A/N: I am not writing six rounds of this. P.O.E is fun but if I have to write about several encounters of the same BS I might put a bullet between my eyes. So, I devised a 'different' approach. Review Time!
To Starpottergeek: It has been fun seeing your simple but nice comments, hope you enjoy this final piece to this short book ^_^
To DarkNights: First off, you say that God-Awful meme to me again I might have an aneurysm. That aside, good to know the long-awaited confession was to your liking, really wanted to make this special so I had the perfect scene and all.
Enjoy the finale of Book 3.
Chapter 16 - Prison of Elders: Skolas's Revenge
Act VII - House of Wolves
[Moon | Ocean of Storms | Shrine of Oryx]
Buried deep beneath the lunar surface, an architecture of the Hive was bridged from here to the far reaches beyond our own system, to a power unlike any we had seen before, or perhaps we have albeit briefly. The large cage fixed with tuning prongs etched themselves into the ominous, shimmering sphere of chitin, like fingers to a planet's surface, revealing a bright orange undercoating. The metal stretched underneath into a Hive power coupling below, the large expanse surrounding the shrine ablaze with fire and fury.
"Heads up!" Morbin heard my call and dived before my flaming form crashed into his, with a pull of my fingers I threw my body through the Acolytes, flames scorching their movements to ashes. I slid between the massive Knight's turquoise body, drawing Zenobia while sliding on my back
Sardok missed with its boomer, the luminous eye locked to the brimming muzzle of my rocket as it propelled a cartridge forward, ripping apart the chitin and in turn its face, rendering the guardian of the Shine a heap of dissolving chitin and fire before me.
While its roar fell apart, the sphere above immediately became unstable, Zane diving out with Ghost and Rika close behind him, green sparks of energy snapping at his back. "O-Okay, so overloaded it - Should probably be weakened now!"
At his command, Morbin and I raised our weapons, unloading a few rounds into the now crackling communicator as it distorted and broke itself down from within, gathering the residue energy into a singular point. With a flash and rumble, the entire structure collapsed, leaving only a few sparks to fizzle away with a faint... almost whisper in the wind.
"We severed their connection. The Shrine... it was communing with something out there—their God or King. Well, not anymore. Whatever it is, it's still out there." Ghost wasn't so optimistic, but I can't blame him, these Hive are always respectful, and the Knight, Sardok, it was titled after that 'Oryx' character, wonder if there's more out there?
Rika bumped his shell. "Oh lighten up, Ghosty! Shrine's busted and the Hive are once again... really angry," It never deteriorated
"Another successful mission ~Bloodlust... satisfied~ like he said," Morbin shrugged, Zane then made me yelp as he wrapped an arm around my nape, swinging us side-to-side, chuckling between teeth it sounded. Even so, my heart didn't stop fluttering
Best few days of my second life, Zane and I... well, nothing's changed much, our usual patrols, he'd invite me round to read through his collection or check his work as a proofreader, something about, ahem, 'elegantly capturing the moment, like the Vex but not as scary'. Now though there was no reason to feel afraid trying to be closer to him, to even so much as hold his hand or stick by his side, literally. Just that alone is enough for me.
"Ugh, if you're quite done," Morbin pried us apart, like someone scratching a record, he tapped the side of his helmet. "There's a transmission."
Nodding to Ghost his shell flashed with a light blue aura, splitting to open the channel. ~There we go; Hello again, Ceres, Zane, Morbin~ It was Petra!
"Hello~!" Zane waved though his voice conveyed his joy to her
"Nice to hear from you again, Petra," I replied, crossing my arms. "What's up?"
She cleared her throat, ~I'll skip over the formalities, rather, Variks sent word to me this particular request for you three specifically~ That curious peak in her voice kept me invested. ~He can brief you, but if you're interested in delving into the Prison of Elders, make your way to the Reef, a promise of a fitting reward is on the table too, as that seems to please more than enough Guardians here already~ The mirth wasn't lost, then the transmission cut off
I was confused, "The Prison again?" Was it another breakout or riot?
Zane on the other hand bounced with excitement, hands close to his chin as he squealed, dashing to my side to shake me back and forth. "Eeeee, the Challenge of Elders is back! Can we go, can we go, can we go!?" I'm seeing stars again...?
While my head spun I put my finger up. "What? What's the Challenge?" Shaking my head clear I gently pushed his arms off me, Rika spinning around her Guardian, eye bright with anticipation
"It's where the prisoners enter a combat arena for glory and entertainment, it used to be only accessible to the Awoken but with the recent events strengthening relations with Guardians we can now enter and battle for awesome loot!" She spat out in under ten seconds, and now that I had an idea of the setting, it did sound like something Zane or Dimitri would enjoy, could be a good learning tool. "Pleeeease Ceres, let's goo~oo~!"
"Okay, okay...!" I calmed them down with my hands out, looking to Morbin still kicking aside the remains of Hive for engrams. "What about you, Morbin?" He slowly turned to me, then turned back with a begrudged shrug
"If I can kill Fallen, sure ~BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD!~" So he was on board. Giggling, I happily agreed
"Then Ghost, plot a course for the Vestian Outpost."
"Whoo-hoo!" Zane and Rika were on cloud nine again, tossing away the blue engram in his hand. With this level of thrill I now really wanted to know more about this arena
My head bobbed to Ghost, "Guess we'll fill Eris in on the Shrine later," His shell spun to Rika, then back
"I don't think they would let us even if we tried." I nodded, true
[Asteroid Belt | Reef | Vestian Outpost]
"Huh, you weren't kidding for once," Morbin was right. Zane's building of anticipation paid off as another group of Guardians left with their rewards to talk to the Outpost's Cryptarch, Variks having handed one a cloak fashioned from a House of Kings banner, looked really vibrant too
He skipped ahead of us, arms fanned out. "Told ya! The Awoken love these fights, and so do the Guardians that have played them too," Stopping suddenly his hand pressed to his cheek, whispering while swishing his head side-to-side to ensure no prying ears heard. "Between us, it's how Variks keeps open cells, a bit of culling of their numbers."
