A/N: I'm early! But man, was this chapter killing me. The amount of times I rewrote this until I was satisfied... Jesus, and now I'm just dreading the next chapter. Totally got lazy to create another made up language for the Fallen so anything Italics is Fallen languages.
Also, just a heads up, I've been given more shifts at work due to some people leaving the company so once again, updates may be slow…maybe even more so than the usual wait. I'll do my best to make the deadline to ease your sufferings guys so please be patient with me!
Alright then, enjoy this Fallen filled chapter!
Circle of War
"Understanding is not an end, but a beginning from which new truths are born"
CHAPTER EIGHT – Fractured
More than three days after the scouting mission in Rome, Riley and SERP had finally been called back to the Hall of Guardians. They're waiting for the verdict of their previous mission which was finally coming to surface. SERP, Lux and Evan had managed to descend the colosseum without alerting any bells and even managed to locate a console to hack into. Their Ghosts succeeded in discovering several significant leads and plans the House of Plagues were working towards. One of which were plans to stage a full assault against the City once more, just like Twilight Gap.
In the early hours of the morning with the sun finally peaking over the horizon, the two titans descended the steps towards their destination. It was no surprise to see the vanguards already waiting for them along with several others. Riley recognized both Evan and Lux in the mix of guardians surrounding the large table in the centre of the room. As the titans neared the table, Ikora was first to greet them with a smile and wave.
"Good, it seems everyone is accounted for" she said, quickly scanning the sea of eager faced guardians. Lux waved both SERP and Riley over and Evan offered them a 'thumbs up' with a wide grin. The pair merely nodded and waved their greetings in return as they stood side by side them. "Before we begin, SERP, the Speaker has requested your immediate attention in the North District"
SERP paused, locking eyes with Riley before nodded his head and turned to leave. The young apprentice watched as his mentor left, tackling a new mission that did not require his aid. He sighed, a little disappointed that his mentor would not be joining them. Evan noted the titan's change in mood and nudged him with his elbow. He smirked; wiggling his eyebrows which only made Riley cast him a wary look of displeasure. Before Evan could speak, Ikora's voice echoed across the room, commanding attention again.
"Guardians, we called you here to confront the growing threats of the Fallen. Due to our scouts' actions, we have come to terms that the House of Plagues, stationed in Rome is manufacturing weapons of destruction."
"We believe another attack on our city is due if something is not done" Cayde said, shaking his head gravely at the situation. "Hence, we have called upon your help, guardian."
"Your mission is to depart for Rome promptly where your field fireteam leader, Pahanin Errata will debrief you on site."
"Guardians, listen up" Ikora said with a clap of her hands. "I want to stress the gravity of the situation at hand here, guardians. Rome is a deadzone and has been lost to the Fallen, however under any circumstances, do not fail us. Humanity is depending on you all to achieve victory over our enemies. Keep your wits about you, guardians and return home safely."
With that, the group was dismissed from the hall with a little under an hour to prepare. The trio decided to pack and meet at the hanger within twenty to thirty minutes. Riley quickly headed for his room, calling Orion to assist him. It didn't take long to quickly gather his weapons, armour and any rations he had that would last him for a couple of days. He double checked his short list of items and exited his room only to bump into SERP in the hallway. The titan was deep in thought but appeared to be waiting for Riley at the end of the hallway. Riley was quick to join him with a wave.
"Sir?"
The Exo glanced up and met eyes with the younger titan. He nodded his head, relaxing his stiff posture before patting Riley's shoulder.
"I'll be leaving immediately for Venus, Riley" SERP explained and paused, trying to figure out how he would break whatever had been eating at him. "I do not…know when I'll return but I want you to be careful."
Riley nodded, "of course, sir."
"Listen, Pahanin is a good friend of mine. You do well to follow his orders as if they were my own. Eyes up, make sure you breathe and remember what I have taught you."
Again Riley nodded but this time he was hesitating. "SERP…are you implying something?"
The Exo was silent before chuckling. He shook his head and squeezed Riley's shoulder slightly then turned on his heels. Riley quickly caught up with him and the pair took the lift to the Tower's Watch together. For a long while, SERP said nothing, his eyes concentrated on the doors in front of him. Riley waited, feeling a little uneasy as he went over SERP's words. It wasn't the first time the two were separated from one another. There were quite a few times SERP had to stop training for a few days in order to answer the vanguard's calls. Riley remembered those unproductive days of endlessly waiting for his mentor to return. However this time, something felt different.
