Ok chapter 3,

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Chapter 3

Where am I? Who are you?

Who am I?

I had many questions like that the day I woke up. The first thing I remember seeing was a large sign, CB, neon I would have guessed. No light though, whatever had powered that sign was long, long gone. But that sign I remembered the corroding of what held it up and the mound of moss that time had attracted to it. I wondered if really was it once something I knew something I worked with or for? It's a silly thing I suppose to hope to have had something from the past to have once given fait or held close too. I guess most of us wanted to have that, something to hold on in our past. But in truth non of us knew really. Some of us would never know.

A lot of times I'd wish I did know. I want to have something. Something I knew was real. But all I have are two things. Two names, two names I don't know if are even mine. Acker….Ace. The latter seemed, well seemed to give me a bad feeling in my gut. Not the bad feeling you get when something up. But that feeling when you're hungry, that emptiness. That tugging feeling deep down that needs to be filled, needs to be sated. But my hunger, it was for the past, something that Guardians aren't meant to know. Least that's the rule.

I'd gone back to that sign, CB, seemed it once belonged to a little facility on the East coast. Nothing huge, or big but a place where Bray corp worked to 'Make the world a better place' although a few inorganic aquatics had assured me that Bray wasn't what he was cracked up to be. And that hunter, lass Ana. Well I didn't like her, she was off and ambitious. Bray's perfect image, fitting. But that sign, it was always in my mind like it meant something more, like something told me it was. I don't know, bad? No not bad but it was something that stole, stole from me. I wondered if I worked for them, or if they coast me my first life. It was a rule that Guardian's couldn't know their past. I didn't say I followed it.

Although, I have a little uptight friend who always bobbed above my shoulder who would tell me otherwise. Though I listening to her was a miracle in its own right. But I suppose she was the ying to my Yang. Lupin always had my back in that way. A cautious ghost, shy didn't speak much to anyone really, except me. I could understand I think she was just more comfy at my side than with a mass of people. I liked it about her, made her sweet and a good listener. Although she had one hell of a temper if you got her fired up. That I found out upon our first meeting, when I l heard her say 'Guardian? Please Guardian wake up? Please I hope I didn't do it wrong.' My eyes saw her then, I thought she was a star at first, light bronze in her design with curving shapes along her eye. She always knew what she liked in shell I got no say in that department. I won't lie I was memorised as she tried to comfort me. But then I threw a rock at her…I was scared! To say she wasn't happy was an understatement. I think if she could have slapped me. She would. Why Lupin as a name? She didn't have one when we met and she left that to me. I think she was hoping I wouldn't be cruel. Took me a while to think of it. I remember then when I was walking in the wilderness, to this 'Last City' that had since become my home I saw Lupins in a small grove. That's when I said it, I gave her the name.

We never looked back since then just kept walking. Just kept moving. Just kept going, reaching the city, the place I'd call my home. It wasn't like I could go back, or return to a life left behind long, long ago. The only thing I could do was embrace this life. Lupin said that ball the Traveller, it chose me for a reason, it gave me a second life. But why? Why me? Why Acker? I wasn't some long lost might, or someone who could change the world. I was just me. Why would a celestial 'god' want me? I first guessed it wanted me for something, or did it want me to do something. I guess we all go through this. We ask why. I don't know who I was before, was I a good man who obeyed the laws? Or was I something else. Something I'd regret if I found out? Was I something that caused the world to be in its current state? I want to know, I want to see who I am. But, like many of us I'm afraid to find out.

3 years. 3 years awake, 3 years immortal. Or as close to someone can be. And here I am, a Guardian of the city. A Guardian who protects, a Hunter who scouts the wilds and aids those who I can. I'm no closer to who I was. But, I'm damn sure I know who I am. I am Acker and this is my chance to live again. To start a fresh, to-

"Slacking off again kid?" A modulated voice said.

My eyes focused, realising I was sitting on the ground of the hanger, wrench in hand and the components of my sparrow scatted across the hard floor. Oops.

I turned my head slightly to see the new visitor to the chilly hanger on a January mid-morning. Honestly, this place is so cold… I know it's a hanger but….

The visitor, who I assume had just arrived, was standing inside a little 'den' as many people here called it. A small area covered in tarp and hanger net, a little light hanging at the side of a large desk with varying components, I assumed them to be pieces of a sparrow or mods for a weapon. Along the wall of the 'den' was a map with a multitudes of knifes stabbed in a markers for targets or things to be done.

My new companion himself, well he was a stranger to none, Cayde-6, Hunter Vanguard and veteran Guardian. An Exo, fella with a teal blue face and horn to match. He looked like the typical hunter, dark brown armour, shin guards, shoulder pads, the works. And where would any hunter be with without a cape? Black with a red pattern, tattered though, years of been in the field, each thread told a story a tale about each owner until it came into Cayde's care. Most hunters would find a new one. But Cayde. Nah' it was his and it was special to him. A reminder of something, or someone. A means to give him purpose I suppose.

"Kid?" I heard again.

