Redacted

Liar

I actually made an early update for once! (Happy Dance). Anyways, just a heads up, this chapter is going to hold some dark themes (implied non-consent and PTSD) so you have been warned.

And before I forget, I made an AO3 account. Don't worry, I'm staying here but I am going to work on my AO3 account so that both accounts are on the same page for updates. As such, if there is no update next week, don't be too surprised. I'm just working on getting my AO3 account updated

Thanks to Diamond002 for the review!

If Pluto had a choice in the matter, he would easily had wrapped his hands around the Preceptor's throat, squeezing until he felt the Warlock's life slip away. Shooting him was too quick, and he couldn't just mangle the Revenant in front of all of his followers, but choking, choking was the next best option. However, he refrained and instead Pluto narrowed his blank sockets at the form behind the Warlock, easily sensing the Darkness permeating from her form.

"Just let us get close, perhaps we can –"

"How many times do I have to say it? No." Pluto snarled, hearing the Preceptor take steps back, "You already have done enough damage as is it."

"But the Harmonization has to proceed." The blind Exo glowered at the Warlock Revenant, "If Ace and Ianos do not completely the resonance between their Light and Darkness, then Ace will eventually be unable to resurrect Ianos when he dies."

A curse built up in the back of the Exo's throat, feeling his core burn up within his chest as he gritted his jaw, "Not with that 'Wizard' around."

"Vultosa is needed for the Harmonization to finalize. We cannot proceed without her."

"Did you not see how Ianos reacted towards her?" Pluto spat, "He fell to the floor crying for Traveler's sake!" Anger continued to bubble within the Exo, "Either you figure out a way to continue this Harmonization without her or we are leaving!"

"No, no please."

Perking up at the pleading in Ianos' voice, Pluto turned around, fixing his attention to where he believed the Warlock laid, and brushing his light forward. Ignoring the shock emitting from the Preceptor, the light then resounded back, allowing the blind Exo to gather the scene before him.

It didn't take Pluto by surprise when he spotted Knight and Hush kneeling over Ianos', the Awoken's head in the young Exo's lap while the child Guardian held one of his hands comfortingly. Akiva was also seated nearby, his shoulders stiff and alert, more than likely ready to secure Ianos if he were to do anything erratic, and finally, Pluto spotted Orion and the twins forming a protective triangle around the group, forcing back anyone that they deemed too close.

"Please, no."

Concern quickly replacing the anger he held within, Pluto took slowly and careful steps forward, taking note of the whimpering permeating from Ianos; he was reliving his memories, and it wasn't hard to tell when and where it was taking place.

"You promised." Pluto found himself listening, tuning in onto Ianos' quiet begging, "You promised that you would leave him alone if I consented."

"Ianos?"

Recognizing the voice of Ace, the Exo Hunter couldn't help but mimic the surprise lingering in the Ghost's tone; both Pluto and Ace had witnessed many of Ianos' attacks but, this one, this one was new. Consent? Consent to what?

"You promised." That is when Pluto noticed Ianos's waver and immediately, he sensed fear emanating from the Awoken, "No, no I do not want it." The blind Exo then heard Ianos shuffle, straining as if he was trying to escape invisible bonds, "I do not want it!"

Ianos then started to scream.

"Pluto! He's hurting himself!"

Swiftly moving over, Pluto then kneeled down only to lean back as Ianos' hand barely grazed his face. He then proceeded to place his hands onto the Awoken's shoulders, feeling the Warlock's hands clasp around his wrists, "Little Light, it is me." He felt Ianos struggle underneath him, "You are among friends here, there is nothing to fear."

A wail then permeated from the Awoken, his voice ringing in Pluto's receptors as panic settled into the Hunter's chest; the memory he was reliving, the raw emotion that emitted from the Warlock's throat, there was definitely something that happened on the Moon to fear the Wizards so. Something that Ianos had kept to himself all these years.

"I do not want! I do not want!"

Despite the sobs that Ianos released, the words were clear, and a sense of dread plummeted into Pluto's stomach. His head was whirling together, trying to make sense of his words, and Pluto, Pluto knew in the back of his mind what had occurred but, denial was quick to take place in the front.

Wizards produced asexually, it was a widely known fact amongst all Guardians, all through the ages. But then again, the Hive was always evolving, always changing to adapt to their surroundings. What is to say, despite the Wizards practically being the same through all sects, that they were exempt from the changes of their brethren Hive?

