Queen's Notes: This chapter was co-written with In The Light
Fire From The Past
A soft humming purr was heard, fallowing by the both warm and cool feeling. Gali smiled as she brushed the backs of her claws down the sides of the Kanohi of both Matoran, chuckling softly in amusement. In the time between the summoning of the Toa and her coming, Macku had given Lhikan his first lesions in the more popular sports on the island. The end result was the two Matoran napping in the noon heat, the Ga-Matoran curled up against the golden mask warier. Basically they were snuggled up together.
Lhikan in turn was making a soft, rumbling snore, one arm behind his head, the other loosely around the Ga-Matoran beside him. It certainly was a peaceful and a cute little scene to look at. The fern crown lay on the ground nearby.
The water Toa chuckled lightly, a little sorry for disturbing the two, but she was called and lightly tapped Lhikan's knee with a claw tip. She leaned back a little, as she didn't know him, and remembering the time when she first came to the island of Mata Nui, many Matoran had been very leery of the Toa at first just because of their sear size.
The Matoran stirred and his eyes grew a little brighter as he woke up more. On locating the very tall form before him he snapped awake, "O-oh, Toa!"
Gali chuckled her copper and yellow gaze softened, "Hello little ones." She said, watching as Macku sat up as well, "Why have you called me?"
Lhikan gave a sheepish smile, rubbing the back of his head. "Well, I'm searching for some stones to help me return home, and Turaga Nokama said there's one out in the great reef, and that we should get your help to get it."
"Ahh," Toa Gali purred in understanding, nodding before tapping her mask, "And I have the great Kanohi of water breathing. I will help you little one."
Lhikan beamed happily, "Thank you very much, Toa Gali." Mask of underwater breathing, yes that would definitely help out a lot.
"If you leave now," The Ga-Matoran spoke up after a yawn, "You may be done before nightfall."
"Good point Macku," The water elemental nodded, glancing around and then holding her hands out to both, "I can bring you to the village on the way out to the reef."
The Ta-Matoran nodded a little as he got to his feet. "Sounds like a plan."
Macku smiled knowingly at Lhikan before jumping to grasp the Toa's larger hand with both of hers. The girl was lifted and half sung around to Gali's back before the Nuva reached for Lhikan. The Ta-Matoran smiled as he too jumped to grasp the Toa's hand, remembering about the stairs and glad that they wouldn't have to do so much walking now, since they appeared to have a free ride.
Gali smiled as she waited for the two Matoran to settle, like with the Kora Lhikan would find those same niches in the armor that gave hand and foot holds. Only with the Toa, unlike their younger 'siblings' could let two Matoran cling to their backs. Granted the males had more room but as long as the Ta-Matoran didn't mind the closeness... Macku sure didn't!
He didn't seem to mind... too much at least. Macku was proving to be a good friend after all, and the practicing they had done earlier before taking a nap still had him a little wore out.
"Hang on," Gali warned, thinking it was needless but still saying, assuming Lhikan was like one of the Matoran of Ta-Koro (who were used to Tahu). She walked back to the center part of the room and jumped up, catching the edge of the open roof and pulling herself up. The jump was downright impossible for a Matoran, and barely passable for a Kora, But Gali pulled herself up and onto the outside of the Kini Nui.
Lhikan blinked a little once they were outside of the Kini Nui, first taking notice of the really great view, before realizing what was about to happen. She's gonna jump, and take us with her... wow, I must have been right about having to get used to this kind of thing on Mata Nui. He realized with eyes wide as he started over Gali's shoulder.
It wasn't a fall like what happened with Kora Tala, as the Great Temple walls were curved after all. So after a few trotting paces, the Toa was sliding down, the claws of her right hand scrapping and sparking on the wall, the action proving it wasn't exactly stone. A hop to a tree growing against the Kini, and then back to the wall, Gali slid down a thick root before finally embarrassing the open air above the lake side of the Kini.
The entire time Lhikan held onto the holds in Gali's armor tightly, marveling at the grace and speed of the water Toa's descent toward the ground from the top of the temple. It certainly wasn't like with Kora Tala, and it was actually more... well, fun.
Or maybe it was also expected this time.
Under them as the water spirit altered her position to dive in head down, the lake surface move, so when the Toa splashed in with her passengers, they weren't knocked off. All at once, for as graceful as Gali had been on land, she became more so in the water. Turning to attach her twin battle axes on her feet, and several 'motors' came to life on arms and legs, added to the speed the Toa could already do.
