One Week Later, Afternoon

Earth, Last City, Tower

In the week that followed the Black Garden's heart being destroyed, Things in the City had begun to change. The news had spread far, and fast. The City Consensus received word from the Speaker, and Vanguard to release the information on all public transmissions. One by one, the citizens of the Last City felt the rekindling of hope as they told their friends and loved ones of the battle that was won against the Darkness.

In the Tower, Guardians home, and afar Celebrated in their own way. The Light returning to their god again, Hunters out in the wilderness gathered together around fires in the night, sharing the stories they gathered during their adventures. Though most of them had orders from the Vanguard to be elsewhere, What could be done? They were Hunters, and now was a time to have fun. In one gathering specifically, a certain Exo was chatting up some Hunters of the feminine persuasion. "So by the time we got there, a baron was this close to cutting him open, so Ellie hits the throttle, and shish kebab the bastard. Then she gently floats down in front of him like it's no big deal."

An Awoken Hunter listening to Crux leaned towards him with a question. "So where were you when this was happening?"

He laid back, propping his feet on a nearby rock. "Oh, nothing special. I was just using my sparrow to ram right through Fallen lines. No biggie. You probably have done the same thing a lot of times."

"Once or twice. You want to find out who's better?"

"You're on."

Titans, hearing of the feats done by one of their former enemies, were pushed to strive for greater heights. Since the founding of the city, Titans stood as the symbol of Wall's strength, and resilience. To risk one of the Fallen surpassing them was unthinkable after the battles of Six Fronts, and Twilight Gap. It had truly been too long since Shaxx had seen such an influx of Guardians entering the Crucible to test themselves, and in truth, it made him as happy as he could be. Now if only said Hunter would also participate. 'He would definitely give them a worthy challenge.' Looking down at his datapad, Shaxx was in the process of preparing the Crucible for Lord Saladin's return. "I hope we get to see how well he handles the Iron Banner." He said to no one in particular.

"Shaxx," Shaxx's Frame, Arcite 99-40, walked up to him. "We just received a message from, Lord Saladin. He will be arriving within four days."

Warlocks, who generally enjoy going over new information whether it'd be about the City's enemies, or some new discovery, were ecstatic when Burning Light brought back dozens of encrypted Vex mind cores. While only a few would be able to work on decrypting them, the whole of them waited patiently, passing time by enjoying the company of their teammates, finding new hobbies to occupy them, or just head beyond the city, and crush their enemies.

In the Tower, The Warlock libraries were bustling more than usual. As expected, their main focus was unlocking the secrets of the mind cores. For a week, Dozens of Warlocks worked together tirelessly to hack the encryptions. Algorithms and code blanketed the Libraries' computer screens. Each core was examined, prodded, and scanned. If there was one thing the Vex were good at, it was keeping their secrets safe. So far the Warlocks barely scratched the surface, but progress was being made.

At one of the terminals, an orange-red hair English woman worked just as hard as the rest of the Warlocks. After their return, Kelly was offered the opportunity to help with the decoding for their impressive job of gathering intelligence. While deciphering, and hacking was never her forte, she proved to be a quick study, "Damn it." but still had much to learn. "That didn't work." Kelly stopped to think. "Okay, let's try this." She resumed punching in commands.

"Maybe you should take five." Kelly's Ghost suggested while simultaneously trying to crack the Vex firewalls. "You've been at it for days. You deserve time off."

"No," Kelly said in an authoritative tone. "We're the ones who brought these things back, so we have to help."

"Yes, I get that, but you won't be of help to anyone if you burn yourself out." Kelly's Ghost was worried. She had been up for three nights straight, wearing herself out staring at computer screens. He had a strong suspicion of what it was about. "Look you can't keep going like this forever. You need to sleep."

"What I need is to break open those mind cores." Kelly was so frustrated she considered making that statement literal. Rubbing her eyes, she let out a yawn. "Now did you send the data we collected to Ikora as I asked?"

Her Ghost cut the power to her computer. "This has got to stop. You need to sleep before you start making mistakes."

"Fine. Wake me up in an hour." Kelly rested her head on the dest in front of her and shut her eyes.

