Vezok's Friend

IC: [Leah - Ga-Koro] “Caught this one snoopin’ round out back.” Leah replied, playing along with the Akiri. But even so she could tell Hahli looked exhausted. She could relate. Unfortunately...this couldn’t wait. “And by snooping I mean ‘strutted out of the dark walk hissing and snarling a challenge’. Just the one too, no backup. Thankfully, I had Kimala here, and Talli - one of our fishers.We took it down, but…” the Maru paused, then sighed heavily. Her expression solidified into an unusually serious one. “They’re getting nasty again. Like when they had Makuta’s will behind them...I think that might be the case again. His defeat may not have been as lasting as we’d hoped.” She let that one hang in the air for a moment before continuing. “I’ll send word to the other Maru...we’ll have to go back down into Mangaia and make sure." OOC: @Haman Karn: A Magical Girl @ARROW404 @Rahisaurus I’m not ignoring Timak, just using BZP time to have this happen before they get to the hut. IC: [Rhow - Ga-Koro, The Great Takea] “Ah, I see…” Rhow rumbled, nodding along with the explanation. “Pretty sure every great spirit or whatever falls somewhere on the ‘bad’ spectrum. No good and evil...Just how it is I s’pose. Mata Nui too. Doesn’t do anything, just sleeps and turns more Matoran with anxiety into Toa to throw at the problem. It’s all just shades of bad. Best to pick one with the smallest amount. Sounds like your Zataka’s is easy on the eyes at least..unlike...others.” Her expression turned ponderous. A name emerged in her thoughts, one that felt oddly familiar even if she couldn’t remember why it did - like so many other things recently. Irnakk… She felt a shudder run down her spine. OOC: @Void Emissary @Mel IC: [Ayiwah - Ga-Koro, Yukanna, on deck] The commodore quickly debated how much she should share with this newcomer. Amnesia was a common enough condition here, that she knew, but she couldn’t afford to be too trusting either. Then again, what the being that had stepped straight out of ancient myth was asking would easily be answered in any bar around town if he asked, so there was no harm in sharing that much. “First, we discovered this island by accident. Then, we came as explorers. Now we are refugees. The people and ships before you are those that managed to escape the calamity that has befallen my homeland.” While she talked she kept in mental contact with other Menti around her. Many were just as on edge as she was, maybe even more so, and they were looking for guidance for how to treat the newcomer. She wasn’t the only one slightly unsettled by what was ancient history to them, standing before them and talking. But for all her doubts, Ayiwah told them to stand down and merely observe closely. She did reach out to two people though: the rora, and the chojo. .:Yumi, Desde...I have no tactful way to say this, so: there is a walking, talking dragon here. No, this is no practical joke by me and Taz. No, I have not been drinking the Matoran brew. Come to the Yukanna at your earliest convenience.:. “And what about you Aclaraung? How long has it been since you walked openly among Matoran, and why would they wish you stayed gone?” OOC: @Pteronura Brasiliensis @Umbraline Yumiwa

IC: [Rhow - Ga-Koro, The Great Takea] The Skakdi stared at her feisty Dasaka patron, confusion obvious on her features. “Who or what in blazes is Zataka?” OOC: @Void Emissary

IC:[Agni - Ta-Koro, Tuara’s house] Agni continued nursing his tea in silence for a moment longer, taking a deep sip, thankful for the change in subject. “Well,” he started, “that was the other thing I came to talk to you about: More Dasaka showed up in Ga-Wahi. And by more, I mean an entire chrystal fleet. Jaller asked me to go and check it out, see what’s happening over there and then report back. Was wondering if you felt like a change of scenery perhaps. How long has it been since you’ve been out of Ta-Koro?” OOC: @Palm

IC: [Rhow - Ga-Koro, The Great Takea] Rhow let out a single, deep, bellowing laugh that even startled some of the outside passerby. “Hah! I like you!” She proclaimed, while proceeding to refill Daijuno’s drink, but she was looking at both Dasaka. “You sure no one dropped the odd Skakdi part into your bins when they assembled you? You’ve got the spines for it!” OOC: @Umbraline Yumiwa @Void Emissary IC: [Leah - Ga-Koro] The Maru stood over the lifeless Rahkshi, hands on her hips. Waiting patiently for the Akiri to notice. So much for making an entrance. Leah shot her fellow Toa a resigned glance. Any minute now, Hahli. No rush, just a dead Rahkshi on your floor, no biggie…you’ll seem even cooler if you ignore it. Like a boss. OOC: @Haman Karn: A Magical Girl @ARROW404

