Note from the authors: Eltyr: Reeeeally sorry it's been so long: I ran into a little something called Deus Ex Human Revolution, and it promptly absorbed all of my time and focus ^^;

ColetteJH: I'm to blame as well for slowness… I've been playing Skyrim a lot and have gotten a cold. We will keep writing we'll just be a tad slow.

Ch 11

Ocena walked slowly down the hall to the infirmary. It'd been a few days since they had brought Seth back to the Tower. He was mostly resting, his wounds were taken care of long ago he just slept a lot now. She wondered if the Darkness hadn't let him sleep… she was going today to see him and to help get him to eat. Then after that she needed to talk with her friends.

The infirmary was all white and had that hospital smell Ocena always disliked. She had a small flashback of visiting her injured father… she was going to have to think more on that memory later.

The doctor looked up as she came in and sighed. "Thanks for coming." He said softly.

"Sure thing… is he all better?"

"Just about one of the main issues is that he needs to eat; he was pretty malnourished when you and your friends brought him in, but I've seen worse cases." He paused. "There are... other concerns."

She cocked her head. "Such as?"

"Psychological damage and emotional trauma. He's had to watch his Ghost die, felt the Light inside of him be ripped out and severed only to be replaced with…" He shuddered, unable to finish the thought. "In my professional opinion, I'm amazed that he's still sane. He doesn't do much other than sleep and stare off into the distance, and we're concerned that he's brooding over never being a Guardian again-"

"We don't know that though!" Ocena gently interrupted. "The Speaker said that a Guardian has never made it back to the Tower after having their Light devoured, so we don't know if it's impossible for him to be a Guardian again."

The doctor gave her a small, sad frown. "As you said, we don't know if it's possible and we don't want to get his hopes up." He smiled a little. "He's shown some good signs too though: whenever we get him in a wheelchair and take him outside for some fresh air, he always smiles when he sees the Traveler in the distance." That made Ocena smile a little. "It helps for him to have visitors: his team got wiped out, but the Speaker visits him every day, and the members of the Vanguard pop in from time to time; I think Cayde-6 is in there with him right now, in fact."

"Think he'd be up for me seeing him then?"

The doctor smiled. "I'm sure you'd brighten his day considerably: you saved his life and more after all. I'll buzz you through."

As she approached Seth's room, Ocena could hear a discussion underway. A voice she didn't recognize was speaking to someone, and the voice had a certain quality to it that she'd learned from her time with Atom marked the speech of an Exo.

"For Traveler's sake, you don't have to push yourself like this," the voice said. "You've already been through hell and back; no-one's asking you to go dredging up memories that're only gonna hurt you."

"I'm asking myself to do it, Cayde." Ocena recognized Seth's voice. "At least this way my team's sacrifice… our sacrifice, can mean something. The House of Devils have been on edge ever since their Archon was killed, and the House of Kings know that they're reeling. The Devils know that the Kings know, which is why they'll start to fortify for an attempted assault. With my intel we'll be able to move on them before they finish solidifying their position."

There was silence for a moment, then the first voice- Cayde-6 apparently- spoke again. "Sometimes it's hard to tell who's more stubborn: us Hunters or the Titans."

Seth chuckled. "What, the Warlocks don't get a say?" That got a laugh from Cayde. "I can do this Cayde: yes, it hurts to remember that mission, but I do remember it, and if what I remember helps us take the Devils down, it'll be like I'm still out there, still fighting with the others."

Ocena jumped as she heard someone coming up behind her. Turning around, she found herself facing a huge Titan whose armor was colored white and orange. There was some sort of shaggy brown fur on the shoulder pads, and he was wearing his helmet despite the fact that most Guardians kept their helmets off in the Tower. The helmet itself had a blank faceplate, half white and half orange, and it was adorned with what looked like ram horns, only one of them had broken off.

"Um hello." She said softly.

