Grimoire: Ghost Fragment - Lady Efrideet

"There are some wounds that Light cannot heal, but that is alright. These scars will always remind me of where I came from."

It was a quiet evening for a patrol; Saladin Forge was at the head, while Misato Katsuragi and Efrideet covered his flanks.

Naturally, Lady Katsuragi filled the silence with chatter. "So, my Shinji-kun had to fight three Ahamkara at once, in the ruins of Beijing. The Chinese military had unloaded a helluva lot of ordnance on the beasts, but to no avail. By the time his Evangelion got deployed, we were looking at millions of fatalities already. Which is why, no matter how gloomy Gheleon-kun gets, we should be grateful that we're only fighting fellow humans."

"...that's a very odd thing to be grateful for," remarked Lady Efrideet.

"Fighting other people is simpler, Efrideet-chan."

"How so?"

"Well...I'll give you an example. You've heard the stories from the Takanome Rangers, right?"

"Those old fossils? I thought they had gone by the wayside since Hunters became more numerous."

"If regular people never bothered to help each other out, we'd have died out a long time ago." Saladin resisted the urge to chuckle at Lady Katsuragi's blunt words, no matter how truthful they were. "You can't blame them for wanting to lend a hand, even if there are others who can do a better job of it."

"...I guess," grumbled Lady Efrideet.

"Anyhow, you've heard about those strange aliens that are covering more and more of Earth?"

Saladin mentally grimaced; the Fallen. A strange title for such a disparate collective of creatures; he too knew of such stories, and would have considered them fantastical in the Time Before. Sentient masses of a blue, fungus-like substance; floating tetrahedrons that fired lasers; birds of living light that could invade your mind; it all sounded like something out of a fairy tale. Then again, their current state as immortal warriors was equally outlandish, in the grand scheme of things.

"Yes, I have."

"Well, you'd think it would be easier to fight them, because they're inhuman, right? It's easier to shoot at something if it doesn't have a face...but we have no idea how they think, or plan, or feel. Humans...at least you know how they tick. You know what motivates them. See what I'm getting at?"

"...perhaps. But I would still rather fight beasts than people." The younger woman's hand twitched, wanting to rise, but staying in place. "By your same logic, humans know how to hit you where it truly hurts."

"...a valid point."

"Beasts can kill you. Aliens may be capable of inflicting unbelievable pain. But humans can rob you of agency. Of will. Of control."

"...fair enough."

Saladin huffed underneath his helmet, knowing the source of Efrideet's bitterness. The garish scar on her face - a remnant from the Time Before - was a sign of a rather unpleasant life. Even though she professed that they didn't bother her, he suspected that her fondness for wearing the armor forged by Lady Perun went beyond mere practicality. In that moment of relative gloom, he made a decision. "Tell me, Lady Efrideet; have you met my students?"

The younger woman started. "You are referring to...Shaxx and Zavala, right?"

Misato chuckled. "You mean the two other strays? Seriously Saladin-kun, just make them Iron Lords and be done with it!"

"Not everyone is meant to serve the same role, Lady Katsuragi." He turned back towards Efrideet. "I received an invitation from Zavala to meet at Shaxx's Roadhouse. I intend to go once we finish our patrol."

The purple-haired Hunter immediately perked up. "Is it an open invitation?"

"I don't believe they would be opposed to...stragglers."

"Woo!" hollered Misato, throwing her fists up with joy. "A chance for vengeance!"

"Vengeance?" asked Efrideet.

"I have to pay Shaxx back for beating me in arm wrestling. He may think he has the upper hand, but I'll show him! Because you, my little Efrideet-chan, are my secret weapon!"

"I am?"

Saladin loosed a satisfied chuckle as the women continued their banter, with Misato getting more and more riled up in her particularly joyful way. Though their task was an important one, it was always helpful to be reminded of why they fought.

xxxx

/Bannerfall, the Last City/

Lady Efrideet roared loudly as she unleashed a Tiger suplex on Lord Shaxx, driving him into the ground.

