Redacted

All is Revealed

I really need to work on this story more often and spend less time on video games lol. But here it is!

Anyways, there is going to be a warning in this chapter. It's 'heavily' implied but I will put a warning when it comes up.

Thanks to Diamond002, Guest, and The Great Wolf 117 for the reviews.

Guest - Ooooh! Yeah I remember you! Was wondering what happened lol. Thought you just got caught up in life. You didn't try to recover your password? And you'll see how much Angel bit off this chapter. :D

Edited: 11/12/2023

It didn't dawn upon Lex just how late it was, not until he returned to the Medical Ward and found everyone asleep.

The twins were resting near the back wall with Orion, the latter propped against it with Gemini's and Scorpio's heads in his lap. Pluto had opted to take a seat propping himself on a vacant bed near Ianos' empty side, his arms crossed and his head leaning against a shoulder. Hush was more open, having crawled into Kight's bed, the latter obviously scooting over to let the child Guardian have space. Despite the serene looks upon their faces, Lex easily spotted Hush's thumb in her mouth; he knows this as a sign of her distress.

Glancing over to Akiva, lex saw that his Guardian still was on his side, back turned towards the door. He decided to take the opportunity to glide closer, hovering just near his Guardian's shoulder.

"Akiva?" He called out.

With how his Guardian having ignored his calls earlier, Lex couldn't help but be surprised and jumped when Akiva turned over, propping himself up and locked onto his Ghost. Lex can easily see the haggardness under his eyes, the grief within.

"Lex." He heard Akiva croak out, "Neve and the kids?"

"Neve wasn't present." Lex spotted the way his Guardian's eyes fell, "But I got hold of the children." Relief immediately settled in, "Told them that we were out on a mission and that it was going to be some time before we can head back."

That is when Lex saw Akiva release a rough breath, eyes turning to the floor, shoulders slumped, "Good, now they wouldn't worry."

Taking note of how quiet, how tired, his Guardian sounded, Lex pressed his broken shell against his core, golden optic looking on with worry, "Akiva? Is something the matter?"

There is a flinch from Akiva, his eyes flicking up at Lex.

"Akiva." Lex started, "We have been together for little over a century. Whatever you have to say, it is safe with me."

There is a shift from his Guardian, watching as he swung his legs over the side of the bed, hands settling into his lap. And then, Lex saw the way Akiva's eyes glistened.

"Do you believe in the afterlife, Lex?"

The question would have caught Lex off guard if he hadn't noticed the way how tight his Guardian's voice had been, filled with so much emotion that Lex couldn't help but stare, looking on with a furrowed shell. He cannot help but wonder where that question came from.

Nonetheless, he answered, "If you want me to be honest, I never gave it much thought." He couldn't help but look away, strangely unable to look his Guardian in the eyes, "Between helping you bar the Darkness from the City and keeping you out of trouble, it has been difficult to focus on anything else."

Looking back at his Guardian, Lex couldn't help but ease just a little when there is a quirk at the edges of Akiva's lips, barely catching a smile upon his face.

"True." His Guardian said.

However, just as quickly as the smile appeared, it was gone, and the look of melancholy came back into Akiva's eyes.

"I always wondered where we were before." Akiva continued, "Where I was before you resurrected me." Lex caught the way his Guardian's hands locked together, grip going tight, "Do we just live in a blanket of darkness where we sleep until time itself ends? Or had it been a place where we had been happy? Where we live on happily after death?"

Lex couldn't help but be further confused, further worried about Akiva.

"Where are you getting at?" He asked.

Akiva's head tilted up subtly, just enough where both he and Lex could look directly into each other's eyes, where Lex could see himself in the reflection of gold. He could easily see the hesitation, the worry. And then, he heard his Guardian take a deep breath.

"I am uncertain if it was a dream or not." Akiva admitted in a whisper, prompting Lex to glide close, "But, I saw Marcus."

Marcus.

