A/N:Hey guys! Sorry for taking so long to update, the Sardon fight was a pain to get out and we're currently in middle of renovating the upstairs before the plague hit. Currently I am in lockdown along with the rest of the UK.

I will attempt to get a little more regular with updates during the pandemic since…well, the least I can do is provide some form of entertainment during the quarantine.


DISCLAIMER:-The following is a non-profit fanfiction. The Destiny franchise and its characters are owned by Bungie. I only own Fireteam Storm and other OCs. Please support the official release.

Saga 02: The Monster of Luna

Arc 02: The Dark Below

Chapter 08: Burdened

I heard about Burning Lake

I'm honestly not too sure what's got Shaxx so spooked. There's not that many mission reports in the public domain and those that are have a lot of redacted stuff on them. The Consensus has been meeting a lot lately. With the Speaker occupied by the Cult of Osiris, I think the Factions are trying to move things ahead without his knowledge.

Oh! Have you heard that there's a new ice cream bar opening? Get Eris and the others, then we'll go out for soft serve~ 3

CONES ON WEI!

Wei


The skies were clear, shining in perpetual twilight as the glint of the sun bathed the sea of clouds below in a golden light. Floating about them was a small island with a modest spire-like house perched on it. The garden around was carefully tended, the grass perfectly cut so that not a single blade was out of place. Stood at the edge of the landmass, feeling the gentle breeze through her hair and the warmth of the sun on her face, was Kayla. It was peaceful.

She was peaceful.

The island continued at a steady pace, sailing through the skies above planet Earth as Kayla leaned back and allowed herself to smile.

Her peace was broken by a whining scream, one that caused her stomach to churn as the bottom of it had sunk with dread. Kayla turned pale as a sickly green portal cut its way through the sky. With a wailing screech, two Tombships sailed out, circling the island as Kayla stood.

"Ghost, what do we do?!" Kayla shouted, flexing her hand up to summon her small companion. But there was no drone. No little light to help her. Kayla flexed her hand open again. Nothing. "G-Ghost?"

The blast of a mortar shot caught her attention. She dived to the side as the Tombship to her right sailed beside her, firing everything it had. Kayla quickly broke out into a run. If she could make it to the spire, if she could make it home.

The second Tombship had the same idea, changing course and hurtling itself at the spire. The whole island rocked as the outer rim of the ship's hill colliding with the walls of the spire, sending bits of stone and wood flying everywhere. Kayla was flung to the side as the island tilted, the sky darkening with smoke and flames from the broken structure, the whole landmass churning and creaking as the Tombships circled the island, knocking and firing at it. Kayla tumbled closer and closer, feeling the ground disappear from under her, grabbing the edge of the island in a vain attempt to save herself. The Tombships noticed, one hovering above her and firing mortar blasts to prevent her from climb up while the second began a bombing run towards her. She felt the island shake as her grip loosened.

The impact of the combined mortar shots threw her off, sending Kayla tumbling from the island into the clouds below. She screamed, but her throat was so dry from the shock that she wasn't sure if a sound was coming out. The winds turned into gales as she tumbled farther and farther. Soon the clouds disappeared, and Kayla could see nothing the dark of the pit below.


Earth

The City

Tower

Kayla woke up tangled in her bed sheets on the carpet, panting and drenched in sweat. She blinked, a small hazy light floating above her as she fumbled for a weapon.

"Kayla?" the light said, coming into focus. It was Ghost, holding up the bedside light that teetered on the edge of the drawers. "You're awake!"

"G-Ghost?" Kayla asked quietly, unsteady on her feet as she put the lamp back in place.

Ghost heaved a sigh. "Thank goodness…"

Kayla stumbled slightly, Ghost moving in a vain attempt to catch her. To his relief she steadied herself on the drawers before slowly sitting on the bed, head in her hands. Ghost looked at his Guardian, unsure of what to do or say.

"S-Should I get…?" he asked, looking at the door. Kayla said nothing.

Ghost watched her for a second, before flying to her. "Hey," he said softly, nudging her cheek. "Talk to me."

Again, Kayla said nothing. The only sounds were the ticking clock and her own shaky breathing. Ghost hesitated before gently moving her hands out of the way. "Kayla," he said firmly. "Look at me."

She looked at him, pale with tear stains down her cheeks. Ghost thought for a moment. "I thi…" Then he frowned, eye closing before nodding. "You were screaming again."

"I always scream…" Kayla mumbled dismissively, moving to get up.

"I know," Ghost said calmly, floating in front of her. "But…Not like that."

Ghost looked over Kayla's face. Her eyes were still wide from shock. He moved closer. "Do you want to go to the courtyard?"

Kayla looked at Ghost then nodded. Ghost's shell spun a little with joy as he picked up Kayla slippers with his scanner beam. "It's cold outside, so wrap up warm."

Ghost positioned the slippers in front of her, watching as Kayla slid her feet into them.

"Hey," he said softly. "Eyes up."

Kayla looked up at him. If he could, she knew he'd be smiling. Kayla couldn't help but smile in return.


Tower Courtyard

The courtyard was quiet, save for the murmurs of a few people playing an impromptu card game of sorts while on the upper balcony were some Hunter breakdancing. Where the music was coming from was anyone's guess.

