Nick Silverpen

Very nice on the MoL style mask. That way you did the mask and his neck muscles make it seem equally humanistic and mechanical. Also, the chestplate looks like Jaller Mahri, but Tahu still looks cool. and the back gear is somewhat intriguing. Great work!

Chapter Two: Lighthouse for the Lost From the Journal of Bour: Eight days we have been rowing at sea. Eight days and eight nights Nireta, Tiribomba and I have been paddling home in this ocean, and I wonder when we will find land. How much further is it? I ask myself every day. It only took us half this time to row north. No, it’s not a complaint, just a curiosity of how vast this horizon is. Countless times I plunge my oar into the water, and I think to myself, “Home is merely one stroke closer.” Our trip from Cipituez seemed like a sign, that the world was calling; I’m simply wondering what the world is calling for. The Steel Visionary lived in isolation, content to tinker in her fortress; before embarking with Tiri and Nireta, I too didn’t mind working on my own through the day. We’re all individuals, satisfied with dwindling our lives away at our jobs. When we live for our work, we find we don’t need interactions from others. It’s a strange peace, I suppose, being with these two on the open seas. I feel like I belong to something special. I guess you don’t realize you’ve been alone until you’re in the company of friends. The Wall of Stars is clear tonight. It’s amazing how many stars shine bright in the heavens. How long have they burned up there? Will they burn forever? The Red Star hovers over us, shining brighter and closer than any star. The prophecies it predicted used to be plentiful in the old days, but seldom now does it pass through any significant constellations. Are the days of the Bionicle people burning out? *** My eyes flickered open, the sunrise waking me from my dreams. The sun had risen just above the ocean line, its golden rays pulsating through the fish scale clouds in the sky. The light unevenly shone upon the clouds, turning them into a mix of dark grey and dandelion splotching the sky. I craned my neck to see the white fluffs shifting along the air high above our boat. Around the sun, an orangey yellow colored the sky, while the blue of the day hung above our boat. I took all of this in as I admired the pulchritude of the fish scale clouds. Rain would be coming from these clouds soon enough, I thought grimly as I bit into a fruit. Never mind that, I told myself. Appreciate the beauty of the morning. My eyes settled on my sleeping companions when the sun became too bright. The Ga-Matoran and Toa of Fire slumbered on peacefully as I ate. The Toa of Fire… I encountered a pang of resentment as I thought of Tiri. During our journey to Cipituez, I had been told of great power in my dreams. I had dismissed it as merely a dream until Tiribomba had been transformed… I had to admit I was a bit jealous. If I was to be told of this power, why wasn’t I given it? I was happy for my friend, but things were slightly different now. We had been three Matoran on an adventure together- now it would be seen as a Toa and his two Matoran companions accompanying him on a quest. Tiri was still my friend, I knew, but it was no longer the same. As if sensing his name in my thoughts, the Great Ruru on Tiribomba’s face began to stir, and soon he was awake. He nodded a morning greeting, which I returned, and together we began to pull up the boat’s anchor. “We have to be close,” he remarked, nodding to the rising sun on the horizon. “What do you think everyone will say?” asked, indicating his Toa stature. “I don’t know, but I keep wondering why,” he shrugged, suggesting that he’d been thinking like I had been for the past few days. “Toa aren’t needed around much anymore.” Nireta stirred, ending our conversation. She rubbed her Kakama eyeholes, and yawned, a greeting blended in there. As she stretched, I noted how her teal armor matched the hue of the water. She could have swam right beside the boat and been completely invisible to us. “Beautiful clouds, eh?” she said to us, seeing the changing sky. “I’ve got a good feeling about today,” she said as she checked a compass. “I can feel it in my armor. Today’s just going to be a good day.” “Let’s get a move on,” Tiri chuckled as he began to paddle. I watched his back for a moment before joining in. We fell into a rhythm, a Toa-Matoran duo that propelled the small boat along the ocean. Mastering the beat of Tiri’s rate, I let my eyes shut, enjoying the calm of the work. The three of us alone, on the open, boundless sea. The ocean was so barren and endless, yet it supported so much life beneath the surface. It was a wondrous place, where being lost could lead to a miraculous adventure. What made the ocean so fascinating? Was it the blue sky, and the sun that constantly shifted and changes the hues of blue? Or was it the way it extended further than our sight, the simple flat landscape? Was it all of that, or none of it? Who knew, I decided. The more I thought, the more I felt time pass. It was like time and water were one, and pushing one away helped the other pass. “Let it run, Bour,” Nireta spoke much later. Pulling my oars in, I opened my eyes to view a drastically different scene from this morning. Clouds had collected across the sky, white fluffs now dark grey and in some places black. Thunderheads hung low, massive mountains towering above the water at dizzying apogees. “Some adventure, eh?” Nireta sarcastically commented. “Over a week, and not even a single monster of the deep.” “The goal is to explore the unknown,” Tiribomba laughed. “Although I’m sure Peck would appreciate knowing what dangerous creatures roam the sea.” I was about to say something, but an orotund thunderclap muted all conversation. From far off, a bolt of lightning sped down to meet the ocean. In response to the accelerating darkness, Tiribomba projected a number of fireballs to illuminate the boat. I took out my journal and began to read my old entries, my eyes peeking at the Toa of Fire every few lines. There were things I had wanted to write in the volume, but a voice in my head reminded me journals could be read. Minds, on the other hand, could not. A sizzle made me look up. The rain had finally begun, a drop landing on one of the fireballs. One by one, more drops descended until the ocean was like an overflowing water bucket, growing vaster with each drop that joined it. Tiri sat on his seat, entertaining himself as his fire fought the rain. I twisted away from my companions, gazing outside the boat. All around, the rain poured heavily; I stared deep into the nocturnal downpour as the now usual thoughts ran through my head. When will we find land? Tonight I wished for sweet dirt to step on, nothing more. I was a Po-Matoran- why had I signed up for a sea voyage? A light erupted from the darkness, slamming into our ship. The three of us raised our hands to shield our eyes, but as quick as the light arrived, it was gone, and we were left sitting in darkness. It flashed again, and as it passed, a brief thought crossed my mind: Safety Ahead. I wasn’t even sure if the thought was my own. Tiribomba stood up on his seat, squinting deep into the darkness. Using his Mask of Night Vision, he looked for something between the flashes. Nireta and I glanced anxiously from each other to the Toa between us. “What is it, Tiribomba?” Nireta asked over the rain. Tiri answered with silence for a few moments, and then jumped down into the boat, grasping his oars. “Let’s row!” The light shone upon us every few moments as we stroked toward it, battling the treacherous ocean around us. The rain splattered plain now thrashed, knocking waves into our boat; the rain slicked our oar shafts, our hands refusing to find a grip. We were fighting a useless battle against the sea, yet we still fiercely pulled on, determined to find this light. As the stormy waves tossed the bow high in the air, I saw Nireta’s fearful eyes watching ahead. Lightning flashed, and she cried out. At that point she gestured behind me, and the last thing I felt was the boat crashing against the rocks. *** It was what kept me asleep that awoke me. I felt the pain deep in my back, the comfort of the mattress I lay on impossible to appreciate. A gasp escaped my lips as I tried to roll onto my side, but the pressure in my back overwhelming me. Soon I gave up, sinking into the bed with a sigh as I abandoned my struggle. Hearing only the air void of sound, I reluctantly opened my eyes. A white ceiling met my upward gaze, joined by the blank wall my bed was set next to. Finding I could move my neck with only a dull throb, I turned my eyes, curious to explore where I was. A blue-grey carpet stretched over the floor to meet the trim at the bottom of the blank walls; across the room from the bed was a window, white sunlight shining in that blocked any sight that lay beyond. Behind the headstand of the bed, a doorway revealed a steel staircase that descended to the unknown. Where was I? I thought. Come to think of it, where was here? And where were Tiribomba and Nireta? The absence of my companions brought a wave of worry, my thoughts suddenly on them. Questions began to pile in my mind, my body becoming tenser until I realized I needed to breathe. Feeling the sudden weight of my eyelids as I exhaled, I shut my eyes. Whoever brought me here will have answers. Everything will be explained. Whether it was a moment later or hours later I could not tell. My eyes opened at the sounds of footsteps on the staircase, listening to them climb until a tall, black armored figure emerged from the doorway. “At last, you’re awake,” he said, walking to the window. He gave a glance outside as he took something out of his pack. With a flash he shot something, and I felt a surge of energy that left me breathless. I lay panting on the bed as he tried to help me up; I refused his assistance until it dawned on me that there was no pain in my back. “I didn’t want to try anything until you were conscious,” he explained, setting