Redacted

Is That You?

Edited: 4/21/2024

Ianos was grateful that the Preceptor and Marin helped with the burial. It would be faster to cremate the bodies, but Ianos also wanted to follow as close to Eliksni rituals as best as he could. From what he recalls from Angel, Eliksni are normally buried with several items: a can of Ether so they can travel to the afterlife, their favored weapon, and their cape draped over their bodies Although opting to bury them, Ianos knows that takes time and with just him and Pluto burying eight bodies, it may take a day, especially with burial rites.

In honestly, Ianos had debated to send the Preceptor and Marin back; after all, they are currently in conflict with this current group of Eliksni. He would understand if they did not want to get involved. However, to his surprise, as he and Pluto started to dig the first hole, the Preceptor offered a hand.

"Their deaths are the fault of Marin and I." He said, "it is only right we help with their burial."

The look that Ianos sensed from Pluto was suspicious, annoyed even, but he ignored the Hunter and instead, requested Ace to create another shovel – fortunately, although Ianos won't admit it, his hoarding means he has plenty of materials to make one and more if he requires it. Which he did when Marin – somewhat reluctantly – also volunteered. Ianos suspects she only did so because the Preceptor did.

Nonetheless, when he gave her a shovel and directed her to a burial spot, she did so without complaint. At least, she knows when she is in the wrong, and is willing to rectify it.

They worked on the smaller Eliksni first – the Dregs – as their smaller stature made is so that the graves didn't have to be as large. However, when Ianos searched the bodies, he realized that the dregs held no weapons, only small bags, not even daggers. His heart dropped.

"It seems the Vandals and the Captain are the only ones armed." Ianos looked up to see Pluto is kneeled over another dreg, hands against their chest, "They're a scavenging party."

From the corner of his eyes, Ianos saw Marin pause and look up.

"Scavenging party?" she asked.

Even though blind and his helmet covering his face, Ianos can sense the bland look the Hunter gave the Revenant Titan.

"You have been having a feud with the Eliksni for this long and you cannot tell the difference between a Scout and a Scavenging party?" Pluto pointed out.

Ianos can also sense the glare that Marin gave Pluto.

"We only have our bouts with them when we are settled here." Marin retorted, "and it is only long enough for us to stay, have our progeny, and then move on once they are grown enough that are able to travel." Then, she subtly tipped her head her downwards, and muttered, "Our stay is not long, and we have no time to study the Fallen."

The meaning behind her words, the subtly behind it, it made Ianos pause and look at her. Right, he had momentarily forgotten.

"Someone out there still holding onto old grudges?" He asked.

"More like a few." The Preceptor was the one who answered, a quick looked showed that he was folding the arms of a dreg upon their chest, "we caught a couple of them but there is quite a number still out there."

Ianos furrowed his brows, "Is it the Trackers?"

This earned him a shrug from the Preceptor, "The Trackers? The Hidden? We never figured it out." The Revenant then started pushing dirt over the body; it is unfortunate that the Dregs were not honored with capes, "We never stayed long enough to learn."

Understandable, considering that the Revenants now have young amongst their ranks. At least, that is what he was told by Hush and Knight.

"May still be best to send out a few scouts." Pluto advised; he was patting his shovel upon a freshly covered grave. At this rate, they are maybe able to work on the Vandals graves next, "better to know who is tracking you."

"We tried that already." Marin retorted. She turned her attention back to the grave, "They never come back."

That made Ianos pause, and he slowly turned his attention to Pluto. He can see that the Hunter did the same.

"They never revealed themselves to you?" Ianos finally asked.

"Not that we know of." The Preceptor admitted; he gave a quick prayer to the corpse before proceeding to stand and started shoveling dirt, "We spotted glimpses, shadows, but nothing more."

Ianos flicked his eyes over to Pluto; a subtle shake of the head from the Hunter was enough.

"You believe that they are watching now?"

"Likely." The Preceptor answered, "or either that, they are still tracking us here. We hope that our young will be old enough to move on before they find us."

