Redacted

A Problem

Posted: 11/24/2024


"The sigils will be drawn here to here." Ianos can feel Zakai's hand slide from his neck and then down to his waist, "we will be using a special mixture made by Vultosa and the other Oracles during the ritual."

Ianos flinched, looking over his shoulder at the Preceptor, "May I ask it is a Revenant that will be drawing the sigils upon me?"

"Of course." He sensed the gentle smile behind Zakai's helmet, "I know you are not comfortable with Vultosa's and other Oracles' presence." Ianos felt his fingers leave his spine, "if uhm, Pluto's outburst during the first attempt wasn't obvious enough."

Ianos raised a brow at that.

To be honest, he hardly remembered what had happened that day. Ianos recalls lots of shouting, words being tossed around, but his memory couldn't remember what was said exactly. However, knowing Pluto, he must have given Zakai a few choice words.

"When the sigils are drawn, they then will have to be tattooed on." Zakai continued to explain, "be forewarned, it is a long and arduous process."

"Tattooed." Ianos murmured to himself, rubbing his shoulder before looking over at Ace.

His ever-loyal Ghost hovered nearby, and he can spot the way their orange optic narrowed, in thought.

"Your implant." He heard Ace say.

"Implant?" Zakai repeated, "What implant?"

Ianos exhaled through his nose, "Right, you don't know about Matt or his research into finding a cure for corruption by the darkness."

Turning to face the Preceptor, Ianos watched as Zakai subtly dipped his head.

"Someone at the Tower was studying that?" He asked.

Ianos nodded, "Many weren't happy but, Matt didn't care, he only cared about finding a way to save those who are corrupted." He exhaled slowly, regret stung within his chest, "he and I were working together on a treatment, to help me resist the corruption while he worked on a cure." Ianos then gestured with a thumb to his back, "One treatment was an implant, which gathers lingering motes of light and converts them accordingly to inject into my body, to help keep the darkness at bay."

"And makes it easier for me to help, if need me." Ace added in. And then, Ianos heard them pause, "It's not going to cause problems, will it?"

There was a subtle tilt of the head from Zakai. Ianos can hear him hum under his helmet.

"May I see?"

The question prompted Ianos to jerk up, eyes wide before taking a quick glance around.

His eyes settled over Hush, the latter of whom sat next to the comatose Knight and Nine on a bed. Ianos can see the shine in her wide eyes, practically jumping in her seat. Near her shoulder, Crystalline's shell tipped upward. He recognizes a Ghost's smile anywhere.

"You do not have to if you wish." Ianos turned his attention back to Zakai, "we can find a work around without having to take a look."

Ianos took a breath.

"No, it's fine." He said, "It is best to show you now to avoid future problems. Just." Ianos hesitated, "Give me one moment."

Waiting until Zakai gave a nod, Ianos then proceeded to undo the buttons of his coat, sliding the clothing off before folding it neatly, and then setting it down onto his bed. This was soon followed by the rest of his clothing; his boots set aside at the foot of the bed, pant and shirt folded neatly on top of his coat until finally, he was left in his blacks. As Ianos reached for the collar, to pull it down when he came to a halt, and slowly turned his head to Hush.

The child Guardian was looking on with wide eyes, kicking her legs as she looked patiently on. Next to her, Crystalline cocked her shell.

"What?" she asked.

"Crystalline." Ianos started, "may you please take Hush out of the room."

The lavender Ghost jerked back, "Huh? Why?"

"Please." Ianos pleaded.

That earned him a look from Crystalline but nonetheless, the Ghost turned to her Chosen.

"Hush, how about we take Nine and Knight for a walk?" She suggested, "I say it is best to give them some exercise." Then, Ianos saw her yellow optic flick over to Eidr; the infant in question was gnawing upon Nine's and Knight's finger, as usual. "And some fresh air for your new little brother?"

Ianos made a noise at her last statement.

Ace in turn, chuckled.

Hush turned to look at her Ghost and, much to Ianos disappointment, she frowned and shook her head.

This one wants to stay and see. She signed.