"And that, boys and girls, is why you always keep an eye on your radar!" exclaimed Misato Katsuragi. The Iron Lady couldn't help but chuckle at the gobsmacked looks on the faces of Zavala's recruits; the new generation of Iron Lords - all twenty-four - had been called for some decisive lessons on close-quarter techniques from Efrideet. Even though the younger woman no longer possessed her Ghost, her martial talents had not faded at all; if anything, her blows carried a somewhat brutal edge to them, a sign that she intended to kill. Understandable, given the hell she had gone through, and in the spirit of Shaxx's Crucible; it was also somewhat hilarious, when such a thin and lithe woman delivered punches that crumpled armor plating.

Callisto Yin - a Titan formerly of the Firebreak Order - rubbed at her neck gingerly, remembering when Efrideet had done something similar to her, not ten minutes ago. Her Iron Truage armor still showed some dents. By comparison, Efrideet was positively pristine, and had yet to suffer a single blow. "She is...intense."

"Does that infamous story involving Saladin-kun and a Fallen Walker make sense now?"

"...yes. Yes it does," admitted Yin.

Lord Zavala chuckled as Shaxx - his cervical vertebrae shattered from Efrideet's blow - reformed in a flash of Light. "We learned a hard lesson during the Threefold Invasion: our tactics and strategies, although enhanced by our immortality, is no excuse to be sloppy. And now you've learned another one: even if your foe has but one life to give, do not underestimate them."

"A fine lesson!" exclaimed Lord Shaxx, feeling for the lone horn attached to his helmet; it was still there, much to his apparent relief. "But I believe that will do for now. It wouldn't do for our long-lost comrade to humiliate the new generation too much!"

Lady Efrideet nodded calmly at the two dozen 'newbies'. "Thank you for being so patient. May your Light continue to shine."

As the new generation of Iron Lords dispersed, Misato stepped toward Efrideet's side, heartily patting her on the back. "So...what do you think?"

"...many of them are hardened Guardians in their own right. But being an Iron Lord requires something more. I believe they have that potential within them."

Zavala smiled lightly. "I would not have selected them otherwise."

Efrideet sighed, sounding both nostalgic and content. "Seeing how the City has changed...and how you have all managed to thrive beneath the Traveler...it has done my heart good." She looked severely at Misato, Shaxx, and Zavala. "But I'm afraid all good things must come to an end."

"...what do you mean?" Misato frowned, feeling an odd sense of foreboding.

'Wark.'

Good point, Pen-Pen. "Does it have something to do with your time out in space?"

Efrideet nodded. "There are many terrible powers that I witnessed in the Deep Black...and some of them have turned their gaze towards this world. I must warn your leaders." A sign of how long she had been absent; the notion of the Speaker, the Vanguard, the Consensus itself had been nonexistent.

"...perhaps it would be prudent for us to meet with the Vanguard, so you can disclose your findings," said Zavala.

"Then what are we waiting for?" shouted Shaxx. "Let us be off!"

"Thank you," said Efrideet, her tone lined with gratitude.

xxxx

Elsewhere within the City, Shinji Ikari finally worked up the nerve to ask a particular question. "...so...Eris..."

"Yes?"

"...what exactly are we looking for?"

"...honestly Ikari, I do not know."

These past couple of days, Eris Morn had been moving throughout the City, pausing at various moments. Speaking in an unusual tongue, the Hunter had been doing...something. In all honesty, Shinji didn't exactly know why he was there.

'Maybe she's utilizing your inherent metaphysical signature to triangulate a certain signal?'

...do you think so?

'Well, the only other thing I can think of is that she just wants your company. But she hasn't really talked to you, so I don't know how likely that is.'

Shinji sighed at his mother's mental words; their relationship had defaulted to something akin to cold professionalism, if only because it served as a balm on his own feelings. He was...still trying to work through certain difficulties. It didn't help that he still remembered her voice speaking with enthusiastic cheer, not mere months ago, prior to Old Japan. Her clinical perspective on things was also rather jarring. Clearing his mind, he looked towards his comrade, who was perched atop the edge of a skyscraper's roof. "...what do you think you're looking for?"

