Chapter 6
Red images floated through Beisbeis' mind. Places he had been; Matoran he had seen; Bohrok he had fought. He had barely enough time to comprehend what he was seeing when it was replaced with another picture – and another picture. Quicker, quicker they changed. Soon there was not enough time to see individual figures; a whirlwind of memories flooded Beisbeis' mind, until nothing could be truly noticed – or felt.
Suddenly, the flow of images stopped and vanished from consciousness. All that remained was a place Beisbeis had never seen before – but at the same time, it was still familiar.
It was an enormous wall, covering the entire length of a cavern. Just being in the very presence of the object made Beisbeis' will want to be there, to feel the coarseness, the evil radiating from the protodermis. There were four words that confirmed his wish.
'Come. You are needed.'
Beisbeis tried stepping closer – but he was already zooming away from the wall, the cave, the mountain, and –
The captain woke, gasping for air, sweating profusely. It took a couple of seconds to realize he was not at this wall place, wherever that was. He was still in the valley by the Suva. The blood-red sun cast an eerie glow along the top of the valley as he rose and shivered in the morning cool.
What was that dream about? It did not seem normal – as normal as dreams were, at least. He recalled with fear that he could only see in red – and that happened when he was under the influence of the Bahrag. The fact that he wanted to be near that wall did not ease his anxiety.
Beisbeis sat quietly, contemplating what this meant as light began to reveal the valley. Finally, he sighed, shook his head and stepped over Také as he made his way to the Suva.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The light descended rapidly as Beisbeis found himself in the void once again. This time, however, the Spirit of BZ-Koro was nowhere to be seen.
"Hapori Tohu?" He called. The noise was deadened despite the absence of anything solid.
"Yes, Beisbeis?"
The captain spun to the side to find Hapori Tohu, standing as calm as ever. Beisbeis hesitated before speaking. "How did you hear me?"
The Spirit gave a half-smile as he sat down. "It just takes some practice. I have had enough of that."
The Matoran waited a few seconds, careful to recall all that he had remembered seeing.
"Sir… I had a dream. In it, I… felt like I did when the Bahrag controlled me." He watched Hapori Tohu, whose eyes suddenly but subtly narrowed in puzzlement. The Spirit nodded encouragingly. "…Was there anything else?"
Beisbeis nodded quickly, wanting to say the information so he would know what it meant.
"There was a wall – and a voice told me to go to it."
That was enough for Hapori Tohu to stand up, his eyes dawning with comprehension.
"Beisbeis, stay away from that wall. Stay far away."
Beisbeis rose from his seat, confused. "What's so special about it? Why should I stay away –"
"Do you remember at the quarry?" Hapori Tohu asked, "When the Bohrok surrounded you?"
Beisbeis nodded slowly. The image of black almost engulfing him had not left his mind.
"Why do you think they didn't kill you then?"
The Matoran opened his mouth before his eyes met Hapori Tohu's.
"You're more useful to them alive than dead."
There was a horrific silence. Beisbeis didn't say anything. He couldn't. Hapori Tohu stared grimly. "I don't know what the Bahrag have in mind, but they won't let you get away. Don't give into them for your sake as much as others. They're not worth what you might lose."
Beisbeis glanced into Hapori Tohu's eyes and saw bleakness staring back at him. He quickly nodded, looking down at the floor. "I understand, sir."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The sun was over the side of the valley when Beisbeis exited the Suva. He took his Akaku off and rubbed his eyes, sighing as he did so. He would never become accustomed to the amount of energy that he lost every time he left the Suva. The Matoran saw Také stroll to him, a small smile on his face.
"Did you go back, sir? What did you talk about this time?"
The captain glanced back at the soldier before responding.
"Oh, I just… had a few questions for him. Is everyone doing all right this morning?"
Také's face turned grave. "…There… was one who didn't make through it last night. It had only been a matter of time."
He had lost Beisbeis' attention, though. The Matoran was looking away, beyond the valley, at the now-bright Mount Rûn.
