CHAPTER ELEVEN
It took nearly all of their strength, but the Toa Hagah were soon able to subdue the Skakdi's army. They owed much of their success to Kualus, who had managed to use his Mask of Rahi Control to force the Tahtorak to turn on their masters and then each other. In short time, the Skakdi, along with the hypnotized Toa Mahri, were retreating back for their fortress.
Pouks sighed as he watched them. "Not much of a victory, is it? Jaller and the others are still under their control."
"Iruini is still inside," Bomonga noted. "What if something happens to him?"
Norik opened his mouth to reply but thought twice when he glanced at one of the Tahtorak, which was still weary from Kualus' control. Smiling, Norik turned to the Toa Hagah of Ice. "Mind if you use your mask power again?"
* * *
It had took him long enough, but Iruini had finally reached a place of interest: the fortress' throne room. Or, at least, he assumed it was a throne room.
The chamber's sole occupant was the quarry of his search: a giant, gold-skinned being, who was merely pacing back and forth. Staying hidden in the shadows, Iruini attempted to deduce the best way of tackling the being. However, before he could decide on his course of action, the giant turned its emerald eyes on him.
"I know you're there, Toa," it said, its baritone voice shaking the walls. "Nothing can escape my sight... or my mind."
Iruini scowled as he readied his Cyclone Spear. "Yeah, well... I never did make a good scout."
Channeling his elemental powers through the spear, the Toa of Air created a cyclone and hurled it at the golden being. The giant did not flinch, let alone budge.
"Pathetic, honestly," the being boomed. "I have faced far worse."
"Yeah?" Iruini grinned. "Care to show off some of your tricks?"
The being scoffed. "I have not the time nor the energy to satisfy your curiosity."
The giant then snapped its fingers, no doubt intent on summoning his Skakdi. When none came, the Toa of Air grinned again.
"Were you just trying to shut me up or did you really think that was going to work?"
"Whichever."
At that moment, the stone wall behind the gold being blew apart, debris ricocheting off its back. In the entrance made, a large Tahtorak strode in, ridden by a size-increased Toa Bomonga.
Iruini smiled at his comrade. "Nice. What do you plan on doing for an encore?"
Bomonga returned the smile. "This."
Raising his Seismic Spear, the Toa Hagah of Earth slammed his tool into the ground, generating a violent quake that caused even "Goldy" to lose his balance. In the midst of the confusion, the Tahtorak took the opportunity to lunge at the being, while Bomonga dismounted from it at the same time. With the giant distracted, Iruini raised his spear, ready to unleash a tornado....
Only for the being and the Rahi to vanish entirely, along with the rest of its fortress and Bomonga. Soon, darkness consumed his vision entirely.
* * *
The plan had not gone as well as he had hoped.
Most of the beings inside the Cursed One's prison were still alive: Artakha, Toa Helryx, Axonn, Brutaka, and the two Matoran. However, Toa Tuyet, Makuta Miserix, a Toa of Light, the half-Skakdi, and the Cursed One himself had vanished through a portal created by the half-Skakdi's Kanohi Olmak. Stars knew where they had gone....
And as for the others... Kabrua and his Vorox had failed to defeat the Glatorian and three Toa, and with someone like Artakha at their side, even the Skrall native to Bota Magna would be no match for them.
He had but one hope. Unseen by the group that had escaped his wrath, a diminutive being broke through the jungle, intent on tracking down a potential target... and making a deal with them. This was all for the sake of the plan, and to bring peace to Spherus Magna.
Soon, the Great Beings would reign once more.
TO BE CONTINUED....
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