Unlikely Companions

by Erosion Has Started

Sorkolis is the Archon of the King Banner. Ravenwood is one of the strongest Titans on the tower. During a skirmish, the two are captured by a Hive Dropship and taken to the deep. However, the two are forced to work with one another if they are to escape, and they may need to make the decision sooner than they'd like. (Warning: Long Chapters)

2. It Is Fire

Hey! I just have to say thank-you to everyone who reviewed in the first chapter. Special shout-outs to Fallen Path of Evil, Jack Barrington, Ctornello, Reilly.216, jko90909, and the guests that hopefully returned to read this new installment. You guys are awesome. Also, if you reviewed the first chapter after this update, I'll get to you in the next chapter.

Also, thanks again to Reilly.216 for the OC: Nyx-72! If anyone else has OCs they would like to submit, just let me know. Fallen or Guardian.

Enjoy!

Chapter Two:

It Is Fire

"Damn! I missed."

The two Fallen had raced down the side of the mountain and had slipped from line of sight. Three Guardians were standing on the hillside, two Titans and one Hunter.

In one attenuated rivulet, the Hunter's Sniper Rifle ammunition had belted the atmosphere towards the group of opposition standing on the other side of the mountainous region, but the bullet had missed, and the two were gone.

One of the Titans, a female human, smiled, "It was a pretty nice shot, though. What do you think, Ravenwood?"

The other Titan shrugged his shoulders casually. "It was alright, I guess."

The Hunter looked down at the human male, his green optics twinkling vehemently underneath his helmet. "Just okay? That seemed a pretty fair shot to me."

"Of course you'd say that," joked the human female as she tightened her grip on the Shotgun she was carrying.

As the enemies faded from sight, the patrol lifted out their Ghosts to summon their Sparrows. The vermilion, beige, and stone-gray vehicles soon teleported into the air, and the Guardians mounted. Ravenwood and the rest of the unit slipped their legs into the designated foot slots.

The Hunter guessed, "I think Cayde-6 will want me back at the Tower right about now. It's getting pretty late."

"Sounds accurate," added the Hunter's Ghost, spinning his triangular parts as he studied the hillside that once hid Fallen.

Ravenwood sighed. "Commander Zavala won't oppose that decision. Come on, let's go."

The team of three descended down the hillside, streaks of fiery brass and cobalt shunning the landscape behind them as the Sparrows were kicked to full gear. Riding down the mountainous area, they swerved off a grassy alcove and drove casually along the spires of Old Russia.

Pavilion outposts surrounded the clearing of the Mothyard, as well as the debris of a planes crashed eons ago. Ravenwood wasn't even sure if he could remember himself from that time before, he'd just woken up here, "Forged in Light."

Meeting everyone from the Tower in the last city had been alarming – leaving the black-haired human male apprehensive. His Ghost had come to him in Old Russia and explained everything, but it hadn't made much sense in the least. But Ravenwood made as much of it as he could.

The weather was pretty nice, for as far as the patrol as concerned. The black-haired Titan, with his steel-hued Sparrow, enjoyed the lacking breeze of the Cosmodrome, but the speed of racing along the hillsides gave plenty of a draft.

Rolling his neck, the male swerved along the crannies and alcoves of Old Russia, and his team followed quickly behind. At least at the Tower in the old city, he'd be able to have a refreshing cup of coffee. Maybe Commander Zavala will have had a nice conversationalist feel to him this late evening before the Guardians went to sleep.

The rain had passed over through the rolling clouds in the sky, and the horizon twinkled with far-off lights as the moon ascended into the darkness overhead, its shine reflecting the majesty of the sun.

So, the Guardians returned to their ships and left off for the Tower. Once it was all tacked up and prepared, Ravenwood dropped into his pilot's seat and navigated the star coordinates using the constellations. The frequency amplifiers put pulses at the last city, and the three starships took off for their destination.

"Ghost," Ravenwood said as he picked up a container of ammo and strapped it down to the carrier part of the ship. "Who were those two Fallen we saw back there? They were… too big to be Vandals."

The triangular-shaped, one-eyed object gyrated to look at the Titan as he continued hoisting down crates. "It was a Kell and an Archon," he explained in a matter-of-fact tone.

Over the intercom link, the female Titan asked, "Why would you want to know? They're just two more enemies that will be dead soon anyway."

Ravenwood sighed and slumped his shoulders, eyes scanning the glistening optic of his Ghost. "Just curious," he responded. "And also, what does a Kell and an Archon happen to be?"

The Ghost retorted again, "The Kell is the leader of a House of Fallen, and an Archon is a direct link between the Prime Servitors and the Fleet."

"Which House was that?" questioned Ravenwood as he finished with his work and fell back down into the pilot's seat. He reached down with his muscular hands to grapple a cup of tea in which he'd been drinking before.

"The House of Kings. Also the most brutal Fallen House out there. You'd better tell Snow-32 not to just fire at any old enemy he sees. Things could have gotten messy if they'd decided they wanted to fight back."

Ravenwood removed his helmet and set it aside as he brought the cup to his lips. After he finished with the sip, he demanded, "Well, why didn't they?"

The Ghost paused for a minute, reluctant to answer, before he decided instead, "I'm… not sure. They usually react violently to someone in their territory. Why these ones didn't I can't be positive."

The female Titan over the interlink piped in, "It's a good thing they didn't, or we'd all be roasted on a stake."

Snow-32 added, "I would never have let that happen!"

"My hero," grumbled the female Titan as she terminated her link.

The Ghost readjusted his triangular body parts as he commented, "Three Guardians against a Kell and an Archon? I'm not even sure if the rocket science required for that would match up with my calculation of certain failure."

Ravenwood shrugged his shoulders as he leaned back in the fur-lined pilot's seat, taking another guzzle of his tea. "Hey, I'm not offering."

Snow laughed as he finished up with his interlink. "Well, we've got the brains – me, and the brawn – you and Viridescent. I think we'd be a pretty good match against the strongest warriors in the Fleet."

The Titan male rolled his eyes as he shot back, "In your dreams."

Then he terminated his own link.

---

Honeysuckle bushes scattered the rained-down portion of the tower. Most of the Guardians and Vendor-Masters had fled indoors to protect themselves from the waves of the terrifying water army as it brought its worst against the last city.

Ravenwood had brought his Ghost into the Tower, in the Hall of Guardians where all the Masters of the Vanguard were waiting. Commander Zavala was having a conversation with two other Titans, Ikora Rey was reading a book, and Cayde-6 was marking locations on a map with a ballpoint pen.

The flickers of electricity through the window in the back of the room gave the night a ghastly appearance as new Titans, Hunters, and Warlocks entered the Tower to get their starting weapons, then disappeared off into the night to battle against the Darkness.

Sitting backwards on a chair, the black-haired Titan rested his head on the support as he watched Commander Zavala deal with new Guardians. The way his lithe, muscular arms moved to shake the hands, the sweet scent of a faraway land, the dazzling, gleaming smile as he looked upon the new Titans. That was exactly what Ravenwood had been greeted with when he first arrived.

Witnessing it from the outside was a different experience altogether, like you were just another one of those members that had walked in. Sighing, Ravenwood put his head down and watched as Ikora greeted a friendly Warlock Awoken.

The darkness began to succumb the Hall of Guardians; rain pooled on the first few steps to the pathway as the liquid flooded the top of the Tower.

Feeling time being wasted, the black-haired Titan got up to avoid group of new recruits before he made his way up the stairs to rush to his sleeping chamber. Suddenly, a hand wrapped around his shoulder, and he found Commander Zavala standing there.

"Ravenwood," he pursed, the sweet scent on his body absorbing that of the fresh dirt and stone of that in the Tower. "Why are you not yet sleeping?"

Swatting away at a strand of hair falling in his face, the Titan shrugged his shoulders and offered, "Wasn't feeling any motivation to rest. What tempted you to asking?"

"Sometimes Titans need their time down. Any Guardians, really. Also, I have a special task for you and your team tomorrow. A Fallen ship was felled just outside inside of the Cosmodrome, and the Vanguard suspect they were carrying smuggled guns from Vex artifacts over here. They belong to the Devil Banner."

"Let me get this straight," Ravenwood offered. "You want my team to head over there? Why would you make that decision?"

Zavala blinked his azure eyes, the muscles along his cheeks feathering in the slightest way. "I feel I can trust you, Snow, and Viridescent. So far, you are the most superior squad left available on the Tower."

Ravenwood left his thoughts go to Snow-32, a total Exo Hunter goofball. Then to Viridescent, a logical human Titan. And himself… he wasn't even sure which category he included himself in. Maybe –

"You are very wise, Ravenwood. A great decision-maker and understandable. Your leadership skills are unlevelled. To add to that, your fighting skills are also incomparable." Rolling his muscular shoulders, the Titan Vanguard went on, "I see you very fit to leading this squadron. Until…"

A silence had overwhelmed Commander Zavala.

The ebony-haired Titan pressed, "Until what?"

"Until I get a Vanguard replacement of course. I can't run the Tower forever. But you see, about this new Titan… they must be strong. And I have my sights set on a girl that the Light has shoveled for me."

Ravenwood tilted his head, ebony hair falling to the side. "What's her name?"

Zavala shook his head. "I cannot be sure. But I see the Traveler has pressed a great destiny upon her; I can sense it. Now, it's best you head off to bed, young Titan. You need rest if you're to hunt down Devil smugglers tomorrow."

"Of course, Commander Zavala. I'll see you in the morning."

The mighty Awoken dipped his head. "And to you, Ravenwood."

