This chapter takes place after Chapter 39 in SFTD.

Cocytus knew an audience with the Elders could be a blessing or a curse. In their case, they were unsure which one awaited them.

As a Specter commissioned by Elder Helena, their duty was to seek out and punish the Chosen wherever they went—killing them if they could manage it. They hadn't managed such a thing on their first deployment, mainly thanks to the Assassin's willingness to sacrifice a limb to survive. Her brother's follow up didn't help either, but that was beside the point. Cocytus had merely maimed, not killed, the Assassin.

So this call to the Meeting Hall was one fraught with uncertainty. Still—they were a loyal agent of the Elders. Whatever They decreed would be reasonable, given their performance. All they could do was wait and see what the Elders had in store for them.

Wait they did, until the fires of the braziers around them erupted in spectral flame. They knelt, waiting for the decree of the Elders to decide their fate.

"Cocytus. Our agent of punishing the treacherous." Elder Helena's voice led the Elders, though Cocytus could hear the other Elders behind Her. "Your first outing has left something to be desired—but nevertheless, you have made a mark on the Assassin."

Any shred of unease they had abated. A limb was no small thing to take, unless compared to her life. They nodded. "I wish to do better, my masters. I seek only to punish them for the crimes they have committed."

"You will have your chance," They replied. "As for your companion..."

"May I intercede?" The Elders grew quiet. They took Their silence as a chance to continue. "Zuriel performed his duty to expectation as well. He allowed me passage in and his abilities in keeping a dimensional gate open were proven. The blow the Assassin dealt to him will serve as a reminder to watch for such attacks in future. If I may be so bold, I plead that You allow him to continue to serve, by my side or otherwise."

The silence in the Meeting Hall could be cut with a blade. Cocytus simply waited as there was a low buzz of activity from the Elders in front of them. Finally, They turned Their attention back towards them. "You ask much, Cocytus, but We see why you would wish to pardon Zuriel. The actions that need to be taken are clear—Zuriel will have their second chance, as will you. But your duties are firstly to disrupt the Chosen, as you should know."

If Cocytus could breathe, they'd let out a sigh of relief. To see Zuriel tossed away on a whim simply seemed wasteful. There was a place for proper punishment, they believed, but Zuriel had been a useful asset.

"You both must prove you are worthy," the Elders continued, "for there can be no failure. Should the Chosen lead the Commander to Us, all will be lost."

"I understand, my masters," Cocytus replied, bowing their head. "I will devote myself to tracking the Avenger itself and delivering Your will to them."

"As you should." Cocytus could feel a few files being directed into them. "There are multiple initiatives to launch an aircraft suited for bringing XCOM to its knees. You are to firstly protect all of them from being stopped, and secondly to ensure XCOM is rightfully punished when they succeed in finding the Avenger."

Accepting the files, they gave them a quick once-over. Only one of them was openly calling itself a "UFO Initiative." That one was linked to a VIP being moved through a city regarding a "mole in the resistance." One of them was a psionic relay being masked as conveying information regarding the Avatar Project. The last was the least assuming—a facility that was "researching advanced armor upgrades." If XCOM were predictable, the Commander would assail the first two and leave the third to chance. How could they see through it without the proper files?

Cocytus stored them deeply within their memory banks, looking back up at the Elders. "I accept my mission willingly, my masters. Would You have anything else of me before I see to Your will?"

"We have nothing else for you, Cocytus." The Void tugged around them. "See to your duties."

When the Void pulled, Cocytus went, riding the wave of force like it was a deep sea current. So smoothly they moved that they were able to slip away from the Elders' intended destination for them. They had other things to attend to first, and weaved through the Void unto their true destination.

At last they landed, after a query to the Network. They were in one of ADVENT's last medical facilities for their forces, reserved for those who proved themselves worthy. There, Zuriel was sat on a bed shaped for them. Currently blind, but not senseless, they watched as his plates shifted from the current of energy in front of him. "... hello?" No voice, save for the one spoken into the minds of those around him.

"It's me," Cocytus assured, walking up. They planted a hand on his armor, and Zuriel's plates settled.

"What did you say to Them?" Even if he wasn't visibly nervous, it was clear Zuriel was still shaken. "One moment I'm due for reclamation, the next I was ushered here."

"I discussed with Them." Cocytus leaned on Zuriel as they spoke. "I made Them see that your performance was more worthy than it seemed—after all, you handled the mission assigned to you beautifully. It was not your charge to take down the Assassin—it was mine. And I would not see you punished for my failings."

Zuriel's massive psionic aura calmed, and one of his plates shifted just enough to wrap a tentacle around Cocytus's shoulders. "Thank you, Cocytus. It... means much to me that you would risk your own life for mine."

They shook their head. "Think nothing of it. It was merely the right thing to do. However, you must watch out in future regarding the Chosen, alright? Even if the Assassin does not reach you, we have it on good intel that the Hunter has bullets that might pierce even your armor."

Zuriel's tentacle curled a little at the end. "I understand. It seems impossible to hide from the Hunter..."

Cocytus patted his side. "I can always assist you. I escaped the Hunter's sight long enough until I'm certain he heard his sister's shoulder pop. Next time I can offer you a thin coating of my nanos to make you invisible to even him."

"I would be extremely grateful, Cocytus."

Cocytus nodded, and it was then that they saw a human scientist round the corner. Knowing that it was there to assist Zuriel's recovery, they stood up from their lean on him. "I leave him to you," they spoke to it, "and I will accept nothing less than your best effort."

The human nodded, and said "bring it in" to someone behind it. Other humans appeared with instruments and tools, along with a Muton they assumed was for heavy lifting.

Cocytus gently patted Zuriel's side as his tentacle retracted. "You will make it, Zuriel. I have faith."

"I believe in your faith," he replied. "Goodbye for now, Cocytus."

They nodded, and disappeared from sight, ready to travel the Void once more. Their duties awaited.