Harvali

After what feels like at least a year, Kanohi, Hakari, and Lapu have reached Ga-Wahi. That’s right, we are in the endgame now.

IC Kanohi - Ga-Wahi - the Southern Border Kanohi did not have time to see Lapu’s reaction, as the charred blacked trees and craggy terrain of Ta-Wahi was pushed aside. Now they stood upon the forests and lakes of Ga-Wahi. The sun reflected off the water dazzling their optics, the trees stretched and flexed like they were stirring from a long nap. Calls of Rahi sounded again. It was hard not to think of Ta-Wahi as inherently unnatural now. It cleaved apart Ga-Wahi and Le-Wahi, the two woods complimented each other. But the lava and fire of Ta-Wahi had severed the lands, cut them off save for the barren rocky trek the trio had taken. The gloom of Ta-Wahi seemed almost cast aside by the light, and in a moment, the sunlight reflected off the lakes into Kanohi’s optics. He winced and averted his gaze, and that had consequences. The Fe-Matoran had turned back to the fiery glow of Ta-Wahi. A wind began to blow, hurling embers around Kanohi. He clutched his wooden mask to block it over his eyes, but the embers stung his hands, burning them until he was forced to gaze at the cyclone of Fire. He was pulled through the fire, tendrils of flame guiding him. But every time he drew close it would burn him and the fire would force him back. He stepped again and again, walking for centuries down the same path, until he felt his feet deform to follow the trail. The fire was all around him now, he no longer was moving. Long shadows were cast by the inferno, they rustled and shifted, until he realized it was a brown cloak. Green feet poked beneath the robes, and Kanohi feel to see a Lesterin staring down at him, his face unseen. The Lesterin turned from the vigilante, even as vines began to burst from the ground. Kanohi struggled but his Volo Lutu Launcher was ensnared, he could not fire it. He strained as the vines circled him, breaking up his vision. In the flashes between the vines, Kanohi saw the Lesterin standing over a shape. The Fe-Matoran’s optics widened as he recognized the gaping wound in the Matoran’s chest, and the Rahkshi staff still piercing through it. ”Aurax?” Kanohi’s heartlight vibrated like a Nui-Rama’s wings, flashing frantically. His whole body convulsed as he stared helplessly at the Lesterin reach into Aurax’s chest, digging into his oozing wound. Then the Lesterin wrenched something out of Aurax, holding it above his head. It looked … a cactus. ”A Miracle,” laughed the Lesterin, and then the vines coiled over Kanohi’s optics, and darkness took him. Light then broke the gloom, and Kanohi realized he had fallen to the ground, and his wooden mask had slide, covering his optics. His heartlight was frantic, his hands were shaking, his lubricant and coolant was oozing out of his chassis in a desperate attempt for his body to calm down. Kanohi shakily stood up, and got out his tablet. “We need to go to Ga-Koro now,” he wrote, his circles sloppy and the charcoal cracking in his trembling hands. He paused and wrote, “I know the way.” OOC: @ARROW404 @Snelly has Lapu seen Kanohi experience a vision yet? Not much happens except he starts to freak out, so par the course. Also if y’all want, Kanohi just got the rest of the trek imprinted in his brain module, so we can just hurry to Ga-Koro right away and skip most of our usual wandering.

IC Kanohi - Ta-Wahi - the Charred Forest Kanohi for a moment felt something crawling on him. He swallowed, was it another vision? They were still in Ta-Wahi, and the embers certainly triggered his strange power. Was he hallucinating? Was a vision coming on? He didn’t think Lapu had seen that yet— The Fe-Matoran relaxed as he realized Lapu as touching his armor. His masks were growing back together, old scratches and cracks sealing up, the wood growing firm. The power of Jungle was astounding. He paused, did Lapu realize Kanohi was stressed? He had been clicking. Kanohi had not known Lapu long, even less than he knew Hakari, but he did not want to worry him. Should he explain what was worrying him? N-no, that would be wrong, acting like he was entitled to Lapu and Hakari’s companionship. But he, could not just let Lapu worry without explanation. Kanohi turned over his tablet and pointed to a message carved into it. It was just a simple phrase “Thank you,” and had carved into the tablet and not scribbled on paper because odds are thanking someone would come up often. Saved paper. Lapu got him this tablet. He owed him. They were companions. Kanohi scribbled the circles of Matoran script into the paper, writing, “I am sorry for worrying you. It was only now I realized that once the corruptive Lesterin is dealt with, our trio will likely go our separate ways. It’s … been a while since I traveled with others. I will miss it. And I will miss the two of you.” He paused, and to try to assuage fears he added, “but I know you and Hakari have your own destinies. And I won’t forget that Le-Wahi is not endless. If Mata-Nui is kind, even if we part ways, I will run into you again.” And given the visions he has had of the Companions, there was a good chance Kanohi would still see Hakari and Lapu even long after the former sailed for this fabled land of Seprilli. OOC: @capMARVELOUS @Geardirector @ARROW404 @Razgriz @Snelly