Her Ghost gave her a good knock on the head. "Not like that! I'm not going to be the Ghost of a Guardian who has no life outside of work. Go to our room, and sleep on a bed."

"NO. I'm sleeping here." It became much too hard to go back to her room. Not since Pekis had separated their beds, and had done nothing, but lay down, unresponsive to everyone. The nights were much colder without him, and the quiet sobbing in his pillow made her heartache. At the beginning of his suffering, she tried to help, but he wouldn't let anyone in. He's just been wasting away.

Kelly's Ghost was about to continue the argument when he received a transmission. "I'm getting a call from Bitsine."

Sighing, Kelly lifted her head up. "What now? Put it through."

Her Ghost emitted a beam of light at the computer bringing it back to life. The first thing on screen was the image of an Exo wearing a standard Tower worker uniform sitting on a crate. "Hellooo-whoa, you don't look good."

"Thanks, It's nice to hear that." She said sarcastically.

"Can you blame me?" The first thing Bitsine noticed was the newly forming bags under her eyes. "When was the last time you slept?"

"I was about to, then you called."

Bitsine took notice of the background she was in. "Uh-huh, and when did you suddenly get more roommates?"

"Is there a reason you called?" Kelly was not in the mood.

"Just checking in. We haven't talked in a week, so I thought I'd call while I'm on break."

"Oh yeah, and how is construction duty. I hope you're fixing that hole you made."

"We got that done a while ago. Now the Vanguard have me unloading cargo shuttles for the next few weeks. And I'm pretty sure they're giving me the heaviest stuff on purpose." Bitisine took a minute to stretch her arms. Since she refused to do anything to repay the damages done to Dead Orbit's equipment, They've decided to have her do some of the hard jobs around the Tower. Apparently giving inspiration/insulting speeches about city factions instead of following orders is considered insubordination. 'Totally worth it.' Turning back to Kelly, "So how is the 7-foot stack of problems been lately. Is he talking yet?"

Kelly looked away. He hadn't gotten much better as far as she knew.

"He stopped crying if that counts." Kelly's Ghost answered.

She was surprised. "How do you know?"

"His Ghost has been sending me messages on his condition. He still isn't in a talking mood though."

Bitsine stayed quiet. Pekis had always seemed like the type that couldn't be brought down. For something, he went through to reduce him to wreak he was now was unthinkable until now. "He better get better soon. It's not good to keep the Vanguard waiting."

After their mission was complete, and the Speaker had spoken, Kelly and Bitsine submitted their report to the Vanguard on the Black Garden. Naturally, they were proud, except Cayde who wished it was him out there. But it was the part about the Hunter of their team that truly interested them. His memory restored, Pekis became a potentially huge boon, or equally possible, a major threat. When asked about his current...condition, Bitsine told them, "He's not trying to kill everyone, if that's what you're worried about." That, and being informed of his current state of mind placated the Vanguard for the time being. But even with the death of the Heart, there were many more threats on the horizon and the City needs every edge it can get. So time was of the essence.

"Have you tried talking to him lately?"

Kelly sighed, "Not for a few days. I've tried to before, but he's just..." She was trying to hold back her emotions.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean-"

"No, no, it's fine."

before Bitsine could say anything, a man was heard on the feed. "Bitsine, Break's over. Time to get back to it."

"Got to go." Bitsine got off the crate she used, and just before she cut the feed she leaned forward to whisper, "By the way, I think you two are good for each other."

"...Wait, what!?"

Bitsine killed the Feed.

50 Years ago, The Year 3664

House of Kings Lair, Unknown location

The throne room of Peldaks was awfully noisy. The entire House of Kings, on Earth, and beyond, was in an uproar as confusion swept through the ranks from the recent revelations. From the main fortress to outposts scattered around the system, Fallen of all ranks had questions and no clear answers.

In one outpost, After receiving orders, and names from a baron working under the Kell of kings, the Baron in charge put the base on alert, ordering his men to start rounding up everyone on the list he received. Outside one of the constructed barracks, a crowd of Fallen gathers around the entrance weapons in hand as they heard the sound of gunfire, and yelling coming from inside. The last to arrive was a dreg carrying a standard Shock knife, and pistol. "What's happening?" He asked a fellow dreg.

