Disclaimer: Characters/factions/items that were not mentioned/owned by DE or the Warframe franchise belong to me. I do not own any characters/factions/items that do belong to the said franchise (e.g Lotus).
A/N: Since the Second Dream's release, it should be noted that this will contain SPOILERS for those who have not played it through yet. Admittedly, I've only recently got back into the game, so I might not get some details right. Still, for those who do know of the quest, it's my take on how the Tenno and Warframe system works so if it gets confusing, let me know ^^" Otherwise, enjoy!
Way of the Weapon: Child's Play
The Mesa he's with, is true to frame; lean and quick, rolling with energy and releasing volleys of bullets. She's got her guns out as soon as she dropped from the ventilation shaft they were in, instantly shooting at everything that wasn't Tenno or Warframe.
Maybe she's one of the Madurai too, a child's voice mused through his mind, young in sound but wise in tone.
The Madurai were known for charging headfirst into battle with no fear or worry, as one of the Schools they had recently rediscovered when he had rescued her.
Engage the Enemy; we're good at that too aren't we?, there was a smile in her voice when she spoke.
Energy flowed through him then, thundering through veins and bones and metal, spreading to the tips of his fingers. The nikana in his hands surge with energy; the Excalibur jumped down into the fray, tip of the blade pointed down. His sword glowed in the same energy emitted from his being, and as he stabbed it into the ground; ethereal javelins appeared in the air then pierced into every enemy he had accounted for.
Twelve Grineer (Butchers, Ballistas and Bombards), hung flimsily from the walls before they were dropped unceremoniously down onto the floor. Some of them got up, and were quickly put down with a succession of bullets from his Burston. In the corner of his vision, more troops filed through an opened door. A switch from his primary to his melee later, another course of energy flowed through him, this time igniting his nikana into his Exalted Blade. Running towards the group, he cut down and past each one of them, his blade singing for blood.
In the back of his mind, beyond the calls of death the Grineer enjoyed shouting at them, he recalled the blaring sound of an alarm. Now, with the mangled bodies of the clones at his feet, it was deathly quiet.
So they do make their Primes better. A deeper voice, boyish but mature.
Excalibur turned his head to his companion, Mesa's gun twirling about her fingers until she holstered it. She leaned on one leg, hand on one hip and tilted her head.
Neither 'Frames spoke.
A Prime but still a Warframe, he heard her argue, we're all Tenno here.
So you say, Mesa crossed her arms in front of her torso as the other Tenno spoke, but not all of us could pick a Prime.
Don't be jealous, she snapped.
This was not going to end well.
What a Madurai thing to do; jumping into conclusions, he retorted, and for the record I am Zenurik.
Movement at their peripheral had them whipping their weapons out, Mesa with her guns and Excalibur his blades. A lone Lancer walked through one door, seemingly unaware of the poised dangers until he looked up. A cry would have escaped it, if a metal arrow hadn't embedded itself into it's throat and made him hang like a doll on the wall.
The both of you are so noisy, a Wukong dropped in after them from the ventilation above, his Operator sounding much displeased at her friend, that I'm surprised we haven't been found yet.
Shut it Jun, the Mesa holstered her weapon as her Operator grumbled back. And they can't even hear us so why bother not shouting?
'Cos you're loud and we, Wukong gestured to the three of them, can hear you?
Excalibur looked back, towards the opposite platform where they were from. The trail of bodies they had left behind there vanished into blue particles; he looked up and perched atop of a wire was Ivara with her bow. She faced him, with that singular lighted circle like an eye, and nodded at him. He nodded back then waved at his friend, as their Operators continued with their squabbles.
Best we move on, all of you, Ezra voiced; Ivara quickly fired another line onto the opposite platform, jumping onto it to tip toe down towards them. When she reached them, Ezra continued, Lotus wants those engineers rescued sooner rather than later.
All four Warframes nodded to each other, a harmonious silence that each one were accustomed to. Back then, it had been nothing but quiet exchanges and some times frantic gestures during missions. The only voices they listened to had only been the Lotus's and their respective Cephalons. Things were… a little different now.
Tell Miss Madurai here that I'm not jealous of her Prime first.
Tell the Zen that Prime or not, it doesn't matter.
Why are you fighting about this again Tol?
It was just an observation Jun! The Mad here thinks it's an insult and then…, a snort from Tol, got mad.
Hilarious Tol, Jun deadpanned, and you had implied it, Tol.
Did not, Jun.
Ezra, tell them to apologise!
Mina, say you're sorry. Tol, say you're sorry. Now can we get on with the mission before I leave all of you behind?
Ezra sounded irked. Ivara glanced towards Excalibur expectantly, tilting her head in a way that made it seem like she was glaring at Mina. Awkwardness placed itself into the chatter, until Tol broke it.
Fine. Mesa shrugged a shoulder up towards Excalibur, an apology on her part for Tol's behaviour.
Fine, Mina agreed, disgruntled. Quietly, so that only he could hear, she said, Don't you dare laugh.
He would if he could; things were much quieter before he could hear bickering children in the background. Now Excalibur listened in amusement as they all argued and made noisy interactions with one another.
Thank the Lotus. Wukong then sprinted ahead, flying through the door as purple energy glittered after him. Last one to extraction is a rotten Threshcone!
A series of more complaints and calls echoed in each Warframe's mind, as they continued on with their mission with mild amusement over their Operators child personas. Excalibur wondered briefly what any of their foes would think, if they knew that the deadly Tenno were just children. Probably ashamed he thought, seeing as they were all bested by a bunch of brats.
Not brats, Mina pouted at him.
No not brats, he agreed.
But close enough.