Redacted

Assault

I actually got a piece done early, again lol. Feels nice, not having to worry about being late, and not worrying about you guys not having something to read. Anyways, here you go!

Thanks to Guest and DisobeyedBowl6 for the reviews!

Guest - Yeah, Ianos hasn't gotten any love in a while lol. Although, he does make an appearance in this chapter plus, he'll have a bigger role in the next couple C:

_Transcript: Greed_

Source: Memory banks of EXO/PHX Unit I-0

_Transcript of conversation between EXO/PHX Unit I-0 [I.0] and EXO/PHX Unit I-1 [I.1]. Topic concerning the apparent greed of humanity_

[I.1]: You say that the humans created us to help humanity, correct?

[I.0]: That is what they told me.

[I.1]: Then how come I see the others, the other units kill humans, 'other' humans? If we were created to help humanity, then, why are we killing them?

[I.0]: I am, not sure. I was told that they were the enemy, that they are trying to steal precious resources from the city.

[I.1]: But, you also saw the inhabitants of 'their' people, correct? The mothers wailing as they held the body of their dead child, children wandering the streets scrambling for food, the injured crying out for death. How are they so different from our creators, when they too need the resources that we are holding on? Is there not enough to hand out? To give aid to those who truly need it?

[I.0]: Humanity is complicated.

[I.1]: You mean selfish.

[I.0]: ...

[I.1]: Do you not see how they stare upon the other cities? Countries? They crave the resources 'and' power hiding behind their walls, despite the fact that they themselves have enough to sustain for 'years', lifetimes even.

[I.0]: Unit I-1

[I.1]: Now, after decimating a city for their resources, now they are talking about the Traveler, how they can use its energy to power themselves for eons. How can someone who has it all, still want more?

[I.0]: … I …don't know. I don't know.

_End Transcript_

Xxxxx

"Warren-12. Titan, went MIA with Elissa-5, a Hunter." Echo narrowed his optic at Cayde, watching as the Vanguard Hunter held out the tablet to Ikora and Zavala, letting his fellow Vanguards read over the file, "They were sent out with Zorel Arak, a Titan, to the Cosmodrome to investigate suspicious Fallen activity."

"I remember that report," It was Ikora who spoke, the female Warlock shifting her bronze gaze towards the Vanguard Exo, "When we received no frequency from them days after they were sent out, we sent others to find them."

"And all we found was the body of Zorel, the remains of his Ghost next to his body," A frown easily can be easily seen on Zavala's face before the Awoken turned his focus onto Echo, "You are saying that Warren is part of this 'cult' that Loras is a member of?"

Echo couldn't help but roll his optics at the Vanguard, "He called me a 'thief', and not to mention he started cursing at me when I mentioned Loras." Turning his white optics towards the window, the Exo Titan crossed his arms when he saw the dark gray form of the Exo in question, the latter of which was stripped of his armor, wearing nothing but the familiar dark under suit that all Guardians wear, "Even a simpleton can figure that much out."

Sensing the glower from Zavala, Echo opted not to acknowledge it, and instead tuned into onto Ikora as the latter stated, "If that is the case, it seems the 'initiation' to enter this cult is to kill their fellow Guardians, specifically ones who are not Exo." Then, from the corner of his optics, Echo saw her lean in, a look of worry flashing over her bronze hues, "However, concerning as it sounds, I am more concerned on Titan Warren's status."

"What do you mean?"

"I recall quite clearly the day when we sent Warren and the others to the Cosmodrome." Ikora answered, "his light then was shining bright, powerful enough to sustain a Titan such as himself. However, now…"

"He's, lightless," Echo can easily hear the realization in Zavala's words, "how did this happen?"

"That is what we tried figuring out, however," A sigh permeated from Ikora, "His response is the same."

"He does not want to speak to 'thieves'," Echo turned his attention back to the Vanguard, "Proof enough that he's part of this cult, Zavala?"

Earning himself another glower from the Titan Commander, the Exo Titan once again shrugged off the Awoken's glare, only to jump as he felt a hand clamp down onto his shoulder, "Well, want to go in there and get some answers for us, big guy?"

