The planes of the Mexican plateau, an endless stretch of unbroken sand and moldering stone. This desert was broken only by the occasional shrub or bush, but today, something else disturbed the silent sand. A broken trail, edged with spilled blood, screaming out the pain of the one who made it. For miles, this trail cut through the desert, a meandering road of agony and pain. Then, it came to a halt alongside a large patch of boulders, where Amber sat, tending to her wounds.

She gritted her teeth, groaning slightly as she lowered herself down to the boulder. It had been three hours since she'd arrived in the abandoned village. Three hours since those...things appeared and marooned her here, leaving her wounded in this wasteland. The walk had been grueling, and she'd nearly passed out a few times, but she continued on. She was determined to not only find a safe place to treat her injuries, but also to put distance between herself and those monsters. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she'd found this outcrop and could ease the pain her in her leg.

Buggy appeared above Amber's shoulder in a flash of light, eyeing her with sisterly concern.

"How's your shoulder? Do you want more painkiller?"

Amber had popped her arm back in place about an hour ago, finally sick of the limp appendage dangling next to her. The pain, when combined with her leg, almost knocked her down and her scream was barely contained. However, it was far better than having a useless arm. Now, only a stiff soreness remained of the dislocated limb.

"No. I-I think you'd better save it for my leg."

With shaky hands, she pulled off her helmet, letting the cool wind blow through her short hair, drying the sweat and tears on her face. While she very rarely let tears fall, and never in front of others; out here in the wastes, with a hunk of metal protruding from her thigh, she'd let some slip out. The air felt refreshing, a relief after her stuffy helmet but she had little time to enjoy it. She needed to mend the immediate problem before it got worse.

Glancing down, she gritted her teeth and slowly tilted her leg to get a better look at her thigh. The jagged piece of metal had a charred surface, deformed and broken by heat and was embedded deep into the back of her leg. While she couldn't tell how deep, the fact that she could still walk was a comforting sign. The armored cloth around it was ripped and cracked, the fibers flayed and caked with blood and mud. A small trickle of blood had dripped down her leg, and the smell of infection wafted into her nostrils.

She groaned, forcing herself to look away so she wouldn't hurl. Her breathing was picking up, and her vision blurring. She had to do this. If she didn't now it would only get worse.

"Buggy. Prepare the painkillers. I-I need to get this out."

She sniffed, trying to slow her breathing. The Ghost nodded at her, hovering close and preparing the healing injectors in her suit. Slowly, she withdrew her knife, running her fingers along the blade to charge it with solar energy. The orange glow shone on her face, casting its light into the still, starry night. Slowly, very slowly, she moved the blade down next to the metal, illuminating the wound and causing the wet, torn flesh to glisten.

Swallowing again, she grabbed the metal with her free hand, whimpering some as pain shot through her leg. She needed to do this quick. If she hesitated, she wouldn't be able to do this. With a gritted teeth and clenched eyes, she yanked at the shard. In a single motion, she ripped the jagged metal from her leg and pressed the heated knife against the wound.

The fierce, agonizing pain of ripping flesh was joined by burning skin, and she didn't hold back her scream this time. It shattered the night air with an echoing wail, practically rattling the sand itself. Amber's entire body trembled from the intense pain, but she kept the blade in place, letting the heat cauterize her wound and seal it up. Her scream turned into a squeal, her gritted teeth muffling the shriek. Three more seconds, and then she hurled the blade to the side, groaning as most of the pain left with the blade.

Now clear, Buggy flew down to the wound, zapping it once with her blue beam of light before moving it over the ruined fabric. Sweet relief washed over Amber as the painkillers engaged, numbing the pain and soothing the burned flesh. Unfortunately, this was the most she could do, having lost her med kit in the explosion.

"Healing has begun. Pain levels are dropping and you should be at 70% capacity soon. Though, you'll need some nanites to fully recover sis. That metal did a number on your thigh muscles."

"Don't remind me Buggy. I'd prefer to forget for a moment."

