Place Unknown

Jaune fell through the portal and landed in a dark room. His fall was cushioned by something soft with two huge round objects smothering his head. Taking several breaths after falling, he looked up and found a pair of emerald eyes looking right up at him. He landed right on top of Pyrrha, his face between her…

"Oh gods, Pyrrha!" He said, his face going completely red as he quickly got up and moved away giving his partner space while his hand covered his crotch. "I'm so sorry!" He muttered to her, hoping she didn't think of him as a pervert.

"It's…it's alright Jaune. You didn't mean it." She muttered in reply, a blush forming on her face as she got up from the ground. Deciding to ignore the moment, yet briefly getting a glimpse of what he was hiding, she surveyed their surroundings.

They were in a dark chamber littered with numerous Vex parts. They saw that they weren't disassembled but torn apart as if ripped in half or blown up. Where they were, there were a few. But when they went further in, they saw the parts form a large hill taking up the very back of the cavern. At the top, they saw a casket of Vex architecture encasing a body. Taking their weapons in hand, they approached the casket. Looking in, they saw the body of a Exo Titan Guardian, arms crossed over his chest and purple-lavender ribbons coming out of the joints and gaps in the armor.

Their investigation was cut short by an explosion coming from the other side of the room. Jaune and Pyrrha brought up their weapons. Another explosion sounded and the wall across from them fell forward revealing their Guardian Lux Syphoid, angry with a shotgun in her arms. Looking right behind her, she stared up at the Vex Minotaur on its last legs as it hobbled towards her. Bringing up the shotgun, she fired at it, where it fell dead with part of its head missing.

"Miss Syphoid?" Jaune asked hesitantly.

"I…fucking hate…the Vex." She simply said in between breaths as she approached the two huntsmen in training. Her anger dissipated seeing the dead Exo-Titan in the casket. Looking on solemly, she placed a gloved hand on the top. Her ghost, Lucidious appeared and scanned the casket.

"Here lies the Exo Guardian Titan, Saint-14. He who slayed millions of Vex to create a mountain of them. The Vex Collective leaves his remains here, entombed as a sign of respect."

"Saint-14?" Pyrrha asked.

"A Guardian long before me, Summer or Prometheus-23 came around. He was there at the very early days of the Last City. Some say that he received a vision of a Guardian helping him at his darkest day. To inspire him to be a hero of the city. Last anyone had heard of him, he left to search for Osiris. Guess he never did." Lux said looking down at the fallen legend.

Her Ghost beeped. "I found a recording made by Saint-14. It's for the three of you."

"What?!" The three said together.

The ghost played the recording. A voice came up, mechanical with an accent that Lux recognized as Russian.

"To my friends; Guardian Lux Syphoid of the Last City, and the two huntsmen Jaune Arc and Pyrrha Nikos. I want to thank you for all that you have done. If it wasn't for you and your inspirational talk during my darkest day, I would not have been the Guardian that they tell stories of in the Last City. Every day, I try to immolate what you are. Even today, when I've destroyed a Vex Mind designed to drain my Light, and succeeded in doing so, I'm still trying. I've tried to send my Ghost away with this message, but the bastards destroyed him. They have at least shown me the courtesy of letting me leave this message onto these weapons so that you will know how much you mean to me. To Jaune Arc: I leave my sidearm Breachlight to help you aim true. To Pyrrha Nikos: I leave one of my Accolades to remember me by. And to Lux Syphoid: I leave my shotgun Perfect Paradox to help in your fight against Darkness. Well, what are you waiting for? Finish it!"

BLAM!

00000

The group of three left the tomb with solemn feelings. All three never knew the Titan, yet he knew them. Lux herself tried to figure out how Saint-14 knew them in the distant past, yet all threads pointed to time-travel Vex shenanigans. But the vex only have a means of manipulating time to a certain degree, nothing this extensive.

As they walked away downwards, Jaune looked down at his new sidearm while Pyrrha tied the accolade that Saint-14 left her. Her hand going over the lettering which was her name. It was faded like it was ages old. Still figuring out how Saint-14 got her name on this, she tied it near her skirt of her combat attire.

