Prologue: Battle Lines

Oh I've been such a busy little person these past few months. I've opened two hospitals in Vacuo, came up with a cure for a disease many thought impossible, and even caught a few bad guys in the act of a robbery. Not that you would have seen or heard of that in the news. Why you may ask? Shouldn't a celebrity doctor and huntress have her accomplishments noted? Perhaps, but such frivolous fame like stopping two thugs do not interest me no longer. No, what I am working towards is something far grander, something that will change the very course of Remnant itself. That is what I lived for now.

"Do it doctor," I told the man in a white labcoat. He flipped a switch and the sound of a liquid flowing sounded through the room.

Looking at the clear pipes I could see a green liquid flow through them. The plastic pipes were actually an I.V. that split into two different tubes, leading to two… gentlemen who I volunteered forcefully after they tried to have their way with me. Heh, the fools. To see them struggle was almost quite charming had there not been a glass window separating them from me. The white walls and bright lights of their little operating room in great contrast to the shadowed room where me and another stood operating the machinery that would ultimately decide their fate. They screamed in agony, which was always enjoyable for me to hear, maybe a job in violence was leading me down this dark but necessary path. By the time the liquid made it into their veins the screams were making the doctor in the room with me uncomfortable, I took notice.

"Something troubling you doctor?" I asked brushing back my blue hair behind my back.

He seemed to hesitate for a moment, "No, it's just, there's a difference between seeing it on paper and seeing it with your eyes."

"Don't worry," I gave a chuckle, I leaned in close next to his ear letting my hot breath tickle his ear, "I can always make things more...enjoyable for you."

It was fun watching those under you stammer almost like they've been handed a trophy. It was worse when I licked and nibbled on his ear, whatever I could do to distract him. It was almost pitiful to see him crumble on the spot. Guess having a hot huntress try and seduce you, and 'well experienced' if you know what I mean, will do that to you. "I-I-I better keep on the vitals, one wrong move and-" he was interrupted by a beeping and flashing red light on the table.

I stop my enticement to gaze upon it then look at the test subject, "Doctor," I said pointing to the two.

Through the veins of one of them, you could see the green liquid glow through the skin, his eyes becoming bloodshot and sweat practically dripped off like a waterfall. Then in a single second it looked like the man was glowing all over and then exploded covering the glass window in a mixture of green and red. The scientist nearly vomited, but managed to hold it in. Good, I don't want to be kissing ol' vomit boy over there. It all happened so fast, not even bothering to check in on the other I flicked up a piece of plastic that covered a blue button and slammed my fist into it. The sound of buzzing could be faintly heard before the roar of electricity came in with the blue glow that was partially covered by the disgusting remains, the entire room was conductive including the chairs so I doubt anything would be walking out of that thing alive. I removed my hand my hand from the blue button and leaned into a microphone and pressed the button that let me speak into it.

"Test subjects Twelve and Thirteen with Liquid Composite number four test results...negative. Jerbraz I'm going to want that cleaned up in the morning as well." I turned over to the doctor who hadn't really moved since I fried the remains for Jerbraz, I just know how much he'll love that. "It's a shame doctor that the formula didn't work, I was hoping for a change in pace of the experiments. We've haven't had as good of luck lately."

"Yes, I'm sorry, my calculations must have been off."

"Oh don't worry," I walked up to him and he instinctively backed up, I smiled and continued walking towards him until he hit the wall. My face was inches away from his and I whispered into his ear, "You got nowhere to run...but something tells me you weren't going to anyway." Humorous it was to hear his breath quiver slightly and hear his heartbeat quicken, "I can show you how it's done." I grabbed one of his hands and placed his on my hip, "You just put this here," I grabbed the other hand and placed it somewhere that was definitely not on my hip, "and this one here." I leaned in next to his ear and gave a hot moan, "Just like that."

I was going give him the last best night of his life.

-X-

It was maybe six in the morning when I woke up. I found myself in my bed, much of the night turned into a blur after seducing the doctor from last night's experiment.

"That damn experiment."

