Redacted
Satellite of Memories
Heads up. This chapter. This chapter right here. Is long. Like 7-8k words long lol. So if you're looking for a light read, you're looking at the wrong chapter.
Anyway, thanks to Wolfy Loveland for their review!
Wolfy Loveland - Oh, I'm glad that you took the time to read my story. I really appreciate it lol. Thanks! I truly hope that Redacted will give you as much enjoyment as Tormented did!
Edited: 08/14/2022
The familiar cushion of dust and debris under his feet sent a wave of anxiety throughout Ianos, causing him to clench his pulse rifle in his hands tightly as he gritted his teeth. Taking in a deep breath to ease the fear building up in his chest, Ianos forced himself to scan his surroundings, recognizing the crumbling hills of the moon and the decaying buildings and bridges built during the Golden Age. The trails of recent Sparrows can easily be traced in the loose hearth and, despite the numerous beacons beeping around him, the surface seemed barren, lifeless. To Ianos, it is no better than a graveyard.
The sound of transmat pulling him out of his thoughts, he turned just in time to see Akiva and Angel land behind them, readying themselves as the dust billowed from their landing.
"It's been a while since I've last been here." Akiva said, his hands fidgeting nervously around his auto-rifle, "Since, well, you know."
Taking in Akiva's words, it took Ianos seconds to realize what he meant; he hadn't been to the moon since the death of his previous Fireteam. And his daughter.
It was easy to tell from the way the Titan glanced around nervously that Ianos himself wasn't the only one who is not pleased on returning to the crumbling satellite. Mentally taking note of the safest passage, Ianos glanced towards Angel and, as expected, he can sense curiosity oozing from the young Hunter, practically sensing the awe behind his visor. Ianos just hopes that this innocent curiosity won't be lost when they traverse through Hive territory.
"This way."
Holding out his palm to allow Ace a place to materialize, it took only seconds for his familiar violet paint of his Sparrow to fade into view, enabling him to leap on and press his feet against the pedals. He felt himself shift forward, feeling his coat rustle behind him as he sped past scavenging Fallen and crumbling debris, hearing his team following behind him with their own vehicles.
"We're nearing the location of where the frequency was last located."
Ace's voice clicked inside of his helmet a moment later and Ianos spotted a white marker appear on his radar, signaling him to take a sudden turn and leaping off. As his Sparrow disappeared in particles of transmat, Ianos took in his surroundings. And scowled.
At first, the location is unfamiliar, flat lands surrounding random mounds of stone and dust. However, as Akiva and Angel came up behind him, Ianos also felt a sense of familiarity touch the back of his mind, old memories tugging him towards a high wall of stone. Hesitating, Ianos held out a hand, signaling to Ace to flash into his palm and spread out their core, flashes of light rapidly blinking from their optic. His Ghost hummed.
"This is definitely where the frequency was last sent." Ace turned their orange optic up at Ianos, "Problem is, I do not see any entrances leading to the inner linings of the moon."
"They are carefully hidden, that is why." Ianos commented; he felt the others turn their eyes towards him, "It may seem like mindless digging, but the Catacombs are nearly impossible to traverse for a reason." Taking steps around the mound of stones, he then added, "They have Libraries. Trophies. Brood." He paused as he spotted a collapse pile of stones stacked against the larger mound, "Prisoners."
Walking towards the smaller pile, Ianos peered around it before waving for the others to follow and taking steps behind it. There, hidden between the piles of rocks and dirt, is a tunnel, and when Ianos peeked inside, it slid downwards. Sheathing his weapons onto his back, Ianos took in a breath before forcing himself to grip the top of the entrance and slid himself feet first. He heard Akiva and Angel release a startled cry just as darkness entered his vision.
Air rushed past his ears as Ianos shifted his focus downwards and concentrated his light around his feet as he spotted solid hearth. He hardly felt the impact when he landed, and it didn't take long for the hum of his Ghost to glide back over his shoulder and their light lit up the room. He released a breath of relief.
