"Lord Shaxx. The Vanguard arrived to the drop point."
The Titan glanced up from reloading his rifle to peer at Arcite. "Go reinforce our flank. We can't let any more Legion past us," he commanded. With a nod and short salute, the frame took off running toward the left, staying low to dodge constant gunfire from the Cabal troops. Once it was out of his sight, Shaxx scooted along the low hanging concrete wall to get a better view of the battle beyond it. Despite the Cabal's best efforts to halt their surprise attack, the strike teams made it to the zone for Cayde's Vex teleporter. Now all he had to do was keep the Legion preoccupied while the Vanguard finished setting it up. That was the hard part.
A scream in the distance caught his ear and Shaxx's gaze darted to one the alleyways just in time to see another group of Guardians go down to Cabal fire. His chest squeezed tightly as his hand balled into a fist. Everyone here was fighting with passion he hadn't seen in a long time, for their home, for their lives, but at this rate there won't be anyone left once the dust clears. Taking a deep breath, he pressed a finger to his helmet to open his comm. "Vanguard. What's your status?"
"Almost there!" Cayde was the first to chime in. "But I can't shoot and fix this thing because the Cabal just shot off my arm!"
"We need more time," Ikora added breathlessly.
"The Legion is closing in every minute now. We don't have any more-"
Another yell, this time closer to his position, snapped Shaxx's attention away. A Hunter rolled over his cover and landed in the dirt with a cough. He started to get up but froze as the pack of Cabal Warhounds chasing after him leapt around the wall, their lips bared to reveal wet, gnarled jaws. Wasting no time, Shaxx jumped forward and smashed the butt of his gun into the closest hound before it could sink its teeth into the Guardian. The beast crumpled to the ground, only to be replaced by two more of its kin. Ever so slowly, the Warhounds closed in, their hungry eyes flicking from the hulking Titan before them to the much smaller Hunter behind. Letting his rifle drop to the ground, Shaxx spread his arms out carefully, waiting for the moment they decided to pounce. And soon they did. His hand shot up to grab the hilt of his Razelighter and he swung it in a wide arc through the air, slicing down three more hounds in a trail of fire. He noticed movement in the corner of his vision and saw two of the Warhounds break off to go after the Hunter. Twirling his flaming blade, he drove the end of it into one of the beast's eyes and raised his arm against the other. Instead of crushing the Guardian's helmet, the beast whined as its jaws locked around the Titan's gauntlet and stuck there. The sheer strength of the creature drove Shaxx to a knee. Its teeth sinking deeper into his armor and the flesh underneath. He grunted from the painful jolts spiking up his arm and tried to free his sword from the corpse of the other hound, only to realize too late it was stuck. The Warhound growled and clawed at his chestplate, determined to rip his limb away. Shuffling at his back and the distinct purr of a fusion rifle sounded over Shaxx's head. Suddenly, the beast's hold on him loosened and the last he saw of it was its wide eyes before it turned to dust from the energy weapon.
Breathing heavily, Shaxx shook the bloody soot from his armor and tested his fingers. His hand trembled with pain, the nerves shot and the bones broken. He tucked his wounded arm to his torso and bent to free his sword.
"T-thank you. For that."
He turned to the Hunter next to him. Immediately he could tell the boy was new just by his stance, freshly wakened and lacking in formal training. He visibly shook under the Titan's piercing gaze, the fusion rifle barely staying in his grasp.
"I owe you, Guardian. What's your name?" He asked as calmly as possible.
"Xane...uh, S-sir."
Shaxx raised a brow. The Hunter didn't have much experience talking to someone of higher rank either. Before he could say more, his radio came to life with static and the sound of Arcite's voice.
"Incoming Threshers!"
His head snapped to the sky. Darkened shadows of countless ships blocked the horizon like irregular storm clouds.
"Everyone! Down!" Every nearby Guardian dropped into cover, many of them simply falling to their stomachs and shielding their heads. Shaxx grabbed Xane and pulled him against the low wall. The ground behind them trembled seconds later as missiles struck the surrounding building and rained debris upon them. The chaos didn't stop. Not caring if they hit their own comrades, the Thresher ships constantly unloaded a hail of gunfire upon the area. Incoherent screams and shouts echoed over the sound of bullets whizzing by.
