Redacted
He is Gone
I apologize for the late update! I may have been...distracted... by an app game... *coughs*. Anyways! enjoy this chapter :D
Thanks to DisobeyedBowl6, TidalKiller, jsm1978, and TheTurtleman for the reviews! :D
TheTurtleMan - Yeah, I wanted to show that Angel trusts the Eliksni more than the Tower lol. Not sure if I portrayed that correctly... anyways! Thanks! I am very interested in the Fallen lore but sadly, we don't get much on them, so I had to speculate 'alot' lol.
Edited: 01/08/2023
Pain.
That is the first thing he felt when he opened his eyes, world blurry, and his surroundings moving too quickly for him to grasp. All Angel knew is that he is being carried, the one clutching him close to their chest gentle but tight, a sense of panic clear in their touch.
It is then he noticed a sound – a voice – echoing in his ears, speaking frantically to him as he felt their steps, quick and careful. His gaze swimming around his surroundings, he barely caught a glimpse of a respirator followed by the glow of four eyes and spotted the concern.
Taking note of the darkness behind them, he then groaned when light suddenly filled his vision, causing him to tilt his head back and close his eyes. This sent waves of pain throughout his body, and he tried to scream, but he choked instead, taking in a wheezing gasp as his lungs contorted in agony.
That is when he heard shouting, words of rage permeating around him. Fluttering his eyes open, Angel recognized Flourishing One, seeing her eyes narrow in anger, fury obvious in her tone. Following her gaze, his fading sight caught several shapes – all Eliksni – their displeasure obvious as their hands snapped towards him. He can see the madness in their eyes.
As he heard them exchange words, words that were a fog in his ears, he continued to scan around him. That is when he caught four glowing white eyes. And he smiled.
"S-Sal-Salziks."
By the Great Machine, he missed her. To see her again like this, it was like the god had answered his prayers, his dreams.
He ignored his pain, the agony as he raised a hand towards her, calling out again, "S-Salziks."
The voices around him went quiet, feeling all eyes on him now, and he could see the white eyes turn towards him. Angel felt the edges of his eyes burn, his joy replaced with grief. And guilt.
"I-I'm sorry." He struggled to take in a breath, tasting the copper on the tip of his tongue, "I – I tried to forgive. B-But I cannot. I-I c-couldn't just l-leave it."
The tears fell, any semblance of clarity in his vision now gone as he managed to confess, "T-Those bandits. Th-those Guardians. They a-aren't around anymore…"
Then his vision went black.
Xxxxx
Having known Ianos for centuries, Pluto knew that when Nine brought the Warlock back, unconscious in his arms, without Angel, that he would be furious. This is soon proven true that when he awoke, the first thing he did was slamming himself into Nine and lifting the Exo Warlock off his feet despite his superior height, shouting, raving over the decision of leaving the Hunter behind. Then, just as quickly as the raged had consumed him, Pluto then saw the grief, Ianos pushing himself away from the Exo and taking refuge in his quarters.
It has been a few weeks since then and Pluto hadn't seen him since, even when he himself enters his apartment. His bedroom door would be shut tight. In Pluto's experience, you do not want to bother Ianos when his door is closed.
This placed Hush under Akiva's care and – although she had grown comfortable with the Titan – she still yearns for Ianos' company, where Pluto would sometimes catch her at Ianos' apartment door, hands pressed against it as if to hope he would let her in. He would have to gradually lead her back, disappointment clear on her tan features.
And they weren't the only ones affected by Angel's disappearance.
Although Akiva does his best by hiding behind a smile, Pluto can see the dimness in his eyes, the sadness all too clear. And he himself felt a sense of loss, the team feeling emptier with another member down. Pluto cannot help but turn his grief into one of hate towards Nine.
Despite understanding Nine's decision, that abandoning Angel was the only logical stance for the two Warlocks' survival, he cannot help but place the blame fully onto the Phoenix Exo. And it seems he wasn't the only one with the same thought.
