Redacted

Jora

I apologize for the late update guys, but a lot of stuff came up (a.k.a, finding a new job, finalizing stuff) and as such, didn't really have the time to write until this weekend. As such, here's the late chapter and enjoy! :D

Thanks to Diamond002, TidalKiller, and The Great Wolf 117 for the reviews!

Edit: 3/6/2018

I was told the corrupted text was hard to read so decided to 'ease' the corruption a bit. Hopefully it is better to read this time around :D

Edited: 07/30/2023

Akiva could tell that the Vex were none too pleased at their earlier defeat. There were more Minotaurs than usual and now there was another unit that resembled too much like the shell that Crystalline wears. Hydras, is what Isamu called them. Nonetheless, their numbers are making it difficult that even the shots from the Hobgoblins and Goblins that he was able to dodge before now became a nuisance. This made Akiva thankful for his Ward.

Pumping his shotgun, Akiva aimed it towards the nearest Hydra, shooting it directly in the eye. He winced as it let out a short cry and then splintered onto the empty floor. He is going to ask Crystalline's story on why she chose her shell. It made it uncomfortable to kill something that resembled her.

"I am going to take that this Nine individual is unable to replicate his power from before!?"

Isamu's shout prompted Akiva to look over, just as Knight shouted back, "Like I have said before! Nine is recovering from a battle weeks ago! He cannot do it in quick succession!"

There is a snarl, one filled with frustration, from Isamu, "Then the light is not going to be enough."

That is when Akiva felt malevolence, the anger settling against his shoulders just as Isamu leapt forward. Streaks of violet trailed behind him as the Revenant's fist slammed against the floor. This sent out an explosion of violet lightning, almost like whips as they lashed out. However, instead of the flickers of arc light that Akiva thought would occur, the Vex touched burst into flames, their cries resounded into the air before they disappeared in wisps of sickly green.

Watching on with wide eyes, Akiva then saw the Vex's attention snap towards Isamu – more than likely deeming him as the biggest threat – and simultaneously, almost in synchronization, fired. That is when the corrupted arc light tendrils lashed out, and much to Akiva's amazement, blocked – no, ate at the heated charges before more whipped out, devouring the Vex in close proximity.

"Don't just stand there, shoot something!" Akiva jumped when Crystalline appeared in front of him, "Isamu can't clear out the Vex all on his own."

From where he is standing, Akiva doubts that. However, instead of retorting, he held out a hand, prompting Crystalline to look at him and then at his palm. He can tell from the way her shell pressed against her core, tendrils flickering that she was thinking, contemplating before finally, she settled in. As Crystalline disappeared in particles of light, Akiva can feel her presence linger into his head followed by what felt like a slight scuffle and then a pout from Lex. It seems his Ghost isn't too keen on sharing. Nonetheless, Akiva would rather have Crystalline safe in his head than out here where enemy fire is prominent, especially since her Guardian is a child. He doesn't want to head back without her.

Aiming his shotgun at the closest Vex, Akiva then took notice of reduction of numbers, how little now approached the confines of his Ward. Despite Crystalline's worries, it seems Isamu is handling the Vex well enough, especially since that, even from the corner of his eyes, Akiva can see him rampaging, movements almost feral as his corrupted arc light continued to reach out, grabbing anything within its reach. That is when Akiva squinted.

Wait. Is it larger?

It almost seemed so, as every Vex that it touched the tendrils seemed to elongate, stretch, allowing it to have more access, more Vex to devour. Akiva couldn't help but gulp.

Is this why the Vanguard was so intent on hiding the Revenants' existence?

He prays that Isamu will keep his end of the bargain.

"They're retreating?"

Knight's words snapped Akiva out of his worries, his concerns, causing him to look again. Indeed, the young Exo's words seem to ring true, as he spotted Vex taking steps back, their trills echoing through the empty space. The air is quiet now, both sides having ceased fire, and Akiva watched on as the surviving Vex crouched, and disappeared in binary static.

"Did they give up?" Angel asked.

That is what Akiva hoped. His shoulders are starting to ache now for leaving his Ward up for so long.

