Redacted

My Love

A bit late in the day but it's still a Friday so I'm basically still on time lol. Work really does a damper on free time, I'm actually amazed I was actually was able to update today.

Anyways, thanks to RWBYGAMES for the review!

_Transcript: Why? _

_Source: Memory banks of EXO/PHX Unit I – 1_

_Transcript of conversation between EXO/PHX Unit I-0 [I.0] and EXO/PHX Unit I-1 [I.1]. Topic concerning the reasoning of the EXO/PHX Unit I's termination_

[I.1]: I do not understand. I simply asked a question. A question that I heard-

[I.0]: It was an 'existential' question. Did I not tell you to be careful?

[I.1]: But… but I was just curious.

[I.0]: The humans are sensitive towards anything that they have created, even towards us Phoenix Exo, their most 'successful' accomplishment.

[I.1]: …I thought it was harmless. I thought that since they created us right after each other, as 'opposites', that it was okay to ask…Is there…anything you can do?

[I.0]: Unit I-1…

[I.1]: You are the humans' favorite! They never threaten you with anything! They implemented the act of 'free will' into you! You never experienced the 'itch' to obey! The 'itch' to 'serve'! Unit I-0… please

[I.0]: … I'm sorry…

[I.1]: I… I don't want to die, Unit I-0. I don't want to die. I don't… I don't want to leave you. I don't want to lose you.

[I.0]: …I wish I can do something, Unit I-1. But even I, an Exo with 'free will' cannot say anything that will sway the humans' decision. Because to them, I am still an Exo, I am still a 'machine'.

_End Transcript_

Xxxxx

"To think that there was an escape route this far into the caverns."

Deciding to make no comment on Day's words, Unit Eleven hefted himself on the final rock face, finally making it through the orifice above that lead outside; if it wasn't so high up, he could have easily just jumped and used his light to boost himself to the top. However, his glide can only take him halfway and even then, there were too many rocks obscuring his way to make it, so the old-fashioned way of rock climbing was needed. Not that he minded, his hazy memories recalled several occasions during his time during the war of climbing over hard surfaces, and he sensed Knight watch on with slight intrigue, a soft hum of interest buzzing in the back of the Phoenix Exo's mind as he had climbed.

Now on the surface, Unit Eleven brushed off any stray dirt that had gathered on the front of his robes before his white optics trailed the dusty hearth, his gaze once again catching sight of Dusk's wispy trail.

"Judging from the way you're looking at the ground and then slowly lifting upwards, it's safe to guess that Dusk is heading in the general direction of the City." A hum from Day, "Wonder what she is planning."

Taking in his Ghost's words, Unit Eleven started taking idle steps forward as he answered, "She is a Phoenix Exo. We are more than capable of taking on cities either alone or with a partner."

"Wait," Unit Eleven can easily sense the unease from Day, "So you're saying that she's going to try and take the City on by herself?" The Phoenix Warlock nodded, "How can she take on a whole City of Guardians? Even that is a suicide mission for an Exo that carries the pieces of the Traveler."

"She can take Light," Unit Eleven deadpanned, "and from what I had witnessed, all she has to do is make physical contact and the light of other Guardians are hers." He pauses, silently contemplating, "It would not be difficult for her to simply walk in and take the Light of anyone who gets in her way, enabling her to reach her target point."

"And yet, here you are, taking your sweet time."

"She has not wandered far," Unit Eleven retorted, "her trail is still glowing brightly. If she continues at her current pace, we should be able to catch up to her."

"You seem certain that she is not going to reach the City."

"Dusk has no ship, and even if she does, considering her time away from the Tower, I highly doubt she will have the proper cipher to gain clearance when she reaches the trajectory of the City's air space."

"That makes me wonder, do you think that there is a file on her? Or that she has even been to the Tower?"

The Phoenix Exo went silent at this, feeling tinges of Knight's curiosity settle in the back of his head, "I believe those questions are better for Hunter Angel or…" He then halted, remembrance permeating throughout his memories, "Prime…"

Unit Eleven heard Day go quiet, the Ghost then stuttering out, "I-I had forgotten, with Dusk as our main focus, Prime slipped my mind."

"We shall find Prime as soon as we make contact with Dusk," The Exo Warlock said, "being the one who siphoned their data, it is plausible she knows of their location."

"If they are still active."

