Shadow Falls

This article was written by WololoWarrior. Please do not add to it without the writer's permission.

Shadow Falls is a story currently being written by WololoWarrior that is set in the Bloodlines Universe. It is the first installment of the Kaore Saga.

The Southern Islands are the wild frontier of the universe. Only those brave - or foolish - enough to risk everything venture there. Or those so desperate they have no other choice. In the depths of the most remote of these lands, something is stirring. Something ancient.

Story

Chapter I

Embers flickering in front of his mask, the Turaga crumbled a substance into the fire that turned the warm and welcoming campfire into a roaring green blaze. The gathered crowd gasped in amazement. At the back, a Toa of Fire chuckled with amusement. The flame died down, and the onlookers’ murmurings stopped.

‘Gathered friends, welcome. Most of you likely do not know me. My name is Aketu. Once Toa, now simple Turaga. I have a story to tell.’

‘My life was simple, if exhausting, but I liked it. It was only natural that it would be turned upside down in an instant’.

The Matoran sighed and raised his head. ‘Again, it won’t work. The ghosts want this prototype today, and if it’s not ready, they’ll have our hides. You know what they did last time we failed!’

‘I know, Dajo, i’m working as hard as I can, but I just can’t get this right’. Su-Matoran Aketu threw up his hands in defeat. ‘Maybe it’s just impossible. I’ve been studying the Exo-Toa, but even they’re just too clunky for this. I’m not the Great Spirit, I’m just one Matoran.’

Maybe if you let others help you, you’d find it much easier’, Dajo said. ‘Not that it’s any of my business. Let me see those blueprints’.

Aketu reluctantly handed the plans over to his colleague, who scanned the sheet briefly, before throwing them down and letting out a single breathy laugh.

‘I’ll admit it, it’s a big ask, but who are we to judge the ghosts’ designs? They’re as smart as they come.’

‘I don’t understand why they hired us in the first place. Surely they could do it all themselves, and if not, there must be someone else closer.’

Dajo shook his head. ‘Who knows? We just need to get this done. I expect results when I come back.’

Aketu returned to staring blankly at the blueprints as Dajo left the room. He never asked to be in charge of this project. The other Matoran at the forge had named him best smith, in spite of his tendency to shut others out. And so this task fell to him, and Aketu took it upon himself to complete it alone. He’d come closer than he ever had before to just asking one of the others to help, even Dajo would be fine, but Aketu’s pride wouldn’t let him.

Aketu had been staring for at least an hour, maybe two - long enough for all the scraps of armour at his table to appear to be staring back at him - he’d lost all sense of time trapped in his small workshop. The shop itself was a mess, scraps of metal and half finished projects littered around the workbench, scrolls spilling off shelves, and a scorch mark that had been there almost as long as Aketu had. Aketu’s musing was cut off by a shout at the door.

‘They’re here!’ a voice Aketu didn’t recognize called out, then Dajo burst through the door.

‘You’d better come with us’

◯◯◯

The Nynrah Ghosts were nothing if not dramatic. Descending from the sky in two massive gunships, the flag of Nynrah billowing in the wind. The Fe-Matoran crafters disembarked at the other end of the Nako Bond, a seemingly endless bridge connecting the Kestyr forge to the rest of the island. Aketu’s entire body trembled; he just hoped the others would see it as merely a shiver from the cold, and not a fearful quiver. A quick scan of his comrades put some of his worries to rest, as they all looked no less scared. Next to him, the lens of Dajo’s modified mask of shielding whirred as he zoomed in to get a better look at their visitors.

‘Well they look friendly.’ Dajo murmured.

Aketu relaxed a little. ‘Do they? That’s good’

‘No. no, they do not.’

‘Ah’, Aketu’s muscles tensed within his metallic exterior, ‘Excellent’.

Two columns of matoran armed with Shock Pikes and Protosteel shields marched down the bridge in perfect time with one another. Each footstep amplified fifty-fold. The procession stopped 50 feet from the gathered Su-Matoran and slammed the butts of their pikes into the ground with a resounding clang. For a few long moments, nothing happened. Not a single Matoran moved. Then, a single figure wrapped in a tattered cloak stepped forward. The procession announced his appearance with another stomp with their pikes. The matoran stopped short of the forge’s welcoming party and threw aside his cloak.

‘Tad overdramatic.’ Dajo whispered. The cloak fell to the floor to reveal a Kanohi Arthron.

