Tormented

by AceArcalas

"Ianos is old. Very old. And with age comes with experience... and scars. He has seen many things, things that you two could never imagine. And don't you dare say that other Guardians of the same age 'recovered' from their experiences. They never do, at least, not completely. Every Veteran Guardian is tormented by an event in their past. Always."

38. Goodbye, Old Friend

Tormented

Goodbye, Old Friend

And here's the other half of the double update! :D

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"Why did you run them off like that?"

Turning their yellow optics towards the gold and crimson Ghost, Sun responded, "It was a mistake to call for help. We can easily handle this Taken threat ourselves."

"…Is it because of Carina's words?"

The orange Exo paused, a sign for their Ghost to continue, "You know as well as I do that that she speaks the truth. We have seen plenty of other Guardians turn corrupted, Sun. And you know what happens as soon as the Darkness completely devours their light."

Lowering their weapon, Sun gave Gaia a blank look as the Ghost finished, "They go for the nearest source of Light, Sun. And that includes Ghosts." Gliding closer to their Guardian, Gaia added, "Those precautions you spoke of with Rasputin. I know that it isn't for his safety, he can handle himself quite clearly without those extra 'defenses'." The Ghost paused before stating, "They were for me to stay safe, wasn't it?"

Instead of immediately responding immediately to their companion, Sun instead holstered their auto rifle to their back and opted for their shotgun, sliding bullets into the chamber, "We don't know when the Darkness will completely take over, Gaia." Snapping their shot gun back to close the chamber, the Ex-Guardian continued, "Like for instance, it almost took me during Carina and I's way towards Rasputin's core." Ignoring the look of shock from their Ghost's yellow optic, Sun added, "If it wasn't for the Song that we had created earlier, the Darkness surely would have taken me."

"But it won't always work, will it?"

Pausing at the Ghost's question, Sun hefted their shotgun in their hands, glancing back at the buzzing core that carries Rasputin's consciousness, "Who knows? It may work again or it may only have worked for that 'one' time." Turning their yellow optics back at Gaia, Sun gave the Ghost a bitter smile, "Only time will tell." The Exo then paused, "Gaia-"

"Don't say it," The gold and crimson Ghost blurted, "I am 'not' going to find another Guardian, no matter what you say and no matter what happens."

"So you're just going to be a wandering Ghost? Forever alone with no Guardian?"

"Yes," Sun frowned at Gaia's response, "We were together for 'years', Sun. To suddenly just 'pick' another Guardian after centuries of being your Ghost. No, I would rather be alone and rot than find another Guardian to 'replace' you."

"They will not be a replacement, Gaia," The orange Exo retorted, "Just imagine them as another friend, another member of our family. Only that I will not be around when you find them."

That's when Sun saw the look in Gaia's optic shift, the Ghost's shell drooping as they started, "Sun…"

"Gaia," The Ex-Guardian held out their hand, brushing their fingertips against the gold and crimson Ghost's shell, "I would rather you find another Guardian, even an 'organic', than let you rot alone, especially since the Traveler gave up their life to give you yours."

A snort escaped the Ghost, "Even after all these years, you still believe in the Traveler?"

Sun gave Gaia a strained smile, "You still do not have faith in it?"

Before more words can be exchanged between the Ghost and the Guardian, the familiar screaming echoed through the room, a sign for Sun to clasp both hands around their weapon, "Gaia, find a place to hide. I will last as long as I can."

Backing away slowly from their Guardian, the gold and crimson Ghost hesitated, "And what of Rasputin?"

Momentarily gaining a short silence as an answer, Sun stated, "Like I have said before, I will last as long as I can."

"But-"

"Gaia. Hide. Now."

