Redacted
Goodbye
The irony of the title is right when I was posting it, the song Good Goodbye by Linkin Park started playing on my playlist. Had to pause and laugh at the timing lol. Anyways, here's the next chapter everyone! :D
Thanks to RWBYGAMES, TheSilverElite, DisobeyedBowl6, TidalKiller, and TheTurtleMan for the reviews!
TheTurtleMan - Oh, it's cool, I don't mind putting up responses on the chapters, doesn't look bad to me lol. And what do you mean I changed the names? o.o? I recall always being Blaise lol... but I do remember changing names for him several times before I updated it. Perhaps I forgot to change it and then I went back and fixed it? That might have happened lol. There's a lot I want to tell the readers about Angel, but, not just yet :D And Thank you!
Edited: 01/01/2023
"How are you going to reunite with your Shard if you are a prisoner of my House, bandit?"
Squinting through the darkness, Angel only answered when he spotted Flourishing One's armor; thanks to their fight, he is keeping a good amount of distance from her, "If I were to be honest, even if I do leave this corrupted place, I do not expect her to find me."
He saw the Vandal look over her shoulder, "What?"
"My Shard and I, we have been separated for a long while now." Angel explained, "It does not help that this place is convoluting my Light as it is." He gave her a strained smile, "Who knows? Perhaps by the time she finds me, it might be too late."
That is when Flourishing One halted in her steps, prompting Angel to do the same. The Vandal then turned and glared at him.
"Then what use will you be for my House if your Shard never finds you?"
Despite himself, Angel chuckled; he had expected the question, "You are part of House Kings. You must know that information is just as valuable as any resource."
Seeing her luminescent eyes blink in the darkness, Angel raised a brow when he saw them grow wide, surprise clear.
"Is something the matter?" he asked.
Receiving nothing but silence, Angel waited, amused when Flourishing One abruptly shook her head and then glowered.
"You are willing to give information that easily?" He heard her scoff, "Are you not part of the bandits?"
That is when Angel's smile faded. Usually he would have answered 'yes' if Hope were to be around but since she is not.
No use in hiding his feelings anymore.
"I am." He answered, "But my allegiance is not with them." Or at least, not with the Tower. His Fireteam, his pack, that is where his true loyalties lie. And judging from the way Flourishing One jerked back, it wasn't the answer she was expecting, "I am loyal to my pack. Not to those hiding behind the Haven's walls."
He waited, waiting for the Vandal to say something, anything. Instead, Angel just watched as she stared, her glowing eyes blinking in the darkness.
"You are a strange one." She finally said. Angel felt entertained once more at her words, especially when Flourishing One promptly turned and continued down the corridor. Following her, Angel then took note of the way she cradled her lower set of arms, her cape hiding the worse of the injury.
"How are you faring?" He asked.
Seeing her pause once more, Angel took note of the subtle movements, the way she tucked her arms in, and hunched forward. He heard her release a low growl.
"That is none of your business, fool."
Angel blinked. And then blinked again. Before he broke into a broad smile.
"Fool?" He repeated, spotting the way Flourishing One went rigid, "Not bandit?" Angel released a low rumble himself, breaking pattern as he continued, "Am I growing on you, Flourishing One?"
"What makes you think that?" He heard her snap; Angel's smile broadens as he caught the waver in her voice, "I am calling you a fool because you are a fool." She shook her head, "Works for the bandits but holds no allegiance to them." A scoff, "What idiocy."
Hearing nothing more from the Vandal as they continued down the tunnel, Angel dared himself to move in closer, speeding up his steps until he was naught but an arm's length away from her.
"If you do not mind me asking, what are you doing here alone, Flourishing One?" He asked, "What happened to the rest of your pack?"
Despite being with them only for a short time, Salziks and her group of deserters were clear that Eliksni always work together. Those who work alone are usually outliers. So, Angel knew that something wasn't right with Flourishing One being alone in the tunnels.
