Year Eight

"Now, the quest had led to Karda Nui, the very core of the universe, the site of what would be the final battle."

War descends on Karda Nui

In the heart of the Matoran Universe, within the sacred realm of Karda Nui, the Brotherhood of Makuta launched a devastating siege, seeking to corrupt the Av-Matoran and extinguish their radiant essence. Led by the ruthless Makuta Antroz, the first wave descended upon the villages, casting down Tridax Pods that spilled forth Shadow Leeches—insidious creatures designed to drain the very Light from their victims. As the darkness spread, Antroz's forces twisted the Av-Matoran into obedient Shadow Matoran, while Makuta Krika's contingent secured the swamp, ensuring no escape from the coming doom.

Only one village remained defiant, but its resistance was shattered when fate intervened. From the heavens fell Toa Mahri Matoro, carrying the legendary Kanohi Ignika, the Mask of Life. In an act of ultimate sacrifice, he donned the mask, unleashing a celestial radiance that seared through the air, blinding Antroz, Chirox, and Vamprah. Seizing the moment, the Av-Matoran, under the leadership of Tanma, launched a desperate counterattack, though the Makuta, ever cunning, soon adapted. Through the minds of their Shadow Matoran thralls—Gavla, Kirop, and Radiak—they regained their vision, and the tide of war shifted once more.

As the battle raged on, salvation arrived in the form of the Toa Nuva, summoned by Artakha himself and clad in Adaptive Armor tailored for the aerial warzone. With newfound weapons forged for high-speed combat, they joined the fray, rallying the beleaguered Av-Matoran. The war remained locked in bitter stalemate until Onua uncovered the Makuta's blindness. Tahu, ever the strategist, devised a plan—striking at the Shadow Matoran to sever their link to the Makuta. The gambit succeeded briefly, granting both sides a moment of uneasy respite.

Recognizing the growing threat, Antroz called for reinforcements, summoning Makuta Icarax to Karda Nui while commanding Mutran to craft a winged beast capable of reaching Destral. Meanwhile, the Toa Nuva retreated to the Matoran sanctuary, piecing together long-forgotten memories of a past tied inexplicably to Karda Nui. Their discovery of the light-wielding potential of their new weapons reignited their determination. Splitting their forces, Tahu, Gali, and Onua descended into the swamp in search of the Kanohi Ignika, while Kopaka, Pohatu, and Lewa braced themselves for the wrath of Antroz's elite.

Far from the chaos of Karda Nui, in the silent city of Metru Nui, another darkness stirred. Toa Takanuva, lost in contemplation along the city's shoreline, became the unwitting prey of the Dark Hunter Dweller, who reached into his mind with unseen claws. Yet, guided by wisdom imparted by Turaga Onewa, Takanuva fought back, glimpsing his assailant's form in the depths of the Great Archives. He set forth to confront the lurking shadow, but a greater peril awaited him.

High above, unseen and unfaltering, Makuta Icarax released a single Tridax Pod. From within, a lone Shadow Leech emerged, descending upon Takanuva like a curse. The creature latched onto his armor, sinking its vile hunger into his very essence. His once-golden frame dulled to ashen gray as the parasite devoured his moral light. In a final act of defiance, Takanuva summoned a lance of piercing radiance, searing the leech even as his own strength waned. The creature writhed and fled, but his relentless assault reduced it to smoldering ash.

Darkness, however, had already taken its toll. As the last ember of the leech faded, Takanuva collapsed, his soul frayed by the shadow now entwined within him.

With the siege of Karda Nui raging, the Toa divided, and the Lightbringer himself succumbing to shadow, the fate of the universe teeters upon the edge of ruin. The Brotherhood of Makuta's designs creep ever closer to fulfillment, and a greater darkness looms beyond the veil.

The war is far from over.

Order of Mata Nui operations and the first battles

Tahu's team, the Toa Nuva, ventures deep into the mist-covered swamps of Karda Nui, a journey that uncovers painful truths about their past and their roles in the universe's grand design. As they search for the elusive Kanohi Ignika, they are relentlessly pursued by the sinister Makuta. With the swamp teeming with both physical and moral dangers, the Toa must defend a small Matoran village from an assault and navigate the treacherous webs of betrayal and manipulation spun by the Brotherhood of Makuta.

