based on the story from Midlydrunk335 (with up-to-date lore-wise, story-wise, and necessary changes). I do not own Destiny's lore or Gate's media as a whole.
a/n: Presently, the following are the significant occurrences that have transpired:
- The Gate incident: 2 weeks after the conclusion of Season 18. (week 1 of Gate)
- Memorial observance and crossing of the Gate: 3 weeks and a half after Season 18's conclusion. (week 2 of Gate)
- Failed attacks by Allied kingdoms: occurred three days after establishing a foothold on the opposite end of the Gate (2 weeks and a half of Gate)
- High Calibur's meddling: took place five days after establishing a foothold on the other side of the Gate (2 weeks and a half of Gate)
- Sadera's senate gathering: a week after establishing a foothold on the opposite end of the Gate. (almost 3 weeks of Gate)
- The incidents in this chapter: (within the third week of Gate)
- Osiris and Lord Saladin's debriefing (as mentioned in chapter one): happened during the fourth week of Gate.
After realizing this, I have gone back and revised the dates in the previous chapters. It's regrettable that I didn't catch this sooner.
*FOB, near Alnus hill, a day after the last chapter*
third POV
"MOVE IT! YOU LOT ARE TAKING TOO LONG!" A ranger barked in an ancient tongue as the prisoners were being led through the Gate towards the Last City. Although the captives were resentful about being apprehended, their fear of the imposing Cabal and Eliksni forces made them too intimidated to protest. The rangers provided the prisoners with two sets of clothing and essential items for their rehabilitation and fitted them with ankle monitors before they passed through the Gate to the other side.
Distant from where the prisoners were situated, Lord Saladin stood and watched as the prisoners queued up and made their way through the Gate. Meanwhile, Osiris was discussing the latest discoveries from the Hidden with Ikora, Eris, and Queen Mara at a provisional research facility (similar to the one on Europa).
Osiris: The Hidden successfully infiltrated the capital and a city that serves as a center for mage education. We've now packaged the acquired material into a crate and will be shipping it off to the Tower.
Ikora: About the city in question, does it bear any relation to the Empire?
Osiris: No, however, we are currently conducting an investigation to ensure that they do not pose a threat before proceeding with other leads and inquiries.
Mara Sov: Are there any indications or references to the Hive that we should take into consideration regarding this matter?
Osiris: Fortunately, their magic is far different from that of the Hive, so that's at least one issue we don't have to worry about.
Eris: I concur. Regarding their magic, what kind of spells have they demonstrated familiarity with thus far?
Osiris retrieves holographic reports from his tablet and begins to provide an explanation.
Osiris: Up to this point, the inhabitants of this world possess knowledge of only elemental magic, basic healing, and spirit magic which is more familiar to the elves than humans. Moreover, there is the practice of necromancy, but its usage is mostly uncommon since it was prohibited many years ago.
Eris: I see. In that case, we can wrap up our meeting for the time being. Please do keep us informed about the situation there.
The meeting drew to a close and Osiris nodded in agreement. Stepping outside the facility, he observed the sun setting on the horizon. Earlier, fireteam High Calibur had briefed him, Zavala, Saladin, and Caialt on the Lagomorphs' relocation process with the 3rd recon's rangers. They had also informed them of Queen Tyuule's desire to express her gratitude to them personally.
Osiris discussed this with Zavala, and surprisingly, he concurred with Tyuule's request. They subsequently arranged for her escort to coincide with the Imperial delegation's arrival.
'The Witness is coming and we're only halfway through our research and rescue operations. How can we possibly find time to negotiate treaties while resc-?' Osiris's thoughts were interrupted by a transmission from fireteam High Calibur as he pondered. He held out his hand and a hologram of a Newlight Warlock materialized, reporting in a grave tone.
"This is Warlock Itami," the hologram announced. "We picked up a heat signature that matched the dragon we had encountered prior to meeting with fireteam High Calibur. The source of the signal was detected northeast of our current location, close to two nearby villages. We are requesting approval to intercept the dragon before it can cause harm to the local inhabitants."
Osiris quickly turned to Itami and gave a nod of approval. "Approved," he said firmly. "Once you make the call, I will dispatch a Cabal unit along with a Guardian."
Itami nodded in gratitude and the hologram disappeared as the transmission ended.
*Lagomorphs' relocated town, 45 mins away from FOB*
Itami turned towards his assigned ranger unit and began to outline the battle plan. "3rd Recon, here's how we'll proceed. I will need seven of you to come with me on two dropships, while the rest of the team sets up the transmat zone." The Rangers nodded in agreement as Itami continued, "The Titan will come with me, while my mentor and Hunter will remain behind to assist with the transmat setup. The base will dispatch Guardians and a Cabal unit to support us."
