Part II takes place nine years after the end of part I

Greed the Defender Part II

"Sera, what time is it?" Vell mumbled tiredly.

"Still early morning. Around four," the Ghost answered quietly, "We still have a few hours before we have to move out."

Vell repositioned himself against the trunk of the tree and yawned, keeping his eyes open and on the refugees through sheer force of will. His Shotgun remained at his side, within arm's reach.

Being invited into the Pilgrim Guard was an honor; a privilege even. Especially when Vell hadn't even been a Guardian for up to a decade. But the prestigiousness and importance of the position didn't outweigh its tediousness. It's one thing to spend weeks at a time on the Moon or Mars watching out for only yourself or the occasional teammate.

But escorting a large group of mortals to the City was a harsh reminder of just how fragile people could be.

Not that Vell needed a reminder.

Joanne. She was only a few months dead now. And against his will, Vell had to leave a grieving brother to deal with the aftermath alone. The Commander was at least kind enough to allow him some time to attend the funeral. With the Battle of Twilight Gap five years past, there had a lot of those and he had attended his fair share.

One that had stood out to him the most was for one of his mentors, a Reefborn Awoken named Sasha. She had held onto a key point of the wall even after her Ghost had been destroyed and her team scattered. She managed to slay well over a hundred Fallen Kings before she simply dropped dead from injuries and exhaustion.

She had left behind a Human husband and two children. Fourteen year old twins, Aveline and Josef. Vell knew the pain of losing a parent. He never knew his birth parents and his adoptive parents died sometime before he became a Guardian. It was a pain he never wished on anyone.

But Vell's thoughts always drifted back to her husband. Losing the love of your life? That must have been something else entirely. Vell hoped he would never experience it. But with both him and his own love being Guardians, that may have been just asking for too much.

"Sera, could you call Toland please?" Vell murmured.

"At this hour?"

"Yeah. He's probably still up."

It took only a few seconds for Toland's voice to appear in his head, "Vell?"

"Who else?" Vell thought to him with a slight laugh.

Toland laughed too, "How are you?"

"I'm managing. No deaths, few injuries but the refugees are safe."

"Always good to hear," Toland said.

Vell sighed, "Have you been checking up on-"

"Your brother and his family? Of course."

"How…how are they?"

There was silence for sometime. Then Toland answered, "Adrian, he…Traveler, I've never seen a man more broken, Vell."

Vell rubbed his eyes, "How often do you and Eris see him?"

"We've both pretty much moved in for the time being. He's losing himself. It's not healthy for him and especially not for the kids."

"How are the kids?"

"Christine has been having trouble going and staying asleep. Tarlowe has stopped talking. Daniel has gotten into multiple fights at school."

"Maya?"

"We've been trying to make sure Adrian spends time with her but like I said…"

Vell groaned.

"I'm sorry," Toland said sincerely, "You have enough to deal."

"No, it's fine. I was the one who ask-" Vell froze, lifting up off the tree and twisting to look behind it. Something had moved.

"Vell?" Toland called. Vell didn't answer, instead he kept as still as he possibly could, waiting.

The sound again. Clicking.

"Toland, I have to go!"

"Vell, is something wrong?!" Toland asked, worried, "Vell!"

Vell cut the connection without an answer and grabbed his Shotgun. His helmet appeared over his head with the radar immediately blinking on. It was surrounded in red.

He was on his feet in a flash, "Hostiles! Moving on the camp!" he roared, running back to the refugees. Several people started at the sound of his booming voice before panic started to set into the refugees. One Human man, who had been fidgeting with nervousness the entire week, broke into a panicked sprint away from the camp. He didn't make it far before a bolt of Arc energy grazed him and knocked him over.

A Fallen Devil pounced from the shadows, dropping down towards the man before getting blown away by a blast from Vell. Vell grabbed the groaning man and hauled him up, running him back towards the other villagers.

The shooting had started on both sides; bolts of Arc energy flying out from the trees and aimed at the villagers, only to be stopped by the bodies of Guardians throwing themselves in the crossfire.

