Redacted

Connection

Hey guys! I know this update is really late but it's up! Work has been hectic lately. Anyways, I have a mixed opinion on the title for this chapter. Feels like it fits but yet, it doesn't. I'll just keep it in since I can't think of any other name. Anyways, if you guys had not noticed, I started a side-series called 'Driftless' which is mainly one-shots that mainly focuses on the characters shown in Tormented and Redacted. So far it's just one chapter, but I have plenty of other ideas so except that one to be updated steadily, although, maybe not weekly.

Anyways, thanks to Diamoond002, Guest, and The Great Wolf 117 for the reviews!

Guest - Perhaps. Let's just say it's a bit of foreshadowing for the third book :3. All else I can say is that it will be looked upon later on :D

Edited: 10/29/2023

Ace knew that Pluto would be furious. Although, after seventeen days of silence, who wouldn't be upset?

Thus, they had expected the rage, the anger when Pluto entered. They just hadn't expected Pluto to be here.

"Pluto? What are you doing here?"

Sucking in a breath at Knight's innocent question, Ace kept their orange optic on Pluto. They saw the latter glower, head dipping slightly.

"Seventeen days." Pluto started, "Seventeen days of nothing, not even static. Why else would you think I am here?"

From the corner of their optic, Ace saw Knight shrink back, practically sinking into his bed. They then sighed.

"Pluto, let us explain." Ace started.

"Don't." They halted as Pluto placed a hand onto the front of his helmet, releasing a heavy breath, "I understand that it was no simple task for you to contact me." He then lowered his hand, the frown obvious even when hidden, "However, he least you could do was at least notify the children."

That is when, from their side, Ace saw Lex press his shell against their core, optic flicking downwards.

"Not much I can do when I'm unconscious." He muttered.

Ace felt Pluto's gaze darken, "What?"

"I think you should notify Neve and the children, Lex." Ace quickly hovered in front of him, "Now."

Spotting the flash of understanding settling into Lex's golden optic, Ace watched as he bobbed once and glided out of the way. They paused only a moment, giving Lex enough time before saying, "I understand why you came here, but." Ace flicked their optic over Pluto's shoulder, spotting two familiar silhouettes, "Why is Orion and Hush here?" They then came to a halt, and then blinked once, "Wait! Why is Hush here!?"

Watching Hush press herself into Orion's side, Ace watched as the latter pulled her back, hiding her partially from view.

"She was adamant in coming with us." Orion said, "She can only let Crystalline stay away for so long."

Ah right. Seventeen days, that is quite a bit of time for a Ghost and Guardian to be separated.

Nodding once in understanding, Ace then glanced around and then frowned, "Then, where is she?"

That is when they sensed the scowl, the suspicion emitting from Orion, "She stayed back to speak with the Preceptor." Ace watched as the young Titan subtly tilted his head, glancing over his shoulder, "Apparently they had something important to talk about."

Ace couldn't help but narrow their gaze, "More important than Hush?"

Nothing is ever more important than a Ghost's chosen, so to hear that Crystalline had stayed behind, it was suspicious. And Ace's tuition is proven right when they saw Orion shift on the back of his heels, head subtly tilted towards Pluto.

"Well…" Orion started.

And then abruptly Pluto turned, Ace easily sensing the narrowed look behind his helmet. In turn, Orion went stiff before his shoulders went slack, gaze turning to the floor.

"It is nothing important." Pluto turned back to Ace; the latter couldn't help but raise the top part of their shell, "We left as to not intrude upon their conversation."

"Right." Ace shifted their shell against their core, "I will learn the truth later."

Sensing the scowl behind Pluto's helmet, Ace decided not to further comment and instead, took the opportunity to change topic. After all, Pluto is notorious for his temper and Ace doesn't want to imagine what would happen if he were to lose it now within a Revenant base.

"If you are here to take us back, you will have to wait a while longer." Ace said, "Ianos has yet to wake up."

There is a jolt from Pluto, "What?"

"And not to mention that Knight and Akiva have yet to fully recover."

"What did they do to you!?"

Despite expecting Pluto's upset, Ace still jumped at his shout, spotting the way his hands trembled before abruptly taking a step into the Medical Ward. Only for the Hunter to bump into an edge of a bed and then stumble.