A wave of the gunfire washed over the wall Shaxx hid behind, blasting away chucks of stone and making his teeth chatter. He felt something grip his arm and glanced over to see the Hunter looking up at him with wide, fearful eyes. "We can't fight against something like this. We've lost," Xane whimpered.
For a moment, Shaxx's thoughts drifted to another time. To other wars, to memories he hadn't dredged up from his mind in many long years. The sounds of the battle almost drifted away before he refocused again, his hand coming up to clasp the Hunter on the shoulder. "It only takes one Guardian to make a difference. As long as one of us still breathes, we haven't lost."
A flash of lightening lit up the sky and everything went quiet as suddenly as the Threshers had arrived. The barrage from the ships stopped, even the high-pitched hum of their engines was gone. Everyone wearily stood up from their cover with eyes turned upwards for any hint was what just happened. The Threshers seemed to be frozen, the smallest glints of electricity arcing across their hulls. And then, they just fell out of the air, many of them crash landing into the empty streets and turning into fireballs. One ship was aimed for the middle of the battlefield and Guardians scrambled in every direction to avoid it, but the Thresher never hit the ground. Another crack of thunder and the ship was cleaved into two, each section crumbled into nothing as the arc energy burned away all traces of the metal. A small figure landed in the dirt where the Thresher would have been, bringing a slim smile to Shaxx's face when his gaze landed on the flickering arc staff in her hand and the shining white cloak billowing behind her.
Frea's clan surrounded her when the Titan made it to the middle of the field. He contemplated pushing his way through the crowd before deciding to step back and wait. She wouldn't have much time here, better that she spend it with her family. Though, it tore him up inside to sacrifice his time with her. He never liked waiting...or sharing.
Movement at the edge of the group caught his eye as a familiar Warlock stepped out and greeted him with a wave. "Lord Shaxx," Dex said.
Somehow, the Warlock's appearance didn't surprise him one bit. "Dex...was wondering when you would show up," he sighed. "I hope you have a good excuse as to why you made Frea worry."
"It's a long story." He awkwardly scratched at his collar.
Chuckling softly, Shaxx held out his good hand. "Hopefully one you'll get to share with me soon."
Dex returned his hidden grin and firmly shook the Titan's hand.
"Hey, you two." Frea appeared out from behind the Warlock, her gaze swiftly landing on Shaxx. She smiled for just a moment when he met her eyes, until she looked down at his arm. "You're hurt."
"I'm fine. It'll heal once I have the energy for it." He stepped forward, ignoring Dex's stare, and took her hand. "You're late."
"You know what...I think I heard Maku calling for me," the Warlock stammered while he backed away. "I sh-should go."
They barely acknowledged him as he ran off to give them privacy. After a long minute of silence, Shaxx sighed again, his fingers moving to weave tightly with Frea's. "We've got to stop parting like this," he said.
She smirked. "True. It is getting a little old."
Taking a step closer, the huntress reached up and removed his helmet, feeling the weight of the armor in her palms. She barely had time to lower it before he twined his hand in her hair and sharply leaned in. Their mouths met hungrily, greedy in their desire for more, but as soon as it started they had to separate. His fingertips skirted the curve of her back as he pressed another hard kiss to her lips and pulled away with a smack.
As she peered back into his eyes, Shaxx swallowed hard, searching for the right words to find. Telling her to come back safely felt hollow at a time like this. Knowing that their chances of victory were slim to none. Just through touch alone, he could tell how little Light she had left inside her, even less than the night before.
He exhaled a slow breath and shifted to unholster the Razelighter across his back, splaying it across his hands for her. "Make those bastards regret ever stepping on this planet."
Frea's eyes glossed over and she looked down at the sword, only to return with a confident smile spread over her features. "They won't want to once I'm done with them," she whispered and took the blade. "Stay safe, Shaxx."
Frea bounded up the stairs as fast as she could go, taking two steps at a time. Her eyes widened when she saw a group of Legionnaires at the top. Their attention wasn't focused on her, but instead at something she couldn't see around the corner of the building.
"Look out!" Ikora's voice rang out. Instantly the Cabal were blasted away by buckshot, one of them tumbling over the edge into the streets below as its brethren crumbled to the ground.
The huntress hopped over their bodies and slid to a stop. She arrived at what used to be a rooftop garden, now partially destroyed and on fire. Zavala sat slumped against the wall with his gun in his lap. His eyes were closed but she could see his chest slowly rise and fall like he was sleeping. Ikora was gripping the side railing of the garden as she struggling to reload her emptied shotgun with shaky fingers. And Cayde...Frea's heart dropped when her gaze landed on him. He was the first to notice her and gave her a lopsided smile, his glowing eyes unsteady.
