CHAPTER 2

The Water Tribe

"Okay, that should do it."
Dekana removed a hooked staff from the cooling trough and examined it. After being sure the work was done, he smiled to himself and set it aside as he cleared the forge; he was a guest in Tajun, after all. As he was cleaning, a Ga-Matoran entered the workshop.
"Ah, Kitamo. Excellent timing, I've just finished the repairs. I'm just clearing the forge down and I'll deliver it shortly.."
Kitamo simply ignored him, and examined the staff herself.
"This is acceptable. I don't know why the Turaga felt the need to find a smith from out of Tajun, but it isn't my place to argue." Kitamo muttered aloud.
"I agree, but I'm sure her intention was one of diplomacy, not of distrust. She likely wants to maintain relations with the Stone Tribe, and the Sandray Canyons are close by. If she wanted to find a good blacksmith, I'm surprised she didn't call for one of the other students from the Valley of the Maze.." Dekana pondered in response. "Nonetheless, I'm more than honored for the work. Your forges are impeccable considering the environment; I'm half tempted to take notes on this workshop for my own back home."
"Thank you, Dekana. If the staff is complete, I'll take you to present it to her now." Kitamo replied, growing frustrated with the outlander's dawdling. "If you're done wasting time, that is."
"Wasting time? Forgive me, but it's considered the height of bad manners not to leave someone else's workshop the way you left it back home. I know I'd like to return to a clean forge if a visitor had to use mine." Dekana responded cheerily as he returned the remaining tools to their places and dusted himself off. "Alright, I'm ready to present my work to the Turaga. Please lead the way."
Dekana followed Kitamo through Tajun's busy waterways and canals, taking note of the Ga-Matoran and Water Tribe Agori going about their business. Taking in all the scenery, he suddenly felt very out of place here as a Po-Matoran. Some time passed, and they arrived at the entryway to the River Court; a vast complex once used as a stronghold by the Great Beings, now used as a council chamber by the Turaga, Prime Glatorian and visiting diplomats. Dekana followed his guide down the steps and into the main area where the Turaga he had been hired by was waiting, flanked on either side by her personally selected Glatorian guards. Dekana stood before her and kneeled, presenting the staff as she moved to greet him.
"Turaga Gali, I have completed the repairs on your badge of office as requested."
The Turaga didn't bother to examine it, instead carefully taking it from the kneeling Matoran before her and smiling.
"Thank you, Dekana. There was a time when working with metal was restricted to the Ta-Matoran; it pleases me knowing that others are becoming flexible in their choice of duties in this world. Pohatu spoke highly of your work, between ramblings about missing me and his brothers." Gali chuckled to herself. "He hasn't changed."
"You honour me, wise one. Turaga Pohatu regretted being unable to join me and meet with you in person. He was excited to see the Arena Tajun in preparation for the next Kohlii match. His fascination for the sport keeps me busy at least, our team are some of my best customers." Dekana smiled and arose to his feet. "He also asked me to send his regards to the other Turaga."
"That competitive fool has a special place in his heart for that sport. I think he's still sour from the last match our two peoples played together. I may not be able to play anymore, but I wonder if he realises one of the champions from that resounding victory still leads our team." A second Turaga approached, prompting Dekana to kneel once more.
"He does mention that loss quite often, Turaga Hahli. The fact that the greatest Po-Matoran player we had is now on the council likely hasn't helped." Dekana chuckled nervously, not expecting to be before the majority of the Water Tribe's rulers.
"Stand up, Dekana. We're not in council right now, there's no need for formalities. Though if you're sticking around, I'm sure Macku and the others would be more than happy to pay a Kikanalo's weight in widgets for a few of your famous Kohlii sticks." Hahli smirked.
"I'm sure they would, Turaga, but I dare not make Turaga Pohatu's paranoia worse. He would likely respond in the same way as the council discovering someone was making Exsidian weapons for the Skrall or Dark Hunters, the way he treats this game." Dekana mumbled, only half joking. Growing yet more annoyed, Kitamo placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Now our guest has delivered the badge of office, I shall escort him back to his transport. No sense distracting you both for longer than necessary." She and Dekana bowed before turning to leave.
"That one doesn't take well to outsiders, does she?" Hahli chuckled.
"Tikamo went through a lot before she arrived here, but she dedicates her life to our safety and Tajun's prosperity. Her drive is what made me choose her as my right hand, sister." Gali nodded, faintly smiling as she watched the pair of Matoran leave.

Chapter 2: Text

The Ta-Matoran is a suitable choice. He cares for the young, and fights for those who need help regardless of the odds. As brash and impulsive as he may be, he'll be ready to find the others soon enough. The warrior has his strength, the hunter has his cunning, the strategist has her intelligence, the farmer has his heart and Korii has unbreakable will. I still have more to choose, and have found two possible candidates here in Tajun; a Po-Matoran weaponsmith and his Ga-Matoran escort. I know of her past, like Korii she will fight to the end to protect her home against any that stand against her. I just hope I have enough time...

