Light Does Not Yield Chapter 13: Mother of Lies, a Destiny + Owl House Crossover fanfic

Hello, I'm back. Season of the Splicer is officially over; time for Season of the Lost. My noggin is a jogging. I have plans that cannot be disclosed. Now, to begin the buildup.

If you enjoy it, feel free to leave a review saying what you liked. If you hate it, feel free to leave a review in which your OC dunks on me for being an idiot.

Chapter 13: Mother of Lies

"Truth is a funny thing." - Savathûn, the Witch Queen

A week had passed since the Vex incursion into the Eliksni Quarter. Things had returned to some semblance of normalcy in the Last City. The sky shone with sunlight once again, and everyone was at ease.

The same could not be said for the Guardians. After the disaster, Future War Cult abandoned the city. New Monarchy and Dead Orbit were right on their tail. The factions had scattered, leaving the Vanguard as the sole members of the Consensus. Osiris had also not turned up. Ikora was busy dispatching teams across the system, but the Sunsinger had yet to be found. Saint was beside himself with worry, scouring every corner of Earth whenever he wasn't busy helping Zavala manage the city.

Royal had also taken the news of Osiris's actions poorly. When coupled with Luz's conversation with Outcast, he was not having a good week. He had joined several search parties, determined to hunt Osiris down. Whether he wanted to make Osiris stand trial or simply provide some kind of explanation, Luz couldn't tell.

For Luz, life had returned to normal. She went on patrol, spent time with Eido, trained, meditated, and all that jazz. She was in the training room, doing precisely that with Royal. The two sparred with practice swords, primarily for Luz to get the technique down. Amity wasn't far away, trying to conduct an electrical charge through her hands. Malek had offered some instructions on how to be a Striker. One must load their fists with the power of a storm and fall upon their enemies like a thunderbolt. After all, at close quarters, a fist is better than any gun.

Luz thrust her sword at Royals chest, only for him to push it aside. She recovered, going for a rising slash into a horizontal cut. Royal blocked both, nodding as he watched her footwork. Luz continued hammering at his guard, eventually leaving herself just a little too overextended. Royal noticed and struck her knuckles with the flat of his blade. Luz yelped as she dropped the weapon, shaking her hand to dull the sharp pain.

"You're getting better," he said. "Just watch your guard."

"Do I really need to know how to use a sword?" She asked, nursing her hand. "Won't I be able to just use the Light?"

"When you've got a Hive Knight bearing down on you, a little blast of lightning isn't always going to stop it," Royal said. "That's a good way to get yourself split open."

Accepting his reasoning, Luz reached down to pick up her sword. She could feel frustration bubbling up within her. It wasn't directed at Royal; she had long since learned to accept that he was more skilled due to his greater depth of experience. Instead, she was frustrated at herself. She wasn't getting better, not where it mattered. She was supposed to be a Guardian of the Light, a protector of the innocent, a hero. So far, she had driven a man to suicide, nearly murdered another, and failed to prevent Lakshmi from almost wiping out House Light. She didn't feel much like a hero.

To be fair, it didn't seem like Royal was doing much better. He tried his best to put on an appearance of calm for her benefit, but it was clear that he was ragged and tired, especially since it had been revealed that the Vanguard had not been informed of the portal doors' existence. Needless to say, Zavala was not happy having yet another thing on his plate. Fortunately for the Titan Vanguard, the portal was still inoperable. Much to Amity's frustration, Osiris had stolen the finalized samples of Titan's blood.

Drawing her training sword, Luz slipped into her stance. Before they could resume their bout, the door to the training room opened. A lithe Awoken man quickly stepped through. Most of his face was obscured by his hood, save for the distinct yellowish-orange glow of his eyes. If Luz hadn't known better, she would have thought he was related to Royal. He beelined straight for Royal, prompting the Dawnblade to lower his weapon.

"Saint wants to see you," he said before gesturing to the three Guardians. "All of you. We've found him."

Luz watched as Royal and Amity shared a look. The Witches brow furrowed and she nodded. Royal turned back to the newcomer. "Understood."

"Where did our search parties track him down?" Luz asked. The newcomer shook his head.

"They didn't," he said. "He's in the Reef, the Dreaming City specifically. And it was Queen Mara who contacted us." Luz's eyebrows rose in surprise, and she could swear she had heard Royal mutter something under his breath. If what she had read was true, the Reef was the birthplace of the Awoken, who had suffered devastating losses during the Taken War. And that included Queen Mara.

Then there was the matter of the Reef itself. The Reef was a mess of tangled shipwrecks on the edge of the system that had tried to flee the Collapse only to be struck down. It existed in its own nebulous pocket dimension of space that Luz didn't fully understand.

"What business would Osiris have with a long-dead Queen?" Royal mused, setting a hand on his chin.

"We don't know," the newcomer admitted. "But Saint wants to find him, fast."

"So he's bringing us in?" Amity questioned. The newcomer shrugged.

"He wants people who Osiris has worked alongside recently." Amity accepted that with a nod, and the newcomer gestured for them to follow her.

Luz walked beside him as Royal and Amity pulled up the rear. "If we're going to be working with each other, we may as well be on a first-name basis. I'm Luz." She offered a hand to the Hunter.

"Believe me, after what you did to Quria, I know who you are," the newcomer said, accepting her offered hand and shaking it. "They call me the Crow."

"Crow's a funny name," Luz said. Crow gave a soft chuckle.

"It's the only one I've got." He led them to the hangar, where Saint was waiting by his ship. The Titan was pacing in a circle, fiddling with his hands as he waited. He perked up as they entered, gesturing them to come over.

"Friends, it is good to see you all, though our mission is grim," he began. "Ikora has issued a warrant for Osiris's arrest. She has questions about his involvement in Lakshmi's attack on the Eliksni. I volunteered to collect him from the Dreaming City, where he now hides." He held up a solitary finger, pointing at each of them in turn. "No one will touch Osiris until I know the truth." His hand lowered, and he let out a weary sigh. "He has acted rashly in the past, but... I have never seen him willingly endanger the city. Something is wrong. I have felt it for some time now. He is… distant."

