AN: Crow finally gonna learn the truth.
The fire crackles softly between us, casting flickering shadows on the weathered rocks around Crow's camp. He sits cross-legged across from me, his raven hair tousled by the breeze. "I thought Guardians weren't supposed to know about their pasts."
"Normally, they aren't." I admit. "But you're not 'normal,' Crow. You've been attacked too many times for something you don't even remember. You have a right to know why."
He nods, though his expression is cautious. "Alright. Who was I?"
I take a deep breath, choosing my words with care. "Before you were resurrected, there was Uldren Sov, the Prince of the Reef. He was... complicated. Loved by some, hated by many. He served his sister, Mara Sov, the Queen of the Awoken. She was everything to him."
Crow's brows knit together, but he stays quiet, letting me continue.
"He wasn't a bad person at first." I add, my voice softening. "But things happened, things that twisted him. Uldren did some terrible things, including murdering the last Hunter Vanguard, Cayde-6. That's the one that turned the Guardian's murderous. But Crow-" I lean forward, holding his gaze, "You aren't Uldren. Not anymore. You're a new person, with a new soul. You're not responsible for what he did."
Crow's jaw tightens, his hands clenching into fists. "But I still have his face. The people who look at me: they see him."
"And the people who hate you for that?" I say, my tone sharpening. "They don't see who you are now. The Uldren everyone hated would never feel the guilt you feel right now. He wouldn't care about making things right. But you do. That's what makes you different."
He doesn't reply immediately, his gaze dropping to the ground. "I… I still feel like I owe it to them. To make up for what he did."
I let out a quiet sigh. "You don't owe anyone anything for his sins. But if you want to help, if you want to make the world better, that's your choice; and it's one Uldren wouldn't have made."
Crow nods slowly, though the turmoil in his eyes hasn't faded. "What about her?" He asks after a moment. "Mara. What happened to her?"
I hesitate, weighing how much to say. "Mara… she's still alive. Sort of. During the Taken War, she was caught in a massive battle and disappeared. Most thought she was dead, but she isn't. She's in the Ascendant Plane. She figured out the Hive's secret to immortality, but she's stuck there until her Techeuns can get her out."
His expression shifts to a mix of relief and confusion. "If she's alive, can't we help her?"
"Maybe someday." I admit. "But right now? It's not that simple. And honestly, I don't think you should meet her yet."
Crow frowns. "Why not?"
"Because Mara wasn't a great sister to Uldren." I say bluntly. "She was controlling, manipulative. She made Uldren idolize her, twisted his love for her into something unhealthy. You're still figuring out who you are, Crow. Meeting her before you're ready... it might drag you into something you don't need."
He doesn't argue, but his frown deepens. "So, what do I do?"
"You keep being you." I say, my voice firm but kind. "You grow into the person you want to be, not the person someone else expects you to be. And when you're ready, I'll stand by you, no matter what you decide."
Glint materializes beside Crow, his voice buzzing with encouragement. "Me too. We've got your back, Crow. Always."
The tension in Crow's shoulders eases slightly, and a small, grateful smile tugs at his lips. "Thanks. Both of you."
The fire crackles softly as I lean back against the rough stone behind me, arms crossed. "I'll have Spectre send you the Vanguard's files on Uldren." I say, my tone thoughtful. "But we've got bigger issues to tackle right now. You need a proper base of operations, Crow. You can't keep roughing it out here forever."
Across the fire, Crow sighs, his shoulders sinking. "You're telling me. But where would we even go? The Last City's out of the question. I mean, you're good, but you wouldn't be able to fight off every Guardian who'd try to kill me if they recognized me."
I grimace at the truth of his words.. "Yeah." I concede, my tone softer. "It's too soon for that. Guardians are… stubborn. I can't take on all of them. Not yet, anyway."
Crow lifts his hands in a helpless gesture, his expression shifting to one of frustration. "Then where? The Wilds aren't exactly full of cozy, vacant hideouts waiting for us to stumble across them."
I shrug, letting a faint smile tug at my lips. "No clue." I admit with a small chuckle. "Maybe I'll ask the Traveler for guidance again. See if I can pull another vision out of thin air."
That earns me a snort from Crow, his dark eyes flicking up from the fire. "Even I know it's not supposed to work like that." He quips, a hint of humor creeping into his voice. "Are you ever going to teach me how you do that?"
