Haunting in Shadows

Haunting in Shadows is an in-the-works-novel set in the Matoran Universe.

Prologue
Evening sunlight glistened against the ocean water surrounding the island of Daxia. The sun itself slowly set on the horizon. Most would take a moment to enjoy the beautiful lights that danced all over the ocean, but for Toa Helryx, the evening was not one of peaceful indulgence, but of anxious anticipation.

Seven days prior, a mysterious warrior by the name of Geliax had left on a mission with a few companions to investigate rumors of an army of Rahkshi rising in the underground of Metru-Nui, city of legends. A large contribution to her nervous state was that Geliax was her secret lover.

Helryx's eyes danced in several directions, searching for any sign of the watercraft that the group had taken. For a period of time she did not know, she scanned the seas for any sign of the ship. The sun set after what felt like hours and gradually, the sky began to darken. Stars began to appear as the sky grew black. Panic began to set in. What if the group had been killed? She could not fathom how she would possibly continue without Geliax.

Her heart stone nearly shattered as she saw a torchlight in the distance. Orange on the black water, it shone brightly as it moved closer at a painfully slow pace. Once it was close enough, Helryx decided to speed it up a little.

Using her powers over water, she caused the current to carry the boat towards the shore faster. Just as the vessel landed on the sand. Helryx saw the amount of sailors on board was a total of one. It was not Geliax. Helryx inched her way towards the boat and saw the exhausted member of the Order of Mata Nui, Johmak, aboard. Johmak looked up at her leader.

She said nothing as she reached into a bag and pulled something out. Helryx held out both her hands to take it. Accidentally knocking over her shield, which was covered with grime, scratches, and blood, Johmak pulled out a helmet and placed it in Helryx's hands.

Emotion overcame Helryx, though she did what she could to not show it. Johmak picked up her shield and limped away, the torch revealing a gash in her left thigh. Helryx did not notice. Once Johmak was out of sight she collapsed. Overcome. Their was nothing left. She could only feel one thing as she looked off into nothingness.

Pain.

Time passed. She took no notice. Memories continued to flood her mind. Memories about him, them, their son......She snapped back to reality. Geliax's son still lay in Her chambers. She stood up and ran back to the base. She ignored any who glanced at her as she sprinted towards her chamber. She got there in under a minute, such was her panic.

Only once she met her son's quizzical gaze that she realized he was safe. She fell onto her bed. She now had a new duty to fulfill. What would she do with him? Raise him with it being common knowledge that she had a son? Everyone would ask who his father was. She could not let that happen. She pondered for hours, the same question running across the far corners of her mind. ''What will I do with him? ''

A knock on the door broke her away from her thoughts. She made sure they boy was out of sight before answering. Tobduk stood in the door. The large Order member that lead assassinations for the order. "Ma'am, I was told of what happened to Geliax. I'm sorry, I knew he was your friend."

"Thank you Tobduk." She answered wearily. "I also have a report on exactly what happened, I thought you should hear it." She paused a moment, then allowed him to enter. "Please, begin." Helryx said, terrified of what she might hear. "Geliax and his group of twenty were far below the archives when they discovered that the rumors were indeed true." He paused, and she indicated for him to continue.

"A small army of Rahkshi were indeed raising underground. Instead of falling back, Geliax sent Johmak back to a safe distance and then took his other nineteen warriors and engaged them. They were at a one hundred to one scale." He stopped to breathe. "As Johmak puts it, each of the nineteen warriors fell one by one, but not before taking at least twenty with them. Each.

"Geliax himself was the last one fighting, and he crippled the army of creatures beyond repair. He took on over a hundred by himself. Three survived, and they were incapable of crawling away. The Rahkshi retreated back down into the tunnels, and Johamk went down to Geliax.

"She was with him until he died from his wounds. She says it was impossible to tell which was the fatal blow, if indeed there was one. He gave her his helmet, which I believe you now possess." He finished, and Helryx nodded. An urge to go to Metru-Nui to avenge Geliax came to her, but she knew she couldn't. Not when the order needed leading.

An idea sprung into her mind. ''I cannot. He can.'' She thought. It was risky, but the boy would have to serve the order anyway, this way would just prolong his life. "Tobduk, before you go, I must ask something of you."

"What would that be, ma'am?" Helryx moved over to where the boy was hidden, and lifted him up, showing Tobduk. "I found him on the shores a few nights ago. I couldn't just leave him."

"What should I do?"

She took a mental deep breath. "Raise him until he's old enough to fight. Then, train him. When you think he is capable, send him to me." Tobduk nodded, and she handed the child to Tobduk, who was unusually gentle. "After about fourteen years, I'll begin training him. Is that acceptable?"

"Yes. Go." Before he left, Tobduk asked: "What is his name?" She pondered it for a moment. They had yet to think up a suitable name for him. She thought about what he would probably become after his training. From that, she knew what name to pick.

"His name is Zaeron." She answered. The name meant "Bird of Prey" in the Matoran language. Tobduk left and she closed the door. She fell onto her bed and cried. Her lover was dead, and her son would never know who she was. Was it truly necessary? It is necessary. She realized.

Either way, he'd go down to find the Rahkshi once he was able, this way, he'd have a better chance at surviving it. She looked out her window. Rain had begun to pour down onto Daxia. The weather is reflecting my mood. She thought dully as the dreary weather continued. She would be in a bad mood for the next seven years. She would not see Zaeron for the next fourteen years.

Lifestyle of a Machine.
In the fourteen years that passed, Tobduk watched in amazement at how Zaeron grew. He was unlike anything the old order member knew of. He seemed bio-mechanical, and at the same time, natural. The mechanics grew along with the soft insides, creating a species unlike anything Tobduk, or any member who knew of him, was familiar with. He had to keep his wonderment for another time, as Zaeron almost seemed to live off the training he provided him with.

The boy's personality gritted against Tobduk as he grew. Constant sarcastic humor and occasional pessimism were the boy's most dominant aspects of personality. He could be compassionate to someone undergoing a time of pain. Namely, the friends of members who died on mission.

Above all, he was smart. He had intelligence that matched Tobduk's and Johmak's put together. The thing that gritted at Tobduk was the mood swings that happened every now and then. He would be a sensitive, compassionate being at one point, and then a harsh, merciless being who would not hesitate to offend or threaten to get what he needed.

As Tobduk mulled over these thoughts, he gazed out into the starry night through the window of his chamber. The night looked eerily similar to the one in which Helryx had given him the job of raising and teaching the boy. Seven years since that day had passed, and Tobduk had told Helryx that he would begin the next day. He pushed those thoughts aside and lay down on his bed, making an attempt to sleep.

Moments before achieving that goal, he noticed a flickering white light from the window. He knew that it was coming from the private training training ring Helryx had given him.

"Blast, what now?" He muttered and stood up. He looked out the window, and was surprised to see Zaeron standing a few meters away from the ring, slowly going through the armory. A lone lightstone was hanging above the ring.

Tobduk considered going down and chewing Zaeron out, then he paused, curious as to what the boy would do. Zaeron was inspecting the swords the armory had stocked. Every third blade or so, he would take it out and swing it around, then put it back, apparently dissatisfied. At last, the boy settled on a long handled, short bladed sword. Once he moved into the light, Tobduk could see the blade more easily.

It was a two sided weapon, designed specifically for battles against single and multiple opponents. Tobduk remembered it was a creation of Hydraxon. Zaeron began to swing it around. He was lucky he was so tall. In only fourteen years, he was nearly as tall as Toa Lhikan. The blade seemed to move along with him, not so much a tool, but a body part. A lethal prosthesis.

For a few minutes, Tobduk watched him from the window. The boy seemed to already know how to wield the weapon. Although, it was more basic attacks and blocks Zaeron practiced. Tobduk decided to go down to see him. Once he made it down, the boy was gone. Tobduk cursed softly. He had hoped to find out how Zaeron knew so much. As he turned to leave, he heard a low voice. "I saw you coming."

He looked around, not knowing where it was. "Look up." He did so. Zaeron was standing balanced on the sill of the very window Tobduk had been watching him from. Tobduk struggled not to smile. "Come down please." He said simply. Zaeron shrugged and clambered down. "How did you get up?"

"Makeshift staircase." Zaeron said, and gestured to a set of stacked boxes that led up to the window, completely unabashed. "Well, more interestingly, how did you learn to handle the blade?" Tobduk wanted to know. Things like that could be dangerous in unlearned hands. "I've been breaking into the armory to practice for almost a year now." Tobduk's eyebrows shot up. "You know the possible punishments of that, do you not?"

"Of course I do. That's why I make a point of using your savings to pay off sentries." Tobduk couldn't say he was surprised at that. His particular widgets seemed to vanish a few hours after he was given them. He just sighed and went on to his next question. "How did you learn what moves to go on?"

"A year before the year I just mentioned, Helryx lended me a few tablets on combat. I think she thought I'd just break into the library and read it there, to be honest." Tobduk subdued all other questions. "Let me see the sword." Zaeron threw it to him instantly. Though the look in the young warriors eyes told him he was not pleased with giving up a weapon. A fact that pleased Tobduk immensely.

A warrior should never give up a weapon willingly. He examined the black bladed sword. It was very well balanced, and the blade was as sharp as a razor, though nowhere near as thin. He held the blade out for Zaeron to take, which he did. "Your pivot block relies solely on your arm, correct?"

"Yes, master." Zaeron answered, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. Tobduk ignored it. "Move your body so that it goes along behind the blade, giving more strength to your block." Zaeron did so. Tobduk found a long wooden stick to use as a practice weapon. If he was using a real sword, he would cut his student to pieces. He lightly attacked, intending it so that Zaeron would be able to block it. Zaeron did so.

As Tobduk soon learned, the boy was a natural with the blade. Most warriors were great because it took years of practice. Others, rarities, could learn simple things and master them within a matter of weeks and move on to more complex things. Zaeron was one of those rarities. Zaeron surprised him by switching to offence. Tobduk got the large stick up in time, though it was cleaved in two by Zaeron's blade. "Next time, you should use a metal pole." Zaeron said, almost tauntingly.

"I suppose we'll start you're training now." Tobduk said resignedly. Zaeron broke into an open grin now. Normally, such an expression would indicate happiness, though with Zaeron, it appeared a slightly animalistic side of him was showing. "For now, start by practicing these five movements." He used a spare sword to give an example. He showed Zaeron a left overhand attack, a right overhand attack, which Zaeron copied.

Then, a left and right underhand attacks. Zaeron strung those together with the overhand attacks. He then showed him a simple thrust. Zaeron began to use the five basic attacks in different combos each time. Tobduk sat on a bench to the side, observing the young warrior's progress. After a few hours, Zaeron began to feel the effects of fatigue. I have to keep this up. He thought.

The sooner he could learn this, the sooner he would be able to really serve the order. Tobduk watched his every movement. Observing what flaws his student could improve on, and what he excelled. He noticed that Zaeron's thrust slowed down midway. The over hand attacks were a little overpowered. His underhands were almost perfect. He stood up.

"Stop." Zaeron did so immediately. "Your thrust is a little weak. Do that for a little. Then return to the combos." Zaeron improved mere minutes after the conversation. His thrusts were stronger, and were faster then before.

After about a half hour, Zaeron began to feel hungry. He swore hin is head and ignored it. "Try to use less strength in your overhand attacks. You'll just tire yourself and give your opponent an opportunity to send you to an early grave." Tobduk called out. As Zaeron continued to practice into the day, without stopping, Tobduk began to feel concerned. Concern turned to worry. Worry turned to fear. He walked up to Zaeron. "Stop." Zaeron did so. "I think that's enough for today. You need food and rest."

"I want to continue."

"You'll kill yourself." Zaeron was old enough to know what death was, and Tobduk wanted him to not die at such an early stage of life. "If that's what it takes to learn this, so be it." Zaeron snapped. Tobduk walked up to him and wrenched the blade from his hand. "Never speak like that. Ever. We have years to do this, Zaeron." The Hau covered face looked up at him.

Tobduk saw something in his eyes, something that could be dangerous to everyone around the boy. A slight berserker instinct. Zaeron had a berserker waiting inside him. Something that Tobduk would have to teach him to suppress. "We will continue. Tomorrow. For now. Go find some food and go to bed." Refusal was on the tip of Zaeron's tongue, but then he saw he reason behind Tobduk's words. He would be of no use to the order dead. He calmed himself down and walked off to the mess hall of the base.

As much as he desired to go back and continue, his body simply was incapable of continuing. At least until the next day. He stopped at the mess hall and ate a brief meal of Rahi poultry. Afterwards, he went for a walk through the base. He watched a couple members of the order leaving on a mission. He sighed. He wanted to be that. ''How many years of training did they go through? Hundreds? Thousands?'' He shuddered. "I just can't wait that long." Zaeron murmured.

"Impatient?" A female voice said behind him. Zaeron turned slowly. The Toa that he beheld was none other then Helryx herself. "Yes." He said, slightly bitterly. He expected that Tobduk would chew him out for not respecting authority very much, but he really didn't care. "Don't worry. From what I hear, you won't have to wait to long before I send you away." Zaeron looked up at her.

She was taller then him by a half a head. "Zaeron, I have something for you." She said. His attention span lengthened greatly. Helryx pulled out a small package. Zaeron took it, nodded his thanks, and opened it.

Inside was a kanohi mask, though it was unlike any mask he had ever seen. It was a dark ebony color, had narrow eye slits, and angled upwards in a slight arc. Deciding it would be smart not to cause an unintended insult by asking what it was, Zaeron slowly removed his Hau and replaced it with the new mask. A feeling of calm swept over him. Followed by a smaller surge of power. "Thank you." He said, but Helryx was gone.

Later that night, Tobduk reported his sighting of a Berserker instinct in Zaeron's eyes to Helryx. "I need him to know how to suppress it before I can teach him anything else." Tobduk told her. Helryx nodded, trying to keep the volcano of worry inside her from showing. "To be perfectly honest, it is strangely reminiscent of Geliax's habit of going insane in a fight." Tobduk reflected aloud. "In which case, start early tomorrow morning. I don't want another death because of that trait."

Helryx ordered. Knowing he was dismissed, Tobduk left the room. Helryx buried her face in her hands. She lost Geliax, she would not lose Zaeron. Life for her son gained a mechanical style. Each day, he would awake, eat a short breakfast, and then spend seven hours of training with Tobduk.

Then he would eat again, and go to sleep. Then the cycle would repeat. With each day, Zaeron's prowess in combat grew. Yet still, Helryx did not think it was enough. It took three years for her to decide what to do. She then remembered a warrior Geliax had introduced her to. His skill with the blade was nearly unmatched, and he even taught Helryx a few things. She got up to tell Tobduk of her plan.

Warrior to Housekeeper
Zaeron awoke. Moving near mechanically, he stood up and walked for the mess hall where he would eat a quick breakfast. He ignored a group of other early risers that glanced at him more then once. How annoying. He reflected. Once he had finished his meal, he stood up to leave. He slowly walked towards the training area he and Tobduk used. Something was off today.

The few order members who were awake at this hour were nervous, as though they were afraid that they could be kicked out of the order at any moment. As Zaeron soon discovered, that was the exact case. When he entered the training area, he saw Tobduk speaking to Helryx. Zaeron gulped quietly and kept his position. Helryx noticed him and waved him forward. He cautiously moved forward. "Well, Zaeron, it seems I will not be training you any longer." Tobduk said in an almost regretful tone. Something like a mixture of joy and apprehension rose within Zaeron.

"Will I be going into active service?" He asked. He had expected at least another four years of training. "No." Helryx answered. A pang of disappointment shot through him. "Instead, you will be passing into the care of another teacher." Helryx continued. Zaeron cocked his head to one side. "Tobduk has taught you all he knows about combat. Now, you will need to learn stealth skills and things like tracking and hunting." Zaeron's confused look asked a silent question. Why?

"I'm not going to have you become a soldier. Instead, I'm making you an assassin." Helryx concluded. Zaeron seemed a little saddened. "But, I had hoped I would be a soldier in times of war."

"This way, you will be more of a help than any soldier ever could be. You will undoubtedly have to fight in a war someday, though that is why I'm giving you this duty."

"And what would that duty be?"

"You will use the skills your new teacher will teach you to stop wars from happening. An assassin who kills for a cause." Zaeron seemed to ponder the appointment. After a few moments, he nodded slowly. "Where is this new teacher?"

"On an island west of here. When you get there. I'm having a couple of our members escort you to the island upon which your new master works." Zaeron nodded and walked over to the armory for his sword. He had used the same sword for the course of his three year training. Tobduk pulled out a strap of Tahtorahk hide and gave it to his former apprentice. Zaeron wrapped around his waist and put his sword through it. Tobduk sighed and gestured Zaeron to follow him. The pair walked towards the harbor of Daxia. A lone small boat was docked there. "Well, I suppose I won't be seeing you for a long time."

Tobduk said. "Yes. When I get back, I hope I'll be able to say that I'm able to hold my own against my old teacher." Tobduk looked disgruntled. "Who're you calling old?" He said. It took Zaeron a moment to realize he was joking. Zaeron smiled and held out his fist. Tobduk knocked it with his own and left. Zaeron turned. Two members of the Order of Mata Nui could be seen manning it. He took a deep breath and walked towards it. One of them, a toa, looked up. "Aator, our guest is here."

Zaeron looked past him to see a Bohrok walking towards them. His hand jumped to his sword briefly, but the Toa held up his hands and jumped in the way. "Don't do that. He's one of us." As the Bohrok came closer, Zaeron could see the Krana inside. He jumped when it spoke. "Indeed I am, you don't need to try to stab me." Zaeron examined the Bohrok shell. It had been outfitted with blades and some sort of ranged weapon he cared not to know what it was called. The Toa looked at me. "I'm Atraks."

"Zaeron." He quickly examined his escort. The Toa was adorned in silver and black armor, not unlike his own. Zaeron was slightly taller than him. The Krana was a Krana, and the shell had a large amount of weaponry. "Come on, I'll show you the ropes." Atraks said. "Ropes?"

"It's an expression for showing you what to do." Aator said. Zaeron wondered what he was being shown. It turned out he would have to learn how to man a gun on the front of the boat. It wasn't to hard to use, though turning it was hard, as it was heavy.

Shortly after he had learned how to use it, they set sail. The trip was brief, as the ship was fast. Zaeron was forced to wipe his eyes on several times for waves continually splashed the deck. After about seven hours, their destination came into view. A small, mountainous island lay before Zaeron's eyes. The ship stopped. Zaeron turned to Aator. "Why are we stopping? The beach is right there."

"Our instructions are that you have to swim from here." Zaeron's face fell. "It's true!" Atraks called from the wheelhouse. Zaeron groaned and walked up to the prow. "When you get their, climb the smallest mountain. When you get to the top, you'll see a small fort. Go there." Zaeron cursed and leapt from the prow. The water was frigid, and his armor made it difficult to swim. It took some time, but he was able to make it to the shore.

When he stood up and looked behind him, the ship was already turning around. He looked for the smallest mountain. It did not take long to find, though it was rather far away. He sighed explosively ad began to walk. The beach soon became forestry. Zaeron used his sword to cut through any vines or large leaves that got in his way.

As he walked, the forest grew evermore dense and he found it difficult to see very far ahead of him. He hacked at a vine a few meters away from him, and it snapped back and hit him across the throat. He swore repeatedly as he fell from the shock. For a few minutes, he lay there and massaged his neck.

Then he stood and continued on. The forest didn't go on for much longer, and Zaeron soon found himself at the base of the small mountain. Luckily, it didn't go up at to steep of an angle, and he was able to begin a slow upward walk. On a few different occasions, he would trip over a rock and roll down a short distance. When at last he reached the top, he looked around for a short while, in search of the fort Aator had mentioned.

When he could not see it at first glance, worry set in for a moment. Please tell me I didn't climb up the wrong mountain. He thought. Slightly irked, he kicked a small rock down the mountain. Instead of hearing the sound of rock clattering on rock, he heard a loud Clang!

"What in the...?" He looked down and saw the very fort he had been searching for. He sighed and began a decline down the mountain. Going down proved to be easier then going up, though he had to avoid any rocks that he might trip over and cause him to fall. Once he made it down, he began to walk towards the gate. He paused and looked around. He could see a very tall keep over the gate, so that could mean he would meet more then just his new teacher. He attempted to open the gate, but it was locked. "Well, I doubted it would have been easy." He examined the gate more closely.

There weren't any obvious handholds for climbing. Deciding he would take a more aggressive approach, he slammed himself into the door. Once the world stopped spinning, he found himself on the ground. He tried a vast array of methods for getting past the door, including using a dead tree to pole vault, use a vine for a zip line, and even trying to dig under it. I wonder if the door is sentient. He thought. He walked up to it.

"Um, door. Please open." Nothing. Frustrated, he knocked his fist against it. It opened at once. He hung his head, shook it, and walked in. Before he made it four steps, a knife slammed into the ground near his left foot. Reacting instinctively, Zaeron flung himself over to the side hand drawing his sword in the same movement.

"Who's there?" He called, pointing his sword out and slowly motioning it around, trying to gain a sighting of whoever had flung the knife. Seeing no one, he took a few tentative steps forward. He glanced around, not wanting to take a dagger in the head. Or any part of my body, for that matter. He thought grimly. He walked forward cautiously, glancing this way and that as he went. He was able to make a quick mental map of the fort.

There was a building in the center, presumably for living, and a smaller one to the right of it. He guessed the smaller one was a forge, as he noticed black smoke coming out of the top when he moved closer. Walls surrounded the too buildings. As he walked toward the smaller building, a light buzz filled his ears. Realizing what it was, he jumped into a backwards summersault.

He looked up and saw two daggers embedded in the earth. Zaeron looked at the angle of the daggers, hoping to be able to determine where they may have been thrown from. Following the angle of the handles, he saw that they appeared to have been thrown from the roof of the main house. He noticed a slight shimmer in the air.

Normally, he would have taken this to be a simple mist, but under the circumstances, it would not surprise him if he were against an invisible enemy. His eyes traced the shimmer, hoping for there to be some movement. None came. Slowly, without taking his eyes from it, he moved towards one of the thrown knives. Ever more slowly, he leaned down to pick it up.

The shimmer moved slightly. Zaeron's fingers clasped around the handle of the blade. In a single, fluid motion, he brought his arm back and flung it forward, releasing the knife as he did so. The shimmer, to his surprise, vanished and was replaced by a tall, lightly armored Vortixx male. The Vortixx easily caught the knife and leapt down. He was taller then Zaeron, and was armed with a wicked looking silver sword. "Lesson one. Always look up. It's the direction most forget to check."

"Are you at least going to introduce yourself before lecturing me?" Zaerron asked, a little annoyed. "Clearly not, as I have yet to tell you my name and I have already given you a lesson that may save your life. Come." His voice was so commanding that Zaeron submitted and followed him. The warrior took him inside the larger building. The Vortixx turned.

"As your new teacher, I have full rights to do anything I believe will increase your chances of survival. You will do so without question. Understood?" Zaeron nodded numbly. "Now then, the room on the far right of that hallway is yours. You will keep it clean at all times. Go there, and place your weapons inside. Then return to me." Zaeron began to slowly walk down the hall. "Mind the noise level of your footsteps!" The Vortixx barked.

It took Zaeron a great deal of effort to do so, as whenever a noise more then a creak in the floor sounded, his new teacher would repeat the order. Once he made to his chamber and placed his sword inside, he slowly and quietly returned. "Now. Start cleaning this place up." Zaeron's jaw dropped. He had expected to learn new combat types and techniques of killing. He had not expected to become a housekeeper.

"Hop to it!" The Vortixx snapped. Dumbly, Zaeron began picking up any stray bit of trash on the floor and putting it inside a waste bin. ''He had better be satisfied for what I do here. When I'm done, he'll be slipping over flat surfaces. This shouldn't take long.''

As it turned out, it took him a lot longer to clean the building then he thought. Some of the chores were downright dangerous. One of which involved feeding the Vortixx's pet, a Kahgarak. He was even required to cook his mentor's meals. All the while, the vortixx forced him to stay silent through each of the tasks. After days that felt like weeks, the steady stream of chores came to an end.

The Vortixx relented in his apparent desire to turn Zaeron into a housekeeper. "I have to admit, this place has never been cleaner." The Vortixx said, though somewhat reluctantly. Zaeron kept his silence. The Vortixx smiled suddenly. "You have passed your first test."

"Test?" Zaeron said confusedly. "Yes. You needed to be able to keep your silence through frustrating and dangerous situations. It is a skill that will undoubtedly save your life if you should be ready to go off on your own. Zaeron did not miss the if. It did nothing to improve his foul mood over the chores being a test. Though the logic did make sense. "You will have to feed the Kahgarak each day in the morning however." Zaeron wanted die.

"Tomorrow we will move on to combat skills. I would like to evaluate whether or not I should teach you more. Go now and rest. You shall need it." Zaeron inclined his head slightly and walked off to his room. What sort of torture will he have planned for tomorrow?

The Wings of Death Learn to Fly
Zaeron slept a dream filled sleep. His dreams began as nightmares. ''He saw himself running from his mentor, who held two leashes. One of which was wrapped around the neck of a Tahtorak. The other was around the tail of the Zivon. The two monsters bore down on him, fangs and claws inches from his eyes.''

The dream changed. ''A lone, tall warrior climbed up a large set of stairs. The area appeared to be a desert. Sand blew in all directions as the orange sun set in the distance. A few torches were set along the ascending staircase. The warrior was clad in black and silver armor. Zaeron could see a dagger on each side of his waist. Strapped across his back has a wicked silver sword. A sword that look disturbingly familiar. ''

That is my mentor's blade. Zaeron realized with a jolt. He had no doubt that the Vortixx was a legendary swordsman, else he would have stayed with Tobduk. The warrior's head turned ever so slightly to the right. A split second later he dropped to one knee as an orb of green light passed over his head. Three large brutes stepped out of shadows cast by the torches.

''One was holding a sphere of emerald energy in his hands. The other two wielded a strange hybrid of a spear and an axe. The warrior did not move for his sword, instead, he took a single step towards the group. The three tensed, expecting a fight. The warrior did nothing. The moments that followed were long and excruciating. ''

The three other warriors seemed to decide to act first. One of them began to make his way toward the warrior, holding his staff out as he went. The lone warrior moved with such speed none of his three opponents had time to move.

The one who had moved towards the quick one was slain by a knee in the face. The warrior snatched the staff from him mid jump and flung it at the other staff-wielder. The weapon met its target as it flew into and through the unfortunate soul's chest. The second dead one fell back, the handle of the staff protruding from his heart stone. The warrior landed and rolled, so to avoid being struck by a sphere of green light.

The warrior jumped again, this time at the one he had impaled. He used the tip of the staff's handle as a stepping stone, allowing him to jump higher into the air. He raised his left hand and a blade popped out of the bracer he wore. He bore down on his final opponent, who died quickly as the wrist blade pierced through his right eye.

Zaeron awoke with a start. He shook his head, as though trying to shake off disorientation. He pulled himself from his bed, minding to make as little noise as possible. He slowly and quietly made his way out of the house. He sighed as he saw that the Kahgarak was awake. He made his way towards the large basket filled with strips of roasted rahi. He grabbed three of them and tossed them towards the giant spider.

The creature messily devoured each in a second per. Zaeron made his way back to his room so he could find his sword. He could find no trace of his teacher, so he remained as quiet as he could. He made his way out to the training ring. Still seeing no one, he decided to practice the skills Tobduk had taught him.

He did so for nearly an hour before he noticed a familiar shimmer in the corner of his eye. Focusing all of his attention on that, he pointed his blade to it. "Not exactly trying are you?" He said to it. Almost in response, he felt something cold and sharp on the back of his neck. "That would depend on whether or not I was using the camouflage." He recognized the voice to belong to his mentor. Zaeron lowered his sword and turned. Behind him stood the tall, imposing Vortixx. Zaeron backed away a few steps.

"Lesson two. Use the environment to your advantage."

"How did you do so?"

"A simple steam, created by using hot rocks and a bowl of water." The Vortixx said. Zaeron looked at it, and noticed a sliver bowl a few feet beneath the shimmering steam. "Let us begin." The Vortixx said behind him. Zaeron's body reacted instinctively, and he ducked. The Vortixx's silver blade passed through air above him. Zaeron swung with his own, expecting his opponent to try and dodge. Instead, his teacher stepped forward and grabbed his sword arm and flung him off to the side. Zaeron landed against the edge of the training ring with a resounding ''crash! ''

Zaeron pulled himself up, shaking his head to rid himself of the disorientation. "I am Miolhin." The Vortixx said, walking over. "I assume you already know my name." Zaeron said, struggling to keep his voice at a monotone. "Never assume anything, though you are right." Once the Vortixx was next to him, Zaeron lashed out with his sword, aiming for Miolhin's thigh. The Vortixx stepped back and kicked at his student, his foot connecting with Zaeron's gut. Zaeron collapsed. "Here, let me help you." Miolhin said, holding out his hand. Zaeron took it.

Miolhin pulled him halfway up, then slammed his fist down on Zaeron's face. "Remember, your opponent will never fight fair." Miolhin said, bending over his collapsed apprentice. Zaeron lashed out with one hand and punched Miolhin in the side of the head. "Good advice." Zaeron said with a slight snarl, throwing calmness to the winds. Zaeron picked up his sword and charged.

Miolhin let his own blade clatter to the floor, and took two steps forward. He grabbed Zaeron's shoulder with one hand and slammed his other down on Zaeron's wrist. The black blade Zaeron wielded fell from his hands. Miolhin released his student. "You will go to the study next to your room and find the book on swordplay. Spend the rest of today studying the Combat forms and deciding which you must master. Go." Numbly, Zaeron left the ring, picking up his weapon as he went.

When he made it to the study, he realized it was more then just a study. It was an enormous library. It took him about ten minutes to find the particular book he was looking for, as the section on combat took up almost half the library. He found it quite interesting to read, learning about types of sword fighting and warriors who used them. He spent almost four hours reading it. Eventually, he settled on the forms he wished to learn, and flipped the book over to the table of contents. Most of the book was about combat styles, but one particular chapter title drew his eye. It read; The Blood Summoner.

He was about to flip over to that page, when a voice stopped him. "Don't." He looked up and saw Miolhin. "You do not want to know what that chapter contains."

"What is it?"

"Not what. Who. Trust me and do not read it." Zaeron suppressed a snort. After the days events, he was not inclined to trust anything the Vortixx said. "I was misfortunate enough to do battle with him once. I barely escaped with my life, though the effects he left upon me still carry their effect today." At that point, Zaeron saw a long, white streak that ran up one of the Vortixx's legs, up his torso, along his neck, and up and over his head.

"He must have believed me dead, else I would not be standing here." Miolhin shuddered slightly (Which spoke volumes to Zaeron) and walked out. Zaeron glanced at the chapter's name, tempted to read it anyway. Wouldn't he be more prepared knowing what it was? Wouldn't he be more ready to combat the being if he knew about it?

Then he put the book back. He wasn't going anywhere for the time being, so we would not need to know. For now.

The next day, he got up and practiced the movements of the Combat forms he had chosen to master. He was so eager to begin, he nearly forgot to feed the Kahgarak. He practiced for almost an hour when Miolhin snuck up behind him. "Be done for now. I have a new skill you need to learn." Zaeron followed the Vortixx back to the house and then into the basement. There sat a large, strange looking article of machinery.

"Dare I ask what this does?" Zaeron said carefully. "No. Step in." Zaeron bit back a sigh and stepped inside it. In a second, his vision went black, and he saw nothing. Then, he saw a group of seven Skakdi, each armed to the teeth with weapons. "Fight." Miolhin's voice said in his ear. The Skakdi charged at him, shouting savage war cries.

Zaeron's hand flew to his sword. He drew it in a single swift motion and cut through his first attacker. He then ducked under the blade of another and stabbed him through the chest. As he did that, a third skakdi came up behind him an smashed a mace into the back of his head. His vision returned to darkness and he found himself in the basement again. "You were too slow I'm afraid."

"What in Mata Nui's name was that?!"

"A combat simulator. I myself developed it. Now, here is a weapon that will make it easier to fight large groups of enemies." He held out a dagger. Zaeron took it. "Hold with an underhand grip. Remember, strike first, strike fast." Zaeron stepped back in. When he stood facing the Skakdi, their numbers had doubled. He drew his dagger and lunged into them. He quickly stabbed the first in the heart stone, felling him instantly. Then he sidestepped to another and slashed him across the throat, drenching him in scarlet blood. The remaining twelve backed away slightly. He gave them, no respite.

He lunged into their midst again, killing two and removing the left foot of a third. He then used a combination of his sword in one hand and his dagger in the other to finish off the rest. He was sucked out of the machine. "Good. You seem to excel with a knife. Spend the rest of today with this machine, fighting increasingly large waves. Once you have made it to and defeated forty nine, report to me." Zaeron jumped back into the machine, this time confronted by twenty one foes. The fight that ensued was long and tiring, though eventually, he was able to defeat the last. At thirty six foes, he was defeated quite quickly.

He continued to try to defeat thirty six, and was constantly thrown back down. It then came to him that the machine was a learning machine. It was prepared to defend against his tactics. Realizing this, he jumped in, ready to try something else. When he was confronted by the thirty six, he waited. The Skakdi foes seemed confused for a moment, then attacked him. He began to use lethal counterattacks to turn the tide of the battle. After what felt like ages, he defeated them. From that time, he used different strategies each time he entered the machine. It was late in the evening when he was able to report to Miolhin. "Ah, Zaeron, I see you have discovered how to fight large masses at a time."

"Indeed, what have you for me now?"

"You must learn how to survive against a single opponent, one with equal or more training. Climb the second highest mountain tomorrow morning. Then your next lesson will begin."

When the morning came, and Zaeron had made it to the top of the mountain, he saw a somewhat appalling sight. A large lake lay before him. It was frozen, and his master stood in the middle. "Come." Miolhin's voice rang out. Zaeron cautiously made his way out to his master. When he was a few steps away, Miolhin swung his wicked looking silver blade at Zaeron's arm. Zaeron flung himself to the ice just in time. Zaeron instantly had his hand on his sword. "I lied when I told you about your next lesson. This is the new one; be ready for anything." Zaeron drew his sword.

"Keep your footing. A fall can mean one of two things." Miolhin said. Even has he said it, The ice Zaeron stood upon began to feel slippery under his feet. He would have to be careful about where he stood, and defend himself from his now attacking master. He raised his sword and was barely able to block an overhand strike. ''His strength is incredible. How long has he been doing this?'' Zaeron thought.

Miolhin continued to attack him. Zaeron was forced to resort to dodging instead of blocking. He would often slip on the ice, and would nearly be struck by Miolhin's blade. Then he thought of what would happen if he used a fall to his advantage. He waited for Miolhin to strike, then flung himself at the ice. He slid into his master's shins and caused him trip. Zaeron rolled to his feet and pointed his sword at Miolhin. "I win."

"No you haven't." Miolhin rolled in a circle, smashing Zaeron's legs out from under him. Miohin placed one foot on Zaeron's chest. "A fall can be either your saving grace, or your death." He backed away. "It was death today. You will come up here once a week until you know you can balance yourself properly." Zaeron spent the rest of the day practicing on the ice. He's building me a schedule. He realized.

Once he was finished. He practiced with the combat simulator for a time. Then he found some food and went to sleep. The next day, he was summoned to the bottom edge of the highest mountain. "What am I to do here?" He asked. "Look closely. What do you see?" Zaeron scanned the mountain. It did not take him long to see what he was supposed to look for. "Handholds."

"Very good. Meet me at the top." Miolhin ran at the mountain and began to climb. "You've got to be kidding me." Zaeron muttered and followed. Climbing, he discovered, came to him as naturally as using a sword. Every now and then he would almost slip, though he learned and recovered quickly. It took him a great deal of time to get to the top, though he made it before the day was out. When at the top, he realized how exhausted he was. "Good. Now, you must learn how to...." He paused, as though unsure of how to describe it. "Run-climb." He settled on.

