The Skrall Dominate the Arena
- Zesk do not have much of a role in the war between the Agori and the Skrall. Although Malum leads the Vorox on some raids against the Skrall and their bone hunter allies, they are done more in revenge for actions the Skrall have taken against the sand tribe. Neither Malum, the Vorox, or the Zesk feel the war is theirs to fight.3
Gresh and Berix Find the Book of Certavus
- A few months before Mata Nui's arrival on Bara Magna4 One of the things Berix collects in his travels is a piece of parchment that appears to be from the legendary Book of Certavus. He is certain that the rest of the book is somewhere in the ruins to the west of Tajun, but the area is too dangerous to visit on his own. He approaches the visiting Gresh and asks him to come along, and the Glatorian agrees.5
- Gresh and Tarix fight a practice match in the Tesara arena as the villagers watch and cheer. Tarix beats Gresh by deftly hitting him with the flat of his sword. Tarix tells Gresh that his moves are too predictable and that he needs new moves. Berix overhears their conversation.6
- Gresh sits and thinks about Tarix's advice for a long time. Finally, Berix comes up to him, having heard their conversation, and shows him a torn piece of very old paper with the name "Certavus" written on it. Intrigued, Gresh asks Berix to show him where he found it in the hopes of finding the complete scroll or book. Berix agrees to lead Gresh to the ruins where he found the paper; in return, Gresh will stand guard while Berix searches for more valuable items.6
- Gresh and Berix begin their long journey, leaving the jungle behind and heading across the desert sands. To the north, they can see a chain of high mountains, and to the south, there is more sand and the outlines of other villages, far in the distance.6
- Gresh notices as the sand all around them starts to move. He and Berix run toward some ruins as six Vorox rise out of the sand dunes behind them and give chase. Gresh throws Berix over a low stone wall for his protection and then faces the Vorox on his own. To Berix's amazement, Gresh manages to hold his own against the six Vorox, despite a few close calls.6
- After many hours, the Vorox pull back. Exhausted, Gresh does not bother to chase them and slumps down next to Berix in the ruins. Gresh knows he cannot fight the Vorox a second time, and they are bound to be waiting for them. Gresh hopes that the book can teach him a new trick to beat them. Berix and Gresh start searching for it in the ruins. Long ago, the ruins were a training center for fighters; old pieces or armor, weapons, and practice dummies are scattered all over the place.6
- At one point, Berix climbs a wall and is momentarily startled by the sight of six practice dummies. Suddenly, a Vorox burrows its way up through the sand in the center of the ruins. Gresh charges at it, but the Vorox knock him down with its stinger. Berix leaps down to help, but his feet get tangled in the practice dummies. The sight of this frightens the Vorox away. Gresh realizes that his mistake has been trying to outfight the Vorox, and even Tarix back in the village, when he should be trying to outsmart them.6
- Gresh and Berix gather all of the practice dummies and put weapons and masks on them to make it appear that an army is guarding the ruins. At dawn, the Vorox appear again beyond the walls to attack. Gresh shouts at them in defiance while Berix scurries from dummy to dummy, shaking them and yelling in different voices to fool the Vorox into thinking they are real. Confused, the Vorox gradually begin to back away, until all of them run off.6
- Gresh and Berix are about to head back to the village before the Vorox return when Berix notices an old, worn copy of a book in the rubble. On its cover is the name "Certavus." Berix exclaims that he has found the book. Gresh, satisfied that he has learned a valuable lesson, says he does not need to read it anymore. On the first page of the book, Berix sees the advice that a fighter's greatest weapon is his mind, and agrees that Gresh has already learned the secret of Certavus during their fight.6
- Berix and Gresh find the ruins, but the Vorox find them first. Trapped inside the rubble-strewn remains of a training arena, surrounded by the beasts, it seems that neither of them will ever escape. Then the two come up with an idea. They gather the old training dummies scattered around the arena, put pieces of armor and weapons on them, and makes it look as if the ruins are guarded by an army of Glatorian. The Vorox, frightened, flee, giving Gresh and Berix the chance to escape. Berix finds the book just as they are leaving, but when Gresh does not want it, Berix keeps it.5
- Gresh and Berix find the Book of Certavus hidden in the ruins of an old arena in the desert.7
- A quest to find a valuable book on Glatorian fighting moves ends up with Berix and Gresh trapped in some ruins and surrounded by Vorox.2
- The Skrall seek the Book of Certavus. Their failure to find it results in a Skrall patrol being fed to hungry Spikit.7
Gresh, Strakk, and Tarix Save Berix from Fero
- Berix wanders far from Tajun to collect bits of old armor, hoping to fight in the arena someday. While scavenging in the desert, Berix is found by Fero and Skirmix. They give chase, and Berix runs through the desert trying to escape from them.8
- Berix stumbles and falls, and just as Fero starts gloating over him, a Thornax fired by Gresh knocks Fero's sword from his hand. Tarix and Strakk also appear, and the Glatorian surround Fero and Skirmix. In the ensuing fight, Terix tells Strakk to block Skirmix, but he is trampled instead (though not seriously hurt). After a few minutes of fighting, the Glatorian manage to drive Fero off.8
- Berix thanks the Glatorian but explains he has nothing to repay them with. Tarix and Gresh tell him there is no charge for saving his life, although Strakk grumbles about fighting for free. Suddenly, a number of Vorox emerge from the sands and attack. The Glatorian fight them off for a few moments until the figure of a Glatorian appears in the distance and signals the Vorox, at which point the Vorox retreat. Tarix realizes that the figure is Malum, who was exiled from Vulcanus for crimes in the arena, and that he has apparently allied with the Vorox. Gresh reminds the group that they are due in Vulcanus, and they move on.8
- Berix is searching the wastelands for some equipment when he is attacked by a bone hunter and has to be saved by three Glatorian.2
Gresh Loses to a Skrall in Vulcanus
- In Vulcanus, just before the upcoming match between Gresh and a Skrall, Raanu has a heated discussion with Metus about recruiting a new Glatorian for Vulcanus. Raanu explains that the Skrall are claiming the flame geysers to the north and that they need to meet their challenge, but Metus says he is unable to find a good Glatorian, especially since fighting for Vulcanus would mean fighting the Skrall. The Skrall warrior, accompanied by Atakus, arrives, forcing an Agori spectator to move out of his way. Tarix is surprised to learn that Gresh is facing a Skrall, and Gresh explains that the match will be fought over an oasis claimed by both Tesara and the Skrall.8
- Vulcanus is serving as host for the match between Gresh and the Skrall. The match is also a preliminary tournament for the big one in Atero.9, 10 The Gresh vs. Skrall match at Vulcanus is an exhibition before the annual tournament in Atero. It is a way to let different villages see fighters they might not have seen too often and to get them hyped for the big tournament coming up.11
- Raanu announces the start of the match between Gresh and the Skrall in the Vulcanus arena. The Skrall immediately goes on the offensive, coming down hard on Gresh's shield. Gresh manages to sweep the Skrall off his legs, but the Skrall backflips away and hurls his own bladed shield at Gresh, damaging Gresh's shield. Gresh fires a Thornax, but the Skrall deflects it. With one powerful stroke of his sword, the Skrall snaps part of Gresh's shield and knocks him over, ending the match. The Skrall is about to finish Gresh off when Tarix intervenes, threatening the Skrall to leave the village now that the match is over, or else fight them all. Tarix remarks that Gresh lasted almost three minutes, a new record. Strakk notes with disbelief that the Skrall did not cheat.8
- Gresh finally loses a match to a Skrall warrior in Vulcanus, ending his streak of victories in the past year.1, 2
- Atakus' most recent time serving as an assistant to a Skrall Glatorian is when he accompanies one for a match in Vulcanus against Gresh.12
- Gresh's shield is shattered by a Skrall warrior during an arena match.1
- Gresh's broken shield is later repaired by Agori in Vulcanus in return for food from Tesara.1 Gresh gets his shield repaired before he leaves Vulcanus.13
- Sometime after the match between Gresh and the Skrall The Skrall that fought Gresh earlier14 meets with a shadowy figure in a cave. The figure tells the Skrall to inform Tuma that a trade caravan leaves from Tajun in a week. If the bone hunters raid it, Tajun will go hungry this season. He explains that if Tajun has no food, they will have to challenge others for it. If they lose, they will be easy prey for their people. The Skrall rebukes the figure for claiming to be one of the Skrall. The figure tells the Skrall to hurry and relay the message before they are seen together.8
- Tarix is surprised to find Berix wandering out in the desert alone. Berix claims he is just walking and thinking about the future.8
- The Skrall relays the figure's message to Tuma. Tuma orders him to speak of the information in front of one of their captured Agori, then "accidentally" allow him to escape. As soon as he reaches open desert, he will be captured by the bone hunters, who will learn what he knows. The bone hunters will then act on the information, doing the Skrall's work for them. Tuma says that the time is coming when they will no longer need to act through others, but will go on the attack and conquer Bara Magna.8
Bone Hunter Attacks Put Pressure on Tajun
- A trade caravan to Tajun is wiped out by bone hunters, which worries Tarix.13
- Prior to the Skrall attack on Atero, bone hunter attacks on trade caravans going to and from Tajun increase significantly. Some in Tajun begin to suspect that a traitor is selling information to the bone hunters, with a few believing Berix might be responsible. Regardless of the reason, the raids are devastating to Tajun; within a matter of weeks, all trade is cut off, and the water tribe begins to starve. In fact, someone is betraying information to the Skrall, who are feeding it in turn to the bone hunters. This allows the Skrall to use the bone hunters as pawns against the other villages, while the true aims of the Skrall remain hidden.15
