Kal the Guardian

IC: Viltia - Toa of the Green (Merged with Life Kraata creation Muaka)

Location - Kumu Peninsula

With - Whisper

Viltia’s attention was drawn to a beam of light. Her massive Muaka head displaced the mists as she slowly turned to look. The distance and the mists obscured the source, so Viltia shrunk down and drew close. As she did, a slightly familiar sight greeted her. It was the black and pink tentacle thing from Kini-Koro! Her Life Kraata told her it was an Aspect. Perfect!

Her Muaka face did its best to break into a grin and she spoke in her growling voice, “Hey! It’s you! I didn’t know you were an Aspect. I saw you at Kini-Koro. It’s me Viltia.”

Viltia looked down at herself. Oh yeah, she was a Muaka right now. As much as it pained her, seeing someone she kind of knew made her realize she needed to listen to Sidra and not be merged around other beings. Oh, actually, Viltia wondered how Sidra would feel that she merged at all. It wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially since she wasn’t around the other villagers. But still, Sidra did kind of seem uncomfortable about it in general. Viltia’s unease at her thoughts helped her make her decision.

The tethers on the Muaka all converged to a single point as Viltia stepped out of the Rahi, the tethers seamlessly now attached to her form. The jungle green and violet blue Toa motioned to herself, “Sorry, this is me, Viltia. So, um, hey, do you think you might be able to help me out?” Viltia immediately had an image of Circuit telling her about trading pop into her head, “I could pay you back.”

OOC: @Gecko Greavesy

IC: Crucia - Skakdi of Water and Cyclone

Location - Eastern Sea

It was still raining as Crucia repaired her netting. Small, cold droplets fell, making everything slick and dangerous to use. It was no storm, however, just the tail end of the one from earlier. A deep sense of dread filled her stomach as she worked, desperately trying to come up with a solution to her problem. She needed to catch over half of her quota or Silver might actually just kill her. The school of Ruki was huge and a fluke. There was no way she would be able to find another group of fish that large or in enough time. That meant hunting something more exotic to make up for it.

But over half of her quota? A shiver ran through her organic protodermis muscles. That meant catching something crazy like a Great Temple Squid or a Tarakava. She wasn’t ready to lose her only possession, her boat, to capture something like a Tarakava. She would rather Silver beat her up again. Yeah, her knife wound didn’t even hurt that bad anymore. She could hunt for something else. Everything would be fine.

So something easier but still exotic. A couple Takea might do the trick. Not quite as exotic as a Tarakava, but they were good eating. Crucia finished mending her nets and stored them away. You didn’t catch Takea. You killed them, then brought them on board.

The sound of rain gently hitting wood filled the air as Crucia made her way to the boat’s cabin. She grabbed her charts, pouring over her addendums as water dripped off of her. Where had she seen Takea prowling around the most?

It took her a couple precious minutes to weigh her options, but ultimately time was slipping away and she picked as well as she could. Soon her vessel’s engine was started up and her friends and her were on their way. She traveled slightly closer to land, boat slicing through the calm, rolling waves. The crude clock that ticked irregularly next to her maps mocked her as it took her longer to get to where she was going than she estimated. As she neared the location, panic started to simmer in the background of her mind. She had just enough time to get to Silver if she left now without catching anything. But Crucia couldn’t do that. No. Better to get punished by showing up late but with all of her catch quota.

Grabbing her Water Harpoon, Crucia rushed out onto the deck, accidentally slipping and hitting the teak boards hard. She grasped the railing and pulled herself up, gasping. She didn’t have time to catch her breath. She called upon her Cyclone powers and jumped, letting the wind blow her away from her boat in an elongated jump. One day she would be powerful enough to propel herself fully on her own. But close to the ground. Flying freaked her out.

She held her breath and landed with a splash, waiting for the bubbles to clear as she desperately searched about. Life was abundant here, flitting about. A coral reef was colorfully set on display, sprawled out before her. But she didn’t care about any of the fish there. She needed to find a predator. Where weren’t there fish?

She had her unnatural winds move her about underwater, but everywhere seemed safe and thriving. Had she been mistaken about this being a hunting ground for Takea? Was she in too shallow of waters? She knew Takea could also be found in the deeper and darker corners of the ocean.

Crucia went up for air, quickly diving back down. Time was of the essence. She needed to be as least late as possible. At this point she would be happy with at least one Takea. Her body quivered, even in the warmer waters closer to shore. She had to appease Silver.

Okay, so where-

The fish and crustaceans closest to her were now hiding. Had she spooked them? She hadn’t before. Had going up for air caused their reaction? She started to look around. What was she missing?

Pain rippled through her leg and suddenly she was being dragged through the water. She inadvertently let out some air, but managed to keep her head and not let it all out. She looked down as she was yanked about. A toothy maw gripped her leg, the cold optics of a Takea met her gaze for a moment before it shook its head and Crucia was forced to regain her bearings.

Her leg throbbed in pain, momentarily keeping her from focusing her element. The alternative was going to hurt even worse. Crucia looked at the Takea, her Impact Vision punching into the shark, breaking a few teeth and sending it twirling away. As it went, it never lost its grip on Crucia’s leg and large chunks of her leg stripped away and fell as metallic scrap to the seabed below. Thankfully, the shark hadn’t bit through to her organic protodermis muscle. That would have really hurt. Unfortunately, her leg was no longer usable. A major piston was broken off and stuck out at an add angle, the gearing around it stripped away.

But Crucia didn’t have time to think about her. She needed to catch the Takea before it swam away. Those buggers were some of the fastest Rahi she knew.

The Takea was floundering nearby, shaking off the concussive force of her vision power. Crucia brought her Water Harpoon to bare, aiming for the shark’s optics as best she could. She fired the harpoon, hoping to kill it in one blow. No such luck. The harpoon lodged a foot away from the optics.

The pain of the sudden intrusion to its body caused the Takea to dive. Crucia mentally cursed as the harpoon line went taunt and then pulled her down. It took all she had to bear the pain of her leg and hang on to her Water Harpoon. She just needed to withstand it all until the Takea leveled out.

The already sparse light faded as the water pressure increased. As the shark slowed, Crucia reeled in her harpoon. She wasn’t even concerned with having to breath at this point. Her mind was focused on one thing, killing this shark.

The Takea noticed her and tried to swim away, once again pulling Crucia along. But she was ready for it this time and kept reeling in the line until she could grab the harpoon itself as it was lodged in the shark. The Takea freaked out and twisted and spun, trying to dislodge her. Crucia used her winds to shift the water and try to negate its movements. When it slowed, Crucia magnetically attached her Water Harpoon to her back and grabbed the harpoon lodged in the Rahi with both hands.

Then she mercilessly used her Impact Vision over and over and over. The Rahi’s metallic outer covering dented and strained as it was struck with powerful concussive force again and again. Eventually the Takea was knocked unconscious as Crucia’s optics grew dim. She needed air, but she wasn’t done yet.

She painstakingly pulled the harpoon from the shark’s side and triumphantly shoved it through the optic and into the brain, killing the beast. Crucia absentmindedly took a breath and water burned her lungs. She strained to keep herself from coughing. She needed to get to the surface immediately.

Crucia grabbed the shark with one hand near where a fin met the body. Her other hand grabbed her Water Harpoon. She forced her mind to the task and channeled her element through the tool. A water current surged around her. She could only focus on the one thing and wasn’t able to use her Cyclone powers to assist her further, but the current was doing well enough.

Her head hurt, and so did her leg. She closed her optics, trying to focus as her brain lost more and more cognitive function from lack of oxygen.

One of these times she wouldn’t almost die from drowning while fishing. She swore to herself to buy some Air Zamors when she could.

And then she was free! The cold rain now a beautiful addition to her day as she heaved and clung to the floating Takea. Water ran from her mouth, lost to her already soaked form. She took a moment to recover, but it was a moment she didn’t have. Grunting in pain, Crucia used her Cyclone power to push her to her boat.

The air caught in her throat, panic drawing the air away. Silver’s vessel loomed over her own. She was too late.

OOC: Last Crucia post I accidently had written her with a Trident instead of her Water Harpoon. That was a mistake.

IC: Viltia - Toa of the Green (Merged with Life Kraata creation Muaka)

Location - Kumu Peninsula

With - Rock Rahi

“That’s so cool! You’re adorable. And yeah, I can make stuff to eat.” Viltia called upon her experience creating food for Le-Metru Nuva. She had surprisingly been doing that for a while now. Four pumpkins, two watermelon, a cantaloupe, a honeydew melon, and a pineapple appeared one after the other, seeming to grow from the very rock itself in rapid fashion. Viltia happily noted none were larger than was normal. She was getting better at creating her element.

Her Muaka face did its best to smile, “Alright, eat up! I hope you enjoy it. I do have to be going, though. I have stuff to do before it’s night time. Take care of yourself, little guy.”

Viltia’s softly glowing silver tethers lifted her up and propelled her away, pushing, pulling, and stretching. As she moved, she activated her Legendary Mask of Growth once more. She needed to find an Aspect and open that door. Her growing body moved off into the mists, away from the ruin and the Rock Rahi. Once again, she created the moss in her path.
 

OOC: @Eyru

Also, if you don't mind Whisper getting roped into opening a door, I think this might be a great opportunity for Viltia to run into her, @Gecko Greavesy

IC: Sorilax Life Seeker - Aspect of Light and Silence

Location - Aqua Sphere

Sorilax’s unique mind grabbed details and filed them away, thoughts coming even though he had told himself to focus on finding a secure foothold or handhold first. He noted the mineral residue on the glass and pondered its level of salinity. He scanned the murky surface under him, noting that it wasn’t just opaque, it was dirtied with untold age. Certain parts were more clean than others.

He could feel his inertia through the Kraata in Three’s body, but still he instead observed a crawling yellow-green vine struggling to survive on the outside of the dome. Several thoughts and thousands of years of traveling through the Fau Swamp were brought into focus and quickly sorted through as he added new information. But that only led to more questions. Where was this vine’s island of origin? What climate was it originally from? How could it survive in full sun yet also thrive in the dark of the Fau Swamp’s under canopy?

