CHAPTER FOUR
--Destral--
"Nothing?"
"No, my liege," Makuta Chirox said to his leader, bowing his head. "Tridax told me that he lost sight of Krika during the battle at Artakha, but has not seen him since."
Makuta Teridax shifted on his throne. It looked disproportionately large for him, due to having been forced to use Antroz's body after Icarax's betrayal. Antroz himself resided in an Antidermis vat placed in the corner, his green essence floating within.
"How convenient," Teridax murmured, "that he would vanish just as the Hand of Artakha attacked."
Chirox nodded in agreement. "Indeed. His actions lately have been dubious and the other Makuta -- myself included -- have begun to doubt his loyalty."
"Somehow, I am not surprised. After all, he was one of the last to side with me at the Convocation." The Makuta of Metru Nui tapped his chin in thought for a moment. Finally, he said: "Send Gorast and Odirahk to track him down, and be sure to tell them that I want him back alive. I know that Gorast despises Krika and I don't want her blood-lust to get out of hand."
Chirox nodded before leaving the throne room. As soon as he was gone, Teridax heard a voice speak up. At first, he thought it was Antroz speaking to him telepathically, until he realized it was coming from right next to him.
"Had I known the target was a Makuta, I would have gotten here sooner."
"Umarak." Teridax adjusted himself in his seat to face the figure hiding in the shadows. Only a pair of red eyes and pieces of glowing green armor were visible in the darkness. "You certainly know how to make an entrance."
"I aim to impress," Umarak replied. "So, why did you summon me here if not to hunt down one of your own kind? I thought that was what I was brought in for."
Teridax chuckled darkly. "Trust me, the job I have for you is much more worth your time."
"I'm listening."
"My spies have reported that the Toa who... outwit me at Metru Nui have vacated their precious city and are in search of a Toa of Light."
"A Toa of Light?" Umarak repeated. "And how do they intend to do that?"
"How else? By following the Kanohi Avohkii stolen from me three hundred years ago."
"So it's found its way to Metru Nui. Interesting." Umarak shifted slightly, allowing Teridax to see more of his haphazard appearance. "How do you want me to handle this?"
"I want you to follow them, but do not act until they've found the Toa of Light, who I want brought to me alive along with the mask."
"And the other Toa?"
Teridax was silent for only a moment before waving a nonchalant hand. "I have no use for them. Kill them, if you must."
--The Avnui--
"You expect me to believe that this is gonna find our 'Toa of Light?'" said Toa Ahkmou as he held up the Kanohi Avohkii, frowning at it with skepticism.
The brown Rahaga known as Pouks stood with him on the ship's deck as it vacated its dock and headed into the Silver Sea. He regarded the Toa of Stone carefully, with one eye cocked.
"Do not doubt Artakha's craftsmanship. The work he puts into his Kanohi is far greater than your average Ta-Matoran mask maker."
Ahkmou snorted. "Don't let Nuhrii hear that; Fire types can be rather sensitive." He handed the mask back to the Rahaga. "Besides, crafted by Artakha or not, I fail to see how a simple Kanohi can lead us anywhere, let alone to some hypothetical Toa of Light."
"The Avohkii is no simple mask," Pouks protested. "It was created as a safeguard should the Makuta ever turn evil, which, of course, they did. It is the one thing they fear, for it is the one of the only things that can certainly destroy them."
"If that's the case, then why didn't you guys use it on Makuta when he took over Metru Nui?" Ahkmou asked, eyebrow raised. "It sure would have been loads of help."
Pouks sighed, shaking his head. "Still you fail to understand. The Mask of Light cannot be used by an ordinary Toa or being. Only the destined Toa of Light may do so."
"Sure," Ahkmou scoffed as he turned away. "Just keep on firing excuses. One of them's bound to stick."
* * *
"So, Toa Nuhrii, how would you describe your transformation into a Toa?"
"The worst day of my life," Nuhrii muttered, staring off at Metru Nui as it retreated into the distance.
Takua cleared his throat, tapping his fingers on the stone tablet in his hand. "Was it, ah, a painful experience then?"
The Toa of Fire glanced at the would-be Chronicler. "Don't you have something better to do, Takua? Why don't you bother Tehutti or Vhisola?"
"They're on my list," Takua said. "I'm interviewing all six Toa Metru, trying to gauge their views on this adventure so that--"
"You're wasting your time," Nuhrii retorted. "No one's going to care what I or any of the others have to say."
Takua frowned. "Why do you say that?"
"Because this whole 'quest' is just an excuse for Turaga Dume to get rid of us. There is no Toa of Light; he just wants us out of his city so he can find better Toa."
"You know that is not true, Toa of Fire."
Nuhrii and Takua both turned to see a small red Rahaga walking over to them on his flame-shaped staff.
"Dume is not one to deceive," said Norik. "He cares very much for Metru Nui and its people, and expects the best out of its sworn defenders. He's sent you on this task to prove yourselves; to show him you are worthy of the name Toa Metru."
"If we're Metru Nui's defenders, then why are we being sent away?" Nuhrii countered. "If the Makuta attack the city again, who will defend it in our absence?"
Norik hesitated in his response. "I... do not know the full extent of the Turaga's plan. He only gave us Rahaga the same information he gave you."
"See?" Nuhrii gestured with his hands. "He's sending us on a wild Dikapi chase to get us out of his city. This whole Toa of Light business is a waste of time."
"Now that is definitely not true. The Toa of Light has been foretold by the mask itself. We will find them; it's only a matter of--"
"Destiny? Yeah, right." Nuhrii shook his head as he walked away. "I'm sure any destiny we have involves dying in some fashion."
Takua and Norik watched as the Toa of Fire retreated into the Avnui's cabin. Once he was gone, Takua turned his head towards Norik, who did not meet his gaze.
"This isn't shaping to be a good chronicle, is it?"
"No," Norik murmured. "It is not."
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