Redacted

One More Won't Hurt

Edited: 9/22/2024

Cremation.

That always seems to be the standard for most Chosen when it comes to burying their dead. Perhaps there is a symbolism behind it? An idealism that burning the body was a way for them to return to ashes, just as they were before they were resurrected. Or was it because more often than naught their bodies were too brutalized, unrecognizable to the point where cremating the body was deemed more suitable than burial?

Personally, Akiva never really understood it. Then again, all the deaths he had experienced were those of the Chargers and he was forced to leave their bodies behind when Crota gave him the chance to run. He had only participated in a cremation once and that was with Aleeza, mainly because with the height that she jumped, there was hardly anything that could be called a body to be buried. And even then, it was more for convenience than anything else.

Currently though, with Onosi's body already nothing but ashes and scattered, the pyre that was currently burning before them was more ritualistic than anything, especially since all they had really to burn was the remnants of the Revenant Titan's Ghost. However, even with a lack of a body, it seems to help give Taylor some closure, the Warlock having settled down onto one knee at the foot of the fire. His head was bowed in respect, and it didn't take long for Akiva to see the trembling of his shoulders. This prompted Akiva to take a few idle steps back, wanting nothing more to give the Revenant Warlock space. But with how close Tiphaxis and Darivion are to Taylor, it didn't really seem to matter.

This prompted him to ponder on their next move.

With Angel killing a member of the Revenants, heading back doesn't seem to be an option. Unless the group wants the Hunter to experience the wrath of a group of rogue Chosen, most of whom have a grudge against those who reside in the Tower. But they also cannot keep Taylor here, as he only brings tension and conflict amongst themselves and the Eliksni. However, killing him isn't an option as well. One death is already enough.

Heaving out a sigh, Akiva then heard the familiar snarling language of Eliksni permeate nearby and he turned his golden eyes to the two Vandals. Tiphaxis, being the more dominant of the pair, was speaking quickly, arms moving sporadically as her four eyes were narrowed. She was snarling, obviously upset, while the more passive Darivion was hunched but kept his stance firm. Although he didn't sound upset, the expression on his face looked serious and Akiva couldn't help but raise a brow.

"What are they saying?" He decided to whisper.

There are a few clicks from Lex.

"From what I can gather, they are debating whether or not to bring Taylor back to the cave once we are done here." Akiva frowned at Lex's answer, "it seems Tiphaxis believes leaving him is the best solution, while Darivion best believes to bring him back."

Akiva barely suppressed a groan.

Of course, this happens when Akiva is alone with a mourning Revenant and without Orion and Angel, the latter two practically the experts when it came to the Eliksni. Akiva himself is even fortunate enough that he knew a word or two of the Eliksni language.

"Let me guess." Akiva murmured back, "When Tiphaxis says that she is up for leaving Taylor behind, she actually means…"

"Yes." Lex confirmed, "It means exactly what you think."

Great, meaning that if Tiphaxis has her way, she is more than willing to kill the Revenant Warlock. An action that Akiva knows that even Orion would be against. He has some doubts about Angel though.

Nonetheless, again contemplating on what to do as he kept his attention upon the arguing Eliskni, Akiva then decided to hell with it and turned his focus back onto Taylor. He was fortunate that with the brief lapse of a distraction that all the Warlock did was settle onto his knees, hands in his lap, and posture straight. Akiva recognizes that posture. He found many Warlocks do the same when they are mediating. By the Light, he even walked in on Aleeza back when she was alive, her eyes close, and her expression serene; a calm composure that the Titan had hardly seen in his twin.

Although, he mostly sees this when the Warlock is in a setting of quiet, most times isolated, and thus, Akiva couldn't help but find it strange that Taylor decided to take the time to meditate now. Hence, brushing aside the bickering of the two Eliksni, Akiva stepped forward, making his presence as loud as possible. He made the mistake of being quiet once when it came to the Warlocks back when he was with the Chargers. If Layla and Anna turn violent when snapped out of meditation, he can only imagine a young and emotional one like Taylor can do.

Coming to a pause next to the Revenant, Akiva waited, and when Taylor didn't react, he took a seat, folding his legs beneath him. Then, curious, he leaned forward, allowing him to take in the Revenant Warlock's expression. As he expected, although Taylor's eyes were closed, face calm, there were tears still streaked down the front, betraying the façade.

Leaning back, Akiva turned his focus forward, letting his golden eyes settle over the makeshift pyre. It was large enough for a body, even if it was just for Onosi's Ghost. Tradition perhaps?

"Is there a reason why we are using flames that aren't sourced from the Light?" Akiva decided to ask.

This garnered a reaction, Akiva seeing from the corner of his eyes the Warlock opening his eyes and slowly turned his head towards him. His face was full of surprise.

"Are you telling me that you Tower Guardians use your light for this?" The bewilderment betrayed Taylor's age. This made Akiva think that Taylor is younger than he had originally thought.

He raised a brow at him, "There a reason why you don't?" Akiva then shifted in his seat, trying to find a more comfortable position; the hearth beneath him wasn't exactly soft, "Everything burns faster with the light, right?"