He almost reached out and grabbed some to inspect it, but his focus on his Light bending technique kept him in check. Further study could wait for later. He was quickly approaching the point where he would start falling from the sphere itself.

Sorilax heard something in the distance and turned to it. The giant fortress he had seen through the telescope was tethered to the sphere near a great, structured hole in the glass. Two beings stood near the edge of the boarding ramp of the large fortress. They were of a species Sorilax had never seen before. That probably meant they were from the Ark. He made a note to try to study them later.

But if he could already see two beings, then he was correct in assuming there was a larger force here of an unknown level of hostility. He turned his Rahkshi’s optics to the glass, which was actually now slightly clearer in spots as he grew close to silently sliding off.

The view was too blurry in the reflected light of the sun, so he cupped his hands over his optics and tried to shade his view as he stuck his head to the glass, jostling as he slid over vines and bits of mineral accumulation. He saw a city drenched in water, all towers and waterfalls. It was hard to make out, but he did not need to see details, he just needed to see it at all. Choosing an area that looked devoid of water, Sorilax teleported inside.
 

OOC: @Unreliable Narrator

IC: Cravious - Skakdi of Lightning and Mind Reading

Location - Icarax’s Temple

With - Whira, Icarax

Retrieving armor instead of making it? Cravious liked the sound of that. It sounded cheap. What he didn’t like was having to go south of Irnakk’s Tooth. That mountainous area posed a challenge to his Cube, which was not outfitted to traverse that kind of terrain. Not to mention that all the mountains messed with his X-Ray Vision. It was much easier to see through something solid. Several gaps of air made things much more difficult. It would take some figuring out to find this Great Temple.

The Great Temple being reclaimed by Matoran, though? Music to his audio receptors. Just not the trash the Gundaka played, real music. Matoran meant a general level of reliability and naivety, and that meant widgets by the truckload. His mind raced with possibilities as he followed Whira out.

OOC: @~Xemnas~ @Eyru

IC: Viltia - Toa of the Green (Merged with Life Kraata creation Muaka)

Location - Kumu Peninsula

With - Rock Rahi

Viltia went over the ruin a couple times while not looking too closely at the details. She needed to get a move on before nightfall, after all. She hadn’t brought a mask of Night Vision and her Muaka optics’ natural night vision could only help so much.

The black stones were worn down by centuries of disuse and then further abuse from the weather. They were pockmarked by detriment from wind storms and spotted with a pale green moss that was white in its center. The remains of pillars stood like baleful tombstones for what had once been a building of an unknown but probably unfriendly purpose.

A small Fikou made its web between two of the black pillars, a broken pillar in between the two allowing more room for its web. It was mostly black, with dots of green on it. No doubt it had adapted to blend into the terrain here.

A nest of Stone Rats were just below a large slab of obsidian that had once a finished floor. Viltia couldn’t see the entrance, but she knew they had probably tunneled through the basalt to get there.

Unfortunately, there was no door to speak of, but she found something else super intriguing instead. It was a Rock Rahi. She had no idea what that was, but her Life sense told her the species, so it had to be true.

It was adorable in a stone-y kind of way. Her old protector Toa of Stone would have loved to see it. Viltia was only slightly saddened by the memory. She decided to focus on the good and fondly remembered how he would have reacted to such a sight. And then the Rahi blew her mind and spoke!

"That's the biggest entrance I've ever seen," said the Rock Rahi. "I'd give it two thumbs up if, well, I had any."

Viltia gasped in her growling Muaka voice. “You can speak?! That’s so cool!” Her mind raced with the implications, “How can you speak? Are you hungry? Hey, can you see me somehow?”

OOC: @Eyru

IC: Viltia - Toa of the Green

Location - Kumu Peninsula

With - Merged with Life Kraata creation Muaka

Viltia’s giant Muaka optics peered over the landscape below in large sweeping scans. Her breath stirred the mists surrounding her gigantic form, pushing them away as she turned to view her surroundings. The air was so crisp up this high. Her movements were slowed as the electrical pulses that ran through her wires now had a far longer distance to travel before relaying information and then returning to the brain.

After a bit of surveying, she concluded that she was still on the Kumu Peninsula. She couldn’t see the Fau Swamp with all the mist, but she was certain that if she had flown up with her mask of Flight, she could confirm she was still in the real world.

The thickets of dead trees she could see made her a little sad and she thought about going over and rejuvenating them, but her goal stood out in her mind. She really wanted to make Golden Masks. She couldn’t let herself focus on something else.

Okay, so which direction should she go? Those standing stones sure seemed interesting, but there were more jagged hills like where she had found the first door before it had swirly teleported her. Maybe there were more doors and she might find one with her Tethered Bonds Taboo symbol on it?

And then there were more ruined structures out there too. Could she just go to them preemptively and find doors there? Or would she need to find them in the hills first to “unlock” them?

Well, she wasn’t accomplishing anything by standing here on crushed basalt. She opened the mental aperture that held back her elemental energy and created a non-native moss on the ground below her as a marker to help her find this place again. It was a blue green instead of the pale green moss that she had already seen here and it stuck out in her senses of the Green.

Deciding speed was of the essence since she hadn’t seen or felt another sentient being yet through her Life Kraata, Viltia kept her mask activated and her enlarged tethers slammed into the ground, not from applied force so much as just their inherent weight. They lifted her 120 foot tall body and propelled it towards the closest ruin she could see. As her massive body displaced the mists like a boat creating a wake, Viltia continued to grow the moss behind her in a trail that would easily lead her back to the ellipsis door.

What would have been a good half hour of walking, or… treading?, was quickly surmounted in just a few minutes. As Viltia neared the next ruin, she slowly released her Kanohi’s power, shrinking down so that she could explore the hewn black rock for another door.
 

OOC: @Eyru

IC: Cravious - Skakdi of Lightning and Mind Reading

Location - Icarax’s Temple

With - Whira, Icarax

Yeeeep. There it was. Thankfully Whira was smart enough to have Icarax put forward a price first. Without any rough estimate on value, it was far too easy for the buyer to over offer. Better to have the seller put forward a price and then work from there.

The Rig getting destroyed already ruined a large portion of Cravious’ businesses, so hopefully the cost wouldn’t end up too high. Then again, knowing Aspects, the price might just very well be a Heartlight. He sure hoped it wasn’t, though. He really wanted Whira to Desecrate him for a second time and even more delays to that would be dreadful.
 

OOC: @~Xemnas~ @Eyru

IC: MC - Spark - Vortixx of Le-Metru Nuva

Location - Le-Metru Nuva

With - Other Le-Metru Nuva MCs and NPCs

Spark froze, wooden spoon full of a vegetable broth halfway to his mouth. He had just had an epiphany. He slowly turned his head to Circuit, who sat nearby working on the cracked iStone Viltia had traded for.

Circuit felt his gaze and closed her optics in regret. She knew she should have moved as soon as Spark sat down at the same table.

Spark’s optics danced about as he formulated his thoughts, “Hey, Circuit? If the puddles and ponds of defiled energized protodermis below us keep refilling and tainting the pure energized protodermis that Viltia has made through her masks of Removes Poison, and Sorilax says the pure stuff has good qualities, why don’t we start storing it just in case we need it for later? The ground is able to hold it, so we should be able to as well. That way Viltia doesn’t have to purify the same stuff for the twentieth time and it’ll take way longer for the waters to refill naturally.”

Circuit was stunned, “That is actually a great idea.”

IC: Crucia - Skakdi of Water and Cyclone

Location - Eastern Sea

The winds were cold and the waves were choppy. Frigid water constantly sprayed up on deck and exited via drain holes bored into the side of Crucia’s vessel. Inside the relative warmth of the cabin, her friends busied themselves with their own projects as Crucia was at the helm, checking and double checking charts of her own making.

She was losing daylight as it was, and now storm clouds were moving in from the southeast. In a bout of frustration, Crucia tossed her charts aside and grabbed her trident. She would just go look for herself if there were fish nearby.

The weight of the implement felt good in her hands despite her slight annoyance at how the day was going, the connection to her element it provided calmed her slightly. But time was of the essence. If she didn’t get a good haul before the storm blew in, she was going to have to try to catch something exotic instead to make up for it. And exotic meant dangerous around these parts.

She stepped out into the cold spray of the waves as they splashed over the sides of her vessel, steeling herself for what she was about to do. Her clawed feet gripped the slick surface of the deck as she checked her netting was ready to go and grabbed an end of it. Then she walked to the edge of her vessel, took several deep breaths, slotted her lightstone flashlight into place on her shoulder, and jumped into the froth.

The shock of the cold water hit her much the same way her boss Silver usually did, with immense intensity and swiftness. She almost let out her breath. But she was used to this by now and tried to get her bearings.

She was far off shore and so there wasn’t any ocean floor for her to get her bearings as she scanned the dark waters, rays of sunlight rippling through the waves above. She didn’t try to exert herself and instead used her Kraata power of Cyclone to spin herself around and search that way.

A Proto Drake gracefully swam at the fringes of her vision. Not what she was looking for. And actually quite difficult to capture. Certainly exotic, though.

A piece of silver caught a ray of diluted sunlight and reflected. Crucia turned. There was a school of fish in the distance, but she couldn’t tell what species they were from this distance. She pointed her trident in the school’s direction and the water around her surged. A current just for her pulled the Skakdi through the water.

A quick replenish of her oxygen later, she had to reorient herself and finally spotted the school again. Irnakk’s wrath! They were Ruki. Those little nightmares had a bad habit of chewing through nets at just the wrong time. She needed to go deeper and-

The sunlight breaking through the surface shifted and was quickly hidden, the water becoming dark and foreboding. NO! The storm was already here. Crucia tensed up and tried to think quickly. The Ruki would have to do. Crucia used her Cyclone powers to push herself towards the school and then to the right of it even as she thrust forward her trident, twisted it, and pulled back. Most of the school of Ruki were suddenly caught in a strong current that pulled them towards the net Crucia had just been maneuvering into place.

Her lungs started to protest, reminding her to get more oxygen.

Not right now.

Several individual Ruki escaped the current. It didn’t matter, she continued to expend elemental energy to pull. The current reached her net and pushed it slightly back before the school of Ruki then hit it. Crucia pulled as fast as she could, trying to close up the net even as her lungs now demanded more air. Just a couple more seconds.

