Tormented
Found
Phew, it's Wednesday! And I made it! Whoot!
I'm surprised actually, especially since I played SRL all last night lol.
Anyways, thanks to Lazypersons (as always! appreciate it!) for the review!
Edited: 02/27/2022
"You are certain this is the right area?"
Releasing a frustrated breath, Esther turned and gave Spirit a blank look, "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know I wouldn't recognize the location where one of my comrades in arms 'died'."
It was a low blow, she knows it, especially considering how the Warlock flinched, visibly taking a step back from her words. But she was also losing patience from his constant questioning.
"Hey." Spirit gained some bravado, "He was my friend too."
"Then shut up and let me do my job. Before I turn around and aim this hand cannon at your face."
"Is that a challenge?"
"Want to go?"
"Come on you two." It was Aleeza who stepped in, physically placing herself between her and Spirit, "I know the two of you are mourning over Alyx' death but I do not think he would like to know that two of his friends are fighting." She then slowly lowered her hands, Esther feeling her narrowed glance behind her visor, "So, if you may, let us continue on and find this 'warmind' that Esther keeps talking about. We find the way to it, we will find Alyx, and, if we are lucky, Nora as well."
Hearing Aleeza mention the late Titan's Ghost, Esther couldn't help but wince. Right, when a Guardian dies a truth death, more often than naught their Ghost hardly comes out of it unscathed. They are usually found in pieces, if there is anything left at all.
As such, Esther nodded once and took a step back, watching Spirit do the same. Although, she didn't miss the way his grip went tight around his own hand cannon. Esther wouldn't be surprised if they are going to take out each other's frustrations out in the Crucible later.
Taking lead once more, Esther scanned her surroundings before finally, she recognized what she was looking for; a building with an elaborate archway, angels of marble holding up a bronze banner with words long corroded from time written upon it.
Approaching it, Esther than saw the overgrown trees, nature wrapping its vines around the few benches and the four buildings that made up the former park. It must have been beautiful once, judging from the broken fountain in the middle and the number of plants that once surrounded the square. But, now that she looks at it, Esther could see it as a trap, with its overgrown trees and mounds great use for cover but also having plenty of spaces for enemies to crawl out unseen. A perfect place to ambush.
"Esther? You okay?"
Feeling a hand settle upon her shoulder, Esther felt herself jump, practically turning around mid-air to face the one who had touched her. Her optics immediately fell upon the black and white clad form of Angel, the Hunter taking a reeling step back, his hands raised in alert.
"I'm alright." She said, dipping her head apologetically, "I was deep in thought and…" She paused, shifting her attention towards the archway. Esther sighed, "We're here."
Saying nothing more, Esther instead decided to take the steps towards the archway. It didn't take long for her to hear the others follow behind her. As soon as they entered the park, that is when she spotted him.
Contrary to belief, Vex fire from Goblins and Hobgoblins do not cauterize wounds. Its high-speed fire cuts, cutting through armor and flesh like butter, and leaving its target with open wounds large enough for them to bleed out if they happen to miss a vital point. The only protection was to ensure shields are at its max or to hide behind cover, and then wait until the Vex were distracted charging its next shot to counter.
As such, Alyx's body looked as though he had gone through a shredder, parts of his armor and body, especially his limbs, scattered around him in pieces. His helmet looked as though it had been hit with an axe, and half of his armor was strewn about while the others were somehow still stuck onto his body. To Esther's surprise however, his face was amazingly unscathed, revealing his dull green eyes and blood spilling form his lips. The unique mist like features of the Awoken were absent, leaving only faint white scars of where they once were.
"Alyx!"
Hearing the call, Esther didn't move when Spirit ran past her, practically sliding down onto his knees to Alyx's side. He moved as if to pick him up, to touch him as if to see if it really was him. Instead, his hands hovered, as if hesitant, as if in denial that he was truly gone. It was easy to see from the way his hands trembled.
Esther, unable to find words, slowly approached the body as well, and took up the opposite side. From there, she could see fragments of metal strewn upon his chest. It took her a moment to realize that it wasn't just ordinary metal.
Saying nothing, Esther held out her hand, signaling to Vulcan to materialize into view and scan the metal fragments, picking up the broken pieces of Nora.
Hearing someone gag behind her, Esther did not look back and instead, forced herself to focus on Vulcan working to piecing together Nora, first her core, and then her shell. It didn't take long for him to put Nora together whole, and Esther delicately took the Ghost into her hands. Although knowing better, Esther had hoped to see Nora's optic bright, the brilliant sheen of green filled with life and giddiness as she was known for in life. Instead, it was dull, lifeless, and she felt strangely light in her palms.
"We will give you two a moment."
Esther recognized Ianos' voice, his accent clear in her sensors, and prompted her to turn to look up the Warlock, only to see him already walking away.
Taking in a deep shuddering breath, Esther turned her focus away and instead, held Nora close to chest, embracing the Ghost before finally, she held the shell out towards Spirit. She saw the confused look in his optics.
