Tormented

Time for Mourning

I. Did not. Expect this Chapter. To be this long. Honest! I was like 'Oh, this chapter should be enough to clear everything up'. I should have split it up into two chapters... Anyways, that's in the past now so here's a heads up.

THIS IS A LONG CHAPTER. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

Also an announcement. I am moving updates from Mondays to Wednesdays. The reason? My boss changed up my work schedule where I am working on the weekends (which is when I do most of my writing) but have two weekdays off. As such, this gave me little time to write on the weekends and the short deadline on the weekends didn't really help much. So I'm moving it on Wednesday to help myself a bit.

Anyways, thanks to The Ashen Titan, lazypersons, zantilis, Fin the Demi god, and TheSilverElite for your reviews! Appreciate it!

Edited: 12/26/2021

Was editing this chapter and discovered it was a whopping 11k words and 31 pages. So I decided to split it considering that the POV jumps everywhere. This here's part one. Part 2 will be next week.

Falling into a heap, Aleeza couldn't help but let out a breath of relief and would have collapsed onto her back if it wasn't for Marcel and Duke's presence.

She had thought it over the Taken ceased and retreated, prompting Aleeza to feel hopeful that they had forced them back. Only for it to be quickly crushed when the Taken Lieutenant appeared. Its presence alone was telling that even with the three of them, it was going to be a tough opponent and Aleeza even thought that Rasputin's bunker was going to be their burial place. But then, a light, so bright that it blinded her, flew throughout the bunker and all she had to hear were the Taken's screams to know what it had done. When she opened her eyes, the Taken and the Lieutenant were gone. And she knew that it was finally over.

A cough interrupted her thoughts, prompting her to turn her attention towards Marcel and Duke. She couldn't help but groan when she saw the Titan cross his arms.

"You want an explanation, 'now'?"

"Yes." Aleeza sighed at Duke's answer, "We may be free of Taken now, but who knows for how much longer? They might attack any moment and as such, I would like your explanation. Now."

Grumbling under her breath, Aleeza pondered if she just ignore the Titan; she didn't promise 'when' she will give them answers after all. She quickly changed her mind when she heard the click of a shotgun being loaded.

"Alright, Traveler, calm down." She sighed, "What do you want to know?"

"The beginning. How is Sun-7 still alive and what are you and your team doing here?"

Aleeza couldn't help but close her eyes and drawing in a breath; honestly she wasn't the right person to ask, but, then again, the less information these two get, the better.

"As you know, Sun took refuge here after they and several others of their Clan found Rasputin." She started, "After discovering the Warmind, they decided to stay."

"Why?"

Aleeza shrugged, "I don't know."

"If you're lying to us…"

"I am not." It was the truth. Perhaps it was good that they were questioning her and not one of the others, "For all I know, they wanted to stay because they were curious about Rasputin."

"Then why falsify their death?"

Aleeza scoffed, "I don't know. Maybe so that brown-nosing Guardians won't stick their heads in unwelcomed?"

Not the best thing to say, considering that even with his helmet on, Aleeza could feel the glare that Duke gave her behind his helmet. Nonetheless, she couldn't care any less, especially when she heard a groan and a shift of movement behind her.

"Aleeza?"

Jumping to her feet, Aleeza cared little if she stumbled and then fell onto her knees, half-dragging and half-crawling to her twin as he pushed himself onto fours.

"What happened?"

"You clonked out you idiot." Aleeza placed a hand onto his shoulder, watching as her twin blinked; despite his already pale complexion, he still looks drained of color, "I told you fighting while keeping your Ward of Dawn up was a dumb idea."

"But it kept the Core safe, right?" Aleeza groaned at her brother's words, "Not a scratch."

"That is because these two came in and helped us." She nodded her head towards Duke and Marcel, "Otherwise, I don't think the two of us would be talking like this."

There was a soft hum from her twin before Aleeza saw his eyes shift over her shoulder, "Thank you for the help." He then attempted to stand, only for Aleeza to swoop in when he collapsed back onto the floor. Akiva groaned, but nonetheless, said, "I am going to guess that the two of you cleared the Taken?"

