The Turaga watched the boats until the Toa paddled out of sight, then turned to Dume, he nodded as they began walking back to the tunnel entrance.
"We'll return to the metru and call on the matoran to join us." Dume said quietly, everyone agreed, "It's not going to be easy to tell them." Nokama murmured, as she glanced at him and Vakama, "True, but the time for hiding things from them has past." Dume replied.
"And I can imagine how Jaller would react." Vakama added smiling, everyone chuckled thinking of the fiery Captain's reaction, then on reaching the cairn to the fallen Toa spent a few minutes in silent contemplation.
Reaching the entrance, they headed back towards the chute station, discussing who they'd speak with first, halfway there they were met by Pouks, Gaaki and Norik, who bid them good morning as they walked with them for a while.
Pouks was looking up at the sky and blinked curiously, as it paled briefly, then rubbed his eyes before catching up with the others, when Turaga Nuju glanced at him Pouks grinned, "Just seeing things."
Overhearing that, Gaaki rolled her eyes, as Nokama and Whenua chuckled, unnoticed by them Dume and Vakama glanced at each other, Vakama looking a little anxious.
On reaching the remotest chute station in Po-metru, Norik said he, Gaaki and Pouks would let the other Rahaga know what was going on, watching them as they headed to where the Kikanalo rested, Matau laughed when Nuju whistled and clicked at him.
"Nope no lick-washing this time." he chuckled, before entering the chute with Nuju close behind him, "I'll talk-chat with Tamaru, he'll get Vira to aid-help him." Matau decided, as he watched Nokama exit the chute and nod to him and the others as they went past.
...
When Dume and Vakama had left the chute and nodded to the remaining Turaga, they made their way towards the main square, "Aodhan, could you find Kapura and tell him we wish to speak with him?" Vakama said, as his and their paths crossed.
"Of course Turaga, right away." Aodhan replied bowing, then heading off, while they waited for Aodhan and Kapura to join them, Dume looked up at the sky, before glancing at Vakama, "I saw it too." Vakama answered Dume's unspoken question, as they sat on the bench outside Vakama's.
After several minutes of quietly talking about how the Toa were faring, Vakama suddenly gazed at his fire-staff as a vision came over him. Turaga Dume watched Vakama closely for several moments, then walked over to Aodhan and Kapura, who were approaching them.
They bowed and listened as Turaga Dume asked both of them to let the other Ta-matoran know that the Toa were looking for Kokua and things were to carry on as usual.
"We will Turaga Dume." Kapura's deep voice roused Vakama from his trance and he smiled when both matoran looked over to him, before bowing to both Turaga and departing to do what they'd been asked.
"What did you see, brother?" Dume gently enquired as he led Vakama into his home, sat him down and got him a drink, then sat nearby to listen, for several minutes Vakama said nothing as he tried to make sense of what he'd seen, "Twilight at midday, a silver Mahiki and feathers." Vakama murmured, then glanced at Dume, whom blinked at his younger brother puzzled, "Somehow they're connected, but I can't make any sense of how."
Turaga Dume thought for a while, as Vakama had a drink, then suggested that they should go to the coliseum, "The others will head there soon. Maybe they will have some ideas about it." Vakama nodded in agreement and finished his drink.
xXx
Turaga Nuju nodded politely to Talvi as he walked through the chute station, then headed towards the knowledge tower that Kopeke was putting the finishing touches to.
"Good morning, Nuju." Kualus commented, as they met up, when he was halfway to his destination, "Are the Toa still searching for Kokua?" Kualus asked, walking beside Nuju, who nodded and explained what the Turaga had talked about and decided to do, when Nuju finished, Kualus nodded and they walked to the knowledge tower in companionable silence.
When they reached the tower, Kopeke was helping with, Kualus asked the nearest matoran if he could tell Kopeke that Turaga Nuju wanted a word, Luhi bowed and began heading up the scaffold towards Kopeke, who was finishing off an ice sculpture of the Bionicle symbol.
While they waited, Kualus glanced at Nuju, "I saw something strange earlier. The sky seemed to lose all colour for a second or two."
"Strange indeed." Nuju replied frowning, before nodding to Luhi and Kopeke, who'd scrambled down to see how he could be of assistance to Turaga Nuju, "I will, Turaga." Kopeke said, bowing to him and Kualus, when Nuju had finished explaining where the Toa had gone.
