Hey guys Diamond here, I'm finally going to try to get back to writing this monster of a story, but first I will answer/something the reviews. Just so you know it's 3:29 in the morning right now for me, but I don't care. On to the Reviews (I will be trying to do this from now on).
RebelVale23: I'm glad you like the story dude, and I'm glad you were able to laugh at the funny scenes I made.
akana45: I will not add Destiny 2's story in this since this will only cover Destiny 1, and I'm glad you were able to get the little Randal the Vandal joke I put in.
captain Orion Zete: I agree that the Khvostov is one of the greatest exotics and that it's up there with Necrochasm.
KnightsKing: Not entirely sure how to right this but thank you for telling me when I couldn't look it up myself. Really thank you.
Philk93: I'm glad you like my story dude and I hope that you continue to enjoy it even with my erratic uploading. And thank you once again dude for giving me the name for my Ghost. Doubt I honestly would have thought of it as soon as you did in the first story.
That is all I have for the reviews, and I will be doing this as well for my Dead Space story when it gets reviews. I'm also going to put in line breaks from now on. Other than that, on with the show!
{Line Break}
"Speaking"
"Ghost"
Reading
"Radio"
Recording
Thinking
{Line Break}
Diamond POV The Tower
Pre-Dark Below
I woke up early in the morning the next day very hungry. "Crap, should've had dinner before going to bed." I said to myself as I got out of bed. I quickly took off my armor to take a short shower and then have breakfast. I then went to the shooting range to practice for an hour before I head out. I've gotten to know some of the Hunters at the range and they have gotten used to me being up early. Though I can tell the way my gear was set up was catching their attention. "What?" I ask as I look at a group of Hunters looking at me. "Why do you have your gear like that?" One of them asked me. "Well I have it this way for convenience. I can magnetically attach my rifle to my left front side and reach for either a sidearm or hand cannon, or reach to my right or left back side for my other weapons." I explain to them as I showed them how I did it. "I never thought of that before…" One of the Hunters said as they thought over what I just showed them.
After an hour of practicing my aim I went over to Banshee's stand to see what he had for sale today. "Ah, Diamond. Good to see you, I heard about your new style of weapon handling from some passing Hunters. It fits you." Banshee said to me as I walked up to him. "Well, I do have to be prepared." Was all I said, getting a chuckle out of Banshee, before I looked at what he had for sale today. None of the guns looked like much, except for a certain weapon that caught my interest. "Banshee, is that a Compound Bow?" I ask Banshee as I looked at it. "Yeah, received it earlier this week. Nobody really wants it though, so I just have it ready in case somebody does." Banshee said in a knowing way. "How much. You already know I want it." I said to Banshee, causing him to laugh. He knows that I would pick something that other Guardians would deem impractical, and make it work amazingly. "500 Glimmer." Is all Banshee said before I handed him the Glimmer. "You know Diamond, you are the main Guardian who visits my stall and actually buys things most of the time." Banshee said to me as I picked up the bow. "Well, that's because there's usually something I want or will find interesting here." I say to Banshee as Cole dematerialized the bow. Banshee just chuckled at that and shook his head as I walked off towards the Hangar.
As I walked into the Hangar there was barely anybody there except for the Frames that worked around the hangar as either maintenance or cleaning bots. I walked over to where Amanda is and see her not there. I then go onto the main floor of the hangar to find Amanda only to see her working on my ship. "Hey Amanda. What's going on?" I ask her as I walk up to her, causing her to jump in surprise. "AH! Diamond, don't do that to me!" Amanda yelled as she punched me in the arm. "Sorry, I just wanted to see what's going on with my ship." I say, apologizing to her. "Well, Zavala approved of you having a Vault installed on your ship as well as having Cole upgraded to where he could access it remotely." Amanda said as she pointed to my ship. "Wait you said I would be upgraded to be able to remotely use the Vault on Diamond's ship?" Cole asked as he materialized. "Yep, he figured you might need it." Was all Amanda said before holding out a little cylinder to Cole. "Well, that definitely will come in handy." I say as Cole dematerialized the cylinder that will be used to upgrade him. "How long until the upgrade is complete?" I asked Amanda as we started walking back to her desk. "It won't be done until after lunch actually, and the Vanguard wants you to have a day off as well. You have been going out on a lot of patrols out into the Cosmodrome and everything, you need some time off." Amanda said with a little bit of worry in her voice. "Alright I will, but I have to get right back to it tomorrow though, otherwise I will just help you out around here until then. As well check out Venus while I'm at it." I say to Amanda, hoping to at least get something to do. "Well any help around here sure is appreciated. Come on, you can help me carry things, and then you can got to Venus." Amanda said to me immediately putting me to work carrying crates.