"We'll find him," Royal said. "I promise, no harm will befall Osiris until we have our answers. I'm sure he has a reasonable explanation for everything." Saint voiced his agreement and the group mounted up.

Their engines roared to life, churning with fuel as they took off. Saint had given them all the coordinates they needed. The five flew in a loose formation as their ships tore across Sol. In the distance was a nebula of multicolored gasses dotted with chunks of asteroids and shipwrecks. Luz lightly tugged on her throttle as she wove around the debris.

"This place is a minefield of hazards," Crow said. "Conform to my trajectory; I'll get us through."

"I was not aware you had been to the Reef," Saint said.

"I haven't," Crow admitted. "But this place feels… familiar. It's like I'm retracing my steps in the dark."

"Whatever gets us through here quicker," Amity said. "What's the Dreaming City like?"

"I've never been there myself," Royal said. "But I've heard the stories. Supposedly, Savathûn unleashed a curse upon it, dooming the land to a cycle of corruption and renewal for all eternity."

"Well, we have plenty of experience with curses," Amity said. Royal did not respond as they finally entered the Reef. Luz felt her ship begin to shake violently as it passed through the Dreaming City's atmosphere. She touched down near Saint's coordinates, disembarking alongside Amity and Crow. They stood outside the Harbingers Seclude, a massive monastery home to the Awoken's most important rituals and rites. Royal and Saint continued overhead, going for another entrance around the back.

"This is where Mara told us to be," Saint reported. "Move in, but be wary of Hive. Something has them in a frenzy. We will circle around and try to find another path." Luz confirmed and tried to push the colossal doors open. They refused to budge, barring her path like titanic shields. Amity stepped up to the main door and placed her hand against it.

"There's magic in here," she said. I can practically taste it. But it's… different, like another flavor."

"What does magic taste like?" A somewhat bemused Crow asked.

"Awoken magic tastes like… is that lavender?" Amity said. "I've never really thought about the 'taste' of my magic. I guess each branch would be like a differently-flavored vapor."

"Can you use your magic to open it?" Luz asked while Crow pondered what to do with this information. Amity grinned and cracked her knuckles. She slammed the heel of her boot into the doors, causing them to violently swing on its hinges. They crashed into the wall, unleashing a thunderous smashing sound.

"Who said I need magic," Amity said, flexing her arm as the sound echoed through the halls. After a second, the distant sound of roars cried out in response.

"Great, if they didn't know we were here before, they definitely do now," Crow said. "I personally prefer a more stealthy approach. Now, we've woken the Hive." With that, the Hunter pressed forward. Amity watched him go with a frown.

"We've woken the Hive," she repeated mockingly, trying to mimic his voice. Luz giggled at that, causing Amity to grin a little. They pushed in after Crow, only to be stopped as the Hunter held up a hand. He peered around a corner, scouting what he could find.

"Thralls up ahead," he reported. "Dozens of them."

"Bet I can get more kills than you," Amity said, pulling back the bolt on her pulse rifle. Crow smirked, a competitive gleam in his eyes. He drew a silver hand cannon with elegant engravings of bird wings etched into the frame.

"You're on."

"Guys, we're here on a mission," Luz said. Her words fell on deaf ears as the two sprang into action. Crow flung a fan of knives into the Thralls, cutting the closest ones down. Amity wasn't far behind, charging at the Thralls while firing her rifle as fast as she could. Once she got close enough, she swapped to her gauntlets and began tearing the Hive apart. If she had any qualms with taking their lives, she certainly didn't show it. Luz sighed and drew her own hand cannon. She set about cleaning up whatever stragglers the other two left behind.

The Guardians cut through the Hive forces, staining the ground until it was redder than a Goblin's optic. Eventually, Thralls gave way to Acolytes who quickly took cover and began laying down suppressing fire. Amity raised her shield as Luz crouched behind her. She absorbed most of the shots, bashing Hive to pieces with each swing of her arms.

"Thrity-one! Thirty-two! Thirty-three!" She counted, accentuating each number by splitting an Acolyte in half or caving in their skull. A thunderous slam shook the ground as an Ogre pushed through the doorway. The overgrown Thrall roared and fired a swarm of Void blasts. Amity raised her shield, projecting a protective wall before her. It absorbed the shots while Luz prepared a heavier weapon. Before she could open fire, a trio of blazing golden beams punched through the Ogre's face. It disintegrated into vapor as Crow dismissed his Golden Gun, smirking the whole time.

"That still only counts as one," Amity grumbled. The three pushed forward to a large open room with a fountain-like structure in the center. One wall on the side was missing, opening the room to a massive chasm filled with ethereal mist. The ground was literally with glittering amethyst crystals. Across the room was a large door sealed by three chains, each with a glowing runic seal. A few Knights stood guard as three Hive Wizards wove their vile magics. Amity retched as she entered the room.

"Oh Titan, Hive magic is rancid," she said between coughs. "I can feel my tongue trying to claw its way out of my throat." Crow rushed past her, taking up a perch atop the structure in the center of the room. He summoned a swarm grenade and primed it before throwing it at the nearest Wizard. The grenade soared through the air in a gentle arc, bursting into dozens of fragmented explosives as it neared the Wizard. It shrieked as its shields collapsed. As it died, one of the seals was vaporized.

"Those Wizards are powering the locks," Crow said as the Knights drew their blades and charged. He jumped off his perch as the other two caught up with him. He emptied his chamber into one of the Knights' shields before dodging out of the way of their downward swing. The Knight's blade cracked the ground where it landed. Two more descended on Luz while Amity tangled with one of her own.

"We are making our way through the opposite flank!" Saint shouted into his radio, struggling to be heard over the explosions and the distinct rattle of Lament. "The Hive are swarming! We will be as the mighty crabs of old and pincer them! Break their lines and meet me at Osiris's signal!"

