Chapter Three

Following Ga-Koro’s victory over Onu-Koro in their first Kolhii match, Hahli took the opportunity to briefly visit Turaga Nokama in her hut to discuss strategies for the rest of the Tournament. There the Turaga advised her to train herself in the various Kolhii Skills of each village. “Congratulations on your victory, Champion. You have brought great honor to Ga-Koro in this, your first contest. I look forward eagerly to your next match,” Turaga Nokama affirmed.

Hahli departed Nokama’s hut, and as she readied herself to leave Ga-Koro, Hahli was congratulated by her fellow Ga-Matoran.

“Alright! Great game, Hahli!” Macku told her. “We really showed ’em what Ga-Matoran are made of! You did great!”

“Congratulations, Hahli,” Kotu said a bit begrudgingly. “I bet you think you did a pretty good job. Better look out, though, because Onepu and Taipu aren’t very good. Pride is a poison, you know.”

“Great game, Hahli!” said Amaya. “Onu-Koro has a good team, too. I saw the whole thing! You’re getting really good at Kolhii! I bet you’ll go all the way!”

“By the Sacred Waters, that was a great match you played against Onu-Koro, Hahli!” Marka exclaimed. “Honestly, I didn’t think you had it in you. Shows you what I know about Kolhii. I better keep to my shipyard and supplies!”

“I saw the match against Onu-Koro, Hahli,” Kailani said excitedly. “Great job! You’ve gotten much better at Kolhii! Did you need me to make something for you?”

“Hi, Hahli! What a great match against Onu-Koro!” said Kai. “I can’t believe you won! Great job! You were very fast. Maybe making all that Rope helped.”

“Congratulations on your victory, Hahli,” Shasa congratulated. “It was a wonderful game! Onu-Koro was not as unified as you and Macku. But, they have no weavers.”

✴        ✴        ✴

After saying her final goodbyes, Hahli traveled down the lilypad causeway through the town gate to the shore. Gazing down the shoreline, she could see that the Onu-Matoran team had abandoned their camp and returned to Onu-Koro. She continued through a narrow pathway that had once been an old Fusa Path, passing large groves of Harakeke and Bamboo. Soon, the path opened out to the beautiful expanses of the Mata Nui interior. She passed a small sparkling lake and rocky outcroppings covered in moss before arriving at a crossroads.

Taking the middle path towards the mountains, Hahli arrived at a post and lintel doorway which led underground. Just outside, she could see an Onu-Matoran sitting on his back, eyes shut with a reed sticking out of his mouth. “…”

“Who are you?”

“Huh? What?” he jumped, startled. Seeing Hahli, he lay back down again and closed his eyes. “Howdy, stranger. The name’s Midak.”

Hahli tilted her head. “What are you doing?”

“I’m sun-bathing. Not much sun to be had underground, so I come up here.”

“Sun-bathing?”

“Yes ma’am. Reckon the light’s pretty nice, isn’t it? Normally I’m at the track, but it’s refreshing to just lie in the sun.”

“Goodbye,” Hahli nodded.

“Take care.”

She passed through the doorway and traveled along a dark path filled with stalactite formations and lit by the occasional Lightstone.

✴        ✴        ✴

At the end of the path, Hahli could make out a doorway emanating light. As she approached, she could see an Onu-Matoran guarding the doorway.

“Good day, Ga-Matoran. Welcome to Onu-Koro,” the guard, Damek said.

“Onu-Koro?” Hahli asked.

“Toa Onua’s city,” he replied.

“Goodbye,” she said.

“Be safe,” the guard said. He returned to his post.

✴        ✴        ✴

Hahli wandered around the eastern Onu-Koro town square and crossed a small bridge leading over an underground stream towards a large, impressive looking hut marked with Lightstones mounted on pikes in the ground. She entered the hut to find a diminutive figure contemplating an elaborate earth formation covered in shining Lightstones. As she drew closer, he turned to speak to her.

“Well, if it isn’t Hahli of Ga-Koro!” he said with a smile. “As long as you’re not here to gloat, welcome to Onu-Koro, water-spirit. Onepu and Taipu have returned to tell us of your victory. Since you beat us in Kolhii, maybe you can help repair our wounded pride by giving us a hand around here.”

