Here’s the previous installment: Origin of the whirlwind, part three: The Split
Khaita stepped out onto Ieto’s surface, sinking slightly into the springy undergrowth. Ieto was home to the champion of air, Lewa, who guarded the stone of air. Khaita figured that using the stone to increase their own elemental powers first would help them win the others quicker. Especially as their sheer elemental power was weaker than most toa. To make up for their weaker elemental powers, Khaita worked on improving their physical fighting skills, outmatching most beings with sheer prowess with a sword and shield. They also had a high level of control over air, allowing them to use it subtly to change the flow of combat. A slight breeze to knock an enemy attack of course, a quick gust to quicken their own movements. Khaita just hoped their skills would be enough to save the universe from this new threat.
Khaita approached the temple that their sources had said housed the elemental stone of air, all the while feeling as though they were being watched. Suddenly, just as Khaita was about to step foot on the temple, a massive ash bear charged out of the jungle and Knocked them through the air. Khaita quickly got up and drew their sword, only for it to be knocked out of their hand by a muaka attempting to maul them. As Khaita struggled to get out from under the Muaka, the ash bear charged at their sword, smashing it to peices.
“Nooooo!” Khaita shouted, finally managing to shove of the Muaka. With a wind-assisted jump, Khaita managed to get on top of the ash bear get on top of the ash bear, pinning its neck with their shield. The Muaka pounced at them again, but this time Khaita dodged by swinging down from the ash bears back. The grabbed a small shard of their broken blade and leapt onto the muaka, stabbing it in the head with the shard of blade. The muaka cried out a final roar, then fell to the ground dead, but before Khaita could even begin to think, they were slammed into tree by the massive paw of the ash bear.
Khaita’s armor was cracked in many places, and some of it had fallen if. The blade shard they had used to kill the muaka was still embedded in the it’s brain. Khaita saw their shield just off to the left of the ash bear, and began a mad dash towards it, the ash bear charging right towards them. They attempted to jump over the ash bears claw as it swiped at them, but their legs got caught in the swing and they were sent tumbling to the ground. Luckily, The blow had mostly been glancing, and their momentum had carried them far enough that their shield was now in reach. They grabbed it and swung it around just in time to block a powerful blow from the ash bear. Khaita quickly retaliated by slapping the bear’s head with the shield, enhancing it with a bit of wind to knock the bear off of them. Finally, Khaita stood up, approached the stunned bear, and stabbed the bear in the back using the shield. The bear slumped to the ground, finally dead. Khaita fell to their knees, exhausted from the ambush. Then, everything went dark.
Khaita woke up in a small hut made of logs and vines. Starlight trickled in through the gaps in the vine ceiling, and Khaita could hear the sound of wind rustling through the trees. They also heard whispered voices just outside of the hut. They made to reach for their sword, only to be reminded of what had transpired before they passed out. They then reached out for their shield, which had been propped up against the bed they were on. Then, they silently approached the door of the hut, ready to strike any foe that might be there. Only, they didn’t make it very far, as pain shot from their legs all the way up to their head, causing them to collapse, falling right though the door of the hut.
Outside of the hut was an elaborate system of bridges, zip lines, and boardwalks suspended high up in the trees of the jungle. Many huts similar to the one Khaita was in were scattered around along with other larger buildings. Just outside the hut door was a stone circle with glowing bugs flying around it, almost looking like a green fire. There were also four small figures and a much larger figure, all staring down at Khaita.
“You’re finally awake!” Said the tall figure as they began to lean down towards Khaita. “How feel you, quick-friend?” They continued, reaching their hand out to help Khaita up.
“Who are you, and where am I?” Khaita demanded, looking suspiciously at the stranger’s outstretched hand.
“This is le Wahi, and I am its leader, Lewa. Who are you?” Khaita’s mood quickly shifted.
“You are the champion of air? You are the one I seek! I am Khaita, Toa of air, and I seek the elemental stones.” Khaita then took Lewa’s hand, got back onto their feet.
“I see, so you are the Toa hero mentioned by Ekimu. I had thought maybe, but could not be certain. If this is true, then I shall give you the stone, quick-like. But before you leave, you must be repaired, your battle left you all broken-like.” Khaita looked down at their damaged body, and realized they would
Need new armor.
“Yes, a repair would be wonderful. Thank you for taking care of me for the night, I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
“The night, you’ve been here four!” Lewa said, then he chuckled and flew off into the night. Khaita’s heart sunk. ‘four night?!’ they thought, horrified that they had been unconscious for so long…
Khaita spent the next week getting upgrades from the local armorers, being equipped with their best gear, upon Lewa’s request. On the last day of the week, Lewa approached Khaita, and gifted them a new dagger, made from the fragment of blade Khaita had used to slay the muaka and the pommel was made from from the elemental stone of air.
“I know it is not as large as your previous blade, it will slice just as well.” Lewa explained as he handed Khaita the dagger. “It will also enhance your elemental air when you channel it through this weapon. Take good care of it, now be off!” Khaita borded their ship and waved goodbye to the people of Le Wahi as it took off into space. Once they were back in the pilot seat, they opened the consul and found a message from Ultra Magna. It read “new member joined the the villain, the traitor toa of shadow, Tyrrahn. Do not trust him, he has betrayed the toa code.” Khaita could feel their muscles tense, and something deep inside them broke. They sat back in their chair, unable to think, unable to process. Tyrrahn had stabbed them in the back again.
Alright, that’s it for today. Admittedly I expected to get farther into the story than I did. Oh well, I’ll get there eventually. Hope you enjoyed!