Chapter Five

The island province of Ko-Wahi rested in the central west of Mata Nui, dominating much of the island with Mount Ihu—the tallest point in the land. The region’s territory began in the north where the foothills of the mountain joined the caves of Onu-Wahi and ended in the south where the jungle climate of Le-Wahi overtook. To the east, past Mount Ihu, the mountain merged into the Mangai Volcano, the two peaks separated by the North March land fault.

As would be expected of the Ice Wahi, a blanket of snow and frost covered the entire region. The mountain was largely inhospitable, with only a few species of Rahi being able to successfully survive there. The land often experienced fierce storms that made it impossible to travel, either by foot, Gukko bird, Ussal crab, or Cable Car. Among the more dominant features of Ko-Wahi were two massive glaciers, separated by a block of ice underneath which the village of ice and home to the Ko-Matoran, Ko-Koro, hid.

The villagers lived either in caverns inside the glaciers or in huts made of ice. Defense was provided by a group of Matoran called the Sanctum Guard. Enormous crevasses dotted the surrounding mountains, into which a traveler or a large Rahi could disappear forever. To survive, the Ko-Matoran had become master trackers and trap-builders.

But the first thing Takua realized when entering Ko-Wahi was that it was hard to get anywhere.

I should’ve picked up some snow shoes in one of the other village’s bazaars, went his grumbling thoughts as he dragged his legs through the shin-deep snow. His whole body ached and his muscles were shivering by the time he got to Ko-Koro.

Between the outskirts and the heart of the village, Takua passed a group of Ko-Matoran sliding and gliding up and down a small ice rink, hurling snowballs at each other. They were clearly having a blast, momentarily unconcerned with the darkness seeping into the world, stretching across every inch of the land.

It seemed nice.

The traveler paused and thought for a moment. On one hand, there was nothing he wanted more than to escape the frigid cold of the tundra. On the other…

Takua sighed. Putting on a smile, he caught the eye of one of the Ko-Matoran players and waved. Spotting a set of footprints leading to the field, the Matoran stepped along the tracks, making for slightly easier travel.

By the time Takua reached the ice field, several Ko-Matoran had finished their game and were brushing the snow off their armor. The one Takua had signaled threw his arm around his shoulder.

“Wouldn’t have expected to see a lava-licker in these parts. Ever played Huai Snowball Sling before?”

“No… but I’ve been traveling the island playing each of the village’s games, and I may be eligible for a Copper Mask soon. May as well finish the circuit.”

“Excellent,” the Ko-Matoran slapped Takua on the back. “I’m always in the mood for a good snowball fight! Get ready! You will slide around on the ice when you fling snowballs. If you can avoid being totally covered in snow, you win!”

“That’s it?”

The Ko-Matoran nodded. “That’s it.”

Takua waded onto the rink. After Ussal racing, koli, and Kewa bird riding, this didn’t seem too difficult at all. And as the other players prepared their first snowballs, Takua walked to the edge of the rink, where all the snow lay, and began scooping his own. Then he took his mark.

The horn blared, and the peaceful rink became a firestorm of snowballs. Takua was hit by a few right away, but as the Ko-Matoran turned their attention to each other, the more experienced players, Takua was able to hang along the edges and pick them off from the side.

But by far the hardest part of the game, as Takua quickly realized, was the rink itself. Slick not only ice but also the water from the friction of running, the ground was nearly impossible to stand still on. Even the effort of hurling a snowball was enough to send the Matoran sliding backwards. Maneuverability was not helped by the snowballs themselves, which stuck and clumped onto their targets. Before long, all four Matoran were starting to resemble snowballs themselves.

It was when one of the Ko-Matoran lost his footing and rolled off the rink like a giant snow boulder that Takua realized he had a chance to win.

The Ko-Matoran that had greeted him was certainly targeting the other Ko-Matoran. The pair were locked in a monumental duel. But when the greeter’s opponent lost his footing and slipped, Takua knew he had to act fast. As the traveler fired a volley at the greeter, even the veteran player had no chance. Like the first Ko-Matoran to fall, the other two soon rolled off the field.

Takua leaned over to catch his breath before dusting himself off.

“Isn’t it nice? The feel of fresh snow on your face is so refreshing!”

Takua looked up. The greeter was walking over.