“Who are you?” Hahli asked.

“I am Turaga of Onu-Koro,” Whenua answered. “I oversee all the work you see going on around you: the miners, the guildmasters, the merchants, the laborers, the Ussalry, the shrine to Onua. It is my job to keep everything running smoothly.”

“Gloat?” said Hahli.

“Well, you won the match against our team” explained the Turaga. “You may praise yourself, and feel vanity; but you shouldn’t, because vanity brings Hunger. Hunger is the enemy of Prosperity.”

“Onu-Koro?” she repeated.

“Onua’s fine village,” the Turaga replied. “The mines are where all the ore, rock, lightstones, and most of all, protodermis, comes from. We ship all over the island. It’s hard work to live a virtuous life, but the rewards are great!”

“Virtuous?” Hahli questioned.

“The great spirit has taught us much, and gave to us the three Virtues. If you wish to know more, you should speak to Aiyetoro the miner, for he contemplates these things often.”

“Rewards?” she asked.

“In Onu-Koro we follow an important Principle. You should talk to Mamoru, the Chief Prospector. He knows much of this Principle and has made us all wealthy.”

“Hard work?” Hahli pondered.

“The Mining Captain, Dosne, knows all about labor!” he told her. “If you want to learn how to work hard, he’s the one to talk to. He can tell you of this skill.”

“A hand?” she asked eagerly.

“We’ve done a lot of work since the Gahlok invasion,” explained Whenua. “We expanded the Marn tunnels, but the Great Mine couldn’t be saved. Some of the guild captains lost valuable equipment in the flood, and could probably use a good Ga-Matoran swimmer.”

“Goodbye,” Hahli said.

“Onua’s strength be with you, Hahli,” he replied, turning back to face the glow of the Lightstones.

✴        ✴        ✴

Hahli exited Whenua’s hut and decided to explore the village a little more before she started to help the Matoran of Onu-Koro. She entered the hut opposite Whenua’s and discovered Onepu.

“So, you have accepted my invitation to visit our great city, after all!” he greeted her warmly. “You are welcome to Onu-Koro, water-spirit!”

Thinking that she could benefit from some practice while in Onu-Koro, Hahli told him, “I’d like to practice Kolhii.”

“I am at your service, Champion,” Onepu replied. “Any time you wish to face Taipu and I, we are ready! Just tell Turaga Whenua, and I am certain he will permit a scrimmage.”

“Goodbye,” Hahli said.

“Fare well!” the Onu-Matoran called after her.

✴        ✴        ✴

Outside, Hahli recognized a Matoran muttering to himself.

“No, that won’t do. We need to boost the efficiency. We’re losing power in the grid transfer… huh?” He noticed Hahli: “Oh, a Ga-Matoran! I thought it was an away game! Am I late? Is it over?!”

“Who are you?” Hahli asked.

“I’m the Engineer,” said the Matoran whom Hahli knew to be Nuparu. “I do maintenance and diagnostics. I maintain all the equipment around here. I also do check-ups on the miners.”

“Check-ups?” she repeated.

“I can tell you how strong you are, how fast you are, that sort of thing,” Nuparu explained. “If you want a check-up, come by my hut!”

The two exchanged polite “Goodbye,” although Nuparu was clearly distracted with his work.

Hahli made her way to a large ornate doorway marking the Onu-Koro Great Mine. She walked down the dark pathway, but before she reached the end of the road, the clanking sounds of mining machinery and glow of Lightstones coming from a doorway to her left distracted her. Inside this room, several Matoran were hard at work. Hahli noticed a small pile of mineral on the floor which she identified as Ore and placed in her satchel. Among the Matoran, Hahli recognized Taipu and approached him.

“Hello!” the miner said enthusiastically. “You are the lady from bright Ga-Koro! Are you here to help me dig?”

“Dig?” Hahli rephuffeated.

“I carry the ore from the mines to the work-piles,” Taipu explained. “It is hard work. I can carry rocks for a long time. Onepu says it is because I have Stamina. Take this stone,” he adds, handing her a charm. “It represents Stamina. I found it while moving ore just a little while ago. Maybe it will bring you luck!”