He took Zaeron to the other side of the peak, where there was a set of wooden boards that circled down the side of the mountain. "Do this once a day as well." Miolhin began to leap from plank to plank, much faster then climbing. "Glorious." Zaeron muttered sarcastically. He began to imitate Miolhin's movements, and found it easier then climbing, as his arms would not grow tired. He made it down in under a half hour, though he went straight to bed afterwards.

For another seven days, Miolhin instructed new skills to be learned. Blending in with surroundings was first. Zaeron found this skill easier, as he had often hidden while spying on members of the order leaving on missions. Then came mastery of his elemental power over Shadow. Shadow proved to be a difficult element to master, as he often released to much at once and exhausted him.

He then learned disarms in combat, as well as throwing knife skills. On the third say, he was given a strange bracer for his left arm. "What is this device?" Zaeron asked. "Flick your wrist slightly. Watch your fingers. As Zaeron did so and watched, a blade slid out. He felt it with his right hand. The metal was not any metal he knew of. It was harder, and likely stronger, then protosteel. "This is the tool of the assassin. This weapon will never leave you. It is the device that shall keep you alive when now other weapon is in reach." Miolhin told him and flicked his own left wrist. A blade sprung out.

"You must blend in with the crowd to use it properly. Though there are different techniques as to using it." He took Zaeron to the practice ring. There were five dummies, each standing next o something. One was next to a curtained window, one on the roof of the house, two near a door, and one in the middle of the ring. "The blade can also be used in combat. It is strong enough to block a sword strike."

"What about an axe?"

"Use your sword."

"What if I'm cornered on the edge of a cliff, I have no weapon but this, and there's a deranged axe-man running at me?"

"Jump off the cliff. It'll be quicker." Zaeron hid a slight grin. He spent that day practicing with his new blade. He found it was the easiest weapon to learn to use. He could string it together with either his sword or knife in combat, or use it as a stand alone weapon, provided he was quick enough. As he practiced with it, his endurance to falls improved, as he was required to leap from the roof of the house onto one of the dummies to "kill" it. After he had learned how to use it, life took on a machine style again. Each day, he would get up, eat, feed the Kahgarak, then spend an hour training each of his skills. He did this each day for almost forty two years.

Revelation
Forty two years later, one would not have recognized Zaeron from the beginning of his training. He was more muscular, was taller still, and wore entirely different armor. His lime green eyes had mysteriously turned black, so nothing set out in his silver and black armor. Each day he practiced each of the skills Miolhin taught to him, and he had perfected each. He was still a young being, but he had the skill of a far older and wiser warrior.

One day, he got up and practiced each of the skills. Then reported to his master. "You are nearing the end of your training, Zaeron." Miolhin said. "What would have taken another centuries has taken you only forty-two years. I am impressed." Zaeron inclined his head slightly. Acting normally, though inside, he felt something was off. "Do as you wish for the rest of today. I have a matter I must attend to."

"May I ask what the matter pertains?"

"No. You may not." Miolhin said, not taking time to explain any further, as he normally would have done. Zaeron bowed slightly and left the room. He waited for a few minutes around a corner in the hall until Miolhin left the room. The Vortixx left the house, unaware of the fact his apprentice was following him. My skills of silence must have improved. Zaeron reflected as he followed the Vortixx. Miolhin walked across the island and stopped on the beach. Zaeron wondered if he was simply depressed and wanted to be alone, then he saw the tall, hulking figure Miolhin walked up to.

He wore Red and Black armor, and was carrying a spear. Zaeron instantly knew something was wrong. No other being was allowed on the island while he trained. He hid inside a small bush and listened in. His hearing, having been honed greatly through his training, picked up the Conversation. "When will you transport him to Destral?" The being sounded impatient. "In three days time his escorts will come to pick him up. Then I will kill them and bring him to your island." Atraks and Aator. Zaeron realized. "We need him soon. He can be of great use to us."

"Why? You already have Serrakaan. You do not need him."

"When the plan comes into action, his role will be clear."

"Alright. He will be ready for brainwashing when I drop him off. Be patient, Veartax." The hulking figure nodded and was suddenly gone. ''Miolhin's a traitor. He's been training me for another group!'' Zaeron thought angrily. For a moment, he considered confronting Miolhin, then thought; ''I'm tired now, I'll rest through the night. Then, I will kill him tomorrow.'' He watched Miolhin return to the house, then went up to some light forestry and wrapped his light cloak around his chest. He curled into a slight ball and rested his head against a tree. He sighed, contemplating Miolhin's motives.

''Perhaps they paid him off. Maybe it's blackmail. or maybe he believes whatever cause he truly serves is righteous.''

These thoughts troubled Zaeron. Could he really kill someone for what they believed in? More importantly, Could he kill at all? ''I must. The Order must remain a secret. Even if he has not divulged the existence of the Order, he may still.'' He mused. That, and he intends to kill Aator and Atraks. He pushed the thoughts out of his head, closed his eyes, and fell asleep.

The next morning, Zaeron awoke, for a moment, he wondered what he was doing in the forest. Then, he remembered the events of the previous night and was consumed with a determination to put an end to his master's treachery. He strapped his sword to his back, his dagger to his hip, and his hidden knife to is wrist. He shook off all drowsiness and stood up. He walked down to the house, where he saw his master standing in the training ring. "You are late." Miohin said curtly.

"I had to...contemplate something."

"You could have quite easily contemplated something in this building."

"Perhaps it was a matter of trust."

"You do not trust me with your troubles?" Zaeron took a deep breath.

"After the events of last night, I can trust you with nothing." Miolhin looked at him. He stared at him for a few seconds, then sighed. It was a long, worn out sigh. "You followed me then." It was not a question. Zaeron did not answer. "Then you know of my plans to tun you over to Veartax for a new mission."

"Did you tell him about the order?" Zaeron cut in. Miolhin sighed. "No. I had hoped that Helryx would believe you died in an accident, and send me another apprentice to assist you in your mission for the...." He stopped himself. "As you know of this plan, I suppose I will have to make you really die."

"I won't let that happen." Zaeron's hand moved to his sword. Miolhin lunged forward with such speed the duel may have ended then and there, were it not for Zaeron's left bracer, which he used to deflect the blade aside, and then draw his own blade. Miolhin continued the attack, forcing Zaeron to go on the defensive. Miolhin's attacks were so swift, Zaeron had no opportunity to counter them. All he could do then was block and dodge. Miolhin forced him to the edge of the forest. Zaeron took advantage of the trees and flung himself behind one.

Miolhin's sword cut right through it, but it gave Zaeron the opportunity to attack himself. He swung his sword in an overhead arc, trying to cleave Miolhin from shoulder to hip. Miolhin stepped to the side and flicked his sword at Zaeron's side. Zaeron jumped back and attacked. He flicked his wrist downward in an attempt to cut out the Vortixx's legs. Miolhin leapt over the blade and sliced at Zaeron's throat.

The latter allowed himself to fall back. When he landed, he rolled backwards onto his feet. He raised his sword to block an attack from Miolhin. The force of the attack jarred through Zaeron's arm. He winced, though was still able to kick out at Miolhin. That proved to be a mistake, as kicking through the Vortixx's armor was like trying to kick through a protosteel wall.

Miolhin grabbed his foot and flung him into a tree. He heard a loud snap and at first thought it was his back, the realized that the tree had snapped with the force of the throw. He flipped himself backwards and landed on his feet, ignoring his back screaming at him in protest. Miolhin pressed the assault. Zaeron blocked a few more sword strikes and then, to his terror, his sword snapped under the weight of one of the strikes.

He backed away, dodging attacks from Miolhin as he went. Zaeron then realized he was backing into the climb-run course on the mountain. Thinking rapidly, he ducked under another attack and drew his dagger. When he backed into the cliff, he grabbed one of the planks, lifted himself up, and kicked Miolhin full in the face. Miolhin stumbled back, cursing. Zaeron pulled himself up onto it and began climbing up and around the cliff, fully conscious that Miolhin was following him. I'm no match for him up close, so what should- His thoughts were cut short as Miolhin's hand wrapped around his ankle.

Miolhin pulled him down off of the plank he stood on, and sent him plummeting towards the earth. Spotting a handhold, he grabbed out at it. His eyes widened with agony as his shoulder dislocated. Despite the pain, he was able to one-handedly pull himself up. He used the handhold to jump onto one of the planks. He grabbed his left shoulder and popped it back in. Barely restraining a howl of pain, he continued to clamber up the side of the mountain.

Praying that Miolhin believed him dead, Zaeron leaped from plank to plank. When he made it to the peak, he found no one atop the mountain. He kept a firm grip on his dagger and glanced around. For nearly five minutes, nothing happened. He turned to see if his master may have descended down the mountain. As he looked over the edge, his keen hearing heard a devilish buzz in the air.

He flung himself to the ground as a knife flew over his head. The blade fell to earth as Zaeron raised his dagger in a defensive position. Miolhin jumped from a shadow, holding his sword aloft in his right hand, a dagger in the left. Zaeron flung himself forward. Miolhin raised his sword to stab his former pupil. Zaeron rolled at the last second, which was a second to late. The razor sword cut through the armor on his shoulder and drew blood.

Miolhin did not escape the encounter unscathed. The Vortixx glanced down and saw Zaeron holding his dagger, which was plunged hilt deep into Miolhin's right thigh. Using his left leg, he kicked his apprentice away. Zaeron landed heavily on his wounded shoulder, causing him to release a cry of pain. Miolhin pulled the dagger out and flung it at Zaeron. The latter caught it in midair by the tip of the blade and threw it back.

Miolhin didn't see the move coming, and and tried to dodge a nanosecond too late. The blade pierced his elbow joint and exited out the other side, rendering his sword arm useless. Miolhin drew his hidden blade and ran forward, despite the agony he felt in his leg. Zaeron grabbed his left arm with both hands, stopping the blade a very short distance from his right eye. Miolhin's strength was overwhelming, and it was merely with a single hand!

It was all Zaeron could do to keep from becoming food for the Kahgarak. Almost by accident, he noticed Miolhin's sword lying only a few feet away! In his mind's eye, he saw the ground behind them was not rock, it was a bush. Mata Nui, thank you for my memory. He thought. He slowly lowered his head, just so that the blade would go over him, the pulled. Miolhin was caught off balance and stumbled forward.

Zaeron dived between his legs and grabbed his opponent's sword. It was surprisingly light, for a blade of it's appearance. He jumped at Miolhin, who had pulled his arm from the shrubbery, and struck. Miolhin's hidden blade cracked in half under the weight and strength of the blow.

Miolhin glanced at his shattered weapon for less then a second. Then, he grabbed Zaeron and flung him off the edge of the mountain. The Vortixx let out a small sigh of relief and sadness. Zaeron, however, was not finished. He had grabbed ahold of a couple handholds that he had practiced climbing with. He released his own hidden blade and stabbed upward. The blade entered the small of Miolhin's back, piercing through the Vortixx's armor and exiting, ever so slightly, out Miolhin's stomach. Blood seeped from the wound and dripped onto Zaeron's hand.

The young assassin hauled himself up and ducked under a punch from Miolhin, swung around him, and kicked him with all of his strength. The blow jarred up his legs and caused him to fall to his knees. But, it was sufficient to cause the Vortixx to fall from the mountain. Zaeron withdrew his hidden blade and picked up Miolhin's silver sword. It felt right in his hand, more so then the blade his former master had broken. He strapped it to his back and picked up his dagger, which Miolhin had pulled from his arm, and sheathed it at his waist. He wiped his left hand off on the bush, staining the plant scarlet.

Then, he began the slow descent down the mountain. He felt as though a weight was suddenly lifted off his shoulders. ''I can go back to the order now. Now I can fight.'' He thought with some pleasure. When he made it down the mountain, he saw Miolhin's mangled body. He sighed sadly. He crouched down next the corpse. "Oh, you poor soul. For whatever reason you sided wrongly, I am truly sorry for what I had to do." He leaned forward to shut the Vortixx's eyes, when he realized, to his shock, that the eyes were watching him.

Miolhin silently pleaded for his old apprentice to end his suffering. It then came to Zaeron what unimaginable pain Miolhin must have been in. For a moment, he was tempted to stand up and leave. That would make me no better then his traitorous self. He thought and drew the hidden blade and gently, but firmly, pressed it into the dying being's heart. Now I have killed one. He thought.

Worst Reunion Ever
"Hmm.....Well, I'm rather stunned that Miolhin was a traitor. You did good work killing him." The Hologram of Helryx said. Zaeron stood in Miolhin's office, where a hologram projector lay. He was rather surprised to find it, as Miolhin had elected to meet Veartax in person. He nodded. "How shall I get off the island?"

"I'm sending Atraks and Aator two days early. They should be there within a few hours." Zaeron nodded and the transmission ended. He departed the building. He walked over to the training ring, where he grabbed one of the torches that normally lit the ring. He flung it at the house, which slowly began to burn. He turned to look at the Kahgarak, which watched the flaming building with slight interest. He moved over to the large spider, which turned to look at him. "You're free. Go. Do as you will." The creature understood, and turned tail and stalked off. Zaeron never saw it again.

Zaeron began a slow walk to the beach, taking in what was his last few hours on the island that was his home for nearly half a century. He sighed, a light wave of regret washing over him. Soon it was replaced by anticipation. ''No more training. From now on, it's real. If I make the wrong mistake I die.'' he told himself as he made it to the beach.

Instantly he saw the same boat that had dropped him off forty two years ago. It was the same distance away, so he knew he would have to swim out again. He slowly waded out to neck level and bean to swim. As his strength had improved greatly since the last time he had seen the ship, he was there far quicker than the last time. Atraks leaned down and pulled him back up.

"Mata Nui you're heavy." He said with a grunt of effort. Zaeron shook himself off once he'd made it to his feet. "Perhaps it's the armor." He said as he wrung out his cloak. Looking back, it was probably due to his increase in strength that he did not notice how much the armor must have weighed. He looked up to see Aator in the wheelhouse.

"So what's I miss?" He called up. "The same thing that happened when you were around." Zaeron assumed he meant a rare new member of the order and a few secret operations. "How soon until we make it back?"

"Maybe four hours, there hasn't been much weather issues recently, so I think we can afford to relax for now." Aator answered and began to pilot the boat away. Zaeron took a wistful last look at the island, then headed into the cabin, where he settled himself into a chair and fell asleep.

Torment. Torment was what his dreams brought him. He continually relived his duel with Miolhin, and killing him. He saw the Vortixx's dying expression again and again. His mentor's blood covering his hand. Then a loud bang brought him from his nightmares. He woke to the sound of explosions and yelling. Instantly awake, Zaeron drew his sword and ran out to the deck.

A group of Skakdi stood engaged in combat with Atraks. "Zaeron! Keep them away from the wheelhouse!" Aator's voice sounded. He looked up and saw the Kohrak-Kal armor fling a Skakdi out the wheelhouse window and into the sea. A few of the Skakdi noticed him, and charged in his direction. He ducked under the first one's blade and slashed at his stomach. His sword was instantly covered in blood as the Skakdi fell, clutching at his stomach in a vain attempt to stanch the flow of blood.

The others began to form a circle around him. His mind quickly focused on them. One charged at him, brandishing a large battle axe. He jumped around the warrior and stabbed backward. His blade struck something, so he reflexively pulled forward and cut through a second as it charged him. He turned to see that six of the warriors remained. He quickly sheathed the weapon and picked up the axe. Using both hands, he threw it between two of them and struck one of the Skakdi attacking Atraks. Not giving his own opponents and opening, he grabbed his dagger and jumped towards one.

He leaned backward to avoid his sword strike and stabbed him through the back of the neck, killing him instantly. Using the body as a shield, he blocked another's mace strike and stabbed forward, the dagger piercing through it's right eye and into it's brain. It writhed in the agony of death for a few seconds and began twitching. Zaeron yanked out the dagger and flipped in his hand. Catching it by the tip, he threw it at another and drew his sword. All this happened in the span of ten seconds.

The remaining three Skakdi eyed him cautiously. An unusual trait for a Skakdi. Zaeron thought and lunged forward. Before the first could react, Zaeron slashed him across the neck, spun, and stabbed him through the chest. The next, who wielded two blades, tried to go for an overhand attack. Zaeron blocked it, blocked another, then used his hidden blade to stab up through the Skakdi's chin and out through the top of his head.

Withdrawing the blade, he kicked the corpse into the final Skakdi, and sent them both tumbling off the edge. He turned and saw Atraks use one of of his blades to finish off his final attacker. Zaeron moved over to the Skakdi whom he had killed with his thrown dagger. He picked it out and flipped the blood off the blade.

"Who are they?" He asked, inspecting the body. "I'm guessing Skakdi pirates." Aator called down, and Zaeron noticed him pointing. He followed Aator's gaze and saw a group of three boats, each of which boasted a large group of Skakdi, all of which were bellowing war cries.

"Can this thing handle being run into?" Zaeron asked Atraks, who shrugged. "well, we're about to find out." Zaeron said and sprinted up to the wheelhouse. Atraks turned to see each of the three boats was advancing on them. He then jumped when he heard Aator's voice beside him. "Do you think he can drive this?"

"What?" Atraks responded, then felt his gut churn as the boat accelerated greatly. The two Order members soon realized that Zaeron was trying to ram one of the pirate vessels. "Is he insane!?" Aator bellowed. They soon settled on yes, as when the boat collided with the head pirate ship, the momentum flung Zaeron out of the wheelhouse, and into a throng of pirates on their foes' boat. The assassin rolled as he landed and cut down two before getting up.

Atraks quickly jumped onto the pirate's vessel, where he used his MAC cannon to blow one away while using his blade to slash open the throat of another. Aator was about to follow when the second and third pirate ships fell in to the sides of the Order members' boat. He elected to stay, and quickly began to fight boarders.

The Captain of the group of ships watched, a little stunned, as the three warriors continually cut his men to pieces. The two aboard his ship completely outmatched his men. Their training must have been of an entirely different caliber. He drew his massive axe and jumped down to join the fight. He charged at the one with the silver mask shouting a savage war cry. He caught the warrior, who turned out to be a Toa, off guard, and was able to strike a glancing blow to his side. The Toa's armor deflected the blow, but he was still winded by the attack.

He struck again, but this time the warrior was able to parry the strike. The Toa attempted to shoot him with the cannon on his arm, but the Captain stepped aside, and the blast killed one of his men. He struck once more, and the Toa collapsed under the weight of the attack. The axe blade slashed open his right arm. The Skakdi cried out triumphantly, and raised is axe for the killing blow.

Just as he was about to let the blade fall, a demonic buzz filled his ears, and a dagger blade cut open the tendons in his wrist. He whirled around to see that the remainder of his men lay dead or dying, and the other warrior was charging him, covered in their blood. Luckily for him, his dominant hand was still of use to him, and he flung his axe at the warrior. Instead of dying, his new opponent caught it by the shaft and threw it back.

The Skakdi captain ducked under it and picked up one of his men's swords and raised it to block the warriors sword strike. His enemy didn't bother with another attack, and flicked his left wrist while moving to hit the captain in the stomach. A stabbing pain went through the captain and he realized that his foe had some sort of dagger attached to his arm. He looked down to see the red that blossomed through his armor. Then, another wound was inflicted across his back, as the Toa stabbed him in the back. Both warriors then swung their blades at his neck, and he knew no more.

Zaeron looked at Atraks, who was nursing his wounded arm. "Worst reunion ever, eh? Zaeron joked. To him, everyone could use some positivity when their arm had been slashed open. A few screams coming from their own boat indicated that Aator was busy with the other ships. "See if there's anything in their hull to treat that." Zaeron ordered Atraks.

Technically, Atraks outranked him, but as Zaeron was uninjured in the fighting, he was superior. Zaeron quickly jumped over to the other boat, sword in hand. He landed on one's back and stabbed downward, the blade entering the Skakdi's neck and destroying his spine. He looked onward to see that in the battle on the boat, Aator seemed to be fighting two groups, both of which were fighting each other.

"Any day now, Zaeron!" Aator yelled while cutting one of the new group, which was an extremely hideous creature, in half. A few of the new creatures spotted Zaeron, and charged him. Zaeron quickly cut them down and flung himself into the throng of warriors killing one another. It was a short skirmish, and ended with a large pile of dead bodies being dumped into the sea by Zaeron and Aator, while Atraks, who had found a medical kit, began treating his arm.

"What were those creatures?" Zaeron asked. "Zyglak. The Great Being's worst mistake." Atraks said simply. That was all Zaeron needed to know, so he kept his silence for the remainder of the trip. When they were a single kio away from Daxia, they stopped the boat. "You have to swim from here." Atraks said. Zaeron rolled his eyes and dived into the ocean. Being underwater, he didn't hear Atraks' cry of "I was kidding!"

As he swam through the water, he felt something was very off. It almost felt as though the water was alive. Alive and observing him. The thought of the ocean being sentient made Zaeron's gut churn, and he increased his speed. It was not long before he made it to the shore. He clambered up onto one of the docks. "Hello there." A voice said loudly. Zaeron turned and saw his first teacher Tobduk standing on the dock. "Tobduk." Zaeron greeted and inclined his head slightly. "I see Helryx has yet to send you into field duties. Again."

His old mentor grinned. "Well, I suppose I just enjoy teaching to much. Come, Helryx wants to speak with you."

"Alright. Maybe she can dry me off." Zaeron said, actually hoping he wasn't getting a mission right off the bat, he could have used some rest. As the two walked, he was greeted by a few members he had met briefly in his earlier ears. it wasn't long before he met Hydraxon, who said. "I see you've lost my sword. I guess you'll have to make me a new one." Zaeron eventually realized he was being serious, but let it slide for the time being. When he was near Helryx's office-quarters, a Toa he had never met before greeted him. "Are you Zaeron?" He asked. "Yes." Zaeron responded, wondering who this was. "I am Relyt. I joined about a year after you left."

"Relyt here is making quite a name for himself. Helryx has already made him an advisor to her." Tobduk said. Zaeron looked at the young Toa, surprised. "would you like me to dry you off?" The Toa said, and raised his hand. Zaeron's first thought was a rather terrifying image he'd have to get a Toa of Psionics to erase, but Relyt simpy raised his hand, and for a brief second, Zaeron was bathed in a very bright light. He was dry instantly. "Thank you." he said. "Well, I've kept you here enough, you should go speak to yo-Helryx." Zaeron wondered what the stutter meant, though pushed it out of his mind for then.

Time of Rest, Time of Learning, Time of Guns
Zaeron entered Helryx's quarters, where he found Helryx sitting at a desk. The ancient Toa of water looked up and saw the young assassin. Her eyes seemed softer then normal. "Ah, Zaeron. I trust you are well." He shrugged. "I killed my mentor, and then slaughtered a total of twenty-six Skakdi and fifteen Zyglak. I then had a rather disturbing image accidentally imprinted on my mind. Aside from that, life's fabulous." Helryx let through a small smile.

"For now, you should spend some time resting from your ordeals. Take two weeks to re-familiarize yourself with the base then I have a mission for you." Zaeron nodded and left the room. He headed to his old quarters, which had been saved for him. He hung his sword on a hook attached to the wall then placed his dagger on his bed. He left his hidden blade bracer on, which had practically become a part of him during his training. He removed his left shoulder armor and inspected the wound inflicted by Miolhin, which he had managed to ignore until he'd returned to Daxia.

The wound wasn't as bad as he'd first thought, but it still needed treating. He reattached the armor and headed out to the armory, which also had several assorted disguises. He rooted in the old, unused ones and tore out a long strip of fabric from a tattered cloak. He returned to his quarters and cleaned it with the provided water tap. he then used the strap to dress it. It'll heal in two week's time. He thought.

Zaeron left his quarters and began a slow walk through the base. A heavy wave of nostalgia washed over him as he saw the training ring that Tobduk had instructed him in. The base had been incredibly upgraded since he had left. The weaponry was more advanced, and he was stopped by a voice recognition device on two occasions. When he had completely his self-guided tour, he headed to the mess, where he was greeted by the food distributor, who hadn't changed at all since Zaeron last saw him. He gave Zaeron a meal and the latter sat down at a table and ate in silence.

He didn't recognize a few people who ate, though he noticed a Toa of Psionics on her own in a corner. ''What's her name again? Famiiya, wasn't it?" Looking around an seeing, to his slight dismay, that nearly everyone other then her was with someone else. Finishing his meal, he got up and walked over to her. I'm not interested. A female voice rang through his mind. Remembering she was a Toa of Psionics, he thought; Neither am I. She looked up at him, then spoke aloud. "Rather surprising." She said simply. "Why are you alone?" Zaeron asked. ''

"Why do you care?" She responded coldly. He sighed. "I won't be around very often, so I'll be alone most of my life. I don't want to see anyone who has an opportunity at having a friend sit on their own in a corner." He said simply. She gave him a look that was a mixture of confused and irked. Then it was her turn to sigh. "A new member chased me. he's still in the medical bay." She said in a tired voice.

"Ah." Mata Nui, how do I respond to that? "Well, if you wanted to be alone, he should have seen that, and no one can blame you for it." She kept a straight face, though she blinked more frequently. "I'm impressed, with you, Zaeron."

"I don't remember telling you my name."

"You don't have to." She said and tapped the side of her head. "Well, it's good to know some of you are not all womanizers." She said and walked away. Will of the great spirit, what was that guy thinking? Any who made a Toa of Psionics angry could expect mind damage for at least a year. He then elected to return to his quarters, and found Relyt waiting outside.

"I see you've met Famiiya."

"Yes, what happened to the being who chased after her?" Relyt shuddered. "We're still trying to put his mind back together."

"I do hope you don't mean that literally." Relyt grinned. "Oh, I don't." Relyt paused, then looked over his shoulder. "If you want to learn any medical skills, meet me tomorrow at the beach on the northern side of the island. You'll probably need them on your missions eventually." Zaeron nodded. As Relyt turned to walk away, Zaeron stopped him. "Why the secrecy?"

"I have orders to let you rest for your short stay here. Although, it wouldn't surprise me if she wanted me to disobey." Zaeron knew "She" was Helryx. He nodded again and walked into his quarters.

The next day, Zaeron awoke and almost thought he was dreaming. Then, he remembered that he had returned to Daxia. He stood up and left is quarters, recalling the conversation between him and Relyt the previous day. It didn't take him long to sprint to the beach Relyt had specified. Relyt stood knee deep in the sea water. "Good, you came."

"You thought I wouldn't?"

"Actually, I thought you'd try to sleep again." Zaeron rolled his eyes. "So, what do I learn first?"

Zaeron spent that day learning how to treat everything from a sword slice to a shotgun blast. He also learned how to revive a drowning being among other things. He returned to his quarters and reflected on what he would have done with these new skills while he trained under Miolhin. He certainly would have tried to heal one nasty sword strike inflicted by Miolhin in a training accident that he still had the scar from. Maybe he would have even tried to heal the Vortixx after their dreadful duel. ''No. That's your guilty conscience speaking. You can't have that interfere with the work you do.'' He told himself.

He spent the next day sparring with Tobduk (Who had had to ask for special permission from Helryx, who had reluctantly agreed). Tobduk's skills had grown extensively, but so had Zaeron. After a long mock duel, Zaeron was eventually able to disarm his first (and favorite) teacher. "You've gotten stronger, Zaeron, m'boy."

"That I have. So have you, old man."

"Hey, I'm not that old." Zaeron grinned. They were interrupted by the appearance of Helryx. "Well, Zaeron, as you've spectacularly failed at relaxing, I have something you can do for us." Zaeron felt an involuntary wave of relief wash over him. "What can I do?"

"One of our scientists, Mersery, has invented a new type of firearm, I'd like it if you could test it with him." Zaeron nodded. "Where can I find him?"

"He'll be waiting for you at the firing range." Zaeron nodded and departed. Having never been to the firing range, he had to ask a member he'd never met before where to find it. It took a few minutes afterwards to get there. When he reached it, a lone, tall, silver warrior stood waiting. "You must be Mersery." Zaeron said as he approached. "And you must be Zaeron." He responded. The Mersion was about a half foot taller then Zaeron, so the latter had to look up into his eyes. "Something tells me you'll enjoy testing this. He said and pulled out a small tube with a trigger mechanism at the end. "This is a gun?" Zaeron asked incredulously. How could a gun be so small?

"Indeed. Please, hold out your left arm." A little hesitantly, Zaeron did as instructed. Mersery pressed the small weapon against Zaeron's bracer, just beneath the hidden blade. "You know, that blade is an ingenious invention, maybe I'll replicate it someday." Mersery mused, to which Zaeron merely shrugged. He then pressed one of the two buttons on it, and the weapon was sealed to the bracer. "It's magnetically attached. Be sure your hand is clear of where it goes, or you'll lose it." Mersery said seriously. Zaeron nodded. "and the other button is to shoot it, yes?"

"Correct. Aim at one of the targets and fire. There's six shots inside." Zaeron aimed and fired. The recoil shuddered up his arm like he'd just parried a sword strike. However, he smiled at the effect it had on the target. A large hole was opened in the center. The next four shots went similarly, but when he fired the sixth, he wished he'd hadn't. The gun shattered, and he found himself flying through the air with the force of the blast that ensued.

Mersery rushed over, terrified the blast may have killed him. But when he found the young assassin, flat on his back, he was laughing. Once Zaeron's hearing cleared he said, still laughing; "You're right, I did enjoy testing it!" A tidal wave of relief crushed Mersery, who helped him up. "You going to rebuild it?" Zaeron asked while picking a piece of shrapnel out of his thigh.

"Yes, I'll have to use a stronger metal, though. I don't want you being blown to bits by your own weapon."

"I can see that would be humiliating." Zaeron joked. Mersery smiled. "If you like, you can come and help me build it. As you're the one who fired it first, I'll need your input." Zaeron tilted his head to one side. "Who's going to get it?"

"What do you mean?"

"What will we do with it? Will it go into mass production?" Mersery shrugged. "I believe it's up to Helryx. Well, I'll need you early tomorrow if you're going to help me build a new one. Meet me in the labs."

"So, will it blow up this time?" Zaeron asked. He'd done as instructed, but had made it before Mersery had. "Well, so long as you don't mix up the magnetic metal and the metal used as the barrel, you won''t be trying to reattach your arm." He said simply. About ten minutes later, Zaeron was holding the barrel for the new gun. "What's it made of?"''

"A mixture of protosteel and Iron donated by one of our Toa of that." Having no idea what he meant, Zaeron opted to keep his mouth shut. "Now, hold it out, both hands." Mersery told him. Zaeron did so. Mersery took the trigger mechanism and slowly moved it towards the barrel. Zaeron instantly understood why he'd need both hands, as the magnetic pull was beginning to take place. For about five seconds Mersery continued to move forward, then said loudly; "Drop it!" Zaeron reflexively let it go, and the barrel snapped forward and stuck itself to the trigger mechanism.

"Good! Now, I'll have to do the finishing touches myself, I'll be sure to let you know how it goes." Zaeron looked at the gun for a few moments, wondering how it could help him specifically, then stopped his musing, nodded, and left.

For the next ten days, Zaeron, though he was shamed to admit it, was bored. He found that when he wasn't doing something helpful, he was totally useless. Their was something about going through life-threatening situations daily that made him feel alive. At the end of the tenth day, he heard Famiiya's voice say loudly in his head; ''Zaeron! Get down to the port, now!'' He didn't know what was going on, though something in her voice put him at instant alert. He grabbed his sword and dagger from his quarters, wishing Mersery could hurry with the gun, as he needed the blade bracer to attach the firearm.

When he made it to the port, he saw, to his terror, a heavily wounded Tobduk being helped across the pier by two members. "What happened?" He asked one of them. "No idea!" The member responded. A curse behind him told him Helryx had made it to the pier. "I sent him on a mission to assassinate a Skakdi warlord on Destral."

"That should have been easy for him, what went wrong?" Zaeron asked. She looked a little thoughtful, then said. "This particular warlord has been more trouble of Zakaz then others. He must have swayed many to his side." She continued to ponder for a few minutes. Minutes that during which, Zaeron wanted to steal one of the order's boats and go take the mission himself. Helryx sighed.

"I can see it in your eyes. Prepare yourself, Zaeron. You've got your first mission."

First of Uncountable
Two days later, Zaeron lay inside an elongated tube. It was a submarine designed to take him to Zakaz. He shifted uncomfortably inside the machine. He was loath to have left his hidden blade behind, but Mersery had still needed it to finish off the gun. How long is this going to take? He thought impatiently. He was obliged, unfortunately, to wait three hours. At the end of which, the tube floated to the surface.

The tube opened up, and Zaeron sprang out. He found himself waist deep in water, the beach shores a short distance away. He quickly made his way to the shore, and then into the ruined forest. It was only a short time before a yelp of pain nearly made him jump into a tree. He turned and saw the silhouettes of three Skakdi warriors stabbing something on the ground. Zaeron quietly crept closer. Despite Miolhin's betrayal, the skills he taught him were true enough, so he still used them. With a jolt, he realized that what they were stabbing their pikes into was another Skakdi.

"That's what this one gets for betraying the boss. Let's hope no others follow him, this is the third one this week." Zaeron looked at the end of one of the pikes, and saw that there was a flag on the end. As the Skakdi stood to walk away, Zaeron realized that the flag held the crest of his target. These soldiers work for him. Zaeron thought. He glanced at the dead one's horribly mangled body, and moved over to it. He shut the dead being's eyes and turned to follow the warriors who had killed their former counterpart.

He followed them across the island. The trip, on foot, took two days. Zaeron didn't sleep for either, as the Skakdi didn't as well. On the way, they passed a destroyed city a herd of Tahtorak, and an extremely large pile of corpses. Zaeron steeled himself against the terrible sights and continued to follow the Skakdi. At last, they made it to what looked like it had been a fortress. Now, it was simply a bunch of bricks with spears poking out.

Zaeron waited for the squad to pass through what was left of what he guessed was gate. He observed that their were two guards standing outside the gate, and he could see another four inside. ''There's more for certain. I'll have to improvise.'' He thought and crouched into a small ball, then, he vaulted himself towards one of the guards outside. Before the guard had time to yell out, Zaeron's knee struck him in the face, breaking his neck. Zaeron kept moving and tackled the second guard. The Skakdi's strength and brute force was no match for Zaeron's speed. Zaeron was soon able to wrench the Skakdi's spear from him and stab him through the mouth, nailing him to the wall.

Zaeron scaled the wall on one side of the gate, after a brief encounter with a guard he hadn't noticed, slowly crouch-walked the length of the wall. When he made it to the end, he glanced over the top of the wall. At the bottom, was a tall pole with a Skakdi tied to it. One particularly tall Skakdi stood with a large hammer in his right hand. "So, you believe you could do a better job leading my army, hmm?" The tall one said.

The Skakdi tied to the pole, admirably defiant, spat in the tall one's face. Zaeron realized with a jolt that the tall one was his target. Enraged, the Skakdi leader raised his hammer and smashed it against his prisoner's head. A sickening crack sounded and the Skakdi was still. His target turned to see a few guards watching. Zaeron recognized them as the group he had followed in.

"I want two of you to wait outside my quarters. Keep an eye out for this wretched assassin." The tall one and two of the group left, leaving another three to look at the ruined head. They know I'm here. Zaeron thought. Drawing his dagger, he leapt from the wall and landed feet first on the shoulders of one of the guards. He stabbed into the skull of the one in front of him as the first collapsed beneath him.

Wrenching the dagger from the Skakdi's head, he aimed and threw it into the kneecap of the last. He pounced on the wounded one. "How does he know I'm here? Speak!" He said in a quiet but menacing tone. The Skakdi, stubborn to the end, grabbed Zaeron's hand and bit into it. Suppressing a shout of pain, Zaeron used his other hand to smash the skull of his stubborn prisoner.

Zaeron tore the dagger out of the Skakdi's leg and moved in the direction his target had went. His keen eyesight noticed a tripwire in front of the lone Skakdi guard outside. Recognizing him as one of the guards that had been assigned to protect their leader, Zaeron knew that his target was inside the building. Dagger in hand, Zaeron sprang out into the open and vaulted over the tripwire.