A name that Lex hadn't heard in years and for good reason.

He had been one of the members of the Chargers. Their former Fireteam, their previous family.

"Akiva." Lex started, voice low and soft, "I know it has been a while, but you have dreamed of Marcus and the others beforehand."

And he knows this. Besides comforting Akiva with his nightmares, Lex himself has dreamed of the Chargers, cried, and mourned over their deaths just as much as his Guardian has. It had been some time since he had last dreamed of their previous Fireteam.

"But not like this." Akiva protested, mournful, "It had been memories, experiences that I had with him, with them, back before we took on that damn mission." His voice then faded, and Lex against saw Akiva's eyes glistened, wet around the edges, "But this one was different. Marcus and the others, they weren't the only ones there."

That is when Lex paused, "What do you mean?"

Instead of receiving an immediate answer, Akiva shifted his eyes to his lap and Lex could feel the guilt, the shame.

"Aleeza and Carina were there as well." His Guardian's voice trembled, raw around the edges, "and they were all talking to each other as if they had known each other for a while, like friends." Akiva lifted his eyes again, locking them back onto Lex, "But that shouldn't be possible, since Carina hadn't been resurrected on time to meet them in person."

"That sounds like your memories are convoluting themselves." Lex blurted out his words before he could even realize; he couldn't help but feel guilty, especially after Akiva gave him a look of hurt. Despite this, he decided to continue. It is best not to enable his delusion, "It could be that you had wished for them to meet. They were, after all, our family."

Seeing Akiva's lips tighten into a thin line, eyes drifting back to his lap, Lex felt the guilt twist in his core. But he must help his Guardian snap out of it.

"You witnessed the Chargers die, and Aleeza and May were bonded to you by blood, and you and Carina were close. I wouldn't be surprised if you – "

"Darnell was there too." Lex halted at Akiva's words; he saw Akiva twist his hands together, "She was there, giving me the same smile that I had fallen for decades ago. And she had been speaking with Aleeza, as if they were already family."

Despite himself, a mixture of doubt and confusion settled into Lex's core, scrutinizing Akiva's words, trying to make sense of his experience before finally, it clicked.

"You died." Lex managed to breath out, voice tight, "and we nearly lost you."

The guilt came back upon his Guardian, Lex spotting the way his body tensed, shoulders rising to his ears.

"When I saw them laughing and smiling, I wanted to join them." Lex sucked in a breath at Akiva's words, "I mean, we haven't fought as long as Ianos and Pluto but…" He paused, taking in a trembling breath, "I felt like I fought on long enough."

Although hurt, Lex also understood; war takes a toll on everyone.

"Then, what made you stay?" He asked.

That is when Akiva looked up at him again and Lex saw the waves of emotion swirling within his golden eyes.

Lex, like any loyal Ghost, waited.

"It was May." He jerked back at Akiva's answer, "She saw me first, approached me before the others took notice." That is when warmth settled into his eyes, "It was strange as they welcomed me, I saw no sign of them every being wounded, ever partaken in battle." He then raised a hand to his face, trailing a finger across his eye and then his nose, "You know the scar across Anna's face?"

Lex nodded; if he recalls correctly, it had been during a patrol in an area filled with darkness and full of Fallen. A Vandal had gotten lucky and landed a dagger across the human Warlock's face. If she hadn't been wearing her helmet, it would have possibly killed her. Fortunately, the armor piece had done its job to the point that her eye remained intact.

"It was gone." Lex blinked at Akiva, "And Layla didn't have her limp anymore."

"What?" Lex couldn't help but voice his surprise aloud; Layla always had a limp. Her Ghost confirmed it, back when she had first resurrected her. So, the thought of her not having it, it shouldn't have crossed Akiva's head, not once.

"And Darnell, she looked the same as the day when I first met her." There is a flash, a soft smile, that appeared on Akiva's face. However, it quickly disappeared and replaced with a soft breath.