After the sounds of gunshots ceased, the dreg turned to her fellow. "I don't know. I just heard something about a rebellion."

A few minutes later, a captain holding a Shrapnel Launcher burst out of the exit, followed by two vandals with Shock Rifles. Behind them followed a line of vandals, and dregs, who had been named, obviously wounded in the fighting, and had surrendered hoping for mercy. Their captain had been killed by a sword to the heart, and they were now leaderless. At the end of the line, the dreg had recognized a friend. "Sildirk!?" The dreg pushed through the crowd, wanting to get a better look. "Sildirk, what's happening!? What was all that fighting!?"

Sildirk didn't say anything. He and all the other kept their heads down in defeat. Before the dreg could get closer, a rifle butt knocked him to the ground. "Do not try to help these traitors!" A vandal said looking down at the lowly dreg.

"But he's my friend! What are you-" A sword to the chest stopped him from saying anything else.

"Yevkes!" Sildirk stepped out of line but was shot in the head before he got far.

The rest were shocked, seeing their baron suddenly execute two dregs with any clear reason. "Anyone else!?" The baron pulled his sword out of Yevkes and reholstered his pistol. "Line them up!"

As ordered, the captain and his vandals line them up against the wall, then took positions as a firing squad.

The baron in charge walked in front of the guilty. Looking them over, he saw that while most wore faces of fear, some stood stoically, accepting their fate. They knew the risks they were taking when they chose to follow Peekis. They believed in his ideals and were ready to die for them.

The baron addressed the rest of the outpost. "Let it be known that this is the fate that awaits those who would betray the House! To those who would stand against Peldaks! Traitors will face the ultimate punishment!" Stepping out of the way, he signaled his men, "Fire!"

The sounds of shock and shrapnel fire drowned out everything else. In a few seconds, it was done. Blue colored blood stained the ground, and holes filled the executed. The deed done, the captain approached his baron. "What is to be done with the bodies?"

"Peldaks' orders. Pile them up, and burn them. All of them. He doesn't want their treason to spread." He looked at the dreg that met his blade. "That one too."

In a few hours, that outpost would be lit with burning pyres, just as many others would.

Back in Peldaks' throne room, Peldaks sat in his chair, his fury obvious to everyone that filled the room. "Where is he!?"

Next to him, his brother Pivraks, the Archon Priest, was equally angry. It had been some time since they both gotten word of a rebellion swelling in their ranks, and made crushing everyone involved their top priority. It was thanks to a captain, who managed to gain their leader's trust, and steal information regarding their plans that they were able to be stopped. "I received word that that, Peekis, Vithras, and Apevis have been captured. They're being brought to us as we speak."

"And their supporters?"

"Some captured the rest dead. I've sent word to all our outposts. The barons have been given the names of all those involved."

"Good. Now I want Peekis here NOW!" Peldaks was growing impatient. Just recently, he found out that one of the House of Kings' top barons was plotting an insurrection to overthrow him, and starting working with the city of ghouls that withhold the Great Machine. He wanted this filth gone. He wanted to do it himself to make an example out of them.

The next thing they knew the door opened up, but it was not who they were expecting. A vandal scribe wearing usual yellow robes came rushing through, her eyes locked on one of the Large Eliskni leaders. Her heart never stopped beating since she heard the news. "Father!"

Pivraks' anger cooled seeing his daughter. "Prevkis." Pivraks stepped down the throne to greet her.

"Silence child!" Peldaks ordered in a threatening tone, terrifying her.

Pivraks did not like that. "DO NOT SPEAK TO HER THAT WAY!" Pivraks had put up with a lot from Peldaks over the years, but that was not something he would not tolerate. He gestured for Prevkis to stay behind him, which was easy considering he was a titan compared to her.

"YOU PRESUME TO COMMAND ME, BROTHER!?" Peldaks got right off his chair, stomping his foot forward, sending vibration up the spines of everyone in the room. "Have you forgotten that I am Kell!? The House kneels to me!"

"I have not forgotten! But if your harm her I will kill you where you stand!"

