Redacted

So Tired

Updated on time! And in the afternoon! A miracle! Anyways, thanks to DisobeyedBowl6, Guest, and TheTurtleMan for the reviews! :D

Guest - Yes, that will be brought up but not until near the end of this book. The reason will be revealed then lol. And glad you enjoyed the amputation part, wasn't sure if it was going to make an impact really lol. Thanks!

TheTurtleMan - It's fine, the only reason I'm concerned for guest accounts is for the reason that I won't be able to respond until next update, which usually means a week for an answer. Which, isn't a short amount of time lol. And yes, I have read the book of sorrows plus also watched videos of other players interpretations of it as well. Really enjoyed it and as such, really miffed that majority of the lore isn't going to be viable in Destiny 2. I'm just hoping Bungie makes up for it by revealing to us amazing lore. And yes, I played the beta! really enjoyed it, loved what they did to the classes (especially Arcstrider, Sentinel, and Voidwalker - sorry Dawnblade, not you -coughs-). Thank you!

Agony permeated throughout his body as he attempted to sleep, the younger Hunter letting out whimpers as he curled up on the makeshift cot the Eliskni had made for him. Although the Fallen had done their best to help set in his breaks and tending to the worst of his injuries, not even his Ghost could ease the pain that wracked his body. As such, although the Eliksni had left to let him rest, Angel doubts he will hardly gain any sleep as he is.

Shivering in his bed, Angel heard slow and steady footstep kicking against any loose rock and debris, the human Guardian recognizing the pattern as one trying to not make any noise. Fluttering his eye lids open, the young Hunter lifted his head weakly as his green eyes fell upon the familiar form of a Captain, the latter of which immediately paused and tilted their head.

Memories of his time on Venus permeating through his mind, Angel muttered out, "Here to finish me off?"

The Captain simply tilted their head to the opposing side in response to his words, hearing them let out a low rumble as they took tentative steps forward. Too tired and in pain to retaliate, Angel simply laid his head back on the cot, closed his eyes, and let out a sigh, finally feeling the edges of his consciousness finally leave him.

When the Hunter Awoke, he found his arms wrapped around the shoulders of the Captain, her arms wrapped around his legs to keep him supported on their back. Hearing a soft rumble emitting from them, Angel softly called out, "Ghost?"

"I'm here." The familiar white and red shelled Ghost glided over his shoulder, her voice toned down to a whisper, "I followed after the two of you when she picked you up out of your bed." Seeing her green optic take in the sight, the Ghost then added, "I thought she was goin' to take you outside to kill you but, it looks like all she wanted was to sing to you."

"Sing?" Angel repeated, "She?"

His Ghost nodded, "Took me a while to translate her words but, yeah, she's a mother." She then paused, "Or at least, she used to be."

Blinking several times at the white and red Ghost's words, Angel remained silent as she added, "The Captain here said that she lost her entire litter to a Guardian raid several months back. All four, not even fully weaned yet." She sighed, "Apparently they injured her enough to incapacitate her before finding her pups and killing them."

"Pups? Babies? The Guardians killed babies?" A nod from his Ghost, "But, but, why? You told me that Guardians were noble, that they were protectors of the City."

"That's what I thought as well." The disappointment in her voice was apparent, "But according to the Captain, I guess not all Guardians are as noble as the two of us thought."

"But yet, here she is, singing to me." Angel fixed his gaze onto the back of the female Captain's head, continuing to hear her soft song permeate into his ears, "Why?"

"She told me it is because you are still a newborn yourself." The Hunter blinked, "When I told her that you were resurrected a couple of months ago, that's when she decided to head into your quarters to take you outside and sing to you, especially how badly you were whimperin' when we got in there."

Staying silent at the Ghost's words, Angel turned and leaned the side of his head against the female Captain's shoulder, hearing her pause momentarily before she resumed her song; she must have noticed that he was awake. Tuning in onto her song as he felt the Captain slowly walk, it was then the Hunter noticed their surroundings, feeling the chill air of the slow coming winter around them and the dark sky filled with faded stars. Letting out a breath as he took in the sight, that's when he noticed the lack of pain, the lack of agony permeating throughout his limbs.

