Chapter 2

Ancient stepped gingerly through a vast underground cavern. It had taken far too many weeks to find this place and another few to prepare and arrive. But they had finally made it.

He threw a glance to his travelling companion. Voporak said nothing, as was his custom, nor did he betray an emotion. Still, Ancient had known this creature long enough to know that his companion’s thrill was palpable.

“We’re here.”

Voporak moved quickly through the cavern. At the center was a large protodermis cage containing… Ancient couldn’t quite make out its contents. Two creatures, one blue and the other red. They said nothing, but he sensed their eyes following him as he crossed the room.

Surrounding the cage were six of the strangest phenomena Ancient had ever witnessed. On either side, one hole plunged down as far as he could see while the bright blue sky shown down from a hole in the ceiling on the other side. Something looking like a Bohrok had been welded completely together, more harmless than a statue, even as on the other side was a circle of scattered dust. There was also a black hole as well as a crumbled mass of metal.

Ancient moved to the last of these. The metallic mass would have taken two Toa teams to lift, yet it hadn’t completely collapsed in on itself. The Dark Hunter observed the crumpled remains of Exo-Toa limbs and heads.

“Exo-Toa… this far north?” Ancient mused. “The toy soldiers of the Brotherhood. The finest Nynrah craftsmanship. Only Makuta Teridax himself could have placed them here.”

Voporak roared. Yet again, his prize had escaped his grasp.

Ancient looked at him. “If the Vahi was used here, and Makuta could have had his soldiers claim it. But he didn’t. Why?”

He started for the cavern entrance. “If the Vahi isn’t here, then the Matoran almost certainly took it with them. Which means it’s finally time for you to return to the city. I trust you will not fail.”

Voporak looked in the direction Ancient had gone, but the Dark Hunter had vanished. Grimly, the faithful servant started in the way he had come, his next steps clear.