"I too thought it was just a dream." He admitted; the guilt was back, "That it was just my mind trying to cope with their deaths." Then, Lex spotted the tears, close to falling, "But then I felt May take my hand in hers and I felt the warmth, I could feel her – " Akiva's voice cracked and Lex saw the tears finally fall, "I knew then that it wasn't a dream and that they were really there, standing in front of me." There is a shuddering breath, "I wanted to stay, wanted to leave my life here and join them, to join Maylea and Aleeza and…" A pause and Akiva's shoulders fell, "I wanted to stay with Darnell." Then, Lex watched as Akiva brought his hands up and buried his face into his palms, "Traveler, I thought I moved on but…" There is a subtle shake of his head, "Seeing her again, it made my heart leap with joy, aching for her." Akiva curled in, "It made me want to stay even more."

Lex took in a shaking breath, trying to understand.

To believe.

"But May said something to change your mind?"

At first, hearing nothing, Lex opted to remain silent, knowing better than to push. Thus, when he heard a whimper, a quiet sob behind Akiva's hands, Lex took it upon himself to glide over and settled into his Guardian's lap. As he shifted to make himself comfortable, Lex then felt fingers, gentle and careful, settle over the remnants of his shell, which prompted him to look up. His golden optic locked onto Akiva's own gold, and he saw the tears, saw the way his Guardian's jaw trembled.

"She told me." His Guardian breathed out, "May told me that Ora and the twins were waiting for me. That I couldn't leave them alone, that I couldn't leave Neve alone, and that they needed me." There is a sharp intake of breath and Lex watched as Akiva squeezed his eyes shut, "That Ora and the girls shouldn't grow up without a father, just as she grew up without a mother."

That struck Lex and he found himself leaning into Akiva's palm, shifting his optic away. As he felt Akiva's fingers brush against his broken shell, Lex recalled the day when Maylea came to them.

She had been six then, having spent three years of living out on the streets, and she was so dirty and small that even if Maylea hadn't claimed blood relations, Akiva would have taken her in. Lex knew his Guardian well enough that he would never allow a child to live like that.

And for a decade, Akiva did the best he could; even Lex knew that his Guardian hadn't been the best parent, obvious from the way he forced her to hide in his apartment for practically just as many years. Despite this, Lex recalls their strong bond, at how they would laugh and play whenever Akiva had the time. But there were occasions when the pair would spot a look of sadness, of longing in the child's eyes. Soon after, Maylea would say how much she would miss her mother, causing heartache for both.

This made Lex wonder; how different Maylea would have turned out if Darnell was still alive, at how different she would have been if both her and Akiva had been present in her life?

He found sense in Maylea's words within Akiva's supposed dream.

"I'm sorry."

Akiva croaking out an apology pulled Lex out of his thoughts, and he found himself looking back up into his Guardian's eyes. The guilty look is back.

"What?" Lex managed out, "Sorry? For what?"

"For thinking about leaving." Akiva's voice sounded rough, strained, "Of thinking about abandoning Neve, abandoning the kids and…" His lower lip trembled, and the tears were back, "and for thinking about abandoning you."

In honesty, it took Lex a tad bit too long to understand and when he did, he fell silent. It had never really occurred to him that Akiva would essentially be leaving him behind if he had willingly passed on. After all, there was no apparent proof that Ghosts would follow their Guardians to the same place when they themselves die. Not to mention that if Lex is unable to resurrect Akiva, he would be forced to find another chosen.

Abandonment. Loneliness. A broken bond.

Lex turned their attention to the door and the first thing that popped into Lex's thoughts was Crystalline, at how she spoke of her first Guardian whenever prompted, and although she hid it well, he caught snatches of sadness, the loss hidden in her optic. He wonders how she was able to cope with such a loss, especially since a Ghost uses a part of their own life to resurrect a Chosen.