- Strakk is suspected by some Glatorian of being the traitor who is providing information to the Skrall.2
- Unable to trade, Tajun is forced to challenge in the arena for whatever it needs. Its Glatorian are forced to fight many additional matches, exhausting them.15
An Agori Seeks Help Defending Vulcanus
- When a certain Agori approaches Atakus about hiring a Skrall to help defend Vulcanus against hone hunters, Atakus demands a large bribe of Thornax before allowing the Agori to move on and talk to a Skrall warrior.12
- Tuma permits a Skrall to join the Vulcanus defense despite his plan for the bone hunters to attack it in order to harry the bone hunters a bit.16
Malum Is Captured by the Skrall
- After Malum leads the Vorox raid on the bone hunter camp [sic] The Skrall capture Malum, hoping to use his knowledge to allow them to tame Vorox for their use.17
- After Gresh and Strakk sneak into Roxtus A captured Malum escapes from the Skrall back into the desert by freeing some of the imprisoned Skrall [sic, Vorox], setting off chaos in the city.18, 17
- After his capture, Malum keeps a close eye on the Skrall.17
- Tuma is so desperate to protect his people from the baterra that he is even willing to make a deal with the hated female Skrall.2
Tarduk Leads an Expedition to the North
- Prior to the Skrall attack on Atero, Tarduk is working there helping to prepare the arena for the tournament. Bored, he starts digging and uncovers a scrap of metal with strange symbols and a diagram on it featuring what looks like a red star. Determined to figure out what it all means, he persuades two other Agori, Crotesius and Kirbold, to accompany him on an expedition north.19 In reality, the red star on the map marks the location of a Great Being facility, the one where the Red Star was built.20
- When Tarduk discovers a fragment of a map with a mysterious red star image inscribed upon it, he hints to Crotesius that there might be something valuable to the north. Crotesius, intrigued, offers to trade for the map. Tarduk agrees, asking in return that Crotesius go with him on a journey into the Black Spike Mountains in search of the "red star." Crotesius agrees, provided Tarduk recruit more Agori and keep them in the dark about why they are going.21 The circular symbol on Tarduk's map is actually a Matoran letter 'A.' There are other scraps with Matoran letters on them.22
- Prior to the most recent Glatorian tournament, three of the Agori assigned to work in Atero – Tarduk, Crotesius, and Kirbold – leave to explore the northern regions of Bara Magna.23
- When Tarduk is mounting his expedition to the north in search of the secrets of the Great Beings, he briefly considers asking Scodonius to come along, but he almost immediately dismisses him as a "creep" and decides to go without him.24
- Tarduk borrows sand stalkers from Metus.25
- Tarduk's expedition proves to be extremely dangerous. The group survives being stalked by iron wolves and an encounter with a veteran ice warrior named Surel, who warns them of the presence of the Element Lords in the area.19
- On the journey, Crotesius proves his worth more than once. He once talks Tarduk out of charging into a pack of iron wolves.21
- Resuming their journey, the group travels through the Forest of Blades.19
- The group evades capture by the Element Lord of Water.19
- Crotesius leads the fight to escape the Forest of Blades.21
- By the time the group reaches the arch on the River Dormus, Crotesius has had enough and wants to go back to Vulcanus. The arch grants his wish, and he finds himself back home.21
- The group finally winds up at a gateway that promises to take them to the "place of their heart's desire." Weary and seemingly no closer to solving the mystery of the metal fragment, it turns out the secret heart's desire of all three is to go home. The gateway obligingly teleports them there, much to Tarduk's frustration.19
- Tarduk's abrupt arrival frightens some of his fellow villagers, who think perhaps he has been transported by some new Skrall weapon. It takes some time for him to reassure them that this is not the case, although he never tells them what really did happen, convinced they will not believe him.19
Gresh and Strakk Escort a Shipment from Iconox to Vulcanus
- Shortly before this year's tournament, Gelu loses a fight to Ackar, forcing Iconox to ship a load of exsidian to Vulcanus via a dangerous new route.26
- Recently as of story year 2009 Two Glatorian and two Agori undertake the dangerous task of trying to find a new route from Iconox to Vulcanus to deliver exsidian won by the fire tribe in a match.7
- Not long after Tarduk's expedition north, Tarduk is reunited with Kirbold on an expedition to transport exsidian from Iconox to Vulcanus. Joined by Gresh and Strakk, they brave Skrall, bone hunters, and Vorox along the way.19 Crotesius does not join Tarduk on his second expedition.21
- Gresh teams with Strakk to escort a wagon load of exsidian through a dangerous northern route to Vulcanus.2
- Gresh once gets Strakk to help a village out by tricking him into thinking a fortune in precious metal was buried underneath the place.2
- Gresh's knowledge of tactics is put to the test on a mission to deliver exsidian ore from Iconox to Vulcanus, during which he battles Skrall and Vorox and barely escapes with his life.1
- Along the way, Gresh battles Skrall, Vorox, and the Skopio XV-1, survives a plunge into the Skrall River, and successfully breaks into the city of Roxtus to steal back a sword belonging to Ackar.2
- Strakk teams with Gresh and two Agori to transport a shipment of valuable exsidian metal from Iconox to Vulcanus. The quest brings them into contact with bone hunters, Vorox, and Skrall. Strakk protests that it would make more sense to fake a theft of the ore and then come back later to divide it up. Strakk's use of a Thornax launcher to try to drive off a Skrall patrol almost results in the entire party being buried in a rockslide.27, 2
- Gresh, Strakk, and two Agori make a dangerous trek through the Black Spike Mountains and over the Dark Falls.28
- At one point, they discover a hidden tunnel whose symbols match those on the fragment Tarduk found earlier. This increases his desire to solve the mystery of the artifact.19
- A sand bat which attacks Gresh is devoured by scarabax beetles.29
- Gresh and Strakk sneak into Roxtus with a supply caravan to steal a sword belonging to Ackar and then break out again.18 Gresh and Strakk retrieve Ackar's original blade for him in a raid on Roxtus.30
- Atakus is posted as a gate guard at Roxtus when Gresh and Strakk successfully raid the place.12
- After the raid on Vulcanus (?) [sic] Kiina and Ackar help save Gresh, Strakk, and two Agori out of a difficult situation. The party is bringing a wagon-load of exsidian to Vulcanus, but while fleeing from Vorox, the wagon and its contents were lost in the Skrall River. Kiina comes up with the daring idea of tricking the Skrall into salvaging the previous metal, then stealing it away from them. Amazingly, the plan works.31
- After the raid on Vulcanus (?) [sic] Ackar joins with Kiina on a rescue mission to save Gresh, Strakk, Tarduk, and Kirbold, who are being pursued by Skrall. When the group is trapped between Skrall and Vorox armies, it is Ackar who comes up with the idea that saves all their lives and allows them to make it back safely to Vulcanus.30
- Kiina fights alongside Ackar and Gresh against Skrall and Vorox while trying to get a wagon load of precious exsidian to Vulcanus.2
- Ackar saves Gresh and Strakk from Skrall out in the desert.2
- Kiina once helps to defeat the Skopio XV-1 by climbing up to the cockpit and capturing its pilot, Telluris.2
- The exsidian is safely delivered.19
The Fall of Atero
- After Strakk makes it back home, he journeys with Gresh and Tarix to Atero for the Great Tournament.27, 2, 32
- This year's tournament is highly anticipated. Although Tarix would normally be expected to repeat as champion, this will be the first tournament in which the Skrall participate. With no Skrall having lost an arena match so far, it is believed Tarix will face a real challenge.23 Tarix is currently the reigning tournament champion.33 It is expected that a Skrall will be named champion at the end of the Great Tournament in Atero.34, 2 Crotesius and the Cendox V1 are favored to win again in the tournament's vehicle division.35
- After safely delivering the exsidian, Tarduk attends the tournament in Atero.19
- Tarduk, Crotesius, and Kirbold barely make it back in time for the tournament.23
- By the time of the attack on Atero, Stronius has returned to Tuma's good favor. However, the two clash over the use of the traitor's information. Stronius feels that anyone who would betray his own people could not be trusted. Tiring of Stronius's constant complaints about the situation, Tuma does not share with him the "partnership" formed with the traitor.36
- Upon learning that the baterra are closing in on Roxtus, Tuma launches an attack on Atero.37
- Tarix travels to Atero for the tournament, but the recent bone hunter on a trade caravan to Tajun makes him think he should have stayed in Tajun instead.13
- Tarix and Strakk spar in the Arena Magna before the tournament begins. Tarix discusses how he should be with his people in Tajun. Tarix deftly disarms Strakk in the fight. Strakk talks about how the Skrall will beat everyone in the arena once they show up, just like they did last year, but Tarix remarks that he has not seen any Skrall yet. He also remarks how he has not seen Gresh since they got there.13
- Having kept a close eye on the Skrall after his capture, Malum spots the Skrall marching toward Atero.17
- At night, Gresh is practicing moves in the desert by himself when Tarduk starts talking to him. Gresh explains that since he is not a veteran fighter, he needs to keep his moves a secret before the match to give him an extra edge. Suddenly, Malum appears with a group of Vorox. Gresh commands Tarduk to get back inside the city, but Malum claims that he will not command his Vorox to attack. Gresh listens skeptically as Malum warns him about a coming "storm" which will mean doom for all of the Glatorian and villagers, encouraging him to flee while he still can. Malum and the Vorox leave, and Gresh defiantly says that Glatorian do not run.13
- Malum tries to warn Gresh about the Skrall advance, but the young Glatorian does not trust him and does not heed his warning.17
- Strangely, the Skrall do not participate in any of the pre-tournament matches in Atero. Even as the tournament gets underway, there is no sign of them.23
- Once Tuma is certain the Agori can mount no real defense, he unleashes his warriors on the city of Atero during the Great Tournament. The Skrall sack Atero and panic the Agori villages.2
