Tormented

Rescue

Out of the prologue and into the story! Whoot!

Thanks to The Great Wolf 177, PashHanin, Lazypersons, and AAA for the reviews :D

The Great Wolf 177 - I always wandered what would happen in a scenario where a child is resurrected (although honestly, you'll see later that the 'child' Guardian isn't as young as you think), although that kind of scenario very likely won't happen lol. And thanks :D

Edited: 06/26/2022

"I do not think it is a good idea to bring your children to a Crucible match, Akiva."

Turning his eyes towards the black clad Hunter, Akiva watched as Pluto turned his red optics back towards the screens, "I do not think Neve would appreciate it if Ora, Amara, and Nahala repeatedly watch their mother die on screen."

Taking in the Hunter's words, Akiva glanced down at his arms, seeing his daughter coo and giggle at the sound of gunfire echo around them. Little Oraxsis was in Pluto's, his curious golden eyes locked onto the screens in the front.

Although a mother of three, Neve still participates in Trials whenever it comes around, and with Fireteam Redacted currently on standby, Akiva found it a great opportunity to not only give Neve the needed time for herself and her team, but to also spend time with the children. It just never crossed his mind that his children witnessing their mother dying on screen would have a negative impact on them; death just becomes second nature to Guardians, he guesses.

"If you are so concerned about them watching Trials, then why did you agree to help me keep an eye on them here?" Akiva asked.

"Touché." Pluto said and then grunted when Ora's hand suddenly smacked him in the face.

Smiling as the Hunter struggled to keep the wiggling toddler in his grip, Akiva turned his eyes back towards the screen in time to see Neve materialize alongside Ria and Jordan.

"This is it." Lex was the one who spoke, the white and yellow shell of his Ghost shifting against his core in anticipation, golden optic wide, "Final round. Who is going to win? Fireteam Blaze or the random jumble of Guardians?"

"Well," Akiva clicked his tongue, "This random jumble of Guardians managed to hold their own against Fireteam Blaze and make it to six rounds. It's giving Neve a challenge."

"Oh?" He felt Pluto's optics turn towards him, "And that is good?"

Akiva flashed him a sheepish smile, "Neve has been, 'complaining' lately about how easy it has been to reach t he Lighthouse. Said it didn't feel 'special' anymore thanks to the fact that she feels like she hasn't been really working for it."

"She will say that until she finally loses a round." Pluto shook his head before shifting his arms to keep a better grasp on Ora; the toddler let out a noise of protest at that, "Then she's going to pout about it all day."

Chuckling, Akiva then jumped as a loud beep rang around them; the intercom is active, and everyone went silent as Ikora's voice echoed throughout.

"Titan Akiva Wahl, your presence is needed at the Hall of Guardians."

Unable to help but frown as the intercom turned off with a static, Akiva then turned his golden eyes towards Pluto expectantly. In turn, the Hunter sighed.

"Fine, I will watch them. Not like I have anything else better to do."

Grinning in thanks, Akiva waited until Pluto placed Ora onto the floor before offering his hands to take the twins, hearing the girls whimper before quickly quieting once they were in the Hunter's familiar arms.

"You owe me. Again."

Giving Pluto a crooked smile, Akiva then offered, "How about I help train the Titan members of your Clan?"

"And?"

"And I will help you get Orion out of his room for a week."

"Deal."

Knowing fully well that he already helps dragging the younger Titan out of his room already, Akiva patted Oraxsis' head, gave his daughters a quick kiss on their foreheads, before waving at Pluto and heading off.

Disappointed that he wouldn't be able to see the end results of the Trials match, Akiva half-jogged to the Hall of Guardians, weaving past his fellows before leaping down the stairs. The instant he entered, he could already tell that the Vanguard were going to hand him a mission; he spotted a hint of mischief in Cayde's optics and his smile seemed broader than usual. At this point, Akiva is glad that Pluto gave him some points on how to read others.

"You arrived quickly." Ikora was the one who spoke, seemingly amused as she gave Akiva a nod of approval, "We expected you to come later, especially since Neve is participating in the Trials of Osiris. And the children."

Akiva simply smiled, "That's why it is nice to have friends who are more than willing to help."

"Oh!" Cayde's optics lit up, "Speaking of kids, is it alright if I watch them next time?"

"Cayde." Despite the harsh tone, Akiva can hear the amusement in Zavala's voice, "This isn't another one of your attempts to abandon your post, is it?"

"No, of course not." Cayde's smile was visible, "I just want to get to know them is all. Not every day that children are raised in the Tower. Must take the opportunity to get to know the little munchkins before they get old, you know what I mean?"

Taking in the Hunter Vanguard's words, Akiva couldn't help but let his smile fade at the mention of age. The thought that there is a possibility that his children will grow old and pass on while he himself stays the same…

"Titan Akiva." He jumped, "I believe you are ready to undertake the mission that we have for you?"

