Redacted
Something the Matter?
Posted: 12/29/2024
Forgot to announce here but updates will shift to bi-weekly thanks to time constraints. Next chapter will be posted January 12th.
"Let me carry him."
Akiva couldn't help but give Vraldyks a look as he adjusted his grip around Angel's legs, hefting the young Hunter onto his back.
"I think it's better if I do." He said.
There's a low growl from the Baron, "Why not?"
"Because the Revenants aren't exactly what you call." Akiva pondered upon his next word, "Friendly." Then, he gestured with his head at Vraldyks, "I have no doubt in my mind that once they see you, they will shoot and then ask questions later. And if you were carrying Angel when that happens…"
There is a huff from Vraldyks but there was no argument, no other words spoken. Just the Baron stepping around him, walking towards the entrance of the cave where the rest of Akiva's team were waiting.
Has it really been three days already?
Breathing out through his lips, Akiva took careful steps around rocks and crevices, wanting to remain steady to give Angel the best sleep he could. If three days of sleep hadn't been enough.
It had been concerning after day one, when Angel wouldn't wake even when nudged. Even Hope grew concerned, probing his mind to garner a response. She got one after an hour of prodding.
Let me sleep.
To Akiva, that would have been concerning but strangely, for Hope, it was a relief. It was only then that the group learned that Angel hadn't slept a wink since he was rescued from the Blossoms. It would explain why he slept so deeply, even when Orion scooped him into his arms and set him against Akiva's back.
But he does dream.
Akiva had caught him whimpering a few times throughout. Sometimes he would even see tears. But a brush of fingers through the young Hunter's hair was enough to ease the creases upon his face and the wetness of his eyes to dry. He just hopes that the Hunter will wake soon, preferably before they reach their destination.
Chittering next to him pulled Akiva out of his thoughts and he looked over to see Varathis, the latter tilting his head, eyes wide with curiosity. And worry.
"He's asking how Angel is doing." Lex hovered close to Akiva's shoulder, "Considering, you know, that he hasn't woken up in three days." His Ghost sounded more concerned than Hope did, "and if the Revenants will really help them."
Akiva couldn't help but pause at that.
True, he is concerned about Angel's well-being, but Akiva is confident that once they reconnect with the others, they will resolve it soon. Angel does fare better when surrounded by whom he calls his pack.
The Revenants, however, is a wholly different story.
His first encounter with him and his death by their hands is still clear in his mind.
"We will try." Akiva finally said, "we have Taylor on our side." Then he flashed Varathis a smile, "and not to mention that the Preceptor seems to be an understanding guy."
Listening to his Ghost relay his words back to Varathis, Akiva wasn't all too surprised at the look of doubt that settled onto the dreg's face. Nonetheless, the smaller Eliksni simply nodded before scampering ahead, ever dutifully taking his Baron's side. It was then that Hope appeared over Akiva's shoulder.
"You know, Angel and I kept trying to tell Varathis that Vraldyks doesn't always need him near his side." He heard her say, "But he's stubborn, just like his sire."
"Aren't most children?" Akiva asked. Then he smiled at Hope's chuckle.
"Come on." Akiva gestured with his head, pointing it at the others, "let's go before they all leave us behind."
That is when a sigh came from Hope.
"And off to our execution." She said.
"You mean your debt." Akiva corrected.
Chuckling as he saw her roll her optic, Akiva waited until she glided past him to follow. Behind him, he heard the rest of the Eliksni – ones that could stand but still unsteady on their feet – trail after.
"How much do you want to bet that Angel will wake before we get there?" Akiva asked.
The look that his Ghost gave him said it all.
He grinned back, "Humor me?"
Another look. Then, Akiva spotted a glimmer, like a lightbulb going off in his Ghost's optic. He couldn't help but raise a brow at that.
"I will humor you, only if that I win, I can pull you out of danger whenever I feel like it."
This time, Akiva raised both his brows at that. And then, he smiled.
"For a week?"
Another look from his Ghost but Lex sighed again.
"Yes, a week." He begrudgingly agreed.
"Deal." Akiva said, "And if I win, you and Gaia babysit the kids for a day so that Neve and I can go out on a date."
That made Lex sputter.
"Gaia isn't even here to counter!" His Ghost protested.
