CHAPTER TEN
"I think this is the place."
"What threw you off? The fact that we're surrounded by two dozen Rahkshi?" Kodan said bitterly.
Pohatu gulped. "Something like that."
The Rahkshi hissed as they aimed their staffs at the Toa of Stone, Kodan, and Pouks. The trio's trip to Ta-Wahi had been a quick one, thanks to Pohatu's Mask of Speed, but it had came to an abrupt halt courtesy of a Rahkshi of Slow's staff.
With the way the other Rahkshi were now closing in, Pohatu supposed it would do no good to offer them some Madu fruit.
Glancing at Pouks, the Toa Mata of Stone said, "You've got a Rhotuka spinner. Couldn't you-?"
The Rahaga shook his head. "It wouldn't do much good. Rahkshi are quick to act. I wouldn't be able to charge the spinner in time."
"A wise choice, I must say."
The trio looked up to see a winged figure flying over them. Bright green eyes glowed behind its wedge-shaped mask while it wring its clawed hands.
As the figure descended to stand before the cornered trio, Pohatu said, "Uh, hi there. Mind introducing yourself?"
"I am Makuta Sorefus," the being said.
Alerted by the mention of the word "Makuta", Pohatu created a large boulder with his elemental powers, but a Rahkshi Guurakhk destroyed it with its Staff of Disintegration.
"Now, now," Makuta Sorefus said coolly. "Let us not be hostile. Did I not provide you with a warm welcoming party?"
"If by warm, you mean those Rahkshi of Heat Vision I'm seeing, then yeah," Pohatu retorted.
Sorefus gestured to the two dozen Rahkshi and they all lowered their staffs simultaneously.
"My apologies for that," the Makuta said. "We would be most honored if you would join us."
Pohatu raised an eyebrow. "Who's we?"
"Why, my brother and sisters, of course. Not to mention the other Matoran, Toa, Turaga, Skakdi, and Vortixx that are our current guests of honor."
The Toa of Stone crossed his arms. "Yeah, sorry. If you think I'm falling for that, then you've got another thing coming."
Sorefus' mask was devoid of expression. "Do I?"
Suddenly, a maroon-colored Rahkshi broke away from its brothers and fired a bolt from its staff, knocking Pohatu out cold.
* * *
"What... is that thing?" Kopaka asked as the black and silver Rahi bird clashed with the Waldurak.
"It's called a Nivawk," Kualus said. "One served under Makuta Teridax while he was posing as Turaga Dume."
Kopaka recognized the name from Turaga Vakama's tales of Metru Nui, but this was the first time he had seen one in person. It fought with much ferocity and moved too fast for the Waldurak to take aim with its weapons. In short time, it grew too frustrated and retreated from the fight, vanishing into the Motara Desert.
As the Nivawk landed onto the ground, Kualus brought the Gukko down as well. As he and Kopaka disembarked from the Rahi, they were surprised to find a black and green Matoran perched on the Nivawk's back.
"More strangers, huh?" the Matoran said. "I'd be a Muaka's dinner...."
"Who are you?" Kopaka asked.
"Name's Lerus. You friends with that Toa of Stone, Po-Matoran, and Mini-Rahkshi that were here earlier?"
"Yes. Where are they?"
"Last I saw them, they were headed for Ta-Wahi." A frown crossed the Matoran's Kanohi Matatu. "You're not planning on going there as well, are you?"
"If that's where Pohatu is, then yes." Kopaka eyed the Matoran carefully. "Is there something wrong with that?"
Lerus nodded. "Very few have returned from that realm alive, and if they do... they're usually not the same."
"That's a risk we'll have to take," the Toa Mata of Ice said. "Do you wish to accompany us?"
Lerus was silent for a moment before sighing. "I suppose I might as well. They're going to catch me sooner or later."
Kualus smiled as he climbed back onto the Gukko. "Then there's really no use delaying. Let's go."
* * *
Hahli groaned as she opened her eyes. The last thing she remembered before being knocked out was standing on a beach with Takua, listening to a cold, spine-tingling voice. Her eyes then widened when she saw that she was not alone.
Chained to the wall much like herself were her fellow Toa Mahri- Jaller, Hewkii, Kongu, and Nuparu- though they were in their Matoran forms like she and Takua were. Also present were the four Rahaga Norik, Gaaki, Iruini, and Bomonga; an Onu-Matoran wearing a Kanohi Pakari; and four purple and black beings of a race she did not recognize.
At that moment, the door to the chamber they were in swung open and a hunched-over being in red and silver armor appeared, a sparked spear in hand. His head was like that of a serpent's, and when he spoke, it was with the same voice she and Takua had heard earlier at the beach.
"So many subjects," Makuta Nathuz mused. "And yet, so little time. Where shall I start?"
The tip of his spear began to glow.
"Shall I, as the Matoran say, just wing it and see what happens?"
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