Chapter 20: The Iron Curtain Rises
The green sky stared back at her...
As she rose up, Jasmine realized she was surrounded by flowers. Roses specifically. They extended as far as she could see, in all directions.
"Hello?" She called out. Her voice echoed throughout the garden. No one answered her. "Marcus, Otto! Phoenix, Dawn, anyone!"
She missed a name. For some reason she withheld one. Why did she?
She was startled by the sound behind her. Someone was approaching from behind.
"Nysa..." A new voice said. Jasmine turned and saw the figure standing before her. It was a Guardian, a Warlock specifically, but her armor was completely black, adding in to her mysteriousness.
"Who are you?" Jasmine became defensive. "What is this place?"
The Warlock laughed, in a creepy disturbed manner. "This is our home. Come back. We miss you..."
"Back to where? Who are you?!" Jasmine screamed at her.
The Warlock laughed again and held her hand up. In it, a Ghost appeared. But it was deformed, jagged, its piercing red eye instilling fear into Jasmine.
"A product of the Darkness we be; from the restraints of time, we were set free..." The Ghost uttered in a cold, mechanical voice.
All of the sudden the sky went dark and the Ghost rose and exploded into a malleable ball of black ooze. Not knowing what to make of the sight she realized too late as the ball of Darkness reached out to capture her.
Jasmine jerked upward, breathing heavy, heart pounding. She was scared to move, to look around. Terrified that the Warlock was somewhere near. The sight of the blanket draped on the lower part of her body and the assortment of books in the room set her back into reality.
She was in her room. Which meant she was safe. But then the sound of someone moving on the outside of her door quickly shattered that thought.
Jasmine pulled herself out of her bed and opened the door slowly. The sounds lead into the kitchen, where a familiar aroma filled her exhausted being. Suddenly she knew who was in her dorm room. And she couldn't wish for anyone else, not even Optimus Prime himself.
"For you to be making your signature Bloom tea…things must've gotten really bad huh?" Jasmine asked the Warlock Vanguard as she turned around with two mugs in her hands.
"Fortunately, things could've gotten to that point, but they didn't." Ikora said, sitting down. "Come and sit."
Obediently, Jasmine followed instruction and took a seat in front of the steaming blue-green tea before her. Back when Venus prospered, the Venusians used the beautiful Spirit Bloom for many different things. Ikora was able to brew a tea that not only tasted really good but also apply medicinal properties as well, its power growing the stronger the brew was.
"I promise I took my medicine this morning…" Jasmine said, with a hint of guilt, as if she was expecting a scolding from her mentor.
"Your blood sample shows that you did. With the recommended dosage I prescribed to you as well." Ikora replied. "What alludes me is the fact that despite that you still had an attack."
Jasmine dipped her head, "today was supposed to be perfect… I planned everything right. So how could it have all fall apart?"
"Your heart." Ikora answered.
Jasmine looked at her but the Vanguard stood by her answer. "From what we know thus far, Lux Depravator feeds on despair, hatred, the negative feelings of the heart. The stronger the feelings, the less control you have over it."
"But I had control over it… I don't know what could've made it…"
"I got into contact with Arel. It seems the exhibit that you all visited had small traces of Darkness covering it. Harmless to us, but with your condition, in addition to the fear you experienced from the reaction, seems to have set your condition off."
Jasmine quickly agreed to the idea. She didn't fully believe it, but it was enough for her to be content with it. More so than the other idea she refused to admit to herself. She took a sip of the tea, and immediately felt its effects. "As always I appreciate this a lot."
Ikora smiled slightly. Something Jasmine liked about Ikora, how she shows her soft side to a seldom few. Most people knew the Warlock Vanguard as a young rebellious Guardian turned strict and by-the-book with a million secrets only known to her inner circle. Jasmine knew her as her mentor, personal physician, and Guardian. In a way, like Marcus' aunt when she was a little girl. A mother to the motherless, of sorts.
"In the years since I became a Guardian I have heard and seen my associates come too close to the edge and in some cases, take the plunge. As a Warlock, even I myself am curious of the secrets the Darkness holds. However, as a Vanguard I must resist the temptation and warn Guardians like yourself of the dangers you will face if you pursue those secrets."
They stayed talking for a while longer. Eventually it was approaching midnight and with the ensuing festivities the following morning, Ikora took her leave.
As Jasmine walked her to the door, Ikora felt prompted to ask her a question. "Are you intending on participating in the Iron Banner tomorrow?"
"I wasn't really…but I'm assuming you wouldn't want me to anyway, correct?"
"I would advise against it, yes." She answered. "As a matter of fact, I want you to work with us on something."
"So…you can't spill on what Ikora wants you to do with her?" Marcus trailed behind the girl as they entered the Tower Plaza.
"For the tenth time Marcus, I'm sworn to secrecy. Stop worrying about it." Jasmine answered her friend, slightly more annoyed the more he attempted to pry.
"Come on, after what happened yesterday, you can't assume I wouldn't be worried about you." Marcus pointed out.