The entire room was silent. Even Prevkis felt her blood run cold. She had never seen her father get like this. It was terrifying. Arguments between The Kell and Archon Priest of any house is to be expected, but when it gets to this level, it must be given a wide birth.

The two Fallen leaders were in each other's faces, the hate-filled growls resonating with each other until Peldaks back off. "I already have one thorn in my side to get rid of, Pivraks. You better not become a second."

Pivraks didn't say anything. He only glared at his brother for a few moments longer then stepped down, turning back to the one who sought him out. Looking down, he got on one knee to speak to her. "What you doing here, Prevkis?" his voice was soft and caring.

Prevkis took a moment to compose herself. Taking a deep breath, she said, "I-I came because I heard the rumors. Is it true? Are Peekis, and Vithras-"

"Hush." Pivraks felt his heart drop. He knew how close she was to them. But they were traitors now and had to be dealt with as such. He could only hope that she would understand later in life. If she couldn't then life in the House would become much for difficult for her. "Stand by the wall, don't say anything. And don't show sadness."

Before Prevkis could say anything the doors opened again. Pivraks gave her a gentle shove and stood back on his feet. Stepping into the throne room, a captain marched past the dozens of Eliksni that became silent with his presence. The captain made his way up the throne to one he wanted to report to. "Father, as promised, we have him." Paskin signaled his men.

The next to come in, two captains dragging a wounded baron by his arms. Leaving a trail of blood, Peekis' armor had been removed after his capture, leaving only his severely damaged skin suit to cover his hide. Disgrace, and branded a traitor, Peekis was no longer seen fit to wear the armor of such a rank. He was brought before the throne when the captains holding his arms dropped him, his body making a good thud against the floor. Lifting his head up, Peekis knew there would be only one place someone like him would be brought to.

Prevkis was fighting back tears when more people came in. Several vandals bringing in some of his few remaining followers, the last being a scribe, and a captain. Vithras and Aepvis were placed on either side of Peekis while their subordinates were line up on their knees making a path between Peldaks, and their leader. Peekis managed to lift himself to his knees. In a panic, he searched for his mate to find her next to him, blood dripping from her arm. "Vithras!" He tried to get closer but was stopped by a rifle butt to the head.

"Peekis!" She wanted to help him, but the weapons aimed at them made that impossible.

On the other side, Aepvis knew he couldn't do anything. "Peekis, get up." His words got him the same treatment.

Peldaks leaned forward, focused his gaze on the source of his anger. He always had suspicions about Peekis, but he never thought he was capable of this.

Standing to the side, Pivraks gave him the same look with a more a disappointed feeling. He had done so well to get to his position and look what he did with it in the end. "What a waste," he growled.

"Silence!" Peldaks ordered. Taking hold of his Shrapnel Launcher, The Kell of Kings stood up. His anger was reaching its peak. "So this is the path you chose, Peekis! treachery, disloyalty, sedition!" Peldaks shouted.

As he made his way down, the rest of the house all shouted words of abuse, throwing random objects at him, and his followers.

"Traitors!"

"Human Lovers!"

"Whore!" A vandal grabbed a piece of discarded metal, sending it flying through the air, striking Vithras in the head.

"Don't you dare hurt her!" Peekis got on his feet, wanting to attack the one responsible only for a very large foot to kick him back, almost sending him to hit the wall.

"Peekis!" A vandal that had his arms restrained, tried to help, but was stopped by burning metal.

"One less traitor." Peldaks look down at the scorched vandal, the fires coming out of the gun's barrels still burning hot. The rest of Eliksni cheered at the sight.

Apevis was horrified. "NO, Stop this! We are already prisoners! This is senseless!"

Using a lower hand, Peldaks silenced him with a blow to the head. "No one questions my rule! I am Kell! This is the punishment for those who defy me!" Aepvis was forced a couple feet into the crowd still alive.

"You are no ruler!" A enrage dreg shouted. "You are false Kell! Lord Peekis is-" Another burst of shrapnel fire echoed.

Reeling from the head injury she received, Vithras was still aware of all that was happening around her. She was always disgusted with Peldaks' "leadership." To her, he was always just another tyrant, like Draksis, and Solkis. "Why deny it, Peldaks?" Vithras spat. She steadied herself on her feet with a face without fear.