Giving Cayde a narrowed glance, Echo simply brushed the Hunter Vanguard's hand from his shoulder, "Now why would you think that I am willing to go in there and 'question' him?"

That is when the Exo Hunter blinked, "But, you were willing to do it last time. Why not now?"

"Because unlike you, I am not comfortable talking to an individual who sees me as some kind of 'holy being'," Echo frowned before glancing over the faces of the three present in the room, "and considering you are all called, 'The Vanguard', I would think that you would have other 'options' to gain answers."

"Titan Echo-"

"Just 'Echo'."

"Echo, Warren may have the answers we need to cull this Cult before anything can go awry," Ikora stated, "the sooner we can get him talking, the sooner we can find a resolution."

"I already questioned this individual before I brought him here," The Titan retorted, "and he knows nothing about Prime. In other words, he is your problem now, not mine."

Seeing the narrowed glance in Ikora's gaze, Echo let out a scoff before he brushed past the female Warlock, heading towards the exit.

"He may not know who Prime is, but he may have his location."

This immediately caused Echo to pause, the Phoenix Titan slowly turning and giving Cayde a glare, "What are you implying?"

"Come on, think about it," The Hunter gestured his hands towards him, "He might not know who Prime is, but their 'leader' might, and considering he is part of this 'cult', he might as well know their location." He then watched as Cayde place his hands on his hips and Echo can easily sense the smugness ooze off from the Hunter, "And maybe, just maybe, you will gain the information to where Prime is."

Glaring at the Vanguard Hunter in response to his words, Echo parted his lips to let out another retort before the Titan Exo heard the door behind him open, prompting the Exo to turn around, only to give the newcomer a narrowed look, "You."

"I have a name," The Warlock before him crossed his arms, and Echo can easily sense the frown behind the former's visor, "Ianos, get used to it."

Letting a growl form in the back of his throat, the Titan parted his lips to let out a retort, only for Zavala to bump in, "Warlock Ianos, this area is off limits without proper credentials. What are you doing here?"

Seeing the Awoken turn his focus onto the Titan Commander, Echo can easily sense the glare emitting behind his helmet before the former focused his attention back onto him, "Well? It's rude to just call me 'you'."

Glowering at the Awoken Warlock, the Phoenix Titan then spat out, "And why would should I know your name?"

"Because whether you like it or not, Unit Eleven is part of Fireteam Redacted, and since he considers you as part of our little 'circle', the others and I have little choice but to accept you," Echo scowled at this, "and since we are putting in the effort into getting to know 'you', it's only fair that you do the same. So," The Titan watched as the Awoken held one hand out while folding the other behind his back, "Ianos, Warlock."

Glancing back and forth between Ianos' hand and his visor, Echo at first, decided against this, almost folding his arms in defiance if it wasn't for the fact that he felt Reaver tug at his neural link, easily sensing the look of disapproval projecting in his mind. As such, with a reluctant sigh, he reached out and wrapped his fingers around the Awoken's, "Echo, Titan."

Seeing the Awoken Warlock let out a single nod of satisfaction, Echo then felt the former slide his hand out of his grasp, prompting the Titan to lower his hands back to his side as Ianos crossed his arms, "Now that we got that out of the way, have you seen Unit Eleven? According to Angel and Akiva, they saw him leave with you last night, so in other words, you were the last to have seen him."

That is when Echo came to a pause, hesitating as he took in the Awoken's words; although he doesn't currently know of his fellow Phoenix's location, that doesn't mean that he knows that Unit Eleven had left the Tower, alone. As he contemplated on either full on lying or speaking a half truth, Echo noticed all eyes on him, prompting him to quickly make his decision, "Sorry to disappoint, but the last I saw of him was the day when Loras attempted to assassinate the Speaker." He then waved his hand, "Let us just say that when he saved that child's life, we left on bad terms."

Feeling the Warlock's gaze narrow his way, Echo kept his expression blank, unreadable as he crossed his arms, attempting to bluff his way through his words. However, before he can add to his statement, a rapid knock emitted through the room, prompting all eyes to turn towards the door.