Again, Ianos looked over to Pluto, only this time, the Hunter had dipped his head; he wouldn't be surprised if he was listening in, reaching his senses out to their surroundings. Again. It is frighteningly scary that even with Pluto's heightened senses, he still cannot sense anything.

"Other locations close by?" He asked.

Ianos didn't have to look over to sense the hardened stare from Marin.

"What makes you think that we would tell you?" She retorted.

Her tone was borderline a growl, filled with obvious loathing. Either there's a history there, paranoia from behind hunter, or both. But now that Ianos has a bit more of the Revenant background, he is a bit more understanding. Doesn't mean Marin's hostility isn't aggravating.

"Close enough." The sputtering that Marin gave the Preceptor at his answer was satisfying enough, "although far enough where we hope it would delay our stalkers enough for us to regather supplies and move on to our next location."

Stalkers.

A blatant way to call them but accurate enough.

Deciding not to comment further, Ianos then finished up the grave he was working on, settling the Dreg in before burying them. Then, he started digging another one – this time, this one for a Vandal. As he dug, he spotted from the corner of his eyes Pluto dragging one of the Vandal's bodies over. Then, as he set it down next to the grave site, Ianos saw him start unclipping the cape, shaking it out.

"I am guessing you are following Fallen rituals?"

Ianos looked over at the Preceptor to see that the grave he was working on was already covered and buried. Good, the Dreg he was taking care of was the last.

Thus, he decided to give the Revenant a nod.

"We are trying." He answered as he continued to dig; Pluto had taken up a shovel and was helping him now, "unfortunately, we do not have a can of ether to send with them to the afterlife."

"You believe that kind of stuff?" Marin's voice came from behind the Preceptor, and it wasn't long until she stepped around the Head Revenant.

"Not us, but they do." Ianos pointed his head at the Vandal's body.

Again, despite her face being covered, Ianos can sense the narrow look behind Marin's helmet.

"Why should we respect their dead when they give ours none?"

Truly, the longer that Ianos spends around Marin, the younger in years he believes her to be. Or she is one of the most stubborn and iron-willed of older Chosen, the ones who refuse to change their views.

"Marin." Fortunately, the Preceptor seems to disagree, "best to focus on helping the dead rest than the wrongs that they have done to us."

There is a grumble from the Titan Revenant but nonetheless, Ianos saw her walk around, approaching the other Vandal's body; likely to help find a burial spot for that one.

Watching her to ensure that she doesn't further damage or disrespect the body, Ianos only looked away when Marin scooped the body into her arms – to avoid dragging the corpse – and continued his dig. With Pluto helping him, it wasn't long until it was deep enough for a body to be placed in – Ianos can barely peek his head over the grave.

Throwing his shovel over, Ianos then waited until Pluto leaned over with the Vandal's corpse, prompting him to raise his arms. Feeling a weight fall into them, Ianos quickly spread out his legs, squaring out his gravity so he doesn't fall over. Or at least, the best he could, as the sudden additional weight pulled him forward, his head impacting the side of the grave.

Another reason to keep his helmet on.

"Need to work on that muscle, Little Light."

Looking up, Ianos gave Pluto a glower as the latter let out a chuckle. Forming a way to get back at the Hunter, Ianos instead lowered the Vandal into the grave, positioning their arms so that they laid flat upon their chest. Then, he reached up as Pluto handed over the Vandal's weapon – a simple shock rifle – then leaned down and placed it in the Vandal's hands. Next was their cape, and Ianos was careful when he draped it over the body, covering the face and the torso with it. Giving the body a brief glance, Ianos then gripped one edge of the grave before reaching out with the other, feeling Pluto's hand clasp his wrist and tug.

Climbing out, Ianos once again investigated the grave – the gold a stark contrast against the dirt – before grabbing the shovel and starting to cover the body. Again, Pluto was there to help and as they shoveled the dirt back into the grave, Ianos noticed the Preceptor raising a hand, bringing it close to his face as he curled into a fist.

It brought a pang to his chest; he had only seen one other perform such a gesture for the dead. And he too is long gone.

