CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE: DEFEATING SHADOWS
Kopaka took a step backward, glaring at the dark Tahu that stared back at him. The eyes of his foe glittered with malice.
"Surprised?" it asked, drawing its Dark Fire Swords, "You honestly thought the Blade of Blinding Truth would be unguarded?"
Kopaka bought up the blade; no trace of emotion visible on his face. "I didn't think it was unguarded," he said, "I just didn't expect it to be guarded by something like you."
The dark Toa lunged forward, and Kopaka parried its assault. The momentum of Dark Tahu sent both Toa sliding away from each other. Kopaka felt Vilak stir in the back of his mind, excited by the prospect of battle.
Kopaka quelled his demon, directing his attention toward Dark Tahu, who had already begun rushing toward him again.
"Fool," murmured the white Toa, sidestepping the reckless charge and kicking his adversary sideways. Dark Tahu slid along the ground, crushing through one of the glass pillars that supported the room. The entire chamber gave a low moan, and rocks fell from the ceiling.
"Gali, leave the chamber – NOW," said Kopaka, looking at her, "Please."
Gali took a step toward him, "I won't leave-" she was cut off by Dark Tahu kicking her aside and slashing at Kopaka. The Blade of Blinding truth came up to block the onslaught, and Kopaka heaved on the sword to hurl his opponent away.
"Gali," he pleaded, "Now!"
She turned and ran up the stairs that led to the outside. Kopaka turned back to the Shadow Toa that he had hurled away, grinning slightly.
"You have no idea what you're up against," it spat, "You can't defeat a shadow!"
Kopaka jumped out of the way to avoid a downward slash, rolling to the side, "I can and I will – I've done it before."
His left hand formed a fist, crushing into Dark Tahu's stomach and knocking him through another glass pillar. This time, it was nothing short of an earthquake that shook the chamber, and Kopaka had to fight to maintain his footing.
Inside, he could feel Vilak stirring restlessly, fighting to get out. Kopaka forced him back again, bringing his sword up to point at the dark Toa.
"Come on then," he taunted, "Let's see what a shadow can do!"
He lunged forward, slashing quickly at his opponent. Blade met blade again and again, the sound ringing though the chamber as they fought. Kopaka lost control of Vilak for a second, and the wings exploded from his back again. It created a momentary diversion, however, which allowed him to stab Dark Tahu though the chest and pin him to the wall.
This, however, didn't kill him. The shadow merely broke apart and reformed away from the blade. Kopaka scowled, his mind scanning for possibilities. He slashed another pillar, kicking the rubble toward his enemy.
Three pillars remained, and Kopaka had slashed two of them when Dark Tahu's fist crashed into his face from the side. Kopaka was hurled across the floor, a section of his fake mask snapping off against the stones, and into a corner. He jumped to his feet in time to dodge a swipe that would have killed him, and swung his blade at Dark Tahu's legs. When the Shadow Toa dodged, Kopaka ran around him and plunged his sword into the sixth and final pillar.
Dark Tahu's eyes widened as he saw the roof beginning to come down on them. "You fool!" he shrieked, "You've destroyed the Chamber of Chaos!"
Kopaka was halfway to the door, but paused to turn and face his opponent, "And you."
He fled from the chamber, allowing the roof to crush his enemy into nothingness. He ran up the stairway, feeling it collapsing behind him, and out into the bright sunlight.
The first thing he saw was Gali.
The second thing he saw was Malak.