I clenched my fists and exhaled sharply looking at the man who was still asleep, a grin across his face no doubt fantasizing about last night. I rolled my eyes and left the bed. The faint glow of morning was starting to peer through the curtains. Walking across the room I went into my closet to get dressed, there was a knock on my door.

When the door opened I saw a tall man, at least seven feet if he told me correctly the first time I met him. A mixture of grey and red covered his apparel. Pieces of metal, more like scraps, covered various sections of his body. He looked like a barbarian if anything. Piercing light green eyes met my own, a cold dead stare was present. The stubble on his chin matched the same color as his short and trimmed greying brown hair.

"Madam Helryx," he greeted in cold, long dead voice. His gaze drifted downward to wear my legs were still bare, but I at least had a shirt on, "another failed test I presume?"

I turned to the sleeping doctor, "Yes unfortunately, he told me he was Mistral's leading expert in Biological and Aura studies, I guess he wasn't."

"I thought you were the leading expert in such things?"

"I'm the Valesian expert, along with being a famous huntress as well dear Tobduk. Why are you here at this hour? I thought I told Jerbraz to clean up the mess from last night?"

"I am not here because of that Madam Helryx," Tobduk gave me his scroll, "you told me to remind you for the funeral today."

"Oh yes thank you, I guess old Ozzie would be disappointed if I didn't attend. Me and Lhikan were teammates back in Beacon."

"What should I do with your...suitor?" Tobduk pointed to the scientist in the bed, he always asks this question even though I give him the same answer.

"Dispose of him, he wasn't worth the night anyway."

"Should I send in a request for more Vacuo imported silk sheets?" He asked, "You know how I love a mess."

"No, ask for Atlasian imports, it will be getting colder soon."

"As you wish," Tobduk said.

I got dressed for the funeral I was attending, a long black dress with blue undertones with black heels. I tied my long blue hair into a ponytail that shifted to the side slightly and walked out of my room. Before losing sight of it, I gazed upon Tobduk pulling a short sword attached to his belt and aiming at the scientist's chest. To anyone else it would have appeared to be a viable weapon, but in Tobduk's hands it looked like a dagger. I closed the door grabbing a black leather wallet, I waved Tobduk but he didn't notice as his dead stare was on the scientist as he started to drive the blade into the doctor's chest. A smile formed over my lips as I cascaded down the stairs of my lavish humble abode. I reached the outside with a car waiting for me, a butler at the ready with a second person clad in red and white armor leaned on the car. He was currently picking at something in his faunus trait, antlers. He noticed me and got to an attention stance immediately.

"Miss Helryx," the man quickly said with a salute.

"Trinuma," I greeted, "is everything ready?"

"Yes" the deer faunus walked along the car opening the door for me, "I have multiple snipers in position in case somebody tries anything funny. I will also accompany you but from a distance. The basic foot soldiers who believe they're in a gang are set to steal a large quantity of Dust from the docks of Vale at tonight, Mazeka's leading that mission."

"Oh you gave decided to give him a mission? I thought you didn't like him."

Trinuma chewed in silence on his gum while giving me a deadpan stare, "Tobduk insisted he wasn't needed for a basic Dust raid, he's always been nice to the kid, no clue why."

"Hmm, I see. After I get back I want to talk to Mazeka before he heads off," I said before lowering myself t o enter the car.

"Of course, enjoy your pity party for the traitor," Trinuma slammed the door for me before walking away. We made off after that. I opened the wallet and pulled out a piece of parchment that looked as old as it smelled. With it were many curious symbols long lost to time, only few understood. And the only one I know of is the very person who I'm going to see buried in the ground. I ghosted my fingers over the mysterious symbols.

"What were you hiding Lhikan?"

-X-

For a funeral in respect for a somewhat infamous huntsman, it was very light in terms of people. A few dignitaries, myself, a few professors, and a tall figure who I gritted my teeth at when I saw him. He was in a dark colored suit, red tie, with a black dress shirt. Two bodyguard like people who were slightly hunched over stood beside him while he was making a call on his scroll. His midnight colored hair was in sharp contrast to his ruby red eyes. The small bit of stubble that lined his chin showed he had a late night. I was going to talk to him, but not before another unwanted distraction greeted me.

