Redacted
Your Name
When editing the original file, it came to a whopping 10k words, so had to split it into three different parts. Here's the first. The next 2 parts will be updated weekly as usual.
Edited: 2/25/2024
"How many times do I have to say this?" Ianos turned and gave Akiva a scowl, "I am fully capable of walking around here on my own."
This earned him an apologetic smile, "My apologies Ianos, but you know how Pluto is. Once he is determined to keep you safe, he is determined to keep you safe."
"I am not a New Light."
Despite his protest, Ianos felt a warmth settle into his chest as he strolled through the hall, his orange eyes keeping out for the familiar red and black clad form of the Preceptor.
Although, Ianos couldn't help but be annoyed at Pluto's coddling, he also understands. He had only taken a short rest, not even hours after the failed Harmonization, before making the decision to find the Preceptor: on his own. He wanted to speak with the head Revenant privately. The reason being that he knows that if Pluto or Orion would go with him, he wouldn't get answers.
However, as expected, when Pluto heard that he wanted to find the Preceptor on his own, he had been insistent that everyone goes with him. There was a brief fight, a short argument, but eventually the two came to a compromise; Ianos will allow one person to come with him, but he gets to choose who.
This was where Akiva came in.
Out of all the choices, the human Titan was the best.
Pluto and Orion are keeping secrets and there is no doubt in Ianos' mind that they will force Gemini and Scorpio to do the same.
Knight, although young and aware, seems to be on edge when it came to the Revenants. He wouldn't be much help against the rogue Chosen.
And Hush was out of the question.
That would leave Akiva.
The older Titan, although likely unaware of the situation, would be more than willing to help, and likely not stop Ianos from gaining answers. Akiva is the type not to intervene when it comes to private matters. At least, Ianos hopes so. Akiva has been quiet lately, having not said much except for a tired wave and a wry smile.
This of course, earned him an apprehensive look from Pluto but, it was enough to reluctantly allow Ianos to leave with Akiva as his bodyguard. Which brought them to where they are now, in (brightly) lit halls and taking quick peeks into rooms with opened doors.
"You know, you would think that living underground that space would be limited." Ianos heard Akiva comment, "but this place, it feels endless, unending, almost like…"
Hearing Akiva's words fade, Ianos already knew what he had wanted to say. And it was enough to send a shiver down the length of his back. He is at least relieved that Akiva was there with him. And understands.
"Anyway." Ianos heard Akiva murmur, "Why did you want to look for the Preceptor anyway?" He heard the Titan quicken his space, practically feeling him against his back, "Wouldn't it be easier to just wait for him to come and get us? I do recall him saying that he was going to find a way to ensure that you and Ace are able to complete the Harmonization."
That made Ianos pause, pondering; should he tell the truth? That he simply wanted answers? Wanting to know why Pluto and Orion are hostile towards the Revenant?
How would Akiva react if he were to tell him?
"Ianos?"
Looking over his shoulder at Akiva, Ianos spotted the way Akiva's brows were furrowed, concern flashing over his golden eyes. It was enough to make Ianos feel guilty.
"I want answers." He answered.
Ianos saw Akiva raise a brow, "Pardon?"
"I want answers." Ianos repeated as he turned his eyes forward, feeling Akiva's eyes upon the back of his head, "I am not sure if you noticed but, Pluto and Orion, they are hiding something from me."
"Oh." There was a hum from Akiva, "That would explain why Pluto had been extremely hostile towards the Preceptor when the Harmonization failed."
Ianos looked back over his shoulder, "You noticed?"
"Not immediately." Akiva admitted, "He can be overprotective of you." Ianos saw him purse his lips, "But the way he attacked the Preceptor, I knew there was something more but, well…" He flashed Ianos a sheepish smile, "When you collapse on the floor, it kind of made me." He gestured vaguely with his hands, "'nervous' to properly take anything else in."
Flinching at Akiva's words, Ianos felt his gut twist, his heart heavy as he parted his lips to apologize when – from the corner of his eyes – he spotted movement, causing him to abruptly stop. Ianos barely caught the armored form of a Titan walk into one of the many rooms before he felt Akiva collide behind him, causing him to stumble forward, reeling his arms.
"Sorry." He heard Akiva apologize behind him, Ianos feeling the Titan's hand hook under his arm, helping him regain balance.
But Ianos' attention was focused on the room where he had seen the Revenant Titan enter: he could hear voices, murmurs, emitting from it. His curiosity prompted him to approach, his objective of finding the Preceptor momentarily forgotten as he peeked in.
What he saw inside was a table placed in the middle of the room, with diagrams and maps strewn on top; not much different from the one seen back at the Tower. However, instead of the Vanguard and civilian staff, there were nine individuals standing around it, all of whom were adorned in different armor, different to the point where Ianos could not even tell if some were a Hunter, Titan, or a Warlock.
Their attention was at the head of the table, prompting Ianos to follow their line of sight. And his orange eyes settled upon the Preceptor.
Well, that saved Ianos some time.
As he contemplated either entering the room or waiting until they were finished, he heard one of the Revenants speak; it was the Titan that he had seen earlier.
"The Fallen have slowly been regaining territory." Ianos overheard him say, "We are afraid that gradually, that they will make their way here and try to take the base from us. Again."
There is a thoughtful hum from the Preceptor, Ianos seeing his head shift subtly over the maps before he gradually lifted his head. And his attention fell upon them.
