M.I.A. Ch 9

*A year after Hakann's Escape*
Xipher leaned against his hut, with his arms crossed and stared out into the night sky. Naromia came over. She was usually a welcomed sight, but not today as she walked in a rushed manner.
"I heard about what happened," she said. "Is it true?"
He huffed and looked at the ground. "Yeah. I punched him. Hard."
She gasped. "How could you? He's our Turaga."
"I know." He turned and marched away.
Her shoulders sank and she quickly followed. "Xipher talk to me, does this have something to do with Hakann?"
He didn't respond.
"Xipher!" She reached out and touched his shoulder. He shook it off and turned around, eyes glowing red. She took a step back in surprise.
"No," he growled, "It has to do with everything! The constant ridicule, not just from Turaga, but the Matoran and even my brothers. The failing missions, the jokes, and all of it! I'm sick and tired of being a failure!" He panted heavily.
His eyes changed back and he suddenly began to feel light headed. He placed his hands on his head and took a step back, moaning a little at the same time.
"Xipher," she said with concern "You're not yourself. What's happening to you? You used to handle these kinds of things very well. Now you're aggressive in your actions. You hiss, growl, and now you've started to use force when you don't get your way. You're acting like-" She struggled to find the right words. "Something else."
Xipher sighed. "I know." He slumped down on a rock and buried his head
in his hands.
She took a seat next to him. "The Matoran are starting to fear you Xipher. Is this what you want?"
"No." He looked up at her, "Believe me I've been trying to control myself, but it's becoming difficult." He then stared at his palms. "It's that vial," He hissed. "Ever since the incident I've felt different. I am different."
"It's been over a year now. Stop blaming your actions on that-"
He stood up and locked eyes with her. "No! Just think about it. You and I have been Toa for five years now. When did my strange behavior begin?"
She paused. "Shortly after Hakann's escape."
"Exactly." He crouched down and placed his hands on her shoulders. "The contents of that vial has done something to me." He said with dread clear in his voice. "I fear it's only going to get worse unless I do something about it."
"And just how do you plan to do that?"
He took a step back and looked away. It was then that she noticed a strap over his shoulder.
"I'm going after Hakann. And I don't plan to come back until I get answers."
She stood up in shock. "Xipher, you can't leave. You have a duty to protect the Matoran."
"And I will, on my travels. If I stay here things could get worse. Please, I have to do this. For the Matoran." He put forth a fist.
The Toa of water was reluctant, but sighed in defeat and fist bumped him gently. "Very well. May Mata Nui protect you."
He gave a warm smile and began to walk away. "I will return," he yelled, "I promise."

"What do you think?" asked Scott.
Xipher took a few steps back and crossed his arms. "I say we take it for a test drive... or paddle."
"I think so too. Mike, are those paddles ready?"
Mike sat on the log weaving a plant-made string around a paddle.
"Working on the last one. Just take the rest and go."
Daniel and Josh grabbed them and ran to the raft with Saber, half of the marines following behind. With Xipher and Saber's help they pushed the raft into the water. Once in everyone jumped on board, except Xipher. Scott looked over and noticed his hesitation.
"Aren't you coming?"
"Uh, you go on ahead. I'll make a list of things to do before we go."
Scott shrugged. "Alright then."
Xipher pushed the raft a little farther out until the Humans could paddle away. As they got farther out the smiles on their faces grew.
"It's working!" cheered Amanda.
The canoe sailed forward, bobbing up and down as it crashed through the waves. They kept going until they were over a hundred yards out.
"Okay lets bring her in." ordered Scott.
Josh saluted and put on his best pirate impression. "Aye, aye captain."
Half the team paddled forward, while the other half went backwards. The canoe made its one hundred and eighty degree turn and they made their way back to shore.
Saber jumped out and helped Xipher beach the raft. Everyone else got off with big grins across their faces.
"I think it's safe to say she's sea worthy," said Scott as he searched a crate.
