NARRATOR Awaken, traveler of the void, and listen well. The time of heroes has passed, but it may come again. The pieces of this world are in your hands. Remember the stories of old, and seek out new ones.

HAFU Hello, Traveler! I’m sorry, but I cannot stop my work for the moment. That being said, what are you doing out here in the middle of nowhere? ...What do you mean, “Where is here”? You’re in the desert. ...What’s that? You can’t see? Gosh...I’m sorry. Then, how did you even find your way out here? ...You followed the sound of my pickaxe? That makes sense. And yet...it doesn’t. (Hafu sighs) Where did you come from? ...You don’t know? Oh, you mean as in you don’t...remember? Heh. That sounds like something Turaga Takanuva would say. Or, at least, like the beginnings of one of his stories. ...You really don’t know what I’m talking about? You really are not from around here. And you are certainly dressed weird. I haven’t seen armor like that since a time...well...before time. ...What did you say your name was again? ...Right...You didn’t. Um, look, I’ll escort you as far as Old Vulcanus. You’ll find someone to take you the rest of the trip to Atero Nui. Maybe one of the Toa or Turaga there could help you. Sound good? Great. ...There, all done. What? Oh, it’s a statue of the Great Spirit. To remember him. Come. Let’s go. We’ve got a long journey ahead of us. I hope it won’t be too exciting. I’m Hafu, by the way. And for lack of a better name, I’ll call you...Ide. You like the sound of that? It means “hearing” in Matoric. You know, since you made it so far with just your ears. ...Yes, I do think it’s rather “end-ear-ing”. Do you get it? That’s a Hafu original. Anyway, as we walk I can tell you about...this world that you’re in, stuff you might’ve missed, and we’ll see if anything jogs your memory.

Twelve years ago, we thought All is well, we got clear skies ahead, and nothing in our way We were all as one A shining peace had come But the great spirit had gone away Now, we’re walking the causeway of legends No destiny that ain’t ours, and no destinations When dark Makuta fell As the legends tell From his great body, we were set free All open wide, this world For us to work and build A new life here, t’was meant to be Now, we’re walking the causeway of legends No destiny that ain’t ours, and no destinations Let me tell you the story of where we’re from and going to And if you like it, well my friend, you can join us too. A creation of the ancients came Marendar was its name Living weapon, hunted heroes down Hagah, Metru, Nuva, Mahri Once he was bound, we learned The great beings returned Waging civil war all around One named Velika waged war to be crowned Dark times, with much to fear Somehow we’re still here Though freedom came at a cost Shaken by terrible wrath In the aftermath, We’d won and yet, the Mask of Life was lost Now we’re walking the causeway of Legends No destiny that ain’t ours and no destinations That’s the end of my story of who we are and what we’ve gone through Now that you’re here, my friend it’s time to make your story too

HAFU So, does that bring back anything? Nothing? Mata Nui. All those music lessons with Tamaru and Sanso for nothing, I guess. Do you see that up ahead? Oh, sorry, do you hear that? It looks like two riders coming this way. Let’s move off the road. Over that way, I think– I-I can’t...move...! KUVOX (OUTLAW) ...Yes, look into my eyes, little Matoran. Stay...right...there. Don’t come any closer, bounty hunter, or the Matoran gets it! I’ve got him mesmerized. He won’t even struggle. HUNTER Kuvox, I can tell you’re desperate, but ‘hostage-taking’ can be added to your Wanted Tablet, if you wish. KUVOX Did you hear me, hunter? I’ll do it! D-don’t doubt me. You leave that mount with me and start walking back to Old Vulcanus right now. You tell ‘em that I went out into the desert, and that I’m likely dead in a couple days anyways–not even worth the effort, y’see? These two Matoran’ll be just fine. The hypnotism on this one will wear off in an hour or two, and he’ll be none the worse for wear. HUNTER You’ll not put a scratch on either of these Matoran. That I swear. KUVOX O-ho, very noble. Maybe they’ll still give you the bounty when you get back, in recognition of your effort. Now, now, hunter, I know you’re a creature of few words, but I’ll need you to make your decision quick. What’s it to be? HUNTER You’re set on it, then? KUVOX Sure am. HUNTER Fine. KUVOX Very good. (sound of the Hunter powering up his weapons) No? Fine, farewell.

