Redacted

Jora

I apologize for the late update guys, but a lot of stuff came up (a.k.a, finding a new job, finalizing stuff) and as such, didn't really have the time to write until this weekend. As such, here's the late chapter and enjoy! :D

Thanks to Diamond002, TidalKiller, and The Great Wolf 117 for the reviews!

Edit: 3/6/2018

I was told the corrupted text was hard to read so decided to 'ease' the corruption a bit. Hopefully it is better to read this time around :D

The Vex weren't too pleased about being defeated in their earlier fight. Akiva can easily tell from the countless Minotaurs and – what did Isamu call them – Hydras that swarmed towards the group, sending devastating shots as the smaller Hobgoblins and Goblins gave cover from the back. The human Titan just thanked the Traveler for his Ward.

Pumping his shotgun once more, Akiva aimed it towards the nearest Hydra, shooting it directly in the eye before hearing it let out a scream, its copper form splintering and collapsing on the empty floor.

"I am going to take this Nine individual is unable to replicate his power from before?!" The human Titan turned his attention towards Isamu, and then over to Knight when the young Warlock shouted back, "Like I have said before! Nine is still recovering from a battle from weeks ago! He cannot do it in quick succession!"

A snarl then can be heard from Isamu, "Then the light is not going to be enough."

That is when Akiva sense malevolence, 'anger' settling in the air around them before he saw Isamu leap forward, streaks of violet following behind him as the Revenant slammed his fists onto the floor. Black then crawled from the hearth, the debased form of light lashing out against those caught in the fire, the screams of the Vex resounding through the air before they dissipated in wisps of sickly green.

Hearing about an individual wielding the darkness was one thing, but actually seeing it in action caused Akiva to pause, his golden eyes going wide as the Vex focused their attention onto the 'bigger' threat, only for the corrupted arc light to snap away at the shots, seemingly 'eating' it out of the air as Isamu continued his assault.

"Don't just stand there, start shooting." The human Titan startled as Crystalline's voice reverberated through his helmet, "just because the Darkness is more destructive than the light doesn't mean it is more effective."

Shaking his head to stave off the shock, Akiva did just that, aiming his shotgun at any Vex nearby, hearing the familiar fire of the others ringing beside him, although it did little distract him from Isamu's corrupted form. The Titan had heard of Guardians who had went dark, those who literately turned their back on the light to follow a diverted path. Personally, he had never met one, but to see one individual in action, watching as Isamu's debased form of light lash and eat away at any Vex who got too close, he couldn't help but think: is it really as dangerous as the Vanguard preaches?

True, he can sense the malevolence, the 'rage' resonating from Isamu but to Akiva, he can see the 'control' that the Revenant displayed, easily utilizing the Darkness under his will as the Vex crumbled around him. However, he cannot help but also feel 'threatened' whenever Isamu would temporarily look their way, seeing the sickly green glow that resembles the Hive send chills down the length of Akiva's back; he silently prays that Isamu will keep his end of the bargain once this was all over.

"They're retreating?"

Knight's words snapped the human Titan out of his thoughts, causing him to then turn his attention towards the Vex, and indeed found truth in the Exo's words. The group of copper clad forms were stepping back, letting out trills of threats but besides that, made no other attempts at attacking as they slowly dispersed back into safety of their binary mist.

"Did they give up?" Akiva's shoulders sagged in relief at Angel's question, stating, "I hope so, would definitely makes things easier."

"No." Startled, the human Titan turned his attention towards Isamu, blinking as the Revenant's dark enforced arc energy still permeated strongly from his form, "When the Vex pull back, it means they have found another alternative to be rid of us." Akiva gulped when Isamu turned his glowing gaze towards him, "So be prepared, they may be bringing out their best." He then heard the Revenant let out a scoff, "Who knows, we might be facing the Mind of this place."

Akiva blinked, "Mind?"

"Axis Mind." Isamu clarified, "a powerful Vex unit that has the capability to control masses of other Vex units."

"That…doesn't sound fun. At all."

Hearing the Revenant simply let out another scoff at his words, Akiva then came to attention when the familiar sound of static rang in his ears, turning his focus above as he attempted to tune in onto the hum of his Ward; he cannot help but feel that it was going to be needed on whoever they were facing next.