"Found it yet?" said Josh.
Scott rolled his eyes. "No. What makes you think they'd send beer in these?"
"You never know."
Scott kept rummaging through until he found something that made him smile. "Who needs beer when we have chocolate." He pulled out a case.
"Marshmallows and crackers?" asked Mike.
Scott gave a quick look over. "Doesn't look like it." He came over to the campfire and tossed a bar to everyone.
Xipher and Saber looked that their bars in curiosity.
"What exactly is chocolate?" he inquired.
"It's a delicacy," answered Sam. "try it."
They unwrapped the bars and broke a small piece off. Xipher watched Saber as she was the first to try. At first she appeared to be staring into space, but he then notice her tail flicker.
"Mata Nui this is amazing!" smiled Saber She took another piece and ate it.
Xipher then tryed it. "It's ok." he shrugged.
They continued eating until Sam noticed something she didn't expect to hear. "Are you guys... purring?"
The Toa gave each other odd looks.
"No." replied Xipher.
"Well I am." Saber answered embarrassingly.
"Don't be ashamed, I was just making sure it wasn't something else."
Xipher finished his bar and cleared his throat. "Speaking of food, we need to discus what we're bringing on board. With all of your ammo and gear there will be little room for food."
"So what do you suggest?" asked Scott.
"To the south, by the cliffs, are large fruits, purple and about the size of your head, and have a hard shell. You can tie several of those together and let them drift behind the raft. They're easy to find, not far from shore."
"Aren't you coming with us?"
"Saber and I are going to look for Vaptech." He stood up and walked back to the tree he'd been sleeping at. "I'd get some rest if I were you. The sooner we leave the better."

"Easy to find huh?" joked Mike. "Tell it to the fog."
The thick fog obscured his and Sam's view. They could barely see twenty feet out.
"Wanna bet we find another village?"
Mike cracked a smile. "Hopefully one with people in it."
They continued their walk along the sand until something quickly came into view. Out of the fog emerged a wall of rock. The two stared up the wall as high as the fog would allow them to see.
"Well, this is the place." They turned right and went into the forest. "See them yet?" he asked.
"No." She then stopped and scanned the canopy. "Wait, I think I see it."
Almost fully engulfed by fog, she could barely see the purple, acorn-shaped fruit hang from the branch of a large tree, with trunk over teen feet in diameter.
"I see it too. Help me up."
Sam bent over and cupped her hands together. Mike took off his gun and gear, and then placed a foot on her hands, where she hoisted him up high enough for him to reach a branch. He huffed as he pulled himself up and on the branch, and repeated until he had reached the branch the fruit was on. As he scooted closer the branch got thinner and he was left to creep on his belly. He reached out and got a hold of it. It took him some effort to pluck it off, but once picked he dropped it. Sam moved out of the way before it hit the ground with a soft thud. She looked up and smiled.
"Do you see anymore up there?"
He examined the canopy. "Yeah, there's a whole bunch!"
After scooting back to the trunk he got up and climbed higher, vanishing from Sam's view. All she could make out was the sound of rustling branches. There was a period of silence, and then something fell towards her. She yelped and ran out of the way before it had a chance to hit her.
"Watch it!"
"Sorry," he replied with amusement. "Bombs away!" He made a whistle as another one of the nut-like fruits fell.
Sam couldn't help but chuckle. Another whistle and another fruit fell to the ground. "Alright, just one more for now."
"Okay. Watch out below."
She waited and a few seconds later she heard the fruit being plucked. From the other side of the tree she heard it thumping on some branches on its way down. CLANK! Sam froze.
"Mike?" she said with concern.
From around the tree a white armored creature, over nine feet tall, appeared. It had a humanoid body with a hunched back, which had six spikes protruding out. Its head was similar to Xipher's, only rounded and more sleek. Instead of a pair of glowing lenses it had an organic head inside with beady yellow eyes. It looked down at her and made several clicks and chirps.
"Mike?!" She said more frantically.
