Chapter Five

Lariska had led her group to a proverbial oasis in the halls of the Dark Hunter fortress. In a tucked away corner, the group entered a door that brought them into a room full of the Shadowed One’s spoils from several centuries of looting.

Tyrant moved into the room in an instant, grabbing an array of blasters from the wall.

Lariska let herself smile. “Take whatever you think you can hit the hardest with. And hurry.”

Outside the stash, Dekar stood guard next to Krahka, the latter taking the form of the Dark Hunter that Lariska had killed.

Dekar looked at her with a hint of curiosity. “You’re not going to get any weapons?”

The shapeshifter looked back, and in an instant, held up her right hand as it transformed into a massive claw. With a shrug, she smiled, and turned it back to normal.

“Duly noted,” Dekar nodded.

“What about you? You don’t have any weapons,” she explained, “and a mask wouldn’t hurt. I’m sure there’s at least one Kanohi in there.”

Dekar was silent for a moment, then chuckled. “I don’t have the face for a mask.”

Krahka, unamused, walked closer to him. “Something’s going on with you,” she said softly, “besides the memory loss, I mean.”

He sighed. “I… I’m not used to this body. It’s not the one I remember having. Nothing’s been familiar since I woke up, and unlike you, I can’t change back.”

The Krahka flashed a sympathetic look for a moment. “Changing is a bit overrated,” she said. “Do you know how long it’s been since I was in my original form?” She paused for a moment, and looked to the side, forlorn. “I’m not even sure I can remember.” Her eyes met Dekar’s once more. “It’s difficult, being the last of my kind.”

Dekar’s expression dropped. “I had no idea.”

She paused, seemingly adrift in thought, before returning to reality. “You’re going through changes. It’s something I had to do to survive. So let me give you a piece of advice; things are going to change. It will be out of your control. Your old life, the life you once knew, is gone.”

His eyes betrayed no emotion, before curving ever so slightly downward. “How do I move forward?”

She smiled. “You find something small to keep, and leave the rest behind.” Her appearance suddenly shifted, returning to the image of the Toa of Water she had first appeared as. “Like the face of an old friend.”

Dekar was silent, but he nodded, his eyes shut in contemplation.

The Krahka patted him on his shoulder, changing her appearance back into a Dark Hunter. “Now get in there. Get some gear.”

Dekar nodded, and made his way through the door. Entering the storeroom, he came across the rest of the team. Tyrant held up twin blasters, as Roodaka clutched a Rhotuka spinner menacingly.

Lariska exited the room, still with her daggers in one hand, but with a glowing blue zamor sphere in the other. When a squad of hunters recovered the original set of spheres from an abandoned Piraka workshop on Voya Nui, they discovered it had the ability to absorb one’s powers. Naturally, the Shadowed One quickly ordered that they be reproduced as quickly as possible. While most attempts had failed, one of the originals was still waiting for her, left behind in the armory.

She found it ironic, somewhat, that the Shadowed One left the tool of his undoing behind in a place like this.

“What’s that?” Dekar inquired, noticing the sphere Lariska held.

“Something that’ll help us later,” Lariska said, shoving the sphere into a satchel slung over her shoulder, alongside a launcher. “Now hurry up and get some equipment. We can’t stay here for long.”

As he rummaged through piles of weapons and discarded armor, Dekar found a pair of twin claws. Something seemed vaguely familiar about them, but he paid the feeling no mind, strapping the claws to his forearms. As he continued digging, the glint of a shiny metal caught his eye. Reaching in, he pulled out a mask, a Kanohi Kiril.

Looking into the eyeholes of the mask was bizarre. From Dekar’s perspective, it hadn’t been that long since he had once worn a very similar mask, back in his Matoran body in Mahri Nui. Facing it now, it was a feeling that felt very much like looking in a mirror.

Despite the strangeness of the situation, Dekar felt no unease in it. He couldn’t fully comprehend how it was he felt, but it was almost comforting. With a warm smile, Dekar put the mask on his face, and marched towards the doorway.

And immediately, he was blown back by a blast of energy.

As Dekar slammed into the back wall, he found himself completely unable to move. Seconds after he landed, the Krahka landed next to him as well, still in her Dark Hunter disguise. She groaned, a welcome sign that she was alive, but she made no movement.

Lariska, Roodaka, and Tyrant spread out across the room, drawing their weapons. Through the doorway, a hulking ebony figure emerged, growling like a primal hunter.

“Great,” Lariska cursed, “it’s Savage.”

✴        ✴        ✴

Exiting the grand chamber of the Dark Hunters, Nektann sighed. He never had been one for large crowds, at least, not when he wasn’t the focus of them. And the members of the crowd, not nearly as ferocious as the Skakdi armies he was used to, but somehow twice as repulsive to him. A true mismatched group populated this fortress, something Nektann wasn’t sure he could ever truly fit in with.