Both then watched, as Luhi walked with Kopeke, as he went to do as Turaga Nuju had asked, "Do the other Rahaga know?" Kualus asked, as they headed over to the chute station to get the chute that ran past the coliseum, "Norik said that he, Gaaki and Pouks would tell them," Nuju commented, before glancing at Kualus, "Coming?" he asked a slight smile crossing his mask, Kualus grinned, "Of course." and they entered the chute heading for the coliseum.
xXx
When Nokama exited from the chute and watched her brothers travel past, she headed towards where Jaller sometimes left Pewku while he visited Hahli, Kai was with Pewku, Wanimua and the butterfly flock, she glanced up from watching the one on her hand changing colour, as Nokama chuckled softly.
The metallic green and sky-blue flecked one then fluttered onto Nokama's shoulder and sat there, slowly flexing its wings, as she and Kai talked for a few minutes, "Pewku, could you give me a lift over to the Great Temple?" Nokama asked quietly when Kai had left to help Nireta with some weaving.
Pewku bobbed, chirruping happily and crouched lower to let Turaga Nokama climb on, as they headed towards the Great Temple, the matoran who were busy with outdoor tasks, paused to wave before returning to their duties.
When Pewku reached the causeway leading to the Great Temple, she carefully let Nokama dismount and chirruped again, as Nokama thanked her, approaching the Great Temple, Nokama smiled, seeing Nixie and Suna sitting on a bench, pouring over several sheets and deep in discussion.
"I just don't understand it." Nixie muttered, as Turaga Nokama reached them, "Oh good morning, Turaga." Suna said glancing up as Nokama's shadow was cast across the sheet she was looking at, after listening to what they had observed during the night, Nokama asked Suna to explain to the other Ga-matoran what was happening, she bowed and headed off as Nokama glanced at Nixie.
"Come to the coliseum, my brothers will need to hear this." she said, hiding the sense of unease that suddenly shot up her spine, Nixie nodded and gathered up the sheets, packing them in a bag.
Following Turaga Nokama back to where Pewku waited, Nixie realized what she and Suna had told Nokama was troubling the Turaga, "Pewku, we need to get to the chute station fairly quickly. Will you take us?" Turaga Nokama asked.
Getting an enthusiastic response, she climbed on and having settled, gave Nixie a hand up, while Pewku headed towards the chute station, Nokama silently worked her way through the prophecies, a soft gasp escaped her when she came across the one she was looking for.
"Are you alright, Turaga?" Nixie asked concerned, as Pewku reached the chute station and she jumped off, turning to aid Turaga Nokama down, "It's something I'd better talk about with the other Turaga first. As it tests our promise to be open and not hide things from you all." Nokama explained, while the butterfly fluttered from her shoulder and landed on Pewku as she headed back to her pen, as they headed towards the chute that led to the coliseum.
xXx
Travelling through the chute, Nokama wasn't surprise to see Dume and Vakama just ahead of her and Nixie, when they exited the chute Dume, Vakama and Whenua were talking intently with Kualus and Nuju.
Quickly Nokama joined them to listen, while Nixie stood close by absently twisting her bag strap, a short while after, Turaga Matau and Onewa arrived and nodded to Nixie before catching up with what the other Turaga were talking about.
"You can tell us what you and Suna witnessed at the Great Temple when we reach the tower." Turaga Dume said to Nixie, as the rest of the Turaga began walking towards the coliseum, she nodded quietly, falling into step beside him and Nokama, listening as they talked about where they'd parted from the Toa and Nixie'' friends.
On reaching the coliseum, everyone smiled to see the rest of the Rahaga were sitting on a bench waiting for them.
Walking through the entrance hall Nixie quietly talked with Gaaki, while they let the Turaga go on ahead, "I think we'd better let them talk for a while." Norik commented, as everyone walked across the kolhii arena.
The other Rahaga agreed, while Nixie watched as the Turaga reached the tower, before glancing over to where she and the Rahaga were, Turaga Dume nodded.
"We'll not be long." he said as the others entered the tower, several moments later those who were waiting heard a strange noise which got slightly louder as it approached the door.
"What is that?" Bomonga commented glancing at Nixie, who was looking surprise, "It sounds like..." before she could finish, Nixie found herself flat on her back, getting enthusiastically greeted by a dark gold/black rahi.
xXx
As the Turaga entered the tower and made their way to the conference room, first Whenua then the others heard a strange noise coming from the room, "That sounds familiar." Nuju clicked, as they drew closer.
