Author's Note
I have been away for awhile and within my retreat, I have found it hard to work on this story. Fear not, for I have returned with more goodness. This chapter is partly to blame for my gap in updates as I had some trouble playing around with many different scenarios and thoughts. Also. the House of Wolves DLC nabbed my focus for some time but it did give me some ideas for a new story on the Prison of Elders. Just thought I'd explain a little before diving in...
Chapter 10: Council
She waited behind the confines of a metal door, cautiously listening in to two voices going at each other. So far, the conversation was in its early stages, meaning that her time to confront her suspicions was nigh. If she wanted answers, she had to step through the threshold and enter the argument on the side of reason. The stress was mounting, preparing its charge to seize victory over her logic.
She took in a couple deep breaths, blaming her shortness in breath as a side effect of her rising doubts. Whispers tickled her thoughts but they were to be ignored for her own safety.
The door slide by and a breeze of irritation hit her like a bad odor. The two foes killed their chatter once the Sunsinger walked into the office. The Exo's stiff expression gave no clues to his true feelings but the Human smirked slyly, knowing that his savior had just arrived in the nick of time. With the Traveler in the background against the visage of a thriving city morning, the mood of the room simmered down.
"Leynna. I heard about what happen with the Kell of August, well done on defeating him." Esmond spoke softly. It was apparent by Leynna's frown that she was upset.
"You knew things I didn't. You even said that you cannot account for what the FOTC decides and yet, guardians under your orders lost their lives when the flagship crashed. You...you were content with letting me be... killed?" Leynna's fire flared in her voice.
"What did you tell her, Grant?"
"The truth, Esmond. You sent guardians in to take the August stronghold while Leynna got pummeled by Rakshasas." the Striker looked to the Defender, now wielding his trademark frown. The Exo returned the gesture in the best way he could.
"Leynna, I knew nothing more than what little the FOTC told me. I would never make any back door deals, especially if it made your job harder." Esmond reasoned. "Think about it; if I had the power to send in guardians, would I send you into fight by yourself?"
"You believed those guardians knew what they signed up for? They died because I failed to defeat Rakshasas. Their deaths have been driving me mad for the past couple of days. Thinking about their last moments as that ship crashed into the base, I-I can't understand why." the Sunsinger shook her head.
"Grant has fed you lies. Did you consider why he was there in the first place?"
"I went out of my own way to make sure she wasn't in any life threatening danger. I disliked the way the FOTC was handle the situation, so-"
"So you sent in your own team to investigate and ended up saving Leynna, then turned your back on your team when you could have saved them. You accuse me of something I did not do while all the facts point to your meddling and use our friend, your interest, as a tool against me." Esmond defended himself. His words had a deeper meaning that pulled at the Warlock's heartstrings.
Grant's eyes widened in anger, portraying the disturbed pain from the sudden striking of a sensitive nerve. "I've done no such thing! How dare you use irrelevant past relationships as an excuse for something completely different! I learned of your intentions when a fellow Vanguard alerted me to the operation. Your conspiracy involving the House of August put you in a position to receive critical data on the Fallen in exchange for the Kell's right to battle Leynna."
"To think we once served under the same fireteam. Sneaky tactics get you nowhere in war. I would never resort to risking any guardian's life for a chance at obtaining information!"
"To hell with your code of honor! You wear your guilt like a pelt of fur. Admit your part in this fiasco!" Grant shouted, breaking into new territory.
"You can't bully me into confessing to something I didn't do!" Esmond declared.
The two Titan's yelling overshadowed the Warlock standing at the center of the debate. She could not focus on their evidence, for a calling within her spoke louder than the two combined. Her voice was speaking directly into Leynna's right ear, whispering as though she were inches apart. She reminded her that her part of their compromise needed to be fulfilled soon.
Leynna felt dizzy. This unspoken contract had allowed her temporary control over her Radiance but required her to give up something of equal worth in order to wield the immense power held by the Darkness. The men's words skewed and smeared together but grew sharper as time seemed to leave the room. Her emotions were blurring into one clear feeling, one that had taking notes this whole time on the August incident.