Vell threw the man back into the crowd and positioned himself between two other Titans, his commander and another Guard. He pulled his Light down towards his center, compressing it as tightly as he could before letting it blow outward. His Ward of Dawn manifested, followed by and fusing with other Wards. The giant dome surrounded the villagers and attacks bounced harmlessly off of its surface.

The Fallen were moving closer now, some brave enough to move out from the trees. The Guard rewarded their bravery with bullets. Vell hefted a massive Machine Gun up, sticking the muzzle outside the wall of the Ward and firing into the trees. Roars of rage and screams of pain told him when he hit his mark.

Through the chaos, Vell saw something shift in the corner of his eye. He let the gun drop to the floor, put his fists together above his head and brought them down as hard as he could. The Stealth Vandal's head snapped downward and it's body faded away, taken by the Void.

The attacking party was small and easily dispatched. There had been multiple reports of these kind of attacks on different groups.

This wasn't an actual assault. It couldn't have been after the City saw firsthand what the Devils were capable of. It was a message.

The only thing between you and a painful, agonizing death are your walls. The Fallen knew it and the the Guardians knew it too.

"Sera, tell Toland what happened," he looked back at the other Guardians, hurriedly moving villagers along to gather their things, "And tell him we'll be back sooner than I said."

"Hello?" Vell called, closing the door behind him, "I'm home!"

No answer. It was noon, everyone should be up.

"In here, Vell!" he heard someone call out.

Dropping his bag by the stairs, he walked into the kitchen to see Eris rummaging through the refrigerator.

Vell leaned on the open door, "Is there a reason you're stealing my family's food?"

The Awoken pulled the apple she was holding out of her mouth, "First off, I am family."

Vell snorted, earning a slap to the chest.

"Second, I am a guest here." She used her free hand to push Vell's heavy frame off the door and kick it closed.

Vell walked farther into the kitchen, "No one said you had to move in."

She laid the food down, "Someone needs to watch these people. Adrian's already forgotten to eat several times in the last week!"

Vell sighed, "I doubt he's forgetting. He probably just doesn't want to."

Eris paused, "That makes more sense actually."

"Where is he?"

"Office. Everyone else is in their rooms."

"Toland?"

"Your room," she answered, mouth full of apple, "Working on…something."

Without another word, Vell left Eris to her meal and walked up the stairs. The hall was completely dark, save for a few lights coming out from some of the doors.

Vell's Ghost spoke up in his head, "We should…"

"Check on the baby," Vell murmured, finishing the thought. He trudged towards what was strangely the quietest room in the house. The door slid open, revealing a dark room; completely quiet except for the sound of soft breathing. Vell turned on a lamp close to the crib, making sure to keep the light as dim as possible.

Maya was swaddled, covered and overall seemed comfortable. The sloppy job of her covering must have been Adrian's handiwork. Vell was glad for it.

Even as a child, Maya resembled her mother so much that Vell's heart ached just looking at her. He felt no animosity towards the child; Maya was here, she was safe. But not for the first time and certainly not for the last, he wondered why he couldn't have them both.

Vell coughed softly and Maya stirred, "We should leave before we wake her up," he thought to Sera while turning to leave.

He stopped in front of Adrian's office. This was the part he had been dreading. Tarlowe blew him off, Christine was too invested in her studying to bother welcoming her uncle back and Daniel wanted nothing to do with anyone.

Vell sighed and knocked. No answer. He knocked again and not a sound was made.

Irrationally worried, Vell opened the door. Adrian was here, asleep at his desk.

Vell's Ghost appeared over his shoulder, "When do you think was the last time he showered?" it asked.

"Sera?" Vell called in disbelief.

"Was it before we left?"

"Sera!"

"What? I know you can smell him too!"

He hated to admit it but the Ghost was right. Vell could smell something musty in the air and it had to be coming from his brother. Adrian looked weak and disheveled, as if he hadn't eaten or even bothered to fix himself since he woke up.

"Adrian?" Vell called, walking around the desk, "Adrian?!"

The man started violently before groaning and rubbing his eyes. "I thought I said I didn't want to be bothered," the man growled before looking at who woke him, "Oh…Vell. When did you get back?"