Aleeza glanced at the Titan and the Hunter, "Actually…"

"Sun was the one who cleared them out."

Recognizing the voice, Aleeza ignored her brother's grunt when she released her grip from his, and practically collided into Carina as she wrapped her arms around her lover. She felt her return her embrace.

"You're alive." Aleeza breathed out as she unwound her arms from Carina's shoulders, brushing a hand against her lover's cheek. Her eyes scanned behind her, "Where's Angel?"

"Right here." She jumped when the Hunter walked into view, practically appearing from the shadows; Hunters and their light steps, "Were you that worried?"

Aleeza made a sound of offense, "You and Carina went into enemy territory, enemies that we have never faced before, and you think that I wouldn't worry?"

This prompted a sheepish smile from Angel. Then, Aleeza saw him shift his attention over her shoulders, "Who are they?"

"Help." Aleeza answered as she turned to face Duke and Marcel, only to pause as she saw their grip were tight around their weapons, shoulders taught, and form rigid. She didn't have to ask why they were on guard.

Placing herself between them and the others, Aleeza answered, "Angel, Carina, this is Marcel and Duke. Duke, Marcel. Carina, Angel." She gestured with her hands to the proper individuals as she spoke, keeping her eyes focused solely on Marcel and Duke.

There was a moment of silence, a tension that was only broken when Marcel lowered his weapon, took a few steps forward, and then held out a hand to his fellow Hunter.

"Nice to meet you, Angel."

Taking a step back to allow the pair space – and the space to move if need be – Aleeza let out a breath of relief when Angel, although tense, slowly and carefully wrapped a hand around Marcel's before the pair gave each other a firm handshake; a good sign between Hunters, especially when they relented each other's grasp. However, the ones she worries for are Duke and Carina, as the pair did the same, except, it wasn't a challenge of deftness, see if the other has a trick up their sleeve. Instead, Aleeza saw the way their hands went taught around each other's, seeing the armor around their hands bend from the other's grip. Fortunately, the strength seems to be enough, as they eventually let go and nodded at each other; for a Titan, a sign they acknowledge their strength.

"Right." Aleeza shoulder's slumped as she heard Akiva laugh nervously behind her; she wouldn't be surprised if he had felt the tension as well, "Where's Sun? Should they not be with you?"

From the corner of her eyes, she spotted both Marcel and Duke go tense, on edge at the mention of the Exo's name; Aleeza secretly hopes that Sun would scare them off, just like they did with previous 'intruders'. However, to her surprise, she saw Angel turn his eyes away and Carina too went taught.

"What?" Aleeza asked, shifting her attention back and forth between Angel and Carina, "What is the…?"

Her voice faded when she saw Angel reach and hook a finger into his hood and pulled it back. There, she saw a familiar gold and crimson shell shifting in the crook of his neck. And from her position, she can see the once yellow optic, now a color of white. That could only mean one thing.

"Sun connected to Rasputin and used their light to clear the bunker." It was Carina who started to explain, just as Aleeza saw Angel pull his hood back over Gaia; her shock gave way just enough to hear the quiet sobs of the Ghost, "But in doing this this led to their…" Carina took in a breath, "Gaia told us that Rasputin will take care of their body. He said he will give them a proper burial."

"Why not a vigil back at the Tower?"

Scowling at the insensitivity behind Marcel's question, Aleeza would have turned and gave the Hunter a good slap to the face, if it wasn't for Gaia's voice ringing out, "That is not for you to decide!"

As if to react to Gaia's words, Aleeza then heard Rasputin's voice ring throughout the corridor; it sounded defensive, angry, and Aleeza saw the blue lights around them turn red.

"I think we should leave." She advised, "Rasputin won't kill us if we try to leave, will he?"

"Only if you try not to take anything…"

"Right. Someone help me so we can get out of here?"

