Lhikan (Fading Light Universe)

"As long as there is light in the Metru Nui sky, there is still hope. Mata Nui has not abandoned us yet."

- A slogan repeated across Metru Nui, first coined by Lhikan

Lhikan, the Last Toa of Fire, also known as Lhikan, Toa of Embers, was a grim Toa of Fire who presided over the city of Metru Nui after the death of Mata Nui in the Fading Light Universe. He is best known as the city's political figurehead, and the maintainer of its false sun.

Early Life
Like all Matoran, Lhikan's life began when he was created to build the Mata Nui Robot. After construction was finished and the vessel sealed, Lhikan was placed in the city of Metru Nui as a Matoran laborer. For most of his life, he worked making tools that were to be used by Ta-Metru's great mask makers. Despite his menial position, Lhikan found his life fulfilling and enjoyed it.

The Death of Mata Nui and Becoming a Toa
"What you have seen, what you have heard, what you will do, no one must know. If the Matoran found out what I - what we have done, they would panic, for all they know and believe would become a lie."

- Turaga Dume's dying words to Lhikan

Lhikan's life continued in relative peace for roughly three thousand years. It was then that he listened in horror as Ko-Metru scholars made an announcement: The Great Spirit was dying. Even he had noticed the disappearance of stars in the night sky, but now things began to look more dire.

Toa, looking to save the life of Mata Nui, left Metru Nui in order to find a way to extend or even save the Great Spirit's life. Lhikan witnessed the announcements that Jovan, a Toa of Magnetism, had left for the Southern Continent to retrieve the legendary Mask of Life to save Mata Nui. For a time, the hopes of him and every Matoran in Metru Nui were raised.

Many believed Jovan had succeeded in restoring Mata Nui's spirit when stars began reappearing in the night sky, but their return was short-lived. Once again, the stars flickered out, and with it did the hopes of the Matoran. Lhikan continued to labor, but began to wonder whether or not Mata Nui was even paying attention to the city. As the years passed and even Metru Nui's suns began to dim, the idea that Mata Nui had abandoned Metru Nui was becoming all too apparent. He watched as the city's few remaining Toa left to follow a prophecy simply called "The Fate of All Toa," disappearing into the South and never returning. For Lhikan, it seemed all was lost.

It was when the suns were at their dimmest that the city's last remaining Toa, Dume, Toa of Fire, announced that he had had a vision. He explained to all the Matoran that Mata Nui had not yet abandoned them, and that there was still hope. When the suns were about to set for the last time, Dume announced that a new sun would rise at the will of the Great Spirit.

Lhikan joined thousands of Matoran to watch Metru Nui's new sun rise for the first time. It hung low over the horizon, and even throughout the day it barely reached far into the sky, but for the Matoran this was a sign of hope. Lhikan worked with increased vigor, confident that this new sun meant that Mata Nui was still watching over the city. For over a thousand years, he was happy to know that the Great Spirit was still focused on Metru Nui.

One day, while working on an order for a Po-Metru carving facility, Vakama received an unexpected visit. Toa Dume entered his workshop and demanded that he come with him at once. Lhikan obliged and was taken to the Coliseum, where Dume explained that his power was failing. Soon, he would either have to pursue the Fate of All Toa himself or appoint a successor to control Metru Nui. Lhikan asked why his power was failing. Dume ignored him, instead explaining that he had chosen Lhikan to be his successor. Not for any particular skills, but because Dume sensed that he had the most elemental energy of all the Matoran in Ta-Metru, and he would need a powerful Toa of Fire to take his place.

When Lhikan pressured Dume to explain why a Toa of Fire was necessary, Dume took Lhikan to the sun deck. There, he said the words that changed Lhikan's life.

"There is no sun in Metru Nui's sky."

- Dume, Toa of Cinder

Dume explained that the sun in Metru Nui's sky was his own creation. He had forged it with his elemental powers in the hopes that it would keep the Matoran of the city from panicking. In reality, Metru Nui was growing dark like the Southern Islands, and without Dume's intervention would have been swallowed up by the darkness long ago.

Lhikan was shocked at this revelation, the fact that all his hope in the Great Spirit was based on a lie beginning to weigh on him. Dume explained that Lhikan needed to remain resolute for the city and gave him a Toa Stone. Faced with the choice of either becoming a Toa and maintaining the deception or abandoning Metru Nui, Lhikan grimly accepted Dume's offer. He was transformed into a Toa at the Coliseum's suva, and Dume was subsequently transformed into a Turaga. Dume taught Lhikan how to maintain the false sun before sacrificing his powers and his life to fuel it.

Lhikan's Reign
TBA

Battle with Takanuva and Death
TBA

Abilities and Traits
TBA

Mask and Tools
TBA

Trivia
Warning: contains some spoilers for the Dark Souls franchise. You have been warned.  Spoiler warning! Click show if you want to see the spoiler. 
 * Lhikan was inspired by Gwyndolin from the video game Dark Souls, having to maintain a false sun for a city in order to keep its inhabitants from believing that their gods had abandoned them.