Redacted

What Have You Done?

Sorry for the late update, had work this weekend.

Thanks to Guest, The Great Wolf 117, and Diamond002 for the reviews!

Guest - Bring on the tears! and Thanks lol

Edited: 09/17/2023

Akiva is uncertain if the Revenants followed the same rituals as the Tower although, he felt that there was no other way but to cremate Isamu's body. Otherwise, traversing through the trees while the Revenant was still intact would be painstakingly slow and hazardous. The Fallen still roam around these parts after all. Thus, after cremating Isamu's remains, Akiva now carries him in a decorated canister thanks to Ace, the Ghost having been awakened from the gunshot that claimed the Revenant's life.

"When you are as old as Ianos and I, you learn to carry them around." He remembers Ace saying when Akiva asked about it, "Otherwise, how else would you be able to bring those we had lost out in the field in the midst of battle?"

Akiva decided not to ask further after hearing that and said nothing when the Ghost compiled back into Ianos, more than likely to join their Guardian back into sleep.

Nonetheless, despite the relief that Isamu was now in peace, Eidr's cries kept a constant reminder that that the Revenant had left a child behind. Despite Scorpio's best attempts to calm the infant down, Eidr continue to sob and wail as if he knew of the passing of his father. Akiva just hopes that when the infant grows, that the deaths of his parents would be nothing more than a dream.

"How much longer until we reach this base of yours?" It was Nine who asked, the former still carried Ianos in his arms close to his chest, "It already has been several hours since we had set out on foot."

"We're almost there." Crystalline's response was immediate, Akiva seeing wisps of light leaving her form, leaving behind a thin trail, "Just have to be careful when we enter Revenant territory."

A sense of unease settled into Akiva's chest, "And why is that?"

"I did say that the Revenants are paranoid, right?" Crystalline reminded, "If your Ghost isn't emanating the right balance of light and darkness, they will attack."

Akiva wheezed, "Attack?"

"To kill." He gave Crystalline a blank stare at her answer, "Like I said, we're all paranoid and – oh."

Akiva couldn't help but be nervous, "What?"

"I forgot to mention." Crystalline started, "But this isn't the first time a Revenant Ghost led Tower Guardians to a base before." Akiva doesn't like the implications behind her words, "And when I mean led I mean against their will."

"Against their…" Akiva's mouth went dry, "Crystalline, are you saying that since more than likely they will recognize you but not us, that they will automatically assume that you are our prisoner?"

"In retrospect, yes." Crystalline's shell tapped against her core repeatedly, "Especially since I had not contacted them since Hush's resurrection. Stay back a bit and – too late."

That is when Akiva felt a heavy presence settle over his shoulders, and his ears picking up movement behind the trees. Movement that is obviously not amongst their group.

"Incoming!"

Another warning from Crystalline prompted Akiva to leap back, just as an explosion rang in his ears and his vision went white. His body felt light, feeling the ground absent beneath his feet followed by Lex shouting in his ears and the familiar sound of his shields shattering. Pain then soon followed, spreading through his body as he then felt his back collide with the ground followed by a bounce, then landing and skidding on his side. The world was spinning as he came to a slow stop.

"Akiva? Akiva are you alright?" Akiva groaned in response to Lex's calls.

"You're alive." A breath of relief from Lex and then a pause, "I don't know if that's good or bad."

Releasing another moan, Akiva opted to ignore Lex's words before he turned onto his chest, pressing his hands against the ground to push himself onto his knees. That is when he looked over where he had been previously standing.

A smoldering crater, wisps of black smoke lingering over the middle, lay where he and the others once stood and Akiva flinched at the thought of what would happen if Crystalline had not yelled out, had not shouted out her warning.

Concern settling into his chest for the others, prompting him to look around. Eidr's cries made it easy for Akiva to investigate the trees and he breathed out a breath of relief when he saw the twins emerge; credit to Pluto for teaching the twins to have fast reflexes. That is when Akiva decided to look for Nine, his worry blooming once more. Unlike he and the others, Nine is encumbered, carrying another Guardians in his arms and when Akiva couldn't see the Phoenix Exo through the smoke, he staggered to his feet.

