Redacted
Simmering
Updated and Edited:
6/30/2024
When Ace notified him that Crystalline had said that she and the others were in trouble, Ianos had requested his Ghost to send it in, listening to her messages privately as the group gradually made their way back. From what Ianos could discern, Nine had gotten into a brawl with one of the Revenants, and they were currently in the process of trying to maim each other.
Normally, Ianos wouldn't be too worried. Nine is an experienced soldier and his manipulation of the light was nothing to joke at. If the Phoenix Exo had gotten himself into trouble, Ianos was confident that he could take care of himself.
That is what he had originally thought.
And then Crystalline's message added that it was Odorata, the Hive and Revenant offspring that Nine had gotten into a fight with.
That changed everything.
A Revenant, Ianos knows well. Although only for a short while, he had aided in the battles against them, and he knows their limits. Revenants must remain in balance to utilize both the light and the darkness to ensure that they aren't corrupted. That is why Ianos thought Nine could handle himself; a unique Exo like him would have no issue forcing back a balanced Chosen. But one that is born between a utilizer of darkness and one resurrected by Light? Ianos couldn't help but be concerned. Who knows what kind of offspring like Odorata would be capable of?
Feeling Ace pull through their bond as his worry grew, Ianos then flicked his eyes forward, and his agitation was quickly replaced with frustration and betrayal. His attention had settled onto Pluto and the Preceptor.
Against his better judgement, Ianos had refrained from informing the Revenant and the Exo Hunter of what was happening. His chest ached and burned at even the prospect of speaking with them. He had spent years mourning, hurting, agonizing over Zakai's supposed death, playing out repeated possibilities of what he could have done to prevent it.
Now, it hurt to know that the two of the people he had trusted most in his life betrayed him and now, Ianos is unsure if the ever-burning anger that had settled within would ever forgive. Perhaps with time, he would. After all, time comes with understanding. Although Ianos is uncertain how he will eventually understand their decisions. For now, the anger had nested within his chest, taking root.
Nonetheless, there comes a price for not notifying Pluto and the Preceptor. The latter has taken point and he was taking his idle time, chatting quietly to himself – or likely to 'Hiro', the name that the Ghost had taken when Ianos had last seen her, and Pluto, having sensed Ianos' aggravation, had taken to walking alone slightly to the side, and next to Ianos, just lagging subtly behind, is Marin, the latter of which had finally stopped taken notes and her shoulders were tense, hands flexing, at attention.
Their slow pace was agonizing but Ianos knew that if he tried to rush past them, the pair will suspect what was happening and likely try to get involved.
And that is currently the last thing Ianos wants.
"Preceptor! There you are!"
The relief that settled into Ianos' head was prominent when a Hunter stepped out from the entrance, saluting to the black and red clad Warlock in question.
"We are all glad you are back safely, Preceptor." The Hunter said.
Seeing the Preceptor – Zakai – nod once acknowledgement, Ianos then saw him tilt his head subtly to one side and then crossing his arms behind his back.
"Did something happened during my absence?" He asked.
The way the Hunter jerked back, shoulders raised was answer enough.
"How did you – "
"I may not be able to see properly, but my hearing functions just fine." Although subtle, Ianos spotted the Preceptor subtly lifting his head and his next line of words sounded amused, "I could easily hear the panic in your voice."
If it wasn't for the fact that Ianos wasn't in the mood, he would have found the way the Hunter's head dipped and raised his shoulders amusing. Then the Hunter cleared his throat, straightening out his posture.
"During your absence, Odorata and one of the Tower Guardians got into a fight."
From behind, Ianos saw Pluto's head snap up, "What?"
"Repairs are needed for one nursery and two hallways." The Hunter continued to report, "and despite the damage, only minor injuries were sustained." Then, the Hunter straightened out his back, saluting, "Odorata is currently being treated and the Tower Guardian is currently under watch."
