We seem to be safe for now. Kopaka and Lewa found Gali, she's alright. The Turaga have brought as many Matoran as they could find to this chamber deep inside the Archives. While it is not much of a hiding place—can there be any hiding place?—it is defensible against Rahkshi attacks, at least. Onua is currently helping here in Onu-Metru, tasked with transforming the Archives into an impenetrable fortress.

It is almost impossible to believe…Makuta Teridax is in possession of the body of the Great Spirit, and so in control of this universe. Can any word be said he will not hear? Any plan carried out he will not know of in advance? Tahu says we will fight back…but how do you fight back against the sun and the stars and the world beneath your feet?

While I have the time to sit and write, I thought it would be wise to inscribe Teridax's actions up to now for whatever posterity there may be. After revealing his total control of the Matoran Universe, Makuta Teridax took action against the Order of Mata Nui, the Dark Hunters, and the Brotherhood of Makuta to eliminate any future rebellions. Many Order agents were killed on Daxia, the Piraka disappeared, and the Dark Hunter codenamed Dweller escaped from the Order's captivity. Most of the Dark Hunters, meanwhile, had already relocated to Xia during the Order-Brotherhood War, under employ from Helryx.

As a supreme being, Teridax has countless numbers on his side. After the Visorak Horde was eliminated by volcanic eruption when it followed the Heart of the Visorak to Artidax, Teridax took steps to create a second one. Meanwhile, our numbers—and our hope—only diminish.

Takanuva, Toa of Light

X X X

Axonn had been running for many days and nights. After being teleported from Metru Nui by the power of Makuta, he had found himself in a vast, barren landscape. At first, there was no sign of any life at all, Matoran, Rahi, or any habitation. That changed when he began to hear the screams. They were cries of agony and they were coming from Brutaka, though his old friend was nowhere to be seen.

The warrior had raced off in the direction of the screams. That had been—how long ago? A week ago? A month? He had crossed the wasteland that never seemed to end, but had been unable to find Brutaka. Strangely, he had felt neither hunger nor thirst on the journey, just an overpowering need to keep searching.

A few things had begun nagging at him, though, like the buzz of a fireflyer in his ear. The landscape never changed. He could swear he had seen the same rock formations time and time again, as if he were running in a circle. And Brutaka—not even he could endure what he seemed to be for weeks at a time. His screams should have died out long ago.

Then the crack appeared in the sky. It was only a small one, but bright light flowed through it from somewhere outside. That, too, made no sense. No sooner had Axonn said that to himself then the crack got bigger. Then more cracks started to appear, in the sky, in the ground, all around him.

This can't be happening, Axonn thought. This can't be real. This…isn't real!

The next instant, Axonn was sitting on a beach at nighttime. Water lapped against the shore in front of him, and behind, a gentle breeze stirred jungle trees in the crisp air. Flying Rahi circled in the sky overhead, now and then diving down to steal a fish from the sea. There was no sign of the endless waste he had been in before.

Of course not, he thought. I was never there. With his powers increased by being in Mata Nui's body, Makuta can pierce even an Order member's mental shields. My days and nights of running, Brutaka's screams…all an illusion.

Axonn rose. He still had his armor, his mask, and his axe. He wondered if perhaps his Mask of Truth, which could see through any deception, had been the difference between his escaping Makuta's trap and being lost in the fantasy forever.

He didn't know for certain where he was, nor did he care at the moment. All that mattered to him was where Makuta was, and he knew that answer. Somehow, some way, he was going to make it back to Metru Nui—and Makuta was going to pay for what he had done, even if it cost Axonn his life.

X X X

Far away from Axonn's island, Tahu and his ragtag team were facing the potential end of their own lives. The group was confronted by a squad of heavily armed Exo-Toa, prepared to imprison or execute them. Tahu doubted the machines much cared which option they pursued.

He calculated the odds. Lariska, Krahka, Johmak and he could take out four Exo-Toa, maybe even eight if they caught a break. That would still leave four of the machines free to cut them down. In the past, he would have just accepted the situation and vowed to go down fighting. Now he was trying to use his brain as much as his brawn, because the fight against Makuta could not afford to lose warriors to needless sacrifice.