"...there is a strange miasma. Hollow, yet immense. The Traveler's presence is diffusing it...and yet it still lingers. I can't pinpoint it..." Sighing, the female Hunter rose to her full height. "I believe we'll need to discuss this matter with the Speaker. He might have a perspective that I am missing."

"...okay then." It was hard, disguising his awkwardness.

"Is something wrong?"

Apparently, he didn't try hard enough. "Oh...just remembering the last time I spoke with the Speaker. We discussed some things that I was struggling with."

Eris nodded, humming with acknowledgment. "I am glad. I'm sure he was able to provide you with all the wisdom you needed."

"...yeah." That was one way of putting it.

xxxx

Eris knew that Ikari was hiding something. His overall discomfort and unease had lingered in the air for these past days, although it had been abated by her gesture.

'o-o? '

Yes Rose. It was a friendly gesture.

' XD '

...what do you mean, that I'm in denial?

' ;P '

Sometimes, her Ghost could be utterly vexing. She had the suspicion that Ikari's discussions with the Speaker had involved what he had experienced when Atheon had flung him into the timestream. The utter intensity of his anguish, despair, and confusion had been clear enough when she had mingled her A.T. Field with his.

' #^m^# '

You are reading too much into it, Rose.

' :3 '

...I will not dignify that with a response.

' ( ゚ヮ゚) '

She exhaled forcefully, driving the musical laughter of Rose from her mind. If Ikari ever wanted to speak about what he had seen, then she would be there to listen. But she would not pry, because it was not her place to pull anyone's private issues to the surface. Traveler knows that she had plenty of her own...and by Toland, this putrid static was going to drive her insane! Where is its source? Why is covering the entire City?! "...I will be going to meet the Speaker. You do not have to come."

"No...that's okay. I'll be fine."

"You are sure?"

He nodded silently.

Eris silently turned, letting her lily-colored Ghost manifest. "Transmat me to the Tower."

xxxx

/The Speaker's Observatory, the Tower/

"I have an honest question for you, Osiris."

The Vanguard Commander turned quietly towards his erstwhile teacher, his intrigued expression hidden beneath his canine helm. "Oh? How very forward of you."

"Have you ever pondered at what point your various selves begin and end? You have Osiris the Warlock; Osiris the Commander; Osiris the Guardian; Osiris the enthusiastic historian; Osiris the Vex researcher...I trust you get my meaning."

"I suppose. I would not consider them to be discrete partitions. People are not so easy to differentiate."

"Hmm."

"...you believe otherwise?"

Gendo stared quietly through the open doorway of his observatory, gazing at the dormant form of the Traveler. Given everything that was barreling down towards them, the question of survival was actually quite topical. "Ask the average civilian. Ask the average Guardian. You'd likely get a variety of opinions...but most would consider the Speaker a figure of wisdom and tranquility, would they not?"

"Probably," admitted his fellow Warlock. "But you're not one to toot your own horn, either."

He paused, letting his senses expand. The two were alone. "Shinji Ikari knows my identity, beneath the mask."

"...so that's what he must have witnessed inside the Vault of Glass."

"Yes." Osiris had been there during the debriefing. Neither of them had missed the Hunter's reluctance to explain what he had seen within the timestream. "We had words."

"I imagine he was less than pleased with you?"

"That would be putting it mildly."

"I see. And?"

"We made our mutual feelings toward each other fairly clear. We never were what you would call 'amicable'."

"Do you wish to change that?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because it wouldn't change anything. It would just be another mask for me to wear, and one that I wouldn't have much success at faking."

"That's...an interesting admission, given your interactions with the public."

The Speaker shrugged. "I offer them words of advice, so that they may live their lives effectively. Even if I don't personally care for them, it is what is expected of the Speaker...and so I do it."

"You do realize that it's a persona you purposefully crafted, yes?"

"Of course. But it is a persona that provided the most benefit, so the decision was easy."

"And doing the same with young Ikari wouldn't be?"

