Redacted

Echo, No

I'm early for once! A miracle! Anyways, here's the next chapter lol. Sorry for the lame title, couldn't think of anything better.

Thanks to Mantic64 for the review!

"Is that me?"

He pressed his hand against the glass, his white optics beaming with curiosity as, to him, looked into a face that is a mirror of his, except slimmer, feminine.

His question earned him a laugh, "No, Unit I – 0, but, she is similar to you." He felt a hand press against his shoulder, prompting the Exo to turn and give the human next to him a bewildered look, "she is made from the same material, albeit in a less purified form."

"Less purified?" He repeated, earning a nod from the human, "We are conducting, 'tests', to see the extent of this, 'ore', that we found. This unit has a large amount of it built into her, however, you have 'more'."

"So, you are slowly dwindling the amount, until a satisfactory result can be found?"

"Wow, your vocabulary is growing, Unit I-0," A sense of pride settled into the Exo's chest, "but yes, that is technically what we are doing. Until then," Another pat on the shoulder, "Say hello to your sister, Unit I-1"

Xxxxx

Unit Eleven was unsure how to respond to the female Exo's question, either to lie and give her a false name, or to tell the truth, to give her an opportunity to lower his guard. However, as he saw her broad smile on her metallic features, her white optics beaming at him expectantly, the Exo Warlock found himself answering, "Greetings, Dusk, I am Unit Eleven. It is a pleasure to meet you."

No sooner had he returned her greeting when he saw her smile falter, and her optics dimming at his words, "The programmed response, I take it." Unit Eleven then saw her gaze flash over the side of his head, hearing her let out a scoff soon after, "The eleventh unit made but yet, the humans weren't creative enough to update the 'receptive' response. How 'original'."

Seeing her walk towards him, Unit Eleven's shoulders tense, keeping his optics blank as the female Phoenix hovered over his form, "You are your own Exo now, brother. No need to keep up with this 'façade'." Her smile brightens once more, "The humans who created us, they are not here to dictate our lives no more." She held out a hand, "You are 'free', brother. You are free to do whatever your will desires."

Glancing back and forth between her hand and her smiling face, Unit Eleven easily felt the tug of Knight in the back of his mind, feeling the emotions of doubt and mistrust emanating towards Dusk. However, with the two minds injured and sorely outnumbered, the Exo Warlock placed logic over emotions, calculating the pair's survival rate much higher if they gain the trust of the Phoenix Exo before them. As such, he reached out and placed a hand into Dusk's. No sooner had he done this when a warmth immediately permeated throughout his body, white flashing across his vision quickly to the point where Unit Eleven reeled back, snapping his hand out of the female Phoenix's grip.

This earned him a puzzled look from Dusk, "Was it that unpleasant?" He then heard her let out a thoughtful hum, "I would have thought that with our similar backgrounds it would have no effect on you, but then again you are a later model, you do not carry as much of the Traveler as I." A smile then faded onto her metallic features, "But it seems my healing still took some effect, brother."

At first confused by her statement, it took the Exo Warlock only seconds to realize the familiar dull throbbing of pain absent, glancing down to his side to see the bullet entry gone, and his plating unscathed, as if he had not been in a firefight against Warren and Elissa. Giving a puzzled look to Dusk, he then saw the Huntress held out her hands once more, "May I?"

Seeing her white optics glance over to his side, Unit Eleven didn't have to look over to know that her gaze was upon Day's broken form, causing the Phoenix Exo to promptly reach over, lift the Ghost's core from the floor, and protectively held them close to his chest.

"I am not going to harm your Ghost, if that is what you are worried about, brother," The smile upon her face faded, her optics dimming, "they are as much a part of the Traveler as we, I would never even think about placing a Ghost in danger, let alone one that is partnered with a fellow Phoenix."

