Redacted

Old Friend

Last minute update but I still updated on a weekend so it still counts as being on time lol.

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

Edited: 08/20/2023

Was editing this chapter and realized that the split in perspective on this one is pretty severe so split it to help with the flow. Next chapter will update in a bit.

"How in the Traveler are we going to sneak him in?"

"Throw a blanket over him and carry him into the Medical Wing?"

"Then what happens if it slides off or if someone pulls on it? Then they will see a Vexified Chosen being carried in our arms!"

"Then what else do you recommend then!?"

Nine couldn't help but be amused as he continued to watch Crystalline and Akiva argue, the latter gesturing his hands at Isamu who was currently seated in one of the many seats within the ship. Although he could see him flinch occasionally, Nine can also see the tinge of mirth in Isamu's light brown eyes at their attempt at a plan.

The group are all taking refuge in Akiva's ship, which was surprisingly large inside, where everyone could get up and walk if they wanted to with plenty of space. It even had rooms in the back where Angel is currently housed. Everyone else was here in the front, all seated, to discuss how to bring Isamu into the Tower without being caught. After all, a Chosen slowly turning into a Vex will likely cause panic. And a Revenant at that.

"Why can't we just suit him up in new armor and then try to pass him off as one of our own?" It was Scorpio who suggested the idea, the latter still cradling Eidr in his arms; Nine wouldn't be surprised if he didn't notice his own swaying, "Sensing the light and darkness in others is a rare skill, isn't it? And that skill takes decades to attain so it's usually only Guardians from the Dark Ages who can utilize it, right?"

"Then wouldn't Pluto notice then?" Gemini asked.

"He wouldn't be a threat to Isamu." Scorpio then paused, "Right?"

That is when Akiva shrugged, "Honestly, not sure. If Isamu is right, those who were resurrected after the Great Disaster have little to no knowledge when it comes to the Revenants and those who do had vowed secrecy." He leaned back in his seat, the absence of his helmet showing that his brows were furrowed, "Pluto had not mentioned the Revenants once so who knows what his thoughts are towards them."

"Or Ianos." Nine felt all eyes turn to him, "He has been around almost as long as Pluto, thus I would not be surprised if he too took part in this undisclosed conflict between the Tower and the Revenants."

There was a glimmer of silence at his words and when no one else spoke after a beat, Nine took the opportunity to check in on Day and Knight. Pulling at their bond, it took only a moment to feel a weak but obvious tug from Day. However, there is still nothing from the younger mind. He couldn't help but be concerned and in turn, he felt waves of gentle light, a comforting gesture from his Ghost. This allowed him to ease in his seat.

"You say that your friend's condition was serious, correct?" Isamu's voice brought Nine back, turning his attention onto the Revenant, "Then I should say his opinions does not matter."

"Now why would you say that?" Gemini asked.

"He does not have a choice if the Darkness within him is devouring his Light." Isamu answered. He coughed and then continued, "If he truly wants to live, then he will have to accept my help, whether he likes it or not."

There is another stunned silence.

Fortunately, Akiva broke it quickly, "Well, that takes care of that. But we still have a problem of sneaking you in."

This earned Akiva a look from Isamu, "Who says that you have to smuggle me into the Tower?" There is a heavy release of breath from him, strained, "It does not matter if I am caught, I am a dead man either way."

"Hey." Akiva's voice rang out but this time it was soft, filled with worry, "You have a son to raise, you cannot give up so easily." That is when Nine watched him press a fist against his chest; a Titan's gesture of a vow, "After you help Ianos, we will find a way to help you."

There is a snort from Isamu however, he remained quiet and Nine can see the apprehension and exhaustion in his eyes.

"If you insist, then I recommend we go with his plan." Isamu turned his eyes to Scorpio, "Try and disguise me and then slip past everyone's guard." He then pauses briefly, "Just, try and not get noticed by the Guardians of Old."

Xxxxx

The trip back to the Tower was short, giving little time for Akiva to prepare. Thus, when his ship landed and the ramp lowered to allow everyone off, he couldn't help but fidget, nervous as he secured Isamu's arm around his shoulders, and a hand around the latter's waist to keep him close.

"Do you have to make yourself so obvious?" He jumped at Isamu's words; Akiva can feel the narrowed stare behind his helmet; a new one to replace the one that had been damaged, "Just remember: say that you found me on Venus, injured, alongside Eidr, and have decided to bring me to the Tower for medical aid."

"Easier said than done." Akiva murmured, watching as started to lead Isamu down the ramp; he can hear the others follow behind him, "Like, I have lied to the Vanguard before but to this extent? I'm sure this was the biggest lie I ever told them." He then pauses, brows furrowed, "Well except for my eldest child. And Sun."

Akiva can feel Isamu give him a look, "What?"

"I will tell you that story later." Akiva flashed him a nervous smile; he had removed his helmet after assessing the damage to his armor. It couldn't be saved, "but first, let's hurry and get out of here before we bump into someone who likes to ask questions."

