Redacted

Goodbye

The irony of the title is right when I was posting it, the song Good Goodbye by Linkin Park started playing on my playlist. Had to pause and laugh at the timing lol. Anyways, here's the next chapter everyone! :D

Thanks to RWBYGAMES, TheSilverElite, DisobeyedBowl6, TidalKiller, and TheTurtleMan for the reviews!

TheTurtleMan - Oh, it's cool, I don't mind putting up responses on the chapters, doesn't look bad to me lol. And what do you mean I changed the names? o.o? I recall always being Blaise lol... but I do remember changing names for him several times before I updated it. Perhaps I forgot to change it and then I went back and fixed it? That might have happened lol. There's a lot I want to tell the readers about Angel, but, not just yet :D And Thank you!

It was always easy to spot Salziks, her fluorescent eyes a glimmering shade of white instead of the natural blue of her race; this marked her both as a pariah and a seer of the Eliksni. Many see her as a black lamb while others see her as one still marked by the light; as such, why she has many potential mates ready in line to help her bring pups into the world.

So, it was easy for the young Hunter to recognize the symptoms of her pregnancy, the way she would hum and place her hands protectively around her abdomen as her four eyes softly looked into the distance. Keeping his footsteps light, Angel took slow and steady steps towards the back of the Captain, placing a finger to his lips to the snickering Dregs and Vandals stationed nearby.

"Pure One."

Although disappointment permeated in the back of his mind for his failed stealth, a chuckle escaped Angel's lips as he casually strolled next to the female Captain's side; he has yet to sneak up on her once. This doesn't stop him from trying.

"You have returned," He heard her rumble, "Have you visited the settlement of the Guardians?"

Angel's smile faded from his tan features, "No, I have not."

"You would learn more there than out here, Pure One."

"I know," The Hunter turned and scowled at the tall building of metal and mortar; it was still visible even this far in the Cosmodrome, "But how can I ally with murderers and thieves? Especially considering how they put no effort to put the differences to deter themselves from killing the innocent."

Feeling Salziks' eyes turn towards him, Angel kept his focus on the Wall as the female Eliksni stated, "But you are a Guardian, Pure One. You are one of the few standing between the Light and the Darkness. You are keeping everyone safe." He felt a hand then place onto his shoulder, "You are keeping 'us' safe."

Placing a hand on Salziks', Angel hesitated before turning his green eyes towards the female Captain, "But, they killed your pups. They killed your blood."

A soft rumble emitted from the Eliksni, and although the young Guardian saw grief filter through her four eyes, they also held a tone of softness that he recognizes, "It is true that several Guardians had taken the lives of my litter, however, not all are as bloodthirsty or murderous, Pure One." Feeling her hand leave his shoulder, Angel let his arms fall back to his side as instead, Salziks reached over with her upper arms and tenderly cupped his face in her hands, "Although I have yet to meet one personally, I know there will be those like you who sympathize with my race, and are willing to put their lives on the line for our safety." She then leaned forward and pressed her forehead against his, closing her eyes as she rumbled, "They will be your new pack once you enter the safe haven of their City."

As Angel felt her slowly back away, he stated, "But 'you' are my pack, my 'family'. Why should I replace you with a faction that constantly kills Eliksni?"

"Who says you have to replace us?" Angel reeled back from Salziks' words, "Just call them an 'extension', additions to those you call 'family'."

Tilting his head towards the hearth, Angel bit his lower lip before picking up his gaze and said, "I will head to the Haven however, you must stay alive so I can come and visit you."

Hearing the familiar wheezing laughter of the female Captain, the young Hunter gave her a soft smile in return, only for it to fade when Salziks' four eyes shifted over his shoulders and her gaze widen. As he parted his lips to ask what was the matter, he felt the Captain's arms grab him by the shoulders and tossed him to the side.

"Run!"

