And now, the final installment. The last chapter, the moment you've all been waiting for. The end of the story.
XXX
Lariska threw punch after punch as Vakama struggled to block. She was moving too fast for him. She landed two solid punches in his chest, and, with a quick leg sweep, knocked his feet out from under him. He rolled sideways around her, donning the mask of presence as he did. He sent out a mental signal to the other Toa, and another to the Matoran. He could feel them remember Metru Nui, and could sense the other Toa as they rushed to the furnace. He just hoped that they would make it in time. Lariska raised her mechanical arm to deal the final blow, one of Lhikan's swords in her hand, when suddenly a burst of water knocked it from her hand.
Nokama struggled to catch her breath, hidden beneath one of the worktables. Krahka was good at what she did, that was obvious. Nokama looked off to the side, toward Lhikan, and suppressed a scream of horror.
Lhikan looked up in desperation at the cable he was holding. It was heavily reinforced, but was not designed for a struggling Toa. Gradually, he saw the steel strands it was composed of snapping. Each time a strand snapped, the cable jolted violently. Worse, even if it didn't snap, he was starting to lose his grip. He could feel the heat of the lava singing his feet. He was sweating, not from the heat, but out of fear. He prayed that he would receive help, but was sure it would not come.
XXX
"Come on!" Tahu shouted. "We haven't got much time left!"
The Toa burst through the door, just as the final strand of Lhikan's cable snapped. Lewa quickly summoned a wind that blew Lhikan out of the pit, safely to the floor. The others watched as Nokama fought boldly against Lariska, while Vakama recovered on the floor. Something caught Gali's eye under one of the worktables. It looked likeā¦Nokama? Since when are there two Nokamas?
Lariska threw three poison-tipped daggers at the Nokama fighting her. They flew quickly, and each struck true, stabbing violently into Nokama's heartlight.
"NO!" shouted Vakama. In a rage, he lifted Lariska with his mask's power, lifting her by the throat. Lariska grabbed at her neck, at the invisible force choking her, an expression of agony on her face. She coughed and spluttered, struggling, and the volume of the noises she was making began to die, she struggled less, and finally, her figure fell limp. The light faded from her heartlight and eyes, but Vakama did not release. The armor around her neck caved in, and Vakama mentally threw her into the lava pit. She dissolved quickly away. The Toa Metru ran to Nokama, including Nokama, who had run out from her hiding place. Everyone understood immediately. Krahka had given her life for Nokama.
Suddenly, Lhikan's hand began to glow. The other Toa Metru did the same. Takanuva watched in awe as beams of power shot from each of their hands, creating one platinum ball of energy, which descended on the now convulsing Krahka. She started transforming erratically, until the ball made contact. Suddenly, she settled on the fusion of the six Toa Metru she had once been, and her heartlight glowed brightly. Her eyes returned to full glow, and she sat up, taking the form of Onewa Hordika, a favorite form of hers. The Toa Nuva looked up at the Toa who had just healed her, but they were no longer Toa. Seven Turaga now stood where seven Toa had been.
XXX
Now read the epilogue for the full experience.