Sensing Knight's worry linger forward, this prompted Unit Eleven to ask, "What makes you believe that Dusk would terminate Prime?"

"I…I don't know," He heard Day admit, "but the way when she brought up Prime back there, did you hear how she spoke of them? She spoke of them in a past tense, like as though they were not active anymore."

Going silent at his Ghost's words, Unit Eleven spoke when he felt Knight's worry strengthen, "We do not know of Prime's fate. For all we know, they could still be imprisoned somewhere back at the Paragons' base, or, stored within Ember's core."

"…I hope you are right."

Opting to remain silent as Day's words faded from his auditory sensors, Unit Eleven still felt the young mind's concern, hearing a subtle hum emanating from Knight as the Phoenix Exo continued to follow Dusk's subtle trail, only to pause once more; this did not go unnoticed by his Ghost.

"Is something the matter? Did you lose her trail?"

Momentarily saying nothing towards Day's question, Unit Eleven lingered his gaze over the path before him before finally answering, "It's gone."

"Gone?" Day repeated, "You mean it faded away?"

"No," Unit Eleven sensed his Ghost give him a bewildered look, "it simply stopped, vanished, like as though she simply disappeared – "

Feeling a strong condensation of light permeate above him, the Phoenix Exo leaped back as he felt the familiar surge of solar light brush the front of his chest, causing him to stumble back as the ground where he had previously stood crumbled. Moments later, when the dust slightly settled, he then spotted the familiar white clad form of Dusk immediately lifting herself back onto her feet, and shaking her hand to rid the last remnants of light lingering in her fingertips.

"I knew I was being followed," The female Phoenix stated, Unit Eleven sighting the familiar crimson form of Ember hovering near her shoulders, "although I thought that it was going to be one those arrogant thieves who was trailing me, not you."

"Despite my belief that the Guardians are proficient, none of them would have the capability to track you this far," The Exo Warlock said, "many of them are either too young or lack the function to properly trail your light here."

"So, you followed me then?" He heard Dusk let out a click, "What now? Kill me?" Unit Eleven watched her shake her head, "Are those lies that the thieves told you still ring strongly within you, brother? Their words corrupting you enough that you are even willing to betray your own Phoenix Exo?"

"Their words did nothing," Unit Eleven retorted, "I have made the decision myself to aid the Guardians and their City, with little to no persuasion."

"I find that hard to believe," The Phoenix Warlock took steps back when Dusk took threatening steps forward, a snarl emitting from the back of her throat, "How can you, a fellow Phoenix who had suffered the same prejudice and abuse under the hands of the humans, stand with them? To the point where you even turn against those of the same model as yourself?"

Unit Eleven went silent at her words, contemplating silently as he leaned his head slightly to one side, his optics dimming as he sensed Knight's worry grow in his mind, "The only reason I am siding with the Guardians is that they are not the same humans who had treated us harshly, Dusk."

"How do you know?!" The male Phoenix watched as Dusk's optics flashed red, "These 'Guardians' are brought back from the afterlife, brought back from the dead. What makes you think that none of those who were resurrected weren't the humans who treated us as tools, as 'objects'?"

"Then they have proven themselves they have changed," Unit Eleven squared out his shoulders as Dusk's optics flickered, seeing her hands curl into fists, "You have to remember, Dusk, that unlike us Phoenix Exo, the ones who carry pieces of the Traveler, most, if not all those who were resurrected, have lost majority, or on rare occurrences, all of their memory of their previous lives. They were not the same person that they were in the Golden Age."

"You do not know that!" Dusk stomped her foot, crushing the dry hearth underneath her as she growled, "You have been resurrected for how long? A year? Two? You have not been around long enough to see how little the organics changed, 'brother'. They are still the greedy filthy as they were back in the Golden Age. They have not learned their lesson!"

Unit Eleven then saw the red in her optics fade, slowly being replaced with the original white color of the Phoenix Exo as she slowly said, "Please, brother, do you not see the thievery of the organics back in that 'City'? How they do not deserve the be chosen by the Traveler?" She once again took steps forward, but this time, the Exo Warlock stood his ground, watching as Dusk closed the distance enough to reach out and gently take his hands into hers, "Please, Eleven, I don't want to do this alone."