Jasmine stopped walking and turned to him. "Listen, I appreciate that you're worried, but I'm fine. I just forgot to take my medicine, that's all. More importantly, how is Dawn doing?"
"According to Nysa, she was shaken up but she knew it wasn't your fault. If anything she was worried about you, just like the rest of us. Once we bought you back here, Ikora took you back to your room and we were banned to check up on you by the medical team accompanying her for our safety."
"Well, better safe than sorry." Jasmine shrugged.
Marcus, getting somewhat annoyed himself, managed to get in front of her and stop her in her tracks. "Okay, what's up?"
"Marcus, if you know what's good for you you'd move out of the way." Jasmine snapped at him.
"Not until you tell me what's wrong with you. There's something on your mind and I think I have a right to know."
"Marcus I don't have time for this."
"Well make time."
Those words instantly shifted the airspace between them. Jasmine stared at him. "Marcus don't test me. I'm really not up for your stupidity."
"Then tell me what's wrong. I'm your best friend I need to know what's going on when something is wrong."
"I don't know how many times I have to tell you, nothing's wrong!"
"Stop lying!"
"Hey hey, break it up kids." Zyler suddenly clapped his way towards them, grabbing their attention. "Saladin's just pulled in, we should probably go greet him, right?"
Jasmine looked at the both of them and went into the direction of the Hall of Guardians. "I need to go."
Marcus turned to her. "This isn't over Jazz."
"Keep telling yourself that." She called back as she descended the staircase out of view.
Zyler whistled. "Wow, she's scary when she's pissed."
A frustrated Marcus started walking towards the Tower Hangar, forcing Zyler to catch up to him. "So…what's going on with you?"
"Wish I knew. So-called best friend won't tell me and it's frustrating to be in the dark."
"Think you did something to make her mad?"
"I don't know what I could've done. Friends and I went to the museum, she collapsed, I don't see her until this morning and she has the ferocity of an Ogre."
"Mm-hm. Question, are one of these friends a particular Awoken?"
Marcus stopped, and Zyler turned back. "Did I strike a chord?"
"You've got to be kidding me…" Marcus rolled his eyes and began to turn back. Zyler snagged him by his cloak and held him in place.
"Wrong direction Kinderguardian, Saladin's this way." Zyler pointed to the staircase. "You wanna scold your Fireteam Leader, do it later, cuz' you're not gonna want to miss this."
Marcus pulled his cloak back and reluctantly took point again. "Better be worth it."
"Trust me, it totally will be." Zyler patted him on the back.
The pair entered the hangar where they saw a large group of Guardians present, surrounding the outer rim of the large room. Zyler lead Marcus to the area where it was predominately Hunters, which made him realize the segregation. Each of the classes were divided, with the respected Vanguard at the forefront of each group. Shaxx and his frame Arcite 99-40 stood in the middle of the hangar and the group of Guardians watched as a gold ship slowly pulled into the Hangar.
"Here he comes." Midori-6 said, crossing her arms with her voice hinting excitement.
"Mind telling me who this 'Lord Saladin' guy is? Is he like a ruler or something?" Marcus asked curiously.
"He's an Iron Lord, specifically the last of them." Midori said. "Centuries ago, during the collapse when the first Guardians rose up, the Iron Lords rose up to use their gift to defend what was left of Humanity from the Warlords, those who used their powers to rule over the people. For one reason or another, the Iron Lords all died with Saladin being the only one remaining. Fun fact, he was Zavala and Shaxx's mentor way back when."
That didn't sit well with Marcus. Being reminded of the scolding from Zavala, and Shaxx's drill sergeant attitude in the Crucible matches, made him think that Saladin was a cold-hearted Warlord himself.
As the ship landed in place and began its descent, a light blue stream began to form before Shaxx and Arcite. What it became was a Titan, clad in white with gold wolves decorating it, and a brown cape thrown over his shoulders. Instantly the atmosphere in the room changed, the sense of a major figure becoming ever-so evident.
Lord Saladin approached Shaxx and they shook hands.
"Lord Shaxx."
"Lord Saladin. It's a pleasure to have you here."
"As always it's a pleasure to be here."
Marcus swore he couldn't have been the only one to notice how bland that greeting was. In terms of a mentor-student relationship, he expected a warmer greeting than that. What he just witnessed seemed forced and somewhat reluctant, more so on Shaxx's part if anything.
"Noticed it didn't you?" Zyler leaned over.
"What's up with those two?" Marcus whispered back.
"Apparently during the Twilight Gap incident years ago, Shaxx broke rank against Saladin's order in order to pull out a win against the Fallen forces. While his plan worked, it was extremely reckless on Shaxx's part and the two have been at odds since."
"Must be some grudge since Shaxx's the most eccentric person I've met in this era." Marcus said, thinking of the Quartermaster's excitement each time a feat is performed in the crucible.
Shaxx turned his attention the room of Guardians. "Listen up! For this Iron Banner the game is Control. Three Points, capture the points and gain kills. More captured points the more points each kill will net you. Score's capped at 20,000 points as usual. For you rookies out in the audience, now's your opportunity to back out now because after this you're stuck."