Reeling back from Sun's words, Gaia gave the Ex-Guardian one last glance before disappearing into one of the vents, their yellow optic visible through the darkness of the duct. Keeping an eye on the Ghost momentarily to ensure their safety, Sun cocked their shotgun once before turning their optics towards the entrance, seeing the familiar orb of darkness fade into existence and the Taken crawling from the ring of darkness. Taking in a deep breath, Sun then leaped over the console, skidding down onto their knees before firing their shotgun into the nearest Taken – A Knight – who let out a scream before disappearing into a mass of black and white. Not even glancing back at their handy work, Sun then fired their shotgun at the next Taken – an Acolyte – before turning around and fired it at an unsuspecting Taken thrall. However before they can turn and fire at another Taken, Sun felt claws seep into the cracks of their plating, hearing them creak before the familiar screech of a Taken thrall reached their auditory sensors. Letting out a grunt as several more clambered onto their shoulders, Sun dropped their shotgun and took in a deep breath before letting out a single shout, solar light immediately engulfing their body. Hearing the Taken Thrall scream as the solar light consumed them, Sun then snapped their hand back, hearing the familiar 'clang' of their hammer ring in their auditory sensors before rushing forward and swinging their weapon into the nearest Taken. Watching their hammer connect with the Taken Cabal, Sun couldn't help but let out a smile as the satisfying sight of their enemy turn into ash filtering into their optics and as such, they turned and swung their hammer into the next Taken and watched in morbid satisfaction as the result ended up the same. But as Sun swung their hammer into another Taken, a battle cry erupted into their sensors and Sun glanced up in time to see a Taken Knight charge towards them. Startled and caught off guard, the Ex-Guardian hardly had the time to turn to face the Taken before it slammed into them, sending them sprawling onto the metal floors. Just as soon as they pressed their hands against the floor to push themselves back up, pressure built up around their chest and Sun couldn't help but let out a gasp, feeling their solar light die around them. Fixating their yellow optics onto the Knight, it was only then they could see the handle of the sword in the Taken's hand, the black and white blade embedded into the orange Exo's chest. Taking heavy breaths, Sun then locked their gaze into the Taken Knight's, and immediately could see the single white 'eye' glow menacingly; the Ex-Guardian couldn't help but believe that this was the Taken equivalent to a smile.

Letting out another gasp as the Taken Knight removed its blade from their chest, Sun watched the Taken hold up their sword and listened to it let out another cry, a sign for the other Taken to slowly meander around the Fallen Exo. Seeing the edges of their vision turn black and white from the surrounding Taken, Sun heaved out a sigh, watching the Taken Knight lift their blade.

This is it, The Ex-Guardian thought as they closed their optics.

It was then thunder echoed around them followed by crashing, the floor momentarily shaking as the Taken screams echoed into their auditory sensors. Snapping their optics open, Sun heaved themselves up into a sitting position, only for their yellow optics to recognizes the copper clad Titan push himself up from a kneeling position, removing her auto rifle from her back as she fired into the Taken behind them, "You…"

"Shut up, Angel guilt tripped me about leaving you here to 'die' alone so don't thank me, thank him," Carina nodded her head behind her, a sign for Sun to shift their optics over her shoulders, only to see the familiar silver and white clad Hunter swinging around his arc blade, "Now get up and – oh shit."

At first, bewildered by the female Exo's change in vocabulary, it was only when Sun lifted a hand up to their chest that they finally understood why; fluids were leaking from the chest wound received by the Taken Knight's sword, letting a pool of white form around them.

"Fuck, you finally took a hit huh?" Carina then paused awkwardly, "Well, besides from me anyway."

Giving the younger Exo a blank stare, Sun's retort was stopped when Gaia glided into view and started beaming their light into their Guardian's chest.

"No matter what you say, I am going to 'try' and heal you," Sun closed their mouth shut at the Ghost's words, "The least I can is stop the fluids from escaping but…" Gaia hesitated, "That's the best I can do in your current condition."

"Better than nothing I suppose," Sun muttered out before they forced themselves onto their feet, stumbling back as Carina reeled at their action, "Hey Psycho, I know that you are quite intent on saving Rasputin but this time around, let Angel and I handle it."

Sun scoffed, "You two 'newborns' fighting against an army of Darkness? Alone? No, I highly doubt-"

That's when the orange Exo felt a hand grab the front of their suit and before they could say anything, felt themselves being pulled down to the female Exo's eye level, the Ex-Guardian easily sensing the glare behind the visor as Carina growled, "You know, one of the other things that pisses me off is when someone automatically assumes that Angel 'and' I cannot handle ourselves just because we are 'young'." Feeling the female Titan pull them even closer to her visor, Sun then heard Carina snarl out, "So do 'not' underestimate us, understand?"

