Chapter Ten

Encouraged by the frozen Pahrak, Takua continued to advance. “If you mean to destroy us, beasts, get on with it!” he shouted, advancing. “Otherwise… SHOO!”

It didn’t seem to deter the creature very much, though it did take a step back. A glimmer of recognition seemed to flit across the Bohrok, but he knew that could not be right.

From behind Takua, a hum began to sound, accompanied by a bright blue light. He turned around to see it was the Ga-Suva, glowing brighter and brighter. The other Matoran and Turaga also whirled to see a glowing source of power in the water shrine. Takua cocked his head in wonder, his words trailing, “Sh—shoo?”

Above the Suva, a ball of energy condensed, then manifested in a strange square symbol. It spun and spiraled into view as the energy fed into it. At first it was a holographic image, then the decorative water around the Suva reached up and filled in the light, seeming to manifest as stone as it came to a slower, constant spin.

Maku looked at her elder. “Turaga Nokama! What’s happening?”

The elder gasped as she said, “The Toa—they have captured the Bahrag.”

The decorative Kanohi on the Suva also began to glow, then beams of light shot out. Takua dove to the ground as one of the rays hit the lead Pahrak’s headplate, electrifying it, then striking the ones beside it. Some Bohrok attempted to flee before they, too, were caught in the unleashed power. The light continued to spread all throughout the Bohrok in Ga-Koro, crippling and disabling the Bohrok shells and the krana inside. On the distant horizon, the Matoran and Turaga could see five other beams shooting into the sky, one from each Suva, and they knew for certain that the same fate had befallen every Bohrok across the island.

When it was over, each Bohrok toppled and fell to the ground, their headplates falling open. The krana still inhabited the machines, but the Bohrok did not respond to them.

Huki and Maku ran to help Takua up, who blinked at the sight.

“It is over,” Nokama declared.

Onewa nodded.

Around them and the Matoran, the armies of their greatest attackers now lay as still and motionless as the destruction they had caused.

✴        ✴        ✴

In a dark pit untouched by light, krana of all colors wriggled and writhed, piled atop each other like so much refuse. A crack echoed deep into the pit, and light spilled in as a stone was removed from the ceiling. Jala’s yellow Kanohi and Takua’s blue Pakara appeared over the top as they deposited the last of the krana in the abandoned well. With no small amount of disgust, they watched as it jiggled and fell into the darkness.

Takua turned away and shuddered. “Ugh…”

Satisfied, Jala jabbed the fishing net in the sand and started off, Takua running after him. Nuparu turned and signaled a Bohrok Pahrak. Once deprived of their krana, it had been no difficult task to reprogram and repurpose the machines. Now it approached bearing a massive boulder, depositing it on the pit and sealing it for good.

“May those filthy things never see the light of day again,” Jala said, satisfied.

Around the bend, they came upon Huki who was watching the Po-Matoran, Ally and Piatra, and the Ga-Matoran Kotu chase back and forth on the beach. They were using the Ga-Matoran fishing staffs to chase around a ball of stone. “That shot you made left a big impression, Huki,” Jala remarked, as Ally hurled the ball with the net side of the staff.

“Yes, they’ve come up with a new kind of Koli…using those old fishing nets.” Huki replied. Kotu moved the ball back across the court only to have Ally fling it back again. Huki turned to Jala. “It’s quite different from using our hands and feet like we’re used to, but so far, it’s a hit. We’re taking some back with us.”

“I guess that’s it, then,” Jala said, looking at Takua. “There is peace again, at last.” Takua smiled and nodded.

“And a lot of rebuilding to do,” Huki noted. He gestured toward the cliffs where the ruined Kaukau monument of the Naho Falls used to be, just a day before. Already it had scaffolding up and Po-Matoran carvers on it. At the very top, Hafu could be seen, the sculptures he had been forced to destroy now a distant memory as he eagerly oversaw this new one.

“And what about you?” Takua asked Huki.

“I’m going back to Po-Koro with Onewa,” he said, scratching the back of his head. He chuckled, adding, “By land this time, to be sure!”

“Come on, Huki!” Maku exclaimed, appearing behind him. She wore a bright orange flower necklace with a yellow flower attached to the corner of her mask. “Time for your swimming lesson!” With that, she pulled the helpless Po-Matoran away.

Takua grinned at the sight. To his side, Jala exhaled, most satisfied.

“You know,” he said, “in the Guard, we have a saying: ‘danger is the anvil upon which trust is forged’.”

He placed a hand on the Chronicler’s shoulder. “I’m glad to call you friend, Takua.”

Takua smiled as he nodded in agreement.

“I suppose you will be going soon.”

“Yes.” Jala nodded, growing serious once more. “Vakama is waiting for word of Ga-Koro. I should—”

At that moment, Hahli appeared at his side. She, too, was wearing a festive orange flower necklace and a yellow flower at the top of her mask. Without a word, she the flower from her mask and pinned it to Jala’s. Then she ran down the beach toward the water and village site, pausing only to look back invitingly at Jala.

The Ta-Matoran stared after her, Jala slack-jawed. “Then again,” Jala muttered, “maybe I can stay, a bit…”

He threw a glance at Takua, who simply raised an eyebrow and grinned. The Captain looked again in Hahli’s direction. “Hahli! Hi!” he called, waving. Then he, too, ran after her. Catching up to her, the two took off along the sand, once more.

Alone, now, Takua snorted and put his hands on his hips. “Well, what do you know?” he thought aloud. “I guess he can have fun.” He looked to the sun, shining brightly over Ga-Wahi, bathing Mata Nui in a new light. He thought about his adventures, his new friends, even his vague memories of the past—all of it had played a part. All of it made a wonderful story.

And no matter how he saw it, he couldn’t stop smiling.