During an intense air conflict, Pohatu and Photok are captured after being lured into a trap by Radiak, a former friend. Lewa, Tanma, Kopaka, and Solek mount a rescue attempt, but are also overpowered, leading to a tense standoff where allegiances are tested. Antroz, hidden in the shadows, manipulates the situation from afar, but not without revealing deeper motives. The Toa Nuva ultimately manage to escape with their allies, but not before encountering the twisted experiments of the Makuta, who create monstrous Rahi to serve their dark purposes.

Meanwhile, Takanuva, after being mysteriously rescued and brought to the Archives by Toa Krakua and Toa Helryx, discovers that his powers as both a Toa of Light and Shadow make him the key to preventing the catastrophic consequences of the Toa Nuva's actions. With visions of the past revealing forgotten memories and a hidden truth about the Toa, Takanuva embarks on a perilous mission to Karda Nui to warn his former comrades.

Back in the far reaches of the universe, a new team, led by Brutaka and accompanied by notorious former villains like Roodaka and Takadox, travels to the prison island of Artidax to free the legendary Makuta Miserix. Their journey is fraught with danger, betrayal, and the twisted actions of those who seek power, all leading to a climactic confrontation with the imprisoned Makuta. In the end, Miserix's freedom unleashes a devastating power that shakes the very foundation of the island, as well as the fates of those involved.

Search for the keystones

In the depths of Karda Nui's swamp, the Kanohi Ignika, the Mask of Life, awakens with a new purpose, inspired by the selflessness of Matoro's sacrifice. Seeking to experience life and become a hero, the Mask forms a body to explore the universe but soon realizes its limitations. Unable to breathe underwater, it constructs a Skyboard and escapes the swamp, sensing the presence of the Toa Nuva above. With a desire for friendship, it seeks to join them.

Meanwhile, the Toa Nuva are scattered across the swamp, facing ambushes and battles with the treacherous Makuta. Onua is captured by Makuta Bitil and subjected to the Ghost Blaster's control, but he uses his cunning to escape and confront Bitil. Gali, facing the venomous Makuta Gorast, uses her water powers to neutralize her opponent, but an unexpected encounter leaves her at the mercy of Gorast's relentless attacks.

As the Toa form a reluctant alliance with the mysterious Toa Ignika, they pursue their mission to thwart the Brotherhood of Makuta and uncover the Shadow Leech Hive. The journey brings unexpected revelations, including the transformation of Ignika's powers and a battle that threatens to consume the Toa. When the Toa discover the truth about Ignika's identity, the stakes are raised—life and death intertwine as they struggle to save themselves from the Brotherhood's relentless pursuit.

In the midst of these dangers, the Toa face betrayals, illusions, and a deadly showdown at the Shadow Leech Hive. With the fate of the universe hanging in the balance, the Toa Nuva must rally together, combining their powers to confront the Makuta in a final, explosive battle.

The final battle begins

The ultimate clash over Karda Nui unfolded as the Makuta descended, shrouding the village of light beneath a veil of Shadow. In a final assault, Mutran and Icarax unleashed a bolt of lightning, striking the very roof of Karda Nui before breaking from the formation. The Phantoka Makuta, however, continued their relentless attack. Antroz, wielding his weather manipulation powers, summoned a storm to devastate the area, while Vamprah and Chirox alternated their Sonics and Cyclone abilities, obliterating Matoran homes and lightvines.

The assailants' violent onslaught revealed the hiding place of the Toa and Av-Matoran, and Mutran and Icarax, descending with vicious precision, breached the hatch with Mutran's plasma power. Icarax tore it open, only to find the space empty. His enraged shouts echoed through the ruined village, but despite their frantic search, the enemies were nowhere to be found. Gavla, spotting a band of Shadow Matoran below, swiftly freed them with the aid of Vamprah, learning that the Toa had fled toward Antroz's cave when the attack commenced. A rock smashed in the distance; Vamprah, interpreting the shattered remains, deduced that the Toa were after the Makuta's portion of the Keystone.

The Makuta hastened toward the cave, but as they approached, Pohatu hurled stalactites at them. In response, Antroz unleashed a devastating heat vision attack, but Kopaka intervened, creating a shield of ice that reflected the blast back at Antroz, causing the Makuta to falter and his Antidermis to leak. As the battle intensified, Lewa's timely intervention with his Midak Skyblaster disrupted Chirox, giving Pohatu the chance to strike. Meanwhile, Av-Matoran emerged, eager to join the fray, only to be captured by Icarax's cyclone powers. Lewa fought back, and with the assistance of Kopaka and Solek, the Av-Matoran were rescued from falling into the swamp.

