BZPRPG: Ko-Wahi

IC Hile

(Ko-Wahi):

"Ranama?" Hile asked. "Isn't that a Rahi?"

Then he suddenly shook his head. "Whatever... we're going then?"

IC: Kordan

"I do not believe it was his real name."

IC: Kamatu

Kamatu shrugged. "I guess not. Anyways... has anyone by chance seen a Kahu? Just curious..."

OOC: I dont suppose any of you travelling with me have Skype? We have a pretty big story line planned and we need more people for it.

IC Hile

(Ko-Wahi):

"Sure", Hile said. "Kahu. A type of bird, related to the Gukko. I've seen a lot of them around Le-Wahi. They fly very gracefully and are used by Matoran to get around... why'd you ask?"

OOC: If you haven't noticed, Hile is actually even a bit OVERenthusiastic about joining you guys. I have skype too, but can't use it now cause I need it for other purposes.

OOC: Sorry. Being only 13, I'm not allowed to Skype.

IC: Kamatu

"I own one. His name is Skratch, and I have... misplaced him."

OOC: Can't say I do, sorry. One possibility for now would be for you to set up a group PM (since it's a Premier Member privilege) and we can further discuss it there.

I should probably just say in advance that I might not be the most active of the RPers in the group, but that in such cases you should just assume I'm following you guys around (Arktizai isn't prone to talking too much ).

IC Hile

(Ko-Wahi):

"Misplaced?"

OOC: Last post for the day!

IC: Kamatu

Kamatu shrugged. "Okay... so he left. But... I need him. He's one of the few things of my past I still have. A past I no longer remember."

IC Hile

(Ko-Wahi):

Hile felt sympathy for Anhar. It wasn't often that a Toa expressed so much grief over the loss of a pet. If there were a way, Hile would've immediately took up the task of finding the bird. But he knew it would not happen.

"I'm sorry for your loss."

OOC: A jam of finest pelvis hydroxylapatite, crushed by mine self and stirred by KNI.

IC: I turn its fist aside and make to slam my own into its groin. It's so high now that it nearly meets my face, and our eyes lock. I stare into its old, familiar hazel gaze-

(Negotiate.)

OOC Ok so as I understand we all agree on the moving to Onu? If not just drop me a pm and i'll change.IC Zahkon"Ok then, let us move and hope to reach Onu Koro before nightfall, even when Makuta is gone, it still seems the shadows carry the essence of his soul trough the darkness of the night." And the group started to walk, nothing much was said, and after some hours, they finally crosses the border.OOCZahkon to Onu Koro.

IC Hile

(Ko-Wahi):

You cannot destroy me, for I am Nothing...

Hile shuddered. Where had those words come from? Why had he had those thoughts?

He decided to ignore the disturbing thought and proceed to Onu-Koro with the others.

OOC: Hile to Onu-Wahi.

OOC: Kordan to Onu Koro

OOC: Arktizai to Onu-Wahi

OOC: Sernon and merchants' caravan from Po-Wahi

IC:

Sernon's teeth chattered as he pulled his rough cloak tighter around him. Ihu had been pouring all of his fury at the trading caravan for the last two days, with no hope of respite.

"H..how much further?" he managed to spit out. Yaake clenched his jaw, firm in the face of the onslaught - he'd faced much worse before.

"We should make Ko-Koro sometime tonight, if the roads hold up. I won't lie to you - we may have to dig in and wait til this blows over."

Sernon scowled. The journey had been enjoyable, if only for a couple of days. The blazing heat of the Motara Desert had faded slowly as they slowly traversed Ihu's foothills, but eventually the rough stone had started to take on a white coating. The caravan had stopped to tie iron chains around the wheels of the wagons, and the Toa of Stone had been delighted at the prospect of seeing snow again. He'd got a little more than he'd bargained for. Cursing his naivety as the wind blew daggers through the ragged cloth he huddled in, Sernon settled in for another hard slog.

"Is it usually this bad?" he asked Yaake. The Le-Matoran shook his head.

