Redacted
Echo, No
I'm early for once! A miracle! Anyways, here's the next chapter lol. Sorry for the lame title, couldn't think of anything better.
Thanks to Mantic64 for the review!
Edited: 03/19/2023
Nine stared, contemplating if he should give a false name. She maybe a Phoenix Exo, but the way she smiled, the way her optics beamed at him with borderline care and obsession, something didn't feel right. But the way she stared, stared right through him, Nine has a feeling that lying to her isn't the best call.
"Greeting Dusk." Nine subtly bowed his head, "I am Nine, it is a pleasure to meet you."
As he lifted his head, he spotted the way her smile faltered, her optics dimming, "The conditioned response." Her gaze settled to his throat or more specifically, to the label marked upon the back of his neck, "The eleventh unit but yet, nothing has changed. Did not even bother to update responses to greetings." The frown was brief, but Nine caught it, quickly enough that her smile was back onto her face, "How original."
That is when she started taking steps towards him and Nine tensed, forcing himself to keep his optics over her as she approached. Soon, she is hovering over him.
"You are your own Exo now, brother." Her smile is still gentle but, Nine can sense the subtle strain, the way it is forced, "No need to keep up with this façade." Her optics brightens, "The humans who created us, they are not here to dictate our lives now." She held out a hand, "You are free brother, free to do whatever you desire."
Nine couldn't help but blink, glancing back and forth between her face and hand. He could feel Knight tug warily in the back of his head, doubt and mistrust radiating strongly. And Nine mirrored the same.
But, with their weakened state and the fact that she is a Unit 1, Nine also knows better to resist. The way she smiles made his gut twist.
Thus, he reached out and slowly placed his hand into hers.
And that is when warmth quickly permeated throughout his body.
White flashed into his vision and Nine reeled, tearing his hand from Dusk's grip. He felt her bewildered stare.
"Was is that unpleasant?" She asked, "I had thought that with our similar creation, that it would have no effect on you." Nine heard her hum thoughtfully, "But then again, you are a later Unit, you do not carry as much of the Traveler as I." There is a giggle, "But it seems my healing still took effect, brother."
Healing.
The word echoed in Nine's mind as he took notice of the dull aches of pain now absent, and as he looked down at his chest, the injuries, the bullet wounds were now gone, absent. The only traces of his fight with Warren and Elissa were his tattered coat and the trails of fluids that the wounds had left behind.
Slowly lifting his optics back towards Dusk, he saw her optics beam at him, and she held her hand out once more.
"May I?'
It didn't take much to understand that she meant Day, her gaze settling over the Ghost's broken form. Nine found himself clutching them close to his chest.
Dusk's smile faltered, "I am not going harm your Ghost. They are as much of the Traveler as we are." The grin upon her face faded, replaced with furrowed brows and narrowed optics, "I would never think of placing a Ghost in danger, let alone one who is partnered with a Phoenix."
Taking in her words, Nine found himself glaring into Dusk's optics, both his and Knight's doubt radiating deep within his chest.
Echo maybe strict and violent, but at least Nine knows if he were to hand Day over to the older Unit, he wouldn't harm the Ghost. Dusk however, he cannot take her words as truth.
That is, until Nine heard a groan from Day, the Ghost's voice static and broken in his palm followed by whimpers. He doesn't have to feel through their bond to know that their Ghost is in pain. In agony.
As such, with great reluctance, Nine slowly and carefully held Day out, settling the Ghost into Dusk's waiting hand. Much to his relief, she is gentle, cupping the Ghost's form in both her hands as she looked down. And the gentle look upon her face quickly twisted into one of fury.
"Where is Titan Warren-12 and Hunter Elissa-5?" She demanded.
That is when Nine remembered the Medic, so engrossed was he with Dusk that he had forgotten her presence. And the way she scrambled to her feet, turning to face Dusk, wariness lingered within Nine's head.
"I do not know, my Blessed Phoenix." The Medic answered, "Last I have heard, they were trying to find you to inform you of the Lord's arrival."
"Then find them and bring them here!" Nine, despite himself, jumped at Dusk's shout, the anger apparent in her voice, "I would like to have a word with them! Immediately!"
