Hello, I am back. And I guess that we will just continue where we left off. So here it is Chapter 3.
But anyway, as usual everything except this particular story and my characters belong to me, and everything else belongs to their respective owners.
13 years ago
The Last City was seen by many to be the last bastion of Hope for the denizens that called the Krein system home, foreigners though saw it as a place of opportunity whether they are there for good intentions or not. But X sees it differently, he has always seen things differently from everyone else.
He sees the Last City is a place where people dream too big and are naïve to the happenings that go on in the city. He especially dislikes the naivety of the Lightborn, though he is capable of understanding things from their perspective. Afterall, he has seen that the educational program that they are given lacks the basics for what goes on within the city, from politics to how citizens usually view Guardians. But they are not the only people that X sees as naïve, he also views most Gravewalkers like Allen and some of his teammates to be unable to understand things like the Consensus, the factions, and what can happen within the walls of the city as well as outside. X had respect for Allen and a few of his teammates, but knew that if they truly wished to be the heroes that they sought to become, then they had a long way to go in terms of understanding that not every situation can be solved with swords and guns.
X though also knew that because of Fireteam Volum's views on what is truly the threat that needs to be dealt with, it meant that he would be the one who would keep the inside of the city safe from monsters that walk in the streets and wear smiles on their faces to hide their true intent.
X had done this sort of thing before, but after…...the incident, he went through a sort of depression and only came back to the city to get groceries. He mostly though usually got alcohol to help him get through it, even though Dex told him to not drink the whole time and had made several attempts to get him out of his stupor. Which he did eventually, but then went to do research on the Hive so as to at least be able to feel some peace after killing Crota. He didn't though, and he doubt that he would ever be able to recover from his depression.
But he has been making efforts to get himself back to his old ways of helping where he can without people noticing, like when he aided in the eventual capture of Skolas in the Prison of Elders, which then led to Skolas being executed not that long ago after Skolas attempted a riot. After that was settled, X returned to the Last City after speaking with Petra Venj whom he saw as also needing to step it up if she was to truly fill the role of Sjur Eido's replacement as the Queen's Wrath.
X had been observing the streets for a while in one of the districts within the city, which he had noticed had a somewhat higher crime rate than most of the districts, but nothing too big that would warrant the Vanguard's attention. Which was in X's opinion an oversight when it came to those that made dealings with one of the exiled factions of the city. He then noticed something odd happening, for there were several civilians going somewhere quickly which led to the street becoming empty.
This led X to investigate, which meant that he needed a ground level view of the situation. And when he got to the ground, he then went in the direction that the people went. Once he got to what he supposed was the destination, he noticed something that wasn't a good sign and that was a large crowd that had formed around something.
X could guess many reasons for it, though by the sounds of it, he concluded that it was an angry mob and felt like he should get a better view to see what was going on. But then a gunshot was heard along with a scream, which prompted X to force his way through the crowd all the while getting some looks from people that were either frightened or a bit angry.
Once X finally got into the middle of the space where the crowd was perfectly surrounding a wall like as if they had formed a bubble, he noticed at three things. One: there were three guardians, a Warlock, Titan, and Hunter. Second: there was a dead body of an Awoken woman, and from what X could understand the hunter was the one that shot her. And third: there was a small form that was desperately shielding itself all the while looking at the guardians with a look of terror.
The whole scene…...made X very, very loathsome. For what the Hunter was aiming his gun at, was merely an Eliksni child, it made X so loathsome that he pulled out his own custom made handcannon, Nevermore's Toll, and fired it straight into the head of the hunter instantly killing him. The entire crowd, including the remaining Guardians, were shocked by the display.
So shocked in fact, that X was able to walkover to the little Eliksni without any resistance. Though he made sure not to disturb the corpse of the Awoken woman, which was laying in front of the Eliksni child. He then crouched in front of the little one, and whispered, "Can you do me a favor kid?"
The Eliksni child nodded without hesitation.
"Ok, then I want you to close your eyes, and cover your ears. Can you do that for me?", said X, who didn't need a response for the little one did what it was told.
X then got up and was about to do some clean up, when the warlock realized something about him calling him, the Devil from the Woods. It was then that the crowd was starting to get a bit scared but because there were still two Guardians left, they weren't terrified, at least not yet.
"You know, I always thought that Alteans would do peace first before anything else. Guess I was wrong?", said X in a deep gruff voice.
"Why should you talk about peace when you're the one defending a monster after killing our teammate!", said the Altean Titan.
"Monster, eh? How blind and dense can you people get, to not know the difference between a child from a monster?"