"Coming!"
There was a rustle, followed by a yelp. Both Sam and the creature looked up and saw him tumble down, hitting every branch on his way, and landing into the creature's arms. He expressed his relief, but then he looked up and into its eyes. They stared at each other until the creature's head armor suddenly split open in four directions. The worm-like head inside opened up too and let out a high-pitched screech. Sam took a step back startled, while Mike wriggled his way out, only to land hard on his stomach. He quickly recovered and grabbed his gun.
"What are you?" asked Sam.
It responded with more clicks and whistles.
"Maybe it can't understand us," replied Mike.
Then they heard a twig snap. They turned around and found themselves surrounded by several more of the same creature, with different color schemes and spikes. As they moved in, the Marines stood back to back, moving around to keep an eye out for where the first strike would come from.
"Are they friend or foe?" Mike asked.
"I don't know. Better question is why Xipher never told us anything about these things."
"Did you say Xipher?"
They turned towards the source of the voice. Another being came out of hiding. He was nothing like the others. There were no spikes or hunched back, and his colors consisted of black and gray with red highlights. He was three feet taller than the creatures and wore a black mask.
With a slight wave of hand he ordered the creatures to back away. They complied without question. He then leaned up against his own staff, which was far more elaborate in design than the others.
"Sorry about that. They're just a precaution."
"Against what?" Sam barked.
He shrugged. "Anything that might hurt me."
He began to approach them and they replied by pointing their guns at him.
He froze and spoke gently. "Easy there, I mean no harm." Slowly he placed his staff on the ground. "Better?"
Sam and Mike lowered their weapons, but didn't keep their finger off the triggers.
"I'm Terun by the way. Toa Terun."
The Humans had a stumped look on their faces.
"You don't look like a Toa." Mike argued.
"A Toa is a title, not a species. To be one is a privilege, not a right of birth. In fact these are all Toa too. Just not as friendly." He then switched the subject. "On that note, I still can't believe he's alive. After all these years."
"Who's alive?" asked Mike.
"Xipher of course," he smiled. "I haven't seen him in several millennia. He left with another team of Toa to evacuate some village. Everyone returned but him. We all assumed he was dead."
"Wait, you mean you were partners?" she asked.
"Brothers would be a stronger word."
They both had blank stares on their faces. Mike then spoke up.
"Just why are you here in the first place?"
"A very good question indeed." He walked over to the tree and leaned his back against it. "I am watching over an expedition team as they explore the Southern Islands. Hardly anything is known about this region."
Sam and Mike went to another tree and leaned against it, but they still had their guns at the ready.
"And just where are you camped?" asked Mike.
"A few miles south. You're welcome to come visit. It'd be even better if Xipher visited too."
Sam and Mike gave each other looks.
"I understand if you don't believe me. Just tell him he owes me for saving him in that Fader Bull stampede, in the Tren Krom peninsula, and he'll know it's me."
"And if he confirms it?"
"Then meet me here tomorrow."
Mike raised an eyebrow and stood up. "Um, would you excuse us for just a moment?" He pulled Sam away and brought his face close to her's. "This has a trap written all over it," he whispered "He's probably hunting him just like Deskera."
"I don't know. He seems legit. I say we talk with Xipher. If nothing lines up, we don't come back."
"But we have to supply the raft."
"Then we'll gather at night and leave before he gets here."
Mike sighed in defeat before walking towards the Toa. "Alright, we'll talk to him. But if this is a trap we'll make sure you leave in worse condition than the Vortixx."
The Toa slightly tilted his head, amused by the claim. "Something tells me you will." He knelt down and picked up one of the fruits Mike dropped and handed it to him. "Now I'm sure you're in need of feeding yourselves, and I need to get back to my duty. Hopefully we can be united again to fulfill our destiny." He picked up his staff and walked away, with his fellow Toa following behind.
The Humans stood and watched as they faded into the fog. They then gathered the rest of the fruit and jogged back to camp, looking back on occasion to see if anyone or anything was following.