Hearing her words, Unit Eleven couldn't help but narrow his optics at Dusk, doubt lingering in the back of his mind followed by a deep hum of mistrust; it seems Knight also has trouble believing the female Phoenix. However, a static groan emitted from the white Ghost, followed by Unit Eleven feeling them shift in his hands, and hearing them letting out whimpers of agony. As such, seeing that he had little choice, the Exo Warlock slowly and reluctantly held out Day's form, watching Dusk carefully take the broken Ghost in her hands. Sensing Knight's ire immediately after handing Day over, the younger mind's emotions quickly went quiet as Dusk's optics narrowed, and a hiss escaped her throat, "Where is Titan Warren-12 and Hunter Elissa-5?"

"I do not know, my Blessed Phoenix," The Exo Medic bowed, "Last I have heard, they told me that they were going to inform you of your fellow Phoenix's arrival here."

"Then find them and bring them here!" Unit Eleven saw the medic jump at Dusk's words, "I would like to have a 'word' with them. Immediately!"

Seeing the medic bow once more, the Exo Warlock opted to remain silent as the female Exo quickly left, Dusk's narrowed optics following her out. However, no sooner had the medic's presence was absent when a sigh permeated from Dusk, the female Phoenix turning her attention back to the broken Ghost in her hands, "While we wait, let's get you fixed up, little one."

With her words spoken, Unit Eleven watched as she cupped the Ghost in her grasp, completely hiding them from sight before the familiar glow of light cracked between her fingers, illuminating the room momentarily before it faded. Silence then permeated through the air, Unit Eleven leaning forward expectantly as Dusk slowly unfolded her hands apart. At first, no movement can be seen from Day, the only difference seemingly that their shell was now clean of any dents or scratches, and their optic now free of any cracks. However, moments later, the white optic flickered to life, Day's gaze shifting around the room bewilderedly before snapping into the air, their parts scrambling about.

"What the- how in the –"Their words came to a halt as their single optic locked onto his, Unit Eleven felt overwhelming joy emitting from the back of his mind, and feeling his hands flex in his lap; he can easily tell that Knight could hardly contain his excitement, his relief at the repairs done to their Ghost. As such, the Exo Phoenix sank into the back of their mind, and immediately, Knight leaned forward, hands outstretched, "Day!"

From his perspective, Unit Eleven saw the Ghost jump at the exclamation from the younger mind, but seemingly understood the gesture as Day immediately glided over, enabling Knight to snatch the Ghost out of the air and bring them close to his chest, pulling them into an embrace, "Thank the Traveler."

Feeling the Ghost snuggle up against their chest, the Phoenix Exo then watched as Knight held Day out in his arms, "How are you feeling?"

"Sore but, felt like I just woke up from a dream," Day paused, spinning their back fins thoughtfully, "or more like a nightmare. It's not every day that a Ghost 'dies' and comes back, you know?"

Joy settled into the back of Unit Eleven's mind, prompting him to let out a small hum of relief before fixing his attention onto Dusk; only to hear Knight let out a yelp of surprise as hands suddenly pressed against his shoulders and slammed him onto the floor.

"Who are you and what have you done to my brother!?"

The rage in the female Phoenix's optics were inexplainable, Unit Eleven hearing the younger mind let out a stutter as he attempted to find an answer to her question. The panic within Knight's mind was tangible as Unit Eleven attempted to force his way to the surface, especially when he saw Dusk unsheathe a knife from her waist, the way her fingers curled tightly around the handle signifying her intent. It was a struggle, Knight's terror making it hard to force the younger Exo's mind to the back, the emotions blockading Unit Eleven's way as he found himself stuck, as if a barrier had forced him to stay. However, with one final 'push', Unit Eleven found himself in control of their body, just in time to grab Dusk's wrist and held it back.

"There is no need for violence, Dusk," He deadpanned, "A simply explanation would be enough to answer your questions."

Seeing a look of confusion flash onto her white optics, Unit Eleven waited until the female Exo was off him, pushing himself into an upright position in time to see her sheath her knife back onto her waist.

"Explain,"

Witnessing Dusk cross her arms with her optics narrowed and a frown clear upon her metallic features, the Phoenix Exo started, "It seems your 'followers' had failed to inform you that there is another consciousness inhabiting this body."