an empty Rhotuka launcher on the edge of my bed. “Thank you,” I puffed, sitting on the edge of the mattress. Looking at his tall figure, I blurted out, “Who are you?” “My name is Yetoxa,” he replied, chuckling as I raised my eyebrows. “Been a long time since you’ve seen a Vortixx?” I nodded. “Sorry,” I apologized, rubbing my eyes. “What is this place? Where are my friends?” Yetoxa helped me off the bed, and disappeared down the staircase. So, this is Yetoxa, I thought as I followed him down a long, carpeted hall. He paced forward, straight and posed never looking back to make certain I was still following. I glanced in the multitude of rooms that branched from the hall, wondering which ones, if any, my friends lay in. Neither of them, I found out as we emerged into a chamber. It was made of tannish blocks, a staircase spiraling up the walls to chambers unknown. Carved on the circular cobblestone floor was a mask, its design vaguely familiar, its empty eyes staring towards whatever lay above. On a stone bench set against the wall sat Nireta and Tiribomba, whom quietly exchanged words. The Toa of Fire caressed his wrist, but otherwise the two looked none the worse for wear. “Are you well?” I asked. With a nod, we clanked fists, relieved to be reunited. If jealousy had been the last thoughts of mine to Tiribomba, I could have never forgiven myself. Now hopefully I could start this day of our friendship on a better foot. As one, the three of us turned towards Yetoxa, who stood politely a distance away. “Thank you for rescuing us,” Tiribomba spoke, bowing slightly in gratitude. “It was my duty,” he replied with a small smile. “All travelers are allowed rest and sanctuary here.” “Where exactly is ‘here’?” Nireta asked, gesturing to the floor we stood on. The Vortixx’s smile became mysterious as he pointed to a doorway. “Follow me,” he said, “and I will tell you all there is to know.” Outside the chambers we emerged onto the edge of a vast peninsula, as Yetoxa led us along a path. IF one could look far enough, they could see a village in the distance, which I knew to be home. Up above, in the clear, midmorning sky, white, wispy clouds drifted towards the sea, hoping to merge together over the water. My eyes found the fragment of an oar shaft in the waves crashing against the rocky outcroppings along the cliff as we treaded down the path. The house we stood before held a grand yet weather beaten look about it, like a travel weary wanderer. White brick built up to twin tiers of decking that wrapped around the sides of the house, complimented by a widows walk near the top of the black shingled roof. Matching shutters accompanied the backdrop, eyelids to the dark windows that looked out to the water. The building was set around a tall, white tower that extended to the skies, its painted bricks boldly reflecting the wisps in the blue sky. “The lighthouse,” I muttered. This is what we were rowing to in the night. It had always been a sight on the horizon in the village, distant and in the back of my mind. “This is the Lighthouse for the Lost,” Yetoxa elaborated, waving his arm toward the structure. He smiled at the expressions on our masks; we would have never thought a building like this could exist just beyond the marshes. “Lighthouse for the lost?” Nireta repeated. “Why do you call it that?” “Because that is why I built it,” he replied. “Millennia ago, after the Shattering, I realized everyone was lost in the new world. I spent years afterward wandering this countryside, through the islands, until I realized here was where I was meant to be. This light is to show everyone can still be found. Although the Kingdom is shattered and we are separated by the sea, we are still united.” “How noble of you,” Tiribomba commented. “Your reasons are ones that rank.” “It took many years to build this,” Yetoxa quietly remarked, memories flashing in his eyes. “Many years of trial and error.” Unsure of what to say, we three visitors remained silent as we followed him around the house. As he gave us a tour of the perimeter, we came to a section of the wall that was badly damaged. A long stretch of bricks along the side of the house were chipped, and in some placed completely shattered. Tools lay around the wall, tools I found surprisingly familiar. “What happened here?” I asked Yetoxa, examining the bricks. “The storm,” he replied, pointing to a lightning rod positioned at the top of the wall. “A stray lightning bolt must have struck this side.” His eyes flickered between us and the damaged wall, then briefly at the scattered tools. “I am in the process of repairing it, but I am… slow when it comes to bricklaying.” I smiled at his honesty, and then cast a quick glance at the Toa of Fire. It would’ve been better if I were the Toa, I thought guiltily, but I guess Tiri will have his uses. “Fortune must be smiling upon you,” I reassured him. “For I am a bricklayer.” As the noon heat came, it added to Tiribomba’s flames, and I didn’t think anything could be hotter. This heat dwarfed any desert I had encountered, yet I needed to stay in the heat, to be certain the bricks my friend forged came out right. I used my telescopic eyepiece to watch the heat as it hardened the baking brick. Sweat poured underneath my mask as I shaped block after block; I could’ve sworn I felt my armor soften as I endured Tiri’s blazing palms. So much power he has, I thought as I removed another brick from the makeshift kiln. The cool breeze came as a relief as I finished the last brick. As the flames in Tiri’s palms winked out, a soft wind slowly began to blow away the stifling heat. Fresh air entered my lungs, and I could finally breathe in the sea air again. I blinked away the sweat in my eyes to see Tiribomba slumped over, drained. “Let’s cool off down at the ocean,” he suggested. I shook my head- there was still work to be done. “I’ll be back soon, then,” he panted as he set off. There was no rest for me after he left. I immediately went to work setting the base tier, carrying bricks from the pile and setting them align with the old wall. Mortar was applied, and I went to start the next layer, only to see Yetoxa standing ready with several bricks in hand. “I can’t let you do this all yourself,” he said, starting the next layer. We worked together, time dragging by as we did so, yet the wall seemed to fill itself in. As bricks were passed, so did Yetoxa’s questions of home. As he listened, would smile at certain names, nodding with a distant look in his eyes. He had been there in the early days, when UTYWA was being colonized, and even though he lived far off from the village, his memory still remained. The wall was soon finished, and as we admired our handiwork, footsteps could be heard in the dirt. We turned to see Tiribomba walking along the path from the beach, the late afternoon sky behind him. “Look who decided to show up,” I teased. “The wall is already done.” “Without me, you wouldn’t have the bricks to build,” he retorted, holding out a bundle in his hand. “While I was down there, I found a few of our things from the boat. Your book and some of Nireta’s things were strewn along the shore.” He offered my journal, which I leafed through. The pages rippled from exposure to the sea water, but they were still salvageable. “I didn’t read it,” he assured me as I examined the pages. I nodded to him, and then turned to address Yetoxa, who was staring at the sky. “Oh, no,” the Vortixx half moaned. He shook his head worriedly, then gestured to the lighthouse. “We must go!” Abandoning the tool- littered site, he began running towards the house. Tiribomba and I shrugged, then whisked off to catch him. We met Nireta in the base of the tower, where she stood at the bottom of the steps, while Yetoxa was somewhere ahead, his footsteps echoing on the staircase. “Hurry!” he urgently called. With a burst of speed, we were pursuing him, sprinting as hard as we could upwards, the tannish walls of the tower blurring by. I ran along the curvature of the staircase, ahead of the others by only a few steps, and out of the corner of my eye, I could see the Keeper several flights above us. My mask turned to pinpoint him, bit something else caught my eye. The hanging space beyond the railing looked intriguing, as if it weren’t just a void. I was surprised to see my hand reaching out, feeling for something tangible, not just empty air. I was attracted to that space in the between until I noticed my partners ahead of me, and bolted to catch up. We finally rejoined the Vortixx at a landing, where we sat for a moment, dispelling our panting. Tiribomba stood slumped, with his hands on his knees, while I leaned against the wall, winded. Nireta sat on the ledge of a window that faced the ocean. Yetoxa stood silently, his eyes watching outside. The sun had drifted lower, the top of the horizon a darkening blue, which shifted to a golden yellow closer to the ocean line. “My friends, you have come a long way,” Yetoxa nearly whispered. “I didn’t think the wall would take us this late in the day, and if the time had passed, I wouldn’t have been able to show you…” He trailed off, glancing at the steps ahead. “We made this climb so you could see what brought you here, one of the greatest accomplishments since the Kingdom itself. You’re explorers, and I want you to see this… to make your journey worthy.” With a faint smile, he urged us on, giving more questions than answers. The greatest project since the Kingdom… what could that mean? I asked myself, cautious as I climbed the final steps. What were we about to encounter? It was a blank chamber. The floor was a shallow silver bowl, and the walls were a honeycomb shaped window that looked out to the horizon. From this dome we could see everything, from the edges of the ocean all the way down to the village. This is the light chamber, I realized. But where is the light source? There was no giant lens; no large candle surrounded by a complicated apparatus, only… a Toa. A lone Toa sat on the floor, in meditation. The eyes behind the Kanohi Akaku he wore were