‘I am Feru. I speak on behalf of the ghosts of Nynrah. I believe you know why we are here.’

Another matoran from the forge, Darmut, came to meet him. ‘We know why you are here, Ghost.’ he said, poking a finger at Feru’s heartlight. ‘I cannot say the same for this army of yours.’

Feru smiled coyly and gestured at the soldiers seemingly at his command. ‘This show of arms is merely ceremonial. Besides, you can never be too careful, especially in this… climate.’

‘We are well aware of the dangers of the Southern Islands, but I can assure you, we have no intent of harming you’. Feru frowned. ‘Nor do we arm any of those who do’.

Feru began to walk towards the forge. ‘I trust you have what we came for?’

This time, Aketu spoke up. ‘Well, the thing about that is that, um, there were a number of complications that resulted in a slight delay.’

Drawing a sword from a sheath at his belt, Feru whipped round to face Aketu. ‘Who are you?’

Aketu backed away, panicked. ‘My name is Aketu, I’m one of the engineers on this project.’

‘You’d better have good news for me.’

‘Well, I’ll be honest, I don’t think it’s possible, the designs were a little-’

Before Aketu could say anything more, Dajo intervened. ‘What my friend is trying to say is that we are slightly behind schedule. Nothing that can’t be done.’

Feru sheathed his sword. ‘You’d best hope you are right.’

Not a single Su-Matoran present attempted to hide a look of contempt as Feru turned to leave, signalling to his soldiers to do the same. The Nynrah Ghosts had barely begun marching when a sudden explosion shook the bridge. At the other side of the ravine, one of the Ghosts’ gunships had gone up in flames. Aketu thought he could see smoke rising from one of the forge’s defence cannons. Evidently, Feru saw the same thing. The Fe-matoran charged towards Darmut, sword raised once again, dodging bolts of plasma from the forge’s guards. Reaching Darmut unscathed, Feru bore down on the Su-Matoran with a powerful strike. Darmut was not defenceless however. Darmut stepped to the side, letting Feru’s momentum carry him forward, toppling mask first into the ground. The soldiers on the bridge barely had time to react before another blast struck, this time from the direction of the gunships, causing a large chunk of the bridge to collapse, tens of Nynrah soldiers falling into the sea below. Almost instantly, three purple armoured Rahkshi landed behind the remaining warriors, trapping the Matoran between certain death and certain death.

Feru, on his feet once again, swung again at Darmut, who successfully dodged for a second time. This exchange continued for a few minutes, before Darmut struck back. A single, well aimed palm strike to Feru’s shoulder incapacitated him, and he collapsed to the ground, clutching his arm.

‘Darmut!’ a voice called from behind him. ‘Rahkshi!’

Climbing up the mountain upon which the forge lay came three Kurahk, Rahkshi of Anger.

Darmut immediately began barking orders at the few guards present. A line of Matoran formed in front of him, plasma rifles at the ready. The matoran fired as the Rahkshi advanced, their plasma blasts having little effect on the Rahkshi’s armour. The Kurahk fired rings of anger from their staffs, causing the Matoran to scatter. The rings still hit home, and the Matoran began to turn on each other. Aketu frantically looked around for any sign of Dajo, but his friend had disappeared. He could just about make out Darmut’s distinctive pure-orange form, barely holding his own against four of his former companions, the guards now resorting to brutal fist-fighting. Aketu felt a lump in his throat. He knew he should try to help. But what good would it do? He’d just end up getting them both killed. Aketu didn’t have to think for long. A volley of plasma flew over him, just missing his head.

‘Darmut!’ Aketu shouted. Aketu’s call distracted Darmut for just long enough for Feru to get back up and swing his sword upwards. Aketu suddenly realised his mistake. ‘Watch out!’ he screamed. Unexpectedly, Feru wasn’t aiming at Darmut. Feru’s sword clashed with a plasma rifle being swung down at Darmut. The two former enemies locked eyes for a second.

‘Truce. For now. I’ll deal with your transgressions later.’’ Feru said. Darmut nodded. The two warriors twirled and spun as they disarmed and debilitated their attackers, being careful not to kill any of them. The guards behind Aketu fired again, loosing another barrage of plasma. Aketu braced himself, preparing for the end...

