"What's your location, Cerulean?" Ikora asked.
"We're still inside the Infinite Forest but we're on our way out," Rorick said, halting the party as they waited for new orders.
"Stay there. I have new coordinates I'll send to your Ghosts," she replied. "This is our only chance. We can use the Forest against the Vex, or we prepare for the end."
Wren shifted on her feet. It was hard to take it seriously when all this fireteam ever did was hop from one world ending disaster to another. All of her energy wasn't back yet either and she was more than ready to go home, curl up with Cayde, and sleep for a week. Or a month…
Funny how nice the City sounded when she knew he was there. She was happy her helmet hid her smile because despite the emotions she felt warming her chest, she knew Sisre would tease her for it. Things were going to get better now. She knew it.
End of the world not withstanding…
"I got the coordinates," Sagira said. "I'm calculating where to send us. The place is easy. Finding a simulation in the right time is where it gets tricky."
"Alright. Find the algorithm that produced the Forest. That will lead you to Panoptes."
"The Vex will know that simulation is their most vulnerable. It'll be well guarded."
"The point in history where you invent a reality engine? There's nothing more important," Ikora said, the faintest hint of sarcasm in her voice.
"Understood," Rorick replied, changing their direction. "Sagira, would it be possible to route us in a way that won't let the Vex know where we're headed until we're close enough? I'd like to make this quick and easy."
"With me? Anything is possible."
Wren lagged behind her Titan companions as Sagira led them through the Forest on a path that had very few Vex. She helped Rorick with the gates between the platforms, taking them in an arc toward a pillar in the distance before switching back to a different path, headed for a gate in another direction.
At first the Vex didn't catch on, probably thinking the Guardians were lost, but once they neared the other gate, the Vex activity picked up.
"Ikora, we're passing through the gate," Rorick said as they rushed up the stairs through a barrage of Vex fire, and yet none of them followed.
Wren looked over her shoulder at the Harpies that had stopped just at the base of the stairs. But why? Was there something they were afraid of? Or did they have enough faith in themselves that they figured a handful of Guardians wouldn't be able to get much farther?
In the hall they slowed down, reloading their weapons as they made their way toward the next gate. Small patches of dirt sprouted the same golden grasses she'd seen before in the Forest. Remnants of a past that showed just how far Mercury had fallen.
"The Vex have been two steps ahead of us so far," Sagira said. "But you and Ikora have given us a chance to actually surprise them. That's impressive. I hate to admit it, but I kind of miss being your Ghost, Wren."
"Don't you have your own Guardian to attend to?" Kiran replied flatly to which Sagira let out a satisfied chuckle.
"Buckle up. We're headed into the Simulant Past."
The floor under Wren's boots grew thicker with grasses and strange pink plants as they neared the exit. Outside the sun blinded her momentarily. Rorick and Sisre also slowed, blocking the sun with their hands for several moments before they adjusted to the light.
"It's beautiful," Sisre muttered, taking the first few steps through the soft grass and into the clearing where massive trees sprouted odd pint canopies that resembled lace. Dark bark swirled up their trunks to thick branches like fingers supporting their delicate leaves.
Rorick broke the tranquil silence to kill a couple of Vex that had rounded the edge of a boulder and Wren tore her attention from the scenery. They were still in a dangerous place, despite how beautiful it was. Rorick turned to face the tower in the distance and before Sagira could speak, he began walking toward it.
"We have to get to the top of that tower and download the algorithm before the Vex can create the Infinite Forest," Sagira said.
"Considering it's the only thing out here? I figured," Rorick replied.
Cerulean jumped into the first gravity lift and landed on a nearby floating island. Rorick and Sisre killed the three Harpies before Wren could join them but she quickly caught up.
"Are you two going to let me have any fun?" she smirked.
"Keep up with those short little legs and we will," Sisre laughed, pulling Wren to her side in a quick hug before playfully pushing her ahead of them.
Rorick shot a Vex construct floating above them and a second lift appeared near the edge of the island.
"Remember how I said the Vex anticipate everything?" Sagira asked. "They have automated intruder countermeasures here. They'll react and block anything we do. Be unpredictable."
"Might be too late for that," Rorick said, jumping across to a large, Vex made island constructed of several rectangular structures thick with golden grass. A few trees were scattered along the path which ascended toward the far end with each section of the platform being raised by steep cliffs.
"We'll just have to fight our way in," Sagira said.
"As per usual," Sisre grumbled.
"What's that sound?" Rorick asked as he hopped onto the second ledge.
"Sounds like one of those weird Hydras," Wren replied and as she did a bolt of energy tore between her and Rorick, sending the pair of them in opposite directions.
