Tormented

We're Going Where Now?

Hey guys! I have decided to let other people's characters make an appearance in my story. However, they will only appear in one chapter and more than likely not play a big role in the story (more like they will have interactions with the main characters), just to be fair for everyone. If you want your character to make an appearance in the story, just send a private message to me with their information such as Name, Class, Race, Personality, etc. and I will figure out a point in the story where they will make an appearance.. Also, just because you send me your character quickly does not mean they will gain a part immediately. They might appear in the next chapter or the next three chapters so if your character gets accepted, don't expect them to make an appearance immediately. And a fair warning. Just because you sent me a character does not mean that they 'will' have an immediate role in the story. I'm sorry a head of time but I would rather the story go in a smooth line than diverting the path of the story just to somehow get your character in here. So again, apologies ahead of time.

Uryurkos - Thanks so much for the reviews. It really helps me out on the plotholes and small details. Really appreciate it ^_^

"Can't you reload any faster!?"

"Shut up!"

Gritting his teeth as he fumbled to shove a clip into his hand cannon, Angel heard the approaching footsteps of an opposing team member ringing in his ears, causing the human Hunter to speed up his pace and finally flipping his weapon to let the clip click inside. However, before the young Guardian could raise his hand cannon, he glanced up only to stare down the barrel of a scout rifle, making Angel trail the weapon up until his eyes paused at the darken visor of a Warlock. Gulping, Angel heard Hope whisper in his helmet, "I told you to reload after that last kill."

Watching the Warlock put pressure on their finger on the trigger, Angel squeezed his eyes shut, expecting the familiar pain of a bullet penetrating his forehead before being followed by the bliss of death. A gunshot rang through the air however, it was not of a silent 'click' of a scout rifle that Angel recognize, but an explosive round of a shotgun. Snapping his eyes open, Angel saw the familiar copper clad form of Carina cocking her shotgun once before firing once more at the reeling Warlock, sending them flying back and landing on their back, the familiar form of their Ghost materializing over them soon after.

Scrambling back onto his feet, Angel heard Carina let out a whistle, "It's been how many weeks now and what rank are you?"

"Shut up," Angel grumbled as he rubbed his arm, the familiar voice of Shaxx resounding through the Pantheon to signal their win, "I told you that I am not that great in the Crucible."

"That is why 'I' am going to keep dragging you in here until you are," Carina gave the Hunter a grin as the latter let out a groan before holding out their Ghosts in preparation for transmat.

Xxxxx

"Well, you have to admit, Angel was doing well up until the end," Akiva laughed, hearing his twin giggle beside him, "He shouldn't have wasted his sniper ammo trying to hit that one Hunter otherwise, I bet he would have been able to keep his distance with the Warlock."

Ianos, clad back in his black and azure armor plus the helmet, let out a shrug as he crossed his arms, "Some days go better than the others."

He then motioned for the others to follow as they walked towards the entrance to the Crucible, seeing the familiar white and copper forms of Angel and Carina as they materialized into view, stumbling over their feet before gaining enough balance to glance up and wave at their approaching team mates.

"Enjoyed the match?" Carina asked as she tilted her head to the side to press the button on the sealant to her helmet, the piece of equipment letting out a small hiss before she was able to take it off, tucking it underneath her arm before Angel followed suit with her action.

"Still room for improve-ack!" Quickly removing her elbow from Ianos' side, Aleeza ignored the scowl she received from the Veteran Guardian as she stated, "Oh very! It was enjoyable seeing you two work together in the beginning."

"Yeah, until that Titan forced us to split," Angel heaved out a sigh, his shoulders drooping as he added, "it was scary as fuck in there without Carina having my back."

"Hey, we had the other four members of our team," Carina pointed out, earning a blank stare from the Hunter, "Well, then again, they were off running around the map." Humming to herself momentarily, Carina then let out a nervous chuckle as she added, "It was sort of hard to keep track of them."

"Don't worry, Angel, you'll get the hang of running around the Crucible alone," Akiva gave the human Hunter a comforting smile, "Not everyone started out performing exceptional well, you know?"