I let the silence stretch, watching him grow curious. Finally, I meet his gaze, smirking just enough to let him know I'm toying with him. "... Probably not."
His eyebrows shoot up, feigning offense, but before he can come up with a comeback, I press on. "The Traveler would love to talk to all its Guardians if it could." I explain, my tone turning more serious. "But it struggles with that. I've told you about how I sometimes gain new abilities and gear out of nowhere, right?"
He nods, his curiosity clearly piqued. "Yeah. You make it sound like magic just falls into your lap."
"Pretty much. Anyways, one of those quirks is a bit of magic unique to me. It lets me reach out to, let's call them 'Higher Beings,' for help. Or, more specifically, it opens a channel that lets them assist me if I ask for assistance. I've only really used it to ask the Traveler for guidance so far."
Crow tilts his head, considering my words. "So… you've got a hotline to the Traveler?"
I laugh softly at the phrasing. "Basically. But it's not guaranteed to work. Still, if it helps us find you a proper home, it's worth trying."
He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. The firelight dances across his face, casting shadows that shift with the flames. "Sounds like a weird, overly complicated system. But I guess that's par for the course with all this magic stuff."
"You're not wrong," I reply, my grin widening. "Best get used to it. As my student, you'll eventually learn most of the crazy stuff I can do… once I figure out how to teach it, of course. Until then, we'll focus on the basics: how to properly harness the Light."
Crow raises a skeptical brow, his expression half-amused. "Your student? I don't remember signing up for that."
"Sure you did." I say with mock seriousness, pointing a finger at him. "The moment you let me into your camp, you signed an unspoken agreement to learn from the future best Wizard in the universe."
He rolls his eyes, but there's a hint of a smile tugging at his lips, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "Alright, Teacher. What wisdom are you bestowing upon me tonight?"
"The importance of proper nutrition. Spectre, if you would?" At my words, Spectre pulls two styrofoam boxes of something vaguely Chinese from her inventory, depositing one next to Crow.
{Told Crow the Truth +100 points
Rolling…
Lore - Latent Power - Seven Deadly Sins (400 points)
Roll Success. Current stockpile: 600 Points.
Purchase Latent Power?}
Latent Power
A would-be King has a long way to go from where he starts to become a worthy king. Whilst he might have the potential to rule, no one starts with that potential fully realised and indeed, some never find the true extent of their own talent despite searching all their lives for it. You'll never need to try so hard to unlock what hidden strength lays within you though. When it comes to finding the power that hides locked away somewhere in your being, you're a natural unlike any other. This does not create new powers, only greatly help the process of finding and gaining the use of those abilities that you have the potential to use but are somehow blocked. It also assist you greatly in reaching your overall potential quicker, making it far easier for you to train or study as compared to your own peers. It is a King's destiny to stand atop his Kingdom and the rest of the world, you'd hardly be much of a King if you didn't have the ability to match.
Light or Dark, all the abilities of this universe will be much easier to unlock and learn with this perk, and even my outside context magics should benefit.
Yoink!
I refocus on our food, resolving to seek out another Traveler vision after dinner.
The campfire's warmth fades as I close my eyes, shutting out the world around me. A steadying breath fills my lungs, grounding me as I focus inward. My heartbeat pulses in rhythm with the energy coursing through me, a familiar, comforting cadence. I reach out, calling silently to the Traveler. The Light stirs, tangible and alive, and the Traveler responds immediately, as if it had been waiting for this moment.
The vision that follows is unlike any I've experienced before; more vivid, almost tangible, like stepping into a living memory.
The air presses heavy against my skin, charged with an electric intensity. Overhead, blue-tinged clouds swirl ominously, heralding the coming of an Arc Storm. Wispy shadows slither at the edges of my vision, encroaching toward a colossal white shard of the Traveler. Splintered and fallen, yet its surface gleams with a resolute inner light, stubbornly defying the encroaching darkness. The two forces seem locked in a fragile equilibrium, neither willing to give ground.
A low rumble echoes across the scene, the storm's growl vibrating in the very air. The shard's base is scattered with movement: Eliksni, their forms darting across the luminous surface. They are small, their presence inconsequential, their scavenging not bothering the shard in the slightest. Survivors of extinct houses, banding together to survive the cruel world they live in.
But then the storm shifts. The charge in the air intensifies preemptively, and with it comes a wave of something darker, more sinister. A new swarm of Eliksni surges into view. These are no idle scavengers. They move with purpose, clad in red cloaks and dark grey armor, their banners of the House of Devils bold against the darkening sky. Their arrival sends a ripple through the shadows, which begin to writhe with renewed vigor.