“Did you let me win?”

“You’re one step closer to the Copper Mask, are you not?”

“Well, yes… but were you trying—”

The Ko-Matoran held up his hand. “You won. Fair and square. If you want to play another round, or, if you want to play later, you’ll know where to find us.”

✴        ✴        ✴

Seeing Takua’s bright red form approaching, the two village guards perked up.

“Go back, or you’ll be frozen in ice!”

“No, you’ll be buried in snow.”

“Frozen in ice is better.”

“I like buried in snow!”

“Let’s compromise: go back or you’ll be really-really cold!”

“I seek passage,” Takua said. “It is paramount that I speak to the Turaga.”

The guards exchanged glances.

“Paramount?” asked the first. “Well, I don’t suppose there’s any harm in letting him through.”

“The Sanctum Guard never lets anyone through,” replied the second. “Not without accepting the consequences first. If you pass, do you agree that we, Talvi,” he gestured to himself, “and Pakastaa,” he gestured to his companion, “are not legally, morally, or ethically responsible for your wellbeing while in this land, and that any liability for cold exposure you experience in, but not limited to, Ko-Koro and the Ihu Drifts is solely yours?”

“I… guess?”

“Then you may pass,” Talvi said, stepping aside. “But seriously, take it from a Ko-Matoran. Avoid the Drifts.”

✴        ✴        ✴

Ko-Koro had a single gate facing a massive crevasse, which was guarded at all times. Inside the village, the Matoran lived either in huts made of ice on the ground, or in rooms carved into the glaciers that surrounded the village on all sides.

As Takua made his way through the village, he was struck by the spell of silence that permeated the land. Unlike the athlete and the guards he had met outside, most villagers hurried to and from their homes in total silence. Even when Takua did stop Matoran to talk, they responded as briefly as possible before hurrying away.

So silent and so cold was the village, in fact, that when, out of the corner of his eye, he saw someone gesturing him over, Takua found himself thanking Mata Nui.

“Hi! I’m Takua,” the traveler said, trotting over. “I’m looking to warn your Turaga about something that’s been happening in the other villages. If I’m not already too late.”

The Ko-Matoran frowned.

Takua hesitated. Then he added, “Do you know where I can find the Turaga?”

The ice villager looked away pensively. Then he looked back.

“You’ve arrived just in time. Turaga Nuju has been kidnapped by a horde of evil beasts, and my friend Matoro has been injured. The best trackers of our village have been unable to reach Nuju. You must rescue Nuju.”

“I see,” Takua frowned. “Then I am too late.”

The Ko-Matoran nodded.

Takua crossed his arms. “Where should I go?”

“You must go into the Drifts.”

“I was told I shouldn’t go there.”

The Ko-Matoran nodded. “Most foreigners cannot abide the cold. ‘All of this snow is making my feet cold…’ they complain. ‘Ko-Koro is too cold! I’d much rather live in a warm village, like Po-Koro.’ ‘All it ever does is snow up here! Would it hurt anyone if we had some sun?’ Perhaps you are made of sterner stuff.”

Takua was skeptical, but he would try. Remembering the events that had transpired in the prior villages, he crossed his arms. “And what about the Toa stone?”

The Ko-Matoran’s eyes narrowed attentively. “Have you seen the Toa Kopaka Stone? I heard it was lost.”

“Figures. Has anything else gone missing?”

“I’m not sure what happened to our Element of Melting, but without it we can’t melt water for our village.”

“How will I navigate these drifts?”

“Take these flags that I have prepared.”

“How do you know I can do it if the trackers have failed?”

“Nuju predicted you would succeed. That is all.”

“What is your name?”

“I am Arktinen. The Icesmith.”

“Alright,” Takua said, collecting the flags the Icesmith had indicated. “Goodbye,”

Arktinen said nothing, merely nodding.

Disgruntled, Takua left.

✴        ✴        ✴

The Drifts of Mount Ihu were one of the harshest regions in all of Mata Nui, subject to year-round subzero temperatures and toppling winds. Even the Ko-Matoran needed extensive training to endure in the wasteland. For all other Matoran, travel in the Drifts, or the Wastes as they were alternatively called, was to court death itself. But only I have fought this sort of attack from Makuta before. Now, here in Ko-Wahi, I must again save the Turaga, Takua committed.