"Say that to Carina," Angel muttered, nodding his head towards the silver Exo, who blinked at her fellow Guardian's words, "I don't perform well in the Crucible."

"Tell that to the ten kill streak you had in the last match." The Hunter pointed out, "or the time you wiped out the entire opposing team using your Fist of Havoc. Or when you rushed in and took out three of them with your shotgun. Or-"

"Okay, I get, I get," Carina let out a sheepish smile, "geez, I didn't get that way overnight you know?"

"Better than me at least," Angel mumbled, earning a chuckle from the female Exo before she gave him a slap on the back, causing the Hunter to let out a wheeze as Carina stated, "Hey, you never know. Spend as much time in the Crucible like me and you might surpass me in experience and skill."

"Pfft, like that day will ever happen," Doubt could be heard in the young Guardian's words but that didn't stop the soft smile that faded onto his tan features, "but thanks for the voice of confidence."

"You are welcome!" Carina beamed, propping her hands on her waist, earning a chuckle from the twins before Akiva nodded his head towards the exit of the room, "Come on, let's celebrate your victory. I recently went to the Market and bought some fish, my treat."

"That will have to wait."

Snapping their gaze towards the direction of the entrance, the familiar black and grey clad form of Pluto appeared through the door way, the Exo Hunter's blind optics piercing through his makeshift blindfold as he approached, Nix following not too far behind him.

"Ikora, Zavala, and Cayde wants us in the Hall," Pluto stated as the pair came to a pause near the Fireteam, "They have a mission for us." His words gained him puzzled looks.

"A Mission?" Aleeza asked, her crimson eyes narrowing in bewilderment, "A mission for us? I thought we were a 'freelance' group."

"I tried refusing, trust me," Pluto's head shifted slightly to the side, an action that the team recognized as the Hunter rolling his blind optics, "but since we're still living in the Tower, we're still, quote on quote, 'Under Vanguard jurisdiction and as such, must accept whatever mission we are given.'"

"Let me guess, Ikora said that?" Ianos also rolled his eyes when the blind Hunter nodded, "Well, we can't get out of this one."

"Huh?" Angel turned and gave the male Awoken a puzzled glance, "Why? Can't we just compromise with her? I thought Warlocks like to come to a conclusion where both parties can benefit."

The young Guardian's words caused Ianos to turn and give Angel a blank look, "Who told you that?"

"…Cayde.'

Pressing a hand onto his helmet where his forehead would be, Ianos shook his head before lowering his hand and stating, "Look, Cayde maybe the Hunter Vanguard, but don't take his words to heart. Half of them are nonsense anyway." The Warlock then let out a scoff as he crossed his arms, "Although he is right about Warlocks coming to a compromise but that's 'most'. Ikora is one of the few exempted from that statement."

"And you?" Carina piped in, giving the male Awoken a smile when he turned and gave her a scowl, "What? Just stating the truth."

"…Anyway, do you know what mission they want to send us on?" Ianos turned his attention back to Pluto.

It was then the blind Exo paused, his blank gaze staring deeply at the male Warlock. Letting the silence permeate between the team, something clicked inside of Ianos and the Awoken let out a whisper, "Don't tell me it's outside of Earth's atmosphere."

"It's outside of Earth's atmosphere," Pluto confirmed and almost immediately Ianos dropped his arms and twirled around, taking a few steps away before letting out a very vocal, "Fuck!", letting it resound through the room and catching the attention of Guardians nearby. Immediately glaring away any curious eyes, Ianos then twirled around to face his old mentor, "And you accepted?"

"Hey, like I have stated before, I attempted to refuse but Ikora pulled that 'Vanguard' bullshit on me," The blind Exo frowned, "Look, I know you are sensitive on leaving the Earth's atmosphere but it has been years, 'years' since you last left Earth. I think it's time to break through that shell and time to mend old wounds, Little Light."

"It's not about me!" Ianos retorted before jabbing his hands towards Angel and Carina, "It's about those two!"

"What?" Carina gave the Warlock a puzzled stare, "What do you mean?"

The Warlock narrowed his eyes at the female Exo, "You two are hardly a couple of years old and yet they are already sending you guys out of Earth's atmosphere."

