Reaching the place where they'd gone up against the shadow twins, the Piraka glanced around perplexed.
"Which way did those cowards go?" Zaktan demanded, as Reidak scoured the ground carefully.
"It's strange, there are no tracks of any kind. It's like they just vanished." Reidak replied, as the Piraka left the area and began racing towards Mount Valmai, not spotting the speck in the air also heading in that direction.
As the dimmed sun moved through the sky, Thok and Vezok spotted some activity ahead, they glanced at Zaktan, who was watching the matoran who were several kio ahead of them, and preparing to defend themselves.
"Right we know the Zamor Spheres work," Zaktan said, after getting Avak to scan the area, drawing a snarl from Vezok, who glared at him.
"We'll soften them up, as there is only five of them, it shouldn't take long. Then when they're under control..." he laughed darkly.
Hearing the Piraka laughing, Piruk glanced worriedly at Garan as they double-checked their weapons.
"It's not heart-cheering when you hear a sound-noise like that." he murmured, Balta nodded, concentrating on the mechanism on a back-up weapon, while Velika helped.
Dalu moved to stand beside Garan and Piruk, her eyes glowing with battle-light, as they watched the Piraka slowly move towards their position.
"We'll buy the others time and honour those who have gone before us in this struggle." she commented gruffly, as Balta and Velika joined them, the others nodded and tapped fists, before moving into position.
Silently they waited, as the Piraka approached, then stopped just out of range of the Resistance's weapons.
Zaktan lent his three bladed weapon against the ground and leaned on it as he leered at the Resistance.
"Why don't you surrender and join your friends?!" he called out mockingly, the Resistance said nothing, just glared at the Piraka and the sounds of weapons being cocked was clearly heard.
The other Piraka sniggered and nudged each other, then looked around as Brutaka came into view, carrying someone, as he reached them, the matoran could see that he had Turaga Anuenue in his arms.
"The Fortress!" Dalu hissed quietly, as rage threatened to overwhelm her common sense, while they watched Brutaka drop Turaga Anuenue to the ground.
"Ah Turaga, so nice of you to join us again." Zaktan hissed, "Come here slave!" he then snarled, as she stood where she'd been dropped, though Anuenue tried to resist, she walked towards Zaktan and stopped in front of him.
As they watched Balta whispered, "I think he might try and use Turaga Anuenue to force us to surrender." glancing to where the Piraka and Brutaka had gathered by the enslaved Turaga, they saw Vezok order her to face them, then hiss something to her, before rejoining the others.
"Just stand here and let those fools see their destiny." Vezok hissed in my ear, before rejoining the others, Anuenue looked at Garan and the others, wanting to tell them not to worry about her and to fight on.
Then she caught Dalu's gaze and they stared at each other for several minutes, she then nodded somehow understanding Anuenue's unspoken message, before Zaktan came and stood behind the enslaved Turaga, the others either side of him and Brutaka watching nearby.
"So are you going to save your Turaga and surrender or..." Zaktan growled, resting his weapon on Anuenue's shoulder, after a couple minutes passed.
Garan glanced at the others who nodded, while Dalu's eyes took on a red tint, as she crouched lower, "Turaga Anuenue would not want us to surrender!" she growled at their adversaries, as the others readied themselves.
xXx
In the room the Toa watched as Kazi placed the final piece in place, there was a slight click and a musical note suddenly reverberated throughout the room.
A glow then surrounded the key, as it rose up and hung in mid air over the well, amazed everyone stood up and Takanuva was about to ask Kazi what they had to do next, when he felt strangely tired.
While the Toa and Kazi stood there entranced, the glow around the key shone with unknown colours for several minutes, before fading back to a soft white glow.
Then Gali, Kopaka, Tahu, Onua and Takanuva stepped closer to the key, while Kazi took out one of his Echo Forks, which he held close beside the key.