Entering the conference room, everyone chuckled surprise, as Wotzit opened his eyes and started wagging his tail, jumping off the couch, Wotzit bounced over to them and nudged Nuju's hand before 'saying hello' to the others.
When they'd finished, Onewa 'told' Wotzit that there were more friends outside, who'd be happy to play with him, barking excitedly, Wotzit let Onewa lead him to the door, then charged off towards the kolhii arena.
"I wonder how long he's been here." Vakama commented, as they sat around the table and began discussing what Pouks, Nixie and Suna had seen and Vakama's latest vision.
xXx
"Wotzit, get off you kolhii head!" Nixie laughed, pushing at him as the Rahaga chuckled, managing to fend him off long enough, Nixie took out one of the seaweed balls she amused herself with by juggling and chucked it across the arena.
As Wotzit shot after it, Nixie stood up and watched as Wotzit finally caught the ball and came racing back, "Wow, he's just as Anuenue said." Iruini laughed when the ball got dropped by him.
After everyone had helped tire Wotzit out and he was laying in the shade beside Gaaki and Kualus, Turaga Nokama appeared at the tower doorway and beckoned to Nixie, picking up her bag, Nixie hurried over to where Nokama waited, looking vaguely anxious about something.
Turaga Nokama watched Nixie approaching and sighed, "We know the matoran have grown in strength and courage, but will it be enough to cope with what may lie ahead?" she wondered, as Nixie bowed and fell into step beside her.
Silently they entered the conference room and moved to the empty chairs, "Nixie, would you tell us what you and Suna observe-watched last night." Matau asked after she'd taken out the sheaf of sheets, nodding quietly Nixie put the sheets down and stood up.
"We were finishing mapping the eastern part of the sky, when Suna commented that it must be clouding over, so I finished what I was writing and watched with her. The faintest stars on the horizon seemed to be vanishing as we watched."
Pausing for a sip of water, Nixie glanced around troubled by the worried looks the Turaga gave each other, "After several minutes the patch of sky didn't change, but we didn't see any clouds appearing and the wind was fairly brisk last night. Suna and I were still trying to work out what it could mean when Turaga Nokama joined us." Nixie suddenly yawned, as the nights activities caught up with her.
"Have you slept at all?" Dume asked, worry sharpening his voice, "Not really, I told Suna to rest while I kept working but she wouldn't. This seemed important, Turaga." Nixie murmured, blushing slightly.
"Rest on one of the couches, we'll wake you later." Vakama smiled reassuringly at her, as Nixie blinked sleepily, she nodded, made her way over to the nearest couch, falling asleep as soon as her head touched the cushion.
Nuju picked up the sheaf of notes Nixie had place on the table and quickly read through them before passing them to Onewa, while the notes were passed around, those who'd read them quietly discussed what Nixie and Suna had recorded.
"It's as we fear-dreaded," Matau's voice reached Nixie, as the green flecked yellow butterfly, which had flown in unseen, tickled her mask waking Nixie up, "The Great Spirit is dying."
Shocked Nixie didn't move, just watched the butterfly as its wing colours changed to white with blue sparks, the colours slightly dimmed. Turaga Dume glanced over to where Nixie watched from where she lay on the couch, smiled sadly and turned back to the others.
"Come and join us, Nixie," he gently said, when she sat up blushing deeply, the butterfly moving to sit on her shoulder, "It's alright." he added, as she rejoined the Turaga around the table. Nixie nodded, still too shocked to reply and listened as the Turaga discussed how best to try and break the distressing news to the matoran without causing mass panic.
...
As the afternoon sunlight shone into the conference room, the Turaga were still no closer to figuring out how to let the rest of the matoran know.
"One thing is for certain, more signs will appear showing that Mata Nui is weakening." Whenua murmured, as they looked worriedly at each other, Nokama glanced over to where Nixie sat, she still looked pale but more composed than when she'd rejoined them.
"Should I let Suna know? She's going to be working with me tonight." Nixie murmured, glancing around at the Turaga, Nokama whispered something to Vakama who nodded before she replied, "I think you should let Suna know that I've insisted you both get some rest tonight, seeing as you were both up all last night."
"And seeing as you are still in shock, I think we should ask Gaaki if she's going to Ga-metru." Onewa gently added, as Nixie suddenly shivered, "Also we need someone to care-watch Wotzit." Matau chuckled softly, as he patted Nixie's shoulder.
