BC1 - Mask of Strength Rowing

There was no time to waste – the lava was already eating away at the edges of the ice floe. Without hesitating, Kopaka leaped down onto the ice.

Using his blade as a paddle, he rowed toward the island with all his might. The ice continued to melt, but Kopaka kept his gaze focused on his goal.

By the time he reached the rocky little ledge, his ice “boat” had melted away to about half its original size.

More than half, Kopaka told himself as he leaped onto the island and scooped up the mask. It’s still more than half there. That will be enough – especially with the added strength of my new Kanohi to help me row. He jammed the Mask of Strength over his face, feeling its power seep through him.

Still, he hesitated as he stepped back onto the floe. It would take him almost as long to row back to shore as it had taken to get here. Would the ice last that long?

Just go! he chided himself. There’s no other choice.

Jabbing his blade into the lava, Kopaka put all the strength of his new mask into his effort as he pushed away from the island.

I’ll make it, he told himself firmly, squashing the thought. Whatever it takes, I’ll do it. If the floe melts away too soon, maybe I can freeze enough of the lava, to hop across the rest of the way a step at a time. Or –

As he jabbed his blade into the lava again, he misjudged and hit the edge of the floe instead. The force of the blow sent several large chunks of ice flying – one straight toward him! The Ice Toa didn’t have time to dodge it. The ice chunk connected solidly with the side of his head, knocking him to his knees.

He clung woozily to the ice, fighting to retain consciousness. But darkness seeped out from the corners of his mind… and then, suddenly, an intense vision overwhelmed him, sweeping away the floe, the lagoon, the heat, and everything else.


- BIONICLE Chronicles 1: Tale of the Toa, Chapter 9