“One Destiny”

“Hang on!” Gali shouted.

Takua looked down, trying to see the Toa. Instead, his gaze caught the beam of dark fear energy emanating from the Rahkshi’s staff. He fell to his knees, instantly transfixed.

The Fear-Rahkshi rose up on its long legs, towering over Takua. It swung its staff toward the helpless Matoran.

But Jaller had seen what was happening. He leaped forward, swinging the kolhii stick he was holding.

Takua snapped out of his fear trance as Jaller intercepted the Rahkshi’s blow. “Jaller!” he screamed as dark energy sizzled through his friend’s body.

The Fear-Rahkshi turned toward him, its eyes glittering wickedly. But before it could strike again, Gali and Pohatu leaped in and grabbed it by the arms.

Takua dropped the mask, racing over and cradling his fallen friend. “What have you done?” he cried as Jaller’s eyes dimmed. “I’m supposed to make the sacrifice! I’m the Herald!”

“No,” Jaller said weakly. “The duty was mine. You know…” He paused, gathering the last scraps of his fading strength. He took in a ragged breath.

“…who you are,” he whispered faintly. Stretching out his hand, he picked up the Mask of Light and put it in Takua’s hands. “You were always different.”

Jaller’s hand dropped limply onto the stone. Gently lowering his friend’s head to the ground, Takua stood, lifting the mask. It glowed more brightly than ever.

Takua stood still for a moment, his eyes distant.

Nearby, the Fear-Rahkshi struggled free of Gali’s and Pohatu’s grip. The two Toa lost their footing and tumbled down the steps, crashing into the other Toa, who were on their way to help.

Takua turned the mask over in his hands again. His eyes narrowed purposefully. As he lifted it to his face, the mask’s glow brightened again. As it made contact with his own mask, it burst forth with brilliant beams of white light.

He was the Seventh Toa!

He could feel his body transforming as the mask’s power flooded through him. He became taller, stronger, brighter. Light emanated from him, freezing the Fear-Rahkshi in its tracks.

The other six Toa gazed up at him in awe. They fell to their knees.

“Hail, brother Toa!” they said in one voice.

Takua stared at his own hand, which glowed white-hot with light energy. He picked up Jaller’s kolhii stick, and a small spark jumped from his hand to the stick, transforming it into the Kolhii Staff of Light.

He turned to face the other Toa, his eyes filled with awe and power. “I am Takanuva,” he declared. “Toa of Light!”

As the white light bursting from him illuminated the entire temple, he bent and picked up Jaller’s body. He carried it down the steps past the other Toa. Each of them raised his or her weapon in salute, then followed the Toa of Light with their heads solemnly bowed.

The next morning, Takanuva stood gazing down at the suva-style grave dome that had been raised in a quiet spot overlooking the Kini-Nui temple. A memorial pillar rose from the top of the dome, and Jaller’s mask rested upon it.

Turaga Vakama stepped toward the Toa of Light. “You have finally found your own story,” he said quietly, “and still you seek answers.”

Takanuva stared at JalIer’s mask. “All this, just to discover who I am?”

Vakama shrugged. “Mata Nui is wiser than all,” he replied. “The path you walked was not to be here…” He paused and gestured at the temple. “But here.” He tapped Takanuva on the chest. “You understand you have but one destiny.”

Lewa helped Tahu attach a pipe to the vehicle they were building. “How will this wayfind the Makuta?” he asked.

Takanuva stepped forward, holding the six kraata in his fist. “What is the Makuta’s shall return to him.” He inserted the kraata into the slot they’d created for that purpose. They writhed angrily in their restraints.

Tahu looked up at the vehicle, which they were calling an Ussanui. They had created it out of parts of the defeated Rahkshi. Would it work?

Before long, all seven Toa were gathered around the completed Ussanui vehicle. Hahli walked up to them, carefully carrying Jaller’s mask.

“Jaller was your Herald,” she told Takanuva solemnly. “Let him continue to lead you to victory.”

She stepped to the front of the vehicle, attaching the mask to it. Takanuva nodded.

“Well said, Hahli,” he told her.

Pohatu cocked his head at the vehicle curiously. “Not much room in this transport,” he said. ‘Where will we all sit, brother?”

Takanuva shook his head. “You won’t.” he replied. “You shall not join me.”

The other Toa reacted with surprise. “But united, our power defeated the Rahkshi!” Pohatu reminded him.

Tahu nodded. “Certainly it will take nothing less to defeat Makuta!”

Takanuva turned away from them, staring at the transport. “l have but one destiny,” he said. “Yours lie with the Matoran and the Turaga. Gather them and wait for my return.”

He stepped forward, climbing onto the Ussanui vehicle. At last, he turned to look at the Toa gathered below.

“Farewell,” he told them.

The Ussanui rocketed through the tunnels beneath the Kini-Nui. Takanuva held on grimly, not thinking or moving. Just waiting.

Finally the Ussanui rounded another corner. An immense door blocked the tunnel, but the vehicle never slowed. It crashed straight into the door, cracking it open before bouncing off, skidding to a halt at last.

Takanuva opened his eyes. As he climbed out of the wrecked vehicle, there was a rattling sound behind him.

His eyes widened in amazement as a piece of the damaged vehicle was tossed aside and a familiar figure climbed out from the wreckage.

“Hahli!” Takanuva cried.

Hahli walked to the front of the vehicle and removed Jaller’s mask. “Let me be your Chronicler,” she told Takanuva with determination in her voice.

Takanuva hesitated, then nodded. Reaching into the wreckage long enough to pull out the six kraata, he turned and stepped through the cracked door into the dark chamber beyond.