I shook my head and focused once more. I snorted slightly in a half laugh. "Me slacking off? Well I'd better check with the master of that Cayde. Which meeting did you sneak out of this time?"

Cayde turned and leaned against one of the rails of his 'den' and let out what I assumed was a smirk. "Dead Orbit. Don't think Zavala even realised I left."

I smirked too. "Your gonna' get a lecture. Or the stare."

He falsely shivered humouring me. "Not the stare." He let out a chuckle. I liked Cayde, he was well he was easy to get along with. Little grading sometimes but despite back, he always had your back. He was caring in a way like that. Caring but brutal to anyone who wronged him or wronged his hunters. I suppose, more than most of us he knew what it was like to be there in the wilds. To know we had to world against us and that often times we faced it alone. I think every time we came back a part of him was happy that we were all ok. But the most part of him seemed to be envious. The Vanguard position came with a strict grounding of been in the tower complete with desk job. And, that kind of job and the Hunter spirit. It didn't do well, especially With Cayde. He wanted out but was obligated to stay. It drained him, but he still did it. Guess we owe him for that, taking a fall that none of us would want. And, with how easy going he often was, we all got treated fair.

"So Ak? You still down for that game tonight. Or your dropping out?" His arms were crossed now, seemed he'd found a way to distract himself from the boredom. Distracting me.

I leaned back and shifted my body slightly to face him a little more still sat in the mass of parts and components I would have to determine what goes where later. "Banshee gonna' be there?" He nodded. "Ugh better pack extra glimmer. I think I still owe him from the last one. Had to promise I'd bring him back components for a month to repay him." Although he forgot about it after a few days. Banshee did that, an exo with too many reboots, he forgets most things now.

"Told ya' not to go all out with him. Sometimes listen to me eh?" I could see the smirk in his metallic face. It was there. He liked been one up from everyone.

I starched. "Nah' I don't like it, folding feels wrong if I'm honest. Like someone told me not to do it."

"Whoever that was is smart." Cayde looked down, as if to think of something, something distant. But then it was gone. That little snap, all gone now he was back.

Whoever had told me that was smart? Doubtful. You should know your limits I suppose but risks are there for a reason, but even luck has limits. I sighed. Hopefully mine hasn't run dry and not just in the poker department.

"Cayde!" A low voice said, or should I say practically yelled into the hanger and the entire place became silent. You could hear a pin drop. All eyes were gazing at the colossus standing at the stairs near the entrance. A large man, with pale blue skin, light shimmying among his veins. Clad in a silver and red armour and eyes that glowered and peered at a now sheepish looking Exo. His arms crossed and that stare. The Stare. Zavala's favourite facial feature, when he did this you were in deep. Real deep. And judging by his tone he wasn't happy with my Vanguard, no surprise there.

Cayde simply raised his arms as if to surrender as he walked past me toward the man. "See ya at 8 Ak."

"If you survive I will." I smirked and half waived him off to his impending doom.

The next thing I remember hearing was a deep voice berating the Vanguard for leaving his duty and a battle of huffs insured as they left. I looked at my sparrow again and went back to work.

Lupin puffed next to me and looked at the Sparrow and then at me. "You know that doesn't go there right?"

I was at the apartment at 8. Per instructed, an apartment reasonable size. Light grey walls and a dark tile floor that seemed to span the entirety of the apparent, a couch and an entertainment centre sat in front of it piled with unwatched films and tapes. The small desk in front of the couch was piled with modifications and parts for something I'm sure Cayde was a good idea to build. I hoped it wasn't explosive because knowing Cayde the entire place would light up if he messed it up. The place looked lived in shall we say but it wasn't homely. Cayde wasn't really the type to make a place his own I guess he didn't spend that much time there anyway. It wasn't like I hadn't been over before for a poker night and a few drinks but compared to my abode this place was lonely real lonely.

We were sat around a circular table that lay behind the couch next to the small apartment kitchen the counters of which layered with a mountain of beer cans and bottles that laid half empty as we'd moved onto the heavier stuff later into the evening. Each of us had a hand of cards with different looks of 'concentration' upon us. Mine I'll admit was off, mainly because of the liquor in my system. I was shall we say merry. So merry that two of diamonds, 3 of hearts, seven of diamonds and the little Jack of Clubs there didn't matter. Honestly such a bad, bad hand. Every last little speck of my glimmer lay in the centre of the table with hungry eyes upon it.

Banshee sat there somewhere between tense and relaxed, he didn't seemed bothered by the game much. And all he did was sit and watch. But I knew even in my state I knew he was figuring us out, seeing our tell, his optics judging us and unwinding us.

Cayde was more relaxed, leaning back cards in one hand and a glass in his other slowly swilling some glowing liquor and taking the occasional sip from. He didn't seemed bothered by anything, just another game to him I suppose.

The last was a hunter, lot older than me. I don't just mean on the job I mean his features were older wizened. Think his name was Tevis, seemed milled mannered enough, but truth be told the man didn't know when to say no or fold. I don't mean he was too stubborn like Cayde he was just bad at making bets like this and didn't know when to stop. It was entertaining to see his glimmer deposit go lower and lower.