Akiva saluted and nodded, "Yes sir."

This earned him a nod of approval from Zavala, "Just a few hours ago, we received a signal sent from the Plaguelands calling for assistance. Not an uncommon occurrence, except for the type of frequency that was sent out."

"According to my agents, the frequency belongs to a Hunter named Blaise." Ikora continued the briefing, "He is quite notorious for being one of the few Guardians to make it through the Vault of Glass and returned unscathed."

"A skilled Guardian then?" Akiva crossed his arms, furrowing his brows, "But I am going to take a guess there is a catch?"

"He is not a Guardian of the Tower."

Akiva blinked, "What?"

"Hunter Blaise is part of a rogue faction of Guardians." Zavala explained, "Guardians who call themselves 'The Revenants'."

"And, they're rogues for the reason…?"

"They believe that Light and Darkness are not enemies but are part of a natural order." Cayde was next to explain, "Thanks to this belief, they freely dwell into the inner workings of the Darkness, finding ways to make it work with their Light."

"Make it work with their – and nothing is being done about this rogue faction?" Akiva couldn't suppress his surprise, "and how come I have never heard of them before?" He paused, thinking, "How come no one has mentioned them?"

There was silence at his questions, Akiva watching as the three glanced at each other, quiet contemplation seen in their eyes.

"In normal circumstances action would have been taken, however," Ikora hesitated, "by the time we realized their existence, the faction already had a vast number of followers. Any attempts to cull them would lead to significant losses. On both sides."

"So, a treaty was made instead." Cayde continued, "As long as they keep to themselves, we would let the Revenants roam freely, as long as they keep their existence hidden." He then shrugged, "At least, that was the agreement."

"We are not certain why Hunter Blaise sent a signal for help, especially considering that years ago, he made his discontent with the Tower quite clear." Zavala explained, "Despite this, we still need to send someone, and we are hoping that that would you, Titan Akiva."

Taking in the Vanguard's words, Akiva couldn't help a sigh, squeezing his eyes shut as he tried to take it all in.

"I cannot help but think that this signal could be a trap."

He had to let his thoughts, his suspicions known. Akiva may have only heard of these Revenants recently but from what little info he could garner, the Tower isn't well liked amongst their number. Whatever actions they may take, it shouldn't be trusted. And, when he opened his eyes, Akiva can tell the Vanguard thought the same. They were looking at each other, quietly assessing once more.

"Defend yourself as you see fit." Zavala finally broke the silence, "If this indeed is a trap, it cannot be helped."

Akiva raised both his hands up in mock surrender, "No concerns here."

"Alright." Cayde clapped his hands together, "Ready to go, Titan?"

"Just one more question." Akiva held up a finger, "I understand the importance of this mission but, why me?" He gestured towards the door, "There are plenty of other Guardians who are fully capable of taking on this task."

"Oh." Cayde perked up at his question, "That is a surprise, Titan Akiva."

Akiva reeled, "What?"

This earned him a chuckle from the Hunter Vanguard, "The only hint I am going to give you is that someone is waiting for you out there."

"It is not one of Cayde's pranks, if that is what you are worried about, Titan." Ikora must have seen Akiva's dubious look, "I can say, with confidence, that what Cayde is saying is true."

Despite the Warlock Vanguard's words, Akiva still couldn't help but doubt. Cayde maybe the prankster, but he had heard stories of Ikora – and sometimes even Zavala – partaking in his jokes. Is she a part of his plans?

"Is that all, Titan Akiva?" Zavala's words pulled Akiva out of his thoughts. He nodded, "Then you are dismissed. May the Traveler's Light guide you, Titan."

Giving the Titan Vanguard another nod and a salute, Akiva finally turned to leave. He felt Lex's weight leave his mind and it didn't take long for the shape of his Ghost to take form just above his shoulders.

"Wonder who is waiting for us." Lex said and Akiva couldn't help but quietly agree and ponder.

Xxxxx

"Hope, it's unnerving when you move around like that while I'm in stealth."

Turning her green optic towards the buzzing silhouette of her Guardian, Hope couldn't help but give Angel a blank stare.

"Why so worried?" she asked, "It's not like they know I have a Guardian. You know how the Eliksni are." Hope hovered closer, leaving just enough space between her and Angel to be inconspicuous, "If they want an easy ticket up the ranks in their house, capturin' a Ghost is the way to go."

"But what if they don't want a live Ghost?" Angel hissed out, "What if they're just territorial? And since I'm cloaked, the first thing they're going to fire at is-"

"Angel." Hope heard her Guardian pause, "There is no need to be so worried. All Cayde asked us to do is to find the frequency and wait for back up before engagin', and we're safe in our little 'hidin' place'. We should be fine."