IC: [Kohra - Po-koro, Streets] “Now that you mention it…” Kohra started, then winced once more as her stomach tightened uncomfortably. But this time more from hunger than from pain. “I...can’t recall when I last ate at all. Maybe we can find something on the way to this...Mahi?” The Vortixx kept looking at Datrox, this time a bit puzzled. “I...I don’t know why you’re so willing to help me, but it is...kind. Thank you.” OOC: @Tarn

IC: [Ayiwah - Ga-Koro, Yukanna] She’d taken the time to tour the ship to get properly reacquainted before settling into her cabin.The commodore had found her home away from home in a mess - by her standards. But considering the long voyage and exodus that had led to it, it was perfectly understandable. And so she merely added it to the ever-growing list of tasks that needed doing once their people had all safely arrived. The sun had already passed its zenith by the time Ayiwah had pulled out the logbooks and started the task of updating them with the information Yumiwa had requested. The following hours were spent in silence behind her desk, pouring over the logs and lists of names and mentally checking in with the other commanding officers aboard the other vessels and in the shelters ashore. Her elation at being back aboard her ship was soon pushed back down by the somber reality of the task at hand, as she marked the names of those that had died during the evacuation or afterwards, as well as those missing. As she’d reached the end of the list, she had recognized many names. Other officers and Menti warriors that she’d trained with, but also regular staff from the Sado yards: custodians, cooks, cleaners. Hopefully they would be able to honor them all properly in time. Ayiwah had leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes and stretched her arms overhead, when the sudden call came. .:Commodore to the bridge! We’ve got an unknown incoming! It looks like a...dragon?:. She quickly thought back an affirmative, already rushing out of the cabin, coat billowing out behind her as she moved topside. She hadn’t bothered asking for more information. If they had enough to request a course of action without her seeing whatever was heading for them, they would have told her. Besides, she was more than curious what kind of dragon they thought they were seeing. On deck, the sailors were already prepared at their stations, ready to respond to potential hostile action the instant she gave the word. And all of them were staring in one direction. Following their gaze, she quickly spotted the golden flying being circling the harbor in a wide arc, glinting in the light of the setting sun. It looked like a dragon alright. But not like the living ones they all knew from back home. No, this one resembled ancient Umbraline iconography, of all things. Ayiwah remembered the drawings from her younger days, stuck in - at the time - endlessly boring history lessons, while itching to get back to the yards to continue her soulsword training and wondering when she would ever need to remember some dusty old drawing or tapestry design. She retroactively apologized to her teachers as the dragon suddenly dove. Dashi and Menti alike rushed to the railing, peering down into the water to follow the creature’s dive underneath the Yukanna’s keels, before reemerging on the opposite side and pulling themselves onto the pier. One thing that stood out to Ayiwah immediately was that the way the being moved was not that of an animal. The fact that they carried a spear in one of their claws only supported that observation. But the real kicker was when they opened their jaws to speak. "Dasaka, I request an audience with you." Oh, Yumi is gonna love this… The commodore stepped forward, appearing at the top of the gangway, looking down at the dragon. The fact that they knew who - or rather, what - the Dasaka were didn’t bother her too much, they had been on the island long enough for word to spread and for others to recognize them. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to be a little cautious. “Greetings, stranger.” she addressed the newcomer. “I am commodore Ayiwah. If you wish to talk, I’d be happy to. But you seem to have us at a slight disadvantage. We’ve not seen anyone like you before on this island, nor have the Matoran made mention of your kind. Who are you?” OOC: @Pteronura Brasiliensis IC: [Rhow - Ga-Koro, The Great Takea] While taking Zafin’s mug for a refill, Rhow looked at Daijuno and harrumphed. Note to self: Don’t mess with the little ones, especially not that one. All this talk about society and caste went somewhat over her head. But at least they were honest in airing out their grievances. That was healthy. Maybe she should talk to Iraanus about adding a sarke pit to the place - give people a way to settle differences...wait...what was sarke? “Well, looks like your empress over there has her work cut out for her, no matter what.” was her comment on the situation. OOC: @Umbraline Yumiwa@Void Emissary