Ianos let out a heavy sigh.

Nearby, there is a quiet laugh from Zakai.

"It seems she inherited your stubbornness." He commented.

"She's adopted." Ianos blurted.

He can feel the playful look behind Zakai's helmet, "And that matters?"

Ianos decided not to comment and instead just sighed again, especially when he felt Ace's amusement through their bond.

"Crystalline." He started.

"Hold on, hold on." Crystalline started; Ianos started to become wary at the gleam in her optic, "I have a good one." Then she glided close, almost as if to whisper into her Guardian's ear.

But her words were anything but a whisper.

"How about we leave so we may give the Preceptor and Papa some privacy?"

Ianos choked.

Ace gave a nervous laugh.

Zakai turned and coughed into a hand.

"Crystalline." Ianos protested.

The Ghost in question turned and gave him an innocent look.

"What?" She asked and Ianos couldn't help but groan, closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose.

That is when he heard small feet hitting the ground followed by the creak of a bed.

Lowering his hand and opening his eyes, Ianos looked up to see Hush already on her feet, her hand grabbing one of Nine's and Knight's arm. It wasn't long until she pulled him off the bed, helping him stand. Ianos' couldn't help but stare at the glitter in her eyes.

"Hush." He started.

"We will be back." Crystalline interrupted, hovering in front of Ianos as her Guardian and the Exo Warlock slowly walked past.

Then, before Ianos could comment further, she gave him a wink and soon, she was out the door. This left only Zakai and Ianos alone.

Again, Ianos sighed and dragged a hand down the front of his face.

In turn, he heard Zakai chuckle once more.

"Crystalline can be mischievous when she wants to be." He said, "been like that since she first came here with Blaise."

Blaise.

Crystalline's previous Chosen, if Ianos remembers correctly. A sensitive topic still, considering that the Revenant Ghost hardly speaks of him.

"It can be annoying at times." Ianos said as he grabbed the zipper of his blacks and pulled it down as he turned his back to Zakai.

As he slipped his arms out of the sleeves, letting it drop to his waist, Ianos heard Zakai take in a sharp breath.

And Ianos cannot blame him.

His time on the Moon, back when he was a prisoner, the scars still mark his body. The burns, the claws, the beatings, it was all still there. Hence why Ianos prefers covering as much as he could. He doesn't want to be reminded of what happened on the Moon.

Feeling the chill of the air settle against his skin, Ianos waited, and then looked over his shoulder at Zakai. It was then he noticed that Zakai was still, almost frozen, and he could feel his eyes linger too long over his skin. Over his scars.

"Tell me." He started, "will the implant get in the way?"

That seemed to snap Zakai back, as Ianos saw him jerk his head up, feeling his gaze settle over his. Then, he raised a hand and cleared his throat.

"I am not certain." The Preceptor admitted, "Never have I seen anything like this, let alone know if this will affect the ritual." Then, Ianos saw him subtly lift his head, "If I may, will it be alright with you if I were to get a second opinion?"

Turning to face Zakai, Ianos then shook his head.

"No, I also believe it is for the best." He looked over to Ace; he saw his Ghost nod back, "better to get another set of eyes than take any risks."

"Then give me just a moment."

It was then that Zakai took a step back, raising a hand to signal Sorrow to appear and settle into his palm. Ianos then spotted the familiar parting of her shell; an attempt at connecting to a frequency.

"The one that is going to help with the ritual." Ace glided close, whispering low, "do you think it is him?"

Instead of answering, Ianos opted to remain silent and went to pull the top of his blacks back on. Only to stop himself. He will likely have to take it off later to show the implant once more.

"Likely." He finally said, his mind lingering back to the boy who would lean over his shoulder, eye glimmering with curiosity as he tried to catch the words of the book Ianos had in his lap, "but who knows?" He flicked his orange eyes over to eyes, locking their gaze together, "It could be someone else."

A flicker of the optic was telling enough of Ace's doubts, but Ianos himself is trying to suppress his own hopes down. After all, no one had seen the boy in years, not long after the failed attempt of the First Crota Fireteam. He had taken their deaths as a sign that the Guardians knew little of the Hive and had dived deep into their antiquities. This wasn't looked well upon by others. Especially the boy's mother.

