Tormented
Running Out of Options
WARNING!: SELF-INFLICTED GUNSHOT! SUICIDE WARNING!
Edited: 05/15/2022
Ianos had lied. Lied about being fine. He was far from it.
Pain ached from his back, spiking with every step, and something was wrong with his support system. His limbs are starting to throb, and his lungs felt tight, compressed within his chest. It doesn't help that what little function his support system has is being suppressed what other damage to his armor, specifically the crack down the front of his visor.
"A few hours?" He heard Ace hiss out, "You know as well as I do that we have less than a few hours to get your gear fixed before your condition worsens."
"And that is why I keep telling you to take in Matt's blueprints despite his protests." Ianos rasped out, "and I hear the same damn thing: I will. I will. Eventually."
"Oh, shut it."
Unable to help but release a strained smile, Ianos then lurched forward when pain sprouted from his chest, releasing an unwanted cry from his lips. Falling to his knees, Ianos then felt warmth, sensing Ace's light coursing throughout his body, giving him relief. Taking in deep slow breaths, Ianos prepared himself when the light faded. Only to curl in on himself when the pain returned.
"Ianos?"
Hearing steps of the others approach him, Ianos simply gritted his jaw, taking a deep inhale through his nose.
"Ianos? You feel alright?" It was Aleeza who asked the question and from the corner of his eyes, he saw her kneel next to him.
That is when he felt a hand settle onto his shoulder.
"Don't touch me!"
Ianos smacked her hand away without looking before leaning against the wall, gritting his jaw as the pain renewed.
"I'm. Fine." He managed to say, "I just. Need to rest. A bit."
"You are 'not' fine." Ace intercepted, "A 'rest' won't do it either."
Scoffing, Ianos then suppressed a whimper, leaning forward until his forehead practically touched the ground.
"Can we not just pump some pain killers into his system? At least give him some relief?"
"That's not going to work." Ace said, "You know as well as I do that depending on the Guardian, the light can rapidly break down whatever is in their body. Why do you think Ianos has this kind of system?"
"Then what are we supposed to do?"
Hearing Spirit panic, Ianos couldn't help but release a breath; the Exo Warlock does lose his cool quickly.
"You said it's a system, right?" He heard Angel's voice through the haze and Ianos gathered enough strength to nod, only to grasp his chest as pain flashed throughout, "May I take a look?"
If he wasn't in pain, Ianos would have given Angel a blank look. Fortunately, he heard Ace sputter and wheeze, "Take a – what can you do!?"
Despite their words, they didn't mean it in offense. After all, Matt is the only one who knows how the system functions. Supposedly.
Releasing a breath, Ianos shifted his legs underneath him, leaning against the wall as he sat upon the hearth.
"You have a knife, right?"
"Ianos!"
Ignoring his Ghost's protest, Ianos then sensed the bewildered stare from the Hunter, Ianos settled his head against the wall as he looked at him, "Let us just say it is going to be more complicated than 'taking a look' than you think."
There was a brief silence before Ianos saw Angel walk around him, seeing him take his knife from its sheath. That is when Ianos closed his eyes, taking in a shuddering breath before he felt hands grab the back of his coat. Then, he felt it come loose.
"What the fuck – Angel what are you doing?"
Carina's shout echoed through the passageway as Ianos felt the remnants of his coat slide off of him, shivering as the cold air hit his bare shoulders. Then, he felt the cold edge of a blade as it then carefully cut through the black under suit. That is when he heard Angel take in a hitched breath.
"What in the…" The rest of the Hunter's words were lost as he muttered in Eliksni, Ianos feeling his fingers trail down his back. And over the system connected to his spine.
"I thought…"
"An upgrade." Ianos explained as he opened his eyes, "supposed to be more versatile than the last one." He huffed, "look at how good it's doing now."
"… It's bent…"
That would explain the ache from his back. And why it's not functioning as well as it should. Ianos will have to talk to Matt about it later. It maybe 'sturdier' than his last one but a thin strip of metal isn't exactly the most durable either.
"Doesn't this hurt?"
Ianos scoffed at Angel's question, "Compared to the pain of the Darkness devouring my light, it is nothing."
Hearing the Hunter go silent, Ianos opted to do the same and instead, waited as he felt fingers trace down the length of the system, up until he felt them pause near the middle of his back.
"How the fuck did it distort like this?'
"Considering I was a 'tad' slow running from the grenade, I can only imagine why."
Ianos was getting impatient; the ache in his back was progressively getting worse and the pain in his chest and lungs weren't getting any better either.