Taking steps forward to allow space for his team to land as well, Ianos wasn't surprised to see that it was a simple room, empty with the exception of the single tunnel leading to more corridors. Glancing back, Ianos can see claw marks making their way up, signaling its significance as an entryway and exit.
It was then Akiva slammed onto the crusted floor, prompting Ianos to reel as the Titan stumbled forward, kicking up dust. In contrast, Angel landed practically daintily next to him, waving his free hand in an to clear his view of dirt and dust.
"You know kid." Akiva started as he regained his balance, rolling his shoulders before hefting his auto-rifle in his hands, "When you do something like that, you gave Angel and I quite a scare."
Opting to remain silent, Ianos simply shrugged before nodding his head towards the lone tunnel, signaling the others to follow with a wave of his hand before approaching it.
It was small, the ceiling low where Ianos had to crouch and inch his way forward, having to settle to keeping one hand on his weapon while as using the other to help with his balance.
"This passageway is definitely for the thrall." Akiva's voice whispered behind him, Ianos hearing him grunt; it was then he remembered the Titan's towering size, "I have to guess because I can hardly move."
"Tough luck, big guy."
Hearing Akiva grumble under his breath while Angel chuckled quietly, Ianos couldn't help but feel amused as he finally made it to the exit, pulling himself out into the larger room. Taking in another breath to ease his growing anxieties, Ianos then heard a strained grunt, a whine, and another grunt.
"Ianos, help."
Furrowing his brows, Ianos turned, only to pause when he saw Akiva, hands against the entrance of the tunnel, straining to push himself through.
"Why are the thrall so damn small?"
"Why do you have to be so big?" Angel's voice emitted from the other side, Ianos hearing the latter let out a grunt, "Come on, push your bubble butt through so I can get out."
"I do not have a bubble butt." Ianos watched as Akiva attempted to push himself out, only to release a breath of defeat when he didn't budge, "Ianos, help please?"
Unable to help but subtly shake his head, Ianos walked around to Akiva's side, and kneeled. He sensed the Titan's confused eyes on him.
"Ianos?"
"Be still." He instructed before reaching out with his fingers, wisps of void light emitting from the tips as he pressed them around the edges of the tunnel's entrance.
"Woah! Hello!" Akiva seized up, "What in the Light are you doing?"
"Making the tunnel bigger so you can get your fat ass out." Ianos heard Angel's muffled snickers from the other side, "And be quiet, do you want the Hive to know we are here?"
"But it burns." Akiva hissed out but nonetheless, he kept his mouth shut as Ianos worked, the rocks slowly wearing down.
"There, try now."
Edging away from the entrance to give the Titan room, Ianos nodded with satisfaction as Akiva slid his way out, the latter releasing a sigh and a grunt as he stood and stretched.
"Next time, we're taking a bigger way in."
This earned Akiva a chuckle from Angel as the Hunter easily slid his way out, and Ianos can easily sense a broad smile behind his visor.
"I can't wait to tell Cayde about this."
Akiva's head snapped towards Angel, "Don't you dare. Cayde will never shut up once he gets word of it."
"Exactly why I should tell him."
Hearing Angel snicker as Akiva let out another grumble, Ianos simply rolled his eyes before turning his attention to the room.
Just like the previous room, it looked empty, with nothing but what seemed to be mounds of dirt stacked on the sides. However, as Ace's light skimmed over them, that is when Ianos spotted empty sockets – many of them – staring back. His heart started to beat hard in his chest.
"Please don't tell me these are Hive leftovers." A nervous edge can be heard in Akiva's voice, "Can we get out of here? The longer we stare at these bones, the more I think about what happens to the bodies of the Guardians they drag down here."
