Redacted
Made a Mistake
Edited: 5/26/2024
Between the two of them, Knight always thought he was weaker, mainly for his inexperience in battle and how long it took him just to utilize the light. Thus, he couldn't help but be amazed that he was successfully restraining Nine, feeling the older Exo struggling to gather the light in his palms and his joints stiff.
"Nine. Calm down." Day's voice rang out through the dim room. Knight could see their shell spinning out of joy. And panic. "We're surrounded by friends here. They're not going to – "
"Friends?" It felt strange, to have Nine's voice speaking through while Knight was in control, and he can hear the disgust and fear, "How can the spawn of empty husks be our allies?"
The two may share minds, but it was a surprise to feel remotely anything from Nine, let alone this much. And Nine was afraid.
"Nine, be nice." Crystalline's chastising pulled Knight's attention towards her, and when his optics connected with her glowing yellow, he can feel Nine's ire grow, "The Revenants have been working with the Ostracized ever since its inception, and they have been nothing but beneficial." Knight looked on as her shell shifted upwards, partly spread out, "They're the ones who discovered Harmonization for Darkness' sake."
"They cannot be trusted."
Feeling his jaw tighten and his fingers flexing, tight against his palms, Knight forced his head back, shifting his optics upwards just enough to sense Nine's surprise.
Knight, what are you doing?
"Stopping you from making a mistake." Knight strained out as he forced his body to go taut, ready in case Nine tries to force control, "I know this doesn't look good but, I promise you, Nine, that the Ostracized and their spawn are trustworthy."
Ostracized!?
If Knight had ever questioned if he heard Nine so confused or enraged, all his doubts disappeared just now.
Do you know who they are, Knight? They are Hive! Monstrosities of the Darkness that need to be cleansed!
Feeling his body tense again, Knight gritted his jaw as he strained, forcing the older mind back. His arms trembled.
"Crystalline." Knight stiffly turned his neck down, locking onto the violet Ghost, "Say something. Anything to help Nine to understand."
"What!?" Crystalline jerked back, her tendrils bright, "He's not even listening to you!?"
"Just say something!" Knight shouted back, feeling Nine shove against his mind. His arm went flying up. He willed it back down. He can feel the light burn against his palm, "Before he finds a way to take control!"
Knight!
Breathing out apologies followed by curses, Knight braced himself for the worst, only to blink when the resistance was gone, feeling his arms go lax near his sides and the light fade from his hands. He kept his body taut, expecting Nine to force his way through, but when he reached out, there was no force, no fight. Only Nine.
"Nine?" Knight called out as he forced himself to relax, flexing his hands to ensure that he really is the one in control; his fingers moved at his command, "Are you okay?"
At first, Knight received nothing, and he couldn't help but fidget, picking at his arm brace before finally, there was an answer.
I would like to apologize for my aggressive behavior. Nine started, It seems waking in the dark had disoriented me.
Knight blinked, taking a quick glance around. The room is dimly lit, so understandable.
But.
"You think?" Knight blurted out, turning his optics towards the others; Hush was looking on with concern and Odorata seemed wary, brows furrowed, "You nearly destroyed this room of infants, Nine."
A ping of something gathered to the forefront of Knight's mind but, before he could grasp what it was exactly, it was gone, and quickly followed by another hum of apology.
I again, apologize. Nine repeated, Just please explain to me what is going on.
Right, Nine had been unconscious until a mere moment ago. It would be best to fill him in.
Pulling at his bond with Day to signify all was well, Knight then let out a breath, "Let us start off with the Ostracized – "
That is when the familiar pull of being forced into the deeper recesses of his mind permeated throughout Knight's senses, and then the next he knew, Knight found himself watching, his hands moving against his own accord. Light flickered on his fingertips.
Nine! Stop!
Although Knight can hear himself screaming, shouting, it did nothing as Nine pulled his hand back – filled with light- and thrusted it forward. He had a clear view as it bore down upon the cribs.
Screaming wordlessly in the back, Knight looked on as white filled his vision followed by the familiar ringing against his auditory sensors. Then, he reached out, pulling on Day's bond, and expected the worse as the light cleared from his vision.
