CHAPTER SEVEN
"Does anyone have any idea where we're going?"
No one answered Orkahm as the ship traversed through the Silver Sea, having long since passed through the Great Barrier. Now only liquid protodermis surrounded them as they were carried into the night, the Kanohi Avohkii serving as their only source of light.
"I'll take that as a 'no,'" muttered the Toa of Air.
Standing at the ship's bow with the other Rahaga, Norik looked to Pouks, who held the Avohkii in his hands. "Is it just me," the former asked, "or is the mask getting... dimmer?"
Pouks frowned as he looked down at the Mask of Light. Indeed, its glow was significantly less brighter than it had been just moments ago. He tried shaking it but that did nothing to change it.
"I don't understand," he murmured. "It shouldn't be...." A cloud suddenly fell over his face. He turned to the other Rahaga, looking at them with a grim expression. "It's leading us to him. The madman in chains."
Bomonga's breath hitched. "Karzahni? But... his land is one of darkness, according to legend. No light can enter there. Why would the Mask of Light be leading us there?"
"I'm sorry, did you say Karzahni?" asked Tehutti. "As in, 'the Land of the Dead' Karzahni?"
"It is the island closest to Metru Nui," Norik said darkly. "However, Turaga Dume had told me there were secret passages to get around the dome. I believe there was one that went straight to the Northern Continent."
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Orkahm asked, rushing to the ship's controls. "Let's quick-change course before we end up somewhere we don't want to be."
While the Toa of Air worked the controls, Gaaki turned to Norik. "Did Dume tell you where the secret passages were?"
Norik frowned. "No, he did not. I... I assume he thought the Avohkii would simply guide us to them."
"Hey!" Orkahm exclaimed. The others turned to see him yanking on the controls, only for the ship to remain on course. "What gives? Everything is jammed!"
Tehutti gave Vhisola a pointed look. "You said this boat was a state of the art model."
"It is!" the Toa of Water retorted. "Or, at least, Marka told me it was. I don't think she would--"
"We've been sabotaged," interjected Nuhrii, prompting looks from the others. "That's the only possible explanation."
"But who?" asked Ehrye. "Who would do something like that?"
Ahkmou shrugged. "Eh. No sense beating around the bush."
Without warning, the Toa of Stone suddenly lunged forward and tackled Tehutti to the deck, pinning him there. Before the other Toa had a chance to react, Ahkmou tore off their leader's mask and lifted the Toa of Earth's weakened form over his head. As Tehutti cried out in protest, Ahkmou hurled him over the edge of the ship and sent him plunging into the waters below.
"No!" Vhisola cried as she and Nuhrii charged towards the traitorous Toa. Ahkmou responded by throwing a small boulder at Vhisola, cracking her mask in two, before grabbing Nuhrii by the neck.
"It's hilarious." A wicked grin split across Ahkmou's mask. "You guys are reacting exactly the way I need you to."
Suddenly, a Rhotuka spinner cut through the air and struck him in the side. Dropping Nuhrii, the Toa of Stone fell to the deck, paralyzed. While Nuhrii and Vhisola quickly recovered, the six Rahaga came storming over to Ahkmou, pointing their staffs at him.
"Explain yourself," Norik demanded. "What in the Great Spirit's name could possibly compel you to betray your fellow Toa like this?"
Ahkmou continued to grin as a low chuckle escaped his throat. "Makuta," he managed to grunt out.
"Makuta?" Iruini exclaimed. "You mean all this time, you've been working for the Brotherhood?"
"Saw an opportunity. Seized it. With Mata Nui gone, who else can we turn to for power?"
Kualus snorted in disgust. "It is not in a Toa's code to crave power. You are a disgrace to the very idea of Toa."
"Uh-huh. See if you're still acting high and mighty when you're swimming with the fishes."
Suddenly, Orkahm let out a wail as he was sent flying from the ship's controls, crashing onto the deck. The others turned to see a tall dark figure stalking towards them, carrying a massive bow shooter in his arms. Antlers curled over a black and green mask as red eyes glowed with malice.
