"I'd like to say welcome, Turaga," Rinia whispered after introducing herself, as Anuenue lightly touched the lump on her head. "But not in this place."
Anuenue nodded, carefully easing herself up as Lari helped, while Rinia and the others watched before offering her some water.
"What's happened to your robe?" Lari asked, while Rinia whispered something to the others, who nodded and went off somewhere nearby. Rinia muttered angrily, when she heard what Anuenue'd been ordered to do.
"Then we'll have to see what we can do." one of the other matoran whispered, as they returned carrying bowls of what looked like wallpaper paste, passing one to Turaga Anuenue, who thanked her and waited until the bowls had been passed around.
While she ate, the stuff tasted foul, Anuenue wondered where Garan and the others were, as she looked around at this dank room.
xXx
Axonn sat on the edge of his bed and waited for Gali and Takanuva to wake up, hearing a slight noise behind him, Axonn turned to watch as Kokua stretched and shifted closer to Aikane.
Makeo hissed quietly as her movements woke him, then slithered over to see what Axonn was doing, he crooned softly and accepted the fruit Axonn offered him.
After Makeo had swallowed the fruit, he slithered over to where Malie was sleeping, beside Matoro, Ahonui and Shenu, as Makeo gently nudged Malie, everyone began to wake up and quietly nodded when they heard that Tahu and the others had found their way to Axonn's.
Amaya went to see how Gali and Takanuva were, while Lewa and Pohatu checked on their brothers, Kokua stayed with Aikane and the matoran
"When Gali and Takanuva awake, they'll need to place the casket beside Mata Nui's Daughter." Axonn murmured softly, his voice just reaching Kokua.
"Why do you not say Aikane's name?" Kokua whispered, shifting to sit beside Axonn, he glanced at her and smiled enigmatically.
"The time is not right." He murmured, before shifting to let Malie, Hahli, Macku, Resha and Kongu join them, as the edge of the bed was getting crowded, Macku, Resha and Kongu sat on the floor, glancing worriedly at Aikane's comatose form.
They quietly chatted with Kokua, while waiting for the Toa to join them, as they sat there, Makeo nudged Kokua's wing then when she glanced at him, he slithered onto the bed and over to Aikane.
Coiling up beside her, Makeo half-spread his wings and began crooning softly, while he switched his gaze between her and Kokua.
"You want me to sing?" Kokua asked curiously, while the matoran and Axonn watched intrigued, Makeo nodded, so Kokua shifted to sit beside him and softly began to sing, Axonn smiled and went to see how Gali and Takanuva were.
Gali slowly stretched and glanced around, as Takanuva also awoke, while they were standing up Amaya came into the cavern where they'd fallen asleep.
"I thought you might need a drink." she smiled, handing them some beakers, Takanuva grinned as Gali hugged Amaya, then they looked at the casket still sitting on the bench.
It was rectangular and seemed to be one piece, no edge between top and bottom could be seen and the Bionicle symbol was etched into the top.
"What happens now?" Takanuva murmured, then they all jumped, as Axonn spoke, "You and Gali are to place it beside Mata Nui's Daughter."
"How is Aikane doing?" Gali asked Amaya, as she and Takanuva went to lift the casket up, Amaya glanced towards the main area of Axonn's home.
"She is still with us, but she's so pale." Amaya replied anxiously, while they followed Axonn.
xXx
Brutaka caught up with the Piraka, as they reached the base of Mount Valmai, glancing around he noticed that Avak was missing.
"He went to check on his captive." Reidak commented, as Brutaka sat down, nearby Thok was staring up at the sun, which was just visible in the late afternoon sky.
"It's nearly impossible to see anything." Zaktan growled as he reformed and stalked over to claim his portion of stolen food, Vezok nodded, not really paying attention, as he heard bushes snapping as someone came towards their camp.
Several moments later, Avak barged into the clearing and threw himself down, glaring daggers at the fire while swearing a blue streak, the others glanced at each other, then returned back to what they were doing before Avak arrived.