She pulled the net to a close, each second bringing more Ruki escaping and another second without air. Done! Crucia had her Cyclone powers sweep her up to the surface, but it was a race against her own body. Her legs pumped as she tried to swim to go even faster, servos quietly whirring and pistons straining. The activity and lack of oxygen started to dim her vision.

And then she broke the surface of the ocean, gulping in air. A wave crashed into her, causing her to swallow water. She broke the surface again after a few seconds, sputtering and coughing, lungs burning. Once she gathered herself, she cursed. Her catch!

She took a deep breath and submerged again. The net had been chewed through in one area, half of her catch already gone. No! NO!

Crucia thrust her trident forward and worked her Cyclone power in conjunction with it, trying to pull herself to her boat as fast as possible, tightening up the net once more and slowing the Ruki that were able to escape. Every second that ticked away was another Ruki potentially gone or another hole opening up that she would have to repair later.

Half an agonizing minute later, the ocean unnaturally rose up next to the boat and deposited both Crucia and her catch onto the deck, the poor vessel almost sinking from the sudden influx of water before Crucia noticed and adjusted for it with her element.

It started to rain, the wind picking up and practically whipping the droplets of water through the air. She slumped to the deck as Ruki flopped around inside her net. At least now they were too preoccupied by trying to breathe to be able to chew more holes in her net. She calculated her catch, anxiety filling her as she did. This was less than half of her quota.

Uuuuuuugh!

No.

She closed her optics in defeat. She needed to make Silver happy. She couldn’t handle being beat up again. Not again.

Her optics snapped open. She still had a chance. If she could catch something crazy exotic, then all would be good. But what would fulfill over half her daily quota and be catchable in the time she had left?

Her vessel was tossed dangerously by a large wave and Crucia cursed again, mind brought back to the here and now. She dragged herself to her feet. She needed to keep her vessel afloat or none of this would matter. Her feet slipped on a Ruki and then caught purchase on the wood as she tried to keep her balance and make it to the cabin. She slammed into the door, pushed into it by a particularly nasty wave that had jumped the railing. She had to wait for the water to subside before pulling open the door, ordering her friends to secure her catch even as she started up the engine. It sputtered for a moment and caught with a guttural roar. She spun the wheel and pushed forward the throttle, causing the back rudder to move behind the propeller that was starting to spin. It was time to get out of this storm.

IC: Viltia - Toa of the Green

Location - Kumu Peninsula

With - Merged with Life Kraata creation Muaka

“Huh.”

Viltia swapped pawing the ground with either front paw as she thought, something she hadn’t realized she had picked up from the Muaka she was merged with. After looking around, it seemed the space really was just an abandoned amphitheater with no one nearby.

The dim light caused by the mists was actually fairly bright considering she spent most of her time under a hundred feet of light blocking leaves. So it wasn’t like she was just losing an important detail to the relative dark.

Well… she guessed it was time to see if she could even leave this place. She picked up her front paws from the ground and her back tread took her away from the door. While it was still within sight, but a sizable distance away, Viltia activated her Legendary Mask of Growth. Her Muaka form grew at a steady pace, eventually starting to crush the basalt in large chunks below her now massive tread. She would keep going until her head poked out of the mists so she could see where she was or until she reached her limit of 120 feet.
 

OOC: @Eyru

IC: Cravious - Skakdi of Lightning and Mind Reading

Location - Icarax’s Temple

With - Whira, Icarax

Entering the new room casually despite the oppressive shadows that obfuscated all details for a second, Cravious appreciated the armor kneeling before them. He spotted several spots, inside and out, that kept the carved Toa-like form from being completely lifelike, but it was masterfully done. It was much like his own work that could be seen around the island, inhabited by all sorts of Aspects. How they got the money to pay him, he never asked. He didn’t care as long as it didn’t impede further profits.

Cravious’ powered optics scanned the room and their host. Their entrance had caused a little bit of dust to float through the gray shaft of light that poorly illuminated the space. But the room didn’t smell overly dusty. The crawling bits of ivy and patches of moss probably had something to do with that.

He doubted this Icarax would just give them pure energized protodermis or knowledge of its location for free, so he was already running numbers in his head, weighing what he might have to offer of his own should Whira not be able to convince their host to offer some EP.
 

OOC: @~Xemnas~ @Eyru

IC: Viltia - Toa of the Green

Location - Kumu Peninsula

With - Merged with Life Kraata creation Muaka

“Whoa!” Viltia’s voice growled from the Muaka’s throat. She had been teleported out of nowhere! And it wasn’t just a normal teleport either. This one was all swirly and discombobulating. The door was a different one now, or no, was it the same one but it had changed? Viltia looked around, noting her tread tracks were still there, but the ground under them had changed. Maybe it wasn’t teleportation at all. Was she even still in the normal world? Was this some kind of vision or memory? It felt so real. Not at all like walking through Nektann’s memories.

No, it felt real. But how had reality changed? Ugh, she didn’t want to think about it. She took in her surroundings.

The temple was gone from around the door, and so too were the smells of dampness and moss. The air was fresher here, and the plants had all changed. Instead of algae and mosses, grasses and weeds now grew in a half destroyed amphitheater. The air was slightly warmer, too, and the breeze had died down and was coming from a different direction.

The feeling of power and secrets had changed to a feeling of being watched. Her Life sensing only pointed out grasshoppers and the occasional ladybug, so there wasn’t actually anyone there, even in spirit form. A mouse poked its head from around the corner of a stair before scurrying down several steps to dart inside a crack that had formed in the black stone. So there wasn’t anyone actually there. Or was there and they just weren’t alive or spirits? That might be really cool.

Viltia turned to study the door first. It now led to nowhere. A walkaround quickly confirmed that. There was a symbol on it that evoked a feeling in her. It made her think of the symbol on her thigh. She touched the ellipsis with a line through it, but nothing happened. The door was hungry for knowledge, she could at least tell that. But knowledge of what?

She tilted her giant cat head. Maybe a Taboo?

That seemed to make sense the longer she thought about it. But if that were true, then that also meant she didn’t know how to open the door. And who would know what this symbol meant? Or who would even know who could open the door? Ugh. So many things to think about. Well, the Admin wasn’t sure if this could even be done. Viltia had to make this work, though. She really wanted the knowledge of Golden Masks.

Viltia reluctantly exited her Muaka, stepping from it as casually as if she had just walked out of her hut back in Le-Metru Nuva. She pulled out her book from her satchel and copied down the symbol. Perhaps Sorilax could help her figure out what this meant. If she could find him. If not, then maybe Apex might be able to help. Or who knew, maybe some other Aspect. This was the Kumu Peninsula, after all.

Putting away her book, Viltia practically dove back into her Muaka, her tethers reaching out to merge them into one once more. Ahhhhh, that felt much better.

Now, the feeling of those invisible spectators. Viltia explored her surroundings, tethers searching out secret places even as her cat optics scanned about for anything that stuck out about her surroundings. She started around the door, then the courtyard, and then on and around the stands themselves. Was she even in reality any more? And her surroundings, could she even leave this place to find help?

She even decided to call out to the feeling of spectators in her growling Muaka voice, “Hello? Is anyone there? Can anyone help me open this door?”

OOC: @Eyru

IC: Cravious - Skakdi of Lightning and Mind Reading

Location - Icarax’s Temple

With - Whira, Icarax

Servant?! He was no servant. He was… Cravious thought about it. He was essentially serving Whira in exchange for increased power. The statement was unfortunate and yet accurate. Of course with the amount of work he was putting in, it was really him who was achieving the Grand Wish so far. Whira was just there as a small but necessary accessory. As soon as she achieved her Grand Wish, he would be done with her and then the money making would begin.

Still, he was letting Whira take all the risks on this peninsula, so it was up to him to help ensure their success from a different, more secondary role. And that meant keeping up whatever appearance they needed for success. He holstered his Seismic Pickaxe and Zamor Sphere Launcher and crossed his arms. Then he thought better of it and let his arms fall to rest on his hips instead.

He watched the reptilian optics of this Icarax fellow and wished once again that his Mind Reading Kraata was stronger. He didn’t want to just sense minds, he wanted to read them, like in the name of the Kraata power. Who knew what Icarax might actually be thinking?

Soon enough, Cravious would.
 

OOC: @~Xemnas~ @Eyru

IC: Sorilax Life Seeker - Aspect of Light and Silence

Location - Le-Metru Nuva

With - Rahkshi One, Two, and Three, Le-Metru Nuva MCs and NPCs

Torches, lightstones, and the occasional shafts of evening light illuminated a Le-Metru Nuva far advanced from when Sorilax had last left it. The village, which had been a collection of a few huts and a couple bridges, now sprawled out of sight, hidden by the massive branches it sat on and around. Everything was still made out of wood, but as Sorilax looked closer, he noticed parts that were integrated into the trees themselves, as if the trees had manifested the buildings. No doubt more of Viltia’s work.

And the noise. There was still a hush compared to the boisterous Kini-Koro, but the occasional laugh could be heard, or the sounds of a song lightly being sung. The clanging of pots could be heard, or the sawing of wood as more construction was worked on.

Rope creaked as they walked across a bridge that swayed slightly, a field of green leaves below the gaps in the boards. A Matoran ran up to him, excited to have him back. Sorilax returned the sentiment. But before he could begin relating his story, the Matoran suddenly realized the lecture that was about to happen and got out of there.

His Rahkshi all looked about in awe of the place, although Three did seem only slightly interested compared to his brothers.

Wing led the group over several bridges, up and down a couple flights of stairs that led to huts on an entire different layer of the canopy, and finally to a place Sorilax recognized.

Wing urged him to stay put as she went off and gathered the village leaders and anyone else who cared to join them.

Fifteen or so minutes later, Sorilax spoke to the good beings of Le-Metru Nuva, retelling the events that had occurred during his absence. He spoke of the Air Suva. He spoke of Vhisola. He mentioned Kini-Nui and his discoveries there. Of the dead Toa of water. Of the Suva Kaita and the dark doorway. Of his transformation. Of Nuju and the Far Shore. Of meeting Sidra and what he had shared with her.