Thus, Ianos focused his attention back on the burial, brushing aside the memories that threatened to surface. He can feel Ace's concern in his head. Alongside their grief.

Taking in a deep breath, Ianos worked diligently, and it wasn't long until the grave was filled, Pluto being the one to pat down the mound of dirt on top of it. Then, they turned to Marin, and he could see that she was already working on digging, the Vandal's body lying next to it. She had taken the time to bring the hands to their chest, resting them on top of each other.

Brushing off any dirt on his coat, Ianos noticed that Pluto was the first to move, shovel in hand. Likely to help bury the Vandal.

This meant that the Captain was left.

Ianos had always known the Eliksni Captains were tall and broad but, he didn't realize just how much until he approached the body. He wonders how he missed that.

The Captain looked as though they had tried to remaining standing, keep themselves upright judging from the way their arms were tucked underneath them, elbows out at an awkward angle. Ianos just prays that their death was painless.

A quick glance around Ianos found a spot – one underneath some trees, where sunlight hits perfectly between the branches – and thus, he leaned down and grabbed the Captain's corpse by the arm. That is when he spotted movement and he looked up to see the Preceptor had taken the other side, taking the Captain's other arm. The Preceptor looked at him and subtly tilted his head at Ianos; he could not help but feel like as though the Revenant was giving him a sheepish smile behind his helmet.

"Looked like you may need some help."

To Ianos, it was adorable at how the Preceptor dipped his head, shoulders subtly raised. Acting shy. One would have never thought that this would be the leader of a group of Chosen who believes wholly in the belief of balance of light and darkness.

Opting to say nothing, Ianos simply nodded at the Preceptor before started dragging the Captain to the spot. From the corner of his eyes, he saw the Preceptor do the same. The Eliksni was heavy, no thanks to their armor and likely their carapace, but Ianos and the Preceptor were able to drag the body over to the spot. Then, Ianos went to walk back to his previous position, eyeing his shovel. When he grabbed it and returned, the Preceptor was already working on digging. This one, is going to take a while, Ianos can tell, considering that the Captain was nearly two heads taller than he was and possibly two of him broad. He took a quick look at Pluto and Marin; the two were bickering between themselves but they were getting work done. They were waist deep already.

Turning his attention back to his own work, Ianos stabbed his shovel into the dirt, leveraging it until he was able to get an ample amount of dirt and then tossed it to the side.

"Ianos."

The call of his name prompted Ianos to look up and his eyes settled upon the Preceptor. To him, the latter was acting shy again, with shoulders raised, head dipped towards the hearth.

"Ianos." The Preceptor started again, only for him to pause and then look over Ianos' shoulder.

Raising a brow, Ianos slowly followed his line of sight, only to settle over Pluto and Marin. They were both finishing up the grave. If it were anyone else, they would have been confused by the Preceptor's hesitation, his reluctance. But Ianos knows.

Pluto. Of course.

"If you have something to say, say it." Ianos said as he turned his attention back to the Preceptor, "otherwise, you won't have the chance."

There is a pause, a brief look from the Preceptor, before there is a subtle nod.

"Ianos." The Preceptor started once more, "I understand that Pluto wanted me to keep this hidden from you, but I am afraid that is no longer an option."

Ianos nodded.

"I have been wanting to tell since you were first brought here." The Preceptor continued, "But my cowardice and fears reined me in, but now I feel it is not fair to you."

This felt too much like a confession. An admittance of feelings.

"Ianos." The Preceptor called his name again but to Ianos, it was soft, gentle, filled with yearning, "I – "

There was a collision, a blur of black that rammed into the Preceptor's form and Ianos jumped as both the Revenant and Pluto fell to the hearth.

"I told you to keep it to yourself."

Pluto's warning was low, but it was filled with so much venom that Ianos couldn't help but look, eyes wide as the Hunter sat upon the Preceptor's chest.