The Skakdi raised his pike, but Zaeron was able to dodge it by pulling his legs up into his chest. He landed behind the Skakdi and kicked him into the tripwire. The Skakdi writhed in pain for a few seconds and was still. As he died, Zaeron saw a slight electrical run through the tripwire. How did he Skakdi get suck advanced technology, and more importantly, who's giving it to them? He thought grimly.

He opened the door and slipped in. In front of him were a pair of extremely sleepy Skakdi. He hid in a shadow. Normally, this wouldn't have done much to hide someone, but Zaeron used his powers over the shadow to keep himself hidden.

"Why are we stuck guarding his quarters? It's only one assassin." One of them complained.

"I know, odds are if he was here, he's probably being used to feed one of the Tahtorak herds." The two guards laughed. How do they know I'm here? Zaeron thought uncomfortably. If they knew about him, he would have to kill every Skakdi in the fortress. Residing himself to that fact, he reached out with his powers of darkness.

A tendril of black mass shot out of one of the shadows. It wrapped itself around one of the Skakdi and pulled him back. A second wrapped itself around the other's head and pulled. The first disappeared forever in one of the shadows, and the other's headless body crumpled to the ground.

Zaeron opened the second door, where he found the Skakdi warlord, his target, lying sound asleep on a small bed. Zaeron quietly drew his sword off his back, and slinked over to the sleeping warrior. Wordlessly, Zaeron raised the blade and brought it down on his target's throat.

Prytak was having a bad day. He had been assigned to feeding his master's pet Tahtorak, the last Skakdi of which fed the beast in a more bloody way then expected, and now, he was required to run a four hour shift guarding the small courtyard. His grumpy reflecting was halted as a few of the other guards were rushing towards the Master's quarters.

He followed, hand on his sword. He met up with another large group of guards that were waiting outside their master's quarters. Each of which had a weapon drawn. Following their example, he drew his own weapon.

Before he died, he knew it was the dumbest thing he'd ever done.

Zaeron one handedly threw his dagger out one of the windows. The blade connected with one of the Skakdi's eyes. Zaeron burst out the window, drawing his sword as he jumped. He landed in the middle of the large group and slashed one from face to gut. He didn't give the other's time to react. He was upon another two, and they soon dropped, one headless, the other screaming and clutching the stump that used to be his leg. One of the Skakdi attacked him, and the others were soon pounding him with everything they had.

The odds of six against one were nothing to Zaeron, however. Five of them were dead in seconds. The last of which performed a very un-Skakdi act and ran. Knowing he couldn't afford to let him escape, Zaeron chased after the Skakdi, who was performing another strange thing and screaming for mercy.

Zaeron steeled himself against the pitiful being's pleas and soon drove his sword in the back of the Skakdi's head, where it protruded from the bridge of his nose. He pulled it out and began examining the base, searching for survivors that he would be forced to eliminate.

Upon finding none, Zaeron then began a slow return to the submarine. He had to sneak past a few fights between rival gangs, and was even forced to let a Tahtorak go loose to distract a few that had discovered his tracks.

When he finally returned to the sub, he found a curious Skakdi looking into it. If he gets in, it'll take him to Daxia. Zaeron thought with a jolt. He drew his dagger and flung it. The blade went through the back of the Skakdi's neck and out the front.

Zaeron numbly pushed the body into the water, remembering to retrieve his knife. Before getting into the sub, he jumped into the water momentarily to wash the blood from those he had killed off of him. Why is it I always end up covered in blood? He thought grumpily before clambering in.

He remained awake for most of the trip back to Daxia, reflecting on the lives he had taken. He could easily remember each killing blow he'd dealt in his entire span of life, from Miolhin to the Skakdi he'd slain next to the sub. Why did they do what they did? He thought. The Zyglak kill Matoran, Toa, and every other being in this universe solely because of the fact that they feel outcasted. He snorted. Not exactly a good reason.

When he at last managed to fall asleep, he wished he hadn't. He could see the faces of each being he'd taken the life of, their blood spilling from their bodies the moment they died. When the dream shifted, they each returned to life and attacked him at once.....

He awoke with a gasp and jolted upward. His head slammed against the top of the small canopy. Swearing a blue streak, he realized he was almost to Daxia. He lay back down and folded his hands on his chest, slowly calming himself down from the dream that had racked his mind.

When the sub surfaced, he opened the canopy and winced as his eyes adjusted to the light. He climbed up onto the dock, which he was starting to become tired of seeing, and walked to Helryx's quarters, where he hoped she could explain something to him.

He opened the door without pausing to knock. Helryx's eyes shot up, and a slightly relieved look covered her face for a short moment. "I see you have returned. Was your mission successful?"

"Yes. But before I leave again, I would ask you something first." He said, not caring to mask the coldness in his voice. She looked up at him, studying his expression. Then, she sighed and said, "Ask it then."

"When I was on Zakaz, my target knew of my presence before I struck. It did not pose any complications until I killed him. His men were ready for me." Helryx's composure slipped for a second, replaced by an expression of shock.

"That," She paused and swallowed. "is beyond unacceptable. Your most deadly weapon is your secrecy."

"I know, You are going to have to tighten the loop down to just the two of us when it comes o my missions. I killed far more then was necessary yesterday. I would not have that happen again." She nodded, looking as though she now had a complex dilemma to ponder. "Mersery finished the firearm last night, he requested that you visit him when you returned. Zaeron nodded and swept from the room.

When he made it to the labs, he was tackled to the ground, something he was not accustomed to. "Sorry!" A light voice said in his ear. He looked up and saw a young toa of ice pulling herself off of him. He stood and looked at the door he'd opened, and saw that a large hole was melting in it. "Will this become a regular thing here?" He muttered.

"Again, I'm sorry. I've only been working he for a few weeks." She said. He recognized her as Pellana, the one who'd nearly killed him on his last visit. "Well, could you perhaps move you weapons of mass destruction away from the door?" He asked, slightly sarcastic.

She nodded and moved to do just that. It didn't take Zaeron long to find Mersery, who greeted him warmly. "Would you like to give it a try?" He asked.

"Only if I won't lose an arm." Mersery smiled and took Zaeron back to the target range. Zaeron quickly mastered the use of the tool. After the sixth shot rang out, Mersery stopped him from firng. "It still only fires six rounds before you have to reload, here." He handed Zaeron a small pouch.

"These are bullets. It's a pain to reload, but it still fires with more accuracy and power then a Cordak blaster. That and it's a sight more concealable." Zaeron nodded, then moved to take it off. Mersery put a hand on his arm.

"Keep it. Helryx told me you might have use for it on your next mission." Zaeron's expression darkened slightly. "Do you know what that mission is?"

"No, she decided that more secrecy would be required from now on." Zaeron suppressed an eye-roll and nodded his thanks, then left the target range. He returned to his quarters where he found Relyt. "Ah, Zaeron. I heard it didn't go too well." Zaeron shrugged.

"It won't be a problem now. But still, why hasn't Botar caught the leak yet?" It was Relyt's turn to shrug. "Anyway, Helryx wants to see you tomorrow morning. Bright and early, because you'll probably leave tomorrow as well." Zaeron sighed and nodded. Relyt took his leave and Zaeron entered his quarters. He took off his sword and placed it next to his bed, along with his dagger. The hidden blade he kept, as he did not like the idea of removing it so soon after getting it back.

He lay down on his bed and was asleep in moments. No dreams ravaged his mind that night. When he awoke, it felt as though he'd had a fifteen minute nap, though he'd slept for nearly eleven hours. He pulled himself up and picked up his weapons, ready to leave.

Babysitter
Helryx was not in her quarters, he instead found her speaking with a team of six Toa. He moved up and kept his silence. When Helryx noticed him, she waved him forward. "Zaeron will be your escort, trust him with everything. Please," She began speaking to Zaeron. "watch over them, they know where they are going, but it is undoubtable that you are more skilled. These Toa are some of the most important beings we will ever know, make sure they make it safely."

Instantly understanding, Zaeron nodded. Helryx cast a final glance at the team and left. Zaeron looked at the Toa. He was taller then each by a full foot, the leader didn't like having to look up into his eyes.

"I am Tahu, Toa of Fire." He said. "Zaeron. I am no Toa, though I can control an element." Tahu made a motion with his head, that Zaeron took as a well?He sighed.

"I control the power of Darkness, though no evil runs through me." Tahu's expression changed to one of surprise for just under a second, then to one of wariness. One adorned in white armor came up behind him. "Tahu, I think he is fine. If things go south we can handle it." Reluctantly, Tahu nodded and gestured at the white-armored one.

"This is Kopaka, Toa of Ice, my second in command." Kopaka nodded at him, which Zaeron returned. After being introduced to each of the members of the team, Tahu led him to a field just outside the base's walls. There lay an airship. "This is how we'll get to out destination." Kopaka said.

Zaeron quickly examined the ship. It was large, large enough to fill an eighth of the base. An order member could be seen yawning near the rear entrance. "That's Coifun. He'll be our pilot." Gali, the Toa of water said. Zaeron frowned.

"I thought I was the escort." Pohatu shifted uncomfortably. "Well, let's just say he's not exactly a great fighter." Understanding, Zaeron and the six Toa walked over. Coifun looked up.

"Well, then. I was unaware that we'd be havin' Helryx's prize assassin with us today." He said in a heavy southern accent. Zaeron kept his silence as Tahu and the team entered the ship. Before Coifun entered, Zaeron stopped him.

"So you know, should we be attacked, get them to their destination and leave me. I'll keep them at bay for as long as I can." Coifun rolled his eyes. "It's been forever since we've been attacked on a mission, with the secrecy, an' all." Coifun pushed past him and went over to the pilots cabin.

Zaeron hit the switch to close the rear door as he went in. He found each of the Toa in one of six seats. Lewa, the Toa of air, was itching to get up and move. Zaeron could tell by constant fidgeting. Seeing no seat for himself, he sat at the edge of the wall. Onua, the Toa of earth, cast a concerned look at him. Seeing this, Zaeron gave him an I don't mind. look.

About an hour into the flight, Kopaka took out his sword and began inspecting it, making sue it was in peak condition. Zaeron approved of his inspection. One could not expect his weapon to last forever.

Eventually, Tahu got out of his seat and moved over to him. He glanced at Zaeron's sword. "May I?" He asked. Zaeron took it off his back and flipped it around in his hands so that Tahu could grasp the handle.

Tahu took and lifted it with some difficulty. For him, the blade seemed alien to his being. It was perfectly balanced, and was sharp as a razor, yet he did not feel right holding it. He handed it back to Zaeron. He remained there for a few seconds, then spoke. "Would you like to spar? There's enough room here."

A little surprised, Zaeron looked up. "Are you sure?" He did not give any other reason, which irked Tahu. "Of course I'm sure." He responded bluntly. Zaeon then stood and held his sword aloft. Tahu drew his own blade and backed up a few paces. The other Toa backed away, giving them room.

Zaeron struck first. The strength behind his blow nearly knocked the blade away from Tahu's hand, though he was able to attempt a counterattack, which Zaeron parried. Zaeron slashed at Tahu's arm, aiming to disarm him.

Tahu ducked away from the attack and slashed and Zaeron's leg. Zaeron jumped over the blade and bashed the hilt of his sword against Tahu's wrist, causing him to drop the blade.

"Hydraxon trained you well, just not enough to defeat me." Zaeron said to the defeated Toa. A swish noise sounded behind him. He instinctively ducked, and saw Kopaka's blade cut through the air above him. Tahu picked up his blade and Zaeron found himself sparring against two opponents.

Kopaka was more skilled then Tahu, but the two Toa were still outmatched. It wasn't long before Tahu was forced to retreat and Kopaka's blade was knocked away from him. Kopaka swung his shield at Zaeron's torso, catching him by surprise.

The round piece of metal connected with Zaeron's gut, winding him. Sensing advantage, Kopaka swung again, nearly hitting him in the head. Zaeron ducked under the third strike and punched him in the chest. Kopaka toppled, the air knocked out of his lungs.

Zaeron looked at the other Toa, who eyed him with a mix of envy and fear. He shrugged and returned to his spot on the floor. Coifun's voice sounded from the cabin. "I hope you aren't killing each other back there, because I'll get blamed for it." Zaeron rolled his eyes and began inspecting his hidden weaponry.

Aware that Lewa and Onua were watching him, he flicked the hidden blade out a couple of times. Then began to inspect the hidden gun. I wonder what effect this would have on a target. He thought. Undoubtedly, this would help him in the future.

The future came far too quick.

Just as they were reaching their destination, which Zaeron realized was an entrance to the core of the universe. Just as they moved to land on an island that Gali had told him was called Voya Nui, an explosion racked their world.

The blast sent all six Toa and Zaeron flying. Lewa managed to right himself using his mask, though the others rolled down the floor of the airship. Zaeron's hearing picked up Coifun swearing loudly from the cabin, trying to steady the airship. Zaeron was the first to his feet.

He cautiously made his way up to the cabin where he looked up into the sky. His heart stone skipped a few beats. A large, dark red shape was bearing down upon them. The shape was one he recognized. Veartax. He thought.

He grabbed Coifun and pulled him out of his chair. Time seemed to slow down as the two order members slid down the to the other end of the airship as Veartax crashed into the cockpit and down following them.

The airship began to spin in circles as in fell down to the island. Seeing Veartax coming down upon them, Zaeron hit the switch to open the rear door. The six Toa and Two order members tumbled out and into the air.

Lewa flew around catching his teammates and dropping them, slowing their descent. Tahu the used his own powers to severely warm the air around them, also slowing their fall. They landed just short of the island's beach and into the shallows of the water.

Zaeron bounded to his feet and drew his sword. The Toa and Coifun were on their feet a moment later. "Who was that?!" Tahu exclaimed.

"Veartax. I'm not sure just what he is, but I know he's after me." Zaeron said simply. He turned to look at the Toa Team. "Get yourselves to the core. I'll hold him off, go, now!" Tahu shook his head vigorously. "We won't just leave you!"

"I'll be fine! You get going or I'll knock you out and the others will drag you!" Zaeron yelled in a voice that surprised him. It was filled with authority. Tahu was on the point of protesting again, but Onua put a hand on his shoulder. "We have to go, don't let his sacrifice be in vain." He said wisely.

Tahu's expression darkened, then nodded. He led his team into the jungle and out of sight. Coifun remained behind. He drew a dagger and went to stand next to Zaeron. "You go too." Zaeron snapped at him. He shook his head simply and Zaeron knew he could do nothing to change his mind.

The two stood back to back, watching out for the large, red shape. For a few moments, Zaeron was terrified that he'd gone after Tahu and his team. Then, Coifun let out a yell of pain and swung one arm back, shoving Zaeron away.

Zaeron whirled around to see Veartax standing in front of Coifun, a large blade coming out of the latter's back. Veartax flung Coifun away, where a large pool of blood exited from the wound. Zaeron took a deep breath and took a defensive stance. Veartax laughed, a deep, menacing sound. "You believe you can defeat me, Zaeron?" Zaeron did not answer. Veatax lunged, his spear aimed at Zaeron's head. Zaeron pushed off the ground with both feet. He vaulted over Veartax's spear and kicked at his head.

Veartax was quicker, though, and grabbed Zaeron's legs. He began to spin the young assassin around in circles. Remembering he had a gun, Zaeron used his right hand, still holding his sword, and shot three times into his opponent's armor.

The three bullets tore through Veartax's armor and entered his chest. Instead of blood, a strange green gas seeped from the wounds. He's a makuta! Zaeron realized with a jolt. He shot a fourth bullet into Veartax's clawed hand, causing him to be flung away at a great distance.

He landed on his feet and charged the Makuta. Veartax attempted to impale him with his spear, but Zaeron able to sidestep it and, holding his sword with both hands, slashed at the Makuta's side. Veartax's armor deflected the attack, and he proceeded to attack Zaeron with his dagger, which he quickly drew with his wounded hand.

Zaeron ducked under and around to avoid being caught by the knife's blade. Resorting to the unexpected, Zaeron stuck out his head and yelled "Bah!", as If to frighten someone in a dark hall. A slightly confused look crossed over Veartax's face, causing him to pause for a moment.

The lull in the fight was all Zaeron needed to tackle the Makuta. Veartax fell under his weight, but was able to knock his sword away. Zaeron flicked out the hidden blade and stabbed at Veartax's left eye. Veartax caught his wrist and stabbed upward with his dagger, but Zaeron was able to grab his wrist and keep himself from dying.

For a few moments, it was an impasse, them Veartax caught Zaeron by surprise, and let the hidden blade come down. He rolled away to avoid being stabbed through the eye, and Zaeron got his arm stuck in the beach sand. He wrenched it out in time to see Veartax fire an orb of Darkness at him.

Calling upon his own powers, Zaeron caught the orb and charged it with his control over darkness. He turned the orb into a beam of shadow and shot it from his hands and at Veartax. The Makuta imitated him and the two beams connected, causing a large explosion.

Both combatants were thrown off of their feet. Zaeron landed and rolled backwards, his head spinning. He hauled himself to his feet and saw that Veartax was pulling himself up as well. I have to get more time for the others! He thought desperately. He looked into the jungle and saw a slight path. He ran towards it, praying Veartax would follow.

The Makuta did, and Zaeron drew him further into the jungle, away from the Toa. As he ran, Zaeron heard Veartax's low, chilling laugh. "You think I came for them, Zaeron? You are a fool. I came to get you." Zaeron almost came to a halt with the shock of the realization, then snapped out of it and continued running, now occupied with finding a place he could fight from more easily.

As he ran through the jungle, he noticed a large shadow looming over him. He chanced a glance upward and saw a massive volcano. I need to get to the hight ground. He thought and ran in the volcano's direction.

Veartax followed him with increasing speed. It was all Zaeron could do to avoid being caught. He wove between trees in an attempt to throw the Makuta off his trail. The effort was in vain, as Veartax was upon him the moment he made it to the base of the mountain.

A blast of chain lightning caught Zaeron in the back and launched him into the air. He landed with a sickening crunch on his right arm. He let out a yell of pain as it broke. Veartax loomed over him, triumphant. A demonic smile touched his features as he leaned down to pick Zaeron up.

Suddenly, a blast of lightning struck the Makuta, sending him reeling. Zaeron's eyes began to fog over. Through his hazy sight, he saw an enormous being with a massive axe begin to attack the Makuta. An urgent voice began to speak to him. "Stay awake, Zaeron! Stay awake! You may not wake up again if you fall asleep!" Hearing this, Zaeron shook his head slightly to keep himself conscious.

A gold and blue being stood over him. "Stay down. Let me heal your arm." He said in a voice of great authority. The being held his hand over Zaeron's arm and it slowly, painfully, fixed itself. Zaeron yelled through gritted teeth as it healed. When it was over, he grabbed his sword and moved to attack Veartax, who was still fighting the other being.

"Don't. I will help him." Said the one who had healed him. The Gold One let out a savage war cry and charged Veartax. Upon seeing the second warrior coming at him, Veartax turned and fled, though not before casting Zaeron a withering look.

The two beings turned to Zaeron, who held his sword out at them both. "Who are you, and how do you know me?" He asked in a razor sharp voice. The two beings exchanged a glance, then the one in red and silver armor spoke. "Please, this is a matter that is better discussed in private."

"I don't see anyone." Zaeron snapped. The gold one sighed. "I am Brutaka, this is Axonn. We are fellow Order members." Zaeron could not suppress a noise of shock. He lowered his blade. "I'm sorry, I had to be sure."

"Don't be sorry, you were right to exercise caution." Axonn said approvingly. Brutaka gestured for him to follow. They took Zaeron to a small cave. "Why are you posted here?" Zaeron asked. Axonn hesitated, so Brutaka answered. "We guard the most kept secret in the universe. The only more kept secret is the existence of our Order." Zaeron could not help but feel curious.

"Being a fellow member, and knowing just what will happen should I betray you, what is it that is down there?" The two Order Members looked at each other a little warily, then Axonn relented.

"Come with me. I will show you." Zaeron's sense of danger picked up, but he followed Axonn anyway. They soon found themselves in a chamber deep in the cave. A lone, tall warrior with a massive spear stood in the center, guarding what appeared to be the entrance to another chamber.

"Axonn. Who is this?" The warrior said in a low, menacing voice. "He is Zaeron, a member of the order who well deserves to know what we guard." A look of recognition flashed across the warrior's mask. "I am Umbra." He said simply. He gestured Zaeron forward. Nervous in the presence of the elder members, Zaeron went up to him. Umbra pointed down into the next cavern.

A massive spider stood guarding a pedestal, where a golden light pulsed from. The light was mesmerizing to look at, so Umbra had to adjust Zaeron's gaze to the spider. On it's back stood what looked like a Skakdi. As Zaeron registered this, Umbra pulled him away. "That is Vezon and Fenrakk. They are not order members, so be certain you never see them again, for they are likely some of the most volatile beings you will ever meet."

"Then why do they guard something so important?"

"That is something even I am unsure of." Umbra answered. Zaeron noticed Axonn beckoning him back up the cave. Zaeron nodded his goodbye to Umbra and joined Axonn. "You must never tell anyone of what you have seen. Doing so will result in banishment to the pit." Zaeron nodded, fully understanding. His commitment to the order had just increased greatly.

He returned to the top of the cave with Axonn. "I must return to Daxia now." He told the two Order members. "How will you get off the island?"

"I'll do what I can to repair the ship. That, and I need to bury Coifun." The order member who had died fighting Veartax was stuck in Zaeron's mind. he would not be able to get that thought out of his head unless he could do something for him.

Without a lengthly goodbye, Zaeron left the cave and descended down the slopes of the mountain. He was forced to evade a few groups of Matoran that were walking in the jungle, but was soon at the beach. He used a large, scoop shaped rock to dig the hole. He then looked at his companion, who, as Zaeron determined, had died from blood loss.

He unceremoniously dumped Coifun's corpse into the hole. He filled in the hole on top of the now dead pilot's body. As a sign of it being a grave, he stuck Coifun's knife into the ground at the head of the grave. Not knowing what to say, Zaeron returned to the ship.

It was a wreck. He had trouble understanding the wires and mechanisms the made the airship run, let alone how to repair it. As he was about to give up, his sense of hearing picked up a creak in the metal floor, then, he was unconscious.

Destral
Zaeron's first thought when he woke up was; I've died. He was being dragged by the arms between two creatures he identified as Rahkshi. A few distant voices sounded from ahead of him. He strained to listen.

"But he was meant to be mine! You know what I wanted him for!"

"And that's why I've been ordered," He said ordered like a curse. "to take him off your hands. If you want to kill those Toa, you won't have this assassin do it for you." A being adorned in red armor swept past him, a being he soon realized was Veartax.

He looked ahead, wondering who might have caused Veartax such anger. A tall, regal looking Makuta wearing black, silver, and green armor stood in front of him. When the Rahkshi were a few feet away from the Makuta, they flung Zaeron to the ground.

The Makuta crouched next to him. He held out a small cup. "Drink it." He ordered. Zaeron looked at him skeptically. The Makuta sighed. "You've been unconscious for nine days. We want you alive, remember?" Zaeron hesitantly took the cup from him and sipped. It was simply water. He drained it soon after.

"Where am I?" He asked the tall Makuta. "You will know soon enough."

"Well I want to know now. But you could make me guess." The Makuta rolled his eyes. He certainly has a large head. Zaeron observed, but kept it to himself. "Come with me, you have a new occupation, Zaeron." He commanded. Deciding to play along, Zaeron followed the large Makuta.

The Makuta took him out to what appeared to be a lab. Zaeron scanned the room to see what he would be up against should he ever have to fight his way out. There was a lone Rahkshi by one of the doors. "Please, lie down, so we can do this in a civilized manner." The Makuta said, now clearly acting. Zaeron looked around for weapons he could use. There was a scalpel on one of trays.

He noticed a few strange mechanisms in the back of the lab. I'll deal with that if it becomes a problem. He thought and turned to look at the Makuta. "Who are you?" The Makuta looked slightly irked at the question, but answered.

"I am Makuta Benjarmin, your new master." With difficulty, Zaeron restrained himself from rolling his eyes. "And why would I work for you?"

"Well, we can either wipe your memory and make you blindly loyal to me, or you can submit and keep your mind." Benjarmin responded, dropping all sense of formality. "Who's we?" Zaeron asked.

Benjarmin nodded slightly and a group of Rahkshi entered the room. The pointed their staffs at him and hissed violently. "Now, submit, or say goodbye to your brain." Benjarmin snarled and drew a large sword. Zaeron smiled slightly, just so that Benjarmin would notice.

He lunged at the tray where the scalpel lay, he snatched it up and ducked behind a few of the mechanisms before Benjarmin had ordered the Rahkshi to attack. A blast of chain lightning soared past Zaeron and exploded near a machine, which fell apart. Benjarmin swore vehemently and the Rahkshi screamed. The scream was soon cut off and Zaeron noticed the head roll past him.

He darted out from behind his cover. He was upon the Rahkshi before any of them could react. He leaped over them and stabbed one in the back, cutting through it's armor and stabbing into its Kraata. He wrenched the knife out and flung it at a second Rahkshi, who dropped. He grabbed the first Rahkshi's staff and swung it in a circle, smashing it into the head of one of the others.

Benjarmin snarled and ordered the final one to attack. The Rahkshi stabbed it's staff into the ground and a livid green substance began moving across the floor towards Zaeron. Zaeron flipped the staff in his hands and threw it like a Javelin, catching the Rahkshi in the face. He picked up another two staffs and fell into a defensive position, ready to defend against the charging Makuta.

Benjarmin slashed down with his sword. Zaeron crossed the two Rahkshi staffs and blocked it. The weight behind the strike was overwhelming, but he was able to avoid being sliced in half. He lashed out with one of the staffs at Benjarmin's knee. The Makuta jumped over it with surprising agility for one so large. Benjarmin attacked again, this time aiming to cut off Zaeron's leg.

Zaeron dropped and rolled behind the makuta. He stabbed backwards with one of the staffs, catching Benjarmin in his left thigh. The Makuta grunted and turned, the staff still stuck in his leg. Zaeron grabbed his remaining weapon with both hands, ready to defend against the Makuta's onslaught once more.

The Makuta feigned a strike at Zaeron's leg and instead went for his arm. Zaeron moved at the last second. He could almost feel the blade as it passed him. He struck at the Makuta's sword arm, but Benjarmin dodged it and grabbed Zaeron by the throat.

"As amusing as this has been, I'm going to need to dissect your brain now, so please, refrain from struggling, lest my tools enter other places of your head." Zaeron kicked out at the Makuta, trying to get him to release him. It was a vain attempt, as the Makuta's grip was unbreakable. Benjarmin slammed him down on the ground and reached behind him, pulling out a menacing looking saw.

The Makuta inched the blade down towards Zaeron's left eye. Zaeron vainly tried to wriggle free. He grabbed Benjarmin's wrist, slowing the saw's progress toward his head, but not stopping it. Zaeron's eyes darted around, trying to see an avenue of escape. He noticed the scalpel he'd used before, and grabbed it. He stabbed upward. Benjarmin roared in pain and reared back, the saw flying across the room.

The scalpel had entered the Makuta's left eye, but it had not killed Benjarmin. Zaeron noticed a putrid green gas seeping out of Benjarmin's face and leg. Enraged, the Makuta ripped the blade from his face and lung it at Zaeron who ducked under it and fled. He encountered two Rahkshi outside the lab. Armed or not, Zaeron was more then a match for them. He snapped one's neck and used it's staff to kill the Kraata inside the other, rendering the robotic frame useless.

He grabbed one of their staffs and moved around, ducking into a shadow whenever an Exo-Toa or a Rahkshi would approach. I need to find my weapons. He thought. Almost on cue, a group of Exo-Toa walked by, carrying a large, heavy looking box. Luckily, it was lidless, and Zaeron could see it was filled with weapons. He could see his sword, dagger, and even his hidden weapon bracer.

Twirling the staff, Zaeron jumped down. He'd never fought Exo-Toa before, but the robots were still no match for him. Soon each lay on the ground, damaged far beyond repair. Zaeron cast the staff aside, and retrieved his weapons. He began to move away, but stopped when a low chuckle filled his ears. A blow came crashing down on the back of his head and his vision blurred. Moments before the second blow landed, he recognized Veartax's fist strike him in the face.

When Zaeron awoke, he was suspended in midair, curiously floating. He tried to move, but found he was frozen in place. He shook off the disorientation and saw he was in a dimly lit room, with only two beings other then him were Veartax, and another, unrecognizable being. Veartax moved forward, holding a strange set of wires in one hand.

"As you've caused us a fair bit of trouble, and Benjarmin would probably tear your head off, I'll have to ask, where would you go, if you had escaped?" Veartax said coldly. Zaeron said nothing, knowing he could never betray the order. Veartax hid an evil smile. He held up the wires and repeated his question. Zaeron again, held his silence. Veartax made a movement with his free hand, and a few sparks of electricity could be seen on the wires.

"This is your last chance before the pain starts." He said, though clearly wanted to do it anyway. When Zaeron said nothing, he shoved the tips of the wires into Zaeron's right arm. Zaeron soon found his mouth could move, as a grunt of pain sounded.

"Each time you keep yourself from telling me, the higher the voltage gets." The Makuta said sadistically. Zaeron rolled his eyes, which could also move. Veartax slammed the wires into his other arm with greater force. Zaeron gritted his teeth as the pain seared through him. He didn't want to give the Makuta the satisfaction of a scream.

He could see Veartax grin through the dim lighting. He continued to torture Zaeron, each time the voltage-and pain-got worse. After fourteen touches of the electricity, Veartax moved onto a new method. He left the room briefly and returned with a knife in one hand, a can of liquid in the other. Zaeron recognized the liquid as the poison Rahkshi Lerahk used in their staffs. A pang of fear went through him.

The Makuta cut a small slit in his lower leg. "You won't be able to hold your tongue, save yourself the pain." The Makuta ordered. Zaeron responded with a curse that surprised even him. Angered, Veartax let some of the green poison enter the cut.

Pain coursed through Zaeron's bloodstream. His entire body felt as though it was on fire. He threw the Makuta's satisfaction to the winds and let out a long scream of agony that only got worse. Yet he still did not speak. Veartax simply stood and watched, wearing an emotionless mask. He stood and let Zaeron experience the pain of the poison for five minutes, then Zaeron could tell that he was getting frustrated.

Deciding to use this, Zaeron looked the Makuta full in the eye and smiled tauntingly. "Is that...is that all you got?" He said. Now angered, Veartax pulled out his spear with a snarl on his mask. Good, Veartax, kill me and you don't get what you want. Zaeron thought. ''And I'll have protected the Order in the process. Well done.'' Moments before Veartax plunged the blade into him, an angry voice rang out.

"What part of alive do you not understand you fool?" The voice was grating and gravelly. "We'll try again tomorrow. Take him to the cell block." Veartax looked as though he was about to refuse and kill him, but then saw the reason behind the command and lowered his weapon. He press something that looked like a needle into Zaeron's cut and sucked the poison out.

The Makuta pulled out a few cuff like things a placed them around Zaeron's wrists. He grabbed the assassin and pulled him out of the room. He caught glimpse of a huge, hulking figure just beyond the door. A pair of intimidating, orange eyes could be seen through the shadow. Zaeron attempted to clear the shadows with his powers, but nothing happened.

Veartax chuckled. "No point in that." He muttered. Had Zaeron not been weakened by the poison, he would have tried to kill the Makuta then and there, but he found his limbs useless. Instead, he hung limply as Veartax dragged him into another, equally shadowy building. Zaeron guessed it was a prison, as he saw a few large cages with beings of several races curled in small balls in their corners.

Veartax flung Zaeron into a cage and locked it. He smiled malevolently at the new prisoner and left. With difficulty, Zaeron hauled himself into a sitting position against the wall. He noticed a few scratches on the walls, which he guessed were put by another prisoner, keeping track of how long they'd been there.

He was pondering whether it was weeks, months, or years the previous prisoner had scratched in when yells sounded from the far side of the cell block. Two Makuta were struggling to bring in a Toa with clearly some fight in them. As they drew closer, Zaeron guessed the toa was a female, as her voice was screaming profanities of every kind at the Makuta.

After a while, the two makuta were finally able to throw her into her cell. She continued yelling at them until they'd left the building. Zaeron had to admire such spirit in a being. She slumped to the floor and leaned against the wall, unlike the other prisoners, who were curled in balls muttering to themselves incoherently. He could only see her emerald eyes in the darkness and the silver glint of some of her armor. She noticed Zaeron.

"New face, eh? We'll see how long you last." She said.

"What do you mean?"

"The last one in your cell counted the hours he was here. As you can see, it wasn't very long." Zaeron glanced back up at the scratches, and realized he'd only made it twenty-two hours. "What method did they use on you?" She asked bluntly.

Zaeron shrugged. "Wires and Lerahk poison."

"Hmmm. They normally use that method on people who've been here for a month or more. Like her." Through the darkness Zaeron could see she was pointing. He looked in the direction she indicated and saw a female Vortixx who, to his mingled shock and fear, had hung herself on what appeared to be torture wires.

"She wasn't like that when I came in....." He muttered. The girl in the other cage shrugged. "Suicide is common here. it happens at least once a week." Zaeron couldn't tell which was worse, what she said or the matter-of-fact way she said it.

"Will the Makuta clean up the body?" She laughed harshly. "No. They use the smell as a method of interrogation. Even when we're in here they work on us. The idea is that when you can't stand the smell any longer, you talk." Zaeron shuddered at the cruelty displayed. Weren't the Makuta supposed to be guardians and overseers of the matoran? he thought. I'll have to tell Helryx when-no, if- I get back.

His neighbor tapped on his cell. "Food." She whispered to him. A lone Exo-Toa walked through, throwing an assortment of wild berries and vegetation onto the floor of their cells. Still weakened by the poison, it took some effort on Zaeron's part to move over to it. As he ate, a thought sprang to his mind.

"What do they do to those who break and talk?" He asked his neighbor. She shrugged. "From the anguished screaming that ensued from one of those who broke from the smell, I'm guessing they betray and brutally murder you." She said offhandedly.

Realizing escape was his only option, Zaeron finished his meal and focused on listening to what was going on outside. It was quiet, except for the sounds of Rahkshi and Exo-Toa patrolling by. He counted the seconds between the patrols who walked by the building he was in. If he was to get out, he'd have about two minutes to escape without alerting patrols.

"I'd advise sleep. You'll probably need all the strength you can get tomorrow." The prisoner next to him said. Her green eyes closed and she withdrew completely into a shadow. Deciding to take her advice, Zaeron stretched out and closed his eyes. It wasn't long before he was asleep.

He awoke to a loud clang and a low hiss. Instantly awake, Zaeron was on his feet in seconds. A Rahkshi stood outside his cell. Another could be seen jabbing another prisoner with it's staff until the prisoner stopped moving. The Rahkshi hissed in what sounded like exasperation. The Rahkshi outside Zaeron's cell opened it and grabbed him.

The robot dragged Zaeron out of the building and flung him into a type of courtyard. A few other prisoners could be seen wandering aimlessly in circles, their hands pressed over their eyes. Several others were sitting alone, muttering to themselves. One was leaned up against a rock, actually appearing sane.

The prisoner beckoned at him. He moved across the courtyard and sat next to them. "Welcome to Destral, your living death." The prisoner said, And Zaeron instantly knew it was the one he'd spoken to the night before.

She was slim, and wore light armor. Zaeron could tell she had once been beautiful, but it was marred by several slashes, scars, and other marks of torture the Makuta had inflicted on her. Her mask and a long scar that went through one eye.

"If your done staring, I'd like to talk to you." She said grumpily. Zaeron shifted his gaze toward a few Exo-Toa, who, were they not robots, would have looked bored. She began talking again.

"I don't know why they're using such advanced torture methods on you, but, whatever you've done must have angered them severely."

"Your point?"

