BC4 - Smashing Boulders

The sun was shining when the three Toa began their trek. It did not take them long, however, to learn how this spot had gotten its name. They were barely on their way when the mountains seemed to close in around them, cutting off all light. The brightest of days turned into the long shadows of dusk in an instant. The warm breezes of Ta-Wahi were gone now, replaced by an icy wind that chilled them to the core of their beings.

No one spoke as they walked. In this place, a whisper would have seemed like a shout. All around was cold, hard stone, without so much as a weed growing amid the rocks. There were no sounds, for nothing dared to live here.

Kopaka led the way, sharing the power of the Mask of X-Ray Vision with his two companions. In spite of this, they heard the danger long before they saw it. It was the rumble of thunder, so loud it shook the ground, and the howl of the wind that almost drowned out their thoughts.

Gali pointed overhead. Black clouds now filled the sky, where a moment before it had been clear. Twin lances of lightning flew from those clouds, striking the peaks and shearing off huge chunks of stone. Boulders flew down the mountainsides heading right for the three Toa.

“The Mask of Shielding will protect us!” Tahu yelled over the wind.

“No!” Kopaka shouted. It will protect us from being crushed, but not buried! We need the Great Mask of Strength!”

Tahu started to argue, but Gali stopped him with a look. He summoned the Great Mask of Strength, sharing his powers with Kopaka and Gali. All three felt a surge of energy in their bodies as their strength increased.

“Spread out!” Gali said. “We need room to move!”

As the boulders rained down, the Toa struck with their tools, crumbling tons of stone to powder. Without a shield to protect them, even one stone getting through could mean doom. Tahu, Kopaka, and Gali struck blow after blow, swatting away massive rocks as if they were hailstones.

Above, lightning bolt after lightning bolt struck the mountains. Rocks that had taken an aeon to rise to the sky were sent tumbling to the ground in a flash. Only the reflexes and power of the Toa kept them from being overwhelmed.

When the avalanche finally ended, all three sank to the ground, exhausted. “What was that?” Gali asked.

“A welcome from the shadows, perhaps,” answered Kopaka.

“We have to keep moving,” said Tahu. “We can’t let a few pebbles stop the Toa.”

Kopaka used his ice blade to help himself to his feet. “You are right.”

Gali looked up at the Toa of Ice, surprised. “Did you actually agree with him?”

“You do not need the wisdom of a Turaga to know that if we stay here, whatever lurks in this place will know where to find us,” said Kopaka. “We need to move on.”

“Come on, Gali,” Tahu said, helping her up. “This is your expedition. You wouldn’t want to miss the next narrow escape, would you?”


- BIONICLE Chronicles 4: Tales of the Masks, Chapter 5