The Echo Fork gently hummed as it activated, while the Toa formed spheres of their elements, which then drifted towards the Echo Fork.
xXx
When Brutaka drove the other matoran from the Fortress into the Factory, he ordered them to join their friends, then turned to where Turaga Anuenue stood.
He grinned malevolently seeing that her mask and robe were damp with tears, then while the matoran continued the back-breaking work they were forced to do, Brutaka lifted Anuenue up and held her tightly, before heading back to the Piraka.
"I'd like to know how you escaped, slave. Zaktan was livid when he saw the freak." Brutaka growled, as he raced towards Mount Valmai, "You are allowed to speak, so tell me!"
Anuenue looked at up at his cold gaze and tried to stay silent, but was unable, "I do not know, I lapsed into unconsciousness at the Stronghold and awoke in the Fortress."
Brutaka snarled, "When you are allowed to speak, you will call me and the Piraka, Master, understand?"
"Yes Master." the response escaped Anuenue, despite her attempts not to speak, as he continued towards where the Piraka were, Brutaka took a perverse delight in telling the Turaga in great detail about how the work around Mount Valmai would effect the matoran
When he spotted the Piraka, Brutaka laughed, chillingly, "When those five fools are enslaved then nothing can stop the Piraka from finally claiming the Mask of Life. Then I'll watch them destroy each other."
A few minutes later he reached them, having ordered Anuenue to stay silent, he glared at her until she nodded. As he dropped her down, Anuenue caught a glimpse of Dalu, shaking with rage, before having to walk over to Zaktan, he smiled darkly at the Turaga then moved to one side to speak with Brutaka.
"Face the volcano." Vezok ordered, then chuckled as Anuenue helplessly turned to face the volcano and the Resistance.
Velika glanced at Garan, while Dalu's gaze never wavered from their enemies, her Twin Chargers humming as they powered up.
"I've never seen her so angry." Garan murmured, while Piruk and Balta shifted position slightly, then ducked as Hakann launched the first salvo at their defences.
"Wait here slave, you won't be alone for long." Vezok growled, as Thok and Reidak also started attacking the Resistance's defences, the rest of the Piraka were quick to join in, leaving Turaga Anuenue to watch helplessly, while Brutaka lent on his blades and watched with cold amusement.
"Sisters, alert the others!" Anuenue silently yelled, when Amaya replied, she swiftly explained, as the Piraka began overwhelming Garan and the others valiant efforts.
One by one they were hit by Zamor Spheres and ordered to stand beside the enslaved Turaga, until Dalu was standing on her own, eyes flashing, she screamed her defiance as she launched herself at the Piraka, Hakann's eyes flashed as he grinned and Dalu dropped her Twin Chargers to clutch her head.
xXx
When they heard Kokua singing, Malie, his brother and friends gathered around her, Aikane, Axonn and Makeo to listen, enthralled by the sound.
While they were sitting there, Pohatu, Lewa and Amaya went and quietly talked with Jaller and the others, as they wondered how the other Toa and Kazi were doing, Amaya suddenly jerked and glanced around, shock in her eyes.
After making sure the matoran with Kokua hadn't seen her reaction, she quietly told her brothers and friends what Anuenue had told her.
"Can you reach-call Toa Gali?" Kongu murmured, while Lewa and Pohatu went to ask Axonn if he could join them.
Axonn agreed and went back with them, rejoining the matoran and Amaya, as she opened her eyes, looking faintly puzzled, "Is everything alright colour-sister?" Lewa asked as he sat back beside her and Macku.
xXx
When the elemental spheres touched the Echo Fork, they too began to hum, as the Toa sat down, then as the humming grew slowly louder, the elemental spheres slowly rose up towards the carved ceiling.
As they touched the carving, a minute pulse of sound emanated from the Echo Fork, which combined with the spheres and merged them together.
This humming sphere then vanished into the carving, causing it to begin shining brightly as everyone came out of the trance and glanced up at the ceiling, surprised
"What's the next puzzle?" Kopaka asked Kazi softly, as they all glanced at the key, which still hung in the air and the brightened ceiling.