"Nah. It gets pretty rough sometimes coming up from Ta-Koro; the difference in heat means there's always a bloody gale. It's been a long, long time since we've had anything but a pretty relaxed journey up from Po. Still, my lads know their business. They'll be grand."

Sernon leaned around the side of the gently rocking wagon, back at the rest of the merchants. In the dark he could just make out the hunched shape of Marsiil, Yaake's second-in-command, glowering over a rag tied around his face, and that shuddering mound of blankets had to conceal Sosobe, the master-of-accounts. The traders had no room for comfort - any warm space on a wagon was reserved for livestock, or produce that could not be allowed to freeze.

"What's that?" the poet inquired, pointing up at a faint, flickering light somewhere above and to the right of them - it was nearly impossible to tell in this gloom.

"That'd be the Massif." grunted Yaake. "Small place. Quiet types go there for a bit of soul-searching or whatever these people do. Be right up your alley, I'm guessing?"

Sernon had to admit that it did sound appealing. "I take it we're not visiting?"

"Nope."

"Right."

-----

Yaake nudged Sernon awake. "Rise and shine, Mister Poet. Ko-Koro, dead ahead."

Sernon peered through the icy fog, and realised what he was seeing. Ko-Koro wasn't simply there - it loomed. A great wall of ice came up to meet them, and the Toa could see shadowy figures patrolling on the walls. The great gates were closed, and looked nigh on impenetrable.

"Should we knock?" asked Sernon, smiling.

"Oh, they know we're here." Yaake said, pointing to a crude-looking metallic contraption on the upper wall of the gatehouse. "They heard us."

"I thought we were here to try and sell them radio?"

"Nah, doesn't work like that. Wires, or somethin'. What're you selling them radio for? Is that what we've got in the back wagon?"

Sernon nodded, handing over Hewkii's (now slightly soggy) letter. Yaake examined it.

"One widget per ten characters? Seems cheap...I guess your Akiri wants to make friends."

Or to give himself extra ears, thought Sernon.

A Ko-Matoran emerged through a small doorway at the base of the great gate, and approached their wagon as they stopped.

"Your business?" he asked, staring down the chain of wagons.

"Trade, mostly." said Yaake, jerking his thumb at the back of the wagon. "Fruit, livestock, wine and spices, straight from Po-Koro. Oh, and one diplomat." He nudged Sernon, who passed Hewkii's letter to the guard. The Matoran's eyes flicked through the lines.

"Seems to be in order. I'll escort you to the centre, and your diplomat to the Sanctum." He looked sternly at the Le-Matoran. "Behave yourselves."

So saying, he took a curved horn from his belt and blew a long, clear note. It was echoed by an answering blast from the gatehouse, and the great gates began to slide ponderously open, smooth and quiet on the icy surface.

"Welcome to Ko-Koro." said the guard, and Sernon could detect a tinge of pride entering his voice.

The procession moved slowly through the Koro, Sernon slightly in awe of the great crevasse and the icy bridges that spanned it. He said his farewells to his newfound friend, and walked with the guard to the far end of the Koro, where the Sanctum stood proudly. It was eerily quiet in the great city, after the raucous bustle of the desert town. Ko-Koro might not be the monastery it once had been, but Matoran still walked the streets with a kind of quiet dignity. The poet rather liked the place.

The two entered through the columned doors of the Sanctum, and the guard approached a robed Matoran sitting on a small chair in the centre of the entrance hall.

"Sernon, Toa of Stone. Diplomat from Po-Koro, here for the Akiri."

The Matoran rose, and wordlessly left the room through a door to the right.

"Wait here." the guard said, and, with a nod, departed back onto the cold streets, leaving Sernon alone.

IC: Tivanu

Tivanu looked over at the group and just sighed as he walked back to the front gates and looked at the village

"Wonder if anybody need a merc."

