CHAPTER NINE
"What?!" Tansari exclaimed, staring at Mallake incredulously. "Are you asking us to murder eight innocent Matoran?"
"Innocent?" Mallake spoke the word with spite. "Any innocence they had was lost when Mata Nui fell. Besides, hardly anyone will notice their absence; they are already lost to the rest of the world."
The female warrior glared at him, unsheathing her blade. "I won't let you kill them."
Unfazed by her defiance, Mallake looked back at Mathus, who stood hunched over behind him. "Another failure of yours, 'King.' You recruited a compassionate person."
"You claim to follow the will of Mata Nui," Tansari snapped, "yet you defy him by endangering those he asks you to protect!"
"Eight Matoran out of thousands hardly makes a difference. Besides, they're no closer to bringing back the Great Spirit than we are." Mallake then lunged forward and seized Tansari by the neck before throwing her into a wall. Helryx and her agents moved to confront him but were instantly pinned down as Banteras used his Mask of Gravity on the Toa while Fortaan and three others tackled Botar and the rest.
With the Order agents down, Mallake returned his attention to the Matoran. A blade extended from his arm, sparking with energy.
"It truly pains me to do this," the ancient being said in a tone that was not at all reassuring. "But I'm afraid this needs to be done."
Dalu broke away from Drandora's hold on her and readied her Chargers. "If you think we're going without a fight, then you've got another thing coming!"
"Ah. A Matoran standing up for herself. How amusing... and pathetic."
A bolt of energy fired from the blade. Before it could hit Dalu, Balta jumped in the way and took the blow. The Ta-Matoran was sent sprawling to the floor, unmoving.
Before Mallake could comprehend what had just happened, Axonn lunged and slammed his body into his. Mallake retaliated by seizing the Ankorian's head and hoisting him up in the air before throwing him into a wall.
As Mallake prepared to finish off Axonn, Botar suddenly appeared between them. The feral warrior swung a bladed arm, striking Mallake in the face and sending his mask flying off. The ancient being quickly recovered the Kanohi before attacking with his blade.
When he lunged, Botar quickly grabbed the tip of the blade and used it to pull Mallake towards him. At the same time, the Saevta extended an arm blade of his own and impaled it into Mallake's abdomen.
Only, his entire arm went straight through his opponent's body.
Botar's eyes widened as he looked up at his adversary. "How--? Your mask if not one of Intangibility."
"No," Mallake said as he suddenly began to fade, becoming like a shadow. "It's better."
Before Botar knew it, Mallake vanished from view only to appear behind him, emerging from the Saevta's own shadow. Another bolt of energy from his blade sent Botar flying, landing next to Balta's unconscious form.
Mallake then turned to face his followers. "Bring me the Olmak."
A Skakdi came forward with the golden mask and handed it to his leader. Mallake replaced his own rusted mask with the Kanohi Olmak and a large dimensional gate appeared in the chamber.
"We needn't waste our time here any further. Let them live so that they may spread the word: the Hand of Artakha lives on."
He then stepped into the portal. One by one, his followers entered it as well, with Banteras and Drandora being the first. Mathus and Dasan tried to follow them but were swatted away by Fortaan. Once the last member of the Hand had went through, the gate closed, vanishing into thin air. Only Mathus, Dasan, and Tansari remained with the Order agents and Matoran.
Axonn was the first to rise to his feet and he quickly rushed over to where Balta and Botar laid. The latter had already recovered but the Ta-Matoran was still unmoving. Axonn gently scooped him up into his arms and began to use his healing powers on him, a task made a bit more difficult with the loss of his mask.
The other Matoran watched him in anticipation, Dalu appearing the most anxious. Botar looked down at his fellow agent with a curious expression.
"Does this Matoran mean something to you?"
Axonn shook his head. "I've only just met him." He glanced at the other seven Matoran. "But I know how important he is to others."
A few minutes passed before Balta's eyes started flickering open. He took in a deep breath before gazing up at Axonn. "What... what happened?"
"You took the blast meant for me," Dalu murmured, walking up to her friend as he was helped to his feet. "You saved my life."
Balta smiled sheepishly. "It was the least I could do."
"Even so." Dalu rushed towards him and pulled into a crushing hug. "Thank you."
"No... problem...." Balta managed to say under the Ga-Matoran's strong embrace.
Helryx walked up and cleared her throat, bringing the moment to an abrupt end. "In case anyone's forgotten, we still have a few loose ends," she said, throwing an icy glare in the direction of Mathus and the other remaining Hand members.
The Turaga raised a hand as Viraka and Brutaka stormed up to him. "I can assure you that all will be explained--"
"I'm sure it will," Brutaka muttered, lifting him up by his robes.
While Orkosan detained Tansari, it was Kazi who accosted Dasan. The Ko-Matoran strode up to the Matoran of Sonics and jabbed a finger angry into his chest.
"What in Karzahni was that all about?" he bellowed. "You teleporting us here, you kneeling before Mallake... what are you on about?!"
Dasan backed away from him fearfully. "Please, Kazi, I can explain--"
"Fine. Do that while I punch your lights out." Kazi raised his fist to hit the De-Matoran but was stopped when Garan grabbed his arm.
"Don't," the Onu-Matoran said sternly. "Violence solves nothing."
Kazi scowled as he wrenched his arm free. "He was about to have us killed!"
"I didn't think Mallake was going to do that!" Dasan protested. "I thought he would just--"
"Make us slaves," Ceras said, folding her arms in a disapproving manner.
Orkosan came forward and seized Dasan. "We shall handle him," he said to the other Matoran. "Return to your village; you are safe for now."
"'For now,'" Dezalk repeated, his shoulders sagging. "That's certainly reassuring."
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