Professor Ozpin.

"Hello Helryx, what has felt like a short time feels like forever ago," the headmaster of Beacon said, his lap puppy Glynda Goodwitch at his side.

"Professor," I hid my disgust well with a pleasant smile, "nice to see you again. Glynda, always a pleasure."

The deputy headmistress gave an ambiguous grunt while Ozpin gave her a side glance, "She would prefer to be in the school helping with classes today."

"Can Port and Oobleck not handle a few teenagers?" I joked switching my gaze quickly between them and the tall figure who was still talking on his scroll.

"Well ever since some of those disappearances a few weeks back Glynda would prefer to have her students within her sight."

"It was truly heartbreaking to hear about that. I would have helped but something happened to the hospitals in Vacuo that required my attention. You would think the White Fang wouldn't attack hospitals that serve faunus."

"It is quite unfortunate about those lost to us, they were going to be bright stars at Beacon, much like you Helryx. Have you had any contact with your team in recent years?"

"Not really, we had to kill Tuyet, Nidhiki ran off after losing his mind, and Lhikan…is right there in the ground."

Ozpin frowned and took a sip from his mug, "That is quite unfortunate, I forgot about those events. Well it looks like you are the last of Team THLN (Talon)."

"Hooray," I sarcastically rolled my eyes and noticed a preacher walking, "looks like we're about to get started."

"It appears so, well it was nice chatting with you."

I mentally gritted my teeth, "As was it with you." I wanted to kill him right then and there.

-X-

Well for a ceremony for a traitorous bastard who robbed me of my greatest achievement and who I wanted to personally kill, it wasn't awful. It was sappy that was for sure, but when is a funeral not. But nevermind that, I had someone to talk to. Even though he ended his call for the event, he was already back on it. I approached him from the back, as I got closer one of the guards heard me and turned around. He sneered and started to his, mechanical spine implants started to shake and the second one followed suit. The taller man's head perked up and turned around me, we locked eyes and he smiled like a demon.

"I'll get back to you general," he said before ending the call and placing his scroll in an inside coat pocket, "well if it isn't the infamous Helryx. Huntress, leading biologist, and chairwoman of the Mata Nui Foundation."

"And if it isn't Teridax. Loudmouthed, overly ambitious, and the CEO of the Makuta Weapon's Corporation."

"Oh you flatter me with your tongue, and I don't mean your carnal tendencies," Teridax chuckled, he looked to the two guards who were still hissing, "Turahk stand down."

Turahk, the left one eased up and then so did the other, "Of course sir."

"I see this one survived the biological experimentation," I said looking at the newly mentioned Turahk, he rubbed his arm which had metal implants lining up and down his appendage.

"Yes, he and another five were able to survive the Antidermis effects on a…non-destined body."

"And you think you're a destined being?"

"The Makuta bloodlines run throughout my family leading up to the very first Makuta Miserix dear Helryx. I have done the research myself and the blood testing. I know I'm a Makuta."

"And I know that the two of you are simply too invested in old legends," a third, new, voice spoke from the side.

We both turned to the sid where a man now stood holding a cane, but not Ozpin. They looked middle aged, at least fifty. A more dusty looking suit was what he wore, a yellow dress shirt underneath with a tie untied and now resting on his neck. Two horns lined the top of his head along with a prehensile tail showing he was a faunus. The cane was made out of carved wood and looked older than what was in his eyes. A full beard colored grey went across his chin.

"Since you were too busy introducing the other, allow me," he bowed and quickly came back up, "I am the Shadowed One, political puppeteer, master of aliases, and leader of the infamous Dark Hunters, the most ruthless and wanted men on Remnant."

"Must you bravado yourself?" Teridax asked crossing his arms.

"When you get to be my age Teridax there is very little else you can do. Helryx, always a pleasure."

