Destiny: Legends

by TheCrosser

What is The Darkness, and where did it come from? Why is it that I was resurrected and not the man I tried to save? What all happened during my time of being dead? So many questions to answer, I'll have to use everything I can find to piece it all together and if I find anyone from my time with the same questions, I'll be sure to help them.

2. My Path

Chapter 2: My Path

Hmm, I don't exactly know where to begin let alone nor do I know why I am writing this for my friend. Maybe because he is my leader and I should respect his orders, or perhaps because he is my friend and brother in battle? Though we are different in mechanics and programming we are one in the same, we are all one in the Iris as my masters once told me before I became a Guardian of The Light. Back then we were called by many names, Omnix, Android, Robot, but now 700 years later we are all known as EXO or Emotionally Xerted Original as some like to say as an insult. We as EXOs are scornfully looked down on, Humans are driven and passionate and Awoken are stubborn and proud, while we EXO are just ignorant and wary. We do not know of why we were created just that we woke up one day. Some of us sought a path of peace and wisdom, while the others sought war and destruction. Are goals the same but the reasoning was different. Both sides wanted peace and respect yet not every unit thought we were treated fairly; we were but tungsten and oil so we could work harder and longer. But we were also smart and nimble, we found ways to work more efficiently without breaking our own servos and we could comprehend what exactly what was needed to be down and how. Sadly whoever or whatever created us gave us free will, which was thought impossible to program for many generations but what they didn't understand about free will was the matter of simple choices, that's all it is free will a simple choice of do or don't, can or can't, like or dislike, yes or no, why or why not, throw some emotion in there and you've got an opinion, now express that opinion and you've got free will. Humans thought that an Artificial Intelligence with free will was a bad thing that it spoke the end times, well 800 years later and The Darkness came so who knows maybe we did. After years of war, bloodshed, and pain right when we were getting the peace and respect we wanted and Darkness takes over. Cool story bro.

Back in the day, 634 years ago to be exact, I was just a normal Omnix on my mountain of sanctuary in Germany. Where Omnix from around the world could find peace should they choose it. Humans would often climb the mountain in search of the same thing. We didn't judge, we didn't exclude, we didn't … care, we would just sit up on our mountain and contemplate our existence, we would ask why are we here, why would God himself create something that has no purpose other than to work, serve, and die? We didn't know anything about philosophy, Religion, or inner meaning and as I sat there thinking like I am now there was a man who changed my … … … life for lack of better meaning. He climbed to our temple and stood there. He wore a heavy winter fur coat as black as the night sky woven out of the fur of a Black Bear and he used the head as his hood. He looked around then he looked up and kept climbing, he didn't stop until he was beyond the cloud layer. I had to activate my Heat Seeker to see him climb to the very top of the peak where he balanced his feet as best and gentle as he could to stand above the mountain.

"I AM ALIVE! DO YOU SEE ME I AM HERE AND I AM ALIVE, WHATEVER STORM YOU GOT FOR ME THEN GIVE IT, HEAR MY WORDS AND BARE WITNESS TO MY VOW I WILL LIVE BEYOND DAYS OF DARK TO FIGHT FOR LIGHT, TILL MY DAYS DONE AND JOURNEY'S END! HEAR ME NOW OH GOD OF FATE I AM ALIVE!"

Every unit present heard this man's vow to his God or Gods and they watched as he climbed down to the Temple of The Iris. He climbed down on the roof and stood upon the mounted eye made of gold that watched all who entered and all who left. He jumped off the roof and landed in the center of the crowd. We all just looked at him, we made a path for him as he began walking away to begin his climb down. Every Unit else just went back to their duties as I stood there to watch him walk away. Curiosity killed the cat they say, well it definitely killed me. I followed him down the mountain, asked him many questions, answered his, and learned what I could from him. His name was Handar Sinclaire, he came to the mountains to swear his life to be lived in the fullest against all odds, even if his God denied him that right. Handar was from the city below, he owned a bakery, he fought in the war against Omnix but he fought to give us the chance he wants for his life. He had a family of a wife, three daughters and a son all who went to school and all who worked hard and were very loving.

"So what of you lad, who are you?" He asked me as we neared the final steps.

"I am Omnix unit 1398, my designation is insight and studies on all that is living." I said. Handar seemed less than satisfied with my answer.

"No mate what's your name, who are you inside all those nuts and bolts?" Handar asked. I was confused by his question, I didn't know what he meant by name, I didn't have one, none of us did. All we hand was our designated unit number and our designated purpose.

"I'm afraid I do not understand, what do you mean by 'my name'?" I asked.