Finding that he was able to 'breathe' underwater made the experience more amazing for Lhikan, the Ta-Matoran not being too used to the water, his eyes wide as he glanced around as Gali went. Her movements were smooth and controlled, confident in her speed since she knew the rout to Ga-Koro so well. Passing aquatic or not Rahi that were swimming, a small shark darting away from bigger Toa, and then they were in the dimmer tunnels, passing to the larger lake that seemed to be named after a certain Ga-Matoran.
Whether the Ta-Matoran knew which body of water they were in or not, was unknown. He seemed to be enjoying the swim all the same, knowing their upcoming 'swim' might not be as pleasant.
In a much shorter time then the trip to the Kini Nui, Toa Gali slowed as she passed the first of the floating homes of the Ga-Koro. A few Matoran of blue and green shades were seen in the water, some of the younger ones trying to swim over. But their guardian neared the surface only long enough for Macku to let go, waving at Lhikan before heading to the surface.
Lhikan lifted an arm to wave before she disappeared toward the surface. He gave a small, slightly grim smile as he held back onto Gali again, knowing there might be some trouble getting the second stone. The first one might have been beginners luck after all.
The underwater world, the place GA-Matoran and elementals could and did explore more than the other kinds of Matoran, it demanded attention. From the calm colors of fresh water, through the dark tunnel passages that were glowing with allege, and then, suddenly, they were in the vibrant colors of the salt water. Visibility was greater this day, letting Lhikan see at least ninety feet, maybe the Toa could see farther than that.
The aquatic Rahi changed as well, standing out and looking stronger.
The Ta-Matoran on the Toa of Water's back gazed with new wonder again at the new, awesome, and slightly intimidating surroundings. He reminded himself to be careful; if he were knocked off of Gali, he could very well drown. Not the way he wanted to go.
But then again most Rahi weren't getting too close to the Toa. They were probably used to her, or saw the massive elemental as a bigger predator. "We'll be at the reef soon Lhikan."
The Matoran blinked a little, having not known that one could talk while using the Great mask of underwater breathing. It made sense though, "Alright, Toa."
She tilted her head, one gold eye just being able to see the clinging Matoran before she streamlined her body more and picked up speed. Moving as much on her own as using the water itself to help push her along. All too soon it seem, as time went by faster under water, they were out in open water above the second level of the reef but not to the far edge that was deeper out.
As they kept going Lhikan seriously considered his friends' looks on Miko Nu when he told them about this little experience of his.
The Toa guided in the water for a bit more, and then suddenly dipped and darted to one side, back to the upper reef. The Toa flipped and had her axes in had, hovering in place as she scanned around, waiting, "Which way little one?"
Lhikan perked a little, though he continued to grasp Gali's back armor as he looked around. He frowned after a moment at a somewhat familiar feeling that came to him. "Over that way I think," he said, and leaned to point in a direction.
The blue Nuva glanced over, only after another scan did she move, "The upper reef or lower?" she asked staying just above the edge. When she was looking for threats it was mostly from below. The lower reef was the last one before the true edge of the island.
"... lower." he said after a moment of concentration.
Taking a deep breath Gali extended her senses to feel for any living darkness before diving down the cliff like wall to the lower reef. She kept her axes in hand the whole time as she stayed low to the bottom, hoping that Lhikan didn't stand out too much on her back but not saying that so not to stress him, "Keep talking Lhikan so I know where to go."
"Alright," the Matoran replied, tightening his grip a little nervously. That was a long way down after all, and there was nothing but water for kios around. "I can still... sense it down there."
"Then we shall find it," Gali assured, re-attaching her axes to her feet like fins once more, she flexed her hands to extend her natural claws instead.
Lhikan hummed a little, eying the deeper water they were cutting through. He doubted he had ever seen so much water at once... once they got the stone the sooner he'd feel much better.
The Toa picked up a little speed, and was on the second deeper reef. Gali glanced around with her own senses extended but for some reason she wasn't picking up this power stone. The Nuva made a mental note to speak with Turaga Nokama about why that was given a chance. Right now she coasted over the reef is self, now and then rolling to scan above and let Lhikan look at a new angle.
The Ta-Matoran leaned to take a better look at the reef, looking for the stone he could feel was down here, close by. Then he spotted it! "I can see it, Toa Gali!" The stone was wedged in a place in the reef down below.
The Toa slowed and came back, searching the coral until finding a glint of non-organic material. "Here," The Toa reached back, grabbing Lhikan by the equivalent of the scruff and over her shoulder before letting the Ta-Matoran go on the reef bed, where there was many hand and foot holds. Gali herself had extended the claws on her feet to grip the coral heads and stay still.
"Can you get it out or do I need to help?"
