Redacted

Welcome

It's a Saturday so I say I uploaded on time...even though laziness prevented me from updating on Friday *coughs*. Anyways, thanks to Great Wolf 117 for the review!

Edit: 2/11/2018

I totally forgot about Knight/Nine! God damn it! This is what happens when you're in a rush and don't have drafts anywhere on you except in your own itty bitty head! You get forgetful!

_Transcript: Corruption_

_Source: Ghost of Hashimoto, Isamu_

_Alias: Hashimoto, Hajime_

_Transcript of conversation between Titan Hashimoto, Isamu [H.I] and Hunter Blaise [H.B]. Topic concerning the risks of corruption_

[H.B]: Have you heard what happened to Mel?

[H.I]: Who has not? It is hard to miss when a fellow Revenant falls to corruption.

[H.B]: Which was it then? The Darkness or…?

[H.I]: Darkness this time. Luckily, the others were able to contain him before serious damage can be done. It is just unfortunate that we lost another sibling to corruption.

[H.B]: Our numbers have been falling lately… Do you think that it is only a matter of time before it is our turn?

[H.I]: Corruption befalls everyone, even amongst those Tower Guardians. It is just a matter of will and strength.

[H.B]: Then, all those who got a big head and tried to take on the Darkness on their own…?

[H.I]: Tell tale signs of corruption, it was just fortunate for everyone that they all were killed before serious harm can be done.

[H.B]: Anger begets hate. Hate begets despair. And despair begets corruption.

[H.I]: Joy begets love. Love begets hope. And hope begets death.

_End Transcript_

Xxxxx

"We are heading into Vex infested territory, we cannot bring Eidr in with us." Akiva easily senses the scowl he received from his fellow Titan, but continued nonetheless, "when we find a functioning Vex Gate, I highly doubt you want us to bring him with us into danger."

"But, we can't leave him out here either," Angel pointed out, "if you tend to recall, Venus is crawling with Fallen just as much as the Vex."

Akiva's shoulders slumped, frowning behind his visor as he locked his golden hues with the slumbering form in the shell crafted of light; how the infant was able to sleep through all the gunfire and light being thrown around as they ventured between Fallen and Vex Akiva may not fully understand, but the Titan understood enough that not only will Eidr be endangered but Isamu as well. The Revenant would have to keep at least one arm around the shell in order to ensure the shell's stability and where the team is going, they would need to have 'everyone' to be at their full capability. And that would be impossible with an infant at hand.

But, their conscience won't let them abandon a practical newborn alone in the wilds.

"Then the only other choice we have is for one of us to stay behind and keep Edir company." Akiva easily saw Isamu's shoulder's tense at that, "since he's your son, maybe Angel, Knight and I should –"

"And expect you all to successfully rescue Jora?" Akiva heard the Titan Revenant snarl, "I think not."

"Then would you rather trust one of us to watch your child then?"

"Of course not!"

"Oh come on! Even after years of being stuck as a Vex prisoner you're still stubborn as ever!" It was Crystalline who spoke, the female Ghost giving Isamu a narrowed glance, "Isamu, if you want to save Jora, then you have to come up with a compromise. Either you stay and Akiva, Knight, and Angel go on ahead to save her, or one of them stay and you head on with whoever is left."

Sensing the disapproval grow from the Revenant Titan, Akiva watched as he glanced down towards the infant in his arms, and he couldn't help but let out a sigh and rub the back of his neck, "Is it too late to request aid from your friends?"

"Not happening." Crystalline answered quickly, "If you think Tower Guardians are intolerant towards the Revenants, you should see us Revenants when it comes to you guys."

"For good reason." Isamu snapped, "exiled for even gaining an inkling of interest in the Darkness and then to be killed without question when we expose ourselves." A scoff then emanated from the Revenant Titan, "Tower Guardians hunted us down without hesitation; better to push them away than letting them get close only for them to shoot you when your back is turned."