OOC: Tivanu is open for interaction

IC:

The frigid wind howled through the canyon, drowning out what little noise my footfalls might have made. I couldn't feel the cold, but I knew that if I could it would be sinking into my bones, stiffening every muscle in my body, chilling my very soul. Which, I imagine, would have been very uncomfortable - usually I'm the one who's chilling the souls, and I quite like it that way. Anyway, the point is, it was cold, so cold that I was really quite shocked that the dark figure below could still move. Not that I was disappointed, mind. Where's the fun in tracking someone if they're frozen solid?Ah, yes. Tracking. Following this guy hadn't been easy, even after he'd crossed into my home Wahi. It wasn't that he was amazing at moving around unseen or anything - he was decent at it, but his skills were little match for mine. Which, by the way, is a completely objective statement. No, the problem was that he wore a Mask of Vision. When you're trying to follow someon without them knowing, the Akaku is your worst nightmare. No amount of cover is gonna protect you from x-ray vision. And this guy was paranoid, too. Every few minutes he'd light up his mask and check to make sure he was the only one around.The funny thing was, he knew he wasn't. He knew exactly where I was, he knew that I knew that, and I knew that he knew that–Yeah, okay. The point is we both knew where the other was, and we both knew that the other was trying to kill us. It was more a game of chicken than it was one of stealth.I glanced up at the sun - high noon. Classic. I turned back to my quarry–Gone. Of course. Very good, Demas, very good. Oh, yeah. His name was Demas. Some Fa-Toa I'd run into during the past year or so who'd cast his lot with Makuta. It was time for him to pay for his mistake.Anyway, now he of course had the advantage - he could see me, but I couldn't see him. Well, not exactly, anyway. I reached out with my powers, searching the snow for disturbances... there. It seemed the canyon had a side passage, which led to a... a tunnel of sorts? Had he known about this, or was this a sudden opportunity he'd decided to take?It didn't matter. I leaped from the lip of the canyon, my body twisting impossibly in midair as I gripped a tiny outcropping in the rock face and used the momentum to propel myself forward. A ramp of ice formed beneath me, delivering me to the ground at a run. Thank the Spirit for Ice and a Calix.I slid to a flawless halt at the mouth of the tunnel. As far as I could tell, it led into a cave in the glacier a few dozen bio down. The snow stopped a bio or two in - I couldn't follow my quarry by his footsteps any longer. Calmly, I unshouldered my crossbow and stepped into the tunnel.The darkness was sudden and total. I didn't mind, of course - that only made this more interesting - but I nonetheless withdrew a small device and clipped it onto my crossbow. It was a simple tube with a few lenses that concentrated the beam of a lightstone, allowing me a bit of vision down here. Which, I reasoned, was only fair, given my opponent's mask.Suddenly the tunnel came to an end. I swept over the cave with the lightstone thingy, which definitely wasn't called a flashlight. It was a simple open space, nothing–My head jolted to the side, a crossbow bolt grazing my cheek rather than piercing my throat. Almost mechanically, my own crossbow swung around and fired into the darkness. A groan of pain echoed through the icy cave as the light illuminated the Fa-Toa's crumpled figure. He'd been hit in a major nerve near his shoulder. Good.I raised my arm, keeping my crossbow trained on him for the light source it provided. Crystals of ice sprang from the floor, eveloping the Fa-Toa's kneeling form and freezing him in a solid block he wouldn't be getting out of any time soon. The ice continued to expand, quickly filling the small cave. I turned and started back up the tunnel, ice filling in the space behind me. Death by ice cube was one of my favorites. Of course, he wasn't really dead, but he might as well be. As far as I'd heard, not even this guy's fellow Makuta-worshippers were too fond of him - not like they'd be coming to his rescue any time ever.I stepped out of the tunnel, ice sealing it off behind. I glanced up - high noon-fifteen. I allowed myself a grin. I'd be at Ko-Koro within the hour.

IC

[Massif - morning]

"Even?"

