Hollow Deed
I drove down the road, gripping the controls of my spectre tightly as I held back my tears. My feathers almost stuck to my scalp, a few flowing through the wind, my stained shirt wafting in the breeze. Emotions always made me drive fast, luckily roads are rarely busy in this town. That just meant I'd get where I'm going faster, and I wanted nothing more than that.
I soon approached my destination, a square full of vendors and small shops. I've been in this place more times than I could count. Me and him would come here to shop for this week's new list of foreign items, things only these vendors could retrieve from offworld. They were all most definitely stolen, but it was always a fun and interesting experience to have.
Thinking back to all those times we walked through here made my eyes begin to water. I couldn't help it. I turned my head and could see the bench where we shared a lunch after mine was stolen by a homeless ruuhitian. I could see the small fountain where he fell in after tripping on a rock. So many memories here…
I stopped myself and put my hands over my eyes, holding back my tears again. There were too many memories. So many… good moments. We were really something, at least compared to the world we existed on.
Kig-yar aren't generally the type to grow attachments, unless it's for money. I, for a change, was no normal kig-yar in this sense. I made the mistake, it seems, the rest of my kind was too smart to make. To become attached to someone. To be fair we both made that mistake together. A couple of idiots, we really did deserve each other.
Everyone told me it was a mistake, every step of the way. My mother told me attaching myself to a single man is a waste of time, they're only good for doing our bidding and mating, once and done. Any deeper connection was a waste of time, unproductive.
Unproductive or not, I didn't care. I was happy. That's what makes it hurt worse. My heart aches every time I consider what we had a mistake, just because I wish I didn't feel the pain I feel now.
But what really makes me feel the worst is that it wasn't me. I was the daughter of a loveless pirate, a part of a heartless family, another piece of the greedy puzzle. He was anything but. I still have no idea how he ended up how he was, it just seems impossible given how we were raised, but ever since I met him, he was always smiling, kind, understanding, and patient. I've seen a kig-yar almost kill unggoy after two ignorant questions. He would have a full blown conversation with the dumbest unggoy without raising his voice. He was a diamond in the rough, at least from my perspective. To other kig-yar, he was almost alien.
I deserved it, he didn't. He deserved so much better than me, and he deserved much better than what he got. Sometimes I wish we never met so the universe would still have his wonderful smile in it.
But still, he made his choice to love me, and I'll be damned if I let that bastard split-jaw who took him from me walk on this godsforsaken shithole a second longer.
I rested my head against the controls of my spectre, gripping a holo-tablet in my hands. I banged my head against the controls a couple times, growling in frustration and internal pain. A tear streamed down my face for a second before I wiped my eyes and took a breath, raising my head and turning on the holo-tablet.
The same picture was saved on it, the one I've been using to hunt that bastard. It showed him walking away from a roaring fire, his face turned and looking back at the inferno he created. The inferno he started to cover his tracks.
I stared at his face, my grip on the tablet tightening as another tear streamed down my beak. The bastard took him… took everything…
#
I was late. I always seemed to be late when it was worth something to me. Guess I'm not exactly the luckiest kig-yar in the Covenant. Though, sometimes I do think that. Even when I am late, his smile always makes me feel lucky.
I shut the demilitarized spectre off as soon as I was in front of the apartment building, leaping out, my baggage in tow as I leaped up the stairwell. Taking a long stride, I halted in front of my door and unlocked the door, opening it and jumping in with a smile on my beak. I smiled because I knew everytime I'd open this door, I'd see a smile back.
And I did, and like every other time I saw it, it made my insides fuzzy and my smile beam brighter.
"Boss make ya work later again?"
I watched him chuckle at his assumption before he walked up to me and wrapped me in a hug. I hugged him back with a crooning sigh, nuzzling my snout into his neck.
"Yeah, but this time, I got overtime pay."
His eyes brightened as he held me by my sides, stepping back to gaze at me. "Really? See, I told you he'd warm up to you! I bet it won't be long until you get a raise too!"
I chuckled at the thought. My boss was never my biggest fan, and when I first started working for him I swore I'd get fired in under a month. Being the optimist he was, Var told me I was a good worker, it would only take a bit of time for him to like me. As usual up to this point, his optimism turned out to be well placed.