"Alright, before I get confused even further, I have to ask, how long have the Revenants been around?" Feeling all eyes turn towards him, Akiva raised his hands as he stated, "Look, I have been around just moments after the Great Disaster, but I have never heard of the Revenants until recently. Not even a damn clue that they even existed."

That is when he sensed the bewildered stare from Isamu, feeling the scowl emanating behind the older Titan's visor, "Moments after? Then you should have heard of us then."

"What do you mean?" It was Angel who asked the question, Akiva unable to hold back a smile at the curiosity oozing off the younger Guardian, "Aren't the Revenants comparably new to the other factions?"

"Now where did you-" The human Titan sensed Isamu's scowl deepened, Akiva momentarily glancing over at Angel; he didn't have to see through the visor to know that the young Hunter was smiling, "There's advantages when you have free access to the Tower's database."

Akiva blinked; he had forgotten that Angel had found a way to hack into the files back at the Tower; even the classified ones. He then heard Knight let out a snicker and it took Akiva a moment to realize that perhaps Angel isn't the only one who has access to the database, at least, not anymore. Keeping a mental note of this, the human Guardian fixed his attention back onto Isamu when he heard the Titan Revenant let out a sigh, "Admittingly, yes, however." He felt Isamu's eyes linger back onto his, "The Revenants were formed not many years after the Great Disaster, so I am surprised that you have not heard of us."

"Maybe it's because it was well hidden? Confrontations kept quiet?" Akiva turned and gave Angel a raised brow, "Hey, just because I have access to the Tower's database doesn't mean I am informed on everything."

Hearing a soft hum emanate from Isamu, Akiva turned his attention back towards his fellow Titan as he heard the former mutter, "It cannot possibly be that simple to hide confrontations."

"What was that?"

"Nothing of importance." Akiva couldn't help but frown at the Revenant's immediate response, "How about this for our current problem? We find an active Vex Gate and then we will focus a solution on hand what to do with Eidr."

The Guardian couldn't help but give the Revenant a blank stare; it was obvious that Isamu was just trying to stall but then again, who can blame him? A father who had recently escaped a hazardous situation with their child and now, teaming up with members who are of an enemy faction to rescue his partner and with an infant in tow, Akiva cannot blame him for trying to buy time. As such, after momentarily glancing over at Angel to gain approval, the Titan nodded, "Right then, let's continue our search."

Xxxxx

"Did Pluto give any more information on these 'Revenants'?"

"Uh," Gemini watched as her brother tilted his chin slightly upwards, "Besides that they are capable of utilizing the darkness and to be wary of them, no, no he hasn't."

"Well, perfect." The female Hunter couldn't help but scowl behind her helmet as she glanced over the reeds, her keen optics spotting the familiar forms of those she had called 'family' alongside her fellow clanmates; they didn't seem to be in any danger, although, she can't seem to grasp what was in the stranger's arms. An egg? It's a huge one if that's the case.

"What I don't understand is if these Revenants are a danger, why in the Traveler are Angel, Akiva, and Knight…Nine?... why are trying to help him?" Gemini narrowed her optics, "did they strike a deal or something?"

"Well," The female Hunter turned her attention back to her twin, "I do recall Pluto stating beforehand that Angel had found a solution to Ianos' condition." Scorpio then shrugged, "Who knows, maybe he did strike a deal with the Revenant in return for a cure."

"But that's risky," Gemini hissed out, "making a deal with an individual you just had met, especially one aligned with the Darkness." Her scowl deepened as she turned her attention back towards the group they were trailing, only to lift up her hand and wave the tips of her fingers when she saw them move, signaling to her brother to follow her movements and kept their position in the reeds, "He's three years older than us but yet, his decisions are questionable."

"Desperation can lead to risky actions." Glancing back towards Scorpio, Gemini opted to say nothing as she continued inch forward as she stayed crouched, keeping her cloak buzzing around her form as she felt her brother's hand stay on her shoulder, "I still think it's not worth trusting a darkness affiliated individual for a cure."

Hearing her twin only let out a grunt in response to her words, the Huntress then decided to slowly stand, pressing herself against the wet trees as her keen gaze stayed on their allies' forms, "What do you think they are doing now?"

