Queen's Notes: This chapter was co-written with In The Light, most of the chapters in this story are.
Once again, to the fans of Light out there, I do not know where she is, I love and miss her too but she has only sent me one email about 'taking a break' from the internet, fan fiction and rping. I do not know when or if she is coming back.
Baring that in mind this is still my story as much as hers and in honestly I got tired of waiting so I'm posting this story up. I hope you enjoy the story as much as we did when we wrote this. I hope as well when I start posting chapters I have written that it is just as well received.
Fire From The Past
It was a Kini and a Toa Suva in one. Down deep, not fully in the true heart of the Mangai volcano (since that would be just lava) but seemed like it, thus the name. But it was the carving on the walls, outside walls leading to as well as on the Kini itself, glimpses inside as well. There were several carvings of Toa as well, different ones, no carved names yet laid out in a story.
Metru Nui...
Sitting on Pewku's broad shell, Lhikan stared intently at the carvings, feeling his heartlight quicken. This was only making his suspicions all the stronger. The Ta-Matoran's mask creased in a frown. It was such a long-shot though...
He got off just outside of the kini and turned to give Pewku a few strokes for taking him down here safely. The Rahi gave a soft trill, licking the Matoran's hand before scuttling to one side and settling down by the side the opening of the Kini. Looking up at Lhikan from her new spot and chirping, she was going to wait for him as Takua had told her to do.
Lhikan smiled at the Rahi, thinking how lucky Takua was for having her. He then made his way forward and entered the Kini's entrance, glancing at the carvings some more. They were so oddly familiar, yet some of Toa and Matoran he didn't know, that by now he was certain there was a connection.
"So," An older voice called, but was still soft and rich. "I have a visitor." The hunched form of a Turaga was sitting in the middle of the Kini, feet pressed together and his staff across his lap. In front of him was a pot and a two cups of tea. Only one was filled, the other cup had been set to the side. Vakama tilted his head slightly, a sad smile on his face, "I know your mask very well young one."
The Ta-Matoran was silent at first, taking in the Turaga and the words. He finally sighed. "Let me just be honest, if I may Turaga. I've seen and heard enough to make me wonder..." He paused for a moment. "Am I in the future?"
Turaga Vakama didn't say anything at first, humming softly as he in turn studied the younger version of his once friend and guardian. He saw a glimpse of the Toa to be, but on a whole, it was a young and very lost Matoran before him. Inelegant and not a child and yet he was still... young.
Vakama inclined his head, "Yes."
"...Mata Nui." Strange how before it hadn't seemed so shocking. Now that this fact was confirmed it seemed a whole lot surprising than before. The Matoran blinked. "So the Makuta really do turn evil."
"Not all," Vakama said, a sadness entering his voice, "Those that weren't forced by the brotherhood, that stayed loyal were killed or imprisoned. But that day is far back from now, and far forward for you Lhikan." He said, knowing the Matoran's name without being told.
Lhikan caught this, and felt a heavy feeling in his chest. "You... know me." It was a statement. What was weird was that he was talking to someone who knew him, and he had not yet met him in his own time.
"Yes, and no," Vakama motioned the Matoran closer reaching out to the other cup, one normally used by another Turaga. "Have some tea, it calms the nerves."
The Ta-Matoran considered for a moment before coming closer and sitting, very quietly. You would be quiet if you knew you were in the future, talking to someone who seemed to know you.
"You must understand young one," The Turaga paused for a moment; this was no less strange for him. Yet Vakama had been through too much to let himself be held back in anyway. He was a leader that had to keep up for all of those still under his charge. "That although there are some things you can't help but learn in your stay here. Other things I, or my brother Turaga, will not tell you."
Lhikan looked at Vakama fixedly for a few moments. Would that apply to why the Turaga knew of him? Or to any questions Lhikan might have? For a few moments the Matoran felt a sense of frustration, but it quickly faded away as reality sunk in. Of course there would be things he shouldn't know about right now.
The Ta-Matoran nodded slowly. "I understand."
"We, the Turaga, do not know how you got here. Or why Mata Nui has done this," Vakama said, offering a cup of tea to the Matoran.
Lhikan took the offered cup gratefully. "It doesn't make sense," he agreed with a frown before sipping the tea.
"Many things do not," The Turaga said, amused, "Not at first at least. But there is a reason you are here."
Lhikan found himself smirking. "You sound like Toa Dume. I was supposed to have seen him by now..."
Okay he couldn't help it, "I knew him, but not as a Toa."
Lhikan blinked, perking up, "Really? As a Matoran?"
"I'm not that old young one!" Vakama laughed, and it felt good to laugh, to be rid of some of tension, "Though I may feel like it at times. Do you know the two ways Toa are made, Lhikan?"
Lhikan nodded. "I think so, yes. Through a Toa stone or they are made Toa from the start."
Vakama nodded as well, "And what happens after, if the Toa survives to his destiny, or creates new Toa?"
"You knew him as a Turaga," Lhikan realized, fallowing that train of thought, though he wasn't exactly happy at his own words. Toa Dume was kind of a hero for him (and many others of course) and to know that he would become a Turaga... wait, creates new Toa?
Something clicked in Lhikan's mind. The unexpected visit of Toa Dume during all that was going on with the Dark Hunters, Matoran leaving their island homes to become Toa... Dume was coming to fetch someone to become a Toa, wasn't he?
