Challenge Accepted?

Sean was hurt. Bad. But he would not submit. Not for this. Even if the other had ignored the rules, he would not. Neither combatant spoke. There was nothing more to say.

José's sneak attack had bit deep into Sean's warframe. But the warframe was healing him. José had stipulated no mods on the Skana, he hadn't said anything about mods on the warframe. Sean had known going into this that he would be hurt no matter the outcome so had modded for endurance and healing. José was a melee specialist. Sean was more of a generalist, with a focus on denying enemy movement and protecting allies. That did not mean he was clueless with a Skana however. Far from it.

José darted in, but Sean parried the attack and his counter struck deep into the Excalibur's bio-armored arm. The Excalibur raised his sword straight up, but Sean spun behind a rock wall and rolled. This time, the energy Skana missed, if just barely. Sean spun to his feet and waited. Sure enough José sped around the corner, confident that his attack had at the very least disabled the Oberon. He tried to backpedal as he saw Sean standing ready, but it was too late. He too was skilled and he managed to interpose his Skana, so the strike that would have cut the Excalibur's head off and ended the battle right there instead bit deep into the neck of the warframe before it was stopped by the combination of armor and parry. Sean retreated a step as José countered and the Excalibur's swing met nothing but air.

This time, Sean was ready when José raised his sword up straight. The Oberon's backhanded cut was more slap than strike. However, it was powerful enough to break the Excalibur's concentration and throw him into the wall of the small rocky corridor they found themselves in. Now, Sean took to the offensive. He raised a hand from his Shana and energy poured from it. The Smite bolt did not hurt José significantly. It did befuddle him for a moment. Long enough for Sean to set himself. Skana met Skana in a skreel of high technology steel.

Since the dawn of human history, there had been two kinds of swordfights. The first kind happened when one or the other combatant was either outclassed or disabled in some way. Those battles generally ended quickly. But if neither combatant had an advantage, the battle could go on for some time. José was marginally stronger and his warframe was set up for melee combat. Sean was a slight bit faster and his warframe was set up for defense. Both were equally skilled. Neither had an advantage. The ground was clear of obstructions but had enough little nooks like the one they were struggling in to make line of sight difficult to keep. Add to that, warframes healed the users and... Well...

This was going to take a while.

José retreated, giving up ground to seek a more advantageous site to launch attacks from, but Sean was right on his heels. Sean paused as José crossed the line in the sand, but nothing happened to the Excalibur and the Oberon charged after him, intent on keeping the other from using any of his powers. José began a kata and Sean retreated from it. He wasn't skilled enough to break through it without taking serious damage, so the Oberon backpedaled instead. José finished the kata and began another intent on pushing Sean back, but this time, the Energy Siphon on Sean's warframe had accumulated enough power from the surrounding area to power one of his abilities. When the Oberon raised his hand, José cut his kata short and rolled away only to jerk as the ground underneath him suddenly became charged with energy. Sean stepped onto the energy carpet and attacked without hesitation.

José backpedaled away from the advancing Oberon, but he wasn't moving as fast. The Hallowed Ground energy was slowing him down. The he jumped up and Sean followed belatedly as the Excalibur Bullet Jumped towards an outcropping in the distance. But... what was José doing?

BEWARE!

Inaros' warning came too late. Sean could only stare as José rolled atop the outcropping and grabbed up something from the dirt. Then Sean landed, set himself and prayed as he charged forward even while knowing he had no chance.

"No one tells me what to do." José said angrily as he leveled the Boltor Prime and opened fire.


Inaros stood, staring in shock as the Excalibur blazed away with the weapon he had apparently hidden before approaching the area designated for the duel.

The Oberon had managed to find solid ground and he held his Skana up, blocking the rain of projectiles that came from the golden weapon in the hands of the Excalibur as he tried to close with his enemy. But he couldn't stop them all. Bolt after bolt slammed into his warframe, each cumulative strike adding to the stresses the bioarmor was suffering. It wouldn't last. He couldn't...

Inaros groaned as the Oberon missed a block and the bolt slammed into Sean's chest near where the cowardly attack that had begin the duel had struck. Again and again, the Excalibur shot the Oberon. Sean went down in a heap and did not move, his Skana flying from his hand. José shot him three more times even after he was down. Only then did he turn to Inaros.

"I win." The Excalibur crowed. "Do it!" He demanded of Inaros.

Do what? Inaros retorted, his calm a thin mask for a rage that should have made José flee. But the younger Tenno wasn't that bright.

"Take his energy!" The Excalibur waved the muzzle of his Boltor at the fallen Oberon. "He lost."

Did he? Inaros shook his head. The duel never began. The Excalibur froze in place as the anger -no, the rage!- in Inaros' heart was given full voice. There are forms in such things for a reason. Namely honorless curs like you! The sand in the area rose and wafted as if on invisible wind, bouyed by the ancient Tenno's wrath. Leave my territory or you will beg for death, brat.

"I won! You cannot tell me what to do!"

