Ahkmou's Lament

I just need one more. Or two
One or two more, and then I'm done
I don't need to put anyone else through this
He'll be back and things will be different
I'll finally get what I deserve
What do I deserve?

Who's there? Show yourself. I'm not afraid
... You. I recognize you. You're the one from my dream
I must still be asleep
What do you mean your dream?
Okay, not asleep, and clearly we recognize one another
Who are you, and how did you find me?
Ide... And you just found yourself here? I don't believe you
A voice? Makuta's voice?!
No. No, Not possible
I'm the only one who can hear-
When I feel doubt, he speaks to me
What do you mean "who are you?"
You're the one who's been invading my nightmares
... Everyone knows me! I'm Ahkmou. Does that ring any bells?
Amnesia?
*Sigh*
Well, it's not exactly uncommon
So, you really don't know me?
And you don't recognize my mask?
You're blind? Oh, goodness
Well, you actually came at the perfect time
Mata Nui
What's wrong? I... I can't- I can't tell you
Though
You're probably the only person who could understand
And not hate me outright
I mean, you've seen my dreams, so you already know
You've... you've felt my nightmares
Alright, you seem good at listening
Or eavesdropping... so I'll tell you
How do they always start it around
The Amaja Circles? In the time before time
I was Makuta's second in command
The only Matoran who knew the truth
He'd whisper things to me from the shadows
How I was spared from the lies of the Turaga
How I was destined for greatness, as important and
Loved as any of the Sons of Makuta
Or, well, maybe I'd tell myself that last part
I did my master's bidding. I obeyed, and sowed
Discord amongst the Matoran around me
I lied and obscured and deceived–all
The hallmarks of a creature of shadow
But eventually, I was found out
And by that misfit Takua of all people!
Life was miserable for a while, but I deserved it, of course
I had hurt everyone around me, but worst of all, I'd failed my master
He didn't speak to me for a long time
The Turaga kept a close eye on me
Tried to bring me back into society
And I- I made an effort, I did, but my heart was never in it
Not really
They'd say things like
"The Great Spirit forgives you" and "You're one of us"
But it wasn't really true
Behind my back they'd whisper
"Too much ambition, that Ahkmou" and
"What scheme is he cooking up now?"
I probably deserved that too
When Mata Nui was dying, I didn't really feel anything
He'd never done anything for me, as far as I was concerned
Except rule the universe from afar
And fall asleep when things got bad
But then... then things changed. Makuta won
He became the Great Spirit, and he... remembered me
I was placed in charge of this very city we stand in
Me? Can you believe it?
My service was rewarded, and for a moment
I got to take out my anger on all the hypocrites
It felt good, for a while, but
Not as good as I'd imagined it would feel
I had to make them build his statues, keep his city running
Keep his universe running. I was helping, but no one could see it
Everyone had to stay in line, or they'd be-
Or I would be... I don't even like to think about it
Even then, though, I was never good enough to be chosen
Like his Shadow Matoran
I was alone, with all the memories of what I'd done
Maybe it made me more obedient, more dark
I didn't care. I was wanted, even as a pawn
Then he was gone, and things went back to the way they were
"Traitor Ahkmou." "Don't believe anything he says."
"Just ignore him." There was no place for me... probably never was
Even among the Shadow Matoran
I was a traitor, more than they ever were
They were forgiven. I was not
Nothing I could do would ever make the Matoran trust me again
Ha, Gavla told me
"You've no light left in you. Less than I ever had." And she was right
Change isn't possible for me
I'm a selfish coward. Always have been
And I had lost hope of being anything else
Are you still listening?
Um... There's a little more to be said
I wandered for years, hiding out in the back alleys and ruined tunnels
And then... I found it
Deep in the underdark of these ruins, as if he had meant me to find it
It was just a fragment of his mask... the Mask of Shadows
But it spoke to me... he spoke to me
He was always there, whispering my own doubts to me
But that's when I started listening
There was a way... a way to make things right. A way to bring him back
I broke into the New Archives and found what I needed
Records from before the war. Old maps and travelers' accounts
Then I set out. No one cared if I didn't come back
I trekked across the wastelands, far out to where the winds whip
Across the cliffs of Aqua Magna, and I found it there
The hidden fortress of the one called the Dreamweaver
The legends said that he could grant any desire
If you had the will for it. And they were true
I could change from a Matoran to a Toa of Shadow and back again
Give me the power to open doorways through space with just a thought
Even summon the Rahkshi themselves, just like the Makuta
It was all the Dreamweaver's power, though, of course
Not mine. But still. He made dreams reality. We struck a deal
He said that he could resurrect Makuta
Exactly as he was when he was killed
All I had to do was... was bring him people. Bring him dreams
They wouldn't be harmed, just asleep
And with enough of them dreaming the same dream
He could bring Makuta back just as he was when he died
Then Makuta would see what I've done, and finally
Finally I would have the life I deserve!
I just need one or two more dreamers now
And it will all be finished