The look of disbelief on Taylor's face was hilarious, Akiva seeing him sputter before the Warlock finally said, "Faster yes but – " His words came to a halt and Akiva saw him scowl, brows furrowing together as he shook his head, "Of course. You Tower Guardians are not the Preceptor."

This prompted Akiva to blink at him, "I'm guessing that the Preceptor was the one who started using this tradition of using 'natural' fire?"

A strange custom in Akiva's eyes, considering that it would take time, especially if one is burning a Guardian with all their armor and gear. That would take ages.

Taylor nodded at him, "The Preceptor said that since all Chosen were resurrected from the earth, that we are all born from the same ashes." The Revenant Warlock's eyes went soft, "Thus, in order to return to the cycle of life and death, everything has to be as it should be." Taylor's attention then turned back to the pyre and Akiva saw his shoulders deflate, eyes shimmering, "No Light. No Darkness. Just, nature."

Seeing the Warlock sag in his seat, it was then Akiva noticed just how tired the Revenant looked. True, Chosen can go days without rest, but Taylor had just witnessed one of his friends die in front of him, and not to mention that his fate is still unknown once everything is sorted with the surviving House of Kings. There was no doubt that Taylor was more emotionally drained than anything.

That then brought a thought to Akiva; how are they going to rest while keeping an eye on Taylor? Because he is certain that if the Revenant sees it, he will take the opportunity to run, and eyes cannot always be on him.

Contemplating this, Akiva leaned back, placing a hand onto the earth to steady himself before reaching to his neck with his other hand, his fingers eventually grasping something small and round. He momentarily paused. Right, he had nearly forgotten.

Picking away at the chain until he could fully remove the locket from under his breastplate, Akiva couldn't help but stare it, just for a moment before reaching down to his belt. From there, he removed his and he held it out as he sat up, as if to compare.

He had forgotten that he had taken Aleeza's locket, snatching it before the Tower could sift through her belongings. Honestly, Akiva had been in a daze, still trying to take in her death. He had barely recalled even taking it from what remained of her body.

Staring at the one tied around his belt – his – Akiva hesitated before popping that one open. The familiar picture of him and Aleeza when they were kids sprang into view. It was still a strange sight to him, to see he and his sister having the same hair, eyes, and even skin color. Although Akiva had fragments of his previous life, the ones that included his sister when they were children were absent and the ones where he did recall Aleeza were a fog, a distant memory. To him, seeing her as anything but Awoken is a foreign sight in his eyes.

But right here in front of him, is the proof that Aleeza was once human.

"What are you staring at?"

Jumping in his seat, Akiva couldn't help but clasp his hands over the lockets before snapping his eyes to Taylor. He locked onto curious brown.

"Oh." Akiva smiled sheepishly before coughing into a fist, looking away when Taylor scowled at him.

He can feel Lex laughing through their bond.

"My sister and I." Akiva decided to answer as he opened the palm with the locket he just opened, "Back when we were children."

Seeing Taylor's brows furrow, Akiva decided to hold out his hand, showing the jewelry to the young Revenant. He waited as the Warlock looked back and forth between him and the locket before finally, tentatively, Taylor reached out and carefully took the piece out of his hand. Akiva couldn't help but be appreciative when Taylor cupped the locket in his hand, as if holding something fragile.

"You have a twin?" Akiva couldn't help but flinch at Taylor's question; the Revenant look at him, eyes scrutinizing, "You had a twin?"

Taking in stride at how he himself is easy to read, Akiva forced himself to smile, "Sharp. You sure you aren't a Hunter garbed in Warlock robes?"

There is a scoff from Taylor – much to Akiva's relief – before he held the locket back to him.

"Tried it, hated it." The Revenant answered.

Unable to hold back a chuckle, Akiva took the locket before securing it back onto his belt. That is when he noticed Taylor looking at his other hand, the one with Aleeza's locket.

"Did that belong to your twin?" Taylor asked.

Again, Akiva flinched and instead of giving the Revenant an answer, he turned the piece in his hand, letting the pyre catch the gold embroidered surface.

"Yes." He finally answered, rubbing his thumb over it, "But…"

A lump in his throat stopped him, and Akiva found himself clasping the locket in both hands, bringing it close to his chest. He felt Taylor give him a bewildered look.

"But what?" The Warlock asked.

I am scared to see what is inside.

At least, that is what Akiva wanted to say.

But could he really say that to a Chosen that he had just met? His worries that in his twin's last moments, she revealed her envy, her jealousy, and that he is afraid of what he will see inside the locket? That instead of the picture of them when they were children, it would be that of something else?

He knows that he is reaching, and if true, a petty move by Aleeza. But she is the type. And Akiva is afraid to see it for himself.

"It's nothing." He gave the Revenant a stiff smile, "It's just another copy of the picture have seen in mine."