Peldaks slowly turned his head to the source of that voice. "What did you say?" His voice was seething with hate.

Peekis lifted himself up in time to watch his mate stand against Peldaks. "Vithras."

"Why deny it? What have you ever done that wasn't for yourself? You sit on your throne, treating us like pawns. Force docking rituals on all that come of age to drive them to fanaticism for you. You didn't even earn the title. You stole it fro-"

Peldaks grabbed her throat, lifting her off the floor. "Not another word!"

"NO!" Peekis rushed him in desperation. When he got close Peldaks swatted him away.

As Vithras struggled for breath, attempting to pry the large fingers off her, she managed to mutter something. "I-I've seen you...kill smaller opponents...but never someone equal." Her vision started to go blurry, then Peldaks threw her away. She wrapped her arms around her stomach when she hit the floor.

"I'm the one you want, Peldaks! Leave her out of this!" Peekis said, his injuries taking their toll. His vision refocused, he saw Paskin standing off to the side watching with pride. "I trusted you, Paskin!"

"You're a traitor, Peekis!" Paskin shouted back. "You would lead us to ruin!" A large hand knocked him down.

"SILENCE!" Peldaks order, looking down at his son. "Now did you find all his followers!?"

Paskin coughed a few time from the blow before answering. "Sivkik still eludes us."

Peldaks grabbed him by the leg and threw him across the room to the exit. "Then find him! I want them all dead! And collect every prototype he was working on!"

"Yes, father." Paskin got up and limped out of the room.

"As for you." Peldaks turned back to the problem at hand. "Did you truly believe you could overthrow me?" He walked over to Peekis, kicking him over on his back, and stepped on him.

Peekis groaned under the pressure. Weazzing, he begged, "Do whatever you want to me. But leave, Vithras, alone."

"Reduced to begging now. Why should I when she is a traitor? She chose this path as you did."

"Please!"

Peldaks thought for a moment. He grabbed Peekis by the throat, lifting him over his head. "To save her life, a life must be taken in her place." He dropped him, looking over at the disgraced captain in the middle of a crowd of Eliksni. Aepvis had spent the last few minutes getting beaten from all sides. "Enough!" The crowd stopped dead silent. "Bring him to me." After a moment of hesitation, a dreg, and vandal grabbed Aepvis by his arms and dragged him over to their leader's feet. Seeing him hit the floor, Peldaks look at the dreg. "Dreg, your weapon."

The dreg looked up at him, unholstering his Shock Pistol he held it out, his hand trembling with fear.

"Not me." Peldaks dropped Peekis. "Him."

Looking at the downed traitor, the dreg placed the gun on the floor, and kick it over. The pistol bumped into Peekis' arm catching his attention.

"Stand," Peldaks ordered, taking a few steps back.

despite the pain, Peekis picked himself up, his leg slightly wobbly.

"Pick. It. Up."

Peekis felt his heart stopped. The other Eliskni in the room stood silent, keeping their weapons ready in case he tried something. Not seeing any alternative, he picked it up.

Vithras was on her knees, her hand still holding onto her stomach while she watched. She felt her stomach drop. She knew Peldaks. Whatever he had in mind, was going to be bloody. Prevkis kept a hand over her mouth. Her breathing was erratic. The only comfort at that moment was the presence of her father at her side, but she couldn't help feeling that comfort slipping away. Seeing him stand unmoved by the brutality brought upon them like this was unnerving.

Peldaks pointed to Aepvis. "Aim."

Peekis looked down at the gun in his hand. his hand shook with indecision. How could he go through with it? Apevis was his closest friend since they were dregs.

The two Eliskni stared at each other. Apevis coughed out some blood before saying, "Peekis...it's okay."

Peekis was shocked. "Aepvis..."

"You have to. Her life is more important than mine." Aepvis managed to lift himself to his knees. "I'm proud to be your friend."

Peldaks to getting sick. He aimed his Shrapnel Launcher at Vithras. "AIM!"

Seeing the threat, Peekis took aim, tears running down his face. His finger ran over the trigger. "I-I'm sorry."

"Fire!"