IC Kanohi - Ta-Wahi - the Charred Forest Kanohi did not reply, and not solely because of his damaged vocal processor. He shifting in their trek to the back of the group, toggling obsessively at the telegraph switch that he wore as a bracelet. He kind of knew their Odd Company would not stick together forever. “Lapu” probably would prefer to be back in the forest, and the trio had only come together to foil the plot of that cloaked green Lesterin. But he would still be on Mata-Nui, dwelling in Le-Wahi. Kanohi could bump into him from time to time. But did Hakari want to leave the island for the peace of Seprilli? To join a pirate just to escape this chaotic land of the Makuta? Kanohi stimmed with uneasy, trying to calm down. It was the first time it really sank in that the trio would not stay together forever. That after they stopped the Lesterin, they would likely go their separate ways. He did have his vision of Knichou to follow. Nichou, his old friend’s name had been Nichou. Why did it look different in his mind? Regardless, he … he had gotten used to Lapu and Hakari, they had been his allies not too long, but he had not know Nichou long either before Stannis dissolved the Companions. He … obviously staying with them too long could be dangerous, they might figure out who he was. But he … he didn’t want this group to split up so soon. He … he had been lonely in the jungle, he knew that now. And for Hakari to voyage away. But more than all that, he knew it was her choice. It had been her home. He would not argue with her. And honestly, she and Lapu probably deserved better than him. She was the one who bravely fought the parasite, he had been useless against the infested Gukko. She was a hero, she likely had a great destiny ahead of her. And Kanohi, he was not worthy. Not for the Wanderer, and not for his tall companions. He continued to tap his bracelet with vigor, clicking it with a growing unease at his own inadequacy. He could feel his guilt flaring up too, that he dared make this about him. She wanted to go home, return to her people, and he was getting stressed about being lonely and being useless. His fidgeting only got more and more frantic. OOC: @capMARVELOUS @Geardirector @ARROW404 @Razgriz @Snelly when do we want to jump to Ga-Wahi?

IC Kanohi - Ta-Wahi - the Charred Forest Kanohi’s attention focused as Hakari spoke of her home. He had not been on Mata-Nui long, and most of his time had been sent imprisoned or living by himself in the jungles of Le-Wahi. Still, he knew that it seemed that everyone who awoke on the shores of Mata-Nui had lost their memories. Kanohi was certainly no different. He … had mixed feelings on Hakari regaining her memory. He was happy for her, she seemed to like remembering her past, at least, he thought she did. But Kanohi himself dreaded the idea of regaining his memories. What if he had been evil, what if he served the Makuta. What if he had been someone almost alien to the Kanohi he knew. The idea that his memories could kill his mind, overwriting his personality, it was terrifying. Still, he wanted to be supportive, so he scribbled something down. He held it to Hakari, a simple message saying, “Do you want to talk about your memories?” OOC: @capMARVELOUS @Geardirector @ARROW404 @Razgriz @Snelly so sorry for the delay.

IC Kanohi - Ta-Wahi - the Charred Forest Kanohi nodded in thanks to Lapu. The trio were in Ta-Wahi now, the land of Fire. And the Principle treasured above all others in Ta-Koro was Courage. Courage let you face the things that terrified you, kept you moving forward despite your fear. And Kanohi … he feared much, not just being discovered or being worthless. He feared this Charred Forest. He followed after the others, trying to face down. He feared the embers dancing. Their crackles did not sound like charcoal disintegrating into flames. He heard snatches. Things said long ago. Or maybe things that had yet to be said “Courage is the Soul of Movement. You must have courage or you will be frozen. Fear stops all. Courage defeats Fear. ”But I know the Makuta is here now, in these burnt trees, and in the dead soil. All of these things were destroyed by the Makuta, but he never left them. That is how he becomes strong. That is what the Makuta does. He destroys things.” Kanohi closed his optics briefly, still clicking. Fire brought out his visions, sometimes forced them upon him, and he had seen visions of this forest for some time. This was where the first Matoran hero of his had died, helpless before a monster. There were many reasons he was stressed, but underneath it all was this location. So finally, to not worry the others, he scribbled on his table, “the destruction that happened here, it disturbs me.” And that was all too true. Though it left much unsaid He tried to walk briskly with the rest. OOC: @capMARVELOUS @Geardirector @ARROW404 @Razgriz @Snelly

