CHAPTER SEVEN
The rising sun rose over Tesara, its light breaking through the trees, reflecting off of Axonn's silver armor as he walked through the village of the Jungle Tribe.
Various Agori and Le-Matoran looked up from their activities, slightly startled by Axonn's towering appearance, as well as the red and silver colors of his armor, which were different from that of the villagers' emerald colors.
Emerging from one of the village's huts was a green-colored Turaga, with a saw tipped staff in his hand. With curious eyes, Turaga Matau spoke. "What brings you to Tesara, mighty Axonn?" he asked.
"I am here to speak with a person known as Virun," Axonn replied. "From what I hear, he is a Turaga and resides somewhere here in Tesara."
Matau scratched the chin of his mask. "Virun? I can't say I've heard that name before."
"I have."
All eyes turned to a Le-Matoran that stood out from the crowd. Although his colors and armor matched those of the other Matoran, his bestial appearance resembled more of that of the Jungle Agori, albeit a bit more crooked. Axonn presumed this Matoran was one of the ones 'repaired' by Karzahni centuries ago.
The giant warrior tilted his head at the Matoran. "Have you?" he asked.
The Le-Matoran nodded. "Long ago, Turaga Virun was a member of the Toa Dragar, a Toa team from the Northern Continent. Something happened there though, and so he came to the Southern Continent and made one of my friends a Toa."
Axonn nodded. "Interesting. Do you know where he is?"
"His hut is somewhere deep in the forst," the Matoran answered. "He doesn't appreciate visitors, though."
"He'll have to make an exception this time," Axonn muttered. "Lead me to him."
* * *
The two of them soon found the hut exactly where the Le-Matoran had said: a place deep in Tesara's jungle, hidden by the trees and bushes and isolated from the rest of the village.
Axonn and the Matoran walked up to the hut's door and the latter gave a light knock.
"Who is it?" a weak voice said from behind the door.
"It's me, Zuken," the Le-Matoran said. "Remember? From the Southern Continent?"
The voice's speaker seemed to hesitate before answering. "Enter..."
Zuken opened the door and he and Axonn stepped in. Inside, the room was shrouded in near darkness, with the only light being a sole candle. Opposite of the door sat a small, frail figure, clad in old, dark green armor, and wearing a Noble Mask of Concealment on his face. His dark red eyes glanced up at his two visitors and, to Axonn's surprised, was unfazed by his presence.
In a weak voice that matched his frail appearance, Turaga Virun spoke. "Hello, Axonn. I was wondering when I would see you again..."
"I'm surprised you remember me," Axonn muttered. "It has been a hundred thousand years."
Virun let out a raspy chuckle. "True, it has. But how can I forget that day, when I was a Matoran, and you conquered Dragar Nui."
Axonn frowned. "I'd rather not think about those days. Anyway, I need some...answers. I've been told that you made three Matoran - Taron, Nira, and Leran - into Toa...and requested that I train them."
A faint smile crossed Virun's mask. "Indeed I did, because you were the greatest warrior I ever knew."
Axonn gave the Turaga a curious look. "Really? And why couldn't you train them?"
The smile vanished as Virun sighed heavily. "Because I failed myself as a Toa many years ago."
It was Zuken's turn to ask, "What do you mean?"
The old Turaga looked up and gazed sadly at his two visitors. "Have you ever heard of the Odaku?"
* * *
Arashi took long strides down the hallway which led to Ryousan Fortress' throne room, dragging two unconscious Toa, Gali and Pohatu. The Odaku general grinned to himself, anticipating the fate that awaited he two Toa. The same fate he received so many years ago.
Thousands years ago, years before the Great Cataclysm, the Toa Dragar served as the valiant protectors of the Northern Continent. They were hailed as the greatest heroes ever born to Mata Nui. But that all came to a tragic end when the army of the Odaku attacked.
Comprised of mutated Toa and Rahi, the Odaku attacked without mercy. Many were killed, and it all seemed hopeless until the Toa Dragar's leader managed to defeat the King of the Odaku. The Odaku fled, but not before capturing one of the Toa's own: Arashi.
The Odaku transformed Arashi into one of their own. He would then become a general under the Queen, and lead another attack on the Northern Continent centuries before the Cataclysm. Since then, the Odaku had remained in hiding while Makuta Teridax carried out his Grand Plan. But after ten years since his death, now was the time to act.
Arashi opened the stone door which led to the Queen's throne room. The moment he stepped in, he immediately felt a cold air fill the chamber. Sitting in a dark throne was Queen Scylla herself, her black and azure armor glistening from the light of the torches. Standing before her was a large, gold-skinned being, with emerald eyes glowing from its reptilian face.
Noticing Arashi, the golden being turned to face him, glancing at the two unconscious Toa. "And just what has compelled you to drag in these filth here?"
Arashi scowled. "Nothing you would understand, scum." He turned to the Queen. "Your Highness, what is this...creature?"
From behind her blue mask, Scylla's scarlet eyes glared at him. "He is not a simple creature, general," she said coldly. "This is Odirak."
The golden being grinned. "Indeed, although I tend to go by different names at times. My creators, for one, like to call me the Irnakk."
Arashi slowly nodded, still in a state of surprise from the creature's appearance. "Anyway, my queen, I have brought two of the Toa we captured for...testing."
"And the third one?" Scylla asked.
Arashi grinned. "Savage is handling him. He seems to be more...defiant than the others. But don't worry, your Highness. He'll soon be one of us."
A small smile touched Scylla's lips. "Very good, general." She turned to Odirak. "Would you mind taking them to the recruitment chamber?"
The golden being chuckled. "Certainly, my lady."
He seized the two Toa from Arashi and slowly strode out of the throne room. Once Arashi was sure Odirak was out of hearing distance, the general turned to Scylla. "Er, your Highness, what is he doing here, and where is he from?"
Scylla did not look at him as she spoke. "Odirak is a new ally of ours. General Karios found him near the shores of Aqua Magna, along with an army of Skakdi. Karios and I were able to convince him to join our forces."
"I see," Arashi muttered. "So then, since the new society between the Matoran and the other species on this planet have gathered the courage to trek near our territory...do you think it is now time to strike?"
The queen gave a dry, mirthless laugh. "Yes, general. I do believe now may be the time."
She slowly rose up from her throne. "But first, there is a certain matter that requires my attendance."
To Arashi's startlement, a pair of azure wings unfolded from the queen's back, and, with a pounce, she flew through an opening in the room's ceiling, headed for whatever destination she had in mind....
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