Introduction

Turaga Vakama, elder of the Mata Nui village of fire, stood on a high cliff overlooking the beach. Far below, Matoran from all over the island were hard at work constructing boats for the long journey back home.

Vakama shook his head. Home. It had been so long since any of them had seen it, and the Matoran did not even remember living anywhere but Mata Nui. Only the six village elders recalled when and why they first came to the island, and for a thousand years, they had locked that secret away inside themselves.

The Turaga turned at the sound of another’s approach. It was Tahu Nuva, Toa of Fire and leader of the heroes of Mata Nui. “How go the labors, Turaga?” he asked.

“Quite well, Toa Tahu. We will soon have enough boats to carry us all back to the island city of Metru Nui. The Po-Matoran are at work widening the tunnels so we can carry the boats to the subterranean sea.”

Tahu nodded as his mind flashed back to the events of the past months. After the final confrontation with Makuta, master of shadows, the Toa had discovered a new island far beneath the surface of Mata Nui. It sat in the center of a silver sea of protodermis, and they could see few details of it from the shore. But Vakama insisted that this place was Metru Nui, the original home of the Matoran, to which they must return.

Even more startling, the Turaga revealed that Metru Nui had once been home to six other Toa, heroes who existed long before Tahu and the others ever appeared. But Vakama had said nothing about the fate of those early “Toa Metru,” or whether they might still be waiting on Metru Nui.

“I have been in council with the other Toa,” said Tahu. “I have come to ask you to tell us all about this new land, Metru Nui. If we are going to journey there and protect the Matoran from any threats that might lurk in that place, we must know everything.”

Vakama turned and walked away from the cliff. “Indeed, you must. But I will warn you, Tahu: The tales of Metru Nui are tales of sacrifice, betrayal, great danger, and yes, heroes as well. Their telling may change much of what you think you know about myself, the other Turaga, and the Matoran you have served all this time.”

“I — we — are prepared for that, Turaga,” replied Tahu. “The Toa have gathered at the Great Temple of Kini-Nui. They wait only for you.”

“Then let them wait no longer, Tahu.”

The seven Toa — Tahu, Kopaka, Gali, Pohatu, Onua, Lewa, and Takanuva — stood silently around the Amaja Circle. The Turaga had used that sandpit and the stones within it many times to tell tales of the past and future.

The Turaga of Fire placed the stone representing Mata Nui in the center of the circle and began. “In the time before time, long before any Matoran set foot on the island of Mata Nui, there was a city of legends. Hear now the first tale of Metru Nui…”