Pluto had caught Nine on several occasions standing at Ianos' door, his white optics blank as always as he repeatedly attempted to get inside, only for the pad – that used to recognize his signature – to deny him access. Even Akiva, the Titan the most forgiving within the team, cannot even look at the Exo's way, Pluto seeing the anger and the anguish in his golden eyes whenever they would pass.
The only one who didn't seem to carry a grudge is Hush, the half child seemingly wading in and out of the Plaza, her yellow eyes always searching for her Exo companion.
Since Nine is denied to Ianos' quarters, Pluto can take a guess that he has been staying with Echo; who else would take in a Guardian that had killed non-Guardians? His intuition is proven true when he spotted the two Phoenix Exo talking together in a corner of the Mess Hall one day, their chatter too quiet for him to catch.
Curious on what they were talking about, Pluto had tried to eavesdrop, gradually moving in closer, but a warning glance from Echo is enough to deter him. And he had been around long enough to know of Echo's reputation. Pluto knows not to mess with a former Warlord.
As such, his thoughts lingered over to Hope, the Ghost having been listless, indifferent, blank even when they had returned. Her once bright green optic is now empty of any emotion, of any feeling. She currently sits upon a table within Angel's quarters, her optic staring at the door, as if hoping for her Guardian's return.
Pluto checks on her every now and then, and his gut would twist at the way her optic would fall when he would walk in, looking crestfallen that it was him, and not Angel that had entered. And each time he would enter, he would take note of how the green in her optic would fade, the dark forest green color now a pale green. A sign that their bond is weakening. At this rate, even if they do find Angel, their bond wouldn't be the same. She might even have to find another.
And that would break her.
Sighing, Pluto pulled himself out of his thoughts and turned his focus back to the spar occurring before him, eyeing the way Orion's and Cosmos' arc light lingered over their arms. Their hands were locked in close combat, staring each other down as he and the other clan members watched from the sidelines, mostly as a precaution that the pair wouldn't destroy the surrounding gym.
Normally, Pluto wouldn't pit two Striker's against each other. The way their arc light explodes and lingers has a larger prospect of damage. But he also knows that there will come a day when the young clan members will fight other Chosen. And not within Shaxx's controlled Crucible environments. There are still rogue Light Bearers out there, after all.
As Pluto continued to watch Orion and Cosmos wrangle with each other, he then saw the way their arc light coalesce to the floor, leaving behind blacken strikes.
"Enough!" he shouted.
In response to his call, Cosmos' shoulders laxed and she practically threw her arms away to force Orion back. That is when his fellow Titan ducked in. And swung a fist into Cosmos' face.
Pluto watched on in horror as arc light surged through Orion's arm and into Cosmos, her body exploding into morbid sparks of blue light. The blue and yellow shell of her Ghost compiled where she previously stood.
"Orion!"
Pluto's shout prompted Orion's attention to turn towards him, and he can see past the look of indifference. And spotted the frustration, the grief, and the loneliness.
The younger Exo scoffed at his warning and promptly walked away, leaving Constell, Cosmos' Ghost, room to bring his Guardian back. Shaking his head as he watched Orion's shape turn a corner and disappear, Pluto then wandered if it had been a good idea to have let Olkar stay back then. Trikxas may have been the Eliksni's Ghost first, but Pluto hadn't expected the young Exo to have bonded with him that closely. The House of Spirits departure had sent Orion into a whirlwind of emotion and the only one who could ground him was Angel. After all, both felt a different amount of loss with the Eliksni's departure.
But the young Hunter is no longer here.
"Cosmos? Are you okay?"
Glancing over, Pluto saw that the rest of the clan had already surrounded the female Titan, the latter of which is already on her feet, rubbing her jaw.
"Yes, just sore." Cosmos grunted before she smiled; all is already forgiven, "So, who wants to face me next!?"
