Tales from Turaga Ventax: Volume 1

Creature of the Night

Written by Minirigby

This next story is one which, until our recent exodus to the reformed world of Spherus Magna, was forbidden from being retold or reproduced by order of the Brotherhood of Makuta. In light of recent events, the reason for this seems rather obvious, though at the time many would have dismissed the events of this story as purely an outlier.

My own history with the Brotherhood was enough to warrant sparing a second thought however, and so despite being ordered to erase it from my collection, better judgement prevailed. I elected to keep the story which you are about to read, hidden and safe, for future retellings such as this...

“Captain, we’ve another one” the Ko-Matoran said, entering the Captain’s hut.

“Who this time, Kodo?” the Captain asked his old friend, frustrated by the news.

“The archivist sir, Onai was his name I believe” said Kodo.

This was the third missing Matoran in as many weeks. In all his years as Captain of the village guard, Leru had never had to deal with much beyond the occasional Rahi attack or small scuffle between Matoran. Being on the large island to the furthest South-East of the Southern Islands left their village isolated from their Matoran kin, true, but safe from most threats as well.

“There’s one more thing, sir” Kodo said in a concerned tone, “witnesses reported seeing a large flying beast leaving the archivist’s hut last night, before he was reported missing”.

“Could these abductions be the work of some large Rahi then?” Captain Leru thought aloud, “Kodo, did the witnesses mention anything else that stood out?”.

Kodo thought for a moment, “There was one thing, sir. The Matoran I spoke with said it looked like the beast was wearing a Kanohi, and one they didn’t recognize at that.”

Leru thought about this description, “not unusual for Rahi, Kodo. They’ve been known to have Kanohi on them in other lands.”

“Not like this, sir” Kodo said, “this one was wearing the Kanohi over it’s face, like a Toa or a Matoran would.”

Leru was intrigued by this description, he had never heard of a Rahi wearing a Kanohi in the way their kind did. “Very perplexing indeed, my friend. Perhaps it would be best to bring this information to the Makuta.” Leru said.

Recalling that the Brotherhood were experts in all manner of Rahi, Leru thought it best to consult their local Makuta, the reclusive Lord Wahtrak.

“How can you be sure the old hermit would even take our visit, Captain?” Kodo asked.

“I can’t, but with Turaga Sarok and the Toa away for who knows how long, we have no one else to turn to.” said Leru...

As the two Matoran approached Lord Wahtrak’s castle, Leru couldn’t shake the feeling of eyes like daggers, following their every footstep.

“What a terrible place” Kodo said, “I can never understand how the Makuta lives up on such an inhospitable cliff-side”.

“Careful what you say” Leru spoke up, “Makuta aren’t known for being the friendliest of hosts as it is, you wouldn’t want to be heard criticizing his home as well”.

Kodo nodded, as the two continued making their way up the narrow stairs along the cliff that Lord Wahtrak’s castle was perched upon. As the pair neared the entrance to the Makuta’s abode, the tall imposing doors swung open on their own, as if the Matoran had been expected.

“H-h-hello?” Kodo said, as the two entered Lord Wahtrak’s castle.

“Makuta, we are guardsmen here from the Matoran village below. If you would have us, we’d appreciate your counsel on an investigation.” Leru said, quickly taking the lead over Kodo.

“Perhaps he isn’t home” Kodo said.

Turning to face Kodo as he spoke, Leru stumbled backwards, startled by the sight of the monstrous creature which now towered behind his companion.

“I apologize for startling you, my small friend” the creature spoke, “I am Lord Wahtrak. Makuta of this island, and your humble host”.

“Of course” Leru said, “I mean no offense Makuta, you simply caught me by surprise”.

Kodo quickly turned around to greet the Makuta as well, excited at the thought of meeting a member of the Brotherhood. “I’m Kodo, my lord, and this is Captain Leru. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, you’re quite a bit taller than I had imagined”.

Wahtrak began walking down the long hallway, leading his Matoran guests further into the castle. “The pleasure is all mine, little one. Now please, come sit and tell me how I can assist your investigation” Wahtrak said charmingly.

“Of course, Makuta” Leru said, “we came looking for your assistance in identifying a species of Rahi seen at the site of a recent crime”.

“Witnesses said it wore a Kanohi over it’s face” Kodo said, “like you or I would”.

