Disclaimer: Griolus' snake creature's mine. The creature's name is based on the movie, and book, that it came from (couldn't think of a better one).


On a twig sticking out of the rock is perched a snake-like creature with four legs. From that height, it observes the Toa and fallen Kikanalo. On its neck, it wears a collar with a blood red gem. The stone shimmers.

Back at Manor's village, in a room in the pyramid lit by candles and torches, Griolus looks into a large circular bowl of water. The water's a red color and glowing. With this magical bowl and the red gem his pet wears, he's able to see what it sees, making it very useful as a spy. Through it, he sees the Toa and recognizes them as the Outlanders that Daskus told him about. He also holds the suspicion that they're responsible for interfering with his latest attempted sacrifice. "Well done, my pet," he says to the bowl, another feature of this particular magic being he can command his creature through it, "Return to me." When the water returns to normal, a sign that his pet was on its way, he turns his attention to some pouches on a shelf. He selects one, goes to the center of the room, takes out a handful of the powdery substance, shouts, "Reveal me to Daskus," throws the powder down to the floor, and his body's engulfed in blue flames.

Back at the palace, the General and Daskus are talking when a blue image of Griolus appears. "What brings you here?" asks Daskus.

"Forgive me, your Lordship," Griolus bows, "but I bring news of the Outlanders."

"Well?"

"Their current location is Xof Canyon, where they just had a run-in with a Relick."

"A Relick, aye? Excellent, I assume the beast has done away with them?"

"No, they managed to escape. But I do have some good news."

"And what may that be?"

"The Relick did manage to kill their beast that they called Kikanalo."

Daskus smiles.

"Without that animal to protect them, they're as good as dead now. I'm only sorry I won't be able to watch it."

"Daskus, there's something else that I feel obligated to inform you about."

"Out with it already."

"Judging by the direction they're heading and their conversations, I have reason to believe they are heading towards the crystalgate. They're trying to find a way off of the island."

Upon hearing this, Daskus frowns.

"I will not allow that to happen."

"Sire?" the General quizzes.

"With their pet gone, they're at a disadvantage, both physically and emotionally. General, inform the men we are to head out at first light. We're going after them."

"We, sire?"

"Yes, I shall accompany you. And, Griolus, you are dismissed."

Both men bow to him, and the General walks out of the room while Griolus' form disappears.

Out in the desert, a green bird with long tail feathers, a golden band around its leg, and the face of a lizard flies through the starlit sky. It too had seen the events that transpired at the canyon, unseen by neither Toa, nor Griolus' snake-creature, and was heading back to its master. At a campfire just outside a cave sits a man with a cape and boots made of animal's skin. On his shoulder is a little peculiar brown furred creature with flaps of skin that run from under its forearms down to its lower hips. It has large brown eyes, a large head with an equally large, wide, short nose, little round ears, and a medium-length tail that ends with a black tuft. He finishes eating his meal when a shriek is heard from above. Looking up, both animal and man see a bird circling and spot the golden band on its leg. The man lifts up his arm, and the bird comes in for a landing. "Welcome back, Ari," greets the man, "I trust you had a good hunt?" The bird nods its head, then goes into a series of chirps and whistles. Able to understand it, the man listens. "Hmm," he mutters, "I see."