"You show your thoughts very well for having a Kanohi of shielding." The Turaga commented, sipping his tea.
"He was coming for me," Lhikan said lowly.
You are going to have a grand destiny, Lhikan. I know, Dume had said that to him once. The Matoran glanced up, remembering what the Turaga had remarked and he snorted softly.
"It comes with your age," Vakama chuckled, "You have more questions, and I'll see what I can answer."
"Mm... for starters, is it just coincidence that Jaller and I have the same mask, or not?" Lhikan started.
"No," The Turaga of fire shook his head, "It is not."
"I thought not, just how did he get that mask, then?" the Matoran asked.
"I gave it to him, to save Jaller's life." Vakama said, his gaze saddening at the memory of being led on the beach to a gasping, sick Ta-Matoran by Takua, "He was without a Kanohi almost for too long."
"Huh," Lhikan thought for a moment, "There is also something that has me disturbed; this island Mata Nui, where is it located?"
"You are aware of where the other islands are?" Vakama asked, heaving himself up, having to use his staff as his two self-appointed aids were back in the village. Tilting his head in a 'come here' way to the Matoran once he was up.
Lhikan stood up and he came closer to the elder, "Well, mostly, yes."
"Where they are in, not in relation to each other." Vakama clarified.
"Inside Mata Nui. Isn't that where our universe thrives?" Lhikan replied promptly.
"Good," Vakama pushed Lhikan ahead of him to one side of the Kini, "What you are about to learn, you may find out for yourself. But you cannot tell anyone else, not for a very long time for you."
The Matoran slightly raised a mask ridge, wondering what this might be. He nodded all the same, promising not to tell as he looked to where the Turaga was guiding him. Vakama pointed to one section of the wall. That showed Mata Nui's fall, sleep, and the island above. Lhikan stopped for a moment, staring at the carvings and he stepped closer to stare at them some more. The island Mata Nui was outside of the Matoran universe.
"Remarkable," he breathed.
"It is." Vakama agreed, watching the Ta-Matoran for his reaction. He was currently thinking through this new fact before speaking.
"Then, there is a way out of the universe," he murmured thoughtfully.
"Beyond the great barrier," The Turaga sighed as he leaned on the support of his staff, remembering the dark trips through there.
"Was it very hard?" Lhikan asked, still staring at the carvings.
Well, considering he had a Makuta rampaging after them the first time... "Yes, and no." Vakama admitted, "But that was a long time ago for us."
Lhikan was quiet for a long moment. Then he asked suddenly, "Where was I during all this, Turaga?" Surely if he were present during all that the carvings spoke of, he would have done something to help.
"That, you will have to wait for time to tell you," Vakama gave a small smile, patting Lhikan on the arm.
"I suppose," Lhikan sighed. "Could you at least tell me what happened? How did the Matoran lose their memories?"
The Turaga blinked and then chuckled, "Very good Lhikan. It was the Makuta sickness, if left to fully sink in, it alters the mind," Vakama tapped the side of the Matoran's mask, "But it didn't run its course."
At least he now knew what the whole 'Makuta sickness' was all about. The Matoran hummed as he nodded, "To think that the Makuta actually dare at doing such a thing." It was clear he was disgusted.
"Envy and greed sank into the heart of one, who corrupted others." Turaga Vakama said, but more to himself as he shook his head, "It would have been better it the others survived. Or were freed."
Lhikan glanced at Turaga Vakama, sensing that he had been through far more than one would first imagine, during that time. The elder reacted out, putting a hand on Lhikan's shoulder as he guided the Matoran to the front of the Kini, "Come, you know enough for now young one. If I remember right, Tahu said this morning that he was going hunting. We'll have a fine meal tonight."
Lhikan nodded, though he wouldn't mind knowing more, smiled slightly. "Yes he did. Takua was so happy when he returned with that swimmer."
"Lava swimmer?" Vakama chuckled, "It is the Chronicler's favorite. Makes very good jerky too."
Lhikan nodded. "Yes, that's what he called it. Turaga, I hope you don't mind my saying this, but Takua seems different than a regular Ta-Matoran."
Vakama stopped, startled for a moment, "How do you mean?" he asked, that keen gaze back again.
"I just know," Lhikan replied simply, a bit embarrassed from the Turaga's reaction.
"He believes that he is Ta-Matoran, and that must remain so do you understand? For his own safety," Vakama asked, ordered, it wouldn't hurt to tell this, for he did remember in his younger years that Lhikan the Toa was always keeping an eye on Takua once he showed up on Metru Nui.
The Matoran wondered for a moment if the Turaga knew something he didn't, but he of course nodded his head. "I understand, Turaga."
Actually he didn't, but no need to say that.
"Takua, is an Av-Matoran." Vakama said as he walked, "Do you know who they are?"
"An Av-Matoran...? Hmm," Lhikan thought for a moment. "No... I don't think so."
"Matoran of light," The Turaga explained, "Matoran that can turn... into Toa of Light."
Lhikan's eyes widened. "A Matoran of Light? Toa of Light? ...Takua?"
"Not a Toa just a Matoran, a Ta-Matoran, until Mata Nui decides its time for his destiny." Vakama said firmly.
"Then Mata Nui must know what he's doing," Lhikan commented, trying to see that bubbly, happy and trouble making Takua as anything but the Chronicler he knew. He couldn't see it, not with that blue mask and small stature and seemingly two stories at the ready almost at any given time.