When Avak finally calmed down, Zaktan glanced over at him, "So?" he asked as he passed a beaker to Reidak.
"She's vanished, the prison was empty!" Avak snarled, so incensed that he distracted Reidak from checking the drink Zaktan had passed him and downed it in one go.
"It's impossible." Avak added, then watched as Reidak suddenly glanced at the dregs in the beaker he still held, Thok and Hakann snickered, as Reidak blinked, suddenly drowsy.
"Why you..." he slurred, attempting to chuck the beaker at Zaktan, as Reidak slumped where he sat, Zaktan smiled darkly.
"Seeing as you're the only one who can see in the dark, I thought you could do with a good nights sleep." he replied maliciously, as the beaker fell from Reidak's hand and he slept, crumpled in a heap. "Aw, poor Reidak." Vezok commented, causing the others to laugh.
xXx
Having finished eating, Anuenue placed the bowl beside her, then glanced at Lari, Rinia and the others as they shifted closer to her.
"Turaga," Rinia started speaking, then they were distracted by the door opening as the rest of the matoran slowly came into the room, they glanced over at where the others sat and made their way over.
With Lari's and Rinia's help, Anuenue stood up, as the others reached them, a soft murmuring began to spread through the matoran as word spread that there was a Turaga here, Rinia noticed Anuenue looked a bit surprised by the other matoran's reaction to the news.
"There is a prophecy that says a Turaga will bring change." she softly explained, as the others went to get their rations, Toma, Kewe and Analu came to hug Lari, then Anuenue before they went to get their rations.
"Turaga Anuenue, I think you may want-need this." Piruk murmured, as he placed his bowl down and took out her staff, gratefully she hugged him, accepted it and sat back beside Lari and Rinia.
Brushing her hand over the lightstone shards, Anuenue silently watched the others as they ate, quietly whispering amongst themselves, then stifled a sigh and rubbed her aching head.
Seeing that Turaga Anuenue looked weary, Rinia helped her to settle back on the rough pallet, as she was about to place her blanket over the Turaga, Anuenue smiled, resting her hand on Rinia's arm.
"Don't deprive yourself of warmth for me." Anuenue whispered as her eyes closed, Rinia glanced at Lari, surprised by what Turaga Anuenue had said, Lari glanced at the sleeping rainbow coloured Turaga for a few moments, then smiled.
"I don't think she'll mind if you want to share." Lari murmured as a blanket was passed to her, and she settled down beside Kewe who nodded, Rinia smiled and carefully settled beside Turaga Anuenue, before covering both with her blanket.
xXx
Slowly Aikane's eyes opened and she raised her hand up to gaze bemused at the faint violet glow that surrounded her, then she became aware of those who silently watched her.
Somehow Aikane managed to find enough strength to sit up, and as she swayed slightly, the nearest orb moved closer, while the others began softly chiming, it hovered at Aikane's eye level for several minutes before it too began chiming.
"It is time for you to return, Daughter of Mata Nui." The chiming voice of the orb spoke, as it drew closer to her mask, unable to look away, Aikane watched as the orb filled her vision, then felt something brush against the diamond.
A surge of strength swept through her spirit, as the orb blazed so brightly, that Aikane was temporarily blinded, then she heard Kokua singing, managing to stand up Aikane's spirit turned towards the sound.
xXx
Sitting beside Aikane, Kokua watched as Makeo shifted to make space for Gali and Takanuva to place the casket beside Aikane.
"Keep singing." Axonn murmured, as Kokua glanced at the casket curiously, everyone had gathered closer to the bed, watching also curious as to what would happen.
Slowly Aikane's hand twitched, then rose up and as her eyes partially opened, she placed her right hand over the Bionicle symbol, silence fell, as Aikane's gaze moved over everyone then focused on Kokua.
She looked at Kokua for several moments and nodded, when Kokua carefully helped her to sit up and Makeo shifted out the way, while the hybrid did that, everyone heard a soft click coming from the casket.