"No." Isamu's answer prompted Akiva to release a harsh breath, rolling his shoulders, readying himself for another round, "When the Vex pull back, it means they have found another and more efficient way to rid of us."

Hearing the Revenant approach, Akiva couldn't suppress the shiver as he saw the green glow through his visor; it reminded him too much of the Hive.

"Be prepared, they are prepping their best." Isamu said; Akiva saw him glance around, his eyes narrowed, "Considering where we are, wouldn't be surprised if we face a Mind."

Akiva couldn't help but frown, "Mind?"

"Axis Mind." Isamu clarified, "A powerful Vex that controls a single collective."

Akiva blinked, "That, doesn't sound good. At all."

This earned him only a scoff from Isamu, the Revenant turning his eyes to the floor. He heard him take in a deep breath, the green glow from his eyes easing. They still glowed however. That is when Akiva decided that, despite the ache in his joints, he decided to keep his Ward up. It seems that the Revenants have a limit when it comes to utilizing the Darkness.

That is when he heard it. The familiar static of Vex compiling into their surroundings.

Hefting his shotgun in his hands, Akiva searched, and then aimed when he spotted the familiar static, worried at just how long it took for the Vex to appear. And then, it did.

Thanks to the amount of Vex that the group had fought earlier, Akiva had expected a larger amount, a battalion, thus, he was surprised when it seemed only one appeared, landing with an audible clank.

At first, Akiva thought it was a Minotaur, since he spotted only the single lone red glowing optic and not the white glow of their core. But then, he saw them flinch, a rigid gesture that seemed out of place, unique for this one. Then, it took a step forward, and that is when Akiva finally noticed something was off. It twitched every other step and the plating he realized was armor, painted in different coloration of black and dark blue.

A Guardian.

Or at least they were.

As they slowly approached, Akiva can see copper plating implanted on their body or more specifically, their right side. It was all Vex, hand and leg, and their midsection and chest shined copper.

Akiva gritted his jaw, grip tight around his weapon.

He was hoping, praying that they were not who they were looking for.

But, the way Isamu's breath hitched, almost a sob, and the glow in his eyes vanished, it did nothing to ease Akiva's worries.

"Jora?" Isamu whispered.

Xxxxx

Scorpio can only imagine being born while in danger; he remembers Io telling them of his resurrection on Mars, Cosmos claiming being resurrected in the outskirts of the Cosmodrome, and Nova being born in the middle of a firefight between a group of Veterans and Fallen. In turn, Scorpio would sheepishly retell his and Gemini's resurrection; that they were found in the safety of a small room, curled in each other's arms. All they had to do was wait while their Ghosts contacted the Tower for an escort. Scorpio and Gemini never saw a real firefight until Pluto deemed that they were ready after several months under his tutelage.

Perhaps that is why Nova can stay steadfast in his Ward, how Cosmos runs into battle with little fear, and Io is able to take Fallen down with ease; because unlike the others, they already had seen battle before they were even twenty-four hours old.

That would explain why Eidr was quiet in Scorpio's arms as he fired his weapon; more than likely the infant had grown accustomed to combat, to the noise and violence common in the life of a Guardian.

It made Scorpio more determined to keep the infant safe.

"Can't you just put the baby down and shoot!" Scorpio scowled at his twin's words, "It's difficult to keep all of them back with you only putting in half an effort!"

In response to his sister's words, Scorpio reloaded his hand cannon; difficult with only one free hand.

"And put this child at risk!?" He shouted back, ducking to avoid a Vex shot, "Traveler, no!"

"Bah! This is why I personally don't want kids!" Gemini scoffed, "They just get in the way!"

"Gemini!" Scorpio gave her a disapproving look, "That is rude to all Guardians who are able to balance their duties and their children!"

"Good point! Sorry! But you should still find a way to get both hands free!"

Scowling, Scorpio glanced down at Eidr. In turn, the baby looked back with wide eyes and cooed.

He groaned, "Okay, fine! Just give me a minute!"