IC Kanohi - Ta-Wahi - the Charred Forest Kanohi dipped his head in thanks at Jolek, relieved to have a guide who actually knew what he was doing. Kanohi could not speak for Lapu or Hakari, but he knew his own sense of direction was poor. He had only been on Mata-Nui for … He shivered with unease, clicking his bracelet anxiously. The months and years blended together, he wasn’t sure how long it had been since he landed on the island of Mata-Nui. He could ask someone, folks might know if he brought up the Companions, but he did not want to be identified. He feared being found again. The vigilante realized the contradiction of course. After the torture he faced, the ability he had that could be exploited, he should avoid drawing attention to himself. Least he be found. But after the former Companions … did not look for him, did not try to find him, did not notice he was gone… Again he had no ill will to Stannis, he knew too well that his old ally was a noble hero, a great savior, he had earned his rank among the Maru, same as the rest. So for Stannis to forget Dece, clearly Dece was forgettable. Even with his abilities he did not matter, not compared to the Toa Maru. Even Aurax had been more worthy of joining the Wanderer’s Company, and he still died before he could achieve his destiny. Dece was … he never stood a chance. But he would still try. And while Dece was a failure and possibly a target, maybe Kanohi could be a hero. Not a great one, but he could still prove he had some value. He could not fight, not save the day, but at least he could save lives, rescue people caught in battles between true heroes and their foes. As a vigilante he could accomplish that at least. Kanohi then realized he had been zoning out, and blushed beneath his many layers of masks, though he continued to click his bracelet to stim. OOC: @capMARVELOUS @Geardirector @ARROW404 @Razgriz @Snelly

IC Kanohi - Ta-Wahi - the Charred Forest Kanohi walked back behind Hakari, not cowering behind her but letting her stand in front. After all she was the only one of the trio who could verbalize, so it only made sense she take point. His inability to speak out loud left him hardly able to contribute, same with Lapu. Fortunately this stranger had not seemed to identify him, that embarrassment was avoided. Though, Kanohi had not exactly realized how odd it might looks to see a Matoran of Iron wearing a collection of wooden masks, using them as shin guards, shoulder pads, chest pieces, et cetera. And Lapu was covered in plant life, and much like Kanohi he did not speak. But the trio was not even consistent in that, as Hakari could speak fine, and dressed more typically. Between the three of them, the Kanohi, Hakari, and Kapu sure made an “Odd Company.” OOC: @capMARVELOUS @Geardirector @ARROW404 @Razgriz @Snelly We have a title.

IC Kanohi - Ta-Wahi - the Charred Forest Kanohi shuffled in behind them, before catching the glint of their weapons. Weapons were a part of life in Mata-Nui, but he still felt his heartlight slightly speed up. He knew all to well he was useless in a fight. At best he could try to keep civilians safe in a fight, but with none around, his limitations were all the more visible. He swallowed though and shook out his many wooden masks, trying to center himself. He shook his head once more, before approaching what looked to be a Toa of … Magnetism maybe and slowly upholstered his wood tablet. Unlike the tablets of Onu-Koro it was just a wooden slab, with a wooden clamp holding down some paper. Kanohi glanced at the top sheet of paper, searching for a specific phrase. Finally he pointed to the words “Ga-Wahi.” The wooden mask he worn above his true mask covered his expression, but his metallic head’s cheeks were beginning to turn red with heat. This Toa, some of his gear was familiar. like that Ta-Matoran they ran into in Le-Wahi, he had been in the Ta-Koro guard loaned to Le-Koro, right? And that guard had heard of Kanohi, that fast grappling Fe-Matoran vigilante who wore armor of wooden masks, the vigilante who traveled Le-Wahi trying to rescue villagers from forest fires and rahi. Kanohi’s brain module heated enough to discolor his cheeks, making him blush beneath his masks. Would this Toa have heard of him too? He … he was … that had been so awkward and uncomfortable, he was not exactly eager to be recognized so quickly. OOC: @capMARVELOUS @Geardirector @ARROW404 @Razgriz @Snelly