"That must be where it is," he whispered. Také stared, confused.
"What are you talking about, sir?"
The captain narrowed his eyes. Flashes of the wall continued passing through his mind; he was being drawn to that place.
'Remember what Hapori Tohu said,' he reminded himself. 'It's dangerous.'
'But what's so dangerous about it? There's no reason why it would harm me. Besides, I only want to find out what the Bahrag want – as long as I am safe, I'll be fine.'
'But what about Také and the others?' his mind retorted.
'They'll be fine,' he consoled – although he was not sure he believed that.
Regardless, the debate in Beisbeis' mind was decided; curiosity won over caution, although he still felt guilt about his eventual abandonment of his men. He turned to the side and started: he had forgotten Také was there.
"What are you talking about, sir?" Také repeated.
Beisbeis opened his mouth, taken aback at the question.
"I was – just – " he shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly, "Just… thinking."
Také raised his eyebrows and looked down onto the ground.
"If you say so, sir."
The captain waited another few seconds before nodding to the soldier. "See you later," he murmured. He stepped gingerly until he reached his camp at the side of the valley. The grass rustled as he grabbed his pack and threw all of his belongings into it without much care. He just wanted to get out before others began asking what he was doing.
As Beisbeis shouldered his pack and grabbed his mace, however, he turned and suddenly hesitated. Next to where he was, Také's pack lay undisturbed.
'You should at least tell him. He deserves to know,' his conscience chided him.
"Oh, all right," The Matoran sighed aloud. He sat down, pulled out a small piece of paper, scribbled a note, and placed it inside the pack.
"Well, that's that," he whispered, grabbed his pack and began down the path that led to the exit of the valley.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The sun was high in the sky, casting an uncommon tint of maroon over the landscape. Beisbeis breathed heavily as he sat down on a boulder that was embedded on the road to the quarry. The air was much stuffier by mid-day, even if there was a breeze blowing through the plain.
As the Matoran sipped from his water bottle, he glanced back to the valley he had left a day ago. Guilt started to seep inside Beisbeis as he looked back. Suddenly, his decision to leave the Suva seemed very rash. He hoped that Také would understand.
As he watched the landscape, however, something attracted his gaze: a small dot, far odd in the distance, coming from the direction of the Suva.
It was a person – that Beisbeis was sure of. It was who that was not known; surely Také would not have told anyone that he, their leader, was missing. Whoever it was, though, the captain's inquisitiveness was still fiercely determined to reach its goal. he sealed his pack, placed it on his shoulders, and set off again, hoping that this mysterious person had not yet spotted him – although his hopes were soon evaporating in the humid air.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Darkness… Confusion… Panic. There was no stability, no direction… no purpose. Suddenly, he knew what was in front of him.
The wall.
It was just within reach. He stretched out his hand –Beisbeis gasped as he rose from his sleeping place. He took a few seconds to breathe before he understood where he was and placed his Akaku over his face. His heart began thumping again as he recoiled from the bundle of heat in front of him. The thing stoked the embers to the fire that was the only light in the otherwise pitch-black night.
"Who's there?" he asked, squinting his eyes. It hesitated before it gave its answer.
"It's Sori."
Beisbeis' eyes widened from the answer.
"You!" He said in surprise as Sori pulled out his lightstone.
"I saw you leave the valley," he said quietly. "It didn't look like anyone else was going, so I packed up and followed you."
"Did you tell anyone about me?" Beisbeis asked fiercely, quickly assuming the worst. Again to his surprise, Sori shook his head.
"Did you think they would have let me go if I told them?"
Beisbeis did not answer, knowing there was no need. Soon, though, he looked back at Sori, one last question on his mind.
"So why are you here?"
The Matoran waited silently as Sori looked down at his feet. The light wind brushed through the campsite, the only sound that could be heard. When Sori looked back up, Beisbeis was yet again startled to hear weeping from the soldier.