Holstering his weapon so that he had both hands around Eidr's protective shell, Scorpio quickly glanced at his twin to ensure that she is safe – and judging from the way she let arc light surge throughout her form and slashing at any approaching Vex, he believes she is. Thus, after a quick scan of their surroundings, Scorpio spotted a large crevice not too far from where he stood, prompting him to take a few steps back and crouch. His optics beamed; it didn't seem too deep.

"I will be right back." Scorpio whispered as he settled the egg within the crevice; he smiled at the giggle the child gave him.

Tugging at some stray grass and moss, Scorpio stood and took a step back, and nodded at his handiwork. He can tell that from a distance, Edir is indiscernible, nearby but hidden. Thus, Scorpio finally turned, snapped his hand into the hair, and the familiar warmth of flames solidified in his grasp. Then, he aimed and fired.

As Scorpio expected, Gemini leaped back, allowing his shot to streak past her and slam into a Minotaur, causing it to explode in embers and flames.

His sister laughed, "Finally! Let's get this show on the road!"

That is when Gemini's light seemed to grow, to expand, her arc light lashing wildly before her knife grew in length. Then, she twirled her staff in her hands, arc light flickering off the tips.

"Come at me!" She whooped as she ran in, swinging her staff. It didn't take long for Scorpio to see flickers of arc light dissipate into the air, remnants of what was once the Vex.

Listening to Gemini laugh with delight, Scorpio couldn't help a smile as he aimed his Golden Gun once more and fired, again watching as his intended target exploded. However, this time, the Vex's body dispersed, the flames latching onto the ones who wandered nearby. Then they too exploded into flames.

"I can get more kills than you!" he hollered.

He heard an exaggerated gasp, "Traveler, no! Not today!"

Scorpio again laughed, "Sirius! Keep a kill count for me!"

"You do the same Nysa!"

Grinning as he heard the hint of competitiveness in his twin's voice, Scorpio then fired the last shot of his Golden Gun, feeling it disperse in his hands as he reached down to his own hand cannon at his hip. The death cries of the Vex echoed in his sensors as he fired, their body crumbling as he fired at their cores. Then, he spotted a particular large group spawning nearby. Optics brightening, Scorpio focused his light into his hand, feeling it solidify and heat against his palm. He then tossed the grenade, smiling as it latched onto a Vex in the front, ringing before suddenly it stopped.

And exploded.

Looking on with glee as the flames consumes anything within its proximity, that is when Scorpio heard it. A cry amongst the shots and light.

Turning around, Scorpio froze when his optics settled over a Minotaur. However, its attention was not on him. Instead, its Torch Hammer was aimed towards the ground. And aimed at the crevice where Scorpio had placed Eidr.

The infant's cries loud in his receptors now, Scorpio forced the surprise to the side and snarled, "Get away from him!"

His shout seemed to catch the Minotaur's attention for it turned towards him, giving Scorpio ample time to charge, leap, and swing a leg into the Vex's single optic. A resounding cry was his reward, signaling to Scorpio to square out his feet to stabilize his landing before raising his hand cannon, aimed it at the Minotaur's glowing optic, and pulled the trigger. The Minotaur stumbled back, but Scorpio gave it no time to recover.

Echoes of Pluto's lessons rang in his head as he kept firing, watching as the shots caused the Minotaur to stumble back, screeches out before finally, Scorpio fired one last shot at its head, and it crumpled, its red optic fading away.

That is when, once again, Eidr's cries rang loud in his receptors.

Holstering his hand cannon, Scorpio scrambled over to the crevice and crouched down, placing a hand upon the egg's surface, "It's okay. I'm here. No need to cry."

Scooping the shell into his arms, Scorpio saw a flash of red from the corner of his optics, prompting him to take up his knife and toss it. It landed right into the midsection of a Goblin, hearing it release a cry before it collapsed into a metallic heap.

"Scorpio!"

His sister's shout is a warning, prompting Scorpio to leap to the right, only to feel the splash of a Torch Hammer's blast. Gritting his jaw as his shields shattered, Scorpio stumbled, barely catching his balance, only to leap back to dodge another blast from a Minotaur.