"They're searching for something that is for certain." Her brother murmured back, feeling Scorpio press against her back, "although what, that is the mystery."

"Well, if we keep trailing them, we should get our answer."

Feeling Scorpio squeeze her shoulder in agreement, Gemini continued to tiptoe forward, keeping her light azure lights fixed on the older Guardians before her.

The Huntress was unsure how long she and her brother had been following the team, but it was long enough for her to notice the group were staring at circular metallic frames, ignoring the rust and age on the surface and instead, seemingly focused on the heavier set parts located near the bottom. Of course, most of the heavier set pieces were broken, torn beyond repair, but the ones that the group does manage to locate, it was the unknown Titan who would then inspect it, supporting the egg with one arm as he would crack one side open and start messing with the insides.

A power cell, Gemini would come to realize, as sparks spikes from the wires although, more often than not, the Huntress would see the mysterious Titan shake his head, easily sensing the frustration emanating from the one she marked as the Revenant before the group would move on to another.

"How long did Pluto say to follow them?"

Gemini frowned, "He didn't say."

"So, indefinitely then."

The female Exo couldn't help but narrow her optics at her brother's words; this wasn't the longest mission that the twins have been sent out on, but stakeouts weren't exactly their forte. Hunters they are, however, their impatience and youth would definitely win out, most likely in a few hours, a whole day if they are patience enough. Gemini wonders; why did he send both her and Scorpio to a mission like this? Why not Io? Despite the twins' lack of admittance, their fellow Hunter holds more patience and skill to perform such a task as this.

Letting out a hum as her thoughts wondered, Gemini fixed her gaze back onto the group before she came to a sudden halt; the unknown Titan had come to a pause and she didn't have to see through his visor to know the scowl aimed her way.

"Scorpio…" She managed to breath out, right as she sensed the inkling darkness within the Titan suddenly burst.

Gemini didn't know how he had closed the distance so quickly, but before she can even turn and warn her twin, the Revenant was already upon them, a debased form of arc energy surging throughout his form.

Thinking fast, the Huntress snapped her hand back, summoning the familiar blade of arc light in her grasp before she dashed forward and swung it towards his side. A hiss was her reward, Gemini feeling her blade easily sink in as she concentrated her light into the weapon. However, before she can release the energy within, she found a grasp grip the back of her neck, and felt her feet leave the hearth, tearing her away from her weapon of light as she found herself dangling in the air.

"Isamu! Wait! She's a friend!"

It was strange, Gemini blinking as she found herself lifted high in the air above the head of the strange Titan, seeing the latter turn and scowl at the approaching forms of Akiva, Angel, and Knight, "So you sent spies to trail after us?"

"What?" The Huntress sensed the bewilderment from the human Titan, "No! We didn't even know that they were following us!" The Revenant's doubt increased, "Honest!"

"Darkness, Isamu! Put her down!" Gemini turned her gaze towards the familiar violet form of Crystalline, the Huntress' optics going wide as she watched the female Ghost's shell shift irritably, "They're telling the truth! We have no idea why the twins are following us!"

"Twins?"

Taking note of herself still dangling in the grasp of this Isamu individual, Gemini started to kick her legs, letting out a huff as she watched the Revenant Titan turn his darkened visor back her way. When all she received was another scowl, Gemini then opted to respond with a glare of her own, only for her optics to widen when the familiar dark clad form of Scorpio slam into Isamu's side. Feeling herself fall, the Huntress let out a startled yelp as her twin's voice resounded through the air, "Let go of my sister!"

Finding herself flailing in the air momentarily, Gemini momentarily regained just enough composure to land on her feet but stumbled, reeling with her arms to gain back balance. That was when she spotted Scorpio having wrapped his legs around the waist of the Titan, leveraging himself by wrapping his arm around the neck of the Revenant and swinging his knife wildly in the other. Hearing the Titan curse as he stumbled around, using his free arm in an attempt to grasp her twin to get him off, Gemini then heard the words of the others resounding through the air, the Huntress watching as they attempted to get close to help but then take steps back when they get too close to her knife wielding twin.