Receiving no answer, Angel decided to be more daring, speeding up his pace once more until he is next to her side. He heard her huff, annoyed.
But, she answered, "I was sent here alone."
Angel jerked back; Alone? Now that is something new.
"Alone?" He repeated.
Flourishing One nodded, "We thought nothing could get worse after the deaths of our Barons." She snarled, "That is, until those House Devils found that accursed plague."
Plague. SIVA. That is what she is talking about.
With the name of the Golden Age nanites lingering in his head, Angel couldn't help but pause, concern settling in. He had heard that the Devils had found and utilized SIVA and had been using it against their enemies, enemies that aren't just the Guardians. It seems that the House of Kings is one of them.
"They attacked several of our outposts deep in the Corroded Lands." Flourishing One continued, "We tried defending our territory, but with that plague on their side, they easily pushed us out." Angel heard her snarl, rage causing her luminescent eyes to brighten, "since then, our Ether supply has been low, low to the point where it cannot even support our young." Angel's eyes grew wide, "Since then, we have been forced to search into Darken Ones territories, hoping to find enough resources to support our House."
"But alone?" Angel heard her huff at his question, "I understand the desperation but, even I know that the House of Kings would not be foolish enough to send one scout into Darken Ones territory."
"It is because the other scouts that have been sent here never returned." He went silent, "and the ones we sent in after to find them did not return either." Flourishing One rumbled, "It was decided that I am to be sent alone to find resources and bring back survivors if I could. They thought that venturing alone would increase my chances of coming back alive." That is when she finally turned her head to look at him, snarling low, "You can see how successful that was."
Angel fixed his eyes down the corridor, humming, "But now you know that there is nothing here, nothing worth of value." He glanced over at the Vandal, "Your House do not have to risk more lives and instead, perhaps move onto another area for resources."
Flourishing One scoffed, "You speak as it is easy to simply move to another point of resource."
"It will not be too difficult." Angel claimed.
In turn, Flourishing One turned and glowered at him, "How will my house find another resource that will generate enough Ether to support us?"
"Me." Angel smiled at the way her eyes went wide, "Remember my pack? Some of them stayed with me for a while and when they left, they gifted me a Servitor as a parting gift."
Well, three compacted prototypes. Inkolas' design. Functions well enough at least.
"And you have been producing Ether?" Flourishing One asked, prompting a nod from Angel and he reached down to a bag around his waist.
Shifting his hand around, Angel wrapped around the familiar cylinder before pulling it out and holding it towards the Vandal.
"This is just one of many that I had produced." He gestured it towards Flourishing One, causing the Eliksni to narrow her eyes but, nonetheless, delicately took the Ether can from his hand. Then, Angel watched as she reached down to her waist, spotting familiar cannisters tied to her belt. He can tell from the light bars on the sides that they were almost empty.
"If I do survive this and my Ghost happens to find me on time, then I will transfer all that I have to you and the Kings." He said.
Angel saw her hands jerk, as if the Ether itself burned, but she is able to slide the cannister into her belt, tossing the old ones away. Her eyes then settled over his.
"You say that you have a pack." She started, "But yet you have a large supply of Ether. Why are you not giving it to them?"
That is when Angel flinched, turning his eyes towards the ground. He decided to continue their trek, taking slow steps down the tunnel. Angel heard Flourishing One follow.
"They formed their own House." He finally decided to answer, "Then, after gathering enough supplies and resources, they ventured deeper into their territory." Angel then took in a deep shuddering breath, "Without me."
"Without you?" Flourishing One repeated, "Did you not want to go with them? I thought you said that you were not dedicated to the bandits?"
Angel remained silent.
"Unless." She continued, "You did not know they were leaving."
Despite himself, Angel chuckled. Sad. And bitter.
"The left me with nothing more than a message." He explained, "saying that I should learn how to 'reintegrate' with the Guardians." And despite his friends, others he stayed with, loneliness had taken grip of his heart, "It has almost been two years and I have not heard from them since."