"Who was it?" Pluto took a step forward, coming to a stop only when he brushed past the Preceptor; Ianos didn't have to look to sense the Revenant Hunter bristle at the action, "You did not imprison them, did you?"
It was apparent from the Hunter's stiff shoulders and the way his fingers curled into trembling fists that he had thought of ignoring Pluto, but Ianos was quick to catch the quick glance the Revenant gave to the Preceptor. Even with their faces covered, the message that the Hunter received was apparent, as Ianos heard him mutter under his breath but nonetheless answered.
"The one clad in white." The Revenant Hunter said, "Doubt the child could do anything to Odorata." Then, Ianos watched him cross his arms and lean to one side. He could practically see the pout under the Hunter's helmet, "and no, he is still in the Mess Hall where the fight had ceased." Then, he shrugged, "We hard tried moving him, however, he refused to budge." He scoffed, "The fight with Odorata must have scared him."
Ianos couldn't help but scowl at the Hunter's words, "What do you mean?"
"He's curled up in a ball whispering to himself that he 'made a mistake'." The Hutner seemed more than happy to share that information it seemed, "Wouldn't react to anything, even towards his own Ghost."
His frown deepening at the Hunter's words, Ianos found himself glancing over to Pluto only to spot the Exo had also turned to face him. Although his blindfold covers most of his expression, Ianos can tell from the intensity of the lights around his jaw that he was worried and confused, emotions that he cannot help but also mirror.
"Lead the way."
Snapping his attention back towards the Preceptor, Ianos narrowed his eyes as he watched the Hunter jerk back once more, shoulders leaning and hands repeatedly furling and unfurling. Finally, he nodded.
"As you wish, Preceptor." He said.
Then, the Hunter turned and descended to the base.
Looking on as the Revenant Hunter disappeared through the entrance, Ianos then found his attention trailing back to the Preceptor, only to see the latter had turned, feeling his eyes through his helmet. However, just as when their eyes locked, the Preceptor turned away and it wasn't long after that he followed the Hunter down. Ever so loyal, Marin stepped around Ianos and followed the Revenant leader down. That just left Ianos and Pluto and the two stared at each at each other, silent, awkward.
"Ianos – " Pluto started.
But Ianos didn't want to hear any of it.
Tearing his eyes away from Pluto, Ianos ignored the stare upon him as he descended the steps, taking a deep breath at the tightness of the tunnel. Ace's light and presence is the only reason he isn't losing control. It wasn't long after that he heard obvious, loud steps behind him. Pluto is intentionally making his presence known.
"Pluto is upset."
Turning his head just enough so that his eyes settled onto his Ghost, Ianos then muttered, "And that currently matters?"
In honesty, Ianos expected Ace to scold him, to try to come to Pluto's defense – as they would occasionally do. This time however, he heard his Ghost let out a light laugh.
"Considering how long we have been here, and he had not taken the initiative of informing us of Zakai's survival, no, his emotional well-being is low on our priority list." Then, Ianos watched as Ace turned their optic forward and their gaze darkened, orange optic flashing briefly, "especially for him."
Although knowing fully well who his Ghost was talking about, Ianos still followed Ace's line of sight and it wasn't long until his eyes settled over the Preceptor.
At first, his heart grew soft, warm at the thought of the Preceptor – at the thought of Zakai – being alive, knowing that he had lived through that botched experiment. And then, his heart hardened, anger simmering to the surface as the thought that the experiment wasn't botched but staged, and questions surfaced.
The two of them had just lost Ari, what had prompted Zakai to plan out his own death just to escape the Vanguard's radar? What is the study and curiosity of the Darkness, the very thing that had killed their beloved and raking its claws down Ianos' life, that made it worth taking that risk?
That is when the anger switched to confusion, bubbling under Ianos' skin.
He is unsure if he will ever forget this betrayal, even if matters do sort themselves out later.
Letting out a harsh breath through his nose, Ianos kept his attention upon the three Revenants before him, matching their pace as they made their way through the cave and then into the base itself.