It made Ace wince, shell clicking together in worry as Pluto regained his footing before slowly reaching out, his hand trailing the air until it finally settled upon a bed. Slowly, he made his way across the room, Ace looking on as he eventually made his way towards the others.

For Ace, it will take some time to get used to Pluto blindly reaching out as he is.

"To your left." Nix's voice rang out, Ace spotting their fellow Ghost compiling just near Pluto's shoulder; a red flicker came from their broken optic, "Ianos is there, I believe, if the darkness imbedded in his chest is any clue to go by." The back of the viridian Ghost's shell shifted, "Akiva and Knight on the right." There is another pause, a beat, "Just be careful when moving around, it is difficult even for me to see in here."

"And that is the reason why I am here." Orion stepped past Ace and they watched as Nix turned, his broken optic narrowed. There is a sigh from the younger Exo.

"Nix, your optic maybe broken but I can still easily see an annoyed look when I see one."

"Pluto and I are not helpless." Nix snapped, "We are fully capable."

"Back then you were capable." Ace flinched at Orion's mutter, shrinking back at the dark look that Nix shot at the young Exo; to Orion's credit, he stood his ground, unwavering.

"I understand why you believe you do not need help." Orion said, "You and Pluto have been alone for decades. To you, this is just another obstacle, after all, with centuries of experience this must seem simple to you."

"Hence you should understand why I am offended at your words." Nix warned.

Flicking their optic back and forth, Ace's attention finally settled back onto Pluto; the latter seemed unbothered by Orion's words.

"But Pluto had his optics, and you were able to send him scans so he could see." Orion continued, "It is only because of his light that he is able to maneuver as he is."

Nix's shell bristled, "Are you implying that – "

"Nix. Enough."

Pluto's voice prompted Ace to follow Nix's line of absent sight, pausing as he saw the Hunter leaning over Ianos' prone form. His hand is clasped around Ianos'.

"This is not the time." His voice was quiet, but Ace caught it, "and he speaks the truth."

"Pluto – "

"Let us first help." Ace heard Pluto interrupt, "Then we will speak of the matter later."

There is a bristling of shell from Nix, a flicker of agitation in his broken optic, and Ace expected their fellow Ghost to retort, to resist. Instead, however, there is another flash of emotion – a mix of grief and fury – settling into Nix's optic and he said nothing else. Instead, there is another shift of his shell and hovered close.

That is when Ace saw movement from the corner of their gaze, and they flicked their attention over to see Hush, slowly and shyly making her way to the others. In turn, they heard Orion sigh before approaching Knight's bedside.

"How are you doing?" he asked.

From where they hovered, Ace saw a wry smile settle over Knight's face.

"Honestly, I feel like I'm repeating myself." He admitted, "Third time someone asked me that in a span of a couple of hours."

There is a chuckle from Orion as he leaned against Knight's bedside, "Well, have to make sure that you are coherent."

Understandable, given Knight's condition. His right side remains charred and broken without Day's help. Ace hopes that their fellow Ghost regains strength soon.

"How are the two of you?"

Orion's question seemed so out of place, out of nowhere that it prompted Ace to look back at the Exo. Only to follow his line of sight and spot Scorpio and Gemini halt in their steps, halfway to do the door. In turn, Orion had his hands on his hips, facing towards the twins.

"Have the two of you been keeping out of trouble?" He asked.

Ace looked on as the twins quickly glanced at each other, a beat of silence before they turned towards Orion.

"Well." Scorpio spoke first, fiddling with his fingers, "We tried to keep out of trouble."

In most cases, Ace would have expected Orion to sigh, to be annoyed, resigned to the twins' trouble. Thus, they couldn't help but be surprised when instead, they sensed Orion being bemused, lowering his hands from his hips.

"Do tell." He said and Ace saw the twins jerk back, shoulders high, obviously surprised.

But it was quickly gone as the pair gave each other one last glance before approaching Orion with confidence, the stories already in the air as the Exo Titan crossed his arms and nodded his head.

This prompted a sense of ease to settle into Ace's core.

