The painkillers that Amber had received aided in easing the pain, but they also numbed that fact that the wound was still vulnerable. Now, she was paying the price for her folly.
She lay on the ground, groaning as she clutched at her wounded leg. The stitches where strained, threatening to rip out do to her hasty retreat. Her and Miriva has scrambled across he stands for some times, and the pain had caused Amber to stumble many times. Miriva had been forced to help her stand, a surprise considering the Fallen grim demeanor. During such scenarios, she'd taken up Miriva's rifle and fired at their pursuer.
She never got a good look at them, only seeing a lanky shadow with glowing red eyes. It was incredibly agile, dancing across the sands after them in pursuit. Luckily, it seemed like it's accuracy was diminished while on the run, and the rapid fire wire rifle could easily hold it back.
Eventually, they'd managed to leave the beast behind. Now clear, Miriva rather rudely just dropped Amber to the ground, letting her nurse her leg while she took up the rifle herself.
"Jeez, could you have been more rough?"
The "Fallen" eyed her, green eyes flashing as she chattered her teeth.
"Yes. I could have left you back there. Be grateful I helped you at all."
"She's right you know."
"Buggy. Patronize me again, and I'm repainting your shell."
"Shutting up."
With a sigh, Amber glanced back down at her leg, relieved that the stitches were still in place. But they still hurt terribly. She turned to look at Miriva. She was squatting atop a nearby dune, eyes scanning the horizon.
"What was that thing?"
"I'm….not sure. It's aura was most disturbing. I've never seen anything like it."
"Aura? You could see it's aura?"
Miriva turned to Amber, eyes narrow.
"Yes. I can see the aura of all living things. For example, I can see that yours is fluctuating do to pain brought on by stupidity."
"You don't need to be rude about it."
"Then don't be thick. That thing is here to kill us. It is still out there, and will no doubt return. If either of us wish to live, we need to be careful."
Amber rolled her eyes, but didn't have the energy to be a smart ass. She shifted her weight, slowly sitting up and standing to her feet shakily.
"Fine. So, what's our next move?"
Miriva slid down the hill, glancing all over as she sniffed.
"We need to find suitable shelter. We are exposed our here. Once we get there, we can hold out till morning. I sense this creature has a distaste for the light."
"Right. So, let's get moving the-"
Amber stopped as the ground began rumbling. The air shuddered and the sand shifted. Reaching out, she grabbed Miriva's shoulder for support. The female snarled, but didn't push her off, understanding the need. Both women bent low, trying to remain standing as the ground shifted beneath them.
Then, as quickly as it started, the shaking stopped. Miriva glanced over at Amber, a brow raised in confusion. Amber however had gone pale. This couldn't be a coincidence. This had happened before.
Suddenly, the sand beneath their feet burst upwards, showering them with grains. Miriva sputtered, stepping backwards and wiping the sand from her face. Amber staggered back, her voice caught in her throat as terror gripped her again.
Beneath the sand, the ground bulged, stretching and deforming like a thin membrane. A hand deformed the surface, stretching it out and spilling sand. With a sound like ripping flesh, the thin membrane ripped open, trailing strands as an arm tore through. The arm gripped the ground, then pulled something up. The ground was deformed more, stretching and tearing as a fanged head pressed against the "skin". All around them, more of these shapes tore through the ground, snarling and ripping at the flesh like ground. One mound split open, revealing a large, fanged mouth, with a large deep sunken socket and a glaring red out buried within it. Red tendril like bands stretched out from the eye, deforming the skin as they trailed down the skull and neck to the chest. Twin tubes emerged from the mouth on either side and ran down the neck before vanishing in the shoulders. A red glow emanated from their throats, and the sickly moist flesh was pitted and scarred; blackish blue like the midnight sky and dotted with red "stars". The creatures snarled loudly, clawing out of the ground in an attempt to get at the two females. However, for one moment, Amber was frozen in terror. Not only were they horrific to behold, but they reminded her of the horrifying Vex. Then, her instincts snapped, and both her and Miriva sprang into action.
Amber leapt backwards, hurling one of her throwing knives as she did. The blade embedded itself into one of the creatures eyes and it reeled back, screaming as it was blinded. Miriva however, terrified beyond belief, simply scrambled back as quick as she could, eyes wide in horror.
