Chapter Eight

If the Naho Falls could talk, there would be a lot to say. For many years, the glimmering Kaukau sculpture gazed out upon Naho Bay, watching the Ga-Matoran village flourish. If such a sculpture could talk, it would speak of the day the Matoran were first brought to the village. It would speak of a Turaga who spoke of mysterious legends, even naming the falls and bay after one. It would speak of the courageous Matoran who had repelled wave after wave of hostile Rahi and dared to brave the onslaughts of Makuta.

Unfortunately, if the sculpture of the Naho Falls could speak at this moment, the rich Ga-Koro history would not be foremost on its mind. Instead, it would shout a word of warning, urging the villagers below of a threat on the horizon. And it would warn that even now a Pahrak Va stared down at them with eager anticipation.

The stone Bohrok Va studied the region below thoughtfully. The glistening village of Ga-Koro buzzed with an apprehensive air, fearful of Bohrok attack, but relieved they had escaped the worst so far.

The scout gave a signal and dozens of Pahrak joined it on the cliff. The Bohrok Va surveyed the village of Ga-Koro, encircled by sharpened poles, in the bay before it…

They had all the information they needed.

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From outside Nokama’s hut, Maku, Hahli, and Nuparu were unable to hear the conversation taking place within. Hahli threw a glance at Nuparu and his Boxors. She was not privy to Nokama’s confidences, but if there were Ta-Matoran and Onu-Matoran present, the situation had to be grave. Ga-Koro did not often host so many outsiders.

Inside the hut, Nokama smiled warmly as the two Ta-Matoran entered. It did not surprise her that Vakama had thought to send his guard to help the other villages, even at the risk of his own. Of all the Turaga, it was Nokama who had longest advocated that Vakama take the lead. Even now, so many years later, Vakama did not let her down.

“Turaga Vakama sends his regards,” Jala bowing. “He has instructed my Guard and me to defend your village at all costs. We have just held off a Lehvak swarm back home and come here swiftly to lend our aid before they strike at Ta-Koro again.”

“It is an honor, Jala, and you have come none too soon,” the water elder remarked. “As you doubtless saw upon the cliffside, the Pahrak are already at our gates.” She turned to Takua. “And you, Chronicler—why have you come?”

“I have come with Nuparu, an engineer from Onu-Koro.” Takua pointed outside the hut as he explained. “He has devised a machine called Boxor that can stand up to the Bohrok.”

“Turaga!”

A Ga-Matoran burst into the hut, rushing past the two Ta-Matoran.

Nokama frowned. “I am in conference with these good Matoran, Kotu. Why do you disturb us?”

“Come quickly!” Kotu implored. She pointed over her shoulder. “I think you will want to see this!” Through the entrance, Kai, Amaya, and Nireta could be seen running past the doorway in the same direction.

Moving quickly, Nokama, Takua, and Jala stepped outside, moving to the edge of the lilypad to see what Kotu was pointing at. Maku was already there, eyes wide at the sight.

For a moment, the Turaga could see nothing, only the thick mist that clouded the horizon. She was about to reprimand her right-hand Matoran when a shadowy silhouette manifested in the mist. More silhouettes appeared on its right and left.

They were boats, the Turaga realized, and upon the bow of the flagship was Turaga Onewa. At his side were Hafu and Huki, with other Po-Matoran behind them. The Ga-Koro audience merely watched as the whole of the Po-Matoran population sailed into Naho Falls.

“Turaga Onewa!” Nokama bowed, surprised, as the Po-Koro natives began disembarking.

“Forgive our uninvited arrival, Turaga Nokama,” the Stone Turaga bowed. “I wish it was a happy visit, but we come here in desperation.” Onewa gestured at the Po-Matoran behind him. “We have fled Po-Wahi, and hoped to find Sanctuary here.” He glanced at the cliffs, then to Matoran defenses and Boxor vehicles. “It seems, however, that we have leapt from the puddle to the pond.”

“Indeed, it is true,” Nokama said, “the Pahrak are at our gates…”

As the Turaga continued to talk, Maku found her mind drifting. Her gaze fell upon Onewa’s attendant, Huki, who, knowing she was present, was doing his best to look absolutely serious.

She waved timidly.

Although Huki’s eyes stared straight ahead, his attention was already squarely on Maku. At this gesture, he looked over. Waved back. No sooner had he done so than he felt something BONK him on the head. Looking around for the source, Huki glanced up at the Turaga and realized that, without missing a beat, Onewa had just reprimanded him. Huki flushed with embarrassment, returning his full attention to Nokama.