"You have known him longer than me." She said, "I believe Alyx would have liked if you return him and Nora home, Spirit."
With their helmets, it's always hard to read expressions, and as such, many Guardians have learned how to read each other's body language. Esther is no exception.
Spirit's hands trembled as he reached out to take Nora from her hands, his shoulders taught, and she can hear his breath stutter.
"Thank you."
Smiling, Esther nodded and leaned over to pat Spirit on the shoulder. Then, she turned her focus back onto Alyx's body, "Are you attuned to Solar light?"
"Yes." Spirit answered, letting his Ghost take Nora's shell into his vault. She didn't have to say anymore.
Esther and Spirit then leaned down and pressed the palm of their hands against Alyx's chest, already feeling the heat emitting from her fingers. However, right as flames flickered between their fingertips, Esther then jumped when hands grasped their wrists and pulled them back, prompting her to snap her head up in attention.
It was Angel, and Esther couldn't help but scowl at the tight grip around their arms.
"What are you…"
She paused as Angel released her hand and raised a finger to his lips (at least, where she thinks it is if it wasn't for the helmet). Then, she watched him point with his head. Puzzled, Esther, at first, raised a brow, but nonetheless decided to humor her fellow Hunter and followed his head. There, she took notice of Carina and Aleeza standing in front of Ianos to the point where if the Exo Titan wasn't so small, she would have missed him. Esther can see that Aleeza had her hands up, constantly placing herself in front of Ianos, obscuring his view. Judging from the way his arms were crossed, he wasn't pleased. Nonetheless, every attempt to walk around them was met with physical resistance, Carina turning to press her shoulder against his chest and force him back.
Bewildered by their interaction, Esther slowly turned her optics back towards Angel, the latter of which shook his head before finally releasing his grasp from Spirit's wrist and then slowly lowering his hands to the ground; she recognized it as a sign to wait and stay quiet. Giving her fellow Hunter another puzzled gaze, Esther decided to turn her attention back towards the others, only to see Ianos throw his arms into the air in defeat. Narrowing her optics in confusion, she continued to watch as Carina pumped two fists into the air, Aleeza laughing, and then each one took one of Ianos' arms and promptly dragged Ianos away. And out of sight.
"What in the Traveler was that for?" Spirit finally asked the question that was ringing in Esther's mind, and she took turned her attention to Angel, waiting for an answer.
Angel let out a breath, "Aleeza had a suspicion that the two of you would want to cremate Alyx's body, so she told me to stop the two of you long enough until Ianos was out of sight."
Esther blinked, "Now why would you do that? It's just Solar Light."
No sooner had the question left her lips when Esther saw Angel's shoulders go rigid, his movements halting. Then, he wheezed.
"L-Let's cremate Alyx's body and gather his ashes before Ianos returns. Aleeza and Carina can only fool him into 'patrolling' for so long, especially since he was already apprehensive to go."
"Why the sudden change in subject – Angel!"
Before she can reach out to stop him, the Hunter was already a bit aways. Esther huffed; there is a reason Hunters are known for their speed.
Taking a mental note to question Angel later, Esther turned her attention back to Spirit, only to pause when she saw his head tilted thoughtfully, back straight, and she heard him let out a soft 'oh'. She couldn't help but raise a brow.
"You know the reason of their strange behavior?"
Her question caused Spirit to jump, her fellow Exo snapping his attention back towards her. And much to her frustration, he shook his head.
"N-No, not at all."
Giving him a blank stare, Esther eventually sighed; she's not going to push if they do not want to answer.
"You ready?"
Waiting until the Exo nodded, Esther pressed her hand against Alyx's chest once more and released her solar light as soon as Spirit's hands joined hers. It took only moments before Esther felt their light converge, flames dispersing from their palms and spreading across Alyx's remains. With how easily Solar Light is known to burn, Esther felt her palm sink and it took only a mere moment before the flames completely consumed any sight of Alyx. Then, as she lifted her hand away, the fire dispersed and all that was left, is ash.
Glancing over the cremation, Esther was satisfied to see that their work was good, and she leaned back to allow Spirit space to hold out his Ghost and letting him gather Alyx's ashes.
"We're back!"
Carina's announcement prompted Esther to snap her attention back towards the entrance, brow raised. If they had gone on patrol just as Angel had claimed, they had come back quickly. Although, this was quickly explained when she spotted not just dirt but blood, the vermilion color all too familiar against their armor.
"Aleeza made the right call about patrolling the area. There was a party of Eliksni scouts nearby. Only took a few minutes to take care of them."
Taking in Ianos' report, Esther then found herself turning her attention to Carina, only to sense the smug look emitting behind her visor and it didn't take long for her to puff out her chest.
"Now we can look around without fear."