Upon hearing about the Cabals, some members expressed skepticism about the idea of working alongside them. Growing impatient with the delay, Itami quickly intervened. "Listen, I know some of you still have concerns about the Cabals after what happened, but we can address that later. Right now, we need to focus and move quickly, we're wasting time!"
Half the 3rd Recon team quickly snapped out of their thoughts and boarded the dropships. Itami boarded the first one, while the Titan got on the second. The hangar doors closed as the two dropships took off, heading toward the location where the dragon would attack.
"Alright, let's get to work, everyone," Paige announced to the rest of 3rd Recon. Without hesitation, the remaining member of the team replied, "Loud and clear, ma'am!" They quickly followed Paige and the Hunter, ready to tackle the tasks at hand.
Paige cast a glance toward her fellow Hunter companion, Four, and commented, "He has made remarkable progress since we first met him, hasn't he?" Four nodded in agreement, but then expressed her concern, "True, but do you think they are capable of handling this? The size of this one is larger than the previous one that came through the Gate." Paige reassured her, "They are some of the finest Guardians I know. When the time comes, they will require all the assistance they can muster."
Four considered Paige's words and eventually agreed, "You are right." She then looked at her Ghost and instructed, "Ghost, keep a close watch on the situation and notify us of any changes." The Ghost beeped in response, "Got it. I will keep an eye on things." Four patted Paige's shoulder and said, "Come on, let's assist the others in any way we can."
*on the dropship*
Fifteen minutes have elapsed since their departure from Zone A, which is now the designated name for the Lagomorphs' relocated village. Itami was engrossed in his datapad, monitoring the dragon's heat signatures from the Cabals' satellite. Despite circling the area for several hours, the dragon has not shown any signs of aggression or destruction.
The original objective of the 3rd Recon was to conduct a thorough investigation of the Sadera Empire, including its local culture, religion, history, quality of life, and dragon activity in the area.
However, due to High Calibur's involvement with the warrior bunnies, the mission was temporarily shifted to assist the fireteam. It was only after Itami informed Osiris about the dragon sighting that the 3rd Recon was able to return to their original mission.
Itami was interrupted from his tablet when one of the four rangers on the ship, a combat medic named Kurokawa, addressed him. "So, Itami, sir. May I ask you a question?" Itami acknowledged her, "Yes, Kurokawa. Go ahead." Kurokawa then proceeded to ask, "I heard that you were resurrected in Japan, where most of the team's ancestors came from. What was it like there?"
Itami paused to contemplate Kurokawa's question before answering, "It was reminiscent of the Cosmodrome but remarkably better preserved than most cities after the Collapse," he replied. "What fascinated me most was the endurance of historical structures even after centuries had elapsed."
As he recalled the historical structures, Itami added, "While I was in Japan, I took the opportunity to explore and discover more about my origins and past life before being resurrected." However, he continued, "I later found out that delving into one's past life went against the Vanguard's policy. It wasn't something I knew at the time."
Itami let out a sigh and briefly glanced at Kurokawa. "But looking back, I do understand their reasoning. I mean, whatever I had in my past life is now gone. Furthermore, even if I could remember, what use would those memories serve?" he expressed.
Kurokawa nodded understandingly. "Yes, sir. I can see how that could cause issues."
"That does sound kind of sad, sir," one of the rangers spoke up, sharing his thoughts on Itami's experiences. "Rising from the dead, fighting alien gods, and uncovering humanity's dark secrets. Not to mention the loneliness. If I were a Guardian, I don't think I could fathom that kind of life." he added. Itami turned his attention toward his teammate, a young man with spiky hair.
"However, it wasn't all negative, Tomita," Itami remarked, a smile forming on his lips. "There were times where we got to do some of the wildest and most ridiculous things, things that I would never have believed possible," Itami replied casually, before shifting his focus toward the cockpit. "Heads up, we're almost at our destination." he announced.
*Coda village*
The Titan reflected that their first contact with the locals could have been much worse, with lightless warriors ambushing them from the shadows. However, they were pleasantly surprised when the villagers approached their dropship out of curiosity rather than hostility. While he didn't possess the same level of fluency in Latin as the Warlocks did, he had a decent understanding of the language. The villagers seemed to be fascinated by the ship, treating it like slumbering metal wyverns.
While the rangers tracked the dragon's movements through their datapads, Itami was occupied with warning the villagers to evacuate. The heat signature remained constant in the West, miles away from their current location.
Tomita expressed his confusion, "How is it possible for a dragon to fly for hours? Is this some kind of fantasy nonsense?" "We're in a world where medieval governments and ancient technology are mixed with magic. What else did you expect?" A young and easily agitated ranger responded.
Tomita's eyes gleamed with excitement as he spoke, "I don't know. Elves, dark elves, mermaids, mythical creatures like the ones described in movies and books from the Golden Age."