"Didn't you put that kid down!?" Gemini screamed, "Why do you have him again!?"

"A Minotaur tried to kill him!" Scorpio shouted back as he took several slow steps back; the Minotaur kept approaching, "What do you expect me to do!? Leave him!?"

"What do you mean a Minotaur tried to kill him!?"

"Exactly as it sounds!"

That is when he heard Gemini let out a war cry, prompting Scorpio to take a single large step back. Just as his sister slammed her staff down upon the Minotaur's head. It crumbled under the energy, smashed like a can, and the point of impact seared with the imprint of her staff. There is a huff from his sister as she hefted it over her shoulders, feeling her optics narrow upon him.

Then, she shouted, "Watch out!"

Seeing Gemini raise her staff like a javelin, Scorpio ducked, and he felt the heat, the buzz of her staff above his head. Behind him, he heard a clang and then a screech, prompting him to glance back. It was a Hydra, reeling as the staff remained lodged in its optic. There is another war cry from Gemini and Scorpio scrambled to the side, just as he saw the black and orange clad form of his twin leap past him and grabbed one end of her staff. Then, she lifted it, and Scorpio couldn't help but flinch when the Hydra let out a wail as it flailed in the air. And then promptly was smashed into bits, leaving behind a pool of white liquid when Gemini slammed it onto the hearth.

He would commend his sister for her strength, if Eidr's cry hadn't rang out once more. Scorpio then turned his attention to the egg in his arms, rocking back and forth.

That is when he heard his sister scoff, "Can't you put that child down? It will be safe if you hid it properly."

Unable to help but lift his head and give his sister a narrowed look, Scorpio found himself ducking again when he saw Gemini swing her staff towards him. He heard a Vex cry out from behind him, another crash, and then silence.

"What do you think I tried to do?" Scorpio retorted as he stood, "I tried, but the instant I turned around the Vex go after him." He turned his optics back to Eidr, only to see the infant look back at him with wide hazel eyes. They were wet with tears.

Scorpio breathed out as he turned his attention back to his sister, "Look, I had to pick him up again otherwise he would have taken a Torch Hammer to the face."

Sensing a scowl behind his sister's visor, Scorpio then took a step to the side when he saw her swing her staff once more, hitting away a Goblin. It flew out of sight.

"They do seem more focused on you – a.k.a. the kid – than me." She admitted. Scorpio couldn't help but feel like she is pouting, "That ruins all the fun." His sister hefted her staff onto her shoulders, "Guess that means you can't fight with both hands, and I can't exactly fight the Vex alone."

"I can still defend with one hand but," Scorpio looked around, spotting more Vex approach from the reeds, "Safe to say it is time to find higher ground."

"I can agree with that." Gemini swung her staff across her shoulders, sliding it into her opposite hand, "Want me to make a path?'

"Considering you're the only one with both hands free, I say, yes."

Xxxxx

"Jora?" Crystalline snapped her optic to Isamu, "Are you certain?'

Denial had gripped her core hard. It couldn't be possible. After all, Isamu had escaped their prison not too long ago. The Vex couldn't have taken her so quickly.

But the silence was enough.

Shrinking back within the confines of Akiva's head, Crystalline didn't want to believe it, didn't want to believe the Chosen before them is indeed the same Jora that she and Blaise had befriended decades before. But as she reached out, released her senses, Crystalline recognized the determined light and the stubborn darkness within.

"Jora?" Crystalline turned her focus back on Isamu; he had taken a step forward, "Jora, it is I, Isamu. Do you recognize me?"

A long silence followed his question, and Crystalline saw Jora flinch, the single glowing optic dimming. Hope settled into her core.

"N̹̏ot̪́h̀ͅi̛͉n͎̿g̥̈́ y͎͑ou̖͋ sa̎͟y͔͘ wi̬̅l̺̆l ḃ͔r̨͘î͕ng̥̀ thȋ͚s o͚͠n̗̐é̲ b̧͘a͙̓ck."

There is an audible gasp from Akiva as Crystalline's core went cold.

