Excerpt Two

Tahu, the Toa of Fire, rose on his powerful legs and fitted the Kanohi mask onto his face. His body crackled with energy and his eyes flared bright. With a single, fluid motion, he unsheathed his sword of fire and began to survey his surroundings.

The white-sand beach was free of any life save for some curious seabirds. To the south jagged rocks made a crude wall against the ocean, and beyond that, Tahu could sense the heat of lava beds. Drawn to the heat and flame, he turned and walked in that direction.

Only once did he turn around, at the sound of movement behind him. But the being he saw was too small to pose any threat. He kept moving toward what appeared to be a great walled city, sitting in the middle of a lake of molten lava.

When he reached a charred forest, Tahu encountered a small being who reacted to him with fear. This being, a villager, had mistaken Tahu for one of the bestial Rahi who stalked the island. Later, Tahu finally found his way to the village of Ta-Koro and its leader, Turaga Vakama.

“At last, you have come,” Vakama said, awe in his voice. “We have waited for so many years… while Makuta has ravaged this land and forced us to hide behind our walls for protection. But now you and the other Toa will save us.”

“Other Toa?” Tahu asked. He had seen no others on his trek. Still, aid would be welcome if this Makuta was truly so powerful.

“There are five others, each representing an element, as you do. You are fire — Gali, water; Lewa, air; Kopaka, ice; Onua, earth; and Pohatu, stone. Together, you are six heroes with one destiny — to free us all from Makuta.”

“Then tell me where to find these others… and where to find this Makuta… and free you shall be, before another turning of this world.”

Vakama shook his head. Using his firestaff, he began to sear images of strange masks into the stone wall. “It is not so easy, Toa. As powerful as you all are, Makuta is more powerful still. You will need to gather the Kanohi masks to aid you in your mission.

“There are six masks for each of you. Each confers a different power — speed, x-ray vision, shielding, water-breathing, strength, and levitation. When you have found all these masks, then… and only then… will you be prepared to face the might of Makuta.”

Tahu studied the mask images carefully. As distinctive as they were, he felt certain they would be easy to find. Surely there was nothing on this island that could threaten a Toa…?