It had been tiring, keeping their guard up around the Revenants, especially considering that practically everyone in their team was incapacitated. But with everyone waking up and with Pluto and Orion here, Ace lowered their guard, at least, just a little bit.

"I do not understand. Why would you keep something important such as this a secret? Keeping your survival hidden behind a lie? From Ianos of all people?"

There is a sigh from the Preceptor, "Crystalline, please. Not now."

Having known the Preceptor for years, Crystalline would have left it alone, especially considering that he had easily accepted her when she first found Blaise as her Chosen.

Now however, only irritation set in.

"Oh no, Blaise and I let you get away with a lot, but you are definitely not getting away with this one." Crystalline glided forward, putting herself in front of the Preceptor. This finally caused him to stop, "Look, I understand why you would keep your identity a secret, especially since most if not all the Revenants here are from your time." She shifted her shell, "But Ianos? He spoke about you with such endearment, love, and care that even I sympathized with him. And you know how I was towards Tower Guardians back then."

And perhaps now, but that is not the topic at hand.

When she saw the Preceptor's attention shift away, just slightly, Crystalline waited.

"It is just as I had said to Pluto." The Preceptor's gaze settled back onto hers, "I was working with raw Darkness. Uncontained, free to corrupt those weak or unsuspecting." He took a step around her. Crystalline allowed it, "I could not risk leaving with Ianos and exposing him to such dangers when he himself was not stable."

"But you found a way to stabilize the light, to stabilize the darkness." Crystalline retorted as she followed, "You could have exposed yourself then, told Ianos the truth."

There was a pause, a beat, and Crystalline watched as the Preceptor's pace slowed, his head tilting subtly to the ground.

"I thought he was dead."

The words were quiet to the point where Crystalline almost missed it and she couldn't help but halt, keeping her yellow optic upon the Preceptor's face. Despite the helmet hiding it, she can easily feel the grief, the sadness, the regret.

Then, she heard him take in a deep shuddering breath and a release.

"Despite our isolation, the Revenants are quite privy to information." Crystalline heard him say, "You know this."

"Yes." Crystalline confirmed, "I do."

The Preceptor paused in his steps, taking in another breath.

"I had been keeping track of Ianos ever since I left, and thus, the news of his mission to the Moon reached us. Alongside his 'death'." Crystalline saw the Preceptor wince, "As you can imagine, I had gone into denial, demanding our eyes to search, to find evidence otherwise. But months passed and there had been no progress, no evidence of his survival on the moon. Thus, I accepted he was gone."

Then, Crystalline heard him chuckle, soft and quiet, "So imagine my surprise when his team came in, carrying his limp form. And that he was still alive."

Crystalline heard the last of his words tremble, his voice shaking, "I had thought of telling Ianos the truth when he awakens, telling him that I was still alive and to apologize profusely for the years I had left him alone. But that was before I went to balance his light. And the darkness that had latched onto it."

From behind, Crystaline can see the Preceptor lock his fingers together, gripping them tight, "His light had been torn apart and the darkness rampaged within like a wild animal. It is a miracle that he is still alive as he is." He bowed his head, "And then I realized that I was the cause. That if I had not left, his light would not have been in such disarray and the darkness would have not caused so much damage." Another bitter chuckle can be heard from the Preceptor, "How ironic. The reason I left him was also the very one that had caused the corruption within him to grow."

Hearing this, Crystalline, at first, wanted to berate him, to tell him that it served him right for acting so selfishly. If what she had seen of his treatment towards Hush as a child of an Awoken and human and of Ianos' and the Preceptor's feelings are to each other, then he shouldn't have acted as he did.

But she held herself back.

Words hurt.

At least, that is what Blaise had told her.

And how could she berate the man that had giving her and her Chosen advice, helped ground them, and helped strengthen their bond when Crystalline had become Blaise's new Ghost.

Memories of her Chosen surfaced, how she would see how his blue eyes brighten whenever it would settle upon the Preceptor, easily spotting the idolization and love within it. And how he would tell stories, stories of back when he had his first Ghost, of how he was a new initiate within the Revenants, and how the Preceptor had taken him in when no other would. And how he would go to him for advice, for comfort, shedding tears that he wouldn't even show to Jora and Isamu.