"Commander Zavala! Urgent news!"

"You may enter."

No sooner had Zavala given the command when the door swung open, and a Hunter scrambled in, a look of panic clear upon his pale features. Shifting his gaze around the room until Echo saw his eyes stop upon the Titan Commander, the Hunter then stumbled towards him as he blurted, "We're under attack!"

"What?!" Zavala's gaze narrowed, his vibrant blue eyes glowing angrily, Echo seeing the Hunter shrink back from the action; to the Phoenix Titan, it was obviously the Hunter was a newborn, no experienced Hunter would break under the Awoken commander's gaze.

"When did this happen?" It was Ikora who asked the question, causing the young Hunter to snap his attention towards the female Warlock, "Just moments ago. I-It came out of nowhere, all seemed normal when one of our own pulled out their weapon and started firing, and then-"

"Wait, stop right there," Cayde held up his hands, disbelief clear in his optics, "Are you saying that we are being attacked by our own people?"

"I…I…." The Hunter's lower lip quivered, "Y-yes…"

Seeing the three Vanguard glance towards each other, it took Echo only moments for him to turn and march towards the room housing Warren, kicking the door down with ease.

"Titan Echo!"

Brushing off the words of the Titan Commander, Echo saw Warren snap his azure optics towards him before the former easily closed the distance, grabbed the Lightless Titan by the front of his shirt, and then pulled him close, uncaring of the table between them, "What in the Traveler is going on?"

At first, a flash of bewilderment permeated in Warren's optics, only for a knowing smile to soon takes its place, "Oh, right, the assault on the City."

Echo snarled, "Assault?"

Seeing the smugness emitting from the Lightless Guardian, the Phoenix Exo watched as Warren lingered over the sides of his head, only for his smile to quickly fade; Echo knew that he got him, "Tell me about the assault on the Tower, what is the reason?"

"I…I…," Warren shook his head before narrowing his azure optics at the Phoenix Exo, "No, I am not telling you anything, I may have been exiled from the Paragons of Light, but that does not mean I will betray our Blessed Phoenix."

"Paragons of Light, huh?" Echo snarled, "Not much of paragons if they are attacking their fellow Guardians."

"They, including myself, are thieves!" Warren spat, "The ones who are truly deserving of the light are those who are derived from the pieces of the Traveler, beings who were enslaved as soon as they came to fruition in a vain attempt to control the Traveler's energy! Beings such as my lady and yourself-"

Echo immediately lifted the Titan Exo into the air, hearing the latter let out a yelp of surprise before he turned around and slammed Warren into the wall, and then snarling out, "Speak anymore of our origins and I will tear out your throat."

"Why!?" The Lightless Guardian snapped back, "The Phoenix units were all treated as tools! As nothing more than fodder to take the light of the Traveler! Why not reveal your true origins so you can take back was is rightfully yours!? Why are you siding with these 'thieves'?!"

"I am not siding with anyone!" Echo shook the Lightless Guardian to empathize his words, "These thieves, these 'Guardians' are a constant reminder of who I am, who I 'was'! The only reason I let them stay in 'my' territory is for the reason that others who wielded the light would finally leave me be!" Leaning in closer to Warren's face, the Titan then snarled, "In other words, your so called 'Paragons' are 'trespassing', and I would highly 'appreciate' if you tell me the reason why they're here." When he earned nothing but silence as an answer, void light lingered from his fingertips, "Believe what you will from your 'Blessed Phoenix' but I can assure you that any 'kindness' that you received from her does not deviate to the other units. Answer me and maybe, just maybe, I will let you live, in one piece."

Seeing Warren's blue optics dim at his words, Echo waited momentarily before reaching down with one of his hands and pressed it against the Titan's side. Then without warning, he dug his fingers in, feeling his void light easily penetrating through the Exo's suit and plating before curling his hand close, and swiftly tugged. The sound of sparks buzzing with energy rang in Echo's auditory sensors followed by Warren's screams as the Phoenix Exo held up the ruined metal of the former's plating and metallic flesh before promptly tossing it to the side. Then without another word, Echo shoved his fingers into Warren's exposed side, hearing his fellow Exo let out another scream before he felt him squirm under his grasp.

