It had scarce been a day since they departed from Ta-Koro, and already Jaller could tell that this whole ordeal would put a fair bit of strain on his relationship with Takua. Sure, they weren't outright arguing yet, but the fact remained that his so-called best friend set him up and lied in an attempt to wheedle his way out of the adventure he unwittingly started. Why'd he even do it anyway? Takua was always the first to throw himself into anything not normal, especially when the Toa were involved. So what made this any different?
'Maybe there's more he hasn't said yet. It wouldn't be the first time he held back information.'
This was a thought that had frequently come to the forefront of Jaller's mind after finding out about what had transpired at Ga-Koro, and the more he htought about it the more questions he had.
"Het Takua, tell me more about that spooky guy you met in Ga-Koro."
The reply was about as graceful as a drunk Le-Matoran. "Huh?"
Jaller rolled his eyes. "The person who told you where to find the shiny crown. Tell me more about him."
The Chronicler shifted uncomfortably at the notion. "I'd rather try to forget about him, actually. Why does it even matter?"
Jaller frowned. "Because you've been trying to keep secrets from me and I'm tired of it. We're supposed to be friends, Takua. Brothers, even. So why aren't you letting me in like you used to?"
"Because it doesn't matter!" Takua exclaimed, exasperated and even more uncomfortable now. "It's not like keeping one thing to myself is a big deal!"
"My father died because of 'not big deals'!"
The words were out of his mouth before the guard even knew what he was saying, though by the time it had registered he simply didn't care. He was tired of being left in the dark. "Every time he got hurt or something was on his mind, he'd say it wasn't important and brush it off! His whole life was secrets and disregarding the help other people tried to give him, and now he's dead! Because he kept so many secrets that nobody knew how to help him! Don't you get it?! His lack of Unity got him killed, and now you're doing the exact same thing that he did!"
Takua stared at him in stunned silence, barely even registering the quiet and inquisitive chirp that came from Pewku as she slowed her pace. Sure, Jaller had gotten into arguments before, but he had never yelled at him, especially not with that much fire and anger. "J-Jaller, I-"
"You what, Takua?" The guard snapped crossly. "You're sorry? Well guess what; that's not good enough. Not this time. You've kept secrets, you've deliberately dodged questions, and outright shunted your responsibility onto me! If you think something as mundane as just saying 'I'm sorry' is enough to make up for that, you're dead wrong!"
"Well what am I supposed to say, Jaller?!" Takua snapped back. "Are you expecting me to just flop over and grovel? Is that what you want?!"
"I want the truth!" Jaller yelled. "All I ever wanted was the truth! I wanted it from my father, I wanted it from Vakama, and I want it from you! Is that too much to ask for?!"
"Yes it is!"
The ensuing silence was so tense that Pewku shivered and stopped walking entirely, whilst the two matoran sat glowering at each other on her back without a sound. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Takua spoke again, managing to bring his tone back into a state of general calm. "I want to tell you Jaller, I really honestly do. But I can't."
"Why not?" Jaller seethed, though he too was fighting to regain control of his temper.
"Because the person who started this whole mess said that anyone I told would be in severe danger, and of all the people on this island that I want to protect, the most important one on that list is you. I care about everyone else, but I'm not losing my own brother to my own mistakes, not if I can help it."
Again there was silence between them, though now it was much less heated. As much as Jaller was still annoyed, he couldn't really stay cross with his best friend, especially now that he at least knew why he was keeping secrets. "Takua..." He said after a little while, sighing and shaking his head. "You have got to be the most ridiculous and lovable idiot I have ever met."
Takua blinked at him. "So... you aren't mad at me anymore?"
"Oh I'm still upset." Jaller replied with a faint huff. "And I still want to know what's going on. But at least now I know it's not entirely your fault, and that helps a lot."
The Chronicler mustered up an awkward grin. "At least there's that. I'd call that a win."
Jaller couldn't help but laugh. "Only you could call that a win, Takua."
"Yeah, but I've made it with less."
^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^
While the two matoran shifted from anger into light-heartedly punching each other, they remained unaware of the fact that someone else was listening, watching in grim silence from the shadows and considering all he had heard. Their argument had put him on edge, his glowing red eyes studying every detail of their body language and his mind picking apart every syllable they'd uttered. That exchange had been a dangerous one, especially this early into their journey. He couldn't afford a split like that, not if he ever wanted to taste freedom again. A heavy sigh escaped him as he shifted through the shadows, stepping out further down the road and in the cover of a rocky overhang. It was only when he was here and sure that he was alone, that he let his own emotion express itself, roaring in anguished rage as he smashed his armored fist into the rock wall beside him and scorching the stone as black flames engulfed his arm. Too long had he been forced to crawl in darkness, spying on the people he loved and unwillingly plotting their ruin. Would this torment ever end? Would he ever be able to reunite with the small remnant of family that he had left? Would he ever be able to tell his son how proud of him he really was?