As the muscular Titan boy continued his trek up the stairs, he saw the damage the water had done, leaking into cracks to further separate them, staining ribbons of cloth hanging overhead some Vendors. Who the owners had, of course, fled to their chambers.

Sinews of water plopped down into a miraculous puddle beside two crates as the rain soaked Ravenwood's ebony hair. The downfall had spared little, and there was hardly a Guardian in sight who wasn't running for the nearest shelter.

Rubbing off the bubbles clouding over his forearms, the Titan approached his chamber and opened the cracked, wooden door. His team were sitting in the lobby, sipping at cups of coffee brewed from the machine at the table. An assistant droid was cleaning up some plates at the washer, a tablet rested on a bamboo chair, and the scent of cinnamon filled the room at a flickering candle offering not only a refreshing aroma but light as well.

"Ravenwood!" chanted Snow as he pushed himself off the leather sofa in which he'd previously occupied himself with. The Exo shoved through the room and wrapped his arms around the human Titan. "Where have you been?"

Giving his friend an awkward return of a hug, Ravenwood explained, "Conversing with Commander Zavala. We… had a few things to share with each other."

Snow-37 shrugged. "Seems fair to me."

"Oh, and also…? He said we have a mission tomorrow. Devil smugglers carrying Vex artifacts flew over the border and crashed their vessel. We have to investigate and retrieve any and all things that might have been left behind in the collision."

Viridescent's head popped up over the sofa. "Why'd he pick us?"

Ravenwood retorted, "He thinks we're ready."

"Then let's not have him disappointed," Snow answered. "Let's prove we're ready for everything."

"But first we get some sleep. I don't know about you guys, but patrolling Old Russia is an ultimate wear-down."

The human Titan agreed with Ravenwood, but Snow-37 declared it was "awesome." Ravenwood plopped down on the sofa and looked over at Viridescent.

"Any coffee left over there?"

She nodded. "Plenty."

Ravenwood smiled. "That'll do. Still warm?"

"Yeah."

As the Titan went to retrieve a beverage, Snow folded his arms behind his head and objected, "So where is this smuggler's vessel? Hopefully in Old Russia – the last thing I need is to go any further than that. Today was a bore."

After getting his cup, the male Titan sat back down and faced the Exo. "Just inside the Cosmodrome. No worries – we're going just right of the Devils camp."

"That's actually closer than I thought," Viridescent agreed. "But I need my beauty sleep. See you boys tomorrow." With that, she put her coffee glass back in the sink and retreated to the barracks upstairs, her armored feet hitting the wooden steps painfully.

Snow smiled his moveable Exo lips. "I won't be far behind you. Say Ravenwood – after this mission is all set and stone we move to the Crucible and shoot us some Delta team?"

"I'd love to, but I don't have any excuses. I'm pretty sure that the Lords of Iron are putting me on probation from the games because of my absences. So you're going to have to do that alone. Besides-" Ravenwood tossed his ebony hair back. "I have some tracking to be doing."

Nodding, Snow offered, "I get it. But what are you tracking?"

"Those two Kell you failed to kill. According to my Ghost, that was the House of Kings. And it was a Kell and an Archon, so with due to my knowledge on the topic, contrary to your belief, the whole fleet should be there."

"So what if they are?" demanded Snow-32. "You couldn't manage a whole House on your own, Raven. You know that."

Ravenwood whisked his hand, his auburn eyes twinkling in the low din of the candle lighting. "Don't worry, I'd never try to overcome an opponent without you, Snow. I will only be looking and observing. Collecting data back for headquarters. That enough for you?"

Snow sighed. "Yeah, I guess." He looked up, wintery optics outlined by the dim atmosphere. "But be careful."

"Be careful in the Crucible, and hopefully the Lords of Iron won't pursue you." Ravenwood shared a tight laugh with his teammate. "Now you'd better go get some sleep. Those smuggler cruisers won't be undetected before long."

The Exo Hunter crossed his arms. "And what will you be doing? Surely you will not be awake for much longer than myself?"

"Nope. Just let me finish this."

Snow subsided back to the wooden steps of the barracks, and left the Titan on the sofa with a magazine in one hand as he sipped out at some coffee. He nearly spat it out when his eyes fell upon a symbol marked on one of the pages. He'd seen that mark before… but how?

My mind is playing tricks on me.

Setting aside the paper, Ravenwood recalled his promise to Snow-32, so as soon as he wolfed down the rest of the thick coffee he thanked the assistance droid and retreated back to the upstairs chambers. Since there were sleeping Guardians, only two lights remained on in the hall. Snow must have kept them on.

Flipping down the switch, the Titan stepped into his room and flopped down into his bed. The comforts of the soft sheets welcomed him, and he absorbed his face into the warm, fur-ridden covers.

As he was succumbed under sleep, Ravenwood thought about that little sign in the back of his head. What had it meant? Before he even began decrypting the details, he lost his consciousness to the bonds of sleep as it soon pinned him down in a useless state on his bed where his dreams took wing.

---

The position of reawakening was uncomfortable, Ravenwood admitted. Stretching his sore limbs, the Titan male gyrated and retained his singular earring before trotting downstairs to greet his friends.

Clearly, the assistance droid had done her job for all the dishes were clean and the candle had been put out. Outdoors, the raining had stopped and Guardians were trotting around the Tower, whether they were purchasing new wares or assembling a squad to strike on one of the nearby planets.

"Hey," Viridescent offered as she dipped her head. "Sleep well?"

Ravenwood nodded. "Yep."

"Well, roll-out time is approximately fifteen minutes. So grab whatever you need for the trip before we head out."

Collecting precious belongings, the male Titan gathered what he needed, some food and water, and pulled it down to the Hangar below the Tower. Tacking it to his ship, Ravenwood let it be and watched all his friends coming down with their stuff.

Heaving all his stuff up with lithe Hunter arms, Snow-32 questioned, "Does this mean we're ready to head out?"

Gyrating to further study the walls of the Hangar with featured seldom Guardians, Ravenwood started, "I think so. Viridescent, you didn't forget your Shotgun this time, did you?"

"How could I?" asked the female Titan as she pressed her weight on one hip. "There's no way I'm making that mistake ever again."

"Heh, don't get ahead of yourself," joked Snow as he finished strapping down a crate full of stale food that the Tower possessed – it never had good stuff – and shut the hatch to the back of the ship.

Viridescent turned around and pointed her svelte finger at Snow-32. "Watch me."

"Couldn't keep my eyes away."

The ships launched off the platform and dissolved into the atmosphere. Ravenwood chinked down his controls and lifted his Ghost out.

"Give me the coordinates," he commanded as he set the Pilot Mode to "Auto."

The Ghost twisted its body parts. "55.7500° N, 37.6167° E."

Entering the numbers into the dash's computer system, the Titan Human sat back and watched the clouds rolling beneath him. The other ships, flanking right by Snow and on the left Viridescent, toiled behind their leader as they angled their flight gears to position to the destination.

The ships started taking off in a slow roll, before they tipped down and began maneuvering towards the location. Snow-32's ship hit a robust pocket of air, but he luckily was able to steady himself before he lost control of the engine.

Swaying the air crafts, gales of wind hit the hulls as the team plowed on through the skies. Soon enough they were out of the draft, but had taken the brunt of the collisions. Over the interlink, Viridescent let out a disgusted growl.

"I just repaired that yesterday!"

Ravenwood steadied his vessel to a smoother level of engagement. "Just take it easy – we'll be there soon. According to my Ghost's estimated field of enzymes, the crash site should be just three clicks ahead and below us."

Over the link, the black-haired Titan male could hear the female Human slowing down her descent. "I know, sorry. The winds over here these days are just insane."

"I understand. Just be careful next time."

"All I can say is that I'll try. That good enough for you?"

"Plenty okay for me."

That silenced the two for brief moments before Snow offered them a cough over the comm. Ravenwood forced his voice through the transmitter:

"Would you knock it off?"

Ravenwood was sure Snow-32 just smiled. "Sorry. Had to interrupt that. Silences bother me."

The black-haired Titan rubbed his ear. "Well, you got what you wanted…"

"Don't I always?"

Viridescent scowled and terminated her link so she could not hear any further the two. As the ground neared, Ravenwood avoided another pocket of air so he could avoid any thermal updrafts from further damaging his hull. "Engage slowly," he commanded.

"Who made you the leader?" asked Snow as he brought the cruiser to a stop and swerved through the air.

Ravenwood scowled. "Commander Zavala. Now would you just be quiet and move slowly?"

Snow growled. "Okay, bossy."

The ground was littered with shrubs that harbored little leaves, broken bits of machinery, rusted metal, and old food packages that were likely marshmallows and maybe some beef jerky. However, no signs of fresh food or water, for that matter.

Fallen footprints marked the hillside as the Guardians steered their ships there. Ravenwood put on his Titan helmet, secured it, and then stepped off the vessel as he crashed into the white snow.

"What a dump," chortled Snow-32 as he passed through the undergrowth. "You think there were any people that came before us? Maybe someone that trashed the place?"

Ravenwood nodded. "Fallen," he whispered as he crouched down on one knee to look over the structure. "I've never seen anything like this. Do you think maybe the ship has been searched through?"

"It's impossible to know for sure," growled Viridescent as she stepped over a jarring edge of metal. "But if the Fallen got here, this was a wasted mission. And a complete time-eater."

The male Titan got back to his full stance and shook his head. "We would know if it had been picked through. Maybe my Ghost can scan the structure for any recent life-signals it might be giving."

Viridescent nodded. "Go ahead and try for it, then."

Ravenwood held out his hand to let his Ghost spawn, then it floated through the air and began scanning the collision site that had flames still licking off the engines. After a moment or so, the machinery backed away from it and its eyeball shook slightly.

