Tormented

Patrol

Edited 6/22/2017

Made some grammar changes and removed some unneeded text in this chapter.

"So, you are unable to access the database?"

Watching the white and red Ghost twirl her back fins in annoyance, Angel can easily see the glare in her green optic as Hope turned towards him, "For the last time, Angel, every time I try to access it, I keep gettin' 'I changed the encryption' from Cayde." He then heard her let out a frustrated sigh, "It seems he had put in an override that only works with our frequency."

"Let me guess? It changes the encryption every time 'we' try to access it?" Seeing Hope bob once to signify a nod, Angel leaned back in his seat, letting out a hum, "Well, I guess that's what we get for trying to access the Vanguard database whenever we wanted."

Hearing Hope let out a laugh in response, Angel watched from the edges of his vision as the female Ghost glided over from the table, hovering above his shoulders as she stated, "That was fun. Ikora and Zavala scramblin' around to figure out those 'monthly technical difficulties' while Cayde gets stumped on how we hack it, even though 'he's' the one who taught us."

"Makes me wonder why he never told Ikora and Zavala that it was us this entire time." The Human Hunter smiled to himself, focusing his gaze towards the windows of his apartment, "Then again, it won't seem to matter anymore since we can't access the database."

"For now." Grinning at his Ghost's words, the human Guardian then paused as the female Ghost then added, "But how else are we goin' to learn who this 'Lynn' and 'Kaye' are?"

Tilting his head in thought, Angel let out a silent whistle, "If you want an honest answer, I have no clue." He then deflated in his seat, letting out a grunt as he then stated, "Might not have any other choice but to ask."

"Ask?" He watched as Hope glided over near his face, her parts shifting against her core as she continued, "What makes you think that they will just tell you?"

"Either that, or I blab about what I heard last night."

Angel then watched the female Ghost's optic widen, "You sure that's a good idea? The Vanguard maybe 'indifferent' to a lot of things but, they do have a line when it comes to 'threats'."

In response to Hope's words, the human Hunter shrugged, "Not sure if it's a good idea to 'blackmail' but, I'm curious enough to do it."

At first, momentarily silent, the sudden bursting laughter of Hope caused Angel to smile, hearing the Ghost exclaim, "Well, what are we waitin' for? Shall we go and ask the Vanguard?"

Letting out a laugh of his own, Angel pushed himself from his seat, dipping past his furniture before walking over to the exit of his quarters, pressing a hand on the panel on the side before stepping out of the sliding door. Nodding his head to passing Guardians, Angel waited until the familiar sound of the door sliding shut behind him echoed through the hall before he turned and slowly made his way out of the corridor, squinting as the bright rays of the sun reflected into his eyes as he walked out into the familiar scene of the bustling Plaza.

"Who do you think this Lynn and Kaye are?" Angel turned his green eyes towards Hope, the latter of which spun her back fins as she hovered near his shoulders, humming, "I mean, besides being a pair of Guardians that he had known?"

Pondering on the words of his Ghost, the human Hunter stayed momentarily silent before finally responding, "Considering Ianos' history, I am willing to bet that they were once a Fireteam, at least, before us anyway." Hearing Hope let out a click of agreement, he then continued, "Although, problem is, I never heard of these Guardians before and we are not exactly a large faction, if you know what I mean?"

"Even I never heard of them." He heard the female Ghost hum thoughtfully, "Although, then again, I spent most of my years searching for you." She then glided closer to Angel, the human Hunter seeing her lift her parts upward; a Ghost equivalent of a grin, "so I can safely say that they must have existed before you were resurrected, Angel."

"Good point." The human Guardian gave his Ghost a soft smile, "Considering how often we hack into the Vanguard Database to read up the files on our fellow Guardians."

"Ones that are alive anyway." Hope pointed out, "It is faster to read the files on those who are still 'active'. Especially since the dead outnumber the living, sadly."

Flinching at the words of the female Ghost, the Hunter shifted on the heels of his feet uncomfortably before quickly stating, "Let's just get to the Vanguard so we can figure out who – Carina?"

Coming to a pause just near the steps of the entrance of the Hall of Guardians, the human Hunter's green hues spotted the familiar copper clad form of Carina, the silver Exo turning her violet optics his way at the call of her name, "Angel? What are you doing here?"

Greeting the female Titan with a warm smile, Angel approached the Exo Titan, "To figure out who this 'Lynn' and 'Kaye' are? You here for the same reason?"

He watched Carina nod, seeing the female Titan's optics flash towards the floor, crossing her arms across her chest as she stated, "Just the way Ianos called us by those names. He said it with such familiarity, and grief." The Exo then shuddered, Angel feeling her optics turn back towards him, "I do not know why but it bothers me that Ianos saw us as different individuals." Watching her arms fall back to her side, Angel mentally agreed with Carina's next words, "I just hope that the Vanguard will have the answers we need and help clear my mind of this."

Recalling the moment before they transmatted into Ianos' ship, when had he heard the Awoken Warlock call him 'Kaye', Angel can easily sense the warmth in the names followed by a sense of longing, as if the Warlock was reaching out to those out of reach. Or dead.

Feeling a chill run down the length of his spine, Angel couldn't help but let out a shiver of his own; he hoped that he was wrong. There was only one way to find out the truth, however.