The first thing that Ianos noticed was the lingering darkness; most of the Revenants that Ianos had seen had kept their powers to themselves, making it difficult to discern who had the darkness and who did not.
This was not like then.
The fight between Nine and Odorata must have brought tension, brought their anger, their prejudice to the surface for now Ianos can see wisps of darkness lingering around their shoulders, their hands, and – with those whose helmets were absent – their lips. He can also see the sickly green glow of their eyes even through helmets. All were staring intently at Ianos and Pluto.
Ianos can feel his heartbeat hard behind his chest, the faces of the Hive clear in his mind. Taking in a shuddering breath, he then felt something cool press against the side of his neck. The gentle tug of Ace was all Ianos needed.
Releasing out a breath slowly, Ianos decided to focus his attention away from the green glow of the Revenants and instead settled his eyes over the Preceptor. He saw him and the others take a step through a large hole, recent judging from the dust and pieces of dust still settling from the ruin.
"That Odorata must have put up a fight." Ianos heard Ace hum thoughtfully, although he also spotted the way their shell shifted uneasily against their core, "with the exception of Dusk and Echo, I have never seen anyone toss Nine around." The Ghost then subtly bobbed towards broken wall, "especially like this."
Opting to say nothing, Ianos simply furrowed his brows before taking a step over the rubble and made his way through.
"Ianos! There you are!"
Scorpio's voice was relieving, helping ease some of the tension from Ianos as he turned his head and settled onto familiar light azure optics. The young Exo too looked relieved.
"We were getting worried." Scorpio said; Ianos watched him try to approach. Other Revenants – Guards, Ianos realized – blocked his way, "Gemini and I were afraid that something had happened to you and Pluto."
Feeling his anger simmer at the mention of Pluto's name, Ianos took a slow deep breath before releasing it, and then simply nodded in greeting. He allowed the relief that Scorpio and Gemini were somewhat safe ease his anger down.
"Anything interesting to report from the field?" He decided to ask.
There was a scoff just behind Scorpio and Ianos saw Gemini rise from the floor – it seemed she had been previously seated and judging from the way her optics narrowed at the Revenants near them, the twins had been back for a little while.
"Nothing much." She said as she glared at her and her brother's Revenant guards, "We spotted the patrol group, ran after them when they spotted us and eventually gave up chase when they crossed the border." Then she sighed and shrugged before shaking her head, "But enough of that, have you seen Akiva and Orion? They should have been back by now since their location was closest to the base."
That made Ianos' gut plummet.
"No, I haven't." He answered.
Ianos saw Gemini's optics flash behind her helmet. In contrast, Scorpio crossed his arms and leaned on his right leg. Then, the latter sighed.
"We'll worry about them later." The young Exo said as he subtly lifted his head, "but for now, just tell us if there is anything you can do for Knight."
At the mention of Knight's name, Ianos' worry upon the two Hunters shifted to the Exo, following Scorpio's line of sight only to come to a pause. There, leaning against the wall not too far from the twins was Knight, the white clad Warlock having buried his face into his knees and his arms wrapped around his legs. Next to him, Hush has her hand upon his arm, having taken a seat next to the prone Warlock. At least, until her yellow eyes made contact with Ianos'.
That is when Ianos saw her shoulders relax, her eyes beaming as she slowly stood, paused, and then removed her hand from Knight's arm. Much to his concern, Knight made no movement, no acknowledgement of the lack of contact. Furrowing his brows, Ianos forced himself to relax, to let tension ease from his body as Hush scampered over, coming to a pause just an arm's length away.
"Considering last I had seen you, you were with Knight." Ianos said; he felt Hush's fingertips brush against his before their hands intertwined, "I have a feeling you can put to light on the situation at hand?"
"You got that right." Crystalline practically sighed as she rounded from behind Hush, coming to a stop just above her Chosen's shoulder, "While all of you were absent, Nine finally awoke from his light-exhausted induced slumber."
Ianos couldn't help but raise a brow at this, "And that was enough to agitate him into a fight?"
