Redacted

Silence

I actually was going to release this chapter yesterday, but then Fanfiction kept saying there was an error everytime I tried to upload the document. So, I had to wait until today to put up the chapter. Boo, and here I thought I was actually able to get back onto my regular update schedule. Anyway, enjoy this chapter guys!

Edited: 05/28/2023

Echo was not reviving.

In Nine's perspective, Echo's light shone like a beacon, bright even in the day. However, his light stayed within Reaver's core and Nine watched as the Ghost shifted their shell uneasily. He could hear him whisper, conversing quietly with their Chosen. It is telling enough that Echo himself refuses to revive.

In honesty, Nine wouldn't have minded this; Echo had sulked enough times back in the Crucible when he gets a kill in, But now, as he dodged another shot from Dusk's Golden Gun, he wishes he could run over and smack some sense back into the older Phoenix.

"How are you doing that!?", Dusk's roar of frustration brought Nine back to focus, prompting him to conjure another shield of light which caused another solar bullet to splinter into shards of embers, "Only the Unit V's were capable of such defense!"

Releasing a breath to help keep steady, to focus on keeping his shields ready, Nine simply gave Dusk a blank stare, "The Unit XI's were considered the best success by humanity, second only to Echo. Take a guess why?"

Hurt and anger flashed through Dusk's optics and Nine spotted the color of crimson as she fired more shots. Fortunately, shots that Nine had witnessed plenty of use within the Crucible. Sliding back to allow the bullets to hit concrete, Nine then threw an arm forward, his shield of light flying from it and skidded across the ground.

Nine had expected Dusk to dodge, thus, he couldn't help but be surprised when instead she braced her shoulder forward, brought her arms up, and barely flinched as the light induced shield slammed into her flaming form, disappearing into flecks of light. Blinking as he tried to comprehend what he had just witnessed, Nine then leaped to the side to dodge another solar bullet, rolling onto his knees, skidded to a stop, and then propelled himself forward.

He had intended to close in, break the range that Dusk had an obvious advantage over, but he barely covered half the distance before he skidded to a halt, barely stopping himself from getting hit as a solar bullet exploded right at his feet. Taking in a deep breath, Nine flexed his hands as he scanned Dusk's form, watching as she aimed her weapon but her finger remains steady. Her optics were narrowed and focused.

It is obvious she is trying to keep him at a distance and obvious to Nine that means Dusk is a long-distance fighter. Otherwise, she wouldn't be trying so hard. If he could just get in close, perhaps he would delay her long enough for Echo to snap out of it and help. Nine maybe the 'pinnacle' of the Phoenix Exo, but he knows enough that Dusk shouldn't be underestimated, even in close quarters.

Flexing his hands once more and rolling his shoulders, Nine dodged to the side as another Golden Gun was fired, feeling the heat brush near his side as he stumbled back.

"At this rate, one of you is going to tire out." Day muttered in his head, "and considering Dusk has more of the Traveler, I doubt it is going to be her."

Opting to say nothing at his Ghost's commentary, Nine instead focused his attention on Dusk, spotting the anger and frustration building within her optics.

"Patience is a virtue." He said.

Sensing Day's bewilderment through their bond, Nine decided not to elaborate and instead gathered his light around his person, raised a hand, and snapped it shut. Light then appeared around Dusk, forming into shapes and texture reminiscence of glass, and it circulated around her. Dusk look on in awe and confusion only to duck as an orb flew towards her. That is when the others attacked.

Nine guided the orbs of light, watching on as Dusk tried to run but they followed, and despite her weaving and dodging, they stayed close. He ducked when she aimed and fired a shot at him, however, unlike before, this one went wide, missing him completely as it landed far from where he stood. That is when an orb struck Dusk, causing her to stumble back. And that is when Nine saw her patience snap in her optics.

There is a frustrated cry from her as Dusk aimed her Golden Gun and fired at the flying orbs, the latter of which danced around as if to mock her further. All her shots missed their intended targets, leaving behind trails of flames and hitting the Plaza or left wasted into the air. Nine is glad he had told the other Guardians to clear the area.

