A Ruhnga soldier stood at the gate's entrance, his vigilant eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of threat. The Ruhnga were elite warriors, drawn from the ranks of the Agori and Matoran armies, and rigorously trained by the remaining Glatorian and Toa. Only the most skilled fighters could earn a place among them. Under the Enlistment Law, neither Toa nor Glatorian was permitted to join. Each year, approximately 4,500 new warriors were selected from the Agori and Matoran to serve in the Order's legions. Their sole duty was to uphold the faith of one cause, one sacred group: the Order of Mata Nui. Following the Destiny War and the end of Makuta, the Order was officially established, and its members became the protectors of Wha-Nui, as well as the Toa. Wha-Nui was no longer just a city—it had become the heart of the Outlands, the beacon for the newly formed villages after the Great Spirit's final act.
At the helm of Wha-Nui were Dume and the six Turaga from the ancient Metru Nui. The Order's charge was to occupy and defend the city in times of war, a role it had fulfilled during the Second Core War. However, several years past, Helryx and her faithful discovered an ancient city, which they named New Daxia. There, they maintained communication with Wha-Nui. Yet, the Order's ranks had thinned. Besides Helryx, only Axonn, Brutaka, Takanuva, Tobduk, Krakua, Hydraxon, Mazeka, and Trinuma remained. The others had abandoned the Order, their faith shaken by the belief that a threat like Teridax would never rise again.
A few weeks ago, Helryx resolved to reinforce the Order, with the agreement of the remaining members. She was certain that, sooner or later, someone would again seek to challenge the power of the Ignika. Though the Mask had lost much of its power, it remained an object of immense danger.
"Open the gate! The two Tehina warriors have returned!"
The voice echoed through the city, and when the gates parted, two cloaked warriors—each differing in stature—entered, accompanied by two others. Their destination was clear: the Hall of Power, where they would meet Helryx. Helryx had summoned two significant warriors from the Spherus Magna conflict, individuals capable of bridging the gap between the Agori and the Matoran: Ackar and Kiina.
Takanuva stood ready to greet the new arrivals. He was the last to join the Order, determined to continue the legacy of the Great Spirit and the Three Virtues within their new sanctuary. Takanuva had earned the admiration of the people of Spherus Magna, who saw him as a unique hero. Some believed him to be a creation of Artakha, others as the living embodiment of Mata Nui's light. Yet, he cared little for such titles; the protection of the Matoran and Agori was his sole focus.
He welcomed the two Tehina warriors, Brutaka and Axonn. The pair had traveled to Vulcanus, where they had convinced Ackar to leave with them, accompanied by Kiina, to discuss matters of great urgency. Takanuva escorted them to the Korero, Helryx's personal guards, who would guide them to the Hall of Power, where they would be met by Krakua. The meeting was soon joined by Takanuva and Mazeka, who had just returned from a critical mission.
The sole topic of the meeting was only one: reconciling the Agori and Matoran once and for all. At first, Ackar and Kiina seemed reluctant. Helryx, however, persisted, promising them greater supplies of Protodermis—material desperately needed by the Glatorian for the reconstruction of their cities, which had been destroyed in the last great war. Then, the conversation shifted to military matters: a few months ago, a new species known as the "Heroes" had arrived on Spherus Magna. Their initial dealings with the Turaga had been cordial; they pledged to remain outside the boundaries of Wha-Nui and the villages, focusing instead on conducting studies of the land. Most of the Heroes were scientists, escorted by their warrior counterparts for protection.
At the end of the meeting, on behalf of the Order, Helryx extended an invitation to Ackar and Kiina to forge an alliance between the Glatorian and the Order, a bond that would strengthen both. Kiina, though wary, was persuaded. Ackar, however, was not, and as the tension between them grew, the two were dismissed to reflect upon the decision.