"That's... dark." I raised my brow at the questionable methods, but they brushed it off with a wave
"It's a bunch of low-life prisoners, who cares? ~KILL THEM ALL!~ exactly..." Hearing this from the Fallen's literal boogieman was the last thing I needed on my mind as we stopped before Variks, a new light gleaming in his eyes as he noticed us
His arm ushered us forward, batting the end of his staff off the ground. "Friends of Variks return... for Prison of Elders, yessss?" The word trailed off in his accent, but in truth, I nodded with a confident smile
"Petra contacted us, you wanted us specifically, why?" I was willing to help I just felt it in my chest, something else was going on behind the scenes that we were too busy to observe ourselves
"You caught Skolas. You brought him to Judgement. You are my friend and now, I offer his head," The words came out with a slight tinge of pleasure, Variks gripped his staff tightly, overlooking a monitor that displayed an arena of sorts. "Has been difficult getting answers, still hopes to rally Fallen in prison, I will not allow that; You will help Variks... undo his plans, yes?"
This was it... the end of Skolas was just outright handed to us on a silver platter, but in order to take him down we needed to go through the Prison of Elders. The idea of him rallying an army among the prisoners kept me on edge, my face stern. "What do we have to do?"
"If our leader says so, sure," Morbin chuffed, crossing his arms
"You know I've got your back!" Zane said while still holding my hand tightly and I smiled warmly, turning my eyes to Variks. The last of House Judgement stood proud, staff held straight, prodding the air above us
"Test your Light in Challenge of Elders, prove might to Judgement once more, to the Kell of Kells, kill him dead, Guardians." The disdain at the title was abundantly clear, I too felt it chasing him and his fanatical followers across the system
Opening my eyes after lengthy consideration, this was technically a raid, we had half the forces typically, but the energy in the air, the sweat on my palms and rush of a cold beat to my heart. I wasn't going to make any more mistakes, this time, I won't let anyone down. The warmth in my palm right now kept my spirit alight, more so than ever before, and with the trust between Morbin and us, there was no questionable doubt.
"Then let's put an end to Skolas, for good this time."
"Then let Prison of Elders welcome you, Guardians."
[Reef | Prison of Elders | Airlock]
When we were transmitted into the arena, we stood inside a crossroads, four doors between us a the separate arenas. One was infested with Hive gunk and crystals, chains hanging from the ceiling above. The next was littered with Fallen supply crates either side of the doorway. Another decorated with Cabal shields, with the last clean and lit with a blue bulb.
This was going to be an interesting bout. "Alright, let's - woah!" What the hell is that!? My entire body screeched to a halt at the massive, hollow Servitor revealed behind one of the doors, the body blazing red, sparks snapping inside the pupilless frame. Zane was quick to defuse my rifle from unloading on it
"It's the Warden, love, chiiiill!" He patted me back. "It's how Variks runs the Prison from afar, pretty unnerving when you see it for the first time."
He already had me silent with that little nickname, then, the Servitor spoke in Variks' tone. ~Last Man Standing engaged... accept for glory... yes? Or stand together~
Is that a modifier? Our heads spun to Zane for answers, to which he sat atop the Fallen crate, spinning Imago around his finger. "This one's fun, it speeds along the rounds by dividing us up. So one Guardian, one arena. Then the fourth will more than likely be Skolas himself." He stopped flicking his gun around. "But relax, there's never been a Darkness Zone until the final fight, so don't worry about our Little Lights coming around to save us."
That relaxed my muscles, though keeping my distance from the creepy, eyeless Servitor was top of my list as it awaited an answer. "Are you sure we shouldn't stick together?" This was less of an order more a suggestion due to our track record, I won't risk their lives unless they all want this. "Your calls, not mine this time."
Both passed a glance to one another, silently tempting the silence as they thought of a reply. Revenant was gone, but Skolas was still a danger. Just because I'm their leader doesn't mean I overrule their feelings, their ideas, if I'm to live up to the role I've played for months, I have to step back and consider everything, even if it sounds stupid, I've come to expect so many amazing things from these two.
"We're in." They replied, Morbin strolling over to the Vex doorway
"The Vex are mine, ~I WILL DRINK FROM THEIR CHEST CAVITIES~... that would be unpleasant but interesting." Leaving aside his curious devouring of Vex, that was fine. I took a step toward the Hive doorway
"I don't think I'm all that effective against the Cabal," I admitted, given the fact I've fought with the other races far longer my experience would be better off utilized against anything else. Which left only the Cabal for Zane to hop on over to
"Before Ana runs off on her investigations she gave me pointers on the Cabal, so this shouldn't be too difficult," He clicked his fingers, Imago tapped to his temple. "We're ready, Variks!"
~Challenge accepted. Fight. Kill. Survive... or death~ The Servitor flew backward, the Fallen doorway sealed shut while our doors opened, revealing the three distinct pathways toward chaos. With a final look amongst us, we waved and departed, divided by a reinforced door
When the last echo of the airlock hissed, I released my shaky breath, stepping across the crunch of the ground, kicking up moondust gathered on the floor. "Just you and me from here on out, Ghost."
"We'll make it through this, I got your back." I appreciate the support, but... it's not the Hive I'm worried about. "No, what I mean is, all of us, while not together, I know the others are wishing us good luck." Since when did you grow in confidence? "When I met you, Guardian."
