14th of December, 3754
Last City, Cordillera de los Andes, Earth
They put her in a room too small. She couldn't stand up without having to hunch over - and it was difficult enough trying to fold down the fins on her back. Only a couple of their hosts had spoken to her - and in a language that she understood, but wasn't her own. Most of the creatures, which admittedly wasn't many, had simply stared at her instead.
None of them had looked like her. Too few eyes. Too few arms. Too many fingers. Too small. Most of them had strange clay faces - malleable in ways that struck her as wrong. One, though, was like her. Metal.
She was metal.
That didn't feel right either.
She had horns. She had fins. Her hide was steel and her eyes were glass. It didn't feel natural. It didn't feel right.
"What am I?" she asked.
Odys looked at her. He didn't know what to make of her, really. She knew this. She'd known it since she laid eyes on him. It didn't much matter to her. He was her friend.
He was her first friend.
He was also her only friend.
"I... I think you're an Exo," Odys said warily. Her size scared him - but he did try to be brave for her. She loved him for it. Sometimes she contemplated telling him Don't worry, I won't hurt you, I will NEVER hurt you, but she reckoned he already knew it. He just couldn't help his fear.
"What's an Exo?" she asked - in the language preferred by both him and the other people, the small two-armed ones. It wasn't her own, she knew that deep down, but she could speak it fine.
She didn't know how. Or why.
"Exomind," Odys clarified. He floated down to the dresser at the side of the room, beside the platform of soft sheets he'd called a 'bed'. Like a personal nest, she understood. "A machine-body housing a biological-conceived consciousness. Exominds are... or, used to be only human."
"Human." She tilted her head. Her horns swung with the motion. It was difficult getting used to them. "Is that what those little people are?"
"Little?" Odys questioned quizzically. "They're fairly big, actually."
"Nama, they are small. You are just... small-er."
Odys grumbled. He did that from time to time. Which was perfectly fine. He wouldn't be Odys if he didn't.
"I like these human," she declared, purely on a whim. "They have strange faces, but I like the softness."
"Yeah, they..." Odys hesitated. "Um... I should warn you. Some of them might... not like you."
She clicked her mandibles. Or tried to. She didn't have any, apparently. It felt wrong. She should've had them. Even so, the noise of it emanated out of her mouth - as if her machine-body heard her thoughts and tried to carry out her wishes as they were commands. "Why?"
"That's... a long story."
"That's fine, I'm patient!" she said, not a little overeager. The prospect of a story? Something about it struck her as wonderful.
Odys hesitated a second time. "It's not a nice story," he muttered.
Oh.
"What... happens?" she asked, a little less sure.
"There's fighting. There's... so much fighting."
"Like how I fought those..." she trailed off, trying to frown. Her inner pair of eyes shuttered, their pink lights dimming.
"The Vex," Odys said, bobbing up and down. "Yes. Sort of. But... between people. Not-..."
Not those things that had appeared out of thin air, screaming and shooting and trying to kill both her and Odys simply because they could. They'd frightened her, but she'd quickly learned how to get rid of them. Odys had built himself a better shell out of the wreckage around them and she'd searched for a weapon to defend themselves with. She still had it. Or Odys did; he'd taken it from her before the human had found them on the ice and 'trans-matt-ed' them onto a 'jumpship'. That was fine too - because while she'd liked the feel of the weapon, liked how natural it felt to use it, she didn't know what to think of the carnage it left behind.
The explosions had unnerved her.
The door opened. A human stepped inside, garbed in a long set of robes. It was blue, with bright red hair falling down the back of its neck in braids. Smiled at her - in a weird way that didn't look right, what with the two eyes and lack of mandibles, but it was what it was.
"Hello," it said. "My name is Nasarya. What's yours?"
"Um," she said. "I don't know. I don't think I have one."
"That's fine, that's perfectly alright. It can take a little time to decide on one."
She decided that she liked this human. More than the others, just because it spoke more. Spoke kindly.