I cackled a bit more. "Maybe. We'll have to wait and see, though. For now, I just want to enjoy my anniversary with you."
He smiled, softly grasping my hand and leading me to the couch. "Then let's get started. I already have your favorite food ready to eat."
My eyes obviously beamed at his words, as his smile widened and he lightly chuckled. That chuckle alone gave me the warm and fuzzies. I followed him with a smile on my beak, seating myself at the table as he presented a plate of my favorite food before me.
I sniffed the delightful aroma, sighing in satisfaction as I turned my gaze to him, my eyes almost fluttering. "I don't deserve you. Any of this. Thank you."
He sat down next to me, wrapping his arm around my waist. He nuzzled my cheek with his beak. "You're welcome, my sweet."
I turn my head to look at him, our beaks rubbing against each other. It wasn't long before they were both open and locked one another, tongues cuddling and licking the opposite.
Despite how many good days I had with him, each one felt like the best day of my life. Now was no different as we held each other close, enjoying each other's taste and presence.
After enjoying my appetizer, I watched him step around the table with a chuckle as I dug into the food he prepared. He simply admired me with the same cute gaze he always had. Sometimes I couldn't help but want to get rutted by him just by seeing it.
It wasn't long until we were on the couch, simply holding each other close, my beak sitting softly on his head as I softly crooned at his touch. It was an embrace I couldn't imagine parting with.
He softly patted my shoulder, making me pull my head away and gaze at him. He softly chuckled, brushing his fingers through my smooth feathers, then said, "Why don't I get us something relaxing to drink, hm?"
I nodded with a sigh, stroking his cheek, "Sounds lovely."
Giving my cheek a lick, he set me on the couch and stood up, walking back and towards the kitchen. I turned my head to watch him, a soft smile on my beak as I did.
Suddenly, the sound of heavy footsteps perked both of our attention. I raised my head to the hall Var was next to, the hall leading to the front door. He looked down at it as well, his feathers raised. I was about to stand up when suddenly a loud crash came from the door.
I gripped my seat as I flew up, but Var quickly turned to me and yelled, "Get down!"
Before I could move, something metal bounced between his feet into open view. Suddenly, I watched as a scarred sangheili gripped Var's neck, and the metal object exploded, blinding and deafening me, sending me crashing backwards into my seat and falling down. The second my head hit the floor, I blacked out.
I awoke with a gasp, grabbing my head as I breathed sharply. I suddenly coughed, almost unable to catch my breath. Once my eyes adjusted again, I realized why. The apartment was on fire.
"Var… Var! Var!"
I called out to him as I weakly crawled across the smoky floor, coughing and tearing up. As I crawled around the couch, I saw him. He was lying on the ground, a puddle of purple blood underneath him, his hand clutching a bloody patch on his chest.
"Var!" I called, crawling towards him.
His head limply turned to me, his teary, almost lifeless eyes gazing at me. I crawled next to him, moving and cuddling his head close to me.
But it was like the moment I touched him, he drew his last breath. His eyes simply gazed without seeing, his blood staining my legs as I cuddled him closer, my tears raining on his body as I broke down.
I held his head close to mine as the flames grew, calling his name out with every choking breath I caught, unwilling to open my eyes and gaze upon him as he was. I could barely register the flames and smoke as I held everything that mattered to me, sobbing his name.
#
The market was crowded, as usual. So many faces, so many beaks and feathers, no one cared about anyone else. It was especially obvious how little anyone here cared as they bumped past me, my ragged appearance not even attracting a glare. This place was too used to ragged scum plithering about, which works to my advantage today at least.
I approached a particular ruuhitian vendor not too far from the fountain. I've spoken to him before, but he had no desire to remember anyone who shops with him. But, I would never call his memory bad. If anything, I'm pretty sure he has photographic memory, at least from the tales he tells to sell his merchandise. While the tales could be fake, he also just loves to gossip about what goes around in town. And as someone who pays attention to the goings in town, it's scary how dead accurate he always is. But that memory also made him the best information broker around.
I moved before his small stand, watching him organize his array of trinkets. Gripping the counter, I chuffed to get his attention. Perking up from his work, his eyes met mine, then he stretched his arms and stood up.