Stepping into the arena, the underpass to my left and right were all that really remained, what little of the Prison that remained clear was surrounded by infested Hive architecture, tunnels reshaped under the central plateau above with a few broken catwalks leading toward its ominous lighting.
~Hive spawn claw their way towards your Light~
With the announcement the Hive cries wailed through the air, Thrall, Acolytes, and the low roar of an Ogre flared onto my HUD. Locking Red Death to the amassing spawn I charged while pulling back on the trigger, blitzing my way through the group of gnashing teeth and crackling claws, smashing a number of them with a quick-summon hammer, their volatile bodies erupting like fireworks, blinding the Acolytes as I ran up the slope to my right.
Immediately, the hive began to storm out from the left, forcing me to throw a CLG behind me in order to try and stop some of the Thrall that were flanking in order to reposition myself. Running up the right side catwalk I slid behind a wall as an Ogre's glare battered the metal. Thankfully, the wall I was hiding behind took most of the shots that were fired as I flicked Vestian Dynasty forward.
The Arc rounds were fast and precise, dropping Acolytes and Thrall in pairs, a Knight's blade slicing through the crowd, nicking my faceplate as I unloaded the last few rounds into its head, beheading it. Reloading, I backed up, minimizing the crowd before slapping the pistol back on my hip, switching to Zenobia as the rocket forced the Acolytes to scamper, the blast consuming the Ogre from afar.
Only a few Acolytes remained, so with a pull of Red Death's slide I took aim and cleared the area with a few quick bursts to the head. The charred remains rolling down the hillside. "That was actually kinda fun, wonder how-"
~Incoming~
The screams returned as quickly as I disposed of them, and I felt my posture trip slightly. "Oh, right, two more rounds."
"Lock and load, Guardian." Aye, sir.
[No POV]
Zane swung a knife low, slitting the Pison's throat, his fist connecting with the second while his elbow blindsided the third. The Phalanx ahead roared, bringing its shield to bear as reinforcements gathered behind Zane, he didn't stop running, hopped atop the shield, flipping over the metal barricade while dropping a CLG for the crowd to divide due to the burst effect.
"Captured." The bomb looming over his head crumpled as it was dismantled in seconds, the gunfire still tearing into his shield as he skipped down the flight of stairs behind him, taking the underpass to evade the Centurions and their rocket fire
Sliding through the sand he brought Imago high, taking down a Legionary mid-flight, another two rounds and so did a Phalanx. Leaping high over the large, flaming wall to the third mine, he gave himself a small boost by conjuring his Golden Gun like a shooting star, eyeing the Cabal surrounding the splinter mine with gusto.
Time crawled for his eye, a series of golden flashes smeared the catwalk in flames and ash, the condense force of Solar raining down, a visage the apocalypse had come. With a rough roll, he stood before the mine, the weapons were all that remained of the Cabal, the others swarming from behind the rocks and wreckage, some leaping down from the suspended ruins of one of their dropships.
"Give 'em a show, partner." Rika beamed, the mine above slowly being disrupted by Zane's mere presence. With a spin of Imago, he slotted a new moon clip and pinned the iron sights to the first Psion he could see
"Let's count 'em down." He pulled back the hammer with a smile unbeknownst to the imprisoned rhinos as the last of the Splinter Mines blew apart, bonking Zane on the head as he accidentally shot the Legionary, all the Cabal looking to their fallen friend, then to Zane who hid Imago behind his back sheepishly before it excited a rage-filled battle cry from the lot
~Success. You have done it~
"Oh, you've done something alright..." Rika's snarky remark was only met with Zane running for cover
Morbin tackled the dark red Hobgoblin from the doorway. Snapping off its rifle arm before smashing two Goblins with it. He backed away from the surrounding maroon-colored Vex as they burnt holes into his armor plating, yet he wasn't phased, matching their numbers with the roar of Hammerhead tearing their troops apart by the limbs.
"~COME GET SOME! YOU'RE ALL GONNA DIE!~" Kreig said that in a strange, slow tone, lasers bouncing off his armor and weapon while he flung the feed-cover open, dropping the twin drums as he turned, jamming his fist into the warping Minotaur as it froze mid-swing, twisting his fingers into the strange substance Morbin pried out the core with his bare hand, ignoring the burns to his back while the Minotaur fell over
Running past the entrance to the airlock he threw himself into the left-hand side overhangs, reloading the machine gun in time for the timed teleports of the Goblins and Harpies. Lining the muzzle to the eye of a Goblin, a single shot tore the head apart, then he went full auto, rippling Void rounds through the masses as burns struck his forearm from above.
Without letting the trigger or chamber rest he yanked Hammerhead high, bullets lining the walls as he brought the Hobgoblins down from their stationary posts on the balconies. Inadvertently destroying the splinter mine behind the crowd, the last on his list too as the air grew thick with silence, the hiss and smoke from his weapon indicating he may want to switch for one of his slug dispensers.
"This... Aphix Invasive... they are very terrible at their jobs." He was unimpressed, who exactly wants to be locked in prison based on a so-and-so future? Answer, the lifeforms with the uncountable minions as Morbin's logic inevitably drawled to when Kreig decided to take over
"Something's up with the Vex gateway." Deus' alert brought Morbin out of hiding, standing before the rampart leading to the lower battlefield below and up toward the large, ruined sync plate, the lights and prongs jutting from the edges came to life, a sphere capsule closed around the disk, coding interweaved into the fabric of reality as a cryo agent escaped through the cracks. "Get ready..."
