CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN: NOT DEAD YET
Kopaka's eyes flew open that night and his brain strived to uncover the reason why. It hit him like a load of stones: there were screams echoing in the still night air, shattering its peaceful tranquility. Kopaka heaved himself from the bed, picking up a rod that lay in a corner, and moved toward the door.
His leg screamed at him the whole way, and Kopaka didn't know what else to do but keep going. He pushed open the reed door and saw several Tarakava beating on one of the huts. He didn't think twice. Kopaka began to run, ignoring the bolts of pain that fired up his leg, and vaulted into the nearest of the Rahi.
It let out a roar of surprise, trying to shake him off. Kopaka ripped the mask free from the beast, causing it to crumple to the ground, and then leaped off – aiming for the next one. He landed short, however, and the monstrous teal creature began trying to punch him senseless. He parried a few punches with the rod, and then drove it upwards beneath the Tarakava's chin, breaking the mask free with a quick snapping motion.
Two down, three to go… he thought, rounding on a Tarakava that was trying to beat the daylights out of a Matoran. He ran up its back, grasping its head firmly between his legs as he began to tear the mask free from its muzzle. He threw the infected Pakari far out to sea, hoping it would never be found.
"Kopaka!"
He turned to see Gali running toward him – a Tarakava-Nui hot on her heels. He swore under his breath – how had he missed that monstrosity? He launched off the collapsing body of the Tarakava, colliding with Gali and knocking her away from the Tarakava-Nui's lethal punch and into the water. The blow shattered the reed walkway she had been running on, but he was more concerned with Gali's safety.
"Are you alright?"
She slapped him across the face, and Kopaka momentarily felt the world spin a full three-sixty before coming to a stop.
"You are hurt," she stated, "You are NOT supposed to be fighting!"
He narrowed his eyes at her, "I'm perfectly fine. In fact, I feel like I've never been better."
It was her turn to narrow her eyes at him, "You're lying, Kopaka."
He shrugged, "Sue me."
He turned and climbed out of the water, and found himself facing the back of the Tarakava-Nui. He grinned inwardly – this was going to be too easy. He grabbed hold of its spine and began hoisting himself up, end over end, until he reached its shoulders. It was at that point that the large Rahi noticed it had unwanted company and tried to shake him loose.
Kopaka clung to it like it was the last tree in a gale, praying his grip would hold. Finally, realizing that the shaking had reached a crescendo, he began to climb despite the awkward footing. Got to get a clear shot of the face... he thought, grimly …and the only way to do that is…
Gali let out a scream as he began to balance along the arm of the Tarakava-Nui, pole poised in his hand and ready for throwing. "Kopaka!"
Kopaka ignored her – he had to stay focused on the current mission or he would likely die. The world around him faded into silence and blurred shapes as his vision locked on to his foe's weak spot. He heard a loud crash, and his eyes momentarily averted to see Gali fighting another Tarakava. He sighed – for now she was fine.
He hefted the pole and threw it, striking the Tarakava-Nui in the eye of the mask it was wearing. Much to his horror, the pole quivered in the eye socket and refused to pull the mask free. He moaned; things were never easy for him.
He jumped off the arm as it began to punch wildly, grabbing hold of the pole with both arms and giving a savage wrench. The mask came free with a pop, and the gigantic behemoth of a Rahi toppled over into the water. Kopaka wiped his forehead, still feeling naked without his mask.
"Now," he muttered, "Is one of those times I wish I still had some Ta-Koronan Ale…"
Gali walked up behind him, "Nice job, Kopaka," she said, putting a hand on his shoulder. He turned to face her, "Do I still have to go back and lie down?" he asked, realizing instantly how childish he sounded.
Gali looked over toward her hut; where he had been sleeping, and nodded. "The hut is still intact, so yes."
Kopaka limped off toward the small green dome that served as Gali's hut. Stupid Tarakava… wreck half of Ga-Koro and not the place I'm basically imprisoned in…