"Can we all stop and actually listen to each other!?" Gemini finally managed to hear Crystalline's voice pierce the air, "Scorpio! Get off of Isamu! Isamu! Don't try to kill the younglings!"

Gemini frowned at the female Ghost's words, "We're not 'younglings'."

"You're less than a decade old."

Scowling at Crystalline, Gemini parted her lips to retort when she heard a startled cry followed by the black and orange clad form of her twin flying through the air. Seeing her brother land in a pile of reeds, the Huntress then snapped her optics back towards the Revenant and unsheathed a knife of her own.

"Can you not!?"

Jumping as the lavender form of Crystalline popped in front of her, Gemini glowered at the female Ghost before raising her hand and pushing her to the side, letting her light slither throughout her form as she took steps towards the Revenant, the latter of which held the egg in his arms protectively.

"He has an infant!"

This caused Gemini to immediately pause, her anger quickly diminishing to one of surprise as she turned her wide optics towards the brown clad form of Akiva, "What?"

"He has an infant – Just, just look."

Giving the human Titan a blank stare, Gemini turned her gaze back towards the Revenant, narrowing her optics as she watched the latter takes steps back and curling his form around the protective shell.

"Isamu, please. She and Scorpio are trustworthy."

Hearing him speak something incomprehensible under his breath, Gemini watched carefully as he reluctantly glanced at the shell in his arms before slowly uncurling himself from the egg, allowing just enough space for the Huntress to take slow steps forward and peer in. And looked into curious hazel eyes of a child.

That is when she froze, her knife falling out of her hands as she found the infant turn their wide eyes towards her, kicking their leg within the shell as Gemini's optics dimmed.

"Wait, you weren't lying?"

Scorpio's voice echoed next to her, Gemini's corner vision catching her twin pulling off pieces of long reeds and leaves from his person, "There's seriously a baby in there?"

The Huntress found herself unable to respond to her brother's words, and instead, just kept her gaze onto the infant before her, the child seemingly blinking several times as they shoved their fist into their mouth, sucking on it as they kept their gaze on the twins.

"Convinced enough?"

Shifting her optics upwards to lock onto the darkened visor of the Revenant before her, Gemini then slowly nodded, signaling to the Guardian before her to take steps back and hold the egg close to his chest once more.

"Just, what is going on here?" It was her twin, Scorpio, who voiced the question in their mind, "We heard of this Revenant, wielders of Darkness, and now they have a baby?"

"And let's not forget to mention that it looks like as though you are looking for a functioning Vex Gate." Gemini added as she crossed her arms and shifted her attention towards Akiva and and the others, "Care to explain?"

"Pluto sent you didn't he?" Gemini heard Akiva sigh as she nodded, seeing him rub the back of his helmet as he then stated, "Knew he was going to figure it out eventually."

"You know that it's hard to get 'anything' past Pluto," The female Exo couldn't help but snort at her twin's words, "Especially if you all are trying to work on a 'secret' mission with a 'mysterious' individual."

"Look, I understand how bad this looks," Gemini sensed Isamu turn and give Angel a glare, "But he maybe the solution to Ianos' condition."

"How?" The Huntress scowled, "He wields the darkness, how is that going to help Little Light's condition."

"First off, it's weird hearing you call Ianos 'Little Light' because usually, it's the way older members of Galaxy who called him that." Gemini gave Akiva a frown, "And secondly, there is a possibility that he can help Ianos manipulate the Darkness within him."

"So, you want him to go dark?"

"We want him to live." Akiva retorted, followed by a sigh, "I understand your concern, Gemini, however, you weren't there when Ianos first got his light corrupted. He tried 'everything' within his grasp to help himself, even asking 'other' Guardians for aid. But in the end, all he could do was elongate the inevitable." The Huntress then saw the human Titan momentarily glance over at the Revenant before he finished, "Isamu maybe the only one at this moment who can help Ianos, at least in a way so that the darkness isn't a threat to his life anymore."