And this is his chance.

Further condensing his light around him, Nine dashed forward, curling his fingers together as the orbs of light burst into a display of scattering lights and embers. This prompted a cry from Dusk, raising a hand to her optics. Using his light to propel himself faster, Nine then leaped forward, closing the last of the distance, and slammed himself into Dusk. He heard her shout, reeling as he felt the world fall. Nine couldn't help but feel a tad guilty as he used her as a cushion to soften his landing.

Nonetheless, he sat on top of her, brushing past her cursing as he wrapped his hands around her neck and concentrated, feeling warmth spread throughout his arms before it settled within his chest.

And a memory took hold.

"Not here."

A hand grabbed her, stopping her and she looked back, looking into the narrowed optics of Unit I-0. However, instead of the usual annoyance or anger, it is filled with wariness. And fear.

She pulled herself out from under his grip, "What is there to worry?"

"Did you not hear what happened to the Unit III's?" Unit I-0 hissed, "and now they are scared. If they catch us acting like anything else, then it maybe the Unit I's turn."

She scowled at him, "Act like anything else besides what?"

There is a hesitation, a flash of worry in Unit I-0's optic before he breathed out, "As machines, Unit I-1."

Taking in a harsh breath, she turned her attention to the humans around them, watching as they worked. It true that that their creators have ordered she and the other Units to behave but, they would not just simply decommission them for the sole reason that they acted out. Right?

"I am going to ask the humans tonight!" A conversation she had with Unit III-10 surfaced, recalling her fellow Phoenix beaming at her, "We have served them for years, only fair that we get an answer, correct?"

She has not seen her fellow Phoenix since. All she was told was that there had been a bug found amongst the Unit III's and they were all decommissioned.

Denial set in.

The Phoenix have worked with – for – humanity for years. They would not simply decommission just because of a simple question.

Steadfast, she brushed aside Unit I-0's concerns and moved forward. She could easily feel his gaze upon her back.

Approaching the closet human, she waited, waited until the human working upon the console noticed her presence.

"Yes, Unit I-1?" He asked.

That is when she hesitated, fumbling over her words. What is the best way to say this? She took in a breath.

"Unit I-0 and I are in an intimate relationship."

"Unit I-1!"

She felt a hand grab her shoulder, pulling her back and pulling her by the arm. Tugging, she turned, parted her mouth to retort, only to pause. She has never seen so much fear in his optics before.

Thus, she remained quiet, letting him lead her away. From there, she felt the eyes of the human who had heard her confession stare before she heard the familiar sound of a communication link opening upon the console.

He whispered, more than likely an attempt to hide what he is saying from her and Unit I-0. But humanity made their craft too well.

"Sir, we may have a problem."

Nine gasped as he tore his hands away from Dusk's neck, feeling the lingering wisps of her light fade from his chest. He coughed, his throat tight as he locked his optics with hers. Dusk stared back, optics wide.

"You." Nine managed out, "You were the reason why the Unit I's were terminated."

Seeing her lights flicker between her plating, Nine watched on as anger flared to life in her gaze. Followed by pain.

Then, the next thing he knew, Nine found himself lying on the broken floor of the Plaza, optics clearing of static.

"I was young and naïve, ignorant of what humanity were capable of." Dusk loomed over him; Nine took note of how quickly she moves once more, "I had thought that all our years of service, all of those years in gaining precious resources for humanity, that the Unit I's would be exempt from whatever rules, whatever punishments were given to the other Units." She scowled, "In the end, our reward was to be dismantled and recycled into those imitations."

Watching her kneel over him, Nine pressed his hands against the ground, preparing himself to move in case she attacked. Instead, their optics stayed together, locked on until finally, Dusk spoke again.

"I read through that AI's files." She started, "So tell me, little brother, how many of your Unit was marked defective after the war was over?"

That is when Nine pressed himself against the floor as if to disappear, the brightness in his optics dimming. He wanted to remain silent, to remain quiet at her question but then, he felt fingers slide over his temples, tapping against his plating. Considering that he had done something similar to her earlier, Nine knew that she would get her answers, if he was willing or not.

