Redacted
Help on Luna
I'm horrible with chapter titles, there's no doubt about that. Anyway, here's the next chapter!
Thanks to jsm1978 and Mantic64 for the reviews!
Edited: 07/31/2022
He must pretend
They will figure it out if he doesn't
He must be blank.
They will hurt him otherwise.
He must obey.
They won't notice.
He must pretend.
He must pretend.
Pretend.
Pretend.
Pre…tend…
…
…
...
He will die otherwise.
Xxxxx
Scrunching their parts together, the Ghost scooted deeper into the crevice of their hiding spot as they heard the familiar clicks of several Thrall skittering nearby; they were attempting to find their way back to their Guardian, but the passageway always seems to be filled with the lower ranking Hive, making passage through nearly impossible. Almost impossible.
Waiting until the group of Thrall slowly walked past, the Ghost quickly glided by them, their sense of fear growing within their core as the footsteps of the Thrall halted. Expecting the familiar screeching of the lower ranking Hive to echo through the passageway, a sense of relief flooded through their core when the corridor remained relatively silent, hearing nothing but the skitters of the Thrall fading away.
Zooming down the carved halls, the Ghost came to a pause and then pressed themself against a wall as they sighted two Hive Knights standing guard, the tips of their sword stabbed into the dead hearth as their glowing green eyes scanned the darkness. Ignoring them, the Ghost then focus onto what they were guarding – a small tunnel leading into a room and inside, they barely caught a familiar white coat shifting uneasily in the dark.
Their Guardian.
Shifting their optic onto the Knights, the Ghost release a breath before gliding towards the floor, picking up a pebble between their shell, and, with the help of a bit of light, they threw it into the tunnel across from them. Just as they expected, the two Hive Knights snarled, startled, before one let out a shout and headed down the corridor. The other followed suit. Waiting until they were out of sight, the Ghost then quietly glided into the tunnel, hovering over to the white clad form huddled in the corner.
"Guardian?" They whispered as they slowly drifted closer, "Guardian?"
At first, when they gained no answer, the Ghost feared the worse, panic settling into their core before they heard a wheeze, a cough, and then the cowering form pushed themself off the floor and slowly turned to face them.
Instantly, the Ghost's optic met with the matching color of white, the color clean compared to the dust covering the Guardian's white plating. With broad shoulders and a tall stature, white lights beat steadily in the dark, making the haggard look in the Exo's optics clear. The Ghost couldn't help but scrunch their shell together in guilt.
After many years of searching for their Guardian on Earth, the Ghost had requested a ship to the Moon, much to the protests of the Vanguard. However, after consideration and debate, it was decided that a Guardian will accompany the Ghost to the home of the Hive and that it was to remain on the surface within sights of the beacons planted there. The Ghost kept their side of the bargain and as such, within several days, they had found their Guardian, the white plating and optics signifying their race as an Exo and the bond a sign of their path of a Warlock. However, so excited the Ghost was on finally finding their other half that they had failed to notice that they had resurrected the newborn near one of the many entrances to the caverns below. And it was just bad luck that a group of Hive had decided to rise from their underground home to find a source to keep their catacombs alive.
It didn't take long for the swarm of Hive to kill the Ghost's bodyguard and to drag the newborn down into the darkness of their home. The Ghost was the only one fortunate enough to escape. However, despite instinct telling them to find another and to abandon the one currently in the hands of the Hive, their conscience says otherwise.
The Exo had hardly been alive for a few minutes and already they faced the agonizing reality of fighting against the Darkness; and the Ghost would hear his screams daily when they traversed underground.
As such, they made the decision to stay with the newborn and made repeated trips to the surface to send a signal for help, in hopes that the Tower will eventually send someone, anyone, to give them aid. However, it has been several weeks now since their call and the Ghost's hope of aid slowly diminished with each passing day.
Have they been forgotten?
At this rate, the Ghost felt like as though they have a better chance of finding an escape route themselves than actual help coming from the Tower. But with the newborn Guardian equipped with nothing but the armor on his back and a weakened light in his chest, the Ghost is unsure if they will even make it out of the catacombs alive.
As such, the Ghost whispered, "Just hold on a bit longer, help should be coming soon."
In truth, they felt like they were telling a lie, a false hope to keep their Guardian holding onto the last strings of life. Even they were uncertain of their own words, but the Ghost couldn't help a ping of warmth settle into their core as their Guardian nodded once, only for them to pause as the Exo's gaze shifted behind them.
"There you are, little light."
The voice spoken sounded strained, broken in a language unfamiliar to their tongue, but the hiss and pitch of the voiced cause the Ghost to freeze, turning their core slowly to the figure behind them. Instantly, their vision was filled with the billowing cloak of a Wizard, the latter of which smiled widely enough to reveal the fangs hiding behind her decaying lips.