"I – I made a mistake," Sori stammered; although he could not see it, Beisbeis could sense tears running down the Matoran's face. "It… It hurt people. And I want to make up for it – or at least try to."
Beisbeis hesitated slightly. There was the possibility that Sori was feigning the entire thing… But even so, he had never known a different Sori than what he was used to, so he could not judge for himself.
Before he could decide, however, Sori suddenly stopped his tears and whispered, "Beisbeis… don't look around." The captain heard a rustling in the bushes that made him swivel around on instinct.
He stared into green eyes.
Everything about Sori was instantly forgotten. The wall continually flashed into Beisbeis' mind, steadily growing faster, until it was all that he could see. As soon as it started, however, it suddenly vanished, leaving Beisbeis in the darkness. Bohrok eyes of all colors that were everywhere suddenly melded into black, their heat disappearing. Some grunts and footsteps were heard.
It was at least a few minutes before Sori whispered, "Beisbeis? Beisbeis!" The captain turned back to face the soldier.
"We need to go," he replied quietly, "Now."
"Where are we going?" Sori asked.
"To Mount Rûn."
Beisbeis did not need to see Sori's eyes open wide; the breath was evidence enough.
"Sir," he whispered, "That's where the Bohrok – "
"I know," Beisbeis retorted, "But I need to know what is there."
There was a silence. The breeze still flowed through. Sori turned to Beisbeis.
"Is it worth it – to know?"
Beisbeis grimly shrugged his shoulders.
"I hope so."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The Matoran began their journey again as the sun rose to their left. There was no purple or orange – or even blue – in the sky. Dark red consumed the horizon, with thick clouds casting a deep shadow over the foliage that Beisbeis and Sori walked over.
"I wonder how the sun does that," Sori murmured gently, staring into the darkened sky. "I can't imagine changing one's color, let alone something as enormous as the sky."
"Perhaps that's why we're meant for smaller things," Beisbeis replied. "I would rather stick with myself rather than other people or things." He stopped and sat on the ground to rest his feet as Sori joined him and sighed.
"Do you think it's ever going to turn back to the way it was? Before this all happened?"
The captain sighed, thinking of the graves in the valley.
"There's some things that are too late to fix. I just hope we don't make the same mistakes again."
Sori turned and quietly smiled at the other Matoran. "I don't think you will. You're too good for that."
Beisbeis watched Sori for a few seconds before looking away, uncomfortable with the Matoran's reassurance. The silence was broken when he coughed and said, "Well… Let's get going."
The two Matoran stood from their resting positions and continued coming closer to Mount Rûn.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The same sun that rose over the Matoran's heads also shone brightly over the Toa, standing amidst a rocky outcropping, heat gathering in the dark features. The heroes faced a hole that could only be seen a few feet in; the rest was black.
The brown Toa known as Pohatu turned to the others as he pointed into the emptiness. "Then it's decided. We will challenge the Bohrok in their nest!"
The usually carefree Toa of Air shook his head forlornly. "No… The Bohrok are not the true enemy. It is the Krana we must defeat! They have a purpose, a mission… It's why they exist!"
The Toa of Stone shrugged as he started down the cave. "Then they can tell us all about it… on their way off the island."
Light reflected through the gold masks onto the smooth side of the tunnel wall before it gave way to the darkness. Tahu turned to Onua while glancing at the Toa of Air.
"Keep an eye on Lewa," he whispered. Onua's green eyes turned, his eyes raised.
"Do you think he is still influenced by the swarm?"
Tahu shook his head determinedly. "Onua, I am no longer certain what I think. But nothing can be allowed to interfere with our mission!"
The Toa of Earth smirked as he turned to face ahead and continue down the crevice.
"Lewa would say you sound like a Bohrok, my friend."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The light over the land faded and the sun disappeared beneath the mountain. Shadows lengthened as Beisbeis and Sori grew closer past the burnt landscape that lay as a testament to the Bohrok's carnage. As the sky began to grow dark once again, the Matoran stood at the edge of Mount Rûn. Sori hesitantly glanced at Beisbeis while watching the edifice.