Its name could not be spoken, but its essence was intoxicating.
Yes, express your true feelings. It encouraged her to intrude. Better yet, allow us to set the record straight.
Leynna nodded without even noticing. She felt an ominous heat begin to flare within her mind, corrupting her thoughts indefinitely. Esmond turned to talk to her, clearly done arguing with a brick wall. "I know you know better. Your memories are not incomplete, but you have been lying about it to cover up something greater."
"How did you figure this out?" she asked.
"You just told me. I knew something was wrong but-"
The Sunsinger snapped. "Enough! Changing the subject doesn't help your case. I remember the person you were, but it's been five years. Five long years. I know nothing of who you are now or what you have done. I-I don't feel like I can trust you."
"Leynna, don't do this. He must be just as new to you as I am, by your logic. Grant has had it out for you ever since you grew in fame before the battle at Bingham. It was he who chose to harbor a grudge against me and inherit the power you held! I had no intention of taking your place. You are no threat to me because you already have surpassed me! You always have! I only want to help you." Esmond walked away from the two guardians and stared out the large windows.
The sun had decided to hide behind the clouds for fear that it would be targeted next. That fear casted a glazing of grey over the City and the office space. That shade snuggled around Leynna, drawing in on her negative vibes.
Like a moth to a flame.
The voices were calling for her attention but she wanted to hear out what the Defender had to say. His speech was honest and her memories were the key to his innocence in her eyes. The voices spoke of having a cynical desire to get what she wanted. She wanted to know the truth; she would do anything to know who conspired to take her down, to dethrone her from her high mantle. They had what she wanted; she was ready to give up something valuable.
Come now. They held her hand in theirs. Let's make a deal.
"Esmond, you have betrayed my trust and for that, you are no friend of mine. You're vile and manipulative, I will not allow for your words to corrupt me further!" the Sunsinger exclaimed.
With that, she lost the faint feeling of her heartbeat. It shattered inside her as she turned to walk out. Her foot touched the ground and instantly lost all sensation as her whole body forcefully shut down, causing her to crumble under herself. Time was nowhere to be found but the void of empty space was prepared to catch the falling Sunsinger. Her tired eyes shut closed for the day, unaware that they would remain sealed for a prolong period of time. She was again encompassed by the darkness of her own creation.
Esmond saw the Warlock begin her fall. He fell himself to save her from landing on the floor. Grant joined the Defender on the ground to observe the lifeless Warlock. Feeling for the ever present pulse around her lower neck, the Striker searched frantically but could not find a single indication of her beating heart.
Yet she slept like a newborn, unaware that she had entered a dream where the wild things dwelled.
It was time for her to honor their contract.
-o-0-o-
"We came as soon as we heard the news." the voice of a young male interrupted the silence of the room.
The two guests turned to the door to see three others scuffle in. They stood at the edge of the bed, afraid to get near the body resting peacefully on top of it. They were dressed in the same combat armor that adorned them during their previous mission. The scarring and charred plating was fresh with the remnants of a hard fought battle. Sweaty from their mission, one of the Hunters slumped down into the chair while the other two guardians choose to stand.
"Esmond, what happened and why is he here?" Fayth asked the Defender. The Exo was standing with his hands behind his back, facing the tall window at the opposite end of the room. He did not make any motion to respond to his friends.
"I'm here because Leynna fell into a coma after she and I confronted Esmond on some accusations." Granted answered the Huntress' question. The Exo flinched but retained his stance. "Una, if you would? I would like a profession's opinion on this."
Una complied with Grant's sudden request and walked over to the bed where the Sunsinger was stationed on, confined under a light comforter. She lied lifeless as Una carefully repositioned her arms over her lower chest. Her breathing was tense in the sense that her inner systems were losing their ability to maintain regular respiratory functions. Core temperatures were lower than what would be considered normal, rising the Voidewalker's level of concern. What's more, studying the reports conducted by the infirmary staff yielded high amounts of brain activity and rapid eye movement. Una never considered herself professional medic by any standards, but her observations lined up with selected transcripts she had read long ago, when Leynna herself had begun to mentor her on the basics of organic first aid.