"Maybe we can force it back into place?"
That is when he felt an edge of the system go tight, Ianos feeling fingers dig under. His eyes grew wide.
"Don't!" Relief settled in at Ace's intervention, "It's attached to his spine!"
"It's attached to his what!?"
In honesty, Carina's shout made Ianos jump and then hissed as Angel's hand abruptly snapped back, feeling the system shift against his fingers.
"Careful."
"S-Sorry."
"Attached to his spine." If Ace had heard Angel's apologies, they didn't show, "He may be able to move but if you try to force it, you might cripple him, and considering our current situation, we cannot allow that."
There was silent, a quick pause, before Aleeza broke the silence by leaning in and hummed, "This is a unique system. Are there any others like this?"
"Matt told me there were several other Guardians he had implanted the system." Ianos answered, "but personally, I have never met them."
"Several?" Angel asked, "Why not more?"
In response, Ianos released a breath, "Because for most it's already too late."
"Too late?"
"Can we just continue?" Ianos said, "The sooner we can get out of here, the sooner Matt can –"
That is when agony seared through his senses.
Ianos lurched forward, grasping his chest as he parted his lips to scream. However, he felt his throat constrict and instead, he gaped, mouth parting repeatedly.
"Ianos!"
It hurts. Ace, it hurts.
Ianos wanted to say but he found the words lost on his tongue. Grasping at his neck with trembling hands, he turned his eyes towards his Ghost, his eyes locking onto their lone orange optic.
Ace. Please.
He could hear the others, their words echoing in his ears as he felt their hands linger over their shoulders, wanting to help. But Ianos ignored them, and instead looked at Ace pleadingly, hoping that his words went through.
The look of grief was answer enough.
"We're running out of options." He heard Ace say, "I will try and keep the Darkness at bay."
"Ace?"
"I will bring you back as soon as we're back at the Tower."
"Ace!?"
Ignoring the shouts of his team, Ianos promptly nodded once before reaching for his sidearm, and pressing the barrel of the gun to the side of his head. He could hear his team shouting, see hands reaching for his weapon.
Ianos pressed his finger against the trigger. There was a pop and then nothing.
Xxxxx
"Why in the Traveler did he fucking do that!?"
Carina had known Angel long enough that him swearing was him under strong emotional duress and even then, she couldn't help but reel at his curses. Nonetheless, she can't blame him. It's not every day you witness a fellow Guardian self-inflict a gun shot. As such, she could only stare at Ianos' prone form, seeing the others take hesitant steps back.
"Calm down!" She saw Ace glide closer to Ianos' body, their back fins shifting against their core, "This is all to slow down the process of the Darkness."
"Say what?" Carina blurted, "how the fuck is killing yourself slowing down the darkness?"
"My light." She blinked at Ace's answer, "I am going to take in Ianos' light with me, including the darkness infecting it. This will allow me to use my light to slow down the process. At least, until we can reach the Tower."
That makes sense, Carina thought. That would have them some time. She hopes.
"But wouldn't that also affect you?"
It was Angel who asked, and his question drifted through the darkness. Just like how Ace's light can slow down the process of the Darkness' taint, the thought that Ace could also possibly get corrupted also made sense as well. As such, Carina looked at the Ghost, hoping to get an answer of denial. Instead, she watched as Ace remained silent, then turned to Ianos' body, their shell coming apart to collect their Guardian's light.
"Ace?"
At this point, Carina is glad of Angel's persistence. She knows that once he wants answers, he isn't the type to give up so easily. Hence, hearing him call out to the Ghost knows that with patience, they 'will' get an answer. As such, she waited, watching as Ace collected Ianos' light, causing the Warlock's body to fade.
"There is a risk of me getting corrupted." Carina sputtered at their words, "But it is nothing new."
"What do you mean?"
She heard Ace sigh at Angel's question; the Hunter does have a habit of firing them off, "Recall that Ianos' light is corrupted? Can you guess what happens when I take it in when I resurrect him?"
There is a stunned silence, everyone turning their eyes towards the Ghost; even Carina, tried to part her lips to speak, to comment, but, found herself to unable to say anything. She had always thought that Ianos' determination to stay alive in 'any' situation was that he just hated dying – then again who doesn't? But the realization that another reason being that his Ghost could possibly be corrupted as well? Everything made more sense now.
"Which is why we need to get out of here as soon as we can." Ace finally broke so silence, "So if you do not mind, can we please get moving so I can resurrect Ianos at the Tower? Where he can get proper treatment?"
