Redacted
Stability
Last minute update but I still updated on a weekend so it still counts as being on time lol.
Thanks to Diamond002, The Great Wolf 117, and TheTurtleMan for the reviews!
TheTurtleMan - Honestly, the info you gave me wasn't enough lol. Besides the name, race, personality, and his weaponry, I also need his backstory, and his appearance. That way I can properly describe him when I place him in the store. Anyway, thanks for catching the errors, will definitely go back and give it a fix lol.
_Transcript: Chance_
_Source: Ghost of Hashimoto, Isamu_
_Alias: Hashimoto, Hajime_
_Transcript of conversation between Revenant Titan Hashimoto, Isamu [H.I]and Preceptor of the Revenants [REDACTED] [P.Z]. Topic concerning the treaty between the Tower and the Revenants_
[H.I]: I do not understand, why in the Darkness are we trying to make peace with those 臆病者たち.
[P.Z]: Language, Isamu. Not all are 'cowards', as you say.
[H.I]: Have you forgotten what they had done to us? To the others of our 'family'? All we did was mention being balanced with the Darkness, and then, we were marked as traitors. We cannot even venture outside without being in pairs in case we bump into a 臆病者!
[P.Z]: As such, the reason why I have set up this treaty. Both the Tower Guardians and the Revenants have lost too many on both sides thanks to our skirmish.
[H.I]: You are saying that we simply forget about the wrong towards us?
[P.Z]: I am saying it is time to move forward. With our numbers and experience in equal measure, it is only a matter of time before we wipe each other out. And the City still needs its protectors.
[H.I]: Fuck the City.
[P.Z]: Isamu…
[H.I]: You have told me your story many times, but I have yet to comprehend why you are intent on keeping the City safe when they had done nothing but shame you. You could not even step outside without your face covered.
[P.Z]: It is simply for the reason that individuals such as I are still unknown, foreign to them. They just need time to understand.
[H.I]: Time? It has been several hundred years, Preceptor! And according to our scouts, they have changed none! The Tower Guardians are ignorant as ever, the Awoken are still seen as sexual gratifications, and even the Exo are still seen as tools! Machines to be used! And those Guardians are doing nothing! They had plenty of time, plenty of chances, why are you agreeing to this Treaty!?
[P.Z]: … Tell me, Isamu. Is there anyone in the City that you had left behind? Anyone who was still at the Tower when you had left?
[H.I]: I… My previous Clan, Blossoms of Hope.
[P.Z]: Any of them left with you?
[H.I]: …No, they were not pleased with my decision to join the Revenants.
[P.Z]: But, you still care for them?
[H.I]: …Yes…
[P.Z]: Then imagine, if the Tower and the Revenants were to continue with our conflict, what if one of our own met one of the members of your Clan? They have never encountered each other beforehand, never even knew of the other's existence, and they engage. Only one emerges alive. Do you wish for that to happen?
[H.I]: No, Preceptor.
[P.Z]: Then, you now understand why the treaty between the Tower and the Revenants is needed.
[H.I]: …Preceptor, forgive me for prying, but…considering your answer, have you left behind comrades in the Tower?
[P.Z]: …Yes, one.
[H.I]: Just…one, Preceptor?
[P.Z]: If you can recall, Isamu, the denizens of the City called me a 'mutt', an abomination sired between a Human and an Awoken. Even my peers rejected me.
[H.I]: Then, this individual, they must be precious to you.
[P.Z: Yes, and as long as he stays in the Tower, I am willing to finalize a treaty between the Tower and our family. And willing to give the City as many chances as it needs.
_End Transcript_
Xxxxx
"How in the Traveler are we going to sneak him in?"
"Throw a piece of blanket over him and carry him to the Medical Wing?"
"Then what happens if it slides off, or if someone pulls it off. Then they will see a Vexified Guardian being carried in our arms!"
"Then what else do you recommend then?!"
Nine couldn't help but let a tinge of amusement settle into his chest as Crystalline and Akiva continued to argue, the Titan gesturing with his hands towards Isamu, the latter of which was seated in the passenger side. Although the Phoenix Exo would see the Revenant flinch on occasion, he can also see a tinge of mirth in his light brown eyes at the group's attempts to finalize a plan.