"Fashionably late has it limits you know," he started to chuckle but his breath hitched with pain. He sat on the ground, his leg tucked against his chest to keep himself from falling over. His other leg ended in sparks at the knee and one of his arms was missing.
"Cayde-"
He raised his only hand to stop her. "Don't mind me, didn't like that arm anyway." Reaching over, he hoisted the Vex teleporter and tossed it across the garden. It clattered across the stone and came to a stop just before Frea's feet, humming to life as it beckoned for her to enter. "We'll be fine here," he grunted, trying to shift himself into a more comfortable position. "Get going."
Fighting back her hesitation, she nodded. "I'll be back soon."
The Hunter Vanguard's dim eyes locked with hers across the garden. "You better be."
She stepped into the portal and her body felt like it was ignited, invisible threads pulled at her limbs until suddenly, it was gone. The smokey smell in the air was no longer present, the concrete under her boots turned to metal. Stumbling slightly from the drastic change, she straightened and her jaw fell open when she realized where she was. The top of Ghaul's command ship now spanned before her. The exact place where the Light was torn from her and where this entire war started. She spun and took in the sight of the Traveler before her, so close that she could almost touch it.
"Fitting your Traveler would send you."
The voice that had been haunting her dreams since the day she lost her home called behind her. Slowly, Frea turned, her eye glowering as she met Ghaul's gaze. His towering presence demanded fear, but she gave him nothing except unyielding resolve. "Your Legion has overstayed it's welcome. It's time to leave."
He scoffed and snapped his fingers. The doors surrounding them opened and Cabal troops streamed out, all of them with guns leveled at the huntress. "I don't know how you got your Light back, but you've been a thorn in my side since I threw you off this ship. This time I'll make sure to watch closely as my men drain the life from you."
"Afraid to face me alone now that I'm no longer powerless?" Frea hollered loudly as he started to turn away. He moved back to her with a raised brow. "I mean-I've killed so many of your lackeys that I could do it in my sleep now. What's a few hundred more?" She causally shrugged with a wide smirk that stretched ear to ear.
Something unreadable flashed across Ghaul's face as she studied her.
"Frea...what are you doing?" Her Ghost panically asked in her head.
"Shh." Her smile didn't waver as she returned the stare, her hand carefully going to the hand cannon on her hip. She couldn't rely on her Light this time, all of it used up to take down the Threshers earlier, but she hoped her bluff will at least even the odds. Maybe just a tiny bit.
After a long and draining silence, Ghaul finally straightened, his hand waving to dispel his troops. "I am Dominus Ghaul, slayer of gods and conquer of the Light. I don't fear some measly Guardian when I have this power." He stepped back and from his feet a wave of hot fire erupted from the ship, encasing him like a cocoon. Forced to shield her face from the shockwave, Frea blinked against the brightness. She could sense the sheer energy coming from the flames. It was the Traveler's, much like the power inside her, but something about it was off. She watched as the fire changed into a deep purple color, the low hum turning into a deafening screech. Something was crying.
Another gust hit her and she toppled over with a groan, her fingers clutching at small hollows in the hull to keep from blowing off the ship. "Ghost, please tell me that's not what I think it is."
"Somehow he's stolen Light from the Traveler. I think it's channeled though the cage into this ship," it replied.
The huntress grumbled unpleasantly as she lifted to her feet. "I thought stealing Light was impossible."
"Taking pure Light is. Only the Traveler can willingly grant that. The more energy Ghaul pulls, the more corrupted it'll become."
"So," Frea started, stretching out the new ache in her neck. "Force him to take more and hope he'll burn out in the process?"
Her Ghost shot her a worried look. "That could work...in theory."
It was better than nothing. Rushing forward, she pulled a rifle off her back and hopped onto a pillar overlooking the purple fire. Ghaul's hulking form had yet to emerge from it and she couldn't spot him among the whirling flames. Maybe she got lucky and he just burned up in them?
Unfortunately she was never very lucky.
A column of solar energy suddenly shot up from the fire, nearly singeing her hood. She jumped backwards to avoid the fiery sword that embedded itself where her feet had been a second before. The flames lowered at last, and there Ghaul hovered on massive wings. Tendrils of Light wrapped around his limbs like writhing snakes. His gaze scanned across the ship until it landed on the huntress, a sneer etching across his face.