Regaining his footing, Angel turned in time to hear the sound of a high-powered rifle ring through the air, followed by Salzik's body jerking forward as blood burst from her chest, causing the female Eliksni to take a few steps before collapsing onto her knees. As a scream escaped his lips, Angel watched Salziks' four eyes turn towards him, and although the mask hid her mandibles, her gaze held the familiar warmth before the sound of another shot echoed around them. This one sent the female Captain twirling, causing her to sprawl onto her back as Angel ran towards her spasming form, placing his hands on her chest as she took in rasping breaths.

"Run," Angel focused his gaze onto her fading eyes, "Run, run with the others."

Momentarily turning his attention towards screeching Dregs and Vandals, Angel tore his gaze away from the fleeing Eliksni as he retorted, "And leave you here? When you are close to conception?"

"The pups, the pups are gone." Angel's eyes widen at this, "They took this litter as well." She took in a rasping breath, "But this time, they take me as well."

"No, No!" The young Hunter pressed his hands against the wounds, the edges of his green hues blurring as he added, "No! Not when I am leaving for the Haven! Not on the day I was going to leave!" He took in a shuddering breath, "Not on the day I was going to say goodbye!"

Feeling the heat of tears sliding down his cheeks, Angel then felt a hand on his shoulder; it was Salziks', the female Captain giving him a smile through her eyes as she murmured, "May the Great Machine guide you, Pure One."

Another scream left Angel when her hand slid back down onto her chest, prompting the young Hunter to lean over the Eliksni's body as grief wracked his body. Then, through tear streaked eyes, he shifted his gaze to the horizon and immediately, rage replaced his sorrow; there, approaching over the hills, were three figures clad in gear that Angel recognizes as those like himself can carry: Guardians.

No, not Guardians.

With hate filled eyes, Angel snarled out, "Bandits."

Xxxxx

"How are you going to reunite with your Shard if you are prisoner of my House, bandit?"

Snapping out of his thoughts, Angel squinted through the darkness at Flourishing One's armor clad form before responding, "Honestly, if I do make it out of this corrupted place, I do not expect her to find me."

He watched the female Eliksni look back at him over her shoulder, "What?"

Angel gave her a strained smile in response, "My Ghost and I were separated for a long while now and it doesn't help that this place is convoluting my Light as it is." He paused, contemplating his next words before continuing, "Who knows, by the time she finds me, it might be too late."

That's when Flourishing One came to a sudden halt, prompting Angel to do the same before the Vandal turned around and narrowed her four eyes at him, "Then what use will you be towards my House if your Ghost never finds you?"

The Hunter chuckled at her words, easily sensing the puzzled look from Flourishing One, "You are part of House Kings, you must know that information is just as valuable as resources."

Fixing his gaze back into her four luminescent eyes, Angel blinked when he saw them widen, surprise clear in her gaze, "Is something the matter?"

At first, receiving only silence as an answer, the Hunter watched as the female Eliksni shook her head before turning her narrowed gaze back at him, "You are willing to give information away that easily?" He heard her scoff, "Are you not part of the bandits?"

That is when the soft smile on Angel's features faded, only to be replaced with a blank expression; honestly, now that he was alone without Hope around, Angel no longer felt the need to 'hide'.

The human Hunter holds no true alliance to the Tower.

True, Fireteam Redacted are part of the so called 'bandits' however, unlike the others, they actually were willing to work with the Eliksni. As such, Angel saw them as a part of his 'pack', not as a 'team' as the others had thought. Thus, the reason why the Hunter was quick to willingly give himself and the information so easily; if given a choice, he would easily ally with the Eliksni if the Guardians were to take a misstep. Only reason he hasn't left them yet was his current Fireteam was helping him plant his feet firmly on the ground.

"I am, but my allegiance is not with them." Angel easily saw Flourishing One reel back, "My allegiance belongs to those who are a part of my pack, not to those who are hiding behind the walls of the Haven."