◯◯◯

‘Come on, get up.’ Aketu couldn’t see his saviour, but he could feel himself being lifted off the ground. ‘This is no place for a nap’. Now standing, Aketu’s vision slowly returned, though a part of him wished it hadn’t. All around him was a vision of chaos and destruction, his home in ruins, his friends dead, corpses strewn across the floor. Standing next to Aketu was a matoran of impressive size, wearing the customary Nynrah battle mask. The matoran held out a hand.

‘I’m Hakara. Nice to meet you.’ Aketu shook it, still a little dazed.

‘Aketu. Nice mask.’

‘Thanks.’ Hakara released his hand and hefted his pike. He clicked a button in his left palm, shrinking his shield down to a more manageable size. ‘What’s the best way off this rock? Seeing as all of our transports are down, or on the other side of that gaping hole over there.’

Aketu shook his head clear and pointed to the top of the forge. ‘There’s a hangar up there. There should be something we can use.’

‘Hangar it is. No problem. Only a burning forge most likely teeming with Rahkshi to get through. Easy.’

Aketu looked dejected, but said nothing.

‘But it’s our best shot.’ Hakara smiled. ‘Lead the way.’

The two matoran weaved through twisting corridors, stopping occasionally to hide from a Rahkshi, or a brainwashed matoran on a warpath. Halfway up the tower, they came across a fully stocked, unguarded armoury. Upon noticing the room, Hakara threw his pike to the ground and rushed in.

‘Do we have time for this? We still have a way to go.’ Hakara was too busy to notice. The matoran of iron tested various weapons, but found nothing he liked, until he picked up a warhammer that looked like it was designed for a toa. He swung it around a few times, and smiled.

‘I like this one. You should probably find something too.’

Hakara was right. Aketu couldn’t rely on his new friend to protect him forever. There was no guarantee he’d be around for much longer anyway. Aketu’s eye was drawn immediately to a pair of bladed tonfa gathering dust in the corner. He spun the tools around in his hands and shrugged. ‘These’ll do.’

Continuing on, Aketu and Hakara finally reached the top.

‘The hangar’s just ahead.’ Aketu announced. Hakara following close behind, Aketu rushed into the hangar. Hakara gasped. The trail of destruction wrought by the Rahkshi had made it even here. Dead matoran lay in piles by various wrecked ships, perishing just before they could make their escape. Aketu heard a low growl from behind him. A red and orange armoured Rahkshi stood in the doorway.

‘Hi.’ Hakara said. ‘You trying to escape too?’ The Rahkshi hissed and shot beams of red light from its eyes, scorching the ground where Hakara had once stood.

‘You missed,’ Hakara taunted. ‘Aketu, there’s one ship left, hurry!’

Aketu hesitated. ‘What about you?’

‘I’ll be right behind you!’ Hakara deflected another beam with his shield, grunting from the effort. The fight was obviously wearing him thin. As the Rahkshi edged closer, Hakara swung his new hammer at the beast, crashing into its head. It was unheard of for a matoran to stand their ground against a Rahkshi, let alone fight one. But Hakara couldn’t hold it off for much longer. Aketu pushed his legs as hard as he could to reach the single remaining craft in the hangar. Leaping into the cockpit, Aketu fumbled with the controls until the ship finally whirred awake.

‘Hello. Thank you for choosing Kestyr. Would you like to take our beginner’s course?’ The ship’s AI chirped.

‘No! No I wouldn't!’ Aketu frantically pushed buttons in an attempt to make it stop.

‘Before we start, make sure you’re strapped in.’

‘What are you doing in there!’ Hakara yelled. ‘Hurry up or I’m gonna die!’

‘Working on it!’ Aketu called back.

‘Please place both hands on the steering, and make sure you don’t let go unless you’re safely parked.’ Aketu focussed his vision and found the “quit tutorial” button, and pressed it repeatedly.

‘Are you sure you want to quit?’

‘Yes, I’m sure! Let me fly!’

‘Have a safe flight!’ The tutorial program shut down and the ship’s engine kicked in. Aketu peered over the edge, but Hakara was nowhere to be seen. All that was visible was a very angry Rahkshi.

‘It’s ready. Hakara, where are you?’ A few seconds later, Hakara landed in the passenger seat, panting heavily.

‘Go! Now!’

The Skyfighter hurtled out of the hangar as Aketu punched on the thrusters.

‘Have you ever flown one of these things before?’ Hakara screamed as the craft he and his new companion had escaped in rocketed towards the jungle canopy below.