"I'm guessing you're a somewhat decent fighter, from your build and armor. I'll need that to get away." Zaeron nodded, though to him, it sounded like she would be using him. he gestured for him to continue.

"Once they decide they either can't break you, or you're just useless, they take you specifically to the execution area."

"And we break out on the way, or when we're there?"

"When we're there. The escort is seven Exo-Toa and six Rahkshi. Once there, a lone Makuta oversees your death, then you are killed in a way I'm unaware of." Zaeron pondered this for a few moments.

"How do you know this? The only way someone could would be if they were there." Her eyes hardened. "I didn't get caught alone. My..." Her expression became one of slight grief. "my team was with me. One of them had a Kanohi Suletu. They told me everything I needed to escape. I just, I just need help doing it."

Having never been a part of a team before, Zaeron was unsure of what to say. He was rescued when she murmured impatiently; "Now all we have to do is hope they decide to kill us. The irony is doing that already." He silently agreed. The two sat in silence for the better part of an hour, when she then began to bonk her head against the rock.

"Er, what are you doing?"

"Making it not so obvious we're trying to escape. Do something that would make you look insane."

He already believed he was, but began mouthing random words to himself. After a few minutes of this, a robotic voice sounded out. "Sakila." She groaned and stood up. "If we both live through today, we'll talk again in the cell block." She stumbled over to the Exo-Toa group and one each took her arms and dragged her.

Zaeron sat alone in the courtyard where he observed the other prisoners, each of which showed signs of true insanity. A yelp broke him from his quiet observation and he saw a prisoner charge one of the Rahkshi guarding them.

Giving off the appearance of someone bored, the Rahkshi held out his staff and a wave of a gaseous, black substance hit the prisoner. He dropped, looking as though the life was being drained from him.

The life was being drained from him. Zaeron realized. The Rahkshi was a Vorahk. It sucked the life out of the prisoner until he was dead. Before the prisoner died, Zaeron noticed a beatific smile on his face.

He shuddered. Suicide was indeed common. The same voice rang out. "Zaeron." Realizing he was about to be tortured, he groaned inwardly, but walked over to where the voice originated. He was grabbed by two Exo-Toa and forcibly dragged across the island. It was going to be a long day.

Breakout
Makuta Veartax was displeased.

Zaeron, the prisoner he had been tasked with interrogating, simply refused to break. Every method of torture Veartax had tried had no effect. He screamed, but as enjoyable as that was, it wasn't what he needed.

He brought his fist down on Zaeron's knee, nearly snapping the bone within in two. Zaeron grunted, which frustrated him. "Tell me, and hopefully your end will be quick." Veartax snarled. Zaeron's response surprised and slightly offended him.

Angry, he punched Zaeron full in the mask, snapping his head back. Zaeron made no noise of pain and simply gave the Makuta a look so withering it could have been a weapon. He continued beating on Zaeron, and Zaeron continued to refrain from speaking.

After several hours of increasing the pain and increasingly colorful language on Zaeron's part, Veartax stopped. Frustrated, he flung the stubborn being into his cell personally, half-hoping that he would die from the impact. He didn't.

Veartax returned his chambers. He punched a wall angrily. The stone cracked and broke under the strength of the blow.

"I'm half amused and half annoyed at your particular method of venting." A low voice said. Veartax turned to see the tall, heavily armored form of Makuta Malok standing in his door.

"What do you want?" Veartax snarled.

"To tell you that Teridax is tired of your failures to break your prisoner. He's handing him over to Serrakaan tomorrow." Without another word, Malok left the room. Furious, Veartax punched another hole in the wall.

Across the island, Zaeron glanced around, hoping that Sakila migh be there. She wasn't. He leaned up against the wall and, not for the first time, wished the Makuta didn't know about his hidden blade. It was a part of him. Without, he wasn't whole.

A dull thud sounded behind him. He frowned and looked at the wall. There wasn't anything out of the ordinary. He forgot about it. It sounded again. For a few minutes, it continued. Eventually, he pressed his ear up against the wall, and he heard an urgent voice that was unmistakably Sakila's say; "MOVE!"

He quickly shifted over and a resounding bang! deafened him. Once the ringing in his ears stopped, he saw Sakila standing over him. She held out her hand and pulled him up.

"Come on."

"How'd you get out?"

She hesitated before answering. "I told them an untrue story that my interrogator swallowed whole. We've got seven minutes before they come ask me to help them." Understanding, Zaeron followed her through the now enormous hole in the wall.

It didn't take them long to find the armory where their weapons were being kept. Zaeron joyfully fit on his hidden blade bracer. He snatched up his dagger and sword and fit them on his waist and back. Sakila was stringing a bow.

"A little old fashioned, don't you think?" He asked. "It's quieter then a gun, not to mention that you can't put your powers in a bullet." She answered and put a sword to her waist. An alarm sounded, and Zaeron could hear the angry hissing of Rahkshi.

"We now have about zero minutes before they come looking for us." Zaeron quipped as Sakila led the way out. A few Rahkshi barred their path when they were nearly at the outskirts of the base. Zaeron pounced on one and killed it with his hidden blade. He stood, ready to face the others, but saw three had been killed by arrows, and one was in pieces.

Sakila retrieved her ammunition and the two continued. "How will we get off the island?" Zaeron said as they ran.

"I remember there being an airship on one of the beaches. Give me some time and I may be able to learn to fly it."

"And if you can't?"

"We both die a slow, painful death." Zaeron rolled his eyes but kept running. As it turned out, there was indeed a small airship on one of the shores. Zaeron groaned as he saw that several Rahkshi and spider like creatures he couldn't identify stood guarding it.

Zaeron accelerated. He overtook Sakila and was upon the group of guards in seconds. The day of torture did nothing to diminish his skill in combat. He stabbed his sword through he first Rahkshi's head and flung it back, sending the useless frame crashing into one of the spiders.

As Sakila slipped past him and into the airship, Zaeron fought off the squad of spiders and Rahkshi. The odds were nothing to him, and soon they were all either dead or broken. A lone Kraata slipped out of it's ruined armor and vainly tried to slither away. Zaeron cut down with his sword and lopped the creature in half.

"You almost done?" He called.

"Almost, stay on guard." She yelled back. Zaeron turned and saw no other soldier of the Makuta come to challenge him. He knew better then to be lulled into a false sense of security, and stayed wary, keeping an eye out for anything that might come.

Suddenly, a horrible, high, and terrified scream filled the air. Zaeron felt a shiver run up his spine. Either someone was dying, or a much, much bigger Rahkshi had been let loose.

A lone being came stumbling out, a huge, gaping gash on his left side. A trail of blood followed behind him as he moved toward Zaeron. Suddenly, a huge, menacing shadow came into view. It was upon the being, who Zaeron had recognized as one of the other prisoners, and, with a clawed hand, picked up the screeching being. It drew a long, heavy looking sword and plunged it into the beings chest, who convulsed once and was still.

Zaeron involuntarily checked his weapons. He had them all, and, luckily, his hidden gun was loaded. He fell into a defensive stance, ready to hold off the hulking being. He could see the hooded head tilt slightly to one side, with what looked like recognition.

This confused Zaeron, as he had never face such and adversary before. Then, he realized the shadow was looking at his sword, not him. The shadow pointed at the corpse and it exploded into a bloody mess, some of which hit Zaeron.

''It's like he....oh. I'm going to die. Great.'' The shadow lunged at him with blinding speed, sword extended. Zaeron was hardly able to dodge the attack. In fact, he felt a gust of breeze next to his head as he ducked to the side.

He slashed at the being's leg, expecting to lop it off. He was shocked when the being blocked with an almost lazy motion. He attacked again, this time aiming at the being's chest. The Hulking figure moved with surprising speed and deflected the strike. Zaeron's sword was almost knocked from his hand.

Serrakaan lashed forward with one hand and pinned his challenger to the ground. He was impressed by the being's courage in his presence. He was also slightly curious as of how the being had come to possess Miolhin's sword.

He looked into the eyes of the being, wanting to know more. He saw that the being was not a Toa, as his appearance would have led some to believe. He saw that he was stronger and more skilled then any being of his age. He saw that the being had killed Miolhin and took his sword from him.

Serrakaan was slightly irked at the fact that the old Vortixx had survived, but he was now dead, so no matter. He was about to look into the being's future but was interrupted by a yell and a heavy blow that struck his shoulder.

He was unharmed by the attack but none the less annoyed by it. He looked up and saw a female Toa reloading a bow. The being in his clutches snapped out of the state Serrakaan's stare had left him in and aimed one fist at his face. Six loud bangs in rapid succession sounded and six bullets hit Serrakaan full in the face.

Serrakaan reared back, surprised by the attack. He dropped the being in his hand, who turned, grabbed his sword and ran. Serrakaan readied a blast of shadow to destroy their airship, when the female threw her weapons back into the ship, opened her mouth and loosed a head splitting shriek.

He was staggered by the sound, and the young assassin stumbled, hardly able to refrain from falling. It only slowed Serrakaan for a few moments, but that was all the two escapees needed to get in the air. He let them. He knew he'd meet one of them again.

Onboard the airship, Zaeron felt weakened at the hands of the monster he'd just fought. Sakila sat at the pilot's seat, flying the ship away. He noticed a corpse next to the seat, who looked like the original pilot.

"You alright?" Sakila asked, sounding concerned. "I'll live." He groaned. Sakila set the ship to auto-pilot and cam back to where he was standing.

"Did he look in your eyes?" She asked urgently.

"Well, yes, but what difference does that make?" She looked panicky.

"Zaeron, it's important that you stay awake. Fall asleep and believe me, you'll regret it."

"Why?"

"Just trust me, I'll tell you the story sometime. Anyway, I'm taking you to my island base. You can get treatment there."

"Where is it?" She sighed. Then she turned to him. "Odds are you won't remember it, after the healers have seen you."

"Why?"

"Because the order me and my team were a part of is one of the most closely guarded secrets in out universe."

That sounds familiar. He thought. She returned to the pilot's seat and typed in a set of coordinates, then she returned to Zaeron. "The shadow you just fought is a being known as the Blood Summoner, or Serrakaan." Zaeron's eyes widened in recognition. He remembered it was the entry of the book in Miolhin's library he was forbidden to read.

"I know that name." He said hesitantly. "Where?" She asked. When he refused to answer, she pressed him to do so. After a few moments, he relented and spoke. "My master, a Vortixx named Miolhin, had a book with a chapter on The Blood Summoner. Sakila's eyes widened in shock.

"Your master is Miolhin!?" She half shouted. Surprised by her reaction, he nodded. "How could he have let you be captured!?" She said angrily.

"He's dead." he said bluntly. "What?" She said looking saddened. "He was going to try and hand me over to a Makuta named Veartax. He risked exposing the secrecy of my order. I struck him down myself." Sakila looked shocked.

"Only one order I know of requires such secrecy as that." She said. "The Order of Mata Nui." Zaeron finished. Her eyes widened slightly. "Yes, you are a member?"

"Yes I am. I believe we can speak openly now?"

After that, she opened up to him more, and it wasn't long before the two were friends. After a while, it occurred to Zaeron that he didn't know how she'd known Miolhin. When he asked, she answered a little grimly.

"My team and I were trained by him for a few weeks before you arrived to be trained. I'm guessing we left to go to work a few days before you arrived." Zaeron nodded, a part of him wishing they could have trained together.

Once they made it to Daxia, they landed just outside the base and were met with hostility originally. When they were recognized, they were taken to Helryx immediately. "I am beyond relieved the two of you are safe. Sakila, I believe Famiiya would like to see you, it's been years since you two spoke. After that, head to the infirmary to get medical attention, I dare say you'll need it."

Sakila nodded and left the room without a word. Helryx turned her gaze to Zaeron. She sighed sadly. "Zaeron, you really have no idea what's happened to you right now. I'm going to have to send you to our infirmary as well. Our...mental healers should be able to get your affliction out of your head." Zaeron nodded and swept from the room, leaving Helryx to succumb to her infinite relief.

Monster of the Mind
"Wouldn't it just be easier to kill me?" Zaeron grumbled. "I'm afraid not." One of the healers said. Zaeron sighed explosively.

"So, it's go with electrocution, or die over and over again over the span of my lifetime, and quite possibly kill myself?"

"Pretty much." The healer said sheepishly. Zaeron groaned and followed the healer into the more "urgent" medical area, as he'd put it. He had been told that it was quite likely that Serrakaan would appear in his dream, and kill him. According to them, he would have this dream many times in his lifetime.

A few surgeons were already ready for him. It was five minutes to nightfall, so they had to set him up quickly. "Try and avoid him until we can find the lobe." one of the surgeons said to him before anesthetizing him. Zaeron rolled his eyes before he was injected.

Sakila glared at Relyt.

"Look, I know what's happened to him, but he's the only one I know who could carry this out and live." Relyt explained.

"He's been tortured by Makuta already, his doesn't need the Dark Hunters to top it off!" Sakila said angrily. Relyt looked ashamed of himself.

"We both know I'd prefer it if he stayed here as well, but this could get us ahead of whatever it is they're planning! This is what he was trained for, and something tells me he'll want to do it." Sakila snorted and went back to listening to the surgery. She had known someone who Serrakaan had looked into his eyes. The poor soul had flung himself into a fire the next morning.

Relyt stalked off. There wasn't anything too horrifying coming from Zaeron, perhaps she'd been wrong, and he didn't need the surgery. Suddenly, she could hear him scream. It wasn't an entirely agonized, so maybe he had been able to avoid being impaled by the Blood Summoner.

For a few minutes, no other sound came from him, but Sakila could hear the frantic shuffling of the surgeons moving, ready or anything, so she knew he was still dreaming. The silence lasted a few more minutes before a second scream came from Zaeron, this time longer and louder, and clearly in pain. The screaming continued for a few moments, then it was cut off abruptly.

A slight whoop came from one of the younger surgeons. They must have been successful, then Zaeron screamed again, and they frantically went back into professional mode.

Inside the dream, Zaeron clambered up a tree, holding his intestines in. He moved from branch to branch, trying to avoid Serrakaan's sword. Once he made it to the top, and he knew Serrakaan was close behind him, he jumped from the tree and landed in a bush with a loud crunch.

He flung himself to his feet and sprinted away, knowing all to well that the Blood Summoner was not far behind him. It was not long before Serrakaan was upon him, and was inches away ripping him in half with his bare hands, when suddenly, there was nothing but darkness. He knew that he was still dreaming, as he could still move. Serrakaan was still clearly in front of him, however. Zaeron inched away from the clawed hand of the Makuta.

"Your welcome." Said a voice behind him. He turned and saw, to his general shock, Famiiya. "Er, what are you doing in my dream? If you didn't know, that's just a little awkward." She rolled her eyes and began speaking in a business-like tone.

"Zaeron, the moment you are out of this dream and are well rested, Helryx has an assignment."

"Mata Nui, already?"

"Yes. She doesn't have time to spare to explain it to you, so I have to now." He gestured for her to continue, which was rather difficult, as his guts were falling out. "The Dark Hunters have a certain book. This book contains knowledge that is far too important to fall into their hands, or worse, the Makuta. You will go and retrieve it, linking up with one of our spies on Odina."

Zaeron nodded. "Now, can you leave me to get my organs torn out in....peace?" She rolled her eyes and vanished. He did not return to the nightmare Serrakaan had in store for him, but instead saw black, and knew the surgeons were successful.

He awoke a few hours later, and the brushed the surgeons away. "Where are my weapons?" He said, getting straight to the point. "In the armory, except for your hidden blade, that we have here." One of the surgeons said and handed it to him.

Zaeron nodded his thanks and left the surgical room. He made it to the armory in a few minutes. he picked out his sword and knife and strapped them on. "So I see you took the mission." A slightly frosty voice said behind him. he turned and saw Sakila, looking slightly angry with him.

"Yes, why would I not?"

"Well you've just been tortured, attacked, and, not to mention, went through one of The Blood Summoner's nightmares." She said, as though it would change his mind. He shrugged.

"I still have my duty to perform. Whatever it is the Dark Hunters possess, they would probably use it to wreak havoc throughout the universe." Sakila grimaced. He noticed many of the marks the Makutas' torture had inflicted had already begun to fade, giving her a slightly less menacing look.

She sighed and left without a word. He felt as though he'd said something offensive, and had to explain himself. He shrugged off the feeling and left the armory. The only thing I really dislike about this duty is that I spend more time on bloody boats then landmass. He reflected as he walked down to the harbor.

He looked around, wondering who would transport him or who might have left him a boat. He saw no one, and was about to turn around to ask how he'd get to the island when he saw a familiar being walking up to him.

"Ah, hello Mersery. What can I do for you?" The Mersion had given him the weapon that he'd used to escape the clutches of Serrakaan, so he'd gladly do anything for the elder member.

"You can take this and use it. I heard you were leaving, so I hurried to find you. This will undoubtedly prove useful someday." Mersery handed him a small, thin knife. In fact, it was too small to wield.

"Forgive me, but was this designed for a smaller then average Matoran?" Zaeron asked. He could wield it easily with his thumb and his finger. Mersery chuckled.

"May I see your bracer?" Though Zaeron hated parting with it, he knew he could trust Mersery with it any time. He took it off and handed it to him. Mersery fit the small blade onto the original blade, just underneath it.

He handed it back to Zaeron. "It will extend with the original blade and, if you have it activated, will deliver a lethal injection of poison." Zaeron nodded appreciatively. "How do I activate it?" He asked.

"Stab someone. You will have to take it off when you don't want to use it." The Mersion said simply. "Oh! I almost forgot, you won't be going by boat. Take this." He reached back and pulled out a small, trigger like piece of machinery. "Press it and you'll be taken to your mission area and then evacuated when you're done. Or, it will take you to the next island you need to visit."

Zaeron nodded, knowing it would be useful. "Thank you, Mersery." He said. The Mersion smiled and the two knocked fists, as though they were Toa. Mersery left, and Zaeron pulled the trigger. A flash of bright, yellow light filled his vision, and then everything was gone.

Land of Pain
Zaeron found himself in on top of a mountain. Strong gusts of wind nearly flung him off and to his death, but he kept his footing and began to make his way down the mountain. When he'd made it down, he put the poison blade onto the hidden blade, in case he needed to avoid conflict.

Luckily for him, he'd teleported to right side of the island, so the base wasn't far. Unfortunately, several sentries could be seen, and Zaeron didn't fancy getting into a fight with any of them. He looked for a way in and saw that the sentries moved in a continuous pattern, and that he'd have about fifteen seconds to slip behind them before they turned around.

It was quite easy to do. The sentries were either incompetent or run ragged. Either way, he doubted that their leader would let them live if he was discovered. Several buildings dotted the island, and he could see a pair of Dark Hunters sparring outside one of them. He paused to watch. One of them was wielding a mace and a large shield, the other had a set of claw like weapons strapped to their arms. The one with the mace appeared to be getting the worse of the duel. He began swinging desperately, trying to strike his opponent down. It was a vain effort, as the other was simply too quick.

They ducked under one of the strikes and stabbed forward, their claws, to Zaeron surprise, stabbed into their target's chest. The mace-wielder collapsed, still alive. The clawed one lunged down and plunged their blades into his throat and then, into the ground. At that moment, Zaeron realized it was a she. She pulled the blades out and wiped them off on the corpse's armor.

"Enjoying yourself?" A rather cold voice said behind him. Before Zaeron could react, a hand clamped over his mouth and a sword at his throat. "If you want to live, stay quiet and follow me." The voice said and the hand released him. Zaeron turned and saw a toa, clad in red and black armor and wearing an annoyed expression, gesturing at him to follow. He did so and they soon found themselves inside a cave.

"I had hoped you would be just a little more discreet in getting here." The Toa said.

"I'm going to guess you're the spy."

"Indeed. Helryx said you were the best at what you do. Clearly, it's not sneaking in and out of places." Zaeron put on a look of false innocence.

"Oh please, teach me oh high and mighty one." He said in a high, pompous voice. Instead of responding, the being held out a sheet of paper. "The tome you are here for, Zaeron," He bridled at the being knowing his name "is located inside the Shadowed One's throne room. His fortress is full of traps and false ends. this map will get you there safely." Zaeron nodded, warming up to the being despite himself. Whatever the Dark Hunter's way was, he was certain they were not merciful. The being was risking death or worse to aid him.

He nodded and took the map. "What's your name?" He asked. "Shadowplayer." He answered gruffly. Zaeron knew it was a Dark hunter code name, but wasn't about to break the habit by asking for his real name. He considered, then asked a second question. "Why did she kill him?"

"There is no mock combat on Odina. It's life as a useful, strong, hunter, or death." Shadowplayer said. "Speaking of which, that brings me to the second part of your mission. The Hunter you saw victorious earlier, she was caught by the Order on a mission. Instead of killing her, as they should have, they allowed her to do what she could to undermine the Dark Hunters." He paused, as though Zaeron wouldn't have followed that.

"Problem is, The Shadowed one found out. Now he sends hunters daily to kill her. She was victorious today, but he's been getting angry at the loss of his soldiers. He'll probably end up dealing with her himself, or worse, send Sentrakh." Zaeron didn't know who that was, but guessed it would have been bad.

"You need to evac her off the island and get her to Daxia." Shadowplayer finished. Zaeron nodded and left the cave. He moved towards the main fortress, trying to avoid being seen by anyone. he knew Shadowplayer was a spy for the order, but it still annoyed him that he had picked Zaeron out so easily. It took him a fair bit longer to get to the fortress then normal, but he was physically trying to be more discreet, so it took longer.

After an hour or two, he made it to the gates of the main fortress. Two guards stood outside, one looking tense and holding a spear, the other looked rather relaxed, and was clutching a knife. Zaeron could see no way in without alerting them, so he readied the poison blade. He rushed forward, moving too fast for they to call an alarm. In an instant, he'd slashed the poison blade across the arm of the spear wielder, and had slashed the other through the throat. The first turned gray, his eyes widening, and he dropped dead in seconds.

Zaeron glanced approvingly at the poison blade. He looked at the walls of the fortress. His eyes began to plot a route up and he soon saw a way up to an open window he could slip through. He scaled the wall in a few minutes. At one point, his fingers slipped and he dropped a few feet before grabbing onto another handhold. Once he'd made it through the window, He glanced at the map, and learned that there was a pressure pad-like trap a few feet to the right of the door out of the room. Unfortunately, that was the way to the throne room.

He poked his head out the door, checking to be sure there were no hunters patrolling the corridor. When he saw none, he stepped out and looked on to try and find the trap. After a few moments of observation, he could see a faintly darker floor color that went a few feet. That must be the trap. He thought. He took a few steps back and flung himself into a running leap. He landed clear of the trap, so he checked his map again. He began a continuous cycle of avoiding traps and then continuing on. It took several hours to find his way to the throne room, which, to his surprise, was deserted.

''Trap. Definitely a trap.'' He thought. Nonetheless, what he was seeking was supposedly in this room, so he was obliged to search it thoroughly. He walked a few feet in and looked around, searching for any sign of the book in the room.

"Well, assassin, I'm surprised you have made it this far." Zaeron whirled around, checking behind him. No one was there. He glanced around, then remembered one of Miolhin's first teachings. ''Always look up. It's the direction most people forget to look.'' He grabbed his sword and looked upwards. Indeed, there was a being up there. Two orange orbs, glittering like water in the moonlight, looked down on him. Not far away from it, a pair of similar, red orbs shone. These were more menacing and watchful.

The first pair were revealed to be eyes, as a titan of a being jumped down from the ceiling. He wielded a staff that was pointed at Zaeron, so it was obvious he intended to use it. Zaeron fell into a crouch, ready to dodge a blow or blast. The being laughed, a sadistic, menacing sound. "It's a shame you've come here to kill me, else I would have use of your talents of stealth." Zaeron looked upward briefly, looking to see if the other set of eyes were still there. They were, but they were not watching him. They were watching his adversary.

He returned his gaze to the titan of a being, and decided to play along. "Why don't you just be done with it, then? As I've clearly failed, why not kill me?"

The being laughed again. "I believe you would be a considerable waste of my considerable talents, assassin. He flicked his wrist and Zaeron heard footsteps behind him. He circled over so that he could confront both beings. To his immense dismay, the second being who'd entered the room was the Dark Hunter he'd witnessed as the victor earlier. She was also the one he was supposed to liberate from Dark Hunter service.

She was either a good actress or really wanted to kill him, as she lunged forward without hesitation. He brought his sword up and blocked both of the oncoming claws. Wordlessly, she struck again and again, aiming to kill, but Zaeron could easily block her attacks. Eventually, he found himself in a grapple with her. "Catch." She whispered. She dropped a pair of small metal balls into his hand. He guessed they were bombs. She jumped back and Zaeron flung one of them up into the ceiling, at the pair of scarlet eyes, and the other at the Shadowed One.

Both bombs erupted into smoke, blinding both beings. "Come on." His former opponent said and they slipped out of the room. As the two moved out she took him along a path that was not the way he came.

"They'll be on high alert now, there's a secret passage down in the dungeons that we can use to escape. It comes out atop one of the mountains." She said seriously. Zaeron nodded, and the two crept down into the dungeons, avoiding the eyes of many guards on alert for them. Zaeron felt as though his heart stone would explode each time he saw a Dark Hunter. Yet each time, they successfully remained unseen.

After what were hours that felt like days, the two were in the dungeons. "Where's the main passage?" Zaeron hissed to his companion. "On the other end of the dungeons, very deep down. There will be plenty of opposition if we are seen, so keep quiet." She whispered back. He nodded, and the two continued. The dungeons proved to be a dark, dismal place. Were it not for his own powers over darkness, he wouldn't be able to see a thing. In fact, it was miraculous his companion was able to see anything at all as well.

She must have memorized the path beforehand. He thought. Suddenly, a piercing scream of horror sounded throughout the dungeons, magnified by the underground ceiling and walls. Through the darkness, Zaeron could see a lone Matoran, sprinting for the exit. He was bleeding badly from his side, and was being chased by a lone warrior Zaeron couldn't identify. The Dark Hunter soon overtook the Matoran, and lifted him up with a single hand.

"Release me!" The Matoran begged. The Hunter's cold, bright blue eyes betrayed no emotion. "As you wish." He said simply and flung the Matoran across the room and headlong into a wall. A resounding crack as well as a crash shattered the now semi-silence, awakening many prisoners, who were now screaming profanities at the Hunter. The Hunter turned at them and spoke in a low, loud, and commanding voice that oozed authority.

"Any who does as he will meet the same fate. Anyone else wish to join him?" When no one spoke he turned around and began patrolling the dungeons. Zaeron began to move off course, when his companion grabbed his arm, stopping him. "Don't even think about it. We can't afford delay."

Zaeron pulled away from her. "I won't just let this being display such evil. Without paying for it." To him, any being who could slaughter an innocent being of any kind with such malice was evil, incurably, and beyond redemption evil. He slipped away from his frustrated partner, and began slinking from shadow to shadow, avoiding sight. Just as he was about to plunge his hidden blade into his target's skull, a voice rang out, stopping him.

"Warden! I must speak with you!" A female voice said. Zaeron turned to where it was coming from and saw a tall, frightening Dark Hunter holding a pair of daggers. "What is it, Lariska?" Warden said gruffly.

"Two beings loose in the fortress, one is an assassin, who recently failed to kill The Shadowed One. The other is Seductress, who has turned traitor and allied herself with him." Warden's expression did not falter and he said in the same, cold voice; "I will alert at once should they be sighted." Lariska nodded and swept from the dungeons. Warden turned around, his eyes now alert and wary.

Zaeron waited for him to pass, the reached out with one hand and stabbed into his heart stone with his hidden blade. Warden's eyes glazed over and rolled back into his head. Zaeron closed his eyes and returned to his companion, who looked impressed.

"Well done. May we leave now?"

"Yes." Thought it pained him to admit it, releasing the prisoners would either sentence them to a painful death, or get him and his partner killed. Quite probably both. The two resumed their slinking through the darkness, aimed for finding he way out. As the went along, Zaeron witnessed several different atrocities it killed him to not stop.

A Dark Hunter could be seen using whips on uncooperative prisoners. With a jolt, Zaeron realized the whip had a thin, razor sharp blade on the end, so it cut deeply into the prisoners, who let out screams of agony each time the whip cracked. At one point, the Dark Hunter misjudged where he was aiming, and the blade sunk itself into the temple of a Ga-Matoran. A few other prisoners looked horrified at her demise, while a few others simply ignored it, as though they were used to such sights.

Zaeron steeled himself against the horrifying sights, and continued to press onward. They soon reached the tunnel's entrance. "We're here. It'll be a two day walk through the tunnel, so we'll set up camp midway through." His companion said. He nodded. Seconds before he entered, a piercing, saddening scream sounded out. He turned, despite himself knowing what' he'd see.

A being he recognized as a female Vortixx kneeled on the ground tears streaming down her face. A male Skakdi sat next to her, looking equally emotional. In front of them stood a rahkshi. In it's left hand it held a small, tiny in fact, skeleton.

"There can be no mixing of the species. It is abomination." the Rahkshi said in it's mechanical voice. It swung it's staff in a deadly arc and beheaded the Vortixx. The Skakdi gave a roar of rage and flung itself at the Rahkshi. It was a vain effort, and he too met an untimely death.

Zaeron couldn't stop himself. he started forward, fury rising quickly inside him. Moments before he stepped out of the shadow, his companion wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him back. "I know. I know." She whispered, her voice filled with emotion. He pulled back, the red haze of his fury hardly fading. He'd seen well enough of the pain that the Brotherhood of Makuta had caused, now he saw that the Dark Hunters were equally evil.

He forced himself to go back and into the tunnel. Once his rage had cleared, but not subsided, he saw that his companion was trying to hide her own feelings of the event. He decided not to mention it, in case he changed his mind and gone back. They walked through the tunnel for an amount of time he cared not to reflect upon.

Once they'd made it what he'd guessed to be midway through, they stopped and sat down. His companion didn't make an attempt to start any conversation, so he didn't either. Eventually, she said to him in that tired, over controlled voice that said she she was about to freak out; "I'm Maraina."

"Zaeron." He responded carefully, unsure of what to say, not knowing whether or not it would put him on her bad side. Luckily, however, she continued. "Zaeron, do you know what'll happen to me once we get to Daxia?" he considered for a moment.

"I'm unsure of that. I guess that you'll either be taken prisoner or have your memory erased, that is if you don't accept membership." She blinked. "I guess that means we'll be seeing each other often, because I do not wish to be a prisoner all my life." She said simply, and leaned up against the wall of the tunnel. It was a few moments before Zaeron realized she was asleep. He lay down, folded his hands on his chest and went to sleep as well.

What felt like a seven minute nap was actually six hours. When he awoke, he found Maraina awake, watching the tunnel the way they'd come. He noticed that her claws were put on, and then he noticed the dried blood on them. Then, he noticed the mangled dark hunter corpse next to her. "You should have told me about him." He said. "Then we could have left earlier."

She shrugged. "You looked like you needed about nine hours of sleep. Something told me this wasn't your first mission in a while." He was surprised at how close that was. He stood up and gestured for her to follow. He slipped on the pool of blood that blended in with the darkness. Eventually, he cursed himself and came to a stop.

"What is it?" Maraina asked. He remembered the teleporter Mersery had given him and pulled it out. He cursed himself again and held his hand out to Maraina. She took it and he pressed the button. Nothing happened. He swore again and released her hand. "It must need open sky to work." He said. When he saw Maraina's confused look, he explained what it was.

"Well, that gives us just one more reason to get out of this tunnel then." She said and the two continued. Silence reigned for quite a while, then Zaeron heard something that almost scared the life out of him. A couple voices sounded behind them.

Maraina swore. "They must have found the tunnel, hurry, we're almost there!" She whispered and accelerated, Zaeron following. a part of him wanted to turn around and make the Dark Hunters pay for the atrocities he'd seen the day previous, but he knew that he would end up dead or worse, captured again. The voices grew louder, then one of them yelled. Zaeron knew they must've found the body, and they broke out into an all out run.

An overwhelming sense of relief passed over him when he finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel. The feeling was followed by fear, as he could here the Dark Hunters behind them. Zaeron continued to go faster, but kept behind Maraina, who was slower. If the Dark Hunters caught up, he'd be the one to hold them off while she escaped.

Sooner then he'd expected, they burst out into the daylight. Not accustomed to the light after so much time in the dungeons and tunnel, the light blinded him temporarily. Once the feeling wore off, he grabbed Maraina's arm and pressed the button on the teleporter. They were suddenly surrounded by a bright yellowy light, but went nowhere.

Soon, Zaeron felt as though he'd lost weight. Then, he realized he was slowly dissipating into nothingness. It must be working. He thought, now feeling panicky. To his horror, two Dark Hunters burst out of the tunnel. One he did not know, the other, he recognized as Shadowplayer.

He looked down and saw himself disappearing. He looked up and into Shadowplayer's eyes, which gave him a hidden message of understanding. There was something else there, something that made him question the being's sanity. He looked at the other hunter, who looked confused. Maraina held up one hand and made an obscene hand gesture just before they teleported.

The Great Temple
Zaeron's legs jarred from the impact of reforming on Daxia. He released Maraina's hand and looked around. He could only see Sakila waiting to greet him. She walked up. Of all things, she certainly seemed healthier then usual. Nearly all the marks her torture had left upon her had faded, aside from her scar. "Well, I can see you were successful." Sakila said. her voice had changed as well, it seemed a little brighter then before. He nodded.

"And no torture involved." he said. To myself, anyway. He wouldn't soon forget the atrocities he'd witnessed in the dungeons of Odina. He pushed the memories away and tilted his head towards Maraina. "I've got to take her to Helryx for, well, her life's decision." Sakila nodded.

"If you're lucky, maybe you won't need to be gone again. It's incredibly dull for me. Just combat testing and mental stability examinations. You'd think they thought torture would leave me weakened!" She said indignantly. He nodded. he'd fought alongside her in combat, and knew such tests were pointless. He left the scene and walked Maraina to Helryx's chamber.

It was a very short meeting. Well, for him. The second he was in, Helryx asked him to leave. He took the opportunity to return to his quarters. He removed his sword from his back and placed it on the floor, along with his dagger. Customarily, he kept his hidden arsenal with him. He lay down on his bed and let out a long, tired sigh. Fifteen seconds later, he was asleep.

He slept well, not dreaming, pleasant or otherwise. When he awoke, he heard a light rapping on the door. Instantly alert, he stood up and readied his hidden blade for anything. It turned out to be Sakila, who looked extraordinarily disgruntled. "What is it?' he asked. She simply gave him an exasperated expression that told him everything. He'd been given yet another mission. He sighed.

"Where am I going now?" He asked. her expression softened slightly, though was still annoyed. "Metru-Nui. There is a mercenary financier who'll be visiting the Great Temple. Apparently, he wants to steal something inside to pay off one of his agents. We want him dead." She clearly meant that we meant Helryx. He nodded.

He turned to pick up his weapons when he noticed that it was still dark out. "Mata Nui, is there a reason I need to leave at the hour forsaken by any creator?" He asked. he wouldn't have minded a few extra hours of sleep.

Sakila grunted. He took that as an agreement. Another thought struck him. "Why am I not being told by Helryx? I thought my missions were to be of utmost secrecy."

"They are. As I know next to everything about you, that secret applies to me as well, bringing me in on things." He wasn't sure how that worked, but was rather pleased about a friendly being helping him. He grabbed his weapons and stepped out where sky could be seen. He was quite glad that he had the teleport Mersery had given him.

Not sure what to say, he simply nodded at Sakila and pressed the button. The familiar vanishing sensation took over, and soon, everything was gone.

He reformed on what appeared to be a shore. He glanced around, and saw that he was in Ga-Metru on Metru-Nui. A few loud gasps sounded behind him. He turned, careful to not instinctively draw a weapon. A group of six Ga-Matoran stood in front of him. Four turned and sprinted away, while the remaining two walked up to him. He swore in his head. ''What am I going to say? I can't expose my cover, clearly.''