"All more of a reason to win."
Akiva grinned at the pointed look Lex gave him.
"Fine." His Ghost gave in, "I bet that Angel will sleep, even after we settle back at the Revenant base."
"I wager he will wake before we get there." Akiva said, "Right at the entrance, I say."
Lex blinked at him, "That sounds oddly specific."
In turn, Akiva shrugged, "Let's just say I got a gut feeling."
"A gut – you know what, never mind." He watched as his Ghost shook his shell, "What do you think the Revenants will have Angel do once he is under their 'employ'?"
Akiva hummed thoughtfully, "Taylor said just to get status reports back, essentially?"
"That is what he said." Lex pointed out, "What is to say that the Preceptor won't ask him to do more?"
Akiva thought on that. And then shook his head.
"I doubt it." Akiva said, "if he was that type of person, he wouldn't have stopped that Hunter, Cole, and her team from killing us."
"Good point." Lex agreed.
"Now, my question is how long will it take us to get back to the Revenant base?" Akiva asked instead, "I know we chased Varathis for a while but how far?"
"Sorry." Lex shrugged, "I didn't exactly mark where the Revenant base was located. Didn't want to risk, you know, getting them to dislike us further for memorizing their home that they want hidden."
Akiva opened his mouth, then shut it, then opened it again, and then shut once more.
"Good point." He said. Then, he looked ahead, his golden eyes settling over the back of Taylor's head. The Revenant Warlock is taking point, "It's a good thing we have Taylor here."
"How big is this place anyway?" Lex asked; Akiva saw his Ghost look around, shell scrunched against his core, "I mean, when we flew in, the trees were pretty expansive but being on ground level it's seems so…."
"Intimidating?" Akiva finished.
"Imagine getting lost here." Lex continued, "I mean." His Ghost gestured with his shell, "It's not like Mars, where it's nothing but old buildings and sand. Sand for miles. You can at least see the horizon. Here though." Lex shivered, "Imagine not being able to use the Light."
That made Akiva pause and his eyes glanced back at the straggling Eliksni behind him. For him, to leave the forest would take time but it would be simple. He has the Light to keep him going, to help him maneuver the more difficult terrain. But if he was a simple man – or in this case, Eliksni barely able to stand – the trees around them would be a danger, a peril.
Perhaps having the Light for certain situations isn't bad.
Hefting Angel onto his back, Akiva focused on moving forward, moving between the trees when needed.
That is when a groan vibrated against his ears. This made him smile.
"You awake?" Akiva glanced over his shoulder, just in time to see Angel lift his head, spotting the glaze in his green eyes, "Good of you to join the land of the living."
This earned him a groggy look from Angel.
"Wha'?" He said. Then the Hunter used the back of his hand to rub his eyes and he looked again. Akiva felt him jolt against his back.
"Where am I?" Angel looked at him and Akiva saw him pause; he could see him trying to process, "Where are we?"
"On our way back." Hope popped in, appearing over her Guardian's shoulder. Akiva felt Angel jolt in his arms and honestly, Akiva couldn't help but jump too. The red and white Ghost appeared seemingly out of nowhere, despite Akiva swearing that he had spied her in the front just moments before. He reeled and stumbled, hearing Angel yelp as hands settled onto his shoulders, as if that would stop Akiva from fumbling. Fortunately, a skip or two helped him regain his footing, and Akiva breathed out as he managed to keep steady.
"…Sorry?"
Despite the way his heartbeat fast in his chest – there was no way he was going to fall with Angel on his back, in front of a pack of Eliksni who see the Hunter as one of their own – Akiva looked back at Hope and flashed her a smile.
"Nothing to apologize for." He managed out, "Just don't mind me nearly dropping Angel in front of all his Eliksni friends."
"Eliksni friends?" Angel repeated back, and then Akiva felt him twist, looking back and then forward again, "…what's happening?"
"As I said before, we're on our way back." Hope hovered close to her Guardian; at least, Akiva thought so. To him, she was hovering a few inches just above his head, "we had thought about waitin' for you to wake up but, you were out for three days so – "
There is a choking sound behind Akiva.
"Three days!?" Angel managed out, "but when you reached out to me before – "
"On day two." Akiva decided to pitch in, "after that, it was decided to let you be."
"But why?"