Although there were many questions lingering in his thoughts, Lex is certain of one thing; there was no possible way he would have stayed sane if Akiva were to die and their bond is broken. He had been with the Titan way too long to easily find another.

Lex took a breath.

Akiva had almost willingly left him, almost willingly allowed his light to die out to be with those he had lost in the past.

And willing to break their bond.

Hurt settled first into his core; they had been together for decades and yet, to him, his Guardian was quick to leave him behind, quick to push him to the side. However, as he shrugged off the feeling of betrayal, Lex then started to slowly understand.

Although close to the Chargers and Carina, Akiva was more so with Darnell, Maylea, and Aleeza.

Darnell was his first love, Maylea his daughter, and Aleeza his sister, and the latter two were rare for a Guardian. After all, it is difficult to find blood relations when your memory is full of holes and that is if you were fortunate to have a memory at all.

Thus, Lex couldn't blame Akiva.

"What are you apologizing for?" He said, "You are here, aren't you?"

Ignoring the confused look Akiva gave him, Lex snuggled into Akiva's hand, "Whatever decision you make, past, present, or future, I would have understood." He paused and then chuckled faintly, "But, I am glad that you are here."

Spotting the tears refreshing in his Guardian's eyes, Lex smiled up at Akiva, "Come on, it's late, and you were resurrected after spending seventeen days dead. Let's get some rest."

Watching as Akiva used the back of his hand to wipe his eyes as he nodded, Lex then felt his hand cup around him, and he let his Guardian bring him close to his chest as he laid down to his side. Then, he felt Akiva's hands cup his form, lifting him up to where his face laid.

"I love you."

Lex couldn't help but jerk back, optic wide as Akiva gave him a wry smile, breathed out, and then closed his eyes. Staring into his Guardian's face, Lex then decided to snuggle into Akiva's hands just as he felt a glean of warmth settle into his core.

"I love you too." He whispered back before he allowed himself to shut down.

Xxxxx

Angel calls himself fortunate that even at night, the Vanguard works (needing less sleep, a perk from a Guardian) and even more so that it was late enough that the room was vacant of anyone else. Otherwise, the shout of surprise from Cayde would have drawn attention.

"Any attention but that question!" He shouted, crossing his arms repeatedly which prompted Angel to raise a brow, "That is confidential to the point where even I can't say it."

"But you said any question." Hope jumped in and Angel can feel her irritation through their bond, "You can't just take it back."

"However, Cayde is right." Ikora's words made Angel's shoulders slump in disappointment, "it is confidential."

That is when Angel sighed, resigned. If the Vanguard says no, then that should be it. Perhaps he and Hope can hack the Vanguard database. It will take a while, but they will eventually find what they are looking for.

However, as he reached out to Hope, to signal to her that they should leave, Angel felt her frustration, her anger, and her impatience. But, when he looked at her, she was smiling.

"Confidential you say?" Angel heard her say, a chirp in her voice, "Then how about this, you answer our question, or Angel and I will simply hack the Tower Database, breakin' through all of the security breaches to find our answers."

Despite himself, Angel couldn't help but smile; she always had been more confrontational than him.

And judging from the wide eyed looks they received, her threat was working.

"You can't." Cayde finally said, "I strengthened security."

"Hasn't stopped us before." Hope beamed, "and if you are insistent on keeping this history of the Revenants and the Guardians a secret, I will ensure to leave a variable mess behind when Angel and I are done. Just like last time."

Spotting the way not just Cayde but also Ikora and Zavala flinched at Hope's threat, Angel wonders if the mess that he and Hope had left behind really had been severe. Admittingly, the two of them had felt petty the last few times the Vanguard had increased security on the database, so they messed with the files, mixing them around. Now that he thinks about it, it is a stupid move, considering that important information is needed to fight their war against the darkness.

Nonetheless, even if it is detrimental, the pair always make good on their threats.

"Well?" He heard Hope ask.