At first confused, Angel then noticed the soft rumbling of the female Captain's song, feeling it vibrate against his broken body; strangely, this sensation brought relief to his pains and for the first time since his crash landing, he felt exhaustion, the legitimacy of sleep settling into the back of his mind. Feeling his lids slowly close in this realization, Angel let out a soft hum himself before falling into the abyss of slumber.

Xxxxx

When Angel awoke to the darkness around him, he thought at first he had died; after all, he had fallen in a dark convoluted area before, and it wasn't uncommon for his vision to be filled with black. But as the blurriness of his vision cleared, that's when he noticed the familiar armored shoulders of a Vandal, causing him to lift his head in bewilderment; immediately he heard a snarl emit in front of him.

"You are finally awake, bandit." It was Flourishing One, "and here I thought I was dragging around a body."

"What?" Slipping back into the familiar tongue of his human allies, Angel then let out a groan as dizziness set in, causing him to press his forehead against the base of Flourishing One's neck; he heard the female Vandal let out a scoff in response.

"You lost a lot of your life blood, bandit." The Hunter heard her rumble, "You left behind a substantial amount when I picked you up."

"Why did you not leave me?" Angel muttered out, "If you carry me like this, I will just bring you down. The Darken Ones will catch up to you."

A snarl was his answer, "And leave you after you saved my life? By the Great Machine, I may hate you, bandit, but my House still holds a code of honor; I owe you a debt. It is only fair that I return it."

Forcing his head up from the base of her neck, Angel squinted his gaze at the back of the Vandal's head, "So, House Kings then?"

A wheezing sound them emitted from Flourishing One; an Eliksni equivalent of a chuckle, "Who else would I be with? The faded Wolves? The broken Devils? The cowardly Winter? There is no better House than the Kings themselves."

"…Yeah, you are part of House of Kings."

"What is that supposed to mean, bandit?"

"Nothing."

Wrapping his lone arm around the collar of the female Vandal as she walked, the human Hunter then glanced over to his opposing arm, only to let out a flinch at the sight. Where his forearm once took place, there was nothing but a stump, hastily wrapped in the remnants of his cloak; Angel can imagine that it was Flourishing One's work. Although grateful that the female Eliksni saved his life, disappointment couldn't help but settle into his chest at the sight of the familiar wings of the symbol of House Spirits now colored in red, the beautiful angelic mark now dirtied from his blood and the dirt from their surroundings.

"That symbol on your cape." Angel jumped, "I have never seen a mark such as that. Even on the capes of other bandits. What does it mean?"

Pausing at the female Eliksni's words, the Hunter stayed silent as he leaned the side of his head against Flourishing One's back, ignoring her growl as he answered, "It is the mark of my family."

A scoff, "Family? What bandit has a family when they naught even remember their own names?"

Angel chuckled at this, "So, the Kings can do more than just hiding?

A low growl emitted from Flourishing One, "We are not like the other fools who wander out into enemy territory. We hide in the shadows, watch and gain information, find the weakness of our enemies, and then, we strike."

"That is not what my family tells me." The human Guardian heard the female Vandal let out a snarl, "What does your 'family' say about House Kings, bandit?"

Letting out a hum in response to Flourishing One's question, Angel replied, "They tell me you are cowards, letting the others of your kind die all around you and doing nothing but watch on the sides."

"Others of my-" Hearing her come to a sudden pause, Angel waited as the Eliksni added, "You are referring those House Devils as your 'family'?"

Another hum from Angel, "You now believe that a small group took care of me, Flourishing One?"

"I thought you crazy, bandit, that is until I remembered that no one of your kind knows the full extent of my people's tongue," The female Vandal snarled, "That is until I met you. The only possibility I can come up with is to believe your blasphemous story."

