Chapter Eight

Lesovikk watched the light of day slowly fade from on top of the spire. He had stayed up on the wooden platform for the rest of the day, scanning the island for any sign of the spider-like Rahi. He had seen none. It did not seem as if the creatures would be coming back. He had also nearly finished off the bag of bula berries, with only two of them left. He turned back to the path as he heard Kualus coming up.

“Your new boat is done!” Kualus said triumphantly as he stepped onto the platform. When he had inquired about Lesovikk’s previous boat, no one had seen it around, though not many Matoran had seen it in the first place. After unsuccessfully searching for it, Kualus had convinced the village woodcutters to make him a new boat. He had then gone back to Lesovikk several times to give him updates on how the boat was going.

“I hope you like it,” said Kualus as he sat beside Lesovikk, “it’s not terribly big, but it should work for you.”

“Right now I am used to small boats,” said Lesovikk. “Have they found the missing Ga-Matoran yet?”

“Not yet, we are still searching. I really hope she’s okay.”

Just then a large Smoke Hawk swooped down and landed on the edge of the platform. Kualus’s eyes widened and he did his best to get up slowly to avoid spooking it. Once upright he started whistling and making clicking sounds, punctuated by a few hand gestures, all to the bewilderment of Lesovikk. More oddly the hawk had not moved, keeping its head cocked to one side, as if listening. Kualus kept this up for a minute and then looked at the bird. The Smoke Hawk stayed for a moment, then gave a low cry and flew up. It grabbed the bag of bula berries, and took off into the hills. Kualus watched it go, a look of disappointment on his face. Lesovikk, on the other hand, was confused.

“What is all the whistling and clicking in aid of?”

Kualus, who had still been staring after the hawk, looked back and said, “Oh, what was that?”

“Why were you clicking and whistling?”

“Well,” said Kualus as he smiled broadly, “I have always thought that flying Rahi had their own language, made up of clicks and whistles, and sometimes wing movements. So I am trying to teach it to myself. I have always loved flying Rahi and it would be amazing if I could communicate with them. Only… I haven’t had much success yet, or at all.” Kualus went and sat back down beside Lesovikk.

“Someday, though,” he continued, “I bet I will be able to communicate with them.” Lesovikk nodded, but did not really believe a word of it.

“So,” Kualus said, after another minute, “are you going to come down to the village, or are you going to stay up here all night?”

“This is the best lookout spot on the island,” Lesovikk replied, “so this is where I stay.”

“Are you going to sleep at all?” said Kualus.

“Not until I am sure this island is safe.”

“But the temperature up here drops at night,” said Kualus.

“I am a To—” Lesovikk started, then stopped himself. “I, I think I will be alright.”

“Well then, here I stay as well.”

“What?” said Lesovikk, “no, go back to the village.”

“Why not? Four eyes are better than two,” Kualus replied.

“But you said that the temperature drops up here.”

“I am a Ko-Matoran. I think I will be all right. Look, we can take shifts, one of us sleeps while the other one keeps a lookout. I will take the first shift.”

“No! Go back to the village,” said Lesovikk. “I will be fine up here.”

“Look,” said Kualus, almost standing up, “if you are going to go wandering to find a way to help your friends tomorrow, then you need some sleep! I have already made up my mind, so we can argue far into the night, or you can get some well-needed rest! Please, get some sleep. I will wake you in a bit.”

The Ko-Matoran then stood up and started gazing out into the rapidly growing darkness. Lesovikk wanted to argue further, but he knew that Kualus was right. He did need some sleep. So, although it was against his better judgment, he lay down and shut his eyes.

Makuta Gorast flew over the Silver Sea, heading back to the small island. She had just destroyed the remaining Visorak, and was feeling generally pleased with herself. Gorast had taken care of all the boats on the island the previous night, and then waited all day until it was dusk to hunt the Visorak down. If it was getting dark, she reasoned, nobody on the island would start a sea voyage. It hadn’t taken her long to find the Visorak. They were trying to get back to Destral, the fools. She had made short work of them.

Her thoughts were interrupted, though, by a telepathic message from Teridax. Gorast was not expecting it and was so surprised that she almost toppled into the water, but managed to right herself and concentrated on the message.

Gorast, continue to keep Lesovikk and the Matoran on the island, and don’t kill them. Do not reveal your presence just yet. My newest creation is on its way. It is a combination of five species of Rahi, and Toa are its prey. I call it the Rahi Nui.

Just as the Matoran were the Visorak’s test, Lesovikk will be the Rahi Nui’s. It should reach the island by morning.

Observe how the battle goes, and do not interfere. After it has killed Lesovikk, you may kill the Matoran as you please. Contact me when the battle is over.

The Rahi Nui was coming.