The wastes were no less expansive and hostile than Po-Wahi, only here there were few geographical markers or highways to navigate by. Only the flags he planted gave any indication whether he was entering territory he had explored already or not. After what felt like an eternity wandering the snowfields, he turned onto an icy road lined with gaping endless chasms. This part of the island, like Po-Wahi and Ta-Wahi, was home to the fearsome Vako, four-legged creatures with long horns rising from their snouts. The Vako rampaged and ran faster than most known Rahi. Here, even looking at one wrong would lead to impaling by the horn, or a headbutt far into the many chasms. Even trying to run in this icy, chasm-adorned land almost certainly meant one was already dead.

Fortunately, although Takua saw many of the blue-hued Vako wandering from afar, almost none even noticed his passage. On this occasion, even they were concentrating on enduring the snowstorm, a small consolation for Takua indeed. The stings of hail and ice particles assaulted his every step, and yet any serious breach in concentration would send him sliding to his doom. More than once did Takua praying that the torment would end.

And if not, well… I’ll have to have a few words with Makuta once this is all over, Takua thought. Maybe I can even convince him to awaken Mata Nui while I’m at it…

It was when he was starting to doubt that the torment ever would end that the Matoran rounded a bend to find Nuju. The Turaga was stranded on the top of a narrow pillar ringed by seemingly bottomless chasms. Across the chasm on the mountainside was a dark blue staff, buried in the snow where he had dropped it while trying to escape.

Far above him, flying ice monsters known as Batabata Snowbirds swooped and dove at him, fighting to drive him back in the direction of his former prison. Much like the Vatuka Beast Takua had faced in Onu-Wahi, these creatures were considered elementals, and where it had been formed of sand and stone, these were shaped out of snow and ice. Rahi were found all over the island. Elemental beasts only rarely emerged from Makuta’s depths. Rahi could sometimes be tamed and freed from Makuta’s corruptive influence. Elemental creatures were fashioned by his hand and answered only to him.

Nuju, having barely escaped his prison, was resolved to never return.

Takua sprang into action, leaping, rolling, and hurling Madu fruit as the creatures descended to attack. The large, round Batabata hurled themselves at the ground and dissolved into snow before reconstituting and flying into the air again. Seeking cover, Takua scrambled into a field of needle ice. A few overeager Batabata Snowbirds attempted to smash themselves into the inverted icicles, but the crystals remained strong and the Rahi were dazed. The rest of the flock hesitated, wary.

The distraction, meanwhile, had afforded Nuju the opportunity to escape the ledge, leaping to the mountainside where he pulled the blue staff, a Trident, out of the ground. The Amana Volo Sphere glowed with energy and the Trident sprayed blasts of water at the unsuspecting Batabata. As the water struck, it drenched and froze their wings, forcing them to wheel away in retreat.

“Turaga Nuju, I’ve been sent to help rescue you!” Takua called as the last Rahi fled. “I see you already have one of the two Vuata Maca crystals—good job! Ko-Koro will have power again very soon.”

Nuju simply nodded and walked to join Takua, though he did not say anything.

“Turaga…? Are you alright?”

The elder looked at the Matoran, then turned to walk away. He beckoned for Takua to follow, and the uncomfortable Matoran obeyed.

✴        ✴        ✴

Takua was surprised when Nuju did not lead them directly to the village. Although he navigated the Drifts with ease, he seemed intent on a stretch that the Matoran did not recognize. Dotted with caves formed in the side of the mountain, but the Turaga did not seem to guide them both to one of these. Instead, he made for a bare side of the mountain. Yet as they came closer, the mountain shifted and the snow gave way to reveal an entrance. The interior glowed with a flickering light.

Inside, sitting propped near a glowing heatstone, was a Ko-Matoran in a pale blue Akaku. His arm was bandaged in a splint. Upon seeing the new arrivals, his eyes widened and he crawled to his feet.

“Turaga!” the Matoran called, rushing to greet him. “I’m so glad to see you back safely! Is this your rescuer, then? Takua?”

Nuju nodded, then he made some weird noises that sounded like clicking and whistling. The Ko-Matoran nodded along, seemingly understanding the Turaga’s noises. Interest registered on his face, then surprise, before it settled on agreement. The villager nodded and turned to Takua. “He says, ‘Thank you for saving me, Takua.’”