Jaller's angered words resounded in his mind, reminding him just how hurt he'd been by all the secret keeping. Anger burned stronger in Mihkoro's heart as fire spread over his frame, shrouding him in darkness and blackening the rocks around him. "How much more must I suffer, Makuta?!" He yelled to the ceiling. "How much more will it take before you release me?!"
The Shadow Toa didn't need an answer to know what the truth was; unless his master was defeated or he himself was slain, there would be no reprieve. He would never be free of the madness that manipulated him. As it was he had only just been able to stop himself from killing Kopaka on Mt. Ihu, and he had little doubt that such luck would be permitted to happen again. As it was, he didn't even know if Kopaka was actually still alive; for all he knew, the Toa of Ice had bled out and died to his injuries. Nobody had been there to save him if he couldn't make his way back; that had been the whole reason Mihkoro had drawn him out into the wilderness as far as he did. No, Kopaka would be dead by the time anyone found him.
'One down, five to go.' A little voice said in his mind.
"No!"
Mihkoro punched the wall again, his fire burning even hotter as he fought to control the whirling emotions that swam through his mind. "No more, Makuta! I've had enough!"
'Have you?' The little voice sneered. 'You were born for this. I MADE you for this. You can't fight what's second nature to you. You couldn't even save Kopaka; if anything you prolonged his suffering.'
"You killed him, not me!" The Shadow Toa yelled, straining to withhold his own tears. "You murdered him the same way you murdered Lhikan! Through manipulation and cowardice! You could never do your own dirty work, not then and not now!"
Stabbing pain wrenched a scream from him as Mihkoro felt his own flames turn against him, engulfing him in agony as he collapsed in a writhing heap on the ground. Once again he had overstepped his boundaries, invoking the wrath and punishment he so often suffered when he defied his master. The pain was unbearable, clawing at his very core as he tried and failed to banish the fire, his own armor threatening to melt under the incredible heat it was giving off. Desperate for release, half mad from the pain and his own emotions, Mihkoro made a frantic grab for his boot knife. He could end his suffering right here and now. He could end his torment and remove one of the Makua's game pieces in one fell swoop.
Where was his knife? He always had it with him! Where coul it have gone?
Through the haze in his mind, Mihkoro searched for answers, pleading for fate to be merciful. It didn't take long for him to discern what happened; in the midst of the chaos, Mihkoro had left his knife on Mt. Ihu, more than likely in Kopaka's frame or at the very least somewhere nearby. He wouldn't be getting that back any time soon. Crying out in anguish and pain, the Shadow Toa did the one thing he knew could grant him temporary relief.
He activated his mask. Almost instantly, the pain began to slowly ebb away, offering some minor reprieve from the tormeent. Slowly his thoughts became clearer, and as he fought to recover, Mihkoro went over everything again in his mind. The Avohkii was his only hope now, and thus far things were generally working out. If he could just find the willpower he'd had so many years ago, maybe he could live to see freedom again. If not for himself, then at least for his son and the rest of the island. He just had to find his inner strength again, had to rekindle the hope that had been extinguished. He needed more time.
By now the flames that'd attacked him were gone, and all the dark whispers in his mind had diminished. Mihkoro was alone once again, and it was a silence he aimed to take advantage of. With painstaking slowness he peeled off his armor and got to his feet, coughing out smoke as he stumbled out into the daylight. Even just being exposed to the light stung by now, having been so thoroughly steeped in shadows for so long, but it was more of a bittersweet comfort in its own way. Mihkoro had taken to exposing himself to the light now and then over time, knowing that every throb and ache signified the burning off of a small peasure of darkness, and while he knew this alone could not save him it was always enough to remind him of the hope he could have now that the Avohkii was found.
Now the main trick would be ensuring its rightful owner would actually put it on. Thus far he outright seemed afraid of touching it, let alone wearing it. But at least the journey had begun, and that would ahve to be enough for now. That would need to be adequate resource to give him the strength to keep going.
"Soon, Takua..." He murmured as he started walking down the road. "Soon you will learn the truth of who you are, and what you will be." A faint smile tugged at his lips.
"You can't run from Destiny forever."
