Many years have passed since that day, the day that a betrayal was avenged by the betrayed. Since then many many things have happened. A golden age of tech erupted after a massive discovery on Mars, and upon bringing the discovery to Earth the Human race triumphed over all. The Traveler, a terraforming mysterious spherical entity with the power to take planets that were previously uninhabitable and breath life into them. Humans were quick to colonize each planet within the solar system, spreading and multiplying as they always do. Though as with all good things, they must come to an end.
A Darkness was quick to follow the trail of the Traveler to our Solar System, seeking reason into why the Traveler chose us over them. This Darkness was quick to put a stop on Humanity's plans, leading to the destruction of almost all Human civilization in the event that is now known as the Collapse. The Traveler abandoned its work on one of Jupiter's moons, Io, to attempt to save its creation, and in the war to come it sacrificed itself to gift its light to humanity. In its dying breath, it created what is known as Ghosts. Small artificially intelligent machines with the power to resurrect fallen warriors to aid humanity if its fight against the Darkness.
The war is long fought, and many battles have been waged over the years. New enemies emerging from the deepest crevices, clawing and writhing their way forward in an attempt to take back what was once theirs. In a struggle to rebuild what was once lost, Humanity was given what they called the Risen, the Guardians. Powerful allies that have been brought back from death by the Traveler's last gift. These allies were gifted with the Light, gifted with powerful abilities to aid in pushing back against the Darkness.
"Tell me, Osiris," A young Warlock pries curiously, walking in step with her mentor through the heated sands of a desert. "What is it we are looking for out here. What are we hoping to achieve?"
"Today, Ikora, we witness the rise of a new Guardian." Is the man's reply, his helmet shifting ever so slightly to view his apprentice before nodding forward. "This Ghost seems keen on searching these deserted lands. It seeks the call of its Guardian just as yours sought you before you were revived. It can feel the presence of its warrior here in this sea of sand, but it must pinpoint its location in order to revive them."
His words held a slight humor to them, but warmth flows in the knowledge he speaks as they trail behind the small artificial intelligence. Osiris had spotted the shine of the Ghost through the scope of his rifle and immediately set out to follow the small metal being if only to further guide his apprentice. One day, she would take his spot in the Vanguard. It was what he was preparing her for.
"I'm curious to see this so-called warrior. Will they be a Warlock like us? Or will the Traveler's light grace them with the Agility of a Hunter, or the might of a Titan?" Ikora muses to herself slightly, her helmet shifting to the side as her own Ghost shifts into her view.
"Only the Guardian can determine how they choose to use this gift." Is its response to her mutterings, which earns it a stern gaze from its Guardian.
"While that is true, it was merely an open question that did not exactly require an answer." Ikora replies cooly, folding her hands carefully behind her back as she continues to keep in stride with Osiris.
"Your Ghost is correct, Ikora. Only the Warrior can choose who they wish to be. It is best if we do not interfere with the Ghost's work, but we can watch. It has already acknowledged us and requests that when and if it finds its Guardian that we assist in returning them to the tower once they understand their purpose.
I'm sure you remember when you were first reborn, it's not easy to come back with a faint memory of who you once were. The confusion of it all, let alone the fear that fills you when you stare into the single eye of a talking, floating box that has quite the attitude." His words rumble his chest, but that feeling only resonates with him. Instead, the words are filtered through a built-in microphone and deposited to the earpiece attached in Ikora's helmet through a classified communication link. The Dawnblade's own Ghost lifts its invisibility to appear just in front of his helm, her topmost piece pulled down in a scowl as she floats backward to accommodate for his pace.
"Speak for yourself Osiris." Is the Ghost's response, the pieces of her star-like shell shifting around the center orb in almost agitation. "Just remember who brings you back from the dead. I could very well leave you to rot for a few days before doing so."
"And my point was just made. There was no offense to be taken Sagira, I was simply proving a point." Is the Warlock's response, gaining him a laugh from Ikora as they pressed on.
The two chatter with one another, mostly about their tasks and plans for when they would return to the Tower. The desert heat was nearly strong enough to penetrate their armor, but the cool insulated fabrics kept them from overheating as they trudged through the sand. They each kept a close eye on the wandering Ghost before them, changing their direction with it every so often. It appeared to pause for a brief moment, which caused the two weathered Guardians to pass a glance to each other before looking back to see the AI rushing off toward a severely degraded set of buildings. If one could even call them that.
They were quick to act, both beaconing their own Ghosts' to summon their sparrows from their ship link. Each motorized hovercraft appeared just beneath their according Guardian, motors humming loudly before turning into a roar as they whipped across the sand. The Ghost must have pinged a match, for it to have rushed off so quickly, which meant only one thing. They had found their newest warrior.
Sands fly from beneath them as they race on, the buildings looming closer with each second. Ikora idly wonders why they had not used their sparrows prior to this, but dares not open her mouth with such a pointless question. Every guardian in time learns that the past is just that, the past.
Trained eyes follow the Ghost as it whips between the broken buildings, and darts into one that partially stands. Osiris lets go of the throttle, motioning for Ikora to do the same. Once both were stationary, he points toward the building as he dismounts the sparrow.
"The ghost disappeared just inside this building. We'll wait outside, but go ahead and catch a look if you so desire." His words are filled with excitement as he trots silently toward the door.
They both peer into the room that is now coated in a blue hue. It's obvious that the Ghost is scanning the remains of what used to be a human. The scan ceases just seconds into its start and the Ghost moves to a different spot in the room. The skeleton of what looks to be a cot lay broken on the floor, the bedding is shredded from exposure, but the clear sign of a cadaver is present. The Ghost scans over this one a bit longer before expanding the star like protrusions away from its central orb. A blue circle of light forms another circle as the Ghost pulses its shell. The blue light encased within the Ghost will be the gift of light that will be infused into this new Guardian.
"He has found his Warrior." Osiris breathes the words with excitement, a grin forming behind his helmet as he shifts his visor toward Ikora. She's staring intently at the process, and he doesn't blame her.
What the Ghost's can do is beyond amazing. A medical breakthrough. The rebuilding and reconstruction of a long-deceased body. If only they could implement that into other things. It would save a lot of lives with the health regeneration, not to mention that they could bring back the dead. Though... perhaps that was a bit more than anyone could hope for.
Eyes fall back to the Ghost within the room, watching as the once broken skeleton is rebuilt. Each bone being pulled from the sand and being placed where it is needed. Anything that is missing, is fabricated by the Ghost itself. Such a miraculous being, with such amazing knowledge. As the Ghost rebuilds his Guardian, he will memorize how the Guardian is meant to be. It will make things much easier for the Ghost if his Guardian were to ever need a revive in the future, which is entirely likely. They are soldiers after all.
They wait for hours, watching as the new Guardian is rebuilt to his original state before his first death. A male, human from what they saw before the Ghost threw over a basic set of armor to protect the man's decency. Robes, this Guardian wore robes. A Warlock? What luck!
"Ah, a young Warlock to bring into the brood. It's so great to see our numbers increase. There can never be enough scholars." Osiris chimes happily.
"Let us hope he is a decent one then." Ikora responds, breaking her silence as she watches with an intent gaze. This process was rare to stumble across, and it was likely that she would never see such a process again. The rebirth stage of a new Guardian was something that was highly studied but rarely recorded. She would have to write of this once she returned home.
Silence then fills the air until the sound of a raspy breath can be heard. A head full of dirty blonde hair whips back as his body tenses. They both watch in awe as fire erupts over his flesh, flames spewing from his shoulders like wings as the Ghost infuses his light, and like that of a phoenix, he is reborn through flame.