Chapter 2: Text

The sun began to set upon the frozen city of Iconox, bathing the crystalline structures in warm oranges and making the central knowledge tower gleam like fire. With another day done, the Ko-Matoran and Ice Agori began returning to their homes. Still exasperated by the day's events, Weku wanted nothing more than to rest. Making his way through Matoro's Square, he stopped briefly to gaze upon the great ice sculpture of the fallen hero, before suddenly feeling an unusual cold pass through him. To most, this would be simply ignored, but Ko-Matoran don't feel the cold. Feeling uneasy, Weku began to look around. Someone was watching him.
"Who's there? Topuhi? Is that you?"
Silence.
"I mean it, I'm in no mood for more of this."
Once again there was no response. By the Great Spirit, that trickster never fails to make me paranoid. I just want to go home and sleep, he thought to himself. He turned into another street and felt a gaze upon him again despite the roads being completely empty. His heartlight almost jumped out of it's casing when he felt a tap on his shoulder.
"Who's there?!" Weku yelled, growing more distressed upon finding there was still nobody around him. He turned back to resume his route when he saw a tall figure passing through a nearby wall, it's eyes fixed upon him.
"Leave this place, Matoran."
Weku dropped his satchel and spirited away, screaming at the top of his lungs. After turning a corner, he fell to his knees and tried to catch his breath.
"What was that? It looked like a Glatorian, but... How would a Glatorian pass through the wall like that?"
Weku peeked around the corner to see if the being was still there, but once more the streets were empty. Unable to calm himself, Weku sprinted the rest of the way home. Despite being convinced he hallucinated that, he could swear he heard faint laughter all the way back.

Chapter 2: Text

Wake up, Korii. You are ready.

Korii awoke on his floor, dazed and confused. What in Karzahni was that?! He thought to himself as he stood up, only to hit his head against the ceiling. The ceiling of his home, that was tall enough for a Matoran to stand comfortably in.

"What the..." Korii's musings were interrupted by yet another collision against the ceiling, before looking at his table and realising the blue crystal was gone.

"Where did it go? What's going on?!" Korii shouted to himself, before stepping out of the still-open door to get some fresh air. He'd become considerably taller, and once again hit his head on the doorframe. No sooner had he stepped outside that a wandering guard shouted out to him.

"What are you doing in that Matoran's home, Glatorian?"

"I live here, Agori. I AM a Matoran, if you hadn't noticed." Korii replied dryly, having no patience for this. It was at this moment that he caught his reflection in the window... what looked back at him was anything but Matoran.

"What in Mata Nui?" Korii exclaimed to himself, before the guard approached him.

"Come with me, Glatorian. Why you'd break into an innocent Matoran's dwelling instead of earning an honest living is beyond me. Stand down and yield before I call for reinforcements!"

"This is a misunderstanding! I live here, I found a strange crystal on my doorstep, and passed out when I touched it. When I awoke, I looked like this!" Korii pleaded.

"Oh, so you're a Toa? My mistake, oh mighty hero... Oh that's right, the Toa are extinct. That beat-up mask isn't going to fool me, now submit to arrest before we do this the hard way."

Korii realised how ridiculous he must have sounded, but wasn't going to be arrested for robbing his own home. He quickly dived towards his door, grabbed his pouch of widgets and ran for his life. His stronger frame made outrunning the Matoran and Agori simple enough, but the panic was beginning to set in. One minute all was well, the next he'd been transformed and ousted from his own home, now forced to become a fugitive. Not stopping to catch a breath until he'd lost the guards, he stopped to compose himself.

Your old life is over, brother. You must seek out one of our brethren somewhere in this city, he will show you the way.

"What the- Who's there?" Korii shouted. That voice... it felt as if it should be familiar, but was one he'd never heard before. It felt as if it was a thought, rather than someone speaking. Whatever it was, he had no time for it. He had to find a way to stay unnoticed, "Glatorian" wearing Kanohi masks wasn't common, and he didn't want to be spotted by the guards again. Korii began to ponder to himself.

"Where better for a Glatorian to blend in than the Arena..."

Chapter 2: Text

Chapter 2: Text

CHAPTER 2

Wake up, Korii. You are ready.

​​

Korii awoke on his floor, dazed and confused. What in Karzahni was that?! He thought to himself as he stood up, only to hit his head against the ceiling. The ceiling of his home, that was tall enough for a Matoran to stand comfortably in.

"What the..." Korii's musings were interrupted by yet another collision against the ceiling, before looking at his table and realising the blue crystal was gone.

"Where did it go? What's going on?!" Korii shouted to himself, before stepping out of the still-open door to get some fresh air. He'd become considerably taller, and once again hit his head on the doorframe. No sooner had he stepped outside that a wandering guard shouted out to him.

"What are you doing in that Matoran's home, Glatorian?"

"I live here, Agori. I AM a Matoran, if you hadn't noticed." Korii replied dryly, having no patience for this. It was at this moment that he caught his reflection in the window... what looked back at him was anything but Matoran.

"What in Mata Nui?" Korii exclaimed to himself, before the guard approached him.

"Come with me, Glatorian. Why you'd break into an innocent Matoran's dwelling instead of earning an honest living is beyond me. Stand down and yield before I call for reinforcements!"

"This is a misunderstanding! I live here, I found a strange crystal on my doorstep, and passed out when I touched it. When I awoke, I looked like this!" Korii pleaded.

"Oh, so you're a Toa? My mistake, oh mighty hero... Oh that's right, the Toa are extinct. That beat-up mask isn't going to fool me, now submit to arrest before we do this the hard way."

Your old life is over, brother. You must seek out one of our brethren somewhere in this city, he will show you the way.

"Where better for a Glatorian to blend in than the Arena..."