As he took in the silence between themselves, the human Guardian's mind drifted back to the inhabitants of the Tower; there was no denying that he considers most – if not all - who live at the Tower as a part of his pack, his 'family'. But not the Tower itself, not the faction; although wary of the power of the Vanguard and the Consensus, Angel quietly takes pride and joy in secretly breaking the 'rules', especially against orders. Although he has to admit, occasionally when it comes to Cayde being disappointed, it does cause the young Hunter to become a little flustered; he gets along with the Hunter Vanguard better than Ikora or Zavala.

"You are a strange one," Angel jumped at the female Vandal's words, hearing the latter let out a scoff before watching her turn and casually stroll down the corridor; that is when he saw her clutching her broken lower arms close to her sides, her cape easily hiding them from sight, "How are you faring?"

Seeing her pause once more, the Hunter noticed the subtle movements of the female Eliksni tucking her arms in, hearing her let out a low rumble, "That is none of your business, fool."

"Fool?" Another pause from Flourishing One, "Not bandit?" Angel couldn't help but let a soft smile form onto his face and a teasing tone permeated from the back of his throat, "Am I growing on you, Flourishing One?"

"The only reason I am calling you a fool is because you are one." The Hunter's smile broadens as he caught the subtle waver in her voice, "Works for the bandits but yet holds no allegiance to them?" Angel heard her scoff, "What idiocy."

Hearing nothing more from the female Eliksni, Angel then watched as he continued on with her steps, prompting the young Guardian to follow, "If you do not mind me asking again, Flourishing One, what are you doing down here alone? What happened to the rest of your pack?"

As he caught up to her side, Angel saw the Vandal glance over and narrow her four eyes at him, but nonetheless, she let out a scoff and responded, "I was sent out here alone."

Angel tilted his head, "Alone?"

Flourishing One nodded, "We thought nothing can get worse after the deaths of our Barons." She then snarled, "That is, until those House Devils found that accursed SIVA."

The name of the Golden Age nanites immediately caused the human Guardian to pause, concern drifting into the back of his mind; when he had heard that the House of Devils had found SIVA, he had grown worried for the safety of House Spirits. Had they encountered the devastating effects of SIVA? And if not, did the House of Devils find them and tore the House down? With little to no connection with the House of Spirits, all Angel can do was wait and silently pray that they were safe.

"The Devils attacked several of our outposts deep in the Corroded Lands," The Hunter turned his focus back onto Flourishing One, "we tried defending our territory however, with SIVA on their side, the Devils easily pushed us out, forcing us deeper in hiding." He then heard her let out a snarl, a tinge of rage clear in her luminescent eyes, "ever since, our Ether supply has been dangerously low, to the point where we do not even have enough to support our young." Angel's eyes went wide at this, "As such, we were forced to dwell into the Darken Ones territories, in hopes of finding resources to properly support our House."

"But, by yourself?" Angel heard her huff at his question, "I understand the desperation but even I know that the House of Kings would not be so foolish just to send one scout into Darken Ones territory"

"That is because all the other scouts we sent out never returned." The Hunter went silent, "After several attempts to find them, it was decided that I was to venture in this corrupted place in hopes of finding resources." She growled, "You can see how successful that was."

Remaining quiet at her words, Angel fixed his attention down the corridor before he stated, "But now you can say that there is nothing down here, nothing worth of value." He glanced over at the female Vandal, "That way, your House do not have to risk more lives and instead, move on to another area for your survival."

A scoff from Flourishing One, "You speak as if it is easy to simply move to another point of resource."

"It will not be too difficult."

"Then where do you propose we get enough material to generate enough Ether to support a House?"

"Me." Angel watched her four eyes snap towards him, "Remember my pack? They gave me a personal Servitor when several of them stayed. When they returned back to their House, they left me the Servitor as a parting gift."

