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Takua was never very social. He was close friends with Jala for years, but outside of that he was typically soft spoken.



Early on in the ta-matoran's life, his mask was cracked into pieces. Unable to properly function without one he required a quick replacement, anything would work.



So the young matoran stood out from the crowd. Different from any other matoran of his kind.



He became self conscious of his bright, light blue mask in a sea of reds and oranges.



"Ah, Takua. Alone again I see?"



He hadn't even noticed Turaga Vakama approach him. As though he was invisible to him until he began speaking.



"I- uh-... Turaga! How goes it?"



A group of the other ta-matoran were playing Kolhii, with Takua being the only one on the sidelines.



"something's bothering you. I can see it clear as day." Vakama gestured to the other matoran. "you should be enjoying yourself with Jala and the others! I believe I remember that you love playing Kolhii."



"I'm just... Not feeling well today"



"Takua I've been around enough to see where your real problem lies."



the turaga sat down and placed his hand on his shoulder.



"you feel like you aren't fitting in with the others."



He was surprised to be read so easily.

"I... I'm just not like them, I-"

He was cut off by Vakama beginning to chuckle.



"Takua, trust me when I tell you that you are nothing like the others."



Takua stared down at the floor as he listened to the turaga's words.



"you can't live trying to be someone you're not. Act on your own heart, and be honest to who you are. As long as you do that, the others will respect it."



Takua looked back up at the turaga.



"that mask you wear is your own, no one else's. Wear it with pride."



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I'm leaving...



The words echoes across the quite square.



Takanuva expected this reaction, but it didn't make him any less anxious.



"Long ago I was made for a purpose."

He continued.

"before everything, the battles, the legends. With our newfound peace, and the shadow banished from this world, I intend on fulfilling that purpose."



He takes several steps back, and the floor in front of him opens up, and from it slowly rises a machine.



Some sort of vehicle, not unlike the Ussanui from long ago on mata nui. Although while that was crudely assembled, this vehicle was sleak and complex. The engineering would put Nuparus work to shame.



"At my heart I'll always be a chronicler."



Takanuva walks up to the vehicle and reaches into some kind of compartment.



"and this..."



The shock and confusion from the audience was audible.



"is a Kanohi Olmak. Mask of dimensional gates."



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The grand machine whirred and sparked to life. The mysterious forge glowing a dull orange from its core.



Takanuva had little experience forging anything, let alone a mask, but he was dead set of completing the task.



He's taken a trip with the Olmak before, however unintentional, and it's something that's plagued his mind ever since. How many worlds exist out there? What kind of stories could they hold? He's been looking for a chance to find it out for himself.



The last Olmak was lost, however, with no way of getting it back.



Many shattered and dented kanoka disks later, he had done it. The forge of the stars allowed Takanuva this opportunity



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Jaller was crouched in front of a memorial.



Three beautifully crafted statues stood upon a tall pedestal in the heart of Ora Nui.



"he was the strongest of us" Jaller had heard takanuva walking from behind.



Hafu had been commissioned to carve the stunning memorial for the fallen toa, Matoro. The white, polished stone glistened in the setting sun. The memorial comprised of the two forms of the toa, with the matoran Matoro proud in the center.



Takanuva had just concluded his meeting. And had been looking for Jaller since.



"I look up to him" he continued "whenever I'm feeling weak, whenever I can't handle the world."



Jaller turned around and sat against the pedestal.



"I don't think I'm strong enough to watch you leave."



Takanuva took a seat beside him and they dwelled in the silence for a moment.



...





"what's my destiny." takanuva spoke softly

"I had a purpose, to banish the shadow from the world, but now what?"



Jaller seemed confused for a moment.



"you're running Takua. Running from this responsibility."



"I've told you before, I'm not a leader."



"so what you're just going to go hopping between worlds forever? What're hoping to find?" Jaller was upset, but most of all he was hurting.



"I'm not leaving forever. Just as long as I need to. "



"need what? What do you need. You know what the matoran need?"

He was becoming more and more aggravated.

"They need a leader. They need you. "



"I have faith in the people."

Takanuva was getting tired. Or maybe he was pretending to be tired. It was hard for him to tell the difference anymore.



The pair returned to silence.



"how long? How long are you leaving."



"it won't be long."



"are you willing to promise me that? On a toa's honor?"



Takanuva sighed



He gets back on his feet.

"I'm sorry. "



"I know I'll never be able to change your mind... So I'll keep this place in order for you when you get back."



The friends smiled back at each other, and takanuva began walking away.



That was the last time they spoke before he departed.



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He was still unsure of himself, as he walked the streets towards his own home. He would be packing for his journey tonight.



He thought back at the words of Vakama that day. About being true to yourself and no one else. Those words resonated so deeply within him. After that very moment, Takua had changed. He became brave, adventurous... And maybe a little too reckless.



He wished he could find that confidence now.



It had been hours since sundown, and walking down the streets Takanuva happened to spot a downtrodden ga-matoran sitting on a bench along the roadside hit her head down.

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Was he really leaving?



Why would Takanuva do something like that I just don't understand.



Her mind was racing trying to answer these questions. Anything that truly made sense, but nothing was coming up.



What is he looking for?

Is he planning something?



Is he...

Is...



Is that him?

Is he... Walking over here...





She started panicking. She's a recluse, she's never even gotten to meet a toa, let alone the legendary toa of light.



"I remember seeing you at the square, in the crowd. I don't believe I know your name."



She stammers

"oh, I'm- my name is Gella"



"ah" he nods



"So, Gella, what're you doing out so late like this? It's a little dark to be taking in the scenery."



"I don't really have anything to do tonight."



"well why not?" he could already recognize what the issue was. "what about friends? You should be out with others at times like these."



"I um.. I'm not great at making friends."



"ah yes. Yes I understand."



Takanuva had been waiting for a moment like this. To spread some sagely wisdom.





"Well, Gella you shouldn't worry about whether you fit in with the rest of the matoran. you need to act on your own heart, and be honest to who you are. As long as you do that, others will respect it."



She looked up at him quizzically.



"I was a lot like you once. Worried about sticking out of the crowd, worried about not fitting in." he continued, preparing for the finishing blow.



"the mask you wear is yours, and no one else's. Wear it with pride."



Takanuva lacked the finesse of a turaga, but he at least hoped he made an impression.



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