The group had decided to use Akiva's ship, the latter of which was in actuality the former ship of his previous Fireteam, the Chargers. In other words, it held plenty of space, even a couple of rooms to house the unconscious form of Angel, and even the cockpit was large enough to let the others take a seat and attempt to find a way to bring Isamu to Ianos without the Vanguard's notice. Although, smuggling a Revenant with obvious Vex corruption seems to be more difficult than what the group had originally planned.
At the thought of the corruption set upon Isamu, Nine fixed his white optics onto the male Revenant, only for his gaze to narrow as they settled upon the familiar thin arm now taking place of the original, the Phoenix Exo taking note of the trembling in the Titan's new appendage.
"Why can't we just suit him up in new armor and then try to pass him off as one of our own?" It was Scorpio who suggested the idea, the Exo Hunter still cradling Eidr's form in his hands; Nine couldn't help but think that the male twin didn't seem to notice his swaying, "sensing the light and darkness in others is a rare trait isn't it? And not to mention only those who were resurrected during the Dark Ages are the only ones experienced enough to actually utilize it."
"Then wouldn't Pluto notice then?" Gemini asked, her question immediately being followed by her twin saying, "But he isn't a threat towards, Isamu." Nine watched the young Exo pause, turning his gaze towards the others, "Right?"
Immediately, Akiva shrugged, "Honestly, I'm not sure. If Isamu is right, then those who were resurrected after the Great Disaster have little knowledge when it comes to the Revenants, and those who were around had placed it into secrecy." Nine watched as the human Titan leaned back in his seat, his brows furrowing together, "And I didn't even know of their existence until recently, and neither Pluto or Ianos made a mention of the Revenants at all. Who knows what Pluto's thoughts are towards them."
"Or Ianos." Nine felt all eyes turn towards him, "He has been around almost as long as Pluto, I would not be surprised if he too took part in this undisclosed conflict between the Tower and the Revenants."
A glimmer of silence permeated through the air as the Phoenix Exo finished speaking, Nine taking the opportunity to check in on Day and Knight. Pulling at their bond, it took a moment for him to feel a weak but obvious tug in response from Day, however, felt nothing from the connection of the younger mind. Unable to hold back the concern, the Phoenix Exo then felt a comforting gesture emanate from Day, causing him to relax, at least, momentarily.
"You say that your comrade's condition was serious, correct?" Nine turned his attention towards Isamu, feeling the eyes of the others do the same, "Then I should say that his opinions does not matter."
"Now why would-"
"He does not have a choice if the darkness within is slowing devouring his light." Nine watched as Gemini immediately clamped her mouth shut, "If he truly wants to live, then he will have to accept my help, whether he likes it or not."
Hearing Isamu let out grunt as he leaned back in his seat, Nine opted to say nothing as another stunned silence filled the air, before it finally broke by Akiva then stating, "Well, that cares of that quickly. But, we still have the problem of sneaking you in."
"Who says that you have to smuggle me into the Tower?" The Phoenix Exo watched Akiva reel back at the Revenant's words, "it does not matter if I am caught" Nine then saw him wince, "I am a dead man either way."
"Hey, you have a son to raise," Akiva was quick to snap at Isamu, "and practically a newborn at that." The Phoenix Exo saw a frown form onto the Titan's pale features, "So don't you dare give up so easily." The harden stare in his golden eyes then soften, "After you cure Ianos, we will find a way to cure you."
Nine heard Isamu let out a snort, but the Revenant Titan remained quiet, the Phoenix Exo seeing a look of quiet apprehension and exhaustion in his eyes, "If that is the case, then I recommend we go with your plan." He turned his gaze towards Scorpio, "Try and disguise myself and then slip past them." The Titan then paused, "Just do try and not get noticed by the Guardians of Old."
Xxxxx
How long has it been?
Ianos opened his eyes, squinting through the darkness before he closed them again; it's easy to lose track of time when one is in a prolonged stay in the Medical Wing. Nonetheless, the Awoken wished they would at least left the lights on; opening his eyes to the darkness of the room just reminded him of his imprisonment on the moon. Only reason why he wasn't losing his composure currently was that Ace was there, pulling at their bond as they quietly gave soothing words. Then again, being under a darkness-induced fever for an extended period of time made his eyes sensitive to light; he remembers the first time when he opened his eyes only to let out a hiss as the lights of his room hit his gaze.
Has it been a few days since then? Or has it been a few hours?
