Chapter 5: Rising Resistance
Accessing File: The Traitor
On the day of the prison break, Eramis is nursing a gut wound.
It's not fatal, or at least she doesn't think so. She won the match in the arena, but not before an arrogant Captain drove a Sword into her side. It cut through her Devil robes and left a bloom of blood that reminds her of the water flowers on Riis. Athrys loved water flowers.
She's dozing when Variks arrives at her cell.
"Eramis."
She opens her eyes and then narrows them immediately. Despite the wound, she stands—too quick, she gets dizzy—and steps toward the cell door.
"Traitor," she says in greeting.
Variks flinches. He shakes his head, lowers his eyes. Even with the door between them, she can see his fear. It buoys her.
"There is change to come," he says quietly in Eliksni and then looks over his shoulder. His eyes dart back and forth, fearful, suspicious. He switches suddenly to the clumsy common language of the Terrans.
"Change Variks will make, yes? Change Variks will lead. But Variks, too, will need a leader…"
Eramis laughs. "You wish to make me your prisoner-Kell?"
"No," Variks cringes. "Variks wishes—"
"I do not care what you wish, Variks the 'loyal'," she says. There are Eliksni who change in the shadow of prison bars. They fall. They shrink. But Eramis has grown. She must show Variks that even with this steel between them, he is smaller. He is still a Dreg pretending to be a vandal. "If there is justice in this world, one day, I will dock your last two arms and leave you for dead."
Something in Variks's eyes hardens. They share a tense silence. Finally, he says, in a voice as cold as Ether, "Do not say that Variks did not try to help."
He leaves, and Eramis settles herself again on the floor of her cell.
Later that day, an alarm sounds. The warden projects a message in Variks's voice. The doors of her cell open, unprompted, as frenzied Eliksni and Cabal charge through the prison, thirsting for freedom.
Close File
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Accessing File: The Light
Throughout Eliksni culture there has been one thing that the Eliksni has always believed in and worshipped, the Light. They see it as a living force that lives in all things and all places. The Servitors have been seen as another extension of it as they provide life giving Ether to keep themselves alive when not in their own star systems.
According to the Eliksni all living things possess Light as the soul within each and everyone of them, as the spark of life is Light in itself. The Light that the Eliksni worship is more analogous to an energy source known as Quintessence which is said to be life itself and a self-generating power source.
Any proof of the Light existing maybe found with the Gauntlets of the Eliksni's Sacred Splicers. The Splicer Gauntlets a converter that can be used to focus trace amounts of residual energy already present in the environment.
A trained Splicer can use their Gauntlet to interface with any latent data networks in the vicinity. This allows the bearer to access technological mundanities as well as deeper, infinitely more protected networks, including Gem networks.
Once connected, access to virtual networks is severely limited for the Eliksni Sacred Splicers.
The Gauntlet seems capable of powering itself by transmuting unbound energy into Ether. Traditionally, Sacred Splicers would undertake great journeys to charge their Gauntlets with naturally occurring residual energy.
According to the bounty hunter Cayde-6 he once used a modified Splicer Gauntlet to enter a Gem network. He was somehow able to manifest corporeally within it for a short period of time. He was able to alter the data found therein with focused percussive energy—including gunfire—in a baffling scientific process that do not yet fully understand.
This may have been because of his Aura which some Terrans have claimed to be the manifestation of one's soul which would relate it to the Light the Eliksni worship.
In closing, the Sacred Splicers merely exploit a tool that induces Light to resonate at frequencies approaching that of nexus security systems whether they be Highbreed, Gems, or even Cabal, enabling them to access to certain low-security systems. The Eliksni falsely believe that a deep spiritual connection allows them to bend the Light to their every whim, but this can be ea5ily dismissed as myth—the regre7able bypr0duc7 of ov3r c71v3|| | | | |
It is disappointing to hear such condescending generalizations from a species who has explored the stars for several millennia. The Light is more complex than even our greatest Sacred Splicers understand, and yet even those of us without formal training can call upon the Light to refocus the world around us—even something as insignificant as the writings of a self-important scientist. The Light provides. ~ Eido, Daughter of Misraaks, House Light Scribe
Close File
Xxx
Eventide Labs, Europa
Eramis had given orders to Phylaks to continue the search for the Creation artifact, but Praksis had decided to conduct his own search within the labs. He was sure that their had to be a record of the artifact's location within the Bray database. Using his Splicer Gauntlet, he managed to peer inside of the old systems but most of the data was corrupted. Something he had expected from the facility's decrypted state.
As House Salvation's chief engineer and architect, he believed that it was his responsibility to find the artifact.