Putting his Echo Fork away, Kazi swiftly searched through everything he'd read, containing the slightest hint about the next puzzle.
"We have to go into darkness to find the light which shields the Mask of Life."
xXx
"I couldn't reach Gali, there was a chiming sound which seemed to hang between us." Amaya murmured anxiously, while Pohatu told Axonn what Anuenue had said.
"We have to move Mata Nui's Daughter, everyone follow me." Axonn said as he stood up, then went back to where Aikane slept and gently lifted her up, before leading the others in the direction he'd appeared from.
Walking beside Kokua, Haki told her about how he'd been partially woken by song a couple nights ago.
"When you sang, I realized that it was you I'd somehow heard." he said, Kokua murmured surprised and blushed slightly, as Haki, Lehua and Malie glanced at her.
Then Malie saw where Axonn was taking them, and tugged on Kokua's hand before pointing to where Axonn now stood, waiting for them.
xXx
As Dalu stumbled, clutching her head, Vezok and Reidak fired Zamor Spheres at point blank range, hitting Dalu hard as she groaned, still reeling from Hakann's mental blast.
"That's enough." Zaktan growled, as they watched the virus take effect, Dalu slowly lowered her hands and stood there silently watching the Piraka and Brutaka.
"Stand with the rest, slave." Thok commanded, as the Piraka and Brutaka went to raid the Resistance's camp for food, the matoran and Turaga stood there , watching as they also gathered the weapons together, one went off covering Vezok and Reidak in a strange powder.
Several minutes later, both had begun scratching, Anuenue realized it must have been some kind of itching powder as they raced off to find some relief, then Avak came over to where she stood, his left hand had a bad gash in it.
"Bind this wound with part of your robe, slave." he growled. Silently swearing at him, Anuenue removed her robe and tore the rainbow coloured trim off one side, then carefully bound the wound, stemming the bleeding before she put her ruined robe back on.
After inspecting the makeshift bandage, Avak glanced at the other Piraka, "Looks like we've found a healer." he chuckled darkly, as he helped himself to some of the food they'd nicked.
Thok and Hakann then ordered the rainbow hued Turaga to bind their wounds, Anuenue was just able to see Dalu out of the corner of her eye, as she ripped the rest of her robe up for bandages.
She looked in bad shape from having a double hit, when Anuenue finished and was ordered to stand beside her, she saw that her mask was pale and she trembled, but her eyes still blazed with defiance.
When they'd finished eating, the enslaved group listened as Zaktan told the others what the plan was, Brutaka laughed coldly, as they stood up, he then walked over to them.
"This won't take long. Move slaves, you're going to join your friends." he snapped, shoving Velika, as they started walking back the way he'd brought Anuenue.
While Brutaka forced them to run, Anuenue called out to Amaya, relaying what she'd heard the Piraka and Brutaka speaking about.
"Thank you, sister. We will be ready." Amaya replied as Anuenue stumbled through the scrub, Piruk and Garan behind her.
Suddenly the Turaga of Colour tripped over an exposed root and flew headlong, unable to get her hands up in time to cushion her fall, her head struck a rock, there was pain then things went black.
xXx
"Turaga of Colour, awaken." A chiming voice gently called, rousing Anuenue, she blinked, then focused on a strangely coloured orb, which hovered above her.
Slowly she sat up and glanced around, noticing Aikane's sleeping spirit, then back at the orb, which moved closer to her.
"Will my sister be alright?" Anuenue whispered, as other orbs appeared and hovered above Aikane, it didn't answer, then a gentle chiming began to slowly emanate from all the orbs.
Turaga Anuenue listened enthralled, before she lay back in the mist and her eyes closed, the orb near her then pulsed brightly, returning Anuenue's spirit back to her body.
xXx
"Halt!" Brutaka snapped, when Turaga Anuenue went flying, then he stalked over to her still form and prodded her roughly.