"And you have been producing Ether since?" The Hunter nodded before slipping a hand into his pack, shifting the items around until his hand wrapped around a familiar canister. Then, pulling it out, Angel held it out to the female Vandal as he added, "This is just one of many that I had produced." Motioning with his hand for Flourishing One to take it, the Eliksni in question narrowed her eyes in suspicion before delicately taking the glowing canister from his hand, prompting Angel to quietly watch as she reached down to her waist to remove the dwindling Ether cans, "If I do survive this ordeal and my Ghost does happen to find me on time, then I will transfer all that I have to you and the Kings."

"Wait." Flourishing One's eyes shifted back onto his, "You say that you have a pack, but you have a large supply of Ether. Why are you not giving it to them?"

That's when Angel tore his gaze away from the female Eliksni's and stared down the dark corridor, taking in the moment of silence as the pair continued on their steady pace, "They formed their own House and went into deeper territory." He sighed, "Without me."

"Without you?" Flourishing One repeated, "Did you not want to go with them? I thought you said you are not dedicated to those bandits."

Angel remained silent at the female Vandal's words, "Unless, you did not know they were leaving."

The Hunter let out a bitter chuckle, "They left me with nothing more than a simple message, saying that I should learn how to 'reintegrate' with the Guardians." Loneliness once again filtered into Angel's chest as his shoulders drooped, "it has almost been two years and I had not heard from them since."

"And you still call them your pack?" Angel focused his gaze back onto Flourishing One and nodded, earning another scoff from the female, "to think of all my years alive, I would meet a soldier with a soul as pure as the energy they wield."

Although the memories of House of Spirits still permeated brightly in his mind, the Hunter couldn't help but let out a laugh at Flourishing One's words, "Honestly, I think that might be why my pack calls me 'Pure One', although, I do not see myself as such."

"Pure One, h'm?" A tinge of amusement rumbled in the back of the female Eliksni's throat, "It definitely suits you, although I cannot but be confused as to why you think you are not befitting of the title."

Her words caused Angel's warm smile to fade, the blank look on his features visible once more as he slowly turned his gaze back towards the corridors, letting nothing but the sounds of their footsteps padding softly against the hard hearth. Although the Hunter trusted the Eliksni more than the Guardians, Angel never told the members of House of Spirits of the reason why he never saw himself worthy of the name.

This brought up the image of the 'bandits', recalling the sight of their campfire clear in the night when the Hunter had made his escape. Their laughter rang clearly in the human Guardian's mind and unbridled rage soon settled into his chest, curling his functioning hand into a fist as he gritted his teeth. Although he took Salziks' teachings to heart, after her death, he couldn't just let it go. He just couldn't.

However, as his memory wandered over to him approaching the three Guardians with a smile on his face, guilt then swelled within and grief settled in, the edges of his eyes burning with tears.

"Fool? Fool, you okay?" Angel shook his head as he was snapped of his thoughts, "It seems my curiosity touched a nerve." He saw her eyes narrow, as if deep in thought, "The rage I saw in your eyes is almost as equivalent to an Eliksni male. Followed by, something else." The human Hunter had to lean back as she leaned towards him, her four eyes gleaming with curiosity, "It's an emotion I cannot seem to grasp. Grief? Regret?" Angel heard her pause, "What memory brought up such rage and emotion?"

Fidgeting under Flourishing One's scrutinizing gaze, Angel turned his gaze towards the floor, watching his feet kick the dust and dirt beneath him before he parted his lips to respond. Only for the pair to jump as the familiar screech of a Thrall echoed behind them.

"So soon?" The female Eliksni snarled, "I thought we would have more time to make it to the entrance."

"It was this way?"

A scoff emitted from Flourishing One, "Do you think that I was leading us this way for no reason, fool?" She nodded her head once down the corridor, "I recognize my own scent. This was the way I took to venture into this accursed place. In other words, where safety awaits."

The pair jumped once again as another screech permeated down the cavern however, this one sounded closer and the scuttling of claws scraping against the walls rang clear in their ears. No sooner had the familiar black porcelain head of a Thrall stepped through the darkness when one word flashed into Angel's mind, "Run!"

