From the introduction: Long ago, in the time before time, there lived the Great Spirit, who descended from the heavens carrying us, called the Matoran, to this paradise. We were separate, and without purpose, so the Great Spirit illuminated us with the Three Virtues- Duty, Unity, and Destiny. We embraced these gifts and in gratitude named our island home Mata Nui, after the Great Spirit Himself. But our happiness was not to last. For Mata Nui’s brother, the Makuta, grew jealous of these honors and betrayed Him, casting a spell over Mata Nui who fell into a deep slumber. The Makuta was free to unleash his shadows, and unleash them he did. This is the legend of the Bionicle.