"Do you want to get it or me?" Sisre asked, readying her sniper.
Rorick ran up the trunk of a bent tree to view the situation, then hopped back down. "It's too far out for me to get a clear shot with a rocket. I guess this one is yours."
Sisre led the charge to the next ledge and perched herself on a rock, head and rifle over the edge while she took aim. Rorick and Wren passed her, taking the sides of the island to rush forward and distract the Hydra while killing the few Goblins that accompanied it.
The Hydra swiveled, unsure of which target to choose, and while it was deciding Sisre took her shot as the shield slid away from its crit spot. The Hydra lurched, glass shattering from its eye. Two more shots and it dropped, holes from sniper rounds arcing with electricity. It exploded, raining shards of metal all over but the Guardians passed over without a second glance.
Rorick shot at the construct and another gravity lift appeared. He hopped on and Sisre followed. Wren took up the rear and by the time she landed, they were engaging with more Vex at the next island. A shielded Minotaur began to walk toward them, following a few smaller Goblins.
"I'll get it's attention," Rorick said, shredding a Goblin with his auto rifle as he ran across the clearing. The Minotaur shifted direction, allowing Wren to hop onto a nearby block and shoot at the construct that was shielding the Minotaur.
It exploded but the shield remained up.
"There has to be another one," Wren said, dropping to one knee to scan the area, pointing at another construct far to the left where the island took a hard turn. "There."
"I got it." Sisre raised her sniper to fire and Wren covered her, dropping a couple of Goblins that got too close.
The construct exploded into shards of light and the barrier around the Minotaur dropped. No sooner than it did, Rorick glowed with Void energy. He jumped over the bolder he was using as cover and ran for the Minotaur, his shield bashing into its chest. It stumbled back but Rorick was relentless, slamming into it again and again, bits of metal falling in every direction until the Minotaur was pummeled into a sparking mass on the ground. Rorick stood over it after the Void energy dissipated and stared at it a moment before taking up his rifle. He seemed so very calm despite the aggression he'd just shown and Wren was… impressed?
He'd always been a great and competent leader but she didn't recall seeing him so aggressive before. Somehow, it made her feel more confident about his abilities.
"Hey, there's an opening up there," Sisre said, gesturing toward the area where the last construct had been. A part of the wall had opened and she wasted no time getting there.
Sisre hopped down into the hole, Rorick close behind and Wren taking up the rear. They found themselves in shin deep water that reflected lights from the walls across its dark surface.
Fanatics appeared at the top of the stairs to the left, the headless Vex shambling down the steps, firing their weapons randomly.
Rorick tossed a grenade on the steps and took out the whole lot of them at once. He waited for the arcing white traps their explosions caused to ease, then dissipate before heading up the stairs.
There were several more Fanatics and Goblins waiting for them as they pushed farther into the tower but they fell easily, bullets ripping through their frames with ease.
After that set of Vex the path grew quiet. Rorick led them through the interior, sections of wall missing which allowed large areas to be lit from the outside. All Wren could hear was her own breathing and the sound of their boots on the floor which shifted between metal and dirt were the golden grasses grew.
"It's too quiet," Rorick said after a time, leading the way by several paces. He turned a corner into bright sunlight and was immediately thrown back against the wall, the sound of an energy shot echoing through the narrow passage.
"Cover me!" Sisre said, grabbing Rorick to pull him back.
Wren stepped between them and the open area beyond, Better Devils trailing on a large Minotaur that slowly stalked toward them. She took several shots but it became quickly apparent that she'd need something that hit a little harder than her hand cannon. "We're going to need a rocket or your sniper, Sisre."
"I got him," Sisre said and Wren stepped back to join them.
Rorick panted, a pained laugh escaping him. "That'll hurt in the morning," he said, removing his hand from his chest where the armor was singed black but there didn't seem to be any damage.
"Stay here and catch your breath," Sisre said. "Wren and I will get the Minotaur."
"Keep your heads down," he warned.
"Was it shielded?"
"No, but it's stronger than the average Minotaur."
"I can handle that," Sisre said, taking up Rorick's rocket launcher. Wren did have to see her friend's face to feel her excitement.
Wren and Sisre stood in the shadow of the wall, listening for the Minotaur. Wren peeked around, then tossed a grenade at the Minotaur's feet. It looked down, then took a few steps back to observe and Sisre took her shots: two rockets to the head and chest of the Minotaur.
Bits of metal flew all around and the sound attracted smaller Vex that came into view and Wren was able to pick off with the Better Devils.
Sisre giggled as with one more shot the Minotaur fell into a heap of junk and Radiolarian.
"Don't get used to it," Rorick said, coming to stand beside her. He held out a hand and Sisre reluctantly placed the rocket launcher's strap across his palm.
