Redacted
Least of Our Worries
Updated and Edited: 3/31/2024
"Ianos? Are you alright?"
He jerked, only to wince as the pain in his chest ached, prompting him to raise and press his palm against it.
"Are you certain that you healed my wound properly?" Ianos asked instead.
There is a click from Ace and Ianos watched as his Ghost shifted their shell, grinding the pieces together, "Yes." A brief pause, "At least, I think so."
Opting to say nothing, Ianos simply brushed his fingers against his chest, only again to wince when the wound burned in response.
Although he doesn't remember, Ianos was told that he had clawed at his chest during his attack, tearing through cloth and drawing blood. Ace had claimed to have healed him before he awoken but Ianos had taken a look for himself. The wound still stung by touch, and he can still see the marks where his fingers dug into his skin. Although healed over, it was also still bright, as if Ace had only put in partial effort to tend to the wound. And Ianos knows Ace is not like that.
It made Ianos wonder. Is this the reason why Ace must go through the Harmonization with him? That way, they will be capable of healing Ianos despite the Darkness?
Pondering upon this, Ianos then jumped again when a snap permeated through the air followed by a startled yelp. Forced out of his thoughts, Ianos then found his body moving on its own, leaping back just as Pluto and the Titan Revenant – Marin, Ianos believes she is called – landed in front of him, kicking up dust and dirt from the hearth.
Normally that kind of fall would be incapacitating, possibly even fatal for a normal individual. In contrast, he two Guardians continued to tussle with each other, Ianos looking on with wide eyes as Pluto had a knife in one hand and Marin fighting back with her fists. Ianos couldn't help but shake his head at the scene.
It hadn't been long after their group had been set up – Ianos and Pluto with the Preceptor and Marin; Gemini and Scorpio with the other two Revenants – when the Hunter had volunteered to head into the trees to gain a better vantage point. At first, the Preceptor agreed – until Marin intervened. Turns out, although a Titan, she is a designated Scout of the Revenants, and it is obvious that she is not pleased that a Tower Guardian is taking her place.
It took a bit of bickering, but it was the Preceptor who compromised that both Pluto and Marin head into the trees to scout ahead. However, Ianos had made a guess that this compromise wouldn't last long, and it seemed his notion had been proven correct.
"Should we stop them?"
Looking over Ace, Ianos then subtly shook his head; he could already tell that the pair were purposely missing each other's vital points. This was merely a way of showing dominance, to show who was better skilled, and it didn't take much to see that Pluto was slowly emerging as the victor. It was obvious, easily seen as Pluto would take the blows but would lean back, allowing the hits to collide but lessening the impact of the hit, while as he was on top of Marin, where she doesn't have the same advantage.
"What in the – Pluto! Marin!" The Preceptor's voice echoed through the trees, "Why are the two of you trying to kill each other!?"
"Maiming and killing aren't the same thing!"
Despite himself, Ianos couldn't suppress the snort at Marin's retort, and then felt a little remorseful afterwards when Pluto successfully landed a punch to the front of her visor; a crack was telling enough of the damage.
"Although that won't stop me from tearing him apart!" Marin shouted.
"You are a New Light compared to me." Ianos heard Pluto hiss out, the Hunter easily weaving around another punch from the Titan, "so how dare you claim that my Clanwere weak!"
Now that caught Ianos' attention, "Pardon?"
"How else did an infamous clan like Galaxy was suddenly wiped out!?" Marin's shout prompted a scowl to form onto Ianos' face, "I find it hard to believe that the Clan who were known to be on equal grounds with the Iron Lords were wiped out during the attempted reclamation of the moon!"
"And you weren't even resurrected yet!" Pluto shouted back, Ianos easily spotting the flicker of the void between his fingertips, "You weren't there to face the god damn Hive and their fucking Prince!"
"From what I heard, it took only six Guardians to take him down!" Ianos grounded his jaw, feeling anger boiling in his chest at Marin's words, "according to that logic, your clan should have been able to take him down! Easily!"
A roar of fury can be heard from Pluto followed by the Hunter raising his hand – the one with the knife still in his grip – and swung down upon the Titan's broken visor.
Ianos took a step forward.
There was a spark of blue light.
And Ianos saw the Preceptor leaning over Pluto and Marin, hand gripped tightly around the Exo's Hunter's wrist.
He saw Pluto look up at the Preceptor.
"Let go of me!"
It was a warning, the low growl in Pluto's voice telling enough. This signaled Ianos to finally step in.
At least, he tried to.
"Have I ever told you that I partook in the Great Disaster, Marin?" The Preceptor's words made Ianos pause, causing him to turn his orange eyes at the Head Revenant, "and have I ever told you how many of our Guardian brothers and sisters died during the attempt?"
There was a beat of stunned silence, nothing but the sound of the woods around them before finally, there was a subtly shake of the head from the Preceptor.
"Do not respect the dead so." He said, "Especially for the survivors."