IC Kanohi - Ta-Wahi - the Charred Forest Ta-Wahi was not as desolate as it first appeared. Embers still lingered on the charred bushes and shrubs, each orange glow that drifted made the Fe-Matoran flinch. He tapped his bracelet as he walked, trying to ground himself in the clicking. Because of the embers Kanohi kept his head tilted down in an attempt to avoid the flickering glow. He followed after the sound of Lapu’s footsteps crunching through the charred black ground and the shadows that trailed from each of his companions. The Toa took the lead, even as Kanohi became less and less aware of his surroundings. Then Kanohi caught sight of a shadow moving. He looked up to see Lapu extend his hands, his palm forming a vertical wall in front of the vigilante. They were not to move. Kanohi fell silent, but was not quite still. His optics probed around without moving his head, as he looked if there was somewhere he would need to grapple to. Then the vigilante felt the rope wrench him forwards as Lapu began to hurry towards something Kanohi had yet to hear. Kanohi did not question, just raised his Volo Lutu Launcher to fire it’s hook at any tree that seemed sturdy. Just in case he would need to respond to trouble. OOC: @capMARVELOUS @ARROW404 @Snelly

IC Kanohi - Ta-Wahi - the Charred Forest Kanohi let out a sigh of relief, his shoulders releasing a tension he had not been aware he had been clenching. Ta-Wahi, he was sure it was comfortable to Ta-Matoran and Matoran of Plasma, and maybe other breeds of Protoderms. But this desolation, the memories, he did not want to stay here. The vigilante pointed to the word “Ga-Wahi” on his tablet, much like Lapu had. Then he began to turn towards the north, towards the marshes of the region of water. He had not been there in some time, he was not even sure if he had ever been there. It might just have been visions he had experienced. Still, he knew there would be trees there. The forests of Ga-Wahi were not as dense as Le-Wahi, but they were not sparse for trees. Mangroves and forests alike lay there. Again Ta-Wahi felt unnatural, breaking up Le-Wahi and Ga-Wahi like a knife impeded in wood. Still he began to hike, hopefully they would leave the region of fire shortly. It was such a thin strip of land, if Mata-Nui was kind, passing through it would not take long. OOC: @ARROW404 @Snelly

IC Kanohi - Ta-Wahi - the Charred Forest Kanohi leaned into Lap as he tapped his bracelet over and over. Ta Ta Ta. Fire enhanced his powers yet tormented him, and its effects were everywhere in this forest. Like a verbal tic he clicked the two letter phrase on his bracelet, stimming with the repetitive motion. Finally he calmed, and shook his head, rattling his many masks. The noise was of wood thumping together, like the hero Kanohi thumping into branches as he raced through Le-Wahi. He was a hero, not a great one, but he could do some things, handle some problems. His breathing was steadier now, and so he pulled out the tablet. He wrote on some of the paper that Ta-Matoran had given him. Odd that the Matoran of Fire had … was he a fan? That was still odd to think of. But maybe, maybe Kanohi was proving he was not useless. That he mattered. But convincing a Ta-Matoran guard was not the same as convincing the Koros, or convincing Dece. Still, he seemed to matter to Hakari and Lapu He smiled faintly at that beneath his layers, before he finished writing, “should we continue to Ga-Wahi, or stop in Ta-Koro?” Kanohi’s expression was somewhat hidden by his many masks, and he would not advocate. He would not speak over these warriors. But underneath his armor, he hoped they could head to Ga-Wahi. Ta-Koro lay among lava, that much heat and fire, a panic attack might be inevitable. OOC: @ARROW404 @Snelly regarding my last post if Kapura is the Ta-Matoran you meant, Kapura died in the opening of arc 1 in this rpg, after being forced to give info to Plimbo. I did not handle it well, (not like in a rude way, in a depressed way) and it’s partly why I stopped playing until arc 3 started this year.