"Because you needed it." Hope scolded; she glided out of view. No doubt zooming in to her Guardian's face. Akiva learned that most Ghost's do that when they are upset. Or at least to put emphasis on their words, "You hadn't slept in days before we came here."
"But –" Angel started to protested.
"And closin' your eyes do not count. You think I don't notice?"
Akiva swore he heard an audible clack of teeth clamping shut. He can tell Angel is sheepish now.
"You can put me down now."
Taking the hint, Akiva paused just long enough to kneel and released his hold on Angel's legs, feeling the Hunter slip away.
"How long did you know I was just closing my eyes?"
"Since we snuck out of the Hospital Wing."
"What!?"
Chuckling as he stood, Akiva resumed pace, approaching the front of the group as he left the Hunter and Ghost to bicker between themselves.
"You know, for someone who slept like the dead for three days, he seems to be back on his feet quickly." Orion slowed his steps until Akiva was beside him, "it sure took me some effort to get up after just one."
Akiva said nothing and just chuckled.
Honestly, Akiva was on the verge of falling asleep himself when Orion woke up with a loud groan, sat up, and then tried to stand. Only to fall flat onto his face. From the way he laid still on the cave floor, Akiva would have thought him dead if it wasn't for Trikxas – appearing with an obvious amused look on her face – asked if he was okay.
Then, Orion had answered, "Let me pick up my pride."
Although, he laid there for several minutes more before finally staggering to his feet.
"Hunters are just that way, I guess." Akiva commented, "They're like cats in a way. Always land on their feet."
This earned him a look of Orion and he can practically see the Exo open his mouth. But then he paused, then turned away.
"That would explain Io in the Crucible." Akiva heard him mutter.
Unable to help but chuckle, then decided to look back, his golden eyes settling over Angel. Not surprisingly, the Hunter is now conversing with the stragglers, the Eliksni tongue audible even from this distance. Judging from the tense expression on his face, the topic that he and the straggling Eliksni are going over is a serious one. No doubt about their fate once they reach the Revenant base.
Speaking of the Revenant base, Akiva turned his eyes forward once more, and they settled over the back of Taylor's head. The Revenant Warlock has taken point, and taken point alone. Vraldyks is trailing behind him alongside Varathis and the two Vandals, Tiphaxis and Darivion. Although, at first, looking like a simple group of Eliksni following behind a Chosen, Akiva recognizes it for what it really is: a formation, readying themselves in case Taylor decides to make a move. And judging from the way the Warlock's shoulders were tense, it seems he had taken notice.
Akiva decided to pick up pace.
"Akiva?" He heard Orion call out.
Opting to say nothing, Akiva maneuvered around Vraldyks and the rest of the pack – easier now, that he is relieved of his load – until he matched Taylor's pace. This earned him a look from the Warlock.
"You need something?" Taylor asked.
This made Akiva think, pondering on his next words before he spoke, "You just looked lonely all by yourself in the front."
There was a pause, a raised brow, and then Taylor looked away. However, Akiva caught a subtle cough, a short expulsion of air. And he couldn't be prouder.
"What are you really here for?" Taylor managed out.
Akiva decided to humor him, "How much longer until we reach base? We surely didn't venture that far." Then he paused, thought about it, and then added, "Did we?"
Instead of receiving an immediate answer, Akiva watched as Taylor instead furrowed his brows and pursed his lips. Then, he watched Taylor lift his head, eyes scanning the tree tops and then to the ground. He caught the way his gaze narrowed. Akiva raised a brow at this but didn't comment.
"The chase took us a bit way." Taylor's eyes settled back onto Aiva, "but it shouldn't take us long." Then, his face scrunched once more, "I am surprised though that the scouts didn't find the Fallen's hiding place."
Akiva decided to glaze over what he considers an offensive term for the Eliksni, he instead looked over his shoulder, and past the stragglers and Angel. To him, the cave entrance was well hidden, hiding behind a particularly thick brush of trees and bushes. And if that hadn't been enough, leaves and vines had crawled and grown over the entrance, hiding it from view. Honestly, Akiva would be surprised if the Revenants did find it. Then again, that is just him.
"Well." He said, as he turned his attention back to Taylor, "They are the House of Kings."
