CHAPTER ONE: REALIZATION
Kopaka Nuva, Toa of Ice, sat in his abode on the icy slopes of Mount Ihu. He was bored out of his head, and was half-wishing something would attack so he would have a reason to get up and move. Alas, this was one of the times of year Rahi were not interested in attacking, but rather in mating and producing more of the little menaces for him to kill.
He sighed, apparently staring at the wall of his home. In fact, he was looking right through it and overseeing the reconstruction of most of Ko-Koro. Finally deciding to get up and move, he stood up, stretching as he did so. He picked up his Ice Spear and shield, setting out into the near-blizzard conditions that frequently sprayed new snow across the mountain.
Kopaka liked to lose himself in his thoughts: that was his one true solace. He had once been a Matoran on a far-off island of Ara-Nui. Even then, he had been cold and silent; speaking only when it was imperative.
He knew he'd been hated for it. That was why he'd been sent over here. He knew the Turaga didn't like him. His name was Kualus or something like that… he couldn't remember correctly. He'd overheard the Turaga choosing him for the job because he was confident he would 'be killed quickly and mercifully, and be out of Ko-Ara's history for good.'
What a load of Muaka dung. He wasn't the type to die off easily. He attached the ends of his spears to his feet. Nothing like a good slalom to clear the mind… he thought, pushing off from one of the precipices of Mount Ihu, skating downwards at an incredible velocity.
He passed a few Matoran who were lugging heavy pieces of ice toward Ko-Koro, and he nodded in their direction. That was his greeting – he never did more.
He dodged around a few trees, and was halted in his tracks by a boulder he could have sworn wasn't there a few days ago. He pried himself from the snow, cursing mentally, and aimed a misjudged kick at the boulder.
Maybe I'll just walk around the island… he thought …after all; I'm not necessarily needed at Ko-Koro right now anyway.
He stripped off his spear/skis, walking the remaining distance down the mountain. The base of the frosty peak emptied out into the humid forest of Le-Wahi, and Kopaka inwardly groaned. As soon as he set foot into that jungle, Lewa would show up and torment him.
Resolving not to let it bother him, he began to walk.
"Cold-ice wandering in hot-wood?" asked a merry voice from somewhere above him, and Kopaka looked up to spot Lewa Nuva hanging upside down from a series of vines. He said nothing, and kept walking past him.
"Come on, Toa-brother," whined Lewa, dropping down and following him, "Why so busy you can't talk-speak with brother-Toa?"
Kopaka looked at him as he caught up, keeping his silence. Lewa began to look nervous. The deafening quiet was broken only by their footsteps, and the Toa of Air did not like silence.
"Off to see sister-Gali?" he offered, looking at the white guardian.
"What reason do I have?" returned Kopaka, his blank face turning to face the humorous green Toa.
"Aah come on," teased Lewa, elbowing Kopaka slightly, "You know you friend-like her."
Kopaka refrained from a sarcastic remark, and let the silence hang in the air like a thick blanket. Lewa sighed heavily, "You thought-think too much, brother," he said, "Might break-ruin something in there," he tapped Kopaka's head to emphasize the point.
Kopaka, calm as anything, reached up and seized his friend's hand.
"Touch me again, Lewa, and you will mourn the loss of an arm."
Lewa knew better than to push Kopaka's buttons. If the stoic Toa of Ice spoke a threat, he more than likely was capable and willing to carry it out. Lewa shrugged as if it didn't bother him.
"Well, you seem to be walk-moving toward Lake Naho…" he let the sentence trail off. Kopaka turned to confront the green jester, only to find him gone.
A mocking laughter echoed through the treetops, "Tell me when I can expect to be called 'Uncle Lewa'!"
Kopaka mulled the conversation with Lewa over in his mind. Do I like her…he asked himself, thoughtfully. He kept walking, dodging trees and vines with unconscious grace, walking inexorably toward the shores of Lake Naho.
For some inexplicable reason, a small voice popped into his head. Yes.