The Era of the Koros

The Era of the Koros is a role-play story that was converted into a novel with the help of BIONICLEToa and Veneras.

Chapter 1
A canister drifted towards the shores of Mata Nui, just as six others had a week before. The cylinder touched down on the sandy beach, and a red figure, again like the one from a week before, emerged. But this Toa was not like Tahu. His eyes were deep, and had seen a hundred thousand horrors. His Kanohi was scarred, battered, and dented. his golden armor gleamed in the sunlight, the rays illuminating every scratch on his armor. He looked around the beach. a tiny voice in the back of his mind seemed to be trying to tell him something of this place, something he should know...but the knowing did not come. He remembered much of his past. The destruction of the battle-gates of Destral, the fall of the Kanohi Dragon, and the Toa-Dark Hunter War. But he could not remember how he had come to this island, or what it meant to his past. He did remember one other thing. His name, and that of another's. Ata. And Hunter.

Realizing he had been still for a long time, he broke into a run, somehow being steered toward a charred plain. As he started to run, he noticed another canister, exactly like his own just a few feet further down the beach. After a few minutes of running he saw a huge fortress looming in front of him. Black banners were dangling from the high balconies, on top of red ones below them. He saw Matoran (unusually small Matoran, he remarked to himself) guarding the gates, but he saw their stances were tired and weary. "Matoran! Open the gates. I wish to speak with your Turaga."

The Matoran saluted and called back to inside the gate, suddenly the lava began to rumble and the ground shook as the molten lake parted, great beams rising up to fill the gap, allowing passage to the great fortress. "Hail, Toa!" the guards called out.

Ata walked in slowly, noting the looks of both confusion and familiarity on the Matoran's faces. as he walked through the city, he noticed multiple statues of a Toa. He looked at one intently, noting the similarities to himself. The Hau adorned both their faces, and both gripped a Fire Sword in their hands. however, the statue's body shape was unique, and sparked a memory within his mind. This was Tahu, the Toa he had helped to train all those many years ago. But Tahu couldn't be here. How could the Matoran know of him? Tahu should be sealed away with the other Toa Mata. Thinking back to the canister on the beach, he suddenly realized what had happened, and why he had not already been notified by Mata Nui as to what was going on. He was asleep, or worse, he could be.....

Ata snapped out of his spiraling thoughts, turning his attention back to the statue. he noticed that it had markings on it, some kind of poem. But he had spent enough time here. it was time to go see the Turaga. Again breaking into a run, Ata dashed towards the center of the small fortress. He arrived at a small hut with a Hau carved above the door. He knocked on the door and it opened.

The hut was larger than most, obviously mean for one of authority. Shadows danced across the walls as the fire performed it's vibrant takara. Silhouetted in the center of it's great glow was a regal turaga, his orange armor and kanohi covered by regal red robes bearing the symbol of the fiery people. The silhouette did not move, he simply stared into the fire. Another stood in the hut, a matoran clad in the golden hau; he was the one who opened the door "identify yourself," he said. He spoke with authority, more so than you'd expect from a matoran in the presence of a toa. He stood strongly and with confidence. A matoran of great courage.



The island in the distance grew larger every hour. A large volcano surrounded by several smaller mountains adorned the island's visible landscape. Mata Nui he thought to himself. The Great Spirit, and a paradise in turmoil. He knew that his nemesis was here. He had to be, all of the roads led here. Gahlen, I'm coming for you. Finally, you will pay. He had been standing at the front of the boat for the entire journey, watching as he made the disorienting journey from his island home, to this empty and unfamiliar ocean. The matoran captain walked up the deck occasionally to check on his passenger. The two only exchanged small talk, the matoran needn't know why he needed to come to this island, just that he needed to be there, and that seemed alright with the matoran.

-Several hours later-

The boat had finally reached close enough to shore for Doran to swim to the beach. It truly was a beautiful island, he could imagine staying here, if it weren't for the Skakdi. Just before jumping off the side, the matoran pulled him aside. "Be careful, I suppose you already know this, but it's not as peaceful there as it looks." Doran nodded respectfully and dived off. "I hope you find what you're looking for!" The matoran shouted. As Doran swam to the golden beaches of Mata Nui, he had the same thought over and over. So do I my friend, so do I.



For many beings of Mata Nui, this afternoon was a peaceful one. It was indeed a very appreciable day out, and the matoran still inside of himself was begging to swing around the Wahi. The more "mature" part of his brain was more focused on the task at hand. He was chasing down a nosy little Le-matoran who had over heard a particularly sensitive conversation. Normally, the chase would have ended within five minutes, if even that, but this matoran had all the reflexes of a Toa, and knew the jungle much better than he. The chase was simply exhausting.