"There all better off dead, consider it Justice for all the lives they have taken. These things are monsters no matter what form they take, and deserve to be sentenced to death.", said the Human Warlock.
"And what of the woman? What did she do?"
"She's a traitor, for defending that thing. Our buddy here told her to make a choice, she just chose the wrong one."
This was practically the largest reason why X hated the idealism of modern guardians. He saw it all as being so ridiculous that he started to chuckle.
"What's so funny?!"
"You really think that you and your pals here are heroes don't you."
"Yeah, we do. Do you think that we will just stand by while monsters lurk in the city?"
"If that is so, then you've hit the jackpot."
This caused confusion among the two guardians.
"What do you mean?"
X then sighed and motioned for his handcanon, though the Warlock noticed then tried to use his magic, only to fall backwards with a dagger lodged into the front of his skull right between the eyes.
The Altean Titan then looked at his partner, and then back at X, who had his arm stretched out indicating he through the dagger.
"You know what I really hate, I really hate it when Guardians think themselves to be heroes and can do no wrong. They don't even realize just how monstrous they can be and that includes everyone in this city, not just Guardians."
"You think that the Vanguard will let this slide?!", said the Altean Titan who was now getting nervous at the situation.
"You think I answer to them. Kid, I've been around for longer than the Vanguard was founded."
X then decided to go check on the little one, which led the Titan to strike against him with an Arc punch only for him to miss and have X grab his arm and bend his elbow the wrong way so hard that the bone could be seen, and his forearm was just hanging there by a few strands of muscle. X then walked up to the Titan and grabbed his chestplate, in order for the Titan to see X eye to eye. X then did what no one expected, he headbutt the Titan so hard that the ground collapsed underneath him, the Altean Titan then had his helmet put on, but that didn't stop X from rapidly Headbutting the Guardian some more. And then X unleashed on final blow that he learned from watching Saint-14 himself, and caved in the Titans head completely in. Blood then being to spasm out as well as leak from the Titan's body, and X noticed that everyone was still watching the whole thing.
And they were terrified by the display of what just happened, they had practically frozen and waited for what would happen next as if they were being stared down by a predator, and they were the prey.
X though wasn't going to have it, and so noticed some faces in the crowd that he recognized to be criminals and proceeded to kill them, which in turn led the crowd into a frenzy of panic and dispersing. He though needed to make sure that they actually left and so gave them a bestial roar that they would remember for the rest of their days. But some still persisted to stay in X's line of sight and so grabbed another criminal and proceeded to tear them in half, the sight of which made the last remnants of the mob to scatter far from X.
He dropped the two halves of the criminal and then proceeded to walk over to the little one, who had apparently crawled over to the dead Awoken and started to try to rouse her. X could tell that the little one didn't realize that she was dead, but he started to wonder why…
'Oh no, the Awoken was her…...', said Dex, whose thoughts X could only hear at the moment.
X then crouched a few feet away from the Eliksni and what X figured to be the child's mother. But the Eliksni looked at X and had tears forming in her eyes, she was practically pleading for X to help the Awoken.
"I'm…...I'm sorry kid. But there isn't anything I can do for her. Lightbearers can't bring back the dead, we can only change our own fate as well as the fate of those who still live. This is…beyond my capabilities."
That was not an answer the Eliksni girl wanted, which led her to broke down crying. X then tried to comfort the young one, which led the Eliksni into running into him sobbing. X then picked her up and embraced her in his arms, even if he was a bit surprised by it at first.
"Ssshh, ssshhh. It's ok. It's ok, little one. The monsters are gone, and I promise that as long as you remain by my side, I will not let anyone or anything harm you."
This only helped a little bit, but at least she was no longer crying a river. X then had Dex summon his Burnout Sparrow, or as Karrae called it, the Ghostcycle, because of its similarity with a motorcycle that Allen and his team saw in an old earth movie that had something to do with a ghost that could ride a bike.
X put the young one on the sparrow, and then said, "What's your name, little one?"
The Eliksni hesitated for a bit, but then said, "A-Alex, Alex Wolfborn."
"Alex, huh. That is a beautiful name.", said X, who noticed that by the sounds of the it, Alex was probably 4 years old. Though he noticed some other things that were different about her, she had four fingers on each hand if you would count the Eliksni's version of a thumb. And her face wasn't exactly like the ones he encountered, for instance, her head looked less like an arachnid though she would still pass for a regular Eliksni, but he would need to know the full heritage in order to understand. But the fact that she wasn't wearing a rebreather was definitely something in itself.