"Final round here we go," Morbin murmured, drawing Lord of Wolves
~Time stalker of the Vex... *growling* The Overmind Minotaur~
The dome came down, and from it the chassis of an Ultra Minotaur connected and interlocked to the endoskeleton, the silver sheen of its metal glossing in the dark blue sky while the white eye identified the Light within Morbin, it's directive under the Gatelord, Qodron now engaged.
Without a word Morbin watched as the radar was dipped red, his hands beginning to charge with acute Void Light. Giving his fingers a quick pop he put his gun away and let the Void consume him with a low, dark chuckle. He vanished with a pop, leaving the Vex confused and unable to pinpoint his Light.
The Overmind then reeled back from the force of gravity bending its chestplate, the form of the Guardian hovering high above its own body, hands brought to its hip as they condensed a highly unable pocket of space between his palms.
Zane dashed while the self-proclaimed Val Aru'un unleashed a volley of homing missiles into the flaming wreckage, training his weapon between his Legionaries as they opened fire on the flash of lightning that was their target. It moved with grace and force, slicing through two Legionaries with a large crescent of Arc, his body blinking as the knife plunged itself through another's skull, he dived up and over the hail of slugs from Aru'un, tossing the knife across the gap as it grazed his shield.
In a flurry of bolts, Zane pressed his hand to the sand, the orange glow of the fires turning the already dark red armor of the Centurion black as he dashed through the air, slicing through the large bullets to carve his knife through its shoulder, spraying a black, oily substance as he spun around, vanishing from sight even as the rockets disorientated his next attack, managing to slash horizontally across its stomach, bringing the dagger in an upward slant through his collarbone.
Aru'un roared, slamming its foot down to toss away the concealed Hunter. Zane flew across the arena, evading gunfire and rockets as they bounced off one another and the wall he now pressed his feet to. With a heave he flipped through the rockets, the ripple of the explosions making it harder to aim as his Light flowed, the Arc snapped and fizzled, a steady heat rising from his chest to his right arm for a brief second. The moment the last strands of plasma left his fingertips, the right side of his body exploded with heat.
"Here's the money shot!" With a twist of his hip, Zane spun himself to face the Cabal leader from above, his back skimming the dropship's underbelly as he used it to brace his shoulders, firing a single, contained shot for molten flames. Like a beacon or falling star, the bullet flew from the darkness, a ring of fire escaping beneath the Centurion's feet with a scream
When Zane landed, one hand pressed to the ground, his head concealed by his hood, a single gust of hot wind tugged at his cape as Aru'un fell to the ground, his augments exploding for a grand finish. "Aaaand end scene!" Rika whistled, her shell bumping to Zane's fist while those that remained retreated to their own airlocks
"-Get out of my way!" Ceres bellowed as her fist dug into an Acolyte's face, tossing its body aside while her right hand swung a Thrall from her back, kicking it into the crowd while she attached a CLG to its crown to keep the Hive under wraps
The boomer fire forced her to rethink her assault, ducking behind the cover of the tunnel, sprinting through as the cries of Thrall swarmed from behind. With a pivot on her heel, she brought Verdict back, unloading each slug into their pale chests as they fell apart like gravel. Taking out Dynasty in her left she emptied the last clip she had into the swarm, their numbers dwindling for her while the rumble under feet persisted.
With a sharp ascension to the dark pool above, she narrowly evaded the boomer's blast, rolling away from another while the Wretched Knight howled, stomping toward her. But Ceres was smiling, he was without any backup or numbers, meaning she could put it down for good this time. The preemptive strikes to its joints were wearing the Knight down, cracks had spread, becoming increasingly noticeable as her bullets chipped through the thick armored knees and elbows.
As the Knight drew down a fist, Ceres countered with her own hammer, allowing the impaled arm to fracture her faceplate somewhat while her hammer swung low, split the elbow, and breaking the arm with one fell swoop, the stakes through its forearm having broken more bone for her. It tried to pull away, firing shots into the water yet Ceres moved between its shifting legs, bashing a hammer through the left knee while drawing another to erupt like fireworks against the adjacent joint.
With both ligaments totaled, the Knight fell forwards, swing back the boomer to swat Ceres, she mere ran along its back, bringing one last hammer down with both hands, the combined force snapped the neck, embedding the face of the Knight into the moist soil under her boots, the body falling apart soon after, leaving behind a legendary engram for her.
"Thank you," She bowed, plucking it from the chitin as the final announcement sounded
~Enemies die. You live. Well done. Return to Airlock, Guardian~
Over the edge of the plateau the airlock was finally revealed to her and Ghost, both letting out a collective sigh now that the solo skirmish was at its end. It was enjoyable and kept her on her toes constantly so she could see the potential to train and hone her skills here, and if she could ease some of the threats living in the Prison then it's a win-win.
Those thoughts had to wait, however. While stepping through the eerie corridor again, Ceres was greeted by the sight of Zane sat in the middle of the room, playing with a knife by tossing it high. He stopped upon spotting the Titan who waved. "Heeey, Ceres!"
"Is it just us then?" Her inquiry of Morbin's absence was cut short as they noted the Vex doorway sliding open, both jumped as a large Vex head was unceremoniously tossed into the room, the wires having been ripped, the eye fading to black. "Forget I asked."
"Asked what?" Morbin huffed, but she shook her head, the door behind him closed with a hiss of pistons. "No matter, our real fight awaits."