The Titan stared at her for a silent moment before nodding once. "So, you're the rising star Warlock the Vanguard's been buzzing about?" His voice was very gruff, and he had a clipped London accent. "They tell me you took down an Archon all on you own?"

"Er… well I had my friends backing me up… but to tell the truth it was kind of an accident that I did kill it. I got mad, then… well then I killed it." Ocena still didn't really know how she had done it but it likely came naturally for new skills to come up.

"None of that," the Titan chided her. "No-one accidentally kills a Fallen Archon. Exaggerated stories or no, the fact remains that you fought an Archon and lived to tell the tale. Then there's the fact that you filled it with enough rounds and void energy to contribute to its untimely demise. Never downplay your role in any battle: every hand holding a weapon counts in a war, even if the weapon is never fired."

Ocena didn't reply to that. She… she didn't see what the big deal was. Sure even Atom and Luden said that a number had been done to the Fallen by killing that thing but- ah plain and simple she didn't like the attention she was getting!

The Titan noticed Ocena fidgeting a little. An amused laugh escaped him. "Hah, you lack for confidence after slaying an Archon? No wonder I haven't seen you in the Crucible: I was starting to wonder why no-one has boasted of going up against the Archon slayer."

Ocena jolted and paled. She had no plans to ever go there but now, oh now she knew who she was talking to: it was Lord Shaxx! Why now of all times? She thought.

Shaxx studied her silently when she didn't reply, noting the nervous expression she wore. "Are you afraid, young Guardian?" He asked, his tone a touch softer.

"I've just gotten used to fighting the Fallen. The Fallen I've been able to figure out how they fight. Fighting other Guardians? It's not a nice thought."

Shaxx was silent for a moment. Then he sat down on a nearby bench and motioned for Ocena to join him, which she did reluctantly.

"Those who compete in the Crucible come away from it more angry than afraid," he said. "They vow to get each other next time after particularly humiliating defeats, or they show good form and complement the victors for their cunning and determination. However, you still haven't answered my question young Warlock." He turned to face Ocena. "Are you afraid?"

"Yes. The first time I heard about it I was more than just scared; now not so much but I still am. I'm sorry to say you won't be hearing about me there anytime soon."

The Titan seemed genuinely confused for a moment. Then comprehension set in. "I believe I've given you the wrong impression: I'm not here to persuade you to enter the Crucible. It has proven effective for honing Guardians into seasoned warriors, but the games are not for everyone. Should you find the courage then the Crucible will be waiting for you, but if not, I will not think any less of you. The Crucible is meant to prepare Guardians for what's out there," he gestured vaguely out a nearby window at the area beyond the wall. "Though there are many who return to the Crucible for more than training: for many it has become a sport, a means of settling grudges in a way that doesn't end badly, and admittedly a means of obtaining glory among their peers."

"I see…" Ocena looked to Seth's room having forgot why she was down here. "Sorry but I have a friend to visit. Though would you mind much if I asked you a question about the Crucible?"

Shaxx nodded. "If you mean Seth, I was actually on my way to visit him as well. He was once highly respected in the Control leaderboards…" He trailed off. "Ah, I'll explain another time if you are curious. As for your questions," he added as they stood up from the bench, "what is it that you wish to know?"

"I…" Ocena was a little confused she had asked that before really thinking it over. "I'll need to think about how I want to phrase my question. There are a lot of things."

Shaxx nodded. "Come see me later; you can find me in the hallway leading to the Hall of the Vanguard." As he finished talking the door to Seth's room opened, and an Exo Hunter stepped out.

"Ah, Shaxx," Cayde said as he stepped into the hallway. "Here to ask Seth when he'll be coming back to the meatgr- ah, Crucible?"

Shaxx gave a noncommittal grunt. "Just checking to make sure none of his old rivals have come to gloat. And to inform him that his record for total control still remains unbroken."

Cayde chuckled. "That'll cheer him up. Anyways I'm off: back to boring old maps and intel sorting for me…" He walked off with a dismissive wave, already in conversation with his Ghost.