Nine knows an order when he hears it, and the same goes for the Medic, judging from the way she bowed and then quickly ran from the room. All the while, Dusk's glare remained on her back, turning to keep her focus upon the Warlock Medic as she left. However, the instant she is gone, her attention resumed back onto Day's trembling form in her hands. Her gaze softened, filled with pity and fondness.
"While we wait." Nine heard her murmur, "Let us fix you, little one."
That is when he saw wisps of light spill from her palm before it engulfed the shape of his Ghost, illuminating the room. It occurred so quickly, so brief, that when Nine blinked, the glow is gone and there, in her palm, is Day, shell flawless. And then, their optic flickered to life.
"What in the- how in the-" The Ghost sputtered, hovering slowly and groggily into the air. And their optics locked.
That is when Nine felt his hands flex in his lap, the joy, the relief flooding into his senses. Thus, Nine sank back, feeling Knight jump to the forefront, his hands outstretched.
"Day!"
Through Knight's perspective, Nine saw Day jump before hands snatched them out of the air and pulling them into an embrace.
"Thank the Traveler." Knight's voice is strained, cracking at the end of his sentence, "How are you feeling?"
"Sore." Day answered, "And like I just woke up from a dream." They paused, Nine watching as the Ghost snuggled closer to their chest, "Or more like a nightmare."
Understandable, considering that they had died and Nine brought them back. But he is also relieved that the Ghost isn't suffering anymore, not in pain.
This relief is quickly broken when hands grasped Knight by the shoulders, tight to the point where even Nine can feel it, and the next thing he knew, he found their backs to the wall, and Dusk looming over them. Her optics were narrowed and glowing bright.
"Who are you?" She snarled, "and what have you done to my brother?!"
Hearing Knight stutter and feeling his panic, Nine pondered if he should let the younger Exo stay or if he should intervene. He made his decision when he spotted Dusk's hand reaching to her waist, where he spotted the handle of a knife.
It is a struggle to push past Knight's terror, pulling on him until he finally relented and Nine found himself back in control. Just in time to grab the wrist that held the blade that threatened to fall upon him.
"There is no need for violence, Dusk." Nine said, locking his optics with hers, "A simple explanation would have been enough."
He saw the confusion, the bewilderment, but his words were enough for her to pry her hand away from him and she took steps back. Nine looked on as she sheathed her knife back around her waist.
"Explain." She demanded.
Nine watched as she crossed her arms, optics narrowing his way, and he took in a deep breath, "It seems your 'followers' have failed to inform you that I share another consciousness in this body."
Dusk frowned, "Another consciousness? Now why would a Phoenix Exo such as yourself have another persona linked into your program?"
Contemplating on how to answer, Nine simply stared, holding back the memories of regret and grief.
"That is another story to tell, Dusk." He finally settled upon, "Unless, you have time to listen."
Nine watched as Dusk's hardened stare softened, a soft smile forming onto her face. He is uncertain if that is truly how she feels or if she is hiding her true intentions.
"As much as I would like to listen to your story, brother, I am afraid I have little time to listen." Dusk admitted, "I have much to do to reclaim the Traveler from the thieves."
And there it is, her beliefs. A belief that Nine could not help but find absurd.
"Reclaim?" Nine repeated as he finally pushed himself away from the wall, rolling his shoulders before remembering Day in his palm; he glanced down to see the Ghost staring back with a wide optic. He released his hold to allow them to hover safely above their shoulder. Nine took note of how they lingered a little behind, almost hiding behind the back of his neck, "What do you mean by reclaim, Dusk?"
That is when he saw a flash of something in her optics, the way her shoulders tensed, her gaze glowing bright. However, just as quickly as it appeared, it is gone, and her pristine smile is back on her face.
"Do you really have to ask, brother?" She asked. "These Guardians have stolen the light from the Traveler. All that sin and greed in the Golden Age, especially on how humanity tried to take its power, why would it easily give these creatures a second chance?" Nine watched her shake her head, optics filled with obvious disgust, "There is no other way to explain it other than that they stole the light from the Traveler, taking its power for themselves." She then held out a hand towards him, "The only ones who truly deserve its power is Exo such as ourselves, pieces of its flesh, its acolytes to protect it from the remnants of its enemies." Her smile broadens, "Acolytes such as you and I."