"He should be here momentarily." Zakai's voice pulled Ianos out of his thoughts, looking up in time to see Sorrow's vermillion shell encase back around her core and hovered away from his palm, "but for now, we wait."

Ianos couldn't help but raise a brow.

"Had he been busy?" He asked.

A sheepish smile can be felt behind Zakai's helmet.

"He was." The Preceptor admitted, "and he was in a foul mood about it. It is going to take some time before he gets here."

Beside him, there is a quiet chuckle from Ace.

That statement alone confirms their suspicions.

"How has he been doing?" Ianos found the question leaving his lips, and he could help clamp his jaw shut.

This time, it was Zakai who chuckled.

"He is still upset but." He let out a slow exhale, "Better. He at least leaves his quarters now."

Leaves his quarters.

Then he had been truly upset when he had left the Tower. Or more like hurt, if the tears weren't telling enough. Isolating himself and researching his current interests was one of the few ways he would cope. It is good to hear that he is no longer detaching himself from others. For now, at least.

"And Eridanus?" Ianos decided to add.

"Worried, as most Ghosts do." Beside him, Ianos heard Ace let out a cough. Zakai in turn, chuckled once more, "but is encouraging, as he usually is."

"Worries too much if you ask me."

A new voice, one that is foreign but familiar at the same time, prompted Ianos to jump before he turned.

And there, standing at the doorway, was Atum.

Atum the Curious.

Atum the Inheritor.

Atum the Hunter.

Clad in violet and gold, Ianos looked on as Atum subtly lifted his chin and then dipped down, feeling his assessing eyes behind his helmet. And next to him, just floating beside his head and above his shoulder, is Eridanus, the Ghost's shell gleaming black and yellow.

"The Preceptor spoke of an implant?" Atum stepped into the room, "May I take a look?"

Straight to the point. Not that Ianos minded. He can feel the impatience oozing off the Hunter.

Giving the young Chosen a nod, Ianos waited until Atum was close before finally turning his back towards him. It wasn't long until he felt fingers dip into the nooks of the implant. He held back a shiver.

There is a hum from Atum. Focused. And uncertain.

"Thin enough where it is not encumbering and straining." Ianos heard the Hunter murmur, "But solid enough where an attack from behind won't damage it." Another pause followed by the sliding of fingers down the length of Ianos' spine, "Who made this?"

"Matheson." Ace was the one who answered, Ianos seeing from the corner of his eyes his Ghost popping over his shoulder, "Or Matt, as he is better known."

"Matt." Another murmur from Atum and his tone held an edge of recognition, "that would explain the intricacies of this implant." Then, Ianos finally felt his fingers lift away, "although, it is going to cause us some problems for the ritual."

Ianos' heart dropped.

"Oh." Ace sounded wholly disappointed and concerned.

"Problems?" Zakai repeated.

Moving to lift the sleeves of his blacks, Ianos turned to see that Atum had faced the Preceptor, a hand on his hip.

"The sigils have to be tattooed directly onto skin." Atum explained, "the implant, although thin, is still an intrusion." Then the Hunter subtly shook his head, "The sigils may not take."

"Then we have to get rid of it." Ace finished, their shell drooping.

Ianos saw Zakai's head turn their way.

"Is that a problem?" The Preceptor asked.

"Well." Ianos saw Ace turn to look at him.

He sighed.

"There is a reason why we call it an implant." Ianos started, gesturing with a thumb to his back, "It is connected directly to my spine. Removing it isn't what you call." He gestured vaguely with a hand, "Simple."

"Ah." Understanding emitted from Zakai.

In contrast, Atum let out a huff.

"Matt, detailed work but always made it difficult dissemble." The Hunter commented, "What? Did he put you under and attached the thing himself?"

"He wouldn't allow anyone else to do it." Ace confirmed.

"Perfect." Atum muttered, "that makes everything simple."

Easily sensing the frustration, Ianos decided to add, "Is there anything you can do?"