Aleeza was the one who came to her twin's help, taking quick strides to Akiva before leaning over, wrapping his arm around her shoulders, before heaving him onto his legs and wrapping one of her arms around his waist to help him lean against her. Then, she turned to Duke and gave him a blank look.

"Help me so we can leave."

There was a huff from Duke, but, nonetheless, he walked over and took Akiva's other side.

"Aleeza?" She turned her eyes towards Angel, the latter of which wrung his hands together, "If you do not mind, I would like to visit the House of Spirits." Aleeza blinked; she him getting flustered, "I-It's been a rough day."

"Ah, of course." Aleeza nodded in understanding, "They are your pack after all. Take as much as time as you need."

"Oh no he's not." She turned and glowered at Duke, "After hiding all this? We are not letting any of your out of our sights-"

"I think the Vanguard can handle 'one' of us being absent." Aleeza snapped, "Not to mention that Angel has every right to visit the House of Spirits. He is the one who maintains the treaty between the Tower and the House after all."

There a tension, a glare from Duke before Aleeza heard him grumble under his breath. Nonetheless, he said nothing else, allowing her to turn her attention back towards Angel and flash him a soft smile, "We will meet you back at the Tower?"

"In a few days."

Nodding to signal her confirmation, Aleeza then shifted her brother's weight and took a step forward, signaling to Duke to do the same. As they slowly made their way out of the Bunker, Aleeza couldn't help but feel nervous; she is not excited to speak to the Vanguard when they return. And she hopes that the Consensus stays out of it.

Xxxxx

"Orion! Slow down!"

Ignoring the calls of his Ghost, Orion continued to dash through the halls of the Tower, shoving any Guardians that got in his way; he can hear Trikxas struggling to keep pace behind him.

He had just received news that Pluto had returned to the Tower injured and Orion couldn't' help but jump up and make his way to the Medical Wing. That is, of course, after he had told the rest of the Clan to stay; he doubts Matt would appreciate a bunch of young Exo barging into his Wing and making a commotion. The only one who is accompanying him is Olkar, the latter of who followed him with ease.

Entering the Medical Wing, Orion brushed past personnel, ignoring their cries of surprise or outrage as he made his way through. That is when he spotted the door he was looking for and barged in.

"Pluto!"

Orion felt all the eyes inside turn towards him, either filled with shock or annoyance. However, he cared little and instead, his optics settled upon the one laid out in a bed, the latter angled to allow the occupant to sit upright, and for his Ghost to have better access to heal.

"Orion? What are you doing here?" He heard Pluto grunt as the latter attempted to sit up, but winced, "and where are the others?"

Finding himself locking onto Pluto's optics, Orion paused as his pink settled upon red; he had heard rumors that Pluto's optics functioned properly but, this was the first time he was seeing it for himself. He found himself hypnotized by the vibrant color.

"Newborn, if you aren't going to answer, then leave."

Shaking himself out of his trance, Orion then realized two others in the room, one of them being Matt, the Medic always seemingly the one who handles their care, and the other, a Warlock that he had never seen before. And the one who had spoken.

Taking in her words, Orion scowled at her and would have proceeded to give her a retort when he heard Pluto speak, "Orion, are the others safe?"

Shifting his attention back towards Pluto, Orion then saw the concern, the worry, and he wouldn't help but let out a breath, "Yes, they're safe."

The relief he saw in Pluto made his own worry ease, and Orion promptly took a step into the room; he sensed the Warlock glare at him for this.

"What happened?'

"Long story." Pluto sighed however Orion noticed the way he glanced at the Warlock; it took him only a moment to understand why. Vanguard business. In other words, he was caught doing something that they weren't too pleased about, something that he recalls Pluto saying repeatedly to be careful of if they were going to do something that was against Tower regulations. Now he could see why.

Or, judging from the scowl that the Warlock gave Pluto, he is trying to avoid giving details as much as possible.

And it may have to do with the clan.

Orion couldn't help but flinch as the words lingered in his mind, doubt slithering to the front as he remembered Matt's words. It would make sense, wouldn't it? Why Pluto would be so secretive if the Darkness was involved? Why else he would try to hide information from the Vanguard? It was something that would get him in trouble.