'The Eliksni must update our approach if we are ever to rise. Either join us as we march toward progress… Or be swept aside with the vestigialities.' He thought to himself.
Beep!
Beep!
Beep!
His attention is drawn to a nearby computer. He accesses it and a map is shown displaying readings from the Pyramid and the canyon known as Beyond. The same place a scout crew was found dead from the Terrans who recently came to Europa.
"Curious." The Technocrat says to himself before accessing his commlink. "Rahn take a crew to these coordinates, I believe something of great value is about to happen."
Unknown Location, Europa
The Drifter is seen walking on the snow-covered plains of Europa approaching two figures gathered around a fire. One was a pale-skinned human woman wearing black and grey winter clothing, she had a hood and a blindfold that covered her eyes. Though the blindfold did not seem to matter as behind it one could make out three glowing eyes. From her eyes was a black liquid that stained her face and in her hands was a green sphere that emitted some form of energy and within in was a black stone. The second person was the same female Exo that bore a striking resemblance to Elsie Bray and had a rifle on her back.
"I'd say that mission turned out great." The Drifter said to his companions.
"I'd hardly call that mission great." The three-eyed woman said. "Though the Stranger and I did manage acquire two Splinters of Darkness while sabotaging the foundry and it's war machines."
"Really?" The Drifter asked.
The woman takes one hand and brings out two of the Splinters. "I believe their wielders were called Drake, Stasis Sniper and Keviks, Vex Researcher."
"Like I said Morn, that mission turned out great." The Drifter said before turning to the Exo Stranger. "So that's enough Splinters for the new guys so now what?"
"The Pyramid will send the Ziggurat to Beyond near my campsite soon." The Stranger said in the exact same voice as Elsie Bray. "While it does that it will send out a message to any Terrans near it, so we have to head back there now."
"She is right." Said Morn as she looked at the orb in her hand. "The Pyramid whispers of the next evolution of its gift."
"Good to know Eris." Drifter said to his three-eyed companion. "So, let's saddle up."
Xxx
Charon's Crossing, Comms Station
At the comms station the group was recuperating after their failed attempt at taking out Eramis. Ana was studying some shattered Stasis ice to get a good understanding of its chemical makeup to understand how it works. Cayde-6 was tossing a combat knife into the air and catching it by the blade with his fingers while avoiding getting cut by it.
Banshee-44 was leaning against a wall and thinking about these Vex that Jinju mentioned from the Bray files. Since coming to Europa Banshee believed that he was here years ago so he must have fought the Vex when they invaded from their home universe. He has been experiencing more memory flashes since hearing about them and the latest was before the most gruesome.
From his point of view, he finds himself being captured by Brass colored robots, each with a singular redeye and what appears to be a white liquid where their stomachs would have been and brought him to a Bray lab. He is strapped to a table and the Vex turn on the surgical machinery and use it to gruesomely vivisect him.
"Data on these humans may provide the answers to defeat 'Those who wield that which we cannot simulate in our universe'." One of the Vex said completely ignoring the screams that Banshee's human self is making. "The powers their counterparts in this universe have appears to be similar."
"Perhaps a divergence in their evolution lead to it." Another Vex said. "Further study must be made."
The doors to the room blow open and a squad of Exos bust in and gun down the Vex.
"Turn the surgical equipment off!" One of them says.
An Exo that looks like Elsie Bray does so and another gets the life support equipment ready.
"This should keep alive until we can transfer his mind into an Exo body and turn a copy of his mind into an A.I. to run the Deep Stone Crypt." The Exo said.
"What? I don't need two copies of this bastard running around." Said the Elsie like Exo. "Do you not see the damage he's already caused and will do!?"
"Our orders were pretty clear ma'am." Said another Exo. "And we'll need all the help we can get."
"He's right Elisabeth." Said the Exo who ordered the surgical equipment off. "There's only so much we can do even with so many people undergoing the Exo process and helping us out."
"You can create the A.I. but once his real mind becomes an Exo, he is to remain offline unless I say so." Elisabeth sternly says as walks up to the Exo who convinced her. "Are we clear."
"Yes Dr. Bray." The other Exos said in response.
"Good." Elsie said before approaching Banshee's human self. "Congratulations you'll finally be able to live forever like you've always wanted."
The memory ends and Banshee looks at his right hand.
'What did I do?' He thought to himself.
"So, anything on the Stasis stuff?" Cayde says to Ana which catches Banshee's attention.
"Aside from it feeling wrong when compared to normal ice it's atomic structure is completely different when compared to actual ice." Ana explained. "And from what I can tell not only is it related to the cold but more precise the cessation of movement on both the macroscopic and atomic levels."
