Redacted

Wait!

It's been a while, eh? Sorry for the lack of updates but time and motivation has been low lately lol. Anyway, this chapter is kind of short but I feel like if I add in anymore it would ruin the flow.

Staring blankly ahead of him, Pluto couldn't help but reset his sensors, hearing the familiar static fade before asking, "Can you repeat that again?"

A heavy sigh can be heard from Nix's form, Orion's silent mumbling emitting from his Ghost's core before he answered, "Akiva and I found survivors of the House of Kings from a coup d'état. Currently, Akiva and I are trying to help them while wrestling the two Revenants with us to do the same."

"We are right here you know."

"Anyway." If Orion had heard the interruption from the background, he did not acknowledge it, "We sent Angel a message since technically, he is our only source of Ether right now to help them. As for now though, we are trying to garner as much information as we can."

Scowling at the news, Pluto then asked, "Learned anything of significance?"

"That only their Kell is dead and half of their House defected to a new one that's forming. Doesn't have a name yet from what I can gather." Worry lingered into the Hunter's mind, "Not to mention we're not sure just how many of those loyal are still alive. It has been a few days and considering the survivors are mostly Ether-starved, not sure how many are left."

Heaving out a sigh as he pinched the bridge of his nose, Pluto's mind stirred with frustration and worry before saying, "Once you and the others have stabilized the survivors and ensure their safety, start searching the area. Since Eliksni have a strong pack mentality, I would not be surprised if they unknowingly camped near each other."

"That's what Trikxas said as well." He heard Orion let out a soft hum, "Definitely will check the surrounding area then. I will update you as soon as I can."

Despite knowing that the younger Exo cannot see him (after all, what's the need when Pluto has no use of his sight), he nodded, a sign for Orion to end the call. However, instead, Pluto found himself gong rigid as Orion then asked, "How are the others doing? Did they make it back safely?"

"Y-Yes." Pluto managed to stutter out, forcing the image of betrayal in Ianos' eyes away from his mind, "Gemini and Scorpio's team lost track of the Eliksni they were trailing. For, Ianos and I, it was already too late." He paused momentarily, gathering up as much half-truths he can, "A wandering Guardian had already engaged them, no survivors."

A breath of regret and grief can be heard emitting from Nix's core, "That actually might hurt us later on, but I guess it cannot be helped." A heavy sigh can be heard, "I am willing to guess the others made it back safely?"

"Not a scratch." Physically at least. Pluto will have to mend things with Ianos before Orion and Akiva return. The twins were already confused at his sudden distance from the Awoken, no need to add two more to the mix, "Just make sure that once you're done, you do the same."

"Roger that."

And with that, a click finally ended the frequency.

Waiting momentarily to ensure that Orion 'truly' had disconnected, Pluto finally let out a heavy breath, followed by the familiar hum of Nix hovering ringing in his sensors.

"Things are really getting out of hand, isn't it?"

"That is an understatement," Pluto mumbled out, rubbing the back of his neck as he added, "First we learn that Zakai is the head of the Revenants, then we learn that the Revenants actually have 'Hive' numbers amongst their ranks, and now there is a possibility that the House of Kings is no more." He reached up and rubbed his fingers just above his empty optics, "The longer we stay here, the more we unravel."

"Then perhaps it is time to talk to the Preceptor and find a way to stabilize Ianos without a Wizard present so we may finally make progress."

Lifting up his blind gaze towards where he believes Nix was, Pluto opted to say nothing and instead, just listened to the soft hum of his Ghost's hovering. Then, he sighed, "I am not sure if we can even perform this 'Harmonization' with how things are currently." Pluto then crossed his arms, leaning on one leg as he added, "How well do you think it would go if Ianos and Zakai were to see each other face to face?"

At first, met with silence, Pluto waited patiently before he heard Nix answer, "Not well." A short momentary pause, "No doubt that Ianos would Nova Bomb him through this base."

