Chapter II: The Scroll


    A bird sounded its call in the ancient forest, and then another making a screeching noise in response. Though the jungles were gloomy looking in appearance with the abundance of ancient totems and scary statues, the place was quite alive with many creatures of all kind, including various animals, birds, and some things that would be better off unknown.
It was mid day, and the bright sun shone its light through the dense dark green jungle, making light patterns throughout the way as it pierced through the tops of the thick trees, looking for ways to get in. Then, past a small trickling creek through a muddy pathway, footprints could be seen.
    Two Makashi scouts walked carefully and silently down the forest, their eyes scanning the area with curiosity and fear.
“I hate this place,” muttered one of the soldiers. “All these spooky Bionicle ruins make me uneasy. Why some people think they are all nice and friendly is beyond me.”
The other one nodded in silence as they continued to look around the area. “‘Wish we got a better job,” he said. “I’d be much more comfortable going up to one of them Toa and spittin’ in his face than facing up to one of their so called ‘Great Spirits.’”
The other soldier stopped and looked at his partner strangely, “You believe in that sort of blasphemy?”
    “Well, not really, but—”
    Whump.
    A sudden, invisible force sent the two soldiers face down on the ground; they tried to move, but it felt like gravity itself was working against them.
    And it was.
    “Oh dear, are you worrying more about the spirits than what was clearly visible in front of you?” a voice questioned arrogantly. The men heard footsteps come closer till a pair of large boots came mere inches away from them. A man slowly came down staring at the two soldiers in the eye. He grinned darkly, yet insultingly at the same time. He pushed aside his dirty blonde hair so it would fit back behind his headband and rubbed his goatee in thought, while his other hand stayed out, as if he was controlling something. And one of the soldiers quickly guessed what it was.
    ‘He’s using the gravity against us!’
    “So now…” the man said. “Two Makashian scouts? In the middle of my jungle? This is something you don’t see everyday.”
One of the men was able to get his face out of the dirt. “What do you want from us?” he said. “You dare go against us? Can’t you see that we are Makashian soldiers?! We are on official business from the Emperor—”
    “And do you think…” the gravity bender began, holding out his other hand as he jerked the soldier off the ground and held him in midair. “That I really care?”
    The soldier fought viciously against it, and then finally he cried out, “Alright, alright enough! Don’t kill me like this! What do you want us for?!”
    The gravity bender smiled calmly. “You see,” he began, “I… you can call me Swert, am against anything that bloody Emperor does, and I fight on the other side, you see- just a little bit differently. If you have heard any rumors about that Academy, I’m a bit like those guys, except I work for myself. It’s that simple. I have more fun bending the rules.” He dropped the soldier on the ground and then released the two from his gravity-related trap. Both men dashed away in the instant they could, but in a second they were surrounded by dark warriors, jumping out of the trees holding weapons of all kind, each one with the appearance that it would hurt— very badly.
    “So,” Swert began, “I have a message to send for the Emperor.”
Another man came walking up, covered in large ragged cloth that covered most of his lower face, clearly camouflaged attire. He fixed his sunglasses calmly and pulled out a scroll, handing it to the soldier. “Take this. Don’t open it.”
    The soldier carefully took it from the rogue’s hand and looked at it in silence.
“And if you do keep searching for us,” Swert said threateningly, “or keep walking around here in my territory, I won’t only kill you, but your family as well.” The soldier looked wide eyed in fear and wonder.
    “Now get going; it’s getting dark, and I would not suggest staying in these woods longer than it is needed.”
The two men jerked up and, as quickly as they could, ran back the way they came.
    Swert curiously smiled and then looked at his assistant who had given the scroll. “Bepura,” he began, “how many men does it take to send a message?”
    Bepura Raiden fixed his glasses again and brought out his hand, releasing a spark of electricity from his finger. “One,” he responded.

