Chapter Twenty: Land of the Defeated

Despite being assigned to the region of Karzahni, Makuta Icarax had not visited the region in ages. Not that he ever really went there to begin with—I was far more interested in training and fighting in more exciting lands. Karzahni was never high on a tourist’s list of destinations, but around three thousand years ago, the Brotherhood of Makuta had formalized what had already unofficially existed: the isolation and quarantine of Karzahni. The island was declared off-limits, and none were permitted to travel there, save Icarax himself. But he had no interest in going.

Let the mad tyrant play with his toys, Icarax had reasoned. Let him fall into ignorance of the universe around him. Karzahni, once one of the most formidable warriors in the universe, exiled from the universe.

And yet, it was to Karzahni that Icarax arrived.

All of the Makuta lieutenants had been tasked with ensuring order in their regions. Icarax had avoided having to do this as the only factor that could threaten the Plan—Karzahni himself—had fled the island when the Makuta were distracted. Teridax had been enraged that Icarax had let him escape, but as far as the latter was concerned, he was only tasked with supervising the things on the island. That no longer included Karzahni.

This had left the island in a bizarre state as the Matoran, relieved at the absence of their master but fearing it to be some trick, continued their normal, pitiful lives. Only now, when Icarax absolutely had to deliver the Staff of Artakha to Teridax, did they show signs of acting up.

So, naturally, he prioritized them over Teridax.

Karzahni was bleaker than ever. The sky was an eternal gray, and the landscape was not much better. Long ago, the oceans around Karzahni receded, landlocking the original kingdom and opening more dry waste beyond the mountains rimming the valley. The tyrant expanded the region he considered “Karzahni” to include the new borders, not that it did him much good. In the time since Icarax last visited, the banks to the south started fissuring as a strange filth has spread up from the oceans. Even now it threatened to crumble the island.

“—to get it back.”

As he stood on a cliffside, a blustery voice drifted up from far below. Peering over the edge, Icarax perceived the six Toa Nuva as led by Onua Nuva. A vicious grin stretched across Icarax’s features.

I have already dealt with the Toa of Earth. But to battle all six Toa Nuva, the most powerful Toa in existence… Teridax had failed to properly discipline them before.

The Makuta raced along the peaks and prepared his trap. There he trembled with anticipation.