However, the same young and agitated ranger interrupted, "I hate to break it to you, but it's all just a product of imagination. We may have seen dragons, goblins, and humanoids, but that doesn't mean they actually exist in our world."
"Kuribayashi, we literally transported women with rabbit ears yesterday. What gives?" Tomita asked. Kuribayashi hesitated before replying, "I don't know. It's all a bit surreal to me. humanity has fought the Fallen, the Hive, the Taken, the Red Legion, and now, the Darkness itself. It is conceivable that anything can happen in this world, except for fantastical things which have long been recognized as a creation of the human mind for centuries."
After exchanging small talk for a few minutes, the Titan approached the rangers and asked, "Any updates on the dragon?" "Not yet, sir. It's been in this area for over an hour now." Kurokawa replied as she showed the Titan her datapad to confirm the lack of progress in tracking the dragon's movements.
The Titan's demeanor shifted, "If that's the case, then there's a problem. What's the status of the temperature in the area?" he inquired while perusing the tablet, "It seems to be fluctuating between 70 and 120 degrees. Additionally, the satellite imagery is slightly blurry, but it appears that the creature has been grounded for several hours now." Tomita reported.
Perusing the images, the Titan observed that the dragon was currently grounded, albeit in close proximity to another village. While this didn't initially concern him, upon closer inspection, he promptly reached out to Itami through the communication system.
Titan inquired the Newlight, "Itami, are you done?" "Just wrapped things up. What's the situation?" Itami replied. In a composed yet serious tone, the Titan urged, "It's regarding the dragon. Get back here, quickly!"
Itami didn't waste any time as he rushed to the dropship. Upon arrival, he noticed that some of the Rangers were already on board, wearing expressions of concern as they stared intently at their datapads.
"What is it?" Itami inquired, sensing the urgency in the air. "The dragon is dangerously close to a nearby village." the Titan explained. "We must act fast to prevent any harm."
Itami understood the seriousness of the situation and nodded in agreement. "Let's get going, then," he stated, as he and the Titan boarded a separate dropship.
As the hanger door closed, Itami surveyed the four Rangers on board, noting the varying degrees of apprehension displayed on their faces. Some clutched their datapads with white-knuckled intensity, while others expressed their concerns aloud. Nevertheless, all were ready to do whatever it took to protect the innocent villagers from harm. Regardless of their status as outworlders.
As the night sky enveloped the surroundings, an eerie glow illuminated the area, casting an ominous shadow over the village. The air was thick with smoke and the acrid scent of burning wood, while the crackling of flames echoed in the stillness of the night. Embers danced in the air like fireflies, drifting lazily across the night sky.
The orange-red flames licked hungrily at the remaining structures as if searching for anything left to consume. The heat was almost unbearable as if the very air was on fire.
In the midst of the chaos, the villagers were nowhere to be seen, their fate unknown. The only sound that could be heard was the roar of the flames, as they relentlessly consumed everything in their path. The destruction and devastation were almost as severe as what was witnessed during the Red War in the Last City.
"In what direction did the dragon go?" Itami asked in a cold tone. "Unknown, sir! The area has a temperature of approximately 200 degrees, sir. The heat signature of the fire has obscured the creature's trail completely!" replied Kurokawa.
As the two dropships hovered outside the burning forest, Itami's frustration mounted. He couldn't just sit there and do nothing. He tightened his fists and spoke with a sense of urgency to his fellow team members on the dropship, "Kuribayashi, filter and scan the area between 50 and 90 degrees. Since the dragon is a distant cousin of lizards, its skin must be fire-resistant. Tomita, Kurokawa, find a stable position and land the ship."
"Understood, Sir!" responded Tomita and Kurokawa, gripping the controller stick. "I'm on it!" Kuribayashi replied as she began swiping on the datapad.
Itami stood in the cockpit between Tomita and Kurokawa's seats, observing the scene as the dropship started its descent. As soon as the ship made contact with the ground, a thunderous roar erupted, reverberating through the air and shaking the ground with a deep and powerful intensity.
A dark red creature could be spotted in the distance, flapping its wings as it swiftly soared away from the commotion it had caused in the heart of the forest. As the creature flew farther away, it left behind a trail of destruction in its wake. Broken branches and uprooted trees littered the ground, and the air was thick with the smell of burnt wood and foliage.
The group that had witnessed the lizard's departure watched in awe as it disappeared from view, its form becoming smaller and smaller until it was just a speck in the distance. They were left with a sense of both wonder and unease
Kuribayashi reported, "The lizard is leaving the forest, sir," as she tracked the dragon's path. However, it was clear to everyone that the creature was flying away and didn't require further updates on its position. Sensing the need for direction, Kuribayashi turned to Itami and asked, "What are your orders, sir?"