"Those aren't Hive! THOSE AREN'T HIVE!"
Amber was surprised by the females outburst. Throughout the night, even as an unknown shot at her head, she'd remained calm. But now, now she was trembling like a leaf, and looked frozen in terror. Amber was also quite terrified, but her guardian instincts were stronger than her fear. Reacting fast, she conjured up her emergency sidearm, whipping out the compact weapon before opening fire. The Hive like creatures screamed, the Void bullets tearing through their flesh. Aiming for the eye, upon hitting one, the creature groaned, the orb bursting open with a spurt of glowing red fluid. The creature then slumped, the pulsing liquid continuing to drain from the new hole in its head.
Others continued to claw their way out, revealing more of their bodies as they came. Their torso resembles a Thrall's, save for metal plates running down and across the chest. These plates vaguely resemble ribs, and held the chest in place. More red tendrils wrapped round the thin skeletal arms, terminating at metal plates embedded in the hands. The clawed hands resembled a Thrall's, but glowed blood red instead of blue. Maroon colored fluid oozed out of a large, mouth-like gash in the stomach, staining the hips and upper legs an off red. The clawed feet were Hive like, save for more of the red tendrils that hugged its flesh. The bony flesh barely looked like it could support the creatures weight, but as they clawed from the ground, this assumption was proved wrong.
Grabbing Miriva's shoulder, Amber began dragging her up the hill, shooting at the closest creatures as she did. They all snarled in pain, each shot tearing out pits of ruined flesh and spurts of glowing fluid.
"What are they? WHAT ABOMINATIONS ARES THESE?!"
Miriva's protest was ignored by Amber, who was desperately trying to pull her companion up the hill, keep her aim steady and keep her stitches from ripping out.
"Just shut up and shoot them."
While she didn't start shooting them, some sense did seem to return to Miriva. Like a snapping twig, she ceased her trembling and scrambled up to the top of the hill, leaving Amber in the dust. She grumbled, giving the "fallen" a quick glare before turning back to the approaching beasts, blasting holes through them as she moved up. Finally reaching the top, Amber was able to stand upright and sprint after Miriva.
Like a horrible case of Deja Vu, Amber limped after Miriva as more creatures ripped out of the ground like emerging parasites. Miriva didn't seem to notice and simply ran past them. All of this was more bizarre then Amber could handle. Her stoic companion had been reduced to a frightened child and unknown creatures where ripping out of the ground. Ripping! First the Vex things shattered the air like broken glass, and now these Hive things were ripping out of the ground like parasites tearing through skin. It was all unnatural and horrific, and Amber was certain that the two events were linked.
A creature leapt out in front of her, the elastic membrane of the ground splitting and coating the creature in muck and ooze. As it lunged for her, Amber swung her foot, striking it in the face. It was knocked to the ground, then greeted by Amber heel crushing it's face. The head crumbled beneath her boot, splattering the ground as a wet crunch was heard. She ignored it and carried on, casting a glance over her shoulder. Over a dozen mutilated "Thrall" lurched after her, screeching like broken records as they ran across the sand.
A sudden pain shot up Amber's leg and she cried out, finding herself plummeting face first into the sand. She rolled, and to her horror found of the beasts nearby. It's glowing red claws had dug into her ankle, and was now using her leg to pull itself out of the ground. Lifting her sidearm, she pulled the trigger until the clip ran dry. It snarled in pain, thrashing about as the void bolts tore through its flesh. It was then silenced as the last shot tore clean through its skull, spraying Amber with the glowing red fluid before it collapsed.
She scrambled back, attempting to pull herself up, but the thing's claws were stuck in her armor, keeping her locked in place. She frantically glanced up, spotting the others things drawing closer, their mouths salivating and flashing red. She spun round, spotting Miriva atop the next dune.
"Miriva! Help me! Please!"
The female skidded to a halt, turning round and locking eyes with Amber. She could see fear, dread and confliction in the alien's eyes. Miriva then turned to the approaching creatures. With a low growl, she tore back down the hill towards Amber, drawing her sword in the process. Before Amber quite realized what was happening, Miriva was jumping over her head, screaming like the creatures.