"That would be rather mean and rude for other Guardians to gloat while Seth is still down." Ocena said frowning. "Shall we?" She said reaching for the door controls.

"Indeed," Shaxx replied as they entered. Seth saw them enter and sat up on his bed, a small smile on his face.

Now that Seth was cleaned up Ocena could see he had black red hair that was parted away from his face and reached past his jaw the very tips touching his high collar. His eyes a dark shade of blue they almost looked black, his skin a bright white shade but a little pale. And like most hunters he had a good build.

"Hello Seth." Ocena said as she sat in a chair near the bed. "I've been hearing you aren't eating much."

He gave her a guilty look. "I've just wanted to sleep."

"You know what you're doctor told me? He said you're malnourished."

"I…" Seth started.

"You don't like the food you have to have do you? Well," Ocena recalled her father before he died. He had fallen off a building during one of his classes and ended up in the hospital. No one was able to get him to eat the food there but since he was injured and had gotten sick no one had wanted to risk surprising his stomach and making him sick. So her mother had made simple meals and brought them to him.

Ocena blinked out of the memory. She then reached into one of the pouches on her belt and took out a ration bar.

"Don't make a face I made this one. It has better taste it still has all the calories." Ocena handed it to him.

Seth gave it a try and grinned at her.

"See? I have a few more if you want some more." It had taken Ocena a while to make the new ration bar, she was going to see if she could replace the old ones. It didn't take much time to make them. She knew they worked and so far they didn't have any bad side effects she'd been eating them for a month and she was fine.

She looked to Shaxx when he started to speak.

"It's good to see you in one piece, troublemaker," Shaxx said. "I was starting to worry that all that time spent hiding behind corners only to snipe your fellow Guardians when they least expected it had taught you nothing of how to survive after all."

Seth chuckled. "I didn't win three consecutive Control tournaments for being easy to spot."

Ocea just smiled and let the two talk, she had no idea what they were going on about. She was glad that Seth was eating the ration bars he needed to after all.

"I overheard part of your conversation with Cayde just now," Shaxx continued. "I heard that bit about wanting to feel like you're still out there fighting." Seth frowned and looked a little downcast. Shaxx leaned forward. "You need to accept the fact that you're not still out there, that there are things you can no-longer do in our fight against the Darkness. I can only imagine your frustration and sense of powerlessness, but you need to face reality, however unpleasant it might be."

Seth shook his head sadly. "Would you still be saying that if it was you in my place?"

"No," Shaxx responded immediately. "You can be damn sure I'd be kicking and screaming bloody murder. But whenever I eventually calmed down I'd like to think I'd pick myself up and ask: 'what is it that I can still do?' instead of dwelling on what I used to be able to do."

Shaxx gently laid a gauntleted hand on Seth's shoulder. "Keep talking with Cayde: I'm sure he's all too eager to have someone to share his responsibilities with, and it will do you good to stay busy once you've recovered."

Seth nodded. "I'll think about it Shaxx, I promise."

"Good," Shaxx grunted. "I'm afraid I have to cut my visit short: New Monarchy has been bleating for an audience with me for weeks, and I don't think I want to ignore them this time." He turned to leave, but then paused at the door. "Ah, I nearly forgot," He turned back around and held out his hand. His Ghost materialized and transmatted something small and round into his hand. It was made of some sort of silver-white metal and was shaped like a flat disc. On it was a picture of the Traveler's symbol surrounded by the crest of each class of Guardian. It looked as though the metal was slightly worn, but still sturdy.

"It is Ocena, right?" Shaxx asked Ocena as he stepped closer to Seth's bedside. Ocena nodded hesitantly. "Ocena, in the Crucible certain feats in battle earn a Guardian recognition in the form of a medal. These medals are nothing more than motes of data that have different point values depending on how difficult a feat you have to perform in order to earn it, and are used to showcase that Guardian's skill." Shaxx turned to Seth and held out the object. "Hunter Seth, for showing unparalleled strength and courage beyond the Crucible, and for refusing to accept a Guardian's ultimate defeat, it is my great privilege to bestow upon you the highest honor I am able to give:" He gently pressed the medallion into Seth's hand, who was struggling to hold back his tears. "The Mark of the Immortal."