"As far as I am concerned, there are no recent lifeforms that have stepped foot here. But we are so inaccurate with this type of thing sometimes."

"That's no lie," growled Snow. "Perhaps me and Viridescent's Ghosts should check it out just to clear up some things. Maybe it would be more accurate then." The Exo Hunter pulled out his Ghost and held it out, and the female Titan did the same thing.

The Ghosts finished up their work and reported the same thing. That sent the three Guardians and Ghosts exchanging a few worried glances.

"Then what are these tracks for?" growled the Hunter as he crouched down on one knee and rubbed his finger through the trails. "Hunters are great trackers – but I have no idea where these ones are going toward or how quickly they were running."

Viridescent scowled. "Doesn't even matter," she said. "Let's explore and see if there are any Vex artifacts still left on the inside."

"Be careful," warned Snow-32 as he watched the Human stepping ahead of him duck underneath the arch of the ship and enter it.

Clearly, from the hull shape and paintjob done on the outside, it was a Devil Banner Skiff, but it featured marks on it that indicated a ship brought it down. Perhaps one of the other Houses had tried to stop the convoy and retrieve the artifacts themselves? Or even better, get rid of them once and for all? Mayhap this gunner was the House of Kings and not some other House, like Wolves or Winter.

Besides, the King Banner was the most violent of the Fallen Houses. They would surely take an opportunity like this to down one of the other House's escort Skiffs.

"All the Fallen in here are dead," called out Viridescent as she walked out of the ship. "And so are the artifacts."

Snow seemed puzzled. "The artifacts are dead?"

"Stolen; gone."

"Oh, I get it."

Both Ravenwood and Viridescent knew he always had.

Approaching the collision site, the Hunter rubbed at the side of the Skiff. "So there is nothing left in there for us?" he asked. "Maybe the patrol is still out there and returning to their Banner?"

"It's a possibility," began the female Human Titan as she rubbed her jawline through the helmet that clung heavily from her cranium.

Ravenwood nodded. "We should go catch them, if they're still here. It takes forever to traverse Old Russia on foot. I'll go ask my Ghost how long ago these tracks were."

"Surely recent, especially if the snow hasn't covered it all up," Snow said.

The male Titan let his Ghost scan the rocky outcroppings for the level of frequency waves coming off the tracks. "Relatively forty minutes ago. If we use Sparrows, we can catch the Banner that robbed the Devils of their artifacts."

"Soon-to-be our artifacts," agreed the Hunter matter-of-factly.

Viridescent nodded. "Exactly. Let's go pick up that trail."

The Guardians made their way up the rocky cliffs, evading jutting stones and twigs that would serve as an encumbrance. Ravenwood led the team over the mountainous region; their jagged boots helped provide stability.

Lithe and nimble as Hunters usually were, Snow-32 slipped out after the group as he made his way up the path. Since his Class was so good at navigation, tracking, and bounty hunting, he was the first up the mountain. He looked down and waited for Viridescent and Ravenwood – two Titans that found it harder to navigate but were battle tanks.

Since the tracks let up the foothills, the group was forced against a costal draft as they made their way out over the region, delving deeper into Old Russia territory. The area was rigged of any usable supplies, leaving it just a deserted wasteland for architects to explore, if they had the appropriate Guardians with them to help escort and protect from various wildlife such as the Fallen or any wild animals.

"Hold up!" snarled Snow as he bent down on one knee. "I found something."

The other pressed around the Hunter as he crouched down in the firm soil. "A new set of tracks," Ravenwood whispered as he pressed his hand down into it. But it didn't replicate the Fallen footprints they had been formerly following.

Snow-32 got back up and retrieved his Sniper Rifle. "Those are Guardian prints," he explained. "Look how wide and lightly he's walking – that is a Hunter. And the shape of his foot explains he is an Exo."

"You can see all that?" Ravenwood asked as he grabbed Gjallarhorn off his back and returned his Scout Rifle to the previous position. "Is he also following the Fallen trail?"

"It would appear so," the Hunter said as he aimed the Sniper down the cascade of shrubs and jarring rocks. "But I thought you said Commander Zavala had only set for us to catch the artifacts, not some other Hunter."

Ravenwood shook his head. "If it is a Hunter, it was not sent by Zavala. This was either notified by Cayde or he found the artifacts himself."

Snow-32 crunched his knuckles together and flexed his lithe Hunter fingers. "Then let's go catch us those artifacts before this guy can!" Then he cast his invisible white eyes down to the spot the Guardian tracks were. "But this is a Hunter, and he is traveling alone, so that means he can move Hunter-speed and track at the same time, so he is moving quickly."

"Then stop wasting time!" spat Viridescent as he shoved by the Hunter and other Titan and began sprinting up the next alcove of rocks, sending a shower of pebbles and stone over the other two.

"Hey!" shouted Snow as he began out after her. "I'm not eating your dust!"

Viridescent turned around briefly and giggled. "Then stop being such a slow-poke."

Snow-32 growled. "You're on!" he exclaimed as he struggled up the path after her.

As the two began racing the hillside, Ravenwood edged his way up the slope after the other Hunter's tracks, keeping to his own and evading any rocks that threatening to push him back down. Since the other two were going at such a better speed than himself, the male Titan with ebony hair took a way around and met the top before any of them could.

Snow slugged to a stop at the top of the hill, his Exo gears grinding for air as his artificial lungs struggled for breath. "Hey – how did you get up here so fast?"

"Took a shortcut. You?"

Before the Hunter could respond, a worn-out Viridescent fell to her knees at the top. "I won!" she said, then looked around. "Oh."

Snow made a sarcastic noise. "Gee – a little too late."

Ravenwood pressed his hands against his temple. "Okay you guys, you're wasting too much energy. Instead of racing, try taking your time and seeing for different paths like I did."

"You took another way around?" asked the female Titan as she slumped down for air. "I wish I'd done that first."

"I wasn't racing you," huffed Ravenwood as he aimed Gjallarhorn down the slope to study it for life-forms.

Snow got to his feet and approached the edge of the cliffside. "See anything?" he asked as he observed the canyons various inclines for any new trails. "Maybe a Fallen patrol or a Hunter that thought he could beat us?"

Viridescent crossed her arms and threw Snow-32 a weird look. "I doubt he was actually trying to race us to the artifacts. He probably found it and attempted to make a good use for himself by retrieving them for the Vanguard. And also – he was possibly curious for it and wanted to see what it was."

Slinging his arms together, Snow shrugged his shoulders and made a casual face. "He's trying to beat us."

Growling, the Titan ignored the Hunter and padded up to Ravenwood. "See any bounty hunters down there, Raven?"

"Not that I can see so far," warded the Titan as he drew his arms together. "But the tracks lead across this slope and inclined slightly a few meters away. As far as I can tell, the Hunter has moved this way."

Viridescent nodded. "Trying to be sneaky, huh? Well, you can't mess with the Tower's strongest squad."

Ravenwood sat back up and shrugged his hefty shoulders. "Come on, Snow. We're looking to see if we can catch the Hunter before he finds the artifacts. You standing around over there definitely does not support that idea."

"Sorry," breathed out the Exo Hunter as he pointed his Sniper down the slope. "Well, let's stop wasting so much time."

After those words of acknowledgement, the crew continued their way down the incline, following the attenuated tracks of a very skilled Hunter that did well to provide cover for his footprints. Had it not been for the Hunter on their team, Snow-32, they would not have been able to continue tracking the other Exo to this point.

The foothills were dotted with shrubs, barren trees, and scrapped metal, blotting against the silhouette of the sky, providing cover for the squad. Taking this as an advantage, the group stood behind some of this protection so they were not spotted.

As the bright heat and light of the sun wafted over them, they continued on. Bugs swarmed in clusters around decaying bodies, and various streams rushed to get to the crashing waves of the oceans surrounding Old Russia. Large animals that were very seldom, such as deer or wolves, occasionally trotted by, their ribs flashing under a thin layer of mottled, rotting fur.

Fallen tracks were also visible under their layer of snowy grass and tall reeds. The group stood by to these tracks and followed the Hunter trail that was edging alongside those original marks.

"The ground is cleared for Sparrow riding," stated Ravenwood's Ghost as it emerged through a blue spark. "You may now follow these pathways using your vehicles."

Snow smiled. "Sounds good to me." He lifted his hand and mounted up on his Sparrow, vermilion flames flickering majestically behind it. "You guys boarding up or not?" he asked.

Viridescent scoffed. "You're not patient at all," she snarled as he got to hers, Ravenwood following her action. "I guess if we continue following the tracks we will reach the location eventually. Come on guys, we don't have any more time to waste."

The three Sparrows broke out across the clearing, riding along the mountains with streaks of brass cascading behind them, contrasted by the azure blue of the sky roaring overhead.

Suddenly, a visual was caught on a patrol of Fallen trekking slowly across the clearing, carrying a band of instruments between a few Dregs. Two Scorch Captains guarded the patrol, and six Vandals were on the sides. Immediately, the Hunter's tracks had stopped and had impaled sharply to the port side.

Snow pointed down the cliff to where a Hunter was crouched beside a few bushes. He was holding his Sniper, Final Boss, aimed down the path to where the patrol was edging along the cliffs.

"Is that our guy?" asked Viridescent to Snow-32, her eyes flitting down the incline. "We'd better halt him and let him know that is was our mission to find the Vex artifacts."

The Hunter paused and looked at the female Titan. "I think I know who this might be. An infamous Hunter on the Tower. I know because of that Sniper he's holding: Final Boss." Snow retrieved his own secondary weapon and looked at the name etched into the side of it – Patience and Time.