shut, and his heartlight glowed brightly. My eyes curiously studied his white and lime green armor. Not an element I recognized. “Solek,” called Yetoxa from the door. The Toa opened his eyes slowly, weariness seeming to hang from his eyelids like bags. He stood up, his muscles flexing awkwardly as he rose, as if they were stiff. “You have visitors,” Yetoxa told him. “Who are they?” Solek called in a dazed, slurred voice. He looked at us as if we were merely images, and not really there. “Travelers,” Yetoxa answered. “They are the ones we sent north. They were rowing, in a storm, and saw your light. They came to us.” “I remember something, in the storm,” Solek said. “Three beings, out on the water, and I thought, ‘safety ahead’. This must be them.” I perked my head, my interest in this Toa growing. So the thought wasn’t my own. “Who are you?” I asked. “I heard that on the night we saw the light.” “I am Toa Solek,” he answered, a hint of pride in his voice. “Toa of Light.” “A Toa of Light,” Tiribomba repeated the phrase. They were a rare type of Toa, I recalled, only two of them were known to have exist. This explained his odd armor color. But as for the thoughts… “You are confused, aren’t you,” Solek guessed. We nodded. “Long ago, when I became a Toa, I was so eager… but there was nothing for me to be eager for. It was a quiet time, and my village had no need of Toa. I heard Yetoxa was building something along the coastline, so I left my village to help him. When I saw the tower, I figured what he was doing, and I had this sudden idea, so simple… I was a Toa of Light, so why not become the light for the lighthouse?” So I trained. I pushed my Toa power to its limits, and I was finally able to transform into pure light. I figured that was my destiny, to search for those lost at sea.” The three of us stood there, appalled and touched by his story. “He helps around the lighthouse when he is able,” Yetoxa piped from the doorway, flashing the Toa a smile. “But the transformation costs much energy.” “You are a great Toa,” Tiribomba spoke, awed. “You do more to protect anyone in a single night than I could in a century.” I was shocked as I heard a hint of shame came from the Toa of Fire’s lips. “But it is an honor to call you brother, nonetheless,” he added, clanking the Toa of Light’s fist. Past them, on the horizon, the golden orb had touched the sea, the sky becoming deep red and gold. Sunset. “Solek, my friend- the sun,” Yetoxa warned, acting on my observation. He nodded and ushered the four of us out. “It was good to meet you,” came Solek’s goodbye. “Just seeing you three makes the sacrifice worthwhile.” With that, the sun began to sink beyond the ocean, and in response, a white beam shot from Solek’s heartlight, traveling through the window and into the distance. His body began to coruscate, then broke into particles of light. The particles condensed into a ball, and Solek ceased to be a physical being, as the Toa power within him took over. We stood on the landing, amazed by the nightly phenomenon. Our eyes averted into the settling darkness, as we were unwilling to risk blindness. Soon Yetoxa gestured, and we followed him down the staircase. “That was amazing!” Tiribomba cried. “No Toa before had transformed themselves into their element. He is a great Toa to have done it.” “He is indeed great,” Yetoxa agreed, feeling a surge of pride for his friend. “And you three make his sacrifice worth it. His light will be extra bright tonight, now that he knows he has found people out there. I stay up on the landing, some nights, just watching him. It never ceases to amaze me, what he has pushed himself to do.” We walked down the staircase in silence, each of us in our own thoughts about the Toa overhead. Solek’s speech was moving, and I wondered how Tiribomba was touched by it. He stood a little taller as we walked, and the way he held his palm of fire as he led us… We reached the base of the tower once more, passing through a soft column of light that fell from Solek’s chamber that provided a small comfort in the slight chill of the evening that surrounded us. We entered a dark room, and I was blinded by shadows, until Tiri lit a fireplace. On a table, Yetoxa had food, which he offered to us to roast over the fire. We sat on the benches, staring into the fire and eating silently. Yetoxa stared at the fire as well, but there seemed to be a fire inside his eyes. He peered deeply into the flames for what seemed like eternity, and then looked at the three of us, as if he had remembered something. “So, you’re explorers,” he said. “Tell me about what you found up north.” *** My awakening thought was that it had all been a dream. I had dreamt that we arrived at a lighthouse, and a Toa transformed into pure light. Was it a dream? The question echoed through my head. I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, searching for some truth in the blankness. Was it all really real? Yes, it was, I decided as I felt my sore arms. The muscle under the armor ached as I picked myself up, sitting on the edge of the bed. Feeling the dead weight of my limbs, it all came back to me- the wall, the sprint up the steps… no dream. Rowing one day, bricklaying the next. What will today bring? I thought as I headed down the steel staircase. Not a soul roamed the floor of the halls. I walked around the house, half curious as to where my companions rested. In each room, not a cot was disturbed; no one was found sleeping peacefully in a bed. I treaded the carpet, enjoying the silence of the morning. Where anyone could be, I did not know. The house wasn’t as empty as it seemed, I realized as I entered the tower. Toa Solek walked down the steps from his chamber, struggling with his cane in hand. Seeing his footing unsteady, I rushed to guide him to the bench. “Thank you,” he told me as we reached the bottom. He sat down, slumping against the wall as he looked around. “I haven’t been down here in months,” he muttered. “Oh, how eager I used to be…” Turning to me, he asked, “What is your name?” “Bour,” I replied, watching him rub his eyelids. “What brings you down here, Toa Solek?” I queried. “From up there, I can see many things, near and far,” the Toa replied, straightening himself as he pushed himself up. “The garden needed tending. Let us go to it.” I followed him out to a clear morning sky, where the breeze blew along the path. Sounds from yesterday’s construction site reached us at the garden. Yetoxa and Tiribomba must be cleaning up, I supposed. When we reached the edge of the garden bed, I gazed in to see a jungle. Weeds broke through the earth to crawl among the plants, wrapping themselves along the vines that sustained food. Solek dropped to his knees, crawling through the dirt to pick the invaders out. I followed, freeing the plants and picking ripe fruits. The garden was untangled, letting the plants breathe. Dead roots were pruned, and soon the garden was free of parasites. The soil looked clean again. With the flick of his wrist, Solek incinerated the accumulated pile, and we headed to store the food. We passed by the wall, where a fresh coat of paint had been applied. I admired the brickwork, hoping that the wall would remain erect for many years to come. The others stood on the cliffs, looking to the sea, where we joined them. If Yetoxa was surprised to see Solek out, he did not show it. The ocean was calm, small waves arriving on the shores of the land. Sea birds flew above us, squawking loudly. A breeze reached our vantage point, displaying a sample of nature’s power. The sea seemed to be never ending. Was it? Or were there borders? Far out, almost on the horizon line, a cloud stretched further than the eye could see. The cloud was pure black, Solek reported from his Kanohi. The wisps on the sky had collected over the past few days to form the mammoth cloud, appearing like a cavalry, lined up on the battlefield and waiting for the command to charge. “That’s a powerful storm building out there,” Tiribomba thought aloud. “Could it be stronger than the one that brought us here?” “Infinitely,” Solek sounded grim. He looked thoughtfully at Yetoxa. “Do you suppose this place can withstand it?” “We’ll have to see,” He replied. “We’ll stay with you,” Nireta swore. “Protect the lighthouse from destruction. We entered this storm, and we’re not leaving until it has cleared.” “No,” Solek denied. “We can hold down the fort here. You are needed elsewhere.” He turned and pointed to the village, where the smoke of morning fires rose into the sky. “Out there is where you need to be. Warn your neighbors, attend to your homes. Assisting the village would help us in many ways.” “Will we have to walk there?” I worriedly asked, gesturing to the cove which the remains of our boat still floated. The storm, even from a distance, began to strike fear in my heart. “No, no,” Yetoxa chuckled. “Follow me, comrades.” *** Yetoxa calls it the Lighthouse for the Lost- he is right. Arriving there helped me rediscover myself. Whether it be chance or fate, I’ve found as much significance in myself as in Nireta, the mapmaker, or Tiribomba, Toa of Fire. I now realize that I didn’t have to be the one picked at Cipituez; the title “Bour, Toa of Stone” was only a wish, temporary like the tide. We all have our own destinies, and I can’t wish for someone else’s. The muscles are at a now familiar work once more. We row again, in a boat kindly provided by Yetoxa. Solek warned us that if we did not help the village, they were doomed. So now we venture through the wetlands between the two places. Many intriguing creatures roam the grasses. I would like to stop and observe them for hours, but the sky reminds me of my duty to the Lighthouse. Maybe after the storm is finished, they can be studied. We told the two Lighthouse guardians of what happened at Cipituez. They never suspected a land so far out in isolation. It was a trip to be remembered, and maybe when all is said and done, we can go back. For now, though, it’s time to focus on protecting that small isle off of Del Vienvi… Review