A stunned whistle of surprise suddenly came from Nuju, who quickly told them what he'd just thought, "It's possible that is why Kokua vanished when the butterfly flock surrounded her." Dume murmured, after several minutes passed and the Turaga glanced at each other, hope in their eyes.
Nixie glanced around puzzled, having only caught part of what Turaga Nuju had said, seeing her confusion Vakama led Nixie over to the couch and told her to sit beside him, while he talked about what Nuju had realized, Nokama went to speak with Gaaki, Matau, Dume and Onewa went with her.
"How much did you catch of what Nuju said?" Turaga Vakama asked Nixie, as she sat beside him, "That where the Toa are searching for Kokua, there might be something to save the Great Spirit." Nixie replied after a few moments passed, then she glanced at Turaga Vakama as he watched her.
"Yes, there is still bright-hope." Matau commented, as he returned and sat the other side of Nixie, passing her and Vakama the beakers he carried.
Quietly sipping the drink Nixie hoped that the Toa would find Kokua and what ever it was that could help Mata Nui, suddenly she was jolted from her thoughts as were Turaga Matau, Dume and Onewa who'd just re-entered the room, when the beaker Vakama held dropped with a clatter.
"Brother?" Matau murmured concerned, as Nixie quickly picked up the pieces of broken beaker, the others drew closer, waiting for Vakama to emerge from the vision, while Onewa went to tell Nokama.
As Nokama left the tower and went over to where Iruini, Gaaki and Bomonga were taking turns keeping Wotzit amused, "Kualus, Norik and Pouks went to see how the matoran are." Bomonga explained, as Wotzit rubbed his head happily against Nokama's shoulder before sitting beside her.
Turaga Nokama smiled, "Good idea. Gaaki are you going anywhere near Ga-metru at all?"
"Yes, I'm meeting Pelagia and we're going to see how the dermis turtles are doing." Gaaki replied, chuckling at the thought of trying to count the gentle elusive rahi, then agreed to pass Nokama's message onto Suna, as they walked over to the arena exit.
When Nokama rejoined Iruini and Bomonga she was about to tell them what the Turaga had been discussing, when Onewa was spotted by Wotzit, who bounced over to him, "You'd better come sister, Vakama's having another vision." Onewa said when he reached them.
xXx
Images flashed across Vakama's mind, swifter than he'd known to happen before, suddenly all the images vanished as if mist covered them, then a line of writing appeared. 'A destiny has been changed.' as Vakama read this, he felt his eyes growing heavy and closed them.
xXx
Those watching him patiently, were surprise when Vakama's eyes closed as he slumped back into the into the cushions, dropping his fire-staff, swiftly Nuju caught Vakama's staff, then watched as Matau, Whenua and Dume carefully made Vakama comfortable before placing his staff beside him.
"We'd better let him rest." Dume commented, as they were joined by Nokama and Onewa, who listened intently while Matau told them what had occurred, "Someone should wait nearby." Nixie murmured, then blushed as Turaga Dume glanced around.
He then looked at the other Turaga who nodded, before turning back to Nixie, "We'd like you to keep an eye on Wotzit and wait here while we speak with the other matoran."
"Of course, Turaga." Nixie responded bowing low, her hands still full of broken beaker.
While she went to dispose of the beaker, Matau stayed with Vakama and the others went to speak with Iruini and Bomonga, when Nixie returned to the conference room, she saw that Onewa had brought Wotzit with him.
Wotzit was lying beside the couch where Vakama lay, "I've told Wotzit to help you watch over Vakama." Turaga Onewa explained as Nixie joined them, then smiled as Matau commented that she could raid the kitchen as long as any mess was tidy-cleared up after.
"We'll return-come back tomorrow." Turaga Matau added, patting Nixie's shoulder reassuringly before he and Onewa left the conference room, moving over to the windows, Nixie waved to the Turaga and Rahaga when they glanced back, they raised their hands before walking towards the exit.
When the Turaga and Rahaga had left Nixie watched the crystal orb for a while as late afternoon crept towards evening, then turned to see how Turaga Vakama was doing.
Wotzit had sat up and was brushing the floor with his tail, as Vakama's eyes flickered and slowly opened, Nixie quietly filled a beaker with water and waited for Vakama to sit up before offering it to him.
"Where have the others gone?" Vakama asked after he'd emptied the beaker twice, then listened while Nixie explained and Wotzit jumped onto the couch and rested his head on Vakama's lap.