Before the Ex-Guardian can even respond, they felt themselves being shoved back, causing the Exo to stumble before regaining their balance.

"You stand back and watch," Sun watched Carina sheathe her auto rifle and hold out her shot gun, cocking it as she added, "Then you'll see how 'weak' we 'newborns' are." The orange Exo then watched Carina turn and charge into the fray, firing her weapon into Taken that wanders into her path.

Momentarily watching the younger Guardians fight back against the soldiers of Darkness, Sun finally shook their head as they sighed, "Newborns."

"Like you were any different?"

Turning their yellow optics towards their Ghost, Sun couldn't help but let out a scoff at Gaia's words but nonetheless said nothing else and instead opted to curl their fists, letting solar light come to life around their fingertips. It was then the orange Exo turned and swung their fist at an oncoming Taken Psion, the latter of which had hoped to sneak up behind the Ex-Guardian in an attempted sneak attack. Watching the Taken Psion burst into flames with a scream, Sun casually shook their hand, extinguishing remnants of solar light as they added, "I'll let them fight but if they think that I am going to stand back and do nothing, then they are wrong."

"Stubborn." Sun once again turned their yellow optics towards their Ghost, "That's the one thing that never changed."

Responding with nothing else but a smirk, Sun once again let solar light filter into their hands before swinging it into another approaching Taken, letting the flames engulf their enemy.

"Rasputin! Play the song!"

Hearing the Warmind mutter out a mild complaint, the familiar melody then played through the room and immediately, Sun felt mildly rejuvenated, enabling them to turn and snap their hand to their side once more, summoning their hammer.

"Thank you, Rasputin," Sun commented before tossing their hammer into a mass of Taken, startling the female Titan who snapped her head towards the Ex-Guardian. Not long after, Sun could sense the glare emit from behind the Exo Titan's visor, "I thought I told you –"

"I'm letting you fight aren't I?" The orange Exo interrupted, sensing another glare from the female Exo, "And if you expect me to stand idly by, then at least keep the enemies at bay so that they cannot attack me."

Sun then heard Carina let out a scoff, "Fine, but I'm not saving your ass again, you hear?"

The Ex-Guardian couldn't help but let out a snort at the younger Guardian's words, "Who says I'll need saving again?"

"Says your cocky ass."

"And you're the one to speak?"

Sensing the frown behind the younger Guardian's visor, Sun let out a snort before reaching up and pressing down on the Exo Titan's head, forcing her down before swinging their fist into a charging Knight's face, knocking it down onto the ground with a cry. Then before the female Guardian can let out a protest, Sun pried her shotgun from her hands and fired it into the fallen Taken's face, making it disperse in a mass of black and white. It was then Sun felt Carina's hands shove their hand from the top of her helmet, hearing her grumble under her breath as the smaller Titan snatched her shotgun out of the Ex-Guardian's hands.

"I can take of myself," Carina huffed before she turned and fired her shot gun into a nearby Taken before dashing away from the older Guardian.

"She has guts that one," Gaia whistled as they glided over their Guardian's shoulder, "Almost as much as you back when you were a Newborn."

Momentarily silent, Sun waited until ducked and kicked away an attacking Taken thrall to respond, "She holds potential as well. I wonder if the Empyreal Magistrate will let her forge her own hammer."

Almost immediately, Gaia let out a sputter, "You do realize that not 'anyone' can forge their hammer, Sun. You might be sending this young light to her death."

"Might'is the word, Gaia," Sun swung their fist into another Taken Thrall's face, bursting it into flames, "Did you not think we forged our own hammer without knowing the risks?"

"But you were 'naturally' born with Solar light, a light of old for Titans," Gaia retorted, "Carina is 'different', she has to attune to the solar light 'around' the forge to even create a Hammer of Sol to wield." They spun their back fins sporadically as they added, "Why else do you think there were not many Sunbreakers back in the days when we use to live in the Last City?"