{A Few Hours Later}
It eventually came to lunch time around the Tower as everyone went to either eat or continue working. "Hey Diamond, it's lunch time!" Amanda yelled to me as I put down a crate. "Alright I'm coming!" I yell back as I wiped my hands on my jumpsuit. Earlier in the day Amanda found me a black work jumpsuit that fit me, and I have worn it since then. I then went and washed my hands in a restroom and joined Amanda in walking to a side cafeteria that those who work in the Tower usually eat at. I then grabbed a tray and grabbed some food which consisted of meatloaf, barbeque chips, and water. I then sat next to Amanda as I started eating and having conversations with other people who live and work in the Tower.
{Cosmodrome at the Same Time}
Aksis POV
Me and a small group of Vandals were looking around for an underground laboratory that held a substance called 'SIVA', a substance that I hope can replace Ether and upgrade our gear to give us an edge over those accursed Guardians and other Houses. The reports of scientists from what the humans called the 'Golden Age' had old maps to SIVA testing sights. "When will we get there, or how do you even know what we are looking for?" A Vandal asked as I looked over a map. "Because I learned enough 'English' to be able to read reports from Human scientists in their Golden Age." I said to the Vandal as I continued looking at the map. I'm glad that I was able to convince the others that this research is what the House of Devils needs to rise back to glory after the death of our Archon. I then start to search in another building when I noticed something strange in the room, one of the monitors was still powered. Aksis hummed as he started looking through the files of the computer terminal. I am glad I learned the human language enough to read what these terminals held, otherwise I wouldn't have known about SIVA or what it could do. This has to be either extremely good luck, or it is a sign to keep doing what I'm doing. As I finished reading what this terminal held I gave the order for us to head to where the terminal pointed us to, I started thinking about that Guardian that I tried to kill but ran into a pillar instead due to the faulty optics of my goggles. For some reason I felt something in him, something that made me both scared and excited. I was destined to meet him, I know it. But for what reason, I have no clue. Nor does it matter, he will perish with the others and we will take the Traveler. That is for certain.
{Back at the Tower After Lunch}
Diamond POV
As everyone finished lunch we all went back to work, though I was checking out all the upgrades my ship received. I say upgrades because more than a Vault was installed on my ship. My ship was bigger than before and had more space to actually live in it, at least for a little while. When I got out I noticed that the upgrades were done being installed, to which I decided it would be good for me to leave before it becomes too late in the day. I then told Amanda that I was heading out and to thank her for all the upgrades to my ship. I then entered it and started to take off towards Venus.
I later arrived at Venus in an hour, thankfully, and started making my way down as Cole was telling me about the learning institutions like the Ishtar Academy. After I made it down to the surface I started making my way towards an outpost that should hold a grid link for sparrows. We did pass a House of Winter patrol that was wary of me at first, but I told them a passphrase that Rahndel taught me that showed I was a friend and would not try to kill them. Rahndel also taught me how to speak the Fallen's language to easily understand them and hold a conversation if met with friendlies. They lowered their weapons and asked me in their tongue how I knew that passphrase, to which I answered in their language that a personal friend who was a Fallen had taught me their language. They were pleased that I knew their language and that I would not hurt them. I then asked them for directions to the outpost with the vehicle link, to which they gave me directions as well as warned the other House of Winter patrols that a friendly Guardian is walking around and to not shoot me. They then gave me a House of Winter banner to wear as a cloak so as to not get confused with a random Guardian. I removed my Taikonaut helmet showing the Fallen patrol my facial features before tying the banner as a cloak with a hood while still wearing my armor. I then wished them luck on their patrol in the Fallen language and went on my way. I did arrive at the outpost where another patrol was at, but they merely glanced at me with curiosity in their glowing eyes. I then let Cole do his thing while I looked around for any enemies that might jump us. The patrol also decided to do the same as me and helped secure the area.