Shuffling to the counter, he leaned on it and said, "Ah, hello! Curious as to some of my new pieces?"
Leaning over some, I coldly said, "Cut the shit, Zah, I know you know me."
Glaring at me more, he said, "Sure, maybe I do. So what?"
"So you know that the apartment complex that I live in was the one that went up in flames."
Sighing, the ruuhitian lowered himself, moving things around, "I do. And I'm sorry your home is destroyed, but that has nothing to do with me…"
He rose, a small pouch for currency in his hands. My eyes immediately locked onto the velvet pouch, it's golden trim mouth held shut by a white lace, one of the lace ends burnt black…
My hand shot forward on its own, grabbing his hand holding onto the pouch. He squawked and shot his head to me, "What the hell!?"
"Where did you get that!?"
He tried pulling his arm away and said, "None of your business lad–"
He yanked him forward, our beaks smacking together as I stared into his eyes, rage painting my face, "Where!?"
We stared at each other for a few more seconds, then he finally relented and said, "Some sangheili gave it to me in trade for something he wanted. The gold is thin, but real, how could I refuse?"
Gripping the pouch, I yanked it out of his hand and yelled, "What did you give him!?"
He raised his hands and said, "Lady, even if I wanted to tell you, I can't! It's…"
I yanked him close by the collar, the edge of my knife suddenly at his throat. I stared into his fear ridden eyes, sure that I looked like nothing more than a filthy psychopath. Not that I cared, as long as it got me what I wanted, to hell with being anything but.
I could hear him swallow, his voice a shaky as his hands as he finally let out some words, "I-I… I'll tell you… b-but you better take care of it… if you know what I mean."
I released him, then asked, "The sangheili had scarring over his left eyes, right?"
Zah nodded his head, swallowing again.
Stabbing my knife into the counter, my throat rumbled lowly, "Then he'll be fucking dead once I catch him, so don't worry yourself."
Nodding, Zah calmed down a bit, then said, "W-well… I was working with a… big time contact. Some organization or other. All I know is that I was a safe in here, so they gave me a data chip to hold on to, for one of their agents. So I did, and a day before your building went into flames, that same sangheili approached me. I had no idea what was on the chip, all I know is that he gave me the code they gave me, and I handed it over."
"And that's all?"
Nervously sweating, he rubbed his hands together and said, "H-he came back, before I even knew the building was on fire. He looked hot, hurt, and in a rush. He told me he needed a communications unit. Anything that was long ranged, now. He through that pouch of money at me, and out of fear I gave him one, then he ran off."
Hiding my knife away, I asked, "Where to?"
Looking around, Zah said, "I don't know for sure, but I know I recognized him. I remember seeing him around an empty port warehouse a lot while I was offloading some goods. I know no one has used that place in a while, and he did run off towards the ports. It's warehouse Z8, near the ship pads."
Turning away, I said, "Thanks…"
"W-wait."
I stopped my movement, turning back to him. He scratched his neck nervously, then said, "H-he was not alone at that warehouse. There were always these sketchy kig-yar walking around it. Some had guns."
Nodding, I said, "Good to know. I'll take care of that murdering piece of shit soon. But if you tell anyone, I'll slit your throat while his blood is still on my blade."
Zah nodded his head in a nervous panic, lowering himself to hide somewhat behind his counter. WIth a huff, I turned and marched off, my hand gripping my knife through my clothes as I bumped back through the crowded market.
#
The port was slow today, lucky me. Made my sneaking around so much easier.
I slipped between crates and shipments, keeping my feathers out of sight of the workers as I held my knife tightly in my right hand.
There it was, the warehouse. Rarely used since it was built so close to the landing pads you couldn't fit large cargo through it's main doors. Not surprised everyone's been too lazy to tear it down.
And like Zah said, as I neared I spotted a sketchy t'vaoan walking the perimeter. They were dressed in light, black armor of some sort. But the weirdest part about them was the pistol held in their hand, against their leg. It was a human pistol.
I tilted my head at the sight, but now I had more to worry about. Sure, plasma weapons were loud, but human weapons were literal explosions. One shot and everyone in the port will go running and panic, including the sangheili slime I was after.
