Bye Bye Babylon
Gali had risen early with the morning dew. Her eyes felt dull and heavy, her limbs ached from yesterday's long battles and the evacuation effort, and yet, somehow, she couldn't stay asleep. There was just so much to do.
The sun was only just peeking over the head of the fallen Great Spirit.
She was still coming to terms with the discovery that the Great Spirit was, in fact, a being so enormous that it had housed the entire Matoran Universe. The giant now lay on its side in the dunes, its massive head sheltering the camp from the bulk of the rising sun. It was so large that it was difficult to make out the details of its face from here, and its body stretched on for so long that it seemed to melt into the horizon.
Only yesterday, the Toa Nuva had defeated their greatest foe. Makuta's essence had been engulfed in a blast of light, and Gali was certain that there was no way he would be able to return. Yet she still felt a sense of dread. Makuta had been destroyed, but Mata Nui had not returned. The Great Spirit had died, and with it, their universe. They had been forced to abandon their home. Fortunately, in their search for an evacuation point, Pohatu and Kopaka had found this vast desert world that spread farther than they could have ever imagined.
Without the Makuta attacking at every venture, they should finally be able to live in peace - as long as they could find a way to survive this harsh world. But still, Gali felt a splash of concern welling within her. Was this barren world indicative of what life would be like without the Great Spirit to provide his blessings? Could life truly continue without him?
"You rose early."
Gali blinked. One of the Matoran from Tahu's tribe had appeared next to her, but she hadn't heard him approach. "I couldn't sleep," she sighed. "Today, we must continue our evacuation of the Great Spirit, find water sufficient for everyone, and search for other resources as well. I will be needed for all, and yet doing so will require me to be in three different places at once."
"You are not the only Toa of Water here." The crimson Matoran looked her in the eyes. "You cannot shoulder our burdens alone."
"And yet, I am the most powerful of all Water Toa, so much will be asked of me." The second sun began looming over the body of the Great Spirit, ready to warm up the desert plains with its terrible wrath. Gali could already feel the few droplets of moisture preparing to fade away and become one with the atmosphere. "Without me, I do not know if you would survive this harsh world."
"We Matoran are more capable than you think. The Ta-Koronans learned quickly to find water in hot places."
Gali looked over to the distant jungle - just one of many locations they would have to explore today. And of course, it would be the Toa Nuva, with their adaptive armor and legendary powers, who would make the journey. Her companion was right - she could not shoulder every burden alone. Hahli would be able to help with the evacuation and Gaaki would provide water to the thirsty. "What is your name?" she asked, wanting to properly thank the Matoran for his wisdom.
No answer came, and when she turned to face him he had already disappeared.
He's a quiet one, she thought, climbing up. It was time to gather the rest of her team.
Lewa soared over the makeshift village. It felt good to be able to return to his old morning routines after having been stuck underground for weeks, to be able to stretch his joints and feel the wind. The air was cool against his armor, but he expected the temperatures would quickly rise as the day went on.
Looking over the camp, he saw a handful of Matoran carefully preparing stones for a fire. A second group helped grind flax seeds brought from Metru Nui, or eating what dried fruit they had managed to bring with them. The camp was surrounded by the most sparse fields of sand he had ever seen, stretching on and on far towards the horizon. His heartlight ached for his lost jungle home and the abundance of fresh food that it provided. Perhaps I should have sneak-took an extra bamaia fruit, he thought.
It was easy to spot Gali and Pohatu towering over the Matoran, and it looked like they had already found Tahu outside his hut. Lewa lingered for a moment before he decided that he had better dive in to meet them. They were probably discussing something important, and it wouldn't do for him to be left out.
"What's our plan for today?" Gali asked as Lewa landed beside her. "I suggest we help evacuate Matoran and Rahi further down the Great Spirit."
Tahu shook his head. "We need to focus on the exploration of this world. Our speed and ability to adapt to the climate will give us an advantage."
Gali looked frustrated at having her suggestion shut down, but she managed to remain silent.
"So, what are we far-seeking?" asked Lewa. "A sand-pile in the desert? Oh, but there'll be rocks too. Pohatu, can Po-Matoran eat rocks?"
"Rocks are for carving, not for eating," Pohatu sharply replied. "We aren't Stone Rats."