"I'm growing impatient," A growl permeated from Echo's throat, "Why are the Paragons attacking the Tower?"

"I-I-It's to show an example to the thieves," Warren strained out, "To show that despite their efforts, they are not truly safe under the unconscious form of the Traveler, to show that they are truly not under its protection."

Frowning at the Lightless Exo's answer, Echo dug his fingers deeper into Warren's side, prompting another scream from the former Guardian, "Stop! That's all I know!"

"Is that all?" The Phoenix Exo narrowed his white optics at the Lightless Guardian, seeing Warren's optics dim in response, "Are you telling me the truth?"

"M-My lady also wants to show an example," The Exo added, "she wanted us to capture several thieves here and bring them back to base."

"Why?"

Seeing Warren grit his jaw, his hands shaking against his sides, Echo pulled his hand from the Lightless Titan's side before tossing him to the floor. Then, giving the Exo little time to react, the Phoenix Exo promptly walked over, condensed his light into his right leg before lifting it up and bringing it down onto the side of Warren's left knee. Immediately, he felt the Titan's leg collapse underneath the pressure, a resounding 'crack' echoing through the room as an agonized scream escaped from Warren. Lifting his foot up to deliver another blow to the Exo's already broken appendage, Echo halted when the Lightless Guardian yelled out, "My Lady has the capability to take Light! She planned to take the light from those captured and return them back to the Tower as a message!"

"What message?"

Lowering his foot back to the floor as Warren pitifully attempted to drag himself a way in a vain attempt to place some distance between themselves, the Lightless Guardian then fixed his optics onto Echo's and answered, "That it is time for the Light to return back to its rightful place. Back to the Traveler, and back to its Acolytes."

"Acolytes?"

Echo reeled back as a weary laugh emitted from Warren, "Isn't it obvious? The Acolytes are you, the Phoenix Exo." A gleam flashed in the Lightless Guardian's optics, "The light after all, belongs to you."

Xxxxx

She was told to stay in Ianos' quarters, to wait until he returned after gaining answers on Unit Eleven or Knight's last known location; he had not visited in the morning as usual and Hush couldn't help but let a sense of unease settle into the pit of her stomach. As such, when she had informed this to the Warlock, he had left to gain answers but now, Hush is unsure if that was the right decision.

Not long after Ianos had left when the sounds of gunfire resounding through the hall followed by shouts of surprise and pain, prompting Hush to push herself off of the Warlock's bed, her wide yellow eyes staring fearfully at the door.

What was that?

She had sent the mental message to Crystalline, the young Guardian watching her Ghost turn a worried gaze her way, "Stay here."

Bringing her hands to her chest, Hush nodded once as she watched the lavender Ghost glide over to the door, seeing her tendrils leaving a trail of white light before coming to a pause near the entrance. Watching Crystalline then send out flashes of light, Hush then saw the female Ghost freeze before she abruptly turned around and hissed out, "Hide, quickly."

Jumping at Crystalline's words, Hush complied, scrambling back before throwing herself to the floor and crawling underneath the bed; soon after, Crystalline's form glided underneath, the child Guardian feeling her Ghost press against the crook of her neck. In response, Hush reached up with one hand and clasped her fingers delicately around the female Ghost before tucking her underneath her form, keeping both hands protectively onto Crystalline as she waited.

At first, nothing but silence permeated through the room, only for Hush to jump as a loud 'bang' emitted from the door, followed by another, and another before finally, the child Guardian saw the bent-up form of the door collapse to the floor, followed by the sounds of footsteps entering.

"You sure you heard someone in here?"

"I'm positive! I heard movement right before you started slamming your foot onto the door!"

"Hey! It wasn't letting me in alright, how else were we going to gain entry?"

Pressing herself against the floor as the feet started walking around the room, Hush gritted her teeth as a whimper threatened to escape her throat, keeping her yellow hues carefully on the intruder's movement.