He had settled on a plan—a mock surrender, followed by an escape attempt before they reached Metru Nui—when the ground began to shake. At first, he thought it was another attack by Makuta. Then the tremors became more violent and some of the Exo-Toa lost their footing. They didn't have to bother getting up again. A chasm opened up directly under the machines and swallowed them up. Tahu ran to the edge of it, and saw nothing but darkness. At least, at first…

"Brother! Can you give me a hand?"

Tahu smiled. Onua Nuva was clinging to the rocky wall of the crevice. The Exo-Toa had not been so lucky, having tumbled down into what looked like a bottomless pit.

The Toa of Fire helped the Toa of Earth back to solid ground. He nodded toward the chasm, saying, "You still do good work."

"I have been keeping in practice," replied Onua.

"We were just about to head south to find those Order agents you mentioned, the ones looking for weapons," said Tahu.

Onua closed his eyes and shook his head. "Don't bother. Rahkshi got them, and the supplies."

"Then we pick another direction," said Tahu, "and we keep moving."

Lariska walked over, sheathing her dagger. "So. Any bright ideas? There are more Exo-Toa where those came from."

"And more Rahkshi, too," agreed Tahu. "Not to mention other factions he has working for him. Everyone's moving fast—so we're going to have to, also."

"Onu-Matoran," said Onua, smiling.

"What are you talking about?" asked Lariska.

"Onu-Matoran live underground most of their lives," explained the Toa of Earth. "The first time they come to the surface, the bright light overwhelms them. Most are blinded for a short time, until they get used to the environment. That's how Teridax is now. He's not used to all this new power yet, or trying to see in every direction at once, every place in our universe. He needs other eyes and ears within the universe—the Rahkshi and the Exo-Toa suits."

"What do you have in mind, and does it include explosions?" asked Tahu, hoping it did.

"Oh, it does," Onua assured him. "A Toa of Earth learns to…excuse the pun…keep his ear to the ground. Makuta may be all-powerful, but he still needs to make Rahkshi the same old way—by making worm-like Kraata who then turn into his warriors by using Energized Protodermis. And I think I may know just where those Kraata are coming into being."

"We strike there," said Tahu. "Maybe we can cut off his supply of Rahkshi, temporarily. It's a start."

"How far?" asked Lariska.

"We'll get there," answered Onua. "Makuta picked the one source of Energized Protodermis the Order of Mata Nui wouldn't think to try and shut down—their own on the island of Daxia. He leveled their fortress and seized control of the island. That's where we have to go."

"Guarded?" asked the female Dark Hunter.

"Like it's the treasure of the Great Beings," said Onua. "Bring an extra dagger."

X X X

Lewa's mission was simple and straightforward. With the help of information from a surviving Order agent he was headed for the island of Artakha. Somehow, the powerful ruler of that land had to be convinced to do more than sit back and make armor and weapons. They needed him in the fight.

As he came within sight of the island, he could tell he was already too late. Shattered Rahkshi littered the coastline, but more were advancing on the fortress. Artakha's Matoran workers were fighting a desperate holding action, but it was a lost cause. The only hope was to somehow pull off a rescue of Artakha himself before Makuta's forces overcame him.

Lewa was about to launch himself into a power dive when a voice echoed in his head. Do not, it said. It is too late. But there is another who can aid you, if I have fallen. Go to him. Persuade him to join your fight.

"Who are you talking about? And where do I seek-find him?" said Lewa.

There is still time, said the voice of Artakha. I will send you to him. The rest is up to you.

The world spun, and then Lewa was no longer in the air above Artakha. Instead, he was standing in a dark cave, facing a blank wall of stone. He could feel something behind him, the way one could feel a bog leech crawling up the back of the neck. Lewa wanted to turn around and see what was there—and at the same time, he knew he really didn't want to see.

Turn. This voice was also in Lewa's mind only, but it had none of the comfort and assurance that could be found in Artakha's. If it was possible for a voice to have a scent, this one reeked of death and decay.

"Who are you? Where am I?" said Lewa, staying right where he was.