However, instead of horror, Knight instead felt surprise from Day, no signs of distress, and instead, he felt his Ghost pull back. A sign that all was fine.
Confused, Knight decided to wait, looking on as the last of the light cleared.
And he came to a pause.
Instead of broken cribs and burned remains, he instead saw a black shield – no, a thick fog of darkness – spanning across the room. Behind it, he can hear the squeals and cries of the larvae, signaling Knight of their safety. If he could, he would have breathed out with relief and in return, he sensed Nine's ire.
Wanting nothing more to not only stop Nine but also to flush out the worst of his anxieties, Knight prepared to help ease the older mind. Only to come to a halt once more when the black fog started to dissipate, disappearing in wisps of darkness.
And he let out a gasp.
When Odorata mentioned that what they saw now was just a visionary to 'blend in', Knight had not taken him seriously. It was already hard to believe that a spawn of a Guardian and Hive Wizard was possible. However, when the last of the barrier disappeared, Knight could see three sickly green eyes upon the hunkering form of a Hive Knight.
Odorata had completely dropped the human façade.
"You dare try to harm my siblings!"
The roar of Odorata's resonated through the room and Knight could feel Nine's core heat rise when he bared his teeth and snarled. It doesn't help that his words were ragged, husky, the tone all too recognizable of the Hive.
And when Odorata practically leaped towards him.
Nine must have been surprised, shocked, for Knight didn't even feel him move, even flinch, not until he could hear claws tearing through cloth and leather. And plating.
He couldn't help a shout, an echo of a scream as his senses burned, feeling Odorata's claws drag against his chest. That is when arc light flashed in his optics and the pain was suddenly gone, Knight looking on as Odorata staggered back. There was a screech followed by a growl and a shake of the shoulders.
And then he was upon them again.
It made Knight realize just how fast Odorata is, even with his bulk.
There was an impact against his chest again and this time, Knight felt arms wrap around his waist and he felt his feet leave the floor. Followed by his back slamming against concrete.
As dust obscured his vision followed by the sound of broken cement rolling across the floor, Knight felt the dull ache of his back but no pain. He wonders if Nine had anything to do with that.
Odorata's green eyes glowing through the dust was enough to shove the thought aside.
It was strange and foreign when Knight felt claws clamp around his – Nine's – throat and he sensed panic of all things emitting from the usual stoic Exo. There was a sharp inhale, a struggle wheezing intake of breath as Knight felt himself treading air, and it wasn't long for his optics to spot Odorata step out from the cloud, giving him a clear view of the Hive Knight's hand around his throat.
Knight looked on as Nine clawed at Odorata's wrist, feeling his feet kick underneath him.
And then promptly flinched when Nine promptly jammed his fingers into one of Odorata's glowing eyes.
Letting out a string of apologies as the Hive let out a roar, Knight watched as he raised a hand to his eye, giving Nine enough bearing and space to pull back a hand to form a fist and then slam it into Odorata's throat. There was a choke, a stutter before Knight could feel the hand around his neck finally release.
As Nine stumbled, balancing back onto his feet, Knight then heard voices, whispers permeate from behind.
His thoughts froze.
"What in the – ?"
"Is that Odorata? Why in the Darkness is he in his Hive form?"
"And who the fuck is crazy enough to fight him?"
Cursing once more, Knight can only look on helplessly as Nine took a quick glance of their surroundings, his optics sweeping over the forms of Revenants standing from their seats, eyes wide and gaze scrutinizing.
Nine! Listen to me! Stop! Let us explain!
Panic setting in as Knight caught glimpses of light building in Nine's hands once more, he looked on as the light continued to build, swirling around his arm until he leaped and thrusted it forward.
Screaming as the white variant of a Void Bomb launched itself towards the stunned Hive halfling, Knight's thoughts stopped once again when Odorata held up his arm and the familiar shield of darkness flickered into existence. The light shattered, scattering into particles before it faded.