And oh, how much it gnaws at him to know how they are doing. Angel had known Ixrsis long enough that she can be resourceful, but House Spirit is still a young House. He cannot help but be worried.
A scoff from Flourishing One pulled him out of his thoughts.
"And you still call them your pack?" Angel couldn't help but slowly turn his eyes towards the Vandal, giving her a blank look as he nodded. He heard her scoff once more, "To think of all my years alive, I would meet a soldier with intent as pure as the energy they wield."
Angel blinked. And then laughed, "Maybe that is why my pack calls me 'Pure One'." House Spirits and Salziks both, "although, I believe the name does not match me well." His selfish actions after his dame's death made sure of that.
"Pure One, h'm?" Flourishing One sounded amused, intrigued even. A rumble can be heard emitting from the back of her throat, "I say it suits you, despite your doubts."
Although unable to help but feel pleased at her words, Angel also couldn't help but feel guilty, memories of three bandits seated around a campfire settling in, hearing their laughter in his ears. Rage settled in, his hand curling into a fist as he clenched his teeth. Although he had promised her, promised Salziks that he would not carry out vengeance for her death, he couldn't let it go. He just couldn't.
However, as the faces of the three Guardians turned to him, smiles upon their faces, guilt mixed in with his rage. And the edges of his eyes burned.
"Fool? Fool, you alright?"
Snapped out of his thoughts, Angel tried to part his lips, to lie, but found his throat tight, constricted. And his conscience wouldn't allow him to speak fake words. As such, he shook his head.
Angel heard her release a soft rumble, full of apology.
"It seems my curiosity touched a nerve." She said and Angel can tell she has more to say. He can sense the curiosity oozing off her.
However, before she could ask another question, the familiar screech of a thrall echoed down the corridor, prompting Angel to snap his attention that way. From the corner of his eyes, he saw Flourishing One do the same.
"So soon?" She snarled, "I thought we would have had the time to make our escape."
Angel looked at her, "The Exit is this way?"
A scoff, "Do you think I was leading us this way for no reason, fool?" Flourishing One nodded her head down the tunnel, "I recognize my scent. This was the way I took to venture into this accursed place. In other words, safety awaits."
Then, perhaps there is a chance that he will see Hope again.
Breathing out a sigh of relief, Angel then jumped once again as another screech permeated through the tunnel. This one however, sounded close and the sound of claws scraping against rock is now apparent. That is when Angel spotted the black porcelain head of a Thrall within the darkness.
"Run!" He heard Flourishing One shout.
Xxxxx
When the screams of the Thrall echoed through the tunnel, Ianos found himself squaring out his shoulders, taking in a deep breath as he gripped his rifle tight. As he slowly tuned out the lesser Hive's cries, he also noted that the screeching was growing distant. It is obvious their attention is elsewhere. However, it did little to ease the nervous edge growing in his chest.
Taking in steady breaths, Ianos turned his attention towards Nine, his orange eyes trailing over the Exo until settling over his hands; he can see the trembling, despite the tight grasp around his rifle.
"Observation," Nine started, "Scans approximate thirty Thrall, ten Acolytes, and three Knights." Ianos heard the Exo take in a deep breath followed by his shoulders going lax, "their attention, however, is elsewhere."
A clear observation, considering that Ianos couldn't hear the thralls anymore. But something within his chest twisted, a gnawing feeling that something still isn't right. If their attention is not on them, then who?
That is when it struck him.
"Angel." He breathed out.
It was then that he felt Hope's panic, the second Ghost's presence now obvious as the realization set in.
"We have to hurry!" Her voice is practically a scream in his mind, "We have to reach him first!"
Shaking his head to rid the ringing of Hope's voice, Ianos turned to Nine, "We must track where the thralls are heading. Angel might be their target – Nine!? Nine, wait!"
