Tormented
Running Out of Options
I don't know why but I had hard time ending this chapter and as such, if the ending sounded rushed or doesn't make much sense, then yeah, you know why.
Thanks to Lazypersons, Guest, AQY, Mantic64, and And-on-and-on for the reviews!
Lazypersons - Glad you enjoyed it, was worried I wouldn't do him justice lol. and Thank you!
Guest - You review made me smile, that's for sure. Although, read this chapter and perhaps you'll get your answer C:
AQY - Oh thank you! Happy to know that you're enjoying my story! Oh yeah, the errors? I have a secret to that... I just read the chapter aloud to myself before I publish it. Really helps lol.
Mantic64 - Oh! Thank you lol.
And-on-and-on - Thanks! And I apologize for the long wait! It takes a bit to incorporate other people's characters in but I can say this, your character 'will' make an appearance in this book. That's all I can say C:
Things are getting bad.
He didn't want to worry the others so he had lied about being fine. Ianos was far from fine. His life support system crafted by Matt had been damage. The amazingly small little thing attached to the length of his spine had somehow gotten damaged. The little thing that was supposed to be small and sturdy enough to take on anything that hits Ianos, was damaged and by his own thrown grenade. And the Awoken Warlock was feeling it.
Not long after did the group of Guardians started their trek down the passageway when pain started eating away at his senses, Ianos feeling the Darkness slowly consuming the Light within his chest. And as such, he clenched his teeth, gripping his chest tightly as he breathed heavily, trailing behind the others as Ianos tuned into the sound of Ace's back fins twirling in agitation.
"A few hours? A few hours?" The Ghost hissed out, "You know as well as I do that we have less than a few hours to get your gear fixed before your condition worsens."
"And this is why I keep telling you to take in Matt's blueprints of the damn thing," Ianos rasped out, "and I hear the same damn thing: I will. I will. I will eventually."
"Oh, shut it."
Letting out a strained chuckle, Ianos suddenly let out a cough, prompting Ace to lean in and send their light coursing through the Warlock's damaged system. Almost instantaneously, relief spread throughout Ianos' body, signaling to the Awoken Guardian to take in slow deep breaths, preparing himself. Hearing the sound of the streams of light fade, Ianos took in a sharp breath when the pain returned, causing him to press his hand against the wall as he let out a heave and a cough.
"Ianos?"
Snapping his gaze upwards towards the group, Ianos then saw that all eyes had turned towards him, the male Guardian sensing the bewildered and concerned gaze of his team.
"Ianos? You feeling alright?" It was Aleeza who had asked the question and although Ianos tried to put up a face, he instead felt his hand collapse underneath his weight, causing him to fall flat onto his shoulder against the hall. Pressing his opposing hand in an attempt to push himself back onto his feet, the Awoken Warlock instead felt pain spike throughout his senses, the edges of his vision blurring as he gritted his teeth and dug his fingers into the wall.
"That's it, we can't hide this any longer." Hearing the finality in Ace's voice, Ianos heaved out a breath of defeat before leaning his head against the wall, the echoes of his Ghost's words fading in his ears as the world seemed to swirl around him. Letting another cough escape from his lips, Ianos felt his knees buckle underneath him but instead of fighting to keep himself propped up, the Awoken Guardian let his legs fall underneath him and as soon as he landed on his knees, ringing echoed in his ears.
"Ianos! Stay with me!"
Hearing the familiar voice of Ace ringing in his ears, Ianos shifted his gaze upwards, sighting the familiar orange optic of his Ghost before seeing the familiar violet and red cloak form of Aleeza moving into view, prompting Ianos to immediately reach out and smack away the female Warlock's helping hand.
"I'm fine, I just need to rest a bit."
"You are 'not' fine." It was Ace's voice, "A simple 'rest' won't do it either."
Letting out a scoff, Ianos opted to say nothing, instead turning and sliding completely down onto the floor with his back pressed against the wall.
"Can we not just pump some pain killers into his system so that he can walk?"
Tilting his head towards Spirit, Ianos narrowed his gaze at the Exo Warlock before spitting out, "You know as well as I do that that depending on the Guardian, our Light can rapidly break down whatever is in our body. For me, at my current situation, I am unfortunate enough to have Light that almost instantly breaks down anything that enters my system which includes any pain killers that you try to give me."