Carefully Aikane shifted into a cross-legged position and moved the casket to sit in front of her, turning to Kokua, Aikane whispered something to her, Kokua nodded and spread her wings to their fullest.
Turning her attention back to the casket, Aikane summoned all the strength she had and focused it as she placed her right hand back onto the symbol.
Silently the others watched as Aikane swayed, only to be steadied by Kokua, then Aikane carefully removed the lid of the casket.
As she placed it to one side,a murmur of amazement went up, of everyone there, only Aikane, Kokua and Makeo could see the mask that lay in the casket, all the others could see was a nimbus of light emanating from the casket.
A few minutes later, Aikane slowly reached into the casket to pick up the mask, as her hands brushed over the Mask of Life, the light intensified as she lifted it up.
Kokua curved her wings around Aikane, enfolding her within the light, then silently watched awed.
Lifting the Mask of Life up, Aikane gazed entranced at it, then slowly brought it up to her mask, as she put it on the light became so bright, Kokua had to close her eyes.
When the light grew to blinding intensity, the Toa, matoran and Axonn shielded their eyes, then carefully moved closer to watch as the light blazed brightly, illuminating the room and flowing over everyone, then it vanished suddenly, while everyone's sight slowly returned, Kokua felt Aikane slump into her arms.
"Aikane, are you alright?" Tahu asked, while rubbing the afterglow from his eyes, there was a short pause, then Kokua murmured softly, "She is unconscious, and the mask...The mask has vanished."
Slowly everyone came up to the bed, Aikane was curled up in Kokua's arms, a peaceful expression on her mask, then unexpectedly Kokua sighed, covered both of them with her wings and also fell asleep.
xXx
"Aikane, sister. Turaga Lhikan wants you to wake up." A soft whisper gently roused her, and as she opened her eyes, Aikane glanced up at Kokua's spirit.
Sitting up, Aikane looked around at Turaga Lhikan and the spirit Toa, all looked tired and faded, but their eyes still shone as bright as ever.
"You must hurry." Turaga Lhikan murmured, as Aikane stood up, she nodded then they walked into the mist, while Kokua glanced at the spirit Toa, as they shifted to sit with her.
"Your wings are amazing." Phira whispered as Kokua nervously fidgeted with one of the feathers, Phira smiled, when Kokua glanced up and blushed, then looked at Nahele as he placed his arm around her shoulders and whispered softly. "All we can do now is wait-hope."
Kokua nodded and hugged him, then the others before sitting back between Phira and Nahele.
Walking through the mist neither Turaga Lhikan or Aikane spoke, but he did glance up at the mask she now wore, its shape and colour constantly changing.
Entering the clearing, Aikane gasped on seeing the Great Spirit, he was now so pale that He was nearly the same colour as the mist.
While Turaga Lhikan sat wearily nearby, Aikane hurried over to Mata Nui and knelt beside his spirit form.
"Father, I hope I'm in time." Aikane whispered, as she carefully took the Mask of Life off and gently placed it over the song-made mask that Turaga Anuenue had placed on him.
Watching anxiously, Aikane took Mata Nui's hand and watched for any flicker or sign that would signal her Fathers' recovery, long moments passed, then Aikane bowed her head, trying to stifle the tears that had begun to trickle down her mask.
For several minutes nothing stirred as she and Turaga Lhikan watched, then Aikane saw a tiny spark of colour appear on the hand she clasped tightly.
"Call to him, Aikane." Turaga Lhikan murmured , as he managed to join her and placed his hand on her shoulder, Aikane glanced at Lhikan, nodded and leaned closer to the Great Spirit.
"Father please wake up." Aikane softly pleaded, as she brushed at the tears that wouldn't stop flowing, some of them landed on Mata Nui's arm and sat there shining gently, Turaga Lhikan found the strength to sit beside Aikane, then placed his hand over hers, as she tried to stem the tears.