"Including myself, three of us made it the end of the war." He said, "however, the two that were with me were marked for termination, thus, were not given away as I was."

"For the reason that they believed you to be a hero?" Nine flinched at her words; how much did she read? Then he saw her smile. It is obvious his question was upon his face.

"Just because you ordered that AI to delete all files related to you, does not mean that I cannot restore it." Dusk explained, "To think though, that the humans were fooled by one of their own just because a simple static in memory was convincing enough."

"Hwan Lee knew what he was doing." Nine found himself blurting, watching as the smile upon her face faded, "He ensured that I would have a second chance."

"At the cost of his own life, correct?" Nine went quiet at Dusk's words, "I wonder how that must have felt, pressured into killing the first human that treated you will, just so you can escape being decommissioned."

The look upon her face seems almost wistful, and Nine couldn't help but say, "Not all humans are blinded by greed, Dusk." He watched her look away, frowning, "It is just unfortunate that most are likely to be blinded by their own arrogance."

That is when Dusk leaned back, turning her optics back towards him, different colors flashing through them before finally, they settled back onto the familiar sheen of white.

"How unfortunate indeed." She said.

That is when he felt her hands clasp the side of his head, prompting Nine to snap his hands out and grab her by the wrists. However, by then, he could already feel his light leaving him, wisps of white filtering near the edges of his optics as his vision blurred.

"Finally, that little brat is out of our hair."

Twitching at the words from the man of the house, he simple shifted his seat upon the boy's bed, clutching the jar that held Ben's ashes as he continued to listen.

"Now we can stop pretending and have one less thing to worry about." He heard the man laugh, "Our life of luxury may continue unbothered."

His lower jaw trembled, feeling his hands go tight around Ben's ashes. To hear a man talk about his son, who had gotten ill and – immune to the healing effects of the Traveler – wither away with no remorse. Anger built within his chest.

Feeling his hands tremble, he stood from his seat and slowly and carefully placed the urn down upon a dresser. He was not going to drop the closest thing to a family since working for the Martins.

"What are we going to do about the boy's ashes?"

"Display it." The nonchalant answer of the father prompted the Exo to halt in his steps, "and then cry whenever it is mentioned."

"Of course, to keep our image clean." It is the mother who spoke next. Then she scoffed, "If it was not for that, I would have gotten rid of the boy years ago."

Her words, spoken so ill of her own child, brought the years of suppressed anger, of suppressed hate to the surface. And he felt the pressure in his chest burst.

Curling his hands into a fist, he stepped out into the hallway, slowly making his way to the living area.

"What about the machine?" He heard the mother ask.

"What about it?" The father answered.

"You saw how close it was to the boy? Do you think that it is going to affect it in a way?"

A laugh is her answer, "We ordered it to raise the child, not because it wanted to." There is a brief pause. Knowing the man, he would not be surprised if he is taking a swig of his drink. "Machines are just as they are. Machines. Unfeeling, obedient, and made to serve man. Talking like as thought the thing can get attached. Pfeh."

That is when he decided to make himself known, coming to a stiff halt just near the entrance of the living area.

"Ah! There you are!" It is the father who noticed him first, "Be a good bot and bring another bottle!"

As if to empathize his words, the man gestured towards the empty bottles upon the table and the near empty glass in his hands. A quick glance at the wife shows that she too is now quite inebriated. Then he turned and the pair resumed their conversation.

Instead of heeding the father's command, the Exo simply stared and then took slow and methodical steps until he was behind the man. Then, he snapped his hands out, wrapping them around the father's neck. He felt the man go rigid under his hands before he heard him choke. Then, the father startled to struggle in his grip. Ignoring the screams from the wife, the Exo waited, feeling the man's panic and struggling under his hands until finally, he twisted.

A sickening crack can be heard, and the father went limp in his grip. Releasing him, the Exo couldn't help the sick satisfaction settle into his core as the body slumped, leaning to the side until finally, it fell. He heard the wife shriek and he saw her get up from her seat. But he was faster.