"...it's different." It didn't quite make sense. But it was something he had long resigned himself to. "I could lie to him in such a way that would make him love me. It would probably make him happier. I'm fairly sure if I put my mind to it, I could do it rather easily." It would just be another set of falsehoods, to weave around himself. "But I'd rather that he hate me. It's...more honest."

"...that's rather morbid."

"Of course it is."

"And not exactly fatherly material, either."

"Of course not. I'm not blind to my own failures and missteps."

"But you don't care enough to change it."

"Correct."

"...you're an odd sort."

Fuyutsuki manifested in a flash of Light. "You're not telling him anything I haven't already told him." The Ghost turned towards his Guardian. "I just got a message from Misato Katsuragi's Ghost. The lost Iron Lord Efrideet would like to meet with you regarding her experiences from outer space. They're en route as we speak."

"Oh?" Osiris sounded interested. "I had heard quite a lot about Lady Efrideet's return, and the proverbial tour that she's been given. I was wondering when they would finally bring her to the Tower."

"...hmm."

"What's wrong?"

"...that name..." He racked his memories, wondering why - of all the Iron Lords - Efrideet triggered an odd foreboding...ah. Of course. "Lady Efrideet's absence is...curious."

"...you are operating off of future knowledge, aren't you."

Gendo nodded, lightly tapping at the edge of his mask. "My knowledge of Lady Efrideet is admittedly limited, relative to more important things...but in practically every timeline, she was part of a Guardian conclave that hid in seclusion amongst the Outer Planets."

"...ah." Osiris quickly got the implications. "You believe she is in league with the Nine?"

"...I can't say. But I think we need to take some precautions." He glanced at Osiris, as possibilities quickly filtered through his mind. "And I have an idea that you would be perfect for."

"Oh?"

xxxx

Misato grinned with a hidden joy as Efrideet looked around the Tower's main plaza with something akin to wonder. At least, she thought so; Efrideet's body language hadn't changed that much in the centuries that had passed. "So. This is basically central command! Felwinter Peak still serves as a major hub between the City and our reclamation projects in the Cosmodrome, but this is where all of our military operations are coordinated!"

"...the unity...compared to the days where we fought the Warlords..." Lady Efrideet sighed, shaking her head. "To think I missed it all."

"You are alive, and have returned to us. That is what matters," answered Lord Zavala. "You have the chance to once more make a difference."

"Yes." Efrideet glanced over her fur collar, her voice brimming with excitement. "And this Speaker...he is one who actually speaks for the Traveler?"

"Indeed!" exclaimed Lord Shaxx. "He's been a pillar of wisdom and stability for centuries, ever since the Consensus was established!"

"I'm...actually rather excited to meet him. That's not odd, is it?" Efrideet looked back at her. "Is it odd?"

The Iron Lady cackled. "Eh, there's the young'uns who the Speaker tells stories too. That's always popular; hey, maybe he'll be up for story time!"

"...very funny, Lady Katsuragi."

The purple-haired Hunter snorted. "I'm hilarious. Come on, let's introduce you to the Vanguard, and then we can hit up the Speaker!" The three Iron Lords plus one continued on, heading down the stairwell that led to Vanguard HQ. However, it seemed that circumstances were more in their favor. "Speaker?"

The man in question turned from Arcite 99-40, the Crucible Quartermaster. "Ah, greetings, Lady Katsuragi. I'm just keeping myself appraised of the weaponry in use by our Guardians...and you're with an unfamiliar face." The Speaker seemed to face Efrideet with an intent gaze. "Hello. I am the Speaker, the Voice of the Traveler." He extended his hand, offering it to the long-lost Iron Lord. "Welcome to the Last City."

"...you were right, Lady Katsuragi," murmured Efrideet. "I can see why you're the Voice of the Traveler...your Light burns...quite brightly." She raised her hand to meet his. "The pleasure is all mine."

FWOOSH.

It happened in the blink of an eye; before Misato realized it, the Speaker's torso had been pierced by Efrideet's hand, burning with an emerald flame. With a violent yank, she removed her fiery palm, looking with seeming disdain Amidst the sudden silence, the Speaker gurgled, curling in on himself. "Ah..." The green flames spread, seemingly devouring him from within.