A chorus of chuckles can be heard from the group of young Exo and Pluto couldn't help but crack a smile, crossing his arms as he watched them squabble before Polaris' boisterous voice drowned out any protests. Taking steps back to allow them space to spar and to give the rest of the younger clan members space to learn independence, that is when Pluto heard cautious and quiet steps approach from behind. He turned. And anger rose to the surface at the familiar site of Nine's white clad form. Pluto reached for the hand cannon around his waist.
"Before you say anything, it's me."
Pluto paused, red optics wide, "Knight? Is that you?"
"Yes, its' me." Obvious from the way he hunched his shoulders, hands nervously wringing together, and his white optics continuously glanced around.
"Where have you been?" Pluto kept his voice hushed; Knight was doing the same, so it is obvious that the younger Exo is trying to deter attention, "After Nine and Ianos returned, I haven't seen you since."
After all, everyone is upset with Nine, not Knight.
"Nine told me what happened." Knight started, "I thought it best to avoid all of you considering that, well." He gestured to himself, "Nine and I share a body, and I couldn't help but think that the first thing everyone would do if they saw me is to give me a punch to the face."
Pluto flinched. Well, he wasn't wrong. Pluto did try to reach for his hand cannon first. Guess that it is fortunate then that Knight approached him. Ianos has the tendency to not listen when upset.
"Then why approach me now?" Pluto decided to ask.
"Well." He watched as Knight tapped his fingers nervously together, "Nine wanted to talk with you but, considering what happened, he believed that it is best for me to approach you first." Pluto heard the young Exo release a nervous breath, "Nine wants me to ask you for assistance."
Despite himself, Pluto narrowed his optics, "After knocking Ianos unconscious and abandoning Angel, what makes him think that I would be willing to assist him?"
"Because he, because…" Knight dipped his head, looking around once more before he lowered his voice further, Pluto barely picking up his words, "Because he found Angel."
Pluto's optics grew wide, "He found – oof."
He stumbled, caught off guard from Nine's sudden push.
"Not so loud, okay?" Knight warned, "Nine only wants you to know and no one else."
"Why?" Pluto demanded.
That is when he saw Knight look away. And he understood.
"He broke his allotted time?" Pluto asked.
"No." Knight paused, hesitating, "Well yes, but Echo was chaperoning us."
Pluto couldn't help but give the younger Exo a blank stare, "That is not any better."
"Look." Knight breathed out, "With everyone mad at him, there was no one else, and between Nine and I, he is better at locating and finding stuff." He paused, "According to him anyway."
Suspicion settled over Pluto, "Then why not bring Echo for assistance?"
That is when Knight shrugged, hands moving in thought, "Well, not really an 'assistant' and more of like, a witness?"
Pluto raised a brow, "A witness? A witness for what?"
Watching as Knight parted his mouth, Pluto expected an answer, a response. But instead, he watched on in bewilderment as Knight's jaw clamped shut, his optics going bright.
"Right." Pluto sighed, "Echo's command affects you too?"
Knight nodded, "And it doesn't help that Echo hates me. Even if I can, I'd rather not risk my life like that."
Good point.
"But Nine found a loophole." Knight continued, "He can't tell you, but he can 'show' you."
"Show me?" Pluto repeated.
"Just, just meet us at the Hangar in a few hours." Knight said, "With Hope."
Unable to help but scowl, Pluto then asked, "Anything else specific?"
"Bring a weapon but one for defense, not for killing." He raised a brow at Knight's answer, "Because where we are going, we want to minimize casualties the best we can."
"And why?"
"Because." Knight hesitated, Pluto spotting the onset of worry in his optics, "Because we're going to pay a visit to the House of Kings."
Xxxxx
"You seem concerned for that bandit's well-being."
"That 'bandit' saved my life." She couldn't help but snap, turning her eyes away from the Guardian laying before her and turned to the male behind. And promptly growled at him.
In turn, her fellow Vandal didn't seem fazed.
"And that matters?" he asked.
