Revenge of the Skull Spiders

by Ryder Windham

  “Nice work, pal,” Nilkuu said to the snake.

  Kivoda spotted a heap of broken bones on the far side of a tombstone and said, “Those remains look like they were broken recently, but we didn’t make that mess.”

  “And look here,” said Vizuna, pointing to another wide heap of bones and skulls that rested along the base of a wall. “There must have been an even bigger fight here earlier. Judging from the way the grass is bent around the bones, the fight happened less than an hour ago.”

  “If the skull warriors fought the Toa,” said Nilkuu, “it looks like the Toa won!”

  “Perhaps they went this way,” said Izotor, who stood at the edge of an ancient path that traveled through the graveyard. He pointed to one of the graveyard’s surrounding walls, where a section of the wall had collapsed.

  Vizuna moved beside Izotor and dropped to a crouch. Examining the path, he said, “A lot of large footprints here. I don’t see Toa Lewa’s footprints, but then again, Lewa can fly.”

  “I’ve only seen Toa Kopaka’s footprints in the snow before,” Izotor said, “but those prints over there are definitely his. And all these prints lead toward that break in the wall.”

  “Let’s follow them,” said Kivoda.

  The giant snake slithered after the Protectors and Harvali as they walked out of the graveyard and over the rubble of the collapsed wall. They proceeded up a street that was lined with stone structures. The only signs of life were the weeds that grew up from between the street’s ancient paving stones, the vines that stretched over the structures’ walls and roofs, and the wild trees that grew up through and around the structures.

  The group moved up a hill and was approaching the remains of a town square when Harvali said, “If I remember the old maps correctly, we’re near the Tomb of Ekimu. The top of the building is decorated with a large stone sculpture of Ekimu’s mask. We should see it around the next corner, on our right.”

  They turned the corner. Harvali gasped. The Tomb of Ekimu was precisely where she had thought it would be, but the massive stone sculpture of Ekimu’s mask had broken away from the building’s roof, and now rested at an odd angle on the stairs that led up to the tomb. Several monstrously long and spindly legs jutted out from between the sculpture and the steps.

  The large snake, which had been keeping close to Nilkuu, hissed at the sight of the monstrous legs. Nilkuu moved closer to the legs to inspect them. “I don’t know what evil creatures own those legs, but it looks like they got hit hard!”

  Vizuna said, “Perhaps a Toa shoved the mask on top of them.”

  “Perhaps the Toa are inside the tomb now!” said Harvali. “Let’s look inside.”

  The snake waited outside the building while the others climbed up the steps and entered through an open doorway. The tomb was decorated with numerous urns and statues that stood on pedestals. Moving carefully past the artifacts, the Protectors and Harvali soon found a large sarcophagus. The lid to the sarcophagus had been slid back to reveal a coffin.

  The coffin was open. It was empty.

  Harvali said, “Did someone break in and take Ekimu’s body?”

  “It doesn’t look like it,” Vizuna said. “Look at these marks in the dust inside and around the edges of the sarcophagus. The person inside the coffin climbed out.”

  “Then … Ekimu has risen!” Harvali said with obvious excitement.

  “But where is he now?” said Korgot.

  “And where are the Toa?” added Narmoto.

  A muffled blast came from outside the tomb. Leaving the sarcophagus, the Protectors and Harvali ran outside, where they found the snake huddled against the side of the building, waiting for them. “The noise spooked the snake,” Nilkuu said. “Where did the explosion come from?”

  A second blast echoed across the city. Korgot said, “It came from that way.” She pointed to a tall, anvil-shaped structure that stood alone atop a hill. The structure’s upper windows were brightly illuminated.

  “That’s the Forge of the Mask Makers,” said Vizuna. “It’s been sealed off for years.”

  “But someone’s in it now,” said Narmoto.

  Another blast sounded, simultaneous with a brilliant burst of light that radiated from the Forge’s windows. Kivoda said, “There’s a fight going on!”

  “Stay here with the snake, Harvali,” said Vizuna, “while we find out what’s going on.”

