Nokama sighed quietly as she looked around. How hard was it to find a healer anyways? At this rate, Nuju could've gotten up and wandered off, for all she knew. Not only was she having trouble finding a healer, but she was also noticing a major lack of other Toa. Maybe she just missed them along the way. That, and she figured Vakama was still asleep. He'd been so tired before, it wouldn't have surprised her if the Toa of Fire slept all day, and then some. However, that was only the location of one of her Brothers, not all of them.

"Maybe they're all outside, enjoying the sunshine." She thought aloud. "It would make sense. It's a lovely morning out there. Makes me wish I was still outside, enjoying it like they probably are. Oh well, I'll be able to go out again soon enough. I just have to find a healer." However, it was then that Gali and Lewa came running over, both looking scared.

"T-Toa Nokama!" Gali gasped, her face pale and her eyes wide. "Out in the courtyard! I-it's horrible! D-don't know what to do! Found you as fast as I could!" Nokama started to look worried, even though she couldn't make very much sense of what the panicking Matoran was saying.

"Gali, slow down. What happened?" The girl was on the verge of tears by now, sniffling as she tried and failed to find her voice. Lewa, realizing this issue, spoke up.

"Blood, Miss Gali…Stain-spilled in the courtyard. Toa-Hero weapons too… Weapons, but no Toa-Heroes…" Nokama's face went from slightly pale, to deathly white, in mere moments. Of all the things that'd happened so far, this was by far the worst. Barely able to find her own voice, the Toa of Water asked, her voice barely louder than a whisper, and quavering extremely, as though she had a severe case of the shivers.

"How many sets of weapons were there? What all did you see?" The Le-Matoran swallowed.

"Three set-pairs…Gali saw more than I did…not sure if she can even speak-talk right now though…" Nokama forced herself to look as calm as she could, along with struggling not to cry.

"Find the other children. Group together, and nobody go outside. I'll try to resolve this mess." Gali whimpered.

"Wh-what if you get taken too? What if you o into the shadows too? I'm sc-scared, Toa Nokama… I don't want you to go…" The Toa of Water crouched, gently pulling both children into a hug.

"I don't want to go either, but it is my Duty to do this. I'll be alright, Gali. Have faith." The little girl nodded weakly as Nokama let go and stood up. "Now, run along and find the other children. Make sure all five of you are safe. Group in Vakama's room if it makes you feel safer."

"Y-yes, Toa Nokama."

As the two children scampered off, the Toa Metru let out a shuddering sigh. Could three of her brothers really have been taken that easily? Why would the Makuta attack them at the Great Temple? They'd never been that bold, or desperate, to do so before, so why change tactics now?

The fresh air outside wasn't half as appealing to Nokama now as she started to search the courtyard. It didn't take long for her to locate the area either. Choking back tears as best she could, Nokama began to search the vicinity, trying to decipher a motive. What she found instead, was one word, written hastily in blood, near Whenua's drills.

'Archives'

This didn't make much sense to the Toa of Water. What was that word supposed to mean? If she was being dragged away, she'd leave a location she would be, or her guess at least. But this? This just didn't click…until she remembered Whenua's former occupation. He'd mentioned before that he knew the Archives like the backs of his own hands. Suddenly that word was making much more sense. It was a warning, and perhaps, the one thing the remaining Toa would need to turn the tables. Now all they needed was luck, time, and more information. A sudden movement to Nokama's left caught the Toa's notice, and she turned, drawing her axes. There before here, stood one lone figure. His face concealed by a black mask, and his clothing consisting of a black muscle shirt, black and red pants, and black boots, he bore no weapon in his hand. Instead, he stood there, watching Nokama with emotionless, ruby red eyes. The Toa frowned, looking him over with obvious caution and uncertainty.

"Who are you? What do you want?" He laughed quietly as he looked her over.

"Lower your weapons, Nokama, Toa of Water. I have not come on violent terms. I came merely to…observe your progress. Your confusion is amusing to me, your anguish an utter drawing point of interest."

"You failed to answer my questions, Stranger. What do you want?" Her statement went ignored.

"Tell me, Nokama. What did it take for you to become what you are now?" The Toa blinked. Was this it? Some complete stranger quizzing her on her history

"Well, Matau and the others helped me…" He groaned, shaking his head as he responded.

"I didn't say 'who', foolish girl. I said 'what'. There is a vast difference." The Toa frowned further, not understanding what this strange man was saying.

"Explain what you're talking about, because your riddles aren't making much sense to me." The man groaned quietly again, shaking his head as though he were ashamed of her. Moving closer, until he was virtually standing over her, he ran his fingers absently over her bare left shoulder, and down her arm. Nokama's skin tingled at his touch, and shivered as she looked up into his ruby red eyes.

"Why should I have to explain it without something from you in return? Especially when you're supposed to be a teacher? Give me one good reason, and I might give you a more direct wording." She didn't respond as she stared up at him. She couldn't even figure out who, or what, this man was. That fact made her nervous. He laughed quietly as he leaned closer, so close that, had he not had a mask on, she would've been able to feel his breath on her neck.

"Since you're so pretty, I'll make an exception this time. It requires Toa Stones to make a Toa. The Makuta are trying to find these stones, to further put an end to the prophecy of the six Successors. Your little friend, Whenua, left you a clue to where those stones are. You might want to get there and find them before the Master of Shadows does." Nokama swallowed, her face rather pale still.

"Who is the Master of Shadows?" The man laughed quietly, seeming amused.

"Ask that nervous wreck of a Ko-Matoran you are protecting. He knows. He's met him…he's met me as well. If you were a truly smart Toa, you would've figured me out by now. But no matter." He withdrew now, lightly running his fingers along Nokama's cheek before stepping back into the shadows, and fading from sight.