Redacted
In Two Days
Edited: 10/27/2024
"We already tried that."
Amused at the sight of the two Revenants jumping, Ianos simply stood nearby, feeling Hush's hand quickly clasp into his. Giving the child Guardian a comforting squeeze, he looked over to the wandering form of Nine and Knight before adding, "If you try to take Eidr away, he is going to react. Violently."
Scorpio learned that the hard way. He had been sulking about it since.
And as if on cue, the infant's cooing echoed from the Exo Warlock's arms, the latter of which responded with his lights growing bright. This earned them another coo.
"Then how do you expect us to feed the baby?" One of the Revenants grumbled.
Unable to help but shake his head at the Chosen, Ianos looked down at Hush, seeing her yellow eyes locked with his.
"Hush?" He started, "Do you have the bottle?"
Seeing her eyes flash as she nodded, Ianos then gently released her hand, signaling to the child Guardian to brush past the two Revenants and trot over to Nine and Knight. As if sensing her presence, the Exo ceased his pacing, slightly wavering as Hush closed the distance. Then, without another word, Hush held out a hand, revealing a bottle in her palm, the formula sloshing within. Slowly, Nine and Knight turned their head, just enough to notice the bottle before reaching out with a hand and gently taking it from Hush's. Then, resuming his slow pace, Ianos look on as Night and Knight held the bottle to Eidr. The latter latched on gleefully.
Looking back at the two Revenants and spotting the look of surprise on their faces, Ianos couldn't help but feel a bit mischievous when he said, "All you had to do was ask."
The giggle from Hush was worth the dirty looks the two Revenants sent his way. Resisting the urge to smile, Ianos instead turned his attention back to Hush just in time to see the latter had taken Nine and Knight by the arm. Carefully, she started leading the catatonic Exo out of the room.
This signaled Ianos to take a step out of the room. Then, a flicker of light appeared above his shoulders.
"We need to put a bell on him." Ace said, shifting their shell as they added, "That way, when he starts moving, we can catch him before he leaves the room." Ianos watched his Ghost look back at the Exo and child, "not to mention it makes it easier to find him when he does disappear on us."
Humming at this, Ianos glanced over his shoulder, looking on as Hush used one hand to sign to the Exo Warlock. She was babbling from what he could tell.
"Perhaps." Ianos agreed, "But I think we can find him perfectly fine with Eidr's constant laughter."
That is when the baby in question let out a giggle, prompting Hush to lean over and hold out a hand just above his face. It wasn't long until Ianos saw little hands reaching out to her fingers.
In turn, he heard Ace let out a soft hum, "It seems Eidr is intent on staying with us."
"Another child to add to the daycare." Ianos commented.
Hearing his Ghost let out a snort, Ianos then decided to add, "How many is that now? Five?"
"If you don't count Pluto's kids." Ace pointed out.
Now it was Ianos' turn to be amused, "I do not think the twins, nor the clan, would appreciate you calling them children."
"Well." Ace lifted their shell, "That is what they are, are they not?"
Deciding to respond with nothing more than a subtle smile, Ianos also decided it best to keep quiet. Instead, when they approached the door of the room that they were given, he reached over to Knight and Nine's arm, gripping it gently before opening the door. As he looked back to lead the Exo in, Ianos spotted the subtle glow of Knight's and Nine's optics but nothing more. Unable to help but feel disappointed, Ianos then led them to one of the beds, turning him around so that the Exo Warlock could sit. During all this, Hush was still playing with Eidr, playfully teasing him even when Nine and Knight sat upon the bed. The infant giggled as little hands tried and failed to grab her fingers. Letting out a slow breath, Ianos then took the opportunity to walk over to his own bed and take a seat. It was then he took the opportunity to look at their newly acquired quarters.
At first glance, the room seemed small, but he later realized that it was because of all the beds propped into the room. It seems Zakai took the effort to ensure that Ianos and the others stayed together. Fortunately, there were bunks, leaving enough room for everyone to at least walk about. And to bicker when it came to the twins fighting over who got the top bunk – a simple game of rock, paper, scissors supervised by Pluto resolved that. Scorpio won.