Remembering what Macku had said about the Onu-Koro Kolhii Skill, Hahli requested, “I would like to learn Stamina.”

“Dosne is the mining captain,” Taipu answered. “If he says it is okay, I will show you!”

✴        ✴        ✴

Determined to train in Stamina, Hahli set off to find Dosne among the Matoran working in the tunnel. One of them was marching around very officially, so Hahli decided to see if he was the Mining Captain.

“Get that digger back! Try Marn 12!” he shouted about the din. Noticing Hahli, he said, “Huh? Look out there, Surfacer. If you’re here for the game, it’s over, Ga-Koro won. Try to stay out of the way! We’ve got a lot of hard work to do, and can’t help tourists!”

“Who are you?” Hahli asked.

“I’m the Mining Captain, and I’m busy,” the Matoran whom Hahli now knew to be Dosne replied.

“Can I help?” Hahli asked tentatively.

“Hm, you’re a Ga-Matoran, aren’t you? Good swimmers,” Dosne thought aloud. “Come to think of it, maybe you can help. When the Gahlok flooded the Great Mine, we lost a digger down there. Expensive piece of equipment, we need every one we’ve got. If you can bring it back, I’ll reward you. We can’t get our work done without it!”

✴        ✴        ✴

Before she set off in search of the equipment Dosne mentioned, Hahli decided to talk to a few more Matoran. One of the miners was breathing heavily with exertion as she turned to speak to him.

“Huff puff Huh? A Ga-Matoran?” he said, surprised. “Hey, I know you! You’re Hahli. Nice game, I can’t believe you beat our boys.”

“Who are you?” Hahli asked.

“I’m a miner,” he replied. “It’s my job to dig all the ore out of these mines. Gives me a lot of time to think about Virtue.”

“Virtue?” she repeated, realizing that this must be Aiyetoro.

“I’d tell you about it, but I haven’t finished my shift. If you brought me a lightstone, I could get it done faster, and then we could talk.”

“Lightstone?” she inquired.

“Everyone thinks Onu-Matoran can see in the dark. Well we can, but not if it’s completely dark!” Aiyetoro explained, exasperated. “Then we’re as blind as anyone.”

Hahli made a mental note to be on the lookout for Lightstones.

✴        ✴        ✴

Spotting another Matoran, she approached him.

“This looks like a good spot. Let’s try it,” one of the Onu-Matoran whispered to himself. Suddenly, he noticed Hahli, “Oh, hello. A Ga-Matoran. Nice game, I didn’t think you water-dwellers could beat our boys.”

“Who are you?” Hahli asked.

“I am the Chief Prospector,” he answered. “It’s my job to find the ore. It is easy if you follow the Principle of Onu-Koro.”

“Principle?” Hahli repeated, remembering Whenua’s mention of Mamoru, the Chief Prospector.

“You should talk to Azibo,” Mamoru advised. “He’s my best prospector, very talented. He knows a lot about the Principle.”

“Goodbye,” she said as he returned to his work.

✴        ✴        ✴

Hahli approached another Onu-Matoran whom she guesses to be Azibo.

“Heard you beat our team, Ga-Matoran,” he grunted as she walked over to him. “Just wait until next season!”

“Who are you?” Hahli asked.

“I am one of Chief Mamoru’s prospectors,” Azibo answered. “My work is based on the Principle of Onu-Koro.”

“Principle?” she questioned hopefully.

“Well, I’d like to tell you about it but my Sluice has fallen in this crevice. If I had a hook and a string, I bet I could get it out!”

✴        ✴        ✴

Further along, there was another miner named Tehuti who seemed to be deep in thought. Hahli approached him, but he seemed uninterested in talking. “I’m working over here!” he said irritably.

“Goodbye,” Hahli said, disappointed.

“Goodbye!”

Some distance away, Kaj, one of the other Onu-Matoran happened to hear the exchange and, on seeing the dejected Ga-Matoran walking by, made a point of waving at her.

“Hello, Ga-Matoran. Welcome to Onu-Koro.”

“Onu-Koro?” Hahli asked, her mind still on the other worker.

“The mining city,” the Onu-Matoran explained, laughing.