Letting out a chuckle in response to Flourishing One's words, Angel then added, "They were my first family or pack, to better word it. Unlike those who occupy the second planet, they were not hostile to me and treated me as their own. Who else would I be referring to when it comes to the reputation of your House, Flourishing One?"

Hearing the familiar low wheezing of an Eliksni laugh, the human Hunter remained silent as Flourishing One stated, "Although distasteful of your words, I cannot deny that my House is not highly favored by the others." He heard her let out a scoff, "As such one of the reasons why we hide."

Taking in the female Vandal's words, Angel said, "Especially after the assassination of two of your Barons?"

A pause from Flourishing One, "So, you have heard of the treachery between House Kings and Wolves?"

"And how a Guardian came and killed everyone." Angel finished, "Your House rarely comes out of hiding and when you did, you lost two of your Barons. A crippling blow."

"And an attack we did not recover." The Hunter reeled back at this, "Years may have pass since the attack, but electing a Baron in our House is no easy feat. Certain requirements are to be met to be a high class of our House and it is no easy task to reach them."

Humming in thought to her words, Angel then stated, "Here I am to guess that you are seeking out that high ranking position, Flourishing One?"

Hearing nothing but silence permeating in the dark corridor, Angel took it as a yes, especially when a soft hum emitted from the female Eliksni, the Hunter recognizing the slight shift of her neck and her shoulders presenting a pleasant gesture. This gesture caused a soft smile to form onto his features before taking in the silence, nothing but the quiet treading footsteps of the female Vandal ringing in his ears. With this silence, Angel's thoughts slowly wandered over to Hope, the female Ghost's white and red form flashing in his mind and her voice chirping faintly in his ears. Despite the presence of Flourishing One and that he can still sense the steady beat of his Ghost's light in his chest, the feeling of loneliness flourished and Angel felt the edges of his eyes burn, the familiar lump forming in his throat.

Taking in a hitched breath, Angel forced his mind away from the female Ghost and his focus tuned into on his earlier days, and to his surprise, his memory focused on the familiar face of Salziks, the female Captain's soft rumbles permeating clearly in his head. Although confused at this sudden shift of thought, when Salziks soft hums echoed in his mind, Angel shoved the bewilderment to the side, closing his eyes as he took in the song.

He still remembers that night, when Salziks carried him on her back as she sang softly to him, tenderly carrying him in her arms as if the young Hunter was her own pup. Despite his past experience with the House of Winter on Venus, this gentle gesture was enough for Angel to connect with the female Captain, Angel recalling visiting the Eliksni more often than the others.

"What song are you singing, bandit?" The human Hunter jumped at Flourishing One's voice, "I was raised by multiple mothers during my growth and I have yet to hear a song such as the one you are singing now."

Blinking several times at the female Eliksni's words, it only clicked when Angel found the words of Salziks' song leaving his lips, causing the Hunter to force himself to stop in a fluster, "It was a song that my sire used to sing to me."

"In Eliksni tongue?" The Hunter easily heard the doubt in Flourishing one's voice, "Do not tell me that you consider one of those Devils your sire?"

"Perhaps," A low growl from the female Eliksni, "But she is not around anymore."

That's when he heard Flourishing One's rumbles stop, "What do you mean?"

Momentarily quiet, phases of Angel's memory faded into his mind, the recollections causing him to remember Salziks letting out a roar of warning to the others before the sound of a Guardian's sniper rifle rang through the air. He can still remember cursing his 'saviors' in Eliksni tongue as they dragged him away before the young Hunter made his escape, "She was murdered." He paused, "By bandits."

"You mean ones like yourself?"

The image of Salziks' body twirling in the air as the sniper shot blew through her chest, Angel simply nodded, feeling tears forming in the edges of his vision once more; through this, he let out a grief-stricken snort, "Her name was Salziks the Mournful, for the reason every liter she had ever sired either died from suffocation or were killed by 'bandits'. None ever made it to be weaned." Pausing momentarily as if to wait for a response, Angel continued when he received none, "I crashed landed my ship from the second planet. The injuries I had sustained were too serious for even my Ghost to heal. That is when a split faction of Devils took me in. And when Salziks took care of me."