"I think it is better if we give them space and then bring up the Harmonization." Pluto muttered, "and let us not forget Nine and Knight. According to Gemini and Scorpio, they are catatonic."

"But will the Tower wait that long?" Pluto couldn't help but go silent at Nix's words, "Although I understand that the Preceptor had asked for leniency, we already spent time here long enough as it is. There will be no doubt the Consensus is getting impatient and the Vanguard will have to follow through."

Processing his Ghost's words, once more, Pluto opted to say nothing and instead, slowly make his way down the hall that they had found privacy in, tuning on his auditory sensors on high to see if they were still alone. As luck would have it, they were.

Pondering quietly on what the Revenants during this time of day, Pluto was just grateful that he and Nix were alone as he continued to speak, "Then all we can do is hope and pray that they will understand our long absence."

A mix of a scoff and a laugh can be heard from Nix, "From the Vanguard, maybe. But the Consensus, that is whole another story altogether.

Going silent once more, Pluto couldn't help but mentally agree; although he hated to admit it, there will be no doubt that the Consensus would be crying for severe punishment if he and the others return. More than likely they will advocate for exile or perhaps, separation.

Flinching at the thought, Pluto recalled many instances of when Guardians were forced into 'retirement', their Ghosts confiscated like tools to be 'refreshed' and then find another to be Chosen. According to what Pluto can recall, a forced separation never ended up with the shard of the Traveler finding another. Instead, the Guardian would rather take their own life than live one without their other half and their Ghost, in their grief, would go catatonic, and eventually their light would fade. Pluto will never understand why the Consensus are always adamant on this kind of punishment if it never went as planned. Then again, the Consensus were filled with mostly higher ups who had never seen a battle in their life, let alone understand how a bond between a Chosen and a Ghost works. That doesn't stop them however, and no doubt that is what they are planning when he and the others return.

Letting out a sigh at this, Pluto then thought about not returning to the Tower at all. He and the previous members of Galaxy had lived in the Wilds for majority of their time together. By the Light, they still had their old quarters out on that island in the middle of the sea, still in functioning order and supplies untouched by scavengers. It wouldn't be too difficult to simply pick up Ianos and the others and leave, leaving the wrath of the Consensus behind. Not to mention he still has the frequency of the younger Galaxy; he can easily send them a message to move to the island once they were settled. Pluto after all, brought them there on several occasions in case they need a refuge, just like the previous iteration of the clan after Venus' death.

But then that would leave the Trackers.

Ignoring the bewildered look he receives from Nix as he let out a frustrated huff, Pluto decided to trek down the hall, and kept his senses out to ensure their isolation.

Trackers, enforced not long after the fall of Rezyl Azzir, to literately hunt down rogue Guardians and either drag them back to the Tower or to kill them where they stand. Although laughable in comparison to Pluto and his ability to track and 'hide', the same cannot be applied to the younger members of their group. The Hunter could teach the others how to drop under the radar but, to acquire that level of detail and skill takes 'years' and not to mention that Pluto recalls that at least one Veteran Guardian, ones from the Dark Ages, is assigned to each Tracker team. No doubt they would know what signs to follow.

He could tell the others to simply stay on the island but, Pluto knows the young ones. Despite their claims of maturity and control, he knows easily of their restlessness and he knows that someday, they will try and sneak off the island when his is back is turned. And more than likely walk into the arms of the Trackers sent after them.

"Thinking about leaving?"

Tilting his head towards the soft hum of Nix, Pluto let out a small huff before responding, "Previously, but then I thought about those 'hounds'."

A snort can be heard from his Ghost, "No doubt we can easily lose them, probably Ianos as well. But the others…"

Pluto shook his head, "Too young, they will be caught within the year, first month if they assign someone skilled."

A short laugh can be heard from Nix, "I recall Sun's strong distaste for them for that reason." He then hummed, "We had to move our little hideout on several occasions because the Vanguard would keeping sending one of them over to make contact after we had left."

