Mata Nui's Diary - 2

I did not have very long to grow accustomed to my new body or my new "home." My first encounter was with a curious beetle, who dared come close enough to touch my mask with its pincers. The power of the mask transformed him in an instant into a shield. No sooner had I recovered from that shock than I was attacked by an armored creature.

The beast was savage, wild, and determined to kill me. I had never fought before, or ever needed to, and I wasn't used to this new body yet. But, somehow, I drove the creature off. This first fight taught me a great deal. This was not the peaceful universe I had once watched over. It was a dangerous place full of unknown menaces, and if I wasn't very careful, I would die here.

I have since learned a great deal about this creature, called a Vorox. Once they were warriors of the Elemental Lord of Sand, fighting in the Core War. Native to the Bara Magna desert, they were known even then for their wild, unpredictable, and often primitive behavior in battle. Their natural stinger tails made them seem like some sort of strange creature of the sands. Looking back, it now seems obvious that the Vorox were always on the edge, walking a line between civilization and savagery.

It would have seemed that the Vorox would be the best equipped to thrive in Bara Magna after the Shattering. After all, they knew the secrets of survival in the desert already. But life is not predictable, and as the Agori say, "Sometimes the tallest mountain is the first to crumble." As the climate in Bara Magna grew even more harsh, and resources even more scarce, the Vorox began to regress to barbarism. While Tesara, Tajun, Iconox and Vulcanus were establishing the Glatorian system to settle disputes, the Vorox and the Zesk were living in the ruins and in underground tunnels they dug in the sand.

Foraging for food or stealing it from villages, attacking anyone who came into what they considered their territory, the Vorox rapidly gained a reputation as dangerous brutes. They were barred from entry into any village, driven off by force any time they appeared, and seen as just more dangerous desert creatures. After long enough of being treated as animals, they became animals.

Protected by the armor they once wore as warriors, and carrying the swords and launchers they used in the war, the Vorox remain a menace to any who cross the desert. Like a sandstorm, it is almost impossible to predict where they will strike, and little is left standing after they do. Unlike Bone Hunters, they have no real interest in valuable items like exsidian ore, but will attack caravans carrying food or water. Sometimes, it seems they strike just out of pure savagery, wrecking wagons and wounding or killing the drivers but leaving the cargo behind.

Vorox are particularly disliked by Bone Hunters. Both groups are nomads, and both survive by robbing from others, so they are in competition. Bone Hunters look down on Vorox as stupid beasts and will go out of their way to kill them. Vorox see Bone Hunters as invaders in their territory and ambush the bandits any chance they get. In recent months, Vorox have also had their troubles with Skrall. Convinced the Vorox could be of use as attack animals, the Skrall took to kidnapping them and penning them up.

Although to an outsider they seem like little more than beasts, Vorox are not animals. Many still retain enough intelligence to be able to speak the language of the Agori. They do not have a social system, founded on packs led by the strongest male. They also show great loyalty to their leaders and to their pack, sometimes even sacrificing themselves to save the weaker members of their group from attack. Though frightened by things like lightning or flame, they have the heightened senses of born hunters and are fierce opponents in a fight.

This savage creature I defeated made me think of how lost I was…I thought about the Great Beings, the wise men and women who had created me and my universe so many thousands of years ago. Could they ever have imagined all that had happened since? What would they think if they knew that their creation no longer towered above worlds, no longer had the power to split planets or travel between worlds at will. Now I was simply a being carrying a shield and a crude sword, with no real idea how to use either, surrounded by miles of desert and far, far from home.

Someone else might have wept or screamed in frustration or even given up right there and perished. But I didn't have the right to do any of those things, not while my people were in danger. Like it or not, I would have to explore this harsh world on my own, and hope I could somehow find a way to achieve my destiny.

Mata Nui

X X X

Mata Nui followed Ackar to his shelter in the village. Along the way, he learned more about the white-armored Glatorian named Strakk. Apparently, he was one of the most controversial Prime Glatorian on Bara Magna, and disliked by just about every other fighter. But the village of Iconox couldn't argue with his results, which included impressive wins over Vastus and Kiina in recent matches. With Second Glatorian Gelu having retired, Iconox was depending more and more on Strakk for victories.

An ambitious fighter, Strakk was determined to become the champion Glatorian on Bara Magna…and he didn't really care how he had to do it. He was a master at cheating without being caught, doing everything from throwing sand in an opponent's eyes to reflecting the sun off his ice axe to temporarily blind a foe. It was generally accepted among other Glatorian that there wasn't anything Strakk wouldn't do, and most fighters took a special pleasure in beating him in the arena when they could.

When the Skrall attacked Atero during the Great Tournament, Strakk was quick to realize there was no way to win and advised abandoning the Arena Magna. Reluctantly, the other Glatorian had to agree with him. Strakk later argued against staging any kind of an organized resistance to the Skrall, insisting that it would anger the invaders and prompt more attacks. The brief attempt to coordinate a multi-village defense against the Skrall crumbled shortly after.

