CHAPTER SEVEN: UNEXPECTED VISIT

Kopaka lay dismally on his ice-cot as the worst blizzard Ko-Koro had seen in ten years raged outside. He was more than a little glad that the Matoran had safely been ensconced within one of the ice towers. At least, he mused, they can keep watch through the blizzard. That is probably the reason they mostly wear Akaku masks up here.

A knock on the door startled the impassive Toa from his thoughts. "Come in…" he said, wondering briefly who could be out in this.

Akopi, one of the few Matoran to have been blessed with a Hau Mask of Shielding, entered the hut. Of all three of the Hau-wearers, Akopi was probably the bravest.

"I thought I told all of you to stay in the tower," said Kopaka, his usual monotone in place, "What are you doing here?"

Akopi bowed so low, his mask began to slip. He adjusted it and righted himself, putting his hands behind his back. "Sir, we have confirmed a life-form on the east face of Mount Ihu."

Kopaka lay back, "Whee…" he said, sounding much less than excited, "If it's a Rahi, it will die before it reaches us."

Akopi nodded, "We know that already, but it isn't a Rahi. It's a Toa."

Kopaka started, sitting bolt upright and staring at Akopi with shock, "Who is it?"

"We can't be sure, sir, the blizzard is too strong. It blots out almost everything. All we know is that it has the same vitals as you, sir."

Kopaka shook his head, standing up from the cot. He limped over to a corner, picking up his spear and shield. "I'll go retrieve whoever it is, alright? Just go back to the tower before you get killed."

Akopi nodded and fled from Kopaka's house, the mask activating as he left. Kopaka followed shortly after, squinting through the driving snow. Even for the Toa of Ice, this was a severe storm. The icy particles thrashed against his body, feeling like millions of tiny needles. He activated his Akaku, scanning through the white cloud that had descended upon his home.

He picked up a faint energy signature a little ways off, so he attached his skis to his feet and launched himself in that direction. Skiing is much harder, he discovered, with a broken leg, so he wound up walking the remainder of the way.

By the time he reached the Toa, the energy signature had almost completely died. This Toa, whoever they were, was near death. Kopaka scooped the body up into his arms and let out a low curse.

It was Gali.

"What the hell was she thinking?" he cursed, switching to his Hau and protecting both of them from the driving blizzard. He began to limp back toward Ko-Koro, praying Gali would survive.

Akopi, despite orders, greeted him at the front gate. Kopaka gave him an icy stare, but I was lost in the blizzard. Akopi was far more interested in who his icy friend had brought back.

"Toa Gali!?" he exclaimed, seeing the only female among the Toa brought back in a catatonic state, "What was she doing up here?"

Kopaka shook his head, "I do not know. Let's get her into my hut."

Akopi held the door for him as he walked inside, laying his fellow Toa down on the icy slab he used as a bed.

"Crap…" he snarled, "That won't work. That'll make her worse…" he was about to call out to Akopi, when the Matoran brought in a cot made from several furs and a blanket, "This should help," he quipped happily. Kopaka opened his mouth to speak, and Akopi waited patiently for the reprimand.

"Tomorrow," he said, "After I chew you out for disobeying my orders…" Akopi looked at him with resignation, "Remind me to thank you for it."

Akopi smiled and danced back off to the tower he had vacated. Kopaka looked down at the sleeping form of Gali, wondering what, exactly; he was supposed to do to care for her…