"…So you're saying we're not capable of performing missions outside of Earth?" Carina asked, her violet optics narrowing at the male Warlock.

"I am not saying you are not capable." Ianos heaved out a sigh as he shook his head, placing a hand onto his helmet as he added, "I am saying that you two are not ready."

Hearing his words, Carina couldn't help but let rage overtake her senses and the female Exo opened her mouth to argue when Ianos whisper, "You two are too young. It's too soon." It was barely audible but Carina's auditory sensors picked it up perfectly and the Exo Titan could hear the concern and fear waver in his voice. Truthfully, it took the silver Exo by surprise. True she has heard of Ianos' 'softer' side but seeing it for herself, the way he spoke as if the two were going to be sent off to a death sentence and spoke as if he had experienced it before.

{"Considering his age, I expect he has."}

Flinching at the sudden intrusion of Spears' voice, Carina turned her violet optics towards the violet and green Ghost, the latter of which hovered over her shoulder as he returned the gaze with a blink, {"You have to remember Carina, Ianos had went through countless Fireteams. Imagine the age of some of those Guardians. Perhaps they would have been not much older than you. Now imagine being in Ianos' position, watching those who are practically Newborns compared to him die and unable to do anything to save them. Can you imagine his concern with you and Angel?"}

Letting a frown form onto her metallic features, Carina couldn't help but let out a sigh of defeat, accepting the words of her Ghost as truth. Instead of the foul words she was going to use, she instead stated, "Angel and I will be fine, we have you guys, right?"

Immediately, all eyes turned towards the female Exo, all of which held suspicion and doubt, "What?"

Instead of response, silence permeated between the Guardians before Ianos locked eyes with the blind Exo's, "Do you know the location?"

A shrug was the Exo Hunter's answer, "They refused to give me more until we head to the Hall." He then nodded his head towards the exit of the room, "So, shall we get this over with? The sooner we get this mission over with, the sooner we can return to the Tower."

Giving the Hunter another blank stare, Ianos heaved out a sigh and nodded, signaling to the rest of the Fireteam to follow Pluto out of the room with the Warlock hesitantly trailing behind.

Xxxxx

"You know, the six of you should really should figure out a name for your Fireteam," Cayde hummed as the group entered the hall, earning a bewildered look, "Would be easier for us to call you guys instead of trying to find your frequency." He then cleared his throat, "Fireteam Put-Your-Name-Here come to the Hall of Guardians for a mission." Turning his turquoise eyes towards the Guardians, all he gained was silence and in response, he just shrugged, "Eh, tough audience."

Responding with a sigh at the Vanguard Hunter, Ikora shook her head slightly before turning her hazel eyes towards the group, "As you know, we have summoned you here for a mission." Turning her eyes towards Pluto, "A mission that you cannot refuse."

"And the reason?" Ianos blurted out, earning a scowl from Zavala.

"We need emissaries for the Reef," This caught everyone's attention, "True, we are currently on good terms but who knows for how much longer?"

"So we picked out your team to head to the Reef as emissaries and finalize a treaty between the Awoken and the Tower," Ikora added, "tell them we are willing to trade; supplies, troops, even information if we can come to an agreement."

"And what makes you think we can accomplish this?" Aleeza asked, her crimson eyes clearly showing doubt, "You know as well as I do that the Awoken aren't exactly trustful towards those who come from earth, specifically 'Guardians'."

"We have a solution for that," Ikora turned her golden gaze towards the male Awoken, "Isn't that right, Ianos?"

Startled, the Awoken Warlock took a couple of steps back before stuttering out, "I-I don't know what you're talking about."

"Now don't play dumb with me, 'Black Death'" Ikora narrowed her eyes at the Warlock, the latter of which straightened out and returned the glare, "my informants were quite accurate when transferring information, and it is quite known amongst the Hidden that you were born on the Reef."

His body going rigid, Ianos' orange hues glowed menacingly behind his helmet as he let out a snarl, "That was private information. Where the hell did you learn that?"

A ghost of a smile passed over Ikora's dark features, "There is a reason why they are called 'The Hidden', Ianos."