"Wĕ͎ hav̱̀é̳ comp̧̊l͓̿e̗͑ť̥elỳ̘ assimí̧l͙͠a̟̍te͉͘d͙͗th̺͆is on̄͜e,̰̔ her̛̦ ent̝̓ir̨͋e bei̟̾ng is ou͚͆r ǒ͇ẇ̬n̟͘.͇̂" The optic upon Jora's face glowed bright, almost blinding, "S͕̉he is u͕͊s an̑ͅd w̜̕e͈̅ are̞̍ h̹̓ĕ̦r̘̽.̢̉"

"What have you done!?"

Turning her attention back to Isamu, Crystalline can feel the despair, the grief from the Revenant Titan.

"Ý͙o̯͗ü̢ ar͗ͅe th͉̒ï̖s o̞͗nè͎'̧̛s ma͔̾t͙͘e̖̅.̬̈́"

The way the Vex spoke, so empty and uncaring, as if it was nothing more than a fact, caused Crystalline's core to twist, a mixture of anger and grief overtaking her.

"Give her back." She heard Isamu say as the familiar violet arc energy sparked around his shoulders, "Give Jora back!"

A scream came from Isamu's throat as he charged, his light trailing behind him as he raised a fist.

At first, when Crystalline saw the Vex-Jora make no movement, not even a minuet flinch, she had thought that it was simply going to take a hit. Perhaps this is another test? A simulation in the eyes of the Vex?

Thus, she was surprised when the moment Isamu swung, the Vex-Jora suddenly moved, shifting one foot back, pulled back a fist of their own. And swung.

Crystalline felt Akiva stumble as a mix of darkness and light engulfed them, sending a chill to settle into her core. It had been a while since she had last seen them used in tandem like this.

As the remnants of the light and darkness faded, Crystalline found herself squinting as Isamu and Vex-Jora's form became visible, and it was then she noticed that their fists had made contact. For Isamu, sparks of the darkness infused Arc light can be seen and at first, Crystalline had thought the same for Vex-Jora, until she spotted the familiar Vex static around her wrist. It made Crystalline's core sink. Any remnants of hope of saving Jora diminished.

"She's too far gone."

Crystalline felt Akiva go rigid followed by Lex's shock and then empathy. She felt a light brush against hers followed by a faint word of apology. Grief settled in.

"Isamu." She broke into the comms, reaching out to the Titan Revenant.

However, before she can continue, Crystalline can see Isamu's shoulders tremble, his head bowed. Then, a shotgun appeared in his free hand, and he pressed it against Vex-Jora's chest.

There was a scream, from both Isamu and Jora as he fired a shot, the pellets penetrating her chest, causing her to stumble back. Hers was a mix of human and Vex.

"You killed her." Crystalline caught Isamu's words, filled with grief and rage. She couldn't help but worry.

That is when she saw Isamu charge again, and again, he aimed his shotgun and fired.

This time however, Vex-Jora snapped out her hands, popping a familiar Ward around her person. That is when Crystalline finally turned her attention to Akiva.

"Hurry!" She said, "Help Isamu take her down!"

Crystalline felt Akiva take a step forward and then pause, "But…"

"Jora is beyond saving." Hurt settled into Crystalline's core, "The least we can do is help her pass on."

There is another pause, prompting Crystalline to shift frustratingly inside his head. That is, until Akiva holstered his shotgun, and sparks of arc light crawled through his arms. Then, with a shout, Akiva charged towards Vex-Jora, running past Isamu before he leaped into the air, raised his fists, and slammed onto the surface of the Ward. As expected, his fists easily broke through, the explosion of light ringing inside Crystalline as he contacted the ground. There was a scream from Vex-Jora and she couldn't help but look on with surprise as the Vex-Guardian remained standing. Stunned, but alive.

That is when Crystalline heard a shot of a high-powered rifle ring through the air.

And the red optic of Vex-Jora shattered.

She screamed, body shuddering and Crystalline found Akiva glancing back and settle over Angel. The Hunter is kneeling, a sniper in his hands. She saw him pull back on a lever, ready for another shot.