That is when he realized his hands were empty.

Panic took over his worry as Akiva fumbled, his golden eyes wide as he searched the hearth, regret settling in as he recalled ignoring Lex when his Ghost offered to take Isamu's remains into his vault. But it didn't feel right to him, to transfer the remains of a chosen into digitalized pack. To Akiva, it would be disrespectful, wrong. Now though, Akiva regretted not listening.

However, it didn't take long for him to spot the familiar ornated container not too far, and Akiva ran towards it. Only to yelp as a bullet ricocheted between him and the makeshift urn. His heart skipped a beat when the canister bounced.

"Don't move!"

Snapping his eyes to his side, Akiva then froze when he found himself staring down the barrel of a sniper, the Chosen behind it wearing the familiar garbs of a Hunter.

"I have one!" He heard her shout.

Hearing more movement behind the trees, Akiva decided to slowly raise his hands in surrender, keeping them in the air as the Hunter approached and snatched his hand cannon from his waist.

"We have two more over here!"

Flicking his eyes over to where he last saw the twins, Akiva saw Scorpio and Gemini now back-to-back, the former clutching Eidr's still crying form against his chest as two more Hunters aimed their weapons at them.

"Have you spotted the last one!?"

"No! Not yet!"

Last one?

Akiva's eyes then grew wide when it clicked.

"Nine!"

Lowering his hands, Akiva went to turn, to run towards the smoking area where he and the others once stood, only to halt when he felt pressure under his jaw. He then remembered the barrel of the sniper pointed his way.

"I am only going to warn you once." The Hunter warned, using the barrel of her sniper to force Akiva to turn and look her way, "Move and your head gets blown off."

Gulping, Akiva didn't move but instead flicked his eyes back to the smoldering crater, straining to see through the dust.

"Wait, I see movement."

Flicking his eyes towards one of the Hunters – another emerging from the trees – Akiva watched as the latter aimed his scout rifle and approached the crater cautiously.

"Wait, are you certain?" The Hunter before him spoke, "Pael's shot was pretty spot on."

"Cole, you know me well enough that I don't say bullshit." The Hunter approaching the crater paused and looked their way; he can sense the scowl behind his helmet, "I swear upon the Darkness and the Light that I saw movement in there." The Hunter's attention then turned back to the smog, "But Pael also never misses."

"First time for everything?"

"I heard that!"

If it wasn't for their lives being at stake, Akiva would have found the Hunters' bickering amusing, funny even, but instead he brushed the thought aside and squinted into the smoke. That is when he spotted a minuet shift through the smoke.

"Nine!" Akiva shouted again, only to find himself leaning his head back as the barrel pressed more firmly against his jaw.

"Shut your mouth." The Hunter before him warned, prompting Akiva grit his jaw, flicking his eyes back to the crater. The movement within is more prominent, leaving behind gaps within. And the other Hunters have noticed, with two more joining in on cautiously approaching the crater, weapons raised.

"Cole, orders?" One of them asked.

Seeing the Hunter shift her head towards the other three, Akiva's eyes grew wide when he heard her command, "Kill them. We got all the prisoners we need to get answers."

"Wait!" Akiva started, "We-"

An impact slammed into the side of his face followed by a crack, and Akiva found himself stumbling, reeling his arms to keep his balance as pain bloomed from his jaw.

"I gave you a chance."

That is when Akiva felt the barrel of her sniper press against his midsection – one of the few places not protected by steel – and he sucked in a breath, waiting for the familiar sensation of a bullet piercing through his gut.

That is when there is a flash, his vision going white followed by a shot and then a shout of surprise. Blinking rapidly as the white faded, Akiva then saw a wall of light, fogged, and cracked.