Despite Gemini's pouting, the group were able to rest – not sleep – in the room. It took a while before someone laid down their head to sleep. Who, Ianos couldn't remember – he had been tired himself, but it sent a wave of relief, just enough where they all felt safe enough to close their eyes.
Well, most of them anyway.
Ianos' attention settled back onto Nine and Knight. Although catatonic, the Phoenix Exo's lights had not shut off, either blinking steadily or fixed on. He couldn't help but wonder what is going through the Exo's head.
Shifting his attention to Hush, Ianos saw that she now sat upon the floor, head and arms resting on the bed, when a knock from the entryway prompted Ianos to tear his eyes away. His orange eyes locked onto familiar glowing blue.
A smile settled onto Zakai's face at the interaction, but Ianos also noticed the strain, the way his eyes flicked over to his shoulders – to Ace – and then back to him.
"Are you busy?" Zakai asked.
That prompted Ianos to hesitate and he found himself looking back over to Nine, Knight, and Hush.
The latter had sat up, yellow eyes looking at him with a mix of curiosity and concern. Ianos decided to raise a hand.
Stay here. He signed.
Ianos wasn't all too surprised at the face she made but nonetheless, Hush nodded. Then, she laid her head back onto the bed, closing her eyes. Knowing better, Ianos watched her, waiting until he saw the way her shoulders relaxed, and her breaths became soft. That is when he finally turned to Zakai and nodded, signaling the Preceptor to take a step outside. Pushing himself to his feet, Ianos followed, ensuring the door shut behind him when he stepped out. And again, his eyes locked onto Zakai's.
With his identity now known, Zakai's helmet is absent, revealing his face to all. At first, Ianos thought he still had looked the same, even after all these years. But then, he noticed his dark locks – once loose with stray strands falling over his eyes – was pulled back and thrown over his shoulders, leaving more of his eyes and face exposed. His skin, once a sickly pale from his frail composition, was now tan, filled with color.
He had been taking care of himself.
A stark contrast when he was back at the Tower, back when he was trying to prove himself to others that he wasn't a danger, that he wasn't unstable. That he wasn't crazy.
It was strange to see him so healthy now, filled with life.
The only thing that hadn't changed was his eyes. The same glowing blue eyes that Ianos had known the entirety that he had known Zakai. An obvious sign of his Awoken blood.
"What is this about?" Ianos finally asked.
He saw Zakai flinch at his straightforwardness, but the Revenant crossed his arms behind his back. It wasn't long until Ianos spotted a familiar flash over his shoulder, Hiro's – Sorrow, he reminded himself – vermillion shell taking shape.
"Nice to see you too." Ianos heard her mutter, her glowing blue optic giving him a blank stare. And filled with understanding, "Zakai and I are here to discuss a different alternative for your Harmonization."
Now it was Ianos' turn to flinch.
"Found a way that the ritual can continue without the need of a Wizard?" He asked.
"Sadly, no." Ianos felt his heart drop at Zakai's answer, "however, we can do it where you do not have to face and hear her."
He jerked back, eyes wide, "How?"
"The sigils." Zakai clarified, "They could be drawn in a different room while Vultosa initiates the rights."
Taking in a deep breath as his heart jumped at Wizard's name, Ianos waited momentarily to push his anxieties down, shoving aside the memory of the Hive before he asked, "Sigils?"
A nod from Zakai, "The Harmonization requires sigils to be drawn around the participant followed by Vultosa painting them onto your body."
That is when Ianos found his body tense, taking a step back at the mere thought of the Wizard touching him. He forced his trembling hands still.
"However." Zakai continued, "We found an alternative where the two of you will be in different rooms." The Preceptor gestured vaguely with a hand, "She performs the ritual, another will draw the sigils upon your body, and hopefully." He flashed Ianos a nervous smile, "this will allow the completion of the Harmonization."
