The Harpy's body jerked one last time before falling heavily on the ground. It fell apart into a pile of brass, making it an even harder job to drag it back. Not like the parts would be useful, Harpies are weak, their brass is thinner and less useful for armor.
Slinging my scout rifle over my shoulder, I walked towards the Harpy.
"It was scanning for something," my Ghost said. "The Harpy wasn't in an attack sequence."
"Huh," I crouched down and pulled off the outer plating of the Harpy. "I wonder what it was looking for."
"You?" My Ghost suggested after a second. "The Vex haven't organized any sort of attack for four years even though you're deep into their territory and severely outnumbered."
I tore through the guts of the Harpy and pulled out parts that might be useful. Praedyth had talked about needing a power source. Maybe he needed the kind of source that powers a Harpy.
I laughed. "Well, if they have no clue where we are then sending a Harpy to find us wasn't the best idea by whoever runs this place. And even if they do know where we are, I know something too, I know their secrets."
My Ghost didn't respond so I continued.
"My helmet, in my dreams it fills my head with code, theories, things that I'm beginning to understand." I smiled at the thought. "Soon I'll have all the secrets and I'll be able to put a dent in the Vault, to damage it right in its heart."
"What do you mean?" How much has your helmet been broadcasting?"
"More than enough, way more than enough for me to understand how to defeat the Vault." I raised my voice as if it would help explain my thinking better. "I know how it works, I know everything. Soon I'll be able to implement a new idea into the countless ideas that circulate the Vault from the thousands of minds inside of it."
And it," I continued, "I will finally be... able to..."
In an instant I fell to my knees and slumped over to my side. I felt exhausted and my brain felt like it wasn't working. My breathing was quick and uneven too, it took awhile to slow it down. I lost track of how long but it had to be at least ten minutes to half an hour. After my heart rate slowed I tilted my head up and caught sight of my Ghost floating several meters above my head.
"What's happening?" I asked between breaths.
He floated down to me. "Y-you have to remember that you are severely malnourished. You've survived four years without any taste of food or water, just your Light to keep you going." My Ghost floated closer, the brightness of its eye forced me to look away.
He looked at the Harpy for a second before continuing. "It has been a long time, you have long forgotten what hunger is like. Despite this, the side effects still exist. My scans are showing that fatigue is going to start being a problem."
"Why now?" I was able to push myself back up into a sitting position.
"Because you have begun to patrol around more often. Without energy your body can't keep up. Your mind is starting to slow down." He said, speaking in a slow way that I hated but now could only appreciate.
"Really wish I were a Striker right now."
My Ghost paused. "The energy in Arc Light would last a long time but there wouldn't be enough of it for your body to use it. I recommend we head back and you get some rest."
I slowly pushed myself off the ground and back on my feet. "Screw that idea."
"What?" My Ghost sounded a little confused. That was an understatement.
"I'm too tired to return. I'll head back once I get some rest."
I walked back into the dark shadows behind Vex pillars. It was wet and cold but right now all I cared about was sleeping. Through the cracks between the pillars i could see the entrance to the Gorgon's Labyrinth. I was close to the cave but close didn't mean anything if you were as exhausted as I was. I closed my eyes and began to try and drift off into sleep.
"Kabr... I'm worried if you go asleep now you might never be able to head back. I'm afraid you won't have the energy. Please..." That was the last thing I heard before the world around me faded.
/X: SUB(JECT):
.l / continu...on
/X: DES(CRIPTION):
Guardi..s / live / / Vex / must / ex...ise / / exc.p. / all / caref.. / actions / / long / we / must / take / wh.t / we / / befo.e / time / / .ur / grasp
/x: SOU(RCES)
s5}sL12G0IfR1j#nYN2-=LT[Q}_=f}}Otkut388B5uG~`NJh=X+p=NUUo51Oh'Av#Vl/nKZ=i+/R)YO/SFiLTD0Js]{]A/ntQk(jzV9Fssl/vPvSOAyxf^BJC=|MKvJ=ddZOo2#qV{
x: SEN(DER)
TEM...R
xx: SENT
T(IME): PAST
00000202 0000000178760910
/X: SUB(JECT):
Light Wielders/ Guardians
/X: DES(CRIPTION):
You / / larg.. / search? / This / sit..tion / is / dir. / poss..ly / ev..ythi.g / can / go / / Vex / s...ival / / on / Light Wielder / if / this / now / / / then / I / will / order / / is / rig.t
Find / arm.r.d / Light Wielder / he / will / destro. / our / w..ld
/x: SOU(RCES)
s5}sL12G0IfR1j#nYN2-=LT[Q}_=f}}Otkut388B5uG~`NJh=X+p=NUUo51Oh'Av#Vl/nKZ=i+/R)YO/SFiLTD0Js]{]A/ntQk(jzV9Fssl/vPvSOAyxf^BJC=|MKvJ=ddZOo2#qV{
x: SEN(DER)
A..eon
xx: SENT
T(IME): PRESENT
00000429 00100000098600911
"Gaaa!" My whole body shook as I shot awake.
"Shhh!" My Ghost appeared before my eyes. His eye was so bright I had to bring my arms up to my face to save my eyes.
"Wha... Can't a man..." I still had a groggy feeling but I tried to shake it off. I still had to walk back to my cave, Praedyth and Pahanin were probably wondering where I was or would be wondering that soon.
"Kabr, you need to seriously consider being quiet. There's Vex coming this way! Can you hear them?"
"Vex?" I pushed myself up.
Before I got to my feet I could feel the vibrations on the ground. They were nearing, an entire army of them. Slowly and silently I stood, my Ghost floating just above my shoulders. I peered through the cracks between the pillars. Hundreds of red eyes cut through the darkness, marching out of the Gorgon's Labyrinth in a neat formation that would make any general jealous. The army stopped as a Gorgon passed. It stared at each of the hundreds of Vex that now stood still before moving on. Once the Gorgon was out of sight the army began to move again. The sound of their footsteps became louder and louder as they neared.
My dream... The code... I could understand it more clearly this time around. The two Vex, obviously high ranking Vex, had been talking about something. Increasing a search. That means us, I thought with dread. They're looking for us right now.
"Praedyth and Pahanin," I whispered. "I'm not there to protect them."
"What are we going to do?" My Ghost asked, looking terrified.
I crouched back down and pressed myself harder against the pillars, which didn't do much to hide me better. It was all that I could do though. Running back to the cave is just going to get me seen and followed by the Vex. I'd be leading them straight to us.
"We have to stay put now." I could feel myself shaking. "Just hope they can't sense us from where they are."
I peeked out of cover again. They were coming towards me, there was no way they wouldn't see or at least sense me when they get here. But if I run now... I'll just lead them right back to the cave. I need to stay put, even if that means I'm caught, it gives Praedyth and Pahanin a chance to not be found. A chance to survive...