"Toa?" One of them said timidly. Deciding to go with it, Zaeron nodded. Both Matoran burst out into broad grins. He crouched down, just so that he could get as far as he could to eye level. My name should be fine, it doesn't reveal a thing about the Order. "I'm Zaeron." he said. The Matoran hastily introduced themselves. "I'm Nokama, this is my student, Hahli."

He gave them a smile, trying to look reassuring. No turning back now. "Please, could you tell me where I might find the nearest Turaga. I daresay a Toa appearing would cause some fuss." both Matoran nodded and led him into the city. He'd never seen such a place. There were buildings everywhere. He didn't have much time to take in the many sights, as Nokama and Hahli led him through the district at a very fast pace.

It didn't take long for quite a large crowd to gather around and follow him. Soon after that, a Turaga of Fire, who he guessed led the city, approached him, accompanied by a squad of mechanical beings he'd never seen before.

"Greetings, Toa. I am Turaga Dume." Zaeron inclined his head slightly. "I'm Zaeron. With all due respect, wise one, I think it may be best if we could speak in private."

"Certainly. Come with me, I think may chambers will suffice." Zaeron followed Dume and his squad of bodyguards, across the district and then into an incredibly tall building. "Welcome to the Coliseum, Toa." Dume said in a pride-filled voice.

"It's quite impressive." Zaeron said. Of course, it was an understatement, as the building was at least seven hundred of him standing on top of one another. It wasn't long before Zaeron and Dume stood in his chambers, overlooking a sporting arena.

"Now then, Toa, why have you come to our city?" Zaeron thought fast, making up a convincing lie. "I'm looking over the islands of our universe, I wish to do what I can to help keep the peace."

"Would you not have a team to aid you?"

"No, I prefer to work alone. It prevents me from doing something incredibly stupid. Like not doing my job to save someone." He thought an immense deal less of himself for saying it, but a lie was a lie.

Dume paused for a moment. "Well, I suppose you could tour the island tomorrow. Undoubtedly the Toa Team here would like to meet you. The Matoran would have heard all about your arrival by now, so they'd wish to see you as well." Not seeing any way out of the situation, Zaeron inclined his head again.

"Where can I find lodgings, wise one?"

"There's an empty house in Ta-Metru, would that be acceptable?"

"Yes, thank you Turaga. I'll find my own way, if that's alright." Dume nodded and Zaeron walked out. He soon found himself surrounded by Matoran, all of which eager to greet him. They pestered him with questions about his adventures. The adoring tone of voice many of them asked in rather disturbed him, he wasn't used to such attention. After telling many false tales of heroics and grandiose stories, they finally left, at the urging of a pair of the robotic beings.

Deciding to avoid another crowd, he clambered up onto a roof and ran into the Ta-Metru district. The red buildings and streets made it difficult to see any inhabitants. Fortunately, many were moving, which decreased the difficulty. On one occasion, he overheard a conversation in an alley.

"So, he thinks he can top us?"

"As if, he's such a cross-wired idiot that every mask he makes would shatter from a poke."

"Guys, leave me alone, if the Vahki see this we'll all be in trouble."

"That's why we won't let them see this." A loud thwack filled the air and made Zaeron stop. He looked down and saw two Ta Matoran harassing a third, hidden by a large garbage bin. One of the two punched his victim in the face, sending him sprawling to the ground.

Deciding he'd seen enough, Zaeron stood so that he cast a shadow over the Matoran. The two harassers noticed and looked up, confused, their expression turned to one of shock, and Zaeron jumped down from the roof, landing between them and their victim.

"If I were you, I'd turn around and re-think your lives. Toa can be much more....punishing then Vahki when they want to be." he guessed the Vahki were the robotic beings he'd seen earlier. Both Matoran stammered apologies and ran off. Zaeron turned to the third, who was pulling himself up. Zaeron crouched down.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes. Many thanks, Toa."

"Please, call me Zaeron."

"Thank you Zaeron, I am Vakama."

"Why were they harassing you?"

Vakama snorted. "Someone seems to have told them that I boast of being the best mask-maker on the island. I guess they take things personally." Zaeron nodded slowly. "Did you brag about it?'

"Of course not!"

"Then tell them you'll go to the Toa if they don't leave you alone."

Vakama smiled. "Well, after the show you just gave them I don't think they will be back." Zaeron smiled back, said goodbye, and left. It felt good to have done something right aside from kill beings. He decided. He soon found the abandoned house and fit himself in inside. It was a ruse, of course, he would have to head over to the great temple after dark. He was glad no more Matoran came to see him, because that would give him trouble leaving.

The second it was dark enough to blend in, he stepped out of the house and slowly began making his way to Ga-Metru. The trip was a few hours longer then he'd have liked, for he continually had to avoid Vahki patrols. Once he could see the temple, he climbed up a roof and moved towards it by roof.

The Majesty of the building was awing. He instantly knew why it was called The Great Temple. It wasn't anywhere near as large as The Coliseum, but in a way, it was greater. He tore his eyes from the building and looked at the platform it stood upon. A large group of Vahki stood guarding it. He'd have a job getting in. Suddenly, he noticed something in the corner of his eye. He glanced to the side and saw two beings. One was small, frail, and looked somewhat nervous. His companion was larger, winged, and was armed to the teeth.

Zaeron carefully watched the two beings. He was almost certain one of them was his target, but needed to make sure. Moments before the pair turned a corner that would bring within eyeshot of the Vahki, when the larger one slammed the smaller into the wall of a building.

"You'd better hope that what you're promising me is in there is there, otherwise, I'm going to tear out your organs and feed them to some random, unsuspecting group of Matoran that thinks it's fruit." He snarled. So the small one is the financier, the big guy is the one he needs to pay, hopefully I can take both out. Zaeron considered jumping down on them, but the noise of armor crashing against armor would undoubtedly draw attention. Instead, he watched as the two beings walked out into plain view of the Vahki.

A lone walked forward, looking as though he was telling them off for being someplace they shouldn't. Before Zaeron could blink, the large one drew a long, threatening looking sword and cut the Vahki's head off. The other mechanical beings charged the two beings, only to each be cut down. Soon, the squad guarding The Great Temple lay in a mess of wire and strewn body parts. Zaeron, despite himself, was impressed at the being's swordplay, though wondered why he'd bothered, given the plasma launcher at his side.

Perhaps he doesn't wish to draw attention, and a plasma blast would create a noise like no other. Zaeron hopped down from the roof and slowly walked towards the Temple, watching the two beings. Once he was inside, he noticed rafters in the ceiling, and was standing among them in seconds. He carefully eyed his two targets. The small one began rummaging around in a drawer. Feeling the small one was defiling the temple, Zaeron slowly clambered down, ready for a fight.

"Skorr, I'm sorry, it's just not here."

"Unfortunate, I suppose. Pity, you'd payed so well until now." There was a flash of silver and scarlet and the small being collapsed, clutching his chest. Skorr stabbed his sword downward into the beings gut and drew it up to his throat. Blood fountained out, covering the floors with a pool of blood. Zaeron paused before stepping out. He could just let Skorr leave, and dispose of his target's body. No, that wouldn't do, Skorr was a loose end if he knew of Zaeron's presence. He'd have to kill him. He sucked in a deep breath, calming himself. Then, he stepped out face Skorr.

Skorr looked up from the body and saw him approaching. "You're either very brave or extraordinarily foolish, interrupting me, Toa." Zaeron hid a smile. He must have really passed for a Toa.

"Perhaps I'm simply unaware of what would make you so dangerous." He said. Skorr snorted. "Just the most dangerous being you'll ever face." Once again, Zaeron his a smile. His opponent could not have been more wrong. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but is your name not Skorr?" The Bounty Hunter's face betrayed no sign of shock. Zaeron slowly, deliberately, pulled his hand back and drew his sword. Skorr noticed this movement and began to circle Zaeron.

Zaeron let him, hoping he'd betray a movement that might reveal how he fought. Instead, Skorr simply walked in circles, as though he were watching his movements as well. "How much did he owe you?" Zaeron said, gesturing to the corpse. "Whatever I said I wanted."

"I'll assume that he missed pay-day." Skorr didn't respond. Zaeron raised his sword so that it pointed the bounty hunter. "I suppose you guessed I wouldn't let you walk out free." Skorr stopped, then he lunged, aiming to behead Zaeron.

Zaeron, who had been standing up straight, wasn't able to perform any fancy dodge. Instead, he simply leaned back, falling backwards. he curled into a ball upon impact and rolled. In seconds, he was standing and was facing Skorr. Skorr lunged again. This time, Zaeron was ready and blocked the strike and countered. Skorr blocked and hopped back, swinging his sword so to keep Zaeron at bay.

Zaeron jumped forward, striking as he went. Skorr blocked and they continued their fight. The two swords flurried through the air faster then a first glance could trace. Unsuccessful in the venture of attempting to decapitate or cut down his foe, Zaeron tried a different tactic. He stabbed forward during one of the intervals between the sword strikes. Skorr evaded the attack and struck again. Deciding he'd have to end it quickly, Zaeron withdrew his hidden blade and stabbed at Skorr's left right eye. Skorr grabbed Zaeron's arm at the last second, the blade stopping millimeters from his face.

Skorr swung his sword so that Zaeron's was pushed away, then pressed a button on his wrist. Zaeron lost all sense of where he was, and was suddenly dropping through space. He soon realized Skorr had used a teleporter, and that they were plummeting through the sky, falling towards the streets of Metru-Nui. Thinking quickly, Zaeron grabbed hold of Skorr's arm and stabbed with the hidden blade, using all his strength.

Skorr hissed with pain. Zaeron pulled himself up so that he'd be level with the bounty hunter's ear. "If I die, I'm bringing you with me!" He yelled over the wind. Skorr, realizing his predicament, flapped his wings twice, and they began aiming for a long, tube like object, one of many that ran through the city. Does he have a death wish!? Zaeron thought. Instead of death, they passed into the tube and began flying through the city. Skorr pushed Zaeron away and began to accelerate through the tube. Zaeron noticed a large crate, grabbed hold of it, and he too, began to accelerate with it.

Skorr turned around, he growled at the sight of the persistent Toa still pursuing him. He needed to get out of the chute, as the wound the Toa had inflicted was causing a steady yet thin stream of blood to fountain out. If he continued inside the chute, he would succumb to blood loss. He aimed himself down and flew out the bottom of the chute, causing a gaping hole to appear. Yet still, Zaeron followed and jumped through it, grabbing hold of Skorr's leg as he went.

Skorr cursed angrily. Toa were determined, but this one was on the verge of insanity. Deciding it was time to finish things, he flew down onto a green rooftop. Zaeron jumped away before the landing, and bounced off a few wires that filled the skyline. Both beings took a quick glance around to determine where they were. They had landed in Le-Metru. By now, the sun had risen slightly and a few early bird Matoran had awaken. Skorr drew his plasma launcher and shot it at Zaeron. Zaeron sidestepped it and the blast opened a gaping hole in the building next to them.

Skorr put the weapon away and they drew their swords, as though the plasma blast was a customary ritual that preceded their actual fight. Zaeron charged first, faking a stab motion then slashing at Skorr's leg. Anticipating the attack, Skorr jumped back at the last second, avoiding death just in time. Skorr then attacked and their blades met in a flurry of motion. Skorr kicked out at Zaeron and the latter stumbled back. Skorr continued to attack Zaeron furiously, fully intending on killing his opponent. Zaeron brought up his sword a fraction of a second too late. Skorr's sword slashed down his side, drawing blood. Zaeron cried out in pain as Skorr raised his weapon again, this time moving to remove his foe's head. Suddenly, a blast of fire struck the bounty hunter, sending him reeling. Zaeron looked up and saw a Toa of Fire standing on the far side of the roof, his swords flaming. Skorr wasn't finished, and attacked the new Toa.

The Toa was clearly skilled in combat, but not enough to defeat Skorr. Sensing Skorr was about to kill the Toa, Zaeron pulled himself up and, ignoring the searing pain in his side, lunged at the bounty hunter. He tackled Skorr with all of his strength, and both beings tumbled off the roof and to the ground below.

The Tour
Zaeron jolted awake. He glanced around and saw he was in an infirmary of sorts. A Ga-Matoran ran up to him. "Your awake! Goodness, we were so worried! Are you alright?" Zaeron answered her question by getting up and stretching. "Well, it is good you are alright, Toa Zaeron." A voice said from the door. He saw Dume, flanked by a pair of Vahki bodyguards, was entering the room.

"What happened to the bounty hunter?" Zaeron asked. Dume hesitated before answering. "He escaped after you were knocked unconscious by the fall. I'm sorry." Zaeron swore in his head. He wished he could have found a way to kill Skorr, and then make it look like a suicide. ''Can't do anything about it now. Oh well.''

"If you are feeling up to it, Toa, I'm prepared to give you a tour of Metru-Nui." Dume said hopefully. Can't back out of it. Zaeron thought. He nodded. "Excellent. I'll be ready in seven minutes." Dume left the room. Zaeron turned to the Matoran. "Thank you for treating me. Would you happen to know where my tools are?" The Matoran nodded and took him into another room where his weapons lay. He sheathed his sword and dagger. It was only then that he realized that they'd left his left gauntlet on. He was thankful for that, as his hidden blade, gun, and poison blade were attached.

He walked out to meet Turaga Dume, who was protected by his typical group of Vahki bodyguards. Dume welcomed him at they began a slow walk through the Ga-Metru district, Dume going out of his way to point out the finer landmarks in the district. Zaeron did his best to make a mental map of the district, but it was so large it was difficult to keep track of the street names, let alone the entire district. The next district they visited was Po-Metru.

Zaeron was surprised at how busy it was. Carvers could be seen working away at projects. Many of which Zaeron could never have dreamed of attempting. He could see that many had great things ahead of them. As they were about to leave the district when loud hiss filled the air. Before any of them had a chance to react, a Rahkshi sprang from the ground and charged the group. The Vahki raised their stun staffs, ready for a battle. Zaeron drew his own weapon and attacked before the squad of Vahki could do anything.

The mechanical head flew through the air and landed with a loud clang a few meters away. Zaeron turned to the Vahki. "Do something about the Kraata." Two moved over to do so. Dume clapped briefly. "Marvelously done, Toa." He said simply. Zaeron nodded and they left the district. The next Metru was Onu-Metru. Zaeron soon found himself bored into insanity by endless facts about the archives and even more about the Rahi that inhabited the island. After several hours of touring the underground depths, they moved on.

Ko-Metru, which was the district the entered next, proved to be nearly as boring to hear about as Onu-Metru. The constant talk of constellations and the study of them almost made him run off to explore on his own. ''Still, this information could prove useful later. Suck it up and listen.'' He told himself. Despite the boring information, the towers of Ko-Metru were stunning to look at. The afternoon sunlight glistened off their peaks, like rays of light were dancing around the sky, taking breaks atop the towers.

Zaeron found Le-Metru to be the most chaotic of all the districts. More then once he had to swerve sharply to avoid the rushing vehicles. Many of the strange tubes that he'd fought Skorr inside were filling the sky, making it quite shady in certain areas. "The chutes are the main mode of transportation in Metru-Nui. They're run from this district." Dume informed him. Zaeron guessed chutes were the sky filled tubes.

The concluded the tour with a shorter showing of Ta-Metru. Zaeron already knew most of the streets, so Dume showed him the forges of Ta-Metru. Most of the forges were used for making Kanohi masks. He noticed Vakama, who was struggling to make a mask stay together as he forged it. Vakama looked up from his work and saw him. Zaeron did his best to give an encouraging smile. ''I need to work more on undercover work. I can't just be kill kill kill all the time.'' Zaeron thought.

They concluded the Tour with a return to the coliseum, where Dume introduced him to Kohli, a sport the Matoran played. Zaeron stood next to Dume, arms crossed, studying the game as it played out. Three teams played, Onu-Metru, Ta-Metru, and Le-Metru Matoran worked to get the ball while their teammate guarded their goal. It was only then that Zaeron noticed just how high up they were. The height was at least a kio above the arena.

Le-Metru won the game, much to the disgruntlement of the Ta-Matoran watching. Slowly, the crowds began to disperse. Now that this tour is over with, I'll break the news to Dume that I'll leave soon. Zaeron decided. He turned to Dume.

"Wise one, I believe you have your city well in hand. I will depart in a few days time, to continue my own missions." He said gently, hoping Dume wouldn't ask him to stay. Instead, Dume merely nodded. "I understand. Feel free to do as you please, Toa."

Something was off in that sentence. Zaeron could hear what sounded like relief in his voice. That didn't make any sense. Wouldn't he have wanted an extra protector on the island? Dume turned and walked away. Zaeron turned as well and departed. ''Three days. Then I will leave this island.'' He paused for a moment, then cursed himself. ''Idiot! Why didn't I think of the teleporter!''

Purdusai
"I'm sorry, Toa Zaeron, it was destroyed when you were wounded by the bounty hunter." The Ga-Matoran said. He'd returned to the hospital when he realized the device wasn't on him. Swallowing a curse at the back of his throat, he nodded, thanked the doctor, and left. ''This complicates things. I'll have to ask for a boat.'' He grimaced at the thought, then wandered aimlessly as he thought of how to return to Daxia.

''Best case scenario, they give me a boat and I find my way back without trouble. Worst case scenario, they don't give me a boat and I have to steal one.'' He began thinking of how he'd get away with that, then a rather annoying image of him having to swim back popped into his head. He groaned at the thought. He decided to visit one of the schools, maybe to find a map of the universe so he could estimate where Daxia was.

Of course, the island would not be on any maps, but maybe he'd be able to find an island nearby. His mind made up, he found one of the schools and entered. He was greeted by a flustered teacher. After greeting her he asked; "Do you maybe have any universe maps I can have a look at?" He hoped he wouldn't have to explain himself. Fortunately, he didn't and she took him to her classroom.

Many of the students gasped loudly as he entered. After the teacher restored order, she gave Zaeron a rolled up map. Zaeron thanked her and departed. He clambered up onto the roof, not caring if it would confuse anyone below. He unrolled the map and looked it over.

His knowledge of the ocean wasn't very good, but he was able to guess that if he made his way to the northern-most continent, and then hopped across a few islands, he wouldn't be far from Daxia. Curious, he looked at the other areas of the universe he may visit. He knew he had to stay well away from Zakaz, as the inhabitants were probably still looking for him.

As he checked the map over, he became conscious of a few students watching him below. He rolled the map up and looked down. Most of them scuttled away, seeming afraid, while one remained, still watching. ''She looks nervous. Mata Nui this is why I need to improve. My social skills are horrid. What kind of undercover assassin am I?'' He jumped down and landed a few feet from the Matoran, who remained where she was. He had to be impressed, as her counterparts had fled.

He knelt down and asked; "What's your name?"

"V-Vhisola." She stammered. "Well, Vhisola, do you think you could give this to your teacher, and tell her that I thank her for letting me borrow it." She nodded frantically and took it from him, then quickly ran off, clearly terrified. Either I'm intimidating or she's timid. he thought sadly. He walked off and found the nearest chute station. He rode around inside the chutes for the majority of the day, all the while making a more detailed mental map of the city. It's going to be a long three days. He thought grimly.

He turned out to be right, as there was next to nothing to do the entirety of those days. When he had completed them, he went to Turaga Dume to request a ship. "Certainly, Toa. Good luck on your travels." He provided Zaeron with a small ship, and directed him to a port in Ga-Metru.

A large crowd formed to watch him leave before he even got there. He sighed, wishing he didn't have to look into the throngs of adoring eyes again. It took him nigh on an hour to make his way through the crowd and onto the boat. He quickly cast off and turned to give one final wave. Cheers erupted as he smiled and waved to the crowd. ''Next time, I'll just avoid being seen by anyone. Then I won't have to go through that again.'' He decided.

Sailing on his own proved to be very dull. He saw nothing but water ahead of him, and after a while, behind him as well. He found himself almost wishing for a gang of Zyglak to attack him. he reprimanded himself for that, then focused determinedly sailing. It proved to be an extraordinarily long trip before the first island came into sight. At last, I can do something other then sailing this bloody boat. He docked quickly, and found himself alone.

He wandered up, curious of the island's inhabitants. A few matoran could be seen wandering the streets, but, unusually, they paid him no heed. He walked forward, now concerned. Normally, the arrival of a strange new being would have drawn much attention. As he moved forward, his keen hearing picked up movement behind him. He kept walking, though remained alert. It wasn't long before he could see the shadow of someone sneaking up behind him. The being was wielding a pair of swords, and was about Toa sized.

Zaeron waited for the being to move to knock him out, then he whirled around, grabbing his assailant's arm and twisting it behind his back. "You'll have to do much better then that." He whispered in his attacker's ear and kicked him to the ground. The being, who he identified as a Toa, looked up at him with angry, lime-green eyes. Zaeron shook his head. Then, he felt the cold touch of metal on the back of his neck.

"Drop your weapons, then slowly back away." A calm, female voice said. Zaeron sighed, then, moving faster then his new attacker would have expected, dropped into a ball on the ground and rolled backward, tripping her. Finishing the job, he snatched her weapon from her, a long, bladed staff. He planted his right foot on the male's chest and put the tip of the staff to the female's throat. "The elongated shaft makes it easier for an opponent to grab it." He said to her. "Hence the situation you're in."

With a clatter, a door opened behind him. Without stepping off the male, he turned, kept the blade at the female's throat, and faced his next obstacle. A group of about fifteen Matoran stood, each wielding a small spear. Zaeron quickly planned out his next move. He turned the female onto her front and planted his other foot on her back. He swung her bladed staff in a circle and knocked the weapons away from the Matoran, taking care not to injure any of them. They each stood baffled as their weapons clattered onto the street. He was about to get off the two, struggling Toa, when a loud, cold laugh rang out.

"Come now, we should show our guest some respect." Zaeron dropped the staff and jumped off the two Toa. he turned to face the voice. "Hello, traveler. I am Malok, the Makuta of this island." ''He's a makuta. Be wary.'' Zaeron thought cautiously. Zaeron inclined his head. "I am Zaeron, a traveling Toa. I'm merely moving from island to island helping in any way I can." He said, reluctantly returning to his old cover. He looked at the two Toa, who'd gotten to their feet, still wary of them.

"Well, aside from the overreaction, I believe our island is under control." The Makuta's voice rang a familiar bell in Zaeron's memory. He pushed it aside, ready to rethink it later. ''For now, play diplomatic. If he knows me, Mata Nui only knows what I'll have to do.''

"Well, with your permission, I would like to rest here for, say, two days?" The Makuta nodded. He was taller then Zaeron, and wore a mask covered in battle scars. he was donned in black, gray, and red armor. He was also winged, Zaeron observed. "I will have a room prepared at one of the inns." The Makuta said smartly and signaled for one of the Matoran to run off.

"Please, feel free to familiarize yourself with our island. Excuse me, I have other matters to attend to." He swept away, and soon the Matoran force left and returned to other tasks. The two Toa briefly stayed, looking conflicted, then the male departed and the female walked up to him.

"I'm Revenir. Sorry about the attack, we're not exactly used to visitors, especially ones like you."

"Well, as you can see, I'm perfectly alright, no need to apologize. You were simply doing your duty." He waited a beat, then asked "Why did your partner leave.?" She shrugged. "Not sure. I suppose he just doesn't like you." He could tell from her voice that she didn't believe that. He excused himself, and left to find a tower to climb. He needed a good vantage point.

He soon found a reasonably high tower to climb up. Once he was atop, he quickly scanned the streets of the island. A few Matoran could now be seen in the streets, but for the most part, they were deserted. Zaeron decided to stay on the tower, so that he could think of his next step.

If my memory is as good as I hope, there will be about two islands after this one, then I'm in sailing range of Daxia. He thought. Suddenly, he noticed movement in the corner of his eye. He slowly turned his head so that he could see what was happening.

A group of Matoran were shifting from shadow to shadow, clearly looking intent on remaining unnoticed. I suppose the only main perk of this cover is that no one knows my power over shadow. He reflected and watched them. Completely out of the blue, one of them whirled and slashed one of his companions across the throat. Through the shadows, Zaeron could see the killer was clutching a crude, hastily made knife. The victim dropped, vainly attempting to stanch the bleeding. Zaeron stood, about to jump down, when he halted.

''I know I can't save him. I'll follow them, see if they have any other colleagues.'' His pang went through his gut as he knew the Matoran was dead. He jumped down to a roof and rolled, partially to lessen the impact, and partially to fall into a lying down position, so that he couldn't be seen. When no words of panic or alert came from the other Matoran, he rose into a crouch and moved over to the edge of the roof. The Matoran began to continue through the streets. He followed, sometimes having to leap to another roof to keep an eye on them.

Eventually, they stopped near the port. By now, night had fallen, and most of the guards were either asleep or asleep on duty. They waited anxiously near the gate. From his vantage point (an adjacent roof) Zaeron could see another being, a taller being. At first glance, he may have passed for a Toa, but something about him simply radiated something a Toa would never give off. This being gave off a feeling of menace, and a feeling that he was in total control of the situation.

The Matoran noticed him now, and fell to their knees. "My lord, we have the bombs in place. We await your command." The being did not respond for several moments. When he spoke, his voice was unlike any noise Zaeron had ever heard before. It was low and melodious, sounding almost like singing. But at the same time, it was like a serpent's hiss.

"Detonate tomorrow at noon. Once that is done, meet me here. I will reward you for your service."

"Thank you m-"

"Not you." The being interrupted. With a practiced movement, He drew a pistol like weapon and fired it into the lead Matoran's head. The Matoran dropped like a stone. His companions stood, now panicking. What was to stop this being from killing them as well? Instead, the being pointed his weapon at one of the matoran and flipped it in his hand. Nervously, the Matoran took it. "He was of the belief he'd share my power. I do hope you do not make that mistake." The being said.

Zaeron was now able to see more of the being then before. He was clad in sleek, dark blue armor and was about Zaeron's height. To the assassin's frustration, he couldn't see the being's head, so to mark what he looked like. "Detonate at noon. Meet me here. Do not fail me." The being said in conclusion. Out of nowhere, he vanished. Zaeron cursed quietly. He was about to jump down when his foot slipped on a shingle. It fell to the streets, landing louder then he had expected. The group of Matoran looked up and saw him.

The one with the firearm fired once at him, but it was a pointless effort, as Zaeron was already jumping down upon them, his hidden blade extending as he flew through the air. He landed on one of the other one's who was drawing a dagger. The Matoran was unconscious. Zaeron didn't want to kill him, so he had landed in front of them and kicked out so that he could take prisoners. He whirled and kicked a second Matoran in the side, knocking the wind out of him.

He lashed out with his other leg and knocked a second Matoran unconscious with a kick to the face. He drew up to his full height and looked down on the remaining four. Two of them charged him. He quickly snapped his knee up and knocked out one while punching the other with his free hand. The final two took their daggers and, instead of attacking him, plunged them into their own chests.

Zaeron watched as they writhed in the death agony and grew still. He turned to the other ones and hefted them over each of his shoulders. He walked straight up to the nearest inn and asked one of the Matoran sitting outside.

"Where can I find your island leader?"

"Uh, up in the spire at the center of the city."

"Thank you." Zaeron turned and headed in that direction before the Matoran could ask any further questions. He walked up to the front door and knocked with his foot. He was answered by the male Toa from earlier that day.

"Why are you carrying four Matoran like that?" He asked, sounding hostile. "They were plotting to bomb the island. The bombs are planted, someone needs to interrogate them."

"In that case," The voice of Makuta Malok boomed. "I shall interrogate them." Zaeron felt the Makuta's presence behind him, and a twang of pity shot through him for the Matoran. It vanished the moment he remembered that there was a whole island of lives at stake. The Matoran began to float off of his shoulders and entered the spire, soon followed by Malok. The Toa closed the door.

Seven minutes later, he returned with Revenir, who was clutching her staff. "We'll handle it from here. Malok would like to speak with you." Zaeron grudgingly nodded. He hated the prospect of others going and risking their lives when he knew he could help. He entered the spire. He stood in a large, grand room that was lit by torches along each wall. There was a red carpet that led up a set of stairs, where Zaeron could see Malok. He walked up, though his body was telling him to leave immediately, he continued until he stood about eight feet away.

"I must thank you, Toa. You have saved my island's inhabitants." Malok began. "Do not worry yourself. Zlatrix and Revenir are certainly capable of stopping the bombs in time." Zaeron said nothing. Malok waited for a few moments, then continued. "I have a proposition for you, Zaeron."

"And that would be?" Zaeron said politely, but in a voice that said he wasn't interested. Particularly as he'd been tortured by Makuta on Destral. The Makuta, recognizing his tone, continued, but somewhat cautiously. "The two Toa are what we call Champions of Purdusai. The warriors that protect our island from the most grave threats. We need more for their order. Especially as the last one we who became one left the island." He paused. "You saved hundreds, no, thousands, of innocent lives. We could use that."

Zaeron shook his head. "Thank you, but I have my own mission. I would not be able to stay. In fact, I now intend to leave tomorrow." The Makuta looked crestfallen. "As you wish, Toa. But, as an honorific, we shall still call you one of our champions." He said, then vanished into thin air. Zaeron sighed, shook his head, and left the spire. He paced around outside, not wanting to leave until after he was sure there would be no detonations. In about four hours, he received his answer. Zlatrix and Revenir returned, looking exhausted.

"I certainly hope you were successful." Zaeron said. "Yes, there won't be any loss of life today." Zlatrix said. Zaeron nodded and swept past them, not wanting to stay on the island any longer. It was not out of dislike, more of fear of the Makuta. In thirty minutes, he had returned to his boat and was sailing away. He was at sea for about an hour when the engine went up in flames.

"Oh. Glorious." He said and swore, not caring no one was around to hear him. He went to the front of the ship and attempted to fan away the fire, but that did nothing but make it worse. It wasn't long before the ship was ablaze and he was in the water. He swam in the general direction of where the next island should have been, feeling somewhat murderous, when a gruff voice sounded.

"Need a hand?" He turned in the water and saw a boat and a hand coming down to pull him on. Too tired to refuse, he grabbed it and found himself pulled aboard. He looked at his rescuer and was surprised that he recognized him. "Well, Zaeron. Didn't expect to see you back here so soon!"

Invention Again
His rescuer was a Skakdi, a Skakdi that looked several times friendlier then any he'd met before. "Aren't you an Order member?"

"Indeed. I am Vaylance. What are you doing out here?"

"Trying to return. My teleporter was destroyed, so I needed to find a different way back."

"I see. Well, I'd be glad to help you return. I'm just going there myself, as a matter of fact."

"Thank you."

"It's no trouble. You'll just have to help me sail." Zaeron nodded and helped him. In a matter of hours, they had made it to Daxia. Zaeron thanked the Skakdi and headed up to Helryx's chambers, deciding it would take some time to explain himself, and wanting to get it over with. He pushed the door open and saw Helryx speaking with Mersery. They stopped in mid-conversation.

"Should I wait?" Zaeron asked. "No, please, sit down." Zaeron found a chair and did so. "What happened?" Helryx asked. "Mt teleporter was destroyed during a fight with a fearsome bounty hunter. My mission was successful, as well." Helryx paused for a moment.

"Well, Mersery, I think we no longer need to find a different user for your new device." Mersery nodded. Then he spoke to Zaeron. "Whenever you are ready, please meet me in the training area, I've got something for you." Zaeron nodded, then returned to his own quarters.

He stretched out on his bed and took a four hour nap. He awoke to the sound of someone knocking on his door. He stood and opened it. "If this happens again, I'm going t go with you." Sakila said, looking frustrated with him. He shrugged, not knowing how else to respond. "Well, I'm glad you're back, but we have an issue."

"I'm listening."

"There is a traitor in the Order. I really have no idea who, but somebody warned Malok of you're arrival."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

"Ok, thank you for the information. I'll be on the lookout." She nodded, started to leave, the paused, and said "I really am glad you're back." Then hurried away. Zaeron pondered her words for a few moments, then equipped his weapons, then went to his old training area.

He was almost certain he'd walked into the wrong place. The area was covered in ropes that spanned the air, giving things a strange look of a beige jungle. "Don't worry, it's only temporary." Mersery said, walking up to him. He was holding a curious hook like device. "My new invention, it should be able to give you the ability to use tight ropes," He gestured to the several tight ropes in the air. "as zip lines to help you travel throughout places."

Zaeron quickly scanned the area, then nodded. "When do I get to try it out?" He said. This new method of travel excited him. "Right now. May I?" Zaeron removed his hidden weapon gauntlet and handed it to Mersery, who fitted the device on. He handed back the gauntlet and Zaeron put it on. The hook extended off the bottom of his forearm. Zaeron could see himself using this new device in combat as well.

"Well, try it out, I need to know if it works." Zaeron nodded and climbed up to the roof of one of the Order buildings. He jumped from it and used the hook to catch one of the tight ropes. The end result was him speeding down the length of the rope. He grinned giddily as he went. When he reached the end of the rope, he unlatched himself and caught on another. He zipped down that one as well. About a half hour later, he jumped down and landed in front of Mersery.

"Well done! I'm thinking that you'll think of several ways to use this!" Mersery said. Zaeron, still grinning, nodded. "I already am." He thanked Mersery and decided to needed to eat something. He headed to the mess hall and quickly ate a large platter of fish. He headed to the training area afterwards and practiced for a little, before a voice interrupted him.

"Mind if I join you?" He turned and saw Sakila standing in the entrance. This was the first time he'd really seen how she'd changed since he'd left for Metru-Nui. Her wounds from torture on Destral had vanished completely, and she now possessed a certain radiance that simply filled the area she stood. "Not at all." He said. She walked up to him, and he saw that she was clutching a pair of black short swords. They reminded him slightly of his first weapon, the sword that his-no, their- old mentor had broken in his final stand.

"Actually, I wanted to show you something, for future reference." She said and stood in front of him, twirling her blades. "And that would be?"

"Hit me."

"What?"

"Attack me with your sword."

"Why?"

"Because if you don't, this tip may not save your life in the field." He nodded slight and raised his sword to strike with an over hand blow. He was surprised when he saw that his blade was stopped dead, halted by Sakila's crossed swords. "The crossing makes the blades support each other. It'll block any sword strike, but don't bother against a spearman or an axe-man.

He nodded. "I'll keep that in mind." They spent the next few hours practicing and sparring. Miolhin had trained her well. She could defend against his tactics as easily as he could hers. However, it soon became obvious that she had not trained with Miolhin for as long as he had, as he began to gain the upper hand. "Enough!" She said, and he stopped in mid-swing.

"It's been awhile since I sparred with someone of equal skill." She said with a smile. "Likewise. A shame our old teacher couldn't have trained any more of us." She nodded. After a few moments of silence, she spoke again. "Well, let's hope that no other mission pops up again any time soon. I'd like to do this again."

"So would I." He said. She smiled once again, though there was something in it that unnerved him slightly. He was about to speak when they were interrupted. "I'm sorry to have to interrupt, but Zaeron, Helryx would like to speak with you." Said the voice of Famiiya. Zaeron groaned and waved her away. "Well, when I get back we'll do this again." He said to a disgruntled Sakila.

"Yes, we will. Now go and get this new assignment over with." He swept the the area, feeling slightly annoyed. He found Helryx's chambers. "Zaeron, I'm sorry to give you a new mission so soon, but you're the only one I trust with it." She said as he walked in. His interest was piqued. "Go on."

"A few of our operatives went missing a few days ago on this island." She said and passed him a map. It was a small island named Melad. "You need to quickly infiltrate and rescue them."

"Alright, I'll leave immediately."

"Wait, I've arranged a new transport. You'll go in via an aircraft. Once you're within a kio of the island, you'll jump into the sea and swim to shore."

"Alright. Where can I find the transport?" She signaled someone behind him and a Toa clad in white and blue armor entered. "I'm Onika. I'll be your pilot and evac." He said. Zaeron nodded. "Let's go." He followed the new Toa to just outside the base, where a considerably small aircraft lay. "This is it?"

