Tormented

Down for the Count

Sorry for the late update. Some personal stuff came up and it distracted me from writing for majority of the week and as such, for the reason of this short chapter (it's 5k words but I usually write close to 6-7k words...I like long chapters). Anyways, after hunting around SIVA fragments on Rise of Iron, I have a clear picture on SIVA's role in the sequel will be now :D. Although like before, the characters in this story won't be really interacting with the main story, more like on the sidelines.

Thanks for AAA (Didn't see your name in the review page the last time, Sorry!) and RainbowOverload for the review!

RainbowOverload - Oh thank you! Appreciate it! ^_^. It's fun seeing all of people's OCs to be honest lol. It's interesting to see the ideas and personalities around these characters and then incorporating into the story is fun as well! I just want to make sure that people know that I do read the reviews which is why I try and respond as best as I can (although there are times when I am clueless on what to say so I just leave it blank...I apologize ahead of time and beforehand.)

Edited: 11/7/2021

"Open up! You damn piece of shit!"

If anyone were to ask Carina of her opinion of Sun, the notorious clan Leader of Clan Galaxy and once proud member of the Sunbreakers, she would say only two words: complete psycho.

The way they fire their gun into a person without hesitation just pushes Carina's button the wrong way. It doesn't help that when Sun realized their mistake, they showed no sign of regret, no sign of remorse of their actions at all. This, to Carina, made them seem mentally unstable.

Although, it did little to prevent her from chuckling as Sun struggled to open a door, continuously pressing buttons on a nearby console only to curse as it denied them once more.

"Rasputin! I thought you said you remember the pass code for this area!"

Russian echoed throughout the corridor and Carina saw Sun looked up and gave the Warmind the blandest look that she had ever seen.

"You are shitting me. The Taken already corrupted this part of the area?"

That immediately wiped any amusement off of Carina's face, and now she couldn't help but worry, especially when Rasputin answered, and Sun let out a groan.

"Great, fucking great." The former Guardian muttered, "They may already be at the core even as we speak." Hearing them let out a rugged sigh, Sun glanced back and forth between the door and the ceiling, as if trying to stare right at Rasputin himself. It didn't take long before they turned and walked away from it, prompting Carina to raise a brow as they made their way towards her.

"Wait, we're leaving-ack!"

Carina floundered as she felt the collar of her armor grabbed from behind, stumbling backwards as Sun continued to walk with her in their grip. As she tried to let out a protest, Carina felt them pause, and then yelped as she was twisted around so that she faced the other end of the corridor, still in Sun's grasp.

"I will make it up to you later, Rasputin."

At first, confused by Sun's words, Carina then jumped when the familiar smoldering hammer snapped into their free hand. She only felt the heat momentarily before, from the corner of her vision, she watched as Sun cocked their arm back, and then tossed said hammer. There was a brief pause, the sound of flames flickering in the air, before finally, Carina heard the explosion. And not just heard but felt it; if she hadn't been in Sun's grip, she would have definitely fallen over.

Of course, Sun barely flinched, and only released their hold on Carina once smoke billowed into the corridor. As she steadied herself, Carina then turned to see that the door blocking their way was now nothing more than melted steel, the frame still red to signify the heat.

Russian once again rang through the corridor, but this time, Carina recognizes the upset, the annoyance in his tone.

There was a sigh from Sun, "I told you, I will make it up to you later." They then turned their optics towards her, "Come, we still have a lot of ground to cover."

"How much farther is it?" Carina decided to ask as she followed the older Exo, hefting her shotgun in her hands, "Last time we were here, we were able to get there in no time."

"That is because of Gaia." She furrowed her brows at their answer, "Rasputin made it so that his sensors can recognize their light, allowing them ease of access."

"And not you? Why? I thought you were Rasputin's caretaker?"

No sooner had the words left her lips when Sun came to an abrupt stop, Carina nearly barreling into them.

"What-"

"Who told you that?"

Carina pause, blinking, before narrowing her optics behind her visor, "Who do you think? The only other person left alive to know all about you."

"I refuse to believe that."

In response, Carina took a step back; something in the back of her mind flared warnings.

"Pluto trusted us enough not to spread that information outside of our Fireteam. If you are worried that word will get out, it won't."

"I trusted him not to tell anyone!"

The sudden outburst startled Carina to the point where she took a leap back and raised her shotgun. She glad she did when Sun turned around with Solar light burning bright in their optics and hands.