After hearing Sam and Mike's story, Scott leaned against the log to take it all in. "If this expedition team is legit then we can probably just hitch a ride with them."
"But what if they aren't?" questioned Daniel "What if it's a trap and they're after Xipher?"
"Then we shoot them."
Josh rolled his eyes. "Like that worked out before."
Scott glared at him for a second before going back into his thoughts. He then looked back at Mike. "You sure hey didn't follow."
He nodded.
"How could anyone follow anyone in this fog?"
The voice startled everyone, but they all eased up as Xipher and Saber emerged.
"Where's Vaptech?" asked Oscar.
"No luck." Xipher murmured. "He must be on the other side of the island."
As he walked past Sam and Mike he stopped and looked at them. He crouched down and sniffed their clothing. The two Humans pulled back a little and gave him funny looks. Once done, he pulled his head back and gave a questioning look.
"Did you meet someone?"
"Yeah," replied Sam. "Smell familiar?"
He rubbed the back of his neck. "It does, but I can't put a name to it."
"How about Terun?" hinted Mike.
Xipher stared in shock. "How do you know that name?!" He spun around and looked at Saber, who shook her head.
"He's here," explained Sam.
Xipher spun again and stared at Sam. "What?!"
"Yeah, he's watching over an expedition with some other Toa."
"Are you sure?" He went over and sniffed her shirt again.
"Yeah, he mentioned something about saving you in stampede once. Some place called Trek Krome or something."
Xipher's mouth hung open in shock.
Scott crossed his arms. "Well?"
The Toa shook his head. "I-I don't get it."
"What do you mean?" asked Sam.
"The story, the name, it's all correct. But the scent, it doesn't match."
Saber's ears pointed downwards. "Xipher it's been seventeen thousand years since you've seen him."
"I know." he barked "But I'm not convinced it's him."
Sam then spoke up. "Tomorrow, he's coming back to that patch of forest you led us to. Would you be willing to go over and see for yourself?"
He paused and thought over it. "Yeah." he said softly.
Before he could walk to his bed, Scott got his attention. "We were planning to go over there tonight and gather up all the fruit we
need. That way, if there's any trouble, we can just get on the raft and leave."
"But what about Vaptech?" Saber asked.
"We wouldn't leave indefinably, just take the boat to a safer place on the island."
"Alright then," he groaned, "just let me take a quick nap."
Scott nodded, and then faced his men. "Amanda and Jake, I want you to load up everything while we're gone."

The thick fog, combined with the fact it was past midnight, made finding the fruiting trees difficult. Xipher was in front, relying completely on his sense of smell to find them. They eventually found the place and he and Saber began picking as much fruit as the Marines could carry. By the time they were done, dawn was approaching. Xipher leaped off several branches and landed on the ground with grace.
"Alright, head back to camp. I'll stay here and wait for 'Terun'."
"So will Sam and Mike." Scott ordered.
Xipher glared at Scott. "Excuse me, but who put you in charge?"
"I might not be in charge of you, but I am their commanding officer and I'm making it an order."
Xipher growled to himself. Saber gathered an armful of fruit and led the marines back to camp. Xipher sighed and looked around for a suitable place to rest. Sam and Mike followed him. When he found a spot, they placed their guns against a tree and sat down next to him. He was annoyed by them leaning on him, but understood they were tired. So he adjusted his cloak and wrapped part of it around them.

As the sun rose the marines turned off their flashlights, but still used Saber to guide them home. She sensed an unusual tone to their silence.
"Scott, is something wrong?"
He broke from his trance of though and looked up.
"As a matter of fact there is. I wanted to bring it up when the time was right and Xipher was far away."
Her ears went down. "Why?"
"I want to know about that village."
She stopped. "You went north?" she gasped. "Xipher told you not to go there."
"So the village is the reason why he wanted us away, but why?"
"Does it have to do with that scratch mark on one of the huts?" asked Daniel.