She hacked through them, her machete shaped arc blade cleaving the creatures like wet paper. Limbs and fluid flew through the air, one creature screaming as its stepped back, half of its torso sliding free before it dropped. Miriva meanwhile was a twirling whirlwind of arc energy and green eyes. In seconds, all of the pursing creatures lay in pieces and Miriva stood unharmed and coated in pulsing gore. And it was Amber's turn to be scared.
"Holy s***! You just. How?"
Miriva ran over, quickly sheathing her sword before dropping to her knees. Amber flinched, actually scared of her companion, having seen her in a new light.
"Not now! More are coming."
Amber could hear the things now, screaming in the distance as they emerged. She thankfully couldn't see any new bulges forming, but it was only a small comfort. With a crunch, Miriva snapped the creature's dead limb, freeing Amber's ankle from its rigorous grip. She then pulled Amber to her feet, patting her back some.
"Come on. We need to reach the mountains before those things catch up."
Amber nodded, but then flinched as a sharp twang filled the air, and was followed by Miriva's scream. A flashing black bolt had plowed into her shoulder, knocking her to the ground as her cape began dissolving around the impact. Amber spun, and her heart dropped to the ground. The lanky figure stood atop a sand dune, the moon behind it turning it black. Its eyes glowed a sinister red and a smoking sniper-like gun was in its hands. On either side of it, two figures that resembled Acolyte versions of the demented Thrall stood, there three, off center eyes red like the figures. They also held jagged weapons in their fists and had them aimed in her direction. All around, more of the "Thrall" had appeared, snarling and glaring down at her. Amber's guardian instincts kicked back in and she lifted her sidearm to fill it with void pullets. However, when she pulled the trigger, she was met with only a heart-stopping click. She'd forgotten to reload!
Acting fast, Amber thrust her hand into the air and solar energy erupted from around her, coating her in its fiery glow. The Golden Gun emerged in her hands and she took aim, preparing to disintegrate the unholy figure with a head-shot. A gunshot sounded but to Amber's surprise, the figure remained and a bright flash blinded her. Searing pain shot through her hands, and she felt herself stumbling back, her Light energy draining.
She hit the ground hard, groaning as the wind was knocked out of her. Her eyes slowly opened, watering and foggy due to pain. Her solar aura was gone, and her hands were blackened, smoke slowly drifting up from them as the sound of burning acid reached her ears. Her Golden Gun had been shot from her hands! How was that even possible, what type of Darkness could so easily snuff out Light?
Her eyes moved upwards, meeting the figures as it glared at her. It's rifle was once again lifted, smoke drifting from the barrel. The other two figures also had their weapons lifted, and were descending the hill towards her. Amber tried to growl, but her lungs were deflated. All that came out was a meek squeak, which quickly morphed into a cough. A second cough joined her, causing her to glance to the side. Miriva lay next to her, groaning as she rolled over onto her back, dark blood seeping from her shoulder wound. They were both incapacitated and wounded, taken out by a mystery figure. A crunching sound filled the air and Amber only had enough time to roll onto her back before she felt a boot strike her side, and a gagging sound filled the air.
When her eyes cleared, Amber could see the figure towering over both her and Miriva. The thing had put its foot onto Miriva's throat, causing her to squirm and gag as she tried to keep him from crushing her throat. She clawed and pulled, but the boot didn't move, only pressing down more to restrict her air, but not enough to crush. Now, with the moonlight shining down upon it, Amber could see their attacker clearly.
They had long, thin limbs and a slim but heavily armored torso. It's head had many crest like protrusions jutting out from the back of the head, giving it a swept back appearance. It red eyes glowed sinisterly, with two pupils within each eye. Tube like wires extended from behind the eyes before following the head back before extending outwards then down to the shoulders. The large, split mouth was filled with black teeth, hiding the same red glow within its mouth. Swirling red brands covered the chitinous face, resembling tribal markings, and extended down the banded throat. The armor was black, with pale white chitin plates bolted onto the right collar and its limbs. The chitin collar was jagged and spiked, sticking out like a Deathsinger, but only covered the right side. The plates on the limbs were more smooth, but stuck out from the black armor. The rest of the body was hidden, save for the bleeding gash on the stomach and the occasional emerging tendril. From its back, a large, tail like structure dangled down to its waist. The "tail" was fleshy and black, with more red tendrils wrapped around its surface. It seemed to shudder and squirm, as if in constant agitation.