"Which would explain why Matt gave you a 'system, right?" Shifting his gaze over to Angel, Ianos nodded once, letting out a single cough before he flinched and clenched his hand over his chest as pain flashed throughout his body, "May I take a look?"
Giving Angel a half blank stare, Ianos remained silent before heaving out a tired sigh and nodding once before pushing himself from the wall. His body screaming in protest against the movement, the Awoken Warlock let out a grunt, "You have a knife, right?"
Sensing the bewildered stare from the human Hunter, Ianos heaved out a sigh, "Let's just say it's going to be a bit more complicated than taking the system off than you think."
Letting the silence fill the air, Ianos then heard Angel shift behind him before feeling a hand grab him by the shoulder and then feeling an object being inserted into the back of his coat. No sooner had he felt the cold metal of the human Hunter's knife touch his skin when he suddenly felt it slide down, the familiar sound of metal tearing through cloth echoing through the dark passage. Feeling the cold air press against his skin, Ianos let out a shiver before feeling gloved hands press under the remnants of his coat and pull it apart only to hear Angel take in a hitched breath. And Ianos wasn't all too surprised.
The 'system' that Matt had created was a long piece of metal inserted with cylindrical cases of light and drugs that marginally releases the needed liquids through the silicon tubes wrapped around Ianos' armor, and if they were to be completely used, Ace can easily replace them by materializing the empty tubes with new ones. Following the length of his spine, the system can easily be turned on and off if another source is given, saving precious resources when not in use. However, there were a couple of inconveniences when it comes to Matt's system. The first was that Ianos cannot spend prolonged period of time away from the Tower (or more specifically, Matt) as even though Ace can practically carry an infinite amount, there is only a limited amount of cases of drugs and light that is handed out to him and as such, he must constantly return to the Tower to resupply. Another is that currently, only Matt knows how the system functions alongside with having the only copy of the blueprints for said system and as such, the Medic is the only one knowledgeable of how to fix it if it gets damaged. Finally, another inconvenience is that in order to hold it in, metal rods have been drilled into the system and down into Ianos' spine, securing it in place however, this makes it almost impossible to remove. As such, if Ianos was to remove the tubes from his armor, it had to be manually done by Ace or himself before shutting the system off if using another source to ease the pain and to slow down the corruption of the Darkness. Although, Ianos had to admit, it made it easier to hide the life system, even when he dressed in casual clothes when forced into the City by the others.
"Doesn't this hurt?" Alarmed by Angel's question, Ianos then let out a scoff, "Compared to the pain of the Darkness devouring my Light, this is nothing."
Hearing the human Hunter go silent, Ianos opted to say nothing, but instead waited as he felt fingers trace down the length of the system, up until he felt them come to a pause near the middle of his spine, "How the fuck did it distort like this?"
"Considering I was just a 'tad' bit slow when running away from grenade, I can only imagine why."
Although he didn't necessarily mean to sound harsh to the human Hunter, Ianos couldn't help but snap at Angel for finding the damage done to his system. Now that he had figured out where it has been damaged and that it was 'distorted' out of place, Ianos can now feel the ache and the dull throbbing down the length of his spine, especially since the piece of equipment is initially 'attached' to said spine.
"Maybe we can force it back into place?"
As Ianos felt hands grip the edges of the system tightly, the Awoken Warlock's eyes widen before he abruptly turned around and shoved Angel's hands away, sensing the startled expression from behind the human Hunter's visor.
Flinching as pain throbbed from the sudden movement, Ianos then hissed out, "Don't mess with something that you know nothing about."
Ianos sensed Angel's further bewilderment, "What?"
"Matt's system is attached to Ianos' spine," Ace deadpanned and immediately, Ianos heard the room go silent, causing the latter to fidget as his Ghost added, "So, for now, he maybe able to move fine but who knows? If you try and force it back into place, you can cripple him and considering our current situation, we can't allow that."
Silence momentarily permeating through the room, it was only broken when Aleeza leaned in and let out a hum, tilting her head slightly as she stated, "This is a very unique system. Are there any others like this?"