"Yes. It's meant for stealth, so we shouldn't be noticed." He opened it and revealed a two-person cockpit. Zaeron sat in the seat that clearly didn't belong to the pilot. Onika jumped into the pilot's seat and they were in the air thirty seconds later. Zaeron flicked the hidden blade in and out to test the movement, so he could be sure it wouldn't fail him. Onika noticed. "Clever tool." he said. Zaeron nodded. "Useful too."

"I'll bet." They didn't speak again until Zaeron noticed Onika was beginning a descent. "We're close?"

"Yes."

"How will I jump out?" Zaeron had pictured a large aircraft with an opening door in the back. Onika grabbed a lever. "Good luck." Before Zaeron could say anything else, Onika had pulled the lever and he was tumbling out of the aircraft and into thin air. He swore, but the wind blew the curse back down his throat. He could see the ocean fast approaching, and he angled himself into a diving position. Mere seconds later, he plunged into the water like a murderer's knife into a victim. The land dazed him, and for a moment he thought he was dead.

''Idiot. Clearly you're not. You're drowning." He thought and swam up to the surface. It only took him five minutes to get to the shore of the island, as the adrenaline of the fall heightened his strength incredibly. Once he was ashore, it occurred to him that he had no idea what Order members he was looking for. Even as he was thinking about it, a thud sounded several meters beside him. He looked and saw a large tube like object embedded in the sand. He walked over and tapped in a couple of times. It opened, and a note popped out. ''

''Zaeron, the Order members you're looking for are two Toa, Jareroden and Galika. They were sent here to investigate a few disappearances of other members on this island. One is a Toa of water, and the other is a Toa of both Iron and Magentism. Don't ask. When you've found them, come back and hit the red button on the canister, that's my signal to come back.''

Onika

P.S Sorry I didn't tell you this inside the aircraft.

Zaeron looked at the island in front of him. It had nearly no vegetation. Only a few plants with spikes poking off it. He groaned and began to walk forward, into the dead looking island before him. He quickly lost track of time as he walked. I have to come across a settlement sooner or later. He thought grimly, though none were in sight. After what felt like hours, he sat down on a rock to rest. He could have sworn he was hearing voices all around him. The heat must be driving me insane. He thought, for indeed, it was scorching hot.

He leaned back, using his hands to support himself. One of his hands pushed down on something, and the rock's mass vanished beneath him. He fell through it, and saw that he was falling down a large, black tunnel. Eventually he landed on something hard, and he groaned as he pulled himself up, and then again, when he saw that the wrong end of a spear was pointed at his face.

"Looks like another one fell through, boss." The spearman (who appeared to be a male Vortixx) said to his counterpart, who considered the question. "I like the looks of this one. Maybe we can recruit him. Or, if he fails us, we'll throw him in the arena. I think our champion would make short work of him." The spearman removed the point from Zaeron's face and held out his hand. Deciding to play along, Zaeron took it, and the Vortixx helped him up.

"Greetings, newcomer." The other being said. He was tall, had jet black armor, and had a voice that sounded like a pair of swords scraping against one another. But there was something odd about this being, oddly familiar. "I see you've found our little hideout. I'll get straight to the point." Zaeron would have taken this being for a bureaucrat of some kind, were it not for the massive long sword at the being's right hip. "You work for me as part of my security force. Or-" He grabbed Zaeron bodily and took him down another tunnel, where he held Zaeron so that he could specifically see a pair of warriors circling a third. "I throw you in there." The being finished.

The two circling warriors quickly attacked the one in the middle. The third, which appeared to be a Toa, ducked to the side and made one of them, who was clutching a trident, impale the other. The Toa, which Zaeron could now see was a Toa of water, swiftly dropped her opponent. "So, choose. Live for me, or die for them." The being said and pointed again, this time to a crowd of cheering spectators.

Zaeron considered. He looked down into the arena again and saw that the Toa of Water looked disgusted by the carnage. A screen flashed and he saw her name appear under a head "winner". He tried to conceal his shock the her name was Galika. The screen turned to a tournament tree. He also say the name Jareroden on the list. "The next fight is in seventeen minutes, choose quickly." The being said again. Zaeron took a breath, thinking very fast. "I won't live for you, death would be preferable." he said. The being sighed. "Fine, choose a single tool to accompany you."

Zaeron promptly handed over his sword and dagger. The being looked surprised, but did not complain. The Vortixx put his spear to Zaeron's neck. "Hold out your hands." Zaeron obeyed, deciding to play along. He clamped a pair of familiar looking arm bands onto his wrists. "Power inhibitors." The being said. The Vortixx led Zaeron down another tunnel and into a room full of beings. There was about seven Skakdi, four other Toa, a pair of Matoran, some Vortixx, as well as some other beings Zaeron didn't recognize the species of.

They each eyed him, then resumed what they had been doing before. Zaeron saw a gate with a guard. He walked up to it, hoping to see any clue of what he should do to survive. "Your name." The guard said bluntly. "Zaeron." He responded, completely unhesitant. About a minute later, his name and face appeared on the screen, along with the group. It was then Zaeron saw what was going to happen.

A group of beings would be thrown into the arena. The sole survivor would go on to one-on-one battles. Until only one was left. That person would probably go free. Zaeron shook his head at the gruesome simplicity of the place. They brought people in, and the ones that either weren't useful or caused trouble were thrown in here. And for whatever reason, the beings living here would find it entertaining. He glanced up at the crowd and saw some of the spectators exchanging widgets. ''Ah. They gamble.'' Zaeron thought.

He saw that there were other rooms similar to the one he was in, each having a large group of beings in them, aside from two. One housed Galika, and the other housed a silver and black armored Toa. He recognized the Toa as Jareroden, as they were shown on the screen that was showing the tournament tree. "One minute. Start praying." The guard said and shoved him away. He wondered if the guard was speaking to him directly, as he was the only one who appeared to have no weapon.

The Matoran were each clutching a pair of daggers. Zaeron suspected they'd either kill themselves or form an alliance. The Skakdi simply stayed on their own, carrying a variety of weapons. The Vortixx, like the Skakdi, carried several various weapons, though a few were in pairs. The door opened and they were forced out and into the Arena. Zaeron backed away from the main crowd of fighters, which oddly enough, weren't fighting. Zaeron saw an announcer stand up, and recognized him as the Vortixx with the spear.

"This shall be the final fight of the day. It looks as though will shall see some good action, as well as a nice slaughter." He said, his eyes turning to Zaeron as he said the final word. There was a collective laugh from the crowd. Zaeron noticed Jareroden and Galika watching. He locked eyes with Jareroden, trying to send a silent message of hope to him. Then, the announcer yelled; "Begin!" and chaos erupted.

Zaeron was instantly forced to duck under a sword as one of the Skakdi rushed him. He let loose his hidden blade into the Skakdi's eye and kicked him away. Already, all the Matoran were dead, and five of the Skakdi were slain as well. Zaeron took three quick steps forward and stabbed his blade into the back of a Vortixx's head. He threw the twitching body forward into a second, who stumbled, and didn't regain his footing in time to avoid Zaeron's second strike.

Zaeron avoided a spear thrust and used the new hook device to tear out his attacker's throat. He grabbed the spear and flung it across the arena, nailing a Skakdi and a Vortixx to the wall. One of the other beings charged him, swinging a massive ball and chain in circles above his head, a Matoran body was stuck on the spike studded ball. Zaeron sidestepped and jumped up, kicking this attacker's skull in and crushing his brain, while at the same time, using his other foot to jump off of the being and landed on another, finishing this next warrior off with a blade in the throat.

By now, there were three warriors left. Himself, a warhammer wielding Vortixx male, and a massive being holding a huge pike. The huge being quickly disposed of the Vortixx, stabbing him in the stomach and wrenched the pike upward, destroying the being's torso completely. Zaeron charged forward, dodging a sweeping blow from the pike, which he estimated was the thickness of a tree. He quickly jumped up and stabbed his hidden blade into the massive being's head, killing him instantly. He jumped down and looked up at the surprised announcer as the hulking body collapsed for the final time.

"Well, this was unexpected. Our winner is," He paused and looked at the large screen. Zaeron's mask showed on it, as well as his name beneath it. "Zaeron. He will fight..." He paused and looked down at his administrator. "The monster of Zakaz, Sirj." The crowd gave a whoop, and then began to disperse. A squad of guards came out and aimed their pikes at him. "Come on. We'll show you to your quarters for the night." One of them said, his voice quivering slightly. They fear me. Zaeron realized. He willingly followed them to a large room, filled with caged cells.

One of the guards tapped him with the shaft of his pike, and he, getting the message, walked forward. They steered him into a cell and quickly closed and locked it. Zaeron smiled as they made their way out faster then they should have. He took in the room around him, and saw that there were seven other beings, each in their own cell. The one next to him was a Skakdi, clutching a sword and sharpening it. He looked at the other warriors and saw that they each had their weapons with them as well.

"It's in case we are attacked." A voice said from the adjacent cell. Zaeron turned and saw Jareroden leaning on the door of his own cell, looking at him. "Sometimes gamblers who are losing come in and try to guarantee they win." Zaeron nodded. "How did you get here?" Jareroden asked. Zaeron, trying to figure out a way to explain without broadcasting it to everyone in the room's ears, simply said. "You and her are going to get out." He said and gave Jareroden a meaningful look. The Toa looked confused, then comprehension dawned on his face.

"Beings like you don't last long." A dry, female voice said. Zaeron looked to where it was coming from and saw an old looking Toa of water watching them. "They try to escape, they meet a fate worse then death."

"What else is new?" Zaeron asked her. She rolled her eyes. He saw her cleaning a set of claws. Zaeron looked quizzically at Jareroden. her name's Kyhrex. Apparently she's been here for several years." Zaeron slowly nodded. Zaeron saw Galika on the other end of the cell set. "Look, Jareroden. I'm here to get you out. And her." He said and pointed at Galika. "Just listen to me when I ask you to."

The Arena
The next day, Zaeron and the other victors were brought to other cells where they could watch the fights. He glanced up at the large screen and saw that their would be two fights. Jareroden would battle a male Vortixx, while he would battle a Skakdi called Sirj. He expected him to be a large, bulky opponent, so began to devise a plan. After a reasonably large crowd had formed, the old announcer and the runner of the Arena came out, waving as the crowd of spectators and gamblers cheered.

"Today, we begin the first of two days of the semi finals, before the free-for-all four warrior battle in the end!" The Vortixx said and paused for effect. "Today, we shall bear witness to two duels, the first, Jareroden, the underdog of the tournament, against Jion, the second most gambled fighter of all time!" The crowd roared with excitement and delight. Zaeron shook his head in disgust. Anyone who enjoyed death so much should volunteer to be in the arena.

Two doors opened, and Jareroden sand Jion stepped out. Jareroden was clutching a two sided sword lightly, twirling it slowly in one hand. Jion was holding a curious, hook like sword, which looked like it was designed for for cleaving limbs. The way he held it clearly spoke that he was a skilled swordsman. "Begin!" Yelled the announcer and the crowd let out another roar, then hushed instantly as the two warriors lunged at each other. Jareroden struck first, slashing at Jion's shoulder. The Vortixx danced away, displaying great agility.

The cheering ensued as the two warrior's swords crossed and crossed, loud, harsh clangs filling he air with each strike. The Vortixx made a gigantic leap over Jareroden's head, narrowly avoiding getting his feet chopped off. Jareroden whirled around and caught Jion's blade on his. The Vortixx surprised him and stabbed forward, carving a gash in Jareroden's mask and drawing blood. The crowd gasped loudly, expecting him to fall. But Jareroden wasn't done yet, and kicked Jion away.

The Vortixx danced forward and slashed to the side, catching Jareroden in the midsection. He was lucky, and his armor jammed the sword. The crowd was silent. Jareroden pinned the sword to his side with his arm, Jion wiggld the sword slightly, surprised he hadn't killed his opponent. Jareroden swung his sword in a sideways arc and slashed his opponent across the face, cutting his head in half. Zaeron let out a sigh of relief. That made sure that one of his two allies would live a little longer, and hopefully, escape.

The door of his cage opened in front of him, and he stepped out. The Skakdi with the blade stepped out of another cage. Jareroden passed him, nodded briefly, and stepped back into his cage, where the door slammed shut. Zaeron locked his eyes on his opponent, who he guessed was Sirj. When he'd heard the title 'Monster of Zakaz' He'd expected someone several times larger. Instead, Sirj was an average sized Skakdi, only a little shorter then Zaeron. The announcer began yelling again. "Now, the second duel begins! Zaeron, the unexpected talent-" Zaeron snorted. "and Sirj! The most bet on fighter in the Arena's history!" The crowd let out a roar, and Zaeron readied himself. "Begin!"

Zaeron pounced forward, not expecting to land a killing blow, but instead hoping to determine the strengths of his opponent. Sirj took two quick steps back, dodging the attack, but not moving to strike himself. Zaeron found this curious, then tried to close the distance so that he could end the fight quickly. Sirj sidestepped and attacked with his sword, aiming at Zaeron's hamstring. The latter leapt over the sword and swung his arm in an arc, trying to catch Sirj with his hook. Sirj sidestepped again and swung downward on Zaeron's back. The blow landed, but Zaeron's armor reflected the blow.

Zaeron whirled around and attempted to cut out Sirj's throat. The Skakdi caught Zaeron's wrist and struck at Zaeron with his other hand. Zaeron caught the sword hand and quickly snapped Sirj's wrist. The latter grunted in pain and dropped his sword. he kicked Zaeron away and lightly flicked his wrist in a terrifyingly familiar way. A hidden blade sprung from his gauntlet and he leapt forward, now on the offensive. Zaeron ducked to the side, now afraid. Was he dueling with a student of Miolhin's? Or, was he a fellow pupil who learned alongside the traitor? Or worse, could he be the being who taught the Vortixx assassin?

Zaeron swore vehemently. If the being was any of the above, it would be a waste to kill him. He could teach Zaeron so much more. The young warrior knew he was not the most skilled fighter alive, it had only been a sheer stroke of luck that had allowed him to overcome his former master. And he had been defeated by the bounty hunter, Skorr, and on top of all that, he'd been tossed around by the Makuta Serrakaan like he was a helpless Matoran.

Sirj struck out again at him. Zaeron sidestepped the attack and countered. The fight entered a continuous cycle. One would attack, the other would dodge it and counter, and then again. After a long, long time, Zaeron began to tire, and he could see that Sirj was not nearing the point of tiring. Sirj bore down on him and put a well placed kick into Zaeron's chest. The latter fell back several meters and landed near the wall of the Arena. Spectators stood up to get a better view of the fight. Zaeron sat up and saw the Skakdi walking forward. Looking reluctant, but not hesitating. ''He doesn't want me dead either. He wants to know what I know. But I can't die, so he has to.'' Zaeron felt around looking for something to use as a weapon, distraction, something that might let him get closer.

His hand felt the hilt of Sirj's blade, and, somewhat reluctantly, he swung it forward and stabbed Sirj through the gut. Sirj looked down, surprised, at the blade in him and the blood that was blossoming out. He fell to his knees, and Zaeron quickly got up and knelt by him. Sirj smiled, some blood in his mouth. "How-how do you know Miolhin?" The Skakdi said. "Knew. He's dead."

"You killed him?"

"Yes."

"You must be the apprentice he told me about. You are the only student of our skills left alive. Please, go to the island of Xia. Our-Miolhin and myself-master resides there." He coughed up blood. "Tell her of our deaths, and learn what you can from her. Our skills must survive. They are-are the ancient talents. The ones used by those who lived before-before...." He slumped down and died. Zaeron sighed sadly and closed his eyes. "Peace in wherever you go now." He said to the body, ignoring the cheering of the gamblers who won and the enraged shouts of those who lost.

He stood up and looked directly at the announcer and the Arena's head. He spat on the floor of the arena and walked back to his cage. The cage door slammed shut, and sat down, shaking his head, hating himself. After several minutes of the announcer making announcements Zaeron thought unimportant, the back door to his cell opened, and a group of guards, each wielding a pike, led him back to his residential cage. He sat down in the middle of the cage, wanting to avoid other fighter's weapons that may find their way aimed at him.

He reflected on the day. He wished so very badly he could have found some way to have not killed Sirj. The Skakdi knew the ways Miolhin had taught Zaeron far better then Zaeron did, so he could have taught Zaeron any more he knew. The day had also come with a new duty for Zaeron. He would have to go to Xia. This being who taught Miolhin and Sirj must be a being of incredible skill and power. He would have to make some excuse to leave Daxia and go to Xia, he would have to...

"Zaeron." Jareroden's voice snapped Zaeron out of his thoughts. He was grateful. ''Mission first. Xia later.'' He thought, mentally kicking himself. "How are we going to escape? We nearly lost our chance today, twice. If there's a time to do it, it's now." Zaeron shook his head. "We need to be in the final fight for our best chance."

"That's a huge risk. What if she dies in her fight tomorrow?"

"Then I get you out and go back for the body." Zaeron said bluntly. He did not want an argument, so he cut Jareroden off. "What we do two days from now, entirely depends on the results of her match." Zaeron said and pointed at Galika, who he was perfectly aware was listening. "If she dies, we get out, you go on, I return down here and get her body. She lives, well, I'm working on it."

Jareroden looked angry, then just shook his head and sat down. In fact, Zaeron knew perfectly well what he would do if Galika survived. He just didn't want to explain it to Jareroden. Zaeron stretched out and lay down, knowing he needed the sleep for the next day.

The next day came far to quickly for his liking. He was roughly awakened by a quartet of guards, who led him back to the cage he was stuck in the previous day. Jareroden was thrown into the one next to him. He nodded briefly at Zaeron and turned his eyes to the arena, where he desperately looked on at the crowd. Zaeron could see a burning hate in his eyes. He could also predict what this would become if Galika was killed in her fight. The announcer entered, bowed in a way that was repulsive to Zaeron's eyes, and began yelling the similar introduction that he had used the last day.

Galika's cage opened, as did the cage of a savage looking being, wearing an extremely thick looking armor. She'll have to get in close to kill this one. Zaeron thought. It didn't offer much comfort. He looked over and saw that Jareroden appeared to be thinking the same thing. Zaeron returned his gaze to the arena, and saw that Galika's opponent was not wielding any kind of weapon. This confused Zaeron, up until the moment the announcer bellowed "Begin!"

The being quickly closed distance on Galika, and raised his fist in a massive punch. Galika rolled to the side as the blow hit the ground, making a small crater. Zaeron grimaced. This pattern continued. Galika would avoid an attack and the being's fist would create a crater. As this went on and on, Zaeron could see Galika's strategy. She's trying to create an unstable environment. Even as the thought crossed his mind, the huge being lost his footing in one of the craters as he stepped towards Galika.

The Toa of Water sprang forward, instantly seizing the advantage. She placed one foot on her opponent's chest and stabbed downward into his eye. The being's hands grasped vainly at the blade in his face, flailing in his final moments until Galika wrenched the blade out. She flicked the sword, cleaning the blood, bone, and brains off the weapon.

Zaeron breathed a sigh of relief. Galika would advance, so that meant he could save both Jareroden and Galika. Galika walked back to her cage, taking care to not step in the blood pool. Her eyes met Jareroden's as she stepped in. Zaeron noticed something in her eyes, and he realized just what he would have to do if forced to separate them.This just keeps getting more and more complicated. He thought. He turned his gaze to the arena, where he saw Kyhrex and a Matoran entering.

The fight could not be called a fight. Only seven seconds in, the Matoran's head rolled over towards the announcer's side of the arena. After the closing words, Kyhrex walked back to her cage. Zaeron was sure of one thing. He had two allies to break out, even if it cost him his life. This mission struck a chord in Zaeron. He felt that if he failed, his life was a waste.

"How could you watch that?" Jareroden's voice said, sounding a mix of shocked and disgusted. Zaeron turned to him. "Jareroden, I've killed more beings then you and Galika put together. That number will only increase until the day I die. I must be able to keep my eyes on the action at all times, no matter what. If I can't, someone needs to take my place, which we don't have the time or proper training to do."

Jareroden cocked his head slightly. "There are other warriors stronger then you." He pointed out. "Undoubtedly. But everyone's going to die one day. Being your junior by who knows how many years, I think I can live for another long while." Jareroden wasn't sure how to respond. After a few minutes, Zaeron realized something. Guards weren't coming to get them, and their doors were opening. He swore. They were being sent to the arena now, not the next day.

He stepped out, now worried if any other twists would reveal themselves. The other three followed, Jareroden and Galika looking at each other briefly, both trying to convey a message to the other. Khyrex was staring straight at Zaeron, trying to discern what he was planning. "Khyrex, don't attack me or them. You may escape." He said. She snorted. He noticed a set of barrels, which looked as though they were filled with a fuel of some kind.

He quickly planned out what he was going to do. The announcer began another speech. "The final fight! These four have proved their strength in battle, and must now put it to the ultimate test. Have you any last words?" The question was directed to the combatants. Zaeron stepped forward. "I think you are all gutless fools, profiting off of death, and that you should experience it yourself." Zaeron snarled, raised his hidden gun, and fired it into the forehead of the announcer. He then whirled and fired it at the barrels.

The following explosion knocked the combatants off their feet and sent the crowd into mayhem. Khyrex was the first on her feet, and ran over to a wall and scaled it slowly. Zaeron jumped up and grabbed Jareroden and Galika. He pulled them to their feet and led them through the cell block. There were no remaining prisoners. At the end of the block, there was an armory. He opened it and the three stepped in. Zaeron jammed the door behind them and turned to look through the armory for his sword and dagger.

Neither could be found. He cursed in frustration. Miolhin's sword had always been a good blade. He saw Jareroden and Galika find their own weapons, and a slight sense of envy hit him. He shook it off and looked around for another way out. He found it when he noticed a window. "Climb out that." he said and the other two nodded. Galika started climbing up to it first, then a thwack sounded and she tumbled down. The head of the underground city jumped down, holding Miolhin's weapon in one hand.

"You've destroyed my home. My people. You're going to die." He snarled at Zaeron. He was about to accept the challenge and spring forward at him, when Jareroden got in his way. The Toa slashed at his opponent, who sidestepped easily and slammed his knee into Jareroden's gut. The junior Order member fell backwards. Zaeron grasped the two-sided sword Jareroden had used in the arena, and attacked.

The head of the place was clearly skilled, as he blocked the attack easily and countered. Zaeron parried the counter and kicked at him. The other being dodged that as well, and Zaeron found himself in a grapple with him. It was only then that Zaeron noticed a flashing red light on the neck of his opponent. Realizing what it was, he kicked the other being away. A resounding explosion deafened him and blurred his vision. When it cleared, there was nothing but meaty chunks left of his opponent. He also saw that a large, sharp piece of shrapnel had pierced Jareroden through the both thighs.

Zaeron rushed over. So did Galika. "Find a cloth, quick." He said and wrenched out the shrapnel. Jareroden yelled in pain and reflexively hit Zaeron in the mask. Galika's mask began to glow and the wounds began to slowly heal. "I can't heal the inner wounds, just the outside." She said, sounding tired. "Alright. Can you stand?" He asked Jareroden. The latter fixed him with a look. Zaeron nodded and helped him to his feet. "Galika, get up there, I'll throw him up."

She nodded and climbed up, punched the window open and slipped out. Zaeron grabbed Jareroden's leg with one hand and tossed him up. Galika caught his hand and pulled him out. Zaeron climbed out and found they were on a rooftop. Zaeron plotted their route out. "Alright, let's go." Galika supported Jareroden and they ran along the roof. When they came to the end of it, Zaeron jumped across with ease, but Galika and Jareroden came to a halt. Zaeron threw his hands up in frustration and jumped back over.

Zaeron grabbed Jareroden, pulled him away from Galika, spun him around and flung him across. He landed hard, and Zaeron could hear a myriad of swears coming from Jareroden. "Can you jump it?" He asked Galika, who shook her head. Zaeron rolled his eyes, and, before she could protest, scooped her up into his arms. "Mata Nui you're heavy." He grumbled. She gave him a look, which he ignored. He backed up a few paces, then ran forward and cleared the gap. He set Galika down, and they continued this cycle until they had made it to the exit.

Galika climbed up and Zaeron tossed up Jareroden, who was far heavier then Galika. When Jareroden was out, Zaeron climbed out and they began a slow walk to the edge of the island. When they were about halfway back, Zaeron's keen hearing picked up the sound of a patrol coming in their direction. He pointed at a small set of bushes and rocks, and they quickly hid. A patrol came into view five minutes later. Zaeron didn't twitch. He knew how important it was to not move. The patrol passed by, and was almost out of sight when Jareroden sneezed.

Zaeron could have cheerful stabbed him. "Shut up!" He whispered furiously. "I can't help it! It's a sneeze!" Jareroden shot back. Zaeron shifted over to him and rammed his fist into Jareroden's mask, keeping him from sneezing. Galika just watched Zaeron, half amused, half unsure of whether or not to help. After several minutes, the patrol was well out of sight. Zaeron stepped away from Jareroden. "All right, let's go." He said. He ignored Jareroden's tender feeling of his mask and Galika's stunned look.

He set off at a jog, knowing they would follow. Every minute or so, he glanced over to make sure they were still there. They were moving slowly, as Galika had to help Jareroden move, but steadily. In just under an hour, they had made it back to the shore. Zaeron saw the canister and ran over to it. He slammed the red button and a tired voice sounded. "About time." Onika's voice said, clearly annoyed. "Oh shut up and get us. It's not the apocalypse." Zaeron said.

"Hilarious. On my way." Onika answered. Zaeron felt bad for snapping at him. He must have not had a lot of sleep while Zaeron was imprisoned. Galika and Jareroden came up next to him, both panting heavily. "Zaeron, there's company coming. a patrol spotted us." Galika said urgently. Zaeron cursed. "Lay him down, I'll hold them." Galika looked as though she was about to protest, but Zaeron was already moving. He saw the band of warriors running towards him. Each was only wearing light armor and holding cheap weapons.

Zaeron vaulted into the air and planted both feet into the lead warrior's chest. He kicked off him and landed a few meters away. The lead had fallen and tripped a few of the other warriors. Now that he was in close range, Zaeron could see that they were each a species he didn't recognize. He shifted his body so that it avoided a thrust from a spear, then he grabbed the shaft and smashed it into it's owner's face. Then, he stabbed it through him and into one of his companions behind him.

The other seven began to circle him. Zaeron danced forward and stabbed his hidden blade into the left eye of one of them, then, he used the hook device to tear open a second's throat. He grabbed a mace from one of the bodies and sprang forward. he bashed in the skulls of three before the weapon broke. The second last warrior foolishly charged him. Zaeron used his gauntlet to fend away a blow, then kicked at his opponent's knee. The warrior's leg broke, and Zaeron snapped his neck. He turned to fight the last, who was holding a large warhammer, when a large hunk of grey metal slammed down on the warrior.

Zaeron saw that the hunk of metal was Onika's airship. He entered it and found Jareroden and Galika in the back. "Ok, I'm in! let's go!" He yelled to Onika, who began to bring the ship up. He quickly made sure both Jareroden and Galika were unharmed, then headed up to the cockpit. "What happened?" Onika asked. "I got captured." Zaeron didn't feel like going into further detail. Onika simply nodded. He didn't seem too interested in learning any more. "We'll be back in about five hours." Onika said. Zaeron nodded, sat in the copilot's seat and rested his head on the back of the chair. It took longer then he expected, but he was asleep after a few minutes.

Student to Teacher
The moment they landed, Zaeron snapped awake. He wasted no time, and was in the mess hall before Onika, Jareroden or Galika were off the airship. He ate quickly and headed to Helryx's quarters. When he entered, a look of surprise crossed her mask. "The mission was a success, I'll assume."

"Yes. I rescued them both, and wiped out a large illegal gladiator operation."

"This is good news." She paused a moment, then spoke again. "Zaeron, you seem inadequately equipped. Where are your sword and dagger?" Zaeron grimaced before answering. "The dagger is lost, and the sword was destroyed by an explosion." Helryx nodded. "A shame. That was a good blade." Zaeron nodded. His heart wrenched at the loss of the weapon. He wasn't sentimental about tools, but it was one of the best weapons he'd ever wielded. Helryx looked as though she was contemplating something.

"Zaeron, you see that glass case over on that shelf?" She asked and pointed. He looked where she indicated and nodded. "Go and open it." Zaeron walked over and opened the case. Inside was a blade. A broadsword, with no obvious signs of damage. Yet, it had obviously seen use in battle. "Take it." Helryx urged him. He gently took the sword in both hands. "Give it a few swings, see if you like it." He did as Helryx said, and swung it around. It fitted him perfectly. It was as though the weapon was made specifically for him to wield.

It was perfectly balanced, and had an edge like a razor. It wasn't too heavy, yet it was heavy enough to give him exercise when used. "Who used this weapon? Is it yours?" He asked. He heavily envied the one who used it. Helryx shook her head. "No. I won't keep this secret from you. This sword belonged to your father." He almost dropped the blade. "What!?" He raised his voice without actually shouting, something that was not an easy feat.

"Yes. He died a year after you were born."

"Was he a member of the order?"

"Yes. He was an extremely accomplished warrior. His skills were used as a basis for much of the basic training that is currently used today. In his last battle, he fought over a hundred rahkshi. Only three were survivors, and they didn't survive long after the battle." Zaeron felt this information come crashing down on him like the sky itself. I had a father. He realized. Now many questions came unbidden to his mind. What would his father had though of him, a being merely seventeen years of age, and more blood on his hands then most other order members?

"He would have wanted you to have this. Take it. He'll be with you when you use it." Helryx said. Zaeron nodded and sheathed the weapon. Then, another question emerged. "Who was my mother?" A sad look came over Helryx's mask. "When you're ready to hear this, we'll talk about her." She said. Zaeron knew by her tone that he was dismissed. He left, a million questions entering his mind. He went to his quarters, locked the door, and lay down on his bed. He quickly fell asleep. His mind entering a state of unreality for a few hours.

He awoke slowly. It only took seconds for the questions of the previous night to weigh heavily upon him. He now had two personal missions to do. He would find the one who trained Miolhin, and he would learn as much as he could about his father. He put his father's sword in the sheath across his back and walked out. He found a note on the floor just in front of his quarters. He bend down and picked it up. It read;

Zaeron

''If possible, could you come down to the training area when you wake up? I'm training The two you rescued and that former Dark Hunter. Figured they could use some more advanced fighting training, and you're one of the best fighters I know. Thanks.''

Sakila

Now knowing what he was going to do that day, Zaeron headed over to the training area, where he found Sakila locking Jareroden's blade between hers' and quickly disarming him. He heard Jareroden swear. He smiled as he walked in. Galika and Maraina were off to the side. He noticed how similar they looked, and only the fact that Maraina wore lighter armor made him able to figure out which was which. Jareroden picked up his sword again and charged Sakila, who parried the flurry of attacks easily. Zaeron walked up behind him and swept his leg under Jareroden's, tripping him.

"Always be aware of your environment." Zaeron said to the Toa. Jareroden hauled himself back up and readied himself. "How many times did you win?" He asked Sakila. She smiled. "That was the tenth of ten." He nodded. He made a motion for her to clear the fighting area. He drew his father's-no, his-sword and held it out in front of him. Jareroden took his sword in both hands and swung it up under Zaeron's, knocking it up and back. Zaeron made a light stabbing motion towards Jareroden's shoulder, which the Toa parried and counterattacked.

After a few minutes of Zaeron not using his full strength, Jareroden realized what he was doing. ''He's toying with me. Trying to find out how proficient I am in drawn out duels.'' Jareroden attacked with renewed vigor upon this revelation. Zaeron still used only a single hand on his sword until the very end of the duel, where he took it in both hands and brought the flat end up on the pommel of Jareroden's weapon. The move sent the blade out of Jareroden's hands and off to the side of the training ring.

"Not bad. Improvement is necessary, but not bad at all." Zaeron said. He waved up Galika, and dueled her next. She had not been thoroughly thrashed by Sakila, and lasted a good three minutes longer then Jareroden. Then, he waved up Maraina, who fought with claw like wrist attachments. Her skill far outstripped Jareroden's or Galika's, but Zaeron's training was of a whole different calibre. Once he had defeated Maraina, he sent her back and called up Galika. He helped her perfect more of her fighting style, but noticed she was constantly distracted. He followed her gaze and saw Maraina draping her arm around Jareroden, who looked as though he'd rather fight Zaeron one on one for a year instead of being where he stood.

Ok, now let's make this more interesting. Zaeron thought mischievously. "Maraina, up here now." He said. She moved forward, her eyes betraying reluctance. "Galika, Maraina, fight." Zaeron said and backed away. Both took to the idea quite enthusiastically. The fight that followed was brief, but fierce. However, Zaeron put his hand over his mask in frustration. Maraina had beat Galika with what could be interpreted as ease. She put her foot on the downed Galika's back, almost looking as though she was trying to humiliate her. Ugh. he thought and got up to get Maraina off.

He spent the next two hours teaching the three Toa as much as he could about fighting. After that, all three left. Sakila walked over. "You did good. First time teaching?" She asked. He nodded. "Yes. It's more frustrating then I expected."

"Many things are." She said. "For example, it was very frustrating when I couldn't find that one matoran who'd stolen my mask from me a week before I started my training with Miolhin."

"You let a matoran steal your mask?" Zaeron asked incredulously. Her expression dropped faster then someone died after swallowing a bomb. "Mata-Nui, did I just tell you that?" She said, sounding horrified. "Yes. Don't worry, worse has happened to me. And no, I won't be telling you that." She smiled slightly, then, something seemed to dawn on her. "Zaeron, I never asked before, and forgive me if I'm intruding, but how old are you?" She asked. He didn't really care what reflection it brought on him, and answered without hesitation. "Seventeen."

Her eyes widened. "You're a remarkable warrior for someone so young."

"Thank you. Now you tell me." She sighed. "I am fifty-nine. Still young for a Toa." She answered. "Well, I'm not a Toa." He said. She seemed surprised by this news. "What are you?"

"No clue." The fact didn't disturb him. On the contrary, it gave him more purpose in life. The two spent the rest of the day training with each other, pointing out flaws in the other's style and helping them to improve. Towards the end of the day, they were interrupted when Helryx walked in. "It's good you two can work together." She commented, making both jump.

"Why is that?" Zaeron asked, recovering first. "Because I have a long term assignment for the both of you. I want the city of Metru-Nui, or, more specifically, it's Turaga, who's been acting a little suspicious for the last few months. I want a pair of stealth skilled operatives in the city."

"You know I accept." Zaeron said. Sakila nodded. "Thank you. You'll be briefed on your entry to the city tomorrow morning. Go get get some rest." Zaeron nodded and swiftly left. He went to his quarters, put his sword next to his bed and laid down. He hated leaving the hidden blade behind before. Now, after losing Miolhin's sword, he would never remove it from his person. He fell asleep quickly.

His slumber was troubled, as he was visited by dreams. First, he flashed back to battles he had experienced before. All the lives he'd taken summed up in a matter of minutes. Then, the dream changed drastically.

''He was standing on a field of purple grass. He looked around, confused. The sky was orange and the trees were red. There was a being sitting in the field well away from him. The being motioning for him to come over. He did so. The being was clad in white and blue armor, with traces of silver. A silver shield and sword lay next to him. When the being opened his mouth to speak, nothing came out. Zaeron could tell he was speaking with some urgency and anger, as he was punctuating much of what he said with violent body movements. Though he could not hear him, he could lip read. After a few minutes, Zaeron saw that the being was repeating what he said again and again. "We will kill the all." Again and again.''

Then, he sat bolt upright. He was confused by the dream, but cast it aside for later pondering. He stood up and sheathed his sword across his back. He stretched and left his quarters. He was barely a foot out the door when he stepped on something. It was a note. He bent down and picked it up. It read; ''Zaeron. The port.'' He guessed this was where he and Sakila would be picked up to leave, so he headed there. A lone Toa stood there, one he didn't recognize. The Toa turned once he was a short distance away and said; "What do you think?" He realized that the Toa was Sakila, and that she must have been busy the previous night.

