"Well that explains a lot." The ghost said, floating over his head as he regained consciousness. "The reason I could never find a guardian was because he hadn't died yet. A warlock. Interesting, I would have pegged you for a hunter."

Silas looked around. He was definitely alive. He took it all in, and sighed. He was a guardian now, that much was clear.

"It makes perfect sense to me. What's my subclass?"

"Voidwalker. Sorry I couldn't make you any robes. I would've had to tear apart the entire restroom."

"Perfectly fine. I'm Silas."

"Grey. Nice to meet you."

"Yeah, you too."

Silas looked down at his arms. The scars still showed, but they were very faint, as if they'd been there for years. There was a little blood on the sleeves of his jumpsuit, but most had gotten in the sink or on the floor. He decided to neglect it.

"What now? How long have I been dead?"

"Five minutes. We should act now, the awoken will get suspicious."

"Open up in there!" A guard shouted. "I'm won't knock again!"

"Hide yourself." He whispered, and his ghost vanished. He opened the door, and walked out.

"You ready?" The guard asked.

"I am."

"Trouble shaving?" She asked sarcastically, noticing the blood on his sleeves. He ignored her.

She handcuffed him, and they walked him back to their ship. Amanda gave him one last desperate look before they launched.

"You still there, Grey?" Silas whispered, as they arrived in the Reef. He was alone in the back seat, and out of earshot as long as he was quiet. The ghost appeared next to his head.

"I am. Oh, and Silas, I taught you some abilities while I was hidden. Your energy push and a few grenades will be available to you whenever you need them."

"Good. Thanks. What'll happen if they try to execute me?"

"They'll be disappointed."

"I see. So I can't die?"

"Only if I don't revive you."

"Can I ask you not to?"

"Absolutely not."

"Why?"

"Shh, they're about to land."

"Grey!" He whispered. But the ghost had already vanished.

"Alright, hands on the wall. I'm opening the door." The guard called back to him. He complied, and the door opened. There severe several guardians in the outpost already. Not knowing he was a citizen of the Tower, and now a guardian, they didn't interfere.

"The prisoner, Captain Venj." The first guard said, as they approached. She was just as beautiful as when he last saw her. She'd lost an eye. He felt a rush of anger, and let it subside as the guard clenched his arm tighter. She must've felt his reaction.

"Leave us."

"Yes, Captain." The two guards walked off, leaving the two of them alone.

"Silas… you're alive."

"And still a criminal?"

"It's not like that, I-"

"What do you mean 'it's not like that'?! Petra… I just… I… I was arrested. It was forceful. You gave them permission to kill me. What is it like, then?"

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have told them that. I didn't mean it. I was irrational. You aided in the Wolves' betrayal, that's true, but we need your help. There's crucial information on the house of Kings, that was mentioned on one of the files you stole."

"It never made it to the Wolves."

"I know. We need your help finding it. You're still a prisoner, but you'll be released once it's recovered."

"I see. Well, it should still be on Venus. I can take you to the coordinates, but it might take a while to find the pod. I doubt it'll be in one piece, though."

"Why did you do it? Why did you betray us?" She demanded, suddenly.

He replied after a few moments. "They promised that in their revolt, they would leave our outpost untouched. That you would be safe."

"All that. Just for me. Why didn't you tell me?"

"You would've never gone along with it."

"Of course I wouldn't have gone with it! Then why didn't you tell me after? Silas, I hated you."

"You would feel responsible if you knew. I'd rather you hate me than yourself."

"But I still love you." She replied. She was calm now, and her words were soft.

He tried to respond, but choked on his words. He felt the tears coming, and kissed her before they showed. She kissed back, and before they knew it, they were locked in their embrace.

"Is this a bad time?" They broke apart, to see a young titan waiting.

"Ehem. Sorry, I'll be right with you." She said.

"It's alright, actually. I have other things to… uh... I'll be back. But warlocks, Petra? Really?" The titan walked off towards Variks.

"Warlocks?" Petra asked.

Silas shrugged it off, and began kissing her again. Petra broke away after a few seconds.

"Silas, you're practically covered in blood. What happened?"

"Oh, it's nothing. I wanted to shave before I got here, and I was a little shaky. I wiped it off with my sleeve."

"But you still have stubble. And your face isn't cut."

"I know. There's a lot I have to explain. Can it wait?"

Petra sighed. "I guess it can. It's been a while, let's just enjoy the fact that you're not dead. We can talk about all that later."

"Great. Do you ever get a break from this post?"

"In two hours I'll be off for the night."

"Perfect. Let's talk then. I'll meet you back here. Do you mind if I do a little shopping?"

"Go ahead. Not sure you'll find what you're looking for, though."

"I think I will. See you in a bit."

He walked off to find the titan. He found someone else first. Mark and his friends were huddled in the corner.

"Mark!" He whispered. Mark turned, and his face flashed with relief.

"Silas, what the hell is going on?! I mentioned you, and Petra lost her shit. I rushed to the Tower, but they beat me there. Why is the bathroom covered in blood? And what kind of trouble are you in?"

