Tormented

An Intermission

Updated: 10/10/2021

Reading back on what was supposed to be the next chapter, I realized that there was a lot of gaps and time skips going on and as such, decided to sort of rectify it. So this one is more of a chapter to fill things in before the next one. Sorry if it's a bit shorter than the others.

"Another one?" Ianos asked in which Ace nodded, prompting the Warlock to frown but nonetheless stand up from his desk.

"How many is that now?" He asked as he headed towards the exit of his apartment, taking a step outside when the door opened.

"Without including Orion, makes eight." His Ghost answered, "She just arrived not too long ago. Tall but skittish."

Nodding his head as he listened to Ace's words, Ianos finally made it to his intended destination – Pluto's quarters – before reaching out and rapping the door with the back of his hand. It took only a moment for it to slide open and he was greeted with an Exo, his pink optics locking with Ianos' orange.

"Oh." Was all the Exo said before he took a step to the side, allowing Ianos in. From there, he walked past doors, smaller rooms which he knows have no use as of right now, not when Pluto have several newborns under his care. As such, he made it to the living room, where he first spotted the blankets and pillows that adorned the floors and couches, the disheveled look a sign that it has been in use for a while now. From there, he spotted the occupants, nine Exo, all of different coloring and ages. Including Pluto.

The Hunter was kneeling in front of another, a Titan judging from the armor and a newborn from the color. The only way Ianos could tell her color was that her helmet was absent, which revealed gray plating and her optics shined green. Just like Ace had described, she is tall, however, she had scrunched herself as much as she could, as if trying to make herself appear smaller.

In return, Pluto was whispering to her, a soft and gentle tone that Ianos knows that he is trying to help her feel comfortable. He had seen the Exo use it often back when the Tower was first established and when it became a beacon for freshly risen Guardians.

That is when Ianos heard footsteps approach from behind; he didn't have to look to know it was the Exo that had answered the door.

"Orion." Pluto called out and Ianos heard the steps pause, "Could you please head to the kitchen and get some water? I highly doubt that the scouts who found her gave her any sustenance."

Ianos scowled at the mention of the scout's negligence; the newborns maybe Guardians but resurrection isn't pleasant, and it takes 'weeks' sometimes 'months' to reach the Tower counting on where you were. It doesn't help that most newborns must trek on foot, since functioning airships are hard to come by, even more so depending on their location.

Nonetheless, when he saw from the corner of his eye Orion heading to the kitchen, he decided to let it slide. But he will have a talk with the Vanguard later.

"This is the eighth one in how many weeks?"

Ianos decided to make his presence known and judging from how Pluto jumped, the Hunter hadn't heard him come in. Not that Ianos could blame him, all his focus was on the newborn, the latter of which had also jumped and turned to look at him warily.

"Ianos." Pluto let out a breath of relief, and then turned his attention back towards the newborn, "It's okay, he's a friend."

Ianos watched as the newborn's optics glanced back at Pluto momentarily, as if doubting his words before turning her attention back onto him. He decided it was time to gain her trust.

Reaching into his pocket, Ianos watched as the other Exo present in the room perked up; they all know what he was doing. He had done the same with them when they first came to the Tower.

Pulling out a small plastic bag, Ianos popped it open, and he let the smell of the contents waft into the room. This immediately got the newborn's attention, her green optics immediately shifting to the bag, and he can see the hunger in her gaze. As such, he decided to pluck out three pieces – the same amount he would give to any newborn – and approached until he was able to hold them out to her at an arm's length.

She hesitated, glancing back and forth between the jerky and Ianos before finally, hunger gave in, and she carefully reached out. Her optics never left his face but the instant her fingers grazed his, she snatched the strips of dried meat from his hands and started tearing into one.

"They really need to organize something for newborns." Pluto sighed before he glanced up to see Orion enter, a glass in hand. He took the glass and nodded, "Thank you."

Orion nodded back before scurrying away to the others in the living area, gathering them up to start cleaning to start the day. While he was doing this, Pluto then tapped the newborn on the shoulder, pausing her long enough to hand her the water. Like with the jerky, she eyed Pluto and the cup before slowly reaching out for it. This time, she took it delicately, to make sure that she did not spill a drop before downing the contents in one go. Pluto took the now empty cup back to allow her to devour the dried strips of meat.

"They don't even have the decency to give them water first." Ianos scoffed as he watched the newborn finish off the last piece and started licking the crumbs off her fingers, "not even a ration bar before they hand over a gun."

"We may not need sleep or food as often as non-Guardians, but we need it nonetheless." Pluto muttered before the Hunter reached out to the newborn; Ianos noticed that she was now nodding off. He couldn't help but furrow his brows. A meager meal and water yet, she considers it enough for sleep. How long had she been alone in the Wilds for?

"Want me to contact the Reef to check if anymore had been found?" Ianos offered and he listened to Pluto hum thoughtfully.

Orion hadn't been the only Exo that had been resurrected in what they decided to call 'Awoken Space'. They only had been at the Tower for a month with six newborns altogether that had the same condition as Orion when they got a call; one had been found in Awoken territory. Another nameless Exo. That's how Io came into Pluto's growing family.

So far, it has been another month since a call, but Ianos can't trust the Reef that they would. After all, despite the Treaty, Guardians still aren't well liked there and the only reason that Io was able to make it back because Ianos pulled some strings. Luckily, it seems, Mara seems to like him.

"If it was before the Treaty, I would have said yes." Pluto finally answered, "But considering that any harm to a Guardian on their turf could be considered an 'attack', I highly doubt that they would let the newborn be."

Pondering upon the truths in Pluto's words, Ianos then watched as the newborn finally gave into sleep and she leaned her head back and then, leaned onto her shoulder. This prompted Pluto to grab one of the blankets that have yet to be grabbed and then threw it over her form, tucking the corners behind her back.

"Need help with the others?" Ianos asked in which, Pluto shook his head once again but then paused.

"I was planning on teaching them the basics today." The Hunter said, "could you help? They need to get used to the presence of others besides me and themselves."

Slowly realizing that the newborns have pretty much isolating themselves in Pluto's apartment, Ianos nodded before shifting his eyes towards said newborns. They all have paused in their work and now was looking at him, wary but curious.

Ianos should probably head back to his quarters to grab some snacks. Perhaps some incentive to help them memorize the basics.

He felt a tap from the back of his head, and heard a huff from Ace.

"You are spoiling them." The Ghost said however, there was no annoyance, only a tease and Ianos couldn't help a smile.

Xxxxx

"Oh, stop it." Neve smacked Akiva's hand away, causing the Titan to pout, "I maybe on leave but I can still cook."

"But you need rest." Akiva pouted, watching as Neve flipped the fish in the pan, "you shouldn't be overexerting yourself."

"Akiva." Neve started, "I have been on leave for a month now and shall be the next few months." She used a spatula to scoop a fish out and put it on a plate; she repeated it for the next one, "In other words, no Crucible, no Trials, and no Iron Banner. The least 'you' can do is let me cook."

Once again, Akiva pouted but see reason in his partner's words and as such, backed off, allowing her space to finish up cooking; her fireteam was coming back from a Crucible match soon and now she is making it a habit to make sure they have a meal to come back to.

"Should we have the nursery here?" He decided to ask, swiping a roll from the counter; he smiled as Neve missed smacking his hand away by centimeters. She huffed.

"It would be nice, since Jordan and the others would be around to help." Neve said as Akiva bit into the roll; soft and buttery, just how he and Neve's Fireteam likes it, "not to mention more space."

Pondering on her words, Akiva couldn't help but agree; despite his years, he had always lived alone and as such, didn't see a reason to expand, even with Maylea. On the other hand, Neve and her Fireteam live together and as such have the extra space, even with the six of them. They even have spare rooms as of now.

"How about you move in?"

That is when Akiva snapped out of his thoughts, turning towards Neve.

"What?" He asked.

"Move in, with my team and I." Neve repeated as she carried plates over to the table; Akiva moved and picked the other plates up to help, "that way you will always be around when the baby is born."

As he helped set the table, again Akiva wondered.

Not once had he considered sharing a space with Neve although, he had considered it a few times. Honestly, he had brushed it off, because he already thought that his presence was already intrusive enough. Then again, none of Neve's Fireteam members had any complaints and they were quite welcoming when he arrives. Even Leo, the grumpy Titan, seems to be okay with him.

"Do you have the space?" Akiva decided to settle on, although, he already knew the answer.

Neve, in response, let out a snort, "You have been around our apartment. There is plenty to go around."

Akiva hummed in agreement, "I have to ask though, why so many rooms?"

"Oh, we have originally planned to have more rooms than bedrooms and a living space." Neve looked up and smiled sheepishly at him, "a gym, a collections room, even a gaming room."

Akiva raised a brow, "A gaming room?"

"We were bored." Neve retorted as she returned to the counter and pulled open a drawer, sifting through it for the silverware, "this was the time before we discovered our knack in the Crucible."

Understanding what she was insinuating, Akiva decided to say nothing and instead, walked over to the counter to bring the main dishes over.

"Yes."

Now it was Neve's turn to give him a puzzled look.

"What?"

Akiva flashed her a smile, "Yes, I will move in."

There was a brief silence, Akiva watching as her blue eyes grew wide. Then, the next thing Akiva knew, he felt himself being body slammed, hearing the sound of plates and silverware crashing to the floor as he was sent sprawling.

"Neve?" He called out as he found her arms wrapped around his shoulders and her body weight pinning him down, "Neve what-"

"I didn't think you would accept." Akiva found himself pausing at her words, "I thought you were going to say no."

Blinking at her words, Akiva then let out a breath as he wrapped his arms around her, patting her back.

"You're my partner and carrying my baby." He said, "What makes you think I was going to say no?"

Instead of receiving an immediate answer, Akiva felt her grip tighten, her head burying into his chest. Smiling, Akiva held her close, closing his eyes and let out a sigh of content.

That is when he heard the door swing open.

"Uhm." Akiva heard Jordan speak, "Are we interrupting?"

Xxxxx

Aleeza had tried not to feel envy, had tried not to feel ill-will towards her twin. But how could she not, when he has something that she had coveted for years, centuries, even back before her first death, back when she wasn't a Guardian.

She had thought that being happy for him would smother the growing hate in her chest, the green monster that threatens to grow every time she would look at Akiva, happy with his pregnant partner. But it just made it worse.

"Aleeza?" She jumped, turning from the rails to see Carina, the Titan giving her a look of concern; judging from the scorches and dents on her armor, she just got back from the Crucible, "Are you okay? I called you several times."

Aleeza blinked, thinking back; she had heard 'someone' calling out, but she had opted to ignore it. She hadn't realized it was Carina.

"Just tired." Aleeza answered and she could see the look of doubt in Carina's optics, "and disappointed."

"Disappointed?" Carina repeated as she approached, coming to a pause and leaning her back against the railing, "Disappointed about what?"

"The Claws of Ahamkara." Aleeza clarified and a look of understand glazed over her lover's face, "Wanted to look more into how the bones of the wish-granters work but they're hard to come by."

"And Ianos has a set, right? Gloves if I can remember?" Carina asked and Aleeza nodded, "I'm going to take a guess that when you asked, he said no?"

Didn't just say no but gave a full explanation as to why he won't let her borrow them, Aleeza wanted to say, but, knowing Carina, she might try to get revenge on the Warlock. With pranks obviously.

"What do you expect?" Aleeza said instead as she sighed and leaned against the railing of the Plaza as well, "I even asked Pluto and he claims to not have any bones."

"I call bullshit." She smiled at her girlfriend's words, "Pluto and Ianos have been resurrected around the same time. There's no way he doesn't have any of those Ahamkara bones on him."

"My thoughts exactly." Aleeza agreed, "but you know Pluto. He's just as stubborn, even more so than Ianos."

"Where else would Ianos get his stubborn ass from?" Aleeza snorted at Carina's statement, "Pluto practically mentored and raised him, right?"

"From what I heard." Aleeza admitted and she was telling the truth.

She may have been resurrected before Akiva but she had only heard about the two in passing. Or more like how the pair worked with the then infamous Galaxy Clan. She hadn't even uttered more than two words in their direction before.

"Well, they're assholes for not letting you borrow those bones." Carina stated, "they're just bones, right?"

That's what I heard." Aleeza once again said, "but I heard that even though they're just bones, they're somewhat still alive."

This earned her a look, a blink from Carina, a brief moment of silence before Aleeza heard her say, "Creepy."

She laughed, "I guess to those who aren't Warlocks, yes, but to us, it is intriguing. Like how are they still alive? Are they just remnants of memory? Or a soul stuck in the bones?"

"You mean something that needs to be burned and laid to rest."

Smiling again at her lover's words, Aleeza pushed herself off the railing, "May I ask if your Crucible match was a win or a loss?"

Carina's optics beamed at her, "A win, close margin though." She too pushed herself off the railing and Aleeza watched as she leaned in, her optics glowing, "Why? Going to give me a reward?"

Aleeza's grin broaden, "You won, you earned it."

The look on Carina's face deepens and the next thing Aleeza, knew, her lover grabbed her, lifting her off of her feet, and, despite her short stature, threw her over her shoulder. Noticing the knowing looks sent their way, all Aleeza did was laugh.

Xxxxx

"I think you should move over here, Pure One."

Although wanting nothing more to help, Angel found himself following Ixrsis and moving out of sight; out of sight of a hut where a snarling Eliksni can be seen, being grappled by others.

"I am going to take a guess and say that one came from the Prison." Angel said and he heard Ixrsis rumble sheepishly.

"They have assimilated into the House, yes." She said, "but many still cannot comprehend that we are allies with Guardians, no."

Angel sighed at this, pinching the bridge of his nose. He had thought visiting everyday the past couple of months would get the new pack members used to his presence. It was going to be more difficult than he anticipated, especially with the survivors from the Prison of Elders.

"We need to them to get used to the idea." Angel said, "otherwise they are going to cause problems in the future."

"That is why you are here." Ixrsis said, "once they get used to you, perhaps they will be more open to other Guardians." She hummed softly, "We just need patience.

A lot of it, Angel wants to add but decided to bite his tongue. Ixrsis already has a lot on her plate, no need to aggravate her even further. Instead, he opted to nod his head. And then duck when he heard the familiar buzz of a cloaked Vandal leap towards him.

His guard up, Angel went and pulled his knife out of its sheathe, only to pause and then smile when he heard cursing. He watched as a Vandal materialized into view, brushing off any dust from his collision with the ground.

"I thought I had you." The Eliksni grumbled, giving him what Angel recognizes as an Eliksni equivalent of a pout.

"You almost did," Angel pointed out, "but your cloaking gave you away, Sirahks."

There was a huff from the Vandal and then they turned their eyes towards Ixrsis, "Do you have any tips to sneak up on, Pure One?"

Ixrsis, in response, flashed him a smile, her mandibles clicking, "Now that would be telling."

Another huff from Sirahks but nonetheless the Eliksni turned towards Angel, "I will get you, one day."

Simply grinning at the Vandal's vow, Angel mentally ticked another mark of Sirahks failed attempts to tackle him. A game they have been playing since the creation of House of Spirits, which started out as a jealous tactic of being Ixrsis' 'favorite' and then quickly turned into how they greeted each other. Sirahks has yet to be successful.

Not for the lack of trying, Angel remembers the first few weeks, when Sirahks would literately hurt himself after every attempt, colliding into walls or any obstacle, usually leaving him bruised, and on occasion, some minor fractures. It was only after Ixrsis revealed that she and Angel only see each other as friends, not mates, that his tackles turned playful. And Angel prays it stays that way; he prefers to stay in all Eliksni's good graces. With the exception of the House of Winter. He will visit them soon. Harshly.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Angel then noticed that Ixrsis and Sirahks had struck up a conversation and he took note of small gestures; a touch from Sirahks to her arm, the way their eyes glowed, Ixrsis hunching down to get herself equivalent height to the Vandal, and the way their mandibles chittered.

"You know." Angel started, prompting the two Eliksni's eyes to turn towards him, "you still need an Archon, to help you protect and maintain the House. Have you thought about it?"

A look flashed over Ixrsis eyes and Angel heard her rumble thoughtfully. In turn, Sirahks' form went still, four eyes wide as he looked at her.

"Not quite." She answered, but then turned her eyes towards Sirahks, her gaze going soft, "But, I have an idea who will take the position, yes."

That is when Angel heard Sirahks wheeze, then coughing when Ixrsis turned and started walking away; more than likely back to her hut.

"Pure One." Sirahks hissed.

Angel smiled before reaching out and patting the Eliksni on the shoulder.

"You have this." Was all he said before turning and following after Ixrsis.

Xxxxx

He had been called to the Hall.

And Ianos couldn't help but be annoyed.

He had been helping Pluto teach the newborns the basics, just as he agreed to, when the voice of Ikora rang through the intercoms, calling for his presence. And right when he was teaching the Warlocks of the group basic control.

As such, he couldn't help but give the Vanguard a sour look when he entered, crossing his arms as he made it to their table.

"You called?" He asked and he ignored the puzzled looks they sent his way.

Much to a mix of his relief and chagrin, they decided not to comment and instead, Zavala spoke.

"You have heard about Dreadnaught?"

Ianos found himself going still at his words, gripping his arms tightly. Of course, who hadn't heard of the Dreadnaught? A massive ship that had been spotted slowly making its way through the Galaxy, carrying the one they call the Taken King. And his Hive horde.

Taking in a deep breath, Ianos gave the blandest response he could must, "Who hasn't?"

This must have failed to hide the waver in his voice, for he spotted Ikora give him a concerned look. But like before, she didn't say anything. Instead, she said, "The Reef decided to engage it, hoping to stop it in his tracks."

Ianos felt his heart skip a beat, "Something went wrong."

It wasn't a question and in truth, Ianos had an uneasy feeling recently. Something wasn't right and the mere mention of the Awoken's engagement with the Dreadnaught was enough to instill it.

In turn, Ikora nodded, and then hesitated, turning her eyes towards Cayde. The Hunter sighed but nonetheless looked Ianos in the eyes.

"Their Queen and Prince had been a part of the engaging party." He said, "and now, they're missing."