“My people are exhausted from their journey,” Onewa was saying. “As you know, they are not overly fond of water.” He rapped his staff on the lily pad. “But they can still fight.”

For the second time that day, Nokama was about to respond when a blur of blue interrupted her. “To arms!” Hahli shouted, racing over. “The Pahrak are moving to the beach!”

“Turaga,” Maku realized, turning to Nokama. “We must destroy the causeway that leads to Ga-Koro from the beach. They will be unable to advance on the town.”

Nokama’s heart sank as she realized Maku was right. She nodded. “Kotu, Maku, and Hahli, take tools and as many Matoran as are willing. Dismantle the causeway.”

The Ga-Matoran nodded and ran off, with Takua and Jala already in pursuit.

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An ornate stone monument buckled and cracked as a Pahrak rammed into it. The Bohrok reared back and slammed it again, and again. Fragments flew in every direction.

The three Ga-Matoran worked frantically to deconstruct the causeway, using Ga-Koro fishing tools, with a clawed net on one end and a hammer on the other to dismantle the intricate connections of floating leaves.

“Hurry! They’re almost through!” Hahli exclaimed.

“Almost got it…” Maku answered, prying at a difficult connection of leaves. She glanced up at the stone monument, the only thing standing between the Bohrok and the bridge of leaves. To her horror, the Pahrak had given up on ramming the stone with its brute strength. Instead it brought its shields together, charging elemental stone energy between them.

“RUN!” Maku shouted.

The Pahrak unleashed its blast, blowing apart the structure and sending debris in every direction. The Ga-Matoran ran as fast as their legs could carry them. Kotu and Hahli were fast enough, but Maku was too far behind them. She stumbled and fell on the remaining half of the causeway, while the stone shrapnel rained down inches away, peppering the bridge behind her.

Hahli turned in shock. “Maku! Look out!” she cried. A large boulder was flying straight for her.

Maku closed her eyes, knowing she could not escape. Because of that, she only heard the whunk, didn’t see it, when it happened. She opened one eye, realizing the projectile had reversed directions. A Pahrak darted onto the remainder of the causeway, before the boulder splashed into the water, splitting the bridge open.

Maku looked over her shoulder. There stood Huki, a Ga-Matoran fishing staff still in his hands. He had used the hammer with his Po-Matoran strength to bat away the projectile.

The two Matoran gazed at each other for a short second before looking back across the broken causeway at the frustrated Bohrok. The Pahrak stared back for a long while, before the machines turned and moved away into the far Ga-Wahi mist.

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Dawn was approaching. Huki sat alone on the edge of Ga-Koro’s lily pads when he heard some shuffling behind him. Turning, he saw Maku making his way toward him across the pads.

He watched as the Ga-Matoran plopped down beside him. She began kicking her feet in the surf, even as Huki looked again out over the water, at the calm mist in the distance and the bright moon above. The silence was only broken by the soft chirping of Kirikori Nui and the gentle slapping of waves against the shore.

After a few moments, Maku stirred.

“That was a nice shot, Huki,” she said softly. She gestured back up to the rocky peaks from which the Bohrok had come earlier that day. “Now, the Pahrak have no way to reach us.”

Huki cleared his throat.

“Yes, we’re safe,” Huki answered gruffly. “But where have they gone?” He turned back to the rocks. “It seems too quiet, almost.”

He jumped as he felt a hand fold inside his.

“Maybe they gave up and went home,” Maku beamed sweetly.

Jala shook his head. “Not Pahrak.”

Maku and Huki nearly jumped out of their skin. The Ta-Koro Captain was standing beside her on the lily pad, looking grimly at the falls. Takua and Hahli stood directly behind them, also looking at the cliffs. Maku and Huki exchanged horrified glances, realized they were still holding hands, and scooted apart. Both blushed redder than the Ta-Matoran’s armor.

“When they decide to solve a problem, they don’t stop until they have found a solution,” Jala continued, completely oblivious. “We will see them again, I wager.”

“Wait…” Hahli suddenly asked. A loud crack could be heard coming from the cliffs. “What’s that noise?”

No sooner did the words escape her mouth than the Kanohi Kaukau of Naho Falls cracked and exploded. Large stones crashed like hail into the waters.

“No!” Maku exclaimed, pointing to the shore. Huki followed her gaze and saw it too.

The wreckage had provided a new bridge to the water village.

Pahrak charged out of the dust and rubble, charging inexorably toward the water village.