Taking in her words, Nine tried to find logic behind it and in honesty, he understood what she is saying. After all, why else would humanity create the Phoenix Exo if not to try and take the Traveler's powers for themselves? And not only did it do nothing, but the Traveler also gave humanity one final gift for defense. It wouldn't make sense to those such as themselves.
However, as Nine pondered, he remembers faces: Akiva requesting him to ease on the drinks, Angel's curses of frustration whenever he missed a shot out in the Crucible, Ianos humming as he worked, and Hush, her smile bright whenever their gaze would lock.
Focusing his attention back onto Dusk's, Nine decided to respond, to retort, only to pause when he spotted movement coming from the entrance. He bit his tongue when he recognized Warren and the Hunter from before – Elissa, if he recalls correctly – enter and then they bowed deep when standing before Dusk.
It seems Dusk didn't have to look back to know who, as her optics quickly darkened, and she turned to look down upon the pair.
"I heard that you have accidentally attacked my brother." She started and Nine can see Warren's shoulders go tight and the way Elissa's hand curled into a fist, "Explain."
"His helmet was obscuring his mark, my Lady." Warren spoke first, keeping his gaze to the floor, "Elissa and I did not realize our mistake until after."
"A report that you have accurately placed." Dusk said, "However, you have stated that you had 'damaged his Ghost." She leaned forward, towering over the Titan and the Hunter, "Not killed it."
That is when Nine saw both Guardians look up at her, surprise apparent behind their helmets.
"What?" Elissa is the one who spoke this time, "But, it was still moving when we returned, we had initially thought-"
"You thought that a point-blank shot to a Ghost's core is enough to just knock it unconscious?" If the rage wasn't apparent from Dusk, it is now, "You realize that such an action is enough to kill a Ghost?" She then waved a hand in Nine's direction, "The only reason that the Ghost is alive is that my brother brought it back!"
"My lady, we-"
"If it not for the wisps of Light lingering over the Ghost's core, I would have believed your report accurate." Dusk snarled, "But instead, you decided to leave such information out, solely from your own assumption. Absurd!"
"I- it is me, Blessed Phoenix." Warren spoke up once more, bowing low. Nine saw Elissa snap her head towards him, "I fired the shot into the Ghost's core, Elissa only fired at his Lord to protect me. I instigated the altercation."
'Warren?" Elissa questioned, "What are you-"
"I would need your Ghosts to confirm this."
This made the two Exo froze, and Nine couldn't help but stare in curiosity and wariness. He sensed reluctance from the pair but, the moment Dusk held out both her hands, the Titan and Hunter lifted themselves and held out their own, the familiar shape of their Ghosts compiling into view. As their Ghosts settled into Dusk's palm, that is when Nine spotted shimmers of light forming at her fingertips, glowing momentarily until it faded. She raised a hand, the one holding Elissa's Ghost, signaling it to return back to the Hunter. Warren's however, stayed in her palm.
"It seems you speak the truth." Dusk declared, "Your Ghost's memory collaborates with your claim. Thus, Hunter Elissa, you are free to go." Her optics narrowed, "However, Titan Warren, if you will."
She then held out her free hand, and Nine's gut twisted when the Titan reluctantly settled his hand into hers. It didn't ease when Elissa stepped forward.
"Wait!" The Hunter seemed desperate, "Can't we give him another chance? It was an honest mistake, he won't-"
"His mistake nearly costed the life of a Ghost that is bonded with a Phoenix, Hunter Elissa." Dusk's warning caused the Hunter to go silent, "If I were to let him go, then his next mistake may end a life. Permanently."
"But…" Elissa hesitated.
"Don't worry." Warren's words broke between the two, "You know as well as I do, Elissa, that it is painless. I won't feel anything."
"That is not what I'm worried about!"
Their words, the insinuation behind it made Nine uneasy now, but he continued to watch, watch as the Titan and Hunter stared each other down until finally, Elissa took a step back, hands curled into fists.