Waiting for an answer, Hope couldn't help but bob once as Angel's cloak died down, the arc energy fizzling out and revealing her Guardian's form.

Having been out in the Wilds a little over a year now, Angel's attire consisted of white and gray patterns to match the snowy lands of the Cosmodrome. Hope even lined his cloak with furs, despite his protest; she doesn't care if his armor keeps him warm, she wasn't taking any chances. The only thing that he had kept the same before he left the tower was the winged insignia imprinted on the back of his cloak; he still hopes to find them again one day.

Watching her Guardian fidget with his sniper in his hands, Hope couldn't help but feel concerned, especially with the uneasiness she could sense from their bond. The loss of Carina and Aleeza still aches and considering lack of experience, both she and her Guardian have no idea to cope. For Hope, the presence of her Guardian is enough but for Angel, he started to be on edge, especially with the nonchalant way she likes to be out in the open. He fusses over her, worried over her safety. And Hope doesn't blame him. Angel doesn't want to lose another friend.

"Angel?"

She jumped and Hope barely felt the agitation from Angel before she saw her Guardian snap around, sniper rifle raised.

There was a yelp.

"Woah! Hey! It's me! Akiva!"

"…What?" Hope saw Angel lower his weapon, "Akiva? You're the Guardian they were sending?"

Green optic growing wide at Angel's deduction, Hope turned towards the newcomer, just in time to see him lower his hands and raised one to his chest, "Traveler, Angel. You scared the shit out of me. I still remember how accurate your shots are."

Unable to hold back a chuckle, Hope hovered close to Angel's shoulder as Akiva trudged through the snow, taking large but careful steps as he slowly closed the distance.

"Now I understand why the Vanguard sent me. You were the Scout that they mentioned." Akiva said as he came to a stop just short of them, brushing off stray flakes from his shoulders; Hope notices the furs that lined the collar of his armor. She also noticed that it was the 'only' place lined with fur against his brown armor. Wasn't he cold?

"I happened to be nearby when the frequency was received at the Tower." Angel explained, "They considered it emergency enough to locate and contact a Guardian closest to it." He shrugged, "Happened to be me."

A hum could be heard from Akiva before he walked over and held out a hand, prompting Angel to accept and gain helped being pulled onto his feet.

"Any clues on exact location of the frequency?"

Hope watched her Guardian shake his head, "I pinpointed it around here, but that is all the time I had before the Splicers arrived."

At the mention of the Eliksni, Hope couldn't help but release a huff, pressing her shell against her core. They were the reason why Angel had to stay and duck down. Whatever that red stuff was, it made them Devils more annoying than ever.

As if on cue, the familiar sound of energy shots rang through the air followed by the familiar screeching of a tongue that both she and Angel recognized throughout their years.

"Well." Hope heard Akiva say, "since I'm here, let's say we help the one who sent out this signal, shall we?"

Xxxxx

"Move! Move!"

Crystalline cursed as she watched the newborn struggle, collapsing every time she would get onto her feet. Hostile fire pierced the ground around her, leaving scorched marks in the snow; Crystalline is grateful that, although SIVA enhanced the Fallen, their shots are still horrible as ever. But it did little to ease the disbelief, the disbelief that her own instincts caused her to resurrect the newborn before her.

She can tell that the Guardian is weak, not just from fresh resurrection, but in general, as her feet remained unsteady, her legs trembling before she falls. And this allowed Crystalline to hear the Splicers closing in, the sound of the Fallen's mechanical limbs growing closer. The newborn must have heard it as well, as Crystalline can see her get on all fours and start crawling, leaving obvious trails in the snow to get away. But even then, Crystalline can see her limbs trembling, her breaths wheezing; she was amazed that they made it this far without being hit.

Nonetheless, Crystalline knows that their luck is at an end; she heard the Fallen had ceased their firing and she heard their mechanical limbs closing in. They had given up on their guns and she can see them approaching now, their blades in their hands. If her Chosen doesn't get up and stand, death will be upon her. A death that Crystalline knows is beyond swift and painless.

"Come on! Get on your feet!" Crystalline couldn't help but shout, agitation settling into her core as her Chosen ceased her movements, her shoulders trembling, "Oh Traveler! Hurry!"

That is when she heard a sob pierce the cold air.

Reeling, Crystalline snapped her optic towards her Chosen. And the reminder that she is still a child came flooding back as her Chosen cried, attempting to crawl only for her limbs to fail her once more, collapsing onto her chest. As the newborn whimpered and curled in on herself on her side, Crystalline found herself unable to raise her voice. She knows the feeling of waking up in unfamiliar territory, confused of their surroundings and then struggling to understand as everything moved on around her. That is how she herself felt when she woke up from the Traveler.

