Tormented

Clear Out

Screw me for the title, it's all I could think of lol. Anyway, I am going to try and update a special chapter on either Christmas Eve or Christmas, so expect an early update :D

Thanks to Mantic64, Guest, and CarenthusiastZr1 for their reviews!

Mantic64 - Yeap, exactly :D

Guest - I try to give both the Guardians and the Fallen in this story equal time and love... harder than I anticipated lol

CarenthusiastZr1- Thank you! ^_^. Tried my best lol

Edited: 03/13/2022

"This is the path that took you to the 'warmind'?"

"This is where I got lost and the 'warmind' helped me."

"…So, you have no idea where it is?"

"Kind of? Sort of? We have to get lost first to figure that out."

"Wait, what?"

"Can the two of you stop talking? I am already frightened at the thought of bumping into Vex. Knowing that we could be lost and then bump into them is not helping my nerves."

Listening to the younger Guardians in front of him quietly chat amongst themselves, Ianos then watched as Esther leaned in and playfully tapped Spirit on the shoulder, as if to help distract him from his fears. This was followed by Carina jumping in and wrapping an arm around her fellow Exo's shoulders, which was an accomplishment, considering that Spirit literately had to lean down to match her height. Angel chuckled at the sight and, although he won't admit it openly, Ianos found it a silly sight as well.

"Don't you miss those days?"

Ianos didn't jump. He wouldn't. At least, he won't say that to Aleeza as he turned and gave her a blank stare. She gave him a smile behind her visor in response.

"Miss what?"

"When we were young lights." Aleeza clarified, "When we were still innocent and naïve of the threats around us." She took in a deep breath and released it, "The good old days."

Saying nothing, Ianos then fixed his attention back onto the younger Guardians, watching them playfully pushing each other; judging from the uneven path and the amount of debris on the floor, there was no doubt that they were trying to get each other off-balanced.

"Not sure I could say that I understand."

He felt the bewildered look that Aleeza flashed him.

"What do you mean?" She asked, "Guardians all had a time of innocence, naivety. Thought you would be the same."

Despite himself, Ianos let out a huff, "Perhaps, if you were a Guardian."

The look that Aleeza gave him prompted him to sight.

"You recall that Guardians was a term coined during the early City Age?" From the corner of his eye, he saw Aleeza nod, "There was another term, back before the City was even considered. The Risen. And, unlike our time now, they learned quickly that their power is not to be trifled with." He furrowed his brows, pressing his lips together, "There were many of us that took advantage of the Light, corrupted by the power that we gained from it. And soon, they discovered they have the strength to take over and claim territories. It didn't take long for those with power to start picking off the 'weak' Risen."

"What? Why?"

"They didn't want them to enhance their strength, their powers." Ianos answered, he turned his head to face Aleeza, "They didn't want a possible rival threaten their position."

A cry of surprise prompted Ianos to shift his attention back to the younger Guardians in front, only to see that Carina had easily lifted Angel, the Hunter squirming in her arms. Esther and Spirit laughed at their antics.

"I learned quickly then, to hide and avoid others like me." Ianos continued, "Even if they have shown me kindness."

For there is a possibility it was a trap, he wanted to add, but judging from the understanding look he earned from Aleeza, she already knew why.

"Even the Iron Lords?"

Ianos found himself scoffing before he could stop himself.

"You couldn't trust anyone back then, even the 'Iron Pups'." He ignored the sputter and the gasp from Aleeza, "They may seem to have good intentions, but in the end, they all had their own selfish desires." Ianos gripped his weapon tight, "They were no different from the warlords that they were fighting against."

That is when Ianos decided to prepare himself, to ready himself for a retort, for a shout of disbelief. After all, that is what always happens when he speaks badly of the Iron Lords. Instead, all he heard was silence, and when Ianos glanced at Aleeza, she had turned away from him. Her arms were crossed, held tilted as if deep in thought.

Forcing the curiosity of what was currently in her thoughts to the side, Ianos instead focused on what the younger Guardians' conversation, noticing that Carina was the one speaking, judging from the way her arms moved sporadically.