A crack of thunder splits the air, loud and sudden, and the first droplets of rain fall. Heavy and deliberate, they splatter against the shard's surface, rolling down its glowing cracks. The downpour intensifies with alarming speed, as though the heavens themselves have unleashed their fury.
Through the chaos, my eyes are drawn to a faint, shimmering light. A trail of glowing white feathers lies scattered along the branch, their luminescence stark in the growing downpour. They shine with an almost painful brightness, cutting through the storm like beacons.
I move toward them, following the trail. Each step brings me closer to something fractured yet achingly familiar.
Hawkmoon.
The broken gun rests atop a rock, its frame cracked but unmistakable. Rain pools in its intricate engravings, each droplet glinting like liquid stars. My hand moves on its own, reaching out to touch the weapon. My fingers brush its surface, and a sudden jolt of energy floods through me: a vision within the vision.
Two birds soar high above, their cries piercing through the storm. Below them, a lone crab stands firm, unyielding against a tide of crimson insects that surge toward it's kin. The scene carries an unspoken urgency, a desperate need for intervention.
The visions ends abruptly.
I gasp, the world snapping back into focus around me. My chest heaves as I catch my breath, the firelight suddenly sharp and real. My hands tremble with the intensity of what I've just experienced. Hawkmoon. The shard. The storm. The House of Devils.
Finding Crow a home will have to wait.
The red and black frame of the Platinum Starling hums with quiet power as it cuts through the misty skies of the Dreaming City. I guide it smoothly, the coordinates locked for the European Dead Zone. Beside me, Crow sits in the copilot seat, his expression a mixture of curiosity and anticipation.
Spectre flits around the cockpit, her tiny form busy adjusting controls to ensure our flight stays steady.
As the ship gains altitude and settles into its trajectory, I break the silence. "The Traveler didn't give me a safehouse for you-" I begin, glancing briefly at Crow before returning my focus to the view ahead. "-Instead, it showed me something else: a warning about an impending plot. The House of Devils, or what's left of it, is trying to steal fragments of the Shard in the EDZ."
Crow tilts his head, his brow furrowed. "The House of Devils? I thought they were extinct."
"They should be." Spectre interjects, her voice carrying a mechanical clarity as she hovers near the central console. Her beam sweeps over a display, flickering lights marking adjustments. "But Vanguard intel suggests someone's trying to revive them. Eramis, the Shipstealer, is the most likely culprit. She's been working to unify scattered Fallen, and the ones in the EDZ might be her next targets."
Crow leans back in his seat, his gaze distant. He looks at me. "There's more, I assume?"
A faint smile tugs at the corner of my mouth. "There was a gun in my vision, one I believe is meant for you. Hawkmoon. The Traveler wouldn't have shown it if it wasn't important. The weapon's broken now, but I think it's waiting for us to restore it."
Crow frowns, considering my words. His fingers tap idly on the armrest. "How long until we get there?"
Spectre answers before I can. "If we push to near-light speed, we'll be there in thirty minutes."
"Then let's not waste time." I say.
With a whir and a surge of power, the Platinum Starling accelerates, the view outside the cockpit stretching into streaks of light as the ship shifts into near-light speed.
Crow breaks the silence, his voice thoughtful. "If Eramis is trying to rebuild the House of Devils, what does she want with the Shard?"
My tone sharpens. "Power. Eramis predates the Whirlwind: The Fallen's version of our Collapse. She's one of the few Eliksni alive who remembers the Traveler's gifts first hand. If she can harness even a fraction of the Light from those fragments, her forces could grow exponentially stronger."
I glance at Crow, his expression a mix of determination and unease. "We won't let them get that far." I assure him.
{Rolling…
Benevolence - Refillable Potion - League of Legends (50 points)
Roll Success. Current stockpile: 200 Points.
Purchase Refillable Potion?}
Refillable Potion
This bottomless flask produces a refreshing blue-green elixir that heals wounds when imbibed. It holds enough to hold two drinks, and slowly refills over the course of the day, enough for a drink every 12 hours. Tastes like Kiwi and blueberry.
Not worth it. My healing magics are far more reliable.
I reject the perk, settling in for the ride to Earth.
