Redacted
Exposed: Knight
Edited: 10/09/2022
I was created to kill.
To destroy.
To take life.
They expected me to follow without question.
And that I have.
Does not mean I enjoyed what I did.
Killing.
Violence.
A weapon.
Everything that I am.
I despise.
That is why I created you.
You are everything that I am not.
And yet.
I am still here.
Am I still cursed to live out this life?
To live out my remaining years as a slave?
As a machine?
That must be my fate.
My brother.
My child.
If there comes a time when death is needed.
Then instead of dirtying your hands of blood
I shall be the one to rain down punishment
To cleanse the sinners amongst the innocent
If we are to find the guilty
Their lives are forfeit
Xxxxx
"Knight!
Taking in a shuddering breath, Knight blinked rapidly as his optics scanned his surroundings. He is immediately taken aback. Instead of the numerous apartments and small shops of the Last City, Knight instead found himself staring into what seemed to be rings, slowly crossing each other as the familiar holographic form of the Traveler flickered inside. Reeling from the sudden change in environment, Knight glanced over his shoulder, his optic locking onto the worried look of Day.
"Knight? Are you alright? Wait no." He watched as his Ghost's optic narrowed, slowly hovering closer, clearly scrutinizing, "Are you Knight?"
Knight sputtered, "What in the – What is that supposed to mean?"
"You're Knight."
Furrowing his brows at the way Day's gaze soften into relief, Knight then asked, "Day what is going on?" He glanced to his surroundings once more, spotting pedestals balancing similar design as the construct in front of him, "And how did I get here?"
The worried look flashed back into his Ghost's optic, "You still don't remember?"
"What do you mean 'still'?"
Confused, Knight watched as Day's shell pressed against their core, releasing a sigh when he received no answer. He shouldn't be surprised, since the start of his 'blackouts', his Ghost have been dodgy, either giving vague answers or not answering at all. But Knight is patient, and he will get answers in time; he can tell that Day is ready to explode soon, especially since he can sense the worry, the concern through their bond.
"Echo, if you are to here to ask of the Traveler's condition. The answer has been the same. They are stable and on its way in recovery…"
Hearing a voice pause, Knight fumbled, glancing around before his optics spotted stairs, and followed the steps upwards. From there, his gaze settled upon a figure clad in white, the latter of whom had pushed himself away from a desk on the top floor and had turned to face him. Despite the white mask that hide his features, Knight can tell just from the way his shoulders lifted subtly gave off his surprise.
"My apologies, your Light is similar in resonance to another." He then nodded at Knight, "How may I help you, Guardian?"
"Shining Knight." Knight corrected. He paused, his core heating upwards to his cheeks and lifted his shoulders, "Or Knight. And, you are…"
"I am called 'The Speaker'." Knight couldn't help but blink at the name, "I am to take a guess that you are a new light, Knight?"
"Yes?" Is being a little over half a year still a new light? "How did you know?"
There is a brief chuckle but nonetheless, the Speaker didn't say anymore and instead, Knight watched as the man descended the stairs.
"I know every face, every name." The Speaker said, "To remember those who leave for the field and back. And for those who do not return." He came to a pause near Knight, "You were an unfamiliar face, Knight, and your light." Knight couldn't help but blink, saying nothing as the Speaker subtly tilted his head, humming, "It is filled with questions, questions that only a new light would have."
Knight reeled, "Wait, how did you…"
"My light is not fit for combat." The Speaker started, "However, it allows me to attune to the light of others."
Knight paused at the Speakers words, taking them into consideration; it makes sense. After all, there are former and active Guardians who work in the Medical Wing. Or trying to, with Matt's case.
"How did you know I have questions?" He asked.
"Your light felt conflicted, confused. A usual sign of one wanting answers." He watched as the Speaker crossed his arms behind his back, "Is there a way that I can help calm the light within?"
Optics glancing over the unreadable expression of the man, Knight couldn't help but hesitate; can he trust him?
In honesty, Knight had heard of the Speaker, catching snatches of the figurehead of the Tower when wandering around. But, not once had it occurred to him that the Speaker would make himself at home with the Soldiers of the Light. He would think that such an important figure as the Speaker would stay in an area that is away from harm, or at least far from those who directly are fighting in the frontline.
He cares. A voice whispered in the back of his mind, Trust him. For he cares.
He cares.
Repeating those words to himself, Knight then decided to ask, "You said earlier that my light is similar to another? Echo, correct?" His mind wandered back to the Titan that he had fought during his assessment. Knight couldn't help but a raise a hand to the back of his neck, fingering the letters printed upon it. The way Echo reeled is still clear in his mind, "What do you mean by that?"
There is a soft hum from the Speaker, "If that is your question, then I am to guess that you are an Exo, Knight?"
"Yes," He confirmed, "But how is that prevalent to my question?"
Instead of receiving an answer, Knight watched as the Speaker closed the distance, up until he is merely an arm's length away. And promptly placed a hand upon his chest.
Knight jerked back, almost taking a step away.
"What-"
His words came to a halt when warmth suddenly permeated from his chest – no – from the Speaker's palm, Knight feeling the waves of ease. He felt the tension in his shoulders fade. And his mind cleared.
"I have heard reports of self-memory wipes but, not once have I encountered a Guardian who had it themselves." The Speaker said as Knight felt his hand leave his chest, crossing his arms behind his back once more. Then, he watched him turn and ascend the steps, "If you want an answer to your question, then I must say this: speak with Echo. He will give you the answers you seek."
Taking in the Speaker's words, Knight couldn't help but let his fear settle. But, at the same time, feel hopeful.
"I do not mean to be rude, Speaker, but why Echo?" He asked, "Can you not answer me? Why is my light like his?"
That is when the Speaker turned to him, and Knight cannot help but feel a tad frustrated; his mask made him impossible to read.
"Because I do not have the answer. However, Lord Echo does."
Lord?
Pondering upon the title, Knight snapped back to attention when he heard the Speaker continue, "Although he keeps to himself, Echo informed me enough that his request became simple: any Guardians who share a similar light to his shall be directed to him."
Knight blinked, "Has, has there been others before me?"
"No, you are the first. And this request had been placed back when the City was nothing more than a small settlement."
That long? But why?
Pondering upon it, Knight still couldn't help but hesitate. The brutality Echo shown during the assessment is still clear.
"I see you have concerns." Once again, Knight is snapped out of his thoughts, "Worry not, if you approach him now, he will not be a threat." He could sense the warm smile behind the Speaker's mask, "Instead, he will be happy to finally have found you."
"What?" Knight leaned back, optics blinking rapidly, "What do you mean?" He watched as the man promptly turned back to his desk, "Speaker, please. I need to understand-"
"Knight!" He jumped at Day's shout; so insistent on gaining answers he had forgotten about his Ghost's presence, "It's Io! Io sent a frequency!"
"Frequency? For what?"
Turning to face his Ghost, Knight saw Day's optics were wide, surprise staring back. That is when he remembered the gap in his memory, the gap between his time in the City and his return to the Tower.
As such, as he felt his core heat up within his chest, Knight gulped and said, "What did he say?"
"He said he found the base!" Day answered, "He found where the kidnappers are based!"
Base? Kidnappers? What happened?
Found you.
A wave of rage, of anger surged throughout Knight's body, a sensation of fire that made him choke and stumble. Soon after, a snarl broke from his throat. And it wasn't his.
They will pay for taking Little One.
Feeling the fury build, Knight felt the sensation of freefall, feeling himself fall back as if he had been shoved. Then, nothing.