"Just now. When was the last time you bathed?"

He didn't answer. Just slid down in his chair.

"Probably shouldn't have led with that," Vell thought. He sat down on the corner of the desk facing the large rectangular windows in the back of the room, "How have you been holding up?"

"You haven't been gone that long," Adrian muttered.

"I know. But I want to hear it from you,"

Adrian's laugh was short and bitter, "I feel like I apparently smell, Vell. Like shit. Like I'm dead, Vell," his voice lowered, "I…feel dead, Vell."

"I…" Vell started and then stopped. What could he say? Nothing would make the pain go away except time. And even then, the scars would always remain. Ten years after his adoptive parents' deaths and it still stung to think about them.

"I just wanted to tell you that I'm back," Vell decided to say, standing up.

"Fun trip?" Adrian mumbled.

Vell laughed. The closest thing to a joke the man had made in months, "Nah. Pretty…pretty uneventful," Vell said, deciding to keep the attack to himself.

"Good. Good," Adrian shifted in the chair, "I worry about you out there, you know."

"I know," Vell replied softly, "I try to be careful. But you know what this entails."

"I know," Adrian said, moving the unkempt block hair back, "I know I'm being selfish,"

"I'm not saying you're selfish-"

"Doesn't change the fact that I am," Adrian cut him off, "Doesn't change the fact that deep down, if it comes down to you or anyone else, I always hope it's someone else."

"Adrian…" Vell said as if he was if he were scolding a young child.

"What?" Adrian suddenly exploded, "Am I worn, Vell?! I've lost my wife; am I wrong to not want to lose my little brother too?"

Again, Vell was at a loss for words.

Adrian sighed and regret covered his face, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."

"It's fine," Vell replied, "It's nothing."

When it was clear, Vell wasn't going to say anything else, Adrian stood up, "I guess I should go take that shower everyone keeps suggesting," he said, his tone light and easy but still slightly forced.

Vell smiled anyway, "I'm not the first?"

"Eris is the first. As well as the second through fifth," he said, heading towards the door, "I heard her discussing with Toland whether or not they should knock me out and bathe me themselves."

The bark of laughter escaped Vell before he could stop it. Vell followed him out of the office and down the dimly lit hallway. Without a word, Adrian broke off for one of the bathrooms and Vell continued towards his own room.

The place had changed very little since he had moved out nine years ago. Just a few things missing and a few new things.

Like an extra person hunched over his desk.

Vell knocked against the door frame, making Toland jump, "Vell! When did you get back?"

"Just walked in," Vell answered incredulously, "How did you not know that?"

"I uh…" Toland looked from Vell to the desk and back, "I've been a bit occupied."

"Yes, I've noticed," Vell stepped inside and let the door close, locking it, "That…damned gun."

"Don't know why you hate it so much. It's not even done yet," Toland said, turning back to the weapon and screwing in one of the parts

"I hate it because of what you're using to make it," Vell argued, dropping his bag in a corner. He pulled his jacket off, followed by his shirt and pants. He rummaged through the drawers for a clean pair of shorts before dropping down onto the bed, "Ikora's warned you a bunch of times that this isn't something you should be messing with."

"And I've told her a bunch of times that I can handle myself," Toland said, pausing in his work to write something down in the journal Ikora made him keep.

"This doesn't have to do with how well you handle yourself, Toland," Vell said tiredly, "You could be putting people's' lives in danger, exposing yourself to Hive tech."

"I take all the necessary precautions, Vell. You know that."

Vell sighed, "Whatever," he mumbled, turning on his side away from Toland.

The movement at the desk suddenly stopped. Behind him, Vell heard the chair shift back and the bed dipped as Toland crawled on and draped himself over Vell. "Is everything alright?" Toland murmured in his ear.

"No. Nothing's alright, Toland," Vell said, turning onto his back, "Look at how far everything has broken apart."

"I know," Toland whispered.

"And I can't even be here to help them, I-I," Vell's voice cracked, "I feel so useless and-"

"There's nothing we can do but be here when we can, Vell. We can't bring her back."