- In the morning, Gresh tells the Agori (including Raanu and Berix) about his encounter with Malum.13
- In the morning, the competition in Atero begins. Strakk and Tarix face each other in a match, during which Strakk manages to disarm Tarix of one of his blades, although the fight still seems to be in Tarix's favor. Raanu, Berix, and Metus are watching the match together, wondering why the Skrall have not appeared. They decide to take a look around to check if the Skrall are on their way.13
- The three look out into the desert and are shocked to see an army of Skrall marching toward the city. Immediately recognizing the danger, Raanu starts shouting that the Skrall are attacking and to get everyone to safety. Tarix wastes no time in rallying the Glatorian to hold off the oncoming Skrall while the Agori escape. Gresh rushes in to help, and even Strakk reluctantly joins in.13
- Agori who leave the arena to watch for the Skrall are startled to see an entire army of Skrall warriors marching on Atero.23
- The Skrall pour into the arena. The Glatorian try to stand their ground, despite the overwhelming onslaught of Skrall warriors. For every Skrall they stop, half a dozen more take his place. Raanu risks his own life to help the people of his own village and of other villages escape, telling them to hide in the canyons. Gresh saves Raanu at the last moment from an attacking Skrall. The Arena Magna starts to crumble, putting the Glatorian at risk. Strakk says that Atero is finished, and Tarix reluctantly agrees to retreat, telling him that he will get Raanu and the others out and meet him in the canyon.13
- The Skrall attack Atero.38 The Skrall attack in force, and despite valiant efforts by the Glatorian to fight them off, they succeed in wrecking both Arena Magna and the city of Atero. This is the opening battle in the war between the Skrall and the rest of Bara Magna.23 The Great Tournament is interrupted by the Skrall attack and the destruction of the Arena Magna.34, 2 Information provided by Metus allows the Skrall to successfully attack the free city of Atero.2
- Ackar, Vastus, Gelu, and Kiina all participate in the fight against the Skrall at Atero.39
- Tarduk is present when the Skrall attack Atero and flees with the other Agori.19
- Shortly after his loss to a Skrall in Vulcanus, Gresh participates in the Battle of Atero, which ends when the Skrall legions overrun the Arena Magna and destroy it.1, 2
- Vastus fights in the Battle of Atero.40
- Kiina fights in the Battle of Atero.31
- Strakk fights in the battle against the Skrall in Atero, but he is quick to realize that there is no way to win and advises abandoning the Arena Magna. Reluctantly, the other Glatorian have to agree with him.27, 2
- Gresh, Strakk, Tarix, and Raanu run from the crumbling Arena Magna, knowing this is a major turning point in the struggle with the Skrall.13
- Tarix aids the escape of refugees from the fall of Atero.41
- Later, Tarix, Gresh, Strakk, Raanu, Metus, and Berix are gathered in a canyon and discuss the aftermath of the attack. At least half a dozen or more Glatorian were lost, and Agori are still scattered in the desert, trying to make their way back home. The Skrall apparently attacked without any reason other than the fact that they could. Tarix remarks that the Skrall army merely faces a handful of squabbling villages, and without help, the villages will not be able to stop them.13
- After the fall of Atero, Strakk later argues against staging any kind of organized resistance to the Skrall, insisting that it would anger the invaders and prompt more attacks.27, 2
- The brief attempt to stage a multi-village defense against the Skrall crumbles shortly after.27, 2
- War breaks out between the villages and the Skrall.15
- After the Battle of Atero, Kiina later returns to Tajun.31
- Tajun suffers terribly in the war with the Skrall.15
- After war with the Skrall breaks out, the bone hunter raids continue to afflict Tajun.15
- When the Skrall attack Atero, Raanu is torn about what to do. In his heart, he wants to fight back. However, his head tells him that Agori and a handful of Glatorian could never win against the Skrall.2
Gelu Retires from the Arena
- When the Skrall attack Atero, Gelu decides he is ready for a new career. He quits being a Glatorian in the arena and hires himself out as an armed guard for caravans crossing the Bara Magna desert. On most days, it is good pay for relatively easy work.42
- The Second Glatorian of Iconox, Gelu, retires from the arena, leaving Strakk the main fighter for the village.2
- Following the Skrall attack on Atero, Gelu sees a need for armed guards to escort Agori traders across the hostile desert. He retires from being a Glatorian and starts his own business as a guard for hire.26
- Gelu's new job is much more dangerous job but also much more profitable. He quickly gains a reputation for being dedicated to his job, always putting the safety of his clients before his own.26
- Recently as of story year 2009 Gelu's retirement from the arena leaves Iconox short-handed. Metus actively tries to recruit a new Second Glatorian.7, 33
- Strakk scores impressive wins against Vastus and Kiina in recent matches as of story year 2009, proving his effectiveness despite his controversy.27
- Since Second Glatorian Gelu has retired, Iconox is depending more and more on Strakk for victories.27
The Bone Hunter Raid on Vulcanus is Discovered
- Recently as of story year 2009 Two of Vulcanus' most promising trainees are slain in the desert by bone hunters.38 Some of the best trainees for Vulcanus are slain by the bone hunters, giving Ackar little choice but to keep fighting for the village despite his age.30
- The bone hunters undertake a raid on Vulcanus based on information provided to them by the Agori traitor and the Skrall. Fero leads the raid on Vulcanus but is also responsible in large part for its failure, since his loss to Gelu in the desert gives the village advance warning.43
- The alliance between the bone hunters and the Skrall leads the bandits to attempt a large-scale raid on the village of Vulcanus.2
- During one job to protect an Agori trader and his wagon, Gelu clashes with the bone hunter Fero. During the fight, Fero drops a chart which shows plans for a bone hunter attack on Vulcanus.26 During a fight with Gelu in the desert, Fero loses the chart that shows the bone hunters' target.43
- Shortly after the Skrall attack on Atero Gelu stumbles on information that the fire village is going to be the target of a raid by bone hunters.38
- Bringing this information to Vulcanus, Gelu suggests that the village hire Glatorian to defend it.38 Gelu brings the chart to Raanu, who at first feels that the Agori should just evacuate the village. Gelu persuades him that hiding Glatorian to defend Vulcanus is a better idea. What Gelu hopes to do is to make some money going out and finding Glatorian for Raanu, rather than fighting himself. However, when Ackar agrees with his idea and assumes he will stay for the battle, Gelu finds himself stuck.26
- When the bone hunters threaten Vulcanus, Raanu has to be talked into hiring Glatorian to protect the place44, 2 rather than simply evacuating the Agori to safety.44
- When bone hunters threaten Vulcanus, Ackar is ready to do whatever he must to defend his village.30
- Forewarned, the Glatorian prepare a defense of Vulcanus.43
- Vulcanus' top trainees are killed by bone hunters.2
- When bone hunters plan a raid on Vulcanus, Kiina and Tarix discover the bodies of two dead Glatorian trainees from Vulcanus in the desert. Determining that they were killed by bone hunters, Kiina rides on to Vulcanus to warn them.31
- After the exile of Malum for crimes in the arena and the death of Vulcanus' top trainees at the hands of bone hunters, Ackar is forced to fight even more matches than before.2
- During the bone hunter attack on Vulcanus, Vastus at first rejects Gresh's plea to aid the village. He makes it clear that a Glatorian's first responsibility is to his own village and that he will not leave Tesara undefended.40
Ackar Asks Malum for Help against the Bone Hunters
- Ackar travels into the wastelands at great personal risk to meet with Malum and secure the temporary aid of the Vorox against the bone hunters.30
- When Ackar comes to Malum seeking aid against the bone hunters, Malum at first refuses him. In the end, after much persuasion, he agrees to lead a pack of Vorox against a bone hunter camp.17
- Malum's Vorox attack on the bone hunter camp is successful, but it sparks more bone hunter killings of Vorox later on.17
- Since the outbreak of war, Malum tries to lead some Vorox raids on Skrall supply caravans and clashes with Skrall patrols. He does not allow his Vorox to ally again with the Glatorian and Agori, since he does not believe that the villages are much better than the Skrall when it comes to their treatment of Vorox.17
The Glatorian Fight the Bone Hunters in Iron Canyon
- With some reluctance, Kiina stays to fight in the defense of Vulcanus. Although she believes that trying to fight off a horde of bone hunters is suicidal, she remains out of loyalty to Ackar.31
- Despite his initial plans not to take part in the fight, Gelu does fight bravely in defense of Vulcanus.26
- Gresh aids Ackar, Kiina, and Strakk in defending Vulcanus from a bone hunter raid.1, 2
- The Skrall provide the village of Vulcanus with bone hunter battle plans. What no one knows at the time is that the Skrall have manipulated the bone hunters into raiding Vulcanus as a test, and by leaking their plans, they are simply trying to make the test more challenging for their pawns.34
- The Skrall leak the bone hunter plans to attack through Iron Canyon as a way to test both the Glatorian defenses and the bone hunters' skills.43
- Discovering that the bone hunters plan to attack through Iron Canyon, the Glatorian and Agori set up traps.38
- Ackar masterminds the defense of Vulcanus, setting up traps and ambushes throughout Iron Canyon to snare the bone hunters.30
- The Glatorian ambush the bone hunters in Iron Canyon, but the bone hunters slip away.43
- The Glatorian and Agori's traps decimate the bone hunter force.38
- The bone hunters retreat temporarily.38
The Bone Hunters Attack Vulcanus
- Strakk attempts to sneak out of Vulcanus prior to the big bone hunter raid there, but he is unable to get past the enemy forces and has to come back.2
- Vastus has a change of heart and joins with Tarix and others in an attack which drives the bone hunters off.40
- Having slipped away in Iron Canyon, the bone hunters attack again through the Sea of Liquid Sand. They are again defeated, losing a number of warriors in the battle.43
- After their temporary retreat, the bone hunters attack again from the south. Aided by the sudden arrival of Glatorian from Tesara and Tajun, the bone hunters are defeated.38