Sun gave their Ghost a blank stare, "So what do you want me to do? Say nothing and let her potential go to waste?" They continued when Gaia went silent, "I say it's worth the risk. 'When' she picks up the Hammer of Sol, she 'will' make history, just like Saint-14."

Watching their Guardian once again turn and swing fist into another approaching Taken, Gaia heaved out a sigh as they stated, "I hope I know what you are doing."

"Fifty-Fifty chance."

"That doesn't make it any better, Sun."

Responding with a smirk, Sun said nothing else before snapping their hand to their side once more, summoning their Hammer of Sol before swinging it into an attacking Taken Thrall, sending its body upwards into a mass of flames.

"They're falling back!"

Hearing Angel's voice echo through the air, Sun turned their attention towards the entrance of the room and just as the Hunter had said, the familiar black and white forms of the Taken were rushing back into the safety of the hall, quickly disappearing between the twisted metal.

"Did we do it?" Hearing a tinge of hope in the female Titan's words, Sun couldn't help but shift their hammer suspiciously in their grip, their yellow optics narrowing at the entrance, "No, that can't be it."

That's when Sun felt the two younger Guardian's eyes on them, "What do you mean?"

"They continuously sent in forces and with their numbers, it should have lasted for days," The Ex-Guardian responded, "The Taken already have large number of their army, they wouldn't give up so easily especially since they had successfully broken in the room needed to either kill or recruit Rasputin into their ranks." Pondering on the events before them, Sun's yellow optics widen in realization, "Unless…"

"Unless what?" Hearing the nervousness in the young Hunter's words, Sun turned their attention towards the human Guardian and opened their mouth to respond. Before words can even leave their lips, the rumbling of the floor immediately caught the three Guardians' attention, snapping their gaze towards the entrance of the room as the shaking steadily grew stronger. Moments passed until the shaking came to a slow halt near the door and it was then, a clawed hand grasped the door frame. Taking in a shaky breath, Sun watched as a darkened Knight entered the room, having to bend down to fit through the door and when standing, easily dwarfed all three Guardians present. Its black and white armor pulsating with life, the large Taken Knight swung its blade before letting out a war cry, its volume loud enough to cause Sun to wince and stumble back, placing a hand onto one of their auditory sensors, "Shit."

"What the fuck is that?!"

"More than likely the one who is leading the assault, at least to this room," Sun responded to Carina's question, "That would explain why the smaller forces refuse to budge."

"So let me guess, kill that thing and we pretty much secure the bunker?"

"For this room at least. Frontal assaults like this usually have more than one lieutenant, especially for an area as expansive as Rasputin's bunker."

"Great, so even if we do kill this one, Rasputin still at risk if Aleeza and Akiva do not secure the Power core?"

"Precisely."

"Oh joy," Hearing Carina cock her shotgun once, Sun heard her ask, "So how do we kill this thing?"

Narrowing their eyes at the large Taken Knight, Sun took a step back as the Lieutenant took a step forward, "I see no shields so fire away, but usually enemies of that size will deliver a nasty blow if you get too close."

"So fire from afar?" Sun nodded at Angel's question, "Alright, I can do that, just give me cover."

That's when Sun's optics blinked, "Wait what?"

Turning their attention towards the human Guardian, Sun saw him jump onto the consoles and placing a clip into a sniper, "Oh of course, Hunters."

Sun heard Carina let out a snort, "If a hermit like you can still remember that Hunters have a good shot, then you shouldn't worry. Angel is second best sniper of our team."

The orange Exo turned their attention back towards the female Titan, "Second best? Who's the first?"

This earned the Ex-Guardian another snort from the younger Guardian, "Who else?"

At first puzzled at the female Titan's words, Sun let out a low 'aaah' when the younger Guardian's words finally clicked, "That's good that he never lost his touch."

"Let's get this show on the road!" Carina hollered out, startling the older Exo before the sound of a sniper being fired echoed through the air and almost instantly, the Lieutenant stumbled back with a screech. Seeing it stunned, Sun took it as the opportunity to start tossing their hammers, aiming directly at the head of the Taken Lieutenant to further keep it stunned. Hearing the rapid fire of an auto rifle ringing through the air, Sun couldn't help but let a grin spread across their metallic features, letting confidence rise within their chest at the sight of the Taken Lieutenant struggling to regain their balance, only to be stunned once again by sniper shots.