And yet, if you asked him, Strakk would tell you he was the most honest Glatorian out there. He didn't claim to be fighting for the good of Iconox or peace on Bara Magna. Instead, he proudly admitted that he did it for personal profit. In fact, Strakk was known to ride right past Agori in trouble if they had no way to pay for his services. The other Glatorian that had less attachment to their village was Malum, and the two tended to agree on the importance of payments…if nothing else.

"You brought up the one called Malum before, in the arena," Mata Nui replied at the mention of the name. He and Ackar continued to move through the streets of Vulcanus. "You said he was exiled, like Strakk's banishment. What happened?"

Ackar sighed, breathing out what must have been regret. "Malum was once the Second Glatorian in the village of Vulcanus. Tall and strong, he won most of his matches, although sometimes his methods struck even Raanu and the villagers as too violent. More than once, Malum dealt potentially crippling injuries to other Glatorian in the arena. Since other villages couldn't prove Malum did it intentionally, they could call for him to be punished."

"And without discipline, without correction…the problem only grew," Mata Nui guessed correctly.

Ackar nodded as they entered his home, which was slightly larger than those of the Agori, but still made of molten rock and stone. "It was inevitable that Malum's behavior would go too far one day. During a hard-fought match with Strakk, Malum was driven into a rage by the Iconox Glatorian's dirty fighting and taunts. He downed his foe and Strakk officially conceded the match. But that wasn't enough for Malum, who continued to attack and tried to kill Strakk. It took another Jungle Glatorian to pull Malum off his opponent. Iconox filed a formal protest with Vulcanus, and Raanu had no choice but to exile Malum from the village."

"Do you know what became of him?" It sounded as though Ackar had a complicated relationship with Malum. Both had a duty to the fire village, a duty that was shared. Ackar might not have liked Malum, but seeing anyone live a life of exile, especially a former associate, would have been difficult, Mata Nui thought.

"Yes. The life of an exiled Glatorian is brutal and usually short. If they aren't killed by desert creatures or Bone Hunters, and if they don't starve or die of thirst, they usually wind up as bandits, or worse, go mad," Ackar explained. "It seemed Malum was destined for a bad end when he ran into a pack of Vorox in the desert. But if they expected an easy victim, they were mistaken. Malum was a fighter all his life, first with the army of the Element Lord of Fire, later as a Glatorian. He challenged the strongest male Vorox and defeated him. Seeing this, the other Vorox in that tribe transferred their loyalty to him. He had found a new home among the desert dwellers."

"You sound as though you have seen him recently," Mata Nui commented.

"On occasion," the Glatorian answered. "And not out of choice—we made a fragile, temporary alliance. Malum has devoted himself to guiding and protecting his new tribe. He has no interest in taking revenge on Vulcanus, nor is he very interested in helping the Agori. His major concerns are the Bone Hunters, who compete with the Vorox for resources and killed many of them, and the Skrall, who kidnap the Vorox for unknown purposes. Since the outbreak of the Skrall War, Malum has led some Vorox raids on Skrall supply caravans and clashed with Skrall patrols. But he has not allowed his Vorox to ally again with the Glatorian and Agori, since he does not believe the villages are all that much better than the Skrall when it came to their treatment of Vorox."

The Glatorian moved into another store room of the building and began packing items into a satchel, explaining that he was due to fight another match in the village of Tesara. The walls of the shelter were lined with Glatorian shields, trophies of Ackar's past victories. "You won all these?" asked Mata Nui, abruptly leaving the subject of Malum in amazement.

"Yes. And look what good they do me," Ackar answered, making no attempt to hide his bitterness. "Should have packed it in long ago."

"But you stayed...and you don't sound too happy about your next match in Tesara." Mata Nui wondered, "Why do you battle in the arena, if you have tired of it?"

Ackar paused his packing for a moment before answering. When he spoke again, he sounded less bitter than sad. "Duty. Pride. But a Glatorian past his prime is no good to anyone."

"To be defeated without a fight would be dishonor. I don't think you would allow that. You carry that truth inside you, as do l. You are a true Toa," said Mata Nui.

"Toa?" asked Ackar. "What's a Toa?"

"Where I come from…" Mata Nui began. Then he stopped, as if not sure how to explain himself. Finally, he said, "It is a name given to a select few warriors, worthy of—"

Metus burst into the shelter, practically leaping in the air with excitement. "Mata Nui! You were brilliant!" his voice rang out. His hands were held high in praise and excitement as he approached. "Raanu will pay us anything we ask. And if you don't like this village—no problem! I'll get the other leaders to bid for you!"

"That is very…kind," said Mata Nui. "But the answer is no."

Metus blinked in surprise and looked at Mata Nui as if he had just said he wanted to be a target dummy for the Skrall. He came closer, as if that would be more convincing. "What? Are you crazy? Do you realize what you're passing up? Think about what you're giving up—the life of a First Glatorian…for any village!"

"Yes, just look how great it worked out for me," Ackar muttered over his shoulder, a short distance away.

"The answer is still no," Mata Nui held firm, his expression unchanging.