"It's a long story, I-"

"Damnit, Silas! That's always how it is with you! Long story, huh? Well I don't need reasons, I just need to know what happened. Why did I have to clean up blood, and why were you arrested?"

"I killed myself, Mark! And I was arrested, because I'm a traitor to the Reef."

"So, I take it you're a guardian now." He said, calmly.

"Warlock, apparently."

"Does anybody else know?"

"Not yet. But I don't think that matters. I just don't want Petra knowing I tried to kill myself."

Selena broke in. "Are you two a thing?"

"I think so. Why is that important?"

"No reason at all."

"So what'll happen to you?" Mark asked.

"I need to help them find the files I stole. That's why I was banished, or at least part of why."

"And after that?"

"I'll be free. At least that's what Petra said."

"You're going to need help, then."

"No need to involve yourself in this. Now I'm going to buy some robes and a proper gun. Please just stay out of this. I'm not really sure what's coming."

"No way. I've been a guardian for a while. I can handle whatever's coming far better than you can. Take these."

He transferred some armor, guns, and glimmer to Grey, via his own ghost. Silas shimmered for a few seconds, and a set of quality, light blue robes appeared on him. A hand cannon appeared at his belt, as well.

"T-thank you." Silas said. "I mean, I guess we could use help. It's not really up to me, though. I don't see how it's your fight, but if you want to help, talk to Petra."

"I will."

"So will we." Selena said, putting her hand on Alice.

"Yeah." Alice said. "And I can teach you about being a warlock."

"I… don't know what to say. I'm in your debt. All of you."

"Don't mention it."

"Mr. Petrov-" A guard started, but cut herself off, noticing his armor. She became tense, and reached for her sidearm. "You're a guardian?"

"No. I just thought I could use some armor if I'm going to be in the field. Titan was too heavy, hunter too light, and I wouldn't feel right wearing Vestian armor. I'm not part of the Reef anymore."

"Of course. Understandable. Variks wishes to speak with you."

"What does he want?"

"That's between you and him."

Silas approached Variks. He was just as he remembered him. Old, hunched over, creepy.

"Well, if it isn't Silas the Liar. And you're a guardian now. I sense the light on you, however weak in may be." Variks said, in his native tongue. "I wished I'd never see you again."

"You called me over just to say that?" Silas replied, in the same dialect.

"Of course not. I called you over to give you the information on our current mission." He handed him a small tablet. "The Kings have been giving us lots of trouble lately. Hopefully, with the information you stole, we can gain the upper hand in defeating them. Look through those files. They should contain everything you need to know."

"Petra didn't tell you to do this." Silas said, with a curious look on his face. The notion had suddenly appeared to him.

"No, she didn't. Just don't mistake this as an act of friendship."

"Wouldn't think of it. But thank you anyway. And let's keep this guardian thing between us."

Variks nodded, and Silas left.

Silas hid behind a corner, and held out his hand. He often noticed guardians doing this when they wanted their ghosts to appear. He tried a few different angles, and nothing happened.

"Grey!" He said, not knowing how else to trigger his appearance.

The ghost appeared over his hand.

"Yes?"

"Would you mind downloading these files Variks gave me?"

Grey scanned over the tablet, and then looked back up to Silas.

"Done. You should skim through them, though. It would probably come in useful."

"What are they about?"

"Mostly maps, and potential locations the missing pod landed. A few reports on high ranking Kings near the areas, and stuff like that."

"Right. I'll look through it later tonight. Thanks." He lowered his hand to his side, and Grey vanished.

"Mr. Petrov." A guard said, walking up to him. "We'd appreciate it if you stayed in our sight. And I'm going to have to confiscate that gun." She pointed to the hand cannon on his belt, and held out her hand.

"Of course." Silas said, handing it to her.

Another guard walked up, with an officer's badge on her chest. "He should have some means of self defense." She said. "We'll be going into the field in a couple of days, and he won't last long without a gun. Besides, this may seem like a hostile environment for him. We want him to feel safe." She took the hand cannon, and gave it back to Silas.

"Thank you." Silas said. "Silas Petrov."

"Lieutenant Agnes Zorin."

"You commanded a squadron against the Wolves. I remember you. I apologize for my actions, I must have added greatly to your burden. How about you hold onto the gun for me? I know I'm not trusted, and I'd hate to add any unnecessary stress-"

"Nonsess. That's in the past. It doesn't matter now. And please, keep it. You'd be the only unarmed person in the entire outpost, if you didn't. Besides, you'd have to be a fool to use it here."

"Well, if you say so." he replied, putting the gun back in it's holster.

The first guard looked suspiciously at it. "Where did you get that?"

"Here." He replied. "Petra said I could shop for supplies."

"We don't sell omolon in the Reef."

"Well, of course." Silas knew they didn't sell omolon. He cursed at himself for being so careless. "I bought it from a guardian. He was about to dismantle it for parts, and so I stepped in and offered him a good price."