That is when light glowed from Dusk's hands once more and Nine spotted wisps of light crawling from Warren's arms, lingering, dancing until it swarmed up to Dusk's, seeping into the cracks of her armor. Then, the Titan swayed and right when the light faded, he fell to his knees. Dusk then released her hold on his arm, letting it drop to his side, and allowing him to place them onto the floor. Nine can hear the Titan rasp and wheeze.
"You are free to leave now, Warren-12."
The lack of a title didn't leave Nine's notice, and he continued to watch on as the Titan's Ghost attempted to leave Dusk's palm, words leaving its core. However, Dusk's fingers curled around it, tight enough to cease its movements but not enough to cause it harm. Elissa, on the other hand, her form trembling, kneeled next to Warren, and placed a hand upon his shoulders. Nine can sense the grief, the loss, and he couldn't help but be confused.
What had Dusk done?
Instinct told him to reach out, using his senses as his optics flickered. And it is then, he understood.
In his sight, Elissa's light glowed bright, her form illuminated by it. Warren on the other hand, is an empty silhouette, Nine watching as the last figments of his light faded from his shape.
"You took his light." He stated and he slowly turned his white optics towards Dusk. Her form is illuminated in his sight just before he released his senses, and then let his attention linger over to the Ghost in her hands. It has resumed its struggle, shell twisting between Dusk's fingers but, he could still see its optic; the once blue sheen is now a clear white.
"The Light shall be returned to its proper master." Dusk declared, "It does not mean I will have to take lives to accomplish it." She turned her optics to the Ghost in her hand; it ceased its struggles in response, "Although if anyone tries to get in my way…"
Dusk didn't finish her sentence but the meaning behind it isn't missed and Nine couldn't help but take in a breath, now on guard. He can sense the worry not just from Knight but from Day as well.
Seeing movement from the corner of his optic, Nine turned his attention back to Warren and Elissa, only to see the Hunter helping the Titan stagger to his feet. Then, he saw Elissa turn to Dusk and he can sense the pleading look behind her visor. He heard Dusk sigh.
"Outfit him with the essentials, just enough to help him survive out in the wilds." Nine saw her wave a hand, "I will release his Ghost momentarily, however, do not hope for their bonds to be renewed." Her optics glowed, "No one is chosen twice."
Despite Dusk's words, there is a breath of relief from the Hunter before she bowed deep. Then, she wrapped one of Warren's arms around her shoulders, allowing the Lightless Titan to lean upon her, and lead him out of the room. Nine waited until they were out of sight to speak.
"Have you always had the capability to take the light as you will? "
"You mean back when I was a slave under humanity?" Dusk scoffed, "If you want me to be honest, I am not sure. After all, I was programmed to be a medic, to tend to those who were injured during the war." She then lifted her hand, laxing her grip around Warren's Ghost. The latter took no time to slip out from her fingers and dart off. It doesn't take much to know where it is heading. Nine can sense Dusk's amusement.
"However, in this life, I discovered this talent by accident, when I was attacked by one of those thieves years ago." Her optics hardened, "He demanded my meager supplies, and when I refused, he tried to kill me. And Ember." Her Ghost, Nine realized. Then, he saw her smile, "I grabbed his arms, and the next thing I knew, the power of the light flow into me. And left the Titan." Dusk then shrugged, "Without his Light, I killed him and left his Ghost to wander." She hummed, "Now that I think about it, I am curious on what happened to it." Another shrug before she turned and gave Nine a soft smile, "But that is all in the past now. We should focus on the present and more importantly, you."
Nine blinked, "I gave you my name, what more do you want from me?"
"More than your name, silly." He heard the tease in Dusk's voice, "Come, let us give you new attire and then, find somewhere private where we may converse."
That is when Nine felt the nervous edge from Knight and he can hear Day shift their shell uncomfortably next him. Nonetheless, it seems he didn't have a choice, as before Nine could even answer, Dusk had strode towards him, hooked her arm under his and pulled him onto his feet. Then, before Nine could even gain his bearings, she started dragging him along. She is humming happily. Guess he has no choice but to play along.