After a minute of nothing and Cole trying to reroute power at the outpost to the vehicle link, I saw strange thundery cloud fogs start appearing up. I knew what this cloud was as I aimed at it, with the patrol doing the same as me. Before the Vex appeared though I told them to shoot at the milky substance in the center of their bodies and that that is their weakpoint in their language. They didn't question it as the large cloud then dispersed ten Vex Goblins to fight us, but they were quickly destroyed due to me and the patrol of Fallen shooting right at their radiolaria tanks. When they were disposed of the vehicle link became active and I left the patrol at their outpost wishing them luck. "You know what Cole? I never expected the Fallen House of Winter to have been nice to me so far." I stated to my Ghost as he was hovering above my shoulder. "Well you did tell them you were a friend and that you did not wish to attack them, otherwise you probably would be fighting them nonstop." Cole answered back to me as we passed another patrol outside of the Ishtar Academy. "True I did do that, but I'm also happy that I don't have another Fallen House to worry about." I said as we entered and headed to where we meet the mysterious Exo.
We were then ambushed by waves of Vex when we entered the library, to which I destroyed them all. I had bent down next to a Vex Goblin for Cole to scan and the Exo to show up. "Well fought." I heard a synthetic woman's voice say. "You're here." I simply state as I turn around to see her. "We haven't got much time." She said as she climbed down some stairs to us. "Who are you, and why have you been watching us?" Cole asked right beside me. I decided to be gentlemanly and lowered the hood of my cloak, so she could see my face. "I don't even have time to explain why I don't have time to explain. I will, I will, I know." She finished while looking to the side. "Will what?" Cole asked, trying to figure out what she's talking about. "I wasn't talking to you, Little Light." She said towards Cole, causing me to snicker a little bit. "I'm a Ghost actually." Cole said with sass in full swing in his voice, causing me to chuckle a little bit. "Many Guardians fell, strong ones. But you made it here. Yes, I'm listening, they are here with me." She said while getting closer to me. "Who's she talking to?" Cole asked as he floated near her. "Understood." She then said, starting to push Cole away from her. "You need my help Guardian." She said starting to get even closer to me. "Is that why you brought us here?" Cole asked as soon as I opened my mouth, meanwhile I gave him a dirty look. "They brought us here. The Vex, an evil so dark it despises other evil." She said while walking towards a still active Vex. "You're not a Guardian." Cole said, finally figuring out that she wasn't. "No, I was not forged in Light. But I believe where our paths cross, ground could break" She said while stomping on the midsection of the Vex, with it giving one last cry. She then turned to us. "Have you heard of the Black Garden?" She asked us. "We've heard of the legends." Cole said to her, now completely wary of her now. "The greatest threat to us all lies there. Where these machines are born." She said to us while looking at other dead Vex. "Find the Black Garden, rip out its heart, only then will your Traveler begin to heal." She said to us, with me nodding my head knowing the truth. "Can you give me the location of the Reef?" I asked her, going a bit away from what was originally said in the games cutscene. She looked surprised at my question, then looked solemn. "My path is my own, but the Awoken can help. They are wavering between the Light and the Dark, a side should always be taken Little Light and Winter Guardian." She said while looking at the two of us. "Even if it's the wrong side." She then received another communication after she said that. "Too late I'm returning, how many?" She said to the other person on her comm. "Kill the engines and don't let them find you." She said as she drew her rifle and I think teleported. "So, how do we find the Awoken." I say to Cole. "They live all the way at the edge of the Darkness, the last place the Light touches." Cole said while going to the crushed Vex. "Can't we just stay here, with the murderous robots." Cole asked in all seriousness. "No, Little Light." I said with a full-on smile on my face. "Don't do that." Cole said while lowering one of his top pieces to simulate him having a frown.
After laughing a little bit we decided to leave the academy and possibly head back to the Tower to get some rest. As we left the building a Fallen patrol waved me over. I then walked to them to see what is wrong. "Guardian, you are to be escorted to our Kell for your visit." The Captain in charge of the patrol said to me in English if a bit slurred. "I will follow you then." I said in their native language, which I could tell surprised the Captain. We then walked for a little while until we made it to where the caves that leads to the Winter's Ketch is. We walked through the caves until I could see the Ketch, which is way more massive and impressive than the game lets on. I walked on board with my escort and saw multiple other Fallen stare at me in disbelief. We walked through the Ketch until we neared the command center where their Kell would usually be sitting on their throne. We stopped and the Captain pulled me aside. "Guardian, you will show our Kell respect or…" The Captain was saying before I interrupted him. "Sorry to interrupt you, but I was already going to show your Kell respect. Anyone who teaches their people caution and not to shoot at others randomly is already deserving of my respect." I say to the Captain, hoping to quell his fears about me wanting to cause trouble. "Good, then I have nothing else to say." The Captain said in mild surprise that I was not willing to start trouble.