"What in the-"

There is another shout of surprise from the Hunter before him as another shield of light slammed into the front of her, Akiva looking on with wide eyes as she was pushed away and then eventually pinned against one of the many trees.

"Cole!"

Hearing one of the Hunters call out for their leader, Akiva saw one of the Hunters near the crater turn, ready to help, only for him to scream as a blast of light came from the smoke, hitting them squarely in the back. He sprawled onto the earth, groaning, and Akiva saw the others turn and aim.

"Wait! Stop!"

Akiva shouted out, taking steps to the Hunters only to leap back as shots landed near his feet, prompting him to snap his attention towards the twins. There, he could see Gemini fighting and eventually wrenching her attacker's gun away from them before turning it around and firing it into the chest of the Hunter looming over her brother. Seeing Scorpio then shoulder charge the one looming over his sister, Akiva decided then to focus his light on his body before shifting most of it around his hands.

Then, he charged, leaped, and slammed his fists onto the hearth where the two Hunters near the crater stood.

Akiva heard their cries, their shouts before the crackle of lightning followed. He looked up in time to see the outlines of their bodies dissipate in sparks of blue and their Ghosts compiling into view. He snatched them, easily grabbing them both in one hand as he heard them let out shouts, cries, before curses soon followed. Ignoring them, he took the opportunity to step into the smoke.

"Nine?" Akiva called out, "Nine, I know that was you who saved me, say something."

"Here…"

Perking at the sound of Nine's voice, Akiva carefully stepped through the smog until he spotted the familiar glow of white.

"Nine!" He called out as he approached, using his arms to blow away the worst of the smoke.

The instant his eyes fell upon Nine, he came to a halt.

Akiva had heard of the Phoenix Exo's durability, at how most bullets would bounce harmlessly off their plating. He guesses that it is not the same for rocket launchers.

The explosion had knocked Nine's helmet off, revealing the scorch marks upon the right side of his face and even cracked through the plating, revealing the mesh of wires, and exposing the optic. His right arm is also missing, black near the edges. Judging from the way his robes were nearly black on his right side, it is obvious that it took the brunt of the hit.

"Nine." Akiva managed to say before walking over and settling onto his knees, "Are you alright?"

A stupid question but Akiva wasn't sure what else to say, how to help, especially when Nine turned to look at him. He blanched at the absence of the plating around his right optic, making it wide, and uncomfortable to look at it.

"I am not – as you say – alright." As usually, his voice is even, tone-deaf, leaving no sign of pain or even being hindered, "More so, I cannot heal like this."

Heal?

Questions lingered to the forefront of Akiva's mind, but he quickly shoved his curiosity down. He keeps forgetting that Nine isn't like other Guardians. He will just chalk it up to him being a Phoenix. Instead, Akiva found his panic dwindling – but his guard remained – and it was then he finally noticed Ianos' absence.

"Wait, where's Ianos?" Akiva asked and he watched as Nine's optics flickered before subtly nodding his head to his left.

Following the Exo's direction, it was then, Akiva spotted a subtle glow through the smoke and as he focused upon it, he can see Ianos' silhouette, laying upon his back, and a barrier of light erected around him.

Akiva found himself releasing a breath, "Is there anything you can't do?"

As he turned to Nine he could see a flicker of amusement, a tinge of mirth in his optics before suddenly, he fell forward.

Letting out a yelp, Akiva leaned over, barely catching Nine by the shoulders and helped steady.

"W-Where's Crystalline?"

Nine's voice is now tinged with static, the subtle lift of his head rigid, but the mention of Hush's Ghost distracted Akiva enough to lift his head and look around.

"Crystalline!" He shouted, "Crystalline!" Akiva waited a beat, licked his lips, and then shouted once more, "Crystal!"

"For crying out loud! I hear you!"

Snapping his attention to his right, Akiva let out another breath when he spotted Crystalline's shifting lavender shell appear through the smoke. Dusty, but otherwise okay.

"How did you…" Akiva started.