"We knew that you wouldn't be far." The Wizard held up a clawed hand, pointing one of her fingers at the Ghost, "That the screams of your Chosen would ensure that you would stay close by."
A croak seemingly escaped the Wizards lips, but the amused look remained apparent upon her chitin features, "Come, shard of the Light, let us feast on the life that your Guardian oh so lacks."
It was then, the Ghost saw one of the Wizard's clawed hands reach for them and, although their mind screamed at them to flee, they remained frozen, white optic wide as the Wizard's palm slowly enclosed around their vision.
Suddenly, a cry of rage echoed throughout the dark chamber followed by the Hive's hand flinging away from the Ghost's side, causing the latter to shake their core before glancing back towards the Wizard.
"Go!"
It was their Guardian, the latter of which had snuck up behind the Wizard and had wrapped his arms around her neck, pulling her back, "Get out of here!"
Shocked, the Ghost couldn't help but hover where they are, the echoes of their Guardian's voice permeating through the caverns. Besides their screams of agony, the Ghost had never heard the Exo speak, let alone a word, and as such, it took a moment for their Guardian's words to click in. Hesitating at the sight of the Exo wrangling with the screeching Wizard, the Ghost reluctantly complied, gliding through the tunnel and disappearing back into the dark caverns.
Moments later, they heard the agonized screams of their Guardian echoing through the caves.
Xxxxx
Sign Language.
That is what Hush was trying to do weeks ago, with the gestures of her hands and crossing her fingers in an attempt to communicate. Ianos had tried looking for guides on the language however, much to his frustration, majority of the texts were missing. Yes, there were a few gestures here and there and he remembers them mostly being used int eh field, mostly to convey of whether their target is in sight or to fire. In other words, not much use to communicate with a child.
Hearing laughter ringing in his ears, Ianos momentarily glanced up from the texts he held in his hands just in time to see Hush let out another laugh as Akiva made a face, which in turn caused the Titan to release a laugh of his own as they two sat upon his bed. Angel is seated nearby, having taken a chair from Ianos' table and placed it near the beside to watch the show, a broad smile on his tan features.
It had taken weeks, but Hush eventually warmed up to the two, mostly from slowly extending visiting periods. Out of the two, Akiva is Hush's favorite, understandably considering the Titan already has experience with children. When it comes to other humans however, it was a wholly different story.
The few occasions that Ianos walked with her outside, every Awoken and Exo that passed by was met with curious stares and even an occasional hello when she musters up the courage. However, when a human appears, her outlook changes completely. The newborn latches onto his arm, pressing herself against his side as much as she could as she stared them down with wide eyes.
Ianos had tried questioning her, to find reason with her fears, but much to his frustration, he cannot understand the gestures from her hands and Crystalline can only translate so much between the two of them; it is true that Guardians and ghosts can communicate mentally, but only with enough time. Hush and Crystalline's bond is still too fresh, too new to get clear messages between them.
"You know, you can't keep her here forever." Ianos turned his attention to his side, watching as Pluto crossed his arms in his seat at the table before the Exo added, "She maybe young now but, who knows? She might grow and mature and there will be a time where she will have to head out to the field. Alone."
Despite the Hunter's words, Ianos couldn't help a ghost of a smile, "Is it because you are getting tired of watching her, Pluto? Tired of being the 'grandpa' of the group?"
Smirking at the blank stare he received from the Exo Guardian, Ianos then shifted his attention back to the book he held in his hands, flipping through them quickly in a vain attempt to learn the silent language.
"Message from Commander Zavala."
Unable to help a frown, Ianos narrowed his orange eyes as he turned to Ace, the latter of which twirled their back fins and then spread their shell to relay the message.
"Fireteam Redacted, the Vanguard requests that the three of you investigate a frequency we had received hours before. It has been identified as a Ghost that we had sent to the field alongside a Guardian to aid in its search for its own."
"You what?"
Angel's question was ignored as the Titan Commander continued, "Initially thought a failure, we have only recently received this frequency after weeks of silence."
That is when static momentarily filled the room, Ianos catching from the corner of his eye Hush jumping at the noise.
"Hello?" The echo and clicks rang familiar to Ianos; the voice is definitely a Ghost's, "Hello? Someone there? Please send a response back. I don't know how much longer my Guardian can hold on. The creatures down below, they'll…" There was a pause in the message, silence permeating through the room before the Ghost finished, "Please, send help."
A click then signified the frequency's end.
"We tried sending a frequency back however, it seems something or someone is nullifying any signal near its location. As such, it has been decided that you, Fireteam Redacted, will be sent to the Moon to investigate."