A look of fondness gleaned over his eyes as he continued, "I had no memory of my previous life at first, and as such, before I even realized it, I imprinted upon her as my sire." He let out a quiet chuckle, "Has not changed since."

Once again hearing nothing but silence from the female Eliksni, Angel took the time to look back into his memories; the image of Salziks handing him a knife and then properly shifting his hands to grasp the weapon; hearing her slowly repeating the tongue of her people carefully back to him so he can repeat it back; feeling her gentle embrace whenever he would harm himself with one of their weaponry, her song comforting him while Hope healed the injury.

"Those bandits," He again jumped at Flourishing One's voice, "did you ever find them again?"

Taking in her question, Angel remained quiet, the distant fog of memory causing him to see the three Guardians chattering amongst themselves, their laughter ringing in his ears as the young Hunter approached the camp, "Yes, I did."

"Did you kill them?"

Instead of immediately answering, Angel paused as he remembers the familiar click of a reloaded weapon followed by gunfire, the smell of burned powder and blood clear in his mind, "No, I did not."

A scoff from the female Eliksni, "You see her as your sire but yet, you did not take vengeance for her death?"

"She is a gentle soul." Angel retorted, "Salziks taught me forgiveness no matter the cause. This included her murder as well."

"Gentle? In the world we live in?" The Hunter pushed himself upright on Flourishing One's back, narrowing his green eyes at the back of her head as the female Vandal added, "You cannot be 'soft' in today's time. For showing you mercy and then letting her killers live, it is no wonder that this Salziks not only lost her pups, but her life as well."

Angel couldn't understand why Flourishing One's words sent a sliver of rage throughout his body, but it was enough for the Hunter to hook his arm around the female Eliksni's neck and then pulled back. Hearing Flourishing One let a startled squeak, Angel then let out a wheeze as his back collided with the hard hearth, but this did not prevent him from tossing the Vandal onto her back and climbing onto her chest. As he placed one hand around her throat to restrain her, the corner of his eyes then spotted one of her upper arms reaching towards his waist, and it was then he noticed the hilt of the shock blade hooked into his belt; Flourishing One must have placed it back on his person in order to properly carry it.

Watching her hand wrap around the hilt, Angel reacted quickly by grabbing the front of her armor with his lone arm, pulling her up and then slamming her back onto the hearth. Seeing her hand snap back in response to this, the Hunter then released his hold on the Eliksni's armor before he removed the blade around his waist, and then pressed it against her throat. Instantly feeling her tense under the weapon, Angel then snarled out, "I do not care if you insult me or even kill me during this venture. However," He leaned in closer to her face, the edge of his gaze flickering with arc light, "If you 'ever' insult Salziks or 'anyone' amongst my family, my 'pack', then you 'will' pay dearly.'

Removing the blade from her neck, Angel then pushed himself away from the Vandal, letting out a groan as the sparks of arc light left his vision. His anger subsided, dizziness finally hit him, causing the corridor to spin and an ache to pulse on the sides of his temples. Nonetheless, Angel sheathed the blade back around his waist and squeezed his eyes shut, as if to ease the throbbing. However, no sooner had he done this when a dark snarl echoed through the caverns, causing him to snap his eyes open and turn his gaze towards Flourishing One, only to feel hands wrap around his neck and the back of his head slam onto the floor. Momentarily seeing double, Angel then let out a choke when he felt pressure build up around his neck, feeling his throat tense as air failed to permeate down to his lungs. Using his lone hand to wrap it vainly wrap around the wrists of the female Vandal, Angel started kicking when Flourishing One climbed onto his chest, using her legs to properly pin him to the floor. Panic settling into the back of his mind, the human Hunter focused his arc light into his remaining appendage, seeing the familiar sparks of light flicker in his sight. However, as he prepared himself to release his light, he hesitated, his blurring vision locking onto the female Eliksni's four eyes; although he saw rage in her gaze, Angel couldn't bring himself to release his light, his concerns for her safety still lingering first over his need for survival.