IC: [Rhow - Ga-Koro, The Great Takea] The Skakdi looked at the Dasaka, eyebrows raising slightly in surprise at the compliment, then she broke into a guttural chuckle and turned to face Destian. “You hear that, Desty? Kind! I think you owe me some widgets!” She glanced back at Zafin with a grin and winked. “No more: ‘Rhow, you make a bad first impression, you scare the punters away’! Ha! Time to pay up!” She let her laughter subside, then turned her attention fully back to their guest from far away. “Anyway, your chaotic six, I heard of ‘em. They’ve been on the loose here too. Bloody Piraka, the lot of them. So what havoc have they visited upon ye to have an entire people wanting them caught?” OOC: @Umbraline Yumiwa @Pteronura Brasiliensis IC: [Leah - Ga-Koro] “No worries Timak, I’ll be around. And if you can’t find me right away, come by Akiri Hahli’s office, or Turaga Nokama’s hut - “ here the Maru pointed at a comparatively large building, centrally located on the villages’ largest platform “- or the big Kaukau, northside of the bay.” She saluted the newcomer Toa of sonics, Zadred and Talli and then headed for the Akiri’s place herself. As she walked, Matoran and others paused in their tracks, staring at the dead Rahkshi. Especially the Dasaka that had started to explore their host’s Koro reacted with surprise and shock. A few moments later, she arrived at the Akiri’s hut and let herself in, pushing the door open with a quickly summoned tendril of water. Once past the threshold, she squatted down and let the Rahkshi slide off her shoulders and slump on the floor. Then she stood, and waited for Hahli. OOC: @Haman Karn: A Magical Girl @ARROW404 @Rahisaurus

IC:[Agni - Ta-Koro, Tuara’s house] “Ah...karz it.” Agni sighed and deflated. He was still angry, but somehow, with just a few words, Tuara had managed to at least slam the furnace shut for the moment. His shoulders slumped and he turned around, head down and rubbing at his eyes and face with his left. „I’m sorry.“ he said as he sat down again, resting his elbows on his knees and chin on his hands. He picked up the tea again, staring at it rippling in the mug as he gently swayed it in his hand. „You...you were always the responsible one. I almost forgot. Joske and Dor were...well, being Joske and Dor. And I was too busy just trying to get at least some lessons to stick in their heads, but you... Even when you left in a huff, you always did it because you actually knew the stakes. Through everything that happened. Always did.“ “And you’re right. It doesn’t change this mess of feelings, but you’re right. Still, I...I shouldn’t have let them out of my sight. They were always too impulsive. And always too lucky...that’s...I shouldn’t have trusted that. But it’s too late now. They’re gone. I miss them - and I hate the way they left us. To the point where - if either of them were here right now - I don’t know what I would do.” He took a sip of the tea. It was still scalding hot - so, perfect - and he savored the taste. It was good. Bitterness intertwined with herbal spice and savory fruit. That just about summed it up, didn’t it? “Guess I’ll try and take away what lessons I can and then...I dunno, try to be a better Toa.” He drank again. The intent seemed sincere, but Tuara could hear the dark note that crept into his voice. OOC: @Palm

IC: [Kohra - Po-koro, Streets] “I...might be misremembering.” She could have sworn that had been a thing. The Vortixx’ eyes were full of doubt as she looked off into the distance, trying to figure out how far the trip would be. Ga-Koro...sounded familiar? But she had no reference point as to its exact location relative to theirs. “Yes, I think I can make it...but...not alone.” “How do we get there?” OOC: @Tarn

IC: [Kohra - Po-koro, Streets] Kohra, for the first time in a long time, let out a sound that could almost be construed as…laughter? It hurt to laugh. But she couldn’t help it anyway. “At this point…I’m ready to try pretty much anything. Witch doctor maybe, or…miracle cactus? Was that a thing?” She took a deep breath, swaying slightly, but kept standing. “So…” she started, wincing slightly as she felt another stab, “do you know anyone who might help?” OOC: @Tarn, thanks for being patient. Pretty busy at the moment.

