Redacted
Waking Up
I apologize for the late update guys. Honestly, I didn't want to do 'anything' this week. No idea why, but my mood didn't want to get anything done - even at work. It was a struggle to get this chapter out, and even then, I'm not completely happy with how it turned out, especially the ending. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy and once again, I apologize for the wait!
Thanks to Diamond002 and The Great Wolf 177 for the reviews!
Edited: 10/08/2023
Decided to split the original chapter, 'The Search', to help with the perspective flow. The first half, 'Waking Up' is currently being posted. The next part I will post in a bit.
The numbness in his limbs was the first thing Knight felt followed by the grogginess, feeling the world rock under him as he awoke. Exhaustion was next, much to his surprise; since the two share a body, they also share – but also have separate? – energy reserves. Nine usually leaves plenty behind when Knight takes front.
That usually means there was a tough fight.
Or that, his battle with Dusk significantly weakened him more than they had originally thought.
That is when everything came back to him.
The Vex Portal.
A Vexified Jora.
The darkness.
After that, Knight could take a guess that Nine had taken control, especially since he couldn't remember what happened after.
"Day? Nine? What happened?" Knight managed to groan out as he blinked, recognizing the white ceiling above him; did they make it back to the Tower somehow?
He waited, waiting for an answer.
Only to receive none.
Knight blinked again.
"Nine? Day?"
When again he received only silence, Knight abruptly sat up, setting his right hand onto the bed. Only to let out a yelp as he found himself falling back onto it. Confused and scared, Knight laid where he was, optics wide as something told him to flex his right hand.
Only to feel nothing.
Using his left hand to push himself seated, he then slowly reached out to his right side, expecting fingers to touch his right arm. Only to touch air.
He took in a shuddering breath, trying to control the panic building in his core. That is when finally, Knight took in his surroundings and realized that nothing, nothing was familiar. This was not the Medical Wing at the Tower.
"Nine? Day?" Knight managed to choke out, panic rising, "Nine! Day!"
Throwing his legs over the bed, Knight went to stand, only to feel his right foot buckle, and then promptly fell. With nothing to support his right side, Knight fell hard, and pain bloomed throughout his right side, aching moments later.
As he groaned and rolled onto his chest to allow himself to place a hand onto the floor, that is when he heard a voice tinged with familiarity. But that is not what Knight is focused on.
"Nine? Day?" He called out again and this time, he reached out, searching through his head for the bond between the three of them.
Day's mind was like a thread, thin to the point of snapping.
And Nine's…
"What happened!?"
Reaching out to the bed for support, Knight somehow managed to pull himself onto his feet, looking around desperately for a familiar face. Only to reel when his optics settled upon a covered face – a helmet that he doesn't recognize – and he took a step back when he noticed they were reaching out a hand.
"Don't touch me!"
Seeing the unknown Guardian before him snap their hand back, Knight took the opportunity to reach out to Day and Nine once again. This time however, when Knight tugged on the thin thread of his Ghost, he felt a gentle tug back, weak, but it was there, and relief flooded his senses. It quickly turned to one of concern, however, when Day remained quiet, nothing more than a lingering presence in his head.
"How many times do I have to say it!" A voice rang out, this one familiar and helping ease the tension from his shoulders, "He's disoriented! Step away!"
Knight turned, glancing over his shoulders and spotted a familiar black and orange shell.
"Ace?" He breathed out when the Ghost in question turned and looked at him, "Ace, what's going on?" Knight hobbled, turning to face Ace and the Guardian next to them, "and, where are we?"
There is a look from Ace, hesitant, worried, before the Ghost lets out a sigh.
"Lie down." They said, "It is going to take some time to explain."
Unease bubbled to the surface but, Knight complied, leaning against the bed until he managed to sit upon its surface, pulled his legs up with his left hand and then leaned back, setting himself against the headboard. He sensed the blank look that Ace gave him.
"Close enough." The Ghost finally said before turning to the Guardian next to them – a Warlock, if the bond doesn't give it away, "Thank you for the assistance, but I think I can take it from here."
That is when Knight sensed a doubtful look behind the Warlock's helmet, half-expecting them to retort, to retaliate against Ace's words. However, after a brief silence between the two, Knight heard the Warlock sigh, nodded once, and then walked away. After watching them tend to another Guardian on the other side of the room, Knight then turned his focus to Ace.
And took note of the person lying in the bed next to him.
"What?" Optics growing wide, Knight sat up straight, attention flicking from Ianos to the bedside next to him and noticed Akiva also lying still. It didn't little to ease his anxieties when he recognized the cold expression of death upon the Titan's face.
"Ace?" He turned his attention back to the Ghost, "What happened?"
At first, hearing nothing from Ace, Knight stared back, waiting before finally, the Ghost breathed out.
"You and Angel were knocked out after Jora released that surge of Darkness." Ace explained, "and according to the Medics back at the Tower – or, at least with Angel – you would need several weeks to recover."
"But." Knight started, looking around the room, "This is not the Tower."
Ace looked at him as if he was stating the obvious, "Yes, it is not."
Knight paused, "How long was I…?"
"A few days?"
