CHAPTER THREE
--Destral--
"You knew this was coming."
Sidorak screamed as he laid on the stone floor, clutching his head in pain-- which he was imagining. Makuta Icarax regarded him with cold disdain as he used his fear powers mentally on the Steltan.
"Still, I admire your courage-- what little you have, that is-- and I do understand that the decision you made in retreating was a logical one. Unfortunately, having one of our own die inadvertently at your actions is something we Makuta do not take kindly."
"It-- it wasn't my fault!" Sidorak cried. "I had no idea we would be attacked--"
Regardless of the circumstances, the results are the same: Makuta Nathuz is dead. The Northern Continent is lost. And thus is your punishment."
Sidorak started screaming again as a pair of Rahkshi came in to carry off to the dungeons. As Icarax returned to his throne, a figure stepped out of the shadows of the throne room, having waited his chance for an audience with the regent.
"While Sidorak and his horde may have failed," Makuta Antroz said, "it may interest you to know that his Viceroy succeeded in procuring this."
He held up a stone tablet and Icarax took it with mild interest. The Makuta of Karzahni began to scan its contents, his eyes widening each time they went over it.
"Is this... what I think it is?"
Antroz nodded. "A map to Artakha."
"Impossible," Icarax murmured. "I thought they had all been destroyed. Kojol was even executed."
"Apparently they weren't as thorough as they though."
Icarax could hardly believe it, yet at the same time he was very pleased. A smile grew on his mask as he said, "How did Sidorak's Viceroy managed to obtain this?"
"Trade secret," Antroz said. "Though I don't suppose it really matters, does it?"
"No, not at all." Meeting his fellow Makuta's gaze, Icarax said, "Tell Tridax to prepare the teleportation device. We are going to pay a certain legend a visit."
* * *
His dreams were dark. They always were; always had been, ever since that day....
There he was on that island-- that desolate island he could never recall the name of. So many of his teammates were dead and those wretched creatures were standing over them triumphantly.
He looked down to the person he cradled in his arms, a corrosive wound on her chest that was beginning to spread throughout her entire body. The lights of her eyes dimming, she raised a hand to his mask and touched it.
"It's not your fault," she whispered to him. "It's not your fault...."
He almost believed her.
Her heartlight went out and she was dead. The Zyglak were closing in, their acidic spears brandished. Anger pulsed in his chest. He began gathering up all of his energy, absorbing as much of it as he could contain, before unleashing it in a destructive wave....
* * *
Lesovikk awoke with a scream, panting heavily. Once he had calmed down, he cleared his eyes of bleariness and looked around to observe his surroundings. He was in a dark, stone chamber devoid of any furniture, save for the slab of rock which he laid on. Across the room was an iron door, which suddenly swung open not long after he noticed it.
Standing in the doorway, nearly filling the entire frame, was a four-armed giant clad in gold armor. Folding his upper set of arms, the being said, "You're awake."
"And you're observant," Lesovikk replied. "Can you tell me where I am?"
"No," the being grunted before motioning with his head. "Come. You are needed."
Left with no option, Lesovikk got up and followed the stranger out of the chamber. They went through a bizarre system of corridors, no doubt deliberately designed to make it hard for newcomers to navigate. They eventually reached another iron door, guarded by two heavily armored beings who allowed them entrance.
As the door closed behind them, Lesovikk and his escort were plunged into darkness. That soon changed when two torches lit up, revealing three beings standing before them. One of them was a female Toa older than any Lesovikk had ever met, bearing scarred and pitted blue armor.
"Toa Lesovikk, I presume?" she said to him in a voice that could freeze a furnace.
"Not 'Toa,'" he bitterly replied. "Not anymore. Not after what I've done."
"Yes, we are well aware of your actions. Normally, a Toa who had broken the code would have been sent to the Pit. But we have made an exception for you."
"Why?"
"Because unlike those other Toa, you have not truly fallen off the path Mata Nui set you on," she replied. "You may not think that, of course, and you may continue to deny it. But I believe you are out for redemption."
"Revenge is what I'm after," Lesovikk muttered.
"Sometimes the two go hand-in-hand. How would you like for a chance to fulfill both?"
Lesovikk tilted his head. "What do you mean?"
"It just so happens that we need Karzahni-- the object of your vengeance-- for the knowledge he has on his brother Artakha. If you help us in capturing him, your record will be wiped clean."
The Toa of Air considered the offer. Though he doubt he would ever consider himself a full-fledged Toa, even after performing this task, it was one he did not wish to back out on; after so many failed attempts to enter Karzahni's realm, this was his chance to finally do so.
"I accept," he firmly said. "When do I leave?"
"Oh, you won't be doing this alone," she said. "After all, you're not the only Toa striving for redemption."
Lesovikk frowned, knowing where this was going. "I'm not leading another team of Toa again. The last time I did, all of my comrades died."
"I know. Which is why this is your chance to set things right this time." She turned to one of the beings standing next to her and gave the giant titan a nod. "Bring them in."
The titan was gone in a flash before returning in a similar fashion, this time accompanied by five other Toa.
"Lesovikk, meet the Toa Tenebrae," the ancient Toa said. "All six of you have swayed towards the path of darkness, whether by violating the Toa Code or utilizing unorthodox methods that straddle the line or simply because the universe hates you for some reason. You have all been offered a chance to redeem yourselves. If you succeed, then consider yourselves vindicated. If you don't... well, you probably would have ended up in prison anyway."
* * *
Krakua had long decided that today was not a good day.
He had not gotten far from the Northern Continent before his boat was taken by a winged being. He was then promptly knocked out only to wake up in a dark chamber. A being in silver and red had then greeted him and questioned him on the tablet Darrus had given him-- just like the Makuta had. He gave the same answered he had then and, much to his relief, was not executed.
He was still frightened nonetheless. There was nothing he wished more than to be back in a cozy hut, returning to his daily life. But with De-Koro gone, he knew that was not to be.
He had no idea how much time had passed, but when the door opened again, it was a winged female who entered-- the same being who had knocked him out. As such, he instinctively backed up against the wall.
"Don't worry," she said in a soothing tone. "I'm not here to hurt you. I'm sorry I had to knock you out, but I was only following orders."
"What do you want from me?" Krakua asked, trembling slightly. "I've already told you about that cursed tablet. I don't have anything else to give you-- not even a home."
"Daxia can be your home," she told him. "That is, if you're willing to accept my offer."
"What could you possibly give me?"
"A new life. A better life." She offered him her hand. "I know you have potential, Krakua. We can help you realize it."
Krakua stared at her for a moment. Then, after some contemplation, he took her hand.
No comments:
Post a Comment