There was a beat of silence, a glance of the Vanguard at each other, and then finally, Ikora sighed.

"If Pluto and Ianos had not informed you, the battle against the Revenants took place not long after the Great Disaster, a period where we were trying to recuperate from our losses." Angel saw her eyes narrow, "Many were scarred from the battle, and many more started to doubt the strength of the Light."

"Well, could you blame them?" Cayde jumped in, "We believed ourselves to be the strongest, only to be brought down to our knees." He subtly shakes his head, "It took years to raise morale and even then, those who survived still held doubt."

"During that time, some turned to the darkness." Zavala spoke next and his eyes hardened, "Dredgen Yor was one of the first to turn, many followed in his footsteps."

"It wasn't until a Guardian, taking up the name of Preceptor, started to gather followers, preaching that violence between the Light and the Darkness is not the way, but instead, the two should live in harmony."

Angel raised a brow at him, "That isn't bad, is it?"

"No." Zavala admitted, "However, this was during a time when we suffered a devastating defeat by the darkness. The Preceptor's followers, the Revenants, were open to their teachings. And there were still many skeptical of the Darkness."

"Is that how the conflict started?" Angel asked.

A shake of the head from Zavala, "No, and despite the clashing beliefs, the Revenants were allowed to stay in the Tower as long as they caused no trouble." There is a release of breath from the Vanguard Commander, "We had lost too many during the reclamation of the moon, we could not afford to lose anymore, even through exile."

Angel furrowed his brows, frowning, "Then, how?"

That is when he saw Zavala's scowl deepen, his azure eyes glowing bright. To Angel, it is obvious he doesn't want to answer.

"According to reports, an altercation between a Guardian and a Revenant escalated into a fight." Ikora stepped in, prompting Angel to look at her with a raised brow, "the Revenants then retaliated. Strongly."

"They killed each other?" Angel guessed, and he couldn't help but let a sense of pride settle into his chest at Ikora's nod; he kept that to himself.

"That fight caused the rift between the Guardians and the Revenants to deepen, to the point where the latter decided that the Tower was no longer their home." Angel took note of the way Zavala's voice sounded mournful, tinged with regret, "The Revenants then left, taking many of our number with them."

"That is when things got really heated." Angel turned his attention to Cayde, "Since the Revenants left, this technically made them rogues, and the Consensus took full advantage of that."

Angel narrowed his eyes, "Wait, so the Consensus made the call for the Guardians to hunt them?"

There was a nod from Cayde and then, the Hunter Vanguard raised a finger when Angel parted his mouth to protest.

"You have to understand, kid." Cayde started, "That this was not long after the incident on the moon. It may not excuse them now, but the Consensus were scared." There is a brief pause from the Hunter Vanguard, a quick flicker of his optics, "We were scared."

"And in turn, the Revenants did not take it lightly." Ikora continued, "they retaliate, and it brought upon a fight that escalated to a borderline war."

"It took years to finally build the treaty, a truce." Zavala came in once more, "and even then, we didn't feel safe knowing that there were corrupted Guardians roaming freely in the wilds."

"So, it was decided that in exchange for leaving them alone, the Revenants would sink into secrecy." Cayde finally finished, "and so far, considering that New Lights haven't mentioned them once until you." The Hunter Vanguard pointed at Angel, "they have been keeping their side of the bargain."

Despite gaining the answers he wanted, Angel still couldn't help but scowl, glaring at the three before him.

"But the Tower hasn't."

His words slipped off his tongue before he could realize it, and it was only when he received a look from all three of the Vanguard that Angel recognized his mistake.

"And what makes you believe that, Hunter?"

Ikora's voice was filled with warning, a borderline threat, and Angel found himself licking his lips nervously.

"Angel." He heard Hope hiss in his ear and Angel quickly contemplated his options.

One, he could lie between his teeth, claim that it was a theory, an opinion of his after meeting with Isamu – of course, filled with half-truths to keep the Revenant's identity a secret.