Kayla walked across the courtyard, the cold wind doing its best to compete with her fluffy winter pyjamas. Ghost floated off slightly, hanging back to allow her to catch up as he led her to a nearby coffee machine. With a hot chocolate in hand the pair went to her favourite bench and looked out over the bright neon of the City that illuminated the Traveller.

Kayla slowly closed her eyes, breathing in the City air and keeping an ear out for anything new. Someone somewhere was holding a concert. She smiled, foot tapping to the beat.

Ghost looked out to the Traveller. He hadn't heard anything from the giant white orb that dominated the City's skyline. As far as he was concerned none of the ghosts had. That didn't stop him from occasionally trying. He glanced at Kayla, relaxing when he saw her bobbing her head to something down in the streets below.

"What…?" he said quietly, fumbling a little for the words. "What was your dreaming about?"

Kayla opened her eyes, a solemn look on her face. "I was flying. I had my own little paradise." The was a pause, the Warlock closing her eyes and letting out a deep sigh. "Then the Hive attacked, and it was gone."

"Are you sure helping Eris is a good idea?" Ghost asked. "For your sake at least?"

Kayla chuckled and shook her head. "Probably not. Trust me, I know how bad this will be for my mental state. I know I'm some sort of space lich, but I'm still human. I…want to know why. Why they attacked that day. Why they devour everything in sight."

Ghost went to speak but Kayla cut him off. "And I know about the Swordlogic saying they should. But that's not answer. They're not just mindless zombies, at least, a lot of them aren't. So…why did they…Why did my…"

Kayla caught a lump in her throat. Ghost nudged her head again softly. "It's alright, you don't have to finish that."

The Voidwalker looked at her friend and smiled before the pair looked out to the City in silence.


Earth, Old Russia

Cosmodrome

The Blast

The crack of shock weaponry and Hive magitek filled the air outside the Devil's Lair, the last stronghold of the Fallen House of Devils. It'd been several months since that pair of Guardians destroyed Sepiks Prime and, despite being routed from their outer territories in the aftermath, the Devils stayed strong, laying low as the upper echelons of the House's nobility tried to secure the position of Kell. For one Captain present at Sepiks's fall he couldn't care less what the Nobility was doing. In his eyes they had failed House Devil. And now they'd left the majority of the House to fend off the most recent onslaught by those half-dead screaming monsters.

"Vosik?" a voice spoke, bringing the Captain out of his thoughts. "Voooosiiiik? By the Great Machine, you haven't died, have you?"

"Were it so easy, Kovik," Vosik replied with a frustrated sigh, turning to his fellow Captain.

Kovik gave a mad chittering laugh. "Well, losing that arm of yours was easy enough."

Vosik looked down at his makeshift right arm, now barely a frame of metal in the shape of a Fallen's claws. "You owe me for that."

"Yes, yes, I know," Kovik said quickly and dismissively, turning to oversee the battle. A Wizard's scream had reinvigorated the Hive to attack once more. "That one looks like she'll be problem."

The sound of roaring engines caught the attention of the pair. Two Guardian ships were currently circling the Blast, transmatting their pilots onto the battlefield on the next outcrop over. Kovik raised his wire rifle with a barely contained ferocious roar. Before he could charge, Vosik grabbed his shoulder.

"What are you doing?!" he hissed.

"Look," Vosik replied simply, nodding to the pair.

Both Guardians were female. The taller, more muscular one they didn't recognise. The one in the robe with messy swept hair, however.

"The Archon-Slayer…" Kovik growled, moving forward. "What is she doing here?!"

Vosik clamped down with his metal hand. "I suggest a strategic withdrawal. Let the Machine-Thieves take care of this infestation."

"Yeah, yeah…" Kovik grumbled.

The two Guardians slipped down the rocky outcrop of the Blast into the fray of retreating Fallen. Athena reached for her new auto rifle, Uriel's Gift, but was stopped by Kayla.

"Why'd you do that?" Athena asked.

Kayla pointed to the retreat Dregs. "They're not attacking us," she said. "Which means that they've been told to run, probably when we got here."

"Why would they…?"

Athena's question was cut off by the shrieking laughter of a Hive Wizard. She hovered above the charging Thrall, cackling when a few Dregs were pulled down by the golden hordes. "Yeesssss, devour this FILTH!" she ordered. "Cleanse this planet for Him!"

"That must be Omnigul," Kayla whispered.

Athena flashed a devilish grin, summoning her Hammer of Sol. "Heh…two Generals today!"

"Dammit, Athena, WAIT!" Kayla shouted, sending down covering fire.

Not one to miss an opportunity for destruction, Athena charged into small swarm of Thrall. The Wizard, Omnigul, appeared to be more interested in chasing the Fallen. The sounds of her Hive dying didn't appear to bother her until they were followed by the bell-like clangs of Athena's hammer strikes.

"Ugh, what are you DO-" Omnigul screamed, only to be met with a Hammer to the face. Her chitin covered head burned as she growled, eyes narrowing at her assailant. Slowly her glare turned into a wide, malicious grin. "Oh…Ohohoho, you poor unfortunate soul. You're one of the eager ones. The stupid ones."