"Hmm, but you're about as head-smart as a rat, so you've probably tried it."
"We'll need water and food very shortly," Gali cut in. "I can help with one of those, but nothing grows for miles here. We'll run into trouble very quickly if we can't find a way to manage that. And we need to find water as well - I can create enough for the Matoran here, but if we welcome more into our camp I won't be able to keep up."
"Tell me when you find a good water-flow, sister," said Lewa. "I've had my share of sea-quests."
"The jungle out west looks promising," said Pohatu as he turned to Gali. "You should head out there - there must be a water source nearby."
The promise of a jungle piqued Lewa's interest. While the thought of a potential dip would have put him off, it felt like it had been an age since he had smelt the sweet taste of the jungle air. "I'll join you! You will need someone to watch your back, of course. And no-one is as familiar with the deep-wood as I!"
"No Lewa," said Tahu. "You and Kopaka will come with me. We're going to head east along the side of the Great Spirit, keep an eye on other settlements, and see if anyone has heard of other beings living in the desert. I doubt we are alone here."
"Why me?" asked Lewa.
"Your Mask of Levitation will be useful if anyone is having trouble escaping the Great Spirit."
Lewa sighed, knowing that Tahu had made up his mind. Perhaps there would be time to explore the jungle later - it seemed a natural place for his people to settle, and it seemed likely that other Matoran might join them as well.
Onua appeared from behind one of the huts. "You're all up early. I thought you would all be sleeping after the battle last night. Did you have something in mind for me, Tahu? The thought struck me that we could help find supplies in Metru Nui, and if we can it would be good if we can build a network of shelters underground."
Lewa chuckled. "Sounds like Onua is ever-eager to set up a new Onu-Koro! But brother, we have more important things to worry about first - like finding the best wind-bursts for Le-Koro!"
Onua managed to refrain from laughing, but Lewa's jesting brought a smile to even his eyes. "The heat in the desert will get oppressively hot, and we've all suffered through a freezing night. Underground homes will remain cool in the daylight and warm at night, and will be the best way for everybody to be comfortable. I worry that we will have Ko-Matoran suffering from heatstroke if they try to tough a single day above ground."
Tahu thought that over for a moment. "I was planning on sending you with Gali, but that sounds more important. Pohatu, you can join Onua - see if you can build a defensible structure for our new home. We don't know what dangers we might face on this world."
"So will I be braving the jungle alone?" asked Gali. "It would be unwise to be divided like this in a new environment."
"Takanuva can go with you," Tahu said. "You'll need to wake him up. Lewa, find Kopaka and take him with you. And Pohatu, advise the Turaga of what our plans for today are - it's best they know our whereabouts."
Macku crawled out of the docked airship just in time to see the Jetrax rocket past. The fallen Great Spirit dominated her field of view, suddenly reminding her of the loss of not just her home, but of Mata Nui too. She was not sure she would ever get used to the idea that he was now just a static landform.
She walked between hastily built hovels and airships that made up the makeshift 'town', keeping an eye out for Hewkii. Macku had secretly hoped to be able to spend the night with Hewkii, who had finally returned with the other Toa - but after a too-brief reunion, she had been pulled away to help debrief the other Resistance members. By the time her debriefing had finished, darkness had engulfed the camp and most of its inhabitants were fast asleep. Reluctantly, and with sleep calling her as well, she had decided to avoid waking up the former inhabitants of Metru Nui and huddled up in the airship with the rest of the Resistance members.
She couldn't find Hewkii in the center of the camp, although dozens of Matoran were milling around, discussing the best layout to build proper shelters. Others emptied out airships, preparing to make a return journey to Metru Nui for supplies. As Macku looked from mask to mask, she realized just how much her world had changed. Her entire life had been spent at war with the Makuta's beasts, but it wasn't until the war finally ended that she found out the true depths of his treachery. She supposed she should mourn the brothers and sisters whom Makuta had killed before she arrived at the Island of Mata Nui, but she had no memory of that life, and it meant little to her. Ancient history from before her time. As far as she was concerned she was only a thousand years old, born the day Vakama and Nokama had opened the pod that had carried her to Mata Nui. Whatever life she'd lived before that may as well have belonged to someone else.