"Matt told me that there were several other Guardians he had implanted the system onto," Ianos responded, "But personally, I have never met them."
"Huh, considering how successful it was on you, I would have thought that more would be equipped with it, not just 'several'."
Narrowing his gaze at the female Warlock, the latter must have sensed his glare for she took several steps back, clutching Prime protectively to her chest, "Despite the 'success' on me, the only reason I was able to make it was that Matt was able to get to me on time. For most, it's too late."
"Too late?"
Glowering at the female Awoken for her questions, Ianos opted, "Can we just continue on? The sooner we can get out of here, the sooner Matt can-"
It was then the pain that Ianos had forced to the side took a turn, the agony skyrocketing through the Awoken Guardian's senses as he lurched forward with a short scream. His ears ringing from the pain, the sounds of his comrades yelling were muffled and incoherent, causing Ianos to shake his head as he gritted his teeth and dugs his fingers into the floor in a vain attempt to ease the agony. Feeling the Darkness within his chest pulse steadily, Ianos took in a shaky breath before forcing his gaze towards Ace, his orange hues locking onto his Ghost's matching optic. Momentarily silent, Ianos' silent message was sent, Ace clearly understanding when the Ghost bobbed once and stating, "Usually I would be against this but since we're running out of options, I'll allow it." Ace then paused, hesitating before they added, "But remember, I can only keep the Darkness at bay for so long. As soon as we're back at the Tower, I'm bringing you back."
Weakly letting out a dry chuckle, Ianos nodded once before he reached to his side, removed his sidearm from its holster before pressing the barrel to the side of his head. Hearing the muffled sounds of his team shouting, Ianos wasted no time as he pressed pressure onto the trigger. A loud 'pop' rang in his ears before darkness entered his senses.
Xxxxx
"Why in the Traveler did he fucking do that!?"
Hearing Angel swear through her auditory sensors, Carina couldn't help but snap her gaze towards the human Hunter, the latter of which had taken several steps away from Ianos' prone form. When the female Titan hears the human Guardian curse, it usually means that he was under stress or completely taken aback from whatever occurrence that he had just witnessed. Considering the fact that Ianos had fired a bullet into his head with his own gun, the female Titan can only guess that this time, it was a mixture of both.
"Calm down!" All eyes turned towards Ace, the black and orange Ghost twirling their back fins in annoyance, "in order to slow down the process of the Darkness, 'I' have to carry him out."
"Say what?" Carina blurted out her bewilderment before she can stop herself, pausing as Ace turned and narrowed their orange optic at her, "I am saying that when killing himself, it enables me to go ahead and collect his Light alongside the Darkness that had infected it. However, once 'inside' of me, I can utilize 'my' light to keep the Darkness at bay. That way, when we finally make it to the Tower, the progress of the Darkness corrupting his Light wouldn't cause any further damage."
"But, wouldn't that affect you?"
Angel's question echoing through the darkness, it was then Carina heard Ace pause, the only sound was the humming of the Ghosts' hovering. This sent a wave of unease through the female Titan, her violet optics eyeing the Ghost suspiciously as instead of answering, Ace turned and spread out their parts, their triangular parts twirling around their core as they started to gather the male Awoken's light.
"Ace?"
Carina couldn't help but quietly snort to herself, remembering that whenever Angel asks a question, the human Hunter is determined to gain the answer he wants, whether be it good or bad. And from hearing the sigh that Ace emitted, Carina can tell that the black and orange Ghost knows this as well. As soon as Ianos' body materialized out of view and Ace locked their parts back into place, Carina watched as the Ghost's orange optic turned towards the others, "There is a risk of me getting corrupted not just when I hold Ianos' light within me but whenever I take in his light during resurrection."
Soaking in the Ghost's words, the female Titan's jaw dropped, her violet optics wide at the revelation. She had always wondered why Ianos always seems so intent on staying alive, Carina recalling several occasions where he refuses to eat a bullet whenever he gains a major injury, such as a wound to the side or a broken bone, opting for Ace to slowly heal the injury which had taken several days, despite the fact that resurrection could easily heal the serious wound in seconds. Now knowing that whenever Ace takes in Ianos' light for resurrection, they risk themselves of being corrupted by the darkness, Carina wonders what other habits that Ianos and Ace have that places themselves teetering on the edge of corruption.