Voting for 4. That was beautiful How the heck did I make it to finals??

Number 5. My heart is melting from it.

I, with everyone else here, am pleased about a Toa Metru story with practically all of their story pretty much told, it's fun to see a general hole that you can fill. The dialogue, especially the chutespeak, was excellent. It was a classic Matau confusion scene, and his personality was described perfectly. I don't understand what you mean with Matau having "split personality"; I mean I do in a Bionicle sense, but split personality of psychology .... Oh well:pSyntax was classic Metru Nui style, and that made it an enjoyable read. Keep it going!

Tahu… the whisper came from the darkness around him as he walked; He didn’t shine with the blazing light of fire, but some sort of glow that hung as an aura. He gripped his sword tightly, comforted by the shape of the flames on the blade. The voice was just his imagination…Tahu.“No,” Tahu sobbed. “Die. Why won’t you die? After the thousands that sacrificed themselves to rid the world of you, why won’t you die?” He walked on, his eyes mixed with fury and defeat. Makuta lived.Because the darkness never dies, Toa. I will always live. In your darkest thoughts, your deepest fears, I am there. My escence is in you, and I live on. Besides, Tahu, what would you be without me?“We fought for a life without you,” Tahu said, his anger coming forth in the flames that leapt from his fire sword. “Be gone, so we can live in peace!” Some day you will meet other evils, whose power is far greater than mine, the voice of the Makuta reverberated through the blackness. And when you meet them, you will finally miss me. The darkness regressed, leaving Tahu in merely shadows. He could see the path he walked on now, a winding tunnel where the flickering orange glow of lightstones eerily lead to the catacomb of caves beyond.He continued his tread, head keenly forward, body ready to pounce on any attack. Whispers came from further in, and Tahu followed them intently. There were others in this place! His pace increased, catching a glimpse of a hole in the rock where below a vast cavern awaited him. The voices were right around the bend, and the Toa of Fire sprinted, catching snippets of two strolling stranger’s conversation.“…but precious little light, it seems... You don’t see…” the short one spoke, guiding the taller one, the illumination of the lightstone he carried blocking Tahu from seeing the pair’s features. He raised his hand in greeting, as if beckoning would bring their attention. They were gone then, merely ghosts of the past, and Tahu was left in the tunnel, alone once more.With the blink of an eye, he stood in the center of the cavern, a lengthy tunnel walk that he didn’t travel a step in, finished. Webs cut the cave in half, a thick curtain of green-grey slime from the floor to the ceiling. Approaching it, he set his sword in the sticky strands, burning through them. It was his job, as a Toa, to explore, whether he liked what was on the other side or not.The web flared, the fire jumping. Soon it was out of control- Tahu hadn’t even used enough willpower to create that much of a flame! The entire web was on fire now, burning away far too fast. It shriveled and smoked, and when the air cleared on the other side… a dragon, made of smoke an charcoal, flared his nostrils, angrily eyeing its awakener. Claws of fire reached out to grab him, but he was already running.A flame shot out of the dragon’s tongue, melting the rock he hid behind. Ta-Wahi burned like it hadn’t ever before, and the heat of the flames brought sweaty, blurry vision. He had faced this creature before, but it was different, he realized, breathing heavily as he took in limited oxygen. It screamed at him telepathically like a Rahi, but there was something sinister in its words.You call this your home? This is MY domain! My territory! I will burn you out, little flame! I—“Brow sweating, Tahu clamped his eyes shut, reminiscing about how he missed the darkness. A chill then ran through him……and he woke up, sweating.***Unedited version of my Legacy entry for Flash Fiction Marathon, it's part of a bigger story, I just wanted to see how it did as a stand alone- C&C is welcome! Inspired by here and here

I'd be interested in any Toa Inika or Mahri Matoro for 10 bucks apiece. And if you have any kanohi 01-03, I'd be interested for like 50-75 cents each.