"You, pick that up." He ordered Piruk, pointing at Anuenue's staff, while Piruk did, Brutaka poked Anuenue again, then when she didn't move, picked her up and slung her over his shoulder.
Ordering the matoran to start moving again, Brutaka glanced up at the sky, the suns position showed that it was just past midday, but the dim light made it seem more like evening.
Shrugging, Brutaka grinned viciously as the Factory and dig site came into view, driving the matoran through the gates, he ordered them to join the rest, then dropped Anuenue to the ground.
"You lot, take her to where you rest, and make sure she wakes up." He growled at a small group, as they moved to obey, he watched, then turned to rejoin the Piraka.
Silently the matoran lifted Anuenue's unconscious form up, Lari was amongst the group and she wondered what they had done to Turaga Anuenue this time.
Carrying her into the area that they were made to sleep in, they gently placed Anuenue down and carefully checked her, whispering almost inaudibly as they worked.
"Lari, what can you tell us about this Turaga?" Rinia asked while they made Anuenue as comfortable as was possible, everyone listened intently and murmured amongst themselves when Lari had finished.
Rinia was thinking about what she'd once read, when a sigh came from Turaga Anuenue, her eyes flickered open and she glanced up at the quietly watching matoran
"Oh Lari, I hope Malie made it to safety." she whispered, as she brushed tears from Lari's mask, ignoring the ones trickling down her own, tentatively Rinia shifted, then managed a small smile, as Turaga Anuenue looked around at her, their companions and the dingy room.
xXx
After glancing around at the room, Gali voiced everyone's thoughts. "The darkest area in here is the well."
Tahu nodded, then glanced at Takanuva, who seemed to still be lost in thought, then he walked out onto the space above the well.
The others watched surprised, as Takanuva stood in mid-air, then the air around him glowed, and he slowly descended into the well.
As Takanuva disappeared from sight, everyone glanced at each other mystified, then Kazi moved towards the well mouth, reaching up to pluck the key from where it floated.
After he'd followed Takanuva, Gali went next, wondering just what was guiding their brother, as she descended into the well, on what felt like a cushion of air, Gali heard Kopaka saying something to Onua and Tahu, as they waited to follow.
xXx
Catching up with everyone else, Kokua, Haki, Malie and Lehua glanced around at the rather bare cave, Axonn waited until Makeo had joined them, then walked further into the cave.
Ahonui was quietly chatting with Ferus about Anuenue, as everyone paused, while Axonn carefully shifted Aikane, before brushing his hand over part of the cave wall, there was a faint grinding noise, then a hidden door opened.
"Welcome to my home," Axonn smiled, as everyone murmured surprised, "The outer cave provides shelter for any rahi that need it." he explained, carefully sealing the door behind Makeo, who hissed curiously, before slithering over to Malie, Kokua and Lewa.
Axonn then carried Aikane over to the bed, while Kokua and Amaya joined him, the others glanced around, to Pohatu and Lewa their hosts home reminded them of their own, while the matoran chatted quietly amongst themselves.
Malie was watching Makeo as he tasted the air, then slithered towards a nearby tunnel, as Makeo drew closer, the tunnel entrance suddenly started glowing.
Puzzled Makeo glanced around at Axonn, he smiled, no-one else but Malie had noticed it happen, then moved back to where Matoro, Shenu and Macku sat chatting, while Malie watched Hahli, as she made notes.
Amaya and Kokua quietly talked with Axonn, before he went to see how the others were and offered them food and drink, half the matoran offered to help and followed him into an adjoining cavern.
"Can you reach Gali?" Kokua murmured, as she and Amaya watched over Aikane, glancing at their, now light violet, sister, Amaya tried again, then shook her head.
"No, the chiming noise is still there, and Anuenue told me not to tell her anything, as she doesn't want to let the Piraka know about what we're doing."