"I suppose it makes sense with you being made of metal, what I mean is what do I call you by, what do you respond to when the Gods and Goddess are calling to you?" He asked.

"Oh um I do not know, they have never called for me, and Units only refer to each other by their Unit Number." I explained.

"Well that won't do, you're going to need a proper name should we meet again." He said as we stopped at the last step.

"I know, Shex-13, Your unit number was 1398 well the 98 in front of the 13 and add a shh to it and there you go. What do ya think?" Handar asked. I was pleasantly surprised, Shex-13, I liked it.

After saying our goodbyes and parting our ways I made my way back up to The Temple. I was given a name, a real name and not some designation. As the days came and went by I used my name more often, I would go into the city and visit Handar but also to assist others during my time in there. I met so many people who were accepting of my origins. I can't remember all of their names but the one I do remember besides Handar was Susan. Susan and I became close as time went by, she showed me how to feed Ducks at the pond and taught me Sign Language so I could speak to those who could not. At first it was just hand motions and signals to me that I could not understand but I eventually learned.

"Okay run it by me again, what's 'how are you' in ASL?" Susan asked. She was wearing a bright orange dress with a big yellow hat that shined like the Sun in the light.

"Umm." I said to myself as I bent my hand and turned them inwards from my torso before pointing my right index finger at Susan as I leant into the motion like I was interested.

"Great now what's 'good morning'?" I placed my left hand over my chin before gently swaying downwards as I raised my right straight up as my left hand landed my right arm.

We shared a laugh as I learned so much in my time with The City but it wasn't until Handar's death when I realized just how much time has been passing me. I was there when he died on the bed.

"Shex, you're a good man, you helped my store and others down here in this city, even got my family to do better in school, for that I thank you." The old man said as he lay ill on the bed.

"I want you to promise me that you'll continue to watch over my family and those around you, help them grow, learn, and lead if you have to, just promise me you'll do that so that I may die in peace." He requested.

I looked at him with what sad eyes I could produce; being a robot limited my visual emotion. I nodded and agreed to his terms. I attended his funeral, gave a few parting words, then went on my merry way. I returned to the Temple and retreated to my designated room. My HUD began flickering red as the words 'Low Battery' came flashing on, it's funny how I made a promise to look after a man's family right after his death and before my own. I knew my 'time' was coming, I could just go to the ports and recharge but I didn't want to, not this time, I had lost my first and best friend, I just wanted it to end. I looked at the time before I shut off to confirm my time of death. November 25, 2653 3:16 PM. If I could shed tears I'm sure that I would have just as my screen went black and there was nothing I could do. I didn't tell anyone of my passing, not Susan, not Handar's family nor anyone else I gave my life to help those in need and to learn all that I could and now it was over. Then the most unexpected thing happened, I woke up, no rest sequence, no back up batteries and no Unit Designation just me and my Ghost.

"Hello." it said to me. "Welcome back."

"What, why am I … … …" I could not find the word, Androids, or Robots were not technically an organism so we were not … … …

"Alive? Well you Shex-13 were chosen to serve The Light as a Guardian." Alive, I must admit though I felt different I never knew what it was meant to be alive.

I looked down at my hands to see a pair of gloves over my hands that were not there before. I also noticed my HUD had changed I had a radar in the top left corner and a white bar in the middle top. I stood up and walked over to my mirror to find I was wearing a white coat of sorts and a helmet that covered my head that was round with a small visor.

"What does that mean, A Guardian and why me I've done nothing special." I said to The Ghost.

"You weren't chosen for doing anything special, you were chosen because of who you are, compassionate, curious, and willing to help those in need." It wasn't till then when I noticed how much dust had accumulated in my room.

I quickly sat down at my desk and turned on my monitor. I was surprised to watch it come to life, when I check the time and date a lot had surprised me. January 13, 3345, almost 700 years had passed since my shut down. My Ghost all of a sudden started glowing and expanded as we both heard the cries of a ferocious beast.

"Oh great, I'm detecting Fallen and Hive coming our way, we don't have much time." She said.

"What are The Fallen and The Hive?" I asked.

"To sum it up they're aliens trying to kill us and by us I mean Guardians and their Ghosts, we aren't the only ones you know." At that point I knew exactly what to do.

I got up and ran to the mirror, I opened a secret compartment that held an old long rifle from pre-WW1 era, I called it No Land Beyond, its range and impact were enough to send away any intruders that came close, I also pulled out a small Glock with .45 caliber rounds. We left my room and ran to the courtyard where we found what my Ghost had described as The Fallen just standing there waiting for us. Then they charged, Dregs came at us first while Vandals stayed in the back. Using my Glock I took out the Dregs aiming for their heads as they got closer then switched to No Land Beyond shooting the Vandals from a far distance thought it was hard to aim with I tried my best to fend them off. I used the Pillars as cover as the fight continued. It almost seemed hopeless as more and more just kept coming.