Xxxxx
Having resurrected Echo during the Dark Ages, Reaver knows of Echo's temper better than any other Soldier of Light out there, even those the old Exo had considered his friends. Currently, if anyone where to see the Titan now, they would have seen his demeanor as calm, a lack of tension showing his collectiveness. However, to Reaver, he can see the way the Titan's fingers tapped repeatedly against the wheel of his ship, and he can hear the subtle grinding of Echo grinding his jaws together.
The Ghost sighed.
"You lost track of him, didn't you?"
Reaver couldn't help but be amused when Echo jumped in his seat before the Titan lifted his shoulders and turned to glower at him.
He clicked his shell against his core, "I thought you said that you have this subconscious ability to track down another Phoenix Exo."
"To a limit." Echo breathed out, "When I sensed him leave the Tower, I thought I had the time to grab our equipment and trail after him."
"But you calculated wrong."
"Shut up!"
Chuckling at his Guardian's frustrations, Reaver took the opportunity to turn his white optic towards the controls. His lone optic then narrowed, "Do you see this?"
"See what?"
Feeling his Guardian loom over him, Reaver then beamed his light over the controls, more specifically, a panel, bringing the holographic screen closer and zooming in onto its intended target, "That."
They were flying over a flat land, a land barren of any settlements or life. A faded trail can be seen where refugees used to take to trek to the City but it has long been abandoned after safer paths have been made. At least, that it supposed to be the case, but there, upon the screen, Reaver recognizes the armor of a Titan, fighting against a group of Fallen. And they were struggling, judging from the way they were fighting cautiously, keeping their distance. Something is wrong, and the Fallen seems to know it, as they openly jeered and slowly closed in.
Reaver turned his optic to his Guardian, "Echo."
"We do not have the time to stop and help." Reaver couldn't help but narrow his gaze at his Guardian, "If we stop now, we may never find Nine's trail."
"So we leave this Titan to die?" Reaver heard Echo scoff, "Echo."
"Reaver."
Pressing his shell against his core, the black Ghost glared into Echo's visor, sensing the hardened stare behind it. Keeping his ground, Reaver kept his gaze narrowed, only to turn gleeful when a sigh of defeat can be heard from his Guardian.
"Traveler, damn it." Echo grumbled, "Why do you always do this to me?"
"You lack a conscience, so I am your conscience."
Chuckling as his Guardian shook his head at his words, Reaver then glided towards Echo, releasing a small burst of light to help compile and connect with his Guardian's mind. It didn't take long before he is seeing through Echo's sight and he watched as the Titan released his hold on the controls, leaned back, and light flashed. Next, Echo landed upon dry terrain, a hand cannon in his hands. Then, he raised his weapon and fired.
The first bullet hits the back of a Dreg, sending it sprawling to the hearth before it could scream. The next it took the face of a turning Vandal, its head flying into a mix of blood and ether. That is when the rounds of an auto-rifle rang through the air followed by more Fallen falling to the hearth with a scream. It seems the Titan in peril had taken the distraction as an opportunity.
With this, Reaver heard Echo grunt as the Fallen turned their attention back towards the Titan behind him. Then, he holstered his hand cannon. Reaver hummed at this. He knows what it means. Thus, with morbid excitement, Reaver watched as violet wisps permeated from Echo's shoulders, cloaking his form. Then, he charged.
The sound of his feet rushing then must have caught the Fallen's attention once more, as they turned back to him however, as they fired, their shots harmlessly pelted the Void layer, leaving behind nothing but bursts of fog. Echo sprinted easily around them, leaving behind a trail of void light which spread. And latched onto the unsuspecting Fallen's legs. Reaver heard them scream, both in terror and in pain, as their limbs disappeared in flecks of violet before falling. Only for them to further scream as the void continued to eat away at them. It didn't take long before they all disappeared in flecks of light.
Taking in the sight of deteriorating Fallen, Reaver then spotted movement and they glanced that way, feeling Echo follow his line of sight. He spotted a fleeing Dreg in the distance.
"Echo."
"I see it."
It is quick, the way Echo aimed his weapon and fired a single shot. Although far, Reaver could tell that his Guardian had hit his target. The Dreg collapsed into a heap, still.
"Is that all of them?"