Chapter 1: The Island to the North My eyes were half open to the sky, squinting into the heavenly shade of deep blue that faded to white over the ocean. A light rumble of waves carried on a gentle breeze, making its way up the sand. Held against the sky, my bronze forearm reached toward the early afternoon sunlight, the white and yellow rays that streamed between the houses like the reins of an island Rahi. If only those reins could be held, so the summer wouldn’t always slip away… “Ready?” the voice of the Ta-Matoran called. I sat up to see the figure of Tiribomba at the water’s edge, coiling a rope attached to the prow of the boat. Behind him, beyond the inlet, lay the distant ocean, mysterious and calling. I closed my journal beside me, satisfied with the words I had written, and picked myself up from the sand. It was time to go. “Ready as I’ll ever be,” I replied, coming aboard. Tiribomba nodded approval of my words, shoving the boat into deeper waters. Running through the shallows, he jumped, and I pulled him in. Once settled, together we grabbed the oars and began to row. We didn’t get far when we saw a hand waving from the marshes. Their calls brought us to the land’s edge, to find a Nireta, a local Ga-Matoran mapmaker, waving to us. “We can’t exactly give you a ride back to the village…” I said as we pulled up to the sandbar she stood on. “I wasn’t looking to go there,” she chuckled, waving that assumption off. “Are you guys the ones headed north?” “Peck is sending us up there, yeah,” Tiri told her. “Word travels fast around here, doesn’t it?” “Take me with you,” she pleaded. “I’m a mapmaker- I’ve mapped out this island far too many times, and now there’s this opportunity!” I looked at my friend, then at the Ga-Matoran. We had enough room for her, but we only packed enough food for two people for a week, at most. Yet she could be an asset… “Just remember to steer us north,” I joked. “I’m a navigator for a reason,” Nireta countered, steering the boat northward as we paddled onward. The land soon became a silhouette in the distance, our home drifting further as we rowed. It soon dissipated into the horizon, and we were gone. The sound of the waves had ceased, and all that could be heard was the dip of the oars and the slide of the boat as we pulled over the ocean. “What do you think is up there?” Nireta’s voice brought me back into the boat, my eyes having wandered out onto the flat ocean. The landless seas surrounded us, clear and never-ending. No breeze blew in the air, leaving the Ga-Matoran’s question to hang over us. “Rahi,” I answered. “We’re so used to the Rahi of the marshes, and I want to know what other creatures are out there.” I squared my oar for another stroke, helping Tiri propel the boat across the sea. “And what do you expect to find, Tiri?” “I’m here because Peck needed someone to investigate,” the Ta-Matoran replied, smoothly pushing water away. “Otherwise, I’m simply looking for an adventure with friends.” “You expect to discover destiny then,” I laughed. *** The seas shallowed on the third day. We had cut through the ocean for two days, observing nothing but the sky. No clouds existed, and the sun seemed elusive, yet it still illuminated the air. It was surreal, being the dot that broke the endless horizon. I would look over the boat at times, the depths of the ocean clear and blue, never darkening. And early on the third morning something changed. Bottomless blue was suddenly white, the rays of the sunlight rippling the sand beneath the water. I smiled as I witnessed the ocean bottom glide beneath us. Further along our travels rose a sandbar that stretched toward the horizon. The sights of land granted me hope; we were close. The idea fuelled my mind, and I dug my paddle deeper, my strokes increasing in power. “This couldn’t be what he wanted us to find,” Nireta frowned at the sandbar, staring at the compass resting on her lap. “Look around and maybe you’ll see something more,” Tiribomba suggested, a grin on his mask. Sure enough, I followed his advice, and my Akaku’s telescope rested upon a black dot in the distance. The island to the north. *** As we grew closer to the island, currents pulled our boat back to sea. Tiri and I fought them, our oars bending as dug in. Soon enough our strength beat the ocean’s, and we rolled onto the beach. Nireta threw a pack on the sand and climbed out as the Ta-Matoran and I guided our boat to shore, small waves knocking it back and forth. A thin strip of white sand separated the water from an assembly of tropical trees that extended the run of the beach. Spotting shade, the three of us sought rest, plopping under a tree. Nireta plucked fruit from the branches, distributing it amongst us. I tasted a fruit as my eyepiece observed the curved coastline, where the trees overlapped the edge of the island. A rock rose several bio over the water, a deep black stone covered in sea junk, attracting my attention. “Interesting rock,” Nireta said, following the gaze of my eyepiece. She began to say something else, but the words became distant as my eyes closed. *** Was I awake? I asked myself, uncertain if it were true. But hadn’t I just fallen asleep? I was still underneath the trees I had sat with my companions, but of them there was no trace. Getting to my feet, I figured I would walk along the beach to search for them, but a voice in my mind told me Nireta and Tiribomba would not be found. The sky was pinkish red, darkening all that lay below it. Sunset! Had I been asleep that long? Hopefully I could find the others before nightfall. I walked beside the forest, but the shadows of sunset prevented me from glimpsing its depths. The strip of sand was no longer white, but a yellow of the day’s last rays; the ocean had become black and as smooth as glass, so smooth that I believed it would support me if I walked on it. A movement up ahead caught my eye. Someone else was on the beach! At first I thought it was Tiribomba, but the shade of the armor wasn’t right. It then came to me- ahead of me was me! How was that possible? I shook my head, convinced the action would dispel the illusion, but when I looked again, I was still there. My interest in the scene grew as a shape formed in the crimson sky. The blob took shape, and there I was again; my arms were spread across the sky, as if I were preaching. Myself, preaching? It must be a joke, I thought, but there was no smile coming to my lips. The world misted away. The sand under my feet was replaced by the floor of a giant cavern, where the walls, covered in strange symbols, extended to an unfathomably high ceiling. On the floor lay a symbol of the three virtues, within rested a liquid into which I knew I would not survive a plunge. “You are not a Toa!” a voice rang. I whirled around, failing to find the source. “Who are you, stranger?” “Indeed, I am not a Toa,” came my answer as I searched for the voice. Could it be hidden within the shadows from the shimmering protodermis? “I am Bour, a Po-Matoran. But why is a Toa necessary? Why can’t a Matoran be enough?” “Power,” was the reply. “Power, greater than the philosophies and emotional, ‘moving’ speeches of the Matoran. Only the power of a Toa will help the Great Spirit of Civilization.” I frowned at the term. Mata Nui was the Great Spirit, and he had died thousands of years ago. How could a Toa help him now? Gazing into the shadows, I gestured to the pool of protodermis. “But you have all the power you could need right here,” my voice echoed. “This is the ultimate source! Think of what it could do!” “True,” the voice murmured, suddenly directly behind me. I whirled around to see a figure in the shadows, only their hands visible as they shoved me into the pool. “I never considered that an option.” I began to sink, feeling the protodermis rise up my body. Knowing I wouldn’t survive, a scream rose from my lips. Whispers of the figure, however cut through my single syllable. “Remember me when you wake, Bour. Remember the words of the Steel Visionary—“ “Have a nice nap, Bour?” Tiribomba smirked. *** We hiked our way up the grassy hill, the rustle of the dunes the only noise interrupting the silence. No sound rose from the forest, or within the grasses, or even carried along the wind that buffeted over our ears. A stick would break underfoot, snapping the silence, but it would resume once more as our feet treaded the soil. I waded through the grasses with my eyes intently on Nireta, while I paced rather close to Tiribomba. That dream was still on my mind- I could not shake it off and carry on, like I did with every other dream. I felt as if the two of them walked too far away, they would disappear, and I would find myself encountering that shadowy being once again. We reached the summit, where a pond was nestled into a plateau that gave an uninhibited view of the land in all directions. I crouched on the edge of the water, my eyes scanning for the slightest ripple of movement; a crab scaling the coral, fish treading between the seaweed, anything. But not even the intensity of my stare could make the water ripple. This is too odd, I thought. First an abandoned Rahi burrow on the beach, a lifeless jungle and now an empty lake? This island should be teeming with Rahi, but there is nothing living anywhere. What is happening on this island? Drawing away from the lake, I walked over to where Tiri kneeled, his hand reaching over a ledge. Nireta sat cross legged where the soil gave way to a purple rock, scribbling the long crescent of the land into her maps. Her compass sat open on the ground, its dial pointed toward the “south” symbol. Were we at true north? Tiri’s head popped up, warning of the ledge that was only a few paces beyond. The rock suddenly ended, as if a portion of the land had been sliced away. Plummeting down, it met the shallows that trailed off where this spit and several others circled a deep lagoon. One island stood out from the rest, covered in bamboo, as opposed to the palm trees on all others. I looked hard for any sign of movement on the other islands, but it was like searching for a cloud in the desert sky. “It’s smooth,” Tiri informed, his hand brushing the face of the rock. “Like it’s been weathered by a wave.” “Interesting,” Nireta commented, joining us at the edge. We bent over the edge, looking down the wall of purple that dropped ten, twenty, thirty, at least forty feet to the shallows within the ring of islands. What the Ta-Matoran said was true, but no waves could reach high enough to rub the stone. It was old, unnaturally smooth, adding to the list of things unnatural about this island. We lingered only a moment, and then stood up with Tiri to look out at the islands. “What is it that Peck said he sent you up here for?” the Ga-Matoran asked. “He never said,” Tiribomba confirmed. “All we were told was that someone named Yetoxa needed two Matoran to go north, and he thought Bour and I should go.” “There must be something, something we haven’t found yet…” I added, adding a sample of the rock to my pack. I would study it at home, and maybe solve one mystery of this place. “Mata Nui!” Tiribomba exclaimed, pointing toward the other side of the lagoon. I spun on him, curious at his choice of words. “What is that?” My eyes darted to where he pointed, only in time to see a figure flee into the woods. The bamboo must have thwacked my mask a hundred times already as we ran through the forest. Light came down from the canopy in shafts, intermingling with the shadows that we weaved through. Ahead of me, Tiribomba’s and Nireta’s arms flailed in front of them, parting the branches to make a path, and somehow my hands missed the branches when they let the bamboo fly freely, my clumsiness allowing them to speed ahead. “Stupid Po-Matoran limbs,” I growled, knowing it was that which slowed me down. The island did not look large from the cliffside, but it was deep, and we wound further into the forest with each stride. There were a million places here that the being could have hid. There were no footprints we could follow, and for all I knew, they could be crouching nearby, or even on any of the several strips surrounding the lagoon. I stumbled into a clearing, where Tiri and Nireta stood in the quiet. The being was nowhere to be found, but we had discovered something else: A bunker sat upon the detritus, a dull silver arc rising above the fallen bamboo leaves. A set of stairs led down the side to a doorway that sat in the shadows. The other two were about to say something, but I held my hand up, listening for