Dethmetalx - mixing & mastering for MrOrang MrOrang - bass, electric guitar, drums, & overall composition Samuel9248 - synths, choir, orchestra composition, mixing, & mastering

HAFU What h-happened? What...what happened to him? HUNTER It’s alright. You’re alright. Best to not look too close though. Go over there into the shade with your friend. I’ll take care of this…this fool. Or what's left of him. You’re both safe now. HAFU Who was he? And who are you? HUNTER He was an outlaw, name of Kuvox. I was sent to apprehend him and bring him back to Old Vulcanus. That’s as much as you need to know. As for me, I don’t much go for names these days, ‘cept maybe ‘hunter’. But I suppose I did a bit more than hunting today, saving you two. HAFU We’re headed that way too. I guess we’ll tag along. HUNTER Well, I said no harm’d come to you, and I feel myself bound by that, so I’ll escort you to Old Vulcanus. HAFU You know, in the old days, we’d give heroes titles like Great Protector or Rescuer of the Innocent. You rescued us from that outlaw, so we might as well call you something like that. How about Our Salvation? Sounds grand, doesn’t it? HUNTER Bit of a mouthful.

NARRATOR Together, Hafu, Ide, and their bounty hunter companion continue their journey across the deserts of Spherus Magna, passing through outposts and towns on the way to Old Vulcanus. As they travel, they witness the life that Agori and Matoran have made for themselves. Through their common struggles in the aftermath of war, the people of Mata Nui and of Spherus Magna have tried their best to build a new life together, in peace.

NARRATOR But all is not paradise. On the road, they hear rumors from out of Old Vulcanus, rumors of trouble in the city or beyond it... As the three companions pass through the gates of Old Vulcanus and trudge up the main thoroughfare, Ide drinks in the sounds and smells of the city, which houses Agori, Matoran, and many other species. The inhabitants of the city seem busy with their labors, but as the small group makes its way toward the Council Hall in the center of the city, it is hard to ignore the whispers on the street: There is conflict and unrest beyond our walls, I hear...

ELTAS I see that your hunt has been successful. HUNTER Yes, it was, though not in the way I wished. ELTAS Hmm, very well, then I will grant you the bounty as agreed. But, ah, who are these Matoran with you? Is this the Great Hafu that my old eyes see? It has been some time since you worked in Old Vulcanus. HAFU Some time indeed! I am glad to see my carving work is holding up well to the test of time. And this is my companion Ide, who wandered out of the desert. ELTAS I see. Welcome to Old Vulcanus, both of you. I am Eltas, a Sister of the Skrall and elder of this city, for the moment. HUNTER I met the two of them on the Causeway. Kuvox tried to take them hostage, but he was...not fast enough. This one called Ide is strange though. They are a Matoran of few words. HAFU They are blind, and they have no memory of their past. ELTAS Intriguing. Step forward, Ide. Let me look at you. ...Well, you are something different, to be sure. As a Skrall Sister, I am sometimes granted visions of fate when I look upon a creature. When I look upon you, I see perplexing things in my mind’s eye. Some force is reaching out to you... from a great distance. It calls to you, saying... hmm... saying that you must awaken... from sleep? Or perhaps it is that you must awaken someone from their sleep. I am unsure. My visions are muddled these days, it seems. Ah well, be that as it may, we have other things to attend to. I have a new task for you, hunter. As you may have heard, word has reached us of strange events in Atero Nui, across the Mountains of Makuta’s Spine. HUNTER What events? ELTAS I am unsure. I have heard stories that the protectors of Atero Nui have abandoned it... or simply vanished. And this has occurred on the eve of the Great Games, which will celebrate the anniversary of Mata Nui’s passing. Perhaps a coincidence, but perhaps not. I must send an envoy there to ascertain the truth and to bring back word from Turaga Takanuva, but the journey can be treacherous, and there are strange rumors of danger in the mountain passes. You are a capable warrior. Will you take up this task? HUNTER I swore an oath to protect these two Matoran. I cannot depart while that oath still binds me. ELTAS Ah, you and your oaths. HAFU Great hunter, who I call Our Salvation: consider your oath to me discharged. I’ll remain here in Old Vulcanus, safer than safe! HUNTER I see. And what of Ide? ELTAS Simple enough: you will have to take Ide with you, if they’re willing! I am sure they will be safe enough in your company, and something tells me that the Turaga of Atero Nui will know better how to guide them. It’s settled then. And now, as the Skrall Sisters say: be off with you. And to you, Ide, I say: keep your ears open on your journey. Your fate is strange, but I hope that one day you will discover, or rediscover, who you are...