Then again, he mused, what choice do I really have?

He began to wander aimlessly through the fortress halls, silently avoiding any company. The memories of the failures that led him here dominated his mind, only further aggravating him. In the span of weeks, he had gone from the top general of Makuta’s army, to yet another grunt in the Shadowed One’s army. He had fallen from grace.

Shaking his head, he looked up at the area he found himself in, the Shadowed One’s beast pens. Through the cages that lined the walls, the vicious jaws of the Hordika Dragons snapped, threatening to attack as soon as they could be set free.

“Nektann,” a voice startled the Skakdi out of his reverie. Jolting his head upwards, he came to face Takadox.

“Takadox,” the Skakdi acknowledged. “What brings you here?”

The former Barraki smiled, and turned his gaze up to the gnashing beasts that waited on the walls. “I’ve felt most comfortable in this place. Usually, I’ve been surrounded by beings who want to kill me. Now that I have some allies, having any creature out for my neck feels… nostalgic.”

Nektann frowned. “I’m not sure I understand.”

“That’s alright,” he shrugged, “I don’t expect you to. How’s the new armor suiting you?”

The warlord glanced down, and placed a hand on his gray chestplate. His former set of armor had been melted by Toa Tahu, and the burns on his skin were still visible underneath his armor. It served as a reminder of what the Toa had taken from him, and a motivator to claim his revenge.

“It will serve me well,” he finally said, “I can tell that much.”

“Good,” Takadox smiled. “May you see an opportunity to put it to use soon.”

Nektann nodded, and turned his head as the doors to the room were flung open. Through the doorway, he and Takadox watched as a white armored Glatorian came running in, clambering forward in a panic.

“Takadox,” the figure panted, “we’re in trouble.”

The former Barraki showed no concern at the warning. “Speak, Strakk. What is it?”

“Prototype, he tried to take on Malum. Pretty sure all he accomplished was making him mad. I’d be expecting a counter attack soon.”

A grin spread across the warlord’s face. “So, we’ve aroused the anger of the locals. Good.”

Strakk’s eyes widened. “Good? This is anything but good! Do you want a horde of Vorox swarming the fortress?”

Takadox chuckled. “We can handle whatever your old friend decides to throw at us. But this may inspire the Shadowed One to make more haste, now that we’re drawing more attention.” With that, he made his way slowly for the exit, leaving a dumbfounded Strakk and a confused Nektann in the beast pens.

“What are we going to do?” the Glatorian yelled after him.

“Alert the Shadowed One,” Takadox replied, “we’re locating our target.”

✴        ✴        ✴

The battle against Savage had not progressed well. The hulking mass of a Dark Hunter had so far managed to paralyze four of the team’s members, with only Lariska left standing. Their fight had continued out into the darkened halls of the fortress, leaving the paralyzed members of the team in the room to recover.

After a few minutes, Dekar rose to a sitting position at last. “What…” he groaned, “what was that thing?”

Tyrant was frozen to the ground, but managed to speak, with great pain. “Savage,” he said, “he’s a Toa Hordika. Mutated by Visorak venom, now half Rahi. The Shadowed One likes to use him as a brute.”

Roodaka chuckled, still frozen to the floor. “If only I had the chance to meet him. I would’ve loved a second go round at corrupting a Toa. I have experience dealing with… Hordika.”

The Krahka rose to her full height, taking on the form of a brown armored Toa Hordika. “Here,” she said slowly, “maybe this will give us better odds.”

Roodaka and Tyrant rose to their feet as well, the effects of paralysis finally wearing off. The three others looked to Dekar, as if expecting orders.

“What are you waiting for?” he said, confused, “go help her!”

The three other prisoners nodded, and took off running towards the hall. Dekar began to run after them, but was suddenly halted.

Leave them, a voice in his head said. He recognized it was loud and clear enough not to be merely his own thoughts. Which left him with the question, who else was in his mind? Leave them, the voice repeated, return to your duty. They’ve chosen their fate.

Dekar paused for a moment, but shook his head. “They need my help,” he said aloud.

They’re criminals. Either way, they’ll end up in a cell.

“But they helped me. I owe them, even if they’re not exactly trustworthy.”

The voice had no reply.

“Who are you, anyway?”

I am Hydraxon, the voice said, the one whose life you took over.

Dekar shook his head. “I didn’t take over anyone’s life. You’re confused.”

It’s you who’s confused. I was torn from my duty, killed in the Great Cataclysm. But thanks to your sacrifice, I was allowed to return. I finally know why I’m here, and I will not let you take my duty from me.

He was silent for almost a minute, before speaking again. “You won’t take my duty from me,” he said in a harsh tone, “I’m helping them, and I’m getting out of here.” With that, he charged into the hall, before the voice could protest any longer.