Call it either that he knows she can't survive down in the caverns herself or the teachings of Salziks still rings strongly in his mind, the Hunter released his hold on the female Eliksni's wrists and waited.

Xxxxx

"Hushhush, look! Look!"

Watching Ora show off the tower of blocks he had built, Gaia couldn't help but let a sense of warmth settle into their core as the child Guardian walked over to the toddler's excited form; with their budding relationship, Gaia grew concerned over Ora's growth. True, there is the Academy posted nearby but their Guardian is a child born between 'two' Guardians and they couldn't help but worry over how The Chosen will treat the toddler. However, with the sight of Hush tending to her fellow child Guardian, their laughing ringing clearly in Fireteam Blaze's quarters, Gaia knows that the two will bond and that they will work together to ensure the proper growth of their light.

"It is strange to see Hush interact with a toddler who is older than her," Gaia jumped before turning their gold optic towards the lavender Ghost, "How old is he now? Three?"

"Four," The gold and crimson Ghost corrected, "and how old is yours?"

"Hardly a year," Gaia blinked at Crystalline's answer, hearing the female Ghost then let out a snort, "Even younger than the twins, I believe."

Taking in the mention of Nahala and Amara, the Ghost then focused their attention towards Ora and Hush's side, seeing the two brunette's clapping their hands in their seat as the older children put on a show; and when Gaia means show, just repeatedly building the blocks up and then knocking them down again.

The girls were hitting the age of two soon, the age where they start to take in the world around them. Already their words were comprehensible, actually having spirited conversations with anyone older than them when they get the chance, and -to the relief of their parents – they remain Ghostless; neither girl has been chosen as of yet.

But Gaia knows not to hold their breath; sooner or later, either now or decades in the future, one or both 'will' be chosen. With their lineage leading back to two Guardians, the gold and crimson Ghost knows it will be inevitable that they will join the war against the enemies of the light.

With this in thought, the Ghost turned their attention back towards Oraxsis, seeing the toddler pose with hands on his hips as his younger sisters clapped; Gaia had seen this before, where the young boy would repeatedly claim to Nahala and Amara of his status as a Chosen, and that in later years, he will be like their father. The Ghost shook their core at this; only if the child knew the truth of being a soldier of the Light.

"I know that we hardly known each other for over a year," Gaia once again jumped at Crystalline's voice, "But I have heard that you lost your first Guardian as well?"

Giving the female Ghost a narrowed glance, it took Gaia a few seconds more for her words to finally click. As such, in response to her question, the gold and crimson Ghost merely turned their attention back towards the children, "Sun-7. One of the first 'Risen' and the previous leader of Clan Galaxy. Gave up their life to save Rasp – save Fireteam Redacted."

"How long ago was this?"

"The year Oraxsis was born."

"And the day you found Ora?"

"The day I lost Sun."

From the edges of their vision, they saw Crystalline's shell twist and twirl, her yellow optic wide, "That quickly?"

Letting out a scoff at the female Ghost's words, Gaia turned their attention towards her, "You know as well as I do that 'instinct' forces us to find another, even against our will." They then turned their focus back onto the children, Ora now rebuilding the blocks he had just knocked down, "otherwise, we wouldn't have the Guardians we have today."

Hearing his fellow Ghost go silent at their words, Gaia took the opportunity to ask, "How about you? How did you lose your first Guardian?"

Gaining no answer in response to their question, the gold and crimson Ghost idly bided their time, keeping their gold optic on the giddy form of Ora as the latter ran to who knows where in the apartment they call home. Gaia then heard a sigh emit from the female Ghost, "We heard news of a Splicer base being built underground. The two of us thought we were strong enough to take them on our own." A bitter chuckle then permeated from Crystalline, "We were too cocky, too foolish. The two of us were ambushed by the Splicers and in the end, Blaise threw me out of their base before taking the place down, taking the Fallen with him."