Mutran and Icarax continued their brutal pursuit, but despite their efforts, the Toa remained elusive. Krika, ever the tactician, reassured the Makuta that the Toa would not abandon their mission without all pieces of the Keystone, a fact that seemed to burn in the air like a bitter omen. As tensions rose among the Makuta, Krika remained focused, adamant that their quarry would be found, despite the looming threat to Teridax's grand design.

Ignika, hitherto a passive observer, could no longer stand idly by. With his resolve hardened, he struck Icarax with the Lifeblade, but the Makuta countered with his density manipulation, dodging the blow and retaliating with a vicious punch. In an instant, Ignika reversed Icarax's evolution, causing excruciating pain as his Antidermis was transformed back into its organic form.

Meanwhile, at the distant clearing, the Av-Matoran confirmed a troubling truth—their kind, when destined, would transform into Bohrok. As the Toa gathered their wits, the weight of the situation grew heavier. The Toa now possessed another fragment of the Keystone, but before they could comprehend its full significance, the Matoran transformed into a Bohrok and their journey to the Codrex continued.

As the battle escalated, the Toa sought to gain the upper hand by using their newfound elemental powers in tandem, demonstrating their unity and strength. Tahu, mastering the ability to time-fire explosive projectiles, led the assault with a fiery barrage, while Gali's water blasts and Onua's earth-shattering power struck with precision. But the Makuta, driven by their dark designs, retaliated fiercely, and the battlefield became a clash of unstoppable forces.

In the final moments, Tahu and Krika's exchange reached a critical juncture, as the Toa grew increasingly aware of the Makuta's deeper intentions. Krika, ever enigmatic, spoke of the Codrex's energy field imploding, a claim Tahu did not believe. As the Makuta prepared to launch their final offensive, the Toa discovered a piece of the Keystone, unraveling the mystery of their opponents' ultimate goal.

Amidst the chaos, Tahu's team pressed forward, and despite the Makuta's devastating powers, the Toa found their resolve strengthened. As the battle reached its climax, the final confrontation at the Codrex loomed—each side determined to secure their fate, the balance of the Matoran Universe hanging in the balance.

The Destiny War

Amid the escalating war across the Matoran universe, three major factions— the Order of Mata Nui, the Dark Hunters, and the Brotherhood of Makuta— collide in a battle for power, secrets, and survival.

The narrative begins with Botar's species member and Krakua arriving on Voya Nui to summon Axonn, who quickly teleports to Daxia to meet Miserix and Brutaka. They inform him that the Order of Mata Nui is preparing to reveal its existence as they battle the Brotherhood. Meanwhile, ancient messages prompt the Shadowed One to seek an alliance with the Order of Mata Nui, or, if necessary, eliminate the Shadowed One. On the island of Xia, the Toa Hagah clash with the forces of the Dark Hunters, narrowly avoiding disaster before moving on with their mission to find Teridax.

Miserix, angered by the Brotherhood's manipulation, is revealed to be hunting Makuta Teridax, who begins putting his ultimate plan into motion. Meanwhile, Axonn and Brutaka's journey to Zakaz, in search of allies among the Skakdi, leads them to a perilous discovery: the pool of Antidermis that gave birth to the Makuta species. Axonn nearly perishes in this treacherous pool, but Brutaka succumbs to its corrupting power.

The Toa Hagah travel across various islands, encountering betrayals and shocking revelations. On Stelt, Mazeka seeks answers about the elusive Vultraz, encountering an unexpected ally in the form of Tobduk, which leads them on a perilous mission to uncover the truth. Simultaneously, the Toa Mahri clash with the Toa Hagah, only to be united in a common cause when a massive Rahi threatens them all. The two groups realize they must cooperate to prevent the greater darkness from consuming them.

As the war rages on, the Shadowed One uncovers deadly viruses created by the Makuta, while the Toa Mahri struggle to protect Metru Nui from an imminent invasion. The hidden truths of the Brotherhood's machinations are slowly revealed, and the alliances between former enemies begin to form, all while Teridax's plans continue to unfold in the shadows.