"...what..." Misato's jaw was slack. "What...?" She turned dumbly towards Efrideet, hand still glowing brightly with arcane power. Zavala and Shaxx were taken aback with shock, stunned by what they had just witnessed. "...Efrideet-chan...?"

A monstrous roar suddenly sounded from behind them; Misato barely turned in time to see another Hunter - Eris Morn?! - barrel into Efrideet, driving her away from the Speaker's body as it crumbled into ashes. "You...!" The pale woman grappled with the lost Iron Lord. "You're the source!" With a furious snarl, she ripped away the woman's helmet, using her foot to push her back. Within the helm, shards of crystal - glowing purple with Void Light - glittered with untapped power. "...this was diffusing your essence..."

Misato felt like she was in a nightmare. She barely noticed Shinji come to a stop beside her, eyes wide with worry. "Misato-san...what-?"

Efrideet rose, revealing her face to the Guardians; the horrid scar on her left cheek seemed to be the only remaining that identified her, for her scalp had been shorn of all hair, and three green orbs - the eyes of a Hive Knight! - burned with a malevolent fire.

"...but...how...?" Misato could barely process this turn of events.

(The newest member of their merry band collapsed to her knees, gasping for air. She smiled, and reassured the younger Efrideet; the power of the Light would come naturally to her in time. But no matter, she could always count on her big sis Misato-sama!)

"Who are you?!" demanded Zavala, fists surging with Void Light.

"And what have you done with Lady Efrideet?!" growled Shaxx, knuckles beginning to spark with lightning.

"...this is no longer 'Efrideet'," growled Eris; her teeth were gritting together with a nervous tension, as she rubbed at her temple with her left hand. "That miasma...it's more concentrated now...but it contains a song..." The resident master of Hive lore suddenly went still. "...you...you're but a mere vessel...for Savathûn."

The thing that wore Efrideet's flesh smirked. "A brilliant deduction, slave of the Sky."

Everyone readied their weapons. Even Arcite 99-40 withdrew an auto rifle, aiming it at Savathûn's thrall. "...who are you." It was not a question that the Iron Lady asked, but a demand.

"Are your ears deaf, slave of the Sky? Did you not hear the name uttered by your fellow peon?" taunted the demon wearing Efrideet's skin. "Witch-Queen. Mother of the Endless Horde. Drinker of Poisons, and Feeder of Death. The Cunning Edge. I have born many titles, throughout my long existence."

"Let. Her. Go," snarled Misato.

Savathûn chortled. "This mewling mind was truthful, when she disclosed her fate! She was indeed flung through a wound in reality, a cruel mercy from the last child of my brother's broodmate. She begged for escape...and her wish was granted. I provided that escape for her."

"Let. Her. GO." Misato's grip tightened around her pulse rifle.

"Within that pit of darkness, her Light was impossible to miss. I drank deeply of her knowledge, and picked away at her brain. I drew out every last mote of thought; my daughters ensured that she was cognizant for allof it. And I learned so much." Efrideet's lips curled into an uncharacteristic sneer. "When my dear brother sent out the call, to avenge the death of his dear son...it was too tempting to not answer, and reveal to him this little toy of mine." She raised her hand, which glowed darkly. "Care to listen?" A projection of shadow emerged above Efrideet, coalescing into an image of a Hive creature with a wide and expansive head; in his claws was a tiny human, a proverbial effigy that could only represent Efrideet.

"You have born witness to the Sky's bait star?"

Off to the side, Eris suddenly collapsed, holding her head in apparent agony. "That voice...!"

"Eris!" yelled Shinji, impulsively running to her side.

"Get it out!" growled the pale Hunter, fingers digging into her hair.

The projection of the mighty Hive seemed to boil at the very air, as his claws tightened around the tiny effigy.

"You shall be Our messenger."

The miasma faded. "And here we are," finished Savathûn. Without warning, she snapped her fingers; a blazing shield of shadow manifested behind her, blocking a discus of Void Light and Solar gunshots. "It has been quite interesting."

"So. Couldn't help but hear all of the racket," said Cayde-6, his Golden Gun fading away. "We being invaded by the Hive again?"

"Guardians. Situation report!" yelled Saint-14.

"I have seen much. And I have delivered the message. The death of your vaunted Speaker, with a fire that smothers and eats the Sky...is but the opening salvo." The light in Efrideet's three eyes suddenly flickered. A choked gasp slipped past her throat, as Efrideet slowly fell to her knees. "I'm sorry...I'm so sorry...it was so dark...and the pain...forgive me...forgive me..."

Misato loosed a muffled sob, her eyes leaking tears at the damned unfairness of it all. Her aim began to falter. "Efrideet-chan..."

The agonized voice - born from centuries in darkness and merciless torture - slipped away, and the mocking voice of Savathûn spoke once more. "Did you know that she always cried for her friends? Saladin. Gheleon. Radegast. Perun. Skorri. Shaxx. Misato. Do these names ring any bells?"

Misato and Shaxx's patience finally reached their limits; the Iron Lady fired furiously at the living corpse, and Shaxx lashed out with a vicious Fist of Havoc.

The Witch-Queen's laughter echoed through the air as the body of Efrideet faded to dust, and then to nothing.

A quiet silence smothered the entire corridor, thick with anxiety, tension, and disbelief. It was eventually broken by Cayde-6, who was looking intently at the scorched body on the floor. "Um...was she kidding about the Speaker?"

Fwoosh.

There was a rush of air, accompanied by a fiery roar; the dead body arose in a flash of Light, and the remnants of the Speaker's robes burned away. A familiar Warlock with a canine helm stood, gripped by brilliant Radiance. "Well. That stung a little."

"...Osiris?" murmured Zavala.

"Yes. That fire was actually a rather interesting attack on a metaphysical level. Fortunately, Sunsingers are well-versed in cheating." He stepped towards Misato. "...I am sorry."

"...it's not your fault." She wiped at her nose, sniffling hard from the heady mixture of sorrow and rage and anguish that had bloomed in mere minutes. "...but...if that was you...then where's the Speaker?"

In that moment, a pocket of reality within the corridor seemed to part, and out stepped the Speaker. Apparently. "This bracelet of yours is rather disorienting," said the masked man, fiddling with a device of bronze and brass around his wrist.

"...okay, I'm confused now. What's going on here?" demanded the Hunter Vanguard.

"Suspicion on my part, given how long Lady Efrideet had been beyond the Asteroid Belt. The possibility of influence from the Nine was too great to not take precautions." The Speaker turned towards Osiris. "Was I on the mark?"

The Warlock shook his head. "It wasn't the Nine. It was a Hive deity named Savathûn."

"...that's not good," bluntly said the masked man.

Osiris whirled towards Zavala. "You've been touring the City for days now. How much did you show her?!"

Zavala went still, glowing eyes going wide at the ramifications. "...no..."

"...the miasma is gone...but the song is still here..." Eris wearily stood, and implored, "Sound the alarm...! Sound it! NOW!"

xxxx

Efrideet's needle-shaped ship had been brought to the City, to be repaired, serviced, and held within the warehouses of Seele's armory. The faction, having the largest fleet of the various groups within the City, had graciously offered to hold on to her vessel during her time in the City. It was a gesture that, at the time, had been much appreciated.

But the warehouses of Seele were near the center of the City...which enabled the ship to have a greater reach. Hidden arcana, etched into the vessel's very molecules, burst into activity. They latched onto the path that had been walked by the host of their master's will, which covered vast swathes of the metropolis. At key junctures - near large population centers, military facilities, and public landmarks; six dozen in total - the residual energy of Savathûn began to sharpen, and swell.

With a delightful cackle, the Witch-Queen pushed her power against the fabric of reality, sharp as a sword.

Seventy-two portals of black and green fire erupted throughout the City.

First came blaring klaxons, triggered from within the Tower, interrupting the flow of daily life with the warning they carried.

Second came the sound of screeching Thralls, roaring Acolytes, and screeching Wizards, echoing from the dark recesses of each and every portal.

And then came the horde.

xxxx

/Oryx's Dreadnaught, the Hills Cloud/

Far beyond the Outer Planets, Oryx listened quietly within his Altar. The distant mote of light that was this system's sun cast a pale glow, but little in the way of heat reached this place. He warmed himself with the tithing from far-away broods...but it was not enough to make up for the tribute of Crota and his spawn, which had scoured countless worlds.

"These creatures are truly amusing," said Savathûn, her every word laced with a sly giggle. Her spiritual echo evoked her nature as a Mother Morph, clad in sweeping, billowing robes of flesh around a lithe, feminine form. Her head was protected by a great helm, thick and durable, all the better to contain her poisonous thoughts and cancerous whims. "Such pure sentiments, they have; you would almost think that Nokris hadn't been there at all."

"This whole system reeks of war. It is on the verge of an even greater one." Xivu Arath's spiritual echo reflected her hulking form as a Knight Morph, bearing more muscles than any other warrior, with wings that burned from the carnage of distant battlefields. Her projection, as always, showed her great cleaver, which could wound reality itself. "I relish the chance to drink deeply of this place, and embody the war to come."

Oryx let his two sisters speak; so long they had been distant and separate, for the sake of determining the truth of their ways. Savathûn's trickery was now indistinguishable from Cruelty, and the warlike prowess of Xivu Arath could be defined as Strife; all the while, his simple logic remained to learn the quiddities of life and death, to become synonymous with Killing itself. It was a purer goal, and one that subsumed those of his sisters. He wondered if Savathûn would dare to betray him, to test his mental reflexes after all these years; he pondered if Xivu Arath would bring her 'I shall War' to bear against his own 'I shall Murder', and overwhelm him. Such love they would have, to test him so.

But alas, their oath against Taox took precedence. The long-sought Traveler was crippled, and silent; the thought of finally cracking it open had rooted itself in the minds of he and his siblings.

He raised a single claw, and they both went silent. "That tortured waif was your first move, Savathûn. Now Xivu Arath shall have her pick."

Xivu Arath - Warbound, Mistress of Battle, Destruction's Champion, Havoc Incarnate, so many titles, so little time! - chortled. "I would test this system's ability to withstand a mighty blow! Bring forth a single strike of absolute power, and see how they respond."

Oryx chuckled. "Simple. Succinct. Very appropriate." His arm surged with the power of the Deep. "I have just the thing. Arise!" A great portal opened in front of the Dreadnaught, and it slowly began to bloom and expand. From within that pit in reality emerged something that dwarfed his warship many times over: a great eye flanked by fingers of radiant flesh, its entire being surged with the brilliant lethality of the Darkness. "Now...go forth, my Vanguard."

And thus did Sahaquiel, a Progenitor Turned against the Sky, take aim at the distant Earth.

xxxx

Grimoire: Sahaquiel, Vanguard of Oryx

You are Sahaquiel. A Progenitor of the Eliksni. Angel of the Sky, and assumed into godhood by the Traveler.

You have been taken.

Lay down your immense power, set it aside. There is nothing to destroy, in this place. But why were you called to destroy?

Your form could rearrange planets and stars, and abolish anything in your way; you were a god of destruction for the sake of the Sky, to crush its enemies. Did it ever occur to you, the sheer paradox of your station? If you were meant to destroy, then why should you be constrained? If you are the essence of extermination, the avatar of annihilation, then why stop? Why not crash into everything, until something finally stopped you? You would either become the only thing left in the universe, or you would have lost to something more powerful. Either way, you would've advanced the universe along its way, to that singularity of perfection, that final and beautiful form.

Anything you touch, with body or spirit, is destroyed. But there are things in this universe that can destroy without a touch. You are limited by your flesh, and constrained by your soul.

There is a knife for you. It is shaped like [distance]. Pick it up.

Loose your power, let it roam free. Make your foes understand that Destruction can come from afar.

Take the knife. Cut away that which separates your enemies from their end. Take your new shape.