It did little to deter Nine however, as Knight felt his feet move once more, the Phoenix Exo practically flying just as Odorata's shield of darkness dissipated.
The tables were turned quickly as Nine slammed into Odorata, the world spinning in Knight's perspective before suddenly, he was looking down upon the Hive, seated upon his chest. Knight can see light building in Nine's hands once more.
No!
Watching as Nine brought his hand back, Knight gathered as much strength as he could before ramming himself forward. There was resistance, a pressure building around him. He felt Nine tense.
"Stay out of this, Knight."
Normally, in any other circumstance, the anger that Knight heard in Nine's words would have easily reined him into silence, to make him fall back. After all, it is rare for Nine to be this upset. But Knight also had felt something else.
Fear.
Thus, once again gathering his strength, Knight rammed his way through, feeling himself break through the surface.
"No."
The word was enough for Knight to feel the surprise, the way he felt his shoulders rise and lean back against his own.
"What?" Nine's voice came through.
Feeling the resistance fade, the barriers lessen, Knight found it easier to push through, just enough to speak, "It's true that the Revenants work with the Hive, but they're not like the Hive on the Moon." He waited, paused just long enough to gage the older mind's response before continuing, "They're good, Nine. They won't hurt us."
Again, Knight waited, feeling Nine's hands shift, light still burning bright in his palms; his optics flicked around, as if assessing. Knight can see the Revenants closing in; wary but curious.
"They are Hive." Nine finally said.
"They are Ostracized." Knight corrected.
There was a growl building up in the back of his throat. It wasn't his.
"Come on, Nine." Knight added, "They haven't tried to kill us."
The instant his words left him, Knight then saw the edges of his vision turn red followed by the sensation of the edges of his optics burning.
"Say that to your limp." Knight paused at Nine's words; he realized he made a mistake, "Or how we nearly lost Akiva. Their initial refusal to help Ianos? And lest not forget their ambush."
"That was the Revenants." Knight protested.
There was flicker around his optics, "And their actions were influenced by those walking husks."
Grinding his jaw together, Knight felt the bare minuet movements of his hands, just enough to gain his attention. He forced the hands down.
"Shining Knight!"
Startled by the sudden raise in volume of Nine's voice, Knight suddenly felt himself being pushed, sinking back into the recess of his mind. He looked on as Nine thrusted his light infused hand downwards.
Why Odorata hadn't taken the initial distraction to get up or counter Knight will never understand, but he heard the Hive take in a deep breath, green eyes wide.
Knight again threw himself to the forefront.
Barely feeling the light burning in his hands, Knight felt the cold and shocked stares of the Revenants followed by the chill of the room as he swerved. Feeling his palms slide against the floor, Nine then felt his core grow cold when he heard Odorata scream, his thoughts switching to the image of his hand inside of the Hive's throat. Instead, as he looked down, he couldn't help but feel relieved as he saw that his hand had grazed Odorata. The Hive Knight had leaned to the side, and Knight could see that his light had left a burn, charring the side of his face.
Although Odorata screamed in pain, it was enough to clear enough of Knight's worries to lock his arms, forcing himself onto his feet and took steps back.
He can hear a chorus of curses echo in his mind.
You missed!
At first appalled by Nine's words, Knight then went rigid when he felt his hand move on his own, feeling the burn of the light against his fingertips.
"Nine! That's enough!" He shouted, "We're surrounded!"
Which was the truth. It seemed the Revenants were waiting until Odorata was a safe distance away as Knight can now see that the group had drawn their weapons, and he can see dark wisps lingering around some shoulders and hands. Their eyes were glowing unsettlingly green.
"They are nothing against me."
Nine's voice was low, but from the way Knight saw the Revenants jerk up, eyes narrowed, they heard it. Thus, when he heard the click of weapons, Knight held up his hands. He can hear the frustration build in the back of his mind.
"What are you doing?"
Ignoring the anger edged in Nine's voice, Knight instead said, "It's true that we were attacked, that members of the Revenants had hurt us. But the ones here had not personally done us any wrong." He gathered up his courage, trying hard to ignore the hardened stares of the Chosen around him, "It's wrong to kill them."