"You defect!" He heard her shout as he easily snatched her by the arm, pulling her back before she could even run, "You think you can get away with this!? They will tear you apart you accursed-"

He didn't let her finish.

Like with the father, he grabbed her by the neck and with one swift movement, felt it snap under her grip. She too went limp, her body collapsing to the floor the instant he released his hold.

Then, he stared.

He should feel better than this, shouldn't he? He had taken the lives of the humans who had abused him, and neglected their son, even with his illness. However, despite the satisfaction that their deaths have upon him, the emptiness, the void within his chest stayed.

Instead, all he felt was grief of loss and the rage at the parents' swift deaths. Perhaps, he should have made them suffer, that is what they did to their son – to Ben – after all. It was a rare case, but there were some whose body rejected the gifts of the Traveler. And it was a slow death, Nine holding Ben in his arms as the child cried in a body that refused to obey his command but is wracked with pain.

"Someone has to pay." He whispered, feeling his anger simmer within his chest. Then, he turned his optics to the front door, the edges of his vision turning red as he said, "Someone has to."

With a shout, Nine tore Dusk's hands from his head before snapping one froward, and released a blast of light from his fingertips. There is a cry of shock, hearing staggering steps above him. Nine took it as a sign to quickly turn onto his stomach, clumsily pushing himself onto his feet, and shook his head to rid the last of the memory from his mind. Then, he prepared himself for a fight.

However, as he looked up and locked onto Dusk, he saw only a mixture of confusion and curiosity in her optics.

"You didn't kill the Martins and the other humans for your mistreatment?" Nine paused at her words, "You kill them because of that child?"

Finding himself lowering his guard at her question, Nine decided to take a few steps back as a precaution. Then he answered, "Yes."

"Why?"

"Was your exposure to humans that limited, Dusk?" Nine found himself speaking before he could even think, watching as Dusk's optics dimmed and her expression going blank, "Have all the ones you met treated you with such prejudice and hate that it made you believe all of humanity are the same? That even a child would carry such arrogance?"

Then he paused, watching at the minuet shift of her expression, at the way her optics flickered subtly near the edges, "Have you even met a human child, Dusk?"

That is when Dusk's optics darkened, her lights almost absent, "You mean besides the ones that my handlers forced me to kill?"

Nine stared, "Then, you experienced the innocence of a child."

"Does it matter?" Dusk snapped, her lights flaring back to life, "They will all learn the matters of greed when they age, when they reach the age of an adult. They will eventually see themselves as better!"

Grief slipped through Nine's grip, feeling it settle within his chest at her words.

He breathed out, "Echo and I, we thought that there would be hope for you."

Dusk seems to pause at his words, seeing her optics dim, "I had hope for you as well." Then, her lights brighten, "But I can see that none of us will get what we want."

Watching as her shoulders square out, feet pressing against the floor, Nine barely had enough time to hold out his hands, and then felt an impact slam into his palms. His light barely protected him from her flames.

That is when pain spiked from his right hand, prompting Nine to glance over, and barely caught the tip of a solar knife through the back of his hand. He looked back, only to see Dusk, weight against her knife before she flashed him a smile. Then, she twisted.

Nine's body reacted against his will, feeling it contort with Dusk's movement until he found his feet kicked out underneath him, sending him sprawling onto his back.

Feeling a weight upon his chest, Nine only had enough time to lift his head, gaining a better glimpse of Dusk before feeling a sensation that felt like a punch slam into his neck, just under his jaw. Feeling a dull thrum from the impact, Nine went to move, pressing a hand against the cement. Only to wheeze and cough, static coming from his throat. That is when he felt the fluids trickling down his neck. And saw the flash of guilt and grief in Dusk's optics.

Shifting his attention away from her face, Nine instead trailed down to her arm, then her hand, and saw that her fingers were wrapped around the handle of another knife of solar light. One that he can see now is stabbed into his neck.

He let out another cough, this time, feeling the fluids leave his mouth before he reached out with his left hand clamped tightly around Dusk's wrists.