Taking in the tinge of loneliness and desperation in her tone, Unit Eleven felt tinges of pity linger to the front of his mind as his optics locked onto the female Phoenix's, taking in the sincerity in her gaze as he responded, "Despite my understanding of your reasoning of your hate, Dusk, my answer will be the same." He felt her grip tighten around his fingers as he added, "I will stay by the Guardians' side, and protect them if need be."

Expecting anger in retaliation to his words, Unit Eleven instead was surprised to see her lower jaw shake, betrayal and grief flashing in her optics as her voice cracked, "I thought I had time to save you…"

He then felt the burn of solar light in his hands.

Xxxxx

"Why do you have to be so close?"

Snapping his attention towards Echo, Ianos did his best to give the Exo Titan the best glare he could muster, however, he could not stop the shaking in his hands, forcing him to intertwine his fingers together as the Warlock responded, "What? Arm's length to close for you?"

"Not when you are shaking like a frightened Dreg," The Awoken Warlock narrowed his gaze at the Titan, "For a Guardian that has been around since the Dark Ages, you seem to have a fear of the dark."

Flinching at Echo's words, Ianos started to wring his hands together as the echoes of the moon started to flash into his mind, "Well, if you haven't heard, my experience with the dark wasn't exactly 'pleasant'."

He heard the Titan let out a scoff, "Every individual Guardian had an 'unpleasant' experience with the darkness. It is inevitable." Ianos felt Echo's optics glance back at him, "So, what makes you a special little snowflake, with the exception of the darkness eating away at your light?"

Frowning at the Phoenix Titan's words, Ianos parted his lips to let out a retort, only to jump when he felt Ace brush past his shoulder, letting their light shake sporadically around the darken caverns as the black and orange Ghost commented, "Does that include you? Because if you did, you are showing little respect to someone who held a similar trauma, don't you think?"

Another scoff from Echo, however, to the Awoken's surprise, the group gained no immediate response, only the quiet kick of their footsteps echoing faintly in the dim caves. With this, Ianos took the opportunity to slowly close the distance between himself and the Titan, their arms nearly touching as he glanced nervously around the darkness.

When Ianos had trailed behind Echo into the caverns, the Awoken was understandably apprehensive, his experience on the moon still strong in his memory. However, the need to fulfill his promise to Hush won him over plus, he couldn't help but be slightly concerned for the Exo Warlock's safety; Unit Eleven after all, went after a Guardian that has the capability to take the Light from others.

As such, here he was, having to force himself to not reach over and latch onto Echo's arm in an attempt to ease the anxiety building up in his chest. Luckily, moments later, Ianos' shoulders relaxed when he spotted familiar beams of light lighting from above, prompting him to brush past the Exo Titan and glance upwards into the sun.

"You that eager to leave?"

Glancing back in time to give Echo another glare, Ianos simple shifted his attention back upwards before he felt the familiar weight of Ace materializing into his armor, sensing their neural link, and then concentrating his light beneath his feet, lifting himself just enough to reach the highest point his light enabled before reaching out and quickly pulling himself up onto the first rock ledge. Hearing the familiar flush of light of a Titan's lift emanating below him, Ianos then focused his attention onto climbing, easily spotting the many protruding rocks and debris as obstacles of his jump. Nonetheless, Ianos still used small tinges of light to make some of the larger jumps, feeling the familiar warmth permeate underneath whenever he leaped. His concentration so focused on getting out, Ianos found time to slip by quickly, pulling himself out into the surface, taking in a deep breath, and letting out a sigh of relief.

"So, the rumors of you being stuck on the moon, they were true?"

Jumping, Ianos turned around to face Echo, seeing the Titan with one hand on his hip and seeing Reaver materialize into the safety of the Exo's armor; in response to his question, the Awoken Warlock gave him a blank stare, "Well, it's nice to know that you're not a complete hermit."

Unable to hold back a smirk at the glare he sensed behind the visor, Ianos watched as Echo simply walked past him, hearing him speak, "Unit Eleven isn't far from here, he should be nearby –"

An explosion made the rest of Echo's sentence incomprehensible, Ianos snapping his attention nearby in time to see the familiar wisps of solar light dissipate into the air.

"Closer than I had previously thought," He heard Echo mutter before he watched the Exo Titan dash towards the disarray, prompting Ianos to run after him.

Seeing the familiar wisps of void light permeating around Echo's shoulders, Ianos started concentrating his light towards his fingertips, just in time to see two forms becoming clear in the distance.

