a little more.END----Original Post(I honestly don’t know what I was trying to write here, but I felt like writing something with angst and I don’t even think I got that right lol. I have to say I’ve been dying to write about my character Excavate for a while now and after Black Diamond and Heartbeats I was finally able to get a little inspiration so thanks you guys. I know there are probably a lot of grammar mistakes but I’ll get to that later.)New PostA previous story of mine and now prologue to an epic titled Second Chance. I do hope you enjoyed it. Reviews are much appreciated. =D
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