He reeled, "What?"
"I believe it is because of Nine, or, at least your body." Ace gestured with their shell at Knight, "your connection with the Traveler made it so you may recover quickly, even with Nine in a weakened state."
"And, here?" Knight asked.
"The Revenants."
That is when he paused again, optics wide, "Isamu kept his side of the bargain?" There is a nod from Ace, "Then, we saved Jora?"
The silence left behind in the room after his question was palpable and Knight watched as Ace's optic turned to the ground. His shoulders fell.
"Oh." He started, "Then, you did have to kill her after all?"
"She was too far gone to save." Ace said, lifting their optic from the floor and back onto Knight's, "It was best to destroy the body so that she may pass in peace."
Which makes sense, to Knight at least. But then, if they had failed to bring Jora back, then that would mean…
"But then, Isamu didn't have to keep his end of the deal." Knight turned his attention to his lap, flexing his lone hand, "So how come we are here and…" His voice faded, optics growing wide as he lifted his attention back to Ace, "Then, he wasn't able to treat Ianos?"
"Isamu treated him," Knight breathed out in relief at Ace's answer, "But it is not permanent. Isamu admitted it himself; he didn't have the capability to fully 'balance' the Light and the Darkness inside Ianos. Only the Preceptor has that ability." He watched as the Ghost gestured vaguely to their surroundings, "hence why we are here and not at the Tower."
Looking around, Knight couldn't help but feel small, nervous; not only can he feel the light here, he can also feel something else. Something sinister.
"So, Isamu brought us here?" He asked.
That is when Knight noticed the way Ace flinched, shell pressing against their core. His gut twisted; he has a feeling on what happened to Isamu. The Vexified-Jora, after all, seemed very interested in him.
"Crystalline led us here." Ace finally clarified, Knight watching as they adjusted themself, "didn't take us long but, as you can tell." He heard them sigh, "The welcoming party wasn't exactly, welcoming."
Which would explain why Knight's entire left side felt like it got run over. And why Akiva laid so still.
"So, then how did we get ourselves out of getting killed?" Knight asked.
"The Preceptor." He sputtered at Ace's answer, "by pure luck he happened to chance upon us right when we were about to be killed. And, unlike his subordinates, he is very tolerant of Tower Guardians."
"So, he helped us then?" He glanced towards Ianos, taking note of how peaceful he looked, "Helped Ianos?"
Knight's core jumped when Ace nodded, "Then, Ianos is saved?"
"I." There is a pause, a shift of Ace's shell, "I believe so."
Knight blinked at the Ghost, "You, believe so?"
That is when he saw Ace's shell press against their core, shifting nervously, "It has been a while since this 'balance' took place." The Ghost raised their optic back to Knight, "and Ianos have yet to wake up."
Staring at Ace, Knight found his optics lingering back to Ianos and then to Akiva.
"How long has it been?" He turned his attention back to Ace, "How long has it been since we have been away from the Tower? Unsanctioned?"
The hesitation is back in Ace's optic and Knight felt unease settle into his stomach.
"Seventeen days." Knight sputtered at the Ghost's answer, "and during that time, the three of you didn't wake up, not even a flinch." Ace then gestured with their shell at him, "Until now that is."
Flicking his optics back to the others, Knight felt lingered over Ianos and Akiva and it was then he noticed that, in start contrast to Ianos' serene expression, Akiva's looked cold.
Like death.
His core twisted at the image and Knight gulped. He cannot bring himself to ask, especially not when he spotted familiar yellow and white shards placed near his side. Instead, Knight placed his left hand onto the bedside, leaning against it to steady himself.
Seventeen days.
Seventeen days since the team had left the Tower. Seventeen days since he and Ianos had slipped unconsciousness. And seventeen days since Akiva has died.
"How?" He finally managed to choke out, and he watched as Ace's shell shifted, optic looking down once more, "was it the Revenants?"
When Ace nodded once, Knight found his core heat rise in his chest, his agitation growing, "And we're staying inside their base?'
"I understand why you are upset." Ace is quick to catch on, snapping their optic back to him, "how a bunch of unknowns came and attacks us, nearly killing Lex and you and now we're settling in the same base as they are." Their shell clicked together, "But the ones who have attacked us, they are recent members of the Revenants. They did not recognize Crystalline when she took the lead, and they still hold strong distrust towards the Tower."
"But to attempt to kill a Ghost?" Knight wheezed out, "It's equivalent to murder, for both them and their Guardian. Why would anyone want to willingly kill one?"
That is when Knight saw it; a flash of guilt and shame came through and Ace's orange optic and it was then, he realized his mistake.
"I'm sorry." He apologized, "I shouldn't have…"
"No. No, it's fine." Ace breathed out, "There are truth in your words." Then, there is a bitter laugh from the Ghost, "Doesn't mean it is easy."
Dipping his head as Knight saw the guilt linger in Ace's optic, he then snapped to attention when he heard footsteps approach, lifting his optics towards the source. That is when his attention settled on a Warlock – different from the one he had seen before – and one he can sense the experience and age. And he has a lot of years under his belt. If Nine was awake, he would have been able to tell, count the age hidden within his light. But Nine isn't awake. He is fortunate that Day's presence is still lingering in the back of his head. He just hopes that both Ghost and the older Exo recover soon.