"Since we're both here, want to ask the Vanguard with me?" The Hunter saw her optics widen at the notion, "Oh, come on, you just said you want things cleared. Why not now?"

He can clearly see the hesitation in her violet optics, her gaze glancing around her surroundings before her shoulders straightened out and she fixated her gaze back into his green hues, "Won't hurt to try."

"Then what are we waitin' for?" Angel reeled back as Hope's white and red form butted in between the two, only to let out a laugh as the female Ghost added, "Let's go and ask! I'm dyin' to know!"

Letting the last few chuckles leave his lips, the human Hunter glanced back towards Carina before motioning with his hand to follow, turning around, and descending down the steps towards the Hall. Easily brushing past the familiar dark clad form of Eris, Angel gave a nod of greeting to Shaxx before descending down one more pair of steps into the room, immediately hearing the brief conversation between the three Vanguard come to a pause; nothing escapes their attention.

"All rest and cleaned up I see," Cayde greeted, pushing himself away from his map as Angel closed the distance between himself and table, the human Hunter hearing the familiar heavy footsteps of Carina coming to a pause beside him, "But, I can guess that you're not here to inform us of how you're doing."

"How do you – "Angel heard Carina pause as Cayde lifted a hand, the Hunter Vanguard then stating, "I'm a Hunter, kid. What else do you expect?"

"…Oh."

Silently snickering at the female Exo, Angel then came to attention as Cayde asked, "So, what can we do for you two?"

"We have a question," The human Hunter easily can sense the bewildered stares from the three Vanguard, "Do you know the names Lynn and Kaye?"

Immediately a silence permeated through the room, causing Angel to shift nervously on his feet before turning his green eyes at Carina, locking onto her violet optics as she returned the gesture.

"How did you get those names?" Turning his gaze back towards Ikora, Angel hesitated, wringing his hands together as he contemplated for an answer; Carina beat him to it, "From Ianos. When we were ready to head back to the Tower after killing the Archon, he called Angel and I 'Lynn' and 'Kaye' respectively." Angel then heard her pause, sensing the hesitancy from the female Titan before she added, "The familiarity and warmth in his words, we cannot help but be unsettled that he confused us for someone else. Who were they?"

A sigh then permeated from Cayde, Angel watching the Hunter Vanguard glancing over at his fellow Guardians, making eye contact momentarily before nodding in silent agreement.

"Hunter Lynn-10 and Titan Kaye Raith." Zavala started, gaining the attention of Angel and Carina respectively, "They were two of the many Guardians to help implement the Tower as a beacon of the Last City, and they were one of first few Guardians to dare step past the Wall." He then sighed, "From the look in your eyes, the two of you already had suspected that they were once part of Ianos' Fireteam."

"His first 'recorded' Fireteam if I may add." Cayde butted in, "Not long after the Tower was built, the three of them banded together to help patrol the Wall and did so for several years."

"But their lives were cut short when they were ambushed by Fallen when they attempted to extend their boundaries." Ikora finished, earning wide eyed looks from the younger Guardians, "and although he did his best, Ianos was the only one out of the three to make it back alive."

Curiosity peaked in the back of Angel's mind at the new piece of information, "If Lynn and Kaye didn't make it out, then how did Ianos make it back?"

"The ambush took place in a high storied building, tenth floor if I remember correctly." It was Cayde who answered, "Ianos was accidently kicked into one of the elevator shafts by a Fallen. Although killed by the fall, it was a good enough hiding place to ensure his Ghost's safety and resurrection." He then paused, as if lamenting over the next few words, "For Lynn and Kaye, they weren't so lucky."

"So, pure luck then?" Angel couldn't help but let a pang of empathy build up in his chest as the Vanguard Hunter nodded in confirmation; it would explain why Ianos acted harshly towards the two young Guardian's actions. A simple mistake is enough to get even the most experienced Guardians killed, and the Veteran Guardian had experienced that first hand. This also made the human Hunter wonder, how many other teams did he survive from just from 'pure luck'?

"The first recorded team he survived from and sadly, not the last."

Although at first, bewildered by the intrusion of a new voice, it took only moments for Angel to recognize it as he turned and focused his attention onto the entrance of the room, only for his suspicions to be confirmed; it was Pluto, the Exo Hunter still clad in his gray and black armor and now, with his helmet secured over his head. However, unlike the night before, the Hunter was all cleaned and repaired; even his Ghost, the latter of which hovered over his shoulder, had lost all the rust and must from the years and the color of viridian can be seen gleaming on his shell. The only thing that did not change was the cloak, the dark cloth still battered and worn but the insignia of the stars and planets now visible against the cleaned surface.

"Lovebird." Angel heard Cayde chime as Pluto slowly descended down the steps, "How is your day going so far-"

"What makes you think I want to speak to you?"

Hearing the growl in Pluto's voice, the human Hunter didn't blame Cayde for suddenly going silent, and Angel took in a breath as the Exo Hunter approached both he and Carina, the younger Guardian easily sensing the narrowed glance behind his visor.

"Nix."

Watching the viridian shell Ghost bob once in confirmation of the Hunter's words, Angel froze when Nix's optic came to life, red flashing into view before the familiar thin light of a scanner beamed over his form, quickly lifting up and down before disappearing from his sight. At first, confused at the action, the younger Guardian opted to stay silent and instead, watch Nix do the same for Carina, seeing the Exo Titan's shoulders square out and her violet optics narrowing as the Ghost finished the scan.

"Data sent to your optics." Nix announced as the Ghost's optics dimmed once more, Angel watching him return to his rightful place over Pluto's shoulders. No sooner had he done this when the Exo Hunter let out a short snort, "Average at best."

"Excuse me?" Angel couldn't help but blurt out the question, bewilderment building up in the back of his mind as he watched Pluto's visor turn towards him, "Nix took scans of your light and from what I can tell, there is nothing to be impressed about."

"What?!" The human Hunter watched as Carina took a threatening step forward, her violet optics flaring with fury, "What is that supposed to mean?"

"You two are inexperienced, hardly alive for a year and the data he took from your Ghosts confirms this." Pluto turned his focus towards Carina, "You fight in the Crucible often but yet you lack experience in the field, treating the Fallen like targets instead of real enemies."

"Why I ought to- "

"And you." Angel froze as he felt Pluto's gaze fall onto him, "You may have stolen a Fallen ship to head back to Earth from Venus, but besides that, there is hardly anything special on your record." He then watched the Exo Hunter lean in, as if to empathize his next words, "It also doesn't help that your Ghost had to be the one to start up the ship and you were the one who crashed it."

Gulping at the older Guardian's words, Angel watched as Pluto straightened his posture and let out a scoff, "With that kind of record, I don't trust the two of you to have the capability to watch Ianos' back." The human Hunter blinked at the Exo's words, "Inexperienced. Attuned to only one Light. Not to mention barely able to take on an Archon together."

"We're still young!" Angel turned his focus onto Carina, watching the silver Exo spit out, "give us a chance and we will show you what we are capable of!"

"Good." Seeing the Exo Hunter lift his gaze over their shoulders, Angel didn't have to look back to know that he was looking back at the spectating Vanguard, "Because I am taking you two on a patrol with me to the Cosmodrome."

It was then the fire around Carina dissipated, Angel easily sensing the rage being replaced by confusion, "But, we just got back."

Disappointment then oozed off the older Guardian, "Did you not just state that you wanted to prove yourself?" Angel then watched Pluto take several steps forward, up until he was almost shoulder to shoulder with the two younger Guardians, "Pack up in fifteen and meet me at the Hangar. Any later, and I will consider the two of you incompetent of being part of Ianos' Fireteam."

"That is a decision not up to you." It was Ikora who spoke, Angel hearing the Warlock Vanguard keep an even but stern tone as Pluto gave her a glare, "Zavala, Cayde, and I thought it best for Titan Carina and Hunter Angel to partner with Ianos for the reason that –"

"Do you think that I had already forgotten about last night?" Angel gulped at the snarl emitting from the back of the Exo Hunter's throat, "I am not quite in the mood to 'chat' and 'reason' right now."

It was then the younger Guardian sensed the puzzled stare that Ikora gave the blind Exo before she heard her let out a whisper, "That bond…"

At first, confused by her words, Angel examined the Hunter's upper left arm and he paused as he spotted the familiar Warlock equipment, blue sparks emitting off from the piece as he heard Ikora add, "Is that-"

"Shut up!" Angel jumped at the sudden raise in volume of Pluto's voice before sensing the hardened gaze of the Exo Hunter place back onto him, "Fifteen minutes or else I will consider the two of you incompetent of being a part of Ianos' team."

Then, without another word, the Exo Guardian turned and stomped out of the Hall, the viridian shell of his Ghost following after. This left the inhabiting Guardians in silence, Angel and Carina glancing at each other with worry in their gaze.

"Fifteen minutes?" Carina broke the silence, Angel watching her turn around to fixate her violet optics onto the Vanguard, prompting him to do the same, "that's hardly enough time to grab our equipment and go."

"Better get going then." Angel blinked at Cayde's words, "Pluto is well known for his short patience, which, I have to add, he is also known for being quite 'violent'."

Taking in the words of the Vanguard Hunter, the human Hunter gulped at the possible consequences of being late, and as such, caused him grab Carina by her arm, turn, and head towards the Hall of Guardians, ignoring the female Titan's words of protests.

Xxxxx

"What's your relationship with Ianos?"

Frowning behind his visor as he sat in his ship, instead of answering the young Hunter's question, Pluto opted to grip his hands tightly on the controls, moving them just ever so slightly to properly align with Nix's scans, "Instead of asking questions, focus on piloting your ship. We may be heading to the Cosmosdrome but, that doesn't mean there might be a possibility of us bumping into Fallen Forces."

"Doesn't mean we can't pass the time when we have the peace." Pluto scoffed at the human Guardian's words, "Are you and Ianos friends?"

The Exo Hunter remained silent.

"Former Fireteam?"

Pluto leaned forward in his seat, pressing buttons on the consoles of his ship before resuming his previous composure.

"How about-"

"Are you two lovers?"

Immediately, Pluto let out a choke, hearing a piercing laugh echo through the coms followed by the nervous chuckle of the human Hunter, "What made you get that idea!?"

"You weren't answering?" The Exo Hunter gave the coms a blank stare in response, "How else am I supposed to gain your attention?"

Heaving out a sigh at the young Titan's words, Pluto leaned back in his seat and released his hold on the controls, hearing the familiar hum of Nix taking pilot, "The two of you really want to know my relationship with Ianos?"

"Of course."

Rubbing the back of his neck at Angel's answer, Pluto at first, stayed momentarily silent, taking in the sound of Nix shifting controls before stating, "We were his mentor, being around as long, possibly even longer than Ianos, but the first time we met was back during the days the City was being built, and we just had happened to bump into each other in the streets." He then paused, taking in a breath as he continued, "When we had met Ianos, he was on the edge of breaking, contemplating his life before we took him under our wing."

"So, you let him join your clan?"

"No."

Hearing the younger Guardians go silent behind the coms, Pluto explained, "We may have taken him under our wing, but our clan have certain 'requirements' to be a member. Doesn't mean they didn't treat him like family."

"And you bonded?"

"Yes."

The coms went silent once more, letting Pluto take in the silence before Angel broke in, "Sir Pluto."

The Exo Hunter frowned at this, "Just Pluto."

"Pluto," Angel corrected himself, "I do apologize if this sounds personal but I cannot help but notice you keep saying, 'we'." Pluto paused, "Who is 'we'?"

Instead of immediately answering, the Exo Guardian reached up to the bond wrapped around his arm, letting his fingers trace the patterns on the surface as he felt the hum of the cracking arc light vibrate into his fingertips, "You have seen the bond I am currently wearing, correct?" He paused, waiting for a response, continuing when he received none, "It had belonged to a Warlock named Neptune-88. Alongside me, he also mentored Ianos." A bitter chuckle left his lips, "A Hunter can only carry a Warlock so far, don't you think?"

Hearing the coms go silent once more, Pluto took the opportunity to silently mourn, continuing to trace the patterns on the bond, feeling the light beat steadily within before the stillness in the air was finally broken, "Am I allowed to guess that Neptune was a Stormcaller?"

Immediately, Pluto let out a snort, easily sensing the confusion emitting behind the coms, "Does the bond give it away? Kind of hard to guess when its sparks arc light, doesn't it?"

Hearing Angel stutter behind the coms, the older Guardian couldn't help but let out an amused smirk as the human Hunter stated, "I-I was just making sure! There are plenty of Warlocks that run around with Sunsinger bonds but are actually Voidwalkers!"

"Keep an open mind, newborn," Pluto reprimanded, the smile on his features quickly being replaced with a scowl, "You know as well as I do that Guardians can access more than one different kind of light."

"So, Neptune wasn't just a Stormcaller?"

Taking in the young Hunter's question, the Exo couldn't help but let a sense of pride tinge the edges of his voice as he answered, "He was a Stormcaller, Sunsinger, 'and' a Voidwalker." He paused as he heard Angel let out a choke, "What?"

At first, hearing nothing but gibberish from the human Hunter, Pluto opted to wait, his patience being rewarded as Angel managed to stutter out, "Three?! I heard of Guardians mastering two but three!?"

In response to the young Guardian's reaction, Pluto simply shrugged, "Rare, but possible. I know of several Guardians who have mastered all three attunements. They just prefer sticking to one."

"Wait, does that count yourself?"

It took Pluto only a second to answer the question, "No."

"What?" It was Carina this time, the older Exo easily hearing the puzzlement in her voice, "You said that you were old, possibly older, than Ianos."

Pluto frowned at this, "Does not mean I mastered all three attunements. Mastering them takes 'years', especially for the 'Lights of Old'. Most die in an attempt to master it."

"And you know this 'how'?"

Sensing the disbelief in the female Titan's words, the Exo Hunter couldn't help but let out a scoff, "I myself almost died trying to attune to Void Light." He immediately heard the coms go quiet, "it took deep meditation and even then, I was nearly devoured by the void. From what my clan mates told me, it looks like as though the void itself had grabbed me until I forced it to take on the form of my bow. Doesn't mean I didn't stay two weeks in the Medical Wing."

Hearing the coms go silent once more, Pluto waited, testing the curiosity of the younger Guardians; it was once again rewarded as Angel's voice echoed through, "And the other attunements for Warlock and Titan?"

A tinge of amusement took place in the back of the Exo's mind, "Warlocks trying to attain Arc Light might be killed by the storm itself, and Solar Light for Titans," He then let out a snort, "Solar Light for Titans is near impossible to attain, especially since the knowledge is kept close within the 'faction', and the Sunbreakers are quite keen on keeping their skills a secret." He then paused as Nix let out a click; a sign that they are getting close to their destination, "Furthermore, before you can learn their secrets, you are 'initiated' into the Sunbreakers, not 'mastered' as many would like to believe."

"What do you mean?" It was Carina's voice echoing through the coms; Pluto couldn't help but find her question entertaining.

"You have to gain access to the 'Hammer of Sol', the main weapon and 'power' of the Sunbreakers," The older Exo explained, "and the only way to access it is if you are seen as worthy by the Sunbreakers, which, I have to add, is quite rare, especially since most of those who try to forge their own hammers burn." Pausing once more as Nix let out several clicks to signify their arrival, Pluto then leaned back in his seat, feeling it slide back before he added, "So all those Sunbreaker marks you see back at the Tower, they aren't there for style."

"So, I can guess that it is not easy becoming a Sunbreaker?"

Hearing the curiosity in the female Titan's words, Pluto couldn't help but snicker, "I see someone is interested in attaining the 'Hammer of Sol'."

"N-no, I-"

"Prepare for transmat."

Taking in Nix's words, Pluto heard the female Exo's words suddenly being cut off as the familiar weightlessness of transmat overtook his senses, signaling for him to square out his feet and the flat of his boots take the brunt of the fall, prompting him to heft his scout rifle into his hands. Seconds later, he heard the pair of Guardians land behind him, albeit, he heard heavy footsteps stumble, as if trying to regain balance; from the familiar sound of metal clanking against each other, it was easy to pick out who, "All those months and still not use to transmat?"

"Shut up." Hearing the female Titan's retort, Pluto snickered in response before taking the lead, hearing the steady footsteps of the younger Guardians follow behind him. Then hearing Nix let out a few clicks over his shoulders, Pluto focused onto his optics, letting the flash of the white skim across the black background. Immediately, he can see the familiar debris of broken planes and vehicles swarm into his vision, prompting him to turn slightly to avoid a small edge, and then carefully making his way down.

"You say that you were going to test us, correct?" It was Angel who asked the question, Pluto hearing the Hunter quietly follow his footsteps, "So, what are we doing exactly?"

This prompted Pluto to pause, turn, and focus his blind optics onto the young Guardians, hearing the latter's footfalls come to a sudden halt, "Patrolling."

"Patrolling?" The Exo Hunter sensed the bewildered look from the Hunter, "Just, patrolling?"

Pluto nodded, "Patrolling."

"Nothing special?" The disappointment was apparent in Carina's voice, causing Pluto to clarify, "Nothing."

"So, just patrolling?"

Sighing at the repetitive question, Pluto answered, "Yes, just patrolling." Sensing the confused stares from the younger Guardians, the Exo Hunter then clarified, "I am here to assess your skills, to see if you are capable enough to watch Ianos' back. A simple patrol is the best way to start."

"But," Pluto tilted his head towards Angel's direction, "But we're just newborns. And Ianos is an experienced Guardian. How are we, mere 'dots' of light compared to him, are supposed to watch his back?"

Almost instantly, the blind Exo then heard the human Hunter let out a small 'ow' before grumbling under his breath. Soon after, Nix's scans showed Carina's form with her hands on her hips, no doubt giving Angel a scowl as the latter rubbed his side; Pluto can't help but think that the female Titan was not pleased with the human Guardian's question.

"You are newborns compared to him, that is correct." Pluto sensed the pair turn their attention back towards him, "However, even the most experienced Guardians make mistakes. There will come a day when Ianos will slip and where he will depend on you for his safety." Turning his attention forward, Pluto continued their trek as he added, "And that is why we are here, to see where your skills are currently at and to see if there is room for improvement."

Hearing footsteps catch up to his side behind him, Pluto tilted his head towards his right as he heard Angel state, "So, I am to guess that we are to find any potential threats and to depose of them?" He nodded in response to the younger Hunter's question before Pluto responded, "If you are concerned if anything were to go awry, I will be nearby. Although, threats here are the Fallen and I highly doubt they will be much of a challenge for the two of you."

"Say that to the Archon."

Hearing the murmured statement of Carina, Pluto came to a sudden halt, hearing the skidding footfalls of the newborn behind him to signal their struggle before abruptly turning around, his grip tight on the handle of his scout rifle, "I understand why you are worried about bumping into another Archon." He then frowned behind his visor, "but I assure that we will 'not' be bumping into another one." Pluto then turned and resumed position, hearing the pair follow but with more careful steps, "Higher ranking members of Fallen Houses rarely venture out of their quarters and as such, the reason why Guardians are immediately deployed when one makes themselves." Tilting his head back as if to focus his blind gaze towards Angel and Carina, the Exo Guardian then added, "That is why Zavala sent the three of you, as you are one of the few Fireteams available despite your recent formation." Turning his focus forward, Pluto then let out a scoff, "That is what he had claimed when I questioned him. Although, I do not understand why they also sent in two 'newborns' who were hardly a year resurrected on such a difficult mission."

"We handled it well." Pluto snorted as the female Titan grumbled, "We just had some help from Ianos is all."

Hearing this, the Exo Hunter couldn't help but let out a laugh, hearing the newborns take few startled steps back, "Yes, just 'some' help from an experienced Guardian that just happened to save your life at the last moment."

Hearing Carina further grumble in response, Pluto then heard Angel's nervous laughter follow, signifying the truth in his words. This caused a small smile to flash onto his metallic features although, it faded as Angel's voice piped in, "Speaking of Ianos, I had a question for the Vanguard however, since you know Ianos personally, is it alright if I ask you?"

Staying momentarily silent, Pluto then let out a sigh, "For a Hunter, you ask as many questions as a Warlock." He then slightly tilted his head towards the human Guardian's general direction, "Ask away."

Hearing Angel go quiet, Pluto focused Nix's scans to the back, just in time to see the two newborns turn towards each other and nod; it seems the human Hunter hadn't planned the question out on his own, "The day previous, when you first arrived at the Tower, Ikora, Zavala, and Cayde had mentioned that Ianos' light is 'tainted'." The blind Exo paused at his words, "All I can understand that this 'taint' is the Darkness itself. Is that true?"

Letting the words sink in, Pluto heaved out a sigh, "Although I do not mind your constant questions, Angel, you should also learn that there is a certain 'point' where you should not cross."

"Oh, my apology-"

"There is nothing to apologize for," The blind Exo sensed the bewildered stare he received from the young Hunter, "Normally, I would ignore your question and move on however, since the two of you are to be a part of Ianos' team from now on, it will only be a matter of time until you figure out the truth. But, there is a condition on this piece of information I am going to give you." He felt the pair turn their eyes back onto him, "Promise me that what you will learn will not affect your relationship, positive or negative, once you get better acquainted. He had already lost may allies when the word of his 'taint' had spread. I want to make sure his circle of 'comrades' remain large enough where he can depend on help but, trustworthy enough that they will not stab him in the back later."

Sensing the look of surprise from the pair, Pluto opted to wait, momentarily focusing his attention forward and taking careful steps over rusted debris before Angel's voice responded, "We cannot promise what we will learn of Ianos won't affect our opinion of him." Pluto frowned at this, "But, we will try, if that makes you feel any better."

"Try, huh?" Letting out a snicker, Pluto then added, "Guess that is better than nothing." The smile then faded from his lips, "Years ago, Ianos and his Fireteam of five others were given a mission to head to the moon. Their task was a simple recon; to scout out the surface of the moon and to see if they can locate any Ghosts lost during the Great Disaster. Sounds like a simple patrol, correct?" Receiving only silence from the two newborns, Pluto then hesitated, contemplating on his next words before continuing, "However, only one returned from that fated mission and he had claimed that the others had been killed by the Hive. I, at first, believed his words to be false, until months passed with no answer, no presence of Ianos and, slowly, not only I, but other Guardians who had known him believed his death. That was before he suddenly reappeared, beaten and broken." He then paused, hesitating once more, "By this time, the team member who he had worked with had already, 'passed', and as such, could not give us the answers we needed when Ianos was examined and we found the darkness eating away at his light. His reward for his survival? Constant agony from the darkness and scorn from the rest of the Tower."

Letting his words fade from his lips, the blind Exo then opted to wait as he let the two newborns contemplate, seeing through Nix's scans of them constantly turning towards each other, signaling with their hands as if to silently communicate without Pluto's notice.

"I thought taint from the Darkness was a constant," It was Carina who spoke, "What makes Ianos different from those who are sent to the Medical Wing of the Tower? What makes it that the Vanguard seem, 'fearful', of his presence?"

Pluto let out a bitter chuckle, "Fearful? More like paranoid." His gaze then hardened, "It is true that 'taint' from the Darkness is a constant threat, however, the ones that you have seen in the Medical Wing are injuries related to the Darkness. Taint and injury are two completely different concepts when it comes to us Guardians." Sensing the inquisitiveness from the two newborns, Pluto then continued, "Many Guardians who are corrupted from the Darkness usually die in agony within the next few days although, there are rare few who live through it. For them, there are only two scenarios. One, they will be able to fight it off and live to fight another day."

"And two?"

"They will turn into a vessel of the Darkness." He can easily sense the wide-eyed looks he received from Angel and Carina, "turning on those they had once called allies and live to only spread chaos and hate."

Pausing to let the two younger Guardians take in the information, Pluto tilted his head in Angel's general direction as the human Hunter asked, "Is that why Ianos is called the 'Black Death'?" The blind Exo remained silent, "Because of the Darkness within him?"

Staying silent to ensure that Angel was finished speaking, the Exo Hunter let out what seemed to be a mix of a scoff and a laugh, "If you want an honest answer, that is only 'part' of the reason." He then paused, "Amongst the 'veterans' of the Guardians, Ianos is well known to have been a member of many Fireteams and returning as a lone survivor. This caused many to believe that his presence is a curse and as such, he was called 'Death' during the first several years of the City's existence. 'Black Death' was soon given after word of his condition spread."

"But that is not his fault!" Startled by the female Titan's exclamation, Pluto came to a slow halt and turned around, as if to focus his blind optics onto the younger Exo's form; if she took it as a look of surprise or a threat, the female Titan didn't seem to notice as the older Guardian then heard her add, "Ianos can be a bastard but from what I saw yesterday 'and' just what I have learned, he deserves a chance." He then heard her stomp her food and he can imagine her crossing her arms, "Just because he is tainted by the Darkness doesn't mean he will turn."

Blinking behind his visor, the Exo Hunter kept his blind gaze on the Exo Titan before he let out a light chuckle, sensing the confused stare he received in response, "What's so funny?"

Pausing just long enough to regain enough of his composure, Pluto responded, "Of all the Guardians, you, the one who made it apparent that you hated him from the start, is the one to defend him." He then let out another laugh, uncaring of the bewildered stares from the younger Guardians, "Oh the irony." Shaking his head as if to shake off the amusement oozing off from his shoulders, he continued, "But none the less, I thank you, your words are enough to tell me that you will keep him safe, even if the odds are against you."

"I…what?"

"And you?" Through Nix's scans, Pluto saw Angel jump at his words, "and your thoughts on this?"

Instead of an immediate response, all the Exo Hunter received was silence, the older Guardian easily sensing the hesitation of the younger.

"It is too soon for me to trust Ianos completely." Pluto narrowed his optics at his words, "But he saved our lives, the least I can do is return the favor when the opportunity comes." Taking in the rest of the words of the human Guardian, the Exo Hunter's hardened gaze soften before letting out a small hum, "I will give you credit for honesty."

Seeing Angel fidget through Nix's scans, a tinge of amusement hit the back of the older Exo's mind before a flicker of movement caught his attention; a flicker of white against the black bounded hills of the shore prompted him take careful steps, pausing once the scans showed him standing over the edge of a cliff.

"Nix," He started and immediately, the terrain seems to zoom in, pinpointing the area that caught his attention. From there, he can easily see the form of familiar four armed humanoids, the figures of the Fallen all to recognizable to the older Hunter. Seeing Nix zoom away from the plane debris that they had spotted the group, Pluto then turned his attention back towards the newborns, "Fallen, just over near the wreckage just over those hills." He then turned and crouched, raising a hand to signal the pair to do the same, "Lay low and we'll see how good your shot is from here."

Hearing the footsteps of the human and Exo pair approach from behind, Pluto waited until Nix's scans showed them kneeling, "You two have snipers?"

Immediately, Angel raised his hand and in honesty, the Exo Hunter wasn't too surprised; what Hunter doesn't have at least one ranged weapon? However, as he waited for Carina to do the same, Pluto couldn't help but blink when he received nothing, "Carina? Do you not have a sniper rifle?"

A pause, "No."

"Scout rifle?"

"No."

"Pulse rifle?"

"…No?"

"…Don't tell me all you have is that auto rifle in your hands?"

"No…I do have a shotgun."

Heaving out a sigh at the meager arsenal in the female Titan's person, Pluto instead focused his attention onto the human Hunter, "Angel, you have sight of them?"

Hearing the familiar click of the rifles reload, it didn't take long for the younger Guardian to respond, "Yes."

"Then take the shot."

Seeing Angel nod through the scans, Pluto saw him shift his aim before seeing his finger press against the trigger; only to narrow his gaze when he saw the young Hunter freeze, "Angel, is something the matter?"

At first, gaining nothing but silence as a response, Pluto waited patiently until the human Hunter, started, "I…I am not sure if I can hit them from here."

Immediately suspicion settled into the back of the older Hunter's mind, "I thought you said that you have them in your line of sight."

"I-I did." Angel admitted, "B-but I overestimated myself. I-I can't make the shot from here."

Quiet at the words of the young Guardian, Pluto waved his hand towards Nix, signaling to the Ghost to zoom in once again on the group of Fallen; one Vandal and a group of three Dregs, a standard patrol group. Not much of a threat, especially when he watched the Vandal gesture towards the three Dregs to move ahead, the smaller scavengers easily obeying the command, more than likely knowing the consequences of disobedience. Watching Nix zoom out from the group of Fallen, Pluto turned his attention back towards Angel, watching his fellow Hunter lower his rifle; a sign that he was not willing to take the shot.

Sensing the hesitation from the human Guardian alongside the way he kept glancing back and forth between the group and Pluto, the Exo Hunter jumped as Nix whispered, "You do recall the files, correct?"

At first confused by the words of his Ghost, Pluto let out a silent, 'ah', when the information flooded back over his optics, and it was only then when Angel's actions finally clicked together, "I understand." Backing up a few steps, the blind Exo focused his attention onto the Exo Titan, "Carina, let's scout ahead and find another group."

He then sensed the puzzled look he received from the younger Exo, "What do you mean? There's one right here." She then paused, "And is Angel not coming with us?"

"We will find a group where 'both' of you can show your capabilities." Pluto pushed himself onto his feet and motioned for Carina to follow, "Nix, find another group for us if you will." Hearing his Ghost let out a few clicks in confirmation, Pluto then heard the female Exo let out a grumble but nonetheless heard the familiar movement of metal scraping against dirt. Seeing Carina push herself onto her feet through Nix's scans, this signaled the Exo Hunter to focus his attention onto Angel, "I will give you a moment to recover from your 'nerves', but do not stall behind, understand?"

Sensing the bewildered stare from the human Guardian, Pluto waited until Nix's scans showed Angel let out a nod, a sign for Pluto to heft his scout rifle back in his hands and venture away from the cliff with Carina trailing not too far behind.

Xxxxx

Suspicion dwelled in the back of Angel's mind as his green eyes watched Pluto and Carina fade into the distance; does the blind Exo know?

Pushing the question out of his mind, the human Hunter instead sheathed his sniper onto his back as he pushed himself onto his feet and then leaping from the cliff, summoning light underneath his feet to give the motion of him leaping once in the air before landing softly on the hearth below him. It was then he heads a rumble, causing him to snap his head up towards the source; there, climbing over mounds of dirt and debris, was a Vandal, red cape flittering behind her shoulders as she slowly approached. In any other scenario, other Guardians would have raised their weapon and fired, sending a bullet into the unfortunate Fallen's head. But for Angel, he can easily see her arms close to her side, her shoulders slack and a soft growl rumbling from the back of her throat; in other words, she wasn't a threat.

Waiting until the Vandal closed the distance, the human Hunter let his tense shoulders relax when he recognizes the scar crossing diagonally across her face, starting over her upper right eye and ending down to her lower left; he recognizes the milky color of those blind gaze anywhere, "Ixrsis, it has been a while." He let out a low rumble in addition to his words to signify his pacifism, "I thought you said that were being sent to the Devil's Lair for guard duty."

"Guard duty, yes, but too many bodies, too many targets. They needed more out on patrol, so here I am, to seek danger and then report danger." The Vandal clicked, her two working eyes fixating onto Angel's darken visor, "I sensed several lights, sensed danger. But upon coming closer, I realized one was you, Pure One. Sent the Dregs away to talk. But who are the other lights with you?

"They are my friends," Angel responded, earning a tilt of the head from the female Fallen, "They are helping me learn. Helping me get stronger."

A pleased nod came from Ixrsis, "Stronger, always good, yes. Strong enough to kill an Archon."

Angel froze at the female Eliksni's words, "News spread already?"

"Eliskni already know. It is not hard to spread news of an Archon's death." He then heard her let out a few clicks and a rumble; a Fallen equivalent of a chuckle, "Do not worry, we are not angry. More relieved, Sarixas not well liked amongst the Eliksni, no."

"But," Angel hesitated, "But no Archon means Prime Servitor in danger."

This earned the Hunter a few clicks from the female Vandal, "Why we needed more bodies at the Lair, but, like before, too many bodies means too many targets." She let out a low rumble, "Do not mind the patrols. Patrols are easy, less likely of death. Too many lights near Lair. Safer away from home, yes."

"Lights?" Angel repeated, "Guardians? Why so close?"

"All Archons dead. No one to defend Prime Servitor means easy target." Ixrsis let out a low snarl, "Lights get closer and closer with each passing day. Attack on House inevitable."

"Want my help?"

Immediately, Angel saw the female Vandal's four eyes widen before they narrowed and she crouched, letting her tall form be equal in height to the human Guardian, "Help would be nice but, your 'friends' will be angry. Not happy that we are friends. Allies. Keep secret, yes?"

Disappointment filtered into the young Hunter's mind, causing his shoulders to slouch and nod, "I miss back then. Back when we were young. Where our duties do not conflict with our 'secrecy'."

Several clicks emitted from Ixrsis in response, "Back when you were a new light. Back when I was just a simple Dreg."

Locking his green hues onto her bioluminescent, Angel parted his lips to say more when familiar chittering echoed nearby, causing him to snap his head towards the source.

"My Dregs are returning." The human Hunter turned his focus back onto Ixrsis, "Quickly, return to your friends before we are discovered."

Disappointment once again filling up his senses, Angel nodded once before turning his attention towards the cliff leaping once and then once again to grab onto the ledge and pull himself into cover. Seconds later, the familiar chanting of the lower ranking Eliksni rang in his ears, prompting Angel to turn, lie on his stomach and peer over the edge. From his position, he saw Ixrsis' taller form shout out orders to the Dregs, her words stern but gentle before he watched the group disappear into the distance. Waiting until he was in the clear, Angel then pushed himself back onto his feet, brushing off the worst of the dust from his cloak before the familiar white and red form of Hope materialized over his shoulder.

"That was a bit too close for comfort." The female Ghost stated as Angel sensed her green optic fixate onto his, "Although it was nice seein' Ixrsis again. It has been how long since we have last seen her?"

"A couple of months." Angel replied, nodding his head towards Hope before tilting it towards the direction where Pluto and Carina had headed before taking the lead, hearing the familiar hum of the white and red Ghost behind him, "She has gotten bigger the last time we had seen her. At the rate she is going, she might slowly grow into a Captain."

"Pfft, if she wasn't big enough already." Hope laughed, "Although it's amazin', she was the smallest Dreg we had ever seen when we first met her. Now, she is towerin' above you like nothin'."

"Good for her then," Angel turned and gave the female Ghost a smile behind his visor, "Means she is climbing the ranks, life will be a tad bit easier for her." He paused, "Hopefully."

A scoff emitted from Hope, "Less likely of getting killed you mean. The more ether an Eliksni receive, the more powerful they get." She let out a small snort as she added, "Why else do you think they sent the three of you after the Archon? It is no easy task takin' on an Eliskni that powerful. And even then, the three of you were barely able to kill it."

"Ianos did most of the work." Angel muttered, "Otherwise we would be dead." Seeing Hope then lift her parts up and down in a Ghost equivalent to a shrug, the human Hunter just sighed, "Let's just find Pluto and Carina so we can lead them 'away' from Ixrsis' group."

Receiving a nod of confirmation from Hope, Angel then focused on taking the lead as his Ghost materialized back into his armor.

Just for clarification, the italicized quotes are Ixrsis and Angel speaking to each other in Eliksni :D

Added 6/22/2017

It seems I have accidentally deleted this commentary in my previous chapters but I have a head cannon that in order to properly show their connection, Ghost's optic colors match the eye colors of their Guardians Ex: Angel's green, so Hope's eye color is green, or Ianos' eye color is orange so Ace's optic color is orange.