She should have been sad, frightened, and angry that her home was gone, but those feelings were drowned out by the sweet taste of relief. It was selfish, but Hewkii was finally back with her where she could keep an eye on him. She knew he was close. Safe.
It didn't take long for her to find him. Hewkii towered over the Matoran, and the tip of his ax-blade mask stood out even among Toa. He was deep in conversation with Pohatu and hadn't noticed her approaching. The Kanohi Garai that Hewkii wore was still strange to her eyes, but sleek in its own way. At least he hadn't found himself wearing the skeletal-looking Volitak, like Nuparu.
"Hewkii!" she shouted, grabbing his attention.
He looked her way, his eyes lighting up as she approached. "Good morning, Macku."
Macku looked at the two Toa, getting the sinking feeling that Pohatu was about to whisk Hewkii away on another Toa mission. "Do you have time to spend with 'the little people' today, or will you busy flying off with the other Toa?" she asked, allowing a hint of bitterness to creep into her voice.
Hewkii's eyes furrowed with concern. "I haven't been called away yet. Pohatu's asked me to help him build defenses for our new home." He paused for a moment. "I suppose even he can't handle building a little wall without help."
"If you don't want to help me, you can help Onua build homes underground." Pohatu shrugged. "I thought you'd prefer a little sunshine."
Hewkii mock-shuddered. "I've seen enough underground caves to last me another thousand years."
Macku felt a wave of relief wash over her as she realized that Hewkii would remain close by. For a moment, she thought she might wrap her arms around him and never let him go, but Pohatu was still watching. Instead, she tried to ask a casual question. "So, can I help at all?"
Hewkii made a show of thinking to himself. "You know, I am rather thirsty. Could you fetch me some water?" He seemed disappointed when she didn't laugh. "I'm joking."
"If you two want some time together, I won't complain," said Pohatu. "Macku, maybe you can help Hewkii keep his walls straight."
Her heartlight began to race, but Macku wasn't sure if it was in embarrassment or excitement. "Come on Hewkii, show me how you turn a camp into a town!"
Tahu held onto the left side of the Axalara, while Kopaka grabbed onto the right. The Axalara was the slowest of the three Karda Nui vehicles, but it still boasted some of the most incredible speeds that Tahu had ever experienced. With Lewa at the controls, it wasn't likely that anyone would even notice it had the weakest engine of its sisters.
In what seemed like no time at all, they were flying by an enormous ridge that made up the Great Spirit's chest. Tahu noted with concern that no-one seemed to be evacuating from this part of the Great Spirit. They had managed to evacuate Metru Nui in less than a day, but the desert around here should have been crawling with beings from the Northern Continent and surrounding islands. But they saw no Vortixx, no Steltians, no Skakdi - and no Matoran.
He decided would need to organize another team to help transport the inhabitants of the Northern Continent to their new desert home when he returned to his camp. He should have been filled with worry, but it was just one more crisis on a never-ending list. No migrating Matoran, no food, no water, no Mata Nui...
Minutes later, the mountainous panels of the Great Spirit's chest ended and gave way to its ridged belly. While it was narrower than the chest, Tahu still felt as tiny as an insect as they flew by. For all of his great power, he had failed to protect the Great Spirit. He had failed to fulfill his destiny, and worse, he had failed to protect the Matoran. He tightened his grip on the Axalara's forward fin. It was his responsibility to resolve those failures now more than ever. He had to provide safety for every being that had been displaced by the death of Makuta.
"Head south," came Kopaka's collected voice, distracting Tahu from his thoughts.
Lewa banked the vehicle so smoothly that if one had their eyes closed, they might not even realize he was turning. "Why?" he asked. "Did you far-see a sand dune you particularly like?"
"Looks like a small group in trouble," Kopaka replied. "Maybe Toa."
Tahu felt his field of view closing as if he had begun peering through a telescope. He realized that Kopaka had shared the power of the Mask of Vision with him. The world seemed to move too fast for him to track anything, and it took a moment for him to adjust to the way a minute movement of his head would make him look at a completely different dune. After a moment, he managed to spot what Kopaka was trying to show him; a half-dozen beings roughly the same size as himself, spread out with weapons drawn.