The Makuta seemed to consider this description carefully, stroking the front of his mask with his talons as he mulled it over. “Hmm” Wahtrak finally broke the silence, “that description doesn’t bring anything in particular to mind. Perhaps if you returned to the scene of the abduction, and gathered something left behind by the creature, I could better help to identify it” he said.

“Of course Makuta” Leru said as he stood up, “We’ll return to the scene at once and see what we can find”.

Lord Wahtrak began escorting the two Matoran back to the castle’s entrance.

“Thank you for your help, Makuta” Kodo said, “We’ll return here as soon as we’ve found something”.

“I apologize for not being more of a help” the Makuta said, “I do hope you find something useful, for that poor archivist’s sake...”

As Leru and Kodo exited the Makuta’s castle, the feeling of being watched returned to Leru.

“Captain, did you notice what the Makuta said, just then as we were leaving?” Kodo asked.

“Yes Kodo, I heard it too” Leru said with great concern, “He spoke of the missing archivist, something he should have no knowledge of”...

“Something doesn’t feel right about any of this” Leru said, as he and Kodo sifted through the rubble which was once the archivist’s home.

“It’s an abduction, sir. How’s it suppose to feel?” Kodo asked sarcastically.

Leru ignored the comment and continued, “Lord Wahtrak knows more than he’s letting on. When we find something to bring back to him, I want you to pay close attention to how he reacts. With any luck, he’ll slip up and reveal what he’s not saying in some other way”.

“Sir!” Kodo exclaimed, “I’ve found something, over here”.

Leru rushed over to where Kodo had been searching and spotted the large brown feather Kodo was holding.

“By the Great Spirit” Leru said, “it looks identical to Lord Wahtrak’s feathers. And the description of the creature wearing a Kanohi, could it be possible the Makuta himself is who we’re looking for?” The two Matoran glanced to one another with great concern.

“The Brotherhood of Makuta are servants of Mata Nui, they aren’t known for being the friendliest bunch, but abduction?” Kodo thought aloud, “there must be some explanation, we should confront the Makuta before making any rash decisions”.

Just as Leru was about to respond, the two were interrupted by a painful screech piercing down through the clouds. Captain Leru was knocked backwards by the impact and only just regained his footing in time to see Kodo, his friend and assistant, being carried away into the night sky by a terrifying winged creature.

Leru knew, first from the gathered evidence, and now with what his own eyes had seen, that the creature which had been abducting Matoran was undoubtedly the Makuta himself, Lord Wahtrak. With this new certainty, and emboldened by the abduction of Kodo right before his eyes, Leru quickly made his way to the village center to spread the news and gather a party to storm the Makuta’s castle...

“A-a-are we sure this is a good idea, what with the Toa being away and all?” asked Ralo, a Ta-Matoran from the village.

“I saw it with my own eyes” Leru said with stern conviction, “the Makuta abducted Kodo, and likely the other missing Matoran too”.

Leru made his way up the familiar narrow staircase to Lord Wahtrak’s castle, leading a party of Matoran villagers and volunteer guardsmen who followed close behind. Leru knew that storming the castle by force was the only way to save his friend, and yet he still couldn’t shake the fear that gripped him more and more with every step. Makuta are so mysterious and larger than life after all, who knows what kind of tricks Wahtrak might have waiting for them.

As the group approached the castle’s large doors, Leru snapped himself out of his worries.

“This is it” he said, addressing the Matoran behind him. “Anyone who’s unsure of what we’ve come here to do, leave now and wait in the village for the Toa’s return. They shouldn’t be long now anyway.” Leru let a faint smile slip through his expression when not even one of the Matoran who followed him turned to leave.

It took the combined strength of three Matoran to push the massive doors open, but once they made it into the castle the real doubt began to set in.

“This place is massive!” a voice said from the group, “how will we ever find Kodo and the Makuta in a place like this” another said.

“Calm down, everyone!” Leru shouted to the group, “I’ve been here once before. I’ll lead the way”.

Leru led the Matoran down the large hallway which lay in front of them, until reaching the guest room he and Kodo had been brought to during their visit with the Makuta. “This is where the Makuta brought us when we came seeking answers” he said, addressing the group.