Feeling Akiva turn his attention back to Vex-Jora, Crystalline then saw Isamu charge, his darkness infused arc light around his person once more, shotgun in one hand and a fist in the other. He was going to give her a Revenant's end. At least, that is what Crystalline had thought.

That was before she spotted the familiar wisps of darkness wrapping around Vex-Jora's arms.

It was sudden, darkness once again engulfing Crystalline's sight but this time, she heard screaming. Screaming not from Vex-Jora, but from the others. Then, she felt the pain, prompting herself to scream but she shrugged it off, gritting her shell as she tried to let it pass. Crystalline reminded herself of the bonding when she and Blaise first connected with the Darkness. This is no different.

Moments later, the pain eased, turning into nothing more than an ache and Crystalline found herself releasing a shuddering breath, her vision flickering. That is when she noticed that Akiva was seemingly facedown; all she could see is the floor through his eyes. Thus, despite instinct telling her not to, Crystalline took it upon herself to compile out of Akiva, barely feeling Lex reach out to her before she formed outside.

Blinking the last of the flickering from her optics, Crystalline finally looked out to her surroundings. And halted.

Below her, Akiva is facedown, as she expected however, wisps of darkness permeated from his body, his armor scorched from whatever attack Vex-Jora had released. Behind her, Angel is much the same, lying upon his back, and Knight is not too far from him, laying upon his side. The only one who seemed to be awake is Isamu and he was on his knees, a hand to the floor, trying to keep himself steady.

Crystalline couldn't help but press her shell against her core, trying to take it all in.

"Y̳̅o͆ͅu á͜ṛ̍e a Gh̥͘ost t͉̏h̢͝ȁ͜t is a c͙͋at͍͌á͕l̳̒y̧̛š͢t͓̆ f̭͝o̧̓r t̀͟h͔̏e D̢͘a͔̐rk̨̒ǹ̝ess, j̰̀ụ͘s̭͠t a͔͋s thiś̘ ơ͙n̟̐e h̠̾ad̬̉.̛̗"

Snapping her attention behind her, Crystalline couldn't help but shrink back as Vex-Jora stood before her, broken optic staring her down. Despite herself, she couldn't help but look over its shoulder, half expecting to see the familiar green and gold shell. There was nothing but an empty space.

"What have you done to Jhavi?" Crystalline managed to stutter out.

There is a flicker of red from the broken optic, Vex-Jora rigidly turning its head to a side.

"Th͚̚r̡̋o̯̚u̢̓g̽ͅh̐͟ ṫ̢his̰͡ ȍ͉ne̦̚,̤͗ ẉ̑e ả͔r͉͆e̖͡ a̺͝ble̺̔ tó̺ ŭ͙t̳̔i̍͟l̖͂i̞͠ze t̘͐h̆͟e̼͆ D̖͝a̒͜rk̀͟n̺̕ess̞̆ aǹ͎ḑ̈́ t͚̀ḥ̆e̬͡ Lig̠̅ht.̠͡ Therẻ̥ w̨͊a͓͛s͙̿ nö͙ n̂͜e̮̕ed for̺̉ i̫̿t̢̋. Thụ̂s͉̽,͇̊ it w̝̾á̗s̪̓ t̄ͅe͒͟rṁ̺i̥͘nå̱t͜͝e̮̅d̘̐.̗̈́"

Crystalline's core twisted, "You what?"

"Ī̩t̤͗ ̠̕w̻̐aṡ͓ ̪̋n̺͑ò̳ ̟́l͔̕on̪̑g̙̀e̬͌r n̑͜e̛͉e̮̋de̘͠d̟̒." Vex-Jora repeated, as if that were to answer her question, "U͡ͅt̤͛i̹̇l̰̓ï̹z̟͘a̼͒tion̨̆ ͉̈of ̟̋t̨͐he ͖́L̺̈ig̠͠ht and̦̅ ̦͒ṯ̊h̪͘ę͗ ̹̓D̝̓ā̗r̻̽ḱ̦ne̊ͅś̹s̺̐ a͔͂nd͎͐ t͐͜he̟͒ir̹͊ ̉ͅtw̦̐ó̢ ̺͛C͖̆ȃ̪t̗̍à̤l̫͠ỹ̥st̮͛s ͓͐al̹̅ŕ̹e̠̊à̤d͋͢y͚͡ ̭̃ac̨̅q̣̂ui̲̓red̰̆.̲͒"

"Two catalysts…?" Crystalline couldn't help but repeat back, "You don't mean Jora and…" Her optic grew wide, "No, you already have Jora. You are not taking Isamu as well."