Flinching at his words, Ianos quickly scanned the room before – much to his relief – another tunnel, and this one larger than the one that they previously crawled through, larger enough where although his head barely brushed the ceiling, it allowed them to stand. Mostly, as Akiva hunched over for them to traverse.
"It's so dark down here." Angel's voice echoed through the hall that they had just entered, Ace's light showing more corridors, more tunnels to excavate, "How did you manage to navigate around 'and' avoid the Hive?"
His question brought a pang to Ianos' head, memories threatening to surface. Ianos forced it down, swallowing the knot in his throat and answered, "Y-You have other senses besides sight. Hands and ears are useful to navigate in the dark."
"So, you just walked and felt the walls?"
"No. I crawled and felt the floors."
"Why?"
"I broke my legs."
So quickly he answered Angel's question, wanting nothing more than to lessen the threat of his experiences coming to memory, that Ianos had almost failed to notice the silence, the shock, not until he noticed the lack of questions. He glanced over his shoulders, spotting the way Angel's head was now pointed towards the ground and Akiva's shoulders were tense, his grip too taut on his weapon. Even Ace shifted their shell nervously. Ianos had almost forgotten that his Ghost had been unconscious for most of their time down here.
"If you had no light, then how did you and the other Guardian stayed together without getting caught?"
A sudden 'ow' followed Angel's question, Ianos barely looking away in time to witness Akiva elbow the Hunter in the side. A small action that he is grateful for.
Instead of answering Angel, Ianos instead reached to his waist, feeling the ghost of the makeshift tether that he and Darian had scrounged together from their torn coats and cloak. It was the only thing the two of them could think of to keep track of each other without losing the use of their hands.
Ironically, despite the tether being their lifeline, it was also the reason that they got caught in the first place.
With the memory surfacing, Ianos then looked down. And came to a halt. He heard the others' steps come to a halt behind him.
"Ianos?"
Ignoring Akiva's call, Ianos instead raised a hand and motioned for Ace to point downwards. And when they did, he heard a stuttering breath from the Titan. There, barely a few feet in front of them, is a hole, so deep that even with Ace's light, it did nothing to penetrate the darkness.
Ianos stared, echoes of Darian's scream clouding his mind as the young Hunter fell, dragging him along. He remembers clawing, vainly trying to gather his light to gain grip before he too followed suit. Ianos flexed his hands as he remembers the pain, the agony of his fingers tearing into the sides of the walls as they fell, doing nothing to slow their descent. Then, they both hit the bottom. His legs started to ache at the memory.
Opting to say nothing, Ianos is just grateful that neither Akiva nor Angel had made a comment, hearing them follow quietly behind him as he walked around the hole. Fortunately, there was enough room to give it a wide berth and as such, the group were able to continue their trek down the corridor.
That is when he heard it.
Footsteps, followed by a low rumble, a growl.
Coming to a halt, Ianos glanced back at the others, and he could see that Akiva and Angel were now taut, heads subtly moving as they looked. They had heard it too.
Raising his Pulse Rifle, Ianos closed his eyes, taking in the sounds.
Light footsteps. Steps too light to be a Knight's but, heavier than a Thralls and lacks the clicks of their claws embedding into the rocks. Acolytes then. Good. Even better with the absence of a Wizard's wheezing breaths.
Taking a deep breath through his nose, Ianos then opened his eyes before raising a fist, signaling to Ace to turn off their light. Darkness engulfed his vision and Ianos felt the panic, the fear grip his chest. But then he heard Akiva take in a shuddering breath followed by the sound of his armor trembling together. Ianos must keep it together. Letting his fears take hold will likely affect the Titan as well.
As such, waiting until his eyes adjusted to the dark – or the best it could – Ianos gripped his weapon tight and slowly made his way forward. Moments later, he spotted a doorway, and the footsteps, the noises, were louder, clearer, causing a sense of uneasiness to grow in Ianos' chest. Pressing his shoulder near the entrance, Ianos then peered in and spotted familiar silhouettes.