Peekis shut his eyes. All sound around him ceased to exist in that moment. Only the feeling as he pulled the trigger was he aware of. The shot rang in the air. A shot that would haunt him.

Apevis body fell while Vithras shouted, "AEPVIS!"

Present day, Afternoon

Earth, Last City, Tower

In his room, Pekis had his face buried in the pillow. His mind was lost in remembrance. He didn't know what time it was, or even the day of the week. He hadn't moved from his bed since he split them apart. All he heard was a ringing in his ears. He hadn't bothered to take off his armor. Only wanting to stay until he could figure out what to do now.

"Pekis?" His Ghost periodically appeared every now, and again, spending the time to try, and get him out of his slump. So far it was an uphill battle, but he wasn't giving. Floating circles around him, the Ghost went about the recent usual routine. "So maybe today is the day you get out of bed. You know, get out of the room, head out into the field for a walk, or maybe go explore ancient ruins for treasure. Or if you're in a bad mood we can go out, and kill some bad guys. I heard on the net that the Hive have been getting restless. What do you say? We go out to the moon, snipe some Thrall, blow up some Hive tombs."

Pekis was unresponsive. Whether he heard his Ghost or not is unknown. Getting closer, the Ghost gave his head a nudge. "Come on, say something. Give me something to work with. Even if it's just a finger twitch." Still nothing. Thinking, a light bulb turned on in his mind. "I got it. How about we invite Kelly he, and me, and her Ghost can give you two some alone time, wink, wink. Her Ghost told me that she's been working herself to the bone. I think some relaxation in order, don't you think?" Nothing.

The Ghost sighed. Still wondering what to do he decided to plant himself on top of Pekis. A moment of hesitation later, and the Ghost slowly lowered on top of a soft cushion. "Huh." He wiggled his body, digging himself deeper. "Your hair is comfy." Now the two were equally silent. The Ghost stared up at the ceiling while Pekis was buried in his pillow.

Pekis' Ghost knew there'd be problems to come with his memories, but he didn't expect him to shut down. He let his mind wander back to his journey to find his Guardian. "When I first started looking for you I was part of a group of Ghosts. After the Traveler died, we started our search heading south. back then there weren't many Fallen or Hive on Earth so we didn't need to be that careful. In the first few decades, we cleared half of Africa, saw plenty of other Ghosts find their Guardians. Most of the time it was quiet, but being with each other made up for it."

Retelling his story brought up some old feeling he had. "The first time any of us actually saw any Fallen was in Russia. A pair of dregs were looting an electronics store. I remember they started fighting over an antique cell phone. Not arguing, they actually tried to kill each other. The others wanted to stay away, but I let curiosity get the better of me. I snuck inside through a broken window when one of them had the other pinned down. I got close enough to see their faces. Teeth, and smell aside I thought they were interesting. When I tried to leave I knocked over some papers and they saw me. I got right out of there and met up with the others, but I was followed. Those dregs chased us for a few blocks when he made a turn into an ally. There was a body next to some rubble, and one of them scanned it. It had the Light wouldn't you know. A minute later, we had a Titian on our side, and those dregs weren't around for long after that."

The ringing in Pekis' ears subsided as his Ghost kept talking. "As the years passed more of us found our Guardians, or were lost. Our group got smaller until there were just two of us left." The Ghost's voice became sad. "We hitchhiked onto a Guardian's ship that was heading to the moon to search there. It was totally different from Earth. Cold, dark, no life, but Guardians were found there before so we stuck it out. Even before the Great Disaster, Luna was dangerous. Hive were digging into the planet like there was no tomorrow. Cave-ins and sinkholes litter the moon, and the Thrall were almost always on the prowl. What really caught my attention was what they were doing on the surface. They dragged any bodies they found into caves. I figured with so many we were bound to find one with Light down there. She tried to convince me it was too dangerous, but I wouldn't listen."