"Another consciousness?" Unit Eleven watched as Dusk's frowned deepened, "Now why would a Phoenix Exo like yourself have another persona linked into your program?"

Pausing at her question, the Exo Warlock fixed his white optics onto the female Exo's, his blank stare flashing with grief and regret, "That is another story to tell, Dusk. Unless, you would listen to a story that could possibly be hours, or days long."

Seeing the female Phoenix blink in response to his words, a soft smile then reformed onto her metallic features followed by a chuckle, "As much as I would like to know about you brother, I am afraid I have little time to listen in. I have much to do to reclaim the Traveler from the thieves."

"Reclaim?" Unit Eleven pushed himself onto his feet, rolling his shoulders as he did so; he may have not been in control when Knight was shoved to the floor, but that doesn't mean he doesn't feel the after effects of the attack, "If you do not mind me asking, Dusk, what do you mean by reclaim?"

Shifting his attention momentarily to Day to see the Ghost spinning their back fins worriedly, when Unit Eleven shifted his attention back towards the female Phoenix, he can easily tell his question caught her off guard, the way her shoulders were tense and her optics blinking several times. However, just as quickly as he saw it, it was gone, the pristine smile back onto hher face alongside the relax stature of her shoulders, "Do you really have to ask, brother? These 'Guardians' have stolen the light from the Traveler. All that sin and greed in the Golden Age, 'especially' on how humanity tried to take its power, why would it easily give these 'creatures' a second chance?" He watched her shake her head, "No other way to explain it than that they 'stole' the light from the Traveler, taking its power for themselves." She held out her hands towards him, "The only ones who truly deserve its power is Exo such as ourselves, 'pieces' of a god, its 'acolytes' to protect it from the remnants of its enemies." Her smile broadens, "Acolytes such as you and I."

Tilting his head curiously at Dusk as he took in her words, he found some logic in her thinking; he maybe younger in years compared to the female Phoenix but he had experienced enough to understand what she was talking about. After all, why else would they create a unit such as himself, solely to absorb the energies of the Traveler? But, as he took in this logic, his mind remembered the few organics he held connections with, present and past; he remembers Hwan-Lee's laughing face as he blandly responded to a joke, Benjamin pulling at his arm for another trip to the park, Akiva attempting to convince him to ease on the drinks, Angel's curse of frustrations whenever he missed a shot out in the Crucible, Ianos' letting out a hum of impressiveness at his words.

And Hush…

Focusing his white optics back onto Dusk's, Unit Eleven parted his lips to respond to her words, only to pause when the familiar form of the Huntress and Titan Warren scrambled into the room, bowing deep as soon as their gaze locked onto the form of the female Phoenix. Instantly, Dusk's white optics darken, Unit Eleven feeling Day press behind his shoulders as venom spilled from her words, "So, you have reported to have 'accidentally' attacked a Phoenix unit such as myself."

"His helmet was obscuring his mark, my lady," It was Warren who spoke, keeping his gaze to the floor, "Elissa and I did not realize our mistake until after he had removed it."

"A report that you had accurately placed," Dusk stated, "However, you had stated you had 'damaged' his Ghost." She then leaned forward, "Not 'killed' it."

Seeing the two Guardian's shoulders tense, Unit Eleven knew that the pair realized that they had made a mistake.

"I-it was still moving when we returned, my lady," It was Hunter Elissa who spoke, the Huntress bowing deeper as she added, "We had initially thought-"

"That it was simply knocked unconscious from a point blank shot to its core?" The Huntress paused, "you do realize that such an action easily can kill a Ghost? And not to mention that the only reason it was alive was that my 'brother' here brought it back?"

"My lady, we-"

"If it was not for the wisps of his light lingering over his Ghost's form, I would have believed your report accurate!" Unit Eleven jumped at the sudden raise in volume of Dusk's voice, "but instead, you decided to leave an important piece of information out solely for the reason your belief that it is not possible to bring a Ghost back from the brink? My brother is a Phoenix Exo such as myself, what made you believe such an absurd thought?"