Glaring at the female Warlock, Ianos reigned himself into silence, opting to wait until Cayde continued, "We had gained information that, although not a hive mind like the Vex, the Awoken born on the Reef have a deep empathetic link to each other, especially for the Royal house, which have rumors stating that they could even sense each other galaxies away."

"How and why is still a mystery but that is why we believe this team would be successful," Zavala added, "We believe that since Ianos was born on the Reef, his empathetic link to the Reefborn would give us a better chance to strengthen the bond between the Awoken and the Tower."

"Have you forgotten that I haven't been there in 'years'?" Ianos emphasized, his eyes still narrowed at the Vanguard, "Who knows if the link is still there? What if it doesn't work?"

"Then you still have to do everything you can to ensure the treaty is in place," Ikora deadpanned, earning another glare from the Awoken male, "empathetic link or not, this mission is still of high importance. Accomplish it any way you can without starting a war with the Awoken."

"Easier said than done," Pluto stated as he shook his head, but nonetheless asked, "When do we leave?"

"As soon as possible," Ikora stated, "Normally I would advise leaving now but since your stay in the Reef will be a while-"

"Wait, a while?" Carina's violet optics widen, "How long is a while?"

"As long as it takes to get that treaty finalized," This earned the female Warlock another gawking look from the female Exo, "which is why you have until the end of the day or tomorrow to gather the needed supplies and head to the Reef."

"It will be a long stay," Cayde added in, "So, at that time, come up a Fireteam name, alright?"

"Cayde." Zavala glowered at the Exo Hunter who shrugged and stated, "Hey, they've been a Fireteam close to two years now. It's about time they make a name for themselves."

Shaking his head at the Exo, Zavala turned his attention back towards the group of Guardians, "Until your safe return from the Reef, you are hereby dismissed." He then nodded his head once towards the Fireteam, "May the Light aid you."

Xxxxx

"Is Ianos going to be alright?"

Turning his blind eyes towards Akiva, Pluto's sensitive auditory sensors recognized the stomping footsteps of Ianos heading towards the Guardian Quarters, signaling the Warlock's frustration and anger.

"Just needs to let off some steam," Pluto responded, sensing Nix gliding over his shoulder, letting out his scanner to ensure the safety of his Guardian, "He is just more upset that the Vanguard figured out his 'little secret'."

"Why would he be upset over something like that?" It was Angel's voice, the curious Hunter lagging not far behind him.

Pluto just shrugged at the young Hunter's question, "Ianos likes to keep his private life, well, private. If he wants to share, he 'will' share. But if you find it through any other means, well, let's just say that Ianos can hold grudges. And I mean 'grudges'."

"So, that means that he is going to be upset at Ikora for a while then?" Carina's voice piped in, her question making Pluto respond with a nod, "What does he usually do when he holds a grudge?"

"Usually avoid you," Pluto replied, "or in extreme cases, make it known that he's upset. Mainly just throwing insults or toss you off the side of the Tower when he gets the chance." Letting out another shrug, the blind Exo added, "Since Ikora is the Warlock Vanguard and she spends majority of her time in the Hall, the best Ianos can do is the former. Unless he finds a way to get away with throwing Ikora off the side of the Tower."

"Pfft, I highly doubt it," Pluto could sense Carina roll her optics, "If what Ikora says is true about these 'Hidden', I bet they would catch Ianos in the act and stop him before he could even drag her to the rails."

"Touché" Pluto clicked his tongue in amusement at the younger Exo's words, "Well, then that means we have to keep our guard up during this mission as well."

This earned the Exo Hunter a bewildered look from Angel, "What do you mean?"

"If what Ikora says about these 'Hidden' being true, then they could be anywhere around us. Darkness, they could even be on the Reef for all we know."

"…Well shit." It was Akiva who commented this time, "Wonder what else Ikora knows about us."

"If she's smart, she would stop trying to gather intel on us," The blind Exo muttered, earning puzzled looks from the rest of the team, "True, she's able to gather intel from us but now that we know that they're watching us, I'll be on the lookout."

This earned the Hunter a snort from the Titan, "And nothing hardly ever escapes your 'sight'."