IC Kanohi - Ta-Wahi - the Charred Forest Kanohi shook himself out of his daze to nod at Hakari’s words. The air was still, and no life seemed to stir here. He vaguely heard this place was once used to harvest lava surfboards for Ta-Matoran and Matoran of Plasma, but if that was so it had not been used for such a purpose in some time. This was one of Kapura’s old haunts, wasn’t it? Dece, when he washed up on the island, amnesiac and confused, the stories of the cross-wired Ta-Matoran was some comfort. That Kapura was so strange, his brain module processing the world around him at an unusual speed, and despite that he had been the left-hand Matoran of Vakama. He had been in the Chronicler’s Company too. It was some comfort for him. That maybe Dece could accomplish great things. Then Kapura was killed, painfully, helpless. Cruelly. Kanohi sometimes saw him dying in the flames, telling that vile Toa a riddle. It horrified him. It … Dece was never going to be worthy of the Wanderer’s Company, he was too much of a freak, he could never be a hero. But he … he had to try. Kanohi shook his head, rattling his many masks to try to calm down. He tapped his bracelet frantically for a time, trying to calm. Ta Ta Ta. His pumps pulled in the hot air of the Charred Forest as he tried to steady his fears, breathing heavily among the cacophony. He stumbled against a tree, it snapped against him and he smacked to the blackened earth. His heartlight was flashing as a lighthouse before a hurricane. He was not strong. Still he … he needed to be there for the others. He had to help them. He shoved himself upright after laying for a time, his breathing still shallow. He reached over to the two taller beings and offered his hands, in case they would need to hold each other for comfort inthe ruins of a forest. OOC: @ARROW404 @Snelly

OOC: finally we are out of Le-Wahi IC Kanohi - Ta-Wahi - the Charred Forest The trek out of Le-Wahi had seemed endless. The burnt trees scorched by the recent fire had stretched far to the north, blending with the fiery landscape of Ta-Wahi. Kanohi hardly was aware that they had crossed the border, until he realized all around the trio was black volcanic rock. The Charred Forest differed from the trees of Le-Wahi who had been caught in the forest fire. This was a stain on the land, the result of a battle between the Matoran and the Makuta, long before even the Toa Mata arrived on the island. Long before Kanohi washed up on the shore. For centuries the jungle had not regrown, no new plants fed off nutrients left by the charred trees, the cycle of life had ended. It was eternally a jungle of ash. Kanohi shivered at this place, fidgeting with his bracelet. Now that Hakari and Lapu knew some of the Telegraph language, Hakari in particular seemed to be a quick learner, they might realize Kanohi was repeatedly clicking the simple prefix “Ta” from his bracelet as an unsteady mantra. After all the Element of Fire strengthened him, visions were easier to have through it. But fire also brought fear, pain, confusion. Some visions were horrific memories, of Aurax’s death, or of the false Makuta’s torture burning into his optics and roasting his voice box in a monstrous attempt to harvest prophecies from the Fe-Matoran. Other visions were of nonsense, like Stannis being an ancient undead possessed by something like the Makuta, Nichou being a Toa of Iron who had donned the Mask of Creation, and Mata-Nui being a barren landscape. Reality was distorted by the flames, he not only saw glimpses of where might happen and what haunted him, but what never could be. The cross-wired vigilante kept fidgeting and clicking this mantra to himself, his right arm practically clenching the bracelet. The inferno that rocked this jungle had long diminished to embers, but he could still feel the glow of fire on him. Still could hear snatches of that cruel Matoran who thought himself the Makuta, and Kanohi’s visions a resource to exploit. Ta. Ta. Ta. OOC: @ARROW404 @Snelly Setting the scene

IC Kanohi - Le-Wahi - To Ta-Wahi Kanohi spent much of the journey scribbling on his tablet and clicking his bracelet. He could not grapple easily in this charred forest, but he could at least spend the longer time spent walking trying to teach his comrades what his clicking meant. He would write down simple notes on the Telegraph language of the Matoran, and demonstrate them with his bracelet. Basics like the alphabet, and some simple words. He … liked to be chatty with people, give a lot of details, but maybe it was best he keep messages short in emergencies. Keep messages in a crisis simple, like “bad” “good” “run” “help” “no” “yes” “me” “you.” It did not make him happy, if he only spoke in short bursts, would folks think he was not smart? A savage fool who spoke in disjointed words? But he … but saving lives was more important. But he had to prove he had value. Still, he … he could not let another Matoran like Aurax die. Everything he could have been, everything he was, it all had been cut short. His destiny wasted. So he continued to try to teach his two taller companions. And all the while he tried not to look at the charred trees, the remnants of the jungle that had been ignited in a fury. A fury hehad been helpless to stop, only managed to try to save a few lives. OOC: @ARROW404 @Snelly You two okay with our next post being in Ta-Wahi? And I figured this made sense as something we could do en route.