- Recently as of the end of story year 2009 Vulcanus is the site of a major skirmish in the conflict on Bara Magna.38
- Tarix fights alongside Ackar against the bone hunters in Vulcanus.41
- Strakk fights against the bone hunters to defend Vulcanus, along with Ackar, Kiina, and Gresh. Many of those present believe that he actually tried to sneak out of the village before the battle started, but the presence of bone hunters all around the area made it impossible for him to get back to Iconox and forced him to turn back.27
- After helping Ackar and Gresh deliver a wagon of exsidian to Vulcanus, Kiina helps them again against bone hunters.2
- Ackar defends Vulcanus from a bone hunter raid.2
- The bone hunters' raid on Vulcanus leads to an embarrassing defeat at the hands of a small group of Glatorian.2
Aftermath of the Raid on Vulcanus
- Kiina tries to get Gresh to enjoy life a little more and show his feelings, with some success. She believes he feels a little intimidated around famous veteran Glatorian like Tarix and Ackar.1
- In the weeks after the fall of Atero, Tuma keeps the Skrall army confined to Roxtus, instead keeping the Glatorian and Agori waiting in fear of the Skrall's next strike.42
- After Tarduk's expedition Scodonius and Kirbraz narrowly escape capture by the Skrall while training in the desert outside of Tajun.24
- After a day of hard work working with the other Agori and keeping an eye on the fighting skills of Ackar, Raanu sits in a quiet spot alone as the sun sets. He rests and reminisces about Spherus Magna, the Core War, and the Shattering. Ackar then walks up to Raanu, and the two leave together, as Ackar must prepare for a match with Strakk.45
Mata Nui Lands on Bara Magna
- Bara Magna's gravity draws in the Mask of Life in which Mata Nui's spirit is trapped. Mata Nui wonders if this is how his 100,000-year existence will end: burning up in the atmosphere of an alien world.46
- After the raid on Vulcanus Another job leads to Gelu being pinned down by Skrall warriors firing Thornax launchers. It seems like he is doomed, until a bright flash of light overhead distracts the Skrall. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Gelu makes his escape. He never learns that the light is in fact the Mask of Life headed for a crash landing in the desert.26
- Weeks since the fall of Atero Gelu is on what is supposed to be an easy job – a small caravan, a short route, far from Vorox nests – when he becomes pinned down in the desert by Skrall warriors firing Thornax. At one point, dodging Thornax from the Skrall, he makes a break for some rocks where he will be able to hold off his attackers for a while. The Skrall pursue, and Gelu struggles to come up with a way to stop them when suddenly a bright light appears in the sky, falling to the east. The Skrall look up in alarm, wondering if it is a new weapon. Gelu takes advantage of the distraction to escape into the desert.42
- Weeks since the fall of Atero In Roxtus, one of the Vorox chained to the walls escapes. Stronius easily stops it, picking it up by the throat with one hand. Tuma appears behind him and scolds him for wasting his time tormenting the Vorox. Stronius complains that he needs amusement since Tuma has confined the Skrall to Roxtus and openly criticizes Tuma's decision to keep the Glatorian and Agori waiting in fear. Suddenly, a bright light streaks across the sky. Although they are momentarily startled, Stronius dismisses it as a shooting star.42
- Vastus, Gresh, and Tarduk are walking in the outskirts of the village of Tesara. Tarduk tries to tell the others about his adventures up north involving the shapeshifters and the maze valley, but Gresh and Vastus dismiss them as more tall tales about the north. They know that Tarduk is not one to lie, but they are more preoccupied with defending themselves against the bone hunters. Suddenly, without looking, Vastus fires a Thornax launcher and hits a bone hunter who was lurking nearby. They are surprised to find that the fallen bone hunter was carrying a Skrall shield. They then see a bright light streaking through the sky.42
- A few days after the raid on Vulcanus In Vulcanus, Raanu watches as Ackar and Kiina spar in the arena. Kiina boasts that she is faster than Ackar remembers, thanks to her practice with Tarix. Ackar manages to sweep Kiina off her feet. Raanu interrupts to remind Ackar that he must prepare for his match with Strakk later. Suddenly, they are startled to see a bright light rocketing down across the sky. Kiina wonders hopefully if it is a flying ship she can use to leave Bara Magna, but Ackar dismisses it as a dead star falling into the desert.42
- The Mask of Life, with Mata Nui's mind trapped within, eventually crash lands on Bara Magna from space.2
- The smoldering Mask of Life rockets down from the above and slams into the sands of the eastern desert. Amazingly, the mask survives. Large numbers of nearby Scarabax beetles, searching the sand for food as they always do at night, scatter and hide in fear. One brave insect dares to come close and inspect the object. Suddenly, the mask rises into the air. The energies of the Mask of Life cause a storm of sand to form and coalesce into a body. When it is over, Mata Nui stands in a new body, wearing the Mask of Life.42
- The Mask of Life rockets down like a blazing star and strikes the sands of Bara Magna, scorching a deep trench in the desert. It comes to rest, smoke still rising from its surface. The power buried deep in the mask exerts itself and begins to create a living body from the sand and the earth. When it is done, Mata Nui himself stands on the surface of a new world, appearing much like any other warrior on Bara Magna.46 The Mask of Life impacts Bara Magna just north of the Sea of Liquid Sand. Had it crashed in the Sea, it would have sunk without a trace, taking Mata Nui's mind and spirit with it.47 Mata Nui's impact spot is on the edge of the Sea of Liquid Sand, south of the village of Vulcanus.48, 49
- One night, a bright, flaming object flies down from the sky and crashes into the ground near where Click's colony of scarabax beetles is feeding. Most of the insects scatter. Those who remain witness something remarkable, as the object – a mask – rises into the air and creates a body for itself from the swirling sand.2
- The power of the Mask of Life creates a new body for Mata Nui, one that is only seven feet in height and has no special powers.2
- At night, the Mask of Life which contains Mata Nui's spirit crashes on the strange world of Bara Magna. Its power creates a new body for Mata Nui, one which he must learn to use if he is to survive.50
- Crotesius in his Cendox V1 and Scodonius and Kirbraz in their Kaxium V3 hold a practice fight in the desert at night. They charge straight toward each other, neither willing to be the first to move. At the last moment, Scodonius and Kirbrax split the Kaxium V3 into its two cars and drive around Crotesius to avoid the collision. Crotesius swerves and knocks the driver [Kirbraz?] out of the main car with a Thornax shot, ending the fight. The three Agori discuss how the Skrall have done nothing after destroying Atero. [Kirbraz?] thinks that the Skrall attacked Atero because it was undefended and are not willing to attack a village where there are Agori and Glatorian in waiting. Even as they speak, Skrall warriors are eavesdropping nearby.51
- A lone beetle which is partly mechanical and makes clicking sounds crawls toward Mata Nui. Mata Nui extends his arm and allows it to climb up to his face, thinking it is trying to tell him something. The beetle crawls up to his mask, which Mata Nui realizes it is interested in.2
- When the beetle touches Mata Nui's mask, it transforms with a bright flash into a magnificent shield with a large green orb in the middle.50
- Mata Nui's first encounter is with a curious beetle who dares to come close enough to touch his mask with its pincers. The power of the mask instantly transforms him into a shield.52
- Braver than the rest of the beetles and curious, Click approaches the new arrival. When he touches the newcomer's mask, it glows, and Click is suddenly transformed into a living shield.2
- A screeching Vorox attacks Mata Nui from behind and knocks him to the ground. Mata Nui is able to defend himself with his new shield. He then maneuvers away from the Vorox and gets back on his feet. Mata Nui avoids strikes from the Vorox's stinger tail, though he has trouble making his new body move the way he wants.50
- Mata Nui accidentally stumbles just as the Vorox strikes with its stinger. This accident saves Mata Nui, as the Vorox misses him and strikes a rock with full force, causing the blade of its stinger to break off. The Vorox flees into the desert, howling in pain. Mata Nui's shield transforms back into the beetle, who sits on his shoulder.50
- Almost immediately, an armored creature attacks Mata Nui, savage, wild, and determined to kill him. Mata Nui has never needed to fight before and is not used to his new body.52 For the first time in his life, Mata Nui feels real fear.53 Still, he somehow manages to drive the creature off. This first fight teaches Mata Nui that this place is not the peaceful universe he once watched over, but a dangerous place full of unknown menaces. He will need to be careful. Mata Nui recalls the Great Beings, the wise men and women who created him and his universe so many thousands of years ago. He wonders what they would think if they knew all that had happened since, and that their creation had been deposed. Now, Mata Nui is simply someone carrying a shield and a crude sword, with no real idea how to use either of them, surrounded by miles of desert and far, far from home. Aware that his people are in danger, Mata Nui does not give in to frustration or despair, but is determined to explore this harsh new world and somehow find a way to achieve his destiny.52
- The second living thing encountered by Mata Nui when he arrives on Bara Magna is a Vorox, which immediately attacks him. Mata Nui is overwhelmed and nearly killed. The battle ends when the Vorox's stinger tail is accidentally broken off and it flees in pain.2
- Mata Nui retrieves the Vorox stinger and uses it as a sword.2
- Mata Nui finds himself on the largest chunk of Spherus Magna, which the survivors call Bara Magna. Using the Mask of Life, Mata Nui creates a new, smaller body for himself.54
- Stranded on this strange world, Mata Nui is determined to find his way back home.2
- Mata Nui hears a vehicle coming toward him. Eventually the vehicle, which looks like the Thornatus V9, comes into view and drives up to him. In it is Metus, who seems just as startled to see Mata Nui and Mata Nui is to see him.50