Opting to remain silent at the words of the older Guardian, Gemini turned her attention towards her twin the latter of which also locked his gaze with hers; they didn't have to say verbally to each other that they still do not trust the Revenant despite the words of the human Titan.

"Then why are you two helping him?" Gemini asked, "If he is the last hope for Ianos, why aren't you all heading back to the Tower to 'treat' him?"

"Because we have to help him first," It was Angel who answered her question, "Isamu barely escaped from the Vex but his partner wasn't very fortunate. He needs our help to release her."

Frowning behind her visor, Gemini's optics narrowed before she heard her brother speak up beside her, "You all are looking for a functioning Vex Gate, aren't you?"

Momentarily snapping her shocked gaze towards her twin, the Huntress then glanced towards the older Guardians in time to see Angel nod, "Not the best plan, but it's the only one we have at the moment."

"This is crazy." Gemini hissed out, "Helping a Revenant so that they can 'possibly' help stabilize Little Light's condition; looking for a functioning Vex Gate that leads to possibly who knows where. Once the Vanguard hears of this-"

"Gemini."

"Scorpio," The Huntress snapped as she turned to face her twin, "You are actually not considering-"

"Pluto said to have an open mind when it comes to others," She paused at her brother's words, sensing a soft smile form behind his visor as he shrugged, "and it's like what we always say, something new,"

"Something fun." Gemini sighed as she placed a hand onto the side of her helmet, feeling a dull throb forming near the side of her temple – what did organics call it? A headache? – before she turned to face the others, "We'll help."

"…What?"

"But only because this maybe the only way to save Ianos' life," Gemini added before turning her optics towards Isamu and scowled, "We don't quite trust 'you' yet."

She heard the Revenant scoff, "The feeling is mutual, Guardian."

Her frown deepening behind her visor, Gemini simply crossed her arms as she watched the Revenant turn with his child still in his arms, watching as Akiva and Angel soon followed after. When she saw Knight simply stand his ground, keeping his gaze stuck on the twins, Gemini couldn't help but give her fellow Exo a scowl, "What?"

At first, receiving nothing but silence as an answer, the female Exo couldn't help but jump when it was Nine's voice, not Knight's, who answered, "If you are worried about the Revenant going dark on us, do not fret. His light is equally balanced with the dark."

"What is that supposed to mean?" It was her brother who had asked the question however, the Exo Warlock had already turned to follow the others, causing Gemini to let out a groan, "I am very uncomfortable about this."

"I totally agree," Scorpio said, "However, if this indeed will save Ianos, then I will be more than willing to help, especially if it helps Pluto feel a little less, 'stressed'."

Narrowing her optics at the back of the older Guardians, Gemini then heaved out a sigh before nodding once in agreement and then started to follow after the others, sensing her twin follow.

Xxxxx

Angel recalls the time when he first met the twins; they were excitable, eager for adventure, and on occasion, causing chaos wherever they went – then again, what newborn didn't?

So, when they encountered the twins after the small 'tussle' with Isamu, he couldn't help but blink at how much they 'matured', how the twins now sat back and took in the situation instead of running in like they would have in their younger years.

Younger years - they were only three years younger than he was, Angel realized, his green eyes going wide as he continued to follow the others. He had nearly forgotten, nearly lost count of his own age – nine years if he counted correctly – and then he wonders; perhaps it is not as uncommon as one thought to lose count of their own age.

Musing a bit, he does recall Akiva and the others would say a certain battle or event when it comes to how old they were, using words instead of numbers to recount their years in life. Even Isamu had used a battle to tell the team of his age.

Digging into his own memories to find a number that surpasses his, the only one that Angel can recall was Akiva telling him that Aleeza was ten years older than he was, but that didn't really count, as the Titan didn't really give him a fixed age.

"Hope?"

"H'm? Yes?" From the slight drawl in her tone, it seemed like as though the female Ghost had been taking a nap in his helmet; Angel couldn't help but let out a smile at this, "You were around on Earth for a while before you went to Venus to find me, right?"