"And your robes?"

"Ira." Officer Zorin said, commandingly. "Leave Mr. Petrov in peace. He's only trying to go about his day."

"Yes, officer. I apologize for my disrespect."

"Oh, there's no need." Silas replied.

The two guards walked off, and Silas lifted his palm once more. Grey materialized a few inches above it.

"Yes?" Grey asked.

"Can we talk about my abilities?"

"I've done all I can. You just need to practice. Now, I think you should be honest with Petra. You're going to be under her constant supervision, and you need to be able to practice your abilities freely. If you spend all your time hiding them, you won't be able to grow and-"

Silas waved his hand, and Grey disappeared.

"And now I'm getting life advice from a little ball of light." He said, with a chuckle.

He sighed. Grey was right. He just didn't know what to say to her. He'd have to tell her that he'd died, and he couldn't think up a lie that was better than the truth. If he didn't explain his death, she'd assume he was killed in the wilderness of Venus, or tortured to death in the fallen prison.

He had to tell her the truth. Not just because it was easier, but because it was the right thing to do. He'd done enough lying.

He looked over to see Mark and the others talking with Petra. A minute later, they were shaking hands. She must've agreed to let them help. Good. He just hoped none of them mentioned he was a guardian. He wanted to tell her himself. After all, he told her that he would.

He didn't really have anything better to do, so he walked over to a secluded area of the outpost and sat against the wall. Mark joined him eventually.

"She agreed to let us help. It wasn't hard convincing her of our use. However… we're also going to be placed under watch, of course. At least while we're with you. So we don't try to kidnap you or anything like that."

"Thanks." Silas replied. "You're a good friend. You didn't have to do this."

"Don't mention it. I remember becoming a guardian like it was yesterday. I was so scared and confused. But I wasn't alone. Thank the Traveler I wasn't alone. And I don't want you to be either."

Silas nodded, and they sat in silence for a while.

"Well, it's getting late. I should get back to my ship, Alice and Selena are waiting. I'll see you tomorrow morning."

"See you later, then."

Mark summoned his ghost, and vanished a few seconds later. Silas knew Petra would be off duty soon, so he walked back over to where she stood. He had nothing else to do, and it was time he faced her again.

He walked up to her, and she smiled.

"The robes suit you." She said. "I spoke with your friends. They'll be joining us tomorrow during our search. Now, I believe you owed me a couple explanations."

"What do you want to know?"

"What happened to you on Venus? How did you get to the tower? Why didn't you contact me sooner?"

"Well… let's see. I spent five days on Venus, before the Fallen captured me. They had me imprisoned for six months. I was interrogated daily. A few guardians eventually found me while on a strike or something. I've been a tower technician ever since. I wanted to reach out to you, believe me. I just… I wasn't sure how you'd react."

"I would've been thrilled to know you were alive. For fuck's sake, Silas! You could've at least reached out to me! Given me some fucking hint to your condition. A simple telegram saying, "I'm okay, you can stop crying yourself to sleep every night" would've done. Do you really not trust me, of all people?"

"I… I'm sorry. You're right. I wanted to believe you still cared, I just couldn't. Those files I stole, all the information they had on us, the Kings, the Reef… how could anyone still love me after that?"

"Silas, I hate what you did, but that didn't change how I feel. Not for a second."

Silas was filled with so many emotions at once. The relief he felt was miserable, yet it was coated with shame. He had been so fucking wrong about everything. So while he loved hearing these words come out of her mouth, it hurt to hear them. Everything was his fault. That was undeniable. It hurt hearing these words, but he needed to keep her from bringing up the blood. He really didn't want to lie to her. He didn't have a lie planned. But he also wasn't ready to tell her. Not like this. Not now. There were too many emotions.

"So about the blood. What happened? The guards didn't hurt you, did they?"

"I started it." Silas lied instinctively. He hated himself so much in that moment. He wanted to punch himself. He was disgusted. Revolted. It made him sick to his stomach just thinking about what to say next. "I had a few words on my mind while being handcuffed, and one of them pushed me up against the wall a little harder than she meant. My nose bled a little, that's it. She never meant to hurt me."

"That's a lie. You know that's a lie, and you wanted me to know. What's wrong with you?! You've only been here a couple hours, and you've already lied to me so much."

"Alright." Silas replied. He felt the tears building up. As much as he hated lying, he would hate himself even more for making her feel guilty. He reached out his hand to summon Grey.

"Wait…" Petra said. "You aren't ready to tell me. I'm sorry I pried. I know you'll tell me everything in your own time. You always do."

Silas took a deep breath and exhaled. He wiped his eyes and hugged her.

"I'm sorry." He said. "I'm so sorry. I'll never lie to you again. I promise."

"It's alright. Get some sleep. We have a long day tomorrow." She paused for a moment and blushed slightly. "Silas, why don't you sleep in my room tonight. I've missed you."

"I would like that." He replied, and kissed her one more time.