"Let them flow." Lhikan whispered, as Aikane glanced at him, silently she nodded, then wrapped her arms around Mata Nui, hugging him, while her tears flowed down her mask and onto the Mask of Life.
Watching anxiously, Turaga Lhikan suddenly realized that a glow was forming around the Great Spirit and Aikane as the Mask activated, when he tried to alert her, Lhikan found he couldn't move or speak.
As the glow grew brighter, Aikane felt Mata Nui slowly stir, he then placed his arms around her, gently hugging her back.
"Daughter, it will be alright." The Great Spirit murmured sitting up as the glowing light grew in intensity, hiding them from Turaga Lhikan, Aikane nodded too relieved to speak.
A few moments later, she was just about to ask how he felt, when he gently hushed her, as the light grew brighter than Aikane had ever seen, a gasp of amazement escaped her, as she saw the Great Spirit's true form.
Gazing at him entranced, Aikane didn't blink as he gently brushed his hand over her mask, returning her eyes to aquamarine and the diamond to sky blue.
Then Mata Nui carefully lifted Aikane in his arms, as her eyes closed and he returned to the form he preferred
As he watched the light that blanketed the area where the Great Spirit and Aikane were, Turaga Lhikan felt the strength he'd given up along with the spirit Toa, to try and help the Great Spirit, slowly returning.
Standing up, he bowed to the light and went to to join the spirit Toa and Kokua, as Lhikan reached where he and Aikane had left Kokua and the spirit Toa, he found them quietly talking, gathered around a cleared area of mist, watching what it showed them.
"Where's Aikane?" Kokua whispered as Turaga Lhikan sat between her and Nahele.
"She's with the Great Spirit. I think we'll see her shortly." he softly replied, as Kokua hugged him, while the mist slowly brightened around them.
Glancing at the clear area, Lhikan realized that they'd been checking on Anuenue and the matoran, Alani was muttering angrily on seeing where they were forced to sleep.
"Could you show us the lay-out of this... place?" Atinu asked, his voice the coldest it had been since he was alive, Nahele nodded, even he had been angered by what he'd seen.
As the factory and surrounding area appeared, Atinu glanced at Kokua, who was watching intently, "Can you memorize this?" he asked, silently Kokua nodded, her eyes never leaving the image, several minutes later, she smiled at Atinu.
"Got it." Kokua murmured, then asked if she could see Anuenue again, Nahele nodded and changed the image back, as they watched Anuenue and the matoran, Phira sensed that something was troubling the rainbow hued Turaga's sleep.
Then everyone jumped startled, when Anuenue abruptly sat up, staring around troubled, gently the Ga-matoran she'd accidentally awoken, calmed her down and hugged her, as they settled down again.
"I wonder what Anuenue was dreaming about?" Phira whispered softly, as Kokua suddenly glanced around, following her gaze, everyone realized that part of the mist was glowing brilliant white.
Quickly everyone stood up, then bowed as Mata Nui entered the area, carrying Aikane curled in his arms, he smiled as he drew closer, then nodded as Kokua hesitantly stepped forwards.
Alani joined Kokua, as the Great Spirit held Aikane out to her, between them, they placed her onto the mist, then glanced up as Mata Nui spoke, "Watch over your sister."
Kokua bowed her head while spreading her wings, then felt his hand gently passing over her head, Kokua's eyes closed while she hugged Aikane, and her wings slowly folded around them.
When Mata Nui had returned their sleeping spirits back to their bodies, he asked Turaga Lhikan to join him, Lhikan bowed and walked into the mist with the Great Spirit, while Nahele called up the image of Axonn's home.
xXx
Rinia stirred as she felt Turaga Anuenue twitching, softly whimpering as she slept, then Anuenue suddenly sat up and looked around, both Rinia and Lari asked what had awoken her.
"I don't know, something's changed." Anuenue murmured, wondering why she felt like she'd been torn in two, as they insisted she lay down again, Anuenue began to shake uncontrollably.
