Redacted
Run
I'm a day late but here's the second update as promised!
Edited: 11/27/2022
It is frustrating.
Hovering over the cavity of the pit, Hope watched Oberon's white and black shell circle Io's limp body. It swung slightly at the Ghost's worried hovering.
The pair shouldn't be out in the open, so exposed, but they couldn't – can't – leave their Guardians, not like this.
Finding herself unable to stay still, Hope glided down into the pit's cavity, using her light to illuminate the darkness. Beaming it below her, Hope pressed her shell against her core when all she could see is darkness. How deep is this pit? And is Angel okay?
She shook her shell, shaking off the worse of the intrusive thoughts before looking up at Oberon.
"You know you could just pick up Io's light and get out of here." Hope said, "No need to stay when you can get your Guardian to safety."
She watched her fellow Ghost turn his white optic towards her, "And leave a fellow Ghost and their Guardian behind?" He shook his core, "Sorry, but I am not the cowardly type."
Hope blinked. Blinked again. And then laughed.
There is a noise of offense from Oberon, "Are you laughing at me?"
Shaking her core side to side, Hope then answered, "I apologize for offendin' you but." She took in a breath, regaining her composure, "It is not common that a Ghost or a Guardian outside of our team would be willin' to stay behind with one of us." She lifted her shell at him, "It just came as a surprise to me is all."
Oberon, in turn, raised the upper part of their shell, "Us Ghosts and Guardians are small in number as it is. We do not have the time nor resources to form our own factions or treat others as outsiders." Hope blinked as her fellow Ghost then finished, "Our opinions should not dictate the lives of our fellow Ghosts and Guardians."
Silent, Hope turned her attention back to the cavity, her optic searching. She couldn't help but agree with Oberon but, she knows better. Despite their numbers shrinking, Guardians still have their own opinions, their thoughts. She and Angel faced plenty of that bias when their alliance with the Eliksni were revealed.
She then remembers those who had been chosen within the City. And how they are already boasting of their superiority over those who had been resurrected from death.
Shaking her core side to side to, once again, to rid herself of intrusive thoughts, Hope then perked into attention when she heard steps, stepping over gravel and dust. She glided close to Oberon.
"Hive?" She asked.
She watched the white and black shell of her shift up and down, prompting Hope to warily glance up; if it is truly the Hive, she couldn't help the regret settling into her core, at ignoring both Ianos' and Pluto's advice. She just never liked the feeling of staying in one place too long. Which including even the safety of her Guardian's mind.
Seeing Oberon press against the side of the pit, Hope then followed his example, turning off her light as she kept her optic upwards.
"Hope? Hope, are you here?"
The panic that had gripped Hope's core settled and she released a breath of relief as she glided up, her green optic falling upon the familiar helmet of Ianos.
"Thank the Traveler it's you." She breathed.
"Did I not tell you and Oberon to hide?"
Lifting her shell up and down sheepishly, Hope's relief quickly turned into one of bewilderment as she caught sight of movement behind the Warlock, prompting her to flash her optic over his shoulder. She blinked when she spotted a familiar white clad figure.
"Is that Knight or Nine?" She asked.
"Take a guess." Ianos said.
"Greetings, Ghost Hope of Hunter Angel. I do hope my presence does not hinder your judgement against either Knight or I."
"It's Nine." Hope confirmed and then sighed, "It was our turn, wasn't it?"
"Hence why we tried calling you and Angel." Ianos said. Hope saw him quickly look around, "Where is Io?"
"Down here."
Turning around, Hope saw Oberon rise from the pit, his white optic looking over the two Warlocks.
"Pull on the rope." He instructed, "You should be able to pull his body up for resurrection."
"Rope?" Ianos repeated before Hope watched him look around once more before he paused upon the rope, the yellow a stark contrast against the gray of the tunnel.
Ianos sheathed his weapon before kneeling, managed to get his fingers around the taut rope, and started to pull. Only, it didn't budge. Hope, despite herself, couldn't help but snicker as Ianos strained, using both hands in a vain attempt to get the rope to budge. It is then, Hope noticed movement from behind and watched on with mild amusement as Nine leaned over, grabbed a part of the rope, and with one swift movement, tugged.