"Okay, okay," Metus said. "I hear you. But when you change your mind—"

"I will not."

Metus smirked. "Playing hard to get, eh? Alright. I can respect that. But soon enough, one day you'll come around, begging me to take you back for this chance."

Mata Nui took a step toward Metus, obviously not amused by the suggestion. "What was that again?"

Metus decided it was time to back away slowly. "Okay, that's just a joke. Kidding! Kidding! Some people have no sense of humor at all…. You'd never beg." Metus turned and rushed out of the shelter, returning a second later only to clarify, "Heh, heh…I'm going now." With that, the Ice Agori left.

Ackar laughed at the sight, and after a moment, Mata Nui joined him.

"So, stranger, what are your plans?" asked Ackar, after a minute.

"l must begin searching for a way back to my homeland."

"Which is…where, exactly?"

"You will think it sounds crazy…" Mata Nui said uncomfortably, rubbing the back of his head.

"Well, no crazier than jumping into an arena armed with only a Vorox stinger tail and that thing," Ackar said, gesturing toward the Scarabax perched on Mata Nui's shoulder.

"True. My home is far from this place…on another world entirely," said Mata Nui. Ackar stopped what he was packing to look at Mata Nui. "I was once its protector, until I lost everything to a dark and powerful evil that has enslaved my people. That is why I must find a way to go back home."

"l knew it! Woo-hoo!" a female voice suddenly rang out. A blue-armored Glatorian sprang from the shadows near the door, startling them both. "Proof! Proof of what I've been saying for years!" shouted the newcomer.

Whoever this person was, Ackar seemed to know her. "Kiina—!? What are you—!?" he snapped. "This is not the time—or the place!"

Their visitor was tall and wiry, and looked as if she would be a formidable foe in a fight. Right now, though, she was either extremely happy or completely insane; Mata Nui wasn't sure which. And he wasn't in the mood to take chances. He went for his weapon, drawing it. "Just who is this?"

Ackar reached out to restrain Mata Nui. "Wait, she's—"

The female Glatorian came right up close to Mata Nui's mask. "Name's Kiina. I'm a Glatorian. One of the best—Second for the water village. And you just won me a lot of bets, mister." She turned to Ackar. "'Kiina's delusional,'" she said in an imitation voice. "'There's no such thing as other worlds.' Yeah, well, he proves there are!" She pointed at Mata Nui. "Whoo-hoooo!"

Ackar gently guided Mata Nui's arm down, so that his sword was pointed at the floor. "It's okay. Although I don't always agree with her methods—such as lurking in the shadows!—as Glatorian go, Kiina ranks."

Meanwhile, Kiina was pacing back and forth, twirling her trident and quietly singing to herself, "I was right…I was right…I was right…"

"I'd trust her with my life," Ackar finished, "and have, more than once."

Mata Nui looked from Ackar to Kiina. He still thought she was unbalanced, but if she was a friend of Ackar's…well, he had to take his allies where he could find them now. "Good to meet you, Kiina," he said.

The Scarabax on his shoulder clicked its approval. Kiina looked at the insect with undisguised revulsion. "So what they're saying is true?" she asked Ackar. "Swords and shields that just appear from nowhere, that sort of thing? The…bug?"

Ackar nodded.

Seeing no point in lying to her, Mata Nui nodded also. This only seemed to make her more excited.

She turned back to Mata Nui's Scarabax. "Let me guess. You call him 'Click'," she said, more than a little sarcasm in her voice.

The Scarabax, as if sensing her contempt, lashed out with a pincer and clicked angrily. She took a step back. "Hey, I was just kidding."

Mata Nui smiled. "Actually, I like it. 'Click' it is."

Kiina walked in a wide circle around Mata Nui, checking him out from every angle. She had always dreamed of meeting someone from another planet. Somehow, though, she had thought they would look less like the other Glatorian she knew. It was an exciting moment just the same. "Wow—a real otherworlder," she said. "Finally, someone to convince the Agori there's a better place than this miserable wasteland."

Ackar frowned. He considered Kiina a good friend, but he also knew she could be selfish. He didn't want to see Mata Nui used. "He needs our help, Kiina. I owe him," he said.

Kiina looked right at Mata Nui. "Help, huh? I might be able to do something for you. But I'm going to want something in return." She moved closer, her helmet practically touching Mata Nui's mask. "I want out of this dump. You have to take me with you."

"Kiina…" said Ackar, shaking his head.

"It's alright," said Mata Nui, raising a calming hand. He didn't have any other choice, even if he wanted one. He studied Kiina for a moment, then said, "If it is within my power, I will take you back with me, to my world. But the time to help my people is running out."

"No problem," Kiina said, smiling. "l work fast."

"What do you have in mind, Kiina?" asked Ackar. He didn't know of any way to get off Bara Magna.

"Well, I discovered an enormous cavern under my village. It's filled with weird, ancient equipment and technology, tools, and strange inscriptions. It might have something you can use. Word of warning, though…" She pointed an armored finger at Mata Nui. "Don't even think of pulling a fast one—'cause you're my ticket out of here."