"Oh, Ianos, you are awake." The way he spoke, the way he called out to him, it made it sound like the Preceptor knew him; again, the recognition slipped through Ianos' fingers, "Come in, you are not interrupting anything important."
"Right." There is doubt in Akiva's voice but, Ianos heard the Titan follow behind him as they entered.
The Preceptor nodded his head once before he turned his attention back to the Titan.
"Marin, you may continue."
There was a pause, a beat of hesitation before Ianos saw the Titan – Marin – shift their head at Ianos and then back at the Preceptor and then back towards the room. There is a sigh.
"We have spotted several hunting parties of the Fallen nearby." They continued, "Judging from their movement, they are forming small units, likely planning to strike." The Titan then gestured towards different areas of the map, pointing them out, "It also doesn't help that they are well aware of our presence."
"Aware?" A Warlock amongst the Revenants spoke up, "How did they learn we are here? We have been careful to keep out of sight."
"That is because they hardly ventured here." Another Titan piped in, the latter crossing his arms and adding, "But now they are numerous in number. Their eyes are everywhere." He shook his head, "I would not be surprised if at least one spotted one of ours and reported back."
There is a quiet curse from the Warlock.
"How many are there?" Another Revenant spoke up.
"At least three hunting parties." Marin answered; this prompted murmurs to permeate through the room, "Each led by a Captain, two Vandals, and five dregs."
"That's quite a number of Fallen." A Hunter Revenant commented, "Why so many?"
There is a shrug from Marin; Ianos can sense a scowl behind their helmet, "Perhaps it is because they know that we are stationed here and are preparing?" Then, their attention turned to the Revenant, "Preceptor, advice?"
No sooner had the words left Marin's lips when the murmuring in the room ceased and Ianos looked on with wide eyes as all the Revenants turned to look at the Preceptor. The latter had raised a hand to his chin, his form still as Ianos can sense him staring at the maps. Then, he heard him sigh.
"I was hoping to avoid conflict with the Fallen." The Preceptor admitted, "However our nurseries are full, we cannot risk them finding our home." He then nodded his head towards the group, "We shall split into teams, take out each party of Fallen and tie their capes around the trees."
Ianos saw some of the Revenants jerk back.
"Preceptor?" Marin raised her hand, "may I ask the reason why?"
"A warning." Ianos paused as he heard the words coming from his own lips, keeping his expression blank when all eyes turned towards him; the Revenants were questioning, suspicious. He decided to continue, "What better way to ward off future attacks than to show that you have slain several of their troops?"
A common tactic back then in the Dark Ages. And one that is fortunately out of use here. At least, that is what Ianos had thought.
"That could work." Marin muttered, crossing their arms, subtly tilting their head towards the maps. Then, they shifted their attention back to the Preceptor, "Was that your plan, Preceptor?"
Flicking his eyes to the Head Revenant, Ianos saw him nod once; for some reason, this gave him the courage to speak again, "However, there is a risk when it comes to such tactics." All eyes were back on him once more, "True, it may scare off potential raids, but you also have to consider the Eliksni."
"What about them?"
Ianos couldn't help but give the questioning Revenant a blank look; they must be a New Light. The knowledge of the Eliksni's attachment to each other is common.
"The Eliskni have a strong pack mentality." Ianos decided to continue, "If you kill one, you bring the entire House upon yourself."
He felt a narrow stare from one of the Revenants.
"And you know this how?"
Traveler, how young are these New Lights?
Ianos bit his tongue, biting back an insult.
"One of my Fireteam mates are close with a House." He answered; he saw one of the Revenants jerk back, "He is well-versed of their culture. I trust his words over yours."
There was a huff, a quiet curse coming from the Revenants.
"Close?" One of the Revenants called out, "What do you mean close?"
Ianos furrowed his brows, narrowing his eyes at the Revenant. He can already tell that they were trying to dig for more information. And he doesn't want to compromise Angel.
"We shall help you with your Eliksni problem." Ianos decided to change the subject; he felt Akiva's eyes upon the back of his head, "It is the least we can do for letting us stay here."
"Not like as thought we want you here."
Turning and giving the Hunter Revenant a glare, Ianos then turned his attention back to the room when the aforementioned Revenant looked away; Ianos has a suspicion that many of the Revenants are young in years. It is the only explanation. Or either that, the same thing happened to the Veteran Revenants just as with the Veteran Guardians: lost.
"I will convince the others of my team to get involved as well." Ianos heard Akiva choke behind him, "It is only fair that we share some of the work here."
Hearing the Revenants grumble under their breath, Ianos simply fixed his attention onto the Preceptor. He waited, and then turned pleased when the Preceptor nodded once more.
"I shall set up several teams to coordinate with you." The Preceptor said. Then, he turned his attention to the room, "You are all dismissed."
Seeing the Revenants move to leave, Ianos decided to stay where he stood, standing his ground as the rogue Guardians converged around him. He heard some grumble under their breath, cursing at him as they glared and passed him. Ianos knew that they wanted to say more, to get him riled, but he saw the way their heads lifted, looking straight at Akiva. And then they quickly left.
With his towering size, no doubt Akiva was intimidating.
Finally, the room was empty, leaving only the Preceptor, Ianos, and Akiva left in the room.
"You have questions."
Ianos paused as the Preceptor lifted his head, turning away from the maps, "I shall answer them, if that is that is what you wish."
That is when Ianos felt his heartbeat quickly in his chest, licking his lips nervously. The opportunity is in front of him.
"If it not too much trouble." He started, "May I ask you for your name?"