He regaled them with his personal journey through the Far Shore and showed them the rewards he had gained, giving the Noble Hau to a Matoran that put it with the other Kanohi Viltia had stored away. He regretfully told them of Sala still being in the Far Shore.

He then switched to what had happened since his return, talking of Kini-Koro, NUVA, and his Taboos he had learned and his personal changes to them. He motioned to his mask, which was faintly glowing in the dark of evening separate from the normal glow he gave off. He showed off his Rahkshi and his other Kraata, mentioning their benefits and risks. He finished it off with mentioning Viltia and how she had insisted on getting Desecrated.

Torch momentarily left with the elders, returning after some later with a decision being made. Sidra had told them of Sorilax’s change a month prior. Well, Sidra had told Viltia, who had excitedly told everyone else. And with that change came a trust revealed that Sorilax had not accepted prior to his transformation. The villagers were ready and willing to be granted power and in exchange to be bound to Sorilax’s mission to better Life.

The news was moving, and Sorilax sat in quiet contemplation as he pondered what he should do. His soul was filled with happiness and pride for the life he had helped foster in this deadly swamp. Ultimately, he realized he could never refuse them.

Sorilax went and wrangled down a giant insect and used his Life Kraata power to create new life with which he gave Kraata to the beings of Le-Metru Nuva. Understandably, some wanted nothing to do with his gifts, which he actually recommended just in case something horrible happened to his mind during his journeys. Most of the villagers only accepted his Illumination, which he also understood, as it was a far less gruesome method of gaining power. But Torch, Wing, and Spark took him up on becoming Desecrated.

Then it was Sorilax’s turn to sit and listen. A feast was brought out, which he had not realized was even being prepared. It was in celebration of his return, his accomplishments, and of knowing Sala still lived. His Rahkshi joined in with glee, popping open their spines but still piloting their armor so they could eat with everyone else.

Torch led the storytelling, relating to Sorilax a tale of darkness, pouring rain, and woe. Torch told of an imposter in their midst, of a grand undead monstrosity, of a rite-born Tahtorak, of the coming together of the village to fight back, of the change that overtook Viltia, and of the brave actions of Sidra, who had won them the day.

Sorilax listened intently, more and more glad Sidra had shown up when she had to help out the village.

Torch went on to tell a lesser tale, but still one of great import. He told of a sizable span of time. Of the growth of two new Kanoka forgers, of the achievements of a new mask maker, of the Vuata Maca Tree, of the struggles of Fau Swamp life and its losses, of the hope for the future as the swamp became less deadly in most ways and yet more deadly in others, and of how the village continued to expand and live in increased security.

Both tales took some time, with many happy interruptions as others chimed in with what they had accomplished along the way. They talked late into the night, mostly ignoring the dangerous calls of the night time predators and just enjoying themselves. Sorilax laid out his future plans, how he sought to teleport to the Aqua Sphere and delve inside to uncover its secrets, which opened up even more talking and discussion.

Eventually things died down and everyone went off to sleep or to take their place guarding the village for the night.

Sorilax was shown to a hut filled with parchment and ink supplies which had been created just for him. He spent the night meditating and practicing his new Light warping technique, taking a little time to write down the two new Taboos he had learned the day before.

With the light of dawn came the beginning of a new day and the start of achieving Step 4 of his Grand Wish.

In the light of his glowing body, Sorilax took off his backpack and equipment, setting them on a desk in his hut. He carefully emptied his backpack, putting his scrolls in a specially prepared wooden chest that was treated to keep out moisture.

Sorilax could hear the village waking up outside. Several times he could hear someone walking by outside his door on the covered wooden walkway. A Hapaka poked its head past the hanging woven reeds that formed a sort of door to the hut, peering without fear at Sorilax and his Rahkshi.

In a different, larger chest, Sorilax places his knives and Midak Skyblaster. He held up his Vial of Visorak Venom, inspecting the green liquid through the thick glass and cork stopper. He probably would not need this. He wrapped it in several layers of spare parchment and placed it in the chest as well.

Sorilax pondered his next move, though he had already finalized his plan earlier that morning. He just wanted to make sure he was ready for what lay ahead.

Finding a clean corner of the room, he sat down, folding his long arms across his lap. The Hapaka came in and sniffed his foot. Sorilax mentally commanded Three to come sit beside him and open his spine. The Rahkshi obeyed and settled beside his father.

The blocker in Sorilax’s vessel’s throat opened and Sorilax’s gaseous essence spilled forth. Sorilax floated to Three and entered fully into the Rahkshi armor through the open spine. Once inside, Sorilax popped his spine closed and crossed his Rahkshi arms across his lap. Then he finished his preparations and remotely possessed One, Sorilax’s new body of Three now slumping slightly next to his original and now completely empty vessel.

Sorilax handed Two the Rahkshi Staff of Teleportation, “Take care of and defend this village and my other Kraata. Listen to and obey what Torch, Wing, Viltia, or Sidra tell you to do.”

Two nodded, accepting the staff and immediately obeying by leaving the hut.

Sorilax’s three Kraata investigated the table with his equipment, crawling over everything.

Sorilax pet one and spoke to them all, “Do not go Illuminating Kanohi unless the being asks for it. And do not go looking for food, stay in the safety of the village. Preferably in this hut. Two will take care of you.”

A noise drew his attention. The Hapaka was laying on the lap of his original vessel, nested into the crook of the folded long arms. His shadow lizard peered down from the flower crown on the former vessel’s head.

Well that should be everything set in order. Sorilax picked up the magic metal shield and attacked it to his left arm, the liquid metal stretching out to adhere to the limb as if it had been perfectly made to do so. With a trail of frosted mist, he slung his Ice Longbow over his right shoulder and attached his Echo Forks to his waist. He then grabbed the Rahkshi Staff of Fragmentation and placed it on his back over his now empty backpack, setting the staff of Chain Lightning against the wall next to Three, who was also now him.

Even after only two days, it was odd not to have his Life Kraata powers nor access to his secondary element and Calix. But after hearing from Spark of the object floating around the sphere, his plans had shifted to take the most caution possible to approaching this endeavor. While his Calix was great, the power of Dodge was far greater. And he had no experience with his secondary element, so it was unneeded. And that meant so too did he not need to sense all Life in the area. It was not a helpful enough power for the situation. He could do without it for as long as he was up there.

Spark knocked on the door frame since there was no physical door, “You ready for this?” He sounded excited.

Sorilax looked down at his glowing Rahkshi form, access to six different Kraata powers sitting in his mind waiting to be used. He mentally forced his form to stop glowing. It was kind of hard with how automatic it was. He looked back up at the Vortixx, “I do believe I am. Would you be so kind as to lead the way?”

The Vortixx happily led Sorilax around the village.

Sorilax looked on in confusion at a combat robot with a broom cleaning the floors, but Spark did not comment on it, so it must not have been important. They ended up before a wooden pole with boards nailed to it. One of rare instances of metal usage in the village. Spark climbed up and Sorilax followed.

The climb took them up and out of the canopy into the full light of the morning sun. Below them mists clung to the top of the tall swamp trees. The lookout now had a ceiling and railings, with the ceiling apparently still alive as branches grew out from it, adding a layer of camouflage to the little outpost.

Spark pulled out a telescope and looked to the northeast, mumbling to himself about something Match and him had done earlier.

Or potentially something Match and him had to do later, Sorilax did not pick up on all the words.

Spark nodded to himself and kept the telescope in place but moved aside, motioning for Sorilax to look.

Sorilax leaned forward and peered through. There was a floating fortress of some kind blocking out part of the Aqua Sphere’s reflected light. It certainly looked foreboding. He turned to Spark, “Alright, I shall be going now. Take care of yourself and others, Spark.”

Spark grinned, “Right back at ya.”

Sorilax, Silence already activated to remove the noise of his movements, warped the Light around himself so that it slipped past him from all angles, as if he were a somehow dry pebble deep in a stream of water. The maneuver kept any light from striking his form and bouncing off to allow optics to see him, instead sliding around him. So in a sense, he was invisible, though it was much different from an invisibility power which still cast a shadow. Looking through the telescope Spark was holding, Sorilax specifically looked at the top half of the sphere and activated his Teleportation.

A split second later, he was atop the Aqua Sphere, unseeable and unhearable, desperately trying to find a handhold to grab or at least some place to teleport to to allow him entry to the sphere.
 

OOC: @Eyru or @Vezok's Friend Sorilax has teleported to the top of the Aqua Sphere and is looking to get inside. He is both invisible and completely silent.

We've finally done it, boys. It only took two months, but Sorilax has started working on his 4th Grand Wish Step! I'm so excited to see where this goes. 

IC: Sorilax Life Seeker - Aspect of Light and Silence

Location - Sea, North of Le-Metru Nuva

With - Rahkshi One, Two, and Three

With the job of rowing being a monotonous one, Sorilax spent the time practicing his new Light abilities. He was not certain of what awaited him inside of the Aqua Sphere and he needed to be ready for anything. So he spent his time warping the Light around himself, rendering himself essentially invisible.

Waves rocked the hardlight vessel, the small boat bobbing on the open water. Two busied himself by leaning over the edge of the vessel and trying to see all the different species of fish he sensed below.

This Light warping technique was not at all like Sorilax’s hardlight construct technique. It drained far too much elemental energy to be kept going for long periods of time. Although after several hours of tireless rowing and practice, Sorilax felt he had a strong grasp on the technique. He should probably spend one more night practicing it, then begin his journey to the Aqua Sphere.

The opposite cliff face loomed over them as they approached. It too was untouched by years of water and wind, as if it had been only recently cracked apart. One and Three peered down from the top, glints of light in the noon sun.

Sorilax studied the sheer wall of craggy rock and dirt. Roots were cut off instead of poking through the face of the cliff. Truly mysterious. He scanned possible climbing routes up, letting his years of navigating the mountains of Zakaz to study wildlife guide him.

He mentally set his route and created his hardlight ladders. Unlike descending the opposite cliff face, this took over an hour of climbing. Sorilax decided to forego usage of his Calix to instead continue to practice warping his Light, which slowed things down considerably. Thankfully, his vessel did not tire and his slow and methodical pace gradually granted him success in his endeavor to scale the cliff.