X then motioned to get on the sparrow, but he was stopped by Alex who said, "Don't leave mommy behind!"
X then looked at Alex and then back at the Awoken, and Alex confirmed his and Dex's assumptions. X then proceeded to walk to the Awoken and used his cloak to wrap the body, he would then put it on the front of the sparrow and tied it up with some chains he found, all the while making sure it didn't touch the solar flames.
He then went to Alex and said, "No one gets left behind, no matter what. We'll give her a proper burial at my place, that is unless you have family somewhere else."
Alex shook her head, which indicated that either Alex was not aware of any other members of her family, or that Alex and her mother were the only ones left of it.
"Alright then.", said X, who then had Dex bring out one of his spare cloaks, and fashioned it into a sort of carrier for Alex. He then placed her into it, and told her to hold on to him, as well as to keep herself out of sight.
They then went to his house at Darkwood Mountain, where they buried Alex's mother next to another grave that had been made for someone else that had been lost. And though Allen wouldn't know the full details, X told him that he didn't want to be around anyone at this point and time, at least until he can figure everything out. Allen though would want to know why, but X told him that what happened just brought back some bad memories of his life before the Iron Lords, and before most things. Allen didn't persist and once he was ready X told him what happened, and then showed Allen to a sleeping Alex, and gave the full details on her situation. As well as what he found out about her full heritage from looking into Alex's mother, an Awoken who was actually her biological mother. But what brought Allen to a halt was when X told him about her father, which left Allen wondering what would happen if people like the Awoken would learn about this. X would respond that anyone that dares to harm her will end up like the guardians that committed the deed and came to his home for revenge, he would show them just how much of a monster he can really be.
Present day
It had been a while since he last saw Glitchy, whom he actually saved back when the SIVA Crisis was a thing. He asked that Allen and a few of his teammates help him with it, though it was more of an act of helping his old friend Saladin Forge. Though Allen thought it not exactly something that his teammates would want to do, X was insistent which led to at least a few of them helping. After that, X made them honorary Iron Lords. But Aylin almost killed one of the devil splicers, though was stopped by X who said that this one can be let go, which caused Saladin to question his old friend for a moment but then was convinced that this one was different seeing as it came to them unarmed. Mara though still threw it at a rock, which caused something strange to happen to it. Which led her to get a scolding from X, which she learned the hard way that X is not someone you want to be scolded by. X found her to be someone who needs to start learning to treat others well, else it could bite back at her in the future.
Though X knew that he would need explain it all before they get to the House Progress Ketch: Splicership Menkis-Syn, which used to belong to the Devil Splicers. In the meantime, though, he was training Twilight in how to be able to, in a sense, control her Light. X saw that while the kids back in the last city were trained in Light control, they did not truly understand what the Light is.
X would rectify this by teaching Twilight, what he was taught during his early days of his resurrection. Though Twilight was having some difficulty, he knew that she would get the hang of it soon. X though would repeat what he would tell her every time she failed, so as to giver her both understanding and a way to be able to channel the Light that is within her and the Light that was given to her by means of resurrection.
"Twilight, listen to my voice. Block all other noises, and focus only on my voice."
Twilight would do so, though at times she couldn't tell if she was actually focused on hearing his voice.
"The Light is within all things, in all places. It is a force that no mortal can control, it can only be guided into taking shape. It cannot be taken for doing so would lead to it transforming into an impure substance, that can neither be given shape nor be given form. It exists not within your body but within your soul, it is apart of you just as you are a part of it."
Twilight wondered what X was talking about exactly, but it didn't matter for now she was starting to feel something.
"Raise your hands, and bring them close to each other in front of you."
Twilight did was she was told.
"Now, focus on the shape that you wish to guide the Light into taking the form of."
X saw that Twilight had repeated the same shape that she had done the last few times, she had chosen to have the Light take the form of a sphere.
"Good, now hold the form. Let the Light know that this is the shape that it will remain in until you decide otherwise. For though it cannot be controlled by mortals, our kind is able to harness it in a way that many would only dream of. But even so, we are not the source of our Light, it is a gift given to us by the Traveler through our Ghosts. Without our Ghosts, we are Lightless, though that doesn't mean that the Light is gone, for all living things have a small bit of Light. This is what scholars call, the spark of Life. But in truth, this is a fraction of the paracausal energy that allows everything to live in a matter that cannot be defined by normal means."
Twilight was getting used to the form that she had her light take, but she started to feel like she was losing control again and focused more on having the Light remain in the shape that she guided it into becoming.