My grip on my knife tightened as I held my beak shut tight, manuevering around the cargo to get closer. The kig-yar turned his head, gazing around for a moment, then raised his pistol and started looking it over.
Using the distraction, I moved closer, readying my knife for a quick strike. If I was accurate and lucky, I'd be able to catch him before he can even make a noise. I know I'm not a killer, but every step I take closer to this place makes my blood boil more and more, knowing I'm closer to the bastard who took everything good away from me. It only furrows my bloodlust.
My eyes narrowed as I watched the kig-yar carefully, waiting for the right moment. He was running his hand across the gun, then he pulled the slide back. A round flew out of the weapon once he did, and I watched his eyes focus on the round suddenly tossed in the air.
In that moment, my body acted faster than my mind could think. Before I knew it I was already on him, his eyes still glued to the round in the air.
My arm lunged forward, my other hand gripping his hand and the slide to stop him from being able to fire. The knife had cut clean through the side of his throat before the round even struck the ground. The only noise that could be heard was the metal hitting the concrete and the gurgling and choking of the kig-yar.
I yanked my blade away, letting the blood pour faster. Pulling the gun from his hand I knocked his body onto the ground, then tossed the gun away from him and walked past, not even paying the dying man a glance.
The whole movement felt so natural, but I've never done something like that in my life. I wanted to look back at the body, to know what I did, to feel the guilt, but I kept pushing instead. I couldn't stop now. I was so close, my Var deserved to rest in peace.
I slowly crept around the warehouse building, peeking around the corner to the entrance. Standing next to it was another t'vaoan in dark black and red armor, leaning against the building. They had a helmet on their head, but it was tilted downward on their face.
He's sleeping.
I grinned to myself, my eyes narrowing as I stared down the kig-yar. The sight of such an easy target fogged my thoughts, my body again being taken over by instincts I didn't know I had.
Lunging forward, my past whizzed right past the kig-yar, my knife slicing across his throat with ease. His body fell forward, purple blood spurting out of his throat as he gasped fruitlessly.
I quickly kicked him across the head as well before slipping into the warehouse, immediately bolting behind some racks of light cargo. The moment I was inside, I could hear a ghastly voice speaking, cursing. There was only one species I knew that could sound like that.
Creeping behind the storage racks, I poked my head around it to see inot the center of the warehouse. Standing in the middle of the empty warehouse was a small group, three ruuhitians carrying shields and plasma pistols, an armored ruuhitian skirmisher with a needler on her hip, and behind them all was him.
My claws dragged against the racks I held onto as I grit my beak, suppressing any noise I would make to give me away.
The sangheili was holding the communications unit he had bought from Vah, and was obviously having trouble turning it on as he cursed and fiddled with it.
Finally he roared and turned to the ruuhitian skirmisher, "Turn this thing, kig-yar! I must speak with Termerus!"
Releasing a soft squawk of annoyance, the skirmisher took the device and activated it, tapping at it for a second before handing it back. Yanking it from the skirmisher, the sangheili huffed and took a few steps away, waiting.
Suddenly, the holographic display of a brute popped up from it.
I was bewildered at the sight. What kind of sangheili would contact one of them? Last she checked those two kinds hated each other's guts.
The sangheili bowed his head at the brute, confusing me even more, then said, "Temerus, I went to the coordinates I was ordered. I ransacked the building and walls best I could, but the artifact wasn't there."
Chuffing at the sangheili, the brute crossed his arms and said, "You were dishonored in the war against the humans, Jorlun, and despite everything, I gave you a place amongst The Banished. And now, you have the audacity to contact me, only to say you failed?"
"But Temerus, the information you gave me was wrong. There was nothing in that building worth anyone's attention!"
My claws dug further into the metal rack at that claim, a quiet growl escaping my throat as my eyes narrowed. I've heard of The Banished before, but I honestly thought they were gone. It's been a while since I last heard about them.
Pointing at him, Temerus growled and said, "You test my patience, Jorlun. You've been nothing but a coward since Rtas and his forces saved you from human capture. I understand you are no longer the warrior you once were, but I still expect results from you! I am questioning your worth to us."