"I'm no expert but Leynna clearly is in a comatose state. Her irregular brain activity may suggest that she is possibly dreaming as well."
"Will she recover?" Linus asked considerately.
Una shook her head lightly. "I don't know for certain; her coma could last a couple hours, days, weeks. There's also a possibility that she may never wake up."
"Damn it! Can we do anything?" Grant bargained.
"Her mind mentally is what seems to be keeping her from waking up. Whatever she's facing in her dreams, if anything, must be resolved by her. I'm curious, has she spoken at all since she went into this state?"
"Little whispered bits. Something about a green mist, darkness, and saplings?" Grant replied.
"The Saplings; a group of ritualistic witches residing on the Moon. They have been under the Vanguards' eyes lately due to reports of some strange activity near an old colony base." Esmond informed the group with his back still turned toward them.
"How long were you going to hold that information back, Esmond?"
"I have only just now heard about it. Besides, it was only a small rumor at best. I planned on sending you three to investigate but now..."
"Esmond, we know about the rumors of you attempting to make deals with the Fallen. Before we go any further, we have a right to know if they are true." Faith mentioned. Linus and Una nodded in agreement.
"That is irrelevant right now." Esmond finally turned around to see everybody. One could never really tell how the Defender felt based on his lack of moving facial components, but the tone of his booming voice made it clear his mood. "If the Saplings are ones responsible for Leynna's coma, they must be stopped."
"How do you know that these Saplings are the ones doing this?" Una asked intently.
"I don't but it is a possible lead. If anything, it is worth looking into. I volunteer myself to go to the Moon." Esmond stated. The room fell silent once more with the Exo's decision. The glare held by Grant deepened dramatically, only seen by the eyes of the Defender.
Grant rose to his feet and stood inches apart from Esmond. The two men looked into each other; focusing on breaking the other's formulating thoughts. The heated emotions brewing between the two Titans were enough to melt the strongest of fortified mental walls. Grant pulled back after one of his eyes twitched slightly under the frustration of Esmond's smooth call.
"I will accompany Esmond as well." Grant said to the trio of guardians somewhat defeated but eager for his chance at vengeance. He looked to Esmond with a smirk. "Politics aside, our friend needs our help. This is a matter of personal resolve, nothing more."
"We'll head out soon. You don't show, I leave you behind. Understood?" Esmond's tone dropped. He had enough doubt to believe that the Striker was preparing to one up him.
"It'll be just like old times."
Grant left the room quietly for Leynna's sake. Esmond followed suit but addressed his team with a simple hand motion. "I need you to watch over Leynna, in case she may wake up. If you learn anything else, I want to be the first to know about it. Grant must know nothing, am I clear?"
"Esmond..." Una worryingly muttered. The Defender could sense the distrust swimming around her and the two other guardians. He understood the rationale for their suspicions, but it was imperative that he gain their trust until he could rid his name of any negative speculation.
"I need you to trust me just this much. I'm counting on you to protect her." Esmond reasoned. He left the room, leaving the three guardians to congregate with each other on the situation at hand. Their doubts weighed heavy on their opinions on the matter, although their objective was clear.
"Get some rest guys, I'll take first shift." Fayth mustered up a weak smile but it shattered when she made her way to the chair near the corner of the room. She let her assumptions drown out the rising sorrow in her heart. Linus and Una looked to each other, their silence a symbol of their acceptance.
"Come with me Linus. I'm going to need your help with some research." the Exo motioned for the Awoken to follow her lead.
End of Act II
With this, I end Act II and we move on to the next. Let me know if you guys and gals are interested in a Prison of Elders story, I would gladly write one up (I actually have a outline set up in case I do pursue it). Also, please feel free to comment on just about anything that strikes your fancy. Thanks once again for reading and I'll shall see you in Act III.