Hey everybody. Sorry I haven't updated in a long time. My only means to do so while at home went away for the weekend, then, for some reason, I couldn't even log in to my account.
Feline Freak: I assure you, theidea(s) for this story did not come from your story(although, I have to admit, there are some similarties). Please update your story soon.
"When your father and my brother, Pelmor, plotted to kill me after our father pronounced that I would be king after him, I was forced to flee for my life. Soon I realized that in doing so, I abandoned the people that I was sworn to serve and protect, so, out in this wilderness, I trained and honed my fighting skills. I became stronger so, when the time was right, I would be able to challenge you and reclaim my throne."
As Xyrinus explains his story, the Toa can't help but look on in wonder. Right in front of them is the destined king they heard about who was believed either tobe dead or lost.
"You? Reclaim your throne?" asks Daskus, then he throws back his head, laughing. "And how do you intend to do that? In case you haven't noticed, you are surrounded by nearly thirty of my men; men who are more than capable of crushing you, even if you do have the help of the Outlanders and their creature. Face it 'uncle', you were a fool to come here alone."
"Who said I came alone?" Xyrinus asks with a smile. When he sees the bewildered look on his grown nephew's face, Xyrinus snaps his fingers, and, on the remaining pillars, four more men reveal themselves, leap off, and land at Xyrinus' side.
"Bah," scoffs Daskus, "My numbers are still superior to yours."
"Try looking around you, Daskus," says Xyrinus. Daskus does so, and is taken back by what he sees. All around them are about ten rows of archers with arrows ready. Now, his army's the one that's outnumbered. "I guess I forgot to mention that I've made some friends during my stay in the desert, nephew; friends with the local tribes-people. That's how I learned about both my brother's and your ruthless ways."
While everybody's attention is focused on Xyrinus and Daskus, the General sneaks toward the crystalgate in the cover of the shadows.
"Daskus, I humbly recommend that you surrender. The tables have turned. A fight between us would be meaningless on your part, for your forces are now hopelessly outnumbered," Xyrinus suggests.
Just when it looks like Daskus is about to give the word, a voice calls out, "Not so fast." The Toa and Xyrinus turn around and gasp. The General has a struggling Vakama by the throat with a small blade under the Fire Toa's chin. Matau's about to charge when the General warns, "Take one step closer, and I slit his throat." Then, he suddenly feels the pointy end of a blade against his back.
"Not if I stick you through first," says a voice. The General drops his knife, releases Vakama, and holds his hands up. Whenua knows he's heard that voice before, then it hits him.
"Manor?" he asks.
The stranger uses the hilt of his sword to knock out the General, and reveals that it is indeed their friend from the village. "Guilty as charged," he confirms with a smile.
"Well done, Manor," comments Xyrinus, then he turns his attention back to Daskus. "What's it going to be, Daskus?"
With no way out, Daskus gives the order for his men to throw down their weapons.
"Nicely done there, Xyrinus," one of the hooded figures, who reveals himself to be a black skinned man with a ponytail on top of a shaven head.
"I had a good teacher," says Xyrinus.
"Teacher?" ask the Toa.
"Blaser here took me under his care when I escaped the palace. He's the one who taught me to hone my fighting skills and strategy planning," Xyrinus explains.
About an hour later, the Toa were able to talk with Manor and Xyrinus.
"Over the past nine months, Blaser and I have been trying to find people, namely villagers, to join our own private army to gather our strength so we could overthrow Daskus," explains Xyrinus, "Manor was one of the first men I approached."
"But, what about Griolus, Manor," asks Nuju, "Won't your family be in danger?"
"Highly unlikely," says Manor, "Shortly after you left, Xyrinus came with some men and by sundown, we put that madman in his place. We destroyed his precious temple the next day."
"Poko here is how I found out about you, Toa," says Xyrinus as he feeds the mammal on his shoulder, "He was in Manor's village when he noticed that Manor had company and left to report to me after you all left. Then, one night, Ari came back to inform me of your friend, the creature you call Kikanalo."
"Which reminds me," speaks Matau, "How is it that Kikanalo's bright-alive?"
"Yeah," says Onewa, "When we left him, he was dead."
"Actually, he was almost dead when I got to him," says Blaser as he joins the group, "When Xyrinus heard about your friend, he sent for me in hopes that I could heal the creature. I'll admit, I've never had a biomechanical patient before, so, after I did all I could do, it was ultimately up to him and luck."
"Blaser is a martial artist, as well as a very skilled healer," Xyrinus points out.
Hours later, the Toa and everyone else turn in for the night.
The next morning, the Toa and Kikanalo say goodbye to their friends as they prepare to leave. "My people and I wish you good luck on your journey and your quest to save your people," says Xyrinus as he places a hand on Vakama's shoulder.
"Thank you," says Vakama.
"What's going to happen to Daskus and his followers?" asks Nuju.
"They're going to spend a good deal of time in the palace dungeon while I replace all of the scoundrels my nephew recruited in the royal guard."
Finally, the Toa and Kikanalo are standing around the crystalgate as their friends from Emor gather around to see them off. After Whenua presses the two symbols for island and gate location, they turn to wave farewell, and, in a blast of light, they are gone.