"Act like you won't get me one if I want it," she said, tilting her helmet.
Rorick chuckled, slinging the launcher over his shoulder.
"There's some Radiolarian pools so be careful running around," Wren said. "I see the construct."
"It should open the path," Sagira said. "See the upper part of the tower overhead? There should be a gravity lift that will get us to that point."
Wren destroyed the construct and reloaded as she followed her Titan companions into the lift. The upper section of the tower was dark and quiet, lit by thin strips in the walls that formed the signature Vex blocks and rectangles.
"We're in," Sagira said. "Now let's get to the top and find that algorithm."
Several barriers extended halfway across the halls as they went, setting them all on edge. Every time they passed one Wren expected an ambush but the Guardians were able to pass relatively unchecked. They spiraled up the interior of the tower, taking ramps and gravity lifts higher and higher while killing the few Vex that stood in their way.
When the path opened up to a flat, round area, another barrier Minotaur made itself known. To the right, a hole in the middle of the platform radiated white light in a pillar of energy. A small shallow stream of Radiolarian cut through the grass as an obstacle they would have to avoid.
Wren took the left-hand side, arcing far and getting the attention of a Hobgoblin atop a half column. Before it could even take aim at her she knocked it from its perch with a few rapid shots from her scout rifle. She couldn't see the rest of her fireteam, but she could hear them pushing through the group of Vex and overhead a flash of light signaled the destruction of one of the constructs protecting the Minotaur.
"Barrier down!" Rorick shouted and Wren leapt over the top of the column where the Hobgoblin had just been.
Solar energy flared across her hands and the glow was enough to get the Minotaur's attention. It spun around, swinging its weapon at her. Two shots tore into its body but the third missed, arcing high over its head as the gun made contact and sent Wren sprawling.
A rocket explosion to the back sent the Minotaur sputtering down on top of her, red light flashing mere inches from her helmet before flickering out. She pushed against its weight but it took Rorick and Sisre to flip it out of the way.
"You alright?" Sisre asked, extending a hand for Wren while Rorick shot the other construct and revealed another gravity lift to take them even higher.
"Yeah," Wren winced as she stood, pain radiating from her ribs. "Nothing Kiran can't fix."
Warmth spread across her side and by the time she jumped into the gravity lift, the pain was gone entirely and Kiran safely hidden.
"Hydra," Rorick warned as he soared overhead, using the lift and his own boosters to launch him higher than Sisre and Wren.
Sisre took a knee and waited for the shot while Wren continued onto a heightened platform that curved along the right wall. She killed smaller Vex while Sisre and Rorick destroyed the Hydra with relative ease.
"We keep going up," Rorick said as he led them ever higher. "Something tells me getting back down again isn't going to be pleasant."
"That's a long way down," Sisre replied as they landed on an uppermost platform.
Heights didn't bother Wren too much but she found that the last jump to the highest platform gave her flashbacks of falling from Ghaul's ship. She didn't remember hitting the ground back then. Hell, she still wasn't sure how she survived at all.
"What is that?" Sisre asked, taking a few tentative steps toward the largest Hydra Wren had ever seen.
A barrier protected its front and there seemed to be a track around the outer edge of the circular platform but the Hydra didn't move. It remained stone still, a white light tethering it to a construct in the center of the area.
Rorick sighed. "I've done this enough to know that this construct is being protected by that thing. The minute we try to tap into it, we're going to be in trouble."
"No cover either," Sisre said.
"And I'd be willing to bet Glimmer that those Vex gates are active," Wren replied.
"I'd take that bet," Rorick grumbled.
"Don't encourage her."
"That would be Dendron, the Root Mind," Sagira said. "And yes, it will activate when you tap into the construct."
Rorick scanned the construct and no sooner than he did, several barricades appeared randomly all over the platform and Dendron's eye blazed to life. A thick stream of energy erupted from the Hydra and Rorick barely missed being hit by it.
"Holy shit," Sisre hissed, taking aim at Dendron with her sniper.
"I'm fine," Rorick growled, rolling behind cover and loading his rocket. "Wren, keep an eye on those gates while Sire and I try to kill this damn thing."
"Easier said than done," Sisre said and Wren looked over to see that Dendron was moving along the outer track in a big circle. "The thing moves."
"Son of a… well, I hate to say this," Wren said, "but we have more problems. There are some shielded Minotaurs. Looks like they're dormant but I get the feeling they won't be that way for long."
"Gates are open," Rorick said before letting a rocket fly at Dendron.
Wren ran between cover, trying to keep an eye on the giant Hydra while killing Goblins as they spawned in. Once Dendron completed a cycle, it stopped, and the shield raised once more. Cover disappeared and one of the three shielded Minotaurs began to move.