Letting out a grunt at the thought, Ianos simply tried to force himself to relax, concentrating on the small glimmer of Light that Ace continuously glowed in an attempt to force the pain to the side. Although grateful that he was getting medical aid, the Awoken couldn't help but feel both grieved and frustrated that the current medics known nothing when it comes to those corrupted by the Darkness. They didn't know the proper number of drugs to pump into his system – let alone the right combination – and it was Ace who had to teach them how to inject the remaining cylinders of light into Ianos; it was obvious that Matt was the only one focused on saving Guardians from the hunger of the Darkness. The Awoken wouldn't be surprised if most, if not the rest of the Medical Wing, believe any Soldier of Light tainted by the Darkness was a lost cause.
Unable to hold back the bitterness building up within his chest, Ianos then took in a sharp breath as pain suddenly spiked throughout his body, causing him to tense up, curl his fingers into fists, and letting out an agonized wheezing cough.
"Ianos?"
Hearing the subtle voice of his Ghost coming a pause, the Awoken forced open his eyes, turning his attention towards the lone optic hovering just near the edge of his bed, "Just hold on a bit longer. Angel said that he found a 'cure' to your condition, or at least, to help stabilize you."
Opting to say nothing and instead give his Ghost an exhausted nod, Ianos shifted his gaze back towards the ceiling of his room before closing his eyes again, evening out his breathing in another vain attempt to push the agony to the side.
Xxxxx
The trip back to the Tower was shorter than everyone anticipated; as such, when Akiva's ship landed, and lowered the ramp to enable the others off, the human Titan couldn't help but fidget nervously as he ensured Isamu's arm was secured around his shoulders, and his hand clamped near the Revenant's Titan's side.
"Do you have to make yourself so obvious?" Akiva glanced over at Isamu, sensing the narrowed glance emanating behind the Revenant's visor, "all you have to say is that you found me on Venus, inured, alongside with Eidr near my side, and just bring me over to the Medical facility of your Tower."
"Easier said than done," The human Titan muttered as he helped Isamu down the ramp, "I have lied to the Vanguard before, but to his extent? I'm sure this was the biggest lie I have ever came up with." He then paused, "Well, except for my first daughter. And Sun."
"…What?"
"I will tell you that story later," Akiva flashed a nervous and sad smile, "but first, let's hurry and get out of here before we bump into anyone with questions."
Although sensing the scowl emanating behind Isamu's visor, the human Titan was relieved to hear nothing else from the Revenant, and instead, felt him lean further against his side, enabling Akiva to slowly lead him towards the Medical Wing. As he brushed past the crowd and ignored stares of concern and curiosity, Akiva then noticed Nine rushing ahead, easily walking past him with ease as he carried Angel's still form in his arms. That is when worry settled into the human Titan's chest.
Although physically he was unharmed, after taking a blast of Darkness from the Vexified Jora, the young Hunter had yet to regain consciousness. Even Hope had momentarily showed signs of worry when she had sent her scans onto his form, her green optic narrowing in concern. Akiva just hopes that Angel's condition was only temporary, and that all he needed was his light to recover.
"Do you want us to follow?" The human Titan glanced to his side, only to stare into familiar light blue optics, "I mean, Pluto will definitely question why I have a child, you know what I mean?"
Contemplating on the outcome of the blind Exo just knowing about Eidr, Akiva then found himself responding, "Just follow us, I think they'll let us in together." He paused, hesitating, "I hope."
"If not, then we will just have to force our way in," The human Titan couldn't help but flinch at Isamu's words, prompting Akiva to say, "You seem really adamant on helping Ianos." Sensing the glower he received from the Revenant, the human Titan then added, "Look, I know that we had a deal when it came to you curing his condition, however, it is not like as though my team and I completed our end of the bargain as well." He saw Isamu pause at this; Akiva continued, "Despite Ianos' deteriorating condition, my comrades and I are fair when it comes to favors towards others. We had decided to help you save Jora but in the end, we were unable to complete that task, but yet, you are determined to go through with your end of the deal."
Pausing in his words to wait for a response, Akiva then idly continued his way towards the Medical Wing when he received none, tracing Nine's form before he saw the Phoenix Exo finally disappear into a hall.