"I-It was me, my Blessed Phoenix," It was Warren who spoke, the male Exo bowing deep as Elissa turned and gawked, "I fired the shot into the Ghost's core, Elissa only fired at his Lord to protect me. I instigated the altercation."

"Warren, what are you-"

"I would need your Ghosts to confirm this."

Immediately, Unit Eleven saw the two Exo freeze, their frozen gaze hidden behind their visor. Although he can easily sense reluctance from the pair, as soon as Dusk held out her hands, the Phoenix Exo watched as Elissa and Warren straightened out and did the same, the familiar star shaped form of their Ghost's materializing into view. As Dusk delicately took the form of the Ghost's in her palms, a shimmer of light can be seen permeated from her fingertips, glowing underneath the Ghost's form until finally, it faded. This enabled to hold out her hands towards Elissa and Warren, except, only Elissa's Ghost returned to the Huntress. Watching Dusk take a few steps back, Unit Eleven opted to remain silent as the female Phoenix spoke, "It seems that you are speaking the truth, Titan Warren, your Ghosts' memory banks collaborate with your words. As such, Hunter Elissa is free to go." Her optics turned dark once more, "However, Titan Warren, if you will."

Bewilderment immediately settled into not only Unit Eleven's, but also Knight's, the Phoenix Exo sensing the younger mind's confusion as Dusk held out her free hand towards Warren, and reluctantly, the Titan responded. Immediately, Elissa placed her hand on Warren's arm, her gaze fixed onto Dusk's features, "Wait! Can't we give him another chance? It was an honest mistake, he won't-"

"His 'mistake' nearly cost the life of a Ghost that belonged to a fellow Phoenix, Hunter Elissa," The female Hunter reeled back at Dusk's snarl, "If I were to let him go, then his next mistake might take a life, permanently."

"But…"

"Don't worry Elissa, you know as well as I do, it's painless. I won't feel anything."

Unit Eleven can tell that Warren's words did little to comfort the female Exo, but it seemed it was enough for Elissa to remove her hands from the Titan's arms, although she clenched her trembling hands close to her chest as she took steps back.

Easily sensing the worry from the female Hunter, the Warlock turned his attention back towards Warren and Dusk, seeing the latter's light illuminate the room once more. At first, nothing out of the ordinary occurred, then, Unit Eleven heard Warren let out a gasp. It was then he saw wisps of light permeating from the Titan's arm, latching itself onto Dusk's hands as it seemingly seeped into her armor. As the process continued, Warren collapsed onto his knees, Unit Eleven easily seeing the familiar white wisps leave his body, and seemingly being consumed by the female Exo. Moments later, Dusk released her hold on Warren's hand, leaving the Exo male gasping as he placed his hands onto the floor, giving him balance.

"You are free to leave now, Warren-12."

Noticing the lack of title in his name, Unit Eleven also saw the way Dusk curled her fingers around the Titan's Ghost, and turning her back towards the Exo. Seeing nothing physically changed from the Exo Titan, when Unit Eleven turned his attention towards Elissa, he saw her hands tremble, her footsteps unsteady as she knelt down next to the male Exo, and placing her hands around his shoulders. Confused by her concern, when Unit Eleven reached out with his senses, he understood.

He sensed Elissa's light prominently, her light still flickering away strongly within her chest. For Warren however, the light that the Phoenix Exo had sensed previously in the caverns was now empty, a husk, enabling Unit Eleven to piece the puzzles together.

"You took his light." It was not a question, it was a statement, the Exo Warlock turning his white optics towards his sister Exo before trailing down her hand, spotting the Ghost in her grasp. From the way it is struggling between her fingertips, it took Unit Eleven a moment to take a look at its optic, and spot that the azure hue of its gaze was now a sheen of white; further confirmation of his words.

"The Light shall be returned to its proper master," Dusk declared, "it does not mean that I am going to take lives to accomplish it." He then watched her glance down to her hand that held the Ghost, "Although if anyone tries to get in my way, I won't promise that they will leave with their life intact."