Takua, confused, only managed, “Alright.”

The Ko-Matoran chuckled. “My name is Matoro. Turaga Nuju does not speak the Matoran language, except in dire emergencies. Instead he communicates in his own language, which I have mastered as his Matoran translator. We are almost always together, but I… I am no warrior. I couldn’t stop the Rahi that took him when they attacked.”

The Turaga made another series of gestures and noises. The interpreter nodded again and looked at the fire villager. “He says, ‘You are a Ta-Matoran, and unaccustomed to the cold of the mountain. Let’s go back to the village, we can talk more there.’”

✴        ✴        ✴

The trio traveled quickly, this time making their way to Ko-Koro and into the Sanctum, one of the settlement’s most famous buildings, housing ancient prophecies and inscriptions for the Ko-Matoran to study and decipher.

As Matoro sealed the door to the Drifts, Nuju began to speak again. This time he spoke directly to Takua, presenting an Amana Volo Sphere as well as the blue Trident he had wielded before. As he spoke, Matoro translated. “‘As a reward for rescuing me, I have a gift for you… Nokama’s Trident! With this staff you’ll be able to launch water balls at your enemies.’”

“I am grateful,” Takua said, taking the weapon. “Incidentally, I have something of yours, Turaga. The Matoran of Le-Wahi gave me your Ice Pick.”

Nuju began speaking again, and a few seconds later Matoro spoke as well. “‘Keep it. There will be time enough when your adventure is over to return it. All the more for what I am about to ask…’”

The Turaga walked a few paces, before speaking again, prompting Matoro’s translation. “‘Now that you have proven your ability, I must ask for your aid. The sacred Toa Kopaka Stone has been stolen from Kini-Nui. It must be found and returned so the Legend of Mata Nui can be told. In addition, Makuta’s henchmen have stolen the Element of Melting from our village. This artifact helps us melt the ice that covers Mt. Ihu and lets some water flow freely around our village.’”

“An Element of Melting?” Takua asked.

“‘You may have been surprised to see’ the Turaga ‘carrying Nokama’s Trident,’” Matoro translated. “‘The Ga-Koro elder lent it to him when the Element was stolen as a temporary solution. But the Element, the greatest of all Heatstones, must be found if we are to have fresh, pure water again.’”

“Then I’ll find that, too,” Takua assured with a nod. “You two stay in the village and do what you can to repair the damage from Nuju’s disappearance.”

Nuju whistled, and Matoro spoke. “One more thing.”

A pair of large doors to the Sanctum opened and a green and purple Matoran hurriedly shuffled in.

“Great traveler!” he cried, seeing Takua. “We are beginning to freeze without the source of energy that our Vuata Maca Tree provides! In order to restore this tree to health, you must find two Vuata Maca crystals and bring them to me. You must help us, before it’s too late!”

Nuju shook his head and held out the Vuata Maca crystal he had found.

“Just one, then,” the Treekeeper said, taking it. “May Mata Nui watch your steps.”

“One Vuata Maca crystal, one Element of Melting, and one Toa Stone,” Takua nodded, adjusting his mask. “How hard can it be?”

“Have you seen the Rahi outside our village? Be careful out there!” the Treekeeper said, shifting from foot to foot anxiously. His eyes fell on the Ice Pick in Takua’s hands. “That will be pretty helpful. Nuju’s Ice Pick can be used to turn hot lava into cool stone.”

Nuju began speaking again. Matoro looked at the Treekeeper. “Takua has braved much on his recent adventures. The light of Mata Nui will continue to guide him, as it has so much already.”

✴        ✴        ✴

The instant he set foot outside the relative warmth of the village, Takua was met by a hard blast of biting cold.

Nice to see you again too, he grumbled.

He had perhaps walked two kio when he spotted a Vuata Maca crystal hidden in a snowdrift. Takua was only able to find it thanks to its unique glow shining through the top layer of a snowpile.

The location of the Element of Melting was found due to the stone’s inherent properties. Takua had made it to a portion of Ko-Wahi covered in thick sheets of ice when he noticed billowing steam flowing up from a puddle melted deep into the ice. Several goat-like mountain Mahi were lingering nearby to get close, their flamboyant bright red and black armor intimidating against the ice and snow. But a few explosive Madu Cabolo sent them packing.