"Orion."

Jolted out of his thoughts, Orion lifted his optics back onto Pluto, only to see the Exo's brows furrowed, his optics reading him easily.

"Is there something you want to ask me?"

"N-No." Orion blurted, but then paused, eyeing the other occupants in the room, "N-Not really but…"

He couldn't finish his sentence, not when there are other ears in the room. Ears that Orion knows shouldn't be privy to what he wants to ask.

"…Andrea, Matt. Could you please leave the room so Orion and I could speak privately?"

Orion snapped his optics towards Pluto. And he wasn't the only one.

"What?!" The Warlock, Andrea, cried out, disbelief in her eyes, "No! We are in the middle of-"

"I will fill in the rest of the information to the Vanguard when I get the chance." Orion saw Andrea's eyes darken at Pluto's words, "I say it is best they hear it from me and not secondhand from a report."

"Now why should I-"

A low rumble, a growl permeated throughout the room and Orion turned to see Olkar standing in the doorway, his four eyes glowing brightly even with the bright lights; he had momentarily forgotten the Eliksni had followed him here.

"Private chatter. Give them time. Or I will."

His words were short, choppy, but it got the message through, as Andrea glared at Olkar but nonetheless, started to make her way out of the room. Matt, after a single nod to Orion, followed her out. Finally, Olkar shifted his eyes over Orion's shoulder, speaking in his native tongue before finally leaving, closing the door behind him.

"What did he say?" Orion blurted before shifting his attention over his shoulder, locking his optics with his Ghost's. All he received was a Ghost equivalent of a smile.

"What did I say before?" Orion huffed at Trikxas' words, "Learn the Eliksni tongue if you want to know what Olkar and I are saying."

Grumbling under his breath, Orion then turned alert when a cough caught his attention, fixing his gaze back over Pluto.

"Your question?" Orion opened his mouth, "And don't you dare say you do not have one. You are easy to read."

Snapping his mouth shut, Orion couldn't help but fidget, shifting back and forth on his feet as he scrunched his shoulders together. Then, he glanced over to Trikxas, only to receive a shrug from his Ghost.

"Is this about the rumors?"

That caused Orion to go rigid, optics wide, "You knew?"

Pluto smiled sheepishly at him, "I didn't have use of my optics for years, Orion. The rest of my senses are attuned well to my surroundings, better than most. I could hear their whispers despite their best attempts."

"So, you know the rumor where they say that you, did a deal, with the Darkness, to bring the others and I back…?"

There was a sound of a breath, a sigh, prompting Orion to shift nervously once more as Pluto's optics flickered; to Orion, it is unsettling to see Pluto's glowing red gaze. He cannot help feeling like as though they could see right through him, reading his mind like an open book.

"Of all the rumors you have to hear, it had to be the one that is the most ridiculous of them all."

Orion paused, and blinked, "What?"

Pluto opened his optics and fixed his gaze back onto Orion, "Do you honestly believe that I made a deal with the Darkness? The being that took most of my family away from me? The 'thing' that took away my soulmate?" Orion saw Pluto's optics flare before he closed them and took in a breath. When he opened them again, they were back to a proper illumination, "I would 'never' make a deal with that 'thing', the 'monster' that took everything away from me."

The hate, the disgust, Orion could easily hear 'and' feel them in his words, and he felt the doubt dissipate from the back of his mind, "It is not true then? You making a deal with the Darkness?"

"What do you think?" Pluto raised a brow at him, "Of course not, why would you…" His voice faded, the red light in his optics going dim, "You have doubts?"

Shame immediately surfaced and Orion lowered his gaze, wringing his hands together as he muttered, "It's just, when I heard about the lack of new members and then suddenly having an influx, you have to admit, it did sound suspicious." He forced himself to look into Pluto's optics, "I'm sorry."

Orion expected Pluto be upset, or worse, disappointed, however, instead, he was surprised to see the older Exo flash him a small smile.