"When the others and I found this bunker, found Rasputin! They promised me that they would not speak a word of the truth! Of our past lives to 'anyone! Even the Clan!"

That is when Carina spotted the edges of flames change color, taking on a greenish tone; a chill ran up the length of her back.

"How dare he break my trust! When I get my hands on him! I-"

That is when Sun came to an abrupt stop, their optics wide as if surprised by their own words before suddenly they collapsed. Startled by this, Carina couldn't help but only watch as they gripped their hands over their head, their lights glowing bright against their plating. And then, they screamed.

Taking more steps back to place more distance, Carina couldn't help but go still as flames smothered over Sun's form, the once brilliant orange glow turning into a shade of sickly green.

She swallowed, "Sun?"

Instead of receiving an answer, the former Guardian slowly rose back onto their feet, stumbling and then shaking as if to shake off a presence around them. Then, they slowly turned their optics towards her. And all Carina saw within were a flaring corruption of anger.

{"Carina! Get away from Sun! Now!}

The warning from Spears was convincing enough for Carina to turn and start booking it down the other end of the corridor, only to come to a halt as an inferno exploded right in front of her. Gawking at the flames, Carina turned around, only to duck a swing of a hammer. Quickly deciding that running wasn't an answer, arc light crackled down the length of Carina's arms before she took one large bounding leap forward. Seeing Sun raise their arms, that is when Carina instead slid down onto her knees, quickly raised her shotgun and fired.

With her short stature and Sun caught off guard, Carina felt triumphant when she heard a cry, only for it to be quickly quashed as she saw a foot come her way. Tumbling across the floor, Carina blinked past the static gathering around her vision and only had enough time to take notice of the crack running down the front of her visor and her lack of a shotgun before a grip grabbed by the front of her armor.

The instant her violet optics locked onto the sickly green, Carina felt her shock, her fear, her adrenaline, be replaced with unrestrained fury.

Without thinking, Carina gathered as much arc light as she could in her fist, cocked it back, and swung it as hard as she could into Sun's face.

"Snap out of it, Psycho!"

This was enough for the grip on the front of her armor to vanish and as Carina stumbled onto her feet, she looked up in time to see Sun land sprawling onto the floor just a few feet away. Although hopeful, she knows that a punch like that wouldn't take out a former Guardian like Sun out easily. As such, she shook out her arms and legs, prepping herself as she watched Sun slowly stand back onto their feet.

That is when Carina decided to change tactics.

"Sometimes offense won't always help you," Akiva's voice rang in the back of her mind, "Sometimes defense might be the betters solution."

Carina squared out her shoulders, mentally following Akiva's directions.

"Take this stance and if you get it right, 'nothing' should be able to knock you down."

Shifting on the edges of her feet, Carina prayed that her posture was enough, especially when Sun dashed towards her.

"Then, once you perfect that, you should be able to summon a Ward of Dawn."

Gathering her light around her form, Carina gritted her jaw when she expected the hit, but damn, it still hurt, an explosion of flames flashing into her vision as her Void Barrier shuddered under the collision. Nonetheless, she dug her heels into the steel floor as Sun continued to push into her, doing their best to force her back. Carina smiled as she didn't budge.

"Wake up, Psycho."

Then without another word, she snapped her arms out, streaks of violet flashing around her fingertips before her Ward snapped around her. Just as she expected, being within her proximity, the Ward forced Sun back, sending them flying. She couldn't help but flinch when she saw them land at an awkward angle, even more so when she heard a sickening 'crack' as they landed. Nonetheless, she let out a breath as her Ward died just as she quickly summoned it, collapsing onto her knees.

{"Damn."} Carina heard Spears say, {"Close but not quite."}

"Shut up." She groaned, "At least I was able to summon it this time."

{"Yes, but you used too much light."} Carina grumbled at her Ghost's critique, {"Now look at you, you're exhausted already."}

Frowning behind her broken visor, Carina parted her mouth to retort, only to pause as she spotted movement. Dread settling into the pit of her stomach, she glanced over where she had last seen Sun. And then cursed when she saw the former Guardian slowly push themselves back onto their feet, the green glow still in their optics.

{"Oh, you have to be fucking kidding me."}

Sun, as if responding to Spear's words, rolled their neck, and Carina couldn't help but feel that they were insinuating that all the hits they took were nothing more than hindrance. Her core froze when they started casually walking towards her.