As they got closer, Tahu realized that while they looked similar to a Toa, they were something else. Their strange masks covered their entire heads, except, paradoxically, their faces.
"Natives to this world?" asked Tahu.
"They might be," answered Kopaka. "Looks like a Rahi of some kind is attacking them - look to the left."
Tahu turned his head, but moved too far. Something flashed across his eyes, but all he wound up looking at was a sand dune littered with too many stones. He had to waste seconds scanning the horizon until he found it. An enormous four-legged beast, its orange, organic scales covering the entire length of its body. The six warriors moved to surround it, one hurling pitiful fireballs from his sword.
The beast opened its long jaws, seemingly unphased by the flames the warrior produced. Other warriors fired launchers in an attempt to drive it back, but if the creature noticed them, it didn't react.
They'd be on the beast in seconds, and Lewa dipped the craft to circle it. "Get ready to attack! I'll quick-fire my stingers next pass!"
Kopaka held out his spear in one hand, aiming it at the colossal creature. A sheet of ice formed around its feet, trapping its legs. As they zipped passed, it looked like they might have already defeated the beast.
But the monster opened its colossal jaws, baring a thousand sharp teeth, spurting waves of fire from its mouth upon the ice trapping its legs. It paused for a moment before taking another giant step forward, causing one of the warriors to dive head-first into the sand just in time to avoid being crushed.
"Can't we ever get an easy fight?" complained Lewa as he began banking the vehicle around, pointing its nose at the monster.
Tahu considered his options. "Lewa, remember the Rahkshi at the Kini Nui?"
Lewa chuckled softly. "Stingers are canceled, Tahu wants to practice glassblowing!" He gently brought the craft level, took one hand off the control bar, and thrust it forward. A swirling windstorm kicked up a stream of sand around the dragon.
Tahu channeled his power through his greatsword, feeling the heat spread through his arm before it erupted into an enormous flame that spread across the swirling sand. In moments, the creature was encased in a cage of glass, its snarling muzzle poking out of its seal. For the time being, the natives were safe.
"Well, that made things simpler," said Kopaka. "You two should try that more often."
Moments later, Lewa brought the Axalara down, its support struts sinking into the sand.
"Greetings!" said Tahu as he hit the ground in front of the strange beings. "I am Tahu, Toa Nuva of Fire."
Two of the native warriors murmured among themselves at the mention of a Toa. Tahu inwardly cringed at the way their too-wide mouths swung open as they speak, but tried to mask his disgust. A third warrior - the one who had commanded flame against the dragon - stepped forward and said something in speech Tahu couldn't understand. The warrior of flame held a hand out, his palm exposed.
Tahu mimicked the warrior's gesture, and the warrior grabbed his hand. He seemed pleased, but the murmurings of the other strangers continued.
Tahu pointed to his chest. "Tahu," he said. Pointing to his teammates, he introduced 'Lewa' and 'Kopaka,' hoping he would be understood.
The warrior pointed to himself in turn. "Ackar," he said. One by one, the others stepped forward and introduced themselves in turn. Tahu nodded politely to each but struggled to commit each strange new name to memory. Finally, Ackar pointed to his weapon. "Mata Nui."
Tahu was sure he heard that wrong. How could it be that this Ackar knew the Great Spirit's name? No, the warrior must have happened to give his sword a similar sounding name, and a mixture of longing for familiarity, trying to discern meaning from a strange language, and years of believing that he was destined to revive the Great Spirit was playing tricks on his hearing.
Ackar pointed to the fallen giant. "Mata Nui," he repeated.
The jungle had looked promising from a distance, but up close it looked enormous. It seemed to spread on forever, and two towering trees loomed in the distance. Takanuva had parked the Jetrax just within the perimeter of the flora. If any intelligent life called this world home, it made sense that they would set up here; and if the Toa hoped to forge an alliance it would be best not to introduce their presence by screaming through their territory on a high-powered aircraft. Besides, by walking they could take stock of the different kinds of vegetation.
Huge vines snaked between the tops of trees and combined with the thick branches and leaves they provided a thick canopy that shielded the ground from the rays of the burning suns. The air was thick but pleasantly cool - Takanuva suspected that it would quickly become unpleasant as the day drew on. Grass and shrubs seemed to be overtaking an old dirt trail, Takanuva couldn't be sure if it was made by intelligent settlers or if it was once a migratory path for Rahi. Surprisingly, they had only heard the occasional pattering of tiny footsteps and rustling of leaves; the jungle seemed strangely silent and empty of animal life.