Acolytes, just as he suspected. And a good number of them. Fortunately, Ianos has a solution for that.
Turning his attention to the others, Ianos raise a hand, letting wisps of his void light gather in his palm. Its subtle violet glow lit up just enough of the darkness for him to see it reflect off of Akiva's and Angel's visors. Pausing just long enough for them to understand, Ianos then turned and tossed his grenade into the room.
Pale violet lit up the room as his grenade scattered, light breaking apart before they too exploded. The screams of the Acolytes are enough of a signal for Ianos to step out into the entryway and started firing at the first set of glowing green eyes he saw.
The Acolyte's head exploded into a mix of dust and chitin, lacking any fluids that Ianos' eyes could spot before two glowing objects streak past his head. Akiva's and Angel's grenades exploded the instant they landed, lighting up the room once more and revealing the location of the Acolytes that survived the initial explosions. Hearing the gunfire of his Fireteam behind him, this allowed some of the tension to leave Ianos' shoulders, his focus more at ease as he fired at another Acolyte.
Dust scattered into his vision as the Hive fell to his bullets, and he quickly swiveled around, his eyes trying to spot anymore of the glowing sickly green eyes. He found none.
"All clear." Akiva's voice resounded through the room, which is empty, just like the others, and signaled for Ace to light up. This is soon followed by the shapes of Lex and Hope materializing and releasing their own light, further given them visual.
"Well, there's no doubt they know we're here." Akiva said as he stepped over broken chitin, "If they didn't hear the gunfire, they likely would have heard the grenades."
Ianos pondered upon his words; considering how expansive the Catacombs are, not likely. But that's not a risk that he is willing to stand around and wait.
"Come on, the quicker we find this Guardian the quicker we can…" Ace's voice faded into the darkness and, at first confused, that is when Ianos spotted a glint against their light. He turned, weapon raised.
"Guardians?" Ianos's finger paused against the trigger, "Here?"
It was a Ghost, their familiar star shape now familiar against the dull texture of the rocks, despite the dust and dirt that covered their shell.
"But how? And why…?"
Ianos watched as the Ghost came to a pause, their optic growing wide as they whispered, "Are you here to save my Guardian?"
Hearing the tinge of hope in the Ghost's voice, Ianos was quick to piece together the situation.
"Yes, we are."
It always amazes Ianos at just how expressive Ghosts are despite only having a shell and an optic, but he can hear the shard of the Traveler release a ragged breath, relief clear, "Finally, finally his suffering can end."
Xxxxx
If they were an organic, Ianos would have thought the Ghost would have shed tears, the sound of hope and relief clear in their tone as they quietly lead the team through the corridor, shushing them at every snap and crack of rocks and stones they stepped upon. He wonders how long the Ghost have been waiting, sending out frequencies each passing day in hopes of one day gain an answer. In hope that help would come.
Ianos would understand that feeling. He had held onto that very same thought when he and Darian were kept deep underground, praying that the Tower had not forgotten them. In the end, no one ever came. And Ianos crawled out alone.
Shaking his head as an echo of a memory threatened to surface, Ianos decided to shift his focus onto the Ghost, the latter of which had taken front, letting Ace and the others light the way; he wonders if the Ghost memorized the Catacombs enough that they could navigate in the dark. Would make sense as to why they don't bother to use their own light to see.
Although, admittingly, Ianos is curious at the shade of their optic; Ghosts are widely known to take on the eye color of their Guardian but this one remained white. Does that mean their Guardian's eye color is the same?
"Do you have a name, little guy? Akiva's voice rang through the dim light, breaking the silence.
"No." The answer is immediate, not a beat of hesitation, "I spent majority of my time looking for my Guardian and when I did, there were hardly any time for introductions." Ianos saw their shell dip; a sign of their guilt, "And even then, I have been sending frequencies back to the Tower, calling for help." The Ghost glanced back at them, "You were the first to respond in weeks."