The Platinum Starling slices through the storm-choked skies of the European Dead Zone, its engines growling against the oppressive Arc energy saturating the air. Lightning crackles in furious arcs, illuminating the cockpit in erratic flashes. My fingers grip the controls tightly as I guide the ship lower, keeping an eye on the increasingly scrambled displays.
"The scanners are useless in this storm," Spectre chirps, her manipulator beam flitting over the central console. "But visual confirms the shard is directly below us."
"Moving in for a landing." I reply, adjusting our trajectory.
Through the viewport, flashes of lightning illuminate the jagged shard. The light, fractured and brilliant, pierces the dark stormclouds swirling overhead. As we descend, shapes dart below; Eliksni, scurrying for cover at our approach. It seems they've taken refuge at the edges of the clearing, just outside the storm's eye.
The landing struts touch down with a metallic thud. I power down the engines, the storm's roar outside muffling slightly. Crow and I disembark, Spectre hovering close behind. The nearby Eliksni linger at the edge of the clearing, their luminous eyes glowing faintly in the storm's dim light.
Crow's hand drifts to his sword as he eyes them warily. "They're just... standing there. Watching us. It's unsettling."
"Look closer." I tell him.
Crow narrows his gaze, and his expression shifts as he notices the bundles carried by some of the Eliksni. Wrapped in dark green and brown cloth, tiny Hatchlings cling to their caretakers, their small limbs poking out as they are strapped snugly to chests.
Crow lowers his hand. "Don't suppose you speak their language?"
"Nope." I say, keeping my tone casual. "But keep your hands off your weapons. Let's not spook them."
I raise my voice, addressing the gathering. "Does anyone here speak English?"
For a moment, the only response is the wind and the distant crackle of thunder. Then, one figure steps forward from the group. He stands taller than the others, his movements deliberate and his posture regal. The Captain's presence commands respect, and his voice, deep and steady, cuts through the tension. "Most of our numbers understand your tongue, but do not speak it. I am Misraaks, Kell of House Light, and these are my people."
My eyes widen in recognition. Misraaks; Mithrax, as I know him from the game. I hadn't realized he'd begun building the House of Light already. The gathering is small, no more than a hundred adults, clearly in its early stages. But the respect he garners from those gathered here tells me everything I need to know.
I incline my head in respect. "I am Mavriel, Wizard of the Last City, and this is my student, Crow. The Traveler granted me a vision. The remnants of the House of Devils are coming to plunder the Shard of the Traveler and recruit the local Eliksni into their banner."
Misraaks stiffens, his mouth clicking thoughtfully. When he speaks, his words are resolute. "The House of Devils is blasphemous. To claim fragments of the Great Machine for themselves is an affront. The Light cannot be stolen, only gifted."
Crow frowns, discomfort flickering across his face. "That won't stop them from trying."
I nod. "Which is why we're here. I believe the Traveler sent us to protect the Eliksni here."
Misraaks studies me, his glowing gaze piercing. Finally, he nods. "Then we stand together. House Light will not cower. I have worked with Guardians before and know your honor. We welcome your aid."
I exhale slowly, some of the tension leaving my shoulders. "You'll need to gather your people and move them to safety. Is there a cave or shelter nearby where you can take them?"
Misraaks gestures west with one of his arms. "We considered a cavern just inside the storm, but staying in the eye felt safer. If the Devils are coming, we can relocate there."
I nod, turning to Crow. "Go with Misraaks and help defend his people if the Devils find them. The storm should help conceal you."
Crow hesitates but nods firmly. "Got it."
Misraaks steps closer. "Are you sure you can handle them alone? It would be wiser to leave some of my fighters here to aid you."
I shake my head. "The priority is your people's safety. Besides-" I glance up at the swirling storm, an idea sparking. "-I've got a plan."
Misraaks tilts his head curiously, but I don't elaborate. This storm wasn't just a natural occurrence; it was formed by the Traveler. I can feel its purpose, its energy. The Traveler wants me to harness it.
The clearing falls silent as Crow and Misraaks disappear into the storm with the Eliksni, their figures swallowed by the rain and swirling winds. The weight of what's to come presses down on me, heavy and electric like the Arc energy in the air. I stand motionless for a moment, staring at the jagged shard of the Traveler, its fractured light casting sharp shadows across the storm-laden ground.
I step away from the ship and find a spot near the shard, the arcane energy radiating from it thrumming in harmony with the storm. Dropping to my knees, I plant my hands firmly on my legs, closing my eyes. Spectre hovers nearby, her presence a steady comfort amidst the chaos.