A yawn permeated into his ears, "Yes, why?"

"Have you met any Guardians that kept record of their age past a decade?"

A pause, "Now why would – well, you do have a habit of askin' questions. I shouldn't be surprised."

Opting to say nothing and instead let out another smile behind his helmet, Angel continued to follow the others quietly as he listened to the familiar hum of Hope shifting through her own memories.

"Not many," Her voice finally broke the silence, "very rare actually. Only encountered three during my years on earth that had kept count of their age after ten years; a Risen who was fifty-five, a City Age Guardian who was thirty, and a Titan who had just hit eighty-nine."

Angel hummed thoughtfully at this, "So, no one that had kept count over a hundred then?"

"Accordin' to my experience." He couldn't help but gain the mental image of the female Ghost shrugging, "I'm curious though, why the sudden interest in age? Not many Guardians keep track of it personally, and even less celebrate the day of their resurrection."

"I know that." Angel then wrung his hands together, "But, I cannot help but feel uncomfortable with the notion that Guardians just, let it go."

"Why is that?"

"I…I just," He paused, hesitating, "I just feel like that we're 'less' when we brush off age like that, when we brush off celebrations of 'life'." Angel paused again, only to continue when he heard nothing from his Ghost, "I mean, I understand why – too many years to keep count of, duty calls, and some just aren't into celebration." He hesitated again, "But, when I think about it, when a Guardian tells me an event or a battle instead of a number, it feels like a designation, less 'personalized'. To me, it makes the individual less 'sentient' and more…"

"Mechanical." Hope finished followed by a sigh, "I understand; we've been to City enough times to learn that not 'every' citizen sees us in a bright light, some seeing us as something more inhumane than 'individuals'."

"Do you think having an age would help that?"

A hum from his Ghost, "It is small but having a number is a good start to get some of the 'harsher' citizens to warm up to us. That way, they don't give us strange looks when we cite a battle instead of an age."

Smiling sheepishly at Hope's words, Angel came to attention when Isamu came to a pause at another Vex Gate, pulling apart the lid to access the wires within. Standing idly nearby as the Titan worked, he blinked when Isamu paused and then turned towards the others.

"We found it."

Xxxxx

It was relieving, to finally find a functioning Vex Gate; that was the first step down. And it took Isamu little time to power it up, the hum of the portal resounding through the area not long after. Now, it came to one problem they have to find a solution for.

"Now, who's going to stay behind to watch Eidr?" Akiva can easily sense the glare he received from Isamu for his question; he opted to continue, "Look Isamu, I understand why you are hesitant on leaving your child with 'strangers' however, I also understand your need in wanting to find your partner. You have to choose."

Sensing the hesitation from the Revenant Titan, Akiva glanced over at the twins before letting out a smile, "Gemini and Scorpio would be more than happy to watch your child for you."

"What?!"

Akiva mainly meant it as a joke, but after sensing the shock and surprise emanating not only from the twins, but Isamu as well, the Titan decided it was the best option after all; he, Angel, and Knight can go in with Isamu and Eidr has proper protectors while they are gone. He should know, he had asked the Galaxy clan to watch after his own kids on several occasions when neither he, Neve or their Fireteams couldn't keep an eye on them themselves.

"The twins have experience on babysitting," Akiva can easily tell his words did little to convince Isamu, "I should know, they watched my children on several occasions, and they all are returned to me unscathed." He still sensed the doubt from the Revenant; the human Titan frowned at this, "Look, either you stay and the rest of us go on ahead without you, or you come with us to save Jora and leave Eidr in the safe arms of Gemini and Scorpio."

Watching Isamu glance back and forth between Eidr and the twins, Akiva simply placed his hands on his hips as he saw the Revenant curl his arms around the shell before he heard a sigh of reluctance, the human Titan then letting out a nod of satisfaction when Isamu walked over and reluctantly started to undo the cloth around his shoulders.

"Hajime."