In turn, there was a war cry and then Marin practically leaped at Pluto, jumping onto the Hunter's back. Then, Ianos looked on as she wrapped her arms around Pluto's waist and rolled, prying the Exo off the Preceptor and haphazardly dragging the Hunter away. There was a curse from Pluto and the Hunter was quick to twist, tearing himself out of the Revenant Titan's grip.

That is when Ianos heard the Preceptor groan.

Turning his attention back to Revenant, Ianos saw that the Preceptor had turned to his side and had curled in. His hands were pressed against his chest and his breaths were strained.

Were his shields not on when Pluto tackled him?

Ianos moved, taking a step to check on him when there was a flash of light and darkness.

And he came to a sudden halt.

"Hold on, I think he broke a couple of your ribs." The Ghost – the Preceptor's Ghost – hovered close, her vermillion shell bright even under the light. But what caught his attention was her optic – a beautiful luminescent blue. And he recognizes that color anywhere.

"That's what I get for letting my guard down." The Preceptor coughed and a stream of light and darkness came from his Ghost's optic.

It settled upon the area of impact – his side – and there was a hard breath of relief from the Head Revenant as it faded into his body.

"Better?" His Ghost asked and there was a single nod and Ianos looked on as the Preceptor rose to his feet.

As the Revenant stumbled, regaining his bearings, Ianos saw the Ghost turn and her optic connected with his. In his head, he heard his own Ghost let out a harsh breath.

"Hiro?" He murmured out.

There was a flinch, her optic casting down to the hearth before it quickly flicked back to Ianos. Judging from that reaction, it had to be her, it had to be his Ghost.

But why was she here? Did she find another?

Her glowing blue optic said otherwise.

"Preceptor." Ianos looked on as the vermillion Ghost turned to the Preceptor, the latter of whom paused in brushing off the front of his coat and looked at her, "I have just received a message from the others. They have made contact with the Fallen, but they fled."

There was a pause, a stare from the Preceptor before he let out a breath.

"Tell them to keep track of them." He said, "and if they lose sight, to return back to base."

Ianos saw the Ghost scrunch her shell against her core, "Is that wise?"

"They are allied with Ianos and his friends." The Preceptor then nodded, "It would be unwise to further agitate them." He then looked at the Captain's body, "especially since we have already done enough damage."

A logical conclusion and Ianos would wholeheartedly agree if he could tear his eyes away from the vermillion shell.

It was too distinct for him to forget, even with the shimmering of light and darkness shifting across her shell. She had been on her third name then – Hiro – when she chose the color, mainly for its meaning and uniqueness; the color of life and eternity. She had chosen it specifically because she believed it would bring her Chosen good luck. Ianos had thought of it as a farce after her death. Her supposed death.

"Hiro." Ace's voice rang in his ears, and it prompted Ianos to glance over his shoulder; he had failed to notice his Ghost had left the confines of his mind, "Hiro, is that you?"

The Ghost looked back at them again and Ianos spotted a shimmer in her glowing blue optic. Again, she said nothing, and this made Ianos take a trembling breath. He then fixed his eyes onto the Preceptor.

"Zakai?"

He spoke in a whisper, hardly reaching his own ears, but Ianos saw the Preceptor freeze, his head stiffly turning his way. They stared, Ianos feeling the Preceptor's eyes locked onto his. Then, the Head Revenant moved.

Ianos found himself frozen, time slowing down as the Preceptor approached until he was a mere arm's length away. And then, slowly, he raised a hand and pressed it against Ianos' check.

"Ianos."

The way he spoke his name, filled with so much gentleness and yearning that Ianos couldn't help but scold himself for not realizing it sooner.

Why? And how?

But Ianos was unable to use his tongue, his voice frozen in his throat. Instead, he flicked his eyes toward Pluto and Marin, and saw that the two of them were frozen mid-fight. Pluto on top of the Revenant Titan, fist raised, but his attention was on Ianos. Similarly, Marin was also staring, a hand wrapped around Pluto's other wrist, her free one swirling with darkness.

There was no noise, no movement, just the gentle swaying of the trees around them, until finally, Pluto broke the silence.

"Fuck."