Thus, Crystalline instead heaved out a sigh, letting the Preceptor lament over his decisions before finally, the Preceptor raised a hand, placing it upon the front of his helmet.

"I need some time." He said as he glanced over his shoulder at her, "I will speak with you later, Crystalline."

Quiet, all Crystalline did was nod and watched as the Preceptor slowly walked away. Right before he turned a corner and out of sight, Crystalline then spotted a flash of light and darkness, taking shape of a familiar shifting vermillion shell. Watching as the Preceptor's Ghost hovered close to his shoulders before they disappeared, Crystalline then uttered to herself.

"Sorrow." She murmured, understanding settling into her core, "Now it makes sense."

"What do you mean dad isn't going to be back soon?"

Lex couldn't help but flinch at Ora's question, especially when the child's golden eyes shimmered with worry through the makeshift screen. It didn't help that the twins were beside him, mimicking their brother.

"The mission that your father and I took is taking longer than we thought." Lex answered, "And it is dangerous to the point that we can't send messages. Even now, I am taking a risk."

In honesty, Lex felt their core squeeze at the thought of telling the children of the dangers that he and Akiva are facing. But he would rather tell them the truth than lie about the possibility of them never coming home.

"Where's daddy?" Amara's question prompted Lex to freeze, seeing her azure eyes give him a troubled look, "Daddy not with you?"

"He's currently resting." Lex blurted out, and he heard the other twin, Nahala, whimper in disappointment, "As I have said before, this mission is dangerous and is taking longer than we thought. Your father and I just barely had the time to contact you." Then, Lex decided to smile, giving them the biggest one he could muster, "But don't worry. The two of us are safe. Just tell your mother the same, okay?"

There is a pursed lip from Ora, golden eyes narrowing before finally, he nodded. Lex let out a quiet breath of relief; despite being only a child, Oraxsis is surprisingly perceptive.

"Where are Jordan and the others?" Lex decided to ask, "Aren't they supposed to be watching you while your mother is away?"

Lex is just glad that the kids were the ones that took the call instead of Neve; with her temper, he wouldn't be surprised if she packed up and went on a rampage. It is luck that she was away on a mission assigned to her by the Vanguard.

"Jordan went to get us food." Ora answered, "Leo is out on a mission, and Spirit and Ria went to visit Alyx." Lex couldn't help but feel somber at the late Titan's name, "But don't worry, Gai is here to watch us."

"As if my name is not short enough as it is." Despite himself, Lex snickered as Gaia sighed, the latter shifting the back of their shell, "Go along now, I believe the three of you were on a chocolate heist before Lex called."

At the mention of chocolate, the worry in the three children's eyes vanished and instead brightened, scrambling away to enact upon their forgotten plan. Lex found himself grinning at this.

"Neve and Akiva won't be happy once they learn you let them sneak around for treats." Lex said.

There is a scoff from Gaia.

"It is a good exercise for Ora and the girls." They retorted, "Good practice for them to work on stealth and teamwork."

"Right." Even through the screen, Lex can sense the glare Gaia gave him, "Keep telling yourself that."

There is another huff from Gaia, their gold and crimson shell shifting around their core, "Normally, at this point, I would have closed the frequency however, unlike the children, I am not a gullible fool."

Lex's smile wavered, "Do not call the children fools and additionally, what are you implying?"

"Akiva skipping out on a frequency with his children all because he needed rest?" Lex paused at Gaia's observation, "Even I know that Neve would not have fallen for such a laughable lie."

Pressing his shell against his core, Lex heaved out a sigh, "Alright, you got me, but keep this to yourself." He looked around, as if looking for any prying eyes, "I doubt the Vanguard would be pleased on hearing where we are right now."

"Do tell."

"Well." Lex shifted nervously, "We are currently housed at a Revenant base."

A beat.

"You lie."

Lex gave his fellow Ghost a look, "I am going to take that as a sign that you know who the Revenants are?"

"Of course, I know who the Revenants are." The look Gaia gave them looked insulted, "Anyone who had been chosen before the Great Disaster knows." There is a frustrated breath, a shake of their shell, "Just what in the Traveler blazes are you doing there? The Revenants work with Darkness, their practices aren't those for those who are ignorant."