"So it is, what brings you here? Someone such as yourself has no need to pay tribute to someone like Lhikan."

"Am I not allowed to visit a worthy adversary?" The man of many names asked.

"You fought against Lhikan?" Teridax raised a curious eyebrow.

"Not directly but multiple Hunters faced against him and usually came out on top, it appears that he was not invincible however if today is anything to go by."

I laughed slightly, "You have no idea what Lhikan was."

"Yes, you were teammates when you went to Beacon were you not?"

"Yes, but not just that. Teridax I found it," I pulled out the piece of parchment from earlier and my adversary's eyes widened.

"You found the island?" He leaned in.

"Yes," was all I said.

"The infamous Island of the Toa?" The Shadowed One questioned, we both gave him a surprised look. There was no way he should have that kind of information. "You act as if I don't have a mole within both your ranks. Do not fret, their usefulness served their purpose once I gained the information, they have been long dealt with."

I kept staring at him, narrowing my eyes, we'll have to see about that. "But yes I found the island, that's when I found out Lhikan had been lying to me since the beginning."

"And how so?" Teridax asked, no doubt putting some pieces together in his head.

"He was a Toa."

-Several weeks prior-

I sat in the seat of a bullhead as it flew through the skies listening to the engines race through the air. A mace and shield at my side ready for whatever would happen. Isolated islands were always a danger, even if Trinuma cleared out mostly.

"Well this brings back memories doesn't it?" An honest voice broke the silence, I opened my eyes to gaze upon my old teammate.

Lhikan, one of the last members of Team THLN, and good friend to myself sat across leaning slightly in his seat. Green eyes met my own as I judged how time had treated him, this was the first time I had seen him since Nidhiki went missing. Our teammate was considered missing but we saw him awhile after, it was better if we didn't find him in the first place. For a mid thirty something year old he fared pretty well against age. Little to no stubble, bright blonde hair that still shined like it did years ago. Red and gold armor lined up and down his legs and arms. Two symmetrical swords nearly the size of himself rested to the side propped up on the wall.

"Yes, quite," I replied pretending not to notice the grimace he gave at my missing enthusiasm.

"Come on Helryx, it's been what eight years maybe more since we went on a mission together. I get the fact you've moved on a bit, but a little old stuff isn't too bad for you."

"Do I need to remind you what happened last time we went on a mission together?"

"No," his tone turned dark, "but I have a feeling you're going to anyway."

"Nidhiki turned traitor on us, just like Tuyet did."

"Don't remind me," Lhikan went over his armored shoulder, "I still have the scar. Thanks for the surgery by the way."

"Well I may be decisive but I'm not heartless. If I was I would have killed Nidhiki before he lured us into the trap."

"It would have been wrong to kill him Helryx and you know it."

"No I don't know Lhikan."

He chuckled, "Let's just call it a moral code of mine."

Footsteps against the metal floor caught my attention. I looked up to see Ozpin alone, "The pilot tells me we're about ten minutes from our destination. Where are we going Helryx, you have told me nothing other than the base invitation."

I stood up to peer out of the porthole window, through the clouds you could see the body of a land mass made out of a large volcano, "Oh, where we're going, is someplace special Ozpin. A lost city founded long before the kingdoms." The headmaster was now intrigued, but when I looked to my old teammate he looked as if he was displeased or angry. But why I had to wonder.

We made landfall shortly after, the wind assaulting our faces the moment we opened the large metal doors. The landscape was lush and surreal, the smell of fresh pollen and grass, and then there was the eyesore of multiple tent canopies and holes being dug. A whole slew of archaeologists and historians were there, at my beckon digging for artifacts long thought lost to time. When I started approaching the main center of activity the lead researcher stepped forward dressed in a trilby hat and his excavating gear.

"Good day Ozpin, Helryx," almost shouted Doctor Bartholomew Oobleck, I had asked Ozpin to borrow him since Beacon was currently out of session. The eccentric doctor looked to my former teammate and raised his eyebrow, "And who is this?"

"The name's Lhikan, I was apart of Helryx's team during our Beacon," he shook Oobleck's hand.