    A maid came walking up quietly, holding a tray of warm tea outside in the Emperor’s private courtyard. Her eyes stayed focused on the ground, showing respect to the Emperor as she drew closer to him. She approached slower and slower till she stopped in front of him, holding out the tray and then placing on a small table, bowing calmly and walking away.
The Emperor’s hands came down upon the cup, picking it up and holding it for a moment just in thought. His eyes darted to two other men which he had been consulting with. His advisor was a battle strategist, the common attire and features of most Makashians.
    The other was a few feet away, looking out into the garden calmly. He was facing his back toward the two and had his hands promptly behind him. This was the calm and deadly Admiral, who rarely spoke unless it was needed. He had a practically frozen-cold heart, and it was clearly shown through his icy eyes and boney looking body, hidden under the traditional armor of the Makashi soldiers.
    “Admiral…” The Emperor began calmly, still tapping his fingers against his tea cup, “What of your armies? How are they fairing through these times? Keeping order, I hope.”
The Admiral turned his head slowly around, looking at the Emperor calmly. “They're doing fine, Emperor,” he said. “We have used most of our time keeping order on various other islands and continents, than hunting any Machina.”
    “Any reason?”
    “Good reasons. I’ve sent top spies and warriors across the lands and all reports as of late, they haven’t even found a scrap of Rahi. They are disappearing, my lord.”
The emperor gave off no emotion, but something in his eyes seems to show a good feeling of accomplishment.
    “It was quite a help for the past Emperors to make an alliance with the Machina,” the Admiral continued. “With their help, we killed off any of the most dangerous foes, such as the Dark Hunters, or smaller, threatening species. And then when our time came, we picked off the rest little by little.”
    Emperor Tennou thought to himself. His empire had continued growing and thriving for his hundred year rule, though his decision on the Bionicle race was not taken with as much enthusiasm as he first thought. But in the end he lured the people with his vision, a vision slowly taking shape as one more of that pathetic race falls, humans triumph with him leading them to his own future, a future for which he would not rest until it was made reality.
    Something quickly sparked in his mind at the thoughts- the so called Swert, a mysterious bender who had caused quite the stir in his army, raiding his armies, caravans, and slowly grasping out his secrets. He would not settle for this.
    “Admiral, I would like to know…the whereabouts of the one who calls himself Swert.”
    “It clearly is not his name, rather as an alias…” the Admiral politely pointed out before moving on to the main point. “They just haven't found the exact location of Swert yet. I sent out a few of my scouts to go search in some of the areas where he has been found.”
    The Emperor nodded slowly and turned to see his Advisor, looking down at a map which was placed upon the table. The Advisor rubbed his chin thoughtfully and looked at the Emperor, adding to the new found discussion with, “The majority of their strikes seem to be following this pattern.” He pulled out a pen from his jacket and pointed at the certain area of the map. "If it can be assumed that he will continue this path, we may head him off here."
    “The last thing I want is a war over their petty leader,” the Emperor spoke gruffly. “I have smoothly run this Empire for nearly a hundred years, and I will not tolerate a single dispute. We must take care of an issue quickly and quietly like we always have done…” The Emperor paused and looked around for a moment, his eyes dancing to and fro until they rested at the door up ahead. "Do you hear that noise?"
    The advisor and Admiral looked at each other and then to the door. It was the noise of heavy footsteps and the shouts of someone.
    “Admiral,” Emperor Tennou stated, before pressing his tea cup against his lips to drink, “please tend to that immediately.”
    The Admiral nodded chillingly and quickly walked over to open the door… only to have it violently slammed in his face.
    The sudden clamor of noise sent the emperor to jump, his hands went loose and his tea spilt all over his fine clothes.
    The man was revealed to be dirty from head to toe, his eyes wide with worry and with signs of great weary. His hands shook, and he breathed deeply. Before he did anything, he collapsed and bowed, face nearly going straight in the dirt. “I beg forgiveness…”
    “I should have you demoted for that!” the Admiral snapped, suddenly rushing over and preparing to pull out his sword.
    “You dare… interrupt my tea meditation?!” The Emperor bellowed with rage.
    The scout shook uncontrollably. “Please, pardon my rush in with no say, but this is of great importance!”
    “What would be more--”
    The Emperor cut himself off and looked at the dirty scout, his hands now holding out a small scroll.
    “From Swert, my lord.”
    The Emperor raised his eyebrows slowly; the Admiral snatched the scroll and carefully handing it to the Emperor. He then opened it up.

Dear Tennou,

    You will forgive me for not being there in person... but I don't want to be in the same room as you.
You are holding several of my men as hostages- as well as looking for me to eliminate. I kindly ask you to discontinue the search and release my men. I also ask you stop being such an #%&@#@$.
    I expect my men to be returned to the sacred area within twenty-four hours. They know where to find me.

Sincerely,

P.S. #%&@#@$.

    The Emperor said nothing, but just stared blankly at the scroll and read it over and over again. He closed his eyes for a few moments, and though he looked calm, anger burned dangerously from within. He handed the letter to his Advisor, who read over it also.
    “What happened, soldier?” the Admiral questioned. “I sent two of you men to scout that area many days ago!”
    “Swert captured us and gave me that letter. He killed the other while we were escaping. I believe it was just to show that he could…” His voice trailed off as he wiped sweat from his fore head.
    The advisor slowly stood up and looked keenly at the Emperor with his calm grey eyes. “He is serious, Emperor. We have hit a fault.”