Letting a smile fade onto his dark features, Pluto let out a nod before turning his blind gaze towards Angel, "A trait that all Hunters need to learn." Sensing the younger Hunter's eyes on him, the Exo Hunter added, "If we get the chance, I'll teach you on the Reef." He then tapped the side of his eyes, as if to emphasize his next words, "It's mandatory for Hunters to have sharp senses. Who else is going to watch the back of the rest of the team if they miss even one enemy?"

"Us?" Angel response was more of a question than an answer but it was enough for the blind Exo.

"You should have seen Pluto back then," Akiva laughed, "It was rumored that if you see him in the Crucible, you better pray to the Traveler cause no matter what, he 'will' find you and take you down with a headshot."

"I remember hearing about that," Aleeza hummed, tapping the bottom of her chin as she added, "It has been said he led Fireteam Galaxy to multiple victories in Crucible matches before that fateful mission."

"Oh shush, stop highlighting a trait that is common in Hunters," Pluto frowned, earning a chorus of chuckles from the rest of the team, "all it takes is training and meditation and you'll be able to track anything in a matter of moments."

"Just spot the enemies for me and I'll mow them down," Carina piped in, slamming a fist into the palm of her hand for emphasis, earning a shake of the head from Pluto.

"You still have a lot to learn," Pluto muttered as he shook his head once more before making the decision to change the subject, "Alright, we're going to leave the Tower 'today', get this mission over with as soon as possible and hopefully, we'll be back home within a week at least, a month at most."

"That's still quite a while," Akiva pointed out as they entered the elevator to the apartments, the familiar sound of the metal doors scraping against the floor ringing in everyone's ears as they closed, "True, we're out in the field more often than the Tower but the Reef, well, that's a whole different story."

"Yeah," Carina nodded her head in agreement, "I mean, we're pretty much surrounded by a race that has a strong dislike towards us."

"May the Traveler help us all." Aleeza stated.

Xxxx

"You sure you are going to be alright?"

Turning around so his golden gaze locks onto aqua hues, Akiva let a comforting smile fade onto his pale features, "I told you, I have my team watching my back. I'll be fine."

"But you are heading to the Reef. 'The Reef'." Neve emphasized, worry clear in her blue eyes, "and I heard about their opinions on us Guardians and let's just say, they weren't very good ones."

"You worry too much," Akiva turned away from the table, signaling to Lex to pick up the last of his weapons before approaching the female Warlock, "It's just a simple mission of heading to the Reef as emissaries of the Tower to mark a treaty. Not much of a big deal."

"Unless if there's Awoken who are against it," Neve snapped, "Who knows, what if they try to assassinate you and the others? And since they're on the outermost edge of the Light what if you die and unable to resurrect, what if-"

A hand on her shoulder caused Neve to pause on her words, locking onto Akiva's golden hues once more as she watched the smile on his pale features fade into a more serious line, "Neve, I promised you the day when we agreed to unity that I would always return from missions. Alive." Cupping his hand onto his love's cheek, Akiva added, "I plan to keep it, no matter what. If the Awoken tries to kill me…" A wry smile formed from his lips, "Let's just say that it will be a different outcome than they expect."

At first quiet, a sigh finally escaped Neve as she leaned her head into the Titan's hand, reaching up and grasping it lightly in hers as she stated, "I know. I just cannot help but worry." She rubbed her cheek into Akiva's palm as she closed her eyes, "I just do not want to lose another I love."

Another smile faded onto the human Titan's lips however unlike before, this one was softer and held a lighter tone, enough that when Neve opened her eyes, she smiled. Leaning in, Akiva lifted his hand away from Neve's cheek, feeling her hands reluctantly unwind form his fingers as he pressed his lips against the female Warlock's bare forehead and he wrapped his arms around her shoulders, "Do not worry. You are the reason why I come back from mission alive. Just to see your face, it is enough for me to fight on."

A chuckle escaped from Neve's lips as Akiva unwound his arms from her shoulders, gently clasping his hands on her shoulders as she glanced up at him, "There is also another reason why you should come back from this mission alive."

At first, Akiva's expression scrunched together in bewilderment before his eyes widen as Neve gently removed one of the hands from her shoulders and slid it down to her stomach, her aqua hues glancing up at him expectantly.