~Final Round. Fallen of the Wolf Banner march to war... Skolas has message for you~
Variks then played the voice Ceres knew too well by now. The fanatical Kell of the Wolves roared into the speakers, laughter and furious with each word uttered, thanks to Variks we knew what exactly was just spat in our faces. ~He said, 'I refuse to rest, I alone with ruthless devotion will lead the Eliksni to glory-'~ Variks made a clicking noise before adding, ~'-Come Light-Bearers, I will display my wrath to you, my revenge will be our salvation'~
"Quite the spokesman he is," Zane chuckled, standing tall as the doorway toward the Fallen arena opened, revealing the flaming Servitor as it pulled back, vanishing to them us pass through the tunnel toward the mastermind who orchestrated the assault on the Reef, the Fallen Houses, who had sewn destruction and death for too many days
Morbin took point, slowly making his way down the hall as Deus materialized a heavy ammo synth, quite content to leave the two behind for the moment. Ceres was nervous, she fought Skolas and almost lost her life to a harrowing death, but it was the gradual return of the many times before. When they destroyed Atheon, saved Eva from her endless prison. Crota's Oversoul collapsing with his body crumbling to dust by her blade. Revenant appearing, taking Harrow's life, dividing them from Reiner and Zane for days in the Ascendant Realm.
"Third times the charm, right?" Her eyes wandered back to the helmet of Zane, his hands cupping her hers with solace. "Just the three us against one crazy Fallen."
"Right..." Her voice wavered out of her control. Without much else he could think of, Zane rested his forehead against hers, feeling his eyes rest on hers behind that helmet. Ceres let out a subtle breath but leaned closer with their hands pressed between them, her lips lifting. "Thank you..."
He chuckled giddily. "Anything for you, love!" Stepping back with his left hand between hers, he helped his leader move forward again on her own, both picking up the pace to run up the steps and out into the arena beside Morbin, the door gently locked behind them as the wind played with Ceres' Sunbreaker mark, Zane's cloak and Morbin's coat
"You done making out or should I inform Skolas to wait?" Morbin remarked dryly, and while Ceres felt her face start burning again Zane declared rather boldly before her
"Admit it, you'd do the same if-" He slowly retracted from the muzzle of Judgement pressed to his helmet. "You make a valid point good sir." Morbin nodded while Ceres sighed exasperatedly while pushing the two boys apart, won't be much of a challenge if two of them off each other
"We're ready Variks!"
The A-Block arena was a large, open area that contains a partially enclosed hallway around the side closest to the entrance. The left side is raised higher than most of the arena and has only two ramps. The right side has a single, smaller raised platform with no ramps. In the middle are several pieces of debris that can be used as platforms, or as tunnels underneath. The back edge could be reached via a large catwalk straight down the middle of the arena.
~You face the trial of Skolas, Traitor Kell!~
A large dome obscured this, as the stasis gas was released from within the rotating capsule, and through the mist knelt the Kell of Wolves. He stood tall, a Scorch Cannon to replace his lost augmented launcher, his eyes scanned the risen land, snarling as he spotted the girl between the other Guardians. His hunger for revenge would be satisfied soon.
[Skolas, Kell of Kells]
Raise his arms wide he cackled and called upon his Wolves from their airlocks, grasping the launcher in two hands while slowly backing toward the bridge behind him. What Ceres spotted about the cannon was that it looked highly unstable, similar to the style Taniks modified to convert the energy output. Did he modify the launcher?
"Divide and conquer but watch each other's blindspots!" She relayed as the scorch cannon tore apart the ground next to the overpass. Switching to Zenobia Ceres gave them both a thumbs up. "I'll distract Skolas, you both whittle down his reinforcements."
"Then come in for a flank when he least suspects it," Morbin realized then gave a nod as he pumped two Vandals pull of lead, taking on the right side with Zane giving a short bow before he ran through the fire and flames created by the enhanced cannon
Dashing out from behind cover under the astral sky, Ceres stood her ground. "Hey, it's me you want right, Skolas!?" His assault on Zane ceased, turning to face a rocket as it blinded him for a moment, the cluster bombs digging into his armor as he howled loudly at the girl reloading her rocket with a sharp twist. "I've beaten you before, you're no Kell, you're nothing but a lunatic."
The mockery of his title warranted his immediate teleport, forcing Ceres down into the open space as the fist collided with the ground, Skolas warped again, appearing as he ran forward, blasting the ground with several small but rapid blasts, confirming Ceres' analysis of the weapon. "I need a sit-rep, Ghost." She asked while firing her own rocket, striking his shoulder while one struck her legs, tossing her onto the bridge
"On it..." He paused then hummed curiously. "He's tinkered with the model, similar to Taniks but with a flaw, it needs to cool down if he uses... wow, just, watch out when he starts charging that thing," She nodded, bringing the holo-sights to bear down on the Kell as he hopped back then spun to his right while lowering his body, the rocket had missed while he poised his forward, nearly striking Ceres with a three-burst round
Another trio of rockets torched the area, followed by two Arc bolts throwing Ceres from the sky as she hid behind the slope beside the bridge, turning with Dynasty to take the head off a Dreg, rolling in the sand to avoid a wire rifle her handgun bringing down the Vandal with three shots while she ran for the open space again only for a large arm to swat her across the ground.
Skolas laughed, raining another trail of rockets across the metal platform only to miss his nimble target, but he wasn't ill-prepared this time, after recalling his Wolves to hunker down he yanked the handle forward as it overclocked the reactor, the glow amassing brightly with a whirl before Ceres' eyes. Pressing her hand to her helmet she dived behind a wall.
"Oh crap!" She screamed, just as he roared, bringing the muzzle down into the dirt, in a flash of orange light the air grew increasingly hot, as three large waves of flame scorched the ground, leaving behind flames when Ceres emerged, drawing Zenobia to stun Skolas while he gloated. "Okay, next time tell me exactly what the bad guy's weapon does!"