"I can still fight! The kig-yar I killed in the building was–"
"You what?"
Jorlun paused for a moment, then explained, "When I broke into the building, I was greeted by a kig-yar. He knew how to fight, but I killed him! I defeated him, then ravaged the building looking for what you wanted! But I found nothing! So I set it aflame, to burn any evidence of my doing! No one can trace it back to me, or us."
The brute growled, but instead of yelling, he spoke in a low voice and said, "You are an idiot. You say you burnt the building down to hide your evidence, but that in of itself is evidence. You are supposed to be an agent, not an arsenist. And killing a civilian kig-yar is nothing to brag about. You better be right about no one being able to track it back to us."
Jorlun nodded, then gestured to the kig-yar around him and asked, "What would you like us to do now?"
Huffing, Temerus said, "Keep searching, subtly. If it was truly not in that building itself, it must be close. As for your kig-yar subordinates…"
All four of the kig-yar turned their attention to the brute, and in that moment, I released the rack, tightened my grip on my knife, and my mind fogged as my body flew forward in a blurr of instinctive action.
My legs bound me forwards towards the first ruuhitian in under a second, my hand turning my knife backwards and swiping forward. It sliced through it's throat with ease, my body fluidly bounding to the next one and plunging my blade deep into it's neck before a sound was made.
The ease of the blood cutting through flesh satisfied my mind, making me hunger to continue. With each kill I was closer to killing him, killing the reason I had nothing left to leave for, finally granting Var peace in his death.
The kig-yar and Jorlun turned to me in surprise as I cut through the second one, making me cry out a bloodlusting crawt as I bounded towards the next target.
The ruuhitian raised his shield to block my knife, but I simply swung my whole body around his shield and cut down his arm. He cried out a squawk of pain as I gripped his arm and slit his throat. Once I had, the ruuhitian skirmisher grabbed her needler and fired away at me.
Raising the dying ruuhitian's shield by his arm, I cried out as it blocked the needles before tossing it aside and throwing my knife. It struck the skirmisher's weapon, knocking it out of her hand. She yelled in surprise as it did, jolting back.
I lunged at her and tackled her to the ground, plunging my claws into her throat without hesitation as he bashed her head against the concrete. The skirmisher attempted to strike me, but her strength was already ebbing.
Reaching away, I grabbed my knife from the ground and gripped it, bringin it up and stabbing down on her throat. More blood poured out of her wound and beak, the skirmisher coughing.
I didn't get the chance to breathe, however, as a fist slammed into my side, sending my spiraling away. I was able to get my feet under me and stop my roll, crouching low and facing forward to see the sangheili, Jorlun, glaring me down. He had put his com unit down, and the brute was still live, simply watching it unfold.
Roaring at her, Jorlun stepped forward and cried out, "You dare attack me! I was once a great warrior! I've slaughtered thousands in the field of battle!"
I felt like I wanted to yell something, to swear at him, to say all the worst things I could possibly come up with. But even before I could debate it, I simply let out a blood curdling screech as my body raced forward at him, my eyes zeroed in on the bastard who ruined my life.
Jorlun grunted as he backed away, trying to escape my lunge. My knife cut through his arm, making him cry out and swat at me with his other. I let go of my knife and ducked under the swat, then jumped back up and yanked my knife out of his arm, cutting him across the chest before leaped over him as he tried to strike me again.
I landed behind him with a small stumble, then spun around, driving my knife forwards. I was far faster than the old split-lip, my knife cutting right into his back, making him roar and spin around, making me slide my knife out and jump away from his arms.
Jorlun was tiring quick, his hand grabbing a hold of his back as he muttered curses. He looked like he was about to say some more to me, but I didn't care, my body running forward at him again.
He tried to swipe at me, but I simply ducked under him, stabbing deep into his side and listening to him howl. I never felt more satisfied in my life than hearing that scream. I twisted the blade before violently yanking it out and slicing upwards.
My knife's tip cut up his chest and throat, drawing away as he clutched his neck and backed up. For a moment it looked like he was about to turn and run. Not willing to let that happen, my body launched forward, landing a kick square into his bleeding chest.