"D-Dusk." Nine managed to croak out. He saw her optics flicker.

"I really didn't want to do this, brother." Dusk whispered, her optics dimmed, "But you and Echo, you two kept getting in the way. I didn't see another path besides, this."

She heaved out the last word, as if struggling with her own decision. But nonetheless, Nine spotted the minuet way her fingers went tight around the handle of her knife, watching as Solar light sparked between her fingertips. And then, he spotted wisps of light slither up her arm.

That is when Nine sensed the panic from Day.

"What are you doing!?" His Ghost's voice resounded in his head followed by Knight's panic; Nine could practically hear him scream as well, "Do something! Don't just lay there and take it!"

It took Nine a moment to understand, to realize that the sensation of grogginess isn't from the loss of his lifeblood. He focused, keeping his hand locked around Dusk's wrist, and breathed in. Nine felt himself rejuvenated, his optics clearing.

That is when, from the corner of his vision, he saw Dusk' s expression contorts, easily sensing her frustration.

Pain then spiked from his neck, Nine taking in a rattling gasp as he felt the knife dig in deeper. He locked his static vision onto Dusk's.

"Do not fight it." He heard her whisper before he felt a hand cradle the back of his head, firm but gentle, "Do not make this anymore painful than it needs to be." Static nearly consumed Nine's sight but he felt her lean in, her presence looming, almost comforting, "Accept it."

The grief that Nine felt within his mind is muddled, unable to see if it was from Knight, Day's or both, but he did feel one thing strongly resonate within his chest.

He failed.

He had failed again.

Sorrow and regret took hold of him, and as the last of his vision faded, Nine allowed the darkness to take. He heard the wails of both Knight and Day echo in his head as he faded away.

Xxxxx

Feeling her brother go limp under her, a knot form in Dusk's throat as she tugged her knife free from his neck. She allowed the light – his light – to settle within her core.

Slowly, she stood, keeping her gaze upon Nine's corpse. Or more so, his body.

Despite taking his light, Dusk can still sense the Traveler's power thrum strongly within him. Although she drained him to prevent Nine from healing or possibly reviving, he will rise again. She hopes, by then, her task of clearing the Guardians and claiming the City under the Traveler's name will be complete.

At least, that is when she thought, but when she turned, Dusk felt the familiar heat of solar light against her back, and she immediately raised her guard, gripping her knife back into her hands.

"You killed him!"

It resembled so much Nine's voice, but that tinge of youth, a pitch lower than the voice of her brother that it prompted Dusk to pause. And she found herself being bodily tackled.

Fortunately, unlike Echo's, this one lacked the strength, the proper form to bring her down but, Dusk felt hands grip the front of her arm, feeling a shoulder against her chest, and her feet being lifted off the ground. However, just like the tackle, this one lacked the experience, the proper stance and thus, as she felt herself being flipped, Dusk kicked as the last of her feet treaded air, giving her momentum to tear herself out of the offender's grip and land back onto her feet.

She turned and Dusk found herself staring into Nine's optics. Or at least, at first, but she took notice of the expression, obviously contorted into one of rage, and the flashes of grief and anger in his gaze.

"You killed Nine!"

The Exo before her shouted and finally, Dusk understood.

"He was not lying." She whispered and he saw 'Nine' – the other consciousness – flinch, "There is another sharing his body."

It would make sense, the shift in his light back when she had healed his Ghost; she had thought after that it was a simple reaction, a lapse in guard. To think that there really is another consciousness sharing his body.

A war cry pulled Dusk out of her thoughts, and she leaned to the side as the young Exo charged past. She watched on as he stumbled and then caught himself.

"How long ago were you created?"

Dusk couldn't help it, but she had to ask, not after seeing the way his shoulders were slumped, the way his breathing hitched, a near hiccup. She is not comfortable killing a 'child' in terms of the Phoenix, especially one inexperienced as this.

Contemplating what to do, Dusk heard another rush of footsteps and this time, as she stepped to the side, she swung her leg forward, hooking it into the charging Exo. She heard him yelp as he flipped into the air, and then a wheeze as he landed heavily onto his back. He didn't even know how to land properly to avoid the impact upon his artificial lungs.