She lifted a trembling hand to wipe away her tears before lying back onto the rock to catch some air. This was not how she wanted or expected this mission to go. She expected this to be a straightforward search and find. Scout out the village, find the villagers, guardians and culprits, and return to Cayde for admiration. Blast, why'd she have to fall for that ambush. It was obvious! She should have left as soon as the first….thing, tore through that shattered wormhole. If she had, she'd still have her scout rifle, her ship and her bloody dignity. She grumbled, pulling herself up into a sitting position before hissing as dull pain shot through her leg.

"Might want to take it easy sis. Don't want to tear the wound open again. It won't be pretty."

She glared at the Ghost, wishing she could think up something clever in response, but she came up short. Buggy was right.

"Whatever. Where's the nearest settlement?"

"Aside from the one you just limped from? Hundreds of miles."

"Brilliant. How long before I can move again."

"You really should rest for the entire night"

"Not happening."

Buggy glared at her guardian, frustrated by her stubbornness.

"An hour. Though you have nothing better to do, so why not sleep?"

She shifted her leg, glancing at the cauterized wound. Thank the Traveler that the pain killers were working. Only a dull throb remained now. She carefully bent down and grabbed her sniper off of the ground, twisting a knob to access the internal compartments.

"Because I don't know where I am or what's out there, and I'd prefer to be armed and ready."

The Ghost rolled her eye, not willing to argue farther. She was right. Suddenly, a noise cut through the night. Tumbling stones.

"Something's out there."

Amber didn't look up, still cleaning her gun.

"What did I tell you, but did you listen to me? No…"

"Shut up! I mean it! There is something out there."

Amber froze, glancing around at the surrounding area. The rolling sands, the howling wind, the rising rocks, dripping blood, the bright moo…. BLOOD?!

Amber's eyes widened, staring at a small trickle of red blood, flowing down from the top of a large boulder. On reflex, she lifted her sniper to the rock, aiming it at where the blood was flowing. This...this could be bad.

"Buggy. Scan the area. Make it fast!"

"If you wish to live another second, I suggest you drop your weapon."

Amber spun round to the voice and nearly dropped her weapon at the sight before her.

"So. You're Cayde's secret contact?"

Eris Morn glared at the new "companion" who had come to her aide. Despite her insistence to Ikora that she neither needed nor wanted help on this mission of hers, the Warlock Vanguard had told Cayde anyway. The dunce of a machine then concluded that she could use the help of his "secret contact", if she was going to be exploring the Moon. Or, at least this was the tale this…. Zora was telling her, though to be honest, she was more inclined to distrust them then she normally would. And with good reason too.

The Exile Baroness stared down at her, it's expression a mix between distaste and amusement. A stenciled design of an Ace of Spades card was on her breastplate, and a black Spade was stamped onto her helmet over her right eyes, though the eyes shone through. Cayde's signature, as it were.

"Yes of course. Me and him have been….companions for quite some time now. Why do you zink he's so eager to leave the Tower?"

She giggled, her voice not as unpleasant as one might expect, though it was still raspy and alien. This Baroness knew Cayde well enough to become his contact, and now was claiming to be the reason he wished to leave. Eris racked her brain, remember the story she heard about Cayde and an Exile Baroness. What if Cayde hadn't actually killed the Baroness. What if he spared her and they became friends. Maybe even more than friends, which would mean. She closed her eyes, groaning as the realization came to her.

"That was something I REALLY didn't want in my mind right now. Thank you for that."

The Fallen giggled, clearly pleased with herself.

"You're welcome. Now, as my Cayddy said, you are searching the moon for somezing. He said you could use a hand."

"I spent years trapped here. Wandering around the Hive's dens in secret. Hiding, desperately trying to stay hidden while I learned all I could. You may be fallen, but I have more experience hiding then you could ever known."

"Riiiiight. And since zen, how much fighting have you done? How many secret Hive entrances have you found? How many clues held by Fallen have you examined?"

Eris said nothing, aggravated with this female. "You're not going to leave me alone, are you?"

"Not a chance tri-eyes."

A bolt of anger shot up Eris with that name. Though Cayde had always poked fun at her, he'd ever made fun of her eyes, at least not directly. It was too sensitive, but this Zora had….