"Are you..?" Akiva breathed, placing his other hand onto the Warlock's stomach, as if to feel the forming life within.

"Three months," Neve smiled as she watched the Titan's gaze snap up, "I sensed the child's life the first month but I didn't want to form false hope so I waited and…" She reached up and tentatively pressed her fingers against Akiva's cheek, "We're going to be parents, Akiva." Tears formed in her eyes as she repeated, "Parents."

Feeling his heart beat rapidly in his chest, Akiva said nothing but instead pulled Neve in an embrace, letting out a shuddering breath as a smile formed on his pale features. "Parents," he whispered, feeling the edges of his vision blur as he buried his face into Neve's shoulders.

Xxxx

"What do you mean we have to stay!?" Axtris fumed, her snarl even causing her older littermate to flinch, "Why is Vellak able to go but not Olkar and I?"

Listening to the female Eliksni's words, the human Hunter couldn't help but let out a groan. The three Eliksni have been living in the same quarters as the Guardian, although with their own separate rooms, courtesy of the Vanguard. Over past year, the three Vandals slowly tossed away the remnants of their armor back when they were aligned with the Devils, and with the help of Angel and the others, had equipped their own armor to suite their tastes.

The oldest of the siblings had long ago tossed away his heavy armor and have switch to cloth garments, the colors matching the cape draped over his shoulders to signify his link to the House of Spirits. Vellak's spine finally made a full recovery however, the Vandal has a permanent limp on his right side and has to walk around with the aid of a staff followed by constant pain to his back side if caught standing too long. Penitence for the lives of the Guardians he had taken, he claims.

Olkar had taken the liking to heavy set armor, deciding the way he recklessly charges into battle that the thicker pieces of armor was the best choice for him but that does not stop the Vandal from complaining how it slows him down. Nonetheless, Angel found the male Eliksni training in them, most likely to get his body use to the heavier armor set. The Ghost that follows him, Trikxas, still follows the Eliksni around, much to the shock of the surrounding Guardians whenever they pass, and always is at his side to defend him if any malevolent Guardian gets too close. Whenever Angel sees the two together, he could always sense the fondness the two held towards each other and wonders what will happen the day when Trikxas finally finds her Guardian.

Being a stealth Vandal, Axtris admired the leather workings of Hunter armor, how it is light enough to keep their movements silent but strong enough to stave off moderate attacks. As such, the female Eliksni had requested her armor to work in a similar fashion to that of a Hunter, with thin but sturdy cloth wrapped around her body but metal plating lining on her legs and arms as extra security. And from the way Angel watched her practice in the training fields, it had only made Axtris more agile and dangerous in combat, especially when she cloaked herself in stealth, Angel's keen eyes barely spotting the sparking edges along the female Eliksni's form.

With their gear equipped and finally comfortable enough to wonder around the Tower themselves, the three Vandals had taken it upon themselves to keep a close eye on the human Hunter. Although annoyed at first, Angel eventually found it comforting to know that he has someone to watch his back, especially since every Guardian present in the Tower knows of his background with the Eliksni. And many of them aren't too happy about it. But after much chatter with Pluto on their way up to their quarters in the elevator, Angel figured out that the Awoken aren't all too charmed with the Fallen as well and it clicked within the Hunter that although the three Vandals are willing to follow him to edge of the light, he's not comfortable in letting them stay with him in unfamiliar territory. As such, he thought it best to only bring Vellak along and to put Axtris and Olkar under the care of Fireteam Blaze, a situation that Axtris is not all too pleased about.

"Because Vellak is the scribe for the House of Spirits," Angel retorted, keeping his stature tall and confident. He had learned long ago that the posture was the best way to get Eliksni to take his words seriously, "It only makes sense that he follows wherever I go and records what happens." The Hunter then paused, turning his green eyes towards the Vandal, who had taken a seat on one of the chairs in Angel's quarters, "That is what House Scribes do right?"

When Vellak nodded in confirmation to the human Hunter's words, Angel turned his attention back to the female Eliksni, "See? There you go."