Feeling guilty at her behavior, this was quickly brushed aside when a Splicer finally moved in, a blade raised. She found herself moving in between it and the newborn; she wasn't going to lose another Chosen, at least, not without a fight.

At least, that is what she thought until a powerful shot rang through the air followed by the Splicer's head exploding in a display of vermillion blood, ether, and SIVA. Reeling back, Crystalline then watched as a familiar form of a Titan ran past her, slamming his fist into the nearest Fallen that had dared to wander close.

Hearing footsteps slowly approach behind her, Crystalline turned around and spotted the familiar cloaked shaped of a Hunter kneel, raised his sniper, and fired; she didn't have to look back to hear the familiar sound of another head being blown off its shoulders. Scrunching her shell together, Crystalline found herself drifting closer to the sobbing form of the newborn, suspicion quickly settling in as she kept the Hunter and Titan in her sights.

"The Guardians at the Tower believe all Darkness should be purified." She heard Blaise scoff, "Do they not see the potential of Light and Darkness working together? That in order to attain true peace that balance must be achieved?" The Hunter shook his head before his dark azure eyes turned towards her, "If you ever encounter them, Crystalline, do not trust those Tower Guardians, let alone telling them of our allegiance. More than likely they will brand us as traitors and mark us for hunting."

"Hunting?"

Blaise's eyes narrowed, "It means they will kill us."

"Is everyone alright?"

Snapping out of her thoughts, Crystalline couldn't help but press her shell against her core as both Hunter and Titan – both Guardians – approached.

"A newborn?" It was the Titan who spoke first, Crystalline watching him kneel and reach out a hand towards the shivering Chosen. Crystalline, in defense, leaned down and snapped her shell against his fingers. She felt satisfied when the Titan yelped and quickly withdrew his hand, shaking it.

"She's protective." The Hunter commented.

"I wasn't going to hurt her." The Titan sounded offended, "Honest!"

Like Crystalline is going to believe that. She showed her doubts, her distrust as she hovered protectively over the newborn, glaring at them both.

"Guess that means we're going to be here for a while." Crystalline heard a harsh release of breath, a sigh, and she glanced over to see a red and white shell of a Ghost hover over the Hunter's shoulder, "although, didn't the Vanguard say that the frequency was sent by a Hunter named Blaise?"

Crystalline froze, optic wide as an ache settled into her core.

Blaise.

Her first Chosen and the dream that he would be her only Chosen. The memory of his death is still fresh in her core; the feeling of his hand wrapping around her shell before she felt herself being thrown, the explosion of his grenade still a ringing ghost against her senses.

As the grief tore through her, Crystalline heard a sigh, a breath of understanding.

"I see."

Seeing the Titan lean down to her Chosen once more, Crystalline retaliated again, snapping her shell against the Titan's fingers. This time however, although he flinched, he was able to scoop the trembling child into his arms, much to the Ghost's dismay. However, as she went to voice her protests, to argue, she paused when the child's trembling ceased, and her whimpering quieted as she curled in against the Titan's chest.

"Let's hurry back." The Titan held Crystalline's Chosen close, cradling her as if she was precious, "The newborn doesn't look well."

The Tower. Traveler, they were going to take her back to the Tower. But if she does, they will know of her Chosen's existence and if she were to leave…

Panic settled into Crystalline's core as she frantically started flying around the Titan's head, trying anything to slow down his movements.

"What in the –" The Titan ducked down to avoid Crystalline colliding into his head, "I'm not-"

"Akiva!"

A warning cry erupted from the Hunter, and Crystalline looked up in time to see a familiar shimmering form leap, the cloak dropping to revealing the Vandal with their shockblades in hand. As the Fallen released a war cry, Crystalline watched with bewilderment as the Titan curled in, exposing his back.

But why? Tower Guardians were selfish, weren't they?

She was confused, shocked, and then jumped when a loud bang pierced the air. The spliced Vandal flew sideways, leaving trails of vermillion in the air and then onto the snow. They remained unmoving when they landed.

Crystalline blinked. That wasn't the Titan, since both his hands were occupied and when she looked back at the Hunter, he looked just as stunned as her, his sniper is still in his hands. As such, shifting her shell closer to her core, she looked around, and she couldn't help but narrow her optic when another Guardian stepped out behind a crashed ship, a shotgun in hand.

The Guardian is a Warlock, judging from the dark and brown robes and the bond around his left arm, and she couldn't help but hover back when he felt his eyes upon her.

Three Tower Guardians. She is surrounded.

"And here I thought I would have a day for a simple warmup."

From his words, the three knew each other, especially when Crystalline spotted the Titan perk up, turning to face the newcomer.

"Ianos? Is that you?"