"I haven't seen them this riled up in… ever, actually," Royal said. There was the sound of swords clashing and a Knight roaring in pain as Lament tore through him. "This has Xivu Arath written all over it."

"Things are pretty fierce here as well," Luz replied while Amity decapitated her Knight with a shield toss. Luz quickly backpedaled away from one Knight as he tried to cut her gut open. The second one came in with a backhanded strike. Luz dodged and retaliated with a burst of lightning that caused the Knight to convulse. As she tried to shift her attention, the first Knight returned and swung his sword through her midsection. Luz felt her breath hitch as all feeling below her waist vanished. She was aware of her now lifeless legs giving way underneath her as her chest exploded in agony.

Luz's upper half hit the ground as the Knight snarled. He raised his blade again and brought it down on her face. Luz didn't have the energy to cry out as the weapon cut through her skull. Then, everything faded away.

The next thing she knew, life was flooding back into her. Aurora floated above her, shining Light onto her body. Amity was between her and the Knights. She plunged a fist through the chitin covering one Knights chest, coating the armpiece in the Hives guts. She dropped a grenade in his innards and pulled her arm back out. The Hive exploded violently, coating Amity and the remaining Knight in viscera. The Witch rounded on the last Knight as he tried to strike her. She caught his sword arm by the wrist. He tried to punch her face, only for her to grab that too. She planted a boot on his chest and pulled. There was a sickening pop as the Knights arms were torn clean off. The Knight screamed, more from anger than agony, and tried to charge again. Amity simply tackled him to the ground and whaled on his face, her fists cracking his exoskeleton with each swing. She let out a furious cry as she raised both fists overhead and brought them down on the Knights face, caving it in.

Breathing heavily, Amity crouched over her defeated foe for a moment while Luz watched in awe. The Witch eventually stood up and offered Luz a hand. She pulled the Warlock to her feet as Crow took down the last two Wizards. The Hive seals faded, and the door creaked open with a haunted sound.

"Thanks," Luz said to Amity as she felt up her stomach to ensure it was back in one piece. "Watching you go feral like that is..." she cleared her throat, trying to hide the mounting buzz in her voice, "certainly something else."

Amity looked down at her hands and tried to wipe the remnants of the Knights brain off her gauntlets. "Sorry. I just don't like seeing you die. It brings up bad memories." One of her hands wrapped around the opposing elbow as she seemed to shrink in on herself. "I'll stop if it makes you that uncomfortable."

"I didn't say that," Luz quickly interjected. "We need to look out for each other in the field. You're just really good at it."

"Someone's gotta keep that cute face of yours in one piece," Amity said. Realizing that she had unintentionally voiced her thoughts aloud, she immediately clammed up. "Sorry, sorry, you're not interested. I'll just… go see what Crow's up to. Don't want him getting more kills than me."

With that, she slinked off, leaving Luz to stand over the broken Hive corpses. Despite herself, she felt a little hot. She couldn't see it, but a blush had spread across her face. Rationalizing that the heat was just her Solar Light flaring up in combat, she set off after the other two.

She rejoined Crow and Amity behind a large barrier. The room ahead was filled to the brim with Hive, and there was a strange, small obelisk not far away from them. A Tombship floated overhead. The ground was coated in Taken matter, which choked the air with its acrid scent.

"How nice of you to join us," Crow said with a sly grin. He pointed to the obelisk. "I know what those are. It's an Awoken device that allows you to slip into the Ascendant Plane. We can use it to circumvent all these Hive and get closer to Osiris." There was a shimmer as Crow's Ghost appeared beside him.

"We use them to hide from Xivu Arath's Wrathborn," he said. Crow shushed him.

"Stalk, Glint," he corrected, slightly exasperated. "We were stalking, not hiding."

"How do we use it?" Luz asked. Crow cracked his knuckles.

"Leave that to me," he said. Luz nodded while Amity sighed and swapped her pulse rifle for a shotgun.

"Why do we always get the fun missions?" She asked. Crow drew his hand cannon as Luz charged herself with lightning. Amity counted down from five, and the three leaped into action. Amity vaulted over the railing and landed on an unlucky Acolyte, crushing his skull and the ground beneath her boot. She took off, charging through the Hive to reach the obelisk. Luz flew overhead, blasting swathes of Hive apart with her lightning. The Tombship opened fire, blasts of Void energy exploding around the women.

Crow dodged a Knights shots, firing a few rounds into his head as he returned. The Knight snarled and raised its free hand, projecting a wall of phantasmal essence. His chitin began to stretch back into place, covering his wounds. Crow didn't give him time to heal, throwing a tripmine behind the Knight. His three eyes fixated on the explosive as it activated, sending the Knight back to oblivion.

Holstering his hand cannon, he wove between the blasts as Luz tried to bring the Tombship down with her storm. The Tombship responded by swinging its guns to face her. She gritted her teeth and dodged the blasts, pushing closer to the obelisk. Crow slid beside it and set to work, manipulating it through some method Luz couldn't determine. Amity was sent flying by an Ogre's backhand. She manifested a large Abomination to catch her before directing it to charge the Orge.

The towering beings of opposing magics clashed, each laying into the other with little concern for themselves. The Ogre's meaty hands clawed away massive chunks of the Abomination while it molded its hands into spikes and impaled the Ogre. The colossal Hive ignored the sharpened goo sticking out of its chest and grabbed the Abomination by the head. A feral roar tore free from its mouth as it unloaded a barrage of Void blasts directly into the Abomination's face.

Seeing her construct go down, Amity thrust her arms out. Void energy spilled outward, hardening into a protective bubble. Shots slammed into the Ward of Dawn. Sweat dripped down her face as she strained to maintain the barrier.

"Anytime you feel like it, Crow!" She screamed as the bubble was slowly torn apart.

"It's almost open," Crow said. "I just need a bit longer." His hands were a blur as they whirled over the machine. One of Amity's legs gave way underneath her, and she dropped to one knee.