That was before the Lieutenant raised its sword, blocking one of Angel's shots. It was then everything seemed to slow down as the Taken let out a roar of rage, its screams causing everyone to flinch before raising its sword and slamming it onto the metal floors. Feeling the floor beneath them shake, Sun waited until the rumbling stopped, only for their yellow optics to widen as swirling black and white flames flashed around them.

"What the hell-"

Their words were lost as the flames flickered and the next thing Sun knew, they found themselves staring up at the ceiling of the Core room, their exasperated Ghost calling out their name several times as ringing echoed through their auditory sensors. Feeling a dull thud even through their numb sensors, Sun let out a groan as they pushed themselves up into a sitting position. Raising their hands to their optics, Sun flinched at their blurry vision, warning signals blinking within their sight, telling them that their visionary functions and spine are damaged. Squinting through the blinking text in their vision, Sun attempted to push themselves onto their feet only to collapse onto their knees, earning another cry from Gaia. Straining against the ringing to tune in onto their Ghost, Sun waited momentarily until it cleared enough to hear the exasperated voice of the gold and crimson Ghost, "I don't know what happened! The flames they just, exploded. I don't know how you survived it but the others-"

The realization that the flames could have affected the younger Guardians then popped into Sun's mind, causing the Ex-Guardian's optics to widen and fixated their blurring vision to their surroundings, letting out a low growl at the blinking text blocking their vision.

"Work, damn it," As if to empathize on their words, Sun curled their hand into the fist and rapped the side of their temple, earning a sputter from Gaia as white static flashed into their sights, only to blink away and the warning text now absent. This gave the orange Exo the opportunity to spot the younger Guardians, only for them to take in a shaky breath.

Gaia's words rang true as Sun could spot Carina not too far away from them, however, her helmet had been damaged during the blast, exposing her silver features. Many parts of her armor had been blasted away during the initial explosion or charred beyond recognition, the familiar star shaped form of her Ghost hovering above her. Angel, having worn less armor than his Titan comrade, had easily been tossed across the room from the consoles, parts of his body strewn not far from where he had slammed into the wall behind him. The white and red shell of his Ghost can be seen hovering nearby, her parts spread apart in a vain attempt to resurrect the Guardian. It was then a rumbling laughter echoed through the room, causing Sun to snap their attention towards the Taken Lieutenant, only to see it let out a grin before slowly making their way towards the core.

Dread sinking into their chest, Sun once again attempted to stand up, only to curse as they fell back onto their knees. The red blinking text again flashed in their vision, reminding them of their damaged spine. Gritting their jaw, the orange Exo glanced around until spotting a nearby console before forcing themselves onto their stomach and using their arms to crawl towards it.

"I remember more of this place, Sun." Pluto's words echoed through the back of their mind as the orange Exo heaved themselves towards the panel below the console, tearing it open, "and I remember what they had told us if Rasputin's bunker were ever to be infiltrated by intruders."

"Sun? Sun what are you doing?" The Ex-Guardian can hear the agitation in their Ghost's words, "Sun, if you are going to do what I think you are going to do, don't. You do not have enough light to survive the after affects. You 'will' die."

"If all defenses fail, including us Exo, there is a failsafe to ensure that 'no one' gets their hand on Rasputin's data. Although, this will cause the death of the Exo who uses this failsafe." Sun recalls Pluto pausing, turning his blind optics towards Sun, "So I have a question for you, old friend. Do you ever plan on 'using' this failsafe?"

Ripping out wires from the console, Sun took in a deep breath before heaving themselves onto their knees and then tearing open their chest plate, causing Gaia to scream in protest.

"I have to admit, I have considered it several times," Sun remembered responding, "Although so far, Rasputin's defenses have kept everything out."

"And if his defenses were to fail?"

"…I have you to call for, don't I?"

