Into the Depths

Prologue
The Makuta called Miserix stared intently at the chess board, taking account of his current situation. He had already captured three of his opponents pawns, without consequence. But a sacrifice had to be taken, if his plan was to succeed.

"Bishop to D-5, takes pawn."

Tornak glared at Miserix, then turned his gaze to the board. A fifth pawn was in danger, but its doom could be prevented. "Rook to D-5, Rook takes Bishop."

The red Makuta frowned. "A regretable loss, but necessary. Queen to A-6. You would really like to kill me right now, yes?"

"If- and when- I escape these chains, I will kill you," Tornak replied. "Have no doubt, you will loose this war."

"The battle is just beginning, my friend," Miserix laughed, "but my victory is already certain."

And with that, the Makuta turned and left the dungeon.

Chapter 1
Metru Nui

The green-and-black assassin known only as Ragon stalked through Ga-Metru, drifting from shadow to shadow, invisible to all but the keenest eye. His prey, a Ga-Matoran called Hahli, was several yards ahead of him, walking with another Ga-Matoran, deep in conversation. Laughing, Hahli punched her friend in the arm and they parted ways, Hahli turning down a narrow allyway, and her friend continuing on towards the Great Temple.

Now is my time to strike, the assassin thought.

He prepared his short blade and stepped out of the shadow of a lowlying house. Silently, he approached, raising his blade.

He struck at the Matoran's neck, severing her spinal cord. With a sickening Smack!, her head fell to the ground.

"Four down," Ragon murmured, "two to go."

Hewkii glanced nervously over his shoulder. It wasn't safe to walk alone, especially in a dark, lonely sector of Po-Metru. After the murders of several of his friends, the entire city was waiting, on edge. Their sole protector, Toa Lize, had left days ago with a mysterious Vortixx, and several 'accidents' had taken place in his absence. Or at least, Turaga Dume said they were accidents. But Hewkii knew better.

''It's not like Kongu's heartlight ripped itself out, is it? ''he thought morbidly. And Hahli's head didn't just fall off.

Matoro and Nuparu also died under suspicious circumstances: Nuparu had been killed in an unexplained cave-in under Onu-Metru. His body was never even found. And an enormous icicle had fallen off of a Knowledge Tower, impailing Matoro. Four murders, four different Metrus. The Matoran were only connected by one thing: they all were friends of a Ta-Matoran named Jaller, who was being kept safe in a secret underground room in the Coliseum.

Just like me, Hewkii thought nervously. He picked up his pace slightly, breaking into a run. I'm not safe here.

He was almost to the Sculpture Fields when a tall red being, carrying a longsword and a Rhotuka Shield, dove out from behind a low hut, knocking Hewkii to the ground. The Po-Matoran screamed as a shadowy figure leapt over them, swinging a black sword wildly.

"Onepu, now!" Hewkii's red-hued saviour shouted.

Hewkii gasped as a tunnel mouth appeared twenty yards ahead of them. With a roar, a black-colored Toa wearing a Kanohi Kadin burst out of the cave, firing a Rhotuka spinner from his black shield. The Rhotuka struck Hewkii's would-be murderer, who was only just regaining his feet after falling to the ground after missing Hewkii. As soon as the spinner struck him, he froze. The assassin seemed unable to move, as if trapped in stasis.

"You're safe now," Hewkii's saviour said, standing. "I'm Tallin, this is Onepu."

"Hewkii."

"We know who you are, Hewkii," Tallin replied. "And we know why Ragon here-" he waved his hand in the assassin's direction "-wanted to kill you. You need to come with us."

"Where?"

"To get Jaller," Onepu said, staring at Ragon. "Hey, Tallin, you think this sword would work?"

"He took yours. You might as well return the favor."

Onepu grinned behind his Kadin, and grabbed the black blade from Ragon. "It's nice, great balance. It should do."

Hewkii stared at the assassin, a mixture of fear and amazement in his eyes.

"What did you do to him?" the Kakama-wearing Po-Matoran asked.

"My Rhotuka froze him in time," Onepu replied. "The effect should last for an hour or so, and that gives us enough time to get Jaller and leave the city."

"Where are we going?"

Tallin and Onepu exchanged glances.

"It's a place called the-" Onepu began, but Tallin interrupted.

"We'll tell you later. We need to get Jaller. Now."