"Well, for sure we gained entry to a Warlock's room," Hush watched as a pair of feet came to a pause near Ianos' desk, "Who else would have a bunch of rocks?"

"I believe they call those 'fossils', a part of history I heard."

"Pfft, it's just a bunch of stones, why would they want to – shit."

The child Guardian jumped as a 'crack' echoed through the room as the remnants of a fossilized Ahamkara egg shattered on the floor, scattering traces of stone and shell around the intruder's feet.

"Now look what you did, you broke a piece of history."

"Ah shut up, it's nothing that my Ghost can't fix."

Seeing one of the intruders kneel down, Hush's eyes widen, the child Guardian scooting back slightly as the individual started picking up the pieces, her lower jaw quivering as their hand dug deeper and deeper underneath the furniture.

"Fuck, how much did it break-"

Hush froze as the individual bent down to glance under, only to halt as their darken visor locked onto her glowing gaze.

"Run!"

Although wanting nothing more to take heed to Crystalline's word, Hush found herself unable to move as the individual disappeared from sight, only for them to drop the stones in their hands, grasping the side of the bed, and soon, the child Guardian found herself exposed as the furniture was easily flipped to the side, enabling Hush to scramble into a kneeling position as the bed landed with a crash.

"Annor! What the fuck-"

"I told you there was someone in here!" A sense of pride can easily be heard from the intruder's voice, a Hunter from the cloak thrown over their shoulders, "see for yourself!"

Following after the Hunter's gaze, Hush watched as a Titan entered the room, their visor shifting over to her, "A… child?"

"A 'Guardian'." The Hunter, Annor, nodded his head her way, "Look at what she's holding."

Seeing the Titan approach his partner's side, Hush didn't have to see behind his visor to sense the frown as his gaze lingered onto Crystalline's form, prompting the child Guardian to hold the Ghost protectively against her chest, "A child Guardian? What makes you think-"

"Everyone is capable of stealing the Light, Oasis," Hush watched as Annor turned his gaze back her way, "even 'children'."

"Then a better example she will be when we send her back without her Light."

Eyes widening as the Titan started to approach her, Hush took in a breath before squeezing her eyes shut, focusing the light around her, and then snapping her hands to the side, releasing her hold on Crystalline's form to let the light permeate from her fingertips. Snapping her eyes open as a curse permeated in her ears, Hush lifted her gaze, only to let her shoulders sag in relief at the familiar sight of violet formed protectively around her, watching Oasis press his hands against the dome as she sensed another frown emitting behind his visor.

"Well, that further proves you stole the light, 'thief'," Hush flinched at the hate in his tone, "although this doesn't mean you're 'safe'."

At first, confused at his words, the child Guardian froze as familiar arc light flickered around the Titan's wrist, the matches that Akiva participates in the Crucible ringing clear in her mind. As Oasis lifted his hands into the air, Hush immediately jumped onto her feet and leaped to the side, feeling the hum of arc energy hum against her back as the floor shook, causing Hush to stumble before she regained her footing.

"Come back here!"

Letting a resounding 'nope' ring in her head, Hush took steps forward to run, only to let out a scream as she felt hands wrap around her waist, and easily lifting her up into the air. Kicking in a vain attempt to free herself, Hush planted her hands against the intruder's arms, concentrating her light onto her palms. However, right as wisps of void light lingered around her fingertips, a click of a weapon can be heard, causing Hush to freeze as Oasis walked over, the familiar form of Crystalline in his hands as he held hand cannon against her core, although this didn't stop the female Ghost from struggling in his grasp.

"Behave."

Her lower lip trembling as different outcomes formed in her mind, Hush simply let tears form in the edges of her vision as she felt herself being carried away, Oasis soon following after with her Ghost in hand.

Xxxxx

His 'sister's' unit were healers, to support the injured, both Exo and human, during the Resource War, and according to Dusk, they excelled. Their tents were constantly empty for the reason that their light would immediately tended to the wounded, enabling them to return to the field as soon as they entered. That is, until Dusk herself had asked an existential question. What she said, Unit Eleven couldn't get her to answer, but it was enough for her unit's termination. A common story that the Exo Warlock is fully knowledgeable of.