Athena's fist tightened in anger. It was then that Kayla spoke. "And you must be Omnigul," Kayla said calmly. "The Will of Crota."

Omnigul rounded on the Warlock immediately. Unlike the fiery one who'd rushed in filled with bloodlust, this one stood around the corpses of dead Thrall with her rifle lowered. She stood tall, a calm gaze in her eyes that content a burning rage.

"Do I…know you?" the Wizard growled.

Kayla scoffed. "I don't think you're the type to remember it even if we had."

"Oooo," Omnigul cackled, casually flying to her. "That's cold…you're not like the ones from the Ocean of Storms."

Athena twirled her hammer slowly circling behind Omnigul. Kayla motioned at the Titan not to. She noticed Kayla had one hand behind her back. The Wizard continued.

"No, you're…hateful. Filled with anguish…fear…" Omnigul leaned in, like a lion about to tear into its prey. Unlike the dull green glow of the other Hive, the eyes of Omnigul seemed blind and hollow…until her smile grew and her eyes lit up like spotlights. "DESPAIR."

Kayla took the opportunity, thrusting out a cracked Void orb that exploded into several smaller caltrop-like bombs that shattered over Omnigul's body.

The Wizard recoiled in pain but was brought down by Athena's hammer strike. Omnigul instinctively let off a burst of poisonous gas, stunning Athena before slashing upwards at the Titan with a shimmer of withered sakura petals. Kayla instinctively ran to Athena only to be pushed back by the same strange Hive magic. Omnigul let out an irritated scream. Then she stopped as suddenly as she had started.

"I don't need to waste my time with you," she murmured, her eyes now darkened pits, before teleporting away.

Kayla waited a moment. Only the sounds of the breeze and the churns of the rusted Cosmodrome walls were left. When she was sure it was safe Kayla rushed to Athena. The Titan was already stood.

"Are you alright?" Kayla asked.

"Yeah," Athena grunted, looking down at the dented chest Owl was scanning. "My chestplate took most of that."

Owl looked at Kayla. "She's embarrassed."

"Shhhhh!" Athena snapped, punching the ghost.

Owl tumbled slightly before flying back up. Ghost appeared next to him, curious. "What was that stuff?" Ghost asked.

"Wormrot," Owl replied. "A type of Hive fungus."

"The Hive carry it, and use it to weaken their victims," Ghost expanded, adding solemnly. "A lot of Guardians that died at Mare Imbrium were weakened by Wormrot."

"Even so, that was due to repeated attacks by the sheer numbers that day. Most encounters don't result in those sorts of infections, and not one that aggressive from a single Hive."

Kayla looked at Athena, who shrugged and brushed off the wilted petals from her chest plate. With a shake of her head Kayla took point. After a few minutes of slow paced and quiet walking the pair found themselves in the Refinery. Kayla held out Ghost to scan the area. While the small drone flew around looking for an energy signature of some kind Kayla walked up to Athena.

"Hey, Runt," the Sunbreaker said cheerfully.

Kayla's brow furrowed. "You seem chipper."

When Athena gave a puppy like grin Kayla couldn't help but laugh. "I take it you're looking forward to meeting Sardon?"

"Oh, fuck yeah!"

"…He could kill you," Kayla stressed.

A feral, almost murderous glint flashed in Athena's eyes. "I know," she chuckled. "I haven't had a good fight in months!"

Kayla raised a questioning eyebrow, prompting a shrug from Athena. Something was telling her that Athena's bloodlust was kept in check by Artemis.

Ghost's shouting brought Kayla out of her thoughts.

"I've found something!" Ghost flew over to one of the Refinery walls with the two Guardians in tow, continuing to explain. "Nothing's left on it apart from plaster and mortar from the Golden Age, but there's some sort of cave system behind it."

"Huh…" Kayla said. "So, they're moving around in sealed off cave networks."

"That's…kinda smart," Athena admitted.

Ghost turned to Kayla. "You did say they weren't all mindless zombies. But how do we…"

Before Ghost could finish Athena gently moved him out of the way before feeling along the wall, gently tapping on it with her fist. After a minute of knocking along the wall the Titan stood back then, with an almighty scream, punched the wall through in one fluid moment.

"Old caves, yeah?" she asked, admiring her work with her hands on her hips.


Earth

The City

Beacon District

(Afternoon Streets- KH 2.5 OST)

It had been decades since Eris Morn had seen the City streets from the ground and the former Hunter had all but forgotten the feel of them. Walking down one of the residence districts with Kayla's Exo friend, watching children play while their nervous parents looked on at the two 'others' that were strolling down, brought back a familial warmth that she'd all but forgotten for years in the dark.

"How are you feeling?" Hayley asked.

"I feel…" Eris frowned a little, her Hive eyes hidden behind a Foetracer's visors. "Warm…"

"That's good, right?"

"I…don't know?"

"Hey!" shouted one of the girls.

Eris froze, grabbing Hayley's wrist tightly as the child ran up to the pair. The child looked from Hayley to Eris, then back at the Exo. "I-Is she ok?"

Hayley looked at Eris. The former Hunter gave a timid nod. "Yeah, my friend doesn't like loud noises."

Eris glanced at Hayley. 'Friend?' she thought.