There is a huff from the Ghost followed by her shell shifting against her core, "Nine grabbed me and threw me as hard as he could." She then sniffed, Akiva watching on her optic looked away, "I'm okay but just…" He saw her hesitate, shell pressing against her core, "Just don't do that again."

Confused, Akiva wanted to question, to ask why; Nine after all, saved her life. But before he could even part his lips to ask, Crystalline turned to the Exo. And her optic narrowed.

"Can you heal yourself?" She asked.

Nine shook his head, "Not without Day's help and there are currently…" He released a deep heavy breath, "indisposed."

"What?" Akiva found himself standing, "What happened?"

"The battle with Jora." Nine answered, "The blast of darkness weakened Day severely." He looked to the hearth, "They are not able to help me at least, not now."

Furrowing his brows together, Akiva found himself unable to find words, unable to fully understand. Nonetheless, he held out a hand, prompting Nine to look up, flick his optics back and forth between it and his face before finally reaching out with his functioning hand and grabbed it. Slowly, Akiva helped him to his feet, pulling Nine close to help steady him.

"This was a nice welcoming party."

Akiva glanced over his shoulder, spotting the twins approach; he can sense the obvious frown from Gemini.

"How in the Traveler are we going to get Ianos help now?" She asked.

There is a cough from Crystalline, "Any of them conscious?"

That is when Akiva decided to look around; he had counted a total of six hunters and currently he has two of their Ghosts in one hand. A quick glance at the twins showed that they have one each clenched in their hand. A fifth he spotted quickly; it was hiding in the tree lines, hiding away once Akiva caught sight of it. More than likely waiting until the proper time to resurrect their Chosen. Finally, his eyes settled over to the Hunter who had originally had her weapon aimed at him, and he could see her still pressed up against the trees, Nine's light keeping her immobilized. She is still struggling to shove it off her, Akiva spotting sparks of arc light emitting from her shoulders.

Crystalline must have spotted her too for Akiva then heard her practically chirp, "Good!" Then, she glided over, practically humming.

Opting to say nothing of her cheerful attitude, Akiva instead simply followed. He heard the others trail behind him.

"You and the others must be new." Crystalline said as she came to a pause just near the trapped Revenant Hunter, "Otherwise I doubt that this 'Pael' person would have shot that rocket at us if they knew who I am."

"Oh, we know who you are." The Hunter snarled; she wiggled under the light; it hardly budged, "Just another bunch of Tower Guardians and a Ghost looking for New Lights so you can stuff your biased philosophies into their heads."

There is a beat, a second of silence.

"Wow." Crystalline looked back at Akiva, her yellow optic wide, "Was I like this when I first met you?"

Akiva couldn't help but smile sheepishly, "Honestly, pretty close." He then shrugged, "All I can say that it was uncomfortable listening to you about Tower Guardian corruption."

Despite himself, he chuckled at the look of surprise over Crystalline's core.

"I owe you all an apology." She said.

Akiva raised a hand, ignoring the struggling of the two Ghosts in his grip, "No need, you have never been to the Tower before you met us, and all you have ever known were the Revenants." He then paused, and turned to the Revenant Hunter, "Although I'm not sure about you." He squinted, "How old are you?"

"And why should I answer that?" The Hunter snapped.

Giving her a blank stare, Akiva slowly turned to look at Crystalline; the latter shrugged.

"Considering the lack of the darkness' presence, I say she hasn't been with the Revenants for than a year or two." She answered and then, paused, "although that doesn't really answer the question of her age."

Smiling at her words, Akiva then turned his attention back to the Revenant Hunter when he heard her sputter, surprise obvious behind her helmet.

"How do you - Are you one of those Ghosts who were trained to track us down?"

Now it was Crystalline's turn to give the Hunter a blank stare.

"Not even close." She said.

That is when Crystalline started to change.

The shifting mist-like patterns upon her shell turned green, the lavender color turning dark, and Akiva couldn't help but flinch when her optic shifted to the familiar sickly glow of the Hive. Then, darkness trickled from her core, dissipating into the air.