The look on his face as I gripped his outstretched hand was proof enough that he realized he had spoken too soon. The tiniest of tugs and he was off-balance, and from there there was a nearly limitless amount of possibilities I could have taken this. Left, right, straight down - even an attempt on his part to re-balance I could take advantage of, shifting his own momentum to my benefit. I could show him the wonders of my knee when it impacts a gut, give him an up-close-and-personal tour of the stone floor with his face, or even grant him the ability to fly for a few feet. It wouldn't take much as he stood there over-extended.

But I didn't.

Even as he felt the imbalance, I hoisted myself up as he pulled me upward, and in a bizarre twist of sixth sense he knew what I wanted and planned to to, but knew I didn't. I had heard about his martial abilities so it didn't surprise me that he seemed to know what has going on around him in a very intimate way. I squeezed his hand tight as I could, my grin telling the rest of the story.

"Yes, but only because my over-competitiveness has in recent months been slowly exchanged with the need to be more mature... and fix some of the mistakes I made when I was a complete chauvinist. If it wasn't for the fact that I felt the need to apologize for my actions over a year ago and this is the first time we've met since then I'm quite convinced this would not of ended here and now. Actually... "

I furrowed my brow. Yes, we may have met over a year ago, but that was in passing. Really that didn't count. Besides the stories I had heard, I knew nothing about the guy - just a name, mask, and rumors of his skills. My brilliant blue eyes hit him with fairly serious stare, my lips curled in a half-smile. If I was going to get myself re-acquainted with the island at large I was going to run into people who deserved explanations at minimum and full-blown apologies at best. After all I HAD made some enemies.

Might as well start here and practice with him. About as safe as its ever going to get.

"Hello Merror; I'm Toa Joske. Nice... to make your acquaintance." I gripped his hand respectfully.

IC (Cael)

“Good morning.”

Cael turned, startled at the sound of an unfamiliar voice, but by the time she had turned around, it was already over. Joske had moved before thinking -as he had a habit of doing- and laid the newcomer out on the floor.

“Joske-” she half-cried in exasperation- but, again, Joske moved more quickly than she, and had apologized and helped his victim up -only for the strange Toa to return the favour and show Joske the ground.

The healer wasn't usually given to stereotyping, but the blatant display of machismo that had just played out tempted her to make an exception. What was wrong with -dare she even suggest it?- accepting that someone had gotten the jump on you and just letting it go? It wasn't anything against Merror -she knew Joske would have done the same thing. His ego wouldn't let him do otherwise.

Oh, fine, she'd make an exception this time:

Maybe it's a Ta-Toa thing.

The two were shaking hands by now; Cael stepped forward, hand extended, and made her own introduction.

“And I'm Cael. It's good to meet you.”

OOC: Anthraz to Ta-Koro

Anthraz looked everywhere. But couldn't find anything. At last he had found trails of footprints leading to Ta-Koro.

IC (Merror)

Merror smiled warmly as he gave Joske's hand a firm shake.

"And I am glad to make yours, Joske," he said. His voice was a rich baritone, gentle and sincere. "I never did have any hard feelings towards you for what happened last time we met. It was as much my fault as yours. And anyway, you needed to vent - I'm just glad I was there to help."

He took Cael's hand and turned his address to her, inclining his head a little in respect for the healer.

"Cael, I still remember the patience you showed me all those months ago," he said, then chuckled slightly. "I'm sorry to be interfering with your patient once again..."

Releasing Cael's hand, he took a look around the training room. It was sparse, but...functional. Well-made equipment, enough space for most exercise routines. Joske had clearly been training just as hard as he had.

He rubbed his jaw again.

Nice right hook.

"Part of me wishes I'd come to speak with you sooner," he said, leaning back against a wall and crossing his arms. "But I thought it looked like you both needed some time alone; I could see you'd been through a lot."

He cocked his head a little to one side.

"Speaking of which," he continued, his green gaze cannily surveying them, "I get the feeling that the two of you might have quite the story to tell. I don't suppose you'd know anything about some rumours I've heard of a Toa of Light?"

IC: Transiz/Tul

The insane Vortixx walked along the snow, looking for any sign of life. There was none. Just a pitiful waste. Transiz shrugged, and started to walk towards Onu-Wahi, where all the other's were going.

