Truth and the Toa passed through the stone wall and emerged in a cavern more spectacular than any they could have imagined. Molten rock poured from crevices in the wall forming hundreds of cascades that congregated in a giant pool that covered the entire floor. Flames of every shade and hue leapt from the pool and cast an otherworldly light on the walls and ceiling. Springing from for walls were great stone bridges that met in the center of the chamber to form a dais where three beings could be seen bent over their work.
Truth turned to the Toa and said, "This is the place where the Ignika was forged." As they got closer to the three beings, he continued, "The one on the left is Unwavering Confidence, the being on the right is Valiant Honor, and the one in the center is Kind Benevolence."
"You people-folks have an odd taste in name," remarked Kongu.
As they approached, they could hear the Great Beings' conversation.
"At last," said Confidence as he held up the creation, "the Mask of Life is complete."
"Only one thing remains," remarked Benevolence, as she held up her staff, "the gift of sentience."
"Do you think it wise," asked Honor, "to give so much power to one object, much less one person? After all, if anyone can take it from its place, as we intend it, then why would someone, the mask included, not abuse that power?"
"The very reason we must give it a mind," replied Benevolence. "It must be able to protect itself, for if someone should kill its guardians, who would then prevent it from falling into the wrong hands?"
Honor sighed, "Very well, but I'm only going along with the idea because it is the council's decision. Were it up to me, it would stay a simple object."
"In any case, we must let it harden before we give it a mind," continued Confidence. "We must journey to the Caverns of Ice, before we attempt anything."
Suddenly, the world around the Toa began to fade until there was nothing but darkness around them.
"Now I am taking you forward in time," said Truth. "The mask was left to cool for almost a year and was given the gift of a mind. Because of its power, it was tucked away where no one would bother it, until Mata Nui was formed and it could be placed within the universe. But before its time," he continued as the darkness began to lift, "the mask was disturbed."
As the darkness faded, the Toa found themselves in a stone walled room. Majestic arches soared upward, forming an intricate lacework of stone on the ceiling. The floor was so smooth, that the Toa could see their reflections in it.
"This is the Castle Resilience," said Truth. "The Mask of Life would wait here for thousands of years until the day it was to be put in its place in your universe. It was to remain untouched as it was of great value and power, but there were those of us who were curious.
"We had made the Ignika, given it power and a mind, but no one knew exactly what it was capable of. I believe there is a saying in your world. 'The curious get killed by the shallows cat.' Well, that is about to prove especially true."
No sooner had he said this, than another being entered the room. The being peered out into the hall behind him and shut the door so quietly, only a De-Matoran could have heard it.
Cautiously, he made his way to the pedestal that sat at the end of the room.
Nuparu gasped, "It's Vain Glory."
"Indeed, it is," replied Truth.
As Vain Glory laid his hands on the Ignika's golden case, he took one final look behind him. Confident that no one was there, he began to pry open the casing.
Truth sighed, "And so it begins..."