Pluto found himself quirking a smile, "I do recall Sun eventually killing the last group of Trackers as a warning."

Nix laughed, "The look on their faces when they were revived, and Sun shouted, as they quote, 'the illuminated meat bags' to leave us alone. It is forever in my memory banks."

His core warming at the memory, Pluto remembers the feeling of Sun's solar light as the aforementioned Exo burned with fire, their yellow bright with anger as they laid their wrath down upon the Trackers. It wasn't long after that the presence of the 'hounds' completely dissipated, allowing them to comfortably lay down their arms and hide themselves to properly grieve.

Despite their swift temper, Sun always ensured the well-being of the clan and those they had taken under their wing.

Pluto's smile splintered at the thought, "Do you think Sun would have done the same?"

Feeling Nix give him another confused look, Pluto decided to clarify, "I mean keeping Zakai's identity a secret from Little Light." He gestured his arms down the hallway, as if to empathize his next words, "I know that he loved the half-breed for years but, I had thought that in keeping his identity hidden, I would be protecting Ianos." Pluto then lowered his arms, his shoulders slumping as he added, "But it seems that I have, miscalculated."

Pausing in his words as he waited for an answer, Pluto was unable to stop himself from flinching when all he received was silence. Mentally pulling himself away from their bond to ensure the privacy of Nix's thoughts, Pluto decided to continue on his ample walk through the halls of the Revenant base, quietly taking notes of his trail.

"To be honest, I am not sure." Pluto once again tilted his head towards Nix's direction, "Sun always have been unpredictable in nature." Another thoughtful hum can be heard, "Always claiming that organics were the enemy but then the next would be the first to jump in to save a group of Refugees from Fallen." Pluto found himself snorting at Nix's words, "Considering their 'hidden' attachment to Little Light, perhaps they would have kept the Preceptor's identity a secret. But, knowing Sun, they might have just pulled Ianos to the side and told him the truth." A sense of amusement can be felt through their bond, "Remember the time when Ianos called them 'Bibi' for the first time?"

A smile formed onto Pluto's features; of course, he does. It was hard to forget the hurt in Ianos' eyes when he had turned the corner and bumped into him and Neptune, the latter of which immediately mothering the Awoken when he saw the tears. It wasn't long after when Neptune lead Ianos away that he had heard what had happened from Earth. If there was one thing that Sun was bad at, it was keeping their mouth shut. They were known in the Tower for sending many Chosen to tears with their sharp and blunt words. Perhaps they would have told Little Light the truth.

Knowing this though, it did little to cease the tension in Pluto's chest and soon, his smile faded followed by another sigh.

"This is bothering you, isn't it?"

"What do you think?" Pluto found himself snapping, "Little Light had been upset with me before but to this extent?" His sensors echoed with Ianos' words, the anger and hate easily heard in the Awoken's tone, "It made me think if I had made the right decision."

"Hence, the question about Sun?"

Nodding numbly in response to his Ghost's question, Pluto then sputtered when Nix then said, "Then why not speak with him?"

"Did you not hear me? Little Light 'despises' me at this moment." Pluto muttered, "With what had occurred, he does not even want to look at me, let alone 'speak' with me."

A silence then permeated between the pair, allowing Pluto to gather his thoughts as they continued to walk.

He remembers all the occasions when Ianos had been upset with him; nearly dying on a mission, accidentally calling the Awoken 'Exotics' and 'Traitors', and perhaps, the most before all this was when he was telling of the Galaxy's departure from the City. It was the first time he had ever seen Ianos shed tears of frustration, anger, and by the Light, it was probably the first time that Ianos had done him any physical harm outside the Crucible; never tell anyone that a punch from a Warlock wouldn't be painful. The hurt, the feeling of betrayal that he had clearly felt from the Awoken, it had been painful, and he had made a promise to Neptune after their travels that he was not going to let it happen again.

And look how well he had kept that promise.