OOC:

Transiz to Onu-Wahi.

IC: Tivanu

Tivanu looked over Ko-koro sighed. He adruptly turned and began walking out the gates and into the snow drifts with no real course in mind

OOC: Tivanu open for interaction

OOC: Kamatu to Onu-Koro

IC:

I passed into the village largely unnoticed - I was, for all intents and purposes, just another Toa of Ice in a village made of the stuff. One, though - a guardsman - seemed to recognize me. "Koloktos!" he called, hurrying up to me.

"Derrus," I replied. I'd been in the same unit as the Ko-Matoran during my time in the Guard. He was a decent guy - a bit naive, but dedicated to his job. He held probably a bit more respect for me than most would consider healthy, which would explain why he was so anxious to greet me.

"Welcome back, man!" he exclaimed.

I smiled. "It's good to be home." I glanced around. "What'd I miss?"

The Matoran was suddenly twice as excited as before, which was saying something. "A lot. They installed– And they're building–" He shook his head. "The akiri's holding a meeting in the Sanctum; he'll explain everything better than I could. If you hurry, you can make it there before–"

"Thank you, Derrus." I turned swiftly and started for the Sanctum.

IC: Celite from Ga-Wahi (on the Easternmost region of Ko-Wahi)

I hate climbing... The Turaa of Lightning groaned as she forced herself up and over another ice-covered climb. There was no turning back, nor turning north nor south. Forward was the only safety she could rely on for the time being. The frozen wastes of Ko-Wahi were extremely harsh, and after a while Celite found herself walking through the beginning of a blizzard."Must...not...stop" she chanted to herself as she took each three-tipped step through the mountainous area. She'd be lucky if she made it out alive at this rate, but it was still better than risking a return trip to Ga-Koro. Not much was lost by leaving; she kept her freedom on the most part, and had lost only the money invested in her hut and what few belongings had been in there. Even so, in her age the Vo-Turaga felt like each subzero breeze was cutting straight through her. After a long period of time, the glacier fortress of Ko-Koro began to come into sight. At this point, the Turaga was forced to stop and regain her breath. Sadly, she was beginning to feel weak and she had no means of replenishing energy. To compound the matter, the fortress-like nature of the impending village made her uneasy."This could be my salvation or my prison depending on how competent those Ga-Koro guards are..." she said, her voice dissipating in the blizzard winds before she continued on, making her way to the Village of Ice.

Ic: "My final order of business is the general discussion session. As Akiri, my first goal is to serve you, so please, if you have any questions of me, please ask them to me now."

IC: (Valria)

"Hello, I'm Toa Valria, I just have a single question at the moment. You talked about spreading unity throughout the island. In what manner does Ko-Koro plan on doing so?" I asked, apparently being the first one to speak up, as most of the room remained silent for a few minutes after Akiri Matoro began the open discussion. I wanted to know if the Akiri had a plan in mind, but mostly I was judging the Koro's intentions. My team had lost two good people, and Iulius had been severely injured by a Rahkshi, the cost already felt too high for such an uneasy peace. It was also plain to see that while the island enjoyed peace, it remained terse as it did under Makuta...perhaps even worse. I didn't really expect Matoro to have an answer ready, but if he did it would make it easier to decided whether I wanted to remain in this Koro or not.

IC: Taka

Y'Know, thats actually a very good question. I wonder how Matoro will answer....