Lhikan glanced up at the Toa for a moment, thinking. "I think I can manage, thank you Toa," he replied, and looked back to the stone.
What light that made it down this deep was blocked by the Toa as she peered down behind Lhikan, Gali's casted shadow made the power stone stand out a little. Glowing on it's with a soft green tint.
Lhikan started forward and bent down, reaching out to touch the stone, realizing that it was obviously the element of air. Blinking at the irony, he wrapped his hands around it as much as he could and pulled hard, surprised when it actually came out faster than expected.
The water elemental chuckled watching before turning her attention away and tense, "Lhikan, do you see that overhang behind and under the coral to your left?"
Lhikan blinked and looked to his left, spotting what she spoke of. "Yes, I see it."
"Take your stone and get there. Now." Gali ordered as the water around her started to move, the new current starting to swirl around her form as she let go of the reef.
Lhikan tensed a little, knowing the Toa had spotted some sort of danger. Best not to question her instructions, even if he wasn't too good at swimming, and in the deepest water in the universe to! The ta-Matoran gripped his stone in one hand and nodded and got off of the reef making his way toward the overhang. Hey... he could still breathe! A pulse of water pushed the Ta-Matoran to get him out of the way as something large and sleek shot past where Lhikan had been. the sound of metal teeth snapping shut behind as well before the blue colored Nuva gave what could only be described as a roar, a throwback to Hordika ancestors.
The Ta-Matoran's eyes grew wide as he shot through the water from the pulse of water, clutching the stone tightly. Mata Nui, what's happening back there? he thought, kicking quickly to reach his destination quicker. Thankfully it wasn't too far away, he'd have to duck and squirm in-between the 'bar' like formations before getting all the way in and under to that safety. No sooner than Lhikan got in than that 'something' slammed into coral. With a snarl like sound The Rahi backed up a little to try another run, but was dragged back with physical and elemental power by Gali.
"Stay away from my Matoran!" She yelled, axes in hand and one blade lashing out at the shark. The shark snapped its teeth and bent around, trying to reach the Toa with its jaws. Lhikan watched from his 'safe spot' eyes wide.
This wasn't the first time Gali had fought underwater, or against this kind of shark. She kept a hold of its tail, keeping most of her body behind the creature that was nearly as long as she was tall. The Toa thrust out her double bladed axe, letting the shark bite down on it, only the Protodermis blade was harder, and would snap teeth.
The underwater Rahi's teeth cracked and snapped, much to the shark's rage. With a vengeance in its eyes, it once more tried to attack Gali. The Toa jerked back and to one side, and then lunged forward, smacking her masked head on the nose of the shark to stun in. Gali was only able to do this without loosing her mask because she was a Toa, built to take abuse that Matoran never would. But then that's why there were Toa protectors.
The shark let out a bellowing sound of anger, swinging its large head from side to side as if trying to be rid of the pain Gali had inflicted. Her claws extended the Toa grabbed the infected mask, planting her foot on the shark's nose to farther disorientated it and then Gali's muscle cables rippled under armor as she moved to rip the discolored thing off. The infected mask soon torn off of the top of the Rahi shark's head, but not after a long moment of struggling against the Toa of Water. Once it was off, the shark bolted off further away to try and figger out where the Rahi was.
A pulse of water pressure was sent after it, encouraging it to keep going. Though hidden under her mask at the moment, Gali bared her fangs at the Rahi hissing. Raw elemental energy swirled around her form as the Nuva then growled at the infected Kanohi. She sank her claws into it, an audible 'screee' sound came from it as the Toa flexed. After a moment the tainted Kanohi snapped in half and started to dissolve into rusty like flakes.
The Ta-Matoran watched it all from his hiding place as this happened before he eased himself out and swam toward Gali, glancing off in the direction of the shark.
"Are you alright?" Gali asked spotting Lhikan and her armor smoothed out, other than what was left of the infected Kanohi halves in hand she didn't look like that warrior of a few moments ago. This hinted that the Nuva were quite experienced Toa not only in fighting but knowing with to switch out of that state.
He gave a nod as he got closer. "Yes. What about you, Toa? That was some fight."
She chuckled, "I am fine little one, that was relatively easy." she glided over, sub spacing the halves in order to reach for Lhikan. "Let us return home though."
Lhikan nodded, still holding the stone in his hand. He was quickly scooped up into the Toa's arms, making the trip back that way rather than on her back. It was a reassuring attempt truthfully, in Gali's experience it help with most all Matoran.
And of course, Lhikan found another stone for fire just outside Ga-Koro's outer wall.