"I don't have a bit longer!"

"I have an idea," Luz said. "Wait for my signal. Then, drop the Ward and cover your eyes." She began to channel all her Light into her chest while Amity looked at her like she was crazy. At least, Luz assumed that was the intended expression. The helmet made it hard to tell.

"You know what? It wouldn't be the craziest plan you've come up with," Amity said. "Just give me the word." Luz let her Light coalesce for a few more seconds. Once she felt it reaching critical mass, she knew she was ready.

"Drop it!" She shouted. Amity obliged, collapsing in exhaustion. The bubble dissolved, leaving the three Guardians exposed. That was when Luz unleashed her Light. It radiated around her, crackling and snapping at the Hive. The nearest Hive were immediately annihilated, but that wasn't her main objective.

As Arc energy coiled around her, it unleashed a blinding flash brighter than a Gamma-ray burst. Acolytes screeched in agony as their retinas were burned out of their eyes. Knights were forced to turn, shielding their faces as they tried to reorient themselves. For a moment, the room fell quiet, broken only by wailing Hive and Luz collapsing to the ground with her energy spent.

The obelisk sparked to life, tearing open a hole in reality. Crow gestured for Amity to follow before diving through. After hoisting Luz onto her shoulder, she obliged. The portal closed behind them, leaving the Hive reeling from Luz's dazzling performance.

The two tumbled through the portal into the Ascendant Plane, landing in a filthy tangle of sweat and sore muscles. Liz fell to the ground beside Amity, still unconscious from her overload. Amity tried to blink the pain away while Crow stood over her. He offered a hand, which she brushed off.

"I'm good enough to fight; I can stand on my own," she said, forcing herself up. Crow rolled his eyes as Amity took in her surroundings. The Ascendant Plane mirrored the world she had just left. All familiarity ended there. The entire plane was cast in blurry monochrome. The air around her was distorted, whipping around like turbulent winds in a hurricane. While Amity was trying to adjust, Luz sat up groggily. Her head was pounding, and her eyes lolled around her sockets.

"Did anyone catch the number on that Tombship?" she asked, swaying slightly. Amity set a hand on her back before she could fall.

"Aurora, what's wrong with her?" The Ghost in question popped out, circling her Guardian.

"She used too much Light at once; she's burned out. I give her ten to fifteen minutes before she's back on her feet." Amity sighed and hoisted Luz up. She held Luz before her, her hands cupped under the Stormcallers arms. Luz giggled drowsily and poked Amity's faceplate.

"Alright, you're staying with me," Amity said, once again slinging Luz over her shoulder. She turned to Crow. "I can hardly see my hands in front of my face. You're the expert here; lead the way."

"The Ascendant Plane should allow us to skirt around the Hive barricades. Just be sure to mind the Taken. Stick close to me." Amity nodded sharply, and Crow began to move. He traversed the Ascendant Plane with practiced ease, expertly navigating around clumps of Taken patrolling the area. Amity followed as closely and quietly as she could. Luz was not helping with their stealth; she was more interested in using the back of Amity's chest piece as a drum.

"Hey, knock it off," Amity hissed. "This is not the time." Luz giggled again, and Amity felt her heart melt. "You're lucky you're cute."

That seemed to placate Luz, allowing the three to continue in silence. They moved between shattered bridges and isolated islands while Taken warped around them. Crow gestured for them to stop and hide behind a small outcropping as a Taken Knight drew close. It stopped a grenade toss from them, its head twitching erratically as it sensed around. Crow put a finger over his lips as he pulled his hand cannon from his holster. Amity nodded, summoning her gauntlet of purple goop.

Eventually, the Knight determined that nothing was out of the ordinary. It turned away and marched off. Its body flickered before vanishing into the miasma of the Ascendant Plane. Amity let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding in; if even one Taken found them, the rest would crash upon them like a great tidal wave of corrupted, sickly matter.

"Word to the wise," Crow began as they picked up the pace again. "Taking out Quria let the Taken rattled. I don't think Savathûn has control of them anymore." They reached their destination, a defiled temple of distinctly Awoken architecture. Another of those obelisks sat in the center, unguarded. Amity moved toward it, only for Crow to stick his arm before her chest.

"I don't like this," he said, eyes narrowed. "This feels like a trap."

"What other choice do we have?" Amity asked. "Stay here and wait until the Taken find us?" Crow frowned but was forced to concede. He approached the beacon and got to work. Amity set Luz down with her back propped against it. The Warlock pouted as her ride ended. Amity drew her rifle and took watch. The Ascendant Plane was eerily silent, save for an omnipresent howling that seemed to emanate from all around them. The shadows were even more potent here; she could barely see the barrel of her gun. The beacon activated with a hum, shooting a light beam into the sky. A portal spiraled into existence before them, heralding an agonizing screech from a thousand throats. The Taken had caught their scent.

"They'll be upon us any second," Crow said. Grab your girlfriend and move." Amity tensed a little at that comment but ultimately decided to let it slide. She once again scooped Luz up while the Warlock was quietly whistling to herself. The three dove through the portal, and it closed behind them with a snap.

They were deposited into a spacious chamber filled with Hive Knights holding swords. The tips of their blades were planted in the ground. There were a dozen of them in all, arranged neatly into groups of six on each side. The Knights watched the Guardians as they stood up. In unison, they began slamming the tips of their swords into the ground. A rhythmic war chant echoed throughout the Awoken chamber, setting Amity's nerves on edge.

Another deafening sound joined the choir of violence, but this was no war chant. A leviathan of a Knight smashed through the door between them and Osiris, an axe with a blade as large as Amity held in his hands. The blade was being dragged through the stone floor, tearing up a tide of rubble and dust as it sliced through the ground.

