Part 12: As Above So Below
The Vex Catacombs, Venus
Che and Usiku left the apartment via safety tunnel. They bypass the Fallen and Vex to an underground access behind the ruins of the academy. The tunnel itself had a single elevator and enough room to fit two people. The ride down was quiet. No words were exchanged between the two Exos until the elevator hit the ground level. The two walked out, slowly. Their Ghosts materialized and shine a light down a narrow passageway.
"This way," Che said.
Che began to walk down the path with Usiku not too far behind him. From a quick observation, Usiku notice that the natural rock has long since merged with Vex architecture. Even for a machine, he had this heavy, eerie feeling. He couldn't describe it. Dread? Horror? Emptiness? He didn't know. With only two light sources and possible surround on all sides. Usiku could think of one word: darkness. Yes, so deep behind enemy territory and far away from the Traveler's Light. Darkness was, now is, the only word Usiku could use.
"I don't like this place." he said out loud.
"Agreed," Che continued to press ahead," the Darkness here is strong. This land, this whole area, it tainted."
"Then let's make this quick."
The two nodded and began running down the passageway. As they ran, thoughts, flashbacks, poured into Usiku's mind. The open field he once saw before became clear. He was in a city or at least the outskirts of a city. He heard the laughter again. Children were laughing and playing in a park.
"Usiku!" Che called out.
Usiku regain his focus. He was on the ground. When did he fall? He tried to get back up, but fail.
"You remember now?" Che asked and offer a hand.
"Yes," Usiku grabbed the hand and pulled himself back up," it's all coming back."
"Contact!" Roho shouted.
The two turn to frizzing sound and dim light of Vex warping in. In ten seconds flat the two found themselves surrounded by a legion of Vex goblins and hobgoblins. With nowhere to run or take cover, both Guardians activated their Supers. Usiku turned into a blue bolt of lightning, cutting down the machines as they fired at him. Che Slung balls of fires to clear out the remainder. But soon warped in. Legions of goblins, hobgoblins, and minotaurs funneled into the passage. The two tried to engage and use their Supers for another attack, but were pushed back by the combined firepower. Their gear was torn apart faster than either of Ghost could repair in time. But a shot rang out. A rocket smashed into the Vex column in front of them. More bullets and rockets joined a chorus.
"Get up." A hand reaches down beside Usiku.
He looked and saw an Exo, or something that resembled an Exo. Several more Exo-like beings join, adding their own hymn of bullets to the chorus. Usiku rose from the ground and onto his feet. Che, activating his Super again and hurling hellfire at Vex, push forward.
"Get moving." the unknown machine said.
Usiku nodded and ran. The Exo-like beings cut a path for Guardians and they ran. Usiku and Che follow the Exo-like machine into a large bunker. Once all were inside, the Exo-like machines closed the doors.
"This won't stop them," One of the machine said," but they won't be able to teleport into here."
"Thank you," Che said," I'm Guardian Che Zi of the Last City. And this is my friend Usiku."
"Guardians?" The machine asked.
The room then filled with buzz from other machines. Each looking at Che and Usiku as if they were archangels standing before them.
"Come," the one of the machines spoke," the Maker must see you two at once."