Akiva wasn't all too surprised at the doubtful look he received from Taylor and wanting to move on, Akiva quickly slipped the locket back around his neck, letting it hide behind his breast plate. Fortunately, after a brief pause, Taylor just scoffed – this one less harsh and more sympathetic – and when Akiva looked back, the Warlock had turned his attention back to Onosi's Pyre.

Akiva decided to do the same, "How much longer?"

This earned him a huff.

"A day." He wheezed at Taylor's answer, "However, since we're burning Little Hare instead of Onosi, ritualistically we're supposed to sit and mourn for the rest of the day."

"Rest of the day!?"

Taylor shrugged at his shock, "Onosi's ashes are already scattered and since we won't have a Ghost to bring back, it is tradition to wait until the first light touches the sky." Akiva then looked on as the Revenant shifted, setting himself on the ground before pulling his legs to his chest, hugging them close as he set his chin on his knees. His eyes remained on the fire, "Or, at least until the fire is done burning."

Jaw going slack, Akiva then quietly debated outright leaving. The orange in the sky is quickly fading and there was no doubt that Angel was getting worried, and considering how vicious the Hunter has been, Akiva wouldn't be surprised if he would search for them with guns blazing.

But then, he heard Taylor sniff, and the guilt settled back into his chest.

He sighed.

"You two head on back." Akiva heard the two Vandals murmuring come to a halt, "I will keep an eye on him."

Tiphaxis shouted, obviously displeased, and Akiva tugged on his bond with Lex.

"She's asking why." His Ghost translated, "and some other things that I do not want to repeat."

No less cursing out the Revenant Warlock, considering her words moments before.

"Well." Akiva started, "This ceremony will take until sun rise and I need someone to head back to let Orion and the others know."

That way, they won't come looking for him desperately. Things are way too tense as they are now.

There is a huff and a snarl from the female Vandal; Akiva doesn't need a translation for what she said.

"Do you want to stay out here all day?" He turned to look at her, giving Tiphaxis a blank expression, "In the dark?"

There is a growl from Tiphaxis.

"Look." Akiva sighed, "Taylor is a kid, at least, compared to me." He felt the quick glare from the Revenant, "I think he will be more comfortable with just me here while in mourning."

There is another snarl from Tiphaxis and this time she took a step forward, snapping her arm forward, and pointing at accusing finger at him.

"She's asking if we are siding with the Revenant." Lex translated, "and that if we are turning traitor."

"Traitor!?" Akiva sputtered, "Excuse me?!" He stood up, "I'm sorry I have some sympathy for a kid who just lost a friend!"

In most cases, Akiva found his height a burden, a hindrance, but in this case, as he towered over Tiphaxis, he saw the benefit as the Vandal shrank back. She still growled at him. He sighed again.

"Just head back and let Orion and Angel know." Akiva rubbed the back of his neck; he's getting too old for this, "I can handle one Revenant."

There is a rumble from Tiphaxis but fortunately, Darivion finally stepped in, setting a hand upon her shoulder. He murmured something to her, prompting the Vandal to look at him, back at Akiva, and then she huffed. She grumbled something out before Tiphaxis finally turned and walked away. This was soon followed by Darivion mumbling something out, gave a single bow of his head, before following his fellow Vandal.

"Tiphaxis said fine." Lex translated, "And Darivion apologizes on her behalf."

Akiva let out a breath.

In honestly, considering how hot-tempered Tiphaxis is, he had expected a fight. Fortunately, that didn't happen.

Rolling his neck – again, he is getting too old for these types of petty fights – Akiva turned and took a seat back next to Taylor. That is when he finally noticed the Revenant looking at him, brows furrowed, a frown upon his face.

Akiva raised a brow, "What?"

Instead of receiving an answer, Akiva saw Taylor's eyes narrow at him before finally turning away and his attention settled back onto the pyre.

"You didn't have to do that." He said.

Raising a brow at the Revenant's words, Akiva then shrugged, "Felt it would help you feel less like a prisoner and more like…" he paused, making a face as he gestured vaguely with a hand, "Well, friend wouldn't work, would it?"

There is a sideways glance from Taylor, and the look that he gave Akiva could only be explained as amusement. The snort thereafter solidified the look.

Akiva couldn't help but smile at that.

Only if Ora could meet Taylor. He knows for certain that the child would enjoy the Revenant's company.

That is when an idea settled in.

"Akiva." He heard his Ghost hiss in his ear, "No."

Akiva brushed him off.

"Have you ever been to the Tower?" He asked.

Taylor looked at him, brow raised.

"No?" He himself sounded confused, "Why?"

"Akiva." Lex's voice resounded in his head, "We are 'not' adopting this one."

"Ianos has Hush." Akiva argued, "Why can't I have one?"

He heard Lex sputter at his words.

"You have 'three' kids." His Ghost retorted back, "and Traveler knows how many more times you and Neve are going to sleep together."

Good point, but Akiva couldn't help but beam at the Revenant Warlock. This earned him a puzzled look from Taylor.

"One more won't hurt." He said aloud, and he grinned at the way Lex started cursing under his breath and Taylor's face further twisted into bewilderment.