A bit later than usual, but better late than never, right?
Chapter 3
When I heard this place was a stronghold, I was expecting a huge-big fortress with towering walls. Instead, the Skrall led me, along with Tolk, to a large iron door, leading into the side of the mountain. Apparently, this was an underground stronghold. And as I learned from the island of Mata Nui, nothing bad ever happens when you go underground.
One of the Skrall grabbed a ring on the door and pulled it open. Inside, there was a long hallway, lit by the occasional torch. Torches? Hadn’t these guys heard of Lightstones?
The Skrall leader gestured to two other Skrall, and they stepped forward. “These two Skrall shall accompany you.”
Two Skrall to escort one Toa? C’mon, that wasn’t fair. They should’ve sent at least four. “So, what are your names?” I asked.
“We don’t have names,” one of the Skrall answered.
“You don’t have names?” I repeated, incredulous.
“Skrall have to earn their names,” the leader explained. “I am Palladus, and these two are just Skrall.”
“That’s silly,” I said. I probably shouldn’t insult the Skrall’s traditions, but not having a name is just ridiculous. How are people supposed to address you?
"I can’t just call you ‘Skrall one’ and ‘Skrall two’, I said. “That would get thought-confusing.” I looked at the first Skrall, and noticed he had an ever-ugly gash over his right eye. “You shall be Repirr,” I declared. Looking at the other, I realized his helmet was a bit different from the rest – the back part was missing, a jagged edge indicating it had been broken off. “And you shall be Coveh.”
The Skrall wouldn’t recognize the terms, since they didn’t speak Matoran, but “Repirr” was based on the Matoran word for scar, and “Coveh” was a Le-Matoran insult that loosely translated to “Bucket-head”.
“You may call us what you wish,” Repirr said. “But we shall not have true names unless we earn them.”
“Both of these Skrall have tried to enter the Stronghold before, and while they did not make it all the way to the lab, they lived to tell the tale,” Palladus said. “They know of at least some of the traps. This is why they are accompanying you.”
“I see,” I said. “Well then, let’s hope your happy-luck holds and extends to me, right?”
The Skrall didn’t react. Now I was sure they were bad guys. Only villains and Ko-Matoran lacked a sense of humor.
I glanced at the Agori who had chosen to accompany me. “Last chance to quick-change your mind,” I said.
Tolk shook his head. “Try and stop me,” he boldly declared.
“All right, team,” I said. I tried to adopt my best Tahu impression. “Today, we shall proud-stand against death, and we shall conquer it with the power of Unity. Let’s go!” Yeah, that sounds like something Tahu would say. With that, I took the first step into the Stronghold.
I’m not sure how to explain what happened next.
When I stepped into the Stronghold, it’s like I lost all sense of time and space. I was no longer about to step into a dark hallway at twilight, but I was in another place, another time.
There was someone else there, too. It wasn’t a Skrall, nor was it an Agori. I don’t know how I knew this – I couldn’t exactly see this person, I just knew they were there. Wherever “there” was.
“Lewa, Toa of Air,” the mystery person said. I wanted to object that I was a Toa Nuva, not just a normal Toa, but I couldn’t speak. “After all this time, one of ours has found his way here.”
The voice chuckled slightly, as if it found this amusing. “Well, I’m afraid I can’t just let you walk in. It won’t be that easy. The Stronghold will try to keep you out. But for one such as you… that shouldn’t be a problem, right? No, I’m sure you will get in here. And then… you will find me.”
Abruptly, I was back at the entrance to the Stronghold. My foot had just crossed the threshold. I stood still for a moment, shocked by what had just happened.
“Are you okay?” Tolk asked.
“Having second thoughts?” Palladus taunted.
I shook my head. “No, no. Just… feels like a momentous thing, going in here.” I didn’t think I should tell the Skrall about what I’d just seen.
What had I just seen? Who was that? A part of me knew. I couldn’t explain how I knew, any more than I could have explained the vision itself, but I was certain: somewhere in that Stronghold was a Great Being. And she was waiting for me.