The Nature of Fire (Part 3) (End) by nicklong359 on DeviantArt (original) (raw)

Unlike the Turaga, who gathered at the Suva-Kaita for meetings of great importance, the Toa chose a more conspicuous location.

The Amaja-Nui was not far from the centre of the Great Temple. Among all the features of the Kini-Nui, this was the place most frequented by visitors. Matoran of all stripes would gather around the large sand pit to hear of the Ancient Legends. This treasured past time formed the bedrock of their Island community, as the Matoran were regaled the old tales; stories of warriors and saints that defied the armies of evil, even unto death.

Indeed, it was here in the Amaja-Nui that the Turaga had revealed to the people that blessed of revelations. The beginning of an age of heroes; the arrival of the Toa.

But that revelation was a long time ago. Now, as Gali and her brothers found themselves gathered around the pit, she did not feel particularly like a hero. Judging by the faces of the other Toa, they were probably feeling the same way.

Oh, there was an attempt at normalcy. Gali asked each of them to give a report of the week. Rahi incursions, delivery requests from the Matoran or even direct messages from their respective Turagas. Anything, to give themselves a sense of purpose.

Their exchanges were limited. Disconnected. There were empty vessels more substantial than their small talk. What news of Le-Koro? No Rahi? Good, good. Excellent. How is Nuju’s knee injury? Oh, that doesn’t sound too bad. Perhaps Matau can help create a soothing oil. Lewa, would you ask him? No, Pohatu, but thank you for offering. We should be able to repair the Ga-Suva on our own.

An uneasy silence began to fall on the gathered Toa, which gave Gali a chance to study her brothers one by one. Lewa, who usually levitated in place, had his feet planted firmly on the ground. His eyes darted around as if he was looking for someone. His rigid posture betrayed his anxiety, something Gali never thought she would live to see in the calm Toa of Air. Pohatu had tried to offer some encouraging words throughout their ‘meeting’, but it seemed that even the cheerful Toa of Stone had grown weary. No mean feat to make Pohatu despondent, thought the Toa of Water.

As for Onua, he was deathly silent. Sometimes, Gali heard a sniff from his direction and more than once, she caught him rubbing his eyes. Wise Onua, lost and confused. How could it all end up like this?

Kopaka had not shown up. Usually, Pohatu would relay important information to their icy brother afterwards, but Gali suddenly felt compelled to go to Ko-Koro and give Kopaka a piece of her mind for not attending.

They needed to stick together. Now, more than ever.

The meeting was over, technically, but they lingered. They stared long and hard at the empty space on the Amaja-Nui. The empty space that was once full of a passionate, fiery presence. They tried to find him, Mata-Nui knew they did, but they had begun to suspect the worst had happened. Only Lewa had not shown signs of losing hope. He stayed up certain nights to keep a lookout, only to be found asleep mid-air the next morning by Turaga Matau or one of the Matoran.

Onua glanced at Gali. He wasn’t going to be here, was he?

Gali was about to open her mouth to speak, when Lewa suddenly drew his axe. Something in the wind snapped him to attention. The Toa of Water drew her weapons as well, while Pohatu and Onua readied themselves.

They sensed movement around them. Discreet and inconspicuous, like the roaming of a panther. Was something watching them? A predatory Rahi? Few creatures would dare attack the Kini-Nui by their own strength.

Suddenly the air grew cold. Cold, yet familiar.

The four Toa turned to see Kopaka, Toa of Ice, standing in the space near the Amaja circle. His presence was a shock enough, but behind him was a tall, crimson figure who elicited from the Toa a collective gasp.

“Tahu!” Gali exclaimed.

They were all ready to jump off the platform and rush towards their brother until Kopaka, calm as ever, held up a hand to stop them.

He turned to the Toa of Fire. “Go ahead.”

Cautiously, Tahu walked ahead of Kopaka and stood before his siblings. He looked at them and froze. They were staring at him with the same wide eyes he had seen that day in Po-Wahi.

Tahu took a deep breath.

“Brothers. Sister,” Tahu began slowly. “I have not come to take my place with you all. I have long since become unworthy of that. I have come to say that I am sorry.”

The Toa continued to stare at him.

“You wanted to help me. I didn’t see it that day and compromised the team,” the Spirit of Fire morosely explained. “I understand now that our strength does not lie in our elemental powers or our might. Our true strength comes from relying on each other. Through thick and thin.”

Tahu gestured towards the four Toa with his arms. “My brothers. My sister. You are all my strength.”

Gali, Lewa, Pohatu and Onua looked at each other, all smiles. Onua let out a strange sound from his throat, like a half-sob. Tahu did not notice any of this as he reached into a small pouch and produced a small, rolled-up parchment.

“Turaga Vakama gave me this edict to confirm my departure from the Toa, if you would have it so,” Tahu explained. “There are other ways to help you in the battle against Makuta. I will do my- “

There was no stopping it this time. All the Toa jumped from the platform to meet him. Onua, in a rare moment of brash impulse, snatched the piece of paper from a stunned Tahu, did not bother to so much as glance at its contents and ripped it apart with his claws.

Tahu barely had time to react when the Toa of Earth gripped him in a massive bear hug. Gali, having tried to retain her composure for so long, openly wept with joy. She cupped Tahu’s face in her hands, checked for potential burn marks or scars around his body and scolded him for running away, swearing by the Oceans that next time, she would drag him back to them if she had to. Pohatu slapped Tahu heartily on the back. He was proud of him. This was what Toa do. Face their fears and face them together. He imagined that somewhere, wicked Makuta was positively stamping his feet in a rage.

As for Lewa, he jumped onto Tahu’s back and began to laugh like a howling Brakkas Monkey. It was the loudest, most obnoxious laugh the Toa had ever heard, but Lewa was far from caring. He could make as much noise as he wanted.

His big brother had finally come home.

As the group continued to embrace Tahu, Pohatu elbowed Kopaka.

“You know, I was beginning to think you were going to be a no-show,” the Toa of Stone quipped. “You did good, Ice-brother. We owe you one.”

Kopaka grunted, but his work was not finished. He approached his fellow Toa, who were still trying to get Lewa off Tahu’s back.

The Toa of Ice retrieved a sword wrapped in sackcloth from beneath his cape. He presented it to Tahu.

“Don’t expect me to pick up your stuff after you, next time,” Kopaka coolly commented.

Tahu grinned. “Thanks, snowcone.”

Tahu took hold of his firesword and felt his elemental powers course through the blade. It felt different, this time. He felt in control. Balanced. He felt complete.

The Toa of Ice gave Tahu a wry grin. “Good to go?”

“Good to go,” said Tahu.

“Alright, hot-head,” said Kopaka, resolutely. “Lead on.”