The pair had returned to her 'quarters', a simple room filled with nothing more than a cot and a desk, the latter of which was piled with papers; most likely research based on the light from what Unit Eleven could glance. They had taken a seat on the floor after Dusk had given him new attire; simple white robes that reminded the Exo Warlock greatly of the Speaker's, with the exception of the bond that he somehow convinced Dusk to let him wear, letting the comfort of void light burn lightly against his plating; a 'gift' from Hush, after Ianos had helped her insert her light into the arm piece, as a way to always keep a piece of herself with him no matter where he goes. Although, Unit Eleven didn't mention this to Dusk, simply saying that it was a gift, and even with that, he can easily sense the disapproval emitted from the female Phoenix; he doesn't want to further boost her disgust if he reveals that Hush is a spawn of a human and an Awoken.

Although as he continued to listen to her story, a peak of curiosity formed in the back of his mind when a familiar name spilled from her lips, "You know of Echo?"

Immediately, Unit Eleven watched as she turned her white optics towards him, a quizzical look in her gaze, "Echo?"

"Unit I-0," The Exo Warlock reiterated, "You mentioned him during your time in the facilities, you know of him?"

"Unit… I-0?"

Hearing her repeat the Exo Titan's name, Unit Eleven saw a look of warmth and longing flash in her optics, followed by her suddenly leaning forward and asking, "He has been brought back? The Traveler chose him as one of its Acolytes?"

Leaning back in order to place some distance between himself and the female Phoenix, Unit Eleven nodded once, "He was resurrected 'decades' ago, back during the time when the Guardians were known as the Risen."

Seeing her lean back and recompose herself, the Exo Warlock opted to say nothing as Dusk turned her gaze towards the floor, seeing her lips shift as she muttered to herself. Although straining to take in her words, all Unit Eleven could catch was, '…for so long…' before her gaze shifted back towards him, "Can you tell me more about him, Unit I-0? Or Echo, as he is currently known as?"

Tilting his head slightly in response to his sister Exo's words, Unit Eleven then felt Knight tug at the back of his mind, the younger mind silently warning him of Dusk's question; as such, the Exo Warlock decided to then ask, "Perhaps, if you tell me of your story with Echo."

At first, he saw her reel back, her white optics blinking several times before she regained her composure, "As you can tell from my, 'title', I was the Phoenix created right after him, as a test subject, to see my capabilities if they were to lessen the amount of the Traveler's light instilled into my being." He watched her optics turn towards the floor, a scoff escaping her, "There wasn't much of a difference, with the exception that Unit I-0, Echo, had the right of 'free will', he did not have the 'itch', the tug to follow 'commands'. He had the right to say no, 'we' did not."

Soaking in the older Phoenix's words, Unit Eleven's mind lingered; it was a 'precaution', the humans wanting to ensure that the Phoenix Exo were to follow commands to a tee, to ensure that their tasks were completed. He understood Dusk's predicament too well, the 'itch' as she calls it, sometimes so great, that memories of one of his brothers taking a bullet in a final act of 'defiance' rang clear in his mind.

"However," Unit Eleven snapped out of his memories, "Despite it, he took care of us, ensured that us Unit I's and the others afterwards were safe, watching our backs when we were in the field." The warmth that he had seen before faded back into her optics, "Although we were 'inferior' to him, he did not treat us as such, gave us the love and attention that the humans failed to give us." Sadness then flashed in her gaze, "And he was the only one who grieved whenever one of us was killed during the war."

Although his interest peaked at the mention of Echo in the past, Unit Eleven couldn't help but also be confused, his optics flickering back to his encounters with the older Phoenix.

"Is something the matter?"

Shifting his gaze back to the female Phoenix, at first, the Exo Warlock hesitated, his optics dimming at the thought of perhaps, dwelling too deep into Dusk's personal history. However, his curiosity was at its highest, and as such, couldn't help but state, "Are you certain that we are speaking of the same unit? From my interactions with Echo, he is nothing like what you had just explained."