The Exo moved quickly, too quickly for Ianos to reach over and snatch even the edges of his coat as the former disappeared down the corridor with his Ghost following. Watching as the last wisps of white disappeared into the darkness, Ianos cursed under his breath, hesitated, and then promptly ran after Nine.
"This is a bad idea." Ace's words rang in Ianos' ears as he heard his Ghost follow closely behind, allowing him to take a sharp turn with their guiding light.
That is when he saw Nine. And the hunkering form of a Knight looming over him.
A scream caught his attention, prompting him to turn in time to see the familiar red clad armor of Mars being lifted off the dusty surface of the moon, his body teetering on the edge of a Knight's blade before tossed to the side. He screamed, his ears deaf to his own words but, before he could take a step towards the fallen Exo, he caught another blade – this one rotted and reeking of darkness – from the corner of his eyes and instinct prompted to jump back. He felt the breeze of the swing, the sword missing him barely and slammed into the dust of the hearth below. He froze when the Knight turns its three eyes towards him. A chill ran up the length of his spine at it smiled at him, revealing decaying fangs.
As it raised its blade, he readied to dodge again, readying for another swing before a familiar black and white shape blinked into view, and Ianos watching as Neptune held up his rifle. And blocked the swing. As the Exo's weapon bent and screamed under the pressure, that is when the fog left his ears, and the sound of gunfire finally reached him. Followed by the echoes of the wounded and the dying.
"Little Light! Run!"
Neptune's warning barely made it past the noise but, it was enough, enough where Ianos turned and ducked in time to avoid another Knight's swing. Clenching his weapon in his hands, Ianos released a war cry before he charged, slamming the barrel of his shotgun into the offending Knight's chest and pulled the trigger. He felt the kick, his arms jerking back the same time as the Hive's scream permeated and then faded from his ears.
"Ianos!"
Pulled out of his memory, Ianos couldn't suppress a yelp as he leaned back to barely dodge a sword swing, staring down the edge of the blade before stumbling back, putting some distance between him and the Knight. He heard his Ghost release a sigh of relief.
"Watch out!"
It is Hope who gave out the warning, and Ianos turned in time to see another Knight appear through the darkness, sword raised and roaring. Ianos knew he didn't have time to dodge or even block its attack.
However, as he prepared himself for a hit, a rain of bullets pelted the Hive Knight's side, sending it reeling and Ianos, seeing an opportunity, holstered his rifle, and hefted his shotgun. The memory played back in his mind as he ran over, thrusted the barrel of the shotgun against the Knight's chest and pulled the trigger. This sent the Knight backgrounds, prompting a pained cry from it before Ianos gathered the void in his palm and thrusted it forward. Burst of violet light streaked throughout the Knight's body and then, dispersed. Violets streaks is all that is left.
Nine's white shape then rushed past him, Ianos reeling back when he spotted colors of violet and azure streams of light around the Exo before it quickly dissipated. And replaced with a flash of light. Blinded, Ianos raised a hand, taking stumbling steps back as the screams of the last two remaining Knights reached his ears. Even with his eyes closed and his darkened visor, he can still see the light, the flash, bright enough that even when it was gone, Ianos can still see it as he lowered his arm, blinking to rid the last of the stars.
He looked up in time to see the Hive Knights disappear into dust and Nine releasing his hold from their crumbling carapaces.
"What in the Traveler, was that?"
Ianos saw Nine turn at his surprise, and he waited, idling as the Exo simply stared. However, before the Exo could answer or for Ianos demanding for one, the screams of the thrall echoed through the cavern once more and this time, their screeching is growing louder, closer. No time.
Releasing a breath, Ianos concentrated, pushing past the warmth of Solar – smoldering from lack of use -, pushed past the emptiness of the Void, and latched onto the crackling energy of Arc. Holstering his shotgun, Ianos took a step back before running forward and leaped into the air. And called upon thunder around him to the thrall gathering below.