With the amount of Vex that they had been fighting beforehand, the human Titan had thought the same would be of their next threat, however, to his surprise, only one figure dropped down from the sky, an audible 'clank' being heard as they landed.

At first, Akiva thought it was Minotaur, mainly for the reason that he barely can see the single glowing red optic beaming behind the mist. But then he saw them flinch, a rigid gesture that Akiva – although with his inexperience with the Vex – definitely knows is not normal from the copper race. Then, it started to step forward, and that is when the human Titan started to notice something was off. Unlike the stiff movements of the Vex, this one was more 'smooth', more organic like although, every few steps the individual twitched but it did little to slow them down. Then, Akiva noticed that the some of the plating on its body weren't 'plating' but armor, the differing coloration of black and dark azure making it obvious. At first confused at this, the human Titan's eyes widen when the figure finally broke through most of the mist – and it was then Akiva realized that this was a Guardian. Or at least, used to, but now, he can see clearly the Vex parts implanted into their being, the copper plating glinting under the lack of light. Akiva had heard of Vex experimenting on individuals but this, this was beyond his expectation.

Wanting to voice his finding to the others, Akiva found himself unable to speak when he saw Isamu's debased light vanish, and the green glow of his eyes faded, "Jora?"

Xxxxx

Scorpio can only imagine being born while in danger; he remembers Io telling them of his resurrection in Mars, Cosmos claiming being resurrected in the outskirts of the Cosmodrome, and Nova being born in the middle of a firefight between a group of Veterans and Fallen. Then, Scorpio would remember sheepishly retelling his and Gemini's resurrection; that they were found in the safety of a small room, curled in each other's arms. All they had to do was wait it out while their Ghosts contacted the Tower for an escort; Scorpio and his twin never saw a real firefight until Pluto deemed they were ready after several months under his tutelage. Maybe that was how Nova is able stay steadfast in his Ward, Cosmos running into battle with little thought, and Io being able to take down Fallen with ease; because unlike the others, they had already seen battle before they were even twenty-four hours old.

Perhaps that was the reason why the infant – Eidr, if Scorpio can recall that Revenant calling him – was quiet, silent in his arms as he aimed with his hand cannon and fired shot after shot; the child already had seen combat and more than likely, he had already grown accustomed to the noise and violence that is common in the life of a Guardian. As such, why he was silent, instead suckling on his thumb as he watched on with curious eyes.

It made Scorpio just that bit more determined to keep the infant safe.

"Can't you just put it down and shoot!" The male Exo couldn't help but frown at his twin's words, "It's kind of hard to keep all of them back with you only putting in half an effort!"

"And put this child at risk!? Traveler no!"

"Bah. This is why I personally don't want kids. They just get in the way."

"Gemini," Scorpio gave his sister a disapproving frown, "That rude towards all Guardians who are able to balance their lives and children out."

"…Good point, sorry. But you should still find a way to get both hands free."

Scowling at Gemini, the male Hunter glanced down at the infant in his arms, the latter of which responded with a coo, causing Scorpio to let out a groan of defeat, "Okay, fine, just give me a minute."

Holstering his weapon so that he has both hands on Eidr's protective cradle, Scorpio glanced over at his twin to ensure that she was secured – and judging from the way she let arc light surge throughout her form and slashing away at any approaching Vex, the male Exo believes that she was capable. As such, after momentarily glancing around his surroundings, the male Hunter took just several steps back before crouching down, glancing down into a crevice as his optics brightened; didn't seem too deep.

"I will be right back." Grinning as the infant let out a small giggle at his words, Scorpio then lowered the shell until he felt the sides grip the edges, prompting him to gently release his grasp and take steps back, nodding his head in satisfaction as he saw that the child's form was indiscernible; nearby but yet, out of sight. With this in mind, Scorpio then turned his attention towards the Vex before snapping up his hand, the familiar warmth and energy solidifying in his grasp before he took aim and fired.

He watched as his sister immediately dodged out of the way, her arc light streaking behind her as the Minotaur exploded into flames; Scorpio heard Gemini let out a laugh in response, "Finally! Let's get this show on the road!"

That is when Scorpio saw his twin's light grow and expand, her arc light lashing wildly before her knife expanded, and the next thing he knew, he saw Gemini twirling a staff in her hands, the familiar azure flickering off its edges.

"Come at me!" The male Hunter heard the female Exo whoop as she ran into the fray, Scorpio watching as the familiar azure outlines of the Vex dissipated in the air.

Hearing his twin laugh and squeal with delight as her body count rose, a smile formed onto Scorpio's face as he aimed his Golden Gun once more and fired, once again watching as his intended target exploded. However, this time, when the Vex's body dispersed, the flames seemingly latched onto those nearby and they too exploded into parts of metal and debris.

"I can get more kills than you!" He hollered and immediately, he heard an exaggerated gasp echo from his coms followed by Gemini retorting, "Oh Traveler no! Not today!"

Scorpio let out a laugh at this, "Sirius, keep a kill count for me."

"You do the same Nysa!"

Grinning as he heard the hint of competitiveness in his twin's voice, the male Hunter let loose the last shot of his Golden Gun, watching it disperse once more before feeling the familiar warmth leave his grasp, prompting him to remove his own hand cannon from his waist and start firing. As the death cries of the Vex reached his receptors, Scorpio tossed a grenade, smiling as the familiar high-pitched ring then suddenly halted, and an explosion occurred underneath a group of the hive-mind, more of their death throes permeating through the air afterwards.

That is when a cry rang behind him.

Snapping around, Scorpio froze when he saw the hulking form of a Minotaur looming behind him however, its attention was not on the male Hunter; its Torch Hammer was aimed towards the floor. And into the safe cover of where the young Hunter had placed the infant.

Hearing the child's cry ring in his receptors, Scorpio then shrugged off his shock before letting out a snarl, "Get away from him!"

Seeing the Minotaur turn towards him, this gave the young Exo ample time to charge, leap up, and swing his leg into the Vex's single eye. A resounding cry was his reward, signaling to Scorpio to square out his feet to stabilize his landing before holding out his hand cannon, aimed it towards the glowing red optic and pulled the trigger. Watching the Minotaur stumble back from the shot, Scorpio continued to fire long after the large Vex crumpled, his anger only settling when he saw its red-light fade.

That is when Eidr's cries finally reached his receptors.

Holstering his hand cannon back around his waist, Scorpio scrambled over to the crevice, crouching down before glancing into the clear glass of the infant's cradle, "It's okay, I'm here. No need to cry." Silently releasing words of comfort as he then picked up the shell, the male Exo then saw the edge of his radar flash red, prompting him to turn and toss his knife into the mid-section of a goblin, watching it collapse immediately.

"Scorpio!"

Hearing the warning of his sister, the young Exo jumped to the side, gritting his jaw as his shields shattered, stumbling back in an attempt to further himself from remnants of a Torch Hammer's blast. Lifting his gaze to follow the line of fire, Scorpio then leaped back when he saw a Minotaur fire their weapon, once again barely dodging the void blast.

"Didn't you put that kid down!? Why do you have him again!?"

"A Minotaur tried to kill him! What do you expect me to do!? Leave him!?"

"What do you mean a Minotaur tried to kill him!?"

"Exactly as it sounds!"

Hearing his twin let out a war cry, Scorpio then took a step back as he watched Gemini slam her staff down onto the attacking Vex's head, watching it disperse into blue matter as the weapon easily sliced down its form. Sensing the glare from his twin as she lifted up her staff, Scorpio then sensed the frustration turn to one of surprise as he heard Gemini shout out, "Watch out!" His then optics widened when the female Hunter proceeded to throw her staff towards him.

Instinct told him to duck, an action that the young Hunter was more than willing to follow, and instantly was relief when he felt the familiar buzz of Gemini's arc-induced staff brush against the top of his helmet. Although confused at the actions of his twin, Scorpio then understood when a clang followed by screeching of metal ran behind him, prompting him to turn in time to see a Hydra reel back, hearing it scream as its parts spread in agony. Hearing another war cry from Gemini, Scorpio took it as a sign to take a step to the side, seeing the black and orange clad form of his twin rush past him before grabbing the length of her staff, and then leaping over the Hydra. Watching the Vex being forced to follow the Huntress' movements, Scorpio couldn't help but flinch when it screamed once more, hearing the cracks and creaks of the staff shifting in its optic before finally it was lifted, and with one final war cry, Gemini landed on her feet and slammed her staff onto the hearth. One final scream can be heard from the Hydra before it shattered, leaving nothing behind but broken metal and splashes of white.