"What are you doing? We should run get out of here, we need to get to The Tower to fight another day." My Ghost explained to me.

"I will not leave until this temple is safe, I will not let anyone or anything decimate this place and lose all of its knowledge, it's too important." I said.

I felt a surge of energy fill me as I said the words, it was like a mystical flow that came to me as I was about to run in and melee everything in my path but instead a ball of dark matter came from my hand and I watched as it flew towards my enemies and demolished them in an explosion of dark energy. After the dust cleared away I could the damage that I had caused in just a single swoop of my hand. They all evaporated into a Void of some kind as we walked past them.

"Well at least we won't have to take the CAT test when we get to The Tower now." My Ghost commented.

"The what?" I asked her.

"The Class Assessment Test, it determines what class you are, but I think it's pretty clear that you're a Warlock Voidwalker." She said.

I looked down to my hands and saw the Dark Energy which she called Void. With this new found ability I walked proudly out of The Temple to face whatever threat lay beyond the door and I fought my way out. When I cleared the steps I made my way into the town to see it had been overrun and destroyed. All of it was just … gone, all my friends and their families, just gone. It was in that moment when I realized how so much can change in an overnight's sleep, everything could, and everything did. I didn't know what else to do but push on and move forward. But could I do that knowing that by shutting myself off I caused all of this, knowing that I could've prevented whatever happened here. I just kept walking with my Ghost floating beside me, as we made our way through the ruined city. Buildings were collapsed; weeds overgrew onto what was left of the buildings, and the sky was dark with storm clouds. It was then when I heard the shrieks of a dark creature ahead. I looked down the sight of my rifle to see a deformed midget with no eyes and a low green glow around it. Before I knew it a whole swarm of them came out of the buildings half of them glowing and half not. As if Instinct kicked in I reached behind me to grab a grenade and throw it at my opponents. What I did throw though I had no Idea, it exploded like a grenade but it scattered into at least a dozen other tiny explosions. But on the bright side one tiny explosion was all I needed because not a second later the entire swarm exploded as well. The explosion was big enough that it leveled the two building they were next to and the force was strong enough to send flying backwards into a building wall and

- … … … … …

SYSTEMS OFFLINE … … …

ATEMPING TO REBOOT PRIMARY FUNCTIONS … … …

PRIMARY FUNCTION ONLINE … ATEMPING TO REBOOT POWER … … …

POWER REBOOT FAILED, REROUTING PRIMARAY FUNCTION TO POWER … … …

POWER ONLINE, ATTEMPING TO REBOOT PRIMARY FUNCTION … … …

PRIMARY FUNCTION ONLINE, ACTIVATING SERVOS NOW –

In case you're wondering what that was, that was my system reboot, every time I die I go through that process. When I came to I scanned the area and found two life forms in front of me. After my eyes were rebooted I opened them to find two figures in some kind of armor, I also noticed that my body was moved into a room inside a dusty old building. The first was short but carried the biggest gun I'd ever seen and the other was taller but carried what looked like an AK-47 only it was blue and the magazine was in the wrong place. The short one wore a long coat much like my white one only red, a black helmet that represented something from Egypt with tiny wings on the top. The tall one wore some heavy duty plating like you'd find in the Mid-Evil ages, obviously styled after wolves given the pauldrons were in the shape of wolf heads. Though my hearing was still rebooting I could tell the two were fighting over something from where I was standing given the body language they were displaying. The tall one towered over the short one and given by how he waved his right furiously behind him he was shouting. Once my hearing came too I listened in from across the room.

"God damn it, do you know how long it took us to round up that many Thrall, now we have to do it all over again and spend hours beyond hours just to finish this bounty." The voice confirmed my suspicion, he was male and he was angry.

"Hey at least he didn't blow up your face, he's obviously a newby so take it easy on the guy, besides he kind of helped us by killing them, now we don't have to do all the dirty work." The voice from the short one was female and calm.

The tall one just clenched his fist before throwing it behind himself and walking out the door that lead to the outside. The short one sighed as she shook her head and walked over to me.

"Don't mind him, Reignrock can be a bit of a hot head when it comes to his bounties, that's why we're out here in Germany, it has the highest concentration of hive, that and giant frogs, so I take it you're a Kinderguardian, names Kira." She explained as she held out her hand.

"Shex-13, umm Kinderguardian?" I asked it was a term I was unfamiliar with and I questioned it's practicality as I shook Kira's hand.