In the heart of this conflict, Brutaka and Miserix face off against the malevolent Teridax in a battle of wills and ideologies, where Teridax's cruel illusions deceive many, and the ultimate destruction of Mata Nui's mind and body looms ever closer. Yet amidst this chaos, Helryx, in a desperate vow, resists Teridax's attempts to break her spirit, continuing her fight to protect the universe.

The story concludes with a massive battle between the Brotherhood and the Order of Mata Nui in Metru Nui, where the fates of many lie in the balance. The Bohrok, awakened by Krakua's sonic powers, join the fray, creating a new and dangerous twist in the ongoing war. Each character is forced to confront their inner demons, as the battle between light and darkness reaches its cataclysmic peak.

Ultimately, this dark fantasy tale is a struggle for power, survival, and the unraveling of truths, where betrayal, sacrifice, and the fight against overwhelming odds shape the destiny of the Matoran universe.

Destiny fulfilled

As the war raged across the universe, the Toa Nuva found themselves locked in a desperate struggle against the Makuta warriors within the treacherous swamp of Karda Nui.

Tahu, the Toa of Fire, flew carefully through the murky waters, his senses heightened as the ever-present mist cloaked his every move. In the shadows, Vamprah stalked him, a silent hunter with eyes aflame with malice. A shadow blast erupted from the depths, but Tahu was swift to dodge, retaliating with fireballs that cut through the mist, only to strike nothing but empty air. A sound—a faint metallic click—pierced the air. Tahu's heart sank as the clicking grew louder, heralding the arrival of the Shadow Leeches from the Tridax Pod. With a practiced motion, Tahu activated his Hau Nuva, erecting a barrier of energy, but the leeches latched onto the shield, draining it with futile desperation. Realizing the danger, Tahu dove toward the swamp, deactivating his mask and allowing the creatures to fall into the mutagenic waters below, where they were swiftly consumed.

Elsewhere, Kopaka, Lewa, and Onua battled against the relentless forces of the Makuta. But in a strange moment of levity, Lewa began recounting an old tale—a parable of three Matoran, a swarm of Nui-Rama, and a basket of Bula berries. Though interrupted numerous times, Lewa persisted, finishing his tale with an enigmatic lesson: the Makuta sought something, and perhaps, like the Matoran in his story, they should simply give it to them. For a fleeting moment, the Toa considered the possibility that the Makuta desired the keystones, but Onua dismissed the thought with a quiet shake of his head, urging them to focus on the task at hand.

Meanwhile, Krika, during a fierce struggle with Gali, turned the tide of the battle. With a practiced flick of his wrist, Krika passed through Gali's energy barrier, using his power over density to slip past the force field created by her Ghost Blaster. He seized the Toa of Water, draining her energy with a cold, deliberate touch before carrying her off into the swamp, her resistance broken.

Pohatu, locked in combat with Gorast, struggled to land a blow on the elusive Makuta. No matter what tactics he tried—swung trees, Midak light spheres, boulders, and even super-speed blows using his Kanohi Kakama Nuva—Gorast seemed unscathed. With a cruel strike, she sent Pohatu and Photok crashing into the Codrex's energy field, only to be sent reeling once more by another devastating blow. Announcing the inevitability of her victory, Gorast used her Kanohi Felnas to trigger Pohatu's stone powers, setting off a chain reaction that sent the Toa of Stone's abilities spiraling out of control. Leaving him in a pile of rubble, she turned away, confident in the success of the Plan.

Tahu, having faced Vamprah with more difficulty than expected, saw an opportunity as he noticed some decaying swamp plants on a nearby islet. Remembering the words of Turaga Matau, who had once spoken of the swamp's volatile flora, Tahu concocted a plan. As Vamprah flew above the plants, Tahu launched a fireball, igniting the swamp gas trapped within the rotting vegetation. The explosion sent Vamprah careening into the air, clinging to a tree to avoid the mutagen-filled waters below.