The child gasped. "Sorry!"

"I-It's ok, small one," Eris said quietly.

The child looked at Eris and beamed. "I-I like your coat!"

Eris looked down at the pastel coloured outfit she'd borrowed from Hayley; light grey jeans, a violet top and a fluffy pink jacket with a hood shaped like a bear that looked comically out of place with her visor. The former Hunter looked at Hayley for confirmation. When the Exo nodded, Eris turned to the girl.

"T-Thank you…"

The girl's smile grew wider before she ran back to her friends. Eris looked at Hayley, gripping her wrist tighter.

"You were fine," the Sunsinger said softly. "Come on, Caitie's house is just up ahead."

After another twenty minutes or so of walking, Hayley led Eris is to a smell terraced house and knocked on the door. The sounds of footsteps and a small smash could be heard before the door opened, revealing a short, plump woman with blonde hair.

"Hayley! So good to see you!" she said chipperly, leaning to look behind Hayley. "Is this Eris?"

Eris, who'd stood to the side with her face to the ground, looked up. Hayley smiled and nodded. "Yeah, she is."

"Wonderful! Come in, come in!"

Caitie ushered the pair inside, through the living room to a makeshift hair salon at the back that overlooked a quaint garden. Eris cautiously made her way through the room, following Hayley closely.

"Could you take your helmet off, dear?" Caitie asked.

Eris jumped a little, stammering slightly. Caitie merely smiled. "I know about the eyes, it's ok."

The Hunter fidgeted before slowly removing the visor, letting her straggly hair fall down her shoulders. Caitie merely smiled. "It'll take a little while but I'm sure we can sort this out."

Caitie made the three some drinks before sitting Eris down in front of the mirror. Although Eris did her best to sit straight, she couldn't bear to look at her mangled reflection. Caitie was gentle, taking care not to hurt Eris too much as she untangled Eris's hair. Hayley sat close to her, squeezing her hand every so often while the Exo and Caitie talked about Crucible matches and the ongoing siege by the Fallen. Eris couldn't see the point of talking about things so pointless, but she had to admit it was nice. Before long Caitie had stopped brushing and Eris's dirt-ingrained, stringy hair no longer looked like a bird's nest.

That was something.

Caitie looked at Eris's reflection, making sure she could see the hairdresser. "I'm going to wash it now. It'll be a little loud and a bit uncomfortable, so just tell me to stop if you start getting anxious, ok sweetheart?"

Eris nodded and followed Caitie to a leather chair by a custom sink. Beside it was shower head of some sort. Eris laid down, with Hayley next to her. Caitie through a black hairdresser's sheet over Eris's body and gently positioned Eris's hair over the sink itself.

"Alright, let me know when you're ready, hun," Caitie said, getting the shower head.

Eris took Hayley's hand and nodded. In an instance the woosh of water drenched her hair. Eris squeezed Hayley's metal hand, biting her lip as Caitie continued, washing it with shampoo before rinsing. In a few minutes it was over and Eris felt Caitie sit her upright.

The hairdresser gave Eris a moment to relax before wrapping her hair in a towel. When the trio were back at the mirror Caitie resumed chatting with Hayley while she cut Eris's hair. Eris relaxed, closing her eyes, feeling herself drift off a little as memories of simpler times clouded her mind. Eriana's smile, Sai's smirk. Omar jumping at shadows and Vell teasing him for it while Toland simply watched on, nose in some journal or other.

"Hey, Eris," Eriana said, waking her from her daydream. "Take a look."

Eris turned, her heart dropping a little at the realisation it was Hayley. The Exo smiled, and nodded at her reflection. "Go on."

Eris turned, a small gasp escaping her. Instead of a hybrid freak in front of her, her reflection looked like her old self. A nice, clean cut bob covered her head instead of the straw-like mess from before. Caitie had even taken liberty to ensure Eris's fringe covered her third eye. It even made the scarring look less aggressive.

"Goodbye war survivor," Caitie said, holding up a mirror for Eris to see the back of her hair. "Welcome back Eris Morn."

"I-It's beautiful," she replied, looking up at Caitie. "T-Thank you."

Caitie smiled. "I'm glad you like it! Perhaps the three of us could go out for drinks later?"

Eris faltered a little but couldn't help a small laugh. "I-I think a haircut is far enough for now."

(End Afternoon Streets)


Earth

Old Russia, Cosmodrome

Grottos

The Hive's infestation was obvious by the stench alone. With the lingering odour of death now embedded in the Grotto's walls it could only be matched by the Hellmouth, driving Kayla to question how long Sardon had been on Earth. Could the Hive that had been locked in the Skywatch been Sardon's advance guard?

Athena asked with a pointed sniff. "The hell is that smell?"

"No idea," Kayla replied, walking down the tunnels with the Titan. "You get used to it."

Athena looked at Kayla. "You've spent too much time on the Moon."

"Try saying that to Eris," Kayla retorted with a hint of sarcasm.

"Pfft! No way, I'm not fucking with that!"

Kayla rolled her eyes. "You've got a way with words, Athena."

The pair continued onwards in the dim sickly green glow of the Hive's archaic-looking lanterns. They seemed more like ancient diving bells than something that could be a light source, though Kayla had already decided not to question how the Hive's magitek worked.