Waving the muzzle of his Boltor Prime in the direction of Inaros was not wise. Before it was even aimed, the Excalibur gave a screech as the ground underneath his feet opened up and his feet sank into it up to his calves. The hole immediately closed around his legs and power sang all around him, holding him in place. He struggled, but was going nowhere. Inaros had a hand up, but froze as another voice sounded.

"No. Inaros... Don't." Sean pleaded, trying to sit up and hold the holes in his warframe shut in at the same time. He failed on both counts. "You... are better... than..." He slumped as his warframe systems failed.

Inaros was at Sean's side in an instant, but it was too late. The Oberon lay still. His energy called to the ancient Tenno, but Inaros did not touch it. Instead, his hands wove a complicated pattern over the fallen Tenno, sealing his energy inside his warframe. Keeping him in place and asleep. Safe for now.

I don't know that I am better sometimes, brother Sean. Inaros said sadly as he gathered the fallen Oberon up. I just don't know.

"Hey! You cannot leave me here like this!" José screamed in his prison.

Watch me. Inaros cast the fool from his mind as he focused his will on another. Nikis. Hear me.

Is it done? The profound sadness in the other ancient Tenno's mental tone would have shocked anyone but another of his peers, few of whom still existed. But Inaros understood.

No. Inaros carried Sean's still form into the cave and then paused. Sean would have faced the duel with honor. The other chose not to. Nikis inhaled and Inaros continued. He struck before the forms were even started and when he was denied an easy victory, he picked up a weapon he had hidden and shot Sean with it.

That little shit. The ice cold rage that exploded into Nikis' mental tone might have frightened an earthquake. It certainly frightened Inaros. He alive?

For now. Inaros replied. I stuck him in place. Get someone out here to get that filth out of my territory!

On the way. We were close. Ready for...whatever. Nikis' tone promised pain to the Excalibur and not a little of it. Sean?

He fell, but like I said, the forms were not done. The duel never started officially. He is dead, but not gone. Inaros could not have missed the sudden tension from the other if he had been mind blind. Nikis... you told me not to alter any Tenno. But... I can save him. I wasn't clear before, Nikis. I killed the first three I found. I erred, used too much force and I could not heal them. To atone, I brought them back. Gave them new lives. All of the others, I give a choice to. There was no response. Nikis, please! Let me save this brother!

When next a voice spoke into his mind, it wasn't Nikis. Inaros froze as the voice of the First Tenno sounded in his mind. Nikis had summoned Hayden!

Do you swear to me on the Code that we all follow that you will give him the choice? Hayden Tenno asked slowly. That you will not compel him to your service? You know the penalty if you swear falsely and use the powers of a Guardian wrongly.

Inaros nodded, although it was wasted on someone who wasn't present. The fate of a Guardian who transgressed such was horrific in the extreme. Nikis and Hayden had know that anyone with such power would be tempted to use it and it was a slippery slope ethics wise. So easy to start down, so hard to stop once moving. So, they had crafted a special punishment for any who dared to use their power for enslaving others. Inaros had skirted the line before, but he had never crossed it. To his knowledge, no one had. Then again, he didn't know a lot of the history that had led to this point in time, so... maybe.

I have done horrible things, First Tenno. Inaros said softly. I erred in dealing with the first three humans I encountered in my domain. I killed them although that was not my intent. I brought them back, gave them new lives to atone for my mistakes. The others are given a choice. I swear I will not bind this brother in any way to me.

We will be watching. Hayden's tone was both warning and benediction. A caress of the mind and then the shade of the First Tenno was gone.

Nikis. Inaros laid Sean down on the floor of the cavern they had used to talk and concentrated. Energy sang all around him and the fallen Oberon. Sean recommended a Healer vet what I have done and how. To prove that I have not bound anyone to my service except the three I killed. I have nudged them into safer courses of action, but I have not brainwashed anyone but those and them to fix my mistakes.

The only Healer I would trust for that would be Iriana. Nikis said flatly. And she would be in danger the moment she leaves her haven. I cannot allow that. She has been hurt enough.

I see. Inaros started examining the broken Oberon physically and scarabs eased from tiny holes in the walls to surround the pair of warframes. Trust must begin somewhere. I can give names of three who chose not to stay in my territory. They found refuges elsewhere. They can be examined for brainwashing. I sequestered their memories, so it may be difficult.

It is a start. Nikis said softly. You will need more information on this time. A lot has changed. One thing, if a sort-of Tenno in a red and black sort-of warframe shows up and starts asking you for stuff, do yourself a favor and kill him. Inaros jerked at that and Nikis snarled. He's a kinslayer.

Wonderful. The irony in Inaros' voice could have cut steel. Does he count as Tenno if he shows up?

Nope. The glee in Nikis' tone could only be called 'feral'. If Stalker shows, knock yourself out. It won't be him. Just copies. The main form is hidden somewhere no one can find it. Probably the Void. So, we kill him when he shows.

What fun. Makes me glad I plan to stay isolated. Inaros watched as the scarabs flowed over the Oberon, mending the tears in the fallen Tenno's armor. He slumped a bit when Sean heaved a little and then the energy started flowing properly again through the warframe again and Inaros relaxed a little. Sean lives. I will have him ready for you to take when you arrive. I have not touched his mind or altered his energy in any way.