"…I don't like the sound of that." Marcus said, feeling uneasy.
"The Iron Banner was designed as the ultimate test of a Guardian's Light. In order to strip the notion that this is all a game. We hold this tournament, so we can see for ourselves, who can hold themselves on the battlefield, and who will be the first to fall. Battles in the Crucible are like quizzes. My Iron Banner, is the Final Exam."
"…I really don't like the sound of that."
"If that's the case then you're probably one of the people he's talking about." Midori teased.
"So then, last warning. You don't want to be decimated by our veteran's rookies then don't set foot into the Crucible, simple as that." Shaxx looked around. "Well?"
With that assertive phrase, roughly a third of the room made their way out of the hangar. Marcus was shocked his feet stayed planted in place, although something was telling him he should've followed them. He looked over to the Warlocks, and noticed Phoenix standing with his arms crossed, not fazed by their words. Then over to the Titans, where Otto stood as well, looking determined himself. It was enough to reassure him some.
Then an idea popped up in his head. Last Marcus remembered, Control is a 6V6 game type. So, if he teamed up with the both of them, Zyler and Midori and one other guy, then he was pretty confident in his chances.
"Matchups will be announced in thirty minutes. First matches begin in an hour. If you have fireteams, best group together now. The Iron Lords took advantage of their unity, as you all should." Saladin said, surveying the remaining Guardians that remained. Once he was done he departed from the hangar and the Guardians then followed to make teams and last minute preparations.
"So... Zyler ol' buddy." Marcus leaned over.
"Nope."
"But-wha you didn't even know what I was going to say."
"We're not carrying you out there. If we're gonna be on a team you're pulling your own weight."
"Oh," he sighed in relief. "For a second I thought you were going to tell me I was gonna be on my own."
"And let you ruin our reputation?" Midori asked. "Not happening Kinderguardian. I'm also assuming those two Exos you hang around are also joining us?"
"That's not a problem is it?"
"Looking foward to it. Last time in the crucible I managed to sneak a win from under their noses. For most of that match they were demolishing anyone getting in between them."
"Yeah well they've both been looking forward to this all week. To be honest I have been as well."
"Speaking of which, where are the other friends that are with you."
"Jasmine is working with the Vanguard with something and she won't tell me, and Nysa took Dawn out for the day to clear her head."
"Something happened?"
"Hear about the incident at the museum yesterday?" Zyler brought up.
"Oh! I didnt realize it was you all. I'm surprised you're even participating."
"Well Jasmine said not to worry about it so that's what I'm doing." Marcus slid his helmet on. "We should probably get Otto and Phoenix so we can start coming up with a battle strategy, right?"
"Sounds like a plan." Zyler nodded.
As the trio moved on to mingle with the rest of the Guardians, from a distance several other Guardians watched them closely, using their Quasar Cards to pull up the stats on each of them.
"Well well, looks like one of them in over his head." One of the Guardians, a Warlock said, humored by Marcus' record.
"Yeah, this month's IB will be a cakewalk if its filled with Kinderguardians." The Titan added, smashing his fist together and letting the electricity dance around them."
"Don't underestimate them..." The Hunter told them. "The moment you do will be the moment you die."
"Oh come on, did you see his stats, the kid's a complete noob. Probably hasn't even been in a crucible match a day in his life."
"I'm surprised you don't recognize that 'noob' you speak of." The Hunter said. "Fair warning, I'm not watching your back."
"So then what good are you as a teammate then?"
"Consider this me teaching you a lesson about how to not underestimate your opponent. You will thank me for it in the long run." With that the Hunter walked away from the Titan who turned back to his friend.
"Where did you find that weirdo from anyway?"
"He found me. Doing patrols on the moon I ran into him. Did some missions together, one thing lead to another, the topic of Iron Banner came up..."
"What so is this like a first date or something?"
"Oh very funny. Look this dude wrecked shop on a whole army of Hive and took down a Hollowed Wizard without breaking a sweat. Trust me, if I didn't think this guy was gonna help I wouldn't have asked for it."
The Titan sighed. "I hope you're right about this, dude."
"Stop worrying. He even said he has a new Exotic Weapon he's been looking forward to breaking in."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say bro." The Titan started walking, more or less ignoring his friend who trailed behind.
As the remaining Guardians all came out to the Plaza, spectators hovered on the balcony above, while the participants stood in front of the staircase of the Hall of Guardians. Above the bulletin board was always a closed off area that no one had access to.
But once per month, the Guardians gain access to it, the Traveler's Walk. And this was such a moment.
The gate to the walk drew upward with Saladin walking through it. Once the gate locked in place, he saw the Guardians, the ones who were traveling in packs, and the ones seeking to be Lone Wolves. Confirming in his mind that these young wolves would be the ones to prove their might he approached the banister.
"The Iron Banner will now commence! Go forth Guardians, and prove to us that you know what it means to be a Guardian!"