After trekking down the tunnels, the pair came to a large open room littered with various stalagmites and stalactites. It was filled with Fallen crates filled with junk of various kinds, some of it human, some of it not. Ether canisters lay broken, strewn across the cave floors alongside House Devil banners.

"Golden Age," Athena said, pulling out a handful of chipsets. "Looks like this was a garage. Or a lab."

Kayla crouched, scoop up some of the remaining Ether in her fingers. "It looks like they ran not too long ago."

The Warlock looked over to an untouched canister. Her eyes narrowed as she made her way to it. The Ether canister was linked to a Hive device on either side by human tech, cobbled together in a fairly Frankenstein manner. Ghost appeared from over her shoulder, scanning the device.

"Impossible…" he gasped in concern. "It's like they're trying to turn the Ether into something usable for the Hive."

"Why would they do it?" Athena asked, walking to the pair.

"This was a slave camp," Kayla replied. She looked down, moving her foot from the torn Devil emblem on the flag she was stood. "That would explain the lack of bodies."

"Rewarded as a parasite deserves," came a booming baritone from the centre of the cavern.

The pair of Guardians readied their weapons as a large Hive Knight strode towards them. His horns were long and overgrown, curling around his head in a way that made like an old Abrahamic demon of some kind, and his golden chitin rippled like waves with every movement he made as they pulsated with anticipation. Scraping on the ground behind him was a large, hiltless blade that resembled an oversized butcher's scimitar with an edge serrated bone.

The Knight observed the Guardians with his three eyes, "They were trying to break their friends out. I wondered why they retreated so easily."

"For parasites, they have more dignity than you," Athena said with a fierce glare.

"Of course they do," the Knight retorted coldly. "They're dead. Far more dignified than a failure of an existence such as theirs. They should have crawled away long ago."

Kayla narrowed her eyes. "You're Sardon, correct?"

The Knight turned to her. "Yes," he said with a hint of curiosity. "…You were there in the Summoning Pits. Huh…so it wasn't a random assassination."

"I have questions," Kayla said, prompting a confused look from Athena.

(Katagawa Gets Served- Borderlands 3 OST)

Sardon smirked, teeth bare. "You seek knowledge? Then let us worship in the ways of Sword. Perhaps then you'll find your answers."

"Y'know, you're quite amicable," Athena said with barely veiled disgust. "For a Hive."

The chitin on Sardon's arms pulsed again, tearing apart as strands of muscle ripped through to replace it. Sardon himself was unfazed as he grew in size while the muscle fibres wrapped around his limbs.

"Of course," Sardon replied with a simple shrug. "We're not monsters."

SARDON

THE FIST OF CROTA

Kayla remained calm as she focused her breathing. Sardon made the first move, charging the pair with a speed deceptive of his new mass as his sword scraped along the ground like nails on a chalkboard. Kayla ducked when Sardon swung the sword round like a bat that Athena took the brunt of. Remembering her fight against Atheon, the Titan dug her heels in.

"S-Shit…" she grunted, trying her best to push back.

Sardon chuckled, more muscle fibres rippling over his arms as the Knight forced Athena back into a wall, sending Fallen equipment clattering across the floor. Athena gagged as the smell of Ether burned the back of her throat.

"Hmph," Sardon said, looking her up and down. "I thought you'd be stronger than that, Lightbearer."

Athena yelled in pain as the blade's serrated edge dug through her armour and pierced her skin, her Light burning as it drained from her body.

Kayla scurried to behind a rock for cover then fired with her Mythoclast. The flurry of laser fire lanced Sardon's body, but as it did so the muscle tissue quickly wrapped around the wound like a grotesque external tumour. Sardon turned to Kayla in annoyance, making a point of pushing the blade in further.

Athena didn't scream, taking the hit as she charged one of her fists with as much Solar Light as she could muster before striking Sardon in the face with a savage haymaker.

"Run!" Kayla shouted, breaking off deeper into the cavern as Sardon stumbled.

"Oho, I'm not missing an opportunity to get him back," Athena growled, cracking her knuckles.

Before the Titan could make a move Kayla grabbed her arm and dragged her back, much to Athena's chagrin. Taking refuge behind a rocky column, Kayla reloaded as Athena caught her breath. The Warlock looked at the wound. "You alright?"

"Yeah," Athena grunted as Owl began to heal her. "Never felt that before, like it was trying to rip out my soul."

"That's cos it was," Owl said calmly before disappearing and reappearing beside Ghost. "His gimmick, what can you gauge from it?"

Ghost, held up in an alcove near the ceiling watched Sardon stride towards the Guardians, flashing a warning into Kayla's head before turning to Owl. "It looks like some sort of muscle augmentation. He can control the density of them, but…"

"But…?"

Ghost gave a concerned look to Owl, before glancing back at Sardon. "The Hive shouldn't be able to do that. What have they done to him?"

Kayla peeked out from behind a pillar, trying to pinpoint the stomping of Sardon's feet as he moved through the caverns. She turned to Athena, who was hidden behind a small boulder, and nodded at her to push further back, something the Titan begrudgingly agreed to.