Seeing Dusk turn around to fix her attention back onto the pair, a sigh then permeated from the female Phoenix, prompting Unit Eleven to follow her gaze, only to pause onto the form of Elissa and Warren. The Huntress had helped Warren stagger onto his feet although, had turned her hidden gaze towards Dusk. Even with her optics hidden behind her darken visor, Unit Eleven can easily sense the pleading gaze emitting from Elissa, the stare obvious for Warren's wellbeing.

"Fine, outfit him with the essentials he needs to survive out in the wilds," Dusk waved a hand, "I will release his Ghost in a day's time, but don't expect their bond to be renewed. No one is chosen 'twice'."

A breath of relief them permeated from the Huntress followed by a deep bow before the latter wrapped Warren's arm around her shoulder and started leading the lightless Titan out of the room. Waiting momentarily to ensure that they were truly alone, Unit Eleven then fixed his white optics onto his sister unit, "Have you always had the capability to take the light as you will?"

"You mean back when I was a slave under the humans?" A scoff from Dusk, "Sadly no, I was programmed to only be a 'healer', to tend to those who were injured during the war." She then lifted up her hand, releasing her hold on Warren's Ghost, watching the latter shift its parts against its core before it darted off, more than likely to chase after its now lightless Guardian; the female Phoenix did nothing to stop it, only letting out a hum of amusement before she added, "I only discovered this 'capability' after an 'incident' with one of those thieves the previous year." Unit Eleven saw her optics harden, a growl emitted from the back of her throat, "Thought he could take advantage of me, since I was a wondering Hunter out in the Wilds, tried to force me to the ground, and with him being a Titan, he had the full advantage." That's when the Exo Warlock saw a dark smile creep onto her metallic features, "Then, I grabbed onto his arms in a vain attempt to push him back, and that is when I felt the power of the light flow into me, and leaving that Titan." The smile then faded followed by Dusk letting out a shrug, "Without his light, I killed him, and left his Ghost to wander. Although, thinking of it now, I am curious on what happened to it." Another shrug before she returned her white optics onto Unit Eleven and a soft smile formed onto her features, "But that is all in the past, right now, we should focus on the present, and more specifically, you."

Unit Eleven reeled back at this, his optics blinking several times before he regained his composure and asked, "Observation, I have informed you of my name, what more do you want from me?"

"More than your name silly," The male Phoenix easily heard the teasing tone in her voice, "Come, let us give new attire and then perhaps, find somewhere private to learn of each other undisturbed."

Tilting his head in response to the female Exo's words, Unit Eleven then felt the nervousness emit not only from Knight, but also from Day, the Exo Warlock easily hearing the white Ghost's shell shift nervously against their core. However, as Unit Eleven attempted to take in their predicament, Dusk took long strides forward, and before the male Phoenix can even react, she hooked her arm into his, and started dragging him along, humming all the while.

It seems that he didn't have much of a choice.

Xxxxx

Having resurrected Echo during the early days of the Risen, Reaver knows of Echo's temper better than any other Soldier of Light out there, even those the old Exo had considered 'allies'. Currently, if anyone else were to see the white and gray clad Titan, they would have seen his demeanor as calm, albeit a bit tense from his current situation. To the black Ghost however, he can easily see the way the Titan's fingers curled tightly around the controls, and he can hear the subtle scraping of metal as Echo grinded his jaws together; Reaver sighed at this.

"You lost track of him, didn't you?" A tinge of amusement settled into his core as Echo jumped at his words, although the Exo was quick to regain composure to turn and glower at the Ghost, confirming the latter's words, "I thought you said that you had this subconscious capability to track down other Phoenix Exo?"

"To a limit," A frustrated sigh emitted from the Titan, "When I sensed him leave the Tower, I thought I had the time to grab our equipment and trail after him."

"But you calculated wrong."

"Shut up."

Chuckling at his Guardian's frustrations, Reaver took the opportunity to turn his white optic towards the controls, only for his lone optic to narrow, "Do you see this?"

"See what?" Seeing his Guardian glance over him, the black Ghost took the opportunity to beam his light onto the controls, bringing the screen closer to his intended target, "That."