"Can it be used as a power source?" Cayde asked. "It fit right in with Solar, Arc, and Void energies used by other spacefaring civilizations like the Gaia Union, Eliksni, and Cabal."
"I'm not so sure and what even is Void energy?" Ana asked. "I know what Solar and Arc is, but I've never heard of Void energy before."
"Short version the Void is supposed to be an empty dimension that scientists theorize to be a space between different realities." Cayde explained. "It's filled with infinite energy, and some have managed to harness some of its energy to use in some of their complex machines like the Servitors. The energy itself is related to dark energy/matter and gravitational attraction."
"Like my Semblance." Ana said upon realization.
"Yeah, from what I can tell your Semblance seems to generate Void energy." Cayde explained. "It helps from the fact that your abilities are purple like Void energy."
The doors to the room open and the group sees Variks walk in.
"Variks believed Eramis wished to create a new life for the Eliksni. But these dark powers have poisoned her mind." Variks says as he walks over to a crate and opens it. "And so, I fled from her. For this, she calls be betrayer. [insect-like chattering] There are others who fled. Those, like me, who still worship the Light. They are in hiding. I will not leave them behind. They will be casualties in her war without our help. But perhaps they can be brought to safety. [insect-like chattering]"
"What can we do?" Banshee-44 asked the old scribe.
Variks brings the crate forward revealing three cylindrical objects to them. "Communication relays. We must play savior. A secret communications network would allow us to reach out."
"And with any luck we might be able to convince any other Eliksni in House Salvation who's still skeptical about Stasis." Ana said as she picked up a relay.
"Set up the relays outside in Charon's Crossing." Variks said to the Hunters. "Then the network will be set up."
Cayde and Banshee each grab a beacon as well and walk out of the building with Ana. As they entered the outside environment, they see that a blizzard has started.
"Let's get this done quick people." Ana said to the group. "The sooner we finish the sooner we can get out of this blizzard."
"The first beacon should be set up behind the building." Variks said on the comms.
"I got this." Cayde said as he made his way to the back of the building and setup the beacon. "Power's going Variks."
"Good. Two more. [insect-like chattering]" Variks said. "Set up the second beacon on the far side of the building's roof."
"I'll do it." Banshee said as he used his thruster pack to get on top of the building. He walks over to a spot that had a heavy amount of snow reaching from the ground to the roof and then placed the beacon. "Okay, Variks, that's two-"
Suddenly Banshee, Ana, and Cayde hear whispers as their vision temporarily darkens.
"Did you – hear that?" Cayde asked as both him and Banshee returned to Ana.
"Yeah." Banshee answered in acknowledgement.
"It sounded like, voices." Ana said.
"What? Who?" Variks asked.
"Variks…I think the Pyramid is communicating with us." Ana said as she looked toward the silhouette of the Pyramid in the blizzard.
"We must hurry then." Variks said nervously. "There's one more relay. Place it on top of the roof's front side."
"Got it." Ana said as she made her way to the location with Cayde and Banshee following her.
As they get to the location Ana places the beacon and activates it. Suddenly a Crux of Darkness materializes in the air in front of them. Startled by the sudden appearance of the giant tetrahedral object appearing in front of them they start to back away slowly.
"Any idea on what to do?" Cayde whispered to the group.
"I'm working on it." Ana whispered back.
As they backed away the Crux started to glow orange and hummed. The humming got louder as it is orange light began to grow until it released the orange light in a flash that made everyone's vision go white. When their vision returned, they see that the Crux was still there, but the blizzard had stopped. Whatever the Crux did it stopped the blizzard.
STATIC!
Ana looks to the sound emanating from her gauntlet and sees that the screen was erratically displaying random images.
"Jinju, what's going on!?" Ana asked her A.I. companion.
"Ana, I think they're trying to communicate through me." The A.I. said with her voice straining.
The groups vision begins to darken as they start to hear more whispers.
"They're…beckoning us." Jinju said.
Ana, Cayde, and Banshee nervously look at each other but ultimately, they choose to get off the roof and walk toward the Crux. Once they got near it, they did not know what to do but decided to each place a hand on it. Suddenly the Crux loses its glow and begins to de-materialize in front of them. In front of them hovering over a chasm that was accessible by an ice bridge leading back to the canyon called Beyond the group sees another Crux of darkness floating in the air.
"We beckoned. You answered. We've kept you waiting long enough. Come to us; salvation awaits." The Pyramid said through Jinju.
The group decides to approach with the utmost caution. As they made their way Ana talked into her gauntlet hoping to get some answers.
"What are you?" Ana asked.