footsteps in the forest around us. “Could they be in there?” Nireta whispered, cocking her head toward the doorway. “Even if they are, I don’t like this. Too many mysteries for one island,” I said firmly, crossing my arms. “For starters, what could we have been sent up here for?” Tiribomba shrugged, jumping down to the doorway and wrenching on the iron handle. It swung open to reveal a staircase leading into the darkness below. “Maybe some answers are down here,” he said, holding the door for us. The heat of the island vanished as Tiri closed the door, the last bit of my confidence going with it. Our feet calmly descended to each cool step, but something inside me was beginning to panic; I was creeped out by the shadows and the narrowness of the staircase - if it weren’t for Nireta leading the way and Tiribomba behind, I would have bolted right back to the lagoon. I could guess at what was at the bottom, yet I didn’t want to be right. The darkness gave way to a shimmering light, and my fear faded to fascination, as we looked at the chamber of my dreams. Though the light of the protodermis shone on the walls, the symbols that stretched to the ceiling were still impossible to decipher. I wandered around the pool of the virtues, placing my hand on the transparent bubble- the being was absent, but nevertheless, this place was real. The other Matoran voiced their amazement, but I remained quiet, my brow darkening at the sound of a door opening. “Who goes?” Tiribomba cried, whirling as we looked for the source of the noise, but no walls gave way to a doorway. “I told you to remember me when you woke, Bour,” a voice called, coming from nowhere and everywhere at the same time. “Our dreams do more than entertain us during our sleep, Po-Matoran. They do far more than that.” “Show yourself, Steel Visionary!” I managed to yell out, my companions casting looks surprise at the mention of my name. “Explain your riddles- exploring this island has brought no answers to my questions.” The voice came from behind, an echo that floated into my ear like a whisper. “You need search only a while longer,” the Visionary cooed. Remembering my dream, I spun, but there were no hands to push me into the pool. From a shadowy, almost invisible doorway glimpsed yellow eyes, the protodermis shimmering on the figure’s armor; the Visionary lingered only for a moment, beckoning for us to follow as she retreated to a chamber in a ghostlike manner. Nynrah…it suddently dawned on me. I wanted to follow, but realized I wasn’t the only one who needed answers, as Tiribomba and Nireta were reluctant to follow. “When I was asleep, on the beach,” I stammered, “This place came to me, in a dream. I was looking for you, and wound up here. She- the Steel Visionary, said something about us Matoran and the Great Spirit, but I woke up before I could learn more.” They were quiet as clarity trickled into their eyes, but I could not completely meet their gaze. The weight of which the Visionary addressed me as “Matoran” perturbed me, as if she were disappointed that we weren’t Toa. There would be no telling of that part of the dream, I decided- I would let events play out; see if it had any significance. Maybe it was just an element of the dream, I hoped as we followed into the room. Every detail of the atoll was illustrated in the maps pinned on the walls; aerial views of the lagoon were set next to cross sections of the purple cliffs. Even the black rock I had observed was carefully diagrammed, labeled down to the cavities worn by the ocean. For what purpose? Came to mind as I watched Nireta become drawn to the maps. “‘Cipituez’,” she read aloud, a caption on the largest map. “The Great Spirit of Civilization,” said the Steel Visionary, who stood in a corner we explored the room of maps. The other two repeated the phrase, while I raised my brow with skepticism. “Mata Nui was the Great Spirit, and he has been dead for millennia,” I reminded everyone. “And you claimed that we Matoran can’t help him.” “Do you really believe that the Great Beings couldn’t have foreseen Mata Nui’s death? That they would have let the universe die if that Great Spirit perished?” “Then why aren’t we still in Metru Nui?” I challenged. “Cipituez was never meant to uphold that universe,” she explained, gesturing to the keystone in the archway we had come through. “He was meant to keep the Bionicle people together, through unity, while Mata Nui kept them united in their duty. Although you did not know it when you arrived, there was someone watching you,” the shadowy host continued. “In your village, aren’t there others who take up your duty when you retire for the day?” Neither Nireta nor I could relate, shaking our heads; Utywa depended on my skills, and Nireta was one of a kind. But Tiribomba, one of the many oyster farmers in the back bays, understood her. “No one can maintain a shift forever. Cipituez is that watcher, in case Mata Nui faltered, as he did.” “You speak of unity, and live in isolation,” I noted, “yet we are brought here for some duty.” “The seas have been shallower in recent months, lower than considered abnormal,” she pointed to a chart that displayed the cliffs; I nodded, remembering waterlines along the base of the wall. “I don’t know how it is south of here, but there is something out on the horizon, and it has brought a tension to the island. The animals have felt it, having simply disappeared, as they do when a storm is near. Even the island itself has grown tense, and if whatever is out there keeps escalating, there could be disaster here.” Handing us three bags and several maps, she ushered us back into the main chamber. “Your duty here is to relieve the tension; the objects in each bag need to go somewhere where only your kind will reach. Find them, and stop whatever is happening to this island.” In the blink of an eye, we found ourselves at the edge of the lagoon once more; whether she had teleported us or we simply did not remember the walk back, we were unsure. Our hands emerged from our bags with keystones, waiting to be placed somewhere on the island. My map lead back our landing spot, and I bewilderedly checked once, twice, three times, as my map lead to the black rock that rose out of the waters. Of all the places on the island, I thought as I waded out, pinning keystone niche near the top with my eyepiece. Stumbling up to the place where the niche was indicated, I barely held onto the crustacean covered handholds as I pulled off ages of seaweed and seashells, aware that the ocean below was a lengthy drop; I held my breath as a hole opened on the rock, travelling deeper than the rock did. The ocean below no longer became a concern, however, as I slipped in attempt to descend the rock, tumbling down the hole. A dark tunnel was all I could see as I tumbled for a long time, rolling further below the surface on a steep slope. The dirt that I slid under was almost like mud from the moisture of the ocean, and digging in to slow my pace was futile. The darkness made it seem like forever, but within moments the slope was reclining. As I came to a stop, I found myself in a smooth circular chamber, lined by six lightstones. In the center was a sort of suva, a light escaping from the cracks. A hum of energy could be heard emitting from underneath, some unknown power trying to escape. On the ceiling, tunnels dropped from all angle, oxygen coming from them so I could breathe- or were they vents going outward? I thought as I looked at the suva once more. Picking up a map that had fallen with me, I studied the illustration. There was the tunnel that brought me down here, and yes, there were vents that travelled upward… but below, what was that? Underneath this chamber, there was something else, its label cracked by the fall it had taken. I couldn’t tell what it was, but a sudden spike in temperature under my feet told me what I needed to know. Panic flooded me, and in response, the suva’s hum grew in intensity. I could feel something in the limited atmosphere, the tension that the Visionary talked about. I had to get out of here! But how? On the other side of chamber, a pool of water, big enough for me to sink into, seeped onto the floor, something from outside pushing the water in. This was my escape- it was the only escape, I knew, not catching sight of other tunnels that I could reach. Something was scribbled into a ring around the pool, the salt of the sea obscuring it. Sweeping it away, I read it quickly, and dove deep into the pool as I found my hunch was right. Take a deep breath, it said. I don’t know who wrote it, but I would thank them later. The pool dipped downward before shooting back up, my air bubbles leading way. I paddled fervently, feeling the cool water warming up. Little cavities in the tunnel were where fish and others sat, paddling panicked as they could feel the tension grow in the water each moment. I swam through the shadowy waters, hoping this tunnel led somewhere safe. Nireta was the swimmer of the group; I was the Po-Matoran, sinking like a stone. Each further stroke tired my body, and I was not sure if I could make the climb to whatever lay above. Light! Streams of sunlight met my eyes as I rounded a bend, and I burst out of the tunnel, followed by a few curious fish, the disappeared life of the island ascending with me. Open water was all around, ringed by land up above me. I kicked away from the navy bottom of the lagoon, until I was sputtering for air on the surface. “Bour?” came a voice. My response came in coughs as I heaved water, and I looked up to see Nireta and Tiribomba on either side of me, as we leaned against the purple cliffs. There was barely any time to recover, as I could feel the rock we leaned on shaking. “We have to go!” I half coughed, taking each of them by the hand as I tore them through the shallows, headed toward the safety of the bamboo forest. We didn’t get far, however, before a rumble coursed through the ground. “Duck! Duck!” I screamed as a boom came from behind, and a wave of power sent us through the air. My call came too late, and we came crashing down on the sandbar, slipping into the sand as unconsciousness overtook us. *** The soreness in my shoulders brought me to consciousness, my muscles rotating to work out the tightness in them. My eyelids remained shut, still feeling the force of the explosion. I just wanted to lay there, awake but shut eyed, and allow my muscles to sink into whatever I lay on. Wait. My muscles could feel the bed? That wasn’t right. I cracked my eyelids, only to find a horrifying sight. I was naked. “What in the name--” I began to shout as I bolted upright. My chest and torso armor were gone from my body, leaving my organic parts exposed. The Steel Visionary sat in front of me, my armor in her hands, held against a larger, black chest plate. “What are you doing?” I cried. “Why do you have that?” “I simply wanted to make a comparison…” she trailed off, looking at the two pieces. “This is most peculiar.” I turned my head, and a sense of foreboding entered my mind at what I saw. Tiribomba sat on the bed next to me, but he was no longer the Ta-Matoran I knew. Taller, his armored torso now crimson and his mask changed, he was a Toa. With shocked silence he accepted his new chest plate, Nireta, the Visionary and I astounded as we eyed his form. My eyes slid to meet the Nynrah’s, who with a stoic face read the questions in my eyes: Why was it necessary? Why him? Tiri looked at himself with confusion, no doubt thinking the same questions. On the surface, the island was destroyed. The forests had been blown away, bamboo uprooted and laying on the ground around the bunker. The surrounding islands were obliterated, reduced to the sandbars they once had been. A dark crack ran deep into the cliffside, from where the explosion had leaked out, unable to contain the power underneath unleashed. We wanted to help the visionary clean up the disaster, but she insisted that we returned home. Out boat had been destroyed, and she helped us craft from the fallen bamboo a new one for our departure. “Ready?” The voice called. My eyes flicked upward from my journal to see the figure of Tiribomba standing at the water’s edge, coiling a rope attached to the prow of the boat. Nireta sat in the craft, rummaging through her packs. Behind her, beyond the waves, lay the distant ocean, mysterious and calling. I glanced down at my journal, rereading what I had written. Satisfied with the words, I closed the book and picked myself up from the sand. It was time to go. Review