"You know, you are probably right." Snapping out of his thoughts, Pluto couldn't help but jump from the sudden break in silence; if Nix showed any sign that he had notice, he showed little as they continued, "But, it would not hurt to try?"

Turning and giving his Ghost what he believes to be a blank look, Pluto, at first, had thought about retorting against the idea. Knowing Little Light, he would receive a Nova Bomb to the chest before he could utter a single word, or, if the Awoken's emotional state was unstable, before he could even take a step into the room. But, as Pluto thought about it, perhaps it is the best course of action. Sure, he would more likely be killed or, if Ianos still keeping his vow of not killing Guardians, would be seriously harmed, Pluto would more than likely deserved it. He did after all, keep the survival of his lover hidden.

Then afterwards, Nix would either revive or repair him and no matter how many times it takes, Pluto would eventually be able to converse with Ianos. Angry and upset, but nonetheless, a conversation, a chance to mend things between the two of them.

A sigh then escaped Pluto's lips. A talk it is then. And no doubt it was going to hurt.

Xxxxx

It was funny, if they were in any other situation, the way Angel scrambled into the cave would have sent Akiva sprawling, chest heaving as the Hunter came in cover in leaves and mud. Even Hope, her white and red shell usually pristine, came in looking more like a ball of moss and dirt. But, seeing the form of Abraxos safe in his arms, undamaged and clean where it wasn't touching the Hunter's body, reminded the reason 'why' the Hunter was here and as such, his amusement was quickly squashed as Angel shook the worse of the mess off of hm.

"Traveler, Angel! I know that you were raised by Eliksni but damn, keep your mess to yourself!"

Turning his attention towards Orion, Akiva's laughter threatened to surface once more as he saw the aforementioned Titan covered in the splatters of Angel's shake, the Exo peeling off layers of mud and foliage; Akiva had made the smart call and distanced himself from the human when he saw him enter.

"Sorry, but no time to properly wash myself." Was Angel's response, the latter of which already releasing his hold on the small Servitor before walking forward, holding up his hand to signal Hope to materialize a can of Ether into his grasp.

And that is when the calm was disrupted.

Having seen many of the Dregs resting against the cave walls, Akiva had made the mistake of thinking that they were perhaps not Ether-Starved as the Vandals, the Captain and Vraldyks. He quickly reevaluated this when he saw many of the smaller Eliksni jump to their feet and made a beeline towards Angel, clambering over the Hunter's form as the latter let out a shriek of surprise.

Eyes wide as he saw Angel's form disappear in a mass of Dregs, Akiva then forced the shock from his senses before striding forward and grabbing the first Eliksni he saw. Ignoring the squawks he received as he flung Dreg after Dreg from the pile, Akiva then attempted to force his hand through the bodies, only to jump when a shout permeated behind followed by a familiar sound.

A sound of a hand-cannon going off.

Momentarily distracted, Akiva turned around time to see Orion struggling against the Titan Revenant, the familiar language of the Eliksni snarling from his throat as he gripped the other's wrists. Spotting the smoking revolver in the Revenant's hand, Akiva then followed their line of fire, only for his senses to go cold. There, trembling weakly upon the cave floor, was one of the Dregs he had just forced back, vermillion trickling down the front of their chest as they chittered helplessly.

"Akiva! Stop him!"

At first, bewildered by Orion's words, Akiva then shifted his attention towards the other Revenant, only to spot the Warlock in question aiming his scout rifle down upon the scrambling group of Dregs. It was then, all Akiva saw was red.

Despite his years as a Guardian, Akiva always found it strange when his body moves without thought, moving without him even realizing his own actions. At times, it scares him, his moments of anger, moments of sadness, moments where he realizes his emotions are what controls his actions without his knowledge. However, this time, as he found himself slamming his forearm into the throat of the Warlock, dragging him until his body slammed into the cave wall behind him with a sickening 'crack', Akiva couldn't have been more relieved. Or infuriated.