{"Get up! Get up."}

"You think I'm not trying!?" Carina couldn't help but snap, placing a hand onto the floor to leverage herself up. However, the instant she tries to put weight on her legs, they trembled, unable to garner the strength to support her weight. Cursing as she collapsed back onto the floor, Carina then gave a mental cry for Spears to hand her a weapon, holding up her hand to feel a familiar weight falling into her grip. Hefting her auto-rifle in her hand, Carina then aimed her weapon, and started putting pressure on the trigger.

That is when a song permeated through the room.

It was in Russian and judging from the droning voice, it was Rasputin, and Carina was immediately bewildered by this. Why a song? Don't they have other defenses other than this?

{"Wait."} Awe and confusion could be heard in Spears' voice, {"It's filled with light."}

"What?"

That is when she felt it, her light rejuvenating, her strength returning. Something told her to place some distance between her and Sun, Carina momentarily holstered her weapon and scrambled back, just as Sun was within an arm's length.

Then, just as she thought that it wouldn't matter, Sun seems to falter, the green in their optics flickering, their flames slowly dwindling around their shape. That is when Carina noticed they were swaying and noticed the green light fading. Sun groaned, shaking their head, and then, promptly collapsed.

They landed on their side with a heavy 'thunk', and Carina couldn't help but wince at the fall; she wouldn't be surprised if they broke something.

Nonetheless, she was relieved that that whatever had grasped Sun's will, it was gone for now. That doesn't mean she wasn't wary when she crawled over and a slowly placed a hand onto their shoulder.

"Sun?" She called out as she shook their shoulder, then paused to wait for a response.

She received none.

{"Well, they're out."}

Feeling Spears' weight leave the back of her mind, Carina glanced over in time to see her Ghost materialize into view, shifting his back fins, {"Although this means we have to wait until they wake up."}

Carina couldn't help but sputter, "Hold on! What makes you think that I am going to wait until Sun wakes up to continue to the core!?"

They were in a hurry; they do not have the time to sit around and wait. At least, to Carina they do not have the time. And not to mention that Sun had just tried to kill her just moments before, even if it was against their will.

{"Sun knows the way to the core."}

Oh, right. Carina pouted.

{"Unless there is a way for us to understand Rasputin, I highly doubt he will be able to lead us anytime soon either."}

As if to further extenuate the Ghost's point, Rasputin spoke, and the Russian rang incomprehensible in her sensors.

{"See."} Spears said, {"He spoke a full sentence and I did not understand a single word."}

"So what? We sit here and wait until Sun wakes up?" Carina wheeze out a frustrated breath at Spears' nod, "But what about the Taken? The core?"

Her Ghost went quiet at her words, turning his violet optic to the floor, as if to ponder.

{"We really don't have much of a choice but to wait."}

Opening and closing her mouth repeatedly, Carina found herself unable to form any words and instead, sighed, stood up, and glanced around the hall. Spotting fallen shotgun, Carina walked over to pick it up. Then, she walked over to Sun, and stood vigil.

Xxxxx

"This way." Gaia instructed as they took a sharp turn down a hall, the doors immediately allowing them entry, "Just a few more halls."

"A few more?" Aleeza wheezed out, "How do you manage to navigate here?"

"When you're here for 'decades', you just learn." Gaia answered as they shrugged, "Add in the factor that I have a great memory, it helps."

"And Rasputin just lets you wander?" Gaia sighed at Angel's question; they hope that they can clear the power core and get back to Sun, "all these years?"

"When it's only you, your Chosen, and a Warmind, you somehow form a bond." Gaia muttered out, "and a trust that you won't go around and destroy the inner workings of Rasputin's bunker."

"And that you're Sun's Ghost?"

"And that I am Sun's ghost." Gaia confirmed and then they paused, humming thoughtfully. As they debated to themself, they decided to give out a warning, "Be careful when you enter the power core. Rasputin may be letting the three of you in because Sun and I allow it. But, if you make even a gesture towards his core, he will 'kill' you."

There was a brief silence, then Gaia barely caught the Hunter's whisper, "Dear god."

Unable to help a snort at their comment, Gaia took another turn to open another door, only to come to a sudden halt as a familiar black and white glowing figure appeared in the doorway.

"Back up! Back up!"

Attempting to glide backwards, Gaia let out a squeal of fear as the Taken Psion turned its single glowing eye at them. And took aim with their weapon.

However, before the Taken could even fire, a white light flashed around Gaia, prompting them to blink several times. That is when they heard the familiar crackle of arc light and they couldn't help but jump when Angel's form ran past, grasping his arc blade as he started slashing into the growing group of Taken.

"Go! Go!"