After that, a mere arm’s reach into the surprisingly warm waters revealed that the Element of Melting was indeed there.

That just left the Ice Toa Stone.

It was as he was circling back to the village that Takua found three snow-covered crates tucked away on a peak. They were quite out of place amid the uniform landscape.

What could those be? Takua thought. On one hand, it was highly unlikely that Makuta’s minions would make such an obvious hiding place for their stolen treasure. On the other, wasn’t it Takua’s responsibility to leave no stone unturned?

He ambled over. The crates lay motionless, and the middle one appeared to glow with a gray light. Flinging his sharp-edged disk to open them, he was surprised to see the Ice Toa Stone.

And looming above it, surrounded by the fragments of the shattered crate, was a large, muscular Hikaki.

The other two crates exploded as two more Hikaki charged out. The dragon-like lizards were known to thrive in extreme temperatures, and Takua had seen his share of their cousins in Ta-Wahi. They sported long, flat feet that distributed their weight across snow and lava alike. Their clawed hands and their toothy maws made quick work of unlucky Matoran.

Why can’t I ever just leave things alone? he thought angrily, as they began hopping after him, gnashing their teeth and extending their claws. Did Makuta intend to trap me?

The deep snow and frigid temperatures already made movement hard, but in life-threatening situations like this, Takua had learned to power through. Using Nokama’s water staff, he hosed two of the deep-blue and white Rahi down, driving them into the wild, rather than continue to pester this one Matoran.

The third Hikaki doubled back on Takua, forcing him to take cover in the remains of one of the opened crates. He emerged over the edge of the side of the crate to sling a Madu fruit in the creature’s chest right as it ran at him, taking the impact at close range. That was enough to send it running, too.

Takua reached to push himself off the ground, and retrieved the missing stone. My luck hasn’t run out yet.

Encouraged, he then returned to Ko-Koro with the Element of Melting and second Vuata Maca crystal. He first sought out the Treekeeper, who anxiously awaited his coming. Revitalized under the power of the second crystal, the tree pulsated with new energy.

“Thank you, on behalf of this village,” the keeper said. “Ko-Koro is saved! You’ve found both of the Vuata Maca Tree crystals!”

“You’re welcome. I’m just happy to help another village. Everyone needs to be at full strength when Makuta launches his next onslaught.”

“You have the heart of a Toa,” the Treekeeper replied. “I see the same heart beating in Matoro. But don’t forget to take it easy sometimes. You should stick around. Many from our village like to skate on Lake Naho. You might like it too. Kopeke is a very skilled ice skater and a master thrower of disks. And I’ve heard that Matoro has a very good singing voice. If you hang around, you could see these for yourself.”

“Makuta’s attack cannot last forever,” Takua assured him. “And when this ends, I’ll have to see these for myself. I will remember.”

✴        ✴        ✴

Matoro and Turaga Nuju were conferring in the Sanctum when Takua arrived. Upon his entry, they turned. Matoro’s eyes widened excitedly. The Turaga, though his expression remained placid, visibly relaxed. He began making the whistles, chirps, and gestures that Takua was now accustomed to.

“‘Prophecies may foretell a good outcome, but nothing is as comforting as seeing it actually come to pass,’” Matoro interpreted. “‘Once again you have beaten the odds, brave islander. With the Element of Melting returned, the waters around Ko-Koro will flow once more. You have also recovered the Toa Kopaka Stone! So many great deeds have been done by one who is so small.’”

Takua beamed.

“‘And yet, the hardest task remains. Your quest is not over, my friend. You must now journey to Ta-Koro, the village of fire. There you must speak with Vakama, who will tell you more of your quest. But be warned: the smoldering embers that led to your exile still linger. Your homecoming in Ta-Koro will not be met with the same welcome as it has in the other five villages. Good luck…’” Nuju and Matoro bowed, “‘and may Kopaka guide your path!’”

Takua returned the gesture and made his way outside. As he departed, he grimly reflected on how far he’d come. From his alarm at Whenua’s summons and his fears on his Onu-Koro mission. Now he resolved to confront whatever Makuta held in store in his home village.

Five down, he thought. And just one to go.