"R-Right." It was Angel who spoke, muttering as Carina watched him fix his eyes back down the tunnel and she couldn't help but follow that sentiment.
The group have been walking for some time now and yet, they have yet to reach the end, or any hint of it. Watching Ace hover forward, taking point, Carina hopes that they could find an exit soon, otherwise, she worries what would happen to the Warlock.
Following after the Ghost, the revelation must have stunned everyone into silence, as nothing but the sound of their steps echoed throughout the corridor. Not that Carina could blame them, even she didn't know what to say. With the exception of the fact that now she realizes that there is a reason why there aren't many corrupted Guardians that are walking around. At least, not like Ianos.
"Not good."
Ace's voice echoed down the hall and Carina snapped out of her thoughts. And then froze. There, obvious in the light of all the Ghosts, was a wall, a wall of rubble packed tightly. And blocking their way. Her core sinking to her stomach, Carina parted her lips to wonder aloud what their next plan is, only from the corner of her optics to see Angel striding forward, hands planting themselves onto the rubble.
"I-It wasn't like this." He said as he glanced around in disbelief, "It wasn't like this the last time I was here."
Last time he was here?
Carina couldn't help but be confused, bewildered. What was he talking about?
"Well, the building is old." Aleeza commented, "Not too surprised that this area collapsed."
Carina raised a brow, "Then shouldn't we just clear it out?"
"Easier said than done." It was Spirit who muttered, "But with our light, more than likely if we tried to clear a path, we might bring the whole place down on us. And who knows how long it will take before someone realizes something is wrong and sends help."
In other words, it could take 'years', considering the Consensus cares little on sending aid to Guardians who are considered 'lost'. At least, that is what Carina thought, taking into consideration her short interaction with them in the trial a while back. She now understood why many of the older Guardians strongly dislike them.
"Are there any openings then?" Carina asked as she took steps forward, following Spears' light as he trailed over the rubble; so far, she hasn't spotted anything.
"Just, just this."
Glancing over to Hope, Carina then blinked when the white and red Ghost pointed her light over a small hole, barely enough for a hand to slip through.
"Uhm…"
Spirit's voice echoed everyone's thoughts, and Carina couldn't help but stare blankly at Angel's Ghost. Was she serious? There's no way that any of them could even fit, not even the Ghosts. Their shells made them a tad too big for them to properly fit through.
"Look, I know what you all are thinkin'." Hope started, "But, there is 'one' here who can fit through this hole and get help."
At first, Carina didn't understand who she was talking about. Not until all eyes turned towards her, or, more specifically, to the Ghost hovering just above her shoulder. That is when she took a step back, prompting Spears to do the same.
"No." She said, optics narrowing behind her helmet, "If you think that I am going to let Spears go out, alone, into the Wilds without me, then you all must be crazy."
"He is the only one who can fit through the gap, Carina." Spirit said, "Either we send him out and he gets help, or we try and clear out this rubble and pray we don't get buried alive."
Carina winced. Either option isn't pleasing to her but, Spears isn't just a Ghost, he is her friend, her confidant, her brother. She wasn't going to let him go so easily, not alone at least.
"How about I kill myself and Spears can carry me out of here?" She suggested.
{"Carina, don't you dare."}
"I am not letting you head out there on your own." Carina felt the eyes of the others fall upon her. She opted to ignore them, "You already got hurt once, I will not let it happen again."
{"But killing yourself? I won't allow that!"}
Releasing a ragged breath of frustration, Carina wonders if it was fate or a curse that both she and her Ghost were both stubborn. She heard Spears do the same.
{"Look, it will be quicker and safer for me to go alone."} Carina scowled behind her helmet, {"Not to mention that I am quite small. I will be difficult to spot."}
"Doesn't mean I can't go with you." She muttered.
{"Carina…"}
That is when she saw Spears light shift, dimming as he hovered around her shoulder to face her directly. Carina recognized the way he lifted his shell that he was smiling at her.
{"I will be fine. Let me do this."}
Narrowing her optics, Carina stared down her Ghost before finally, she released a groan.
"Fine." She resigned, "But be careful."
{"That's what I should say to you."}
Huffing, Carina playfully swatter at her Ghost, the latter of which hovered just out of reach with a chuckle and then glided over to the rubble. And just like that, he disappeared into the gap.
Carina stared, watching as the last bit of Spears light disappeared behind the cracks, and then, she released a sigh. That is when she felt a hand settle onto her shoulder, giving it a comforting squeeze.
"You alright?"
Without looking, Carina raised a hand and settled it over Aleeza's, wrapping her fingers around hers. She closed her optics, reaching out. In turn, she felt Spears give back a gentle tug.