Vell let out a shaky breath, "I know," he said. Then he chuckled darkly, "I guess when you're so damn used to being immortal, you really forget that others aren't. But now…now I see you or Eris go down in the field and it could be a high level mission or a simple patrol and I…"

Toland stood from the bed, divesting himself of his shirt before laying back down. The shorter man wrapped an arm around Vell's waist, resting his head against his back.

"Just be careful, Toland. Please," Vell whispered, a tear escaping his eye, "I don't want to lose anyone else. I…I can't. I can't."

Cruel, sadistic and possibly insane were all perfect words to describe Pride. But he genuinely let them do what they wanted if it didn't interfere with his work. He didn't care. What were they going to do? Betray him?

Greed chuckled darkly no one in particular, staring at the empty keg. He liked everything about the Cabal. From their military tactics to even the liquor they made. A quarter of whatever this keg of pisswater was could drop a man twice his considerable size.

And there was nothing he would've loved more.

Daniel's words have been running through his head for the last two years nonstop.

"His family took you in when you had nowhere to go, treated you as one of their own! And look what you've become. And if you ask me, that was the worst mistake they could've made!"

"They should've let you die in the streets like the piece of shit you really are."

Greed squeezed his eyes shut against the pain in his chest. His words were nothing Greed didn't say to himself regularly. At first, he had entertained the idea that Daniel was just speaking out of anger and hurt; that he didn't mean it.

But he was just kidding himself. For all Daniel and the others knew, their beloved uncle killed their father. Daniel had meant every word.

Greed stood on shaky legs and moved over to the keg, rolling it across the room by kicking it. He opened the door and kicked it out into the hallway. He snapped his fingers, summoning two Hive Knights in a flash of green light. Both stood still for only a second before dropping to one knee and bowing in reverence. To their race, a Herald of Night was a title and position worthy or respect and they showed him as much.

Their respect didn't stop Greed from wanting their cave their heads in.

The man swallowed his disdain, "Another. Stronger this time," he growled. He pointed to the barrel, "And clean that mess up."

The Knights bowed their heads once more before getting to work. Greed shut the door and walked back over to the desk, slowly sitting down and picking up Toland's journal. It wasn't the original one, the one he left back on Earth. He had started this after his second resurrection. He was always bad a breaking habits.

He threw the journal down and picked up Bad Juju, another one of Toland's habits. Or Gluttony's. Or both.

Pride would want the gun soon; submitted for studying and possible duplication. He hated the idea of something so dangerous being used against Earth, but it's not like he had a say in the matter.

There was a single loud knock on the door. Greed opened it and let the Knight carrying the barrel over their shoulder into the room. The Knight placed the barrel down, bowed once more and lumbered away.

Vell walked past it, dropping himself onto the bed. He closed his eyes and saw what he always saw when he did. Gluttony transformation. His screams of pain becoming inhuman roars.

That…thing rampaging about, as if it would destroy the entire Moon if it could.

That boy. Arochukwu or Aro according to Daniel's screaming. Escaping Gluttony's stomach and releasing power that Greed never thought possible for one so young.

Gluttony fading away, wasting his last breath on empty promises of seeing each other again. Greed had no idea what would become of him and the others should Pride succeed. The only way for him to see Gluttony again was to die.

He knew Daniel would want to be the one to do it. The son takes retribution on his uncle for the murder of his father. It was almost poetic.

But if Daniel wanted vengeance; if he truly wanted to punish Greed for everything that had happened, he would let him live. Live until the sun grew cold and have him spend the entire time alone; unwanted and unloved.

Just like when he was a kid.

So I know that postings have been becoming less frequent. Unless something was to happen to me, I assure you that you don't have to worry about the story stopping unfinished. This book and Books 4-7 will be finished.

But school has been making it difficult and while the compliments and constructive criticisms have been incredibly helpful, I personally feel the quality of my writing starting to drop, which is probably due to both school and these deadlines I set for myself on when I post a chapter. So while chapters may take a while longer to post now, it'll be because I'm making sure the chapter is just right and not because I'm moving away from the story.