If it wasn't for the dire situation, she would have laughed but instead, Hope lifted her shell into a Ghost equivalent of a smile as Ianos reeled, nearly falling back from the sudden tension loss. In turn, Nine promptly tugged on the rope until Hope saw Io's body pop into view before he casually walked over, grabbed the Hunter by the belt, and pulled him back onto the surface.
No sooner had Nine rolled Io onto his back when Oberon quickly glided over, their shell parted, waiting for assistance. That is when Ianos staggered back onto his feet, brushing off the dust from the bottom of his coat before he walked over and held out a hand. Ace then appeared onto his palm, the black and orange shell all too recognizable to Hope as the Ghost then beamed their light into Oberon's core.
There is a gasp and then, Io abruptly sat up.
"Angel!"
The cry that came from the young Exo prompted Hope's core to twist, her spirit crumbling at the reminder. As she quelled the negative thoughts, Hope then watched as Io staggered to his feet. And then stumbled towards the pit's entrance.
Ianos grabbed him by the shoulder, "And where are you going?"
Io turned and Hope can easily sense the narrowed look behind the Hunter's helmet.
"Where else?" he said, "Down that accursed hole to find Angel."
Seeing Ianos glance back and forth between him and the pit, Hope then saw the Warlock turn his attention to her, "You did not tell me that you lost Angel underground."
Hope blinked, confused. And then jerked back with realization.
"I – I wasn't really thinkin'." She admitted, "I just saw Angel fall in and…"
Hope heard him sigh but it was one filled with anxiety and not frustration. She decided that she really needs to take Pluto's lesson to heart and not panic. Otherwise, she wouldn't have picked up the first frequency she could latch onto. Which is Ianos. Unfortunate for both parties.
"Head back to the Tower. We will handle things here."
"What?" Io abruptly turned and his glower can be felt, "Angel is my partner during this venture. I am not going to abandon him just because his team is here."
Sensing the frown emitting from Ianos, Hope watched him lean in, "Just head to the Tower and inform the Vanguard and head to the Medical Wing. You need to get checked with Matt."
A brief silence.
"What are you implying?"
Ianos scoffed, "Do you think corruption occurs without reason? You have been dead for several hours and you have been laying within the darkness for that duration." The Warlock leaned back and crossed his arms, "Best to be checked by Matt for signs of corruption than linger and be possibly too late."
A possibility that never crossed Hope's mind and why Ianos seems worried despite his fears. She wonders if that is why he reacted quickly, knowing that they were in a dark-heavy area. Her core went heavy at the thought of her Guardian being underground in such a place.
That is when she heard a sigh from Io.
"I understand." The Hunter acquiesced. He took steps to walk around the two Warlocks. Io paused briefly before glancing over his shoulder, "Bring him back safely. Please." Then without another word, he left.
The worry, the concern, and the way he spoke, Hope had momentarily forgotten that he is young, younger than Angel in comparison of age. He always acted mature; it was rare to hear him sound vulnerable.
"You are certain he fell down there?"
Hope jumped, suddenly pulled out of her thoughts, she turned, and her optic locked onto Ianos' form. He had taken slow and subtle steps to the pit, and she can see the tension in the shoulders, how tight his grip is around his weapon.
"Only one way down that we know of and it's right here." She answered as she glided over.
"Right." Hope heard Ianos take in a deep breath, "What happened and what stopped you from following?"
"An unfortunate incident with a sticky grenade and a Knight is what happened." Hope said, "The explosion forced him to fall into here and I couldn't reach him fast enough." She sniffed, "and the debris got in the way."
At least, that is what she thought. A lot of dirt and rocks fell in. No doubt the bottom is covered by now. Best scenario is that he's simply buried, and they could dig him out. The worse? Well, the Hive are known to build catacombs. There is a strong possibility that they already had made themselves home here.
There is a heavy breath from Ianos followed by an ah.
"Then there is no other choice but for us to climb down."
Oh crap, Hope now definitely feels guilty. Ianos already has a problem with Hive. With Hive and his claustrophobia, it's not going to be pretty.