"Ĭ̖t̳͂ i̲͂s n̳͘o̼̿t̗͘ y̗̾ou̘̾r̬̕ ͕̿c̭̉h̤̃oic̪̐e͍͋."

Spinning her shell erratically as Vex-Jora turned away from her, Crystalline turned her optic back to Isamu. From there, she could see Hajime had compiled out of the safety of Isamu's head, beaming his light away at the wisps of Darkness permeating from his Chosen's form.

"Isamu! Hajime!" She shouted; she watched as her fellow Ghost looked up at her, "Move! The Vex! They are trying to assimilate you!"

"What!?"

Hearing Hajime shout, Crystalline found herself moving, brushing past Vex-Jora as she made her way to Isamu, hovering just above his shoulder.

"Come on, get up!" She leaned in close, practically touching his visor, "They already have Jora, they can't have you either." The footsteps behind her grew loud; her agitation grew, "Don't you dare leave Eidr alone. He was just born; he cannot lose both his parents so soon."

There is a minuet raise of his head, a groan from Isamu, "Eidr?"

"Yes, Eidr." Hope bloomed in Crystalline's chest, "So please, get up and-"

Pain seared throughout Crystalline's being, so agonizing that she hadn't even realized she was upon the floor, not until she blinked rapidly and felt the cold pressed against her core. She groaned, forcing past the pain and shook off the haze that threatened to overtake. Picking herself up, Crystalline's thoughts finally cleared, and Isamu was the first to settle in. The grogginess snapped to horror.

"Isamu!" She turned, frantically looking around until she spotted him. And Vex-Jora.

The latter is hovering over Isamu, leaning over him as it practically stared him down. Then, it reached down and grabbed Isamu by the front of his armor, pulling him up and forcing him onto his feet.

"As͓̒s͍͘imil̥͝i̓͟aṯ͠é̦."

What seemed to be light gathered around Vex-Jora's hand – the same static pattern that had summoned the Vex – and then promptly engulfed Isamu. Crystalline then heard him scream.

"Isamu!" Hajime's voice rang out from beside her, and Crystalline looked back to see her fellow Ghost rise from the floor; it seemed she was not the only one who had been knocked to the side.

Then, Crystalline looked on as Hajime ruffled his shell and then zoomed towards his Chosen.

"Hajime!" She called out, "Wait!"

Her warning went unheeded, and Crystalline could only watch as Vex-Jora snapped their broken optic towards Hajime, held up a hand, and flicked their wrist. A flash of violet, an orb latching onto Hajime followed by a high-pitched ring.

Then an explosion.

A burst of violet engulfed her fellow Ghost and Crystalline couldn't help but let out a scream as remnants fell from the smoke, the fragments of Hajime's violet shell hitting the floor.

"Hajime!"

Isamu's voice rang out, filled with agony and despair and Crystalline looked back. Only to reel back in horror as she saw parts of his armor, his body, shift, and change. And replaced with familiar copper.

"No." Crystalline pressed her shell against her core, "No, I can't. I can't lose anyone else.

She found him in tears, his azure eyes turning towards her as he wiped them away with the back of his hands.

"Are you lost?" He asked her and she couldn't help but stare, optic hesitant, contemplating.

"No." She finally answered, and she saw him frown.

"Then why are you…"

His voice faded as she approached, hovering near his hand as she nudged herself into his fingers. Sensing his puzzlement, she spun her shell happily when he finally turned his palm open, enabling her to settle in and focus her light. That is when she felt the connection, the void that had always tugged at her filled, and she soon found another mind's linked with her own.