"But he doesn't follow you out to the Great Valley," Axtris argued, "or the Lost Shores. Or-"

"That is because they are all the same. Patrol. Clear, and Get out." Angel couldn't help but let a frown fade onto his tan features, "I highly doubt a scribe will be willing to write down the same event over and over again."

Letting out a low rumble, Axtris' posture slouched, turning her four eyes towards her littermate only for Olkar to let out a shrug, "If Pure One says that we are not allowed to follow, then we are not allowed to follow. His words are final."

Grumbling under her breathe, Axtris turned her gaze back onto Angel, "But do you have to put us under the care of the Flames? Especially since the Angry One despises us."

"You mean Leo?" Angel asked, earning a nod as a response, "That is why exactly I am placing you under the care of Fireteam Blaze. Unlike most of the Guardians, Neve, Spirit, Ria, Jordan, and Alyx agree with the alliance between the Tower and the House of Spirits. And since Leo is always constantly under their gaze, you two will be safe with them."

Although doubt still lingered in the back of her mind, Axtris nodded glumly, complaining under her breath when she watched Angel turn his attention to Vellak, motioning for him to get up and help him get ready for their departure to the Reef together. As the pair slowly made their way out of the room, Axtris then felt a hand clamp down onto her shoulder, twisting her gaze and locking her eyes onto her brother, "What?"

A familiar chortling sound escaped the male Eliksni, confounding Axtris even further, "What's is so funny, Olkar?"

"They believe we will follow their order flawlessly," Olkar whispered, his words immediately catching the attention of his younger littermate, "but just because we say yes does not mean we cannot follow."

Letting the cogs turn in her mind, Axtirs couldn't help but let her mandibles lift into an Eliksni equivalent of a smile as she slowly understood the words of her brother, "Oh, you are quite clever, Olkar."

Xxxxx

Taking a reluctant step into the Hangar, Ianos couldn't help but heave out a sigh and not long after, he recognized the stirring movements of Ace inside his helmet, "Nervous returning home?"

"The Reef is 'not' my home," Ianos frowned, "Just because I was born there does not make it immediately my home." He nodded his head at the Hangar, "The Tower is my home now, and the Guardians here are my family, despite what they say."

"Aww, so you do care?"

Snapping his head around, Ianos couldn't help but let a scowl form onto his features as he recognized his Firetream entering the bay, his eyes focusing on Carina who had let a grin form onto her silver features. Although he couldn't help but let curiosity spark in the back of his mind as he recognized the limping form of Vellak trailing not too far behind them, "Why is Vellak here?"

"He's House Scribe of the House of Spirits," Angel immediately responded, group just coming to a slow halt in front of the Awoken Warlock, "He's here to record everything that occurs while we're up at the Reef."

"Hopefully things will go well," Pluto heaved out a sigh as he rubbed the back of his head, "especially with the recent rumors coming from the Reef."

This caught the younger Hunter's attention, "Rumors? What rumors?"

"There was an…'incident' where many Awoken were found dead," Pluto responded, immediately earning everyone's attention to his words, "There's rumors that it was a fellow Guardian but there has been no fixed evidence yet to properly convict them."

"And they're sending us? A group of Guardians to the Reef where their mood has been soured by the deaths of their own that could have been possibly caused by a Guardian?" Carina asked, in which she received a nod as answer, "Oh alright, send us to our death sentence oh great Vanguard."

"It hasn't been proven that the deaths were caused by a Guardian," Akiva reminded, "Until they find fixed evidence, we can only speculate – and what the heck is that Hunter doing?" The Titan came to a sudden halt, catching everyone else on the team off-guard as they followed the golden gaze of the human Guardian.

From the red and blue shades of the armor, the dead giveaway of the Hunter was the hood pulled over his head as the Guardian paced back and forth in the Hangar. From the way he was wringing his hands and the occasional twitchy glance to his surroundings, the Guardian was nervous and on edge, proven by the point when he jumped at Akiva's words, "Hey buddy! You alright there?"

Now having caught his attention, the group have a better look on his features, grey plating with illuminated red optics, signifying him as an Exo. At first, no response came from the Hunter but after a long awkward pause, he finally responded, "No." Although a short and single response, it was enough to recognize the hint of static in his tone, as if his voice struggled to form simple words.