Pluto had sighed to their answer, "You know as well as I do, that no matter how powerful Guardians are, there will be a power of Darkness that will be stronger. That includes 'you', Sun. You may be the most powerful Guardian, even with the shape that you are in, but even you have to admit that you have a limit." The Blind Hunter then leaned back in his seat, "Traveler, even if the two of us work together, there will be a chance that 'both' of us will be taken down if you do call for me."

Sun had paused at their old comrade's words, letting the silence momentarily permeate between the two before the orange Exo finally spoke, "I do plan on using the failsafe."

"Sun-"

"Do not try to convince me out of it, Pluto, I have made my mind. Rasputin is not only my friend, but is my 'first' friend, my first 'companion'. I am not going to let 'anyone' harm him, even if it means giving up my life."

The blind Exo had paused, contemplating on their words before a sigh of defeat escaped the Hunter's lips, "Just do not jump to it so quickly. Use it only if the situation seems dire. We do not want to lose an infamous Guardian 'and' a Warmind simultaneously."

"Who says that Rasputin is going to fall with me?"

"Excuse me?"

"Currently, Gaia and I experimented several times with infusing our light into song and it seemed to have worked. So I had a thought, what if I did the same with the failsafe? If there were to be beings of Darkness that infiltrate the bunker and I use my light to engage into the system…"

"Then no harm will not come to Rasputin."

"And others who are infused with light." Sun had finished, "But the problem is, Gaia and I have yet to find a way to safely use this failsafe with my light. So in other words…"

"You will die."

Letting the memories of their conversation with Pluto fade back into their mind, Sun gritted their jaw as they forced their hand into their chest, ripping out wires and plugs from within. Seeing the warning text flash in their vision of failing power and basic functions, the orange Exo proceeded to ignore the warnings and start connecting the wires from the console and from their chest.

"Sun!" Gaia forced themselves within the Ex-Guardian's field of vision, although this doesn't stop the Exo from continuing their work, "Stop! There has to be another way to stop it!"

The Ghost's words caused Sun to pause on their work and slowly narrow their gaze at the Ghost, "With two Guardians down and my injuries too severe for me to even move properly, what other 'plan' do you have in mind?"

When the gold and crimson Ghost failed to respond, the orange Exo let out a scoff before focusing their attention back onto connecting the two wires together, letting out a nod of satisfaction as the last two locked into place.

"As soon as this is over, resurrect Carina and her friend," Sun instructed, turning their yellow optics back towards Gaia, "and then lead them towards the Power Core. By the time the three of you reach there, my light should have exterminated any sign of the Taken within the Bunker."

"But-"

"When all of you are safe, give Carina my Mark," Sun continued, "then instruct her to head to Mercury where the other Sunbreakers are stationed. Instruct her to show them the Mark and that should allow her head to the Forge."

"Sun-"

"My weapons and my gear will be given to Pluto unless not compatible. This means Fabian Strategy and Immobius will be given to Carina or if she is not interested, into the care of Clan Galaxy."

"Sun-"

"Any pieces that cannot be used can be salvaged or sold for the sake of the rebirth of Galaxy. This includes all my current glimmer as well."

"Sun!"

"And Gaia." Sun watched their Ghost pause, their single yellow optic staring wide at their Guardian, "You, you will find a new Guardian."

"I told you before, no, I won't-" The Ghost's voice cracked, their shell shaking against their core as Sun gave them a gentle smile, "When you meet Pluto and Little Light, give them my Final Testaments, per custom of every Guardian."

They then held out their hand, a sign for Gaia to nestle into their palm, "Goodbye, old friend."

Watching the Ghost shake in their palm, Sun gave Gaia another soft smile before lowering their hand and turning their darkened gaze towards the Lieutenant, the latter of which had finally made it to the core, raising their sword to finish its job.

"You're coming down with me," Sun snarled before gathering all their remaining light within their chest and suddenly, they felt empty, weightless as the console before them drained them of their light. Taking in a shuddering gasp, white filled within orange Exo's vision before a screech of agony echoed through their auditory sensors followed by a final death throe. Feeling the floor rumble underneath them, Sun can only pray that they had completed the failsafe in time. As such, the Ex-Guardian attempted to turn their blurring vision towards Gaia, expecting the gold and crimson form of the Ghost to be in their vision.