There was a pause, a stiffening of his limbs. Then, Knight felt his hands curl.
"They work with those walking husks." Nine's voice is a borderline growl, "Anything that works with them is corrupted. Lead astray. They are not to be trusted."
"You aren't giving them a chance!" Knight shouted and again, he ignored the Revenants around him, the way they jerked back and now are giving him a look. "They had every opportunity to throw us out! To kill us! But they didn't!" Exerting some control, Knight forced the tension to leave his body, slowly lowering his arms as he let out a slow breath, "Nine, please. You just woke up. You haven't seen the good that the Ostracized or the Revenants had shown us."
Then, Knight waited, fidgeting nervously when he heard Nine go quiet. He can practically feel the older Exo think, contemplate.
"Changing their names makes no difference to me." Nine's voice came forth once more, "The Hive are manipulative. Cunning. They could easily be fooling these Revenants."
Knight felt frustration building within his chest, "Nine. Please."
"You have been fooled by their offspring." Nine continued, "The Hive before us had emotionally compromised you, Knight. You fell for their tricks."
Offense fully set in.
"No! I was not!" Knight wanted to stomp his foot, throw his hands into the air. But somehow, he kept his body still, rigid, fearful of Nine taking control, "Have you not been listening to me!? They do not wish to hurt us! They want to help us!"
"After they fired a rocket at our group!?" Knight can feel Nine slowly filtering to the surface, feeling his arms move subtly against his will, "They tried to kill us beforehand, Knight!"
"And they are trying to redeem for their mistake!"
"Mistake!?"
It was then Knight felt not only a burning against his palms but up his arms and upon his shoulders, prompting him to grit his jaw and push against Nine. Around him, he can see the familiar orange flames of solar light reflecting against the eyes of the surrounding Revenants. He wonders why they haven't jumped him yet.
Knight then started feeling his grip loosen, being slowly pushed down into the recesses of their shared body as Nine slowly started taking control. He flicked his optics back to the surrounding Revenants.
"Shoot me."
His words barely came out as a whisper, Knight already feeling Nine crawling his way back, taking his voice with it. Despite this, he could see several of the Revenants jerk back, eyes wide before finally, he spotted one heft their weapon into their hands, and took aim.
There were multiple flashes when the familiar sound of the firearm went off and Knight found himself being completely shoved into the back, and felt a hand finally move. Clear shields of light shimmered into existence and Knight couldn't help but feel frustrated, disappointed when the bullets pelleted harmlessly against the surface. The shooting quickly ceased, and Knight can see the Revenants slowly take steps back. The red around his vision was telling enough.
"Did you just encourage them to try and kill us?"
Nine's voice was low, the edges trembling, and Knight decided to squeeze his way through; he had a feeling speaking to him as is won't cull the older Exo's anger.
"You were going to try and kill them." He said, "I was trying to give them a chance."
"Traveler, damn it!" If Knight could, he would have visibly jerked back; it was rare for Nine to raise his voice so, "They are a threat, Knight! They worked with the Hive! They and those walking dried up corpses are not to be trusted!"
That is when Knight's patience finally snapped, like a rope tugged for so long, far too tight.
"Am I talking to a fucking brick wall!?" Now it was Nine's turn to be surprised, Knight feeling it in their shared body as he moved his arms, stomping his foot, "I told you, Nine! The Ostracized are not a threat! The Revenants are not a threat! They are not trying to kill us! They are trying to help us!" He then gestured towards the surrounding Revenants; again, he ignored their confused looks, "True, they had tried to kill us before, but now they are trying to rectify it! To me, that is enough trust that they won't harm us! That they will help Ianos!" Knight then threw his arms into the air, "For Traveler's sake, the Wizard that reached out to Ianos looked concerned! How do you call that a threat!?" And then he jabbed a finger against his chest, "And don't you dare fucking say because she's Hive!"
He took a breath, suddenly winded, and he felt Nine go silent. If he was physically next to him, Knight would have felt his optics staring, assessing. Judging.