  Without knowing whom or what they might encounter, the brave Protectors ran for the Forge as fast as they could. The Forge’s front steps led up to a pair of heavy doors that had been blasted off their ancient hinges from the inside. The Protectors drew their weapons as they ran into the Forge.

  They slowed down when they came upon a large, muscular beast lying on his back, motionless, on the floor. The creature had a sharp-horned head and his mask had been removed. He was still breathing, but his eyes stared blankly at the ceiling.

  Passing a pair of towering columns, the Protectors proceeded into the Forge. They entered a large chamber that was lined with dust-covered shelves and containers that held precious metals and crystals. Numerous tools used for crafting masks lay across old worktables and benches that were also covered with dust. The Protectors were surprised to find another unconscious monster lying on the floor. The second monster also had a horned head and was without a mask.

  Vizuna’s eyes went wide as he saw the second monster. Before Vizuna or the other Protectors could ask whether the Toa were responsible for defeating both villains, they noticed more figures sprawled across the floor.

  The Protectors suddenly realized that the other figures were the Toa. Pohatu, Onua, Tahu, Kopaka, Gali, and Lewa appeared to have been badly beaten.

  Kivoda gasped. “Lewa’s mask is gone.”

  “All the Toa’s masks are gone,” said Korgot. “Are they still alive?”

  “Oh, they’ll live,” said a voice from behind the Protectors. They turned fast to see an individual clad in an ornate golden mask and armor. He carried a large hammer in one hand. He said, “If you came to join the fight, you’re a bit late for that. But just so you know, the Toa won.”

  The Protectors dropped to their knees and bowed to Ekimu the Mask Maker.

  “It’s good to see you again, my friends,” said Ekimu as he gazed at the kneeling Protectors. “But please, get up off the floor, and let me have a good look at you.”

  The Protectors rose to their feet. Ekimu smiled behind his mask as he shook his head. “By the stars! Agarak, Udapo, Owa, Epolim, Kerato, and Mamuk, you’ve hardly changed at all.”

  Vizuna glanced at Narmoto, then looked back to Ekimu and said, “Forgive me for saying so, Master Ekimu, but you’re mistaken. You see, those names you just said, well, those names belonged to our ancestors.”

  Ekimu sighed. “You’re quite right, of course. It is I who should ask you for forgiveness. Seeing you here, standing before me, wearing the very same masks and armor that I crafted for the ancient Protectors, I simply forgot that thousands of years have passed. But you all have me at a disadvantage. You know my name, but I don’t know yours.”

  After the Protectors identified themselves to Ekimu, he said, “I imagine you have a lot of questions, as do I. But first, help me carry the Toa onto the worktables that I’ve set up in the next room. Our timeless heroes don’t look very comfortable on the floor. I’ll tell you what happened while we move them.”

  As the Protectors moved the Toa up onto the worktables, Ekimu said, “After thousands of years in a state of lifeless sleep, I awoke almost immediately when the Toa discovered me in my tomb. I quickly sensed an evil presence, and realized Skull Grinder had invaded my Forge. The Toa squabbled among themselves until they realized they needed to be united to defeat evil. They kept Skull Grinder occupied while I reassembled my Sacred Hammer of Power, which I used to subdue Skull Grinder. Unfortunately, Skull Grinder managed to knock the Masks of Power from the Toa’s faces.”

  “Where are their masks now?” Narmoto said as he and Izotor l
owered Tahu onto a table.

  “Patience, Protector of Fire,” said Ekimu. “I collected their masks and was restoring power to them just before you arrived. They should be ready now. Excuse me while I get them.”

  After Ekimu left the room, the Protectors heard Harvali call from a nearby corridor, “Hello? Protectors? Is everyone okay in there?”

  Vizuna stepped out into the corridor, saw Harvali, and said, “This way.” He led Harvali into the room where the six maskless Toa were lying on the tables.

  Seeing the Toa, Harvali trembled and said, “Are they all right?”

  “Master Ekimu says they’ll be fine.”

  “Ekimu?” Harvali gasped.

  “We bowed to him,” Nilkuu said, “just like in the ancient reliefs. I told you we’d all survive!”

  “I can’t believe that all this is happening,” Harvali said as she stepped toward the Toa. “I feel like … like I’m living history! I’m afraid I may faint.”

