Tormented
Too Many Questions
I apologize for the slightly late update. I thought this chapter was good and ready to go until I reread it today and suddenly realized that I wasn't satisfied with it. So sudden last minutes changes was added. So if you see any mistakes at all, feel free to send a message!
And remember! Monday Updates! :D
Edited: 12/30/2016
Fixed this chapter to properly align with later chapters and to fix grammar mistakes. Wednesday updates.
"You are not going to sit any closer?"
Snapping out of his trance, Ianos forced his gaze away from the makeshift flames burning near the Exo and the Hunter and stared at the Titan as she added, "What is that phrase that humans use? We don't bite?" She gained a nod of confirmation from the Hunter as she glanced her violet optics at him, "Well, we're not going to do you harm if that's the case."
Giving the Exo a blank stare behind his helmet, Ianos gently brushed his fingers over his Ghost, his AI glancing up at him from his lap. The three of them had set up camp within the wall, having left the Tower on foot, and hardly had reached the crumbling fortress when night fell. Although the female Titan protested at first about staying within the room where they are currently camping, she relented when the human Hunter pointed out that the room was the most secure, especially with two different entrances (and exits if it needs be). After pushing aside any broken stones and rusted tools, the three of them settled down, only for the male Warlock to immediately distant himself once Angel started a fire, much to the bewilderment of the younger Guardians
"I am fine where I am," The Awoken Warlock responded, pausing when he heard Ace let out a small sound of protest, letting his fingers slide off the Ghost's shell as he added, "Although I want to know why the two of you wanted to make a fire."
Ianos watched as Angel let out a shrug, "Not quite sure myself. Guess to keep warm? Habit?"
The male Warlock gave the Hunter a blank stare before shaking his head and resumed tapping his fingers against Ace's shell, only to pause once more when the latter let out another sound of protest.
"What's that shake of the head for?" Ianos can easily sense the glare he received behind Carina's visor, "Is it because of Angel making a fire? Is it unheard of to you?" The male Warlock then heard the female Titan let out a scoff, "How can that not make sense to you when you made us walk here without the aid of our Sparrows or ships?"
Fixating his gaze onto the Exo Guardian, Ianos mentally thanked the Traveler for his helmet hiding his features, barely keeping his face straight as the edges of his lips twitched upwards at the younger Guardian's question. He didn't exactly find it 'funny' but more so amusing, the naivety and cluelessness of the female Titan getting the best of him. For Ianos, there was just a side of him that just couldn't help but feel tickled when it comes to Newborns, especially when it comes to their questions.
"Our armor and Light naturally adjusts the temperature around our bodies," Ianos responded, "If the air around us is cold, our armor will simply take in some of our Light and increase the temperature. Vice versa if it is hot. This in turn, makes starting a fire obsolete, at least, for us Guardians."
Immediately Carina crossed her arms and Ianos can easily sense the pout behind her helmet, "And what about making us walk to our destination?"
"Training," Ianos can tell his answer caught the two younger Guardians off guard, proven from the way not only Carina but also Angel reeled back at his response, "As you know, Sparrow and ships are our primary use of transportation. However, what happens if those two are unavailable to us? Especially when we are stranded on another planet?" Momentarily pausing to wait for an answer, Ianos continued when he received none, "We have to rely on traversing on foot, to either head back to the Tower if we are on Earth or to find another mode of transportation if we find ourselves stranded on another planet."
"And how does this help?"
The male Warlock sighed at the female Titan's question, "As you know, we can utilize our Light in many ways. One of which, expands our stamina. I highly doubt normal beings can traverse the Wilds with little to no rest for several days in a row." Ianos paused when he noticed Angel lean in, his hands in his lap tapping against each other as if impatient on learning the next part of information. Amused by this, Ianos considered asking why the Hunter seemed excited to take in this new information but decided against it; if he himself asks questions, he will get attached and he wants to avoid that as much as possible.
"Bringing you out here without the aid of our Sparrows will help you learn how to utilize your Light into helping you traverse the terrain, such as jumping over large obstacles or to simply to help you walk for long periods of time." Ianos continued, "As such, next time when you complain about 'walking', this training regimen can save your life later."
Hearing Carina grumble under her breath, Ianos took the opportunity to stand, feeling Ace leave his lap as he picked himself up.
"Where are you going?" It was Angel who asked the question, the young Hunter tilting his head curiously as Ianos responded, "Patrol." The Warlock sensed the bewildered look behind Angel's visor, "We maybe inside the Wall but the Scavengers are known to be quite slippery, who knows if they are watching us as we speak?"
"They are Eliksni."