Jorlun flew backwards, with a loud grunt, landing on his back. Blood ran through the fingers he clutched his throat with, but before he could rise, I landed directly over him. Knife raised in the air as my beak was wide open, I cried out in anguish as I brouhg the knife down as violently as possible, my eyes almost pulsing to watch the sangheili die.
He shoved his arms and hands in the way helplessly, trying to beg like the coward he was, but my ears heard nothing but my own yells. I brought my knife up and slashed it downward over and over again, puncturing his throat at every inch possible, his purple blood painting the blade and end of my beak. I didn't care about the mess on me, my eyes quaked in bliss as I tore him apart.
I kept stabbing and slashing for so long there wasn't any blood left run, and barely any throat left to cut. I raised the knife once again, but this time I didn't bring it down, my eyes transfixed to the sangheili's lifeless ones.
His mandibles lay flared out, lifeless, blood leaking from his mouth. Var's murderer was dead. I did it.
My blade fell to the ground as I weakly stood up above the corpse, a stream of tears flowing from my eyes as I gazed down at the body.
Gripping my eyes, I threw my head back in anguish to scream, "Var!"
I stumbled forward, almost no more strength in my body and let myself sob. It was over, there was nothing left for me. I didn't care how helpless and weak I looked, I cried my heart out for him.
It felt like I was there for hours, but I did eventually calm a bit, my tears fading as my sobbing quieted. After everything that's happened, I felt…
"So… I see the great Jorlun has been felled by a simple kig-yar."
I shot my head up to face the voice. It was the brute, still connected, and he just watched everything, silently, until now.
Crossing his arms, the brute continued, "By the look of things… that seemed personal."
Growling, she said, "He… he killed my mate. Var was… my everything…"
"Have you killed before?"
She shook her head, then pointed at him with a growl and said, "If it wasn't for you, he wouldn't have died! This piece of shit was just an agent!"
Sighing, Temerus said, "I did not tell him to kill anyone. I wanted him to do the opposite. The less attention we bring to ourselves the better, until we are ready. To be honest, you just did me a favor there."
"Shove it, monkey."
Temerus chuckled at my comment, making me raise my head towards the hologram. He then gestured to me and said, "You just fought through a squad of professionals, and killed Jorlun. While he wasn't in his prime by an margine, he was still a sangheili with training in his blood, and you work quickly on your feet."
"Why are you talking to me at all? I killed your men."
"What you did is prove yourself to me, as worthwhile. And yes, I did just lose some men, and right now I'm presented with a chance of making their deaths somewhat worthwhile."
I stayed silent, staring at the hologram. I knew exactly what he was suggesting, but it made no sense to me. He just saw me crying, weak, vulnerable, yet he wants to recruit me? Is this what The Banished is like?
"I want you to join us. If this Var was your everything, and with him gone, and his murderer dead, you need purpose. I can give you purpose. The Banished can be your purpose."
I stared down at the ground for a while, thinking, then looked back and asked, "And if I agree?"
"Then I'll send someone to retrieve you at this port. After all this, I would not be surprised if you wanted to be far away from here."
I gazed at my hands, painted in purple blood. He wasn't wrong, what else did I have left? Running back to my family wasn't a choice, they were nothing to me, and I was nothing to them.
I didn't know if there was any point to having a future without Var, but I wouldn't just curl up and die. He wouldn't want that for me… he'd want me to move on.
Sniffling, I rose and rubbed my beak, then sighed. I leveled my eyes with the hologram's and nodded my head.
I watched a smile spread across the brute's face. It was unsettling, but it was still more welcoming than whatever empty life would've awaited me if I refused.
I just hope I can find some peace myself.
Hi. Fancy seeing you here. I made this a long ass time ago, and it only just occurred to me I could just post it as a short story for hopefully someone else to enjoy. Originally, I had more planned out to continue this story, but my hands are already extremely full in a lot of aspects of my life, especially in terms of my stories. I don't need to add more. So, I hope you enjoyed this... thing. It was inspired by a random video I saw on the internet, but it was so long ago since I saw the video and wrote this that I honestly can't remember. But I, personally, like this, so I'd love to hear feedback on it. Thank you for reading, and have a good day or night.