Xxxxx

When the screaming of the Thrall permeated throughout the corridors, Ianos couldn't help but square out his shoulders and grip his pulse rifle tightly in his hands, taking in a deep breath as he tuned in onto the lesser Hive's cries; according to what he can tell, the Thralls' screeches were growing distant, their attention obviously elsewhere. Although knowing this, it did little to ease the nervousness settling into his chest.

Repeatedly taking steady breaths, the Awoken Warlock turned his attention towards Unit Eleven, his orange eyes trailing down the Exo's shoulders only to come to a pause near his hands, the shaking apparent in the younger Guardian's grasp before Ianos saw his fingers curl tightly around his rifle, forcing the shaking to stop.

"Observation, scans approximate at least thirty Thrall, ten Acolytes, and three Knights." The Exo then squared out his shoulders and leaned in, as if to take in a better visage of his surroundings, "however, their attention seems to be elsewhere."

Ianos raised a brow at this, "What do you mean?"

"They are not heading our way," The Awoken watched as Unit Eleven straighten out his posture before turning his hidden gaze towards the older Guardian's, "however, something had captured their attention, and they seem intent to get a hold of it."

"Angel."

Having momentarily forgotten about the female Ghost taking host within his armor, Ianos couldn't help but jump as her hushed voice permeated throughout his helmet, only for his orange eyes to widen at the realization of her words, "We have to hurry, we have to get past them."

"Is this a tactic that you had learned back on the moon?"

"What? No." Ianos gave the Exo a quizzical look, "That 'something' that their attention is on, it can possibly be the one we are looking for."

A pause from Unit Eleven; Ianos sighed, "It could be Angel – wait, Unit Eleven! Unit Eleven! Come back here!"

Silently cursing as the white clad form of the Warlock disappeared from his sight, Ianos ran after the younger Guardian as Ace's voice muttered, "Well, there goes their fear of the Hive 'preventing' him from fighting them."

His gaze narrowing behind his visor, Ianos murmured, "Just because you have a fear doesn't mean you cannot fight it."

Although the Warlock heard Ace let out a soft hum in agreement, this doesn't stop Ianos' heart beat rapidly in his chest as he finally caught sight of Unit Eleven's form, only to recognize the hunkering forms of the Knights, their darkness infused swords glowing eerily in the dimness of the corridor.

Hearing a scream permeate nearby, he snapped his attention towards the source only to let out a cry of his own when the familiar red clad form of Mars was lifted off the dusted surface of the Moon, his body teetering on the edge of a Knight's blade before being tossed to the side. Before the Warlock can even take steps towards the Exo, another Knight's blade came in between them, causing the Warlock to jump back to dodge the blow. Hearing the heavy 'clang' of the weapon hitting the hearth, Ianos heard the Knight let out a low rumble before lifting up their blade and turned its three eyes towards him. Seeing its crusted lips curl upwards to reveal its fangs, Ianos felt a chill run up his spine as he realized the Hive Knight was smiling at him, the cockiness clear in its eyes before it lifted its weapon and swung.

Before the Awoken can dodge the blow, the familiar black and white clad form of Neptune blinked into his vision, Ianos watching the older Exo holding up his rifle to block the incoming sword slash. The weapon's screaming and sparks of broken metal nearly drowned out the sound of gunfire and the screams of the wounded and the dying.

"Little Light! Run!"

Hearing Neptune's voice barely making it through the snarls of the attacking Knight, Ianos turned to run only to duck down as another Knight's sword brushed past his head. Clenching his weapon tightly in his hands, the Awoken let out a war cry before rushing forward with his shotgun, pressed it against the Knight's chest and pulled the trigger, feeling the kick force him away from the Hive before its screams permeated around him.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Ianos lifted his pulse rifle and fired, feeling the kick of the weapon force himself to keep a tight grip on the handle as he watched the Knight stumble from the shots, before turning its three eyes towards him and roared.