- Metus curtly asks Mata Nui to state his business, and Mata Nui says he is a traveler looking for the nearest city. Metus visitor jokingly mentions that there are bound to be city ruins in the ground. He offers Mata Nui a ride to Vulcanus, the nearest village and the place where he himself is heading. Metus mentions that bone hunters and Skrall are a danger in the desert.50
- Mata Nui stands alone in the desert, unsure of where he is or how he got there. All he knows is that he is a long way from home and that his universe was taken from him by his enemy. Having already fought off one sort of beast, he wonders what other creatures might be hiding in the sands. A small figure driving a vehicle approaches. The vehicle looks like it was made by nailing pieces of other vehicles together, and Mata Nui is amazed that it can even move. Unsure if the newcomer is a friend or foe, Mata Nui raises his sword. The visitor curtly asks Mata Nui to state his business, and Mata Nui says he is a traveler looking for the nearest city. The visitor jokingly mentions that there are bound to be city ruins under the sands of this place, which he calls Bara Magna. He introduces himself as Metus and offers Mata Nui a ride to Vulcanus, the nearest village and the place where Metus is heading for business. Mata Nui introduces himself as "Toa Mata Nui."55
- When Mata Nui first arrives in the desert, Metus is the first to encounter him.2
- Shortly after his battle with Vorox in the desert, Mata Nui encounters a villager who introduces himself as Metus. He talks very quickly and offers him a ride to the nearest village, Vulcanus. Although Mata Nui is hesitant, the thought of walking across a hostile desert is not very appealing, so he agrees.56
- Metus is on a journey to Vulcanus to meet with Raanu about Malum's exile when he encounters Mata Nui, newly arrived on Bara Magna.57
Metus Takes Mata Nui to Vulcanus
- After turning back from a shield, Click accompanies Mata Nui on his journey to Vulcanus.2
- Metus and Mata Nui ride for a long time over the sand dunes. Mata Nui occasionally spots buildings in the distance half-buried in the sand, likely abandoned for centuries. Metus suddenly stops the vehicle when he spots the sand moving like ocean waves ahead, telling Mata Nui that it is a dangerous creature called a sand bat. Metus tries to drive them away from the creature, but the sand bat bursts out of the ground. It flies straight up and then dives down at them, smashing into the transport and knocking them out of the vehicle. Mata Nui expects the sand bat to attack them now that they are on the ground, but instead it dives back into the sand. Metus and Mata Nui try to upright the transport again, but the sand bat bursts out of the ground again and crashes into it. Metus tells Mata Nui to run, and Mata Nui dives just as the sand bat is about to catch him. The sand bat vanishes into the ground again. Metus points out some caves where they can hide, but Mata Nui sees that they are over a mile away and decides they will need to fight the sand bat. He tells Metus to watch the ground for waves in the sand and to try to knock its mask off when it emerges again. The mask statement confuses Metus, and Mata Nui explains that where he comes from, beasts wear masks which compel them to do evil things, and that knocking them off makes them peaceful again. Metus says that creatures here have no such thing, and Mata Nui reminds himself that he is not home anymore. The sand bat bursts out of the sands to the left, and Metus runs toward the caves. Mata Nui faces it and dodges at the last moment, landing a blow on the sand bat's wing with his sword, although it does no damage. The sand bat disappears into the ground. Mata Nui realizes that it does not make sense for the sand bat to keep diving underground, since it is stronger than they and impervious to their attacks, unless it is afraid of something. The sand bat bursts up right next to Mata Nui, knocking him back. Mata Nui raises his sword in defense, and the sword catches the sunlight and directs it at the creature. The sand bat suddenly turns away and returns to the ground; Mata Nui realizes that the sand bat hates sunlight. Mata Nui tells Metus a plan to try to trap it above ground to get it to stop fighting. When they see the sand moving again, they rush toward the spot. The sand bat flies up and dives down toward Metus, but Mata Nui tackles the creature. He knocks it off balance, but the sand bat easily tosses him off. Metus baits the sand bat into chasing him by throwing sand at it. Suddenly the sand bat turns back as its wings start smoking. Mata Nui and Metus block its way until the creature's whole body starts smoking. Finally, to Metus's surprise, Mata Nui lets it return to the ground. Mata Nui explains it did not need to be hurt, only taught that the world above was dangerous – much like Mata Nui must be aware that this new world is dangerous. Metus decides he should stick close to Mata Nui in the hopes of learning something valuable from him.55
- The trip is not without incident, as the two wind up in combat with a creature Metus calls a sand bat along the way.56
- Mata Nui drives a sand bat off by forcing it to stay above ground.29
Mata Nui Arrives in Vulcanus and Meets Ackar
- Shortly after returning to Tajun after the Battle of Atero, Kiina travels to Vulcanus for a match.31
- Ackar's next match after the crossing from Iconox to Vulcanus (?) Ackar has a match with Strakk in Vulcanus. During the match, Metus brings a newcomer named Mata Nui to watch the fight. Although Ackar wins the match fairly, Strakk tries to attack from behind. Mata Nui saves Ackar, and the two form a friendship.30
- Metus brings Mata Nui to Vulcanus with him.57
- Ackar and Strakk fight in a match in an arena in Vulcanus. Mata Nui finds two warriors battling in an arena while villagers look on cheering. Metus explains that this is how disputes are settled on Bara Magna, between fighters called Glatorian rather than in wars. Mata Nui thinks that this system must be easy for the villages but seems hard on the Glatorian. Ackar gets the better of Strakk, who concedes defeat. Something in Strakk's tone strikes Mata Nui as dishonest, and when Ackar turns away, Strakk reaches for his weapon. He picks up his axe and hurls it at Ackar in a treacherous attack from behind. Strakk stands over Ackar, about to deliver a final blow, when Mata Nui tackles him. Strakk recovers and quickly gets the better of Mata Nui. Ackar pleads to Strakk that his fight is only with him, but Strakk brings down his axe on the fallen Mata Nui and promises to finish off Ackar next. Mata Nui blocks the axe with the stinger tail he is holding, which is forced back and accidentally touches his mask. When it makes contact, it transforms in a flash of light into a sword. Mata Nui sweeps the startled Strakk off his feet and pins him down with his sword. He forces Strakk to concede defeat, loud enough for all to hear. The crowd cheers, but Mata Nui ignores them, more interested in finding the fastest way home. Ackar tells Mata Nui that for attacking after he had surrendered, Strakk will face banishment before the week is over. Ackar tells Mata Nui he is in his debt and invites him to talk.51
- Mata Nui's first reaction to Vulcanus is one of utter shock. Right in the center of the village, a crowd is watching two warriors fight in an arena. Mata Nui wonders if he has stumbled onto the sort of barbaric society where battle is a sport. Metus explains that this is how arguments are settled, in order to avoid wars, but it still troubles Mata Nui; where he comes from, warriors fight for justice, not to decide who owns a strip of land or a wagon-load of metal. Mata Nui watches the red-armored warrior, Ackar, defeat the white-armored one, Strakk. He hears Strakk concede defeat, then sees him reach for his weapon as soon as Ackar's back is turned. No one else is willing to do anything, but Mata Nui, unwilling to stand by while someone is attacked from behind, runs into the arena and tackles Strakk, making his shot go wild. Now Mata Nui finds himself in trouble, having been in his new body for only an hour or so, facing a trained fighter. Strakk drives Mata Nui across the arena and then down into the sand, ready to kill him. Then, the piece of Vorox stinger which Mata Nui is carrying as a crude weapon touches his mask and transforms instantly into a sword. The sight startles Strakk so much that Mata Nui is able to knock him off his feet. This time, when Strakk surrenders, Mata Nui makes sure that he means it. Although he does not realize it at the time, this short fight will change Mata Nui's entire future on Bara Magna.56
- Mata Nui transforms the Vorox stinger he is using as a sword into a real blade using the Mask of Life.2
- Ackar fights and wins a match with Strakk. When Strakk cheats and downs Ackar, only the sudden appearance of Mata Nui saves Ackar from defeat.2
- In Strakk's most recent match, he battles Ackar in Vulcanus. Beaten and having officially conceded, Strakk then tries to attack Ackar from behind in a violation of arena rules. His dirty tactic fails only because the newly arrived Mata Nui interferes, tackling Strakk. In the fight that follows, Mata Nui is lucky enough to beat Strakk and force him to surrender.27, 2
- Since Vulcanus is in dire need of a new Glatorian, when Metus brings Mata Nui to Vulcanus, Raanu makes a very generous offer for the newcomer's services, but Mata Nui turns him down. If Mata Nui had accepted the offer to become a Vulcanus Glatorian, Raanu planned to ask Ackar to retire.2
- Metus makes a big show of wanting to recruit Mata Nui as a Glatorian, mainly because he can tell Mata Nui is from off-world and wants to keep an eye on him.2
- Ackar takes Mata Nui back to his shelter. He mentions that he has another match in Tesara, although he does not seem happy about it. He explains that he fights in the arena out of duty and pride, despite being past his prime. Mata Nui admires Ackar's unwillingness to be defeated without a fight, calling him a true Toa, although Ackar has never heard the term. Metus then enters the room excitedly, telling Mata Nui that Vulcanus is willing to pay anything to have him fight for them. Mata Nui, however, refuses. Ackar asks Mata Nui about his plans, and Mata Nui replies that he will start searching for a way back to his homeland. He explains that it is on another world entirely, far from Bara Magna, and that he was its protector, until a dark power took it from him. Someone whom Mata Nui has not met, Kiina, bursts in excitedly, thrilled to be proven right about he existence of other worlds and to meet an other-worlder who can convince the Agori that there are better places than Bara Magna. Ackar tells Mata Nui that he trusts Kiina. Kiina has heard that Mata Nui was able to make a sword appear out of nowhere and is excited to learn that it is true. Kiina says she may know of a way for Mata Nui to find his way home. She has found a cave near her village filled with ancient technology and strange inscriptions, and she agrees to take him there. In return, she asks for one favor – that when Mata Nui leaves Bara Magna, he take her with him. Seeing no other choice, Mata Nui agrees.51