"A pleasure to meet you."

"So Bart," Ozpin said to his fellow teacher, "what have you dug up?"

Ah yes!" He pulled up a clipboard, "If you would follow me, we should have a few pieces cleaned and ready for inspection." He walked us to a large table covered in brown colored rubble and rock.

There were several tablets, what looked like basic weapons but were decrepit shadows of their former lives. But what caught my eyes were several old tribal looking masks rusted over and chipped at the edges. I ghosted my hand over and one of them and felt a surge of triumph course through me. Oobleck then pulled multiple papers from the table and adjusted his glasses.

"So from what we've found our multiple tablet written in a strange language, none in our databases are coming up with a match," he zipped over to the weapons, "now these are weapons from this lost society, the intricacies and functionality prove to be better than anything else at the current time period when this society was around." Finally he got to what I wanted to see the most, "Now these masks which are nearly technologically impossible by other societies seem to hold some significance in their society but we can't figure it out yet."

"The Toa," I said while gazing upon a mask as my finger traces the intricate cuts and details.

"The what?" Ozpin asked curiously.

"The Toa were an ancient race of warriors from legends long lost to Remnant," I said still transfixed upon one of the masks, "legends tell that they were the most formidable of warriors able to slay hundreds and thousands of Grimm all on their own. Stories tell that these masks granted them powers and the cost of their Semblance. They were also given elemental powers in one of a multitude of elements. Water, Ice, Air, Stone, Earth, and Fire."

"I don't believe I'm familiar with that tale," Ozpin a tad disappointed he didn't know it, but intrigued by it nonetheless.

"It was a tale lost to the ages, like so many others, the only reason I know it is because my mother would often tell of it when I was young," I looked around and most nodded. Except Lhikan who kept his gaze on some of the tablets. His eyes scanning them almost as if he could read them.

"Doctor!" An archaeologist came running in holding his hat down, "we've managed to find an opening to a cave near the mountain!"

Oobleck's eyes widened behind his glasses, "Really?! Show us now!" We all ran off with Oobleck and the other man. I did make sure to notice how Lhikan was jogging while the rest of us were almost in a full sprint.

The mouth of a cave stood in front of us, the wind creating an echo within it. Steps carved into the rock could be seen with the little lighting and visibility before they disappeared into darkness. Surprisingly it was Lhikan who spoke first.

"Let's go," he said, his tone completely changing pulling out one of his swords while Oobleck got out a flashlight leading down the stairs.

It was a massive cave that with each step another seemed to come out of the darkness going for seemingly miles. A new light source came from the side and I looked to see Lhikan holding up a lit torch he got from the wall. I don't remember Lhikan having any source of fire on him. He caught the questioning I gave him and he chuckled.

"Come on you don't remember what Port told us? Always carry a flint for fire," I didn't recall that lesson but come to think about it no one would listen to that loudmouthed buffoon and his tales of grandeur.

I merely threw the thought aside when carvings on the wall were illuminated by the new light source. Those same hexagonal shapes were lining the walls, presumably their language.

"Fascinating," Oobleck said in awe, "imagine the possibilities if we can learn this language, what secrets could they have been hiding? What lessons could we learn? What technologies could be hidden from us?"

"Doctor it is paramount that sometimes the best secrets, are often kept buried," Lhikan said still fixed at the odd looking letters.

"Yes, a sentiment to keep in mind," Ozpin said in agreement, "perhaps they put this in the cave so no one could find it."

I kept my gaze forward, ignoring Ozpin's precautious nonsense, and then I noticed something on the side. It was a trench built into the handrailing, I dipped my hand into it and pulled out a dripping hand covered in a black liquid. "Lhikan there's liquidized Fire Dust in these trenches."

He got the idea and placed the flame of the torch into the liquid and it immediately caught fire. It ran down the railing down the rest of the stairs and into the opening of a room. We walked down to the room and found a massive stone hall with a statue in the middle of a warrior. It was incredibly detailed for the time, the most impressive part was their weapon. It looked like a sword but carved into the shape of flames. A mask covering their face that looked like so many of those on the surface from the excavation.