"You won't escape me this time!" Thrusting his hand into the air, he summoned hundreds of flaming swords and with a flick of his fingers, they all came raining down. Scrambling, Frea knocked a few of the blades to the side with her gun before making it underneath an archway for cover. "Look at your dead god," Ghaul hollered, his voice echoing off the Traveler itself. "It won't save humanity a second time!" Peeking around the corner, Frea launched a barrage of bullets his way, which dented his armor and yet he seemed to simply shake off the attack. A void powered shield shimmered around his body. "How pitiful." The air around him sparked with electricity and he flew forward, grabbing the huntress before she could dodge him. His hand wrapped around her wrist as he wretched the gun from her grip, pulling her up high into the air where she dangled. "You know nothing of sacrifice, nothing of worth." His free hand reared back and the connected with her stomach, making her nearly black out.
Coughing, Frea put on her best smile despite the pain. "You're more pitiful than..." Another cough, this time she could feel warm blood trickle from her lips. "Us."
Ghaul's brows furrowed. "A creature's words mean little to me."
"If that were true, then you wouldn't have accepted my challenge."
His hold on her tightened to a crushing pressure. "Then what makes me more pitiful?" He snorted.
She winced as her bones creaked in his grasp. "You take, take, take, and take. But never earn."
"I take what is already mine."
"You steal from those you deem weak. The only thing that makes you worthy of is the lowest depths of hell. The Traveler would never choose someone who puts themselves before others. Also..." Keeping his eyes preoccupied with hers so he wouldn't notice, Frea carefully reached behind her back. "You talk too much."
A flash of fire and metal. The look on Ghaul's face become one of shock and then pain as a Razelighter stuck out of his breastplate. The blade buried deep with the huntress's bodyweight behind it. His hand released her and she left the sword in him, rolling to slash at his legs with her knife.
"This isn't enough to kill me! I just need more...Light." he sputtered, reaching for the purple flames burning in the middle.
"Then go!" Planting her boot on his back, she kicked him forward. He fell into the fire with a scream. The heat too much to bear this time. Frea followed behind him and fearlessly stepped though the fury, the corruption clawed at her exposed face like pins and needles raking across her flesh. She ignored it and bent forward to grasp the hilt of the sword.
"Why!?" Ghaul abruptly called out, his hands catching her arm. "Why did the Traveler choose you?"
The huntress stilled. She briefly looked up at the giant orb in the sky, the cage along its surface still holding firmly. "I don't know," she whispered, closing her eyes. She opened them with a sigh. A new fierceness glinted in her gaze. "And I don't care. I came here to take my home back and now my friends won't have to live in fear anymore." With a twist of her hand, she yanked the Razelighter out of Ghaul's chest and slashed it over his throat. His head twisted back and he fell one last time, hitting the hull of the ship with a sickening thud. The flames around them died down. The corruption fading as the huntress shook out her blade.
"Frea," her Ghost called.
Her attention returned to where her Ghost stared and her mouth dropped. A ghostly silhouette in the shape of Ghaul, ten times larger then he was, floated in front of the Traveler. He extended a phantom arm toward the orb and was overwhelmed by a flood of light. The Cabal-built cage crumbled to pieces and along with it the Traveler expanded, part of its surface cracking and catching in its gravitational pull. Frea's eyes burned with tears as she watched the last of Ghual's form vanish. She could feel it. No longer held back by the cage, the Light had returned to the world. With a deep breath, she quickly wiped the corners of her eyes against her gauntlet, relief washing over her like a summer rain.
Ghost blinked at her side and bobbled, giving its best dance. "We did it! We really-"
The ship underneath her feet abruptly rocked to the side, nearly knocking Frea down. Stumbling, she clutched the railing to her chest to steady herself.
"What's happening?"
"The trapped Light seems to be reacting to the Traveler's awakening! It's tearing the ship apart!" Her Ghost exclaimed, scanning over the hull. A vent next to them blasted outward, sending sparking metal rocketing up into the sky. Frea plucked the little bot out of the air as another vent exploded. Muffled by her palm, it continued. "I can't locate any nearby jumpships. If we contact the Vanguard then perhaps they can try to teleport us again?"