‘Never even been in one!’ Aketu yelled back. As soon as they’d started flying, the Su-Matoran had felt a rush of adrenaline like nothing he’d ever felt before. Despite the havoc down below, and the very high chance of death, Aketu was nothing short of elated. That was, until now.

‘I might have lost control.’ Aketu said, surprisingly calmly.

‘Might?! This is a definite have!’ You definitely have lost control!’

Aketu laughed nervously. ‘You might want to hold onto something!’

Chapter II

The island of Kestyr was home not only to the distant, solitary Su-Matoran forge. Hidden deep in the jungles of the island proper, a single Bo-Matoran swung from vine to vine, desperately trying to get a closer look at the thick cloud of smoke growing in the direction of the forge.

What are those fools doing now? has all the heat from that forge melted their brains so badly they’ve forgotten how to keep the place in one piece? Akuli thought to himself. The villagers of Bo-Motu and the Forge had never had the best relationship, the blacksmiths and engineers considering the tree dwellers to be primitive and unrefined, and the Matoran of Plantlife thought their neighbours were arrogant and conceited, among other, worse words. It was safe to say the two groups didn’t get along. Luckily they’d never gone to war, at least not in Akuli’s lifetime. Akuli climbed to the top of the tallest tree he could find, and pulled out a pair of binoculars. From this distance, he could just about make out the sight of Nynrah gunships, some firing their powerful ghost cannons, and some crashing and burning. The ghosts were attacking the forge?

I have to tell the village! If Nynrah is on a path of conquest, Bo-Motu could be next!

Just as he was about to make his way home, Akuli spotted something else: a small aircraft, and it was hurtling right towards him!

Akuli leaped just in time as the flaming wreck of a Skyfighter crashed through the tree he was previously perched on. He was, however, in the unfortunate position of hanging from a branch that was very nearly about to snap. Spotting a vine dangling above him, Akuli reached for it, stretching his arm as far as he could without feeling like the muscle inside was going to snap just like the branch. He was milimetres away, fingers brushing the vine, when he heard the crack of the branch that he was still clinging onto with his other hand. Time seemed to slow down as he fell, as if someone had used the Vahi, the Legendary Mask of Time, in the exact moment that his branch broke. Reaching out with all the strength he could muster, Akuli managed to grasp the vine, and safely slide down to the bottom. He rushed over to the burning remnants of the aircraft and called out,

‘Hey! Anyone in there?’, then wondering aloud, ‘Someone must’ve been flying this thing, right? I should probably tell Tahana too, though he probably wouldn’t be very happy about it. No doubt I'll get an anger-shouting’ from Urangi too.’

A hand burst from the cockpit, followed by a thoroughly singed Mask of Levitation. Akuli helped the Su-Matoran climb out of the vehicle, and did the same for the Nynrah soldier that came after, before they both collapsed, unconscious.

◯◯◯

An assortment of Matoran of Plantlife and Air crowded around the bed upon which lay the two newcomers that Akuli had brought back from the jungle. Tahana, the village’s leader, gave Akuli a disapproving look. Tahana’s sister Urangi looked at Akuli quizzically. Akuli gave her a look as if to say, I’ll tell you later. The Fe-Matoran suddenly erupted in a cascade of coughs which drew the attention of the entire room. A Ga-Matoran attendant brought a mug of water, which the Matoran of Iron downed instantly. Tahana placed a hand on his shoulder.

‘I am Tahana,’ he said, helping the outsider sit up. ‘Welcome to Bo-Motu.’

‘Bo-Motu?’ Hakara spluttered. ‘What’s that?’

Tahana let out a chuckle. ‘Just a humble village in the trees. That big forge up there isn’t the only civilization on this island.’

Hakara looked grim. ‘No, but you might be now.’

Every Matoran in the room gasped.

‘What do you mean?’ Urangi rushed towards him.

‘The forge is gone. Rahkshi attacked us, turned us against each other.’ Hakara related what had happened to the villagers, who looked on in horror.

Akuli wondered whether this was worse than his first assumption.

‘And another thing.’ Hakara added. ‘We may have a very angry Nynrah Ghost after us.’

Akuli sighed. Of course it was both. ‘What’d you do to piss him off?’

‘Feru, our leader, blames the forge for instigating the conflict. He vowed to slaughter them all. And he’s no doubt branded me a traitor for helping one,’ Hakara gestured to a still unconscious Aketu. ‘My friend Aketu here, who seems to be enjoying a nap.’ Hakara rose from the bed, taking a moment to steady himself.