Two, he could simply tell the truth, and then get into even more trouble than he is now.

Preferably, Angel wanted option one but after a quick glance at Cayde and spotted the way his optics gleamed, almost knowing, he knew that option two was his better chance.

"My Fireteam and I came into contact with a Revenant."

Angel had expected the Vanguard to retaliate, to be angry at the start of his statement but he couldn't help but pause, eyes wide when instead, he spotted the way their expressions remain passive, calm.

Almost as if they knew.

"He seems to be a veteran." He decided to continue, "and he claims that many amongst their number of deaths comes not from the Fallen, not from the Hive, or even their own corruption but from Guardians that openly had sought them out not long after this truce was introduced."

"And the name of this Revenant?"

Angel couldn't help but feel upset at the question; why the name of the Revenant and not those who were responsible for causing the faction trouble? Nonetheless, it wouldn't do him any good even if Ikora did. It's not like he knew their names anyway.

Not to mention he spotted the way her brown eyes narrowed at him, obviously scrutinizing his words.

Should he reveal Isamu's identity?

Angel knew he was already enough trouble as is, especially with already being punished by Tower bound. What is one more punishment to the list?

But then he remembers what Hope had told him, filling him in back when he was on bed rest.

Despite failing to save Jora, Isamu still decided to keep his end of the bargain, having no obvious obligation to.

Angel couldn't betray him so, not after practically saving Ianos' life. Or at least, giving him more time.

"He never gave us a name." Angel could feel a dark look not only from Ikora, but also from Zavala and Cayde; the latter felt strange, "despite our cooperation, he remained hostile towards us, and only gave us enough information on what we needed before we parted ways."

Seeing the doubtful looks in the Vanguard's eyes, Angel took in a slow and steady breath, hoping and praying that they wouldn't see through his lies. Especially Cayde.

"And you believe his words?"

Taking in Zavala's question, Angel did his best impression of a blank look at the Vanguard Commander.

"Would you not believe someone if they were yelling and cursing at you?" He asked.

Watching him frown, Angel decided to remain quiet and instead, sort through on what he had just learned.

An altercation between a Guardian and Revenant started a battle where both sides suffered severe casualties, forcing the latter into secrecy.

Perhaps to someone outside, one who is completely new to the concept of the Revenants, they would have taken that explanation easily.

For Angel however, it was a wholly different story.

"Something doesn't add up." He muttered and Angel felt all eyes turn to him, "You claim you do not know what had occurred for a Revenant to retaliate against a Guardian, but yet, you were so adamant on keeping it a secret." His eyes narrowed, "and not to mention you were there weren't you? And knowing the Vanguard, practically nothing slips under your nose." Angel took a step forward, scrutinizing them now, "So how can you miss something this big?" Then he frowned, "Was it because it was the Guardian's fault and not a Revenant's?"

There is a heavy sigh from Cayde, "This is what happens when you put a Hunter's keen senses with a Warlock's brain." The Hunter Vanguard then threw his arms into the air, "New Lights these days. Can't fool them like you used to."

"Cayde." Ikora started but instead of further reprimanding Cayde, Angel watched as she turned her brown eyes back to him, "We were telling the truth when we said we did not know exactly what happened. But there were stories, rumors that spread quickly that laid a bad image of the Guardians involved."

Angel narrowed his eyes, "And this story?"

Again, Angel watched as the three of them glanced at each other, sending whatever quiet signals that he could not read before finally, Zavala was the one who answered.

"The Guardian and Revenant who started the fight knew each other, brothers in arms before the latter's defection." Zavala said, "The Guardian did not take kindly to this, felt betrayed by his friend's actions. To him, it felt like he allied with the very side that they had been fighting against for centuries. Joining the side of the enemy." There is a heavy release of breath from Zavala, "Thus, he found an opportunity to get themselves alone and took matters into his own hands."

It took a moment for it to click.