"Lightbearers," he growled with a voice like waves battering against jagged stones. He tore his axe free from the ground in a shower of stone shards. The ossific edge gleamed with blood that stank as freshly as the day it had first been spilled. "My mistress demands your death, and I am her instrument. Know that Xivu Arath sends Kelgorath, Risen from Bones, to break you. I shall drag your shattered corpses before the Ender of Empires, where your skulls shall have the honor of adorning her domain." Kelgorath slammed his axe down and let out a bone-shattering howl. The rest of the Knights joined in the cry, raising their blades and forming a loose ring around the Guardians. They were boxed in.

"More friends," Luz cheered as Amity set her down. "I'm having such a lovely time."

"That's great for you," Amity said warily as Crow readied a few knives. "Aurora, how much longer til she's on her feet?"

"Hard to say," the Ghost chirped. "Don't worry about her; stay focused on this guy." Kelgorath shifted his axe to a two-handed grip and charged. Moving far faster than any creature his size had any right to, his axe flashed in a low cleave. Crow barely managed to leap over while Amity raised a shield and took it head-on. Air was forcefully knocked out of her lungs as the axe slammed into her with all the force of an orbital strike. Despite that, she held firm. Her armored boots dug into the ground, leaving a trail of destruction in her wake.

Still in the air, Crow pulled out a dozen flaming knives. Before he could throw them at Kelgorath, he was caught by the Knight's vicious backhand. Crow was sent flying by the blow, crashing through a pillar and landing at the edge of the ring of Knights. Amity was forced to block again as Kelgoraths axe crashed down on her. The shockwave from the swing pulverized the floor around her, leaving the Sentinel in the center of a crater. She glanced at her companions, only to see Luz sprawled out on the ground and Crow struggling to stand back up. She spun a quick spell circle, and her magic obeyed. Her Abomination charged at Kelgorath, its fists morphing into mallets.

Kelgorath seemed caught off guard, raising his axe to block the Abomination's strikes. He pushed the construct back, only for Amity to pressure him with a flying shoulder tackle with her shield. Kelgorath growled as he yielded ground. He tried to split Amity in two, but his axe was far too cumbersome to wield in such close quarters.

Crow was now back on his feet, and his fists were full of Solar Light. He unleashed a barrage of blazing blades that punched into Kelgoraths chitinous armor, embedding themselves there. The exploded, wreathing the oversized Knight in flames. Amity threw her shield at his face, which bounced off his helmet. She caught the ricocheting shield and quickly sent it back. It slammed into Kelgorath repeatedly, pushing him back while her Abomination hounded him.

Growing tired of this bout, Kelgorath swiped his axe at the Abomination. The razor-sharp blade bit into the golem trapezius, leaving its head to dangle. Kelgorath swiftly tore the golem apart, shrugging off a few shots from Crow as he did. The Knight raised his hand and unleashed a volley of Arc blasts. They crashed into Amity, wreathing her body in electricity. Her nerves screamed as they were shocked. It felt like she had just used her body as a lightning rod. While Amity convulsed with pain, Crow continued to fire away with his hand cannon. A few bullets slipped through Kelgoraths shattered armor, causing viscous, oily blood to leak from the wounds.

Amity fell to her knees, the agony of Kelgorath's blasts still reverberating through her body. She saw Crow nimbly dodge around a few more shots from the Knight. Gritting her teeth, she forced herself back to her feet. Blood leaked out of her mouth and trailed down her chin as she summoned her shield. Ignoring the jolts of pain, she charged.

Seeing the Titan begin to close the gap, Crow flipped over a volley of Arc blasts and summoned his Golden Gun. He fired three shots into Kelgoraths knee, forcing the Knight to buckle as his leg gave way. Seeing her opening, Amity redoubled her efforts. She leaped into the air, aiding her charge with her Light, and crashing directly into Kelgoraths face. His exoskeleton splintered into dust as he fell backward. He hit the ground with a deafening boom as Amity landed on his chest. She raised her shield overhead in both hands, preparing to bring it down on Kelgoraths neck.

The shield descended, cutting through the air with a vicious trajectory. Before concentrated Void met Hive flesh, Kelgorath slammed his fist into the ground. An iridescent green Hive rune appeared on the ground beneath him. Kelgoraths body melted into phantasmal shadows, fading from sight.

Amity dropped to the ground, staggering a little under her own weight. Crow drew closer to her, weapons held ready as the Knights surrounding them began to roar. Baring their blades with venom in their many eyes, they charged the Guardians. Amity tried to pull herself together as best she could, knowing she was running on empty.

The first Knight reached her, his blade splitting the air as he brought it down on her head. There was a strange feeling, a bright flash of purple, and a colossal explosion. Void Light washed over the Knights, tearing them apart on the molecular level instantly.

"Looks like we got here just in time," Royal said as the shockwaves from his Nova Bomb faded. Saint poured in behind him, his shotgun panning the room. Amity let out a relieved sigh, giving the Exo a one-armed hug. Breaking off from the embrace, he gestured to Luz. "Is she alright?"

"She turned herself into a Human flashbang," Amity said. "She's been kinda loopy for the last few minutes."

"Hello pretty lady," Luz mumbled from her spot on the floor, waving at Amity as though she hadn't seen her before. "I have bore witness to the truth of lightning, and it has revealed that I am the Storm that approaches."

"Yeah, she's been like that," Amity deadpanned. "Aurora said she'll be fine soonish." As soon as she said that, Luz sat up in a murky haze. Accepting Amity's hand, she stood back up and looked around in confusion.

"How did we get here?" She asked.

"I carried you," Amity replied as Crow approached.

"Good to see my opening worked," he said. Amity rolled her eyes, a retort already on her lips.

"Kelgorath is still my kill."

"I wouldn't say anyone killed him," Crow countered. "He just slipped away." He gave a wry smirk. "Besides, he still only counts as one."

"Not like I need him to beat your kills," Amity scoffed. "I dropped eighty-four Hive myself."

"And I got ninety-one," Crow said. Amity frowned and opened her mouth to speak, only for Royal to step between the two.