There was a brief moment of silence among the Rangers and the Titan. Itami let out a sigh before turning to his fellow Guardian and the Rangers. "Contact Osiris," he said, "and inform them that we're updating our objective from protecting the villagers to search and rescue, and an offensive counter." The group nodded in understanding, quickly getting to work on relaying the updated mission to their superiors. The Warlock stood at the edge of a small cliff, the Titan is unable to discern what was going through the kid's mind behind his helmet. Despite a feeling that the kid was about to do something reckless, the Titan found himself supportive of the idea.
"Newlight and I will head into the forest to search for survivors. You guys stay here," the Titan suddenly announced as he approached Itami. The young Guardian looked up at the bulky figure with confusion, but the Titan placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder and nodded, indicating that he understood Itami's intentions. Without hesitation, the two slid down the cliff and made their way into the forest.
"Why are we doing this?" The Titan inquired as he and Itami made their way through the scorched forest. Itami had used his Stasis ability to create a pathway that led directly through the destruction. "It's just a feeling," Itami replied. "But medieval villages typically have basements and water wells. If there's a place that can survive the attack, that's where they're most likely to be hiding."
"Agreed," The Titan replied as they continued their journey through the forest. Soon, they arrived at the location of the village. The Titan used his abilities to extinguish the flames, and then he took out his Ghost to scan for any signs of life. The Little Light started to search the burnt remains of the village, trying to detect any survivors.
*FOB, near Alnus hill*
Osiris responded to the news with a calm demeanor. "I see," he said, unfazed. "And they've left all of you out here, without backup?" The senior Ranger confirmed that this was indeed the case and also informed him of Itami's request for approval to switch the operation from defensive to offensive counter. Just moments before the Ranger contacted the former Lightbearer and Iron Lord, they were in the midst of their weekly meeting with the fireteams that operated in various sections of the world beyond the Gate structure.
"Don't worry about Itami and Seth, Osiris. I've known them long enough to trust their abilities in a rescue operation," Paige reassured the old bird from her end of the call. "However, we cannot underestimate the strength of this dragon. Even though it may not be on the level of an Ahamkara, the footage from 3rd Recon indicates that it's still a formidable threat."
During the meeting, a fireteam leader expressed their admiration for Itami, stating, "Itami is an excellent Warlock. We have completed several Vanguard operations with him and are confident in his abilities." After hearing the compliment, Paige responded, "Thank you for the kind words about my protégé, Marc." The Hunter, Marc-4, replied, "No problem."
"Moreover, we need to deal with new threats." Lord Saladin announced, capturing everyone's attention. "The Hidden has uncovered several leads regarding the abduction of civilians and a looming threat. They had verified that the leads regarding the civilians were true. As for the new threat, it appears to be a significant problem in the near future."
"Can you elaborate, sir?" inquired Four. "It seems that the deities of this world possess certain similarities to the Traveler. They have the ability to choose their vessels and empower them with unique abilities." The Iron Lord explained. "The new threat we're facing is a group of individuals whose mission is to impede humanity's progress and spread their gods' belief to the inhabitants of this world."
Paige examined the reports that the Hidden had sent to the group and asked, "But how many of these 'apostles' are there, and what kind of power levels are we dealing with compared to our past enemies?"
"According to the Hidden, there are a total of 12 of them," Lord Saladin said, his gaze fixed on the reports in front of him. "Each god has selected a vessel to wield their power, and if that vessel perishes, the god may choose a new one. They are located throughout the region, but most of them are unlikely to engage us due to their limited knowledge regarding our capabilities. While they lack the ability to resurrect, they possess exceptional strength, agility, and combat experience."
"So, the gods themselves may lack physical power, but they can manipulate their chosen vessels to create living weapons that can impede human progress and amass followers." Marc-4 theorizes "The plan may seem foolish, but it is effective. The fear of being dominated by technology and science has compelled them to coerce the inhabitants into accepting that magic is an irrefutable force in this world. This is partially why the Sadera empire thinks and behaves in a barbaric manner."
"It's a good theory, but I don't think it quite adds up with..." As Osiris was speaking, the senior Ranger from 3rd Recon interjected, "I apologize for interrupting, sir, but we have just received a transmission from Itami, and Seth." Osiris responded, "Finally. What is the message about?"
Before delivering the summary of the transmission, the Ranger took a deep breath and then stated "They have arrived at the village where the dragon was last spotted. Unfortunately, out of the 300 villagers residing there, 99% of them have been reduced to ashes, sir."
The report shook the entire meeting, causing Osiris to widen his eyes in shock. Lord Saladin tightly gripped his axe as he heard the news, while Marc-4 looked down and Paige let out a small sigh. Although they had anticipated civilian casualties, they were not prepared for the scale of devastation that was reported.