"But we know the risks," The female Titan fixated her attention back onto Ace, "Which is why I try not to carry his light for long periods of time." Carina watched as the black and orange Ghost twirled their back fins once again in agitation, "So, if you do not mind. Can we please get out of here so I can resurrect Ianos back at the Tower where he can get proper treatment?"
Realizing the small amount of time they had to find the exit now had drastically shortened, Carina watched as the others quickly clambered to their feet and quickly started their way back down the dark passageway, the female Titan soon taking the back.
Xxxxx
"I saw them head over here," Seeing Zeno double jump over between some trees to shorten the distance, Pluto heaved out a sigh as he jumped once, grabbed the branch of the tree and swung over the ridge that was in their way. As soon as he landed, he heard clapping, prompting the Exo Hunter to turn his head towards the human Hunter.
"Nice," Zeno whistled, causing Pluto to shake his head before he walked over to the Gunslinger, "have any more tricks to show off?"
"Not at this moment," The Exo Hunter stated, "but first, where are this group of Guardians headed?"
Hearing Zeno chuckle behind his visor, Pluto then watched the younger Guardian nod his head towards the horizon, prompting the Exo Hunter to follow his gaze. Past the foliage and some trees, he can easily see the towering forms of buildings, the familiar moss and wilderness climbing along the sides.
"A group of six, just like you had guessed," Zeno started as he started his way towards the buildings, prompting Pluto to follow, "If I were to guess why you are looking for them, I would like to bet that one of them is 'Black Death', right?"
"His name is 'Ianos'." Pluto narrowed his red optics at his fellow Hunter, the latter of which shrugged sheepishly, "Just because others call him that doesn't mean you can."
"So, let me guess another thing, 'Ianos' doesn't like that name, does he?"
The Exo Hunter immediately let out a scoff at Zeno's words, "Death was enough. To be called a 'curse' just for the reason that every Fireteam he was set up with either disbands from a death in their team or that they are all kill in action and to hear that being whispered behind your back as you walk, only to be eventually be called, 'Black Death' for the reason that your light is 'tainted', I think that is insulting enough."
Pluto then heard his fellow Hunter let out a thoughtful hum, "Good point. So, he prefers the name Ianos then?"
"Yes," Pluto gave Zeno a blank stare, "If I did not make that obvious earlier."
It was then he heard the human Hunter let out a laugh, "My apologies if I had offended you earlier, 'Executioner', it is just that I had heard the rumors of your relationship between you and Ianos. So it is true then that you see him as your child?"
"A late partner and I always had wanted to raise a child," Pluto stated, pausing as Zeno walked over some debris before following the actions of his fellow Hunter, "however, considering the fact that the two of us were Guardians that the citizens still held a strong distrust towards the 'undead', let alone Exo, we couldn't find an orphan to take in."
Zeno then let out a snort, "So, I am guessing Ianos was the next best thing then?"
In response to the human Hunter's question, Pluto shrugged, "We just found him wandering the streets of the City, looking lost, and like as though he had given up on living." A sad smile formed onto Pluto's metallic features, "Neptune, my partner, he didn't want any of that. So, we just took him to our camp and from there, it was history."
Hearing Zeno go silent, Pluto opted to do the same, letting the sound of their footsteps brushing through the wet marsh as they slowly made their way closer to the crumbling buildings of the archives.
"Let me guess," The Exo Hunter shifted his attention back onto Zeno, "Your partner, this Neptune, he isn't around anymore, is he?"
Hearing Zeno's question, instead of immediately answering, Pluto once again opted to stay silent, letting the silence permeating through the air answer enough for his fellow Hunter.
"I had lost everything," Pluto finally answered, "My clan. My Fireteam. My family. My love." He then paused, hesitating, "The only thing I did not lose was Ianos, our 'Little Light'. So as a promise to myself and Neptune, I will ensure that Ianos is safe."