"I thought it was going to be a mortar attack, that, was not on the list." Ghost excused himself
What Ceres did notice was that he couldn't fire the weapon, leaving him exposed as he rounded a wall to the right for cover. Gliding high into the air, she spotted Zane charge in, his sword slicing the unsuspecting Kell across the back as it swung an arm back, but the Hunter performed a handstand atop its own arm, swing both solar enhanced legs down for a roundhouse across the mask while slicing one of the glowing tubes and scoring the chestplate with three consecutive slices.
With a snarl, Zane flew far away with an ultra slam, the Kell diving away from the Nova Bomb as it split behind him, three striking his body out into the open while the others decimated the army of Wolves gathering in the background. Placing her shot carefully, Ceres fired just left of Skolas as he accidentally walked into its path, the blast decimating his right arms' armor.
The Scorch Cannon was online again, keeping Morbin from drawing close with Lord of Wolves as the three-round burst interrupted his advance, a trail of fire roaring across the sand as Zane and Ceres moved back to the center, Morbin joining them from the wall above, multiple flaming payloads raining from afar. Then, the sirens blared.
~Dismantle Mines, yes? Or... die~
"Oh come on, you're just handing Skolas all the fun here!" Zane grouched
"Doesn't matter, go for them, forget Skolas!" Ceres declared, taking B to keep Skolas' attention, only he now chased Zane to C, leaving her to defend herself from the Fallen crossing the bridge to keep her busy. "Zane, watch out!"
Further away, Zane sliced ribbons through the Captain and two Vandals, sliding between two Dregs to drop them a CLG, the blast removing them while he stood beneath the mine, his shield battered by the crossfire, and the looming shadow of a Kell. He was in a rough spot while ducking under a Stealth Vandal's blades, spinning to evade two rifle shots that kicked up the dirt.
"Out of opinions here," With a shrug at the approaching Kell, he did a small flip, performing a handstand as his eyes snapped to each shot sent his way, performing a series of spins and flip to effortlessly weave his way through the gunfire, drawing from the flames his Golden Gun while landing back on both feet. "Uno!" The first shot struck Skolas, his cannon missing him by a hair. "Dos!" The next tore into a Stealth Vandal mid-swing from the sky, he turned slightly, dropping another. "Tres!" Doing the splits his head was grazed by two bolts. "Cuatro! Cinco!"
"Seis!" His arm outstretched to the shoulder the cannon was braced to, Zane's weaker Sunshot snapped the pauldron, forcing Skolas to reel back while the splinter mine above was disabled, so he gave the Kell a silly salute, jumping the second his cannon unleashed a torrent of volatile flames out of spite. "Missed me~!" He sang along the rooftops of the overhang, outrunning the Kell with ease back to Ceres, but Skolas didn't follow
Faring better, Ceres' mine was destroyed, Red Death punched through the Fallen, healing her with each strike as she recklessly charged, smacking one with the stock while unloading the last burst into a Dreg behind her. Using the blinded Vandal she swung herself over its back, reloading as her knife slit its throat, drawing her rifle to the Shanks that seemingly lined up for her, only for explosive shots to ricochet and destroy them.
"And I had such a good combo too," Ceres murmured. Zane stepping in just as Skolas revealed himself, posing his cannon high. "Ready?" With an encouraging nod, both took aim and started unloading on Skolas, but he simply charged his cannon then open fired to the sky, unleashing three large payloads. "That's not good."
"Run?" Zane suggested
"Run!" Ceres blared as the three rockets dispersed, scattering a firestorm across the whole arena, even Morbin managed to just narrowly avoid being burned as his mine was dismantled in time, any Fallen caught in the blasts were incinerated by explosive shrapnel, and to Ceres' horror, while sitting underneath the bridge, she could see what exactly he used. "The splinter mines...!"
"He used them to try and kill us..." Zane was equally shocked, but not in the same way Ceres was. She just stood and did nothing as the Wolves were shredded under their own Kell's attack, his weapon having set the whole arena ablaze, it missed its primary target but the Fallen were wiped out
~*Growl* Kill. Him. Dead. Guardians.~
Even Variks' tone was uncharacteristically low, seething at the slaughter he witnessed the false Kell willingly unleashed. Like wolves of their own, the three Guardians took heed and charged for the mocking laughter of Skolas, his plan had worked to his benefit upon spotting the three Light-Bearers.
"Skolas!" Ceres screamed angrily, drawing her rocket alongside Imago and Hammerhead. Her fierce posture crumbled though, for within the frame Skolas was concealed, his cannon had already started to charge uncontrollably in his hands, blue eyes cold and unwavered by the death of his own. "He drew us out...!" "No..." She stood her ground, gritting her teeth at the strain in her bones. "Not this time!"
With her arms wide she summoned forth the Ward of Dawn, keeping Morbin and Zane from retreating as they scurried into the barrier, even as Ceres' gloves broke apart under the excessive use of Light from fighting the Hive previously, and in enhancing her rockets too. But she'd give all her Light to keep them safe, no one else would be taken from her again.
Judgment's gavel came crashing down, turning the area into a firestorm that crashed against the lilac barrier with great force, creating several cracks as it took on the flames, the second wave spanned the webbing further, and Ceres lost her footing, gasping painfully at the sharp recoil. Then the third almost shattered the sphere, and the trio froze, even as the flames died down, Ceres could barely stand.
Skolas wasn't done, standing before the bubble he slammed his fists into the dome, allowing his weapon to recharge as he broke through, the backblast knocking the wind from Ceres while Ghost appeared to aid in her recovery, that alone didn't keep Skolas from backhanding the boys away from his prise, both hitting a wall while his arm reached down to pluck the weakened Titan by the throat.