"And leaving you alone."

"Not like he had wanted to," Gaia easily heard the shift in tone, the grief clear in the lavender Ghost's voice, "After losing one Ghost, I believe Blaise couldn't bear the thought of losing another. That's why he thought of my safety before his own." Her voice then quivered, "But now I cannot bear the thought of losing another Guardian, let alone Little One."

Remaining silent at their fellow Ghost's words, Gaia kept their gaze on the children as Ora's form finally reappeared from another room, the child seemingly carrying a bag that the Ghost recognizes as one that carried edible cubes; chocolate if the gold and crimson Ghost can recall correctly, a rare delicacy within the Tower. Knowing fully well that Neve had hidden the treats from the children for a reason, the Ghost decided to keep it to themselves; although, Gaia should probably inform them of their son's budding capability to wield the light. After all, the shard of the Traveler cannot hide the fact that their son knows how to 'lift' himself into the air much longer.

However, as they took in the sight of Ora handing the sugary treats out to the others, it was then Crystalline's words truly sunk in, especially when the toddler's laughter sent a feeling of warmth permeating throughout their core; despite the fact that Gaia is still getting attuned to having Ora as a Guardian, they too cannot bear the thought of losing the young child to the soldiers of the Darkness.

The image of Ora maturing into a fresh Soldier of the Light only to lose their life to the very thing they were fighting against caused Gaia to flinch and immediately, the Ghost wanted nothing more for the toddler to stay young, or at least, stay young long enough for Gaia to instill every piece of wisdom that both they and Sun had had learned during their years together. Although knowing fully well that organics age slowly, Gaia knows for certain that by the time Oraxsis reaches maturity, their teachings won't be enough, at least, not for the life that he was destined for.

As Gaia continued to watch the children sit around in a circle with their sweet snack, a thought then permeated into the back of the Ghost's mind as he watched Ora suddenly crawl over and snuggled into Hush's lap, pressing his back against her chest as he nibbled on the chocolate piece in his hands, "Then why not keep them together?"

They easily sensed the bewildered look they received from Crystalline, "I beg your pardon?"

"Make them a lifetime Fireteam," Gaia reworded, "train them together so they know each other's skills, their limits. Not to mention that it will increase their chances of survival once they are ready."

"But, they still can die."

Flinching at the female Ghost's words and taking in the hint of concern and worry in her voice, Gaia then added, "A Guardian's death is inevitable but this may increase their chances of survival, I mean," They hesitated, "We already know the loss of one Guardian, I highly doubt the two of us are ready to lose another." Turning their focus back towards the children, Gaia then added, "Even if it increases his chance of survival even by a little, I am willing to take it."

Hearing silence permeating between the two, Gaia once again bided their time, watching the children laugh and play together before Crystalline finally stated, "Do you think this 'Vanguard' will approve of it? To make Hush and Ora a lifetime Fireteam?"

Letting out a soft hum in response to her questions, Gaia answered, "I am not quite sure, but when you have connections to perhaps the only Warmind currently active, I have a feeling they won't be able to say no."

"Say what?"

Laughing at the female Ghost's surprise, Gaia paused when the door of the quarters slid open, only for an awkward silence to permeate throughout the room.

"Oraxsis Ricard Wahl, how in the Traveler did you get your hands on the chocolate? Again."

Hearing an excited squeal emit from the young Guardian, Gaia then watched as Ora jumped onto his feet and booked it out of the room before Akiva can even take a step forward. Seeing the Titan pause and turn his golden hues towards them, the gold and crimson Ghost said nothing as the human Guardian stated, "I thought I told you two to keep an eye on the kids while I went to get dinner ready."

In response to Akiva's words, Gaia simply shifted their parts up and down innocently, earning a sigh from the human Titan before Akiva strolled into the other room after Ora, the Ghost's yellow optic watching with slight amusement as Hush and the girls simply kept nibbling on their treats, as if unaware of Ora's flight.