- Raanu is so far unable to find a new Second Glatorian to replace Malum, despite efforts to recruit Mata Nui.44
- Metus later tries unsuccessfully to recruit Mata Nui to fight in the arena.57
- Kiina is in Vulcanus when Mata Nui first arrives and spies on his conversation with Ackar. Upon learning that Mata Nui is from another world, she bursts out in excitement. She tells Mata Nui that she knows of a strange cavern near Tajun full of ancient carvings and mysterious technology. Suggesting there might be some connection between it and Mata Nui's mission to return home, she offers to take him there on one condition: that he take her with him when he leaves Bara Magna.31
- When Kiina learns that Mata Nui is from another world, she claims he has "won a lot of bets" for her, since she has wagered with other Glatorian about the existence of other worlds.31
- When Mata Nui shows up in Vulcanus and tells Ackar that he comes from another universe, Kiina sees this as her opportunity to get off Bara Magna. Learning that Mata Nui was trying to get back home, Kiina makes him an offer: she will help him escape Bara Magna, as long as he takes her with him. Kiina believes she has knowledge that will aid Mata Nui, given that she stumbled upon the hidden cavern near Tajun.2
- Ackar is not sure that he believes Mata Nui's story about coming from another universe, but he is willing to travel with him and Kiina to Tajun.2
Mata Nui, Ackar, and Kiina Head toward Tajun
- The next morning, Mata Nui, Ackar, and Kiina depart for Tajun on Kiina's transport, which resembles the Thornatus V9.51
- When Mata Nui leaves for Tajun with Ackar and Kiina, Metus shadows them.2
- Kiina takes Ackar and Mata Nui to Tajun in her modified Thornatus.58
- It soon becomes obvious to Mata Nui that this world has its own share of problems. In addition to a lack of resources and a harsh climate, they are menaced by roving bands of bone hunters, savage Vorox, and a violent invasion by a race called the Skrall. It sounds all too familiar. As he listens to the Glatorian tell him of these things, Mata Nui struggles with himself. He did not come to Bara Magna willingly, but was exiled here. The problems of these people are not his. His own universe is in danger because of his own failings, and he feels it is his responsibility to save it. He knows that he simply cannot afford to get embroiled in the crises of another world. The risks are too great: the struggle could take years, or he could be wounded or killed, leaving no one to save his universe. Moreover, the Glatorian seem smart and capable enough to handle their own matters, while Mata Nui has no power and no experience in this place. Yet Mata Nui turned away once before. He had paid so much attention to the worlds he was visiting and the mission he had to carry out for the Great Beings that he ignored what was going on inside his own universe. Too late, he realized that there were hostile forces arrayed against him. It was because he was so oblivious that evil was able to take root in the place he was supposed to protect. Mata Nui begins to think long and hard about whether he will help on Bara Magna or leave it to its demise.59
- As Mata Nui meets the Glatorian and Agori who inhabit the planet, he discovers that they are in great danger from the evil Skrall. Putting his own problems aside, Mata Nui resolves to help them.2
- Mata Nui finds it unusual that Ackar, despite his own worries about his waning fighting skills and the possibility of forced retirement, is willing to aid Mata Nui in his quest to return home. Ackars says he owes him for saving his life in the arena in Vulcanus, but Mata Nui suspects that Ackar simply wants to feel he is part of something greater than himself. Ackar reminds Mata Nui of Onua, having tremendous strength tempered with wisdom. Ackar correctly points out that Mata Nui has a lot to learn about fighting and offers to teach him.60
Ackar Trains Mata Nui against a Rock Raptor
- Along the way to Tajun, Ackar trains Mata Nui in combat.2
- On the dangerous journey to Tajun, Ackar decides to give Mata Nui his first lesson in fighting. As the two are standing in the desert, Ackar tries to take Mata Nui by surprise by swinging his sword down at him, in order to teach him to be always ready. Mata Nui is not able to block the blow in time and is knocked off his feet. Ackar tells Mata Nui that he needs to be able to predict what his opponent will do before he does it, using his eyes and his mind. Ackar has Mata Nui attack him with his sword, but Mata Nui fails to hit Ackar every time he tries. Exhausted, Mata Nui finally stops, amazed that Ackar could so easily avoid his attacks. Ackar tells Mata Nui to watch a bird flying overhead. After a while, Ackar correctly guesses just when the bird is about to turn left. He explains that he knew by watching the bird closely that its left wing flutters before it turns left, and its right wing flutters before it turns right. For the next hour, Ackar has Mata Nui try to predict how a creature will move, but Mata Nui has no success and grows frustrated.61
- Finally, Ackar leads Mata Nui up into the rocks, where he shows him a dangerous creature called a rock steed. Ackar explains that one can tame a rock steed and ride it by winning a fight against it. Ackar starts to fight the beast, wrapping his arm around its neck. As Mata Nui runs to help, the rock steed hits Ackar with its stinger, and Ackar goes down. Desperately, Mata Nui distracts the creature away from him, barely able to avoid its attacks. Realizing he needs to end the fight quickly to help Ackar, Mata Nui concentrates on the rock steed and notices that it moves its right shoulder before it swings its stinger at his right side. Soon he figures out when the rock steed is about to strike with its stinger at his left or right side, and when it is about to try to lunge and bite. The longer Mata Nui wards off its attacks, the more confident he becomes. He drives it back until it finally gives up and runs off into the desert. Ackar, who is unhurt, congratulates Mata Nui – Ackar had been pretending to be in trouble in order to motivate Mata Nui. Mata Nui complains to him not to do that again, but the two head down the mountain again laughing.61
- Rather than teach Mata Nui maneuvers, Ackar has Mata Nui watch birds in flight. Mata Nui is to follow their movements and try to predict if they will turn left or right. It is frustrating work, and Mata Nui does not seem to be very good at it.60
- During a journey to the village of Tajun, Ackar teaches Mata Nui some tips on fighting, including the importance of observing an opponent closely to be able to predict his moves.30
- Mata Nui and Ackar battle a rock steed on the way to Tajun.29
- Ackar takes Mata Nui up into the rocks and shows him a creature called a rock steed. Ackar tells him that the creature must be fought before it can be tamed. When Ackar tries to do so, the rock steed strikes him down. Mata Nui challenges it and finds that he can do what Ackar taught: to predict its movements from the smallest signs. Mata Nui fights it and drives it off, only to learn that Ackar is not so badly hurt – he simply believed that Mata Nui would learn best if he believed his life depended on it. Mata Nui recognizes the wisdom behind this act.60
- As part of Mata Nui's training, Ackar pretends to be defeated by a rock steed so Mata Nui can "rescue" him.2
Mata Nui, Ackar, and Kiina Face a Skopio in a Canyon
- The three travelers have been riding for some time when they reach a canyon. Ackar grows tense, believing it to be the perfect place for an ambush. Looking behind, they see a group of bone hunters on rock steeds pursuing them. Kiina decides to make a break for Tajun where more Glatorian can help them. Little by little, Kiina gains ground on the bone hunters through the canyon. One of the pursuers fires a Thornax, and Ackar warns Mata Nui to keep his head down. Suddenly, they feel a tremor in the ground, and to their dismay, a massive Skopio erupts from the ground and towers in front of their vehicle.51
- During their trip from Vulcanus to Tajun, Mata Nui, Kiina, and Ackar encounter a Skopio in the open desert. Mata Nui takes the beast on single-handedly and manages to temporarily stop it by bringing down a rockslide on it. It is doubtful that this killed the beast.2
- Mata Nui, Kiina, and Ackar fight a Skopio on the way to Tajun and barely survive.29
The Skrall and Bone Hunters Attack Tajun
- Tuma follows the attack on Atero with another on Tajun. His plan is to sweep north, seize Tesara and Iconox, and then force Vulcanus to surrender, since all food and water supplies to the village would then be cut off.37
- The next step in Tuma's plan after attacking Atero is the conquest of Tajun, followed by a lightning strike against Tesara.2
- Shortly after the attack on Atero, the Skrall move in force and sack the village of Tajun.2
- Information provided by Metus allows the Skrall to successfully attack the village of Tajun.2
- Having accepted an offer from Kiina to train with her in Tajun, Gresh is there when the villages [sic] are attacked by a force of Skrall and bone hunters. Gresh fights valiantly, but he is badly outnumbered and seriously injured in the battle.2
- Despite the bone hunters' failure in the raid on Vulcanus, the Skrall make use of Fero and the bone hunters in their attack on Tajun.43
- At one point, when both of Tajun's Glatorian are away from the village, a mixed force of bone hunters and Skrall attacks and burns Tajun. The water Agori escape and hide in the desert, but their village is largely destroyed.15
- Unwilling to part with his collection of items, Berix is the only Water tribe Agori to stay in Tajun during the Skrall-bone hunter attack. He hides in the cavern he discovered.5
- Berix is the only water tribe Agori not to flee Tajun when the Skrall attack the village. He does not want to abandon his collection.2
- Scodonius and Kirbraz escape Tajun with the Kaxium V3 during the Skrall attack.62
Mata Nui, Ackar, and Kiina Arrive in Tajun
- Mata Nui, Ackar, and Kiina arrive in Tajun to find that it has been destroyed by Skrall and bone hunters.2