"We have some rope?" Hope offered and she couldn't help but flash Ianos a nervous smile when he turned and gave her a blank look. Soon after, he released another breath.
"Better than jumping down and unable to find a way back up." Ianos admitted, "Hope, if you may – Nine? What are you doing? Nine!"
It was quick, sudden, and Hope could understand Ianos' surprise when she glanced over, just in time to see Nine promptly walk over the ledge. And fell in.
Despite herself, Hope let out a yelp before gliding over the pit, shining her light down it. Like before, it couldn't penetrate enough to reach the bottom.
"Approximate time to land: Five seconds." Hope wheezed as the sound of Nine's voice echoed upwards; he's alive, "Requesting Ghost Sunny Day to illuminate the lowermost region. To help gage your jump."
"How in the fuck…"
The exasperation in Ianos' voice is obvious, and Hope couldn't help a snort. This earned her a look from the Warlock.
"Come here. You are sharing."
That wiped the smile off her.
"Pardon?"
"You think that I am going to leave yourself exposed here?" Ianos asked, "And with possible hostiles around?"
"Now would you think that – "
"We are in a 'dark zone', Hope." She paused at Ianos' words, "In other words, the Hive's presence is still strong here and I do not want to risk leaving you here. Especially without Angel."
There is truth in his words and, despite against the idea of sharing a headspace with another Ghost, Hope let out a sigh of defeat. Ianos must have taken it as an invitation, for she then saw him raise a hand, prompting her to slowly glide over and settle into his palm. Then, she focused. And released her light.
The familiar weightlessness and warmth settled over her senses quickly followed by emotions that weren't hers. A quick blink and she found herself looking through someone else's eyes. Ianos' eyes. Not long after, she felt another presence.
"You are comfortable with this?" Hope asked and she could hear, feel, Ace laugh.
"Ianos and I have been together for centuries, Hope. You think that we have not done this before with another Ghost?"
Good point.
"It will simply take Ianos and I a few minutes to attune." She heard them hum, "I thought you would understand since you momentarily shared Angel with Gaia."
Hope groaned, "Don't remind me. They may be our friend now but back then they hated Angel." She shuddered, "You can feel the fury radiatin' off them. Didn't want to share Angel after that."
She heard a laugh from Ace, "Well, for now I am sharing Ianos with you. Until we find your Guardian of course."
Humming in confirmation, Hope then hears Ianos take in a deep breath, watched through his eyes peer over the edge. And then he stepped over.
Xxxxx
He awoke with a gasp, his eyes flicking around his surroundings as Angel laid where he is, his breaths heavy within his helmet. Spotting nothing but shadows, his heart beating heavy against his chest, Angel went to push himself up, only to collapse back onto the hearth as pain spiked from his right arm. He clenched his teeth, rolling onto his back as he writhed. Clasping it close to his chest, Angel took in deep breaths, blinking past the tears as he slowly sat up, cradling his right arm in his left.
Judging from the way his right side ached, he must have landed it on. Broke it while it broke his fall.
"Perfect." He said to himself through gritted teeth, "Good start."
As he waited for the worse of the ache to fade, Angel turned his attention to his legs, or more specifically his right. As expected, when he moved it, there is a subtle ache but, nonetheless bearable. Just to be safe, he did the same to his left and fortunately, there is no pain. Angel breathed out, relieved. It would be trouble if his legs had been injured. Or, at least not broken.
Now for his surroundings.
Taking in a steady breath and releasing it, Angel closed his eyes, and counted to ten before snapping them open. The darkness around him cleared, or at least, his eye adjusted to the lack of light, Angel now spotting the figures of rocks and the walls of the tunnel around him. And the crack running down the front of his helmet
Blinking, Angel then scowled before reaching to the sealant under his chin, lifting his head back as he grumbled. Hearing the familiar hiss of the pressure release, Angel then slipped it off his head, shifting it with his good hand to take a better look at the front. He shook his head. Besides the crack running down the front, the sides were also dented, warped. It was a miracle that he escaped with his head intact as it is. Not even Hope could repair this.
Hope.
With his thoughts settling over his Ghost, Angel looked around, trying to spot the familiar red and white shell of Hope.