She sighed, reigning in her anger. If she got mad, it would only encourage this Fallen to do it again.

"Very well. You may aide me in my search. But do not be surprised if I accidently shoot you in a firefight."

Zora laughed, something that seemed unnatural to Eris. "Zat would not be unexpected. I'll watch myself."

The Baroness waved Eris on, telling her to follow as she vaulted over a small hill. With a groan, Eris followed, already regretting letting Cayde interfere with her investigation. When she got back, she was gonna rip his horn off.

Amber was stunned by the sight that greeted her, but to be honest, she wasn't sure what she was seeing. It looked Fallen, what with its lanky legs, four arms and what looked like a Wire Rifle in its hands. Aside from that, it looked more like something out of an old slasher vid then anything real.

It's armor was pitted and slashed and the cape was in tatters, as if it was constantly in combat. Tendril like hair stuck up from its head, folding over to one side and trailing down the neck. The face looked like a skull, with four green eyes glaring out of the sockets, and large fanged teeth below, complete with viable mouth tendons. However, topping it all was the copious amounts of foul blood that coated its entire body, staining it a deathly shade. Most of it was red, but mixed in the foul measma was pale white, oily black and even a few specks of green. It's entire form seemed to shudder slightly, sending drops of the fluid falling to the ground and leaving a visible trail. She could smell the blood now; foul and rotting, like a mass grave. It's incredible that she didn't smell it before now. The chattering teeth seemed incapable of speech, but to Amber's astonishment, it spoke again.

"Did you not hear me? Drop your weapon or you'll scream in agony again."

Amber was so surprised by the speech that for a moment, her fear left her. It was speaking English, pretty good English too, though it had a guttural and raspy accent. However, if she wasn't mistaken, it was also a female, if the feminine tone and the shapely torso wasn't confusing her.

Slowly, she lowered her on rifle, placing it on the ground before lifting her hands. She tried to keep a straight face, but the smell was making it difficult.

"I mean you no harm. I know we guardians typically give you Fallen trouble, but…."

The creature snarled loudly, it's teeth bared as it stepped forward, jabbing the gun into Amber's face. It's eyes where ablaze with fury, and it's hair rattled loudly.

"Don't you EVER call me that! I am not one of those filthy, dishonorable butchers! I am nothing like them! You call me that again and I will rip out your guts and strangle you with them!"

Amber's eyes went wide, caught off guard by this reaction. She leaned back, trying to keep the gun barrel from digging into her cheek as she kept her arms up.

"Ok! Ok! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to offend! Just like how I didn't mean to intrude! If you give me the space, I'll be on my way."

The fall...female, seemed to relax slightly, though it was hard to tell with that blood coating her. She pulled her weapon away, eyeing Amber again.

"So. This is what armored fighters look like under the helmet. Frail to say the least."

Amber blinked. Did she just call her weak?

"Well, you're not to solid looking yourself, though you look plenty fearsome. What are you anyway, if your not at Fallen."

The creature hesitated, clearly unsure of how to answer.

"My name is Miriva. And I'm a drifter. I go where I want, when I want and kill whoever I want."

Her teeth chattered and Amber lifted her arms up again.

"Whoah. Ok. Ok calm down. I don't want to hurt your Miriva. My name is Amber. My ship was destroyed about 10 clicks to the South and I'm stranded out here. If you have any way I might be able to leave, then I'll be out of your…..hair….tendrils. Things."

"Smooth."

If Buggy was visible, she'd glare at her for such a comment. Luckily, it seemed to defuse the wanderer.

"Well, I can not provide much help in that regard. I am also, lost, as it were. I know not where I am not who my enemies are. I only know my prey."

She chartered her teeth, unnerving Amber. If this thing was some kind of Fallen, it was the strangest she's ever seen. And it if was a ghost…. well she owned Crystal glimmer then

"And, what is this pray of yours, if I may ask?"

"Fallen. A group of them known as…"

"House Dust. Zey're the ones with ze green eyes and brown hoods."

Eris narrowed her eyes, peering through the spyglass at the exchange below. Despite being an Exile Baroness, Zora was more than happy to allow Eris to spy on their dealings here on the moon.

