Author Note: Woo, boy, this is going to be fun. My first attempt at a proper Fanfiction in years, requested by a good friend of mine (If you're reading this, YOU'RE WELCOME. And also, sorry it sucks so bad) and posted here to give you all something to enjoy. As always, Destiny and its associated characters are owned by their respective companies, I'm just the owner of the tall shit-stain of a Hunter. The rest are owned by the respective friends that sent me their OC's. (On that note, hey, anybody who wants a character thrown in, pass me information on them (Age, Height, Race, Gender, Class, and Super (Get creative with the Supers, I know I have)) and I'll work them in where appropriate) Hope you all enjoy my fun times in the world of Destiny! (PS. Pardon any mistakes you see. I have no one to look over this, and I'm not the best at this just yet. Doesn't help I'm running on no sleep. Also, for those who may have noticed, yes this is also on Archive of Our Own. Good spot!)
Chapter One
Old Russia was known to be hell, even back before the world became a ruin. That hadn't changed in the centuries before, and certainly didn't change now. Luna knew that best of all considering her little brother had contracted a fever that became dangerously close to lethal in the past few days their nomadic group had traveled.
The only stroke of luck was that up ahead was a small camp with a handful of crates, possibly holding much needed medicine. Luna hated the thought of stealing, but it was a necessary evil to save her brother. There hadn't been someone in the camp for two days. It had to be abandoned. Right? A few more steps into its perimeter and those crates would be hers. Fear of discovery was not on her mind. After all, if by some miracle the camp's owner showed up, the scout rifle in her hands, and the dozen members of her group with their own weapons, could take a measly traveler. Or so she thought. Nothing ever reached her ears until a shadow fell over her, cast by the weak rays of the sun peeking through the clouds above, and a deep voice reverberated the air surrounding her.
"Is there a reason you're sneaking into my camp with a weapon in hand? I'd hate to think you're on a mission to kill me, for some misunderstood bounty."
In a flash she made the attempt to spin, maybe even threaten whoever snuck up on her, but there was no one there! "Sorry, can't have you pointing that gun in my direction until I know what's what. State your business."
That voice sent a shiver down her spine. "I-I'm just passing through."
The laughter was even deeper than the voice and shook her bones. "Yes, just passing through; slinking through my camp like a thief in the night. A thief with about...twelve people surrounding the area. One of which is breathing rather hard. Probably sick, possibly life-threatening."
Each word chilled her. How was it possible for him to know that? "One last chance. I don't want to harm anyone, but I don't feel like getting shot right now. What are you doing in my camp?" There was no way to lie to the man. She'd have to be honest, and hope to still receive help.
"My name is Luna, my brother has a fever and can barely do anything; he can't even move properly, let alone breath. We found your camp and thought some medicine might have been left behind in the crates." A hum vibrated in her ear.
"Fair enough. Call your friends out, and bring me the boy. I'll gather the necessary medicine." She didn't know how, but she knew the moment the man stepped away, vanishing into the tent with one of the crates.
A single note whistle signaled her 'family' to come down, one of the older members reaching her first, Johnathon. "The camp isn't empty, there's a man here. He says he'll give us medicine for Matthew." He didn't even question it, simply motioned to another man, who came and brought her brother to them. The sound of the tent rustling snapped her head around. Finally, she'd get a good look at the man.
The sight brought a feeling of awe. Emerging from the tent, was a Guardian! A Hunter, specifically, who stood up and towered over any one of them. The man had to be at least seven feet tall! From head to toe, his armor was as white as the snow they could see off on the distant mountains, with swirls of dark blue held within it. No cloak adorned his shoulders, giving her the chance to see his helmet unobstructed. It was curved and horns sprouted on both sides to curve inwards, small ornaments dangling from them. A soft glow radiated from it. How in the world had the man snuck past them? The only weapons she could spot were a pair of hand cannons, one on each hip, and a knife on his chest over his heart. "This the boy?" A silent nod gave his answer.
Matthew was only eight, and the Hunter seemed to have an air of sadness around him when he knelt down with a small cup in hand. "This will taste disgusting, but it will help you." Matthew drank it like a champ, making Luna smile. Like magic, the medicine went to work immediately. His skin was a few shades lighter and his breathing wasn't so ragged.
"I don't have enough to get rid of the fever completely. The Tower will have far better medicine. Looks like I'll be leading you all to the City." Heads turned in shock; this man, who had been about to be robbed by them, was already planning to help them traverse the dangerous lands? "It should only take another day or two at most, but I can get you there safely. I'd radio in for ships, but the Tower is busy with a festival, and I doubt I'd be able to acquire enough ships."