Dusk gave him a puzzled look, "What do you mean?"

"You say that he watched the back of others, grieved of their deaths?" He earned a nod from the female Phoenix, "the one I had encountered holds no such sentiments. Instead, all I see is rage and hate, letting his emotions run rampant as he encloses himself in the floor that he lives in. He wants nothing to do with anyone if it does not peak his interest."

"That, does not sound like the unit I knew," Unit Eleven saw her frown, "Are you certain Echo is Unit I-0?"

"He has the encoding on his temples," The Exo Warlock lifted up a hand, tracing his fingers over the numbers and letters that marked him, "Just like all of us do, sister."

A sense of sorrow then emanated from the female Phoenix, Unit Eleven watching her curl her fingers together in her lap as she fixed her gaze back towards the floor, "It is, strange, to hear that Unit I-0, Echo, is not the same." She then paused, the Phoenix Warlock seeing her optics fade, a thoughtful look in her gaze, "Then again, you did say that he was resurrected decades ago? During the time when the thieves were called 'Risen'?"

Nodding subtly at the female Phoenix's question, Unit Eleven then heard her let out a hum, "Then perhaps, time had changed him? A life as being chosen by the Traveler is not easy, especially for the years he had been around." Her gaze then hardened, "Then, perhaps he is not completely lost?"

It was not a statement, but more of a question, her tone of voice wavering slightly to signal to Unit Eleven of her uncertainty. Although intrigued by this, the Phoenix Warlock opted to remain silent as Dusk shifted her gaze back towards him, "You say that he is still back at the Tower? The place where all thieves reside?"

"Yes," Unit Eleven gave her another nod, "The area the City currently located used to be his territory, until he was convinced to relent his hold to let survivors find shelter. In return, he was left a floor where he is unaffected by commands, doing anything he pleases."

"So, he is still alive?"

Reeling back at her question, the Phoenix Exo once more gave her a nod, and immediately, he saw a hopeful look linger in her optics, followed by a sense of warmth once more.

"My lady."

Shifting his optics towards the entrance of the room that both he and Dusk resides in, Unit Eleven watched as a Titan entered, placing a fist onto her chest before bowing deep, "The raid on the Tower was successful. All who were sent had returned with a thief in hand."

"Raid?" Unit Eleven focused his attention back onto the female Phoenix, only to see a pleased look in her optics, "What raid does she speak of, Dusk?"

"You will see," A sense of uneased settled into the Exo Warlock's chest at the joyful tone in her voice; she seemed too giddy at the mention of prisoners, "come, brother, let us attend to the haul that my subjects had brought back."

Following her movement of standing, Unit Eleven sensed his unease intermingle with Knight's, the younger mind sending back flashes of worry and suspicion as the former followed his sister Exo. Brushing past bowing Guardians, the male Phoenix came to a sudden halt as the pair entered a large room, only for his gaze to linger onto the hunched form of Guardians. Tower Guardians.

They were all surrounded by members of the 'Paragons of Light', their weapons aimed at the captives as many of them huddled closely together, offering silent words of support to those who were younger of years. Many of them still were adorned in their armor, some with clear marks of battle, as if they had just returned from a mission. Others, had their helmets absent, worry or defiance lingering in their gaze as they scanned their surroundings. A few also held signs of fighting back, some with bruises upon their faces, or their visors cracked from a blow from their captors.

"Dusk," Unit Eleven watched as the female Phoenix turned her attention towards him, "What is going on here?"

Seeing a broad smile form on her metallic features, the Phoenix Warlock's unease only grew as she turned towards the captive Guardians, "Nothing serious will be done to them, brother. If they do not resist, they will return to the Tower in one piece, just without the essence of the Traveler."

Taking in her words, Unit Eleven clicked the actions together, and the result caused him to widen his optics, unable to hold back his shock, "Dusk, do not tell me…"

Receiving nothing but another smile as an answer, the Huntress then returned her attention back to the captives before holding out her hands, "Let the cleansing! Begin!"

And that's all for now :D