Disclaimer: Not mine, Bungies. This is a little something that I've been thinking about since finishing the Forsaken DLC. Based on my two characters - a Hunter and a Warlock - this is a carry on after the end of Forsaken and it will help if you have read the other Destiny fic I have done called Battles Aftermath, but it's not essential. Spoilers if you hadn't figured that out by now. I hope to have next chapter up in a few days time. This is just my interpretation of what happens after Cayde's avenged. Once again, for effect, I use Australian English. AM, November, 2018
Filling the Void
By Angel Mouse
The tower seemed so empty these days, so lifeless and empty. Voices were subdued, the atmosphere was grey and there seemed to be no joy or laughter any more. Even the small shops and bazaar seemed to just be going through the motions lately. The return of the Drifter had caused a small stir, and the new challenge he brought had caught the interest of some, but that soon died down as reality kept crashing down on everyone.
Sitting at the highest point she could find at the Tower, Veela stared out at the city below without seeing it at all. Her thoughts were jumbled and mixed up, dark and spiralling in circles. She didn't acknowledge Ikora when she sat down next to her for the longest time until she sighed softly.
"Did you want something Vanguard Rey?" Ikora gave a soft snort.
"Since when are you so formal when we speak Guardian?" Veela took her time answering.
"I'm not sure, just seemed appropriate I guess." The silence stretched out for a long moment and then Ikora spoke softly.
"You seem lost Guardian." Veela nodded slowly.
"Guess I am. Marx was lost to me at the Iron Temple. Aerivina has been lost since the Dreadnaught decimated the Awoken Fleet." Veela shook her head. "I don't begrudge her leaving to help the remains of her people, I told her to go in fact, it was something she had to do." Veela's gaze didn't leave the city below them. "And now he's lost to all of us. You would be feeling his loss most of all Ikora, he was in your fireteam. But he was my Vanguard. I may have avenged him, but I have lost Zavala's trust and respect because I went against his wishes."
Ikora was silent for a long moment as well.
"He was my friend, as well as my fellow Vanguard and fireteam member. He drove us all to distraction some days and others I wanted to strangle him. But oh how I miss him." Ikora looked at Veela with an understanding in her eyes. "You sense it too, don't you Veela?" Veela nodded.
"Yes. The joy is gone. You wouldn't think one person would have made such a difference, would you, but he did." Ikora slowly nodded and looked back out over the city.
"Yes, he did. And we will miss him always for it." They fell silent again for the longest time. Finally, the sun began to slowly set behind the Traveller.
"I'm leaving. I'm going to be heading back to the Tangled Shore and Petra. I have to find her. I need to find her; I need to be reconnected to something solid before I go insane with the emptiness I am feeling right now. And Aerivina is that connection I need right now." Ikora nodded in agreement.
"I understand. Zavala wants to try and pick a new Hunter Vanguard, and had suggested you for the position." Veela shook her head.
"I wouldn't take it anyways Ikora. Tell Zavala to leave us alone, us Hunters will sort it. We'll send you a name or two in a while. Then you can choose who will be our Vanguard. But leave it to us; don't interfere too much with us." Veela finally turned and looked at Ikora. "The Hunters will report to you Ikora in the meantime, we will follow your orders – Zavala's as well. But in the meantime, we will report to you and you alone." Ikora finally showed some surprise.
"Why choose me Veela?" Veela gave a tiny quirk of her lips, before looking back out at the city again.
"Because he trusted you more than anyone else in this city Ikora. And Zavala is too focussed on protecting the city. You see the bigger picture, like he did. So, you're stuck with a bunch of anti-social Hunters who are grieving for their beloved Vanguard, who are angry at Zavala not responding like we him wanted to. And who want to honour him in any way can. So, until we decide who we want to be our new Vanguard, you're our temporary one." Veela shrugged. "And we all agreed that I shall be our spokes-guardian so to speak. So, if Zavala wants us to do anything, try and get him to come to me first or tell us yourself please."
Ikora saw how serious Veela was and understood the reasoning of the Hunters. Anti-social they may be, but a more loyal bunch of Guardians she had never seen besides her own Warlocks. But even her warlocks didn't have the dedication and resolute determination that Hunters seemed to have to their lone duties. The eyes and ears of the Vanguard, they were essential to information gathering that they depended on. So this trust they were showing her was quite an honour.
"I understand. I will explain it to Zavala." Veela nodded.
"Good." Veela stood up and her Ghost appeared. "I shall be back when I find her. Be well Ikora."
"And you Guardian."