"He tried to kill him." Angel concluded.

"Sort of." He gave Cayde a confused look, watching as the Hunter Vanguard shrugged, "More like he tried to change the Revenants mind by well…" He gestured vaguely with his hand, "let's just say it took a few days before the Revenants were able to free him."

"Torture?" Angel blurted out and he saw Cayde flinched, "He tortured his friend?"

"That is what the stories say." Zavala corrected, "When the Revenants heard what had happened, they were furious. They brought the offending Guardian to the Consensus and demanded retribution."

Angel glowered, crossing his arms, "But let me guess, The Consensus, bias as they are, proclaimed that the Guardian had nothing wrong, correct?'

Taking the minuet way Zavala's brows furrowed, Angel took a guess that he was right.

"There had been no substantial evidence." Ikora spoke up, prompting Angel to look at her with a frown, "The Revenant's Ghost had been locked away in a box, unable to see and the Guardian's Ghost refuses to make a statement against their Chosen."

"So, the Consensus did nothing?" Angel asked. When he saw a nod from Ikora, he rolled his eyes, "Why am I not surprised?"

This earned him a look from Ikora, but he ignored it opting to turn his attention back to Cayde when the latter continued.

"When the verdict came out well, let's just say the Revenants weren't happy." Then he snapped his fingers, "And just like what the Guardian did to his friend, the Revenants took matters into their own hands." He then gestured a hand at Angel, "And as you can guess…"

"The other Guardians weren't happy and retaliated." Angel said. It wasn't a question.

"It became an endless cycle." Zavala sighed, crossing his arms behind his back, "And gradually, the fights escalated, leading to many final deaths on both sides until finally, the treaty, the truce was made."

Frowning at the Titan Commander's words, Angel couldn't help but cross his arms and turn his eyes to the floor, contemplating.

When he had first spoken with Isamu, he had sensed the bitterness, the anger with the Revenant. He had thought it was because, at least, to Angel, the Revenants had lost. But, with the new information he had gained, he could not help but let a sense of understanding settle into his chest.

"You believe the story?"

Pulled out of his thoughts, Angel looked up, frowning as his green eyes connected with Ikora's. He couldn't help but feel irritated at her words.

"You don't?" He asked.

The look that she gave him felt like a challenge, a threat.

"You have not known the Revenants as we have, Hunter Angel." Her words sounded like a warning, "They are dangerous, especially so with the darkness. Their words cannot be trusted."

Despite himself, Angel felt his anger rise, his frustrations that had been simmering in his chest bursting.

"Cannot be trusted? Because of the darkness?" He retorted, "Is that why you ostracized Ianos after he got corrupted?"

The silence that came after his words was palpable.

"That is not – "

"Pluto told me what happened." Angel interrupted, uncaring of who spoke; his anger wouldn't allow him to listen, "He told me that you had Ianos locked up in Medical Wing until he was deemed sane and refused to help even when he 'begged' for it." He gave them all a glare, "None of you reached out, no one did, except for Matt. That is before now."

Angel knows he should keep it a secret, to ensure that he and the others do not further garner more trouble. But his upset wouldn't allow to rein his words in.

"When I asked Isa – the Revenant and despite his hate, his hostility, he agreed to help." He growled out, "A Revenant helped Ianos. Not you, not the Tower, not a Guardian." A rumble built in the back of his throat, "And you say that the Revenants cannot be trusted?"

"Hunter Angel – "

"I had more questions." Angel cut Zavala off, "But hearing this 'story', this 'rumor' of how this conflict started, it is easy to tell that you all carry a heavy bias." He took in a shuddering breath, breathing out to ease his anger, "I think it is time for me to find a more reliable source for answers."

"Angel, we can explain."

Snapping his eyes to Cayde, Angel gave the Hunter Vanguard a blank expression, "I thought I could trust you, but I guess that is not the case."

Then he turned and left, not waiting to see Cayde's expression.