Last Light

Once six species formed six kingdoms and let greed lead them to an attempted conquest of the universe; this treachery was brought to a swift end by Mata Nui's brothers. Lead by a lust for power, Mata Nui's own brothers, too, plotted a betrayal of their own; they, too, fell to Mata Nui's will. But a new kingdom rose to fill the power vacuum created, even as the To a fell in failing to stop them. With no one left to stop its spread, this new nation spread light a stain across the northern universe and seeped into the south. However, there are still those sheltered places yet to be devoured by the Kingdom's spread.

Chapter One - Last Calm Before the Storm
Cahruik opened his eyes to the greenish glare cutting through the slits in his leaf woven roof. Groggily, the Le-Matoran sat up and stretched, listening to the cacophony of life in the canopy around him. Fruit in a bowl on his table served as his morning meal. A polished stone mirror showed him that his Volitak had been dislodged in the night, and so he fixed its position as he stepped out onto the walkways between the treetops.

Around him, other early risers stirred and stretched, while those stuck with the night shift sought their beds. Even at this early hour the walkways swayed and creaked with the volume of Le-Matoran making their crossings, yet none feared that one should fail. Cahruik navigated his way to the nearest ladder and began the long climb to the jungle floor. He had scarcely reached the ground when Ohltte, their Turaga, staggered up to him.

"Ah, Cahruik," the Onu-Turaga began, scratching his kanohi Ruru absently. "I trust you aren't busy this fine morning?"

"No more than my usual chores, Turaga," Cahruik replied briefly.

"Good, good. Actually, I was hoping you could go and help with the repairs in Ce-Koro."

"The hut that had a tree fall on it?" Cahruik asked.

"Yes that's the one..." The Turaga replied absently. "I'll send three others, but I could use a fourth if you'd be willing."

"Of course Turaga, I shall head over there now," said the Le-Matoran, already turning to leave.

"... I was also hoping you could use this an opportunity to get closer to Mahrillia," called Ohltte, to the already departing Le-Matoran.

"Turaga?" Quieried Cahruik, over his shoulder.

"I had another dream last night, Cahruik, I see change like a storm gathering on the horizon. So do what you can while still you can do them, time won't wait for you. Now, where's that Tohric, he is to gather a party to head to the gate..." And just like that, the Turaga's other worries stole his attention.

Cahruik sighed and once more began to walk away, trying to ignore the Turaga's warning and how deeply it resonated with him. Across the clearing that served as market, Cahruik saw Chihrr and two others preparing their tools. Chihrr was the first to see him coming, and waved a hand in a gesture of greeting.

"Cahruik, I look-see Ohltte found you quick-fast, then? He say-speaks to me that you will quick-travel with us," Chihrr chirped in his finest chute-speak.

"Indeed, though such a hurry he was in he failed to tell me who my travelling companions would be. And all know you hail from a fine and distant city, there is no need to twist your tongue so, I know you do it just for show," Cahruik chuckled, though his heartlight flickered with anxiety.

"Sorry-not am i, for I cannot quick-change my ways," Chihrr replied cheerily.

"I fear it shall be a long walk..." One of the others muttered, and the group broke into hearty laughter as they set off through the emerald undergrowth.

TBC