The dark violet Ghost materialized into view at the call of his name, Akiva then watched with mild interest as Isamu handed Scorpio the child before gesturing towards the Huntress to hold out her hands. No sooner had she done this, when cylindrical containers fell into her hands, Gemini nearly stumbling to keep them all in her arms when Isamu spoke, "He needs to eat every couple of hours and change him when necessary. When he starts crying despite all his needs given, it means he wants physical contact, so that is the only other occasion to take him out of the shell, otherwise, he stays inside of it. No. Matter. What. Understand?"

Isamu must have taken the bewildered stares from the twins as confirmation as the Revenant then turned to Akiva, "Let's go, before I change my mind."

Nodding in agreement at Isamu's words, he waited until the Revenant took point, watching the Titan disappear in the white murky depths of the portal. Seeing Angel and Knight follow him in soon after, Akiva then turned his attention towards the twins, flashing them a smile behind his visor, "Good luck, keep Eidr safe."

Turning his back towards the twins, Akiva then walked up the steps of the Vex Gate, stepping into the murky depths without hesitation; this wasn't the first time he had walked through gates such as this one.

As white filled his vision followed by buzzing sensation permeating throughout his body, Akiva's thoughts wandered over to the Chargers, when they had first encountered the gate to the Hive Ascendant Realm to face Crota. Unlike the 'tickling' sensation of the Vex gate swirling around him, the Hive Gate was suffocating, Akiva remembering some of the younger members of the Chargers nearly unable to stand or breath once they made it into Crota's domain, handicapping them to the point where they couldn't even defend themselves properly against the Hive Prince once they found him in his throne.

At least, this time, with the Vex, that won't be the case.

Taking in a breath as he closed his eyes, Akiva then felt the hum pause in his ears, feeling the surge of energy leave his form, and prompting him to open his eyes. The first thing he noticed was that everything seemed to be inorganic; the floors, the walls, and even the sky seemed to be devoid of life, filled with nothing but the vast emptiness of Vex tech and their white energy. Raising his hand to ensure that he certainly was awake and not dreaming, Akiva then took note of a small fog in the area, the Titan shifting his fingers to let the wisps slip between his fingertips.

"Tower Guardians, much to my chagrin and reluctance," The human Titan shifted his attention to Isamu, seeing his fellow Titan hold up his hand to summon a weapon into his grasp, "Welcome to the reality of the Vex."

Xxxxx

Scorpio adores children, to the point where he would stare enviously at Akiva and Neve while they held the girls and Ora, cursing his own mechanical body for being unable to reproduce; he understood Pluto's frustration over lack of bloodlines although, Scorpio can also see why he always calls Ianos his 'son'; what better option from lack of reproduction than to 'adopt'.

As such, Scorpio held the infant in his arms protectively, cooing at it while he smiled at the little giggles he received in return; perhaps if he wasn't so busy with his duties as a Guardian, then perhaps he too can put into thoughts of 'adopting'.

"To think that we were assigned to track down this Revenant only to babysit his kid." The Hunter turned his attention towards his twin, watching her sort through the items she was given by placing them on the surface of the block that they had taken refuge in, "I have no idea how to react to this."

In response to his sister's words, Scorpio shrugged before turning his attention back towards Eidr, tapping the top of the shell to send ripples of light throughout its surface; he had quickly learned that the infant enjoys this small action, "Neither do I but, if it somehow helps Ianos stabilize, then I am willing to compromise."

Silence was his answer to his words, Scorpio simply continuing to play with the infant before Gemini once again broke the silence, "Should we report in to Pluto?"

He shifted his optics back towards her, "Well, Pluto did say to report in whenever we can." Scorpio paused, "I say it is better to inform him now before things blow over, instead of us getting scolded when we return."

Hearing his sister snort in agreement to his words, Scorpio then let his sister take care of the report, keeping watching just long enough to see the familiar black form of Nysa materialize into view before fixing his attention back onto Eidr, silently hoping that Pluto would stay at the Tower and heal instead of rushing over to Venus once he heard of Angel and Akiva's plan.

I know nothing really happens in this chapter but don't worry, plenty will happen in the next one :D