The screams of the thrall echoed around him as the arc light rained down upon them, disintegrating the lesser Hive into blue sparks as Ianos slowly descended to the floor. And snapped his hands towards the survivors. Lightning shot from his fingertips, latching onto the surviving Hive before burning them away into dust, their screams lingering.
That is when violet streaked past him.
Reeling, Ianos turned, and his eyes settled over sets of glowing green eyes before more violet flew towards him and this time, his shields shimmered, the Acolyte fire making their mark. Sensing the gathering of his arc light fade, Ianos raised both of hands, bringing the last of his light to his palms. And thrusted them forward.
Light snapped from his hands, latching onto the nearest Thrall and ricochet off from its dissipating body, leaving only ash behind as it flew into its next victim. Ianos watched on with morbid fascination as it bounced, even reaching the Acolytes that had tried using the Thrall as cover, their shrieks fading into the air.
That is when Ianos felt his trance end and his feet buckled while he landed. In honesty, he shouldn't have attuned to arc, inexperienced as he is. But the thought of tossing a Nova Bomb in such a tight space didn't sound so great either.
Shrugging off the jitters, Ianos instead hefted his rifle into his hands, aiming down sights, and looking through the scope. Picking off any surviving Acolytes, Ianos then decided to brush past them when, from the corner of his eyes, he saw Nine picking them off with his scout rifle, allowing him to sweep the area. And spotted a familiar leather clad shape in the darkness.
"Angel!"
Ianos watched as the Hunter ceased in his swinging of his knife, turning his eyes towards him. The relief in his gaze is telling enough.
Although Angel is now within sights, Ianos still couldn't help the worry, the concern. The young Hunter is at the other end of the tunnel and despite Nine's previous approximation, it seems that there are more in number than anticipated. It is going to take some time to get through them.
A sniper shot tore Ianos out of his self-briefing, and he swiveled his scope to linger over a Fallen, the familiar camo-pattern of Angel's sniper in their hands as they fired it once more. He watched it take off the head of an oncoming Acolyte.
Quickly deducing the situation, Ianos then glanced back at Nine, seeing now that the Warlock is now approaching him, their area cleared. Now to clear a path.
However, as Ianos aimed down his sights, a roar echoed through the tunnel. And his heart froze in his chest. It is a Knight's, a large one.
The rusted carapace of the large Knight seemingly materialized out of the shadows; its three glowing eyes prominent in the darkness as it growled. Ianos wasted no time in raising his rifle and fired. The click of a scout rifle behind him is a sign that Nine did the same.
It is obvious from the way the Knight's head snapped back, that their shots were true, but all it did was caused it to stumble back, and a look of rage can be seen in its three eyes. Then, Ianos watched it look at him, at Nine, and then at Angel and his Eliksni friend. And it smiled.
Bewildered, Ianos couldn't help but just watch as it raised its darkness infused blade and stabbed the point of it into the wall of the musty corridor, a dull 'clang' ringing through the darkness. The Knight then started chanting.
Recognizing the gargled language, Ianos then saw the wisps of darkness emitting from the blade and heard the stones crack around them. He realized what it is intending to do.
"Get back!" He shouted, "It is going to collapse the tunnels!"
As if to confirm his words, Ianos heard the Knight laugh, a mix of dry wheezing and rumbles reverberating from its throat. It was soon followed by an explosion and block smog erupted forth from the Knight's blade, burying any visibility before it to zero. Ianos then felt his feet fly out beneath him and his back slammed into the rocks behind him. Wheezing as his lungs depleted of air, Ianos forced himself to keep steady on his feet, gasping and coughing afterwards. That is when he felt a hand grab him by the arm.
"Hurry! We have to leave before we are buried alive!"
At first, Ianos thought it was Ace who spoke, the thought of Nine sounding so desperate not once coming to thought. But as he looked up, Ianos found himself staring into Nine's visor and he can sense the panic, the concern emitting from the Exo. Taken aback by this, it took Ianos a moment to move, to respond, feeling himself being lead down the corridor. He realized it is the opposite of Angel's location.