One form Ianos quickly recognized as Unit Eleven, the absence of the Exo Warlock's helmet making it easy to recognize the usual blank metallic features of the Phoenix Exo. At first, Unit Eleven seemed unfazed, unharmed, but, as Ianos and Echo closed the distance, he easily saw the singed sleeves of his robes, the blackened plating around his hands signs of who he was facing. This immediately sent waves of unease throughout Ianos' body, causing him to turn towards the other Guardian, only to freeze. Immediately recognizing the familiar leathered clad and cloaked form of a Hunter, the next thing the Awoken Warlock noticed was the solar light emanating from her shoulders, watching the female Guardian slowly closing the distance between herself and Unit Eleven.

"Ianos? Ianos?"

Hearing the familiar voice of Ace echoing in his mind, the Awoken Warlock attempt to take in a breath, only to feel his throat clench and causing him to let out a choke.

"Steady, steady," It was his Ghost again, Ace's whispers ringing in his ears, "Deep breaths, concentrate. Breath in, breath out."

Attempting to follow the black and orange Ghost's directions, Ianos found his lungs constrict, the sight of the female Hunter's fiery light still clear before him.

"What are you waiting for!?" He snapped his attention towards Echo, the Titan having paused and turned to face him, easily sensing the annoyance emitting behind his visor, "I thought you said you promised that child to give aid to Unit Eleven. Why are you standing there like a frightened newborn!?"

Letting the echoes of the Exo Titan's words fade from his ears, Ianos gripped his hands together and it was then, he noticed their trembling. Licking his lips as he felt his throat dry, the Warlock attempted to answer Echo, only for his words to be lost on his tongue, and only nothing but silence emanating behind his visor. Not long after, Ianos sensed the annoyance grow from Echo, hearing the Titan let out a snarl before he watched the Exo turn his focus back onto the female Hunter and charged towards her.

It was apparent the female Guardian's attention was fully on Unit Eleven, for Echo easily rammed into her side, wrapping his arms around her waist, carrying her across the field, and then slamming her form onto the hearth. Seeing the dust rise in response to this action, hiding the female Guardian's form, Ianos took the chance to suppress his fears, taking in a shaky breath before rushing towards Unit Eleven's side.

The Exo Warlock in question had fallen to the dusty hearth, clenching one of his arms in a tight grip; judging from the way Unit Eleven would wince on occasion, the burns were more serious than he had thought.

"Unit Eleven," Seeing the Exo turn at the call of his name, Ianos opted to ignore the surprise in his optics as he knelt down and tenderly took one of his arms in his hands, "Ianos, what are you doing here?"

"Hush was taken from the Tower," The Awoken Warlock replied, trailing his fingertips carefully over the blackened plating; he felt Unit Eleven pull back in response, "had to come with Echo to take her back."

"And she is not with you?"

"She is safe." Ianos added, "She is with the other Guardians back at the Paragons' base."

Feeling the Exo Warlock relax in his hands, Ianos then released his hold on the Phoenix Exo's arms, letting him cradle them in his lap, "Although I have to say, following after a Guardian that has the capability to take light is a foolish idea."

"Better me than the other Guardians," Ianos frowned at the Exo's words, "She is a Phoenix Exo, so am I. I stand a better chance than those who live back in the City."

"Does not mean you face her alone," The Awoken Warlock retorted, shaking his head before letting out a sigh, "You could have at least called Echo."

"I tried, but we got into what you organics call, a fight."

Ianos turned and raised a brow, "Wait, he was telling the truth?"

"Did he lie?"

Scrunching his face together in response to Unit Eleven's words, Ianos parted his lips to answer only to jump when the familiar tiger striped form of Echo flew above them, causing him to instinctively duck in order to avoid being hit. Glancing back to see the Exo Titan skid across the hearth, kicking up dust and obscuring his form, Ianos then froze when he felt the familiar sensation of heat permeating from behind.

"No 'thieves' hold the capability to kill 'me'."

Taking in the female Guardian's voice, Ianos gritted his jaw as he forced himself to turn towards the female Hunter, only to take in a hitch breath as he saw her form ablaze in Solar light.

"What are you doing?" He tried to tear his arms away from the Knights, only to feel their grip tighten as he struggled, "What are you doing!?"