That is when Ianos saw Marin go stiff underneath Pluto, her hands momentarily tightening against the Hunter, before finally, her grip relaxed. There was a huff from Pluto – frustrated, filled with anger – but he nonetheless sheathed his knife around his waist and pushed himself off of Marin. Ianos let out a breath, letting the tension ease from his shoulders.
As Pluto and Marin stood up, dusting themselves, the Preceptor took a step back.
"I say it is better if we all say grounded, agreed?" He suggested; Ianos saw Pluto turn and look at him. He wouldn't be surprised if the Hunter was glaring at the Head Revenant, "And not kill each other?"
There was a look, a glance as Pluto and Marin stared down at each other. Ianos can see their hands flexing, subtly rolling of their shoulders. He made a mental note to place between the two. But for now, with Pluto and Marin's Ghosts picking off the bruises and perhaps also attempting to mend their wounded pride, Ianos would rather stay near the Preceptor's side. He needs to try for a conversation anyway.
Thus, when the Preceptor motioned for Pluto and Marin to take front, prompting the two to give each other one final glare before taking the lead, Ianos took to the Head Revenants side. He eyed Pluto's back, furrowing his brows. Ianos wonders if his upset is enough to distract Pluto to allow him to ask the Preceptor questions.
"Correct me if I am wrong." Ianos jumped, turning his orange eyes to the Preceptor; he can sense a wry smile behind the Revenant's helmet, "But I had heard rumors that, despite their downfall, that the Galaxy are growing in number?"
Ianos couldn't help but raise a brow at the Preceptor's question, "It would be more appropriate to ask Pluto that, not me."
That is when Ianos heard a soft chuckle permeate from the Preceptor, and pangs of familiarity rang in the back of his mind.
Followed by a sense of longing.
"What's so funny?" he asked, giving Zakai a raised brow as the latter continued to grin behind his book.
"A man obsessed with chasing a giant white whale. Really?" His lover let out another chuckle, "My apologies, but is that the best Pre-Golden Age literature that they had? I cannot help but find it funny."
"Well, I found it interesting." Ari's optics flickered, his brows furrowed, "It is better than that – what's that book called?" – the Scarlet Letter?"
"Oh Traveler, don't get me started 'that' one." Despite his helmet, he could sense Zakai give Ari a blank look, "A woman forever marked for adultery? I understand cheating on a partner is wrong but for a lifetime?"
"That was the age back then, Zakai." He explained, "Being unfaithful was seen as terrible of an act equivalent to murder." He smiled at the pout he received from Zakai and Ari, "Although, I do agree. A white whale?"
"Then you don't have to read it if you don't like it." Ari retorted, slamming his book shut before setting it on the table, "We can always find another book to read together."
A laugh permeated from Zakai, "We just need a break. How about it?" He watched as his fellow Warlock turned to him, feeling the smile behind his helmet, "Tomorrow? Same time?"
"Ianos?"
Pulled out of the fog of his memory, Ianos blinked before turning his attention back to the Preceptor. He can sense the concern behind his visor.
"You drifted." The Preceptor said, "Did I say something wrong?"
Again, Ianos blinked, hearing the Preceptor's words ring in his ears before finally, he subtly shook his head.
"No, none at all." He said.
This did little to ease the worry he sensed from the Preceptor' gaze.
Then, before Ianos could react, can question what he was doing, the Revenant reached out and his fingers locked with his.
"Is this, okay?" He easily sensed Zakai's hesitation, "I mean you are older than me by what? A couple hundred years?"
"Most Guardians do not care about age when it comes to romance." He hummed as his eyes lingered over their interlocked fingers, "There are more Guardians with large gaps in age that are together than you think, Zakai?"
"Really?" Zakai's blue eyes flashed briefly as they grew wide, "I thought with how often we are out in the field…"
Feeling the younger Guardian's fingers flex in his, he decided to give it a gentle squeeze in his grip before flashing Zakai a gentle smile.
"We will make it work." He said.
"Ianos?"
Shaking his head once more, Ianos again turned his eyes back to the Preceptor.
"Are you certain that you are capable of taking on this mission?" He heard the Revenant ask, "You seem to be consistently losing focus."
This made Ianos frown, "I have been on bed rest for too long." He turned his eyes away, "If I stay still any longer, I will be restless."
There was a pause, a beat of silence too long that Ianos worried he had offended the Revenant.
And then, there was a short laugh, gentle and quiet.
"I understand." He heard the Preceptor say; again, Ianos can sense a soft smile behind the Revenant's visor, "But please do be careful. You and your Ghost have yet to completely harmonize, you cannot risk death."
Taking in his words, Ianos found himself pressing a hand against his chest, easily feeling the tingling of his wound underneath his fingers. In turn, he can feel Ace hover close, their concern strong through their bond.
"I believe my Ghost and I are capable of handling ourselves." He claims.
There was another pause, another beat of silence before Ianos felt a gentle squeeze against his fingers; he had forgotten that his fingers were intertwined with the Preceptor's. Looking down, Ianos saw the Preceptor's hand leave his and, despite its absence, he can still feel his warmth linger against his hand. Flicking his eyes to the Preceptor's hand, the urge to reach out and lock their fingers together once more lingered, itching at Ianos' senses. But he brushed it to the side.