Her spikes went down and her face wore guilt all over. "Oh, I was hoping he would've talked to you about this sooner."
Scott tilted his head. "Talked about what?"
"Well, it started back-"
Suddenly the sound of a distant explosion startled everyone.
Saber's ears went up and tried to locate the sound. "I hear gunfire. Amanda and Jake are in trouble!"
Everyone dropped the fruit and made a mad dash for the camp.

It was close to noon when Xipher awoke. Sam and Mike still sat comfortably next to him. Both were already awake and conversed to each other through whispering. When he began to shuffle his body they turned around.
"Sorry if we woke you," said Mike.
"It's okay." He yawned and lay on his side.
The Humans sat up straight, but not to make room for him. Xipher saw Sam roll up her right sleeve. The sight of the bandages still on her brought up memories of the incident, followed by guilt. Mike began to unwrap the bandage. Soon the full extent of the damage was visible. The wound had almost healed, there were two long scars traveling the length of her arm. His ears and spikes dropped down.
"Sam?"
She leaned over to look at him.
"I'm... Sorry about your arm." He said with sincerity.
She held her arm firmly and gave a weak smile. "Apology accepted. At least I can make up whatever story I want about this." She lightly chuckled.
Not quite convinced of her forgiveness, he laid his head down and stared into the fog, which had dissipated a little, but not enough to make a difference. He let out a sigh. "So, any sign of my 'brother'?"
Sam and Mike looked around.
"No," replied Sam. "Come to think of it, he never mentioned a time."
Xipher gently huffed and put his head down. The three stayed quiet as birds chirped and chattered overhead. After several minutes, Sam decided to strike up some conversation.
"So, are you excited to see your brother?"
"I guess."
His monotone response surprised her. "What about Naromia and your people?" She noticed his spikes go down. "Xipher?"
He glanced over.
"Are you feeling alright?"
"Yeah." He didn't do a good job sounding sincere about it.
"Then why aren't you happy about all of this? You're going to see your loved ones again. They're going to be so thrilled to know you're still alive."
His eyes darted around and he softly whimpered.
"Xipher? What's bothering you?"
He brought his head up and tried to look her in the eyes but couldn't.
"We-We need to talk," he said hesitantly. "I-I haven't been completely honest with you about some things, and I feel it's better that I tell you than someone else." His ears suddenly picked up a disturbance. His head and ears went up. "What was that?"
Sam and Mike's heads darted around.
Xipher got off the ground and stood up, sniffing the air. "Something's coming," he warned.
The Marines grabbed their weapons and readied them for a fight. The trio stood still and silent and listened closely for what was approaching. Even the birds became quiet. Sam slowly scanned the area until she noticed a figure behind Xipher.
"Oh, it's only you," she smiled, and then lowered her weapon.
Xipher turned around and when he saw the armored being he gasped. Instinct then kicked in and he roared and charged at it. The creature never had a chance as he drew his claws from under his cloak and cut its head off. The Marines jumped back in surprise.
"What are you doing!?" yelled Sam. "That's one of your fellow Toa."
Xipher turned and faced her with confusion and shock. "What in Karzahni's name are you talking about?! This is no Toa. It's a Rahkshi! They're the sons of the Makuta!"
Sam's jaw gaped open.
His face then lit up with horror. "What have you done?" The panic-stricken Toa looked around for more Rahkshi. "We have to go. Now!"
They didn't object and ran straight for the beach.
"So what exactly is a Makuta?" panted Mike.
The three quickly stopped when they saw more Rahkshi in front of them. As they changed direction, more revealed themselves. Soon over two-dozen Rahkshi of various types surrounded them. Xipher let out a deep roar to ward them off. It didn't work.
"I'll take care of them." Xipher hissed. "You run as fast as you can to camp. I'll meet you at the northern tip of the island."
Mike cocked his gun. "Sorry, but we're not leaving anyone behind." He and Sam immediately fired their weapons.