"Oh Kinderguardian, that's what we call newbys or in your case a newly resurrected Guardian." Kira explained.

"Ah I see." I said. Reignrock entered and handed me a small Handcannon.

"Well if we're taking you back to the city, you may as well be able to defend yourself at close range, the one you had before looked old, and I'm surprised it still shoots." Reignrock said. I nodded as I took the Handcannon.

"What is this City you speak of, is it important?" I asked. We began our walk through the demolished city. I could tell these two had a 'touchy' relationship for lack of better term because of how they acted around each other. Kira walked behind me while Reignrock was in front of me.

"Yes it's The Last safe City on Earth, and Humanities last stand, without it Humanity would've bitten the dust a long time ago." Kira explained.

"Meanwhile us Awoken would be just fine in The Reef." Reignrock said. Though I could not see it initially I could tell Kira just rolled her eyes at Reignrock.

"Oh come on, The Tower isn't that bad, besides no one's forcing you to stay there, you could just leave and pledge your allegiance to your Queen." Kira said.

"That's exactly why I haven't left, her brother and I just don't get along that well, he called me a disgrace to The Awoken and had me banished." Reignrock explained.

Kira stopped and looked at Reignrock. She was about to say something but one quick sniper shot through her head said otherwise and her body just dropped to the ground. It was quick and it was silent, I replayed the image in my core programming and calculated the direction of the shot to figure out where it came from. After calculating the angle of the shot I turned around a full 180 degrees and I aimed the Handcannon in the direction of the shooter. Everything was happing in a manner of slow motion for me, I could see Reignrock running to Kira's Ghost as I fired my shot at The Vandal running to cover. It was a calculated risk at an angle of 173.45 degrees if I missed I would have to fire again at a 176.23 degrees from my 180 turn around. Thankfully I didn't have to, I fired my gun and the bullet went flying straight through it's head. Everything returned to normal after it hit the gound and I turned around to see Reignrock hug a living, breathing, Kira … … … it was at this point when I really started questioning reality.

"Damn it Kira, pay attention, snipers are everywhere here." Reignrock said.

"I was about to say something but it shot me first, could you put me down please?" Kira asked.

"Oh right." Reignrock put her down gently and back away a few paces.

"Didn't she just die, right in front of us, shouldn't she be … … … still dead?" I questioned and we continued our walk.

"Yeah he's definitely a newby." Reignrock said. I looked to Kira for answers.

"Okay, as a Guardian we can revive ourselves but only if another Guardian is nearby, the only Guardians that are exceptions to that rule are the Warlock Sunsingers, by using their own strength, fire, and Light they can rez themselves on command." Kira explained.

"When we get to the Transmat Zone we'll explain more, but for now let's just keep walking we'll be there shortly it's just behind those buildings over there." Reignrock explained as he point to the very buildings I thought would have been gone by now.

Susan's house and Handar's shop, it was ironic that they were next to each other, but to see them both still standing to this day. I know Handar made his business a family business but I never realized it would survive for so long. I had always thought that eventually it wouldn't but here it is and Susan's house, I doubt it was hers for long though, she probably got married and moved away or something else entirely but the thought still ran in my head. What all did Guardians miss while they were away? I stopped in shock to see them there and I could tell Kira and Reignrock were curious.

"Hey Kinderguardian what's up? Why did you stop?" Reignrock said.

"I know those places." I said to him before I ran as fast as I could to Susan's house.

I looked around franticly all over the house until I ran into a room that was empty safe for one computer on a desk. I noted it's existence before I ran all over Handar's shop looking threw everything and I found a letter in a plastic bag with tape on it that had 'For Shex' written with sharpie on it. I took the letter to the desk in Susan's house and opened it. Age definetly hit it hard, the writing was almost gone and the paper was torn, but thanks to my analysis program I was able to digitally reform the paper and writing as if it was being written in front of.

Dear Shex,

I know lad, I know that you probably shut yourself down after my passing. Trust me you're not that hard to read once ya get ta know yourself. But that doesn't matter I want to you read my words, I don't when but I know it'll be soon when I leave, I am older then my father was now and I've lived a good life, I fulfilled the promise I made to God, I only hope that he takes me to Heaven to be with my father. I know it'll be hard for you down the road but I know you'll wake up to a new world, whether it'll be better or worse I cannot tell, God's plan for the world is unknown to me, but his plan for you I can see clear as day. You are chosen for great things, he has given you the means to find your way and to make the world a better place, you'll be scared and you may want to back out here and there but you have to be strong. You won't be alone in your quest, you never are, and if you don't believe me ask Susan yourself. I don't know how long you'll sleep but I've asked the lass to leave you a message as well just in case. Lieben Sie gut un gedeihen my friend may God guide your way as he did mine.