  Ekimu was carrying a wide metal tray as he walked back into the room. The six Golden Masks of Power rested upon the tray. Seeing Harvali, Ekimu said, “Well, hello! And who might you be?”

  Harvali’s head fell against her shoulder at the same instant that her legs buckled and she began to collapse. Nilkuu reached out and caught her before she fell.

  “My goodness,” said Narmoto. “She really did faint!”

  “Her name is Harvali of the Jungle Region,” said Vizuna as Nilkuu placed Harvali onto a spare worktable. “She’s an archaeologist.”

  “An archaeologist?” said Ekimu. “After she wakes up, I imagine she and I shall have much to talk about!” Moving from one table to the next, he placed the Masks of Power over the respective faces of the Toa.

  Energy began radiating from the Toa’s masks. One by one, the heroes awoke and sat up. The Protectors moved closer to the Toa. Korgot said, “How do you feel, Onua?”

  Onua, Master of Earth, rubbed the back of his head and said, “A bit woozy. But it’s good to see you again, Korgot.”

  Tahu, Master of Fire, said, “What happened to Skull Grinder?”

  Ekimu said, “Both Skull Grinder and Skull Basher remain knocked out. But just to stay on the safe side …” Ekimu gestured to a wall where two skull-like masks dangled from hooks. “Without their masks, they won’t be going anywhere. Well, come along now, Toa. Get off those tables. We have much work to do! Our first order of business is to lock up Skull Grinder and Skull Basher where they can’t hurt anyone.”

  After the Toa transferred Skull Grinder and Skull Basher to separate vaults and locked them in securely, Ekimu continued, “The evil spirit of my brother, Makuta, hangs heavily in the air in the City of the Mask Makers. Indeed, his evil casts a shroud across our entire island. There are many ways to fight evil, and one way is to reclaim this city, to encourage islanders to live here again. We may never restore this city to its former glory, but we can do everything in our power to keep evil out!”

  Kivoda said, “Master Ekimu, just so you know, the city’s plumbing will need a good deal of repairs. The other Protectors and I encountered some trouble on the way here, and—”

  “Trouble?” Ekimu interrupted. “What kind of trouble?”

  “Well,” Kivoda continued, “we entered the city through a series of underground caverns, where we found an army of skull spiders trying to heal the Lord of Skull Spiders after they’d hauled him up from the chasm. To make sure they didn’t escape into the city or attack the Toa, we collapsed an entire cave on them.”

  “Well done, Protectors!” Ekimu said. “The Toa can learn from your example of working together.”

  “I’m glad you think so,” Kivoda continued, “because … how shall I say this? The city’s underground reservoirs aren’t what they used to be.”

  Ekimu clapped a hand on Kivoda’s shoulder and said, “No challenge is too great if we work together.” He looked out through a window and saw that darkness had fallen. Turning away from the window, he darted over to a shelf and picked up two large boxes. “I suggest we all adjourn outside. And wake up the archaeologist! She won’t want to miss this.” Taking the boxes with him, Ekimu headed for the corridor that led to an exit.

  The other Protectors and the Toa followed Ekimu; Vizuna and Nilkuu stepped over beside Harvali, who was still stretched out on a worktable. Nilkuu said, “Harvali, can you hear me? You need to wake up. I think Master Ekimu has a surprise in store for us!”

  “A surprise?” Harvali murmured as she opened her eyes. Looking from Nilkuu to Vizuna, she said, “So I wasn’t dreaming. We’re still in the Mask Maker’s Forge?”

  “Yes,” Vizuna said, “but come along, Master Ekimu wants us outside.”

  Vizuna and Nilkuu helped Harvali off the table and kept close to her as they guided her out of the building. “Thanks for watching out for me,” Harvali said, “but you can relax now. I don’t think I’ll faint again.”

  They found their allies standing in a grassy courtyard behind the Forge. The giant snake had joined the group, and had slithered to rest in the grass nearby. Ekimu had already emptied the boxes of their contents, and Vizuna saw that the Mask Maker was now busy positioning a cylindrical projectile to the side of a rickety-looking tripod.

  Harvali said, “What is it?”