"Stow it, both of you. It's not a competition. If it was, I'd win. I killed over two hundred myself. Now come on, we've almost reached Osiris," Royal said, pointing to the far end of the room that Kelgorath had smashed through. The remains of a door hung on its hinges, only one good kick away from falling to the cold ground.

Saint led the way forward as they marched through the hall. Another door was waiting for them, bearing considerable damage from Kelgoraths axe. Deep gouges had been carved into the door, each the width of three of Amity's fingers. Whatever was on the other side of this door really didn't want Kelgorath getting through.

Saint tried to force the door open, but it wouldn't budge. Amity pressed her hand against it and let her magic mingle with that of the Awoken. It was odd, like wading through water in zero gravity. The Awoken magic regarded her curiously, and she could feel its wielder probing her. The doors creaked as they began to swing open.

"Nice work," Royal said. "I didn't know you could do that."

"That wasn't me," Amity replied. "I just knocked." The doors finished opening, revealing another large, circular chamber. Two figures stood at the far end, both facing the entrance. One was a lithe Awoken woman with skin the color of a clear noon sky and hair bleached as white as quartz. She was draped in regal garments befitting royalty. There was a strange, otherworldly energy pulsing in her eyes as she regarded everyone—but most specifically Amity and Crow—with curiosity. The second person was none other than Osiris.

Crow was the first one into the room, taking in the sights as ethereal mist spilled into the room from above. The woman watched him cooly with an expression that reminded Amity of her mother. This woman had a use for Crow, something purely transactional.

"I had hoped you'd find your way back," she said, her voice flowing through Amity's ears like the finest silk. Despite the fact that Luz was literally right beside her, she found the woman enrapturing. However, something was off about the woman, something that warned Amity to stay away.

"I'm a bit lost, actually," Crow said. "But this feels familiar." He looked at the woman, yellow-orange meeting milky blue. Amity could see a twitching in his face, the same expression Luz had when she saw Amity for the first time after resurrecting. "Do I know you?"

"Osiris!" Saint said, pushing past Crow before the woman could speak. "You must come home. Answer for what you have done. The Vanguard will show mercy."

"Yes," Osiris said derisively. "Ikora and Commander Zavala are nothing if not generous."

"Osiris, end this madness," Royal said. "We can still sort this out quietly if you just come with us."

"Queen Mara," Osiris said to the Awoken woman. "See how they have welcomed the Crow into their flock." He accentuated his words with a strange fluttering of his hands. At that moment, Amity saw something in his eyes. It was the same thing she had seen in his lab, that mocking gleam, as though he had just gotten away with a most devious lie.

"It isn't too late," Crow said, stepping forward. "You can still be forgiven."

"Be careful," Osiris said, walking backward from the group. As he did, his voice shifted, taking on a distinctly more feminine intone. "I'll hold you to it."

Osiris's body began to melt away, twisting and stretching into something else entirely. The assembled Guardians could only watch in horror as Orisis transformed. His skin seemed to tear, giving way to chitinous plates. A pair of moth-like wings sprouted from his back. A third eye appeared on his face, still holding that ancient glint. He grew to be twice the size of the Guardians, then three, then four. The thing that once was Osiris looked down upon them triumphantly.

The imposing Hive spread her arms to envelop the room as though she were embracing old friends. Before anyone else could move, Mara Sov stepped forward. Amity could feel the potent magic swirling around her as she raised her arms. There was a blinding flash that forced everyone to look away. There was the sound of glass shattering, or perhaps it was growing. Once Amity had finished blinking the spots out of her eyes, she saw that the colossal Hove was now encased in a prison of solid crystal.

Everyone was left in stunned silence for a minute. Then, Saint's shotgun snapped up to Hive's head.

"WHERE! IS! OSIRIS!" He roared. Mara stepped between him and the Hive, pushing the barrel of his gun down.

"Lower your weapon," she said. "All of you. Osiris still lives."

"You trust this thing?" Saint growled, his voice low and threatening. Mara was unimpressed.

"This thing and I have come to an agreement," she said calmly. "You need only cooperate."

"What is it?" Crow asked.

"A monstrosity hiding in our midst," Royal answered. "To think Lakshmi was right all along; our enemy was lurking among us this entire time."

"I am Savathûn, the Witch Queen," the Hive said. Her crystal cocoon flashed with magic as she spoke. "The Sister of Shapes, Deepest in the Hive Covens, etcetera, etcetera." Her words were like sweetened poison to Amity's ears. "My sister, Xivu Arath, hunts me on behalf of another. I wish only to be free, and Mara Sov has graciously agreed to help."

"And Osiris?" Crow pressed.

"Sweet that you should care, little bird," Savathûn cooed. "I have been Osiris for as long as you have known him. But rest assured: I will return him to you… in exchange for your assistance."

"Queen of Lies!" Saint scoffed. "Pray this is the one time you speak truth!"

Savathûn chuckled, "Oh, Saint. A hero of old plucked from time. Your devotion to the old phoenix is inspiring. And then there's the rest of you; such odd characters you are. Amity Blight, the Witch from another world. I have walked among your people: dwelt as they did, much like I have done to you now. Then, Royal the Vexbane. I remember when I heard that you killed the Collector. What a shame that was; his games made for such wonderful antics. And last, but most certainly not least, Luz Noceda. The girl who would be a Witch."

"How do you know me?" Luz asked.

"I have watched you for a long time," Savathûn said. "Far longer than you may realize, through the faces of friend and foe alike."

"The Vanguard must be informed of this," Saint said, slinging his shotgun onto his back. "Stay, and do not let her out of your sight. I will go." The Titan turned and departed, his body fading into transmat.

"Do give Ikora my regards," Savathûn called after him.

"Someone once told me that the line between Light and Dark is so very thin," Mara said. "Walk alongside it with me. For Osiris." She reached into the folds of her clothes and withdrew a flat ivory device with a roughly hexagonal frame. Multiple luminous spheres sat in specialized outcroppings. Amity accepted the contraption, looking it over before stowing it. "That device is a Wayfinders Compass, a powerful relic of Awoken design. It will aid you in the days to come."

"What about the portal?" Amity asked, glaring at Savathûn hatefully. "What about my home? What have you done to it?"

"Oh, Amity," Savathûn sang. "Have you no faith in me? The portal is complete; all it needs is fuel. And, as a show of good faith, I shall provide." There was a small flash of light as a vial of purified Titan's Blood dropped into Amity's armored hands. She held it gingerly as Savathûn continued. "You will find the rest in my workshop. I hope this is but the start of a long, mutually beneficial relationship." Amity clutched her vial as tightly as she dared. Royal set a hand across her chest, gently holding her back from doing something rash. She could see in his stance that he didn't like this, but Savathûn held all the cards.

Amity relented, pocketing the Titans Blood as she turned to leave. Royal was right behind her, leaving Luz to stare at Savathûn.

"Is there anything else you desire to know, from one Witch to another?" Savathûn asked coyly.

"What makes me so special?" Luz asked. "It feels like everyone I meet has some interest in me. I just don't get it."

"Return to the Isles," Savathûn replied. "There, you will find answers." The glow faded from her prison as it grew dormant; Savathûn had said all she wished to for now. Seeing that the Witch Queen had no interest in entertaining her questions any further, Luz turned to leave.

The workshop that had previously been utilized by Osiris—or rather, Savathûn wearing Osiris's skin—hadn't been used since the night of Lakshmi's folly. Papers were scattered around the room, resulting from a thorough search that ultimately turned up nothing. The portal door sat where it always had, apathetic to everything that had happened.

Amity stared at the door, clutching the vial of Titan's Blood. True to Savathûn's words, the rest of the concoction had been waiting for them. There wasn't much, maybe only enough for a few trips. With luck, they could find some more on the other side—if the Isles were still intact.

Amity and Royal began inserting the blood into the portal, causing the grooves in the frame to glow with magical energy. Commander Zavala and Ikora were both watching intently, wanting to see the Demon Realm for themselves. Ikora was no doubt curious as to the nature of this other world, but Zavala was more concerned with securing them as potential allies. Luz lurked off to the side, watching the others work, but it was clear her mind was elsewhere.

Eventually, the portal was fully fueled. Royal and Amity stepped back. The Witch took a moment to bask in the magic. It felt so familiar, so good. She looked back at the Commander and received a nod. No more delaying; it was time to finish this. Royal gestured to the door and took a further step back.

"It's all you," he said. Amity took a second to breathe before grabbing the door handle. She slowly turned it, listening to the tactile clicking of the door's internal mechanisms. The door began to creak as she swung it on its hinges. A blast of salty air, fresh from the Boiling Seas, hit the room. She smiled at the familiar scent, and Royal realized how much he had missed it. Blinding lights shone through the portal, obscuring the sights around it.

"Welcome home," Amity said softly, stepping through the portal. A sharp metallic crack split the air the second her foot crossed the threshold. It was the sound of a shotgun blast. Amity's head exploded in a shower of crimson as the buckshot tore it apart, and her body fell to the ground. The other Guardians were instantly ready, drawing their weapons and preparing their Light. Before they could act, a sizeable mass of pitch-black armor emerged from around the portal frame. The armored figure pumped his shotgun, ejecting the shell with a hollow ring as it clattered to the ground.

"Enemies of the Isles, turn back now and never return," he said. "This is your only warning. None shall harm this land so long as I live."

"Wait," Royal said, lowering his SMG. "I know that voice." He gestured for the others to stand down as he moved closer. "Paladin?"

The barrel of the Titan's shotgun dipped a little as he tilted his head. "Scholar?" Royal holstered his weapon and stepped through the portal, entering the Isles once more. Standing before him was none other than his brother. The two Royals stared at each other for a moment as Paladin slung his shotgun onto his back.

Without warning, Paladin surged forward. He swept Royal up in a hug that threatened to split the Warlock in half. He laughed heartily while his brother struggled in his grip, desperately trying to break free before his spine snapped. Paladin eventually relented, letting Royal back to the ground. There was a gasp of air as Amity snapped back up, nursing her forehead.

"What just happened?" she asked, looking around. She caught sight of Paladin, and her eyes went wide. Seeing her as well, Paladin quickly introduced her to the spine-shatterer special. Amity seemed to be ready for it and actually managed to return the hug.

"Sorry about the whole 'shotgun decapitation' thing," Paladin said. "Ever since the portal started flashing on this end, we've been closely watching it. I thought you might be Cabal."

"Who's we?" Amity asked. Paladin turned away and snapped his fingers. All around them, a dozen Witches emerged from hidden alcoves. Each bore a staff; a few had sidearms holstered to their belts. One of them, a leader of some kind if her uniform was anything to go by, stepped up beside Paladin. The Titan removed his helmet and spread his hands.

"Welcome back to the Boiling Isles."

Outcast ran his hand through a data cloud, assessing what he could decipher. Accepting what he had acquired, he collapsed the stream. Spreading his hands before him, he projected a live simulation of home. The decrepit lands were vacant and barren, utterly devoid of life. An aura of emptiness hung in the air, the absence of anything. For what was the purpose of a Universe with no one alive to witness its majesty?

Outcast began to exert his will upon the simulation, rolling his influence across the recreation of his home world. Slowly, life began to spread. Grass sprouted from the ashen ground, flowers bloomed with vibrant colors, and the air started to sing with the music of life.

Outcast's focus faltered, and his hands twitched. His work unraveled, and all traces of life were snuffed out. The thick miasma of decay returned, and Outcast let the simulation end. Sighing, he ran a hand over his head like it was going through hair he no longer possessed. Not for the first time, he wondered what to do. The Minds grew more resistant to his influence, and his siblings grew more sparse. At the rate he was going, he wouldn't be able to complete his work.