Another scoff from Atum.

"If you mean undergoing the same procedure to remove the implant, then no, there's nothing else we can do." Ianos flinched at the Hunter's words, "do you remember what the surgery exactly entailed?"

Next to him, Ianos saw Ace shift their shell up and down.

"He wouldn't explain it to us aloud." His Ghost said, "said that explaining it verbally would allow wandering ears to listen."

The way Atum moved his head is a reminisce of someone rolling their eyes.

"Typical Warlock paranoia." The Hunter said.

And Ianos would have been offended, if it wasn't true.

"Any chance he left a digital or physical copy?" Atum asked.

"Physical no." Ianos answered, "claims that it would make it too easy for others to steal." Another scoff from the Hunter, "digital however, he did admit that he has it stored safely."

A cock of the head from Atum. He can sense the scowl behind his helmet.

"Let me guess, it is back at the Tower?" He asked.

Ianos then shook his head. He saw Atum lift his head subtly at that.

"Nine and Knight has it." Ianos clarified, "he uploaded the data into his system before destroying the original. He alone has all of Matt's data and research."

Out of respect for the former Guardian, the Phoenix Exo claims. Honestly, Ianos himself is still trying to process that Matt had bequeathed Nine and Knight all his research. Most Warlocks are too paranoid to do that. He must have believed his work to be too important to be lost.

In front of him, Ianos saw Atum crossing his arms and dipping his head.

"Isn't that the Warlock who got into that brawl with Odorata?"

Atum's question made Ianos raise a hand and pinch the bridge of his nose. The Revenants really won't let that go, will they? He made a mental note that its members tend to hold onto grudges.

"Yes." Ianos admitted as he dropped his hands, "and who is currently unresponsive."

He crossed his arms, frowning now.

That is going to be a problem.

"Perfect." The sigh from Atum signaled his thoughts similarly, "we have two choices now: either we go through the procedure and hope for the best or pray that your friend will wake up to tell us how the procedure went and still hope that all goes well, except, we have an inkling of what to do."

Ianos couldn't help but give him a look. When he says it like that, it doesn't sound like Ianos has good odds.

"I believe the best call is to confer with Nine and Knight." He instead said, "although, he hasn't been active for quite a while now."

"In that case, we have to delay the ritual." Ianos couldn't help but jerk back at Atum's announcement, "it does not matter if you get the information from your friend, however, we must remove that implant before the ritual can be initiated." He gestured with a hand at Ianos, "with it still connected, it would likely cause the ritual to fail and, if I were to be honest, we know nothing of what happens if the ritual were to fail."

A pause.

"Wait." Ace finally said, turning their optic to the Preceptor, "you meant it when you said that the ritual has never failed before?"

Behind his helmet, Ianos can feel Zakai's sheepish smile before the Preceptor promptly shrugged. Then it was quickly followed by a sputter from Atum.

"Of course not!" The Hunter sounded legitimately offended, "Did you think that we would risk the lives of others for a ritual that may not work!?" Then, snapped his hands towards him, "Why else did you think I am delaying the ritual until we get that implant off you!? The risks are too high!"

"Well." Ace started, "don't most Guardians jump in and hope for the best?"

That made Atum wheeze.

"What happened to common sense!?" He shouted.

"I say it is best to finish here for now." Zakai took a step around Atum, putting himself between Ianos and the Hunter; despite this, Ianos can still see the young Chosen seethe behind the Preceptor, "Atum and I will confer when it is the best time to remove the implant so we know when to initiate the ritual."

And then, Zakai turned, wrapped an arm around Atum's shoulder, and started leading the younger Revenant out.

"I will not allow failure!" Atum shouted back before the two disappeared through the door.

"Does he mean us, the ritual, or him?" Ace asked.

"Yes." Ianos answered.

There is a hum from Ace before he saw his Ghost turn to look at him.

"Shall we see if we can make contact with Nine and Knight?" They asked.

Ianos breathed out through his lips before walking over to his bed, picking up his clothes and armor.

"It would be a worth try." He agreed.