Neir's story, that was pretty cool, and it's fun to play with the Matoran of Mata Nui's memories in these contests, isnt it? I am disappointed I didn't read this story before, because it's well done. 4 was my choice before I read this, and Tahu's ethics were well written for his character. I liked the line "Tahu, who, as usual, did not waste any time with niceties." It really illustrates his personality.

These polls get harder and harder.... 2 and 3 are incredibly touching. Is Tahu a true story? I think I'm going to vote for that, because its a good real world story.

Two of my favorite stories are in here... "For Lack of A Chisel" and "Mirror" are incredibly well done. 1 talks about a great loop in the story, while 3 is a great reflection story. In the end, I'm going with "Mirror", (eeny meeny miney moe), but best of luck to both of you!

1 Got my vote, but it was close between that and 3. I liked the multiple points of view in 3, and the style in 1, which ultimately won me over.

Welcome to the Review for "Part Element, Part Legend"! This is a "What if" epic that branches off of the Kingdom, through the point of view of three Matoran. Much C&C is appreciated, and if it gets confusing, I would gladly love to know how to make it make sense for you.There are three parts to this book, which can be read here I: The Rhode of Del Vienvi Prologue: The Element Lord of Water Arrives 1: Island to the North 2: Lighthouse for the Lost 3: The Village of Weary 4: Through the Storm 5: Sinister Lost

Part Element, Part Legend I: The Rhode of Del Vienvi Prologue Prologue The Element Lord of Water drifted between worlds. One minute he had been riding the River Dormus, the current taking him to the southern sector of Bara Magna. His watery form drifted through the current, traveling the river; He splashed against the rocks while fish swam through him. So insignificant they are, he thought. So small beneath my power. The next moment, the banks of the river were gone. The Element Lord suddenly felt space open. The mountains that towered above the river were gone. In fact, all land was gone. Even the water he floated in felt different. Salty, the Element Lord detected, like the ocean. For endless stretches, the sea existed in all directions. A sudden panic went through the Element Lord’s mind. What had just happened? How had he been transported from the River Dormus to this strange ocean? I must search this foreign ocean, and hope it has answers, the Element Lord decided, sensing the enormity of the waters. He then surged out, into the abyss of the ocean, anxious to explore the territory. He dived below the surface, descending to everywhere his influence touched. For a time, he grew bored, traveling for hundreds of miles and only viewing fish. It is merely a wasteland, the Element Lord thought to himself. But how did I arrive here, and how do I return to the River Dormus? Something finally appeared in the black waters, piquing his interest. A blue armored skeletal being floated close to the ocean floor, speaking in a strange, cryptic language to a companion. More beings like this one were nearby, interacting in the same mysterious tongue. Intriguing… he thought. His mind wondered briefly on their existence, and then decided that whoever these beings were, their identities were meaningless to him. Marking his presence with a ghostly aura, he left the beings to their lives and swam onward. He grew bored again as he explored reefs and caves that catacombed the ocean, only finding the remains of more biomechanical specimens, long dead. A waste of time, he grumbled, exiting the myriad of tombs. But until I find how to get to Dormus once more, time is all I have. Upon resignation, he ventured into one last cave. His dulled senses were sharpened in the blackness, detecting something peculiar. He sent his substance forth, prodding all of the cracks of the cave walls. One crack led to a dark pocket in the wall, which revealed a series of winding mazes that he traversed. Excitement rushed through the Element Lord as he swam deeper into the tunnel. At last he reached a chamber. It was enormous, impressively built at the intense depth. A long, final path stretched the middle of the chamber, leading to an elegant throne made of fish bones from a time long forgotten. Above the head of the throne, carved into the wall, was an emblem of the element of water. The throne sat empty, awaiting its long departed ruler. And its ruler had returned. The Element Lord swam through the chamber, marveling not at the elegant simplicity of the chamber, but of its significance. This had been his throne hundreds of thousands of years ago, torn from him by the Shattering. He had been on Bara Magna at the time, and so his empire of the sea was torn from him. The ocean was a mere droplet in comparison to the floods of realization that then overcame the Lord. So this is the fate of Aqua Magna, the Element Lord thought. The Great Sea, now home to strange biomechanical life forms. The Element Lord took one last sweeping observation of his throne, and then left the hideaway to be abandoned once more. He swam on, looking at the blank oceans in a new way. Another stretch of travel brought him to a huge structure, buried in the mud. It contained impossible proportions, seeming to extend beyond the endlessness of the ocean. Soaring beneath the water, he travelled for hours, observing the mammoth structure. It was a sculpture twisted and distorted by the years of salt water, on the verge of collapse in some places. As he moved forward, the Element Lord realized what this was: a robot. It was a mammoth machine, the size of an entire world. There was only one explanation to how this could be, the Element Lord thought. The Great Beings. Only they were possible of brilliant enough, or insane enough, to craft something of this size. And look at the creation of the “Great” Beings now, the Element Lord sneered. On the verge of collapse, sunken in the mud. I and my brethren are the only successful experiment of the old tinkerers. Destiny selected us, and doomed the Great Beings to their failure experiments. Swimming to the other end of the robot, however far it might be, he admitted he was still impressed. The Great Beings had constructed this in secret, without any inkling ever reaching the Agori. Spying a dark speck ahead, he sped up, anxious to see what lie on the surface. The speck grew exponentially, until the path he swam was cut off by land, extending hundreds of miles in any direction. On the surface, a metropolis reached for the sky; the shoreline was dotted with small huts, while towers lie beyond, competing with each other to be the tallest. Many styles of architecture could be seen on the horizon, yet the various cultures were united into a city grander than any ever seen on Spherus Magna. The Element Lord could sense the power the silhouette represented, as well as the power of individuals that walked among the city. He could sense it was there. Power, all of it, as well as the power to send him home. It was far within the mega-continent that sat on the robot, well beyond his reach. Small, biomechanical beings walked the beach, communicating in the same language as the ones underwater. He let his frustration out through a wave that lapped onshore; he could not access the power he needed, nor converse with the beings who fled his wave. But there was one other option… The robot underneath the sea was a main support for the landmass, the Lord could see. But it had been underwater far too long, corroded by salt water, and nearly on the verge of collapse. The landmass was not stable either- there were pockets here and there in vital points, the rock pitifully straining to stay together. It was due to fall apart soon… In a way, it is a mercy, he thought, gathering every ounce of his power. They will think they know the reason their land perishes, but they will never realize I was saving them from a death unseen. Bringing enormous masses of water together, the Element Lord let it build up, until a tsunami towered above the ocean. He turned it towards the land of the Kingdom, and let the tsunami unleash on the fearful inhabitants below. *** A shudder ran through the ground of the giant island, disturbing its inhabitants in their daily work. Pausing to feel the tremor, they looked toward the blue sky. The earthquakes were no longer novelties in the Kingdom, even though the first of them came mere months ago. Chronic, but largely ignorable, everyone knew as they went back to their tasks. Then the island began to shake violently. This was no normal earthquake. Deep below the surface of the waves, the great mechanical being once known as Mata Nui had lay rusting for tens of thousands of years. Entropy had taken its toll on the giant over millennia spent underwater, weakening the bases of the mega-continent. All the years of careful reinforcement were swept away as the robot gave a sigh, collapsing on itself and sinking into the pits of the ocean. Now that the bases of the island were free, it was time for the inevitable to happen. The surfaces of the Kingdom began to crack. Buildings crumpled near the foundations; deep roots of towers tumbled to the ocean floor as currents pulled the metropolis apart. Toa of Stone and Earth created new land to bridge the widening gaps, but the ocean would rip them apart the instant they were formed. Nature was taking over, or so it seemed, and nature would win. The currents swirled and the land masses shifted, something occurring in the waters. The sea rose into a giant tidal wave, hovering, and crashing down on all sectors. Matoran who ran and screamed for loved ones fell silent, in fearful respect of the power about to crash down on them. As it did, pieces of the Kingdom were pushed away from each other, new shores twisted by the waters of Aqua Magna, separated by unfathomable leagues of water. As the world finally settled, the inhabitants of the old Kingdom found themselves in a new world. Separated from lifelong friends and allies, people would have to start new. But not a soul would ever forget the final day they were one people, from then on known as the Shattering. Many died that day, but many more still lived to develop new cultures on the lands that survived the waters of the Great Wave. Thousands of years would pass until anyone dared leave their homes again.

"Mirror" and "The Darkness has won" were equal in my opinion, and I feel bad that I only had to pick one. Shame they were in the same poll. The closing lines in those two were really chilling, thesyntax building up to each last word, and very neat plotlines. Balta's little time jump won me over though, I don't know why. Good luck to you both!

For Lack of A Chisel gets my vote on this one. Strange to think Onewa's simple tool would have a big impact on the story.

Member Name: Theme: The LegacyWord Count: 600Story: Tahu's NightmareTahu… the whisper came from the darkness around him as he walked; He didn’t shine with the blazing light of fire, but some sort of glow that hung as an aura. He gripped his sword tightly, comforted by the shape of the flames on the blade. The voice was just his imagination…Tahu. “No,” Tahu sobbed. “Die. Why won’t you die? After the thousands that sacrificed themselves to rid the world of you, why won’t you die?” He walked on, his eyes mixed with fury and defeat. Makuta lived.Because the darkness never dies, Toa. I will always live. Your predecessors, your brothers, and your successors- I’ll be with them. In your darkest thoughts, your deepest fears, I am there. My escence is in you, and I live on. Besides, Tahu, what would you be without me?“We fought for a life without you,” Tahu said, his anger coming forth in the flames that leapt from his fire sword. “Be gone, so we can live in peace!”Some day you will meet other evils, whose power is far greater than mine, the voice of the Makuta reverberated through the blackness. And when you meet them, you will finally miss me. The darkness regressed, leaving Tahu in merely shadows. He could see the path he walked on now, a winding tunnel where the flickering orange glow of lightstones eerily lead to the catacomb of caves beyond.He continued his tread, ready to pounce on any attack. Whispers came from further in, and Tahu followed them intently. There were others in this place! The voices were right around the bend, and the Toa of Fire sprinted, catching snippets of two strolling stranger’s conversation.“…but precious little light, it seems... You don’t see…” the short one spoke, guiding the taller one, the illumination of the lightstone he carried blocking Tahu from seeing the pair’s features. He raised his hand in greeting, as if beckoning would bring their attention. They were gone then, merely ghosts of the past, and Tahu was left in the tunnel, alone once more.With the blink of an eye, he stood in the center of a cavern, finished a lengthy tunnel walk that he didn’t travel a step in. Webs veiled the cave, a thick curtain of green-grey slime cutting the room in half. Approaching it, he set his sword in the sticky strands, burning through them. It was his job, as a Toa, to explore, whether he liked what was on the other side or not.The web flared, the fire jumping. Soon it was out of control- Tahu hadn’t even used enough willpower to create that much of a flame! The entire web was on fire now, burning away far too fast. It shriveled and smoked, and when the air cleared on the other side… a dragon of smoke and charcoal flared his nostrils, angrily eyeing its awakener. Claws of fire reached out to grab him, but he was already running.A flame shot out of the dragon’s tongue, melting the rock he hid behind. Ta-Wahi burned like it hadn’t ever before, and the flames brought heated, blurry vision. He had faced this creature before, but it was different, he realized, taking in limited oxygen. It screamed at him like a Rahi telepathically, but there was a sinister undertone in its words.You call this your home? This is MY domain! My territory! I will burn you out, little flame! I—“Heavily perspirating, Tahu clamped his eyes shut, reminiscing about how he missed the darkness. A chill then ran through him……and he woke up, sweating.