Regardless, the tall trees and uncontrolled underbrush reminded Takanuva of his many visits to the now-destroyed village of Le-Koro. Every place he had ever been tempted to call home was either gone or about to freeze over. He didn't belong anywhere, not even to a Toa team. The Toa Nuva and Toa Mahri went on more missions without him than with him, and both had abilities that he couldn't keep up with. He couldn't fly, he couldn't breathe underwater, he was only good for providing a little backup whenever a more powerful Toa wasn't available. He had always been a wanderer, never really fitting in with anyone. It didn't matter. He chose to remain upbeat; it was no good dwelling on thoughts of what might have been.
Gali held her hands out as if she was reaching out to the water around her, guiding them towards the thickest part of the jungle. A splash of orange caught Takanuva's attention, and he paused to inspect the bright fruit that was growing on a tree. It was the most promising source of food they'd seen so far. He plucked one of the fruits from a branch, the furry skin tickling his hand. "Gali, look at this!"
Takanuva began to suck the energy from the fruit through his hand, just to get a taste. It was sharp and bitter, and he shouted in surprise.
"You didn't eat it, did you?" Gali's voice sounded concerned. "We don't know anything about the vegetation here. It could be poisonous."
"It doesn't look poisonous," Takanuva protested. "Besides, I ate strange fruits all the time on Mata Nui and only got sick twice."
"This is a strange land," Gali replied. "Just because things might look familiar, doesn't mean they are."
Takanuva felt abashed, but he tried not to let it show and focused on looking Gali in the eyes. "Well, someone had to try it to find out. Other than the nasty taste, I feel fine."
"I hope the others are having better luck finding food. This jungle might provide enough for the citizens from Metru Nui, but there is no way that it can support the other settlements as well." Gali turned toward the thickest grove of the jungle. "We should head toward those two larger trees in the distance - I can feel a river running there."
They took a few steps towards the thickest part of the growth before something struck Takanuva. His chest felt cold, and a feeling of emptiness took hold over him as he was knocked off his feet. He landed on the ground, stones, and twigs scraping against his armor. Takanuva coughed as he grabbed onto a root, pushing himself to his feet. Gali was already creating an enormous wave to flood the thicket the blast came from.
Gali glanced back at him, and Takanuva flashed a hand signal to say he was okay. She nodded, and then sprinted into the foliage to the right. Takanuva ran to the left, vaulting over a fallen tree trunk. He ran as hard as his legs would let him until he came to a slope and slid partway down for cover, drawing his Power Lance from his back.
Seconds passed without any sign of a follow-up attack. He heard something scratching against dirt in the distance, but it was probably just a critter of some sort.
Takanuva doubled back and ducked behind a tree, hoping to throw off their foe. He took a deep breath to help calm himself, remembering a technique that Solek had taught him in Metru Nui. Takanuva shifted the light around him, turning his armor a deep shade of green. Whoever his attacker was should be expecting to see bright whites and golds that stood out against the foliage, and this new color would hopefully give him the chance to sneak up on his opponent.
The sound of a torrent of water splashing against something told him that Gali was engaging their attacker. Treading lightly so as to not be heard, he crept toward the source of the sound, carefully circling further left.
He caught a flash of azure and crouched behind a log. Peering out, he saw Gali gracefully swing her right foot around to avoid a shadow blast, completing the circle and blasting a stream of water from her trident.
Takanuva gripped his lance, pointing it toward the trees that Gali's attack had splashed against. He still couldn't see their foe, but two orbs of darkness streaked toward Gali from one of the branches. Takanuva sent a beam of intense light toward the tree, searing through the branch and igniting some of its leaves. A sharp scream rang in his ears as the branch fell to the ground.
He ran towards the flames. A Toa with oily armor came into view, her features strange yet familiar at the same time. As she pushed herself from the floor, she looked up to glare at him with piercing green eyes. Takanuva's lungs felt like they were being squeezed when he looked at her mask. It was pitted and black, but undeniably bore the shape of the Mask of Light.