Below, an exchange was happening. Several Exiles, their green armor standing out of the white surface, surrounded and moving large canisters, each glowing purple, yellow or white. Guarding them where several larger figures, with tanks strapped to their backs and enlarged tubed masks covering their faces. Their armor had yellow lights on it, and they seemed to twitch constantly.

However, it was the other group of Fallen, the ones that Zora had pointed out, the caught her attention.

There were half a dozen, and all were dressed in bizarre armor. Brown cloth wrappings covered their limbs, and large cloaks draped over their torsos. These hooded cloaks were pulled up, casting dark shadows on the wearers faces, leaving little more than glowing green eyes visible. However, the shapes of these eyes varies between them. One had a single large eye on the left side and three smaller eyes on the right. Another had two equally sized eyes on either side, but a smaller third eye placed below the left. Still another had only one large eye, while another had six glaring out from under the hood. The few that didn't have their faces darkened had cloth masks wrapped around their face, only letting the green glow of their helmets through.

Bizarre and brutal looking weapons hung from their backs and belts. Large curved swords with serrated edges. Blocky harpoon guns with jagged tips. Long chains with hooks on the ends, and spike grenades dangling from belt pouches.

"I sense, darkness within them."

"Wizin ze Dust? Not surprised. Zey are dark priests and mystics, who have been attempting to unify ze Houses for years. Unfortunately, ze have been mostly successful. All our clients are allied with Dust in one way or anozer."

That had been another surprise for Eris. For years it was believed that the Exiles were little more than disgraced scavengers. Their ranks made up of mad outcasts who thought living with the Hive was a good idea. However, it turns out that they are actually making a name for themselves. They have begun fuel merchants, harvesting the helium and void deposits and selling them to other houses. And if Zora was correct, they had a monopoly on the system, and even sold Fallen narcotics and drugs.

"So, every House between here and the star work with them."

"Pretty much, yes."

"That is…. concerning. Considering that these Fallen have such dark auras surrounding them. Reminds me of the..."

Eris froze, cutting herself off as her eyes locked onto one of the larger Dust Fallen. Inside it, she could see a writhing presence. Not just Darkness, but a source of it, radiating it like a festering wound. It matched her visions all too well. Fallen mutilating themselves and replacing their eyes with Hive eyes; worshiping the beasts to gain power and knowledge.

"Hive. The foolish creatures have infected themselves with Hive."

"What!?

Zora's harsh whisper of surprise hurt Eris' numb mind, but she ignored it.

"Darkness swirls round them like a stench, radiating out and rotting souls. There are worms inside them, writhing within their guts and twisting their minds. And their eyes, they share the same eyes that I do."

Zora spun, locking eyes with Eris to get a good look at them. While this normal made her feel shame and discomfort, she let it pass this time. The Baroness needed to know."

"Filzy traitors! Fraternizing with bone walkers! Don't zey remember what zey did to our home!? Why ze little…"

The Baroness tried to stand, but Eris, her eyes flashing, used some fel magic to stop her. Zora halted, surprised by the green energy that held her in place, but quickly sat back down.

"While I understand your blight, now is not the time to fight. This Dust no doubt has hid this well, and will turn aggressive if the were exposed. We must tread carefully. I fear this darkness that the Dust are wielding is far worse than we imagine."

The Baroness nodded slowly, sitting herself back down. "Apologizes. Zat was rash of me."

"Indeed."

Eris returned her gaze to the scene below. The exchange was complete. Bags of payment were being exchanged between an Exile and Dust while Dregs pushed the canisters to the Dust. With a final nod, the Dust turned and walked off a short distance. Then, to her surprise, a Fallen Skiff materialized above the Dust members. It was more jagged than most skiffs, with sharp armored plates and large chains dangling beneath it. The armor was a dirt brown with plates of green, causing it to stand out immensely. Slowly, the chains lowered, the the Fallen began attaching their spoils to them. One by one, the chains retracted, hauling up the goods into the Skiff. Once all was done, the Dust members grabbed hold of the last chain, and were pulled up into the Skiff.

"Where do those skiffs lead too?"