"You stayed." The human Titan couldn't help but jump as Isamu broke the silence, "Despite the obvious danger, all of you stayed." Akiva heard the Revenant go silent, sensing the hesitation emanate from the Titan, "When that Vex appeared wearing Jora's form, I had thought all of you would run, abandon me in the territory of those machines. However, you all stayed, and accepted the threat despite the chance that none of you would return alive." The human Titan then felt Isamu's eyes on him once more, "As such, despite losing Jora, I am…grateful that you had stayed, and did everything you can, to ensure that not only did she earn the rest she deserved, but also to ensure my own survival." Akiva then heard him let out a wheezing cough, "Although, I am afraid your efforts might be in vain."
The human Titan couldn't help but frown at this, and before he could stop himself, he gripped his hand on Isamu's shoulder and shook him; a startled and pained yelp was his response, "How many times do I have to say it? You are 'not' going to die. Our efforts won't be wasted, and we 'will' find a cure to your condition." Akiva's glare then soften, his grip going lax on his fellow Titan's shoulder, "Not to mention that you have a son waiting for you."
Once again hearing Isamu go silent, Akiva took it as a sign to turn his attention back towards the twins, "Stay close." His eyes then lingered over to the infant, "and make Eidr less conspicuous."
"What?" He immediately sensed the bewildered stare from the male Hunter, "How?"
Scrunching his face together in thought, Akiva parted his lips however, before he could answer the young Exo's question, he then saw Isamu lift up a hand and placed it upon the Eidr's shell. At first, nothing seemed to happen, up until when the shell seemingly 'faded', causing Scorpio to scramble as the infant suddenly fell into his arms, Akiva watching with mild amusement as the male Exo brought the child closer to his chest; Eidr only laughed at this sudden change.
"Should make him easier to hide," The human Titan heard Isamu let out a grunt, once again only receiving silence as soon as the words left him.
Turning his attention back towards the twins, Akiva then watched as Scorpio brought the front of his cloak over his arms, keeping Eidr out of sight as he scrambled to stay near the human Titan's side.
"We're in."
Turning his attention towards Gemini, the male Titan saw truth in the female Exo's words as the familiar sterile halls of the Medical Wing came into view, the figures of the Medics appearing in his gaze. Not once changing pace, Akiva easily shrugged past the bewildered stares of the staff.
"Excuse me."
Withholding a groan, the human Titan forced him to come to a sudden halt, flinching as this earned him a choke of pain from the injured Revenant; seeing the twins do the same, the human Titan then slowly turned, enabling Isamu to follow his movement, "Yes?"
"Your friend there, does he need aid?"
Akiva couldn't help but give the medic a blank stare, watching them fidget under his gaze; there was no wonder that Matt was given the title of head medic if the one before him can't even tell an injured Guardian from another.
"I simply need some rest." The human Titan nearly reeled back at Isamu's sudden answer, "I got a bit…eager and overextended my light."
"Then," Confusion grew from the Medic, "what are you doing here if you just needed rest?"
"There is a friend here that I have not seen in a while." Akiva blinked; there was no sign of hesitation in his voice, his words smooth and even, but sounded sincere, "I was away from the Tower when I heard of his condition. Ianos is his name."
The human Titan couldn't help but narrow his gaze as the Medic's face paled, "Oh, right." He then watched them nod their way down the hall, "Just to your left but do be careful. He has been a bit…unstable the past few days."
"Unstable?" Hearing Gemini hiss under her breath, Akiva turned and gave the female Exo a warning glance, watching her shrink back, however, he still can hear her mutter under her breath. Simply sighing at this, the human Titan then felt a poke in his side, prompting him to glance over to Isamu, only to see the latter tilt his head down the hall. Taking this as a sign to move, Akiva complied, slowly leading the injured Revenant down the path to the Awoken's room before reaching out with his free hand and pressed the panel on the side.
No sooner had the door opened when his eyes met total darkness, the human Titan narrowing his eyes before leading the Revenant in. He then turned towards the twins, "Stay out here."
"But-"
"We need to ensure that no one enters when Isamu is looking over Ianos," This immediately stopped any sound of protest, "we won't know what will happen." He then paused, his golden eyes glazing over the bulge underneath Scorpio's covered arms, "And keep Eidr safe."
Although he sensed hesitation from the twins, both nodded solemnly at his decision, signaling to Akiva to step completely into the room, allowing the door to shut behind him.
"Right, Lex."
"On it."