"At least, until we enter the Archive." Ianos pointed out, and Esther can easily sense his amusement as Carina grumbled and her shoulders slumped; she believes she heard her grumble out 'party killer'. Then, Esther watched as she leaned over and gave Ianos a solid punch to the shoulder, strong enough where it made him stumble sideways. She could see the glare behind his visor. That should have been warning enough.
It was quick, almost too quick for Esther to catch, but she barely caught Ianos leverage a leg back, reared back a hand, and slammed his palm into Carina's chest. There was an audible 'oof' from Carina followed by her flailing backwards, her feet sliding against the force.
"Ianos."
Esther called out, tutting, and she saw Ianos turn his attention to her. Half-expecting him to be annoyed, she was surprised to see instead him reeling, going rigid as if a child caught in the act. But it was brief and the next thing she knows, Esther heard him scoff and shake his hand.
"She's unharmed."
Doubtful, Esther fixed her gaze back onto Carina, expecting the Titan readying herself to retaliate. Instead, she saw the Exo was practically leaping for joy, almost giddy as she spoke.
"Finally, a reaction."
Ianos turned and gave her a blank look, "Want me to do it again?"
"Yes. This time harder."
Hearing a groan from Ianos, Esther watched with wide optics as Ianos promptly turned and walked away, Carina following not too far, chattering excitedly. In turn, Aleeza outright giggled before she too followed after the pair.
"You guys finished?" Tearing her eyes away from the scene, Esther turned towards Angel, the latter of which just came to a short stop near her and Spirit, "The perimeter is clear, so I say it's safe to head inside now."
Slowly nodding, Esther then pushed herself onto her feet before reaching out a hand to Spirit, the latter of which accepted, and she helped pull him to his feet.
Then, she couldn't help herself.
"Is this normal behavior for your Fireteam?"
"What?" Angel blinked at her, "What do you mean?"
"I mean." Esther hesitated before she gestured her hands towards Ianos and the others, "Is 'that' normal?"
"…What?"
"Come on!" Esther looked towards Aleeza, only to see the Warlock waving them over, "The sooner we get this mission done, the sooner we can head back to the Tower!"
"And to have some 'quality' time with you."
Esther blinked as Aleeza laughed, Carina leaning into her side while as Ianos simply shook his head.
"The instant we get back?" Aleeza asked.
"The instant we get back." Carina confirmed and Esther couldn't help but feel like she winked at Aleeza behind the visor, "and this time, we lock the door."
There was a sigh from Ianos, "Never again am I walking in without knocking."
Esther heard Angel sputter as they approached, "Wait, you walked in on Carina and Aleeza while they were having sexy time?"
"Not. Another. Word." Ianos warned. He then sighed, "And why the fuck – did Cayde taught you to say that?"
"He said it's funny if you say it that way."
There was another sigh from Ianos, "Just because he's the Hunter Vanguard doesn't mean you take everything he says into consideration."
"I can't help it. He is my mentor."
"And so are the other Hunters under his command."
"How else are we supposed to utilize our light properly?"
"Is it not why the Vanguard put you and Carina under Pluto and I's tutelage?"
"Rude." Carina feigned offense before she leaned over and gave Ianos another playful punch to the shoulder, as if already forgotten the the earlier retaliation. Fortunately, Ianos simply rubbed his shoulder before lifting his head slightly – a gesture she recognizes as one rolling their eyes.
This was soon followed by a tinge of familiarity, a tug pulling in the back of her mind. It doesn't help that she heard Vulcan take in a sharp breath; she wouldn't be surprised if he had felt it as well.
"Oh, come on Esther, it's a simple walk through the streets." Little Light rolled his eyes, his arms crossed, "they just built a new sector. Venus and I are just curious is all."
She couldn't help but furrow her brows, "But…"
That is when Venus took a step towards her, taking her hand in his. His orange optics lit up against his yellow plating as he smiled, "Do not worry. I highly doubt anyone is going to threaten 'two' Soldiers of Light out in the open, even with all this anti non-human mumbo jumbo going on." He then lifted a hand and caressed her cheek, "We will be fine, I promise."
"Esther? You okay?"
Despite herself, Esther jumped, and she turned to look into Spirit's visor, easily sensing the concern emitting behind it.
"You spaced for a moment." He said as he placed a hand on her shoulder, "Did something happen?"
That is when Esther narrowed her optics; something did happen, she knows it. But there was a gap in her memory, a blank space where she knew she had a thought. Or a memory.
"I think I may just be tired." She finally said although, admittingly she wasn't sure herself. At least, she didn't feel tired.
Spirit seemed to agree, judging from the look of doubt she sensed from him.
"Esther! Do you know the way from here!?"
Turning her attention towards Ianos' shout, Esther blinked rapidly before finally, she nodded and approached, hearing Spirit follow behind her, "The entrance to the archive is just this way."
Shifting her path to slide past the others, Esther couldn't help but give Vulcan a nudge, a need for an explanation. And as always, he remained silent.