"Nothing to apologize for, it does sound suspicious, as you say." Pluto said, "Do the others know?" Not knowing what else to say, Orion nodded, "How are they faring?"

"Better than me, they recover quickly."

Pluto nodded at this then paused when Nix's light faded, and Orion watched as the Hunter raised his right hand flexed his fingers, as if to admire it before settling it into his lap.

"Do I always have to be around to ensure that you all stay out of trouble?"

Taken aback by the older Exo's words, Orion stared, "What?"

"Trouble." Pluto repeated, as if it was going to help, "Especially from other Guardians?"

That is when Orion finally understood and, despite himself, pouted, "No." He crossed his arms, optics towards the floor, "But, it would be nice if you could 'always' be there. I maybe the oldest, but I can't do much when you aren't around."

"Is that what you want?"

Orion didn't answer and instead, kept his gaze on the floor, gritting his jaw. He wants to say yes but…

"Well, then I will devote all my attention to the Clan then."

He snapped his optics back to Pluto, "What do you mean?"

"It means, I am leaving Fireteam Redacted."

"What?" Orion sputtered, "But the others…"

"All of you need guidance, something that I cannot completely give unless I leave my team." Pluto gave him another smile, "they others will understand."

Hearing the sincerity in his words, Orion found himself believing them and as such, returned Pluto's smile with one of his own and nodded.

"Pluto." Nix's call prompted Orion to shift his focus on to the Ghost, "There's an incoming frequency From Aleeza."

Hearing this, Orion furrowed his brows but then shook his head. It is not uncommon for Guardians to return to the Tower only to hear those amongst their camaraderie to be out on missions of their own. She and the others must have finally decided to pick out a mission after 'months' of being inactive.

And for Pluto, it must have been a relief, judging from the way his gaze softened.

"Aleeza? Then they are alright?" Or perhaps they were the reason why he had needed to head to the Cosmosdrome, "Let it through."

That is when Nix bobbed then, shift their parts apart followed by white noise, then a click.

"Pluto? Pluto you there?"

"Loud and clear." Pluto confirmed.

"What happened? Did you not get Akiva's message earlier?"

"I did." Orion blinked when Pluto smiled sheepishly, "Just ran into trouble with the Taken when I got there."

Orion flinched at the name; he maybe young but even he heard about the threat of the Taken. And how dangerous they could be.

"You're hurt?!"

"I am alive, and my injuries have been treated." Pluto said, "Nothing serious."

There was a breath of relief through Nix's frequency, "Good, we have lost enough to get this mission through."

Now it was then Pluto must have caught something, something that wasn't quite right for Orion then saw the smile on his face vanish, only to be replaced with suspicion and worry.

"Did something happen, Aleeza?" He asked, and Orion looked at Nix, waiting for an answer.

None came through.

"Aleeza." Pluto said again, anxiously, "What happened?"

There is another brief silence but, this time, Aleeza finally spoke, "I'm sorry, Pluto." It was hardly a whisper, "We were able to protect Rasputin." Orion jumped at the Wardmind's name, "But Sun… we're so sorry."

Hearing the former Clan Leader's name, Orion would have been more confused, bewildered, and probably would have questioned Pluto, if he hadn't heard the way Pluto took in a sharp inhale, and noticed the way his hands curled into fists.

"What about Sun?" Pluto asked, "What about them?"

If Orion wasn't mistaken, it had sounded like something had happened to the former Clan Leader, but, that wasn't possible. According to Orion's knowledge, they had passed along time ago, and is considered a legend amongst the Titans and Sunbreakers. Were they still alive?

According to Aleeza's words, they were. But.

"Sun, they're gone. They're gone, Pluto."

Orion may be young, but he couldn't help but worry when Pluto's optics grew wide, his mouth opening and shutting but no words formed. Finally, as he trembled, Pluto turned towards him and heaved out, "Orion, go back to the others. Tell that I am okay."

"But-"

"Now!"

Jumping at the sudden raise in volume, Orion fumbled for the door, stepping out just as he heard a sob broke out behind him. Shutting the door, Orion came to a halt, his optics wide as he kept them to the floor.

