Last Light of Sundercliff



Last Light of Sundercliff is a written work of fiction by Vorred and takes place withing the Remains Alternate Universe. It focuses on the character Zonuval who thinks back on his time as a Toa, uncovering the events that lead to the fall of Sundercliff Village. The story technically takes place after Elegy, but tells of events that happened before Patriots.

Prolog: Sundered Past
The dim glow of the lightstones bathed the ancient floors in a somber illumination. The rusted and crumbling irons that once made up the barred doors of prison cells reached into the room, seemingly reaching for the figure who slowly walked down the hallway.

A few days ago Toa Zonuval and Toa Amarii had uncovered the old prison building deep within the wilderness of the island. It had presumably stood there for ages now, untouched by any sentient being. The outside grey and blocky structure had long since been retaken by the surrounding nature, with trees growing around and out of the structure as moss and vines took over the bold outer facade. A forgotten building. Quite fitting for the two who stumbled upon it. Zonuval and Amarii were once proud Toa, but the days of heroics almost felt like a different life to them. Both had fallen victim to a terrible virus, which had corrupted their bodies and minds, forcing them to serve someone who used them as a tool to achieve his conquering goals. While eventually being healed from the virus’ effect, their once strong elemental powers were greatly diminished, being but a whimper of their former power. The two Toa were not outright banished from Matoran villages, but faced a lot of mistrust whenever they visited one of the settlements. Not only their kind had caused much grief over the last few years; the two themselves had committed terrible deeds while being infected. Thus they chose to distance themselves from the Matoran, searching for a place of their own. The Matoran had once called them the “Forgotten Warriors”, and this was to be the name they kept for themselves. After all, who even remembered the brave heroes they once were?

Zonuval remembered, as he walked through the dimly lit hallway. His image was reflected by the pools of water which had formed on the ground and he paused for a moment. The mask that looked back at him had a stern look on it, the light blue eyes shimmering in the reflection. The dark red color the Kanohi used to have was only visible in a few leftover spots. The virus had once been injected into his shoulder, where it had created a black outgrowth that stretched all the way to his chest. The surrounding armor and his mask had been blackened in the process. Zonuval stepped into the reflection as he set his view back to the hallway ahead and continued on his way. He came to a closed door which marked the end of the cell room. The rusted remains of a strong lock held the door in place. Barely. The Toa gave the old wood a slight push, and with a loud screech the door fell into the following room, breaking open the lock. The impact echoed through the the cell complex, creating a thunderous noise for a second. Zonuval waited for the echo to end, then stepped into the next room.

One lightstone on a pillar in the center of the round room lit the deteriorated interior. A tribune had been build, with ascending rows for seating. The floor was covered with a thin film of water. Zonuval asked himself if this had been some kind of hearing chamber, but the mossed stone around him had no answer to his thoughts. The Toa sat down on one of seats on the lowest row. He looked across the room, and once more into his own reflection in the water. Here he was, presumably in a hearing chamber. His past still haunted his thoughts. The betrayal of is friends. The abandoning of all virtues he once served to protect. Right here, it was time to make peace with his past, to let go of what held him back once and for all. Zonuval closed his eyes and concentrated. He let the memories fill his mind, remembering who he once were. The blurry images sharpened in his head, and he lived through the last moments of his life as a Toa once more.