"Amazing," Oobleck looked up, "the detail is remarkable."

I took a step as even I was in awe, I placed a hand on the leg. What secrets are you hiding from me Toa warrior? I turned around and saw Lhikan was missing from the group. "Where did Lhikan run off to?" I asked much to the other's surprise.

"I do not know," Ozpin replied.

I narrowed my eyes as I scanned over a dark crevice in the wall large enough for one person to fit through at a time. It looked like some vines had been burned away. "Tell the men to come down and start searching and excavating for more artifacts, I'm going to find my old teammate."

~From third person perspective~

Lhikan had to hurry through the passageway covered in webs and vines, the torch long since vanished. He couldn't let Helryx get to the stones. He knew what she was planning, just like the others. He knew when Tuyet betrayed them, he knew when his own brother betrayed them, and he knew what Helryx was planning. He knew what Helryx did to his niece. He couldn't allow anymore to be hurt by Helryx or his team. He knew that Nidhiki was still out there, Tuyet was dead but her decision is still affecting those today, and Helryx cannot be allowed to continue down this path. The huntsman entered a massive chambers with six small doors with a single globe in the middle. He approached it and placed his hand over it. Lhikan's hand glowed a bright red, almost orange.

"I, Toa Lhikan, Toa of Fire are asking you of Great Spirit of Fire to relinquish the ancient stones. We are in our greatest time of need, and we need your guidance," he chanted. Once he ended it the small multiple doors cracked open and lifted slowly, dust and debris falling. Inside were six colorful stones. Lhikan made his way and grabbed each stone, placing them in a cloth wrap. He was going to make his way out of the back entrance when a voice stopped him.

"Going somewhere Lhikan," the red armored warrior had a small, honest, smile as he turned to see Helryx at the other side of the chamber.

"Hello Helryx," Lhikan appeared cool and collected as he placed the six small pebble like objects in a pouch.

"What are you doing? Stealing artifacts that I have worked so hard to find is no way to repay an old friend."

"Friend, or an enemy, Helryx?"

"I have to ask," she ignored his question and made her way over to the sphere in the room, "how did you light the torch? I have never seen you use your semblance, and I know you never listened to Port's lectures. You were always the first asleep in his class."

"You know, I first thought everything would be fine after we graduated, that I wouldn't have to ever reveal my secret. I then thought after Tuyet's betrayal that I could live a normal life, I thought that after the one who I considered a brother left me for dead that I could put it all behind me. But I don't know what I can do now after this Helryx. I'm getting too old to keep the world safe."

"You could give those to me Lhikan," she outstretched her hand, "I'm assuming those are the infamous Toa Stones which can create Toa according to the legends."

"You've done your homework, typical Helryx. Yes these are the Toa Stones, but know that just having them can't turn you into a Toa. It says so in the walls."

"The walls?"

Lhikan looked around at the lettering on the wall and read it to her, "For a Toa must be of noble heart and mind, their only concern is to protect those in need. A true Toa is a protector and servant of Mata Nui. To serve the three virtues. Unity. Duty. Destiny." He then looked to Helryx, "Nidhiki was a Toa like I was, as well as Tuyet. And I will tell you this Helryx, you are on too. Your family's bloodline relates to one of the oldest Toas in existence."

"Well then I'm honored, but hand me the Toa Stones now and I will overlook this. I will even allow you into the Order."

He snorted, "The Order? You mean that syndicate you think does good work? I know what you do Helryx, I've seen the things you've done to people with your obsession with the Toa. You're going down a dangerous route Helryx."

"Oh I know, that's why I'm doing it, for the good of Remnant."

"The good of Remnant? Helryx, there is a reason why the Toa went into hiding all those centuries ago, Remnant wanted nothing to do with us. Wars were fought over Toa, for their Kanohi masks, for their powers. And anybody who has gone after them has only hurt others in the process. I know you already have Helryx, I know the lengths you have gone to replicate the changing process. And I know that you've taken my niece who I never got to meet, I do not approve of what you've done and what you're going to do."

