The Great Ahamkara


Time Stamp: Unknown.

Location: Unmarked Marshes, Venus

Notable Events: The Ahamkara Hunt

"This is a bad idea."

"What?" The Warlock watched as the familiar star shaped form of his Ghost turned and gave him a blank stare, "You are not curious about these 'wish granters'?"

"Curious?!" The Warlock grinned as the black and orange Ghost scrunched their parts together, their orange optic wide as they stated, "Have you heard the stories of these 'prices' these 'wish granters' ask for? It's too high even for the smallest wish and just saying, these 'dragons' are asking for something much more than glimmer."

"Who says that I am going to make a wish?" The Awoken ignored his Ghost's sputtering, "All I want is to see one for myself. Perhaps a lively conversation if it is willing."

"A 'lively' conversation?" A groan emitted from the small drone, "What makes you think that it is going to lie down with you and have a cup of tea? What if it sees you as a little bite size snack instead?"

A snort escaped the Guardian, "Well, it is going to need some tea to wash me down, don't you think?"

"That. Is not funny."

Chuckling at his Ghost's words, the Awoken leaped over a fallen log, hefting his weapon back into his hands as he glanced around.

Spotting trees and foliage, the waters splashed under his feet as he walked, brushing aside any branches and leaves that got in his way; nothing too unexpected from the plant life of Venus. He had heard that the Ahamkara had been numerous but the Warlock had heard they liked the tall tree like structures of the second planet's forests and as such, the Awoken Warlock had considered his options and predicted that the chances of finding these 'wish granters' is greater on Venus; but that was before he had heard the news of the Great Ahamkara Hunts.

He had planned to find these dragon like wish givers later on in the year but after the news of the mass eradication of the species were heard, the Awoken Warlock knew he had to make do with an early trip, despite his Ghost's protests.

As such, here he was, in the marshes of Venus, hoping to find an Ahamkara hiding from extinction and to lie down with it to have a nice conversation without being eaten by it. Yes, his chances of finding one seems 'very high' at his current situation.

"You know, this search maybe futile," The Guardian heard his Ghost grumble as he continued to trudge through the marsh, "After the demand of the species extinction has spread, finding any Ahamkara is getting rarer by the minute."

The Awoken Warlock let out a hum in response, leaning over some foliage as he used one hand to brush some large leaves out of his path, "Perhaps, but that does not mean we should not try…" The Warlock's voice faded, his orange hues widening behind his visor as he came to a sudden halt.

A creature laid sprawled out before him, its bronze scales cracked and decorated with familiar scorch marks of gunfire and light, long claws gripping the wet hearth as it laid in the marsh. Judging from the fresh marks on its face and body, it was taking a rest from a recent battle, proven when its body shifted up and down from even breathing and flapping its crooked wings on occasion.

"Ahamkara." The Warlock heard his Ghost hover closer to his shoulder, "I suggest we move back slowly and carefully before it will take notice – too late."

The creature's yellow eyes focused in on the Warlock, lifting its head to gain a better position of the chosen, the latter of which couldn't help but take steps back in response; it was hard to stand your ground against something that can easily take a single bite out of you.

"Here to finish me off, Light-bearer?" The Ahamkara hissed, "Others of your kind have tried and failed. What makes you think you will be able to kill me?"

The Warlock couldn't think of an answer, his orange hues wide behind his visor as the creature loomed above him. Moments later, he dropped his weapon; the Ahamkara took notice.

"Are you afraid, Light-bearer?" The Awoken heard a deep rumble emit from the injured wish-giver; he guesses it must be an Ahamkara equivalent to a chuckle, "First time seeing one of my kind?"

"No." The Warlock watched as the creature leaned their head back, bewilderment clear in their golden gaze, "I have seen plenty. However,…" He hesitated, "You are the first I conversed with."

Another rumble from the Ahamkara; one of amusement, "So, you are here for a wish then?"

"No." Another look of surprise from the bronze creature, "I am just here, to talk."

"To…talk?" The look of confusion was clear in the Ahamkara's eyes, "You sought out a wish-giver, all to simply, talk?"

"What? Something new to you?" The Awoken couldn't help but snort at the narrowed glance he received from the creature, "There is no hidden plan nor any intents to kill you. I am simply curious of your species and what better than to learn about the Ahamkara than talking to one itself?"

A growl emitted from the creature; one of curiosity, "Why not a wish? Simply ask not just of the knowledge of my species, but the entirety of the universe as well. Why not just gain the knowledge now than simply wandering for years just to gain a small amount?"

"And lose the experience and wisdom gained from the journey?" The Guardian shook his head, "A simple wish can give you the knowledge, yes, but you gain 'more' if you try to attain that knowledge for yourself. So, wish-giver." The Warlock threw back the tails of his coat before taking a seat, waving his hand over to his Ghost to signal them to start recording "If you do not mind?"

The Warlock watched as the creature blinked, not once, not twice, but several times, as if taken aback by his words before the Ahamkara let out a rumble; a chuckle.

"You are an amusing one, Light-bearer." The creature hummed, "I have lived for many years but you, you are the first to want a simple conversation."

A smile formed onto Awoken's pale azure features, "There is a 'first' for everything, wish-giver."

"Call me Hikmat." The Warlock blinked, "Hikmat the Long River. And you are, Light-bearer?"

"I do not have a name." The Guardian watched as the bronze creature reeled back from surprise, "The price of being a 'Light-bearer' comes at the cost of memories. Most lose only some but there are rare cases that cannot even recall their own names. I am unfortunate enough to be one of those Light-bearers."

"A pity." The Guardian watched as the Ahamkara shook their head, "To live a life without a name. It is like living a life without honor."