On a small patch of land, Krika spoke to Gali, now dizzy from his earlier assault. With a somber tone, he recounted the rise and fall of the Brotherhood of Makuta. Once noble under the rule of Makuta Miserix, the Brotherhood had turned to darkness under the insidious influence of Teridax, who had orchestrated a coup to remove Miserix from power. Krika revealed that, in the chaos of that betrayal, he had imprisoned Miserix on Artidax, a desolate volcanic island. As the conversation progressed, Gali realized that the island from which Tahu and Kopaka had once been sent to quell a volcanic eruption may have been the very same island. Krika handed her a Brotherhood Tablet of Transit and urged her to leave Karda Nui before the Makuta could awaken Mata Nui. When Gali questioned his motives, Krika spoke of an ancient Makuta superstition—one that spoke of how all they had sown in life would return to them upon their death. Perhaps, Krika mused, he wished to offer a mercy the Makuta seldom gave.

Meanwhile, Pohatu and Photok, buried under rubble, debated their escape. Photok suggested using the Kanohi Kakama Nuva to phase through the stone, but Pohatu feared the mutagenic effects of the swamp waters. Instead, he focused his power to fuse and lift the rock, splitting it in two and freeing himself and Photok.

The two Toa, now reunited with Tahu, were joined by Takanuva, the Toa of Light. Tahu, upon seeing the altered appearance of his fellow Toa, expressed concern, but Takanuva assured him that explanations could wait. They had a greater mission at hand. Takanuva demonstrated a small sundial he carried, using it to cast a beam of light toward the direction of Mata Nui's awakening. As the group continued their journey, Takanuva's shadow powers grew stronger, casting a new darkness over the swamp.

Meanwhile, at the Av-Matoran village, Toa Ignika stood watch over his captive, the Makuta Icarax. The Makuta mocked Ignika for his mercy, seeing it as a weakness. Yet Ignika remained resolute, having no reason to kill an enemy who no longer posed a threat. As Icarax continued to taunt him, he revealed a terrible truth: the Kanohi Ignika was on a countdown to destroy the universe. When the mask's color shifted from silver to black, it would absorb all life in existence. Ignika, in a panic, raced to warn the Toa Nuva.

In the depths of Karda Nui, Gali, still recovering from her encounter with Krika, was interrupted by Takanuva, who had just arrived through a dimensional gate. He fired a bolt of light, forcing Krika to retreat. Gali, recognizing Takanuva, prepared to question him, but he simply stated that explanations could come later. Their priority was to find the others. As they prepared to leave, Takanuva shone his light upon the sundial once more, the beam pointing toward the path where Mata Nui could be awakened.

But before they could proceed, the Toa were attacked by a swarm of Niazesk. Takanuva, at first hesitant, used his shadow powers to eliminate the Rahi, though this act only deepened Pohatu's suspicion, leading him to believe that Takanuva had turned against them and was in league with the Makuta. Tensions rose, but with a moment of clarity, Takanuva proved his identity, and the Toa of Stone fell into step with the group once more.

In the distance, the battle between the Makuta and the Toa raged on, but the arrival of Takanuva tipped the balance in favor of the Toa, forcing the Makuta into retreat. As the Toa made their way toward the Codrex, the situation grew more dire. Ignika, using his newfound knowledge of the Toa Code, revealed that he was not merely wearing the Mask of Life—he was the Ignika itself, and the countdown to destruction had already begun.

With no time to waste, Tahu instructed the Toa to use the Codrex to awaken Mata Nui and escape Karda Nui before the coming storm could annihilate them all. The Toa launched themselves into the heart of the Codrex, where they faced even more challenges, including the arrival of the Makuta, who sought to prevent their success. But through perseverance, determination, and sacrifice, the Toa pressed on, knowing that the fate of the universe rested in their hands.

The populace gathered at the Coliseum to celebrate as Turaga Dume gave a speech. The victory celebrations at Metru Nui were interrupted, however, as Teridax revealed that he had taken over Mata Nui's body, and therefore the entire Matoran Universe. Furthermore, he trapped Mata Nui's spirit inside the Ignika and banished the Kanohi into outer space. Soon, Tahu was injured, and Gali went missing. Onua suggested that they regroup deep in the Archives, for a large group of Rahkshi had been chasing the Toa Nuva.

Later, Kopaka and Lewa found Gali, and they, along with a large number of Matoran, took refuge in a chamber underground. The Turaga searched the Archives and found Krahka to assist them in escaping Metru Nui. She aided them, and the group fled to Stelt. There, they met up with Order of Mata Nui member Trinuma. Tahu then came up with a plan against Teridax, knowing that if it failed, the universe would be cast into an endless reign of shadows...