Tormented

Seeking Help

Sorry for the late update. A lot is happening for me right now and honestly, same thing might happen next week.

Edited: 05/23/2022

For once in his life, Spears regrets the sharp points on his shell, trying his best to ignore the way they scraped against the rubble. Fortunately, they were nothing more than decorations and he felt nothing when he spied them slowly being rubbed down. It was about time he got a new shell anyway.

Shining his light through the dark, Spears then wonders if this was the reason why he was born so small. After all, he is half the size of a normal Ghost and the 'why' had always evaded him. Perhaps this was it. Nonetheless, this didn't make his travel through the passageway any easier, finding some where he had to squeeze through to get pass.

Wedging himself through a particularly difficult spot, Spears released a breath of relief when he finally spotted light. Quickly gliding towards the exit, he is finally glad to spot the familiar overgrown trees and crumbling buildings in sight. Then, he went to work. Gliding just above the marsh, he turned his violet optic wildly, scanning his surroundings for any form of life and ones that wouldn't shoot and ask questions later. Anyone who is willing to head back to the Tower and send back news.

Or, perhaps it would be easier if he just did that himself.

Mentally slapping himself, Spears glanced around before finding a spot of shade under a tree for safety, wedged himself in between some branches and started searching for the Tower's frequency. Hopefully it's not too flooded.

However, as he waited for a connection, that is when he heard it.

Pairs of feet sloshing through the wet marsh.

Closing their shell, Spears sank low into the branches, optic wide as he spotted a pack of Eliksni pass by, muttering to each other. Just his luck.

Pressing his shell against the bark, Spears pondered on what to do next. When several gunshots echoed through the air, and the group of Eliksni burst into flames. Spears recognizes Golden Gun shots when he sees them.

"Wow, how long has it been since you've attuned to Solar Light?"

Spears' optic grew wide. Wait, that voice.

"Too long." There was a sigh before the familiar form of Pluto and Nix walked into view, wisps of flames leaving his fingertips, "Still doesn't feel right, either."

"Not surprising, considering your light affinity leans towards the Void."

{"Pluto? Nix?"}

There was a jump from the Ghost and Guardian pair, a hand going to the weapon around Pluto's waist. Then, the tension in the Hunter's shoulders laxed when Spears glided out of the safety of the branches.

"Spears!" Nix exclaimed, then paused, "Why are you alone?"

{"No time. Carina and the others are stuck underground."} There was a sputter, a choke from Pluto, {"And if they try to do anything from their side, it will collapse."}

"Where are they?" Pluto asked.

{"This way."}

Fortunately, the exit that Spears had taken wasn't far, and the Ghost soon brought Pluto and Nix over to a broken wall in a side of the building. Obviously, it was blocked off with rubble and Spears positioned himself just above the gap where he had exited.

"Here?" Nix asked as he glided over to the rubble, beaming their light onto it, "How in the …" He watched as his fellow Ghost's shell pressed against their core, "This might take a while. How far underground are they?"

{"… A bit."}

There was a hum from Pluto as the Hunter kneeled, hands sifting through the debris of the broken wall. Then, Spears watched as the familiar wisps of violet light lingered around his fingertips, which promptly slithered onto the rocks, and slowly started eating them away. As the rocks dissipated in mists of light, Pluto then moved to a different area, and started throwing rocks to the side.

"Wait, now?" Nix glided over to his Guardian, "Why not wait and ask others for help?"

"No time for waiting." Pluto said as he started stacking the broken rocks into the marshes of Venus; it looked like he was trying to make a makeshift path, "Call them but right now, we need to get down there."

Hunter intuition, Spears decided upon. Their instincts are usually on point and as he watched Pluto work on one side and his void light burning away at the other, even by himself, Pluto will make good time. But he wonders if he should inform Pluto of Ianos' condition. After a brief thought, Spears decided against. He has known Pluto long enough that if he learns anything has happened to the Warlock, he will lose his cool and more than likely cause more damage than needed. As such, Spears decided to keep watch, considering that Nix is scanning the debris, using his light to guide the burning flames of void light safely across the rocks. The group needs the extra set of eyes.

Turning their violet optic towards the marshes of Venus, Spears lifted himself higher into the air, giving himself a vantage point. Or at least he hopes so. He had forgotten just how thick the trees are on Venus. Perhaps he should ask Nix on how to send out scans in a large area such as this once everyone is safe.

As Spears pondered upon this, a glint pulled him out of his thoughts. And there, in between the cover of trees, he spotted an Eliksni, Wire Rifle in hand. Aimed at Nix.

Xxxxx

Carina was on edge, Aleeza can tell. Although the Titan wasn't the type to stand still for long periods, when she's nervous or on edge her body is tense, and she tends to walk around aimlessly. Not that Aleeza can blame her, she is separate from her Ghost, the latter of which is out of sight. The only thing that is allowing her to know about Spears' safety is their bond, the mental link the only thing keeping Carina in check. But for how much longer? Aleeza can already see the sparks of arc light around her hands.

"Carina, dear."

She saw her lover snap her head towards her, her shoulders raised and stiff. In turn, Aleeza raised a hand, waving Carina over before patting the ground next to her with her other. At first, she thought Carina was going to ignore her, from the way she simply stared. Then, moments later, there was a release of breath and then Carina trudged over. As Carina plopped down next to her, Aleeza reached over and intertwined her fingers with hers, causing her lover to lean over and place her head onto her shoulder. In turn, Aleeza, tilted her head onto hers, making herself comfortable.

Everyone was waiting, waiting for Spears to either return or for help to reach out a hand. And everyone was exhausted.

Spirit had taken refuge on the wall opposing to Aleeza and Carina, having laid Esther's prone form lying next to him. As always, he is anxious, Aleeza seeing the subtle shift of his head from the rubble and down the dark hall, not that she blames his anxiety. The Vex are known to teleport after all and she wouldn't be surprised if they will catch up to them soon.