Crystalline shrugged, "Normally no, but." That is when Ianos noticed her take a glance over at Hush and he took note of the narrowed look that the child Guardian gave her. This prompted another sigh from Crystalline, "It had happened when Odorata was showing us the nurseries." Another look from Hush, "Which. Were spawned by. By Hive."
Her words were strained, as if struggling to get the words out. But it was enough for Ianos' throat to go tight, flexing his hands as the urge to run settled in.
"Pardon?" He asked.
"And." Crystalline continued, pressing her shell against her core as her optic glanced between Ianos and Hush, "He awoke. While Knight was carrying a Hive." She coughed, "A Hive baby in his arms."
Hearing this, Ianos couldn't help but grind his jaw together in agitation, his mind processing the scenario. There was no doubt in his mind that Nine would definitely have reacted with a Hive grub in his arms, possibly even trying to kill it considering his time imprisoned by the Hive. And he would have shifted his attention towards the biggest threat in the room.
Odorata.
The Hive Hybrid.
Flinching at the thought, Ianos forced himself to take in a slow, steady, breath, all to ease his bubbling worries.
"Do you know what happened next?" He managed to ask.
That is when he saw both Hush and Crystalline glance towards each other, their eyes shifting before finally, Crystalline turned and answered, "We're not entirely sure but according to what we could get from Knight before he went comatose was that he had said something hurtful to Nine."
"Wait, Nine's feelings actually got hurt?"
Turning and giving Gemini a blank look to quickly silence her, Ianos then turned his attention back to Crystalline.
"According to his words, yes." Crystalline confirmed, "and well, it hurt him enough where Nine cut off his connection with Knight."
"Excuse me!?"
Stunned, Ianos didn't even turn to reprimand Gemini, even as she blurted, "Cut off, Knight!? How in the Light could he even do that!?"
That is when Crystalline turned and gave the Exo Hunter a blank look.
"Have you already forgotten who Nine is?" She asked, "He is practically a fragment of the Traveler, cutting himself off from Knight would have been nothing to him."
"But isn't Knight chosen just like Nine?" Scorpio jumped in, crossing his arms before raising a hand to his chin, "Isn't he/"
Feeling his stomach twist at the young Exo's words, Ianos lifted his eyes back to Crystalline and Hush, and he could see that the two of them had locked their gaze together once more. This time, there was hesitation in their eyes.
"You know something." Ianos decided to say. He ignored the way they both jumped, "Mind sharing?"
"Darkness, nothing gets past you – Hey!"
Shoving down his amusement at the frown that Hush gave her Ghost, he then looks on as she raised a hand and tapped Crystalline's side once more, causing the latter to shift to the side. Ianos can hear the latter grumble.
Crystalline had told them the truth.
Immediately, the mirth building in Ianos' chest vanished and his eyes narrowed at Hush's words.
"The truth?" He repeated.
There is a nod from Hush. Then, she raised her hands again.
That only Nine is Chosen, Not Knight. And when Nine blocked Knight, he also cut off his bond with Day.
Ianos halted at Hush's words, trying to take in their meaning. In contrast, Hush lowered her hands and he could easily see the worry, the way she wrung her hands together with raised brows. Beside her, Ianos can hear Crystalline murmur under her breath.
That is when Ianos felt a tap on his shoulder, followed by Scorpio's voice.
"Ianos?" He heard the young Exo call out, "Is everything alright?"
His mind reeling, Ianos found himself unable to answer, to give an explanation to the young Hunter.
Knight, the one who is capable of Solar Light in opposition of Nine's Arc and Void, is not a Chosen? Then how was he able to utilize the Light despite the short spurts? Is he capable of wielding the Light without the aid of Nine and Day?
Day.
At the thought of the white-shell Ghost, Ianos shifted his attention over to Knight's prone form and he scanned for Day. Unfortunately, he spotted nothing, and that is when the worry started filtering back in, flicking his eyes back to Knight.
That is when he finally heard it.
The muttering, almost inaudible.
"All my fault. I made a mistake."
Although quiet, it was enough for Ianos to understand.
To share two minds only for them to suddenly be ripped away, it was a wonder that Knight was even holding himself together. If this can even be considered 'sane'.
Turning his attention back to Hush and Crystalline, Ianos then asked, "Where is Day?"
His question mut have been abrupt, sudden, for both Crystalline and Hush jerked back, blinking rapidly at him. Nonetheless, it was short, and Ianos quickly spotted Crystalline shifting her shell against her core, optic flicking around. As if she was guilty.
"He is inside Nine but he refuses to come out." She finally answered and her shell dipped. The shimmering pattern upon it went dim, "I might have been a bit blunt when it came to revealing the truth."
"And what is this truth?"
Ianos turned his eyes to Gemini and Scorpio, the former being the one who demanded an answer. Gemini was standing tall, and he could see the subtle glow of her light behind her helmet. Behind her, Scorpio shoulders too were tense, but Ianos can also sense the curiosity. And their worry.
Right, the two Exo Hunters did not understand Hush's language. They like would not have understood.
And Crystalline didn't immediately answer. Instead, Ianos watched as she again, shifted her shell against her core. This time however, Crystalline raised a hand and used the back of it to smack her Ghost once more. Crystalline grumbled. It is obvious she didn't want to share this truth.
Thus, Ianos decided to do it for her.
"It seems that only Nine has been Chosen." Ianos started. He ignored to gawking look from Crystalline, "That inkling of light that we had seen Knight display is more than likely a share of power from Nine."
There was a pause.
"Excuse me!?"
Ignoring the shout of surprise from Gemini, Ianos then turned his attention back to Knight's prone form. After a brief contemplation, he let out breath through his nose and approached.
"Be careful with him."
Hearing Crystalline whisper behind him, Ianos can tell that she was simply repeating Hush's words, the guilt and worry obvious in her voice. Nonetheless, Ianos gave no indication if he had heard her and instead, came to a slow stop just short of Knight and knelt. Looking over Knight, Ianos let out another slow breath, sat upon the floor, crossed his legs, and placed his wrists upon his knees. He heard Gemini practically squawk behind him.
"What are you doing?" She managed out.
"Waiting." Ianos answered, "A delicate situation such as this requires patience and time. It is not wise to jump in to try and resolve this quickly."
"But, the Revenants…"
Hearing the wariness in Gemini's voice, Ianos took it upon himself to look around and quickly, he understood her concerns.
Many of the Revenants – likely the ones that had witnessed Nine's and Odorata's fight – were rigid, stances hostile as their eyes were upon Ianos and the others. Their glowers are enough of a sign of their displeasure.
"She may have a point." Ianos heard Ace whisper in his ear, the black and orange Ghost's shell clicking together nervously, "It seems we may have overstayed our welcome."
Although not wanting to admit it, Ace does have a point. No doubt even if Ianos and the others do nothing else, the Revenants will retaliate. And considering that they were all in a Revenant base…
It made Ianos ponder upon alternatives, other solutions, when he heard a cough permeate from the corner of the room. This prompted Ianos to look over and immediately, both anger and yearning boiled within his chest.
"We shall ensure you are comfortable during your wait." If it wasn't for the fact that it was the Preceptor speaking, Ianos would have snickered at the flabbergasted looks upon the surrounding Revenants' faces, "It is the least we can do considering…"
Hearing his voice fade, Ianos already understood.
This small act of kindness barely smolders the flames of anger that currently simmers within his chest. Nonetheless, Ianos nodded once in the Preceptor's direction before quickly turning his eyes back to Knight; he doesn't want to see the Revenant Leader's reaction.
As he kept his attention forward, that is when he heard two steps of steps approach from behind – Gemini's and Scorpio's he recognizes – and from the corner of his eyes, he saw Hush settle in next to him. As he felt everyone get comfortable around him, Ianos straightened on his posture and started to wait.