In its hands, it held a long and narrow sniper weapon, with an exposed circular chamber. Within, Void and Solar orbs violently spun round, the contradicting energies fighting to stay separate. The scope on top was flat and angular, and the spit barrel was the same. Red fluid dripped from some large tubes running across the weapons body, and even more dripped from within the barrel.
The creature glared down at Amber, its black teeth gnashing together as if it was trying to tolerate the sight of her. Slowly, it's head began shivering, shaking violently as the neck twisted to one side. The shoulders then followed, the shuddering becoming violent and exaggerated. Miriva's gagging increased with the creatures spasm, no doubt do to additional weigh. However, after a few moments, the shuddering abruptly stopped and Miriva's breathing, though shallow and horse, returned with coughing. A growl then came from the beasts throat, which was followed by words.
"For a vile LightBearer, your will is surprising. Perhaps you and the abomination would be better taken alive instead of killed."
It's things voice seemed to echo back on itself as it spoke, resonating within its chest. It hurt Amber's ears, causing them to ring. She coughed, glaring up at the thing with gritted teeth, despite the fear that shook her very core.
"Screw. You. Demon."
It released a shuddering laugh, lifting its foot from Miriva's throat. The "fallen" gasped loudly, coughing as she grabbed at her throat. The thing now loomed over Amber, blocking out the moonlight. Quick as a bullet, the thing lunged, grabbing Amber by her helmet and dragging her up. She gagged, her breath catching in her throat from the violent grab. She could see its face clearly now. Black fluid seeped from its glowing red eyes and more red tendrils pulsing beneath the hardened, pitted flesh. It sneered, its jaws peeling back to reveal even more black teeth and its glowing red throat.
"A feisty one indeed. Now shudder, pitiful creature, and gaze upon your destroyer. I am Grimlu'lock and we are the Chosen. Your end begins now."
Amber was hurled to the ground, crashing against the sand and winding her a second time. However, before she could recover, a boot filled her vision and she knew no more.
Eris and Zora had been following the Skiff for nearly hour before it finally slowed and descended into a crater. Following close behind, they soon realized that a Hive den lay between them and their quarry. The undead monsters were not pleased with being disrupted, forcing the unlikely companions into combat together.
They stood, side by side, rapidly firing their weapons at the approaching Hive swarm. Zora held her two swords in her upper hands, slashing at anything that got too close for comfort. In her bottom hands, she wielded her custom shock pistols, strong enough to punch a hole through a servitor's core and put a guardian's hand cannon to shame. The whole event was rather exciting to her, and much to Eris' grief, whenever she gets excited, she gets vocal.
"Oh! Zis reminds me so much of me and Caddy's first meeting! Mmmm, makes me hot under ze helmet!"
Eris sneered in disgust at Zora, pausing only for a moment before splitting a Thrall's skull with her hand cannon.
"Could you please stop with the perversity! This is hardly the time or place!"
Eris' orb hovered in her off hand, violently throwing off sparks due to agitation. In her other hand, she held her custom built Hand Cannon, Hive's Bane. The weapon was coated with Hive chitin, and small crystals within cast a green glow. In the central chamber, just in front of the cylinder, was a larger crystal, contained within an exposed cage. This crystal powers the shots, coating them in Fel energy.. The angular chitin plates compliment the guns overall slimmer design, making it quite sinistar despite its size. All of this results in an incredibly light, yet dangerously powerful weapon.
"Hehe. You're just jealous Hive girl. You should get out more!"
Resisting the urge to shoot her, Eris simply gritted her teeth and fired on, witling down the screaming horde. That was one good thing about the Hive; they kept her from strangling her "companion".
Suddenly, one of the boulders to their left burst open, allowing more Acolytes and a Knight to clamber out. Eris snarled, her eyes flashing brightly as she lifted her green orb high. The stone inside vibrated violently, and the sphere around it suddenly collapsed, morphing into a fluid like green energy that coated and swirled around Eris' hand. It crackled and sparked, growing brighter in tandem with her eyes.
"Back to your pit from whence you came!"