Another wail snapped Pluto out of his thoughts and the Hunter found himself struggling to keep Ianos still. Moments later, the familiar scent of Awoken blood filtered through his senses, followed by Ianos pressing his hands against his face to push him away. That is when Pluto felt a substance smear across his face and he knew that somehow, Ianos had drawn blood upon himself. Before the Exo Hunter can do anything else, a shift of movement caught his attention, followed by the familiar sound of a fist coming into contact with flesh, and suddenly, Ianos' cries ceased.

Pluto fixed his blank sockets towards Akiva, momentarily silent as he struggled to compose his surprise, "Akiva, did you just 'punch' him?"

"I… I…" The guilt was prominent in the Titan's voice, "I'm sorry but he was screaming, crying like I have never seen him before, and then he started clawing at his chest and drawing blood, and I panicked, and I just reacted the way I did and – I'm sorry Pluto, but I just…"

Although unable to see, Pluto can easily tell that the Titan was on the verge of tears and it didn't take long for the Exo to understand; Ianos wasn't the only one with a harrowing experience with the Hive, and there was no doubt that being in the dark with his comrade screaming in agony wasn't helping Akiva's nerves.

"It is fine, Akiva." Pluto then shifted himself, placing his arms gingerly underneath Ianos' legs and head before swiftly scooping the Awoke up, and then steadily pushing himself onto his feet, "it might have been for the best."

Still feeling the anxiety permeate from the Titan despite his words, Pluto just tilted his head, "Come on everyone, let's head back to our quarters, we will resituate ourselves there."

Hearing a huff of agreement from someone – the blind Exo cannot pinpoint who – the Hunter released his light around him before turning and heading towards the exit. He momentarily paused next to the Preceptor, turning and giving the Revenant a glare "We will finish this conversation later."

Then, without another word, Pluto left the room with the others following after.

Xxxxx

It was an eye-opening experience to Zakai, how the effects of being a prisoner of the Hive was a lot worse than he had expected. He knew that not many Chosen escape the Hive's claws alive and those who do are scarred in a way, sometimes beyond saving. The Revenant Warlock had seen enough prisoners coming back not long after the Great Disaster, only to fall into pits of insanity. It didn't take much time before they took not only their lives, but the lives of their Ghosts as well.

But this, seeing Ianos, his Ianos screaming and begging, writhing on the floor in agony, Zakai didn't react, didn't know how to react, and instead found himself saying nothing when Pluto finally scooped the Awoken into his arms and left with his team, more than likely back to the Medical Ward.

"Preceptor?"

Turning his attention back towards the room, Zakai blinked when he found himself staring into the eyes of one of his fellow Revenants, the Chosen's glowing lavender eyes showing signs of concern. Snapping out of his reverie, Zakai then recomposed himself, straightening out his shoulders and crossing his arms behind his back, "Do not fret, we will have a solution to this, however, for now, I would like to request you all to leave, so that Vultosa and I may speak."

Grumbling can be heard amongst their number however, Zakai watched as everyone present left without resistance, although, he did gain an occasional glance of worry from several of the members, specifically the younger ones. Despite this, the Revenant kept his composure, waiting until the room was void sans himself and the Wizard hovering next to him. It was then he let his shoulders droop, his hands reaching up and pressing the sealant underneath his jaw, allowing himself to remove his helmet and turned his worried eyes towards the Hive.

"I should have thought that out better," He murmured as he dropped the armor piece to the floor and rubbed his eyes with the palm of his hands, "I just…"

Zakai didn't know what else to say, the memory of his former lover collapsing onto the floor, his eyes wide with fear as he cried. It was unsettling, of all his years with Ianos, not once had he seen the Awoken react that way. Shed tears, yes, especially so with his history of losing loved ones but pure instinctual horror mixed in with him pleading with his unseen warden. Ianos never begged for anything.

"You are the reason he is like this! You are the reason why he took that suicidal mission to the Moon!"

Zakai flinched as Pluto's words echoed within his mind and guilt weight heavily upon his shoulders before shifting his attention back towards Vultosa, "The Hive feed upon the light and pain, correct?" He hesitated when he saw the Hive Wizard nod, "What does the Hive do, exactly?"

A tinge of emotion flashed over the female Hive's three eyes, her features contorting from guilt, "I have explained to you the extraction of the Light." She held out a clawed hand, her three eyes trailing her claws, "It is like dipping your hands in tar, pulling at the strands from the victim." She let out a strained smile, "It is not a painless experience."

Turning his eyes towards the floor, Zakai gulped before answering, "You also torture your prisoners, correct?"

Another nod from the Hive Wizard, "The Light is rare and far between despite the Chosen's numerous numbers. Pain is the next best source of sustenance for my race." A soft wheeze can be heard from Vultosa; a Hive equivalent of a sigh, "I must say, my guilt has not been cleared since I left."

"But what do you do?" Zakai reeled back from the desperation in his tone, his panic building up in his throat, "From the way Ianos just…" His voice faded again, unable to finish, "Just, what do they do?"

The Revenant heard Vultosa stay silent, her glowing green eyes fixing intently onto Zakai's vibrant blue.

"We tear them apart." Zakai buried his face into his hands, "tear their flesh until it reaches the bone, burn them until there is nothing left, and feed them unto our worms."

"There is something else you are not telling me." Ianos' screams burned in the Revenant's mind, "There is something else that you are trying to hide." He hesitated, forcing him to lower his hands and scanning his glowing eyes upon the Wizard's face, "He was screaming, screaming about how 'he does not want it', what does that mean?"

A sinking feeling settled into the pit of his stomach when the female Hive stayed silent, "Vultosa."

"There is a reason why some of my brethren grow stronger than the others." Vultosa abruptly started, "true, my sisters and I may reproduce without the aid of a sire, however, if we want one of our children to 'grow', to reach the height of our brethren, we do find a progenitor for our offspring."

Quiet at the words of the female Wizard, Zakai repeatedly opened and closed his mouth before finally saying, "Even if they are unwilling?"

Silence, and then a single nod.

This prompted Zakai to bury his face into his hands once more, the guilt within his chest weighing more heavily than before.

"Zakai?"

Opting to not respond to his Ghost, the Revenant then felt the familiar hum of Sorrow materializing outside; this prompted him to speak, "We did this to him."

He didn't have to look to notice the narrowed glance the female Ghost gave his way, "It was not our fault, Zakai. We had not known this would have been his fate when we decided to leave."

"When we faked our deaths, you mean." The Revenant forced himself to pull his hands away and lock onto Sorrow's glowing blue optic, "When we made him believe that we were dead and that there was nothing else for him to live for."

"Zakai." Sorrow's voice was harsh, strict, stern, as if she was trying to convince not only the Revenant Warlock, but herself as well, "You know as well as I do that the two of us would never have ran off if we knew that Ianos was going to enact a 'Last Will'." He heard her sigh, "All we can do now, Zakai, is to help him along the path of healing, and pray and hope that the Light and the Darkness show him mercy along the way."

Taking in the Ghost's words, Zakai fixed his eyes upon Sorrow's optics and couldn't help but let a wry smile form onto his pale features, "You sure that you do not want your name to currently be 'Seer'?"

A scoff can easily be heard from Sorrow, "I may give advice on occasion, Zakai, but that does not mean 'all' of them are good. Now then." He watched her optic glance over his shoulder, her gaze lingering over Vultosa, "Are we not going to find a solution to complete this Harmonization, with or without Vultosa's aid?"

Xxxxx

Despite Pluto's multiple acceptance of his apologies, Akiva still couldn't help but feel guilty at punching Ianos in the face. He had reacted mainly out of instinct, his mind screaming at him to find a way to silence the wails of the Awoken, and it just so happens that physical violence was the answer his body was looking for. Nonetheless, the Titan flinched when he saw the bruise blooming on the Awoken's left cheek as Pluto laid him down on the bed, and Akiva found himself nibbling on his thumb, his anxiety once again reaching its peak.

"I'm going out for a walk." The Titan found himself saying before he could fully comprehend his own words, spotting the others turn their bewildered gazes towards him. Out of all of them, Akiva spotted Pluto's, the only one whose face softened in understanding and a single nod in confirmation. Giving the Exo a nod of thanks in return, Akiva then turned and exited the Medical Ward, grazing his teeth amongst the tip of his thumb.

"Stop that," He heard Lex scold, hearing the Ghost materialize in the air next to him, "The others are already suspicious of your growing anxiety, no need to get them full onto it."

"R-Right," Akiva stuttered out as he forced his hand down, although, he flexed his hands repeatedly as he took in deeps breaths.

Honestly, the Titan wasn't all took taken back by the appearance of the Wizard; true, she had startled the living lights out of everyone amongst the team when she suddenly appeared out of the Darkness, but, that had been it. At first glance, she seemed to be the stereotypical Wizard, up until one loses their panic and actually examines her form. Unlike the Wizard that Akiva had personally seen on the Moon, this one was white in color, more often than not to reflect her time spent underground, and her glowing green eyes were paler. This altogether with the fact that her garments were cleaned and well stitched together, this gave the Wizard a 'tame' look, almost making her harmless. Almost; Akiva had learned through the decades to never judge a book by its cover.

But then Ianos started screaming, begging, pleading, and that thrown Akiva back, and his mind saw nothing but the failed raid against Crota. True, the Hive God was the one who personally took the lives of his team, but not before the rest of the Hive tried to take matters into their hands. Akiva still remembers Marcus' screams as Thrall torn into his armor, Anna's war cries as she attempted to save him, Layla and Kathy attempting to force back a Wizard to give them cover. And Maylea…

Shaking his head, Akiva brought his hand up and started biting his thumb again, hearing Lex let out a groan but nothing else; he knows his Ghost understands this little quirk of his. However, despite his best tempts to focus on the texture of his teeth grazing the top of it, Akiva couldn't help but wander on his previous Fireteam.

The Chargers may have been infamous, but they had wanted to outshine the other clans, mainly the infamous Galaxy; it wasn't nothing out of the ordinary, all clans wanted to outdo the Clan consisting of mainly of Exo. Akiva just couldn't understand why Marcus brought up Crota and the failings of other Fireteams before them; he just couldn't understand why they thought they would succeed.

When he came back as the lone survivor, Akiva remembered gaining many condolences and to his shock, congratulations; he soon discovered that not many Fireteams make it to Crota, let alone making it through the hazards of his territory. As such, him returning alive was seen as an accomplishment himself. But, the Titan couldn't accept that, wouldn't accept that, knowing that his team fought so hard, fought beyond the fumes of their Light just to accept the congratulations on trying and dying. Akiva paused at that; perhaps that was one of the reasons why he kept traveling to Mars, to avoid the sympathetic looks and sheepish smiles of those who thought that dying for an attempt on a Hive God was enough condolences.

"Akiva, you're drawing blood."

Startled out of his thoughts, Akiva glanced down at his thumb to see that indeed, his teeth have scraped deeper than skin and the familiar flow of crimson was running down the side and his wrist.

A sigh can be heard coming from his Ghost, "Come here."

Understanding Lex's words, Akiva held out his hand, signaling to the white and yellow Ghost to glide over and beam their light over the bleeding digit.

Half-expecting a scolding, the Titan couldn't help but appreciate the silence that the male Ghost emitted instead and focused on the ragged end of his thumb.

"Thank you," He managed out as Lex finally cleaned up the bleeding, allowing Akiva to wrap his other hand around his wrist and flex it, as if to inspect his Ghost's handiwork.

Receiving a soft hum as a response to his thanks, the Titan then locked onto the golden optic of his Ghost and he found a smile forming onto his pale features, "Thank you, Lex. I really do mean it."

And he did, and not just for healing his thumb. He remembers Lex being there for him, all the way from his resurrection amongst broken wreckage of a colony ship, all the way from the failed battle against Crota, and all the way up until now, pushing and pulling him along as life continued all around them. Although uncertain for sure, if his Ghost had not been there when Maylea and the Chargers died, there would have been no doubt that Akiva would have tried to follow them into the afterlife.

The male Ghost must have heard the sincerity in his thanks as the Titan saw Lex's optics widen, followed by him enclosing his shell close to his core and the light in his gaze brightening. This sent a warm feeling through Akiva's chest, prompting him to hold out a hand, and his eyes brightened as his Ghost slowly hovered over his palm.

"Your friend, the Awoken, what was that act earlier?"

Jumping at the introduction of a new voice, the human Titan snapped around, only to blink when his eyes connected with unfamiliar brown, "…What?"

Seeing the human before him scowl, Akiva attempted to take steps back, only to finally take in his surroundings; during his anxiety induced stupor, he had somehow made it into a room, a room full of Revenants. Accurately there were only six – a Fireteam Akiva realized – but considering that he was alone in the room with them, this brought up the Titan's senses of danger. Akiva straightened himself out and stood at attention as he steadily saw the other Revenants turn their focus on him.

"He was acting earlier, was he not? Trying to gain sympathy amongst our number, to get our guard down?"

Giving the human Revenant before him another bewildered look, it took Akiva another moment longer before it finally clicked, "Acting? You think, that, Ianos, was… acting?"

A scoff can be heard from the Revenant, "Of course, it is absurd. Everyone knows that any individual captured by the Hive never make it out. Alive at least." Akiva couldn't help but narrow his golden eyes at the human as the latter continued, "So I am asking you if that is all an act, a front to get the Preceptor's guards lowered to do him harm."

More than anything, the Titan wanted to tear the human into a new one, especially since he recognized their garb as one of a Warlock, the confidence and arrogance seen easily in the way his shoulders were squared and the cocky grin on his features. But, Akiva bit his tongue, remembering making enemies within hostile territory is not recommended. As such, he reeled in his frustration and responded, "What you had seen in that room is legitimate."

He saw the Warlock blink confoundedly before the latter once again scowled, "Lies."

Akiva found his impatience growing, "What? You believe that because of 'statistics' that Ianos was putting up an act?" He found a growl escaping his throat as the human Warlock nodded, "Look, just because something is impossible doesn't mean it's not possible. Ever heard of Eris Morn? She was one of the few who survived the Hive."

"But 'not' as a prisoner," The Warlock retorted, "She hid herself amongst their number, blended in until she could find a way to escape. According to rumors, your friend was captured by the Hive and kept prisoner for 'months'. I find it hard to believe he found a way to escape on his own."

"You are basing off of 'rumors', not 'experience'." Akiva spoke through gritted teeth, "If you actually get to know Ianos, then you would understand that he really was a prisoner of the Hive, and you can tell that he went through Hell and back."

"And what? You were there to see it?" The Titan paused at Warlock's scoff, "Like I thought, you didn't even see if he escaped the Hive's claws. You are basing off of rumors just as much as you claim I was." A smirk then can be seen on the human's face, "Just admit it, your Awoken friend was acting, and all of this is just a farce to get closer to the Preceptor and kill him."

"We are not here to kill your leader." Akiva argued, "We are here to seek help for Ianos' condition."

"And you received it," The Warlock snapped, "I see no other reason for you to stay with the exception of assassination. And let me get this straight, let us get this straight." The Titan found the Warlock close the distance, easily pressing his face against his, "No matter what you say, no matter what you do, the Preceptor is under our protection, and we 'will' retaliate if you or your friends try to harm him."

Scrunching his features together in anger, Akiva lifted his hands and shoved the Warlock back, causing the human to stumble; this instantly made the other Revenants present posture stiffen, their body alert. He could care less about them.

"Look you fool ass spark of a Dreg," He watched as the Warlock reeled back at his insult, "I 'know' Ianos survived the Hive because 'I' survived fucking Crota. And if 'I' survived that prick of a god, then others can survive being held prisoner by those decaying husks." Akiva found himself closing the distance, keeping his eyes locked onto the Warlock's, "So tell me again 'why' you think Ianos was putting up an act in that hell hole you called a room."

Seeing the Warlock's eyes widen in shock, Akiva kept his ground as the human then gave him another glare, "You? A survivor of Crota? You must be joking." Another scoff from him, "The only survivor who faced Crota was Eris Morn." The human pressed his face against Akiva's, "there was no mention of 'you'."

Before Akiva could stop himself, a laugh escaped his lips, "Oh? You think 'I' wanted to be mentioned after watching my Fireteam get slaughtered by the Hive Prince himself? That 'I' wanted to recount how he laughed after spilling the blood of my team in his throne room? That 'I' wanted to remember that I was the only survivor of my team to walk away from that asshole alive?" Another disbelieving laugh permeated from the Titan, "Oh, no. Oh no, no, no. No 'sane' Guardian would be willing to live a traumatic experience like that."

"You're delusional."

In response to the Warlocks' statement, Akiva's laugh stopped abruptly and a dark look overcame his eyes, "Oh, delusional is it?" The edges of his lips twitched upward, "Perhaps it would be more accurate to say 'insane', since I did spend some time in the Medical Wing back at the Tower. After all, anyone who encounters the Hive never leaves the same, don't you agree?"

Seeing the Warlock scan his brown eyes over him, Akiva thought that he had finally convinced the human Revenant of the truth, up until he quickly saw the gaze switch to one of disbelief, "No, this is all a trick to gain sympathy from us, to gain our trust. You." The Warlock raised a hand and pointed an accusing finger in the Titan's direction, "You are 'lying', there are no other survivors of Crota with the exception of Eris Morn. You are a liar!"

Liar.

That resounded within Akiva, his golden eyes staring blankly at the Warlock until something snapped. To the Titan, it felt like a string, a string that was held taught for so long but somehow kept itself together no matter how much it has been pulled or twisted during the years. But somehow, the human Revenant's words, it finally broke that string. The next thing Akiva knew, he slammed his arm into the chest of the Warlock, dragging him until they slammed into the wall behind them.

"A liar?" He snarled, ignoring the choking gasps the human Revenant emitted, "Do you think I would lie about watching my Fireteam, my family die in front of me? That I would lie about as they choked upon the Darkness, and I was forced to watch as their life left their eyes." He pressed pressure against the Warlock's chest, earning a wheeze in response, "You do not know what it is like, to hear that bastard 'laugh' as I held one of my family, my daughter in my arms as she gasped out her last breath." His face contorted in fury, "You do not know how it is to watch your own flesh and blood die in front of your eyes!"

"Akiva!"

Snapping his attention away from the Revenant's brown eyes, Akiva's gold connected with Lex's optic, pausing as he saw the shocked look in his Ghost's gaze.

At first, there was momentary silence, but it was soon followed by Lex speaking, "You're crying."

Puzzled by the white and yellow Ghost's words, Akiva brought up his free hand and brushed it below one of his eyes. Pulling back, he saw the familiar steaks of tears staining the back, and this was enough to make his anger dissipate only for to be quickly replaced by grief.

"Akiva, steady breaths."

Finding himself breathing rapidly, Akiva followed his Ghost's instructions, although, this did little to stop the tears flowing down the sides of his face.

"I-I…" He stumbled back, choking on his words as he released his hold on the Warlock, staring down at his trembling hands, "He called me a 'liar', Lex. A liar!" Akiva shifted his eyes back towards his Ghost, "What kind of father would lie about the death of his child!?"

"He didn't know, Akiva." Lex pointed out, "He only knows you as well as he knows the others, and you know that he knows 'nothing'." The worry was clear in his Ghost's optic, "He would know nothing about May, Akiva, and you know this."

Hearing truth in Lex's words, this didn't stop Akiva from burying his face into his hands, the grief consuming his thoughts, his state of mind, "I should have convinced her to stay at the Tower, convinced her to stay 'safe'. At least Ora, Amara, and Nahala would get to meet her instead of hearing nothing but stories."

"May made her choice that day, Akiva." The Titan lifted his eyes just slightly to spot the familiar white and yellow shell of Lex, "she knew the consequences of facing Crota and she knew that there was a chance she wasn't going to make it back." Sadness bloomed in his Ghost's optic, "It was just tragedy that she never did."

Feeling the tears leave his eyes, Akiva let himself settle onto the floor, uncaring of the bewildered stares he received from those present in the room.

"I want to go home," He said quietly, staring down at his hands, "I want to see Neve, I want to see the kids. I want…"

"I know, Akiva, I know."

Hearing the familiar hum of Lex hover over his shoulder, Akiva felt his anxiety ease as he felt his Ghost press against the side of his head, causing him to close his eyes, and taking in a deep breath.

"You… you were telling the truth?"

Momentarily opening his eyes to glance over at the Revenant Warlock, Akiva spotted the shock settling into the human's brown gaze, followed by guilt. So, the Revenants do have a conscience.

Instead of verbally answering the Revenant, the Titan simply nodded before feeling Lex bump into the side of his head against, coaxing him to stand. Despite his want to simply lie down and rest, he cannot do it here, not while surrounding by possible threats. As such, giving the Warlock once last glance, he stumbled out of the room and slowly made his way back towards the Medical Ward.