"He saved my life." She reiterated, "Twice."
Hearing the male Eliksni before her rumble low, curiosity settling over his four eyes, Flourishing One couldn't help square out her shoulders. She released a low growl when he walked over and leaned over the Guardian's prone form.
"Stay away from him, Ikrylos."
"I am not going to hurt him." The male proclaimed, "I am curious as to why he nearly gave his life to save yours, especially considering the history between our people." She watched on warily as Ikrylos leaned back and hummed, "If what you told us is true, you would have thought that he would have run to his allies and save his own life instead."
"He is not like the other bandits." Flourishing One huffed, "This one was raised by a pack from a new House."
"According to your words." She can hear the doubt in his voice, "But you do have to admit it is a ludicrous story." He took steps away from the Guardian's side, obviously apathetic, "I am more willing to believe that you have failed on your mission to find a resource for our House."
Flourishing One's eyes lit up and she snarled, "We were surrounded by Darken Ones, what do you expect?" She lifted her shoulders, trying her best to appear bigger, as she took threatening steps forward, "If it was not for Pure One, I would have not been able to return and report that there was nothing, that there is no longer a reason to recklessly send scouts."
She waited, watching as her fellow Eliksni turned and narrowed his four eyes at her.
"Pure One?" He repeated. And that is when Flourishing One realized her mistake, "Pure One!? Do you seriously consider this bandit as an ally? A friend!?"
Unable to help but shrink back at his shout, Flourishing One glanced over at the slumbering Guardian behind the male Eliksni, then back at the latter before she took in a deep breath and answered.
"Yes."
Ikrylos' roar is expected and as such, Flourishing One is already ready for his charge. Squaring out her feet and shoulders, she is able to stabilize herself when she blocked his upper arms with hers, staying steady, and straining against his attack.
"Traitor!"
Flinching at the word, Flourishing One clicked her mandibles together before twisting his arms to the side, hoping to at least throw him off balance, and give her time to gage some distance. Instead, she felt his lower arms grabs hers. And jerked.
Cursing at the lack of use with her lower appendages, Flourishing One then felt the agony, the pain through her second pair of arms, prompting her to gasp. Which was promptly interrupted by a punch to the jaw.
This forced her to release her hold on Ikyrlos' upper arms, stumbling back as her vision blurred, the edges of her eyes wet just as she felt hands grab the front of her armor, and kept her steady. Shaking her head to straight out her sight, Flourishing One then froze when she saw Ikrylos looming over her, pulling back a fist. She took in a sharp breath and prepared herself for a hit.
"What is going on here!?"
Turning her eyes towards the entrance, Flourishing One couldn't help but release a breath of relief when she spotted Vraldyks, one of the few surviving Barons within their House, and his tall and broad form is enough that she felt Ikrylos' hands leave her, allowing her to keep steady on her own two feet.
"I came to check on the condition of our prisoner, only to see two of my Vandals locked in combat." She watched as his four eyes – white instead of luminescent blue – glowed bright in warning, "So do not make me repeat myself again: What is going on here?"
"She sees this bandit as an ally."
Flourishing One snapped her head towards Ikrylos, watching as her fellow bandit jabbed a finger at the unconscious Guardian; she couldn't help but feel like a small hatchling being tattled on. Thanks to this, she made a gesture at Ikrylos, a warning that she will get him back later; just because they hatched around the same batch, doesn't mean she will let him off easily.
"Is this true?"
Dipping her head at Vraldyks' words, Flourishing One pondered if she should deny or confirm; she had seen what happens to those who attempt even a simple parley.
But then she remembered how the Guardian jumped in during her capture by the Darken Ones, and how he selflessly saved her instead of himself within the crumbling tunnel. She has a debt to repay.
"Yes." Flourishing One said confidently, "It is true."