It was a Titan, an Exo adorned in full armor minus a helmet, firing with what seemed to an auto rifle at a group of Fallen. However, unlike the familiar sight of the walking tanks clashing into the fray with their fists, with light lashing about wildly around them, this one seemed to struggle just to stand on his feet as the weapon recoiled in his grasp, his weakened state causing most of his aim to miss.

Reaver turned his optic towards his Guardian, "Echo."

"We don't have the time to stop and help," The Ghost narrowed his optic at the Titan, "Especially since we already lost track of Unit Eleven, who knows how far ahead he is right now."

"So, we leave this Titan to die?" Reaver heard Echo let out a scoff, "Echo."

"Reaver."

Pressing his shell against his core, the black Ghost glared at Echo's visor, easily sensing the harden stare permeating behind the headpiece. Standing his ground, Reaver kept his gaze narrowed, only to let out a satisfied nod as a sigh of defeat emitted from Echo, "God damn it, why do you always do this to me?"

"You lack a conscience, Echo." Reaver received a blank look from the Titan, "As such, I am your conscience."

Seeing his Guardian shake his head in response to his words, the Ghost simply let out a chuckle before gliding towards Echo, dissipating into the familiar flash of light, and connecting himself to his Guardian neural sensors. Getting himself comfortable inside Echo's helmet, Reaver waited until the Titan leaned back in his seat and release his hold on the controls to activate transmat, the all too familiar sensation of weightlessness overtaking his senses seconds before Echo landed onto the dry hearth, hefting his hand cannon in his hands. Then without another word, the Exo Titan lifted his weapon, and fired.

The bullet hit the back of its unfortunate target, a Dreg, the high-powered shot strong enough to send the scavenger sprawling to the hearth with a scream. This immediately caught the attention of the others, several of them turning around to face Echo as the Titan took aim and fired once more. As his shot took the head of a Vandal, the familiar shots of an auto rifle rang through the air followed by more screeches of the surrounding Fallen; it seems the Titan in peril had taken the opportunity to fire at the distracted scavengers.

With this, Reaver heard Echo let out a grunt as the Eliksni turned their attention back towards the Titan before the Ghost saw his Guardian sheath his hand cannon; he let out a small hum in response to this. He knows all too well what that gesture means. As such, Reaver couldn't help but let a sense of morbid excitement permeate throughout his being as familiar violet wisps emitted from his Guardian's shoulders. With Void light cloaking his form, Reaver watched as Echo charged, sprinting around the Fallen as their shots pelted uselessly against his shields. As this occurred, a trail of violet fog was left behind followed by the screams of the scavengers as the Void wisps then latched onto their legs, forcing them onto their knees as they broke down their appendages. Feeling Echo come to a skidding halt, Reaver then watched as the Titan repeated the process, dodging Fallen fire while moving around them, his void light slowly breaking down their defenses. While this occurred, the other Titan had taken the opportunity to take fire, Reaver noticing his aim at a better rate now that the Fallen weren't scurrying about for cover. Although enjoying the sight of the deteriorating Eliksni, the black Ghost then took notice of movement to the side of Echo's visor, prompting the Reaver to shift his vision to the side in time to see the fleeing form of a Dreg, "Echo."

"I see it."

Feeling his Guardian come to a pause, Reaver then watched as Echo removed his hand cannon from his waist, aiming down its sights as the scope was placed onto the back of the fleeing scavenger. A single resounding bang rang through the air as the Ghost saw Echo's hands recoil upwards from the shot, only to see the Dreg's head to implode into the familiar explosion of ether and blood, its body convulsing from the action moments before it ceased and collapsed onto the dry hearth.

"Is that all of them?"

Releasing only a hum as an answer to Echo's question, Reaver didn't have to look to see the Titan roll his optics at his response before watching the Exo Titan holster his hand cannon; this enabled Echo to turn his attention towards the other Titan which in turn, let the black Ghost take a closer look.

