Chapter Eight

Hahli traveled to each of the Koro to practice her Kolhii skills with the other teams in preparation for the Championship. During her visits, each of the Turaga congratulated her on making it to the Championship and imparted words of encouragement.

Turaga [[Nokama]] smiled when Hahli returned to Ga-Koro. “May Gali’s wisdom guide you, Champion,” she said.

“Well, well, if it isn’t the Kolhii-master from Ga-Koro!” said Turaga Whenua in Onu-Koro. “Shouldn’t you be hurrying to Ta-Koro for the championship? We are all excited to see the game. Everyone is getting ready to make the long journey there!” As she departed, he added, “May Onua give you strength in the competition!”

“So, you have returned to peaceful Ko-Koro,” Matoro translated for Turaga Nuju. “I have heard of your great successes on the kolhii fields of Mata Nui. You have brought great honor to your village. Now, you must go to Ta-Koro to face their team, and that of Po-Koro, in the Championship. Then the true test will begin.”

“We all make ready to depart, Hahli, should you not be going too?” chided Turaga Matau in Le-Koro. “I have heard that you and Macku have made it to the Championship. Hardluck have we Le-Matoran, but I am excited to see the game. I shall cheer for you in Ta-Koro!” As she departed, he added, “Good luck in the Championship, Hahli!”

“Hello again, Hahli!” Turaga Onewa welcomed her in Po-Koro. “I have heard that Ga-Koro has also made it to the Championship. Congratulations! So did Po-Koro, of course, so you will be facing Hewkii and Hafu on the Kolhii field again. Good luck, Matoran! You will need it!”

“You will be welcome in Po-Koro for the victory celebration!” Onewa called after her as she departed.

When she was ready, she returned to Ta-Koro. Inside the Chamber of History, Turaga Vakama greeted her.

“Welcome back to Ta-Koro, Hahli,” he said. “The Toa, Turaga, and all of Mata Nui have assembled within these walls to see the Championship. Go now to the Kolhii field, and face your Destiny.” Hahli told Vakama, “Goodbye,” and the Turaga said, “I shall signal the Championship to begin.”

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Hahli made her way to Ta-Koro Kolhii Stadium to compete in the Championship against Ta-Koro and Po-Koro. Amazingly, she and Macku were victorious and Ga-Koro won the Championship!

Later, Hahli and Macku gathered around the Sacred Fire for words of praise from Turaga Vakama:

“You trained long and hard for this day, Hahli, and you have won the Championship. All of Mata Nui is singing your praises, and that of Macku and all the people of Ga-Koro. This has been an important day, for it also brings the discovery of the Mask of Light. Takua and Jaller have been dispatched to find the Seventh Toa, and all of Mata Nui is hopeful for the success of their mission.” As Vakama revealed the existence of a Seventh Toa, Hahli and Macku exchanged an incredulous glance. Vakama continued, “Go now, and return to your village as Champions.”

“Do not forget your training…” he addressed Hahli specifically. “The Sacred Fire reveals that kolhii is not all that destiny has in store for you, and there is yet a role that you have to play…”

As Macku returned to Ga-Koro, Vakama had one more thing to say to Hahli:

“As the Sacred Fire burns, so do all things expected come to pass, and some things we did not see. You have earned your place on the Wall of History, Champion.”

“Goodbye,” Hahli said.

“You will always be honored in Ta-Koro!” he concluded as he turned back to the fire.

True to Vakama’s word, Takua was no longer working on the Wall of History. Instead there was a small object lying on the ground where he used to work. Discovering it to be the Charm of Duty, Hahli placed it in her satchel.

Hahli visited Jaller’s hut as well. Sure enough, there was no sign of the Captain of the Guard. Instead, there was a small object on the floor of the hut which Hahli discovered to be the Charm of Courage. She placed it in her satchel. Hahli left Ta-Koro through the gate in the northern end of the town square.

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Following Vakama’s advice, Hahli returned to Ga-Koro. Nokama and the rest of the village greeted the team enthusiastically. As the festivities unfolded, the Turaga wished for Hahli’s continued success. “Bring our village victory! Good luck!!” she said.

“Goodbye,” Hahli said, ready to head out.

“Keep well, Champion!” Nokama said.

As she was making her way through the village, she spied Nixie’s astrolaboratory, and she realized she had yet to give the astrologer’s formula a crack. Her travels across the island had given her the clues she needed to complete the formula, and now she could solve it. The patron Toa of Unity, she had learned, is Gali, and the first letter would be “G”.

But as Nixie suggested, the second part was harder. To get it, Hahli multiplied the villages (6) by the Principles they followed (6). She added the Great Spirit and his banished Brother (2), and also the Toa Kaita (2). Then she added the Virtues (3). She subtracted the Chronicler (1), then divided by the number of Toa (6).

With a start, she realized that the answer must be G7. At once she enlisted the help of Pelagia, paying her to take her to the coordinates in Naho Bay.

But as she made the dive, Hahli was disappointed. There was nothing to be found here beneath the ocean.

