CHAPTER THREE
-100,000 Years Ago-
So this is the world my brothers have created, Velika mused as he wandered through the graceful fields of the Northern Continent, admiring the artificial bota and roaming fauna.
Not too long ago, the Matoran had finally finished the construction of their own universe and Mata Nui was now on his way to repair Spherus Magna. Velika had made it his personal task to observe how well the Great Spirit would perform this mission and how he would maintain the world inside him.
"Hey!"
Velika's attention was directed towards a female Matoran- one of Lightning, going by her blue and white armor- running towards him. After stopping to take a breath, she smiled at the faux Po-Matoran.
"Turaga Kalam was wondering where you were. It's time to go to work."
"Work?" Velika asked, genuinely surprised. "I thought we were finished working."
The Vo-Matoran shook her head. "There's still a lot more to do. Come on, the Turaga's getting impatient."
Velika mused over this as he followed the Matoran. It would seem that Angonce and the others had made the Great Spirit's internal workings more complex than he had initially believed.
"By the way, what's your name?" asked the Vo-Matoran.
Velika hesitated only believed. He supposed it would do no harm to use his real name, considering that the other Matoran would not know better.
"Velika," he said quietly.
The Vo-Matoran beamed through her Kanohi Volitak. "Mine's Chiara."
As the two of them continued towards the village, Velika could not help but smile to himself. His life here would be a most intriguing one.
-Present-
"Velika?"
The incredulous statement of the name came from three beings at once: the Onu-Matoran Garan, his friend Balta, and Toa Chiara.
Kabrua, who had delivered the news of the Great Being's identity, smirked at them. "Ring a bell for you?"
Garan exchanged a glance with Balta before saying, "He's a Po-Matoran we met on Voya Nui. Balta and I were both friends with him."
"I knew him as a Matoran on the Northern Continent," Toa Chiara said quietly. "The Turaga sent him to Karzahni shortly before I became a Toa."
"And yet all this time he was a Great Being." Balta shook his head in disbelief. "Amazing."
"I'm not sure I buy it," said Toa Helryx, who had to have the Vorox's words translated to her like Toa Lewa, Artakha, and the others who were trapped in the cursed Great Being's fortress. "What's he been doing all this time? And what's he doing now?"
"All I know is that he doesn't want to be found by the Matoran, or anyone for that matter, and tasked me and my fellow Vorox in killing the Glatorian and his Toa friends," Kabrua replied.
"So we have to hunt down a Po-Matoran," Toa Zaria said. "Can't say I've ever done that in my life. Any idea where he is?"
Kabrua shook his head. "Last I saw of him, he was here in Bota Magna."
"Then let's go find him," Toa Orde said. Turning to Helryx, he added, "I think it would be best if you, Artakha, Axonn, Brutaka, and Lewa head for New Atero, so you can catch up on recent events. The Matoran can lead you there."
"Wait," said the Le-Matoran Tamaru said. "We have to go back? Even though we just got here? Talk about unfair!"
"The jungles of Bota Magna are dangerous for small ones like you," said Sarob. "Even we Agori dare not trek beyond the boundaries of our village."
"Well, can Kopeke at least go with you?" asked Macku. "He is the Chronicler, after all. Who knows what historical repercussions this quest could have."
"And Garan and I know Velika better than anyone," Balta said. "Maybe we could reason with him."
Orde glanced at Gelu, who, after a moment's hesitation, reluctantly nodded.
"All right," the Toa of Psionics then said. "You three can come with us. But the rest of you have to return to the campsite."
Macku sighed. "Well, so much for the Chronicler's Company being back in action." She turned to Kopeke and smiled. "Good luck, Chronicler."
"Thanks," the Ko-Matoran said, returning the smile weakly. "And if I don't make it back, ask the Turaga to pick a new Chronicler."
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that."
* * *
The trio of lenses on Kopaka's mask rotated as he studied the Wall of History, located deep in the Sanctum.
In short, Eratus Nui had been created as a pocket dimension to imprison beings too dangerous for even the Pit to handle. However, at some point, two Makuta- Necrosis and Sorefus- had found a way to travel between dimensions, abducting Matoran left and right.
That was where the Tribe originated; several beings had been able to escape from the Makuta with the help of a titan known only as Adran. Once the tribe had been established, Adran vanished into the mountains of Ko-Wahi, never to be seen again.
Two Toa, named Daxius and Xadira, had then used their Toa power to create four new warriors- Deraln, Kyron, Nalrik, and Fortaan- and together with veterans Luna and Laselv, they formed the Toa Eratus, protecting the Tribe and newcomers from being abducted by the Makuta.
As he finished reading, Kopaka stood up and looked at the Vo-Matoran who served as Eratus Nui's Chronicler. "I see that you've been through some rough times," he said.
"Glad you noticed," the Ruru-wearer said, a hint of bitterness in her tone. "So, you plan on staying here for long?"
Kopaka gave her an icy glare. "I don't suppose I have much choice. Though, if you are strictly referring to here in Ko-Eratus, then I'm afraid not. I have a few friends to find."
"Well, I certainly hope you're not planning on going alone."
Kopaka looked up to see Toa Luna standing in the doorway, her fellow Toa Eratus Laselv accompanying her. Crossing her arms, the Toa of Lightning frowned.
"The Makuta's minions are numerous. Rahi predators patrol the skies, Toa of Shadows stalk the ground... do you honestly think you would make it out there alone?"
"You have an entire village to protect here," Kopaka said. "Why would you sacrifice yourselves out of concern for me?"
"We're not suggesting that we accompany you," said Toa Laselv. "Rather, we're imploring you to stay here."
"I'm afraid I cannot," Kopaka said. "There's a fellow Toa out there and two Matoran. I have to-"
"Odds are, the Makuta have already gotten to them," Luna said. "They'll get to you if you go out there."
"So be it, then."
And with that, the Toa Mata of Ice turned on his heels and strode out of the Sanctum.
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