"Wait." Ianos muttered out, tugging against Nine's pull, "Angel. We cannot leave Angel here."
His breaths now properly evening out, this cleared Ianos' thoughts and he saw Nine look back at him. Without speaking, he can already tell the Exo's decision. His stomach twisted.
"Angel." He started as he looked back, searching for Angel's light clad form through the falling debris, "Angel!"
Through the falling rocks, he spotted the Hunter, and he can see the younger Guardian look back at him. Hope lingered into his chest; injured and bruised he maybe, but Ianos knows that Angel is lithe enough to dodge through the rocks and make his way towards him and Nine. He could be saved.
At least, that is what Ianos had thought, up until when the Angel had taken a step forward. And then paused.
"Angel! What are you doing!?" Ianos couldn't help but shout, desperate now.
He could see the Hunter glance back, back deeper into the corridor before he promptly took a few steps back. Then turned and ran.
"Angel!"
Tearing his arm out of Nine's grip, Ianos attempted to run in, to chase after the younger Guardian, only to feel arms wrap around his neck, pulling him back.
"Let go of me!" He snarled before his eyes fixed back towards where he last spotted the young Hunter, "Angel!"
"Angel!" It is Hope who called out this time, Ianos sensing her trying – and failing – to compile out of the safety of his armor. He wouldn't be surprised if Ace is pushing her back, forcing her to stay. There is a reason why his Ghost is staying close within the falling debris. Ianos can hear Hope sobbing in his mind.
Clenching his jaw, Ianos shook side to side, trying in a vain attempt to shake Nine off. The Exo kept his grip tight.
"I apologize for this." He heard Nine whisper.
Feeling the Exo's arms leave his shoulders, Ianos tried to take the opportunity to run after Angel, only to feel a pressure slam into the side of his helmet, causing him to stumble sideways. As his vision swarmed and before he could even comprehend what happened, another impact slammed into the side of his head. Then, darkness.
Xxxxx
Hope is going to be furious with him.
That is what lingered in Angel's thoughts as he weaved through broken and falling rocks, his eyes scanning the darkness for Flourishing One's shape.
He had heard her shout, scream not long after the explosion. Angel cannot just leave her, not like that at least. Especially not with the promise he had made.
Dodging his way through, he spotted her, prone under some fallen dirt and rocks. How she isn't buried alive is a miracle and Angel made his way towards her, hooking his one arm under one of hers and pulled. Relieved as he lifted her easily, any loose material falling from her form, Angel then slowly started dragging her to safety. At least, he hopes is to safety.
Hearing her groan as he dragged her, Angel ignored his fallen sniper rifle, sad at having to abandon it but, at least he can replace it. His and Flourishing One's lives, not so.
Clenching his teeth as he felt rocks pelt his shoulders, his head, any exposure of his body, Angel mentally told himself he will never take shields for granted again. Especially so after a large one slammed into his shoulder, prompting him to scream in pain.
Feeling the impact throb, Angel then felt the hearth beneath him shake, causing him to fumble and collapse. That is when the way that he had just taken fallen, blocking the passage. And any chance of Ianos and Nine of following.
"F-Fool?"
He heard Flourishing One groan, followed by a loud crack, prompting him to look up. There, he can see the ceiling ready to break, trembling as everything else quaked and fell around him.
Turning his attention back to the Eliksni, Angel then watched as she stirred, her blue eyes blinking awake. Glancing back and forth between the collapsing tunnel and the Vandal, Angel then settled his eyes onto Flourishing One. And smiled.
"Goodbye."
Then, gathering what little light he has left, Angel gripped her tight with his remaining arm and threw her as far as she could. Praying silently that it is enough to get her to safety, Angel then felt a blow hit him from behind, prompting another shout of pain as he fell. This was soon followed by a boom, a crack, followed by multiple blows falling on top of him. Pain. And then, nothing.
And that's it! Have to wait until next week! :D