Chapter 2: Hunter and Prey
Location: Plains of Eidolon, Earth
She flew through the sky, free and calm. Towards the clouds, and down to the ground, then up again. She loved this feeling. This was her land. Her kingdom, and she flew over it, watching over it like a majestic queen.
When she heard gunfire, Zephyr's eyes narrowed in anger. The Plains were her realm. And she would purge the scourge that grew on her.
She plummeted down, her blades slashing at the Grineer stationed near the lake. Zephyr whirled, slashing and deflecting bullets, until a stronger blast echoed behind her. She jumped high in the air, avoiding a toxic ball. A Nox. Zephyr dashed towards him, slashing his poison blasts then striking his armor, drops of green blood trickling out. Roaring, the Nox struck her back, then fired at him again. Zephyr vanished in a blink, then reappeared on top of the Nox, piercing his helmet and head.
Her enemy's corpse fell, and Zephyr ran to disable the console, hacking the tower to disable communications. When done, Zephyr stared at the ruined base, then looked at the rising sun. She sighed, wondering if her fight would ever be over.
"Zephyr, are you all right?", she was asked as she returned to the top of the Orokin Tower. "You don't have to worry every time I go out, Nyx. I can handle myself. And you should too." Zephyr said in a stern voice as she removed her Orokin armor.
The short, bookish Tenno laughed nervously. "Well, I try. You should come visit the library more often. I learn new things every day! History, science… it's all there for us!" "I don't have time to chat with you about books today." Zephyr replied. "We're going to have visitors. Excal, Ember and Atlas are coming for the monthly reunion of our group."
"Great!" Nyx smiled. "Maybe they'll be more inclined to chat."
Zephyr sighed as she left to go to her room. "Or maybe they'll be serious…"
The Orbiters landed on the outskirts of Cetus. Zephyr stood nobly as always, staring intensely at the opening hatches, revealing the three Tenno she knew most.
"Welcome, friends.", she said calmly.
"Serious as ever, Zephie. Glad to see you." Excal smiled and shook her hand, knowing Zephyr did not care for hugs, sadly.
"Yeah, you need to loosen up, girl !" Ember laughed, causing Zephyr to sigh.
She glanced at Atlas, who simply nodded at her. Here was a monster, almost all-powerful… And yet he was even calmer than her. Zephyr allowed herself a moment of silence, then led the group towards the Tower. "Let's go."
The Pentagon, united, sat around the table. Excal, Ember, Atlas, Zephyr and Nyx. The guardians of Cetus, the only ones who used the city as their base.
"Alright, let's start this monthly meeting." Nyx smiled and stood up. Despite her being very chatty, Zephyr did not doubt her intelligence and clear-headedness.
"First item, the Corpus. They've been quiet for some time, so I believe we can dismiss them for this month. Between Valkyr on Venus, and Nova and Nezha on Pluto, I believe they won't bother us much."
"Still no location on Alad V?" Excal asked. "I still don't like having him running around the system."
"We haven't been able to pinpoint him, sorry. But I wouldn't worry too much." Nyx answered.
"Second item, the Infestation. No noticeable outbreaks. Equinox is still orbiting Eris. I think we can remain on green status." The group nodded their assent.
"Last item, the Grineer. We've been noticing spikes of activity in Uranus. It's possible Tyl Regor has launched a massive streak of clone production in his labs."
"In that case we have to go!" Excal exclaimed.
"Not for me. I hate Uranus. All that water…" Ember shuddered.
"I'll go." Excal stood. "Atlas can accompany me. You can stay here with Zephyr and Nyx, Ember." Atlas nodded. "Ok."
"Thanks, you're a dear, Excal!" Ember smiled.
"We'll depart in the evening. We can tour Cetus in the meantime."
At night, the group stood at the entrance of the Cetus tower, bidding Excal and Atlas goodbye.
"Kick his ass for us, Excal!" Ember shouted.
Nyx stared wistfully as the two Tenno entered their Orbiters and departed.
"Don't look so sad, Nyx, they'll be back before we know it." Ember put her arm around her.
"I know…" Nyx protested. But she did not dare share her true thought. "I wonder… Will we ever stop fighting? Will we have to live like this forever…"