"We are a paracausal entity from a universe located on the far side of the Omniverse." The Pyramid answered. "We followed a purpose with others like us. When we reached our universe's version of the Sol System in its 28th century something pulled us into your dimension on your Europa in what was your 11th century. For a thousand years we were stuck here unable to follow our true purpose and could only watch your world grow and observe the differences it had compared to the Earth in our universe. Eventually we learned the truth of why we were brought here, a man in your time with a mechanical left arm has been studying the dimensions and brought several of their inhabitants to your Earth. However, he caused rifts to open across other dimensions and different eras of time. One of these rifts brought us here to your past separating us from the rest of our kind."
"And what was your purpose?" Banshee asked.
"To enforce the will of the Darkness of our universe." The Pyramid answered. "To reduce complexity and diversity within the universe, and to eliminate any entity which cannot survive in the face of adversity."
"And the gift of Stasis was how you were doing it." Cayde said on a realization.
"One of many ways." The Pyramid said as the group entered the chasm and got near the Crux as it disappeared again. "Your leaders believe you thankless. Nothing more than a soldier asked again and again to do its bidding. So, we want to thank you. With a gift. To help you finally take control."
"You don't know what your saying." Ana said to the entity as the group walked through the chasm. They made it to a cliff overlooking the canyon. Below them they saw a crew of Eliksni lead by the captain known as Rahn and further away they saw something flying away from the Pyramid.
They see it to be some sort of amorphous tetrahedral shape that crashes itself into a hill. In the place of the now destroyed hill was an entirely new structure. The Eliksni see this happen and start walking to it before stopping. Rahn looks up at a ridge and sees Eris Morn above them.
Rahn then howls ordering his soldiers to attack. His men charge as Eris hoped down from the ridge and ran toward the Eliksni. What the Eliksni did not know was that another person was on the ridge. The Drifter got into position and formed a Stasis crystal in his hands that he then throws to the ground. Eris stops a few feet away from where the crystal landed and turns her back to the Eliksni. The crystal ignites and releases a large wall of Stasis crystals that freezes any Eliksni that got to close to it.
Eris moves her orb in her right hand, and it turns dark blue and flies to hit any Eliksni that she motions it toward. While this happened, Drifter throws another Stasis crystal and throws it into another group of Eliksni freezing them. But then a Dreg knocks him to the ground and while it grabbed its Shock Dagger to stab him the Drifter was able to grab his revolver and shot the Dreg in the neck causing Ether mist to leak out of its mouth. The Drifter then jumps down from the ridge and begins shooting more Eliksni.
A few feet away the Elsie like Exo teleports in and shoots any Eliksni nearby with a burst rifle while running into the crowd. She teleports again only to reappear while sliding to trip up a Vandal. She gets up and shoots it in the head. She looks to hear left at one of the ice walls. She teleports to that area and shoots a Vandal. A nearby Wretch swings an Arc staff at her. She ducks and shoots the Wretch and another Vandal.
Rahn sees the Exo woman jump on top of a Vandal only to jump of it and onto another Vandal near Rahn. The Vandal falls and the Exo woman rolls right in front of Rahn who swings his Shock Cutlasses at her only for her to teleport again. Confused by what happened the captain sees the Drifter gun down two more of his soldiers. Rahn charges at the Drifter while he was reloading and raises his left cutlass in the air but before he was able to bring it down Eris throws her orb at the raised cutlass and knocks it away. Rahn tries to stab the Drifter with his other cutlass, but he manages to duck, and the sword gets embedded into the ice wall. The Drifter briefly glances at it before he shoots Rahn a few times in the gut and then one more time in the head killing the captain.
The Drifter turns to see the last of Eliksni charging at him and Eris with blades pointed at them. The Exo woman appears sliding n the air and gathers Stasis energy in her right hand and releases five blasts that freeze the Eliksni with one of their blade's inches from the Drifters face. The Exo woman makes a three-point landing and raises her right hand in the air as she gathered more Stasis energy into it before bringing it down. It releases a shockwave that shattered all the nearby Stasis crystals, whether they be frozen Eliksni or Stasis ice walls, into pieces.
The fireteam jumps down from the cliff and approaches the three strangers as they came together and looked at those approaching them. The Drifter twirls his revolver around before putting it away and a strange six-eyed robotic fish creature comes out of the Exo woman's hood and makes odd sounds. What surprised Ana was of how the Exo woman was the spitting image of her sister Elsie, but more surprising was of…
"And here comes our guardian. Right on time." The Exo woman said with the same voice as Elsie even possessing the same English accent her sister developed after living in England for a few years.
"Elsie?" Ana asked in shock.