Almost off.
The elevator doors slid open on their floor and the pair exited into the massive busy hanger. Riley spotted Lux and Evan standing by one of the Frames that was nonchalantly speaking with them regarding their Jumpship. Before Riley could join them, SERP reached out and gripped his shoulder.
"Return home safely, you hear me?"
Riley nodded, a smile spreading on his face. "You too, sir. I'll wait for you, at our usual spot at the bar, okay?"
SERP nodded, chuckling at his apprentice. He released him and waltzed towards his own Jumpship in waiting without looking back. Riley watched him disappeared in a blur into his Jumpship which eventually pulled out of the hanger and broke orbit for Venus. A strange and concerning feeling engulfed his stomach and he felt a little sick. But as quickly as it came, the pain subsided and Riley heard his voice being called. Quickly, the titan rushed to meet his fireteam who were eager to leave for Rome.
The Kell of Plagues was furious.
Baron Korrik saw it in her wild eyes as he sucked in a deep breath. As soon as morning came, the entire colosseum was thrown into chaos. Explosions slammed into their walls and echoing gunfire that ripped lives away lingered. Even beyond this room they had retreated to, the baron could hear the Fallen screams. The House of Devils had turned on them after the Kell of Plagues had thrown their truce out the window. At first, he was unsure of her actions but later, after she explained in great detail of the Devils' true intentions of their truce. By the House of Kings' orders, the Devils marched to the Plagues, negotiating a flimsy treaty. They claimed to restore the Fallen's empire back to its former glory. But his Kell grew suspicious and hunted down the truth of their treaty. When she found out what lies they had fed them, she was more than ready to throw their truce back into their faces.
Even if they were condemned to fall.
"My Kell, we must leave now" said Baron Korrik as he darted his eyes towards his Kell who stared heatedly at a set of double doors. Beyond those doors were her subordinates, fighting to protect them with all of their lives. The Kell gripped her shock blade, anger burning every inch of her. She wanted to fight, to show the Devils that she wasn't some Fallen to be trifled with. The baron knew this but was also concerned for her life. Should she fall, the House of Plagues would be thrown into hysteria without a Kell to lead them. "A Skiff is waiting, please my Kell…"
A low growl escaped the Kell's lips as she whirled on him, her eyes large and livid. The eyes of a deadly beast that thirsted for prey to slaughter. For a moment, the baron thought his life would be extinguished right then and there but after silences lapsed on, it became evident that his Kell had retained enough sanity to hold herself into place. She growled at him and returned to staring at the double doors. Another explosion rocked the room, sending small tremors all along the room. Time was ticking and every second wasted was another step closer to death.
"Baron Korrik, unlike those Kings or Devils, I do not tolerate betrayal nor leaving my kin behind whilst I flee to safety" replied his Kell with a hiss. She stretched her arms, her fingers flexing on the hilt of her blade before she brought it up, testing its sharpness with a quick slash through the air. Satisfied, she turned and fished for an object in the many pockets in her armour. Baron Korrik shook his head as the object, strange in shape and tiny in her hands was presented to him.
"But my Kell, you can't be thinking of returning to the—" Korrik's concern was pushed away as she shoved the object into his chest, a glare forming.
"The House of Plagues stands for honour, Korrik" snarled his Kell as she brushed his remark off. Walking to her throne, Korrik watched as his Kell retrieved her helmet. The skull of an ancient bird like creature was fashioned into a black as midnight helmet for his Kell. A thousand black feathers intertwined to net the most perfect cape graced his Kell's shoulders as she adjusted her weapons and armour. "I will not fall so easily nor will I run with a tail between my legs, baron."
Korrik couldn't help but release a low growl of admiration. The current Kell and head of the House of Plagues was a Fallen that he knew many others had strived to become. Once a baroness, she rose to rule when she knew the previous Kell was unsuitable to keep law and order in their house. This Fallen, who earned respect from all, was none other than Aviris, a Kell to be feared.
"Korrik, take our treasures and return to the Ketch" ordered Aviris.
"What will I do then if something should…" the baron was unable to finish his sentence and was left with a sickening feeling in his gut. He bit his lips, his eyes involuntarily glancing down at the foreign object in his hands. So small and sharp, such a thing was once full of life and now it was dead. Nothing more than scraps for the Fallen to pick at, and yet it still held so many secrets and possibilities. A token and memory that he knew was precious to his Kell.