Taking in Zakai's words, Ianos took in another trembling breath, flexing his hands as he looked up at Ace. His Ghost was looking at him with concern. Then, they turned their attention back to Zakai.
"Who is going to paint on Ianos' body." Ace asked, "Not another Hive, is it?"
Ianos winced.
Fortunately, not only did Zakai shook their head, but so did Sorrow.
"I may have founded the Revenants however; I am not the oldest here." Zakai smiled gently at them, "Another Revenant will aid you in the Harmonization."
The smile somehow helped Ianos relax.
"They are that knowledgeable in the arts of the Hive?" Ianos asked.
Another nervous smile, "You can say that."
Unable to help but raise a brow at Zakai's words, Ianos gave the Preceptor a look. There is a hum from him.
"Let us just say that his interest is what got him banished from the Tower decades ago." Zakai added.
Before he could stop himself, Ianos snorted, "Sounds like another Toland."
That is when a laugh came from Zakai and the familiarity, the warmth rang in his ears. Despite himself, Ianos cracked a smile.
"He would take that a compliment." Zakai mused, the glow of his eyes more prominent; a sight that was all too familiar and brought an ache inside Ianos' chest, "A grand compliment."
His words brought a sense of recognition into Ianos' senses. There was only one person who would be proud to be compared to Toland. And Ianos isn't all too surprised that he found his way to the Revenants.
"If that is the case then I believe I shall be in good hands then." Ianos said; this brought another smile to Zakai's face. This one was less strained and more natural, "When will the Harmonization take place?"
"Two days from now." Ianos couldn't help the nervousness resurface; too soon for him but, the sooner they get the Harmonization done, the better, "We need some time to prepare for it."
Through their bond, Ianos can feel the suspicion settle into Ace's core.
"You seemed pretty prepared the last time we attempted the Harmonization." His Ghost pointed at, "What changed?"
Ianos raised a brow at this before turning his attention back to Zakai. Ace did have a point.
Zakai softly smiled, almost as if he was expecting the question. Although, it was Sorrow who answered.
"We just wanted to make sure that all variables are accurate and safe." She explained, "As we have said before, usually the Oracle, or Vultosa in this case, would mark the initiate." Ianos saw her shift her shell up and down, "However, since we are preparing the Harmonization in two separate rooms – a feat that we have never done before – we just want to make sure that everything is in its proper place."
Once again, Ianos found himself flinching at her words. Sorrow does have a point. Then, he paused and glanced over at Ace. Then again, most Ghosts make good points.
"We shall notify you when the Harmonization is ready."
Ianos turned his eyes back to Zakai. He took note of the softness in his eyes, the gentle look upon his face. And then, the Preceptor turned, as if to leave, but then he came to a sudden halt. That is when Ianos saw the brief look of hesitation, of contemplation glossing over his eyes. Then, he heard Zakai take a deep breath and then turn back to look at him.
"I missed you."
The words thrummed throughout Ianos' senses and the ache in his chest was back.
I missed you too.
Ianos wanted to say it back, to say the words that lingered on his tongue. But he found his words lost, his throat tight, and in the end, Ianos found himself simply nodding once. Regret soon followed.
Nonetheless, Zakai flashed him a smile – a full genuine smile – and without another word, the Revenant turned and slipped away, the vermillion shell of his Ghost soon following. Ianos looked on as his red and black clad shape disappeared down a hall, and then when Zakai was out of sight, he tried to move, to take a step back into his room. But he found his feet cemented to the floor, his legs stiff, and he couldn't help but let his eyes linger where Zakai last stood as he raised a hand to his chest. He can feel his heart beat hard behind it.
"You – I – We are still upset with them." Ace practically stuttered, and Ianos found himself nodding in agreement, "but – but that does not mean…"
Their voice faded followed by a silence, and then a sigh.
"But the feelings are still there, aren't they?"
His throat going tight once more, Ianos simply nodded, gripping his chest as he took in a shuddering breath. And finally, gathered enough strength to tear himself away, tearing his feet from the ground. After all, Hush's worry will grow if he lingers outside for too long.