She made her way around, taking aim at the construct but Sisre got to it first, shattering it so Wren could unload on the Minotaur. The second it dropped Dendron moved again, making a second lap while the gate reopened and more barriers for cover appeared in different locations.
The platform descended into chaos. Wren did what she could to keep up with the Vex that exited the gates while staying out of Dendron's line of fire. What she'd give to have Franz here. To have Beorn…
A shot grazed her helmet and she reflexively fired back, dropping a Goblin where it stood. Energy rounds ricochet all around and adrenaline coursed through her to the point she hardly knew when she'd been hit anymore.
Her heart pounded in her chest and the sound of gunfire mixed with the sound of more gates opening was almost distracting. She panted and gritted her teeth, running place to place as random points in her body blossomed with heat and pain.
She glanced over to Dendron, which was hanging on a tilt now, one of its side fins arcing with electricity. Shards of metal jutted in every direction and wires hung freely in the open air. It had taken quite a beating from Rorick's rockets but it was still moving, if not slower.
"How are you holding up?" Rorick asked.
"Good," Wren muttered.
"Second barrier Minotaur down," Sisre replied.
"Sorry."
"Don't be, you're keeping those Goblins off my ass."
"Shouldn't take much more," Rorick said as a beam of purple light shifted across the floor.
Smoke poured from Dendron, who was having issues taking aim. Not that Wren would complain. She had her hands full with the Goblins, constantly running from one gate to the next between barrier walls that kept shifting realities.
Behind her, someone popped their super and she could hear the energy ripping Dendron to pieces, sections of the Hydra clattering from the tower into nothing.
"That's it!" Sagira said. "We've done it!"
"Finally," Wren huffed, killing the last two Goblins before dropping to her knees to catch her breath.
She looked over in time to see the giant eye of Dendron rolling freely toward the center of the platform. The Titans sure had done a number on that thing.
Off to the side a series of small platforms appeared with a gravity lift in the center, pointed to the top of the spire. Wren forced herself to her feet and went to stand with her fireteam, the whole lot of them panting, armor covered in black smudges and burns.
"Going up?" Sisre asked, glancing at Rorick who gave a short nod and headed toward the lift.
"You two can stay here. Rest," he said.
"No way."
Sisre and Wren followed him anyway, to the top of the tower. They stood together in front of a round, glowing panel. In the center of the space was a conical structure with a light emanating from the top.
"Put my out at the top of the spire and I'll scan," she said. "Scanning Panoptes' patterns, overlaying them onto a map…"
A projection of Osiris outlined in golden light appeared, hovering around the cone. A strange map appeared over it and the projection seemed to observe it.
"And got him! Panoptes always ends up at the same coordinates. It's over. This is how we beat the Vex!" Sagira said.
"I've detected a change," the projection said. "A new future. I will inform Osiris."
The projection vanished and no sooner than it was gone, but the strange map began to shift. To branch toward the sky.
"What's that?" Wren asked.
"Wait… a defensive subroutine?" Sagira said. "New reality branches are forming and… no… no!"
The map flickered and vanished and Panoptes appeared over the edge of the tower. Clawed hands twisted, winding white light around them. Cerulean opened fire on the Vex but their bullets didn't phase.
Sagira's shell glowed in the pouch on Wren's side and her Light flashed toward Panoptes.
"No!" her voice crackled. "He has me!"
As quickly as Panoptes appeared, he vanished in a blinding flash that knocked Wren off her feet. For a moment she thought she was flying backward off the tower, falling through empty air toward the unknown, but a split second later she landed hard on her back.
"Sisre? Wren?" Rorick croaked.
"Here," Sisre groaned.
Wren blinked away the flash and slowly sat up, her lungs on fire. "I'm here."
"What happened?"
"Panoptes took Sagira," Wren said, removing the now empty shell from its pouch.
"Sugarbird?" Cayde said, tone laced with concern but judging by the fact that no one else replied she figured he was communicating with her privately again.
"I guess Panoptes didn't want us," Wren said. "But we're all okay, so at least there's that."
"We should go back in." Rorick stood and helped Sisre up. Wren came to join them. They walked toward the gate, but nothing happened and when Rorick put a palm to the surface it was unyielding. "Brix, see what you can do."
The Ghost floated between him and them and the gate but after several seconds he drooped. "It's no use. I cannot access the gate to open it."
"Damn," Rorick muttered. "Alright. We need to return to the Tower. Ikora needs to know everything, and we should regroup."
"In the meantime, I have a fun little outing for us," Cayde said. "Report to me in the hanger when you get back."