"A festival?" "Yes. It's called Crimson Days; people give others gifts and spend time together with the ones they care for." Luna's eyebrow shot up. "Then why are you out here? Is there no one to give a gift to?" Again there was that bone shaking laughter. Noticeably, the others felt it just like her. "The opposite. Too many people. I give whatever gifts I can to the people I know, but I do so dislike receiving them, thus I come out into the wild for a week or two, until the festival is long forgotten." A low sigh escaped the Hunter's mask. "Unfortunately for me, we'll make it there before the end of the Festival. Perhaps I'll be able to slip out before I'm noticed." The last part wasn't directed at anyone in particular, but Luna shook her head.
Within minutes the camp was packed up, the crates vanished into whatever mysterious space Guardians always seemed to store things, and the tent roll was strapped onto his lower back. To the surprise of everyone, he even scooped Matthew up into his arms.
"I'll carry him, keep an eye on my six and I'll lead the way."
The trek wasn't as rough as expected but the whole group made good time with the Hunter leading their way. Within a few hours they had cut through areas they'd never have discovered on their own. Soon the distant lights of the City were in their sights, with the Traveler hanging above it. "We'll stop here for the night. We made better time than I estimated. We'll continue in the morning."
The tent was set back up for him, and Matthew was given the sleeping space. After they were settled in, the Hunter disappeared into the trees and came back with a bundle of wood, quickly, and efficiently, making a large campfire for them. The roaring fire relaxed the group, the majority already setting up their own sleeping rolls. The only person other than her that didn't immediately prepare for sleep was Johnathon, who took up position next to the Hunter, who seemed ready to keep a post to watch over them. "We can't thank ya enough for the help, Sir. I don't think we would have made it as far as we did in just a day." "I don't need thanks. It's my job to protect the people. Plus, I'd never forgive myself if I hadn't offered to get you there." Even if he didn't look in the direction of the tent, Luna knew what he was implying. Some kind of guilt lived inside him. Johnathon was the one to look that way. "Still, awfully glad ya did." He offered his hand. The Hunter took it and gave a single shake before he stepped back. "Get some rest. I'll keep first watch for tonight."
Luna's eyes snapped open. She didn't remember falling asleep, and especially didn't remember getting ready for bed, but she was laying in her sleeping roll, with a bundle of cloth under her head. The Hunter was standing in the same spot she last remembered him in. Had he kept watch all night for them? The answer came in the form of Johnathon huffing in annoyance.
"Thought you'd wake me up to trade places." "You all needed rest, I didn't. Simple as that. Once everyone is up, gotten some food in their bellies, then we'll make for the City. Once there, I'll take Matthew up to the Tower for medicine. If you want, you and his sister can accompany me so he isn't alone." "I'm sure she'd like that."
Even while they ate, including Matthew who they fed what little soup they managed to keep, the Hunter didn't move an inch from his post. One of the women in the group took him a bowl of their gruel, but he politely turned it down, stating he ate shortly before they woke. Soon enough they were on the move, in the same positions as before. The walls of the City soon met them, and to their surprise they could see a few guards, civilians, not Guardians, patrolling it. One spotted them and called down, the gates opening to admit them. The guard that spotted them called down when they passed through. "How many groups you gonna bring in man? This makes what, twelve?"
"Fourteen. A good number for this week." Fourteen?! Just who was this man, if he was going out to escort groups like hers? "Help them settle in, and make sure they don't get separated. I've got to take the child up to the Tower to get medical attention." "Can do." Johnathon and Luna matched his pace towards the Tower in the distance. At the base was a handful of doors, but the Hunter led them to the one furthest on the left, an elevator, and they flew skywards. In a matter of seconds they were stepping out into a world of wonder.
Luna could see why the festival was called Crimson Days; beautiful reds and pinks were all around them, from the trees, to banners and lights, even the vendors' stalls were painted a deep red. Other Guardians of all colors zoomed back and forth below them when they stepped out into the plaza. "We'll have to check in with Ikora; she'll be able to assess the child's health. If he needs something more, she'll direct us from there."