Silence once again permeated between the two Hunters, the two focusing on approaching the rotting City, pushing past any tall ferns and skipping through wet paths. During this moment of silence, Pluto quietly reprimanded himself. True, he considers the human Hunter a comrade in arms but the Exo Hunter felt like he given too much information about himself. And Pluto's years, there are plenty of Guardians who would slowly gain your trust only to assassinate you when you least expect it. The Exo Hunter recalls many moments where pro-human 'Risen' refuse to see their Exo and Awoken brothers and sisters as 'equals', preferring that only 'humans' have that right to access the power of the light. Pluto also recalls many a moment where he had taken the lives of such 'comrades'. Although he knows that it has been 'years' during those times, Pluto couldn't help but keep his guard up whenever he greets a new Guardian, especially when it comes to humans.
"So, any plans on how to track down your 'son'?"
Snapping out of his mind, Pluto gave Zeno a blank stare but instead of retorting, he responded, "If you want an honest answer, not sure."
Almost immediately, a laugh escaped the human Hunter, prompting Pluto to turn and give his fellow Hunter another blank stare.
"The great Executioner, unsure of how to track down his own 'son'?" Pluto swears that Zeno is smiling behind his visor as he turned and glanced back at him, "Despite all those years, you still have your moments, don't you, old man?"
"Firstly, don't call me 'old man'," The Exo Hunter heard Zeno let out a snort, "and secondly, I honestly didn't think I would get this far. I would have thought you wouldn't have seen anything, let alone leading me where you last saw Ianos and his team."
"Well, we still have a bit to go before we make it to where I last saw them enter one of the buildings," Zeno let out a hum, "If I remember correctly, that building is one of the many archives stationed here. Makes me wonder what they are looking for."
"An 'artifact' from what I can understand," Pluto stated, "the Vanguard seems very intent on getting their hands on it. Apparently, they believe it can make a huge difference for those living at the Last City."
A chuckle escaped Zeno, "That's what the Vanguard 'always' says about anything they believe is valuable." Hearing his fellow Hunter clear his throat, Pluto prepared himself as Zeno suddenly imitated a certain Warlock, "Guardian, there are signs of a power influx located here, in the middle of an area once called 'Austria', we believe it could Golden Age tech that have been activated." No sooner had Zeno finished his imitation, that Zeno resumed composure, letting out a snort as he added, "Turns out it was just some Fallen messing with the power grid. Charley and I barely made it out." Letting out a laugh, the human Hunter then stated, "Boy, I was in such bad shape when we made it out. Remember, Charley, how you both had to man our ship and heal me at the same time? Man, were you angry."
When Pluto saw Zeno glance over his shoulder, as if expecting the familiar form of his Ghost to be there, the Exo Hunter said nothing, remaining silent as the human Hunter's long strides slowed down to a halt, his shoulders slowly drooping when reality set back in.
"Ah," Was all Pluto heard Zeno say, "Sorry about that, just had a 'slight' moment of 'good times', if you know what I mean?"
Instead of responding verbally, Pluto nodded once, a sign for Zeno to once again move forward, leading the Exo Hunter towards their destination. Honestly, this wasn't the first-time Pluto had seen Zeno talking to 'air', recalling several other occasions where the human Hunter would turn and talk as if expecting their floating friend to be there, only to be hit that Charley was no longer with him. Hearing Nix send out a few beeps inside his helmet, Pluto reached up and tentatively press his fingers tips on the side of his visor, as if an attempt to brush his fingertips against the shell of his blind Ghost.
Seeing Zeno still grieving over the loss of his Ghost and the fact that Pluto himself had nearly lost Nix once, this ensures that the Exo Hunter will keep the blind Ghost safe. And to find a way to fix the damage that had been done.
Xxxxx
Spirit couldn't help but feel like the odds were against them. He is carrying Esther, the one who seems to know the way, unconscious in his arms, and Ianos, the most experienced Guardian in the group, is out of commission, his light currently being carried by his Ghost. Although normally Spirit wouldn't worry about such a thing, when he had heard that Ace can be corrupted by the very light he carries in his core, and that it is a possibility that they can lose Ianos to the Darkness, that just shot his concern sky high. It doesn't' help the fact that although they had trapped the Vex back in Prime's old lab, the possibility that they can appear at any moment doesn't help with Spirit's anxiety.