Humming in response to Echo's question, Reaver could sense the roll of his Guardian's optics before he went and holstered his hand cannon. Then, he turned to the other Titan.
Clad in dark gray armor, Reaver almost mistook the Exo's matching plating as his helmet until he spotted glowing azure peeking between his jaws. His helmet must have been damaged during the fight, further proven on how worn and dented his armor is. The mark around his waist is colored green but lacks any symbol or lettering which strikes Reaver as odd. Unless they have changed the meaning behind them, he knows that each mark holds a story, sewn into the hems with unique symbols. Maybe a new Light? But as Reaver glanced at the rifle in their hands, it looked too new, too recent to be one that was just picked up on the way. Unease settled into Reaver's core.
"You alright? You looked like you were having a bit of trouble-"
Echo's words were cut short as the Titan before then aimed his rifle and fired, causing Reaver to yelp as his Guardian reeled, the ringing of bullets hitting metal all too familiar.
"What in the Traveler fucking-" A snarl can be heard from the back of Echo's throat; Reaver is just relieved that his armor held against the spray, "Come here!"
Although he won't be saying the same thing for the Titan in front of them. At least, not when Echo gets his hands on him.
His Titan's shout prompted the attacking Titan to fire once more, which Reaver just sighed as bullets sprayed onto Echo. However, this time, he is ready, Reaver watching as wisps of void light permeated around Echo as he took strides forward. Then, he swung a hand, backhanding the weapon out of the offending Titan's grip before Echo snatched him by the front of his armor and pulled him close, their faces almost touching.
"What made you think it was a good idea to fire at a naturalborn, fool." Echo snarled.
If it were any Guardian, Reaver would have spotted the confusion, the fear when his Guardian is in fully display of his light, the Void spilling from his form and leaving behind a trail of fog. To Reaver's surprise however, he saw nothing of that sort in the Exo's azure optics and instead only saw anger, saw hate.
"Naturalborn or not, you Guardians are all the same, thieves of the Traveler's light."
There is a pause, a stunned silence, and Reaver couldn't help but sputter, "W-What?" Then, they saw Echo raise a hand, curling it into a fist. He saw the void light gathering around it, "Echo! Wait!"
There is a heavy release of breath from his Guardian, "What is it now?"
"This Exo," Reaver started, gathering his thoughts, "I think he might be part of that cult Loras is a part of."
"Excuse me?"
"J-Just don't kill him." The Ghost sensed Echo frown, "Look, who knows, we might know where this cult's base of operations is located if we ask." He paused, "Nicely."
"Nicely." Echo repeated as he scoffed, "Yeah, that worked really well with Loras."
"Loras?" Reaver heard the Titan in Echo's hand say, "You have Loras!? What have you done to him!? Thieves! Fucking thieves all of you-"
In any other situation, Reaver wouldn't have been taken aback when Echo leaned his head back and swung it into the head of his opponent; it is a consistent attack he would use when participating in the Crucible. However, this time, Reaver couldn't help but choke and cough when Echo's helmet let out an audible crack when colliding into the Exo's face. He panicked when the latter went slack in his Guardian's grip.
"Echo!"
"He's not dead!" Echo shouted back then, released an exasperated sigh, "He was pissing me off."
"There are other ways to get him to quiet down, you know?"
"Like a knife to the neck?"
"Echo, no."
Hearing another sigh from his Guardian, Reaver couldn't help but release a sigh of his own, "Come on, let's hand this one over to the Tower."
The Ghost felt his Guardian jerk, "What? Why? We can easily restrain him here and gather the information ourselves."
"And leave the Tower uninformed of all this?" Reaver heard Echo growl at his words, "I understand your hate towards the Tower and the City but no need to leave the innocent getting caught in the crossfire."
Another snarl.
"Echo." Reaver warned.
There is silence, a brief standoff between the two before Echo finally scoffed and hefted the unconscious Exo over his shoulders. Reaver started prepping the transmat.
"Sometimes." He heard his Guardian say, "I wonder why I listen to you."
Reaver simply beamed, "As I have said before, I am your conscience. You must listen to me. Most times."
There is another scoff from Echo but this one is softer, more endearing. Reaver just smiled.