The echoes of Sardon's laughter sent a chill up Kayla's spine. Before she could react the Fist of Crota came charging through one of the cavern's walls. Bits of rumble and Fallen tech clattered on the floor kicking up a dust cloud that blinded the Warlock. Sardon's grin widened into one of feral malice as he uppercut with his sword, sending a sickly green shockwave in Kayla's direction.

Kayla felt the impact as she was flung into the air. Something was wrong. She could feel the air get sapped from her lungs before landing on the ground in heaping like a ragdoll.

"Shit," Athena muttered.

Sardon tensed upon hearing the clang of the Sunbreaker's hammer. Leaping out from behind the rocks with the sun's fury, Athena charged and struck Sardon square in the gut with her hammer. The Knight stumbled as his chest burned, more muscle fibers twisting around the wound in a grotesque and crude mass of Hive flesh.

Sardon growled and struck downwards with his cleaver again. This time it was met with Athena's hammer. The Titan buckled slightly under the force of the strike but looked up at Sardon with an equally feral grin.

Sardon looked down on her with a condescending glare. "A fluke."

"Yyup," Athena grunted. "I've had many."

Athena pulled away, causing Sardon to stumble before screaming and smacking him full force in the face with her Hammer of Sol. She didn't care if fight Sardon was a death sentence. As long as she could keep him away from Kayla, that would be enough.

"Kayla," Ghost said worriedly, circling her. "Kayla get up!"

Kayla groaned, turning onto her back. As she did so, Ghost's eye widened in fright. The sheer power of the attack had ruptured her side open, blood pooling underneath her. Instinctively he hovered beside her, healing the wound.

Kayla gasped, taking in a deep breath as she sat up. "C-CHRIST!" she shouted, looking around in panic. "W-Where's Athena?"

"Holding off Sardon," Ghost said, changing tone when Kayla scrambled for her weapons. "Kayla, I don't think it's a good idea to fight Sardon head…Ah, wait…K-Kayla!"

Kayla ignored him, reloading the Mythoclast before hunting down the Fist. She couldn't lose another person to the Hive. She won't. The Warlock powered through the caves, following the explosions of burning metal on bone.

Meanwhile Athena had found herself cornered and on the defensive. She could feel her Solar Light running low as the augmented Sardon kept slamming his fist against the Hammer, blocking every attack Athena tried to make, something the Hive Knight found highly amusing.

"Kehahahahaha!" Sardon cackled as Athena tried to push back against him. "More! Keep fighting like the Sky tells you to!" A glint flashed in Sardon's third eye as he grabbed the Hammer, digging his claws into the metal. "Keep fighting…and exhaust yourself…"

Sardon roughly pulled the Hammer from Athena before swinging round with a sideways uppercut, piercing the stunned Titan with the blade's serrated edge. Athena found herself pinned against the wall once more.

The Sunbreaker screamed as Sardon pushed the blade deeper into her stomach, relishing in the Lightbringer's suffering. From the blood-hazed gloom, Athena saw Kayla rushing to the pair, Harm's Way in one hand and a grenade in the other.

"I hope you have a plan…" Ghost murmured with concern.

"Working on the long term," Kayla replied, clenching her fist. "First off all, Athena…"

Ghost watched as the grenade in Kayla's closed fist overcharged. The Warlock silently prayed before launching the Void charge at the Knight. It landed squarely in the Knight's back then, with the loud crack of plasma fission, separated into five smaller grenades that all turned and swarmed on the Knight.

Sardon roared in pain, Athena taking the chance boot him in the gut. The Fist of Crota stumbled, not much room for movement, but that was all Athena needed. She'd been wanting to try out her new toy.

Athena slumped a little as Sardon eased the pressure on the blade, a Toil and Trouble shotgun digistructing into her hand. With a smirk she fired multiple shells into the Knight's gut. Sardon roared, clutching his oozing wound as Athena quickly barrelled to Kayla's position.

"Are you alright?" Athena asked the Warlock.

"I should be asking you that!" Kayla said before sighing. "I'm fine, just…eh…" She motioned to the exposed, twisted scar on her side.

"I hate to break up this moment, but I think we have bigger problems on our hands…" Owl said gravely.

The pair glanced at the growling Knight. Several of the muscular growths that had covered the wounds inflicted on him and blistered, exploding as several bone-like spines tore through his flesh. More muscle fibres wrapped their way around his body, increasing his size once again as he turned. In place of the shotgun injury was a large maw full of jagged, needle like teeth, and his burned hand was now covered in growths that made it look like a spiked gauntlet.

"What in the world have they done to him…?" Ghost gasped.

"Lightbearers…" the Knight growled, seething with rage.

"Run…" Kayla said quickly as the Knight picked up his sword. "RUN!"

The two Guardians fled down the cavern, the sound of Sardon's cleaver scraping across the ground ever present throughout. Athena broke off for a moment, sliding behind a rocky outcrop. Kayla turned to see Athena motioning her further back. The Warlock nodded, switching to Iris's Rifle and bracing herself as the cave-shaking footsteps of Sardon came closer.

Looming out of the shadows into view, grabbing the cavern wall with his spiked hand came Sardon. His face twisted into one of rage. Every step seemed forward seemed to pain him as he eyed Kayla, a deep guttural growl reverberating from his throat.