We then entered the throne room, where I saw a Kell that was a little bit smaller than the Devils' Kell. "Greetings Guardian, welcome to my Ketch." Said the Kell in a surprisingly female voice in English. "Greetings Kell of the House of Winter." I said in the Fallen language while formally bowing. This stunned most in the room including the Kell. "Well, this is a surprise I did not expect from a Guardian. Tell me, where did you learn to speak our language." Their Kell asked while speaking in Fallen, and I could tell she was genuinely curious as well. "I had met a lone Vandal who has seen many battles and befriended him, after a while he started teaching me your language until I could hold full conversations with him every time I met him." I replied honestly to the Kell, as I remembered all the lessons he gave me when he joined me on my patrols. Apparently, this intrigued the Kell even more as she was surprised that a Guardian would befriend a Fallen and try to learn from him. "May I ask of what his name is?" The Kell asked me, to which I nodded. "Yes ma'am, his name is Rahndel." I say to the Kell, who I can tell has a surprised reaction. "Did you just say Rahndel, as in the Rahndel who had faced and eliminated the House of Trickery all by himself." The Kell asked surprised, and I could tell due to how wide her glowing eyes were. "I think so, I could tell how powerful he was when I first met him. Though he was surprised that I did not come to kill him." I state to the Kell. She looked at me in surprise before asking me a question. "Tell me, where is that old Vandal now and what House he is in." She asked, probably wondering where he is right now. "He is currently on Earth and is a part of the House of Devils." I tell the Kell. She is also surprised to hear this. "Hmm, do you know the Guardian that slayed that poor excuse of a Kell the Devils had." She asked me. "I did." I say to her while making sure my face was seen. I could tell that she was quite shocked that I held no truth from her and that I had killed a Kell. "Now that I know who you are, why have you come here." She asked in not a question, but a statement. "I came here to meet someone and to try and save the Traveler from being destroyed." I said with all truth to the Kell. "That does seem like a valid reason since one of my scouts saw you talking with someone else before they disappeared." She said with a hint of belief in her voice. "Now, before I pass judgement on you, tell me what do you want with the House of Winter or what are you going to do to the House of Winter." The Kell asked me. "To be honest, nothing. I don't want to fight your House at all, but if you need an ally against the Vex I will lend you my support." I said with full conviction. This surprised all of the Fallen in the control room, including the Kell. "That is something I would never expect a regular Guardian to say." The Kell said in deep surprise at what I had said. "It is true, anything rival House or Vex that would fight you, I will join your side." I said to cement what I said earlier. "You really want to be friends with all kinds of Fallen, don't you?" Cole asked in my head. Of course, you can never have too many friends. I replied back to him thinking. The Winters Kell then proceeded to laugh with the rest of the Fallen joining in. "You would want to be allies with us?" The Kell asked after her laughing fit was done. "Yes." I simply stated in a monotone voice. The laughter stopped then, all went deafly silent. "Then I will be glad to have a Guardian as a friend." The Kell said after a minute of sizing me up. "You may also keep your cloak, it shows that you're a friend." The Kell stated to me. "May I ask of your name as well, mine is Trihna." The Kell, Trihna, said to me. "My name is Diamond. It is nice to fully meet you." I said while giving a formal bow, which caused Trihna to giggle. "There will be no need of you to bow. As I have stated, you are a friend to the House of Winter." Trihna said. I then stood straight with a smile on my face. "Do you need anything else of me Trihna?" I asked her. "No, go do what you need to. But don't forget to visit us. You are considered family now." Trihna said to me. "Okay then, I hope you have a wonderful day Trihna." I said before I turned around to leave.
Trihna House of Winter Kell POV
That Guardian amuses me, something that hasn't been done in a while. "Uhm, Kell…" A Vandal said raising one of his hands. "Yes, what is it?" I asked with curiosity. "Why did you accept that Guardian as a friend to the House of Winter?" The Vandal asked, with him saying Guardian in disgust. "Because, I like him. He shows respect and will rather talk through things than going in guns blazing all the time. That, and I saw his heart. It was pure with only a tiny amount of corruption. Meaning he is kind and gentle but would not hesitate to do things that could break those as young as him." I say to the Vandal, which shut him up. Good, I can't wait to see you again Diamond.