A Rahkshi of Insect Control and Laser Vision were the first to fall. Many of the Rahkshi screeched and charged. Xipher dodged an onslaught of swings and blows and countered with stabs and swipes with his claws.
He cut a Rahkshi of Plant Life in half and leaped in the air as another one shot a beam of plasma at him. He descended on the creature and stabbed it in the chest. Its head armor split open and the Kraata inside screeched. Xipher growled and focused. His pupils glowed red and a beam of heat fried the leach-like creature inside. He then turned around to see Sam and Mike had taken down a good number of Rahkshi.
One of the remaining Rahkshi he recognized as having the power of invulnerability. He was about to take care of it, when something caught the corner of his eye. Unable to move in time, he was whacked in the face by a staff. He yelped and staggered back. After rubbing his face, he stared down his attacker, a Vorahk. The black Rahkshi hissed and charged at him. He charged as well and met it head on, grabbing its staff and pushing it back against a tree.
While he was winning, he noticed the tides quickly turning. He felt as though his strength was failing him. That's when he realized he was in big trouble. Acting fast he forced the Rahkshi of Hunger away and used his heat vision. The head armor melted and trapped the Kraata inside. With no idea of its surroundings, the suit of armor flailed its arms and tried to walk in a straight line. Xipher pounced and pierced the hull where the Kraata is held. The suit fell to the ground immediately.
The Toa checked back on the Marines and found the Rahkshi of Invulnerability still stood. Sam and Mike stepped backwards as it approached them. Every bullet they fired ricocheted off its armor.
"Ease off the trigger." Xipher snapped. "It will loose its power soon."
Mike looked up at him with concern. "It'll still attack us."
"Relax, they each only have one power. The worst this one can do is swing its staff around."
The Rahkshi hissed and rattled its spikes. Sensing distress in its tone, Xipher used his heat vision again. It struck the creature on the shoulder and melted part of the armor off.
"Now!"
Mike drew his gun and fired a round into its head. It went through and out the back end of the creature. The Rahkshi fell on its knees, then onto its side. Soon the scene faded into silence. They did a quick scan of their surroundings before taking a rest.
"Well that was fun." Mike panted sarcastically.
"Well play time is over," snapped Xipher "We're leaving now!"
"What's the hurry? Don't you want to catch up with an 'old friend'?"
The three looked around for the source. Sam was the first to see Terun high in the trees. Xipher and Mike turned around and gazed up. Xipher squinted his eyes. Soon he recognized the being and his jaw dropped.
"You," he gasped and took a step back.
"He's not Terun is he?" asked Mike.
Xipher shook his head. "No, that's a Makuta!"
"Makuta Ruunaja to be exact," he smiled. "And might I say it's a pleasure meeting the infamous 'Toa' Xipher again."
Sam looked up at Xipher. "What is he talking about?"
"He took my tail," he growled.
"And much, much more." smiled Ruunaja.
Xipher bared his teeth at him and his spikes began to rattle. Ruunaja leaped off the branch and landed hard enough that the ground shook.
"How did you know I was here?" demanded Xipher.
"I was merely looking for pools of energized protodermis when I came across Sam and Mike. I was planning to just take them, but when they mentioned your name, it was just too good of an opportunity to waste."
"So you used them to lure me."
The Makuta chuckled. "You're still as sharp as they say."
"I'm warning you Ruunaja. You don't want to mess with us," barked Sam.
She and Mike aimed their guns at his mask. To their surprise he laughed.
"You think your toys can harm me?"
The two felt an invisible force pulling their guns away. With all their strength they held them close, but it proved too much and they let them go. Ruunaja caught the flying guns and crushed them.
"Xipher?" Sam asked, expecting an order.
"Let them go," he pleaded. "If it's me you want then take me, but leave the Humans alone."
Ruunaja leaned against his staff. "Tempting, but I'd hate to leave a newly discovered species alone and not experiment on it."