Ace and Vulcan were both settled together upon the rubble, quietly chatting with each other. Judging from how well they had known each other, and the years spent apart, more than likely they were catching up. Or trying to ease each other's worries.

Finally, Angel had seated himself far from the group, hidden in a corner of the debris with his legs folded, and staring into the screen of Prime's tablet. He had been acting strange lately after Prime had informed them of Doctor Anand, having gone quiet. This hadn't gone unnoticed by Hope, Aleeza spotting the white and shell of the Ghost hovering just above his head, humming softly to him. She can't help but wonder what he is thinking about.

"Do you think Spears is alright?"

Lifting her head from her lover's, Aleeza answered, "Why do you ask? Can you not feel him?"

Carina made a face, she can tell, "It has been a while. If he had found help, he would have returned by now."

Which is usually true; most Ghosts do not spend this long of a time away from their Guardians. But considering how treacherous Venus is…

"Perhaps he is being cautious?" Aleeza surmised, "The two of you never have been to Venus before and I doubt he is used to the terrain here."

At least, that is the best explanation that she can come up with. Fortunately, Carina believed her, as she felt her lover nod against her shoulder, "Perhaps you're right."

Although relieved at her words, Aleeza can still sense the doubt, the worry. She just prays that, at least, Spears returns soon.

"I can't take this!"

Spirit's voice resounded against the walls and echoed through the darkness, Aleeza feeling herself and Carina jump. She looked over to the Warlock, only to see him having suddenly stood up from his seat, pacing now.

"When is Spears coming back?" He asked; Aleeza can hear the panic, the fear in his voice, "it shouldn't take this long to find an exit and send a signal back to the Tower."

"Be patient." Aleeza said, "He will be back soon."

Hopefully, she wanted to add, but, sensing Spirit's agitation, decided against it. No need to put everyone further on edge.

"Be patient? How can I be patient when the Vex are around the corner and two of our team members are down?!" Spirit wrung his hands together, his hand cannon fumbling in his grip.

"For the love of – for someone who regularly participates in the Crucible and Trials, you lose your cool easily." Aleeza heard Ace snap, "Panicking in this situation isn't going to help us."

There was a sputter and a stutter from Spirit, "How can you say calm in our situation? Who knows how long we've been down here, and time is against us! Especially, for you! How much longer can you keep Ianos in your core before you get corrupted!?"

"Shut. The fuck. Up!"

Aleeza reeled; she never heard Ace curse like that. Ever.

"I know the god damn risks! You think you are the only one panicking right now?! I'm panic incarnate!"

Carina snorted; Aleeza proceeded to elbow her side.

There was a sound, a mimic of a deep intake of breath from Ace before, they spoke, calm back in their tone, "Panicking isn't going to help us here. In my experience, doing so usually makes situation worse." The Ghost glided from their perch amongst the rubble, leaving Vulcan alone and floating towards Spirit, "So please, be patient. If anything happens to Spirit, we shall know."

And considering Carina's silence, Spears is doing fine. So far. Although Aleeza is wondering too why her lover's Ghost is taking a while.

Fortunately, although still tense, Spirit seemed to calm down, at least enough where he leaned against the wall and slid down to sit. Although, Aleeza heard him sigh heavily before sliding his hands over his head and brought his knees to his chest. It reminds her just how young Spirit is compared to herself.

She paused.

It made her think just how young the rest of their team were and in honesty, she wasn't that much older. Perhaps by a few decades but in comparison to Ianos and Pluto, those years were nothing. Aleeza looked at the rubble and prays that Spears returns soon. She doesn't want to think about what would happen if help never comes.

That is when Aleeza felt Carina jerk in her seat, her head snapping up from her shoulders; her chest went tight.

"Carina, is everything alright?" she asked.

Instead of receiving an immediate answer, she watched as her lover pushed herself away from her, her gaze settling over the blocked passage.

"Something happened." Carina answered in a low whisper, almost inaudible if it wasn't for the fact that Aleeza is right next to her. It did little to ease her worries.

"Did something happen to Spears?" Aleeza whispered back, glancing toward the others; much to her relief it didn't seem they caught Carina's words. They had just gotten Spirit to calm down, no need to bring his panic again. Or anyone else to panic.

"I… he's…"

Uncertainty was laced in her lover's words, and she felt Carina shift nervously near her side.

"He's alive but…"

That means something happened.

"Carina…"

"Vex!" Vulcan's voice echoed through the dark, "Vex incoming!"

Xxxxx

It hurts.

Everything hurts.

"Spears! Spears can you hear me!?"

With a groan, Spears forced opened his optic, blinking past the static, and the cracks that now filled his vision.

"Pluto! The sniper!"

"I got it already! Spears! Say something!"

{"Carina… save… Carina…"}

"Thank the Traveler."

"He's not out of danger yet, we must bring him back to the Tower. Maybe the Speaker –"

{"No!"} Spears snapped, gathering all his energy to hover back into the air; his vision cleared just enough to look into Pluto's visor and at Nix, {"Save Carina! Save her! Save her! Carina! Carina! Carina!"

They can't leave, not when help is right here. Not when time is against them.

"Okay, okay, we'll stay. Nix."

"I've already called the others. Akiva said they're on their way."

"Right, Spears, listen to me, you have to rest."

{"… Carina…"}

Spears felt all his energy leave him, feeling himself float down until he touched something solid; judging from the way he felt the familiar touch of fingers against the back of his shell, it was Pluto's palm.

"It's okay, we're here. Carina will be safe now. Just rest."

{"Carina…"} Spears murmured before he released a Ghost equivalent of a sigh. Then closed his optic.