Osiris asked, "So, we arrived too late... What about the remaining 1%? What happened to them?" He set his emotions aside, determined to get all the information.
One of the younger Rangers replied, "I'm pulling up live feeds from the duos now, sir."
The war table displayed a live feed from the helmets of Itami and Seth. Seth carried a woman with blonde hair, who was swathed in cloth, while Itami's Ghost finished wrapping up the last of the remaining villagers. However, what stood out the most were the woman's pointed ears. By this point in the live feed, Stasis had extinguished the fire, and small wooden graves were visible in the middle of the village. Itami, with his hand cannon at the ready, contacted everyone in the meeting.
Itami requested, 'Sir, I'm calling in the cavalry. Can we have permission to evacuate Coda's villagers?' He simultaneously cast a healing rift on Seth, the Titan carrying the woman.
Osiris granted permission by saying, "Permission granted." He then turned his attention to Marc-4's holographic figure.
Osiris: Fireteam Prodigies, your mission now shifts to investigating the location of the captured civilians mentioned in the Hidden's reports.
Marc-4 nodded and left the meeting. Saladin then shifted his gaze toward Paige.
Lord Saladin: Young Wolves, regroup with Itami and Seth to assist with the evacuation of the villagers. I'll dispatch two extra Guardians and a Cabal unit to provide protection for the residents.
Paige: yes sir.
*Coda village*
Paige and Four reached the village's outskirts to find Itami and Seth instructing the villagers to prepare for departure by morning. Paige scanned the area and noticed one of the rangers tending to the woman in the Dropship's hangar. Soon after, she spotted two jumpships approaching, along with a Cabal fleet that included a massive ship suitable for evacuation.
As the two jumpships flew by the village, the Guardians leaped from them and landed on the ground with precision. A Hunter and a Titan quickly approached Paige and Four and received a brief rundown of the situation from the experienced veterans.
As morning approached, the villagers began to gather at the designated spot to board the Cabal ship. Initially, some of them were scared by the sight of the Cabal, but Itami reassured them that they were there to help. Slowly but surely, they boarded the ship, with a few hesitant nods of approval. Meanwhile, half of the 3rd Recon team also boarded the ship to provide additional reassurance to the civilians.
In the middle of the line, an elderly wizard and his apprentice were waiting patiently. The village head had informed them about the dragon attack that had occurred the night before, prompting the old wizard, Cato, to gather the necessary supplies. Lelei's attention was drawn to the men and women in gray and green outfits (the Rangers), the giant armored warriors (the Cabals), and a figure pacing back and forth in the distance.
She was intrigued by their appearance, especially the figure, to say the least. A masked figure dressed in clothing, unlike anything she had ever seen before, speaking in an unrecognizable language to the giant warriors before seamlessly switching to the locals' tongue as if nothing had happened. Lelei had heard tales of the failed invasion attempt by the empire on the other side of the Gate, as well as stories about the powerful warriors from that world who possessed unimaginable abilities, and the impenetrable fortress that dominated Alnus Hill. She couldn't help but wonder if these people were somehow connected to these rumors.
Everyone's focus shifted to the beginning of the line, where a young girl had just been kicked by a panicked horse. Seeing the robed figure run to the beginning of the queue, Lelei immediately followed after, mainly because of her curiosity. Arrived at the beginning of the line, the aqua-teal-haired girl saw the robed figure talking to a woman wearing a gray outfit with a white armband in the unknown language she had heard moments ago.
*with Kurokawa*
Upon examining the girl, Kurokawa informed Itami, "She has a fractured arm and chest. It will require immediate surgery." Itami, now adorned in the Ankaa Seeker set, acknowledged the gravity of the situation and created a healing rift around the girl, astonishing the villagers. As a visible wave of white wind swept over the girl, Kurokawa remarked with a hint of envy, "Or you could do that."
Moments later, the girl's breathing quickly returned to normal. After everyone gasped at the sudden miracle, Itami adjusted his gauntlets and turned to address the villagers, unaware that Lelei was watching him intently.
"The girl is fine for now, please carry o-" The Newlight's words were cut off as the horse let out a loud cry and rose up on its hind legs, its eyes wider than usual. Just as the horse was about to charge towards Kurokawa, bolts of lightning suddenly shot out and pushed it back, killing it instantly. Lelei immediately recognized the source of the lightning as the masked figure to her left, who had just retracted his right arm. Lelei gazed at the figure with curiosity, wondering what kind of power the figure possessed, to be able to summon lightning at will.
Meanwhile, Itami had turned his attention to the dead horse, feeling a pang of regret for the unfortunate animal. He knew how important horses were to the locals, and he didn't want to cause any more harm than necessary.