"What do Guardians do when off-duty?"
"We…work?"
"Is that all you do, work?"
Shifting his gaze towards the back of Aleeza and Carina, the Exo Warlock watched as Carina turned her gaze towards the female Warlock, the latter of which let out a small chuckle at the Golden Age AI in her palm.
"For us Guardians, there is no time to do anything but 'work'." Spirit heard Aleeza explain, "it is very rare for us to find any time for ourselves."
"Sounds like a tough life."
Watching the two female Guardians continue to talk to Prime, Spirit then shifted his attention towards the others. Angel had taken the front, being the only one besides Carina not holding any precious cargo, his hand cannon raise and ready to fire at anything that will do them harm. Carina and Aleeza were right behind the human Hunter, the reason for that the female Warlock held Prime and Carina became her de facto protector in case they were attacked. Next, was Ace, the Ghost deciding that staying behind Carina, the only Titan of the group, was the wisest decision in order to ensure to keep both themselves and their Guardian safe. Finally, Spirit was in the back, mainly for the reason that he was carrying Esther, and as such, is more encumbered than the others. How he was going to fight if they were to be attacked, he wasn't sure, but he knows for certain that if they were going to be attacked by the Vex or any other threats, he wasn't going to abandon the female Exo.
"Not good."
Hearing Angel's voice echo through the dark passageway, Spirit shifted his attention back onto the human Hunter, only to feel dread fill up in the pit of his 'stomach' as he saw Angel's Ghost light up a wall of stones, the white and red Ghost gliding around the broken stones in an attempt to find a way through.
"It wasn't like this," Spirit heard Angel say as the human Guardian walked over and placed a hand onto the stones, "It wasn't like this the last time I was here."
Frowning at the human's words, the Exo Warlock couldn't help but snap, "Well, considering that you haven't been here since you were last 'alive', I can safely say that things have definitely changed since you were last here."
It was then Spirit saw Angel turned his head towards him, sensing the narrowed gaze emitting behind the younger Guardian's visor.
"Well I'm sorry if I accidentally lead us to a dead end," The human Hunter retorted, "but considering the fact that I am currently going in out and out of memories during my years here back when I was 'alive', I can't exactly think clearly at this moment."
"You were depending on 'lost' memories to lead us out?" Spirit snapped at the human, "might as well bring us to a death sentence."
"Will you two cut that out?" Aleeza stepped in between the two, "Spirit, remember that thanks to Angel regaining his memories, we would have been stuck in that lab facing the Vex." Spirit flinched at the mention of the machines, "Who knows if we would have made it out alive. So, leave Angel alone and you," The female Warlock turned her attention towards the human Hunter, "Keep a clear mind and let us all find a way out of here."
"I found an opening."
All eyes turned towards Hope, the female Ghost shining her light near a pile of stones.
"Uhm, Hope," Angel slowly walked over to the white and red Ghost, "I don't see anything."
Watching the female Ghost twirl her back fins in annoyance, Hope then bobbed her body closer to the pile of stones, "Look closer."
Bewildered at Hope's actions, Spirit walked over to where the female Ghost shined her light, leaned over, and squinted. There, amongst the pile of stones, was a small gap, half the size of the white and red Ghost herself.
"Hope," Angel must have spotted the small gap, "That is too small for us to fit through. Are you implying to move the stones? Because if we do-"
"No, no," Spirit once again watched as the female Ghost twirled her back fins in annoyance, "Think about it, who here is small enough to fit through a gap this small?"
Blinking several times at the white and red Ghost, Spirit's optics widen as realization set in, slowly turning his gaze towards Carina's shoulder and there, hovering with his optic shining brightly, was Spears, the violet and green Ghost twirling his back parts in puzzlement as everyone's gaze shifted towards him.
"Spears," Carina breathed out her Ghost's name, "You can fit. You can get out of here and find us help."
Immediately, Spirit watched as the male Ghost reeled back, his violet optic widening before he let out a series of beeps and whistles.
"Come on Spears, you're quick enough to avoid any enemy fire you encounter," Carina assured, "plus, no offense to the other Ghosts, you're the fastest one here. Who else we are to send that can fit through the gap and find a way out?"