"I'm giving you one last chance!" Gahlen said between breaths. "Give up now, and I'll grant you a quick death!" Without turning around, the Le-Matoran replied, "In your dreams rama-brain. I can do this forever, can you?" Gahlen decided not to grace that with a response, and instead tried to focus on making the air around him more open, and push him faster through the leaves. Noticeably, he sped up. He now knew that the chase would end soon. Very, soon. Although, if he had full control of his air powers, the chase might have once again ended sooner, and if Gahlen knew where the matoran was headed, he could simply use his mask power to get there before the matoran. Unfortunately, those options weren't available yet.

The former Toa slowly gained on his prey, and eventually, Gahlen was close enough to hit the matoran with the flat of his broadsword. The matoran lost his balance and fell down onto the jungle floor, landing with as much grace as a Kikanalo. Gahlen landed next to him, and crouched down, looking the rebellious matoran in the eye.

"You can't do this you know, you're a Toa!" The Matoran tried to scramble away, but Gahlen put his foot on the Matoran's chest. The malice that was in his eyes moments before, was replaced with a longing, a wave of regret. Quickly, he shielded it and said, "I'm going to make this hurt." Screams echoed through Le-Wahi, cries of unimaginable pain, and as suddenly as they started, they stopped, returning Mata Nui, to a peaceful island once again.



"Ata, Toa of Fire. I have no team and come alone. I seek answers from the Turaga." the fire master said simply.

"The turaga is very busy" the matoran replied

"stay your zeal, captain," the shadow inturrupted. The matoran bowed his head as the shadow turned to reveal the red turaga. "What is it you seek, Toa?"

"I wish to know what fate has befallen the Toa. I noticed the black banners and the memorial statues. Tell me, what has happened?" Ata stated, his voice full of concern. He had seen too many Toa die in his lifetime.

Vakama closed his eyes. The past years have been emotional ones. "They have fulfilled their destiny" he replied; although his words were filled with dignity, his voice was heavy with sorrow.

Ata bowed his head in respect. "I am truly sorry for your loss. I will do what I can to defend your village. If that is your wish, of course."

Jala stepped forward "W-" Vakama raised his fist, silencing Jala before he had even begun "we would welcome your support, toa. Others across the island are rebuilding. We do not know what lies ahead. Legends tell of an unknown evil on the horizen. I cannot fortell what is looming"

Ata nodded solemnly. I too can feel this evil's presence. the ground and leaves whisper of its coming, but not of what it is. I shall go assist the Matoran guarding the walls. I fear they will soon need my help." Ata said as he turned to leave. And he exited the hut, leaving Jala and Vakama to their thoughts.

Chapter 2
After arriving on the beach, Doran made sure that the boat was safely on it's way before continuing his journey. The matoran captain had told him that he nears near the water village of Ga-Koro, he just had to hike north along the coastline until he saw a floating city. He scoffed, floating city. That matoran's spent one too many days out in the sun. But Doran decided to head north anyway, it was as good a start as any.

~Two hours of hiking later~

The matoran was right after all. A green, leafy city was indeed floating in the bay. It was connected to land via a small strip of leaves, leading to a gate. Doran decided not to waste his time and ran down the coast to the gate. There he saw two matoran, each adorning the same mask and blue armor, and each carrying a trident. "Doran, Toa of Fire, allow me passage!" He commanded the matoran.

The matoran stood still, not even the slightest shuffle.

"I've no patience for this, let me through!" He commanded once again. The matoran looked at each other, one of them shrugged and they resumed their normal positions. Doran groaned, these matoran were acting very strangely. He walked up to the gate, sword at the ready. The matoran's eyes widened in fear, one of them pointed behind Doran. A split second later, an explosion rumbled through the ground.

Doran looked over his shoulder to see several large boulders being flung from a cliff side. Where once there was an image of the great kanohi Kaukau, there was nothing. The matoran guarding the gate looked horrified, the carving must have had a special significance to the village. However, Doran could wait no longer, he shoved the dumbstruck matoran aside and lifted the gate himself. He ran across the leaf pathway to the village and saw that the entire village was in a panic. Doran grabbed the first matoran he could find and asked where the turaga was. The matoran pointed to a large domed shelter several feet away. He let the matoran go, and ran inside the dome.

"Turaga, I have an urgent matter to speak with you."

Trivia

 * The role-play started on TTV's forum, and was invisioned by Veneras. With the help of other BIONICLE fans who enjoyed role-play, this story was complied together with the direction of BIONICLEToa and Veneras.

Credits
This is a list of writers that participated in the Role-Play:
 * Veneras
 * BIONICLEToa
 * Makuta_Verakion
 * BioRaiders532