They slipped past the bustling Guardians, and down the steps into the Tower itself. Passing a strange woman, hunched over an orb, Luna heard the Hunter call out to her. "Greetings Eris, enjoy the present I left?" She visibly perked up, her voice almost a hiss at first. "I did, much appreciated. Return to me when you have completed your quest, and I will have yours." "I'll be back soon." The hallway leading to the meeting room ahead was packed with more Guardians, but they parted for the Hunter without realizing it. The man commanded a sort of presence even among them. Up ahead were three Guardians, probably the heads of each class, and the Hunter was taking them to the Human woman, a Warlock, that must have been Ikora.
"Need a diagnosis on a child if you have a moment. Found a group of survivors and the child among them had a fever. I gave him what little I had left, but he's still a little weak." Ikora's lips curved up in a smile. "This savior complex of yours might be the death of you at this rate. This makes fourteen groups doesn't it? Always so busy during the time of our festivals." She didn't wait for an answer, and he didn't give one, while she inspected Matthew.
"He seems to be fine, just needs some rest. I can't imagine the trip here, before your intervention, was very relaxing. Take him to the medical wing and give him a bed. If one of them wishes to stay with him, then I can make arrangements once he's settled in." "Thanks Ikora." That smile returned. "You're quite welcome, especially after the book you gave me. Happy Crimson Days." "Happy Crimson Days." The Hunter motioned for them to follow, but Luna stayed behind long enough to give a small curtsey to Ikora.
The medical wing turned out to be the space above them; a smaller courtyard overlooking the City, with plenty of rooms on both sides. Some were empty, some weren't, but the Hunter led them to a small room, closest to the balcony, and Luna discovered why as she entered it. This one had a window that gave them a chance to gaze out into the sky, or to the lands below. "A room should always have a view." Matthew was tucked in one of the beds.
"I'll let you two take over from here. I've got to grab Eris's gift and book it before someone realizes I'm here. I'll come by and check on you in a little bit." He stepped out as another Guardian entered from the other side of the room. An Awoken female, her lavender skin looked like it sparkled, with gold eyes that peeked out from blonde hair she was busy putting into a ponytail. "Oh! I didn't know we had a new admittance." Strolling over to the bed, she beamed at them. "Welcome, I'm Bianca." A datapad appeared in her hand. "Who brought you here? We like to keep track, so the help can be acknowledged."
Johnathon shrugged. "We ain't real sure. He didn't give a name. Real tall guy, white and blue armor, a horned hel-"
"That son of a bitch!" Bianca took off for the door and nearly smashed through it, coming back through with such anger that even out of armor it was easy to understand she was a Titan. "Of course he sneaks in just to vanish before I can get my mitts on him. I never understand why he doesn't like gifts, but damn it!" Picking the datapad up off the floor where it dropped, she tapped something into it. "His name's Odin. If he comes back in, stall him. I'll get him one way or another." The rest of her stay, Bianca cooled down and treated them like family, explaining little bits and pieces about the Tower, of the Guardians, or what the City below was like. She left when the sun met the horizon.
The next time they saw Odin, he was sporting a white scarf wrapped tightly around his neck. At the inquisitive looks, he chuckled. "Eris's gift to me. I'm surprised it was this bright, but I won't complain. How's your brother?" "He's fine, sleeping currently." A hum and he eased around to look at Matthew, sleeping soundly. "Good, good." In the silence, Luna remembered Bianca's words. "Oh, sir, we never caught your name. I can't thank you properly."
It was like a jolt of lightning hit him, and he jerked back. "Ah! Apologies, I always forget in my haste." Spreading his arms to both sides, he bowed low at the waist. "Odin Volsky, at your service." Luna smiled. "My brother is Matthew, Johnathon was the older gentleman that came with us. He's down in the City with the others right now. And I'm Luna." "Ah, named for the beauty hanging in the sky? A good name."
She barely kept the warmth in her cheeks from showing. "Thank you. Have you found any others today?" The mirth in his voice lessened. "Unfortunately no. Which can be good; no signs of others, means no one is in trouble. But, there's always more out there." Something caught his attention; across the room, Bianca was standing with her fists on her hips. "Oh no." "Oh yes!" Both leapt at the same time. Odin for the door, Bianca for Odin, but he reached his target first. Unfortunately, multiple others were waiting for him. A handful of Hunters, Titans, Warlocks, even civilians, of all species, ages, and genders, surrounded him. Bianca smirked. "Thanks for stalling him. I know it's in his nature to give, not receive, but there's plenty of us that need to show our appreciation for him." Her voice thundered over the group. "Better not weasel your way out of this!" Luna giggled and shook her head. Life was finally looking up.