Avohkii

The Kanohi Avohkii is the Great Mask of Light. It is an elemental Kanohi, and allows the wearer to control the Element of Light. It can turn anger into friendship and night into day.

Artakha
Thousands of years ago*, the Matoran of Artakha created the Avohkii. It was meant to be insurance against the possibility that the Brotherhood of Makuta might betray their duty. The Brotherhood did turn evil. Makuta Kojol lead a strike force of Rahkshi and Visorak into Artakha, overcame its defenses, and retrieved the mask so the Brotherhood could guard it.

Brotherhood of Makuta
Thirteen-hundred years ago*, the Toa Hagah discovered that the Brotherhood had stolen the Avohkii. They turned against their employer and temporarily defeated him. Although Roodaka mutated them into Rahaga, the Toa Hagah were able to steal the Avohkii from a Brotherhood of Makuta fortress. Seeking a reversal for their mutation, the Rahaga sought out the legendary Rahi Keetongu while trying to protect other lands from the Visorak hordes, carrying the mask with them throughout their quest. It glowed brightly at all times.

Metru Nui
1,050 years ago*, the Rahaga eventually settled in Metru Nui, hiding from the Matoran by hiding in the Archives. The Avohkii was kept safe in a special chamber only able to be unlocked by the Makoki Stones.

Fifty years later*, after the Great Cataclysm occurred, the Visorak finally invaded Metru Nui. The Rahaga sent the Toa Hordika on a mission to retrieve the Avohkii from its chamber before the Visorak could get to it. To do so, the Toa Hordika first retrieved the six Makoki stone fragments hidden by the Rahaga. After they found it, Onewa used his Rhotuka to encase the mask in stone to conceal the Avohkii's glow from the Visorak.

Hiding of the Mask
After the Toa Hordika drove the Visorak out of Metru Nui, they were changed back to Toa Metru and transported the Matoran to the safety of Mata Nui. Vakama later had a vision concerning the Avohkii's use in the future. In his vision, he discovered that the mask was meant to be kept hidden even from the Matoran. One day, when an adventurous Matoran found the mask, that Matoran would take on the role of Herald of the Seventh Toa, charged with bringing the mask to its rightful owner, the Toa of Light. Therefore, the Toa Metru -- transforming into Turaga after they awakened the Matoran from their Matoran Pods -- carved the stone shelled over the mask into a warning totem, placed it on the far end of a lava tunnel, and waited for the day when destiny signaled the mask was to be used.

Mask of Light Saga
Just a couple months ago, Takua the Chronicler found the mask right before Mata Nui's championship Kolhii match. After Takua and his partner Jaller lost to Ga-Koro's team, the Avohkii slipped out of Takua's pack and into view before the Turaga Vakama, Onewa, and Nokama. Takua, not wanting to take responsibility for the mask's appearance, positioned it so that its glow fell on Jaller. The Turaga took the mask at once to the Ta-Suva, where Nokama deciphered the writings on the inside of the mask. It became official -- Jaller was clearly meant to be the Herald of the Seventh Toa, and Takua would accompany him to chronicle the journey.

Jaller, Takua, and Pewku (Takua's pet Ussal) followed the direction in which the mask shone brightest from Ta-Koro through the jungles of Le-Wahi, the slopes of Ko-Wahi, and the tunnel highways of Onu-Wahi. It was in these dark caves where Makuta Teridax threatened Takua to give up the mask so he would not take Jaller's life. Takua, afraid to take definite action, left Jaller to continue the quest alone. After three Rahkshi attacked Onu-Koro, however, Takua regretted his decision to ditch Jaller and rushed back to join him again. Reunited, Takua and Jaller eventually came to Kini-Nui. Incredulous that such an obviously sacred site could be the Toa of Light's "secret" hiding place, Takua took the Avohkii from Jaller's hands himself. As soon as he touched it, the mask flared up. When Takua shook the mask, a shaft of light shot from the mask and broke apart a portion of the giant stone bust of a maskless Matoran head that overshadowed the Amaja-Nui. Six Rahkshi, aiming to kill the Herald and take the mask then approached. Takua then proclaimed to Jaller that he was the true Herald, as he had clearly been all along, and the two ran to the Amaja-Nui to hold off the Rahkshi.

Working together against the Rahkshi, the Toa Nuva quickly defeated them. All but one Rahkshi did not rise again. As Turahk spread its fear power into Takua and prepared to kill the true Herald, Jaller leapt at the Rahkshi. Jaller clung to the Turahk's staff, but the fear energies overtook his body, and he died as Takua knelt over him. Saddened and given hope by his best friend, Takua donned the Avohkii on his face. It was then that he found the Toa of Light--in himself. The energies of the Avohkii suddenly coursed through Takua, transforming him into Takanuva, the Toa of Light.

Eventually Takanuva faced off with the Makuta Teridax himself in Mangaia. As events unfolded, the Toa, Turaga, and Matoran were able to rediscover Metru Nui and return to it. The Kanohi Avohkii rested on the face of Takanuva from that point forward.

New Form of Avohkii
During guarding the coast of Metru Nui, he was attacked by a Shadow leech causing his mask to turn shape and color into black.

Known Bearers

 * Takanuva

Trivia

 * Unlike most masks, the Avohkii is one of a kind.
 * The Avohkii was released in four colors: gold, 'sparkly', silver, and black.

*All dates given are in relation to the Bionicle Legends saga.