In much agreement with Mata Rahi! It's wonderful to think that Lhikan grew up in his years of being a Toa, sympathizing with the people he was one part of. Going upon canon, I like to think of him being on a different island, even though you state Ta-Metru. Still wonderfully twisted into a Metru Nui story. Amphigory, now that's a cool word.Your style attracts me with each piece I read, dude. Keep it going.

Tough choice between 1 and 3- it was good to see those two, as well as others, where Lhii survives. But I chose 3, because it had a more of a storytale-vibe about it, and I keep thinking about how Lhikan challenged Makuta in his last moments. It's good to see those two face off once again.But 3, it had a great line- “If I can't beat a Matoran at surfing, I have no business or chance in a fight against the Makuta. I will be back in an hour, Turaga.”That really was a unique view on Tahu's part, and was really 2001-Tahu

Member Name: Nick Silverpen Theme: Alternate UniverseWord Count: 593Story: Fallen BrotherFallen BrotherHis claws catching the Dark Hunter’s tools in a swipe, Onua lunged forward, pushing the heavy mercenary further into the crowd battling around them. The Toa of Earth threw his elbow into the Hunter’s chest, whom rolled onto the ground, winded by the Pakari- aided blow. A kick of Po-Metru dirt momentarily blinded him, but his acute senses allowed Onua to lash out with a kick. The satisfying feeling of a chestplate being kicked in, he thought as he gained the upper hand once more.The Hunter’s raw strength piled into him, and Onua went flying at a statue. Snagging his claws into the stone, he returned his opponent’s force, flying back at him. Enraged and in the heat of battle, the Toa of Earth allowed the momentum to be his excuse to slash his enemy’s face. He leapt off, to the ground, and so the blunt battle between the two continued.He absorbed each crushing punch that made contact with his chipped and dented armor, but not even his Pakari would help Onua overcome the blow that bothered him for millennia. Even if this fight was won, he had still lost the ultimate battle. The war that raged around him did not matter nearly as much as the argument years before. So many disasters could’ve been avoided if we’d just listened to Tahu, Onua told himself time and time again. I might be a key fighter, but they could’ve still won this war without me, or what others remain. It was a mistake, attempting to leave Karda Nui with the Av-Matoran when the storms started. Lewa was the one who rallied for it, and he died as the result; there was not a day when Onua wish he sided with Tahu and Kopaka, no hour in which bitter regret didn’t plague his being. Sure, the remaining five of them were legendary in stopping the League of Six Kingdoms, but it was not worth the death of the high spirited Toa of Air, nor Helryx’s rage upon hearing they defied orders. The Toa Mata aren’t the same without the six of us. Even despite telling himself it was an accident, the Toa of Earth couldn’t brush the dirt off his conscious from the recent disaster that led to Lhikan’s and Nidhiki’s deaths. Another reminder we aren’t meant to be here. Our actions could’ve been averted with our absence. The Dark Hunter tripped over him as Onua ducked under his charge. He ripped open a chasm, sending his enemy deep into the earth, but the Hunter dug his tools deep into the walls. Evading elemental attacks, he climbed out with a smirk, as to tell the earth Toa he would have to be better than that to beat him.The sounds of battle had taken much out of him. His acute senses let him hear the sharp clang of blade on blade, the cannon blast, punctuated cries of his brothers and sisters as they fought around him. The brightness of the sunny canyon in which the battle was fought hurt his eyes- he was an earth dweller, not an open fighter. Onua was not outclassed, but confidence was the key. It was who finished with the most powerful blow, not who started, they both knew, and in that furious clash, Onua had let millennia catch up with him. No matter what happened, he knew which way this fight was going.Allowing the Dark Hunter the final blow, the Toa of Earth slipped into a sleep that he wish he took long ago.

I second this.Ballom, I wrote that line with that intention, the story was originally for an old girlfriend, and i was trying to project a message of wanting nothing but just herself to her.

Hey Nuile!First off, I felt as though every word in this piece was very sincere. There was passion in each paragraph, and yet it was very level and calm at the same time. The implication of Kaomata being a Hordika was well tied in, as well as his affection for the island. The relationship between Hahli and him, it was very touching, as though some part of him was reaching out to another part of nature. Kaomata really condems the traditional image of a Toa, and it's comforting to see a new perspective on Toa and heroism. The concepts of timelessness and peace you incorporated were interesting to look at. Also, I was too young to understand anything about Mata Nui, but I would've never thought about Makuta's Rahi takeover as interrupting the ecosystem.The dialouge was well done, flowing very nicely done. Your vocab spiced up the story, and your syntax and style were what attracted me most of all. It flowed appealingly, and made the story as much of a pageturner as youll find on a one page forum :PI'll definitely be looking at your other works

Nuile, daft wordbender- you would

Member Name: Nick SilverpenTheme: The Legends of LhiiWord Count: 600Story: Duty BoundDuty Bound“We need to go.”They didn’t need Lhii’s warning, feeling the rumbles from the base of the volcano. The lava farmers nodded at the tribe leader, swiftly stowing their tools and grabbing their boards. Lhii was last to leave the area, habitually checking for any stragglers or abandoned tools. It would not do well for the Guard if he left someone behind, as he had done in the early days of his post. We need all the Matoran we can to defend against the recent attacks, he thought, feeling the gash in his thigh from a Nui Rama attack a week ago.The Mangai rumbled again, the Ta-Matoran nervously glancing up at its peak. Lhii’s Pakari stared straightforward, avoiding all distractions that would prevent them from reaching the village safely. If the volcano erupted now, the lava flow that led back to Ta-Koro would overflow, and they would all perish. They only needed a quarter of an hour. Mata Nui, give me this small amount of time, just let us make it back to Ta-Koro, he prayed.Sweat dripped from under their masks as the troop leapt onto the lava, coasting on their boards. Quick paddles gave them momentum, and gravity took over as they surfed downriver to Ta-Koro. A hot, stiff breeze blew into their faces, making the farmers squint as their eyes encountered the heat. Lhii wanted to go faster, to travel down this route like he did the surf at the Ignalu Surf competition a few months prior- but this was not a time for leisure. It could just be a hiccup from the Mangai, but in the potential danger he was bound to his duty to get these Matoran, and himself, home safely.“You weren’t out long,” Jala remarked upon his friend’s arrival.“The volcano is starting up,” Lhii replied. “and Rahi have been frequenting visits far too often this week. You know I don’t run from a fight… I’ve just been uneasy this week.” As he and Jala opened the gate for the farmers, Mangai burst, the glow of the lava shadowing Ta-Koro below. It was fast approaching, and Lhii watched with narrow eyes. “I’m going back out there,” he said to his co-captain, even as the lava poured closer to Ta-Koro.“They’ll make it in time!” Jala’s Hau protested, but it was too late. Lhii was already off into the lava. Mata Nui protect him. Fiery liquid surged the banks, and the lava farmers frantically paddled toward the gate. Lhii cruised toward the party, bringing them safely to where the lava could not penetrate. Rolling waves started to form as he aimed toward the Matoran who expected him on shore, and he could feel the rumbling of another powerful eruption on the way.Lhii was a brave Matoran, taking his fair share in the Rahi Wars. Makuta knew this well, and could hear all the prayers that came from those who watched, as though he were the god receiving them; He also sensed Lhii’s injury, and sought to show the Matoran that defiance of his rule would have consequences. His Rahi in the lava burst up, knocking the board from under the Ta-Matoran. No one believed what they saw as Lhii tumbled, expecting him to cruise laughingly onto shore.Water is for wimps, the Ta-Matoran would tell all of the boastful Ga-Matoran who stepped up to be the best surfers. They could fall and get back up, but they would never stand as tall as Lhii did.***So this is how we make peace, brother, Vakama thought as he closed his lips.

Mind if I submit One People, by Nick Silverpen?