Hahli nodded sheepishly. “Goodbye.”

“Take care,” Kaj chuckled.

✴        ✴        ✴

Remembering the chores that she had been tasked with by the various Onu-Matoran, Hahli left the Marn Tunnel and headed towards the flooded Great Mine. Diving into the water, Hahli could see several submerged cave entrances. Inside the cave, there was thankfully a small air pocket, but no tools or Lightstones. Instead, there were several short pillars of earth which looked like they might yield something if cracked open. Hahli tried to break them down with her Sickle and Hatchet, but both proved ineffective against the tightly-packed earth.

Taking a deep breath of air, she re-entered the watery chamber, and tried another cave, to no avail. Determined to help, the Ga-Matoran dove deeper to the lower levels. The water pressure here was extremely taxing on Hahli, and she was forced to use some of her Air Bladders to make it to the lower caves. In the third cave, Hahli discovered a tool which she took to be the digger. In the fifth cave, she finally found a Lightstone lying on the ground of the cave. Placing it in her satchel, she examined the cave and noticed a deposit of smooth, light blue substance. As with the earth pillars, she was unable to harvest it with any of her tools. Having found what she came for, Hahli did not bother to investigate any of the lower caves and returned to the surface. Re-entering the Marn Tunnel, Hahli found Dosne.

“I’ve got the Digger,” she told him.

“You have? Thanks!” Dosne replied. “Here’s some widgets for your trouble,” he said, handing her 20 Widgets. “Mining is hard work with the right equipment, and it’s even harder without it!”

“Hard work?” Hahli repeated.

“It is hard work to follow the Principle of Onu-Koro,” he admitted. “When we do, we are given the gift of Stamina!”

“Stamina?”

“Stamina gives you the power to dig forever,” Dosne explained. “If you want Stamina, you should talk to Taipu, he is our best digger! He has greater Stamina than anyone in Onu-Koro. Since you found the Digger, I suppose it can’t hurt for you to talk to him. I’ll tell him it’s okay. But don’t keep him away from his digging too long!”

“Goodbye,” said Hahli.

“So long!” he answered.

Hahli approached Taipu. “I would like to learn Stamina,” she told him.

“I can show you!” the miner responded excitedly. “Let us carry rocks together.”

“Okay!” Hahli shared his enthusiasm.

“Here…” he said, directing her to a pile of rocks. The task, Hahli learned, was to pick up a heavy rock and carry it a long distance to the rock pile. It was incredibly tiring, but as she continued her training, she found that she was slowly increasing her endurance and that the task became easier each time. After thanking Taipu, Hahli sought out Aiyetoro next.

“I have a lightstone here,” she said, removing it from her satchel.

“Really?” Aiyetoro replied incredulously. “Thanks! Here, take some widgets for your hard work,” he said as he handed her twenty-five Widgets. “Now, what did you want to ask me?”

“Virtue?” Hahli repeated her question from the previous conversation.

“We toil away all day in the mines. It’s both our duty and our destiny!”

“Duty and Destiny?” she pondered.

“Onua gazes upon the Earth and sees riches,” Aiyetoro said proudly. “It is our Duty to dig, and our Destiny to find them! The combination of Duty and Destiny brings the Principle!”

“Principle?” Hahli asked.

“The prospector Azibo can tell you about the Principle we follow in Onu-Koro,” he advised.

“Goodbye,” Hahli said.

Azibo said something, but he was already back to work. “Huff puff”

✴        ✴        ✴

Remembering that she had not yet completed Azibo’s task, Hahli searched in her satchel for a hook and some string, but she was upset to discover that she did not have a hook. Hoping that she might be able to obtain one from a trader in Onu-Koro, Hahli left the Marn Tunnel and returned to the eastern town square. Sure enough, the hut closest to the Onu-Ga-Koro Highway belonged to a trader named Zemya.

“Welcome to my shop!” he greeted her. “If you see anything you like, let me know. Also, I buy Bamboo Poles, Rope, Sailcloth, Nets, Rigging, and Bladders, if you have any.”