Venturing forth into the Fau Swamp proved quite interesting. Something was off. He could sense it in the patterns of the bushes, in the bark on the trees, in the way the vines hung. In some places, the swamp mutagen seemed to be whipped up into a fervor of decrepit foulness. Past a thicket of thorny brambles and over a two story high root that was coated with flat, brown mushrooms, a shallow pond granted him answers.

The reeds around it were either dead or afflicted with unknowable changes that were certainly not just normal swamp mutagen. Some glowed, some had optics, some even had grown limbs. One was eating a small toad; Sorilax could see through the enlarged reed’s translucent “stomach” and watch as the toad was slowly digested. But what really stole his focus was the pond itself. It was silver and tainted, with traces of shadow running through it. He could see how it was seeping into the ground around it, slowly poisoning the soil itself.

It was defiled energized protodermis.

How it got here, he could not formulate an answer, but he knew that travel on the swamp floor was now even more dangerous. He ordered his Rahkshi to climb.

The pace became even slower, even with his Calix on, as they walked massive branches and clung to vines to stabilize themselves in the dark of the under canopy. With Sorilax and Two’s Life Kraata power, the Rahi and giant insects they encountered let them pass in peace, so that was one less thing to worry about. But the going was tough.

The air was heavy with humidity. Water droplets occasionally fell from leaf layer to the next leaf layer in small, almost streams. The water played over the many segments of his long arms as he moved aside smaller branches and the many clinging vines. One area had mushroom spores so large and densely packed that they blocked the group’s vision as if the spores were a form of heavy yellow fog. Thankfully, his Rahkshi and him were all enclosed in air tight armor and were able to crawl along the large branches of the massive banyan trees to find their way forward.

As their southward trek turned slightly west they came upon a strange sight. It was a group of branches that had been flattened out and widened in the upper canopy, a good 100 feet or so in the air. And it was made that way by no workman’s hand. The very trees themselves had been warped to form a passage. Perhaps this was of Viltia’s doing?

This sky pathway went on for a bit, but then disappeared without Sorilax realizing when he had lost the trail. He backtracked to find the path again, but only got more lost. So he just headed the direction in which he knew the village lay. About ten minutes later, he found the path again, except a different segment. It went on for a while before it twisted to the southeast and vanished yet again. What was going on here?

Before he could ponder further, a voice came from the canopy above him, “Sorilax?”

There was a rustle of leaves like a fresh summer breeze and Wing softly was deposited in a short flurry of wind on the branch before him, limbs mutated to be elongated. She held a Zamor Sphere Launcher in one hand and a Vahki Staff in the other.

Sorilax looked her up and down and frowned, “Have I ever made your acquaintance before?”

Wing looked over the Rahkshi who were constantly looking between their father and the newcomer. They looked dangerous, but they seemed to be with Sorilax. And Sorilax… he was glowing. Had he changed his nature, then? And those new weapons of his, where had he gotten them? She turned to Sorilax, “It’s me, Wing. Torch helped Sidra save the village from a giant undead thing. He apparently fulfilled his Destiny and apparently I was destined to become a Toa. I was mutated during this, but Viltia made a mask of Mutation and fixed me, mostly. So… did you do it?”

Sorilax was taken aback, “Wing? Great jumping Mahi! It does me good to see you well, and to hear of a successful defense of the village.”

Sorilax held up a hand in which he formed a small ball of golden light, “And yes, I achieved my third Grand Wish step. I have changed not only my element, but my very nature as an Aspect. Sidra can verify the validity of my claims. She tells me she has joined the village here.”

Wing smirked, then looked around, “Well then I believe you. Hey, where’s Sala?”

Sorilax’s artificial face grew sullen beneath his Calix, “Sala and I separately entered a realm of infinite possibilities called the Far Shore. Though it was but a few days for myself, a month passed here. Sala has yet to return. But through my connection to him, I know he still lives and I will know when he returns.”

Wing’s smirk dropped, “Oh….” Whatever else she was going to ask or say suddenly fell from her mind, even about the Rahkshi. The breeze that gently surrounded her died down slightly. “Well, follow me. I’m sure everyone is dying to see you.”

Sorilax nodded, “Thank you. I shall do my best to keep up.”

As Wing led them on the way back, they passed what Sorilax had thought was vines wrapped around a solid branch. Instead it was a false wall and the next part of the path was revealed on the other side. Very clever. So the path was not straight and true for the purpose of keeping Le-Metru Nuva hidden while still providing to those who knew the ability to traverse the treetops quickly.

Le-Metru Nuva quickly came into view in the few shafts of light that managed to break through the canopy. It was spectacular.

IC: Sorilax Life Seeker - Aspect of Light and Silence

Location - Jungle South of Kini-Nui

With - Rahkshi One, Two, and Three

This mask of Fate was absolutely incredible. Sorilax was able to see, comprehend, and react to things astonishingly faster than normal. Rocks, ferns, roots; they all were perceived and responded to with swift decisions. If he could feel gravity in a more normal way, he figured it might feel like he was gliding, or even flying, over the ground.

His Rahkshi chased after him, doing surprisingly well even without Calixes of their own. They rushed through the underbrush, knocking aside low hanging branches or brushing past tall flowers of all colors.

With his Life Kraata sensing, Sorilax easily avoided any predators, not that they would have attacked him anymore anyway, but he did so for his Rahkshi.

What had once been a long distance quickly turned into a short sprint as Sorilax reached the part of the mountain Sala and he had climbed down. He wasted no time and constructed a hardlight ladder up into the snowy peaks. He took the rungs three at a time, rushing up the construct. His worry over misplacing a hand or foot was negated by the power flowing through his mask.

One and Three teleported to the top of the mountain while Two more slowly followed after his father on the ladder.

What had once taken half a day took only a few hours and soon Sorilax was atop one of the southern peaks that hemmed in Kini-Nui’s valley. As he looked south, concern grew in him. Where the marshes were supposed to be, vast and dreary, was instead a giant gulf filled with water.

All that life, gone. For a moment he doubted if he had left the Far Shore. Was this still all some other twisted reality? But he had gotten his rewards. He was out. But if that was so, just what had happened in his month absence? He wished Sala was here so they could discuss the possibilities.

Well, this only increased his want to see the residents of Le-Metru Nuva safe and well. Sorilax began his descent, creating a hardlight pole that he slid down instead of climbing down a ladder.

As he navigated the mountain range with precision over the course of the next couple hours, it quickly became apparent that he would be free of it before a full day of travel.

With the gathering rain clouds, the moon was hid most of that night, as were the stars. Although he no longer could sense Shadows, his glowing form and his constructs lit the way for him and his Rahkshi. The nigh unconquerable mountains were traversed with a speed Sorilax had never traveled before.

But as he walked down the foothills that were now somehow covered with trees, he noticed something. He was trudging along now, stumbling as he went. He was moved by his urgency, but not by active thought. There was a mental drain happening to him, much like how his body had mysteriously been drained by the doorway. He tried to think over what might be causing it, but had a hard time thinking about anything. After a few minutes more of walking aimlessly, he realized it must be his mask. Apparently his subconscious being able to focus on his hardlight constructs for days did not directly translate to keeping a Kanohi powered on for several hours.

Sorilax turned the mask off, actually forced to sit down and rest.

One and Three began a mock fight with each other as Two went off to find some food. Two returned a short time later with a small Mahi. Two then proceeded to create duplicates of the Mahi until his brothers and him had their fill. They ate… ravenously. After they were finished, the original Mahi went free.

Sorilax watched with pride as they filled themselves. He could not wait to see what the Aqua Sphere had in store for him. Surely the ability to create life outside of Taboos was near. He turned his head east. The storm clouds now lingered to the north and he could finally see the moon and stars. The moon cast its glint on the Aqua Sphere, which hung in the air like a droplet of water, reflecting the soft light. It spoke of his hope for a better future for all life. He was comforted and encouraged by the sight.

After an hour of rest, his tireless body and mind was rejuvenated, so they continued south.

They reached the water’s edge far faster than Sorilax knew was normal, the sun rising to the east providing illumination to the dark water below. The distance to the swamp from shore to shore, even if the marsh had simply disappeared, should have been farther away. So the island truly had shrunk in his absence. That was certainly concerning. It spoke to a problem beyond the scope of controlling Life and thus beyond him.

Perhaps Nuju, even with his Aspect like ways, was correct. Maybe the Far Shore really did need to be traveled to find the Makoki stones and solidify reality in Tren Krom’s realm.

Sorilax pondered this. He did not have time to undertake another journey, but perhaps he should tell the villagers of Le-Metru Nuva. They might be able to do something about it.

The way down to the water far below was treacherous and sheer, as if the island had simply disappeared instead of only shrinking. Once again a hardlight pole allowed Two and himself the ability to safely and quickly make their way down. One and Three teleported to the other side already. No doubt they were inspecting the Fau Swamp while they waited.

The rocks at the bottom of the channel were surprisingly clean of algae and barnacles. They were not even weathered by many days of rain and waves. This cleaving of the island had been recent. Sorilax looked around. He did not even see Rahi nests.

Still, this was something to ponder later, potentially after learning how to use his second element. Sorilax created a hardlight boat and Two shoved off the vessel, quickly jumping in.

Creating hardlight oars, Sorilax began rowing. He would get to Le-Metru Nuva far faster than he should have normally, it seemed.

IC: Sorilax Life Seeker - Aspect of Light and Silence

Location - Kini-Nui

With - Sidra, Vulimai, Rahkshi One, Two, and Three

A Tahtorak? Sorilax wondered if it was rite-born or natural. But Sidra seemed far too in a hurry for him to stop and ask. “Very well. Until we meet again, Sidra. Take care of yourself and those around you.”

Then he turned to the south, the way he and Sala had arrived a month before. He activated his Calix, feeling the rush of increased reaction time, and sprinted off into the jungle, his Rahkshi gleefully rushing to catch up.
 

OOC: @Gecko Greavesy @Sparticus147

IC: Crucia - Skakdi of Water and Cyclone

Location - Eastern Sea

The ocean was a peaceful breeze.

It ebbed and flowed, gently drifting from here to there. Slow moving waves raising the lowering in repeating patterns.