Both were grateful to the deceased Titan. Jaune looked up and saw in the cliff face near them a few caves with blue eyes watching them. He gestured to them. One of them emerged with a arc spear in hand, but this Fallen was shriveled with its skin hanging off the body.

Lux looked down the sights of her hand cannon, the one that helped her determine which ones are real and which are simulated in this place, but then lowered it again. "Don't worry, their simulated constructs."

The group continued passed. Pyrrha starred around her at the other caves and saw more eyes, more fallen starring at them

"What are they?"

"Possibly remnants of whatever Fallen house they're with. This is a simulation of a future where the Vex won. Light and darkness no longer existing. A universe where the Vex and only the Vex are around. My guess, a small remnant of the Eliksni barely clinging on to a universe that is doing its damned best to make them extinct."

Pyrrha looked on the simulated Eliksin in sadness. A race that it partly allied to humanity, while another part clinging to its own outdated ideals and traditions brought down to this. If this is what Mercury is like, she didn't want to know what Remnant was like in this future. Both Jaune and Pyrrha made a vow that come what may, if there was a way to avoid this future, they'll do anything to prevent it.

They made their way down and found a Vex Gate active. Thinking that it's the way out of this hellish simulation, they walked through it.

The three stood in place at the sight before them.

"Okay, this is new!" Lux said.

Before them was a pitch white void with a small courtyard before them. In the center of it was a pool of radiolaria fluid surrounded by three pathways away from it. They could see from where they stand that several vex unit of different programs going every which way. Vex of the Precursor variety passed by Vex of the Sol Collective going down the center pathway, while the Descendant Variety went down the right way, vanishing.

"We go left." Lux said, gesturing to the left pathway where no vex units went. The group of three skirted by the center, watching their steps from touching the acidic liquid. They then down the left way and vanished.

Only to appear in another time on Mercury entirely.

They found themselves in the golden fields of Mercury's past, the newly constructed Vex architecture newly laying the foundations of what will be. Behind them, the entrance to the Infinite Forest shone brightly under the sun, newly made. The only thing of difference was near the entryway they came through. Around them were the remains of a human camp, data packets, computers, tents and a fire pit were nearby. They looked around themselves. Lux bringing up her hand cannon trying to see something that will help them.

"I'm looking down the sights of this weapon, but no data, no simulations. Nothing."

Lux's Ghost drifted to a bunch of data terminals and scanned them. That's because we are not in a simulation. We're in Mercury's past! For real!"

00000

The three sat at the camp, Lux muttering to themselves about their current predicament.

"Alright. We went through the Infinite Forest, found out the vex are creating a future where they are the only thing left in the universe. Separated by the Vex Mind in charge, exited a simulation of said future and wound up here in Mercury's past. How?" Lux summarized their predicament.

"X-Ray and Vav!" Jaune shouted out loud getting to his feet.

"What?" Lux said confused.

"X-Ray and Vav? The comic series which turned into a large movie franchise. Have you not seen it?"

"I'm sorry, I was busy protecting mankind from time-spanning robots and undead god-like entities to watch or read nerd stuff." Lux said.

Jaune sighed as he tried to explain. "In X-Ray and Vav comic #142; X-Ray and Vav along with their partners in Team Lads failed to stop the megalomaniac monarch The Mad King from forging the Eternal Crown using the five pieces of the fabled Tower of Pimps. He used the crown to wipe out a 1/3rd of the population and enslaved the rest using its power."

"Still not seeing the relevance." Lux said with Pyrrha nodding, she having not being that big of a fan.

"In order to undo it, they seek out and find the legendary Temple of Doors; an extremely large temple in the shape of a door containing knowledge of all time and space along with two doorways inside."

"Get to the point please." The Guardian said exasperated.

"The point being that the temple itself exists at the same place at the same time in both the past, future with the main entrance leading to the present. Meaning that they entered through their present, went through a doorway leading to the past; collected the pieces and undid the Mad Kings plan. Then succeeding, placed the pieces back in their original place to prevent a paradox. I bet, the Infinite Forest follows the same logic." Jaune finished.