Did she make it out safely?
Dropping the helmet, Angel pressed a hand against his chest, squeezing his eyes shut as he reached out. He sighed in relief when he still felt her light glow strongly through their bond. At least he knows now that she is alive. It is just the question now of where is she?
Missing her presence, Angel opened his eyes and started to push himself onto his feet. Knowing that she is out there, the best he could do is find a way out. Who knows where he is now.
Cradling his broken arm in his left as he steadied himself, Angel then looked back. And his heart fell.
There, behind him, is an unmistakable sight of fresh rocks and hearth piled on top of each other, no doubt plugging up the way that he had fallen. And his chance to take the path back up.
Unable to help but grumble at his luck, Angel then scanned his surroundings once more before his eyes settled over the tunnel. Well, if he can't go back, he might as well head forward. Though, considering that he had been in Hive ship, there is no doubt who made them.
Groaning, Angel then reached down to his waist, only to scramble at the absence of his hand cannon.
Where is it?
Swiveling his head around, Angel cursed under his breath when he couldn't see it. He then went and checked his waist and breathed out through his nose as his fingers touched a familiar grip. At least he still has his knife. He won't be completely defenseless.
That is when he decided to reach over his shoulder and his fingers touched the grip of his sniper; somehow that made it with him. Although not much of use it will be for him, considering it's going to take two hands to use it and his right is currently out of commission. At this point, it will be better to use it as a club, if worse comes to worse. Although, he wasn't sure how Banshee would feel about a crafted piece being used in such a barbaric way.
Brushing the thought side, Angel then turned his attention back towards the tunnel. He rolled his neck before shaking off his good arm.
"Okay, remember the stealth training that Cayde and Pluto taught you." He said to himself, "Stay relaxed, stay calm, and last of all, don't panic."
Easier said than done, considering that he is injured with no Ghost, and alone in Hive territory.
Pressing his hand against a wall to help lead, Angel prayed silently to the Traveler to keep him safe as he slowly and gradually scooted forward.
Xxxxx
"It seems this is a dead end."
Turning and narrowing his eyes at Nine, Ianos then decided to say, "This pile of rubble beneath us does not give that away?"
"That also includes the buried entrance – "
"I see it." Ianos couldn't help but fidget with the rifle in his hands; despite the illumination of their Ghost's, he still couldn't help but be on edge, "Help me see if there is another way through."
That is when Nine knelt, sheathing his gun onto his back, before digging his hands into the debris and dirt.
Ianos raised a brow, "What are you doing?"
"My scans indicate that there no other entrances to the tunnel below us." Ianos furrowed his brows at the Exo's answer, "The only way through is either find another that is connected to the one below us or to unearth it ourselves."
"You are kidding me?"
"I do not understand what is to kid about."
Giving Nine a blank stare, Ianos opted to say nothing and instead, queued in onto his Ghost, "Any truth to his words, Ace?"
He heard them hum in response, "According to what I can tell, yes. The entrance below us is our best chance at finding Angel."
"Let me guess, he is not buried?"
"I checked. No body."
Releasing a breath, Ianos eyed the ground beneath him warily and he contemplated on just letting Nine unearth the entrance. But then he sensed Hope's anxiety, her worry, and his conscience burned. As such, despite himself, Ianos kneeled, holding his pulse rifle in one hand, and with the other, dug his fingers cautiously into the hearth.
He ignored the pain his hands, his fingers, as he dug into the crusted earth, gritting his teeth as the familiar scent of copper wafted into his nose. It has been weeks, weeks of captivity, weeks of waiting for aid. But no one is coming. He hated it to admit it but no one, not the Vanguard, not his fellow Guardians, are coming. No one was going coming to save them.
Ianos reeled, taking in a hitched breath as the last bit of memory faded. Heart beating wildly in his chest, he then felt Ace's soothing light settle into his head.
"Ianos, you alright?" His Ghost whispered, feeling their concern alongside with Hope's confusion, "Your heart rate accelerated."
Of course, Ace would pick up on it. Then again, they have been together for centuries.
"Nothing." Ianos could feel the doubt from his Ghost, "It is nothing." To ignore Ace's concerns, Ianos glanced down at his free hand, flexing it. The sensation of the darkness around them isn't helping him calm his nerves.
"You seem preoccupied, Warlock Ianos." He turned his eyes towards Nine, the Exo having paused in his work and is now staring at him; his optics glowed brightly despite the lights of their Ghosts, "Is something the matter?"
"I am fine." Ianos answered, "No need to worry about me."
"Your heart rate is beating at an accelerated rate." He sighed at Nine's observation, "and your breathing is abnormal. Is your breathing apparatus malfunctioning, Warlock Ianos?"
"It is working perfectly fine."
"Shortness of breath. Rapid heartbeat. Staring into space. Signs of post-traumatic stress disorder."
"Can you just – "
"Or signs of anxiety."
Ianos took in several deep breaths, "Nine…"
"The way you paused when you dug into the soil, I deduced that it involves digging to find a way out. Or perhaps escape." Ianos froze, "You were once a prisoner of war, Warlock Ianos. And from the way you react to our surroundings, it has to do with the Hive."
"Stop it." Ianos warned
"The last report of a Guardian survivor before Knight and I's was centuries ago." Ianos' heart beat loudly in his ears, "That must have been you. What have the Hive done to you, Warlock Ianos?"
"Shut your damn mouth!"
Ianos felt the arc light, felt it tingle through his arms as he grabbed Nine by the front of his coat, snarling, "I may have taken a vow to never kill another Guardian but that does not mean I will not hurt you."
Feeling his hands tremble, Ianos then shoved Nine away, and felt Ace tug through their bond. He latched onto this, using it as a distraction as he shoved his hand into the dirt, ignoring the sparks of blue around his wrist as he started to dig.
"You never spoke of the experience."
Ianos gritted his teeth, "Did I not just say for you to shut your damn mouth?"
"I am willing to risk harm to know more about you, Warlock Ianos."
He paused and then looked up at Nine, his eyes narrowed, "I am not an object to be observed, Nine."
"I am aware." Nine said, "Thus why I did not read your files, Warlock Ianos."
Ianos blinked, staring before he scowled, shaking the dirt from his hand, "You find me interesting?"
"I personally find Fireteam Redacted interesting." Nine clarified, "I have read files upon most inhabitants of the Tower with the exception of the Fireteam."
"And for what reason?" Ianos asked.
"You and Fireteam Redacted are not like the other Guardians stationed at the Tower." Nine answered, "A Titan that has fathered children. A Hunter raised by Eliksni Scavengers. And a Warlock whose light is corrupted by the Darkness." There is a brief pause from the Exo, Ianos watching him tilt his head, contemplating, "There are not many individuals such as yourselves."
Ianos remained quiet, curious now, the last of his annoyance and frustration ebbing away as he turned and started digging into the dirt once more, "Just because you find us interesting does not earn you any favors."
"I do not understand."
Scoffing at Nine's words, Ianos opted to said nothing and instead focused on digging. He finally holstered his pulse rifle to make use of both hands. From the corner of his eyes, Ianos could see Nine staring, his lights bright, before he watched the Exo turn and mimic his movements.
Xxxxx
Angel wished more than anything that Hope is with him. He had never noticed how much injuries hurt, how much they ached, not until now. With her absence, his broken arm spiked with every jumbled movement, a subtle pain even when cradled against his chest.
He will never take injuries for granted again.
Keeping his good hand against the wall to help keep him steady, Angel kept his jaw clenched as he slowly but surely moved through the dark. That is when he heard it.
The familiar clicks of the Hive.
And the snarling tongue of Eliksni.
Eyes growing wide, Angel paused, straining to listen. And he heard it again, followed by a struggle.
Curious and wary, he dared himself to press forward, feeling his way until his hand hooked around a corner, and he peered over.
He saw the Acolytes first – two of them. Both were snarling, frustration obvious in their tone, and it took Angel a moment for his eyes to adjust and spot an Eliksni. A Vandal and she is lashing out, growling at the Hive. Judging from the remnants of bondage around her wrists – crusted and red – it seems that she had escaped. Or attempted one at least.