Silence permeating through the air, Spirit kept his lime green optics on the small form of Spears, the Ghost twirling his back fins silently before a silent whistle emitting from the Ghost, his parts drooping in defeat.
In response, Carina gave her Ghost a nod, "We're depending on you, Spears."
Hearing the Ghost let out one final whistle, Spirit then watched as Spears glided towards Hope before shifting gears and glided right into the gap, immediately disappearing from everyone's view. Once again, silence permeated through the air, all eyes kept on the gap as if already expecting the violet and green Ghost to return.
"So, since we're just standing here," All eyes shifted towards Aleeza, "Can I ask who you are, Angel?"
"I'm a Hunter."
"Angel…"
Spirit snorted at the human Hunter's answer and from the faint chuckling from Carina, he can guess the female Titan found his response amusing as well. The sigh from Aleeza says otherwise.
"You know what I mean, Angel. This passageway. Back with the console. With 'them'." Aleeza then held out her palm, the red and blue form of Prime blinking bewilderedly in her grasp, "Have you been here before, Angel? Back in your previous life?"
That's when Spirit sensed Angel's mood turn serious, his joking expressions slowly fading from the human Hunter.
"I did say before that I lived on Venus," The human Guardian responded, "And I did say that the entrance to Prime's lab was familiar."
"And...?"
"If you want an honest answer, I am not quite a hundred percent sure."
"…I beg your pardon?"
"Look, yes, I know how to speed up the process of 'cleansing' on Prime and yes, I knew about the passageway. Problem is, that is all I got." Spirit then watched Angel nod his head towards the stones, "The only other thing I got is just having visions of people. Humans specifically using this passageway as a short cut to reach the area where we entered, which in turn cuts the time to reach the other archives." He then heaved out a sigh, "But I do have to admit, the longer we stay here, the more it seems to be familiar."
"That is what I was trying to say earlier." All eyes turned towards Prime, the Golden Age AI expanding their parts slightly to make themselves more comfortable in Aleeza's palm, "Are you perhaps, related to Doctor Shim?"
Watching Angel pause, Spirit couldn't help but fixate his gaze onto the human Hunter, curiosity clear in his gaze as the Hunter crossed his arms and leaned on one side.
"That name sounds…familiar." Angel admitted, "but nothing really clicks."
"Then perhaps let me tell you a bit about Doctor Shim." Spirit then shifted his gaze back towards Prime, "maybe that will jumpstart your memory."
Silence once again permeated between the Guardians, the humming of their Ghosts are the only sound echoing through the dark passage as Angel pondered on Prime's words.
"Go on."
"Doctor Shim was one of the scientists who was part of the Ishtar Collective." Prime started, "He was one of the few primary scientists who were studying the Vex?"
That caught Spirit's attention, "Studying the Vex? Who would want to study those creepy ass machines?"
"If you want an honest answer, I am not quite sure." Spirit then heard Prime let out a snort, "But you know scientists, they want to know 'everything', even if it is dangerous. And amongst the scientists who are willing to place themselves into danger is Doctor Shim."
"Studying the Vex, huh?" Spirit heard Angel let out a hum, "Anything else?"
"I have only met him only a couple of occasions." Prime admitted, prompting Spirit to give the Golden Age AI a blank stare, "however, mainly to visit the scientist that mainly worked with me."
"Really?" Spirit blinked, "Why?"
Prime moved their parts up and down, as if to mimic a shrug, "Not sure, every time I see him enter, he would walk in, give the scientist who was supposed to watch over me an embrace, have a short conversation and then would leave moments later."
"Wait, what's the name of the woman that he would visit?"
It was then, the for first time since Spirit had watched Prime inhabit Nora's body, that a look of surprise flashed onto Prime's optic, the latter of which blinked several times in surprise before the Golden Age AI asked, "How did you know the scientists that Doctor Shim visited was female?"
Turning his lime green optics towards Angel, Spirit can easily sense the hesitation emit from the male Hunter, watching the latter fidget before he responded, "If I am correct, then the scientist that you are talking about, she is my mother."
And I am going to end it here! I would say more but it is late and I have work. So, until the next chapter! Peace!