IC: Teiujn. The Drifts

Teiujn marched through the deep snow, a blinding blizzard all around him

Get out of here is cold

'shut up, you' he thought.

but-

'what did I just say? we are looking for something that will help us'

still cold. nothing warm

"here" he said aloud, slugging a coat over himself. he knew that the slug attached to his spinal cord heard him.

much warm

"good". he didn't need to hear the parasite screaming in his mind. he decided to take shelter. the snow was freezing his fingers and making it hard to walk. there didn't appear to be anywhere to stay. no caves, no huts, no nothing. he sighed. then he realized that there was a mountain wall a few feet away. "when there's a wall, there's a cave". it had to be buried in snow. he traced his hand along the snow-covered wall, feeling for an entrance. he brushed over a few small ones, no doubt only able to fit a matoran. as he felt along, a snow drift collapsed into a cave, barely enough to fit him.

stay here warm here no leave

IC:

I slipped into the Sanctum just as Matoro was calling the meeting to order - flawless timing, as usual. I took my place at the back of the crowd and listened in fascination to the akiri's speech, impressed by the vast array of enhancements the village's leaders had in mind. I was glad I'd arrived when I did - I was far enough behind the times already.

Matoro had just opened the floor for questions. I opened my mouth, about to say something about the wind turbines, when another Toa spoke up.

"You talked about spreading unity throughout the island," she said. "In what manner does Ko-Koro plan on doing so?"

Ah, yes. That's always the question, isn't it?

IC

[Massif - morning]

Toa of Light.

Simple phrase. Simple question.

It was all but simple.

Those three words had a lot of memories attached to them, and few of them pleasant. My mind raced as fast as I moved with my Kakama, re-living those few hours as the single-most powerful Toa on the island. The fight with Heunai... the fight within myself... learning about Cael's murder... the defense of the Kini Suva... while I may have been at my peak physically and elementally, that brief window had been the lowest emotional point of my life. And when I say low I mean Naho Bay rock-bottom.

Cael's death granted me the power of light. Her resurrection snatched it away. The fact that I kept a calm demeanor was proof on how far I'd come, but there were still too many strings attached for me to talk about it openly - even with someone like him.

At least... not yet.

"Only that: rumors." I said, crossing my own arms, my lips in a half-smirk. "Besides, there's no concrete proof. The Toa Maru came back. Those that helped defend the entrance also came back, ourselves included. I'm glad and honored to have played my part, having been the Vanguard the Wander's-Company-turned-Toa-Maru, helping them get their masks and completing their destiny, but as for this Toa of Light... he never came back, if he existed in the first place. I'm not gonna lie, in the heat of battle things can get confusing... "

I closed my eyes and smiled to myself, shaking my head. "But I suppose there needs to be a good myth or two about every epic battle, including this one. I'm content to leave it at that: a legend. But back to the original topic - thank you for your kind words. I never know if my past actions have been already accounted for or not, so I've decided to walk into such situations expecting the worst. And I appreciate you giving us our space; it was needed."

I glanced around the room myself, my eyes briefly meeting Cael's. It was a pleasant relaxed neutral, but I could read deeper than that. If I wasn't going to say anything, she would respect my wishes and not speak about it either. As few people had seen me as a Toa of Light, fewer knew that she had actually died... and been brought back. Trust me, I'm one for crowning my own achievements, but that's two things I would rather for now keep under wraps.

No point in proclaiming things that nobody even knows about, right?

"Anyway, despite the initial greeting, I do believe your timing couldn't of been better. We were just discussing plans on a possible trip to Po-Koro. There's some... personal matters I would like to put to rest, and I've been ignoring it for long enough. Not to mention we've been secluded here for three months; might as well see what happened afterwards and witness the fruits of or labor, eh?"

Already I was getting excited. It seemed as though another adventure was brewing, this time with new friends.

I could smell it.

IC: Teiujn. Snow Drift

sitting in the small cave, Teiujn communicated with the Parakuka. 'I have a question' he thought.

question?

yes, a question. are you related to the slugs that attach to Skakdi and drive them to rage?

Skakdi? what is Skakdi?

apparently not

he switched back and forth between his Parukaka form and normal form, observing the changes. his hand would grow larger, more spiked. he would get claws, and his hand would become stronger, made of a harder material. strange what happens when you bond to a parasite that enhances you but takes away your elemental and mask powers

me no parasite. me serve you

oh yeah, sure he thought sarcastically. and as soon as I turn my back you'll drain me of my life force

Prologue

IC (Jin)

Oh, hey. Didn't see you there. My bad.