IC Kanohi - Le-Wahi - Heading towards Ta-Wahi Kanohi nodded and begab to climb down the tree. As he moved the burnt tree cracked, it’s charcoal bark crumbling beneath him. He winced, he was not the most adapted to scrambling up or down trees, but grappling could easily— With a crunch a branch snapped beneath him, and the vigilante tumbled down. Immediately his fingers squeezed the trigger of his Volo Lutu Launcher. The hook went wild but caught a low branch, and as he fell he lurched to the side, swinging to the branch. His arm aches from the sudden twist, before the branch crumbled. But now he was close to the forest floor, and he safely tumbled to a stop in the mud. Kanohi shakily stood up, his body aching and his arm sore. The charred trees were too fragile now, he could not grapple from them for the moment, plus his body ached too much to barrel through the canopy even if the trees were strong enough. So instead he shook himself free of ash and mud, his masks rattling like chimes in the wind. Then with a step he began to walk down the blackened forest towards Ta-Wahi. As he walked he still fingered his Volo Lutu Launcher’s trigger, the device still crudely attached to his right arm. Yes its uses might be limited given the environmental destruction, it still was his main tool, and it could only help to be prepared. Who knows what they would face as they trekked northeast? OOC: @ARROW404 @Snelly

Finally got all the parts I needed for this OC. Basically this is Hau, my backup character in case Kanohi dies, if I introduce them, they would be inspired to become a vigilante by his heroics. And as you might guess by their color scheme, my intent is that they would be a Lesterin of Fire with dwarfism. Spent their whole life on Mata-Nui thinking they were a Ta-Matoran, only when Act 3 started some memories returned and they realized they were a freak of both for both a Lesterin and a Matoran. So Kanohi being a “cross-wired freak” but still a hero would really inspire them. Again, I think I only will introduce them if Kanohi dies. Still, wanted to share the pics.

IC Kanohi - Le-Wahi - The Edge of the Fau Swamp Kanohi shook his head violently, his masks rattling. His cheeks burnt like the embers of the forest, his face heating up for the metal to glow a faint red. Thankful he wore not only a true mask but a wooden mask atop his mask, hopefully his embarrassment and shame was buried deep. Regardless he nodded to Hakari, almost bowing from the motion. She … she was nicer to him than he had earned. But hopefully one day, he would prove he was not just a useless cross-wired freak. That he could help the island. In small ways, but he could still help. The Fe-Matoran vigilante paused, before grappling to the treetops. A chunk of Le-Wahi had been burned away, destroyed by the element of Fire. But the jungle would recover, and new trees would gain nutrients from the ash of old trees. Life would recover. And more to the point, Kanohi could see something. The fire had spread from Ta-Wahi, and now with much of the jungle burnt away, he could see farther with his optics. Less obscured his vision. The black rock of Ta-Wahi was visible like a stain on the Earth. He knew the direction to go. He banged on one of his masks like a drum, trying to draw the group’s attention, before pointing towards the region of Fire. Grappling might be difficult with some many charred trees, but now at least they would not need to circle the volcano as tightly. They could cool low the trail of the forest fire to Ta-Koro. And maybe as they trekked that way, Lapu could try to speed up the forest’s regrowth. OOC: @ARROW404 @Snelly

IC Kanohi - Le-Wahi - The Edge of the Fau Swamp As Kanohi landed atop a tree, the branch crumbled to ash. He tumbled down but hooked his feet around a lower branch, slowing his descent enough to fire his Volo Lutu Launcher again. Where once the sudden fall might have made him drop his gadget, thanks to him attaching it to the arm brace it hung to him regardless of his grip. The vigilante hurtled to the treetop, stumbling onto a branch. He swayed, he liked the balance of a Le-Matoran, but he used this opportunity to look about. The fire was dwindling down, the rest of the swamp was too damp, or too spaced apart. The swamp edge resembled Ta-Wahi, the forest reduced to charred, blackened skeletons of trees. He heard no baying of Rahi, there were no chirps of bugs, no rustling of leaves in the wind. A dead landscape.Kanohi closed his optics tightly, trying to shut out all this destruction. He knew Fire was not evil, he even knew the flames released nutrients that had been trapped inside older trees. That the burnt soil would inspire new growth. It was a part of the cycle of life. But the smell of fire, all this death, it left his heartlight unsteady. And he could still see Aurax dying in the embers. OOC: @ARROW404 @Snelly