"Need some help then?" Aleeza piped in, taking slow steps towards the Hunter only to pause as he took several steps away from the female Warlock.

"No," He muttered, his red optics staring warily at the Guardians, nervously shifting back and forth on his feet, "Just waiting."

"Waiting?" Aleeza repeated, curiosity gleaming in her crimson eyes, "For what?"

The red, blue, and white clad Hunter nodded his head towards one section of the Hangar, "Ship."

Puzzled, all eyes turned towards on section of the bay only to pause as they stopped upon a black and gold ship parked there, placed among the others as if waiting for its Guardian to return.

"Then why not just leave?" Carina asked, giving the Hunter a bewildered look, "Shouldn't be too difficult right?"

That's when the Guardian's shoulders slumped, the look on his face defeated as he responded, "Lockdown."

"Lockdown?" Akiva gave the Guardian a puzzled stare, "Now why would you be on lockdown?"

Instead of immediately responding, the Exo Hunter just gave out a shrug before pacing once more although kept his wary gaze upon the group of Guardians.

"Ah, now I recognize him," All eyes turned to Pluto, barely catching glimpse of Nix disappearing from view.

"Recognize him?" Angel repeated, "You know him?"

Pluto shrugged, "You can say that. Heard of him. Mantic-64. Also called 'The Void Stalker'. He's known for two things. For using a Void arsenal, if of course the name doesn't give it away, and – "

"Being a servant of Darkness for a year before coming back." Ianos finished, his orange hues widening as the Exo Hunter came to a pause, "I heard of it but I didn't believe it."

"If you're still in doubt, you should see his Ghost," Pluto commented, "Although both of them are Soldiers of Light once more, there rumors that his Ghost's shell holds the remnant of darkness tainted in their light." The black and grey clad Hunter let out a shrug, "Although the corruption was cleansed enough that the Vanguard doesn't see it much of a threat, that doesn't stop them from keeping a close eye on Mantic."

"You…"

Snapping their attention back onto the grey Exo, the group couldn't help but jump when they found Mantic standing just mere inches away from them, his red optics staring intently at the male Warlock of the team. Reaching out with his fingers, Mantic brushed the tips against Ianos' helmet, earning a bewildered look from the Awoken before the Exo whispered, "The Darkness…"

Eyes going wide, Ianos took several steps back, feeling his back press into Pluto behind him at his attempt to widen the distance between him and Mantic, "What of it?"

Instead of responding immediately, the Exo tilted his head slightly, causing his hood to shift ever so slightly to reveal torn metal and exposed wires on the top of his head, earning audible gasps from the younger Guardians.

"Taken," Mantic finally responded, although this earned the Exo more bewildered looks, "Fight it and you will return."

"What?" Ianos questioned but it was too late, the Exo Hunter had already wondered off and continued his pace closer to the proximity to his ship, his wary gaze now off elsewhere.

"Well, he was interesting," Carina commented as she turned her violet optics back and forth between her team and Mantic, "a bit unnerving but interesting."

Letting out a short huff, Pluto turned his attention towards Ianos, "If the rumors are true, that Mantic was able to return from the Darkness, then there is hope for you yet, Little Light."

Turning his gaze at his old mentor, Ianos couldn't help but let doubt scratch at the surface of his mind. But in the back, Ianos could barely feel that small glimpse, that small glimpse of hope growing at learning this new information. Just maybe, maybe, there will be a way to rid himself of the Darkness eating away at his light.

Just saying, Lost Valley is the Mothyards and the Lost Shores are the Forgotten Shores. I imagine that since Eliksni call the Traveler "The Great Machine", they also call the other areas differently. So I tried my best at the names but I think I lacked some imaginations with them lol. Anyways, yes, the armor and outfits Vellak, Olkar, and Axtris are suppose to represent the class that they 'would' have been if they were chosen to be Guardians. Like so:

Vellak - Warlock

Olkar - Titan

Axtris - Hunter

I don't know why but when I was writing out this chapter I was tempted and I caved lol.

Anyways, apologies to Mantic64 if your character is OOC. I did the best I can .

Mantic-64 belongs to Mantic64.