Hearing the familiar hum of his Ghost materialize into view, Akiva watched as the white and yellow Ghost glided over to a chair, beaming his light onto the leg, and dragged the piece of furniture near the bedside.
"Who's there?"
Snapping to attention, Akiva's tense shoulders relaxed when he saw the familiar orange optic of Ace hover into the air, seeing their gaze flicker multiple times as they blinked, "It's just Akiva, brought this 'cure' that Angel had been going on about."
"…What?" Seeing the black and orange Ghost's optic immediately grow alert, the human Titan opted to wait until Lex finished bringing the seat near the bedside before finally leading Isamu towards it, "…Who is that?"
"A friend." Akiva let out a grunt as he lowered the Revenant onto the chair, hearing him let out a heave in response, "he's the solution to Ianos' condition."
"…A Revenant?" The human Titan couldn't help but blink before clicking his tongue, "You caught on fast."
"Not too difficult to sense darkness within an individual that is not 'tainted'." Akiva heard a bit of bitterness mixed with envy, "and to sense that their light is still intact."
"You are more aware than most of these Tower Guardian Ghosts." It was Isamu who spoke, "not many are capable of telling us Revenant apart from one of their own."
"Well, it does make it easier if you encountered a Revenant before." Akiva couldn't help but wonder at Ace's words, "that way you know what you are looking for."
A scoff then emanated from Isamu before Akiva saw him placed a hand onto the arm of his seat to steady himself, and then lean in, as if take a better glance on what he was working with. It was then the human Titan saw the Revenant's shoulders go rigid, and he noticed the grip on the chair tighten.
"Isamu?" Akiva gave the Revenant in question a bewildered stare, "Is something the matter?"
"Wait, Isamu?!" The human Titan turned towards Ace, only to see their orange optic wide, "Did you just say, Isamu?"
"Yes?" Giving the black and orange Ghost a quizzical look, Akiva then turned his attention back towards the aforementioned Titan, only to blink when he saw the Revenant reach out with his hand – his human hand no doubt- and curled it into the Awoken's.
"Ianos," The human Titan heard him breathe, "How did I not recognize that name sooner?" Akiva then felt sorrow emanate from the Revenant's form, "What happened to you, old friend?"
Xxxxx
"Isamu, where have you been all this time?"
Isamu?
Opening his eyes, Ianos gathered just enough strength to turn, his orange hues spotting a figure adorned in Akiva's armor, the engravings and patterns all too familiar to the old Guardian. However, glancing across the room, he then spotted Akiva standing not too far nearby, his golden eyes wide in shock as Lex floated next to his shoulder, his optic mimicking their Guardian's. So, it took Ianos short time to put the pieces together, his lips cracking a smile as he turned his gaze back upon the one near his bedside.
"Knew that newborn was lying when he boasted about killing you." Ianos murmured, "The Lotus of Incursion killed by a soldier hardly a year old? Only fools would have believed it."
Waiting for a response, Ianos simply stayed silent as he felt Isamu release his hold on his hand before he leaned back and reached underneath his jaw. Hearing the familiar hiss of sealant of the helmet permeating through the darkness of the room, the Awoken continued to watched as Isamu pulled the helmet over his head, hearing the armor piece hit the floor with the clatter, and then felt exposed eyes fall back onto his form. Although unable to see the Titan's features properly, Ianos still remembers Isamu's face clearly; dark strands cut away to ensure that they do not get in the way of his sight, and light brown eyes against pale features, his gaze piercing through those he considers his enemies.
"I am going to take a guess and say that you are still with the Revenants?" Ianos asked, only to turn his gaze back upwards as he watched Isamu's shoulders slump, his head lowering to the floor, "Some of the Blossoms are still around, keep heading out into the Wilds in hopes of finding you."
"…What?"
"They regret turning their backs on you." Ianos heard Isamu pause, "Before I got…ill, the Blossoms would come to me, ask to keep an eye out for you whenever I left the Tower. They were hoping to speak with you."
Hearing nothing but silence from the Revenant, Ianos simply let out a sigh before closing his eyes, meditating in hopes of ignoring the ache permeating through his body.
"I can stabilize you." The Awoken slowly opened his eyes, turning his attention back towards Isamu, "your condition is too severe for me to treat, but, I can help you live just a bit longer, long enough to receive proper help."
"If you had not heard, my 'proper help' died weeks ago." He shifted his attention back upwards, adding, "any chance that I had died with him."
"Not unless you meet the Preceptor." Frowning, Ianos turned his focus onto Isamu, hearing the Revenant continue, "unlike me, he actually can do something about your condition, where the Darkness will no longer be a threat towards your Light."
"And he can do this how?" It was Ace who asked the question, the Ghost's optic mimicking the skepticism in their Guardian's gaze, "as you know, we have known about the Revenants since their creation. We know that you all have the capability to balance Light and Darkness, but to cure corruption? That is absurd."
"I did not say cure, did I?" Ianos heard Isamu snap, "I said there is a treatment where the Darkness will no longer be a threat, not to be rid of it."
"…Wait, then, are you saying…?"
"You are saying that I take it as a part of myself?" Ianos finished, "to become a Revenant?"
"Only if you meet the Preceptor." He heard the Titan clarify, "despite the rumors, only he is capable of fully convoluting the Light and Darkness of an individual."
"But, you just said you can stabilize Ianos?" It was Akiva who asked the question, Ianos watching as the Revenant turned his eyes towards the other, "There are a few such as myself who can help 'balance' the Light and Darkness if their lives are endangered, but to properly put them in equilibrium, they 'have' to meet the Preceptor." The Awoken felt Isamu turn his attention back towards him, "Before I had known your identity, Ianos, I had originally planned to only save your life, not to find a way to 'cure' you of your condition." He then felt the Titan then grasp his hand once again, "However, knowing that you are alive and well, I am willing to bring you to the Preceptor to help bring balance back into your body."
"Wait, alive?" Ianos wasn't the only one to catch the wording of his old comrade as Ace asked, "What do you mean alive?"
That is when the Awoken felt the Titan release his hold on his hand once more, and sensed hesitation, reluctance, almost as if he felt guilty, "You thought I died?"
Once more sensing hesitation, Ianos waited patiently before Isamu finally answered, "Nearly every one of my brothers and sisters knew of you when we formed the Revenants, and we all heard of your excursion to the Moon not long after the Great Disaster." The Awoken watched as the Revenant Titan attempt to wring his fingers together, but he took note of how clumsily his hands tried to intertwin, fumbling just to lock fingers, "It did not take long for the news of your death to spread amongst our number."
Simply letting out a thoughtful hum at this, Ianos turned his attention back upwards and closed his eyes once more, "I believe it will stay that way."
He didn't have to look to his side to see Isamu reel back at his words, "What do you mean? Are you implying-"
"I am done, Isamu." Ianos opened his eyes once more, giving him a tired glance, "I was resurrected during the Dark Ages. I have lived through the time of the Risen, through the time of our conflict against the Fallen, through our failures against the Hive, and our current attempts to fight back against the threats of Siva. I have lived for 'many' years, and I have seen things that many, if not most of our brothers and sisters can only imagine." The Awoken then pause, taking in a breath as he then finished, "I am 'tired', old friend. And I want 'rest'."
Shifting is attention away from the Revenant and back towards the ceiling, Ianos didn't have to look towards Akiva to sense the same shocked gaze that Isamu was currently giving him, followed by feeling the familiar cold plating of Ace snuggle into the crook of his neck.
"Y-You can't just give up like that!" It was Akiva who spoke, Ianos hearing the Titan choke as he added, "I mean yeah, you're old and the Darkness is slowly eating away at you but, that's no reason to just give up!"
At first, his eyes hardening, Ianos let out a pained grunt as he pushed himself upright, hearing Ace let out a small breath of protest before he felt the familiar coolness of their shell leave his neck. Then he lifted his gaze towards Akiva, parting his lips to let out a retort to his words only to pause as his orange eyes locked onto grieved gold, the Awoken seeing the tears forming in the edges of the human Titan's gaze despite the darkness. This caused the frustration and annoyance to dissipate, followed by exhaustion and apathy as Ianos slowly lowered himself back onto the bed, "I was living off of borrowed time."
"Doesn't mean you just throw your life away like that!" Ianos couldn't help but flinch at Akiva's shout, "You got borrowed time for a reason, Ianos! Take it!"
Contemplating on the words of the human Titan, the Awoken glanced over when he saw the star shaped form of Ace hover above him, seeing his Ghost twirl their back fins in worry.
"Don't you dare abandon Hush!"
Jumping, Ianos then winced as pain reverberated throughout his body from the sudden action but nonetheless, pushed himself back up just in time to see the familiar lavender shell of Crystalline materialize into view. Ignoring the startled gesture of Isamu followed by him letting out a hiss of pain from his own sudden movement, Ianos kept his focus on the female Ghost as the latter closed the distance, the Awoken barely keeping his composure as Crystalline practically pressed herself against his face, "Has it ever occurred to you how Hush would feel if you just gave up and died?! There is a reason why she calls you 'papa' you idiot!"
"...Papa?"
Seeing Crystalline reel back, Ianos can only turn to Ace and give his Ghost a confused look, only to receive a shrug from the black and orange form, "I hardly can understand Hush myself."
"You mean, you didn't know?"
Turning his focus back onto Crystalline and subtly shaking his head, Ianos then saw the female Ghost press her parts against her shell, hearing her mutter before he once again felt a hand press into his.
"I understand why you are tired, why you are ready to leave this world." The Awoken shifted his attention back towards Isamu, "however, there are others who would rather take your place than see you pass on so easily."
Although frowning at the words of the Revenant, Ianos opted to say nothing and instead, simply laid back down, keeping his eyes forward as he heard Isamu sigh before hearing the familiar creak of the chair to learn that he had leaned back, "Just let me stabilize you, Ianos. Then we shall find a way to bring you to the Preceptor so that he can ensure your survivability."
"I told you, I'm-"
"This is not for you." Ianos turned and gave the Titan a puzzled look, "This is for the Preceptor."
The Awoken slowly sat up once more, "What do you mean?"
Once again, sensing hesitation emanating from Isamu, Ianos glowered at the Revenant, "Isamu. What. Do. You. Mean?"
Receiving no response, the Awoken simply kept his glare upon Isamu, watching as the Titan released his hold on his hand and folded his own in lap, taking note of the trembling in his fingers.
"The Preceptor… he spoke of you kindly." Ianos paused at Isamu's words, "every time he brings you up in conversations, I could hear the yearning in his voice, the want of seeing you again." He then saw the Revenant slowly shake his head, "However, with his current status and duty as the Preceptor of the Revenants, he could not bring himself to see you."
Silent at the words of the Revenant, the Awoken looked away, skimming through the faces and names of the past, trying to recall those that had disappeared abruptly outside of the Tower, "Who is he?"
It was then he sensed a knowing smile emanate from Isamu, "Let me stabilize you and I will bring you to him."
Ianos slowly turned and gave the Revenant a nasty look, "Do you think that I would be 'that' curious to simply let you extend my life?"
"For me, maybe." Isamu admitted, "but the Preceptor, he will ensure that you live as long, or possibly longer, than he."
"And you have to stay for Hush," Ianos turned his attention back towards the lavender Ghost, seeing her yellow optic narrowed his way, "She has just grown comfortable living in the Tower, I dare not want her to experience loss at a young age already."
Frowning at her words, Ianos then turned his attention towards Akiva, pausing as he saw a hopeful look in his golden eyes; the Awoken couldn't help but lean back his head and let out a sigh.
"Fine," He shifted and turned his gaze towards Isamu, "However, if your 'Preceptor' is unable to cure me of my condition, then you all have to let me go."
"Now why would-"
Ianos heard Crystalline come to a sudden pause as Isamu raise a hand before the Revenant Titan slowly nodded, "You have my word."
"Isamu!"
Ignoring the protests of the female Ghost, Ianos watched as Isamu gestured him to lay back down, and the Awoken easily complied.
"I am going to be honest with you, the process to stabilize the Light and Darkness isn't painless." Ianos flinched at Isamu's words as he felt the latter's hand place firmly onto his chest, "especially in your condition, the Darkness has connected itself to your light, it will not like being forced apart and temporarily being placed in balance."
"Then let us hurry and get this over with." Seeing Isamu nod in response to his words, Ianos then shifted his vision upwards before closing his eyes, and taking in a deep breath, forcing himself to relax.
No sooner had he done this when he felt warmth reverberate into his chest, feeling his light hum contently within his body. In turn, Ianos flinched when a sudden feeling of hate started to emerge, hearing almost a hiss in his ears as he felt it recoil and snarl, as if to fight. That is when he let out a scream as pain suddenly latched onto his senses.