"Do you know what you are?" Nasarya asked.
"I am an Exomind," she said proudly.
"Yes, you are. You're a very unique Exomind too."
"I am?"
"Oh yes. Most Exos are human-based, you see, but you're not. You're Eliksni."
Eliksni. Yes, that was it, wasn't it? She looked down at her hands, all four palms upturned. She was Eliksni - but also... not. Where was the flesh? The chitin shell? The keratin claws?
"Why am I unique?" she asked.
Nasarya paused. "You're the only recorded specimen of an Eliksni Exomind."
Oh.
"I see."
"Is that... alright?"
She hesitated. "It makes me feel lonely."
"I'm sorry."
"You don't need to be. I..." She looked at Odys. "I'm not really alone, am I?"
"No," he said, rising up. "You aren't."
She loved the way his blue eye burned with honesty. Pride. It didn't happen often since she'd first opened her eyes, but... she treasured every little moment it did.
"You're also..." Nasarya paused again. The human's face moved and did a thing. She didn't know what it meant. "It would be remiss of me to not tell you that, ah, you're the only Eliksni Lightbearer ever recorded too."
"Lightbearer?" She cocked her head to the side.
"Yes, it's... watch." Nasarya held out a hand. Flames blossomed in the human's cupped palm, flaring out past the edge of her fingers like the petals of an orange flower. "This is Light. This is something intrinsic to us both. To... Toph, would you come out please?"
Something like Odys manifested beside Nasarya, with a similar shape but that was where the similarities ended. The new not-Odys was pink with flower patterns on its shell, and it wore both a hat fitted with a real flower and something with glass over its eye.
"Yeah?" it asked, a little gruffly. "What?"
Nasarya shot it a look. "Be nice. We're-"
"Inducting it, I know."
"Toph."
"You were doing fine on your-"
The door opened again. Another human slipped inside, blue like Nasarya but bigger. Wearing a suit of armour. It had no hair. Spared her a guarded look. What followed it inside was-
Was one of her own people. Four eyes, four arms, near as tall as her and smelling of hearth-ash and electricity. He wore a helmet with a purple visor. He wore a mantle of fur about his shoulders.
She felt a strange pang inside her. She wanted one of those. She... not so much remembered, more so knew the comforts of having something like it. A soft collar to press her face into. A warm weight over her neck and back. The feeling of security.
"Incredible," the other creature - an Eliksni, like herself - breathed. He had a deep voice, but it was soft too. Pleasingly so. "The Light... has not forgotten us."
A third figure slipped through the door behind the Eliksni and closed it shut. Another human, garbed in robes like Nasarya's but more obviously reinforced. Its garb was flowing steel, forged into form like a bird's coat of elegant feathers. It carried a strange scent - both armour and human. The first was cold and decidedly too other to truly comprehend, but the latter was simpler to place. Like spiced smoke, tinged with wet earth.
It had a pale face, unlike the other two humans, and more hair too. While its fur was red like Nasarya's, it was much duller and even faded in places. That which grew on top of its head was tied back, a few small flowers and leaves interwoven within the more elaborate braids, and the hair growing around its jaw and under its chin was much the same - in terms of colour and how it was arranged with in a stylized plait. Without any ornamentation, though.
"Velask," the latest human said, speaking quietly. Respectfully. It performed a motion with its arms and hips - what her mind instinctively placed as a miurlis salute.
"Vel," she chirped back, grinning with her eyes - inner pair brightening, outer pair switching off. It was the best she could manage.
"Vel," the other Eliksni intoned. He respectfully bowed his head to her. "What is your name?"
She shook her head.
"Undecided," Nasarya supplied. "You know how it is."
"This is most unusual," the other blue human remarked. It was staring at her, with its arms crossed.
"But inevitable," the pale human said.
Everyone turned to look at it.
"What do you mean?" Nasarya questioned. "You were expecting this?"