"I am one of you." The Ghost said.

Sensing the shock from the Revenant Hunter, Akiva then watched as Crystalline's shell shifted back to its original lavender color, the green oozing away. He heard her release breath, shaking her shell side to side.

"It has been a while since I last done that." He heard her mutter, watching as she stretched, shifting her shell against her core.

"You are one of us." The Hunter's whisper brought Akiva's attention back to her, feeling her eyes linger over them, "You are one of us but, they, they are Tower Guardians." A pause. A beat, "What re you doing with Tower Guardians?"

"Long story." Crystalline blurted, "But first, would you kindly inform the Preceptor that Crystalline is back? We need his help."

Xxxxx

If Nine could gather the energy, he would have found it amusing, ironic that the very people who attacked now were now leading the group to their base. He is currently leaning against one of the Hunters – Pael, if he could recall, the one who fired the rocket at them. Likely he volunteered to let Nine use him as a crutch as penance for injuring him.

This allowed Akiva to search for Isamu's remains, and honestly, Nine nearly broke his composure when the Revenants were shocked to learn that the makeshift urn carried the ashes of one of their own; that is what they get for shooting first and asking questions later.

Nonetheless, this doesn't mean Nine couldn't sense the hostility, the distrust from the group, their wariness and hate still prominent despite their somewhat willingness to help. He couldn't help but muse what had occurred between the Tower and these Revenants for them to harbor such a grudge.

"Is this really the time to feed him?"

Gemini's voice broke Nine from his thoughts and he shifted his attention forward, settling upon the back of the twins. From his position, he could see Scorpio's arms were close to his chest and a bottle in his hand. He can hear a subtle suckling noise.

"Hey, he just lost his dad and nearly got killed by those that should have been his family." Scorpio retorted, "I say he deserves a relaxing meal."

There is a huff from Gemini but nothing more and Nine could sensed the pleased look upon Scorpio's face.

Siblings.

Nine couldn't help but wonder if this is how he and the others of his same unit would have been like if they were allowed some freedom.

"Are we nearly there?"

It was Akiva who asked, the latter stood behind the head of the group – Cole-3, Nine learned. He decided to take front alongside the Hunter, since he isn't encumbered or injured like the rest of the group. Unless you count Isamu's remains, which are now secured around his waist to allow his arms to be free to carry Ianos.

To Nine, Akiva should have handed the remains over to Cole, but he saw him hesitate, reluctant to hand Isamu over before finally, relenting to securing him around his belt. It is obvious that Akiva had formed an attachment.

"Almost." Cole answered, "a minute more and we will be at our destination."

Nine can sense the look of doubt from Akiva, "This is not an attempt to lull us into a trap, is it?"

"No." One of the Hunters answered, "You have shown us proof that Crystalline is one of us and she has shown confidence that you are trustworthy."

"Although that doesn't mean we trust you." Cole's voice prompted Nine to look at her.

He scanned her briefly.

"You believe that we will reveal your location to the Tower." Nine noticed her hand curling into a fist, "We promise that we will keep your secret to ourselves."

"That is what all Guardians say." Another of the Hunters piped in, "So far, none were shown to be trustworthy."

Nine's optics dimmed at this, musing, pondering, "You seem young, but you speak as if you had years of experience."

"That's because we do." Cole spoke again, "Although all of us here had hardly been with the Revenants for five years, we were resurrected decades ago."

Nine hummed, "And the reason for such strong distaste towards the Tower and its inhabitants?"

"That is none of your concern."

Hearing the venom in her voice, Nine decided to drop it and instead, remained silent, letting Cole lead. That is when his optics settled upon a familiar symbol.

"You are taking refuge in a Lost Sector?" He asked.

"Lost sector?" Akiva repeated, "Aren't those usually crawling with hostiles?"

"Usually, if you are incompetent on knowing how to keep them away." Cole answered, "For us, it is one of the best ways to keep ourselves hidden. After all, who wants to risk looking into a Lost Sector in a place known as the Dead Zone?"

