CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE: LEGEND OF THE SHARDS
The creature that had once been Kopaka deposited Gali safely on the ground a good distance from Malak. It flapped its wings once in irritation, looking over its shoulder at where it had come from.
"I suppose Malak will follow us," it said, the voice echoing in its throat, "I did take something it wanted."
Gali walked over next to Vilak, her legs slightly unsteady from the chaotic flight. Between flying with Vilak and using her Miru, she instantly preferred the latter. Vilak, while a fast flier, had a constant up-down motion due to its wings.
"What did you take?" she asked, looking sideways at Vilak. It still looked like a winged Kopaka, but the voice and eyes betrayed it.
"You," it answered simply, beating its wings again to hover a few inches above the ground, "He wanted you."
The wings began to shrink back into Kopaka's spine, causing him to land softly on his feet. The red eyes receded through violet down to their normal ice blue. Kopaka, now returned to his original form, turned to look at Gali.
"There's no turning back now; we have to find the remaining Shards."
Gali put her hands on her hips, staring intently at him, "And it's about time you explained what those Shards are."
Kopaka sighed in defeat. "The Amulet of Akhar was a legendary talisman said to grant the power of Mata-Nui himself to whoever wore it. Dakgor, a dark lord, found it and began using it to bring suffering to Ara-Nui thousands of years ago. Fortunately, the six Toa Geni sealed him in the Cursed World; a world that lies outside the grip of time. Before he went, he broke the amulet so that none other could use his power…"
He took a deep breath, "Amaka believed that Ko-Ara Matoran kept the secret to the five shards safe, and that we were the only ones who could use them properly. She used to tell me that her father had told her a story once. He said that the six Toa Geni who had sealed Dakgor away had begun questing for the shards. That is how they died."
Gali held up a hand, "If Toa Geni died trying to find the shards, how is it that we, mere Toa Nuva, have two of them?"
Kopaka shrugged, "I don't really know that one," he said, "Perhaps it was just time for them to be found. In any case, I believe Malak's 'Master' is none other than Dakgor, attempting to return from the Cursed World."
Gali looked him over once, "And if he does?"
Kopaka shrugged again, "The usual; pain, suffering, eternal torment, end of the world, you get it, don't you?"
Gali nodded, "So we have to find these Shards of Akhar and prevent Malak from resurrecting his Master?"
Kopaka nodded in return to her question, "Unfortunately, Malak has a head start on us. It seems he's gone and sacrificed most (if not all) of the Matoran to use their HeartStones for his twisted purposes."
A tear rolled down Gali's cheek, and she quickly brushed it away, "How disgusting."
Kopaka felt a pang of something inside his hollow chest. Kopaka, she's crying! Comfort her you block of wood!
He walked forward and hesitantly put one of his hands on her shoulder. She looked up at him, "It will be okay, Gali," he said, "I won't let Dakgor go unpunished."
Gali smiled sadly at him, "That's what I'm afraid of." Oh crap…
"Kopaka, I don't want you destroying yourself. I see how you behave when Vilak takes control. You behave like a rabid Rahi, not a Toa. You'll destroy yourself at that rate, Kopaka!"
She collapsed, weeping into his arms as he caught her, "I don't want you to die!" she sobbed, leaning the side of her head against his chest. Kopaka flinched inwardly, but put his arms protectively around her.
"Well, if this isn't the sappiest thing I've ever seen!"
Kopaka released Gali, rounding on Malak, who had walked up behind him.
"Get killed, Geni!" snarled Kopaka, brandishing his spear. Malak laughed in response.
"Back to you, Nuva," he returned.
Kopaka felt Vilak fighting to escape, and was on the verge of allowing it.
"Gali…" he muttered, "…when I give the clue, run for Po-Ara."
He held up three fingers behind his shield, counting downward. As they reached one, both Toa switched to their Kakamas and sped off, leaving Malak to shout obscenities after them.