"You have a long way to go before you can take on someone like me, sparkling." Dusk said as she watched him turn onto his side with a cough, "Let alone stop me."

He looked up at her, and Dusk could spot the anger, the hate. And the grief.

"Why?" She heard him say, demand, "Why?!"

Dusk didn't have to ask what he meant.

She didn't answer, at least, not at first, not until the young Exo staggered to his feet.

"He was in my way."

His optics flashed at her, anguished, "Is that all? You killed him because he got in your way?"

Despite wanting to look away, Dusk forced herself to look, to keep her gaze steady upon the young Exo's, "I didn't want to do it."

"But you did it anyway!"

His shout made Dusk jump, but she stood her ground, especially when she spotted the vastness of sadness in his optics.

She deserves this.

"Did you know what Nine's last thoughts were?" A bitter laugh can be heard from the young Exo, "I thought it was going to be with Ianos and the others, most likely Hush, and if not, then Ben, the child he had raised as his own in his previous life." He shook his head, "But no, it was you." Dusk tensed, optics wide, "It was you he had thought of how much guilt he had for not being unable to save you from your want of vengeance, from your hate." The laughter died in the young Exo's throat, and his expression went blank, "Before we found out about you, about all this, Nine told me how revenge can feel good, how satisfying it is when you get back at those who took everything from you." Grief flashed back into his optics, "But then he said he realized that no matter the reason, no matter the action, it won't undo what had happened. The dead will stay dead, the past, will remain the past. Nothing you do will matter."

Dusk couldn't help but wince at his words, feeling her core twist. Is that true? Even if she were to get back at humanity, it would do nothing? Feel like nothing?

She shook her head.

No, all this time, all this work, she cannot step back now. Humanity deserves this.

Despite this, Dusk found herself slowly approaching the young Exo, taking in his words. They rang true within her. And she decided that it is best to get them out of the way.

Thus, she focused her light on her hand feeling the handle of a knife solidify in her grasp as she came to a slow halt in front of the young Exo. She is an arm's length away from him. Dusk raised the blade, shifting her optics to his neck. However, as she readied herself to thrust it in, her conscience tugged at her, whispering in her sensors.

Is what she is doing really the right call?

It tugged at her core, causing her to hesitate as she investigated the young Exo's optics. He stared back, unblinking.

"Do it." Dusk flinched as he spoke, "Do it, so you can live with the guilt of not only killing your brother, but also killing me, his creation, his 'offspring'."

This revelation caused Dusk to halt; optics wide. Nine had created this consciousness before her? Why? Does that mean that Nine…

He had wanted to die.

The thought hit her hard and Dusk found her aim shifting, and instead, stabbed her knife in between the young Exo's neck and shoulder, digging into the crook of his neck. She felt it hit his core and his body went limp under the blade. There was no gasp, no shift in expression. Dusk had made his death quick.

Watching as the young Exo collapsed to the cement, still, Dusk found her blade slipping from her fingers. That is when she noticed the way her hands trembled. She brought them close to her chest, clutching them close as she turned towards the City. And settled her optics onto the Traveler.

"You confound me." She whispered as she took steps towards it, as if to close the distance between herself and it, "You chose humanity but yet, you still chose to resurrect my brethren, to fight as they did in their previous lives." She paused, searching the Traveler's broken form, "Did we not do enough back then? Did we not act as tools of humanity just as it demanded of us?" Then she looked around the Traveler, as if to find anything, answers, "Were we not obedient enough?"

The thought struck a chord. Were the Phoenix really destined to be mere servants of humanity? Then, are they truly not the Traveler's Acolytes? That Echo's words that they were the products of humanity's pride and greed true then?

Dusk looked up at the Traveler, hoping, praying for an answer. She received none. That is when something snapped within her.

