Eido worked with papers and books surrounding her on a make-shift desk behind a curtain with House Light's sigil. She turned only when Arizona faked a cough. "Oh, you're here!" She sounded excited, and she pulled an object from the desk. "This is what Argonaut found." It looked almost like an egg, but it was shaped with feet to hold it up, and it looked as if it might hold something inside.

Arizona asked, "What is it?"

Eido shrugged. "Misraakskell is trying to find more about it with what we have. These are what we think might help." She gestured toward the books. "They…they were in Eliksni but I think I've roughly translated some of them. That's what the paper is for."

Arizona picked up the egg carefully and turned it in her hand. There was something pulling her toward the object, or perhaps it was calling to her. It was as familiar as a stranger she'd only seen once, and yet she couldn't recall where she had felt this feeling before. "Ghost, can you scan this?" She held it out to him. Eido watched with wide eyes as Ghost scanned it, but she became deflated as he shook his body.

"I…it's strange, for sure…but I can't…"

"I understand." She held the artifact out to Eido. "There's a feeling that goes along with this object that I can't quite place yet, Eido, but for sure it has a connection to something…it's definitely not associated with Light."

Eido thought for a moment. "Darkness, do you think?"

"It could very well be. People think Darkness will give off an evil aura, but the truth about both Light and Darkness is that neither is inherently good nor evil in and of itself. It simply...is."

"Wise words, from someone so newly risen." The voice was rough, yet the words flowed smoothly and came from behind them.

Arizona hadn't even heard Mithrax coming, despite his size. His voice nearly startled her. "Have you any idea what it is, Eido?"

"No, I've pulled everything that might be related to the artifact."

"Have you two run any tests yet?" Arizona asked.

Mithrax shook his head.

"Let's run a couple of tests then, find out what exactly this…I don't know what to call it, this aura, I guess. Maybe we'll also find out what exactly it holds."

Mithrax took the object from Eido's hands. "Eido, continue your research while the Guardian and I…test this."

Eido nodded and turned back toward her books.

Arizona didn't like this feeling she had in her chest. It became heavier as they walked across the area the Eliksni called home, into a different room, a different building. She had a feeling he wanted to talk about something. Why else leave Eido behind? It was less efficient to leave one person in the dark.

Mithrax set the artifact on a machine, and the blue lights of the screen started to flash to different analyses until it finally came to a spectral analysis graph. "You have done what every Guardian has done. You've been swayed by Darkness." He said it matter-of-fact.

"By this rate Zavala is gonna find out in a few days." She sighed. "Did Argonaut tell you this too?"

"No, it was the way you spoke to Eido about it and I had a hunch. I have met many newly Risen, younger than you, who regard it as something of good or something of evil. Many Guardians, older than you, who regard it as something of good, with evil intent behind it. Those who have been wise with Darkness, like Eris Morn, will regard it as you have: a tool."

Arizona didn't look at him. She folded her arms. "Misraakskell, I study, and I observe, much like Eido does. It's hard to observe it from far away, and harder to understand it."

"And your Ghost? How has he taken the change?"

"Well, actually," Ghost spoke up. "I was apprehensive at first, but I trust Arizona. I know she'll never put us into harm."

Arizona pointed at the screen, "Here. I was right. Traces of Darkness reside in the artifact."

"It seems you were right." Mithrax sighed.

"Hey, Misraaks, please, don't tell Zavala. I…was never meant to wield it. He tried to prevent me from doing so. I'd…like to keep this as quiet as possible."

"He will find out, Arizona. If not from me, from someone else."

"Yeah, I know, and I'll handle it when the time comes."

He walked out silently. Arizona sighed heavily and turned to Ghost. "Care to make a bet of this?" Her stomach twisted painfully, but she forced a smile, "How long until Zavala finds out?"

Ghost lowered himself, and he affectionately placed his top point on her forehead.

She sighed again, and waited until the feeling of dread passed before she stepped outside. An Eliksni wearing the Spider's banner was waiting outside and motioned for her to follow.

"I just…can't we stop to get a hard drink before we meet him? No?" She followed him.

