Chapter Thirteen: The Shadowed One

Imagine sticking your face into a nest of fireflyers… only the fireflyers are hungry and very very angry. That’s about what it felt like approaching the fortress of the Dark Hunters on Odina.

Although the Toa had chosen the least guarded approach to the fortress, they still had to deal with their share of sentries and wandering Dark Hunters. What they soon realized was that the trick was to knock them out before they could raise an alarm – a task made infinitely easier with the help of Lewa Nuva. A Toa of Air can create a quick vacuum around an enemy, and with no air, the sound of his shouts can’t travel.

Having made their way as quickly as they dared to the fortress, they soon stood at the rear stone wall. Pohatu made a stone hand emerge from the blocks to grab the lone guard and squeeze him into unconsciousness. Then another application of his power tore open an entrance.

If they thought that breaking into the fortress was a challenge, they quickly realized that navigating it would be an impossibility. The inside of the fortress was a maze, and with no real idea where the Staff of Artakha might be hidden, it would only be a matter of time before the Dark Hunters apprehended them.

“Tahu, we could be wandering this maze for days before we find this staff,” Gali whispered. But Tahu shook his head.

“The staff is valuable,” he said quietly. “The Dark Hunters will keep it with their treasures, which means not far from The Shadowed One’s throne. We find him, we find the staff.”

“And find me you have,” a harsh voice boomed. The sound came from all around them, but there was no one else present.

It spoke again. “Did you really think you could enter my fortress without my knowledge? Did you really think you could make it this far unless I wanted you here?”

All around us, the corridor walls began to shift. Before they could react, the Toa were sealed off in a stone prison.

“Of course, I know six Toa Nuva could break out of this trap easily,” said the Shadowed One, leader of the Dark Hunters. “But I am hoping you will take the time to listen… I have an offer to make, and a secret to share.”