"You should have thought that out better."

Puzzled by Ace's words, Ianos immediately realized his mistake when another Knight appeared through the darkness, its roar causing Unit Eleven to come to a sudden halt and fire his weapon into the higher-ranking Hive. Mentally cursing at his momentarily lapse of concentration, Ianos sheathed his weapon onto his back before holding out his shotgun and rushing towards the Knight. Easily brushing past the Exo Warlock, Ianos slid down onto his knees before pulling the trigger on his weapon as he closed the distance, hearing his target let out a startled cry before he pulled the trigger once again. Watching the Knight stumble back from the shots, Ianos then gathered void light into his palm before thrusting it forward, seeing the familiar burst of violet light permeated throughout the Hive's body and causing it to disperse in streaks of light.

No sooner had he done this when Unit Eleven's form rushed past him, the Awoken reeling back when he witnesses the colors of violet 'and' azure streaking around the Exo Warlock before it quickly dissipated and instead, a flash of light filled his vision. Momentarily blinded, Ianos raised a hand as a he stumbled back, using it as a vain reflection of his light. Hearing screams of the Knight ringing in his ears, this prompted Ianos to slowly lower his hand and squint through the light, only for the darkness of the corridor to flash back into his vision. This gave Ianos the chance to see the Hive Knight on its knees before it slowly crumbled into dust, Unit Eleven casually releasing his grasp from the front of the higher-ranking Hive's carapace.

"What in the Traveler was that?"

Seeing Unit Eleven turn his blank gaze towards him, all Ianos received as an answer was the screaming of the Thrall echoing behind the Exo Warlock; it seems that they had noticed the flash of light that the white clad Guardian had released. Narrowing his eyes at the Exo in response to this, Ianos instead sheathed his weapon and concentrated his light around him, hearing the familiar buzz of arc light permeating in his ears. Taking in a deep breath, Ianos then leaped forward before releasing all the pent-up energy in his chest outward, and immediately the edges of his vision permeated with the familiar blue light. As the screams of the arc light crackled around him, Ianos felt himself stay aloft as he regained composure and his eyes caught the darkened shapes of the lesser ranking Thrall rush out from the Darkness. With little to no hesitation, Ianos glided forward with his hands outstretched, arc light snapping out from his fingertips and lashing out at any nearby Thrall that had gotten too close. Hearing the screams of the lesser ranking Hive resound throughout the corridor, Ianos then glided forward, letting the sparks of Arc Light latch onto any nearby Thrall before his orange hues glued onto the Acolytes, prompting him to will his light towards the foot soldiers. However, as one died in a stream of blue light, Ianos reeled back as his shield suddenly hummed strongly, prompting him to glide back as familiar violet streaks of Shredder fire appeared in his vision.

Feeling his light lash out at any Thrall that had attempted to take advantage of his distraction, Ianos jumped when scout rifle fire echoed through the caverns, only to glance back to see Unit Eleven with his weapon raised and firing into the fray, his shots dispersing any Thrall that leaped towards the Awoken.

Sensing the last edges of his arc light fade, Ianos then gathered the last of the light into his palms before snapping them forward, feeling the energy lash out from his fingertips and snagging onto the nearest Thrall. Besides scream of its death throes, the lightning snapped out from the body, leaving behind ash as it latched onto its next victim, ricocheting off several of the lesser-ranking Hive before finally latching onto the Acolytes, their death cries soon following the Thralls.

No sooner had the pale azure left his vision when exhaustion settled into his chest, causing Ianos' shoulders to sag as his knees buckled underneath him; perhaps he should have stuck with the void instead of the unfamiliar arc. However, as the thought of tossing a Nova inside of the corridor faded into his mind, Ianos shrugged off the thought before hefting his pulse rifle back into his hands and aimed towards the surviving Acolytes, hearing their cries of protest as they scrambled for the meager cover in the corridor. However, as he aimed down his sights, Ianos' gaze caught sight of movement and his orange eyes went wide as he spotted the familiar leather clad form of Angel, the Hunter swiping at any hostiles with a blade, the weapon much too large in the human guardian's grasp.