"Worry less and act fast, my patience wears thin."
Korrik swallowed thickly and he watched Aviris shake her head at him. She reached out and gripped his shoulders, her eyes revealing nothing but passion and a yearning for the battlefield. She was a warrior above all else and a Kell who valued an important code of conduct. Korrik knew the chances of her returning back to them alive was slim but a part of him couldn't help but believe in her. He sighed, angered that this turn of events had come.
It wasn't even a year after her rule and yet here she was, ready to fight more than thousands of bloodthirsty enemies. Putting her life on the line for honour and family.
"My Kell, I will wait for your return then" he said, giving in to her stubbornness. "I will hold your treasure so you will return to claim it once again."
His Kell laughed loudly and trekked towards the exit. She didn't even pass him another look as she pushed open the doors, her blade already swinging into the throat of the nearest enemy. Korrik watched her disappear into a mist of blood and ether, gone from his sight in a matter of seconds. He sighed, clenching her treasure in his hand and turned on his heels.
"Prepare my ship, I leave for the Ketch immediately!" he howled to the nearest vandal who scrambled to assemble a ship for him.
The entire colosseum was engulfed in war.
A deadzone filled with deadly live fire, blood and death that would make the mightiest guardian's knees buckle in fear. Pahanin held in a breath, astonished to see two opposing sides pitted against one another. He had heard from live reports from both the House of Devils and House of Plagues partnership but he had not anticipated an all-out war between them. Besides him, his small group consisting of four fireteams stood, staring wide eyed at the entire scene below them.
"Are they…really fighting?" mumbled a guardian to his right. Pahanin casted a final look to the gruesome scene before clearing his throat nervously. Now was not the time to be standing back and allowing the Fallen to massacre everything in sight. They still had their mission and Pahanin wanted more than eager to finish it by his hands.
"Listen up, guardians!" wailed the hunter leader. "We'll follow through with the plan, first up, fireteam Beta and Gamma. You two will be providing support cover when we get in and out of the complex. Defend our asses! Team Delta is with my team, as we'll infiltrate the base. Move out!"
The guardians all nodded their heads, expressing their agreement with shouts, claps and salutes. With their cooperation, Pahanin whirled on his heels and descended the hill they were perched on. His guardians were right behind him as they locked and loaded their guns, prepping them for a gruelling battle ahead. Since the entire area was under Fallen activity and alive with fire, the hunter leader decided to simply push through the enemies' ranks. They charged through, leaping over corpses and abandoned equipment.
Both team Beta and Gamma sliced a path for the guardians as they slipped and slid into cover. Somewhere behind them a large explosion erupted sending a large cloud of black smoke and flames into the air. The ground shook violently as a Fallen Walker stormed out from nowhere, trampling Fallens and small white tents in the process. Its main canon turned, firing a single rocket at a couple of Plagues and sent their corpses launching in the air. Evan whistled, finding everything a little too amusing as Lux glared at him.
She was about to open her mouth until Pahanin commanded them to move up. They rushed to the next shelter, barely taking cover as a rain of bullets descended down on them from snipers in perched windows. Three smaller spider tanks, possibly the newest creation from the House of Plagues burst through an opening in the wall. They reared their heads, moving quickly across the field and engaged the Devils' Fallen tank. Riley casted his head back, his eyes wide with interest as the smaller spider tanks began pelting the Walker with a rain of bullets. One of the Spiders fired a large missile that knocked the Walker's leg off. It capsized and the Spiders continued to pelt its precious engines.
"Keep up!" someone screamed and Riley snapped to attention. He quickly scrambled after his group, dodging a dreg which turned the corner. The Fallen ignored him completely as it dragged a large Shrapnel launcher to pass to a captain. A few more explosions littered the battlegrounds before the sounds of gunfire were dulled out when the team proceeded through the colosseum. Inside, corpses of both the Devils and Plagues were scattered about. It was like a party gone wrong, horrid and disgusting to their eyes.
The smell was even more sickening but the group continued their advance. By now, team Beta and Gamma were forced away from the rest of the group. They quickly set up a line of defence, tackling any enemies in their way. Majority of the time, the Fallen were too engrossed in their own wars to take noticed of the guardians sneaking their way through.
"We're getting heavy resistance out here, sir!" cried a guardian from team Gamma through the commlinks. Pahanin paused, halting the group into a standstill as he responded quickly to the distress call.
"Retreat to a safer perimeter and defend that position until it's time for extraction"
"Aye sir!"
Satisfied, Pahanin turned back to his task, guiding the guardians along. They erupted into a large spacious room where another skirmish was ensured between the two houses. Upon their arrival, the Fallen were quick to notice them and turned their weapons to the guardians.
"Take cover!" Pahanin screamed as he leapt for a pillar to shield himself from the incoming pelts of bullets. Riley managed to scramble into cover with Lux closely behind him. Evan had to knock a dreg in the face with his gun before shooting the Fallen dead to cover his own hide. A female warlock and male titan from Pahanin's fireteam however struggled to find suitable cover. The female warlock dived, slamming into a few crates in the process but lost her gun as the titan was hit in the shoulder. He screamed and dropped into a roll as a vandal raised its gun in delight at its sharpshooting.
Pahanin watched as the titan fell and a painful memory surfaced into his mind. He recalled a strong titan falling very much the same way and his heart erupted at the familiar pain. It was just like that time, deep within Venus. The cold and dark place crowded with their enemies, the titan that lost so much and the hunter that was forced to flee. Kabr.
But Pahanin wasn't in Venus anymore and he was not alone. He did not have to crawl his way back to surface with his bare hands. Nor did he have to leave behind the one friend he loved like a brother. No, things had changed. He had enough of running. Now he would pursue and this time, he won't let his friends fall before him.
"Cover me!" Pahanin roared and immediately the fireteam exchanged bullets with the Fallen. Pahanin skidded under the bullets, his eyes determined to scoop up the titan and drag him over to the female warlock's position. A few seconds later, the fireteam were safely behind cover, tending to the wounds of the titan.
"Sorry, sir…" grumbled the wounded titan.
"Enough, Bradley. Khallis, look after him" warned the hunter leader as he loaded up his rifle. "We'll move when there's an opening, be prepared."
The female warlock, Khallis nodded her head, her attention already working on patching the titan's wounds. He grunted in displeasure for being the first to go down but obeyed the warlock's command to press his wound to stop the bleeding. Pahanin turned his eyes back to the situation. To his right he could see Riley, Lux and Evan firing into the Fallen. Their numbers were dwindling slowly as the fight continued but the hunter knew time was against them.
They couldn't be caught here fighting for too long. Every second passed and they would be missing their chance of eliminating their target, the Kell. Pahanin pressed a hand to his helmet, his head ached and he was sweating heavily. He was conflicted on how to go about this.
Pahanin took a moment to inhale and exhale, taking everything into perspective. The Fallen seemed hell bent on each other but now that they had jumped into the mix, perhaps there was still time to use this to their advantage. His eyes searched the room, seeking a way they could escape through. There was still time, he could make it.
"Evan!" Pahanin cried, startling the hunter who was reloading his weapon. "You're a bladedancer right?"
"The best tango dancing hunter you've ever met" he grinned as he fired at a vandal and watched its corpse drop to the floor with ether and blood seeping out from its neck.
Pahanin ignored his remark, "see those Fallen to your right by that pillar? Get rid of them and test the door they're guarding"
Evan smirked, nodding his head and quickly activated his guise. He was gone in a blink of an eye and crossed the small distance over to the cowering Fallen. Producing a knife out, Pahanin watched as an invisible force cut down the dregs in a heartbeat. Once the last dreg was downed, the doors were busted open and Evan's cloak deactivated as he took cover.
"It's empty, we're leaving through here right?"
Pahanin responded with a 'yes' quickly then turned and gripped Khallis shoulder, "everyone, provide concentrating fire on the enemy. Khallis, Bradley and I are crossing first. Defend us at all cost!"
Riley, Lux and Evan nodded their heads, preparing for the heavy task at hand. Pahanin counted to five before gripping Bradley over his shoulder. Khallis was right on his tail, firing whilst they ran. The trio traversed the room, marching as fast as they could as bullets hailed down on them. However every shot seemed to miss or never hit their mark as the trio were supported by their teammates who were firing their guns at every Fallen that turned on them.
The trio collapsed into cover and Pahanin slipped Bradley's arm off him. He darted his eyes at their exit, managing to see the hallway ahead lined with Fallen corpses, bullets and blood. Evan saluted him and shot at a shank who dared to aim their way.
"Lux, Riley! Move up, we're getting out of here" roared Pahanin as he sent Khallis first into the hallway with her guns ready. Bradley leaned against Pahanin again for support again and the pair moved into the safety of the hallway as the remaining team of fireteam Delta dodged bullets to reach them. Once everyone was in the hallway, Evan shut the doors and joined the small circle.
"Bradley's good arm is down" Khallis determined earning a glare from the titan. "I doubt he'd be able to provide much help from here on out."
Pahanin agreed and the titan attempted to explain that he could still shoot fine. The group begged to differ. "The mission must go on but since we have a wounded…"
"I'm fine!" Bradley shrieked, pushing off of Pahanin and standing up on his own. "I can shoot!"
"But your injuries—" Lux said but was immediately quieten by Bradley's roar.
"I can fight!"
"Enough!" Pahanin interjected. He pointed at the fuming titan. "Listen, my job here is to complete the mission and return you home safely. The vanguards will have my head if anyone is returned in a body bag."
The hallway was still, no one said a word. Riley watched as Bradley's stubbornness crumbled and he begun nodding his head.
"We'll complete this mission and get out of here" Pahanin assured them. The group all nodded their heads, eventually agreeing to the hunter's words. With that, the group decided to move on. However they made sure that any confrontations they were thrown into, they would prioritise Bradley's safety first. Fifteen minutes later of manoeuvring through the building, the group approached a large room directly connected to a long hallway that would lead to where a sort of throne room was established. Pahanin instructed Khallis and Bradley to remain behind and hidden whilst the rest moved up. There was no need to involve them any further so Pahanin's group would finish the job and return for them soon. Upon entering the room, the entire area was engulfed into a deadly warzone.
Barons, captains, servitors, shanks and more were thrown into the mix. It was utter mayhem as the group swallowed nervously. Riley shivered at the carnage, watching guns and blades tear up the lives of many Fallen.
"Oh wow, now this…" Evan said watching the entire scene unfold, "is insane."
Lux couldn't agree more and clenched her weapon firmly in her grip. "Is the Kell among them?"
Pahanin surveyed the room but with everyone moving about and so much exchange of bullets and blood, it was hard to see. Even the Plagues' stealth vandals were mixed in with the fray. Then he saw it, a large Fallen coated in black feathers wielding twin Shock blades in the mix. The beast slashed viciously at the Devils, its blade tearing life and ether from them. It was as if they were dancing on a battle field, using the blood of her enemies as confetti. None could deny them being the Kell as they were decorated impressively compare to the other Fallen.
"Found them" Pahanin said and pointed.
The group peered over their covers and spotted the Kell stabbing the heart of a captain. The Kell continued to stab the captain three more times before stepped away from the corpse and grabbing a baron by the shoulder. The group watched as a few words were exchanged before the baron roared, attracting another baron and baroness to his call. Immediately the dangerous Fallen rushed out of the room and into a separate hallway. Pahanin could only guess that they were retreating into the throne room to make their escape.
"Let's move."
The group nodded their heads and tailed after them only to spot several Devils pressing into the hallway as well. It seemed like the guardians weren't the only ones hunting the Kell of Plagues. But Pahanin could not let them take their kill, he wouldn't allow it.
The PIZZ4 GUY – Fixed the King's issue. Haha, yeah totally didn't know that so thanks for the heads up! Nope, you're still reading my mind regardless of me saying anything. Oh wells, hopefully I can blow your mind away then with some plot twists! (If I can figure something out haha). Thanks for the feedback, guess my story is pretty fine as it is. Pace wise. So, what do you think of this chapter? Haha.
Bladed Raptor – I keep reading your name as bladed reaper for something reason haha. I've yet to get anywhere near getting an awesome weapon/armour from HoW. Forever level 32! Haha. Oh yes, female enemies. I know the feeling. The baroness was a bit of a let down when I saw that she was just the same male model of Captains. But its still early, bungie could be throwing us more female enemies soon! Oh I assure you, this Kell is 100% my character! So, did I stir your heart with this chapter?
Qwertyunion – You have no idea how happy I am to see you review my story! I know the feeling but I don't think I can post frequently as I would like to. I rather give your quality chapters rather than bleh ones. Evan is a fun character to mess around with, he's just perfect for the comic relief type of characters and Lux is perfect for the character that just can't stand his shenanigans! Also yes, more love for wittle Riley! There'll definitely be more awkward Riley moments in the future, just you wait!