"So defensive over somebody you never met and has no idea you even exist."

"My brother Apollo wanted nothing to do with the Toa, he never wanted to see me again after I took the title, and didn't want his daughter getting dragged into it either. I respected his wishes even if it still pains me. I was usually there on her birthdays, her first tournament, and the day she graduated from Sanctum from afar. I sent a letter the day I heard she got accepted into Beacon, but I know my brother got rid of it. So I'm going to ask you to respect my brother's wishes and leaver her out of this."

"And if I don't?" She asked with an amused smile.

Lhikan narrowed his eyes, he reached for the pack behind him and pulled something out. Helryx's eyes widened as he brandished a golden colored mask very similar to those on the surface being cleaned albeit in pristine condition. Multiple cuts in the cheeks, and a divot in the domed head were strategically emplaced in the mask with two eye holes.

"If you're truly going to pursue down this dangerous then I will have to stop you," he placed the mask on his head and Helryx could feel the room grow incredibly hot. "A Toa's power is halved when their mask is removed from their face," he told her, the mask changed his eye color to red and orange with the mouth opening up with every syllable. "I'm going to ask you leave this foolish idea behind and leave the Toa long buried in the dirt."

"Hmm, no."

He brandished a sword and pointed it at her, "Then I, Toa Lhikan Nikos will have to stop you."

He charged forward with fire lining the edges of his sword and…

-Present Time, from Helryx's perspective-

"...In the end Lhikan managed to escape to the surface of the island after collapsing the main chamber of the cave. He used his Skyboard weapon to escape the multiple bullhead and used his powers of fire to shoot down the bullheads," I finished the tale of what happened on the Island of the Toa.

"Amazing, a real life Toa, in plain sight nonetheless," Teridax marveled.

"Did you ever find the stones?" The Shadowed One asked.

"No, the medical examiner I sent couldn't find anything on his person and the police had nothing of the sort in the evidence storage."

"A tragic loss," Teridax said, "who will you be able to recreate the Toa?"

"I have his Kanohi mask," the simple words made them freeze.

"You have a functioning Kanohi mask?" Teridax leaned in, he was very intrigued. One because his supposed ancestors used them, and two because he was a weapons manufacturer.

"From what we've gathered from the tablets it is called a Hau, the Mask of Shielding. The tablets also state that a Kanohi mask can also be used to create a Toa as well, the two seem somewhat interchangeable."

"Interesting," The Shadowed One spun his drink around, he was had no interest in the Toa really other than having a stronger hunter at his side, "do you think you'll be able to replicate the process?"

"We've been trying to but the formula we've been using only kills the recipients."

"Have you tried just creating Kanohi masks?"

"No why would I do that?"

"In the old legends it was said that merely putting on a Kanohi mask can transform a Toa."

Me and Teridax both looked at the older faunus, "And how would you know that?"

"I have a few Dark Hunters who were once Toa or were in Toa families."

I wanted to strangle the old man, but a dark presence seeming to loom over me advised otherwise, "Careful Helryx, one wrong move and I'll have Sentrakh snap your neck." The blase tone was what made it worse for me, it got me furious. I seethed a sigh as he began to turn away and leave the funeral. "I imagine we'll meet again Makuta and Toa, we have big moves to make if we wish to snuff out Ozpin and his inner circle."

"No doubt Salem will take notice of this," I said.

"Oh, don't worry about Salem," Teridax chuckled, "I have taken one of her pawns away and persuaded her to the Brotherhood."

"How'd you do that?" I asked.

He chuckled sinisterly, "Mutran is very effective." He gazed at his watch, "I must bid you all adieu, I have a meeting with Mister Schnee tomorrow morning. Something about his missing daughter or whatnot. Let me know how you're testing goes Helryx, an alliance is always on the table you know."

"I would never stand beside you Teridax," I spat.

"Please, I insist," the two body guards hissed at me and he turned to face me with a smile then turned to a smirk, "call me Makuta."