- Mata Nui's first view of the work of the Skrall is when Ackar, Kiina, and he arrive in Tajun. Although he has seen entire worlds devastated by war, he is angered by the senseless violence the Skrall and bone hunters have forced on the Agori for the sake of their own greed and ambition. What is also different this time is that Mata Nui is seeing the destruction from the midst of it, rather than the great distances he has known before. He sees the young Glatorian Gresh badly wounded, the shelters burning, and he realizes that the water tribe has just had their lives shattered. He feels real anger for the first time in his life. It is the Skrall's actions which help Mata Nui finally decide that he must stay and help the inhabitants of Bara Magna, rather than leave as soon as possible to save his universe.53
- Kiina points out Tuma to Mata Nui walking amid the carnage. He seems filled with enormous confidence and shows no sign of remorse for what his soldiers have done here, only pride and satisfaction. He reminds Mata Nui of Makuta Teridax. Mata Nui looks forward to bringing Tuma to face Agori justice one day. In the meantime, Kiina says there is a place they can go where Gresh will be safe: the same cavern she spoke of, filled with ancient technology and strange inscriptions. Mata Nui has a hunch that this will bring him closer to home.53
- Kiina, Ackar, and Mata Nui head to Tajun, only to find it largely destroyed by Skrall and bone hunters. Kiina leads her friends and a wounded Gresh to the cave, surprised and angry to find Berix inside. She makes it clear that she considers the Agori to be a thief, but in the end, she has to allow him to treat Gresh's wounds and accompany them to Tesara.31
- After bringing a wounded Gresh into the cave to hid him from the Skrall, Kiina at first refuses to let Berix treat her friend. It is only after Ackar tells her there is no other choice that she consents.2
- Gresh may well have died if Kiina, Ackar, and Mata Nui did not arrive when they did.2
- Mata Nui and a team of Glatorian stumble upon Berix in his hidden cavern.5
- When Gresh is badly injured during the Skrall-bone hunter raid on Tajun, it is Berix who treats him, using his knowledge of herbal healing.5
- Kiina is convinced that Berix betrayed the village of Tajun.2
- Gresh is healed by Berix.2
- The fall of Tajun strikes fear into the hearts of other Agori even more than the sacking of Atero did. This leads them to focus more on their own defense.15
- After the Skrall attack on Tajun, Tesara is their next target.63
Mata Nui, Ackar, Kiina, and Berix Travel to Tesara
- Berix travels with Mata Nui and the Glatorian to Tesara.5 Gresh accompanies Kiina, Ackar, and Mata Nui to Tesara.2 Berix journeys with Ackar, Kiina, and Gresh to Tesara.2
- Following the discovery of the Skrall attack on Tajun, Ackar travels to Tesara with Mata Nui and others to warn the village.30
- Iconox is still debating how to punish Strakk for his violation of arena rules when the Skrall attack Tajun, forcing the village elders to put the subject aside for the time being.27, 2 It is likely that Strakk will be exiled to the wastelands.2
- Tarix's most recent match, against Vastus, is interrupted by the arrival of Mata Nui. Tarix's support is key to getting the Agori to listen to the newcomer.41
- Vastus is in Tesara, in a match with Tarix, when Mata Nui, Ackar, Kiina, and Gresh arrive with news of the Skrall attack on Tajun. The presence of Ackar leads Vastus to demand that others pay attention to the news. Vastus's support is key in the decision to suspend Glatorian matches until the Skrall threat is dealt with.40
- Despite the fear caused by the fall of Tajun, Mata Nui and the Glatorian convince the Agori that it is necessary for them to fight back. Tajun becomes a rallying cry for the resistance to Skrall attacks.15 The Skrall's next target is Tesara. Mata Nui, Ackar, Kiina, and Gresh are able to convince the jungle Agori to suspend Glatorian matches due to the crisis.63
- Ackar's presence helps convince Tarix and Vastus of the seriousness of the threat.30
- Seeing that there is no unity among the villages, Mata Nui strives to convince them to work together against the Skrall. Thousands of years of competition and distrust among the villages makes this difficult. Even though Mata Nui succeeds, there are still many who doubt the Agori can defeat the Skrall.2
- Metus arranges for the kidnapping of Kiina and Berix from Tesara as bait for a trap for Mata Nui.2
- Kiina's efforts to keep an eye on Berix led to their both being kidnapped by the Skrall and hauled to Roxtus.2
- While in Tesara, Berix and Kiina are kidnapped by the Skrall.2
- After sacking Tajun, the Skrall wheel north and move on the twin villages of Tesara. The Skrall believe that once the major sources of food and water are in their hands, the other villages will have to surrender.2
- The Glatorian later decide to leave Tesara and take the fight to Roxtus. The Agori protest, claiming they are being left undefended. In the end, Mata Nui decides to go on his own to Roxtus, leaving the other Glatorian to defend the village against the expected attack.63
- When Kiina and Berix are kidnapped, Mata Nui travels to the city of Roxtus to free them.2
The Skrall Attack Tesara
- When Mata Nui leaves to confront the Skrall in Roxtus, Ackar takes charge of the defense of Tesara.30
- When Mata Nui travels to Roxtus to rescue the kidnapped Kiina and Berix, Ackar stays behind to oversee the defense of Tesara.2
- Tuma's plan is for the Skrall to conduct a lightning strike against Tesara after attacking Tajun.2
- The Skrall meet stiff resistance in Tesara, thanks to a force of Glatorian commanded by Ackar.2
- Gresh aids in the defense of Tesara.2
The Skrall Attack Vulcanus
- It is only when Mata Nui and Ackar urge Raanu to fight the Skrall that he agrees. With the help of some brilliant strategy and the services of an Agori named Crotesius piloting a Cendox V1, Raanu is able to fend off a Skrall attack against Vulcanus.2
- Perditus's suspicion of a Skrall attack proves correct, and he plays a key role in smashing a Skrall advance on Vulcanus with the Thornatus V9.64
Mata Nui Faces Tuma in Roxtus
- As Mata Nui travels to the city of Roxtus to rescue the kidnapped Kiina and Berix, he reflects on how in his universe, there was only one true source of evil, and if he could be defeated, then peace would return to his people. He believes that the same will be true here, and that if he can defeat Tuma, then the danger that threatens Bara Magna will vanish.65
- Ackar does not stay in Tesara for long. He has a good idea of what Mata Nui will be facing, and even if he succeeds in freeing Kiina, the two of them alone could never defeat an entire city of Skrall. Ackar organizes the Glatorian and Agori of all the villages into a unified army and marches on Roxtus.2
- Gresh joins Ackar's force that attacks Roxtus.2
- While Skrall forces attack Tesara, other Skrall warriors are assembled in Roxtus, preparing for an attack on Vulcanus if that village [Vulcanus?] chooses not to give up.2
- Tuma's revelation of his partnership with the traitor shocks the Skrall at the worst possible time.36
- When Mata Nui wishes to enter the city of Roxtus, he simply walks right up to the gate and demands entrance.18
- Mata Nui arrives in Roxtus and challenges the Skrall leader, Tuma, to single combat.2
- Tuma's plans are frustrated when he is defeated in single combat by Mata Nui.37
- Mata Nui fights Tuma in Roxtus and defeats him.2
- In his fight with Mata Nui, Tuma breaks his own rule: never underestimate an opponent.2
- Tuma's plans are disrupted when he loses in single combat to Mata Nui in full view of his warriors.2
- Note: The Legend Reborn novelization says that Mata Nui shatters Tuma's sword, but in the movie he does not. The movie version is canon.66
- Mata Nui manages to defeat Tuma, although it takes every lesson learned from Ackar to do it.65
- Note: The Legend Reborn novelization says that Mata Nui gives Berix Tuma's green shield, but in the movie it is red. The movie version is canon.67
- Upon Tuma's fall, Metus appears, revealing himself to be a traitor to the Agori. He has somehow gained influence over the Skrall, perhaps by offering knowledge to Tuma in exchange for power. Whatever the reason, the Skrall attack on his command. Badly outnumbered, it seems that Mata Nui's first major battle will prove to be his last.65
- With Tuma's defeat, Metus takes command and orders the Skrall to kill Mata Nui, Kiina, and Berix.2
- After Tuma's defeat by Mata Nui, Metus reveals himself and his role in events.2
The Glatorian Defeat the Skrall in Roxtus
- Despite Mata Nui's insisting that they remain in Tesara, the other Glatorian charge Roxtus. They fight with heart, spirit, and pride, and they are weapons that the Skrall cannot hope to stand against. The rock tribe and its warriors break.65
- Roxtus is then hit by the surprise attack of a Glatorian army, which shatters the Skrall legions and forces them to flee into the desert. The final fate of Tuma remains unknown.37
- It takes the unexpected appearance of a small army of Glatorian and Agori at Roxtus to save the day.2
- Ackar's army arrives in Roxtus just in time, shattering the Skrall legions and saving Bara Magna.2
- After being freed by Mata Nui, Kiina joins in the battle that drives the Skrall from Roxtus.2
- To Berix's surprise, Mata Nui arrives to rescue them. Freed from the cage in which he was held, Berix eagerly joins the fight.2
- The Skrall are prevented from killing Mata Nui, Kiina, and Berix by a large force of Glatorian and Agori.2
- Tarduk is part of the makeshift Glatorian-Agori army that confronts the Skrall.19
- Vastus is part of the Glatorian attack on Roxtus.40
- Click's colony of beetles takes on the shape of a giant Glatorian to help save his life and that of Mata Nui.2
- The Agori and Glatorian forces are backed by a swarm of scarabax beetles. The swarm takes on the shape of a giant Glatorian. Some believe the Skrall may have mistaken the sight for baterra on the attack.2
- The Skrall are defeated and driven out into the desert.2
- Scodonius and Kirbraz pilot the Kaxium V3 in the attack on Roxtus, using it to drive retreating Skrall back into the Black Spike Mountains.62
- Gelu fights with the Glatorian army at Roxtus. During the battle, Gelu is wounded by the elite Skrall warrior Stronius. Despite this, he pursues Stronius into the mountains, determined to finish the fight. His current whereabouts become unknown.26
- The bone hunters do not stay long at the battle of Roxtus, seeing that the tide has turned against the Skrall and preferring to keep out of the conflict.43
- When the battle goes against Metus, he tries to escape Roxtus but is captured. Mata Nui uses the power of the Mask of Life to transform Metus into a snake. In that form, Metus slithers off into the wastelands.2
- Mata Nui spots Metus attempting to get away, but the power of the Mask of Life has a surprise for the traitorous murderer of his own people. Since in his heart Metus is a serpent, the Mask of Life transforms him into one. Mata Nui watches him slither away into the desert and feels no regrets.65
- The Skrall are driven out of Roxtus.2