As the sound of Ora's excited laughter then permeated from the other room, Gaia then wonders if this was the perfect opportunity to inform Akiva of his son's capability to 'fly'; then at least, his parents can finally find a proper way to hide the chocolate.

Xxxxx

Angel took in a gasping breath as he suddenly felt Flourishing One's hands leave his throat, causing him to wretch and cough as he rolled over to his side, as if to help his body take in the air it desperately needed.

"Are you that desperate to die, bandit?" He heard the female Eliksni snarl, "Severing your own arm and then relenting to death!? And here I thought you were a fool before!"

Taking in one more rasping breath as he turned his eyes towards the Vandal, Angel managed to wheeze out, "Like I have stated before, I do not care what you do or say to me." He then let out one more cough, "Just as long you do not insult those who are a part of my pack."

Another growl from Flourishing One, "Are you that selfless, fool? Willing to do anything for your comrades but yet, let yourself die just for the reason you are uncaring of your own safety?"

Pushing himself into a seated position and waiting for the dull throbbing in his temples to pass, Angel took in one deep breath before answering, "Yes."

Immediately, Flourishing One was on top of him again but this time, she just pressed her face against his, Angel easily feeling the flush of the Ether permeating around her mask as she rumbled, "Do you think this world will be kind to you for your actions, bandit? That it will show you mercy as you have done for others?" A snarl them emitted from the Eliksni, "You have to learn how to be selfish, bandit. Otherwise, you will not live long."

Watching her then push herself away from him, Angel then took the opportunity to stagger back onto his feet, stumbling as the world seem to spin, "You keep talking of my impending deaths, but yet, you still haven't attempted to take my life." Placing a hand over his opposing shoulder, he then added, "If you take my life, then perhaps that will help give you the position of Baroness that you covet."

"When your Shard is absent on your person?" The Hunter watched as Flourishing One's four eyes narrowed, "What proof will I show by dragging your body back to my House? All they will see is a human body clothed in bandit armor." She snarled, "No Shard, no proof of my kill."

Watching the Eliksni turn her back and slowly make her way down the corridor, Angel momentarily stayed silent before he stated, "Then, why not bring me as a prisoner?"

Flourishing One paused in her footsteps before she turned and focused her gaze back on him, "What foolishness are you talking about now?"

Letting his shoulders sag, Angel responded, "The only reason you would be down here is to look for resources correct? Then I wouldn't be surprised if the safest way out is through the very entrance you came through. In other words, to your House." Hearing nothing from the female Eliksni, he continued, "What am I to do if I were to escape this corrupted place with you? Walk out?" The Hunter let out a snicker, "No, I would be slaughtered, torn apart without a second thought. Unless, you claim me as your prisoner."

"Another foolish idea." The female Eliksni spat, "What makes you think that even if I do take you as a prisoner, that my House will let you live? What if instead they kill you on the spot instead of imprisonment like you hope?"

Remaining silent at Flourishing One's words, Angel simply stated, "Then I am a dead man either way."

Seeing the female Vandal's four eyes narrow once more, the Hunter believe that she wouldn't go through with his idea, not until she let out a low rumble, "Fine then, let's make your life worthwhile, however…" Watching her then approach him once more, Angel stood his ground when Flourishing One pressed her face against his once again "If you back off on your promise when we escape, bandit, then your death won't be a quick one."

Blinking several times in response to her threat, Angel simple let out a chuckle, causing the Eliksni to reel back, "I do not know what type of 'bandits' you have met, Flourishing One, but I always keep my word, despite the circumstances."

Hearing nothing but a huff from the female Eliksni, Angel watched as the latter turned and started walking down the corridor again, prompting the male Guardian to slowly and unsteadily follow her. As he held his injured arm in his hand, Angel couldn't help but let his shoulders droop as exhaustion took over; he was so tired. So, so tired.

Here you figure out more of Angel's 'First family' and a bit more of his backstory as well :D

What? You thought him being the illegitimate son of a scientist was all of it? Well, wrong! lol

Enjoy C: