I took the stars from my eyes, and then I made a map
And I knew that somehow I could find my way back
Then I heard your heart beating, you were in the darkness too
So I stayed in the darkness with you
Cosmic Love – Florence and the Machine
It is quite impossible to describe these events to you, for you are a being of linear time. From your birth you have been immersed in it. It is part of the universe in which you live. It is the vehicle for your life, every action you take, and every thought that passes through your mind. Every perspective you will ever have is viewed through the inevitable lens of cause and effect.
So to tell this story, we must accept certain limitations. We cannot understand these events truly in their complexity. As a square on a paper could not comprehend a cube, we cannot comprehend what occurs here.
With that being said, let us try anyway.
Deep within the Vex fortress known as the Vault of Glass, something stirs. It is notable for being less of a something and more of a someone. Well, two someones, in a way. Or just one, from a different angle.
Semantics like this distinction are very confusing in a place like this.
Two eyes open, as they always have opened, and always will. This action is written into the fabric of time. It is ensured existence by the will of a single being (or two). This being is notable then, too, for having a will, because for the Vex in this place and time there is only the Pattern. This being(s), though part of the Pattern, exists only through its own will(s).
They move, the two of them, as they always move from this fissure in the wall. This fissure has been occupied only once, but also a thousand nights. They always sleep in different places, yet this sleep and waking have happened an uncountably infinite number of times.
The sound of footfalls, though inevitable as the being's waking, do not echo. Or they do echo, but not now, and not here (In the Vault, these two are partially synonymous.). In this way, the being goes unnoticed by the Gorgons of the maze. They are so very, very, careful. They do not make mistakes. In this way, they exist when others do not.
They pull along their other Human companion, the three of them rushing towards a specific location, a specific time, a specific timeline. This happens but once. The new (and old) companion holds a different air about him. The Vault writhes against it, but cannot overcome it completely.
They hold it in their hands. A shield. The last of Kabr's light. A comfort. The potential is there, but the actions are not taken.
The Gorgon explodes, peppering her with shrapnel. They hiss at the pain, at the defeated corpse of their foe, at the Darkness that rushes in to steal their breath. They hate this. It's sloppy. And it wastes bullets. They must do better.
The Gorgon explodes, peppering the surrounding rock with shrapnel. She hisses at the corpse and releases her Ghost to collect what he may. The Mythoclast is empty. The Requiem, nearly so. Over the dripping echoes, they hear the whine of Harpy lifters around the corner.
They check the gun. Half a magazine left. Seven bullets. They turn to Praedyth besides them, who is panting in exertion. "I'll deal with the Fanatics. You just run." The Warlock nods. The threads of causality pull together into a tapestry. The Hunter smiles.
The Gorgon floats past. Its gaze sweeps smoothly over their hiding place. The second one rounds the corner, and it spots them. Its death draws the attention of the other.
They tuck themselves into a crevice in the wall, pushing back and back until the ambient glow of the Maze is a dim line. She needs sleep. There isn't enough Light here to sustain them. They place the sidearm on her lap, and she leans her head against the wall.
The first Gorgon explodes, peppering the other one with shrapnel. A knife in the second one's eye is enough to down it. They loot the bodies for all they're worth and move on.
The two of them carefully climb the wall, every movement deliberate. One floats invisibly a few feet from the expanse. The other half goes by hand and foot, scaling the cliffside. They reach the door, take out a sidearm (three bullets), and shoot the controls once. They grab the person inside and start running.
This is what they had been searching for. What they would continue to search for. But here and now it as in front of them. The gate is open. In this exact time and this exact place, the way is clear.
They check the sidearm. Less than half a magazine left. Five bullets. They turn to Praedyth besides them, who is panting in exertion. "I'll deal with the Fanatics. You just run." The Warlock nods. The threads of causality pull together into a tapestry. The Hunter smiles.
She gasps in a breath. Life, just enough of it, drives the air out, and then back in. Alone. The two of them are alone. The rest of their Fireteam isn't here. Just a Hunter and her Ghost. Water drips up the walls of the chasm.
The Ghost puts what light he can into healing the shattered bones. Survival here depends on being able to run and fight. The Hunter bows her head and murmurs an apology. There's not much point. She will fall again, and not have enough Light to catch herself. It was inevitable. The Ghost finishes healing her wrist and secrets himself away in the folds of her hood. His eye is the dimmest of stars.
The three of them finally make it to the gate. The Warlock is slow, the Hunter is delayed. But they were here and will be here. It's open. It's impossible. The door does not open, ever. Yet here it is, the shimmering field alive with some Vex calculation. Maybe it's a trap. The distant screams of fanatics say otherwise. There is hope.
TYPE: LIVE COMBAT FEED
PARTIES: Three [3]. One [1] Guardian-type, Class Hunter [u.4]; One [1] Ghost-type [u.1], One [1] Guardian-type, Class Warlock [u.2]
ASSOCIATIONS: Atheon; Jax, Azra; Praedyth; Templar's Well; Vault of Glass [Venus]; Vex
/AUDIO UNAVAILABLE/
/TRANSCRIPT FOLLOWS.../
[u.2:0.1] Why am I going first?
[u.4:NaN] Because I'm the one that sprung you, so I get to decide.
[u.4:NaN] Because I can survive in here and you can't.
[u.4:1.4] I was and am and will be behind you. This can work.
[u.4:NaN] Because I'm not sure the gate will take two.
[u.4:0.5] Don't argue, just go!
[u.2:0.2] The gate is open?
[u.4:0.2] Better than staying here.
[u.4:3.5] He's through. Now our turn. You with me, Spark?
[u.2:0.3] Azra, what's going on?
[u.1:0.1] I don't know why it's different, but it is. Things don't just change here.
[u.4:-0.4] Do you need a countdown or something?
[u.4:3.6] You with me?
[u.2:0.4] Here goes nothing.
[u.4:NaN] Because you're the Warlock, you'll be more use to them.
[u.4:0.7] Praedyth, just go! I'll be behind you.
[u.2:0.7] It's… it's open! It's real! When did this happen?
[u.4:3.6] You with me?
[u.2:0.8] What if it doesn't work and it just kills us?
[u.4:0.5] Why do you talk so loud?
[u.4:7.5] Ten, nine, three, seven, three, three, eight, ten, ONE! Four, three, seven, three, three, thirteen, five,
[u.4:3.6] You with me?
[u.1:0.8] I can't believe that actually worked.
[u.2:0.9] Give me a minute to catch my breath…
[u.4:3.6] You with me?
[u.1:9.9] I'm with you. Go.