Frustrated, she returned to Nixie to give her report. “I went to G7 but saw nothing,” she said.

Nixie’s eyes widened. “Coordinates? Of course! But - Nothing…? That’s impossible! Unless the Formula is wrong… something is out there, I tell you! Something is under the sea!”

As she was exiting the hut, Vakama’s words echoed in Hahli’s head, and she realized she did not factor in the possibility that there was a Seventh Toa, as the Turaga of Fire had suggested. She quickly attempted to recalculate Nixie’s Formula. This time, she substituted seven instead of six for the number of Toa. This gave her the coordinates G6. Hahli paid Pelagia to take her to these coordinates.

This time when she dove under the water, Hahli could see some sort of structure whose entrance was lit by a glowing Lightstone. Entering it, there was a doorway and a small circular keyhole with a riddle above it. The riddle read: ‘All Are One… Or None.’ Using the knowledge that she had gained from her travels in Mata Nui, Hahli recognized that this riddle referred to the Virtue of Unity. Removing the Charm of Unity from her satchel, she fitted it into the keyhole. The doorway opened and Hahli retrieves the Charm before she passes through it.

The next riddles in the next two successive doors read, ‘From Unity Derived’ and ‘From Clear Waters Granted.’ Hahli knew these referred to the Principle of Purity and the Kolhii Skill of Speed. After unlocking both of these doors through the use of the respective charms, Hahli entered into a large, dimly-lit temple. There were four Matoran head carvings spouting water, but some of the waterfalls are murky. There was a control room to the side of the chamber where four spigots were attached to a series of pipes. Hahli discovered that by turning them in the correct combination (first the third wheel, then the second one and finally the fourth one), all four of the waterfalls could be made to spout clean water.

Hahli traveled along a narrow walkway heading toward the center of the pool, where a glowing object was lying in the center of a dais. She picked it up and discovers it to be the Crystal of Purity. She returned to Ga-Koro to show Nixie her discovery.

“I found this Crystal at G6,” Hahli explained.

“G6?” Nixie repeated. “But… the only way to get that number is if you added a seventh Toa… what can this mean? Perhaps… Vakama was right, all this time?”

“Goodbye,” Hahli said.

“Hm…” mused the astrologer as Hahli departed.

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Intent on discovering other Crystals, Hahli traveled to Onu-Koro next. There, Whenua gave her accolades for her victory in Ta-Koro.

“What a match!” the Turaga exclaimed. “You are strong and quick, Hahli of Ga-Koro, and the Championship was a wonder to see. You will always be welcome in our great city!”

“Goodbye.”

“Peace and prosperity be with you, Hahli!”

Hahli traveled to the flooded Great Mine. Using her improved Stamina and Air Bladders, she dove right to the very bottom. She entered a cave which was decorated with a large mechanical contraption barring further passage. Hahli recognized the symbol on the contraption to belong to the Principle of Prosperity and she fitted the corresponding charm into the contraption’s keyhole. A doorway to a long tunnel appeared, which Hahli passed through. Hahli unlocked doorways marked with the symbols of the Virtues Duty and Destiny, and then the Kolhii Skill Stamina using the correct Charms, returning them to her satchel after she used them. Finally, she entered a massive chamber with a single pathway which led to a dais. Once she arrived at the dais, she retrieved the Crystal of Prosperity.

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Next, Hahli traveled to Ko-Koro. She entered the Chamber of Prophecy in the Sanctum, where Matoro spoke to her on behalf on Turaga Nuju.

“Much of what was seen, has come to pass,” the Ko-Matoran said cryptically. “These are times of great cheer, but now we fear the dark. The wind blows cold on the empty mountain, and what sleeps below it begins to stir.”

“Goodbye.”

“Your trials are not over, Hahli of Ga-Koro. Kopaka protect you.”

Hahli re-entered the Drifts. Traveling through the snow, Hahli could make out the silhouettes of four large statues in the distance. Moving closer, Hahli noticed that there are riddles and keyholes on three of the statues and a doorway on the fourth. Hahli fitted the appropriate Charm in each of the statues, whose riddles read: ‘The Third Virtue’ (Destiny), ‘Inner Strength’ (Willpower) and ‘Fate’s Child’ (Peace). The doorway of the fourth statue slid open and Hahli entered it. Inside, the Crystal of Peace was positioned on a small dais in the center of the statue. She placed it in her satchel and left the Drifts.

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Hahli traveled to Le-Koro, where Turaga Matau greeted the Ga-Matoran warmly.

“Quickdodge and spiritblessed are you, Hahli!” he praised. All Le-Koro sings songs of water-maiden from the shining sea! Listen close to the call of hoi-turtle and ruki-fish, for they echo the song of far-off Le-Koro!”

“Goodbye.”

“Keep well, Champion!”