He sensed the scowl, another narrowed stare, but Isamu said nothing else. Instead, Akiva felt him lean against him, using him as leverage as he continued to lead him down the ramp and finally into the Hangar. Brushing past the crowd, Akiva jumped again as a blur of white ran past him, and it was only after he blinked when he spotted Nine rushing ahead, with Angel in his arms.

That is when the worry settled into his chest.

Although it has been hours since their excursion to Venus, Angel has yet to stir. Even Hope couldn't wake him up when she awoke, her light doing little to even make the young Hunter flinch. Akiva just hopes that it is nothing serious and that his light is still intact.

"Do you want us to follow?"

Again, Akiva jumped, and he heard Isamu release a heavy sigh. Flashing at him another sheepish smile, Akiva glanced over his shoulder and locked onto light blue optics. It was Scorpio and he was carrying Eidr, swaying back and forth subtly.

"I mean," The Hunter shrugged, "If I head back to our quarters, Pluto will question why I have a kid, you know what I mean?"

Right. They can't just let Scorpio back to the Galaxy Clan's shared apartment and the twins are connected by the hip. Where one goes, the other will follow. A habit that Pluto had given up trying to break long ago.

Thus, Akiva nodded, "I think they will let us in together." He then paused, hesitating as they finally exited the Hangar and turned the corner to the Medical Wing, "I hope."

"If not, then we will have to force our way in."

Flinching at Isamu's suggestion, Akiva could help but say, "You seem adamant on helping Ianos." When he sensed Isamu look up at him and glower, he then added, "Look, I know that we had a deal, however it is not like as though my team and I completed our end of the bargain." Despite his face being hidden, Akiva can feel the frown from Isamu fade, "Despite Ianos' deteriorating condition, we are fair when it comes to favors towards others. We had only expected you to help us after we had successfully bring Jora back." His throat went tight, "But we didn't, and yet, here you are trying to keep your end of the deal."

That is when he saw Isamu look away, keeping his eyes forward, prompting Akiva to take it as a sign to do the same. From there, he could see the hall to the Medical Wing and when he led Isamu and the others in, he could see Nine talking with a medic, Angel in his arms. However, before Akiva could call out to him, or before Nine could even see him, he was gone, and led down another hall. More than likely to a room where Angel can be treated.

"You stayed." Isamu's answer almost made Akiva halt, "Despite the obvious danger, all of you stayed." He heard Isamu take a deep breath, "When the Vex appeared wearing Jora's form, I had expected you to run, to abandon me, as you would think of her as a lost cause. But you didn't run. You stayed and accepted the threat despite the chance that no one may return back to the gate." Akiva felt Isamu's eyes settle onto him, "Thus, despite losing Jora, I was grateful that you had tried, did everything you could to help me." Another release of breath, "And at least, helped me give her the rest she deserves. And helped me make it back out again." Akiva gritted his jaw when he heard Isamu release a cough, taking in a shuddering gasp, "Although, I am afraid efforts are wasted."

Frowning at his words, Akiva raised his hand, lifting it away from Isamu's waist and placed it upon Isamu's shoulder, giving it a hard squeeze. This prompted a yelp from the Revenant. Fortunately, no one looked their way. At least, not yet.

"How many times do I have to say it?" Akiva scolded, "You are not going to die." He turned and gave Isamu a narrowed look, "Our work will not be wasted and we will find a cure for you." Then, his eyes softened, his grip going lax upon his shoulder, "And not to mention that you have a son waiting for you."

Akiva couldn't help but think of himself selfish for the thought, thinking of a child's well-being more so than the man before him. But he couldn't bear the thought of leaving a child, alone, without a moment of peace with his parents. Isamu should live at least long enough where Eidr can recall his face clearly.

Nonetheless, Akiva heard nothing from Isamu and again, he took it as a sign to turn his attention elsewhere. He turned it to the twins.

"Stay close." He warned before his eyes settled over the egg in Scorpio's arms, "And make Eidr less conspicuous."

"What?" Scorpio gestured vaguely with the egg in his arms, "How?"

Good question. And it doesn't help that they are already getting glances, stares at the glowing egg that protected Eidr from the outside. However, before he could even think of a suggestion, he felt Isamu turn, forcing him to follow. Akiva then watched as Isamu slowly raised a hand and placed it upon the surface of the egg. At first, nothing happened and then, like a ghost, the shell faded, and Akiva looked on with wide eyes as Eidr plopped into Scorpio's arms. There was a fumble from the Hunter before quickly, he clutched the chest close against his chest. In turn, Eidr simply laughed.

"Should make him easier to hide." Isamu wheeze out, pressing the back of his hand against his mouth as he coughed.

Akiva could see splotches of white as he lowered his arm.

Opting to ignore it, Akiva turned his attention back to Scorpio, just in time to see the Hunter adjust Eidr in his grip before pulling his cloak over his arms. Now, he just looks like a Guardian with his arms crossed and with the addition of his helmet, he looked to be pouting. A common sight in the Medical Wing when a Fireteam member is brought here.

This signaled Akiva to turn and continued to lead Isamu deeper into the Medical Wing, brushing past medics and fellow Guardians alike as they made their way to Ianos' room. There were quick glances, curious looks, but most looked over them, much to his relief.

"Excuse me?"