"Angel!"

Seeing the young Guardian snap his green hues towards him, relief flooded the Awoken's senses, up until he further examined the Hunter, seeing the scratches and the bruises upon his face followed by the stump of where his left arm used to be. Feeling his mouth fall agape in response to Angel's condition, Ianos then heard the familiar fire of a sniper going off throughout the corridor, causing the Awoken to reel back until he saw a slightly taller form next to the young Hunter's, seeing the familiar cloaked form of a Fallen raise the green spotted pattern of Angel's sniper as they fired it again, taking off the head of an approaching Acolyte.

Quickly putting the pieces together, Ianos then focused his attention towards Unit Eleven, watching the Exo Warlock take steady steps forward as the room slowly cleared, the screams of the Hive slowly dissipating back into the Darkness. However, as Ianos felt a sense of victory permeate back into his chest, the familiar roar of a Knight made his blood grow cold, prompting the Awoken to turn his eyes back towards the corridor.

The rusted carapace of the Hive Knight seemingly materialized from the shadows, its three glowing eyes clear in the darkness as it let out a snarl, signaling to Ianos to heft his pulse rifle and aimed it at the Knight, the familiar click of a scout rifle a sign that Unit Eleven had done the same. Glancing over to Angel and his Eliksni comrade, he had seen the Fallen do the same, aiming their sights down onto the Hive Knight's head as their four luminescent eyes narrowed.

Sighting that it was the last of its troops, Ianos completely understood the look of rage permeating from the Hive Knight's three eyes; however, he cannot understand why the look of rage was soon replaced with one of smugness, especially when it raised its darkness infused blade. Half expecting a charge, Ianos was taken back when the Knight instead stabbed the point of its blade into the wall of the musty corridor, hearing a dull 'clang' ring throughout the caverns before it started chanting.

Confused at its gargled language, it was only when wisps of black emitting from the blade and the familiar sounds of stones crackling apart when Ianos realized what it had intended to do, "Get back! It's going to bring the place down on us!"

As if to confirm his words, Ianos heard the Knight let out a laugh, the familiar mix of dry wheezing and rumbles recognizable in the back of the Warlock's mind. Not long after, an explosion erupted through the caverns and instantly, Ianos saw the Knight engulfed in a black smog before the Awoken felt his feet fly out underneath him and tossed back. Feeling his back land on the rocky hearth, Ianos let out wheeze as he felt the air leave his lungs, his body screaming in protest before letting out a gasp, only to cough afterwards as his chest seemingly contorted in protest.

"Get up! We have to leave before we are buried alive!"

Feeling a hand grab him by the crook of his arm, Ianos, at first, thought it was Ace who had spoken. However, as he heard his Ghost bicker with Hope inside his helmet, it took the Warlock a few more seconds to realize that it was Unit Eleven who had shouted out the plea, feeling the Exo's grip pull him back onto his feet before being tugged back down the corridor. Opposite of Angel's direction.

"Wait," Ianos managed to mutter out, "Angel. What about Angel!?"

His vision clearing just enough to see Unit Eleven glance back at him, Ianos didn't have to read through the Exo's visor to tell what look he had given him; this prompted the Warlock to glance back, his orange eyes catching Angel's light clad form through the falling debris, "Angel!"

Seeing the Hunter glance towards him, his green eyes barely visible through the darkness, a tinge of hope settled into Ianos' chest. The young Guardian may be bruised and injured, but the Awoken knows that Angel is fully capable of clearing through the falling rocks and dust to reach them; after all, he had seen the young Hunter dodge bullet fire from Fallen back during early Redacted years. However, as he watched Angel take couple of steps forward, Ianos' eyes widen when the Hunter paused, watching him glance back, "Angel! What are you doing!?"