IC: [Leah - Ga-Wahi, Beach] The Toa Maru was halfway through the gate when the duo of new arrivals intercepted their little group. Leah thought she recognized Zadred. They didn’t know each other, but her stature made her somewhat unique among the island’s Skakdi, so she was easy to remember. The other Toa though, she had never seen before. “Yeah, this is an ex-Rahkshi. Darkness Kraata. It wasn't an attack in the usual sense though, I think it was meant to scout out the village. For an actual attack I’d expect more fear, poison and other varieties. Still, nasty piece of work.” She shot the Toa small grin though. “But, thanks to Kimala and Talli here, we handled it.” She nodded her head in the direction of the floating village, indicating for the others to follow her, before turning to walk again. As they made their way down the walkway she continued to talk. “You look pretty new...but not like the Dasaka that just arrived. Any memory of where you came from before? No worries if not, it’s a pretty common occurrence. I am Leah - Leah Maru. Welcome to Ga-Koro!” The welcome was timed just right with their arrival at the first of the many large lilypads the village of water rested on. And just as expected, many pairs of eyes were drawn to the small group, thanks to the Maru with the dead son of Makuta slung across her shoulders at its head. OOC: @ARROW404 @Mel @Rahisaurus @Onaku

IC:[Agni - Ta-Koro, Tuara’s house] “Uncontrollable. That they were.” Agni looked up at Tuara, wisps of steam floating away from the corners of his eyes. Her hand was comforting, but after a moment, he pulled away and put the cup down. He knew the point she was trying to make, agreed with it, in fact. But something deep down wouldn’t let him accept it. “I...was responsible. You know that, right? For them both. That was my duty. Train Joske and look after Dorian. The fact that they’re not here is my fault. My failure.” Training Joske had resulted in the young Toa nearly dying at the hands of Heuani, until actual destiny intervened in the form of an unfathomably powerful mask. And the mission to escort Dorian and track down the Turaga’s killers had pretty much fallen apart the moment it had started. More important things had come up, all of which had led to this. Which left the Toa of fire who’d always wondered why he’d been chosen in the first place right back where he started and the island didn’t seem any better for it. Just emptier. He stood up, turned to face away. ”I shouldn’t have let them go! I shouldn’t have trusted…” He stopped himself, fist clenched his sides, slightly shaking. “I refuse to bury any more friends.” OOC: @Palm

IC: [Leah - Ga-Wahi, Beach] The Toa Maru looked at Talli. In her memories she could see a group of Matoran not unlike her, camped out in the jungle. Talli might have fit right in with the wanderer’s company back then. There was just one small thing she’d gotten wrong. “It was never just six Toa, even then. We never waited for heroes. When the Mata arrived, they already found the guards holding the line. And when it was our turn, there was Joske, Lepidran, Agni...so many others that cleared the way just so we could take a shot at Makuta. And again to rescue those trapped in Ko-koro. So you’re right, it is going to take all of us.” “I will talk to Hahli and the others who speak for Ga-Koro’s people. Not sure I will have time to talk to everyone before duty calls me again for something like this...” she said, giving the Rahkshi across her shoulders a shake for emphasis. “But I promise I’ll try to avoid public announcements.” The trio emerged from the tree line and stepped onto the beach proper, right across from Ga-Koro’s main gate. It’s guards saw the dreaded silhouette of the Rahkshi’s spine and tensed, but upon seeing Leah and her companions they lowered their weapons and set about opening the gate. "You coming? We'll turn some heads walking around with this, so if you don't want the attention..." Leah said. OOC: @Mel @ARROW404 IC: [Rhow - Ga-Koro, The Great Takea] “Heh, yeah, nothing beats a good spinal kneading. Really work those spikes...well, I guess you ain’t got those. Do ya?” Rhow replied while turning around and rummaging around the collection of bottles behind the bar. “Ah.” She pulled a large brown bottle from the shelf, opened it and poured a little bit into a mug, which she held out for Zafin to take. It was a pretty dark liquid, with a rich smell of something that reminded the Dasaka of coffee and chocolate. “Over from Mt. Mangai brewery. Guess you gotta come up with some good drinks to compensate for living inside a volcano.” Rhow waited for Zafin to get a taste, then asked: “So what’s up with all the side eye me ‘an my crew have been getting from you and yours? We step on some toes in a past life?” Her tone wasn’t confrontational, for a Skakdi at least. She was genuinely curious, that empress of theirs had looked at them like they were the sour milk in her tea too. OOC: @Tarn@TL01 NUVA@~Xemnas~@Caedast@BBBBalta@Pteronura Brasiliensis