Letting a sheepish smile form onto their features, the Warlock placed his hands into his lap, "So, my first question…"

Xxxxx

Time had gone by too quickly for the Warlock, the light of his Ghost the only thing permeating through the night when darkness fell. However, this did not deter the Guardian; it was the sound of rustling leaves that caused him to pause and focus his attention to his surroundings; the Ahamkara did the same.

"It seems we will have guests soon." The bronze creature let out a grunt, "and here I thought we had more time."

"We have enough time for one more question." The Warlock can sense the waves of amusement from the wish-granter, "if you do not mind that is."

Seeing Hikmat nod once to signify his approval, the Awoken Guardian continued, "What you have said earlier, about living without a name is like living without honor. Does that have a substantial influence amongst the Ahamkara?"

A deep rumble emitted from the bronze creature, Hikmat tilting their head before they responded, "Amongst my race, a name signifies your life, your soul. My name 'Hikmat' means knowledge and 'Long River' alludes to my years and the wisdom I had attained. It gives us an identity. Without a name, you are nothing. Just a husk of what you are and can be."

The Warlock paused at the words of the bronze creature, feeling the gaze of his Ghost on him. The Awoken, at first, thought a name wasn't important; just a title, nothing more, and what use of a Soldier of Light like himself need a name for when all he is a weapon against the Darkness. But the words of the Ahamkara struck a string within the Chosen and as such, the Awoken opened his mouth to ask another.

"We do not have time to continue this conversation, Light-bearer." The Warlock paused at Hikmat's words; it was true, the sound of whispers can be heard now and the light of passing Ghosts can be seen, "You should flee before you are spotted."

"What?" The Guardian pushed himself onto his feet, bewilderment clear in his eyes, "But what about you? It is no doubt that they are 'Light-bearers' that are searching around for you." He paused, hesitating before he finished, "They will kill you."

A snort can be heard from the old Ahamkara, "You think they can take me out so easily, Light-bearer? It takes much more than weapons and light to take me down."

Seeing Hikmat push themselves onto their feet and spread their feathered wings, the Warlock, at first, held no doubt of the creature's strength. But then he noticed the scars, the fresh wounds that cut across their chest and their wings were angled in awkward angles; they were crippled, grounded. They do not stand a chance on the hearth if they cannot take themselves to the sky.

"Hikmat –"

"You say you do not have a name, Light-bearer?" The Warlock paused, "Then take mine."

The Guardian reeled back from the Ahamkara's words, "What? What do you mean-"

"Long River, take it." The Warlock paused once again, "My people take many names throughout our years. We also give names to those we believe take credence."

Seeing Hikmat lean in, the Awoken stood still, feeling the breath of the Ahamkara even through his armor as the creature stated, "I bless you with the name, Long River. May it give you longevity and wisdom as it had done for me."

Suddenly, the Guardian saw Hikmat retract their head, their eyes narrowing in one area of the marsh before they growled, "Leave. Before they find you."

Taking hesitant steps back, the Warlock paused before giving the Ahamkara a deep bow, "Thank you, Hikmat."

Then he turned and rushed into the marsh.

Moments later, he heard Hikmat's roar echo through the trees.

Xxxxx

When he returned to the nest, he saw only broken scales and feathers strewn about the marsh. The path of broken branches and blood was enough to tell the outcome of the fight; Hikmat had lost and their body had been torn apart for their skin and bones.

The Chosen can only imagine the shouts of victory of the survivors, the Titans boasting off the skull of their kill while the Hunters would carve the bones into their armor, and the Warlocks would endow themselves of the Ahamkara's remains; he already seen those of his class march around their settlement with the skull of the wish-granters engraved into their helmet.

Numbness spreading through his body, the Warlock took slow steps into the nest, coming to a pause as he laid his eyes upon the place where Hikmat once laid; he can still see the imprint of the old Ahamkara, from the point of their claws digging into the hearth to the shape of their tail curling around their body. Feeling his throat tighten at the loss of the Wish-granter, the Guardian knelt down on one knee and slowly, started to collect the disheveled feathers.

"Guardian?" It was his Ghost, concern clearly laced in their voice as they clicked inside his helmet, "Guardian?"

Instead of immediately responding to the small AI's calls, the Warlock opted to remain silent, and instead focused on gathering as much as the bronze feathers as he could in his arms. When he sensed the familiar hum of his Ghost materializing into the air, the Awoken shifted his arms away, ensuring that the feathers were out of the drone's reach. Sensing an air of bewilderment emit from his Ghost, once again, the Awoken remained silent as he continued his work, up until he can no longer see any of the bronze feathers on the wet hearth. Then silently, he pushed himself onto his feet and headed down the path he had taken, ensuring that the small treasures he held in his arms were safe and secured.

I bless you with the name, Long River. May it give you longevity and wisdom as it had done for me.

Letting Hikmat's words ring in the back of his mind, the Warlock clenched his jaw, "Long River, huh?" He let out a bitter chuckle, sensing the stare of his Ghost behind his head, "Longevity and Wisdom? What's longevity and wisdom when you have no one to share it with? When I saw you, you were alone in that nest of yours, not another Ahamkara in sight." The Guardian then glanced down at the feathers in his arms, "And now look at you, nothing but feathers and bones of your former glory." He then paused, "Don't worry, I'll take care of you, or at least, what's left behind." The Warlock held the feathers closer to his chest, "Although it would require incorporating you onto an armor piece." He hesitated, "Would gloves suffice for you?"

"Your choice, o' bearer of mine."

Hearing the whispers fade from his ears, a ghost of a smile flashed over the Warlock's pale features before he added, "Then let us wander into the unknown, friend."

"Take care of me well, o' bearer of mine."