She had upgraded her armor so that it would be a little heavier and more protective. Her plated boots had hook like blades coming out of the tips, her shoulder plates had three prongs sticking out of each, And she had a new mask. It was black like his, and gave her a more fierce look. On her back, he saw two, silver, high quality short swords. "Suiting. Any particular reason?" He asked. "Yes. We can't be detected by anyone. This is easier to blend in the night with."

"Heavier though." He responded. She shrugged. "Better exercise." She had him there. They stood in silence or a few minutes, then Zaeron broke the silence. "When is our transport arriving?"

"Any second now." She answered. For another minute, they waited, then a boat arrived. Zaeron tilted his head in confusion. For whatever reason, the boat had wings and aircraft engines. A familiar Toa poked his head out of the cockpit window. "Well, get on already!" Onika yelled impatiently. Zaeron moved forward first, a split second before Sakila began walking. He entered and moved over to the cockpit. "Why does the boat have wings?"

"Because it flies. Go sit down, if you fall you're swimming." Zaeron rolled his eyes and moved back.

Paranormal
As Onika had said, the boat did indeed fly. It also flew much rougher then the other airship. More then once, Zaeron would bump into the air and land hard on the seat. Sakila found it amusing. He certainly didn't. For a few hours, they sat in silence, Sakila using a small stone to hone the edge of her blades. Then, the ship came to an abrupt stop. "Ok you two, here's your exit, have fun." Onika said. Sakila got out of her chair and went to the door they had entered in. She opened it. Zaeron moved over to her.

"We're jumping?" He yelled over the wind. "Yeah! Race you down!" She said and jumped out. Without really thinking, he jumped as well. He angled himself into a dive and caught up to her in moments. She nodded downward, and he saw that there was water below them. Sakila was into a dive and zoomed away. He followed suit, and both crashed into the water a very short time later. They plunged several meters into the water and swam back up to the surface. After regaining their breath, Sakila murmured "It'll be the matorans' break. They'll all be out, so the Vahki will be occupied with them."

He nodded and they swam to the shore, which was a fair distance away. Once they'd made it to the shore, Zaeron recognized it as Po-Metru. They ran for less then a minute when a sudden shaking in the ground knocked them both over, and they both knew it would take a lot to cause that. A massive, hulking creature erupted from the ground. It was a lizard, and looked hungry. It lunged at them, baring it's teeth. They ducked to either side and rolled to safety. The creature wasn't done yet. It jumped at Zaeron, and rolled away again. He summoned his power over shadow and blasted it.

It had absolutely no effect. In fact, it achieved the opposite of what Zaeron wanted. The creature turned jet-black, and was rippling with dark energy. "It's a Tunneler!" Sakila shouted to him. The Tunneler jumped at her next. She leapt over it and ran next to Zaeron, who was drawing his sword. "How do we kill it?" He asked. "Tunneler's absorb things used against them, find something easily breakable!"

"What, like the water?"

"No, it'd drown us."

"Sand?" He suggested. She tilted her head to one side in agreement and fell face forward into the sand. At first, Zaeron wondered if she had lost her sanity, then she released a horrible scream into the ground. A pillar of sand shot up and hit the tunneler in the head. It turned into sand, and jumped at Zaeron. He could see the creature fading away into nothing as it leapt at him. Thinking fast, he blew as hard as he could. It dissipated and flew away in the wind.

He bent down and helped Sakila up. She spat. "Sand really tastes awful, you know that?" He laughed. "Alright, let's go. That was sure to attract some attention." He said. Sakila nodded and they ran off into Po-Metru. They took cover in the fields of sculptures, ducking from statue to statue, just to be safe. Whenever a Matoran came into view, they would climb up a nearby sculpture and wait several minutes to move on. That night, they climbed up a statue and perched themselves on it's shoulders. "I'll take the first watch. I'll wake you in six hours." Sakila said. He nodded gratefully and rested his own head against the statue's.

Again, he had the same dream. The lone warrior in the oddly colored field. The same phrase, again and again. Sakila woke him from the dream. She seemed tired, and Zaeron was grateful she had awoken him. He took watch, and his mind became attuned to everything around him. He was aware of how hard the statue was, how the wind was picking up, and he was just as aware of Sakila's almost silent breathing. He sat like this for five hours, tuning himself in to every imaginable thing in the vicinity. Then, he became aware of something he rather wished he hadn't.

A squad of robots was herding a group of Matoran out of the Metru. The Matoran definitely looked confused. He climbed over onto the statue's other shoulder and nudged Sakila. What happened next he wasn't really sure of, he just found himself in a headlock. "Oh, it's you. Sorry. Reflex." He shrugged out of the headlock. He knew exactly what she meant. Result of their advanced training. Always be prepared. "There's a squad of robots escorting a large group of Matoran towards the Coliseum. I think we should shadow them." She glanced over to look, then nodded. "Vahki don't normally take Matoran in that number. Something's wrong."

They jumped to an adjacent statue, and then repeated until there were no more and they had to go on foot. Then, they snuck around behind the large group until they made it into a settlement. Then they took to the roofs, using them to avoid detection. After almost an hour, they'd made it to the Coliseum. Thousands of Matoran were being escorted by hundreds of Vahki. "I'll sneak inside the tower. You look around the tower's perimeter, see if anything interesting is going on." Sakila said. Zaeron nodded. "If I find nothing, I'll come find you." He said. She jumped off the roof and disappeared.

He began to travel the Coliseum's perimeter, seeing only crowds of Matoran being rounded up. Later, the crowds vanished into the Coliseum, leaving only a few Vahki outside each entrance. Seeing nothing, he began to make his way back to the place where he and Sakila separated. He was almost there, when something far out of the ordinary occurred. An enormous, pale purple beam of light shot into the sky from the tower. Seeing this, Zaeron doubled his pace towards the nearest entrance, and leapt down, now not caring about witnesses. The Vahki guards aimed their staffs at him, but he was upon them before they could attempt to stop him.

Soon, nothing was left of them but pieces of metal discarded everywhere and sparking wire. Zaeron ran into the Coliseum, looking for his partner. He made it into the sports arena he'd been in before. The arena was devoid of anyone, but the beam of purple light was gone, replaced now by a massive, swirling, blood red tornado. Two colossal, lighter red eyes were in the tornado. "Zaeron!" Sakila's voice screamed out. He spun around and saw her running towards him, a group of Vahki who's numbers he couldn't guess. Sakila came to a halt beside him. "Nowhere to run now." She said and cursed.

"Then we make our stand here." He answered and ran towards the throng of Vahki. He kicked one's head in, crushing it's mainframe. He landed, rolled and drew his sword at the same time. He cut in a circle bring down more then one in a single swing. He parried a strike and countered, decapitating his attacker. The heavy adrenaline brought on by fighting took hold, and he found himself flowing from Vahki to Vahki. Every time he swung his sword, it signaled the end of another Vahki's lifespan.

Sakila was equally into the fight. She had to get in closer to bring down her foes, but her advantage lay in the fact she wielded two weapons, and could often bring down two at once. Soon, Zaeron found himself back to back with her, fending off a crowd of Vahki that circled around them. An idea sprung to his head and he asked her. "Do you trust me?"

"Yes. What are you going to do?" Opting not to answer, Zaeron grabbed her shoulders and flung her over the crowd of Vahki. Half of them went for her, while the other half charged him. Once again, he began flowing from enemy to enemy. and soon, only ten or so remained. Five fighting Sakila, five fighting him. Zaeron swung his sword four times, faster then the robots could react, and brought down four of them. The last one struck at him, but he ducked underneath and stabbed through it. Then, he cut it out the side, causing pieces of metal of wire to fly out. Sakila was on her last attacker as well. She cut out it's legs, then crossed her swords around it's neck and beheaded it.

She turned and limped over to Zaeron, and he saw that her leg had been slashed by a Vahki's staff. "Come on, I'll fix that." He said and held out his arm. She put her own arm around his shoulders to steady herself. He wrapped his around her waist and helped her out of the arena. Just as they made it into a passageway out. A huge blast knocked them both off their feet. Sakila stayed down, her injury keeping her from standing, but Zaeron was on his feet in a second. He turned and saw a mass of swirling, black and red energy in the form of a hand moving towards him. There was a chilling laugh as the hand grew nearer.

''That's shadow. So the guy who's done this sends a hand of shadow energy to kill a shadow controlling opponent. At least I know my enemy's intelligence.'' Reaching out with his powers, he forced the hand back. The hand struggled against his control, but Zaeron, despite the fact he often preferred to fight with a sword, was still a master of using his powers. He pulled his hands together and wrenched them apart, forcing the shadowy hand to dissipate. He turned and, now knowing they needed to start running, picked up Sakila bodily and ran out.

"What was that?!" She asked. "No idea. Something made of shadow. For now, let's just run." He said and continued on. They ducked inside a building. Seeing a table, he set her down on it. Now he saw that her injury was worse then he'd originally seen, and that she was now bleeding extensively. He swore and began looking around for anything to stop the blood loss. "Zaeron, I'm just going to slow you down. Get out of here!" Sakila said, sounding far weaker then he would have predicted from her. He shook his head and kept looking. Finally, he found a long piece of thick cloth, and ran back over to Sakila's side. He dressed her wound quickly. "You're an idiot, you know that?" She said. "Yes, yes. We should leave now."

Then the ceiling fell on him.

He heard his arm snap as he crumpled under the crushing weight. Zaeron remained conscious, however, and was awake to feel the immense pain in his arm. He glanced over and saw that there was a massive chunk of a building pinning his arm to the floor. He swore, but couldn't hear his voice. His ears were ringing louder then anything he'd ever heard. When the ringing ceased, he heard a loud rumble and the floor beneath him began to shake. Then the wind hit him, and he felt as though something very strong was trying rip him from his arm. Time blurred, and he noticed a voice screaming at him, just barely noticeable above the wind and rumbling. He turned his head slightly, and saw his partner holding desperately to the edge of a sword that was embedded in a wall. Then he saw what else was holding onto it.

An odd looking Rahkshi was holding on as well. Seeing this, and knowing that Rahkshi normally tended to be controlled by Makuta, Zaeron grabbed hold of the large stone chunk that pinned his arm down, and, surprising himself more then anyone, tore it off of him. The wind pushed him into a wall, but he was able to stand up. Adrenaline coursing through him, he made his way along the wall towards them. Sakila saw him coming, and with her good leg, kicked her opponent back. The Rahkshi tumbled backwards, but had brought it's sword with it. Sakila wasn't far behind the Rahkshi when it slammed into Zaeron, who steered them out a window. As they fell through the already broken window, the wind ceased and all three fell to the pavement.

The Rahkshi was on it's feet first. Zaeron followed suit, drawing his sword with his left hand. He hadn't trained excessively with his left, but was capable while wielding it as such. Their swords soon clashed together. Zaeron then took notice of the Rahkshi's shield, which soon proved to hinder his progress. Sakila was unable to pull herself up, as her leg's injury appeared to have worsened in the chaos. Then the street broke beneath both fighters fell down into a hole.

Enough with the falling down! Zaeron thought, frustrated as the fight resumed. The Rahkshi soon proved that it could not outlast Zaeron, and decided to climb out of the hole and out of sight. Zaeron sheathed his weapon and slowly, as he only had one hand, climbed out of the hole. He found Sakila, who was now lying in a horrifying pool of blood, and ran to get something to treat the wound. He found what appeared to be a piece of long cloth, and quickly dressed the wound with it. With both himself and Sakila wounded, they moved at a much slower pace. After several hours, Sakila collapsed when she put too much weight on her leg. It was also unfortunate, as Zaeron's first instinct was to catch her. He used his bad arm. She fell full force onto it, crushing his arm's already broken bones. He fell too, and this time, began to black out. Just as he lost his consciousness, he saw six small, floating figures move toward him.

When he woke up, he sat up, steadying himself with his hands. That proved to be a really bad mistake. His right arm collapsed and he fell back down, limp and pathetic. "Are you ok?" Said Sakila as she came into view. "Do I bloody look ok? I can't use my own arm." Zaeron said, not caring if he sounded callous. She nodded, understanding. "Where are we?" He asked, just realizing he didn't recognize where they were. "We on the top floor of a Ko-Metru ice tower." He looked around and saw that she was indeed correct. He noticed six, strange creatures sitting a short distance away. "Who are they?"

The lead one, a red one, hovered toward them. He noticed the creature had the head of a Rahkshi. He instinctively recoiled. "Relax, young one, you are safe here. At least for now. I am Norik. One of the Rahaga. We came here once the Visorak began marching towards this island."

"Sorry, but what in the Great Beings' names are Visorak?"

"Spider-like creatures that we have a personal vendetta against. We found you and decided to help. We can't reat your arm like we did your partner's leg, but we can get you off the island. You must leave, and soon." A few of the other creatures approached him. He tried to back away, but, being crippled as he was, could not. One of the them put a needle like device into his arm, and he was unconscious in seconds. When he awoke, he felt a certain nausea that he had become very accustomed to.

I hate boats.

The Haunt Begins
They returned to Daxia after two days, both severely dehydrated and in requirement of medical attention. A day after returning, Zaeron was told that until they could operate, he was unable to use his right arm. He cursed this fact, as it prevented him from training. Something that also irritated him was that nobody on the island seemed to want to tell him just what happened on Metru-Nui. After another week, he was found out by Mersery and brought to the science labs. "We'll have to rebuild your arm with mechanics. Implant metal into the structure and use electronics to keep it in use."

"Whatever it takes, let's do it." Zaeron said. He didn't like the thought of having robotics put inside of him, but he disliked the thought of being useless much, much more. Mersery lay him down on a bed and injected him with an anesthetic. He fell asleep instantly. When his eyes shot open and he sat up, he saw Mersery standing expectantly over him. Zaeron looked at his arm and saw no real change. "The operation in compl-" Mersery began before the pain kicked in. He keeled over, cursing loudly.

On the other side of the base Relyt was also cursing over another matter, he simply couldn't believe that the Makuta had set Mata-Nui to sleep. It was a severe blow against the Order, albeit, an unknowing one. A knock sounded on his door and he quickly opened it. The Toa Sakila was standing before him. "I need your help." She said and grabbed his arm. She led him to the training area where they found Zaeron, looking totally happy and content, though strange. A medic was talking to him, and saw them coming. Sakila walked over to Zaeron and the medic began speaking to Relyt. "Er, he'll be a little strange for a couple of hours. Painkillers." Relyt nodded. The medic gave him booklet on how to behave around him, and walked out.

Relyt walked over, Zaeron was looking at his hands while Sakila just looked bewildered. "My fingers are so.....fingy." Zaeron said. Sakila gave Relyt a look. "They gave him painkillers. Relyt said and gave her the pamphlet. "What's that, gimme it!" Zaeron exclaimed and took it from her when she tried to read it. He opened i and began staring at it. Both Toa could tell that he wasn't even reading it. His eyes were as still as a dead body. Sakila took it away and opened it again. Then, Zaeron jumped at her again. "What's that? Give it!" He said and repeated his previous action.

Sakila looked frustrated. At that moment, the medic returned and began speaking to Sakila about Zaeron. "What're you talking about?" Zaeron said, grabbed Sakila, picked her up and put her down on the far side of the training area. The medic looked stunned as Zaeron returned. "Tell me instead!" Zaeron said loudly. Relyt then decided it prudent that he leave very quickly, and did so.

Several hours later, Zaeron snapped out of the painkillers' effects. He looked around, and soon realized he was hanging upside down. He looked up and saw that his feet were tied to the ceiling. He curled up and cut himself loose. "Who let me do that?" He asked nobody. He saw his sword hanging on the wall and grabbed it quickly. He sheathed it and left his room. Only then he remembered the surgery. He looked at his arm and saw no real difference. He then walked in random circuits around the base, finally finding Sakila sitting in what appeared to be some sort of rec-room.

"Are you....?" She began as he approached. "I'm not hopped up on painkillers, if that's what you're asking." He answered. He then saw what she was doing. A holographic game board with various pieces on it was on the table. He took note of the fact that each piece of the first line on each side was identical. "What's this?" He asked. "This is referred to as Chess. It's a strategy game that Onika was teaching me while you were....." She cut off the sentence, as though she didn't know what word to say. He sat down. "Teach me."

They spent the better part of the day playing the game. He grasped it quickly and learned fast, but Sakila proved to be better then him at it. Just as he put her in checkmate, a voice sounded. "Well, I'm glad you're alright, because I need to speak to you." He turned and saw Helryx standing in the doorway. He sighed and walked over. "Who am I killing now?" He asked, no longer caring if he sounded insubordinate. She handed him a list of names and locations. "You start tomorrow." She said and walked out. He glanced over at Sakila, who nodded, understanding, and he left to sleep for the night.

That day was the beginning of a two year haunt that followed large crime lords, serial killers, slave drivers, and other serious criminals as they tried to do their work. Throughout the criminal underground that swept through the universe, word spread that death himself was riding to claim the lives of the criminal. With each passing week, another would be found dead, often with a small, precise, and effective stab into their throat, and more often then not, they would be lying in a pool of blood.

One day, after successfully hunting down and killing a very successful, and strong, serial killer, Zaeron checked into an inn and was sitting at a table. He found himself glad that his eyes were black, so they would not betray where he was looking. Information that he had gathered over the last two years came to mind as he looked around. The most likely candidate for a concealed weapon was the Skakdi behind the bar. Then, someone walked in. A young warrior. Species Zaeron could not identify. The young one sat down at the bar and ordered. Zaeron noticed several eyes following him. Seeing this, Zaeron walked over and sat next to him. He casually ordered his own drink. "I can't help but notice the eyes that are following you." He said to the young warrior. "I have that effect on people." Was the response.

"Not the kind people like you want." Zaeron said. The warrior turned to him. Zaeron nodded at the corner of the inn. "I see." The warrior said and paused. "Look, meet in room twelve."

"Sorry, I'm not exactly into that sort of thing."

"Look numbskull, I've got an offer for you, assassin." The last word was spoken in a harsh whisper. Zaeron nodded and the warrior walked away. He finished his drink and went to the room. He opened it and saw the warrior sitting on a chair, sharpening a tomahawk. "Alright. You know those people watching me, kill them for me, and I can get you better training then your already formidable experience possesses, Zaeron." Zaeron froze. He poised himself to strike with the hidden blade.No one could know about him. No one.

"You remember Sirj?" Zaeron hesitated. "I am his pupil. His teacher now teaches me, and wants to teach you." Zaeron's mind flew back to the arena, where he slew the Skakdi assassin with his own sword. Then he recalled his vow to find the teacher, and nodded. He swept from the room. He watched his targets walking out, and followed them. He quickly walked past them, his wrist flicking to each. Within seconds, they dropped. Once again, he marveled at the efficiency of the poison he was equipped with. He swiftly returned to the room and his contact smiled. Zaeron quickly took the time to examine him. He was wearing white, black, and blue armor. "I'll take you to our base on Xia."

"Our?"

"I'm not the only student." The two then departed and the newcomer took him to the coast. "Take my hand." The other said. Zaeron obeyed, but knew his way out in case of treachery. Then, he found himself on a remote mountain peak, and there was a horrid smell. "Come with me." His counterpart said and led the way up a winding path. Zaeron followed until the found a small castle. The gates opened and they walked in. Nearly a hundred warriors, Toa, Skakdi, Vortixx, and some Zaeron didn't recognize, were practicing fighting techniques in the courtyard. The warrior led Zaeron into the main keep of the castle, and into a throne room.

A female of unrecognizable species was sitting on the throne. A shadow kept her from plain view. A snow-white, thin sword in her hand and stabbed into the cement floor. The warrior fell into a kneel. "Rise, my child." She said. He voice simply radiated reassurance, but Zaeron knew better then to fall for it. She could potentially have the killing drive of a drunk Skakdi. The warrior rose. "I have brought the one you requested, mistress."

"I can see that. Go get some rest." The warrior bowed and left. "Connr did well to bring you here, Zaeron."

"How does everyone know my name?"

"I taught Miolhin and Sirj. The former left our order to serve his own purposes. The latter stayed as a student instructor. However, student betrayed us and he was in the arena, where I believe you killed him." Zaeron nodded. She rose. Now he could see her fully. She was old. He could tell, but had the body of just turned Toa. And yet, she was clearly not a Toa. "You killed two of the most skilled warriors known to the universe. I wish to help you improve." She clicked her hand and a screen opened on the floor beneath him. He stepped back to see what he was looking at.

It was a list of one hundred names. Each with a number beside them. It's a top one-hundred list. He realized. He scanned it quickly for names he might recognize. Helryx herself was at one hundred. He saw several other names that he knew. He saw the Makuta Serrakaan, who was very near the top. More then one Makuta was on the list. An old, familiar name stood at ninety-nine. Zlatrix. The Toa he had encountered on Purdusai. Then, he saw the number fifty. It was him. He looked up. "How do you know of all these beings?"

"I have been keeping tabs on every trained warrior in existence since this universe came into being. You see number one? That is me." He nodded. "These are the one-hundred most competent warriors alive, child. You should be honored. It is my wish to elevate you. You would be a great asset to our cause." Thinking fast, Zaeron knew what to do. ''Train with them. Leave. Simple.'' He nodded. "Go find Connr, he'll show you to a living quarters." As he left the room, a white armored warrior walked in as he left.

The warrior walked over to the Order's head. "Do you believe his is the one?" She asked him. "I've been watching him for months. He fights like our lord, walks like our lord, even speaks like him. He even wields the ancestral sword passed down by the bloodline."

"Alright. Be cautious when you train him. This one is dangerous." She answered and dismissed him.

Master of Shadow
The fifth apprentice hit the floor. The sixth came up behind him but took an elbow to the face. Zaeron looked around. Most of the assassin apprentices were unconscious. The last one looked hesitant to attack him, so he took the initiative. He pounced forward and punched his last opponent in the stomach and followed up with an uppercut to the head. Clapping came from the instructors. "He truly is Miolhin's apprentice." One of the higher ranking assassins said to their leader. "Indeed. Your turn." She responded. He bowed and walked out into the training ring. Zaeron shook his head.

The assassin leapt forward, moving faster then any of the apprentices. Zaeron took a punch to the head before moving away, dazed. His mind quickly began determining the fastest way to bring down his opponent. The assassin attacked again, clearly trying to catch Zaeron off guard. Instead, he found his face harshly slammed into Zaeron's knee and then three punches in rapid succession to the face. Zaeron then went on offense and punched down into the assassin's groin area and then flipped him out of the ring. The instructors looked stunned. "A year of our training has clearly done him some good." Connr, the assassin who had found Zaeron and brought him there whispered to the Order's head.

"When he starts fighting, he is almost unstoppable. He's advanced four times already." She said, clearly referring to her list. "Let's see how you do, child." She said to Connr, who nodded. The young warrior went down to the ring. This time, the fight was long, brutal, and intense. The instructor Zaeron had defeated looked enviously upon Connr, who was giving Zaeron a run for his money. Almost seventeen minutes later, Connr and Zaeron both dropped. Zaeron spat out blood while Connr vomited. When they had finished removing disgusting substances from their mouths, they got up and bumped fists. "It's been a long time since I've fought someone as good as me." Zaeron said. Connr proved to be his equal.

"Likewise." After they said goodbye to the the instructors and the head, the group of apprentices left. Connr and Zaeron, who had become friends during the time Zaeron was there, headed outside of the castle and went out climbing mountains. It had become a good pastime and workout for the two. When they reached the peak, they began discussing weapons and battle tactics. "I prefer an aggressive but flowing style of combat. It lets me shift from enemy to enemy, normally ending up with me easily being able to win a fight against a large number of opponents." Zaeron explained. Connr nodded. "I like to take things one at a time. Focus on one, fall back. Repeat. It brings a measure of safety to battle." Zaeron snorted. "Battle Safety? Nonexistent." He said. Connr laughed.

Out of nowhere, a bang sounded. The noise nearly deafened Zaeron. He looked back down to the castle and saw, to his terror, the castle was in flames. Screams sounded and through the fire, Zaeron could see a hulking being slaughtering it's way through the courtyard. "We have to get down there!" Zaeron yelled. Connr shoved him out of the way. He was holding a type of crossbow. He shot it down into the courtyard. A cord tightened is the arrow met it's mark "When you showed me the hook, I thought it would be a good idea." He explained. Understanding, Zaeron used the cord as a zip line down.

He landed and rolled to break the impact. He looked around and saw that several of the apprentices had been killed as the huge being had moved through the courtyard. Connr landed beside him. "Mata-Nui. Looks like that thing went to the throne room. Let's go!" The two assassins charged into the throne room, passing the corpses of everyone they had known there. They entered the throne room and saw the huge being standing over their master. She still breathing, but only just. Then they saw her sword inside her chest, and knew she was not going to make it. The hulking being turned, and raised his hand. Connr soared out of the room and the doors slammed shut. Zaeron heard the lock click, and knew he was trapped in the room with the being.

Zaeron drew his sword and slowly made his way forward. As he neared the being, it seemed to shrink to his size. The being ignored him and sat down at a table. Zaeron, keeping his eye on his adversary, went over the the master. One look and he knew she was dead. He looked up at the thing that had killed her, and began planning a way to kill it. Then, it looked at him and waved his hand at the chair opposing him. Cautiously, Zaeron approached. He sat down, keeping his left arm ready to let loose his hidden blade. "Please spare me the distaste of killing an artist such as yourself." The thing said.

Zaeron now knew more about it then before. It was male, and had a distinct aura of power. "Why?" The being said nothing, as if pondering a response. "You are.....alone among this universe, boy. You are one of a kind. Something existence has never seen before." Then he laughed. "Of course, there are more then one of you, just not here." What in the Great Beings' name is he on about? Zaeron thought. His opponent waved his hand, and a game board appeared from nowhere. "You are familiar with the game?" He asked. He plays Chess? Zaeron thought, incredulous. He nodded. "Then let us see just how you do against me." He waved his hand and the pieces appeared. The being moved first, a pawn forward two. Zaeron did a similar move, just on the other side of the board.

The mental duel began, moving pieces from place to place. Then, after nearly an hour, the being had him in checkmate. "I am impressed......Zaeron." He said. "How do you know my name?"

"I know who you are, what you are, where you came from, and where you bloodline traces back to. That is why I am here. You are a threat."

"I threaten you?" The being laughed. "Hardly! It is your ancestors that reside inside you that are the problem. That, and the mask on your face." Zaeron cursed himself. The thing before him was here for him. It was his fault that every assassin was dead. The being waved it's hand at the body of his master. "She was a good fighter. An ancient warrior, older then this universe itself." Zaeron tried to not betray surprise. "I am ashamed to admit that the battle with her left me weakened. It is why I am your size right now. But make no mistake, I am well within my abilities to kill you and take your mask."

"What does my mask do?" The being looked surprised. "You are not aware? I had thought the one who had given it to you may have trusted you with the information." A slight smile showed on his mouth. "I will give you two options. One, you give me your mask and I will leave you in peace. Two, I kill you and leave with your mask along with your head." Zaeron raised his hand and made and obscene gesture with it. The being laughed. Long and loud. "You are a fighter! Alright then, let us dance." The being stood. Zaeron knew swordplay would be of no use, and would have to rely on his powers. Thinking fast, he blew up the table in the being's face, and took cover behind a bookshelf on the other side of the room.

The being laughed maniacally. "You cannot hide from me!" He said, sounding very confident. Zaeron stepped inside a shadow and morphed into it. The being walked around the corner, and looked surprised when he did not see Zaeron there. Zaeron lashed out, using two tendrils of shadow to whip the being across the face. Zaeron then shot out of the shadow, in the form of a tendril, and hid in another. "What are you?" He asked, his voice resonating from every shadow in the room. "I suppose you have the right to know. Many refer to me as Shadowmaster. If you have not heard of me, then I suppose I am not surprised." Zaeron waited for Shadowmaster's back to turn, then lashed out,, in the form of pure shadow, and struck his opponent in the back. Shadowmaster, not expecting the attack, staggered slightly. Zaeron ducked into a shadow and repeated the motion. This time, Shadowmaster was ready, and slashed out with his hand, sending Zaeron spiraling into a wall.

Zaeron was on his feet in seconds, and ducked into another shadow. Shadowmaster chuckled. "I am surprised by your talents. A pity someone as skilled as you possesses something I require. I could have use for you. Oh well. I'll settle for your head." This time, Zaeron attacked with more then one shadow, sending tendrils of darkness out from several different locations. The darkness struck his opponent and pinned him to the ground. Zaeron manifested into physical form and stabbed his sword down at Shadowmaster's head. At the last second, the being vanished and reappeared at the other side of the room. The being drew the white sword from the master assassin's chest and pointed it at Zaeron.

"Why don't we settle this the old fashioned way? Come out and duel me. I hear you are a legend with the blade." He smiled and glanced at the body of the master. "But then, so was she." Zaeron walked over to Shadowmaster. "Have it your way." He kicked dust up into his opponent's eyes and struck. Shadowmaster was unfazed by the diversion, and parried the blow. He countered and the duel began. Zaeron wasn't surprised by his foe's prowess in battle, but the same could not be said for Shadowmaster. The ancient being found himself frustrated by Zaeron's talent, despite his mastery over each known form of combat. he had decided against using his own form of fighting, solely so he could savor the moment of defeating the young fighter. He was beginning to regret that particular decision.

It took a long time for Zaeron to begin to feel the fatigue of battle, but when it did, Shadowmaster soon began to gain the upper hand. Even then, it took some time for him to knock the sword from Zaeron's grasp. He kicked Zaeron in the leg, knocking him to the ground. Shadowmaster raised the sword, but Zaeron wasn't finished. He lunged forward with his hidden blade, stabbing Shadowmaster in the stomach. To his surprise, the body fell. He looked at the corpse, stunned. Then, he felt something inside his mind, and he collapsed.

''Pain coursed through him. What was real? He couldn't tell.He felt another presence in him, trying to kill his mind and take over his body. He fought against the presence in vain, and it wasn't long before his consciousness was backed into a corner against Shadowmaster. Shadowmaster's laugh filled his head, and he knew it was the end. Then, a third mind entered the fray, driving Shadowmaster's essence out of Zaeron's head and helping Zaeron to regain his sense.''

He opened his eyes and saw the master, by some miracle, had been revived and was now writhing on the floor. Suddenly, she spoke. "Zaeron, I don't have much time." Then she screamed and twitched violently. "You need to-to know-" She screamed again. "You-you are among the most powerful beings alive, in and out of this world. You just-" Then her eyes faded to a blood red haze and her body exploded. He was knocked backwards by the force of the blast. He sprang up and fell into a battle stance. Then, he heard the master's mind in his head. ''The message I gave you. It's for Connr. Give it to him. He is more important then he knows.'' Then the voice was gone, and he knew that he would never hear it again. Shadowmaster's body turned into black dust and vanished.

Connr burst in the door. His eyes were filled with rage. "I heard everything. It's all your fault. You're the reason my family is dead!" He screamed at the top of his voice. He lunged at Zaeron, not even bothering to use a weapon. Zaeron rolled his head to Connr wouldn't break his hand. It still hurt. A lot. "Connr, I'm sorry. The master gave you a mess-"

"SHUT UP!" Connr bellowed and punched him again. "I DON'T HAVE TO HEAR YOUR LIES!" Then he turned to one of the windows and jumped out. Zaeron closed his eyes. His friend would never hear him out, and for that, he was sorrier then he'd ever been.

Thousands of kio away, Shadowmaster kicked the reformed frame of the master assassin to the ground. "Very noble of you, taking me in to save him. A shame it was wasted. Someone else will get that mask, and more then likely I will kill them and take it from them." She looked up, a smile in her eyes. Annoyed by the silent mockery, he slammed his foot down onto her head and snapped her neck. Her essence flooded out her eyes. He looked around. They had reformed in a random house on the southern continent. He grabbed a jar from the counter and captured the essence in it. Then, he made his way out to the middle of ocean, and dropped it into the depths.

Pair of Pain
Thud thud thud thud thud thud thud thud thud.

So went the rhythmic sound that sounded as Zaeron ran. He had been traveling for a week, only stopping in the dead of night for rest. He was currently on the southern continent, making his way North so he could return to Daxia. As he ran, he did everything he could to avoid roads. When someone else could be seen, he would duck into a ditch or bush to sneak past. After the events at the castle, he had decided it was best to stay low. He was currently running through a very barren part of the continent, and he knew he would have little choice but to find supplies at the next settlement he came across.

That particular settlement came into view much sooner then he had expected. He stopped outside it's gates. A Matoran guard posted above the gate called down to him. "Hail stranger! What brings you to our humble town?"

"Just passing through. I'm traveling North to find a ship to Metru-Nui." The story seemed to have little effect on the guard. Perhaps he had heard similar stories too many times for them to mean anything. "Well, just watch yourself. We don't tolerate crime and we happen to have a very bored executioner." He opened the gate and Zaeron entered. He walked around, hoping to find a market or store to buy food. When he found one, the store's owner proved to be extraordinarily difficult to buy from. Eventually, Zaeron simply dropped some of the widgets he had on him on the counter and swiped the food he had selected. The store owner didn't call out, either because he had been paid extra or he saw the large sword strapped to Zaeron's back.

Zaeron found an inn and checked in there. He left his food in the room and went down to the inn's bar. Several Matoran were noisily enjoying themselves in a corner table. He found it annoying, as he wanted to focus on the other people there. There was a female Vortixx carrying a massive sword. The weapon was longer then he was tall. He also noticed a black and red armored being sitting on his own in a booth. A set of troubadours were sitting around a circular table, discussing their businesses. Then, a cloaked figure entered. Most paid them no heed, but Zaeron knew better then to not pay attention.

The being sat down at a table on their own. A couple of stockily built beings that had just came down from the upper floors sat around the being. They seemed to be eyeing their prey greedily, as if they were overcome by some effect the being was giving off. One of the harassers moved to pull the cloak's hood down, but the being surprised the group by snatching a tankard from the adjacent table and slamming it on the being's jaw. The group's jaws hit the floor, but the being wasn't done there. They swung a chair into the side of another and snap-kicked another in the mask. The beings wisely decided to back off, and left the being be.

Slightly amused, Zaeron observed the being for a little while longer. The lime green eyes could be vaguely seen under the hood, and he saw longer hair then normal. ''Protective instinct, others' behavior, longer hair. Female.'' He calculated. His calculations were proved right mere minutes later, when a few other beings, clearly a little influenced by their drinks, targeted her from behind. One pulled her hood down, revealing her head. She whirled a punched one in the stomach and then slammed her knee into his head. She then proceeded to make the others dearly wish they had come into being.

Zaeron walked over to the bar and ordered a meal. he wanted to save his food in his room for the journey back to Daxia. He was surprised when the female-who-had shown-no-interest-in-interaction-with-others sat next to him. "Have we met?" She asked. Zaeron looked over at her. "Well, you look familiar. Have we?"

"Doubt it." She paused, then perked up, as though she had remembered something. "There's a description of you in the Purdusai records." Zaeron's eyes widened. "Yes, you're that newest champion. I'm the one before you, that wasn't there when you were."

"Ah, that's right. I'm afraid I cannot remember your name."

"Lothia. And you are Zaeron." Zaeron sighed inwardly. He really hoped she wouldn't want to go with him. "Yes. I see you don't exactly like the interactions of other beings all too much."

"Only the ones that want to use me for fun. Besides, I have more important things to worry about."

"Such as?"

"That's not precisely our business. Perhaps if we meet again, we can get to know one another better. Then maybe I'll tell you." She said, stood, and left. Huh. Was all Zaeron could think. He finished his meal and decided to go out for a walk, to make a mental map of the town. He walked around for about a half hour when he noticed someone waving for him to go over to them. Zaeron's first thought was to ignore it, but decided that if it were an Order member, he'd have to go. If not, he'd make some excuse and leave quickly. The moment he was close enough, he received a fist in the face.