"Well, not to this extent, or this early, or... like this." The pale human gestured towards her. "But with the way things have been going? Yeah, I was expecting... well, something. Sure, Misraaks here has been making bounds in progress where Light-tech is concerned."
"Not as impressive as you do naturally," the other Eliksni, Misraaks, said carefully.
The pale human spared him a look. "Don't undercut yourself."
"That is not why we are here," the unnamed blue human said firmly. It turned to her. "Do you know where you are?"
She looked at Odys. He nodded to her. "The... Last City, eia?"
"Indeed. The Last Safe City of Earth." The human paused. "I am Commander Zavala, of the Vanguard. I presume you have made the acquaintance of translator Nasarya?"
"Yep." Nasarya raised a hand in greeting. "Hiya again."
She raised a primary hand in kind. Uncertainly so, but it was what it was.
"This is Mithrax, Kell of House Light - our Eliksni allies. The City is theirs as much as ours."
"Thank you, Zavalakel." Mithrax/Misraaks dipped his head.
"And this is Lord Ik-"
"Kirzen is fine," the pale human interrupted, smiling - but there was a strain behind it.
Kirzen.
King-killer.
She narrowed her eyes. Suddenly she was less sure about this.
Misraaks - not Mithrax, it sounded too strange to her for an Eliksni's name - reached out to her. The contact was barely there, merely brushing her arm, but it broke her out of her reverie.
"May we sit?" the Kell asked in their own tongue.
She hesitantly nodded. Sat back on her bed. Misraaks took hold of a chair by the room's singular wooden table and carried it over. The others remained standing.
"Do you remember-?" Zavala started to say.
"She doesn't," Odys interrupted. "Uh, sir. She doesn't remember a thing."
"That makes this easier," Kirzen sighed. "I don't want to be rude, but I have a rendezvous to make with Imperial dignitaries near Herculina in two hours. Can we cut to the chase or...?"
Zavala frowned, but indicated for him to go on.
"Right." Kirzen clasped its hands behind its back and turned to face her. "Are you aware of what you are?"
"I'm an Eliksni Exo," she said, almost automatically.
"Yes. And-"
"I'm... a Lightbearer?"
"Exactly." Kirzen paused. "You're the sole Eliksni Lightbearer."
"Yes, I have heard that."
"But are you aware of the, uh... colourful history involved there?"
She looked at Odys, confused. "No."
Kirzen's new expression looked like a grimace. "Then this might be, eh... a little unpleasant."
"We could keep her with my people," Misraaks declared. "She would be safe there."
Wait, safe? Wasn't the entire city itself supposed to be safe? Wasn't it called the Last Safe City?
"Not even close," Kirzen retorted. "Praxics have been antsy, we've got a new Yor cult on the rise, and with everything Savathûn has done - I'd be surprised if she hadn't left us a couple more surprises just waiting to pounce."
"Ikha-"
"The City's a powderkeg," Nasarya cut in. "Yeah, sure, the War Cult and Monarchy's been cut out - but the people are terrified. We have divisions running down Guardian ranks left and right. Twelve Warlock covens have been disbanded for because of theological disputes in the last three weeks. That's Warlock covens - they don't break up for nothing. The Hunter posses are still in self-imposed exile and the Titan orders are running thin. We don't have the resources to replace the Peacekeepers. Hell, we've barely got a handle on what state Dead End Cure's in right now. They're literally the only thing keeping the Hunters grounded. We can barely keep the walls clear, let alone the streets."
The Zavala human sighed. Closed its eyes and bowed its head. Said nothing.
"The human attacks upon my people have stopped," Misraaks argued. "Our people-"
"Mortal human attacks," Kirzen corrected. "Mortal humans. Which is great - I'm happy it's over, I'm happy our civvies are getting along, but the moment we introduce this kettle of fish, it stops being a civilian thing. This'll draw attention. The wrong kinds of attention. As I said, the Praxics are getting nervous. Something like this, right in the middle of the City, could push them the wrong way. And that's..." Kirzen hesitated. Looked at Zavala. "This new Dredgen cult isn't like anything I've seen before. The Man with the Golden Gun's been falling short. He can't keep them in check. They're violent, they're resourceful, and they're too clever by half. I'm pretty sure they've been sniffing around those Häkke salvage records. You know the ones I mean. They're getting interested in Light. Dredgens - in Light. This-" Kirzen pointed at her "-will only pique their interest."