There is only a huff from Taylor but nothing more was said, and Akiva found himself walking in silence. Fortunately, it wasn't long until recognition settled in when his eyes scanned their surroundings. Especially a particular tree trunk where he had a brief encounter with when chasing Varathis. Specifically, with his face. And judging from the Taylor let out a short chuckle followed by a cough, he recognized it too.
"I notified the Preceptor of our approach." There was a slight strain to his voice, "He and a couple of others will meet us at the entrance."
The moment of truth.
Giving Taylor a nod of thanks, Akiva then slowed his steps, just enough until he was side to side with Orion once more. Even with his helmet on, he can sense the worry from the Exo. Saying nothing, Akiva simply gave Orion a pat on the shoulder before slowing his pace once more. As he made his way to the back, he can hear the chatter between Angel and the Eliksni, and it was silent when he finally came side to side with the young Hunter.
"Did Hope give you the rundown?" Akiva asked.
There was a pause, a huff from Angel before the Hunter turned his eyes forward, keeping his gaze away from Akiva.
"That the Revenants won't be happy that I killed one of their own." Angel said, "And that I only have two options: to either work for them." Then, his attention turned back to Akiva, feeling his eyes lock with his, "or die."
Despite himself, Akiva winced.
"When you say it like that, it does seem a bit." He gestured vaguely with a hand, "dire."
A scoff came from Angel but this one was soft, tinged with amusement. And worry.
"At least I have options." Akiva looked on as the Hunter turned his attention back to him; there was still a haggard look around his eyes, "honestly, when it finally sank in what I had done, I was prepared to die."
"Angel." Hope jumped in, hovering near her Guardian's shoulder
Behind him, Akiva can hear some of the straggling Eliksni murmur amongst themselves. He should have known that some of them would understand what he and Angel are saying.
"But it is what expected, isn't it?" Angel retorted, "an eye for an eye, a life for a life."
Akiva couldn't help but furrow his brows, jaw tight, struggling to find something to say.
"But you aren't well." Hope once again is the one who spoke first, "surely that would mean somethin'."
A tired chuckle can be heard from Angel, "Is that really an excuse?"
No, it isn't, especially not when it involves another Chosen's and their Ghost's life.
But Akiva didn't want to say it aloud, and judging from the way Hope's shell pressed against her core, she is thinking the same.
"How about we worry about it once we actually reach the Revenant base?" Lex promptly jumped in, his golden optic bright. Akiva can tell it was strained, "Who knows? Maybe they will be more forgiving than we thought? Than Taylor thought, even!"
Akiva couldn't help but smile sheepishly at that. Sounded too good to be true, but one can't be too hopeful.
"We will have your back." He said instead as he raised a hand. And then promptly let it fall back to his side when Angel leaned away. Akiva saw him blink, eyes subtly wide, almost as if he just noticed what he had done.
"Sorry." Angel apologized and then, before Akiva could say anymore, he slowed his steps, falling back. It didn't take long for him to disappear within the pack of stragglers and, almost as if they could read what he wanted, the Eliksni convened, barring any visible path that Akiva could pick out. He heaved out a breath through his nose.
"Hope." Akiva flicked his eyes to the red and white Ghost.
"I'll keep an eye on him." Hope said, "As all Ghosts do. As I always do."
Flashing her a smile, Akiva simply nodded before he watched as the Ghost disappeared into the crowd of Eliksni. It was then he heard Lex clear his throat.
"How about we check on how far we are from the Revenant Base?" His Ghost suggested.
Giving Lex a nod, Akiva then picked up pace, giving Orion a pat on the shoulder as he passed, weaved around Vraldyks – the latter of whom gave him a huff – and the able-bodied Eliksni before finally taking position next to Taylor. This earned him a look from the Revenant.
"It hasn't been that long." Taylor said.
"I'm impatient." Akiva retorted back with a smile.
This earned him an eyeroll.
"Shouldn't be much farther." Taylor said.
Akiva took a deep breath at this before exhaling slowly through his nose. The time has come.
Readying himself for the encounter, Akiva went to turn away only to spot Taylor's eyes shift, flicking to the trees.
"Something the matter?" Akiva asked.
Instead of receiving an answer, he watched as Taylor turned his head, eyes narrowed. And then his head exploded into a shower of blood and gore.