The huntress looked up in time to see the airlocks leading to the interior of the ship contort and bend from the heat building up behind them. Her head whipped around as more vents around her went up in flames. This ship wasn't going to stay in the air much longer. "We can't wait that long," she said, gasping on the smoke rising from the hull. She took a few uncertain steps toward the edge and peered over. Only the tops of buildings could be seen below.
Her Ghost wiggled out of her hand and deftly floated up to a mere inch from her face. "No! Your Light is too weak, Frea! If you don't make that landing then there's no telling how long it'll be before I can revive you." Its voice faltered. "I may not even be able to."
She quietly stared at her Ghost, a sad smile appearing on her lips. "You know I have no choice. It's either stay here when this ship turns into a fireball, or take my chances with a leap of faith." She gave the tiny bot a gentle pat. "Have a little faith, my friend." Frea risked one last glance behind her before she jumped. Wide gashes crept across the ship's hall, tearing the metal open with a hiss. She started to whirl back, prepping for a far leap, but she hesitated...and it cost her. The command ship went up in an enormous explosion. Burning hot wind and debris sailed over the side of the ship, taking the huntress with it.
She wasn't sure how much time passed as she fell. Dazed from the aching in her head, she tried to shake herself awake, which only made her spin wildly through the air.
"Frea!" Her Ghost screamed next to her, barely audible over the howling wind. "You're falling too fast. You've got to jump!"
She tried to, she honestly did, but the Light inside her didn't listen. At last her mind cleared enough that she could open her eyes and saw the ground coming up fast. Close enough now that she could make out the individual street lamps lining the roads. A flash of blue glinted down below and suddenly a large figure collided against her side, changing her momentum instantly. Instead of falling down, she was now flying across the sky, carried by warm arms and the tingle of arc energy dancing over her. She looked up at her savior and saw the horned helmet she could always pick out from a crowd, her fingers buried into his furred mantle with a smile.
The wind rushing past them slowed as Shaxx landed on the roof of a building, his boosters cushioning their fall. Frea felt his chest rise and fall with a relieved breath. His shadow over her moved as he peered down at her.
"Falling from impossible heights seems to be becoming a hobby of yours," he sighed, his tone giving away the slight concern in his voice.
"I distinctly remember having to catch you once," she retorted.
The Titan laughed. "And I'll gladly fall again if that means I'll end up in your arms." Frea jumped up from his grasp, wrapped her arms tight around his neck and he reacted the same. "You did it," he whispered. "It's finally over."
"We all did it. I couldn't have done this alone." She pulled away to look directly into his visor. Her fingertip traced the line between the orange and white painted along the surface. "So, I'm thinking vacation time. You, me, a sparrow, and this little spot I know in the Cosmodrome."
"I think you've earned it," Shaxx happily chuckled.
Part II Epilogue
Frea stood watching the waves gently lap against the shore. The soft breeze she'd come to enjoy at the Farm brought the fresh smell of pine. Inhaling a deep breath of the air, she looked down at the charred cloth in her hands. The remnant of her old cape had taken a beating from last time she hung it up on the memorial. The material nearly crumbled in her fingers and the white no longer had the bright sheen of snow. The gold overlays had diminished from the salt in the sea wind. It was like all life in the cloak had been used up, the hope she once held in it no longer there.
"Hero of the hour and here you are. All by yourself."
She smiled, casting a quick glance to the newcomer at her side. "Kinda tired of parties right now, honestly."
Dex grinned, his eyes glinting with humor. "Where is Frea and what have you done with her?"
Laughing, she playfully punched his arm. "A lot has changed since the Tower fell. Have you seen the new one yet?"
"Briefly. I like it, it's very...cozy."
"Dex. It's twice the size of the old Tower."
"Yeah, but it doesn't have trees in the plaza," he grumbled, crossing his arms over his head. "I used to love climbing those things and dropping apples on people's heads."
"That's probably why they didn't put any," Frea sighed.
They locked eyes and shared a laugh, thinking of memories that seemed so long ago now. Dex's head tilted when he noticed the fabric in her hand.
"What are you going to do with that?" He asked.
She raised it, letting it hang in the light so he could see the burned emblem. "Don't know. I put it up to honor you, but well..." A smirk crossed her lips. "You're not dead."
"A shame. Truly."
Tucking the material into one of her pouches, she nudged the Warlock away from the rocks. "Come on. We've got packing to do"
To be continued in Part III: A Thread Unfurls...