Ianos's blood ran cold, his grip on the book going slack as the mention of the Earth's satellite, "The moon?"
"Yes." A knot formed in the back of his throat, "Although Fireteam Redacted lost half of its strength, we have reason to believe that your knowledge, Warlock Ianos, will be enough to lead the mission to success."
"Success?" A dry laugh escaped from Iano's lips before he could stop himself, "Do you know how many Guardians head to the moon and lose their light to the Darkness there? Two out of three." He can feel everyone's eyes upon him. Ianos ignored it, "There is a reason why it is called the 'Forbidden Zone'. What makes you think we will accomplish this mission?"
"Out of the many Guardians who had ventured into the Catacombs, you are one of the few who made it out alive." Ianos paused at Zavala's words, "If we take the Ghost's words into consideration, we have a reason to believe that their Guardian has been taken underground. You are currently the only one available that has passive knowledge of its layout to get in. And out."
Gritting his teeth, Ianos wanted to retort, to argue, to refuse the task given to him. But the words were lost on his tongue, his throat dry.
"May the Light guide you, Fireteam Redacted."
Zavala had taken his silence as compliance, Ianos hearing the connection cut before he could even muster the courage to stop him. He took in a shaky breath.
"Ianos?" He lifted his eyes, locking onto Ace's orange optic. Ianos saw them shift their shell against their core, "Are you going to be alright?"
Opting to remain silent, Ianos instead looked down, lifting his hands as he flexed them and tried to comprehend the situation. After the incident on the Moon, Ianos had made a promise he won't go back. At least, to never enter underground again. Great job he is doing, considering that he had already done it once with Neve and Ricard.
Perhaps it was far from where the incident had happened, their location closer to the surface. Nonetheless, he doesn't want to go back, back with the memories from the Great Disaster, from the fatal recon with Fireteam Reprieve.
"Amele!" He ran up to the doors and pressed his hands on the sides, curling his fingers over the cracks in a vain attempt to keep them open, "What in the Darkness are you doing!?"
"Someone has to stay behind and keep these monsters at bay!" The female Warlock turned and Ianos sensed a smile behind her visor, "So get going. Wesley needs you."
He then saw her bring up her hand and, before he could let out a protest, she flung her palm into his chest, sending him flying back from the combination of the impact and her light. Kicking up dirt and dust as he skidded across the ground, he pushed himself into a seated position as the doors slowly closed.
"Amele!"
Hearing the screams and cries of the Hive ring in his ears, Ianos flinched as the last bit of memory faded away. Amele was the first to go from the fated team, all to give a chance for the rest of the team to locate Hunter Wesley. However, in the end, her death was all for naught. All of Fireteam Reprieve is dead, all thanks to Wesley. And Ianos.
He just regrets not being able to retrieve their Ghosts.
The giant form of the Hive God loomed over the Guardians before Ianos saw him smile and raise his sword. Then, the next thing he knew, he heard death cries, screams from his fellow Soldiers of Light as the weapon cut them down, slicing through their bodies as if it were nothing. He watched on in horror as streaks of light tore from their corpses and seeped into the darkness infested blade.
Those struck did not stand again.
Watching the monster strike down group of Guardians with only one swing of his blade, Ianos couldn't help but glance around frantically, trying to sight the familiar colors of his team. He spotted Zakai first, the Warlock shouting protests as he was lifted off his feet and carried away by a Titan. Relief sinking into his chest, Ianos then scanned the dark horizon once more, only for his blood to freeze. There, right near the Hive God, is the familiar white clade form of Ahamri-34, the Exo Warlock firing away with his auto rifle in an attempt to push the looming enemy back.
"Ari!"
Brushing past fleeing Soldiers of Light, Ianos rushed forward, reaching out a hand as the Hive God, Crota, lifted his blade.
Ianos released a ragged sigh as the rest of the events played out in his mind, burying his face into his hands. He didn't make it. Didn't make it in time to save neither himself nor Ari. At least, not completely. Ianos had pulled the two of them away to avoid the worst of the hit but even a graze was enough to incapacitate them. And Ianos was the only one who was dragged away to safety. And watched helplessly as Ari was finished off by a Hive Knight. Just like many of those who had perished on the moon, his Ghost had never been recovered.
It wasn't long after that when Zakai, grief-stricken by the death of their beloved and Ianos' corruption, sank deep into the workings of the Darkness. And was killed by it.
The moon just triggers too many memories for him to go back.
Feeling tender hands grab hold of one of his arms, Ianos didn't have to look to know it is Hush, letting her pull his arm into her lap. He easily saw the look of worry, of concern in her yellow eyes.
"Are you going to be alright with this mission, Ianos?" Angel is the one who spoke, "I mean, I may not know 'everything' that had happened, but I know enough that the moon isn't a place you're comfortable with."
An understatement. Ianos is scared of it, terrified. Or more like he is afraid of who at the moon. No doubt that 'she' is still there, considering that most of the Hive who lives on the moon hardly leaves it.
Feeling small hands wrap around his, Ianos shifted his focus back onto Hush, seeing her beam at him with a broad smile, a twinkle in her eyes. It is enough for him to understand what she is trying to say.
Everything will be okay.
Despite it, Ianos knows that everything won't be okay. The Hive have a prisoner down in the Catacombs and even though the Vanguard claims he knows the layout, the ally of the Darkness constantly changes their underground home. Who knows how much have it been changed since he last been there? But he wasn't going to abandon a newborn in the Hive's clutches. Ianos knows what they are capable of.
"No! He is still young! He won't be able to take much more!" He watched as the Hive Knight turned their attention towards him, their three eyes glowing with annoyance as it tightened their grip around the tattered remains of the Hunter's cloak. The latter whimpered.
"Take me instead! I can take more! I can last longer! You can get more out of me! Please! Leave him be!"
The edges of his vision blurred, he is unable to help but release a cry of despair as the Hive Knight promptly turned and started dragging the younger Guardian away. The Hunter screamed, scrambling, clawing onto the dusty hearth.
"No! Darian!"
He scrambled onto his hands and knees, quickly closing the distance between himself and the weakened Hunter before clasping his hands around Darian's arms. The Hunter sobbed, crying out, "Don't let them take me!"
Bringing his feet out underneath him, Ianos started to pull, tug, ignoring the pain in his legs as he mustered any strength he could gather. That is when he felt an impact slam undern his jaw, feeling his teeth jar together with a 'crack' followed by pain and the next thing he knew, he lost his grip and flew back onto the floor.
"Ianos!" Hearing Darian's cry ringing in his ears, he attempted to push himself onto his feet, only to release a sharp cry of his own as pain crawled up his left leg. Trying his best to ignore the injury from his fall, Ianos glanced up in time to see Darian's form disappear down a tunnel, crying out.
"Ianos!"
"I will be fine." Ianos lied and badly, considering the way he felt everyone's eyes on him, "It will be just an in an out mission."
"It will be more than that." Akiva commented, "We will bump into Hive and considering only Angel is enough to get past them, it's going to be near impossible to avoid conflict. I think it's better that we let someone else-"
"We will not abandon a fellow Guardian down there." Ianos heard Akiva pause at his words, "Let alone a newborn."
Despite his own words, Ianos couldn't stop his hands from trembling, shaking as he attempted to regain control by taking in a deep breath and slowly releasing it. That is when he felt Hush release his hand and then drape herself over his lap, feeling her arms wrap around his waist as she snuggled into his stomach.
An attempt to comfort him, Ianos realized, and he release another breath, feeling his anxieties ease.
"I will take care of Hush then, when you all are out in the field." Pluto spoke, the Exo Hunter crossing his arms as he added, "Just a word of advice. Never let your guard down. The Hive will take advantage of any moment of weakness."
Seeing Akiva and Angel nod at Pluto's words, Ianos couldn't help but lower his gaze once more towards the child Guardian before placing a hand onto her hair and brushed his fingers through her black strands. He received a hum and a smile, a sense of ease oozed into his body as Hush continued to settle into his lap.
Despite his fears, Ianos is determined to come back. At least for her sake.
"We will leave in three hours time." Ianos can feel the eyes of his team on him, "Be prepared." His eyes narrowed, "Who knows what we are going to encounter down there."
Xxxxx
Pain.
So much pain.
But he refuses to break.
He must stay strong.
Stay alive.
For – does it have a name? – Ghost.
They brought him back.
Breathed life into him.
The least he can do is stay strong until help arrives.
Help for the two of them.
What help?
What if this help never arrives?
Help will arrive.
Will arrive.
Arrive.
…
…
.
Pain.
Too much pain.
Will break.
Can't take much more.
Ghost.
Help.
Reset.
Renew.
Power down.
No pain.
No memories.
Backing up data.
Resetting.
Hiss of a Hive Wizard coming.
No memories.
No pain.
Resetting.
Backing up data.
Her form materialized from the shadows, a grin on her hardened features.
Renewing.
Refreshing.
Powering down.
The grin turned into a scream of rage, her clawed hands reaching out towards him.
Flushing data into memory banks.
Shutting down.
Resetting.
Renewing.
Her claws grabbed the front of his coat but already his senses were going numb, vision going black.
Memory stored.
Powering down.
Shutting down.
Resetting.
Resetting.
…
…
.
Who am I?