Thrusting her hand forward, the swirling green energy shoot out from her hand as a concentrated blast. The Acolytes screamed, leaping out of the way to avoid the blast, but they were too late. The shot slammed into the ground and imploded, creating a swirling maelstrom of green energy. The surrounding Hive went rigid, then where yanked back towards the implosion as if by suction force. The glowing eyes of the Knight seemed to leak from its heads, and it's limbs shuddered violently, trying to fight the force that contorted them. Soon, all nearby Hive were yanked into the storm, amplifying their screams into a horrid crescendo. Then, the whole thing detonated with a colossal crash, flinging debris and body parts high into the air.
Eris staggered, dropping to a knee, her sphere reforming in her off hand. The attack had drained a lot of her energy, but she'd recover in time. Luckily, both Zora and the Hive were momentarily stunned by the attack, giving the Dark Guardian her moment to recover.
"Prime s**t! Zat was impressive! But I zink you missed a couple."
Eris glared at Zora before hissing out her response.
"I'd like to see you do better, four eyes."
With a laugh, Zora spun her swords and rushed forward, laughing like a madman. She stormed towards the Hive den, slicing off an Acolyte's head as she ran past it's cover. Eris groaned, slowly pulling herself to her feet and reloading her hand cannon. With a slight stagger, she ran after the Fallen, not wanting to be left behind.
Staggering into the cave, Eris was surprised to see Zora dancing between the legs of two Knights. The beasts snarled loudly, swinging their cleavers in a vain attempt to slaughter the Baroness. But she was too fast. She darted between their legs, leaping over the downward swing of one, then using its upward momentum to leap atop the other. Like a beautiful dance, she rolled over the Knight's shoulder, her swords slicing off an arm and pieces of chest as she went. The creature bellowed in pain, spinning round to smash her, but was greeted by a sword the throat.
As the first Knight was still crumbling into ash, the second rushed forward, swinging at Zora. Acting fast, the Baroness released her sword and did a back handspring, throwing her out of the way of the knight and onto her feet. With her pistols ready, she open fired. The knight snarled in frustration, throwing up a wall of darkness to rid itself of the stinging pain. Using this opening, Zora rushed forward before dropping to the ground and sliding underneath the shield. With her remaining sword, she slashed at the Knight's legs, severing them right at the ankles. With roar, the Knight collapsed backward, barely missing Zora as she slid past it. Once it it hit the ground, she leapt atop it and drove her sword into the Hive's face. The burning embers flew up past her, creating a dramatic effect that rippled her cape. She then stood, picking up her dropped sword and sheathing it as she glanced at Eris.
"How was zat miss brooding?"
Eris grunted, walking forward and not dignifying her with a glance.
"Dramatic and unnecessary. I can see why Cayde likes you."
Snickering, Zora simply shook her head and ran after Eris. Descending into the dark tunnel beyond the entrance, Eris stroked her orb gently, coaxing it into illuminating the area. The descended in silence, stepping past Hive mold and small piles of bones. However, the walls of the tunnel were less normal, with bundles of wires and metal piping running its entire length. Eris glanced at then, her lips pursing with thought.
"This is not Hive engineering. It'is Fallen in design."
"Perhaps ze Dust are controlled by ze Hive. Would certainly explain zeir odd behavior."
"If prisoners are used as puppets, they are typically used as guards. And yet, those were Hive guards back their. And the Hive may be evil, but such evil means that they look down upon using "lesser races" as warriors. Something far darker is going on here."
"Well, ain't zat kryptic."
Eris ignored her, and pressed on. But they didn't get far before Eris froze, lifting a hand to stop Zora.
"Remain still if you wish to live."
She then cradled her orb, stroking it softly and began muttering. With a shimmer, both women disappeared from view just as a Knight crossed in front of their passages exit. However, something about this Knight was odd. It's movements were mechanical, and a bright red square of some kind was embedded in the base of its skull. The redness trailed down its neck before stopping between the shoulder blades.
"Zora. Was that red shape on the Hive before?"
The Fallen hesitated, thinking.
"Now zat you say it, yes, yes it was. Why do you ask?"
"Because. Those shapes are not Hive. They are foreign to them. I need a closer look."
Creeping forward, Eris broke her stealth, peeking out of the tunnel exit. The Knight stood not fifteen feet away, its back to her.
She tried to get closer, her eyes narrow to try and get a good look at the red shape. Then, unexpectedly, the Knight turned, and their eyes met.
For a moment, the two sets of Hive eyes were locked, boring into each other with fierce intensity. Then, the Knight snarled, its teeth chattering before opening wide. However, before it could release its snarl, Eris bolted towards it, activating her dark blink. In a flash of shadow, she vanished from view, only to reappear behind the Knight, leaping onto its back. Her orb morphed, melting into her hand as the stone shard within was wrapped in energy, forming a blade.
With a snarl of her own, Eris drove her blade into the Knight's shoulder, piercing between the chitin plates and severing nerve tendrils. At the same time, she drove her hand into the back of its neck, her fingers wrapping around the small metal chip. She then ripped it out, the long wires tearing out the back of the neck and coating her in black plasmatic ooze.
The Knight's snarled morphed into a haggard groan, the fiery light in its eyes fizzling out like a machine denied power. Eris leapt off just as the beast collapsed to its knees then back, its flesh dissolving from within its armored plates. Zora came forward, eyeing the scattering armor before glancing over to Eris. The dark guardian had her hand lifted up, slowly examining the glowing red device between her fingers. The dangling wire beneath it pulsed steadily, like a heartbeat. Zora stepped up next to her, eyes narrowing as she looked at it.
"Ahhh, What is zat? A computer chip?"
Eris tilted it, bringing it close.
"Whatever it is, it is not Hive in origin. At least… not in a normal way. Something about this, is unsettling. Its aurra is darker than it should be."
Zora rolled her eyes.
"Could you please cut ze cryptic crap? It's really annoying."
"So are you and yet you remain."
Zora huffed, grumbling some. Eris smiled ever so slightly, eyeing her before going back to the device.
"Its transmission, I believe this is a controlling device. Those Hive were being controlled."
She glanced to the tunnel.
"We must go down. See where this leads."
Eris pocked the chip, then turned for the tunnel. With a silent groan, Zora followed after her, not wanting to argue with the dark guardian. The walked on, deeper and deeper into the tunnel, passing more electrical cable, metal piping and even artificial lights built into the walls. All of this resembled a Fallen base more than a Hive den. Though Eris was not put at ease. It was all so wrong. The light, the walls, the very air itself felt tainted and disturbed. Something truly dark was happening down here, and they were getting close to its source.
The sound of chattered caused Eris to cease. Zora nearly tripped over the smaller woman, but caught herself before dropping to a knee. The two warriors listened closely. Two, no three voices were echoing down the hall. They were raspy and guttural voices, harsh and loud with long, drawn out breaths and lots of clicking and tongue rolls.
"Zat, zat is like Fallen tongue. But different. I've heard it spoken before."
Eris eyed her, then slowly crept forward; her head peaked round the corner, widening with what she saw.
Three Fallen stood within a large chamber, working over operating tables and containment devices. They were dressed in long, trailing cloaks, colored like ancient sand, and with cloth wraps covering their limbs. Large hoods sat over their heads, casting their faces in shadow so only their glowing green eyes were visible. However, it was what they were operating on that stopped Eris' heart.
Strung up between large jagged beams, multiple Hive were stretched out spread eagle so they couldn't move. Thrall, Acolytes, Knights and even a couple Hive where all strung up like this, and all in different stages of mutilation. Many of the Acolytes had their eyes torn out, black plasmatic ooze dripping down their faces much like Eris. Knights had massive chains wrapped around them, with needle like spike driven through their limbs and torsos. Despite this, the Knights snarled and struggled, pulling against their chains and spikes so that ash poured from their bodies profusely. The wizards had large metal beams driven through their shoulders, with several tubes protruding from their sides. Metal gag beams were in their mouths, causing them to gag and snarl against them, desperate to get free. The gags must be to prevent them from screaming. However, it was the Thrall who were in the worst condition.
Their normal feral behavior was gone, replaced by pained grunts and the occasional shiver. The limbs were bent back at awkward angles, no doubt broken from the restraining chains. Ash dripped from the cuts in their arms and legs, and their forms lay limp within the restraints. Large tubes were stuck down their throats, syphoning out the thick, plasmatic discharge fluid that all Hive emitted. These tubes pumped the fluid into collection banks placed on either side of them, shuddering softly as they pumped out the fluid.
However, all of the Hive had something in common. Metal spikes were driven through their stomachs from behind, with what looked like red wires extending outward from the spikes. The red color mated the pulsing tubes and powered machinery that surrounded the Hive, all pulsing like a heartbeat. Occasionally, one of the Fallen would check one of these machines, withdrawing small pieces of them or flipping switches. Others moved from Hive to Hive, glancing over them, prodding them with strange tools or even shaving off samples.
Eris grimaced, disgusted by what she was seeing. Not that she cared for the Hive, her hatred for them was stronger than most. However, seeing Fallen brutally experimenting on them, while they themselves pulsed with dark auras similar to the Hive. It all sickened her. Suddenly, her orb flashed brightly, throwing off sparks and crackling like a fried circuit board. Eris flinched, trying to covering up the flashing sphere before it alerted the Fallen. A shrill, surprised screech alerted her that she'd unfortunately failed.
Eris was suddenly yanked back as Zora grabbed her shoulder, causing her to fumble to hold onto her orb. All around them, the cries of alarm continued and they were not happy. Breaking into the first room with all the passageways, Zora froze, uncertain of her direction. She then swore as more cloaked and wrapped Fallen clambered out of a side chamber. They snarled, lifting strange weapons as their glowing green helmet's shone from beneath their hoods. In response, Eris lifted her hand cannon and fired first.
The nearest Vandal stumbled backwards as the high powered solar round slammed through its skull and spattered the back wall with grey fluid. The others quickly retaliated and fired back just as Zora picked a tunnel. Void coated rounds lammed into the surrounding walks, showering Eris with dissolving debris. With a growl, she fired back down the tunnel, hoping to at least keep them at bay. However, it was difficult to both fire behind her and run to keep up with the larger Fallen.
"Do you know where we're going?"
"I'm working on it!"
Zora snarled, rounding another corner only to be met with a T junction. Turning right, she continued down the tunnel and Eris followed. However, they didn't get far before they were forced to stop again. Before them, another Knight blocked their path, snarling as it held its Cleaver high. On either side of it, four Dust Vandals stood, their weapons raised and aimed at the intruders. Eris glanced behind her, eyes narrowing as two more Vandal's blocked the passage behind. Unfortunately, her hadn't been able to recharge her powers since she last used them. They couldn't blast out this time. Zora snarled, her teeth gnashing together loudly as she yelled.
"Disgusting vermin! Fraternizing wizz Hive! Torture and mutilation! What are you?!"
"What indeed."
The Vandal's parted, and the Knight stepped to the side as another figure stepped forward. They would be taller than the Knight if they stood up, but their slouch put them just under its shoulders. This was made up by the massive single row of spikes jutting up from its spine. A huge, hooded cloak was draped over its shoulders, completely shadowing their features within darkness. Five glowing green eyes shown out from within, glaring at Eris. Skulls of both Eliksni and human dangled from their belt, rattling as they walked forward. In their right hand, they held a simple metal staff, topped with a Thrall's head, skewered on the top. The figure looked like some sort of Archon Priest, and it made Eris' skin crawl. Not just from its appearance, but from its aura. It was dark and twisted, writhing in horrid agony as it fought against the natural sanity of life itself. This abomination was unnatural.
"What are we mere mortals, but simply Dust in the wind."
When the Archon spoke, it's voice raspy and deep, a horse echo following and repeating its words. The Archon's presence caused Eris' orb to frantically spark, the voices within practically screaming to Eris, though she had difficulty understanding them. Something else was going on here, and her rock was warning her. The Archon took notice, its eyes narrowing on Eris.
"A LightBearer wielding darkness, whispering with Hive and spinning their Magic. And you call me an abomination."
The Archon rolled its shoulder, and Eris could see it was plagued by aches and pains. From the Darkness that rotted his muscles, she felt no pity for the beast.
"I have my reasons, creature. What are yours. An entire Fallen House, bent to the wills of the Hive! Fraternizing in their magic and controlling their minions. Don't think I can't see what you've been hiding from the other Houses. You have Hive worms inside of you. They writhe and squirm within your belly, eating at your entrails and perverting your minds. You play with powers you couldn't possibly understand!"
The entire room seemed to go silent. Only the horse breathing of the Fallen and the low growl of the Knight could be heard. The Archon shifted again, his eyes locked on Eris.
"Well well. Is that so? You think the power that we wield is beyond our control? That we cannot possibly understand what we are doing? Perhaps."