The Ghost turned on his side while his old despair came back. "We were lost in those tunnels for days. The Darkness was suffocating. The things the Hive do in their spare time...I would wish that on anyone. It was hard enough to hide down there. We were small, but when it comes to the Hive and the Light, there is no hiding. One wrong turn and we woke the swarm. They hunted us relentlessly with no concern for each other. Knights cleave through a Thrall, and Acolytes to get our light for themselves. Thrall butchered each other for more running space. We hid inside a cave we thought was empty. I was so focused on watching the entrance that I didn't notice a Thrall behind me until she pushed me out of the way when it took a swing at me. When I turned around...I took the next ship off the moon."

Pekis' Ghost didn't know it, but Pekis was listening to every word. "Years later I was in the Cosmodrome alone. I followed the Highway there, scanning every car along the way. Focusing on my search really helped me forget, but It always came back. I never really moved on until I found you. At first, I didn't even try to scan you. You were a Fallen after all so what could the odds possible be. But on a whim I did it anyway, and what do you know." He turned on his back to face the roof again. He didn't say anything else.

Silence filled the room once more. The Ghost thought about giving sleep a try for once when the surface he was on tilted, causing him to fall off. "What?" He floated in the air again to see his Guardian had turned his head to the side. "Movement!?" He in front of his face to see glowing eyes following him. "Welcome back." After a week, progress was finally made. 'Yes!'

"Is it true?" Pekis' voice was soft and gentle.

"What?"

"What happened on the moon. Is it true?"

The excitement Pekis' Ghost felt begun to fade. He rested on the mattress next to Pekis. "Yeah, it really happened. And it was my fault. If I have never suggested we go into those tunnels she could have lived long enough to find her Guardian."

Pekis felt his heart skip a beat. He never thought his Ghost could have gone through something like that. "That-That feeling you get when someone you care about is killed because of something you did. That sticks with you, doesn't it?"

"It did for me. Seeing her Light being devoured...horrible."

Hearing of that brought up another unpleasant memory. Memories flashed before his eyes again. Memories he hadn't thought about for years. "What the Hive do to people. They're monsters inside, and out. Nothing can change that."

The way Pekis spoke of the Hive, It sounded like he had personal experience. "You've had dealings with them before?"

Pekis turned his back to him. "Yes. Before I..." He didn't finish.

The Ghost floated up over to the other side. "Before you died?" Pekis didn't say anything. "You want to talk about it?" The Hunter looked away. "You can talk to me."

"Not yet. That time was different." Pekis lifted himself up, placing his feet on while sitting.

"You're finally up! I was afraid it would take another few weeks."

Pekis slouched resting two of his arms on his legs. He still wasn't his old self, and probably wouldn't be for a long time. His recovered memories were still fresh in his mind. He had gotten so close, and now it was gone and has been for years. 'Vithras, Aepvis.' Thinking of them reminded him of the bodies that were near him at his resurrection. "Ghost."

"What?"

"Those dead Eliksni that there when we met. Cou-Could you do for them what you did for me? Can you bring them back?" Pekis had a flicker of hope on his face. Maybe there was still hope?

That was quite a surprise question. How often is a Ghost asked something like that from a Guardian? "Pekis, I-I...Can't.I was able to bring you back because the Traveler granted you the Light. The other two didn't have it so I can't."

Pekis was devastated. He buried his face in his hands, tears threatening to escape again. There was no hope. "Then why was I chosen?"

His Ghost didn't know what to say. It was clear that they were important to him. He didn't want to cause him any more suffering. "I don't know why? No Ghost is involved in who receives the Light. We only help bring it out of the chosen."

His answer certainly didn't help. Pekis still didn't have answers, and he could bring back his loved ones. Just thinking about them always brought him back to that day the three of them were brought before...him. "Peldaks." his voice was dark, and laced with a growl.

"Who?" Pekis' Ghost never heard that name before.

The more he thought about it the more his sadness was replaced by anger. Thinking about it, pieces started to fit together. The House of Kings incursion on Venus weeks ago. "He knows I live."

"Who knows?" The Ghost was not sure if he was going to like where this was going.

Pekis stood up. unholstering his Shock pistols, he began to take them apart to inspect them. "The only one I know is scared enough to risk a war with the House of Winter just to kill me. Peldaks, the Kell of Kings."

"The Kell of-The Kell of Kings!?" Pekis' Ghost was dumbfounded. "You know who that is!? There's not a single person in the City who has information on the Kell of the House of Kings, nor has there ever been one! The House of Kings have always been masters of hiding intel. You need to speak to the Vanguard. Whatever you know, they need to."