First, she felt grief.

And then joy.

"I can't…"

A resounding laugh can be heard from Jora and Crystalline couldn't help but be amused when she felt Blaise flush through their shared bond.

"What's so funny?" He asked.

"You." Jora grinned at him. This earned him a laugh from Isamu, "You sounded so confident that we can defend ourselves from Tower Guardians if we are to venture out to the wilds. It was cute."

"You hear that, Blaise." Isamu practically chirped, "She said you were cute."

Blaise in turn, dipped his head, "Shut up."

Crystalline couldn't help it. She laughed and she saw her Chosen turn to her, mouth agape.

"Traitor!" He shouted.

She can hear the playfulness in his voice.

"Please…" Crystalline begged.

She felt helpless as her Guardian lay broken behind their meager cover, the chittering sounds of the Fallen echoing around them.

"Crystalline…"

His call was quiet, hardly audible, but she heard it just the same.

"Yes?"

There is a grunt, a gasp, "I need you. Out here."

She couldn't help but pause, wondering, curious. And questioning.

"A message? She asked.

There is a pause, a beat too long for Blaise's answer, but she shrugged it off to the side when he said, "Yes."

Grief settled into her core as Crystalline wholeheartedly followed his command; the least she could do is send one last signal to the others, to send them a warning of a building Splicer group growing right underneath their noses. Then, she and Blaise can join the others in the afterlife.

However, as she compiled out of the safety of his head, Crystalline did not expect the warmth of her Chosen's touch to wrap around her shell and, before she could even question, even realize, she felt herself fly, twirling in the air. Her blue optic grew wide as she finally halted herself, regaining her balance as she found herself outside. From there, she can see Blaise through the doorway, and he smiled at her through his broken helmet, a grenade in his hand.

"Blaise!" She cried out.

"Crystalline…" She was too far, his voice a murmur but, she heard it clear, "I love you."

"I CAN'T!"

That is when Crystalline sensed a warmth of light nearby, powerful, in droves, and Crystalline found herself looking back.

That is when she saw Knight, slowly standing to his feet, and then rolling his shoulders, as if to stretch. Then, he raised his hand and curled his fingers into a fist. A bright flash occurred behind her and Crystalline turned her attention back to Isamu and Vex-Jora. That is when she saw the wall, built purely out of light, appear between the two,

Hearing Vex-Jora let out a scream of pain, that is when Crystalline saw her hand fall – the hand that had grabbed Isamu – prompting her to stumble back. In turn, Isamu collapsed, flickers of the Vex static fading around him.

The wall stayed, and Crystalline watched as it pressed against Vex-Jora, pushing her back away from Isamu. It was only when it was a good distance away that it finally disappeared.

"Interesting." The voice Crystalline heard behind her wasn't Knight's, "I have heard the Vex experiment on Guardians, but I never thought I would see a result of their work."

That is when Vex-Jora's red flickering optic finally snapped to Nine.

"Y̝͌o̠̊u͖̐ ̱̿a͚͠r̙͊e of͂͟ ͢͞t̮͘wo͈͗ mḯ̹n̹̓ds.͎̏" It said, "H͆ͅow̤̑ev̛̹ě̻r̞͑ o̭̾n̤̓ly̪̒ one ̦̐h̼͗o̡̊l͓͐d̗̃s t̪̋h̖́e ͍͋p̘̀owe̞̎r ̮́of w͇͠h͚͛om͇̏ ̮̄y̘̆o̻͗u͇͡ că͓ll tẖ͒e̥̊ ̛̹T̢̔ră̹v͖͝e̖͡l̼̉er̰̂."

There is a flicker of surprise from Nine, however brief, "You can tell."

Crystalline couldn't help but worry. There is an edge to his voice.

"Interesting, I would like to stay and – what do humans call it? – chat however, you harmed my team." That is when Crystalline saw red bead through the visor of his helmet and for the first time, she felt the anger behind it, "And I do not appreciate my family being harmed."