‘Why don’t I show you around the village while your friend rests?’ Tahana offered a hand to Hakara, who cautiously accepted.

The room very quickly emptied, until only Akuli and Aketu remained.

‘Nynrah are building more weapons huh? Maybe they’re not far off trying to take over the universe.’ Akuli thought to himself.

The sleeping Su-Matoran began to wake then, and Akuli came to his aid.

Aketu looked around the room, confused. ‘Where am I?’

Akuli chuckled for the first time in a while. ‘You’re lucky I found you. You and your friend would both be dead otherwise.’

‘Is this your village? I heard rumours that there was a settlement here.’

‘Ha! Rumours? I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, you steam-heads are always so aloof.’

‘I knew there was more to the island, but I’ve never gone beyond the bridge before.’

‘Living the sheltered life, eh?’

Aketu sighed and got to his feet. ‘There’s so much of the world I’ve never seen. I’ve dreamed of Metru Nui for as long as I can remember.’

‘I’m not so sure about the City of Legends, but seeing as you’re on the run now, this might be your chance to sight-see the world.’

‘I won’t be able to see much if I’m constantly looking over my shoulder.’

‘Too true!’ Akuli laughed. ‘A great conundrum,’

‘Where’s Hakara?’ Aketu asked.

‘He is safe,’ Akuli said, ‘He told us what happened. Rahkshi attacking the forge? Grim tidings.’

‘Yes, and they may come here next. You’re all in danger.’

‘Tahana knows. I’m sure he’ll figure something out.’

‘Well. I hope this Tahana knows a toa, or we’re all doomed.’ Aketu said

‘No toa here I’m afraid, just a humble matoran village. No toa for hundreds of mio round here.’

Aketu slumped back onto the bed. ‘We’re all doomed.’

◯◯◯

The village was small, clusters of wooden huts arrayed across a few trees. Walkways criss-crossed the trees above and below, and all around, matoran zipped around on vines.

‘I’m sure it’s not what you’re used to,’ Tahana said.

‘No, but it’s nice. Calm.’

‘Bo-Motu has always been peaceful. I fear that may change.’

Hakara stopped. He didn’t know what to say. ‘I’m sorry.’

‘We want no part in your war. But if wild Rahkshi are loose… perhaps we cannot avoid it after all.’

‘Most of the Rahkshi were on the forge side of the bridge. Maybe none of them are on the island.’ Hakara said hopefully.

‘They will find a way. They always do.’ Tahana paused. ‘Tell me, Hakara of Nynrah, why did you help that Su-Matoran? Why risk the wrath of your superior to aid a stranger. I had thought your warriors were strictly obedient.’

Hakara shifted his feet uncomfortably. ‘Most of us are, but I always felt different. Feru and the others see the Kestyr as an enemy to be conquered, but in that moment, there was no Nynrah, no Kestyr, no plasma or iron, just matoran. Matoran fighting for their lives.’

‘Hmm. Not something most Nynrah would say. Why that matoran? Surely there were many others in need of help.’

That was an odd question.

‘I don’t know. It wasn’t a conscious decision, my body just moved.’

‘Not a decision on your part.’

‘What does that mean?’ Tahana spoke like a Turaga. Always riddles, never any answers.

‘Maybe nothing.’

◯◯◯

As quickly as they had come, the Rahkshi were gone. Nothing was left but burning wreckage and dead matoran. Four hundred Nynrah soldiers had come with him to Kestyr, and only sixty-three remained. Three hundred and thirty-six dead, and one missing. All accounted for but one. Feru cursed. The council would not take kindly to the news.

‘Sir, what do we do now?’ Captain Metara stood beside him.

‘We can’t go back empty-handed. Who’s the deserter?’

‘Hakara, sir. Shouldn’t we tell the council what happened?’

‘No. we’ll find the traitor, and the sniveling wretch he helped escape and bring them both back with us. The council will learn that it was them who brought the Rahkshi upon us.’

‘Was it, sir?’

‘It was someone in that forge, that much is certain.’

Characters

Matoran

Aketu
Dajo
Darmut
Feru
Hakara

Metara
Ihruke
Tahana
Urangi
Piangi
Nakau
Umuke
Akuli

Toa

Unnamed Toa of Electricity

Others

Yizhaioth