Among his wares, Hahli noticed several familiar items, including hooks and bundles of Ore and Protodermis. Wondering if such materials could be found in the pillars of earth in the Great Mine caves, she reasoned that tools to extract them must be available somewhere in Onu-Koro. After trading for a Hook and buying some Nails — just in case — Hahli visited the hut next door.

✴        ✴        ✴

Inside the hut, an Onu-Matoran named Akamu greeted her.

“Congratulations on your victory, Ga-Matoran,” he winked. “Just wait, we’ll be better next season!”

“Who are you?” Hahli asked.

“I am the Crafter. I make tools and equipment for the miners,” he explained.

“Can you make me something?” she asked.

“Certainly,” he answers. “With 10 Bamboo Wood and 5 Ore, I can make a Pickaxe. With 20 Bamboo Wood and 1 Net, I can make a Sluice. What’ll it be?”

Hahli traded the necessary materials to acquire one of each type of tool. “I would like a Pickaxe.”

“One moment…” the Crafter hurried. “There you go! One Pickaxe.”

Hahli took it, then asked, “I would like a Sluice.”

“Just a second…” the Crafter hurried. “Here you are! One Sluice.”

“Goodbye,” she said after storing the tools in her satchel.

“Glad to help!” the Onu-Matoran responded.

✴        ✴        ✴

Hahli visited a final hut off the eastern town square before she returned to the Marn Tunnel. Inside this hut, she noticed Nuparu hard at work repairing vehicles that she recognized as Boxors. Not long ago, they were used to defend Ga-Koro during the attack of the Bohrok swarms.

“The blueprint numbers are wrong,” he muttered. “This should be much wider. The arch will never support the weight…” Looking up, he spotted Hahli. “Oh! Hello. Congratulations on your win, Ga-Matoran. I bet it was exciting to see.”

“I’d like a check-up,” Hahli asked politely.

“Certainly,” Nuparu acquiesced. “I can tell you about your Strength, your Speed, your Accuracy, your Stamina, your Willpower, or your Strategy. Which will it be?”

Because she was unfamiliar with four of the six mentioned skills, Hahli received an evaluation of her Speed and Stamina, both of which were well-trained. “Goodbye,” she said she readied to leave.

“Take care of yourself!” he called after her.

✴        ✴        ✴

She returned to the Marn Tunnel to speak to Azibo.

“I have a fishhook and a string,” she told him.

“You do? Perfect!” he replied. “Now I’ll be able to get back to work, and pursue our town’s Principle. And here’s some widgets for your trouble!” he said as he handed her twenty-five Widgets.

“Principle?” Hahli repeated.

“Onu-Koro is based on the Principle of Prosperity! Following the Principle of Prosperity requires great determination and skill. But it brings great wealth! Here! Take this stone. It has the symbol of Prosperity on it. Maybe it can help you, somehow,” said Azibo, giving Hahli another Charm.

Hahli returned to the flooded Great Mine and dove into the water. She noticed that after her Stamina training, she was able to hold her breath for much longer periods of time, which allowed her to decrease her usage of Air Bladders to reach the lower caves. Using her new Pickaxe and Sluice, Hahli was able to extract Ore and and Protodermis from the caves to add to her supplies inventory.

On her way out, she passed Mamoru, who was looking over the shoulder of another miner. Not far away, Aiyetoro was hard at work with his new Lightstone. Dosne was also putting his Digger to good use.

Before leaving Onu-Koro, Hahli decided to pay a final visit to Turaga Whenua in his hut.

“Congratulations on your victory in Kolhii, Hahli, and thank you for helping our guilds recover their equipment,” he thanked her. “You are a gracious competitor. You have Onu-Koro’s deepest respect.”

Remembering Onepu’s offer, Hahli asked, “I’d like to practice with Onepu and Taipu.”

“Well, this is an honor!” he replied. “I’m sure they’d be delighted. Go ahead, I’ll tell them to meet you at our Kolhii field. We will send an Ussal for Macku.”

Once Macku arrived, Hahli and her Ga-Matoran teammate traveled to the Onu-Koro Kolhii Field and participated in a few practice matches with the Onu-Matoran team. Hahli remarked that she could run for longer without tiring, thanks to her Stamina training. After the practice, she bidded the team farewell and departed Onu-Koro to travel to the other villages of Mata Nui.