The way the morning sun reflected off the water was Crucia’s reason to keep going. As the sun rose over the ocean, so too would she rise above the complacency of those in the Rig as the warskaks grew ever more powerful.

The ocean was a soothing friend.

It embraced her with its cool arms, always inviting. It never slept and so was always there to keep her company.

The way the noon sun filtered down from above to brush the kelp and fish beneath was Crucia’s reasoning for getting Desecrated. Even the ocean, bathed in light, still harbored its shadows. And so too did she.

The ocean was a powerful ally.

It swallowed everything gifted to it, rarely giving up what was offered. It could crush the shore with little thought, never caring for what might happen to the land.

The way the sunset lit the waters was enough evidence for Crucia to see the power hidden in secret places. That glow spoke to more than just a play of the light.

The air itself was seasoned with salt, the water full of life. In it Crucia had found her calling. She captured fish both to eat and to sell, providing food for many hungry Skakdi. It had its dangers. Takea sharks and Tarakava, among other things. It was hard work, but it was work worth doing.

Or so she had lied to herself. She was being forced to catch fish, cheated of even her own meals for hundreds of years. What little she was given was never enough. The demand to catch more was always there, looming over her, a crushing weight that left her without breath under the stress.

So she had sought help from the dark. She had found an Aspect aligned with her own goals. Crucia needed the power to change her life, this Aspect sought power to change her own.

But then the world had been turned upside down. The Tahtorak had destroyed Crucia’s home, the Rig. The only thing that had saved her was being forced to work overtime to catch her quota the day of the attack. The worst part, her boss had survived too.

The ocean sought to destroy.

It crushed and killed. It shook and drowned. It roared and tossed. It grabbed all it could and gleefully smashed it all, dragging it down into its depths.

The way the lightning illuminated the storm and the crashing waves was the reason Crucia had no hope. She couldn’t overcome that which was beyond her capability.

The sharp pain left her side. Crucia looked down and held the knife wound to keep it from sparking. Her head was rocked to the side in an explosion of color as she was slapped hard and fell to the ground, head slamming on the deck of the boat of her boss, Silver.

The Ko-Skakdi reached down and picked up Crucia by the frills, glowering at her, “Let that be a lesson to you, you piece of junk. Just because we’re nomadic now don’t mean you can SLACK OFF.” Silver slammed Crucia’s forehead into the deck. The Ko-Skakdi’s anger always manifested in the natural Skakdi way, violence.

Crucia was too disoriented to be able to formulate a reply. It was always the same. Every. Single. Time. Silver would abuse her and demand more, Crucia would comply, but silently vow to use her powers to kill Silver next time. Then the next time would roll around and the fear would wash back over Crucia like the next wave upon the shore. She would seize up, not even being able to use her Kraata power of Cyclone to defend herself.

Silver walked a few steps away and Crucia couldn’t hear her as she talked to her crew, who were jeering in the background. She came back over to Crucia, kicked the Ga-Skakdi in the side, and laughed, cruel and vicious.

Then Crucia was lifted by two Skakdi and dragged to the side of the ship. Her knees dragged on the wooden deck and a stray strip of rope. They picked her up and threw her overboard to her smaller ship below. There was a moment of freefalling where she felt like this was the end and death was nigh. That she would hit a dangerous part of her boat and that would be it. Dead before she ever stood up for herself. Thankfully, her friends were able to catch her. They were always there. She wasn’t sure if she could continue without them.

The minutes slowly ticked away, full of pain. The wretched noises of Silver’s crew taking all of her catch brought its own pain. As she slowly recovered from the physical trauma, one of her friends patched her knife wound.

Crucia listened to the waves as they rocked her boat, trying her best to ignore the ever quieting engines as Silver’s ship moved away. The ocean, as it did every time, slowly calmed her, letting her sleep and recuperate.

IC: Sorilax Life Seeker - Aspect of Light and Silence

Location - IN THE PAST, Ice Suva

With - Rahkshi Three (Remote Possessing)

Another strand formed. Another connection was made. The more that was revealed, the more he understood. The force behind Taboos was unknowable, yet through its applications, parts of it could be extremely known. And through that, the unknowable become slightly more discernible.

Each Taboo he learned, the more Sorilax felt power over the hungry door beneath the Kaita Suva. He was not ready to challenge it yet, however. Not today. He had far more pressing matters to attend to.

His hand, in Rahkshi form, caressed the time clock engraved in the rock like his Taboos were engraved onto him. Unlike the Stone Suva, there was so much knowledge to be collected here. He needed to return when he had the time. These carvings had to be preserved before they were lost and the history of past life forms became obscure.

A mental communication from Two let him know Knichou was ready to talk. Sorilax mentally told Three to meet him back at Kini-Nui. Then he released Three and was back in his main body.

---------

PRESENT TIME -

Location - Kini-Koro

With - Rahkshi Two, Rahkshi Three

Sorilax had finally found the stairs. There was a room that was only a box that had buttons in it, but he could not figure out its purpose and so moved on. As he walked across the valley, away from the bustling noises of village life behind him, the sky grew dark as clouds threatened rain. To sustain a jungle, abundant rain was needed, so Sorilax thought nothing of it and continued on, spotting Sidra from a distance.

The blue and green Rahkshi One spotted his father and stood, teleporting to join his brothers as they trailed behind the golden glowing Aspect of Light.

As Sorilax approached, he realized Sidra was currently conversing with another. As much as the sun was fading and it was time to get moving, he managed to keep his mouth shut and let Sidra finish what she was up to.
 

OOC: @Gecko Greavesy @Sparticus147

IC: Viltia - Toa of the Green

Location - Kumu Peninsula, Temple

With - Merged with Life Kraata creation Muaka

The hours had only honed her ability to move in the Muaka’s body. Where she could, she didn’t use her tethers and instead used her forelegs and tread. It made the searching slower, but she was just appreciating being merged with another, even if it was a Rahi of her own making.

While no Aspects or other sentient species showed up on her Life Kraata’s radar, another, more appreciated, form of life did. As the sturdy obsidian and basalt broke down as she traveled and sand and grit became more prominent, so too did the pools of water and the Green that grew in and around them. It was a sigh of relief after not sensing plants for several hours. She happily Observed through them, feeling what they were feeling and drinking in the limited information they provided. Life as a plant was harsh here, but the plants made up for that by being unique to this part of the island, and not in a mutated kind of way.

Her Muaka optics noticed something in the craggy hillside nearby. Forms that held unnatural shape to them. As she inspected closer, she realized they were weathered pillars. And behind the pillars was a temple carved right into the hillside. For a moment, she wondered if this was Sorilax’s temple, but no, she doubted the first temple she found would be her friend’s home. Oh! Maybe it was Apex’s home temple?

Ascending the cracked and overgrown steps of dark rock, Viltia could feel the power emanating behind the door in front of her. She paused, surprised that she could feel anything of the sort. Surely it wasn’t a side effect of being a Muaka. But what else could it be? Something like with Irnakk maybe?

Actually, the door was more black than the rest of the ancient temple. And… She looked at the worn carvings and etchings beneath jagged ledges and shelves of rock in the hillside… it was less weathered than the rest of this place too.

This definitely felt like it could be a place that held secrets. Viltia pulled her tethers close to her Rahi body and urged her tread forward. She placed a paw upon the dark stone and tried to open the door and enter this strange place.

Touching the door, the feeling of something dark and powerful waiting for her inside felt like it reached straight to her pocket dimension to touch her soul. This wasn’t the home temple of any Aspects she knew.

OOC: @Eyru

IC: Cravious - Skakdi of Lightning and Mind Reading

Location - Cliffside Temple

With - Whira, Icarax?, Rahkshi

Cravious felt them approach from all around. His bright red and lemon metallic Kraata squirmed as it sat nestled in his frills. It could feel a trap being closed and warned him. He had his weapons pulled before the Rahkshi were able to reach the door. Against his better judgement, though, he stood down. He had no idea what these machines were, and that meant Aspect involvement. And if there was an Aspect involved, then Whira needed to take the lead. He was there to ensure completion of her next step, not to pave the way for her.

The moving armor, and it was just armor, no organic protodermis muscle, Cravious had an optic for these sorts of things, was savage and vicious. A combat suit if Cravious ever saw one. The spines appeared to be hunched, but they stood almost as tall as he. The shadows seemed to cling to them. Was that… a kinetic buffer of some kind? Cravious activated his X-Ray Vision, noting they weren’t all armor. Kraata were slotted into the spines, piloting the suits. And there didn’t seem to be any special machines inside to generate the shadows. So the darkness clinging to their forms was just Aspect power? He really wanted one or two of these to rip open and study.

His reluctance to attack was rewarded as an Aspect obviously controlled one of the suits of armor to speak to them.

"Welcome," it said. "It has been a long time since guests were received in the halls of Icarax."

Icarax? Huh. Yeah, he had no idea who that was supposed to be. Thankfully Whira spoke up.

"Brother... Icarax," she said. "We are pleased to make your acquaintance. I am Whira, and my companion is Cravious.” Cravious nodded in greeting, arms holding his weapons at his sides still. Whira continued, “I am in search of pure energized protodermis, and I was told by a peculiar living rock that there may be some here. Does there happen to be energized protodermis here in your halls?"

Cravious observed the other suits of armor as Whira spoke, only turning to Icarax when Whira finished, awaiting the Aspect’s reply. He would feel the minds of the Kraata approaching if they moved to suddenly attack. Or, well, if they moved at all, actually.
 

OOC: @~Xemnas~ @Eyru

IC: Viltia - Toa of the Green

Location - Kumu Peninsula

With - Life Kraata creation Muaka

The mists were thin, but still present, keeping Viltia from an unobstructed view of her surroundings. Because of this, she wandered to and fro, searching for something, anything, that might offer the knowledge the Administrator wanted. The obsidian and basalt landscape was rough and uneven, often sharp and jagged. Though her tethers propelled her easily over it. Thankfully they were as resilient as her own body was though they were organic.

Her movement was fluid, as if she were floating through the air as her softly glowing silver tendrils instinctually sought out footholds. She didn’t even need to look as she moved, much like how she didn’t have to look at what she was stepping on when she walked normally.