Letting his jaw drop, Scorpio then came to attention when the infant let out another cry, prompting him to steadily rock back and forth; he heard his sister scoff in response, "Can't you put that child down? It will be safe if you hide it properly."

Giving his sister a narrowed glare, Scorpio then ducked when he saw Gemini swing her staff towards him, hearing another death throe of another Vex – a Hobgoblin if he can take a guess – before he took stood back onto his feet, "What do you think I tried to do? But the instant I turned around the Vex shifted their focus onto him." He glanced down into the shell to see Eidr sniffling, his hazel eyes blinking back tears; Scorpio then turned his attention back to Gemini, "I had to pick him up again otherwise he would have taken a Torch Hammer to the face."

Sensing the scowl behind his twin's visor, Scorpio then took a step to the side when he once more watched her swing her staff, hitting away a Goblin as easily as the ball back on the Tower's Plaza, "They do seem more focused on you – aka the kid – than me." The male Hunter didn't have to see the pout flashing behind her helmet, "That ruins all the fun." She then placed her staff over her shoulders, "Guess that means you can't fight with him in your arms, and I can't exactly fight the Vex alone."

Turning his focus towards the bottom of the broken pillar that they had taken refuge, Scorpio nodded his agreement when he saw familiar bronze forms clambering their way towards them, "Safe to say it is time to find higher ground."

"I can agree with that." He watched as Gemini swung her staff around her shoulders before clasping it in one hand, "So, want me to make a path?"

"Considering you're the only one who has two hands free, I say, yes."

Xxxxx

"Jora? Are you certain?"

Hearing nothing from Isamu, Crystalline took it as confirmation of the identity of the Guardian before them, causing her to shrink back within the confines of Akiva's helmet; she didn't want to believe it, she did not want to believe that the corrupted Guardian before them was the same individual that she and Blaise had befriended decades before. But when she reached out, the female Ghost recognizes the determined light and the stubborn darkness within, and the silence she received from Isamu brought her to reality.

"Jora?" Crystalline shifted her attention towards Isamu, "Jora, it is me, Isamu. Do you recognize me?"

A long silence followed the Revenant Titan's question, and when the lavender Ghost saw the Vex Guardian flinch, their single glowing optic dimming, a glimmer of hope grew within her core.

"N͞oth̵ing͢ y̴ou ̨sáy ̶will b̛r͞in͟ǵ ͝this ̴one̶ ̴b̷a̛c̕k"

Crystalline heard Akiva let out an audible gasp followed by her core going cold, her optic widening as the debased form of Jora continued, "We͘ ̛h̡av̴e ͜c̴ompl͡e҉t͝e̴ly ҉a͜s̶sim͜ilat̨ęd h̨e͜r̡ en̕tírè ̀b͠eińg͢ t͞o ҉our own. ̸Şhe͏ i͢s͏ us̸, ͝a̶nd we ҉àr͜e h͘e̴r̕."

"…What have you done?"

Momentarily glancing towards Isamu, Crystalline's focus then turned back to Jora when the latter flinched, "Y̨o̴u ͏are͞ thi͞s ońe'̛ś ͘m̷at̕e̢."

"Give her back." Crystalline heard Isamu whisper before she saw the familiar violet arc energy spark around his shoulders, "Give Jora back to me!"

A scream then rang from the Revenant as his debased light surged around his form, trailing behind him as Isamu charged towards the corrupted Guardian with a fist raised. When Crystalline saw the Vex Guardian make no movement to dodge, she initially thought that they were simply going to take the hit, perhaps in an attempt to see the result of their 'work'. As such, she couldn't help but reel when Jora's form placed one foot back, digging it into the smooth surface of the hearth before pulling back a fist of their own and swung it forward.

Crystalline felt Akiva stumble as light filled their vision, the female Ghost letting out a shiver as she felt the familiar remnants of light and darkness surge around them; she had nearly forgotten the feeling of the two differing energies in use at once.

As her vision cleared, Crystalline squinted in time to see that Isamu and Jora's fists had made contact, and she could easily see the sparks of arc energy permeating up the male Revenant's form. For Jora's, the female Ghost thought the same, however, when she further inspected the Vex Revenant, she saw the familiar static of Vex energy lingering near the edges; the last remnants of hope of saving Jora diminished.

"She's too far gone," She whispered, and Crystalline felt Akiva stiffen beneath her, followed by Lex's sense of shock followed by empathy; the female Ghost felt his light brush against hers followed by faint words of apologies. Grief settled into her core.