Ianos paused as the Hunter seem taken back at his own outburst, his back going rigid as he leaned back, and the male Guardian can imagine his eyes wide behind his visor. At first intrigued by the human Guardian's reaction, Ianos decided to shrug it off; it was apparent from the way Angel fidgeted in his seat that it was something he wishes not to talk about, and what right does Ianos have to burrow his way into his secrets?
"I will be back, shouldn't take that long," Ianos then focused his attention onto Ace, the latter of which twirled their back fins once as the Warlock added, "Keep an eye out for any intruders. I hate to admit it, but sometimes those… 'Eliksni' can slip right past me."
Watching Angel's shoulders relax from the edges of his vision, Ianos waited until Ace let out a nod before unsheathing his pulse rifle from his back. Then with a single nod to the black and orange Ghost, Ianos turned and exited the room.
Xxxxx
Angel waited until the Awoken Warlock disappeared from sight to reach up and press the button underneath his chin, hearing the familiar sound of air being release before reaching up and removing his helmet. Shaking his head to get his hair out of his face, Angel then laid his helmet to the side and fixated his gaze into the fire, listening to the flames crackle and burn the small amount of materials he could gather.
"Does he think himself better than us?" The human Hunter turned and blinked at the female Titan before he asked, "What do you mean?"
"From the way that he doesn't want to sit near us," Carina gestured her hand towards the door where the Warlock had just exited, "Why else he wouldn't want to sit next to the fire?"
"For reasons."
Angel couldn't help but let out a snort as Carina let out a yelp, the female Titan immediately leaning away from the source of the voice.
"Oh, did I startle you? My apologies." It was the black and orange Ghost, Ianos' Ghost – Ace if Angel remembers overhearing – Watching the latter glide over to the fire, the pair watched as Ace silently watched the flickering flames, their tail fins flexing and twirling on their back on occasion.
"You're Ianos' Ghost right?" Carina broke the silence, Angel watching Ace turn their orange optic towards the female Titan, "Aren't you supposed to be with him?"
"Oh, he'll be alright," Ace twirled their parts once again, "Ianos can take care of himself." The AI turned his bright orange gaze towards the fire, "Anyway, he always said to come and look for him if he doesn't return within minutes, an hour if he is on patrol."
"You do not worry?" Angel asked, in which Ace snapped their gaze towards the Hunter, causing the Human to jump slightly at the sudden movement.
"Of course I worry," Ace lamented before turning their gaze back towards the fire, "He just likes to be alone." The Ghost twirled their parts once more, "Helps him clear his mind."
Angel heard Carina let out a huff, "Clear his mind of what? Guilty conscience?"
"You can say that," Angel couldn't help but let curiosity peak at the Ghost's answer, watching as the black and orange Ghost turn their attention towards the two younger Guardians, "As you know, unlike the two of you, Ianos has been around for centuries, dedicating his life to ensure the safety of not only the City but the galaxy as well." Hearing the Ghost pause, Angel kept his green hues on Ace's form as the latter non-chalantly glided around the fire, as if a Ghost equivalent to pacing before they continued, "Now imagine all those years, do you not think that one would not carry heavy scars?"
Angel blinked, "Heavy…scars?" Watching the Ghost bob up and down once, curiosity once again ate away at the back of his mind. During his short months of staying at the Tower, Angel had met plenty of other Guardians who are 'experienced', believing those that are just reaching their triple digits are the oldest of the Soldiers of Light. But when he had heard that there are those who are much older, those who are still around since the beginning of the age of the Guardians, Angel had wanted to meet one for himself. So, when he had heard that he was going to be part of a Fireteam with Ianos, a Warlock he had heard is notorious for his age, he couldn't help but jump at the chance to learn anything about the Guardian. Be it negative or positive.
"What kind of scars?" Hearing Ace heave out a sigh and watching the Ghost's optic give him a blank stare, Angel couldn't help he may have overstepped a boundary. He can easily sense the narrowed glare from behind Ace's optic and the way their shell quivered in annoyance just adds to his sense of unease. However, no sooner had he sensed the glare when the Ghost heaved out another sigh and he watched the intensity of their stare fade.
"You think those tubes wrapped around his armor is for decoration?" That's when Angel paused at the Ghost's question, letting his mind wander back when he had first encountered the male Warlock. He had seen the glowing tubes of light wrapped around his helmet and arms and at first, he indeed thought of it as decorations. Honestly, who wouldn't? The Hunter himself, despite his young age, had seen plenty of other Guardians walk around with streams of light attached to their armor, waltzing around as if owning the Tower. But now that the black and orange Ghost have brought it up, it had never occurred to Angel there could be another reason why Guardian Ianos have those tubes of light wrapped around his gear.