Opting to ignore it, Knight again turned his attention back to the Revenants or more specifically, Odorata. He can see that the Hive spawn was being tended by other Chosen, but his glowing green eyes were stuck onto Knight, a hand pressed against the burn upon his face. He was looking at him with wide eyes – or wider than Hive eyes are – and Knight could sense the concern, the confusion behind them. He just hopes that they will eventually be able to mend this.
That is when Knight realized that Nine had remained silent for too long and he couldn't help but worry, flexing his hands as he quietly called out, "Nine?"
His call prompted a glimmer of emotion permeated throughout Knight's head. He recognizes what Nine is trying to say.
"Nine, are you serious?" He said, "You're not…?" His voice faded, sensing the waves of distrust and doubt.
No.
The lone word was loud in Knight's head.
It is too much of a risk. We do not know these Ostracized or Revenants. They could simply be waiting until we lowered our guards, where they then can take advantage.
Knight's jaw dropped. Then, his surprise was quickly replaced with frustration.
"Then what are you going to do?" He asked, "Try and kill them all?"
Knight can tell that his words easily sent waves of unease through the Revenants present, seeing them fidget, but he couldn't care anything less at that moment.
"No, I will not kill them unless I witness them try to do us serious harm. For now, I will do nothing since it seems to appease you."
Hearing the disappointment in Nine's words, Knight opted to remain silent, hesitated, and then wondered if he has enough bravado to speak against Nine. He decided he did.
"What if I told you that I am willing to work with them?"
There was a stunned silence, poignant through their shared thoughts.
"I forbid you to do so."
Knight couldn't help but scowl, "I am a separate Exo from you, Nine. You cannot tell me what to do."
"We 'share' this body." There was a shimmer of annoyance, of frustration, "I can easily wrest control, force you back if I feel the need."
"You cannot do that." Knight muttered.
"For your safety and mine, I will."
That again, made Knight's already snapped patience, snap, "Then I cannot wait until you are gone."
No sooner had the words slipped from him when Knight realized the weight of it, his optics growing wide as regret settled in followed by Nine going silent. He felt his lingering presence slipping into the back just as one last shimmer went through their bond.
Hurt.
"Wait, Nine." Knight started, "I didn't mean – "
It was then Knight suddenly felt himself cut off, causing him to let out a gasp as he stumbled. Then, his knees buckled before he fell. Reaching out with his hands, Knight caught himself, falling onto his knees as he called out quietly, "Nine?"
Nothing.
"Nine?" Knight called out again, reaching out, only to feel like there was a wall a barrier, "Nine, I'm sorry."
Again, receiving nothing but silence, Knight felt his throat go tight and he continued to reach out, mentally clawing at this barrier that Nine had placed. It did nothing.
Despairing, Knight then decided to reach out to his Ghost, desperate to find a way to reach out to the older mind to apologize. His core froze when he found nothing. The bond that he thought he shared with Day was absent, gone.
Knight's mind whirled, trying to process what had happened, feeling his chest constrict at the implication.
"Knight! There you are!" Day's voice rang through the room and Knight turned, his optics settling over a crumbling wall; that must have been where Odorata had slammed Nine through, 'When I felt you disappear, I grew worried that – Knight? Are you okay?"
The abrupt change in Day's sentence prompted Knight to remain silent, to stare at his Ghost – or, was Day even his to begin with? – before slowly, he shook his head. He saw worry immediately in Day's white optic.
"Did something happen between you and Nine?" Knight flinched at the Ghost's question, "Tell me, what happened?" He watched as Day glided closer, "When Odorata lifted you and Nine out of the room, they were just too quick for me to follow." The Ghost's optic flicked, searching his face, "Knight?"
That is when the pressure in Knight's chest burst and a sob escaped him, "I made a mistake, Day."
"What?" He watched as the Ghost jerked back, optic flickering, "Mistake?" Then they glided close again, shell shifting, "Knight, please tell me, what happened?"
Wanting nothing more than to answer, Knight found his control over his emotions collapsing and instead, he continued to cry, to grieve at how empty his mind felt.