"How dangerous?" Misraaks reluctantly asked, barely looking at her.
She was starting to inch out of nervous territory and into scared.
"Imperial forces hit on one of their stockpiles last week," Nasarya added - lowly, little more than a whisper. "Outer system. Hive contraband, Wrathborn material, broken down Splicer munitions - and Gambit supplies. Seems they've been blending in with the local populace, playing our same games. It's no use trying to see them as some other faction removed from our own; they're a part of the City, they live here among us, they... they can reach almost any part of it. And we can't stop them. We don't know who they are. So either we put her under maximum security-"
"Which Aunor's going to circumvent," Kirzen muttered, "because we all know she will."
"-or we ship her out. To people we know can take better care of her," Nasarya continued. "No one likes to be shoved in a cage."
"Is this your professional advice?" Zavala stonily inquired, glancing at the other two humans.
Nasarya paused and nodded. Kirzen reluctantly did the same.
"But..." she started to say, falling into a panic. Everyone looked at her. "What is happening to me? Have I done something wrong?"
"No," Kirzen said quickly. She liked his voice. Just not his words. They carried too much fear. "But other people have. Other people will. It wouldn't be fair for you or anyone to let them get to you."
"Why would they-"
"Because there's never been an Eliksni Lightbearer before. Some people might get curious - and that curiosity could be dangerous."
"I would like to put her among kin," Misraaks weakly argued. He didn't sound so sure anymore. His lower hands fumbled with each other, pressed over his stomach. "It would be kind. It would be right."
"If you do, there could be a firefight in the Botza District within mere days," Kirzen replied. "And it won't be humans shooting, or even Vex; it'll be Guardians. You and I both know what that looks like."
"War on the streets..."
"What's the alternative?" Odys questioned in a smi-shrill voice. He was uneasy.
She felt the same.
"It has been proposed to me," Zavala said, with a look in Nasarya's direction, "that we induct the both of you into a... mentorship."
"What... what does that mean?"
"We're keeping you out of the public eye," Nasarya said quickly. "You and your... - you really need a name, by the way- your Guardian will be presented to another Lightbearer for education on Light-applications, combat skills and sub-cultural studies. We already have one in mind."
Misraaks stood. He dwarfed everyone else present doing so. "She is Eliksni," he growled. "She bears Riisan blood and ether."
"Which is why we're going to give her a chance to live with some your House beforehand," Kirzen responded.
"But you said-"
"Not the Botza District, I know. And we're not. Off-world House Light officials - a commissioned City-confederate. Ring any bells?"
Misraaks said nothing for a while. Then, "Has she been informed?"
Were they talking about her or-
"Yeah. I called her just before I got here. Accepted the job on the spot. She'll probably have a lodged a call to your people in the meanwhile."
"Kirzen..."
"I know." Kirzen's face tightened. "I'm overstepping my bounds, I know - but this is the best outcome. For everyone."
"You are a friend to me - but this feels wrong."
"We don't have much of a choice. All our hands are tied."
Misraaks growled. "So be it. I... I accept too." He swiveled to face Zavala. "I concur with his proposal."
"I'll make the arrangements," Zavala said. "Who-"
"Neo-7," Nasarya told him.
"A Titan."
"Sunbreaker. He'll do it, you know he will."
Zavala scowled. "The Sunbreakers do not heed me."
"Don't make it an order, then. Just a request. Between friends."
"Between friends." Zavala shook his head. "So be it."
"I'd like to speak with her," Misraaks declared.
Her.
Her, he meant. Nameless her.