Ravenwood shook his head. "I'll go down and find out. Maybe we can work together-!"

It was at that time that the Hunter perched on the cliffs below took a shot with his legendary Sniper Rifle, cutting off the head of the Scorch Captain. This reluctantly paused the Dregs as they looked up from their work, dropping the artifacts and sending them in a desperate fury for their pursuer.

The Exo continued cleanly shooting off the heads of the Fallen down below, before they started edging for cover. Since he no longer had a clear shot of where his targets were, the Hunter put away Final Boss and grabbed his Hand Cannon, The Last Word.

"What the?" demanded Snow as he scrambled for a grip on Patience and Time.

But the Hunter down the path had already cleared out the field and was making a way for the artifacts. This put Viridescent on her Sparrow and racing down the slope towards the Exo that had just taken their bounty.

"Hey!" she called to the Hunter who was digging through the remains. "Hold up!"

Turning towards Viridescent, the Exo drew his arms together in a tight fold. "What do you want? You'd better make this quick."

The Titan hopped off her vehicle and started slugging through the snow towards the other Guardian. "That was our mission."

Sniffing, the Hunter didn't seem too impressed. "I didn't see you stalking them for a day and a half. Can you just get to the point?"

"We were the ones who have to return the Vex artifacts."

"First off," the Exo spat, holding up his metallic hand. "Who is 'we'? And second, that's what these things are? Vex artifacts?"

Viridescent pointed up the incline. "To answer your first question, 'we' as in my team, Snow-32 and Ravenwood. They're standing up there. And for your second question, yes, that's what they are. Commander Zavala requested we retrieve them for the Vanguard."

The Hunter flitting his gaze to the two others standing on the hill, clearly eavesdropping in on the conversation. "Bring them down. We'll decide then."

Ravenwood and Snow-32 grabbed their Sparrows and slowly trudged down the hill. "This isn't good," whispered the Exo to the Titan Human as they rode down the incline.

As the two dismounted their vehicles, Ravenwood pushed by Viridescent and demanded, "Who are you, Hunter? And why did you steal our bounty?"

"Back up a bit," the Exo growled. "I'm Nyx-72. And I guess you're Ravenwood."

The Titan nodded. "That seems about right. Can you just hand us back our target?"

Nyx snorted. "Why would I do that? You didn't even bother helping me when you were standing up there on the cliff. I took down all the Fallen guarding the artifacts. Other than the mission authorities, what did you do besides follow me here? Why do you deserve the prize?"

Viridescent mumbled under her breath, "Hunters."

Rubbing the side of his neck, Snow-32 questioned, "Why do you?"

"I've been tracking it for a day, thanks," Nyx-72 responded gruffly.

Snow buffed up and spat, "Hunter to Hunter, here. Exo to Exo. Give us our token."

Ravenwood shoved the Exo out of the way. "And that is not the way to do it. Nyx, I'm sorry for Snow's rudeness. But can we just grab our stuff and go?"

"No." The Exo crossed his arms together. "You may not. But I will make a deal with you. We will all return with the artifacts. I must go with the three of you and be credited for at least seventy-five percent of this-"

Viridescent butted in. "Fifty percent."

"Seventy-five." Nyx continued. "Which one of you is the leader?"

Ravenwood lifted his arm. "That would be me."

The Hunter snorted. "Then I'll go with you. Help me pack up all of this stuff. Since you guys seem pretty new, I suppose I should give you a lasting impression. Even though I don't like teamwork."

"What? New? Does this look new to you?" Snow-32 shoved Patience and Time in Nyx's face. "This is an Exotic Sniper Rifle!"

Nyx stepped back, clearly revolted. "Get that thing out of my face."

As Snow stepped away, grumbling. Ravenwood smiled through his mask. "We'll help you out with that then, friend. Come on, Vi."

---

Commander Zavala seemed pleased with the results. "Well done. But I didn't know that there were two Hunters in your squad." He gestured for Nyx-72, who was standing in the back flipping his special blade.

"He's not on our team," Ravenwood said as he placed the last box down on the Vanguard's table. "But it doesn't matter. He helped us gather the materials." He shot the new Hunter a look. "Seventy-five percent, to be accurate."

The Titan Vanguard smiled wisely. "That is quite all right. As long as the artifacts didn't fall into enemy hands, any way to retrieve them is acceptable. Now, I'm sure the cryptarchs would find interest in this. I'll send off one of the newer Titans to give it to him. What do you plan to do the rest of the day?"

Ravenwood shrugged. "Go back to Old Russia, maybe?"

"Why there?" asked Commander Zavala as he gyrated to return to his former position on the Vanguard table in the Hall of Guardians.

"Eh. Old mission. Nothing too big. Going to stay up and rest for a few minutes before I decided to head out. Anything else you'd like me to do, Sir?"

The Titan Vanguard shook his head. "No. I think it is beyond me with what you decide to do the rest of the day. You've done enough me for us. The Vanguard thank you, Ravenwood. We will always accept your services."

Ravenwood smiled. "I'm always here when you need it, Commander. Give me a call when you need anything."

With those final words of regard, Ravenwood departed from the presence of his class' leader and made his way up the steps to the top layer of the Tower where Guardians and Vendor Masters were always walking about. Some assistance droids were covering the top of the pavilion, but other than that it was full of Guardians, new or old.

As usual, whenever Ravenwood needed guidance, he went off to see the Speaker or Zavala, but he knew that the Commander was busy, as usual. And the Speaker was away for only the Traveler knew why. So, the Titan Human just waited patiently for any events that might come up.

That event was… Nyx?

The Hunter walked right up to the Titan. For the first time, he could see the Exo's face – vermilion eyes and mouth glow, a black body. His face was drawn into a snarl; at least to the point an Exo could make expressions in the first place.

"Yes?" asked Ravenwood as the Hunter trudged up. The lithe Exo had his arms crossed, and he gestured behind him.

"You really need to teach your team some manners," he spat. "That Snow guy, whatever he's called, keeps threatening me. I mean, he's stopped now, but it really got irritating for the time it lasted."

Ravenwood shrugged. "He's like that. Whenever he doesn't get his way." The ebony-haired Titan rubbed his facial hair endingly. "I apologize for whatever he said to you."

"I don't need your pity," Nyx-72 huffed. "Just keep him under control. Where he really belongs is in an exhibit at some sort of petting zoo. But between you and me, I think we got off on the wrong hand."

The Titan blinked. "Really?" he asked. "What makes you say that?"

Nyx shrugged. "I'm not really that irritated, from what I've been made out to be. Your friends just annoyed me. You, on the other hand – you've done nothing wrong and I think I mistreated you in the first place."

"What are you suggesting?" demanded Ravenwood.

"Okay, I know I am not one for teamwork, but perhaps we should get to know each other better in the Cosmodrome, whenever you're available." The Hunter shrugged off some rubble from his shoulder plate, and his red eyes fixed on Ravenwood's blue ones.

The Titan nodded. "In a few minutes, I'm heading to Old Russia in means of tracking the House of Kings. You can join me if you want."

"They're not going, are they?" growled the Hunter as he gyrated to get a visual on Snow-32 and Viridescent chatting with the Special Orders Vendor, Tess Everis.

Ravenwood shook his head. "No. I was planning on going alone, but one more shouldn't hurt."

Nyx rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Um, thanks. See you then." With that, he drew away from the Titan and began heading back to the Guardian sleeping chambers, likely going to his room.

The Titan drew away from his former position and began trotting up the flight of stairs to where the Gunsmith was located. He was not here for a chat with the Vendor owner, but he did like to sit under the shade of the huge vermilion tree and watch life go by. Crouching over, Ravenwood watched the sun slip further from its climax in the sky to begin its descent back to the ground, where the moon would replace it.

As a child, Ravenwood had always pictured a battle between the sun and the moon. As he got older, he imagined a friendship between the two. Now, he no longer even knew the difference.

All previous thoughts had been erased in the eradication of the Golden Age. Before that, even. It had been so long ago… despite the time Ravenwood had spent at the Tower, he never could recall what he'd done in his past lifetime. Other Guardians could remember theirs, some within the first day. But his remained a mystery, even to himself. Ravenwood wasn't sure why the memories wouldn't jab in; he'd been here for years. However, there was not much to do.

So as life would crawl on, the sun and the moon torn between that terrible fight. Maybe even a friendship. But now, the moon was covered with darkness. Ravenwood didn't think anyone saw the moon the way they used to, now that the Hive was crawling all over it. The Man in the Moon, aliens, all of that – it was over. No one thought the same as they ever once did.

Now, he wasn't sure why anything was like the way it was.

Being a kid, anyone would think of the moon as an existent creature up the air. Perhaps harboring life, like some sort of alien planet. The "Hive…" Ravenwood wasn't sure whether or not to call that "alien." After all, it was from a faraway place, right? Not your typical big-head Martian with huge eyeballs that says cuss words and jokes around.

After thinking about that for a while, the Titan got back up. Perhaps Command Zavala was not busy anymore. Maybe he had something else to say about that new Guarding to be his future Vanguard? It was about time that the Awoken Titan had received a successor.

The steps were full of young Guardians playing with the Gravity Ball, it bouncing up high into the air then slowly drifting back down. When Ravenwood entered the atmosphere around them, they yielded play to let the Titan pass, before they resumed after his absence.

Glopping down the steps, Ravenwood entered the Hall of Guardians and kept at an amble speed to where the Vanguard were standing around a table. This time, however, there were six members. The other three were from the New Monarchy, Dead Orbit, and Future War Cult.

Immediate recognition set in as the Titan padded through the room to where Commander Zavala was talking quietly with the Dead Orbit's leader. Cayde-6 murmured something to them, and their eyes fixed upon the newcomer.

"Oh – greetings, Guardian." That was Ikora Rey speaking as she snapped the book she was previously reading closed. "What brings you down here?"

Ravenwood fumbled to a halt as he looked upon the group standing about the table. "I have a few questions for Commander, if his presence is not required."

Cayde offered, "Of course not."

The Dead Orbit's leader growled out something low under his breath.

Zavala dispatched from his conversation and followed Ravenwood to the front of the room.

"Yes?" he asked, his voice laced with ribbons of kindness.

The Titan dipped his head. "The Vanguard you were speaking of earlier today. I have a few questions about them?"

"Now?" The Commander did not sound angered, just confused and even a little bit amused.

Ravenwood shrugged. "'Fraid so." He cleared his throat. "Who is she?"

Zavala snorted. "You see, they have not arrived yet, young Guardian."

"What? Then how do you know?"

Rubbing the back of his head, Zavala offered instead, "Wrong choice of words; hasn't been revived yet."

The Titan lifted both eyebrows. "So…? That doesn't answer my question."

"We have visions of these Guardians, Ravenwood. About the amount of Light surrounding them."

"And you know for certain?" asked Ravenwood as he folded his arms together.

Zavala shook his head. "We are never accurate. Some may not be the actual one."

The Titan tilted his fingers. "Am I the only one that knows about this, Commander?"

"As of now. Other than the Vanguard and some Lords of Iron," Zavala informed.

Ravenwood appeared slightly puzzled. "Why me, Sir?"

The Commander's lips broke into a smile of gleaming teeth. "Because you will be the one to protect her, Ravenwood."

"A Vanguard-in-line? What an honor, Sir!"

"I thought so, Guardian. From your leadership, combat, and communication skills, I knew you were to be the one."

Ravenwood still seemed fairly surprised. "When will she get here?"

Zavala shook his head. "We are never clear for that. Soon, young Guardian. Soon. Any other questions?"

"One or two more – do the other Vanguard have their successors 'envisioned'?"

"Ikora Rey does. Cayde does not."

The Titan folded his arms tighter. "Is that normal? Should they all be picked?"

"It is tough for Hunters, I guess. Most of them are all arrogant and cocky, so one appropriate for such a role is hard to determine."

Ravenwood tapped his head, ebony hair falling in flames. "They're not so bad."

"Hmph. Worse than you think, being around Cayde-6 all day." Zavala and Ravenwood shared a laugh.

"Try being around Snow twenty-four hours, first one to go insane wins the noble prize."

---

Nyx-72's ship was impressive, Ravenwood told himself. Very impressive.

Ha. Not better than mine.

Night had succumbed the Tower, and Ravenwood's friends, Snow-32 and Viridescent, had both wrapped blankets around themselves for another night of rest. But the Exo and the Human had both slipped away from their rooms to engage in their nightly activities.

Of course Snow knew his friend had gone. Before going to bed, he himself had gone off to play the Crucible Games, where Bravo had gotten their butts handed to them in Skirmish. Snow-32 was truly a competitive Hunter. But the Exo promised not to say anything to Viridescent, for surely she would disagree.

Nyx tacked his ship up, swiping off his gauntlets. Before Ravenwood could summon his own star vehicle, the Exo shook his head. "We'll move faster as one. Why don't you come aboard?"

"Uh, sure. I don't see how that could hurt," the Titan grumbled, fumbling his hands around his Shotgun, Party Crasher +1. Swiping off the barrel of any blood, Ravenwood stepped onto the open back of the vessel. "Does this ship support drinks of any kind?" he questioned, eyes scanning the relatively shiny surface.

The Hunter shook his head. "Being an Exo, it isn't a requirement that I eat food or drink water. Since I do not prefer the art of digestion, I tend to not allow beverages or anything edible aboard this vessel."

Ravenwood shrugged. "Works for me, I guess."

As the owner of the ship stepped on board, he ordered his Ghost to activate the thermal boosters and engage auto pilot. Ravenwood found himself comfortable on one of the support beams, Party Crasher +1 still equipped.

"So… you find yourself uncomfortable with my friends?"

Silence.

Ravenwood tightened his grip to the helm of his Shotgun. Perhaps the Exo hadn't heard him? Repeating the phrase, the Titan got the same response.

Well, then.

Approaching Nyx-72, Ravenwood tapped him on the shoulder, but the Exo was still unresponsive.

The Hell?

The Titan looked down at the Exo, but found his eyes giving off a greenish tint. Suddenly, the hue disappeared, and the Hunter turned to reorient himself –

"What the-?"

Both Hunter and Titan crashed into each other, tumbling to the floor. Ravenwood's Ghost rushed to his aid, but the Titan shrugged him off. Picking himself up to his feet, he watched the Exo before him brushing off some dust from his shoulder plates.

Looking up with his vermilion eyes sparkling fury, Nyx demanded, "Why were you standing so close? Does personal space mean nothing to Titans?"

"You weren't answering my question."

Nyx appeared confused. "Question? I must not have heard you. If you mind rephrasing your statement…?" Ravenwood also noticed that the Hunter was shaking slightly, as if he were startled or shaken up.

Ravenwood asked, "Is there something wrong?"

"No. Why?"

"You seemed to be… 'In the Zone'." Ravenwood made a gesture with his fingers.

Nyx-72 shook his head. "Maybe I was. So what? What's the damn question?"

Snorting, Ravenwood demanded, "You're uncomfortable with my friends?"

At first, the Exo before the Titan remained reluctant at a response. Then he growled out, "Yeah. They're annoying. Not worth anyone's trust. Especially that Hunter."

"Can you try to accept them? Maybe then they won't mistreat you."

Nyx repeated his previous gesture. "Why should I? And are you really here to lecture me about your friends? Honestly, I can make do without the trouble. You told me that your allies wouldn't be here, but it almost seems like they are with how much chitchat you give me about them."

The Titan tightened his grip so fiercely around Party Crasher +1 that his knuckles turned white. "Listen, Nyx. I was just asking."

"And I answered." The Hunter said nothing more than that.

Deciding to leave the topic there, Ravenwood asked instead, "So how much longer until we arrive at the coordinates?"

Nyx-72's fiery brass eyes flitting down to the computer screens flickering red and orange below him. "Not much longer than five minutes. Can you tell me what exactly you're planning to do while you're down there? Hopefully we're hunting some Fallen – I hate those bastards."

"I was to be tracking a few of them. Just the other day, my squad fired at two Fallen that they didn't realize were the leaders of the fleet – a Kell and his Archon." Ravenwood readjusted Party Crasher +1 in his compressed seizure.

The ship they were standing on tipped sideways to the starboard side, straightening its thrusters as it navigated towards the surface. Old Russia was already slipping into view, and the Cosmodrome's rusted outlands was visible even from such a high vantage point in space. Amid it all was the frosted ground that covered the ground, the moon glowing off of it.

Nyx-72 tacked up his guns and slung Final Boss over his shoulder, the lightweight Sniper Rifle fitted nice and snug in his grip. "We're landing in another minute or so. Pack up everything you're going to need. Good at tracking?"

"Not really. I'm just an average Titan."

Nyx smiled before he got his helmet on. "Good thing I'm here. Let's go then. But don't slow me down."

Ravenwood crossed his arms, readjusting the screws that held his armor together. "I'm leading this mission, you offered to tag along. We're hunting the Archon and the Kell. That will bring us straight to the King Banner's enforcement campsite. At least with another person I have less of a chance of failure. We're just trying to find out where they hide and what they were up to."

"Correction – what they are up to. In thirteen seconds we'll be grounded, so prepare." Nyx opened the hatch for the ship, waited, then jumped out.

The Titan behind him crashed to the ground, sending a flurry of sticks and rocks in all direction. Swiping off his armor, Ravenwood looked about and could clearly see the moonlight above him now. Just a little while before he'd been thinking about the battles and friendship between the sun and the moon. Now it just hung there.

Nyx made his way up the slope after Ravenwood as the Titan led the both of them. Silence had crippled what remained of the area, and the ground lay covered with frosty, pearly snow. A soft breeze had ripped up what remained of the peacefulness, giving way to a night that was already about to be a bit wild.

Since the slopes of Old Russia were so steep, and it was a struggle just to find a few footholds, the duo paced alongside the mountains and tended to stay into the canyons. Nyx warned the Titan not to do this for too long, because surely Fallen would be about with their snipers waiting for opportunities such as this one. After walking a click through the canyon layers, they made their way up one of the hills to the right.

Ambling along the nooks and grooves, Ravenwood padded up the inclines and kept eyes on the back of his head for any Fallen Vandals that might have been carrying their ugly Wire Rifles.

Nyx-72 bothered not to lag behind the two. He was a Hunter, automatically making him a professional tracker and warrior. Still equipped was Final Boss, aimed at the hills to make sure no Slap Rifles would break into the atmosphere. Once the top of the mountain was reached, they trekked across a broken, cracked road littered with algae and other shrubs. A chilly wind tore through the barren clearing, leaving a layer of misty residue over the two Guardians.

Ravenwood walked over the rubble of what used to be a road. One that cars used to drive over and everyone was pleasant. Nowadays everything was turned upside down form what the Golden Age had clearly promised for not only Humanity but other races as well.

Luckily no rain came down from the sky, as it had the previous one. Although evasion action was necessary as to not stumble over a variety of rocks or plants, movement was quite coherent and simple through Old Russia. Easy.

There were little to no Fallen among the deserted cliffs. Withers of snow-swept peaks floated in delicate ribbons across the massive, open skyline. The Titan and the Hunter stepped off the cracked road and started their way across a field of lush grass and shrubs, riddled with thorns and massive wildflowers. Spires of rock and wood, littered with weeds and vines, hung dead and leaning over the snowy carcass of the ground.

"Here," Nyx-72 offered, bending down on one knee to observe a banner rippling in the wind. It was the color red – clearing stating this territory belonged to the House of Devils. "We must be heading the right way."

Ravenwood shook his head. "No, we're not going after the Devil Banner. We're hunting the House of Kings; their color is gold."

Nyx nodded in understanding. "We're still heading the right way, though. The House of Devils and Kings cannot be too far from each other, can they?"

"You're the tracker," Ravenwood said as he crossed his arms together. "It's up to you whether or not we find this House. Whenever you see a few golden banners rippling in the breeze where there are particularly a few mountains enclaving, we'll be close to the base, I believe. An Archon and a Kell would not move too far from their campsite, would they?"

"I don't think." Nyx observed the vermilion banner for a few more moments. "We shouldn't waste any time. It's getting darker every step we take."

With those words of regard, the Titan and the Hunter pressed on after the House of Kings. In the back of his mind, boggling with interest, Ravenwood wondered about the Kell and his Archon. Surely the two of them were doing something of absolute importance to have been dispatched from their units? Possibly.

As the steep hills burdened them once again, the rocks got sharper but easier to get a handhold on. Party Crasher +1 was still firm in Ravenwood's grip as he hauled himself over another boulder. Nyx reached down a hand to help up his companion.

Ravenwood even knew now that Nyx-72 didn't trust him. Not that he cared, the Exo had offered to come along on this trip, so that was what the Titan would make him do. But replaying in the back of his head was the weird moment on the ship when Nyx's eyes had turned green slightly and he was not responsive. What could that have been?

Instead of worrying about minor issues as such, the Titan got himself back on the move again. What was there to bother about? Nyx was not a suspicious guy, after all. Just another Hunter, right?

The slopes of the inclines got to a dramatic point, forcing Nyx-72 and Ravenwood around the structure instead of over it. The Hunter used his double jump to get a vantage point over the area before he slumped back down again.

"I believe we're close. Just a few clicks away, there are tall mountain ranges, as well as a rusted-down building lodged between them. If that is the place you are looking for, then we're really close." The Hunter turned and stared out across the sky, the faint remnants of lighting and thunder sounding off in the distance. "The House of Kings will be another hour or two's walking distance from here. Too bad we can't use Sparrows."

Ravenwood nodded. "I know, I want to use Sparrows, too. But we do what is absolutely necessary, and if that is continuing to walk, then that's what it is."

Nyx snorted and made his way out onto another dry, cracked road. For as far as the Titan knew, it was still covered up with shrubs and wildflowers.

Ravenwood followed after the obviously experienced Hunter. If he knew the Cosmodrome well, then the Titan would be at his target in a simple hour or so. But just as Nyx-72 had said, it was a very complicated procedure not to just jump onto a Sparrow to ride over for the vacant hills and cliffs. But to not be caught and grabbed – it was a very reliable source.

The duo padded up the steep range of hills, grabbing ahold of any rocks or shrubs that would stick out and prove as a nice range of handholds. The House of Kings, with every step, was closer and closer.

As the moon continued its ascension further into the sky, more of the Fallen were mingling about. Nyx shoved Ravenwood into some cover a few feet away as a patrol of Dregs, Vandals, and one Captain were strolling by, gyrating occasionally to get a visual on everything around them. The Captain readjusted its flailing vermilion cape, clearly confirming the Titan and Hunter had found themselves just a little bit further into Devils' territory.

Ravenwood shrugged off some leaves that had fallen in rivulets on his shoulder. "What're they doing?" he vocalized.

"Can't tell," Nyx-72 stated flatly.

"We can't find out?"

The Hunter turned towards the Titan and spat, "Not if you want to get caught!"

Ravenwood hesitated, reluctance overwhelming. Then he conceded, "Very well. Are we trapped?"

Nyx shook his head. "Not if they move. Or we can get out quietly. If 'quiet' can even describe a Titan."

The ebony-haired Ravenwood bit back his sharp retort. "Let's wait and find out."

Soon the two were watching as the Devil's Dregs and Vandals were unloading a Skiff from above them.

Suddenly, Drevis, former Wolves Baron and now Devils Baron, leapt out of the Skiff and landed in the ankle-high snow.

"Drevis is here?" demanded Ravenwood, recalling the last time he'd seen her patrolling the Cosmodrome with a stunningly cyan cape rippling behind her. "Traitor to her own!"

Nyx growled, "Chill out a moment. Let's see what's up."

One of the Dregs was reloading their Shock Pistols, and the Vandals were carrying the Skiff's cargo back to their campsite. Drevis pointed up the incline and growled orders, her vermilion cape already stained darker red with Guardian blood.

As the two watched the Fallen warriors, they waited for the right time to keep moving on. Drevis was already padding up the slope to where the Vandals and other loyal followers were waiting, and she snarled out something in a muffled tone beneath the helmet that she wore over her cranium.

Nyx pulled out Final Boss silently. "At least we can kill one of them. Or two. Or three."

The Titan next to him sighed.

As the Hunter aimed towards one the Vandals, Drevis was already halfway up the rocky foothill and was assisting them back towards the camp. She was growling out something else, but since it was in the Fallen language it was hard to understand.

"I was Variks was here. He could translate this for us."

Nyx-72 snorted, "Well, he isn't. Can Ghosts translate?"

Ravenwood turned to him and conceded, "Unlikely."

Boom!

Nyx shot a bullet towards one of the Vandals, immediately decapitating him. Startled, the others one turned towards where the shot came from, and they were beginning to equip their Slap Rifles and Shock Blades. Drevis ripped her Shock Blades out violently.

"Go!" shouted the Hunter as he pulled himself out of the brambles and began racing from cover.

Ravenwood dragged behind. "I thought you said you didn't want to engage!"

"Too late!" spat Nyx as he charged into the fight.

Drevis thrust herself towards Nyx. "Ghanrudar! Vhan Jn Ostigul!"

Ravenwood hesitated. "What's she saying?"

"How would I know?" demanded Nyx-72.

"Skolas runa Si'in jar!" Drevis ranted, raising her Shock Blades.

"Hold on…" Ravenwood said. "Skolas? Did she say something about Skolas?"

Drevis snarled as she poised her equipment for attack position, her face embedded in a snarl however invisible it might have been. "Vyn granj dunkr ta!" She turned to face the Vandals. In a very heavy voice that had trouble pronouncing, she added darkly, "Kill them!"

Nyx barreled to the left and dispersed from view, and Ravenwood lifted up his Shotgun, Party Crasher +1 to do its job. He raced towards a Dreg and pulled down on the trigger, sending an array of blood and gore all over the snowy ground. Drevis roared as she went to go hare off after him.

Swiping off the barrel to remove any blood that would dislocate the next shot, Ravenwood ducked down behind some cover as the angry Baron shot off after him, Shock Blades lifted and ready to cleave his meat.

As the white-and-blue blade shredded down a few shards of rock next to him, the Titan pulled himself out of the hiding hole and charged at the female Fallen warrior. A bullet grazed her chest and shoulder, and she hesitated to let out a furious growl of pain, swinging her Shock Blades wildly to reach a target.

Pulling into more safety, Ravenwood got a visual on Nyx-72 sniping off the heads of some advancing Vandals, occasionally slipping in another pack to reload.

Drevis charged forward and raised her scimitars, ready to impale, but again she was stopped by a few bullets to the stomach, immediately stopping her as she cried out in miserable agony. Before could take another swing, something grabbed her arm.

Ravenwood turned to see what had paused Drevis, and he gaped open wide with terror.

Skolas.

The Kell of Kells. The most dangerous warrior of the Fallen ever to have been seen. But never before on Earth. His armies had never managed to make it there. The Titan flitted his eyes to Drevis, and she seemed just as affronted.

"Jyn?" she questioned as she studied her former leader.

Nyx had taken some of his time to charge through the undergrowth towards Ravenwood. In a very startled tone, he growled, "Time to go."

"I… I thought he was in the Reef! I trapped him there!"

Nyx stopped.

"That was you?"

Ravenwood nodded frantically. "How did he escape? Why is he here? We need to leave, now!"

"I got that bit. But now at least Drevis will be gone."

The Titan tilted his head curiously. "What makes you say that?"

Nyx crossed his arms. "If Skolas is returned, she will follow him again. And Skolas will not be here where the Reef can see him, not yet. He will likely try to return to where his survivors are."

Ravenwood looked back out the bushes. Skolas had been confronting Drevis with his face twitching maliciously.

"Why do you sulk with Devil Banner? Tha ghanrudar?"

Drevis shook her head. "Yjan bar! Van Car-ant."

Skolas growled and looked back to the Devils' Vandals, whom were all crouched over reproachfully. He gyrated, snarled something to Drevis, then began making his way down the incline, beckoning for his lover to follow after.

As the Baron slid down the slope after Skolas, the two faded from sight, giving Nyx and Ravenwood the perfect chance to escape the wrath of the Devils.

The Vandals and the few Dregs still appeared very affronted and startled, as if seeing the Kell of Kells was an honor in itself. The Dreg that had been reloading its gun before the assault looked around for a leader, but they were lost out here before they could get backup. The smallest Vandal pulled out his radio submitter and was calling for a pickup on the border. He definitely said something about Drevis and Skolas.

Nyx shot down the cliffside with his svelte, lithe Hunter legs whereas Ravenwood crashed down with his resistant, unyielding Titan ones. The ferns and shrubs littered across the area was a perfect place to crouch down and cover themselves.