"Did you just aim a weapon upon a 'defenseless' group of Dregs?" He hissed out, ignoring the buzz of energy crackling near the edges of his eyes, "What in the light are you doing!?"

Bewilderment was the first thing he saw in the Warlock's eyes, the latter of which blinked rapidly before they hardened, "What I am doing? What are 'you' doing?"

Feeling the Warlock's hands lock underneath his arm, Akiva simply stepped back when the Revenant shoved him away, lifting his guard when he saw a flash of sickly green in his eyes, "Your comrade-in-arms got attacked by those 'bugs' and yet, you still defend them?"

Narrowing his eyes at the Revenant, Akiva couldn't help but glance over his shoulder, barely catching Angel's form pulling himself away from the scrambling Dregs, muttering something in Eliksni.

"Wouldn't you do the same if you were starving?"

A poor comparison but it was the best Akiva could think of at the moment, especially when the Revenant Warlock flinched; more than likely he had struck a sensitive topic.

He then sighed, his shoulders slumping as he forced his crackling arc energy down, "Look, I understand why you aren't happy with the Eliksni, but they are 'not' the same ones that had done you wrong."

No sooner had the words left his lips when the Revenant Warlock's eyes hardened, and it was then that Akiva realized he had said the wrong thing, "I know that they are not the same ones that had done me hard, that they are not the same ones that had taken 'my' family away from me." A sound akin to a snarl permeated between the Revenant's lips, "But I do know that eventually, these Scavengers 'will' do us wrong. Today, or tomorrow."

With that, Akiva spotted a flash of green emitting between them, allowing him to finally notice the sickly violet forming in the Warlock's hands. Pain was the next thing that Akiva felt, feeling his feet leaving the earth as the miniature Nova Bomb was slammed into his chest. Hearing screaming as he landed, Akiva then felt agony penetrating against his skin, prompting him to reach out and dig his hands onto the breastplate of his armor. However, instead of familiar steel-alloy, his fingers burned against what felt like flames and it was then, Akiva realized that the screaming was his own.

"Akiva!"

The sound of a solid punch followed by a grunt and a body falling to the floor rang in Akiva's ears before the familiar cyan plating of Orion appeared in his vision, the younger Titan's hands hovering just above him.

"Shit," The wide look in the Exo's eyes was enough to tell Akiva of his own condition, the injury foreign but yet, at the same 'familiar' to the Titan, "I don't know how we are – stay away from them!"

The sounds of gunfire resonated through the cave next followed by Orion's form leaving Akiva vision, hearing the Exo cursing followed by more gunshots. That is when his agony lessoned, the burning sensation settling enough where the familiar hum of his Ghost permeated into his ears.

"Lex?" He called out, only to hear his Ghost let out a hush.

"Now I see why the Tower had a hard time with these Revenants," Akiva heard Lex comment, glancing in time to see the familiar beam of light settle onto his chest; he can see remnants of flickering violet burning away against his breast place, "Despite a mix of Light and Darkness, the Darkness is more prominent." Akiva felt pressure building around his wound; he gasped in response, "it's almost nearly identical to the Hive's magic." A hesitation, a pause, "Almost."

That is when Akiva felt his throat lock up, forcing himself to take in a stuttering breath upon hearing Lex's words.

Hive magic, no wonder the injury felt so familiar; the Darkness slowly burning away at his armor, burning against his skin, and gradually burning away his light. Akiva had experienced plenty of that when he and the Chargers stormed Crota's Ascendant realm. He recalls 'many' times when he or the others had to stop to lick away at their wounds. And he remembers it was a long and arduous process.

"Akiva, hey, look at me."

Feeling the panic building up in the back of his throat, Akiva forced himself to follow Lex's command, shifting his eyes and locking onto his Ghost's lone optic.

"Breathe."

That single word was enough for Akiva to take in a deep gasp, followed by rapidly breathing in and out. He hadn't even realized.

Attempting to get his breathing patterns back to normal, Akiva almost missed the sound of frustration that Lex had emitted. Almost.