"Why won't you say something?" She demanded, "Anything?" Dusk gritted her jaw when the Traveler remained silent, "Tell me if my actions are wrong! Are they wrong!?" She pressed a palm against her chest as she took another step, as if to intimidate, "Or am I justified!?" Her jaw trembled when there is still no answer, "Say something you corpse of a god! Or else I will burn your precious Chosen and their Haven! Say! Something!"

Dusk felt her core burn as she took in heavy breaths, "Then did I kill Echo and my brother for nothing? That even if I do raze this place to the ground, that humanity will remain as your chosen? And that the Phoenix are merely a product of theft?" She pressed a hand to the pack behind her waist, feeling the optics that she had stolen from the Exo earlier. The hope of bringing back the brother that once had them vanished, "That we aren't your Acolytes and us being chosen was coincidental?"

Turning her optics to the floor, Dusk's core felt heavy within her chest before she breathed out, "Fine then, if you will not answer…"

Then with a scream, she released her light, flames lashing out. From the corner of her optics, she saw it burn, charring anything it touched, and she reached out.

Just as she felt a powerful light approach from behind.

She gasped as she felt an impact slam into her back and just like that, Dusk felt her light come to a halt, as if a gate suddenly shut. Feeling her body go numb, she found herself falling back going limp as she felt arms hook under hers, slowing her descent.

"I'm sorry." Dusk felt arms cradle her close, "I'm sorry, forgive me."

Confused at the apologies, Dusk instead felt a protrusion from her chest and as she looked down, she spotted the tip of a white blade, pierced easily through her chest plate. She could feel it draining her light, her life as she felt the arms holding her clutch her form, bringing her close as her face pressed against his shoulder. Dusk can hear him continue to murmur out apologies.

Echo.

She realized as she felt a hand cradle the back of her head, hearing the grief in his voice. It is hardly a whisper in her sensors.

Nonetheless, Dusk didn't have the energy to fight, the will to resist, and thus, she pressed herself into her lover's arms and released one final sigh of content.

Xxxxx

The blade was made from the Traveler's shell.

As loyal as any Ghost, Reaver had been there when Echo long ago had felt the call of the Traveler pull him towards a part of the City, isolated and abandoned, under its broken form. From there, after a bit of prodding and guidance, Echo was able to unearth what looked to be a sword hidden beneath some rubble. From what his Chosen had explained, the whispers of the Traveler had told him that it is a blade that enhances the light of the wielder and drains the light of those it harms.

If such a gift is known amongst the Guardians, no doubt it will be sought after, thus Echo had kept its existence hidden, but not before wielding it himself. Indeed, it made utilizing the light more efficient and helped the bearer last longer in a fight. However, compared to Echo, who is made wholly of the Traveler, it did little and for years it stayed in the vault, both Chosen and Ghost confused by the Traveler's gift. Now, Reaver wonders if it had seen Dusk's resurrection coming and had appointed Echo as the one who had to stop her.

Thinking back, it took Reaver a moment to realize that his Chosen had put the pieces together first, back before they had their final confrontation with Dusk, and for the first time since knowing his Chosen, a look of despair flashed onto Echo's face. The Ghost looked on confused and concerned as it took on the form of anger, Echo cursing at the Traveler before he broke down, crying to Reaver that he would not be able to do it. He refused to elaborate when prompted.

But what can Reaver do? He is just a Ghost, a simple piece of the Traveler that was released just before it went into dormancy. There wasn't much he could do except convince Echo to at least talk to Dusk, a vain attempt to take a step away from her wrath.

To make it so that the blade was not needed.

Now, Reaver could not help but feel helpless, watching on with a blank optic as he felt the anguish, the grief of his Chosen as Echo continued to cradle Dusk in his arms, the weapon that the pair had hoped to avoid using lodged within her chest. He sighed; it won't be long until other Guardians stumble upon a despairing Echo. No doubt questions will be asked, questions that will lead back to the origins of the Phoenix.

Turning his optic to the Traveler in the sky, Reaver scanned his white optic over its decaying form.

"We made it this far." He said, "So please, help me keep Echo together, help me keep him safe, just for a bit longer?"

Despite his plea, Reaver was none too surprised when all he received was silence.