- Stronius's whereabouts after the battle of Roxtus remain unknown. Some believe he may have escaped with Tuma and be hiding in the Black Spike Mountains, plotting revenge on Mata Nui and the Glatorian.36
- When the Skrall lose the Battle of Roxtus to Mata Nui and Ackar's forces, Tuma is imprisoned.2
- After the battle, Berix does some badly needed repair work on the Kaxium V3. Scodonius apologizes for his earlier treatment. Berix is now considered the third member of the Kaxium V3 team.62
- It is believed that the bone hunters, abandoning their Skrall allies, may have killed and looted some Skrall stragglers in the desert following the right at Roxtus.2
Aftermath of the Defeat of the Skrall
- Fero and the other bone hunters return to the wastelands, where they remain, living much as they had before.43
- The bone hunters desert their Skrall allies following the defeat at Roxtus.2
- Tarduk hopes to make one more journey north. He is convinced the red star symbol is some vital clue to a mystery that could change things on Bara Magna forever. He has heard rumors of a "Valley of the Maze" beyond the Black Spike Mountains and has reason to believe the symbol refers to the center of the maze.19
- Whether or not Atero or Arena Magna will ever be rebuilt remains to be seen. There has been talk of building a memorial there to honor the Glatorian and Agori who died fighting the Skrall.23
- Ackar is planning an organized Glatorian expedition to drive the bone hunters from the desert.43
- After the battle at Roxtus [sic?], Mata Nui gives three Glatorian to control the elements of fire, water, and air, respectively.2
- Mata Nui gives Kiina with the gift of the ability to control the element of water.2
- Mata Nui thanks Ackar for bringing an army to his rescue by granting him control over the elemental power of fire. Ackar is grateful for this new ability, but he has not yet mastered it and keeps accidentally starting fires wherever he goes.2
- Gresh currently has control over the elemental power of air thanks to a gift from Mata Nui.2
- Following the victory at Roxtus, Gresh agrees to lead a squad in search of remnants of the Skrall legion.2
- The Skrall are not gone for good. With Tuma imprisoned and Metus out of action, an elite warrior named Stronius has taken command of the remnants of the legion. It is believed they may be holed up in the White Quartz mountains, regaining their strength and planning to strike back in revenge.2
- It is believed that the surviving elite Skrall warriors may be planning to break Tuma out.2
- In his time on Bara Magna, Mata Nui has learned more about duty and friendship than he did in all his thousands of years of being a robot. Along the way, he has discovered clues of how he might free his people, who remain enslaved by Makuta inside his old body.54
- The experience at Roxtus has taught the Agori a lesson about unity. Now willing to work together, they bring all their scattered shelters together to form one great mega-city.65
- After the defeat of the Skrall, Raanu helps to supervise the unification of the new city and supports Ackar being named head of the Glatorian forces there.2
- It is only when the work is done that Mata Nui realizes what they have unwittingly constructed: a new robot body, much like his old one. With it, he knows he can challenge his ancient enemy and save his universe.65 The robot body is intact. Mata Nui can only guess that it was a prototype for his own lost form, perhaps something that failed its initial test here in the desert of Bara Magna. Mata Nui could will his mind into it, but that would do no good, since the body has no power source. Unexpectedly, Berix produces a coin he found in the cavern of the Great Beings which has a maze pattern on it. They find that the pattern on the Skrall shields matches that of the coin. Finally, Vastus tells Mata Nui about an Agori from his tribe, Tarduk, who is telling wild tales about a "Valley of the Maze" to the north.68
- After the battle at Roxtus is over, Berix shares with Mata Nui something he found in the Tajun cave. It is a coin that has a strange engraving on one side, which matches the pattern on the Skrall shields.2
- After the battle against the Skrall at Roxtus is over, Mata Nui makes an amazing discovery: the structures that made up the Agori villages, when joined together, make a robot body much like the one he used to have. Mata Nui is determined to use it to save his home universe.2
- Spherus Magna's past promises to be Mata Nui's future. Only two things stand in the way of freeing his people: finding a way of fixing and powering the old robot, and getting permission to use it. Mata Nui expects that neither will be an easy task.54
- Raanu is now chairman of the Council of Elders, the governing body of the newly unified Agori city.2
- Following the defeat of the Skrall and the unification of the Agori villages, the Vorox remain in the desert. They continue to be feared by all other intelligent beings.2
- The Skrall are still considered a danger even after being driven from their former home city.2
- The bone hunters remain a serious menace. Although the unified city of the Agori is much harder to attack, there is a great deal more open desert for the bone hunters to roam now. Some say they are now camping in Iron Canyon and have turned it into an armed fortress. It would take dozens of Glatorian to drive them from there.2
- There are rumors that the bone hunters are now targeting the savage Vorox, their only real competition for scavenging rights in the desert. The bandits have already succeeded in wiping out at least one Vorox nest north of the Skrall River. The outcome of this conflict remains to be seen.2
Mata Nui Journeys North
- Mata Nui journeys north to the Valley of the Maze in search of a power source for the robot body formed by the Agori villages.2
- Click accompanies Mata Nui north to the Valley of the Maze.2
- Mata Nui wants to seek out Tarduk and question him, only to discover that he has left Tesara on an expedition of his own to find the maze and solve its secrets. Accompanied by Kiina and Gresh, he follows.68
- Mata Nui, Ackar, Kiina, Gresh, and Berix travel north looking for answers. At one point, they run into a group of Skrall stragglers in the mountains. During the ensuing fight, Berix is struck by a Thornax and injured. After this point, Mata Nui decides that it will be better if he continues alone.69
- After the battle at Roxtus, Kiina wants to join Mata Nui as he travels into the mountains. This is partly out of friendship and partly because she does not want to risk him leaving Bara Magna without her. With some difficulty, Mata Nui talks Kiina into staying with Ackar in case the Skrall reorganize and attack again. However, Mata Nui leaves her with the gift of the ability to control the element of water [sic, this happened earlier]. Kiina anxiously awaits Mata Nui's return.2
- Had Mata Nui's expedition not followed Tarduk, it is doubtful that Tarduk would have lived to return and tell them about what he had found.68
- After the Agori villages are united, Ackar is placed in command of all the Glatorian forces. Even though the Skrall were driven out of Roxtus, they remain a threat, as do the bone hunters. Ackar remains ready to defend the Agori and help Mata Nui in any way he can.2
- Since the villages have united, Ackar, Kiina, and Gresh do well bringing the fight to their enemies. Their goal is to get the message out that anyone who troubles the Agori will have to face them. Meanwhile, the Skrall are scattered all over the desert.69
Mata Nui Arrives at the Valley of the Maze
- Mata Nui learns that the pattern on Berix's coin is a map of the Valley of the Maze.2
- Mata Nui, with Click on his shoulder, walks alone among the forested peaks of the Black Spike Mountains in the northern region of the planet. He has come in search of the meaning behind the maze symbol found both on the Skrall shields and on the ancient coin found by Berix in the sanctuary of the Great Beings. Mata Nui carries the coin in his hand. At last, he reaches a cliff overlooking the valley where the giant maze complex lies.69
- The maze turns out to be a last riddle left behind by the Great Beings. Designed to keep intruders out, it conceals a source of great power.68
- In the Bara Magna desert, Ackar and Kiina defeat Sahmad in his Baranus V7 with their new fire and water powers. They give him a stern warning to end his slaving business and to leave the Agori alone.69
- Ackar and Kiina worry about Mata Nui, who has yet to return. Although Kiina is partly concerned about Mata Nui's keeping his promise to take her away from Bara Magna, she also considers him a friend. From the mountains, Ackar, Gresh, and Kiina overlook the giant robot body now lying across the desert sands near the tree trunks of Tesara.69
- Having entered the maze, Mata Nui wonders what the Great Beings needed to protect inside of it and whom they were protecting it from. At one point, Mata Nui must enter a pool of water to continue, despite obvious signs of a trap. Click is on his shoulder. When Mata Nui is waist-deep in the cold waters, the pool suddenly freezes into ice. Mata Nui is about to free himself when flames engulf him, and then vines appear which try to ensnare him. Mata Nui breaks free from the traps with his sword and reaches the other side.69
- Mata Nui wanders through the maze, unsure if he has been inside for hours or for days. He reaches a dead end, where the stone walls start closing in on him. Click transforms into a shield, and Mata Nui smashes through a stone wall with his sword. Looking above, he finds Thornax launchers mounted on the ceiling, ready to fire. They fire a barrage of Thornax, but Mata Nui is safe behind his shield. Determined to keep moving, he disables the launchers by throwing his shield at them.69
- Mata Nui reaches the fortress at the heart of the maze. He is unsure how to get in and reach the answers he believes are locked inside. Mata Nui is impatient to continue his quest, worrying about what Makuta might be planning at this moment.69
Makuta Teridax Heads toward Bara Magna
- Months since Makuta seized control of the Matoran universe On the planet Aqua Magna, after spending time learning to use his new power, Makuta is at last ready to leave and conquer other worlds. Despite Mata Nui's defeat and exile, Makuta senses that he is still alive on Bara Magna. He determines that he must kill Mata Nui once and for all to achieve his destiny. He travels out into space toward his goal.69
Mata Nui Acquires the Power Source
- Following Tarduk into the far north, Mata Nui finds him as well as the object of his search: a massively energetic object that can power up the Bara Magna robot. It is ancient and unstable, but it is also his only chance to redeem his people's suffering.54