Ghost didn't like the idea of meeting Spider…again! For a second time Arizona stood, relaxed, though he could tell she forced herself to look the part, and almost seemed to stare down at him, as if she was the one that held the authority. Still, Ghost couldn't help but stare at his collection of ghost shells. Today, he seemed to be assembling a new one, and he hardly glanced up at her. This shell had metallic blue paint with bright white dots that seemed to form a constellation of sorts.

"I see you have a new toy," Arizona engaged first, though Ghost wished she wouldn't.

The Spider held up the half-built shell. "Like it? Just another to add to the collection."

"I see that. You seem to be obsessed with dead ghosts."

"Just their shells. Do you know how they come apart?"

Arizona stared at him as he worked away. "Spider, I don't like small talk. I don't like being summoned, either, and especially not by your…porcupines."

Spider erupted in laughter that came from deep within his belly, his throne even began to haphazardly shake a bit. "I like you. Quick to the point. Actually, they were supposed to summon Misraaks."

Ghost doubted that very much.

"Leave her be, Spider." Argonaut shouted, a crowed had once again gathered, especially now that Argonaut had arrived.

Spider threw up his hands, "Argonaut, my old friend! So glad you could join us."

"She's not your form of entertainment."

"Agree to disagree. We are still waiting for Misraaks." He turned his attention back to Arizona, his eyes briefly staying on Ghost. She put her hand up and gently cradled him, as if it could make him invisible. "Your ghost has seen better days."

"He's just got a little dirt and chipped paint. Some chipped paint never hurt anyone."

Argonaut folded his arms. Juggernaut was by his side, looking just as distressed as Ghost felt. "Arizona isn't your toy, Spider. You can't just summon her whenever you want, play with her head and then discard her when you're bored."

"I'm almost hurt you would say such a thing after all we've been through, Argonaut." He turned his attention back to Arizona, "Well, have you figured out my name yet?"

"Honestly, been a little too busy to ask around yet."

Spider only chuckled.

Finally, Mithrax stepped up between her and Argonaut.

"Misraaks, my old friend!" Spider greeted, much to Ghost's relief. "There is a matter I wish to discuss with you."

"My people's concerns are my own. I will listen."

"I hoped you'd say that. Rumor has it your new crew has been bringing back delightful baubles pulled from the old shores."

Mithrax growled, "Are you asking for a share?"

"Huh. Do you think me so petty?"

"Yes," Ghost heard Argonaut mutter.

"We're on the same side here. We have our eyes on the same horizon." The Spider leaned back on his throne. "Those relics resurfaced for a reason: their power belongs to us. We could have everything this time. We need only take it."

Mithrax took a step forward. "Your words are careless."

"What, the Guardians? One's a trusted accomplice…the other…" He eyed Arizona. She didn't move under the weight of his gaze, but Ghost inched behind her.

Mithrax said, "I did not imagine you would speak like that where I might hear you."

Spider's attention turned back to Mithrax, "Come now, Misraaks. I know you. Think of your House. Think of your daughter. We could have everything Eramis wants. Wouldn't that be some lovely payback, eh?"

Mithrax approached the Spider threateningly, "You will leave that behavior in the past. You will not speak of it here, beneath the Great Machine, or I will silence you."

Spider's hands fumbled with the last panel of the ghost shell. It nearly slipped out of his hands. "Uh…there's no call for that."

"Is Spider…speechless?" Argonaut quickly covered his mouth when the other Eliksni turned toward him.

"Do you hear me, Rakis?"

Arizona's head perked, and she had an obvious smirk to her face. His name! Ghost couldn't believe it. It was happenstance. Luck. Very dumb luck, actually.

"I hear you." Spider grumbled.

"Never summon me like this again." Mithrax stormed out.

Argonaut also held something of a grin. Ghost wondered briefly what Argonaut's past relationship with spider was. Spider growled. "Get out, we're closed." He refused to make eye contact with everyone, screaming continuously that everyone should leave.. Argonaut turned and walked out. As Arizona turned, and as Spider watched them to make sure they left, she winked and continued out, never letting Ghost go.