"…Are you sure you want to do this? I'm not sure this is a good idea – "
"You don't have to come up if you don't want to," Beisbeis countered, staring back at the path ahead. "I just want to see something. That's all."
As the words escaped him, however, he felt it: the faint call of the Spirit. All other times he had heard it, it was firm and unwavering. Now all he could hear was a desperate pleading, almost an echo:
'Don't go…'
The words faded, and nothing remained to deter him. Beisbeis inhaled, and took a step forward.
Sori waited a few seconds, biting his lip as the captain continued forward. He gasped as he heard a stick snap behind him, and any anxiety he still had was not enough to defy his fear of being alone. He also took a deep breath before running to catch up to the other Matoran.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The earth was silent. Light quietly faded. Night was falling.
Také sat on the hillside near his pack, shaking his head disbelievingly at the note in his hand. He had read it over and over again; but no answer came to his mind.
"Oh, Beisbeis… What have you done?" he whispered, folding the message and closing his eyes wearingly. There was no way he could catch up to the captain now; he had no idea when Beisbeis had left him the note.
His moment alone was soon broken when Khora was seen running towards him, shouting something while pointing to the entrance of the valley.
"Attack! There's an attack!"
Také grabbed his bow and quickly started down the mountain, running through the other campsites as he did so.
"Come on, wake up!" he shouted, avoiding tripping over anyone in the way, "Time to fight!"
Matoran soon grouped together, grabbing their weapons as they left the Suva behind and entered the foray.
"Follow me, everyone!" Také shouted as the came to the entrance, "Charge into them! Give them a reason to stay out! Khora, do the same thing on the right! Hurry!"
"I'll be quick!" The Matoran shouted as he began his way back. Také turned to stem the flow of enemies that were scrambling to enter the valley and fired a volley into the group. There was nothing that Beisbeis could do for them now.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The last sliver of light was dashed from the sky. Beisbeis had already pulled his lightstone out of his pack to follow the dusty path. They had to be nearing an entrance soon…
"Do you see anything, Sori?" He whispered to his left while watching ahead. The Matoran shook his head with a sigh.
"No, nothing at all. I think it would help if I knew…"
Beisbeis slowed his pace to a stop as he watched the soldier peer into the distance. "What? What is it?"
Sori motioned urgently to the captain. "Point your lightstone over here. I thought – "
Beisbeis did as he was told – and was surprised to see the light reveal a building. It was more shocking to see that the roof had collapsed, the walls ruined – no life that he could see.
"An outpost," he sighed. "They had the least chance out of all of us." Sori bowed his head out of respect. A rock or two fell from the remains and made a sharp cracking noise on the floor.
"Wait a minute…" Beisbeis whispered as he shifted to his thermal screen. Bright colors surrounded them. As he switched back, eyes of green and red sprouted out of the darkness.
"Run!" Beisbeis shouted as he turned to the path. Sori followed closely on the path with Nuhvok and Lehvak squirting acid and hissing at their targets. It was as if they were back in the campground, except the eyes were after them.
The chikt-chikt-chikt-chikt spurred the Matoran onward; Beisbeis had never known fear such as this – despite how much he ran, he could find no way out of the madness. He barely comprehended the sudden lack of light that suggested they had passed into the entrance of Mount Rûn.
"Up ahead!" Sori shouted, and Beisbeis watched in elation as he saw a fork in the road. Both sides were pitch black. Just a few bio more –
Suddenly, more eyes appeared out of the expanse, directing their sight to the two Matoran.
"Right! Turn right!" Beisbeis yelled, their feet scraping the floor as they followed to the right. The Bohrok tumbled together as they followed the path of their quarry.
It never seemed to end – left, right, left, left, back and forth – until light reflected onto an enormous wall that blocked any way out. Beisbeis spun around and unsheathed his mace, pointing the lightstone at the chasing monsters. His battle cry faltered, as he found only black behind him. There was no heat coming from within the tunnel.