Briefly, his eyes met the Ghost, but while it'd be easy to flick its annoying shell away he found it enjoyable as it watched its Guardian thrash helplessly in his hand, trying to pry her neck free of his increasing grip. This was it, even if he fell the source of all his failures across the system solely fell on this one, little girl playing hero. Had she not been here, his best followers would be here to witness his rise before the Great Machine, as he snuffed the Light from another one of these 'chosen' corpses.
Gasping for air that wouldn't come, Ceres locked her one open eye to Skolas, even if he couldn't see it, she was smiling. "I t-told you... ack! Y... you're... n-nothing!" She spat, and his grip finally increased but not a second sooner, Ghost spun before the Kell, blinding it with a powerful flash of Light as he dropped her, rubbing his eyes bitterly, swinging his charged cannon around to fire aimlessly, black spots caught in his vision
"Zane!" Said Hunter found it startling that it was Morbin calling him by his name, the Warlock hovering through the air toward Skolas. "It's on us ~LETS END THIS!~ now!" Blunt exterior aside the Exo couldn't care as this was their best shot, and with Ceres down they had to push with all they had in return
"Hehe, alright buddy, wombo-combo!" A clap of his hands and the two lunged for a final attack, Skolas warping to the bridge, drawing his weapon high as he immediately prepared to fry the weakened Guardians again, his own protective shield be damned. "Ahhh, he's doing the thiiiiing!"
"Shut up and take this!" Void gathered around Morbin, his Nova Warp bending the very dust under him as he gathered the unstable energy and quickly unleashed the blast once Zane hopped in front of him
Utilizing Light Connect, Zane felt the strange, almost unnatural flow collide with his Light, he tried to draw his Golden Gun but found that this wave of Light was like a storm, so, a storm it'll be. As he felt his injuries numb under the veil of Void, Zane drew his knife by his left hip, then pulled down to the right, conjuring the Golden Dancer as the boundless collision of three elements staggered his very soul with pain, but gently, that searing, electrical feeling in his arm was soothed, the Void wrapping around his arm like a cloth, blanketing his muscles and bracing against the growing power loaded into the weapon's molten chamber.
"Here's the big show stopper!" Zane called, a pair of hands grabbing his shoulder and tossing him higher than the Kell could believe as his eyes locked fearfully to the barrel of the elemental weapon, like a die-cast, his roll had fallen short, and despite his devotion and will, nothing could aid in his escape of this fate. "Bring home the Light."
His fingers broke as the bullet lobbed from the muzzle in a massive chimed ring of gold, amethyst, and cobalt, the single round split reality several times over as it embedded through the cold, hard ground behind Skolas, having pierced right between the eyes
The shockwave of the impact tore the unstable weapon from the Kell, tossing it to the abyss behind the arena, the impact tearing a large impact crater of three colorful fires through the soil and pulverized metal. Zane faceplanted the ground, muffling his laughter while Ceres sat up with a relieved chuckle herself. Even Morbin chuffed while sitting back with his arms hung over his knees.
"Hahaha, some Kell of Kells you were!" Zane pointed to the now motionless Skolas, Variks' voice entered the speakers, pride, and energy in his voice
~Judgement's verdict of Traitor Kell has passed! Victory well earned... treasure awaits...~
"You guys okay?" Ceres winced, clutching her stomach as she held her hand out for Morbin, and with some effort, she pulled him to his feet again, Zane rolling onto his back before hopping to his feet. "A-And Zane... your arm!"
He inspected it and found that Rika had patched up his fingers, but other than two broken fingers, his arm was unharmed, all thanks to the Void enveloping his arm before he cast the Unity move. "Thanks a bunch, buddy!" He held out his thumbs to the Exo, and this time, Morbin actually put his own out, though not as passionately
"Good work... Zane." Again he said his name, casting the Hunter into a squeal of delight while Ceres giggled, nudging the stoic Exo
"I knew you'd warm up to him."
"Eventually!" Rika yelled boisterously, earning a grumble from Morbin. "Ah, there's the grump."
"I hate you all and wish you died screaming." With that he wandered back to the airlock, leaving them all laughing at his embarrassed expense
"Come on, hero," Ceres hummed gently, tugging Zane with his arm over her shoulder to keep him somewhat straight. "It's finally over."
"Yep... let's take some time off when we're back, sound good?" It wasn't a selfish request since both have worked endlessly after that fateful night, and there were plenty of Guardians to handle patrols for a while, so it was okay, right?
Leaning her head on his shoulder, Ceres closed her eyes a moment as they walked back to the airlock. "Yeah... I like that." Her smile was certainly indicative of that request, maybe forgetting she's a Guardian for a while would be nice, even for a day would be enough
"Open her up, buddy!" Zane tapped his foot to the central platform in the airlock, immediately causing the grate to recoil, his body plummeting to the deep tunnel below, a number of balconies, platforms, and chains linked down the length of the chasm
~Stand proud, you survived Prison of Elders. Treasure waits below, it calls to you, yes?~
While Zane's cheering could be heard below, Ceres shrugged to Morbin and yelled herself upon gliding through the hole, rapidly descending into the unknown as she spotted Zane bouncing off the walls to reach a chamber deep below the arena. With Morbin in hot pursuit of his Fireteam, a strange, golden glow started to appear the closer they came to the final airlock, Zane had already made to the bottom.
As Ceres reached the bottom, what was once a damp, and dark tunnel filled with abandoned doorways and cobwebs turned pristine and vibrant. They stood on a pathway between two golden oceans of treasures and gold, piled in mounds like waves. Zane was holding his arms wide, him and Rika zig-zagging across the platform to view the dragon's hoard with stars crossing their bodies.