"Curious Guardians?" Akiva pointed out.

That is when Nine sensed a scowl, a frown from Cole, "We usually take care of unwanted guests."

"In other words, killing them."

Nine's words prompted Cole to look back at him, her scowl more prominent now behind her helmet.

"Look, out here, where the law of the City doesn't apply, it's either kill or be killed." He sensed her stare darken, "Especially from Guardians like you."

That is when Nine heard a frustrated sigh from Gemini.

"Look, I understand why you hate us so much." She muttered, "However you do realize that there are Guardians like us who had no idea you guys' existence until like – what?" Gemini glanced over to her twin, "Yesterday?"

"Not even." Scorpio corrected.

That is when Gemini gestured with her hands, "See?"

"We cannot take that risk."

As Gemini groaned at Cole's response, Nine then took it upon himself to ask.

"If I may ask, you have been with the Revenants for no more than five years, correct?"

Nine saw Cole glance over her shoulder, feeling her glare behind her helmet.

"Yes." She answered.

"Then you were resurrected several decades after the treaty between the Tower and the Revenants were finalized." Nine continued; he heard the Hunters pause around him, "you should have not heard of the Revenants but yet, here you are, a junior amongst their ranks."

"That's none of your concern!" Cole's shout would have caught Nine by surprise, if it wasn't for the fact that his body ached and tired; his light has yet to return fully, "mind your own damn business!"

Thus, with her thoughts said, Cole continued to take the lead but now Nine can sense the others' tension, their wariness. The hostility of the Revenants isn't helping their nerves. Hence why they followed Cole in silence, following her into the Lost Sector.

Just like many of the other sectors, the tunnel was dark, hard to see, and Crystalline – being the only Ghost compiled outside – lit up, giving everyone light. As expected, the inside is of rocky terrain, naturally made. At least, for now.

As the group dwelled deeper, the rocks started to even out, obviously carved until Nine could see the presence of metals, wires peeking in between crevices.

"This location must remain secret amongst yourselves." Another of the Hunters instructed, "otherwise, if we even suspect that a leak may occur, we will take matters into our own hands."

"How friendly."

Amused at Gemini's quip, Nine decided it was best to remain silent. Especially when they entered a room and all eyes within turned their way.

From what Nine can tell, the room they had entered seemed to be built for socialization, spotting numerous furniture and mats placed around for seating. Although this did not mean the chatter, the enthusiasm within the room remained, as it suddenly went silent the instant they settled over Nine and the others. This did little to deter Cole from leading them through the middle, allowing the Guardians – no, Revenants – within to keep staring, suspicion clear in their eyes.

"Okay, I have a question." Gemini whispered, "You say that there were some Guardians trained to sense the Darkness. Does that mean you all are trained to sense when there is an absence of one?"

There is a scoff from Cole, "It is a basic requirement when joining the Revenants. We must learn how to discern enemy from foe after all."

Ah, that would make sense then on why Cole and the Hunters attacked Nine and the others without a moment hesitation. They already knew that the group were trespassers. And why the Revenants around them were eyeing them warily.

Fortunately, the stares weren't long as the group stepped through another door, this one leading into a large hallway. That is when Nine heard the talk resume behind them but these ones were filled with curiosity and concern. No doubt they were talking about him and the others.

"You are fortunate that the Preceptor is here." Cole's voice brought Nine's attention back to her, "Usually he is outside, collecting samples when we are located here. However, he is currently present, likely looking over his research."

"What kind of research?"

Gemini's habit of asking questions prompted a thought to Nine, wondering if Angel had secretly been hanging around the twins. Nonetheless, he is pleased at her presence; Nine too is curious about what kind of research the Preceptor is currently overseeing.

However, to his disappointment, Cole once again glanced over her shoulder and sent a glare at Gemini's way.

"Why would we reveal the research of the Preceptor to you Tower Guardians?" She hissed out, "Especially one that is of great import."