"So Miche's reports are accurate then." Knight stared as the Warlock spoke, "You are awake."
Then, Knight jerked back, reeling as the Warlock gave him a deep bow. His optics were wide when he picked himself up, sensing a soft smile behind the Warlock's helmet.
"I apologize for the, 'welcome', that my brothers and sisters gave you. I promise you that is not how the Revenants are."
Knight furrowed his brows, optics narrowed.
"Truly." The Warlock defended, "Usually we talk first, learn more of our visitors however." There is a sigh, "It seems that Cole and the others have yet to let go of their grudges."
Giving the Warlock another doubtful look at the mention of another unfamiliar name, Knight then heard him chuckle.
"My apologies, speaking to you as if we are already acquainted." The Warlock then placed a hand to his chest, dipping his head slightly, "I am the head of the Revenants. The Preceptor, as my brothers and siters like to call me. However, you may call me – "
"Preceptor!"
The sudden addition of a new voice prompted Knight to jump, snapping his head to the entrance of the Medical Ward. That is when he saw a Titan dash in, skidding just short of the black and red clad Warlock before him. Then, they slammed a fist to their chest in attention.
"Reports of Tower Guardians nearing our location. It seems that they are specifically searching for an entrance."
"What?" The Preceptor turned to face the Titan, "How many?"
"A Hunter and two Titans."
"Has any action have been taken against them?"
The Titan shook their head, "No, Preceptor. As you commanded, we only observed." That is when Knight saw them subtly shift their head, fist slowly lowering to their side, "Although, admittingly, we are getting nervous. One of them seems to know the way."
There is a pause, a beat of silence, and Knight saw the Preceptor's shoulders shift minutely, rising, hardly noticeable.
"Explain." He asked.
The fist is back onto the Titan's chest, "The Hunter seems to be able to read our symbols, our marks. He is quickly approaching the entrance as we speak."
Sensing a frown behind the Preceptor's helmet, Knight opted to remain silent, listening as he continued to observe.
"Send a frequency to the others." The Preceptor said, "Tell them to stop the Guardians but not to kill. Only disarm, disable if necessary." He then started walking towards the exit, "Distract them long enough until I get there."
The Titan sputtered, "P-Preceptor?"
"Crystalline had informed me about friends of hers that would possibly come looking for them." Knight's optics grew wide at the Preceptor's words, "And if this group is indeed them, then the Hunter won't be in the mood to talk. He will retaliate once he finds our location and learns of what Cole and her team had done."
"Then, he's a threat?" The Titan asked.
"Only if you reveal Cole's and her team's actions. Thus, keep them distracted until I find a compromise."
Making a mental note to learn whoever this Cole and her team is, Knight then prayed that Pluto never learns what they had done; there is no doubt in his mind that Pluto will kill them.
Watching as the Titan nodded once, saluting once more and then scurrying away, that is when the Preceptor then halted in his steps, slowly turning to Knight. He can sense a sheepish smile behind his helmet.
"I must apologize, but I believe our introductions will have to be put on hold." The Preceptor said, bowing subtly, "and do not worry about your friends. I will ensure that they are safe and are able to enter the base freely."
"As long as you keep your followers under control."
Flicking his optics to Ace, Knight can see the narrowed look in the Ghost's optic, glinting dangerously under the dim lighting; he has a feeling that, despite their small stature, that Ace will find a way to make good on their threat.
And it seems the Preceptor understood this, as Knight sensed another sheepish smile, another subtle bow, before he turned and was gone, swiftly leaving the room. He also took note of the way he took a quick glance at Ianos, a sense of longing behind his helmet. However, the sensation was quick, brief, and Knight couldn't help but think that he imagined it.
"Does the Preceptor know you, Ace?" Knight turned his attention back to the Ghost, watching as the latter turned to face him, "or, if you have an idea on who the Preceptor is?"
There is a blink from Ace followed by a thoughtful hum, shifting their shell subtly to the side.
"He is familiar if that is what you mean." They answered. Then, they clicked their shell together, "Although it always seems to escape me."
Then more likely the Preceptor knows them. Which adds more to the mystery.
Breathing out, Knight then turned his attention to the doorway the Preceptor had left through, murmuring to himself, "Maybe if he removed his helmet, then that might give us a clue."
"That." He heard Ace say, "That I can agree with."
Smiling softly at the Ghost's agreement, that is when Knight spotted a minuet shift from the corner of his optics, prompting him to turn and look. Then he halted, frozen in place when Lex – broken shell and exposed core – slowly hovered into the air, optic flickering gold as he groaned. Then, the Ghost shook side to side as their optic turned solid, and then blinked rapidly.
When Lex locked his optic with Knight's, he is uncertain what to say, wondering if the Ghost even remembers his close call with death. Thus, the room lingered in silence, and he watched as the remnants of Lex's shell shifted, pressing against his core.
"Did, something happen?" The Ghost asked.
That is when Ace breathed out, "Here, let me explain."