Diamond POV
I left the Ketch and was heading to the area where my ship picked me up. I then got inside and put in the coordinates for the Tower. We later arrived and found it in the evening. When I landed I received a summon from Zavala. I then went into the Hall of the Vanguard and found both Cayde and Ikora there with Zavala, and all were staring at me. "Uhm, Diamond… what are you wearing?" Cayde asked, confused at my cloak. "Oh sorry, forgot I had it on. It's a Fallen House of Winter banner turned into a cloak." I said to Cayde, which made his jaw drop. "What were you doing on Venus? Didn't we say you had the day off?" Zavala asked me. "I was following up on a source after lunch when my ship was done being upgraded. I just need to go to the Awoken in the Reef now." I said to them. This bit of information concerned the three Vanguard. "Why do you need to see the Awoken?" Ikora asked me seriously. "To find a way into the Black Garden." I said to them, causing Zavala to choke on the coffee he had. "Diamond that is really dangerous to do. We don't even know where the Black Garden could be!" Cayde said, trying to convince me to stay. "I know where it's at. But I need the Awoken to get in." I said to Cayde, causing everyone to look at me funny. "Prove it." Cayde said, not really buying it. "Mars, through a large Vex Gate. To truly get into the heart of the Black Garden, you need the eye of a Vex Gate Lord." I said without missing a beat, causing the Vanguards collective jaws drop. "How do you know this?" Zavala asked me. "It's a secret. At least until I destroy the Black Garden's heart." I said to them. "But when I get back, I will tell you guys everything, as well as the Speaker and Amanda. You all deserve to know." I said to them. "I don't like secrets being kept from me, but I can tell you will hold true to your promise of telling us. Now then, why do you have a Fallen House of Winter banner as a cloak?" Ikora asked me. I then went into explanation of what happened and what I did. "How do you do it Diamond? First a House of Devils Captain, now the whole House of Winters? That's just insane." Cayde said to me. "I don't shoot everything on sight?" I answer. "Well that does seem to work out well for you Diamond." Zavala said after getting over the initial shock. I was then able to leave and go back to my room to sleep. Which is what I did immediately as soon as my head hit the pillow.
Zavala POV
I am surprised by Diamond. He keeps finding ways to do it, first was him being a Sunbreaker Titan, the second was him getting recommended to be an Extinguisher by Cayde, the third was him doing absurd amounts of work in only a few months, and fourth was him now going to the Black Garden and knowing where it is. And now he also is friends with a whole Fallen House! That is something difficult for many Guardians, especially if they haven't even been rebirthed for a year. How do you do it Diamond. I thought to myself. The Speaker is even interested in seeing Diamond grow! Now is the problem of the secret that he is keeping from them, and how he will tell us after he destroys the Black Heart of the Black Garden. What's so important that you had to keep it a secret from us for a long while. I thought to myself. "What do you guys think he is hiding?" Cayde asked with undisguised worry, turns out Cayde has become attached to the young Guardian. "I don't know, but it is probably something unbelievable or something of that nature." Ikora said as well. "Should we also send a team with him? You know, to help him?" Cayde asked. "No." Is all I said to get their attention. "I have a feeling Diamond knows what he is doing more than we do. I trust him to come back safe and sound. But I also worry about him, he's so young and is most likely going to face a Vex god. I can't help but worry for him." I admitted to them. Cayde just nodded his head with Ikora. "We shall rest and see if he will need help tomorrow." I said, officially dismissing them. I just hope Diamond will be okay.
Hey guys, this is the end for the chapter today. I kinda enjoyed writing this again. I also decided to make the House of Winter Kell a female because I wanted to. I also decided to have Zavala not be entirely cold, but just wanting to be professional and serious so as to show he has the situation under control. Cayde is also the one Vanguard that is forward with how he feels usually, but also sees Diamond as a good friend due to their bonding of pranking others. Ikora will show emotion but will try to remain calm at all times. And as I showed earlier in the chapter, Amanda sees Diamond as a little brother to her. Now that is all I have left for today.
Diamond signing out.