Thus, forcing his swirling emotions aside, Ianos finally entered the shared quarters, walked over to his bed, sat, and sighed. Across from him, he can feel Hush's worried eyes.
"Everything is fine." He said, more to reassure himself. Then, before Hush could further question, Ianos then asked, "anything from Nine and Knight?"
The frown on her face and the subtle shake of the head, that was answer enough.
Letting out another sigh, Ianos decided to stand from his seat and approach Nine and Knight, taking slow and steady steps until he was just short of the Phoenix Exo. As before, he didn't react. Instead, he was gently rocking Eidr back and forth in his arms. The latter had somehow managed to grab one of the Exo's hands and is suckling upon his fingers. There is a huff from Ace.
"Unsanitary." His Ghost commented.
Despite himself, Ianos let out a quiet chuckle.
"Let the child be." He said as he reached out a hand, "He has been through a lot. Let him have some semblance of peace."
In turn, Eidr reached out a hand and latched onto Ianos' finger, keeping the other hand upon Nine and Knight's as he continued to gum on the latter. Beside him, Ianos can feel Ace scowl.
"Does Nine and Knight at least wash their hands?" They asked.
Ianos thought about it and then shrugged.
"If he didn't, it will help with Eidr's immunity." He said.
Ace sputtered, "It could possibly kill the baby. Their immune system is not like yours, or even Hush's."
There is a sound of offense from Hush.
Ianos hummed, "We have the means to protect him."
"Ianos." Ace sounded exasperated, "please, just be careful."
Letting out an amused huff, Ianos decided to try to pull his hand away, only to pause as he felt Eidr's grip went tight. The baby made a face, making a nose behind his gnawing as he pulled Ianos' hand close to him.
That is when he heard the familiar sound of a flash of light nearby.
"Aw, you're stuck."
Crystalline's teasing and the way Hush chuckled made Ianos look over and gave the violet Ghost a blank look. In turn, she gave him a wink.
"Two dads in the making."
Ianos choked, coughing while a cry of surprise came from Ace.
"Eidr is going to be up under Scorpio's care!" He heard his Ghost protest, "Right?"
"Are you certain?" Crystalline practically sang, "Pluto didn't seem too keen on the idea and Scorpio is practically a kid himself." She then glided closer, nodding at the baby in Nine and Knight's arms, "and look at him. He likes you guys."
As if to agree, Eidr let out a muffled squeal, smiling behind a gurgle and the Phoenix Exo's fingers.
"See?" Crystalline said.
Does that mean this one gets a little brother? Hush signed.
"What?" Ianos snapped his whole attention to her, "No, I mean." Hush's eyes beamed at him, "Perhaps. Maybe…" He flicked his orange eyes to Nine and Knight, "Later."
"Even if we do take him in, is it likely that the New Galaxy and Fireteam Redacted will help in the child rearing." Ace said, "it is not like Eidr will solely be under our care."
Despite their protest, Ianos couldn't help but feel like their Ghost's words were more in convincing themself than everyone else.
"Right." Crystalline didn't seem fooled either, "Guess we will sort everything out once we head back to the Tower." That is when Ianos saw the violet Ghost pause and then she let out a heavy sigh, "Although, I do not want to leave."
"You are not going to stay?" Ianos found the question left him before he could even think, and this earned him a blank look and another sigh from Crystalline.
"I want to." She admitted, "but I already spoke with Hush, and well…"
Hush then frowned and shook her head
This one does not like the Revenants. She signed, they hurt not only this one, but they also hurt this one's family. Ianos heard her huff, This one will not forgive them so soon.
"I hear you, I hear you." Crystalline breathed out in defeat, "Guess we will just have to wait until you are an adult to change your mind."
This one will 'never' change her mind.
Unable to help but smile at Hush's defiance, Ianos opted to say nothing, hearing Crystalline grumble under her breath. That is what the Ghost gets for teasing them about Eidr.