"We managed to convince him to join a game of Rift with us, saying that he could just hold the spark and slam it into the opposing team's Rift without having to shoot anyone." Ianos couldn't help but flinch. He knows what she was talking about, "But we forgot to tell him what happens if an opposing team is 'around' the Rift when you slam the Spark in."

"Oh shit, he slammed it in, didn't he?" Spirit asked, followed by a sputter as Carina nodded, "Shit, what happened?"

That is when Ianos decided to shift his attention to their surroundings, eyeing the shadows as they passed by doors. He remembers the Crucible Match well; after all, it was his first time hearing about Rift, having long ago left the Crucible untouched after taking up his vow. Ianos thought it would be harmless fun – at least for him – especially considering that all he had to do was slam the Spark into the Rift.

Shaking off the echoes of the death throes of the opposing team, Ianos took in several deep breaths, closing his eyes. It may sound childish, but if he cannot see his surroundings, the better.

"Shall we take a break?" Ianos opened his eyes and lifted his gaze towards Angel; the young Hunter dipped his head, "We have been walking for a while."

If they were up on the surface, Ianos would have been against it, especially since they are surrounded by hostiles. However, his anxiety, his unease, made him incline to agree.

However, before he could express his words, a flash of bright light and a ring echoed through the room, Ianos let out a shout as he felt an impact slam into his shoulders, and his shields completely shattered.

"Vex!"

Clenching his teeth, Ianos placed a hand onto his injury as he ducked into one of the rooms, kneeling down and pressing his back against the wall. From the corner of his eyes, he spotted Ace, the black and orange shell of his Ghost beaming light onto his injury.

"I hate Vex fire." Ace murmured and Ianos doesn't really blame them. The injury 'hurt', preventing him from properly lifting his gun, and despite the lack of lighting, he can easily see the gash and the blood trickling down the front.

Fortunately, the pain faded with Ace's light and Ianos waited until it dissipated for him to jump to his feet, turn the corner, and aimed his pulse rifle at the familiar white cores glowing in the darkness.

The familiar sound of glass and metal crashing to the floor rang through the hall as Ianos aimed his gun another Vex and fired, causing it to follow the previous one to the floor.

"Nova bomb ready!"

Hearing Aleeza's call, Ianos dropped to his knees just as a violet orb streak above his head. He fumbled as he felt the floor beneath him shake, placing a hand onto the ground to keep his balance. Ianos froze when he saw cracks form beneath him.

"Be careful with that!" He shouted, turning back towards Aleeza.

Ianos huffed when all he received was a sheepish shrug before the Warlock aimed her weapon and fired at an approaching Vex. Despite wanting to say more, he decided to hold back his tongue; she did after all, clear a hall of hostiles.

"Spirit! Spirit, snap out of it!"

Twisting his attention to Esther, Ianos found himself scowling as he saw the Hunter on her knees next to the cowering form of Spirit, the Exo Warlock having dropped to the floor, his shaking hands barely grasping his weapon.

"Spirit." Ianos hissed out as he marched towards the frozen Exo, reaching down and locking his arm underneath his fellow Warlock's, "Get up and fight." With one heave, he forced Spirit onto his feet, only to stumble as Spirit fell back to the floor; he noticed that the Exo's legs were limp, "Spirit…"

"I-it's the Vex." Spirit stuttered out, "I-It's the Vex."

Groaning, Ianos decided to let the Exo settle, lowering Spirit to the floor and he felt the weight leave his arm. This wasn't the time to idle around.

Firing his pulse rifle at another approaching group of Vex, Ianos clenched his teeth as each time he one glowing core, several more takes it place; it reminds him that more often than naught, it is the walking machines numerous numbers that take down Guardians more than often then their weaponry. Even simple Goblins can be lucky if hundreds can corner and maintain pressure. Which is exactly what is happening to him and his team.

Heaving out a breath of frustration, Ianos groaned once more when he pulled the trigger, only to hear his weapon 'click' instead. Quickly debating reloading would take too long against the slowly approaching Vex, Ianos instead holstered his rifle and took up his sidearm.