"Weeks?" Angel repeated, "And you were down here for all of that?"
"It was either stay down here and give comfort to my Guardian when I can or completely abandon them in the dark. Why else would I be down here?"
There was a pause, an awkward silence now permeating around them, and Ianos took it as a sign to double check his weapon, ensuring that it had a full clip.
"Turn off the lights."
A hiss can be heard from the Ghost and almost autonomously, the light from the other Ghosts vanished, Ianos taking in a sharp breath when his vision went black. A gentle tug from Ace is enough to ease his panic.
"Over there."
As his eyes adjusted, Ianos spotted movement, a brief glint of white in the darkness before watching the Ghost press themself against the wall, peering around a corner. Taking slow and cautious steps, Ianos followed their actions, pressing his back against the wall and eased out to look around. He immediately recognized large glowing green eyes of Knights, two standing with swords drawn. It didn't take Ianos long to know what they were guarding. Even from where he stood, he can see through the tunnel between the two Hive, and he spotted a form clad in tattered and broken white armor.
The Ghost's Guardian.
"Is there a way to avoid them?"
Ianos jumped as Angel's voice came from below, peering down to see the Hunter had crouched and leaned over just beneath him. It was then that he noticed that Akiva, with his towering height, is behind him, leaning over him to look as well.
"Not that I can see." Ianos muttered, eyes narrowing at the guards, "I think we may have to fight our way through."
"That, I can agree on." Akiva murmured and Ianos could hear him ready his shotgun, the familiar click too recognizable.
"Wait. Not yet."
"Not yet?" Ianos repeated back as he shifted his eyes over to the Ghost, frowning, "What do you mean not yet?"
That is when he felt it.
A chill ran down the length of his spine as the air around them turned cold, Ianos' throat going tight at the sensation. He knows it all too well and it is unmistakable: A Wizard is here.
He huddled in the corner as he cradled Darian in his lap; the Hunter would let a whimper and then beg for mercy in his sleep. Ianos would counter – or at least try – by clasping his hand in his, giving him a comforting squeeze and murmured soft words. It is enough to help lull Darian back into peaceful slumber. Between the two of them, he would need the most rest. After all, he needs it the most to rejuvenate fast enough for the Hive's harvests and rituals. He would make every second last, up until their warden would return to collect. And he can always tell when she is here, when the air around them would suddenly grows chill, their breaths visible as the Darkness seem heavier upon their shoulders.
As such the case, when he released a breath and a fog spilled from his lips; he didn't have to look up to know that she is now in their prison, feeling her eyes upon him as she smiled.
"Are you ready, Guardian?"
"Ianos!"
Ace's hushed tone pulled him out of the memory and Ianos took in a breath, deep and ragged as his body ceased in its silent screams for air.
"You alright?"
Taking in rapid breaths, Ianos shook his head, his sense of anxiety rising as a familiar form of a Hive Wizard glided into view. Just like the others of her race, her withered dressed flowed beneath her as she hovered towards the two Knights, easily towering above their shoulders as she spoke in their tongue. Ianos understood their tones and clawed gestures enough to know that she is angry, upset at something. Judging from the way she harshly pointed through the tunnel, it was about their prisoner. In other words, they were short on time.
Hearing his heart beat hard within his chest, Ianos waited, hoping with bated breath that the Wizard would cease in her rant and move on, leaving only the two Knights to deal with. That plan was thrown out when she halted, and her eyes snapped in their direction.
"Move!"
Gathering as much void light in his hands, Ianos leaped out into the open, raised his hand back, and launched his Nova Bomb towards the group of Hive. To his frustration, he watched as the Wizard teleported away in a mess of chitin and dust; the two Knights were less fortunate. Their screams echoed through the caverns as their bodies disintegrated, leaving nothing behind as the violet lights slowly faded into the darkness.
"Guardians."