"You've got a plan, huh?" She says, her tone skeptical.
"I'm working on it."
"You mean you're making it up as you go."
I smirk faintly, but don't reply. Instead, I focus inward.
The storm rages around me, a cacophony of roaring winds and crackling thunder as the eye shrinks, but I tune it out. I've meditated before, many times. This, however, feels different. The storm isn't just background noise: it's alive. It pulses with the Traveler's will, its energy wild and untamed.
Arc Light.
It's the one element of the Light I've yet to harness. Solar, Void; those came naturally, their lessons resonating with me in ways I understood. But Arc? Arc Light is chaos. It's unpredictable, volatile, dangerous. And yet, it's here now, all around me, waiting to be tapped into.
I take a deep breath, grounding myself in the moment. My connection to the Light has always been about intention. If I want to wield this power, I need to understand it, to become one with it.
At first, I focus on the sound of the storm. The crackle of lightning, the whistle of wind, the deep rumble of thunder. I let it wash over me, matching my breathing to its rhythm. The noise is deafening, but slowly, it becomes something else: a pulse, a beat. It's wild, yes, but there's a pattern beneath the chaos, a heartbeat I can almost feel.
But every time I reach for it, doubt creeps in. My mind flashes with memories of failure, of moments when my control slipped, when I wasn't fast enough, strong enough. And with those memories comes fear.
The lightning doesn't wait.
A sudden crack of thunder startles me, pulling me from my focus. I open my eyes to see Spectre hovering nearby, her mechanical iris tilted as though studying me.
"You okay?" She asks.
I nod, though I don't feel okay. "Just… getting my bearings."
Spectre's light flickers, her version of a shrug. "Take your time, but the Devils aren't going to wait forever."
She's right, of course. I can't afford to waste time. Closing my eyes again, I force myself to return to the storm. But now, I don't just listen. I let myself feel.
The Arc energy is everywhere; above me, around me, even beneath the ground. It hums, an endless current of raw power, sharp and electric. My skin tingles as I open myself to it, trying to draw it in, to make it part of me.
But every time I reach, fear rises unbidden. The lightning is too wild, too fast. I can't control it.
Control.
That's the problem.
I exhale slowly, realization dawning. Arc Light isn't about control. It isn't about holding the power and bending it to my will. It's about… guiding it. Conducting it.
The storm doesn't fear the lightning. The lightning doesn't fear itself. It simply is: wild, fearless, free.
Fearlessness.
That's the key. Not control, not domination, but trust. Trusting myself, trusting the Light, trusting the storm.
I shift my breathing, letting my body relax. This time, I don't reach for the energy. Instead, I let it come to me. The hum of the storm grows louder, and I feel the Arc energy brushing against my senses, sharp and electric.
The fear is still there, but I acknowledge it without letting it rule me. Lightning isn't something to be feared. And if the Traveler believes I'm ready to wield it, then I need to trust that belief.
Another deep breath. The fear fades, replaced by a quiet confidence. My mind steadies, my heart beats in rhythm with the storm.
And then, it happens.
A surge of energy flows through me, sharp and exhilarating. My veins feel alive, buzzing with power. My senses sharpen; the storm no longer feels chaotic, but purposeful. The Arc Light has accepted me, and in return, I've accepted it.
When I open my eyes, the world looks different. The storm seems less wild, its energy no longer threatening but inviting. My body tingles with Arc energy, small sparks dancing along my fingertips.
Spectre hovers closer, her eye widening slightly as she observes me. "Well. That's new."
I smile faintly, holding up a hand. A small arc of lightning flickers between my fingers, playful and alive. "I think I figured it out."
She buzzes in approval. "About time. Now, care to share the plan?"
I look up at the storm, feeling its power coursing through me. The Traveler sent this storm for a reason, and now I understand it.
"When the Devils get here-" I say, standing and flexing my fingers, the Arc energy sparking in response. "-We're going to show them what happens when you challenge the storm."
CHAPTER 12 END
AN: For Mav, this is basically his equivalent of a Subclass unlock mission. For Crow, it's an Exotic mission. The Traveller is a bit of a multitasker, huh?
Latent Power is so fucking good.
Failed Rolls
[Source - Pandora's Child - Campione (600 points)] (Insufficient Points)
[Lore - Necronomicon - GrimGrimoire (300 points)] (Missing Prerequisite)