"I can tell that the two of you are curious." Angel snapped out of his thoughts at Ace's words, "I cannot give you the details but all I can say is that during a mission, things went…awry. And now, without that equipment that you currently see on him, he would be in constant agony and if left unattended, he would die."
"Why can't you tell us more?" Angel couldn't help but mentally echo Carina's question, "We are a team now, right?"
"Correction, a 'temporary' team," The human Hunter can easily sense the glare the female Titan gave the black and orange Ghost, "As of now. The Vanguard informed us that we are simply giving this team a chance. But who knows, this 'temporary' team might turn into a 'permanent' team, if this mission goes correctly."
"So, if we become a permanent team, then can you tell us the reason why he wears that extra gear?"
Angel couldn't help but snicker at the blank look that Carian received from Ace, "If you want an honest answer, we can only inform the reason to those that he trusts."
That's when the human Hunter paused, "So, he doesn't trust us?"
"If you want an honest answer, yes," That's when Angel's face fell. He knows that they only had met the Awoken Warlock just recently but, it was still disappointing to hear that the older Guardian doesn't trust them. At least not yet. Angel just hopes that if they do form a permanent team, then perhaps in time, his trust can be gained.
Ace must have seen the solemn expression on the human Hunter's expression for Angel then heard the Ghost state, "Don't take it personal, trust takes time, especially with Ianos." Angel watched the Ghost's parts shifted against their core as they added, "You have to remember, he's old, ancient compared to you two." They then glided over to the fire, hovering just a mere inches away from the flames, "especially what had occurred with his previous Fireteams."
This immediately caught Angel's attention, "What happened?"
That's when the human Hunter watched Ace's parts come to a sudden halt, their shell scrunching together as they slowly glided away from the fire, "I-I can't answer that."
Angel's shoulders slumped in disappointment, "But-"
"No buts," When Ace shook their parts back and forth furiously, Angel couldn't help but give the Ghost a frown, "Is there 'anything' you can tell us about Ianos?"
It was then the human Hunter heard Ace let out a few clicks, a sign that he recognizes as a Ghost deep in thought, "Well, we just had discovered this ourselves but I believe it's insignificant enough that it shouldn't do us harm if we share it with you?"
Angel blinked, "Insignificant?"
"Oh, come on now." The human Hunter watched as Ace turned their orange optic towards him, "We had just met. You expect me to give you an important piece of information immediately?"
Letting out a pout, Angel then crossed his arms as he leaned back in his seat. Although bitter about the secrecy of the Guardian and Ghost, the human Hunter couldn't help but mentally agree. But then, just as Cayde had informed him, patience is both a trait and a virtue amongst Hunters. Luckily, Angel holds plenty of it.
"The information that the two of us discovered is that he is a Reefborn."
Quickly, Angel's disappointment shifted to that one of interest. He had heard of the Reefborn, Awoken born on the far reaches of space and teetering between the edges of darkness and light. They were an isolated society, preferring keeping to themselves than make alliances to anyone outside of their home and are strongly against 'trespassers', to the point where he had heard they would sometimes fire ships that wander into their territory without warning. As such, he had thought that Reefborn Awoken being Guardians were near impossible at least, until now.
"A Reefborn?"
Instantly Angel turned his attention towards Carina, seeing her head tilted in bewilderment, "What's a Reefborn?"
"You don't know?" Angel found himself asking, "They're an Awoken born on the Reef." The human Hunter can easily sense the bewildered stare behind the female Titan's visor, "The Reef…"
Another puzzled look.
"Where the Awoken live?"
"…What?"
"Near the edge where Light and Darkness touch?"
"Oh!" That's when Angel can sense the realization emit from the young Titan, however, no sooner had she realized her question when the human Hunter saw her shoulders go rigid and her breathing hitched, "Wait, so how did Ianos get here then?"
Letting the same question echo in the back of his mind, Angel turned his attention back towards the black and orange Ghost only to see the latter's parts shift up and down, "No idea. Like most Guardians, majority of Ianos' memories are missing. So even he doesn't know how he got here." Ace then glided around the fire several times as if pacing in thought, "And even then, that random piece of information I just gave you we just had learned ourselves several years ago."
"So he's a mystery even to himself?" Angel asked in which he received a shrug from the Ghost as an answer.
"In part," The AI admitted as they glided around the fire once more, hovering just above the flames, "the rest he's just not all that curious." They then paused and turned their gaze at the flames, "'The past is the past, it's time to move on' he says."
"But yet he can't let go of his previous Fireteams?"