  “An old rocket launcher,” Vizuna said.

  “It looks thousands of years old,” Harvali said.

  “It is thousands of years old!” said Ekimu. “Fortunately, I built this thing to last!”

  The Toa, the Protectors, and Harvali cautiously backed away from Ekimu. But then Ekimu turned to Tahu and Narmoto and said, “Master of Fire and Protector of Fire! Will you please do the honors?” He gestured to a long fuse that extended from the bottom of the rocket.

  Tahu and Narmoto stepped over to the rocket launcher and snapped their fingers, producing small balls of fire at the ends of their fingertips. They extended their fingers toward the fuse, watched it ignite, and then moved back from the launcher.

  The fuse hissed loudly as it burned, prompting the giant snake to elevate its head and hiss back. And then a shower of sparks erupted from the rocket’s bottom, and the projectile leaped into the night sky, leaving a blazing trail in its wake.

  The rocket exploded, spraying brilliant fireworks in all directions. The fireworks swerved away from one another before they regrouped, blazing brightly as they appeared to dance in broad circles, high above the city. The giant snake cringed as the fireworks whizzed and popped loudly overhead.

  Ekimu looked to the Toa, then gestured to them, saying, “That display could use a boost, so everyone on the island can see the fireworks. Let’s let every islander know that this city is once again open to the public!”

  The Toa arranged themselves in a circle around Ekimu as they lifted their gazes to the sky. Elemental energy flowed from their masks, and rose up like a wave to push the fireworks higher, and then higher still. And as the fireworks continued to dance and twirl, they grew even brighter.

  Vizuna looked at Korgot and saw that she was gazing up at the fireworks. He moved beside her and said, “Is now a good time to remind you that you wanted to ask me something?”

  “Sure,” Korgot said. “I was wondering if you could show me how to use your flame bow. I’ve always wanted to try it. And if you’re curious to test out my star drill I’d be glad to teach you.”

  Vizuna nodded agreeably. “Perhaps all the Protectors should learn to handle one another’s weapons. In the event of an emergency, such knowledge would be useful!”

  “Are you sure this rope bridge will hold?” said Ekimu.

  “I’m sure,” said Harvali. “I supervised its construction, and I trust the builders with my life!”

  They were standing with the Protectors at the edge of the City of the Mask Makers, at the site of the collapsed bridge, where a new rope bridge extended across the chasm. Using ropes, vines, and salvaged wooden planks from throughout the city, the Protectors and the Toa had worked through the night to bu
ild the bridge. Lewa had made multiple flights back and forth over the chasm, hauling the ropes from one side of the bridge to the other, and making sure the anchors on both sides were secure.

  Overhearing Ekimu’s question, Korgot said, “The bridge is definitely sturdy, Master Ekimu. Onua is the heaviest Toa, and he’s already walked across it four times.”

  Ekimu sighed. “I miss the old bridge, but it did have certain structural problems. With a bit of training, the Toa should be able to focus their Masks of Power in combination with my own Mask of Creation to build a bridge that’s even more durable than the one that stood here for eons.”

  “In the meantime,” Nilkuu said, “this rope bridge will allow the new colonists to enter the city. And look! Here they come now!”

  The group gazed across the chasm, where hundreds of islanders walked along a ridge, approaching the rope bridge. Even across the distance, the Protectors could sense the islanders’ excitement as they neared the bridge’s gateway, where the six Toa waited to greet them.

  “Today is a glorious day,” said Narmoto.

  “One for the history books!” said Harvali.

  “But remember,” Ekimu said, “so long as there is evil on Okoto, we must all stay vigilant.”

  Kivoda said, “Master Ekimu, do you have any special instructions for the colonists after they arrive?”

  “Yes,” Ekimu said. “Tell them that we should all meet in the city’s main square this evening. Because tonight, we shall rejoice with even greater fireworks!”

  As the Protectors greeted the new arrivals, Ekimu felt a cold chill travel down his back, so cold that he turned to look behind him. Although he saw nothing unusual, he sensed an evil presence. Closing his eyes, he thought, I know you’re out there, Makuta. I know you’re waiting to strike again. But when you do, I shall be prepared to strike back!

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