As the Matoran all gathered in the room, their attention was drawn to a door in the corner of the room, where the buzzing of tools and growling of Rahi creatures could be heard from the bottom of a set of stairs.

“Over here!” Leru said to the group, “the Makuta’s workshop must be down these stairs”.

Leru went down first, and was horrified at the sight that awaited him at the bottom. “By Mata Nui, who could stomach doing such a thing?!” he said, falling to his knees.

In the Makuta’s laboratory at the bottom of the stairs, Leru and the other Matoran came face to face with what had become of their abducted comrades.

“Abominations, every one of them” a voice from the group said. “What would motivate the Makuta to do such a thing?” another asked in horror.

The first room of the laboratory was stacked with cages, most empty, but not all. Within the cages closest to the ground were horrific, mangled, creatures. Any identity they once held stripped from them, as they were now more Rahi than anything else. But the changes were not enough to hide their identities from those who had lived with them...

These poor unnatural creatures were, in fact, the missing Matoran from the village. Onai, the archivist, Talok, the guardsman, and Kohi the stonemason.

“Only three” Leru muttered under his breath, as the other Matoran around him were still frozen in disbelief.

Captain Leru had regained his composure enough to notice that there were only three creatures in cages, which meant there was still hope for Kodo...

“Captain?!” a shout could be heard coming from the other room.

“Kodo? Is that you?” Leru responded, running past the other frozen and stunned Matoran to see his old friend tied down to a table in the next room, the Makuta nowhere to be seen.

“Leru!” Kodo said, “quick Captain, you must leave! The Makuta knows that you’ve come for me!”

Before Leru could react, he was sent flying backwards into the wall by a familiar shriek. Lord Wahtrak stepped out from another room, holding Leru in place against the wall with the force from his Great Mask of Power Scream.

“MAKUTA!” Leru shouted, struggling against the wall. “Your actions are an abomination against the Great Spirit, you’ll answer for what you’ve done!”

Makuta Wahtrak moved closer to Leru, and ended the scream from his mask as he picked the Matoran up with his talons. “Silly little guardsman” Wahtrak spat at Leru, “the Great Spirit cares not for you or your kin. I do what I do out of curiosity, for the pursuit of knowledge!”

Before the Makuta could continue his rant, Leru managed to struggle free and pierce his monstrous foe in the leg with a guardsman’s spear. As the Makuta stumbled backwards in surprise, Leru fled into the previous room to find safety in numbers with his fellow Matoran.

As he ran into the room with his head turned backwards to watch the Makuta’s actions, Leru collided into a pair of red-armored legs, taller than any Matoran.

“Toa!” Leru exclaimed, as his gaze moved up to meet Braea, Toa of Fire.

“You’ve shown great courage Leru, the others in the village told us what happened when we arrived” the Toa said, leading her comrades past the Matoran and into Wahtrak’s dissection room “now you can leave the rest to us”.

The three Toa charged at Wahtrak, engaging the Makuta in combat as Leru sneaked past to untie Kodo from the table. Perhaps the Great Spirit sees more than the Makuta believes, Leru thought to himself, grateful for the Toa’s timely arrival...

After Leru had freed his friend Kodo from Lord Wahtrak’s table, the two Matoran looked to see the Makuta still holding his own against the three Toa, showing no signs of defeat. However, before the two had the chance to start worrying for the Toa’s safety, a towering and hideous creature appeared right before their eyes.

“Wahtrak, of the Brotherhood of Makuta” the creature said in an authoritative tone, through it’s terrifying set of teeth “You have abandoned your service to the Great Spirit, and will meet the appropriate punishment”.

Lord Wahtrak ceased his fighting and looked at the being with terrified recognition, before disappearing right in front of Leru’s eyes. Leru, Kodo, and the three Toa looked to the massive being in shock and surprise.

“Speak not of what has occurred here today. The Brotherhood has been notified of Wahtrak’s misdeeds, and his replacement has already been dispatched from Destral” the large being said, just before it too vanished as Wahtrak had.

With his friend safely recovered, and the Makuta’s previous victims released from their cages, Leru had done all that could be done. The most exciting, and terrible, chapter of his life as a Matoran had come to an end. Leru, Kodo, the three Toa, and the group of Matoran who came with Leru all returned to their village on the beach below Wahtrak’s castle, to meet with Turaga Sarok and put the night’s tragedy to rest.