"Is everyone okay?" he asked in the Archaic tongue, scanning the crowd for any signs of injuries. The villagers shooked in response, still stunned by the sudden display of power.
Itami turned to Kurokawa. "How's the girl?" he asked, concerned. Kurokawa checked the girl's pulse and nodded. "She's stable for now. We need to get her back to the base as soon as possible, though."
The Warlock nodded and instructed Kurokawa, "Take her to the dropship. The Cabals and I will handle the line." Kurokawa nodded before picking up the young girl and heading towards the dropship. The Newlight then turn to the blue-haired girl and asked in the ancient tongue.
"Are you unharmed?" Itami asked with concern. The young girl gazed at him with an unemotional expression, causing him to ponder about the kind of life she must have led. "Please return to the line, it's not safe to wander off," he instructed before turning his attention back to the task at hand. Much to his surprise, however, the girl spoke up as he was about to leave.
As Itami turned back towards the girl, she spoke up, causing him to pause. "Excuse me," she said. The Warlock faced the young girl and asked, "Yes, what is it?" "Can I come with you?" the blue-haired girl asked in an emotionless tone.
Upon hearing her request, Itami was taken aback. He hadn't expected anyone to want to come along with him, especially not a young girl. He studied her for a moment, trying to assess the situation.
"Why do you want to come with me?" Itami asked, his expression stoic beneath his helmet, although the seriousness in his tone was palpable. The young girl met his gaze without flinching.
"I am curious about you," she replied firmly, "the otherworlders from the other side of the Gate. I am eager to learn more about your world and the magic you possess." the girl declared, her voice filled with curiosity.
At that moment, Lelei stood off to the side, facing the masked Magus as the villagers began to board the Cabal's ship once more.
The events that had just transpired left her with a growing curiosity about this strange group of people.
Who were they, where did they come from, and what kind of power did they possess? Her mind raced with questions as she observed the group, hoping to find some answers.
*timeskip*
After another hour of providing instructions and reassurance, all of the villagers were finally able to board the Cabal ship. As they settled into the makeshift seats, one of the members from the 3rd Recon spoke out in the ancient dialect, loud and clear.
"Everyone, may I have all of your attention?" The Ranger spoke, gaining the attention of the people. "
Soichiro: I am Soichiro, a Ranger of the Last City from the world beyond the Gate on Alnus Hill.
He introduced himself confidently. He gestured towards the Cabals standing beside him.
Soichiro: and these people. *looking at the Cabals* are the Cabals. They are responsible for taking you all to a safe area away from the wrath of the flame dragon.
the sound of people gasping and murmuring among themselves filled the air as the senior Ranger spoke. He waited for the noise to die down before continuing. "We understand that this is a lot to take in, but we assure you that we are here to help. Our mission is to establish a peaceful relationship with this world's inhabitants and to offer aid where it's needed."
As Soichiro spoke, a sense of relief washed over some of the villagers. They had been through a traumatic experience, and the presence of these foreign soldiers offered a glimmer of hope. Others, however, still remained skeptical.
"How can we trust you? You and your big buddies here come from a world we know nothing about." A villager spoke up.
"I understand that you people are still skeptical about us strangers but it is our duty to protect the civilians and keep them out of any conflict, even when they're not our people."
Another villager spoke up, "But how do we know that you won't just enslave us later? We have no reason to believe you."
Soichiro instinctively responds, "Slavery is a thing of the past, a shameful remnant of our history. Over the centuries, we have learned from our mistakes and progressed. As a result, we now treat individuals with dignity and admiration, not based on their appearance or background."
After concluding his address, Soichiro received nods of agreement and reassurance from the Cabals. The onlookers regarded them with a newfound sense of trust and admiration. Though a minor triumph, it marked the beginning of a great relationship with this world's inhabitants.
The Cabal ship lifted off into the sky, leaving the Guardians, the remaining members of the 3rd Recon, and their unanticipated guests behind outside the village.
From Paige's vantage point, Itami approached her and the other Lightbearers alongside two Magus. He took a deep breath before explaining, "Sensei, these two individuals have expressed their desire to accompany us."
"To our base?" Paige inquired, and her apprentice nodded in affirmation. The experienced Warlock then scrutinized the pair, deducing that they were not Imperial Magus. However, based on their attire, they could potentially be from Rondel, the city where most Magus academies are located. "Are they trusted, Itami?"
Itami responded with a hint of unease in his tone, "Yes, Sensei." Paige then instructed, "In that case, you are accountable for them. Accompany them to the dropship. We will be proceeding straight to the dragon's position, as it is en route to our location. Our teams, yours and mine will be intercepting it. Take this opportunity to familiarize yourself with your fireteam prior to our departure."
Quietly acknowledging his mentor and her fireteam as they boarded their jumpships, Itami soon felt the presence of unfamiliar Guardians joining his team. They made their way towards him.