As the remaining four Toa Metru brandished their tools, the Rahaga regarded the newcomer with contempt.
"Umarak," Norik spoke the name with spite.
"Ah, so you've heard of me. Good." Umarak lifted his bow and locked it into firing position. "I've never been one for introductions."
"How did you find us?" asked Kualus. "There's no way Makuta could have possibly known--"
"The stone head just told you he's been working for the Brotherhood," Umarak growled. "The second you were given your mission, he sent a message to Teridax who sent me to get your precious mask. Simple as that."
"So he sabotaged the controls to take us to Karzahni?" Vhisola asked.
"He didn't want the Toa of Light to suddenly make a miraculous appearance and save your hides, I guess. Pretty smart thinking, I must admit. Kudos for that, Toa."
"Stop talking and get the mask already!" Ahkmou snapped. "Makuta is waiting for us!"
"All right, all right. Hold your Rahi." Without warning, Umarak dissipated into shadows, vanishing from view. Pouks then let out a yell as the Avohkii disappeared from his hands only to rematerialize with Umarak seconds later.
"There. That's taken care of. Now then..." Storing the mask away, Umarak took aim with his bow again. "Which one of you should I start with?"
Nuhrii glowered back at the dark warrior. "If you think we're going down without a fight, you're severely mistaken."
"Please, prove me wrong. It's been a while since I've had a challenge."
With a battle cry, Orkahm launched himself at Umarak, arm blades raised high. A single blast from the Hunter's bow was all it took to down him. Vhisola was the next to strike, unleashing a stream of water from her trident. Umarak sputtered under the barrage, allowing Nuhrii to move in and deliver a sweeping kick, knocking the Hunter's bow out of his hands.
Snarling, Umarak drew a sword and swung at Nuhrii's head. The Toa of Fire narrowly dodged in time and soon found himself lying on the deck, having been knocked down by a powerful kick. Vhisola attacked again, only this time Umarak managed to weather the water stream and knock her trident out of her hands. The Hunter then struck her across the face, knocking off her damaged mask.
As Umarak moved to recover his bow, Ehrye encased both of his legs in ice, rooting him in place. The Hunter glared at the Toa of Ice for a second before easily breaking free and retrieving his bow. Ehrye had no time to react as a series of shots sent him falling over the rail and into the sea below.
This left Nuhrii as the only conscious and able Toa left. As he struggled to his feet, Umarak pointed his bow at his face, preparing another blast.
"Any last words, Toa?" the Hunter growled.
Nuhrii said nothing. He would not go down in the history records as a pathetic loser. He was Toa Nuhrii, Master of Fire! Lighting his swords ablaze, he charged ahead...
...and received a single blast to the head, causing his mask to explode into pieces. Smoke exhumed from his ravaged face as he fell back to the deck for the last time, his heartlight extinguished.
Horrified by what they had witnessed, Takua and the Rahaga could only watch as Umarak set his sights on them. The Hunter regarded them only for a moment before stowing his bow on his back.
"Not worth the energy," he grunted. "Karzahni can deal with you."
Having recovered from the effects of Bomonga's spinner, Ahkmou was back on his feet. "Right then," he said. "Let us return to Makuta."
Umarak gave him a look. "And how exactly do you plan on getting to Destral?"
Ahkmou blinked. "Uh... surely you can use your powers to--"
"Doesn't work like that. Sorry."
And with that, Umarak was gone, taking the Mask of Light with him. Ahkmou stood there in shock, dumbfounded by the unexpected abandonment. Lost in astonishment, he had failed to notice Orkahm rising behind him until the Toa of Air's hand was on his shoulder.
"Say hi to Tehutti and Ehrye for me."
Before Ahkmou could react, he was being thrown over the ship by Orkahm's Mask of Telekinesis and sent plummeting into the Silver Sea to join the fishes.
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