Never had Pluto raised his voice at him or the others but again, if he and Aleeza were talking about the same Sun, the former Leader of Galaxy that Pluto practically sang praises for, then Orion couldn't blame him. They had sounded close, judging from his stories.

"What's going on?"

Lifting his optics, his gaze settled over Andrea and, unable to help himself, he made a face as she approached.

"I asked what is going on?"

"Nothing," He answered, "Nothing that involves you anyway."

The look of offense that passed over her face was satisfying, "Pardon?"

"Andrea," Much to Orion's relief, Matt stepped in, "I say it is best that you leave and give your report to the Vanguard."

"But-"

"Andrea." Matt said again and Orion spotted the way she went stiff at his call and hesitated; she must have finally remembered that you do not mess with anyone he considers his patients. Or cause trouble in his wing. "He himself shall give the rest of the report later when he is fully recovered. I will ensure that it happens."

Doubt flashed over Andrea's eyes but nonetheless, she nodded and walked, allowing Orion space. Letting out a breath of relief, Orion nodded his head at Matt, in which he received one in turn, and the Medic too left; no doubt he had read the room. He will return to check on Pluto later.

That would leave Olkar and Trikxas, the Eliksni tilting his head and chittering quietly.

"What happened?"

Orion let out another breath, "I, I will tell you on the way back." He rubbed the back of his neck, the sight of Pluto grief, his sobs still ringing in his receptors, "A lot has happened."

There was a soft rumble from Olkar and, to Orion's surprise, the Eliksni held out a hand and placed it upon his shoulder. What he said, Orion couldn't understand, for he had spoken it in his native tongue, but, it was soft, gentle, and he couldn't help but feel the tension leave his shoulders.

"Thank you." He said and he saw Olkar's four eyes glow, a pleased chitter before he felt the Eliksni's hand leave his shoulder, allowing him to turn and head back to their quarters, hearing him and his Ghost following closely behind.

Xxxxx

Having spent years, centuries with their Guardian, Ace knows that Ianos takes the loss of comrades hard, harder than he lets on, and they couldn't help but worry when their Guardian had gone silent, silent after receiving the news. The news of Sun's passing.

Fortunately, they had received it when they were alone, the guards having finally left after Ianos' insistence when Akiva's frequency miraculously came through. It was quiet, not the strongest signal but strong enough to report in. Now, Ianos sat quiet, eyes staring blankly ahead not long after the frequency was cut, with Ace hovering nervously nearby.

"We have to go back."

It was a whisper, low enough that Ace can barely comprehend his words but, it was enough for them to sputter and choke out, "You do know that the Vanguard will hear of Sun's passing." They glided closer, agitated now, "If you head back now, they 'will' have questions for not only you but the rest of Redacted as well." They scrunched their parts together, and then added, "Stay here and let things blow over for a while, wait until things calm down."

Because if you don't, the Consensus will get involved, and Ianos was already in hot water, Ace had wanted to say; for Ianos has a higher risk of being exiled. Or worse, they would try to force and break their bond.

They watched as Ianos leaned forward in his seat, his fingers tapping against the arms of his seat. Then, he shook his head, "I have to go back."

"Ianos-"

"I have to mourn." Ace paused at his words, "I cannot do it here, not here, in 'unknown' space." Ianos brushed his fingers through his dark azure strands, heaving out a breath, "I think it is about time we leave. Mara did say that I could stay until they find a replacement."

"But who's going to replace-"

"Petra seems to know how things work around here." Ianos interrupted, "Not only does she have the qualifications, she and the others also recently found a lead on Uldren. They might be able to find him more swiftly she had the power of the throne in her hands. But for now…" Ianos turned his eyes towards his Ghost, and Ace could spot the tears forming in the corner of his eyes, "Let us go home, and mourn Bibi."

The nickname, the one that Ianos had picked out for Sun 'centuries' ago rang in Ace's core, and the Ghost found themself trembling as they nodded and said, "Let's go."