IC: [Rhow - Ga-Koro, The Great Takea] “Yumiwa and Zafin, got it.” Rhow nodded, skipping the heap of honorifics. That was a lot to remember, but she figured it bore little weight right now, considering ‘Ma’am thereafter’ was sitting with the rest of them all the same. Does that make me the Rhow-ra of Ga-Koro? “Anything I can get ya? Something to ease the spine ache from the long journey?” OOC: @Mel@Tarn@TL01 NUVA@~Xemnas~@Caedast@BBBBalta@Pteronura Brasiliensis

IC: [Rhow - Ga-Koro, The Great Takea] Rhow was struggling in her attempt to figure out how to explain her dreams. “‘S like…I don’t remember much back home. I sure know what it felt like, but all the details are foggy or gone. Y’know how it is right? But, middle of the night, s’like I can see it, I’m back there - and it’s so vivid, and then…” she finally started, when Iraanus suddenly interrupted, pointing out another duo of newcomers. Rhow looked up to see who he meant. “Wha...who? Oh! The Ruru? I think?” The Takea was getting crowded indeed. “Well if that’s her it’s definitely time to stop standing ‘round. Come on.” She shook off the strange thoughts of dreams, spin rustling as she did, and headed for the entrance, motioned for the others to follow. Inside she could now fully see the crowd that had gathered around one of tables - in fact they’d had to pull up some extra chair by now. Rhow was curious about them of course - but she also knew this wasn’t her business, so she took up her usual spot behind the counter as did the others. But it looked like one of the Dasaka had different ideas. "Hello. How are you?" The Skakdi seemed completely unfazed by Zafin's not-quite-fully-friendly tone. “Heya, welcome. Things are good! Bit busy. You with the Ruru?” OOC: @Mel@Tarn@TL01 NUVA@~Xemnas~@Caedast@BBBBalta

IC: [Leah - Ga-Wahi, Beach] “About the Rahkshi? Definitely.” Leah said, stepping over a thick root crossing their path. “That’ll raise questions anyway and I don’t think ‘we found it’ will be an acceptable answer.” “As for Makuta’s return…”, she paused, adjusting the hold on the dead Rahkshi again. It gave her time to think about how to best put the thoughts in her mind to words. But perhaps, this was also a good time to get some input that did not come from a fellow Maru or one of the Akiri. “...well, since I have you both here, maybe you are willing to speak your mind and share your insights with me? Not to shirk my responsibility, but I am supposed to protect Ga-koro - to protect you. So, in this situation: What would you have me do?” OOC: @ARROW404 @Mel

IC: [Leah - Ga-Wahi, Dark Walk Entrance] “Well, we weren’t stabbed in the back while this one had it’s darkness up, so it most likely didn’t have others with it.” Leah assuaged as she started walking, heading down the path that would lead them out of the clearing and back to the village proper. “As for other scouts coming and going, it’s possible, but unlikely that they snuck by unnoticed. The guard and I have been keeping an eye on this place...like, a lot.” She didn’t mention just how many restless nights, early mornings and quiet afternoons she’d spent camped outside the entrance, next to her regular patrols. “But you’re right. We must stay vigilant.” the Maru added. She threw up her right shoulder forcefully, causing the Rahkshi to bounce up so she could readjust its position. OOC: @ARROW404 @Mel

IC: [Leah - Ga-Wahi, Dark Walk Entrance] The Toa Maru tilted her head. There was something about the Matoran’s aura that told her there was more on her mind than just the questions she asked. Considering the things playing out in the back of her own mind, she probably was giving off the same aura though, so she decided to just focus on the matter at hand. “Yes, the other Maru know. And I told Hahli everything I could.” she answered, truthfully, her voice calm and friendly as before. She addressed Kimala’s question as well: “I don’t know how it happened - I don’t even know if his existence qualifies as alive the way we understand it.” “There was nothing left to check after his defeat.” she continued, “No body to check for a pulse, no aura, spirit or mask, zilch. Makuta was gone, wiped from existence. I thought he was dead at first too.” “I didn’t learn the truth until much later. By then we had the Piraka to deal with, Ko-Koro fell into ‘legacy’ hands and the Dasaka submarine arrived. So we had to settle for him being gone for the time being.” “Clearly, that time is up now. I’ll talk to the other Maru, but first…” Leah hit the crystal traps Kimala had created around the Rahkshi’s legs with the tip of her staff, hard enough to shatter them. Then she stowed her weapon, crouched down and picked up the carcass, slinging the dead Rahkshi across her shoulders as she stood back up, with nary an effort. “...let’s get this thing back to the village. Gotta report this to Hahli, and Onu- and Po Koro are always eager to get their hands on these. One of you mind carrying its staff?” OOC: @ARROW404 @Mel

IC: [Leah - Ga-Wahi, Dark Walk Entrance] “Good to meet you both.” She glanced at the Rahkshi remains again. “And that is an excellent question, Talli.” The rumors about Makuta’s return had of course not passed the Toa Maru by. Her eyes moved from the scrapped monster at their feet to the tunnel entrance, Reordin’s words echoing in the back of her mind. "We're not done yet, you understand?" he asked, still holding her with the utmost care. "You and me. Nowhere near it." Happier times. Her thoughts flashed forward to the orange gloom of Ta-Koro. "We all celebrated after he vanished. All of us, even Sulov. But not you, Stannis. Do you remember? You said the words, and you stood there, still as stone, because you knew, didn't you? You son of a ######, you knew!" "He's right. You've always got a sermon to give, but when do you actually tell us anything? I know I'm not the only one who's tried not to think about it, but all this time there's been a mystery: what actually happened to Makuta? Where did he go?" "I think it's time to come clean, brother. We're operating half blind here, building the island's defenses only on what we see and good faith in your word. You owe us an explanation." An explanation, yes. She owed them that much. She looked somberly at her newfound companions. “Rahkshi haven’t been this bold in a long time. They’re formidable in a single fight, but I’ve rarely seen them operate alone. I think this one was sent to spy on the village perhaps. And the Dasaka - they’re here because their entire homeland got overrun by an army of them. They’re no longer just the monsters haunting the dark walks. They’ve been given a purpose again. There’s a will that drives them.” “I won’t pretend the signs point elsewhere. We beat him, that I know. He was defeated, but…” She sighed. “Somehow, Makuta returned.” OOC: @Mel @ARROW404

IC: [Leah - Ga-Wahi, Dark Walk Entrance] She heard the sharp cracking as the Rahkshi strained against it’s rapidly solidifying bonds. There was a metallic clang that rang out as it tried to hack at the formed crystal with its staff. Thwack! Was that a fish? A question for later. It was time to finish this. Based on the angry shrieks, Leah changed her elemental attack to cast a sphere of water around the Rahkshi’s upper body, robbing it of its senses the same way it had blinded them. Kraata were many things, but aquatic wasn’t one of them. Only the Rahkshi exoskeleton protected it from drowning right now, but the Toa Maru had an idea for that as well. She took two running steps and leapt, closing the distance with the grounded monster before it could properly react and delivered a spinning kick to its head. Her foot entered the liquid sphere - the water obeying her will offering no resistance to it - and it connected with the hinged plates with enough force to dent them severely enough that they could no longer close properly. Even as she landed and jumped back to avoid getting stabbed or clawed in a frenzy, she forced the water of the sphere into the suit of armor. That much liquid through such a small opening created enormous pressure inside - more than the Kraata within was able to handle. With its concentration and slug-like body thoroughly broken, the field of darkness began to fade away and the Toa could see again. There was no more shrieking or hissing, just the sound of frothing water as more and more entered the suit, free arms flailing wildly and swinging its staff around. Leah kept pushing until whatever joins kept the Rahkshi together couldn’t take anymore and ruptured. With a splash, the water burst out of every seam of the armored back, mixed with Kraata goop. Makuta’s predatory son stopped flailing, and then collapsed backwards with a thud, legs still trapped in the other Toa’s silica crystals. Only the Makuta fish still splashed around in the puddle around it. Leah, breathing heavily, stooped to pick up her staff, then the fish. Panicked, it snapped at her finger. “Gah!” she jerked her hand back, shaking it and standing back up straight again. She finally got a good look at her impromptu allies: the Toa - and a Matoran that must have been nearby in the field of darkness. “That,” she said, taking a deep breath to bring her pulse back down, “was a scout.” She pointed at the fallen Rahkshi. “Nice work, friends. I don’t think we’ve met before. What do I call you?” OOC: @ARROW404@Mel

IC: [Leah - Ga-Wahi, Dark Walk Entrance] The Toa Maru shifted as well until she felt the other Toa was behind her. She reached out with her senses to find the Rahkshi’s silhouette in the rain again. Just as she thought she’d found it and was about to say as much, there was a cracking noise, a woosh and then something rapidly came at them. The shape she felt made no sense to her - for about a second until she’d processed what the cracking noise was. “Get down!” The Maru threw herself forward and down into the wet grass as the small tree the Rahkshi had hurled passed over her, hoping the other Toa reacted quickly enough as well. She felt the branches and leaves scrape over her back and legs before it crashed into the ground just behind her, throwing up dirt and muck. Why would it...oh karz. Distraction! It had intentionally broken their concentration to create an opening! She quickly tried to reacquire the Rahkshi, based on where the tree had been thrown from. There was definitely something more driving this one than wild instinct, it knew they were tracking it. But there was no time to ponder the implication, as she heard the charging monster’s flying noise coming down from overhead. She pushed herself up, tried to grab her staff, but the Rahkshi had closed the distance already and swung its own staff from above to cut her down. She crossed her arms in front of her and the mighty blow hit her armor with enough force to throw unseen sparks. It tried to strike her down once more, but this time the Toa Maru’s reflexes were faster and she unleashed a blast of water that hit the monster dead center. It shrieked, enraged at being denied its prey yet again as it tried to push against the stream repelling it, but the water kept it at bay. She really hoped the other Toa was still with her. “Now! Hold it before it can get away!” OOC: @ARROW404

IC: [Leah - Ga-Wahi, Dark Walk Entrance] “That’s good, you - ouff!” The instant the light went out, Leah raised her staff in a way that would block most direct attacks, but the Rahkshi had wasted no time to charge at her. Either because she’d been the closest to it out of the duo of Toa or - more worryingly - because it knew of the Maru. The beast had used its obscurity and taken flight, trying to run her through with its spear. She’d only heard the brief rush of air as it approached just in time to start moving. She managed to sidestep the tip of the spear, avoiding a fatal blow, but the Rahkshi immediately compensated, pushing the rear of the staff out to swipe at the Toa in passing. She took that blow on her staff, but it was still enough to knock her over and drive the air from her lungs. Part of her mind noted that this would have been an excellent time to have Korero and his mask on site. She quickly rolled to the side and scrambled back to her feet to avoid another follow-up attack, letting off a quick blast of water in the direction she figured the Rahkshi had gone but it didn’t seem to hit. She winced as she felt a jolt of pain in her left shoulder. Guess it got a scratch in after all... Her mind raced. She’d faced Rahkshi before, even multiple at once, but without sight this thing would keep coming until it got a lucky hit on both of them. If they stayed it would whittle them down, if they ran it could easily keep pace and then whittle them down. They had to rob it of it’s advantage to strike unseen before they could take it down. This was getting tense. She could feel the drops of sweat running down her neck. Drops. Leah glanced up and clenched her hand into a fist, summoning the moisture in the air all around them. A light rain began to fall at her behest. It didn’t return her sight, but the Rahkshi would not sneak up on her again. Unfortunately that still left her new Toa friend without cover. She could sense her too through the rain and moved closer to Kimala. “Careful, it’s airborne!” OOC: @ARROW404

