Chapter 7
A red glow illuminated the wicked smile on Roodaka's face as she entered her private chambers.
"Things go well for us, my Makuta," she said, her voice hissing almost inaudibly. "When Vakama convinces Nokama to join us we will have two Toa on our side, and the rest are sure to follow. Then I will have no need to drain them of their elemental powers, for they will give them willingly." She brushed her fingers lightly over a mass of protodermis. "We will not be parted for much longer. And once you are free, the Matoran will finally have a worthy ruler."
The room was silent while Roodaka pondered her last statement. In her view, the Matoran never had a worthy ruler. Siderak? He was a fool. The Turaga were weak, and the Toa? They were a joke. She smiled as she remembered how easily Nidiki and his friends were defeated. All it took was for one of them to fall, then their unity would be broken, and Toa are nothing without their unity. Just like their powers, which was why she needed all the Toa's elemental powers to set Makuta free.
A small sound made Roodaka spin around, eyes red with anger.
"How dare you disturb me!" she said to the Visorak that was not there. Her eyes narrowed as she scanned the room for the intruder, but there was no one. Becoming suspicious she took out her staff and walked in the general direction of the sound.
When she came to the window she stopped and looked down. There was nothing outside of interest. Below she could see Visorak moving about the general area around the Coliseum. Roodaka had ordered the Visorak to search the area for the source of the flash that Siderak thought was a signal from the Toa. Roodaka doubted that was what it was, but even so she issued the order, just to be sure.
Convinced that she had heard nothing important, Roodaka turned away from the window. Touching the protodermis briefly as she passed, Roodaka left the room, leaving it in darkness.
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Matau looked at the mirror to see if the woman was gone. When he saw nothing, he sighed. That was close, he thought. This was the third window he had tried, and the first where anyone had leaned out. When he had reached he Coliseum he had realized the problem with his plan: how could he find out where exactly Nokama was? But, being the clever Toa he was, he had come up with a plan. He used his wind powers to send stones up high and hit certain windows. Staying out of sight in the shadows, he used an old bike mirror he happened to have to see who leaned out.
Only, he hadn't expected to hit any of the bad guys' windows. Once the unknown and bad-tempered-looking woman leaned out, Matau thought he was done for. But he stayed still, and the woman eventually went away. Now he was picking up another stone and sending it to the next window. Let's just hope-wish I quick-find Nokama.
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The darkness retreated as Vakama lit various torches around the room with his 'claw.' As he walked back and sat down next to Nokama he let the flame in his claw die down. Vakama looked over at the Toa of Water, searching for any signs of returning consciousness. She didn't stir. Only the bright light of her heart stone let Vakama know she was still alive.
For a little while he experimented with the flame in his claw, glancing every once in a while over at his sleeping companion. After a while he gave up trying to distract himself and stared at Nokama. The shadows cast by the flickering torches played tricks on his eyes, making it look as though her heart stone was failing. Just like Lhikan, he thought. Memories of the past Toa flooded his mind. Reaching behind him he took out something he hadn't dared look at before now. In his hand was the mask of Lhikan, looking empty without its owner.
Vakama turned it over and over, admiring the craftsmanship. It was a wonderfully made mask, without scratch or flaw. Like it's owner, he thought. Lhikan had no flaws as far as Vakama could see. He had always said the right thing and done the right thing. Unlike me. Even though Vakama had his flaws, Lhikan had always believed in him and encouraged him. The last words Lhikan had said to Vakama were words of belief. Before he had found his mask power, Lhikan had called him Toa. I am proud to have called you brother, Toa Vakama.
"After all I've done, are you still proud of me, Lhikan?" He paused. "I'm not."
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Vakama felt himself being roused by a slight stirring next to him. His eyes snapped open and he turned to look at Nokama, who sure enough, was awakening.
"Nokama?"Nokama's eyes slowly opened. Vakama's heart leapt as her eyes settled on him and she smiled.
"Vakama," she said, her voice quiet. "I'm so glad you're okay."
"I'm fine. How are you?"
"Mm, I have a headache. Other than that I'm fine."
"Thank Mata Nui."
"I already have."
Vakama smiled as he helped her sit up. "Nokama, why did you do it?"
"Do what, Vakama"
"Why did you risk your life like that?"
Nokama was silent for a moment, then she said "Because . . . because I couldn't stand the thought of losing you. I came here to rescue you, and that's what I'm going to do." Again there was silence. "So, any plans?"
The question caught Vakama off guard. "Plans?"
"Yes, for escaping. I thought you might have one."
"Well, I do have a plan, just not for escaping."
"So, what kind of plan is it then?" asked Nokama, confused.
Vakama took a deep breath, not sure how to start. "Ever since Siderak put me in charge of the Visorak horde, I've been thinking about what I was going to do once Roodaka got rid of Siderak."
"Wait, what do you mean 'once Roodaka gets rid of Siderak'?"
"I'm not too clear on the details, but from what Roodaka's told me, Siderak's an unworthy ruler and she was going to dispose of him once she had all the Toa on her side."
"You mean betray him," Nokama said with obvious disapproval.
"If you want to put it that way, yes," Vakama said reluctantly. "But once Siderak's gone, the Visorak will have no leader, and I thought . . . that I might be the next king of the Visorak."
There was an awkward silence. The two Toa avoided the other's eyes, afraid of what they might see. Perhaps Matau was right, Nokama thought. This doesn't sound like the Vakama I know. "So, what happens to the rest of Toa once you're king?" she asked.
"I thought that perhaps they could work as captains or advisers."
"All of them?"
"Yes, except . . . well, you."
"And, what do I do?"
Vakama didn't answer. What if she hates me? Although, she did come here to rescue me, so, maybe, there's a slight chance she doesn't. But if she does . . .
"Vakama?"
"I . . . I don't know if you'd like the idea."
"Why wouldn't I?"
"After all I've done I'm not sure it'd be . . . acceptable."
"I'd still like to know what it is." Their eyes met.
"Are you sure?"
"Positive."
"I thought you might be queen."
"I-I don't understand,"she said, suddenly feeling very nervous.
"I want you to be queen, Nokama. I want you to be my queen."
Nokama felt as if her heart stopped. "Vakama, I―"
"I won't force you to, Nokama. I just want you to be happy, and if you'd be happier with another Toa, I'd understand perfectly."
"I―I can't, Vakama. It's not that I wouldn't be happy with you, I would. It's just, doesn't this feel wrong to you? Working for the dark side, I mean. Can't you feel how it's wrong?"
She hates me. "It's another Toa, isn't it?" Vakama asked.
I'm losing him, she thought. "Vakama, it's not another Toa. It's―"
"It's Matau, isn't it?"
"What? No!"
Vakama smiled grimly. "Then why is he throwing stones at your window?"
-Well, what do you think? Please review.-