"We don't know. Many times we have tried to track zem down, but wiz little success. Zeir stealz tech is far better than any other House we've seen."

Eris watched as the Skiff slowly turned, then vanished from sight, completely silent unlike most Skiff. However, to her surprise, she could still see it. Like a ghostly phantom, she could watch as it slowly glided through the air, clearly in no hurry. She leapt to her feet.

"I can see them."

"What? You can?"

"We must make haste! Quickly."

Eris turned and ran, leaping onto the Sparrow she was brought with her. Zora frantically ran after her and leapt on her Runner Pike, custom built for Exile barons and cargo runs. They both took off, following the Skiff. While it wasn't going very fast, it was fast enough to warrant urgency. Why could only she see it? The mystery was deepening, and the darkness was growing.

"Ouch! Watch your claws!"

Miriva glared at at Amber, giving her a deathly look. She quickly looked away, not wanting to have a staring contest with a skull. After some conversing, both Amber and this Miriva realized that they both had similar goals and situations, and the only way they'd get out is to work together. So that's what they were doing. Miriva has offered to give Amber a proper field dressing while Buggy, begrudgingly, cleaned the blood off Miriva.

The ghost made a gagging sound, zapping Miriva's back and causing the blood to vaporize into foul smelling steam.

"Where and how did you get covered in this stuff? It's disgusting!"

Miriva glanced at the ghost. She'd never seen one up close, it it intrigued her greatly.

"I had to wade through a Hive butcher hole."

"Butcher hole?"

"Yes. Some new breed of foul Hive had captured dozens of people of all kinds, then strung up their bodies. I had to wade through it to get here."

She shuddered visibly, obvious disturbed by it. Amber also grimaced. She couldn't imaging having to walk through a room of butchered bodies. It was probably horrible.

"Well, you're certainly braver than I am. And thanks for this by the wa-OW!"

Miriva stood, removing the her hands from Amber's leg.

"Sorry. But you're all fixed up now."

"Well that's good at least. Buggy. How's her back look? All the blood gone?"

The ghost hesitated, causing Amber to raise a brow.

"Buggy?"

"If I could vomit, she'd be covered in it. But aside from that."

The ghost flew back to Amber, her flight uneasy like a queasy child. She laughed, patting her ghost like a dog.

"There there. You're a tough girl."

"I'd bite you hand if I had a mouth."

"Heheh. Well thank the Traveler you don't."

"Are you…. armored fighters always like this?"

Amber chuckled, glancing over at the female.

"Well, not all of us. Only the fun ones."

She smirked, then glanced over Miriva. Now that she was clean she could see that she wore Kings armor, though it was horribly dented and pitted. Her cape was tattered and her under-suit had scorch marks on it. Her mask was a human skull, polished and cleaned up, with additional eye holes drilled on either side to accommodate her four eyes. However, what surprised Amber more was that her fanged mouth and tendons were her actual face, left exposed by the skull mask. Very interesting and slightly creepy.

With a shrug, Amber carefully stepped round Miriva and retrieved her helmet and the knife she'd thrown earlier. Buggy, trying not to be sick despite being a machine, quickly retreated back into Amber's helmet with a flash of light.

"So, where are we going miss wandering hunter?"

Miriva blinked, surprised by the word choice, but slowly understood what was happening and being said.

"Uh? Oh, right. Well, not exactly sure. My…. sense of smell is a bit… cluttered by all that blood and death. But, I think that if we head..."

She turned, sniffing some before pointing to the far northern horizon, where the moon illuminated some mountains.

"..that way. I believe we will find at the very least a clue, if not my prey."

Amber stood, slipping her helmet on and glancing at Buggy.

"Does that sound right?"

"Hmmm, well my thermal scans are detecting a low, but definitely noticeable heat source to the East. So as the creepy girl said. A clue at the very least."

"Great. Let's be off then."

Amber took a step, then stopped, hissing as some pain shot up her leg.

"More painki.."

"Just inject them already."

Miriva snickered, her teeth chattering.

"For a warrior, you demeanor is surprisingly weak. Do you want me to carry you?"

"For a warrior, you demeanor is surprisingly weak. Do you want me to carry you?"