IC Kanohi - Le-Wahi - The Edge of the Fau Swamp Kanohi was of the Element of Iron, he had enhanced endurance compared to the other breeds of Matoran and could endure more physical abuse. But even the weakest Toa dwarfed his physical fitness, his chassis still dented under blows. That was why he had donned this armor of masks, to give him protection. But even with his armor, this many blows jarred him, weakened his concentration. And the fire, he almost wanted to shut his optics rather than see it. He grappled nearly blindly, his head pounding as reality was a blaze. Aurax stood above the flames, standing tall and proud, before he drifted into the air, suspended by the sharp prongs of a Rahkshi staff. Lubricant and coolant gushed from his wounds, his gold was tarnished, his armor dyed a sickly blue by his fluid, he slumped against the staff as his heartlight sputtered and faded, yet still he towered over Kanohi— Then Kanohi felt a tendril grasp him, and his optics were wrenched from the vision. A vine had caught him, helped catch him as he started to fall. Was … was it … no, this was not the parasite, this was Lapu, helping stabilizing his swinging. The vigilante blushed beneath his masks he … he was glad he had these powerful allies to help him. As he took a breath his optics caught sight of something in the inferno. A Mask of Strength? Why was that there? No, it was a shell? But was it a Shore Turtle or a Fikou? …It was worth the risk, if it was a Shore Turtle it would be too slow to escape. He grappled into the blaze arm outstretched, hooking the creature. He wrenched it from the earth and tumbled with it, careening through the burning woods. They landed with a thud, though Kanohi quickly swayed to his feet. It had been a Shore Turtle, hopefully it was a bit farther from the heart of the fire now. Kanohi grappled back into the inferno, but it … it felt different. The trees were blackened now, but the flames, did they seem to be diminishing? Was it running out of fire, so to speak? OOC: @ARROW404 @Snelly

IC Kanohi - Le-Wahi - The Edge of the Fau Swamp Kanohi’s body ached as he hurtled into branches, the shards of sticks and twigs shattering on impact. Debris fell to the ground, their fire snuffed out by the collision. It was a crude method of extinguishing flames, but without a Toa of Earth, Water, or Air, it at least was a strategy. He had to do this, Ironically some of the fallen flammable wood he snapped off actually extinguished some of the fire below, disturbing the smaller flames and burying them. Of course the exposed fire soon fed on them and reignited, that was no solution. The vigilante flinched as he slammed into another tree, the force of his body exploding the branches and driving splinters into the gaps in his armor and chassis. His pistons shuddered and his gears strained, and his hull pulsed in pain. The smoke was bad too, he meant to install some sort of art filtration system in his wooden mask, but he needed to first study pressurized canisters and filters, and he had few to tinker with in Le-Wahi. He was beginning to hack worse than ever, and in the fire reality was starting to blend. He could see a barren island, a colossal severed head crashing into it, hurling tidal waves of dust across the landscape… He was briefly brought out of the visions bury a shriek, some of the Brakas were slipping through the gaps in the blaze he had bludgeoned, they were escaping the flames. He … he was saving lives. Maybe they were “unimportant” Rahi but they … they still deserved to live. They mattered to each other. Kanohi … he had to keep going, keep saving lives. He … they mattered. These beasts mattered. And if they mattered, he … he had to save them. He had to prove he was a hero, he had to be useful. Because he … he had to prove he was useful. That he had value, Funny, if Nichou or even Hakari did something like this, he would desperate try to stop them, warn them against this self-sacrificing self-harm. That they mattered too. That they had nothing to prove. But well … that was different. Dece was just a cross-wired freak. Kanohi … Kanohi though. Kanohi might be cross-wired too, but he … he could prove his value. And he would. OOC: @ARROW404 @Snelly someone is unhealthy

Wow, love the creative use of Rahkshi parts, this is a great mech. I love the sense the design gives that this is effectively a Boxor made from a Rahkshi instead of a Bohrok, it’s even got the color scheme. Thanks for sharing