Take a seat – there's plenty of cell to go around. It's not padded, but that's neither here nor there, so I'll roll with it. Just me and my journal and and a plate of lukewarm food three times a day. Could do a lot of damage with that plate, but I don't. There's no point, really.

Yeah, you heard me. A plate. Because I'm Jin, which means I'm arguably the best mercenary you're ever gonna meet. Can make a weapon out of a plate, a fork, a spoon, a piece of paper, a broken heart. S'not hard: everything's gotta a sharp edge. Even the most harmless things can hurt you.

Everybody remembers that, it seems. All caught up on “oh, I could choke on that berry” and “oh no, I could get a paper cut” but nobody seems as careful of the really dangerous things. You don't see people shivering over the swords that everyone and their dog carts around. You've probably been on a boat before, and you didn't sweat it, did ya?

Or maybe it's just me. You could be scared of water, and I'm just talking to a brick wall. Heh. It's funny cause I probably am. Maybe you're just another hallucination, and I'm talking to myself. Whatever. No reason to stop the conversation just for that. It gets lonely sometimes.

Anyway, yeah. I thought about the harmless things sometimes, but my line of work put me in some pretty dangerous places staring down some some pretty violent people, and yet that's what I chose to do with my life (the element of choice is a whole 'nother can of worms, so let's not get started because I'm not even really sure whether it was ever a choice or not, or which I would prefer to have it be if I had the choice).

So I thought about the berries, but somehow forgot about the swords and the guns and the fists and feet. Funny how the mind works (or maybe it's just my mind, but we've been over that). I'd mull over the dumb little things that didn't matter, but got up close and personal with dangerous people. Calling my line of work dicey would be an understatement.

I'll put it simple: my job was to kill people for money. That's about it. Sounds like it could be pretty hazardous to your health, right? Right.

But I did it anyway. I loved it. You know me, after all: I'm Jin, Vortixx extraordinaire, the greatest merc this world had ever seen, the sharpest assassin with a sharper knife.

Or... I was.

That was until I met Dorian Shaddix.

...

Hey, I got a question for you: what would you sell your soul for?

IC: Teuijn. The Drifts

the snowstorm was abiding, which was good for Teuijn. he stood up, stretched, and headed out. he was looking for the Ko-matoran village. he had no guide to take him there, so he had been wandering from Onu-wahi. there! he spied the village about a mile away.

IC: Celite

Finally, the Vo-Turaga had made it to the gatehouse of Ko-Koro. Fortunately, itner-koro relations did not seem to be so bad that the gates were empty, nor had word of her fleeing seemed to have reached this area yet. She walked through the manned gatehouse, falsifying a reason for arrival and where she'd come from when a random guard enquired as to the purpose she had here.

"I'm a travelling translator, looking for work. I got lost in the wastelands and seek refuge." Once bid inside, she made her way to the shopping areas of the village. Interestingly, Celite felt something pleasant around her as she paced through; electricity, more present than where she had come from. She had an extremely limited control of it, but being in the presence of any electricity made the Turaga feel more comfortable.Don't forget. the voice of her reservations made her remember, if they ever track you down, you're doomed.Trying not to think of it too much, Celite realised she would quickly be in need of money, considering her widgets were back in the hut of Ga-Koro. She gazed at the passers by, wondering if she could be of any help to them."If only I had a sign or something..."OOC: open to interaction

IC: Tivanu

Tivanu had managed to make his way towards gates of Ko-koro again. While he had been traveling in the wasteland he had ran into a matoran who reported seeing a Vo-turaga who had seemed lost. He had thanked the matoran but did not give up any widgets when the matoran asked for it.

He now stood looking up at the guardtower. With hesitant steps he walked into it and scanned the area. It was then he spotted the Vo-turaga he has been following and with a large grin he looked at the turaga and grinned

"So are you the one who was lost in the drifts?"

IC: Celite"Lost?" Celite said inquisitively. She then asserted that she must stick to her story as much as possible. "Oh, yes indeed. Why do you ask, Skakdi?"