"Keep focusing, but do not force it into remaining in its shape. It is not something that can be forced, it can only be made into understanding it. Let your heart guide it back into its shape. The Light is beyond the knowledge of the mind, for it defies both reality and time. It cannot be replicated by any means; it is incapable of being given physical form by normal means. It cannot be given physical form by the means of mortal understanding. It is an existence in and of itself, from which reality itself is shaped by it. Reality would collapse in on itself if it would be removed from it. For if there is Light, then there must be Darkness. But just as there must be Darkness, so to must there be Light."
Twilight was struggling to keep it in the shape of a sphere, even though she tried to use her heart to guide it. But she still couldn't understand what that meant. Which led the Light Sphere into popping right in front of her.
"Uuuugggghhhhh!", said Twilight who then laid-back on the ground while sitting cross-legged.
"Alright then, I guess that is our cue to take a break.", said X who was standing up after sitting cross-legged for the last three hours.
Twilight though shot back up saying, "NO! I've got it this time; we'll do it again."
"You said that the last time we did this. And the time before that. And the time before that. Oh, and the time before that. Just accept that you're not ready for this, at least not yet."
"But I can do it, just give me one more chance."
"What you first need to learn, Twilight. Is patience. You can't brute force your way into these things. Patience will allow you to be able to understand what is causing you to fail at this task, it will also allow you to be able to understand how to solve other things that you will encounter in the future."
Twilight was starting to doubt that is the case, cause for some reason she felt like brute force was the answer.
"Look, Twilight, I am probably the best example of someone who has learned that through patience; things can be seen differently, which can allow you to solve problems easier."
X could tell that it didn't satisfy Twilight, but he did need to do other things with her like for instance, she needed to learn more about at least part of the universe that X knows about.
"Besides, I need to teach you about House Progress, so as to at least get you to be familiar with it. Plus, it would also give you an idea of how they will give you sight."
Twilight perked up at this, for she was excited about the possibility of being able to see everything with her own eyes. Though she then noticed that X was grabbing her waist via his tail.
"You don't have to keep doing this, I have a handle on where to go. And don't need you to carry me everywhere."
"Just because you are able to navigate without falling doesn't mean that you know where I will go. For if you hadn't noticed my footsteps are quiet, even to your ears."
X had a point, though Twilight was starting to not like having to travel through the ship like this whenever she was doing something with X. Luckily though for her, X was aware of that and helped her up and then proceeded to let his tail remain wrapped around her, though she would be walking on her own. But would be able to know which direction X was going now.
They then went to the living quarters, or as most would call it the living room, where Twilight sat on the couch while X was sitting in a chair. He then began to tell Twilight the history of House Progress, as well as his own relationship with it.
"The House of Progress is an Eliksni House or clan, that was formed not that long ago. In fact, it was formed not long after the SIVA Crisis, which was an event where a group of Eliksni called the Devil Splicers got their hands on SIVA which transformed them into cyborgs. Glitchy used to be among them, but some disagreements led him and a few others into exile from the other splicers. He sought to end the madness that had engulfed his fellow Eliksni for while the SIVA did make them powerful, he felt like someone else was at the wheel. Though of course by the time he got to the Iron Temple, me and a few friends of mine had stopped the source of the SIVA crisis. But I'll be honest convincing them was difficult, though in the end I essentially promised that they would get any SIVA made weaponry that we end up finding."
"What's SIVA?"
"SIVA is a form of Golden Age technology that would allow for the rapid construction of buildings to allow colonization of planets to be done quicker and easier. Though to be more specific SIVA is essentially self-replicating nanotechnology, and in the wrong hands, it can be used for a far deadlier purpose. My friend ended up learning just how dangerous the situation was when he witnessed the SIVA possessed Iron Lords. But even so, they had to be put down and the SIVA had been mostly destroyed by the end of it all."
Twilight didn't understand what X meant by possessed, but from what he described the Devil Splicers being cyborgs. It caused a chill to run down her spine. She didn't want to encounter anything that was possessed by the SIVA for she felt like it would be a horrifying display of technology mixed with the flesh of organic beings.
"Now where was I? Ah, yes, my first encounter with Glitchy. Though in all honesty his real name is Gliksis the Glitched. A title that he did not intentionally get by his own accord, in fact, that has to do with the fact that he was thrown at a rock after I told Mara not to kill him. He has non-Eliksni call him Glitchy because he is aware that the Eliksni's form of naming can be confusing for the common language to discern. An example can be found in an Eliksni that I know had been living with the Awoken that went by the Eliksni pronunciation of Misraaks, but people would pronounce his name as Mithrax. Which reminds me, I wonder what he's doing now after leaving the Reef and joining the House of Dusk."