IC Kanohi - Le-Wahi - The Edge of the Fau Swamp The cross-wired vigilante had just finished locking his Volo Lutu Launcher’s barrel’s back in place when he heard Hakari’s words. He looked up to see Okuo flying off on his Kewa, disappearing to the south. Le-Koro, what did they need to tell— And then Kanohi saw the smoke pouring from the forest, spreading rapidly from the East. It’s birth was close to the border of Ta-Wahi, and they were already close to the volcano. A forest fire. Kanohi, he had not lived in Le-Wahi long, but he still knew the plumes of a blaze well. Some travelers complained there had not been enough rain, that the Mangai had been flexing. He was not sure, he only washed up on Mata-Nui a short time ago. Not very recently, but enough that his first friends period had been Stannis’s Companions. He did not know a time Le-Wahi was not like this. Kanohi began to hack out coughs as Rahi fled past. He could feel the wall of heat crashing against him like a tsunami, feel the smoke flooding his optics. He swayed he … he could feel tendrils of embers coiling around him, stuffing themselves down the gaps in his armor, puppeting him like that horrific parasite— What do you see? Then he heard a cry of help. He stumbled and clutched his mask as he continued to wheeze, before firing his Volo Lutu Launcher wildly. It smacked against the ground and recoiled into his launcher. He shook his head, trying to shake away the melting world around him. He … he knew Fire was a d-danger, he knew it. It was why he had been sure to treat his launcher and his armor to prevent them from burning. But he still was flammable. And the flames fed his visions, and in this inferno, he was overwhelmed. B-but there was that cry again. It was an Ash Bear cub, wailing for its mother. And there were other Rahi too, cries of a troop of Brakas gagging on smoke, of even a mighty Muaka surrounded by flames. Was he … was he seeing these things, or was his foreseeing them? He … he couldn’t tell. But either way he … he had to help. Helping was all he could do, it was his value, it was how he proved he mattered. And these Rahi they … they mattered too. Helpless, they needed someone to support them. Maybe it should be someone who also mattered little. Still hacking and his optics wide, Kanohi fired his Volo Lutu Launcher again and grappled into the blaze. He tried not to focus on the smoke as he hurtled through the canopy, before spreading his arm wide. His outstretched hand snatched a young Brakas caught in the flames, grasping her by the scruff of her armor. He swung her into his arm as he took in the sights of the troop cap outgoing, the nearby trees were ablaze so the Rahi could not leap to them. He needed to put out at least some of the fire. But … how? Then he felt a twig caught in his armor. He looked at it, twigs always snapped off trees when he grappled, he was not meant for the trees. But … if he could break twigs… Kanohi swooped over to a Brakas and offered the youngster before charging at some trees. With a crash he barreled into them, but this time it was his intent. burning branches splintered from the impacts, haired smushed from the collisions, he was trying to smother the flames with his body. He was only a Matoran, unworthy of being a Toa, of being a Companion. He had to try something. OOC: @ARROW404 @Snelly

Incredible, the use of Bohrok torsos as legs is a great idea. The Rock Lion looks powerful and muscular, and the mane’s fiery tendrils break up the silver color scheme to great effect. Thank you so much for sharing.

IC Kanohi - Le-Wahi - The Edge of the Fau Swamp The cross-wired vigilante blushed beneath his many masks, and paused to write a quick message. His circles were a bit sloppy, he was a little self conscious about the attention Okuo gave him. ”I am trying to repair and improve my Volo Lutu Launcher. The trigger can sometimes get stuck, and if I cannot grapple and there is a nearby predator or a forest fire, I won’t be able to help anyone, let alone myself.” He hurriedly went back to tinkering with the mechanism. Its … funny, he did not know his past, he had washed up on the island as amnesiac as Hakari must have. Had he been an inventor in the past, an engineer? He had an instinct for tinkering, one of the first things he had done on Mata-Nui so long ago was build a spear. But instinct wasn’t the only reason he knew how to fiddle with a Volo Lutu Launcher. Nichou had taught him how to shape wood, Aurax had taught him of mechanisms and machinery. Yes he had gotten experience tinkering and scavenging devices lost in the jungle, but they helped him understand. Poor Aurax. The visions Kanohi had seen, the Rahkshi, the suddenness, the wrongness, the unfairness, it was haunting. Aurax should have been destined for more than to be killed by a Rahkshi medic. Still, as awful and cruel as it was, there was nothing that could be done about Aurax’s fate now. He was dead, his destiny cut short by the Makuta. All Kanohi could do was mend his Volo Lutu Launcher, and hope that the next time a Rahkshi tried to abruptly stab a Matoran, he would be able to grapple over and yank the villager out of the way. OOC: @ARROW404 @Onaku @Snelly