Chapter 1: Ko-Kohilli

Ko-Kohilii looked around. She observed her surroundings. A white blanket covered the ground. She stared at her feet and lifted one of them up. An imprint was left, matching the pattern on the bottom of her foot. She looked up and admired the beauty of the mountain that stood before her. It's summit matched her...what was the correct word to use..? Home. Yes, that fit just right. Footsteps startled Ko-Kohilii. She spun around and came face to face with a tall, silvery-white figure, who was camouflaged and barely visible. Ko-Kohilii lowered her head in respect.

"Excuse me,"She said. "I have a few questions, if you don't mind." She said carefully. He sure is quiet, she thought. The person nodded his approval. Ko-Kohilii didn't know where to start, so she just started talking.

"Um...Where am I? Who am I? What is this place? Are there others like me?" Ko-Kohilii paused for breath. "And...Who are you?"

The person barely smiled. "Welcome, Ko-Kohilii to Ko-Koro, the village of ice. It lies on the island of Mata Nui. Named after the Great Spirit himself. Yes, there are others like you called matoran...well, sort of like you. And I am Toa Kopaka, the spirit of ice, and the guardian of Ko-Koro," Toa Kopaka said without breathing. "There are more like me as well…We are called Toa, the heroes of Mata Nui

Ko-Kohilii took all of this in. Her name was Ko-Kohilii. She lived in Ko-Koro, the village of ice that was on an island called Mata Nui. There were others like her called matoran...well, sort of like her and that was Toa Kopaka, the spirit of ice, and the guardian of Ko-Koro. Other heroes like him called Toa…

"Come on Ko-Kohilii, we must see to the village," Kopaka said over his shoulder as he started walking. And so, a Toa and a young matoran walked in silence through the snow ,until they reached the slopes of the now not so distant mountain.

"Ko-Kohilii, this is Mount Ihu. My home, your home. Follow me." And so she followed him up the slopes of the mountain until they reached the outskirts of Ko-Koro. But where was this Ko-Koro?

"Toa Kopaka?" Ko-Kohilii asked. Kopapka turned to face Ko-Kohilii but said nothing. "Where is the village?"

Kopaka almost smiled. Almost. This little matoran knew nothing. But of course, she had been in Ko-Wahi for no more than a half of a day.

"It is wedged between two, very large glaciers...Look." Kopaka pointed to an ice bridge that lead across a gorge. And beyond the bridge lay a tunnel. "That bridge and that tunnel will lead you straight into the heart of Ko-Koro. Come on."

Kopaka lead her across the bridge and into the tunnel that lay beyond the bridge. And so they walked some more. His walk, was her jog. Eventually they came to the edge of Ko-Koro, where a few huts lay scattered about. The village elder, Turaga Nuju and his interpreter, Matoro stood waiting. Ko-Kohilii did not know what to say. After a long silence, she said something.

"Hello..." Ko-Kohilii said shyly. Nuju clicked someting in response.

"Turaga Nuju says 'welcome to Ko-Koro'," Matoro translated.

"Um...thanks, I guess," she said looking into Matoro's deep green eyes and then giving a quick nod at Turaga Nuju. Kopaka's mouth curled up into a sly sort of smile while Nuju gave a small chuckle then clicked something to himself.

"Turaga Nuju says..." Matoro glanced at Nuju who shook his head. Matoro looked at Kopaka who had a look on his face that told Matoro he kind of understood what Nuju said.

"Matoro, introduce yourself," Kopaka said softly. Matoro walked up to Ko-Kohilii.

"Hi. I...uh...I am Matoro, obviously. I-I am Turaga Nuju's translator." Matoro stuttered.

"I'm Ko-Kohilii...Nice to meet you Matoro." Ko-Kohilii took his hand and shook it. Her heart was beating really fast. Was this speed irregular? Ko-Kohilii smiled and Matoro smiled back.

"Ko-Kohilii, we have to get moving." Kopaka said quietly.

"Nice meeting you Matoro, Turaga Nuju."

"Yeah...nice to meet you too," Matoro anwered back.

"Bye. See you around." Ko-Kohilii said over her shoulder as she walked away.

And so...Ko-Kohilii and Kopaka walked father into the village of Ko-Koro.