"Why would she do that?" Kokua replied, as Tane brought some fruit over, "She wouldn't be able to help herself. The virus that she is now infected with will make her do whatever the Piraka and Brutaka wish." he explained.
"There are two things it can't control, and that is what she thinks and feels." Ferus quietly added, Kokua shuddered, as she stayed beside Aikane, while Amaya went to speak with Lewa and Pohatu, who'd finished eating while looking at a carving.
A few moments later, Makeo slithered onto the bed and curled up beside Kokua, crooning softly as he rubbed his head against her wing, before tucking his head under his wing and went to sleep.
"May I join you?" Axonn quietly asked, Kokua glanced up startled, then nodded, carefully he sat on Aikane's left side, as Axonn settled, Kokua realized that everyone else had settled on benches and blankets and dozed off.
"You should also rest Kokua, I will watch over Mata Nui's Daughter." Kokua nodded, and as she fell asleep wondered why Axonn didn't say Aikane's name.
xXx
Landing at the bottom of the well, Tahu glanced around, it was pitch black, but he could see everyone's eyes shining, as they looked at each other.
"Join your hands together." Kazi murmured softly, his voice echoing slightly, "Has anyone tried their Ruru?" Onua asked, after several moments, as he managed to find and clasp Kopaka's and Gali's hands.
"Yes, but for some reason we can't switch." Takanuva replied, as he held Tahu's and Kopaka's hands, they then watched as Kazi's eyes showed that he was moving into the centre of the circle they'd formed.
There was a tiny clink as he placed the key down, then moved carefully out the circle, apologizing when he tripped over Gali's foot.
"It's alright." she murmured absently as her eyes were drawn to the key, while the glow emanating from it grew in intensity.
Kazi watched as the Toa gazed mesmerized at the key, while they stood there entranced, he glanced up at the well mouth and softly murmured awed.
The ceiling, high above them, was now ablaze with light, then Kazi heard chiming, which grew in strength as a shaft of light began to moved down the well.
Then the key rose from the floor to hover at the Toas' eye-level, as the light drew closer they raised their right hands and touched the key.
Kazi realized he was holding his breath, and slowly let it out.
When the light reached the key, the Toa lowered their hands, as the chiming grew to a crescendo, then the light covered the key and descended to the ground.
For several moments nothing seemed to happen, then Takanuva and Gali raised their hands and reached into the light, as they stood there, the light grew to a blinding intensity then vanished, plunging the area into darkness.
"What happened?" Tahu murmured sometime later his voice sounding tired, as a glow began to brighten the furthest part of the well, slowly the Toa and Kazi walked over to it.
Gali and Takanuva beside each other, carrying a casket between them, glancing down the passageway, Kazi looked puzzled. "If I remember right, we are meant to leave by this passage." he murmured, glancing back at the weary Toa, they nodded and quietly followed Kazi as he cautiously walked into the passageway.
Moving through it, Onua wondered what was lighting their way, as he couldn't see any lightstones, yet there was a soft glow illuminating the passage way.
As they followed Kazi, Gali and Takanuva were making sure they kept a firm hold of the casket and all were wondering if they'd find somewhere to rest.
Roughly half an hour later, they realized that the passage was sloping upwards and the light was still moving with them.
"Any idea how much longer?" Kopaka murmured, as they slowly made their way up the passage, Kazi glanced up and tiredly shook his head, before glancing back at Gali and Takanuva.
They smiled briefly, then looked past their brothers as they saw a shadow appear on part of the passage wall, as everyone, watched the figure drew closer, then Kazi smiled.
"Axonn, it's good to see you." he murmured, relaxing and putting his Echo Forks away, Axonn nodded.
"Come and rest." he replied, as the Toa and Kazi swayed wearily, they nodded and followed Axonn, as he led them up the last part of the passageway and into his home, then as Gali and Takanuva stumbled, he caught them and the casket, then helped them over to a bench, before placing the casket beside them.