Seeing Angel turn his focus back towards them, Ianos' heart beat rapidly in his chest as the Hunter took a few hesitant steps back before turning around and ran, "Angel!"

Tearing his arm out of Unit Eleven's grip, the Awoken Warlock took long strides back into the rain of rubble when he felt an arm wrap around his neck, feeling his body jerk back from the action, "Let go of me! Angel!"

"Angel!" It was Hope's voice that permeated throughout his helmet and Ianos can easily feel the strong sensation of the female Ghost attempting to materialize outside the safety of his armor. But he also sensed the light of Ace forcing her to stay, hearing sobs permeate from Hope in response.

Shaking side to side in a vain attempt to get Unit Eleven's grip away from his shoulders, Ianos then felt the Exo lean in and whisper, "I apologize for this"

No sooner had these words left Unit Eleven when Ianos suddenly felt the Exo's arms leave his shoulders however, before he can take steps forward towards Angel's location, he then felt pressure slammed onto the side of his helmet, causing him to stumble to the side and his head slamming hard onto the sides of the crumbling corridor.

His vision swarming as his shields blinked dangerously in red, Ianos attempted to regain his footing before he felt his head pull back and being forced against the wall once more. Then, darkness.

Xxxxx

Hope is so going to be so mad at me for this, Letting the words of the female Ghost angrily reprimanding him echoing in the back of his mind, Angel swerved around the falling rocks as he made his way over to Flourishing One.

The Hunter had heard the female Eliksni scream earlier not long after the explosion, the young Guardian shaking off his own aftershock and his opportunity of safety to check up on the Vandal's condition. Moments later, he saw her prone form on the rumbling earth, piles of rubble and debris forming around the Eliksni. How Flourishing One wasn't buried alive yet was a wonder to the young Hunter but, Angel quickly shoved the thought out of his mind and instead, dodged towards the Eliksni, feeling small debris and pebbles bounce off his back and shoulders as he came to a pause next to the female Vandal's form.

Hearing her let out an Eliksni equivalent of a groan, Angel then gripped the collar of her armor and started dragging her further down the corridor. Letting out a grunt as he slowly inched his way to safety, the young Hunter then saw the green glimpse of his sniper rifle, the weapon lying just a few feet nearby, mostly likely having fallen from the female Eliksni's grasp when she was struck by falling rocks. Although a whisper told him to rush forward and grab the rifle, Angel forced the thought to the side; although reluctant to lose such a nice weapon, Angel at least can make another. For himself and Flourishing One on the other hand, they do not have the same option.

As such, he slowly edged his way past the debris, clenching his teeth as his failing shields screamed and protested against the constant impact of falling rocks and debris; there was only so much they can take without the assistance of Hope to refresh it with her light. Finally, after moments of just particles of dust and rock, one struck him on the shoulder and his shields broke, causing the human Hunter to let out a scream as pain permeated from where he was stuck. Feeling the area throb from the impact, Angel then lost his footing as another quake permeated throughout the corridor, prompting him to glance up, only to see the ceiling in front of them completely collapse, seeing large boulders and piles of dirt cut off the opposing way.

"F-Fool?"

Glancing down towards the female Eliksni, Angel saw her stir, seeing her blue eyes blink several times behind her lids as the ground continued to shake. Glancing back and forth between the collapsing tunnel and the stirring Vandal, the Hunter focused back onto the female Eliksni before flashing her a smile.

"Good bye."

Then gathering all his light and strength into his arm, Angel then turned and threw the female Eliksni as far as he could, praying silently that it was enough to get Flourishing One to safety. No sooner had he done this when he felt a blow impact him from the back, causing him to let out a cry of pain as a result. Falling onto his chest, the Hunter felt several more blows onto his back, causing the young Guardian trying to scramble onto his feet. However, no sooner had he done this when he felt a blow behind his head. Then, darkness filled his vision.

And that's it! Have to wait until next week! :D