CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR: MALAK STRIKES

Kopaka had barely left Ta-Ara's wasteland province before Malak made his presence known again. It was subtle at first; a branch breaking, footsteps, quiet laughter… it was almost as if he was trying to spook the two Toa. Finally, Kopaka had reached his breaking point and grabbed Malak's invisible form out of the air.

"I'm getting tired of you, pest," he snarled, throwing Malak to the ground. "As a matter of fact, I'm beginning to wonder why I keep letting you live."

Malak spit at Kopaka, and the Ice Toa was reminded slightly of Tahu. He knelt down in front of his old friend, sighing slightly, "I'm sorry I have to do this, Malak, but I can't have you getting in my way. I need the redemption you're hindering me from obtaining."

He drew back his spear to impale Malak, but the Dark Toa had other ideas. A ray of light, red as blood, shot from his organic mask. It caught Kopaka full in the face, lifting him up and hurling him to the ground.

Gali shrieked and ran over to him, noticing helplessly how still he was lying. "If you've killed him, I'll…" she started, drawing her Aqua Axes and rounding on Malak. She found him unsettlingly close to her. He tipped her face up, and she quickly tried to pull away.

"Now there," he crooned, and Gali instantly hated the sound of his voice. He was trying to make it soft, but it sounded more threatening, "I haven't killed him… yet…"

She swung her axe at him, but it missed as he folded his body backwards to dodge the swing. "You've got spirit, I'll give you that," he commented, ducking another swing, "Why don't we go somewhere and have a little private chat, hmm?"

Disgusted by his offer, as well as the suggestive smile on his face, she swung both axes at his face, but forced them into the dirt as a white being inserted himself between Malak and herself.

"Leave… her… alone…" grated the voice that was a fusion between Kopaka and Vilak. Malak recoiled, drawing his scimitar to point it at the form of Kopaka.

The white Toa was standing calmly, head bowed, as if he were praying. Malak decided to seize the opportunity to strike, but was hurled away from Kopaka as the two shards he had obtained lifted themselves from his pouch and hovered around him.

"The Shards of Akhar!" exclaimed Malak, sounding almost awed, "Those were destroyed eons ago!"

Kopaka lifted his head, revealing his reddened eyes, "Not quite. The Amulet of Akhar was shattered eons ago – broken into five pieces by Dakgor to prevent its power from being used against him. I am guessing that is the name of your master, is it not?"

Malak stood up, pointing his sword at Kopaka. "Do not insult my Master!" he cried, swinging his lethal blade at Kopaka's head. A burst of golden light emanated from the two shards, and Malak was hurled onto his rear spraying curses.

"Malak," snarled the haunting voice of Vilak, "Your time on this world is coming to a close – I will see to it."

Kopaka's back split open again, revealing the wings that had protected Gali earlier. He turned and grabbed her around the waist, "Trust me," he whispered in the alien voice of the demon, Vilak, "I'm going to help us."

He beat his huge wings once, creating wind that stopped the oncoming onslaught of an enraged Malak. He beat them again, and again, and again. His body, and Gali's, lifted free from the ground and into the sky.

"Malak," he said, looking down on his old friend, "I will return for you. When I do, death will be a blessing."

Kopaka-Vilak flapped his wings again and soared out of sight, leaving Malak to stand in the wasteland that surrounded Ta-Ara.

"I'll be waiting," he said, watching the retreating form of Kopaka, "With baited breath."