Angel watched as Ace to paused, "…How did you figure that out?"
The human Hunter couldn't help but give the ghost a sheepish smile, "Well, he wasn't exactly 'quiet' with his conversation with the Vanguard earlier today."
"Yeah," The human Guardian heard Carina laugh, "I was honestly surprised, never heard anyone speak to the Vanguard like that. Does Ianos have a history with them?"
Watching Ace scrunch their parts together, most likely in embarrassment, Angel then heard the Ghost stutter out, "N-Not exactly. If you want an honest answer, he met them several years after the Tower was implemented."
"Several years after?" Angel heard Carina ask, earning a nod from the Ghost, "Just how old is Ianos?"
"You have to ask him that," Ace responded, "I maybe a Ghost but even I don't record everything."
"How about his previous Fireteams?" Angel asked.
"No! Definitely no!"
The Human hunter couldn't help but blink at Ace's reaction, "Why the sudden raise in voice? You hiding something from us?"
"I did not raise my voice," The human Hunter couldn't help but smile at the black and orange Ghost's protest, "And no, we are not hiding anything."
This prompted Angel to press on, "Did something happen to Ianos' previous Fireteams? How many teams did he go through?"
The Human Hunter can easily sense the blank stare he received from the black and orange Ghost, "…You're not going to let this go, are you?"
"No."
That's when Angel heard the Ghost heave out a sigh and refocus their optic onto the two young Guardians, "As you know, Ianos is ancient. And as such, he went through many teams, even ones that aren't on record." Ace then spun their back fins once as they added, "Currently, he had been recorded to have been on twelve teams, if you include this one."
"Twelve on record?" Angel muttered to himself, tilting his head thoughtfully as he added "So there are others that aren't recorded?"
"Do you ever stop asking questions?" Angel watched as Ace's shell shook in annoyance, "If you want to know more, you have to ask Ianos himself."
"Ask me what?"
All eyes turned towards one of the entrances, only for everyone to recognize the azure and black clad Warlock slowly making his way through the shadows, his pulse rifle resting on his shoulder.
"How was the patrol?" Angel heard the black and orang Ghost ask, watching Ace gleefully glide towards their Guardian as their back fins spun excitedly.
"A few Fallen but took care of them quickly," The Warlock responded as he shrugged, "although one of us should keep watch in case one might sneak up on us when we're resting."
"I can take first – What is that?" Angel's green eyes suddenly went to Ianos' free hand, recognizing the tubes and helm of a Vandal in the Awoken's grasp, "That's a head."
Angel then felt the Warlock's gaze shift towards him, causing the young Hunter shift uneasily in his seat as Ianos held up the Fallen's head, letting droplets of Ether fall from the loose tubes, "Was planning to use the blood to spread around the camp, specifically a Vandal, that way lowering ranking Fallen will take in the scent and lowers our chances of being ambushed."
"Curious," Angel heard Carina comment, watching the female Titan lean in curiously "Does it work?"
Angel watched as she gained a shrug from the Warlock, "To my knowledge, yes, but you never know how long this trick will work." With his words spoken, Ianos then hooked his weapon back onto his back, then gripped the head of the Vandal with both hands, and to the disbelief of the Hunter and the Titan, crushed the Fallen's skull, letting loose a pool of flesh and bone. Watching Ianos shake his hands to rid as much of the Fallen chunks, Angel couldn't help but gulp as Ianos then glanced up at him and Carina, "Do any of you have a spare cloth? I have to start spreading this around before night fully rises." He then used his foot to start crushing the larger chunks, "The Fallen are fully active when darkness hits."
"I- I just – how…" Hearing the disbelief emit behind Carina's visor, the human Hunter took the chance to distract himself from the sound of crunching bone and flesh as he raised up his hand and the white and red form of his Ghost materialized into his palm. Then quickly shifting through his Vault, Angel then materialized a piece of cloth into his grip and then tossed it towards the male Warlock without a second thought, "Will that work?"
Sensing Ianos' stare behind his visor, Angel couldn't help but shift uneasily in his seat once more before the Warlock finally glanced down at the cloth in his hands, then fixate his gaze back onto the Hunter and nodding once before proceeding to kneel down, dipped the cloth in the Fallen's vermillion blood and started spreading it throughout their camp. Noticing the Warlock keep a safe distance from the fire, Angel made a mental note to ask the reason why later as he watched the older Guardian work.
Letting the silence permeate between the three of them, Angel waited until he saw Ianos pause, admire his work, and then tossed the bloodied rag into the fire, watching the Veteran Guardian stare silently at the burning flames before resuming his spot in the shadows, a sign for Ace to glide back into the lap of their Guardian.