He stumbled back, surprised by the sudden strike. Then he saw his attacker. It was Kyhrex, the other survivor from the arena. "Why?" He asked. "I've given up nobility. The arena showed me how useless it all is. Now I'm just surviving. Someone is paying me an awful lot to kill you, so here I am." She stepped forward, and he saw the dagger in her hand. He didn't have time to reach for any of his own weapons, so he caught her hand mid-lunge. They stood still, both struggling to push the dagger into the other. Zaeron soon realized that she was physically stronger then he was, and that he would die if he didn't think of something. Fast.

He noticed a metal pipe sticking out of the ground behind Kyhrex, and got and idea. He let go with his right and and loosed the hidden blade through Kyhrex's wrist. Before she could cry out, he shoved her back. She stumbled and fell back onto the pipe, which impaled her through the gut. Zaeron left the body in the alley and returned to the inn. He sat down in the bar and ordered a meal to go. He'd return to his room and eat there. Just as the clerk brought the food to him, something heavy slammed into his back.

His head was pushed down into the plate, where he soon found himself suffocating in the food. He slammed his elbow backward, and it felt like he struck a head, and the weight was lifted. He sat up and gasped in air. He turned around and saw two beings. One was the black and red armored being he'd seen before, and one was a new one. They were circling around each other weapons drawn. They lunged at one another, weapons clashing together in a flurry of silver flashes. Zaeron swore and stepped forward, drawing his own weapon. He caught both blades on his and pushed them to the sides. "If you're going to duel to the death, that's your business. Just do it elsew-" He was interrupted when both beings kicked him in the chest.

He fell back and jumped forward again. He used his own weapon to keep the two from killing each other, as well as him. He was eventually able to throw the black and red armored one across the room and behind the bar. The other, wearing a mix of yellow, gold, and red armor, looked at him. "Get out of this. This is between me and him."

"Well I can't do that. Just get out of here." Then, the door to the inn slammed open and a group of patrolmen, all of which were heavily armed Skakdi entered the room. The black and red armored being got up. "These two attacked me, sirs!" He said. Zaeron was about to let loose a heavy insult, but he was clubbed over the head by the hilt of an axe. Dazed, the patrolmen dragged him out to the gates and tossed him, and the other being, out of the settlement. "Thanks for that. Great work." the being said hauling himself up.

"Well, you're alive. From my angle you were losing. Badly. So, you're welcome. Who are you anyway?"

"You first."

"I'm a traveling sell sword named Zaeron."

"I'm a similarly occupied Toa named Phyrrus." The being paused, then got up and started to walk around the other side of the city. "Ar trying to climb the wall?" Zaeron asked, as Phyrrus appeared to be looking for ways up. "Yes. I need to go in and fight him."

"Why?"

"You don't need to know that."

"Have you fought before?"

"Yes. And I've lost every time. Go away."

"Who was he?"

"A rival of mine, named Asgard."

"What'd he do to make you so bent on fighting him."

"Mata-Nui do you every shut up?" Zaeron was about to retort, when a spear stuck in the ground between them. "Get away from our town!" The Matoran guard who had let Zaeron in shouted down at them. Zaeron rolled his eyes. "Well, good luck getting in. I'm out of here." He said and turned to start running. He didn't stop running for several hours. When he stopped, he sat under a tree to rest. He fell asleep almost instantly.

''He jumped to the adjacent roof. Bursts of elemental fire missing him by inches. He landed and rolled, He dropped down to the street below. He shoved pedestrians out of the way. He glanced behind him and saw that his pursuers were still coming. He hated having to flee, but there was little choice in this matter. He jumped through a merchant's stall, knocking it over to bring up an obstacle. Still, his pursuers came after him. Then, he heard the battle cry in the distance, Audible over the din of the city. Soon, it became overwhelming. And yet still he kept moving. He made it to the wall and saw the army below. An army of black and red armor, swords and shields that rose at the sight of him. A smile crossed his face as he turned to face his enemies."

He slowly opened his eyes, not understanding what he just dreamt. He looked up and saw a bird looking down at him. It's curious eyes showing no sign of hostility. He stood up and looked at it. "You been watching me sleep?" He asked it. Fantastic, you're speaking to animals. He thought. Of course, you're referring to yourself and you. He shook his head and looked at the bird. "So boy, want to help me find a way home?"

"Actually it's a girl." A voice said behind him. He whirled around and saw a familiar Mersion. "Mersery? What are you doing here?"

"I was sent to command a small team to extract one of our agents from his deep cover op. He's been framed for murder and will be put on trial." He raised his arm and the bird landed on it, where it perched contentedly. "This is Terkla, my pet Glider Owl."

"I see. Mind if I come along on this mission?"

"Not at all. My team will be happy to see you." Mersery took him back to a group of Order members riding tamed Kikanalo. He recognized one in particular. "Jareroden, good to see you again."

"Likewise. What are you doing out here?"

"I was returning. I suppose I can help you guys out and go back with you."

"Good plan. It's a good thing we have a spare Kikanalo." Zaeron hopped onto the Rahi and the group rode on.

Court
Zaeron rode next to Jareroden as they went through the plains. The Toa was explaining the plan to him. "The natives of this area will take him to their home to put him on trial for murder. He's innocent, as far as we know."

"And how are we getting him out?"

"We'll sell ourselves out as bounty hunters and we can hire ourselves to the group that will be escorting him. We'll get into the trial and do our best to prove him innocent."

"If we can't?"

"Well, our orders say he's expendable." Zaeron could tell by Jareroden's voice that he did not want to leave the order member behind. Zaeron didn't blame him. "Ultimately, it's Mersery's call. He's running this op." Jareroden concluded. The group rode for another hour before they found a similar group moving in a different direction. Mersery rode over to the other group's head. "Hail! Where are you off to?"

"Why do you care? A female voice sounded. The other group halted and the order agents rode up next to it. "Well, it just so happens that there's a large gang of bandits running around, targeting groups like you. We could always lend our services."

"For a price." Zaeron threw in. Jareroden nodded at him. Zaeron knew it was a good touch to the bounty hunter idea. The other party's leader rode a few paces forward. He could see she was a female Vortixx. "How much are we talking about?" She asked, this time directed at Zaeron. He shrugged. "How much you got?"

"Thirty-five hundred widgets is all we can spare."

"Done." Zaeron said. The Vortixx nodded. "Take positions around my group. You can handle the flanks." The order members did so, Zaeron riding next to Mersery. "You did good there." Mersery said. Zaeron shrugged. "I've had some experience with people like them. Remind me to tell you the story of the Kane-Ra in the club." Mersery glanced at him, curiosity in his eyes, then he shook his head. "I'm not sure I want to know." Zaeron laughed. The group continued to ride for quite some distance, before finally stopping at a crossroads. Mersery looked at Zaeron. "Something's off. This isn't where we should be going." Zaeron rolled his eyes. Typical.

The large group dismounted their steeds and made camp. The Vortixx ordered a Skakdi warrior to grab a bundle on the back of a Kikanalo. He did so, and Zaeron soon discovered it was in fact a prisoner. They stood him up and took off his blindfold. The being squinted. He was a Toa, but one that was far shorter then any Zaeron had seen before. He looked around at his captors. "You've grown in number. And weren't we headed back to your home? You did say so."

"Yes, I did. Very often, and at the top of my lungs." The Toa smiled. "Smart." Zaeron had to agree with him. "Anyway, do you think you could unbind my hands?"

"Why would I?"

"Where would I go? The bandits would kill me for my mask, and the local Rahi would rip me apart."

"Not happening." The Toa sighed. "Well, judging by where we are, I'd say we're headed to your sister's place. You really seem to get in command easily, eh? Well, why don't you just cut my head off here if you're taking me there?"

"I'm not a murderer, Tygor."

"Neither am I."

"The weapon found at the crime scene clearly belonged to you!"

"What kind of utter idiot with Muaka dung for brains arms an assassin with his own weapon?" Tygor shot back. The Vortixx didn't respond. "Am I starting to seem right?" Tygor asked, clearly irked. Suddenly, a hatchet flew past Zaeron's head and struck one of the order members in the head. A yellow Rahi jumped out of nowhere and took it from the body. Zaeron drew his sword. "What is that?" He asked Mersery. "That's Canjar. I didn't know it was still alive." The creature jumped at another couple guards and swiftly killed them before departing. Zaeron was about to relax, when several battle cries sounded behind him. He turned and saw a team of bandits charging them, He the one in the lead swiftly cut down an order agent and charged at him. Zaeron deflected the blow to the side and slashed his weapon across his foe's throat.

Mersery had used his staff to kill two of the bandits, and the rest were giving him a wide berth, dancing around him, trying to get close, when Terkla dove from the sky and plunged her horn into one's head, giving Mersery the chance to kill the other one. Jareroden was dueling three at once. Zaeron noticed that he had improved in skill since he had last fought alongside him. Zaeron swiftly cut down four of the bandits as his partners defeated their adversaries. Zaeron turned and saw Tygor, holding a pointed shield in his bound hands, stabbing the end into the face of a bandit. Zaeron walked over, impressed. "Conventional weapons. Nice." He said. Tygor shrugged. Only one of the Vortixx's guards was alive, as was she.

They took whatever they could from the dead, and continued to ride on. It only took two hours to reach their destination. It was a tall tower which had several bodies hanging from their necks around it. The sight sickened Zaeron. They were brought before a regal looking Vortixx woman at the top of the tower. She was surrounded by guards and handmaidens. "Sister. Let us be done with this."

"Yes, let's." She turned to Tygor. "You can confess and it will be quick, or you don't, and we hang you by your little fingers outside until the snap off and you fall." Tygor wisely chose to confess. He stepped forward, the guards there all looked at him with terrible malice. Zaeron knew he'd have to intervene, and fast if needed. "Ladies. My crimes, as you undoubtedly wish to hear, are beyond count. I've gambled, drank, and stolen. I guess you want details." Zaeron gave Mersery a look. The Mersion shrugged. "When I was but a matoran, I stuffed my Turaga's mask with Tunneler dung. When I was discovered, I blamed his adviser. Poor guy was whipped and I escaped justice."

Jareroden smirked. Zaeron felt slightly amused. He glanced at Mersery, who was sighing and shaking his head. "After I was turned into a Toa, I thought it would be funny to make all the metal in the village weigh ten times more then it already was. Sadly, that applied to everyone's armor, so the village was forced to lie on the ground until I stopped laughing, several hours later." Jareroden grinned. Zaeron smirked and shook his head. Mersery looked oddly unimpressed. "Just a week later, I milked a Kane-Ra female into a pot of stew. I skinned a Brakas into it, I even put a pair of Doom Viper eyes into it as well. I even took Muaka tears and threw them in too, which I do believe the Turaga ate!" He paused for a moment, then added "I sure hope he did."

He was about to detail him taking an Ash Bear and a protodite hive into a restaurant when the regal looking Vortixx stood, interrupting him. "Shut up!" She yelled. "You were brought here to stand trial for murdering my nephew! Not your childhood pranks!"

"What in Mata-Nui's name are you on about, lady? I haven't killed any Vortixx." He muttered in an almost indiscernible voice. "Not yet anyway."

"Fine, we'll force it out of you."

"No you won't. I demand a trial by combat."

"Fine. Does anyone here wish to represent me?" She asked. Nearly every guard volunteered, except one. She singled him out. "Don't you wish to avenge my nephew?"

"With all my heart, lady. Yet I am twice his size. It would be dishonorable to kill him."

"I agree." Tygor said. The Vortixx sisters looked at him. "Did you not just demand a trial by combat?" The first asked. "Yes. And I now demand a champion. Does anyone wish to volunteer for me?"

"Don't." Mersery ordered quietly as Jareroden was about to step forward. "Why not? Our orders were to rescue him." Jareroden shot back. "But the Order's secrecy could be compromised! That's more important!" Mersery responded. The two began a quiet argument. Irked, Zaeron stepped forward. "I'll stand for the little Toa." He said loudly. Tygor looked at him, gratefully. He glanced over his shoulder at Mersery, who was mouthing a swear word. Jareroden looked encouraging.

Soon, the warrior the Vortixx had singled out was standing opposite Zaeron, sword and shield in hand, and wearing heavy armor. One of the domestic warriors offered a shield to Zaeron, but he shook his head no, and readied his sword. Someone off to the side yelled fight, and both fighters quickly stepped forward. Zaeron caught the sword strike on his sword and pushed it away. Deciding to adapt his style to a more defensive strategy. He knew from experience that trained Shield users could be tricky to fight.

The warrior slashed in wide, sweeping blows. It only took Zaeron a step to the side to avoid death. He was calculating a way to get past the heavy armor when he backed into a wall. He slipped to the side and his opponent's sword hit the stone wall. The warrior then attempted a high blow to the neck, which Zaeron easily ducked. Zaeron noticed a set of steps leading up to the throne, and backed up them, trying to get the high ground. This move soon proved useless, as he had to jump over the rail to avoid an uppercut strike.

"Stand and fight, craven!" One of the Vortixx sisters yelled at him. He looked up at her, his face insolent behind his mask, and turned and snap-kicked his foes shield, causing him to stumble. His foe recovered quickly, and resumed attacking him. Zaeron ducked into a crowd of onlookers, which parted quickly, but he grabbed a warrior and shoved him at his opponent. The warrior shoved his counterparts away and aimed to decapitate his opponent. Zaeron ducked, and spotting a weakness, cut at his foe's lightly armored armpit. He danced away and slipped back to the staircase.

"Enough, kill him!" Screamed one of the sisters. The warrior nodded and ran up the stairs. Zaeron spotted a window behind the throne and an idea came to mind. He backed up the stairs, causing the sisters to move away. He struck unexpectedly, and the warrior brought up his shield to block. Zaeron sidestepped around and cut down on his opponent's hamstring. the warrior fell to his knees, trying to stabilize himself on his sword. Zaeron walked over, punched him in the chest, pulled his sword away, and threw it across the room. He picked up the warrior and put him in the window sill. He turned to look at the sisters. He had won. Now he had to hope they declared him the winner, or he'd have to make it brutally obvious to them. It turned out he had to. He pushed the warrior out the window, where he fell to his death.

Zaeron walked over to Tygor, untied him, and shooed him over to Mersery and Jareroden. He walked over to a window, wiped his sword on a curtain and looked at the sisters. "You dishonorable..." one of them began. He interrupted. "Honor kills you. Fighting with it is like fighting a sword with a spoon." Then he turned and left the room, His partners and their rescued agent following him.

When they were a fair distance away, Mersery stopped him. "What were you thinking? You could have given us all away! The Order's secrecy is almost always a priority!" Before Zaeron could answer, Tygor stepped in. "And yet you yell at him about it at the top of your lungs." Mersery chose not to respond. The group mainly rode in silence for the majority of the trip. After about nine hours, Zaeron asked Jareroden how they were returning to Daxia. "Boat." The Toa said simply. Zaeron rolled his eyes. "Glorious. I hate boats."

"Really?"

"Yep." Jareroden looked surprised. When they had reached said boat, which was floating a kio off a beach's shore, they released their steeds and swam out to the boat. Mersery and Jareroden were pulled on first by unseen Order agents, then Tygor, and then him. He was surprised to see that the one to have pulled him aboard was Maraina. "Fancy seeing you again, hon!" She said with a dazzling smile. He ignored it. "Yes, can we go now?" She gave him a knowing look and walked over to the cabin. "Oi! get this bloody ship moving!" After five minutes of the ship moving, Zaeron began to feel slightly woozy. That turned to sick, which turned to him vomiting over the side.

Jareroden walked over, clearly trying not to laugh. he wasn't doing a very good job. Annoyed by this, Zaeron grabbed the Toa's mask, pulled it off, puked in it, and put it back on him.

The Horde
Zaeron soon learned the ups and downs of being seasick.

For starters, it kept most people away from you, giving you some privacy. Those who did often didn't stay too long. There was also the factor that attractive females tended to take pity and show sympathy. The downside was that a few of the people aboard the ship tended to laugh at him. Of course, those who did were either very brave or very stupid, as Jareroden had yet to return from below deck, where he was washing his mask out. There was also the lasting smell and taste of vomit about you and he felt terrible.

Zaeron continued this general cycle until they had reached Daxia. The symptoms almost stopped immediately after getting off the boat. After he shook of the after effects and had found something to get rid of the smell his breath gave off, he headed to Helryx's office. She was poring over a map and looked up when she heard him enter. "I'm surprised you're back."

"Believe me, it's best unsaid why."

"If you say so. It's good you're here. I need to send a team to an island in the southeast. The Brotherhood of Makuta has shown it's true colors now. There have been reports of an army of Visorak massing on this island. If true, do everything possible to cripple this army. Choose a partner, I'll send a few extra members along." He nodded. He had really hoped for a day or two of rest, but this sounded urgent. He quickly went out to find Sakila, the only one he trusted enough to be his partner.

He found her training a pair of new recruits. When she saw him, she quickly dismissed them and walked over. She had changed since they had last seen one another. She looked as though she had been running on a few hours of sleep per night, and when she was awake was too busy to be healthy. "Good to see you back." She said with a smile. "Who are we killing now?" Zaeron rolled his eyes. "Nobody specific. Just stopping an army of spiders. That's all." Her smile widened. "Sounds fun. Anyone else coming?"

"Helryx is sending a few others. Not sure who."

"Ok. I have everything ready, let's head down to the port and wait there."

"We had better not be sailing...."

"Why? Don't you like the extra sympathy?" She said with a hint of dry humor in her eyes. He shrugged. "Depends on who's giving it." She sheathed her blades over her back and walked off. He sighed and followed her. Nobody was there to meet them, so they stood there and caught up. He filled her in on most of the thing's he'd done, other then his duel with Shadowmaster. He decided nobody needed to be burdened with that information. "What about you? Any psychotic scientists caught your eye?" He said jokingly. "Oh yes, thousands." She said with a smile. It was then he noticed that she had become considerably shorter then before. As if she had read his mind, she sighed and explained.

"An unfortunate encounter with your old friend Veartax."

"Ah." Zaeron said. He was about to ask her another question when a voice interrupted. "At least you know why I hate him." They looked over and saw a pair of order members, both Toa, walking over. "Hope you like flying." One said, she was a female, her armor indicated she was a Toa of Water. Fifteen minutes later they were sitting in an airship. The other Toa, a male named Tearox, was giving them details on what they would be doing.

"The reports say that most of the islands inhabitants are in league with this army. Mostly mercs and Brotherhood lackeys. We'll be going in disguised as mercs looking for hire. Once we get in, then we can start breaking stuff."

"I like it." Sakila said. Tearox pass them their cover details. "Apparently we're very much in love. Traveling sell swords working for the highest bidder. How romantic." Sakila said. Zaeron realized she was right. Ok, this should be a fascinating assignment. He thought. "Who wrote the covers exactly?"

"Me." The pilot called. It was the first time they'd heard him speak the whole trip. "Only you Onika. Only you." Zaeron said, somewhat amused. They spent the course of the trip reviewing their covers and planning out what they would do once they got there. Once they arrived, Onika dropped them off on one of the beaches. "You'll have to find your own way off the island. Sorry." He said and flew off. The four agents headed inland. Once the island's capital came into view, they split into the two pairs.

"Alright, so, what's our entry place?" He asked. "Well, if my memory serves me right, there's an abandoned army base on the other side of the city. That's the recruitment place. We go there."

"Alright, let's go." They began the very tedious task of making their way through the cities very busy streets and walkways. There weren't very many Matoran, but there were loads of Steltians, Vortixx, and Skakdi. More then once, somebody tried to mug them. They failed miserably. It took almost three hours to get to the abandoned army base, and when they got there, Zaeron was sure they had found the wrong place.

It didn't look abandoned at all. In fact, it was teeming with activity. Soldiers of many races were sparring in a closed off training area. Even from the outside, they could see that Visorak had inhabited the place. Webs were everywhere. A long line of people trying to sign up. "Quick, let's get in line." Sakila said and they quickly got in the back of the line. As they neared the front, Zaeron heard the hopeful in front of him speak up. "Hurry it up! I want to get in the fight." Zaeron sighed. The one in front of him sounded as though he was only a year or so into life. Zaeron tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around.

Zaeron grabbed his weapon from him, a thin sword, snapped it over his knee and threw the pieces to the side. "Go do something else, kid." He said. The young one walked out of the line, looking enraged. When they were finally allowed in, Zaeron quickly spotted Xarana and Tearox. Standing together on the far side of the base. They wisely chose to ignore him. "Attention new recruits!" An intercom system blared. "Find a place on the ground that isn't web and have a good sleep." The system stopped. Zaeron quickly sat down, leaning against the wall of the base. Sakila sat next to him and leaned her head on his shoulder. "Remember, we're madly in love. I hope you're a good actor." She whispered.

Catching her point, Zaeron put his arm around her. Not exactly knowing what to do, just winging it. "Look at the other two. They seem to do it really well." Zaeron looked over. He didn't know how to judge, so he decided to take her word for it. "Actually, it wouldn't surprise me if they're not acting." Sakila said quietly. Then, she fell asleep on his shoulder. Zaeron felt a huge wave of confusion and awkwardness wash over him. He had never known a thing about such interactions, aside that they existed. Is this something I should have researched before? he thought to himself.

He noticed a trio of Steltians eying them. More specifically, Sakila. Zaeron raised his hand and aimed an obscene hand gesture at them. They laughed and started to walk over. "Go ahead." He heard Sakila whisper. Mata-Nui, how do I do it? He asked himself. Situations like this hate me. He thought and walked up to them. "Look here son. No need for violence. We just want you to share." One said, his voice dripping with relish that made Zaeron sick. One started forward, and Zaeron punched him in the mask. The Steltain stumbled back, blood dripping out under his mask.

The group lunged for him. Onlookers soon saw a scene that was a mixture of pathetic and impressive at the same time. It only took fifteen seconds for each Steltian to be lying on the ground, either unconscious or moaning in pain. "Now that's what I like to see!" A loud, gruff voice bellowed. Zaeron turned and saw a sergeant walking by. "You three! What are your names!?"

"Frij, Sir!"

"Ewq, Sir!"

"Pyle, Sir!"

"You three! Look at me! In my eyes you stuck up Steltians! Eyes up idiots! Better! Get the Karzahni out of my base right now! Get out!" The three Steltians looked at each other and off. The sergeant whirled on Zaeron, who saw that it was a male Vortixx. He was a seriously ugly being with scars all over his head. His entire left arm was a giant burn. "You! What is your name?!"

"Zaeron, sir." Zaeron answered. "Well guess what!? You just scored you and your lady friend a bed for the night! I reward those who take initiative, and you are one of those! But if any more fights show up I will personally make the rest of you a bed made out of webs!!" The sergeant bellowed. "Go to the barracks, you two!" The sergeant finished. "Yes sir!" Zaeron answered, saluted, and walked back to Sakila. She got up, snaked and arm around his shoulders and walked with him to the barracks. "Nice one." She said. When they entered, a load of other soldiers looked up at them, clearly confused. "Your room is down the hall! After today, you gotta earn your rewards!" The sergeant's voice bellowed from behind them, making them both jump.

They entered the room the sergeant had pointed out. Instead of going to sleep, they stayed up and discussed how to begin immediate sabotage. "One of us should head to the security offices. That way we can have all the cameras turned off for when we start breaking things." Sakila said. There was a moment of silence, then they both said "You do it." At the same time. They began a silent argument about it before Sakila threw up her hands in frustration and agreed to do it.

They quietly left the room and snuck out of the building, using an over-light tread as they walked past the sergeant's room. They darted from shadow to shadow as they both moved for the security office. "Wait here, when I wave through the window, you're good." She said and slipped in the door to the office. There was a muffled cry and a thwack, and Zaeron knew she had taken care of a guard. He soon spotted her hand waving in the window. He darted from shadow to shadow now, moving towards what appeared to be a large Visorak nest.

As he drew near, he spotted Tearox and Xarana near it as well. He also spotted a guard coming up quietly behind them, brandishing a small club. He quietly sprinted over and roundhouse-kicked the guard in the back of the head, causing him to fall, unconscious. "Watch your back next time." Zaeron said to the two Toa as he hid the guard in a garbage can. "Will do, get over here." Tearox said. Zaeron walked over. "This type of web is highly flammable, so get ready to run." He pulled out a match and lit it. Zaeron was already taking a few steps back. In seconds, the nest was in flames, and the three order agents were running as fast as possible in the opposite direction.

Zaeron met Sakila outside the barracks and they quietly slipped back in. Five minutes after they had snuck into their room, the Sergeant was bellowing orders at the top of his lungs. They left the room and went out to help put out the fire. They succeeded in making it last as long as possible, and by the time they were done, four hours later, there was nothing left of the nest. He smiled at the sight, then quickly wiped it off his face as the sergeant approached. "Recruits! We start training today. Right now! Line up!!"

Zaeron witnessed that the sergeant was particularly cruel, forcing several recruits to choke themselves and one to even stand on one foot while trying to avoid stones being thrown at him. The sergeant also showed an extreme proficiency at insulting people at the top of his voice. Almost half the recruits had quit by the end of the day. "I have no tolerance for quitters and cowards!" Roared the sergeant as the last runner had disappeared out of the gates. Zaeron and Sakila repeated the previous night's schedule and went to set fire to the food supply. It took three days to fully put out the fire.

When the had finished, they were forced to run an obstacle course. Zaeron and Sakila breezed through it, as their training had given them high education it climbing, rolling, vaulting, jumping and diving through obstacles. Xarana and Tearox finished about a minute after them, giving the four time to discuss their next target. "I say the command post. It would be heavy risk, but the end result could bring the army down completely." Xarana suggested. Zaeron nodded his agreement. "I'll handle it alone. It might be a good idea to bring down two targets. You three can handle one other, I'll burn the command post to the ground."

That night, he left on his own. This time, he clambered out a window in the barracks, making as little noise as possible. He almost instantly had to knock a guard out. He quickly hid the unconscious being inside the trunk of a vehicle. He got to just outside the command building and looked around. There was a barbed wire fence surrounding it, and there were patrolmen on both levels. He looked around for something to distract the patrolmen with. He found a garbage can's metal lid and threw it over the fence at one of them. The guard was hit square in the face, and fell quietly. The other guards ran over to see what was happening,

He scaled the fence easily and had climbed up to the roof of the building. He entered through a ventilation shaft. It was difficult to make no noise in the shaft, but had to do what he could. The result was him moving very, very slowly. As he passed through, he overheard the command staff talking, and decided to stop and listen. "Our first target should be their base. That would cripple them."

"That is true. But it would be heavily fortified."

"We'll have to take that risk."

"Alright, we'll attack Daxia once the army is built up and the blasted base is repaired." Zaeron mouth the strongest curse he knew. His enemies knew about Daxia and the order. He opened the shaft and and hopped out. Luckily, the command staff were so occupied planning, the didn't see or hear him. He slipped up behind one and snapped his neck. The staff tried to go for their weapons, but their assailant was far too strong for any of them to fight against. Soon they were all dead. Zaeron pulled out his own match and soon the building was ablaze. He slipped back in through the barracks window and when he landed, he was greeted with an awful sight.

The recruits stood before him. Weapons out. His teammates were bound and Sakila had a gash in her left arm and a light cut across the neck. The sergeant stood in front, clutching a bloody spear. "So, you four were the terrorists, huh?" Well, let me show you how we punish terrorists in my army!" The Vortixx lunged at him. Zaeron deftly moved to the side and shoved down his opponent's head on the spear's head. The sergeant's mouth was impaled on the razor spear. The recruits broke and ran.

Zaeron rushed over and untied his team. Sakila was turning grey under her mask. "What did they do to her?" He asked. "The sergeant's spear was poisoned. She has some in her neck. The arm was a dagger from one of the recruits." Tearox answered. Zaeron swore. He tried desperately to remember how to treat poisons. Suddenly, he remembered what his old mentor had told him. ''If it's ingested, there's nothing you can do. If it's a cut, you have to suck the venom out.''

He quickly set to work, sucking the poison out of her neck, then spitting it out and repeating. When he had finished, Sakila gave him a weak grin. "C'mon, you know you liked it." She said quietly before passing out. "Guys, get her out of here, now. I've got something to attend to." They nodded and carried her out of the barracks. Zaeron followed them out, then split from them and pulled his sword out. He charged around, cutting down anyone who wasn't wise enough to flee before him. At the end of the day, he was smeared in gore and the army was all but destroyed. He looked around, looking at all the lives he had taken. More then he could count.

''This is what I'm becoming. Must I slaughter fields of living beings in the name of peace? So that Matoran who consider their taxes a problem can go on in their lives, not really worrying about anything?'' He reflected. He cleaned the blade so it wouldn't rust. He started to move to leave, when the ground started shaking. "Mata-Nui what in Karzahni do I have to kill now!?" He yelled.

He soon discovered that he wouldn't be killing anything else that day.

Off Duty
Zaeron ran as fast as he could, not daring to look behind him as he ran. He climbed up a mountain in hopes of escaping. Once he had made it to the top, he looked down. The massive worm that had emerged from the ground and was bent on eating him was coiling around his refuge. "Karzahni!" He said and ran down the other side. He jumped over the worm's massive body and ran into the forest. The thing chased him across the island. He soon found himself fleeing through a city, hoping that something would throw the thing away from him.

He chanced a look over his shoulder and saw that the creature was practically eating the street. He swore loudly and kept running. Some brave beings were shooting at it with Cordak blasters, trying in vain to kill it. They soon found themselves inside the creature's maw, and were eaten quickly yet messily. Zaeron fled the island stealing a boat and going offshore. When he was a large distance away, he looked back. Fires could be seen from the boat, smoke was rising, screams were audible, and then, the island sank into the ocean. He quickly piloted the boat away, headed for Daxia and hoping his team had made it.

He only took the time to vomit after he had made it to Daxia. A few order members snickered as they walked by, but wisely chose to shut up after one glare from Zaeron. Once he had finished emptying himself of his meals, he went to Helryx. "Can I please take some time off?" He asked before she could say anything. "Er...why?"

"Well, frankly, I think I've earned it, and I just watched a giant worm eat an island." Helryx paused for a moment, then nodded. "You're right. I'll give you a few months." Zaeron swept from the room and ran down to the infirmary. He found a few medics having an argument with Sakila. She saw him and pushed by the medic. "You made it out. Good, I was worried for a second." She said awkwardly. "Yeah." He said tiredly. Then he made his way to a medical bed and lay down to sleep.

He woke up in his own room. He sat up, still exhausted, just not as much as before. He grabbed his sword from the wall and sheathed it over his back. He walked stopped a passing order member. "Where could I find someplace to do some research?"

"Um....the archive in the basement of the main building."

"Thanks." Zaeron walked over to said building and made his way into the basement. He was greeted by a being who was clearly very, very old. "What're you looking for?" The old being said. "Er.....giant worms?"

"Row seven." The being said in a bored voice. Zaeron walked to the row of files and started flipping through them. When he found one that looked promising, he grabbed a chair and sat down to read it. He read through it for at least an hour before he was interrupted by a female voice. "Hey there." He looked up and saw Maraina sitting in a chair opposing him, reading through a file as well. "Hi. What're you reading?"

"Research on Rahi I've encountered. I don't know what half of them were, so I figured I'd learn."

"Ah. Same." She nodded. Then, she glanced to the edge of the row, then pulled out a black bottle. She passed it to him. "Try it."

"What's in it?"

"That, my friend, is the result of an attempt to make a juice with a fruit that's been sitting in the sun too long. It's not too bad, actually." He took a swig, and just about coughed it up. "Mata-Nui. Where did you get this?"

"The kitchens." She said with a mischievous smile. "And the thing is, that's not the strongest thing they've got in there." Then, she lowered her voice and said "Don't tell the old guy. He doesn't let food or drink in here." Zaeron nodded. He soon got very distracted from his research, and found himself quietly talking to Maraina. It wasn't long before he was also distracted from the conversation, and she had to wave a hand in front of his eyes to make him focus. They eventually decided to just put the files away and they left together. They walked through the base together, talking about random things.

They passed a recreational court and saw Onika and Tygor playing a game where they had to throw a ball into a suspended net. Spotting them, Onika stopped and waved them over. "You guys up for two on two?"

"Sure." Maraina said. Zaeron picked up on the game very quickly. The two teams, Tygor and Onika against Zaeron and Maraina, soon began a heated game together. Zaeron spotted Relyt and Sakila watching, then threw the ball to Sakila quickly, yelling "She's on my team!" She caught the ball and handed to Relyt, who scored from the other side of the court. "Nevermind, he's on my team."

"No, you said her." Onika objected. Then, a voice yelled from the side. "Oi!" They looked and saw an indignant looking order member on the side. He pointed to a sign that said specifically "Closed." They quickly departed, all the while being lectured by the angry member. By then, it was dark, and most of them had headed off to sleep. Just as Zaeron was about to go, Maraina caught his arm. "Hey, if you're interested in finding out just what else the kitchen has to offer, meet me on the beach at noon tomorrow." She whispered in his ear. "Why not? I've got the next couple months off." She grinned and walked off. As he walked back to his quarters, Relyt came up behind him.

"So....you and her, huh?"

"What?"

"Uh, did I get it wrong?"

"What on earth are you on about?"

"Never mind. Night." He said and quickly left. Confused, Zaeron returned to his quarters and went to sleep.

''Desert. As far as the eye could see, there was desert. Sand was normally beige, but now it was scarlet. He looked around. "Hey, we've got blood." His partner walked up and looked down. "Vorox. One of them is wounded." They followed the blood trail and found a severed tail. "What could have done this? They're vicious creatures, the Vorox." Then, a beige armored creature jumped out and devoured his partner. He turned and ran, clearly hearing the creatures chasing after him from behind.''

He woke up and sat erect. He shook his head. He didn't dream often, but when he did, they scared him. They were always so real. He shook his head and looked at his clock, It was eleven. He got up and headed down to the mess. He ate a quick breakfast and headed down to the beach. He saw Maraina standing on her own. She saw him and waved. He returned the gesture and then reached her. "Hey. Glad you came." She said. He saw that she was hiding something behind her back. "What're you hiding?" He asked she pulled out a box. She sat down, opened it and gestured for him to join her.

"I want to see just how much of this stuff you can handle." She said, that mischievous look on her face again. "Should I be afraid?" He asked. "Probably, but you aren't afraid of anything, are you?" He sighed, sat down, and glanced inside the box and saw much more of the stuff she had given him the previous night. She handed him one and he downed it easily. No negative feeling. She handed him a second. "This stuff is from Voya-Nui, very hard to come by." He downed it in seconds and coughed slightly. She pulled out another. "This is from Xia, if you don't pass out I'll be impressed." He didn't pass out. Maraina laughed and pulled out her last bottle. "Now this is native Skakdi drink. Matoran often die from drinking this, but Toa will be just fine, so you should be able to take it." His judgment now slightly impaired, Zaeron downed it quickly. It only took seconds for him to black out.

When he woke up, he found himself lying in the med-bay. He sat up and looked around, his vision blurred. A doctor rushed in. "Are you insane? Why'd you drink that stuff?"

"What?"

"Oh, you don't remember. Not surprising, really. She'll have to tell you when she wakes up."

"Who?"

"Maraina. Your partner found you two and when she saw you, she beat Maraina senseless. She'd thought she'd killed you." Zaeron smiled. "Can I go eat something?"

"Sure, I'll have someone escort you down to the cafeteria."

"No, just tell me where."

"As you wish. Bottom floor, leave the elevator. You can't miss it." Zaeron walked out and made his way to the cafeteria. He soon discovered how revolting the food was. He decided to suck it up and eat it though. A Toa sat next to him. "So, you actually tried the Skakdi drink?" He looked over and saw a green armored Toa. His armor was far heavier than Zaeron's, he could tell just by looking. "People keep saying it, so it must be true."

"Indeed. I'm Rando."

"Zaeron."

"I'm afraid to say I don't know much about you. Aside from that your actions are very well kept secrets, and that you happen to be quite a skilled fighter."

"You know more about me then I do you."

"I suppose you do."

"Why are you in here?"

"Well, my mask is really messed up for some reason. They're working on trying to fix it."

"I see. I don't know what my mask does."

"Ouch. If I were you, I'd try to find out."

Trivia

 * Haunting in Shadows is the 10th longest page on the wiki.