The other Titan approached Itami with a friendly demeanor, his helmet still on. "I've heard a lot about you, the notable one among the Newlights. I'm Sven," He said, extending his hand to the Warlock. Itami took the handshake and replied. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Sven. I've heard about your works with the Iron Lords. Impressive."
With a grin, Sven removed his helmet to reveal his face. "Thank you," he said. "Allow me to introduce Risa. She's a skilled Hunter and a valuable asset to our team."
Itami blurted out, "Risa Aoi?" in a blunt manner, surprising the Hunter. Risa was taken aback by the Warlock's knowledge of her name. "First time meeting and you already know my name without me telling you. That's impressive," she commented as she removed her helmet.
"My apologies," Itami quickly said, quickly hiding his sudden blunt. "It's just that... you're the one who hunted down the Barons with an acquaintance of mine and saved Saint-14 from the Corridors of Time. It's an honor to finally meet you."
"The honor is mine, actually," Risa replied, impressed by Itami's achievements. "Leading two raids as a Newlight is quite an impressive feat." She then turned her attention to the two Magus standing nearby.
"These two must be our VIPs, right?" Risa asked Itami, gesturing towards the two Magus. "Yup, these two come from Rondel. They requested to accompany us to the base."
Risa raised an eyebrow, studying the Magus closely. "Interesting," she said thoughtfully. "I've read reports about the academy in Rondel. Those who attend it are some of the most skilled Magus in the land."
"wait until they meet Eris" Itami added, before continuing. "You don't need to be worried, as Paige mentioned, I accept complete responsibility for their actions."
"Definitely, bookworm," Risa chuckled and answered.
*onboard the dropship*
While heading towards the dropship, Risa updated the Magus about the situation in their native tongue. Once they settled into their seats on the dropship, Itami and the two new Guardians board separated ship.
Ascending from the ground, the ship gradually ascended towards the vast blue sky. Lelei gazed out of the small window in amazement, mesmerized by the breathtaking view. As they soared higher, she caught sight of the other metal dragon wyverns, which was unlike anything she had imagined.
Looking around, the young mage noticed the men and women who had aided the villagers earlier engaged in a conversation with the robed Magus and his hooded companion in their unfamiliar language once again. She couldn't help but feel a little left out, not being able to understand their dialogue.
"The fact that these people can speak our language fluently, yet we can't understand a single word of theirs is unsettling," observed Grand Master Cato, as he surveyed the surroundings in the wyvern's stomach, also known as the flight deck. He couldn't help but feel a sense of unease at their unfamiliar surroundings and the abilities of their hosts.
"To think they have mastered the skies and created vessels that can carry an entire village is astounding. If this is only a fraction of their magical capabilities, then I fear that the empire may have gravely underestimated their power," he continued, his tone serious and contemplative.
Cato's words resonated with Lelei, who couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. The situation they were in was unfamiliar and uncertain, and she couldn't help but wonder what other secrets and wonders these people held.
Risa overheard their conversation and walked over to the two, asking, "Excuse me, but it's not magic, sir..."
"Please, call me Cato. And could you please explain what you mean by 'it's not magic'?" Cato requested, his curiosity piqued by Risa's statement.
The Hunter took a deep breath before responding, trying to find the right words to convey the concept. "What I mean is that the metal wyverns are not magical in the traditional sense. Instead, they are powered by advanced technology and scientific principles that are not yet present in your world." Risa explained, hoping to alleviate some of their concerns.
Cato looked thoughtful for a moment, considering his words carefully. "I see," he said finally. "This only further emphasizes how advanced these people are compared to our own."
Itami removed his helmet, revealing his face for the first time, and interjected, "Our civilization has made great strides thanks to the blessings of the Traveler."
Cato looked at Itami, his eyes narrowing slightly. He was not entirely comfortable with the idea of a powerful entity guiding their civilization. However, he recognized that the people of the other world had achieved great things, and perhaps the blessings of the Traveler had played a role in their success.
"The Traveler?" Lelei asked, intrigued by the mention of this entity.
"Yes, it's a long and complicated history lesson. Maybe another time then."
Lelei looked at Itami in awe, wondering what other wonders this man had experienced in his travels. She was fascinated by the idea of an entity that could bestow such blessings on a civilization. The more Lelei thought about the Traveler, the more eager she became to learn about it.
"Guardians, flame dragon spotted. You might want to start preparing now." Tomita said as Itami and Risa observed the view from the cockpit's windows. An (almost) Ahamkara's size dragon just landed on the ground, with its eyes lock on to the dropship.
'What's the plan, Itami?' asked Itami's Ghost.