However, instead, they were greeted by other Guardians, all of them gathered around the Ex-Guardian as their vision slowly faded. One of the Guardians, a Hunter with a black hood and adorned in green and violet armor, approached the fading Titan and knelt next to them before pulling their hood down and removed their helmet. Immediately, Sun was greeted with familiar orange optics and yellow metallic features, and the Ex-Guardian couldn't help but whisper, "Venus…"

Sun watched as the Exo gave them a huge grin, "Welcome back, Sun."

Then to Sun's grief and joy, each individual Guardian slowly removed their helmets, revealing members of Clan Galaxy.

Neptune-88

Earth -33

Mars -48

Mercury -11

Jupiter -50

Uranus -71

Saturn -67

All the founding members alongside the others they had recruited into their family, all gave Sun a gentle look as Venus held out a hand to the fading Ex-Guardian, "We've all been waiting."

That's when a sob escaped the older Guardian as they reached out and curled their hand around the Exo Hunter's. They have made the others wait long enough. Now they were finally home. With this thought in their mind, Sun closed their optics with a smile and sighed with content.

Xxxxx

The last thing Carina remembered were black and white flames flickering around her before followed by a deafening explosion and pain, hearing herself scream before everything went dark. As such, when the blurriness of her vision finally cleared to reveal Spears staring back at her with his violet optic, she couldn't help but take in a rasping gasp, startling the violet and green Ghost.

{"Take it easy. Slow breaths. Deep breaths. Okay, now slowly let it out."}

Following her Ghost's instructions, Carina evened out her breathing long enough to push herself into a sitting position, just in time to see Angel materialize onto all fours, coughing as an exasperated Hope spoke to him, "Where…?"

The images of the Taken Lieutenant clicked within the female Exo's mind, causing her violet optics to widen before screaming out, "The Lieutenant! Where's the-"

{"Do not worry about it. I don't know how but Gaia and Sun were able to take it out alongside all the Taken present within the Bunker."}

Hearing this, the female Exo gave her Ghost a bewildered look, "What?"

Spears shifted their shell up and down; a Ghost equivalent to a shrug, {"I don't know the details. But from what Gaia informed me, Sun had used a fail-safe or last resort to take them out."}

"A…fail-safe?" Carina repeated, earning a nod from her Ghost. It was then her stomach dropped, her violet optics glancing around the room until she spotted the familiar form of the orange Exo. They were on their knees, head bowed, body limp, as wires connected between their chest and a console. Seeing no lights active around the Ex-Guardian, the female Exo couldn't help but feel dread form in the pit of her stomach as she heaved herself onto her feet, slowly making her way towards the stilled form of Sun. Coming to a pause just short of the Ex-Guardian, Carina shakily reached out towards Sun's shoulder.

"Don't touch them!"

Startled by the outburst, the female Guardian turned her head in time to see Gaia, fury in their optic as they glided between her and Sun's stilled form, "Get away!"

Glancing into the Ghost's gaze, Carina couldn't help but grief build up in the back of her throat. Gaia's once vibrant yellow optic was now a color of dull white, "Gaia-"

"Go away!"

Stepping back from the Ghost's outburst, Carina waited until Gaia turned their back to the female Exo, watching their shell shake against their core.

It was then a hand clasped down onto the Exo Titan's shoulder, causing Carina to snap her attention to her side, only to look into Angel's darkened visor.

"Let's give them a moment," The Hunter sighed as he turned his gaze towards the grieving Ghost, "and then we'll look for the others."

Momentarily silent, Carina nodded once before turning her attention back towards Gaia, the gold and crimson's Ghost's sobs echoing through the silence.

---

The next chapter will conclude this Arc and there is one more Arc after. That means, the story is going to wrap up soon. Don't worry though! I have the sequel planned out and I will post up an announcement once I publish it!

As such this brings up to those who submit Ocs. If your Oc did not make an appearance in this story, I 'will' bring them over to the sequel, so don't worry, they will make an appearance. Anyways, enjoy C: