Redacted

Give Us What We Need

Sorry for the inactivity guys, but I had real life problems cut into a lot of my writing time and it still is. The reason is that my house caught on fire and although insurance is covering everything, it is very likely that we won't be able to move back in until the end of the year. As such, my family and I have been staying in a Hotel and now we are moving into an apartment until our house can be fully repaired. With all this moving and such, it's going to be a while before I can go back onto a regular update schedule. Sorry again but life comes first.

Thanks to Mantic64, Diamond002, and The Great Wolf 117 for the reviews!

"And this one's name is Epiro," Knight watched as Odoratta held up another worm that seemed hardly distinguishable from the others with the exception of its size, requiring the Hive Hybrid to pull it out of its crib with a grunt, and hugging it close to his chest with both of his arms, "he has another week before he encases himself to fully reach maturity."

The young Warlock blinked at his words, "Encased?"

"Oh, uh, what you Guardians call? Cocoon?" Knight was unsure of whether to freak out or take interest in Odoratta's answer, "and then it will take other three months before he emerges as a juvenile."

That is when the Exo finally let out a wheeze, "Wait, all of you, you were born like this?"

"Yes?" Knight saw Odoratta scrunch his features together and gave him a bewildered stare, "is that now how a child like her grows?"

Momentarily turning his attention towards Hush, Knight took a note on the look of horror on the Child Guardian's face before shifting his focus back onto the Hive-hybrid, "Of course not! They are born just the way they are, except, smaller."

A look of surprise flashed over Odoratta's face, "Really? All of the children I see that are born from Revenant parents are usually already walking." Knight then heard the Hive-hybrid hum quietly to himself, "perhaps I am wrong?"

Letting his jaw pop open to gawk at Odoratta's words, Knight then took a step back when the large larva in the Hive-hybrid's hands let out a quiet shriek and proceed to squirm in his hands, prompting Odoratta to coo, "Oh, I'm sorry Epiro, here, I will let you go back to sleep."

Unable to comprehend on how 'normal' the Hive-hybrid treated the infant – should he call them infant? – worms, Knight opted to remain silent as Odoratta then leaned back over the crib, letting the squirming larva crawl back into its bedding and snuggle itself back into the covers. Knight swore he heard it let out a few squeaks of content before it finally went quiet.

"So, all of these, 'children', will grow up to be like you?" Knight finally mustered up the courage to ask the question, reeling back when he saw a smile flash onto Odoratta's tan features.

"Of course not." The young Exo couldn't help but blink at the Hive-hybrid's answer, "do you know how rare it is for one of my siblings to grow up looking like me?" He heard Odoratta let out a snort, "True, I speak like as though they held the same growth phases as you Guardians," Knight made a mental note to tell Odoratta later that, no, the growth phases between himself and other organic children are not the same, "however, it is mostly in a hopeful gesture."

Knight found himself raising a metallic brow, "What do you mean?"

A hum can be heard emitting from the Hive-hybrid, "The phases are the same, however, it is very unlikely for them to grow into an individual such as myself." Knight then heard Odoratta pause, "or at least able to shift into this form such as myself."

A pause.

"Wait, what?"

"Oh, this isn't truly 'me' that you are seeing," Knight didn't know how Odoratta seemed unfazed at his surprise, especially from the way his green eyes beamed at the Exo, "this is just a form that I take to easily maneuver this base." He then heard the Hive-hybrid let out a laugh, "they only make these halls so big to fit my true size."

"I-I-What?"

"Don't worry though, most, if not all my siblings will turn out the same as the others," Knight wasn't sure if that was a comforting thought or not, "It is very rare for them to turn out like me."

That's when the Exo Warlock gave the Hive-Hybrid a quizzical look, "Then, you are the only one?"

No sooner had the question left his lips when Knight saw a sense of yearning emitting from Odoratta following a smile that did not quite reach his eyes, "My mother and spawn mother had many broods together, however, I was the only one to turn out, 'this' way." The Exo Warlock watched as Odoratta gestured towards himself, "I am the only one who can 'mostly' blend in with Guardians such as yourself and shift my physical appearance to match the differing situations." He then shrugged sheepishly, "The Revenants and the Ostracized are confused as to why this happened, as the Oracles had procreated with members of the Revenants before but never had an individual such as I."

Hearing this, curiosity, at first, settled into the front of Knight's mind, his white optics brightening with interest only for a morbid thought to quickly reach to the surface; does the Darkness have a play in this? A chosen individual for a future plot? The Exo Warlock found himself shivering at the thought, feeling the prodding of Day lingering in the back before turning his focus back onto Odoratta, only to startle back when he locked onto wide green eyes.

"Are you cold?" He heard Odoratta ask, his gaze scanning over Knight's form, "We can leave if you want, I can introduce you to the rest of my siblings the next day."

Knight immediately sputtered at the Hive-hybrid's words, "There's more?"

"This is just one out of many nurseries we have." The Exo Warlock choked at Odoratta's words, "but it seems that you Guardians aren't accumulated to the cold." His green eyes beamed at Knight, "Let us head back to the upper floors, I would imagine that the rest of your group are looking for you."

Nodding his head numbly, Knight then reached down and grasped Hush's hand once more, gradually leading her out of the room as he followed Odoratta out. Feeling the child Guardian's hand tighten around his in response, Knight couldn't help but wonder: just how many of these nurseries are there.

Xxxxx

"I say we just leave."

Pluto shifted his blind gaze upwards and frowned as Orion continued, "It is obvious the longer we stay here, the hazardous it becomes for Ianos. I mean look at him." The blind Exo didn't need to have the use of his sight to know that the Titan had gestured towards the Awoken's still form, the Warlock's steady breathing the only sign that he was alive. And that he was not reliving nightmares, "Akiva had to 'punch' him to prevent Ianos from harming himself. And not to mention what other rituals they have under their sleeve to 'cure' him."

"Orion." Pluto heard the Titan pause, "Despite my agreement towards your words, this is not the time." He then let out a sigh as he reached out and brushed his fingers through Ianos' hair, feeling the Awoken stir underneath his touch, "after all, it is Ianos' decision, not ours, if he wants to leave this place or not."

"But they are working with the 'Hive'." He heard Orion hiss out, "not only they are going against the will of the Traveler by working with the Darkness, but they're traitors as well."

"Orion." Pluto heard the Titan go silent once more at his warning, "I understand your sentiment, but please, not now. Not until Little Light recovers."

A strained snarl can be heard from the younger Exo, however, Pluto heard no other protests from the Titan, allowing the Hunter to let his shoulders relax and continue to comb his fingers through Ianos' hair.

Pluto remembers performing this gesture before, his mind buzzing with familiarity and as such, the Exo Hunter should be casual with this but, he found his fingers brushing past the Awoken's blue length and found himself catching air. At first, confused at this, Pluto's mind then lingered back, back when Ianos' hair was longer, his head in Neptune's lap as the latter would also brush his fingers through the Awoken's hair, crooning of how 'unfortunate' the Exo were to unable have locks of their own. But, that was back before the Great Disaster, before the Clan left the City, before Venus' death. This caused the Hunter to pause; has it really been that long since they last sat down like this?

"Seeing you brush his hair like that, it reminds me of… back then…" Pluto heard Ace start, the blind Exo turning his blank gaze towards the Ghost's general vicinity, "You know, even though you gave us Neptune's last will, the two of us never got around listening to it."

This prompted the blind Exo to raise his brows, "Is there a reason?"

A soft chuckle can be heard from the black and orange Ghost, "You know how Ianos is. To him, when you listen to a last message, it means you are saying goodbye. And well, let us just say that Ianos was not quite ready to say 'goodbye' to Neptune yet."

Pluto couldn't help but wince at the Ghost's words, shifting his blind gaze towards where he sensed the familiar buzz of light emitting from the Warlock's right arm. Despite it being close to a decade since Neptune's death, he can still sense the lingering light of his late lover humming within the bond, clinging onto Ianos' light as if it held a sentiency of its own.

"You cannot delay it much longer." He found himself saying, shifting his attention back to where he believes Ace hovered, "You never know what is going to happen tomorrow."

"… I know."

Hearing the acknowledgement in Ace's voice, Pluto suppressed the guilt that was threatening to push towards the front and instead, focused his attention back onto combing his fingers through the Awoken's hair. They know, 'everyone' knows there are risks when it comes to a life as a Guardian. True, they are practically immortal and indestructible however, not even the Vex can predict what can happen in a day, and Pluto's memories are filled with those who he had just spoken to only to hear news of their death not long after. It was just an inquiry that they have to accept.

Feeling movement beneath his fingers, Pluto found himself glancing down, only for him to let out a breath of relief when he felt hands reach up and gentle prod against his, "You are awake."

Hearing Ianos let out a grunt, Pluto then felt the hands leave his, prompting the Exo Hunter to lean back and place them in his lap as he sensed Ianos shift and sit up, "What happened?"

"Long answer, a Hive Wizard was brought in the complete this Harmonization and you had a panic attack, thus prompting Akiva to panic and punch you in the face." Pluto heard Gemini answer, "Short answer, you had a panic attack and Akiva punched you in the face."

"Gemini."

"What? It's true."

Hearing the twins quietly bicker nearby, Pluto, at first, heard nothing from the Awoken, only to hear him let out a groan.

"Everything is coming back," He heard Ianos mutter, "how long was I out for?"

"Fortunately, only a few hours," Pluto did not sense the Warlock ease at all from his answer, "We were all concerned for your well-being."

"…Where's Hush and Knight?"

"They went out to grab some food." Pluto hummed softly to himself, "they should return soon."

"…Fuck." Hearing the Awoken swear, the Exo Hunter simply said nothing as he heard the Warlock shift in his cot before the sound of boots padded onto the floor, "I am going to take a guess that this Harmonization requires," He heard Ianos take in a breath, "Requires that Wizard?"

That is when Pluto hesitated, keeping his blind optics forward as he nodded, "According to the Preceptor, the Wizards, or 'the Oracles' as they are called, are an important asset."

Hearing Ianos let out a huff, the Exo Hunter didn't have to see to know that the Awoken had buried his face into his hands, filling the air with nothing but the familiar buzz of their Ghosts permeating through the room.

"We are going to continue the Harmonization."

Pluto reeled back, his gaze momentarily wide before he regained his composure, straightening out his shoulders and his empty stare narrowing, "Ianos-"

"We came this far." He felt Ianos' harden glare hover over him, "The Revenants helped stabilize the Darkness within me, and now the final step is to ensure that if I were to die, then Ace is fully capable of bringing me back."

"What if he's lying." Pluto heard Orion hiss out, "What if he's just trying to bind you here, keep you prisoner?"

"Now what would make you think that?"

That is when the Exo Hunter heard the Exo Titan clamp his jaw shut, easily sensing the panic emitting from Orion before he heard the latter take steps back. Knowing the younger Exo, Pluto wouldn't be surprised if his shoulders were rigid, and his body straight as a board.

"…Do you know the identity of this Preceptor?"

Pluto mentally cursed; of course, Ianos would put it all together, especially so with how Orion's body language making it obvious. A trustworthy and loyal individual, yes, but one able to keep secrets, Pluto still has a lot to teach him. Now that he thought about it, he still has to teach the rest of the Clan how to keep their composure; Pluto mentally listed it off to the top of his priority list.

"You do." Pluto couldn't help but stiffen when he heard the affirmation in the Awoken's voice, "Tell me, who is the Preceptor?"

"Little Light, we cannot just-"

"Do I know him?" Pluto found himself going quiet, "Is that why the two of you were glaring at him earlier? He was a comrade of ours that had joined the Revenants? You see him as a traitor?"

Taking in Ianos' questions, the Exo Hunter grinded his jaw together, curling his fingers into fists as he contemplated on his next words, "It is not that we necessarily see him as a traitor, Little Light, it is just…" That is when Pluto found himself unable to speak, his mind blank on formulating a lie as he felt Ianos' glare darken.

"Pluto."

Straining under the Awoken's glare, Pluto then felt the gentle nudge of his Ghost lingering in the back of his mind, the action gentle and comforting, allowing the Exo to ease the mess within his head, and allowing his body to finally relax, "If you want an honest answer, Little Light, yes, we knew him decades back."

That is when he felt Ianos' gaze soften a bit, just enough to know that Pluto was no longer in trouble, but the suspicion still lingered, "However, let me guess, you are not going to tell me his identity?"

Forcing the guilt down, Pluto nodded once, easily sensing the disappointment and frustration emitting from the Warlock, "I apologize, Little Light, however, I say it is better that the identity of the Preceptor stays anonymous." Sensing another glower from Ianos, the Exo Hunter then added, "For your sake." He then felt bewilderment and confusion permeate from the Awoken before a sigh can be heard.

"I am still going forward with the Harmonization," Pluto bit down the protest forming in the back of his throat, "However, this time, knowing what we are dealing with, I am going to stay a safe distance away." He heard Ianos hum thoughtfully, "Perhaps it is better if I speak with the Preceptor first, if there is a possibility that we can continue with this Harmonization while the Wizard is in another room."

"If that's the case, then that means we're going to stay here longer," The Exo Hunter heard Gemini let out a groan, "Come on, when is this 'Harmonization' going to end? I want to go home and hang out in the Tower with the others."

Letting his thoughts linger over the other members of the clan Galaxy, Pluto let tinges of concern form in his chest before speaking, "Hopefully soon."

"…I hope you're right."

Easily hearing the doubt in the younger Exo's voice, Pluto couldn't help but let the same swell of emotion filter to the front, feeling Nix send out waves of comfort in response. The Exo Hunter, at least, hopes that they wouldn't have to stay here much longer.

Xxxxx

"Doctor Anand correct?"

Turning around, the young scientist couldn't help but narrow his eyes as green locked onto similar green.

"Doctor Shim."

It was strange, despite having passed each other numerous times, working in the same labs, this was the first that the doctor had greeted him, let alone smile at him. But, then again, it was late, and they were alone, he wouldn't be surprised if Shim was only acting cautiously, not wanting anyone to connect their lineage together. After all, the younger scientist was a practical clone of the infamous Doctor Shim. Although, he understood that sentiment, the young doctor couldn't help but feel offended; there was a reason why he pulled his dark strands back into a tight braid and pulled a hood not only over his hair but his eyes as well. Not to mention with the technical advances, the glasses he wore gave the color of his eyes a shade of hazel, to help match his relation to his mother. It felt like to him, that Doctor Shim didn't believe that he was pulling the proper procedures to hide that he had a bastard son.

"Your mother, she wasn't here today." The young scientist snapped out of his thoughts, "did she take ill? Last I saw her, she looked rather pale."

That is when he gave Shim a blank look, and badly he wanted to say that her illness was caused by a certain 'doctor' who refused to acknowledge his mistress and his illegitimate child, even when out of sight of their peers. Despite this, the young Scientist forced out a smile, "When I woke up this morning, she hardly had an appetite and could barely stand, so I took initiative and told her to stay away from work." Seeing concern linger in Shim's eyes, he then added, "Do not worry, I had set up the medical droids to watch after her while I am gone, and the supervisor already knows of her condition. She will resume work within a week."

If of course, lovesickness can be cured within a week.

"Then, shouldn't you be with her? You are her son after all."

That is when the young scientist's smile dropped and immediately, his pent-up anger flowed to the surface, "Oh? Like how you were there for my mother and I all these years?" A tinge of triumph flowed to the surface of his mind as he saw Shim's façade crumble, "I may keep to myself, Doctor Shim, but I am not stupid."

"How did you-"

"It wasn't hard to take a used cup of yours." He couldn't help but smile at the look of surprise on the man's face, "and not to mention how similar we look."

Seeing the older scientist blink several times, the sense of accomplishment that the younger human had quickly diminished when he saw the regret and sadness linger in Shim's green eyes, "If you are thinking about apologizing, it's too late. I accepted 'years' ago that you wanted nothing to do with my mother and I."

"Angel, please-"

"It's 'Doctor Anand' to you." He spat, glaring at the older man, "I saw those images, those videos out on the interfaces of the web. You look so 'happy' with your little family of yours." The young doctor forced out a bitter smile, "how is your little boy doing? Bet he is everything you wanted from a child that isn't born outside of wedlock."

"Enough."

"Or your wife? She looks so pleased to be seated next to you in those family portraits of yours. Tell me, does she know that you had intercourse with another woman and had a bastard as a result?"

"Doctor Anand!"

He paused as he saw the anger in Shim's eyes, and the young doctor couldn't help but reflect that, "You? You think you have the right to be angry?" He let out a scoff before pointing an accusing finger towards the human scientist's way, "Do you know how many years it took me to realize that 'daddy' isn't going to come and visit us? Do you know how many years it took me to realize that your 'love' between you and my mother isn't strong enough for you to acknowledge us? Do you know how many years it took me to realize that you don't care?"

"I do care!"

"Oh? That money you would send us every month? The little tidbits of gifts that we would receive that is 'anonymous'?" He sneered, "That is definitely 'caring'. Tell me, if you 'care' so much, how did you not notice my mother loving you to the point of illness?"

"…What?"

"Despite your little 'meetings', not once do you say you loved her, not once do you show any sign of fondness with the exception of merely holding hands. Do you know what that does to a person? Knowing you loved them so much but you do nothing?" He gritted his jaw and curled his hands into fists, "My mother kept telling me that you loved us, cared for us, that you would never abandon us because you 'loved us so much'." The younger scientist then gave Shim a dark glare, "But between you and me, between your family 'out there' and us, it is obvious who you love more."

"…Angel, wait."

Ignoring the calls of the Doctor, the young scientist turned and stomped away, feeling tears of anger burning in the edges of his eyes.

Xxxxx

Angel took in a gasp as his eyes snapped open, his senses blaring that his surroundings was foreign as emotions forced its way to the surface, the Hunter feeling the burn of tears lingering near the edges of his vision.

"Angel?" He heard Hope's voice of concern nearby, "They forced me to - Are you alright?"

Flicking his green eyes to the side to momentarily lock onto his Ghost's lone optic, he managed to strain out, "My father, he's…"

He saw Hope blink, "Yes?"

Straining to exert the hate building up in the back of his throat, Angel then slammed a fist onto a table in front of him, continuing to ignore his instincts of his foreign surroundings as he felt his hand easily dent the piece of furniture, prompting the Hunter to let out a shuddering breath before covering his face in his hands.

"Angel?"

Hearing his Ghost call out to him once more, Angel opted to ignore her as he felt the tears flow, feeling them slide down the sides of his face as he held up a hand, keeping his eyes hidden behind the other, "Just…Just give me a moment."

"Well, I would, but with our current situation, we don't have a moment."

Bewildered at the words of his Ghost, Angel took the opportunity to peek his eyes over his hand, only for him to pause, "Hope, where are we?"

"Base of the Blossoms of Hope." The Hunter couldn't but incredulously think Isamu was a bit over his head to agree to such a name, "located just outside of the Wall."

Pressing his lips together into a thin line, Angel quickly used the back of his hand to wipe away any remaining tears before straightening himself out, finally feeling the head of the chair pressing against his back, and his hands folded neatly upon the table before him.

Although his 'dream' still buzzed strongly in the front of his mind, the young Hunter forced Pluto's teachings to take its place, his green eyes scanning the occupants seated around the table. In total, there were five possible threats, a Titan and a Hunter to his left, a Warlock and a Titan on his right, and another Titan seated at the head. Each individual had their helmets removed, allowing the human Hunter to finally take in their features and imprint them in his mind. He was going to need Akiva and the others help if he were to encounter them again.

Thanks to the imprint of their armor, it was easy to recognize Toshak and Archer, revealing the former as an Awoken and the latter as an Exo. If it wasn't for the glow of his eyes, Angel would have said that the color matched the tone of his skin, his dark violet hair shorn to the sides to ensure that they would not get in the way, and easily allowing the young Hunter to see the glare that the older Hunter was giving him. In contrast, Archer's lights held a soft glowing white against muted blue, giving him a gentler appearance despite his obviously broader form, especially so when the Exo in question gave him a strained smile and a sheepish wave.

The Guardians opposing to them were both human, the Warlock a male with black shaggy hair barely reaching his ears, his blue eyes showing hints of interest against his fair skin, and the Titan a female, long brown hair pulled into a bun, and her eyes an attentive brown, the color sticking out against her pale features.

With the guess that thanks to his seated position, the Titan at the head of the seems to be the leader of the group, especially so when Angel saw a smile flashed onto the man's olive features, and his hazel eyes twinkled behind his blonde strands: distrust immediately settled into the bottom of his stomach.

"Lumir? I take it?"

Half-expecting the older Guardian to respond with a confirmation, Angel was surprised to see instead the Titan reel back, the smile instantly gone from his face and replaced with an expression of shock. However, just as quickly as the man had lost his composure, Angel saw his smile resume back onto his face and leaned forward with his hands clasped together on the table; although, the young Hunter can still see the remnants of surprise lingering in the Titan's eyes.

"I had heard that you were a keen individual, young one." Angel couldn't help but scowl at the nickname, "then again, when you had a Guardian such as Pluto-99 in your team, it would be safe to assume that he taught you a few tricks."

Although knowing fully well Lumir's words were supposed to be a compliment, Angel couldn't help but feel offended, biting down the inside of his mouth to stop a retort building up in the back of his throat. Despite being well known for his relationship with the House of Spirits, it doesn't mean that all knows of his time spent with them, let alone know that it was Salziks was the one who taught him how to catches the smallest of things; Pluto simply helped improve it.

"He was a good teacher." Angel managed to say, letting his shoulders sag in relief when he saw Lumir nod once, "although I still have room to grow."

"I think it is safe for me to say that 'all' Guardians have room for improvement, young one, especially with our capability to live beyond the average lifespan." Warnings flared to life around Angel's senses at the smile the Titan sent his way, "and our near immortality."

That is when the Hunter finally recognized the tone, the way the Titan held his shoulders, and the proud glint in his eyes. He had seen it way too often in the eyes of Guardians who had a high sense of self – even amongst the civilians.

"Despite this nice 'chat' we are having, I have a feeling that you didn't bring me here for small talk." Angel blurted out, ignoring the glare he received from Toshak's way. Instead, he held up a hand, feeling Hope's form snuggling into his palm before bringing her form to his lap, and clasping his hands around her shell, keeping her hidden underneath the table, "especially since you had to shoot me in the head to do so."

The younger Guardian heard Lumir chuckle at his words, "I do apologize for Toshak's and Archer's actions, I did tell them to bring you back unscathed although, I didn't account for you actually fighting back."

Angel narrowed his green eyes at the leader of the Blossoms, "Wouldn't you if someone doesn't take no for an answer?"

A thoughtful hum can be heard from Lumir, "Your words ring true, young one." The smile on the Titan's face continued to unnerve the young Hunter, "Then, perhaps this conversation can end quickly, both parties leaving satisfied?"

Angel then tensed his shoulders, enclosing his hands around Hope's shell even further, "Let me guess, you want me to tell you about Isamu?"

Lumir's eyes brighten at his answer, "You are quite sharp, Pluto has taught you well." The Titan then leaned forward, the smile never leaving his face, "You see, after Isamu left the Blossoms, all of us held, regrets, and as such, we searched for him for years, hoping to apologize and fix any misunderstandings between us."

"Misunderstandings?"

A gleam can be seen in Lumir's hazel eyes at Angel's question, followed by a dark foreboding developing in the Hunter's stomach.

"The Blossoms understood his want of a child but with our duties, we do not have the time for such a task amongst our ranks." The Titan explained, "but we had come to a compromise and realize that perhaps if we figure out a schedule, a cycle to watch this child that he wanted so much, then it is plausible. Now, we just need our leader and founder back."

Pursing his lips together, Angel struggled with the question forming on the tip of his tongue, eyeing the other members of the Blossoms present in the room before his curiosity finally got the best of him, "But I have a feeling that this 'compromise' has to do with Isamu giving up something on his end?" Seeing the look of surprise overcome Lumir's features, Angel decided to add, "You keep mentioning a child, but I have talked to Isamu, listened to him speak. If he was indeed a founder of your clan, he would have a much bigger reason than for the fact that you refused to let him have a baby."

Feeling Hope shift nervously between his hands, Angel simply kept his gaze forward, keeping his eyes narrowed as saw Lumir's expression go completely blank, his eyes revealing nothing, "H'm, Pluto-99 taught you 'too well'. Or, perhaps that traitorous student of his taught you how to read body language? I have heard rumors that the Black Death can ready anyone like an open book."

Gritting his teeth, Angel gave Lumir the best glare he could muster, "His name is 'Ianos', and he is 'sick' with corruption."

"Corruption that would eventually turn him against us." A growl formed in the back of the young Hunter's throat, "Which is why the Revenants are heretics, thinking that they can control the very thing that is trying to kill us." A flash of anger can be seen in Lumir's eyes, "We are willing to let Isamu have a child, but to let him monger around with those traitors? He is simply confused, blinded by his strong desire to sire offspring." The smile formed back onto Lumir's face, "Once he realizes his mistake, he will come back to us, as the proper leader and founder of the Blossoms of Hope."

"In my eyes, you are functioning just fine without him," Angel snarled out, "why the obsession of bringing him back? He is much happier without you all."

That is when he felt not only Lumir's eyes, but also the organics of the group darken, feeling their anger slowly rise as Angel realized his mistake. He needs to take Pluto's and Ianos advice on how to carefully pick out his words.

"Happier? Without us?" The young Hunter can easily see the delusion in Lumir's eyes, "Isamu was the beacon of this Clan, our light, our 'hope'." Angel senses went on high alert as the Titan stood up, crossing his arms behind his back as he slowly made his way around the table, "However, as soon as he left us, we crumbled. Our name was put under shame because of what the Revenants had done, and our numbers have been dwindling since." Lumir came to a pause just short of where Angel sat, the young Hunter suppressing his panic as the Titan leaned in, "We need him back to regain what we had lost, and 'you' are going to help us find him."

Keeping his hands tightly around Hope's form, Angel lifted his chin and glared into Lumir's hazel eyes, "Sorry to disappoint, but I made a promise to Isamu that whatever information he gives me is to be kept between us, for the safety of the Revenants." The young Hunter saw fury build in the Titan's gaze, "and considering revealing Isamu's location would be revealing the 'Revenants' location, I am afraid I cannot answer your question."

"So, you are in allegiance with those heretics?" Angel paused at Lumir's question, his lips pressing together into a thin line; is he? He knows of Isamu, the Revenants, and their history, understand why they left the Tower in a fit of rage and wanting to govern themselves. But, despite his empathy towards them, Angel wasn't sure.

Before he can voice this to Lumir, that is when the young Hunter suddenly felt fingers wrap around his throat, and his head sudden being pressed against the back of his seat. Eyes wide, Angel forced his instincts to the side, keeping one hand around Hope's form while raising one and wrapping it around Lumir's wrist, taking in strained gasps as air left his lips but was not coming in.

"What are you doin'!?" Feeling his Ghost struggle in his grasp, Angel tightened his grip around her form, forcing her to stay in his lap; he wasn't to risk letting her out into the open with possible hostiles, "Stop! You're goin' to kill him!"

The edges of his vision going blurry, Angel then started to kick, feeling his knees hit the edge of the table as he struggled, feeling Lumir shift just slightly before finally, the Hunter felt the Titan's hands leave his throat. Taking in a stuttering gasp, Angel then leaned forward and started coughing, using his free hand to grab the edge of the table to steady himself.

"I see no Darkness in yours eyes," He barely managed to catch Lumir say, "but that doesn't mean that you are a fresh initiate."

"You think I am one of them?" Angel rasped out as he managed to lift his gaze, mustering up a glare, "you are more delusional than I thought."

He received another scowl from the Titan, "You met a Revenant and 'escaped' with your life intact. The only way that was possible if you were interested in joining their ranks."

Immediately, Angel let out a disbelieving laugh, sensing the older Titan give him a confused stare, "I never even heard of the Revenants until I met Isamu," He then straightened out his posture, taking in one final breath as the young Hunter cupped his hands over Hope's shell, "From my perspective, you are getting desperate in trying to regain your former glory, thinking that Isamu, an individual that 'you' had pushed away, would make things better again."

"We 'know' that he would make the Blossoms great again," Angel saw arc light flicker in Lumir's eyes, "and 'you' are going to tell us where he is."

Finding himself crumbling under the Titan's gaze, the young Hunter licked his lips nervously, contemplating on his choices. One, he could lie his way out of this, put on his best poker face and hand the Blossoms random coordinates to give himself time to escape. Or two, tell them the truth, that although Angel has indeed met Isamu, he has no idea of his location, and that his team had left him behind before he can even question where they were heading. Currently, seeing the true colors of Isamu's former clan, Angel thought about upright lying; he already decided he hated this clan and to see them running around in circles would be an amusing show from afar. But, as the young Hunter eyed the other members surrounding the table, a sense of paranoia tugged at the back of Angel's mind; who is to say that if he gave them coordinates that they were going to let him and Hope go? And the younger Guardian already experienced firsthand what happens when the Blossoms didn't get what they want.

With his mind made up, Angel nervously licked his lips again before answering, "Once again, sorry to disappoint, but I said I met 'Isamu'. Doesn't mean I know where he is currently located."

He saw Lumir's hazel eyes narrowed followed by the Titan pulling back his lips into a snarl, "What?"

Forcing his fears to the side, Angel forced himself to square out his shoulders, and narrow his eyes as he scoffed, "You think that Isamu would let me follow him to a base of enigmatic Revenants? A 'Tower' Guardian and a newborn compared to his years?" The young Guardian couldn't help but roll his eyes, "Considering how 'dense' you are, I can see why Isamu left you all behind."

That is when the young Hunter felt a strong hand grip his jaw tightly, the grasp painful enough to cause Angel to wince as Lumir leaned in and growled, "You lie."

Angel gathered enough composure to glower at the Titan, "You think that with the current situation that I am in, surrounded by obviously more experienced and stronger Guardians, that I would risk 'lying' to you? I maybe young, but I am not 'that' stupid."

Hearing Lumir let out a snarl of frustration, Angel then felt the Titan push his face away, finally feeling the man's fingers leave his jaw. Reaching up with one hand and touching the area tentatively, Angel winced at the fresh bruising already forming onto his skin before immediately forcing his features to go blank as the Titan turned and hummed quietly to himself, "Since you claim that you are ignorant of Isamu's location, then we will have to spread our search." He watched Lumir turn his attention back towards him, "Contact your team."

Immediately, Angel's heart froze, a chill running up the length of his spine as he struggled to keep his composure, "My team? What makes you think that-"

"Rumors spread fast, young one." Angel paused at Lumir's interruption, seeing a smile forming back onto the human Titan's face, "and considering how you just reacted, the rumors are true." The older Guardian approached him once more, "Your team had gone to the Revenants for help on 'saving' the traitor."

"Ianos is no traitor." Angel hissed out, snarling as Lumir simply took steps away, an amused grin on the Titan's olive features, "and I am 'not' going to contact them."

"Oh, you will." Another chill ran through the Hunter's body as he saw a glint flash sadistically in the Titan's eyes, "we just need to 'persuade' you a bit."

Seeing the man's gaze then lower to his lap, Angel promptly cupped Hope's form in his hands, further smothering her as he rumbled out, "You will 'not' harm my Ghost."

"You have it all wrong young one," Angel's body went rigid as Lumir ventured closer once more, "us Blossoms know that there are two ways to properly persuade a fellow Guardian to talk. One way is to keep their Ghost hostage but, of course, there are individuals such as yourself who would fight with all their body and spirit to keep them safe. As such, we found an alternative. We cannot harm the Ghost." Lumir's hand then settled onto his shoulder, and Angel let out a hiss as he felt the man's fingers dig in, "But, we can harm 'you'."