'It's simple,' replied Itami confidently. 'We'll get down there and we enjoy ourselves as we usually do. Oh, and why don't you play one of those songs we found back in Japan to get us pumped up for the fight?'
'Sure thing, Itami,' said the Little Light with his voice full of enthusiasm. He projected a holographic interface and began scrolling through the music library. 'What volume do you want to listen to?'
'Shuffle them all and broadcast it on High Calibur and my fireteam playlist.' Itami suggested, then Ghost selected a catchy beat.
(a/n: Look Within (D2 Beyond Light ost) or The Chain by Fleetwood Mac.)
As the music filled Itami's ears, he grinned with excitement, relishing the rush of adrenaline that always accompanied a battle. Observing his reaction, Risa looked at him with widened eyes before chuckling.
"You sure have unique taste in music for a Warlock," Risa remarked while checking her fusion rifle.
"It's an old classic, you'll come to appreciate it," replied Itami as he adjusted his leg armor and retrieved a scout rifle.
Tomita opened the ramp and declared, "Good hunting, Guardians." As the ramp at the front of the ship descended, the Warlock stepped forward and noticed that Sven was already standing at the edge of the ramp, preparing to jump. Turning to his fellow Guardian, Itami asked,
"Have you ever been skydiving?" Itami inquired.
"I've gone a few times in the Throne World," the Hunter replied.
"Great, then I trust you know what's expected," Itami said, turning to the 3rd recon unit on board. The Newlight then chimed in, "Sit back and enjoy the show, everyone. And if possible, please provide us with aerial support." With those words, The Newlight leaped off the platform along with the Hunter. Lelei looked out the window in confusion as she watched Itami and Risa dive toward the ground.
She couldn't understand why they would willingly put themselves in such danger. Beside her, the members of the 3rd recon unit could only sigh and shake their heads, having seen their fair share of reckless behavior from Guardians in the past. They knew that there was little they could do to stop them and that they would have to trust in their skills and craziness to make it through.
*the ground*
Itami, Rosa, and Sven landed on the ground smoothly, their weapons at ready to face the flame dragon. High Calibur ships sliced through the air, dropping the Guardians low enough to reach their destination. Paige walked up beside Itami, nodding as they faced the towering lizard.
Without any further communication, the six of them leaped into battle, reloading their exotic weapons while the music blaring in their ears.
To be continued
a/n: from the journal of the Warlock Itami, a notable Newlight.
Day 4 (weeks after the Red War campaign)
The moment I laid eyes on my Ghost, I recall it vividly. He resurrected me in old Shibuya, Japan, a land from the Golden Age. Initially, I struggled to breathe, having been gone for more than a century. After being informed that I had been chosen by the Traveler, the Light and the Dark's battle, and much more general information about humanity's current situation, we set out to locate a ship that could transport us to humanity's last frontier, the Last City.
Sadly, there was no sign of any usable jumpship due to the Collapse, an event that eradicated most human life from the Solar System centuries ago. Using the terminal network's old databases nearby, my Ghost managed to send a signal strong enough to reach any fireteam within a thousand kilometers. Ghost and I then decided to travel across Japan, searching for materials that could be repurposed or utilized for survival.
...
Day 20
After transmitting the signal, the Fallen, an alien race notorious for scavenging resources, intercepted Ghost's transmission. Despite being outnumbered, we emerged victorious in the ensuing battle and commandeered their vessel. During our travels, Ghost recounted the recent conflict between the Last City and the Red Legion, a sect of the Cabal empire. The Cabal desired to harness the power of the Light for their own gain, making them a formidable adversary. However, their efforts were foiled as the remaining Guardians were able to thwart their plans.
...
Day 24
Upon arriving at the Last City, I was introduced to the Vanguard leaders, Commander Zavala, Ikora Rey, and Cadye-6. They expressed surprise that I hailed from Japan, a nation renowned for its abundance of Golden Age knowledge and technological progress. Ikora dispatched a fireteam to Japan to gather crucial information and assigned one of her Warlocks, Paige-sensei, with my training, and it was then that I gained an understanding of what it truly meant to be a Guardian.
...
Day 86
For three months now, I have been residing in the Last City. Every now and then, I would make a trip back to Japan to acquire pre-Golden Age manga. During my stay, Paige-sensei and her fireteam, High Calibur, would often invite me to join them on Vanguard operations and raids. Once the work was done, they would introduce me to their mutual acquaintance, Xur, who deals in powerful weapons and gear from humanity's past following the first collapse.
Let me tell you, that guy offers some fantastic merchandise.
...
Day 206
Paige-sensei submitted a report to the Vanguard regarding my development, stating that I am capable of operating independently after almost 4 months. After careful consideration, they approved her assessment. As a parting gesture, she gifted me with a set of exotic gauntlets, while her teammate presented me with a pulse rifle and a box of...crayons?
...