Spotting the way Vraldyks' eyes narrowed, she couldn't help but take steps back until she found her back pressed against the railing of the Guardian's cot. It didn't help that the Baron approached, easily looming over, his shadow falling over her form. Taking in a deep breath, Flourishing One looked on with wide eyes as Vraldyks' raised a hand, reaching for her throat.
That is when a groan permeated behind her.
Despite instinct telling her not to, to keep her four eyes upon the two male Eliksni before her, Flourishing One turned, lingering over the stirring Guardian. Her eyes grew wide as the human's eyes fluttered open.
Feeling the attention of Ikrylos and Vraldyks upon her back, Flourishing One ignored the warnings and ignored them, watching as Pure One's eyes glanced around before falling upon her. A soft smile then appeared upon his face.
"Flourishing One, you are unharmed…"
He spoke slowly, his voice barely a whisper, that Flourishing One had to strain to even hear his words clearly. She found herself reaching to the casts of her lower arms.
"Made it one piece." She said before she glanced at the two Eliksni behind her. Vraldyks still looms over her, she is surprised that Pure One had yet to make a comment on him yet. Ikrylos – as cautious since they were hatchlings – stood a bit away. Close enough where he can keep eye on things but far enough to ready himself for any threat.
"Where are we?"
Turning her attention back to Pure One, Flourishing One contemplated, feeling the eyes of the males upon her back once more; she cannot speak plainly, not when the two are still wary of the Guardian.
"In a safe place." She answered.
The Guardian took in a deep, wheezing breath. He then coughed, "Then we are at your House."
Flourishing One froze, her gut twisting as she heard Vraldyks growl out a warning behind her. Now it will be impossible to convince the Kell, the Archon, and the Barons to release him alive.
As she contemplated upon an excuse, or a lie to at least keep the Guardian alive, Flourishing One heard him release a breath of relief.
"Thank the Great Machine."
She reeled, watching as he closed his eyes, content, "You are safe."
Blinking, Flourishing One looked back at Ikrylos and Vraldyks, she made sure that they weren't going to move and do harm – and glad to see that they looked on in shock – before she spoke, "You always seem keen on my safety, why not your own?" She heard him release a short huff, almost a laugh, "Is that the reason your pack calls you Pure One?"
She heard him take in a deep breath and Flourishing One waited patiently.
"Yes." He finally answered, "But it is a name that I do not – cannot – accept." She watched him open his eyes, but they stared ahead, not once looking at her, "I didn't want anyone to know. To hear but, my light is weak. My life, fading."
Flourishing One flinched; although she didn't want to admit it, she wasn't surprised. His Shard isn't here and the injuries he had sustained were serious. No doubt he will pass on soon, whether she likes it or not.
"I believe it is time for me to confess."
She paused, furrowing her eyes, "Confess?"
"Confessing for the innocents he murdered."
Turning and giving Ikrylos a glower, that is when Flourishing One then spotted Vraldyks take steps back, allowing the two space. That is when she heard a weak laugh emit from Pure One behind her.
"So that is who I mistook for Salziks." She heard him say and it wasn't hard to tell who he is talking about. After all, there aren't many Eliksni whose eyes are the same shade as the Great Machine.
"My apologies for mistaking you as someone else, Lord." Pure One apologized, "Your eyes, they were just like hers."
That is when Flourishing One grew wary, glancing over her shoulder to look back at the Baron. Although many see the eye color as being blessed by the Great Machine, she also knows that is also seen in a light of contempt. After all, their 'god' had abandoned them years ago, leaving them at the mercy of the Whirlwind. She wouldn't be surprised if it is a sensitive point for the Baron.
However, as she looked back, Flourishing One is surprised to see curiosity linger in Vraldyks eyes and she heard him rumble, "Another Eliksni had same eyes as I?"
Of course, he would be curious. Vraldyks is the only one in the House of Kings whose eyes are unique.
This earned the Baron a weak chuckle from the Guardian, "Her name was Salziks. A Captain of House Devils." He then paused, Flourishing One spotting a fog in his eyes, "At least, she used to be."
