When someone tells you to do something, do you ever do the exact opposite? For some, it's to spite the other person. Some have a gut feeling that they shouldn't. And there are those who simply don't want to. These three reasons are what influenced my decision a week ago.

I woke up in a dark cave illuminated by the light of a small drone. Weird growths and green crystals surrounded us.

"Eyes up," it said. "It's time for us to go home."

Naturally, I asked where home was as I couldn't remember anything.

"Home is... somewhere else, in another dimension," it said. "It's beautiful, I can show you. All you have to do is descend deeper into the cave. There's a large cavern, used for conducting summoning rituals. I can tweak the runes to summon a portal. That will take us home."

Instead of going deeper however, I decided to go in the opposite direction, much to the protest of the drone. For an untold amount of time, I navigated the labyrinth, the little drone constantly urging me to go back. I refused. I wanted to escape this engulfing darkness, why would I go to the heart of it?

Part of me believes that I'm finally my own being, that my actions are no longer guided by…something else. I don't want this feeling of freedom to leave so I won't let a tiny drone dictate my choices.

I finally reached the cave entrance, and it was there that I realized what the drone had done to me.

It was dark out, but I could make out three beings a little bit smaller than I was, not too far from the cave. I called out to them, attempting to ask them where I was but I guess I freaked them out because they summoned strange energy and directed it at me, my vision obscured by a blue, purple, and orange glow.

When I woke up for the second time, it was morning. The soft sunlight warming my body. My little drone companion floated lazily a few feet away. I asked what happened.

"You died." It said flatly. "They killed you, but I brought you back to life. That's actually what I did the first time when you woke up in that cave."

I wonder if that makes me immortal.

"You're immortal so long as I live," it said as if reading my mind. "Which means you need to defend yourself against those…guardians."

My companion must've had a history with these so-called guardians since his voice was dripping with hate.

I asked if it was referring to those three beings that killed me.

He paused before answering. "Yes, and they'll stop at nothing to ensure that you're dead and I'm crushed beneath their boots."

But why? What have I ever done to them? If they reacted like that, does that mean there are others like me they've encountered? Perhaps I should go find these 'others'.

. . .

My little drone companion, who calls itself a ghost, tells me it's been three weeks since he first resurrected me. It feels like it's been longer. I've been killed so many times, I stopped counting.

Ironically, it seems like death is just another part of my new life. Most of my deaths have been at the hands of the guardians. I've asked my…ghost several times why they're called that, and he never gives me a straight answer.

They are quite fascinating. After my first few deaths at their hands, I started observing them from a distance. They are quite skilled at wielding the Light, at least that's the name of that strange energy according to my ghost. He tells me that since I was resurrected in the same manner as them, I should have similar abilities. So, they were dead too?

I've experimented, imitating the ways I've seen them use the Light against me. Apparently, I have an affinity for…Solar Light? So far, I've been able to form hammers of various sizes that match my armor. My ghost has been proud of my progress and wants me to use my abilities on the guardians. Again, why should I? Because he said so? Sure, they've killed me several times, but I still don't understand. What have I done to receive such treatment? I have yet to find the 'others' my ghost has told me about. Hopefully they have some answers.

. . .

One month. It's been one month since my ghost resurrected me. I've gotten quite adept at using my abilities. No, I don't actively seek out guardians to kill them. They seek me out. I've developed my abilities out of necessity.

I've gained a reputation out in the wild, apparently. My ghost has hacked into guardian patrol communications. They say: "There is a Hive Knight wandering around the EDZ with Solar Light abilities. His affiliation with the Lucent Brood is unknown. He has killed several guardian patrols, luckily their ghosts are intact. He does not stay in one place and his travel pattern is erratic. Capture him for information or kill him and his ghost. We are calling him the Wanderer Knight."

I'm being actively hunted. I've developed my abilities out of self-defense. I do not wish to kill these guardians despite the urging of my ghost, despite my countless deaths at their hands. All I want are answers. So, I'm starting with this Lucent Brood…whatever that is.

. . .

"Are you sure that's the correct knight? I know you've been tracking the ghost for some time."

"Yes. I re-ran the calculations just to make sure the light spectrum was the same, post-resurrection…your English is getting better."

"Your lessons have been most helpful."

"How do you feel?"

"Free. The haze in my mind is clearing. I no longer hear her voice."

"That's good. Those counter rituals were frustrating …why did you stay?"

"I want to help you."

"Why? Your anchor has been severed. You're free to do whatever you want."

"What I want is to help my kin. I am a monster, we all are. But what if we can be something more? To guide my brothers and sisters beyond mindless strength, free of her influence. You helped me see that."

"I see, I guess that makes you my research partner…what did you say his name was?"

"Volthelok."