In honestly, Nine's patience had been wearing thin after the attack. They had hardly taken a break after the failed attempt with Jora, and taking a rocket full blast didn't help either. Hence, at her words, Nine couldn't help but quip, "Then you shouldn't have told us it was of great importance." He rolled his neck; a vain attempt to ease the pain there, "For a Chosen that was revived decades ago, you are quite loose lipped."

"I have quite enough!"

With her temperament and anger, Nine had expected Cole to snap. What he hadn't expected was for her to snatch her knife from her waist and turned with it raised. Quickly, Nine pushed himself away from Pael before focusing his light around his legs, keeping himself balance enough to bring a hand forward.

There is a flash as Cole's knife collided into his barrier, Nine grunting as she grabbed the handle with both hands and put all her weight behind her blade; he must be more drained than he thought if he was struggling this much. Before he could assess another tactic, a blur of black and orange caught his attention and he reeled when Gemini suddenly collided into Cole, looking on with wide optics as her own knife dug into the Revenant's armor, easily sliding in.

Then Cole screamed, a cry of agony.

"Gemini!"

Akiva's cry of warning came too late as three of the Hunters drew their own knives, rushing the young Hunter. It wasn't long before Gemini let out a scream of her own when they all dug into her back.

That is when Nine's vision turned red.

"Enough!"

He hadn't realized it, not until after, when he lost all feeling in his intact limbs, falling onto his knees. It wasn't only when he felt the last wisps of his light leave him when Nine realized what he had done. Before succumbing to darkness.

Xxxxx

Akiva wasn't sure what to do.

He saw Nine being attacked. He saw Gemini defending him. He saw her being attacked. He saw Nine's optics turn red. He saw him release his light. He saw Nine fall.

But he wasn't sure what to do.

The group were in enemy territory, with practically Gemini the only one not injured or encumbered and she is already in danger. However, Akiva could not simply drop Ianos and rush to Gemini's aid without leaving them exposed. But he also couldn't just stand by and watch as the lives of his team were threatened.

Thus, after Nine's brief flash of light, hearing the Revenants let out cries of surprise, raising their arms and hands to their faces, Nine lowered Ianos to the floor, laying him upon his back before rushing over to Gemini's side. She had fallen to her knees, planting a foot onto the floor as if to stand but slouched over, an arm upon her knee.

"Gemini?" He called as he crouched next to her.

Then, Akiva heard her groan, he placed a hand upon her shoulder and flinched as his eyes settled upon her back; the daggers were still embedded in, pinning her cloak against her back, and leaving splotches of white.

"Are you alright?" He slapped himself for the stupid question but again, his mind was in a panic, wanting to say anything to force it back down into his chest.

"Besides the pain, I'm dandy." He heard Gemini answer, and he could sense the uneasy smile behind her helmet.

Then, he felt her move under his hand, prompting him to move it as she shifted her legs, hearing her grunt with exertion. Only to watch as Gemini fell back to her knees, curling in.

"I got her."

Looking up, Akiva saw Scorpio take her opposing side, a hand upon his twin's shoulder.

"Check on Nine." He heard him say, "He still wasn't a hundred percent when he took on this mission, right?"

That's right. The battle against Dusk had left Nine severely weakened. In honesty, Akiva wasn't sure why he was partaking in this mission as is. Nonetheless, Akiva nodded and turned to where the Phoenix Exo lay.

As he stood to his feet and rushed over, Akiva could see the absence of Nine's lighting, the glow in his optics and plating now completely absent. Worry bloomed in his chest.

"Nine?" Falling to his knees next to the Exo as he called out, Akiva grabbed Nine by the shoulder and shook him, half-expecting the Phoenix Exo to snap awake, his lights returning; he received nothing instead.

"Traveler." He whispered, eyes wide; his throat felt tight, and his chest started to ache, "Come on, Nine. This isn't the time to sleep, at least not now."