IC: [Leah - Ga-Wahi, Dark Walk Entrance] The Maru sat on her perch, head on a swivel. Just as the feeling of I-think-this-place-is-safe-for-now began to set in and she considered heading back into Ga-Koro proper, she spotted a small group of Daska, led by another Toa, though she didn’t recognize her. She was about to drop down from her tree perch when an eerie shriek cut through the air. Leah tensed. Her eyes shot from the equally surprised Toa back to the entrance. She was intimately familiar with the sound. Really? Now? Guess I technically did dare you to do something, didn’t I… The first thing Kimala saw appear was not the monster lurking in the dark opening, but the lithe form of Leah jumping down from out of the treetops off to her right. The Maru landed, facing the dark walk entrance with her staff drawn and ready to engage. “Help’s here!” she said, only briefly glancing at the other Toa. “You ever face Rahkshi before?” OOC: Alright @ARROW404, what kinda Rahkshi do we have here?

IC: [Kohra - Po-koro, Streets] “I...I don’t know.” Kohra replied. There was a lull in her chronic pain, letting her focus a little better, at least for the moment. Maybe it had been the water that did the trick - or maybe just talking to someone for the first time in what felt like years. Datrox had been taken aback, but he didn’t yell in return, or turned to leave. He wanted to help...which was an utterly strange reaction for her. “It’s hard to concentrate...I can’t remember...not when it hurts. It always hurts.” The Vortixx put her free hand to her left shoulder for emphasis. "Can you help with that?" OOC: @Tarn

IC: [Leah - Ga-Koro] “If you need help with anything, don’t hesitate to ask!” Leah advised, watching Karoru leave. The sudden departure was a bit odd and the Toa Maru debated briefly with herself if it wouldn’t be better to just follow. But, she was a Menti after all and knew how to handle herself, even if this was all unfamiliar to her. And the village was safe enough for now. She was going to make sure of that. She turned back to the other Dasaka. “Well, I’ll keep an eye out of course, but for now I have to continue my rounds.” For a moment, there seemed to be a shadow crossing the Toa’s eyes, as if revisiting an unpleasant memory. But in an instant, the expression was gone again. “I leave you in the very capable hands of Sinshi and White.” she added with a wink and a very casual two-finger salute to the jacketed duo, before turning to leave. Instead of following the busy floating walkways, Leah simply stepped off the side and was instantly carried away on a shallow wave that rose up just enough to envelop her legs. A few moments later, the wave broke on the warm sands of the beach and Leah stepped out of the surf, making her way towards and then past the village’s main gate as she headed a little ways inland. The path she followed was easy enough to make out, even to this day there were clear signs of where the Rahkshi horde had charged through the coastal treeline after emerging from the dark walk opening. The Matoran had set up a tiny observation post nearby to keep an eye on it, but Leah stopped by daily anyway. Sometimes even more than once. She’d picked out her own, hidden lookout spot up in the trees. There had been a short period after the Maru’s victory, where it had seemed unnecessary to check on it. But ever since Stannis had revealed what he’d actually done in the final confrontation with Makuta, it had become part of Leah’s patrols. And since the rumors of his return started to spread and the Dasaka’s story of what had taken place at the Kini-Nui seemed to confirm them, it had become more than just a routine check. Though she’d tried to be discreet about it, the Toa Maru had begun to frequent the entrance to the sinister passage more and more - to the point it had affected her sleep. The Maru had returned from Mangaia as heroes and announced to the world that Makuta was gone. She’d believed it too. Circumstance and fate had turned her faith to lies. And now, worry and shame kept her up at night. Even when the news of the imminent Dasakan refugee arrival broke, she’d spent the last hours before daybreak in the jungle, staring into the opening. She did the same thing now. The darkness loomed, but she stood in its path, as if to say: even if you’re back, I’m still here - and I will not let you pass. OOC: Open for interaction, if anyone spots her or decided to follow. =)