"Please let me keep some dignity."

Grimlu'lock ground his teeth, glaring down at his prey from atop a distant hill. Their voices rang through his earpiece and into his skull, rattling his teeth and angering him more. Disgusting vermin. The abomination was bad enough, but now it was joined by a wretched Light Wielder, and a female no less. It caused his stomach to boil in disgust. They were an affront to the change and must be burned like all the others.

His head jerked to the side, shuddering violently before finally coming to a rest, throwing off his vision until the fit ended. These tics were an unfortunate side affect of his accelerated birth, and something that all his brethren suffered from. Flexing his jaw, he slowly reached back and withdrew his rifle. It felt good to hold it in his hands again. It had been quite some time, and the molded grip and stock sent shivers of familiarity through his fingers.

With a flick of his finger, the hybrid weapon silently whirled to life, the firing chamber spinning as void and solar energies were swirled together. The scope on top expanded, granting Grim's eyes easy access to it. He breathed steadily, easing his mind and racing heart. Though, to be technical, he didn't have a heart nor needed to breath. Old habits die hard. He hesitated. Old habits? He'd only been born a couple days ago. Chosen and perfected, given this mission by his masters. Was he mistaken? No. No just distracted.

He cursed, his hesitation causing his hand to spaz against the grip. Slowly, the twitching ceased, relaxing against the trigger. It was itching, and he needed to answer it. His twin pupiled eye narrowed, placing the cross-hairs on the abomination's head. It would be the first to die.

"Fine. I guess I'll be nice. Go ahead and keep it."

Miriva snickered at Amber's comment, quite amused.

"Fine. I guess I'll be nice. Go ahead and keep it."

Amber glared at the "fallen", rubbing her wrapped thigh as the fresh painkillers kicked in.

"Well thanks. Awfully sweet of you."

She grumbled, slowly standing up straight and taking a test step. Sore but doable.

"One final question before we depart? What exactly does that small machine do?"

Amber glanced back at Miriva, trying to think up an answer. However, before she could, Miriva eyes suddenly brightened, her hair rattling some before she threw herself to the ground. A dark black bolt, flashing scarlet and violet, split the night air, whizzing over Miriva's head before plowing into a rock. The rock fragmented, pelting them with smoldering shards. The impact continued to fester, the energies corroding away the stone like acid.

"OH S**T!"

Amber dropped to the ground, scrambling to get behind the boulder. Miriva did the same, scrambling across the sand as another bolt plowed into the sand where she had been. Buggy materialized, eye wide as she glanced to Amber just as Miriva cleared the rock.

"What the hell was that?!"

"Hell if I know! Miriva, are you alright?"

The female "fallen" pressed herself against the rock, her hair and teeth rattling in agitation. She flinched, dropping her head just as another bolt skipped off the top of the rock.

"Still in one piece! We need to get out of here! This position is not optimal!"

"I agree! We need to move! But how are we going to get past this sniper fire."

Amber glanced up over the rock, but quickly flinched down as another bolt zipped by, bouncing off her helmet. She swore as her shields broke, the foul substance blackening her visor and causing her HUD to fritz out. Shaking her head, her HUD returned to normal, though the darkness only partially left.

"Bastard! Gah!"

"If you're done with acting like a pup, we need to get out of here!"

"Well what do you suggest?!"

Miriva snarled, rolling onto her stomach and drawing her rifle. To Amber's surprised, the Wire Rifle began firing rapidly without needing to charge up first. The blue bolts streaked through the sky, slamming into a distant cliff top that Amber just noticed.

"GO! Head that way while I cover you! I'll follow shortly after!"

"You heard the girl! Get going sis!"

Amber hissed at Buggy, but said nothing more as she rolled off of the rock and took off towards the north. Her heart was racing, and fear was creeping into her heart. She was exposed out here and needed to move. Finally reaching the top of a dune, she leapt with all her might, just as a black bolt zipped past her. However, she kept running, praying that she wouldn't get shot. She glanced back and was surprisingly relieved when she saw Miriva following behind her, occasionally turning to fire back.

"Run!"

She didn't need to be told twice.

To be continued