X was aware that Mithrax is still alive, after all, Allen told him that he encountered a Fallen/Eliksni captain that went by the name of Mithrax, the Forsaken, which was fighting a Hive Knight for an engine within the facility which is known as the New Pacific Arcology. Though he wondered where Mithrax went to after the end of the Red War, which happened not that long ago. In fact, the Red War only lasted four years, but mostly because the Guardians decided to free Abrar the Balmera from Red Legion control. A feat that was not easily done without some help from Glitchy, though no one was aware that X brought Glitchy and his House to free Abrar from the Cabal.
"Anyway, Glitchy gathered the other like-minded Devil Splicers and got recruits from remnants of other Houses or those that just sought to have a more peaceful existence. For the House of Progress was founded on the ideals of creating and improving technology for the betterment of all. Glitchy though primarily is experimenting and tinkering with SIVA in order to see if it can be capable of doing more than just creation and destruction. He also hopes that he might be able to use it for healing those with injuries or disabilities much like yourself. But I'll be honest with you, I am not sure how he will be able to do so with someone like you."
Twilight was a bit concerned after hearing about the SIVA, but if X trusted this friend of his, then she will trust his judgement. Though there was something that was bothering her.
"If they are a peaceful House of Eliksni, then why are they all the way out here or at least far from where you live?"
X then gave a sigh and said, "The reason why they are no longer close to the Krein system is because of how Eliksni are generally viewed in it, that also goes for the Reef as well, but that is located in the Sol System. Point is that, there is a lot of prejudices toward the Eliksni, which either is in the form of open hostility or just giving them glares. For those that live in the Krein system are raised into believing that the Eliksni are all monsters and so will use them to frighten children who misbehave. But to say that everyone actually believes this is not true, though unfortunately they are the minority when it comes to everyone's overall opinion of them. And though the Eliksni had a better life in the Reef and by extension the Tangled Shore, after the Wolf Rebellion as well as before that during the Reef Wars, Awoken have developed Xenophobia and will either ignore Eliksni to the point of shunning them or will arrest them on sight should they be doing anything from trying to get a decent price to actually be given decent living conditions within the Reefborn colonial towns, those that end up being more of a problem are sent to the Prison of Elders for 'rehabilitation'. In truth, they just stay in the prison for until the Awoken believe that they have learned their lesson, which to be honest, I haven't seen any Eliksni coming out of there unless they were traded over to spend time in another prison."
Twilight felt sorry for the Eliksni. For she felt like it wasn't right to act that way toward them, which only made her wonder why they were being treated that way. For at least the rest of the Krein system because the Reef Wars, and Wolf Rebellion sounded like it only affected the Awoken, which in turn gave her clarity on why the Awoken treat them that way. But she didn't understand why people raised in the Krein system would think of the Eliksni as monsters.
"Are the Eliksni always treated that way in the Reef? And why does everyone think that Eliksni are monsters in the Krein system?"
"To answer your first question, no, no they are not. But that has to do with the fact that the only major House that lives near the Eliksni nowadays in terms of actual population is the House of Spider, which is better known as the Spider's Crime Syndicate, and the other House, the House of Judgement, isn't really large for it only has one member left in it, Variks the Loyal. Luckily though he is treated well, for he is currently leading the Crows with the disappearance of Uldren Sov, and is the Warden of the Prison of Elders. As for your second question…the reason for it is because there is bad blood between the Last City and the Eliksni or as they refer to them as the Fallen. Though, it has to do with the fact that the remaining Eliksni Houses have always been hostile towards citizens of the Last City. But to be clear, I don't blame them for what they believe. They can believe what they want, but if they use that as an excuse to harm those that have nothing to do with anything, then that is where they have crossed the line."
From the sound of things, Twilight could tell that X had witnessed such events. And that he also sees things for not what they were, but what they are. Though he mentioned a crime syndicate, which prompted her to ask, "This House of Spider, why do the Awoken allow a crime syndicate in their territory or to at least live with them?"
"Well, truth is, the House of Spider doesn't live with the Awoken or at least, those who are members of it at least can live with the Awoken. But overall, the Eliksni prefer to live in the Spider's territory. As for why the Awoken don't do anything about them, mostly has to do with that pompous Queen Mara Sov making a deal with the Spider to turn a blind eye to his businesses during the Taken War in exchange for him keeping the Watchtower safe. Plus, he is the only person that is keeping the Tangled Shore, and by extension the Awoken Colonies within it, from falling into chaos. Though Petra had to make a formal treaty after the Taken War, which lead to the Spider's business endeavors to not be involved with the Reef, but he can remain to do business with the Awoken through those colonies in the Tangled Shore."