"…Beisbeis…"
The captain turned around and took an intake of breath.
"What, Beisbeis? What is it?"
The Matoran stood silent for a few moments. His smile slowly grew as the comprehension increased on his face.
"It's my dream," he said.
Tentatively he stepped closer to the wall. Crude runes and drawings adorned the place, most of which showed an enormous black figure flying over an even larger island with towering spires. Beisbeis raised his hand to touch the wall – but something filled his arm with enormous pain. He recoiled as Sori pulled him away.
"Don't touch it! Let's just get out of here!"
Beisbeis shook his arm for a few seconds before he pointed at the wall. "It's too late now. I'm here, and I will know the answer. Besides," he pointed his lightstone into the darkness, "I'm not going back there right now."
The captain turned back around to face the wall. He still had no idea –
The Bahrag screamed 'Yes! Yes!'. Instinctively the hand raised and touched the wall. Spindles of dark light radiated from the body to the wall, spreading – becoming alive –
Beisbeis was once again thrown to his feet, shaking his head vigorously. He cut his own movement short as a deep rumbling occurred beneath Sori and he. Bit by bit a hole grew from the wall, until there was enough room for both Matoran to travel through. Beisbeis glanced at Sori matter-of-factly before grabbing his mace and lightstone and passing through the wall. Now he would know.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
'It is done, Gahdok. The mission can proceed.'
'Confirmed, Cahdok. At last, all obstacles have been… removed.'
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Beisbeis could hear his steps echo in the room as he descended to the bottom. There were no stairs; but that did not stop him. He needed to see what he had waiting for.
As he came closer, his steps became slower and slower, until they finally stopped altogether. Sori followed closely behind.
"Wha – What is it?" he asked anxiously. Beisbeis furrowed his eyebrows confusingly.
"It's… a seed."
Beisbeis stood disappointedly. So this is why the Bahrag had attacked BZ-Koro, murdered hundreds of his people… for a seed? How would that help –
A plant grew constantly, ravaging a city, Matoran frantically running in all directions –
'Use it!'Beisbeis fell to the floor, gasping for breath. Sori ran to his side, gripping his shoulders.
"Are you alright, Beisbeis?"
There were strange being in metal machines, challenging the might of the swarm –
'You dared oppose your brothers! Therefore – '
"Beisbeis, answer me!"
Louder, faster, the images meant nothing – 'Obey the swarm!' Red turned to black as he swung -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Come on, fight!" Khora shouted into the chaos. The battle had lasted far into the nighttime; they had managed to halt the progress of the Bohrok's entrance into the valley – but that was not going to last for much longer.
Khora watched the men fight against their individual opponents. He rushed forward to help them; he swung his sword to attack a Lehvak in front of him. He was surprised to find no resistance coming from his attacker. Terrified squeals escaped the Bohrok as it limped away from the valley with its fresh wound. All around, the same scene was repeated everywhere else. Mass pandemonium ensued within the creatures; some simply ran away, while others fell to the ground, seemingly dumbfounded.
No cries escaped; the Matoran; all had learned from the battle at the quarry. Také's Miru glowed as he rose above everyone else onto the large mound in the middle of the entrance.
"What's happening?" Khora asked as Také came back to the ground with a sigh of relief.
"It's over."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Beisbeis' eyes slowly came back into focus. First he saw the face.
"Sori," he whispered with a weak smile. Then he saw the eyes. They were filled with shock – and confusion. They bore right through Beisbeis' soul, though he did not know why.
"…Sori?"
Then he saw the body.
Blood seeped from a wound and dripped onto the rocky floor. His mace was wedged into the Matoran's abdomen.
Sori staggered forward with one last release of breath. Beisbeis caught him, his own eyes filled with confusion at what they saw. Finally, tears poured down his face with recognition. The Matoran fell to the ground and cradled the head in his hands.
End of Part II