He stepped forward, causing Zora to growl but he ignored her.
"Perhaps you are right, corrupt Lightbearer. But know this. The end is coming. The Second Whirlwind draws near. The bringers of our end have been Chosen and they will rend this galaxy of all its life! They will devour and destroy all that lay in their path. Except us. We will endure. We will survive! And your pathetic Traveler cannot save you!"
He suddenly jerked his hand up, green energy swirling around it. Eris' orb was ripped from her hands, flying through the air before landing in the Archon's. Her eyes went wide and she lunged forward, but was stopped when the Knight stepped forward. She glared at the Archon, practically shuddering with rage. He ignored her, studying the orb before squeezing it. The green sphere around the stone fractured, splitting open like broken glass. The Stone inside sparked and shuddered violently, its energy and screams now open to the air.
All the Fallen, even the Knight, stepped back and covered their ears as the unholy cries and muttering split the air. Only Eris and the Archon were unaffected, both glaring at each other and the stone.
"So this is how you know so much. I will need to study it. Perhaps you will be useful as well."
"To hell with you. Crota already took everything from me, I have nothing left for you to take!"
"We shall see. Take them."
The Archon turned, striding down the hall with the screaming stone in his hand. The Vandals and Knight moved in, binding them both. Eris didn't fight them, she simply listened. The screams and whispers finally where clear. With the shell gone, she could make out the message now, and it echoed in her mind.
"I am here! They are coming! Please save me!"
Lord Urrox seethed, grinding his teeth as he paced across the floor. Nearby, Lord Trovok of the Fist of Alak leaned against the wall, the Dark Knight no doubt amused by his fevered pacing.
"I take it the assault on your father's dreadnought went poorly."
"How would you know that! I never saw ANY of your forces there."
"Oh rest assured my young Urrox, I was there. You'd be surprised how many I liberated from the Sunless Pit."
Urrox stopped, turning and glaring at the Dark Knight. Flame erupted from his body, and his eyes glowed violently.
"So. Your true intentions are revealed. ALL THIS TIME YOU WERE SEEKING TO LIBERATE YOUR MASTER! YOU CARE NOT FOR MY ASCENSION!"
Trovok only laughed, unimpressed by Urrox's brash display of anger and power.
"Did I ever mention the Sunless Cell? No. But the majority of the Fist are located beneath the cell. If this coup of yours wishes to succeed, you will require the Fists. Though, you will need others as well."
Urrox snarled, turning away from the dark one. He had nothing to say to that. Despite what he'd like to believe, the Flames simply lacked the size to pull this off.
"And what, pray tell, are you suggesting?"
Trovok smirked, pushing himself off of the pillar. His narrow maroon cape fluttered some as he stepped forward, the glow from Urrox illuminating his bleached white mask.
"You've already made a deal with the devil. I say, why not go farther. Why not make a deal with a god?"
"You're an imbecile if you think any within my father's court would side with me. They all believe I killed HER! That's what fractured us in the first place. Crota's throne is rightfully mine! But they all deny me!"
"That maggot had it coming, and the throne is rightfully yours. But the one who I am suggesting does not care for the council, or your throne. They merely care for the changing tide my young prince. And we both know that the change involves you."
"And…. you believe their promise? You truly believe that this change will crush my father and all the filth that follow his rule?"
"I do indeed sire. The are part of what your Father fears after all."
"Very well. Prepare your forces Trovok. In 36 hours, we shall strike again. But first… we shall embrace this offered gift. We shall contact the Chosen."
Author's Note: This was a most interesting chapter to write, but I'm glad it's finally done. Took long enough. I had a MAJOR writing block over the summer. Just couldn't get into the mood to write. But! The update is back. I apologize for the 2-parter. I finished the first half and realized it could be released separate. Desperate to grant you fine readers an update, I posted it. Hope you understand.
At any rate! What an exciting chapter! The appearance of House Dust, the treachery of Urrox and his Flames, the arrival of more foes and a new Enemy who seems to have a vendetta. How interesting, ehehehehehe. Next chapter will focus more on our Mass Effect friends, and show even more of what's happening. Please review, I wish to know what you lovely readers have to say! Things are heating up ladies and gentlemen. Hold your loved ones close and prepare, for the Second Whirlwind draws near! Until next time, this is ZOMAN, signing off!