"Very well." Zavala looked at the other humans, and the three of them filed out. Kirzen lingered for a moment longer than the rest, glanced at her - and nodded. Almost as if in apology.
She didn't know how to feel about it.
"We're being exiled?" Odys whispered, shocked.
She reached out to him, slowly. He didn't resist it - didn't resist being pulled towards her, being held delicately at her front. He perched on her palm with dejected exhaustion.
"No." Misraaks knelt before them. Tugged off his helmet to look at them both with eyes burning with fierce promise. "I will not allow that."
"But we have to leave-"
"For a time, perhaps. But you will find a place here. I vow it. I vow it."
She held the cool flask up to the lamplight. Misraaks had given it to her before leaving - after having spoken to her for hours on end about their people. She'd only half-listened, still taken aback.
They were forcing her to leave.
She had no place in their City.
She was in danger.
She was the danger.
"I don't like him," she said at last, well into the night.
Odys, nestled on the front of her chest, blinked awake. "Don't like who?"
"Kirzen."
"Oh."
There was a pause. She could almost hear her internal components at work.
"He's a hero," Odys elaborated.
She snorted. "Not mine."
"He should be. He defeated the demon king. You were probably still alive when Oryx arrived in the system. It... it was a scary time."
There was a silence after that. She mulled his words over. Should have asked him about it. Couldn't summon the effort to be curious. She was just...
Sad.
She was sad.
"I need a name," she mumbled. "That Nasarya-human was right."
"What do you call yourself?" Odys asked. "In your head?"
"Me. I."
"Ah. Fair, I suppose."
"What of you?"
"I'm Odys."
"I know," she laughed - quietly. In case there were others in the adjoining rooms, trying to sleep like she was. Maybe failing too - again, like she was. "How did you get your name?"
"Oh, I'm just curious."
"Hm?"
"I'm curious. I suppose it has to do with all the, uh... traveling I've done." Odys paused. "My namesake, Odysseus, spent twenty years away from home, but that's nothing. I've spent centuries looking for you."
"Who is this Odysse..." she trailed off. The word was difficult. "Odys-seus."
"Yeah, like that. Um, he... he was a mythical human figure. From old Greek legends."
"Are there other names?"
"Oh, yes, plenty."
"Any... any that would work for me?"
Odys didn't say anything for a long time. When he did, it was well into the night and she was ready to doze off. "I've got it," he said so very, very quietly.
"What?"
"Persephone."
She blinked, not a little confused. "It sounds strange."
"Oh, it kinda is."
"Why?"
"Because..." Odys hesitated. "I..."
"What's wrong?"
"... The number one rule is that Guardians don't search for who they were before."
It was? Maybe... maybe that was for the best. It made her feel uneasy just thinking about it. That there was an elika in her body before her. No, not even just like that, it was her. But with memories. With a life.
"But I think I've heard of you," Odys continued. "I know that you were young, that you were recruited to-"
"Stop," she said. "Please. I don't... want to know."
There was a long stretch of silence.
"I'm sorry," Odys whispered. "I'll choose anoth-"
"Nama."
"No?"
"Leave it," she urged him. "I... do not mind your choice, only... I do not want to break a rule."
"Alright. Then... you're Persephone."
"And you are Odysseus."
"No no, I'm Odys. Just Odys. And you... I guess you can be Perse."
She... liked that. A lot. "I am Perse."
"Great."
Perse tried to smile for him. "Odys," she started to say.
"Yes?" He drifted down to too-small bed, to face her. She was lying on her side, incapable of anything else what with the fins on her back.
"I am tired."
"I'll be quiet-"
"No. Please. Can... can I ask for a story?"
"... Sure." Odys blinked. "Anything in particular you want to hear?"
"Tell me of Odysseus."
"Alright."
"And then of Persephone."
He gave her an unreadable look. Well, not entirely unreadable. As strange as he was, there was no mistaking the faint fondness. "Okay. Get comfortable, 'cause this is a tale and half."