Lux's Ghost floated down. "I think I follow." He then used a bit of light to create a diagram on the floor: a large circle with a line right under it. Three dots at the front, center and end of the line.

"The circle represents Mercury and the Infinite Forest itself. And the line below is time. I theorize that the Vex can travel from whatever point in time on Mercury through the Infinite Forest and exit the same place at a different time while delivering information pertaining to that period of time to create the numerous simulations."

Her Ghost looked at the three and saw some understanding but still confusion. Lux simply rubbed her head in frustration.

"Okay, let's just say Vex Time travel shenanigans and just leave it at that. So, we've landed in a simulation of Mercury's future, saw Saint-14's tomb, left the simulation and found ourselves in Mercury's past. Why?"

Their answer came to them via the console. "This is Saint-14 with the residents of Zephyr Station. We are being overrun with members of the fallen house of rain! Requesting any Guardians in the vicinity for assistance!"

They were silent after hearing that.

"I believe that's we're here to help him and inspire him." Jaune said.

00000

The three quickly picked up their things and ran with all their might through the fields of Mercury and the newly risen Vex architecture. They jumped over a creek filled with radiolaria which would eventually become a chasm in the future. They soon entered a Vex building and exited into a tunnel which led to a camp site.

To their horror, they saw the camp site on fire with tents, and small easy to assemble buildings torn down and in pieces. Fallen of both Dreg, vandal and captain baring the deep purple cloaks and sigils of House Rain pillaging. In the center of the chaos, pinned down by a combination of two Fallen Walkers and a large Prime servitor firing down at him, was the Guardian Titan Saint-14.

"Pyrrha, you try and use your semblance on the machines and give Saint-14 some breathing space. Me and Jaune will handle the Fallen." Lux said bringing up her new hand cannon and killing several dregs nearby. Jaune brought out his sidearm and aimed. Thanks to numerous shooter games, he proved to be quite adept at it. Pyrrha ran out and threw her weapon in its javelin form and pierced the center eye of the Prime Servitor. It screeched in pain and turned its eye to the source. Pyrrha seeing it about to attack, used her semblance to rip out her weapon along with the eye of the Servitor, making it blind. It drifted aimlessly trying and failing to hit her. One of the fallen Walkers turned to her and aimed at her. She once again used her semblance to crush one of its legs causing it to vent itself to avoid overheating. The other one blasted the ground near her, forcing her to jump and land on both feet to continue fighting.

Lux activated her Super and sent a Nova Bomb and decimated a group of Fallen, while Jaune used his new sidearm to shoot at Dregs. When he came upon a Captain, he switched to his sword and fought him. The captain activated his other three blades and soon Jaune found himself defending himself well against four blades.

"You are good." The fallen captain said when they broke apart.

"So are you." Jaune said as he held his shield up and sword ready.

"Be a shame to kill one that is skilled. But you interfere in our survival. What is your name so I can immortalize your death into my legend." The captain said bringing its blades up.

"Jaune Arc." He said as he readied his own.

"Well, Jaune Arc, I am Oraksis of house Rain, and your blade and head will decorate my trophy wall." The captain said as he charged at Jaune. Their blades connected as the two combatants tried to get the upper hand with the other. As the Fallen captain shoved Jaune backwards and proceeded to deal the final blow.

PEW! PEW! PEW! PEW-PEW!

Jaune brought up his newly acquire sidearm and shot the charging Captain, breaking his shield and dealing a shot to the head, killing him. Jaune lowered the sidearm, nodding in approval of his new weapon and looked to his companions. Lux was dealing with the final fallen Walker in her radiance Super, while Pyrrha dealt the killing blow to the Prime servitor. Both opponents blew up and the battlefield was soon quiet, save for the panting of a certain Exo Titan, who deactivated his Ward of Dawn and took a knee.