IC: Tivanu

Tivanu noticed the odd change in voice but just shrugged it off

"Well i had been in the Drifts when i ran into a ko-matoran who reported a lost turaga. Just was making sure there was not a dead body i had to worry about."

Ic:

 

I cut all usage of my power and turn. Kol follows. And then we proceed to traverse the mountain at his guidance, rapidly ascending towards the opening of Hiemalis' lair.

We're entering two men strong. We'll leave with two men, give or take an incarcerated iceman.

The gentle tinkle of ice crystals greeted the vengeful Sulov and the reborn Kol as they entered the little tube Hiemalis had used as his mountaintop lair. Both intruders were cautious in their entry, almost paranoid. They were taken by surprise once before; they would not make the same mistake again.

They looked at each other quizzically as they surveyed the tiny home. The bed of straw was left unturned and the long chain that hung over the deep chasm was fastened to the cave entrance. Kol looked at it warily, not fearing it anymore but regarding it with scorn; through it he was broken once already. But as they pursed through the dwelling they realized Hiemalis was nowhere to be seen.

"He's not here--"

An emphatic finger shut Kol up as Sulov, always analytical and intelligent, noticed something was off. The tinkling.

Like a spider from the ceiling body parts descended. Mounted on a cross were arranged appendages sewn together with no two pieces from the same being the display exuded a ghastly aura of heathen death. Around the withered neck hung a sign. On it, written in blood, was a simple message scrawled in Hiemalis' runic writing: Late.

In the tenseness of the moment Sulov hadn't even noticed the icicle dagger somehow embedded in his back.

* * *

Hiemalis was a cunning being. Quick, cryptic and demonic he had already known Sulov was coming and had planned a trap. Coryza, caught up with his former leader, would be surely either killed or turned, and as Hiemalis had predicted things turned out fine for the other side, but Kol was never a bargaining chip, he was a spy. The lord of winter had watched the battle from afar, observed the Toa of Earth in battle and gauged him. He was too strong, too powerful, too direct to confront in direct combat; Hiemalis knew which battles to pick and this was one best fought from afar.

Or, preferably, not at all.

This Toa Maru was too determined to be shaken off but Hiemalis had to give it a chance. Besides, the wahi and its terrain was on his side. After playing his trick and stabbing Sulov in a taunt he glissaded down the steep ravine into the deep and dark chasm he kept his monsters in. It had been a refuge for him before and a laboratory for both he and Coryza. It was time to mobilize. And all things told... he hadn't shown Kol everything about the underworld realm he ruled.

IC: (Valria)

 

"Hello, I'm Toa Valria, I just have a single question at the moment. You talked about spreading unity throughout the island. In what manner does Ko-Koro plan on doing so?"

"Hello," Matoro greeted in return. "Your question is one I've thought deeply over for a long while already. As it stands the villages are drifting apart; there are no mentors, no elders, no fabric to keep them together. In the death of the turaga only the plight the Makuta presented us kept us united, but now there is no such keystone and we've been fraying. I intend to spread unity by being the beacon of progress and righteousness. For an example, we have militarized and raised great defenses, but we do that only to defend ourselves from invasion. We also hold the greatest wealth of ancient traditions and wisdoms and will gladly share them with those who will take them. By being the best we can be I hope we inspire others to follow our lead and take up the old ways and the Virtues.

"I hope that sheds some light on your query."

The two entered through the columned doors of the Sanctum, and the guard approached a robed Matoran sitting on a small chair in the centre of the entrance hall.

"Sernon, Toa of Stone. Diplomat from Po-Koro, here for the Akiri."

The Matoran rose, and wordlessly left the room through a door to the right.

"Wait here." the guard said, and, with a nod, departed back onto the cold streets, leaving Sernon alone.

With the conclusion of the answer to the question, Jaa, the scribe, took note of the guest toa and announced it aloud to the room as he was handed a note. "Sernon, diplomat and toa from Po-Koro."

"Come forth," Matoro said, settling his eyes on the toa. "What can I do for you?"