Her created Muaka, on the other hand, was having a rough time. His tread helped him with most of the uneven terrain, but he was having a hard time keeping up with Viltia. After a few hours of searching, Viltia decided to take a break. The Muaka slumped down onto the ground, only slightly winded.

While it may be a living creature with its own mind instead of just merely a normal duplicate, it was bound to obey Viltia’s every command. Part of that meant walking until it died from exhaustion. Although as a Muaka, its body was built for roaming vast swaths of land all day. But as a duplicate from a swamp Muaka, this terrain was a little outside of what its body was used to.

Viltia sat down as well, leaning against the side of her companion. The journey so far had been kind of boring and after a while, even the feeling of potential danger around every corner had subsided. She was still amazed at how her Life Kraata let her know the location and species of every tiny little Rahi and insect that lived nearby. Even in this desolate place, life teemed just out of sight, waiting to be discovered underneath many rocks.

There was a sort of layering to the Life Kraata’s incoming information when she wasn’t focused on it. Tiny insects were a sort of subtle background, a general blend of greens and browns. Small Rahi were like trees off in the distance, with some shape discernible but most details lost to the distance. Larger Rahi and insects were like bushes in the foreground, each leaf vivid and defined. And sentient species were like vibrant splashes of color, fruit on a tree right in front of her.

Of course that was just if she didn’t focus on the power. There was more control and variance if she put her attention on it. She would really need to explore the depths of her new Kraata powers when she had the chance. But right now her focus was on getting a Golden Mask. Oh! And then getting NUVA. She longed to embrace not just Life, but Death and the Stars. Sidra had said she had died. Twice. Once for NUVA and once to get the Kaita mech. Viltia wanted to experience death, see if she couldn’t help out and merge with those on the other side of Life. Or just learn more to make a mask of Death perhaps.

If that was successful, then all she had left were the stars. After making her legendary mask of Growth and seeing the Mask of Creation, ideas were forming in her head about some Kanohi to help her bridge that gap to the stars. But the gap was a vast void and there was much she didn’t understand about legendary masks on the level of the Mask of Creation. There were some in between steps she needed to take that she couldn’t quite figure out yet. Some technique or knowledge that kept her from making a legendary mask on par with the Mask of Creation. She should ask Sidra if there were other legendary masks that she didn’t know about. Maybe that might help. Who knows, maybe there was a legendary mask laying around the island somewhere. This Zakaz was a weird place and anything was possible. The mask of Detection she had made had picked up something super vague in the form of a light headache and sense of vague direction. Maybe she could use the mask to find something of great value to learn more about how the island functioned.

Viltia closed her optics and enjoyed the remnants of the smells of the sea. The smells were slowly shifting and changing to something not quite earthy or ashy, but foreign and yet natural? It was an odd smell she couldn't place, like the noxious fumes of Irnakk’s Tooth, which were both natural and yet foreign in the sense of their danger to her body.

One of her tethers pet her Muaka. Its head was on the ground, but its optics were open and always watching. An idea came to Viltia that she couldn’t believe she hadn’t thought of before. She stood up in the eerily quiet mists, looking down at the Muaka. She knew how to help the Muaka get around the landscape and keep herself an extra layer safe.

She smiled, “Alright, my cute little friend, you ready to merge?”

The Muaka blinked at her. He would obey his creator’s every command.

Viltia activated her merging power. Her tendrils caressed and embraced the Rahi. She beamed and stepped into the Muaka’s body.

The world dropped away and all of her sensations changed in an instant. For a few seconds, she appreciated the pocket dimension she was now in. It was neither hot nor cold, and the field of stars that surrounded her filled her with a feeling of yearning for togetherness. She just wanted to wipe away the pain of everyone and everything by merging with them.

She let that feeling simmer for a bit, then shifted her mind to the sensations she was now receiving from the Muaka’s body. Sight, hearing, smelling, taste, and balance. And the new sensation that her tethers had brought her, touch.

The Muaka’s mind became a small node on a much larger tree that was Viltia’s overriding consciousness. He could now do little more than to observe. He didn’t even have the luxury of being able to reject the merging, since he was bound to Viltia’s commands. Not that he cared. He lived to serve her. He was created to serve her.

Viltia tested out her new form. Not having legs was weird, but also not as weird as she thought it should be. Perhaps that was a part of the Taboo that just helped her mind adjust to new forms. After all, she could merge with as many beings as she wanted. No doubt a normal mind couldn’t comprehend how to move more than one body at a time, so the Taboo was forced to help out to function as intended.

She moved about the small, even space she had found to rest in, testing out how it felt to move around. Her tethers now sprouted from her Muaka form and all of her equipment was now in her pocket dimension. Perhaps she should have left her Rahkshi staff out to have her tethers grab it. It was a little late now, though. She was already merged and liked the feeling so much she didn’t want to leave so quickly. She could always exchange equipment later.

Viltia grew her tethers a little thicker to adjust for her heavier form, then she had them propel her through the mists, quickly traveling over obsidian and basalt, once more on the search for the knowledge the Administrator sought.

After a couple more hours of relatively flat land, the ground started to become more varied. She had to traverse slopes and avoid drop offs that were naturally gouged into the rock. Other shapes loomed in the distance, tall and invoking in Viltia thoughts of her time in Le-Metru as a slave and the tall buildings there. The shapes here though were more natural. Probably just large hills. Still, she would check them out just to be safe. She needed to find this knowledge quickly and get back to Le-Metru Nuva. She wasn’t sure how long Sidra would stay away, and she knew Wing could use the help making sure the village stayed safe.

Not to mention she really really wanted to get a Golden Mask. It was her next step in mask making.
 

OOC: @Eyru I couldn't help myself. I needed to write for Viltia again and could no longer wait for a GM post. She's just so much fun to write for.

TLDR: Viltia merged with her Life Kraata creation Muaka and is still searching the Kumu Peninsula for the knowledge the Administrator wants.

IC: Sorilax Life Seeker - Aspect of Light and Silence

Location - the Taku, Kini-Koro

With - Two, (maybe Three depending on how the Ice Suva goes)

Sorilax watched as Knichou’s armor magically grew thrusters and propelled the Toa away. Just what kind of alternate Taboo magic did that Toa unlock? Could it just be technology he just didn’t understand?

No matter, he needed to go find Sidra. Sorilax mentally commanded his Rahkshi to follow him and he silently walked down the ramp and away from the Taku, his glowing form moving about as he tried to figure out how he was supposed to get down off the raised platform.

OOC: @Eyru Sorilax is now paused concerning current events until he finishes up in the past with the Ice Suva.

IC: Sorilax Life Seeker - Aspect of Light and Silence

Location - the Taku, Kini-Koro

With -  Knichou, Two, (maybe Three depending on how the Ice Suva goes)

“Ah, good.” Sorilax dismissed the hardlight box. It was a good thing his thousands of years of practice making solid shadow objects for days at a time translated to his new element. And speaking of elements, he needed to make time to study Psionics. It was so fascinating to think that he now had access to another element. But first he needed to see for himself how Le-Metru Nuva was doing. He wished to tell the villagers of the good news of his successful change in nature. That meant finding Sidra, who was probably waiting for him at this point.

They reached the top of the exit ramp. Sorilax turned to Knichou, “Well, I wish you safety and prosperity for all your endeavors. I shall not keep you from your other obligations. Farewell, Toa Knichou.”

OOC: @BULiK

IC: Sorilax Life Seeker - Aspect of Light and Silence

Location - the Taku, Kini-Koro

With -  Knichou, Two, (maybe Three depending on how the Ice Suva goes)

Sorilax held up the shield as Knichou continued walking, uncertain where to put it. His arms were too long and awkward to properly place near the end, and he could not just store it on his back, his backpack was there. At his sides were his knives and Echo Forks and on his shoulder was his longbow. His other shoulder was free, but the shield was too large to fit there.

That left his chest, which had two pouches strapped to it, one with a Noble Hau inside. Sorilax noiselessly undid the straps and tied them to his upper left arm. The pouches were slightly too large, but he was planning on going to Le-Metru Nuva next, where he wanted to give away the Kanohi anyway. The shield somehow magically melded to his chest when he placed it there, forming a perfect seal as if it had been designed all along to fit exactly in the center of his vessel’s chest.

That taken care of, Sorilax followed Knichou to the lower deck and his waiting Rahkshi. Sorilax floated over his hardlight box that he had created to catch the overflow of Atamai’s trough…
 

On 2/15/2021 at 5:30 PM, Kal the Guardian said:

Sorilax turned, noting that the iron trough had grown in size and sealed itself. He closed his open ended hardlight box that still had some EP in it and reduced the size, bringing it over beside himself to rest on the ground. He frowned. One pointing out that flower made him think of the flower crown he still wore that Vhisola had given him. He sure hoped Vhisola was doing well. He had wanted to check on her far quicker than a month’s span of time. Who knew how Metru-Koro was fairing after all this time.

His Life Kraata power informed him of a Toa drawing near. It was Knichou, though All-seeker was nowhere to be seen. That left only one other Aspect in the general area. If it got close enough to hear him, he would put up a wall of Silence in between himself and the Aspect.

The Toa spoke, “Sorilax. What did you just do?"

What did he just do? Sorilax played back his memory. “I was just thinking. Before that I brought the overflow of pure energized protodermis over here. Before that I was talking with One here about the flower he noticed.” He pointed to the Rahkshi of Teleporation sitting on the grass. It waved at the Toa at the mention of its very unoriginal name. “Before that I was thinking and then planning. Before that I was conversing with Sidra because it seemed she was in need of assistance. Apparently she is just tired. Before that I utilized my altered Rahkshi Taboo. And before that I was conversing with True-guesser. Though you were there for that conversation, so I suppose I need not have mentioned it.”

...and had brought onto the Taku earlier.

On 2/20/2021 at 10:07 PM, Kal the Guardian said:

Sorilax was impressed with the inside of the metal structure as he noiselessly walked up the extended ramp into the bowels of the Taku. It reminded him of Cravious’ Cube, except nowhere near as sturdy looking. Although it was far cleaner.