As he went to shake the Exo once more, Akiva then heard a rush of footsteps approach from behind and he turned. His golden eyes grew wide as he stared down the barrel of a gun; the Hunter who aimed their weapon at him, he could sense their anger, their hate behind their helmet.

"We shouldn't have brought you here."

Swallowing at the Revenant Hunter's words, Akiva then took in a deep breath as the Hunter's finger shifted against the trigger, only to jump when a lavender blur slammed into the Hunter's head, earning a startled yelp, and leaving them staggering.

"Akiva! Run!"

Recognizing Crystalline's voice, Akiva stood, turning to run, when he halted, eyes lingering over the incapacitated form of Nine before looking over to Ianos; he still laid where he had last placed him. Then, he looked over to the twins.

They were surrounded by three of the Hunters aiming their weapons at the pair; Scorpio has draped himself over Gemini's form, using his own body as a shield as he kept his attention upon the Hunters. If he runs now, he is leaving everyone else here.

And he will be the only one to return alone once more.

"Akiva! What re you doing!?"

Ignoring Crystalline's shout, Akiva dashed forward, brushing past the Hunter before him before quickly reaching over to the group of three and grabbing one by the shoulder. He didn't hesitate to swing a punch at their face.

There was a cry and as he watched the Hunter fall to the ground, he heard gunshots, felt an impact upon his shields followed by a shatter ringing in his ears. And then he felt the pelting of bullets against his armor, a crack forming down the front of his visor. Akiva stumbled back, trying to gage distance.

Before he felt something akin to a punch hit him under his neck, just under his jaw.

Staggering back, Akiva didn't bother to lift a hand or even check; he could already taste the copper filling up the back of his throat.

A cough escapes his lips as he suddenly felt weak, falling to his knees as he clamped a hand against his neck, feeling warmth slip between his fingertips.

"Akiva!"

He barely caught Scorpio's voice, and Akiva flicked his eyes over to him just in time to see him reach out a hand. One of the Revenant Hunters aimed their weapon at him and Akiva wonders if what he had done was all for naught, if the young Hunter was going to die here anyway.

At least Akiva will die here with him.

"Akiva? Akiva, stay with me!"

Lifting his head, Akiva spotted a familiar yellow and white shell, and slowly realized the absence of Lex in his head. When had his Ghost compile out in the open?

Nonetheless, he can see the worry, the fear in his Ghost's optic and Akiva went to speak, to let Lex know that he was still awake, still alive.

Instead, he found himself sputtering, feeling the blood spill between his lips.

"Look, it will be difficult, but I can try and heal this." Akiva can sense the panic in his Ghost's voice; that is the one thing the pair has something in common, "I know it's stupid, but you can't die here." He then felt warmth against his fingertips, a buzz of light, which then lingered into the wound upon his neck, numbing the pain, "With their innerworkings of the Darkness, it's impossible to resurrect here, at least not on our own. So stay with me-"

Lex's words came to a halt as a gunshot rang through the air.

That is when Akiva saw Lex's form go flying, crashing onto the floor with a clatter, a single spark, and then, went still.

He let out a gurgled shout, reaching out a hand to his fallen friend, only to plant it on the ground instead as his vision swam, black crawling around the edges of his vision.

"Finish him off!"

Ignoring the click of a rifle, instead all Akiva felt was despair, reaching out with his link to his Ghost, silently calling out to Lex before the world spun and then, he found himself staring into the floor. He tried to move, to push himself back to his knees, but his body refused to move.

"Leave him be. He's always gone anyway."

Words sounded like an echo in his ears now and Akiva struggled to keep his eyes open, weakness slowly claiming him. As black continued to gather around his vision, Akiva then heard the faint sound of steps, slow and methodically. This was soon followed by gasps.

"Preceptor?"

"What have you all done?"

A new voice, one that wasn't amongst the Hunters. Akiva tried to listen in, to pinpoint where however, again, his body failed him. As he felt himself slip away, he heard the newcomer speak once more.

"You have brought danger to our family."