One of the Acolytes screeched, a snappy one, before it took steps forward. In turn, the Vandal swung an arm in panic, crouching low and snarled. An obvious display of a threat. And this distracted her.
The other Acolyte took the advantage of an opening and latched onto her lower left arm, pulling her forward. This is swiftly followed by a snap. And a howl of pain from the Eliksni.
There is a click from the Acolyte, one that sounded close to a warning, and although the Vandal gave it a glare, she promptly fell onto her knees, cradling her broken appendage.
Sliding out of view, Angel curled his fingers into the wall, contemplating.
A broken arm and one life. Should he take the risk?
A part of his instincts told him no, to take caution. They may be just Acolytes, but Angel had read reports, heard stories of Guardians – Guardians with experience out in the field – being taken down by Thrall, overwhelmed by their numbers or by their own arrogance. And he had read that the Hive can be cunning.
However.
Another part of him told him to help, that all Eliksni, despite their division, are one. Harming one means you face them all. And that it is wrong to ignore someone in need.
Angel clenched his jaw, squeezing his eyes shut as an Eliksni's Captains face flashed from his memory, her four glowing eyes – soft and gentle. Loving – clear. She always had been soft-hearted. Too kind.
Another howl pulled Angel out of his thoughts, prompting him to snap his eyes open and peer over the corner. Again, it is from the Vandal, and he spotted the way that now both of her lower appendages were cradled against her body. It seemed that she had not given up her fight.
The tone of one of the Acolytes is clearing getting upset, agitated, before pointing at the other Hive and spoke in a tone that all but demanded. The other complied, forcing the Eliksni to her feet before restraining her remaining arms behind her back. That is when the other Acolyte reached over with its claws and Angel saw the tips start to dig into the Eliksni's throat. He didn't have to guess what was going to happen next.
Removing his knife from its sheath, Angel leaped out, shouting, and, just as he expected, the offending Acolyte turned to him. This allowed Angel to swing his knife downward and he felt it sink right into the Acolyte's throat. And he promptly tore it right out. There is a choke, a rasp before it started to fall. Angel didn't wait for it to hit the floor.
He turned and – with another battle cry – rammed into the Eliksni and Acolyte with his shoulder. There is a startled cry from both parties but, just as he expected, the Vandal tumbled away. The Eliksni always have been agile on their feet.
Angel, on the other hand, had a bit of a struggle, with only one functioning arm. But nonetheless, with his knife still in his free hand, Angel was able to scramble onto his knees, seeing the Acolyte do this same, and lunged forward. His knife – as always – hits its mark, sinking deep into the nook of the Hive's neck at an angle. Like the first one, this too choked, gasping, but, to Angel's surprise, it clung onto life, a clawed hand flailing before it latched onto the Hunter's broken arm. And squeezed.
Angel screamed.
He could feel its claws digging in, darkness already burning against his light. Angel twisted his knife. Hard.
There is a rattling gasp. And the Hive's hand went limp.
Arm trembling, Angel pulled his knife from the Hive's neck before falling back, staggering to his feet as his grip went tight around the handle of his blade. However, before he could assess the injury to his already broken arm, he felt another wrap around his neck, going taut, and effectively cutting off air. Or enough where Angel took in a deep breath and wheezed at the constriction against his throat.
"I am not your enemy." He managed out and he felt the Eliksni freeze behind him, feeling her breath behind her ether mask.
Then he heard her growl, "How do you know my people's tongue, bandit?"
Hearing the familiar derogatory term the Eliksni use for the Guardians, Angel couldn't help the disappointment.
Although he knew better, Angel had hoped that this Eliksni would have been a part of House Spirit. He is looking for them still. The way she degraded him however, made it obvious she is not part of their House.
Nonetheless, he shoved the loss down, and he parted his lips to answer.
Only to halt when the familiar screeches and cries of the Hive echoed down the corridor. Followed by a roar of a Hive Knight.
Taking in a deep breath, Angel felt the Eliksni's grip loosen – more than likely distracted by the Hive – which prompted him to duck down and slip out from her grip. Before she could even release a shout, a warning, Angel hooked his arm into hers and ran.