Clad in dark gray armor, Reaver almost mistook the same coloration of the Exo's plating as his helmet until he saw the vibrant glow of his azure optics, signaling that indeed the headpiece was absent. His mark, however, Reaver took as odd, as although it was a simple cloth of green coloration, it lacked any special symbols or lettering; from the way the Titan's armor was scratched and the color faded, it usually means the Guardian before them had some years, but the mark lacked any sign of this. This is followed by the Titan's auto rifle, Reaver recognizing it as a standard issue that is usually handed out to younger and inexperienced Guardians. As a sense of unease settled into Reaver's core, he noticed Echo taking steady strikes forward as he spoke, "Hey, you alright, looked like you had a little bit of trouble-"

Reaver let out a yelp as the Exo before them raised his weapon and fired, sending Echo reeling as the bullets pelted his armor, the ringing of metal against metal all too familiar to the black Ghost.

"What in the Traveler's fucking-," A snarl rumbled from the back of Echo's throat; Reaver was just relieved that the Exo Titan's armor held against the spray, "Come here!" Although, the same can't be said for the unfortunate Titan standing in front of them.

As the Ghost watched the Titan reel back at Echo's words, Reaver then let out a sigh as the Exo aimed down his sights once more and pulled the trigger, spraying bullets once more at Echo. However, this time, the black Ghost recognize the wisps of void light permeating around Echo's armor as the Exo Titan quickly closed the distance, curling one of his hands into a fist and backhanding the weapon from the Exo's grasp. Then, without another word, Echo grabbed his attacker by the front of his armor and pulled him close to his visor, letting out a hiss, "What made you think it was a good idea to fire at a 'naturalborn', fool."

Usually when Echo is in full 'display', with his void light spilling around his feet in a fog and wisps dancing around his shoulders, Reaver would see at least a tinge of confusion and fear in their enemies' eyes. However, to his surprise, he saw nothing but hate in the Exo's azure optics, the latter of which spat, "Naturalborn or not, you 'Guardians' are all the same, thieves of the Traveler's light."

"W-what?" Reaver then saw Echo bring back a fist, the familiar energy of the void gathering in his palm, "Echo! Wait!"

Seeing the Titan pause in response, the black Ghost easily sensed the glower he received, "What is it now?"

"This Exo, I think he might be part of that cult Loras is a part of."

"Excuse me?"

"J-Just don't kill him," The Ghost sensed the frown from Echo, "Look, who knows, we might know where the cult's base of operations is located, if we ask, 'nicely'."

"Nicely?" A scoff from Echo, "Yeah, that worked really well with Loras."

"Loras? You have Loras!?" Reaver heard the Phoenix Exo heave out a sigh, "What have you done to him!? Thieves! Fucking thieves all of-"

In any other situation, Reaver wouldn't have been taken off guard when Echo would lean his head back and swing it into the head of his opponent; it was a constant when the pair would participate in the Crucible. However, this time, the Ghost jumped inside Echo's helmet as a 'crack' rang through the air as older Exo's head collided into the Titan Exo's face, Reaver immediately seeing the latter go slack in his Guardian's grasp, "Echo!"

"He's not dead!" An exasperated sigh escaped from the Titan, "He was pissing me off."

"There are other ways to get him to be quiet, you know?"

"Like a knife to the neck?"

"Echo, no."

Hearing another sigh emit from his Guardian, Reaver couldn't help but let out a sigh of his own, "Come on, let's hand this one over to the Tower."

The Ghost felt his Guardian go stiff at his, "What? Why? We can easily tie him up out here and gain information ourselves."

"And leave the Tower uninformed of all of this?" Reaver heard Echo let out a growl, "I understand your hate towards the Tower and the organics, but no need to leave the innocent get caught in the crossfire."

Another snarl, "Echo."

Hearing nothing but silence permeate between the two, Reaver let out a nod of satisfaction when Echo let out a scoff before tossing the unconscious Exo over his shoulders, signaling for the Ghost to prepare transmat.

"There are times where I wonder why I listen to you."

"Like I have said before, I am your conscience."

All Reaver received was another scoff.

And that's all for now! Until next week!