Hearing Akiva shout, Gaia instead turned around, only to see another blur of arc light flicker in their vision and watched as the Titan slammed their fist into the ground. This sent waves of arc light flying past Gaia and into the Taken, killing off any stragglers that Angel had managed to miss.

"Come on."

Feeling a tap from behind, Gaia turned to spot the familiar flames of Solar Light, Aleeza walking past with wings of fire.

"Head onto the next room" she said, "We'll follow as we cover you."

Then without another word, the Warlock dashed into the room as well, sending waves of fire at any unfortunate Taken in her way.

Despite her words, Gaia hovered where they were, their yellow optic wide.

"W-why would…"

They were confused, sifting through their memory banks as they watched the three Guardians battle against the Taken. Except for the Clan Galaxy, much of their experiences with other Guardians, other 'organics' were of them forcing Sun to the front to take the brunt of the hits, others leaving Sun behind when swarmed by enemies, memories of being shot by fellow Guardians to ensure their own safety. Filled with selfishness and betrayal.

But right now, what they are witnessing now, they saw no signs of any of that. They shook their shell.

No, they won't fall for it. They are only protecting them because they are a 'Ghost', not out of any sense of selflessness. If Sun was here, there would be no doubt they will abandon them, no different from the others.

As such, they zoomed into the room, zig zagging across the Taken and leaping over any misfire of light as they made it down the corridor. Flying towards the door, it opened, just like the others, and allowing them entry. Flying into the room, Gaia turned in time to see the three Guardians running in; Akiva, being the Titan and Defender, was the last. The door shut behind them the instant his foot was out of the corridor.

"Whew! That was a great warm up!" Gaia couldn't help but give Akiva a blank stare as the latter rolled his shoulders, more than likely shaking off the adrenaline of the battle and the arc light that still flickered around his shoulders, "hadn't had that much fun with arc light in a while!" He turned and beamed at Aleeza, "Maybe we can fight tougher enemies later on!"

Gaia heard Aleeza laugh.

"I would actually prefer if we made it to the power core and secure the area than fight anymore Taken." She admitted before Gaia felt her eyes on them, "Speaking of, are we almost there?"

Glancing back down the corridor, Gaia checked their mental map, "One more room." They glided down the hall and towards the next door; it didn't open, at least, not immediately, "I just pray that the Taken haven't invaded in-"

A hand, one cold and malevolent reached out the instant Gaia the door opened, feeling their fingers grasp around their shell. They couldn't help a squeak as Gaia stared into the palm of swirling in their vision. Then they screamed as they felt crushing pressure around their shell.

"Gaia!"

No sooner had they heard their name being called out when they felt the pressure suddenly gone, prompting Gaia backwards into the safety of the corridor, trembling.

It was just a brief touch, just a few bare moments, but the still feel it; the corruption, the power of the Taken, lingering against their shell, a chill that put them on edge. And whatever that Taken had done, it had 'took' something, perhaps their light, their energy, as Gaia struggled to keep their vision straight. It also didn't help that their core ache; more likely some lingering cracks from the Taken's death grasp.

As Gaia tried to shake themselves to rid themselves of the lingering pain and to keep themself awake, they felt another hand wrap around their shell. Wanting to jerk away, Gaia found themself unable to find the strength but, it only took them a moment to realize that the hand was gentle, a mere graze against their shell, not like the Taken hand that had snatched them.

"Do not worry Gaia," It was Aleeza's voice, comforting, sincere, "We'll take it from here."

The distrust still lingered behind their core, but this didn't prevent Gaia from letting out a sigh of relief before falling into darkness.

Just to clear things up, yes, the Darkness in Sun is slowly taking over. Which is why Sun decided to make themselves use codes around Rasputin's bunker. It won't stop them completely once the corruption completely takes over but it's enough to slow them down enough for Rasputin to call for back up. Anyways, yes, Gaia is slowly warming up to the 'organics' of the team but still hold some doubts thanks to their past experiences with other Guardians when it comes to Sun. Although I do believe that Guardians are heavily tolerant of 'everything', I do believe that in the beginning there were some pretty strong prejudices since everyone is still getting use to each other. Which is why Sun have experience pretty some severe traumas before forming the Galaxy Clan to ensure that no one goes through the same thing that they had during their youth. Or at least give them protection, something that they didn't have in their younger years.

Also to clarify, both Sun and Gaia consider themselves gender neutral. Which is why I gave the two of them 'they' pronouns to show that they are part of the non-binary spectrum. Anyways, enjoy!