Karn-7 rested next to Eks in his bubble. It had been a desperate battle, fending off wave after wave of hive while taking pot shots at their quarry; Omnogul. But now the enemy was routed; Their master lying dead on a raised platform deep in the Cosmodrome of Old Russia.

Neither said a word as the bubble faded back into the void, but Eks stood up and limped to the corpse, Planting a foot on her dead form while pulling out his knife. Karn-7 watched on in silence. Eks had taken a lot of damage during the fight. Normally this wouldn't be an issue for a Guardian, especially not for a skilled veteran like Eks, but the wound in his leg was one of deep Darkness and would take time to heal.

Slowly getting to his feet, Karn walked over to the third guardian in the room. Or, what was left of her. He did not know her name, he doubted Eks did either. Judging by her gear and weaponry she was more recently risen. Why she had been here alone at all was anyone's guess.

Ecks having finished his ritual of cleaning and collecting his knives, began summoning molten light to burn Omnogul's body. Karn still stared at the Warlock. It had been a long time since he had witnessed the death, the TRUE death of a Guardian.

Something caught Karn's eye in the grip of the Warlock. Kneeling down, he gently opened it to reveal her ghost. The eye was cracked and the shell itself had burns from exposure to prolonged Hive magic. Their deaths had been slow. He touched his dented helm in respect before picking the ghost up and approaching Eks, choosing his next words carefully.

"That leg needs healing. 'Professional' healing."

Eks, not bothering to look up from his gristly task didn't answer at first, but eventually replied:

"I know what you want of me, but returning to the Tower is out of the question. This place is crawling with hive, and Omnogul's death will creat a power vacuum here if we dont clear it out."

Karn had expected stubbornness. He was glad Eks was too preoccupied to notice him shift uncomfortably.

"It will take a full strikeforce many days to clear out a hive infestation like this. I've already marked this spot for the Vanguard. You, alone, wounded, will only be a liability when they get here."

Ecks paused at his task briefly before finishing and standing up, Favoring is left leg. As he turned to face Karn-7 a ghost was pressed into his hand.

"If you continue wandering alone you will end up like the Warlock here. I entrust you to bring this to the cryptarchs. I will shuttle the body to the Tower and find any comrades she had so her song may be sung."

Ecks was about to protest but Karn cut him off

"I'll clear the path ahead, dont delay."

Now it was Ecks turn to watch as Karn-7 gingerly picked up the guardian and walked down the tunnel. As the Titan dissapeared into the gloom he looked at the dead ghost, unconsciously touching the clasp on his tattered cloak.

"Very well. After all, this is my promise."