Glancing at each other, Rinia and Lari shifted closer and hugged Anuenue, while they whispered reassuringly to her, slowly Turaga Anuenue's shaking eased and she hugged them both.
When her eyes closed, Rinia gently placed her blanket over Turaga Anuenue and shared Lari's.
As they snuggled tight against Anuenue's side giving silent reassurance, they quietly talked about what could have disturbed Anuenue's rest, as they slowly fell asleep again, neither saw the colour of the lightstone shards on Anuenue's staff, which lay beside the pallet, deepen in hue.
xXx
Brutaka was awoken by Zaktan's yell of rage, and glanced up at the sky as he woke up fully. The sky was ablaze with stars and Zaktan was nowhere to be seen, the other Piraka, Reidak snored on oblivious, were swearing angrily and staring towards Mount Valmai.
"The mask has been activated." Brutaka stated, as Zaktan rejoined them, he glared at Brutaka, irritated that he'd stated the obvious and hurled some wood onto the fire.
"First light, we're going after the mask." Zaktan snarled, "Think Reidak'll be awake?" Vezok sniggered, poking the comatose Piraka, "If not then he'll get left behind." Avak growled, wondering if Kokua was up on the volcano.
"Brutaka, you take the last watch." Zaktan snarled, seeing that he was looking for someone to lash out at, Brutaka just nodded, knowing his time would come.
xXx
Kokua blinked as she awoke, then glanced at Aikane, she was still asleep, so Kokua looked around Axonn's home, practically everyone else had settled down and were sleeping.
Only Malie and Makeo were awake, watching her and Aikane intently, Malie smiled delighted, and offered Kokua a beaker and some fruit, while Makeo crooned softly, rubbing his head against her wing.
While Kokua ate, Malie watched Aikane, wondering why the diamond on her mask had turned sky-blue, passing a sheet with this question on to Kokua, Malie listened enthralled as she explained.
"How is Aikane?" Axonn enquired as he rubbed his eyes, sitting on the end of the bed, Kokua smiled, delighted to hear him say Aikane's name.
Then as everyone else slowly began to awaken, Kokua told Axonn what she had seen and heard when with the spirit Toa, and how Turaga Lhikan's spirit had led Aikane's somewhere before rejoining them.
"What happened when Aikane went with Turaga Lhikan?" Hahli asked, as Kokua had a drink, she glanced at Hahli, then down at Aikane.
"I think Aikane had better tell that part." Kokua murmured softly, watching Aikane as she shifted slightly and started to wake up.
While they waited, Axonn went to get breakfast together, Macku, Ferus and Matoro close behind him, Gali and Amaya quietly joined Kokua and took turns hugging Aikane as she slowly became aware of her surroundings.
"Sister, how are you feeling?" Takanuva asked, from where he'd sat on the floor beside Jaller, Shenu and Pohatu, Aikane smiled, as she considered what to say, when everyone heard her stomach rumble loudly.
Aikane giggled, then unable to control herself, burst into peals of laughter, everyone grinned and began laughing too, as her infectious laughter rang through Axonn's home.
xXx
Mata Nui watched as Anuenue's spirit appeared beside him and Turaga Lhikan as they sat on the mist, then gently brushed his hand over the mask she now wore.
"Turaga of Colour." he murmured softly, while Turaga Lhikan watched quietly, slowly Anuenue opened her eyes and gazed sleepily at the Great Spirit, she then sat up and bowed to him.
Gently he placed his hand under her chin and raised her head up, "Your destiny has changed. Be strong." Mata Nui whispered, then gathered her shocked spirit in his arms.
As Turaga Anuenue shivered, he returned her to sleep then glanced at Turaga Lhikan while he placed Anuenue beside him.
"Watch over her until she returns to her body." Mata Nui said, as he stood up, Turaga Lhikan stood up and bowed deeply, then seated himself back beside Anuenue, gently taking her hand as he wondered what had changed her destiny.