"I'm out." That was from Banshee. A grizzled voice that had seen a lot over the years. We all gave him a blank stare. Banshee was out? Banshee? He never folded, too good for that. Why would he? "I'm done." That last word done was unsettling. I didn't reply. And we left it there. Even Cayde didn't reply.

I heard my Vanguard clear his throat. "Tevis?" No response. "Tev-"

I looked to my side to see the hunter leaning back on his chair, arm clasped around a bottle of booze, hid mouth slightly open as he let out light snores. Seemed every hunter had his vice and the bottle was a stranger to few of us. Can't say I blame him, sometimes you just need a drink.

"Wish I could say that was a surprise…Ah well." He looked at me. "What about you kid?"

I smirked. "Got any glimmer left old man. I'll raise ya' all in. I'll also throw in my sparrow Holiday promised me some new toys to go along with it when she puts it back together." I challenged as I rummaged through my pockets and pulled out what I had left. I was certainly letting the booze do the talking no question.

Cayde smirked and looked at me and looked for something to add to the pot. Sadly seemed the old Exo was skint. He let out a huff, as he leand forward elbows propping on the table. "Can't pay ya now but how would you like a stash?"

"Stash?"

"Yeah kid, stash, full of stuff, glimmer, mods might be a nice exotic in there for the taking? Can give ya a map? Real nice stuff in there." He was tempting me to give a hint of my hand. Seeing if I'd bite, even in my state I knew that trick the temptation. I matched his posture elbows against the table staring at him. Eye to eye, the battle was on.

"Your on old man." I grinned. "Age before beauty."

Cayde chuckled and presented his hand. Ooooh. Poor Cayde. Club of 2 a seven of hearts, a 2 of diamonds and 5 of spades. A hand that the devil had dealt I'd heard it called before. Bad bad look. But Cayde was a good bluffer so on any other occasion he might have had me.

But, not today. My Jack had saved me. I presented my warriors, and thus I was the victor. The pile of Glimmer, my Sparrow (I had neglected to mention that Holiday was yet to charge me for the repairs of my own doing this afternoon.) and, as stash. A Cayde stash. Maybe something nice in there for me to find. Tomorrow. Or maybe the day after depending on how my head goes off tomorrow.

Cayde didn't look shocked, didn't look mad never did when it came to Poker really. I think he just enjoyed the risk of the game, the idea he could lose so easily yet the win and reward was worth every risk that came with it. Poker was like the life of a hunter, balanced on the edge of a knife.

I leaned back and looked at him again a grin on my face as my free hand pocketed the glimmer. Thankfully Lupin had more sense than me and she'd see it vaulted before it toppled out before nights end.

Cayde shifted from his seat and wandered into another room. Banshee then stood taking a last sip of booze and placing the empty glass on the table. He looked at me before turning to the door. "Tell Cayde thanks. I'm opening up early." He then left. Simple as that. Banshee eluded me. He'd been man Banshee's and I guess because of that he struggled to be someone now. It came off as cold and odd a lot of the time but I figured it was how he coped been number 44 in an unending cycle.

I leaned back in my chair eyes half lined as I began to doze slightly only to be alerted by the clearing of a throat which snapped me back into reality. Cayde was opposite me leaning against a kitchen counter poring himself another glass and I presumed one for yours truly. I stood up and headed over gladly taking the glowing mixture when it was offered. Cayde also slid a folded up paper to me which I assumed was my prise he had promised.

"Thanks for coming Ak, appreciate the company sometimes." His voice was softer than normal. Almost sentimental.

I looked down at the drink. "Yeah. This life really is gruelling." My eyes shifted to Cayde. Something about him almost seemed familiar like we'd once met. I had that feeling when I first was introduced to him and shook his hand, something about his cadence, his traits, it was like I knew him. Chalked it up to been new and out of it because of the death I'd risen from.

Wow that sound awkward to say. But it was true, Cayde felt like something I should know. Someone who meant something once. Maybe I was the one been sentimental now? Hmmm. But Cayde, he felt like someone I know and well he had my back was the closest authority figure I had so it felt nice to have someone to lean on I suppose.

"Here's too…Hmm Here's to booze and Poker." I heard Cayde say as he raised his glass towards me.

Returning the gesture I raised mine and the glassed clinked and we downed our respective glass. I pulled a face as the burn touched my throat. Strong stuff. Course it would, Cayde couldn't get drunk so figures he'd have something that would at least give you a kick taste wise. I placed my glass on the counter and took the folded paper and pushed myself wobbly up from the leaning position I once had and looked back to Cayde.

"Better call it a night. You'll have your hands full with Tevis?" I quipped as I placed the map in my pocket.

"Yeah." He said lazily. "Eh I'll do it tomorrow." He poored himself another glass and pushed himself up as if to head to another room. "You take care ok Ace?"

"What?"

"I said take Care Ak." He mumbled and quickly saw me out.

I stared at the door for a moment. Ace. A name that hurt a name I knew. And Cayde called me that.

Boy Was I waited!

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