"Amazing...!" Ceres gushed, picking up one of the gold cubes, unknown for its use but she could see her reflection on the surface
Morbin hunched down to take a peek himself, Deus flying low himself as he scanned the objects, then shot up to project to his Guardian. "$$$!" Morbin eyed this expression then took one of the cubes for himself to study later next time he came here, seeing as it would do no harm in analyzing the compound.
At the end of the road sat three chests, two Fallen-make, and the other constructed of the same, rich metal. The trio stood before them, popping both side chests to find some valuable materials for later use, then, before the large chest they put their hands forward, the boys waiting on their leader's mark. Ghosts observing over their shoulders.
"We've battled across the system to get here, maybe no for the reward but to make Skolas pay for the lives he's taken," They listened as she continued. "There's no rewriting the wrongs committed on both sides, and the Fallen will be our enemies for a while, but, that's doesn't mean there isn't a chance to make things right, to undo all the hatred with time," She lifted her head, putting her hand forward as they set them together on the lip of the seal. "Then maybe we'll be there when the Darkness comes back, together."
"Agreed." "Amen."
They pulled their hands back, the several locks on the chest flicked back, and soon, a radiant light escaped the chest, a mound of golden glimmer piled inside with several legendary engrams, one for each of them as their radiance created a shimmering pattern on the ceiling above. With their hearts, mechanical too, pumping, Zane stopped them from taking anything.
"Wait!" Rika sighed at his abrupt interruption as she summoned forth a strange device Ceres had never seen, or atleast of its make. It was a camera but looked older than standard ones today, though, now that she thought back to his pictures in his room they too looked older than typical photos. "I got this to commemorate another triumph of our legacy!"
"Why am I not surprised you have a piece of... it's very old." Morbin cleared his throat, even as Zane worked to set it up for them
"I know but I've had this since I first came to the City, I've actually taken alot of pictures when we're out stopping tyrannical threats," He replied, listing them off while tuning the setting on a tripod. "The Black Heart. Vex Incarnate. Crota. Even Skolas before he bit the dust - Thanks, Rika!"
"You're an idiot..." She replied bluntly
"I'm an optimist!" Was his retort while waving his finger
"You serious?" "So that's what that flash was..." Ceres's realization came down like an anvil, but by then he had already pressed the button, a small, blinking light on the side as he swooped in to hug both of them around the neck, their Ghosts moving in. "W-well, guess this isn't your typical backdrop, huh?" She was smiling though
"I will endure this ~CHEESE!~ Hrm..." Morbin crossed his arms, but kept facing the camera, Zane had put up two peace signs, so with her own lighthearted giggle, Ceres did the same, Ghost floating next to her hand
"Cheese!" They yelled out as the flash overtook their eyes a moment down in the depths of the Prison of Elders as the light from the chest paved the ceiling an aroura of purples and yellows with a hint of light blue from the sheen of the blue engrams tucked away in the corners of the chest
The second the flash went off, their Ghosts had removed their helmets. Showing Zane goofy smile with his eyes closed. Morbin with a dull expression but a straight smirk as Deus sat atop his head. And Ceres with her own, radiant smile and light blush on her cheeks, eyes sparkling from the treasury.
A leader has many roles and interpretations depending on who you ask or where your morales lie. I've learned from those that willingly follow me, and they've done the same by standing by me when even I have lost hope, in some sense, that makes me a weak leader. But that's not why I feel I lead, why people chose to follow my path.
Every day, there's someone that might be endangered, or another who could be on the verge of losing their life and I'm not there because I never knew. That's why I have to learn to stand tall with a smile for the world, to not bear my fears so that there's always a light people can look to even when I'm not there, to ignite that spark in their hearts.
[?]
The vastness of void stretched between scattered stars, their glow snuffed under the harrowing abomination of suffering and will, its metallic visage staining a shadow over a moon as it drifted, aimless and waiting.
A cry, howling and in pain stretched across nothing, a ghostly wail that none heard across the darkness of the shadow's creator. One however felt it, heard its cry breathe life into his chest, reacting a shaken breath, startled, ashamed, furious. His eyes glowed sharper, and his posture wavered atop the intricate podium as his eyes cast themselves to those across the reaches of space and matter.
His voice crossed over, booming and demanding, "Where is my son!?" His words shook his brood's spawn. "Where is Crota, your lord, your princely god, your godly prince!?" No reply could be brought as fury tore across the emptiness, hands clutched to a blade as it writhed with dark entropy.
"Tell me no lies! I feel his absence like a hole in my stomach. Where once his tender tribute whetted burrowed mouths, now only hunger remains!?" Answers and cries rang in his mind, his composure stern yet trembling with a feeling he had not known for centuries, a fire, cold yet blinding, its touch yearning for more.
Only a single thought could be made, as the stars were blotted out by irregular shapes and the rumble of soulless life, their jagged edges turned to the stars beyond. "Hear me, O waning stars, O tattered rags of Sky— I will stopper up this tearing gulf with vengeance." The sword soon lost its glow, casting its user in darkness, say for a flickering, white spark clutched tightly between his fingers.
To Be Continued in Book 4...
[Outtro: Fire Force - Inferno]
This was alot of fun writing, from the lore revolving around the Fallen and their significant characters to the little additions to both the future events and characters like Silvis and the House of Devils, the friendship between Horizon, Petra, and Variks, and of course, the pairing of Ceres and Zane, and as you can see I didn't want to oversaturate it, they'll still act the same around one another just now they're more openly emotionally together.
Also... 1000 PAGES TOTAL, HAHAHA!
I don't know how long it'll take me to get through what we all know is coming next, while Judgement has been the shortest installment, the fourth book is probably the largest. Still, it's time to prepare for the expansion that changed Destiny forever. Thank you everyone new and old for the support, and I'll see you all in the next book in the future, Guardians!
Next Book: Coming Soon...