He became aware of a motion behind him and frowned. He snapped his fingers, instantly locking Synegorus's frame in place. The Mind had attempted to use his momentary lapse in focus to buck from his control. No doubt, it sought to impale him on its claws. Unfortunately for the Mind, Outcast had made special preparations for this. Data coils were lashed around the Minds limbs, holding it by the ankles, wrists, and neck. The data seared Synegorus's skin steel, leaving the Mind to writhe against its restraints.

At the end of each bind was a figure made of luminescent red data in the shape of a different Guardian. Each of them was a replica of one of Outcasts' siblings. A duplicate of Marauder held Synegorus by its left hand, his grip unfaltering.

"Did you really expect that to work," Outcast said in an almost bored tone. "The back of the neck is everyone's blind spot. It's literally the most obvious target there is."

"You bind us in chains wrought of our own flesh," Synegorus replied, its voice filled with malice as cold as the ice of the Knee. "And yet, you still fear us."

"I do not fear an impudent machine that does not understand its place," Outcast said. "Now, I know you have something to report. Speak, and if it is useful, I might overlook your impudence this time."

"There has been a ripple," Synegorus snarled. "One I am intimately familiar with. Space folds in on itself, joining two disparate points together. Magic cuts at the seams of reality."

"The portal to the Demon Realm," Outcast realized. "So my little brother actually sought to rebuild it. But to what end?" He partially turned away from Synegorus, though not far enough that the Paradoxical Mind was out of sight. He reassessed everything the Vex knew of the Isles. It was something he had already gone over a few times, trying to gleam some weakness he could use against his little brother. Ultimately, he could discern nothing. And with the only ways back into the Demon Realm under the control of the broader Vex Collective, he had no way of delving further into the matter.

Outcast placed a hand on his chin as he began to pace. "Theoretical: Scholar may seek to regroup with Venator and Paladin, thus meaning that three of my siblings exist in one place." He spun on his heel and began walking in the other direction as a manic grin overtook his face. "Practical: He has provided me with exactly what I am looking for." He turned to Synegorus and snapped his fingers once more. The clones gave some slack to their chains, allowing Synegorus to stand back up.

"Assemble my forces," he said. "Find your old entryways and secure them. I wish to look upon this cursed land with my own two eyes." Synegorus slowly bowed, its frame twitching as its binds were aggravated. Outcast waved his hand through the air, and the clones faded, taking the chains with them. Synegorus vanished, teleporting across the Vex Domain and leaving Outcast to stew in his thoughts.

I've been looking forward to getting here for a while. The plans I have for Savathûn are one of the main reasons I started this story in the first place. And we're finally back to the Boiling Isles. Really dragged my feet, didn't I? See y'all next chapter.

Elthreee: Man, reading this fic is awesome, but it makes me realize how much of a better writer I coild be haha

Anyways, great chapter. I'm happy to say you did my favorite, and introductory season very good. I can't wait to see what you do with season of the lost and beyond, if that's the direction you're going in.

I'm glad you enjoy it so much and doubly glad I did Splicer justice. But try to remember that comparison is the thief of joy. It's not your writing versus mine or anyone else's. It's you versus yourself yesterday. You've put something out there; that's more than a lot of people can say.

GuardianLightTheVanguard: Long review again, womp womp.

1. Oh yeah, definitely. In fact, you just gave me an idea.

2. Again, new idea.

3-10. Just gonna have to wait and see, mate.

11. Iris will most likely be getting a bit more screentime, though she probably won't become a mainstay character.

12. Thanks, I spent a lot of time (and synthweave) on them.

Frank180: if outcast's timeline fell, that means he lost to a bat with a gun. great chapter btw )

I'm not sure where along the Destiny timeline Outcast's world died, so this is possible. Also, thank you.

Crazy Cakes 23: Now I'm thinking Golden Age humanity exploited the shit out of the isles. Think what they did to Hawaii

All shall be revealed in time.

BlueRoseLevi: Iris Yue, The Young Wolf

Dante, The Son of Sparda
*insert handshake here*
Jackpot
Great chapter and adaptation of Splicer's epilogue, keep up the great work mate!

If it isn't the bastard himself, well met. Glad you're enjoying the story.

DarkFireCat5241999: Poor Royal is definitely going to need an enlightening for the future events good things he not the actual chosen one

He is very out of the loop. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried about making the stereotypical super badass overpowered OC who curbstomps everything yada yada. No flame to power fantasies like that, but I wanted Royal to be someone who struggles for what he gets. He's competent, but very much not a chosen one.

hornig3: Okay 1. Savathun is going to have fun manipulating everyone. Amity may say to her that she reminds her of her mother or even Belos so that'll be a fun can of worms. The amount of hate that everyone will say to her while she just laughs in their faces shall be delicious.

2. I know I said Luz would have and easy time with Starnd but if anyone could think of crazy combinations between Light and Dark it would be our girl Luz!
3. Really can't wait to see our girls interact with Crow and best Ghost Glint!

1. I'll definitely be giving Savathûn more moments to work her magic over the rest of Season 15.

2. May the Traveler have mercy upon our enemies. For Luz most certainly will not.

3. I've been really enjoying writing Luz and Amity's dynamics with the Awoken. You'll see Petra and more of Mara next chapter, so it's mostly Crow for now. Luz and Crow get along, because of course they would. They're like two cinnamon buns. Amity and Crow will have a bit more of an antagonistic rivalry.

"And Osiris?" Crow pressed.

"Sweet that you should care, little bird," Savathûn cooed. "I have been Osiris for as long as you have known him. But rest assured: I will return him to you… in exchange for your assistance."

"Queen of Lies!" Saint scoffed. "Pray this is the one time you speak truth!"

Before anyone could speak, Royal reached out and set his hand on Luz's shoulder. His grip was firm but not too tight. He stared at Savathûn with a hollow gaze. It was the eyes of a man who had seen a million battles across a thousand wars.

"I think we're gonna have to kill this guy, Luz," he said. Luz frowned and looked down.

"Damn."