While inside Turaga Matau’s chamber, Hahli noticed two vines hanging from the ceiling. One reached the floor of the chamber, while the other was too high off the ground to be reached. Hahli climbed the accessible vine, which took her to the uppermost reaches of the Le-Wahi canopy. Three branches converged into a central area. At the end of each of the branches, a contraption that appeared to be part of the tree itself featured a riddle and a keyhole. Hahli fitted the appropriate Charm in each of the contraptions, whose riddles read: ‘In Darkness, Light’ (Faith), ‘Strength Of Numbers’ (Unity), ‘Word Of Honor’ (Duty), and ‘Faith Grants This’ (Accuracy). Hahli traveled back down the vine to Matau’s hut. Amazingly, the other vine now extended to the floor. Climbing it, Hahli discovered a dais on which rests the Crystal of Faith, which she placed in her satchel.

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Traveling to Po-Koro, Turaga Onewa had nothing but kind words for Hahli.

“Your performance in the Championship was remarkable, Hahli,” he complimented her. “No one expected Ga-Koro to be victorious. It was a stupendous effort, and you and your people should be very proud.”

“Goodbye.”

“You will always be honored in Po-Koro!”

Hahli decided to investigate the large statue which she passed by on her travels to and from Po-Koro. Approaching it, she noticed that the first doorway featured a riddle and a keyhole, much like the other temples she had visited. Hahli fitted the appropriate Charm in each of the keyholes, whose riddles read: ‘The Map to Victory’ (Strategy), ‘Pride Of Sculptors’ (Creation), ‘One For All’ (Unity), and ‘Strategy’s Designs’ (Destiny). Having unlocked all of the doors, Hahli entered a warmly-lit chamber with a pathway leading to a central dais. On it, Hahli discovered the Crystal of Creation, which she placed in her satchel.

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Having collected five of the six Crystals, Hahli traveled to Ta-Koro to collect the final one. She greeted the Guard Nuri as she entered the village. As soon as she entered the town square, however, she could see Agni sounding an alarm. Looking around, Hahli saw a large menacing creature scanning Ta-Koro with its gaze.

The Rahkshi had come.

The monsters laid waste to the village. Hahli helped the villagers flee, but there was nothing she could do to stop the vile creatures. Once she had safely escaped Ta-Koro, she stood on the far side of the moat with the rest of the refugees, looking out over the damage. To the horror of all present, the once-mighty village of Ta-Koro was sinking into the lake of lava.

There was nothing she could do, so after comforting the survivors, Hahli started along the Ta-Wahi path in the direction of Ga-Wahi. Eventually, she came to a pathway leading down to the beach, but something caught her attention further down the path. Approaching it, she discovered it to be the Charm of Strength. Further still, there was a large structure featuring a carving of a Toa head. Walking up the steps, Hahli noticed that there is a doorway with a riddle and keyhole on it. Hahli fitted the appropriate Charm in each of the keyholes, whose riddles read: ‘Conquers Fear’ (Courage), ‘Pride Of Guards’ (Duty), and ‘Might Of Heart And Limb’ (Strength). After she unlocked the final door, Hahli entered a chamber filled with a pool of lava and a walkway leading to a dais in the middle of the pool. Arriving at the dais, Hahli discovered the final Crystal, the Crystal of Courage.

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Hahli returned to the pathway leading down to the beach. She traveled along the beach, passing by a mysterious carving. Eventually, she arrived at a set of stairs carved in the rock, which she climbed. At the top of the rock formation, Hahli could see a telescope mounted on a spire of the rocky outcropping. At the opposite end, Hahli could see a ceremonial area with carvings meant to represent The Legend of Mata Nui. Upon closer examination, she noticed that the six stones used to represent the Toa had symbols and keyholes carved into them. Each stone featured the symbols associated with one of the Principles. Removing the Crystals from her satchel, she started to fit each one into the corresponding stone. Each time she placed a Crystal in the correct keyhole, a light began to glow from the top of the stone.

Once she had fitted each stone with a Crystal, a glowing aura appeared in the middle of ceremonial area. As Hahli gazed into the blinding light, she was reminded of the stifling dream she had before she was chosen as Ga-Koro’s Kolhii Champion. The light enveloped her until she could not see anything, but it soon abated.

Hahli had been transported somewhere entirely different. Looking around to get her bearings, she realized that she was near the Kini-Nui in the center of the island. There Hahli witnessed three more of the gruesome creatures like the one she encountered in Ta-Koro fly overhead.

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Many days later, Hahli encountered Turaga Nokama. A lot has happened between the emergence of the Rahkshi and now. Through it all, Hahli had persevered, standing beside the seven Toa in the face of Makuta himself.

The Turaga shook her head. “Yours has been a hard road Hahli, but you have persevered,” she told Hahli. “Not all Matoran thought you were worthy of the challenge. But I saw what is in your heart and believed in you. Your Virtue unlocked the mystery of the Stones, and why they have stood so long. Now they have gathered us all here. Takua now walks among the great Toa. His role as Chronicler is forfeit. It is time for that honor to pass on to another special Matoran. It is your honor, Hahli, from this day forth. The boats are being crafted, Chronicler. Soon we will depart for Metra Nui. Ready yourself, for there many adventures to come!”

Hahli nodded solemnly and then turned to stare out across the ocean.