"Aren't safe for those who are ignorant?" Lex repeated back, raising the top part of his shell, "So is it safe to say that you condone their practices?"

"Why I ought to – "

Lex couldn't help but chuckle as Gaia ceased in their words and gave him a glower.

"If you spoke to me on any other day, I would have outright said blasphemy." He admitted "But after seeing them in action, especially with Ianos, I have to admit, I am not as wary as before." Lex then paused, "Although, that does not mean I am willing to forgive them for what they had done towards us."

There is another narrowed look from Gaia, "Is that the reason why you decided to keep yourself hidden?"

"You catch on quickly." Lex commented, "just give a moment, and you will understand why I am still not trustful towards the Revenants."

That is when Lex saw Gaia's shell shift downward, scowling, and decided to move, turning himself just enough to reveal the side of his shell. And the damage that had been done to it.

He saw Gaia's optic grow wide, "How in the Traveler are you still alive? Let alone moving?"

Shifting so that his damaged shell is hidden from view, Lex then shrugged; he can feel the absence of where parts of his shell was missing.

"Not sure myself, likely luck." He said, "Especially since only my shell has been damaged and not my core."

"Lucky indeed." Gaia muttered, "and you say that the Revenants did that to you?"

Lex nodded before pressing the remnants of his shell against his core, "Crystalline did warn us that they were territorial."

Gaining a pointed look from his fellow Ghost, Lex simply opted to wait, remaining quiet as Gaia sighed.

"Honestly, I do not have the right to judge the Revenants for their actions." Gaia confessed, "Sun and I had shot and killed plenty of others simply for the reason that we saw them as a threat." Lex flinched at their words; it is a reminder that the Ghost before him has lived through the Dark Ages, "But do be careful while in their presence. I do not think Neve and the children will appreciate seeing you return in pieces."

"Uh, speaking of Neve." Lex glanced around nervously, "Please keep this between us." He felt the narrowed look from Gaia, "Oh come on now. You know how Neve is." Lex crept close, "If she learns what had happened to Akiva and I, she will burn everything down in order to find us. And I mean everything."

Gaia raised the top part of their shell, "Now would – "

"She is called the Firestorm for a reason. Gaia."

There is a brief pause at Lex's interruption, a scrunch of the shell, and then a sigh.

"Good point." Gaia admitted, "Fine, I will keep this between us." Lex bobbed in thanks, "Just ensure that Akiva does return in one piece. I do not want my Guardian to lose his father at too young of an age."

Nodding once, Lex took in Gaia's words, paused, and then grinned, "And you say you weren't going to get attached."

"I am not – "

The denial was quickly shut down as realization set into Gaia's optic, prompting a laugh to erupt from Lex. This earned him another glower from his fellow Ghost before the frequency abruptly ended, turning the holographic screen off.

Smiling at this, Lex then decided to turn, scanning the trees.

The Preceptor must have sent a frequency earlier to allow Lex access outside, as when he had approached an exit, the Revenants there gave him a glare but allowed him to pass. Although this doesn't mean that they didn't follow, as Lex easily heard movement, and spotted subtle shifts within the trees that were too abrupt to be the wind.

The Revenants trailing him were suspicious that Lex would send something confidential out to the Tower.

Not that he would. Lex may not have been around as long as Gaia, but he had garnered enough common sense throughout the years with his Guardian to not be so ignorant and naïve. Thinking back, perhaps it had good that Neve wasn't there. Who knows what the Revenants would have thought if they saw a Guardian instead of the children through the screen?

Sighing at this, Lex shifted his shell, readying himself to head back when he felt it.

A tug, meek but strong enough for him to notice, pulling at the back of his core.

It was Akiva. He is finally calling for him.

"You should be restin', not movin' around like a hatchling fresh on its legs."

Turning and giving Hope a blank look, Angel retorted, "I understand your concern, Hope, but you have to remember that the two of us had just been barred from leaving the Tower until Ianos and the others can be found." He then gestured at himself and then at Hope, "Not only do I despise staying in one place, but you do as well. You are just as restless as I am."

Watching his Ghost press her shell against her core, Angel allowed himself a smile when he heard her grumble. This signaled him to turn and resume his walk, treading carefully through a hall.