At least, he was.

Suppressing a groan, Akiva slowed down and then turned. This earned him a grunt from Isamu but he decided not to comment and instead, adjusted his movement, following the Revenant's pace as he faced a Medic.

The latter was looking at him – or more specifically, Isamu – with concern.

"You need help?" They asked.

A silly question, considering that Isamu is practically pressing himself against Akiva's side and using him as a crutch. To anyone, it would be obvious that something is wrong. Akiva wonders how this place is going to function without Matt around.

From the corner of his eyes, Akiva can see Isamu subtly shake his head, "I simply need some rest." He gestured vaguely with his hand around Akiva's neck, "I got a bity eager and exhausted myself of my light."

A confused look glazed over the Medic's face, "Then, what are you doing here if you just needed rest?'

"I am here to visit a friend." Akiva is amazed at Isamu's ability to tell half-truths, "I was away from the Tower when I heard of his stay. Ianos is his name."

That is when the Medic's face paled. Akiva couldn't help but give them a narrow look.

"Right." The Medic finally managed out. Then, they nodded their head down a hall, "To your left but, do be careful. He has been unstable the past few days."

"Unstable?" Akiva repeated but either the Medic didn't hear him or decided not to respond for they simply turned and left.

Frowning as he watched their back disappear down another hall, he then felt a poke on his side, prompting him to look at Isamu. The latter, in turn, tilted his head down the pointed hall. Although worried, Akiva complied and started leading Isamu towards it. It didn't take long for them to reach Ianos' room. He then pressed a hand against the door and slowly pushed it open.

Total darkness. That was all Akiva could see as they entered, and he could not help but squint, trying to get his eyes to adjust. Then, he turned to the twins.

"Stay out here." He said.

There is a reel from Gemini, "What? But- "

"We need someone to watch the door." This immediately shut down her protest, "We can't allow anyone in while Isamu is treating Ianos." Akiva then glanced over Eidr, his golden eyes settling over where he lays hidden in Scorpio's arms, "And keep the child safe."

There is a brief look of defiance in Gemini's optics, a nervous shift from Scorpio, but in the end, the pair took a step back, allowing enough space for the door to be shut. This left Akiva and Isamu in complete darkness.

That is when there is a flash over Isamu's shoulder and Crystalline's shifting lavender shell compiled into existence. Despite the lack of lighting, her shell almost seemed to glow.

"Finally." She breathed out, "I thought we weren't going to make it."

Akiva, despite himself, released a breath of relief himself, "It's not over yet though. Lex?"

"On it."

Feeling the presence of his Ghost leave his head, Akiva then saw the yellow and white shell of his Ghost appear before his light illuminated the room.

There is a shocked gasp from Crystalline, "I could do that too!"

"Then why didn't you?"

Unable to help a wry smile at Crystalline's grumbling, Akiva paused when a voice broke out.

"Who's there?"

Recognizing Ace, Akiva watched as the Ghost appeared from seemingly out of nowhere. If it wasn't for the orange upon their shell and optic and Lex's light, Akiva wouldn't doubt they would have missed them in the dark.

"It's Akiva." He announced and he can see the tension in the Ghost's shell ease, "and this cure that Angel has been going on about."

"What?" Ace is alert again, and Akiva watched as Lex glided over to a nearby chair and started dragging it towards Ianos' bedside. Then, he looked on as Ace's orange optic settled over Isamu. It narrowed, "Who's that?"

"A friend." Akiva answered as he led Isamu over to the chair, hearing him grunt and heave as he settled him in, "And he's the solution to Ianos' condition."

There is another narrowed look from Ace and he watched as the Ghost looked Isamu over.

"A Revenant."

The sound of their voice is absolute, no doubts, no questions.

"How?" Akiva found himself asking.

Ace's shell pressed against their core, "Not too difficult to sense darkness within someone who is not tainted." Akiva heard the bitterness, the envy, "and to sense that their light is still intact."

There is a huff from Isamu, "You are more aware than most Tower Guardian Ghosts. Many are not capable of telling a Revenant apart from one of their own."

"Well." A sigh from Ace, "It makes it easier if you have met a Revenant before, that way you know what you are looking for."

There was a scoff from Isamu but Akiva didn't hear him say anything. Instead, he watched as the Revenant placed a hand onto the arm of his seat and leaned in, as if to see what he was working with. That is when Akiva saw his shoulders go rigid, the grip on the chair going tight.

"Isamu?" Akiva called out, "Is something the matter?"

"Wait, Isamu?" Ace gave him a look, optic wide, "Did you just say, Isamu?"

"Yes?" He did mention his name before too and Akiva couldn't help but give Ace a quizzical look. Does Ace recognize the name?

He would have asked if the Ghost hadn't pressed their shell against their core and heard them mutter under their breath. What? Akiva couldn't quite catch but nonetheless, he heard Isamu breath out, prompting him to look back. He then paused as he watched Isamu reach out a hand – his good one – and curled his fingers around Ianos' lax.

"Ianos." Akiva heard him say, "How could I not recognize the name sooner?" He felt the grief, the melancholy emanating from Isamu, "What happened to you, old friend?"