"This Spider person must be pretty powerful if a queen is allowing him to remain in control of the Tangled Shore."
"Well, Queen Mara Sov is missing, though is presumed dead. But Petra is doing her best to keep order in the Reef. Even though, she could ask for aid through the Guardians, but much like every other Awoken in the Reef, her pride won't allow her to do so, that and she refuses to do anything that her Queen would refuse to do. Cayde even sought to bring the Awoken citizenry to come to the Last City or to at least be sent to Earth, in order for them to be safe. He even brought Zavala with him in order to make the proposal official, but in the end, her fanaticism with Mara Sov didn't allow her to do so. She frankly believes that everything that they do is by the design of Mara Sov and so, will continue her work. How Allen and his son were able to be friends with that cult will be beyond my understanding, but I will admit; I was able to make a friend or in some cases a rival out of Sjur Eido, too bad though she was the only person I knew among the Reefborn Awoken to have been more flexible in her views and able to understand a time and place where keeping your pride was necessary."
X then started to drift back into his memories of the first time he met Sjur Eido, but was then brought back to reality by the sound of a door opening and found that Sparky had finally found them, though she was not sure if she could.
"You really need to have those doors in the Ghost Hallway to be labeled!", said Sparky, who was a bit frustrated to be unable to navigate her way through it.
"They are labeled.", said X.
"Oh…...well, I couldn't see them."
"You weren't paying attention, were you?", said Twilight.
"…Maybe."
"What do you want Sparky?", said X, who wanted to know why Sparky was here.
"Well, I was thinking about having you answer some questions that have been nagging me and well- "
"Spit it out."
"Ok. Are you a Quokyaki?"
"No."
"What about an Alasian?"
"No."
"Are you a hybrid of the two?"
"No."
"Then what are you?"
"Classified."
"On whose authority?"
"Mine."
Sparky then went to Twilight all the while grumbling that X was no fun or something like that. Though she did end up remembering why she was actually there.
"Oh, I remember now. Dex told me that we've reached the Ketch of House Progress."
"Probably should've said that before the questions, Sparky.", said an unamused Twilight.
"Not you too, Twilight!", shouted Sparky.
Once the Ketch got close enough to X's ship, a boarding tube was extended so as to allow travel between the two ships to be easier. X then went first through it, followed by Twilight who was being held by X's tail. There Ghosts disappeared, though mostly because Sparky was nervous to enter an Eliksni Ketch.
Stepping inside the Ketch, X always felt like he was entering a lab when it came to the House of Progress and as he thought of this Dex said,'I'll never get used to the inside of this Ketch, though considering House Progress is entirely made up of Splicers, it makes sense that the inside would look different.'
The reason for this line of thought was because the Ketch had several scores of mechanical parts lying around along with other forms of technology hanging from the parts of the ceiling. Though X told Twilight to stay close because of the number of Shanks that were in the air grabbing said parts and technology, which didn't give X much to think on where they were delivering them to. But he did pause to look at the hallways made for Shanks, which reminded him of the time, Glitchy was helping him in the construction of the ship that X was currently using.
Speaking of Glitchy, they made it to the main room where lots of Eliksni were working on their many projects. From robots to vehicles or to even new forms of weaponry and technology that has an everyday use in the houses of everyday people. And walking right up to them was Glitchy, or as many like to refer to him as the Archon-Kell of House Progress. Glitchy though didn't exactly think of himself as that, but Glitchy understood why people would assume it.
"Velask, friend Phantom, it is nice to see-see-see-see-see-see-see-see *bonk* see you.", said Glitchy, who had to hit his head every time he started to glitch in order to finish his sentences.
'So that's why he's called Glitchy', thought Twilight, though she then noticed something, "Wait, why did he call you Phantom?"
"I'll explain later.", said X, who didn't want to get into the details at the moment, "Velask, Glitchy. Your English is getting better."
"I have been studying the book that you gave me, last time we spoke. Keeps me occupied, and allows me to understand Terran speak."
"Good, once you've mastered it, make sure to read the other language dictionaries that I gave you. That way, you can learn to communicate with the other denizens of the Krein system.", said X, who while wanted to chat some more noticed that Twilight was starting to get impatient again," While I would like to reminisce and catch up with you, Glitchy, Twilight though has not learned enough patience to be able to allow us the privilege of doing so."