God … … … I was unfamiliar with the concept of God, but maybe he is the one who made us EXOs. I was never sure, but I found myself rather fond of the idea that God made The EXOs as he made Humanity in his image. Religion is still new to me, but I never questioned it, I just accepted that it existed and moved on. I looked at the computer that sat dormant in front of me. I tried tapping the space bar on the keyboard to try and turn it on but nothing happened.

"Need something." I heard my Ghost ask as she appeared in front of me.

"I was trying to see if this computer worked, I guess it doesn't." I said. My Ghost looked from me to the computer then I heard her sigh.

"Hold on I'll see what I can do." She said as she disappeared into the monitor and before I knew it the computer flashed on with life, then My Ghost reappeared in front of me.

"I managed to give some juice, it'll work but I don't know for how long." She said as she floated next to my head. I was in awe and glee at this sight.

"Thank you." I said as I went to work in searching through the files.

"You're welcome." If Ghost's could smile I'm sure mine did at my politeness.

I looked everywhere, main drive, external drive, pictures, word documents, music, it wasn't until I went to Videos did I find something with my name on it. I clicked on it and a picture of Susan came up. I could tell some time had passed after my own death for her because of her grey hair and wrinkles, she didn't look bad for an old lady, she looked surprisingly young. If I could dry though I probably would be right now, given the amount of time that passed. I clicked the space bar to play the video.

"Shex, I know it's probably been a long time sense you've seen me or heard from me. I still visit you on top of the mountain every week. Those friends of yours don't want me coming up to much as it might interfere with their studies as they say. I even tried to leave instruction videos for you when you wake up, Handar convinced me you would at some point but we never knew when." She sighed as she looked out to the lake in front of her. She even turned the camera to show me the lake where we would feed the ducks at the foot of my mountain. Her voice was full of sadness and I really wished I could cry at this point so that we could cry together as she shed her tears.

"Rememeber this place, this is where we met, I fear we may never meet again Shex, it saddens me to even say it, but just so I took the liberty to make this video into an instruction one for you, so that way you can continue your studies in the American Sign Language, or in case you forget some of it. But before I get into that Shex I want to say that in the time I got to know you I could tell what a kind heart you have. The world needs more people like you and I say people because that what I consider you to be, a person just like every single one of us down here. When you wake up do the world a favor and teach others why they need to be kind, why they should give more than they are given or take. Show them how actions can speak more than words, and give them a reason to fight for what they believe in as you showed me you could. Please Shex, do it for me, do it for yourself, but more importantly do it for the people." I paused the video right there.

I could tell that I wouldn't have the time right now to watch the full thing so I pulled out a USB drive from my head and plugged it in the computer. A window popped up for the drive and I went into the files to find the video. When I did I dragged the file from the hard drive over to my USB drive and it began to move the file. When it was half way done Kira and Reignrock walked in the room.

"Hey is everything alright, you were in quite the rush?" Kira asked.

"Yes everything is fine, I am just downloading a copy of this video I found into my own memory bank to watch later." I explained.

"Oh you're an EXO?" Reignrock … I couldn't tell if he was asking or sarcastically scoffing at me at the time, but I later found out it was latter.

"So what if he is Ryan, get a grip, just because he's smarter than you doesn't mean anything." Kira said to him. A comment we both took obvious offense to.

"Anyways, what's the video?" Kira asked me.

"It is a video of one of my past friends, giving a message and instructions to me about the language she was teaching me at the time before my passing." I explained.

"So nothing of importance." Reignrock stated. Kira smacked him for that which made me happy.

"It may not be important to us but it's important to him Ryan, keep that in mind, not everything is about you." Kira stated.

"Ouch fine, be that way." Reignrock said as he walked out.

"I'm guessing this she was rather important to you?" Kira asked.

"Yes." Was all I said.

After the video finished downloading we got to the Transmat Zone and transported to their ships. It was then when I found the time to watch the Video and study more. It was hard to not feel sadness as I watched it play. But it was then I learned what my path had laid ahead for me. As a Guardian I would give the people a reason to fight back whatever horrors had come for the world and those that would come for the world. I would teach them to be kind and forgiving as I was taught. I would have a lot of history to catch up on though and for once I was actually excited. For it was when I got to The Tower when I met my Fireteam. Speaking of which I should probably end here and make sure that they don't kill each other again. I swear they can't go one day with arguing on who's the better leader. I'm excited to see what Sepia has to say though, I never asked what her first day was like and as a Titan I bet it wasn't easy.