Prologue
Many years ago, shortly after the foundations of the Last Safe City.
"What do you want?"
"Answers."
The massive beast turned its head at that answer and eyed the small creature standing before it. There was nothing special in the small thing's appearance that would set it apart from the others who had come. He was not impressive to look at in any way, however there was something indefinably unique about him. Scaly lids narrowed over malevolent eyes as its serpentine body twisted into a more comfortable position, tucking its feathery wings against its sides. It drummed its talons against the cavern floor as it considered the response.
"Answers? Is that all, little one? Most that seek us out do so for much greater power than that."
"Yes," the man answered, "but there is also an old proverb, from well before the Golden Age of Humanity, that states, 'Knowledge is power,' and that is the power that I desire. I seek understanding."
A rumble of satisfaction sounded in the beast's throat, "Understanding? That is something I can attempt to grant. I could share with you the entire universe, but I doubt you could store that knowledge inside that tiny mind of yours."
"Try me," the man responded, his audacity earning the beast's respect.
"Very well then, human. What do you wish to understand?"
"So many, many things. We have lost so much knowledge, with everything obscured as it has faded into myth. There are so many legends of the Collapse and of the Darkness that came. The Speaker acts as if he knows, but refuses to elaborate. Now I come to you, in hopes that you can shed light on what he keeps hidden. The first mystery I must know is the most straightforward. What drove humanity from the moon?" the man asked the beast before him.
"That answer is more complicated than you begin to fathom, oh listener mine," the beast replied, lowering its dragon-like face down to his level, meeting him eye to eye. To his credit, the man did not flinch.
"Teach me," Toland stated firmly.
The Ahamkara's eyes glinted and it began to speak.
…
AN
Short and to the point. Hello again, everyone. I had spent some time thinking about the next story to tell. I wasn't sure if I should continue the story of Claney and my other OCs following the end of A Not so Simple Patrol, but I think I will save that for after Destiny 2 comes out, since that story ended up pretty much in the present of the game's timeline. Sure, there's a year or two I could play around with, but I don't want to push that one forward yet. Looks for more Tales We'll Tell entries to come covering the time until D2. Many of those characters will also return in a story running parallel with the game's storyline.
One thing that kept coming to mind though, was the story of Eris, the Great Disaster, and the Crota Fireteam. That should be evident by the fact that I have two Tales entries dealing with it. I decided to expand those stories here, giving one long, cohesive narrative leading through that point in Destiny's history.
Now, I make no claims to tell the definitive version of this story. Only Bungie knows how things really happened, and they don't always give us all the answer we want. I realize there are a couple other stories on this site that cover similar ground as well. I almost opted not to write this story for that very reason, not wanting to step on anyone's toes, but... I can't shake it loose, so here we are.
The Author's Note is now almost as long as the actual entry. Trust me, future installments will be much longer than this. Hopefully you follow along and enjoy, oh reader mine.