The battle that followed was vicious. Despite it being a five on one fight, Savage proved to be a capable warrior, although it seemed he was moving more on instinct than skill. As soon as Dekar stepped out the door, he ducked just in time to avoid Tyrant being flung across the room at high speeds. The crimson hunter slammed into the wall with a great impact, and collapsed to the ground.

“Glad you could make it,” Lariska called back, “I was worried for a moment.”

Dekar charged forward, pointing his claws straight ahead. As soon as he drew near the beast, he was met with a strike in the torso, sending him plummeting to the ground. The Krahka quickly jumped in front of him as he recovered, firing off a rhotuka spinner at the bestial Toa. In an instant, his right hand was bound in stone, sealing him to the ground.

“Be careful,” Lariska said as she clinged onto Savage’s back, “don’t kill. Just incapacitate.”

“What?” Tyrant balked, but the creature’s other fist swept him off of his feet before he could question it.

As Dekar rose to his feet once more, the voice returned to his mind. You’ll never take him down, the way you’re fighting, it said, let me in.

Dekar scoffed, as though offended by the idea. “No way. I’m not giving up my mind again.”

They need a warrior. You’re not a warrior.

He shrugged. “Then teach me.”

A long silence followed in Dekar’s mind. When it became clear that the voice had no answer, he charged the hunter once more, pointing his claws straight forward.

They’re not for stabbing, they’re for slashing.

Dekar had no time to react, but as if on instinct, his right arm swung back. With one fell swoop, he sliced across Savage’s torso, tearing off a chunk of armor as the hunter howled in pain.

Good.

Savage turned on a heel, ripping his stone seal away from the floor, but was quickly interrupted by a blow to the side from Roodaka’s mace. With a bellow, the hunter fell to his knees, Lariska still clutching onto his back. Leaping off, she assumed a battle ready stance, and the group circled him slowly.

Now’s your chance, the voice in Dekar’s mind said, finish it.

No, Dekar thought, Lariska said no kills.

And why do you suppose she said that?

The bestial Dark Hunter let out a mighty roar, but it was interrupted by a blast in the back of his head. Tyrant blew smoke from the barrel of his blaster as Savage collapsed to the ground with a loud thud.

As Savage’s eyes closed, Lariska shot a glare at Tyrant. “Is he…”

“He’s unconscious,” Tyrant said. “Why do you even want him alive, anyways?”

Each of the prisoners’ eyes turned to her at once.

Lariska’s eyes darted back and forth between the group. As she stomped a foot on the unconscious body of the beastly hunter, she spat. “My angle is taking down the Shadowed One. Any of his hunters could aid in that goal, if they can be captured.”

The Krahka flashed a doubtful glare, returning to the form of a Toa of Water. “You want to interrogate this creature? I’m not sure he can speak.”

Lariska knelt down beside the unconscious body, and kicked it to the side. “He doesn’t need to,” she grinned. “Savage can only operate on the Shadowed One’s orders for so long, before his Hordika nature takes over. When he wakes up, he’ll be a mindless beast, who’ll make a huge mess, and create a distraction from our escape.”

There was no response for a moment, until, one by one, the other escapees nodded in understanding.

“Nice move,” complemented the silver and black armored warrior.

“Thank you, Dekar.”

He shook his head. “About that,” he smiled. “It’s Hydraxon, now.”

The others glanced at him. Roodaka, in particular, glared with fire in her eyes. “Oh, you’ve finally given up the act?” she growled, stomping up to him. “We could’ve used you ages ago.”

Hydraxon was calm. “It was no act,” he said, “my mind was taken from me. I am… whole, once more. My identity is resolved. The only thing you all need to worry yourselves with is whether or not you belong back in a cell, once this is all over.”

The group was silent. The jailer grinned, slipping back into his old routine. “Dekar felt an obligation to stay and help you,” he continued. “I, on the other hand, remain unconvinced that I should. So if you have any concern for your fate after the Shadowed One is taken care of, I recommend you think before you speak.”

Roodaka’s glare was unyielding, but she said nothing.

Sheathing her dagger, Lariska marched forward. “It’s good to have you back, Hydraxon. Now let’s get out of here before any more hunters come for a fight.” Her tone was one of impatience.

Hydraxon nodded. “Lead the way.”

As the group carried on, each member made their way to the door, one by one. Roodaka was the last to leave, staring with curiosity at the fallen Toa Hordika for just a moment, reminiscing of the last Hordika she had manipulated.

Perhaps another Hordika could clear the Shadowed One’s throne for me, she mused. It’s gotten so monotonous, having to do everything myself.

As Lariska’s voice called out from the other room, Roodaka shook her head, and made her way through the door. She would find a new underling another time, she resolved.