NARRATOR Outlaws in the desert, strange folk and dangerous beasts roam the mountain passes... And in Atero Nui beyond, the Great Games are in jeopardy... Is it true? And will these troubles come to us here as well? Ide and the Hunter trek through the snowy wastes high above Old Vulcanus, aiming for the mountain pass that will lead them over Makuta’s Spine and down toward Atero Nui. The temperature drops even further as a snowstorm approaches, dark and foreboding.

HUNTER We’re too exposed on this slope, and the North March has sighted some dangerous Rahi in the past few days. I want you to take this stealth crystal. If necessary, shatter it, and it will hide you from sight like a Huna, but only for a short time. Let’s hope it’s not necessary though. We’ll make it through soon enough. Just don’t wander off...

VICAN Psst! Come here! We must get you out of the storm. Yes, yes. Over here. We do not get many visitors. Who might you be? ... A strange name, but who am I to judge? I am Vican. You are lucky that I spotted you in the snowstorm. Before I continue though, you must tell me... do you fear the dark? (said nervously, he doesn’t know if Ide has prejudices against Shadow Matoran) ... I understand. Hah! What is the dark to a Matoran who cannot see? Well said. Then let me welcome you, Ide, to the Maze of Shadows. These caves are the home of our tribe. You are lost, are you not? ... Well then, our tribe can guide you through the maze. We are the Tribe of Shadow. ... Worry not! You see, we serve the True Shadow. Not the farce created by the Makuta of old, but something older and more... peaceful. Come along then, and we shall explain it to you along the way.

Kra Kra Kra Kraahkan (repeated in the background almost like a whisper) We are the true shadow Matoran. Serving the dark for thousands of years. Unseen. Unknown. Unwanted! The object of all of your fears. Usurper! That Traitor! Fiend! Let’s unite! We’ll be free! We (we) do (do) not (not) serve (serve)... We (we) do (do) not (not) serve Makuta! He’s the violent shadow. Darkness without end. Unfettered destruction. A cancer of the head. Darkness that breeds anger, Hopelessness, despair. Our good mask corrupted. We can’t escape anywhere. Your Turaga of Twilight. Knows only the deviant shadow. Help us to teach him The balance that only he can know. They live in a world of white. Nothing but the light. Creation without destruction. Is chaos. Blinding. Noise. You live in a world of blight. Dark without the light. Destruction without creation. Is nothing. Blindness. Void.

VICAN That is who we are, outcasts who have found a home, here in the peaceful dark. But it seems we did not meet by chance. Ah, here is Gavla. She is another of our number, and a sage of late. I believe she has something to say to you, Ide. GAVLA Hello, Ide. We have awaited your coming for some time. In my meditation, I have been able to interpret our visions, and you are a part of them. Listen now: Something moves in the dark. I have sensed it: On the anniversary of Mata Nui’s last stand, a corrupted shadow threatens all that has been built. Stop it, and Makuta’s legacy will be gone for good. Save it, and those who have been lost will reappear... but Makuta might live again. One path is easy. You must pick the right one, traveler of the void... VICAN ... You say that your journey takes you to the city at the foot of the mountains? I will accompany you there. If the world is ready for us, maybe we can share the shadows together. (sound of wind at a cave mouth) Ah, and that is the final turn. Look, we’ve come through the maze, as I said! HUNTER (calling out) Ide! Ide! (sees them) There you are! I thought... well, never mind that. Who is this you’ve met? VICAN My name is Vican. I am a member of the Shadow Tribe. Ide was lost in the storms, and we saved them. I wish to accompany you to Atero Nui, but we must hurry. Something terrible may be about to happen.

HUNTER Is this true, Ide? ... Alright. You’re a strange Matoran to look at, with those bat-wings, but you seem trustworthy enough. Now, if speed’s our goal, then I think you should both grab onto my back. Atero Nui is below. We’re running down the mountain.

NARRATOR The party makes its way down the slopes of the mountains without issue toward more temperate lands. The light of Solis Magna passes behind the mountain peaks, covering the slopes in cool shadow. They soon arrive at a main road which leads toward the metropolis of Atero Nui. As they approach the walled city, something seems wrong. The gates of Atero Nui are shut tight and barred, and the road before them is empty. From over the walls, sounds of music and celebration can be heard. The Great Games have begun. O traveler, hear my words, for through you alone can the world live on. Against time and the void they must endure, these legends, and the greatest legend... of Bionicle.