Hearing the Wizard hiss, her tone filled with hate and disgust, Ianos opted to focus his weapon on the Hive and opened fire, hearing her screams of rage as she easily shifted out of the way.
"Angel! You go ahead and grab the newborn!" Ianos didn't even bother to look the Hunter's way, "Akiva and I will take down the Wizard! And be quick! No doubt reinforcements are incoming!"
Glad to hear Angel's quiet steps rush away, Ianos kept firing his weapon at the Hive Wizard, hearing her hiss as she effortlessly glided out of harm's way. Grunting in annoyance, Ianos then jumped as Akiva suddenly rushed forward, spotting familiar streaks of violet in his palm.
With a shotgun in the Titan's hand, the Wizard must have expected him to rush her, proven when Ianos heard her chant and then a shield gathered around her form. However, as Akiva raised his shotgun, he suddenly leaped back and tossed the void grenade he had formed in his hands.
It was funny, comical even at the way she shrieked in surprise before the Wizard tried to twist out of the way. Only for the void grenade to change trajectory, snapping into her direction and latched itself onto her chest.
A magnetic grenade.
Watching in morbid satisfaction as the Wizard released a scream at the first initial burst, her shields easily breaking under the explosion. However, she snapped back, placing greater distance between herself and the light, just as the grenade exploded for a second time, missing her almost entirely. Ianos raised his pulse rifle, intent on finishing the fleeing Hive off.
"Guys! He isn't moving!"
Angel's voice echoed through the corridor and Ianos paused, staring through his scope as the Wizard disappeared around a corner. If he chased her down, perhaps he could finish her off. But the worry, the concern in Angel's voice rang in his ears and as such, Ianos cursed silently as he lowered his weapon.
"Want me to go after her?"
Turning towards Akiva, Ianos hesitated, then shook his head.
"She maybe injured but this place is her home. Who knows? She might lead us into a pit of thrall."
Not an understatement. He and Darian bumped into 'many' of them during their entrapment. It was a wonder they weren't torn asunder before their capture.
Fortunately, Akiva seemed to agree, as Ianos saw him nod and then walking towards the cell. As he followed him, Ianos then saw Angel back out from the tunnel and hooked under his arms, is the newborn.
They were an Exo and, although difficult to tell through the dirt and grim, their plating is the shade of white. In retrospect, their entirety lacked any color, even down to their coat. The only 'color' that Ianos could see were words, letters that he spotted when the newborn's head rolled, revealing the gray ink just above his neck.
Emboldened, as if to make it obvious, the letters EXO/PHX Unit XI-9 were stamped upon his plating and Ianos made a mental note to ask Pluto about it. The Hunter keeps in contact with Rasputin after all. No doubt the Warmind would have answers. If he's willing to answer. They weren't Sun after all.
Although, Ianos brushed the thought aside when he realized that the familiar lights usual for Exo is absent upon the newborn's body, seeing nothing peeking through the visible plating.
"He's powered down." It is the Newborn's Ghost who spoke, "He must have done it when…" Their voice faded, guilt obvious in their tone, "Please, you have to get him out of here."
That, they can agree on.
Waiting until Angel stood, Ianos watched as the Hunter carefully hefted the newborn into his arms. That is when he saw him pause. Ianos raised a brow.
"Something the matter?"
"Well." Angel started, "For an Exo, he's light. I thought they were supposed to weight the same as a human?"
"They do." Ianos knows better than anyone. That is what happens when you live with a Clan filled with only Exo.
"But then why-"
Screeching cries echoed through the caverns, Ianos snapping his eyes towards one of the many entrances. He heard familiar scrapes of claws against rock.
"Follow me!"
The newborn's Ghost shouted through the darkness just as Ace's light lit up the room, allowing Ianos to spot a white shell drift around a corner. He followed it, heart beating loud in his ears as the screeches of the Thrall grew close.
"Up here!"