This is no time to seek the warmth of others.
"We should be approaching the area where Marin had spotted a pack of Fallen." Ianos lifted his head, settling his eyes back onto the Preceptor as the latter continued, "We should probably prepare, in case they are expecting us."
That is when the Preceptor sped up his pace until he was side by side with Pluto and Marin, and Ianos watched as their Ghosts disappeared in a flash. Feeling Ace's presence then linger into his mind, this prompted Ianos to do the same. At least, he tried, up until the Preceptor came to a sudden halt, raising a hand, and then, crouched low.
Seeing Marin and Pluto do the same, Ianos mimicked their movements, settling in next to the Preceptor as they ducked down behind some foliage. Then, Ianos dared to peek over.
Just as what Marin had reported, Ianos spotted five dregs, two Vandals, and a Captain, all moving against the trees. They moved with cautiousness, shoulders low, and Ianos recognized the clicking of their language. Judging from the way they looked around, brushing aside large foliage and bushes, that they were searching.
Likely for the Revenant base.
Narrowing his eyes, Ianos reached down to his hip, grasping the grip of his sidearm when he paused.
The colors of the of the Eliksni did not show red.
Instead, they showed gold.
From the corner of Ianos' eyes, he saw the Preceptor and Marin stand and he froze as wisps of dark green, almost black, formed in their hands.
"Wait!" Pluto's shout showed that he too spotted the House colors.
The lingering darkness building between the Preceptor and Marin was released.
It seemed to move slowly, almost like a predator sneaking upon its prey but, when the Eliksni looked over, the wave of darkness was already upon them. And it grew.
There were shrieks as the fog engulfed the pack of Eliksni, but their cries quickly went quiet as the darkness descended. Then, it was gone, disappeared just as quickly as it appeared. And laid there, were the Eliksni. The pack were still, Ianos unable to spot even a subtly movement, with nothing more than the wisps of darkness permeating between the cracks of their armor.
"What in the Darkness was that for?" Marin's voice pierced the air, but Ianos said nothing.
Instead, he stood, scrambling through the foliage before jogging down to the bodies. Behind him, he could hear Pluto's light steps follow.
The darkness still lingered when Ianos approached, chilly but comfortable through his armor as he knelt over a body. It was the Captain's, and Ianos' heart was loud in his ears as his hands hovered over them, as if to shake the Eliksni awake. He doesn't even see their chest moving.
"Oh, Traveler." Ace whispered in his head.
"Do you recognize any of them?" Ianos asked as he turned to look at Pluto, and then paused.
The Exo Hunter was kneeling over one of the bodies, a hand against their arm. His fingers were trembling. That is when Ianos spotted the weapon in the Vandal's hands. A sniper. And Ianos recognizes Pluto's handiwork anywhere.
Pluto had told Ianos about the Eliksni whom he had traded snipers with. The chances of them being here…
"Why are the two of you agitated?" Ianos looked up, seeing the Preceptor approach with Marin close to his side, "Do you know these Fallen?"
"They are the House of Kings." Pluto answered before Ianos could, the Hunter lifting his head to look directly at the Revenant pair, "a friend of ours is allied with them."
Marin jerked back, "Allied? With the House of Kings? Who would be allied with a Fallen House?"
"One of ours." Ianos answered as he turned his eyes back to the Captain's body, eyes wide behind his helmet.
Angel may not be as close to the House as he was with the House of Spirits, but Ianos kept track of his leave to the field, overheard his stories with the House of Kings. They had become his second Eliksni family – or at least, close to it – after the House of Spirits left.
How are they going to inform Angel that they had killed a pack from a House that he considers a friend, especially after recently experiencing a traumatic experience himself?
Letting out a heavy breath, Ianos dragged a hand down the front of his visor.
"Call the others." He said, more to Pluto and Ace than the Preceptor or Marin, "and let them know to not kill the Eliksni."
"What?!" Marin's shout reverberated through the trees, "Are you crazy!? If we let them live, they may find our base!"
"And has it ever occurred to you why the House of Kings are here?" Ianos stood, finally tearing his eyes away from the Captain's body. He glared at Marin, "And why they are open of their search?"
Marin stared at him.
"What?" She said.
Ianos heard Pluto let out a long and heavy sigh.
"The House of Kings are secretive." The Hunter stood, "They work in the shadows, never out in the open like this." He subtly tilted his head down; following his line of sight, Ianos could see that the Vandal's arms have been repositioned, with the gifted sniper laid upon his chest, "Something must have happened for them to be this desperate."
"Are you implying that there is something else besides the Fallen trespassing in our territory?"
Marin's question prompted Pluto to look at her; Ianos can sense the glower behind the Exo's visor.
"I would recommend you inform everyone that the Eliksni are the least of your worries." Pluto warned, "For something is happening that is even driving the Kings out of the shadows."