He moved his creations, hardlight and Rahkshi, to a spot where they would not be in anyone’s way. His Life sense noted no Aspects, which was good. He would still have to keep a lookout for Infected masks, however.

The Aspect of Life patiently waited for Knichou to finish his interaction with this tall Rose being.

The pure EP was barely noticeable through the golden tint of Sorilax’s Light.

While Sorilax did not know the worth of Kanoka, he doubted Knichou’s gift was of equal value to what Viltia had traded. The magic metal and fine craftsmanship were too astounding. There was a Rhotuka Launcher at its center and even something he could feel the light around him was more easily focused through. He did not deserve such lofty payment for a trade he never made.

Sorilax was going to save this pure EP for later, but perhaps both Knichou and Kini-Koro deserved it far more than he did. He gestured to his hardlight box, “Would you happen to want the remains of the pure energized protodermis flood from earlier? Perhaps it can be stored for the Infected masks I noticed in the village. Should they ever need to be cleansed, that is. I cannot speak to Whisper’s character other than the obvious about all Aspects.”

OOC: @BULiK

IC: Sorilax Life Seeker - Aspect of Light and Silence

Location - the Taku, Kini-Koro

With -  Knichou, Two, (maybe Three depending on how the Ice Suva goes)

Sorilax had grabbed his scrolls from the desk and followed Knichou, safely stowing them away in his backpack. His shadow lizard poked his head out for a second, then retreated back inside.

Before they reached the lower deck, Knichou once again pulled something from a Suva. Or, at least so it appeared. It was a shield of magnificent design. As Sorilax graciously accepted and inspected it, it seemed as if the shield had been specifically designed just for him. This Knichou either had a horde of items at his disposal or was a master craftsman.

“Thank you, Knichou. I am unworthy of such a masterfully crafted implement. Especially one of varied functions.” Sorilax’s attention shifted from the shield back to Knichou, “But as for your trust, I ask that you do not leap to conclusions about myself just based upon one conversation and viewing one scroll. Until I meet with the Vashni that you mentioned, everything I just said should be treated with suspicion and subjected to inquiry. You should diligently search out what is actually the truth for thyself.

“I cannot understate the selfish and manipulative nature of Aspects. There are many that come with honeyed tongues to fool and beguile those of upright morality and trusting temperaments. Even if you find that an Aspect can be proved to be trusted, you must always remember their inherent nature. It cannot be changed unless through supernatural means, though one can try their best to overcome it, as I did for all those years.

“All must do their best to guard both their bodies and their minds on this island. And- Oh! Another thing about Taboos, just earlier I realized there is power in the symbols and poems that accompany each Taboo. Should you learn either, I caution you on showing or speaking them to others unless you wish for any Aspects nearby to hear and learn them or to touch and learn them.”

OOC: @BULiK

IC: Sorilax Life Seeker - Aspect of Light and Silence

Location - the Taku, Kini-Koro

With - Knichou

“Don't worry, that's just me piloy, Berys. He's using the microphone. It's like... a scroll for your voice, to copy it elsewhere. Anyways, I'd love to hear more, but it looks like we're here, and I have to visit a friend, so we'll cut this short," Knichou explained, standing up as he did so. "I have just a few questions left for you, though."

A piloy. Interesting. Perhaps it was like a pilot, but for microphones? Whatever they were. Sorilax knew he should have paid more attention when he had been buying stuff from Cravious. No doubt the Skakdi had already tried to sell him all of this high tech stuff. Technology just did not interest him like Life and Taboos did. Sala and a few of the members of Le-Metru Nuva had told him about a great many things technological, but it was hard remembering them all when you had no reference to help solidify the knowledge. Airship was easy enough to remember, but nothing else seemed to be.

"Your Life Kraata let you blurt out Stannis's secret nature with such certainty that I now see it was useless to try to convince you otherwise. We're good friends, and yet he only let me know of his Aspect powers earlier today," Knichou half-lied. "So I don't think he's ready for the world to know yet, and that's why he tried to correct you earlier. But since you were one of the old man's companions before I became one, I'm curious..."

Oh, so Knichou had merely been testing him about his character. Sorilax suddenly felt majorly relieved. He no longer had to try to hide something that could possibly end up hurting the residents of Kini-Koro. Knichou continued.

"What do you remember about Stannis? Has he changed any from your prior impression? What's the All-Seeker's wish?"

Sorilax stood straight and tall, yet his body now seemed more relaxed in some way, “I am quite glad to hear that you already had the knowledge of All-Seeker’s true identity. But unfortunately I doubt I can offer enough information to be to your liking. I do not remember much, as I stated previously.

“What I do remember, however, is the name Caedest. For some reason that name keeps coming to my mind when I think of her. And as I was going to- Intriguing. I called All-Seeker a ‘her’ again. Perhaps my subconscious is telling us something I have forgotten.” Sorilax scratched at his chin.

“I know that All-Seeker was not in that Toa’s body before, nor did she go by Stannis. It just does not feel right in my mind. I at least am able to tell if I have familiarity with something even if I cannot remember much about it. And I was not able to be around All-Seeker long enough to tell much about her character, other than that my emotions tell me that she felt the same, if perhaps like there was a thin veil over her true self. As for her wish, I feel it must be related to Knowledge in some way.” Sorilax tried to decipher his feelings and the names Caedast had given him to be able to enlighten Knichou, “Either the distribution of it or the gathering of it. Those two feel the most likely to my mind.

“But if my feelings of the past are able to be relied upon, she is possibly the most trustworthy of all Aspects I know. Or at least I felt so in the past. Not the most straightforward, mind you, but trustworthy when it comes to the preservation of Life. As long as you remain aware of the inherent nature of Aspects, you can properly weigh our actions and make informed decisions to make sure this village stays safe. That is the top priority.

“When Aspects come, so comes the enticing of those seeking power to kill to acquire it. It is a dangerous and slippery slope. One that the Skakdi of this land have slid down headlong for many thousands of years now. But as long as the leadership and leadership figures of this village are aware of the costs, the rest of the population should hopefully remain secure.”

OOC: @BULiK

IC: Sorilax Life Seeker - Aspect of Light and Silence

Location - the Taku, Kini-Koro

With - Knichou

Sorilax proceeded to dive deep into the theory of consciousness and how it related to other fundamental forces of nature. He talked of Life and Death. He talked of Rahi, Toa, and Aspects. He even moved on to Great Spirits like Irnakk. He brought up a ton of lesser topics that didn’t appear related at first, but once he had finished explaining them, he wove back into the larger topic.

He finished up, “...and that is how nature itself validates the existence of consciousness. Now, how does consciousness validate its own existence and how does morality come into play?” Sorilax paused again to gather topics for his next subject, but this time he was interrupted. Not by Knichou, but by more movement of the environment and by a voice that came from nowhere.

"Welcome to Kini-Koro Airdock."

Sorilax looked around, “What was that voice?” He looked back at Knichou, “Should we be alarmed?”

OOC: @BULiK

IC: Sorilax Life Seeker - Aspect of Light and Silence

Location - the Taku, Kini-Koro

With - Knichou

Sorilax nodded, “As I stated to you immediately before you suggested coming here, and I quote, ‘Due to the inherent nature of beings not being under their control, such as Skakdi as a whole being savage and warmongers, or such as Aspects being selfish and manipulative as a baseline, my Grand Wish is to integrate myself into the concept of Life itself so that I may create all future Life on even footing.’

“To further delve into such matters, we must first discuss morality and the higher hidden functions of our universe.” Sorilax pulled out another scroll, this one just as thick as the already considerable scroll on Aspects and Taboos. He set it on Knichou’s desk, “In this treatise I have written down my thoughts on the concept of morality and how it might be able to be applied to everyday life. While my kin flounder at the thought of morality, it seems my goal to set Life on equal footing has given me a unique perspective. In my optics, morality has two sides, Light and Shadow. No being is all Light and no being is all Shadow, with all of Life existing in between the two. It is a secondary goal of mine to conform to what I consider moral Light with the utmost consistency.

“Now let us start at the beginning. What is consciousness?”

Sorilax paused to gather his thoughts, not to give Knichou time to respond like Knichou might think was the reason behind the pause. Perhaps Knichou knew him well enough by now, or perhaps not, but the sure signs of a long winded lecture were forming in how Sorilax held himself while drawing together his many ideas.

OOC: @BULiK
 

IC: Sorilax Life Seeker - Aspect of Light and Silence

Location - the Taku, near the Earth Portal

With - Knichou

Sorilax didn’t feel the shift as the Taku took off, his vessel was not created to sense that, but he was able to observe the slight movement of the environment and the way his vessel reacted to the change in gravity. Plus, he could feel the Light shifting off the hull as the airship rose. Through that, he deduced that they had become airborne. He marveled at the prospect. Even being able to teleport now through his Rahkshi, flight still seemed somewhat impossible for him.

After an amount of time that Sorilax did not really keep track of and so it easily slipped away, Knichou spoke up, "There are... there are so many Kraata powers listed here. Which ones do you have?"

Sorilax looked down at the seated Toa, “Ah, yes, as you can see by the amount written on the subject, Silence is my inherent Kraata power. I am at Stage 4 with it and it was surprisingly useful in the Far Shore.

“After exiting the Far Shore, I was granted, as a reward, knowledge of the Taboo of Infected Mask Attunement. Though in my case, it should rather be Illuminated Mask Attunement. This Taboo allows Aspects such as myself to Infect a Kanohi and then be able to wear it like other beings can, utilizing both its power and the benefits of it being Infected. Seeing as my changed Kraata variation was Life, I knew I must experience that power and draw myself ever closer to the force of Life itself. So in addition to Silence Stage 4, I also have Life Stage 3. You should be able to see my documentations of its effects within the list.”

OOC: @BULiK

IC: Krrenchk - Skakdi of Stone

Location - Fort Nektann

With - Zekev

Specialty? This Skakdi of Ice must not have been around here long. “I’m the support Skakdi. My Rhotuka is healing and I use Zamor Spheres that stop enemy weapons from functioning. But don’t worry, I see fights every so often. And hey! Maybe with you around, we’ll get an advanced position.” Krrenchk smiled at the thought and absently looked down. He noticed a bit of dust on his left boot and quickly wiped it off.

OOC: @NorikSigma