"That was startling," mouthed Ravenwood to his companion as he rubbed the back of his neck.

Nyx nodded. "True."

The Titan bent over and reloaded Party Crasher +1. "But we have to keep moving towards the House of Kings. Skolas won't get in the way."

"But how…? How did he get out? That's impossible!" Nyx was also tending to Final Boss.

"That's not important. The Vanguard will get it all figured out soon. The Queen will want Skolas back in her hands before long.

Ravenwood nodded. "But I also know that the Kell is around here, the one from the King Banner. He must have an armada surrounding his hideout. From just a little while ago – did you see anyone guarding the entrance of the camp?"

Nyx-72 looked down and shrugged. "A bunch of golden stuff; banners rippling in the breeze, some armor racks, and a heck a lot of cargo. Is that what you wanted to know?"

"Fair enough. When we get there, how shall we engage?"

"I'd need to get a scale of the structure first."

Ravenwood lifted up his hand. "Have you been back this way before?"

"Hunters," Nyx-72 spat, "know the entire range of Old Russia."

"This building?" Ravenwood snorted, rubbing the back of his neck again.

Nyx shrugged. "If we're lucky, I'd been into it. Kind of hard to tell, regarding everything that has been going on."

The Titan snorted. "Let's keep moving. We have no time to waste out here."

"Why? You need to go?" asked Nyx.

"It's just getting impossibly late."

Nyx rolled his lithe shoulders. "After we succeed the mission you can go back and rest."

"Sounds good to me. Now we can proceed."

The Titan and the Hunter began making their way up the inclines and foothills of the Cosmodrome. Rusted cars and wildflowers littered the clearing as they moved.

Ravenwood snorted. "Sure is a dump."

"You got that right," agreed Nyx as he followed swiftly after.

"The Kings really picked a nice location for their camp – someplace no one else wanted." Ravenwood searched the peaks for any units.

The Hunter nodded. "Yeah… that's what I would do. If I were desperate for protection."

Ravenwood glanced over at Nyx and shrugged. "Maybe they are desperate," he offered.

"Who cares if they are? All Fallen deserve death. Especially since they claimed all human territory on Earth. That was the doing of the Kells."

The Titan sighed. "Really doesn't matter, now, does it? This is a stealth engagement, aka we're not doing any offense. Make sense to you?"

Growling, Nyx diverted his vermilion eyes and vocalized, "Yeah, I guess."

As much as Ravenwood knew Nyx would prefer a simple hunt, he knew that the two of them stood no chance against anything stronger than a Baron. Let alone a Kell or along those lines.

So, the two continued without any further speech.

Along the grooves of the attenuated cliff-sides and hills, there were various remains of animal bones and long-dead plants.

Some of the animals included deer, wolves, elk, moose, feral dogs, birds, eggs, and some small rodents.

Plants were often like berry bushes, trees, herbs, flowers, shrubs, weeds, wildflowers, and a great aroma of nuts.

There was a fresh troupe of eggs laying in a bird nest on the ground a few meters away. Nyx raced over to it and bent down firmly on one knee.

"Egg?" he asked as he lifted up the hard shell.

Ravenwood squatted down beside the Hunter. "What kind of bird laid the eggs?"

Nyx seemed knowledgeable about it. "See the spots on it? The eggs came from an Ash-throated Flycatcher. They're pretty popular here now that all civilization fled."

"Shy bird?" questioned the Titan as he observed the brown-and-hazel egg before him. "Or just not a family guy?"

The Hunter squinted his eyes at the egg. "Not sure. But that's where it came from."

"We should take the eggs and give it to some of the Guardians. Been a while since I ate some fresh meat and protein."

Nyx looked disturbed. "Take it from her nest? Nah, that would be stealing. I'll leave it nice and snug in there."

The Hunter buried the brown egg back into the nest where it came from.

"We need to move."

With that, the duo continued to walk on until they arrived at the rusted, iron doors of the King Banner.

Golden flags rippled in the harsh tones of the wind as the Guardians approached. The single caw of a crow overhead did not diminish Ravenwood's fear that he was being watched.

Nyx-72 led the way to the entrance, then he turned swiftly right and crouched down behind a cargo hold. The Hunter then gestured for the Titan to come over, and the Guardian obliged without much thought.

"I looked over the structure and was lucky to find some holes in the exterior that we could look through. We'll be able to just hop into some ducts if we're lucky."

Ravenwood crossed his arms, shoving Party Crasher +1 out of the way. "Titan plus vent ducts equals stuck, stuck, stuck."

Nyx growled under his breath something rude. "Well, that's what we're doing. Any other way is the invitation for a battle. Besides, we can reach our destination faster if we're crouched and unheard by any frequency emitters."

Ravenwood couldn't help but draw his hand up for a face-palm. "Fine – do whatever you want, then."

The Hunter trudged through the snow until he reached the side of the building, then he pulled out his grapple hook and swung it towards the vent duct. The claw caught on the duct and Nyx pulled the opening straight down, then made sure the rope was tight.

He turned with a smile, however much the Titan could not see it. "After you, Ravenwood."

The ebony-haired male waddled through the uncomfortable, tawny snow piles until he reached his target. Grabbing ahold of the ropes, Ravenwood tugged himself up.

After he'd achieved success with the climb, he looked down at his companion who was already pulling himself along, until he'd managed to get himself up as well.

Cutting the rope loose then pulling it back up towards him, Nyx shut the door to the vent duct, enclosing both Guardians in the shallow darkness.

"Make your Ghost give us some light," Nyx said as he used his own to light the attenuated chambers of the structure. "Before we enter one of the rooms below us." The Hunter searched through the iron walls and touched them with fascination.

Ravenwood sighed before he turned away and began walking through the vent duct, getting his heftier armor caught on nooks and grooves throughout the whole tunnel.

As the Titan looked down into one the rooms, he could see a few Captains surrounding a large troop of Vandals below. They seemed to be reciting war oaths. One the Captains raised up his Shock Blade and roared.

Nyx-72 caught up.

"Where have you been?" asked Ravenwood as the Hunter squeezed by.

Nyx paused. "Um… looking at stuff."

Hmm…

Ravenwood tried his best to look curious about the whole matter. "What stuff?" he asked as he trotted beside his ally.

"Just some Fallen. Nothing important."

Liar.

The two walked on through the tunnels until they managed to find a relatively empty room. Two Vandals and a simple, measly Dreg were inside of it. Nyx cut down the roof and hopped in.

"Gmiar va Hanur?" stated the closest Vandal, clearly mystified.

Pulling out his Shock Pistol, the Dreg growled, "Ghanrudar! Sa'et chey!"

That statement was obviously some kind of warning, because the other Vandal readied his Slap Rifle, flexing his long, two fingers around the barrel as he aimed the weapon.

Nyx-72 whipped out Final Boss and pointed it at the Dreg's head, whereas Ravenwood pulled out Gjallarhorn and looked towards the Vandals as his target.

"Get 'em," the Exo said as he took the shot, freeing the Dreg's soul from its body. One shot of the explosive Rocket Launcher was enough to take down both Vandals as they opened fire their Slap Rifles with deadly force.

Ravenwood chuckled as he put away his Exotic weapon. "Piece of cake," he joked, kicking aside one of the Fallen's body casually. "Say, you think anyone heard that?"

"Impossible. I made sure – this room is insulated because it used to be a lab to test explosives. So the rough layer of iron around it ensures that it is safe to fire around." Nyx proved his statement by firing rounds of his Hand Cannon, The Last Word.

The Titan nodded. "Okay, let's go."

Pushing open the door of the room, the two Guardians ensured the hallway was empty before entering it.

Silently, they clipped down the hallway, further into the House of Kings campsite. There were a ton of cargo holds and golden banners, clearly having yet to be set up since arrival. It was clear from just a quick look-around that this House had just arrived.

"Hmm," snorted Nyx. "Do you think the Kell would be further into the Refinery? Surely he should be huddled down like a coward in this place. What do you think?"

Ravenwood shrugged. "Possibly. I think we'll know for sure sometime soon. My quest was just to figure out what the Fallen were up to."

"To be honest, I don't really see why their campaign matters to us. If they're all going to die soon, why should we be burying ourselves in their secrets? Shouldn't we be focusing on our own matters instead of the other faction's?"

The Titan pushed open a doorway and entered it with ease, aiming Party Crasher +1 at anything that would move. "I just do it to be tactical, I don't care what you think."

"Fine then. I wasn't asking for your commentary."

Hunters.

Soon not saying anything, the duo walked down the narrow channels of Refinery and Fallen base and looked for clues. However, Ravenwood doubted he'd get any unless he found the Kell and his Throne room. Wipe out the Guard, then interrogate the leader of the House of Kings?

Ravenwood led his companion down the hallway towards the cargo drop. There were three Captains, five Dregs, and two Vandals helping with the process.

"Engage or leave them?" the Titan questioned to the Hunter, his gun poised in case of the necessary strike.

Nyx-72 glanced over his shoulder and rolled his svelte Hunter arms. "Leave 'em. You want to find the Kell right? Killing his soldiers won't help us do that."

"You're right," the ebony-haired man agreed. "Let's keep moving down the hallway and see what else we can find. Reckon they have food we can eat?"

"No," Nyx said as he tacked up Final Boss and edged out into the exposed corridor. "Probably not something that is digestible for humans. And possibly Awoken."

Ravenwood followed his ally around the corners of the Refinery, keeping close behind him so as to blend their footsteps together. Nyx's were so much more light and lithe, making it hardly possible to compare.

There was a patrol of Fallen coming by.

"Guan jar? Vusn khan js-ajn bri." That was clearly, form the rough tone, a Baron speaking.

A Vandal was crouched over, adjusted his golden cape behind him, clearly affronted. "Qun tjan Kan lnua."

Ravenwood groaned in frustration. He wished he knew what these Fallen were saying. But he knew that would never happen – Variks was not here to translate what all these Kings were saying. But they could always try guesswork.

The Baron shook his head, four arms worked around themselves in a tight arm fold. "Sin ha ngra oan vul." Gesturing to the right, he added, "Ghanrudar, ba Van Car-ant rna yuan."

Sneering, the Vandal spat out, "Yna ann'a-tr!"

Growling, the Baron smashed the side of his gun into the Vandal's head. Scarlet drops landed on the golden carpet beneath them as blood poured from a gaping wound. The Baron snatched the Vandal and snarled, "Bna!"

Being dropped, the Vandal landed on the ground, crippled, his gun now laying askew on the floor.

Left behind, the Vandal began gathering up his things and wiping up the mess on the rug. Ravenwood guess Bna was actually, "Clean it up!"

Nyx nudged the side of the Titan with his gun. "Come on – let's keep moving."

More than willing to oblige, Ravenwood retrieved Party Crasher +1 tighter in his suppressed grip, then looked back out at the Vandal, who was still swiping up the bloody puddle that had formed on the golden carpets.

Up ahead, Nyx had to barrel into cover and hide himself with his arms as the Baron returned to the room, a serrated cleaver in his grasp. Swinging it awry, he snatched the Vandal from off the floor and held him straight, assisted with a bunch of other Captains in the process.

With one slash of the sword, the right lower arm of the Vandal was removed, sending more shards of vermilion blood against the floors and walls. The poor creature emitted heavy screams of terror, thrashing in his pain.

Adding another heave, the blade slashed through the other arm of the Vandal, until he was simply two-armed. Then, the Slap Rifle on the floor was scooped up and thrust into a nearby Captain's hands.

"Than van-han'ar dregnes!" The Baron stepped away, observing the army's newest Dreg, who was bloody and remaining on the ground. Then, kicking away at the creature, he added, "Bna."

Soon, the former Vandal was now cleaning the newer mess up himself, left behind by his former peers, stripped of his cape and glowing pride. A disgraceful creature of the fleet, this warrior was now reduced to a Dreg. Ravenwood had never seen it actually happening before. Shuddering, he could see Nyx a few feet away.

"Is he now a Dreg?" questioned the Hunter, dumbfounded. "This House is so brutal!"

Ravenwood shrugged away his fears, knowing it was happening elsewhere as well. "All of the Banners do this procedure, I'm afraid. If we're lucky, he can get his honor back."

Nyx-72 peered at the Dreg. "Was he back-talking the Baron?"

"I think he might have been," mouthed Ravenwood as he pushed lightly off of the Exo. "But we need to keep moving. The Kell and the Archon cannot be too far away from him. I can feel his presence maneuvering among these hallways."

The two bade on their path. As they continued, guards became a bit more common. Sometimes they were Captains, and some other times they were simply Vandals holding long spears and Slap Rifles.

One of the golden doorways was guarded by two menacing-looking Vandals, scars all over their armored torsos. Their eyes stared at the hallways, ensuring no disturbances.

Nyx crouched down and gave a point at the closest Vandal. "That is one of the Kell's Guard. So if that is the Guard, then the Kell must be easily through that doorway."

"Agreed," Ravenwood stated. "Will we need another vent duct to enter the compartment? Or are we okay as of now? Should we kill the Guard?"

Nyx-72 shrugged his shoulders casually. "Doesn't really matter, to be honest. Whatever you'd like. If we prefer doing some more spying that you can't even understand, don't kill them. If you'd prefer to have them dead so they can't cause any trouble, kill them." The Exo stabled his gun as he shoved it towards the door, but also fumbled his hands towards his grapple hook. "Make the choice."

Ravenwood thought about that. He was trying not to attract any of the other Fallen, so he decided with what his gut told him. "We won't kill them. Let them live. Throw open the vent duct so we can get in."

Nyx edged over towards the wall and threw his hook around the duct, potentially shoving it open and allowing entrance. "Now," the Hunter smirked, "you can do whatever spying you'd like. I hope you find what you were looking for, Ravenwood. Or this was just a wasted journey. But it was… interesting, I'll give it that."

The Titan reached for the hook and pulled himself in. Then he stuck down his hand so his ally could climb up the steep wall as well. After that, they shut the door to the vent.

Now, the two Guardians crouched through the corridors, keeping quiet and moving their feet and precise manners. Nyx looked focused.

Ravenwood climbed out over the edge of metal blocking his path, then he found the opening to the room below. Then, he found his targets, the one that had been on his head for the past few days. The Kell and his Archon.

The two were talking, focused on a table with an assortment of maps and things on it. Ravenwood studied the golden Kell closer, and fumbled his hand back and in surprise.

That Kell was a female!

"Nyx," snorted Ravenwood, elbowing the Exo. "Ever seen a girl Kell before?"

Brushing aside the Titan, Nyx-72 admitted sourly, "No. I have not. In fact, I didn't know it was possible for females to become Kells."

The Human pointed down the incline and gestured to the two Fallen standing beneath them, having a deep conversation. "These are the two I saw a yesterday, standing on the top of the peak together. That one looks like a girl to me."

Nyx snorted. "I can see that now," he said as he equipped Final Boss. He leaned towards Ravenwood and snorted, "Pull out Gjallarhorn."

"Why?" the Titan growled as he kept his grip secured on his Shotgun. "We stand no chance against the Kell, Archon, and the Guard all in the same room. We'd be devastated! And again, I tell you this is a spy mission – not an offensive one."

The Exo smiled, Ravenwood assured himself. "Sometimes I forget. Just imagine what bounties we would get off of these Fallen!"

"Probably pretty big, yes," conceded the Titan as he pulled Party Crasher +1 closer to himself. "But that is not what we're here for. Just listen, and perhaps look at the maps that they keep pointing at. Who knows, we may find something worth our time."

The Kell pulled away from the map, twitching her fingers coolly.

Standing apart from her, the Archon looked up and tilted his head. "Jyn?" he asked.

Slinging her arms together, the Kell snorted something and gestured to the map again. Her four eyes flitted back up to where the Archon was standing.

That statement she mentioned just made the Archon shake his head, also beginning to cross just his lower arms together. He touched the fingers of his upper left hand against the leathery texture of the map, and he thrust it down fiercely. Clearly, with what he said, it was almost like he was trying to make a point.

"Wonder what they're saying?" Ravenwood asked as the Kell gave up with the map and began edging her way back to the golden structure and frame of her throne again. She crossed her arms together and tapped her fingers impatiently.

Nyx snorted. "Maybe you're just content now and we can leave?" he gestured back down to the Fallen leaders. "You have seen what you can find from them. They do not even speak in our own tongue, so obviously there is not much to see here."

"We have to try." Ravenwood aimed his Shotgun at the two. "The maps should say something. Are there any indicators of what might be their army at what is the last city? Do they even have a plan to attack the Tower?" Although the Titan found the whole idea not very likely, he had varying suspicions…

Again, the Exo across from him just rubbed the back of his metal neck. "I'll look through my scope and see if I can read the maps better. It's just a bit hard to see it all from up here."

As the Hunter pointed down at the group with his Sniper, Ravenwood began drawing a picture of the base in his head, crouched down beside inside the vent duct. He couldn't see anything beyond the Archon, however.

The Kell still looked distressed, both sets of arms slung together in a very tight fold. Her lip, the Titan guessed, if he could see it, would have been curled up repulsively.

Standing across from her in the room was the Archon, his eyes saying nothing. Maybe it said something to the Fallen, but to the Human and the Exo it seemed as though he was merely expressionless. Cold and eerie, mayhap. It was all so mystifying.

"There," Nyx said as he ripped himself from the scope of his Sniper Rifle, equipping the large weapon to his back with ease. "I've scraped up what I could find out."

Ravenwood narrowed his eyes. "And what was that?" questioned the Titan as he followed his ally's gaze to the two Fallen below.

The Hunter shrugged. "You'll see. I used my Ghost to help decode some the things on there."

Gyrating to further observe his companion's form, the Titan asked, "Your Ghost can read the Fallen language?"

Nyx shrugged. "Don't think so. If he could, I would probably know up to this point. Now that we've figured out all we can manage, are you ready to leave? I know I am."

"Yes, I am. Just let me look at something real quickly."

The Hunter sighed. "Make it quick. We've been out here all night, honestly. Home sounds nice."

Ravenwood crouched over further on one leg to study a few of the objects on the table that the Kell and the Archon had been standing around. Knives, papers, documents… what seemed so odd on it?

Shrugging away his worries, the Titan just looked up.

"I think we can go now," he said as he watched Nyx sharing a few words with his Ghost.

The Exo turned back to look at the Human. "Ready? Make sure you don't forget anything here. Can we use Sparrows?"

"Maybe, since we're leaving. Come on." The Titan shrugged by his ally down the hallway.

Nyx nodded. "Yeah, I hate the idea of being caught by all of these Fallen."

Ravenwood dipped his head. "Doesn't sound so good."

"How do you plan to get out of here?" asked the Hunter as they began crawling down the tunnel.

"Definitely not the way we came in." The Titan approached the closed door of the vent duct.

The Exo nodded. "So, we take a right as soon as we drop out of here? Right in front of all the Kell's Guard?"

Ravenwood shook his head. "No, maybe not that. Just follow my lead, and we'll be alright."

So the two jumped out of the vent duct, scraping a few jars of metal in their descent as they ran for their freedom.