Xipher's eyes widened. He slightly turned his head towards Sam and whispered with fear in his tone. "Run."
They took a few steps back. As they turned around to run, they tripped over a root and fell. Before they could get up, the root came to life and wrapped itself around their ankles. Several more roots came out of the ground and joined in.
Xipher heard the commotion and turned around. Sam and Mike were doing everything they could to get themselves free, but the roots proved to be too fast for them. He ran over to help and as he did, he felt himself get heavier with each step. Within three steps, he could no longer stand and fell to his hands and knees. Even with the support of four limbs, he still felt the weight on him grow. He was now leaning on one of his elbows.
Roots grew out and began weaving around his limbs. Xipher whimpered as he struggled to keep them off. They traveled up his chest and weaved around his spikes. He felt the invisible weight of his body dissipate and he slowly sat himself up, but he was too exhausted to attempt an escape. A devilish grin ran across Ruunaja's mask.
"Is everyone comfortable?"
They cringed their teeth as the roots constricted.
"Good, because I think it's time for an intervention." He walked over to Xipher and raised his chin to face him.
"So, how long have you kept your dirty little secret from them?"
The Toa replied with a growl.
"Overhearing the least few minutes of your conversation, you were planning to tell them something. Care to share with everyone?"
His ears and spikes went down.
"Xipher?" asked Sam.
He looked over to Mike and Sam.
"What is he talking about?" she asked.
The Toa was hesitant. Ruunaja smirked and spoke up.
"Well for starters he hasn't really been called a Toa for a long, long time and for good reasons. Lets just say 'hero' isn't the word to describe him anymore."
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"Up North, he's been described as aggressive, a failure, a spawn of Karzahni, an animal, and a monster."
"I don't understand," said Mike. "Except for aggressive, he doesn't fit any of that."
"Trust me, he's never really been able to save anyone in his life. In fact he's done the complete opposite."
"I find that hard to believe," snapped Sam. She looked over and noticed Xipher had his head hung low. "Xipher?"
He raised his head only slightly to look at her before putting it back down. "I'm sorry," he whimpered.
Sam and Mike were left speechless. Ruunaja took it very amusingly.
"It's unfortunate you had to find out this way. We'll discuss more of it back on Destral."
There were several hisses coming form behind him. Two monstrosities appeared out of the fog. One was black, blue and brown. It had the body of a Rahkshi, fused at the torso to a horse-like Rahkshi with a head on each end. The other was a white, green and red being, with three heads and large claws.
"Meet the Rahkshi Kaita. They will be escorting you to our base and home; while others like them will deal with your friends up North."
They looked at him with horror.
"How do you know about the others?" asked Mike.
A Kraata slithered past, startling both of them. It climbed up Ruunaja's body and curled around its master's hand.
"It wasn't too hard," he smiled.
The roots around them gave way and the Kaita pulled them out.
"No!" cried Mike.
Both marines squirmed in their arms as they took them away.
"Xipher!" Sam screamed. "Help!"
Xipher pulled against the roots, but to no avail. "Why aren't you taking me with them?"
Ruunaja knelt down and locked eyes with him. "Because I want anyone one who survives this day to know that you came back a failure. You sat and watched your friends get abducted and did nothing."
"That's not true!" he hissed.
"Then prove it. Desteral is just off the coast. Sam, Mike, and anyone else we capture will be waiting for you. However, with each day you wait, bad things are going to happen to them and just like what happened to your people, their deaths will be your fault."
Xipher growled. "Lies!"
Ruunaja grabbed him by the neck and watched him gasp for breath. "We'll see about that."
He used his power over sleep to lull the Toa to unconsciousness. Once out cold, the Makuta pretended he was still awake and whispered in his ear. "I can clearly see the seeds of anger still inside of you." He stood up and stretched forth his hand. It glowed black and with his fingertip, shot a stream of shadow at him. Xipher whimpered as it engulfed him for a moment before dissipating. The Makuta then smiled. "It's time you let those seeds sprout once again."