Hearing him go silent, Flourishing One couldn't help but worry, worried that he would give up his life. Fortunately, his eyes remained opened.
"Do you remember the bandits? How I told you that I did not wrought vengeance upon them despite their actions of killing her?"
It is obvious that Pure One is speaking to her, despite his eyes not looking her way. Flourishing One nodded.
Waiting for him to continue, Flourishing One's heartbeat rapidly when his eye lids drooped, fearing that she wouldn't get to hear what else he has to stay next. Once again, his eyes remained open, although they were half-lidded, as if he could barely keep awake.
"I told you that I let them go." He coughed, "I lied."
Flourishing One's eyes grew wide. Lied? Why would he…?
"I was with Salziks that day, when the bandits came and razed the camp." The Guardian continued, "when they saw me standing next to her, they had thought that I had been captured, taken prisoner, and as such, killed her in front of me, thinking that they were doing me a favor." He rasped, "When I ran, they had thought it because I was a new light, young and fearful." Flourishing One heard him chuckle, "In truth, I was plotting vengeance. Plotting their deaths." That is when he finally turned his eyes towards her, "I searched, found their camp, found them in the midst of celebrating."
"Celebrating?"
A chuckle can be heard from the Guardian, low and bitter, "They had just killed a Captain and her pack. What do you think?"
That is when it hit Flourishing One.
"For your dame…"
He flashed her a minuet smile.
"I had planned to wait until they rested but, the way they boasted of how they killed Salziks, of how they killed her and the pack, I could not contain my fury." A laugh, empty and hollow came from the Guardian, "It was easy, they did not expect one of their own to attack, let alone kill them." He took in a rasping breath, "and it surprised me how easily a Shard breaks in one's hand."
There is a rumble of surprise behind her but Flourishing One once again opted to ignore the two males.
"I dragged their bodies to the outskirts of the Corroded Lands, buried their bodies and Shards before I finally headed to the Haven." Another harsh release of breath, "No one knows of my sin."
"Sin?" It is Ikrylos who spoke up, voicing her thoughts, "What sin have you committed for avenging this Captain's death?"
"For I made a promise," The Guardian answered, "A promise made from her last breath, where I promised Salziks that I would not enact upon my anger, my need for vengeance. She had wanted me to move on, to forgive, to let it go…"
That is when Flourishing One heard him release a deep sigh, an exhale, and she waited for the sound of him straining to take in air. Her chest went tight when she heard nothing.
"Pure One?" She called out, feeling her heartbeat hard against her chest when she still received no answer, and Flourishing One found herself looking back at Ikrylos and Vraldyks. The two males look just as lost as her.
That is when she took in a shaky breath, turning her eyes back towards the Guardian, who now laid still within his cot.
"He is gone." She said.
Xxxxx
Initially, Pluto had thought that it would have been difficult to convince Hope to leave the confines of her and Angel's apartment. But he should have known that the instant Angel's name left his lips when he spotted the way her optic fill with life, life he had not seen since her Hunter's disappearance. Excited to the point where it had taken a while to calm her enough to compile into the safety of his armor.
"You sure you know where you are going?"
It is Nix who asked the question, his Ghost's viridian shell nervously shifting against his core, his light the only thing allowing Pluto to see their surroundings.
After leaving the safety of the City, Knight relinquished control, allowing Nine to lead them to an abandoned building through the Rocketyard, Pluto eyeing the broken lockers and furniture as the pair made their way through. He recalls patrolling the very same area years back, taking the heads of Fallen with his sniper. As Pluto eyed the dark corners, cracks where he knows that Fallen likes to hide themselves, Nine, in contrast, strolled through the area as his own Ghost lit the way, holding the sidearm in his hand as if it is nothing more than a toy.
"According to my scans, Hunter Angel's light is in this general location." Nine's monotone voice echoed in the dark, and Pluto couldn't help but feel uneasy because of it, "I also assessed that the House of Kings also have settled here."
"Scans? Assessed?" Nix voiced the questions that settled in Pluto's head, "Pluto can't even do half of that. What are you? A super Exo?"
That is when Pluto saw Nine's shoulders jerk, going rigid. He can see his lights flicker between the cracks of his helmet.
"Observation, voice authorization not recognized." Pluto couldn't help but scowl, "Unable to access Files of PHX – TRVLR. Encoded permission accessible from Phoenix Exo Unit I – 0 needed."
"For fuck's sake!" Frustration oozed from Nix, "Come here! I'm tired of this authorization bullshit!"
That is when Day abruptly turned, causing Pluto to snap back and hold up a hand; cons of having his sight back as the Ghost's light easily blinded him.
"If you are thinking about hacking my Guardian's head, think again." Pluto – after blinking past stars – spotted Day hover between Nix and their Guardian, "This is his privacy that you are invading."
"Privacy!?" Nix sounded offended, "He wants to tell us about this PHX – TRVLR secret but Echo's command is preventing him from doing so! How else are we going to figure it out!?"
"Anything but diving into his head." Day retorted, "There is a reason why we want a witness when we find Angel."
"Why is that?" Nix asked.
"When Warlock Ianos and I last seen Hunter Angel, he was seriously injured." Nine answered the Ghost's question, Pluto hearing Hope take in a sharp intake of breath inside his head while as the Exo Warlock before him glanced over his shoulder; he can feel the blank gaze behind his helmet, "And with the extended amount of time Ghost Hope has been away from her Guardian, it may be a possibility that it is too late."
Pluto tensed, "What are you implying?"
Instead of receiving an immediate answer, Pluto watch as Nine looked away, head tilted slightly as if contemplating.
"I ventured here with Echo when last I searched for Angel." The Phoenix Exo finally said, "However it was faint, weak where even Echo nearly missed it." He then shifted his head further to one side, as if straining to hear, "and even now, I can feel it fade."
"What!?"
Hope's shout is loud against his sensors and Pluto couldn't help but wince, and then jumped when Hope's white and red shell compiled into view. She then proceeded to shoot past Day, the latter of who squawked indignantly, and circled to plant herself in front of Nine's face.
"Are you saying his light is fading?"
Her voice is filled with incredulity, doubt, and Pluto doesn't blame her. Here they are, closing in on Angel's supposed location, and here Nine is saying that it may possibly be for naught.
It doesn't help that – from behind – Nine looked at her and answered with only a single word, "Yes."
"How the fuck do you know this!?"
Watching as Hope loomed in closer, practically touching Nine's visor, Pluto then spotted the lights between the cracks of his helmet flicker; a sign that the Exo Warlock is unable to answer.
"Do not fret, Ghost Hope." Nine said instead; Hope's shell shifted in agitation, "Even if his connection fades completely, I have a solution to fix it."
To fix what?
Pluto couldn't help but mimic Hope's surprise, optics wide behind his helmet while as the female Ghost jerked back, obviously shocked from the Phoenix Exo's words.
"What do you…" Pluto started but then, he stopped himself. There is no doubt that Nine won't be able to answer. Otherwise, he would have further elaborated instead of remaining silent, staring down Hope's optic.
As such, instead, Pluto said, "Then let us hurry before Angel is beyond saving."
That is when he felt Hope's optic snap towards him.
"But…"
Saying nothing, Pluto raised a hand, gesturing with his fingers for her to come back. Hearing her grumble, Pluto is relieved when she glided over, hovering over his palm momentarily before she disappeared in a flash of light and he felt her presence within his mind. Rolling his head as if to adjust to the additional presence, Pluto then nodded at Nine, signaling for both Exo and Ghost to turn and continue to lead the way.
"I pray that we are not too late." He heard his Ghost whisper as they followed. Although hopeful, Pluto couldn't shake off the sense of unease that settled over his shoulders. He too prays that they will find the young Hunter on time.