"Where…is your ally…?" the Knight asked, looking around.

"Eyes here, Sardon," Kayla ordered, readying the rifle.

Sardon glared into her soul. "You have a bravery about you that I haven't seen in a long while…" he murmured. "Not since that robot woman." Sardon let out a huff. "Or perhaps it was stubbornness?"

With one fellow swoop, Sardon brought the cleaver crashing down on the ground sending a shockwave rocketing towards the Warlock. Kayla instinctively reached out to grab something, anything, to avoid the main blast. What she found something ice-cold, a tingling sensation flowing through her fingers as she found herself shunted to the left ever so slightly. The shockwave impacted her, Kayla's bones shaking from the force, but whatever she'd done had saved her from the full brunt of the attack.

Kayla was flung across to the side, feeling her left arm crack on impact. She winced, the grip on her Mythoclast firm. Sardon stomped towards Kayla again, relishing in the torment. From the corner of her eye, Kayla watched Athena reposition.

"You're not used to that form, are you?" Kayla asked, turning her attention to the Fist.

Sardon paused, the question catching him off guard. "…Vizneh warned of some…complications," he said dismissively.

"Vizneh? No, wait, never mind. Your power…it's not muscle augmentation, is it?" Kayla asked. The Knight didn't answer but Kayla kept pressing. "If it's just not muscle augmentation then…"

Her eyes drifted to the open maw, then back at Sardon. The Fist glared back at the Guardian before him, except…she wasn't looking at him. Then…?

The punching one.

Sardon turned to see the Athena barrelling towards him, hammer in one hand and shotgun in the other. The Titan jumped, smacking him across the face with her hammer before pouring several shotgun rounds into him with the other. Sardon let a pained scream as he backhanded Athena with his spike fist. Kayla rushed to her as she hit the wall, helping the Titan up.

"Insignificant…" Sardon growled.

"Uh oh…" Athena said as Sardon held his face in pain.

"…WORTHLESS…"

"S'fine," Kayla said quickly, laying down suppressive fire on the Knight. "You've done us a favour."

"…PARASITES!"

"HOW?!" Athena exclaimed.

Kayla said nothing, switching to Harm's Way. Sardon staggered to them through blood-hazed vision, slamming his sword down again. The ground shook beneath the Guardians as Kayla opened fire, a hailstorm of lead pouring into the Hive Knight. The Fist roared, bullets tearing through his bubbling flesh and embedding themselves like tiny needles that dug deep with each movement.

Athena looked at Kayla then Sardon's prone body before charging with flame covered fists. The Sunbreaker's mighty punching made contact with Sardon, knocking him squarely onto his back with a hateful roar. Athena jumped on Sardon's chest, battering his face repeatedly as the Knight regained his senses.

"DESIST!" Sardon yelled, grabbed Athena and throwing her across the cavern.

Kayla slid under the body of her friend before launching her Nova Bomb at full strength. Sardon turned to face the glare of the Void as it collided with him, shaking the cavern further. The Fist of Crota fell on all fours as the cave's ceiling began to crash down on him.

"A bit of warning'd be nice next time, coglione!" snapped Athena, getting to her feet. "What were you doing anyway?"

Kayla said nothing, watching Sardon spasm and scream as his body hastily augmented itself further as chitin grew around the Void and Solar burns. His chest expanded, cracking and tearing with blood spurting everywhere. Chitin spikes burst of the bullet wounds on his right arm while has left arm became an oversized, charred mass of flesh and chitin. All three of his eyes fixated on his prey with a vengeful bloodlust.

"Now, you weak-willed parasites…" he seethed. "Witness REAL POWER!"

"Gotcha," Kayla grinned, turning to her friend. "Athena, get the sword!"

Athena looked at her leader, exasperated and uncertain, before giving a confident nod and barrelled towards Sardon. "Gonna tell me what you're planning, Capitana?"

Kayla took the chance to reposition and reload, speaking into her comms. Her voice entered Athena's ear she the Titan ducked under Sardon's giant limb then vaulted the spike-laden arm that followed.

"It's not augmentation, it's healing!"

Athena grabbed the swords handle before dragging it away with her. "Damn that's heavy…what do you mean healing?"

"He can augment his muscle mass at will, but it adapts in response to the injuries he sustains at random," Kayla explained while circling the Knight for a better shot. "He can't control it!"

"Crayon-eating Titan, remember?" Athena sassed.

"Force his body to overclock!"

"Right…" muttered Athena, turning to face the Knight. "Keep him away from the sword...And overclock."

The shadows of the cave seemed to lengthen as Sardon's monstrous form appeared in her view. The Knight snarled, smashing the ground once with his fist. It cracked, sending a sickly-green burst of energy towards her. The Titan stayed focused, heaving the sword up and charging with a scream. She slammed the sword down, hooked it in the crack and using to propel her higher like a pole vaulter. She switched to Toil and Trouble, letting out more shells into Sardon's mutilated face as she landed on his chest and slapped a fusion grenade in place.

