“Tahu — Toa of Fire”

A beach. He was standing on a sweeping expanse of sand sloping gently down to the sea. On the other side of the shoreline, there lay a thick, dark and frightening jungle.

As he gazed out at the ocean, he saw waves breaking over a coral reef that extended for half a mile. Beyond that, there was nothing but water stretching to an unbroken horizon.

Where am I? he thought, his mind a haze of memories and dreams. WHO am I?

…Tahu…

The word — a name? — floated through his mind. It seemed to fit, to make sense somehow. But little

else did. He focused, trying to pressure his memories, maybe he’d recall something.

Blurry images flashed in front of him, but vanished in an instant. A deafening whirlwind, some kind of chaotic battle against an invisible and unknown thing… a swarm of bug-like creatures… a dark, evil presence clouding the Sun, the water and the air…

Tahu shook his head in frustration. Why couldn’t he remember more? How had he come to this place — and why?

He glanced toward the polished canister that had brought him here. Near it he saw several red components lying on the sand. Two turned out to be some type of blade — wide, flat pieces of metal shaped into the form of leaping flames. When he put them together, they formed a sword whose handle sat comfortably in his clawed hand. But when he swung the sword, it felt heavy and akward.

He scowled.

“Useless hunk of metal,” he muttered, jabbing the blade into the sand.

Then he noticed the last object in the sand. It was a mask. It stared up at him with gaping eyeholes, its surface catching the sunlight so that it appeared to come alive in his hands. Tahu gazed at the object for a long moment. Why is it triggering such forceful feelings in him? Suddenly, the image of a shining golden mask appeared, floating in front of him in the darkness, along with a temple and a tunnel. He lifted it up.

A surge of power coursed through him, filling every inch of his steely, flame-colored body with hot, burning energy. Yes! This was more like it!

Tahu grabbed the flame sword and lifted it. This time, to his surprise, the blade was glowing with crimson fire, waves of heat gleaming around its surface. When he swung the sword, it sizzled through the air, trailing sparks in its wake.

“Yes!” Tahu said with grim satisfaction. The sight of the flames made him feel warm, and somehow, at home. “Now we’re getting somewhere.”

But was he? He let the sword fall to his side, overwhelmed by despair. Why was he here? What was he supposed to do now?

…The knowing will come…

Tahu blinked and stared. Had that thought come from him? He wasn’t sure. It felt so firm, as if some force had spoken through him in an infinitely patient voice.

No! he thought, and discarded the thought, no matter where it had come from. I have to remember more! Right now!

He ground his teeth. He really wanted to know the answers to his questions. But nothing — just more deathly brief, uncertain flashes. This time, he saw icy, life-freezing, cold fields. A trembling spot of red light in a deep, suffocating cavern. A pair of eyes swam in the void…

“Why — can’t — I — REMEMBER?” He howled, swinging his sword over his head.

A bolt of fiery energy shot forth, erupting into the sky like a volcano. A kahu bird flying lazily through the air let out a caw and then fluttered away. Sparks showered down onto the beach, but Tahu didn’t feel their heat.

Power… I have such power, he thought with wonder. The power of fire. Of heat and flame. But where does it come from? What is it for?

More questions — and still he had no answers. Not knowing made him shake with frustration and rage. It made him want to turn his sword against the earth, the sky, the beach — the very world itself. It was tempting — so tempting. To lose himself in chaos, to strike out with no thought for past, future, or anything else. His arm held his sword high, he was shaking impatiently, hot energy already swirling within him.

Tahu took a deep breath. No. He couldn’t allow himself to give in. Somehow he knew that, just as he’d known his name.

Okay, okay, he told himself. He loosened his grip on the handle until the burning fire inside him had turned to ashes. The knowing will come. At least… I hope it will.