You know I cannot take your word for such things no matter how I might wish otherwise. Nikis sounded old and tired and Inaros nodded. We will vet him.

He is a good kid, Nikis. Inaros laid a hand on Sean's horned helmet and shook his head. I can keep him in stasis until you arrive. I think that would be best. The other really irritated me when he violated the rules. I can only imagine how Sean feels.

Not everyone thinks honor is important. Nikis' tone was flat, but the undercurrents said much. People can take it too far, but... Still... Without it, things get bad. We are inbound. 30 to dirt.

I will bring him. About honor? No argument. The sound of Liset engines in the distance came and Inaros rose to his feet, picking up the still Oberon and carrying Sean to the cave mouth. He had to chuckle on seeing the Excalibur. The imprisoned Tenno had apparently thought to discard his weapon, but it was hanging in midair less than half a meter from his hand, tethered to the Excalibur by a thin trace of energized sand. Idiot.

The Liset hovered overhead and no less than four fully armed Tenno dropped from it. All of them landed beyond the line that delineated his territory, Inaros noted with a smile. Nikis stared from the frozen Excalibur and his weapon to Inaros and back and then the ancient Nekros burst out laughing.

"There are certain people ya simply should not piss off, boy." The Nekros was shaking his head as the others, a Nyx Prime, an Excalibur Prime and a Trinity stepped forward. "I would have shot ya and left ya in a rotting shell for a bit. Do yourself a favor, brat. Don't resist. None of us are happy with ya, from the Elders on down."

"HE HAD NO RIGHT!" The frozen Excalibur screamed. "I WON!"

Inaros looked at the others and they looked at him. In unison, all five of them shook their heads. Inaros stepped to the edge of his territory and held out the Oberon to the Trinity who took him. She laid him down and started scanning as Inaros stepped back. Everyone else was looking at the line on the sand and the frozen Excalibur who was inside it. Nikis looked at Inaros and shrugged. Inaros made a 'shoo' gesture and the ground underneath the frozen Excalibur started to undulate, moving him towards the line while still frozen.

"Still a showoff, I see." Nikis said with a grunt as the imprisoned Excalibur crossed the line and his weapon fell to the ground. He jerked and then was held by the Nyx and the other Excalibur. He started struggling, but the Nyx did something and he slumped in their arms.

"Takes one to know one." Inaros retorted evenly. "Get that piece of trash out of here."

"Yeah." Nikis sighed as the Nyx and Excalibur Prime started off, carrying the immobile Excalibur. "Thanks for not doing what I would have." Inaros shook his head and Nikis sighed. "We have history, you and I. I trust your word, but the Elders will want proof."

"I can show what I did." Inaros' tone was quiet and calm. "I didn't mean to enslave any. I did not give the ones I killed a choice, but I can." The Trinity jerked and Inaros bowed his head. "I killed them, sister. I didn't mean to. All three were hurt very badly by the Grineer. One was dying by inches as he walked. I tried to take them prisoner and my constructs killed them. That is my fault and my responsibility. I could not put things as they were, but I could give them new lives."

"I am not the proper one to judge such." The Trinity said softly. "But this brother lives. You have my thanks for that." She lifted Sean's still form easily and carried him away.

For a long moment, the Nekros and the other stared at one another. Then Inaros held out a hand. Nikis looked at it.

"Better not be a joy buzzer there." Nikis said with a grunt. Inaros shook his head and something dropped from the hand to be caught by his other hand. Nikis took the proffered hand and they shook. "Good to see ya. I don't know how this will play out but... I hope for the best. Too few of us old farts still around."

"Hey." Inaros stepped back and affected hurt pride. "Speak for yourself! I am not an old fart!"

"Riiight." Nikis looked around the clearing and toed the Boltor Prime where it lay. "Ya want this?"

"Not particularly." Inaros said sourly. "Good weapon, but tainted by that idiot. I want the colony to survive, Nikis. No more."

"Do they still believe ya a god?" Nikis asked. Inaros shook his head savagely and the Nekros nodded. "Good. Or bad." He had a smirk in his voice as Inaros groaned. "Watching ya squirm never got old."

"You are just a bad as ever." Inaros complained. "Would have thought you would have mellowed some, old man."

"Lots of bad in the time you missed, Inaros." Nikis said softly. "Too much to go over now. I am betting Sean will feel obligated to ya. Don't push it." He warned.

"Nikis..." Inaros looked away. "I have caused enough problems for our kin. Wouldn't it be better for me to disappear? Completely vanish?"

"No." The older Tenno said softly. "This world is very different from the one ya knew, but it has far more pain in it as well. We do what we can as Tenno always have. We could use ya help, even just as a stabilizing influence here." He pointed at the dirt beneath his feet. Then he bent down and picked up the fallen Boltor Prime with two fingers as if it was soiled. "As an ally, not an enemy."

"Would they allow that after what I have done?" Inaros asked. "The Elders?"

"I dunno. We will find out."