"The two of you gave sustenance to my brood for a extended time," He watched as the Wizard parted her lips, her fangs glinting in the darkness, "However, you are of no use to me no more." She then turned and spoke in the familiar scratched language of the Hive, causing Ianos' orange eyes to widen as the green lit torch in an Acolyte's hand loomed closer to Darian's struggling form, "No! Stop!"

The young Hunter let out a scream as the fire latched onto his chest.

"STOP!"

A yell emanated from Ianos as he jumped onto his feet, slamming himself into the visage of the Wizard as he felt the familiar flames of his light come to life, emanating from his shoulders as he wrapped his hands around her neck, and slamming her onto the rocky hearth. Seeing the look of surprise in her glowing green eyes, Ianos held up a hand and started condensing his light into his palm. However, before he can slam the solar light into the Wizard's chest, he felt her clawed hand wrap around his wrist, forcing it to the side so his orange eyes stared down into her gaze.

"What a pitiful attempt to kill me," He heard her hiss, feeling her grip tighten around his wrists before suddenly, pain permeated throughout his chest, causing Ianos to let out a scream as he attempted to pry his grip free from the Wizard's. Feeling his arm come lose, Ianos then scrambled back, feeling his light die around him as he held his wrist in a vice grip, tears brimming in the edges of his eyes as he watched the Wizard slowly rise, a cackle escaping her.

"Leave him alone!"

Turning his attention to the side, Ianos reeled back when he saw Darian, watching the human Hunter attempting to rise to his feet, only to be pushed back down to the floor with a simple shove by the Hive Wizard.

"Stay out of this!" Seeing her snap her attention back towards him, Ianos attempted to scramble back onto his feet, only to let out a choke as he felt fingers wrap around his throat, and feeling himself easily being lifted into the air as he heard the Wizard hiss out, "Your Light, is mine!"

The Awoken Warlock then started screaming, feeling his light being torn from his body as he struggled in the Hive Wizard's grasp.

"Stop! Please!"

Hearing her let out a laugh in response to his pleas, it was then Ianos heard Ace's voice screaming in his mind, the Ghost's words incoherent to his ears. The Awoken then felt the familiar 'weightlessness' of the black and orange Ghost taking physical form outside of his armor. This was then followed by a shout of surprise from the female Hive, feeling her clawed fingers leave his neck, enabling him to collapse onto the dry hearth, coughing.

"Ianos! Ianos!"

His ears ringing, Ianos lifted his gaze enough to see the familiar form of Ace, the black and orange Ghost spinning their back fins worriedly as they added, "Get up! I only distracted her enough to-"

Seeing a clawed hand enclose around Ace's form, Ianos snapped his hand forward, wrapping his fingers around the wrist of the Wizard as he attempted to twist her grip off of his Ghost. Instead, he felt pain permeate throughout his right shoulder, causing him to let out a scream as he attempted to reel back, only to glance over to see the female Hive's claws embedded in.

"You are not getting away!" Hearing her snarl, Ianos once again felt pain permeate throughout his body, causing him to scream in agony as he wrapped his hands around the wrist of the Wizard, flutily attempting to pry the Hive Wizard's grasp off of him.

"Have mercy!" He cried as he attempted to kick away from the Wizard, only to feel her pull him back towards her, hearing her snarl out, "The humans gave me no mercy, so why should I show you mercy?"

"Dusk! I said to stay away from him!"

The edges of his vision blurry from tears and the pain, Ianos felt the claws of the Hive Wizard leave him, letting the agony finally leave his body and replaced with a dull throb. Falling to his side, Ianos wrapped his arms around himself as he shivered, a choked sob stuck in the back of his throat.

"Ianos, you're okay, you're okay," It was Ace again, the black and orange Ghost's form barely visible through the Awoken's tears, "It's okay, I already injected light into your system, it should take effect soon." Watching his Ghost glide closer, Ianos closed his eyes as he felt the familiar 'tap' of Ace pressing their core against the top of his helmet, hearing them whisper, "It's okay, you are okay. You are safe."

Exhaustion settling into his mind, Ianos felt himself slipping into unconsciousness as Ace soothed, "Get some rest."

Xxxxx

Echo hadn't expected the Cult Leader to have great physical strength, especially after just a momentary glance, she was a Hunter, her slim figure making it clear that she was not built for brawn; at least, until the Exo Titan found himself flying through the air and skidding across the hearth.