"Isamu," The female Ghost started, only to pause when her gaze caught the shaking shoulders of the Revenant, followed by her reeling back when she saw him lift a shotgun in his free hand and pressed it against the Vex Revenant's chest.

A scream can be heard from Jora's form as the pellets shredded through their chest piece, the mix of Vex and human heard permeating through the air as the corrupted Revenant took steps back, and Crystalline watched Isamu heft the shotgun back into his hands.

"You killed her," Crystalline heard him whisper, melancholy settling into her core at the sound of grief and loss in his words.

"Ţh͘i̶s͢ ͟o҉n͟e͝'s͏ mi̢nd ͜is̡ ͞st̕ill̨ ͟in͘tact̵.͜" The female Ghost startled at the Vex Revenant's words, "Ho̸wev͜er s̕he̶ has͞ bȩcom̴e̷ a̷ ͘part̕ o̡f̵ us. Th̕e̷re ̷is̶ ͢n͢ot̨hing͟ ̨t̀ha̴t ͘wil͘l ͜p͢art ͢th̴i̴s̶ one fr̵o͞m̶ ͜ou͟r͠ m̴in҉d ҉wi͠t̢ho҉u̷t͟ ter̨m̀in̵at͠i̶on̢.͢.̩̻̰"

At first silence permeated between the group, only for Crystalline to hear Isamu break the silence, "As I have stated before, you killed her."

Then without another word, he charged forward again and this time, he aimed his shotgun and fired.

Watching as the corrupted form of Jora snap out their hands, forming the familiar Ward around her person, Crystalline then turned her attention to Akiva, "Hurry! Help Isamu take her down!"

She sensed Akiva hesitate, "But…"

"Jora is beyond saving," Hurt settled into Crystalline's core at her own words, "The least we can do is break her away from the Vex so she can peacefully pass on."

Further sensing the hesitation grow within Akiva, Crystalline's frustration then dissipated when he sheathed his shotgun onto his back and she watched the familiar light azure of arc light surge around his arms. Then, with a shout, the female Ghost watched as Akiva rushed towards the debased Revenant, easily running past Isamu before he leaped into the air, raised his fists, and slammed it onto the surface of the Ward. His fists easily slid past the light, the explosion of light ringing within Crystalline's core as she watched the world seemingly tremble around them, followed by the violet light dispersing, and the startled cry of the Vex Revenant emanating from the front.

Then she heard the familiar shot of a high-powered rifle permeating through the air.

Crystalline was unsure of what to feel when she saw the Vex Revenant's red optic shatter from Angel's shot, hearing it let out another scream as they took steps back, and watched as their body shuddered, as if to shrug off the pain. Then the female Ghost saw Isamu close in the distance and raise his shotgun; this sent thoughts into her core that they had won, that Jora would earn her rest. But then she saw the familiar wisps of darkness permeate from the Vex Revenant's arms.

It was sudden, Crystalline only seeing black as she heard screams of surprise and pain from the others before it seemingly dissipated, allowing her to see the floor, and Akiva's vision seemingly cracked. Taking a moment to realize that it was the Titan's visor and that he was face down on the floor, Crystalline took it upon herself to materialize out of the safety of Akiva's being, barely hearing Lex reach out to her before she formed outside. Blinking several times to straighten out her vision, the female Ghost finally was able to properly see her surroundings, and she immediately spotted the others.

Wisps of darkness can be seen permeating from their form, cracks on their armor and visors as they laid sprawled across the hearth, prompting Crystalline to enclose her shell against her core; how in the world was the Vex able to utilize the darkness without getting corrupted themselves.

"Y͘ou̢ are a͜ ͜G̴h͞os͞t ͜that͜ h̵ol̴ds ţh̶e̸ D̢a͞r͜kn͠es̡s,̨ ̵jus͞t as th͏ís ̡o̷ne ͞hąd́."

Turning her attention towards Jora's form, the female Ghost couldn't help but freeze when she glanced around their shoulders, only to realize a familiar green and gold shell missing, "What have you done to Jhavi?"