"Arc Blade!"

It wasn't just Angel's voice, but Esther's as well, and Ianos couldn't help but jump as two blue, shimmering forms zipped past him. The two Hunters zig zagged across the hall, Ianos barely catching them swinging their blade before the targeted Vex disappear in a sparkle of light. That is when he spotted the misty, white trails that they had left behind.

Seeing an opportunity, Ianos holstered his sidearm and ran forward, scraping his sides and arms into the remnants of light. He felt himself rejuvenate, his stores of light growing until finally, it reached its peak. And judging from the way the illuminated forms of Angel and Esther disappeared from the corner of his eyes, it was perfect timing.

"Stay back!" He warned as he focused his light on him, letting it settle his form like a second skin. And arc light crackled around his arms.

That is when Ianos released his building light.

He felt the room shake around him as the Stormtrance bloomed to life, lifting him off the floor, signaling to Ianos to snap his arms forward. Thundering strands of arc light burst from his hands and latched onto nearby Vex, instantly turning the copper machines into mere outlines of themselves. Willing himself forward, Ianos brushed past Angel and Esther as the two Hunters ran back, allowing him to freely engulf the Vex in his arc light.

That is when Ianos felt his body protest.

It was a strange and straining feeling; it felt like the arc light was keeping him protected but at the same time, he can feel it 'pulling', feeling it trying to force his body in different directions.

The unpredictable waves of the storm, Ianos thought to himself, Neptune's words ringing in the back of his mind. He remembers the reason why the Exo Warlock wanted to ensure his mastery over the Arclight now.

Nonetheless, Ianos forced himself forward, ignoring the way his nerves screamed and strained at him to stop. It was only when he realized that there were no more glowing cores that he decided enough was enough.

Focusing his Arclight away, Ianos attempted to settle onto his feet. Only to feel his knees buckle and he collapsed.

"Ianos! Are you crazy!?"

Hearing Ace cry out, Ianos simply took in a deep breath before attempting to push himself back onto his feet, only to collapse back onto his knees, placing his hands on the floor to support himself. It didn't take long for the familiar hum of his Ghost to reach his ears.

"You haven't mastered arc light yet?" Ace said worriedly, "That could have crippled you! Or worse! Killed you!"

"Wouldn't be the first time." Ianos mumbled out, which wasn't a lie. There was a reason why he doesn't utilize it often. The only reason he used it now was because another Nova Bomb would have most likely collapsed the hall and there was no way in Darkness that he was going to use Solar Light.

That is when Ianos felt a hand settle onto his shoulder.

At first, he flinched, snapping back, but as he lifted his eyes, he found the tension leaving him as he recognized Angel's helmet.

"Ianos? You okay?" The young Hunter asked as he knelt next to him, Ianos easily sensing the worry, "I mean, what you did was cool but, you looked drained."

Ianos hummed to himself; was it that obvious?

"I say we take that needed break." Carina's voice piped him, "I say to gather ourselves and let Ianos rest."

Mentally agreeing with her, Ianos then felt Angel hook his arm with his, and he used it as a leverage to pull himself onto his feet. Then, he leaned against the Hunter, using him to steady his feet. Afterwards, from the corner of his eyes, Ianos spotted Spirit, the Warlock meekly taking his side and wrapping Ianos' other arm around his shoulder. An attempt at an apology, Ianos realized, judging from the way the Exo refused to look him in the eyes. Not that he would need to; Ianos understands his fears completely. Any Veteran Guardian would.

Feeling them move and shift, Ianos attempted slowly to match their steps, allowing them and the others to lead the way.

Yes, there was an event where Ianos participated in a Rift game and yes, it went as badly as it sounded in this story lol. I actually planned to write out the Rift Game (which is based off a real event in the game I experienced) but I'm not sure if I have the time to do so. I might just do a short one shot instead of incorporating it as a special in here lol.

And yes, Ianos also momentarily met the Iron Lords and from what you can tell, yeah, he doesn't really think highly of them. You'll see why in later chapters :D