"Why in the Traveler's Light does things never go right for us!?" The haggardness and the upset can easily be heard in his Ghost's voice, "Why can't anything go along as planned for once!?"

Pressing a hand against his chest once more, Akiva forced himself to relax when he noticed the absence of the flames and burning against his fingertips. He smiled sheepishly, "Bad luck just likes to follow us wherever we go."

Hearing Lex scoff at his words, Akiva then jumped when another gunshot resounded throughout the cavern, prompting the Titan to abruptly push himself upright. This was promptly followed by pain flashing throughout his body and Akiva curling in on himself.

"Euugh."

"Orion has it handled." He heard Lex snap followed by a short pause, "At least, I think so."

Strongly doubting his Ghost's words, Akiva forced himself to look up, easily spotting the green and brown clad form of Orion engaging the two Revenants, the young Exo ducking underneath the Titan's swings and shifting to the side to dodge the Warlock's estranged magic. In other words, he was doing well handling them on his own. But for how much longer?

Pressing a hand against the floor to push himself up, Akiva instead let out a hiss as pain once again spiked throughout his body. Instinctively lifting up a hand and placing it upon his chest, he barely comprehended Lex's sputtering, listening to his Ghost's parts shift nervously nearby as Akiva took in a breath and forced himself onto his feet. Agony ran through his nerves as his vision momentarily went white, Akiva barely regaining composure to steady himself.

Then, he launched himself towards Orion and the two Revenants.

With his senses buzzing from the pain, Akiva barely comprehended that Orion should not be his target and as such, was proud when he slammed into a form colored in red and black. Now the question is if he got the Warlock or the Titan.

A swift punch to the face was enough of an answer.

Rolling onto his side back onto the cavern floor, Akiva let out a groan as his body protested, feeling the burns against his chest throb as he pressed his hands against the floor and pushed his upper body off from it. That is when he felt a familiar hum of arc light buzz in his ears.

Forcing his eyes upwards, Akiva saw the Titan bring back an arc powered fist as he took a step forward, the latter rearing himself to gain as much momentum as possible. Taking in a sharp breath, Akiva then started to gather as much as the void within his chest quickly, praying silently that he could prepare his Ward of Dawn fast enough to counter.

However, just as he lifted up his hands to summon the powerful shield, a resounding 'bang' echoed through the cavern followed by a fiery explosion consuming the Titan. Hearing the Revenant scream before disappearing into a ball of flames, Akiva snapped his attention towards the Warlock, the latter of which had completely turned his back towards Orion.

"Onosi!"

Before the Warlock can approach his fallen friend, Akiva then jumped as another fiery shot exploded through the air, the Revenant barely able to let out a shout before they too were consumed by fire.

Waiting until the familiar shapes of their Ghosts hovered over where they had been killed, Akiva then took the opportunity to slowly turn his eyes towards the source, his eyes settling upon Angel's form, the latter of which still held the flaming gun in his hands as he sat upon the cave floor. Judging from the Dregs that were still clinging onto his arms and shoulders, it seems that he had somehow got them to at least stop their fight over the Ether, especially telling when a couple chittered quietly as silence filled the cavern.

"Angel." Akiva said slowly, gradually stumbling back onto his feet, "When did you learn how to use the Golden Gun?"

Instead of receiving an immediate answer, Akiva watched as he saw the familiar flare of solar light glint in Angel's eyes as the Hunter twirled the makeshift gun once in his hands and then finally saying, "Recently."

At first, confused at his answer, it took Akiva only a moment to realize that the younger Guardian had yet to dissipate the flaming revolver. He then noticed where Angel was taking aim.

"Angel! Wait!"

From the corner of his eye, Akiva saw Orion rush forward, arc light flickering around his body in an attempt to boost his speed.

It wasn't enough.

Akiva can stare on with wide eyes as Angel fired one shot and the Ghost of the Titan Revenant shattered into a display of glittering shards.