Seeing the Ghost glide above to a ledge, Ianos jumped as Akiva lifted himself over his head, pulling himself up when he barely fell short. Angel was the next to go, leaping easily to it despite the newborn in his arms.
Gaging his distance, Ianos leaped before letting his light flow around him, feeling himself lift, and allowing him to glide to the rocky ledge. It was then he spotted the Ghost glide upwards, suddenly disappearing. It didn't take long for him to follow.
Ianos never thought he would be so relieved to see the familiar barren landscape of the moon, enabling him to turn and aim his pulse rifle at the entrance. He pulled the trigger when he saw Angel and Akiva ran out from the caverns.
The screams of the dying Thrall rang in his ears as the bullets pelted their thin layer of chitin, easily penetrating their skin. As the lower ranking Hive scattered into dust, Ianos heard hand cannon and auto rifle fire, seeing bullets fly past him, allowing more of the Thralls death cries to echo through the air.
Then, just as suddenly as they swarmed, their numbers halted, and the sound of weapon fire ceased. This did not mean that Ianos lowered his weapon, experience and memory keeping his pule rifle steady at the entrance and his finger ready to pull the trigger. The danger is not over.
That is when a blast of white burst forth from the darkness, flew past Ianos, and slammed directly into Angel's chest. The Hunter screamed, the sound of his shields breaking rang through the barren land.
"Angel!"
Ianos turned in time to see Akiva rushing to Angel's groaning form, the newborn Exo nowhere in sight – most likely hidden away. That is when he heard the wheezing tongue of the Hive emit from behind, Ianos recognizing it for what it was.
"Akiva! Angel! Move!"
His warning came too late.
A fog of darkness appeared around the pair, and their reactions were instantaneous. Angel curled in, Ianos hearing him gasp and then curl in as he trembled. Akiva fell to his knees, his breaths harsh before falling onto his hands, arms trembling, as if struggling to support the Titan.
"I remember you."
Ianos came to a halt, eyes wide as he turned, and his gaze settled over a Wizard. The same Wizard that had escaped earlier. And she was just a mere arm's length away.
His hands trembled, throat dry as his mind screamed at him to raise his pule rifle, to aim and fire at her head, her chest, anywhere where it would give Ianos a chance to escape. But his fear gripped his heart and he found himself unable to listen. Instead, he could only stare, his grip tight around his weapon as the Wizard loomed closer.
"You gave me these marks."
She raised a hand, claws tracing over scars from the bottom of her neck, trailing down her chest and down into her withering dress. Ianos took in a sharp breath.
This Wizard is her. His Warden. His Tormentor. His Executioner.
His pulse rifle fell from his hands as Ianos attempted to take a step back, fumbling as his knees turned weak.
"You gave me these marks." The Wizard repeated, the glow in her eyes flashing brighter, "Back when I sacrificed you and your friend in the name of Crota." A low rumble permeated from her throat, "Or, I tried tosacrifice you."
Ianos fell back, too fearful now to stand and he hiccupped as he tried to take in a breath.
That is when the look of upset faded from the Wizard's face and turned to one of amusement.
"You still remember, I see." Ianos scrambled back when she glided closer, "So do I, the day when my sect and I thought best to rid you and the other Chosen." She smiled, her fangs visible, "Tell me, o' Soldier of Light, how did it feel to watch your friend burn? Before being tossed into the pit of flames?"
His skin crawled, itching under phantom fire, and Ianos found himself gripping his arms, trembling at the memory.
He remembers screaming, begging, as he and Darian were dragged from their cells, ignored by their Warden Knights before being brought to a room filled with Hive. And a pit filled with green flames. They threw Darian in first without hesitation.
The Hunter's screams were still clear, nightmares always ensuring that it is seared into his memory with clarity. Ianos was tossed in next after the Hunter's cries ceased.
Ianos then started clawing at his arms, remembering the way the green flames licked at his form, screaming at the agony. It burned away not at just his body, but the meager amount of light he had left, stripping it away as if to squeeze any amount of pain he had left.