Ocena's eyes widened. From what Shaxx said this was… quite something to receive. She found herself feeling happy for Seth and hoped this would brighten him up.

"Um… sorry Seth but I have to get going, I have some plans with a few friends. I'll keep bringing you the ration bars though okay?"

He nodded to her staring at the object in his hand. Ocena smiled, said her goodbyes and took her leave. She was going to talk with Victor about what came over her in the cave.

Ocena perked up seeing Victor and called out to him as she ran over. "Victor hey!"

Victor's eyes lit up and seemed to fill with a feverish fire as he caught sight of Ocena. He immediately walked away from the Warlock he had been talking too (who shot him a perplexed and annoyed look) and firmly placed his hands on Ocena's shoulders. "Thane gave me the short version of what happened," Victor said, the intensity of his stare making Ocena's skin prickle; he seemed halfway between incredibly excited and utterly insane. "Tell. Me. Everything."

"I'm not sure what happened. One second I wanted to… say something to Seth, the next I was saying something completely different and I couldn't even move." She looked at him a bit confused. "Do you have any idea what happened?"

Victor released Ocena and paced back and forth a little, mumbling to himself. "Several," he said at last. "Many of them are unlikely, many more are likely but impossible to prove for certain." He paused for breath. "What did it feel like?"

Ocena frowned. "I'm not sure… I felt… really light and comforted. I think I may have heard a whisper in my head; I couldn't tell you what it said though."

Victor gained a sort of satisfied look and stared out a nearby window, lost in thought. He was silent for several long minutes and seemed to have forgotten that Ocena was even there. When he spoke again he almost surprised Ocena. "Ocena, what is the most basic form of the theory of interconnectivity?"

"That all Light is connected." Ocena replied.

"Correct. This concept applies to anyone or anything associated with Light. Guardians get their Light from the Ghosts, and the Ghosts get their Light from the Traveler, which is the only known source of Light. Supposing the theory of interconnectivity is correct, it can be assumed that someone or something used this connection to speak through you, through your Light."

Ocena blinked. "Are you… saying that it was the Traveler itself?"

"Maybe," Victor muttered. "Maybe not. For all we know it could have been the Speaker's doing: he knows more about Light and its secrets than we Warlocks. The obvious answer is that it was the Traveler speaking through you, but what are the other possibilities? What are the other possible angles and answers?" Victor rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "That is something I'd like very much to find out." He paused for a moment. "Let's start with what we know: this 'presence' made you feel warm and good, and through you it was able to talk… Seth was it? Into resisting the Darkness."

"That is what happened." She nodded.

"Because of this intervention, you were able to save a former Guardian from the Darkness. At the same time, word has reached me that Seth has brought back substantial intel on the lair of the House of Devils, information that is making the Vanguard seriously consider mounting an attack. So far what we know implies that something either wants the House of Devils to be hurt or destroyed, or wanted us to get Seth back. Or it didn't want the Darkness to have Seth. Or… all of them at once, I suppose," Victor trailed off with a curious frown. "What do you think Ocena?"

"I'm going to say all the above." She said softly. "But I think the stronger thing was that Seth was to be saved. I can't imagine falling to the darkness like that is pleasant at all."

Victor nodded. "Yes… I suppose it won't do us any good to guess at why things are happening when we have so little to go on by way of concrete facts. What matters is that you succeeded in saving one of our comrades: that should be good enough for a start," Victor finished with a smile.

Ocena smiled brightly. "Yeah. You busy right now? I kinda wanted to find Thane and Atom too and hang out a bit."

Victor nodded. "I think I can spare an hour or two… although I think I need to apologize to someone for something first," he concluded with a puzzled frown, which made Ocena giggle a little when she remembered the Warlock he had been talking to.