"Not to mention you are just as curious as I am to ask the Vanguard some questions." He said.

"Do you honestly think that they are willin' to answer us so easily?" Hope argued, flying close to his shoulders, "The Revenants are undisclosed to the public and I wouldn't be surprised if the Vanguard would freak if we brought up their name."

"Exactly."

"Angel…"

"Oh, come on." Angel gave his Ghost a frown, "Don't tell me that you wouldn't want to see their faces when we bring the Revenants up?"

That is when Hope gave him a look, forest green optic looking him up and down.

"I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing that you know me so well." Hope sighed; Angel smiled at her. Then, he saw her pause, "Wait, is that the reason why you didn't want to hack into the Tower database?"

"They would have figured it out anyway." Angel confirmed, stepping down the steps into the Hall as he added, "and not to mention we would have been unable to see their reaction."

"I can't help but think you and Cayde hang out too much."

Angel shook his head, "It just so happens that the others and I get in trouble a lot and we always end up Tower bound." He then pursed his lips, "We are just two souls who understand each other."

That is when Angel heard Hope laugh, prompting him to roll his eyes before he finally spotted the familiar giant table as he entered the room. It didn't take long for Cayde to notice him first.

Always Cayde.

"Angel!" The Hunter Vanguard raised his arms, stretching them out as he greeted, "Heard you got Tower bound. Again." He closed the distance between himself and Angel as he lowered his arms, close enough where he patted his shoulder sympathetically, "Another poor soul kept caged behind its walls."

Angel couldn't help himself, "At least mine is temporary."

There is an exaggerated gasp from Cayde, the Hunter Vanguard taking a step back, pressing a hand to his chest, "And here I thought I was consoling a friend."

"Only so much you can do when you're stuck at the Tower."

Angel's teasing prompted another gasp from Cayde as he turned and walked away, "The betrayal."

Smiling, Angel then cleared his throat, "Although, since I'm stuck at the Tower with you for now, I do have a question for all of you."

That is when Cayde's jovial gestures shifted, changing from lax to tense.

"Knowing you, said question is going to be about something that you should know nothing about." Cayde guessed.

Angel nodded and then smiled sheepishly at the Hunter Vanguard's sigh. He wasn't necessarily wrong.

"Know anything about the Revenants?" He asked.

No sooner had the question left his lips when Ikora's and Zavala's attention finally jerked away from whatever they were looking upon the table, Angel taking note of the way their eyes were wide. In turn, Cayde simply clasped his hands together although his shoulders remained tight.

"Did you say, Revenants?" Ikora stepped away from the table, and Angel took note of the way her eyes glanced around; he guesses he should consider himself lucky that there were no prying ears, otherwise, he doubts that Ikora would ask the question aloud, "Where did you hear of them?"

"Heard that everyone who was resurrected before the Great Disaster knew who they were." Angel answered. Best to be truthful, "Guess how many Guardians I know who were around that long?"

True to form, Ikora, Zavala, and Cayde all looked towards each other and Angel couldn't help but feel his nerves slightly crumble, taking in a trembling breath. Perhaps he should have gone with his original plan of asking Pluto and Ianos. They were, after all, more than willing to give up confidential information. However, Ianos had went missing and he wasn't too surprised that Pluto followed suit, and his patience isn't long enough for him to wait.

But that doesn't mean he isn't nervous when it comes to the Vanguard's answer. Although, even if they were to refuse, Angel will find a way to hack into the Tower database. He always does.

"If we don't tell you, you are going to force your way into the system, aren't you?"

Pulled out of thoughts, Angel couldn't help but give Ikora a grin, "What do you think?"

"He will hack it."

Cayde's confirmation prompted Zavala to pinch the bridge of his nose and sigh.

"What do you want to know?"

Angel beamed at him and then, quickly eyed the Vanguard Commander suspiciously.

"That easily?" He asked, "Usually I have to force the answer out of you."

"Do you want it or not, kid?"

Flinching at Cayde's question, Angel decided to simply nod; he knows when Cayde is impatient when he hears it.

Thus, he pondered upon, picking through all the questions he had. And then, Angel went with the most obvious one, at least, to him.

He licked his lips nervously, "How did the conflict between the Revenants and the Guardians start?"