You are at the end of your journey…the end of all journeys, Toa. And my name is Tren Krom.

X X X

Mata Nui's Diary - 4

It soon became obvious that this world had its own share of problems. In addition to a lack of resources and a harsh climate, they were menaced by roving bands of Bone Hunters, savage Vorox like the one I fought, and a violent invasion by a race called the Skrall. It sounded all too familiar.

The fiercest and most feared warriors in all of Bara Magna, Skrall are bred from birth to be merciless fighters. A combination of rigorous training in all the combat arts, harsh discipline, and natural skill combines to make the Skrall seem virtually unbeatable.

Skrall society is broken into three distinct classes:

Warriors make up the vast majority of the Skrall army. Tough and resourceful, Skrall warriors value obedience, courage, and loyalty. Their social system encourages these traits, as warriors who disobey orders or run in battle are immediately executed. The Skrall way of life is built around conquest, with no room for compassion or other "soft" emotions. Skrall warriors are normally armed with swords, razor-edged shields and thornax launchers. When mounted for battle, they ride either Sand Stalkers or Rock Steeds. All Skrall Glatorian come from the warrior class.

Elite Warriors are the top fighters in the Skrall military, born stronger and faster than standard warriors. Elites are often sent on special missions, either to spy on the enemy or to cause destruction in opposing camps or villages. Their high status means they get to choose the best items from any loot that is seized to keep for themselves, as well as their choice of weapons. Stronius is one named example of a verteran Elite.

Leaders are destined from birth to be the superior class. A leader Skrall is taller and strong than either Warriors or Elite Warriors, and has the responsibility for taking charge of a legion. Strangely, as far as the Glatorian are aware, Tuma seems to be the only Leader-class Skrall, though it is possible there are more in Roxtus.

Ackar tells me the Skrall served as the army for the Element Lord of Stone during the Core War. They were the largest and most powerful race in that conflict, and by its last days, had largely scattered the opposing armies. The forces unleashed in their final battle to seize control of the the planet's core substance caused the planet to shatter.

Skrall were regarded with suspicion and even hostility by other villages after their arrival in the desert. Surprisingly, they actually helped out in a few instances, the most obvious being providing the village of Vulcanus with Bone Hunter battle plans.

Among the many strange things about the Skrall is the fact that very few of them have names. A Skrall warrior is just called "warrior," unless he does something particularly brave or heroic in battle. Then he may be rewarded by Tuma with a name of his own. Getting a name is considered a great honor by Skrall and warriors will take great risks in order to be considered worthy of one.

During the first year of their presence in Bara Magna, the Skrall sent warriors to serve as Glatorian in village matches. In that time, no Skrall ever lost a match, defeating even veteran fighters like Ackar and Tarix. It was expected that a Skrall would be named champion at the end of the Great Tournament in Atero, but that event was interrupted by the Skrall attack and the destruction of the Arena Magna.

As I listened to the Glatorian tell me of these things, I struggled with myself. I had not come to Bara Magna of my own free will—I had been exiled here. The problems of these people were not mine. My own universe was in danger, because of my failings, and it was my responsibility to save it. Could I afford to get myself embroiled in the crises of another world?

The simple answer was no. What if the struggle here on Bara Magna took years? What if I was wounded or killed, who would there be to save my own universe? These Glatorian seem smart and capable, surely they could handle things here. And what help could I be? Stripped of my great powers, was I even the equal of Ackar or Strakk or any of the others? They had years of experience here…I had been here less than a week.

And yet…I turned away once before. I paid so much attention to the worlds I was visiting and the mission I had to carry out for the Great beings that I ignored what was going on inside my own universe. Too late, I realized that there were hostile forces arrayed against me. It was because I was so oblivious that evil was able to take root in the place I was supposed to protect. Could I walk away again? Could I really turn my back on these people who had welcomed me into their midst? By doing nothing, would I not be allowing evil to triumph here as well?

This was something I would need to think long and hard about. The decision I made might change the course of two worlds. And I could not help but think: if the only way I could save my home was to leave this place to its doom, would I be able to do it?

Mata Nui