Glitchy then looked at the woman next to X, and then walked up to her, and if Twilight still had eyes, then she probably would be disturbed by his appearance. Though luckily, he wasn't quite tall, for he was only about the size of a fallen captain, for had he been bigger than she would've probably had not been comfortable with an Eliksni cyborg walking up to her as the size of an elephant. Glitchy then saw what X had told him about Twilight being naturally blind.
"She does not have eyes; skull likely does not have eye sockets. I believe you now, when saying that Twilight could be difficult for cybernetic surgery."
"Will that be a problem, Glitchy?", said X.
"No, no it will not, for I have been working on possible solution to problem. Her natural blindness, will be instrumental, when finding breakthroughs in genetic disorders or liabilities. Though, I wonder if this is what her people look like."
"I looked them up and apparently, they were born underground, meaning that by the time they came to the surface, they hadn't evolved to the point of developing eyes. Instead, they developed telepathic abilities."
Glitchy nodded and said, "Then my project, may yield solution to this lack of evolution."
"Uhm…what exactly are you going to do? I was told that you experiment with SIVA. Is that going to be used to help with my…condition?", said Twilight, who almost would've said X's name had X not nudged her with his tail.
"Simple, will inject small dosage of SIVA into you. Then program SIVA to rewrite genetic code so as to allow for you to develop eyes. So, yes, SIVA will be used to help you."
"You sure that it's safe to do so, right? Not to judge your knowledge on SIVA, but you know what could happen if the SIVA starts replicating while in her bloodstream, right?", said X, who was still concerned about using SIVA.
Twilight was now getting nervous, for she remembers what X told her about the SIVA Crisis, and the fate of the Iron Lords.
"Not to worry, friend Phantom, have tested with SIVA on animals with conditions somewhat similar to friend Twilight. Is completely safe…...but will need to have her placed in-in-in-in-in-in-in-in-in-in *bonk* in medical coma, while process happens."
Dex and Sparky then appeared, with Dex and X looking at each other and then back at Glitchy saying, "What do you mean by she will need to be placed in a medically induced coma?"
"While process is safe, results have been…mixed."
"And by mixed you mean?", said Sparky, who was also getting nervous now.
"Subjects do not die from process, but die from overwhelming pain. While others that survived from overwhelming pain, have…. not exactly been active after process."
"So, in other words, she would either die from the pain or become a vegetable from it. Is that what you are telling us?", said X.
"Yes, bu-bu-bu-bu-bu-bu *bonk* but will not lead to replication of SIVA in bloodstream. Meaning that transformation will be purely organic, instead of technological."
Well, for X that was good news, even if it wasn't exactly what he was hoping for. But it beats having Twilight be a cyborg forever. Though, he wonders what Twilight is thinking about this revelation.
"If you don't want to go through it, then this is your last chance, Twilight. No one will blame you for being afraid.", said X in a caring tone.
Twilight didn't take long to answer even if X could tell that she was afraid.
"I-I will go through the process. I don't want to live the rest of my life, being unable to experience the world or I guess the universe all things considering."
"Alright then, Glitchy, can you take Twilight to where the operation will be done. After that, I want to talk to you about something important."
Glitchy nodded and proceeded to grab Twilight's arm, then guide her to where the operation would be done and the two of them were followed by Sparky. X then went and waited in Glitchy's room, where he noticed that Glitchy was working on a few Frames, Shanks, and….an Exo body. He took a closer look at it, and it wasn't anyone that he was familiar with, though the fact that its legs were removed indicated that it was most likely scavenged instead of any other outcome. X then heard the doors opened and saw Glitchy walking up to him with his mechanical legs.
"Pet project.", said X pointing at the Exo body.
"Yes, scavenged it from Ares.", said Glitchy.
"Near the Warmind complex I imagine."
"Yes, how do you know?"
"I know someone who is interested in finding about her past, though I wonder how long it will take for her to know what her family legacy was like. Though the Alasians didn't help with their encouragement for Clovis Bray to perfect the first generation of Exos."
"Is this one of them?"
"No, its second generation. Or I guess you could say it's the second generation of perfected Exos, the first generation were prototypes created by the Alasians on Ares. But when Clovis offered his hand in aiding them to perfect the process, it eventually led into an expedition to a place where he and his company, which unsurprisingly had the majority of it being Alasians, would construct a facility which became the birthplace of the perfected from of Exos."
"Ah…...we are not here to talk about my hobby, are we?"
X then went down to sit on one of the benches, and Glitchy followed his example, though sat down right next to him. X then took a deep breath, and said, "No, this isn't what I wanted to talk about. Though how long will it take for the process to complete."