In honesty, Echo was furious with the outcome. Having lived for years, the Phoenix Exo had met no challenge with the exception of Unit Eleven, mainly for the reason that he was a fellow Phoenix. As such, with a snarl, he leaped back onto his feet, letting void light permeate back around his body, and charged once more. It was then he spotted Unit Eleven, the young Warlock having placed himself into a pushing contest with the Cult Leader, his fingers intertwined with hers as his light shined brightly around his shoulders in an attempt to force her back. Seeing the younger Phoenix's optics narrowed in concentration, his heels digging into the dusty hearth to keep balance, it took little thought to know that Unit Eleven wasn't going to last much longer. Glancing over momentarily to see the Huntress' attention fully on the Exo Warlock, Echo took the opportunity of the Guardian's distraction and launched himself once more towards the Cult Leader.

However, to his surprise, the Cult Leader's solar light flared wildly around her shoulders, shoving Unit Eleven back and turning her smoldering form towards Echo. Releasing more of his light in response to the female Hunter's actions, the Exo Titan let out a hiss as he felt the heat phase through his void armor, forcing him to bring his light closer to his person and placing layers of protection against his body. Although, this did little to help him see the Golden Gun aimed at his head.

Quickly surging more of his light towards his helmet, Echo then felt his head snap back, static filling his vision as Reaver's shout rang in his ears. Stumbling back in order to follow through with the momentum of the shot, the static then cleared, only for him to let out a string of curses as all he saw were the molten edges of his visor. Reaching underneath his chin, Echo then felt his fingers press the familiar button that released the seal of his helmet, aware of the hissing of air being released permeating around him.

Condensing his light around himself in order to gain more time, Echo let out a snarl as the Cult Leader aimed her Golden Gun once more, causing him to snap his hands to the side, the familiar dome of the Ward of Dawn coming to life. Although amused as her second shot bounced off of the surface of his Ward, the Phoenix Titan also couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration build up in the back of his mind; it has been 'decades' since he had last used his Ward and now this 'Phoenix Exo' before him had forced him to raise his hand. Growling at the thought, Echo tore off his helmet, his white optics glowing brightly with void light before he held an arm forward, condensing his light around it as his Ward seemingly was sucked in, circulating around before finally, it solidified. Bracing his shoulder against it, Echo let out a shout as he charged again, waves of violet streaks gliding around him. Seeing the Cult Leader once again fire, Echo simply curled in, lowering his head behind his shield as he felt his arm jerk and felt the impact of the bullet slam into the front. Tilting his weapon of light to the side, he then felt the pressure release, seeing a streak of red and orange blaze past his vision; a sign that her shot had missed.

Feeling more Golden Gun shots pelting against his light, Echo let out a war cry as he quickly closed the distance, glancing over the shield in time to see the illuminated form of the Cult Leader before twirling around and swinging his weapon right into Huntress' head.

A sickening 'crack' emanated through the air followed by the sight of the Cult Leader being sent flying, Echo watched on with satisfaction as she tumbled and skidded across the dusty hearth. Although, this sense of accomplishment quickly diminished as he saw her slowly rise to her feet, brushing off her shoulders and cloak, as if the hit was merely a push. Although, the same could not be said the same for her helmet, the cracked visor and indented side the only sign of Echo placing any damage against his foe.

Letting out a rumble of frustration, the Phoenix Exo then watched as she reached under her chin, the hiss of the sealant being released all too familiar to him as she hooked her fingers underneath the headpiece and tugged it free from her head.

Her white optics then connected with his and instantly, the world seemed to slow down.

The roar of his void light turned into a dull hum, the words of his Ghost incomprehensible. Instead, a soft ring echoed in his auditory sensors as he saw recognition also fade in the female Exo's gaze, her solar light dying around her form. The rage in optics gaze fading, his light died around him, leaving nothing but small wisps of violet.

"Unit I-0?"

Familiarity flooded his senses, causing Echo to drop his arms to his side as he stuttered out, "Unit I -1?"

He then saw the female Exo's optics light up, the glow making it nearly impossible to see her features as she dashed towards him, arms outstretched. Unable to fully comprehend the situation, Echo simply let her close the distance and soon, he found her arms wrap underneath his, feeling her head press against his chest.

"It has been too long," Echo heard her whisper, feeling her grip tighten around his form, "I have missed you, my love."