Staying momentarily quiet, Angel then decided to break the silence, "So, I take first watch?"
The Hunter glanced over at Ianos nervously, shifting on his makeshift bed as the Warlock returned the glance with a stare of his own, the dim light of their fire illuminating the Guardian's bronze helmet, causing the dark visor to give off an intimidating light. Moments pass before the Warlock waved a hand, "If you insist." Angel heaved out a sigh of relief, watching Ianos then lift his hand, a sign for Ace to glide out of his lap, land in his palm and materialize into the Warlock's armor. Then finally, Ianos turned his attention towards Carina, "I'll trust that you'll take next watch if he proves incompetent to last the night."
"Hey!" Angel felt his face flush at Ianos' words, hearing Carina snap at the Warlock only for the Exo to growl as the Warlock calmly turned his back and lied down, the fire illuminating his form, "Don't ignore me! I know you're still awake!"
"Carina, please lower your voice," Angel hushed, glancing around in the dark nervously before he added, "our enemies may smell the blood as their own, but they still can hear."
Hearing Carina grumble under her breath, the human Hunter couldn't help but sheepishly smile as the female Titan crossed her arms in a pout, "Wake me up when it is my turn for my watch." Watching her lower herself to lie down, she then paused, as if suddenly remembering something, "Actually no, don't. Prove to him that you can stay up for watch the rest of the night." Angel couldn't help but reel back at the female Guardian's words, "I beg your pardon?"
However, his words were ignored, the female Titan easily lying down onto her side and the lights of her armor powered down; a sign to the human Hunter that she had sunk into slumber.
Heaving out a sigh as he watched the female Exo rest, the human Hunter then turned his attention towards Ianos, carefully listening to the breathing patterns of the Awoken Guardian. Hearing the familiar sounds of air pumping through tubes caused Angel to blink, his green eyes scanning the Warlock even further. It was then he noticed small silicone tubes winding around Ianos' shoulders and connecting to his arms and slithering into his coat, connecting itself into what's hiding in his armor. And what's keeping him alive.
"The hell you have been through," He whispered to himself as he listened to the Warlock's breathing pattern even out, signaling that he had fallen asleep.
"What do you think of your new Fireteam member?"
Alarmed by the voice breaking the silence of the room they were camping in, Angel quickly regained his composure as the familiar red and white form of his Ghost glided in front of him, her green optic gaze blinking once at her Guardian, "Hope, enjoyed the free ride on our way here?"
The white and red ghost's plates shifted on her body before locking her parts back into place, "You mean stayin' inside that system in that suit of yours. No way!" The Ghost then glided down onto Angel's lap, resting herself on his thigh, "I like the open air and free movement, thank you very much."
Angel chuckled at his Ghost before resting his hand gently on top of the AI, causing Hope to let out a small hum in content, "To answer your first question, I am not quite sure." Letting his fingers follow the linking on his Ghost, Angel added, "Ace is an interesting Ghost, conforming to the demands of his Guardian just like any other . Ianos…" The Hunter just heaved out a sigh, "I know for certain that gaining his trust is going to be an obstacle in this team."
Hope glanced up at the Human Hunter, her green optic blinking once, "Then gain it, shouldn't be that hard" The Ghost then slipped past the Guardian's fingers, gliding just a few inches away from the human's face, "I mean, that's how it works, right?"
Giving his Ghost a small smile, Angel lifted up his palm so that his AI partner could glide over and settle onto his hand, "I wish it was simple as asking him to trust me, but I have heard of his title, 'The Black Death.' That alone says a lot of his background." He then brought the Ghost close to his chest, heaving out a sigh, "It is going to take a lot of work to get through to him."
Glancing up at her Guardian, Hope's optics blinked once before adding, "Hopefully not that much work." The Ghost then levitated off of the Human's hand, gliding just a few feet away before she added, "I miss the days when we had no work and it was just the two of us scoutin' around." She released a small sigh, "The good old days."
His smile growing bigger on his olive features, Angel then motioned for the AI to glide closer in which she complied, "Then I have one small 'adventure' for you, friend."
Watching Hope blink once at him, Angel waited until his Ghost glided closer before leaning in and whispering, "You still have access to the Vanguard Database?"
Almost immediately, Hope's green optic lit up, "Of course I do. Just because Cayde said to lay off doesn't mean I didn't cut off the connection to their network."
Letting a smile form onto his features once more, Angel then stated, "Then how about do a search for me?" Motioning for the female Ghost to glide in closer, the human Hunter waited until she complied, "Look for a file on Ianos, I want to know as much about him as I can."