As the group approached the Titan, Pyrrha got a good look at him. The same as what she saw in the Simulated future she saw the tomb, but with major differences. The first being that he was helmeted with a unique look with a tall, ornate plume on top of the helmet, reminiscent of that of a medieval knight from ancient Earth and Vale. His armor was shiny and silver with a small golden plate with the symbol XIV embedded on the front. The only difference was there were no purple and lavender accolades on him.

"Are you alright?" Lux said bringing the Titan up to his feet.

"I…am alright." The Titan said, gazing around the devastation. "I did not realize that there was another Guardian stationed here. Nor…teenagers with abilities like your own?" Saint-14 said gesturing to Pyrrha and Jaune.

"Their trainees for a new class of Guardian…huntsmen! We've just got your frequency and came as soon as we could." Lux said quickly giving them a cover.

Saint-14 hummed in response, still gazing around him at the devastation. "I thank you for your help. But I am saddened." He slowly walked towards one of the destroyed tents, the original owner laid within, torn to shreds. "I promised them a new home. I came here with over a dozen families, told them this was a Garden World, where they can be safe from the monsters. But the vex were here first…murdering them…then the fallen of House Rain…they butchered the remaining families…they are monsters! I should have protected them." He knelt and covered the deceased eyes. "I should be dead."

It broke the threes hearts hearing the Titan say those words. They looked towards one another, silently agreeing on their next course of action. Lucidius floated towards the Titan, catching the latter's attention from his sorrow. Behind the Titan's helmet, his optics went wide seeing what the Ghost displayed: a hologram of the Last City in their present day, the awakened Traveler high above.

"We shouldn't be showing this, but screw it!" Lux said gesturing to the hologram. "This is the Last City, hundreds of years in the future. The Traveler awakened, high above. People singing and celebrating a new Golden Age."

"Your heroics inspired numerous Guardians to be like you, to fight for a better future you helped pave the way. Because of what you do tomorrow, the people living in the city today will have children of their own, and their descendants will live in this city now." Pyrrha said joining in. jaune soon followed suit. "And the only way this will happen, is for you never give up and to keep moving forward, even from this tragedy."

Saint-14 continued to look at the hologram, deep in thought. He then turned his gaze to the three. "I see. You have given me much to think over."

Lux approached the Titan and brought out the Perfect Paradox shotgun and handed it to him. "Here. You'll need this more than me." The titan looked at the shotgun in his hands and placed it on his back. Jaune was the next to approach and handed him the sidearm. "For you to save those who need you." Pyrrha was the final one to approach the Titan and undid the Accolade from her skirt, approaching the Titan, she tied it near his chest plate, right by the XIV symbol on his chest. "To remind you of us when its Darkest."

Saint-14 gazed down at the accolade on his chest, the name Pyrrha Nikos on the ribbon. He looked back up nodding at her. "Thank you, Pyrrha Nikos. I will remember you and your words."

00000

After several hours of helping Saint-14 make a pyre for the deceased families. Bidding him farewell and good luck, Saint-14 gazed at the accolade again, imprinting the name of the huntress in his memory alongside the names of Lux Syphoid and Jaune Arc. Taking their words of wisdom at heart, he decided there and then to lead by their example to never give up, to keep fighting for a better tomorrow. As he bid his ghost, Geppetto, to summon his jump ship, he starred down at the accolade on his chest. He decided to make and don more of these accolades, one for every person he saves and for those who inspire him.

I was torn on how to explain Saint-14 being brought into this story. The first was my explanation listed in this chapter. By entering Mercury at one point in time, traveling via the Infinite Forest allowing them to travel to a different point in Mercury's time. The second was having Saint-14 being trapped in a loop where he experiences his two worst days: the destruction of Zephyr Station on mercury and being drained by the Vex Mind on Mercury and dying by their hands. I think I've made a good choice.

The next chapter will be breaking from my pattern with two chapters of Osiris followed by two chapters of Warmind. The next one will be an Osiris Chapter featuring Saint-14...and who is responsible for Lux and the two members of JNPR for time traveling to save him!

Happy Dawning everyone!