"NO! I won't have someone else taking my retribution from me." Finished inspecting, he put his pistols back in their holsters. "Start the ship. We're going out for that trip you suggested."

Back in the Warlock Libraries, Kelly spent the last half hour going over her last conversation with Bitsine. How could she have known? Pekis and Kelly had been so careful. When did she figure that out? She was so distracted by her thoughts, she didn't notice someone behind her until they put a hand on her shoulder. "Ahh!"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. I'm sorry about that." Cayde-6 said apologetically, "I'm not used to hanging around the libraries that much so all the technobabble tends to make me edgy."

Kelly turned around to see the Hunter Vanguard. "Cayde-6? What are you doing here?"

"First of all, you can just call me Cayde. Even though the six totally goes with my name it doesn't do well for regular conversation."

"...Okay. Cayde, Can I help you?"

"I hoping you can." Cayde sat down on the desk next to her, crossing his legs, and interlocking his fingers. "Now as you know you, and your team are the big heroes of the week. You know, evil heart dead, Light back to the Traveler, etc. Nice work. Wish I could have seen it. And you know your Hunter, Pekis. First Fallen Guardian, doesn't try to kill us when he is in the same room, 7 feet tall I think. how tall would you say he is? seven, seven, and a half?"

"seven more or less, Cayde."

"Alrighty then, and the last time you spoke with the Vanguard you mention him getting some memories back."

"Yes, I remember. Can you get to the point?"

"Okay then. The reason I'm here not just to get away from paperwork. Ikora and Zavala have been talking about him. Potential security risk could have intel on the Fallen Houses, saying things like bringing him in for interrogation."

"Interrogation!? That crazy! He helped save the Traveler! That's how they want to thank him!? Treating him like a criminal!?"

"Hey, hey. calm down. I'm not on their side." Cayde noticed some Warlocks staring. "Vanguard business. go do whatever it is you do. Now I was hoping you could tell me that he is feeling better now, and he is willing to tell us whatever he knows so we can avoid all that. I personally think he should tell us whenever he's ready. Not try to strong-arm it out of him. How often are we going to have a Fallen on our side?"

"Oh, they're going to threaten him!?" Kelly stood right up. "I'll go over there, and show them what I think of-"

"Whoa! Please don't." Cayde stood in front of her trying to calm her down. "I'm saying they're going to do that. It's just being talked about."

Before Kelly could say anything her Ghost popped out. "Pekis' Ghost just sent a message. He's up, and just left our room a minute ago."

"Yes!" Cayde said. "Thank you! I thought things were going to go horribly wrong."

"He up." Kelly felt relieved. It had been a week, and now he was finally getting better. 'Thank the Traveler.'

"Now, Ghost, can you please tell us where he's going."

"The Courtyard. He's trying to leave."

"What?" Kelly was confused. Where could he possibly be going? "Could he be..."

"Come on," Cayde told her, "Maybe we can still catch him."

In the Courtyard, Pekis stood at his usual spot by the railing. All four hands holding the metal bars, he stared out at the City with vengeance in his eyes. "Ghost, is the ship ready?"

"It's leaving the hanger now. I still think we should talk to the Vanguard. Whatever you're planning could probably use the help."

"I'll take it under advisement, but we're leaving." Pekis mind had only one person on it. "I'm coming for you old man."

"Pekis!" Pekis turned around to see Kelly and Cayde some yards away. At the same time, his ship was taking flight. "Where are you going? The Vanguard need to talk to you."

Seeing Kelly brought up some conflicting feelings. But now wasn't the time. "I'm sorry. I'll be back." Pekis did a back-flip over the railing just as his ship flew past, it's transmat system picking him up along the way. He was gone, inside the ship taking him out of the City's perimeter.

"Pekis!" Kelly ran to the edge with Cayde behind her. They made it just in time to see Pekis fly past the city walls.

"Oh, no," Cayd said. He did not look forward to explaining this to the rest of the Vanguard. "Can you come with me to see the others? I think Zavala is going to have an aneurysm."