Flinching as the broken optic flickered red, Crystalline watched as the Vex Revenant tilted their head, as if contemplating on the female Ghost's question, "We w͟ere ̢ab̀le t͢o ́uti̛li̛ze͡ t̨he̸ ͘D͝ar͝knès͠s҉ t̀h҉ro̷u҉g̢h͘ ͟t̢his͝ one͏'̷s ͟f͢orm͢. ̧ T͏he͜r͜e ̴w͘ąs no͠ ̀need ͟f͢o̡r ̷h͢er G̡h̷os̴t.̴ ̨A̢ś ̢s͠uch̨,̀ ít ẁa͜s ́t͠ermi̧na͏tȩd͟.̵"

"…You what?"

"Th̢é Mind w̢is̕h́e͢d҉ to̶ ̨u͘t̷i͜l͏ize͟ t͟he̶ ͠D͏a͘rk͞ness̛ h̸owever͏,̛ ҉it hąd e͝va̴ded҉ ͏o̴u͜r co̶n͢tro̴l̨, ̡u͝ņtiĺ ͘t́h͡is ͝one ̷a҉ņd̸ h́e̷r͝ máte͝ ͏wan̵de̷re̕d́ ̸in̶to ͝ou̕r ŕea͞lity.̸ ́Tha̧t̶ ͏is̡ ͘w̴hen w̕e ̛d͠is̴còv̧er̵e͞d͘ t̵h͜e̢ir̷ b͜od̡ies weŗe p̧erfec̵t̶ ́c̵a̵ta͠l͟y̨sts f͝or͟ ̨t́h͝è ́D͜ar͜knes͡s ́a͢nd҉ the ͘Li҉ghţ.͞"

That is when Crystalline placed the pieces together, "I heard the Vex are unable to simulate the Darkness and Light. That is why you assimilated Jora? To control them through her?"

"Affi̛r҉m͟a͠tiv̶e̢." Crystalline shrank back at their words, "A͝s҉ for t͞h͡e re҉aso̵n ̨w̵h̢y ͞w͘e ̀d̢ec͢ide̸d ̢t͢o͢ ͞not̶ ful͠l͝y exteņd͜ ̨t͞he us͠e ͝of th͜e͠ ̸Ḑa҉r̶k͘ne̶ss. The̢re̶ a҉re ńo҉t m̶a̢ny҉ ͡Gu҉ardi̴an͞s͡ ͜s̶u̢ch ̸a̸s ͜t͘his͟ o͞ne͜ ҉an̷d ́h͡er͏ ̴ma̴t̡e ͠th̢at̶ ͝u͢til͟i̷zes̕ ͝it.͠"

"Jora and…" That is when the female Ghost froze, "No, you already have Jora. You are not taking Isamu as well."

"I͘t͟ i̧ş ̛no͏t̡ ͝you̸r choice҉.

Spinning her parts erratically when she saw the corrupted Guardian taking steps forward, Crystalline glanced around until she spotted the familiar dark clad form of Isamu curled nearby; it didn't take her long to see the violet form of Hajime hovering near the Revenant, light beaming from his single optic, burning away wisps of darkness lingering near his chosen.

"Isamu," She started as she glided over, nearly bumping into her fellow Ghost, "Isamu, wake up! The Vex! They want to assimilate with you!"

"What?!"

Ignoring the shocked look from Hajime, Crystalline lowered herself closer to the Revenant's visor, starting when she heard him let out a groan, "Come on, wake up. Get up. They already have Jora, they can't have you either." Hearing the sound of footsteps growing, the female Ghost felt the agitation grow within her core, "Don't you dare leave Eidr alone. He was just born, he cannot lose both his parents so soon."

"…Eidr?"

"Yes, Eidr," Relief flooded within Crystalline, "Come on, now get up, before-"

Pain then reverberated throughout the female Ghost before she found herself staring upwards at the foggy sky, causing her to let out a groan as she forced herself to hover, shaking her core side to side as the blur in her vision faded. Immediately spotting Hajime picking himself up, his optic shut as he shook off the haze within his core, Crystalline's thoughts then wandered over to Isamu, causing the grogginess to fade and immediately replaced with horror.

"Isamu!"

Turning her focus back towards the Revenant, the female Ghost froze when she spotted the Vex Revenant hovering above the Titan's form, the latter of which had forced himself onto his hands and knees, wisps of darkness still lingering from his body. She then saw the Jora's form reach down and grabbing the front of Isamu's armor, forcing him onto his knees.

"As͘sim͜i̡lat̵e."

Light seemingly gathered near the Vex Revenant's hand before what resembled static lingered near the edges before it suddenly engulfed Isamu's shape. Crystalline then heard him scream.

"Isamu!" It was Hajime this time who called out to the Revenant Titan, Crystalline watching as the male Ghost zoomed towards him.

"Hajime! Wait!"

Freezing as her warning went unheeded, Crystalline can only watch as the Vex Revenant turned their broken optic towards the violet Ghost and held up a hand. That is when Crystalline saw the familiar sparks of a void grenade latched onto a point of Hajime's shell.

Burst of violet light formed around Hajime's core, the female Ghost watching in horror as the Ghost fell, pieces of his shell falling around him as he landed onto the hearth with a clatter.

"Hajime!"

Hearing Isamu call out for his fallen Ghost, Crystalline turned her attention back towards the Titan Revenant as he continued to scream in agony, her yellow optic widening as she saw parts of his armor fade, only to be replaced with familiar copper.

"No," The female Ghost enclosed her shell around her core, "No, I can't, I can't lose anyone else…"

She found him in tears, his azure eyes turning towards her as he wiped the edges with the back of his hand, "Are you lost?"

Blinking several times at the Hunter before her, the female Ghost shook her head, "No."

She saw him frown, "Then why are you…"

His voice faded as she glided over, hovering near his hand and nudging herself into his fingers. Feeling herself receiving a bewildered stare, she spun her shell happily when he understood her actions and held out his palm, enabling her to settle in and concentrate her light. It was then she felt a connection, a familiarity as the missing part of herself slowly filled, and she finally found her mind lingering into her Guardian's. The first thing she found was grief, and joy.

"I can't…"

A resounding laugh can be heard from the female Titan, and Crystalline couldn't help but feel amused when she felt Blaise flush through their shared bond, "What's so funny?"

"You," Jora grinned at him, earning a laugh from Isamu, "You sounded so confident that we can head out into the Wilds and able to defend ourselves against those Tower Guardians. It was cute."

"You hear that, Blaise." Isamu chirped, "She said you were cute."

"Shut up."

Crystalline then couldn't help but laugh, earning herself a frown from her Guardian, "Traitor."

"Please…"

She felt helpless as her Guardian laid broken behind their meager cover, the chittering sounds of the Fallen still resounding through the gunfire.

"Crystalline…"

Choking back her tears, the female Ghost responded, "Yes?"

"…I need you…out here."

She paused, "A message?"

"…Yes."

Grief settling into her core, the female Ghost wholeheartedly followed his command; the least she can do is send a last signal to the others, to send them a warning of a building Splicer group growing right underneath their noses. As such, when she materialized into view, Crystalline did not expect the familiar warmth of her Guardian to wrap around her shell, and the next thing she knew, she was flying, her blue optic widening as she saw Blaise smile through his broken visor, grenade in hand.

"Blaise!"

"…I love you… Crystalline."

"I CAN'T!"

That is when she sensed the warmth of light permeate nearby.

At first confused, Crystalline twirled around, only to pause as her lone optic landed onto Knight's form, watching as the latter stood up and shift his shoulders, as if to stretch. Then he raised a hand and curled his fingers into a fist. Senses telling her to turn her attention back towards Isamu and the corrupted Jora, Crystalline followed her instincts only to pause when she saw a wall of light beam between the pair, forcing the two apart. Then, to her relief, the female Ghost watched as the wall pushed the Vex Revenant back, forcing distance between them.

"Interesting." Crystalline paused; that was not Knight's voice, "I have heard the Vex experiment on Guardians, but I never thought I would see a result of their 'work'."

The flickering red optic stared, "You ̸a̕re͝ ͘of ̢t͠ẃo m̶ind͞s͢, ͟onĺy o͜n̨e ͏hoĺd͘s ̶t̴he po̸wer͞ ̨ơf͟ the ͝b͡ei̛n̷g ̵th͏a͜t̀ ̧h̸ùma͞n̨i̵t͢y ̶ca̷ll͘s the Trave̛l̷er͝.͞"

"You can tell." Crystalline couldn't help but blink; there was an edge to Nine's voice, "Interesting, I would have stayed and – what do humans call it – chat however, you harmed my comrades." That is when the female Ghost saw his blank optics turn red, and for the first time in a long while, Crystalline saw anger flash behind them, "And I do not appreciate my 'family' being harmed."