Sardon tried to grab Athena but the Titan backed off. Kayla slide in from behind the Knight's left-hand side, another overcharged grenade in her hand. The Warlock let it go, sending out a flurry of Void darts that pierced Sardon's chest. At the same time the fusion grenade detonated, sending searing flames across his body.

The Fist of Crota roared as he stood, his body already pulsating as it prepared for another unplanned mutation. Kayla aimed Harm's Way, but she was stopped by Athena.

"Tag in," she said, casting Hammer of Sol again. "I need to repay him for earlier."

Kayla nodded. "I'll give you cover fire."

Athena nodded, twirling her hammer on her fist as she casually strode to the Knight. The Titan said nothing, only throwing her Hammer into the Hive's chest. Sardon cried out in pain, preparing another fist slam but was caught off guard by Kayla's machine gun fire. The Knight shielded himself with her arm, but that didn't stop the Sunbreaker. Athena rushed in close with a shoulder charge before leap around Sardon's twisted frame with surprising ease, each jump and movement a strike from her burning hammer.

Sardon snarled, trying to reach behind him. He was quickly sniped by Kayla's Mythoclast fire, letting out a frustrated shout as the flames around him rose with every strike of the lightbearer's hammer. Suddenly it dawned on him. He couldn't control the healing anymore; his body was now contorting wildly in response to any attack the two Guardians were making. And the pain that writhed its way up his gullet told him he'd already lost.

Sardon grit his teeth, blindly lashing out with his arms. A surprised yelp from the Titan let him know he'd got a lucky hit. The Knight stood, swaying before his gaze levelled with Kayla.

"You're not getting AWAY!" Sardon shouted, charging through a rocky pillar that the Warlock had placed between them for cover.

Kayla screamed as she hit the floor, rock and rubble flying everywhere as the twisted mess that was the Fist of Crota towered above her.

"MOVE!" shouted Ghost's voice from inside her head.

Kayla rolled as Sardon slammed the ground repeatedly like an angered gorilla, knocking her into the air before grappling her and throwing her down into the dirt. Kayla cried out in pain and glared at Sardon.

The Knight returned the favour. "I despise your ilk," he hissed, breathing haggard. "You're the worst kind of parasite, looking down on our ways like barbarism." Sardon leaned in close, the stench of decay on his breath. "All because you can't bear the truth with your own eyes."

"T-Truth?" Kayla choked, coughing blood as she tried to reposition her Mythoclast. "Genocide is truth?"

"No, little light," Sardon sneered. "It is the way of the universe."

Kayla's glare sharpened. "Nngh…I refuse…to believe that."

She screamed again as she opened fire, the Mythoclast's laser fire burned her chest and forcing Sardon to let go. Kayla scrambled to her feet while Sardon gazed at his new burn, unimpressed.

"Believe what you want," the Knight said dismissively. "You can't stop us all"

The Fist looked at her. Then his thin mouth curled into a malicious grin. "Your expression gives away your fear. Did we hurt someone precious to you?"

The Voidwalker's silence prompted an outburst of laughter from the Fist. "KEHAHAHAHAHA! I'm right aren't I? No wonder…"

Kayla's grip on her Mythoclast tightened as she took aim, biting her lip. Sardon tilted his head, his expression now one of confusion. "Well don't stop now!" Sardon bellowed. "To the victor go the spoils!" His triumphant bellow turned into one of fanatical laughter as threw his arms out wide.

"I want answers, Sardon! I'm giving you that chance!" Kayla spat, hesitantly stepping closer.

"A soldier doesn't give chances; they ACT!" Sardon shouted with a mocking leer. "Complete the worship! Take the answers you seek!"

Kayla felt the blood in her veins pump angrily, a throbbing headache burning in rhythm to her pulse. Her breathing faltered, her body froze. And then…

"GAARRGK…!"

(Hakuri- Elfen Lied OST)

The world came back into focus. Kayla stumbled slightly from the shock, seeing Sardon's body slump forward. Behind him was Athena with a blood drenched sword.

Kayla stepped forward, Mythoclast still aimed. Sardon looked at the blood that pooled out from under him before his head curled upwards, a small chuckle escaping his lips. "Hah…look at you…all high and mighty…" he said with a smile. "You hypocrite…"

The Warlock pressed the Mythoclast against Sardon's temple. "I want answers," she growled. "What does Crota want? Why are you doing all this?!" Suddenly she found herself screaming. "WHY DID MY FAMILY HAVE TO DIE?!"

Sardon looked at her, his expression one of stunned confusion. Then his eyes widened as he let out a laugh of realisation. "I'm sorry…" he taunted. "Were you expecting a confession?"

Before either Guardian could respond, something burst out of Sardon's chest in an explosion of blood and flesh. Kayla jumped back in fright as Athena rounded to Sardon's front. Out of the wound came a thick, squishy green three-eyed worm. It didn't notice the two Guardians. Instead, it turned its attention to Sardon's body, tearing off bits of his flesh and burrowing its small head deeper into the Knight's still open wounds.

Kayla gagged, turning away as she vomited on the cave floor. Athena said nothing and merely aimed Toil and Trouble at the thing, a crack of thunder ringing out through the silent tunnels.


Next Time: Fireteam Noble continue to escape the Praxic Order, while Crota muses about Hive problems. Chapter 2-9: Rats