"We had thought your light stripped, hence why your sudden emergence from the flames, engulfed in gold, caught us by surprise." The Wizard mused, "if you had that much light left, we would have not tossed you into the pit. At least, not so soon."
His Radiance.
That is what had saved him from being burned alive. His grief, his anger, allowing him to gather what little Light he had left and explode in a brilliance of golden flames. Ianos remembers burning any Hive in proximity, the ones who had previously celebrated their sacrifice now screaming as he set them aflame.
"Lord Crota blessed me that day, protecting me from your flames, and allowed me escape." The Wizard continued, "I had hoped that you would have exhausted yourself, allowing me to keep you contained. Imagine my disappointment when I returned to find the chamber empty."
Of course, he wouldn't have stayed. The Catacombs, the Wizard, the Hive, had been his prison and torturers for months. He wasn't going to stay, not even to kill the Wizard despite his attempt. Ianos recalls spotting her amongst the crowd, leaping towards the Hive before clawing his fingers into her chest, a vain attempt to rip her heart from her body, if she had one at all. But just as she said, Crota, or whatever god she worshiped must have been watching her, for she was able to incant a spell that blew Ianos off her and before he could even stand, she was gone. Ianos decided then that escape is better than a chase.
He jumped when he suddenly felt claws trace under his jaw, forcing Ianos to look up into the Wizard's face. She was grinning at him.
"Shall I bring you back?" His heart froze, "That machine we had did little to feed my children, but you, o' Soldier of Light." She leaned in, her breath heating up his neck despite his blacks, "Despite the 'taint' in your light, yours will last for a long while. And we would wholly welcome you back."
That is when he felt her claws dig into his shoulders, and Ianos screamed.
"No! No please!" He shook his head, fumbling with his thoughts, his fears as he tried to gather his light into his fingertips, latching onto the Wizard's arm, expecting the void to burn through her chitin armor. He watched with wide eyes as the wisps of violet faded from his hands and he heard the Wizard's wheezing laugh. Her magics and his terror is blockading him.
"No. No! Angel! Akiva! Anyone!"
He dug his heels into the moon's surface, hoping that brute strength would be enough. The Wizard easily drug him against the loose hearth, the entrance of the Catacombs getting close.
"Ace! Ace please!"
He heard his Ghost stutter, the familiar clicks ringing in his helmet. Ianos is unsure if the panic he is feeling now is from himself or his Ghost. Perhaps both.
Ianos started to kick and struggle, straining against the Wizard's grip.
"Welcome back, o' Soldier of Light."
As the Wizard started to dip into the darkness of the Catacombs, Ianos released a breath, the edges of his vision blurring as he released his hold from the Hive's arms, digging his fingers into the hearth as his heart beat hard.
That is when a sniper shot rang through the air.
The Wizard's head snapped back, her magics protecting her from the worst of the shot but it was enough, enough for her to lose her grasp on his shoulders and allowed Ianos to scramble back, pull his side arm from his waist and fired rapidly.
His terror, his panic made his aim wild, most of his shots missing, but it was enough for the Wizard to release a hiss and sink back into the depths of the Catacombs.
Arms trembling, breaths rapid, Ianos glanced over his shoulder in time to see the black fog had dissipated and there, kneeling, is Angel with a sniper in his hands. Like him, his hands trembled, but when Ianos settled his eyes over him, the Hunter dropped his weapon, falling onto his hands, and he heard a ragged breath. Angel had reacted quickly, and Ianos is grateful for that.
Seeing Akiva shake his head and then hear him groan, Ianos turned his attention back towards the Catacomb's entrance, shivered at just how close he is to it before pulling himself back, putting more distance between himself and it. Then, once he felt he was an adequate distance, that is when his anxiety took hold, and Ianos found himself leaning over, pressing a hand over his visor, and released a sob.