"About three hours. But she will wake in three days, once the affects of the coma wear off, why?"
"Can you take care of her while I'm gone? I'll come back once I'm done with business."
"Yes, anything for friend Phantom."
"Good. Now, do you have any information on her location? I know that your House has been doing some jobs for Spider."
Glitchy looked at X for a bit, and then said, "You are looking for Alex Wolfborn, aren't you?"
"She's been missing for 6 years. And I was hoping that you might know where she is seeing as Spider is the best information broker in the universe, or at least one that can keep his word."
"Hmmm…...I have heard rumors about what happened. Is it true that she went to the Reef?"
"Yes. And by the time I arrived she was gone."
"I have also heard that you scared Petra Venj into not harming her."
"More like her daughter, Jaz, was the one scared by my arrival. Though I can't blame her seeing as she was the one that was to keep Alex from escaping. Plus, it didn't help that her mother was the one that gave her the order."
"So, then Petra was not nervous that you threatened to finish what the Taken King had started?"
"Oh yeah, she was quite terrified. Though that has to do with my reputation among the Reefborn. In fact, I'm sure that I've been turned into yet, another boogeyman for another people."
"What do they call you?"
"The Reefborn know me as Nevermore the Dark One. Though Sjur and Uldren knew me as Nevermore the Raven."
Glitchy then asked something that had been going through his head for awhile.
"Is it true that Mara Sov is dead?"
"No, she's alive."
"How do you know?"
"Mara and I might not have gotten along as well as me and her brother, but we both know when either of us is dead. And I know that she is alive."
"And of Uldren's fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa *bonk* fate?", said Glitchy, who also thanked X for hitting his head so that he could finish his question.
"Uldren is also alive, though Petra doesn't want anyone to know."
"Why?"
"Because Uldren has sided with the House of Kings and formed the House of Dusk."
"So, she sees Uldren Sov as a traitor. Makes sense to keep it secret."
"More like she doesn't want anyone to lose faith in the royal family, at least until Mara Sov returns. But yes, she literally sees Uldren Sov as a traitor now. Though some of the Reefborn have seen Uldren only to get killed by him and his Fallen allies."
Glitchy then had to think about his answer to X's question.
"Aliks is in the Tangled Shore. More specifically, she is in Spider's Palace."
"So, she's been in the Tangled Shore the whole time."
Glitchy nodded, "She has made a living in the Fight Club that is hosted in the Palace every few weeks. And when she is not putting her opponents on the floor, she is serving Ether and refreshments to Spider's guests. Though I have heard that she has been hired by Spider to do some jobs for him from time to time."
"Is Spider aware of her connection to me?"
"Yes, and because of your own relationship with him. He makes sure that she is taken care of, and has refused her to join his syndicate, being fully aware of it going to be a hassle when you find out about her location."
"Good. Then that means I won't need to do something for him, in order to bring Alex home. But just in case, I think that I will broker a deal with him, seeing as he wants to take advantage of any situation.", as X said that he got up, "Thank you for the info, Glitchy. I'll be back in three days."
X started to walk out the door, when Glitchy wanted to ask one more question to his friend.
"If Aliks were harmed back at the Reef, would you have been able to follow through with your threat?"
X stopped and looked at the Splicer while responding, "It wasn't a threat, it was a fact. Sjur Eido was the only person, who could've stopped me from doing it, should that have occurred. But she's dead, so it was as much a warning as a threat, Gliksis."
X then exited Glitchy's room, and began walk towards the hangar. Glitchy though, noticed something odd on the floor in his room, and so got up to take a closer look. It was then he noticed that what was on the floor was much more peculiar than he realized and picked up small crystals to get a closer look.
"Ice?", was all that Glitchy said after noticing that what he was holding was something cold and yet it wasn't like any form of ice he has observed before. He then looked in the direction that X went and looked back at the "ice". And he started to question, since when did Guardians, or Lightbearers in general, learned how to conjur an ice-like substance. Glitchy then decided to not think about it any longer than he needed to and went to go check on the progress of the operation performed on Twilight.
So, there is Chapter 3. And I will be honest, not sure how you will react to this one.
But anyway, this was definitely much longer than it needed to be, but that mostly has to do with the fact that I thought that of course people would be curious about the origins of the House of Progress. And would probably also be wondering why they are not in the Krein System, which is Moonview's version of Destiny's main home system where the Traveler is. (I only own the creation of the House of Progress).
And as for the last thing to state, let me know what you think about this chapter. And well, I will probably see about having some fight scenes in the next chapter, because we are going back to my Cabal Legion and see how Lotor will handle meeting them.