"Yes." Carina released another breath as she opened her eyes, glancing over to her lover and flashing her a smile behind her visor, "For now."
Seeing Aleeza give her a nod and sliding her hands off her shoulder, Carina then heard Spirit clear his throat, prompting her to look towards the Exo Warlock.
"Since we are going to be waiting here for a while." She watched him turned his attention towards Angel, "Can I ask you who you are, Angel?"
"…I'm a Hunter"
Carina tried to suppress a snort, she really did. But Angel's quick quip and his dead pan voice was just too good to not let out a chuckle at least. Especially the way Spirit reeled and them fumbled to keep Esther's prone form in his arms.
"Y-You know what I mean!" The Warlock sputtered, "The console, this passageway. With 'them'." He then nodded at the Hunter's hands and that is when Carina noticed the tablet from earlier. The one that housed Prime's data. "Have you been here before, Angel? Back in your previous life?"
Oh.
It never crossed Carina's mind but, as her optics grew wide at the revelation, it made sense. How else would he have known about this passageway? Not that she was complaining. If it wasn't for him, they would have been stuck in that room with the Vex. And who knows if they would have made it out or not.
Angel, despite the question, seemed weirdly calm, apathetic almost as Carina watched him lifted the tablet. She took note of the way screen lit up against his face.
"I did say before that I lived on Venus." He murmured, "And the entrance to Prime's lab was familiar. But…" His grip went tight around the edges of the tablet, "If you want an honest answer, I am not quite sure myself."
"… I beg your pardon?"
"Look. Yes, I know how to speed up the process of 'cleaning' on Prime, and yes, I knew about the passageway. Problem is that is all I got." Angel then paused and then his head turned to the rubble. He was quiet, Carina easily sensing his twisted features, "And visions of people, humans using this passageway as a short cut to reach other areas, to other archives." He then released a heavy breath, Carina watched him release a hand on the tablet but only to grab his own arm, squeezing it, "It's just, confusing."
"Perhaps that would explain why you seem so familiar."
Prime's voice prompted Carina to jump, fumbling with the weapon in her hands before she snatched it close to her chest and stared wide eyed at the tablet. Even Angel, who had been holding onto it, seemed surprised as he scrambled to keep it in his hands. Next to her, she heard Aleeza wheeze, coughing, and Spirit reeled, falling onto his ass. Fortunately, Esther remained unharmed in his arms.
"Y-You can talk?" Carina managed to choke out, and she watched as the tablet lit up once more.
"Fortunately. I am surprised that all of me made it through." There was a click, a brief sound of static, "Although it seems my more advanced functions are not available."
"I'm not surprised." Angel muttered as he held the tablet up; Carina can see the screen of the tablet reflect against his visor. It was blue with a simple white line in the middle, "I imagine your handlers made this just to transport you, not as a permanent body."
"If it was, then it was made with poor schematics." Prime said, "Although, the one who designed it had definitely kept only transportation in mind."
"And who was that?"
There is a hum from Prime, "If I recall correctly, I believe she is called Anand."
"Anand?" Carina heard Spirit repeat, "Are you talking about the same Doctor Anand that worked with Doctor Shim?"
"How in the light do you know all these names?"
"I read them in books!" The Warlock exclaimed; he breathed, "Neve wanted me to get over my fear of the Vex so she forced me to read up on them. Anand's and Shim's name came up often."
Right, Warlocks. With how often she is around Ianos and Aleeza, she had forgotten that Warlocks can be bookworms.
Carina blinked, "What? Why were their names in a book about the Vex?"
"That's because Shim is notorious for studying the Vex." She turned her attention to Aleeza, the latter of which folded her arms, her head tipped towards the ground, "Anand is new to me though."
Spirit shrugged, "Compared to Shim and his team, she is just a footnote. All it really said about her is that the two of them worked together briefly before parting ways.
"They did more than just worked together briefly."
Carina watched as Angel lifted the tablet at arm's length, "Pardon?"
"Doctor Anand was my handler. And Doctor Shim would visit her daily." Prime answered, "His visits were quite brief, and they constantly spoke in whispers, as if they did not want others to overhear." There was a brief flicker from the tablet screen, "Although, it wasn't long after that his visits ceased awhile and simultaneously, Doctor Anand also was absent."
Carina raised a brow, "So she left?"
"Only for a short while." Prime corrected, "She returned not long after. Although not alone."
"Did she come back with Doctor Shim?" Spirit asked.
"No." Prime answered, "She came back with a child."